Join us as we navigate the intersection of faith and identity, discussing how Christians, as God’s possession, stand apart from worldly norms. Through careful analysis of biblical passages, we learn why being different, or ‘strange,’ holds great value for those who follow the teachings of Christ. Whether you’re new to these concepts or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode provides unique insights into the spiritual distinctiveness that marks followers of Christ.
Dear friends, please don’t take this question as an insult, but are you a little strange, maybe peculiar? I suppose in one way we all are. But how about in a spiritual way? Are we strange or peculiar? Let’s think about this today on the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us. Don’t go away.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour starting now.
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I am bound for the promised land.
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Well, thank you to our J-Web for his kind words, and greetings to all of you. What a joy to have you with us today here on our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. As we begin, I’d like to mention our social media options. If you are into Facebook, follow us at International Gospel Hour. It doesn’t cost a thing, of course, to follow us there. You’ll be noted of our daily broadcast. You’ll also see some video options of our work and opportunities to learn more about the Word of God. We also are available on Instagram, and we are at International Gospel Hour, and then at Twitter, our H-O-U-R underscore gospel. Visit International Gospel Hour through your social media option. Our text under consideration today is 1 Peter 2, verses 9 and 10, and this comes back to the idea of the word peculiar or strange. Peter writes, who once were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Now let’s look at these phrases for a moment. How about chosen generation? Well, chosen of God because of holiness. We learn this in Deuteronomy 7, verses 6 and 7, and of course to be the holy nation or obedient unto God, holy and set apart for His will. What about the words royal priesthood? Well, that’s through the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 1 Timothy 6.15. And through him, the Christian is defined as a king and a priest. And that is backed up by Revelation 1 and verse 6. Spiritually speaking, the royal blood of redemption runs through the veins of the child of God. What about the term holy nation? Well, if you think about it, that would go back to the promise made to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him, Genesis 12 and verse 2, and such fulfilled through the Christ in Galatians 3, verse 19, and the seed which is Christ, verse 16. When we are obedient unto Jesus Christ, then we are that holy nation of people. Now, the word special people is used in the New King James Version. The King James Version uses the word peculiar. Now, we think of peculiar as, well, weird or strange, but here it means a possession. The Old English word fit better there. That’s why it was translated peculiar. Or a special people, a people for God’s possession. As members of the body of Christ, the body is the church, the church of Christ, the church we read of in the New Testament, one is purchased. That’s Acts 20 and verse 28 in Ephesians 1 and verse 7. In Ephesians 1 verse 14, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory. So you see how possession is used there. So as purchased by God through Christ, one is special, one therefore is God’s possession. One then proclaims praises and not pessimism. One walks in the light and not in darkness. One is of and among the people of God, specifically, and one has obtained the mercy of God and walks therein. So let’s think further about these individuals that are special. Would they be considered strange or peculiar? More word and phrase studies are just ahead, but first, a very special offer to you. And as always, it’s free from International Gospel Hour. Here is our Jay Webb.
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Let’s talk about the word peculiar. As noted earlier, this word from the Old King James Version means a possession, and a number of later translations use the phrase people for his possession. Well, indeed, that would make one special. And again, one’s example should be as Peter proclaimed from our lesson text in 1 Peter 2, verses 9 and 10. Therefore, one is to show what is good for others and for God. Let us be individuals who praise God for giving us the Christ. Luke 25, verses 50-53 affirms as such. Let us praise God for the church that He gave us through the Son to those who were added to the church in Acts 2 and verse 47, the church we read of in the New Testament. Know that we praise God through song, Hebrews 2 and verse 12. So as we are proclaiming the praises of God, we do so for what He has given us. And as people purchased by God, one simply does His will and praises Him through how we live and what we say. One who is obedient is God’s possession, and well, in the old respectful English of days gone by, one would be peculiar. So from the biblical standpoint, yes friends, it’s good to be peculiar because we are God’s people. And when the world looks upon us as peculiar, could that not mean for the good or something they would disagree with? Now, let’s talk about the word strange. Now, I suppose all of us are strange in some way, different that is. And, you know, we find some things strange because we do not understand them. Like those on Mars Hill who perceived Paul as one who seemed to be a proclaimer of foreign gods because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection, Acts 17, 18. They acknowledged they had heard some strange things, Acts 17, 20. Well, simply, it was new to them and strange. Now, how about this, though? The things against what God would have them to be are indeed strange or not recognizable to Him. For example, what about putting away strange gods, the pleas from Jacob in Genesis 35, 2, and Joshua in Joshua 24 and 23? Ask Nadab and Abihu about strange fire, Leviticus 10, 1 and 2. Strange fire that they offered up without authorization from God, and the fire consumed them and took their lives. Ask Solomon about strange women, 1 Kings 11 and verse 1, and strange wives, 1 Kings 11 and verse 8. So you see, the definition of strange would be things against what God would have them to be. Now, As people purchased by God, strange things are not to be approved by people for God’s possession, or those peculiar people, that is. No, my friends, these so-called priorities are strange indeed that people would advocate things against God. As people purchased by God, one does his will and prays him. One is obedient in God’s possession. And well, in old respectful English, yes, one is peculiar. So the conclusion of all this, peculiar or strange? Folks, that conclusion is coming up in about 30 seconds. But first, here is our J-Web.
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Friends, let me also add that if you do not have online access, if you’ll call our toll-free number at 855-444-6988 and request the Bible study by mail, we will send that to you. Just leave us your name and address and just say Bible study. Again, our toll-free number is 855-444-6988. And just leave your name and address and just say Home Study, and we will send that to you as well. We have online options and by mail options. Okay, friends, you’ve been patient with me. Peculiar or strange? Well, friends, biblically speaking, the Christian is both. To the inhabitants of the world the Christian will appear strange or peculiar, for we are God’s possession and not the world’s possession, and we walk according to God and not the world. And as the Christian is God’s possession, yes, things in the world and of the world are strange and peculiar, and the Christian must not have any part therein in things that are strange to God. Friends, I don’t know about you, I hope I’ve brought this… I hope I’ve conveyed this clearly, but it’s just an interesting study of how words are translated, how the old English translators of the King James Version took a word as peculiar, what it meant to them, and how words do change today. That helps us in our study of the Word of God and to understand God’s will for our lives. Again, we are to be individuals who will proclaim the praises of God who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Called by the gospel message in 2 Thessalonians 2.14, a message that we should believe with all our heart, John 8.24, a message that leads us to repent, Luke 13.3, to confess the Christ, Matthew 10.32 and Acts 8.37, and to be baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins, Acts 2 and verse 38. Let’s continue our studies together at another time, and thank you once again for joining me on the International Gospel Hour broadcast today. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
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Thank you for listening to our broadcast today. To God goes all the glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. To listen to it again or our other broadcasts, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com God be with you till we meet again.
