コミュニティと弟子訓練

Never Forget Who You Are (1 Pe. 1:1~2)

2014.08.03Rev. Eddie Byun

You were chosen by God before the foundation of the world, and this world is not your home. The Spirit is making you more like Christ, so that you may serve and obey Jesus. Never forget who you are in Christ.

You were chosen by God before the world began (1-2)

Peter calls the believers 'elect' and says they are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. You are not an accident, a mistake, or here by chance. God selected you for this time in history and decided to save you before you were even born. Election humbles us because it is all God's work, not something we earned. Because God chose you, you can rest in his sovereign hand, which guides all things to bring glory to Jesus.

Live as strangers, for heaven is your home (1)

Peter calls the believers 'exiles' scattered across the world, a strange title for God's chosen people. This world is not our home, and our primary citizenship belongs to heaven. So when life on earth feels hard and strange, do not be surprised. God may use pain to keep our hearts from clinging too tightly to this world and to keep us longing for rest in Jesus' presence. As Jesus said in John 15:18-20, the world that hated him will hate those who follow him, so we must be ready.

The Spirit is making you more like Christ (2)

Peter says we are chosen for the sanctification of the Spirit. Sanctification is God changing us to become more like Christ through the power of the Spirit. We still struggle with sin and fall, but God will never give up on us, and he is committed to finishing the good work he has begun. Our daily choices shape who we are, and by the Spirit's grace we can choose what honors Christ. John Newton confessed that he was not yet what he ought to be, but by God's grace he was no longer who he used to be.

You are saved to serve and obey Jesus (2)

Peter adds that we are chosen for obedience to Jesus Christ. Every person serves something, and only in submission to Jesus do we find true freedom for the soul. Obeying Christ is a sign that we trust his promises, and a sanctified heart finds honor in serving him. Our attitude changes from 'have to' to 'get to.' Whenever we rebel, we must repent and bow again under the authority of Jesus.

Apply to Life

  • Let us remember that God chose us before the foundation of the world and hold fast to that assurance.
  • Let us not seek the applause of this world, but live as citizens of heaven.
  • Let us fall in love with Jesus more each day so that our hearts are not captured by this world.
  • Let us repent quickly and bow again under the authority of Jesus when we fail.
  • Let us serve Jesus with joy, counting it an honor and not a duty.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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