WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:10.599 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:17.179 I want to add Happy Mother's Day to what Kelly said so well. 00:00:17.780 --> 00:00:23.539 I have the privilege this morning of having not only my wife and my mother-in-law, 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:26.800 who are usually here, but my mother as well. 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:30.039 I'm so thankful for them. 00:00:32.219 --> 00:00:38.380 Yeah, you can clap. I mean, I would clap for them, but I wasn't saying it to make you clap for them. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:44.260 So, in light of all that, let's talk today about suffering. 00:00:47.540 --> 00:00:48.900 That wasn't the right segue? 00:00:50.380 --> 00:00:52.640 That seemed like the right thing to say there. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:59.840 This passage that we're looking at this morning is the next passage in 1 Peter. 00:00:59.980 --> 00:01:05.379 It's actually at the end of a long section of 1 Peter where he's been focusing on suffering. 00:01:06.439 --> 00:01:10.159 Writing to God's people about how are you to handle suffering, 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:12.799 and what does it look like to respond in the midst of that? 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:18.700 He's told us already that suffering gives opportunities to share our hope with others. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:19.380 Right? 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:26.140 That because Jesus has endured our sufferings, we can be assured we will enjoy his victory. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:33.159 That the threat of suffering presents us with a life-shaping choice between our sin and our Savior. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:38.359 That loving one another well is essential for surviving suffering. 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:40.060 As God's people, we need one another. 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:44.840 All these principles about suffering. 00:01:45.600 --> 00:01:52.040 But before we see one more today, I wanted to just say something about principles about suffering. 00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:56.980 As I was thinking about this and writing, what's our key principle about suffering for today? 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:02.740 I just felt the need to say, as much as I've tried to distill a key principle from each passage, 00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:09.879 these are not meant to be cold and calculated to remove all pain from your life. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:17.019 If you just learn a couple of key principles about suffering, that's really not how it works. 00:02:18.079 --> 00:02:23.859 Sometimes what is needed in the face of suffering is silence. 00:02:23.860 --> 00:02:38.140 God's word shows us and tells us that as well. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:45.620 Remember, God's goal is not actually to remove all pain from our lives. 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:55.439 Rather, it's to help us stand firm with him like our Ukrainian violinist in the bomb shelter 00:02:55.439 --> 00:03:01.120 while life is chaotic all around us, while suffering continues, 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:04.360 that we would remember who and whose we are. 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:09.000 Especially then, so that we can stand firm. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:19.979 For that, we need patient people as well as practical principles about suffering that we know that we can count on. 00:03:20.699 --> 00:03:21.860 We need relationship. 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:30.620 As we'll see this morning in this last section, it begins at 1 Peter 4 at verse 12. 00:03:31.219 --> 00:03:34.360 I want us to read God's word together this morning. 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:43.400 And notice as we do, Peter's sensitivity to this relationship, that it starts with beloved. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:53.680 Remember who you are, dearly beloved, so that you have a living hope that will never die. 00:03:53.980 --> 00:03:59.980 That you're part of a people who can have courage because their God cares for them. 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:10.439 Dearly beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:13.280 as though something strange were happening to you. 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:18.379 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, 00:04:18.539 --> 00:04:22.839 that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:26.879 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.419 because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:36.239 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler. 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:41.019 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:43.819 but let him glorify God in that name. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:48.879 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:54.639 And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 00:04:54.779 --> 00:04:59.319 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:05.000 Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:09.579 entrust their souls to a faithful creator while doing good. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:13.540 Thus far, God's holy word, let's ask for his help. 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:19.180 God, we do need your help this morning. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:24.720 Not merely that we might understand your words, although we ask for that, 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:26.540 but that we might know you. 00:05:27.900 --> 00:05:33.340 The one who is with us, the one who is our faithful creator to whom we can trust ourselves. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:36.500 Would you teach us that this morning? 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:41.339 Would you meet us in our grief and pain and suffering? 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:47.879 And would you, by your spirit, speak to us the truth that our hearts most need? 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.560 And we ask it in Jesus' name. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:50.720 Amen. 00:05:50.720 --> 00:06:02.020 One of my favorite things about this passage, passage where God is preparing us for suffering 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:06.680 that we're already experiencing or perhaps about to walk into in days ahead, 00:06:07.460 --> 00:06:14.340 is that this passage makes it clear that suffering well is not natural. 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:17.280 That's not natural for us. 00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:22.139 I'm really thankful for that as a guy who doesn't handle pain well. 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:30.639 Even when I stub my toe or pull my hamstring, ask my family, I'm a wimp, okay? 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:38.819 Much less when people are upset with me, disappointed in me. 00:06:38.919 --> 00:06:40.679 I hate that, right? 00:06:41.919 --> 00:06:44.559 Suffering is not pleasant. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:47.540 We don't have to pretend that it is. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:50.819 But there is hope in the midst of that suffering. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:54.899 It's hope that is not that we'll never suffer again. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:07:02.259 No, that is the false gospel, if you will, of health and wealth and prosperity. 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:04.840 That's nowhere in God's word. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:11.779 No, the hope as we suffer is a relationship with God. 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:18.319 A relationship with God that transforms how we can respond to our suffering. 00:07:19.239 --> 00:07:23.819 It's not natural or easy to suffer well. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:26.279 It runs against our instincts, doesn't it? 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:35.379 But there is a God who, if we really access his power, his presence with us, his promises, 00:07:35.739 --> 00:07:44.019 can make all the difference in how we view and then respond to our truly difficult suffering. 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:50.419 What difference can active relationship with God make? 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:55.439 How does God enable us to respond to suffering? 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:58.160 That's what this passage is going to show us. 00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:06.819 First thing, it shows us we can rejoice in suffering with the Son rather than avoiding it. 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:09.220 That's our natural bent, right? 00:08:09.400 --> 00:08:12.379 Our natural bent to avoid suffering. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:19.000 But perhaps we spend so much time in a very resourceful society, 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:23.199 thinking that we can largely avoid suffering, 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:29.819 that we are actually surprised when really difficult trials come into our lives. 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:31.339 Peter says, don't let that happen. 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:39.620 Don't be surprised at the fiery trial, at the painful test of your faith. 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:45.039 What I mean is that natural responses include things like, 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:47.639 hey, I mean, I'm a pretty good person. 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:51.519 I don't deserve suffering like this. 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:53.860 I shouldn't have to deal with this in my life. 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:54.940 I'm good enough. 00:08:56.860 --> 00:09:01.299 Or for some of us, hey, I'm a Christian. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:04.519 So God's going to keep me comfy. 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:05.639 I mean, that's in here. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:06.720 Which verse is that? 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:09.720 God promises that... 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:12.720 Peter's reminding us that's not in here. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:15.580 That is not the case. 00:09:15.660 --> 00:09:18.120 When you take church membership vows, 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:21.899 when you publicly align yourself with Jesus, 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:25.040 you are signing up for suffering. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:29.139 Michael, that's a reason to back out, right? 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:29.940 Not your story. 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:33.600 That's what he's trying to be honest with us about. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.139 This is not unusual, he says. 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:39.340 It's the experience of Jesus himself, right? 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:42.639 It's the pattern of all through church history. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:45.439 A couple weeks ago, we talked about one martyr after another, 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:48.139 all through different places, different times. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:53.080 It's the promise of Jesus even to us, right? 00:09:53.199 --> 00:09:54.139 John chapter 15. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:54.740 15. 00:09:54.740 --> 00:10:00.159 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:04.460 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:08.600 If this was your home, then you could expect a warm welcome. 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:11.279 But it's not. 00:10:12.319 --> 00:10:17.240 But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:19.000 therefore the world hates you. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:21.059 Remember the word that I said to you. 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:23.240 A servant is not greater than his master. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:27.100 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:29.759 Jesus promises we will be persecuted. 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:31.039 We will suffer. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:36.000 Remember Peter told us at the start of this letter, 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:38.440 one aspect of why that is. 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:52.920 Many of you have taken tests recently, right? 00:10:53.420 --> 00:10:58.040 To see if what you say you've learned all year, you actually know. 00:10:58.380 --> 00:11:00.300 Yes, they're not a lot of fun sometimes. 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:03.840 Sometimes they're called exams, which just means it's even worse, right? 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:06.720 And many of you have gone through those. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:10.519 But when you take a class, you expect that test to come, right? 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:18.620 Peter says, listen, this is even more important than that stuff you've learned. 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:23.080 Your faith is more precious than gold, he's told us, right? 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:30.519 So even more so, it's to be expected that your faith in God will be tested. 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:37.019 That God will take you through painful suffering to burn away your trust in other things 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:40.360 and so strengthen your trust in him. 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:44.439 So don't get taken off guard, right? 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:47.960 If you get taken off guard, you might fly into a rage. 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:51.000 You might throw a pity party for yourself. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:54.319 You might despair of all hope. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.899 But I never thought this was going to happen. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.120 I give up. 00:11:58.120 --> 00:12:03.860 Instead, Peter says, no, name the pain, honestly. 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:05.700 Cry? 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.560 Yes, certainly. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:10.100 Point out injustice. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:11.779 Surely do that. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:14.299 But rejoice! 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.259 Don't give up on me here. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:22.960 Some of you who are really thoughtful are thinking, that sounds crazy. 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:28.299 This is some psychological mumbo-jumbo reverse psychology sort of thing he's got. 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:32.480 And he's saying, be really sad and be really happy at the same time. 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.019 Yeah, that'll work. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:38.200 Turn that frown upside down for Jesus. 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:40.679 No. 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.299 That's not what he's saying. 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:48.179 Rejoice not in the suffering itself. 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:49.099 It is bad. 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:50.819 It is unjust. 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:52.439 It is painful. 00:12:52.839 --> 00:12:55.139 Rejoice not in the suffering itself. 00:12:56.059 --> 00:13:03.120 Rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings. 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:08.220 Listen, this is the difference that relationship with God can make. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:08.960 Right? 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:11.480 This is what transforms how we respond. 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:13.679 How do you rejoice in the sufferings? 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:18.299 How do you count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds, as James says? 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:23.399 You rejoice in your relationship with Jesus. 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:28.439 You rejoice that you know him more. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:32.699 That happens, doesn't it, when you share a common experience with someone? 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:34.559 You know someone more. 00:13:34.699 --> 00:13:39.919 You understand them better, especially when it's a significant experience. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:50.220 When we miscarried our first child, I understood so much better in a new way the hurt and the 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:59.000 grief that many of our friends had known was a big part of their story and it drew us closer to them. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:09.660 When you suffer unjustly, you understand in a new way what Jesus endured. 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:12.420 A big part of his story. 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:18.459 It draws you closer to him because you're sharing in his sufferings. 00:14:18.979 --> 00:14:19.539 Mocked. 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.539 Insulted. 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.860 Falsely accused. 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:26.259 That's what Jesus endured. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:29.079 And then let me connect the last dot. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:36.799 Not only do you know him more, but knowing Jesus more intimately is the greatest possible thing that could happen. 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:38.259 That's why you rejoice. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:40.000 It's greater than anything else. 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:42.120 It's worth any cost. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:44.419 To know him like that. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:48.259 Paul writes about this in Philippians chapter 3. 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:53.960 He calls it the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:55.620 That nothing else compares to it. 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:59.200 He longs to know Jesus more. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:01.639 And as he does that, he says this in verse 10. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:06.139 He's longing that I may know him and the power of his resurrection. 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:09.379 And may share his sufferings. 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:12.500 Becoming like him even in his death. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:16.179 That he so longs to know Jesus. 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:18.460 Listen, Christian. 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:22.439 You are already united to Christ. 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:25.159 That's not up for debate. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:28.699 The most glorious hope ever is yours. 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.759 You in Christ. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.839 Christ in you. 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:32.279 The hope of glory. 00:15:33.079 --> 00:15:38.159 Sharing in his sufferings helps you experience that reality. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.600 That thing that's already true. 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:41.759 It helps you taste it. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:43.079 Even when it hurts. 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:49.700 So that you can rejoice in the glory that you'll also share with him as well. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:55.560 Suffering keeps us from going through this life thinking that this world is home. 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:58.800 And the treasures I get here are the greatest things ever. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:01.599 Be honest. 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:03.799 You've thought that before. 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:06.399 This world has felt a lot like home. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.120 And the things you've been able to accumulate. 00:16:08.359 --> 00:16:10.120 And the recognition and the experiences. 00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:12.879 They seem like the greatest things that could possibly happen. 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:15.319 And suffering reminds you those are both lies. 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.219 This is not home. 00:16:17.479 --> 00:16:21.579 And these are not the greatest things that you could possibly experience. 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:24.399 Suffering pushes us back to Jesus. 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:29.480 And the ultimate treasure of our relationship with him. 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:32.819 That we at times neglect. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:35.740 That we at times undervalue. 00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:38.860 That we at times forget. 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:47.519 Johnny Erickson Tada has known suffering and Jesus. 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:53.220 She became paralyzed from the shoulders down for the rest of her life. 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:56.139 During a diving accident as a teenager. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:17:01.220 On top of that she began to deal with chronic pain. 00:17:01.660 --> 00:17:05.299 And battling cancer throughout her entire adult life. 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:11.480 When she was in a season of intense struggle with some of this pain and suffering. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:16.120 She went back to investigate what she believed about suffering. 00:17:16.360 --> 00:17:17.319 And she wrote this. 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:21.879 Rather than try to frantically escape the pain. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:26.439 I relearned the timeless lesson of allowing my suffering. 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:30.759 To push me deeper into the arms of Jesus. 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:35.519 I like to think of my pain as a sheep dog. 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:38.240 That keeps snapping at my heels. 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:40.779 To drive me down the road to Calvary. 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:45.379 Where otherwise I would not be naturally inclined to go. 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:48.920 I love that picture. 00:17:49.560 --> 00:17:53.120 A sheep dog driving me to Jesus. 00:17:53.820 --> 00:17:57.320 And because knowing him is the greatest treasure. 00:17:57.600 --> 00:18:00.300 But I sometimes forget that and run after other things. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:03.400 I need somebody to drive me back. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:06.160 And then I can rejoice in the sheep dog. 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.360 Even of suffering. 00:18:07.520 --> 00:18:10.680 Rather than frantically trying to escape pain. 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.080 Right? 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:14.859 Don't waste your suffering. 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.779 By turning inward. 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.519 And going it alone. 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:20.460 And I'm just going to make it through. 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.319 No. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:23.299 Rather rejoice. 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:25.859 That Jesus is with you. 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:28.199 And you with him. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:31.460 That's the first thing. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:34.359 Relationship with Jesus enables us to rejoice. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.279 And secondly. 00:18:37.479 --> 00:18:40.179 To receive the blessing of the Spirit. 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:42.419 Rather than living ashamed. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:45.000 Verse 14. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.879 Peter says. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:49.859 If you are insulted for the name of Christ. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.159 Verse 16. 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:54.439 If anyone suffers as a Christian. 00:18:56.219 --> 00:18:57.439 You're insulted. 00:18:57.679 --> 00:18:59.199 You're suffering as a Christian. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.359 What's the natural response? 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.919 Of course. 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:02.959 If you're insulted. 00:19:02.959 --> 00:19:04.339 It's to be humiliated. 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:06.359 By those insults. 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:07.219 To be embarrassed. 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:09.500 To want to go away. 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.559 Disappear. 00:19:12.699 --> 00:19:14.119 From that context. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.779 That's what an insult is. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.219 Right? 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:21.039 Something that shames you. 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:22.959 In fact. 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.859 The name Christian. 00:19:24.159 --> 00:19:25.959 In Peter's audience. 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.719 For them. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:28.779 It was a mocking term. 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:31.740 It was a name given by those who wanted to shame. 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:34.759 The followers of a crucified teacher. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.779 A seemingly failed Messiah. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.859 You Christians. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:43.240 But Peter says. 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:46.379 Because of your relationship with God. 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:48.500 You need not be ashamed. 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.639 In fact. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:51.019 When you're insulted. 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.779 Blessed. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.779 That's literally how it reads. 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:55.180 As soon as you get insulted. 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:55.819 Blessed. 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.220 Blessed. 00:19:57.259 --> 00:20:01.000 He's echoing the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 5. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:05.059 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.480 Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:11.079 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:15.919 And utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.960 Rejoice and be glad. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.399 What? 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:24.420 People are saying all kinds of evil about you. 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:26.340 Most of it is not even true. 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:30.100 How can that be? 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:33.340 People are calling you a bigot. 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:36.580 People are calling you stupid. 00:20:38.040 --> 00:20:39.940 People are calling you worthless. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.140 Blessed? 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.320 Blessed? 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:43.619 Blessed. 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:43.960 Blessed. 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.619 Because. 00:20:49.939 --> 00:20:51.619 The spirit of glory. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:53.319 And of God. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.559 Rests. 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.919 Upon you. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:01.179 Not because those things are good things. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:04.359 Not because you like the insults. 00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:08.240 Because the spirit of glory and of God. 00:21:08.659 --> 00:21:09.059 Rests. 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.139 Upon you. 00:21:10.179 --> 00:21:11.279 Here's what Peter's saying. 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.159 It's really beautiful. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:16.360 The Holy Spirit dwells in you as a child of God. 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:16.600 Right? 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.580 That's his promise. 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.440 And in the midst of a trial. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:26.640 As you are sharing mystically in the very sufferings of Christ. 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:29.320 Connected even more closely to him. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:34.660 There is a special strengthening of his spirit that you are given. 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:37.360 Yes, he dwells in you by his spirit. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:39.179 But it's as though he's saying. 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:43.339 Especially when you can't imagine holding up any longer. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:46.740 And you may be right that you actually can't on your own. 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:51.939 Jesus promises to send his spirit to rest on you. 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:56.360 Maybe you've thought about suffering like that before. 00:21:56.360 --> 00:22:00.160 Suffering you know you couldn't endure. 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:03.120 Losing a child maybe. 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:08.720 Being tortured until you deny Jesus. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:12.920 Something that you've watched another Christian. 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:14.779 Maybe a friend here going through. 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:17.900 Maybe you've seen it or read about it around the world somewhere. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:21.019 And you think, I couldn't do what they do. 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:23.940 I couldn't endure in that circumstance. 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:27.580 Probably you're right on that day. 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:29.740 You haven't been called to it. 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:34.180 But God gives grace to meet the need we face. 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:41.080 He sends his spirit to rest upon us in the suffering that he has called us to. 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:43.400 So that we know him more. 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:45.220 So that we trust him more deeply. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:50.080 So that when we're on our own and we're failing and we couldn't stand. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:55.339 When we would surely fall, we can actually stand in his spirit. 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:59.139 Isn't that beautiful that he knows our needs? 00:22:59.699 --> 00:23:04.679 What glorious grace that he would send his spirit to rest on you then. 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:08.419 It's why Samuel Rutherford hundreds of years ago said, 00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:13.639 God's choicest wines are kept in the cellars of suffering. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.939 It's why Corrie ten Boom said, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:21.080 after enduring the horrors of a concentration camp, 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:27.360 that she then knew for sure there was no pit so deep that he wasn't deeper still. 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:33.000 It's why the often depressed preacher Charles Spurgeon said, 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:38.140 those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls. 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:46.680 We suffer more deeply and find there's more grace than we knew. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:50.380 There's more comfort in God's hope than we believed. 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:55.060 There's more power of God's spirit available to us than we had imagined. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:58.039 And then we learn it and we experience it. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:02.380 Now you don't get that experience of the spirit by breaking the law, 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:05.920 killing or stealing or doing other evil things, right? 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:07.759 That's not how it works, he says. 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:13.100 You don't get the spirit by being a busybody and annoying people 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:15.220 so that they say insults about you. 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:17.220 That's not, no, no, no, none of that. 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.140 Some of you are good at that. 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:21.339 That's not how it works. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:27.880 Let it be that suffering comes to you as a Christian. 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:34.440 And then you so deeply taste God's spirit that you don't repay evil for evil. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:40.440 That you don't even run away in shame, but you glorify God. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:42.620 Yes, indeed, I'm a Christian. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:46.340 Even if that means something derogatory to you, 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:52.420 it means to me that I have an eternal hope because of the suffering Savior that you're mocking. 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:58.300 You see how you draw on the reality of your relationship with God. 00:24:58.400 --> 00:25:04.220 You receive the spirit as a blessing rather than staying alone in your shame. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:11.580 Finally, a relationship with God allows you to respond to suffering 00:25:11.580 --> 00:25:16.180 by running toward the Father rather than away from Him. 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:22.060 Again, this is counterintuitive to us. 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:26.560 Naturally, we run away from pain, right? 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.140 We all clear on this? 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:32.799 In fact, you've probably had someone say to you when you've been suffering, 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:36.440 if this is what happens to children of your God, 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.960 to people who believe in Him, 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.720 you need to find a new God. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:42.680 Some God you serve who let this happen. 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:45.060 You've heard that before? 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:54.320 On top of that, this passage ends by talking about God coming in judgment 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:56.740 and starting with us. 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.100 Time for the test. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.019 Painful discipline. 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:04.900 Maybe we'd best run away from God for a while. 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:13.140 The background of these verses, an Old Testament prophet read Malachi 3 sometime. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:20.400 He says God will come and He will start in the temple purifying His priests. 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:25.519 His own people are going to experience the refiner's fire 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:29.080 so that they will worship Him as they ought. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:32.480 It will be painful to get there. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:35.440 And Peter goes on to say, 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:38.779 if the righteous, if God's people is scarcely saved, 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:43.420 not at all saying that the outcome of salvation is uncertain for God's people, 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:47.360 but rather highlighting that the road there will be difficult, 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.279 will be paved with suffering. 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:54.400 If we as God's people go through all this fiery suffering 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:57.420 to purify our hearts, to melt away our idols, 00:26:57.420 --> 00:27:00.480 how much more intense will the heat be 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.860 to those who do not trust God at all, 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:05.240 but wholly worship idols? 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:10.700 So, Peter concludes, 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:14.720 let those who suffer according to God's will, 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:19.660 again reassuring us that nothing comes to us 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:22.660 that He doesn't control or use for our good, 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:27.540 let them entrust their souls to a faithful Creator 00:27:27.540 --> 00:27:29.500 while doing good. 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:33.019 The idea of entrusting in Peter's day, 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:33.940 they didn't have banks, 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:37.040 but it was finding somebody you could, 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.980 if you went on a trip, 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.140 leave your money with 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:41.180 and you could count on them protecting it 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:43.120 so that it was there when you got back, right? 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:47.560 And this is a decision for all of us this morning. 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:53.720 To whom will you entrust your soul? 00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:59.919 We all suffer in this life. 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.359 We have to decide, 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:06.619 where are we going to find refuge when we do? 00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:08.599 Where will we run for help? 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.740 Where will we look for hope? 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:13.319 If you do not follow Jesus, 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:16.639 if you are not one who believes in the God of the Bible, 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:20.540 the warning in this passage is soberingly clear. 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:22.120 Please don't miss it. 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:24.180 The refining fire is coming 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:26.380 and what will become of you? 00:28:27.800 --> 00:28:30.759 Please don't just think you'll skate by with no problem 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:33.440 that this God is not holy, holy, holy. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.300 There is a storm coming 00:28:36.300 --> 00:28:38.740 and we all need a refuge, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:41.800 a place that we can deposit our souls 00:28:41.800 --> 00:28:43.880 where they will be safely guarded. 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:46.800 All of us need that. 00:28:48.060 --> 00:28:51.620 Thankfully, the offer is just as clear as the warning. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:56.580 Entrust your souls to a faithful creator. 00:28:57.840 --> 00:29:00.180 Who could you entrust your kids to 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:02.080 while you go on a trip? 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:04.720 What would their qualifications need to be? 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:07.839 Someone who is strong enough 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:11.220 and trustworthy enough 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:14.079 to keep them safe for you. 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:17.500 Listen to what Peter says here. 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:21.860 God is strong enough. 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:24.600 He is the faithful creator. 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:26.339 He is the one who said, 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:30.779 let there be and there was light 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:34.079 and animals and plants 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:36.759 and water and stars 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:38.579 and everything in the universe, 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.839 including you. 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:42.399 He speaks and it is. 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:45.019 There is no one stronger to run to. 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:49.700 But that's not enough, is it? 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:52.019 For something as precious as your soul, 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:53.379 you need to know if he's trustworthy. 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.460 He is. 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.200 How do you know? 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:59.500 How do you know you can trust him? 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:04.019 He has suffered too. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:09.039 This God has not remained distant from you. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.500 We're reminded of that again in this passage, 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:14.299 the same way Peter began the letter, 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:17.619 that it is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:20.559 the triune God in full force 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:22.640 with you in your suffering. 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.980 He's not far off. 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:27.980 That's a friend you can count on. 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:31.039 He moves towards you 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:33.160 to offer to you the relationship 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:34.880 that can transform your eternity 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:37.400 and transform how you respond 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.980 to suffering right now 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.839 because you're no longer on your own. 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:42.279 It's not all about you. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.960 It's not all up to you. 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:49.059 The only God safe to trust in your suffering 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:51.200 is one who has been there, 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.720 who has felt the pain, 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.720 who has endured the loss. 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:57.460 He won't stay far away from you. 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:59.480 He has come near to you 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:02.279 and offers you this mourning relationship. 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.039 Wherever you are, 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.639 whether you've ever done this before, 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:07.660 he offers you to run 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:09.540 and jump into his loving 00:31:09.540 --> 00:31:11.040 and forgiving 00:31:11.040 --> 00:31:12.940 and protecting arms 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:15.880 and know peace forever. 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:19.120 To deposit your very soul with him 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.200 and be assured 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.420 that no matter what happens, 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:23.480 no matter what suffering comes into your life, 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.840 even if your body 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:26.759 were to be burned away by it, 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:28.100 that you'll be reunited 00:31:28.100 --> 00:31:30.340 with that soul you've entrusted to him 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:31.140 forever. 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.900 He offers you 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:34.560 to come and experience that 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:36.440 in relationship with him today. 00:31:37.540 --> 00:31:39.040 The God who can be trusted 00:31:39.040 --> 00:31:42.060 is the God of the cross. 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.600 He suffered 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:46.259 not merely as an example to us, 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:49.160 but as a savior for us. 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.440 He suffered 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.780 so that we are never alone 00:31:51.780 --> 00:31:52.700 in our sufferings, 00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:54.759 so that we have an eternal hope. 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:56.660 all your sins forgiven 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.680 by his death 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:59.000 in your place, 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:01.000 all your shame 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:02.220 wiped away 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:04.420 by his delight in you, 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.940 even at your worst, 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.839 all your sufferings 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:09.460 now made purposeful 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:12.579 because they bring you 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:14.759 closer to him, 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.900 an eternal weight 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:18.220 of glory 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:20.119 that they bring for you. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.640 That's why we stand 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:25.100 and profess our faith in him. 00:32:25.340 --> 00:32:26.920 That's why we sing 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:28.660 even through tears. 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.480 That is why we come 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:33.880 and eat with him again now. 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:36.440 This God at this table 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.680 invites you 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:40.620 to run to him today. 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:43.660 To entrust yourself to him 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:45.520 no matter what is going on 00:32:45.520 --> 00:32:46.180 in your life 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:47.440 to find peace 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.780 in his arms. 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:51.120 If you don't 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.719 trust Jesus like that, 00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:54.959 if you don't see 00:32:54.959 --> 00:32:55.919 at this table 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:57.879 his body and blood 00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:59.319 as your great joy 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:01.019 and as your only hope, 00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:03.039 then don't come 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.879 to this table 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:05.619 and take the bread 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.219 and the juice 00:33:06.219 --> 00:33:06.979 this morning. 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:09.419 I'd invite you instead, 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.119 instead of doing 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.419 something outwardly 00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:13.979 that's not connected 00:33:13.979 --> 00:33:15.500 to faith in your heart, 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:17.299 would you come 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.819 and observe? 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.759 You can still come. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:21.140 We'd love to pray with you 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:22.740 or if you prefer, 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.539 you can stay right 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.099 where you are 00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:25.839 but the most important thing 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.740 I'd urge is that you 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.420 would consider 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:28.759 the offer of Jesus. 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.920 That he offers you 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:31.640 relationship with him. 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.879 Free forgiveness. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.920 Eternal hope 00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:36.379 in him. 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.720 Would you consider that 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.519 even as we 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.599 celebrate 00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:40.740 his death 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.680 for us this morning? 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:44.560 But if you're one 00:33:44.560 --> 00:33:45.200 of those here 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.700 who has 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.560 entrusted 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:48.320 your soul 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.180 to Jesus, 00:33:49.340 --> 00:33:50.660 if you've publicly 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.420 demonstrated 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.299 and declared that 00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.320 by joining 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:54.740 one imperfect 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.600 manifestation 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.799 of his body, 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.720 the church, 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.440 then don't let 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.480 anything keep you 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.740 from coming to him. 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:03.400 No experience 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:04.299 of suffering, 00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.279 no doubt 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:06.420 of his goodness, 00:34:06.600 --> 00:34:07.560 no uncertainty 00:34:07.560 --> 00:34:08.639 about whether 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.860 he loves you, 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:12.260 he loves you, 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.200 he gave himself 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:14.200 for you. 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.740 Come 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:16.539 and celebrate that. 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.220 Jesus 00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:19.360 on the night 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.099 he was betrayed 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:22.099 said this 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.740 to his disciples 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:25.620 preparing them 00:34:25.620 --> 00:34:26.700 for the suffering 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:27.360 they were about 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:28.360 to walk into. 00:34:29.200 --> 00:34:30.559 He took bread 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.500 and broke it 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.160 and he gave it 00:34:32.160 --> 00:34:32.700 to them. 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.500 As I'm ministering 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:35.019 in his name 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.720 give this bread 00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:36.220 to you. 00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:36.700 He said, 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.599 take and eat. 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:39.280 This is my body 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:40.400 that is given 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:41.200 for you. 00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:42.620 Do this 00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:43.560 in remembrance 00:34:43.560 --> 00:34:44.080 of me. 00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:46.120 And then in the same 00:34:46.120 --> 00:34:46.660 way he took 00:34:46.660 --> 00:34:47.220 the cup 00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:48.019 and he said, 00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:48.720 this cup 00:34:48.720 --> 00:34:49.400 is the new 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:49.820 covenant 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.780 in my blood 00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.940 which is shed. 00:34:52.040 --> 00:34:52.660 It's going to be 00:34:52.660 --> 00:34:53.300 poured out. 00:34:53.540 --> 00:34:54.140 There's going to be 00:34:54.140 --> 00:34:55.200 painful suffering 00:34:55.200 --> 00:34:56.280 but the result 00:34:56.280 --> 00:34:56.800 is going to be 00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.500 the forgiveness 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:59.080 of sins. 00:34:59.720 --> 00:35:00.780 Drink from it 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:02.160 all of you. 00:35:03.260 --> 00:35:03.860 Let me pray 00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.260 and then we'll 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.100 celebrate together. 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:08.519 Father, 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.679 we thank you 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:10.519 for your provision 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.759 of this meal 00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.860 and for your 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.940 presence with us 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.400 in it. 00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:17.119 Where we hurt, 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.199 where we struggle, 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.299 where we suffer, 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.259 would we know 00:35:21.259 --> 00:35:23.400 that you love us, 00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:24.940 that you hold us, 00:35:25.339 --> 00:35:25.839 and that you'll 00:35:25.839 --> 00:35:26.679 never let us go. 00:35:26.799 --> 00:35:27.960 Would this meal 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:28.719 be not just 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.799 common elements? 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.880 Would you use them 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.639 to strengthen 00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.380 our faith 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.240 that is more 00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:34.280 precious than gold 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:35.660 because it unites 00:35:35.660 --> 00:35:36.760 us to Jesus? 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.400 Do that 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.539 even now, 00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.460 we ask by your 00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:41.920 Spirit. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:42.740 Amen. 00:35:45.680 --> 00:35:46.960 For more information, 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.260 visit us online 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:49.559 at southwood.org.