Images of the Church: God’s People
1. God’s Nation – God as our God (I Peter 2:9-10)
 a) Peter uses phrases that God used of Israel as He formed them (Exodus 19:5-6, Deut. 7:6) to describe 
     the church’s identity (a persecuted church who didn’t feel special).
 b) “a chosen race”- Christ followers are selected by God to be part of His redeemed humanity. Since it is 
     based on God’s choice, we should be humbled & grateful, but also endure all we can so that chosen 
     ones can obtain salvation & become part of this race (2 Timothy 2:10).
 c) “a royal priesthood”- we are part of a priesthood of royal rank before God. We have direct access to 
     Him through His Son to offer worship. We also have the role of interceding for and bringing the 
     nations to Him through His Son.
 d) “a holy nation”- Apart from the grace of Christ, we are unholy (so are nations). Now we are set apart 
     by God and for God. What is going on in our minds and actions should reflect His holiness (I Peter 
     1:13-16). This is a spiritual nation with representatives from all nations.
 e) “a people for God’s own possession”- The One Who owns the world, claims His people (the church) 
     as His special possession. We are uniquely His, an amazing privilege.
 f) Our purpose is to proclaim His excellencies/perfections/glory/praises (Is. 43:21). We were not 
     created, or re-created to be people-centered, or me-centered, but God-centered. We once were in 
     darkness, but now are in light. We were not a people, but now His people. We were without mercy, 
     but now have received His mercy.
 g) We are part of something large, which God is building.
2. God’s Family – God as our Father
 a) Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins to free us from the curse of disobeying God’s Law (3:13). If 
     we believe in Him, we are born of God and adopted into God’s family (Galatians 4:5, I John 5:1a). 
 b) The Holy Spirit is inside every believer crying out, “Abba! Father!” Abba- Aramaic form for father 
     used in a family & by Jesus at His most stressful time (Mk. 14:36). We have God as our Father (Gal. 
     4:6) & other believers as siblings. 
 c) Our conduct should reflect that we are part of His family (I Timothy 3:15), so should the way we 
     relate to other Christians (I John 5:1b, I Timothy 5:1-2). 
 d) If you have a great family, this makes it even better. If you do not have much family, this can make up 
     for it. God is now your Father & you have many brothers & sisters.
 e) We are part of something personal, which God is growing.