Living in the Light of Christ's Victory

The Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished the greatest victory in history—He “crossed up” death itself, rose from the grave, and now calls us to live in the light of that triumph. Our identity as believers is not something we earn or achieve; it is a gift rooted in God’s mercy, love, and sovereign choice. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for His own possession. This identity is not based on our performance or worthiness, but on God’s unchanging character and the finished work of Christ. Before God ever calls us to activity, He grounds us in identity. Just as Israel was redeemed before receiving the law, so too are we redeemed and made new before being called to live out our faith.

Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2 echo the Old Testament, showing that God’s plan has always been to create a people for Himself—not just from one ethnicity or nation, but from all nations, united by the new birth in Christ. Our diversity is swallowed up in unity, and our unity is made beautiful by diversity, all purchased by the blood of Jesus. We are not chosen because we are lovable or impressive, but simply because God set His love upon us. This love is not dependent on our performance; it is rooted in God’s own character.

As a royal priesthood, we have access to God’s presence—not for selfish gain, but to intercede for others. Our prayers and lives are meant to benefit the world around us, not just ourselves. Holiness means being set apart, distinct, and even “weird” in the eyes of the world. The early church was marked by radical love, unity across ethnic lines, and a worship that centered on Christ’s finished sacrifice. We are called to maintain that distinctiveness, not by retreating from the world, but by living as “elect exiles”—visitors who expect opposition, yet remain faithful.

Our one job is to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. This is a “show and tell” life: our conduct and our words together point to Jesus. We abstain from the passions of the flesh, not to earn God’s favor, but because we are already His. Our lives are meant to be salt and light, so that others might see and glorify God. Christ’s victory is our victory, and our calling is to broadcast His goodness to all nations until He returns.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Identity Before Activity: God always grounds us in who we are before He tells us what to do. Our status as chosen, royal, holy, and possessed by God is not the result of our works, but the foundation for them. When we forget our identity, our activity becomes empty or burdensome; but when we remember who we are in Christ, obedience flows from gratitude and security. [13:29]
• 2. The Radical Nature of God’s Love: God did not choose us because we were lovable, impressive, or deserving. He set His love on us simply because He chose to, out of His own character. This means His love is not fragile or dependent on our performance; it is steadfast, freeing us from striving and shame, and inviting us to rest in His perfect acceptance. [34:13]
• 3. The Priesthood of All Believers: In Christ, every believer has access to God’s presence and a calling to intercede for others. Our prayers and spiritual sacrifices are not just for ourselves, but for the world. We are called to use our access to plead for mercy, justice, and salvation for those around us, fulfilling our priestly role with compassion and responsibility. [39:37]
• 4. Holiness as Distinctiveness: To be holy is to be set apart, to live in a way that is noticeably different from the world. The early church was marked by “weirdness”—radical love, unity across ethnic lines, and worship centered on Christ. Our distinctiveness is not in political stances or doctrinal pride, but in a life obsessed with Jesus, marked by love, humility, and public witness. [51:15]
• 5. Show and Tell: Our calling is to “proclaim the excellencies” of Christ—not just with words, but with lives that display His transforming power. This is a “show and tell” faith: as we live out our identity and speak of Christ, others are drawn to Him. Our purpose is not private spirituality, but public witness, so that all nations might see and glorify God. [69:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:34] - The Greatest Crossover: Christ’s Victory Over Death
• [01:14] - Cross Reference: 1 Peter 2 and Our Identity
• [03:44] - Reading 1 Peter 2:1-9 in Context
• [05:38] - Salt and Light, Part Two: Elect Immigrants
• [08:20] - Video Games, Mercy, and the Gospel
• [12:16] - Identity Exchange: From Wrath to Mercy
• [14:49] - Identity Before Activity: Biblical Pattern
• [16:02] - Malice, Deceit, and the Old Self
• [21:06] - Longing for Spiritual Milk: The Path to Growth
• [23:02] - Christ the Cornerstone: The Foundation of the Church
• [28:38] - Chosen Race: Old Testament Roots
• [32:16] - New Birth and the Multiethnic People of God
• [37:50] - Royal Priesthood: Access and Intercession
• [40:52] - Holiness and Distinctiveness in a Hostile World
• [46:44] - The Weirdness of Christian Worship and Love
• [51:15] - Losing Our Distinctiveness: The Danger of Fitting In
• [53:05] - People for His Possession: Made, Purchased, Preserved
• [58:11] - Our One Job: Proclaim His Excellencies
• [69:57] - Show and Tell: Living and Speaking the Gospel
• [71:47] - Abstaining from Fleshly Passions: The War Within
• [74:53] - Salt and Light in the World: Public Witness
• [76:11] - The Day of Visitation: Living for God’s Glory
• [78:08] - Christ, the True Image: His Sacrifice and Victory
• [82:37] - Christ’s Resurrection: Our New Identity
• [83:15] - Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:1-12 (ESV) —
> So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 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. 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. 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.

Observation Questions

1. What four identity statements does Peter use to describe believers in verse 9?
2. According to the passage, what is the purpose of being a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession”?
3. What does Peter urge believers to “put away” in verses 1-2, and what does he encourage them to “long for” instead?
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the order of God’s work in our lives: identity before activity, or activity before identity? [[13:29]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says our identity as God’s people is not based on our performance or worthiness, but on God’s unchanging character and the finished work of Christ. How does this understanding of identity affect the way a believer approaches obedience? [[13:29]]
2. The pastor describes the church as a “royal priesthood” with access to God’s presence, not just for ourselves but to intercede for others. What does it mean for every believer to have a priestly role, and how might this change the way we pray or serve? [[39:37]]
3. The sermon highlights the “weirdness” or distinctiveness of the early church—radical love, unity across ethnic lines, and worship centered on Christ. Why is it important for Christians to maintain this kind of distinctiveness, and what are the dangers of losing it? [[51:15]]
4. The phrase “show and tell” is used to describe the Christian life. What does it look like to both “show” and “tell” the excellencies of Christ in daily life? [[01:09:57]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “When we forget our identity, our activity becomes empty or burdensome; but when we remember who we are in Christ, obedience flows from gratitude and security.” Can you think of a time when you tried to serve God out of duty instead of identity? How did it feel different? [[13:29]]
2. The pastor says God’s love is not fragile or dependent on our performance. Are there areas in your life where you still feel you have to “earn” God’s love or acceptance? What would it look like to rest in His steadfast love this week? [[34:13]]
3. As a “royal priesthood,” we are called to intercede for others. Who is one person or group you can intentionally pray for this week, not just for your own needs but for theirs? How can you make intercession a regular part of your spiritual life? [[39:37]]
4. The sermon challenges us to be “set apart, distinct, and even ‘weird’ in the eyes of the world.” In what ways do you feel pressure to “fit in” rather than stand out for Christ? Is there a specific area where you sense God calling you to be more distinct? [[51:15]]
5. The “show and tell” life means our conduct and our words together point to Jesus. Is there a relationship or setting where you tend to “show” but not “tell,” or “tell” but not “show”? What is one step you can take to bring both together this week? [[01:09:57]]
6. Peter urges believers to “abstain from the passions of the flesh.” Is there a particular struggle or temptation you are facing right now? What practical step can you take to “stiff arm” that temptation this week? [[01:11:47]]
7. The sermon says our purpose is to “broadcast His goodness to all nations until He returns.” Who in your life needs to see or hear about the goodness of Jesus? What is one way you can intentionally “show and tell” Christ to them in the coming days? [[01:09:57]]