WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.780 So we're starting a new sermon series today in the book of 1 Peter, and that's page 953 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:08.980 Let me invite you to turn there. 00:00:10.419 --> 00:00:16.600 If you're new to Trinity, what we typically do on Sundays is we walk sequentially through an entire book of the Bible, 00:00:16.839 --> 00:00:20.100 or at least an entire section of a book if it's a longer one. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:26.900 And we do it this way because we want to make sure that we're hearing all of what God wants us to hear through his word and the scriptures. 00:00:26.899 --> 00:00:36.500 If we were to simply kind of pick or choose or just go here or there, the danger is that we would miss the fullness of God's word to us and all that he wants to do in and through us. 00:00:36.879 --> 00:00:40.259 So for the next few months, we're going to do that with the book of 1 Peter. 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:42.939 Let me read the opening verses. 00:00:43.079 --> 00:00:46.980 We're just going to look at the first two verses this morning, and then I'll pray for us. 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:50.480 So 1 Peter 1, verses 1 and 2. 00:00:51.739 --> 00:00:53.379 Peter starts his letter this way. 00:00:53.380 --> 00:01:20.560 Let's pray together. 00:01:23.379 --> 00:01:31.219 Father, we ask as we come now to your word, we pray for your grace and for your peace. 00:01:32.039 --> 00:01:36.719 Lord, would you grant us the grace to understand what this word is saying to us today? 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:47.819 God, we thank you for the word of the apostles preserved for us in scriptures and mightily used by your spirit to impart your grace and to bring us into your peace. 00:01:48.219 --> 00:01:52.060 So Jesus, do that today, we ask for your namesake. 00:01:52.699 --> 00:01:52.959 Amen. 00:01:53.379 --> 00:01:55.039 Amen. 00:01:55.239 --> 00:01:56.359 Okay, so 1 Peter. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:04.399 1 Peter is a pretty relevant book for us because it was written to Christians who were having this experience. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:14.960 They were finding that their conversion to Christianity had made them increasingly out of step and at times unwelcome in their surrounding community. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:21.960 In other words, their newfound identity was creating all sorts of difficulties. 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:27.879 Again and again in this letter, Peter will talk about how they're being grieved by various trials. 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:29.040 That's chapter 1, verse 6. 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:32.939 That's chapter 2, verse 19. 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:36.879 But then we want to ask, what specifically does Peter have in mind? 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:37.759 What kind of trials? 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:38.699 What kind of difficulties? 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:49.099 Well, he actually goes on to say, in chapter 3, for example, he says, I see how you're being slandered and reviled for your good godly behavior. 00:02:49.099 --> 00:02:59.099 And then in chapter 4, he'll say, I see how your neighbors are surprised when you don't join in the same things they're doing and then they malign you for it. 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:00.840 That's chapter 4, verse 4. 00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:05.460 Or a little later in chapter 4, he says, I see how they're insulting you at times for the name of Christ. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:15.819 So Peter sees how their newfound identity in Christ is creating all sorts of painful newfound difficulties in their workplace, in their neighborhoods, even in their own families. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:21.819 Now, I don't think it's hard for us to relate to Peter's audience, is it? 00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:27.000 But the question is, how do we live in light of this? 00:03:27.420 --> 00:03:28.379 How do we respond? 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:40.680 You know, on the one hand, do we deconstruct our faith and winnow it down to something that maybe won't cause offense to our neighbors or our fellow workers or our families? 00:03:41.799 --> 00:03:47.079 Do we kind of get rid of the parts that are countercultural and only keep the bits that are socially acceptable? 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:50.439 Well, that can't be the answer, can it? 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:51.759 That can't be the way to respond. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:53.879 I mean, after all, Christianity, right? 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:55.680 Christianity is supposed to be good news. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:04:09.439 Christianity is meant to be like a window that gets thrown open and lets a fresh breeze into the stuffy house, right? 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:17.899 But if we just kind of deconstruct the faith and only keep the socially acceptable bits and get rid of the countercultural parts, then we don't have any good news anymore, do we? 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:21.479 Maybe we just have an echo of what people already think. 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:26.060 You know, we kind of keep the window closed and we just keep breathing the same old stuffy air. 00:04:26.239 --> 00:04:28.239 So that can't be the way, right? 00:04:29.539 --> 00:04:34.279 So how then do we live when our newfound identity is creating all sorts of newfound difficulties? 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:37.839 Well, okay, maybe we don't kind of deconstruct our faith. 00:04:38.179 --> 00:04:40.819 Maybe we just withdraw from our surroundings altogether. 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:45.000 Maybe we just have less and less interaction with our neighbors. 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:49.860 Well, you know, that looks and feels easier at first. 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:55.819 You know, you will certainly hear less criticism if you're not around to listen to it, right? 00:04:57.579 --> 00:05:02.240 But again, as we know, Christianity is good news. 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:04.939 It's something we're meant to make known. 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:07.699 We want people to see it and hear it. 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:16.199 And if we withdraw, well, maybe we become more comfortable in the short term that we don't become more faithful. 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:19.939 So how do we live? 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:26.219 Maybe we don't withdraw, but, well, maybe we just fire back. 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:30.099 If we receive ridicule, maybe we give some ridicule in return. 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:33.459 If we face opposition, maybe we give some opposition back. 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:43.319 Now, of course, there's nothing wrong with standing courageously for our faith, but you can see that ridiculing or maligning in return, 00:05:44.239 --> 00:05:47.740 it doesn't take long to realize that that can't be the way either. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:51.259 Peter will say in chapter three of this letter, 00:05:51.259 --> 00:06:13.439 So this is what Peter's going to tell us in this book. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:20.079 In the midst of increasing social alienation and opposition, he says, stay present. 00:06:20.719 --> 00:06:21.519 Don't withdraw. 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:22.800 Don't deconstruct. 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:27.620 Stay present and do what might be the most countercultural thing of all. 00:06:28.860 --> 00:06:29.699 Live holy lives. 00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:31.759 Love one another and bless. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:44.779 But to be able to do that, to be able to live that way, we're going to need to reach more deeply into the resources of the gospel than ever before. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:50.779 If you're going to live that way, a surface nominal faith won't get you there. 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:55.259 A just casual acquaintance with the things of Christ aren't going to do it. 00:06:55.259 --> 00:07:04.199 We need to behold the reality of God in Christ and who we are in Christ and the story of God that we're a part of. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:08.139 We need to hold and internalize those things more deeply, perhaps, than ever before. 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:15.680 And that's why Peter starts his letter the way he does in verses one and two. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:24.199 Most ancient letters began by simply sort of stating the sender and then stating the recipient and then giving a real brief, like, I hope you're doing okay. 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:27.159 And you see some of that pattern here. 00:07:27.339 --> 00:07:37.639 But what you also see is that Peter has kind of packed his opening with such rich theological content that you have to pause and slow down just to take it in. 00:07:39.219 --> 00:07:47.740 And what Peter is doing here is he's reminding these Christians who are facing trials, he's reminding them right off the bat who they are. 00:07:47.740 --> 00:08:00.560 If you want to understand your newfound identity and the newfound difficulties, if you want to begin to understand how to live in light of that, then you have to start by knowing who you are. 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:10.180 And you are, Peter says, you are the elect exiles of the triune God. 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:25.400 Now, I want to take the rest of our time unpacking these first two verses, and hopefully we can see who we are as the church and how we can live lives of blessing and holiness, even in the midst of trial. 00:08:25.399 --> 00:08:31.379 And we're going to consider first, then, what it means to be the elect of the triune God. 00:08:31.459 --> 00:08:34.699 And then second, we'll consider what it means to be the exiles of the triune God. 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:44.220 Okay, so first, if we're going to live rightly in the face of trials, if we're going to bless instead of curse, we have to know ourselves as the elect of the triune God. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:45.459 Look again at verse one. 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:56.460 After introducing himself as the sender of the letter and as an apostle of Jesus Christ, now when Peter says, I'm an apostle of Jesus Christ, what we should hear in that is, okay, well, this just isn't some guy giving us good advice, right? 00:08:56.639 --> 00:09:02.860 This is someone that Jesus himself appointed to teach in his name for the church for the rest of the church age. 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:08.639 So we have to slow down and listen to what Peter says, because these are the words that Jesus gave him for the church. 00:09:09.680 --> 00:09:14.840 And then Peter writes to those who are, he says, to those who are elect. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:18.639 And the word elect simply means chosen. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:20.620 They're chosen. 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:28.560 Now, in the rest of verse one, we see that Peter is writing to Christians in what was then called Asia Minor, in what is today basically the country of Turkey. 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:34.620 These five provinces or regions were located kind of in the north-central part of modern-day Turkey. 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:40.060 And these areas, you know, this area, they probably had some Jewish presence. 00:09:40.400 --> 00:09:44.600 So some of the Christians Peter's writing to were possibly from a Jewish background. 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:50.159 But it's most likely that these churches were predominantly Gentile. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:10:00.200 As we read through first Peter, you'll see that when Peter starts to talk about their lives before coming to Christ, it sounds a lot more like a Gentile background than a Jewish background. 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:02.680 So Peter isn't writing to people. 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:06.300 He's not writing to Christians who had a nice moral religious upbringing. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:13.719 He's writing to former pagans, polytheists, pragmatists, prostitutes, you name it. 00:10:14.479 --> 00:10:15.919 Just like a lot of us. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:22.439 But now he says, you are God's chosen. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:28.319 God has set his saving love on you and made you his own. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:34.760 Now the Old Testament pictures this choosing love of God in many ways. 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:39.220 Pictures it like the love between a parent and child. 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:42.460 It pictures it like the love between husband and wife. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:46.660 Like the love between a benevolent king and his beloved people. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:50.519 Peter's saying, you are God's prize. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.699 You're God's treasure. 00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:57.519 I wonder if you've ever had the experience of having kind of a prized possession. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:11:05.500 You know, the sort of like stereotypical guy who has the like vintage Mustang in his garage that he like doesn't even let his kids like breathe on. 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:06.659 You know, that kind of thing. 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:13.600 Or maybe if you're a book lover, you've got like a first edition signed by the author of some favorite book of yours. 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:15.860 Some prized possession. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:19.139 You know, how do you feel around that thing? 00:11:19.219 --> 00:11:23.759 That thing that you chose and you love and maybe you even had to sacrifice for. 00:11:25.939 --> 00:11:29.039 Sometimes you just like beholding it, don't you? 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:32.319 Kind of seeing it there on the shelf or taking a look at it in the garage. 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:36.000 Sometimes you get joy showing it off to your friends, right? 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:42.779 Letting them go for a ride with you or letting them page through it and see the signature on the title page. 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:51.079 Friends, that's how God feels about his people, about his chosen, about his elect. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:12:04.019 And if that's true of us, then we can face trials both with great dignity and with great humility. 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:10.539 Now consider the dignity that comes from knowing ourselves as God's chosen, loved people. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:19.259 With this word elect, Peter is actually connecting the New Testament church to Old Testament Israel. 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:22.559 In the Old Testament, Israel was God's chosen people. 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:29.659 And now Peter is saying, through faith in Jesus, you too, Gentiles, you're included in that chosen people. 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:32.839 The renewed people of God around Jesus the Messiah. 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:38.019 Imagine what that must have meant to these first century Christians. 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:45.079 It was showing them that being a member of the church, being a member of that group of followers of Jesus, 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:48.700 this wasn't just some passing novel fad. 00:12:50.020 --> 00:12:56.180 Their conversion to Christianity wasn't like joining some social club that would be here today and gone tomorrow. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:13:08.100 No, they were part of a people, a movement that was as ancient and enduring as the one true God's promises to Abraham. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:13.460 When God chose Abraham and said that he would bless all the nations through him. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:21.019 So they could hold their heads high with dignity, even when their neighbors ridiculed them or excluded them. 00:13:21.920 --> 00:13:25.220 They didn't need to respond with anger or fear. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.200 And friends, neither do we. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:35.640 Knowing ourselves is chosen by God, loved by him, included in his ancient and forever people. 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:40.240 That brings us dignity in the face of trials. 00:13:42.020 --> 00:13:43.500 But it also brings humility. 00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:48.780 Now, I don't know about you, but maybe all this talk about being elect or being chosen, 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:51.040 maybe it kind of makes you a little uncomfortable, right? 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:56.360 I mean, talk about something that could go to your head in all the wrong ways, right? 00:13:56.360 --> 00:14:00.320 It sounds incredibly pompous to say that you're the chosen, right? 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:03.700 How could that not make you insufferably proud? 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:06.800 But here's the thing. 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:15.120 A biblical understanding of election does just the opposite. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:21.060 It is the thing that creates deep and true humility. 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:22.980 Why? 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:28.340 There's a great scene in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:33.580 In Deuteronomy, Moses is reminding the people of their story before they enter the promised land. 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:39.480 And he's talking about how God chose them and liberated them from slavery in Egypt. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:43.159 And he says in chapter 7, verse 6 of Deuteronomy, Moses says, 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:50.179 The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:57.240 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:59.379 For you were the fewest of all peoples. 00:15:00.459 --> 00:15:05.799 But it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers. 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:16.299 You see, election, it can only produce pride if we think that God chooses people based on something in them. 00:15:17.599 --> 00:15:19.099 But what does God say to Israel? 00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:23.879 Does he say, I chose you because you were so numerous, so great, so strong, so faithful? 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:24.559 No! 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:28.899 God says, I didn't choose you because of anything in you. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.899 I chose you because I love you. 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:35.359 And I'm keeping my promise to love you. 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:40.919 You see, God doesn't choose us because of the abundance of our merits. 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:44.319 He chooses us because of the abundance of his mercy. 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:50.539 Consider verse 2 of our text here in 1 Peter. 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:56.799 If you look down at verse 2, you see a bunch of clauses kind of stacked up. 00:15:56.919 --> 00:16:01.919 And the clauses in verse 2 modify this idea of election in verse 1. 00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:06.419 And they speak of the Father, the Spirit, and the Son. 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:15.599 Peter here, this is Peter speaking of the reality of God in ways that would eventually be articulated in the doctrine of the Trinity. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:20.800 That the one God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Spirit, Son. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:24.659 And notice, notice what Peter says. 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:30.800 First, he says, our election isn't because of anything in us. 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:35.139 Our election is according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:44.639 Now, when the Bible says that God knows someone, it means more than God simply observes certain facts about someone. 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:45.539 Right? 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:51.059 Rather, biblical knowing is intimate relational love of another person. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:56.500 So when Peter says our election is according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, 00:16:57.039 --> 00:17:03.340 Peter's saying that the source of our election, the plan behind it, the cause of it, is God's eternal love. 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:11.660 God the Father set his knowing love on us from eternity past before we had done anything good to deserve it. 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:20.480 In eternity past, God the Father saw us when we were dead in sin, fallen and condemned in Adam, 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:24.819 without God and without hope in the world, and he knew us. 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:27.720 And he set a saving love on us. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:36.860 But how did this eternal love that caused our election become real in time, in history? 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.620 How did we come to experience it? 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.360 Well, let's keep reading verse 2. 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:45.319 Peter says, in the sanctification of the Spirit. 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:51.380 Now, in the New Testament, the word in can often mean the instrument whereby something happens. 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:57.340 So our election comes in or by or through the sanctification of the Spirit. 00:17:58.840 --> 00:18:03.460 Now, the word sanctification can sometimes mean, you know, when we use the word sanctification, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:08.400 we can sometimes refer to the kind of ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:11.540 whereby he makes us more and more holy, more and more like Jesus. 00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:16.860 But in the New Testament, sanctification can also mean not just this progressive work, 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:26.619 but our position before God, sort of a one-time act whereby the Holy Spirit sets us apart for God. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:29.419 That's literally what sanctify means. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:31.579 It means to set something apart as holy. 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:36.139 And it's that kind of sanctification that Peter's talking about here, 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:38.819 not our progressive sanctification after belief, 00:18:38.959 --> 00:18:42.639 but our positional sanctification that happens when we become believers. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:47.980 The sovereign act of the Holy Spirit setting us apart, cleansing us as holy, 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:52.540 translating us from death to life, 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:56.280 calling us out of darkness into God's marvelous light, 00:18:56.580 --> 00:18:58.200 as Peter will later say in chapter 2. 00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:03.680 So you see, what God the Father planned before the creation of the world, 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:06.560 the Holy Spirit has now actualized in history. 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:09.780 The Spirit applies what the Father has planned. 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:15.119 So you can begin to see how our election, 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:18.180 how our identity as God's beloved chosen people, 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:20.980 isn't something that creates selfish pride. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.500 Is it something we planned? 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:26.500 No, God the Father planned it. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:30.139 Is it something that we sort of actualized in our own life? 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:32.839 No, the Holy Spirit did that. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:36.500 It's holy God's work, not our own. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.039 And that ought to humble us. 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:43.480 But Peter actually then saves the best for last. 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.759 The Father planned it. 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:46.420 The Spirit applied it. 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:52.359 But what did the Father foreknow us for, we might say? 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:54.799 What did the Spirit sanctify us for? 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.299 Peter says, 00:19:57.299 --> 00:20:03.799 For obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:12.279 The purpose of God's sovereign, loving election is that we would bow to Jesus 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:17.039 and know the full forgiveness of our sins through his blood. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:21.119 When Peter mentions obedience here, 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:28.720 you know, it's pretty obvious he's not saying that our obedience in any way contributes to our salvation or our election, right? 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:33.279 Notice, any obedience that we render to Jesus is a result of God's prior work. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:40.259 Through the Father's eternal love, through the Spirit's renewal of our hearts, 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:47.359 our rebellious hearts are softened, and we gladly bow to Jesus as our Lord, and we live for him. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:51.579 In other words, we aren't saved by our good works. 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:54.019 We're saved for good works. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:59.160 But then again, Peter comes to the very best part. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.440 He's saving the best for last. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:07.160 And he says, we've been planned and set apart for, for what? 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:10.519 For the sprinkling with his blood. 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:13.579 Now, obviously, this is a reference to the cross, right? 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:18.119 But the metaphor of sprinkling comes from Exodus 24. 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:25.059 Remember, in Exodus 24, we read about how Moses sprinkled blood on the, on the, on the altar and on all these sorts of things. 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:29.739 When the people were gathered at Mount Sinai, when God made his covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:33.039 the people there, remember, they pledged their obedience to the Lord. 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:36.739 But God knew that they were a sinful people. 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:39.979 He knew that they wouldn't be able to keep their end of the covenant. 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:44.659 So in that, that decisive moment in Exodus 24, 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:47.399 when the people are being constituted as God's people, 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:49.420 and they said, yes, we'll follow you, Lord. 00:21:49.580 --> 00:21:50.580 God knows they're sinful. 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:54.100 So what does he do when he knows they aren't going to be able to keep their end of the covenant? 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:57.040 He makes a sacrifice. 00:21:59.800 --> 00:22:04.019 Rather than make the people bear the penalty for their inevitable sin, 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:07.019 God offers a substitute. 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:11.580 The wages of sin is death. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:15.900 But God allows another to die in their place. 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:24.380 And in Exodus 24, the blood is sprinkled around to show that this sacrifice is for them and for their forgiveness. 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:29.280 But of course, the animal sacrifices were just a sign. 00:22:30.780 --> 00:22:35.380 They were just a picture pointing ahead to the real sacrifice that God would make. 00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:39.620 Because after all, animals can't really pay for human sin, can they? 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:45.439 And that's why God takes human nature into himself in the incarnation. 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:49.299 That's why he comes to earth in the person of Jesus, 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:53.179 so that after living the perfect life that we ought to have lived, 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:56.899 he might die in our place as the perfect substitute for our sins. 00:22:58.899 --> 00:23:00.899 And because Jesus was fully God, 00:23:00.959 --> 00:23:05.619 that sacrifice was perfect and complete for absolutely everyone 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:08.739 who would turn from sin and place their trust in him. 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:12.239 And God actually raised Jesus on the third day 00:23:12.239 --> 00:23:14.539 to show that that sacrifice, 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:16.439 that perfect sacrifice was complete, 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.479 that it was finished, 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:19.839 that sin and death had been utterly defeated, 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:23.279 and that now new life could be had through the risen Lord Jesus. 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.019 So you see, 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:28.219 this is what God's election is all about. 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:32.860 It's about gathering a people from every tribe and tongue and nation 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:37.480 who would know the unbelievable grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:41.940 bow before him and worship him in love for all eternity, 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:45.940 knowing that all of their sins have been forgiven forever. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.579 Now here's the good news. 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:54.660 If you sense your need for a savior, 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:59.180 if you see that your sins separate you from a holy God, 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:03.600 and if you see that God has lovingly set forth Jesus 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:06.180 as the perfect sacrifice for you, 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:10.240 that you might be reconciled to God and included in his people, 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.500 if you see those things, 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.660 if your heart's drawn out to those things, 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.279 then friends, 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:20.300 you don't need to worry about whether God has elected you or not. 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:23.000 You don't need to wring your hands wondering 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.660 if you're part of the chosen people. 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:28.579 If the spirit's already doing that work in your heart, 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:30.480 place your trust in the risen Jesus 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:34.039 and know that God promises to receive all who come to him 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.720 and will never cast them out. 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.359 You see, 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.920 above the family of God, 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:42.440 it's as if there's this great sign 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:44.900 that reads to everyone, 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.279 come to me, 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:48.119 all you who labor and are heavy laden, 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.460 and I will give you rest. 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:52.240 That is the banner above the family of God, 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.759 the banner above the kingdom of God. 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.599 Come to me, 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.200 everyone, 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.440 and I will give you rest. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:58.279 Everyone is welcome to come. 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.000 But here's the wonder. 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:02.279 As you step through 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.799 and you turn around 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:06.039 and you read what the sign says on the back, 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.819 it says, 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:10.559 I've known you before the foundation of the world. 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.180 So friends, 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.079 don't let the mystery 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:17.140 and wonder of election 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:19.880 keep you from trusting in Christ. 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:22.500 Let it be one more incentive 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:25.000 to step into this love 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:27.460 that God has prepared before time 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:29.180 for those who believe. 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:32.720 So Peter wants us to see then 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.480 that our election, 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.420 being God's chosen people, 00:25:36.520 --> 00:25:38.800 is the work from beginning to end 00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:41.740 of Father and Spirit and Son. 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:44.020 So when trials come, 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:46.460 when opposition or slander 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:48.740 or malice are cast our way, 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.640 we respond actually 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:53.740 with deep humility 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:56.500 because we know 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:58.480 our sins are great. 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.799 We know we don't deserve 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.340 this wonderful grace 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.519 in which we stand. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.900 For we ourselves, 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.299 we were once foolish 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.799 and disobedient 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:10.200 and led astray 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:12.640 and slaves to various passions 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.200 and pleasures. 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.539 We passed our days 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.619 in malice and envy, 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.779 being hated by others 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.799 and hating one another. 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:20.039 But when the goodness 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.039 and loving kindness 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.659 of God our Savior appeared, 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.039 He saved us. 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.700 Not because of works 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.859 done by us in righteousness, 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:30.099 but according to His own mercy, 00:26:31.159 --> 00:26:33.180 by the washing of regeneration 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:35.059 and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.940 whom He poured out on us richly 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.940 through Jesus Christ our Savior, 00:26:40.859 --> 00:26:42.019 so that being justified 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.279 by His grace, 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:45.139 we might become heirs 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:46.059 according to the hope 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.920 of eternal life. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.599 That's the book of Titus. 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.619 So this is what Peter 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.639 wants us to know first. 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.200 When you face opposition, 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.900 when you face trials, 00:26:57.440 --> 00:27:00.059 remember that you're God's chosen, 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.700 beloved, 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.460 is elect. 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.359 But there's more. 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.440 Peter goes on to say 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:08.039 that we aren't just elect, 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:10.799 but we're also exiles. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.399 So if we're going to live rightly 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.259 in the face of trials, 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.079 if we're going to bless 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.740 instead of curse, 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.259 we have to know ourselves, 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:17.839 yes, 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:19.359 as the elect of the triune God, 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:21.240 but also as the exiles 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.399 of the triune God. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.379 Look again at verse 1. 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.759 Peter says this pretty clearly. 00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.980 To those who are elect, 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:28.440 exiles of the dispersion 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.680 in Pontus, Galatia, 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.960 Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:31.539 Okay, 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:33.019 so now this word dispersion 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:34.700 was literally used 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.440 in the first century 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.539 to talk about how 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.539 the Jewish people 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.579 had been dispersed 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.899 throughout the Roman Empire. 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.599 So the Jews who lived 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.720 outside of Palestine 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.519 were often called 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.180 the dispersion 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.960 or the diaspora. 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.339 But Peter here 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:49.980 is using the term metaphorically. 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.139 He's using it spiritually. 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:52.700 You see, 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:54.440 the New Testament people of God, 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.980 because we're at home with God 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:58.339 through his loving election, 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:01.359 we are now often strangers 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.240 in the world. 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:04.039 We're exiles, 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:06.559 living far from home 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.359 in what feels like 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.180 a foreign land. 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:10.859 You know, 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.899 I think half of our difficulty 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.819 when facing trials 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:14.879 is that we don't expect it. 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.980 We expect life 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.579 to be comfortable 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.319 or easy. 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.700 We expect things 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.599 to go our way. 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.759 But that's not 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.779 the New Testament picture. 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:25.859 You know, 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.440 we get upset 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.079 when we're misunderstood 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:27.960 for our faith 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.039 or we get discouraged 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.000 or we get tempted 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.460 to quit 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.500 when maybe our friends 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.019 are ridiculous 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.879 or our co-workers 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:34.680 say mean things about us 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.279 or whatever it is. 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.000 But Peter will say 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.400 in this letter, 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.680 look, 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.200 don't be surprised 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.519 when these things happen. 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.619 After all, 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.400 you're not home yet. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.480 You are strangers. 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:46.839 You're exiles. 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.779 You're pilgrims 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.339 of the heavenly city. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.259 Now imagine, 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:52.980 imagine if you, 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.839 if you moved 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.799 to a foreign country 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.440 and in that country 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:56.680 you, 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:56.960 you, 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.259 you would, 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.299 you spoke a different language, 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.420 you ate different foods, 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.700 you wore different clothes 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.500 and all of the people 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.480 of that place. 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.440 You know, 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.039 of course you wouldn't 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.660 be surprised 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.640 if the people 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.340 of that new country 00:29:06.340 --> 00:29:06.820 looked at you 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.360 a little funny, 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:07.680 right? 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.220 And maybe even 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.080 at times teased you 00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:11.240 or even ridiculed you. 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.200 You'd probably expect 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.860 that to happen 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.700 from time to time. 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.380 And you see, 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.019 Peter is saying, 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.700 that's going to be 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.279 somewhat true 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.820 of Christians 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:22.519 no matter where we live. 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.440 Whether you're 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.200 from Pontus 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.039 or Galatia 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.000 or Cappadocia 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.600 or Asia 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.320 or Bithynia 00:29:28.320 --> 00:29:29.220 or New Haven, 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.680 you're always 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.440 going to be 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.940 a bit of a stranger 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:34.740 in this fallen world. 00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:37.320 So expect it. 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:40.019 Don't try to live 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.160 for the approval 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:42.200 of your neighbors 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.420 or your friends 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.120 or your coworkers 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:45.220 because you'll never 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.340 ultimately get it. 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.360 We're always going 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:48.800 to be a little strange 00:29:48.800 --> 00:29:49.980 and a little different. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.539 Why? 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.620 Well, 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.840 because we know 00:29:55.840 --> 00:29:56.900 the saving love 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.740 of God, 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:58.180 the Father, 00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.560 Spirit, 00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.060 and Son. 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:00.560 The same reality 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:01.279 that makes us 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.900 God's beloved 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.640 chosen people 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:03.660 is the same reality 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.120 that makes us 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:05.039 exiles in the world 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.560 because now we live 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:07.519 not for the things 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.000 of this world 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.160 but for the triune God. 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.400 And that means 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.420 we simply can't live 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:11.960 like the world 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.539 any longer. 00:30:13.060 --> 00:30:13.720 So the way 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.860 that we approach things 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:16.140 like how we spend 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.640 our money 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.940 or sex 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:19.200 or how we use 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.820 our privilege 00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:21.220 or how we approach 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.680 marriage 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.320 or how we think 00:30:22.320 --> 00:30:23.080 about justice, 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:23.840 it's all going 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:24.420 to be shaped 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.200 by the reality 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.060 of the triune God 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.659 and his word. 00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:28.960 So there's always 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.639 going to be a bit 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:31.419 of an exile quality 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:32.359 to our life 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.059 in this world. 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:35.899 But 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:38.819 that doesn't mean 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:40.419 that we simply 00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:41.379 reject the world. 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.279 The world 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:45.039 may reject us 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.480 at times 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.700 but that's not 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.220 how we're meant 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.980 to live in return. 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:51.180 You see this language 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.620 of exile 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:52.460 that Peter is using 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.759 it's also an Old Testament 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.180 idea 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:54.880 just like 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:55.940 the idea of election. 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.660 God's people 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.240 in the Old Testament 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.720 you remember 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.620 ended up in exile. 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.779 For them 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.220 it was because 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.720 of their sin. 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.360 Because of their sin 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:03.180 God scattered them 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.880 among the nations 00:31:03.880 --> 00:31:04.819 carried them off 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.599 to captivity 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.059 in Babylon. 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.620 Now today 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.539 we aren't living 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.079 in this sort of 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.720 spiritual exile 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.660 because of our sin 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:12.099 but still 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.839 there's a parallel. 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.079 When God's Old Testament 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:16.160 people were in exile 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:17.360 how did he tell them 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:17.880 to live? 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.440 We read some 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:21.140 of those instructions 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:22.180 earlier in our service 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.120 from Jeremiah 29. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.299 The temptation 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.019 would have been 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:27.160 to just reject 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.880 their surroundings 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:29.180 and look out 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.740 for themselves. 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:32.079 But what does God say? 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.980 He says 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.839 put down roots 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:36.759 buy homes 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.039 raise families 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.720 and try to bless 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.160 the city 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.900 in which you live. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.660 Seek the peace 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.120 of the people 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.720 around you. 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.099 They won't 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:45.819 understand you. 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.299 They might ridicule you. 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.859 They might persecute you. 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.839 But this is your mission 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.440 in exile. 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:53.519 Be a new people 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.319 in the midst 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:54.839 of the old. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.720 Be a counterculture 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.480 of grace 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.359 in the midst 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:58.960 of a culture 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.419 obsessed with performance. 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.919 Be a people 00:32:01.919 --> 00:32:03.200 of the triune God 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.059 in the midst 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.639 of a world 00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:06.379 captivated by idols. 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:09.320 This is how Peter 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:10.360 puts it in chapter 2 00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:11.620 verses 11-12. 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:11.920 He says 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.340 Beloved, 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:13.120 I urge you 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.540 as sojourners 00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:15.160 and exiles 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:16.680 abstain from the passions 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.280 of the flesh 00:32:17.280 --> 00:32:18.120 which wage war 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:18.900 against your soul 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:20.640 and keep your conduct 00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.560 among the Gentiles 00:32:21.560 --> 00:32:22.160 honorable 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.640 so that even 00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:24.480 if they speak 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:24.960 against you 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.820 as evildoers 00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:26.920 they may see 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.640 your good deeds 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:29.220 and glorify God 00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:29.640 on the day 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.500 Christ returns. 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:33.920 So remembering 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:34.480 our identity 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.019 as exiles 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:36.059 is very important. 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:36.920 First, 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.740 so we're not surprised 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:39.200 when we experience trials 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.980 and second, 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.619 so we remember 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.039 our mission 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.460 but third, 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:41.900 it's important 00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:43.220 because in the biblical story 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.700 as Peter just alluded to 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.059 in that verse 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.680 I just read 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.740 in the biblical story 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.319 the exile 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.539 is not forever. 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:51.299 We're not always 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.079 going to be 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.720 strangers 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.759 and sojourners. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.420 Remember the story. 00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.259 In the Old Testament 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.180 God made a promise 00:32:59.180 --> 00:33:00.339 that after 70 years 00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:00.839 of exile 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.740 he would act 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.500 powerfully 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.599 and miraculously 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.659 to bring them home 00:33:04.659 --> 00:33:05.339 and indeed 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.119 that's exactly 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:07.000 what God did. 00:33:07.459 --> 00:33:08.619 The exile ends 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.720 and God's Old Testament 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.059 people, 00:33:10.179 --> 00:33:10.759 they go home 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:12.980 and that's true 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.559 for us. 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:15.059 God's New Testament 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:16.059 people as well 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:19.279 except this time 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:21.079 he's going to make 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:21.559 his glory 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.359 cover the earth 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:23.379 like the waters 00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:24.079 cover the sea. 00:33:24.959 --> 00:33:25.819 When the exile 00:33:25.819 --> 00:33:26.879 ends the second time 00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:27.179 around 00:33:27.179 --> 00:33:28.000 God's bringing 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.559 home 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.759 down to us 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.940 when Christ 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:31.579 returns 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:33.140 and he will 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:33.740 judge evil 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.259 and injustice 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.180 once and for all 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.200 and he will 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.839 remake this 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:38.140 broken creation 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:38.599 and make it 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:39.140 new again. 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.599 You see 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.319 to know yourself 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:44.640 as an exile 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:45.700 as a sojourner 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.700 as a pilgrim 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:48.299 is to live 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.759 in hope. 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.799 The trials 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.279 won't last 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:51.619 forever 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.940 the sufferings 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.700 won't endure 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:55.579 the ridicule 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.019 and slander 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.400 they're not 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:56.840 the last 00:33:56.840 --> 00:33:57.220 word. 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.140 This is what 00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.540 Peter will 00:33:59.540 --> 00:34:00.019 say in verse 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.420 three and 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.900 he'll say it 00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.960 over and over 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.560 again throughout 00:34:02.560 --> 00:34:03.140 this book. 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:03.920 This book 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.259 that just 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:05.080 resounds 00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:06.300 with hope. 00:34:07.540 --> 00:34:08.200 Look down 00:34:08.200 --> 00:34:08.500 at verse 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:08.840 three. 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.500 Blessed be 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:09.860 the God 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.240 and Father 00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:10.539 of our 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.960 Lord Jesus 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.480 Christ. 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.500 According 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:12.820 to his 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.480 great mercy 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.079 he's caused 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.440 us to be 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.059 born again 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:16.099 to a living 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.500 hope. 00:34:17.160 --> 00:34:17.500 Through the 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:17.920 resurrection 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.380 of Jesus 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:18.720 Christ 00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:19.039 from the 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.340 dead 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:20.280 to an 00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:20.720 inheritance 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:21.099 that is 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.940 imperishable 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:23.000 undefiled 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.720 unfading 00:34:23.720 --> 00:34:24.480 kept in 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:24.659 heaven 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.200 for you 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:26.360 who by 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:26.700 God's 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:27.179 power 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.780 are being 00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:28.099 guarded 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.360 through 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.740 faith 00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:29.720 for a 00:34:29.720 --> 00:34:30.079 salvation 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.539 ready to 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.059 be revealed 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:31.320 in the 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:31.980 last time. 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.260 So you 00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:35.579 see as 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:35.980 elect 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.559 exiles 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:36.860 of the 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.260 triune 00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:37.619 God 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:37.940 we are 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.320 people 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:38.820 above 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:39.220 all 00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:39.740 not 00:34:39.740 --> 00:34:40.000 just 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.179 of 00:34:40.179 --> 00:34:40.599 dignity 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:40.980 and 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.480 humility 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.079 not 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.280 just 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:42.440 of 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:42.840 purpose 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.119 and 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:43.480 mission 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:43.940 but 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.139 we're 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.280 a 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:44.500 people 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:44.700 of 00:34:44.700 --> 00:34:45.139 hope. 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.179 No 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:47.360 matter 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:47.679 what 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:48.039 trials 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.380 come 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:49.079 we have 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.539 this 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.260 unshakable 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:50.900 hope. 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:51.559 Why? 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.220 Because 00:34:53.220 --> 00:34:53.420 of 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:53.800 God 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.599 Father 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:55.240 Spirit 00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:55.880 Son 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:56.260 the 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:56.579 Father 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:56.780 who 00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:57.079 knew 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:57.360 us 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:57.720 before 00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:57.900 the 00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.159 worlds 00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.320 were 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.619 made 00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:58.980 the 00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.280 Spirit 00:34:59.280 --> 00:34:59.480 who 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.200 set 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:00.380 us 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:00.679 apart 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:00.900 by 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.079 his 00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:01.559 sanctifying 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:01.880 work 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.280 the 00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:02.519 Son 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:02.679 who 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:03.099 shed 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:03.300 his 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:03.500 own 00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:03.820 blood 00:35:03.820 --> 00:35:03.980 and 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.400 won 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:04.619 our 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:04.920 glad 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.380 obedience 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:05.920 this 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:06.099 is 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.260 the 00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:06.519 God 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:06.700 who 00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.079 keeps 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.360 and 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:07.920 guards 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.200 not 00:35:08.200 --> 00:35:08.400 just 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:08.559 our 00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.000 inheritance 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.500 but 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:09.920 us 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:12.059 remember 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.300 who 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:12.460 you 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:12.900 are 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.519 Peter 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:13.980 says 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:16.019 this 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.159 is 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.300 who 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:16.480 you 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:16.840 are 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.099 God's 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:18.559 beloved 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.539 chosen 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.220 elect 00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:20.679 people 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:21.099 yes 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.739 exiles 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:22.059 in the 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:22.480 world 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.799 but 00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:23.980 my 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.400 beloved 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.960 remember 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.159 who 00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:26.319 you 00:35:26.319 --> 00:35:26.659 are 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:28.099 so 00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.239 that 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:28.400 even 00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:28.599 when 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:28.719 the 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:28.920 world 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:29.199 gives 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.299 you 00:35:29.299 --> 00:35:29.460 its 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:29.819 worst 00:35:29.819 --> 00:35:30.440 you 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:30.619 can 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:30.900 turn 00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.079 and 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.440 bless 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.239 you 00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:32.420 can 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:32.739 turn 00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:32.940 and 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:33.139 seek 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:33.319 their 00:35:33.319 --> 00:35:33.679 peace 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.119 you 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.579 turn 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:34.759 and 00:35:34.759 --> 00:35:35.059 offer 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.319 them 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:35.500 the 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:35.819 same 00:35:35.819 --> 00:35:36.099 good 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:36.500 news 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.059 that 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:37.239 we 00:35:37.239 --> 00:35:37.379 have 00:35:37.379 --> 00:35:37.739 received 00:35:37.739 --> 00:35:37.919 the 00:35:37.919 --> 00:35:38.099 good 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.480 news 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:39.059 of 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.179 the 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:39.399 God 00:35:39.399 --> 00:35:39.599 who 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:39.980 loves 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.239 them 00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:41.659 and 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:41.799 who 00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:42.059 died 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:42.219 and 00:35:42.219 --> 00:35:42.379 rose 00:35:42.379 --> 00:35:42.719 again 00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:42.919 so 00:35:42.919 --> 00:35:43.059 that 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:43.239 they 00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:43.460 too 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:43.679 might 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:44.019 live 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:45.539 let's 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:45.679 pray 00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:46.059 together 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:50.320 our 00:35:50.320 --> 00:35:50.539 father 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:50.719 in 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:50.980 heaven 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:52.360 help 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:52.519 us 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:52.599 in 00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:52.719 the 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:52.940 coming 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.380 weeks 00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:54.779 to 00:35:54.779 --> 00:35:55.119 listen 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:55.340 to 00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:55.480 the 00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:55.820 apostles 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.239 words 00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:56.380 in 00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:56.559 this 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:56.860 book 00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:58.219 to 00:35:58.219 --> 00:35:58.599 believe 00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:58.779 and 00:35:58.779 --> 00:35:59.440 internalize 00:35:59.440 --> 00:35:59.559 them 00:35:59.559 --> 00:35:59.699 by 00:35:59.699 --> 00:35:59.880 your 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.259 spirit 00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:01.920 and 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.079 to 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.299 live 00:36:02.299 --> 00:36:02.719 renewed 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:03.360 lives 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:04.320 of 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:04.840 resilient 00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:05.440 hope 00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:05.820 and 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:06.299 love 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:06.539 and 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:06.980 holiness 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.279 through 00:36:07.279 --> 00:36:07.539 Jesus 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:07.960 Christ 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.159 our 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:08.480 Lord 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:10.940 we 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.219 ask 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:11.400 this 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:11.519 in 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:11.699 his 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.000 name 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.699 amen 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:18.119 ... 00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:34.639 ... 00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:36.539 ...