WEBVTT

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 So let us hear the word of God, starting at verse 1.

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 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings,

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 who will also share in the glory to be revealed.

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 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care watching over them,

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 not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be,

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 not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve,

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 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

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 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

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 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.

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 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another,

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 because God opposes the proud, but shows favour to the humble.

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 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand,

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 that he may lift you up in due time.

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 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

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 Be alert and of sober mind.

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 Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

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 Resist him.

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 Standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world

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 is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

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 And the God of all grace,

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 who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,

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 after you have suffered a little while,

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 will himself restore you

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 and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

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 To him be the power forever and ever.

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 Amen.

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 With the help of Silas,

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 whom I regard as a faithful brother,

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 I have written to you briefly,

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 encouraging you

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 and testifying that this is the true grace of God.

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 Stand fast in it.

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 She who is in Babylon,

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 chosen together with you,

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 sends you her greetings.

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 And so does my son Mark.

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 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

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 Peace to all of you

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 who are in Christ.

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 Dan.

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 Dan.

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 Dan.

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 Good morning.

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 Good morning.

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 Before we start,

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 let's just go to the Lord in prayer.

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 Father, we give you great glory and thanks

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 for yet another day to gather in your name.

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 the privilege of being able to bring our concerns

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 and our anxieties to you,

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 regardless of where we've come from this week,

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 whether we find ourselves doing well

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 or doing not so well.

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 We give you thanks for what you've done in our life.

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 So help us to lay our concerns at the altar of your throne,

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 to open our hearts and minds

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 to the truths and the realities

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 of what your word would have us learn this morning.

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 As we continue in our worship through the word,

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 may we enter into worship with you.

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 We ask these things in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Really is difficult to believe this is the last Sunday.

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 I'll be with you in this series.

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 And a lot of people have been asking me

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 how I'm feeling about this being the last Sunday.

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 And I've been responding with,

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 it's kind of bittersweet.

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 It'll be good to get back to my hometown,

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 home congregation,

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 but it's hard to leave

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 because it's been just a great time of blessing

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 being here and ministering to you

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 and with you

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 and praying for you

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 and praying with you.

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 And really, it's felt like our home church

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 for the last couple of months.

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 So it's really been our church family

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 while we've been here.

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 It's also been a great reminder to me

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 that there are things going on

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 outside of the little bubble

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 that we can create in our own local environment,

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 in our hometowns.

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 It's a great reminder to me

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 that we're not alone in this fight.

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 And that's just what this Christian walk is.

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 It's a fight.

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 It's a war.

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 We're all soldiers in this war,

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 in Christ's army.

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 And we wage war every day,

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 not with guns,

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 not with bombs or swords or shields

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 or all that kind of thing,

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 but with prayer,

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 with fellowship,

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 with kindness and love.

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 And that's what I've been reflecting on

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 as I'm bringing you this last message this morning,

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 the idea that we're servants

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 and soldiers.

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 In fact,

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 the title of today's sermon is

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 We Are Servant Soldiers.

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 We serve and we fight.

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 So we're going to look at two things

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 in terms of being servant soldiers,

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 what Peter has to say.

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 We are to be humble towards one another

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 and we are to fight against sin.

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 Be humble towards one another

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 and fight against sin.

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 So let's dive in at verse one.

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 To the elders among you,

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 I appeal as a fellow elder

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 and as a witness of Christ's sufferings

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 who will also share in the glory

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 to be revealed.

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 Remember that Peter is writing

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 not to a specific church somewhere,

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 like the church in Carrig

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 or the church in Middleton or wherever,

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 but he's writing to all the churches

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 in what we now call Turkey.

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 So it's not one particular church,

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 one particular problem,

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 one particular group of elders.

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 This is a message for all churches

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 in all contexts at all times.

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 And he grounds his appeal in three things.

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 Take a look at verse one.

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 He says, I'm a fellow elder,

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 so I understand what your calling is

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 and I share that responsibility.

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 He says, I'm a witness of Christ's sufferings.

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 I actually saw him nailed to the cross.

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 I was there when he died

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 and I was there when he rose.

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 And he says, I'll also share

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 in the glory to be revealed.

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 I'll share in the glory to be revealed.

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 I'm your fellow brother in Christ.

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 Not just an elder,

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 not just a witness of Christ's sufferings,

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 but I will participate with you

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 one day in the glory

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 that will be revealed

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 when Jesus calls us to himself.

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 And on the basis of that,

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 Peter is saying, I get it.

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 I get the responsibilities that you have,

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 elders.

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 I know why Christ died.

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 And I share in this fellowship with you

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 in Christ.

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 And on that basis,

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 verse two,

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 Peter says,

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 be shepherds of God's flock

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 that is under your care,

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 watching over them.

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 Shepherd,

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 pastor,

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 overseer,

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 elder,

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 they're all words for the same thing.

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 They all describe

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 the same duties

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 and responsibilities

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 of those who lead

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 in the local church.

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 And now this isn't just for elders.

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 I'll come to you in a second.

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 But let's let the text speak

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 for itself first.

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 Still in verse two,

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 Peter says,

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 watch over the flock,

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 not because you must,

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 but because you are willing,

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 as God wants you to be.

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 Have you ever thought

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 the only reason that you're serving

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 in a particular way

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 is because nobody else will do it?

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 Because there's nobody else there

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 to fill the gap.

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 You might also want to do it.

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 Maybe you do,

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 maybe you don't.

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 But it's still easy

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 when we think like that

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 to get self-important.

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 Well, I'm filling in this gap.

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 I'm so important.

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 I'm such a martyr for the cause.

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 And it's easy to develop this complex

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 or to be entitled about things.

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 And Peter says,

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 don't do that.

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 Don't.

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 Just put that thing to death

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 and serve humbly,

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 not haughtily.

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 And here's the thing.

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 Because we're all people,

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 this is news to you, right?

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 Because we're all people,

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 we all do this

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 from time to time.

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 It's going to happen.

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 So for example,

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 when someone else is preaching,

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 it's really easy for me to sit there

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 and be thinking,

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 oh, I wouldn't have stressed that point.

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 I wouldn't have used that application

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 or drawn out that illustration.

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 And just like it's easy for others to do that

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 when I'm standing up here.

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 Or it's easy for us to get an attitude that,

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 well, I'm really the only one

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 who's capable of doing this,

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 so I guess I'll just get on with it

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 and do it.

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 No real joy,

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 just a sense of entitlement,

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 wanting constant pats on the back,

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 that sort of thing.

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 And you know,

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 the one thing I have to pray for,

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 the hardest,

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 when I get up to preach,

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 is against all those things.

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 Is that it wouldn't go to my head.

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 That when I do have someone

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 who gives me good feedback

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 or plaudits or whatever,

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 that I wouldn't start getting too big

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 for my boots.

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 And let's be honest,

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 Peter talks about selfish gain.

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 I'm not exactly going to become a millionaire

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 by being a preacher in Ireland in 2019.

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 Not in this church,

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 and not in Middleton anyway.

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 Maybe there are churches out there

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 where it might happen, but...

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 I might be able to make a reputation

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 for myself, though.

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 I might be able to get people to see,

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 oh, you know,

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 there's this guy down in Middleton

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 and you really want him to come to preach.

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 That can go to my head.

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 I might get in a position

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 to influence other people

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 by taking the word

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 and not necessarily teaching what it says,

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 but using it to manipulate people

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 and to influence them

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 in a way I would like them to be.

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 Or I might be able to get

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 a certain amount of public limelight

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 on myself.

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 Be in the spotlight.

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 That's still gain, isn't it?

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 That's still something I get

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 out of doing this.

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 And I ought not minister

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 for those reasons.

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 Just as Johnny was talking about,

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 we're saved by Jesus

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 and therefore

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 we ought to be humble.

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 Because of the sacrifice

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 that Jesus made.

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 You know,

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 I'm not standing here going,

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 oh, well,

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 Jesus paid for my sins,

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 so I'll just lord it over everybody.

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 I'll just show everybody

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 I know the best.

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 Peter says,

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 don't do that.

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 Verse 3,

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 don't lord it over people

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 who might be looking to you

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 to lead or to shepherd

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 or to disciple,

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 but by being,

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 and underline this word,

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 an example

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 to the flock.

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 An example

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 to the flock.

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 You know those times

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 like I have them

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 when you're thinking about

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 raising your kids,

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 do as I say,

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 not as I do.

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 Don't copy what I'm doing,

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 just do what I tell you to do.

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 And Peter says,

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 get that out of your head.

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 Not do as I say,

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 not as I do.

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 Be an example,

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 he says.

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 Paul,

00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:28.460
 the apostle Paul,

00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.620
 exhorted the Corinthians

00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.360
 to follow his example

00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.240
 just as he followed

00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:35.180
 Christ's example.

00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:37.180
 Faithful.

00:11:38.660 --> 00:11:39.180
 Temperate.

00:11:39.280 --> 00:11:40.040
 Even-tempered.

00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:41.400
 Self-controlled.

00:11:42.520 --> 00:11:42.960
 Sober.

00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:44.140
 Honest.

00:11:45.180 --> 00:11:45.660
 Hospitable.

00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.560
 And here's the point.

00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.060
 This isn't just for elders

00:11:49.060 --> 00:11:49.620
 or pastors.

00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.320
 No one's sitting here

00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:52.700
 wondering,

00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:53.020
 oh, well,

00:11:53.040 --> 00:11:53.680
 that's okay then.

00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:54.759
 I'm not a pastor,

00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:55.339
 I'm not an elder,

00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:56.179
 I don't need to be humble

00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:56.979
 or faithful

00:11:56.979 --> 00:11:57.839
 or all that kind of things.

00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.779
 But because Peter says,

00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:01.539
 elders,

00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:02.659
 be an example

00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:03.599
 to the flock,

00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.259
 this is a picture

00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.319
 of how all believers

00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:09.059
 ought to imitate

00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:10.219
 the character

00:12:10.219 --> 00:12:11.799
 and the deeds

00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:12.979
 of Christ.

00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.939
 And if that's how elders

00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:15.639
 ought to behave,

00:12:16.479 --> 00:12:17.719
 how pastors ought to behave

00:12:17.719 --> 00:12:19.159
 as an example,

00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:21.120
 then maybe think about

00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.879
 things like this.

00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:24.759
 do we want people

00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:25.320
 to be saying,

00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.279
 he's so great

00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.200
 with the kids' ministry

00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:29.659
 or she's such a wonderful

00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.620
 addition to the

00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.860
 whatever ministry?

00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.500
 It might be.

00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.320
 But is that what we

00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:36.259
 want people to say?

00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.360
 Do we want the plaudits?

00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.379
 Do we want the pat on the back

00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:41.559
 and the recognition?

00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:42.639
 Or are we happy

00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.340
 just serving,

00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:45.899
 just using our gifts

00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:47.539
 as God gave them to us

00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.620
 without wanting

00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.699
 this public recognition?

00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:51.959
 Or how about this,

00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:52.699
 kind of linking in

00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.439
 with what I just said

00:12:53.439 --> 00:12:54.419
 about preaching.

00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:55.759
 Do we view our ministries

00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.899
 as stepping stones

00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:58.579
 to bigger things?

00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:00.980
 So bigger churches,

00:13:02.099 --> 00:13:03.620
 flashy worship music,

00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:04.259
 whatever.

00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.419
 Are we content

00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.399
 that God,

00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.099
 as Paul says

00:13:08.099 --> 00:13:09.139
 in 1 Corinthians 12,

00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:10.899
 has placed the members

00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:11.459
 of the body

00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:13.980
 just where he wants them

00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:15.639
 for his glory

00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.759
 and to serve

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:18.200
 and to give him glory?

00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.100
 Do we think

00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:22.700
 we know better than others?

00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:25.040
 Even if we do,

00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:26.320
 sometimes.

00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:28.420
 Are we kind

00:13:28.420 --> 00:13:30.080
 and gentle

00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:31.580
 and humble

00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.240
 in our service?

00:13:33.780 --> 00:13:34.400
 In other words,

00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:34.740
 friends,

00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.639
 do we make this

00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.500
 all about us?

00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.360
 All of this,

00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:39.259
 the seating,

00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:40.600
 the music,

00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.519
 the preaching,

00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.659
 the kids ministry,

00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:43.620
 do we make this

00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.299
 all about us

00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.220
 and our gifts

00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.720
 and our abilities

00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.200
 and our ministry

00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:49.580
 and our church?

00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.440
 Even verse 5,

00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.059
 have a look at this.

00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.299
 Even if we're not elders

00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:55.159
 or officers in the church,

00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.600
 do we puff ourselves up

00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:58.740
 and act like it?

00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.259
 Do we think we know better

00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:02.159
 than the church leaders

00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.559
 and therefore

00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:04.600
 we don't submit to them?

00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.720
 Now that's not to say

00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.360
 that doesn't happen

00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.899
 sometimes,

00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:08.779
 regularly,

00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.300
 a lot of the time,

00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.039
 whatever you want to say,

00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.200
 but that's not the point.

00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.960
 The point is

00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.659
 whether or not

00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.460
 we're willing

00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:17.320
 to submit

00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:19.240
 and to defer

00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.539
 to the church leaders

00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:22.360
 just as the church leaders

00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:23.460
 submit

00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.620
 and defer

00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.680
 to Christ

00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:27.680
 and offer themselves up

00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:28.680
 as an example

00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:30.139
 for the rest of us

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:30.539
 to follow.

00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.580
 Are we humble

00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:35.820
 towards one another?

00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.980
 It's not about

00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:38.500
 our talents.

00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.320
 It's not about

00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.220
 whether we know better

00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.860
 or we have the right ideas

00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:43.419
 or plans

00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.259
 or whatever the case.

00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:45.560
 This isn't about us.

00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:47.639
 This is about

00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.320
 Jesus.

00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.600
 This is all

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.720
 for Jesus.

00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:55.000
 And so much of our walk

00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.519
 depends on humility.

00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:58.500
 I was reflecting on this

00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.039
 during the week

00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:00.379
 and I don't think

00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.159
 I'm going out on the limb

00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:01.740
 to say this

00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.699
 that I think the greatest

00:15:02.699 --> 00:15:03.759
 part of our flesh

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.600
 that we have to be

00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.919
 actively crucifying

00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:08.019
 every day

00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.279
 is all this

00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.799
 me, me, me stuff.

00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.879
 It's all about me.

00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.960
 It's all about what I can do.

00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.439
 Because if we can do that,

00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.199
 if we can

00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.759
 work on those things,

00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.860
 if we sow that seed

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:22.079
 and we water it

00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:22.980
 with the word of God

00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:24.399
 and with the fellowship

00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.440
 of the local church,

00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:27.460
 then we'll see it grow

00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:29.960
 and we'll see it produce

00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:30.560
 its fruit

00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:32.039
 in its season.

00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.080
 Verse 4,

00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.000
 if these attitudes

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.860
 are in us,

00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.480
 if these are the fruit

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.680
 of our faith,

00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:39.399
 then we receive

00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.039
 the crown

00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.560
 of glory.

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.240
 The crown

00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.159
 of glory.

00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.159
 So what crown is this?

00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:45.440
 Well,

00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:46.980
 remember what Jesus said?

00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:49.720
 Whoever exalts himself

00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:51.360
 will be humbled.

00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:54.180
 Whoever humbles himself

00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:55.620
 will be exalted.

00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.519
 And that's exactly

00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.279
 what Peter says

00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.000
 in verse 6.

00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.940
 Humble yourselves.

00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:03.080
 Bring yourselves low,

00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:03.680
 therefore,

00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.580
 under God's mighty hand

00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:07.460
 that he might lift you up

00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.680
 in due time.

00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.440
 Bring yourself low.

00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.480
 Humble yourself.

00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.399
 Empty yourself

00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.879
 so that at the right time

00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.800
 Christ will exalt you,

00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.500
 will lift you up,

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.759
 raise you up,

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:22.259
 and seat you

00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.379
 with himself

00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:25.120
 at the right hand

00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.600
 of God.

00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:27.000
 Because at the end of it,

00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:27.299
 friends,

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.480
 isn't that what Jesus did?

00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:31.240
 Emptied himself,

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.259
 made himself nothing,

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.600
 and humbled himself

00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.939
 to the point of death,

00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.960
 even on a cross,

00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:39.200
 so that he might be exalted

00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:41.580
 and that we might be exalted

00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.639
 with him.

00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:45.360
 this isn't just about

00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.199
 being nice to people

00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:48.179
 for the sake of it.

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.559
 This is about echoing

00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.879
 the very life

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.720
 of Jesus himself

00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.259
 because that echo,

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.059
 while imperfect

00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:58.100
 and while incomplete,

00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:00.620
 that echo,

00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:01.899
 that modeling out

00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:03.139
 of this character of Christ

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:04.400
 is the fruit

00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.599
 of the life

00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.339
 of somebody

00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:08.099
 whose heart says

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.199
 it's all

00:17:09.199 --> 00:17:10.119
 for Jesus.

00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.740
 It's all about him.

00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.059
 In this war,

00:17:15.919 --> 00:17:17.279
 in this Christian life,

00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:19.539
 we are servant soldiers

00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:21.539
 and we serve

00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.839
 by being humble

00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:24.439
 towards one another.

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.439
 Secondly,

00:17:27.179 --> 00:17:27.639
 finally,

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.259
 have a look at verse 8.

00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.879
 Since we are servant soldiers,

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.919
 we fight against sin.

00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.759
 Verse 8 says,

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.440
 Be alert,

00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.619
 be of sober mind.

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.240
 Your enemy,

00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:39.759
 the devil,

00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.839
 prowls around

00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:42.819
 like a roaring lion

00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:45.299
 looking for someone

00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.660
 to devour.

00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.819
 I read a lot

00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:50.059
 about strange things

00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.000
 in the lead up to sermons.

00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.079
 This week isn't too bad.

00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.799
 It was lions.

00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:53.640
 So, you know,

00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:54.960
 pretty easy.

00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.319
 If you don't know

00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.160
 anything about lions,

00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.720
 then you at least know

00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.240
 that they're pretty

00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.039
 fearsome hunters.

00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.859
 And some of you

00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.420
 have cats,

00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.480
 like I do.

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.599
 And now,

00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.360
 my cat,

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.019
 you know,

00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.660
 she wouldn't exactly

00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.799
 win the cat version

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.519
 of Mastermind

00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.519
 or whatever.

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.140
 You know,

00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:11.259
 you could take her,

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:11.860
 stick her in front

00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:12.579
 of an open door

00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.360
 with a bit of cheese.

00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.140
 She'd miss the cheese

00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:15.259
 and still bang her head

00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.799
 against the door.

00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:18.059
 But despite all those things,

00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.660
 she's still one heck

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.099
 of a hunter

00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:21.819
 because she's a cat.

00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.599
 Quiet,

00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.160
 stealthy,

00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:25.220
 quick,

00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:26.660
 lethal.

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.380
 And she's only

00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:27.980
 a house cat.

00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.160
 She's only the size of,

00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.059
 I don't know,

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.920
 half his laptop.

00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:34.220
 If you take a lion,

00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.120
 just like smaller cats,

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.779
 the thing about them

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.660
 is that they stalk

00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.200
 their prey.

00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.640
 They slowly

00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:43.360
 and they patiently

00:18:43.360 --> 00:18:44.580
 walk around

00:18:44.580 --> 00:18:45.480
 in the long grass,

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.539
 hidden,

00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.660
 not letting themselves

00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:49.680
 get given away

00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:51.340
 until they absolutely

00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:51.840
 have to.

00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.759
 And I was reading

00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.380
 that lions

00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:55.060
 generally won't charge

00:18:55.060 --> 00:18:55.640
 at their prey

00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.840
 until they're basically

00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.800
 right up on top

00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:58.060
 of them.

00:18:58.059 --> 00:19:00.299
 Satan does

00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:00.899
 the same thing.

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.019
 It's not like

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.539
 the movies

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.559
 or whatever

00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.139
 where Satan

00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:06.579
 has bright red skin

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.559
 and horns on his head

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.279
 and a pitchfork

00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.839
 and a tail

00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.679
 and hooves

00:19:09.679 --> 00:19:10.480
 and he's not going

00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.119
 to come up to you

00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:11.759
 wearing a sign

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.159
 that says,

00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:12.559
 hi,

00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.079
 I'm Satan,

00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:14.200
 I'm here to tempt you today.

00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:17.119
 You're not going

00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:18.000
 to have a personal

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.539
 encounter

00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:20.399
 with the devil himself.

00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.659
 Not because he's not real,

00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.379
 he's very real,

00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:26.440
 but because the whole

00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:28.440
 world lies

00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.640
 in the power

00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:31.120
 of the evil one,

00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.460
 Paul tells us.

00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:34.060
 John tells us,

00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.540
 excuse me.

00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.340
 World.

00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:37.460
 Kosmos

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.720
 is the Greek word.

00:19:39.260 --> 00:19:40.340
 The orderly arrangement

00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:42.300
 of the whole world system

00:19:42.300 --> 00:19:44.400
 is fundamentally influenced

00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.480
 by Satan

00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.800
 and by sin himself.

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.940
 So be alert,

00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.700
 Peter says.

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.280
 Just be awake.

00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:54.100
 Just be realistic.

00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:56.200
 Know that this is

00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.080
 the devil's playground.

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.100
 It's where he's at work.

00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:00.060
 And not just that,

00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.900
 but be sober,

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.600
 he says.

00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.440
 It's actually the third time

00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.680
 Peter has used that word

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.180
 in this letter.

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.060
 Be sober.

00:20:07.020 --> 00:20:07.560
 Clear-headed.

00:20:08.560 --> 00:20:09.360
 Free from anything

00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.100
 intoxicating.

00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.300
 Go out of your way

00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:12.880
 to avoid intoxication

00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:14.000
 because the things

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.860
 that cause them,

00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.440
 maybe they're not bad

00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.340
 in and of themselves,

00:20:18.040 --> 00:20:18.680
 but the things

00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.560
 that cause them

00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.660
 are ways

00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.960
 Satan uses

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:23.260
 to tempt you

00:20:23.260 --> 00:20:24.120
 into sin.

00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:26.200
 Things like this.

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.100
 Since he said sober,

00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.100
 let's start with alcohol.

00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.880
 There's nothing wrong with it

00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:30.740
 in and of itself.

00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.540
 You can have a drink

00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:32.060
 if you like.

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.840
 Jesus himself

00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.600
 was pretty familiar

00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:35.960
 with the wine production process.

00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.920
 But if you can't have

00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.780
 just one drink,

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:41.619
 or if when you drink

00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:43.240
 you get gossipy,

00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:45.000
 angry,

00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:46.740
 lustful,

00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:47.779
 whatever,

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.379
 simply put,

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:49.960
 don't drink.

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.619
 Be sober.

00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:53.899
 How about career?

00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.559
 As a civil servant,

00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:56.559
 I think about this often.

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.099
 Again,

00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:58.259
 not bad by itself.

00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.899
 Good to have goals.

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.700
 Good to have aspirations.

00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:04.319
 But when we covet

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.059
 a career,

00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.140
 and we esteem it

00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.660
 higher

00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:09.120
 than how we treat

00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:09.779
 other people,

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.759
 then we're going to

00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.340
 start to think

00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:13.120
 a little bit less

00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.759
 about what that

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:16.059
 ladder climbing means

00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.799
 when we hurt people,

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.360
 or we

00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.500
 cheat people,

00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.460
 or we step

00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:23.019
 on people.

00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.460
 Here's a topical one.

00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.900
 Being involved

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.519
 in politics.

00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:30.139
 We live in a democracy.

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.099
 It's good to be

00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.000
 civically aware,

00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.619
 informed,

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.039
 active,

00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.839
 all that kind of thing.

00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.319
 But be careful

00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:38.000
 how you do this.

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.039
 This is a double-edged sword.

00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.720
 Don't just read things

00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.639
 by people you already

00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:43.319
 agree with,

00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:44.779
 and reinforce

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.680
 your own ideas

00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.339
 about things.

00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.359
 Because the next step

00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:50.579
 is don't demonize

00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.000
 people

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:52.839
 that you disagree with.

00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.059
 Don't act like

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.900
 the person who

00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.779
 disagrees with you

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:58.099
 on any particular subject,

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.879
 even if they agree

00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.279
 with you

00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.319
 on everything else,

00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.359
 is somehow

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.420
 a fascist

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.039
 or a communist

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.379
 or whatever the case

00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:04.839
 might be,

00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.500
 whatever names

00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.180
 you might call them.

00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.119
 Don't become

00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.220
 one of the hysterical

00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.700
 voices,

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.160
 and there are many

00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.859
 of them out there,

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.680
 the hysterical voices

00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:14.099
 that get outraged

00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:15.539
 by everything

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:17.000
 and anything.

00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.980
 I've said it before,

00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.899
 the most common word

00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:19.259
 in Ireland

00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.379
 is disgraceful.

00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.539
 The health service

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.399
 is disgraceful,

00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.960
 or bus fare

00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.399
 went up by five cents.

00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.259
 It's disgraceful.

00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:29.660
 Don't be one

00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.259
 of those people.

00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:32.519
 Be mindful

00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.340
 about how people

00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:35.080
 can hear

00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:36.480
 and interpret

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.640
 your words

00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:39.160
 and your actions,

00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:40.440
 whether in person,

00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.780
 social media,

00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.540
 whatever the case

00:22:42.540 --> 00:22:42.980
 might be.

00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:43.940
 In other words,

00:22:44.280 --> 00:22:44.759
 Peter says,

00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.480
 be alert.

00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:47.340
 Wake up.

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.280
 Just actively

00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:50.360
 be on the lookout

00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:51.580
 for all of these

00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:52.240
 things that can

00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.180
 sneak up on you

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.660
 like a predator

00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:56.180
 and devour you.

00:22:57.360 --> 00:22:58.140
 Usually not all

00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:58.640
 at once.

00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.100
 I don't know about you,

00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:00.620
 but I know from

00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:01.500
 my own experience

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.320
 that those times

00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:03.799
 in my life

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.460
 where I've sinned

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.200
 in a very visible

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.340
 kind of way,

00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.519
 it's never been

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.180
 in isolation.

00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.039
 If I'm honest,

00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:10.960
 and I think

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.640
 if you're honest

00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.039
 when we look

00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.700
 at those things,

00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.759
 we look back

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.580
 and we'll see

00:23:14.580 --> 00:23:15.200
 this trail

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.820
 of seemingly

00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:17.180
 little insignificant

00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.720
 things that lead

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.200
 up to them.

00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:21.080
 the little white lie

00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:22.860
 or,

00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.500
 well,

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.420
 it's only five euro,

00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:24.960
 I'll put that

00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.819
 in the expense account

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:27.740
 or just little things

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.960
 like that add up

00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.180
 because James says

00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:31.740
 each person

00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.340
 is tempted

00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:33.460
 when they are

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.240
 dragged away

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.819
 by their own

00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.500
 evil desire

00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.160
 and enticed

00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.019
 and then after

00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.519
 desire has conceived,

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.200
 it gives birth

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.700
 to sin

00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.600
 and sin,

00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.220
 when it grows up,

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.059
 gives birth

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.340
 to death.

00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.120
 This isn't a game.

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:53.160
 This is serious stuff.

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.279
 Jesus said,

00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.799
 if your right eye

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.799
 causes you to sin,

00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:58.860
 gouge it out.

00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:01.220
 If your right arm

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.140
 causes you to sin,

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.160
 cut it off.

00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.920
 If there is something

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.779
 in your life

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.480
 that is fundamentally

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.039
 getting in the way

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.580
 of you glorifying God

00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:09.980
 by the way

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.900
 you live your life,

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:12.539
 get rid of that thing.

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.720
 I don't know

00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.240
 what it is.

00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:16.840
 You know

00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:17.380
 what it is.

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.680
 And the Lord

00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.500
 knows what it is.

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.240
 The Puritan

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.799
 John Owen

00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.539
 said it this way,

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.920
 be killing sin

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.560
 or sin

00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.460
 will be killing you.

00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.860
 Be killing sin

00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:30.000
 or sin

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.799
 will be killing you.

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.940
 So verse 9,

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.960
 we need to resist

00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.940
 the works of Satan

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.240
 in our lives.

00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:40.140
 We need to recognize

00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.200
 what we are tempted by.

00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.940
 We need to limit

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.660
 our exposure

00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.519
 to those things.

00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:45.860
 And then we need to

00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.899
 do what we often

00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.740
 do last

00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:49.939
 after everything else.

00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:50.899
 Pray

00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:52.279
 against those things.

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.219
 Pray against

00:24:54.219 --> 00:24:55.059
 whatever it is

00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.759
 that you are

00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.519
 struggling with.

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:59.219
 Pray by yourself.

00:25:00.219 --> 00:25:01.219
 Involve your spouse,

00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.199
 your best friend,

00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.619
 an elder in this church,

00:25:03.699 --> 00:25:04.039
 whoever.

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.139
 Pray against

00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:05.779
 those things.

00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.119
 Resist the devil,

00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:08.539
 James says,

00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:09.699
 and he will flee

00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:10.299
 from you.

00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:12.399
 Prayer is more

00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:12.819
 powerful

00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:14.579
 than psychology

00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:16.819
 or philosophy

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:18.599
 or anything like that.

00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.180
 It's a weapon

00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.099
 in the believer's armor.

00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.839
 And remember,

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.579
 we're not alone.

00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.960
 Jesus brought us

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.899
 from death to life

00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:28.539
 not to be by ourselves,

00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.779
 as I've said so often

00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.460
 through this series,

00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:32.039
 but to be born again

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.059
 into a family

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.519
 of believers.

00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.039
 A family that

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.859
 transcends

00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.639
 nationality

00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:39.480
 and language

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.799
 birthplace,

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.779
 whatever.

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.480
 And just like

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.380
 the world,

00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.460
 the church

00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.200
 and the world over

00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.680
 suffers,

00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.319
 no matter where they are,

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.279
 we all sin.

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.720
 No matter where we are.

00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.339
 We're all tempted.

00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.519
 We all stumble.

00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.039
 And even though

00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:00.140
 we seek to glorify God

00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.759
 in our lives,

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.960
 as Paul says,

00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.180
 who will rid me

00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:04.839
 from this body

00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.599
 of sin?

00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.660
 We're still here.

00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:08.160
 We're still in the reality

00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.380
 of living here.

00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.500
 In a fallen world

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.059
 in Ireland

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.640
 in the 21st century.

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.620
 And so we need to pray

00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:15.960
 against these things.

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.140
 And to remember this,

00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:21.059
 this world can be hard.

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.819
 Cruel.

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.779
 Bleak.

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.759
 So when our relationships

00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.240
 fail

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:30.319
 and break up,

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.759
 or when our kids

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.360
 get sick,

00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:34.120
 or our loved ones

00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.519
 die,

00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:36.519
 or our workplaces

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.460
 are full of gossip

00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.440
 and strife

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.599
 and bitterness

00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:40.579
 and unpleasantness,

00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.639
 when the depression

00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.660
 overcomes you,

00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:44.220
 when the eviction notice

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.119
 comes through the door,

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.879
 back in verse 7,

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.960
 cast all your anxiety

00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.039
 on him

00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:53.279
 because he cares

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.879
 for you.

00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.659
 Friends,

00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.180
 in this world,

00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.879
 Jesus said,

00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.399
 we will have suffering.

00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:02.059
 It will happen.

00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.799
 But fear not,

00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:05.480
 Jesus said,

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:08.180
 I have overcome

00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.500
 the world.

00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.680
 Jesus has destroyed

00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.640
 death

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.700
 and sin

00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.559
 itself

00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.619
 so that regardless

00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.420
 of what happens

00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.099
 in this life,

00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.119
 regardless of what

00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:20.220
 Satan throws at us,

00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.740
 if we hold fast

00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.319
 to Christ,

00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.140
 then we get

00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:25.019
 this crown of glory.

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.900
 We go to be

00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.559
 with him forever.

00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.480
 Verse 10,

00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.599
 fight against sin,

00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.319
 resist the devil,

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.099
 and the God

00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.900
 of grace

00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:36.759
 who has called us

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:38.220
 to eternal glory

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.900
 with Christ.

00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:39.819
 will,

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.700
 after the suffering,

00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.880
 restore us

00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:43.460
 to strength

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.779
 and firmness

00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:46.480
 and steadfastness,

00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.960
 even when it's hard,

00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.839
 even when we have

00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.420
 setbacks,

00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.400
 even when we think

00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.000
 we're not being

00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.720
 the best Christian

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.259
 in the world,

00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:55.400
 and we never will be,

00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.279
 by the way.

00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.640
 In all of these things,

00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:01.039
 we still look forward

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:03.000
 to that day

00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.480
 when Jesus calls us

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.019
 to himself

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.440
 and there's no more death

00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:08.839
 and every tear

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.759
 will be wiped away

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:11.319
 and there'll be

00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.139
 no more suffering

00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:13.819
 and no more pain

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:15.199
 and you get

00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:16.019
 a nice new body.

00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.119
 Some of us

00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:17.599
 are looking forward

00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.039
 to that.

00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.179
 Fear not,

00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:21.559
 Jesus said,

00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.720
 I have overcome

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.879
 the world.

00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:27.000
 I'm just about done.

00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:28.959
 I've taken you

00:28:28.959 --> 00:28:29.519
 through this letter

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.859
 which is just loaded

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.819
 with these deep,

00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:33.460
 great truths

00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.839
 about God,

00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.519
 his love

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.079
 and his plan

00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:38.019
 for redeeming us,

00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.359
 what that ought

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:39.980
 to look like

00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.539
 in our lives.

00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.960
 And I sincerely hope

00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.740
 it's impacted you.

00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.319
 I sincerely hope

00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:48.019
 that you get a sense

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:49.379
 of just what great mercy

00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:51.440
 God bestowed on us

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.759
 when he sent his son

00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:54.000
 to die

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:56.039
 so that he would

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.720
 save us out

00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.279
 of the world.

00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.900
 As Peter says,

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.619
 verse 12,

00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.019
 and this is what

00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.700
 I've tried to do

00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.759
 over the last couple

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.140
 of months,

00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.799
 I have written

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.480
 to you briefly,

00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.400
 verse 12,

00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.839
 encouraging you

00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.480
 and testifying

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.940
 that this

00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:13.099
 is the true

00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:14.119
 grace

00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:15.019
 of God.

00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:17.200
 Stand fast

00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.140
 in it.

00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:20.039
 This is the grace

00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.579
 of God.

00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.519
 It is the unmerited

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.019
 favor,

00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:23.019
 the undeserved

00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.099
 favor that he

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.119
 bestows on those

00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.579
 who come in faith

00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.519
 to Jesus.

00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.559
 Nothing you have

00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:29.879
 to do.

00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.819
 You don't sign

00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.180
 anything.

00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.440
 There's no secret

00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.019
 handshake.

00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.119
 None of that

00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.700
 kind of stuff.

00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:38.059
 Just come in faith.

00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.799
 So be a servant

00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.259
 soldier.

00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.980
 Be humble

00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.759
 in your dealings

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.259
 with your fellow

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:45.099
 man and woman

00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:47.619
 inside the church

00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:49.200
 and outside

00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.759
 the church.

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.779
 Fight against

00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.039
 sin.

00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:54.160
 Be killing

00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:54.740
 sin

00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.019
 day by day.

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.779
 Watch out

00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.400
 for the lion

00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.579
 that's prowling

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:58.980
 around

00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:00.420
 looking for ways

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.180
 to devour you.

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.819
 Remember that

00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.740
 God chose you.

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.139
 That he called

00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:06.180
 you out of darkness

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:07.519
 into the glorious

00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.059
 light.

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.319
 That Christ

00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.599
 suffered once

00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:12.119
 for sins,

00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:12.819
 the righteous

00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.819
 for the unrighteous,

00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.859
 to bring you

00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.440
 to God,

00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.960
 having himself

00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.700
 being made alive

00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.299
 in the spirit,

00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:20.420
 the same spirit

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.759
 that now lives

00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.200
 in you

00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:24.380
 if you profess

00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:24.840
 Christ.

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.240
 If you didn't

00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.860
 know it before,

00:30:28.300 --> 00:30:29.000
 you certainly

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.480
 know it now,

00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:30.240
 two months later.

00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.080
 I'm not one for

00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:31.680
 mincing words.

00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.600
 If it's true,

00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:35.200
 it's true.

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.120
 If you don't

00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:38.860
 follow Jesus,

00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.720
 here's my final

00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.019
 plea.

00:30:42.300 --> 00:30:43.100
 Follow him.

00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:45.699
 God became

00:30:45.699 --> 00:30:46.019
 man

00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:48.039
 and suffered

00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.480
 death

00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.859
 that you

00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.219
 might have

00:30:50.219 --> 00:30:50.519
 life.

00:30:52.459 --> 00:30:52.779
 Jesus

00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:54.000
 is not

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.179
 one way

00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:55.859
 to God

00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:57.740
 out of many

00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.119
 ways.

00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.659
 In the words

00:30:59.659 --> 00:31:00.079
 of Jesus

00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:00.599
 himself,

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.419
 he said,

00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.199
 I am

00:31:02.199 --> 00:31:03.199
 the way,

00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.759
 the truth,

00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.139
 and the life,

00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.399
 and no one

00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:07.939
 comes to the

00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:08.519
 Father except

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.059
 through me.

00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.819
 There is no

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.419
 other name

00:31:10.419 --> 00:31:11.799
 here on earth

00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:13.159
 or anywhere

00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:13.839
 in the universe

00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:15.519
 on which you

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.079
 can call

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.220
 and have any

00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.519
 hope of

00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:18.940
 anything

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:20.299
 after this

00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.960
 brief life

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.539
 here on earth.

00:31:22.919 --> 00:31:23.859
 It's Jesus

00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:25.859
 or it's

00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.119
 nothing.

00:31:27.659 --> 00:31:28.319
 So as we

00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.680
 close,

00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.000
 if there's only

00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.659
 one thing you

00:31:30.659 --> 00:31:31.220
 take away from

00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:31.740
 my time with

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:31.960
 you,

00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.159
 that'd be

00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:33.460
 this.

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.599
 This is not

00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.079
 about us.

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.099
 This is about

00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:38.500
 Jesus.

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.599
 It's all

00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:41.720
 about Jesus.

00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.980
 it's all

00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.619
 his.

00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:44.899
 As verse 11

00:31:44.899 --> 00:31:45.339
 says,

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.019
 to him

00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.980
 be the

00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.399
 power

00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:49.119
 or the

00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:49.480
 glory

00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:49.899
 or the

00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.299
 dominion.

00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.099
 To him

00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:51.839
 be the

00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.259
 power

00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.379
 forever

00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.639
 and ever.

00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:55.720
 And all

00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.279
 God's people

00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:56.639
 said,

00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.720
 Amen.

00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.319
 Let's pray.

00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.659
 Father,

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.299
 we thank you

00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:07.859
 that your

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:09.240
 word is like

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.799
 a double-edged

00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:11.359
 sword and

00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:12.059
 it pierces

00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.399
 to the

00:32:12.399 --> 00:32:13.220
 division of

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.599
 bone and

00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:15.180
 marrow and

00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:16.159
 soul and

00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.480
 spirit.

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.940
 We thank you

00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.240
 for the

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.039
 reminders that

00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.379
 you have

00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:20.919
 given us

00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.639
 through your

00:32:21.639 --> 00:32:22.039
 word that

00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.299
 we are

00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:22.740
 chosen,

00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.119
 that we are

00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.519
 kept,

00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.099
 that we are

00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.700
 shielded.

00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.599
 We also

00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.240
 thank you that

00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.700
 you're honest

00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.119
 enough to

00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.519
 tell us the

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:29.879
 truth,

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.419
 that we

00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:32.519
 must fight

00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.200
 against sin,

00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:34.700
 that we

00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.379
 must be

00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:35.720
 humble.

00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:37.279
 humble us

00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.579
 Lord,

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.460
 in the

00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.039
 ways where

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.880
 we glorify

00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:40.680
 ourselves and

00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.059
 exalt

00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.579
 ourselves.

00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:42.519
 We ask

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:42.759
 you for

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.240
 your mercy.

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.019
 We ask

00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.319
 for your

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.100
 grace once

00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:46.539
 more to

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.039
 pour over

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.480
 us and

00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.220
 to make

00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.880
 us realize

00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.600
 that this

00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:50.019
 is not

00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.620
 about us.

00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:51.980
 This is

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.559
 about you.

00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.600
 Wherever we

00:32:53.600 --> 00:32:54.059
 serve,

00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.400
 whatever we

00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:55.759
 say,

00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:56.819
 whatever we

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.160
 do,

00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.000
 help us to

00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.360
 do it for

00:32:58.360 --> 00:32:59.039
 your glory,

00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.339
 not for

00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:00.720
 our own.

00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:02.620
 Be with us

00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:02.900
 Lord,

00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:04.240
 as we

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.580
 live out

00:33:04.580 --> 00:33:05.040
 our lives

00:33:05.040 --> 00:33:05.420
 here in

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:05.900
 this fallen

00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.500
 world as

00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.200
 new creations,

00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.140
 help us to

00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:09.200
 be salt and

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:10.400
 light to the

00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:10.940
 world around

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:12.380
 us, a

00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:12.860
 beacon of

00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.820
 hope in

00:33:13.820 --> 00:33:14.280
 a world of

00:33:14.280 --> 00:33:14.640
 darkness.

00:33:16.340 --> 00:33:17.220
 Help us to

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:17.860
 say the right

00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:18.800
 words with

00:33:18.800 --> 00:33:19.140
 the right

00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:20.580
 attitude and

00:33:20.580 --> 00:33:21.120
 give us ears

00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:22.620
 to listen when

00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.240
 we simply need

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.680
 to listen.

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.040
 For those who

00:33:26.040 --> 00:33:26.519
 don't know

00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:28.259
 you, for

00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.600
 those who

00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:29.240
 don't call on

00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:29.600
 your name,

00:33:30.820 --> 00:33:31.400
 maybe even

00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.160
 sitting here or

00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:32.700
 listening right

00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:34.720
 now, be

00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.360
 drawing them

00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:35.720
 to you,

00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.000
 Father.

00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:38.480
 Give them

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.740
 the realization

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:41.960
 that they

00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:42.279
 have been

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.940
 drawn to

00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:43.299
 where they

00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:43.740
 can hear

00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.360
 your word,

00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:46.380
 where they

00:33:46.380 --> 00:33:47.019
 can hear the

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.580
 good news

00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:47.900
 that you

00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.380
 sent your

00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:48.840
 son who

00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:49.799
 died so

00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.080
 that we

00:33:50.080 --> 00:33:50.740
 might have

00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.120
 life.

00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:52.819
 Be working

00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.240
 in them,

00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:53.920
 Holy Spirit,

00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.559
 convicting

00:33:55.559 --> 00:33:56.220
 them and

00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:57.039
 breaking down

00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.700
 their barriers

00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.259
 and drawing

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.640
 them to

00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:00.740
 you so

00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.039
 that they

00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.620
 would declare

00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:02.279
 that Jesus

00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:02.839
 his Lord.

00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:04.680
 Be with

00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.240
 us as we

00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:06.160
 go to

00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:06.619
 the Lord's

00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:08.539
 table and

00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.480
 remind ourselves

00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:09.759
 of these

00:34:09.759 --> 00:34:10.539
 great truths

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.199
 that you

00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:12.719
 sent your

00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.259
 son as

00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:14.360
 the suffering

00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:14.880
 servant,

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.820
 as the

00:34:16.820 --> 00:34:17.500
 humble

00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:19.099
 sacrifice

00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.900
 who didn't

00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.320
 open his

00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.619
 mouth but

00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:21.920
 who went

00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:22.619
 willingly like

00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.139
 a lamb to

00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.579
 the slaughter.

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.860
 Help us to

00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.320
 remember that

00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:26.900
 we are part of

00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:27.599
 one body with

00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.259
 many members

00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:29.820
 others and

00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.380
 that together

00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:31.400
 we seek to

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.080
 glorify you.

00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.740
 We ask these

00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.220
 things in

00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:34.840
 Jesus' name.

00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:35.920
 Amen.

00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.020
 Amen.

00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:51.800
 We're going to

00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.840
 sing together in

00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:54.539
 response the

00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.639
 song Jesus

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:57.380
 all for

00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:57.940
 Jesus.

00:34:59.400 --> 00:34:59.900
 Do we have

00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:01.240
 that the

00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:05.340
 that the

00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.139
 only place

00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:06.840
 that we

00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:07.320
 should run

00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:07.760
 to, the

00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.660
 only one

00:35:08.660 --> 00:35:09.180
 who we

00:35:09.180 --> 00:35:09.660
 should commit

00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:10.119
 our life

00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:11.360
 to is

00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:11.840
 him.

00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:12.360
 So let's

00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:12.960
 stand together.

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:15.059
 Amen.