Embracing Our Identity as God's Chosen Exiles

Devotional

Day 1: Our Identity as God's Chosen People

Our primary identity as Christians is being chosen by God, not being rejected by the world. This foundational truth should shape how we view ourselves and our purpose in life. The term "elect" is significant and is placed at the forefront of Peter's letter to emphasize that our identity as chosen by God precedes any rejection we might face in the world. This election is not hidden or secondary; it is a central truth that should shape our understanding of ourselves and our purpose. Understanding this identity helps us navigate a world that often feels hostile, providing us with a sense of belonging and purpose that transcends worldly acceptance. [07:12]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How does knowing you are chosen by God change the way you view your interactions with those who may reject or misunderstand you today?

Day 2: The Comfort of God's Sovereign Control

The doctrine of election is practical and meant to encourage believers. It assures us that our lives are under God's sovereign control and that our trials are part of His divine plan for our growth. This perspective provides comfort and assurance, knowing that nothing in our lives is random or outside of God's plan. Our trials and sufferings are not meaningless but are used by God for our sanctification and growth. Embracing this truth allows us to face challenges with a sense of peace and trust in God's ultimate purpose for our lives. [08:32]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: What current trial in your life can you view as part of God's divine plan for your growth, and how can you find joy in it today?

Day 3: The Trinitarian Work in Our Salvation

Election involves the work of the Trinity: the Father's foreknowledge, the Spirit's sanctification, and the Son's obedience and sacrifice. This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's work in our salvation. Each person of the Trinity plays a distinct role in the process of election, demonstrating the depth and richness of God's love and commitment to His people. This understanding should deepen our appreciation for the divine mystery of salvation and encourage us to live in obedience and gratitude for the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives. [13:00]

Ephesians 1:4-6 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Reflection: How can you actively acknowledge and celebrate the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your life today?

Day 4: Living as Confident and Hopeful Exiles

Our alien status in the world is not a result of random chance but is rooted in God's sovereign choice. This perspective should lead us to live with confidence and hope, knowing our ultimate identity is secure in Christ. As chosen exiles, we are called to embrace our unique position in the world, understanding that our rejection by the world is a consequence of our election by God. This truth empowers us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that our true home and identity are found in Christ, not in the acceptance of the world. [21:18]

Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Reflection: In what ways can you live with more confidence and hope today, knowing that your ultimate identity and destiny are secure in Christ?

Day 5: Embracing Our Identity as Chosen Exiles

Believers are called to embrace their identity as chosen exiles, understanding that our rejection by the world is a consequence of our election by God. This truth should lead us to live with confidence and hope. Embracing this identity means recognizing that our values, priorities, and lifestyle may often be at odds with the world around us. However, this is not a cause for despair but a reminder of our unique calling and purpose as God's people. By embracing our identity as chosen exiles, we can live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that we are part of God's greater plan. [22:27]

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: How can you embrace your identity as a chosen exile today, and what practical steps can you take to live out this identity in your daily interactions?

Sermon Summary

Understanding our fundamental identity is crucial for living as Christians in a world that often feels hostile. Our primary identity is not defined by rejection or isolation from those around us, but by our status as God's chosen people. This truth is drawn from 1 Peter 1:1-2, where Peter addresses believers as "elect exiles." The term "elect" is significant and is placed at the forefront of Peter's letter to emphasize that our identity as chosen by God precedes any rejection we might face in the world. This election is not hidden or secondary; it is a central truth that should shape our understanding of ourselves and our purpose.

Peter's use of the term "elect" is not merely theological jargon but a practical truth meant to encourage and strengthen believers. It is a reminder that our alien status in the world is not a result of random chance or human decision but is rooted in God's sovereign choice. This election is described in three ways: it originates from the foreknowledge of God, is experienced through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, and aims for obedience to Jesus Christ. These aspects of election are deeply intertwined with the work of the Trinity, highlighting the involvement of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our salvation.

The doctrine of election is not meant to be a divisive or abstract concept but a source of comfort and assurance. It assures us that our lives, including our trials and sufferings, are under God's sovereign control and are part of His divine plan for our growth and sanctification. As believers, we are called to embrace our identity as chosen exiles, understanding that our rejection by the world is a consequence of our election by God. This perspective should lead us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that our ultimate identity and destiny are secure in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Our primary identity as Christians is being chosen by God, not being rejected by the world. This foundational truth should shape how we view ourselves and our purpose in life. [07:12]
2. The doctrine of election is practical and meant to encourage believers. It assures us that our lives are under God's sovereign control and that our trials are part of His divine plan for our growth. [08:32]
3. Election involves the work of the Trinity: the Father's foreknowledge, the Spirit's sanctification, and the Son's obedience and sacrifice. This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's work in our salvation. [13:00]
4. Our alien status in the world is not a result of random chance but is rooted in God's sovereign choice. This perspective should lead us to live with confidence and hope, knowing our ultimate identity is secure in Christ. [21:18]
5. Believers are called to embrace their identity as chosen exiles, understanding that our rejection by the world is a consequence of our election by God. This truth should lead us to live with confidence and hope. [22:27]
** [22:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Fundamental Identity
[00:26] - Living in a Hostile Culture
[00:43] - Elect Exiles
[01:07] - Translation Differences
[01:39] - Defining Election
[02:09] - Connection to Verse 2
[02:35] - Importance of Word Order
[03:08] - Significance of Being Elect
[04:08] - Doctrine of Election
[05:21] - Elect Aliens
[06:52] - Chosen, Not Rejected
[08:12] - Practical Theology
[10:00] - Importance of Doctrine
[11:02] - Three Aspects of Election
[13:00] - Trinitarian Involvement
[14:49] - Foreknowledge of God
[20:02] - Sanctifying Work of the Spirit
[21:18] - Application for Believers

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 1:1-2
- John 15:16
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13

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Observation Questions:

What is the significance of the term "elect" as used by Peter in 1 Peter 1:1-2, and why does he place it at the beginning of his letter? [03:08]
How does Peter describe the process of election in relation to the Trinity in 1 Peter 1:2? [13:00]
According to the sermon, what is the relationship between being chosen by God and being rejected by the world? [07:12]
How does the sermon explain the concept of "foreknowledge" in relation to God's election? [14:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does understanding our identity as "elect exiles" influence the way we perceive our trials and sufferings in the world? [21:31]
In what ways does the involvement of the Trinity in our election provide assurance and comfort to believers? [13:00]
How might the doctrine of election challenge or affirm one's understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility? [15:19]
What practical implications does the sermon suggest for living as "chosen exiles" in a culture that may be hostile to Christian beliefs? [22:27]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt rejected or isolated because of your faith. How does knowing you are chosen by God change your perspective on that experience? [07:12]
The sermon emphasizes the practical nature of the doctrine of election. How can you apply this understanding to a current challenge you are facing? [08:32]
Consider the role of the Trinity in your spiritual journey. How can you become more aware of the Father's foreknowledge, the Spirit's sanctification, and the Son's obedience in your daily life? [13:00]
How can embracing your identity as a "chosen exile" empower you to live with greater confidence and hope in your community? [21:18]
Identify an area in your life where you struggle with feeling like an outsider. How can the truth of being "chosen" help you navigate this feeling? [22:27]
The sermon suggests that our trials are part of God's divine plan for our growth. How can you reframe a current trial in your life to see it as an opportunity for growth and sanctification? [08:32]
How can you encourage others in your community to embrace their identity as "chosen exiles" and find comfort in God's sovereign choice? [22:27]

Sermon Clips

The first word the very first word that Peter uses to identify the Believers scattered throughout the regions of Asian methania and cappadocian pontus is the word elect now you can't see that if you have a New American Standard Bible or if you have a King James Bible or if you have a revised Standard Bible you can see it if you have a new international version. [00:48:53]

The reason you can't see it is because the translators are very eager to take the word elect or Chosen and move it from its first place down either at the end or the beginning of verse Two end of verse one or beginning of verse 2 because they want to show that it is connected directly to the three phrases in verse 2 which tell us three things about our election. [00:80:94]

We elect according to the foreknowledge of God we are elect by the sanctifying work of the spirit we are elect to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood those three things Define election they tell us about the origin of our election in the foreknowledge of God they tell us about the experience of election in the sanctifying work of the spirit and they tell us about the goal or the purpose of election namely that we might obey Jesus. [00:108:00]

The very first thing he wants to say about these Believers as he writes to them is you are elect and we miss that front position when the translators move it even though we gain Clarity on the connection between election and verse 2 which we need to gain so I'm not sure which I would choose if I had to translate these verses. [00:179:70]

Your fundamental identity is not primarily that people around you reject you as a Christian or cast your name out or isolate you or ostracize you or label you that's not your fundamental meaning in life it is real we've been talking about it for two weeks you must accept it in fact you must glory in it and campaign for it from others so that they join you in this rejected alien status. [00:435:18]

The Apostle saw Doctrine and theology as tremendously practical when Peter begins his letter with the phrase elect aliens he means to be practical means to give help and he believes it is helpful to know that you are elect and he believes that it's important that you know something about that identity which is why he goes on in verse 2 and unpacks it in three ways. [00:512:70]

Could it be that one of the reasons the church in America is so weak and I Define weakness not in terms of numbers but in terms of impact could it be that we're so weak because we're constantly trying to do a practical shortcut to strengthen growth shortcut maybe we are meant to grow strong not in spite of Doctrine as so many people communicate but by means of Doctrine. [00:552:36]

Phrase number one you are elect according to the foreknowledge of God phrase number two you are elected by the sanctifying work of the spirit phrase number three you are elect unto The Obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ origin experience goal of election now there are a couple clues here which show that Peter really wants you to be engulfed in God. [00:660:24]

He wants you all to see this connection between your identity and God's electing love the first clue is that he engulfs us with God's initiative God's electing initiative notice it's behind you and it's in you and it's in front of you look at this it's behind you according to the foreknowledge of God it's the basis it's in You by the sanctifying work of the spirit. [00:699:36]

These three dimensions that I just gave you of election are each related to a different Divine person of the Trinity whoa now we're into the Trinity before he says hello did you notice that foreknowledge of God the Father sanctifying work of the spirit unto The Obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ the son you've got the father at work in the election. [00:779:22]

Peter's answer is you foreknew me and you chose me elect according to the foreknowledge of God now what does that mean what does the foreknowledge of God mean here does it mean that I elected myself by my own autonomous self-determining powers of so-called free will that I elected myself first then God saw my self-election and responded with his election. [00:880:38]

God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the spirit the exact same phrase in relationship to election so God the spirit now is cooperating with God the father in that he takes that Divine Eternal decree of our election and translates it into a practical reality as he moves into our lives and he draws us to Faith and he begets the fruits of the spirit. [00:1229:46]

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Embracing Our Identity as God's Chosen Exiles

Devotional

Day 1: Our Identity as God's Chosen People

Day 2: The Comfort of God's Sovereign Control

Day 3: The Trinitarian Work in Our Salvation

Day 4: Living as Confident and Hopeful Exiles

Day 5: Embracing Our Identity as Chosen Exiles

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Our Identity as God's Chosen Exiles

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