WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679 Our sermon text this morning is 1 Peter chapter 3, verses 8 through 17. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:11.320 So that's page 954 in the Pew Bible. We'll have it on the screens above as well. 00:00:12.220 --> 00:00:16.699 And let me pray as we come to God's Word in 1 Peter chapter 3. 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:25.640 Oh Lord, what a mighty prayer that is, that we would become instruments of your peace. 00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:30.839 Lord, how we need your Spirit to be able to do that, 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:36.859 and how we need your Word to hear what it is your Spirit is saying to us in these days 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:39.960 that we might live into that holy and good calling. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:45.939 So come with us. Come to us now, God, and be with us as we turn to your Word. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:52.359 Give light to our minds and our hearts as we attend to what it is this passage is saying to us today. 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:54.640 We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:55.640 --> 00:01:01.079 All right, 1 Peter chapter 3. Let me read verses 8 through 17 for us. 00:01:03.020 --> 00:01:03.939 Peter says, 00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:30.659 For whoever desires to love life and see good days, 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:34.239 let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 00:01:35.039 --> 00:01:37.299 Let him turn away from evil and do good. 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:39.599 Let him seek peace and pursue it. 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:43.819 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. 00:01:44.659 --> 00:01:47.120 But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:52.599 Now, who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:57.780 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. 00:01:59.039 --> 00:02:01.739 Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:05.799 But in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:12.780 always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:17.400 Yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:23.280 so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:30.039 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:40.659 All right, so remember, Peter is writing to Christians in this letter who are facing a problem that many Christians feel today. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:48.939 That following Jesus faithfully often results in being misunderstood or even criticized or even slandered. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:54.060 Or as Peter says a few times in this passage, being reviled. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:03:01.479 He says in verse 9 and verse 16, there will be times when you're actually reviled for your good behavior in Christ. 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:08.099 That is, you'll face angry insults or unjust verbal attacks. 00:03:09.920 --> 00:03:13.560 Now, thankfully, that isn't always the case, right? 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:15.740 In verse 13, Peter says, 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:18.860 Now, who is there to harm you if you're zealous for what is good? 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:25.320 In many contexts, Christians don't face harm or slander or unjust criticism just for following Christ. 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:34.540 You know, in that verse, it's almost as if Peter is reminding us that persecution isn't necessarily lurking under every government policy or every cultural movement. 00:03:34.920 --> 00:03:41.620 There is still common grace in the world, and God still providentially works for the common good through healthy human authorities. 00:03:41.980 --> 00:03:46.740 So we shouldn't give in to unnecessary suspicion or cynicism or fear. 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:56.939 But Peter is very realistic in this passage that there will be times when you are reviled. 00:03:58.140 --> 00:04:00.500 Living for Christ is countercultural. 00:04:01.379 --> 00:04:05.700 We shouldn't expect to always be liked or welcomed or prized. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:08.300 Sometimes there will be mild ridicule. 00:04:08.700 --> 00:04:15.120 Sometimes there'll be condescension when our neighbors or coworkers learn that we're Christians, right? 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:16.480 Some of you have experienced that. 00:04:17.400 --> 00:04:23.160 And then there will be times when we're outright called judgmental or closed-minded or bigoted or hateful. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:24.639 You know, the list could kind of go on. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:33.460 And in many ways, this experience is something that we should probably get more and more used to as Christians in a very post-Christian world. 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:37.860 On the one hand, people will see Christians' good lives and like what they see. 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:44.100 On the other hand, people will see the countercultural elements of Christianity and perhaps utterly despise us. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:46.379 As Peter says, we'll be reviled. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:58.639 Now, of course, as we're kind of orienting ourselves to this passage, we have to admit that sometimes Christians do things that actually are pretty despicable and run counter to biblical teaching, right? 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:04.019 So we shouldn't think that every time a Christian is criticized, it's undeserved suffering. 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:10.339 Peter's pretty clear in verse 17 of our passage when he says it's better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 00:05:10.719 --> 00:05:15.079 You know, which means that Christians can actually be guilty of doing stupid and evil things, right? 00:05:15.139 --> 00:05:16.779 And they will rightly suffer for it. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:23.619 So there's no need to kind of defend or excuse or sort of minimize the wrong things that sometimes Christians do. 00:05:23.739 --> 00:05:29.259 Better to confess it as wrong and then seek forgiveness and restitution as much as we can. 00:05:31.179 --> 00:05:40.159 Okay, but what about those times when you are actually reviled for doing good, just for faithfully following Jesus? 00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:48.200 When you get the subtle or not so subtle scorn or slander, how should we respond? 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:50.660 That's what Peter's writing about here. 00:05:51.380 --> 00:05:53.960 When reviled as a Christian, then what? 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:58.220 Well, Peter actually shows us two ways to respond. 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:05.640 And these two ways to respond are actually related to the two kind of faulty ways we tend to respond. 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:13.419 Because I don't know about you, but when I'm spoken against or ridiculed or criticized, I can sometimes feel two things. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:17.399 And if you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, I bet you can relate to this too. 00:06:17.860 --> 00:06:20.439 Someone levels an unjust accusation against you. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:22.800 Someone says something hurtful or unfair. 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:24.479 And how does your heart respond? 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:28.099 Well, one of two ways probably, right? 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:32.639 On the one hand, we want to repay and get them back. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:37.500 But then on the other hand, we just want to retreat and kind of move away. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:40.800 We want to repay and sort of make them feel what we felt. 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:43.279 Or in fear, we just want to retreat and go away. 00:06:43.979 --> 00:06:46.819 We don't like being hurt, so we try to hide or we try to disappear. 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:51.360 Maybe you felt those two impulses in your own life. 00:06:52.800 --> 00:07:00.639 You know you're at work and you imagine all the ways you could come up with a perfect comeback when you're insulted by so-and-so for the tenth time, right? 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:08.819 Or you just kind of put your head down and try to avoid them and just you're afraid to get into another uncomfortable conversation. 00:07:11.219 --> 00:07:14.579 But Peter's going to show us a different way altogether. 00:07:16.579 --> 00:07:22.000 He's going to show us how, when we're tempted to repay, we can bless. 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:27.120 And when we're tempted to retreat, we can bear witness. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.680 So let's look at those two things together. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:38.100 First, in verses 8 through 12, we see that when we are reviled, we should bless and not repay. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:39.740 Look again at verses 8 and 9. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:40.819 Peter writes, 00:07:40.819 --> 00:08:04.360 Now remember, up to this point in Peter's letter, he's just given specific instructions to citizens and servants and spouses about how to live honorable lives amongst their unbelieving neighbors. 00:08:04.659 --> 00:08:06.740 But here, he's speaking to all of us. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:08.519 He says, finally, all of you. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:13.800 And then he lists five virtues that should characterize Christian lives. 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:17.460 Unity, sympathy, brotherly love, compassion, humility. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:21.360 But how do we see those virtues in action? 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:29.519 Well, we see them in action most clearly, Peter seems to imply, when we're wronged, when we're reviled. 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:33.299 You know, we're a bit like a tube of toothpaste, right? 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:37.000 When you squeeze it, you see what's inside. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:46.399 Now, what's interesting is that the five virtues in verse 8 most often describe in the New Testament how Christians are related to each other, to other Christians. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:51.379 Brotherly love especially is used to talk about how Christians should treat each other, 00:08:51.379 --> 00:09:03.080 which means that verse 9 about blessing when we're reviled could just as well apply to how we respond to Christians as well as to non-Christians. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:04.480 Right? 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:10.779 You don't need to be a Christian for very long to realize that in the church, harmful things are said to one another. 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:14.199 But how should the church be different? 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:19.879 And when we're out in the world and we're reviled, how should we be different in that context too? 00:09:19.959 --> 00:09:23.740 Well, Peter says, when reviled, we don't repay, we bless. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:29.720 Now, lest we think that's just some crazy idea that Peter came up with, 00:09:30.079 --> 00:09:33.000 we realize that across the New Testament we hear the same thing. 00:09:33.059 --> 00:09:34.159 It's not just Peter. 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:39.559 Paul will say the same thing again and again, like in 1 Corinthians 4.12 when Paul comes out and says, 00:09:39.839 --> 00:09:41.480 when reviled, we bless. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.199 But it's not just Peter and Paul. 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:46.039 This is what Jesus himself taught. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:49.279 In Luke 6, for example, Jesus says, love your enemies. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:51.279 Do good to those who hate you. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:53.679 Bless those who curse you. 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:56.480 So there's no getting away from this. 00:09:56.839 --> 00:09:59.980 It is central, unavoidable Christian teaching. 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:02.779 When reviled, we don't repay, we bless. 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:06.459 Now, what does it mean to bless someone? 00:10:07.439 --> 00:10:10.799 Literally, the word just means to speak well of someone. 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:16.639 So if someone speaks angrily or poorly of us, we don't do the same in return. 00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:19.679 Rather, we speak well in return. 00:10:21.319 --> 00:10:27.019 Now, that doesn't mean that we sort of just make things up and say that someone's a really great person, 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:28.759 even when that's not true, right? 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:38.399 But it does mean that we're not on the hunt to find all the flaws and faults in someone else because they've criticized us. 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:45.899 Sometimes blessing someone looks like treating them fairly and with appropriate charity, 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:48.559 even when they've refused to do that for us. 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:56.179 And blessing those who revile us doesn't mean that we have to throw all boundaries out of the window, right? 00:10:56.219 --> 00:11:00.819 If someone is just relentlessly, actively, aggressively criticizing you, 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:03.659 it's okay to try to separate yourself from that person if you can. 00:11:04.939 --> 00:11:11.919 In that case, blessing someone might look like not repaying that person by tearing them down when you're with other people, right? 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.959 Oh, you know so-and-so. 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:14.079 They're a real jerk. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:15.279 I just can't stand them. 00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:17.699 Here's all the crappy things about them, right? 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:26.019 No, to bless someone is to show them the dignity that their actions might not deserve. 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:34.879 We still treat them as humans created in the image of God, even if their actions fall short of that dignity. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:42.639 But, you know, ultimately, blessing someone means more than just what we say to that person in return. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:45.620 It means what we say about that person to God. 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:52.720 After Jesus says, bless those who curse you in Luke chapter 6, excuse me, 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:56.740 Jesus says, pray for those who persecute you. 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:59.980 What does it mean to bless, ultimately? 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:06.720 It means that we ask God to show his favor and grace upon those who have done injury to us. 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:11.899 And, of course, this is the heart of the gospel, isn't it, friends? 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:21.519 When our sins deserved God's just curse, Jesus took our place, and he bore the curse of our sin 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:23.840 so that we might get God's blessing instead. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:29.820 Why should Christians be so eager to bless when reviled? 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:33.500 Because that's exactly what our Savior did for us. 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:35.920 That's what he did for you, and that's what he did for me. 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:43.980 The only reason we have any hope at all in this world is because God decided to bless those who reviled him. 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:50.440 When we reviled God, when we were living lives that were utterly in opposition to him, 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:53.240 God chose to bless us through the cost of his own son. 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:57.340 So how could we not turn and do the same? 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:05.379 But Peter goes on and points even to another reason in our passage why we should bless when reviled. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.740 He says at the end of verse 9, 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:16.940 And then in verses 10 through 12, he quotes Psalm 34 that Suzanne read earlier in the service for us. 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:21.919 What is the blessing that Psalm 34 speaks of? 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:25.399 Look at verse 12 in 1 Peter. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:29.779 Peter, again quoting Psalm 34, says, 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:44.259 So when we are reviled and refuse to repay, but instead we bless, 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:48.899 in doing so we're not just responding to God's call on our life, 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:55.799 but we're stepping forth into a deeper appropriation of God's blessing of grace. 00:13:55.799 --> 00:14:00.639 This psalm speaks of seeing good days. 00:14:01.359 --> 00:14:04.799 Not in the sense of getting more kind of creaturely comforts, 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:09.879 but seeing good days in the sense of having intimate fellowship with our creator. 00:14:10.959 --> 00:14:16.599 Having his eyes and his ears and his face turned towards us, as verse 12 says. 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:21.959 And friends, is that not our highest good in this life? 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:25.940 To have God himself in intimate fellowship with us. 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:30.180 You know, we live so much of our lives trying to find something good, 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:32.040 something beautiful, something satisfying. 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:33.820 And Peter's saying here, you know what? 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:37.639 If you step into this life of blessing when you're reviled, 00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:42.220 you actually get more and more of the greatest good that could ever be. 00:14:42.780 --> 00:14:43.820 Fellowship with God. 00:14:46.540 --> 00:14:50.139 Peter's not saying here that our good works will somehow save us. 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:50.379 No. 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:54.539 But he is saying that if we want a richer experience of this saving grace, 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:56.799 then we must put it into action. 00:14:57.740 --> 00:15:00.279 And when we do, when we bless those who revile us, 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:04.679 we know that the eyes and the ears and the face of God are upon us 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:05.720 and that he's near to us. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.840 So when reviled, we don't repay, we bless. 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:12.720 But, you know, if I had to guess, 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:18.019 I think perhaps more of us are prone to the second sort of response 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.340 that Peter addresses here. 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:25.280 I think more of us might be prone not to sort of repay when we're reviled, 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:27.040 but to retreat. 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.220 We're simply afraid. 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:34.180 We're afraid of being reviled or ridiculed or criticized. 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:38.379 So we don't even bring up that we're followers of Jesus. 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:41.759 We just, we keep quiet and we avoid the topic altogether. 00:15:44.199 --> 00:15:47.079 And that's what Peter talks about in verses 13 through 17. 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:52.459 He kind of turns the corner in our passage to talk to those of us who are afraid, 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.339 who are tempted to retreat. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.899 And he says, 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:58.540 when reviled, don't retreat in fear. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:01.759 Instead, bear witness. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.879 Bear witness. 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:08.419 Now look at what he says in verse 14, if you have the passage open there. 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:08.740 He says, 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:11.080 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.340 you will be blessed. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:14.720 Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.639 Now first, to those of us who are afraid, 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:20.059 Peter pronounces a blessing over us. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.139 He says, you'll be blessed. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.519 Now where does that come from? 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:27.480 Well, he's simply passing along here what Jesus himself said in Matthew chapter 5. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:30.240 Remember where Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:47.440 Of course, being reviled isn't good in and of itself. 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.159 But Jesus says, 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:51.080 If you're reviled on my account, you're blessed. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:53.500 The world might think the worst of you. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:57.039 But before the throne of heaven where it matters most, 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.920 you have a great reward. 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:02.360 So Peter first says you're blessed, 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.120 but then he says, 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:05.940 Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.920 Now, you might hear that and you might think, 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.839 Well, come on, Peter. 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.559 That's easy for you to say. 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.819 You're an apostle. 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.299 Look at your courage. 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.380 Look at your strength. 00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:18.640 Look at all that you did for Christ. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.559 Of course, you could say have no fear, 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:22.160 but me? 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.660 I could never be brave like that. 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:28.019 But do you remember Peter's story? 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:32.420 Peter, too, knew what it was like to be afraid. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:38.980 Do you remember how when Jesus was arrested and Peter followed the crowd into the high priest's house, 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.700 and then someone said to Peter, 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:42.700 Hey, aren't you one of his followers? 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.259 You've got that Galilean accent. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:47.120 I think I saw you with him earlier. 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.799 And what did Peter do? 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:53.559 Three times in fear, 00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:55.440 Peter denies his Lord. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:58.740 It's the same Peter 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:01.539 who knows what it's like to be afraid, 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:04.580 who knows what it's like to give in to fear, 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.240 who says, 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:08.180 Have no fear of them, 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:09.360 nor be troubled. 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.940 Peter's actually quoting 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:15.440 the prophet Isaiah there. 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.740 In Isaiah chapter 8, 00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:19.420 Isaiah was telling the people of Israel 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.660 not to be afraid 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:23.559 of the surrounding nations with their big armies. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:27.899 And that message is the same one for us. 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:29.960 Peter's bringing it home to the church. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:30.960 He's saying, 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:33.440 Though it might look like the world around us 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.960 is calling the shots 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.339 and wielding the real power, 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.419 Peter says, 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.319 Along with Isaiah, 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.539 have no fear of them, 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.839 nor be troubled. 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.720 But why not? 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.960 Why need we not be afraid? 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:50.120 Well, because Isaiah and Peter say, 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.920 We know the one 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.980 who is greater than this world 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:57.160 and who alone is truly to be feared. 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:59.700 Listen to how Isaiah puts it 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.860 in Isaiah chapter 8, 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.059 verses 12 and 13. 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:02.960 Isaiah says, 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.120 Do not fear what they fear, 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.100 nor be in dread, 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.720 but the Lord of hosts, 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:10.019 him you shall honor as holy. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.940 And you can see, right, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:14.019 how Peter picks up this verse from Isaiah 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.059 when he says, 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.180 But in your hearts, 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.160 honor Christ the Lord as holy. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.500 It's a clear echo of Isaiah, 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.119 but notice, 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.160 along with Peter, 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.440 we know the Lord 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.539 to be none other 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:26.259 than the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:29.180 We know the Lord more personally 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.019 and powerfully 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.460 than Isaiah ever could. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.819 And so rather than living 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:37.460 in the fear of this world 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:39.740 and what the world can and can't do, 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:43.359 we must set our hearts on Christ 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:46.099 and in our hearts set Christ up 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:47.980 as the truly awesome one, 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:50.160 the one whom we must fear 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.839 and love above all else. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:56.380 Isn't that what changed Peter after all? 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:59.740 Fearful Peter, denying Jesus, 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:01.240 living in retreat. 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.480 What changed him? 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:06.420 Well, first it was an experience 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:08.279 of Jesus' forgiving love. 00:20:09.580 --> 00:20:11.640 When Jesus approached Peter on the beach 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:13.160 after his resurrection 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.800 and restored Peter, 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:15.600 saying, 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:15.940 Peter, 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:17.460 do you love me? 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.960 Then come, 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:19.759 feed my sheep. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.340 And brothers and sisters, 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.440 you can know this morning 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:26.779 that the risen Jesus comes to you 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.759 and comes to me 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.660 just the same. 00:20:29.560 --> 00:20:31.720 If you feel like you've lived in fear, 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:34.200 if you feel like you've lived in retreat, 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:37.440 the Lord Jesus comes to you in grace, 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.740 ready to restore you 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:41.980 and eager to receive you. 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:45.559 But that wasn't all for Peter. 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:48.519 What also changed Peter 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:50.100 was what happened after the resurrection 00:20:50.100 --> 00:20:51.920 when Jesus had ascended into heaven. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.759 And on the day of Pentecost, 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.880 Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit. 00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:57.559 And on that day, 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:59.519 with the Holy Spirit filling Peter's heart, 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:01.200 he went forth in the assurance 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:03.039 that Christ was indeed 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:05.360 the resurrected and ascended Lord of all. 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.799 That he was indeed seated 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.000 at the Father's right hand, 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.340 reigning in glory, 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.819 securing for us 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.059 an eternal inheritance, 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.400 ready to be revealed 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.160 at the last day, 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.259 as Peter will say in this letter. 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.420 And friends, 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.580 the Holy Spirit gives us 00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:20.900 the same assurance today. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.960 The good news of the gospel 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:25.400 is that our sins are forgiven. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.500 That like Peter on the beach, 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:29.799 our failures have been cleansed away. 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:31.700 But in addition to that, 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.919 the good news of the gospel 00:21:32.919 --> 00:21:34.579 is that we've been given new hearts, 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.399 new desires, 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.779 and a new hope. 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:41.519 No longer are our hearts ruled 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.619 by the old fears 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:44.139 and old desires anymore. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:44.639 You know, 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.740 our hearts used to be ruled 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.759 by the acceptance of our peers 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.700 or by getting earthly security. 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:51.700 All these fears used to rule us. 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:53.460 But then the gospel comes 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:55.319 and a new Lord is set up 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.519 as holy in our hearts, 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:58.099 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:58.099 --> 00:22:00.639 And what He holds out for us 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:03.359 is real and lasting hope. 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:07.419 A hope that conquers death. 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:10.099 A hope that will restore 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:11.019 all that's lost. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.439 A hope that one day 00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:13.679 will heal all that's broken. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:17.179 And with Christ exalted 00:22:17.179 --> 00:22:18.439 in our hearts like this, 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:21.679 we don't retreat when reviled. 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.899 We bear witness. 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:26.640 On the day of Pentecost, 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.680 the crowds ridiculed 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.519 the early Christians. 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.060 Remember that? 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:29.880 They reviled them. 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.120 Are these guys drinking? 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.720 It's kind of early, right? 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.000 What are they doing? 00:22:35.060 --> 00:22:35.660 They're crazy. 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:38.180 But Peter stands up, 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.700 his heart full of hope 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.280 and his Lord, 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.340 and he bears witness. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.040 But bearing witness 00:22:45.040 --> 00:22:46.040 isn't just for the apostles, 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.440 you know. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.860 It's for all of us. 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:50.679 As Peter says in verse 15, 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.039 always be prepared 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.500 to make a defense 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.639 for anyone who asks you 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.959 for a reason 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:58.039 for the hope 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:59.119 that is in you. 00:23:00.659 --> 00:23:01.740 Now, Peter isn't saying 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.740 that we have to all be 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:04.719 seasoned apologists, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.099 ready to answer 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:07.399 any and every question 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.500 that might come our way. 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.199 That would be a pretty 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:11.339 intimidating thing, right? 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:15.259 No, but he is saying 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:17.459 that we should be able 00:23:17.459 --> 00:23:18.279 to articulate 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.639 in a clear way 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:21.439 why the gospel 00:23:21.439 --> 00:23:22.519 of Jesus Christ 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.959 is good news. 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:28.000 So, friends, 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.720 let me ask you, 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.579 what makes the gospel 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.740 good news for you 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.319 personally? 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:37.319 Can you articulate that 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.539 simply, clearly? 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:41.440 If so, 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.359 then you're ready 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.440 to give a reason 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.299 for the hope 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.259 that is in you. 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.359 Now, if you're looking 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:50.119 for a good book 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.899 that tackles 00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:51.940 some tough questions 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.720 about Christianity, 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.619 there are some 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.240 really good ones, 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:55.000 and I'd encourage 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.899 all of us 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:57.099 to be reading books 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:57.659 like that. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:58.960 If you're looking 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.460 for one, 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.200 Rebecca McLaughlin 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:01.659 wrote a book 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:02.480 called Confronting 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.240 Christianity. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.839 Confronting Christianity, 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.519 that's a really good 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.160 place to start. 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.799 She actually wrote 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.700 a version for teenagers, 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.019 too. 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:09.880 So, there's like 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.500 your pro tip. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.519 You can go listen 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.079 to the one 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.920 written for teenagers, 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.740 and it's really easy 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.160 to follow. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.579 It's called 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:16.579 Ten Questions Every Teen 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.980 Should Ask and Answer 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.799 About Christianity. 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.339 I've been listening 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:19.860 to that lately, 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:21.019 and it's quite good, 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.740 and there's lots 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.220 of illustrations 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.779 from Disney, 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.940 so I'm sure I'm ready 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:25.339 to just, you know, 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.200 go after my kids' 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.240 questions when they come up. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.740 But, you know, 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.599 you don't have to be 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:31.220 sort of well-versed 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.860 in the art of apologetics 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:34.900 to be ready 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.620 to give a reason 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.259 for the hope 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.160 that you have within. 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.500 Rather, 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:40.180 spend some time 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.839 this afternoon 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.900 asking yourself, 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.740 how is the gospel 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.420 of my Lord 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.519 good news to me? 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.360 What is it 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:48.339 about the death 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.059 and resurrection 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.700 of Jesus 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.500 that fills me 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.079 with hope? 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.259 And if you can answer 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.140 that question 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:55.420 honestly and clearly, 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.360 you're there. 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.860 Because chances are 00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.799 the same thing 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.299 that makes 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.200 the gospel of Jesus 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:01.900 Christ good news 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.480 for you 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:04.580 is going to resonate 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.259 with your neighbors 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.220 and with your friends. 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.620 Because we live 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.279 in the same time, 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.960 in the same place, 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.759 and we have the same fears 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.720 and the same concerns. 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.360 If you can answer 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.360 that question honestly 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:16.860 and clearly, 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.360 you're there. 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.680 And, you know, 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.120 if it's coming 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.779 from that place 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.720 where it's real for you, 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.920 that place where 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:23.000 it's good news for you, 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.720 then you'll be able 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.559 to do what Peter says. 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:25.940 You'll be able 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.640 to bear witness 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.519 with gentleness 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.460 and respect. 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:30.559 You know, 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.100 when the gospel 00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:33.240 is sort of just an idea 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.039 that we want 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.259 to convince others about 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.660 or when it's an argument 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.700 that we want to win 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.220 worse, 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:39.759 you know, 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:41.200 these kind of conversations 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.980 never happen 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.160 with gentleness 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.819 and respect. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.279 But when the gospel 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:46.819 is about how 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:48.019 the real Jesus 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.840 meets my real life 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.860 and gives me 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.400 real, 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.100 eternal, 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.700 everlasting hope, 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.960 even when everything else 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.140 is crumbling around me, 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:58.480 then we naturally 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.000 do it 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.080 with gentleness 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:00.780 and respect. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.240 D.A. Carson 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.100 tells this story 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:06.000 in his essay 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.920 on this passage 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.600 in 1 Peter. 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.040 He writes, 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:09.640 I know a doctor 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:11.040 in a North African country 00:26:11.040 --> 00:26:11.440 who's served 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.420 for many years now 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:12.940 in clinics 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.020 that minister to Muslims. 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.180 One day, 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.640 he was treating 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.100 a woman 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:18.160 who had a deep gash 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:18.720 in her arm 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.440 and as he worked, 00:26:20.520 --> 00:26:21.100 he explained 00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:21.660 how the wound 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.960 had to be carefully cleaned 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.720 to get rid 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.500 of as many germs 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.200 as possible 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.680 so as to prevent infection. 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.759 She listened, 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.500 paused for a moment, 00:26:30.640 --> 00:26:31.600 and then commented, 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:33.559 it's not just my arm. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.500 I wish I had a clean heart. 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.319 And then Carson writes, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.759 now what would you say? 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.539 Would you say 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.440 if you had a degree 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:44.039 in Muslim apologetics? 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.620 You know, 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.240 what would you say? 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.920 Might you be tempted 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.539 to point out 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.299 that the problem 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.900 with Islam 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.400 is that there's 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.779 no atoning sacrifice 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.440 that is offered 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.319 to take away sin? 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.759 That is, 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.259 you're only accepted 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.319 by Allah at the end 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.200 if you've obeyed him 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.159 sufficiently for him 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:57.679 to grant you 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:58.799 a place in his presence. 00:26:59.139 --> 00:26:59.599 Christianity, 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.419 by contrast, 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.399 handles the dirt 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.179 that we have in our heart 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:03.179 by providing a Savior 00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:04.059 to take it away. 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.679 But then Carson says, 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.599 but this doctor 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:11.059 personalized his response, 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.619 testifying to his own hope. 00:27:14.679 --> 00:27:15.960 What he said was this, 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.099 oh, 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.839 I know what you mean. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.039 I have had 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.319 such a dirty heart myself 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:24.259 and then I met someone 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.219 who could take it away. 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.659 Would you like me 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.480 to tell you about him? 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:31.059 With gentleness and respect, 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.259 for conscience sake, 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.259 the doctor gently points her 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.740 to Christ. 00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:38.359 When reviled, 00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:40.500 we don't retreat in fear. 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.939 We bear witness, friends. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.539 And we bear witness 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.359 not because we have 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.159 all the right answers, 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.920 but because Christ 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.840 is our living hope 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:49.980 and he has indeed 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:51.040 given us a clean heart. 00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:55.340 Imagine what it would be like 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:57.340 if we were this sort of church. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.779 Because if we're faithful 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.920 to Jesus as a church, 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.100 there will be times 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:03.540 when we will be reviled. 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:06.920 But what if we didn't repay 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.759 and we didn't retreat, 00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:10.759 but instead we blessed 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:12.200 and bore witness? 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.580 Would the world know 00:28:14.580 --> 00:28:15.360 what to do with a church 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:15.940 like that? 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.340 Probably not. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.600 Might some revile us 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.080 all the more? 00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:20.980 Probably. 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.519 But at the same time, 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.980 as we go forth blessing 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.259 and bearing witness, 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:28.080 there won't just be reviling. 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.440 There will be some 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:31.000 who see hope 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:33.019 and who wonder 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.100 just where this hope 00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:34.880 comes from. 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.600 And by the Holy Spirit's 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.279 work in their heart, 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.820 they'll come to take hold 00:28:39.820 --> 00:28:41.220 of Jesus by faith too. 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:44.559 Don't forget, 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.980 brothers and sisters, 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.600 that though the world 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:49.480 might revile us, 00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:51.860 God loves the world. 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.299 He loves our city 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.640 and our neighborhoods 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.940 and our neighbors 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.180 and our coworkers. 00:28:57.180 --> 00:29:01.140 even if the reviling increases, 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:02.600 may we not become angry 00:29:02.600 --> 00:29:03.340 or afraid, 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.340 but remember God's love 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:05.740 for them 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.140 and for us. 00:29:07.140 --> 00:29:09.360 and may we bless 00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:10.980 and bear witness. 00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:12.540 Let's pray together. 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:20.700 Lord Jesus, 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:22.220 we pause for a moment now 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:25.460 and ask for you 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.299 in this moment of 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:28.220 just stillness before you 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.980 to show us 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:30.559 the areas of our life 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:34.180 where we might bless 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:36.920 and where we might bear witness. 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:40.139 Lord, we confess to you now 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:40.759 the ways in which 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.000 we've been angry or afraid. 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:44.819 pray for your Holy Spirit 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:46.039 to come and cleanse us 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:48.180 and renew our hope 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.019 in you, Lord Jesus. 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.240 Wash away our fears 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.059 and our angers. 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.420 Help us to see 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.700 how much we've been blessed 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:58.099 through the faithful witness-bearing 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.220 of others before us. 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:02.119 Fill our hearts with your hope, 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.579 Lord Jesus, 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.559 and send us forth 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:06.119 to do this good work 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.579 in your name. 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:08.059 We pray. 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:08.579 Amen.