33 Riches of Divine Grace

33 Riches of Divine Grace A Chosen Generation, an Holy Nation, a Peculiar People • I Peter 2:9 – KJV “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” • What does ‘a chosen generation’ mean? • Comes from the Greek terms • eklektos (elect) • genos (race, kindred, offspring) • Has roots in God’s purpose for Israel • Isaiah 43:20,21 “The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.” • How often have you considered recently your election into this very special race in order to declare praise to His name? 1 May 18, 2008 Bob Eckel

33 Riches of Divine Grace A Chosen Generation, an Holy Nation, a Peculiar People • ‘An holy nation’ – where is this nation located? • Again, rooted in the nation of Israel • Exodus 19:6 “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” • For all the nation of Israel this will be delayed until the Kingdom Age • Isaiah 26:2 ‘Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.’ • But here applied to spiritual Israel and Gentile 2 May 18, 2008 Bob Eckel

33 Riches of Divine Grace A Chosen Generation, an Holy Nation, a Peculiar People • 2 Tim 1:9 “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,” • Holy is from the Greek root word hagos (an awful thing) - used as • ‘holy’ 161 times • ‘saints’ 61 times • Describe what being part of a holy nation means to you. • We are made sacred, morally pure, sanctified. • And thus - Heb 3:1 ‘Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,….’ • And what about this ‘partakers of the heavenly calling’? • Think position • ‘A peculiar people’ • Are we really peculiar? • This is also trasnlated as ‘a people for God’s own possession’ 3 May 18, 2008 Bob Eckel

33 Riches of Divine Grace A Chosen Generation, an Holy Nation, a Peculiar People • From the Greek peripoiēsis – obtained or purchased possession • Titus 2:14 ‘….who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.’ • Eph 1:14 ‘who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.’ • Acts 20:28 ‘Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.’ • We are truly a possessed people are we not? • And what is the purpose of this declaration of God about who we are? • Let’s not only look at the terminus of 1 Pet 2:9 but verse 10 too • “…. that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; which 4 May 18, 2008 Bob Eckel

33 Riches of Divine Grace A Chosen Generation, an Holy Nation, a Peculiar People in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” • We are not a people of this world are we? • ‘mercy & light’ vs. ‘no mercy & darkness’ • That does make us peculiar in a colloquial sense doesn’t it? • As we consider all of the trials, disappointments, and failures we experience in this kosmos where we live, we must remember always that by His grace and our faith we are fully accepted in the beloved because He sees us entirely in His Son – His Grace does never cease does it? • Because we are a chosen generation, an holy nation, and a peculiar people, we have the privilege of • Col 3:1-3 – “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” 5 May 18, 2008 Bob Eckel

33 Riches of Divine Grace