1. WHO THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE: WHO ARE WE? “ 9 BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT” 1 PETER 2:9

2. WHO ARE WE? (SKIP THIS SLIDE)  The first epistle of Peter…  Peter, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST, writing to the STRANGERS* scattered … (1:1)  Though strangers here, we are  ELECT of GOD (1:2)  BORN ANEW (1:3); REDEEMED (1:18)  PEOPLE OF HOPE- A LIVING HOPE, UNDYING HOPE, A LIFE FULL OF HOPE (1:3)  PEOPLE WITH AN INHERITANCE- BEYOND THE REACH OF CHANGE AND DECAY (1:4)  KEPT* BY THE POWER OF GOD… TO SALVATION (1:5)

3. WHO ARE WE?  PEOPLE WHO RECCEIVED MERCY  “According to his abundant mercy has begotten (born anew) us” 1:3  “which in time past had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 2:10  MERCY is “NOT receiving the punishment we deserve”  “it will not be mercy if he deserved it” Ill.  We are SAVED not because of our birth or any other qualification but by his MERCY  GRACE is “receiving the blessings/benefits we DON’T deserve”

4. WHO ARE WE?  A CHOSEN PEOPLE  A glorious description of believers  God has chosen us to be part of His family!  People are excited when they are chosen from among many- to a much sought after job, position etc..  How much more excited we should be knowing God has chosen us!

5.  A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD  a ROYAL – we belong to a king  a PRIESTHOOD- called to SERVE and WORSHIP  Offering NOT bodies of animals but OUR OWN BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE!  Every believer is a priest before God!

6. WHO ARE WE?  A HOLY NATION  a HOLY- set apart for a special purpose; not by what we do, but by what God has done  “But as he which has called you is HOLY, so be ye HOLY in ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION. Because it is written, BE YE HOLY ; FOR I AM HOLY.”  a holy NATION- under the authority of God  Israel was God’s holy nation- but they sinned; God set them aside (God will restore them)  Now His holy nation is the CHURCH

7. WHO ARE WE ?  A PECULIAR PEOPLE  a PURCHASED people  BELONGING to God- “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Cor. 6:19 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

8.  We now know (perhaps have known) who we are  Now, let us live up to our calling  “that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 2:9  Declare His praises directly to Him- in Worship  Declare His praise to all who will hear- in Service  Be a witness for Christ! Tell others of His goodness.