1 Peter 2:4-10
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
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.
God’s Chosen Elect
Now in the first Epistle of Peter that he was addressing the strangers that were scattered abroad which were the Jewish and Christian believers. These two Epistle are to confirm it readers in the doctrines they had already been taught. The man Peter as we all knows who not only walked with Christ, but Denied Christ, and he Preached the day of Pentecost but also is known as the Apostle of Jubilant Hope. For in his writings to the people he gives words of comfort and encouragement which was fitting to sustain a lively hope among them. It was written from Babylon, on the Euphrates which was at this time one of the chief seats of Jewish learning and the fitting Centre for labour among the Jews. Now understand that in his writings the beginning of his epistle names the provinces of Asia Minor in order in which they would naturally occur to one writing from Babylon. Even as Peter writes these epistles he gives the counsels of steadfastness and perseverance under persecution which brings me to the text today. We must first understand the definition of the key words in this message today.
Chosen - one who is the object of choice or of divine favor: an elect person
Royal - persons of royal lineage; regal character or bearing
Holy – Divine connection to God
Loyal - faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government
Now each of these words are imperative for this particular scripture for in this message it is the objective to provide a clear understanding of the key points to being one of GOD’S CHOSEN ELECT
1. Understanding we are a Chosen People
2. Walking in our Royal Priesthood
3. Living as A Holy Nation
4. Being Loyal Unto God
To begin this message the key verse in this scripture is verse nine “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:” The first statement is YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION being chosen to guide, live, and sacrifice for our Lord Jesus Christ. To fulfill such duties as a chosen one for the Lord requires diligence, compassion, strength, and courage to sustain each us through this journey called life. For we are living in difficult times when we look at the economy, our children, communities seeing that referencing GOD can be a challenge today. Yet we must use wisdom from his word for in Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus cam and spake unto them, saying ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMNADED YOU: AND, LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN. Being Chosen by God is an honor and privilege let’s look at some examples: Esther an orphan girl taken captive into the King’s Palace and was crowned Queen of Persia see God had a great plan in her life for she was courageous during difficult days because her life was in jeopardy all because of a man that had a strong hatred for God’s chosen People. Also look at another great in the bible Daniel who was placed in the lion’s den and instead of the lions who were hungry putting any harm on Daniel they laid down and allowed him to sleep on their backs. We must realize that it is important to understand how GOD uses each of us in our daily walk in life. There are times when he opens our hearts and minds to speak his word to a complete stranger and we managed to touch that person in some way to help them through difficult times. There is an old song “IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY AS I Travel along the way then my living will not be in Vain”. We have to realize that we are set aside in GOD to be his vessel to reaching others along this live journey. So yes being Chosen is a challenge but it is also a BLESSING. Recognizing that we are called out from our natural being by GOD for he has elevated us in our Spiritual experience. Nevertheless understand that we are chosen for a specific purpose therefore we have direct access to the very throne of GOD in our Savior Jesus Christ. Furthermore realize that we are not chosen by any accident but by the GRACE OF GOD for in Romans 12:5 “The body we’re talking about is Christ body of chosen people.” It is important that we comprehend this scripture deeply in our lives for we all have a meaning and function to perform for our Savior with the various gifts he has laid upon each of us. Therefore gain the knowledge to understanding that being Chosen to work in God’s vineyard is one who is of divine favor from heaven on high. In the gospel song if You can use anything LORD you can use me. Is when we act as a chosen vessel for GOD.
Now that we understand we are a CHOSEN GENERATION brings about our Royal Priesthood in GOD. We are anointed people before the LORD for we have the ability to posse the same as our Savior Jesus Christ which is his ROYALTY for he is the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. Realize that we have the ability to walk in the same authority not letting anyone steal our joy, peace, love, or patience. For I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me as stated in Philippians 4:13 therefore being of royal priesthood in Christ is an honor and privilege. For being in that state gives us different gifts from him for we all have the authority as he gave to the disciples to heal the sick, and give sight to the blind. As the song by Donnie McClurklin stated “I AM WALKING IN AUTHORITY” Now here is where the challenge of being CHOSEN and ROYAL PRIESTHOOD is important for we all are going to sin and come short of the Glory of GOD but we have understand that we must strive day by day to be more SPIRITUAL in our GOD by implementing the Fruit of the SPIRIT in our daily lives. By praying every day for our confession to be LORD give me the strength to WALK IN THE SPIRIT and lay down this fleshly life to represent you wiser day by day. Now Galatian 5:22-23 the Fruit of the SPIRIT is our ingredients for our Spiritual walk by implementing LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE brings out THE KING IN EACH OF US. For we have to understand that we are descendants of ROYALTY an Aristocratic Dynasty. Therefore we have to be mindful of our words and actions. Even though many of has faced so many challenges in this life’s journey rest assured you are of ROYAL PRIESTHOOD in CHRIST JESUS. So today understand that there is a KING AND QUEEN IN EACH OF US. We can no longer cry out in defeat we have to walk in authority for when we say JESUS everything trembles under that name. For he is our all in all therefore reign in your ROYALTY. WALK IN YOUR ROYAL PRIESTHOOD therefore keep in mind that you are a descendant of ROYAL linage and we must posse regal character.
Understand that to be chosen and of royalty in Christ we have to live our lives holy and acceptable unto him. As I stated we will all come short of the GLORY for we are mortal yet we are also in CHRIST therefore in Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness considering thyself, let thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the low of Christ. Understand this is implementing the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT in our daily walk. We have to be watchful of each other and elevate each other in this journey understanding that to be of ROYAL PRIESTHOOD we have to walk in our chosen calling for we are anointed to be they brother’s keeper. Nevertheless living holy is just as it states in Jeremiah 18:3-6 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he mad of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? Saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potters hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. God does this with each of us daily he places us back on his potter’s wheel and reshapes us cleansing us by using the blood of his son as the water to purify us over and over again. I have to say SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD FALL FRESH ON ME MAKE ME MOLD MELT BUT SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD FALL FRESH ON ME. See when we turn to the Spirit of GOD to renew us he removes our sins from us and places them into the sea of forgetfulness. And at that moment we are holy before him. He restores our HOLINESS yet we tend to hold onto things and not release completely being chosen and royal means that we have to release from us that which is not of CHRIST. Just think about it all the obstacles you have faced in your life journey and how many times have GOD stepped in a rescued you from them. It is clear that as Christians we lose sight of the prize because it is SATAN agenda to trick us into thinking we can do things all by ourselves and not only that he also places obstacles before us to keep us from achieving the ultimate goal GOD has for us we have to stand on the word of GOD for in 1 Peter 3:15-19 But sanctify the LORD GOD in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Having a good conscience that whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing. For Christ also hat once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to GOD, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the SPIRIT: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison. This scripture tells us to that to be holy in this royal priesthood we have to honor the holiness of our Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore respect being Holy for it is our Divine connection to God
Now understand first we are a Chosen Generation of Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation that reigns in our Lord and Savior yet we have to prove our Loyalty unto him. Which as defined Loyal - faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign; nevertheless we are to share with others the lessons that we have all learned from our many journeys in this life. Yet there are times we choose to be silent when GOD has spoken to us as his CHOSEN PEOPLE of ROYALTY to go forth as a representation of our Savior Jesus Christ. Now being loyal means becoming submissive unto the will of GOD for in Psalms 119:33-37 TEACH ME O lord, the way of the statutes and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes form beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. See when we are loyal and share our testimonies is when GOD increases in our lives day by day. For when we testify of the GOODNESS OF GOD and how he renewed each of us in him by his GRACE and MERCY is when we are strong in the LORD for we then display that we are CHOSEN ROYAL PRIEST FOR THE LORD LIVING OUR LIVES HOLY BEFORE HIM. Keep in mind that in order to truly display our loyalty is to hold fast to our FAITH in him. For Faith brings loyalty keep in mind in Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of the things not seen. For understand in this Christian walk chosen, royalty, holiness, and loyalty displays exactly what is 2 Cor 5:20-21 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to GOD. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who know no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in him. This is serious matters for our Christian Life. So keep these scriptures in your heart
Revelations 1:6 And hath made us Kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Revelations 5:10 And has made us unto our GOD KINGS and PRIEST: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelations 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hat part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priest of GOD and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Psalms 8 1-9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent
