Christians: “Peculiar” People

2. Christians: “Peculiar” People • But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)

4. Present in a Christian’s Life: A Sober Attitude • “…gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13)

5. Present in a Christian’s Life: A Hunger To Know And Understand The Word Of God • “…desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2) • “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Pet. 4:11a)

6. Present in a Christian’s Life: Hunger For the Word • They worshipped together (Ac. 2:46) “…continuing daily with one accord in the temple…” • They ate together (Ac. 2:46) “…breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” • They obviously spent time together (Ac. 2:46) • They evangelized, because people were being saved daily (Ac. 2:47) “…the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

7. Present in a Christian’s Life: Hunger For the Word • There was daily teaching (Ac. 5:42 - apostles) “…daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” • There was daily study (Ac. 17:11) the Bereans “…searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” • There was daily encouragement (Heb. 3:13) “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’”

8. Present in a Christian’s Life: Hunger For the Word • There was daily debate, exchanging of ideas  • Paul “reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.” (Ac. 17:17) • (Ac. 19:9) Paul “…the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.” • They were focused on the benevolent needs of others every day (Ac. 6:1) “…a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.” • They were focused on the spiritual every day (1 Cor. 15:31) “…I die daily.”

9. Present in a Christian’s Life: Obedience to the Word • “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth …” (1 Pet. 1:22a) • “…born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet. 1:23)

10. Present in a Christian’s Life: A Godly Life Devoted to Service to God • we are a“spiritual house” a “holy priesthood” offering up “spiritual sacrifices” (1 Pet. 2:5) and “royal priesthood” A “holy nation” and “his own special people” (1 Pet. 2:9)

11. Present in a Christian’s Life: A Godly Life Devoted to Service to God • Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV)

12. Present in a Christian’s Life: Submission to Rulers • “…be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable… (1 Pet. 2:18-19a)

13. Present in a Christian’s Life: Working Together in Marriage • “Wives…be submissive to your own husbands…” (1 Pet. 3:1) • “…being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.” (1 Pet. 3:5b-6) • “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel…” (1 Pet. 3:7)

14. Present in a Christian’s Life: Working Together in Marriage • “…as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Pet. 3:7b) • “…even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” (1 Pet. 3:1b-2)

15. Present in a Christian’s Life: Persecutions • “…do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4:12) • “…rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. (1 Pet. 4:13-14)

16. Present in a Christian’s Life: Persecutions • "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." (John 3:19-21 NKJV)

17. Present in a Christian’s Life: A Willingness to Suffer for Doing Good • “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Pet. 3:13-17)

18. Are You Peculiar? (You should be!) • Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, (1 Peter 2:11 NKJV)

19. Hear The Word of God (Mat. 7:24-27) Believe in Jesus (Mark 16:15-16) Live Faithfully ‘Till Death Colossians 1:22-23 Revelation 2:10 Repent of Your Sins (Luke 13:5) Confess With Your Mouth - (James 5:16) Be Baptized (1 Peter 3:21)