TOPIC: THE PECULIAR PEOPLE OF GOD
TEXT: TITUS 2:14
Through our text, the Apostle Paul speaks of Christians as “the Peculiar People of God.” The word “peculiar” is commonly used to refer to “something odd” or “srange.” But that is not how it is used here in our text. The is word is translated from the Greek word “periousios” (per-ee-oo-see-os) which is made up of two words. One is “peri” (per-ee) which means “around” as a circle.” The other is “einai” (i-nahee) which means “to be.” So, the actual meaning for the word “peculiar” here can be charted by “a dot within a circle.” This will help us understand more the real meaning of the combined words.
I. PRIVATE POSSESSION – “specially selected for one’s own.”
For illustration purposes, and to help us understand it more clearly, draw a dot (you won’t have a hard time drawing that) and draw a CIRCLE around that dot. Now, label the circle “GOD” and label the dot within “YOU” or ‘ME.”
As the circle is around the dot, so God is around each one of His children. The circle monopolizes the dot, has the dot all to itself. So God has His own all to Himself. They are His private unique possession. He has reserved them for Himself.
In 1 Thess. 1:1, the expression “The church at Thessalonians IN GOD,” has in it the same idea, for the Greek case is LOCATIVE OF SPHERE. That is, it is in the sphere of God, circumscribed by God, surrounded by Him.
II. PLACE OF PRIVILEGE – that is, “a high privilege”
Turning to 1 Peter 2:7, we will read – “Unto you therefore which believe He (i.e., CHRIST) is precious” or as the Greek has it – “Unto you that believe, is the preciousness.” The preciousness the Apostle Peter is mentioned here is the preciousness of Christ which was imputed to us at the moment of our salvation or when we put our trust and faith to Him and His redemptive work. In that very moment, Christ became our preciousness in the sight of the Father as He became our righteousness before the Law.
Try to think of it, Christ, being the Son of God, dwells in the bosom of the Father, closest to the Father’s affections. Oh, how wonderful, Oh how marvelous, the grace of God was to us, that we sinners saved by grace are brought into that favored place closest to the Father’s affection.
This actually means that the Father loves us as much as He loves Jesus, His only begotten Son.
What a great comfort to rest our weary hearts when we’re going through testing times.
III. POWERFUL PROTECTION –
Now try this, place a dot outside the circle and draw an arrow from that dot to the dot inside the circle. Label it “TEMPTATION” and “TESTING.” Notice that, as the arrow cannot reach the dot except it go through the circle, so no TEMPTATION can reach us except t go through the permissive will of God. (Remember Job?)
God He will not permit the Devil to confront us with a temptation too great for us, but will provide us the necessary faith and spiritual strength to overcome it.
Put another dot outside the circle and run an arrow to the dot inside and label the outside dot “TRIAL” or “TESTING.”
As the arrow cannot reach the dot inside unless it goes through the circle, so no time of testing, no sorrow, can reach the child of God, unless it comes through the permissive ill of God, and when it reaches us, God sees to it that all needed grace is given to bear that trial. (Remember Paul?)
Our God is the God of all grace Who comforts us in all our afflictions. And this is what Paul meant in 1 Cor. 10:13 – “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
The Greek word translated “temptation” has two meanings. First, “a time of testing or trial.” And second, “a solicitation to do evil.”
We are God’s peculiar people, all His own, closest to His affections, under His powerful protecting care, the recipients of all the needed comfort and grace.
God in His wisdom plans the test, and limits the temptation.
God in His grace meets the test, ad overcomes the temptation.
In His wisdom, He plans and limits.
God Has Promised Strength for the Day
God has not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our life through; God has not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God has promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way; Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love. - Source Unknown
The purpose of Christian suffering is that, it is a means whereby sin is put out of our lives and likeness to Jesus produced.
When God Want’s to Make a Man
When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out—
God knows what He’s about.
—Author Unknown
The Father in His love, He sends and permits.
God in His grace, He meets and overcomes.
The grace of God is sufficient to surmount every difficulty, comfort every sorrow, and overcome any temptation.
2 Cor. 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
References:
1. WUEST’S Word Studies in the Greek New Testament
2. 10,000 Sermon Illustrations
