WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.919 In preparation for this morning, I found a podcast, granted I didn't listen to it, but 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:12.439 a podcast called Hope is a Verb. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:16.660 It seemed like a fairly prominent and popular podcast. 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:23.080 It was the first one that came up when I typed in hope into the search in my podcast app. 00:00:23.079 --> 00:00:29.339 And what was really interesting about it was it was a series of talks by, I'm presuming, 00:00:30.099 --> 00:00:38.659 key leaders in various fields who had the solution for something that seemed hopeless. 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:43.640 In one situation, it was the refugee crisis. 00:00:43.859 --> 00:00:46.859 In another situation, it was the climate. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:48.619 In another situation, it was the economy. 00:00:49.099 --> 00:00:50.500 In another situation, it was politics. 00:00:50.500 --> 00:00:53.340 Some of them were kind of a bit bizarre. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:55.079 It was on teaching birds how to fly. 00:00:55.480 --> 00:00:56.520 I didn't listen to it. 00:00:56.560 --> 00:00:56.980 I'm not sure. 00:00:57.600 --> 00:01:01.679 That might be a hopeless thing in some areas of the world. 00:01:02.460 --> 00:01:03.960 I'm not exactly sure. 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:13.060 But nevertheless, the podcast, Hope is a Verb, what was interesting in this podcast was that 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:21.060 it recognized that there was very big, insurmountable or seemingly insurmountable problems that had 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:21.640 to be fixed. 00:01:24.540 --> 00:01:26.200 Hopelessness was not an option. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:37.159 But hopelessness is something that we all go through, that we feel very acutely depression 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:38.659 at times. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:40.359 Maybe it's not at times. 00:01:40.459 --> 00:01:42.920 Maybe it's more frequent than we'd like to admit. 00:01:44.039 --> 00:01:49.719 What's interesting with this is that we live in, by far, the most affluent time in human 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:51.039 history for the most amount of people. 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:52.840 The most opportunities. 00:01:53.259 --> 00:01:56.079 The most monetary opportunities. 00:01:56.079 --> 00:02:01.900 To build ourselves up from nothing to something. 00:02:02.219 --> 00:02:04.640 To travel the world. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:06.939 To experience new things. 00:02:07.140 --> 00:02:11.840 There is no shortage of opportunity and experiences. 00:02:12.819 --> 00:02:21.699 And yet, even with all the opportunity to curate our own lives, we suffer from, collectively, 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:23.860 we suffer from hopelessness. 00:02:23.860 --> 00:02:28.260 I'll go a step further. 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:36.660 I would venture to guess that if I was to take a poll, that almost everybody, if not everybody 00:02:36.660 --> 00:02:44.240 in the room, has some kind of direct or a degree-removed connection to suicide. 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:51.860 The very thing that is, in a sense, the culmination or the end of hopelessness. 00:02:54.580 --> 00:02:56.040 We have to ask a question then. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:57.020 Why do we need hope? 00:02:57.980 --> 00:03:06.240 Why is hope such a very important, dear, critical thing for us, for humans, for people in 2024, 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:10.060 but people across the world, across time? 00:03:10.540 --> 00:03:11.680 Why do we need hope? 00:03:11.760 --> 00:03:16.020 And if we need it so dearly, what is the nature of such hope? 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:18.379 And how can we find an enduring hope? 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:25.379 Because surely, if hopelessness is something that is a huge, monumental problem, 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:33.879 we don't want to get a hope that lasts for a moment or a few months until hopelessness finds 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:35.359 its way back into our lives. 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:40.299 We want a hope that is not fragile but resilient, a hope that is enduring. 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:48.380 If you were away last week or if you're visiting this morning, we have begun a series in the first epistle 00:03:48.380 --> 00:03:50.900 or letter written by the Apostle Peter. 00:03:51.640 --> 00:04:00.520 It's a letter written to equip us as God's people to live as sojourners or exiles or resident aliens 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:02.840 in this world, in Ottawa. 00:04:03.920 --> 00:04:07.760 That call does not mean we are to live as people just passing through, 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:13.859 without care or concern with the situation or people or city around us, 00:04:13.899 --> 00:04:20.719 but rather we are called as sojourners to be people who work and strive to see the good news of the gospel 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:24.219 transform our city in small ways and large ways. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:32.920 As the grace and peace that is given to us in the gospel multiplies in our lives, 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:37.000 Peter tells us that we are then to extend it out. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:41.319 If you remember last week, we were only in two verses, verses 1 and 2, 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:43.779 and the end of verse 2 ended like this, 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:46.300 May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:49.240 So our section today, verses 3 to 12, 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:53.360 is in the original language one sentence, 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:59.899 and it explains and expands this idea of grace and peace being multiplied. 00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:05.299 And it loudly proclaims there is such a thing as unshakable hope, 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:09.500 anti-fragile hope, resilient hope, enduring hope. 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:15.439 And that hope is only found in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:19.919 This unshakable hope is expressed in three ways. 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:26.679 Peter maps it out in three kind of movements in our section in verses 3 to 12. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:29.660 The first is an imperishable inheritance. 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:33.160 The second is a joyful suffering. 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:37.980 And then finally, it's an eternal glory. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:41.920 An imperishable inheritance, a joyful suffering, 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:45.519 and an eternal glory. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:49.560 So first, an imperishable inheritance. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:51.479 A bit too much alliteration, I think. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:53.519 Verse 3 to 5. 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:54.379 Look with me. 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:58.579 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:00.659 I'll just pause here. 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:03.740 Remember, this is one sentence, verses 3 to 12, 00:06:04.299 --> 00:06:05.959 in the original language. 00:06:06.339 --> 00:06:08.019 I was saying to Christine last night, 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:10.740 before we were heading to bed, 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:13.639 that even though this is written in Greek, 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:16.620 it is written by Peter, who was a Jew. 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:19.480 And you almost get the sense that 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:24.800 his first century Semitism is coming out. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:25.699 It's bursting forth. 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:26.500 There's an excitement. 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:30.160 It's like he can't stop himself glorifying God. 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:31.699 It gets louder and louder and louder. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:33.519 I'm not going to read it that way. 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:37.719 But you get this sense, this idea, 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:39.519 that Peter is just jazzed. 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:41.819 He is jacked up. 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:43.479 This is a hopeful man. 00:06:43.599 --> 00:06:44.519 This is an excited man. 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:48.899 This is a man that knows, has seen Christ, 00:06:49.039 --> 00:06:50.419 and it's bursting out of him. 00:06:51.719 --> 00:06:54.500 So I'm going to read it in a regular tone. 00:06:55.219 --> 00:06:59.359 But hear this excitement and joy 00:06:59.359 --> 00:07:01.279 that Peter is writing with. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:05.299 Blessed be the God and Father 00:07:05.299 --> 00:07:06.719 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:08.659 According to his great mercy, 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:10.399 he has caused us to be born again 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:11.259 to a living hope 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:13.500 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.059 from the dead, 00:07:14.679 --> 00:07:16.919 to an inheritance that is imperishable, 00:07:17.539 --> 00:07:18.979 undefiled and unfading, 00:07:19.559 --> 00:07:20.699 kept in heaven for you, 00:07:21.339 --> 00:07:23.279 who by God's power are being guarded 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.979 through faith for a salvation 00:07:24.979 --> 00:07:28.479 ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:33.640 Peter continues his allusions 00:07:33.640 --> 00:07:34.640 to the Old Testament 00:07:34.640 --> 00:07:36.640 when he uses this term inheritance. 00:07:37.080 --> 00:07:39.400 Last week, we took a look 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:40.720 in verses 1 and 2 00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:42.660 about how Peter is, 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:45.220 he's using Old Testament terms 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:46.780 that we could double-click 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:49.020 or think of them as, 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:50.980 they have a hyperlink on them 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:52.240 and that if we were to click it, 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:54.420 we would see a whole page 00:07:54.420 --> 00:07:57.220 with Bible verses 00:07:57.220 --> 00:07:59.759 pointing to various stories 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:00.600 in the scriptures. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.439 So in verse 1, for instance, 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:05.900 Peter is talking about 00:08:05.900 --> 00:08:07.639 the elect exiles of the dispersion. 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:08.400 We found out that 00:08:08.400 --> 00:08:10.100 he is really referring back 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:13.840 to this time in Israel's history 00:08:13.840 --> 00:08:15.180 where they were scattered 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:17.199 across the known world 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:18.759 because of their unfaithfulness 00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:19.420 with God. 00:08:19.420 --> 00:08:21.900 A couple other allusions 00:08:21.900 --> 00:08:22.840 that I won't get into, 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:24.660 but he's doing the same thing 00:08:24.660 --> 00:08:25.680 in the text today. 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:27.360 And he is doing that 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:28.520 with the term inheritance. 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:30.460 What do I mean? 00:08:31.400 --> 00:08:32.740 God promised the Israelites 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:33.860 the land of Canaan, 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:35.740 which would be the land of Israel, 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:36.580 as an inheritance 00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:39.580 with a lasting right to ownership. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:40.399 He promised them. 00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:42.159 It goes back to Abraham 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:43.300 in Genesis 13 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:44.839 and it continues on 00:08:44.839 --> 00:08:47.099 in the story of Abraham 00:08:47.099 --> 00:08:48.859 and the story of Israel 00:08:48.859 --> 00:08:50.000 all throughout Genesis, 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:51.199 all throughout the Old Testament. 00:08:51.859 --> 00:08:52.599 It was a promise 00:08:52.599 --> 00:08:54.679 that Israel gripped tight 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:55.439 as they wandered 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:56.159 through the desert 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.539 after God saved them 00:08:57.539 --> 00:08:58.859 from Egyptian slavery, 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:00.359 that they were going 00:09:00.359 --> 00:09:02.339 into the promised land. 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.139 It was theirs. 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:04.339 They had a home, 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:05.039 but really, 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:07.199 God was not just giving them 00:09:07.199 --> 00:09:09.979 a physical place to live. 00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:12.100 He was giving them Himself. 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:14.180 That yes, 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:15.200 they had an inheritance 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:15.980 of the land, 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:16.920 but really it was 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:18.019 the inheritance 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:20.139 that God would be their God 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:22.820 and that they would be His people 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:24.100 and that there was 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:27.240 this dynamic covenant friendship, 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:28.940 love, relationship 00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:29.899 that's described 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:32.000 in some ways as a father 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:32.820 to a son, 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:34.060 as in other ways 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:35.940 like a husband to a wife, 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:39.200 but this deep personal connection 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:42.300 and that was Israel's inheritance. 00:09:44.280 --> 00:09:46.480 However, Israel neglected that. 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:47.620 They forgot that. 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:48.400 They saw the land 00:09:48.400 --> 00:09:49.480 as the inheritance alone. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:50.620 The land's important. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:52.379 We're not going to get into the land 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:53.520 this morning, 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:56.820 but the inheritance given to Israel 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.800 from their perspective 00:09:58.800 --> 00:09:59.460 was the land 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:01.220 and they forgot about God. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:03.160 They forgot about their true inheritance 00:10:03.160 --> 00:10:05.780 and so their inheritance, 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:07.860 the land of Israel, 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.440 Israel was destroyed, 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:10.379 was defiled, 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:11.000 and faded. 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:14.600 Not because God's promises 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.200 were shaky, 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:16.080 but because Israel 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:17.039 was unfaithful 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:18.379 to what their inheritance 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.060 pointed to, 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:20.139 which was God Himself. 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:23.460 So God gave them over 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:24.700 to their enemies. 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:28.480 Reveal something very tragic 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:29.419 about human nature. 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:34.579 We desire life 00:10:34.579 --> 00:10:36.860 and life abundantly, 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:38.519 but we are fine 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:40.039 to not have the life giver. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:43.479 We desire a utopia, 00:10:43.979 --> 00:10:45.819 a heavenly existence, 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.879 but not the purity 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.059 and righteousness needed 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:51.319 to enter into 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:54.039 such a blessed state. 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.360 We want a kingdom 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:58.860 that is strong and mighty, 00:10:58.860 --> 00:10:59.759 but we're fine 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:01.080 to not have the king. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:05.320 We have visions 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:06.360 of a heavenly life, 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:09.419 but we want to define 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.120 sainthood. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:13.560 We do not bring 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:14.480 the culture of heaven 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:14.940 to earth, 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:16.700 rather we try to baptize 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.639 the culture of earth 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.940 to seem heavenly, 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:19.539 and friends, 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.659 such things 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:21.840 cannot be done. 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:24.960 In short, 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:27.160 we do not want 00:11:27.160 --> 00:11:28.680 to submit our lives 00:11:28.680 --> 00:11:30.340 to our maker. 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:30.780 Rather, 00:11:30.920 --> 00:11:31.899 we want to become 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.120 the creator 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:33.700 and maker 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.440 and king 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:35.840 and God Himself. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.340 Peter makes it 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:39.220 very clear 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:40.320 that if we are 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.280 to live faithfully 00:11:41.280 --> 00:11:43.000 in Ottawa, 00:11:43.280 --> 00:11:44.220 we must understand 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:45.540 that we are sojourners 00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:47.160 and resident aliens, 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.580 that we will live 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.080 as people 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:50.180 with a different 00:11:50.180 --> 00:11:51.180 value system 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:51.779 because we have 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:52.359 an inheritance 00:11:52.359 --> 00:11:53.919 of God Himself. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.259 We bend our knee 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:57.379 to the life giver, 00:11:57.459 --> 00:11:58.179 the perfect one, 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:59.039 the heavenly Father, 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:00.479 the King of heaven 00:12:00.479 --> 00:12:00.979 and earth. 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.299 To do otherwise 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.559 is to fall 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:05.719 into the same 00:12:05.719 --> 00:12:07.579 sinful problems 00:12:07.579 --> 00:12:08.559 that Israel did. 00:12:10.339 --> 00:12:10.859 Unfaithfulness 00:12:10.859 --> 00:12:11.659 to our God. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:13.359 Remember, 00:12:13.459 --> 00:12:13.959 Israel failed 00:12:13.959 --> 00:12:15.099 to do this, 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:16.079 to recognize God 00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:17.339 as their true inheritance 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:18.720 because they put 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.240 their hope 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:21.120 in and saw 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.759 their inheritance 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:24.120 in the gift 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.879 and not the giver. 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:28.360 Peter is telling us 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.420 that our living hope 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:31.360 is on the basis 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.259 of the resurrection 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.440 of Christ Himself. 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.820 Christ who rose 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:36.560 from the dead 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:38.420 and nothing else. 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:40.700 When we become 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.240 Christians 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:42.320 through faith 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:43.320 in the risen Messiah, 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.759 we become united 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:45.439 to Christ. 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:46.840 We become a part 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:48.100 of His mystical body, 00:12:48.819 --> 00:12:49.439 the church, 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:51.039 but in a very, 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:53.360 very, very real way, 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.600 a part of Him. 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:56.360 We become united 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.059 to Christ. 00:12:57.059 --> 00:13:01.839 so much so 00:13:01.839 --> 00:13:02.500 that the Scriptures 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.839 say that His destiny 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:04.739 becomes ours, 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.059 that the glory 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:07.019 that He enjoys 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:08.199 we get to share in. 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:10.339 We become 00:13:10.339 --> 00:13:12.759 people that get 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.319 to enter 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.299 into His presence 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:14.739 forever. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:16.759 He rises 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.599 from the grave 00:13:17.599 --> 00:13:18.379 so that death 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:18.919 doesn't have 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:19.659 the final word. 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:20.439 The Scriptures 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.359 say so will we. 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.479 He sits 00:13:23.479 --> 00:13:24.399 at the right hand 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.359 of the Father 00:13:25.359 --> 00:13:26.319 forever to, 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.840 forever enjoying 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:28.420 the fellowship 00:13:28.420 --> 00:13:29.160 and presence 00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:30.500 of the one true God. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:31.480 So do we. 00:13:32.900 --> 00:13:33.740 Because Christ 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.460 has done this 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.140 and because we are 00:13:35.140 --> 00:13:35.840 united to Him, 00:13:36.280 --> 00:13:37.040 we can be sure 00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:38.100 that we will enjoy 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:39.140 this as well. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.340 So then, 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:41.140 our inheritance 00:13:41.140 --> 00:13:43.420 is never the things 00:13:43.420 --> 00:13:46.420 that God gives us, 00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:47.180 the blessings 00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:47.820 in this life, 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.320 although they are 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:48.980 very important 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:49.720 and not to be 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:51.180 discarded or ignored. 00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:54.340 But our true inheritance 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:55.520 is Jesus Himself. 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.840 And everything He gives us 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:59.080 is to help us 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:00.420 to understand 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:01.960 His love towards us 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:02.520 and understand 00:14:02.520 --> 00:14:04.040 that He is equipping us 00:14:04.040 --> 00:14:04.920 and building us up 00:14:04.920 --> 00:14:05.540 to do the things 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.360 that He's called us 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.080 to do. 00:14:07.520 --> 00:14:08.520 So our inheritance 00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:11.160 is not in things 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:12.720 that can be defiled, 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.760 not in things 00:14:14.760 --> 00:14:15.460 that can perish 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:16.660 or things that can fade, 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:19.360 but in the one true living, 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.560 ever powerful, 00:14:20.880 --> 00:14:22.060 always strong, 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:25.099 victory is His forever God. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.799 And that means 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:29.059 our inheritance, 00:14:29.859 --> 00:14:31.839 we can be sure, 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:33.239 will never perish, 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.919 will never be defiled, 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.819 will never fade. 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:39.500 So all of a sudden, 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:41.299 if our hope is in that God, 00:14:41.979 --> 00:14:43.439 our hope isn't subject 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:44.819 to the whims 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:45.639 and fortunes 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.299 of this world. 00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:50.259 It is foundational 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:52.179 that we understand 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:53.519 that our hope, 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:54.639 if it's in Christ, 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.459 is rock solid. 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:00.699 It's an inheritance 00:15:00.699 --> 00:15:03.079 that is imperishable. 00:15:04.219 --> 00:15:05.120 And it's in the future, 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:06.419 and it's kept for us 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:09.179 to enjoy now in part, 00:15:09.339 --> 00:15:11.439 but it's kept in the future 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:12.639 for when Christ returns. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.840 It says this 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:15.240 in verses 5 and 6. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.519 Who by God's power 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.340 are being guarded 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:21.519 through faith 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.319 for salvation, 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.480 ready to be revealed 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:24.779 in the last time. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.039 We have a true 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.519 and future inheritance, 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:36.100 for we have Christ Jesus, 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.539 and He gives us 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:39.139 His indwelling Holy Spirit 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.899 and the ongoing gift 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:42.139 of active faith 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.819 in our lives. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:44.620 And that's the bit 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.899 we see in verse 5 here. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.139 So that our inheritance 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.039 is guarded 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.500 through faith. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.360 That is, 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.539 God gives us 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:54.279 strength to believe in Him 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.299 and to trust in Him 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.899 so that we will endure. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.220 So it's not that 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.519 God just saves us 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:01.079 so that we can trip up 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:03.299 and fail 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:05.240 and lose our salvation 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:07.039 and constantly try 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.000 to get it back 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.600 and lose it 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.279 and get it back 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:09.819 and lose it. 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.379 But God, 00:16:10.760 --> 00:16:11.780 if we are truly His, 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.879 if we are truly in Christ, 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.000 He empowers us 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.320 with His Holy Spirit 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.480 and with the gift of faith 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.740 to trust in Him 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.720 that we will 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:21.120 inherit the things 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.060 that are kept for us 00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.960 in the future. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.440 And this faith, 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:28.260 how does He help us? 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.360 How does He grow our faith? 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.820 How does He bolster our faith? 00:16:32.260 --> 00:16:33.220 All too often, 00:16:33.400 --> 00:16:34.320 it is through trials 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:34.960 and suffering. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:37.400 And it seems more bleak 00:16:37.400 --> 00:16:38.060 than hopeful, 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.000 but believe me, 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:42.940 this suffering 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:43.920 and the trials 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:45.180 that God uses 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:46.720 to strengthen our faith, 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.820 it doesn't lead to despair 00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:49.820 but to true joy. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.460 And this brings us 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:52.400 to our next point, 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:54.460 a joyful suffering. 00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.860 Verses 6 to 9. 00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:57.160 Look with me. 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.900 Starting in verse 6. 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:01.600 In this you rejoice, 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.059 though now for a little while 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:03.879 if necessary, 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.779 you have been grieved 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.839 by various trials, 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.379 so that the tested 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.940 genuineness of your faith 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.139 more precious than gold 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:12.299 that perishes 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.819 though it is tested by fire 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.019 may be found 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.900 to result in praise 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.160 and glory 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:18.220 and honor 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.039 at the revelation 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.220 of Jesus Christ. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:22.139 Though you have not seen Him, 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.759 you love Him. 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.220 Though you do not 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.420 now see Him, 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.319 you believe in Him 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:28.240 and rejoice with joy 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.740 that is inexpressible 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.839 and filled with glory 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.399 obtaining 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:33.159 the outcome of your faith, 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.599 the salvation 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.980 of your souls. 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:39.019 If being in Christ 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:40.079 is so great 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.399 and our inheritance 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.939 of heaven 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:44.099 can be experienced 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:45.019 in part now, 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.179 here on earth, 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.919 why are we subject 00:17:49.919 --> 00:17:51.000 to such suffering? 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:51.980 Why? 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.939 How is this coherent 00:17:53.939 --> 00:17:55.460 with an unshakable hope? 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:57.100 let alone a joy 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.400 that is inexpressible. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:00.920 If you have suffered 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.620 in a real way, 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.539 whether it's a loss 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.180 of somebody, 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.900 whether it is persecution 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:07.039 for doing something 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:09.440 that God has called you 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.039 to do, 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.059 if you have suffered, 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.960 it is hard 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:16.000 to feel joyful. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.480 It is hard 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:19.579 to be excited, 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:20.600 to think about, 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:20.920 man, 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.500 this is a really 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.440 hopeful situation. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:24.700 often times 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.019 we try to 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.160 avoid 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.019 and forget 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.120 or move on 00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:30.299 as quickly as possible 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:31.299 from our suffering 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.500 and our trials 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.039 and yet, 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.059 Peter here is saying, 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.420 listen, 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:36.460 with the trials 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.340 comes joy, 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:40.140 comes inexpressible joy 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:41.240 and it is 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.860 something that is 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:44.080 a part of this 00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:45.500 unbreakable hope 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.100 that is yours 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:46.600 in Jesus. 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:46.759 Jesus. 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:51.059 Our faith is in Christ. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.099 He is our Savior. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:52.899 He is our Lord. 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.119 We are saved by Him, 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.159 through Him, 00:18:55.219 --> 00:18:55.980 and for Him. 00:18:56.659 --> 00:18:57.539 He is the object 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.439 of our faith. 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.619 But how do we know 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.339 that we are really 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.159 trusting Him? 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.899 How do we know 00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:05.759 if our faith 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.980 isn't really 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.439 in something else? 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.259 You see, 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.039 adversities have 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.599 a very profound 00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:15.339 way of making 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.659 our faith known 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.980 as legitimate 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.919 or illegitimate. 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.459 For it shakes 00:19:20.459 --> 00:19:21.539 all that can be shaken 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.500 so that the things 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:24.139 that cannot be shaken 00:19:24.139 --> 00:19:24.699 may remain. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.539 This is the end 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:27.179 of Hebrews 12, 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:29.419 the wonderful chapter 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.659 in Hebrews 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.339 on faith. 00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:34.480 Trials and sufferings 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:36.019 are ways of testing 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.799 the sturdiness 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.199 and the trustworthiness 00:19:38.199 --> 00:19:38.799 of things. 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.139 An earthquake 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:41.439 shakes the very foundation 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:42.259 of a structure, 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.839 but if that structure 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.519 is integral 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.319 and strong, 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:46.579 it will hold. 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.579 Some of you 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.099 who have been 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:49.720 with us 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.519 from the very beginning 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.159 of the church plan, 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.619 you'll remember 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.559 Sean and Amy Turner. 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:54.099 They were with us 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.699 for a season. 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:56.519 Sean was a padre 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.339 in the armed forces 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:58.459 and also a pastor. 00:19:58.919 --> 00:19:59.759 They left to 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.639 pastor a church 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:02.240 in West Guilford, 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:04.000 which is in the Muskokas. 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.720 Lovely couple. 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:08.039 But one of the things, 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.679 Sean, 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:09.799 who is a padre, 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:13.039 he did a tour, 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.779 a humanitarian tour 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.299 in Haiti 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.759 after the earthquake. 00:20:17.899 --> 00:20:18.720 And he saw 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.440 how 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:22.119 the buildings 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:22.720 were essentially, 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.379 he described them 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.119 as paper mache. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:27.220 They had no foundation. 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.359 They were rickety. 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.119 They were made 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.359 with very, 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.899 very poor quality materials. 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:33.059 And when the earthquake 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.919 hit, 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:36.259 everything crumbled. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.720 And people died. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.420 A lot of people died. 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.960 And that really 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.940 shook Sean up. 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.539 He struggled 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.279 with seeing 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:47.619 the lack of care 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:50.259 for human life. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:50.640 I mean, 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.539 part of it is 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.879 Haiti's absolutely 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.519 dirt poor. 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.180 But nevertheless, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.440 these paper mache 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.180 homes 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:58.900 just crumbled 00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.519 as soon as 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.240 adversity came 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.960 and as soon as 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.720 these earthquakes 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.619 shook them up. 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:06.979 You see, 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.799 if we put our faith 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.899 in fragile things, 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:09.639 even though they 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.379 appear sturdy, 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:13.559 soon as trials come, 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:14.779 the things that we 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.719 have put our hope 00:21:15.719 --> 00:21:17.359 in will fail us 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.479 and we will be 00:21:18.479 --> 00:21:19.219 left wanting. 00:21:20.699 --> 00:21:21.599 We will be 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.519 searching and 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.319 grasping for 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.119 something that 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:24.500 will give us 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.019 stability. 00:21:27.199 --> 00:21:28.139 And we might 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.939 find stability 00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.559 in something that 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.479 might be just 00:21:30.479 --> 00:21:31.719 a degree or two 00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:32.539 stronger than the 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.039 thing that just 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.339 crumbled, 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.519 but is bound 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.119 to crumble 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.099 with the next 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:36.859 trial and 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.339 temptation. 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.139 The question 00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:42.539 that Peter 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.319 asks us 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.199 is, 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:44.599 what is your 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:44.980 hope in? 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.819 What is your 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.279 hope in? 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.819 What is my 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.319 hope in? 00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:49.779 But really, 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.399 the question is, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.059 who is your 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.439 hope in? 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.139 Christ wants 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:55.819 to purify 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.459 your faith 00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:57.480 because it is 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.779 the gift 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.299 that he has 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.519 given you 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.159 so that you 00:22:01.159 --> 00:22:01.879 will trust in 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:02.119 him, 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:02.519 that you 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.259 will endure 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.019 so that you 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.799 will receive 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.799 your inheritance 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.339 that is 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.139 imperishable. 00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:10.839 So what 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.379 does he do? 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.379 He allows 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.159 trials and 00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:14.099 sufferings and 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:16.179 temptations to 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:17.399 happen in your 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:17.939 lives, 00:22:18.459 --> 00:22:21.039 not to punish 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.779 you or to 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.359 hurt you, 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.679 but to purify 00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:24.119 you, 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:26.879 to show you 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.899 that this area 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.459 is weak. 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:30.799 so come to 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:30.960 me. 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:32.880 You're trusting 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.880 in your 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.140 money, 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:36.460 so we're 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:36.600 going to 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.740 have you 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.559 struggle with 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.900 finances for 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.340 a season, 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.920 so you can 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.579 trust in me. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.579 You are 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.420 putting all 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.740 of your 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.880 hope in 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.720 your family, 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.319 this is your 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.079 prized possession, 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.799 even over 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.220 Christ. 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:53.180 Tragedy hits 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.100 or a struggle 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.620 happens, 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.440 and you 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.160 realize that 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.560 my faith is 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.180 not in 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.600 Christ, 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.160 so he 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.940 helps us. 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.299 And it's 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.700 not some 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.420 sadistic 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.480 God who 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:02.960 is trying 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.460 to punish 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:04.900 you, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.539 but he 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.019 wants to 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.799 purify you 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.279 and help 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.560 you. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.240 Why? 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.060 So that you 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:09.500 will have 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.039 joy. 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.840 Because even 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.420 the best 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.039 gifts in 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.640 this life, 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.460 if they are 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.380 treated as if 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.080 they are the 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:16.759 gift giver 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.680 themselves, 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.920 will not bring 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.740 us complete 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.420 and ultimate 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.480 and godly 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:21.920 joy. 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.580 And they 00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:24.100 will not 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:25.480 stand up 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:25.940 under the 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.759 trials and 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.300 the adversity 00:23:27.300 --> 00:23:27.920 of life. 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.300 Our 00:23:31.300 --> 00:23:31.980 suffering is 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.340 turned to 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:32.860 joy because 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.539 our faith is 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:33.980 put in the 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.759 rock-solid 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.220 truth of 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.740 the Savior 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.320 who, for 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:38.039 the joy set 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.660 before him, 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.180 endured the 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.640 cross. 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:41.220 We read in 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.620 Philippians 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.279 chapter 2, 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.340 for our 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.560 salvation he 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:45.460 endured the 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.900 cross. 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:46.740 Why? 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.240 Because he 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.100 loves us. 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.880 He took 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.560 upon himself 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:51.660 our punishment 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.779 so that we 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.140 wouldn't have 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:54.100 to taste it. 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:55.000 And that 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.960 love to us, 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:56.660 expressed in 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.240 the joy of 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.640 laying down 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.180 his life, 00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.320 will result 00:23:59.320 --> 00:23:59.840 in our 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.860 joy as 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.480 we then 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.140 suffer for 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:02.380 him. 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.279 That he 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.660 has bought 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.500 our lives 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.800 at the 00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:06.680 expense of 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.300 his very 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:07.720 life, 00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:08.120 at the 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.680 expense of 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.220 his spilt 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.640 blood. 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:10.860 So then 00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:11.620 we are 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.039 his, 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:12.700 and when 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.420 we suffer 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.460 rightly for 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.980 Christ, 00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:16.360 this is not 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:16.860 to get in 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.340 his good 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:17.840 graces, 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:19.099 but it's 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:20.779 of course 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.319 to purify 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.000 our faith, 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:22.779 but it's 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.220 also, 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:24.379 also in 00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:24.759 addition to 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:24.959 that, 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.759 a tribute 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.319 to him. 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:28.839 What gift 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.240 can we 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.839 give God 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.720 that he 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.019 doesn't 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.599 already have? 00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.099 The answer 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.500 is nothing, 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:32.919 but what do 00:24:32.919 --> 00:24:33.220 we give 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.379 him? 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:33.679 We give 00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:33.819 him 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.279 ourselves. 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.240 We say 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.879 thank you 00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.759 Lord for 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.039 what you 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.519 have done. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:40.899 I am 00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.419 your servant, 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:41.799 I am 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.019 here. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.059 I am 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.079 here. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:46.240 Our 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.779 faith is 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.099 proven 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.579 true, 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:48.220 and it 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.960 is refined 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.659 as we 00:24:50.659 --> 00:24:51.419 suffer 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:52.119 rightly 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.460 for 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.819 Christ, 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:53.319 resulting 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.720 in our 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.399 love of 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:54.679 him, 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:55.399 and the 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:55.699 eternal 00:24:55.699 --> 00:24:56.359 joy that 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:56.799 he gives 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.039 us, 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.779 even though 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.579 we have 00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.039 yet to 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.439 see him. 00:24:59.460 --> 00:24:59.779 And that's 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.099 the bit 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.059 here in 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:01.319 verses 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:03.619 8 and 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:03.859 9. 00:25:03.939 --> 00:25:04.139 Though you 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:04.500 have not 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.019 seen him, 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.500 you love 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:05.759 him. 00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:06.480 Though you 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:06.899 do not 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.539 now see 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:07.699 him, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.199 you believe 00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:08.500 in him 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.079 and rejoice 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.240 with joy 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.619 that is 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:11.419 inexpressible 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:11.880 and filled 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.460 with glory, 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.800 we can 00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:14.300 be sure 00:25:14.300 --> 00:25:14.660 that we 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.259 will obtain 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.880 the outcome 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.279 of our 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.680 faith, 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.720 especially 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.140 as it 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.640 is God 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.039 who gives 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.380 us the 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.700 faith, 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:20.560 and God 00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:20.860 who is 00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:21.300 refining 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:21.640 us in 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.100 that faith, 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.100 and the 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:23.700 promise is 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.200 salvation 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.759 of our 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.220 souls. 00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:27.960 That is 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.279 the goal 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.539 of our 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:28.759 faith, 00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.060 that we 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:29.580 would trust 00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:29.860 in the 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.140 one who 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.539 laid down 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:30.960 his life 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.400 for us 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.400 and kept 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:32.580 our 00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.300 unshakable 00:25:33.300 --> 00:25:33.720 inheritance 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.259 for us 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.580 to the 00:25:34.580 --> 00:25:35.080 end of 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.620 the age. 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.300 And that 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:37.820 does something 00:25:37.820 --> 00:25:38.480 remarkable, 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.259 something that 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.460 is 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:42.380 not 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.460 found 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.200 in our 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.500 best 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.059 thought 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.420 leaders, 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.360 our best 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:48.039 gurus, 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.620 our best 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.480 philosophies, 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.980 that takes 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.220 our 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.500 suffering 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.759 and makes 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.519 it not 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.380 suffering 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.500 so that 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.200 the end 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.680 of suffering 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.240 is suffering 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:00.880 and death, 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.440 but rather 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.140 that it 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:02.799 transforms 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.799 suffering 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.360 into glory. 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.720 It means 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.319 that suffering 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.059 is no longer 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.920 vain if we 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.420 suffer for 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:09.779 Christ. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.539 It will 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.100 result in 00:26:12.100 --> 00:26:12.660 something 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:14.940 incredible, 00:26:15.060 --> 00:26:15.560 the salvation 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:15.900 of our 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.180 souls. 00:26:16.300 --> 00:26:16.900 So how 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.180 will that 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.539 come to 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:17.779 be? 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:19.519 Through the 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.980 suffering of 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.620 Christ himself 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.060 that would 00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:21.700 lead to his 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.460 eternal glory. 00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:23.279 This is the 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.860 final point. 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.259 Look with 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.240 me at 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.460 our 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.060 unshakable 00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.900 hope in 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.440 verses 10 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:27.960 to 12. 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.340 Concerning 00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:31.039 this salvation, 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.000 the prophets 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.880 who prophesied 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.320 about the 00:26:33.320 --> 00:26:33.860 grace that 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.660 was to be 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.620 yours searched 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.200 and inquired 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.680 carefully, 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.180 inquiring what 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:38.880 person or 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.600 time the 00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:40.160 spirit of 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.680 Christ in 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.100 them was 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:42.420 indicating when 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:42.960 he predicted 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.759 the sufferings 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.440 of Christ and 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.060 the subsequent 00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:45.620 glories. 00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.259 It was revealed 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.019 to them that 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.519 they were 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.299 serving not 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.299 themselves, 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.200 but you, 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.259 that is us, 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.460 in the things 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:56.779 that have now 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.720 been announced 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.880 to you through 00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.380 those who 00:26:59.380 --> 00:26:59.820 preach the 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.340 good news to 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:00.720 you by the 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.400 Holy Spirit 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.279 sent from 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.480 heaven, 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.240 things into 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.440 which angels 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.440 long to 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:05.700 look. 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.480 this passage 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.039 tells us 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.440 that the 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.120 entirety of 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.759 scripture points 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.240 to Christ, 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.319 all of it. 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.559 All of 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.960 scripture points 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.720 to Jesus, 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.240 the Old 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.720 Testament, 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.180 the writings, 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:20.600 the law, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.539 the prophets, 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.720 all find 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.319 their promise 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.360 in the 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:25.799 fulfillment 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:28.900 in the 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.460 gospel of 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:29.759 Christ, 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.140 which is 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.480 God's 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.880 glory. 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.220 But if 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.819 you notice 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.680 that here 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.160 in verse 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.460 10 and 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.019 11, 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:41.420 suffering 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.900 has to 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.560 precede 00:27:42.560 --> 00:27:42.940 glory, 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.620 that there 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:44.980 is no 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.759 glory without 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.320 suffering. 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:50.019 There is 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.420 no other 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:50.700 way. 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.360 In a few 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:51.660 months, 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:52.920 most of 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.200 us, 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.920 I think, 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.100 will tune 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:55.779 in to the 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.299 Olympics in 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.640 Paris, 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:57.680 and we 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.240 will see 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.799 unbelievable 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.820 athletes that 00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:01.720 have given 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.460 their lives 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:02.860 to their 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:03.360 craft, 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:05.059 and some 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.119 will stand 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.619 upon the 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:06.919 podium, 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.619 hopefully 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.359 they're 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.240 singing 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:09.719 O Canada 00:28:09.719 --> 00:28:10.479 with the 00:28:10.479 --> 00:28:11.099 gold around 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.519 their neck, 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:15.339 and they 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.859 will receive 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.259 glory, 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.000 but none 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.299 of them 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.899 that receive 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.479 that glory 00:28:18.479 --> 00:28:19.539 will be on 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.019 the podium 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.219 without going 00:28:21.219 --> 00:28:22.339 through suffering 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.259 beforehand, 00:28:24.719 --> 00:28:25.759 inflicting 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.359 upon their 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.619 body pain 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:29.059 two a days, 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:29.719 maybe three 00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:30.319 a days, 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.539 a hardcore 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.379 diet, 00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.819 aching 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.599 muscles, 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.220 treatments, 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.279 all for 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.579 what? 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.379 For glory. 00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:43.179 Regardless 00:28:43.179 --> 00:28:43.799 of what it 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.259 is, 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:46.000 glory does 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.500 not precede 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:47.960 suffering. 00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:48.480 Suffering 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.039 precedes 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.379 glory. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.439 This is a 00:28:53.439 --> 00:28:54.419 very good 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:54.980 corrective for 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.220 us. 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.939 We live in 00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:57.619 an instant 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.200 gratification 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.599 culture. 00:28:58.599 --> 00:29:00.319 it demands 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:00.919 glory without 00:29:00.919 --> 00:29:01.679 sacrifice and 00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:01.879 pain. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.079 We don't 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.259 want to 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.500 wait. 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:04.639 We don't 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:04.799 want to 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.599 work super 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:05.959 hard, 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.539 or if we 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.359 work super 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.740 hard, 00:29:07.959 --> 00:29:08.779 we better 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:10.039 get what 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:11.019 we deserve. 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.099 But by 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.480 and large, 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:15.099 we avoid 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.980 sacrifice and 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.199 pain. 00:29:17.959 --> 00:29:18.819 And yet, 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.459 the scripture 00:29:19.459 --> 00:29:20.480 tells us that 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.139 the entirety of 00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:21.339 the Old 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.079 Testament points 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.639 to Jesus 00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:25.159 and his 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:25.599 glory, 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:25.639 glory, 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.379 but that 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:27.659 there is 00:29:27.659 --> 00:29:28.419 no possible 00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:29.639 way for 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.159 him to 00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:32.439 enjoy his 00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:33.059 glory without 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.939 sacrifice. 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.199 That means 00:29:37.199 --> 00:29:37.879 there is no 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.859 possible way 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.319 for us to 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:39.619 be made 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.099 right with 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.439 God, 00:29:41.399 --> 00:29:41.779 to have 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.000 the curse 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.719 of Eden 00:29:43.719 --> 00:29:44.279 reversed, 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.139 except for 00:29:46.139 --> 00:29:46.879 Jesus to be 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.719 sacrificed upon 00:29:47.719 --> 00:29:48.240 the cross. 00:29:49.459 --> 00:29:50.279 There is no 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.699 other way. 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.579 There is no 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.439 other possible 00:29:52.439 --> 00:29:53.839 scenario where 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.759 God, the 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.079 Son of 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.539 God, 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:57.459 could achieve 00:29:57.459 --> 00:29:58.019 our salvation 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.539 apart from 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:58.980 him taking 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.539 on human 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.619 flesh and 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.500 living a 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.220 sinless life 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.559 yet being 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.480 tempted fully 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:05.119 in every way 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.559 that we are 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.119 tempted yet 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.799 without sin 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.519 to die on 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:09.099 a cross as 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.779 a criminal 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.199 even though 00:30:10.199 --> 00:30:10.639 he committed 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:12.119 no crime, 00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:13.839 to die in 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.480 our place, 00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:16.559 to be buried, 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.399 to rise again 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:17.899 after three 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:18.319 days, 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:19.599 to appear 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:21.279 to many, 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.500 to ascend 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.179 into heaven, 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.039 to be 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.900 glorified, 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:25.980 the name 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.600 above all 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:27.340 names, 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:28.740 at the name 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.299 of Jesus 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.019 every knee 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.539 will bow, 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:31.200 every tongue 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.779 will confess 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.279 that he is 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.380 Lord of all. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.560 There is no 00:30:34.560 --> 00:30:35.680 other scenario 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:37.680 that that could 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.080 have happened 00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:38.500 apart from 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:38.759 Jesus' 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.220 suffering. 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:41.820 And all 00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:42.180 of a sudden 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.900 we begin 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.400 to see 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.539 that our 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:44.940 hope 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.779 that is 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.519 unshakable, 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.299 that we 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.060 experience 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:51.599 is rooted 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:53.139 in suffering. 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:54.079 And we 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.839 experience a 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.419 bit of that, 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.779 of course, 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.279 and it's 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:58.919 the trials 00:30:58.919 --> 00:31:00.279 that make 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.779 our faith 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.500 strong, 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.319 it's our 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:02.619 tribute 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.579 given to 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:03.779 God, 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.599 but ultimately, 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.519 ultimately, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.339 our unshakable 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:07.740 hope 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:09.460 is in the 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:09.960 suffering 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:12.299 and death 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.179 and then 00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:13.799 resurrection of 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.099 Christ. 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:17.119 and it 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:17.619 is done. 00:31:18.959 --> 00:31:19.299 Jesus 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.059 did it 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.379 all. 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.679 The way 00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:22.379 he suffered, 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:23.439 the way 00:31:23.439 --> 00:31:24.159 he died, 00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:26.299 he defeated 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:26.919 death once 00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:27.419 and for all. 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.339 So we 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:29.679 put our 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.339 faith in 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.740 that, 00:31:31.199 --> 00:31:31.740 we can be 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.759 sure that 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.259 there wasn't 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.839 a corner 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:36.939 of the 00:31:36.939 --> 00:31:37.719 legions 00:31:37.719 --> 00:31:38.359 upon the 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:38.859 armies, 00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:39.899 the battalions 00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.559 of sin 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.159 and evil 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:41.679 and death, 00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:43.899 some corner 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:44.740 in some 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.320 part of 00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:45.759 the world 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.060 or the 00:31:46.060 --> 00:31:46.540 galaxy 00:31:46.540 --> 00:31:48.180 that wasn't 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.519 conquered, 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:49.040 that wasn't 00:31:49.040 --> 00:31:49.440 destroyed, 00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:50.160 that wasn't 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.660 defeated. 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:52.580 That there's 00:31:52.580 --> 00:31:53.300 no part 00:31:53.300 --> 00:31:53.900 of our 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.600 lives 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:57.840 that is 00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:58.259 just too 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.280 much for 00:31:59.280 --> 00:31:59.640 Jesus 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:01.480 to fix. 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.560 That there's 00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:03.259 no part 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.660 in this 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:05.100 church, 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:07.040 no sin 00:32:07.040 --> 00:32:07.340 that we 00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:07.880 have committed, 00:32:08.300 --> 00:32:09.000 no problem 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.680 too great 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.400 that Christ 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.040 hasn't overcome. 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:14.259 when we 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.720 talk about 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.500 an unshakable 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:15.879 hope, 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.339 we are 00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:17.960 talking about 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.440 a person 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.819 and that 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.279 person is 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:20.619 Jesus 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.159 Christ. 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.319 Our 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:24.859 suffering, 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.220 therefore, 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.859 is nothing 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.460 compared to 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.059 his suffering. 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.599 He has 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.379 taken suffering, 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.019 he has taken 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.379 death, 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:32.940 he has taken 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:34.200 evil and he 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.779 has turned it 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.720 upside down so 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.859 that the end 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:38.440 isn't death 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.700 or the 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:40.759 complete utter 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.519 blackness, 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.080 but rather 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:43.160 life and 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.820 life to 00:32:43.820 --> 00:32:44.200 its full. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.559 Friends, 00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:47.039 our hope is 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.559 unshakable 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.140 because it's 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:48.700 in Christ, 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:49.640 for he 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.460 promises an 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:50.900 inheritance 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.480 that is 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:53.080 imperishable, 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.980 undefiled, 00:32:55.820 --> 00:32:56.559 unfaded. 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.759 Our hope 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:59.180 is unshakable 00:32:59.180 --> 00:32:59.840 because Christ 00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:00.940 allows trials 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.559 to purify 00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.820 our faith 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:03.640 so that we 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:04.160 can trust 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:04.500 in him 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:04.960 resulting 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:06.080 in true 00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:06.500 joy. 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:08.619 our hope 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.440 is unshakable 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.200 because Christ 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:11.460 suffered so 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.099 that he would 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.740 be eternally 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.400 glorified, 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.859 opening up the 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:15.440 door for us 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.619 to enjoy 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:18.200 eternal glory. 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.839 Friends, 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.900 as we 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.900 journey through 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.900 1 Peter, 00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:25.000 but also 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.960 journey as 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:26.859 resident aliens, 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:28.000 as exiles, 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.779 as sojourners 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.339 here in Ottawa, 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:30.960 let us never 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.680 forget where 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.700 our hope is. 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.720 The trials, 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.480 temptations, 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:37.319 the fury 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.819 of hell 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.240 can come 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:39.059 at us, 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.299 but because 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:40.920 our hope 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.640 is in Christ, 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.460 it is unshakable. 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:43.880 Let's pray. 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.319 Heavenly Father, 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.980 thank you 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:48.519 for your 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:48.799 son. 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.519 Thank you 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.319 that his 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.500 gospel 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.640 is 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:55.579 100% 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.900 good news, 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:57.599 that his 00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:58.120 victory 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:59.940 was 100% 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.740 of victory 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.559 over everything 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.220 that was evil 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.120 and sinful 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:04.799 and that 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.240 would cause 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:05.720 death and 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.019 that we 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.319 can put 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:06.660 our hope 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.339 in him 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.440 and that 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:08.659 he won't 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:08.960 let us 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.280 down, 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.559 he won't 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.280 prove false, 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.880 he won't 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.820 perish again. 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.199 Lord, 00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:15.880 help us to 00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:17.179 be people 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.780 that walk 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.420 in that 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.940 reality. 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:20.860 Lord, 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.559 we will 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.320 undoubtedly 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:23.179 falter, 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.460 our faith 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:24.760 will get 00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:25.139 shaky, 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.220 but we look 00:34:26.220 --> 00:34:26.840 to you to 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.260 strengthen 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.660 our weak 00:34:28.660 --> 00:34:29.080 knees, 00:34:29.220 --> 00:34:29.560 so to 00:34:29.560 --> 00:34:29.860 speak, 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:30.740 so that 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.160 we can 00:34:31.160 --> 00:34:31.960 walk out 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.620 this life 00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:34.360 and eventually 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.680 enjoy the 00:34:35.680 --> 00:34:36.240 outcome of 00:34:36.240 --> 00:34:36.680 our faith, 00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:37.280 the salvation 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.900 of our souls. 00:34:38.600 --> 00:34:39.140 We pray this 00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:39.600 in Christ's 00:34:39.600 --> 00:34:39.740 name. 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.080 Amen.