SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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. [1 Peter 2:9]
What is the relationship between the old testament and the new testament?
What is the connection between Israel and the Church?
God’s plan has always been to set up a chosen people in the world to reveal Himself and His purpose.
Israel served this purpose in the old testament [see Exodus 19:3-6], while the church serves this purpose in the new testament.
The church is Israel expanded, with people from all nations united around the Messiah.
Their purpose is to declare the praises of God and His Messiah and His kingdom!

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:6-8]
The disciples were still thinking like old testament believers – about the special place and purpose of the nation of Israel.
But Jesus makes it clear that God’s kingdom is a world kingdom, and as His followers they are empowered to declare His praises to the ends of the earth.
As Peter says, all believers are now His chosen people, called to serve as priests (mediators between God and the world), pointing people back to God!
This is why we have been saved, this is why we have received the Spirit.

The sin of old testament Israel was to forget their mission and calling; this has often been the sin of new testament believers as well.
We are saved for a purpose, to shine the light of Jesus in a dark world.
To live holy, God-focused, people loving lives, so that even they they accuse us of doing wrong, they will praise God because of the good deeds they see in us.
Everywhere we go, whatever we do, we are God’s special possession, His people with a mission, saved to declare His praises, to demonstrate His goodness.
Are you living out God’s mission for your life?

PRAYER:
Lord, remind me who I am in You, and who You have saved and called me to be. Forgive me for forgetting my mission.