Strong Families Build Strong Churches
A Sermon Based on 1 Peter 2:9-10, Exodus 19:5-6, and Isaiah 43:20-21
Introduction
In our modern world, we often hear about the breakdown of family structures and the decline of church attendance. These two trends are not coincidental; they are intimately connected. When we examine Scripture, particularly Peter's powerful words in his first epistle, we discover a profound truth: strong families build strong churches, and strong churches nurture strong families. This relationship forms a divine cycle that strengthens both the home and the house of God.
The apostle Peter, writing to scattered believers facing persecution and uncertainty, reminded them of their incredible spiritual identity. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, he declares: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
These words, rooted in the Old Testament promises to Israel found in Exodus 19:5-6 ("Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation") and Isaiah 43:20-21 ("The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise"), reveal five foundational aspects of our identity as God's people. Understanding these aspects transforms not only how we see ourselves as individuals, but how we function as families and as the church community. When families grasp these spiritual realities, they become the building blocks of vibrant, healthy churches.
I. Our Divine Identity: The Foundation of Strong Families (1 Peter 2:9a-b)
A Chosen Race
The foundation of every strong Christian family begins with understanding that we are "a chosen race." This truth revolutionizes our perspective on family life because it reminds us that our identity doesn't come from worldly achievements, social status, or even family heritage; it comes from God's sovereign choice.
Just as God chose Israel to be His special people, declaring in Deuteronomy 7:6-8, "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers," so He has chosen us. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes this divine election throughout the New Testament. This doctrine of election serves as the bedrock of family security. When parents understand that their salvation rests entirely on God's gracious choice rather than their own merit, they approach child-rearing with both humility and confidence. As Jonah declared, "Salvation is from the LORD" (Jonah 2:9), and as John reminded us, children of God are "born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13). They know that their children's spiritual destiny ultimately depends on God's sovereign grace, not on perfect parenting.
This truth liberates Christian families from the crushing pressure of performance-based spirituality. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Instead of trying to earn God's favor through flawless family devotions or perfect behavior, families can rest in the security of God's unchangeable choice. This creates an atmosphere of grace rather than legalism, where children learn about God's love through their parents' peaceful confidence rather than their anxious striving.
A Royal Priesthood
Peter's second description reveals that we are "a royal priesthood." This concept, drawn from Exodus 19:6, combines two powerful elements: the dignity of royalty and the responsibility of priesthood. For families, this dual identity transforms both their self-understanding and their calling.
As royalty, Christian families recognize their elevated position in God's kingdom. They are not merely survivors trying to make it through life, but members of the royal family of God. This awareness should permeate family life, influencing how parents treat each other, how they discipline their children, and how they make decisions. Royal families carry themselves with dignity, make decisions with wisdom, and treat others with respect, qualities that should characterize every Christian home.
Simultaneously, as a priesthood, Christian families understand that they have direct access to God and the privilege of interceding for others. The writer of Hebrews declares, "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Every family member can approach God's throne with confidence. Parents don't need to depend solely on church leaders to pray for their family; they themselves are priests. Children learn early that they can speak directly to God about their concerns and fears.
The priestly function also includes offering spiritual sacrifices, as Peter himself explains in verse 5: "you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Paul elaborates on these sacrifices in Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." The sacrifices also include praise, as Hebrews 13:15 tells us: "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." In family life, this translates into offering praise to God together, sacrificial service to one another, and the giving of their resources for God's work. When families understand their priestly calling, family worship becomes natural rather than forced, service becomes joyful rather than burdensome, and generosity becomes a lifestyle rather than an obligation.
II. Our Sacred Calling: The Mission of Strong Families (1 Peter 2:9c-d)
A Holy Nation
The third aspect of our identity is that we are "a holy nation." The word "holy" means set apart, and "nation" indicates a people group with shared values, customs, and destiny. Christian families are part of this holy nation, which means they are called to live differently from the world around them.
This separation is not about withdrawal from society but about maintaining distinct values and practices. As Jesus prayed in John 17:14-16, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." Holy families demonstrate what it looks like when God's kingdom principles govern daily life. They follow the command in Leviticus 19:2, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." They show their neighbors that marriages can thrive when built on biblical foundations, that children can be raised with both love and discipline, and that homes can be places of peace even in a chaotic world.
The "nation" aspect reminds us that individual families are not isolated units but part of a larger community. Strong families recognize their connection to other Christian families and to the broader church. Paul explains this interconnectedness in 1 Corinthians 12:26: "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." They understand that their family health contributes to the health of the whole body of Christ. When one family struggles, other families in the holy nation rally to support them, fulfilling the biblical principle of bearing one another's burdens. When one family experiences blessing, the whole community celebrates.
A People for God's Own Possession
The fourth description emphasizes that we are "a people for God's own possession." Drawing from the Greek word peripoiesis, which means "to purchase" or "to acquire for a price," this reminds us that Christian families belong to God not because they chose Him first, but because He purchased them through Christ's sacrificial death. As Paul reminded the Corinthians, "For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20). Peter himself reinforces this truth in 1 Peter 1:18-19: "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
This truth profoundly impacts how families view their relationships and responsibilities. As God spoke through Moses in Deuteronomy 14:2, "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth," parents recognize that their children are not their own possessions to shape according to their personal ambitions, but treasured gifts entrusted to their care by God. This perspective leads to stewardship parenting—raising children with the understanding that they belong ultimately to God and are being prepared for His purposes. The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 127:3, "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward."
Similarly, spouses understand that their marriage relationship is not merely a personal contract but a sacred trust. They belong to God both individually and as a couple, which means their marriage should reflect God's character and serve His kingdom purposes. This elevates marriage beyond personal happiness to kingdom significance.
The possession concept also provides security during difficult seasons. When families face financial hardship, health challenges, or relational struggles, they can rest in the knowledge that they belong to the God who purchased them at the ultimate price. Paul assures us in Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" And again in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This eternal security means that regardless of temporary circumstances, Christian families rest in the certainty that God will never abandon His own possession.
III. Our Eternal Purpose: The Impact of Strong Families (1 Peter 2:9e-10)
Called Out of Darkness into Marvelous Light
Peter reminds us that God "has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This divine calling is not merely an invitation but an effectual call that accomplishes its purpose in the life of believers. The darkness Peter references encompasses both intellectual and moral darkness, the inability to see truth, and the inability to do what is right. As Jesus explained in John 3:19-20, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." This transformation from darkness to light should be evident in Christian families. They become beacons of hope in communities often marked by brokenness and despair, fulfilling Jesus' words in Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Families who have experienced this divine illumination bring light to their neighborhoods through their witness and service. Paul reminds us in Colossians 1:13, "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son." Their children's behavior at school reflects the light they've received at home. Their interactions with neighbors, their response to community problems, and their approach to social issues all demonstrate the difference that God's light makes.
The transformation from darkness to light is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." Christian families continually grow in their understanding of God's truth and their ability to apply it. They become learning communities where parents and children together discover new aspects of God's character and new applications of His Word. The Psalmist declared in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Once Not a People, Now the People of God
Peter concludes by emphasizing the dramatic change in status, drawing from the prophet Hosea's imagery: "for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." This language comes from Hosea 1:6-10 and 2:23, where the prophet spoke of God's future restoration of His people. As Hosea prophesied about God's future restoration of Israel, "Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and in the place where it is said to them, 'You are not My people,' it will be said to them, 'You are the sons of the living God'" (Hosea 1:10), so Peter applies this principle to the church. This transformation creates profound gratitude that should characterize Christian families.
Families who understand they have received undeserved mercy become fountains of mercy to others, following Christ's teaching in Matthew 18:21-35 about the unmerciful servant. In that parable, Jesus illustrated how a servant who had been forgiven an enormous debt refused to forgive a fellow servant's small debt, showing the inconsistency of receiving mercy without extending it. Parents extend grace to each other and their children because they remember the grace they have received. Children learn to forgive siblings and friends because they see forgiveness modeled in their homes, living out Paul's instruction in Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
The mercy that families have received also motivates their evangelistic passion. They want their extended family members, neighbors, and friends to experience the same transformation from "not a people" to "the people of God." Their homes become centers of hospitality where others can witness the reality of God's mercy through the way family members treat one another and welcome guests.
Proclaiming His Excellencies
The ultimate purpose of our identity and calling is "so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." The Greek word for "proclaim" (exangeilete) appears only here in the New Testament and means "to publish" or "advertise" to tell something otherwise unknown. The word "excellencies" (aretas) refers not merely to attributes but to God's mighty acts and heroic deeds. Strong Christian families become living testimonies to God's excellence.
This proclamation happens through both words and deeds, as Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 1:12-17: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service... It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all." Families tell others about what God has done in their lives, but they also demonstrate God's excellence through their relationships, their values, and their responses to both blessings and trials. Children from strong Christian families often become some of the most effective evangelists because they have witnessed God's excellence firsthand in their homes.
The excellencies of God displayed through family life include His faithfulness in keeping promises, His wisdom in providing guidance, His power in overcoming obstacles, His love in healing relationships, and His grace in forgiving failures. When these divine characteristics become evident in family life, they create powerful testimonies that draw others to faith. As Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Conclusion
The connection between strong families and strong churches is not accidental but intentional in God's design. When families understand and embrace their identity as chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, and God's treasured possession, they become the building blocks of vibrant church communities.
Strong families produce children who love God and His church, spouses who model Christ-like relationships, and households that serve as training centers for kingdom living. These families don't merely attend church—they become the church. They carry the life of the church into their communities throughout the week.
Conversely, strong churches nurture and support families in living out their divine calling. Churches that understand this connection invest heavily in family ministry, provide resources for marriage enrichment and parenting, and create communities where families can thrive spiritually.
As we reflect on Peter's powerful words about our identity and calling, let us commit to building strong families that will, in turn, build strong churches. Let us remember that we are not ordinary people trying to live extraordinary lives, but extraordinary people, chosen, royal, holy, possessed by God, and called to proclaim His excellencies, learning to live out our true identity.
May our families become showcases of God's mercy, training centers for kingdom living, and launching pads for gospel proclamation. And may our churches become communities that celebrate, support, and strengthen families in their sacred calling. When families and churches partner together in this divine purpose, the kingdom of God advances, and the excellencies of our great God and Savior are proclaimed to a watching world.
The transformation from darkness to light that we have experienced individually must become evident corporately through our families and churches. As we embrace our identity and fulfill our calling, we become living demonstrations of the power of the gospel to transform not just individual hearts, but entire families and church communities. This is how strong families build strong churches, and strong churches nurture strong families, creating an eternal cycle of spiritual vitality that glorifies God and advances His kingdom.
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Blessings,
Pastor JM Raja Lawrence
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
email: lawrencejmr@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9933250072
