TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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
Read: 1 Peter 2:9–10
Listen: 1 Peter 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
It’s no wonder many of the most impressive structures in first-century archaeological sites are temples. They were often mammoth structures designed to declare the god’s or goddess’s greatness. Towering pillars, extensive floorplans and immense wealth left no doubt about the significance of the deity to anyone passing by. The thinking was the more impressive the temple, the more important the god.
Peter tells that a temple’s function is to declare the greatness of its god or goddess. He writes that the Jesus-followers are to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). When the church community functions as a temple, it should be obvious to the world around us how wonderful God is. When the world looks at the church community—how we treat each other, the things we talk about, and how we help others—it directly influences their perception of God. We also declare the greatness of God to each other. We declare it when we remind each other of what God has done for us by defeating death and sin. We are helping others see the goodness of God when we share how God has helped free us from lust, repair relationships, clean up our speech or forgive.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Open your journal and begin to compile a list of the ways you can help the church community declare the greatness of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see what role you can play. One important step is baptism. Baptism is a step of obedience where you declare your commitment to Jesus and share how he rescued you from sin and darkness. Read how Ada Bible does baptism and sign up to start a conversation at adabible.org/baptism.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
JAMES 1:19–20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
