1. Who are we, really?

2. Why do we, at Hope, do the things we do? We: join book studies have growth groups do barn dances and put on plays have jam sessions go to retreats and work weekends What IS the point…really?

3. Phil 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

4. Phil 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

5. We are trying to create a different kind of people.

6. 1 Peter 2:9-11 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

7. 1 Peter 2:9-11 But you are a chosen race,

8. chosen race Deuteronomy 10:15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today.

9. 1 Peter 2:9-12 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

10. a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

11. a royal priesthood Revelation 1:6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen

12. 1 Peter 2:9-12 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

13. a holy nation Exodus 19:6 (the Lord speaks to Moses) “’and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

14. a holy nation Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

15. 1 Peter 2:9-12 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

16. a people for God's own possession Exodus 19:5 “Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;”

17. a people for God's own possession Deuteronomy 14:2 “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

18. a people for God's own possession Titus 2:14 [Jesus] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

19. 1 Peter 2:9-11 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

20. Col 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

21. There is a NEW group; a NEW culture, a NEW ethnic group. God has created a NEW group for Himself…and you are a part of it.

22. We are a cultural group A culture is the system of behaviors and beliefs of a long-standing group.

23. We are an ethnic group An ethnic group is a group of people who have common historical roots, values, beliefs, and behaviors and who share a sense of interdependence.

24. We are an ethnic group An ethnic group is a group of people who have common historical roots, (Heb. 11) values, (Phil. 2:3,4) beliefs, and (1 Cor. 15:3,4) behaviors and (Phil. 2:5) who share a sense of interdependence. (1 Pet. 4:10)

25. Col 3:12-17 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

26. Col 3:12-17 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.