In what ways can our church embody being God's "treasured possession" today? Opening Lens on the Verse Exodus 19:5 — “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.” What It Means to Be God’s Treasured Possession • Chosen by grace, not merit • Marked by covenant obedience • Set apart for God’s purposes in the world • Valued so highly that He guards, refines, and displays His people for His glory Practical Ways Our Church Can Embody This Identity • Covenant Faithfulness – Regularly rehearse and obey Christ’s commands (John 14:15). – Anchor teaching and decision-making in Scripture alone. • Visible Holiness – Encourage lifestyles that contrast with the culture (1 Peter 1:15-16). – Provide accountability through loving church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17). • Passionate Worship – Gather consistently to exalt the Lord in Spirit and truth (John 4:24). – Integrate Scripture reading, Christ-centered singing, and the ordinances. • Sacrificial Community Care – Meet practical needs within the body first (Acts 2:44-45). – Foster multigenerational relationships that model family in Christ. • Gospel Witness to the Nations – Equip every member to share the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15). – Invest in missions and church planting so others may join God’s treasured people. • Stewardship of Resources – Manage time, talents, and finances as possessions on loan from God (Psalm 24:1). – Budget intentionally for mercy ministries and disciple-making. • Joyful Endurance in Suffering – View trials as refining fire for God’s jewels (Malachi 3:17). – Testify to Christ’s sufficiency when threatened or marginalized. Heart Posture That Sustains a Treasured People • Humble gratitude for unearned grace (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). • Reverent fear that guards against spiritual presumption (Philippians 2:12-13). • Persistent hope fixed on Christ’s return and reward (Titus 2:13-14). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Deuteronomy 7:6 — “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be a people for His treasured possession.” • Malachi 3:17 — “‘They will be Mine,’ says the LORD of Hosts, ‘on the day I prepare My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’” • 1 Peter 2:9 — “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” • Titus 2:14 — “[Christ] gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” |
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