God’s People 1 Pet. 2:9-10 1

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:… 2

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 3

“But ye” in verse 9 emphasizes the difference between those who rejected Christ and those who accepted him 4

It is our prayer that all men might realize the blessings of being a Christian and then let those blessings move him to also accept the responsibility of being a Christian 5

I. God’s children are: 6

1. “A Chosen Generation” – “An elect race” (ASV) Under the Old Covenant, Israel was God’s chosen people 7

Deut. 7:6-7 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth… 8

The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 9

Rom. 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 10

Since Israel was broken off – who makes up the “elect, chosen of God” today? Those called out of darkness into light (1 Pet. 2:9) 11

2 Th. 2:14 (Called by the gospel today) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 12

Mk. 16: (Gospel is for all) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 13

Everyone who obeys the gospel is made a part of God’s chosen people today 14

Gal. 6:16 “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” (Christians make up the spiritual Israel of God) 15

Rom. 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 16

“The real Jew today is a faithful Christian; the name Jew denotes one who is praiseworthy.” Bob Winton 17

2. “A royal priesthood” This is a major change from the Old Law where there was a separate priesthood – All the priests under the Old Law came from the tribe of Levi 18

“royal” = because of our relationship to King Jesus Christians are a priesthood because they offer sacrifices unto God through Christ 19

1 Pet. 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 20

3. “An holy nation” “Nation” suggests government The church is not a democracy but a monarchy (rule by one person) Christ is the king 21

Israel was once God’s holy nation Exodus 19:6 “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” 22

Christians make up the “holy nation” of God today A “holy” nation because we are dedicated to a sacred purpose 23

4. “A peculiar people” “A people for God’s own possession” (ASV) Peculiar = a people which belongs to God and to no other – a people God has secured as His own 24

“Christians are now God’s ‘peculiar’ people because they have been redeemed with a price” (James Meadows) 25

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 26

1 Cor. 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 27

II. Christians are to “show forth his praises” 28

“To show forth” = to proclaim far and wide “The praises of him” = means virtues or excellences of God The gracious dealings of God as shown in the plan of salvation 29

We are to tell people everywhere about the blessings and benefits God offers to mankind through the gospel 30

1 Pet. 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (this statement is from Hosea) 31

Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. 32

Rom. 9:26-27 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 33

Reference is to the Gentiles Before their conversion to Christ they were “no people” – but now they had obeyed the gospel, they had obtained mercy 34

“which had not obtained mercy, but how have obtained mercy” “Pity is care for the weak. --- Compassion is care for the suffering --- Mercy is care for the undeserving” 35

“God has bestowed his love and mercy upon us undeserving creatures” 36

Rom. 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 37

1 Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 38

“ It follows therefore that Christians are today the special, acquired treasure of God, precious jewels which he purposes to keep for himself. How we should rejoice that it is so.” Guy N. Woods 39

Are you one of God’s jewels? Are you among the people of God? 40

2 Th. 1:8-9 (Christ will come) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 41

References God’s People, FORTY SERMONS ON I & II PETER, James Meadows, 1979 Outlined Commentary on 1 Peter, by Bob Winton Gospel Advocate Commentary on Peter, John and Jude, by Guy N. Woods 42