The Identity Of Christians

Title: THE IDENTITY OF CHRISTIANS

Text: 1 Peter 2: 4-6

Introduction:

This epistle claims that the Apostle Peter wrote it (1:1). Since there is only one Peter who was an apostle we may be confident of the identity of the writer. There is only one Peter that the entire New Testament mentioned. Scholars did not question Peter's authorship until about 100 years ago when destructive biblical criticism became popular.

Peter first sent this letter to believers living in the northern regions of Asia Minor (1:1). The locations of these Christians as well as allusions in the epistle indicate that they were mainly Gentiles but also Jews (e.g., 1:14; 2:10).

Peter stated his reason for writing, namely to encourage his readers who were facing persecution for their faith to stand firm (5:12). Evidently this persecution was widespread among his readers.

The main purpose of this epistle was to strengthen the readers so they would persevere through their persecution with the right attitude. Peter did this by showing that God's grace provided all they needed for strength. In a larger sense, the purpose is to help Christians know how to live as aliens in the world.

Preposition: Christians has a great identity for it was founded with a firm foundation, made it fit together and a church who loved by God.

Body:

I. A CHURCH WITH A FIRM FOUNDATION. (v.4)

-1Pe 2:4 Come to the Lord, the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. (GNB)

a. Christ Is The Source Of Our Sustenance.

- “Come to the Lord” (Invitation)

b. Christ is the “Rock” on which the church is built.

-“The Living Stone” (description)

Illustration:

Builders chiseled huge blocks of stone to support large buildings in the ancient Near East.

II. A CHURCH MADE FIT TOGETHER. (v.5)

1Pe 2:5 Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.

a. Christians are Made Fit for spiritual building.

- “let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple”

1. Each Christian is one of the essential stones that enables the whole structure to fulfill its purpose (cf. Matt. 16:15-18).

2. This verse helps us appreciate how much we need each other as Christians. And God has a purpose for all of us to fulfill that we cannot fulfill individually.

b. Christians are Made to be Holy

- “where you will serve as holy”

1. Christians were set apart and sanctified.

2. Christians have access to God.

III. A CHURCH WHO LOVED BY GOD (v.6)

1Pe 2:6 For the scripture says, "I chose a valuable stone, which I am placing as the cornerstone in Zion; and whoever believes in him will never be disappointed."

a. God Showed His Loved By Giving Valuables.

- "I chose a valuable stone”

b. God Showed His Loved By Giving Protection.

- “whoever believes in him will never be disappointed”

Conclusion:

Christians are identified with a firm foundation, a church who loved by God, a church that made it fit together, and Each Christian is one of the essential stones that enable the whole structure to fulfill its purpose.