Living as God's Chosen: Identity, Hope, and Action

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Identity

We are called to embrace our identity as a "chosen generation," a "royal priesthood," a "holy nation," and a "people for His own possession." This identity is not merely a title but a profound calling to live lives that reflect God's light and proclaim His excellencies. As believers, we are set apart by God's mercy, and this identity comes with the responsibility to live authentically and intentionally for Christ. Our lives should be a testament to the transformation that comes from being called out of darkness into His marvelous light. This calling is both a privilege and a mission to bring others into the light of Christ. [34:22]

"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." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally live out your identity in Christ today, and who in your life needs to see this light through you?

Day 2: Authentic Hope in a Searching World

In a world that is often filled with uncertainty and moral decline, there is a deep yearning for hope and authenticity. As believers, we are called to place our trust in Christ rather than in worldly systems. Authenticity and consistency in our faith are crucial, especially for the younger generations who are seeking something real and true. We are called to be genuine in our walk with Christ, standing firm in our faith amidst the noise of the world. This involves living out our faith in a way that is both real and relatable, offering hope to those around us. [39:44]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate authentic hope to someone in your life who is searching for something real?

Day 3: The Power of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool in our spiritual lives, serving as both a defensive and offensive weapon. It should be our first response, not our last resort. Through prayer, we invite God to move within our church, build community, and be exalted in our homes with intentionality. As we navigate the challenges of our time, we are encouraged to lean into our identity as God's chosen people, to live out our faith boldly, and to influence the world around us for Christ. Prayer is essential for revival, unity, and the building of God's kingdom community. [54:13]

"Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What specific situation in your life can you commit to bringing before God in prayer today, trusting Him to move?

Day 4: Living as a Proclamation of the Gospel

Our lives should be a living proclamation of the gospel. This involves being satisfied customers of Jesus, sharing our testimonies, and meeting people where they are. We are called to unite, not divide, and to welcome all into the church with love and grace. By living out the gospel, we become a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of Christ. Our actions and words should reflect the love and grace of God, drawing others into a relationship with Him. [56:38]

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can your actions today serve as a living proclamation of the gospel to those around you?

Day 5: Intentionality in the Home

We must be intentional about exalting God in our homes. This involves taking initiative in spiritual leadership, discipling our families, and creating an environment where Christ is honored. Our homes are the starting point for influencing the world for Christ. By fostering a Christ-centered environment, we can impact not only our families but also our communities. This intentionality requires dedication and a commitment to living out our faith in every aspect of our lives. [01:00:24]

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to create a more Christ-centered environment in your home?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound identity and mission bestowed upon us as believers, as outlined in 1 Peter 2:9-10. We are reminded that we are a "chosen generation," a "royal priesthood," a "holy nation," and a "people for His own possession." These descriptors are not just titles but a call to action, urging us to live lives that proclaim the excellencies of God who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. This identity is a gift, a result of God's mercy, and it comes with the responsibility to live authentically and intentionally for Christ.

We reflected on the current state of the world and the church's role within it. There is a yearning for Christ's return, a longing for hope amidst moral decline, and a desire for genuine community. The church is called to be a beacon of hope, not by conforming to the world but by standing firm in faith and demonstrating love through action. This involves being a living proclamation of the gospel, uniting rather than dividing, and building a kingdom community that extends beyond the church walls.

We also discussed the importance of prayer as both a defensive and offensive tool in our spiritual lives. Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. It is through prayer that we invite God to move within the church, to build community, and to be exalted in our homes with intentionality. As we navigate the challenges of our time, we are encouraged to lean into our identity as God's chosen people, to live out our faith boldly, and to influence the world around us for Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Identity in Christ: We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God's possession. This identity calls us to live lives that reflect God's light and proclaim His excellencies. Our identity is not just a title but a mission to bring others into the light of Christ. [34:22]
2. Hope and Authenticity: In a world searching for hope, we must place our trust in Christ, not in worldly systems. Authenticity and consistency in our faith are crucial, especially for the younger generations seeking something real and true. We are called to be genuine in our walk with Christ, standing firm in our faith amidst the noise of the world. [39:44]
3. Prayer as a Priority: Prayer should be our first line of defense and offense. It is a powerful tool that invites God to move in our lives, our church, and our communities. We are encouraged to pray for revival, unity, and the building of God's kingdom community. [54:13]
4. Living Proclamation: Our lives should be a living proclamation of the gospel. This involves being satisfied customers of Jesus, sharing our testimonies, and meeting people where they are. We are called to unite, not divide, and to welcome all into the church with love and grace. [56:38]
5. Intentionality in the Home: We must be intentional about exalting God in our homes. This involves taking initiative in spiritual leadership, discipling our families, and creating an environment where Christ is honored. Our homes are the starting point for influencing the world for Christ. [01:00:24]
** [60:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Announcements and Updates
[24:49] - Gratitude for Veterans
[27:30] - New Church App and Website
[30:55] - Fellowship of Joy Event
[32:50] - Freedom in Worship
[34:22] - Chosen Generation: Our Identity
[36:30] - Yearning for Christ's Return
[38:06] - Hope Beyond Elections
[39:44] - Authenticity and Consistency
[40:58] - God's Work Among Us
[41:51] - Church's Mission and Challenges
[44:08] - Called Out of Darkness
[45:55] - Four Descriptors of the Church
[49:00] - Purpose of Proclaiming His Excellencies
[50:43] - Purchased by Christ
[51:52] - Influence and Mission
[52:53] - Hope in the Right Place
[54:13] - Importance of Prayer
[54:54] - Life Points and Call to Prayer

Sermon Clips

My soul, bring it on, man. It was awesome. I was worshiping there at a Journey concert for just a minute. It was really awesome. I loved it. And if there was any question about whether the drums are saved, they are today because Dustin has beat the devil out of them. And it was awesome. I loved it. You guys all did fantastic. [00:24:30] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Some people mistakenly put their hope in an election. And not that an election can't help some things and not that we shouldn't vote for whoever God lays on our heart and we pray for those candidates. And all those things. But our hope does not come from on high from Washington. Our hope comes from Christ. [00:37:45] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. That's it. And so we want to share that with this lost and dying world. I see a generation of people, particularly as the generations coming up, the younger generations, they are looking for a high priority on authenticity and consistency. And there's nothing wrong with that. [00:39:21] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

This challenges us as the people of God to stand on the faith that we need to own. I don't need to have my mother's faith, my grandmother's faith. I need to have the, I need to have my own. I need to have my own trust, my own relationship with Christ and be able to stand on that regardless of whatever noise is around me. [00:40:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The church is challenged to know what it believes in and to make the choice to follow the word over the world. And there's pushback from that. It's tough. The pull of the world sometimes is very, very strong. And sometimes we can't see the difference. The world looks at the church and wants to see that the church really loves the Lord by demonstrating its love for people. [00:41:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Peter tells us the mission of Christ, is to be carried out by the church. You are the church. Men, women, boys, and girls. Every once in a while, somebody will ask me, somebody within the church will ask me a question, well, what does the church feel about this? And what I want to say is, I don't know, what do we feel about it? Because they are a part of the church too. [00:45:11] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Jesus didn't wait until we were on sale to buy us. He paid full price, which was his life. He thought you were special enough, worthy of redemption enough to give his life for you. And all he asks, in return, is that we would proclaim his excellencies and share that with other people. [00:50:54] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Our hope is not coming from decisions coming down from on high. The hope is coming from the church moving up. What is God doing in our lives? Let it spread. Does that mean we shouldn't pray for our leader? Oh, absolutely, we should. Pray for God to move. Chosen generation. Pray for God to move royal priesthood. Pray for God to move holy nation. Pray for God to move a people for God's possession. [00:53:18] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?