Sunday May 18, 2008

What is God Doing Through Us?
1 Peter 2:4-10

I. Introduction

In my last two messages we have spent some time looking at Peter’s description of the church in 1 Peter 2:4-10.

First, we discussed four areas that speak to our identity as the church. In other words, these describe who we are.

   A. We are chosen by God.

   C. We are royal priests.

   D. We are a holy nation.

   E. We are God’s very own possession.

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people…” (Verse 10)

The key to this passage is that we (together) are the people of God.

Although the church is far from perfect, if we are committed to loving God with all our heart and loving each other as
we love ourselves, it is the best place on earth to truly understand who we are and what we are supposed to be doing
with our lives.

But this passage not only addresses who we are as the people of God, it also describes what God is doing in us and then what God wants to do through us.

1 Peter 2:5 says, “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” (NLT)

As those who proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ, it is important to remember that one of the major works of God
in us is to make us more like Christ.

Scripture makes it clear that this spiritual formation occurs in the context of community.

This is the power of meeting together in smaller groups, doing ministry together in teams, gathering for prayer on
Wednesday, or participating in weekly classes and Bible Studies.

The Biblical church is a community of people: chosen by God, living stones, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, and a
people possessed by God.

It is as we laugh, cry, fight, pray, worship, study, resolve our conflicts and do life together that we are going to become everything that God has called us to be.

Does this happen because we are perfect and have no problems here? No, it happens precisely because we are not
perfect and because we (like everybody else) do have problems.

The difference is that we are committed to each other – even to those we may not particularly like – in fact, especially to those we may not particularly like.

It is as we learn to love one another, in spite of our differences and conflicts that we “will be made complete with all
the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT)

II. What is God Doing Through Us?

But why does God want to be formed in us?

I believe it is for the stated purpose found in these verses: “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT)

I like how the NRSV says it: “…in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light.”

Now, who is to do this? We are – together!

This is the beauty of this passage, but also the beauty of real church community.

What has God done? He has gifted each of us differently.

It is as we work together that we will proclaim the mighty acts of God to this community.

Some are more evangelistic than others, but if the evangelists gets them into the church, who is going to keep them
here? Probably not the evangelist. It is going to be the one or two people that are sensitive to the Spirit and reach out
to that new person.

III. Application

As a church we are currently at a real crossroads – we are struggling with the small church barrier/mentality.

Up to this point, we have been like a family and in a sense I have been like your father. Most of you feel a need to have
some kind of connection with me as the pastor.

You also bring someone to church or see a visitor and the expectation is that I will do the follow-up with that visitor and/or reach out to your friend.

I cannot maintain 150 relationships at any kind of meaningful level.

Do we want to grow? Really? If not…

I believe that one of the keys to breaking through this barrier lies in this passage.

First, we need to understand our identity as the people of God.

We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's very own possession. (1 Peter 2:9)

Second, we need to allow Christ to be formed in us as we interact with each other in Christian community.

We “also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5, NIV)

Finally, we are called to proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous
light. (1 Peter 2:9)

The key to all of this is that we understand our identity, allow Christ to be formed in us, and proclaim His works
as a community.

Let me share a small example of how this works on a practical level.

First, you and I pray together and grow in our understanding of who we truly are in Christ.

Then we commit ourselves to community and understand that as we worship, pray, study, fight, fellowship, serve, interact with those we do not like, and fight some more that Christ will be formed in us.

Finally, we commit ourselves to take the Christ who is being formed in us and proclaim Him out into the
community wherever we live, work and play.

You see, if you reach someone for Christ – who is that person connected to?

But if someone’s initial experience is inside the church – who are they connected to?

I believe that my role as your pastor is clearly laid out in Ephesians 4 where it says, “It was he [Christ] who gave some
to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” (Ephesians 4:11-12, NIV)

I am committed to doing more to invest into those who are doing the work of the ministry, but for me to do this I need
you to commit yourselves to do more to help each other.

In fact, I invite each of you to think for a moment and write down the names of 2-3 people in the church that you are
going to pray for and try to build a relationship with.

This will not be easy, but we must support one another better and that cannot fall on just a few.

Next week, Sean Garman from Red Sea is going to be here (you really want to hear him!), but in two weeks I am going to remind you of this talk and I would like to actually take time with you to talk about it.

So, please think about what we have discussed here today and come prepared in two weeks to talk about it.

In addition to the 2-3 people above, I am also asking you to pray for 2-3 others who do not yet know Christ.

“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.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)