seeking the Lord's help and your very prayerful attention. I would direct your thoughts this evening to the chapter we read, the first epistle of Peter, chapter 2, and the latter part of verse 9. 1 Peter, chapter 2, and the latter part of verse 9. A peculiar people They should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. The whole verse reads, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. They should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. It is a truth, dear friends, which has been shown us from the beginning of God's holy word, that God has a people. Even in that first promise given to Eve, the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head. And the seed of the woman is not just that precious seed with a capital S, but in union with the whole election of grace. And there is that promise seed that God has promised. And it was true in the Old Testament church, Old Testament days from Adam's day, right to the coming of our dear Savior. And even now God has a people. And the desire of that people, this is one of the marks of that people. is to be numbered with them. As one of our hymns put it so beautifully, with them numbered may I be now and in eternity. And yet, it's one of the greatest questions that is sometimes asked to a child of God. The Lord says, how can I put thee among the children? How can God put a poor, unregenerate soul dead in trespasses and in sins, walking in the ways of sin, serving Satan, hastening on to the broad road that leads to destruction, pride, unbelief, arrogancy, all guiding their steps. How can God put such a one among the people, among the children? And perhaps we should put another question before we answer that one. Whatever would it, I say this most reverently, what would induce a thrice holy God who cannot look upon sin with any degree of allowance to take hold of such a sinner I've just described and make him one of his children? For none of them are born his children, not by nature. What is the motive? behind such an action of a thrice holy God. Friends, there's only one word to describe it. Love. Love. Love has redeemed his sheep with love. And love, it goes on. Love has redeemed the sheep with love. It's love that took their cause in hand. and love maintains it to the end. The origin of it is the love of God in Christ Jesus toward that sinner. If you trace the streams back, as the hymn writer says, I trace the streams back, where to? Why, to eternity past. Where to? To that covenant of grace made between the Father and the Son. and endorsed by the Blessed Spirit, that God should have a people, and that people be chosen out of the ruins of the fallen race of Adam, a number that no man can number, out of every kindred, nation, tribe, and tongue, that they should be formed for his praise. And we have it in Isaiah 43. This people have I formed for myself. They shall show forth my praise. So how does God make an unloving, unlovely sinner? A child? Does he adapt the old nature? Does he mend it? Does he reorganize it? No. Friends, the solemn fruit of the fall is such that the old nature cannot be adapted. I do not limit almighty God in that. Please do not think so. But the word of God is own word declares. He's decreed it to be so. The natural man does not receive the things of God. The carnal mind is enmity against God. It is not subject to the law of God. And then goes on, neither indeed can be. So then how? How does God make a child? How does God put an unworthy, unloving, unlovely sinner into his family? By adoption. By adoption. And the adoption that he gives is even more precious than that that a natural parent might do when they adopt someone into their family. They can give them their name, and they can give them all the benefits of the rest of the family, but they can't give them a nature. But my dear friends, when God adopts his children, he gives them a nature like his own. Indeed, in Romans 8, we're told very clearly that except a man of the spirit of Christ, he's none of his, he's not in the family. But as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. So how does God make one of his children? How does he put them into the family? The new birth. The new birth. That precious, vital work that must lie at the root of all our religion if it is real. Ye must be born again. God the Holy Spirit, as sent by the Father and the Son, according to those eternal purposes, those divine appointments, takes hold of that symbol by entering his heart with a new nature, a new heart and a new spirit. And in that moment, in his experience, he becomes a child of God. In the purposes of God, he was numbered among them from eternity. But now in his experience, he comes to it. Having been born again by the Holy Ghost, God has a people. and that people, who you'll notice in a moment, have some very precious privileges which belong only to God's people. I mentioned just now that word in Isaiah 43, this people I formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise. And therein lies a very wonderful truth concerning the Old Testament church. God formed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob people and there were two reasons in the mind of the eternal three why God should have a family like that. The first was to bring forth eventually in the flesh our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was to be born of a woman made under the law to redeem them that are under the law. He was to take the nature, sin accepted, of his family, his brethren, his sisters, because he made like unto them in all things without sin. This was a tremendous stoop on behalf, he was the brother born for adversity, the one, the friend, of whom you've been singing today, who loves at all times, for this was the great end God had in view of forming that nation. is why he was preserved. More than once, Satan, seeking to overturn God's purposes, sought to destroy the promised sea, destroy that nation so the promised sea, our Lord, would not come. In the book of Esther you read a whole book given over to the machinations of Satan, that wretched character, Haman, that weak king as you hear us. Even the decree signed to annihilate his very people, God overturned. again we have it in other parts of holy scripture pharaoh would have destroyed this people but no god had a purpose to warden that's why we read in malachite i am the lord i changed on therefore you sons of jacob i'm not consumed not consumed i have this purpose of grace concerning you as a nation that the Lord Jesus Christ should be brought forth. The sad thing is that as a nation, even at this very day, the Jews deny the great privilege God gave them. We believe that when their time ends, they will have their eyes opened and they will acclaim him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Instead of saying there's just a party with no king but Caesar, they will acknowledge our King is the Jesus of Nazareth, God's dearly beloved Son. The second reason why that nation was formed was to be a pattern of God's dealings with his church at the end of time. The trials through which they pass, the chastisements they receive, the deliverances that were wrought, the prayers that were answered, the promises that were fulfilled, in Old Testament history are a pattern to us of how the Lord still deals with his church. His true Israel, which is out of every kindred, nation, tribe, and tongue, are not confined to the Jewish nation. God has a people with whom he deals. And just as it was in, I've just explained or sought to explain, that nation preserved for Christ to be brought forth, so that God's dear people Christ is formed in them, the hope of glory. And they are preserved for that very purpose. That in them that blessed truth may take part. Christ in them, the hope of glory. So friends, God has a people. But I've called it out text, a peculiar people. A peculiar people. And there are three things which, as it were, are added to show as their peculiarity. For example, it says they were not a people. At one time they were not a people. Yes, they had nationality, they had family, they may have even had some form of religion. They were not a people in God's sight. They were not a chosen, gathered people in their experience, not in God's sight. But this peculiar people, There comes a time when that changes and they become the people of God, the people of God, God's people. Yes, they go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. They're separated out from the mass of fallen sinners around them, not for any good in themselves, but for the honor and glory of God who hath called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. So this great change, they were not a people. but I know the people of God. And it comes to mind to just mention what we read in 1 John chapter 3, I believe it is. One of the marks of this people. See you dear friend, if you could come in here in some humble way. We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. Friend, what do you think of God's people? Or you say, they're awkward, some of them. Well, we are, I must admit. We've got many faults and I can see them. But that is not what binds God's people together in that sense. What binds God's people together is what others see of Christ in them. And the great point is, do you love what you see of Christ in God's people? If so, then you've passioned death unto life. Yes, yes, there are awkward ways and your awkward ways might be a hindrance at times. But when you see Christ in them, in their spirit, in their humility, in their patience, where the grace shines, when it is like Antioch, when Paul and Barnabas came there, they saw the grace of God and they were glad. And if you are a child of God, when you see the grace of God in another child of God, you will be glad. Why? It magnifies your saviour. It's a little light in this dark world given to his honour and to his glory. Now the second peculiar thing is this. They had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. In other words, in one sense, in their unregenerate state, they were under condemnation. They had not yet believed in our Lord Jesus Christ. They had not yet fled for mercy. They were not yet under the blood. They were not yet sheltering in the cleft of the rock. Now knowing God's eternal purposes, they were saved, but that hadn't been revealed. Looking on them in their unregenerate state, they were walking in the paths of condemnation, the word of God says so. But now they obtained mercy. How have they obtained mercy? in two ways. One is that God has shown mercy. God showed mercy. And when God shows mercy given to a sinner what he doesn't deserve is as if we're not dealing with him as he does deserve. That's what mercy is. And what does that sinner deserve? Eternal misery. But no, mercy says we'll have that sinner put upon God's dear people. And so God opens their eyes And then, when their eyes are opened to see how holy God is, how just is his law, what are his strict commands, and they wouldn't hope there'd be any less than that, then they realize they need mercy. So here is the mark of those who have obtained mercy. They seek mercy because they feel they need it. And they come into that word we read in Hebrews 4. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. In other words, dear friends, those who obtain mercy are seeking mercy. Those who obtain grace are those who are seeking grace. That's why it says in John chapter 1 that we receive grace for grace. Grace opens the eyes and grace gives the desire. empties and then grace fills. This is how God works. They've shown that these peculiar people, they've obtained mercy. And friends, it staggers them. They look around on others who are more moral and more upright than them, who, if it was caught in the works, were much more worthy of salvation than they. But knowing their own wretched heart, the plague within, and the potential of sin, they often stand still and say, Why me? Why was I made to hear his voice and enter while there's room, while thousands make a wretched choice and rather starve than come? Oh, it staggers them. They stand still in amazement. Lord, why? Why me? Think of a thousand reasons why not? Because you know your own heart. You know its potential. You see where you would be left to it. But why? Why oh why? Should this great God show mercy to such a wretch as me? There are peculiar people then in that respect. Distinctive. And then, dear friend, there are peculiar in this respect. And in the eyes of the world, they seem peculiar. Not oddities, exactly. I'm not thinking of that. But there is a distinction. And it's amazing how a worldly person can detect a difference in a child of God without them even opening their mouth. There's something they detect about a person which shows to them there's a difference. They can't perhaps understand it. Watched by the world with jealous eye. Yes, you famously are sin and shame, but yet they acknowledge there's something different. and they can't put their finger on it, but they have to acknowledge it. Many years ago, in Barton, there was a man, a manager, who was running a little firm there, and one day he said to his workers, there's a man coming who's a Christian, He's a godly man, and he got to work with us. And some of the workers said, oh, we'll make fun of him, we'll sort him out. One man in particular was a very worldly man, and very carnal, and very against any form of religion, very taken up with pop music, et cetera. When this new recruit came into the work, he was ready to bait it. It wasn't long before he detected there was something generally different about him. So much so that eventually he began to question him. What was the difference? Where and how did it come from? And this godly man was able just to point out how God had showed mercy to him. And the wonderful thing was that that worldly man that was brought himself to obtain mercy, intended for Chaplet Barton, who was eventually baptized there and died in the faith. He noticed the difference. Friends, do God's people, should God's people show that difference? Not in an ostentatious way, no. But there should be evidence, whose we are, whom we serve. And do they see it in you? Do they see in you what Ruth saw in Naoma? Do they see in you what Isaiah said that day would come when they said, we've heard that God is with you, We will go with you. Are we attractive in our warmth? So that different though we may be, there may be one or two who may desire to know what do these feeble Jews, what is it that makes the difference? The peculiar people. Now let me just point out one of the peculiar, two peculiar things about them. First of all, their birth is peculiar. I've mentioned it. It's the new birth that lies at the root of the great changes being wrought. The world knows nothing of this. Those yet dead in trespasses and in sins know nothing of it. None. It's a peculiar way this family is formed in a most peculiar way, from God's own hand, God's own Word. God says let there be night, and night floods into that hitherto dark soul. and life with it, a peculiar origin to the life of God in the soul. Secondly, a peculiarly loved. Now God has kindly, and it's sad that it is so abused, but nonetheless, God has given love in the relationships with friends and family. with husbands and wives and children, this world would be a sad place without natural love. And sadly, it is more and more despised in many quarters. But ah, leaving natural love aside, what a peculiar love abides upon God's dear people. God the Father loved them. He gave them to Christ to redeem. Why? Because he loved them. God the Son loved them, that's why he gave this world for them. God the Spirit loved them, that's why he quickens them, does not need them to perish in their sins. It's a triune love whereby God's people are peculiarly loved. To Jesus and the chosen race subsist that bond of sovereign grace that held this infernal train shall ne'er dissolve nor end in twain. What a peculiar love it is. What a precious love it is. There's no love like it, is there? If heavy through the love of God shed abroad in your heart, why spoil you through other loves? Nothing can be compared with it or to it. Thy name is as ointment poured forth, saith the church. Therefore do the virgins love thee. In the very chapter unto which we live, therefore, he is precious. Thirdly, They are bought with a peculiar price. Peter tells us in the chapter that went before that the church of Christ are not redeemed with money, corruptible things of silver and gold. No, nothing can purchase this precious relationship. It is a far higher currency than that that purchases God's dear people. But you see, why do they need purchasing? If God had given them to the dear son of God, had he lost them when they were ruined in the fall? In one sense, no, of course, that could not be so. Because the covenants of grace, they're ordained to all eternity. But on the other hand, the word of God does say, the son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. And so there is another sense in which they are lost in the fall. And yet the good shepherd knows exactly where they are. They're not beyond his reach. not beyond his care, not beyond his arm, and he searches out, seeks them out, and will have every one of them at last with him in glory. The point I would make, dear friends, is this, though, but because of that fallen state, they need to be purchased. So they're doubly loved, loved in the covenant, and they're loved because they are purchased. And what a peculiar price they are purchased with. Not your tears or prayers, And though, God forbid, you should not weep over your tears, nor pray concerning your soul's state, those things accompany salvation, but they are not salvation itself. Friends, what is it that purchases our soul for God? Nothing other than the precious blood of Christ. What mighty sum paid all my debt when I abondant stood? Has my soul at freedom set? Is Jesus precious love? Oh, then is that peculiar price that has paid for this church? And we read in Isaiah 53, he shall see of the travail of his soul and he shall be satisfied. He shall be satisfied. There's no disappointment in the heart of a triune God in this matter. All the Father giveth me shall come to me, says the dear Saviour. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For they are peculiarly bought, O friends, and how peculiarly loved they must be, that only that price would purchase such a wretch as you and I are. A peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of him with corduroy to darkness, into his marvelous light. Which brings us to the second aspect of our text. Why does God have a people that they should show forth the praises of him who hath called them? This is the great end God has in view. And of course in the ultimate outworking of it, that's heaven itself. He's formed this people for his eternal praise. They should sing his praises around the throne of God when the work of grace is done. And that our blessed moment will soon be with us. But while we're yet on earth, should there not be some notes of praise? Well, how does God bring forth praise then out of the chosen people, this peculiar people? How does he show forth, bring them to show forth his praises? Well, let me just give you one or two examples. And you go to Isaiah 38 and you read Hezekiah's words. The living, the living, he shall praise thee as I do this day. Why was Hezekiah praising? He had been brought know, and the Lord had helped him. That is why in Psalm 116, I love the Lord. He heard my voice and my supplications. They were called upon him as long as I lived. I was brought know, and he helped me. How know was Hezekiah brought? He had been a wonderfully honoured king. brought some wonderful reforms under God's help in the nation. And then the Sennacherib comes with his mighty army and sweeps down all the citizens of Judah until at last he reaches Jerusalem, like a lion waiting to bring its prey, ready to pounce and cause it to surrender. Yes, it seemed inevitable, didn't it? I think Sennacherib thought it would be. and no other gods, little g-gods, had hindered him, and the God of Israel would be no less easy to overcome, so he thought. And just when Hezekiah was needed, as it were, to rally his nation and encourage them, the Lord lays him on a sickbed with death staring him in the face. And as Hezekiah lay there, there were three things that Burdened his soul. One was, all the good that had been done in his reign would be undone. He felt. Secondly, he had no son and heir. And therefore, the line of David, there seemed to be a missing part to it. Most of all, when he came to set his house in order, he found while he could set perhaps his earthly affairs in order, it came to his soul. He couldn't do it. What was the difficulty? His sins. They stared him in the face. How could he face a holy God without that matter being dealt, without controversy being put right in him and a holy God? No wonder he cried, O Lord, am I oppressed. Undertake for me. I'm afraid that prayer was answered, wasn't it? Amazingly so. God sends Isaiah back. And with another message, God added to his years, 15. And the sundial of Ahaz goes back 10 degrees to prove the point. Sennacherib, his army lies dead, 185,000 men around Jerusalem, one terrible night. Sennacherib goes home to his own little G-God, he's slain in that so-called temple. What good did that do him? God promises a son. The fathers of the children shall make known the truth. But ah, Hezekiah, here is my greatest cause for blessing. Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption, for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. Oh, friend, the very stones would have cried out if Hezekiah had held his peace. And friend, if God has pardoned your sin, if he's done for you what he's done for Hezekiah, surely it behoves you and me. to tell to sinners round what a dear Saviour we have found, point to his redeeming blood, say behold the way to God. Oh, it behoves forgiven sinners that with God's help to praise God from whom all blessings flow. So how did the Lord bring forth praise in Hezekiah? He brought him low first, then he brought him up. It was the same with Hannah, wasn't it? For years that poor woman labored in a barren womb, and Penelope's family grows year by year. Oh, what a trial it was. What a deep exercise it brought. And it showed Hannah what she was as a poor fallen sinner as well, I believe. So now she goes into the temple and she makes a vow that if the Lord would give her a baby, she'd give him to the Lord. And Mary and I, it was the Lord's mouthpiece, the Lord granted our petition that was asked of Him. She goes away no more sad. And Fred, that's a wonderful thing, isn't it? When God's people praise and thank Him for a deliverance before it comes. She thanked God for a little sound before it was even conceived. She was so sure God would not lie, could not lie, did not lie, will not lie. Friends, are you holding your Sam in your arm already? No, he's not yet come. Are you so persuaded God will do as he has said? It's a wonderful thing that God gives you that faith. The substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. That's living faith. May God give us more of it. Samuel is born. He's given to the Lord. And what does Hannah say? He bringeth low, he lifteth up. He killeth. He maketh a nine, he makes poor, he makes rich, with the dagger beg of the dunghill, says him one princess. Oh, how she praised God. This people, I fall for myself, they shall show forth my praise. Which shows us, my dear friends, a blessed principle. We should look in our lives. Those trials the Lord brings are for his honour and glory. When trouble comes, we immediately pray, Lord, get us out of it. make her way through it. Well, the Lord will make her way through it in his own time and way. But what you should pray, and may God help you so to do, is, Lord, may this fall out the further to the gospel. May, O Lord, it be a cause of praise eventually to thy dear, great, and holy name. May it be as it was with Martha and Mary. This thing does not utter death to the Son of God, to be glorified thereby. May it be like the Apostle Paul. Those angels happened not to be informed out, rather to further to the gospel. You see, when the Lord's people came to Mara, it was a great disappointment. And yet that very disappointment was making room for praise, wasn't it? They see this oasis in front of them, and yes, they are very thirsty. So are their beasts and their little ones. When they come to Mara, they can't drink it. It's brackish, it's acid, it's bitter. And what do they say? They tried with Moses. Why have you brought us here? Now, my dear friends, are you chiding with the Lord? Why has he brought me to this bar? Why has he brought me to this difficulty, this trial? Wasn't there somewhere better to have taken me? Dear Moses cried to the Lord, that's what you must do. The Lord showed him a tree already planted before they knew their need at Mara. The Lord had gone before them. Moses had to cut the tree down and cast it into the waters. A wonderful type of Christ cut off for his people. The gospel applied into our trials and troubles. It made the water sweet. The very waters that they could not drink, would not drink. They did drink and they were glad to drink. In other words, Mara became a playtime of blessing. Poor Naomi, I couldn't see her. Call me no longer, Naomi, I beg your pleasantness. But Mara, the lord of the town, bitterly with me." Oh, the poor woman's in a low place, wasn't she? You get to the end of the book, and little Obed on her lap. Oh, she could praise God there. She could see God hadn't made a mistake. Hereafter he will make me know, and I shall surely find. He was too wise to err, too good to be unkind. And that short verse in Exodus chapter 1 is often passed over, but it's a very significant verse. There was Pharaoh with his scheme to try and suppress Israel, even destroy it. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. Put it in gospel language, every branch of me that beareth fruit, he purges it. may bring forth more fruit. Friends, are you in a purging time at the moment? Is the Lord cutting you back? Lord, where will it end? He'll end in this, that you may bring forth much fruit. It's God's way. And you can't quarrel with God's way. Those things will fall out eventually to His praise and to His honor. But while you wait for that day, we read praise and wait for the old God inside. That's waiting for the Lord to turn your captivity, waiting to bring praise, but at the moment there is praying that you should show forth the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. But my dear friends, how far short we come in this. How often at the end of a day we have to say, Lord, cleanse our poor thoughts and words and ways. How far short we've come or we ought to be as those who show forth thy praises. How little of Christ is seen in our lives. As one good man said in Scotland, I heard many years ago, if my master had been any other than who he is, he would have dispensed with my services long ago. And that is certainly true, dear friend, isn't it? But oh may God give us a deeper exercise in this matter. The dark lies be not praiseless, fruitless, barren lies. May we show forth the praise of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. True, in the world they despise and look upon us as peculiar people. They can't understand why you frequent the house of God on the Sabbath. They can't understand why you don't go to the same excessive riot that they do. They can't understand why you love the Word of God so much and why God's people are your best friends. This is an enigma to them. You are a peculiar people to them. But friends, isn't it far better to be among the peculiar people and loved by their God than loved by this dying world which will soon pass away? O friends, it is far better to go forth unto Christ without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here there will be no continuing sitting. We seek one yet to come. O, you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people. What went before is for significant. They were chosen, made priests and kings, a separated people. With this word, a peculiar people, seem to rest on my spoon. It is not a word that can be passed over quickly, for the marginal reason that it has purchased people. It doesn't undo what that word peculiar means. It shows the special love, special care, special work, special walk God has for his new people to be engaged in, and the special end that will be at the end of the way. Peculiar people. They shall show forth the praise that hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. And friends, look back over your little way, those of you who can understand our text, and see the change that grace has made. Can you answer that question that Paul put in the Corinthians, who maketh thee to differ? To what you were once, what you would yet be left to yourself. Who made you to differ? Who gave you an ear to hear the truth? Who gave you a love for the truth? Who opened your eyes to see Christ in its sacred pages? Who gave you a good hope through grace? Who taught you to pray? Who answered your prayers? Who made you to differ? Are those you were brought up with, perhaps, and they don't understand these things? But why me? Ah, but a blessed thing to be about this peculiar people. Let me among thy saints be found, Whene'er the archangels trump shall sound, To see thy smiling face. Then, loud as that crowd, I'll sing, What heavens resound in mansions bring, With shouts of sovereign grace. Friend, whoever isolates you may feel today, Whoever lonely, however much ostracized, perhaps, By this dying world. Remember, you have a friend That's taken closer than a brother, You have one who understands your very loneliness and that peculiarity that you feel. He understands it. And what is more, it is love that made the difference, will bring you safely through life's journey to its end, when you'll at last see face to face him who loved you and gave himself for you, who paid that peculiar price. His own heart's blood for a poor unworthy sinner such as you and I. Surely friends, if we are privileged to get there, heaven will be a place and is a place of praise, isn't it? It's a place of thanksgiving. And Him who has loved us and washed us from our sins, His own blood be glory. All the redeemed hosts are praising Him. And what they pass through, this side of the grave, was tuning their heart to sing his praise hereafter. That is what God is about when these trials come and these difficulties. It is tuning your heart so that when at last you get saved, home to the Lord, you will have something to thank him for. Ah, him he has ran the way of the plain, no difficulties. When he got to Dabey, he had nothing to say. But Kusha ran the way of the hills and the valleys. Oh, it was a laborious way. The friends, when he got there, had something to say. So the city to which I'm traveling will more than my sorrows reply. And the tours the road will see nothing when I get to the end of the way. He said, will I get there? He which hath begun a good work in you. will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Who said that? God, who cannot lie through his servant Paul, and he still says it, and he still fulfills it. Thou shalt see my glory soon, when the work of grace is done, partner of my throne shall be, say, Dwarcen, lovest thou thee. May God add his blessing Amen.