"A Peculiar People" Titus 2:14 I. Introduction. A. There are some peculiar people. 1.Could be good or could be bad(how used). 2. Each of us is peculiar(some more than others?). 3. The word can be good or bad. a. In our age, such is often used to describe someone we think is odd or markedly different. b. Atheists and infidels would look upon Christians as "peculiar." 4. English: Not common, different from the usual. B. The Bible points out: Titus 2:14(KJV). 1. ASV: "A people for his own possession"; RSV: "A people of his own"; Confraternity: "An acceptable person." 2. Christians are different. 3. Peter stated: I Peter 2:9(KJV). a. Other translations: "God's own people" (RSV); "A purchased people" (Confraternity). b. The peculiarity of being a Christian sets one apart from the world. II. Body. A. The Jews, God's chosen people, were also identified as peculiar. 1. Three passages so state: Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 14:2 and Deuteronomy 26:18. 2. They were set apart when God promised to make Abram a great nation. 3. They were made peculiar when God delivered them out of Egypt and took them to the Promised Land. 4. When the Lord gave them a Law, they became different from the people of that day. 5. The Hebrews enjoyed a special relationship with Jehovah that other nations did not. 6. They were not to be as nations around: Deuteronomy 28:1. 7. Lost their peculiarity when they asked for a king. B. Since Pentecost, Christians are God's peculiar people. 1. Purchased by the blood of Christ: Acts 20:28. a. Without that sacrifice, we would be Gentiles without hope: Ephesians 2:12. b. Did what we could not do for ourselves. 2. Obedient to the gospel. a. Could not contact blood without these actions. b. Some ridicule(as baptism)--viewing one as odd who would submit and teach that one must be baptized. c. Yet: Romans 6:17. 3. Dedicated to serving the Lord and His church. a. And that amazes people in the world. b. Note: Ephesians 5:26-27. c. The early Christians were so dedicated. C. Why are Christians considered "peculiar" by the world? 1. The dedication to principles of the truth. a. Demand authority for teachings and practices: Colossians 3:17. b. Look for book, chapter and verse before approving or participating. c. Saints remember: John 17:17. 2. The consecration to moral standards set by the Lord. a. Moral standards of world are decided by what people want.(If you get enough votes...) (1 What happened in OT: Jeremiah 5:31. (2 This is one of the pitfalls of "democracy." b. Difficult for world to understand why we do not live as they live and approve the things they approve. c. Laws or morals decided by men of this world; yet--Jeremiah 10:23. d. Peter pointed out: I Peter 1:14-16. 3. The devotion to practicing the commands of Christ. a. To assemble; to study; to pray; to worship; etc. b. The disciple makes choices "different" from world. c. Directs one's life toward pleasing the head of the church: Colossians 3:15. 4. The willingness to live a life that conflicts with the norms of most people. a. In speech: Colossians 4:6. b. In attitude: Colossians 3:2. c. In emotions: Colossians 3:12-14. d. In actions: Colossians 4:5. 5. The acceptance of sufferings and trials to live the life of a Christian: I Peter 4:16. a. Such will occur: there is a way to endure. b. Consider Paul and the other apostles. c. The encouragement: Romans 8:17. 6. The desire to have a home in heaven overshadows all. a. This is different from priorities of the world. b. The kingdom and the kingdom's business is first: Matthew 6:33. c. Unbelievers find this hard to understand. d. The vast majority consider the kingdom first after they have put everything in front. In reality, it becomes last--of least importance. e. Not seeing heaven with the physical eye-- view it as something beyond comprehension. III. Conclusion. A. Christians are peculiar: they belong to(and follow) Christ. B. Do you not want to be peculiar?-jy