Sermon Notes
A Cure For An Identity Crisis
SEARCHING FOR GOD IN TURBULENT TIMES – Part 9
November 17, 2024
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.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Who am I?
1. You are a chosen people
19 See, I
am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
Isaiah 43:19-21
2. You are a royal priesthood
5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the
whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the
Israelites.”
Exodus 19:5-6
3. You are a holy nation
4. You are God’s special possession
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”
2 Corinthians 6:16
How did I get this identity?
What is my purpose?
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they
worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given
to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end
of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
Small Group Discussion Questions for the Week of November 17, 2024.
Opening
Who or what had a major influence in your identity formation?
Digging Deeper into the Scriptures
Read 1 Peter 2:9-10.
1. How do you feel about being considered a "chosen people" by God?
2. How does being a "royal priesthood" change the way you view your relationship with God?
3. What does it mean to be a "holy nation" and how can we live out this calling in our everyday lives?
4. How does the idea of being "God's special possession" influence your perspective on your own worth and
purpose?
Applying the Scriptures
1. How does understanding your identity (vv. 9-10) affect your decision-making?
2. How can you grow in your understanding of what it means to be set apart for God's purposes?