Our theme verse for 2018: 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
God has blessed His people not as the end in and of itself rather that they might be a blessing to others. Consider Abram’s blessing in Genesis 12:1–3 (ESV) “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Take note that in verse 2, “so that you will be a blessing” and again in verse 3, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” God’s blessing of Abram was intended to be a blessing of others though him.
This same pattern is included in our theme verse, “But you are . . ., that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Notice it does not say, you might consider, or if it’s convenient, or if you think of it, rather it says “that you may proclaim.” The truth is that God has blessed us (chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession) so that we might be the instruments of announcing His marvelous love and grace to lost and dying world. We are to be heralds of “Good News” to humanity lost in chaos, self destruction, and rebellion.
Jesus makes it clear to the disciples that they are entrusted with the responsibility of announcing the in-breaking of His Kingdom. Please note carefully Acts 1:8 (ESV) “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Or again note John 15:27 (ESV) “27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” Also in Mark 16:15 (ESV) “15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Perhaps the most well known expression of this responsibility is called the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 (ESV) “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I could cite another five or six repetition of this same command but for the sake of brevity I refrain. I believe you understand the responsibility Jesus has bestowed upon HIs disciples.
It is of critical importance to recognize that we are not called to announce how wonderful, blessed, or special we are rather we are called to herald “the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” We are called to bear witness to Jesus Christ and His resurrection. We are simply the example of what God’s grace ought to produce in willing, grateful recipients. I love the example of the man born blind in John 9. Let me quote extensively. John 9:10–11 (ESV) “10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” He doesn’t say, I am so good, I was so righteous, or I worked so hard to attain, he simply says Jesus touched me.
Again John 9:24–25 (ESV) “24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” He offers no explanation or defense, he simply asserts, I was blind now I see. The third go around is equally simple and pointed, John 9:27–34 (ESV) 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.
God has blessed us (His church) incredibly SO THAT we “may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Just tell your story to anyone who will listen. It is your personal story of God’s love and Christ’s grace. it fits the same pattern, I was blind, now I see. I was in darkness now I’m in the light. I was lost Jesus found me. I was alienated and estranged Jesus welcomed me into His family. The great failure of the modern church is that we don’t proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Can we Emmanuel Bethel reverse this failure? Are you willing to embrace the privilege God has bestowed and proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light? It is a simple choice. It is always your story, I was blind (darkness) now I see (light) all because of Jesus my blessed Savior.