Who Do You Think You Are Series

Sunday Morning June 2, 2002 Bel Aire Baptist Church

Series: “Requirements For Revival” [#1]

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WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

1 Peter 2:4-10

Introduction:

1. Wouldn’t you like to see revival break out? You are probably thinking, “I would love to see revival happen, but the chances of that happening are about the same as someone giving me a million dollars.” We really don’t anticipate a revival happening and that just shows the great need for revival. We as Christians have become apathetic.

2. Many of us don’t even really understand what revival is. We think that it is a time when our church invites a guest speaker and musician down for extra church services. It is also a good time for us to get excited about Jesus for a few days, but within a month everything is back to normal. Is that revival? Absolutely not. Revival is simply a renewal of your commitment to Christ. If you really want to see revival break out you must stop waiting for it to happen with someone else and ask God to start revival in you.

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3. One of the most used verses concerning revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14 and we will be dissecting this one verse over the next several weeks as we study the “Requirements For Revival”.

4. This morning I want us to focus on this phrase: “If my people, who are called by my name”. There’s been many studies done that talk about the way you see yourself determines to a large degree the way you act and react in life. This is no new discovery. The Bible says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Let me ask you this question this morning, “Who do you think you are?”

5. In 1 Peter 2:4-10 we find out what God says about His people. He mentions five characteristics of what you are if you’re a believer in Jesus Christ.

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Ø “You are a chosen people…”

Ø “You are a people belonging to God…”

Ø “You are living stones…”

Ø “You are a royal priesthood and holy nation…”

Ø “Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

6. In verse 9 we find that all of the old titles of God’s people from the Old Testament now belong to us as Christians. Each of these phrases deserves a full-length sermon, but this morning I want you to simply notice that our text is saying four things about God’s people.

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AS A PART OF GOD’S PEOPLE…

I’m Important

1. Most of us spend our entire lives trying to earn acceptance. We want to earn it from our parents, peers, co-workers, family, etc…

2. Would you agree that people do crazy things to be accepted? Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to fit in? When the “cool” kids dared you to do something that was stupid or dangerous you would do it anyway because you desperately wanted to fit in.

3. We love that feeling, the feeling that “I’m important. Someone has chosen me and accepted me.” When you are chosen that does tremendous things for your self-esteem.

4. Our text says, “You are a chosen people. You have been chosen by God.”

5. Christ has accepted you and there’s no condition listed there. It’s not based on your performance, on something that you earned. You’ll never deserve it. God simply says, “I chose you.”

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I’m Worth Something

1. Our text says not only are you important, but also you’re worth something. How much do you think you’re worth? I’m not talking about your net worth. I’m talking about your self worth. Don’t ever confuse your valuables with your value as a person. You can be rich or poor but it has nothing to do with your value as a person.

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2. What determines value? There are two things that determine value in life: 1) It depends on what somebody is willing to pay for something and 2) It depends on who has owned it in the past.

3. Based on these two things, what’s your value? Ask yourself “Who owns me?” and “What was paid for me?” You’ve been bought and paid for by Christ. You belong to Him. How much are your worth? Jesus paid for you with His life; He bought you back from the devil. God exchanged His own Son for you! The cross proves your value. God says I love you so much that I gave Jesus’ life for you. That means that we must be mighty valuable.

4. Our text uses an illustration to show us our value. God is having this building project and you are part of it. He’s building this stone building that represents the church, the family of God, and you’re one of the stones. God is building His church. The foundation and cornerstone of this spiritual building is Jesus Christ.