1 Peter 2:9-10
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
GOD'S TRUE VIEW OF YOU: In Christ . . .
1. I AM COMPLETELY ACCEPTED!
"You have been CHOSEN by God himself!" 1 Peter 2:9(LB)
• BECAUSE GOD CHOSE ME BEFORE EVERYTHING!
"He chose us in him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in his sight by his love." Ephesians 1:4
• BECAUSE JESUS MADE ME ACCEPTABLE!
"Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life."Titus 3:7(CEV)
2. I AM EXTREMELY VALUABLE!
"You are a HOLY nation, a people BELONGING to God!" 1 Peter 2:9
"You are a people holy to the Lord your God . . . his treasuredpossession." Deuteronomy 7:6(NIV)
God says: "You are precious to me." Isaiah 43:4(TEV)
• BECAUSE GOD IS MY FATHER!
"Look at the birds . . . God feeds them and you are far more valuable to Him than any birds!" Luke 12:24
• BECAUSE JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME!
"You have been bought and paid for by Christ, so you belong to him . . ." 1 Corinthians 7:23(LB)
3. I AM ETERNALLY LOVED!
"Once you were not a people, but now you are the peopleof God." 1 Peter 2:10
"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." Jeremiah 31:3(NLT)
• BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE!
"God'slove is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever." Psalm 100:5(TEV)
4. I AM TOTALLY FORGIVEN!
"At one time you did not know God's mercy, but now you have received his mercy." 1 Peter 2:10b(TEV)
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
• BECAUSE IT IS GOD'S NATURE TO FORGIVE
"I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you." Isaiah 43:25 (TEV)
• BECAUSE JESUS PAID FOR MY SINS
"For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God!" Ephesians 1:7(TEV)
5. I AM FULLY CAPABLE!
"You are royal priests . . . chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9(NCV)
"The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant . . ."2 Corinthians 3:5b-6(TEV)
• BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES IN ME
"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
How should my identity affect how I act?
Rom. 15:7, 1 Pet. 2:17, Col.3:12, Eph. 4:32, Heb. 13:6
Action Plan:After reflecting on the five aspects of our identity in Christ, take some time this week to read one of the above verses each day (Romans 15:7, 1 Peter 2:17, Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 13:6). Consider how they relate our identity in Christ to our every day actions.
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship continues a series on the parables of Jesus. This week dives deep into the parable of the Unforgiving Servant. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
