Chosen People

Before we get started with our text in 1 Peter 2:9 let’s take a look at verses seven and eight in the same chapter. 7

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who 2are disobedient,

g“The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone,”

8 and

h“A stone of stumbling

And a rock of offense.”

iThey stumble, being disobedient to the word, jto which they also were appointed.

Peter was quoting Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:13 in order to point out that Jesus was rejected yet He has been lifted up to rule over all nations. In verse eight he points out that those who rejected Him are now offended that anyone would claim that He is God. He is a stumbling block because scripture clearly points to Him and they are forced to be disobedient to the truth of the word by rejecting Him.

Now we come to our text where Peter has something to say to those who do believe.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a (royal) priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of kdarkness into His marvelous light;

The word chosen in this context means to be “selected or marked for favor or special privilege.”

When I was a young boy there were several occasions when my dad woke me up early in the morning and took me out to eat, just me and him. Now I know that might not seem like a big deal but it was, to me, for several reasons. First I was the middle child. I have a brother that is two years older than me and a sister who is two years younger than me. I remember the day I realized just how unfair things were. I was about twelve and it struck me, Michael was always getting to go places that I was not, and when I asked about it I was told that he got to go because he was older than me. Laura was always getting to play with my toys or decide what show we watched on TV and when I would question this I was always told that she got to do what she wanted because she is younger than me. So when my dad would wake me up and take me with him it made me feel special like there was something that was just for me.

God has something just for those who He chooses.

I. We are the children of God because of His own choosing (But you are a chosen generation). The word generation is not being used as we use it today. Instead of a group of people in a cretin time or place, it is referring to a common identity of believers.

Let’s look at some of the privileges that come with being a chosen generation.

A. We are a royal priesthood

The word priesthood relates back to the Old Testament. The Israelites could not stand before the Lord themselves, only the Priest could stand in God’s presence. We are not only a Priesthood in the sense that we can now boldly go before the throne of Christ, but we are a “royal” priesthood. The meaning for the word royal as it is used here is to be a descendant of a royal blood line. We are sons and daughters of the King of Heaven and Earth.

B. A Holy Nation

It is important to know that all of God’s called children make up a nation of believers, not only a nation but a Holy nation. The word Holy means set apart for God. Do you ever take the time to think about the fact that the Creator of all things has set you apart for Himself. We so often want to look at our bad qualities and talk about how unworthy we are. We need to always remember that even though we are imperfect we are still God’s Holy Nation!

C. His own special people

When our Lord looks down on creation and considers all that He has created, He sees a group of people, a priesthood, a generation, a nation that He calls His own.

It is important that we understand that all of these facts, that we are a royal priesthood, a Holy nation and God’s special people reminds us that we are not of this world. We do not have to worry about what are buddies think. We do not have to try to fit in, in order to be good citizens, because we are not citizens of this world. Our home is in Heaven.

II. We are chosen to proclaim His praises.

A. The word “that”, as in “that you may proclaim” refers to the reason we are to proclaim His praises. The most important thing is to remember that there is a reason. We are not called to praise God because evolution over a billion years has by chance created a man named Jesus, who with one life would change the world. We are called for a purpose. That we may proclaim His praises. So if I were to give a test after this sermon and ask ‘Why were we called?’ You would answer ‘ To proclaim His Praises.’