A New Family Story — Built Together on Purpose (Week 1)

Who are you? Who are we?
These questions of identity matter deeply. Psychology, brain science, even therapy will tell you the same thing: your family of origin shapes you. The home you grew up in, the parents or guardians who raised you, the traumas you faced, the patterns you lived in — all of it leaves its mark.

But Peter, in his letter, wants us to see something greater: in Christ, you’ve been given a new family of origin story. Because of Jesus, your identity has been radically rewritten. That’s the foundation of our life together as the church. Who we are always comes before what we do.

Over the next few weeks we’re stepping away from Matthew and into 1 Peter 2. This series, Built Together on Purpose, will remind us of who we are as God’s people. Today we begin with our position: we are a people — a people precious to God.

A New Family of Origin Story
Peter calls us a chosen race. That word “race” (genos in Greek) is about generations, kinship, lineage. Your earthly family may have shaped you in powerful ways, but in Christ you’ve been written into an entirely new family story.

God has chosen you, called you His own, and rewritten your identity not based on DNA but based on grace. That’s why Peter says:

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10).

This new family story goes deeper than your old one. It tells you who you really are: wanted, known, loved, chosen, safe — because of Jesus.

A Royal Priesthood: Access and Representation
Peter also says we’re a royal priesthood. In the Old Testament, only priests could enter God’s presence — and even then, the high priest only once a year. But in Christ, we all have access.

Think about that: the God who spoke galaxies into being welcomes you into His presence — not with a whip, but with open arms. That’s grace.

And like priests of old, we don’t just go in — we also go out. We represent God to the world. Our lives display what He is like. That’s both a privilege and a responsibility.

A Holy Nation: New Allegiance, New Affections
Peter describes us as a holy nation. That means our primary allegiance is no longer to any country, culture, or political party — it’s to the kingdom of God.

Patriotism, heritage, family pride — these all have their place. But when they collide with the way of Jesus, the way of Jesus always wins. Holiness means reordered loves: learning to love the right things in the right way.

It’s not just about obedience to rules. It’s about delighting in the way of Jesus. Holiness says, “This life is better. I love this way.”

God’s Treasured Possession: Loved and Secure
Peter also calls us a people for God’s own possession. That’s not about property — it’s about treasure. You are valued, cherished, bought at a price — the blood of Jesus.

This means belonging. This means security. Nothing can snatch you out of His hand. And it means purpose — we exist to reflect His glory.

Maybe your earthly family story was neglect, absence, or conditional love. In Christ, you’re not tolerated. You’re treasured. You’re not just included. You’re embraced.

From Darkness to Light: Freedom and Direction
Peter reminds us that God has called us “out of darkness into his marvelous light.” That’s both freedom and direction.

• Freedom: we’ve been rescued from bondage to sin, shame, and fear.
• Direction: we’re no longer wandering without purpose. The way of Jesus is our true north, lighting our path when the world feels like fog.
  
  

The Greatest Ending to Our Story
Peter sums it up: “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

That’s the hinge of your “once upon a time” story. Not because of your good works, but because of Jesus. This isn’t a fairy tale — it’s a true story with the greatest ending: mercy, belonging, everlasting life.

So before we rush into doing, Peter calls us to rest in being. Our activity will always be shallow if it’s not grounded in our identity. But when we know who we are — chosen, loved, secure in Christ — then everything we do flows out of that.

A Word for Mercy Village Church
As a church, our identity must always come before our activity. It can never be about “look what we’ve done.” It must always be:

“We were not a people, but now we are God’s people. We had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy.”

That’s the headline. That’s the story. And that’s the good news for anyone who will come to Jesus today: a new identity, a new family story, and a new future.