A New Group Identity

SERMON NOTES

Strangers & Exiles: A New Group Identity

Main Text: 1 Peter 2:1-10

The Call to Reject Old Ways (2:1):

1- We are called to reject our old identities.

“Malice destroys love, deceit distorts truth, hypocrisy divides the heart, envy poisons joy, slander

tears down people who are made in God’s image.”

2- We must remove sin because it:

a. corrupts our relationship with God

b. distorts how we relate with ourselves and others

The Call to Crave the Word (2:2-3):

What does scripture teach us about the Word of God?

1- The Word is spiritual nourishment, not optional content.

2- Craving the Word flows from experiencing God’s goodness.

3- The Word produces growth and maturity.

4- The Word shapes desire and behavior.

The Call to Build New Identity (2:4-8):

What are some common distortions of Christian Identity today?

a. Jesus as an Add On

b. Self Defined Christianity

c. Performance based Identity

d. Isolated Christianity

e. Cultural Christianity

f. Therapeutic Identity

g. Silent Witness Identity

The Call to Proclamation (2:9-10):

1- You are a chosen race

2- You are a royal priesthood

3- You are a holy nation

4- You are people for His possession

5- Your identity is not something you construct, it is something that has been given to you by Jesus

Christ.

The Call to Application:

How do we actively reject our old identities and embrace our new identity?

●Put sin to death (v.1)

●Cultivate a hunger for God’s Word (v.2-3)

●Build your identity on Christ alone (v.4-8)

●Commit to Church Community (v.9)

●Proclaim the Gospel (v.9-10)

“There is no other way to enter into life unless this mother conceive us in her womb, give us

birth, nourish us at her breast, and keep us under her care”

– John Calvin (Institutes of Religion,

4.1.1)

Main Idea: You don’t just find Christian identity, you are formed within the people of God.