Embracing Our Identity: Salvation and Hope in Christ
Summary
In reflecting on 1 Peter 2, we are reminded of our identity as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and God's special possession. This identity calls us to declare the praises of God, who has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light. On this Palm Sunday, we remember the excitement and hope that filled the air as Jesus entered Jerusalem. The people were filled with anticipation, believing that Jesus, the King, would bring liberation from oppression and restore their nation to its former glory. They shouted "Hosanna," a cry for salvation, recognizing Jesus as the one who could rescue them.
However, not everyone was pleased with Jesus' arrival. Some were distressed, fearing the loss of their power and control. Jesus challenged the status quo, reaching out to those marginalized by society and demonstrating God's love for all people. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He was aware of the ultimate battle He was about to face—good versus evil, life versus death. His journey was not a random act but a deliberate plan to defeat the power of sin and death.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem during Passover week was significant. It was a time when the Jewish people celebrated their liberation from Egyptian captivity. Jesus was about to offer a greater liberation, freeing humanity from the power of sin and death. The people cried out for salvation, longing for deliverance from their political and economic oppressors. Yet, Jesus offered a deeper salvation, addressing the root of all human suffering—sin.
In our lives, we too cry out for salvation from various struggles and fears. Jesus hears our cries and offers us the same salvation He brought to Jerusalem. He absorbs the destructiveness in our lives and wipes it clean, calling us His children. As we reflect on this, may we join in the cry of "Hosanna," acknowledging our need for salvation and rejoicing in the peace that Jesus brings.
Key Takeaways:
- Our identity in Christ as a chosen people and a royal priesthood calls us to live in the light and declare God's praises. This identity is not just a title but a call to action, to live out our faith in a way that reflects God's love and grace to the world. [03:16]
- The excitement of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem reminds us of the hope and anticipation we can have in Christ. Despite the challenges and oppressions we face, Jesus offers a promise of liberation and restoration that goes beyond our immediate circumstances. [14:40]
- Jesus' challenge to the status quo shows us the importance of reaching out to those marginalized by society. His love and acceptance of all people demonstrate that God's love is not limited by human boundaries or prejudices. [18:07]
- The ultimate battle Jesus faced was not just against political or economic oppressors but against the power of sin and death. His victory on the cross offers us a deeper salvation, freeing us from the chains of sin and offering us eternal life. [18:07]
- Our cries for salvation are heard by Jesus, who offers us peace and restoration. In our struggles and fears, we can trust that Jesus is with us, working to bring about healing and transformation in our lives. [18:07]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:16] - Our Identity in Christ
- [06:45] - The Anticipation of Jesus' Arrival
- [09:30] - The Cry for Salvation
- [12:00] - Jesus' Challenge to the Status Quo
- [14:40] - The Ultimate Battle
- [16:20] - Significance of Passover Week
- [18:07] - Deeper Salvation Offered
- [20:30] - Jesus' Plan and Purpose
- [22:15] - Our Personal Cries for Salvation
- [24:00] - Rejoicing in Jesus' Peace
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 2:9-10
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Peter 2:9-10 say about our identity as believers? How does this identity relate to our actions and purpose? [03:16]
2. How did the people of Jerusalem react to Jesus' entry into the city, and what were their expectations of Him? [14:40]
3. What were some of the reasons certain groups were distressed by Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem? [18:07]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus entering Jerusalem during Passover week? [14:40]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be a "chosen people" and a "royal priesthood" in the context of 1 Peter 2:9-10? How might this identity influence a believer's daily life? [03:16]
2. In what ways did Jesus challenge the status quo during His time, and how does this challenge apply to modern believers? [18:07]
3. How does the sermon explain the deeper salvation that Jesus offers beyond political or economic liberation? [18:07]
4. What is the significance of the people's cry of "Hosanna" during Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and how does this relate to our own cries for salvation today? [18:07]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your identity as part of a "chosen people" and a "royal priesthood." How can you live out this identity in your community this week? [03:16]
2. Jesus reached out to those marginalized by society. Identify one way you can extend love and acceptance to someone who feels marginalized in your community. [18:07]
3. The people of Jerusalem had specific expectations of Jesus. What expectations do you have of Jesus in your life, and how do they align with His true purpose? [14:40]
4. Consider a struggle or fear you are currently facing. How can you invite Jesus into that situation to bring peace and restoration? [18:07]
5. The sermon mentions Jesus' deliberate plan to defeat sin and death. How can you be more intentional in your spiritual journey to align with Jesus' purpose? [14:40]
6. How can you incorporate the cry of "Hosanna" into your prayer life, acknowledging your need for salvation and celebrating the peace Jesus brings? [18:07]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt distressed by a change or challenge. How can Jesus' example of challenging the status quo inspire you to embrace change with faith? [18:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Living as a Chosen People
Our identity in Christ as a chosen people and a royal priesthood calls us to live in the light and declare God's praises. This identity is not just a title but a call to action, to live out our faith in a way that reflects God's love and grace to the world. As a chosen people, we are set apart to demonstrate the transformative power of God's love in our lives. This means actively seeking ways to serve others, showing compassion, and living with integrity. Our lives should be a testament to the hope and joy found in Christ, inviting others to experience the same. [03:16]
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: In what specific ways can you declare God's praises in your daily interactions this week? Consider one action you can take today to reflect God's love to someone in your community.
Day 2: Anticipating Liberation and Restoration
The excitement of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem reminds us of the hope and anticipation we can have in Christ. Despite the challenges and oppressions we face, Jesus offers a promise of liberation and restoration that goes beyond our immediate circumstances. The people of Jerusalem anticipated a political savior, but Jesus offered a deeper, spiritual salvation. In our own lives, we may look for solutions to our immediate problems, but Jesus invites us to trust in His greater plan for our ultimate good. This hope in Christ empowers us to face life's difficulties with courage and faith. [14:40]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust Jesus for liberation and restoration? How can you actively place your hope in Him today?
Day 3: Challenging the Status Quo with Love
Jesus' challenge to the status quo shows us the importance of reaching out to those marginalized by society. His love and acceptance of all people demonstrate that God's love is not limited by human boundaries or prejudices. Jesus' ministry was marked by His willingness to engage with those whom society often overlooked or rejected. As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same, extending love and grace to all, regardless of their background or circumstances. This radical love can break down barriers and bring healing and reconciliation. [18:07]
James 2:8-9 (ESV): "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."
Reflection: Who in your life might be feeling marginalized or overlooked? How can you reach out to them with Christ's love and acceptance this week?
Day 4: Victory Over Sin and Death
The ultimate battle Jesus faced was not just against political or economic oppressors but against the power of sin and death. His victory on the cross offers us a deeper salvation, freeing us from the chains of sin and offering us eternal life. This victory is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms our lives. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are invited into a new life of freedom and purpose, no longer bound by the guilt and shame of our past. This assurance of salvation gives us confidence to live boldly for Christ. [18:07]
Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Reflection: What is one area of sin or guilt that you need to surrender to Jesus today? How can embracing His victory on the cross bring you freedom and peace?
Day 5: Embracing Peace and Restoration
Our cries for salvation are heard by Jesus, who offers us peace and restoration. In our struggles and fears, we can trust that Jesus is with us, working to bring about healing and transformation in our lives. This peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ in the midst of it. As we bring our burdens to Him, He promises to carry them and provide us with the strength we need. This assurance allows us to face each day with hope and confidence, knowing that we are never alone. [18:07]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: What is one burden or fear you need to bring to Jesus today? How can you actively seek His peace and restoration in this situation?
Quotes
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. God's special possession. In order that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." [00:00:19] (25 seconds)
"Lord, help us to remember every day that Jesus has defeated the power of death, not the reality of physical cessation of breath and brainwaves, but the power of sin to keep us in the grave, to keep us in the urn, to keep us in the distressed environment in which so often we're swimming." [00:01:11] (24 seconds)
"What would it be like for you to have the ultimate godly desires that you have for security, for a sense I matter, for a sense the warfare has ended in my head, or in the world? What would it be like for you to see all of that coming to pass and being your experience at this moment." [00:02:45] (43 seconds)
"So, Lord, give us a sense of hope. And what was happening in the lives of those people 2,000 years ago? They were anticipating, they say, we have one hope in life. What's the hope in the Jewish community? What's the hope? Where's your hope?" [00:04:05] (17 seconds)
"People said this Jesus is the king they said he is the king the son of David which in the that was another phrase for the king he's descended from David who was king when we were in charge when we were the center of trade routes from the south to the east and there was a lot of wealth there were incredible buildings that were decorated beyond whatever I've seen in Austin and I've seen some fancy places we're going to be back there again and this is our king it says that they waved and they said blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord hosanna this is blessed is the king who comes so the folks a lot of them were excited and you would have been too you would I mean this is this Jesus heard about Jesus he ripped he raised a man from the dead just outside of town he gave sight to the blind for some of them it was very personal he's the one that took your uncle who couldn't walk and now your uncle's doing the two-step at the wedding okay this is Jesus wherever he goes people flock to him and if you read scripture Jesus was not understand this correctly folks he was like a rock star wherever he went read scripture multitudes gathered at one time there were at least 5,000 guys and he catered a meal for them and that's just the guys I mean Jesus is in some little ephemeral nothing out there that no one's tuned into all righty it is this Jesus that no doubt kindled in the hearts and minds of the Jewish community he's here he's here sadness will be lifted tears will be dried people are going to dance" [00:06:14] (135 seconds)
"Bring life and not death and as you can see I mean this is the best of both worlds our king's coming and he's going to bring us peace so they were understandably excited waving palm branches as it says they were and also shouting hosanna it's also true that some people were really wrapped around the axle they were upset they were distressed why well because they felt Jesus was in a way taking over their position the people that were distressed and this was realistically started in that Jewish community oh my goodness here's someone that people are going to follow as opposed to following what we say you have to do and you have to be and that group had put all kinds of hedges around God's love I mean God couldn't love folks that don't smell good that's why the shepherds it was so amazing shepherds came to see Jesus shepherds were people that you stay away from you stay away from anyone that works with animals or dead leather you stay away from anyone that eats ribs all right you can't eat ribs you stay away from anyone that's not as good as you are you stay away you don't let them in as a matter of fact Jesus eats with sinners can you believe it can you believe it boy vey he's eating with sinners he's actually reaching out to people that God Jesus says loves and created but we say have to earn their way according to our rules into God's presence they were really upset because Jesus was sure blowing the top off of that kind of nonsense image well that's all that's going on there is the folks come into Jesus" [00:10:37] (121 seconds)
"Good versus evil I mean say it however you want life versus death darkness versus light freedom in Christ versus subjugation to the chains of sin and death and it wasn't like a spur of the moment oh I think today I'll go into Jerusalem and and see what's going on no he knew exactly what he was going into all righty it's a Sunday it's first day of the week so it's a Sunday" [00:13:02] (39 seconds)
"But the plan is he's going to defeat the power of Satan and the reality of physical death and eternal death. That's the plan. And he executes the plan. He executed it in your life and in mine when he went to the cross and when he rose from the dead. It's not a random thing. Oh, I think, gee, that surprises me that all that's happening. No. Focused on defeating the ultimate enemy, which Scripture says is death." [00:14:28] (30 seconds)
"Jesus, in a way, what he's doing here, he's saying, all righty, it's Passover week. You're going to be celebrating liberation. But let me tell you, this is a whole lot better than Passover. And it has to be done this week. Because I am going to celebrate, I'm going to demonstrate that I free you from, not Egypt, but from the power of the evil one that is manifested in all kind of ways in our world and in our lives. The violence, the destruction, the war, the anger, the jealousy." [00:15:44] (36 seconds)
"I'm going to deliver you from the result of all of that sin. All of those places in which we have rebelled against God's good and gracious will that we love him and serve him. We end up loving and serving other people and other things. And the Lord says, I'm going to right that wrong. That's the ultimate battle." [00:16:26] (23 seconds)
"You know what Hosanna means? Well, let me tell you. Hosanna means save us. The people knew. Think of this. Think of this. What are they saying? They're saying, he's the king. He's coming. And he's here. Hosanna. Lord, save us. You are the one who rescues us. That word save means to be rescued. Lord, save us. Crying, really crying out a prayer, a petition, if you will, of wanting to be assured of the Lord's mercy and grace. Lord, save us. And they were happy. Lord, save us. Someone's finally listening. Save us." [00:17:14] (47 seconds)
"What are you gonna how are you gonna handle and what are you gonna do about the things in your life that you know you were on the wrong path that you said you did what are you gonna do about what scripture calls sin where we just kind of we go our own way what are we gonna do about any of that and the Lord says I hear you you're saying save me and guess what that's what I'm gonna do I'm gonna go to the cross and I'm gonna absorb every amount of energy and thought that has gone into the destructiveness in your life and in the world and I'm gonna wipe it clean and when I call you my child and if you're saying how Lord save me from a situation save me from my fears save me from the thought of impending death or destruction save me in the midst of a relationship and a family of parents with kids with husbands with wives that oh man it's gone south big time Lord save me I need you and the Lord said of course that's why I want you to see that as I come into Jerusalem I'm coming there to save you Lord thank you may we say Hosanna because you know what it is you need to be saved from and the Lord says I've done it I'm in the process of doing it there's nothing will keep our God from calling his children home may we rejoice with words of Hosanna Hosanna in the highest I'm in the Lord's peace be with you I'm in God you you you you you you you" [00:20:47] (111 seconds)
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