Radical Living Part 7
This Preaching in Shorts sermon series is called “Radical Living” and is based on 1 Peter.
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Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Radical Living Part 7
We are going to wind up our series on Radical living today. This series was based on 1 Peter with an emphasis on 1 Peter 2:12 where we were encouraged to live a radical life so that not only would we be changed, but our lives would impact pre-christians. We have looked at a lot of different concepts that Peter presented as part of this radical life. I would like to take this time today to work through how this radical life ties in to what God has called us to as a church. We have been talking about the following concepts for the last year and a half.
What are we doing? (Mission) One More
Why are we doing it? (Motive) Love
How are we doing it? (Method) FORCE
Today, using 1 Peter 2:9-10 I want to tie in one more concept.
When are we successful? (Measure) FOUND
In the fifth chapter of 1 Peter, the leaders of the church are encouraged to be shepherds and overseers
1 Peter 5:2a (NIV)
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers
This to me means that as a church we are to have a direction, a purpose, a mission, to help believers grow and get healthy, and that the way that we can oversee this process is by having a road map of sorts. And so we can check to see how we are doing by using the road map to evaluate. What are we doing? Why are we doing it? How are we doing it? And, are we being successful? This last idea is what we are talking about today. How do you measure success in the Kingdom of God? We have developed an acronym, FOUND.
Fostering Outward Upward Natural Disciples
The process
1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG)
9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you— 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
So what does this part of the process look like?
1. Found by Jesus
1 Peter 2:9a (MSG)
9 But you are the ones chosen by God
Saved and baptized. We would encourage you to be involved in the Vineyard Voyage parts 1 and 2 here.
2. Found a Friend
1 Peter 2:9b (MSG)
9 chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people,
You are called into the community of God’s holy people. We have talked about holiness before and I have said that real holiness is not best defined by living a life on a mountaintop alone, but learning to love well in the midst of broken people. You need to connect with God’s people. Get involved in a Bible study, the mid-week service, affinity groups, etc. Invite other believers over for dinner, or out to lunch. You need to be actively involved in this process. You should take the Vineyard Voyage part 3 here.
3. Found a Job
1 Peter 2:9c (MSG)
9God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you
As we have discussed, we are called to be His ambassadors. We are called to ministry. Like Jesus, we are called to serve, not to be served. Everyone should ultimately be involved in some sort of ongoing regular ministry. We have an endless supply of ministry opportunities here. Like, hospitality, cleaning, greeting, prayer, worship, affinity group leader, children’s church, maintenance, foyer volunteers, sign wavers, office help, outreaches, encouraging 2 people, inviting people, etc. The Vineyard Voyage part 4 is recommended here.
4. Found a Home
1 Peter 2:10 (MSG)
10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
As a believer, disciple, a person living a radical life, this is important. Connecting, belonging, serving. This is where I fit. This is my family. This is my home. When you have found a home here at the Vineyard, it means that you embrace the mission, and it has this circular effect.
What are we doing? (Mission) One More
Why are we doing it? (Motive) Love
How are we doing it? (Method) FORCE
When are we successful? (Measure) FOUND
One last thought. I believe we are successful in the Kingdom at any and every point in this FOUND process. If people are found by Jesus, that is success. If people connect in fellowship, that is success. If people plug into ministry, that is success. If people decide to call this home and partner with us in our mission that is success. If we impact people anywhere in the process, even if they decide along the way that they fit better in another church, that is success. While we are actively involved in One More and are certainly blessed to see our group grow, it is more important to impact the Kingdom of God.
Related posts:
- Radical Living Part 3
- Radical Living Part 2
- Radical Living Part 1
- Radical Living Part 5
- Radical Living Part 6
Category: Preaching in Shorts
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