The Sunday School Lesson A Holy Nation by David McGee
Oct 30, 2016
A Holy Nation (40:37)
Referenced Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:4-25; 1 Peter 5:1-11
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There are two major ways in which a person becomes a citizen of a country: by birth or by naturalization. The first is rather simple, a person is born in the country. The other avenue is through naturalization, a detailed process in which those of other nations become citizens. Whether born or naturalized, once they are recognized as citizens, they have many rights and freedoms that can be enjoyed. There are also certain responsibilities. Both freedoms and responsibilities come with citizenship of any nation.
While we likely hold our citizenship with a nation in high regard, the best citizenship that we can have is a heavenly one. As citizens of God's kingdom, believers have certain freedoms and responsibilities. Peter outlined some of these in his first epistle.
The scriptures below are from the WEB Bible.
1 Peter 2:4-25
4) coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
5) You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6) Because it is contained in scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: He who believes in him will not be put to shame."
7) For you therefore who believe is the honor, but for such as are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone,"
8) and, "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed.
9) But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God‘s own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
10) who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul;
12) having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13) Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord‘s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14) or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well.
15) For so is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16) as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
17) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18) Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
19) For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
20) For what glory is it, if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
21) For to this were you called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps,
22) who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth."
23) Who, when he was reviled, didn‘t revile back. When he suffered, didn‘t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;
24) who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
25) For you were going astray like sheep; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 5:1-11
1) I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.
2) Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
3) neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
4) When the chief Shepherd will be revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn‘t fade away.
5) Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
7) casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
8) Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9) Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
10) But may the God of all grace (who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus), after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11) To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
The WEB Bible is provided by Public Domain.