1 Peter 2:4-12
Part of the process of living the Jesus life is understanding who we are. As Christ followers, we are to be servants. There is no higher title as a disciple of Christ. We live to serve God and to serve others. It is who we are and what we do. It is within this call to servanthood that we see how God has a great plan for our lives.
Paul and Timothy described themselves as servants of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:1), and Jesus Himself declares that the greatest in God’s Kingdom are the ones who serve (Luke 22:24-27). In order to live like Jesus, we need to realize our identity – as servants.
Here are 5 MANDATES OF A SERVANT:
1: PLAY YOUR PART: You are part of His plan
- Key verse: “You are a living stone.” (1 Peter 2:4-6)
- Jesus Christ is the living Cornerstone. He is the foundation. The cornerstone of a building determines its design and orientation. It is the most significant stone in the structure. The picture that Peter paints here is of a structure made up of believers (living stones – you and me), the design and orientation of which are all in keeping with Christ, the Cornerstone. (Eph. 2:19-22)
- We are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are part of what God is building through Jesus. We are the living stones (bricks, building materials) in the structure of God’s temple.
- This means that we have a part to play. So serve! Engage with Jesus in building the Kingdom of God!
2: LIVE YOUR FAITH: You are His personal representative
- Key verse: “You are a holy priesthood.” “A royal priesthood.” (1 Peter 2:5, 9)
- We are priests. A priest offers up sacrifices to God. As priests, what are we to offer? Ourselves! (Romans 12:1,2)
- We are to offer up our life in worship, prayer, service, obedience, holy living, and compassion. The key idea here is that we are to live a life of worship and service unto God.
- There are two great characteristics of a priest:
- The priest is the one who builds a bridge for others to come to God. As Christians, we have the duty and the privilege of bringing others to the same Savior in whom we have found faith and love.
- The priest is the one who brings an offering to God. As Christians, we must do the same. It was formerly an animal sacrifice, but now it is our work and worship. We, ourselves, become an offering to God.
- So live out your faith and live a life of service! Every believer is a minister.
3: EMBRACE YOUR IDENTITY: You belong to God
- Key verse: “You are a chosen people.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)
- As Israel was God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, New Testament believers are considered chosen and have been grafted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ. (Is. 44:1,2; Ex. 19:5,6; Rom. 11; Eph. 1:4-13).
- We are chosen for at least three reasons:
- For Blessing
- For Obedience (with obedience comes responsibility)
- For Service
4: REALIZE YOUR DESTINY: You are not of this world
- Key verse: “You are a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9, 11-12)
- We are so concerned with not being “so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good” that we often lose track of what it means to know we are not of this world! (John 18:36; Phil 3:20; Heb. 11:13).
- We are “a holy nation.” In Greek, “hagios” (holy) means set apart from and set apart to. How are we supposed to live a life set apart?
- Live the Jesus life (serve)
- Live a pure life (forsake sin)
- Live a Christ-minded life (set your mind on the values of Christ)
- Live an abundant life (obedience in Christ brings true life)
- Live a hope-filled life (remember, Heaven is still coming)
5: FULFILL YOUR CALLING: You have been saved to serve
- Key verse: “You are God’s own people.” (1 Peter 2:9)
- In verse 9, it says we are “God’s special possession.” Another translation says, “a people belonging to God.” Notice here that we belong to God and we have a purpose. Peter goes on to say: “That you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
- We have been saved for a reason and that is to do good! We have been saved from sin to serve.
God has a plan and purpose for our lives. We are designed to be a part of something greater than ourselves. We are made for a reason – to serve God and serve others. So today let us take up the 5 mandates of servanthood and “live the Jesus life.”