We are in a 2-week study called “Citizens & Exiles: Remembering Who We Are and Whose We Are”. In week 1 of this study, Pastor Scott preached from 1 Peter 2:9-10 and together we learned that as Jesus followers, our primary identity is as a citizen of the kingdom of God. What does that mean? Check out this sermon to learn more!
Sermon Notes
Citizens & Exiles Week 1: Kingdom Citizens
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:28-30
1. The People of God Have Always Been Used by God in All Areas of Society
2. The Church Hasn’t Change, the Political Game Has Changed
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…” 1 Peter 1:1
Our primary identity is as a citizen of the kingdom of God
Three Truths that Ground us as Kingdom Citizens:
1. We have been chosen by the King
“The term refers to our privileged status before God… ones whom the King of the universe has chosen to be his own people, to benefit from his protection, and to inhabit his heavenly kingdom.” Wayne Grudem
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” Philippians 3:20
2. We have access to the King
“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51
3. We are a people for the King
“…for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28
“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people…” 1 Peter 2:10a
We have been chosen by the King
We have access to the King
We are a people for the King
Our primary identity is as a citizen of the kingdom of God
“Our most fundamental and defining identity and location is the kingdom of Christ, not any kingdom on earth.” John Piper
Our primary identity is a citizen of the kingdom of God
Being Kingdom Citizens DOESN’T mean…
We can’t be proud to be American
Being Kingdom Citizens DOES mean…
We wisely approach lesser allegiances
“One day America and all its presidents will be a footnote in history, but God’s kingdom will never end.” John Piper
Being Kingdom Citizens DOESN’T mean…
We can’t be passionate about politics
Being Kingdom Citizens DOES mean…
We see our politics through a Jesus lens and not Jesus through a political lens
As followers of Jesus, we are citizens of the kingdom of God called to be faithful exiles in a country.
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe...” Hebrews 12:28