Set Apart: Elected Exiles

A new year feels like a fresh start… but what if the real reset you need isn’t a new habit—it’s a renewed identity? In 1 Peter, God calls His people “elect exiles”—chosen by Him, living in a world that isn’t home.

Welcome to Week 1 of Set Apart, our series through 1 Peter. In this message, Senior Minister Adam Woods opens 2026 by reminding us that spiritual maturity doesn’t start with trying harder—it starts with remembering who we are in Christ.

Peter wrote to believers facing hostility and pressure, and he begins with hope: you are chosen, set apart, and secure—not because of your strength, but because of God’s mercy and power. From new birth and living hope to an inheritance that can’t be lost, this passage shows us how to live faithfully as outsiders in a world that isn’t our home.

Key Takeaways
*Your identity comes before your activity: you can’t live “set apart” until you remember you are set apart.
*Christians are elect exiles—chosen by God, but not at home in this world.
*God’s work involves the whole Trinity: chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, obedient to the Son.
*In Christ we have new birth and a living hope rooted in the resurrection of Jesus.
*Our future is a guaranteed inheritance—it cannot perish, spoil, or fade.
*Our present is secure: through faith we are shielded by God’s power until salvation is revealed.

If you’ve never been made new in Christ, there’s no better way to begin the year. If you want to talk about baptism or next steps, reach out or come connect with us at a service. And if you’re already in Christ—let this be your reminder: you have been set apart, not set aside.