WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:10.620 Good evening. It is wonderful to be here with you all. Tonight, my name is Dan, and I am married to a beautiful woman named Rachel. 00:00:10.939 --> 00:00:17.580 She is my high school sweetheart. We've been married for eight years. We've actually been keen on each other more like 16 years. 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:26.160 And together we have two lovely little daughters named June and Selah Rose, and a boy on the way. So the Marotta name lives on. 00:00:26.160 --> 00:00:34.820 And, you know, I've been told by your leadership that you are in the midst of a sermon series titled Foundations, 00:00:35.460 --> 00:00:40.920 and that you've been exploring some of the largest and most meaningful questions that any of us can ask in life. 00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:48.519 Questions whose answers are essential to making sense of our lives. Who are we? For what purpose are we here? 00:00:48.659 --> 00:00:53.400 What should I do with all these desires inside of me, and how should I live? 00:00:53.399 --> 00:00:59.320 And because you've found your way into a Christian church, you've found your way into a place filled with people 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:06.579 who are convinced that the answers to all of these essential, most meaningful questions can be found in the Bible. 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:13.079 Now, this evening, we're going to look at the words of 1 Peter 3, verses 18-22. 00:01:13.180 --> 00:01:15.819 It was the second reading that was up on the screen here. 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:18.299 And we're going to explore the theme of confidence. 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:27.200 In particular, what reason or reasons are there for Christians today to have confidence in their faith? 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:33.840 In the face of a culture that is increasingly in opposition to the historic Christian faith, 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:37.819 what reason is there for a Christian to live confidently today? 00:01:38.700 --> 00:01:42.780 And as we explore this theme of confidence, we're going to see that it's actually Christian baptism 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:47.960 as a reason, a good reason, for Christians to have confidence. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:53.200 Now, before we read this text, and we're going to read it again because I want to focus our attention here, 00:01:53.540 --> 00:01:57.500 before we do, just a quick background to orient us. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:01.240 What we have here are some words written by a man named Peter, 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:04.599 who was a follower and close friend of Jesus. 00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:08.780 Peter experienced many of the same struggles and joys that you and I do. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:13.159 Peter was, at varying times, brave and cowardly. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:16.000 He was generous, and he was also selfish. 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:19.240 He was enthusiastic, and he was depressed. 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:22.460 He was committed at times, and other times he was faltering. 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:28.139 Peter was a real human being, and he empathized with the real human need 00:02:28.139 --> 00:02:32.520 to sometimes require encouragement and reassurance. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:34.420 He didn't always have it together. 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:37.840 Sometimes he needed someone to tell him that things were going to be okay. 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:39.360 He needed reassurance. 00:02:39.500 --> 00:02:43.879 And so the letter that he writes, the one that we're about to reread, 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:50.140 is a letter that he wrote to a group of Christians who were living in what is today modern Turkey. 00:02:50.300 --> 00:02:53.379 Then it was known as a series of towns in Asia Minor. 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:58.460 And this is a group of Christians living in these towns as a cultural minority. 00:02:58.640 --> 00:03:02.379 Mind you, not an ethnic minority per se, a cultural minority. 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:07.640 Their Christian faith put them in a minority position in regards to the culture. 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:09.240 And they were struggling. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:12.180 They were struggling in particular with confidence. 00:03:13.420 --> 00:03:16.539 The cities in which they lived were not altogether different than the district. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:21.960 They were at times cynical, mocking, even hostile to the Christian faith. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:22.980 And these Christians were struggling. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:27.960 Some of them were losing confidence in their faith in the face of political and social opposition. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:32.980 So Peter writes them a letter to reassure them because they're like him. 00:03:33.920 --> 00:03:37.960 So, if you will, if you have a Bible with you, you can give your attention to it. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:39.120 If you don't, that's okay. 00:03:39.640 --> 00:03:42.159 Just tune your ears to this. 00:03:42.700 --> 00:03:44.879 Let's give our attention to God's Word one more time. 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:48.560 1 Peter 3, verse 18. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:04:18.540 1 Peter 3, verse 18. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:39.639 One more time. 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:40.639 This is the Word of the Lord. 00:04:41.379 --> 00:04:42.420 Thanks be to God. 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:52.240 Now, as we explore this text, we'll see that because of baptism, a Christian really can 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:53.759 have good reason for confidence. 00:04:53.840 --> 00:04:55.340 And we're going to see this in three ways. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:01.420 A Christian can have good reason for confidence in baptism by, first, remembering God's provision. 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:05.560 Second, by receiving a clear conscience. 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:09.980 And third, by trusting in Christ's victory. 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:11.020 Okay, one more time. 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:12.360 Remembering God's provision. 00:05:13.400 --> 00:05:14.900 Receiving a clear conscience. 00:05:15.700 --> 00:05:17.420 Trusting in Christ's victory. 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:19.400 Remembering, receiving, and trusting. 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:20.860 That's what we're going to talk about. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:24.319 Okay, but first, come with me to Germany. 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:26.920 We're in the 14 and 1500s. 00:05:27.460 --> 00:05:30.160 And we're going to visit a young man named Martin Luther. 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:32.200 Now, most of you will recognize that name. 00:05:32.280 --> 00:05:38.140 Martin Luther was one of the lead reformers in the Protestant Reformation in Europe during that time. 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:49.079 Now, something you need to know about Europe during this time in history is that this is a time of great political and social and religious unrest and upheaval. 00:05:49.979 --> 00:05:53.699 And at the center of all of this conflict is Martin Luther. 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:55.699 And he's not an old guy. 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:56.539 He's not seasoned. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:57.539 He's not experienced. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:01.180 He's not a wise, competent religious leader. 00:06:01.539 --> 00:06:02.519 He's a young man. 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:10.439 Now, you'll see Luther, during this time in history, was wrestling through some deep convictions. 00:06:11.039 --> 00:06:12.399 And his deep convictions were these. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:16.680 He believed the Bible to be the authoritative word of God. 00:06:16.740 --> 00:06:17.699 He really believed that. 00:06:18.159 --> 00:06:22.319 And he was convinced that Jesus alone was to rule his life. 00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:28.579 And he was committed to living for Jesus under the authority of the Bible in every aspect of his life. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:37.479 But these convictions put him at odds with the political, social, and religious authority of the day. 00:06:38.479 --> 00:06:47.799 And as you can imagine, being branded an enemy of society and experiencing social ostracism and persecution, 00:06:48.099 --> 00:06:52.799 this often left Luther, the young man, feeling very discouraged. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:55.219 His confidence waned. 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:58.419 And, you know, Luther is not strange in this. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:06:59.540 He's actually quite normal. 00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:00.920 He's extraordinarily normal. 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:08.480 And I've just got to say, one of the things that you will notice if you spend much time reading the Bible, 00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:12.140 and I mean reading it all the way through, if you spend much time reading the Scriptures, 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:17.720 one thing you'll notice is that the people of God, no matter what time you are in history, 00:07:18.500 --> 00:07:21.060 tend to be fairly forgetful. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.960 This is actually some comfort to me. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.139 I tend to be fairly forgetful. 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:29.519 But this is not a kind of forgetfulness that can be solved with, you know, with Google Apps and Calendar reminders. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:37.139 By forgetfulness, we mean a deep amnesia, a tendency to forget the big things. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:43.099 The people of God, all throughout the Bible, have this kind of deep amnesia. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:48.719 You know, if you know the story of Scripture, time and time again, God provides for his people. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:53.560 And time and time again, they forget that, and in forgetting, they lose confidence. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:08:01.320 They stop living confidently as the people of God, and they begin to capitulate, to give in to the hostile culture around them. 00:08:01.700 --> 00:08:02.800 So what does God do? 00:08:03.580 --> 00:08:04.580 Well, he's a loving God. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:05.820 He's a good God. 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:07.520 And so he reminds them. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:11.240 He says to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, he says, 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:12.720 Remember what I've done for you. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.040 I've created you. 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:15.699 I gave you life. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:18.000 I gathered you into a unified people. 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:21.400 I set you free from slavery in Egypt. 00:08:21.460 --> 00:08:22.980 If you remember the story of the Exodus. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.139 I've fed you in the wilderness. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:26.560 I led you to good land. 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:27.819 I helped you conquer it. 00:08:28.280 --> 00:08:31.160 And whenever you've disobeyed me, I've forgiven you. 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:32.399 I love you. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:34.539 I will keep providing for you. 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:38.639 God says to his people all throughout history, 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:41.679 You can be confident, but not in yourself. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:44.100 You can be confident in my provision. 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:46.340 I will take care of you. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:53.480 We actually see this same reason for confidence, this remembering God's provision. 00:08:53.699 --> 00:08:55.360 We actually see it in this text. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:09:00.539 If you look with me at the end of verse 20, if you have a Bible, 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:04.559 what it says is that God's patience, when it waited in the days of Noah, 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:09.899 while the ark was being prepared, in which, that is, eight persons were brought safely through water. 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:11.659 What on earth is that talking about? 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:12.959 Here's what Peter is doing. 00:09:13.859 --> 00:09:15.459 He's trying to help people remember. 00:09:15.959 --> 00:09:18.059 He's giving them a little poke to jog their memory. 00:09:18.319 --> 00:09:20.059 He's saying, remember the story. 00:09:20.719 --> 00:09:22.559 Remember the way God takes care of his people. 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:24.739 And take, for example, remember Noah. 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:30.519 Noah, now, if you're anything like me, and that is, if you are a young parent, 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:37.700 and if you do the sorts of things that I do, one of which is read Bible stories to my children, 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:40.279 then you'll have had this experience at some point. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.480 You'll have sat down with your kids, perhaps on the sofa. 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:45.960 If you're in the Marata family house, you're sitting right in the middle. 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:47.379 There's a little daughter on this side. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:48.519 There's a little daughter on this side. 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:50.519 And you're beginning to read a little Bible story. 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:52.600 And perhaps you've opened the story of Noah. 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:58.300 And as you begin to read, your daughters ask very troubling and perplexing questions about this story. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.399 This is not a children's story. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.420 Why on earth is it in children's Bibles? 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.220 I don't understand. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:07.940 The story of Noah is not a children's story. 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:12.899 The story of Noah depicts one of the darkest times in the history of the world. 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:18.820 A time in the world when human corruption had reached a tipping point, 00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:25.500 and God rightly judged the world by flooding it. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:33.660 But out of his goodness and out of his mercy, he didn't totally obliterate humanity. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:37.280 That would have been the deserving thing to do, but he did not do it because he is a loving God. 00:10:37.520 --> 00:10:40.620 And because he is a loving God, he saves Noah and his family. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:50.259 God provided for Noah and his family by putting them on a boat and letting them safely pass through the waters of his judgment. 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:51.740 And they were saved. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:56.919 And that story, while a true one, is actually only a foretaste. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:01.220 That story actually serves as an appetizer for a bigger story. 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:04.879 Because even as God provided for his people over and over again all throughout history, 00:11:05.180 --> 00:11:10.000 and even as they continued to live in corruption and in rebellion, 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:15.100 and, you know, at this point it's worth noting, in case you're unfamiliar with this, 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:19.100 the story of the Bible in regards to humanity 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:27.800 actually teaches us that we, that is humanity, are not in good standing with God. 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:29.700 That's part of the story. 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:35.480 In fact, we are separated from him by our own choosing, by our own desire to rule our own lives. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:39.140 We have estranged ourselves from God and corrupted the world. 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:45.280 And God's just anger against the wickedness of humanity, which is what the Bible calls sin, 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:50.360 must be poured out just as the waters of the flood were poured out. 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:56.200 And here we actually get a glimpse of the culmination, 00:11:56.200 --> 00:12:01.520 the consummation of God's provision, God's care, God's love for his people. 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:04.780 It's a story, if you've been in church for any length of time, you might be familiar with. 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:07.920 If this is your first time here this evening, this is the story. 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:14.200 That God, in his love, does not direct his judgment, 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:16.720 which is rightly deserved, towards humanity. 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:18.240 Instead, where does he direct his judgment? 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:20.860 Not towards humanity, but towards himself. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:24.379 God directs the judgment towards himself. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:27.660 And this is the image of Jesus on the cross. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:32.540 It's God's judgment towards humanity, or excuse me, for humanity, 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:34.779 but directed towards himself. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:38.740 It's the ultimate example of God's provision. 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:42.540 The cross of Jesus is God providing a way for corrupt human beings 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:45.759 to come to him so that he can continue to provide for them. 00:12:46.719 --> 00:12:50.939 And this, this is one of the things that baptism celebrates. 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:55.740 In Christian baptism, we remember God's provision. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:59.799 The symbolism of the water helps us remember how God provided for Noah 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:03.659 and brought him and his family safely through the judgment waters of the flood. 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:06.459 And in baptism, God provides, in the very same way, 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:10.579 God provides a way for us to safely pass through his judgment 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:12.360 against our own corruption. 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:15.580 And here we have our first reason for confidence. 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:17.480 Here's how it works. 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:22.720 If you are a Christian, or perhaps even if you are exploring the Christian faith, 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:24.000 here's what you do. 00:13:24.800 --> 00:13:27.379 In moments when your confidence falters, 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:30.360 when the Christian faith feels weak 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:34.800 compared to the strength of the cultural and social pressures around you, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:37.840 perhaps you're in conversation with coworkers 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:41.360 and the tone of the conversation shifts towards mockery of Jesus 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.920 or the church or Christianity as it often does, 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.259 here's what you do. 00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:47.580 You mentally begin to think back. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:48.940 You begin to remember. 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.340 What are you remembering? 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:52.240 You're remembering the true story. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:57.639 You're remembering the story that God's people have always been opposed, 00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:00.899 but God has always provided for them. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:03.000 Noah was mocked, but God provided for him. 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.720 The early church was mocked, 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:06.899 but God provided for them. 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:12.120 Many, many followers of Jesus today are ridiculed for their faith, 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:15.000 but God has promised to provide for us. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:19.740 And baptism is a marker, a signpost, 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:24.100 a giant arrow pointing in the direction of God's provision. 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.740 And it's a good reason for confidence. 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:28.060 It's a reminder. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.800 It helps us remember God's provision. 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:33.820 Okay, but we not only remember his provision, 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:34.500 what else do we do? 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.480 We receive something. 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:38.240 We receive a clear conscience. 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:42.540 Okay, you know the trouble with troubled consciences 00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:45.840 is that they can be very destabilizing. 00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:46.660 And we all know this. 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.900 You know, no matter what you believe, 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:51.480 you know that when you are conflicted and troubled on the inside, 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:54.620 it's very difficult to live confidently. 00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:58.500 And there are all sorts of pop culture remedies for this. 00:14:58.560 --> 00:15:00.940 Here are just a few that I've heard over the years. 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:03.040 One that I've heard is this, 00:15:03.180 --> 00:15:04.400 that if you have a troubled conscience, 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.480 then here's what you do. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.160 You literally do this. 00:15:07.280 --> 00:15:11.340 You imagine a blank canvas in front of you. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:14.760 And all of the troubling thoughts that begin to come into your mind, 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:17.180 you mentally just push them to either side 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:20.320 until you are completely thoughtless. 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.980 When you have emptied your mind, 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.660 you will feel better. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:28.460 Number two, something I've heard. 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:30.759 And this language I've actually heard 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.639 not just outside the church, 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.720 but actually within the church. 00:15:33.900 --> 00:15:35.820 And to this one, I think I would gently say, 00:15:36.060 --> 00:15:37.100 we've got to stop this. 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:38.759 This language is not helpful. 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.280 We've got to stop using it. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.980 This is pop culture psychology. 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:43.259 It is not the Bible. 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.700 But this is the language I've heard. 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:48.000 When your conscience is conflicted and troubled, 00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.220 here's what you do. 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:52.580 You just need to forgive yourself. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:56.320 If you can forgive yourself, 00:15:56.879 --> 00:16:00.600 if you can let go of the burdens that are weighing you down, 00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:02.460 tell yourself that it's okay, 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.220 let it go. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.920 Number three, 00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:13.200 this is, I think, popular no matter who you are. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:15.020 Just find the positive side. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:17.720 Just look for the positive side. 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:19.440 You know, as these troubling thoughts, 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:21.340 as this guilt kind of works inside of you, 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:23.019 as you feel conflicted on the inside, 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.460 whatever it is, 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.519 whatever you're remembering, 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:27.920 whatever thing you're replaying in your mind, 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:30.580 just find the positive spin to it. 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.580 If you've overeaten, 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:34.040 just remember how good the chocolate tasted. 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:38.080 If you've perhaps cheated on your spouse 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.420 or girlfriend or boyfriend, 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:41.620 then just remember the ecstasy of the passion. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.800 Whatever it is you've done 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:45.180 that is making you feel conflicted and guilty on the inside, 00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:46.540 just find the positive side. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.600 Remember that. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.740 Elevate the positive. 00:16:49.280 --> 00:16:50.500 You know, push down the negative. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:52.519 And you'll feel better 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.700 and you'll be a healthier person. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:55.860 No. 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.279 If you'll notice, 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:01.980 all of these attempts to clear your conscience 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:04.759 are what I would call self-washing techniques. 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:07.240 If you feel dirty and you're losing confidence, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.740 you just need to wash yourself 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:11.799 to clean and restore your confidence. 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.819 And from this perspective, 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.220 get this, 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.579 from this perspective, 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:19.460 even something like Christian baptism 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:21.440 has a certain appeal to it 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:23.100 from that perspective. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.900 And it goes kind of like this. 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.299 In baptism, 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:29.079 you're kind of coming up 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:30.680 and you just feel dirty. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.579 You feel conflicted. 00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:32.220 You feel troubled. 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:33.400 And the water 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:35.579 is sort of a metaphor for washing you. 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.660 And after that happens, 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.380 then you're better. 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:38.819 No. 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:41.860 That is not what Christian baptism is. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.980 Let's look at the text. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.860 What does it tell us? 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:47.180 Chapter 3, verse 21. 00:17:47.380 --> 00:17:47.860 Baptism, 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.380 which corresponds to this. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.059 What's the this? 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:52.339 This is the story of Noah 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:54.980 being brought through the judgment waters of the flood, 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.880 being saved by God's own provision. 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:57.680 Baptism, 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.900 which corresponds to this, 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.660 God's provision, 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:01.480 now saves you 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:04.500 not as a removal of dirt from the body, 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.539 not washing on the outside, 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:08.220 but as what? 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:10.299 An appeal to God 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:12.480 for a good conscience. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.299 What on earth does that mean? 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:17.279 An appeal to God for a good conscience. 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.039 Here's the thing. 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.299 In baptism, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.940 and what you'll see later this evening, 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.220 here's what is happening. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.799 In baptism, 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:33.640 you are united to Jesus. 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:36.560 You are connected with Him, 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.000 bound to Him, 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.320 in His life, 00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:40.640 in His death, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.740 and in His glorious resurrection. 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:46.500 And when you are united to Jesus in baptism, 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:49.640 you actually receive something 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.840 as a gift. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.420 And what you receive, 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.980 one of the things you receive, 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:56.480 is a good conscience, 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:58.060 a clear conscience, 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.640 clean on the inside. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.320 Okay, 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.280 how? 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:02.080 Why? 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:03.179 Why does this actually happen? 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.980 You receive a clear conscience 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:06.819 because all of the guilt, 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.879 all of the confliction within you, 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.399 all of the trouble in your conscience, 00:19:10.679 --> 00:19:11.599 things you're aware of, 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.500 things you are actually not aware of, 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.319 all of that, 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:15.099 what happens to it? 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:17.259 It actually dies 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.539 with Jesus. 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.480 That's what gets rid of it. 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:23.019 All of the conflict within you, 00:19:23.199 --> 00:19:24.000 that kind of stuff, 00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:25.480 is connected to Jesus, 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.740 bound with Him, 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.939 and in His death, 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.039 it dies. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:32.299 And just as He is raised to new life, 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:34.619 so you are raised to new life 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:37.240 with a clear, 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.180 pure conscience 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.240 before God. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.920 Not because you washed yourself 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.519 on the outside, 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:44.460 but because you are united to Jesus. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.940 That is the gift 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.059 of a clear conscience. 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.579 It's a permanent solution. 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:51.279 And this is the second 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.879 good reason for confidence 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.559 in faith, 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.619 in Christian living. 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.279 You know, 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.460 any coach will tell you, 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.019 if you've ever played any sport, 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.079 any coach will tell you, 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.319 that if you step onto the field 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:00.799 or the court 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.779 with some sort of 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:04.360 conflict in your mind 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.559 about how the game is going to go, 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.380 how you're going to play, 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.860 not only will you not do very well, 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:11.640 but you also won't enjoy the game. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:13.000 You'll take no joy in the playing. 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.400 God knows this. 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.360 And out of love for us, 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.579 He doesn't leave us 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:20.340 to stew in our guilt 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:21.799 the rest of our lives. 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:23.799 He actually offers us 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:25.859 the gift of a clear conscience 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.559 before Him. 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.940 And we can receive that gift 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.899 in baptism. 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:34.700 Okay, so from where does our confidence come? 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:36.159 From remembering God's provision 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.639 in baptism 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.740 and from receiving 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:39.440 a clear conscience 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.119 through baptism. 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.059 Okay, lastly, 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:43.159 our last reason for confidence 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:44.000 in Christian living 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.779 is trusting in His victory. 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.500 Trusting in His victory. 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.139 And here, 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.940 I want you to look back 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.440 at the text 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.340 and let's look at how it begins 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:54.799 and how it ends. 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:56.620 This is a complete thought here. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.400 And Peter begins this text 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.779 and he ends this text 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:01.380 with his main idea. 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.960 And here's what he says. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.519 Christ, 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.059 who has gone into heaven 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:06.980 and is at the right hand of God 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:07.700 with angels, 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.160 authorities, 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.660 and powers 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.740 having been subjected to Him. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:11.059 Okay, here's why 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.960 Peter brackets this text 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.279 with those words. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:17.200 It's because he's trying 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.140 to encourage them. 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:18.900 Remember, 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.160 that's the whole reason 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.700 for his writing 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.380 this letter 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.100 in the first place 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:23.740 is to encourage 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:25.660 and reassure Christians 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:26.740 whose confidence 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.600 is crumbling. 00:21:28.800 --> 00:21:30.200 And so he reminds them 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:32.259 of Christ's victory. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.860 Because remember, 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.600 well, actually, 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.700 think with me about this. 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.759 Remembering God's provision, 00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:41.980 the story, 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.640 what God has actually done, 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.759 and receiving 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.960 a clear conscience, 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.600 and both of those things 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:50.180 happening in baptism, 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.720 all of that 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:54.680 is really, 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.519 I don't know if it's meaningless, 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.360 but it's at very least 00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:58.000 powerless 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:01.299 if Jesus is not 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.460 actually victorious. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:03.960 Right? 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.400 Because if he doesn't 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.579 actually have the power 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:07.740 to provide for you, 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.480 if he doesn't actually 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.340 have the ability 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.600 to give you 00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:11.400 what you're coming 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.079 to receive, 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.360 then what does it matter 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.319 whether you remember it 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.960 or whether you try 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.500 to receive it 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.299 with open hands? 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:18.279 this is why it matters. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.500 Because Christ 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.659 is victorious. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.839 He is in power. 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.119 The reality is this, 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:27.359 that all things, 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.980 all things, 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.339 all earthly, 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.240 political, 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.200 social, 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.299 religious powers, 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.460 all spiritual things, 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.599 both good and evil, 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.539 all creatures, 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.220 all matter, 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.940 all substance, 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:39.119 every subatomic particle, 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.639 even death itself, 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:42.380 is now subject 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:44.220 to the authority 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.520 of Jesus. 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:48.120 There is power 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:49.280 in baptism 00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:51.460 because the power 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.220 in baptism 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:53.620 comes from the one 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:55.120 who is in power 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.060 currently, 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:57.180 presently. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.840 Christ is victorious 00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.780 today 00:22:59.780 --> 00:23:00.660 and therefore 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.560 has the power 00:23:01.560 --> 00:23:02.540 to provide 00:23:02.540 --> 00:23:03.320 and the power 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:04.259 to give you 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.720 what you come 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.320 to receive. 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.799 Now, 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:08.220 before we keep going 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.799 and actually 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.539 before we conclude, 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.759 I just want to say 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:13.019 one quick side note. 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.480 You've probably noticed, 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.720 if you haven't fallen asleep 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.480 and been paying attention, 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.480 that we skipped 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.299 a couple verses. 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.240 Did you see it? 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.319 We skipped 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.519 verses 19 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.619 and part of verse 20. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.519 And we skipped these 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.960 because they're actually 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.419 very, 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:26.939 very difficult. 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.279 And in fact, 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:28.980 Martin Luther, 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:30.059 who we talked about earlier, 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.559 had something very profound 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.679 to say about these 00:23:32.679 --> 00:23:33.639 few verses, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:35.460 verses 19 and 20. 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.500 And I want to read it 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.319 to make sure I get it 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.099 exactly right 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.720 because this is, 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.539 this just really encourages me. 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.539 Martin Luther, 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.940 the great reformer, 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:44.039 said this about 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.119 verses 19 through 20. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.200 I have no idea 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.740 what this means. 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:50.539 This is so encouraging. 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.039 If you are new, 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:52.659 if you are new 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.399 to the Christian faith 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:54.139 or even if you've been here 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:54.619 for a while, 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.319 sometimes you read things 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.759 in the Bible 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.159 and you don't get them. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.720 They don't make sense to you. 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.359 Join the club. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:02.940 It's okay. 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.639 There are times 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.079 when Scripture 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:06.599 is crystal clear 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.779 and we know 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.759 what to do next. 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:10.220 There are other times 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:12.179 where it seems foggy to us 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:13.119 and we don't know 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.859 what to do next. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.139 Let's look at 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.200 what these verses say 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:19.159 and see if we can't 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:20.119 draw anything from them. 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:22.179 Verses 19 and 20. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.079 Peter says, 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.940 in which he went, 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.879 in Jesus, 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.460 he's talking about, 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.279 in which Jesus went 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.759 and proclaimed 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.720 to the spirits in prison 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.460 because they formerly 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:33.100 did not obey 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.900 when God's patience 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.319 waited in the days of Noah. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.440 There's a number 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.460 of scholarly theories 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.660 as to what is going on 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.120 in this text. 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.860 One is that 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:42.880 after Jesus died, 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.140 before he rose from the dead, 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.319 he actually descended 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.980 into the depths 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.400 of the hellish spirit world 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.380 and preached 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.840 to those who had formerly 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.799 been in disobedience 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.200 to God. 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.140 One theory. 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:54.120 Another theory is 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:55.380 that Jesus 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.440 was actually 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.259 preaching, 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.340 preaching, 00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:58.059 speaking, 00:24:58.059 --> 00:25:00.120 to Noah's contemporaries 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:01.100 through Noah. 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.240 That's another theory. 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.920 There are various other theories 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:05.140 that seemed less 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:06.160 important to me 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:06.680 to share, 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:08.080 but all of them 00:25:08.080 --> 00:25:09.320 actually pointed 00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:10.900 to the same thing. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.019 They all had a same, 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:13.380 a similar theme 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.180 that ran through 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.580 the whole thing. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.700 And so rather than agonizing 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.059 over that, 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:16.860 I just wanted to share it 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.120 with you. 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:18.240 The theme is 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.279 simple. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.359 Jesus' victory 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.379 over death 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:24.519 and all subsequent powers 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:27.119 in the entire world, 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:28.119 whether earthly 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.220 or spiritual. 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:30.700 That's the theme. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.000 Jesus' victory. 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.359 And baptism 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:36.879 celebrates this victory. 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.019 And this is where we come 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.759 to our third reason. 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.379 In baptism, 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.500 whether the water 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.200 is sprinkled 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.279 over the head of a child 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.079 or whether somebody 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.440 is plunged into the water 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.920 and then raised back up, 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.079 Jesus' victory 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.759 over death 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.879 and all other powers 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:50.200 is being demonstrated 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.800 and celebrated. 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:53.160 Without Christ's victory 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.920 over death 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.160 and all other powers, 00:25:55.280 --> 00:25:56.120 baptism would just be 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:57.260 a mere memorial service, 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:57.740 wouldn't it? 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:58.960 And there wouldn't be 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.640 any power in it. 00:26:00.300 --> 00:26:00.920 But there is. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.340 As we've said, 00:26:02.560 --> 00:26:03.660 there is power in baptism 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.560 because the one 00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:05.520 who gives it power 00:26:05.520 --> 00:26:06.740 is in power. 00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:08.860 When you remember 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:10.280 your own baptism, 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.500 if you've been baptized, 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.520 or when you celebrate 00:26:13.520 --> 00:26:14.780 or watch somebody else 00:26:14.780 --> 00:26:15.520 getting baptized, 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.340 you are trusting 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:18.860 in Christ's victory 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:20.079 and this is our third 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.279 good reason for confidence, 00:26:21.479 --> 00:26:22.679 trusting in Christ's victory. 00:26:23.419 --> 00:26:24.539 Okay, let's conclude. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.500 Let's review where we've been. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.579 Baptism gives a Christian 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.679 good reason for confidence. 00:26:29.459 --> 00:26:29.979 In baptism, 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:31.519 we remember God's provision. 00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:33.740 We receive a clear conscience 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:35.859 and we trust in his victory. 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.979 And these are just a few 00:26:37.979 --> 00:26:39.779 of the daily actions 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.939 of the Christian life. 00:26:41.939 --> 00:26:44.719 Remember, receive, trust. 00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:46.799 These are Christian verbs. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:49.159 When you are faced 00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:49.899 with opposition 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:51.139 and your confidence 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:52.159 begins to crumble, 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.539 remember that God 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:56.480 has always, always, 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:57.819 always provided 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.599 for his people 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.740 and he has provided 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.440 for you 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.359 in the death 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.419 and resurrection of Jesus. 00:27:04.419 --> 00:27:05.440 When your inner conscience 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.139 is troubled 00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:08.299 and you are conflicted 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:08.960 on the inside 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.839 and your confidence 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.599 is shattered, 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.899 receive again 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:13.639 the clear conscience 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:15.139 that God offers you 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.700 in baptism. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.160 And when you are intimidated 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.580 by the political, 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:21.380 social, cultural might 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:23.480 of those who mock 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.660 the Christian faith 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:26.220 and your confidence 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.300 begins to shrink, 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:30.400 then trust in Christ's victory. 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.860 As strange as it might sound, 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.600 if you've been baptized, 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.560 trust in your own baptism. 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:38.299 And if you haven't been baptized, 00:27:39.159 --> 00:27:40.319 then by all means, 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:41.879 come and get baptized. 00:27:42.679 --> 00:27:44.200 God has given his people baptism 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:44.919 because he's a good 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:45.619 and kind God 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:47.419 and he knows his people 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.419 will need encouragement 00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:49.460 and reassurance 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.059 and comfort 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.919 and baptism 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:52.220 is one of his gifts 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.419 to instill, 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:55.379 to inject confidence 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.539 into his people. 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:58.220 And this is not a new idea. 00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:59.279 I'm not making this up. 00:27:59.339 --> 00:27:59.740 It's actually 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.899 a very ancient idea. 00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:01.899 It goes all the way back 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.119 to Martin Luther and beyond. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:04.379 But this idea 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:06.299 of trusting in your own baptism 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.919 was actually incredibly significant 00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.500 to Martin Luther. 00:28:08.959 --> 00:28:09.799 And we'll close with this. 00:28:11.199 --> 00:28:12.159 Luther had plenty of reason 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:13.399 for failure of confidence. 00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:15.419 He was opposed politically, 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.379 socially, 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.259 and religiously. 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.059 He was mocked. 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.779 He was belittled. 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:20.199 His reputation was dragged 00:28:20.199 --> 00:28:20.699 through the mud. 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.299 Even his own sin, 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.639 his own inner confliction 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:24.539 and corruption 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:26.000 was discouraging to him. 00:28:26.239 --> 00:28:27.079 And frequently, 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:29.379 his confidence shrank 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.719 and even crumbled. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:34.880 One particular confidence-crushing time 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.720 in his life came 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.900 when he was in political, 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.420 social, 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.740 and religious exile. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.160 He had fled 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:42.259 to a remote castle in Germany 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.400 and was attempting 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.740 to translate the Bible 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.360 from Latin, 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.059 which is the language 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.620 of the elite, 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.240 into German, 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.120 the language of the people. 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.839 And he was struggling, 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.740 but not with the, 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.500 he wasn't struggling 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.539 with the academic work. 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.720 He was struggling 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.500 with his confidence. 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:56.140 He felt weak. 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.720 He felt impotent. 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.839 He felt insignificant. 00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:01.059 And whenever he did, 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.720 he would return 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.000 to this one practice. 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.919 You know what he did? 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:05.720 Here's what he did. 00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:06.740 This is actually amazing. 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:08.059 You can read about this 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:09.159 from other people 00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:10.559 who wrote during that time 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.480 who either lived 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:13.059 in or near this castle. 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.939 When it was dark outside, 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.939 as it is right now, 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.439 you could see a candle 00:29:18.439 --> 00:29:19.980 lit in the window 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:21.939 where Luther was working, 00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:24.119 transcribing the Bible 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.480 from Latin into German, 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.259 doing the work 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.099 for the people, 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:28.740 trying to get God's Word. 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.680 in the hands of the people. 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.059 But whenever Luther's 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.019 confidence waned, 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.240 whenever he was particularly 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:34.599 discouraged or frustrated, 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.880 he would have this practice. 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:37.299 He would pace in his room 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.019 and you could hear 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.160 his bellowing voice 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.079 ringing out 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.019 all throughout the castle 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.579 to the point where people 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.359 outside the castle 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:42.940 could even hear it. 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.900 And you know what he was saying? 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:47.279 I am baptized. 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.420 I am baptized. 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.259 And he would say it 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.480 over and over 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.700 and over again. 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:55.000 And he's not a lunatic. 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.279 You know why he was saying that? 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:59.139 Because his baptism 00:29:59.139 --> 00:30:02.240 was his anchor for confidence. 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:04.019 Because in his baptism, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.079 he was remembering 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.859 God's provision. 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.839 He was receiving again 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:09.319 a clear conscience from God. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.519 And he was trusting 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.940 in Christ's victory. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.660 And it gave him confidence. 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.619 It injected 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:16.480 a fresh dose of confidence 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.700 into his life. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:20.480 If you know 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:22.400 that God has provided 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:23.660 for you in Jesus, 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.720 if you want to receive 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.539 a clear conscience, 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:28.000 if you trust 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.340 that Jesus is victorious 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:30.080 over death 00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:30.759 and everyone 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:32.180 and everything else, 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.480 and you haven't been baptized, 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:36.019 then please come talk 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.519 to the leadership 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.160 of this church. 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.340 Please do. 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:41.080 Baptism will help you 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:42.120 going forward. 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.440 It really will. 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.660 If you have already 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.240 been baptized, 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.340 then I would simply 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.259 encourage you, 00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:48.539 as Peter encouraged 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.299 these early Christians, 00:30:49.699 --> 00:30:50.659 as Luther tried 00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.720 to encourage himself, 00:30:51.939 --> 00:30:52.899 to look back 00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:53.799 to your baptism 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.059 and remember 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.259 God's provision 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.720 and receive again 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.659 a clear conscience 00:30:58.659 --> 00:31:00.199 and trust in his victory 00:31:00.199 --> 00:31:01.980 that you might live 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.519 confidently 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.459 as a Christian today. 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.539 Let's pray. 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.859 God, thank you for knowing 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:13.339 that we are human creatures 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.899 and we get really discouraged 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.720 really quickly. 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:18.799 Our confidence falls apart 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:23.220 and we need something 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.000 to look to. 00:31:24.439 --> 00:31:25.480 Thank you for giving us 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.459 something physical, 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:28.159 something we can actually 00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:29.759 touch and feel. 00:31:30.179 --> 00:31:31.039 Thank you for giving us 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:33.039 water to be sprinkled 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:34.379 or poured or dunked 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:37.799 to actually experience. 00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:39.579 Thank you for giving us 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.980 something to grab a hold of, 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.559 to give us confidence 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.539 in this life. 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.700 We thank you for it 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:47.380 and we love you. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.099 We pray in your name. 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.299 Amen.