WEBVTT

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 Now, we have two readings.

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 Now, as I said, we're going to read in Isaiah 40,

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 and then we'll be back in 1 Peter chapter 1 and into chapter 2,

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 and we'll see Peter make use of Isaiah 40.

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 So let's read the first 11 verses of Isaiah 40.

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 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

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 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her

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 that her hard service has been completed,

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 that her sin has been paid for,

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 that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

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 A voice of one calling,

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 In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord.

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 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

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 Every valley shall be raised up,

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 every mountain and hill made low,

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 the rough ground shall become level,

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 the rugged places a plain,

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 and the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

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 and all people will see it together,

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 for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

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 A voice says, cry out, and I said, what shall I cry?

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 All people are like grass,

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 and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

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 The grass withers and the flowers fall

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 because the breath of the Lord blows on them.

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 Surely the people are grass,

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 the grass withers and the flowers fall,

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 but the word of our God endures forever.

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 You who bring good news to Zion,

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 go up on a high mountain.

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 You who bring good news to Jerusalem,

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 lift up your voice with a shout.

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 Lift it up, do not be afraid.

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 Say to the towns of Judah,

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 here is your God.

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 See, the sovereign Lord comes with power,

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 and he rules with a mighty arm.

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 See, his reward is with him,

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 and his recompense accompanies him.

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 He tends his flock like a shepherd.

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 He gathers the lambs in his arms

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 and carries them close to his heart.

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 He gently leads those that have young.

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 And then in 1 Peter,

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 chapter 1 and at verse 22,

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 let's again hear God's word together.

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 Now that you have purified yourselves

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 by obeying the truth,

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 so that you have sincere love for each other,

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 love one another deeply from the heart.

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 For you have been born again,

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 not of perishable seed,

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 but of imperishable,

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 through the living and enduring word of God.

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 For all people are like grass,

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 and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

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 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

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 but the word of the Lord endures forever.

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 And this is the word that was preached to you.

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 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice

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 and all deceit, hypocrisy,

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 envy and slander of every kind.

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 Like newborn babies,

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 crave pure spiritual milk,

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 so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

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 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

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 Amen.

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 Now, let's turn together to 1 Peter,

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 chapter 1 and into chapter 2.

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 So our theme, the letter,

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 1 Peter, the theme is

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 Stand Firm and Stay Joyful.

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 Well, here today,

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 Peter wants to make clear to his readers and to us

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 that God's word is vital for our faith.

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 So I have really one aim today,

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 and it's a bold aim, I think.

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 And my goal is to transform

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 our view of Bible reading.

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 Following Peter in this section,

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 I want him to help us to see

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 that God must work through his word

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 to make us Christians

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 and to cause us to grow and to be transformed,

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 that those things do not happen without

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 God's word, the Bible.

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 So the Bible is vital.

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 So I want to see one truth,

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 that God's word is life-giving,

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 and we're going to think about that.

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 I want to see two effects of that

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 that Peter introduces,

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 that this new life that comes through hearing

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 the word about Jesus brings new love,

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 and it brings new longing.

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 And then because the Bible is so important,

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 I want to identify three approaches

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 to reading God's word.

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 And all the way along,

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 recognising this reality,

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 Bible reading must be a supernatural act.

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 In other words, God must give us eyes to see,

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 must give us the ability to see the glory

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 and the worth and honour of God,

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 of our Saviour Jesus,

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 if it is to have its proper effect.

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 So I want to transform how we think about the Bible

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 and how we read it.

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 Let's begin with that one truth then,

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 God's word is life-giving.

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 So just to remind ourselves of the context,

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 the first 12 verses of 1 Peter

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 have really emphasised

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 for these struggling, scattered Christians

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 their new Christian identity.

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 And then section two,

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 from verse 13 down to where we've just read,

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 the emphasis is on be holy,

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 live out that true identity.

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 As God has set you apart for him,

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 live that way.

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 And to be holy,

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 Peter now is going to say,

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 to live those set-apart lives for God,

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 you need God's word to give life.

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 God's word is the fuel for that engine

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 of faith and holiness.

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 So there are three ways we can think about that.

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 First of all,

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 God's word gives life.

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 verse 23.

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 For you have been born again,

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 not of perishable seed,

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 but of imperishable,

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 through the living and enduring word of God.

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 John Piper says,

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 where God's word is at work,

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 God is at work.

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 And here,

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 Peter says,

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 you are born again,

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 as God works new life in you through his word.

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 It's put slightly differently in verse 22.

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 Now that you've purified yourselves by obeying the truth,

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 so that you have sincere love for each other,

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 love one another deeply from the heart.

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 God's word of truth has that purifying feature

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 as it is obeyed.

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 The language of being washed clean,

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 the image of having a new heart and new life,

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 and all that to say that being born again

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 is a miracle of God.

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 So we don't cause,

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 do we,

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 our own physical birth.

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 Neither do we cause our own spiritual birth.

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 Rather,

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 we need the seed of God's word in us

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 to bring life,

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 to bring new life into our hearts.

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 So you cannot be a Christian

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 without God's word at work.

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 And so,

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 every Christian that you will ever meet,

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 that I will ever meet,

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 they have a unique testimony,

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 a unique story of how God has changed them.

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 But there is always going to be a common factor.

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 And let me say,

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 if you're not a Christian,

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 it might be an idea,

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 if you know people who are Christians,

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 to talk to them,

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 find out their story.

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 And the common factor

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 is that faith comes by hearing God's words,

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 God's word of salvation.

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 That's all about Jesus coming as fully God,

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 fully man,

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 taking our place,

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 dying for our sins,

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 to give forgiveness in new life.

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 So some people,

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 they hear that message

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 through being in church on a Sunday

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 and the word is preached

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 and they believe.

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 That was my story.

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 Now,

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 other people,

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 they will be reading the Bible at home

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 and the truth will hit them

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 and transform their lives.

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 That might be your story.

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 Others,

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 I know,

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 were in a course,

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 like a Christianity Explored course.

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 And over those weeks,

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 as the truth,

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 the central facts of the Bible

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 were made clear,

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 people came to faith

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 in the Lord Jesus.

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 Sometimes,

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 it might be a one-to-one chat

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 over many years' discussions,

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 perhaps with a family member

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 or a friend.

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 But in every case,

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 what brings life

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 is the word

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 that's all about Jesus.

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 Jesus.

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 What is that life-giving word?

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 It's interesting

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 the way Peter uses Isaiah 40

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 to draw attention to it.

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 So remember when,

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 often when New Testament writers

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 use the Old Testament,

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 they use a verse or two,

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 but we're intended to think about

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 the bigger,

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 wider section.

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 So what have we read about

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 in Isaiah 40?

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 Well,

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 it's a message to exiles.

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 It's a message of comfort

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 to exiles.

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 And remember,

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 the people in 1 Peter

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 are described as God's elect exiles.

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 And that comfort that comes

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 is that God's word of promise,

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 of salvation,

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 of restoration,

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 that will be kept.

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 That beyond the difficulties,

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 beyond the enemies

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 that they face,

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 there is something stronger

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 and more permanent,

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 the word of God.

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 That the Lord was going to come,

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 that his glory would be revealed,

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 that he would come

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 bringing salvation,

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 that he would be that shepherd

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 who would care for them.

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 And Peter is announcing

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 to his audience

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 and by extension to us,

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 that promise,

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 that comfort is fulfilled

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 in the coming of Jesus.

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 So the life-giving word

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 is the message of the gospel,

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 the message which is all about Jesus,

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 who is the word of God.

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 So God's word gives us life.

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 God's word is our food.

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 Peter says this as well.

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 Chapter 2, verse 2,

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 he continues the new birth image.

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 Like newborn babies,

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 crave pure spiritual milk

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 so that by it you may grow up

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 in your salvation.

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 So when a baby is born,

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 what does it need

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 and what will it scream for?

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 For food, for milk.

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 And Peter says,

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 as Christians,

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 we need a constant supply

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 of spiritual milk

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 in order to grow.

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 That we don't cause ourselves

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 to grow.

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 And spiritually,

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 we need the work of God

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 by his word

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 if we are to have

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 spiritual growth and maturity.

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 And notice that Peter says

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 spiritual growth

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 is necessary for salvation.

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 So we need to grow and develop.

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 But there's good news.

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 We grow in obedience

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 with the grace that God supplies.

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 So we're not left to our own devices

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 to try and grow in obedience.

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 Rather, God supplies grace.

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 God gives his word.

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 God gives his spirit

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 so that we might grow.

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 I'm sure we've heard

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 the expression,

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 you are what you eat.

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 Well, if we apply that to the church,

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 the message is that Christians

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 must be Bible people.

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 We must be consuming God's word,

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 digging deep into it

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 so that it would become who we are.

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 Or as Edmund Clowney,

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 another Bible teacher,

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 says Christians must be addicted

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 to the Bible.

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 That's a striking image, isn't it?

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 Here's the one addiction

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 that is both good and life-giving.

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 We must be addicted to the Bible.

00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.780
 So God's word,

00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:11.480
 it gives life and it is our food.

00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:15.180
 God's word also brings fellowship.

00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:17.660
 That's one aspect of life,

00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:19.340
 brings fellowship.

00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:20.620
 Verse 3,

00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:22.519
 continuing the thought of verse 2,

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.240
 now that you have tasted

00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:27.660
 that the Lord is good.

00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:30.080
 So they've tasted the Lord's goodness,

00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:32.800
 personal experience of the living God,

00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.180
 relationship with God,

00:12:34.660 --> 00:12:36.759
 knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:40.139
 What's the sweetness in the Bible?

00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.100
 It's that we get to know

00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:44.160
 and enjoy God and his words.

00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.679
 Again, to borrow from Edmund Clowney,

00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.159
 coming to the words,

00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:48.939
 coming to the Bible,

00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:51.759
 is coming to the Lord's.

00:12:52.839 --> 00:12:54.100
 We read the Bible

00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:56.360
 to know God better.

00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.259
 Think about that.

00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:59.100
 Think about God's grace

00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:00.240
 in this book.

00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:02.759
 This is God's revelation to us.

00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:04.019
 You want to hear God speak?

00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:05.319
 Then we do that

00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:06.199
 when we read the Bible.

00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.240
 But think about it too

00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.879
 in terms of an invitation.

00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:13.340
 This is an invitation to us

00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:14.340
 as sinful people

00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:17.580
 to enjoy hearing from God,

00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:19.259
 being in the presence of God,

00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:22.299
 receiving life from God.

00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:23.740
 It's a wonderful invitation.

00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:26.200
 So when it comes to Bible reading,

00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.159
 we're not reading

00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.939
 to tick a box

00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:31.220
 in our daily Bible reading planner.

00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.700
 We're not reading the Bible

00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.519
 to learn some morality,

00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.159
 to become a better version of ourself.

00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:38.620
 We're not doing it simply

00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:40.139
 to explore its doctrine or truth.

00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.779
 God's desire in his word

00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.199
 is to reveal his love to us,

00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.699
 to reveal his character to us,

00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:46.519
 to reveal his saving grace,

00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:49.159
 to show us the wonder of Jesus

00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:51.699
 so that we would enjoy him more.

00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.919
 So two implications to recognise

00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:55.980
 in the fact that God's word

00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.539
 is life-giving.

00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:59.819
 One, we must be a Bible teaching,

00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.899
 a Bible-believing church

00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:01.579
 here in Becloot.

00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.980
 The Bible must be central

00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:05.220
 to our public worship

00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:07.580
 and central to our private worship as well.

00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:08.560
 Whenever we gather,

00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:11.879
 we want to be in God's word.

00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:14.639
 Another implication of that

00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:16.500
 is we must submit to all of its truth.

00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.160
 We must hear the whole counsel,

00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:19.259
 the whole wisdom of God

00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.680
 and be willing to submit to it.

00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:21.800
 We want to be a people

00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:23.600
 who delight in the gospel.

00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:25.740
 We see it as truly good news for us

00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:27.000
 and we must be those

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.300
 who would teach it to others,

00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:30.360
 whether that's formally, officially,

00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:32.580
 or whether that's in our families,

00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.340
 parents.

00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:34.879
 Are we passing our faith

00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.759
 on to our children?

00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.639
 Are we reading the Bible

00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.899
 with our children?

00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:40.840
 Whenever we share our faith

00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:41.340
 with others,

00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.700
 as we tell them about Jesus,

00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.899
 we're finding a way

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:46.560
 of sharing the word with them.

00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.519
 So we must be a Bible teaching

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.259
 and believing church.

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:49.879
 And secondly,

00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:52.279
 we must personally

00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:54.000
 be Bible people.

00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:58.720
 not just skimming the surface,

00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:01.759
 not just giving an occasional glance

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.480
 when it's convenient,

00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:04.559
 not simply admiring it

00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.179
 from a distance

00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:05.879
 for its form

00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.700
 or for its poetry,

00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.120
 that we would feast on it,

00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:12.200
 that we would soak in it,

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.919
 that we would pray

00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.240
 that it would be for us

00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.639
 the bread of life,

00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:18.700
 that when people cut us open

00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.320
 aspergencies,

00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:21.320
 we would bleed Bible,

00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:24.280
 that we would read

00:15:24.280 --> 00:15:25.920
 because we want to enjoy

00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:27.200
 friendship with God.

00:15:28.280 --> 00:15:29.080
 That like the disciples,

00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:29.620
 we say to you,

00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.500
 where else would we go?

00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.100
 You alone have the words of life.

00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:36.800
 So there's that one truth.

00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:38.360
 God's word is life-giving.

00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:40.100
 Now let's see that one truth

00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.840
 and how it has its effect.

00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:42.620
 There's two effects

00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.960
 of God's word described here.

00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:46.740
 New love and new longing.

00:15:47.640 --> 00:15:48.980
 So remember our context.

00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.020
 The context is,

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.080
 how will suffering Christians

00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.520
 live holy lives

00:15:52.520 --> 00:15:54.340
 and how will God's word

00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.620
 help them in that?

00:15:56.280 --> 00:15:57.560
 So let's see that connection

00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:59.580
 between living holy lives,

00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.780
 set apart people for God

00:16:01.780 --> 00:16:04.020
 and how God's word helps.

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.139
 Two main commands.

00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:08.139
 First command in verse 22,

00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.160
 love one another deeply.

00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.000
 Let's read verse 22 again.

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.500
 Now that you have purified yourselves

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.540
 by obeying the truth

00:16:15.540 --> 00:16:16.840
 so that you have sincere love

00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.400
 for each other,

00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:19.379
 love one another deeply

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.379
 from the heart.

00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:24.759
 And his point in this section

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.340
 all the way from verse 22 to 25

00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.000
 is this.

00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:29.759
 As people who have been loved by God,

00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:34.039
 as people who have received God's love

00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:36.220
 in his sending Jesus

00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:38.179
 to be their saviour,

00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.899
 people loved by God

00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.480
 should love one another.

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.039
 So he goes to Isaiah 40.

00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.440
 We thought about Isaiah 40.

00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.379
 Remember Isaiah 40,

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.440
 promised salvation

00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.899
 has come.

00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.659
 The connection is

00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:53.460
 that as we have received

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:55.399
 this promised salvation

00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.560
 in our lives,

00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:58.860
 that should fuel then

00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:01.360
 our love for others.

00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:05.259
 Peter wants to get at that

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:07.360
 in the way that he's already

00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:08.500
 written.

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.819
 In the early verses,

00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.779
 he talks about

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.880
 God's people

00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:14.859
 having been chosen

00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:17.180
 according to the foreknowledge

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.059
 of God the Father.

00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.059
 Our salvation

00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.400
 is not an afterthought.

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:20.759
 God,

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.119
 before we were ever made,

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.819
 chose to save us

00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.539
 and he chose

00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.519
 to send his son

00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.480
 to be the saviour.

00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.640
 Peter has told us

00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:30.740
 in verse 18 and 19

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:32.019
 that we are redeemed,

00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:33.000
 that we are set free

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.660
 from our slavery to sin,

00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.940
 our fear of death

00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.000
 and the judgement of God.

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.400
 We're redeemed

00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:40.420
 with the precious blood

00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.000
 of Jesus.

00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.660
 Now we're told

00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.759
 in verse 2

00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.799
 that the Spirit

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:46.619
 has sanctified us.

00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.579
 We've got this washing,

00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:49.119
 we've been set apart

00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:49.799
 from God

00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.579
 and all of this

00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.819
 is an example

00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:54.759
 of God's perfect love

00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.480
 that he shows

00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:59.539
 to his people.

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.339
 And the Bible then,

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:04.220
 it functions as a mirror

00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:06.339
 in the sense that

00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:09.180
 the love that we discover,

00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.559
 the love that we enjoy

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.700
 as we read

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:15.220
 is then to be reflected

00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:17.660
 to those around us

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.640
 and especially

00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.640
 he has in view

00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:21.819
 to our brothers and sisters

00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:23.420
 in the church.

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.299
 It's a picture of life

00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:28.200
 in a church.

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.660
 We are to be a family

00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:31.420
 that is sharing

00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.259
 God's love

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.319
 as the one thing

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.340
 we have in common

00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:35.539
 is that we

00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:37.720
 are sinful people

00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.940
 who've been saved

00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.220
 by a loving God

00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:42.880
 through the precious gift

00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:44.039
 of his son Jesus

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.039
 as the sacrifice

00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.140
 to pay for our sin,

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.840
 to take God's anger

00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.860
 from us

00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:50.420
 onto himself,

00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:52.000
 to give us new life.

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:55.039
 As we have that

00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.640
 in common,

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.420
 we should share

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:57.819
 that love

00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.440
 with one another.

00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:00.920
 And this letter

00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.759
 in part is going to say

00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.019
 remember what a powerful

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.059
 witness that can be

00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.720
 to the world

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.940
 when they see

00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:07.700
 the love of the church.

00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.400
 Especially think about it

00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:10.519
 in our own day,

00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:11.599
 never mind pandemic,

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.359
 but think about how

00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:12.880
 divided

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:14.920
 the world is.

00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.900
 And think about how

00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.839
 many people live

00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.700
 very lonely lives.

00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.720
 We offer a community

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:23.759
 that is marked by

00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:25.059
 self-giving,

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.019
 sacrificial love.

00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.180
 And that's a wonderful thing.

00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.600
 That's an attractive thing.

00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.460
 Peter is saying

00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.539
 how does that love come?

00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.180
 Love for one another?

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.579
 How does it come?

00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.500
 It comes from hearing

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:36.059
 and believing God's word.

00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.259
 How does that love remain?

00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.360
 As we remain

00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.980
 in God's word.

00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.559
 So there's the first command,

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.559
 love one another deeply.

00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.579
 The second command

00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:45.880
 is in chapter 2,

00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.839
 verse 2,

00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:49.339
 long for pure spiritual milk.

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.620
 But before he gets there,

00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.720
 there's a therefore.

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.160
 In light of having received

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:56.299
 the word of the gospel,

00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:57.140
 he says,

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.500
 rid yourselves of.

00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.299
 And then there's that list.

00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.559
 Rid yourself of everything

00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.500
 that's countered,

00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.519
 that's opposed to love.

00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.539
 And so there's that list.

00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.259
 There's malice,

00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.420
 ill will towards someone else,

00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.240
 deceit and hypocrisy,

00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.779
 which is fake love,

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:12.500
 false rather than sincere love,

00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.200
 envy and slander,

00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:16.240
 which ultimately is self-love

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.200
 because we want the good

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.180
 for ourselves

00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:20.240
 over against someone else.

00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.960
 And those qualities

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.740
 are so destructive

00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.759
 in any community

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.700
 and they're so destructive

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:26.259
 in a church.

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.779
 And so Peter says,

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.620
 get rid of those.

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.019
 Now, how do we get rid of them?

00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.359
 And remember,

00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.720
 we're gospel people.

00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.960
 So he says,

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.620
 it's not through self-effort

00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:38.460
 and hard work.

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:38.759
 No,

00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:41.079
 it's a supernatural work of God

00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:43.519
 through his word.

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:46.579
 changing our desires.

00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.039
 Verse three,

00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:49.559
 we've tasted the Lord is good.

00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:51.539
 Now we've got a longing for more.

00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.839
 We want more of God,

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:56.019
 not more of those unloving ways.

00:20:57.619 --> 00:21:00.180
 We've received that spiritual milk

00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.879
 that's brought life

00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:02.079
 and we want to crave it,

00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:03.039
 to long for it,

00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:05.180
 that we have a changed appetite.

00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:08.019
 We recognise that this spiritual milk

00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.519
 is what sustains life.

00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.279
 It's what will bring

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:12.339
 spiritual growth.

00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.720
 And so God's word

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.000
 creates this new longing

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.539
 within us

00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.440
 and that longing

00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.220
 for what is good

00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.879
 and pure and true

00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:19.960
 causes us to get rid

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.480
 of what is false.

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.299
 Holiness comes

00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.139
 as God's word

00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:24.599
 transforms

00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.759
 what we long for

00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.859
 so that we get rid

00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.519
 of the old ways

00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.259
 that we put on

00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.879
 the way of love

00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.579
 because our heart

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.900
 is filled with

00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.619
 what is good

00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.460
 and true.

00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:34.379
 Now,

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.160
 pause to reflect.

00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:38.160
 If you've ever changed

00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.680
 or tried to change your diet,

00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.360
 ease your heart.

00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.600
 We know the answer,

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:43.960
 don't we?

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:46.040
 Training our bodies

00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:47.620
 for a new appetite

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:49.680
 can be a battle.

00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:52.240
 We can find that

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.400
 we can,

00:21:53.560 --> 00:21:54.060
 you know,

00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.580
 have a will

00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:56.300
 to read the Bible,

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:56.920
 but we can become

00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.240
 distracted so easily.

00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.480
 We can find the time

00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.420
 dragging on.

00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.759
 Now we can find it hard

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:05.080
 to maintain our desire.

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.819
 This new longing

00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:08.740
 to be in God's word

00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.819
 and to be changed by it,

00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.980
 it's going to take discipline.

00:22:11.679 --> 00:22:12.539
 To take time

00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:15.460
 to be reading thoughtfully.

00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:17.579
 We're going to face temptation.

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.019
 There's going to be

00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.699
 more comfortable choices

00:22:19.699 --> 00:22:21.220
 to switch on the TV

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:23.119
 or to go on our phone

00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.199
 rather than make time

00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:25.599
 to be in God's word.

00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:28.439
 But we need to pray

00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:30.519
 that he'd give us that desire

00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:32.439
 and that he'd give us that will.

00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:34.120
 Again,

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.200
 before moving on

00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.059
 to make our last point,

00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:37.500
 let me just emphasise again

00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:39.200
 that you and I need

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:41.660
 God to do a supernatural work

00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:43.019
 in us

00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.680
 by his word

00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.980
 if we are

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.380
 to be transformed.

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:48.860
 So,

00:22:49.080 --> 00:22:50.299
 if you're not a Christian,

00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.039
 God must

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.180
 open your eyes

00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:54.799
 to see

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.940
 your need,

00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.220
 to recognise

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.680
 that before God

00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.700
 you are a sinner,

00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.259
 that you are

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.539
 under his judgement,

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.859
 that you deserve

00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:04.379
 condemnation.

00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:06.079
 We all deserve

00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:06.799
 by nature

00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.900
 condemnation

00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.480
 in hell.

00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.819
 Open your eyes.

00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.819
 God must open your eyes

00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.440
 to see

00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:17.460
 his great love

00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:19.359
 that he has sent

00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:19.900
 Jesus

00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.859
 to be your saviour,

00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.420
 to take your sin,

00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.480
 to face

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:26.160
 the just anger of God

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.559
 in your place,

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.639
 to remove

00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.220
 your guilt,

00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.240
 to give you forgiveness

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.339
 and eternal life.

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.779
 God must

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.519
 open your eyes

00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.139
 to see

00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:34.679
 that you must

00:23:34.679 --> 00:23:35.700
 trust Jesus

00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.779
 as your saviour.

00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.259
 So,

00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:38.059
 ask him

00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.679
 to do that

00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.240
 for you.

00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:42.179
 Read and listen,

00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.220
 asking that you

00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.879
 would experience

00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.759
 his power and love

00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.559
 as you do so.

00:23:47.659 --> 00:23:48.700
 And for those of us

00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.359
 who are Christians,

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:49.899
 remember,

00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.399
 God must work

00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:51.859
 in us

00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.539
 to change

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.759
 our appetite

00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:56.059
 for him

00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.759
 and for holiness.

00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.179
 So again,

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.240
 we must ask him

00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.700
 and we must

00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:00.240
 work with him

00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.539
 and we must be

00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.980
 resisting that temptation

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.759
 towards what is

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:05.419
 opposed to God

00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:07.039
 with his help.

00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.619
 Now,

00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:10.720
 having recognised

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:12.500
 with Peter

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.919
 that God's word

00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:14.720
 is life-giving,

00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.799
 that from the beginning

00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.399
 to the end

00:24:16.399 --> 00:24:17.419
 of the Christian life

00:24:17.419 --> 00:24:18.179
 we need the word

00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:18.759
 of God,

00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.440
 as we've recognised

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.240
 that God's word

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.659
 has transforming power

00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:23.240
 to shape

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.339
 our love for others

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.899
 and our longing

00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:25.559
 for holiness,

00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.740
 let's think

00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.240
 about three approaches

00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:30.019
 to God's word

00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.519
 that I hope

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.879
 we'll all find

00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.839
 helpful.

00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.919
 That as we see

00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:37.359
 how much we need

00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.099
 the Bible,

00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.519
 that we would also

00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.619
 have a greater longing

00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:43.099
 to enjoy God

00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:44.599
 in the Bible

00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:46.179
 and that these three

00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:47.240
 approaches might help us.

00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.500
 One,

00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.419
 when we read the Bible,

00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.679
 read humbly.

00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.859
 Remember that

00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:54.519
 coming to the word,

00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.799
 coming to the Bible

00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.460
 is coming to the Lord.

00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.279
 It's not a casual thing,

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.379
 it's a remarkable thing.

00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.920
 So we need to pray

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:04.019
 to prepare our hearts,

00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:05.019
 to prepare our minds.

00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.639
 Also,

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.160
 read humbly,

00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.519
 recognising this privilege,

00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.299
 our creator

00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.579
 has revealed himself,

00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.299
 our creator

00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.480
 invites us in.

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.339
 This is a gift

00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.960
 of his love

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.879
 and his grace.

00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.740
 Read humbly,

00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.200
 too,

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.500
 in being willing

00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.359
 to submit

00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:23.440
 and to obey,

00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:25.120
 to recognise

00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.700
 God is God,

00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.700
 Jesus is Lord

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:30.200
 and that his word

00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.799
 is true

00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.519
 and must be obeyed

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.799
 whether we like it or not.

00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.960
 That we would let

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.960
 the Bible shape us

00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.099
 rather than have us

00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.940
 trying to shape

00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.500
 the Bible

00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.880
 to what is convenient

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.200
 for us.

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.240
 Read humbly.

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.319
 Secondly,

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.819
 read hopefully.

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.220
 Pray like the psalmist,

00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.960
 open our eyes

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.339
 to see wonderful things

00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:49.960
 in your word.

00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.579
 Pray that before you read.

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.039
 Pray that as you're reading.

00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.380
 Stop what you're reading.

00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.680
 When the spirit

00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:58.079
 speaks something to you,

00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.220
 stop and pray about that.

00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:00.839
 After reading,

00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.660
 pray

00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:03.500
 so that the truth

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.339
 wouldn't be lost

00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:04.839
 in the ether

00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.940
 as soon as we shut

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.839
 our Bibles.

00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.120
 Read hopefully

00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.740
 with a sense of expectation

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.420
 because remember,

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.279
 the spirit who inspired

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.779
 the Bible,

00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.799
 what does the spirit

00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.259
 want to do?

00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:16.160
 The spirit wants to show us

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.880
 more of the glory

00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.400
 of Jesus,

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.500
 more of the glory

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.380
 of God our Father.

00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.400
 That's his delight

00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.920
 and so he'll use the word

00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.980
 to do that in us

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.740
 and for us.

00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.180
 Read hopefully too,

00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.540
 recognising

00:26:27.540 --> 00:26:29.560
 that by God's grace,

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.680
 with the help of the spirit,

00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.759
 you can change.

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.080
 Peter has said

00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:36.640
 God's word brings new life.

00:26:37.080 --> 00:26:38.400
 It brings heart change.

00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:40.140
 It brings appetite change.

00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:42.380
 It brings moral change.

00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:44.140
 So we can change.

00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:45.080
 We don't have to be stuck

00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.240
 in the same patterns,

00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.280
 the same patterns

00:26:47.280 --> 00:26:48.780
 of sin and disobedience.

00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:50.160
 So be willing to listen,

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.560
 be willing to confess sin,

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.780
 be willing to obey

00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:54.280
 as we're led by the spirit.

00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.600
 So read humbly

00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.360
 and read hopefully

00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:58.280
 and thirdly,

00:26:58.780 --> 00:27:00.580
 read hungrily.

00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.640
 Never outgrow

00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:06.560
 our most basic need,

00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:08.160
 that desperate need

00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:09.300
 we have for God

00:27:09.300 --> 00:27:11.400
 to speak to us,

00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.680
 for God

00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.940
 to teach us

00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.840
 more of himself

00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:16.320
 and more of how we are

00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:16.860
 to live,

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.120
 to ask God

00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.440
 to lift our eyes

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:21.000
 to see the hope

00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.800
 that we have,

00:27:22.280 --> 00:27:23.480
 the inheritance

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.100
 that we have,

00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.280
 the identity

00:27:25.280 --> 00:27:26.100
 that we have

00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:27.000
 as those

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.480
 who are

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:29.420
 belonging to

00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:31.060
 God

00:27:31.060 --> 00:27:32.780
 through the work

00:27:32.780 --> 00:27:34.100
 of his son,

00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.560
 Jesus.

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.519
 Read hungrily

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.480
 and make this

00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:39.299
 our regular diet.

00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:42.039
 You know,

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.000
 as well as I do,

00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:44.160
 there are not many things

00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.920
 that both taste good

00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:48.000
 and are good

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.619
 for us.

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.779
 It tends to be

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.539
 very much

00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.539
 an opposite.

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.500
 If it tastes really good,

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.279
 it's probably really bad

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.619
 for us.

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.299
 Not so with the Bible.

00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.960
 The Bible is the ultimate

00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.680
 example of something

00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:00.039
 that tastes sweet

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.859
 and is life-giving.

00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.559
 So let's not

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.619
 starve ourselves.

00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:06.799
 let's not

00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.179
 limit ourselves.

00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.099
 Rather,

00:28:10.239 --> 00:28:11.199
 let's enjoy

00:28:11.199 --> 00:28:12.619
 God

00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.619
 in his word,

00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.579
 asking him

00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:17.019
 to change us,

00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.859
 to shape us,

00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:19.179
 to transform us,

00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.479
 to meet with us

00:28:20.479 --> 00:28:21.519
 every time we read.

00:28:22.939 --> 00:28:24.000
 Whoever you are,

00:28:24.719 --> 00:28:25.399
 wherever you are,

00:28:25.459 --> 00:28:26.279
 whatever your story

00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.059
 up until this point,

00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.199
 I can say with confidence,

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.000
 not being able to see

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.859
 anybody,

00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:32.239
 you need

00:28:32.239 --> 00:28:33.959
 to meet with God

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:35.740
 as your most basic

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:37.039
 and you need

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.559
 God

00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.980
 to meet with you.

00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.480
 And both of those

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.220
 happen

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.740
 through his

00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.360
 living

00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.279
 word.

00:28:47.620 --> 00:28:48.539
 So let's

00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.299
 take it

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.340
 and let's

00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.059
 read it

00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.220
 and let's find

00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.380
 life in it

00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.100
 and from it.

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.140
 Let's find

00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.620
 Jesus,

00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.319
 the one who is

00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.920
 the way

00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.940
 and the truth

00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.980
 and the life

00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.480
 in his word.

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.980
 it.

00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:05.599
 So let's

00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.360
 see you

00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:08.220
 as

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.779
 as

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.799
 people

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.279
 as

00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.500
 sit

00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.000
 to

00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:24.599
 and

00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.079
 start

00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.279
 by