WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.140 All right, all right. Good morning, good morning. Okay, in a second, Zoe's gonna come up and read God's Word to us. 00:00:08.140 --> 00:00:15.820 ! I hope you have got yourself some Bibles. There's some in the front. Before we read God's Word, here's a 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:25.839 well, here's a small reminder. Hey, this is God's Word. This is what gives life. This is where we encounter God. This is 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:34.439 the Word of the true and living God. And as Zoe reads, let us open our hearts to receive what he's telling us, what he's 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:39.719 calling us today into. So Zoe, would you like to come and read God's Word to us? 00:00:39.719 --> 00:01:03.679 Oh. Today we'll be reading from 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 13 to 21. You can follow along in your own Bible. If you're 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:11.140 following along with the church Bible, this is on page 953. Let's read. 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:21.260 Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that 00:01:21.260 --> 00:01:27.439 will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to 00:01:27.439 --> 00:01:34.060 the passions of your former ignorance. But as he who called you is holy, you also will be holy in all 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:40.579 your conduct. Since it is written, you shall be holy, for I am holy. And if you call on him as father 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:46.719 who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves for fear throughout the time of 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:53.039 your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:59.360 not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of 00:01:59.360 --> 00:02:06.200 the lamb, without blemish or spots. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:12.700 manifest in the last times for the sake of you, who through him are believers in God, who raised him 00:02:12.700 --> 00:02:19.240 from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. This is the Word of God. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:32.879 Let us pray, and then we can dive into God's Word. Father, we need you. We need you this morning. God, as we 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:40.780 look at your Word, through your Spirit, would you open up these words into our hearts. May my few words and 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:49.060 opinions serve to draw your people to you, God. And may any word that comes out from my lips that's not true, 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:55.300 that's not helpful, fall on deaf ears, but God, may your Word be rooted deep in our hearts so that we 00:02:55.300 --> 00:03:02.759 can love you, so that we would behold who you are and your beauty and your greatness of Jesus Christ. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:09.900 So, God, would you come and do that work this morning, not for our glory, but for your glory. 00:03:10.939 --> 00:03:14.680 Father, we praise you and thank you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:22.840 Amen. So, we're doing a standalone series. So, last week, Oscar did one standalone, today one. 00:03:22.920 --> 00:03:27.939 We'll have a retreat next Sunday, and then we'll be diving into the Advent series from December. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:34.620 So, today we're looking at this passage, 1 Peter. So, let me start off with this. I'm sure most of you 00:03:34.620 --> 00:03:45.659 know that the king of UK is King Charles III. He became king around 2022. Now, let us imagine. Let's 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:55.520 imagine this. Imagine is the day of ordination, coronation, whatever. And coronation, right? Yeah, 00:03:55.580 --> 00:04:01.060 yeah, yeah. Coronation. And it's the celebration. As people are flocking in, you see King Charles 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:07.920 in all his gold and jewels, dressed up. And there's, as the crown is put on his throne, on his head, 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:15.140 there's a massive celebration across the country. And then, as the king sits on his throne, 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:24.420 people shout and cheer for their king is there. Now, imagine this. The next day, King Charles is seen 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:32.280 in LKF having a drink of a beer with his friends. And he's dead drunk, and his friends has to carry 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:36.819 him home. And the next day, he's seen on the MTR going to work. Even though he has so much money, 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:41.720 he's like, I still need a little bit more. And he's seen going to work. And on the way, he ends up 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:46.819 fighting with someone for a coin that's on the floor. And then he bumps into another person for a cup of 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:55.680 coffee and another brawl starts there. Now, it seems that the whole coronation and the glory and the 00:04:55.680 --> 00:05:04.680 gold and jewels did not even happen at all. It seems that his life, him being a king, him being 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:11.639 declared a king, and yet his life seems to be completely unchanged. I mean, his wealth is secured 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:18.599 as a king, and yet he's fighting with people for pennies. It seems that his status has changed. 00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:26.519 Who he is has completely changed. And yet his life seems to be unchanged at all. Now, obviously, 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:32.939 that's just an imagination. We're just trying to imagine this. But in reality, that's a lot of how 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:40.439 we Christians tend to live. Very unaware of what God has done, is doing, is doing in Christ, 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:48.079 and who we are in light of that, and live a life that seems to be very unaffected or have 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:54.180 parts of our life that are unaffected by who God is and what he has done. So what today's 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:59.959 passage is seeking to do is, is seeking to call the readers, us, who are Christians that have 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:06.959 been spread around the provinces, to live a life that is different. So if you have a passage, 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:12.779 let's dive straight into it. Let's look at the first verse, verse 13, right? It starts with this. 00:06:12.919 --> 00:06:18.779 It starts with, therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded, set your hope 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:23.620 fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Christ Jesus. Now, what I want us 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:29.419 to do for a few seconds is look at the word, therefore. You see, because every time we see the 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:36.980 word, therefore, in the Bible, we need to question what it is, therefore. In other words, you get it. 00:06:39.280 --> 00:06:46.920 Okay, so, and the truth is, there's always a reason why therefore is therefore. So, and here's the thing. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:51.520 Every time there's a word, therefore, it all, there's something that comes before it. It gives us 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:59.339 the truth and the reality of who God is, and then it calls us into an action. In other words, 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:06.240 which means that every Christian living, everything that we do and don't, every obedience, every 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:14.219 sacrifice that we do always begins with a therefore. Without a therefore in our lives, every Christian 00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:20.479 living is just moralistic rules and actions which is put on hopeless sinners. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:28.159 that are either crushed or are driven into this useless and presumptuous efforts. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:36.579 We need, therefore, in our Christian life to give us this truth that drives us into a Christian 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:43.159 living. So, what does this, therefore, tell us? So, before verse 13, if you look at their 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:50.459 beautiful 12 verses in 1 Peter, that tells us about this living hope in Christ Jesus, of how we are 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:58.479 in light of our future is secure, it's this great truth of what God has done in Christ Jesus and who 00:07:58.479 --> 00:08:06.159 we are in light of that. And now, at the end of that, Peter says, therefore, in light of all of that 00:08:06.159 --> 00:08:13.039 truth, all of what Christ has done, therefore, preparing your minds for action. In other words, 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:20.520 it's the equivalent of us saying, rolling up your sleeves, get ready for action, being sober-minded, 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:27.300 set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Christ Jesus. In other 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:36.080 words, live a life that is actively putting our hope in this grace when Jesus will return one day, when all 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:42.840 sins or suffering will be taken away, and when everything will be put right. Now, the question for us this 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:50.580 morning is this, so what does it look like to live a life with such a hope? What does it look like 00:08:50.580 --> 00:09:00.620 to live with one eye to the future when Jesus will return? And from verse 14, Peter is going to 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:07.160 unravel that question as we go along. So, if you have your Bible, this is our first thought of the day. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:16.159 So, first thought is, therefore, pursue holiness. We'll be looking at verses 14 to 16. So, verse 14 to 16, 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:16.639 it says, 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:23.100 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:29.279 called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, your God, you shall be 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:36.019 holy, for I am holy. Now, Peter is very clear here. His call is, be holy in all your conduct. 00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:42.279 And he gives a reason for that here, right? He says, because your God is holy, and since He has 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:49.179 called you, you to be holy. Now, we need to ask the question, what does holy mean? And I'm sure you 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:56.299 have heard the phrase, holier than thou, which is used to describe people that are something more pure 00:09:56.299 --> 00:10:02.419 and more religiously superior than others. And we tend to think of the word holy as to mean something 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:10.899 that is pure and morally perfect or purity. But the fact is, the word holy actually means separate. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:18.319 When scripture says that God is holy, it is telling us that God is separate from everyone 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:26.440 and everything else. He alone is the creator God. One commentator puts it like this. He says, 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:33.820 when we say God is holy, we're saying He is altogether and wholly other. In both His character and His deeds, 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:41.720 He is transcendently different from and greater than all His creatures in every conceivable respect. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:50.019 Therefore, holiness is not solely a reference to moral and ethical purity. It also entails with it 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:58.340 a transcendent and unparalleled beauty. You see, sometimes we make the mistake of thinking God is like 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:06.440 one of us. He isn't. He's on a whole different level. He is transcendent. He's conceivably, 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:13.060 unconsumably, way greater than we can ever imagine and even try to imagine. He is holy. 00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:20.720 Now, when Peter calls us to be holy here in this passage, is he calling us to be transcendent and 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:28.000 have unparalleled beauty and be on a whole different level? Well, no, not really. And verse 14 and 15 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.760 gives us a hint here. Verse 14 says, 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:37.519 Do not be conformed to your passions of your former ignorance, but be holy in all your conduct. 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:43.179 Now, Peter says, don't be conformed here. Now, he's speaking here to Christians. When he talks about 00:11:43.179 --> 00:11:49.039 the passions of your former ignorance, he's talking about the life that they had before knowing Christ. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:56.259 Peter is calling them to not go back into that previous life and the life that they had before 00:11:56.259 --> 00:12:03.500 knowing him. Or he's calling them to be holy or to separate yourself from that life that used to be 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:10.600 there. Now, it's almost like this. Imagine an orphan who is adopted, who's given three meals a day. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:17.779 He's a son. And yet, at the end of the day, he goes out to steal food because he's scared that he's not 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:24.799 going to get food. But the fact that he's adopted and he's a son means that he no longer has to go back 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:33.759 into that way of life. He can separate himself from stealing food because he's the son of the house. 00:12:33.819 --> 00:12:41.279 He's adopted. You see, one of the ways we Christians are described as are orphans that have been adopted 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:46.919 as sons and daughters. I mean, look how Peter addresses the readers in verse 14. He calls them 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:54.000 obedient children. And being conformed to the passions of your former ignorance is like us going 00:12:54.000 --> 00:13:01.839 out to steal food again when God has provided everything. Now, it is very easy to spot when we do 00:13:01.839 --> 00:13:08.899 that. It's very easy to spot when we start conforming ourselves into our former ignorance because, 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:14.220 according to this, the opposite of being conformed here, according to Peter, is to be holy. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:27.740 So, in other words, we have to ask ourselves a few questions then. Does our life look different 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:34.399 from the way it used to be? Maybe a few habits have changed. Maybe there are still parts of our lives 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:40.419 that are still untouched. But it's not just comparison with our former life, is it? It's 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:46.439 comparison with the world, the people around that has not known Christ yet. If we were to 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:53.100 take our thoughts and our actions and have it scripted and recorded, would it look different 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:59.379 from the people around us? The things that we do in our personal, when we are alone, in our free 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:06.360 times, would it look different? Do the way we handle success and joy look different? Do the way we 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:14.500 steward suffering and loss look different? Or does the thing that give us joy and satisfaction in life 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:22.539 look different from the people around us? You see, in a very similar way that the adopted orphan does not 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:29.980 need to steal in light of who He is. We, too, are called to be holy, to separate our lives from our 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:37.839 previous life in light of what God has done, is doing, and will do. And to do that in all parts of our 00:14:37.839 --> 00:14:46.039 lives, in our jobs, in our desires, in our life pursuits, in our education, in our relationships, in our 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:52.159 singleness, to look different from that of other people around us. 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:59.679 Well, Peter does not just stop there, does he? Because he tries to push this. He really challenges 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:06.799 the reader in this section. Because all of these things are not passive. It's not about, okay, I believe 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:13.219 this and I'm going to be this. It's all about Peter saying, be holy. Be actively thinking about this. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:18.680 Be actively pursuing this. Be actively holy where God has placed you. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:29.040 Now, that might look very different for each one of us in our lives. And it might look very painful 00:15:29.040 --> 00:15:37.500 because we are sinners, longing, still holding on to things like Kevin said, holding on to things 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:43.600 that we hold there while Christ is calling us. So you might want to ask yourself, what does it look 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:51.139 like for you to pursue holiness in where God has placed you? And here Peter goes on to say, 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:59.440 which leads us to our second thought today, therefore pursue holiness with fear. So let's look at verse 17. 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:06.320 Peter says, and if you call him as father who judges impartially according to each one's deed, 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:14.600 conduct yourself with fear throughout the time of your exile. Now, Peter again calls us into something. 00:16:15.140 --> 00:16:20.740 And he says to conduct yourself with fear. Now, we have to ask ourselves again, what does fear mean? 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:28.039 Now, we understand it to mean something very terrible, something scary. We don't want our kids 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:32.000 to fear us because it might mean we have done something terrible and they're scared of us. 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:42.399 But this one is a very different kind of fear. It is a reverential awe of the glory and power of God. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:49.899 Now, imagine King Charles is in the hall here, right at Viva. And I'm pretty sure a lot of you are stronger 00:16:49.899 --> 00:17:00.659 than him and taking him on a fight. I mean, he's 77 years old. That sounds sad. But as sad as in, 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:10.240 we don't want to fight him. But you would still show him respect. You'd still show him some kind of fear 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:17.839 because of his authority and who he is, isn't he? And that he is a king. Now, when we talk about God, 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:25.700 he is infinitely higher than any authorities and anything in all creation and in time. He is 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:33.140 unconceivably higher than all glory, power, might, and wisdom, anything and anywhere, everything in all 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:42.040 creation. In other words, fear of God is having this reverent awe, a respect for all that who he is, 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:49.040 is being in awe of all his power, knowing that he's wholly transcendent and sitting all under 00:17:49.040 --> 00:17:56.920 that awesomeness of who he is. By the same time, fear of God also means it's to acknowledge 00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:02.000 all that who he is. Imagine King Charles was here and you stand up and you shout at him. 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:08.660 What that says is you're not just only disrespecting him and not fearing, but you're also saying 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:14.460 with your actions that I don't acknowledge that you're a king and you have no authority over me. 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:22.340 In other words, to have fear of God is not just being in awe of who he is, but it's also to 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:29.799 acknowledge that he is God. Is to live in fear of God means that you're saying that he is king 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:37.639 and that he is God and that we are not and in all aspects of our life. You know the very famous verse, 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:43.859 the beginning of wisdom, is there? Fear of God. It starts with that. It's not just being in awe, 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:50.279 it's actually submitting ourselves and acknowledging that he is God, that he is king and I'm not. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:57.480 In my pursuits, in my careers, in my singleness and dating life, he is God, not me. He has the final say, 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:04.279 not me, even when I don't like what God's word says, that he is king and God. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:12.859 So what Peter is calling here, the readers, is to pursue holiness in all their conducts, 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:17.359 in all parts of their lives, and to do that with this reverent fear. 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:24.099 This amazing, awesome, in light of who awesome God is. 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:31.299 You see, in our Christian journey, we sometimes tend to fall towards being very passive and apathetic, 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:35.299 without being without passions and seriousness. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:39.899 But this is very serious to what Peter is calling us. 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:42.279 You see, the way we deal with our sin, 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:45.680 our lifestyles, our pursuit of God, 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:49.599 it becomes very stagnant, passive, and passionless. 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:53.000 Peter here is calling us 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.799 to pursue holiness 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.720 with reverent fear. 00:19:56.720 --> 00:20:01.460 This passage is challenging. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.539 It is very, 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:04.059 it is calling us 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.940 into something. 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:08.160 But then, at the same time, 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.539 Peter also reminds us 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.799 of another truth here. 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.819 Look at verse 17. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.299 He says, 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.779 conduct yourself with fear 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.600 throughout your time 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:17.059 of your exile. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:19.720 And he's telling us 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.799 that we are in exile. 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.400 He's reminding us 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.900 of the exile 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.420 that began all the way 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:28.440 in the beginning of time 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.380 in Genesis, 00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.040 when, 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.740 because of our sin, 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.940 we could no longer be 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.180 in our real home, 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.040 which is with God. 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.980 There was that time 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.340 in that fall 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:40.540 where our relationship 00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:41.680 with God was broken, 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:43.160 and we were separated 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.420 from the source of life 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.700 and all things good, 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.040 and we were broken, 00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:48.780 our relationships were broken, 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:50.600 our life were broken, 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.759 and the Word of God says 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:54.879 we were dead in our sins. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.960 We were not struggling 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.460 with sins, 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.500 we were dead in our sins. 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.440 And the great news 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.900 is that while we were 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.319 still dead sinners, 00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:05.720 Christ died for us, 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:07.559 taking our sins upon Himself, 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:08.619 paying the price 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.799 of our transgressions. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.619 He died and rose again, 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.779 ascended into heaven, 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.779 and with the sure promise 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:16.059 that He will come again, 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.599 return, 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.339 and everything that we lost 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:18.879 in Genesis 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:19.599 in the beginning 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:21.359 will be restored. 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.859 Our true home, 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.619 our relationship, 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:24.759 our brokenness, 00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:26.919 our true home with God 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.859 will be restored. 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.799 But right now, 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.379 at present time, 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.819 we are journeying 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.519 through time 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.539 as sojourners, 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.759 still in exiles, 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.319 to that time 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:39.259 when Christ will return. 00:21:40.179 --> 00:21:41.500 It's verse 13, right? 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.419 To put our hope fully, 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.479 set our hope fully, 00:21:44.939 --> 00:21:45.659 when one day 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:46.939 this grace will be revealed 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:48.639 in Christ Jesus. 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:52.300 So what Peter is saying here 00:21:52.300 --> 00:21:52.800 is this, 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:54.500 is to pursue holiness, 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.860 to set yourself life apart 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:57.759 from other people, 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.940 to have our life 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:01.480 aligned with who God is 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.400 and what He has done, 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.520 at the same time 00:22:03.520 --> 00:22:04.440 doing this 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:06.300 with this reverent awe 00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:07.780 of who God is, 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.420 acknowledging who He is, 00:22:09.780 --> 00:22:10.780 and having Him 00:22:10.780 --> 00:22:11.540 as God and King 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:12.240 of our life, 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.780 but at the same time 00:22:13.780 --> 00:22:14.440 knowing that 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.320 we are not there yet, 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.940 that we are still exiles, 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.860 we are still on our journey 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:21.880 to our real home 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.200 and it's not here. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.299 Churches, 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.240 let us think about that. 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.680 Do we live our lives, 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.200 pursue holiness, 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.500 deal with sin 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:32.080 with that kind of attitude? 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.500 When there are conflicts 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:36.500 within your friend circles, 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.960 and I know conflicts 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.259 are difficult and complicated, 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.860 but do we still pursue 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:43.680 resolution with fear 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.640 of who God is 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.560 and in awe 00:22:45.560 --> 00:22:47.180 of how He 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.320 has forgiven us? 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.660 How about 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.600 ongoing sins 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.259 in our lives? 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.220 Have we fallen 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.080 into a pattern 00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:56.580 and have started 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.259 taking things 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.060 very lightly 00:22:58.060 --> 00:23:00.200 and not really 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.280 dealing with our sins? 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.160 How about 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.740 the plans 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.520 and pursuit 00:23:06.520 --> 00:23:07.320 of our lives 00:23:07.320 --> 00:23:08.000 and careers 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.560 of our lives? 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.980 Do we look at 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.880 our jobs 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.980 and career pursuits 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.839 and education 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.339 as exiles 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:16.279 or do we invest 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.180 everything 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.480 like our time 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.200 and resources 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.000 here 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.079 rather than 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:22.200 keeping one eye 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:23.640 on our real home 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:25.339 and investing there 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.279 with the way 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.259 we spend our time 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.740 and energy? 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.519 What's our heart 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:29.960 attitude 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.539 towards life? 00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:33.000 What's our heart 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.380 attitude 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.380 in our pursuit 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:34.960 of holiness? 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.539 Now, 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.700 it feels like 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.500 it's all heavy. 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.059 The passage 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.759 is really 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.740 challenging us 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.660 and calling us 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:47.460 to pursue holiness. 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.240 To think of our life 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.600 is challenging 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.720 parts of our lives 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.620 that we have 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.080 kind of 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.580 let the ball drop. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.059 So, 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.940 we begin with 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.500 the word 00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.960 therefore. 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.160 Now, 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.480 I want us 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.480 to remember that 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.559 because all of this, 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.160 the pursuit 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.700 of holiness 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:06.259 with fear, 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:08.319 it begins 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:08.960 with 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.740 therefore. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:10.779 It begins 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.359 with this 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.680 incredible truth 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.879 of who God is 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:14.759 and what He has done. 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.440 Now, 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.559 but amazing thing 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.400 what Peter does 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.259 at the end here 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.420 is Peter actually 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.539 takes a U-turn 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:22.039 and he goes back 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.619 to therefore 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.839 and we're going to 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.339 look at verses 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.359 18 to 21 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.980 because Peter again 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.319 steps back 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.000 and he starts 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.079 reminding us 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.420 of the great truths 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.299 of the good news 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.579 of Jesus Christ 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.279 which leads us 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.160 to our last thought 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.500 today. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.319 Therefore, 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.619 pursue holiness 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.880 with fear 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:40.299 knowing that. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.740 Look at verses 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.880 18 to 21 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.140 because it seems 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.900 that the Christian 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:46.200 living does not 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.700 just start 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.279 with a therefore. 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.980 It also ends 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.200 with a knowing 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.839 that, right? 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.220 God is good 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.220 therefore live 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.000 a life of holiness 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.019 knowing that 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.819 another great truths 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.220 of God. 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.079 It just, 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.420 this tells us 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.039 that the Christian 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:01.339 living is surrounded 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.779 and centered 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.180 around God 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.539 and His mighty works 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.240 and who He is. 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.720 So what does Peter 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.299 want us to know 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:08.880 here at the end? 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.560 Well, there are two things 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:11.420 here. 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.740 Look at verse 18 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.519 and 19. 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.320 Verse 18, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:31.519 In other words, 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:33.019 Peter here is saying 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:34.859 that you have been 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.960 bought out of your 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.720 former life. 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:38.099 Remember verse 14 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.720 when Peter says, 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.559 don't be conformed 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.720 to your former ignorance? 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.460 Here, 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.179 Peter is saying 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.380 that because, 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.440 don't do that, 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.600 because you have been 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.820 bought out of it 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:48.320 by the blood of Christ. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.640 Church, 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.360 do you see what 00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:50.200 Peter is saying here? 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.420 The reason Peter 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.180 is giving us 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.080 not to go back 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:53.799 into your life 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:55.480 but to pursue holiness 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:57.060 is not because 00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:58.539 so that being holy 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.779 is going to save you 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.880 but he's saying 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.440 that because 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.759 you have been saved, 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.240 because you have been 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.200 bought out of it 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.640 by the precious blood 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.320 of Christ, 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.220 don't go back there. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.160 Pursue holiness. 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.680 You know, 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.320 there's a story 00:26:14.320 --> 00:26:16.820 of a well-known pastor, 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.539 Paul Washer. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.080 I don't know 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:18.660 how many of you know. 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.080 Very serious guy. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:21.700 Yeah, 00:26:21.840 --> 00:26:22.279 you know. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.720 He's very serious. 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:25.440 He talks about a story 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:27.259 where one person 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.920 asked him, 00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:30.480 how is it 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.519 that one soul 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:34.200 is able to save 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.900 billions and trillions 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.460 of souls 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.480 in past, 00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:37.820 present, 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.299 and future? 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.360 That doesn't seem 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:39.940 to add up, 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.220 you know. 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.019 It's like paying 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.400 one dollar 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.079 and getting 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.680 billions and trillions 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:46.039 of dollars in hand. 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.819 It doesn't make sense. 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.759 How can one soul 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.660 of Jesus Christ 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.799 save billions 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.220 and trillions 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.700 of souls 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:52.299 across history? 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.220 And this was his answer. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.039 I'm paraphrasing, 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.480 by the way. 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.200 And he says this, 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.019 imagine a scale. 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.600 Imagine a scale 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.500 and on one side 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:02.220 you put everything 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:04.120 of all creation, 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.039 you put all the money, 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.900 all the gold, 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:08.600 you put all the mountains 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.620 and planets 00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.980 and animals 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.940 and humans 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.700 and music 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.620 and poetry 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.380 and wisdom 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.000 and knowledge, 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.340 everything there is, 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.320 the whole universe 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.519 on one side of scale 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.740 and you put 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.580 one other side, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.400 you put Jesus 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:23.620 and you weigh it 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:25.360 and Jesus 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:26.500 will still be 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:28.140 infinitely more precious 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.680 and more worthy 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:31.080 and more valuable 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:32.680 than all of this creation 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.480 put together 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.080 at the end of it all 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.919 because he is 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.740 the son of God. 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.339 He is the creator, 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.699 king of all kings 00:27:40.699 --> 00:27:43.399 and he is the one 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.279 where everything 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.099 and everything 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:45.779 that we see 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.819 was where 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.980 through him 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.099 and for him 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.579 created. 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.359 And church, 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.779 you 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.379 were ransomed 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.659 by his 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.799 precious blood. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.299 Now I can go on 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.139 and give an example 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:04.620 of how 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:06.140 a man gives 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.920 a billion dollars 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.520 and saves you 00:28:07.520 --> 00:28:08.000 out of jail 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.380 but nothing 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.240 in all creation 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.440 comes to close 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.720 to Christ 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.820 pouring out 00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:14.860 his precious blood 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:16.180 to save 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.920 sinners 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.220 like us, 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.259 to save 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.040 sinners like me. 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.400 And Peter, 00:28:22.820 --> 00:28:23.480 the reason 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.420 he gives us 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.720 to pursue holiness 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:27.080 is that you 00:28:27.080 --> 00:28:28.380 have been ransomed 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:29.920 not by gold, 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.480 not by silver, 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.860 not by anything 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.700 most precious 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.440 and diamonds 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.140 and jewels 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:36.579 but by the most 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.620 precious thing 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.799 in all creation 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:40.519 that is 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.579 the precious blood 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.960 of Christ Jesus. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.720 And the second 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:49.140 Peter wants us 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:49.480 to know 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:49.980 is this, 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.839 verse 20, 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:51.720 he, 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.099 Christ Jesus, 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:53.860 was foreknown 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:55.039 before the foundation 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.620 of the world 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:57.039 but was made 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.360 manifest in last times 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.400 for the sake of you 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:01.200 who through him 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.840 are believers 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:02.400 in God 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.480 who raised him 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.060 from the dead 00:29:04.060 --> 00:29:05.740 and gave him glory 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.660 so that your faith 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.180 and hope 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.140 are in God. 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.759 In other words, 00:29:11.280 --> 00:29:12.160 because of what 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.640 God did in Christ, 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.640 his death, 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.420 resurrection, 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.220 and glory, 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:18.519 now that your faith 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.480 and hope 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.560 is in God. 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.600 That means 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.640 that your faith 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.860 and hope 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:25.460 is a living hope. 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.380 Because of what 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:28.420 Jesus has done, 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:29.860 your faith 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.940 and hope 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:32.980 is fully secured. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.140 What Peter 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:36.860 is saying here 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:37.720 is at the end 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.700 of this is, 00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:39.500 look, 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.460 that you have been 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.200 ransomed 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.440 by the precious 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.360 blood of Christ 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.720 and because of 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.620 God's work 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:46.560 in Christ Jesus, 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.080 your faith 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.820 and hope 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.760 is not in 00:29:49.760 --> 00:29:50.880 material things 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.480 and works 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.360 and salvation 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.720 and whatever 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.380 there is. 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.400 Look at the last sentence, 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.000 your faith 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.540 and hope 00:29:57.540 --> 00:29:58.759 is in God 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.440 and is secured 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.800 and is guaranteed 00:30:01.800 --> 00:30:03.080 in Him. 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.360 Isn't that wonderful? 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.380 You know, 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.780 first, 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.900 in verse 14, 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.740 he tells us, 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:10.280 hey, 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:10.800 it's God 00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.480 who judges, 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.880 live with fear. 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.500 One day he will judge, 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:15.259 but at the end 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.980 he tells us, 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.740 but because your faith 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.700 is in Christ Jesus, 00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:20.100 your faith 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.600 and hope 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:21.560 is completely 00:30:21.560 --> 00:30:22.140 secured. 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:22.220 Lord. 00:30:25.280 --> 00:30:25.800 So, 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.640 if you are here 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.500 for the first time 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:29.820 or if you're exploring 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.660 Christian faith, 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:32.580 here's an invitation 00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:33.120 for you 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:36.160 to come to this 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.960 holy God 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.700 who, 00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:38.980 when you put your life 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.340 in His hand, 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.820 He will ransom you 00:30:42.820 --> 00:30:44.480 into His family, 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.520 securing not only 00:30:46.520 --> 00:30:47.300 your future, 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.960 but also giving you 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.060 life right now, 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:51.059 calling you 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.200 to be His sons 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.940 and daughters. 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.200 And if you do 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.700 call yourself 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.119 a Christian 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:57.679 this morning, 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.440 let these words 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.720 abide in your hearts. 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.759 To live, 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:03.899 therefore, 00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:05.019 to live in light 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.720 of what God 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.159 has done 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:06.960 in Christ Jesus 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.419 and how we've 00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:09.119 been ransomed, 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.960 to pursue holiness 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:12.039 in all parts 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.720 of our life 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.079 with reverent fear, 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.279 having our eyes 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.299 fixed 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:18.480 on the future 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.200 when Christ 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.400 will return, 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.680 will come, 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.740 and when there 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.500 shall be no more 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:23.819 sin, 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.299 no more suffering, 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.660 and all the things 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.420 that is wrong 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.720 will be put right, 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.519 when we will be 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:32.120 finally arriving 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:33.299 in our true home. 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.819 And I know 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.759 we all came 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.980 with a very different 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.660 state of heart. 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.559 I know that some of us 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.500 are going through pain 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.160 and struggles 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.980 and sufferings 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:44.980 and health problems, 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.339 while some of us 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:46.980 are maybe just 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.860 struggling with sin. 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:50.140 Or maybe we're 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.740 just thinking, 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.819 my Christian life 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.819 has been stagnant 00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:54.579 and it just feels 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.460 I'm going nowhere. 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:57.059 Or maybe some of us 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:58.220 are doubting our faith. 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.599 Or maybe some of us 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.039 are just very far away 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:03.700 thinking, 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:05.819 I think Christ 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.339 has already 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.559 rejected me. 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.680 Well, this passage 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:12.339 calls all of us 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.980 come to Him, 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:14.900 the Holy God, 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:17.780 with whom you don't 00:32:17.780 --> 00:32:18.580 pursue holiness, 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.560 you don't be good 00:32:19.560 --> 00:32:20.380 to be saved, 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.940 but you be good, 00:32:22.280 --> 00:32:23.400 you pursue Him 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.860 because He has 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:26.000 pursued us first. 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:28.320 He has ransomed you 00:32:28.320 --> 00:32:29.320 with the precious 00:32:29.320 --> 00:32:30.100 blood of Christ 00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:31.100 while we were 00:32:31.100 --> 00:32:32.300 still sinners. 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:35.300 What hand do we have 00:32:35.300 --> 00:32:36.100 in our salvation? 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.060 What do we offer 00:32:38.060 --> 00:32:40.240 in our salvation, 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:41.019 in our saving 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.680 of our souls? 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:44.060 nothing is Christ 00:32:44.060 --> 00:32:44.920 Jesus who puts 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.640 down His life. 00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:46.860 And we come 00:32:46.860 --> 00:32:47.700 with open arms 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:49.160 in faith and 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:49.799 in hope. 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.120 And our faith 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:51.900 and hope is not 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:53.200 vain because now 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:54.440 it's placed in God, 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.600 the one who has 00:32:55.600 --> 00:32:56.380 been faithful 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.539 throughout history. 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.820 He has been faithful 00:32:58.820 --> 00:32:59.580 with this covenant. 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.539 He has been faithful 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.380 in Christ Jesus 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:02.779 and He will forever 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.380 be faithful. 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.019 He is our rock. 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:06.180 He is our cornerstone. 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.920 He is the unchanging 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.720 one. 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:09.880 He is the Alpha, 00:33:10.060 --> 00:33:10.860 He is the Omega. 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:13.459 this is our hope. 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:15.039 Our hope is not 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.719 in vain. 00:33:15.859 --> 00:33:16.719 It's in living God. 00:33:17.899 --> 00:33:18.279 So church, 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.479 let us keep our eyes 00:33:19.479 --> 00:33:20.919 fixed that one day 00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:21.959 Christ will come 00:33:21.959 --> 00:33:24.219 and we will be home. 00:33:25.219 --> 00:33:26.139 So Watermark Church, 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:26.599 friends, 00:33:26.719 --> 00:33:27.479 brothers and sisters, 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:29.000 verse 13, 00:33:29.179 --> 00:33:29.500 therefore, 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.799 in light of all 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.439 that truths, 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.979 preparing your minds 00:33:33.979 --> 00:33:34.659 for actions 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:36.539 and being so reminded, 00:33:37.179 --> 00:33:38.139 set your hope 00:33:38.139 --> 00:33:40.059 fully on the grace 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:41.579 that will be brought 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.059 to you 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:43.220 at the revelation 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.740 of Christ Jesus. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.940 Let us pray. 00:33:48.679 --> 00:33:49.079 Father, 00:33:49.179 --> 00:33:49.339 we, 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.480 as we think 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.119 of all of this, 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.440 we 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:54.899 can't help 00:33:54.899 --> 00:33:55.839 but be lost 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.299 of word. 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.220 God, 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.859 when you just 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.619 even think of 00:33:58.619 --> 00:33:59.179 while we were 00:33:59.179 --> 00:33:59.819 still sinners, 00:34:00.179 --> 00:34:01.099 you died for us. 00:34:03.599 --> 00:34:04.039 God, 00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:04.940 Psalms really 00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:06.079 captured what are we, 00:34:06.179 --> 00:34:06.759 what are men 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.940 that you care 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:09.219 so much about us 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:11.440 and yet, 00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:11.739 God, 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:13.300 you have sent 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:13.760 your son, 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.480 Jesus Christ, 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:14.940 to die 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:16.679 so that we can live, 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.679 that he took 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.800 upon our sins 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.460 and we take 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.579 upon his righteousness, 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.539 his life. 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.420 God, 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.219 what a beautiful 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:26.199 exchange that we 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.760 can do this. 00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:28.719 God, 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.480 in light of all 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:29.860 of that, 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:31.039 may our life 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.940 not just be 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.000 a life that is 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.739 passionless 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:36.099 and passive. 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.179 Help our hearts 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:39.099 to pursue you, 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:40.299 to pursue holiness 00:34:40.299 --> 00:34:42.019 with reverent awe 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:42.839 of who you are 00:34:42.839 --> 00:34:43.899 and what you have done. 00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:45.039 God, 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.799 knowing that you are 00:34:45.799 --> 00:34:46.259 faithful, 00:34:46.919 --> 00:34:47.939 you have been faithful 00:34:47.939 --> 00:34:48.879 and you will always 00:34:48.879 --> 00:34:49.379 be faithful, 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.539 fixing our eyes 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:52.039 to that day 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.559 when you, 00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:52.939 Christ, 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.799 will come again 00:34:53.799 --> 00:34:55.099 and all our 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.739 sufferings 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:56.339 and all our 00:34:56.339 --> 00:34:57.559 health challenges 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:59.299 and every suffering 00:34:59.299 --> 00:35:00.119 in the world 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:01.659 and all evils 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.459 will be put right. 00:35:03.739 --> 00:35:04.159 God, 00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:04.899 help us to 00:35:04.899 --> 00:35:05.879 live a life 00:35:05.879 --> 00:35:06.979 of holiness 00:35:06.979 --> 00:35:07.639 because you, 00:35:07.759 --> 00:35:07.939 God, 00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:08.959 you are holy. 00:35:09.879 --> 00:35:10.039 So, 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.259 Father, 00:35:10.419 --> 00:35:10.699 come, 00:35:11.319 --> 00:35:11.779 have your way 00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.379 in our lives 00:35:12.379 --> 00:35:13.619 and we glorify you. 00:35:14.399 --> 00:35:15.159 In Jesus' name 00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:15.500 we pray. 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:16.419 Amen. 00:35:16.419 --> 00:35:16.539 Amen.