P-E-C-U-L-I-A-R

July 21, 2002

P-E-C-U-L-I-A-R

TITUS 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

THE BIBLE TELLS THAT GOD WILL PURIFY US INTO A PECULIAR PEOPLE. I GRANT YOU WITHOUT RESERVATION THAT THERE ARE PECULIAR PEOPLE HERE IN THIS CHURCH…

THAT IS NOT THE PECULIAR THAT GOD IS TALKING ABOUT.

GOD IS SPEAKING OF A TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT “STAND OUT” FROM THEIR SURROUNDINGS… THAT DON’T SEEM TO BE THE SAME AS EVERYBODY ELSE WALKING THE PLANET.

SEE… WE MAY ALL LOOK ALIKE, BUT… WE DON’T HAVE TO BEHAVE THE SAME.

TONIGHT, LET’S QUICKLY USE THE WORD PECULIAR TO DESCRIBE THE BASIC ATTRIBUTES OF A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN.

P IS FOR PATIENT:

2 PET 1:6

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

JAMES 1:3,4

3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

ROM 5:3

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

HEB 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

E IS FOR EVANGELISTIC:

ACTS 5:40-42

40: And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41: And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42: And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

1 COR 4:17

For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

MATT 28:19,20

19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

C IS FOR COMPASSIONATE:

JUDE 21-23

21: Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22: And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

U IS FOR UNMOVEABLE:

1 COR 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

L IS FOR LOVING:

MARK 12:31

… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

JOHN 15: 12, 17

12: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you

17: These things I command you, that ye love one another.

ROM 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

1 PETER 2:17

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

HEB 13:1

Let brotherly love continue.

I IS FOR INTELLIGENT:

2 COR 2:11

11: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

A IS FOR APPROVED:

2 TIM 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

R IS FOR ROYALTY:

1 PETER 2:9,10

9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.