WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Hear the word of the Lord. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.039 Resist him. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:34.539 Firm in your faith. 00:00:35.060 --> 00:00:37.480 Knowing that the same kinds of sufferings. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:40.759 Are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 00:00:42.100 --> 00:00:44.140 And after you have suffered a little while. 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:46.500 The God of all grace. 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:50.000 Who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:52.500 Will himself restore. 00:00:53.400 --> 00:00:54.019 Confirm. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:55.620 Strengthen. 00:00:56.200 --> 00:00:57.219 And establish you. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:00:59.539 To him be dominion. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.200 Forever and ever. 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:02.020 Amen. 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:06.680 Right now there is a woman named Kelsey Finler. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:11.280 Who has captivated the attention of really probably millions of people. 00:01:11.739 --> 00:01:13.439 Particularly in the United States. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:14.480 Maybe around the world. 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:17.819 Anybody seen Kelsey Finler's videos this week? 00:01:19.039 --> 00:01:22.859 Kelsey Finler is attempting to be the first American woman. 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:25.140 To travel alone. 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:27.620 From California to Hawaii. 00:01:28.460 --> 00:01:29.319 In a rowboat. 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:31.779 She's a solo rower. 00:01:32.279 --> 00:01:33.219 In a rowboat. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:35.439 She left about 11 days ago. 00:01:35.779 --> 00:01:37.379 From the coast of California. 00:01:37.739 --> 00:01:40.359 And she's attempting to be the first American woman to do it. 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:41.119 Alone. 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:42.239 All the way to Hawaii. 00:01:43.339 --> 00:01:45.919 She's almost two weeks into a feat. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:47.919 That if she accomplishes it. 00:01:48.139 --> 00:01:51.099 Will take probably three months. 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:52.419 To finish. 00:01:52.420 --> 00:01:54.299 And each day. 00:01:54.299 --> 00:01:55.239 I'm not sure. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:57.879 Maybe she has satellite access in some way. 00:01:57.960 --> 00:01:59.939 I know there's lots of people who are tracking her. 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:00.700 But each day. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:05.280 She takes a moment to record about a 60 second video. 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:07.000 A brief update on her condition. 00:02:07.379 --> 00:02:08.439 And on her progress. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:09.520 And she posted online. 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:12.400 There's ocean rowing experts. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:14.020 Who are tracking her progress. 00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:16.340 Who are keeping up with what's going on. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:16.939 And they're posting. 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:19.580 And they're commenting on what she's doing. 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:21.700 Earlier this week. 00:02:22.460 --> 00:02:27.340 A fairly significant weather system moved over Kelsey's location. 00:02:27.340 --> 00:02:30.680 For about a day and a half. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:32.840 There were significantly high winds. 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:35.500 14 foot waves. 00:02:36.300 --> 00:02:37.500 For a day and a half. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:38.620 Through the middle of the night. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:41.580 Her updates around that time were fascinating. 00:02:41.699 --> 00:02:43.560 I would encourage you to go and watch them. 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:47.460 As she was told by those who are helping her support team. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:49.199 This weather system is coming in. 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:50.379 She's preparing herself. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:54.099 She's preparing her ocean rower for this particular event. 00:02:54.259 --> 00:02:56.960 She's recording videos as she's going through the event. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:57.980 And it's fascinating. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:01.680 The most interesting video that she posted though. 00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:03.640 Wasn't during the storm. 00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:07.640 For me it was the one that she posted the day after. 00:03:08.740 --> 00:03:09.800 On day 8. 00:03:09.920 --> 00:03:11.400 After the weather had cleared. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:14.840 The sea had begun to calm. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:18.240 A westerly wind came in. 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:21.180 Moving from west to east. 00:03:21.700 --> 00:03:24.800 And it began to drive her in the completely wrong direction. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:27.680 Here for 8 days. 00:03:28.320 --> 00:03:29.719 She has rowed. 00:03:30.200 --> 00:03:31.080 And rowed. 00:03:31.219 --> 00:03:32.180 And rowed. 00:03:32.260 --> 00:03:34.240 Trying to go west to Hawaii. 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:36.460 She prepares herself. 00:03:36.580 --> 00:03:38.560 She gets even almost excited. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:40.820 About the reality of this big storm that's coming in. 00:03:40.880 --> 00:03:41.900 She's well prepared for that. 00:03:41.980 --> 00:03:42.500 She's eager. 00:03:43.220 --> 00:03:45.220 And then the storm goes away. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:46.280 And she's made it through. 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:49.620 And then suddenly a completely different obstacle comes in. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:51.240 Just a wind. 00:03:52.140 --> 00:03:56.280 And all of that ground that she gained during that storm is suddenly lost. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:58.719 As the wind pushes her in the wrong direction. 00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:00.039 She needs to go. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:05.020 And as you can imagine this was emotionally difficult for her. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:08.099 Through tears she recorded a video. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:12.859 She spoke of how demoralizing it was to have weathered the storm. 00:04:12.859 --> 00:04:16.620 Only to encounter yet another unforeseen obstacle. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:22.319 That causes you to lose precious miles that you worked so hard to gain. 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:26.540 And on that video at various points she said this. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:28.399 I'm summarizing. 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:29.360 She said this. 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:32.019 I knew it was going to be hard. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:35.120 And this is just one of the hard things. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:37.740 Tomorrow is going to be better. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:39.980 I'm still rowing. 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:41.519 I'm still rowing. 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:45.340 The fact of the matter is. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:48.899 Every day on this journey that she's taking. 00:04:49.280 --> 00:04:50.340 Is going to be hard. 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:53.139 There won't be a single day that's easy. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:56.439 The difficulties will change. 00:04:57.259 --> 00:04:58.899 Sometimes it's a big weather system. 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:01.920 That comes in and threatens to capsize your boat. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:04.620 Other times it's a strong wind that comes in. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:06.120 And it begins to push you in the wrong direction. 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:08.680 There's going to be other difficulties that come along the way. 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:10.860 Every day will be difficult. 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:16.100 Every day will come with its own kind of dangers, toils, and snares. 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:19.600 But as long as Kelsey keeps rowing. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:23.420 Eventually she'll reach her destination. 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:30.199 And that elusive and ultimate better tomorrow will actually come. 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:39.219 Now it's watching her videos and following her progress this week that her experience reminds me a little bit of what Peter is doing in this letter. 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:45.319 And what he has been saying to the suffering Christians in Asia Minor here in 1 Peter. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:50.399 Life in this fallen world is hard for everyone. 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:50.959 Right? 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:58.779 But the Christian experience in this life is one that Peter calls a kind of exile. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:03.259 It's not that our lives are necessarily more difficult. 00:06:03.479 --> 00:06:09.479 But we face a kind of suffering and a difficulty that is unique to our faith. 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:15.259 It comes with suffering specifically for the name of Christ. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:21.939 And though the obstacles that we face in relationship to our faith may vary from day to day. 00:06:22.460 --> 00:06:25.939 Each day brings its own kind of trouble. 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:29.740 Its own kind of danger, toil, and snare. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:39.980 And through those hardships, the temptation will be specifically to give up. 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:42.420 To fall away. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:45.500 To stop rowing. 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:54.000 And that temptation can, on some days, seem almost impossible to resist. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:58.860 And it's not always in the big storms that we have to weather. 00:06:59.259 --> 00:07:08.040 Sometimes it's after having come through a huge storm and then just to only be met immediately by another, even if lesser, obstacle. 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:15.199 Where the temptation becomes increasingly strong to just say, I think I'm done with this. 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:17.600 Maybe this isn't worth it. 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:18.600 Maybe this isn't worth it. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:27.000 So in this final section of 1 Peter, God calls us through Peter's writing to persevere. 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:30.360 To be faithful to the very end. 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:36.540 Loved ones, I want you to make it to the very end. 00:07:37.960 --> 00:07:40.020 I want you to make it to the very end. 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:49.599 I want you to make it to the very end because Jesus himself said that only those who endure to the end will be saved. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:08:00.019 Those who fall away will not receive the eternal inheritance that God has promised to his own. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:15.899 Which means that we must prepare ourselves by God's grace to stand firm in the faith of the gospel of Jesus each and every day as we press on towards heaven. 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:20.539 And Peter helps us to see how to do that here in these verses. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:24.060 And he gives us two exhortations first. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:29.860 He instructs us on two ways that we need to actively persevere in the faith. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:32.539 And then the third thing that he does is actually quite different. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:34.519 And it's all kind of rooted in this third thing. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:42.200 Where instead of telling us something to do, he gives us an assurance, a comfort of God's preserving grace. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:44.240 And that's what I want you to see. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:46.539 As we're seeking to be faithful to the end, 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:51.860 I want you to see from Peter's language here what it looks like to persevere in faith, 00:08:51.860 --> 00:09:01.860 a real act of perseverance on our part that's rooted in the comfort and the rest of God's preserving grace. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:07.200 That in his grace, he will see us through to the very end. 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:10.480 First thing Peter says in verses 6 and 7, 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:13.759 humble yourselves before God. 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:16.320 Humble yourself before God. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:20.120 If you're going to be faithful to the end, if you're going to make it to the end and be saved, 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:22.779 you're going to have to humble yourself before God. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:24.919 We'll look at it in verse 6. 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:28.060 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:32.279 so that at the proper time, he may exalt you, 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:37.240 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:41.019 Now this first exhortation, it's reaching back, 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:43.120 it's finding its ground in verse 5, 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:46.539 verse 5, where quoting Proverbs 3, 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:49.919 Peter says that God opposes the proud, 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:52.720 but gives grace to the humble. 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:54.100 Do you see it there in verse 5? 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:57.419 God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 00:09:58.419 --> 00:09:59.700 What's Peter saying then? 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:04.259 Because God sets his face against the prideful 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:09.539 and meets the humble heart with an outpouring of divine favor, 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:16.480 Peter now urges us to actively humble ourselves before God. 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:19.899 And in the context of this passage, 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:24.000 humility is persevering in faith 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:29.139 that God will indeed fulfill his promises to us in Christ. 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:32.980 Humbling ourselves before God here 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:37.340 is to patiently await the future glory 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:39.659 that he has promised his children 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:43.519 by enduring the sufferings of this life, 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:49.379 trusting that he will indeed deliver his people. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:51.899 That's the significance, actually, 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.799 in the language that Peter's using here. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:56.259 He doesn't just say, humble yourself before God. 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:57.419 Notice what he says. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:59.799 Humble yourselves, therefore, before what? 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:02.939 The mighty hand of God. 00:11:03.839 --> 00:11:06.139 Now, Peter just isn't using random language. 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:08.519 This isn't literary flourishing 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:09.919 that he's doing with this phrase. 00:11:10.579 --> 00:11:13.879 This is a description of God and of God's power 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:15.839 that's prevalent in the Old Testament Scriptures. 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:18.699 It's always used particularly in relation 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:21.099 to God delivering his people, 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:23.059 delivering them from trouble, 00:11:23.459 --> 00:11:26.039 delivering them from sin. 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:28.399 Think on that. 00:11:30.599 --> 00:11:32.959 This God who has called you, 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:35.319 whom you believe and follow, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.740 is a God of salvation. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:41.039 He is a God of deliverance. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.279 And Peter says, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:45.039 in the midst of your suffering, 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:46.860 in the midst of your hardship, 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:49.179 humble yourselves before God. 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:51.299 Humble yourselves before the God 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:52.860 who indeed delivers, 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:56.580 who is your salvation. 00:11:58.680 --> 00:12:00.419 To humble ourselves then 00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:02.480 is to trust 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:05.600 that our eternal salvation 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.000 comes from God alone. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:13.220 And whoever thus humbles themselves before him, 00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:14.600 Peter says, 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:17.139 will at the right time 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.800 be exalted. 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:21.019 Exalted with Christ 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:22.019 Christ. 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:22.600 And at Christ's return. 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:24.840 What is that telling us? 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:28.699 It's telling us that anything less 00:12:28.699 --> 00:12:31.000 than persevering faith 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.699 is pride 00:12:32.699 --> 00:12:35.919 that God opposes. 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:41.000 Not only that he will oppose here in this life, 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:43.319 but that he will oppose 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:45.379 in the judgment at Christ's return. 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:47.840 Those who humble themselves 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:49.559 before the mighty hand of God 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:52.039 will be exalted by God 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.259 at the proper time. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.360 Those who do not humble themselves 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:56.980 before the mighty hand of God 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.620 will not be exalted, 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:01.159 but will be condemned 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.799 and judged. 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.460 So trust 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:07.120 that he alone 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.439 is your salvation. 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.840 And that at the appointed time, 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:12.460 at Christ's return, 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.460 he will exalt you. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:16.080 And you will share 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:17.460 in Christ's glory. 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.400 Now in verse 7, 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:21.300 Peter says that this humility 00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:22.720 manifests itself 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.360 in a particular way. 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.460 It manifests itself 00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:28.460 when believers 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.460 hand their worries 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:31.540 over to God. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.280 Look what he says. 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:35.080 This is not a separate imperative. 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:37.259 This is how you humble yourself 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:39.460 by casting all your anxieties 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.740 on him 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:43.800 because he cares for you. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:47.060 Casting all your anxieties 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:47.480 on him 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.460 is one way 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:50.639 that you humble yourself 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.820 under the mighty hand 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:52.980 of God. 00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:55.259 It follows then, 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:55.860 logically, 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.660 in what Peter is saying, 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.300 that worry 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:01.620 or anxiety 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:04.220 is a form of pride 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:06.820 that God will oppose. 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:11.660 at the heart 00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:13.260 of all of your anxieties 00:14:13.260 --> 00:14:15.300 is pride. 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:19.020 It's not always 00:14:19.020 --> 00:14:19.920 pride alone. 00:14:20.920 --> 00:14:22.140 Don't misunderstand me. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.520 There are all kinds 00:14:24.520 --> 00:14:25.080 of things 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.820 that contribute 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:28.040 to our emotional distress. 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:28.379 distress. 00:14:29.599 --> 00:14:30.799 But the one thing 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:32.539 that is always there, 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.799 no matter what else 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.819 may be contributing 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.699 to your distress, 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:38.639 is a kind of pride. 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.819 It's at work 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:42.039 in every anxious heart. 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:45.139 Pride always 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:47.559 makes little of God. 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:50.159 Worry and anxiety, 00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:51.439 giving in to worry 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.039 and anxiety, 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:54.039 is a diminishment 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:54.519 Diminishment 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:56.240 of God 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.219 and his faithfulness 00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:57.939 and his power 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:59.059 and his goodness. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.679 The mighty hand of God 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.279 is diminished 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.299 when we live 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.299 in worry 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.339 and anxiety. 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.099 Steve Schreiner 00:15:07.099 --> 00:15:08.199 said this, 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.159 or Tom Schreiner, 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:09.659 excuse me, 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:11.719 when believers 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:13.000 are filled with anxiety, 00:15:13.219 --> 00:15:14.139 they are convinced 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.519 that they must solve 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.259 all the problems 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.959 in their lives 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:17.539 on their own. 00:15:18.599 --> 00:15:19.659 The only God 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.579 they trust in 00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:21.899 is themselves. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.019 When believers 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.120 throw their worries 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.120 upon God, 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:27.279 they express 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.179 their trust 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.799 in his mighty hand, 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:30.679 acknowledging 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:32.000 that he is Lord 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.199 and sovereign 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:35.639 over all of life. 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.279 Now, 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:37.939 I want you to notice 00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:38.759 what Peter's saying 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.679 and what he's not saying. 00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:41.699 Notice it isn't 00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:43.659 the mere experience 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.659 or feeling 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.439 of worry 00:15:45.439 --> 00:15:46.059 that matters. 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:48.039 It's what we do 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:49.279 with those anxieties 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:51.199 that matters here. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:51.879 So, 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.199 I don't want you 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:52.759 to walk away 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.819 thinking if you get 00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:54.519 nervous about 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.200 something today 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:55.720 or if you have 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:57.580 a sense of anxiety 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.340 about a particular 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.259 thing in your life 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.039 that that means 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.740 that you've sinned 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.200 and your heart 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.059 is lifted up 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.980 in pride against God. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:03.200 No, 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:03.759 he's not saying 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.700 the experience of it 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:06.439 or the feeling of it. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.659 It's what we're doing 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:09.379 with that anxiety 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:11.439 that can become problematic. 00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:12.939 Pride 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:14.759 manifests itself 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.779 by taking matters 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.819 into our own hands. 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:18.340 We buy into 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:19.139 the illusion 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.799 of control 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:22.360 that really 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.080 the one 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:23.980 who is sovereign 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.659 over my life 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.639 and actually can 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.759 control the events 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.360 of my life 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.240 is me. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.439 And so, 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.379 we put our trust 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.139 and our hope 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:31.759 ultimately 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:33.559 in ourselves. 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.480 That's the problem here. 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:36.819 That doubts 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:38.100 God's faithfulness. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.480 Humble faith, 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.460 on the other hand, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.740 takes all of those concerns, 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.600 those moments 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.159 of worry 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:44.879 and anxiety 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.539 and cast them 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.759 on the Lord. 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.960 Cast them 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:50.200 on the mighty 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.519 hand of God. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.120 This means 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.259 trusting 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.840 your soul 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.419 to Him 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.960 and to His 00:16:58.960 --> 00:16:59.840 sovereign care. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:04.099 In the immediate 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.839 context of this passage, 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:07.700 suffering 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.720 as a Christian, 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.920 casting all our anxieties 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.539 on Him 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:14.480 means persevering 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.220 in faith 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.159 and obedience 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.099 despite 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.759 the constant 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.399 threats 00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.139 and ridicule 00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:20.740 from those 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.879 who are hostile 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.639 to God 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:24.159 and His ways. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.839 Do you see that here? 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.259 Humble yourselves 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.759 before the God 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.740 of your salvation 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:33.420 at the right time, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.599 at His appointed time, 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.700 at Christ's return, 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.319 in other words. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.539 He will exalt you. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:39.700 You will share 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.480 in Christ's glory. 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.639 The way 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.720 you will do this 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:44.440 is that when 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.960 you're overcome 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:46.100 with anxiety 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:48.020 because of the suffering 00:17:48.020 --> 00:17:48.700 you're facing, 00:17:49.320 --> 00:17:50.500 instead of trying 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.920 to control it yourself 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.820 or taking matters 00:17:52.820 --> 00:17:53.759 into your own hand 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.800 or just living 00:17:54.800 --> 00:17:55.860 in despondency, 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.540 you, 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.560 by God's grace 00:17:58.560 --> 00:17:59.300 and through 00:17:59.300 --> 00:18:00.400 persevering faith, 00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:02.320 cast those worries 00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:03.000 and anxieties 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.640 on the Lord, 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.240 trusting your soul 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.780 to Him, 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.660 trusting in His goodness 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.680 and His faithfulness 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.860 in your life, 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:11.659 entrusting all things 00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.639 to His sovereign care. 00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:14.379 Now, 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.259 Peter could have rooted 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.359 this exhortation 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.879 in so many attributes 00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:18.279 of God, 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:18.619 couldn't he? 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.099 He could have said, 00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:21.740 cast all your cares 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.479 upon Him 00:18:22.479 --> 00:18:24.419 because He has all power 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.519 and can defeat 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.399 all your enemies. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.459 That would have been great. 00:18:28.719 --> 00:18:29.539 It's not what he says. 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:32.259 What is it that he says? 00:18:33.199 --> 00:18:34.439 Cast all your cares 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.059 on Him 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:38.240 because He cares 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.220 for you. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.620 This exhortation 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.200 is rooted 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.500 in the attribute 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:45.580 of God's providential care. 00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:46.960 What a wonderful comfort 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.519 that is. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.420 It's wonderful 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.240 to know that God 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.279 is all powerful 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.360 and that He can 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.620 defeat all of our enemies 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:53.440 and He can conquer 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.259 all of our hardships. 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:56.180 It's amazingly comforting 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:56.740 to know 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:58.340 that He's not a distant God 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:59.640 but He's a personal God 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:01.420 who not only has that power 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:03.080 but actually has the care 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.279 to perform it 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.599 and the concern 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.919 and the love 00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:08.139 and the compassion 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:09.579 to do it. 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.519 Do you know 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:14.960 that God cares for you? 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.699 He really does. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:21.019 He loves you. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.899 If you are His, 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:27.259 you will always be His. 00:19:28.199 --> 00:19:30.059 He has set His love on you 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.299 from before the foundations 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.099 of the world. 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:34.299 He has called you. 00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:35.339 He knows 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.419 what you're going through. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.079 Indeed, 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.139 He is sovereign 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:39.599 over what you're going through 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:41.199 and He will see you through it. 00:19:41.419 --> 00:19:42.659 He will not abandon you 00:19:42.659 --> 00:19:43.980 and He invites you 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.899 to cast all of those concerns 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:46.500 and worries 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.779 and anxieties on Him 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.319 primarily because 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.980 He cares about you. 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:52.779 He loves you. 00:19:53.939 --> 00:19:55.379 How do I know that? 00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:57.359 How do we know 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:59.240 that He really does care? 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:01.839 because He 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:04.019 who did not spare 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.019 His own Son 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:07.460 but gave Him up 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.079 for us all, 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.200 how will He not 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.559 also with Him 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:12.539 graciously give us 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.400 all things, 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.059 Paul wrote 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.680 in Romans 8. 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.680 God's care for you 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.400 was proven 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:21.120 at the cross. 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:25.639 His eternal love 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.519 and care 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.219 was proven 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:28.599 as Jesus, 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:30.019 the righteous one, 00:20:30.719 --> 00:20:32.579 died in your place 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:35.259 and took your sin 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:38.099 and suffered God's wrath 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:39.639 for your sake. 00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:41.939 That's the pinnacle 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:43.939 of love and care 00:20:43.939 --> 00:20:45.359 and if He's so willing 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:46.000 to do that, 00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:46.979 how could we not 00:20:46.979 --> 00:20:47.979 entrust Him 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.880 with our lesser hardships 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.819 and difficulties? 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:53.740 Therefore, 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.559 you can cast 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.299 your anxieties 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.819 on Him 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:57.539 trusting that He is good 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:59.059 and that He will 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.140 fulfill His promise. 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.579 Second, 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.019 Peter says, 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.640 not only 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:06.039 are we to 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.599 humble ourselves 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.400 before God, 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:09.920 second, 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.620 we are to 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:11.740 stand firm 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.700 in the faith 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.059 against the devil, 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:15.819 stand firm 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.819 in the faith 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:18.619 against the devil, 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:20.159 verses 8 and 9. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.539 He moves on 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:22.899 and He says, 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.039 be sober-minded, 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.359 be watchful 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:29.659 because your adversary, 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.299 the devil, 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.279 prowls around 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:33.200 like a roaring lion 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:35.259 seeking someone 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.480 to devour. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.200 Resist him, 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.939 firm in your faith, 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.200 knowing that the same 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.599 kinds of sufferings 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:44.299 are being experienced 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.119 by your brothers 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:46.899 throughout the world. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.480 This is now 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.359 the third time 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.079 that Peter has 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.619 called us 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:52.299 to spiritual sobriety 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.940 in this letter. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.539 Remember, 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:56.579 it takes sober-mindedness 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.480 to set your hope 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.720 fully on the grace 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.500 that will be completed 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.379 at Christ's return. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.200 We saw that 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.740 in chapter 1, 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.399 verse 13. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.220 We also saw 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.019 in chapter 4 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.619 and verse 7 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:09.099 that faithful communion 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.680 with God 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.299 and prayer requires 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.559 a kind of 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.299 spiritual sobriety, 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:14.839 a sober-mindedness 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.980 as well. 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.639 Here, 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.139 the call 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.680 to spiritual sobriety 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.740 and alertness, 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:22.779 be sober, 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.619 be watchful, 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.440 is for the purpose 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.480 of recognizing 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:28.399 and resisting 00:22:28.399 --> 00:22:30.399 Satan's schemes 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.319 against you. 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.159 Peter says 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:35.079 the devil 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.659 is a real adversary. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.619 He compares him 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.319 to a lion 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.879 who is prowling about 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.580 seeking that he might 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:44.380 destroy us. 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.480 And he says 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.400 we need to be alert 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.420 to this reality. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.640 We need to think 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.760 clearly about this. 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.440 We need to keep 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.660 our heads about this 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.280 and recognize 00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:54.940 that of all the hardships 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.680 you're facing, 00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.880 of all the enemies 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.760 that you may have 00:22:57.760 --> 00:22:58.500 in this life, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.160 there is a great 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:02.320 spiritual power 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:03.700 behind them. 00:23:06.540 --> 00:23:07.640 Your sufferings 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.240 for Christ 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.080 are not about 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.799 that person 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.419 who is ridiculing you. 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:13.480 That's not the extent 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.839 of the power 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.519 that is at work 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.139 against you. 00:23:16.199 --> 00:23:16.279 No, 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.379 it's far greater 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:17.980 than that. 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.799 It is a power 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.679 that is far more 00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:21.299 significant 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.480 than you probably 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.119 imagine. 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.039 And he is seeking 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:27.519 to destroy you. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.559 He wants to destroy you. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.619 And you need to be 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:34.339 alert to that reality 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:37.480 lest you're devoured. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.659 Now, 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.299 we need to keep 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.240 all of this in context 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.299 to really understand 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.980 why Peter is saying 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.439 this here. 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.519 Why is he suddenly 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.939 jumping to this idea 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:48.740 about Satan 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.359 as a roaring lion? 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.199 Let's put it together. 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:52.619 Remember, 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.879 the primary 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:55.379 suffering 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.319 facing believers 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.159 in this letter 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.099 was not the threat 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.919 of death. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.199 Even though that was 00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:00.799 a possibility, 00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:02.019 it always is a possibility. 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.759 That's not really 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.599 the primary means 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.359 of suffering here. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.740 The primary means 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.279 of suffering 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.879 in the letter 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:08.839 is public ridicule. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.180 It is social 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.740 ostracization 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:14.900 specifically because 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.619 of your faith 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.240 in Christ, 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.299 because you're 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.819 a Christian 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.460 and you have decided 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.440 to faithfully live 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.079 as a Christian 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.660 before the watching world. 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:25.660 Relatively few Christians 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:27.440 will ever be called on 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.839 to give their lives 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.559 for the faith 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.980 in death, 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.000 in martyrdom. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:34.139 Every Christian, 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.740 every faithful believer 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.139 without exception 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:40.759 will face the ire 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.940 of unbelievers 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:43.279 in their lives. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.039 The Bible makes 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.139 this abundantly clear. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.359 The world is not 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.139 on your side. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.759 Your unbelieving family 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.720 is not on your side. 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:55.000 Your friends 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.680 that you love 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.359 and that you enjoy 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.099 friendship with 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.900 and that you enjoy 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.579 fellowship with, 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.139 when it comes 00:24:59.139 --> 00:25:00.039 to your faith, 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.099 faith, 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:02.359 they do not love you. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.299 They cannot 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.839 love you. 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.519 Your expectation 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.659 should be 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:11.559 that they will 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.859 be hostile 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:14.059 toward your faith 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.579 and the life 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.240 that it produces. 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.380 Jesus. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:16.859 They say, 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.660 how do we know that? 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.220 Well, 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.099 Paul really 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.299 straightforwardly told us 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.440 that in 2 Timothy. 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:24.160 2 Timothy 3 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.620 says, 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:24.880 indeed, 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:26.160 all who desire 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:27.380 to live a godly life 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.299 in Christ Jesus 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:31.240 will be persecuted. 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.879 Not put to death, 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:37.339 but you will face 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:39.019 the ridicule of the world, 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:41.819 of people that you love, 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:45.180 because of your faithfulness 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.879 to Jesus. 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:48.019 And Paul goes on to say 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.240 that evil people 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.839 and imposters, 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.599 they're going to go on 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.419 from bad to worse. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.379 They're going to keep deceiving 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.159 and being deceived. 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:55.440 Our expectation, 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.000 then, 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.259 should be that 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.800 our suffering 00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:58.560 in this life 00:25:58.560 --> 00:25:59.140 for Christ 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:00.200 will be real 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.680 and it will be experienced 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.560 by us all. 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.500 That's the context 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.440 in which Peter is writing. 00:26:05.560 --> 00:26:06.220 That's what he's dealing 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.680 with here. 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.680 This immersion 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:10.300 into a world 00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:11.060 that is hostile 00:26:11.060 --> 00:26:12.620 toward what we believe 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:15.279 is extraordinarily difficult, 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:18.040 which is why 00:26:18.040 --> 00:26:19.259 compromise 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:22.160 is such a pervasive problem 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.560 in the church. 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.759 It's not because 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:28.000 people come 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.100 to Christ 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:30.279 automatically thinking 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.480 that they're just going 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.640 to do Christianity 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.540 their own way. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:35.040 It doesn't work like that. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.360 When someone first 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.040 comes to Christ, 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.779 they come genuinely, 00:26:41.060 --> 00:26:42.300 at least ostensibly, 00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:43.840 prepared to be 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.759 a genuine follower. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.320 But Jesus said 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.160 there is a category 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.759 of person 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.640 that comes to him 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.800 and then the sun 00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:51.820 gets real hot 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:54.980 the cares of this life, 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.460 the trouble 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.119 of this world 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.139 comes our way 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:59.599 and they fall away 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.399 and they fade away. 00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:01.700 Why? 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.480 Because compromise 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.639 is often born 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:07.639 suffering, 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.480 hardship. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.759 No one wants 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.619 to be an outcast. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.439 Peter wants us 00:27:15.439 --> 00:27:15.819 to know 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.720 that this is 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:18.539 Satan's tactic, 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:21.519 that this is happening 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.240 intentionally 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.460 to you, 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:25.420 that we must 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.399 remain alert 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:26.859 to it 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:28.119 lest we fall away 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:29.359 from the faith. 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.399 The hostility 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:32.099 from the world 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:33.720 is Satan's roar, 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:35.079 this roaring lion. 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.180 What is the roar here? 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.619 A lion roars 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.039 to intimidate. 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.039 What is the 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.940 intimidation 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.460 tactic 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.180 that Satan 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.819 is using? 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:44.159 Is it not 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:44.740 persecution? 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:47.220 Is it not 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.759 hatefulness 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.720 and hostility 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.420 from those 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:51.059 who do not 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.039 believe what we believe 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.299 or maybe even 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.880 think that it's 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:54.339 dangerous? 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.640 And if he can 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.660 succeed in 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.599 intimidating us 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.620 to fall away, 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.900 then we will 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.519 have been 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.559 devoured. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.720 To be devoured 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.180 is to stop 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:06.680 rowing. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.559 To say, 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.420 enough, 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:12.240 this isn't what 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.640 I thought it 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.039 was. 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.180 Maybe this 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:14.839 isn't actually 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.859 real. 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.640 As a result, 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:17.980 Peter, 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:19.420 his warning 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.140 reminds us 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.500 that while 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.940 our enemies 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.380 may have 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.059 many faces, 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.400 there is a 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.019 real spiritual 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.839 power behind 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.420 them all. 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.700 And the 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.140 spiritually 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:28.200 complacent 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.859 and asleep 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:31.240 are susceptible 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.859 to the 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.359 devouring 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:32.880 lion. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.200 I don't want 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.620 you to be 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:36.079 susceptible 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.539 to the 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:36.960 devouring 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.380 lion. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.460 I want 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:39.759 you to be 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.079 alert. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.620 I want 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:42.880 you to 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.339 recognize 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:43.620 what's 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:43.900 actually 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:44.400 happening 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:46.120 in this 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:46.559 spiritual 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.220 war that's 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.640 going on 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.579 around you, 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:49.940 lest you 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.559 fall away. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.200 What does 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:52.700 Paul say to 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.220 the Ephesians? 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.039 We don't 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.799 wrestle against 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.359 flesh and 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:55.740 blood. 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.460 We wrestle 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:57.940 against 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.019 rulers, 00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.500 against 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.099 authorities, 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.079 against cosmic 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.900 powers over 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.380 the present 00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:02.859 darkness, 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.299 against spiritual 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.299 forces of 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:07.200 evil in the 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.140 heavenly places. 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.339 There is a 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.579 significant power 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.759 that is seeking 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.599 your destruction 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:15.339 and you must 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:16.179 remain alert 00:29:16.179 --> 00:29:16.720 to him. 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:18.899 Spiritual 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.859 sleepiness, 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.679 lacking those 00:29:20.679 --> 00:29:21.659 spiritual disciplines, 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.599 not staying 00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.399 faithful to the 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.000 word, not 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.099 spending time in 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.539 prayer, not 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.279 being faithful to 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.159 your church, not 00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:28.039 doing all the 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.939 things that Christ 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:30.000 calls us to do 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.819 as his people. 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.579 Spiritual 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.460 sleepiness, 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.460 complacency, 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.559 that puts you 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.619 at great risk. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.500 It makes you 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.879 vulnerable to 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.939 Satan's schemes. 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:41.160 What then does 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:42.580 it mean to be 00:29:42.580 --> 00:29:43.220 faithful to the 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.580 end? 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.500 Well here, 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.200 Peter says 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.960 clearly you have 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.460 this enemy, 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.700 resist him. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.779 Resist him. 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:49.180 How do we 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.740 resist him? 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:52.080 Firm in the 00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:52.559 faith. 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.320 This devouring, 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.740 This 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.080 temptation, 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:56.820 this isn't 00:29:56.820 --> 00:29:58.279 about luring you 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.920 to do something 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.720 you shouldn't do. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.559 This is about 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.080 luring you away 00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:02.799 from Jesus. 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.320 This is about 00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:05.600 luring you away 00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.160 from the 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:06.539 gospel. 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.599 This is about 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.539 calling you to 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.960 abandon the 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:11.200 faith that you 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.180 have professed. 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:13.180 That's what this 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.279 devouring is. 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.319 That's what the 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.759 warning is about. 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.500 What does it mean 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.139 then to resist? 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.220 It means to 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.379 stand firm in 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.799 Christ, to 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.720 stand firm in 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.440 the faith no 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:23.960 matter what it 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.440 is that you're 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:24.839 facing. 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.619 And you need to 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.899 recognize that 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.720 the stakes are 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.180 high. 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.639 They're higher 00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:32.139 than you might 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.740 imagine. 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:36.859 giving in to 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.740 Satan's schemes 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.819 by compromising 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.500 the gospel 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.640 and you 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.920 will go to 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.440 hell. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.200 That's the 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:44.640 stakes. 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.460 That's from 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.799 Jesus who 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.620 said only 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:49.299 those who 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.680 conquer, 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.480 only those who 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.120 endure to the 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:53.359 end will be 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:53.839 saved. 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.220 Friends, you 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.900 can't afford to 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.759 take that risk. 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:01.140 You can't afford 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.960 to take the risk 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.980 of complacency 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:04.059 and of 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.559 vulnerability. 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.460 Peter says, 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:07.720 be sober-minded, 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.579 be alert, 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.579 resist him 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:13.079 firm in the 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.559 faith. 00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.539 And then he 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.059 gives us this 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.860 final statement 00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:16.799 in verse 9. 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.519 He corrects an 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.160 error that's 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.900 often at work 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.640 in those facing 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.779 the hostility of 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.120 the world. 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.340 The error is 00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:25.500 believing that 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.340 what you're facing 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.079 is unusual 00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:30.460 and that you're 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.160 alone in it. 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:33.299 And is that 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.920 not what Peter 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.259 has been 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.920 describing this 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.380 whole letter? 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.920 If anything, 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.700 he's been 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.940 saying, you 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.079 should expect 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.900 this to happen, 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.620 this hardship. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.400 And you need 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.019 to be prepared 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.819 for it and you 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.360 need to trust 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:46.920 God in it. 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.759 That's basically 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.340 the point of the 00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:48.779 letter, isn't 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:48.960 it? 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.600 Peter is seeking 00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:52.480 to comfort the 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.400 weary soul here. 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.360 He's reminding 00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.319 us that this is 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:55.819 what we should 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.380 expect. 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.140 And then he 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:58.420 says, you are 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.180 not alone. 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.640 What you're 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:03.380 facing is what 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.160 your brothers all 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:04.660 over the world 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:05.200 are facing. 00:32:05.820 --> 00:32:06.560 It's the same 00:32:06.560 --> 00:32:07.300 experience. 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:08.820 Just think about 00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.460 how we prayed 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:09.840 today. 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:11.759 We've got it 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.200 easy, don't 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:12.380 we? 00:32:14.300 --> 00:32:15.000 What about 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.460 Kevin and 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.500 Denise, whose 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:18.860 lives are at 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.880 significant risk 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:21.240 just to be where 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.460 they are doing 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.100 what they're doing? 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:24.859 they may come 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.719 home this summer 00:32:25.719 --> 00:32:27.619 and that elder 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.839 might lose his 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:30.699 life as a 00:32:30.699 --> 00:32:31.059 result. 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.459 That's a high 00:32:34.459 --> 00:32:34.959 risk, isn't 00:32:34.959 --> 00:32:35.139 it? 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.939 What about 00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.339 Val and 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:38.679 Angela? 00:32:39.959 --> 00:32:40.919 For years 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:41.899 now, in the 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:42.559 middle of war, 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:45.139 they have church 00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:46.019 services while 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:47.019 bombing sirens 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.879 are going around 00:32:47.879 --> 00:32:48.599 them in Odessa 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.259 and Ukraine. 00:32:50.719 --> 00:32:51.539 Val right now 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.019 is trying to 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.579 minister the 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:52.980 gospel. 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.339 On the front 00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.119 lines of war. 00:32:57.719 --> 00:32:58.199 They're going 00:32:58.199 --> 00:32:58.619 through a lot, 00:32:58.679 --> 00:32:59.000 aren't they? 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.519 When we face 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.039 hardships, that 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.859 doesn't mean, I'm 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:04.279 not trying to 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:04.980 diminish the 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:05.519 hardship that we 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.019 would face for 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.279 Christ. 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:06.740 That's not at all 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.119 what I'm trying 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.399 to do. 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.000 In fact, I 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.539 think Peter's 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.299 trying to stay 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.799 away from that 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.379 thing as well. 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:11.519 He's basically 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.259 saying, don't 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.759 think that what 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.099 you're going 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:13.480 through isn't 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.240 real persecution. 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.599 But whenever 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.119 you're having 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:17.919 that hard time 00:33:17.919 --> 00:33:18.519 with that family 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:18.959 member, you're 00:33:18.959 --> 00:33:19.480 having that hard 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:19.939 time with that 00:33:19.939 --> 00:33:20.719 friend or colleague 00:33:20.719 --> 00:33:21.279 or whatever it 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.179 is, or the 00:33:22.179 --> 00:33:22.719 world or this 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.299 community is 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.920 coming against 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.200 us. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.339 You know what 00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:25.819 can bring a 00:33:25.819 --> 00:33:26.120 comfort? 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.160 Is to say, you 00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:27.480 know what, I 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.180 can think about 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:29.220 Val and Angela. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.620 I can think about 00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:31.380 Kevin and Denise 00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:32.079 and their church. 00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:33.019 I can think about 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.720 Christians all over 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.100 the world. 00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:34.759 You know what I'm 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.120 going through? 00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:35.900 That's not unique. 00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:37.940 We're in this 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.320 together. 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.400 together. 00:33:39.600 --> 00:33:40.480 And the Lord is 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:40.820 faithful. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:42.759 Is that not a 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.380 comfort to your 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:43.640 soul? 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.720 You see what 00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.440 Peter's doing in 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:46.960 this comforting? 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:49.060 Our sufferings are 00:33:49.060 --> 00:33:49.940 first and foremost 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:51.360 a share in Christ's 00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:51.820 sufferings. 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.580 We know that if we 00:33:53.580 --> 00:33:55.000 suffer with him, we 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:56.880 will also share in 00:33:56.880 --> 00:33:57.680 his glory in 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.100 eternity. 00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:59.680 But we also share in 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.420 the sufferings of 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.080 other believers. 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:03.060 We enter into it. 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:04.320 Therefore, we can 00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:05.000 take heart. 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:06.099 We're not actually 00:34:06.099 --> 00:34:06.559 alone. 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.659 We suffer together 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:10.079 and we stand firm 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.599 in the faith together. 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:15.280 So Peter says, you're 00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:15.760 going to be faithful 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.280 to the end. 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:16.599 If you're going to 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.440 make it to the end 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.239 and you must make it 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:20.139 to the end, you're 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.500 going to have to 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.400 humble yourself before 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.119 the mighty hand of 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:22.340 God. 00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:23.440 And he says, you're 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:23.860 going to have to 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:25.019 resist the devil firm 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.639 in the faith. 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:27.860 And then he does 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:29.019 something different in 00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:30.400 the last part of the 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.760 paragraph. 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:33.860 Look at verses 10 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.340 and 11. 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:37.860 After you have 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:38.420 suffered a little 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:40.699 while, the God of 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.659 all grace who has 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.500 called you to his 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.400 eternal glory in 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:45.719 Christ will himself 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:47.519 restore, confirm, 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:49.559 strengthen, and 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.039 establish. 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.320 To him be the 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.980 dominion forever and 00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.219 ever. 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:55.559 Amen. 00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:58.000 He does something 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:58.639 different here. 00:34:59.019 --> 00:35:00.219 In 6 to 9, he's 00:35:00.219 --> 00:35:01.219 exhorting us to 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:03.659 persevere in faith so 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.960 that we will receive 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:06.440 that eschatological 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.500 reward at Christ's 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:07.799 return. 00:35:08.899 --> 00:35:10.579 He doesn't do that 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:10.759 here. 00:35:10.859 --> 00:35:11.440 This isn't an 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.159 exhortation. 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:15.019 This is an assurance. 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:19.659 We can be faithful to 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:22.539 the end because God 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:25.079 will be faithful to the 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:25.420 end. 00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:27.199 That's his point. 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.099 What's he doing here 00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:29.539 at the end? 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:32.440 He's saying, rest in 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:35.739 the preserving grace of 00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.119 God. 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:38.940 That seems paradoxical to 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.659 everything that he's just 00:35:39.659 --> 00:35:40.219 said, doesn't it? 00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:40.799 But it's not. 00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:42.000 We're going to think on 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.159 it. 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:44.019 He said, listen, you got 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:44.619 to go to the end. 00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.659 Only those who make it to 00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:46.639 the end will be saved. 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:47.599 You're going to make it 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:48.679 there by humbling yourself 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:50.319 before God, standing firm 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:51.299 in the faith despite the 00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:52.079 trials that you go 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.339 through. 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:54.280 And by the way, you can 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:56.300 rest that God will be 00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:58.800 faithful to the end for 00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.160 you. 00:36:00.200 --> 00:36:01.260 It's amazing. 00:36:02.260 --> 00:36:03.579 The little while here, he 00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.160 says, after you've 00:36:04.160 --> 00:36:04.860 suffered a little while, 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.900 that's not a temporary 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:07.039 season in your life. 00:36:07.180 --> 00:36:08.380 That's all of your life. 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:10.000 The little while here, 00:36:10.100 --> 00:36:11.240 that's all of life. 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:14.680 At the end of this life, he 00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:15.940 says, after you've 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:17.980 suffered in this life for 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:21.740 Christ, then God is going 00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:22.659 to exalt you. 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:24.479 Peter calls it a little 00:36:24.479 --> 00:36:25.819 while because the 00:36:25.819 --> 00:36:27.000 suffering is limited. 00:36:27.479 --> 00:36:28.699 It's minuscule in 00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:30.279 comparison to the glory 00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:31.799 that awaits us, that God 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:34.059 called us to in Christ 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:34.459 Jesus. 00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:37.859 Again, Romans 8, for I 00:36:37.859 --> 00:36:39.139 consider that the 00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:40.199 sufferings of this present 00:36:40.199 --> 00:36:41.199 time are not worth 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:43.000 comparing with the glory 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:44.599 that is to be revealed in 00:36:44.599 --> 00:36:44.779 us. 00:36:44.839 --> 00:36:45.779 That's what Peter's saying 00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.439 when he says a little 00:36:46.439 --> 00:36:46.739 while. 00:36:46.979 --> 00:36:47.799 He doesn't mean for a 00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:48.399 couple of months you're 00:36:48.399 --> 00:36:48.819 going to suffer. 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:50.239 He means, no, this life is 00:36:50.239 --> 00:36:50.979 going to be a life of 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:52.019 suffering for you, but 00:36:52.019 --> 00:36:52.900 it's going to seem like a 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:54.119 little while compared to 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:55.320 what is to come. 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:57.099 And then he says, after 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:59.639 this, after this life, God 00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:02.039 himself will restore and 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:03.400 confirm and strengthen and 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.300 establish you. 00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:05.800 Now, that's not four 00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:06.840 different things that God 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.240 is doing. 00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:08.240 That's one thing. 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.360 What's he saying? 00:37:11.179 --> 00:37:12.280 This is what God's going 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:13.579 to accomplish in your life 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.920 after this time of 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.199 suffering. 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.619 He will bring your 00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:18.779 salvation to completion 00:37:18.779 --> 00:37:21.239 at the return of Christ. 00:37:21.319 --> 00:37:22.159 That's what he's saying. 00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.679 This is the eternal 00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:25.019 reward that will be made 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:26.460 complete at Christ's 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:26.719 return. 00:37:26.839 --> 00:37:28.400 It's that imperishable 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:30.019 inheritance that is 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.579 ours in Christ Jesus. 00:37:31.759 --> 00:37:32.980 But I want you to notice 00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:34.380 what it's grounded in. 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:40.119 This assurance of 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:42.759 eternal salvation is not 00:37:42.759 --> 00:37:44.659 grounded in your 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.859 persevering faith. 00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:47.819 Do you see that? 00:37:48.799 --> 00:37:49.779 In other words, we don't 00:37:49.779 --> 00:37:51.899 get to the end and God 00:37:51.899 --> 00:37:53.000 say, you know what? 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:54.819 Great job. 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:57.460 Because you did this, let 00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:59.079 me reward you with 00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.279 heaven. 00:37:59.359 --> 00:38:00.239 That's not how it works. 00:38:00.319 --> 00:38:00.980 That's not what he roots 00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.339 it in. 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:05.339 It's not resting ultimately 00:38:05.339 --> 00:38:06.000 on you. 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:07.859 What is he rooted in? 00:38:08.179 --> 00:38:09.859 He roots it in God's 00:38:09.859 --> 00:38:10.940 preserving grace. 00:38:11.379 --> 00:38:12.579 After you've suffered a 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:14.319 little while, the God of 00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:16.440 all grace, the God who 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:18.039 possesses all grace and 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:20.380 gives all grace, he will 00:38:20.380 --> 00:38:22.120 then bring your salvation 00:38:22.120 --> 00:38:23.680 to completion. 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:27.100 He's the God of all grace. 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:28.600 He gives that grace to 00:38:28.600 --> 00:38:30.720 everyone he calls in Christ 00:38:30.720 --> 00:38:32.440 to eternal glory. 00:38:32.820 --> 00:38:34.700 And he is able to do it 00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:37.820 because he has all dominion 00:38:37.820 --> 00:38:40.240 forever and ever. 00:38:41.100 --> 00:38:41.940 He is able. 00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:43.559 He is willing. 00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:45.340 He has called you. 00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:47.179 He will do it. 00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.840 Again, Romans 8. 00:38:50.720 --> 00:38:52.200 Those whom he predestined, 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:52.940 he called. 00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:55.260 Those whom he calls, 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:56.099 he justifies. 00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:59.019 Those whom he justifies, 00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:00.579 he will glorify. 00:39:01.039 --> 00:39:02.119 And then Paul says, 00:39:02.220 --> 00:39:03.220 what should we say to that? 00:39:03.920 --> 00:39:05.500 If God is for us, 00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:08.119 who can be against us? 00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:11.119 The ground of our assurance 00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:12.880 is not ultimately in what we 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.279 do. 00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:15.380 It is in the sovereign grace 00:39:15.380 --> 00:39:16.380 of God. 00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:19.139 And we must rest in him 00:39:19.139 --> 00:39:21.039 knowing that he will 00:39:21.039 --> 00:39:22.799 complete the work that he 00:39:22.799 --> 00:39:23.859 has begun in us. 00:39:24.279 --> 00:39:26.980 He has secured eternal 00:39:26.980 --> 00:39:28.500 salvation for his people 00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:30.859 and he has secured his 00:39:30.859 --> 00:39:33.299 people for eternal salvation. 00:39:33.579 --> 00:39:34.859 That's what we saw all the way 00:39:34.860 --> 00:39:36.099 back in chapter 1. 00:39:37.059 --> 00:39:38.260 Soli Deo Gloria. 00:39:39.099 --> 00:39:41.039 Glory to God alone. 00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:43.420 Must we persevere? 00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:44.740 Yes. 00:39:45.240 --> 00:39:47.039 Does it ultimately rest on us? 00:39:47.460 --> 00:39:47.800 No. 00:39:48.620 --> 00:39:50.539 It's all of God's grace. 00:39:51.240 --> 00:39:52.360 This is his work. 00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:54.360 It's his work. 00:39:55.120 --> 00:39:56.559 And you can rest in him. 00:39:57.760 --> 00:39:58.860 Because here's the thing. 00:39:59.099 --> 00:39:59.900 Day by day, 00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:00.620 as you're going through 00:40:00.620 --> 00:40:01.620 struggles and hardships, 00:40:01.900 --> 00:40:02.440 whatever it is, 00:40:02.500 --> 00:40:03.460 temptations to sin, 00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.019 whatever it is, 00:40:04.079 --> 00:40:04.720 there's going to be a lot 00:40:04.720 --> 00:40:05.300 of days where you're going 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:05.539 to think, 00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:05.760 you know, 00:40:05.800 --> 00:40:06.480 if this is up to me, 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:07.260 I'm not going to make it. 00:40:09.740 --> 00:40:10.420 If it's up to me, 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.260 I'm not going to make it. 00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:12.820 And let me tell you, 00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:14.139 if it was ultimately up to you, 00:40:14.240 --> 00:40:15.119 you wouldn't make it. 00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:18.980 But it's not ultimately up to you. 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:22.420 Your life is in his hands. 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:26.380 He calls us to persevere in faith. 00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:29.920 But it's his preserving grace 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:31.900 that makes that possible. 00:40:31.900 --> 00:40:34.360 And you can rest in that. 00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:38.300 I want you to be faithful to the end 00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:39.860 because only those who persevere 00:40:39.860 --> 00:40:41.019 to the end will be saved. 00:40:43.180 --> 00:40:44.599 Perseverance is not passive. 00:40:45.760 --> 00:40:48.300 It doesn't happen to us, right? 00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:52.820 We must actively humble ourselves 00:40:52.820 --> 00:40:53.500 before God. 00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:55.880 We must actively resist the devil 00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:56.780 and all his schemes. 00:40:56.780 --> 00:40:59.180 We must actively seek 00:40:59.180 --> 00:41:01.200 to be faithful to Christ 00:41:01.200 --> 00:41:02.100 and to his gospel. 00:41:03.700 --> 00:41:04.980 We must do that 00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:07.100 just like we must believe 00:41:07.100 --> 00:41:08.019 to be saved. 00:41:09.680 --> 00:41:10.320 And yet, 00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:12.980 it is only through God's 00:41:12.980 --> 00:41:14.160 preserving grace 00:41:14.160 --> 00:41:16.980 that our persevering action 00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:18.380 is energized 00:41:18.380 --> 00:41:20.300 and achieved. 00:41:20.300 --> 00:41:24.100 These commands 00:41:24.100 --> 00:41:24.820 and these warnings 00:41:24.820 --> 00:41:25.500 through the scriptures, 00:41:25.660 --> 00:41:26.519 and there are many of them, 00:41:26.900 --> 00:41:27.940 this is written to 00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:29.360 who Peter understands 00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:30.980 to be true believers. 00:41:32.380 --> 00:41:33.240 And then he writes 00:41:33.240 --> 00:41:34.220 as a significant warning, 00:41:34.340 --> 00:41:34.640 doesn't he? 00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:36.380 These warnings, 00:41:36.560 --> 00:41:37.180 these commands 00:41:37.180 --> 00:41:37.840 in the scriptures, 00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:39.900 they are the means 00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:42.480 by which God 00:41:42.480 --> 00:41:43.680 preserves our souls. 00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:46.299 and all those 00:41:46.299 --> 00:41:48.059 whom he effectively calls 00:41:48.059 --> 00:41:50.480 will obey them. 00:41:51.719 --> 00:41:53.159 They will keep the faith. 00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:54.980 As John said, 00:41:55.059 --> 00:41:56.159 those who don't keep the faith, 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:57.279 they left because 00:41:57.279 --> 00:41:58.460 they didn't belong to us 00:41:58.460 --> 00:41:59.019 to begin with, 00:41:59.059 --> 00:41:59.480 not truly. 00:42:01.960 --> 00:42:03.539 God's preserving grace 00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:05.139 is then demonstrated 00:42:05.139 --> 00:42:09.019 through our active faith. 00:42:10.119 --> 00:42:10.519 Therefore, 00:42:10.879 --> 00:42:12.239 it's not a paradox. 00:42:12.239 --> 00:42:13.799 both things are running 00:42:13.799 --> 00:42:14.939 parallel to one another. 00:42:15.979 --> 00:42:17.639 You can rest 00:42:17.639 --> 00:42:19.339 in God's grace 00:42:19.339 --> 00:42:22.139 and using that 00:42:22.139 --> 00:42:23.019 as the motivation 00:42:23.019 --> 00:42:24.399 to pursue 00:42:24.399 --> 00:42:25.859 all the means 00:42:25.859 --> 00:42:27.699 of a persevering faith. 00:42:30.319 --> 00:42:31.699 In other words, 00:42:31.819 --> 00:42:33.019 we trust 00:42:33.019 --> 00:42:34.379 and obey. 00:42:35.579 --> 00:42:36.839 And that's how 00:42:36.839 --> 00:42:38.039 we thrive in exile. 00:42:38.819 --> 00:42:39.879 That's how we thrive 00:42:39.879 --> 00:42:40.259 in exile.