Topic: Chosen

Text: 1 Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Introduction In the rush of modern life, its easy to lose sight of our identity. Under pressure, we tend to focus on the urgent, but not always on the important. So its good to be reminded occasionally of who we are as Gods people. From today's text, as familiar as it may seem, there are a number of things God wants us to know as His children. However, time will not permit us. Therefore, todays teaching is based on one of the things He wants us to know from this verse. It says But you are a chosen generation, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, a special people formed, and purchased by the precious blood of Christ, for [Gods own] possession. These are wonderful descriptions that are here stacked upon us. May we have the grace to be able to appropriate them, and to expound them in our lives! For those who need a title for this message, lets simply call it Chosen. And this will be our focus for today. But you The But here is used to place emphasis on the one to whom this message is addressed i.e. You. It is also used to set up a contrast. In other words, when we look at the preceding verse, we can read this as You in contradistinction from those who, by their disobedience, had rejected the Savior as the Chief Cornerstone or foundation of hope and have stumbled into a Christless eternity, You, are a chosen generation. Chosen is from the Greek word Eklektos. It means to be selected or picked out. In the Scripture, it usually defines one who is the object of choice or of divine favor. It means to have a preference for someone above others, and to remove from the midst of others to enjoy special privileges. To be single out for Gods supernatural providence Isaiah 41:17-19 Many times God through His Servants reminded the children of Israel that He has chosen them. When the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt, God told them in Deuteronomy 7:6 and in 14:2 that He has chosen them. However, in Isaiah 41, when God told the children of Israel that He has chosen them, they were in serious circumstances. They were in captivity. The children of Israel were in a state of and felt: Distress Despondent Discouragement Disappointment Rejected Afflicted Helplessness Hopelessness

Like the children of Israel many of us may be in similar states because of our present circumstances. God encouraged the children of Israel and acted on their behalf. God has come to encourage anyone who is in an unfavorable situation and to let them know that they are chosen and He will act on their behalf. Who is The Chooser? He is the Alpha and Omega Isaiah 41:4 Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, am the first; and with the last I am He. He is the creator of the earth, all powerful, all knowing and sovereign God Isaiah 40:12-14 He incomparable and has no equal Isaiah 40:18 He is the One who sits in the circle of the earth Isaiah 40:21-22 He is the controller and rules over thrones of the earth Isaiah 40:23. In Genesis 14:19 He is higher than the highest, and he is the Possessor of heaven and earth; the all sufficient. He is great and powerful Isaiah 40:26 Isaiah 40:28 He is unfathomable Who Are The Chosen? The chosen is the one who, by obedience, have responded to the call of God through Jesus Christ and accepted the Savior as the foundation of hope i.e. people who are now in Christ. Those who are in covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Those, under the domain and control of God, those striving to live a holy life, they are the chosen. Ephesians 2:11-13: 11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands, 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Hebrews 1:9(Psalm 45:7): Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Benefits of Being Chosen God will be with the chosen hence they need not be afraid Isaiah 41:10, 43:1-3 God will be the God of the chosen - hence there is no need for them to be anxious by looking about us. Isaiah 43:10, Phi 4:4 God will strengthen the chosen God will help the chosen and uphold the chosen All those who argue against the chosen will be shamed and dishonored All those who contend with the chosen will be as nothing and will perish All those who quarrel against the chosen will not be found The chosen are special instruments in the hands of God Isaiah 41:15-16 God will answer the chosen Isaiah 41:17 God will not forsake the chosen Isaiah 41:17 The chosen has access to the Throne of Grace

Responsibilities of the Chosen You are chosen of God to make the heart right. Colossians 3:12-14: "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." 1 Peter 2 1-3: Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. The chosen of God will do what God requires. Deuteronomy 10:12: And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, The chosen should trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6: 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. The chosen should have faith in God. Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The chosen should proclaim the excellence of God 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: John 15:16: You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Philippians 2:14-15: 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Conclusion Being chosen ultimately speaks of the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8-9: 8For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9Not because of works, lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]. We are expected to daily approach and live as people chosen by God e.g. spiritually and mentally, and fulfill the responsibilities of people chosen by God. [Rise to your feet Call Rev 3:20