WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.880
 It's good to see you this morning.

00:00:01.320 --> 00:00:03.140
 If you missed Pastor Matt's announcement

00:00:03.140 --> 00:00:04.600
 at the very start of the service

00:00:04.600 --> 00:00:06.520
 about the city parking ban,

00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.779
 let me remind you, if you parked on the street,

00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:11.679
 there's a chance you may get towed.

00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:15.460
 I'll read the scripture passage really slowly

00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:18.600
 to give you a chance to go move your car if you need to,

00:00:18.940 --> 00:00:20.839
 but there's a parking garage right behind us.

00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:22.519
 You can get to it right off of Autobahn

00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:23.400
 or off of Orange Street.

00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:25.280
 So we did park on the street this morning.

00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:26.879
 We wouldn't want you to get towed,

00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:28.859
 so just a reminder about that.

00:00:28.859 --> 00:00:30.739
 But our sermon text this morning

00:00:30.739 --> 00:00:33.600
 is 1 Peter 1, 13-21.

00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:36.500
 And I think that's on page 953

00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:38.480
 in the Pew Bible in front of you.

00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:40.039
 If you'd like to turn there

00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:41.079
 and have it open in front of you

00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:42.640
 throughout the course of our sermon this morning.

00:00:43.780 --> 00:00:46.420
 1 Peter 1, verses 13-21.

00:00:47.620 --> 00:00:49.159
 All right, let me read this for us.

00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:51.019
 The Apostle Peter says this.

00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:51.320
 He says,

00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:54.159
 Therefore, preparing your minds for action

00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:55.640
 and being sober-minded,

00:00:56.420 --> 00:00:58.019
 set your hope fully on the grace

00:00:58.020 --> 00:00:59.100
 that will be brought to you

00:00:59.100 --> 00:01:00.720
 at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:02.340
 As obedient children,

00:01:02.440 --> 00:01:04.200
 do not be conformed to the passions

00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:05.939
 of your former ignorance.

00:01:07.020 --> 00:01:08.939
 But as he who called you is holy,

00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:11.520
 you also be holy in all your conduct.

00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:12.879
 Since it is written,

00:01:13.820 --> 00:01:15.600
 You shall be holy, for I am holy.

00:01:16.540 --> 00:01:18.200
 And if you call on him as father

00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:19.800
 who judges impartially according

00:01:19.800 --> 00:01:20.920
 to each one's deeds,

00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:22.879
 conduct yourselves with fear

00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:24.120
 throughout the time of your exile,

00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:26.180
 knowing that you were ransomed

00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:27.079
 from the futile ways

00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:28.560
 inherited from your forefathers,

00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:30.620
 not with perishable things,

00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:32.300
 such as silver or gold,

00:01:32.859 --> 00:01:34.380
 but with the precious blood of Christ,

00:01:35.100 --> 00:01:35.880
 like that of a lamb

00:01:35.880 --> 00:01:37.140
 without blemish or spot.

00:01:38.160 --> 00:01:39.160
 He was foreknown

00:01:39.160 --> 00:01:40.740
 before the foundation of the world,

00:01:41.460 --> 00:01:42.439
 but was made manifest

00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:43.280
 in the last times

00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:44.159
 for the sake of you,

00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:45.740
 who through him

00:01:45.740 --> 00:01:46.740
 are believers in God,

00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:48.300
 who raised him from the dead

00:01:48.300 --> 00:01:49.140
 and gave him glory,

00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:51.159
 so that your faith and hope

00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:52.020
 are in God.

00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:54.000
 Let's pray together.

00:01:56.439 --> 00:01:58.140
 Father, as we come to these words

00:01:58.140 --> 00:01:59.159
 from the Apostle Peter

00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:00.819
 to the first century church,

00:02:00.979 --> 00:02:02.640
 we thank you that by your spirit

00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:04.939
 you continue to speak to us

00:02:04.939 --> 00:02:06.420
 through these apostolic words.

00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:08.759
 Jesus, thank you for continuing

00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:10.560
 to shepherd your church

00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:13.840
 throughout this time.

00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:16.800
 And we pray that as we meditate

00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:18.139
 on this passage this morning,

00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:19.519
 you would do that work

00:02:19.519 --> 00:02:21.120
 of shepherding and loving

00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:22.460
 and comforting and guiding

00:02:22.460 --> 00:02:24.620
 for the sake of your people

00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:25.620
 and for the sake of your name,

00:02:25.700 --> 00:02:26.340
 we pray this.

00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:26.680
 Amen.

00:02:29.140 --> 00:02:31.319
 So, when we look at the history

00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:32.140
 of the early church,

00:02:32.480 --> 00:02:34.420
 we see something pretty amazing,

00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:34.819
 actually.

00:02:35.700 --> 00:02:36.680
 As the message

00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:37.819
 about Jesus' death

00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:38.420
 and resurrection

00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:39.300
 went forth

00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:40.599
 in those first centuries,

00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:42.759
 it created communities

00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:45.020
 that were radically distinct

00:02:45.020 --> 00:02:47.060
 from the surrounding Roman culture.

00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:48.980
 Something obviously

00:02:48.979 --> 00:02:50.359
 and apparently knew

00:02:50.359 --> 00:02:51.759
 was being created.

00:02:53.119 --> 00:02:54.019
 Larry Hurtado,

00:02:54.139 --> 00:02:54.759
 who's a historian

00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:56.340
 of the first few centuries

00:02:56.340 --> 00:02:57.979
 of the common area

00:02:57.979 --> 00:02:58.419
 of the church,

00:02:58.620 --> 00:02:59.679
 he wrote a book recently

00:02:59.679 --> 00:03:01.120
 called Destroyer of the Gods,

00:03:01.359 --> 00:03:02.939
 Early Christian Distinctiveness

00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:04.039
 in the Roman World.

00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:05.579
 And what he does

00:03:05.579 --> 00:03:06.019
 in that book

00:03:06.019 --> 00:03:07.479
 is trace how Christian communities

00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:08.699
 were really, really different

00:03:08.699 --> 00:03:09.539
 and really distinct

00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:10.519
 from the Roman context

00:03:10.519 --> 00:03:11.299
 in which they lived.

00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:12.679
 And he traces

00:03:12.679 --> 00:03:13.919
 a number of different ways

00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:15.179
 in which the church

00:03:15.179 --> 00:03:15.739
 was different.

00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:17.399
 Well, how so?

00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:18.740
 Well, there was a number of ways.

00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:20.260
 You know, in a culture

00:03:20.260 --> 00:03:21.379
 where kind of taking care

00:03:21.379 --> 00:03:21.980
 of your family

00:03:21.980 --> 00:03:22.659
 or taking care

00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:23.700
 of your own tribe

00:03:23.700 --> 00:03:24.480
 was the priority,

00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:26.860
 Christians, surprisingly,

00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:28.379
 cared for the poor

00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:29.659
 and cared for the marginalized

00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:30.740
 no matter what their background.

00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:33.340
 Also, in a culture

00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:34.640
 where your religion

00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:35.560
 was basically kind of

00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:36.700
 a product of your upbringing,

00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:39.000
 Christianity in distinction

00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.000
 was radically multi-ethnic

00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:41.920
 and multi-racial.

00:03:42.259 --> 00:03:43.140
 Anyone could join

00:03:43.140 --> 00:03:43.840
 this new movement,

00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:44.719
 this new family

00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:45.500
 around Jesus.

00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:47.659
 And in a culture

00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:50.080
 where honor and shame

00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:50.900
 led to sort of

00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:52.139
 long-standing grudges

00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:53.139
 and rivalries,

00:03:53.620 --> 00:03:54.080
 Christians,

00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:55.639
 in distinction from that,

00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:57.639
 were committed to forgiveness

00:03:57.639 --> 00:03:59.659
 and non-retaliation.

00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:01.479
 Many Christians dying

00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:02.460
 for their faith

00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:03.300
 in those early years,

00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:04.000
 yet forgiving

00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:05.340
 their persecutors.

00:04:06.900 --> 00:04:07.759
 And there's more.

00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:08.460
 In a culture

00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:09.599
 where infanticide

00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:10.860
 was acceptable

00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:11.979
 and children were often

00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:12.939
 sold into slavery,

00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:14.780
 Christians practiced

00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:16.219
 this radical hospitality

00:04:16.219 --> 00:04:17.920
 and this radical commitment

00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:18.579
 to life,

00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:20.819
 standing against abortion,

00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:22.339
 caring for unwanted children,

00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:23.500
 taking them in.

00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:25.899
 And in a culture

00:04:25.899 --> 00:04:26.879
 where sex was seen

00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:27.800
 kind of as an appetite

00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:28.939
 that could be fulfilled

00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:29.899
 in any way

00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:30.779
 as long as it sort of

00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:31.939
 upheld the social order,

00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:33.300
 Christians,

00:04:33.399 --> 00:04:34.159
 in distinction from that,

00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:34.899
 held this radically

00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:35.600
 different view

00:04:35.600 --> 00:04:36.879
 of sex even,

00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:38.079
 that it was part

00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:39.379
 of an exclusive covenant

00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:40.159
 between a man

00:04:40.159 --> 00:04:40.620
 and a woman

00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:42.180
 in a way that pictured

00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:42.860
 God's union

00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:43.519
 with his people,

00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:45.639
 a life-producing union

00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:47.939
 across fundamental difference.

00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:49.860
 Okay, now why are we

00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:50.360
 talking about all this?

00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:50.899
 Why am I talking about

00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:51.480
 all the ways in which

00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:52.360
 Christians were distinct

00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:53.120
 and different

00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:54.399
 from their surrounding culture

00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:55.160
 when it came to things

00:04:55.160 --> 00:04:56.319
 like race and sex

00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:57.360
 and class and life

00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:57.840
 and forgiveness?

00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:00.720
 Well, this distinction,

00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:01.860
 this difference,

00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:04.459
 is what Peter's talking about

00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:05.740
 in our passage

00:05:05.740 --> 00:05:07.740
 when he talks about holiness.

00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:07.939
 holiness.

00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:10.600
 The central point

00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:11.400
 of this paragraph

00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:13.040
 in 1 Peter is verse 15

00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:14.019
 where he says,

00:05:14.340 --> 00:05:16.540
 be holy in all your conduct.

00:05:17.980 --> 00:05:18.600
 Now, I don't know

00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:19.699
 what comes to mind for you

00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:21.480
 when you think of the word holy.

00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:24.139
 Maybe you get a picture

00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:24.939
 of some sort of

00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:25.860
 super spiritual,

00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:27.620
 oddly dressed guru

00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:28.840
 who's very holy.

00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:31.220
 Or maybe you think

00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:32.000
 of some kind of

00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:33.600
 overly meticulous,

00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.939
 self-righteous bore,

00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:36.379
 you know,

00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:37.019
 the kind of person

00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:37.839
 you really don't ever

00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:38.539
 want to invite over

00:05:38.539 --> 00:05:39.000
 for dinner.

00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:41.819
 But, you know,

00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:42.579
 when the Bible uses

00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:43.439
 the word holy,

00:05:44.479 --> 00:05:46.199
 the root of that word

00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:47.060
 means something

00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:48.139
 that's distinct.

00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:49.199
 It's set apart.

00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:52.319
 And just as God

00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:54.419
 is supremely distinct,

00:05:55.299 --> 00:05:56.379
 just as God

00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:57.699
 is supremely distinct

00:05:57.699 --> 00:05:58.419
 in beauty

00:05:58.419 --> 00:05:59.839
 and goodness

00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:01.019
 and truth,

00:06:02.099 --> 00:06:03.159
 so Peter says

00:06:03.159 --> 00:06:04.500
 we should be holy.

00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:07.540
 If we were to paraphrase

00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:08.660
 verses 14 through 16,

00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:09.620
 we might put it this way.

00:06:09.699 --> 00:06:10.199
 Peter's saying,

00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:11.079
 look,

00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:12.339
 don't go back

00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:13.959
 to living like you used to.

00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:14.800
 You know,

00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:16.399
 you didn't know any better

00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:17.620
 and your passion

00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:18.660
 simply ruled your life

00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:19.519
 and you just conformed

00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:20.459
 to everyone around you.

00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:21.100
 But he says,

00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:21.600
 instead,

00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:23.259
 live now

00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:24.959
 in the beautiful

00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:25.699
 distinction

00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:27.480
 of God's own character.

00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:29.519
 Mirror his goodness

00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:30.319
 in everything

00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:31.079
 that you do.

00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:33.279
 be holy.

00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:36.159
 And notice,

00:06:36.279 --> 00:06:36.699
 being holy

00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:37.419
 isn't just something

00:06:37.419 --> 00:06:38.060
 Christians are supposed

00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.719
 to do on Sundays.

00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:39.560
 Peter says,

00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:41.120
 be holy in all your conduct.

00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:44.279
 And that's what we see

00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:44.919
 in the early church.

00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:45.759
 We see Christians

00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:46.879
 together

00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:48.379
 mirroring God's goodness

00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:49.799
 and how they treat the poor

00:06:49.799 --> 00:06:51.000
 and how they embrace

00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:51.419
 one another

00:06:51.419 --> 00:06:52.240
 across racial

00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.019
 and ethnic difference

00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:54.219
 and how they respond

00:06:54.219 --> 00:06:54.659
 to others

00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:55.519
 when people wrong them

00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:56.079
 or harm them

00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:57.159
 and how they care for life

00:06:57.159 --> 00:06:57.979
 in all of its forms

00:06:57.979 --> 00:06:58.740
 and how they approach

00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.000
 sex and marriage.

00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:01.720
 all of it,

00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:02.620
 all of life,

00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:04.379
 it's meant to be distinct.

00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:08.459
 But Peter knows

00:07:08.459 --> 00:07:10.379
 that that's a challenge,

00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:10.939
 right?

00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:13.000
 Because conformity,

00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:14.199
 which he mentions

00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:15.060
 in verse 14,

00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.579
 conformity is always easier

00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:18.199
 than holiness.

00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:20.240
 In other words,

00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.420
 it will always be easier

00:07:21.420 --> 00:07:22.100
 to conform

00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:23.319
 to our culture.

00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:24.639
 It will always be easier

00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:25.220
 to conform

00:07:25.220 --> 00:07:26.160
 to our old habits

00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:26.860
 and passions

00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:28.500
 than to live

00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:30.240
 in the beautiful distinction

00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:31.240
 of God's goodness.

00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:34.220
 So Peter spends

00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:35.259
 most of this paragraph,

00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:35.720
 actually,

00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:36.959
 helping us to see

00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:37.800
 how.

00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:40.579
 How can we actually do it

00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:42.060
 even though it's hard?

00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:45.360
 And to summarize,

00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:45.920
 he says,

00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:46.839
 you can do it

00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:48.540
 because,

00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:49.079
 he says,

00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:49.980
 you have a new future

00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:51.259
 and he says,

00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:52.199
 you have a new father

00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:53.220
 and he says,

00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:54.139
 you have a new freedom.

00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:55.839
 In other words,

00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:56.299
 Peter says,

00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:57.299
 live holy lives

00:07:57.299 --> 00:07:58.679
 because your relationship

00:07:58.679 --> 00:07:59.979
 to the future has changed

00:07:59.979 --> 00:08:01.399
 and because your relationship

00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:02.479
 to God has changed

00:08:02.479 --> 00:08:04.219
 and because even your relationship

00:08:04.219 --> 00:08:05.719
 to your past has changed.

00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:07.899
 So that's what we're going

00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:08.599
 to look at this morning,

00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:09.459
 those three things

00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:10.259
 that Peter says

00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:11.939
 as to how we can

00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:13.319
 actually live

00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:14.099
 into this holiness.

00:08:14.979 --> 00:08:15.939
 So let's look first

00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:16.799
 at how our relationship

00:08:16.799 --> 00:08:17.899
 to the future has changed.

00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:18.879
 In verse 13,

00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:19.500
 Peter says,

00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:20.919
 you have a whole new future.

00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:21.439
 Therefore,

00:08:22.039 --> 00:08:22.859
 preparing your minds

00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:23.439
 for action

00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:25.040
 and being sober-minded,

00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:26.360
 set your hope

00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:27.620
 fully on the grace

00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:28.639
 that will be brought to you

00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:29.379
 at the revelation

00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:30.340
 of Jesus Christ.

00:08:31.900 --> 00:08:32.419
 Now,

00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:34.120
 I think most of us

00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:35.039
 have our hope

00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:36.419
 set on something,

00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:36.940
 right?

00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:40.080
 There's some future outcome

00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:41.740
 that you're banking on

00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:43.180
 or that you're aiming for.

00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.100
 Maybe you hope

00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:45.980
 one day

00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:47.180
 to get married

00:08:47.180 --> 00:08:48.779
 or maybe you hope

00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:49.560
 to start a business

00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:50.560
 or maybe you hope

00:08:50.560 --> 00:08:51.500
 to travel the world

00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:52.779
 or cure a disease

00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:54.000
 or raise a few kids.

00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.039
 What is it for you?

00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:58.759
 What's the happy outcome?

00:08:59.139 --> 00:08:59.919
 What's the hope?

00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:02.639
 Now,

00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:03.460
 none of these things

00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:04.639
 are necessarily bad things

00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:05.159
 to hope for,

00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:05.840
 to aim for.

00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:08.419
 But if we're not careful,

00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:10.820
 good hopes

00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:13.059
 can become ultimate hopes.

00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:15.700
 Our hearts can start

00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:16.320
 to believe

00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:18.299
 that they are necessary

00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:19.799
 for our joy.

00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:23.000
 We can begin

00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:23.860
 by saying

00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:25.059
 something like,

00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:25.200
 well,

00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:26.399
 I'd like to one day,

00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:28.320
 but then end up saying,

00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:30.899
 I must have one day.

00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:32.059
 You see the difference?

00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:35.259
 And of course,

00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:35.980
 the thing that becomes

00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:36.919
 your ultimate hope,

00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:37.779
 well,

00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:38.240
 that's the thing

00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:38.799
 that ultimately

00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:39.659
 rules your life,

00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:40.240
 right?

00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.600
 If you set your hope

00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:44.639
 fully on getting married,

00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:45.120
 then you'll do

00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:45.799
 whatever it takes

00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:46.379
 to get a spouse,

00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.320
 even if they're not

00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:47.899
 really the person

00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:48.659
 you should marry.

00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:51.139
 Or if you set your hope

00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:53.319
 fully on career success,

00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:55.000
 then you won't be able

00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:55.559
 to say no

00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:56.480
 when your boss

00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:57.000
 is expecting

00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:58.159
 too many hours from you

00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:00.159
 or when you're asked

00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:00.699
 to do something

00:10:00.699 --> 00:10:01.360
 that goes against

00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:02.059
 your conscience.

00:10:05.459 --> 00:10:06.259
 And that's why

00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:06.919
 Peter says,

00:10:07.219 --> 00:10:08.779
 we have to prepare

00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.259
 our minds for action

00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.600
 and be sober-minded.

00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.000
 Now,

00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:13.399
 literally,

00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:14.019
 he says,

00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:15.980
 gird up the loins

00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.959
 of your mind.

00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:19.540
 This is a great picture,

00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:19.940
 isn't it?

00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:21.120
 And this image,

00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:22.280
 it's from the ancient world

00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:22.920
 when people wore

00:10:22.920 --> 00:10:23.840
 sort of long robes,

00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:24.100
 right?

00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.300
 But if you were

00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:26.019
 going into battle

00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:27.040
 or if you're getting ready

00:10:27.040 --> 00:10:27.639
 to do some kind

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.460
 of physical activity,

00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.360
 you couldn't have

00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.240
 some super long robe

00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:30.960
 getting in your way.

00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.080
 So you'd take it

00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:32.940
 and you would fold it up

00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:33.620
 and you would sort of

00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.320
 wrap it around your waist

00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:34.960
 and you would tie it,

00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:35.740
 you would gird it

00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.660
 around your loins

00:10:36.660 --> 00:10:38.080
 and then you'd be ready to go.

00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:39.139
 You were ready for action.

00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:40.259
 You'd gird up your loins.

00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.660
 In the Old Testament,

00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:43.840
 God actually told the Israelites

00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:45.000
 to gird up their loins

00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.060
 on the night of the Exodus.

00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:48.299
 Be ready for action,

00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:48.899
 God said,

00:10:49.199 --> 00:10:50.219
 because your liberation

00:10:50.219 --> 00:10:50.819
 is coming

00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:52.259
 and you'll need to go

00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.079
 tonight.

00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.919
 So Peter's saying here

00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:56.699
 that like the Israelites

00:10:56.699 --> 00:10:58.619
 on the night of the Passover,

00:10:59.059 --> 00:11:00.379
 we have to be ready

00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:00.979
 for action.

00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.479
 We have to set our hope

00:11:03.479 --> 00:11:05.459
 fully on the only thing

00:11:05.459 --> 00:11:06.919
 that won't enslave us

00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:08.079
 or entrap us.

00:11:08.699 --> 00:11:09.779
 We have to gird up

00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.819
 the loins of our minds

00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:12.239
 and set our hope fully

00:11:12.239 --> 00:11:13.479
 on that one thing

00:11:13.479 --> 00:11:14.719
 that won't make us a slave.

00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:16.879
 And what is that?

00:11:18.420 --> 00:11:18.980
 He says,

00:11:19.040 --> 00:11:20.000
 it's the coming grace

00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.139
 of our Lord Jesus.

00:11:22.800 --> 00:11:23.300
 You see,

00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:23.680
 for Christians,

00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.840
 our hope isn't ultimately

00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:25.680
 in a marriage partner

00:11:25.680 --> 00:11:26.639
 or financial success

00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:27.560
 or any of those things.

00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:29.040
 Our ultimate hope,

00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.139
 our ultimate happiness

00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:31.200
 is what's coming

00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:33.060
 in God's future grace.

00:11:35.680 --> 00:11:36.080
 Now,

00:11:36.160 --> 00:11:37.379
 I know sometimes

00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.100
 when we think about

00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.620
 the future

00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.860
 God has in store

00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.540
 for his people,

00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:41.660
 it doesn't really

00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:42.460
 thrill our hearts,

00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:42.840
 does it?

00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:45.080
 I read a book

00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.200
 this past week

00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:46.860
 that sort of said,

00:11:47.180 --> 00:11:47.340
 you know,

00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.460
 when we think about

00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:49.040
 God's future,

00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.200
 we often think of it

00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:51.220
 sort of like the waiting room

00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.000
 at the dentist.

00:11:52.420 --> 00:11:53.220
 It's calm.

00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:55.040
 There's soothing

00:11:55.040 --> 00:11:56.080
 instrumental music.

00:11:57.220 --> 00:11:58.280
 Everything's really clean.

00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.019
 Some people are wearing

00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.899
 white even.

00:12:02.280 --> 00:12:02.740
 You know,

00:12:02.780 --> 00:12:03.160
 this is sort of

00:12:03.160 --> 00:12:03.800
 what we think of

00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:04.540
 when we think of heaven,

00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.200
 when we think of

00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:05.740
 the new heavens

00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.320
 and the new earth.

00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:08.759
 But that's not

00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.820
 what God has in store.

00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:12.660
 Peter actually uses

00:12:12.660 --> 00:12:13.140
 the metaphor

00:12:13.140 --> 00:12:14.420
 that we just saw

00:12:14.420 --> 00:12:15.220
 in the last couple of weeks.

00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:16.440
 He uses the metaphor

00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.440
 of an inheritance.

00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:19.680
 Now,

00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:20.440
 imagine you get a letter

00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.100
 in the mail one day

00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:22.000
 that seems to be

00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:24.160
 from a reputable law office

00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:25.400
 telling you

00:12:25.400 --> 00:12:27.100
 that a distant relative

00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:27.820
 has left you

00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:28.780
 their entire estate.

00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:30.700
 And it's not just

00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:32.000
 a large life-changing

00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:32.720
 sum of money,

00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:33.920
 but a house

00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:35.660
 and a fairly large

00:12:35.660 --> 00:12:36.340
 piece of property

00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:37.360
 in the south of France.

00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:40.200
 I think you'd be

00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:41.019
 a little more excited

00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:41.600
 about that

00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.960
 than visiting the waiting room

00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.919
 of your dentist, right?

00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:46.700
 Of course you would.

00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.539
 And when Peter says

00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.580
 you have an inheritance,

00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.720
 he means something

00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.759
 even more thrilling

00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:55.240
 than an estate

00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:56.320
 in the south of France.

00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:58.659
 He's talking about

00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.919
 a place in the new heavens

00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:00.600
 and the new earth

00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.659
 when God

00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:04.120
 will continue

00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.620
 to extend

00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.000
 his infinite creativity

00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.759
 and beauty

00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.759
 through us

00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:09.799
 as image bearers

00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.919
 as we reign

00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.759
 with him forever.

00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:13.539
 But as we reign

00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.139
 with him forever

00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:14.759
 in a world

00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.279
 that's finally set free

00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.320
 from decay

00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.059
 and death

00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:18.820
 and loss.

00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:24.899
 And remember,

00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.620
 Peter's saying

00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:28.080
 that this is the first key

00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.500
 to holy living.

00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.820
 Set your hope

00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.519
 on this future grace.

00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:33.579
 grace.

00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.419
 Then you won't be

00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:35.939
 controlled

00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:36.720
 or ruled

00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:38.319
 by lesser hopes.

00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:39.819
 Then,

00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.879
 like the early Christians,

00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:42.779
 you can be generous

00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.379
 to the poor

00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.919
 even when it's hard

00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:47.019
 because the future grace

00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.139
 of your coming inheritance

00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.500
 makes earthly wealth

00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:50.059
 in this life

00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:51.139
 pale in comparison.

00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.699
 You have an inheritance

00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:54.460
 that's coming.

00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:55.819
 Future grace.

00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:56.679
 So why not

00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.860
 be generous now?

00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.539
 You don't need

00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.480
 to hold on to your money

00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.120
 so tightly.

00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:04.860
 And like the early Christians,

00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.500
 you can live

00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:07.200
 a single celibate life

00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:08.060
 with contentment

00:14:08.060 --> 00:14:08.600
 and joy

00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.879
 even when it's hard

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.659
 because the future grace

00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.840
 of your coming union

00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:13.600
 with Christ

00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.899
 makes earthly marriage

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:16.019
 pale in comparison.

00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:18.840
 You don't have to seek

00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.539
 something out

00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.080
 in this life

00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:20.700
 because you know

00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:21.259
 what's coming

00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:22.480
 is so much better.

00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:27.180
 So Peter wants us

00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:27.700
 to see that

00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:28.740
 this new future

00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.259
 that we have

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.899
 in the gospel,

00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.759
 this inheritance,

00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.500
 this grace

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.159
 that's coming.

00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.039
 This is the first thing

00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:34.779
 that empowers

00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:35.639
 our holy living

00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:37.120
 and we can gird up

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.279
 the loins of our mind

00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.340
 and we can set

00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.379
 our hope fully on it

00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.679
 and it won't disappoint us.

00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.340
 The second thing

00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.120
 he points out though

00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.139
 is not just

00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.539
 that we have

00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.240
 a new future

00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:49.480
 but that we have

00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.080
 a new father.

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.000
 It's not just

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.559
 our relationship

00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.080
 to the future

00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.580
 that's changed,

00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.319
 it's our relationship

00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:53.879
 with God,

00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:54.740
 he says.

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.419
 Now notice how

00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.480
 Peter implies this

00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.800
 in verses 14

00:14:58.800 --> 00:14:59.399
 through 16.

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.360
 If you look back

00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.899
 at those verses,

00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.720
 Peter is saying,

00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:02.639
 he's saying,

00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:03.600
 just like children

00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.840
 imitate their parents

00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.360
 in obedience,

00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.560
 so you Christians,

00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:07.980
 now that you are

00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.100
 children of God,

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.840
 imitate your heavenly father.

00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:11.659
 Be holy

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:13.060
 like he is holy.

00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:14.960
 And then he says

00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.779
 in verse 17,

00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.300
 and if you call

00:15:17.300 --> 00:15:18.680
 on him as father

00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:21.000
 who judges impartially

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.740
 according to each

00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.420
 one's deeds,

00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:23.960
 conduct yourselves

00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:24.500
 with fear

00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.600
 throughout the time

00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.320
 of your exile.

00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:27.899
 Remember,

00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.659
 exile is sort of

00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.080
 Peter's way

00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:29.759
 of talking about

00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.720
 this Christian life,

00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.279
 our pilgrimage

00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.060
 to the new heavens

00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.620
 and the new earth.

00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.840
 Now this verse

00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.580
 takes some explaining,

00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.240
 verse 17.

00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:37.720
 It sort of sounds

00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.440
 at first like

00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:39.019
 Peter's saying,

00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:39.460
 okay,

00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.620
 don't forget,

00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.220
 your heavenly father

00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.600
 is a merciless judge,

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.860
 so you better be holy

00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.840
 or else.

00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.040
 But I don't think

00:15:49.040 --> 00:15:49.980
 that's what Peter means.

00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:51.720
 I don't think

00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.600
 he's trying to scare

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:54.040
 Christians into obedience.

00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:56.699
 Now, of course,

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.860
 it is true

00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:59.039
 that God will judge

00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.959
 the works that believers

00:15:59.959 --> 00:16:00.959
 have done in this life,

00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:02.259
 and it is true

00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.379
 that there will be

00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.259
 varying levels

00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.559
 of reward in heaven.

00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:07.199
 Remember Jesus' parable

00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:08.159
 of the talents, right?

00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:11.159
 But none of that means

00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.459
 that we're saved

00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.519
 by our good works.

00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.379
 Think about it.

00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:16.059
 If I ask my kids

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.679
 to go clean their rooms,

00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:18.939
 right,

00:16:18.959 --> 00:16:19.939
 I might give them

00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:21.939
 varying levels of praise

00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:23.200
 depending on how

00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:24.380
 good of a job they did.

00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.360
 But that doesn't mean

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.500
 I'm expecting them

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.980
 to earn their status

00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.880
 as my children

00:16:29.880 --> 00:16:31.020
 based on how well

00:16:31.020 --> 00:16:31.760
 they tidy up.

00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.900
 That would raise the stakes,

00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:34.480
 wouldn't it,

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.740
 for cleaning the room?

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.080
 And it's the same

00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.060
 in the gospel, friends.

00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:42.340
 We're adopted

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.300
 into God's family

00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:43.880
 completely

00:16:43.880 --> 00:16:45.100
 and solely

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.180
 by grace alone,

00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.180
 through faith alone,

00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.000
 in Christ alone.

00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:50.559
 That's how we get

00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.220
 into the family

00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:51.799
 and that's what

00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.620
 keeps us secure.

00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.440
 So what does Peter mean

00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.600
 in verse 17 then?

00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.259
 I think he means

00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.120
 something like this.

00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:04.119
 The impartial judge

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.240
 of the universe,

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.539
 God,

00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.779
 who has every right

00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.200
 to bring our lives

00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.779
 to account,

00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.200
 this judge

00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:13.880
 is now your father.

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:16.200
 the one

00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.520
 whose perfect judgment

00:17:17.520 --> 00:17:18.480
 will bring the world

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.280
 to its knees.

00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.440
 This God

00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:23.020
 has chosen

00:17:23.020 --> 00:17:24.240
 to embrace you

00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.260
 with the tender strength

00:17:26.260 --> 00:17:27.720
 of a perfect father.

00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.960
 The one who is judge

00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.300
 you now call on

00:17:32.300 --> 00:17:33.220
 as your father.

00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.860
 And how should that

00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.520
 impact us?

00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.480
 Well, Peter says

00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:39.520
 it ought to provoke fear.

00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.680
 But what kind of fear?

00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:43.920
 Is it terror

00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.500
 that makes us

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.220
 want to run away?

00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:47.019
 Or is it deep awe

00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.560
 and wonder

00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:48.200
 that makes us

00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.080
 want to draw near?

00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.180
 When the Bible

00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.140
 talks about the fear

00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:52.600
 of God,

00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.720
 that's what it means.

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.279
 Deep,

00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.140
 soul-changing awe.

00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.320
 When you behold

00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:58.160
 something so big

00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:58.640
 and powerful

00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.180
 and glorious

00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.380
 that it takes you

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.160
 out of yourself

00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.700
 in worship.

00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.160
 And Peter is saying

00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.100
 that if you know

00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:06.539
 that the impartial judge

00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:08.060
 is your heavenly father,

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:08.980
 then you have

00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.120
 this holy fear

00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.979
 that drives out

00:18:10.979 --> 00:18:11.959
 all other fears.

00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.099
 You know,

00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:15.619
 if you think about it,

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.199
 this is part of what

00:18:16.199 --> 00:18:16.859
 makes Christianity

00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.559
 so unique.

00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:19.679
 A lot of religions

00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.299
 picture God

00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:20.879
 as a judge.

00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.319
 But if God

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.459
 is only a judge,

00:18:24.699 --> 00:18:25.299
 can we really

00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.859
 trust him?

00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:28.559
 If God

00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.779
 is only a judge,

00:18:29.979 --> 00:18:30.619
 maybe we'll

00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.439
 live our lives

00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:34.519
 to get on his good side

00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.399
 long enough

00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:36.099
 so that he'll

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.719
 leave us alone

00:18:36.719 --> 00:18:37.259
 and so we can

00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.000
 do whatever we want.

00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:40.099
 But if we don't

00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.099
 God

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.959
 is only a judge,

00:18:41.959 --> 00:18:42.059
 but you know,

00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.480
 on the flip side,

00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.219
 in more recent history,

00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.819
 some religions

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.559
 only picture God

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.059
 as a father

00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.199
 or maybe some sort

00:18:46.199 --> 00:18:47.240
 of totally accepting

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.839
 benevolence,

00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:48.099
 right?

00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:50.079
 But if God,

00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:50.579
 on the other hand,

00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:51.719
 is just pure acceptance

00:18:51.719 --> 00:18:52.839
 and pure affirmation,

00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:53.000
 well,

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.519
 that's not very

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.399
 life-changing either,

00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:54.839
 is it?

00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:55.879
 It might be nice

00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.519
 to think that God

00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.799
 always approves of us,

00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:58.539
 but surely not

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.419
 everything we do

00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.279
 is approval-worthy,

00:19:00.419 --> 00:19:00.719
 right?

00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.480
 And what does

00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:02.919
 such a God

00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:03.459
 have to say

00:19:03.459 --> 00:19:04.439
 about real injustice

00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.619
 and evil in the world?

00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:07.859
 Does this totally

00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:09.079
 accepting benevolence

00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.859
 just sort of smile

00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:11.519
 kindly upon racism

00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.319
 and poverty

00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.019
 and brutality

00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.539
 and deceit

00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.240
 and bitterness?

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.799
 But in Christianity,

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.179
 friends,

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.119
 these two realities

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:21.720
 about God

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.359
 come together.

00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:25.159
 God's perfectly just

00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:26.639
 and he's perfectly loving.

00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.559
 And through the cross,

00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:31.220
 his perfect justice

00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.019
 against sin

00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:34.139
 and his perfect love

00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:36.139
 for his sinful image bearers

00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:37.380
 meet together.

00:19:39.300 --> 00:19:40.860
 The judge of the universe,

00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.780
 without minimizing

00:19:41.780 --> 00:19:43.120
 his justice one bit,

00:19:43.300 --> 00:19:44.160
 has now become

00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:44.960
 our father

00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:46.100
 without limiting

00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:47.140
 his love

00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.020
 in any way.

00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:51.040
 So you see,

00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:51.540
 in the gospel,

00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.220
 our relationship

00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.759
 to God

00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.040
 has completely changed.

00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:55.340
 Before,

00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:55.940
 we could relate

00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.820
 to God only

00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:57.800
 as a strict judge

00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:58.980
 or only as a

00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.180
 completely permissible

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.600
 father,

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.300
 but now

00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:03.380
 we live in the awe

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.520
 and the holy

00:20:04.520 --> 00:20:05.700
 and good fear

00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.680
 that the perfect judge

00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:07.940
 is now

00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.920
 our perfect father.

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.560
 So how does this relate

00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:12.980
 then to living

00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.680
 holy lives?

00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.020
 Well,

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:14.820
 you know,

00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.400
 for many of us,

00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:15.920
 I think

00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:17.100
 that it's the fear

00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:18.360
 of what people

00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:19.260
 will think of us.

00:20:19.780 --> 00:20:20.640
 It's the fear

00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.660
 of how

00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.920
 they might respond

00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:24.260
 that keeps us

00:20:24.260 --> 00:20:25.240
 or hinders us

00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:25.880
 from living

00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.640
 holy lives.

00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:29.280
 What will my

00:20:29.280 --> 00:20:30.020
 co-workers think

00:20:30.020 --> 00:20:30.660
 if they find out

00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.260
 I'm a Christian?

00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:33.119
 What will my

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.680
 friends think

00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.359
 if I don't agree

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.759
 with them

00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.220
 about this

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.960
 or that issue?

00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.279
 And so in fear,

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:38.940
 we end up living

00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:40.099
 lives of conformity

00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.980
 rather than

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.759
 holy distinction.

00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:45.039
 So what is it?

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.579
 What is it that

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.400
 will drive out

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.960
 this human-centered

00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.500
 fear

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.700
 that so often

00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.559
 rules our lives?

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:53.839
 Ultimately,

00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.519
 it's what Peter's

00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:54.980
 talking about

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.779
 in verse 17.

00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.680
 Having a bigger

00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.079
 fear,

00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.119
 a bigger awe

00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.940
 of God,

00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:01.519
 the perfect

00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.080
 judge who's

00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:02.539
 become our

00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.160
 father in the

00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.600
 gospel.

00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:06.080
 Because you see,

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.740
 when God's

00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:06.960
 verdict,

00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:07.600
 when God's

00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:07.880
 approval,

00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.539
 when God's

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.080
 favor matters

00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:09.980
 more to us

00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.840
 than human

00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:11.380
 approval or

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.080
 human favor,

00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:12.940
 or as the

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.480
 Bible puts it,

00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.000
 when we fear

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.880
 God more

00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:15.420
 than we fear

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.900
 people,

00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.860
 then we'll be

00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.539
 empowered to

00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:17.940
 live holy

00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.440
 lives.

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.779
 We won't live

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.360
 for a human

00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.140
 verdict anymore

00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:24.240
 because only God

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.759
 is the perfect

00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.200
 judge.

00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.880
 It's his

00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.500
 verdict alone

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.039
 that matters,

00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:28.360
 right?

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:30.119
 And we

00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:30.500
 won't live

00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:30.899
 for human

00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.679
 favor anymore

00:21:31.679 --> 00:21:32.819
 because only

00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.399
 God is the

00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.379
 perfect loving

00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:34.839
 father.

00:21:35.979 --> 00:21:36.559
 And it's his

00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.319
 favor alone

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.039
 that really

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.659
 matters at the

00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:38.959
 end of the

00:21:38.959 --> 00:21:39.219
 day.

00:21:42.699 --> 00:21:43.459
 So as Peter

00:21:43.459 --> 00:21:44.339
 encourages us

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.079
 to holy living,

00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.500
 he tells us we

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:46.879
 have a new

00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:48.599
 future and a

00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.059
 new father.

00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:50.079
 He says our

00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.819
 relationship to

00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.459
 the future has

00:21:51.459 --> 00:21:52.699
 changed and our

00:21:52.699 --> 00:21:53.399
 relationship to

00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.299
 God has changed.

00:21:55.219 --> 00:21:56.000
 But then he goes

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.899
 on to say that

00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.259
 even our

00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.320
 relationship to

00:21:59.320 --> 00:22:00.600
 our past has

00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.080
 changed.

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.700
 So let's pick

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.220
 back up in

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.960
 verse 17 of

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.440
 our passage.

00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:04.900
 Peter says

00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.620
 conduct yourselves

00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:06.120
 with fear

00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:07.060
 throughout the

00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:07.440
 time of your

00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:07.860
 exile,

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.019
 knowing that you

00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.620
 were ransomed

00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:09.960
 from the

00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.440
 futile ways

00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.060
 inherited from

00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:11.680
 your forefathers,

00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.080
 not with

00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:12.540
 perishable

00:22:12.540 --> 00:22:13.660
 things such

00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.259
 as silver or

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.560
 gold,

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.560
 but with the

00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:16.100
 precious blood

00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:16.660
 of Christ,

00:22:17.280 --> 00:22:17.860
 like that of a

00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:18.280
 lamb without

00:22:18.280 --> 00:22:18.820
 blemish or

00:22:18.820 --> 00:22:19.220
 spot.

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:20.460
 He was

00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.140
 foreknown before

00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:21.700
 the foundation

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.360
 of the world

00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.000
 that was made

00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.860
 manifest in the

00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:24.540
 last times for

00:22:24.540 --> 00:22:25.300
 the sake of you

00:22:25.300 --> 00:22:26.540
 who through him

00:22:26.540 --> 00:22:27.259
 are believers in

00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.519
 God,

00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.200
 who raised him

00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.720
 from the dead

00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.299
 and gave him

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.640
 glory so that

00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.220
 your faith and

00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.720
 hope are in

00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.039
 God.

00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.779
 Notice here how

00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.339
 Peter talks about

00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.700
 our past lives

00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.599
 before becoming

00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.099
 Christians.

00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:42.299
 He calls it the

00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.259
 futile ways

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.519
 inherited from

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.299
 your forefathers.

00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.900
 Now, Peter isn't

00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.700
 saying that everything

00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:50.240
 about their past is

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.200
 bad, right?

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.960
 There's plenty of

00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.319
 common grace in

00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:53.900
 every culture,

00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:55.400
 and God delights

00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.100
 in the diversity

00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:56.720
 of his human

00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:59.140
 creation, but it

00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:00.980
 is also true that

00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.400
 the fall has

00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.500
 affected every

00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.860
 human culture as

00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.180
 well.

00:23:06.060 --> 00:23:06.820
 Every culture has

00:23:06.820 --> 00:23:07.900
 its own idolatries,

00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.880
 its own

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:09.900
 disordered desires,

00:23:10.560 --> 00:23:12.000
 its own futile or

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.340
 empty ways, as

00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.060
 Peter puts it in

00:23:14.060 --> 00:23:14.640
 verse 18.

00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.140
 And, you know,

00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.680
 this isn't just

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.960
 true of kind of

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.060
 broad cultures,

00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:20.360
 right?

00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:22.179
 It's true of

00:23:22.179 --> 00:23:23.639
 families as well.

00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.559
 You know, we

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.299
 inherit from our

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.299
 families all sorts

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.019
 of good things,

00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:30.079
 yes, but also all

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.319
 sorts of futile

00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.659
 ways, too, don't

00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:32.859
 we?

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.059
 Just think of all

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.719
 that we inherit

00:23:35.719 --> 00:23:36.659
 from our forefathers,

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.459
 as Peter puts it.

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.159
 From our families,

00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.899
 we learn how to

00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:40.159
 respond and treat

00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:40.659
 people who are

00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.339
 different from us.

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.039
 From our families,

00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:43.799
 we learn how to

00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.639
 think about gender

00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.339
 and marriage.

00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:46.639
 From our families,

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.259
 we learn how to

00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.500
 respond to negative

00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.419
 emotions like anger

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.539
 or sadness or fear.

00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.259
 From our families,

00:23:52.300 --> 00:23:52.840
 we learn how to

00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:55.160
 resolve conflict or

00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:56.300
 not resolve conflict,

00:23:56.300 --> 00:23:57.300
 as it might be,

00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:57.700
 right?

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.840
 And sometimes these

00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.660
 things are so ingrained

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.240
 that we don't even

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.800
 notice them.

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:05.080
 Or often, in our

00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.840
 Christian walk, these

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:07.580
 things are so kind of

00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.600
 habituated in us that

00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.519
 it seems like we'll

00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.320
 never be able to

00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:10.900
 change.

00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.779
 And we can get to

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.300
 the place, willingly

00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:17.360
 or unwillingly, where

00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.700
 we say, I guess this

00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.620
 is just who I am.

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.120
 I guess it will

00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:22.140
 always be this way.

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.120
 But Peter says,

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.140
 remember the gospel,

00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:28.660
 friends.

00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:32.220
 You've been ransomed.

00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.580
 A price has been

00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:36.259
 paid for your freedom.

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.460
 But not just any

00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.160
 price, right?

00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.080
 Peter says, God has

00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:42.080
 expended the most

00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:43.140
 precious thing in the

00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:44.740
 world to liberate you.

00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:46.319
 He's laid down his own

00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.279
 life and shed his own

00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.599
 blood.

00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:49.939
 Christ took on your

00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:51.740
 humanity and mine, and

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.599
 he took all the

00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:54.159
 emptiness that's been

00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:56.399
 handed down to you, and

00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.480
 he died with it on the

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.859
 cross.

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:01.000
 He took it to the

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.599
 grave once and for all.

00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.899
 So now, whatever it

00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:06.240
 might be, you know, an

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.259
 addiction passed down

00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.179
 from generation to

00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:09.319
 generation, and an

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.099
 unhealthy view of

00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.779
 conflict and anger, a

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:13.059
 judgmental spirit towards

00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:14.259
 particular races or

00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.960
 cultures, because Christ

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:19.200
 died in our place for

00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:22.500
 us, these futile ways,

00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:24.119
 they no longer need to

00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.799
 define us.

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.700
 He's ransomed us.

00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.539
 And we can walk in

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.940
 holiness.

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.940
 Of course, we may be

00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.419
 tempted to return to

00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:35.119
 them at times.

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.419
 You know, if you've seen

00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.359
 anger expressed a

00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.319
 certain way your entire

00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.500
 life, it will take time

00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.720
 for that to change, no

00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:40.980
 doubt.

00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:43.460
 But the blood of

00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:45.299
 Christ has made change

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.160
 a reality.

00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.839
 As Paul will say in

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.880
 Galatians, he says, I've

00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.839
 been crucified with

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.279
 Christ.

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.960
 It's no longer I who

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.920
 live, but Christ who

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.660
 lives in me.

00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:58.000
 And the life I now live

00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.900
 in the flesh, I live by

00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.900
 faith in the Son of God

00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:01.559
 who loved me and gave

00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.360
 himself for me.

00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.980
 I'm me, Paul says, but

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.880
 it's a whole new me,

00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.480
 because I've died and

00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.839
 risen with Christ, the

00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.720
 one who ransomed me.

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:13.319
 And that's what Peter's

00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:13.720
 saying here.

00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.599
 He's saying we have a

00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:16.420
 whole new freedom.

00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.460
 Our relationship to our

00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.180
 past has been

00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.620
 fundamentally changed.

00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:23.019
 It no longer defines you

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.440
 anymore.

00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:25.460
 He says, now you can

00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.640
 leave those futile ways

00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:28.700
 behind and walk in

00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.120
 holiness.

00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.740
 And then Peter does

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.299
 something utterly

00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.559
 brilliant in verses 20

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.339
 through 21.

00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.420
 To Christians who are

00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.160
 struggling with their

00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:39.240
 past, who are struggling

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.360
 with their identity, who are

00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.059
 struggling with their

00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.179
 futile ways handed down

00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:43.039
 from their forefathers,

00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:44.379
 Peter says, do you want

00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.459
 to know the real story

00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.899
 about your past?

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.139
 Yes, your parents and

00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:51.119
 grandparents and great

00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:52.459
 grandparents all pass down

00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:53.579
 to you the idolatries and

00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.619
 sins and fears that you

00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.159
 struggle with.

00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.219
 But do you want to know

00:26:56.219 --> 00:26:57.339
 what's even more true about

00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.059
 your past?

00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.339
 Do you want to know where

00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.819
 your story really began?

00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:04.000
 Before the world was

00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.539
 created, Peter says in

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:07.720
 verse 20, in the vast

00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.899
 stretches of eternity

00:27:08.899 --> 00:27:10.839
 when all that was

00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:12.460
 was the triune God,

00:27:12.939 --> 00:27:14.000
 in the infinite

00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:16.240
 stretches of divine

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:18.519
 bliss there, in the

00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.779
 perfect beauty and love

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.519
 of the Godhead, the

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.119
 Father looked upon the

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:25.139
 Son, and in the divine

00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:27.220
 foreknowledge, a plan

00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:31.420
 was made, a plan that

00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:33.019
 has now, Peter says, at

00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:34.360
 long last come to light,

00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:37.360
 a plan for your sake,

00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:40.720
 that through Christ the

00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:43.200
 Son, you would believe in

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:45.360
 God, that through his life

00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:47.079
 and glory, you would come

00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:49.319
 to life and glory, to faith

00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.799
 and hope in God.

00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:53.779
 You see, friends, the

00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.819
 history that ultimately

00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:57.019
 defines you is not the

00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.220
 story of the futile ways

00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.099
 handed down from your

00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.740
 forefathers.

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:02.940
 Back behind that, there

00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:05.079
 lies a deeper story, the

00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.419
 story of the eternal,

00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.339
 sovereign love of God for

00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:10.619
 you and the plan he made

00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:12.519
 to make you his own and

00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:13.480
 to bring you to glory.

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:17.200
 And if that is your true

00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.399
 history, if that's what's

00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:20.340
 most true about your

00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:23.360
 past, then you are free

00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:23.780
 indeed.

00:28:25.300 --> 00:28:26.580
 Free to live in the

00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:28.100
 beautiful distinction of

00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:30.180
 God's holiness, free to be

00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:32.700
 holy in all your conduct,

00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:35.000
 because he who called you

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.380
 is holy.

00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:37.740
 Let's pray together.

00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:46.100
 Our Father in heaven, thank

00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:47.060
 you for setting your saving

00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:48.079
 love on us in Christ.

00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:51.139
 And thank you, God, for the

00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:52.339
 great privilege it is through

00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:54.519
 your Holy Spirit to mirror

00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:56.179
 your goodness in all of our

00:28:56.179 --> 00:28:56.619
 lives.

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.179
 Lord, we know that we fall

00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.440
 short of that so often,

00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:03.619
 individually, in community.

00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:06.539
 And yet, Lord, thank you that

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:08.440
 you continue to work out in

00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.480
 us and through us your good

00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:12.359
 purposes, that we might be

00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.480
 holy as you are holy.

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:15.339
 God, think trzeba

00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:16.579
 God, you, for you are hum bikers

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:16.720
 and through your reality.

00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.559
 Father, that we may be

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:17.980
 holy, for the glory of God.

00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.380
 To we speak through you truth

00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:18.860
 and through the joy of God.

00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:18.940
 From

00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:20.240
 reflecting your goodness out

00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.920
 into the world.

00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.059
 We pray this in Jesus' name.

00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:23.559
 Amen.