1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Main Idea: God has made us promoters of His praise.
This is language pulled directly from the Old Testament, how God referred to the nation of Israel. But that promise is now extended to us as believers.
We belong to a sacred network. And when the focus is Jesus its beautiful to experience. When it changes to fusing faith with politics it becomes something else.
We’ve been chosen to proclaim His praises. NASB chosen to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. If I be lifted up I’ll draw all men unto me. Just as certainly as you and I belong to Jesus we were also chosen to proclaim His praises.
Called us out of darkness. The darkness was a darkness of death, and the light is the light of His life.
- Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
- John 8:12 (NIV) 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
We didn’t give our lives to Christ. He gave His life to us. We didn’t have a life to give. We were dead. And what a magnificent life it is. [Read The View from My Place – “Author of Life”]
How do we proclaim His excellencies? This can take many forms. Our family members. Our church family.
Believers need this as much as anyone. In fact the directives of scripture point more to our encouraging and building and reminding one another of the Lord’s excellencies than to others. .
Regarding non-Christians, the next paragraph is a pivot to non-Christians. He instructs them to live exemplary lives that they may see your good deeds and glorify God.
But there is definitely an element of testifying to the magnificence of the Lord with our mouths to people who don’t know Jesus. Like Bartimaeus, the blind man. Or the Samaritan woman at the well. Or the younger selves of some of us
We live in an age where it has never been easier to spread evil. Secular experts as well as spiritually minded people both our cautioning about our kids continuous exposure to screens and social media.
It’s a problem. But, on the other hand, it’s never been easier to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness.
A text that says, “I’m praying for your family” to a co-worker who is experiencing a family crisis. Posting a brief word of praise or thanksgiving on social media.
We’re streaming our services. And some of you first saw Valley Brook online.
The main idea is not so much about the who, the how, or the where, it is to see ourselves as promoters of the praises of our Lord.
Spouse to spouse. Sibling to sibling. Friend to friend. Neighbor to neighbor.
When we proclaim His excellencies to those who do not yet believe, it’s called evangelism. When we proclaim His excellencies to one another it’s called encouraging one another.
We’re part of His team. Today is another day at the ballpark. Yesterday is gone and fresh opportunities lie ahead of me. The Lord is the Owner and the Manager. I’ll play whatever position He wants me to.
Once we had not received mercy, now we have. We were on the outs with God – Romans 5:10 says were were enemies. But now we’re not only “in” with Him, we belong to Him.
Chosen to enjoy and to proclaim His excellencies
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