The Common Made Holy Series
“The Birthright of Saint Who”
I Peter 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
➢ Every person who places their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Follows Him as Lord is Born Again Spiritually and has a Spiritual Birthright as a Saint of God.
World English Dictionary
birthright — n
1. the privileges or possessions that a person has or is entitled to as soon as he is born.
1. The REWARDS of a Saint’s Birthright.
o A Living Hope (not a just a dying one)
o An Inheritance kept in heaven for us
Peter tells the saints that they have a lasting inheritance which cannot fade or be destroyed. And that inheritance is protected by the power of God Himself.
If you have an investment fund or a retirement fund, you are concerned with how it is protected. You want to know can you trust that the money you invested will be there when you need it?
We recently went through a crises in the stock market that caused millions to loose a considerable portion of their investments. But this investment is protected by God Himself. He has set it aside on our behalf and holds it in reserve for us in heaven. What a promise. This promise should compel us to live for what lasts.
o God Guards us
, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
o You and your faith are precious to God
o Your life will be spiritually successful
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ..
o Love for Christ
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
o Joy inexpressible
o Eternal Salvation of your soul
9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 2:
9 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. 10 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.
2. A Saint’s Birthright REVEALS who we are in Christ Jesus.
Knowing who you are changes how you live, and it gives you both security and satisfaction.
“What makes life, life?
What is it that determines how fully alive any person is?
What needs to happen during the span of our lives so that at the end of it all we can look back and say, “I have truly lived!” I believe there are two things people require (and not only people, but all creatures God has made): We must fulfill the destiny for which we were made while at the same time being true to who we are.”
Birthright by David Needham
This new identity however is CONDITIONAL – you must be born again.
Secondly this new identity must lead to transformation in us and in our behavior. Our behavior does not determine our identity BUT they must match. We are going to survey a great deal of scripture that talks about who a Saint is in Christ Jesus but with these proclamations there is the expressed expectation of a transformed life based upon this new identity.
This is consistent with all of life. When someone says, “Act your Age.” There is an expectation that your behavior should match who you are.
We a person is hesitant and someone tells them to “Man Up!” There is an expectation that our behavior should match who we are supposed to be.
"Understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential to your success at living the victorious Christian life."
"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity!" (From Victory Over the Darkness, by Dr. Neil Anderson)
Who you are, must flow from whose you are. You either belong to self and to Satan (if you are not born again.) If so you are on your own. And the Bible says that your identity is a “sinner.”
Or you have received Christ Jesus as your Savior and Lord and your identity is in Him.
Who I Am “In” Christ
If you have placed your trust in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior this is who you are in Him!
In Christ I am accepted. I reject the lie that I am rejected, unloved, or shameful.
God says:
John 1:12 I am God's child.
John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ's body.
Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint, a holy one.
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
In Christ I am secure. I reject the lie that I am guilty, unprotected, alone, or abandoned.
God says:
Romans 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for His glory and my eternal good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and protected by Him from the evil one.
In Christ I am significant. I reject the lie that I am worthless, inadequate, helpless, or hopeless.
God says:
John 15:5 I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a receiver of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God's temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
(Adapted from Freedom in Christ Ministries)
The Saint’s Birthright in Christ Jesus
Who we are flows from “Whose” we are. This is who a Christ Follower is “In Jesus Christ.”
Alive in Christ
I Corinthians 15:21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Chosen by God
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Saved by grace
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
God is propitiated (satisfied) in Christ’s payment for our sin
I John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
Reconciled to God
Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Redeemed
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Freed from the Law
Romans 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
Totally forgiven
Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Totally cleansed
I Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Made holy and blameless
Colossians 1:22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
Hidden with Christ in God
Colossians 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Clothed with Christ
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Sealed in Christ
Ephesians 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Given Christ’s righteousness
II Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 5:17 If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Justified
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Safe from the wrath of God
Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Made at peace with God
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Freed from condemnation
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Sanctified (made holy, set apart for God)
Hebrews 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
I Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Made perfect forever
Hebrews 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Totally accepted
Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Translated out of darkness into light
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
From death to life
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Born again
I Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Made into a temple of the Holy Spirit
I Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality…
Made into a new creation
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Made children of God
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Adopted into God’s family
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Made heirs of God
Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
In fellowship with God
I Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
I John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Made into a holy and royal priesthood
Revelation of John 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Given total access to God
Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Made complete
Colossians 2:9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
We have been given everything
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
II Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
PLAY “I’m A Saint Clip
What happened to our identity? Sin.
Sin is not only your enemy in effecting your behavior. Sin is a thief seeking to steal from you the very identity God created you to have!
Oh, the tragedy of Eden! Rejecting dependence upon the will and character of God, Adam and Eve rejected life! Looking for fullness, they found instead a fathomless despair. Even if in some twisted sense they fulfilled by sinning what they were—sinners—they still were missing the destiny for which God had created them. Their one bridge to meaning, their fundamental reason for existing, lay collapsed in hopeless ruin before them. Man’s essential nature was now “in the flesh.” And the Bible says that “those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” So, by his very nature, man is a sinner.
Cut off from His creator.
Cut off from any hope of meaning. A rebel trapped in futility. That is what sin is all about. C.S. Lewis (The Problem of Pain pp70-71)
2. The Identity of Saint begins with understanding that He/She is Set Apart and lives as an Alien in a foreign land.
Peter is addressing people who are living a strangers in a foreign land because they have been set apart by God for His purposes.
Now it is interesting to note that this letter which is written to those who are set apart was written by perhaps the most common of the Lord’s disciples, Peter.
Peter was a fisherman. He had little formal education. He was brash. He was outspoken. He denied the Lord. He was not one we would think of as set apart, as HOLY, he was ordinary. But God set him apart and took a common man and transformed him into a holy vessel for God’s use.
The reason I believe God so often chooses the most unlikely people is “Soli Deo Gloria” – so that He alone receives the glory.
So Peter the unlikely choice is writing to people who have been set apart, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. He writes to a people who were chosen by God to be set apart and who are in the process – (sanctifying) of being made holy by God’s Spirit.
Also I want you to recognize that scripture tells us that all 3 members of the Trinity participate in our salvation.
I Peter 1:
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
• We are chosen according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father. God the Father elects the saints.
• We are Sanctified (Set apart) by God the Holy Spirit. God the Spirit Sets the saints apart and applies salvation to our souls.
• We are set apart to obey Christ the Son who purchased our salvation with His blood. Jesus cleanses us and forgives us, and we are set apart in allegiance to His will and purpose.
Lets look at the next few verses in 1 Peter.
I Peter 1:
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
5. Trials PROVE the Faith of a Saint.
Chapters 3 & 4 of 1 Peter deal extensively with trials and suffering. Here Peter sets the stage for understanding that trials are a part of the life of a saint.
We are set apart and called to live as aliens in a foreign land, in obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Trials will come, unless we are so comfortable and so conformed to this world that we no longer live as aliens.
I have done missions projects in 17 different countries. I was never at home in any of them. There were things I enjoyed but they were never home. And in every foreign country I experienced trials and difficulties, some small and some large. They were a natural part of the journey of a foreigner.
For the Saints of Christ Jesus, trials are part of life, but they also serve a Divine purpose. They present the proof of our faith.
6. The Faith of a Saint is More Precious than Gold.
Precious to who?
Our Faith is precious to God. Why is it precious to God? Because it will result in praise and glory when Jesus is revealed. The day is soon approaching when Jesus Christ will be revealed as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. At that day the praise faith that we have placed in Him, will result in triumphant praise to the Lord.
The faith of millions of believers with come together and proclaim with a mighty voice – Jesus is Lord. This is the climax of all history. God’s story will be revealed in its entirety and we will see God for who He is.
Our faith is precious to God because it is a precursor to the great day when every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord.
It should be precious to us. We should treasure our faith more than any earthly possession or relationship.
When we persevere through a trial of faith it demonstrates our faith and did you see what else it demonstrates?
3. Experiencing a Saint’s Birthright daily, RESTS on our Love for Christ Jesus.
Peter makes a bold statement to the Alien Saints. He talks about their love for Christ Jesus whom they have never seen.
I Peter 1:
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
This is why we worship. Musical expression is our spirit seeking to express that which is larger than words and transcends the notes and rhythms of music. It is saying to Jesus “We love You!” That is why we as a people need to fight for worship and not let styles or preferences divide us.
How much do you love Jesus? What does He really mean to you? Does He mean enough for you to live a life of obedience to Him? Does He mean enough for you to be set apart to Him alone and to live a life that honors Him? Does He mean enough for you to desire to worship and praise Him continually?
Do you love Him enough to abandoned the comforts of this life?
Do you love Him enough to not be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the perfect will of God is?
Do you love Jesus even though you have never seen Him?
Are you full of inexpressible joy when you focus your thoughts and heart on Jesus Christ?
I want you to reflect upon how significant this testimony that Peter makes on behalf of these saints is. Peter proclaims that these saints that he is writing to love Jesus even though they have never seen Him. By extension he says to same thing to you. You, Saint love the Lord, even though you have never seen Him. What a statement especially from Peter. Peter says I believe in your love, I see its evidence.
That is powerful! It shows how God had transformed Him into a man who embraced His birthright. The evidence of that spiritual birthright of being born again is his own love for Christ.
Peter denied the Lord. He flat out lied 3 times saying he didn’t even know Jesus.
When God reinstated Peter, He asked three questions.
John 21:
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Agape) me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (Phileo) you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Agape) me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (Phileo) you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Phileo) me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (Phileo) you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Agape = Unconditional selfless love
Phileo = care for, or brotherly affection
He first asked Peter – do you love me with a selfless love more than other people and things?
Secondly Jesus asks Peter – Do you love me with a selfless love?
In the first two Jesus uses the Greek word Agape – Unconditional or selfless love. It is the kind of love that God expresses towards us.
The third question Jesus uses a different Greek word for love – he uses the word Phileo – Affection.
Jesus asks Peter – Do I have the affection of your heart?
He then instructs Peter to “Follow Him” – To be obedient to Christ, in spite of all the trials that will come, in spite of the fact that you will die a martyrs death – if you love me follow me.
Peter here proclaims that these saints have what he was lacking when he denied Christ.
He says to these aliens who have never seen Jesus, that they love him with a selfless love and you have been set apart to follow (obey) Him.
Do you see the contrast? Peter the denier, praises the love of these Alien saints.
4. A Saint’s Birthright REQUIRES us to become like Christ Jesus in obedience and service.
I Peter 1:
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
The questions we must ask are…
• Do you love Jesus?
• Is our love demonstrated by following Him, and obeying Him?
• Are we living a life that is set apart for His glory and purpose?
• Or are we conforming to the comforts of this life?
• What is the Identity of Saint Who? Is it You?__________
1. A Saint’s Birthright REVEALS who we are in Christ Jesus.
2. A Saint’s Birthright RESTS on our Love for Christ Jesus.
3. A Saint’s Birthright REQUIRES us to become like Christ Jesus in obedience and service.
