First Peter

***The word called is used 5 times in First Peter………

Called – refers to:

                 a. the Lord calling us up by name – hearing the voice of the Lord

                 b. an invitation  – rsvp – not forced to do anything

                 c. it speaks of our entire Christian life

-where we live….our jobs…our spouse…our church

(1) WE ARE CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS AND INTO LIGHT – 1 Peter 2:9

— Peter first talks about who we are in Christ

***DECLARE WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST

***SEE YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU

—Before we were saved – we were in the Kingdom of Darkness & satan

—After we were saved, we were in the Kingdom of Light and Jesus Christ

Colossians 1:12-13

delivered – means to be rescued…to draw out like drawing water out of a well

power – means the domination, authority and tyranny of the devil

conveyed – means to transfer or transport or remove from one place to another

-from darkness to light

***WHY DID THE LORD CALL US OUT OF THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS AND PLACE US IN HIS KINGDOM?  It was with a purpose…….

*We must all discover what our purpose is in this life…

(1) PURPOSE IS ONLY FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST OUR CREATOR

-pray and ask the Lord what your purpose is – Matthew 7:7-8

(2) PROVISION IS CONNECTED TO PURPOSE

-your needs will be met when you are in the purpose of God

He is Jehovah Jireh – our Provider

-the enemy will try to hinder your purpose from happening

-when the enemy talks to you, talk back louder……..

(3) PURPOSE IS THE KEY TO FULFILLMENT

-only Jesus and His purpose satisfies

-purpose dictates performance which produces satisfaction

(4) PURPOSE IS ALWAYS ASSOCIATED WITH REDEMPTION – 1 Peter 2:9

-proclaim – means to declare out loud…to tell…advertise

-proclaim the wonderful acts…the praises…the attributes of the Lord

-When we witness, we bring the good news to people……

***WE NEED TO GO FISHING…….FISHERS OF MEN – Matthew 4:19

(1) FISHING IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS JESUS TAUGHT – Matthew 4:19

-give people the best news they have ever heard

“If you are not fishing then you are not following”

(2) FISHING TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH WALLS – Matthew 10:1-15