WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.660 As you come to him, the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious to him, 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:22.879 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:28.539 offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:31.480 For in Scripture it says, 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:42.299 See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:47.820 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:55.920 But to those who do not believe, the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. 00:00:55.920 --> 00:01:01.520 And the stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:09.560 They stumble because they disobey the message, which is also what they were destined for. 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:11.900 Let's talk to God. 00:01:11.960 --> 00:01:16.600 We're going to pray and ask for God's help as we look at this text together. 00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:17.200 Let's pray. 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:35.280 Father, we trust you that your word that we have just read and listened to is true and trustworthy. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:39.079 It is living and powerful. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:49.180 And so we pray that your word would do an effective and changing work in each of our lives. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:56.500 Father, we pray that as we come face to face with Jesus through this word, 00:01:57.780 --> 00:02:04.720 we would be a people who build our lives on the solid foundation of who Jesus is, 00:02:05.520 --> 00:02:11.120 and that we would live our lives in response to what he has done. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:15.300 Father, please change us. 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:24.740 Please open up our eyes to see Jesus more clearly and understand who he is and what he has done. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:28.020 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:29.259 Amen. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:37.479 A couple were walking around a car boot sale. 00:02:38.959 --> 00:02:42.039 And as they walked around and surveyed the items, 00:02:42.739 --> 00:02:47.739 they picked up what was a very small, plain bowl, 00:02:47.959 --> 00:02:51.979 about the size of a breakfast bowl, for three dollars. 00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:57.539 Clearly, the seller had rejected it as a piece of worthless junk. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:02.519 To the buyers, however, it was something precious to them. 00:03:02.959 --> 00:03:05.359 And to them it had some kind of value. 00:03:07.079 --> 00:03:10.099 And they decided that they would have it valued. 00:03:10.899 --> 00:03:18.379 And they discovered that this three dollar bowl was worth about one to two hundred thousand dollars. 00:03:19.639 --> 00:03:22.479 They then decided they were going to take it to auction. 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:31.679 And when it went to auction, it sold for a massive 2.2 million dollars. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:36.739 To one, it was rejected as useless. 00:03:37.819 --> 00:03:42.000 To another, it was chosen as precious. 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:49.079 Now, for many people, Jesus Christ is seen as someone to reject. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:52.880 Have a look at verse 4, what we read together. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:55.200 Verse 4. 00:03:56.280 --> 00:03:59.900 As you come to him, that's as you come to Jesus, 00:04:00.260 --> 00:04:05.400 the living stone, rejected by men, 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:10.380 but chosen by God and precious to him. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:12.419 Jesus was rejected. 00:04:13.359 --> 00:04:17.939 He was pushed aside, ignored, betrayed by everyone, 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:21.120 and left to die on a cross. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:25.159 But in the eyes of God, he is chosen, 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:27.480 and he is precious, 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:31.000 with eternal value. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:33.560 Now, the point is, 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:35.740 if we are followers of Jesus too, 00:04:36.219 --> 00:04:39.159 that's going to be our experience. 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:42.680 That's going to be our story too. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:44.380 Let's read verse 4 again. 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:46.080 As you come to him, 00:04:46.140 --> 00:04:47.260 as you come to Jesus, 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:48.660 the living stone, 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:52.200 rejected by men, 00:04:52.760 --> 00:04:55.240 but chosen by God and precious to him, 00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:00.240 you also like living stones. 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:04.000 You see, to live as a Christian in this world, 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:06.779 if you speak for Christian truth, 00:05:06.779 --> 00:05:09.639 if you stand up for Christian values, 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:12.579 it means we will face rejection. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:15.339 To the world, if you are a Christian, 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:17.199 you may feel like a stranger, 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:18.439 an outsider, 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:19.480 a nobody, 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:20.639 irrelevant, 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:21.620 outdated, 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:23.420 and of no value. 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:27.779 Nothing more than a rejected piece of junk. 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:30.939 But in the eyes of God, 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:33.819 you are chosen, 00:05:34.619 --> 00:05:37.059 and you are precious. 00:05:37.979 --> 00:05:39.659 Have a look back at chapter 1, 00:05:40.599 --> 00:05:41.879 verse 1. 00:05:43.679 --> 00:05:45.099 Look at what it says there, 00:05:45.179 --> 00:05:46.379 how it reminds us. 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:48.919 Look how it starts, 00:05:49.039 --> 00:05:50.479 to God's elect, 00:05:52.059 --> 00:05:54.199 strangers in the world, 00:05:54.559 --> 00:05:55.359 scattered, 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:56.620 verse 2, 00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:59.180 but who have been chosen 00:05:59.180 --> 00:06:02.160 according to the foreknowledge of God. 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:07.000 We might be forsaken by friends, 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:09.120 opposed by family, 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:11.960 but always remember this, 00:06:12.520 --> 00:06:15.400 we are God's chosen people, 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:18.720 loved and treasured like Jesus. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:19.800 In fact, 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:23.600 what we are is God's chosen community, 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:25.800 God's special people, 00:06:26.320 --> 00:06:28.120 God's representatives, 00:06:28.580 --> 00:06:30.420 here in this world. 00:06:32.140 --> 00:06:34.740 So let's see how this is true. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:37.000 How we are, 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:39.160 on the one sense, 00:06:39.820 --> 00:06:40.480 rejected, 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:43.000 but on the other side, 00:06:43.520 --> 00:06:45.460 chosen and precious. 00:06:46.520 --> 00:06:48.300 We're going to see this in three ways. 00:06:48.400 --> 00:06:48.740 First, 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.879 as we look at the way in which 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:53.500 Jesus builds his church. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:56.040 Let's read verse 4. 00:06:57.140 --> 00:06:58.560 As you come to him, 00:06:59.640 --> 00:07:00.680 that's Jesus, 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:02.140 the living stone. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:03.939 Now that's a very strange way 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:05.260 to talk about anybody, 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:07.000 talk about them as a stone. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.120 Why is Jesus a living stone? 00:07:10.660 --> 00:07:11.020 Well, 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:11.939 we're given a clue. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:13.280 If you look at verse 6, 00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:16.379 just a little bit further down. 00:07:17.900 --> 00:07:19.080 This is a quote 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:20.820 from the prophet Isaiah. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:23.080 For in scripture it says, 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:23.740 See, 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:26.379 I lay a stone in Zion, 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:27.680 or in Jerusalem, 00:07:27.859 --> 00:07:30.979 a chosen and precious cornerstone, 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:32.719 and the one who trusts in him 00:07:32.719 --> 00:07:35.139 will never be put to shame. 00:07:35.979 --> 00:07:38.099 This is God's word 00:07:38.099 --> 00:07:39.519 through the prophet Isaiah. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:42.159 And it comes to Isaiah 00:07:42.159 --> 00:07:43.099 at a time 00:07:43.099 --> 00:07:46.519 when God's people were in exile, 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:49.519 literally strangers in a foreign land. 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:51.519 But there was a problem for them. 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:53.060 There was no temple 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:54.659 when they were in exile. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:56.139 The temple, 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:56.859 you remember, 00:07:57.219 --> 00:07:59.000 was central to the people 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:00.979 because it was through the temple 00:08:00.979 --> 00:08:02.459 and in the temple 00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:04.000 that they got to meet God. 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:05.579 Here in the temple 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:07.859 was where their sin was dealt with 00:08:07.859 --> 00:08:09.939 so that they could have access to God. 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:11.319 So no temple, 00:08:11.779 --> 00:08:12.579 no God, 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:14.539 and no relationship with God. 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:16.560 And so the people 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:18.060 cry out to God, 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:19.700 How are we going to meet you? 00:08:19.840 --> 00:08:21.300 How are we going to know you? 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:23.920 And God makes this promise. 00:08:24.040 --> 00:08:24.920 And the promise is, 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:25.700 in verse 6, 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:26.620 let's read it again, 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:27.320 He says, 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:27.680 See, 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:29.740 I lay a stone in Zion, 00:08:30.080 --> 00:08:32.100 a chosen and precious cornerstone, 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:33.840 and the one who trusts in him 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:35.960 will never be put to shame. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:38.100 God is saying, 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:41.000 I am going to build a new temple, 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:42.879 but this new temple 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:43.840 is not going to be 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:44.960 a physical building 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:46.800 made out of blocks and mortar, 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:48.879 but this temple 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:51.840 is going to be a person. 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:55.300 I lay a chosen, 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:57.860 a precious cornerstone. 00:08:58.420 --> 00:09:00.940 The one who trusts in him, 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:02.700 in this stone, 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:04.700 this cornerstone, 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:06.519 will have life. 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:08.120 And that's exactly 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:09.319 what Peter is saying. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:12.559 Jesus is the cornerstone. 00:09:13.079 --> 00:09:14.279 The cornerstone, 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.319 or verse 4, 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:16.539 the living stone. 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:18.199 It was the first stone 00:09:18.199 --> 00:09:19.159 that was put down 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:20.740 in the foundation of a building, 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:22.860 on which every other stone 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:23.480 was laid. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:25.139 So the level had to be right, 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.039 and the angle had to be right. 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.460 It was the foundation 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:30.019 and most important stone. 00:09:30.439 --> 00:09:31.439 And Peter is saying, 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:34.379 Jesus is that stone. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:37.740 Jesus is the true foundation, 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:39.299 the true temple. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:41.519 So if you want to know God, 00:09:41.659 --> 00:09:43.299 if you want to meet God, 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:45.320 if you want to enjoy God, 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:47.080 you don't go into a building 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:48.759 that's made of blocks and mortar. 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:51.840 You go to a person, 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:54.600 and his name is Jesus. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:57.179 He is the living stone. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:00.000 The one who came into this world 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:01.500 to die for you, 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:02.779 to take the blame 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.240 for the wrong things you've done. 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:05.919 The one who rose again 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:06.559 from the grave 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:08.500 to defeat sin and death. 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:10.159 He is the living stone, 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:11.839 the foundation stone, 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:13.120 the one who gives you 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:13.919 an inheritance 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:14.959 and a life 00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:16.559 that can never perish, 00:10:17.079 --> 00:10:17.480 spoil, 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:18.659 or fade. 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:22.879 How do we experience this life? 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.279 Well, look what it says 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.079 in verse 4. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:28.919 As you come to him, 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:32.419 as you come to Jesus, 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:34.979 as you trust in him, 00:10:35.199 --> 00:10:37.139 as you build your life 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.539 on the foundation 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:40.299 of his death 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:41.899 and his resurrection, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:44.559 so you have life 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.979 and life eternal. 00:10:47.839 --> 00:10:48.819 That's why 00:10:48.819 --> 00:10:50.599 those who turn to him 00:10:50.599 --> 00:10:51.959 are precious. 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:54.740 But this building 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:57.100 is for a purpose. 00:10:57.660 --> 00:10:58.700 The coming to Jesus 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:00.100 is for a purpose. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:00.940 There's the first one, 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:01.620 living stone, 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:02.820 and the second, 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:04.780 a spiritual house. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:07.040 So as we come to Jesus, 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:07.960 look what happens 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:08.920 in verse 5. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:11.900 You also, 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:14.139 like living stones, 00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:16.240 are being built 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:18.200 into a spiritual house 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:20.900 to be a holy priesthood 00:11:20.900 --> 00:11:23.460 offering spiritual sacrifices 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.759 acceptable to God 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:25.879 through Jesus Christ. 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:27.340 So you see, 00:11:27.520 --> 00:11:28.080 everyone 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:30.780 who comes to Jesus 00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:32.340 and trusts in Jesus 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:33.720 is built 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:34.980 on the foundation 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:36.200 of Jesus Christ. 00:11:37.160 --> 00:11:38.379 But not only that, 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:39.759 we're built together 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:41.160 by Jesus Christ. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.400 So if you can think 00:11:42.400 --> 00:11:44.140 of us gathered here today 00:11:44.140 --> 00:11:45.180 that each one of us, 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:46.440 if we're trusting in Jesus, 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.780 is like a block 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.659 or a brick. 00:11:49.439 --> 00:11:50.639 And Jesus takes 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.360 those blocks 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.059 and those bricks, 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:53.319 he builds us 00:11:53.319 --> 00:11:54.120 on the foundation 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:55.000 of his life. 00:11:55.579 --> 00:11:57.319 And he builds us together 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:59.120 so that we become, 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:00.299 verse 5, 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:02.339 a spiritual house. 00:12:03.199 --> 00:12:04.919 And a spiritual house 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:06.199 is another way 00:12:06.199 --> 00:12:07.059 of talking about 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:07.860 the temple. 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:09.939 God's house. 00:12:10.839 --> 00:12:11.839 So as Jesus 00:12:11.839 --> 00:12:12.939 builds us together, 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.939 we become 00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:16.480 the temple of God. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:18.120 we actually become 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.320 the dwelling place 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:20.639 where God lives 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:22.080 by his spirit. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.259 So in a sense, 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:24.879 as we gather here together 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.460 as people who believe 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:27.080 in Jesus, 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:30.480 we are the dwelling place 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.580 where God is. 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:33.680 God is actually here 00:12:33.680 --> 00:12:34.560 right now, 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:35.820 present with us 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:37.080 by his spirit. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.620 Now that's going to be 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.240 huge encouragement 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:43.779 if we are facing rejection 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:45.639 from friends or family. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.720 Here's what it means. 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:49.059 First, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.539 no matter what opposition 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.500 we might face 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.399 as God's people, 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:55.240 God is always 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:56.299 with us. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:58.439 We're a spiritual house. 00:12:58.439 --> 00:12:59.860 We're built together 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:00.839 where God lives 00:13:00.839 --> 00:13:02.459 by his Holy Spirit. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:03.500 That means that 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.699 when I experience 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:05.240 rejection 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.039 as a Christian, 00:13:06.439 --> 00:13:07.339 God will not 00:13:07.339 --> 00:13:08.199 abandon me 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.399 and he will not 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.000 leave me 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.220 to fend for myself. 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.480 God sticks with us. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.960 He never leaves us. 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.680 Wherever we go 00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:17.720 as his people, 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.200 God goes with us 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:20.860 because he is dwelling 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.580 in us 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.740 and with us. 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:26.180 But the second thing, 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:28.139 no matter what persecution 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:29.200 we may face 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.060 as God's people, 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.960 God is still building 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:33.399 up his church. 00:13:33.800 --> 00:13:35.100 His building project 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:36.139 is not finished. 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:38.320 God is still saving people 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.920 who have rejected him 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:41.259 and he's building them 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.259 together to be 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.299 his people. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.679 You know, 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.479 when Peter wrote 00:13:46.479 --> 00:13:47.019 this letter 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.059 in the first century, 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.799 a few decades 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:51.139 after he wrote it, 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:52.919 being a Christian 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.679 and meeting together 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.199 as we are right now 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:58.059 was an illegal act 00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:59.439 to do in the Roman Empire. 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.000 You couldn't be a Christian 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.740 and you couldn't 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.419 meet together. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.019 And as a result, 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:05.819 thousands of Christians 00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:06.839 were put to death. 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.079 Some of them 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:09.019 were set alight 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:10.120 and used as human 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.379 torches by Nero, 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.240 covered in sheepskin 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:15.000 and set amongst the lions 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.819 for the entertainment 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.679 of the crowd. 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:19.639 And today, 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:20.919 in many, many parts 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.559 of the world, 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:22.919 there are Christians 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:25.279 who lose their life 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.279 because they side 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:26.980 with Jesus. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:29.939 People are facing rejection. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.559 But here's the good news 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:32.319 and the encouragement. 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:34.399 Jesus is still building 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.980 his church. 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.399 He was building it 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:38.639 when Peter wrote it 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:40.559 and he's building it today. 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:42.620 People all over the world 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.559 in Ireland 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.860 and in Carigaline 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:47.299 are still coming to Jesus 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:49.419 and are being built together 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:51.159 to become a spiritual house 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:52.500 where God lives 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.559 and dwells. 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.779 Yes, 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.319 life will be tough. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.799 Life will be difficult 00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.600 as a Christian. 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:00.939 But God, 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.860 through his son, 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.759 Jesus Christ, 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:04.779 is building his church. 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.079 We are part 00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:08.659 of God's never-ending, 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.059 ever-growing 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:12.379 building project. 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.860 So yes, 00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:15.259 we will face rejection. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.579 But remember, 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.620 you are chosen. 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:20.019 You are precious. 00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:22.120 You are part 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.299 of God's 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:24.019 eternal 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.079 building. 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:28.079 So that's the first thing 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:29.579 that we look at. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.399 The second thing, 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.339 Jesus is empowering 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:34.360 his church. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.440 Have a look at verse 5. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:40.540 So you also, 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:43.120 like living stones, 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.360 are being built 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:47.440 into a spiritual house 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.840 to be a holy priesthood 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:52.960 offering spiritual sacrifices 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.800 acceptable to God 00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:56.139 through Jesus Christ. 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:58.280 So God's people 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:00.379 are a spiritual house 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:02.720 and they are to offer 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.820 spiritual sacrifices. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.360 Now, 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.419 spiritual is, 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:09.139 it's got a meaning here. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.279 It means to be 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.240 influenced 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.620 or to be 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.899 controlled by 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.659 the Holy Spirit. 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.159 In other words, 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.179 God's people 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:20.100 are a spirit-filled, 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:22.639 a spirit-empowered people. 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:24.340 The very same 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:24.879 spirit 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.240 that rose 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.720 Jesus 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.879 from the dead 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:29.720 is the same spirit 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.919 and the same power 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.299 that is alive 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.039 and at work 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:34.679 within God's people. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.059 So Jesus 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:37.039 empowers 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:38.080 his church 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:40.460 to serve God 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.620 in the world 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.759 where they are. 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.899 And we serve 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.340 the Lord 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.360 in two ways. 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.419 First, 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:49.080 he describes us 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:51.019 as a holy priesthood. 00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:51.759 Again, 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.820 look at verse 5. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:55.180 like you are being 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.960 built into a spiritual house 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.940 to be 00:16:57.940 --> 00:17:00.220 a holy priesthood. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:01.640 Have you ever 00:17:01.640 --> 00:17:02.600 thought of yourself 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:04.080 as being a holy priesthood? 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.140 Well, 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.420 again, 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.000 the language 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.820 takes us back 00:17:06.820 --> 00:17:07.539 to the temple, 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.460 to the Old Testament. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.440 And in the temple, 00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:12.279 the priests 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.080 were given 00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:14.640 that special work. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.519 They were set apart 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:18.460 from everybody else 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:20.140 and they were dedicated 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:21.600 to serve God 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:22.259 in the temple. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:24.160 That was their life's work. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:25.759 In fact, 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.019 through their serving, 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.720 they were representing 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.920 God to the people. 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.319 They were like a mediator 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.680 between God and people. 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:33.779 What they did 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.559 was make God 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.900 known to the people. 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.660 What God wanted to say, 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.799 he said through the priests. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.440 What God wanted them to do, 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.779 he said through the priests. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.319 God communicated, 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:43.879 if you like, 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.680 through them 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.400 to the people. 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.379 Now, 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:50.119 we are God's 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:51.400 holy priesthood. 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.400 God's holy priesthood. 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.620 We are set apart 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.560 by God 00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:55.700 and dedicated 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:57.000 to serve God. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.420 More specifically, 00:17:59.280 --> 00:18:00.400 we are to make 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.500 God known 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.840 to the people 00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:03.759 around us. 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:05.500 That's the purpose 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.320 of the church. 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:08.220 We are to display 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.019 God 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.180 to the world. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:10.720 So, 00:18:10.800 --> 00:18:11.640 if somebody should 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.540 come up and ask 00:18:12.540 --> 00:18:13.220 and they say, 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.519 what's God like? 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:17.519 I've never met God. 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:18.720 Could you tell me 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.540 what he's like? 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.819 Well, 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.960 part of that answer 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.700 is to say, 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.259 I tell you what, 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.559 go and have a look 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.319 at the church. 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.980 Go and have a look 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.720 at Carigoline Church. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.599 Look how the church 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.339 lives. 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.000 Listen to what 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.359 the church says. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.059 Observe them 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:38.019 in the way 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.299 in which they behave. 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.420 The way in which 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.379 they interact. 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.899 As people hear 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.519 and see, 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.720 they will begin 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.539 to understand 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.099 understand 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.460 something 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.859 of what God 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.440 is like. 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.200 So, 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.680 as a holy priesthood, 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:53.379 we are to display 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.779 God to the world. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.680 As he empowers us 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.879 and fills us 00:18:57.879 --> 00:18:58.980 with his Holy Spirit, 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.240 he enables us 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.059 and equips us 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.740 to live 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.420 as God's people 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:04.980 to serve him 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:06.039 where we are 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.659 right now. 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:07.740 So, 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.619 he empowers 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.859 his church. 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:11.939 And, 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:13.299 not only that, 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:16.279 we are to be 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.859 spiritual sacrifices. 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.399 You see, 00:19:19.479 --> 00:19:20.639 the primary role 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.439 of the priest 00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:23.299 was to offer 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.199 sacrifices. 00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:25.459 That's what they did 00:19:25.459 --> 00:19:26.579 all day, 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.500 every day. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.419 So, 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.199 verse 5, 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:31.199 we are to be 00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:32.419 a holy priesthood 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:33.639 offering 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:35.859 spiritual sacrifices 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:37.339 to God. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:38.959 Now, 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.679 we've got to be 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.759 very clear here 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.320 that we don't 00:19:41.320 --> 00:19:42.240 get confused. 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.259 We're not called 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.539 to make sacrifices 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.060 to God 00:19:46.060 --> 00:19:46.700 so that God 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.820 will accept us. 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:48.660 No, 00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:49.940 Jesus is that 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.299 perfect sacrifice 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:53.140 for our sins. 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.360 Have a look 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.200 at chapter 3. 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.120 So, 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:56.759 you need to maybe 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.779 flick over the page, 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.400 I'm not sure, 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.380 but chapter 3, 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.860 the big 3, 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.980 and then verse 18, 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.519 which is the little 18. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:04.920 So, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.720 chapter 3, 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.720 big 3, 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.880 little 18. 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.660 Here's what it says. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.420 It's talking about 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.900 Jesus being the sacrifice. 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.500 For Christ 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:17.299 died for sins 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:19.799 once for all, 00:20:20.820 --> 00:20:21.820 the righteous 00:20:21.820 --> 00:20:23.480 for the unrighteous 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.019 to bring you to God. 00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:25.779 You see, 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.279 when Jesus died, 00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:28.460 his sacrifice 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.860 was for us 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.700 on our behalf. 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.000 It was perfect, 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.580 it was complete, 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.799 it was sufficient. 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.119 when Jesus died, 00:20:36.419 --> 00:20:37.339 that was enough. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.220 He died for all 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.859 of our sin, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.559 past, 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.000 present, 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.559 and future, 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.839 to bring people 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:43.500 like us 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:45.480 into a relationship 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.639 with God. 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:49.319 Go back to chapter 2. 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.700 So, 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.619 we're not to make 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.740 a kind of sacrifice 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.619 to try and get God 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.559 to accept us 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.159 and to earn 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.940 his approval. 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.340 No, 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.420 in the light 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.180 of what Jesus 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:01.640 has done for us, 00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:03.080 because Jesus 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:04.680 was that true sacrifice, 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:06.160 in response, 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:07.480 we offer ourselves 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.259 as, 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.100 as if you like, 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.519 a living sacrifice 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.279 to God. 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:12.940 Through 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.360 Jesus Christ. 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.320 It's because 00:21:15.320 --> 00:21:16.299 of what Jesus 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.880 has done 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:18.259 that we can now 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.080 offer ourselves 00:21:19.080 --> 00:21:19.700 to God 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.960 as a sacrifice. 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:23.080 And how do we 00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:23.740 offer ourselves 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.259 to God? 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.340 How are we going 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:25.960 to be a living 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.539 sacrifice? 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.460 Well, 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.259 as the role 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.920 of the priest 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.519 was to do, 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:31.279 it's to make 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.259 God known 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.539 in the world. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.820 That's our sacrifice. 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:37.200 Our sacrifice 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.420 is to display 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.100 the goodness 00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:40.259 and greatness 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.880 of God 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:42.180 through what we say 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.100 and how we live. 00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:44.080 We'll get more 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:45.160 into this next week. 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.660 But as we go, 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.759 as we disperse 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.160 from this gathering here, 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.000 as we go 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.920 to our workplace, 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.200 as we go back 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:53.019 to our families, 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.320 as we go to college, 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.140 as we hang out 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:55.920 with our mates, 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.880 we are going 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:59.420 as a holy priesthood, 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.420 representing God 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:02.279 where we are, 00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:04.559 being spiritual sacrifices, 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:05.860 showing people 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:06.500 the goodness 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.400 and the greatness 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.059 of God. 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:09.059 God's people, 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:18.519 as we step out 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.179 in faith 00:22:19.179 --> 00:22:20.240 as God's people, 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.859 as his representatives, 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:23.000 the spirit 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.119 will equip us 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:25.559 and enable us 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.879 to represent him 00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:29.559 and to live for him 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.599 in the world 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:32.099 in which we live. 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.339 yes, 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.319 we will face rejection. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.139 Yes, 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.500 it will be hard. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.959 But he fills us 00:22:38.959 --> 00:22:39.740 with his spirit 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.659 and with his power 00:22:40.659 --> 00:22:41.980 to enable us 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.279 to keep on going. 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.839 So, 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:48.219 he builds his church, 00:22:48.439 --> 00:22:49.959 he empowers his church, 00:22:50.439 --> 00:22:52.899 and Jesus honours 00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.859 his church. 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.980 Let's read verse 6, 00:22:56.980 --> 00:23:00.360 that quote from Isaiah. 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:03.059 For in scripture it says, 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.180 See, 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:06.240 I lay a stone in Zion, 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.440 a chosen 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.720 and precious 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.880 cornerstone. 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.180 Jesus, 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.200 as we've seen, 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:15.559 is that chosen 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.079 cornerstone. 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.839 His death for us, 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:21.120 his resurrection for us, 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.360 is the foundation 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.319 for our lives. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.700 And if we build 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.980 our life on Jesus, 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.639 if we align ourselves 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:30.059 to his level 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.259 and to that angle, 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:33.119 if we commit ourselves 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.759 to him, 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:36.839 we are going to face 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.500 opposition 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.879 and rejection. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.700 That's the big message 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.419 of Peter. 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:43.339 If you side with Jesus, 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.619 if you follow him, 00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:46.059 if you identify with him, 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.679 you will get hit. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.259 But, 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.700 look at the rest 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.480 of verse 6. 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:53.519 Jesus died 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.819 and the one 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.700 who trusts 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.640 in him 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:57.759 will never 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.400 be put to shame. 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:02.559 Jesus died 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.000 a shameful death. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.799 Mocked, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.880 ridiculed, 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.759 laughed at. 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.779 He hung 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.640 on the cross 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.420 alone. 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.860 The whole world 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.079 shamed him. 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.880 But he was raised 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.920 in glory 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:18.120 and honour. 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.440 And what Peter 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.340 is saying to us 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:21.559 is, 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.160 so that will be 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.680 for you. 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.460 We may suffer 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.279 shame now. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.380 We may suffer 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:29.759 all kinds of struggles, 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.259 but we will be 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.440 raised in glory 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.420 and honour. 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.299 Yes, 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.519 you may experience 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.900 isolation at work. 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.600 Yes, 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.299 you may feel 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.180 like a stranger 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.200 among friends. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.460 But those 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.200 who trust 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.120 in Jesus 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:46.400 will never 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.500 be put to shame. 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:50.279 in fact, 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.799 we will be 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.279 honoured. 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.019 Look at verse 7. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.220 Now to you 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.180 who believe, 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.859 this stone 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.640 is precious. 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:01.519 Now, 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.599 I just want us 00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.380 to take a step 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.019 back from this 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.440 and just 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:06.339 be clear 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.099 as to what 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.700 this is saying. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.720 It can also 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.359 be read, 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.720 verse 7, 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:13.660 so the honour 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:15.279 is yours 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.720 for those 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.420 who believe. 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.539 So the honour 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.339 is yours 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.160 for those 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.559 who believe. 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.360 So let me read 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.259 the end of verse 6 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.640 again 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.700 and the beginning 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.400 of verse 7 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.460 so you get the flow. 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.240 Okay, 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:26.700 here we go, 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.620 the end of verse 6. 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.579 And the one 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.839 who trusts in him 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.920 will never 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:32.039 be put to shame, 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.940 so the honour 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:35.000 is yours 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.980 for those 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.759 who believe. 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.799 His point 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.380 is this, 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.540 that one day 00:25:40.540 --> 00:25:41.800 the risen Lord 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.180 Jesus 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.360 is going to 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.760 return 00:25:43.760 --> 00:25:45.860 and all those 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.820 who have honoured 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.940 Jesus in this 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.400 life, 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:49.740 well, 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:51.300 Jesus will in turn 00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:52.400 honour you. 00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:54.500 You can think 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.380 of the great big 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.780 medal processions 00:25:56.780 --> 00:25:57.380 that you see 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.060 in the Olympics 00:25:58.060 --> 00:25:59.960 where the music 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.480 sounds, 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.100 the trumpet 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.960 blasts 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.800 and the winner 00:26:02.800 --> 00:26:04.700 comes out 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.980 into the middle 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.880 of the stadium 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:08.280 and stands 00:26:08.280 --> 00:26:08.840 on top 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.579 of the podium 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.740 and receives 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.740 the gold medal 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.899 and the music 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.720 is played 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.799 and the whole 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:16.079 stadium cheers 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:17.299 and sees 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.579 that this one 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.779 above everybody 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.799 else is honoured. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.019 And in a sense 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.480 it will be 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.619 something like that, 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.639 that God 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.279 will gather 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.599 all his people 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:30.259 before a watching 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.779 world, 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.839 all those 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.459 that stood 00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:33.279 against us, 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.319 all those 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.740 that were 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:36.099 opposed to Christ 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:37.819 will watch 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:39.659 and see 00:26:39.659 --> 00:26:41.139 God's people 00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:42.579 being honoured 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.839 by the King 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:45.159 of Kings. 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.740 Instead of shame, 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.319 glory. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.579 Instead of rejection, 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.279 honour. 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.339 there. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.299 But that's 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.859 not all. 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.720 Those 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:03.539 who have 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:03.879 taken 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.799 the other 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.319 side, 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.539 those who 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:07.960 have 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.339 rejected 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:10.139 God's 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:10.559 people 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:12.519 and rejected 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.680 Jesus Christ, 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.839 those who've 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.500 been honoured 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.379 by the world 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.000 because they 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.759 stood opposed 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.579 to Jesus, 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.440 will they 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:21.960 in turn 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.420 will be 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.059 shamed 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.640 before Jesus. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.240 Look at the 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.600 rest of 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.160 verse 7. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.140 But to 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:28.740 those who 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.440 do not 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.100 believe, 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.539 the stone 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.160 the builders 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:33.840 rejected 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:35.880 has become 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.720 the capstone. 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.279 The world 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.059 which rejected 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.720 Jesus, 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.180 mocked him, 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:42.980 laughed him, 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.980 ridiculed him. 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:44.980 The world 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.799 which rejected 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.779 God's people, 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:47.920 shamed them 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.840 and persecuted 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:49.220 them, 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.820 will in turn 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:52.259 be rejected 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.039 by Jesus. 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.379 Instead of 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.379 receiving glory, 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.019 it will be 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.419 shame. 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.679 Instead of 00:27:58.679 --> 00:27:59.079 honour, 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:00.859 it will be 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.240 judgment. 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.819 You see, 00:28:03.939 --> 00:28:04.500 Jesus, 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.980 the living 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.619 stone, 00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:08.579 confronts 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.159 each one 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:09.659 of us 00:28:09.659 --> 00:28:10.319 today. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.059 Look at 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.619 verse 8. 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.159 He is a 00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:14.980 stone that 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.919 causes men 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.720 to stumble 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:18.439 and a rock 00:28:18.439 --> 00:28:19.579 that makes 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.179 them fall. 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.460 He stands 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.299 before us, 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:23.799 if you like, 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.500 this morning 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:26.759 as a great 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.579 big stone 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.399 that we must 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:29.039 deal with, 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.019 that's right 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.779 in our path 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.599 as we walk 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.419 through life. 00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:34.039 That stone 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.220 is before us. 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.019 And Jesus 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.879 is either going 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.379 to be the 00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:39.539 foundation stone 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.339 of your life, 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:41.960 you will 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.659 either trust 00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:43.419 in his death 00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:44.159 and resurrection 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:45.259 for you, 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.379 or you will 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:47.079 decide to 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.939 discard that 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.460 stone and 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:48.700 say, 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.220 no, 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.660 I'm going 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.080 to build 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.519 my own 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.000 life my 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.500 own way. 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.299 So that 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.980 stone will 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.360 either be 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.160 your foundation 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.740 or that 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.380 stone will 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.080 either crush 00:28:59.080 --> 00:29:00.340 you or 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:01.039 break you. 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.259 Look at 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.759 the end of 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.259 verse 8. 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.320 They stumble 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:08.039 because they 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.820 disobey the 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:09.340 message, 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.279 which is also 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.880 what they were 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.700 destined for. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.100 So as we 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.860 are confronted 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.619 with Jesus, 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.399 it is a 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:17.839 case of 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.199 saying, 00:29:18.939 --> 00:29:19.539 well I'm 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.019 going my 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.519 own way 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.699 or I'm 00:29:21.699 --> 00:29:22.219 building my 00:29:22.219 --> 00:29:23.539 life on 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:23.879 him. 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:27.099 You see, 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:27.659 to some, 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.199 Jesus is 00:29:29.199 --> 00:29:29.740 just a 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.119 worthless 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:31.459 piece of 00:29:31.459 --> 00:29:31.879 junk, 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.359 an old 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.019 item that 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.559 you see 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.500 in a car 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.199 boot sale 00:29:36.199 --> 00:29:36.979 of no 00:29:36.979 --> 00:29:37.500 value, 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.079 of no 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.479 worth. 00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:40.599 But to 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.019 God, 00:29:41.979 --> 00:29:42.439 he is 00:29:42.439 --> 00:29:42.979 chosen 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.759 and 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.200 precious, 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.620 the one 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:46.420 who died 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:47.420 for you, 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.039 the one 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.640 who rose 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.220 again from 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.819 the grave 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.819 for you. 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.319 And the 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.099 story of 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:54.319 Jesus and 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:55.279 the experience 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.539 of Jesus is 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.099 going to be 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.980 your story 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.900 and your 00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.759 experience. 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.019 Because to 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.380 be a 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:01.940 Christian in 00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.500 this world 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.640 will mean 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.900 that you 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.319 will be 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:05.819 disowned, 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.059 you will 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.799 be rejected, 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.160 you will 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.660 be pushed 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.160 aside. 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.000 But, 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.619 you are 00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:14.079 God's 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.740 chosen 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.900 and precious 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.839 people. 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.779 Jesus died 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.259 for you. 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:20.539 He rose 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:20.900 for you. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.259 He will 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.880 not let 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:22.299 you go. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:22.920 You will 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.380 not be 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:24.000 shamed by 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.279 him. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:24.980 You will 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.640 be honoured 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.240 by him. 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:26.960 You will 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.640 be raised 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:28.380 in glory 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:29.819 just as 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.640 Jesus was 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.180 raised in 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.500 glory. 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.579 So, 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:35.279 what will 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.720 we do 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.380 with this 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.380 stone, 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.559 this living 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.000 stone? 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.519 Will we 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:40.980 build our 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.500 life on 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:41.640 the 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:42.140 foundation? 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.500 Or are 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:44.819 we going 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.360 to ignore 00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:46.579 it and 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.200 be crushed 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.019 by him? 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.779 Rejected 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.339 by men, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.120 but chosen 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.799 by God 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:56.220 and precious 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.819 to him. 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.779 You decide. 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:00.680 Let's 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:00.920 pray. 00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.920 Let's 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.920 pray. 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.920 Let's 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.920 pray. 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.920 Let's 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.920 pray. 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.920 Let's 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.920 pray. 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.920 Let's 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.920 pray. 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:24.300 Father, 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:24.960 thank you 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.460 for 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.160 Jesus. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.240 Thank you 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:28.860 for his 00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:29.300 death 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:30.480 for us. 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:32.000 Thank you 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.500 for his 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.160 resurrection 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.759 from the 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.180 grave, 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.840 defeating 00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:36.460 death, 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.400 destroying 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.100 the grave 00:31:39.100 --> 00:31:40.660 and giving 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:42.259 life to 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:42.800 all who 00:31:42.800 --> 00:31:42.980 will 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.560 trust in 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:43.820 him. 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.840 Father, 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.280 help us 00:31:47.280 --> 00:31:48.740 that we 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.360 would build 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:50.140 our life 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:51.480 on the 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.120 Lord Jesus, 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.900 that we 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.620 would level 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.500 our lives 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.400 to him, 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.900 that we 00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.700 would angle 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.400 ourselves 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.259 to him, 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.519 that he 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.000 would be 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.980 our rock, 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.599 that we 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.019 would not 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.700 turn from 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:06.980 him. 00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:08.579 And 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:08.860 Father, 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.220 would you 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.940 please help 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.339 us to 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.099 remember that 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.799 just as 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.539 Jesus was 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.079 rejected, 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.200 we too 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.240 will be 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.740 rejected. 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.240 But help 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.579 us to 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:22.299 remember that 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.019 just as he 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.779 is chosen 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.380 and precious, 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:26.120 so we 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:26.700 are your 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.539 chosen and 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.360 precious people, 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:30.039 loved by 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:31.519 you and 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.519 cared for by 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:32.799 you. 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.359 Father, 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.059 help us to 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:35.559 walk with 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.039 you today. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.319 We ask 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:38.759 this in 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.079 Jesus' 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:39.500 name. 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:40.819 Amen.