God Has Called Us to an Active Ministry
Associate Pastor Art Mathis
19 October 2003
1 Peter 2:9-10 (Message Bible)—“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”
(Note: All Scripture quotes from the Message Bible, unless otherwise noted.)
Have you ever wondered what your purpose is? Why you exist and where you are going in life? When we consider this we usually place the emphasis on ourselves, the focus is on us. But what if we view this question from another angle or perspective?
Rick Warren in his book “The Purpose Driven Life,” states, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your widest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose.”
Later, the author writes, “You must begin with God, your Creator. You exist only because God wills that you exist. You were made by God and for God—and until you understand that, life will never make sense. You were made for God, not vice versa, and life is about letting God use you for His purposes, not your using Him for your own purpose.”
We now come back to the thematic Scripture—1Peter 2:9-10—“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”
In this Scripture, we see several things that we will look at briefly today:
1. we are chosen—by God
2. chosen for a purpose—to be priests and a holy people
3. instruments of God—to do His work and to speak out for Him—His witnesses
4. to proclaim the Good News—to give our testimony of the changes He has done in our lives
In Revelation, we read that it is with the blood of Jesus Christ that we have been purchased by God, redeemed and made into a kingdom of priests— Rev. 5:8-10 (Message Bible)—“The moment he (the Lamb) took the scroll, the Four Animals (Living Creatures) and Twenty-four Elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people. And they sang a new song:
Worthy! Take the scroll, open its seals.
Slain! Paying in blood, you bought men and women,
Bought them back from all over the earth,
Bought them back for God.
Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God,
Priest-kings to rule over the earth.”
We are chosen by God:
A. Chosen means selected by God for a special purpose, we are not an accident nor did we choose Him.
1. Romans 11:5-7—“It’s the same today. There’s a fiercely loyal minority still—not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think. They’re holding on, not because of what they think they’re going to get out of it, but because they’re convinced of God’s grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago. And then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn’t succeed. The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy. The "self-interest Israel" became thick-skinned toward God.”
2. Romans 12:5—“The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body,”
3. Galatians 6:14-16—“For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!”
4. Colossians 3:10-12—“Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.”
Chosen for a purpose:
A. We are chosen by God for a specific purpose—to be priestly-kings, as priests we have direct access to the very throne of God through our High Priest Jesus Christ. We no longer have to go through a human priest as Israel did with the Levitical priesthood.
1. Hebrews 7:27-28—“Unlike the other high priests, he doesn’t have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins. He’s done it, once and for all: offered up himself as the sacrifice. The law appoints as high priests men who are never able to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.” Jesus Christ is our high priest now and forever. No man can or will ever take that office again.
2. Hebrews 8:4-6—“If he (Jesus Christ) were limited to earth, he wouldn’t even be a priest. We wouldn’t need him since there are plenty of priests who offer the gifts designated in the law. These priests provide only a hint of what goes on in the true sanctuary of heaven, which Moses caught a glimpse of as he was about to set up the tent-shrine. It was then that God said, ‘Be careful to do it exactly as you saw it on the Mountain.’ But Jesus’ priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he’s working from a far better plan.”
3. 1 Peter 2:5—“Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.”
4. Revelation 1:6—“Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father, forever—and yes, he’s on his way!”
5. Revelation 5:10—“Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God, Priest-kings to rule over the earth.”
6. Revelation 20:6—“and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They’re priests of God and Christ; they’ll reign with him a thousand years.”
In the commentary on First & Second Peter by Leighton/Thomas, we read on pages 99 & 100 this, “Believers are not shut out from God as they were before but, being in Christ, are brought near to Him and have free access to the throne of His grace. ‘…and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water’ (Hebrews 10:21-22, NIV).”
We have been called to a holy calling—to be priests to God and to be His holy people—in other words, we have been called out from this world or culture—we are to no longer to live by the dictates of our old nature but to live by the dictates of our new nature (Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Even through we are called out of this world we live in this world to reach those who know not the truth with the message of hope (1 Peter 3:15).
Instruments of God:
A. We are called and chosen to do His work and to speak out for Him—to be His witnesses.
1. Matthew 28:16-20—“Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: ‘God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.’”
2. Matthew 5:13-16—“‘Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.’”
3. Acts 10:42-43—“‘He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.’”
4. Romans 8:15-16—“‘This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa?’ God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.’”
Senior Pastor Phillip Rice wrote this—“Believers are called out from the impurities of human cultures and sent back into the world as agents of change and transformation.”
We are to proclaim the Good News:
We are to give our testimony of the changes He has done in our lives. This point and the point above—instruments of God are similar. But, what I want to bring out here is that we should not be afraid to tell what God has done in our lives (1 Peter 3:15—“Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.”)
Rick Warren in his book “The Purpose Driven Life” states it this way about our life message (testimony)—“God has given you a Life Message to share. When you became a believer, you also became God’s messenger. God wants to speak to the world through you. Paul said, ‘we speak the truth before God, as messenger of God’ (2 Corinthians 2:17b). You may feel you don’t have anything to share, but that’s the Devil trying to keep you silent. You have a storehouse of experiences that God wants to use to bring others into his family. The Bible says, ‘Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them’ (1 John 5:10a). Your Life Message has four parts to it:
• Your testimony: the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus
• Your life lessons: the most important lessons God has taught you
• Your godly passions: the issues God shaped you to care about most
• The Good News: the message of salvation”
Your testimony:
The most important about witnessing for Jesus Christ is the personal changes that He has begun in our lives. When we give our own personal testimony it, carries more weigh with people than the most carefully reasoned argument from Scripture. As Peter states in his epistle (1 Peter 2:9), “to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night and day difference He made for you.’
One of the most interesting types of reading that I enjoy is the biography of people. And this usually so for many people—listening to the real-life experiences of others is more interesting than hearing a theological discourse. When reaching out to an unbeliever, they can relate to your personal experiences than listening to you quote a noted theologian.
1 Peter 3:15-16—“Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath.”
Your story will reach out and touch someone where they are.
Your life lessons:
Next, we are to share with others the lessons that we have learned from our life experiences. From our life experiences, we have learned many lessons and insights that God wants us to share with others. We can share our relationship with God and others, problems, temptations, and other aspects of life.
• Psalm 119:33—“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.”
• Psalm 106:43—“Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned—until finally their sins destroyed them.” We need to listen and learn from others experiences
• Proverbs 25:12—“And a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.” There is not enough time usually for us to learn from personal experience, we need to learn from others experiences
Godly passions:
The God we love and serve is a passionate God. God passionately loves some things and there are some things that He passionately hates. And as we grow deeper in our walk with Him, He will give us a passion for the things of His. He wants us to be passionate in our walk with Him. When we are passionate about something we cannot keep quiet about it and that is what God wants from us.
• Matthew 12:34 (NLT)—“…For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”
• Psalm 69:9 (NIV)—“For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.”
• Jeremiah 20:9 (Message Bible)—“But if I say, ‘Forget it! No more God-Messages from me!’ The words are fire in my belly a burning in my bones. I’m worn out trying to hold it in. I can’t do it any longer!”
• Galatians 4:18 (NIV)—“It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.”
Rick Warren states, “God gives us different passions so that everything he wants done in the world will get done. You should not expect everyone else to be passionate about your passion. Instead, we must listen to and value each other’s life message because nobody can say it all.”
The Good News is part of our life message:
When Christ was hanging on the Cross, we hear Jesus saying to us, “I love you this much.” Our passion should include our desire in sharing this Good News with everyone that we can.
• Romans 1:17 (NLT)—“This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’”
• 2 Cor. 5:19 (NLT)—“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.”
• 2 Cor. 5:14 (NIV)—“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”
• 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)—“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
• Col. 4:5 (NIV)—“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Wisely use the time that you have to tell about the hope that you have—share the Good News.
The key to having this passion to share the Good News is to come to love others as God loves them (John 3:16-18).
Rick Warren states, “The Good news is that when we trust God’s grace to save us through what Jesus did, our sins are forgiven, we get a purpose for living, and we are promised a future home in heaven.”
The Apostle Peter tells us, that “through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy” (1 Peter 3:15)
Paul’s way of explaining the ministry that we each have, the purpose that we have is found in his letter to the Corinthians:
2 Cor. 5:20—“We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.”
