Sunday June 8, 2008

What Does God Want to Do With Us?
1 Peter 2:4-10

I. Introduction

Husband Retrieves Wife for Anniversary

Ralph and Janice were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and Pastor Jones decided to take advantage of their longevity by using their story as a sermon illustration. He asked Ralph to come on stage and share some insight into how he managed to live with the same woman all those years.

Ralph turned to the congregation and said, "Well, I treated her with respect and spent money on her—but mostly I took her traveling on special occasions."

The pastor asked, "Trips to where?"

"For our 25th anniversary," Ralph answered, "I took her to Beijing, China."

The crowd nodded and murmured in appreciation. When things quieted down, the pastor winked and said: "What a terrific example you are to husbands, Ralph. So, tell us where you're going now for your 50th anniversary?"

Ralph replied, "I'm going to go back and get her."

—Brett Kays, Flat Rock, Michigan

Over the last three messages that I have preached we have looked at Peter’s description of the church in 1 Peter 2:4-10.

Today, after a brief review, I would like to take some time and discuss how this applies to us here at Grace.

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.

B. We are royal priests.

C. We are a holy nation.

D. 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.

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)

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.

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.

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)

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

II. Application

Before we break into small groups – I am asking you again to write down 2-3 people in the church that you are going
to pray for and try to build a relationship with.

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

Next week we are going to reintroduce a great opportunity we have as a church to work with the greater Christian community in the Portland area through the Luis Palau Festival coming up in August.

This would be a great event to invite the people you are praying for to attend with you – but more on that later.

Today, I would like you to break into small groups of 5-7 people. I have a few simple questions that I would like you
to look at and discuss together.

Afterward, I will then have you share your findings with the rest of the fellowship.

First break into groups of 5-7. (You are not required to participate, but I would appreciate everyone getting into a
group, if only to listen).

Appoint someone to take notes for the group.

Appoint someone to facilitate your group discussion.

Appoint someone to be your spokesperson.

Discuss the following questions:

   1. Do you believe we should grow numerically as a church? Why or why not?
   2. What are we currently doing that is good that we should maximize further?
   3. Is there anything we are currently doing that we should not be doing?
   4. What are we not doing that we should be doing?
   5. What can you do personally to contribute to what we are discussing? (Be specific)

Have each group take good notes – we will look at the responses as a board and leadership team.

Be prepared to share one of your answers with the congregation.

Final Guidelines:

   - Please limit your comments to less than two minutes. Allow others to share.
   - Do not criticize anyone’s ideas – this is a “green light” session.
   - No one else should speak while someone is sharing (no cross talk or interruptions).
   - Be loving in your criticism. Do not direct your criticism towards one specific person. E.g. You may want to direct
    specific criticism towards me – if you feel this way come directly to me. If you do not like my preaching you could say     something like, “I think we should have less preaching in the church and more…”

I am considering having “town hall” meetings that will pursue these and other issues on a monthly basis.