"Peter, Feed My Sheep” (4 Of 21)

In fact, there is so much plastic surgery taking place these days, we are often warned that if you are going to have this surgery, make sure that you get a qualified plastic surgeon to do the surgery. There are some quacks out there who do this kind of surgery, and when they are finished with you, you might have your nose where you ear is suppose to be, or you might be talking through your nose.

There are others who do not like themselves because they do not have the skills or talents that others might possess. Those who are like this, react in two ways:

(1) THEY LIVE LIFE DISLIKING THEMSELVES

We have an abundance of these in our society. They feel inferior to everyone. Since they feel they are the lowest on the totem pole, and feel inadequate, they have a hard time looking anyone in the eyes.

The other group takes just the opposite view-

THEY LIVE LIFE DECEIVING THEMSELVES

That is, in their lives they are constantly trying to fool themselves and others.

Illus: These need to be told: "You’re never going to get anywhere if you think you're already there."

These give the impression that they have arrived, but the sad thing is they have not even gotten on the bus yet. They are confused. They are sure they know all the answers, but wonder why people keep asking the wrong questions.

When a person receives Christ in his life, he should develop the proper attitude of himself/herself.

God told Peter, “Feed my sheep”. In this portion of Scripture he tells them what God has bestowed upon us. Look at what we have:

I. THE WEALTH OF THE BELIEVER

Look at 1 Peter 2:9, we read, "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 in his marvellous light.”

Notice the words in verse 9, “But ye are...” Those three words talk about WHO WE ARE, AND THE BLESSINGS HE HAS BESTOWED UPON US.

For example, if you read Exodus 19:6 and Isaiah 43:21, you will discover that special blessings were once bestowed upon the nation of Israel.

But when Peter addresses the church, he shows us these special blessings in the 0.T. were transferred to the N.T. Church. John, in Revelation, concurs with Peter on this transfer. Look at Rev. 1:6. We read, "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen."

When it comes to these special blessings, Peter says, "But ye are...”

What are we? He shows us, first of all:

(A) YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION

Israel was "a chosen generation". How were they chosen?

Sometimes Gentiles feel that perhaps God loves the Jews more than he loves us. But that is not true. God CHOSE and CALLED them from idolatry to be a witness to the lost nations that surrounded them.

God has also CHOSEN and CALLED us from idolatry to be a witness to the lost that surround us each day.

WHY DID GOD CHOOSE THEM? God bestowed upon them the special blessing that they may live a godly life around those who lived in darkness.

God has bestowed special blessings upon the New Testament church, that we might live a godly life around those who live in darkness.

Look what Paul says in 2 Cor. 4:6. We read, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Illus: This is a strange age in which we live. For example:

• In the past, if a fireman broke into a house that was in flames to save a child, he was a hero. But today, if fellow can hit a ball with a baseball bat, he is considered a hero.

• A lost man can live in a luxurious house and drive a beautiful car, and we call him fortunate. But yet that same man is only one heart beat away from eternal damnation.

A lot of folks in this society that are held up on a pedestal, do not need to be admired and held in high esteem, THEY NEED TO BE PITIED!

You see, God has CHOSEN ALL, but all have NOT CHOSEN HIM.

Illus: They are like a person who has a deadly disease and does not know it. They will soon discover their sad plight, but it will be too late.

Israel may have had neighbors around them that appeared to be in great shape financially, but spiritually they were impoverished. God chose Israel to reveal Himself through them, so that the lost world might have a witness of His greatness.