WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.680 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:06.679 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking. 00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:10.740 For whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:14.439 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh, 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:17.740 no longer for human passions, but for the will of God. 00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:23.039 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:26.820 living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:30.800 orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 00:00:31.899 --> 00:00:35.420 With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them 00:00:35.420 --> 00:00:38.700 in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:44.840 But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:49.519 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, 00:00:50.120 --> 00:00:52.760 that though judged in the flesh the way people are, 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:56.640 they might live in the spirit the way God does. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:01:02.000 There's a high school girl. 00:01:02.579 --> 00:01:04.879 She's a Christian girl, a devout girl. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:08.299 She reads her Bible daily, prays for her family and friends. 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:12.819 And at the public high school she attends, she prays before a meal, 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:15.240 which is really hard to find in a public school. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:19.000 And people kind of look at her a little awkwardly while she does that 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:20.400 because no one else is doing that at the table. 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:27.260 And as her peers are beginning to, her girl peers are beginning to dress more and more scantily, 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:32.900 she refuses to follow that pattern, and she continues to dress modestly as the Bible teaches her to. 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:38.560 And for that reason, she gets unfairly labeled as a prude in the school, 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:44.600 especially by the guys who are vindictive toward her because she had refused, 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:46.740 spurned their inappropriate advances. 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:53.719 And she goes to college, and there she decides that she's not going to join the sorority 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:56.039 that all her best friends from high school are joining 00:01:56.039 --> 00:02:00.859 because she knows that it was known for a lot of drinking parties 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:04.939 and even one-night stands for the girls that are there. 00:02:05.119 --> 00:02:07.199 And so she refused to join that. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:10.759 But as a result of that, she gets disowned by her friends, 00:02:10.920 --> 00:02:12.520 who are her best friends from high school 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:15.060 because they think that she is now being judgmental 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:17.240 and looking down on them for not joining that sorority, 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:21.759 even though her affection for them and her commitment to them has not changed at all. 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:26.460 And her junior year, she's continued to be devout in following the Lord 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:28.879 as she becomes a leader of the Christian Fellowship there. 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:32.460 But that year, she gets kicked off campus, 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:35.360 or the Christian Fellowship gets kicked off campus 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:38.040 because they subscribe to biblical sexual ethics 00:02:38.040 --> 00:02:43.160 and will not let people who don't subscribe to the biblical sexual ethics 00:02:43.160 --> 00:02:44.380 become leaders in that fellowship. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:47.840 So she gets kicked out, and because she's one of the leaders of the group, 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:52.680 she gets publicly vilified by her peers in the college newspaper. 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:58.520 And after graduation, here's a bright point in the story, 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:03.560 she meets a godly man and gets married at the workplace. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:09.120 However, to her great dismay, she discovers that she has breast cancer, 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:13.539 and she dies shortly after getting married. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:22.060 There's also a Christian man in his 50s. 00:03:22.699 --> 00:03:24.480 He's a banker. He's diligent. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:25.939 He conducts himself with integrity, 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:28.680 and he goes on business trips just like his other co-workers. 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:33.400 And when he goes, but sees co-workers sometimes go on their off hours 00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:37.340 visit strip clubs or to go out drinking, and he doesn't do that. 00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:41.520 And because of that, he gets labeled the Christian guy 00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:42.520 who spoils all the fun. 00:03:44.460 --> 00:03:47.580 Nevertheless, because he does his job better than most people, 00:03:47.700 --> 00:03:49.980 most of his colleagues, he gets tolerated. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:58.899 That is until his boss starts to tell him to lend to subprime borrowers, 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:02.159 people who are not qualified, according to their credit history, 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:04.519 to take out loans to buy a house. 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:09.039 And he boxed at that, and conscientiously and respectfully 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:11.199 expresses his objection to his boss, and says, 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.419 no, I don't think that's a good idea. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:14.120 These people are not going to be able to pay. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:18.139 You're not setting them up for success. 00:04:18.899 --> 00:04:23.439 And the boss uses that opportunity to fire him 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:27.019 and paint him as incompetent and insubordinate 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:29.139 and fires him without severance pay. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:33.600 And he gets fired, and after that, 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:36.660 the housing market bubble bursts, 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:40.660 inspiring the U.S. economy into financial crisis. 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:43.360 And so he can't get a job as a banker anymore, anywhere. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:44.439 No one's hiring. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:46.800 So he gets a job at the local grocery store. 00:04:47.340 --> 00:04:49.040 And he works there for several years. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:53.160 And then he retires and lives, 00:04:53.640 --> 00:04:56.700 free marines and dies without much savings to give to his kids 00:04:56.700 --> 00:04:58.920 because he had used it all up in the intervening time 00:04:58.920 --> 00:04:59.760 between his two jobs. 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:05.900 As you hear stories like that, you might ask, 00:05:06.020 --> 00:05:07.420 you know, what gives, right? 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:09.800 I mean, that's, God, what are you doing? 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:14.420 If these are the people that are trying to serve you, 00:05:14.780 --> 00:05:18.220 why don't you bless that first girl with health 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:19.980 and with some loyal friends? 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:25.000 Why doesn't God reward that conscientious banker 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:28.180 with an even more lucrative job, 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:33.560 helping him to make more money than his boss 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:39.220 who was trying to do not so helpful practices 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:41.019 in order for selfish gain? 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:47.540 And after all, they die just like all their less scrupulous peers. 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:51.040 What do they have to show for that? 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.319 Living in a different way. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:56.939 And these were the questions 00:05:56.939 --> 00:06:00.939 that were burning in Peter's audience mind 00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:04.319 because the unbelievers of the first century 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:06.779 were similarly viewed as killjoys 00:06:06.779 --> 00:06:09.939 because the Christians refused to participate 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:12.779 in the most popular entertainments of the Roman Empire. 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:14.539 For example, the gladiatorial games 00:06:14.539 --> 00:06:17.539 or the chariot races with all their violence and gore 00:06:17.539 --> 00:06:19.279 or the risque theater performances. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:21.439 And they also refused to participate 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:25.539 in other sinful acts like premarital sex 00:06:25.539 --> 00:06:28.579 or adultery or theft 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:31.459 or a lot of drinking and orgies. 00:06:31.619 --> 00:06:33.759 They refused to participate in all of these things. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:35.419 So the Christians in the first century 00:06:35.419 --> 00:06:37.019 were considered killjoys. 00:06:38.119 --> 00:06:40.279 And instead of being rewarded by God in this life, 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:44.159 they suffered slander and persecution. 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:46.920 And many of them died. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:50.000 They passed on without any sort of vindication. 00:06:51.320 --> 00:06:52.960 So what gives God? 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.620 In that situation, Peter reassures believers. 00:06:58.760 --> 00:07:01.879 He says, we can suffer rather than sin 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:05.620 because God will judge both the living and the dead. 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:07.500 That's what Peter tells us here. 00:07:07.580 --> 00:07:10.460 So we'll talk about those two in two parts. 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:13.620 So we can suffer rather than sin. 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:16.060 Percy, look with me at verses one to two. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:17.779 It says, 00:07:18.099 --> 00:07:20.359 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:22.919 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking. 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.019 For whoever has suffered in the flesh 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:26.379 has ceased from sin, 00:07:26.740 --> 00:07:29.039 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh, 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.560 no longer for human passions, 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:32.379 but for the will of God. 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:36.240 It begins with a sense clause, 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:37.219 meaning that's the reason, 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:39.759 that's a grounding for this exhortation. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:41.779 Since before Christ suffered in the flesh, 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:43.620 that's why we ought to also arm ourselves 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:44.740 with the same kind of thinking. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:46.899 So he's kind of hearkening back to chapter three, 00:07:46.980 --> 00:07:47.459 verse 18, 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:48.959 which we talked about a couple weeks ago, 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:49.639 where he says, 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:52.139 For Christ also suffered once for sins, 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:53.759 the righteous for the unrighteous, 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:55.839 that he might bring us to God. 00:07:56.779 --> 00:08:00.420 And what is that same way of thinking that Christ had? 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:02.680 Because he doesn't really seem to unpack it here. 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:04.839 So he continues in verse one to two. 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:07.859 For whoever has suffered in the flesh 00:08:07.859 --> 00:08:09.899 has ceased from sin. 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:12.039 I'll explain that in a second. 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:14.739 So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh, 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:16.179 no longer for human passions, 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:17.419 but for the will of God. 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:19.719 So the conjunction for there 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:22.159 can also be translated as that is. 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:24.319 It's an explanatory conjunction. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:27.879 And that seems to make more sense 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:30.279 because he had already given the reason for it 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:31.399 with the first sentence, 00:08:31.479 --> 00:08:33.339 since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:35.019 And now, so it really, 00:08:35.300 --> 00:08:36.139 what's going on here 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:37.460 is explaining the content 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:39.139 of that attitude that Christ had. 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:40.200 So he's saying, 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.379 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:43.200 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, 00:08:43.540 --> 00:08:44.980 that is, this way of thinking, 00:08:45.320 --> 00:08:47.060 that whoever has suffered in the flesh 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:48.580 has ceased from sin. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:51.460 And that's in fact how some of the English translations have it, 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:52.540 including the TNIV. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:56.040 So that means the attitude that we're supposed to have 00:08:56.040 --> 00:08:57.220 is that those who suffer, 00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:58.200 whoever suffers, 00:08:58.580 --> 00:09:01.120 has ceased from sin. 00:09:01.680 --> 00:09:03.120 But what does that mean, right? 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:03.639 That's a really, 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:08.159 it's a question that bothers a lot of Bible interpreters. 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:11.480 What does it mean that when we suffer in the flesh, 00:09:11.560 --> 00:09:12.759 we cease from sin? 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.560 And I don't think it means that 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:16.560 when we suffer a lot in life, 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:18.779 that we are no longer susceptible to sin, right? 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:22.240 And I think we see a lot of counterexamples of that. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.100 So like, for example, 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:24.220 if you have a fire, 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:25.659 let's say you have a fireplace, 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:27.980 and you throw wax into the fire, 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:29.360 it's going to melt, right? 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.279 But if you throw clay into the fire, 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:33.480 it's actually going to harden. 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:34.860 It's not going to melt, right? 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:35.740 In the same way, 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.379 even though it's the same fire, 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:40.519 the response of the wax and the clay 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:42.899 vary because of their material constitution. 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:44.200 In the same way, 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:45.180 suffering is the same way. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.340 It's like the same fire. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:47.980 You could throw one person in there, 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:49.120 they'll come out softer. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:50.820 They'll become more grateful 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:52.460 for the small blessings they have in life. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:53.720 And they'll become more tender 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:55.139 and compassionate toward other people. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:56.600 And one person, 00:09:56.680 --> 00:09:58.100 you throw them into suffering, 00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:59.100 they'll come out more hardened. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.460 They'll come out bitter 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:03.100 and dissatisfied with life, right? 00:10:03.420 --> 00:10:04.620 So suffering itself 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.279 is not what objectively 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:08.259 makes people cease from sin. 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.360 I don't think that's what it's referring to. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:12.160 In fact, as the Bible also teaches, 00:10:12.300 --> 00:10:13.600 if you look at the example of Job, 00:10:14.180 --> 00:10:15.700 Satan tries to use suffering 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:18.200 as an occasion for sin for Job, right? 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:19.460 So there, clearly, 00:10:19.660 --> 00:10:21.920 suffering is not leading to seizing from sin. 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:23.479 He's trying to use suffering 00:10:23.479 --> 00:10:24.379 to make people sin, 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:25.199 Satan in that case. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:26.839 So that's not what that means. 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:27.979 So what does it mean then 00:10:27.979 --> 00:10:29.439 that whoever has suffered in the flesh 00:10:29.439 --> 00:10:30.399 has ceased from sin? 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:33.219 And I don't, 00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:37.899 so some people tie it to what Paul teaches, 00:10:38.079 --> 00:10:39.719 you know, how he talks about it in Romans 6 too. 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:42.679 How can we who died to sin still live in it, right? 00:10:42.699 --> 00:10:44.519 So he talks about how we as believers, 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:47.339 we participate in Christ's death and resurrection. 00:10:47.819 --> 00:10:48.860 We have died to sin, 00:10:48.939 --> 00:10:50.120 so now we live to holiness. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:51.139 So then how can we, 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:53.100 how can we then live in sin anymore? 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:55.480 This is an important truth 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.200 and it is a true, 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.340 that's a true statement. 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.480 It is true that we participate 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.320 in his death and life resurrection 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:02.179 and that we are no longer to live in that way. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.700 But I don't think that's what Peter 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:04.679 is trying to say here. 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:07.759 And that's because Paul uses the phrase, 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:08.820 he's in the flesh 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:10.299 to refer to our sinful flesh, 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:12.220 but Peter doesn't use it that way. 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:14.560 Peter uses it to refer to our time on earth, 00:11:15.060 --> 00:11:16.820 our time in the body, right? 00:11:17.260 --> 00:11:17.660 So he, 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:20.879 so that's why if you look at verse two, 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.120 the latter half of it, 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:23.140 Peter says, 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:26.100 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh, 00:11:26.640 --> 00:11:28.160 no longer for human passion, 00:11:28.260 --> 00:11:29.120 but for the will of God. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:29.740 See, 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.060 Paul could never write that sentence 00:11:31.060 --> 00:11:32.480 because he would say, 00:11:32.640 --> 00:11:33.700 if you're living in the flesh, 00:11:33.780 --> 00:11:36.220 then you are living for human passions for him. 00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:37.500 Those two things are synonymous. 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:39.140 But here Peter is saying that you live, 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:40.440 while you're living in the flesh, 00:11:40.520 --> 00:11:41.640 don't live for human passions. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.080 So that's a clear example 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.280 that Peter and Paul 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.759 are not using the phrase in the same way. 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:47.199 So, 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.079 so that's, 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:49.480 so then it doesn't mean that 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.179 the word, 00:11:50.779 --> 00:11:51.819 we cease from sin 00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:53.399 in the sense that we're justified by, 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:54.120 by Christ. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.799 We were righteous because of what he has done. 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:58.220 So then what can it mean, 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:58.600 right? 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:01.620 As we have gone through the book of first Peter, 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:01.939 he, 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:04.500 he has talked about the various stations in life, 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:06.319 whether in our relationship to government, 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.839 in our relationship to our spouses, 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:10.419 in our relationship to, 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.439 to our, 00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:12.220 to our neighbors, 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.120 to our employers. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.100 In all of that, 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:17.220 he taught us to do good and suffer while doing it, 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:19.600 while suffer unjustly while doing good. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:20.440 And, 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.299 and that's, 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:23.340 I think what he is referring to here is that 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:24.960 when we suffer in this manner, 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:26.379 even while doing good, 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:27.700 when we suffer in this manner, 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:29.240 even unjustly, 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:29.860 we, 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:32.340 we demonstrate the fact that we are through with sin. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.679 We're done with sin. 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.360 No matter what, 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:35.720 we're not sinning because I am, 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:36.600 I'm, 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:36.639 I'm, 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:38.340 I'm dead to sin and I'm no, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.740 I'm no longer going to, 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:43.899 entertain the possibility of doing good and contravening God's word. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:46.000 It's kind of like a, 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.940 this example came to mind. 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:51.100 I think you guys all know and love the Lord of the Rings, 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:51.659 right? 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.519 And the, 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.159 in, 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:53.919 in the book, 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.159 Fellowship of the Ring, 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.879 I mean, 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:58.379 the Fellowship is formed. 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:58.620 It's, 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.799 it's like a dwarf and, 00:12:59.799 --> 00:12:59.980 and, 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.399 and a wizard and, 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:03.079 and an elf and a man. 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:03.500 Like they are, 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:08.879 they form a fellowship to go and destroy the evil ring that gives the evil Lord Sauron his power. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:09.919 And as the, 00:13:09.959 --> 00:13:10.360 on their quest, 00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:13.439 they go through the mountain of Moria and, 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:17.639 and are attacked by a giant demonic fiery monster called the Belrog, 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.219 right? 00:13:18.219 --> 00:13:20.179 You guys know the scene I'm talking about. 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:21.059 As he's getting, 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:24.199 as they're getting chased and they're going through this narrow bridge, 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:26.120 called the bridge of Khazad-dum. 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.300 And the wizard, 00:13:27.640 --> 00:13:30.680 the Gandalf recognizes that the most vulnerable members, 00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:32.980 the hobbits of the fellowship are not going to make it. 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:33.860 So he, 00:13:34.140 --> 00:13:35.340 instead of going through the bridge, 00:13:35.400 --> 00:13:36.300 he stops in the middle, 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:36.720 right? 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:37.220 And he, 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:37.860 and he, 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:38.620 he, 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.480 in the movie, 00:13:39.540 --> 00:13:39.879 he says, 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:41.000 you shall not pass, 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:41.120 right? 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.140 He faces the Belrog. 00:13:42.280 --> 00:13:42.379 He says, 00:13:42.520 --> 00:13:43.540 it's not in the book, 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.660 but in the book he says this, 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:44.960 he says, 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.740 you cannot pass. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:48.600 I'm a servant of the secret fire, 00:13:48.920 --> 00:13:50.700 realtor of the flame of Anur. 00:13:51.020 --> 00:13:52.180 You cannot pass. 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:55.339 The dark fire will not avail you flame of Udun. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.639 Go back to the shadow. 00:13:57.099 --> 00:13:58.699 You cannot pass. 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:02.620 He knows that he might be inviting his own death, 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.039 right? 00:14:03.459 --> 00:14:03.779 In fact, 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:05.099 he does die from that, 00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:07.039 from that fight against the Belrog. 00:14:07.599 --> 00:14:09.439 Yet he stands his ground and says, 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.639 you cannot pass. 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:12.039 It's that kind of resolve, 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.319 that cutting off and saying, 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:13.779 hey, 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:14.279 for him, 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:16.599 going through that bridge was no longer an option, 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:17.299 right? 00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:17.699 So he's like, 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:18.139 you shall not, 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.079 but that was the end of that quest. 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:21.300 He was not going anywhere, 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:24.000 even if Barak were to destroy him and go through him, 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:24.259 right? 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.300 So in the same way, 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:25.759 a believer, 00:14:25.900 --> 00:14:26.620 when he says that, 00:14:26.660 --> 00:14:26.920 you know what? 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:29.020 I will suffer in my workplace. 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.379 I will suffer in my marriage. 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:32.180 I will suffer in my life, 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.300 among my neighbors, 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:35.400 so that I don't have to sin, 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:38.259 so that I can obey God and do good for his glory. 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:40.780 That's the kind of attitude that he's portraying here, 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:44.800 that when you have demonstrated that you're going to suffer for his sake, 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.780 then you have ceased from sin, 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.120 right? 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:49.019 Not in the sense that you're sinless, 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.519 but that you have shown that resolve. 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:55.000 You have shown that that's what it takes to take up the cross and follow Christ. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.480 And that mindset, 00:14:57.759 --> 00:15:00.419 that Jesus calls us to take up the cross and follow him, 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:00.639 right? 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.039 Follow Christ. 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.220 And that's not the mindset. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:05.340 That's not only the call of super Christians, 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:05.720 right? 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:06.399 In fact, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:08.480 that's the call of every single Christian, 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:10.519 to take up the cross and follow him. 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:13.179 And if we're not willing to take up the cross and follow him, 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.500 to give our all to follow him, 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:17.579 then we are not in a real sense being a Christian. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.960 Because that's what it means to be a Christian, 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:22.199 is to take up our cross and follow him. 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:27.639 I think this is what the author of Hebrews also has in mind in chapter 12, 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:28.120 verse 4. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.440 He says, 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.419 In your struggle against sin, 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:34.299 you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood, 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:34.740 right? 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.980 I don't think he's telling us, 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.759 teaching us self-flagellation like, 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.320 you know, 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:41.860 some other ethno-religionists do. 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:44.440 He's saying that you need to bleed in order to stop from sin. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.419 I don't think that's what he's saying. 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:50.159 I think what he's saying is comparing us to Christ's obedience. 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.079 He says, 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:55.219 Jesus obeyed to the point of shedding his blood on the cross. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.719 And we as believers, 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.899 the people that the author of Hebrews is addressing, 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.539 they're persecuted, 00:16:00.099 --> 00:16:03.599 but they haven't resisted sin to the point of shedding their blood, 00:16:03.719 --> 00:16:05.919 the point of suffering and dying like Christ did. 00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:08.579 That's basically what Peter is calling us to, 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:08.919 right? 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:14.059 And are we Christians who seek to obey all the way, 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:16.679 or are we Christians who only seek to obey to a point? 00:16:17.619 --> 00:16:20.779 And I think that's an important question that we have to ask ourselves this evening, 00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:24.979 because do we obey only until our life is threatened? 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:30.079 Do we obey only until our jobs are on the line? 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:34.219 Do we obey only until we're offended? 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:41.239 Do we only obey until our comforts and convenience must be sacrificed? 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:45.379 I mean, 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:46.059 brothers and sisters, 00:16:46.239 --> 00:16:48.399 if you're a believer here this evening with you, 00:16:48.479 --> 00:16:50.819 we are not called to be half-hearted, 00:16:50.979 --> 00:16:52.039 half-committed Christians. 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:56.219 We're not supposed to be like an out-of-shape couch potato who runs a race, 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:58.000 runs the first 50 meters of the race, 00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:58.659 and is out of breath, 00:16:58.719 --> 00:16:59.739 and has to stop for a drink. 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:01.859 We're supposed to run like a horse 00:17:01.859 --> 00:17:04.599 that runs and runs and runs and runs 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.919 at its master's bidding, 00:17:06.179 --> 00:17:07.980 and doesn't stop. 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.359 In fact, 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:10.240 the horse will run itself to death 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.839 until it dies of a heart attack, 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.959 or dehydration, 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:16.159 if the master keeps telling the horse to run. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:18.119 That's how we are to be as Christians. 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.799 Not half-heartedly, 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.659 half-committedly saying, 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:20.979 oh no, 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.379 I'll do it up to a point, 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:24.819 until it gets difficult to be a Christian, 00:17:25.219 --> 00:17:26.279 until it gets hard, 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:28.500 until it's impinging on my comfort. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:28.899 No, 00:17:28.939 --> 00:17:29.159 we say, 00:17:29.219 --> 00:17:29.319 no, 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:31.099 we go and run and run and run, 00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:31.579 until, 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.899 even if it means, 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.899 our suffering and death. 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:37.720 In fact, 00:17:37.800 --> 00:17:39.560 that's what countless Christians have said 00:17:39.560 --> 00:17:40.620 throughout the ages, 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:41.900 and have given their lives 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:43.400 attesting to this truth. 00:17:45.780 --> 00:17:48.340 So Peter continues in verses 3 to 4. 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:50.900 For the time that is past, 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:52.880 suffices for doing 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:54.460 what the Gentiles want to do. 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:56.620 Living in sensuality, 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.140 passions, 00:17:57.340 --> 00:17:58.060 and drunkenness, 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:58.960 orgies, 00:17:59.140 --> 00:17:59.740 drinking parties, 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:01.180 and lawless idolatry. 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.519 With respect to this, 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:03.240 they are surprised 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.200 when you do not join them 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.759 in the same flood of debauchery 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.799 and they malign you. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.359 So, 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:10.960 the first five words 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.500 in that list 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:13.059 all refer to 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.019 some kind of 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:15.460 unrestrained desire. 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.500 It's food, 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.039 eating, 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.539 drinking, 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.119 sex, 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.480 it's all common, 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:23.019 it's lack of self-control 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.859 he's referring to. 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:24.700 So then, 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.500 in what areas, 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.220 in what ways 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.579 are we lacking self-control? 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.960 Are we refusing to follow, 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:29.680 take up the cross 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.299 and follow him? 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:32.400 Refusing to suffer 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:35.099 even to the point of death? 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.720 If everything in our lives 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.819 are not directed 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.740 to glorifying him 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.480 and honoring God, 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.359 then that's lawless idolatry, 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:42.700 right? 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.920 Peter's talking about here. 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:44.960 Because we are putting 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.700 created things 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.700 before the creator. 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.259 We're putting, 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.879 prioritizing ourselves, 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.660 our lives, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.839 or other people's lives 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:52.099 before God 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.420 and what he's calling us to do. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.379 That's idolatry. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.559 And the language of idolatry, 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:57.099 you have to know, 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:58.259 like we hear this a lot, 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.440 I mean a lot of Christian books 00:18:59.440 --> 00:18:59.900 talk about 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:01.059 what are the idols of your heart? 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.200 So we've become 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.159 so accustomed to it. 00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:04.179 But this would have been 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:05.039 shocking language 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.339 to the readers 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.159 and to the audience 00:19:07.159 --> 00:19:09.139 in this day and time 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:10.819 because it's a thoroughly 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:12.559 polytheistic culture. 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:13.980 It's a pluralistic culture. 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.779 It's a Roman Empire. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.000 So, you know what? 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.819 Everybody's worshipping 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.559 different gods 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.659 and you might not like 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.679 the gods that they worship, 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.799 but you would never question 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:23.119 that they are valid gods. 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:23.819 I mean, 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:25.200 that's the polytheistic culture. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:25.599 They're all, 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.339 they're legitimate. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.919 And I think 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:29.079 worshipping their own gods 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.079 can be good for society 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:31.460 because it ensures good order. 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:31.819 That's what, 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:33.179 that's how these people think 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:34.259 in the Roman Empire. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:38.299 But only the Judeo-Christian tradition, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.699 Christianity, right, 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.000 and Islam too, 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.980 but because that's 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.240 a heretical offshoot 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.539 of Christianity, right, 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:46.220 but it's only 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.699 the Judeo-Christian tradition 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.339 that says 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:51.419 certain religious activities 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.339 are idolatrous. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.259 It's not just, 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.539 I don't like that. 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.419 It's not my preference. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.319 No, that's wrong. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.019 Those are not just, 00:19:59.079 --> 00:19:59.619 you know, 00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:00.480 religions that 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.939 I don't personally have, 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:02.679 prefer, 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.099 but no, 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:03.720 they're wrong, 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.839 they're false religions. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.439 That the gods that you worship 00:20:06.439 --> 00:20:07.859 are not just some other gods 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.639 that I don't like to mention. 00:20:08.699 --> 00:20:10.599 They are false gods, right? 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:12.379 This is a radical statement 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:13.059 to say, 00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:14.699 and as C.S. Lewis writes about 00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:15.159 in his book 00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:15.879 Mere Christianity, 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:16.339 it's, 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.259 the question of religion 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:19.079 is a lot like arithmetic, right? 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:21.099 There is only one right answer 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.720 to a sum, 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.799 and all the other answers 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.939 are wrong, right? 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:28.039 And this is not unlike 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.600 the religious pluralism 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.559 that we live in, right? 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.640 And you guys may have heard 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.500 the analogy 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:35.460 of the elephant, right? 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.080 They say that 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:37.059 there's a big elephant 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.019 out in the room, 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.779 and that elephant is God. 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.220 Let's say that 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.960 that elephant is God, 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.299 not the elephant is God, 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:42.960 but imagine that 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.720 the elephant is God. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.080 And all the people 00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:46.120 who follow different religions, 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.840 we're all just blind men 00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:48.980 who are groping about 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.080 and feeling different parts 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:50.640 of this elephant. 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.420 So one blind man 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.680 feels the leg 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.080 and says, 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.860 no, the elephant 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:57.420 is big and strong 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:59.140 and it's hard. 00:21:00.280 --> 00:21:01.440 That's what an elephant is. 00:21:01.840 --> 00:21:02.820 Another blind man 00:21:02.820 --> 00:21:03.600 touches the trunk 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:03.860 and says, 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.780 no, the elephant 00:21:04.780 --> 00:21:06.300 is long 00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:07.320 and it's nimble 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:08.880 and it's flexible 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.880 like a snake, right? 00:21:11.300 --> 00:21:11.640 And then, 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:13.100 and so the pluralist 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:14.520 using this analogy says, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.140 well, 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:17.000 that's how religion is. 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:18.480 Everybody sees 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.980 just a part of the truth 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.799 and we're all 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.880 worshiping the same God, 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.140 right? 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:23.920 That's what a pluralist 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.240 would say. 00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:26.079 The problem 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.819 with that analogy, 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.299 the fallacy of that analogy 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.079 lies in the fact 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.460 that in order for it to work, 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.579 somebody has to see 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.299 the whole elephant, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:32.980 right? 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.460 The pluralist 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.180 is not saying 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:35.860 that every religion 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.620 is just as valid. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.079 He's saying 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.759 that his pluralist religion 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.759 is superior 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.720 and more valid 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.880 because he alone 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:43.079 sees the whole picture 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.920 saying that, 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.400 oh, you guys 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:44.940 are all only 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.640 worshiping a part 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:47.180 and I just happen 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.960 to recognize it 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.620 while you don't, 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:48.839 right? 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.019 So it's not 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.059 any more tolerant 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:52.159 than what we're saying. 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:52.459 In fact, 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.139 I think it's simply 00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:54.279 more honest for us 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.899 as Christians 00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:55.779 do have 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.519 and have been saying 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.159 for centuries 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:57.919 and millennia 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:59.179 that other religions 00:21:59.179 --> 00:22:00.480 are false religions. 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.659 Other gods 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.799 are not real gods. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.899 They are false gods. 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.559 And this will make us 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.740 unpopular at times. 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.899 But it says in verse 4, 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.319 with respect to this, 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.480 they are surprised 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.919 when you do not join them 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.799 in the same flood 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.539 of debauchery 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.819 and they malign you. 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:17.679 It's surprising for them 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:18.699 that we don't join them. 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:20.659 But we shouldn't be surprised 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.599 that they malign us 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.480 as a result of that. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.459 And this happens 00:22:25.459 --> 00:22:26.240 even in our day 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.379 when our vision 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.119 of good 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:29.279 and human flourishing 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.299 is inconsistent 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.419 with other people's 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.119 vision of good 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.500 and human flourishing. 00:22:33.699 --> 00:22:35.399 When we tell people 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.659 that a sinful lifestyle 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.939 is not just as good 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:39.159 as a life of holiness. 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:42.019 And we will suffer 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:43.259 unjustly as a result. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.779 But in that, 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.599 we have to remember 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:47.220 that whoever has suffered 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.019 in the flesh 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:49.960 has ceased from sin. 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.759 So as to live 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.279 for the rest of the time, 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.440 not just some of the time, 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.559 but the rest of the time 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.180 in the flesh, 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.880 no longer for human passions, 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.660 but for the will of God. 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.460 And it says in verse 1, 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.839 we are to arm ourselves 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:04.900 with this same way 00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:05.460 of thinking. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:08.079 Isn't that a very cool word? 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.200 I love the fact 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.839 that Peter used 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.519 the word arm. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.339 It's like an armor 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.379 that protects us 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:15.220 when we have this mindset 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.839 that whoever has suffered 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.879 has ceased from sin. 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.400 That we're willing 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:20.139 to go all the way 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:20.519 to say, 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.259 I will suffer 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.299 for the sake of the gospel. 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.180 I will suffer 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:24.059 for the sake of Christ. 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.900 That serves like an armor 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:27.259 to protect us 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.900 from temptation, 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.680 to protect us 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:32.480 when we are maligned. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:36.440 So that's how 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.839 God calls to, 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:39.799 that we can suffer 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.759 rather than sin. 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.400 And the reason 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.660 that Peter gives further 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:44.099 is that God will judge 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.700 both the living 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.140 and the dead. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.599 So that's in verses 5 to 6. 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.880 Verse 5 says, 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.160 But they will give account 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.660 to him who is ready 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:54.299 to judge the living 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.279 and the dead. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.660 So that phrase 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:57.960 can be confusing 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.660 for some people as well. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.160 But the living 00:23:59.160 --> 00:23:59.720 and the dead 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:01.319 is a literary device 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.180 called merism. 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.740 Which basically takes 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.700 two extremes 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:06.920 of a subject 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.640 or a concept 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:10.140 to convey something 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.900 that is inclusive 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:12.000 of everything in between. 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.420 So for example, 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:13.900 in Genesis, 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.420 when it says 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.200 heaven and earth, 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:15.960 that means it's 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.059 everything in creation. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.880 That's all creation. 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.559 It's a merism. 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.960 Or when Revelation 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.740 describes God 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.839 as the alpha and omega 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:23.259 or the beginning and end, 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.279 that means he is 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.440 occupying eternity, 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.319 all time. 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.559 So it's inclusive 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.059 of everything. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.099 So when he's saying 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.980 living and the dead, 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.559 basically it's code 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:33.039 for all humanity 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.519 that's ever lived 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:36.299 in the history of mankind. 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.480 All of humanity, 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.460 the living and the dead, 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.639 he is ready 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.679 to judge 00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:41.960 the living and the dead. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.279 Right? 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:46.559 And this is why 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.740 Peter says in verse 6, 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.359 the gospel was preached 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.059 even to those 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.500 who are dead, 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.319 that though judged 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.799 in the flesh 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.539 the way people are, 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.220 they might live 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.859 in the spirit 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:55.059 the way God does. 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:57.319 This verse can be 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.639 easily misinterpreted 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.539 because, 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.259 in fact, 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.720 some do misinterpret it. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.359 So for example, 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:05.440 I think Mormons 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.359 have a big practice 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.779 of getting baptized 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.679 on behalf of the dead 00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:10.559 or preaching to the dead 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.200 and things like that. 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:12.319 But I don't think 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.159 that's what it's referring 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.700 to here. 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.839 In order to understand 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.159 this verse, 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:15.720 we have to understand 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.279 the context 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.099 in which it was written 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.480 and that's that pagans 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:20.339 of this day 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:22.379 didn't understand 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.440 and didn't teach 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:25.400 accountability after death. 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:26.460 So when you died, 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:27.380 it was pretty much over. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.120 So in that context, 00:25:29.280 --> 00:25:30.720 they're asking 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.980 these questions 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.180 that we began with 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.860 at the beginning 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:34.420 of the message. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.100 So look at that 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.800 high school girl 00:25:36.800 --> 00:25:37.880 that suffered and died 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.760 of breast cancer. 00:25:38.820 --> 00:25:39.920 Look at that man 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.760 who suffers 00:25:40.760 --> 00:25:42.080 at his workplace 00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:43.220 and dies 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.060 just like everybody else. 00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:45.140 They just died. 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:47.200 What are we going 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.820 to do about that? 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.780 And they critiqued 00:25:49.780 --> 00:25:50.800 Christianity in this way. 00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:52.360 What good is Christianity? 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.840 When you restrain yourself 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:55.360 and live this holy life 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:57.080 and have nothing 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.820 to show for it. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.440 They just died 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.420 like everybody else. 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.740 In this context, 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.960 what Peter is telling us 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:04.400 is that it's not over 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.080 when they die 00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:06.460 because the God 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.260 who called them 00:26:07.260 --> 00:26:07.740 to holiness 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.920 is going to judge 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.860 both the living 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.960 and the dead. 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.560 So the fact 00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:13.100 that they die 00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:13.760 doesn't mean 00:26:13.760 --> 00:26:15.120 that that is final 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:16.240 and that that is over. 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:16.800 The fact that they're 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:18.000 never going to get vindication. 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.340 No, in death 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:20.660 they will be vindicated 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.880 because they will be 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.960 raised with Christ 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.740 in their resurrection 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.160 and because God 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:26.140 will ultimately judge 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.180 all humanity 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:28.260 that's ever existed 00:26:28.260 --> 00:26:29.580 in the course of history 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:31.520 according to his righteousness. 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:33.000 And that's 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.800 John Calvin 00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:34.540 puts it this way. 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:34.800 He says, 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:36.700 we see that death 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.980 does not hinder Christ 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:39.000 from being always 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.659 our defender. 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:41.859 It is a remarkable 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:43.299 consolation to the godly 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.339 that death itself 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.359 brings no loss 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:46.159 to their salvation. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.579 Even if Christ 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.519 does not appear 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.259 as deliverer 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.039 in this life, 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.279 yet his redemption 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.539 is not void 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.740 or without effect. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.099 For his power 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.220 extends even 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.139 to the dead. 00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:00.039 That God's power, 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.899 God's redemption 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:02.079 extends even 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.039 to the dead. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:04.379 And that's why 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.059 our suffering 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:05.720 and obedience 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.339 in this life 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.779 will not be for naught. 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:09.220 We will be rewarded 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.899 and that's why 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.740 we can suffer 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.599 rather than sin 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.359 because we know 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:12.960 that God will 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.879 ultimately judge 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:15.139 both the living 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:16.399 and the dead. 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.079 And we are assured 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.599 of this 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:21.119 because as we talked 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.379 about last week 00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:23.920 because as verse 1 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.680 starts here, 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.879 since therefore 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.920 Christ suffered 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.440 in the flesh. 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.579 Christ suffered 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.619 in the same way 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.619 while he lived 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.199 in the flesh 00:27:31.199 --> 00:27:31.799 on earth 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.739 in his incarnation, 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.659 he suffered 00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:34.439 and died 00:27:34.439 --> 00:27:34.959 in the same way 00:27:34.959 --> 00:27:35.639 and now he is 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.779 exalted above 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.259 the heavens 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.199 with all authority 00:27:38.199 --> 00:27:38.719 and power 00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:40.379 submitted to him 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.539 under his feet. 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.359 And that gives 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.799 assurance, 00:27:43.959 --> 00:27:44.819 that reminds us 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.659 as we love God 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.579 and love Christ 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.319 who died for us 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:48.939 and saved us, 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.059 this is that 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.679 we have a goal 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.359 to look forward to, 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:51.939 we have an end 00:27:51.939 --> 00:27:52.639 to look forward to 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.059 knowing that we 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.639 will ultimately 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.239 be vindicated. 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:57.400 Let me close 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.099 by reading 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.819 an excerpt 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.019 from one 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.740 of my favorite hymns, 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.059 it's called 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.099 Be Still My Soul. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.539 It says, 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.859 Be still my soul, 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.920 the Lord 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.180 is on thy side. 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.599 Bear patiently 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:12.019 the cross 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.759 of grief 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.500 or pain. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.559 Leave to thy God 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.519 to order 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.720 and provide. 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.339 In every change 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.319 he faithful 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.500 will remain. 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:26.640 Be still my soul, 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.279 thy best, 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.599 thy heavenly friend. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.779 Through thorny ways 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.839 leads to a joyful end. 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.900 Let me pray. 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.359 Heavenly Father, 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:53.959 we do want 00:28:53.959 --> 00:28:54.559 to be 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:57.539 fully sold out, 00:28:58.059 --> 00:29:00.099 obedient believers. 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.259 In fact, 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:06.459 Lord, 00:29:06.459 --> 00:29:06.959 we acknowledge 00:29:06.959 --> 00:29:07.799 that that is the only way 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.519 to be a believer 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:10.219 is to completely 00:29:10.219 --> 00:29:11.039 entrust ourselves 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.479 to you. 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.819 So we now ask 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.419 for your help. 00:29:17.219 --> 00:29:18.359 Fill us with your spirit. 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:25.159 convict us 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:25.919 so we may repent 00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:26.459 of ways 00:29:26.459 --> 00:29:27.279 in which we may 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:27.939 have settled 00:29:27.939 --> 00:29:30.819 and sinned. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.899 Forgive us 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:34.899 for balking 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:35.619 at the face 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:36.139 of suffering 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:36.919 and failing 00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:37.759 to obey you. 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:40.939 And now help us 00:29:40.939 --> 00:29:42.299 by your power 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:45.359 to suffer 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.339 rather than sin 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:49.339 knowing that you 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.799 are the righteous judge. 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.819 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.599 Amen.