From Rejection to Reception: Living as God's People

Today’s gathering began with joyful worship, reminding us of the deep gladness and peace that comes from having the love of Jesus in our hearts. We celebrated the blessing of being together as a church family—laughing, crying, and sharing life’s burdens and joys. Announcements highlighted opportunities to serve, emphasizing that we are “saved to serve, not saved to sit.” The invitation to participate in ministry, fellowship events, and support for sister churches underscored the importance of community and generosity.

Turning to 1 Peter 2, we reflected on the identity and calling of God’s people living in a world that often does not know or honor Him. Once, we were far from God—rejected, miserable, and rebellious—but through Christ, we have been brought near, received mercy, and called to reverence. The story of the pauper adopted by the king illustrated the humility and gratitude we should carry, never forgetting what God has done for us.

We are reminded that as believers, we are strangers and pilgrims in this world. Our true home is not here, and we should not anchor our hopes in temporary things. Instead, we are called to live with integrity, abstaining from fleshly desires and maintaining honest conduct, so that even those who oppose us may see our good works and glorify God. The internal battle between the old and new nature is real, but the one we “feed” most will prevail. Our lives should be thermostats, not thermometers—changing the environment around us rather than simply adapting to it.

Submission to authority, even when it is difficult or unjust, is a mark of Christian maturity. We are called to honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king. Patient endurance in suffering, especially when it is undeserved, is precious in God’s sight. The example of Christ—who suffered without retaliation, bore our sins, and became the Shepherd of our souls—sets the pattern for our own lives. We are to strive to become more like Him, knowing that our suffering is not wasted and that our ultimate reward is with Him.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. From Rejection to Reception: Our journey with God begins with the recognition that we were once outsiders—without hope, without mercy, and far from God. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have been adopted into God’s family, moving from rejection to full acceptance. This should fill us with humility and gratitude, never forgetting the depths from which we have been rescued. [29:01]
• 2. The War Within and the Witness Without: Every believer faces an ongoing internal struggle between the old nature and the new life in Christ. The outcome depends on which nature we nurture and feed. Our conduct, especially in the face of criticism or misunderstanding, becomes a powerful witness to the world, silencing critics and pointing others to Jesus. [38:28]
• 3. Pilgrims with Integrity: As strangers and pilgrims, our lives are not to be rooted in the temporary comforts or securities of this world. We are called to live with integrity, abstaining from desires that war against our souls, and to let our actions speak louder than words. Our pilgrimage is marked by honesty, self-control, and a longing for our true home with God. [35:12]
• 4. Submission and Suffering: True Christian maturity is revealed in our willingness to submit to authority and endure suffering, even when it is unjust. Rather than resorting to criticism or bitterness, we are called to pray for those in authority and to trust that God sees and rewards patient endurance. Suffering for doing good aligns us with Christ’s own example and brings honor in God’s eyes. [54:53]
• 5. Christ, Our Pattern and Shepherd: Jesus is not only our Savior but also our model for how to live in a hostile world. His sinless endurance, substitutionary sacrifice, and shepherding care set the standard for our own lives. As we strive to become more like Him, we are reminded that our identity, security, and hope are found in Him alone, and that our lives should transform the world around us. [58:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:33] - Joyful Worship: Joy Down in My Heart
• [04:11] - Announcements and Opportunities to Serve
• [06:44] - Upcoming Fellowship and Service Events
• [10:05] - The Blessing of Church Family
• [11:19] - Declaration of Faith
• [13:08] - Songs of Salvation and Joy
• [15:38] - The Hope of Eternal Life
• [18:25] - Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [22:34] - God’s Grace and the Reality of Heaven
• [25:43] - Humor and Transition to the Word
• [26:25] - Living as God’s People in a Godless World
• [29:01] - From Rejection to Reception
• [31:58] - From Misery to Mercy
• [33:14] - From Rebellion to Reverence
• [35:12] - Pilgrims and Strangers: Living with Integrity
• [38:28] - The War Within: Feeding the Right Nature
• [41:40] - Submission to Authority and Christian Citizenship
• [46:22] - Servants of God: True Freedom
• [49:41] - Patient Endurance in Suffering
• [54:53] - Commendation for Suffering Wrongfully
• [58:16] - Christ Our Example and Shepherd
• [62:27] - Thermostat or Thermometer: Changing Your Environment
• [63:56] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
• [66:52] - Public Profession of Faith and Final Encouragement

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living as God’s People in a Godless World

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Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:9-25 (ESV)

> 9 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.
> 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
> 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
> 12 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.
> 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
> 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
> 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
> 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
> 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
> 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
> 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
> 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
> 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
> 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
> 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
> 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
> 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 2:10, what was the believers’ former condition, and what is their new identity in Christ? ([29:01])
2. In verse 11, what does Peter urge believers to do as “strangers and pilgrims” in this world? ([35:12])
3. What does Peter say is the purpose of living with honorable conduct among unbelievers (the Gentiles)? ([36:30])
4. How does Peter describe the example of Christ when it comes to suffering and responding to mistreatment? ([58:16])

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Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon described our journey as moving from rejection to reception, misery to mercy, and rebellion to reverence. Why is it important for Christians to remember where they came from spiritually? How does this shape our attitude toward God and others? ([31:25])
2. The pastor shared the story of the two dogs fighting inside us, with the one we “feed” most winning. What does this say about the daily choices we make in our spiritual lives? ([38:28])
3. Peter calls believers to submit to authority, even when it is unjust. What does true Christian submission look like, and how is it different from simply agreeing with everything? ([43:07])
4. The sermon said that suffering for doing good is “precious in God’s sight.” Why do you think God values patient endurance in suffering, especially when it is undeserved? ([54:53])

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Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “We are saved to serve, not saved to sit.” Are you currently serving in any way in the church or community? If not, what is one step you could take to get involved? ([04:51])
2. The story of the pauper adopted by the king was told to remind us not to forget what God has done for us. What are some practical ways you can keep a sense of humility and gratitude alive in your daily life? ([31:25])
3. Peter urges us to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” What is one area where you feel this internal battle most strongly? What would it look like to “feed” your new nature this week? ([38:28])
4. The sermon challenged us to be “thermostats, not thermometers”—to change the environment around us instead of just adapting to it. Can you think of a recent situation where you either influenced your environment for Christ or just blended in? What could you do differently next time? ([01:02:27])
5. Submission to authority was described as a mark of Christian maturity, even when we disagree or feel it is unfair. Is there a specific authority figure (at work, in government, or elsewhere) you struggle to respect or pray for? What is one way you could begin to honor or pray for them this week? ([45:06])
6. The example of Christ was highlighted as our pattern—He suffered without retaliation and entrusted Himself to God. When you are mistreated or misunderstood, what is your usual response? How could you follow Christ’s example more closely? ([58:16])
7. The sermon ended with a call to let our lives be a witness, so that even those who oppose us may see our good works and glorify God. Is there someone in your life who is watching how you live? What is one way you can let your actions speak louder than your words this week? ([36:30])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help each person remember their new identity in Christ, to live with integrity and humility, to serve others, and to endure hardship with the patience and hope that comes from following Jesus’ example.