Brothers and sisters, in my lifetime, I’ve known many people from many walks of life. I’ve traveled to Africa, Spain, England, Caribbean, Australia, and many other countries and states.
In this walk, I’ve known people who didn’t believe in technology and refused to have any of the conveniences that many of us enjoy today, and believe that we must have for survival. Some even had peculiar ideas or personalities, but what they all had in common was that their oddity separated them from humanity, so much so that I would say that God’s people have many differences as people, yet they are the peculiarities of God’s people. AMEN
I read a story about a man who lived a long time ago. This man lived a meager life. The home he lived in didn’t have electricity nor did it have running water. The man survived by collecting cans and bottles and turning them in for money.
One day this man died and the city struggled to locate his next of kin, but they couldn’t find anyone. The man had lived alone all his life, never having friends, never really letting anyone in his life, never getting to know others.
When he died he was buried as poor person, in an un-kept graveyard, without a headstone, because there wasn’t any money for a proper burial. All his life, his neighbors and those who saw him had looked upon him as being poor and peculiar.
The City tried very hard to find a relative, but couldn’t find one, so they took over his meager estate and prepared to sell it and all that was in it. The workers’ that were clearing out the house was also looking for anything of value that could be auctioned off.
One of the workers was removing a mattress when she noticed a slit in the mattress. Out of curiosity she placed her hand into the slit and pulled out a roll of money. Each time she reached back in the mattress there was more money. By the time all the money had been removed from the mattress there was nearly a million dollars hidden in that old mattress. WOW!
What good did it do this man to stash away all this money. It didn’t do him any good nor did it do any one else any good. He had no one to leave it too nor could he carry it with him when he died. This man forgot to enjoy life! He forgot to share his life with others.
Maybe he believed this was what he was supposed to do, or maybe he was saving all that he had in hopes that someone would find it and share his lifetime of saving with people that needed it. We don’t know, but on the outside looking in, we may see what he did as a little “peculiar”. AMEN
All these years, people had thought the man was poor and all that time he was sleeping on a fortune. This man lived a strange life, to say the least. But why? God does not call us to be peculiar in this way. He doesn’t ask us to live alone, He doesn’t ask us NOT to enjoy our lives, and He doesn’t require us to die alone.
I Peter 2: 9-10 states: “ 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: 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.
My message today is: We are Peculiar People
Now, the word “peculiar” originally came for the Latin word “peculium” which means: "private property." Thus when the KJV was originally written, the word was used to describe private property. It wasn't used to describe any old private property; this property was a treasured possession that belonged to God.
For the English speaking people of that time, “peculiar” didn’t mean something that was strange or bizarre. They understood it to be talking about something that was special to God.
Deuteronomy 14:2 states: “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”
In other words God was saying He OWNED Israel. They were His special treasured possession. In fact, they were so special to God… no one touched them unless He wanted them touched. They were under His exclusive protection.
What God means by peculiar is this; Christians are to be peculiar because we are not like the rest of the world.
• We think differently,
• We do things differently,
• We live differently,
• We talk differently,
• We have different morals,
• And, our values are different. AMEN
Have you ever thought about what people thought about you?
• Do they call you peculiar because of some odd character or trait?
• Does your personality seem different to them?
• Do they believe you are peculiar because you are a servant of Jesus?
• Do they believe you are a little different because you turn aside malice?
• Or, do they think it strange that you would pray that God prick the hearts of hypocrisies, and evil speaking people?
Well, my brothers and sisters, in today’s society, it definitely would make a person peculiar if they did not envy someone’s advancement at work, or used deceit to advance above someone. Something must be peculiar about you, if you don’t explore promiscuous and hurtful behavior.
Every day I hear people speak evil of someone that they know. Yet, God tells, his children, not to be like the rest of the world. God has set us apart and we are better than that. We are not to hate or envy, we are not to speak evil of someone. And above all we are not to play the hypocrite and say one thing and then do something else.
The reason why we are to be a peculiar people is because we are a chosen generation. God provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him through our faith in His son Jesus Christ. Because of this faith we will spend eternity in heaven.
Brothers and sisters, God wants us to be a peculiar people so that people will notice our holiness and wanna live like we do, instead of striving to live like everyone else.
We are to be different so we can be noticed. And since we are God’s people, we are not to live by the fleshly lust that drives most of the population. AMEN
Titus 2:12 states: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”
Brothers and sisters:
• We should wanna grow spiritually,
• We should wanna spread the gospel.
• We should wanna display grace.
• We should wanna embrace the spiritual attitude of happiness, and love,
• And, we should wanna show fulfillment, contentment, and completeness.
Yes, my brothers and sisters, God is truly all that we need. Therefore we learn to depend on Him. This may make up seem peculiar because the world depends on itself. But the world isn’t gonna pick you up when you are down, but God will! Now God may not be the actual spirit picking you us. I might just be his chosen peculiar spirits that give you that hand. AMEN
All around the world, and even more today, people can’t understand how we can be so sure of what we believe. The world may mock us for believing in an “all powerful God”, but Jesus Christ says that He is the way, the gate to the Father, and narrow is the gate that leads to salvation, and wide is the gate that leads to destruction.
We as God’s people, His children, are to be obedient to His commandments found in His holy words. Brothers and sisters, God made us HOLY, and God calls you and I to be holy. He calls us to be different than the rest of the world. He calls us to be peculiar!!! He doesn’t want us to hide or shelter ourselves from the world. He wants to show us off to the world!
I Peter 1:15-16 states: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
We don’t pay lip service to the commandments of God but we strive to follow them day by day. We once were lost sheep, but our shepherd found us and now we have been returned to the flock. We are no longer required to run with the black sheep. We have been washed as white as snow with the blood of Jesus. He died for us! AMEN
Now, we’ve all read scriptures about God’s will, and we’ve felt God’s spirit, we may even understand God’s grace, but keeping a positive outlook on life is pretty hard when nothing positive seems to be happening in your life. AMEN
Let’s face it, when things are going bad, really bad, there’s nothing worse than a confrontation with an eternal optimist. The glass is half full, Breath in breath out kind of person. It’s gonna be ok. It’s the last thing you really wanna hear when thing are going bad. AMEN
Somehow, you would much rather hear “You poor thing!” than “It could be worse!” Sure, it could be worse; it could always be worse. But, at the moment, you don’t need to be reminded of the fact that there’s still more trouble that could be hiding somewhere, and it’s just a matter of time before it catches up with you. When you feel like that, you really would prefer some sympathy. AMEN
We sing a song sometimes titled “Working on a Building. It goes something like this:
I’m working on a building, it’s a true foundation, I’m holding up a blood stain banner, the blood stain banner for my lord. But I’m tired, tired, tired, Lord. But I’m still working on a Building. Oh to get my reward.
IT’S HARD, and you may get tired, and it may seem like life isn’t fair and the fact that some people have more money, more power, more beauty, more friends, more and better of everything, is pretty good evidence of that. So you think….
Sometimes you just wanna drown in your sorrows and soak in your troubles, and lie in it, and wallow in it, and let it cover you up.
Somehow you feel if you can’t overcome it, then at least you can learn to live with it. If you can learn to live with your own inability or inadequacy, or injustices, at least you have accomplished something. My Lord!
Unfortunately, when we open the door to defeat, we open the door to negativism and bitterness. But we should “never give up”, we should “never surrender”.
2 Corinthians 5:7 states: “For we walk by faith, not by sight”
Brothers and sisters, you have been chosen for this generation. God knew what He was doing when He made plans to set your birth to be in this timeline of history. God had his plan for you when He formed you in your mother’s womb, and prepared you exactly for this generation and this time. Because you have been chosen for this generation, this generation is your generation. It is your time. It is now your time! So make it count!
Deuteronomy 7: 6 states: ”For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”
• Moses was chosen for his time,
• Elijah was chosen for his time,
• John the Baptist was chosen for his time,
• David was chosen for his time,
• Many men and women down throughout history were chosen for their time,
• And you are chosen for yours.
Down the timeline of history, great prophets and great servants of God have been chosen for their times. Praise God.
But now is your time to shine.
Deuteronomy 10: 15 states: “Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
Now, it may be a little difficult to be “different” in “high School”. This is the time in your life where you wanna be accepted by the so called “in crowd”. So you may strive hard to be just like the popular people.
But just think about that word “hard”. It’s hard trying to be something you’re not. Tattoos everywhere, some of them you might regret later. Pants sagging so low, an 80 year old woman could out run you, and step over you when your “sag” causes you to fall. AMEN
It’s much easier to just be yourself.
• You don’t have to put on that face that you don’t even see as you.
• You don’t have to do something because you believe that’s what would make you popular.
• You make that decision.
• You can set the paste.
• You can drive the trend.
• You can make “peculiar”, “popular”
Remember, just as you are watching someone else, others are watching you. AMEN
2 Timothy 3:2-5 states : “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Now, once Church is over and we get in our cars to leave, some of you will get back to being ‘normal’, or shall I say "worldly" again.
What in the world did I just say! And Why would I say something like this?
Well, it is what it is.
Most believe that because we are in this church building, we’re sacred in here. But the moment you leave this building you’re “normal” or "worldly" again. Therefore:
• When you go out to eat at a restaurant, you can treat the waitress any way you wanna, because you can act “normal” again.
• When you go home, you can say anything you want, to your spouse and kids, because you’re “normal” now.
• And, when you go to work tomorrow, or to school, or to the store. you can act any way you wanna, because you’re “normal”.
Well that’s not at “all” true. The only thing that makes this building sacred is “you”, and what's normal in the world does not have to be normal in your heart.
• You make your home sacred.
• You can make the restaurant sacred,
• You can go to work tomorrow and the workplace would be sacred,
• And, you can stand out in a great way at school.
Every place you go can become sacred. Why? Because you are a HOLY people. You are a PECULIAR POSSESSION for God. The Holy Spirit resides inside of you – and God goes wherever you go. AMEN, AMEN
1 Corinthians 3:16 states: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Lately it seems that we’re getting more and more confused about what a church actually is. Right about now, society more and more believe that people going to Church is wasting their time, or a little peculiar. So let’s take some time to set the record straight.
• Church isn’t a building, though a building can be used as a church.
• Church isn’t a denomination, though a set of beliefs can be important to a church.
• Church isn’t about Sunday, though a church should not forsake meeting together.
• Church isn’t about one person, or personality, though every church should be pastored.
• And church isn’t about size or growth, though every church is called to make disciples.
So don’t think of church as an address, or a location, but rather think of church as mobile and on the move. Don’t think of church as something planted, but rather think of church as something deployed. Don’t think of church as where you are for an hour or so, each week, but rather WHAT you are every day of the week, because the church is the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. So if you are a little peculiar in this day and time, it’s a good thing.
Deuteronomy 26:18 states: “And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
Now, living holy lives don’t make us better than everyone else, Holy lives allow us to wanna glorify God. Our righteous deeds aren’t done because they’re more righteous than the others outside of church… but because the God we serve is better than anything this world can offer. And we love Him so much we want others to love Him too. Now if that’s a bit peculiar, so be it. AMEN
Matthew 22:37 states: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”.
So, let’s break down the word Peculiar:
P- Being PATIENT but not sitting down and passively bearing things, or meekly accepting and allowing all troubles to wash over our bowed heads. For us, patience takes on the meaning of triumphant fortitude. We know to whom we belong, we know from where we draw our strength, we know for whom we stand and we stand with heads up and shoulders back. We know that all things work to His purpose and for His glory.
E- Being EVANGELISTIC as we go and announce, proclaim, and preach the gospel, and the good news of and about Jesus Christ. Making disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach someone what is pleasing to the Lord.
C- Being COMPASSIONATE and having sympathetic consciousness of other people’s troubles, with a desire to alleviate it. Many of the miracles of Jesus were preceded by His feelings of compassion for the people around Him. In His teachings He stressed the need for compassion.
U- Being UNMOVEABLE in this world of sin. A people peculiar to Jesus will be unmoved by the world, unwavering in their faith, steadfast in their devotion to Him.
L- Being LOVING to our Brothers and Sisters. We should be Christians, loving and supporting one another. This is what helps us to survive in a hostile world. As Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love, so now each disciple should embody Christ’s love. This love is a sign to the world as well as to every believer.
I -Being INTELLIGENT by not letting anyone deceive you with empty words and empty promises. Be smart enough to not follow someone to destruction. Walk with strength and intelligence that could bring someone from darkness to light.
A- Being ACTIVE in your Christian walk by letting your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. A people peculiar to Jesus will be active in promoting His will.
AND last but not least ……..
R- Being ROYAL and proud that you are God’s peculiar people, all His own, closest to His affections, under His powerful protecting care, and the recipients of all the needed comfort and grace.
So if someone says you’re a little peculiar, think of these words and smile. AMEN
Now, as I being this message to a close
Brothers and sisters, we may be able to name the wealthiest people in the world, the last 10 American Idol winners, and the current Miss America contest winner. We may be able to name a handful of Academy Award winners for best actor and actress, and maybe a few World Series winners, and just maybe several of those so called Facebook friends.
But are these the people we will be able to count on? Are these the people that will care? Maybe some of them will affect our lives in a positive way, but mostly, all these seemingly famous people will not be the spirits that comes into your life and lifts you up to that area of understanding. AMEN
In fact, if you really think about those people, you realize that the majority of them won’t be there to pick you up, or help you along the way. Most of them couldn’t help you to dry your eyes, and probably none of them would introduce you to Christ, or even tell you about Jesus Christ. However, if there was one or two, put them at the top of your list, right up under Jesus. They are good people. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, listen to me, as I say this…. As you go through life, or as you’ve gone through life, I believe you’ll find that there were a few “special”, or as most would say, “peculiar” people that quietly guided you along the way.
• It may have been a few teachers who aided your journey through learning.
• It may have been that best friend who helped you through a difficult time,
• It may have been that stranger that taught you something worthwhile.
• It may have been that sister or brother that pulled you out of that bad situation.
• It may have been that minister that has those inspirational words of understanding.
• It may have been that aunt or uncle that believed in you.
• Or, it may have been that parent that cared enough to teach you right from wrong.
Whatever the case, I bet you can think of a few “special” people who’ve made you feel appreciated and special. AMEN
They are those quirky people you enjoy spending time with; or the “heroes” whose stories have inspired you? I bet you can think of a few. I can! When I think of those people that guided me to this time in my life, I am grateful, and truly thankful to God for allowing them to be a part of my life.
Now, these special people may not have been the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They were probably just the unlikely spirits that just “cared”. They’re the “peculiar” people who’ve been involved in your life, and truly cared about your life. AMEN
They weren’t afraid to tell you the truth, they didn’t mind teaching you. They picked you up when you were down. They didn’t make you feel small and unimportant. They made you feel tall and strong. They went the extra mile. They knew you when you didn’t know yourself. AMEN
Brothers and sister, we all have someone in our life that truly cares. Sometimes we ignore them, and sometimes we even hurt them. But they are the God sent spirits that belong in our life.
Yeah, they might be a little peculiar, or quirky, or straight up. We might not understand them sometime, and we might even try to use their goodness sometimes, but they’re the special and a bit “peculiar” people that will be there when you need them, because it’s what God intended. AMEN
