"You Are Chosen"
Main Scripture:
1 Peter 2:9 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
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Introduction:
Why Do People Feel the Need to Be Chosen?
Key Thought: The need to be chosen comes from deep psychological/emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.
1. Psychological Needs:
o Need for Belonging (Genesis 2:18 18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”): Humans are created for connection. Being chosen affirms inclusion and reduces feelings of isolation.
o Desire for Identity and Purpose (Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”): Being chosen gives people a sense of identity and direction.
o Quest for Validation and Worth (Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,): People crave acknowledgment and confirmation of their value.
2. Emotional Needs:
o Love and Acceptance (Isaiah 43:1…” You are Mine”.): Being chosen communicates care and love.
o Security and Stability (Romans 8:38-39…” nothing shall be able to separate us from the Love of God.”): Being chosen provides assurance of being secure in God's love.
o Fear of Rejection (Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.): The fear of being left out drives people to seek acceptance.
3. Spiritual Needs:
o Divine Calling and Purpose (John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you…): Spiritually, people desire to be chosen by God for a higher purpose.
o Assurance of Eternal Security (1 Peter 2:9 – Key Verse): Being chosen by God represents salvation and eternal hope.
o Legacy and Impact (Matthew 25:23 ‘Well done, good and faithful servant… ): Being chosen enables people to leave a lasting spiritual legacy.
• Ask the congregation: “Have you ever felt overlooked, rejected, or like you didn’t belong?” I have Good news for you today.
• Transition: “The truth is, God has already chosen you for something greater than any earthly honor. Today, we’ll explore what it means to be chosen by God.”
4. Physical Needs:
1. Provision and Sustenance
• Biblical Example: Elijah in the wilderness (1 Kings 17:4-6)
o After being chosen as God’s prophet, Elijah needed food and water. God provided through ravens and a stream.
o Application: Being chosen often comes with practical needs like food, water, shelter, and financial support to fulfill the mission.
2. Health and Strength
• Biblical Example: Moses’ Strength in Old Age (Deuteronomy 34:7)
o Moses’ physical vitality allowed him to lead Israel until his last days.
o Application: Fulfilling a calling often requires good health, stamina, and resilience, which God can strengthen.
3. Safety and Protection
• Biblical Example: Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6:16-23)
o Daniel’s physical safety was preserved because of God’s protection.
o Application: Being chosen sometimes places individuals in dangerous situations where divine protection is crucial.
4. Shelter and Stability
• Biblical Example: Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9)
o God instructed Noah to build an ark, ensuring physical shelter during the flood.
o Application: Shelter provides stability, allowing people to focus on their calling without constant survival concerns.
5. Community Support
• Biblical Example: The Early Church (Acts 2:44-47)
o The early believers shared resources, ensuring no one lacked physical necessities.
o Application: Being chosen often involves receiving help from a supportive community.
6. Rest and Renewal
• Biblical Example: Jesus Resting (Mark 6:31)
o Jesus recognized the need for rest and encouraged His disciples to do the same.
o Application: Rest is essential for sustaining energy and avoiding burnout when fulfilling a calling.
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Spiritual Perspective on Physical Needs
While being chosen often comes with spiritual responsibilities, God acknowledges and meets physical needs to enable service. Jesus emphasized this when He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God... and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
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Key Points:
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1. You Are Chosen by God for a Purpose
John 15:16 – “16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
Explanation:
• God’s selection isn’t based on status, talent, or past mistakes. He chose us out of love and grace.
• “I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field.” John Wesley
• We are chosen to make a difference in the world by bearing fruit in our character, relationships, and ministry.
• When you're up to your neck in alligators, it's difficult to keep your mind on the fact that your primary objective is to drain the swamp. Source Unknown.
Encouragement:
• No one is an accident or mistake in God’s Kingdom. His purpose for your life is intentional.
• "I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy."
Illustration:
• Use the image of a jeweler choosing a valuable gem despite its flaws—God selects us with purpose, refining us into something precious.
• Look at Isaiah 43:4: 4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.
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2. You Are Part of a Royal Priesthood
Revelation 1:4-6 – “4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Explanation:
• Royal: We are spiritual heirs of God’s Kingdom, carrying authority and purpose.
• President William Howard Taft’s great granddaughter was asked to write her autobiography when she was in the third grade. And this is what she wrote:
"My great-grandfather was President of the United Sates. My grandfather was a United States Senator. My father is an ambassador. And I am a Brownie."
• Priesthood: We are called to connect people to God through intercession, worship, and ministry.
Encouragement:
• You’re not just a churchgoer—you are royalty in God’s Kingdom with a divine mission.
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3. You Are Set Apart as Holy
Leviticus 20:26 – “26 And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.”
Explanation:
• Being holy means being set apart from the world’s values and dedicated to God’s service.
• This is not about perfection, but about living with integrity, love, and purpose.
Encouragement:
• When you feel unworthy, remember that holiness comes from Jesus, not your own strength.
Illustration:
"Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervors, or uncommanded mannerism; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills."
John Brown, Nineteenth-century Scottish theologian, quoted in J. Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 51.
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4. You Are God’s Special Possession
Deuteronomy 7:6 – 6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
Explanation:
• Being God's special possession means you are deeply loved, cherished, and protected.
• The world may undervalue you, but in God’s eyes, you are priceless.
Encouragement:
• You are not forgotten or abandoned. God sees you as His treasure, worth sacrificing everything for—He proved it through Jesus’ death on the cross.
Illustration:
• Show a valuable item like a gold coin or precious stone—God considers each person far more valuable than earthly treasures.
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5. You Are Called to Shine His Light
Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Explanation:
• Being chosen is not just about receiving blessings—it comes with responsibility.
• We are called to live in such a way that others see God’s character through our actions and words.
Encouragement:
• Don’t hide the light God has placed in you. Even in your struggles, your testimony can shine brightly.
Illustration:
A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.
D.L. Moody.
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Application:
1. Embrace Your Identity:
o Reject the lies that say you are unwanted or unworthy. Declare that you are chosen by God.
2. Walk in Holiness:
o Make choices that reflect your identity in Christ. Be set apart by living with love, humility, and grace.
3. Serve with Purpose:
o Discover your spiritual gifts and use them to serve others in the church and community.
4. Proclaim His Praises:
o Share your testimony with others. Let them see the light of Christ through how you live.
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Closing Encouragement:
• Reaffirm the message: "You are not forgotten, abandoned, or worthless. You are God’s chosen—His royal, holy, and treasured possession.”
1 Peter 2:4 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
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Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for calling us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Thank You for choosing us, even when we felt unworthy. We stand today as Your royal priesthood, Your holy nation, and Your treasured possession. Help us to walk in the identity You have given us—with boldness, humility, and purpose.
Teach us to proclaim Your praises in our words and actions. Use us to bring hope and light to a world in need. Strengthen us in our calling and remind us that we are loved beyond measure.
We surrender our lives to You today. May Your light shine through us, and may we live in a way that honors the One who has chosen us.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
