WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.200 I do believe that our text for today is one of the most important passages in this book. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:08.919 It's centered entirely on the gospel. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:13.060 It is flowing out of all of the gospel hope that we see preceding it. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:16.379 ! Certainly even itself contains the gospel. 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:21.100 It clarifies for us what it actually means to belong to God. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:26.780 And then it also declares the purpose of our lives, the purpose of our existence, 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:32.600 not only as creatures, but the purpose of our existence as the church, 00:00:33.539 --> 00:00:38.980 providing the foundation for everything that God says through Peter in this letter. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:43.200 I think it's contained in the verses that we are studying today. 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:45.900 And it's brief, it's simple, it's not that it's that complex, 00:00:46.540 --> 00:00:48.460 but it does demand our earnest attention. 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:50.920 And we want to give that attention to it now. 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:53.659 1 Peter 2, verses 4-10. 00:00:53.659 --> 00:01:23.640 1 Peter 3, verses 5-10. 00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:38.439 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 00:01:39.319 --> 00:01:43.359 the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:47.179 and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:54.240 They stumble because they disobeyed the word as they were destined to do. 00:01:55.620 --> 00:02:05.200 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, 00:02:06.080 --> 00:02:14.360 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:19.900 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people. 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:26.740 Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 00:02:27.860 --> 00:02:28.140 Amen. 00:02:29.940 --> 00:02:36.360 I want to think about this text first and I think maybe foremost in relationship to the idea of identity. 00:02:36.360 --> 00:02:48.660 One's received identity, that is what has been given to them by God, comes with a serious weight of responsibility. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:03:08.139 For example, those of you here today who are husbands and fathers, you bear the weight and the responsibility of loving, leading, protecting, providing for your family. 00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:16.659 That is a weight of responsibility you have that flows out of a received identity that has been given to you by God. 00:03:17.399 --> 00:03:20.639 That responsibility doesn't belong to your wife ultimately. 00:03:21.059 --> 00:03:27.599 It doesn't belong to your children's school ultimately or their coaches. 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:30.719 It doesn't belong ultimately to our government. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:34.279 It doesn't even ultimately belong to the church. 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:35.759 It belongs to you men. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:46.919 You alone will stand before God and answer to him for how you carried out your duty and responsibility as a husband and as a father. 00:03:47.699 --> 00:03:49.859 And we can apply that in a lot of different ways, can't we? 00:03:49.899 --> 00:03:51.239 But the truth remains the same. 00:03:51.319 --> 00:04:02.019 No matter what the situation is, what God makes you, your received identity, carries a significant weight of responsibility. 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:08.040 And that responsibility is to be embraced, not begrudged. 00:04:08.760 --> 00:04:12.920 It is to be pursued, not abandoned. 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:25.639 And the reason it is to be pursued, the reason it is to be embraced, is because it comes from God, who does all things as we have sung today, for his glory and for our good. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:39.800 One of the major points of emphasis in 1 Peter that we have discerned already in this letter is that what we do flows out of or at least should be consistent with who we are. 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:45.180 And that's not only clear in Peter's content, in the things that he's saying. 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:50.759 I think it's actually made even more clear in the structure with which he says them. 00:04:51.419 --> 00:04:53.599 Think about what we've studied so far in this letter. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:59.900 Peter begins with focusing on our identity as God's children. 00:05:00.260 --> 00:05:04.520 There's all of that familial language in the first section of the book. 00:05:05.460 --> 00:05:13.980 Through the new birth, God gives us hope, opens us and awakens us to the hope of the resurrection of Jesus. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:21.620 Awakens us to hope in our future inheritance in heaven, our eternal salvation. 00:05:22.200 --> 00:05:23.360 That's our identity. 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:25.100 We are his children. 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:28.140 Therefore, we will receive his eternal inheritance. 00:05:28.960 --> 00:05:32.460 And that hope is given to us in his son, Jesus Christ. 00:05:33.260 --> 00:05:42.800 And it's based on that gospel identity that Peter then issued a number of moral imperatives to those who then call on God as father. 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:46.080 There was a number of them that we've already studied through. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:48.640 They must set their hope on grace. 00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:50.139 They must pursue holiness. 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:52.199 They must pursue holiness. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:56.439 Not conforming to the passions of their former ignorance. 00:05:56.659 --> 00:05:59.000 They must live in the fear of God. 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:01.919 They must earnestly love one another. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:08.420 And they must long like newborn infants to grow on the milk of God's word. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:20.020 Now, as Peter begins to close this first major section of the letter, he moves from those commands to address our identity once again. 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:26.060 And like the opening section, there are no imperatives here. 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:32.240 There is not a single explicit imperative in these verses. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.600 It's all indicative. 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:37.000 So Peter is sandwiching. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:57.140 If you notice the structure, he is sandwiching the moral imperatives of God for God's people, for the church, for Christians, in between two groups of indicatives to show that who we are as God's children, who we are as God's people, dictates how we must live. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:07:05.560 And still, these verses that we are studying today, they're not exact repetitions of the earlier indicatives. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:10.560 The focus is on who we are, not as mere individuals here. 00:07:10.659 --> 00:07:15.419 The focus is on who we are collectively as the church of Christ. 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:19.519 And the key phrase is in verse 10, if you want to set your eyes on it. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:26.339 Once you were not a people, here's the key to what Peter is saying in this whole book, I think. 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:30.139 Now you are God's people. 00:07:31.299 --> 00:07:33.719 You are his people collectively. 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:38.319 In this statement of identity, it's anchoring the letter. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:44.099 In this passage, Peter reminds us how we become God's people. 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:49.279 He shows us what marks God's people. 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:58.379 And then, of course, he further reveals the purpose that God gives to his people during their time of exile. 00:07:58.799 --> 00:08:01.899 So we don't want to forget the overall context of exile. 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:03.699 We are God's people. 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:05.779 We do not belong to this world. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:07.799 We have a different king. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.620 We serve a different kingdom. 00:08:10.659 --> 00:08:12.139 We serve a different law. 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:18.819 And in that, that's what Peter is helping us to grow firm in now. 00:08:19.099 --> 00:08:20.519 Three things I want to point out to you. 00:08:20.979 --> 00:08:25.379 First, I want you to see that God's people are marked by faith in Jesus Christ. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:31.540 God's people are marked by faith in Jesus Christ. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.659 Now just think for a moment. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:44.340 If there is a group that is designated as the people of God, that must also mean that there is a group that categorically does not belong to God. 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:55.960 The idea that we are all God's children or that we are all God's people is logically inconsistent with the whole of the Bible. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:09:00.519 It's refuted repeatedly in Peter's letter. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:04.639 So what exactly marks out God's people in the world? 00:09:04.939 --> 00:09:12.100 If there are some people who make up the people of God and there are other people who do not, what identifies the groups? 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:14.600 What marks them out in the world? 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:18.379 How does one become part of God's people? 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:21.480 And the simple answer is in the very first phrase of verse 4. 00:09:22.439 --> 00:09:26.120 God's people are those who come to Jesus by faith. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:36.320 As you come to him, that is, Jesus Christ, you are being made into God's people. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:38.159 We see it also again in verse 7. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:48.700 The honor, honor there being contrasted with the end of verse 6, put to shame in final judgment, is being contrasted here with honor. 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:59.200 Those who will not be put to shame, but will instead be honored in the judgment alongside of Christ, are those, he says in verse 7, who believe. 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:01.160 Believe what? 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:03.080 Believe Jesus. 00:10:04.020 --> 00:10:05.460 Believe in him. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.820 But Peter doesn't stop there. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:11.420 He employs this series of metaphors. 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:14.060 Just so fun, isn't it? 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:23.839 It's so funny that all of these metaphors that he gives us here to describe what it means to actually come to Christ describes what God is doing with those who do come to Christ. 00:10:24.619 --> 00:10:26.139 And he borrows them all. 00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:28.059 None of them are original to Peter. 00:10:28.819 --> 00:10:31.239 Every one of them he borrows from the Old Testament. 00:10:32.479 --> 00:10:36.019 Three come from explicit quotations. 00:10:36.199 --> 00:10:40.479 Peter quotes three different times Isaiah and Psalm 118. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:48.220 But even beyond the direct quotations, there are other allusions to other passages in the Old Testament that Peter is using. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:53.399 He's grabbing these metaphors in order that he might help us to understand. 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:55.980 This is not simply Peter's idea. 00:10:56.920 --> 00:10:58.379 He's not just coming up with this. 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:08.440 Following Jesus, he and the other apostles looked to the word of God in the Old Testament and proclaimed that Jesus was the fulfillment of it. 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:15.700 And that all of God's people are those who are in him by faith. 00:11:16.900 --> 00:11:22.960 Now the three quotations, they're the ones that carry the primary metaphor which concerns a stone. 00:11:23.260 --> 00:11:30.940 Now if you read through your Old Testament and you do it at lightning speed, you're going to pick up on the fact that stone is often used in the Old Testament as a picture. 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:44.960 And the Jews generally interpreted the stone in those pictures usually as either the nation of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, or the temple itself. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:52.320 And then we get to the New Testament and the Gospels and we find that Jesus does this very controversial thing. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:56.520 It's the reason that the Jewish leaders wanted to kill him. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:12:11.179 He comes in and using this very picture as well as others, he declares that he himself is actually the fulfillment of all of those stone pictures and prophecies that are associated with them. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:19.000 If you just want to write down the reference, Matthew 21 and verse 42, you'll see in one of the parables, he does it multiple times, but you'll see in one of the parables, 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:30.000 Jesus quoting the same passage that Peter quotes and saying, that's not Israel, that's not Jerusalem, that's not the temple, that is me. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:38.100 And so Peter uses these metaphors to show that the people of God are not marked by geographic boundaries. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:44.399 They are not marked by ethnicity or race or lineage. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:48.980 They are not marked by sacred places of worship. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:56.779 Indeed, I would say that what Peter is affirming here is that there are no sacred places of worship any longer. 00:12:57.919 --> 00:13:03.259 In the New Covenant, Israel is not the people of God. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:07.779 The church is the people of God. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:20.919 The people of God, Jew and Gentile alike, are marked out by coming in faith to the living stone, Jesus Christ. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:27.240 But what is it exactly that we are believing about Jesus Christ? 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:32.399 Well, there's a number of things, but there's a couple of significant things that Peter points to in these metaphors. 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:43.480 Notice, all of the metaphors contrast those who reject the stone with those who believe in the stone. 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:45.179 We see it in verse 4. 00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:54.740 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men, but in the sight of God, chosen and precious. 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:56.639 Or precious there is the sense of honor. 00:13:57.079 --> 00:13:58.819 Chosen and honored. 00:14:00.079 --> 00:14:02.379 And then we get to verse 4. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.519 Verse 6. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.220 This quotation of Isaiah. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:11.579 Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone, chosen and precious. 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:16.559 Whoever believes won't be put into shame, but there are those who do not believe. 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:26.259 And in quoting Psalm 118, he says they have rejected the stone that God has chosen to be the cornerstone. 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:27.579 Now, what do we make of this? 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:30.579 It's actually quite clear when you begin to piece it together. 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:35.040 Jesus is the stone that was rejected by men. 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.039 He says that clearly. 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:36.559 He says that clearly. 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:44.500 An illusion, not merely to the fact that the Jewish leaders disliked him, but that they murdered him. 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:48.519 It's an illusion to his death on the cross. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:50.340 That's important. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:54.100 That was not just an ordinary death. 00:14:55.199 --> 00:14:57.460 It was a substitutionary death. 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:06.059 The son of God, sinless, takes on the wrath of God in the place of sinners. 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:15.099 And yet, though rejected by men, Jesus was chosen and precious or honored in the sight of God. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:18.319 I think being a clear allusion to his resurrection. 00:15:19.119 --> 00:15:24.279 Hence, Peter says, as you come to him, a living stone. 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:27.159 What is it that he's doing with these pictures? 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:31.699 Jesus was chosen to be the Savior before the foundation of the world. 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.800 We saw that in chapter 1 and verse 20. 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:37.640 He was honored by God in his resurrection and exaltation. 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:41.420 We've seen that as early as verse 3 of chapter 1. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:45.920 That he has caused us to be born again to a living hope in the resurrection. 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:49.680 It's all about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:16:05.239 In other words, God's people are marked out first and foremost by their faith in the atoning death of Jesus on the cross and his subsequent resurrection from the dead. 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:07.419 And here's the truth. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:15.379 All people stand in only one of two places in relation to Jesus Christ. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:26.320 They either believe in him, his death and resurrection, and receive the honor of salvation, or seven. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:40.419 Or they stumble over him in offense and unbelief, put to shame in the final judgment. 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:48.319 Faith in Jesus and exclusively Jesus is how one becomes part of the people of God. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:51.059 It's not religious affiliation. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:54.379 It's not membership in the church necessarily. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.799 It's not your baptism. 00:16:57.659 --> 00:17:00.019 It's not the partaking in the Lord's Supper. 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:03.479 It's not the best works that you can do. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:12.099 You can look like the most faithful Christian in the world and still stumble over Christ in unbelief. 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:18.400 The people of God are not marked primarily by those things. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:22.240 They are marked by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:24.539 And then look and see what Peter is using this metaphor. 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:31.980 He's telling us also that those who come to faith in Jesus Christ, God is doing something with them collectively as a people. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:40.220 Jesus is the living stone and all who come to him in faith are themselves like living stones, Peter says. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:43.000 Their life is in him. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:48.500 And God is using them, here's another metaphor, to build a spiritual house. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.259 This is a temple. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:52.579 Clearly a reference to the Old Testament temple. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:59.439 And he's saying this sacred space that the people of God used to identify with, it's no longer important. 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:03.720 The people themselves collectively are this temple now. 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:07.939 They are the place in which God dwells. 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:11.819 And they are a holy priesthood, he says. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.740 All of them. 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.839 A kingdom of priests. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:18.000 Not a select few. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.640 All of them. 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:21.579 A kingdom of priests. 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:26.319 Representing God to the kingdoms of this world. 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:30.980 What we've been calling exile up to this point in 1 Peter. 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:38.720 And their sacrifices, our sacrifices, are not of bulls and goats. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:45.019 For Christ is our Passover lamb, offered once for all of our sins. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:48.400 Rather, our sacrifices are spiritual. 00:18:51.299 --> 00:19:05.039 The sacrifices of the works of the Holy Spirit in persevering faith and in sincere worship and in loving service on account of the gospel of Jesus and in his name. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.119 What's Peter saying? 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.059 This is amazing. 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.619 It is so simple, isn't it? 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.940 We complicate it. 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:11.819 It's so simple. 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:16.899 The people of God are those who know Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:20.839 And are being built into a dwelling place for God. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.700 And a priesthood for God. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:27.039 So that they might offer spiritual sacrifices to him in this world. 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.319 And in eternity. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:29.619 Second. 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:35.220 God's people are chosen according to his electing love. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:41.259 God's people are chosen according to his electing love. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:44.559 Now it comes as a bit of a surprise to us, doesn't it? 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:47.640 When we get to the end of verse 8 and then the beginning of verse 9. 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:49.299 We almost don't expect this. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:51.360 But if we take the whole letter as a whole. 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:54.980 We see this is actually quite consistent with everything Peter has been saying. 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:57.339 Notice at the end of verse 8. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:20:00.440 These people who do not believe, who stumble over Christ. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:03.319 They stumble because they disobey the word. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.440 That is the gospel. 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:06.059 We learn that at the end of chapter 1. 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.460 Verse 25. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:10.340 And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.640 The gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.860 They stumble over the gospel. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:17.080 As they were destined to do. 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:22.860 But you, the people of God. 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:24.799 Are a chosen race. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.620 And royal priesthood. 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:28.320 And holy nation. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.480 A people for his own possession. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:33.660 Now God's electing love in salvation. 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:39.620 Is a crucial component of Peter's arguments in this letter. 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:43.039 And he directs us to it again here. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:47.140 But it's the first time that he refers to the other side of divine election. 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:49.860 What we call reprobation. 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:54.579 He says that those who stumble over Christ in unbelief. 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:57.919 Are destined to do so. 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:01.799 That's a heavy doctrine. 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:04.919 Controversial doctrine. 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:07.019 Depending on your take. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:10.279 But logically we understand. 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:13.919 You can't have one without the other. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:20.019 If God has eternally chosen some people. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.820 To be his people. 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:26.340 Then it necessarily means that he has chosen some people. 00:21:26.800 --> 00:21:28.380 Not to be his people. 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:34.120 If some are elected unto salvation. 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:39.860 Then necessarily some are elected to damnation. 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:47.119 And he does all of this according to his good and sovereign purposes. 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:52.899 The mystery here is not in whether or not God is sovereign in salvation. 00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:54.240 That's not really the mystery. 00:21:54.719 --> 00:21:58.199 The mystery is how God is sovereign in salvation. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:01.259 Without violating man's agency. 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:05.500 Or himself becoming complicit in the sin of unbelief. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:09.439 And Peter comes to it and he kind of drops this bomb here. 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.859 And moves on. 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:13.359 And he doesn't explain very much about it. 00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:16.699 And the reason is because this isn't ultimately about reprobation. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:20.059 He's using reprobation to strengthen his point on election. 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.279 And we're going to get to that. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:24.939 But just for sake of the moment. 00:22:25.179 --> 00:22:26.000 And since we're here. 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:29.459 I think it would be helpful for us to think on this for just a moment. 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:32.759 The Bible holds all of this in tension. 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:36.279 It affirms God's sovereignty and salvation. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:41.539 It also affirms man's responsibility to respond to the gospel call. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:43.759 We've already seen it in this very text. 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:53.099 It also affirms that God neither sins nor tempts anyone to sin. 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:55.679 So how do we make sense of this? 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.399 I think you're reasonable people. 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:00.259 You are capable of studying out the scriptures. 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:02.240 And I would encourage you to do that. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:04.099 There's only so much I can say at this point. 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:07.500 But let me at least give a suggestion for you that I think is accurate. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:10.879 And then we'll get to why Peter even brings it up. 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:16.779 We shouldn't deny the parallel truths of election and reprobation. 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:24.339 But we do need to acknowledge a distinction in how God carries them out. 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:28.740 In election, God makes a saving action. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:33.099 We've seen this saving action spelled out in this first chapter. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:40.299 In eternity past, God sets his divine and saving love on his people. 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.700 Before they're created. 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:43.200 Before they sin. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:45.180 God sets his love on them. 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:48.039 And then he sees through. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.100 Sees that love through. 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:52.140 In the work of Christ. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.539 He sends Christ. 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:56.660 Christ accomplishes the mission of our salvation. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:59.900 And then he calls us. 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:04.220 There's a general call that all receive in the gospel. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:07.180 There's an effectual call of the gospel. 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:14.360 God calling his people so that they will then respond in faith. 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:21.519 He calls them, in Peter's language, out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:26.419 He calls us to be born again, we see in chapter 1. 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:28.539 Which removes the blinders of sin. 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:32.139 It shines the light of the glory of Christ into our hearts. 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:37.080 And we respond in repentance and faith of our own will. 00:24:38.520 --> 00:24:41.180 God doesn't do the believing for us. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:47.320 But neither would we repent and believe apart from this new birth. 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:50.299 So we can affirm an election. 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:52.700 And we should affirm an election. 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:56.740 That repentance and faith are true acts of the will. 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:59.779 And also glorious graces. 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.720 Gifts from God. 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:04.899 So what about reprobation then? 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:05.879 How is it different? 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:08.160 I think it's different in this sense. 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:12.860 That if election takes a saving action on God's part. 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:18.220 Reprobation is simply choosing not to take that action. 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.720 That saving action. 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:22.700 Instead passing over unbelievers. 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:25.000 And leaving them in their sin. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:29.200 He gives them over, Romans 1. 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:32.960 To what their wills actually want most. 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.339 Which is not him. 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.240 And not obedience. 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.019 And not faith. 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.319 It's their own sin. 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.119 Self. 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.000 And deception. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:47.220 So then we should affirm. 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:51.339 That nothing prevents the greatest sinner on earth. 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:53.099 From salvation. 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.339 Rejection. 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.259 But his own sin. 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:57.339 And voluntary rejection. 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.879 Of the gospel. 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.879 Now I'll let you work that out further. 00:26:02.679 --> 00:26:04.599 Since Peter doesn't expound on the idea. 00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.639 Why does he bring it up? 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:07.379 What's the purpose in even saying it here? 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:10.099 Well I think it's actually an important purpose. 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:13.579 The emphasis on sovereignty. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.639 It provides. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:17.000 Significant weight. 00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:20.059 To our identity as God's people. 00:26:21.719 --> 00:26:23.019 Think about the big picture here. 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.539 Of this letter. 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.680 This is exile. 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.460 We're strangers. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:30.259 We're marked out. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.859 There are moral imperatives. 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:34.180 That we must obey. 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.680 Why? 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:38.660 Because God chose us. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:41.460 Because we're his. 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.980 By divine appointment. 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:47.099 And except for the grace of God. 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:49.839 We would also stumble. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:49.839 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:51.259 In unbelief. 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:53.079 But he has chosen us. 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.959 To be his people. 00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:55.639 This strengthens. 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:57.119 It comforts. 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:58.919 It assures those. 00:26:59.159 --> 00:27:00.679 Who are suffering in. 00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:02.299 And struggling through. 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.500 This time of exile. 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:05.319 I think that's why Peter's bringing up. 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:06.459 I think it's actually quite clear. 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.519 That's why he's bringing it up. 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:09.919 It supplies us. 00:27:09.919 --> 00:27:10.959 With humility. 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:13.000 It supplies us with hope. 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:14.559 And it supplies us. 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.960 With genuine worship. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.819 Humility. 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:20.460 Because we understand our salvation. 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:23.420 To ultimately be the work of God's grace. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.660 Hope. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.960 Because God's eternal plan. 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:30.339 Has gone to such incredible lengths. 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:32.519 To secure our eternal salvation. 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:34.680 No enemy in this life. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.440 Or in the next. 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:37.460 Can thwart that purpose of grace. 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:40.420 This is God's doing. 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.920 It's marvelous in our eyes. 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.680 That's Paul's entire point. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:46.279 At the end of Romans 8. 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.380 That him. 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.940 Those whom he predestined. 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.440 He called. 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.539 And those whom he called. 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.460 He sanctified. 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.779 And those whom he sanctified. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.860 He will glorify. 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.460 And then he says. 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.380 If God is for us. 00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:00.680 Who can be against us? 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.400 Peter's saying the same thing. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.460 In a different way here. 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:05.240 He's reminding these Christians. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.000 Who are suffering. 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.140 And struggling in exile. 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:09.080 Under the weight of the world. 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.160 And of hatred. 00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.460 And of persecution. 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.360 And he's saying. 00:28:12.540 --> 00:28:12.580 Look. 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.900 If God is for you. 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:15.880 It doesn't matter who's against you. 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.259 He will win. 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.759 His purposes of grace. 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.860 Will not be thwarted. 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.740 Comfort. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.120 Hope. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.980 And then it supplies worship. 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:26.500 Doesn't it? 00:28:28.020 --> 00:28:28.580 Worship. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:30.780 Because it reveals the full expression. 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:33.340 Of God's justice and mercy. 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:36.800 So that we might approach him with fear. 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.980 And trembling. 00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:41.460 Did you pick up on what was happening in Exodus 20. 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.780 Around the decalogue. 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.500 The decalogue is important. 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.100 What's happening around it? 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.480 God says. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.600 This is who I am. 00:28:50.520 --> 00:28:51.600 I'm a just God. 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:54.200 And on those who disbelieve and disobey. 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:56.420 I will pour out my judgment. 00:28:57.940 --> 00:29:00.500 But for those who will believe and love and obey. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:04.259 I will pour out my mercy and my grace. 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.740 And he gets to the end. 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.960 And what do we see happening with the nation of Israel? 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:11.779 With a true vision of God. 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.660 And his glory. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.299 And his holiness. 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:16.359 And his justice. 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:19.799 And not yet a full glimpse of his mercy. 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.900 They say. 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.279 Moses. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:24.000 You talk to us. 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:26.740 Don't let him talk to us. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.400 Or we'll die. 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:33.339 Those of us who belong to God in Christ. 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:36.599 And understand that we do so because of God's grace. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:39.539 Can approach the Lord with true worship. 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:41.619 Knowing that but for his grace. 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:44.200 We cannot stand before him. 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:46.240 And we will die. 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.740 But because of his grace. 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:52.900 We understand and know the full expression of his love and his mercy. 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.599 And what does that produce in us? 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:57.019 Not pride. 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.839 Because there's nothing good in us. 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.099 Humility. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.799 And worship. 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:06.319 So that we can be genuinely moved as we sing the words. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:08.680 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:11.960 Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt. 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:15.420 Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured. 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:17.700 There were the blood of the Lambas spilled. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.500 Grace. 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.240 Grace. 00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:22.660 God's grace. 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:26.920 Grace that's greater than all our sin. 00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:32.559 God's people are chosen according to his electing love. 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:33.680 Finally. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:41.220 Our purpose as God's chosen people is simply his glory. 00:30:42.600 --> 00:30:43.559 His glory. 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:46.940 Why do you exist? 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.299 First as a creature. 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.179 If you're a Christian. 00:30:52.419 --> 00:30:53.720 Why do you exist as a Christian? 00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:58.179 And as part of the people of God collectively. 00:30:59.099 --> 00:31:00.899 Why do we exist as God's people? 00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:05.559 Why is God chosen and redeemed the people for his own possession? 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.059 What is this purpose? 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:09.460 And being his people in the world. 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.079 Very clear. 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.779 Verse 10. 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:17.700 That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness. 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:19.399 That's that electing love. 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:23.559 He called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:27.879 So that you might proclaim his glory in the world. 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:31.559 And how do we do that? 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:36.039 Well most obviously it's through the proclamation of truth. 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:42.240 We literally proclaim the excellencies of the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus. 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:47.240 And I think that comes through the display of genuine worship. 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:55.819 And the idea here in 1 Peter 2 is not our private worship at home or our personal worship that may be before our friends. 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:57.000 Though I think that's true. 00:31:57.000 --> 00:32:01.799 It is collectively our worship together as the people of God. 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:07.059 A display of proclaiming the excellencies of him who called not me. 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:12.480 Who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light. 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:20.460 Through worship and evangelism we proclaim his glory as the priesthood that represents him to the world. 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:24.619 Another important connection to the Old Testament is here in verse 9. 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:31.739 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.439 That's not Peter's language. 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:36.500 That's God's language in Exodus chapter 19. 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.699 Write that in your margins. 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.659 You can read it later. 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:45.179 Almost word for word Peter quotes it and he says just what God was doing then with a physical people in the nation of Israel. 00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:46.719 That's who you are. 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.879 You're chosen. 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.339 You're a priesthood. 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:51.639 Not just a select few. 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:52.819 All of you. 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.459 A nation of priests. 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:57.059 We see that echoed again in Revelation chapter 1. 00:32:57.340 --> 00:33:00.980 That Christ has made us a kingdom of priests to his God. 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:05.380 And what was the nation doing as a priesthood in Exodus 19? 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:08.039 They weren't offering sacrifices there. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:12.660 They were displaying the glory of God to the other kingdoms around them in the world. 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:15.220 And what is God doing through his church now? 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.920 We are a priesthood before him. 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:23.019 We are to display his glory to the kingdom of this world. 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:27.639 And we do this through living in holy obedience to him. 00:33:27.639 --> 00:33:33.839 As presented from a general perspective in the imperatives that preceded this section. 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:43.159 The darkness out of which he called us is the former ignorance that we are not to be conformed to in chapter 1 and verse 14. 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:50.699 It is the futile ways and the futile thinking and the deception of this world that we read in chapter 1 and verse 18. 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:53.460 That's the darkness that he calls us out of. 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:55.460 And he transforms us. 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:58.900 And then we live in holiness and proclaim God's truth. 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:07.160 Because James says friendship with the world and its ideas and its philosophies is to be the enemy of God. 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:08.900 But we are not God's enemy. 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.559 We are his people. 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:13.980 Therefore, it is for us to live as his people. 00:34:14.259 --> 00:34:16.079 His priest in the world. 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:18.900 Not to conform to this world and its ideas. 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.960 But to conform to the scriptures. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.619 And what God says. 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:24.599 That's how we display his glory. 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:31.219 That's what it means to serve the purpose of being God's people in exile. 00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:34.199 If we fail to preach the gospel. 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:37.699 If we do not represent him in our worship. 00:34:38.359 --> 00:34:41.319 If we conform to and accommodate sin. 00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:45.000 We will fail to serve our purpose as his people. 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:49.539 Indeed, we may even prove that we aren't his people to begin with. 00:34:51.319 --> 00:34:57.779 Because those who are his have been called out of darkness into light. 00:34:57.780 --> 00:35:01.760 But it's a state in which they are in now. 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:07.680 And they will obey the prompts of God as his people. 00:35:08.660 --> 00:35:11.400 How can we work this out practically as a church? 00:35:13.740 --> 00:35:15.260 To live as God's people. 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:16.320 To proclaim his glory. 00:35:16.680 --> 00:35:21.200 I think it's why it's necessary for us to have a robust and clear confession of faith. 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:25.620 That guides us and guards our congregation. 00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:28.159 As we submit to healthy doctrine. 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:31.639 I'm going to present a confession of faith to you today in our members meeting. 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:32.500 That I think is important. 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:35.579 This is part of the reason why. 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.599 Because we're God's people. 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:41.179 And we need to have some things that help mark us out as God's people. 00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:42.699 And guard us as God's people. 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:50.000 To proclaim God's glory is why it would be good for us to cooperate with like-minded churches. 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:51.920 For gospel missions. 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:56.000 It's not just about what we're doing at Lakeside Bible Church. 00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:59.820 We are part of God's people. 00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:01.219 Big picture. 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:02.420 Global. 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:05.619 And we want to be a part of that. 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:11.159 Proclaim his glory alongside our brothers and sisters all across the world. 00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:13.940 To live as God's people. 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:17.879 To proclaim his glory is why we gather Sunday by Sunday. 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.799 To preach the word. 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.579 And to read the word. 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:23.379 And to sing the word. 00:36:23.839 --> 00:36:25.279 And to pray the word. 00:36:25.799 --> 00:36:28.039 And to display the word in the ordinances. 00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:30.039 That's why. 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:32.359 It's to display his glory. 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:36.500 Therefore, be here as you are. 00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:38.099 Sunday by Sunday. 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:38.179 Sunday. 00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:40.299 To declare his glory. 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.500 To live as God's people. 00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:46.139 To proclaim his glory is why we show courage. 00:36:46.259 --> 00:36:48.360 To stand against the wicked ways of the world. 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:50.920 And to hold one another accountable to holiness. 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:54.019 To live as God's people and proclaim his glory. 00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:56.299 Is why we must work to love one another. 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.559 As we studied last week. 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:59.920 Showing the glory of the gospel. 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:02.440 In our union with Christ. 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:05.199 And we could say many other things. 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:06.799 But we're his people. 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:09.720 Once we were not a people. 00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:11.860 Now we're his people. 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:15.200 Once we had not received mercy. 00:37:16.200 --> 00:37:17.100 But now. 00:37:17.600 --> 00:37:19.920 Because we have come to the living stone. 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:22.580 We have received mercy. 00:37:23.080 --> 00:37:23.480 Through him. 00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:25.280 Eternal mercy. 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:27.980 Loved ones. 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.740 This is who we are. 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:32.340 We're marked by faith. 00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.539 We're chosen by God. 00:37:33.640 --> 00:37:35.060 We're called to proclaim his glory. 00:37:35.059 --> 00:37:40.699 And that means that we will have to endure some hardship in this life. 00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:44.079 Suffer on account of our faith. 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:46.159 And the outworking of that faith. 00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:47.199 And the way that we live. 00:37:47.340 --> 00:37:51.259 That's what the Christians to whom Peter was writing were dealing with. 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.599 It's a big part of this letter. 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:55.739 But if we're God's people. 00:37:55.839 --> 00:37:57.059 We must live as God's people. 00:37:59.059 --> 00:38:03.019 We must grasp and glory in the hope of our future inheritance. 00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:05.039 After this time of exile. 00:38:05.420 --> 00:38:06.960 Keeping our minds focused there. 00:38:07.980 --> 00:38:09.239 Chapter 1 verse 13. 00:38:09.739 --> 00:38:11.460 Set your hope fully on grace. 00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:16.360 We must represent our father and our God to the world. 00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:18.599 Not because it's easy or convenient. 00:38:18.720 --> 00:38:20.199 Because it almost never will be. 00:38:21.740 --> 00:38:23.240 But because it's good. 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:24.639 And it's right. 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:26.559 And it's what he's called us to. 00:38:28.539 --> 00:38:30.119 We must remain focused. 00:38:30.740 --> 00:38:32.179 On the gospel of Jesus. 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:34.059 Our Lord and Savior. 00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:37.079 For it is the source of our salvation. 00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:37.900 And our hope. 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:39.039 And our wisdom for living. 00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:41.300 We must endure. 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:44.039 We must proclaim. 00:38:45.279 --> 00:38:46.460 We must be holy. 00:38:47.360 --> 00:38:47.699 Why? 00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:51.460 Because we are God's people. 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:53.380 That's who we are.