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 to speak this morning. So, 2 Peter chapter 1, 1 through 2, 11.

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 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness

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 of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours,

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 grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

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 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him

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 who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great

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 and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature

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 and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason,

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 make every effort to add to your faith goodness, to goodness knowledge, to knowledge self-control,

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 to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness,

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 to brotherly kindness love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure,

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 they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus

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 Christ. But if anyone does not have them, they are short-sighted and blind and have forgotten

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 that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters,

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 be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things,

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 you will never fall and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and

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 Saviour Jesus Christ. Simon.

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 Can I pray for you nicely? And then you can adjust. I'm going to pray for Simon and for us,

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 and then we'll listen. Father, we thank you so much for your many good gifts to us. We thank you for

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 your word. We thank you for this short letter of 2 Peter, written hundreds of years ago,

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 but yet your word by your spirit speaking to us and to our lives today. I pray that you would

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 pour out your spirit upon Simon and upon us all, that we may hear you, that we may understand,

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 that we may apply it, and that we may become more like Christ as a result of what we do together

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 right now. So pour out your blessing, we ask. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 too also struggle daily with indwelling sin in our hearts? Are there times we feel like

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 giving up or giving in? The truth is we face these very same enemies as our first century

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 brothers and sisters. And we need to hear now God's word as much as they needed to hear

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 it then. How are we to overcome the world, reject false teaching and battle indwelling

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 sin? Peter reminds Christians that we have been called by God to himself and we have been given

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 a precious faith and precious promises. In fact he says we have been given all we need for a godly

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 life. To this church Peter writes introducing himself as one coming in humility but also coming

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 with a great authority. In verse 1 he writes Simon Peter a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ

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 In the very first verse Peter introduces himself as a servant and an apostle. Peter identifies

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 himself as a servant which shows his humility but he does not intend this humility to result

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 in the readers having a take it or leave it kind of attitude concerning his letter for he continues

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 stating that he is a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Yes he is a servant but he is a servant coming

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 in the authority of his master the Lord Jesus Christ. He is distinguished then from the false teachers

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 who come in their own authority and speak from their own sinful hearts. Peter is an apostle he is one who has been

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 commissioned by Christ to build Christ's church and it is in this authority given to him by Christ that

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 he writes this letter reminding believers of the precious gifts they have received from their loving heavenly father.

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 Peter first brings us back to the gospel. He reminds us of our standing before God. He tells us in verse 1 that God has given us a precious faith.

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 Look with me in the second half of verse 1. He writes to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ

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 have received a faith as precious as ours. Faith Peter tells us is a gift from God. It's something believers have received from God.

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 We have faith because God has given it to us. And what does this tell us then about faith? One thing it tells us is that

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 faith is not something we have innately within us. It's not something we have sleeping inside ourselves that we just need to wake it up and rouse it up.

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 But perhaps you've heard it before. People say that faith is something that we need to search for within ourselves.

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 If we look hard enough and we look long enough inside ourselves, we'll find it.

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 That's what a lot of modern popular psychology says. Have faith in yourself. Trust in yourself. You can do it.

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 Have you heard someone say that faith is unique to each person?

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 So what's true for you might not necessarily be true for me.

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 You have your truth. I have mine.

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 Many people today explain faith in this kind of way.

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 In a way that perhaps faith is the absence of knowledge.

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 If you want to have faith, you need to just empty your mind of all knowledge and understanding and take a blind leap in the dark.

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 But scripture rejects these false understandings of faith.

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 Peter shows us in verse 1 that faith does not originate within us.

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 Nor is faith a faith in self or even a faith in faith.

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 But that true saving faith has Christ as its object.

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 He writes,

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 This righteousness here is Christ's saving righteousness.

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 Peter says that it is through the saving righteousness of Christ in order that we might know that we did not obtain faith through our own efforts,

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 but through God's favor alone.

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 God has called us by his own glory and goodness and he has given us this special faith to believe in his son.

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 When our faith is placed in Christ, we are rejecting all of our own self-righteousness and leaning completely on the righteousness of Christ.

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 We are turning our gaze from our own sinful selves and fixing it on our righteous Savior.

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 And when we turn from our sins and confess them to God and ask for forgiveness,

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 he forgives us because Christ bore the penalty of sin on Calvary.

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 In salvation, Christ takes our filthy rags and clothes us with Christ's righteousness.

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 We who were enemies of God are made right with him.

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 We who were dirty are made clean.

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 God adopts us as his sons and his daughters through the work of Christ on our behalf.

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 So Christ, by his saving righteousness, has given us the gift of faith.

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 And this gift results in our salvation and righteousness before our holy God.

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 And this righteousness comes to us not by working or looking within ourselves,

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 but by believing in Christ alone.

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 Peter says our faith is precious.

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 What makes it precious?

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 Christ.

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 Our faith is precious because of what is fixed upon our precious Savior.

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 We come now to a very important question.

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 Who is Jesus?

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 It's a question we must all answer.

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 Peter himself was asked this once by, when Jesus asked him,

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 Who do you say that I am?

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 It's a question we must all answer.

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 Peter answered,

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 You are the Christ.

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 Peter believed Jesus not merely to be a moral teacher or a good man,

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 but God in flesh.

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 In verse 1, Peter describes Jesus as our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

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 Peter is saying here that Jesus is God.

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 Only a Jesus who is fully God and fully man could have borne the wrath of God for our sins.

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 So everything actually stands on the question of who is Jesus.

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 Scripture teaches that only a faith that is Christ as its object,

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 that is fixed on God, our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, can save.

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 So friends, if your faith is not on the Christ of the Bible,

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 then you're not saved.

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 If you do not have this faith, throw yourself on the mercy of God

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 and ask him for faith to believe in his only Son,

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 who is our God and Savior.

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 He promises that all who call upon his name will be saved,

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 and he will turn no one away.

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 We then, who are recipients of this grace and this faith,

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 share in a common faith.

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 Peter writes that we have received a faith as precious as his.

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 I like how the ESV describes these few words as a faith of equal standing.

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 So by the righteousness of Christ, we have received a faith of equal standing.

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 So who do we have this faith of equal standing with?

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 Peter says ours, meaning himself and probably the other apostles.

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 So what an encouragement that we have as believers,

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 this common and equal faith with all other believers,

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 this common standing before God.

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 We all share in having been given this precious faith through the work of Christ.

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 Certain false teachers in Peter's day emphasize the necessity for believers to have a special knowledge

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 and special particular experiences,

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 and perhaps be in possession of some special gift,

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 which set them apart and made them better than other believers.

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 But this runs contrary to what Peter is saying here.

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 Believers have all the same kind of faith.

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 And we all have this equal standing.

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 There's no secret which we need to unlock to get to another level,

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 because in Christianity there are no levels.

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 Since we all have the same standing in Christ,

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 there are no divisions.

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 We're not divided by our race, our color, our nationality,

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 our gender, or even our social status.

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 Christians are all united in this equal faith.

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 So may this be an encouragement to us when we feel alone in a world that isn't our home.

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 When the enemy of our soul tries to undermine the faith that we've been given.

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 Though our faith may at times increase and decrease,

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 we know that our standing before God is secure because of Christ.

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 So let's remember, we don't have,

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 we stand alone, we don't stand alone,

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 but share in a common faith with all believers,

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 who have all been given this precious faith.

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 And God has given this faith indiscriminately to all of believers,

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 so that all might share equally in the precious gifts and privileges of God.

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 So God, having called us to himself by his glory and goodness,

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 and given us to us a precious faith,

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 does not leave us to our own devices to fend for ourselves,

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 but gives us precious gifts for godly living.

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 Look with me in verse 3, he writes,

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 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life

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 through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

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 God has given us everything we need for a godly life.

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 Outside of what he has given us, we need nothing else.

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 We have every spiritual provision we need to live a life pleasing to him.

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 And God's gifts to us then are not the kind of silly and practical gifts

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 that we unwrap and shrug our shoulders and toss away or else re-gift to someone else.

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 These are precious gifts.

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 And we need them.

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 They're necessary for living that life that's pleasing to him.

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 Peter tells us next that we have been given very great and precious promises.

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 The gifts just keep on coming.

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 Verse 4 says,

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 Through these, his glory and his goodness,

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 he has given us his very great and precious promises.

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 So why are these promises so great and precious?

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 These promises are precious and great because of the one making the promise.

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 These promises aren't the kind of promises that we too often make rashly

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 and realize only after that we can't actually fulfill them.

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 Our loving Heavenly Father, who is the maker and sustainer of all things,

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 is the one promising us.

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 And his will shall come to pass.

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 How then do we know of these promises?

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 We come to know these promises through knowledge of God.

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 We learn about God and his promises that are for us through his word.

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 God has given us his scripture, which contains all of his promises for his people.

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 And as we read God's word, God reveals himself to us and his will for our lives.

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 In verse 3, Peter writes that God has given us everything we need for a godly life

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 through our knowledge of him.

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 The knowledge of God is the means by which we receive all we need for a godly life.

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 A knowledge of God comes through reading the word.

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 It's through the text of Holy Scripture that we come to know God

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 and that we learn of his very great and precious promises.

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 The promises of God aren't found in our particular experiences

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 or some special new revelation only available to a select few number of Christians.

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 But his promises are indiscriminately given to all who trust in Christ.

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 And the reason that we are recipients of these promises

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 is not because of our faithfulness are based on something we've done,

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 but on something Christ has done on our behalf.

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 Since scripture then is the source of true knowledge of God

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 and it contains all of God's promises,

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 then there's nothing outside of scripture we need for godliness.

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 God's word alone is sufficient for knowing God and informing us

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 how we're to live lives that are pleasing to him.

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 The church in Peter's day was plagued with false teachers

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 who proclaimed false promises.

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 And again, it's not unlike the church today.

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 There are false teachers today who are popular men and women

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 declaring false promises based on a false knowledge of God.

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 They declare promises that sound great.

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 They sound like good things.

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 But they're not promises of God,

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 so they can only bring us spiritual ruin.

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 Being surrounded by a mentality of consumerism

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 makes it more difficult for us to grasp

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 the concept of the sufficiency of God's promises.

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 Not much is sufficient today for our desires.

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 We always strive for something bigger,

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 something better,

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 something new,

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 and more of it.

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 This thinking,

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 if we bring it into the Christian sphere,

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 will leave us grasping

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 for things that God has not promised us.

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 God has not promised us

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 in this life

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 that we will be physically healthy,

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 that we will be cured of all illness.

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 God has not promised us

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 in this life

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 that Christians will be financially successful

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 and have the most successful careers.

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 These are false promises,

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 and if we've heard people speaking

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 these false promises,

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 we've heard from false teachers.

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 Dr. Albert Mohler said,

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 the biggest problem

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 with this kind of theology

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 is not that it promises too much,

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 but that it promises far too little.

00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.740
 The gospel of Jesus Christ

00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.359
 offers salvation from sin,

00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:47.160
 not a platform for earthly prosperity.

00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:49.960
 So though we acknowledge

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.940
 that all blessings,

00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:52.940
 both temporal and temporary,

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:57.200
 and eternal blessings

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.100
 come from God,

00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.560
 the promises of Scripture

00:20:00.560 --> 00:20:01.660
 are not temporary,

00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.700
 but they're eternal.

00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:04.120
 They're better promises.

00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:07.660
 Through our knowledge of God,

00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.720
 he has given us all we need.

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:12.600
 Let's now look to the richness

00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:14.480
 of the promises of the gospel

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:16.460
 that are ours through Christ,

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:18.079
 in the Old Covenant.

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.400
 God promised Israel

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.700
 many temporary,

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.640
 earthly blessings,

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.340
 but he also promised

00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:26.860
 a new and better covenant.

00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.440
 The book of Hebrews

00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:32.460
 demonstrates the superiority

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:34.000
 of the ministry of Christ

00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:36.059
 under the New Covenant

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:38.740
 over that of the priests

00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.740
 under the Old Covenant.

00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.759
 The author of Hebrews

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.920
 writes in chapter 8, verse 6,

00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.480
 But, in fact,

00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.600
 the ministry of Jesus

00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:49.240
 has received,

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:51.420
 the ministry Jesus has received

00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.960
 is as superior to theirs,

00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.740
 the priests,

00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.019
 as the covenant

00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.920
 of which he is a mediator

00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:59.120
 is superior to the Old One,

00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:00.660
 since the New Covenant

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.460
 is established

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:03.340
 on better promises.

00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:05.039
 So the New Covenant

00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.740
 is established

00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.320
 on better promises.

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.200
 As Christians,

00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:09.940
 we have Christ

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.920
 as our mediator

00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.960
 on our behalf

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.600
 to the Father.

00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:15.059
 Jesus is the guarantor,

00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.160
 the one who guarantees

00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.960
 these promises.

00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.559
 So what are these promises

00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.680
 that we have as believers

00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.539
 in the New Covenant?

00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.640
 God promises

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:25.259
 in Jeremiah 31,

00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:26.819
 verses 33 to 34,

00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.500
 this is the covenant

00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.240
 I will make

00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.179
 with the people of Israel

00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:30.939
 after that time,

00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.659
 declares the Lord.

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:33.359
 I will put my law

00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.179
 in their hearts,

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.339
 in their minds,

00:21:35.439 --> 00:21:36.480
 and write it on their hearts.

00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:38.119
 I will be their God

00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:39.220
 and they will be my people.

00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.759
 No longer will they

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.539
 teach their neighbor

00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.899
 or say to one another,

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.599
 Know the Lord,

00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.720
 because they will

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.700
 all know me,

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.279
 from the least of them

00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.980
 to the greatest,

00:21:48.679 --> 00:21:49.460
 declares the Lord,

00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.639
 for I will forgive

00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.519
 their wickedness

00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.899
 and will remember

00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:54.139
 their sins no more.

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:56.160
 What precious words

00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.280
 to sinners' ears.

00:21:58.060 --> 00:21:59.420
 The promises of the Gospel

00:21:59.420 --> 00:21:59.980
 are precious

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.920
 and very great.

00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.800
 God promises

00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:03.860
 that in the New Covenant,

00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.140
 which we are a part of,

00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.560
 that he will write his law

00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.560
 on our hearts

00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:08.259
 and on our minds.

00:22:09.800 --> 00:22:11.180
 God has worked in us,

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.020
 transforming

00:22:12.020 --> 00:22:13.440
 our wicked hearts

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.640
 and giving us hearts

00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.320
 that love him.

00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:18.240
 So that through faith

00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:18.780
 in Christ,

00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:19.920
 we can say

00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.140
 that we know God.

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.100
 Through Christ's righteousness,

00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:25.600
 we have peace with God.

00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.340
 God promises,

00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.200
 I will forgive

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.020
 their wickedness

00:22:30.020 --> 00:22:30.580
 and remember

00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.540
 their sins no more.

00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.440
 As Christians,

00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:33.000
 we can know

00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.759
 true forgiveness

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.480
 from sins.

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.240
 We have a new heart

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.680
 that wants to serve

00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.580
 and love God.

00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:44.200
 The promises

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.820
 of the Gospel

00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:45.759
 are overflowing

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.040
 mercy and grace

00:22:47.040 --> 00:22:48.360
 from our loving God.

00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:52.160
 Having given us,

00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.380
 then,

00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:54.020
 precious faith,

00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:55.220
 and precious promises,

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.720
 God also gives us

00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.420
 a new

00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:59.040
 and a precious identity.

00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.360
 God's purpose

00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.460
 in giving us

00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.360
 faith and promises

00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:05.480
 is that we would live

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.620
 godly lives

00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:08.560
 which reflect Christ.

00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.100
 Peter writes

00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.960
 in verse 4,

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:13.680
 through these,

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:13.700
 through these,

00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:14.980
 he has given us

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.200
 his very great

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.319
 and precious promises

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.500
 so that

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.420
 through them

00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.700
 you may participate

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.400
 in the divine nature.

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.160
 God's purpose

00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.140
 is that we would

00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:25.759
 participate

00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.079
 in the divine,

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.559
 partake of the divine.

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.740
 Peter isn't actually

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.600
 saying that we become

00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:32.079
 deified,

00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.240
 we don't become

00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.120
 little gods

00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.059
 or anything like that.

00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.640
 He's saying that

00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.559
 through God's promises

00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.579
 we become

00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.940
 more like Christ.

00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.039
 Christ.

00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.420
 As God works

00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.980
 in our hearts,

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.279
 he makes us

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.220
 and creates us

00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.019
 in such a way

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.600
 that we become

00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:48.920
 more and more

00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.559
 like Christ,

00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:51.180
 that we live godly

00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.180
 and fruitful lives.

00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.740
 The purpose of God

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:56.160
 calling his people

00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.820
 to himself

00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:58.220
 is to restore them

00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.740
 to the glorious image

00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:01.000
 of God

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.320
 and to renew them

00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:02.920
 in holiness

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:04.160
 and in righteousness.

00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:06.779
 God has given us

00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.300
 as Christians

00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.360
 all we need

00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.860
 for living godly lives

00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.900
 that reflect Christ.

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.320
 A plant

00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:18.340
 has three basic needs.

00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:19.860
 They're water,

00:24:20.320 --> 00:24:20.640
 light

00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:22.080
 and a soil to grow in.

00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.440
 Think with me

00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.000
 for a moment

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.080
 of a gardener

00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:26.360
 who carefully

00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.340
 places a plant

00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.759
 in soil

00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.700
 that he's prepared

00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.720
 that is rich

00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:32.380
 and full of nutrients.

00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:34.320
 He searches the garden

00:24:34.320 --> 00:24:35.980
 for the perfect spot

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.860
 that has the optimal

00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.720
 amount of sunlight

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:39.500
 and he ensures

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.080
 that the plant

00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:41.060
 has an adequate

00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.120
 supply of water.

00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:44.340
 The gardener

00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:44.900
 has provided

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:46.500
 for all of the plant's needs.

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:47.920
 The plant

00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.400
 has everything

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:48.880
 it needs

00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:50.060
 to grow healthy

00:24:50.060 --> 00:24:50.700
 and strong,

00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:53.760
 to bear fruit

00:24:53.760 --> 00:24:55.320
 and flowers

00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:56.640
 which please

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.300
 the gardener.

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:59.399
 the very same

00:24:59.399 --> 00:25:00.139
 is true for us.

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.700
 We have everything

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.259
 we need

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.399
 for a godly life.

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.059
 Since we share

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.579
 in the riches

00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.940
 of Christ

00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.740
 we're lacking

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.220
 in nothing.

00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:11.200
 Through his gift

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.799
 he is reproducing

00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.440
 his character

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:13.960
 in us

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:15.279
 which is holiness.

00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:18.139
 His very same power

00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:18.879
 which accomplished

00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.839
 salvation

00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:21.180
 is also

00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.119
 at work in us

00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:23.480
 in our lives.

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:26.700
 Since God

00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.420
 has given us

00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.940
 this new

00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:30.259
 Christ-like identity

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.079
 how then are we

00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.839
 to live lives

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.460
 that are pleasing

00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.920
 to him

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.819
 in a corrupt

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:35.079
 and sinful world?

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.620
 Peter tells us

00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:38.860
 through trusting

00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:40.259
 in promises

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.460
 in the promises

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.380
 we have escaped

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.240
 the corruption

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.120
 of the world.

00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:45.940
 Look with me

00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.339
 again

00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:47.180
 at verse 4

00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:49.019
 the second half.

00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.660
 Here Peter

00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.480
 sets before us

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.660
 the majesty of heaven

00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.620
 and contrasts it

00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.500
 with the lust

00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.480
 of the world.

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.640
 Through them

00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.840
 you may participate

00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:59.000
 in the divine nature

00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.220
 having escaped

00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.840
 the corruption

00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.900
 in the world

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:03.259
 caused by evil desires.

00:26:04.040 --> 00:26:04.779
 What then

00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.259
 does it mean

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.160
 to escape

00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.660
 the corruption

00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.200
 in the world?

00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:09.480
 Are we to flee

00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.160
 from the world?

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.140
 Are we to set up

00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.880
 special Christian communes

00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.560
 where we can live

00:26:13.560 --> 00:26:15.460
 in a kind of

00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.500
 sinless society?

00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.519
 Is that what

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.360
 we're supposed to do?

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.420
 Peter doesn't advocate

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.380
 that we flee the world.

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.400
 We don't need

00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:25.259
 to flee the world

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.060
 in escape pods

00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:27.100
 or set up communes

00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:28.160
 because we've been

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.019
 equipped with

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.920
 everything we need

00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.240
 to live in this world.

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.660
 Christ prayed

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.300
 to the Father

00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:35.440
 for us

00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:37.480
 in John 17-15

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.019
 he prayed

00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.060
 my prayer

00:26:39.060 --> 00:26:39.820
 is not that you

00:26:39.820 --> 00:26:40.320
 take them

00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:41.100
 out of the world

00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:42.600
 but that you

00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.420
 protect them

00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.700
 from the evil one.

00:26:45.800 --> 00:26:46.640
 God has given us

00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.800
 every spiritual

00:26:47.800 --> 00:26:49.000
 provision necessary

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.580
 for living

00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.279
 in this world.

00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:53.580
 you're not alone

00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:54.080
 at the times

00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.519
 you feel

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.220
 under attack

00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.840
 from the world.

00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:57.860
 Perhaps you're

00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.440
 a student

00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.320
 and you're

00:26:59.320 --> 00:27:00.100
 the only Christian

00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.840
 in your class

00:27:00.840 --> 00:27:02.200
 and you're made

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.940
 feel different.

00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:05.480
 Maybe you're

00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.400
 mocked.

00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:09.060
 Maybe at work

00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:10.620
 you're the only Christian

00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.480
 in your workplace

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.500
 and colleagues

00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.779
 treat you differently.

00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.860
 Maybe your boss

00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.440
 or your manager

00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.700
 actually discriminates

00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.300
 against you

00:27:17.300 --> 00:27:18.160
 in terms of the kind

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.160
 of work he gives you

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.420
 or perhaps

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.420
 in promotion.

00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.180
 Maybe you're a parent

00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.220
 struggling to raise

00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.180
 children in a God

00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.840
 honouring way

00:27:26.840 --> 00:27:28.080
 in a world

00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:28.720
 that's completely

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.840
 hostile to everything

00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:31.040
 you're inputting

00:27:31.040 --> 00:27:31.420
 into them

00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.120
 and teaching them.

00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:33.900
 As Christians

00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.800
 we often feel

00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:36.019
 like pilgrims

00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.140
 in a foreign land

00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:39.800
 and it's at these times

00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:40.460
 we must look

00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.100
 to the promises

00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:41.660
 of God.

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.279
 Peter seeks us

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.640
 seeks to invite us

00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.060
 to God

00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:46.380
 and draw our affections

00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.019
 from the things

00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.599
 of the world

00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:49.240
 to look to the glory

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.740
 and goodness

00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.299
 of God.

00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.059
 Peter's declaration

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.119
 that we have escaped

00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.639
 the corruption

00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.220
 of the world

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.240
 means we can stand

00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.700
 firm

00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.960
 in the face

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.519
 of opposition

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.319
 that comes

00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:58.960
 from the world.

00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.720
 Later on

00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.119
 in the letter

00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.779
 Peter writes

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.519
 in chapter 3

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.240
 verse 13

00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.940
 but in keeping

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.819
 with his promise

00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.980
 we are looking

00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:09.139
 forward to a new

00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.480
 heaven

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.619
 and a new earth

00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.740
 where righteousness

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.440
 dwells.

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.079
 The promise

00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.559
 that Christ

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.500
 will return

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.259
 for his people

00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.519
 and the establishment

00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.539
 of the new heavens

00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.200
 and the new earth

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.180
 is a comfort

00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.460
 for weary believers.

00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.640
 Knowing that God

00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.539
 has given us

00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.299
 all we need

00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.460
 to live a godly life

00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.440
 means we do not

00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.160
 have to retreat

00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:28.819
 from the world.

00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.579
 During the Reformation

00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.819
 Martin Luther

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.640
 lived in constant

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.420
 fear of his life

00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.559
 both from the Pope

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.019
 in Rome

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:38.720
 and the authorities.

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.559
 However

00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.200
 he acknowledged

00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.759
 that there was

00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.640
 something far

00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.359
 more dangerous

00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:45.160
 than his physical enemies

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.920
 than the Pope

00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.320
 in Rome

00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.340
 and that was

00:28:47.340 --> 00:28:47.960
 his own heart.

00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.420
 As we battle

00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.440
 against the sin

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.040
 in our hearts

00:28:52.040 --> 00:28:53.019
 we don't fight

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.600
 with our own

00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.880
 homemade weapons.

00:28:56.320 --> 00:28:57.160
 God has armed us

00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:58.360
 with every spiritual

00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.779
 weapon necessary

00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.560
 to fight sin

00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.120
 in our hearts.

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.279
 Is there habitual

00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.460
 sin in our lives?

00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.740
 As Christians

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.220
 we are those

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.160
 who have escaped

00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.620
 corruption.

00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:09.620
 We are no longer

00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.440
 slaves to sin

00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:10.980
 but slaves

00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.900
 to righteousness.

00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:11.960
 righteousness.

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.600
 And when we do sin

00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.980
 scripture promises us

00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.540
 if we confess our sins

00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:18.660
 he is faithful and just

00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.500
 and will forgive us

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.200
 our sins

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.200
 and purify us

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.660
 from all unrighteousness.

00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.440
 As we trust

00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.400
 in God's promises

00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:27.019
 our faith is nurtured

00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.720
 and we grow

00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.340
 in holiness.

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.800
 This promise

00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:32.360
 of forgiveness

00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.900
 should spur us on

00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:35.000
 to reject sin

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.000
 and the promise

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.759
 of the Holy Spirit

00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.360
 in our lives

00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.440
 working in us

00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.200
 should cause us

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:40.400
 to put sin to death

00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:42.160
 and strive for holiness.

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.580
 God hasn't called us

00:29:44.580 --> 00:29:46.280
 to an impossible task

00:29:46.280 --> 00:29:47.880
 but has equipped us

00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:49.259
 for a life

00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.180
 that is pleasing to him.

00:29:51.080 --> 00:29:52.460
 We recall his promises

00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.160
 then when we

00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.160
 read his word

00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.259
 when we sing his word

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.560
 and we speak his word

00:29:56.560 --> 00:29:57.800
 and pray it

00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:59.540
 and as we recall

00:29:59.540 --> 00:30:00.240
 God's promises

00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:02.280
 to us

00:30:02.280 --> 00:30:03.420
 we come to know him

00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.280
 more and more

00:30:04.280 --> 00:30:06.000
 for God's promises

00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.880
 show forth his glory

00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:08.700
 and his goodness.

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:11.480
 There is nothing

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.580
 outside of the promises

00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:13.819
 of scripture

00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.480
 which we need

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.279
 for godly living.

00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.880
 Having glimpsed

00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.559
 for a moment

00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.340
 at the glory

00:30:19.340 --> 00:30:20.000
 and goodness

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.039
 of God

00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.080
 what more

00:30:22.080 --> 00:30:23.120
 could we possibly need?

00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.940
 The hymn writer

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.980
 Robert Robinson

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.740
 penned the words

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.200
 of the hymn

00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.180
 Come Thou Fount

00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.039
 of Every Blessing

00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:31.160
 from a heart

00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.460
 that was aware

00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.759
 of its propensity

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.440
 to wander.

00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.500
 He was aware

00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.240
 of his weakness

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.940
 in the face

00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:39.099
 of spiritual enemies

00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:43.240
 but his faith

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.500
 was not in his own strength

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:46.079
 but in Christ

00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:48.059
 who he had

00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.819
 every confidence

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.680
 had delivered him

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.519
 from sin

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.200
 and the world

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.779
 as he had promised.

00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.660
 He penned the words

00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.759
 Here I raise

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.620
 my Ebenezer

00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:58.140
 Hither by thy help

00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:58.620
 I am come

00:30:58.620 --> 00:30:59.460
 and I hope

00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.460
 by thy good pleasure

00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.259
 safely

00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.579
 to arrive at home.

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.819
 Ebenezer means

00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.700
 rock of health

00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:07.539
 and it's a reference

00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.259
 to when

00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.580
 the Lord delivered

00:31:09.580 --> 00:31:10.500
 Israel from their

00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.000
 enemies

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.779
 the Philistines

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:14.160
 as a monument

00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.920
 to what God

00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.240
 had done

00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.900
 and a constant

00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.940
 reminder to the people

00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:18.319
 Samuel set up

00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.700
 this Ebenezer

00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.100
 saying

00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:21.120
 thus far

00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:22.080
 has the Lord

00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:22.680
 helped us

00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.600
 thus far

00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:25.860
 has the Lord

00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:26.319
 helped us

00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.059
 we see

00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.799
 from scripture

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.240
 that God

00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:28.920
 is faithful

00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.480
 to fulfill

00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.100
 his promises

00:31:30.100 --> 00:31:31.539
 his divine will

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.559
 shall come to pass

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:34.819
 so when we hear

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.619
 false promises

00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.559
 from false teachers

00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:37.940
 who seek to rob us

00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.480
 of our hope

00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:40.319
 look to God's

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.940
 living word

00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:42.220
 search the scriptures

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.059
 that you may obtain

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:44.119
 true knowledge

00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:45.279
 of God

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.919
 which leads to

00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:48.099
 grace and peace

00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:49.319
 when you feel

00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:50.519
 overwhelmed by the world

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:50.859
 and feel

00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.200
 submission or retreat

00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.279
 are your only options

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.539
 stand firm

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.019
 on the promise

00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.500
 that God

00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.500
 has given you

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.579
 every provision

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.559
 needed

00:31:58.559 --> 00:32:00.379
 when temptation

00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:00.859
 to sin

00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:02.119
 bubbles up inside

00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:03.500
 remember

00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:03.959
 that we are

00:32:03.959 --> 00:32:04.319
 those

00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.039
 who have

00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:06.919
 been delivered

00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:07.779
 from corruption

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.579
 and given

00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.459
 new and precious

00:32:10.459 --> 00:32:11.099
 identities

00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:12.279
 which reflect

00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.979
 Christ

00:32:12.979 --> 00:32:14.799
 Christians

00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.299
 we have been

00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:15.659
 called

00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:16.539
 by God

00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.239
 to himself

00:32:17.239 --> 00:32:18.739
 we have been

00:32:18.739 --> 00:32:19.500
 given a precious

00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:19.919
 faith

00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:21.299
 in Christ alone

00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.019
 and he has equipped

00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:23.339
 us with very great

00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.359
 and precious promises

00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:26.219
 having called us

00:32:26.219 --> 00:32:27.179
 from the world

00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:27.839
 he has given us

00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.539
 a new nature

00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:30.179
 so that we can

00:32:30.179 --> 00:32:30.719
 live lives

00:32:30.719 --> 00:32:31.659
 pleasing to him

00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:33.779
 in a sinful

00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.279
 world

00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.600
 until he finally

00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.360
 calls us home

00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:38.860
 if you are a believer

00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.600
 these promises

00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:40.240
 are yours

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.060
 will you trust

00:32:42.060 --> 00:32:42.720
 these promises

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:45.900
 let us take hold

00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.259
 of them

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.259
 and then look

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.800
 to God

00:32:47.800 --> 00:32:49.080
 with expectant

00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:49.500
 eyes

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:52.800
 dear heavenly

00:32:52.800 --> 00:32:53.120
 father

00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:53.740
 we thank you

00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:55.120
 that you are

00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:56.040
 gracious

00:32:56.040 --> 00:32:56.840
 and giving

00:32:56.840 --> 00:32:57.320
 God

00:32:57.319 --> 00:33:00.319
 Lord

00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.259
 your gracious

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:01.599
 gifts

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.299
 show forth

00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.119
 your glory

00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:03.939
 and your goodness

00:33:03.939 --> 00:33:06.679
 Lord we acknowledge

00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:07.460
 that all blessings

00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:08.079
 come from you

00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.039
 both the earthly

00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.859
 blessings we have

00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.119
 here

00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.079
 and the

00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:12.079
 wonderful

00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.819
 spiritual

00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.500
 blessings

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.119
 that we have

00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.779
 that are eternal

00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.139
 Lord

00:33:15.139 --> 00:33:17.299
 thank you

00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.500
 Lord

00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.359
 for the

00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.139
 precious faith

00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.599
 that you have

00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.059
 given us

00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:20.819
 in Christ

00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:21.179
 Jesus

00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:21.740
 your son

00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.480
 who is

00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:22.859
 God

00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:24.779
 and who is

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.919
 the mediator

00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:27.059
 and the

00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:27.959
 guarantor

00:33:27.959 --> 00:33:29.039
 of the

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.479
 precious

00:33:29.479 --> 00:33:30.219
 promises

00:33:30.219 --> 00:33:30.859
 that you have

00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.399
 given us

00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:33.659
 please Lord

00:33:33.659 --> 00:33:35.119
 increase our

00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:35.439
 faith

00:33:35.439 --> 00:33:36.579
 help us to

00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:37.279
 trust in these

00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.699
 promises

00:33:37.699 --> 00:33:38.639
 so that

00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:40.299
 through that

00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:41.779
 you would be

00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.659
 working in us

00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:44.939
 creating

00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:45.779
 your image

00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.240
 in us

00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:46.839
 that we would

00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.519
 live lives

00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:47.839
 that are

00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.939
 pleasing to you

00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:50.640
 and reflect

00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.680
 your glory

00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.860
 reflect

00:33:52.860 --> 00:33:53.480
 Christ

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:55.240
 in Jesus name

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.640
 I pray

00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:56.140
 Amen