Chosen People in a Spiritual Priesthood - 1 Peter 2:4-10
Chosen People
in a Spiritual Priesthood
(1 Peter 2:4-10)
For the bulletin in PDF form, click here.
INTRODUCTION: The Rock Talking about Stones
Christ and the Family Stone
The Church is a Living House of Worshipping Priests
• Chosen by God & Rejected by Men: Christ is the foundation of God’s plan (2:4).
• Spiritual House & Holy Priesthood: The Church is a living house of worship (2:5).
Christ the Cornerstone
Our Response to Jesus Christ is the Central Issue
• Character: Christ is chosen by God and precious to believers (2:6).
• Response: Christ gives you a clear decision to make about who He is (2:7-8).
- For believers: Jesus is precious and the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.
- For unbelievers: Jesus is rejected and a cause for falling away from God.
The Church — His People
The Church is a People of Praise
• Character: The church is a community formed by the purposes of God (2:9a).
Chosen People - Royal Priesthood - Holy Nation - Belonging to God
• Purpose: The right response to the glories of our new identity is praise (2:9b).
• Creation: The people of God become who they are by receiving His mercy (2:10)
The glories of salvation bring believers into a privileged community
who have welcomed Christ as their Savior
and praise Him for His redemptive mercies.
“From Glory to Glory”
(The Story of the Bible)
To glorify God by being like him,
a form of imitation or following, as the OT frequently asserts,
is what was planned for humans.
Abraham Kuruvilla
Home Church Questions
Chosen and Rejected (2:4)
1. When you hear the word “chosen,” what emotions come up? Warmth? Pressure? Skepticism? Gratitude? Confusion? (Why?)
2. What’s one moment in life when you felt truly “included” or “welcomed”? What made it meaningful? How does that compare to times you felt “rejected”?
3. When have you felt the tension of following Christ while being misunderstood or rejected? What did you do with that pain? Did it draw you toward Christ or away?
Spiritual House & Holy Priesthood (2:5)
4. What makes it hard for you to be truly known in Christian community—pride, fear of being a burden, fear of judgment, past wounds? What would help you feel more safe?
The Character and Purpose of the Church (2:6-10)
5. 6. What are subtle ways mature believers can still “reject” Jesus? Peter gives four identity statements for the church: “Chosen People, Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation, A People for His Own Possession”.
•Which identity phrase do you most need to hear right now? Why?
•Which one feels hardest to believe about yourself?
7. When have you seen someone’s life proclaim Christ more powerfully than their words? What did that look like? What did it stir in you?
8. What is one specific way you need the priesthood of other believers right now? What is one way you can offer priestly ministry to someone else this week?
Finances
Weekly Budget 34,615
Giving For 01/18 36,222
Giving For 01/25 28,180
YTD Budget 1,038,462
Giving 984,950
OVER/(UNDER) (53,512)
Fellowship Night of Worship
Join us tonight at 6:00 p.m. as we gather in a circle with the band on the floor alongside the congregation, creating an intimate and meaningful space to begin the year together. Childcare is available for children 6 years and younger. To reserve childcare, please text Shanna Franklin at (501) 336-0332.
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Fellowship Equipping - Register at fellowshipconway.org/equipping
• Faithful and Fruitful is a five-week course designed to help you live with greater purpose, clarity, and faithfulness by stewarding the key areas God has entrusted to you. Through biblical teaching, practical wisdom, and guided reflection, this course invites participants to align everyday decisions with eternal values—becoming more intentional, generous, and fruitful in every season of life. This course starts February 8th!
• Biblical Indispensable Relationships: Ever feel like navigating the relationships in your life is more like steering through a maze—where one friend or co-worker can push every button you have, and others leave you wishing for something deeper and more meaningful? You’re not alone. Join Michael Mercer for a transformative four-week journey into Biblical Indispensable Relationships. This course starts February 15th!
Fellowship Women’s Conference - Choosing Faith over Fear
Join us February 21 from 9:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. for a meaningful day as women from our own church share powerful stories of choosing faith over fear. You’ll be encouraged, equipped with practical resources for life’s storms, and reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness. This is a special opportunity to grow together in faith and community. Cost: $25 (includes lunch). Register at fellowshipconway.org/women. For childcare, please text Shanna at 501-336-0332. Registration & childcare deadline is February 15. Speakers: Charlotte Strickland, Heather Harrison, Susie Walker, Heather Kendrick, & Cathy Lee
Fellowship Men’s Muster
Men’s Muster is April 17-19, 2026. Senior Teaching Pastor, Chris Moore, will be our speaker, and the weekend promises to be great for growing spiritually and connecting deeply with other men. Cost is $135 or $85 for a college/High School student. If money is an issue, please check “contact me” button. We will reach out to see what you are able to pay. Register at fellowshipconway.org/men
Souper Sunday
Fellowship, we’re collecting food items for Bethlehem House on Sunday, February 8. Items that are needed: Hearty soups, canned chili, spaghetti sauce, Tuna Helper, canned meats, and Knorr brand pastas. Please bring a few cans or flats and drop them off in the Atrium. Let’s come together and see the difference we can make.
Fellowship Survey
The elders would like to thank the church body for tremendous participation with the survey. We had 430 submissions! Thank you for the time and care you took to share your input. The elders are now beginning the process of prayerfully and thoroughly reviewing the responses and comments, seeking the Lord’s wisdom and direction.