How can our identity as the people of God help guide us through the social, political, and cultural filth of our day? What’s at stake when we live compromised lifestyles? This two-part series entitled “Identity Crisis: Rediscovering Who We Are and Why We Exist?” from 1 Peter chapter 2 is addressed to Christian believers, and will attempt to answer these questions while examining Peter’s words to “sojourners and exiles.” (I Peter 2:11).

Twenty years ago there was a popular movie, Jerry Maguire, which made the phrase “show me the money” very popular. In our passage, Matthew 22:15-22, we find the religious leaders attempting once again to entrap Jesus by asking Him a question about paying taxes. In Jesus’ response, He stated something that is almost identical to the phrase “show me the money.” He only added one word: “Show Me the tax money.” (v. 19)

We all receive invitations through the mail, email, and by phone. Most of the invitations that we receive are meaningless because we have no clue how the inviting party even knew we existed! Then there are invitations which come from very dear family and friends: we take these very seriously and make every effort to attend.

Wikipedia offers us a concise, practical definition: “The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.” It was the stone that held everything together. A cornerstone could tie two walls together by serving as the corner-point of the walls, or it could serve as the capstone, the final stone, that would hold an archway in place.

Without question, the subject of authority is a critical issue for any family, organization, or society. Webster’s defines an authority not only as one who is an expert on a given subject, but also as one who has the right to exercise power, rule, or leadership over particular people. Parents exercise authority over their children. Principals and headmasters exercise authority over their schools. Elected officials exercise authority in the realm of governance over their constituents. But who has authority over the soul? Who has the right to rule the souls of men? For that matter, who is the ultimate authority, on the soul?

We live in a culture that is obsessed with the outward appearance. Billions of dollars are spent on the latest fashions and styles, cosmetics, surgeries, and other treatments in order to improve our outward appearance. It is not a sin to attempt to improve your outward appearance, that is, as long as it is within reason, and all other areas of life are held in balance.

Following Jesus’ reception into the city of Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11), the next day—on Monday, we are told that Jesus enters into the temple and is greatly displeased. However, our Lord set some things straight as He removed hindrances to the people that had come to worship; in the next verses, we find people being healed and praising God.

Today, we celebrate our high school and college graduates! I still remember when I graduated from both high school and college. For me, both of these events were exciting and scary. I was filled with joy at my accomplishments, but I certainly could not tell you what the Lord had planned for my life. However, I found great joy in knowing that the Lord had a plan for my life far beyond my own comprehension!

In Matthew 21:1-11, we have the Triumphal Entry of Jesus. No doubt, as Jesus had just come from Jericho, where He had healed the two blind men, there was a crowd following Jesus—some His disciples and other curiosity seekers. Then there were the multitudes that had come to Jerusalem for the Passover. As Jesus enters the city, all of these groups come together and begin to shout “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (v.9)

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