WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.400 morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:11.779 Church and it's my joy to bring God's word to you. A special welcome if you're new or visiting with 00:00:11.779 --> 00:00:16.000 us. We're glad that you're here and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:21.699 seats but because we're following Jesus together as one community. And as we follow Jesus together 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:27.640 we become convinced there's no one so good they don't need God's grace and no one so bad they 00:00:27.640 --> 00:00:33.380 can't have it which is why we turn week after week to hear from God in his word because we believe 00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:40.100 that God has something to say to everyone. And so I invite you to turn with me now we're continuing our 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:45.859 series in the book of 2nd Peter. We're nearing the end and we're again in 2nd Peter chapter 3 and 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:53.719 you'll remember that 2nd Peter is a letter written by a man named Peter and he writes it to a church 00:00:53.719 --> 00:01:00.820 somewhere in the Roman Empire in the 60s AD. Peter writes this letter with one hope, one desire. 00:01:01.479 --> 00:01:08.200 He wants these people to grow. And as we've seen he wants them to grow in two ways. He wants them to 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:14.620 grow in grace and he wants them to grow in knowledge. We've been looking at chapters 2 and 3 which address 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:18.819 the danger of the false teachers and you'll remember the false teachers are threatening both of these 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:23.299 things. They are threatening knowledge and they're threatening grace. And in threatening knowledge 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:28.780 they're attacking two things in particular. They are attacking the authority and reliability of the Bible 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:34.219 and they're also attacking the reality of Jesus' second coming. They've been saying, and this is what we've 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:40.879 been looking at, that Jesus is not coming back. His judgment is not real. And for that reason 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:45.500 Peter's been teaching us about his judgment, his second coming, and that's what we looked at last week 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:51.060 when we were in verses 10 through 13. We looked at the end of the world and we saw there's going to be 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:57.719 two stages. It's going to be stripped down and remade. We are going to have a new heavens and a new earth. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:04.740 It's going to be renewed and restored. And we saw as one theologian says, it's not new, it's new in quality, 00:02:05.240 --> 00:02:09.900 not new in time or origin. And I explained that using the illustration of the new kitchen, right? 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:15.340 It's new in its quality, it's not new in its location. That's what we think about when we see the new 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:20.800 heavens and the new earth being restored. This week we're only moving forward one verse. So last 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:26.340 week we looked at 10 through 13. Now we're looking at 11 through 14. And so we're going to cover some 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:31.240 of the same ground. But remember we did not look at verse 11 at all last week and we didn't look at 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:35.520 part of verse 12. And so that's going to be our focus this morning. And I have a different question 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:39.960 for you today. Last week I asked you, what do you think the end of the world is going to look like? 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:46.659 This week I want you to think about this. Why do we care what the end of the world is going to look 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:54.860 like? Why does it matter? Why does the Bible tell us about it? Many people have different answers for 00:02:54.860 --> 00:03:00.260 this. Some people are interested in the end of the world just out of curiosity. Some people are 00:03:00.260 --> 00:03:07.080 interested because it's fascinating, it's interesting, it's exciting. Some people are interested in the end of 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:12.020 the world because it's a good distraction. Some of it I think it's something that God's put in the heart 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:16.240 of man. So of course Christians are not the only ones who think about or talk about the end of the 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:21.100 world. Some Christians come to discussions about the end of the world and they think it's about predicting 00:03:21.100 --> 00:03:26.760 the date and the time. They're into numerology. They're obsessed with figuring out the exact date of 00:03:26.760 --> 00:03:31.760 Jesus' return. Of course that's inconvenient because in the Gospel of Matthew we're told that even Jesus 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:36.539 doesn't know. And so those who are seeking numerology to figure out the exact timing of 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:41.379 Jesus' return have missed the point and are trying to find out something that even our Lord and Savior 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:49.479 and his humanity was unaware of. But we're told in this passage verses 11 through 14 why it is that God 00:03:49.479 --> 00:03:56.259 wants us to know about the end of the world. In fact we're told in verse 11 and we're told in verse 14. 00:03:56.259 --> 00:04:03.060 We see the word since twice. Since the end of the world is coming, verse 11, live lives of holiness and 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:12.159 godliness. Verse 14, since these things are coming, be diligent to be found without spot or blemish. 00:04:13.139 --> 00:04:19.959 In other words, the purpose, the reason that the Bible has us study the end times is not so that we 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:28.259 would know how many cans of tuna to stockpile. It is in fact that we would live lives of holiness and godliness. 00:04:28.500 --> 00:04:38.419 It is not so that we are building a bunker, but instead that we would understand God's call for growth on our 00:04:38.419 --> 00:04:42.939 lives. And of course this goes with the logic of this entire book. I've been telling you all along that knowledge 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:48.600 and grace go together. Why do we have knowledge of the end times? So that we would grow in grace. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:55.079 And so it's with that that we turn to 2 Peter chapter 3 verses 11 through 14. We have a fun 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:59.740 challenge this morning which is one of the challenges of the Christian life to be able to talk about the 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:06.600 importance, the necessity of holiness without falling into legalism. And so it's with that that I invite 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:12.700 you to turn with me either in your worship guide or your phone or on your Bible or in chapter 3 verse 11. 00:05:12.960 --> 00:05:19.040 And no matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. In Proverbs chapter 30 verse 5 tells us 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:26.540 every word of God proves true. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. And so that's why we read now 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:33.080 starting at verse 11. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:40.839 in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God, because of which 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:48.000 the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn. But according 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:54.379 to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:56.259 Verse 14. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:06:01.979 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:09.900 without spot or blemish and at peace. I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's 00:06:09.900 --> 00:06:17.200 word. Our Father in heaven, we thank you again as we do every week for your word that you've given 00:06:17.200 --> 00:06:23.840 to us, that you speak to us. And we also ask for your help. We know that we need the Holy Spirit to 00:06:23.840 --> 00:06:29.920 understand what you've given us. And so we ask for that help this morning, that you'd give us the 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:35.220 spirit, you'd pour out the spirit on us, that we would be able to see and hear and clearly understand 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:41.800 and believe what you have written for us in your word. We are grateful that we don't have to worry 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:47.100 about earning or deserving these things, but instead we look to Jesus and his life of holiness 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:51.260 and godliness. And we ask these things in his name. Amen. 00:06:55.760 --> 00:07:01.180 If you are familiar at all, as I know many of you are, with the Star Wars universe, 00:07:01.740 --> 00:07:07.460 you know that there is a special group, a special brand of Star Wars fans. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:13.799 And these folks call themselves the 501st Legion. They're unofficial. I didn't realize I was going 00:07:13.799 --> 00:07:21.959 to get that kind of response. The 501st Legion, and they specialize in creating and wearing what is 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:28.759 called a screen-accurate Star Wars costumes. In other words, these are not Halloween costumes that 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:36.199 you buy at Walmart. These are precise, detailed, authentic Star Wars costumes. 00:07:37.459 --> 00:07:41.879 And of course, most of what they do is charity work, and they build and wear these costumes. They 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:46.419 don't have a lot of opportunities to use them in other ways, but they came into the news back in 00:07:46.419 --> 00:07:53.419 2019 because of the filming of The Mandalorian. Turns out, Disney did not have enough Stormtrooper 00:07:53.419 --> 00:07:59.659 costumes. And in a moment of genius, they decided they weren't going to pay to develop more Stormtrooper 00:07:59.659 --> 00:08:06.439 costumes, so they recruited a 501st Legion to help them with the filming. And so these individuals got to 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:13.259 live a dream, right? They've been building these costumes. They have them mostly for show, and then 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:20.180 suddenly, they get to bring them into action. They get to be extras in The Mandalorian. They get the 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:26.920 thrill of being part of the universe that they prepared for. Of course, it also raises a question for us. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:34.419 Why would they spend so much time building and investing in these costumes? Should not surprise you that 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:42.979 these are not cheap? Okay, there's a reason they're called a screen accurate. Well, I think it's a simple 00:08:42.979 --> 00:08:48.319 answer why they would spend so much time living and building and working towards these things, which is 00:08:48.319 --> 00:08:57.299 this. There is a love that they have for another world. There's a love that they have for another world 00:08:57.299 --> 00:09:05.139 that causes them to do work for and towards this world. They love it. They build for it. Suddenly, they 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:14.000 get to be brought into it. They're real characters. Peter also here tells us about a love for another 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:20.019 world. I've told you before, when we look at the Bible, repetition really matters. And we see repetition 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:27.720 here in this passage in verse 11 and 13 and 14. We're told we are waiting for something. 00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:35.740 Sorry, verse 12. Verse 12, 13 and 14. Verse 12 starts out, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:42.480 Verse 13, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth. Verse 14, 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:53.000 beloved, since you are waiting for these. There is a longing, an anticipation, a looking forward to 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:57.759 for the Christian, the new heavens and the new earth. What they are looking for and longing for, 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:05.039 we are told explicitly. Verse 12, the coming day of God. Verse 13, what comes with that coming day of God? 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:11.120 The new heavens and the new earth. Verse 14, they are waiting for these. Referring back to verse 13, 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:20.079 the new heavens and the new earth. The Christian is a person who has caught a vision, a love for another 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:27.159 world. They are looking forward to it. It's something that's captured their mind and their imagination. 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:37.879 It's a future, right, that they want brought into the present. And so as we talk about what is a 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:49.059 challenging topic, holiness in the Christian life. Holiness comes, at least in part here in this passage, 00:10:49.059 --> 00:11:00.979 as Christians long for heaven. Holiness comes as Christians long for heaven. They love another world. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:07.679 There's something about that other world that has captured their imagination. And in fact, this is the 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:15.559 command here that Peter is giving. This description of them they're waiting for. Another way we might 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:22.679 translate this is anticipate, looking forward to. This is something they think about. The Christian's 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:32.419 imagination is captured by heaven. They think about the new heavens and the new earth. There is a joy 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:37.819 that comes to them for imagining what this place of righteousness will be like. And so what we're going 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:41.979 to do this morning, at least in the beginning, is we are going to do what Peter tells us to do. 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:50.200 Christian, think on, love, look forward to the new heavens and the new earth. Let it capture your 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:57.279 imagination. Let it be something that takes up your mind and your thoughts. And because I want to stop 00:11:57.279 --> 00:12:00.899 with you for a second, and I want you to think about what the new heavens and the new earth are going to 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:08.860 be like. What would be good and glorious about a world in which righteousness dwells? 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:15.259 And in fact, another question you could ask is, what's your vision of paradise? 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:22.120 What's going to be glorious about a world where righteousness dwells? 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:27.840 For some people, their view of paradise is going to be something that's beautiful in terms of creation. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:32.899 Paradise, of course, will be something like that. Maybe you imagine palm trees and a beach. 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:37.460 Maybe you imagine a cabin in the middle of nowhere in the mountains. 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:41.879 The problem is that's an incomplete view of paradise. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:47.960 Because, of course, even if you have those things, it doesn't mean righteousness dwells there. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:52.940 There's this quote that I love from a movie called The Descendants. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:55.900 It came out about, I think, I want to say 10 years ago. 00:12:56.420 --> 00:12:59.220 And it's about this man, played by George Clooney, who lives in Hawaii. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:02.300 And he's dealing with the fallout from his wife's tragic death. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:07.500 And as the movie starts, he talks about the misconceptions that people have about Hawaii. 00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:10.540 And that is that they think that it's simply this paradise. 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.500 And he says this, 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:14.620 Do they think we're immune to life? 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:19.379 How can they possibly think our families are less screwed up? 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:22.080 Our cancers less fatal? 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:25.159 Our heartaches less painful? 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:30.139 In other words, Hawaii is a beautiful place. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:33.700 But righteousness doesn't dwell there. 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:42.980 And so, as we think about the new heavens and the new earth, as our imaginations are caught up by it, 00:13:43.280 --> 00:13:46.400 it is something more than just beauty in creation. 00:13:46.640 --> 00:13:51.300 It is the beauty of God's righteousness being full in that place. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:53.160 And so I want you to imagine with me. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:56.160 I want you to do what the author of this book, 00:13:56.159 --> 00:14:01.779 I want you to do what Peter is calling us to, to think about, to set our minds on how beautiful it would be 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:04.240 to live in a place where righteousness dwells. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:08.259 Yes, there's going to be an end to tears and sickness, right? 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:14.179 There's also going to be an end to sin and the way it affects us every day. 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:16.799 And so here's just a few examples. 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:21.899 One of my favorites comes from a man who explains that when we go to heaven, 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:25.299 we're not going to worry about food anymore. 00:14:26.359 --> 00:14:27.939 That doesn't mean we won't enjoy food. 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.959 It doesn't mean we won't love food. 00:14:30.459 --> 00:14:34.759 But people in heaven, they don't worry about eating too little or too much. 00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:39.839 Food is not something that shame is associated with for them. 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:43.859 Food is only something that they enjoy. 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:48.340 That's what happens in a place where righteousness dwells. 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:52.259 In a place where righteousness dwells, 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:55.740 men and women only celebrate each other's differences. 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:01.200 It is not a place of tension and strife. 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.259 Okay, think about this. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:05.180 Let these things capture your imagination. 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.920 This is what we're looking forward to. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.820 In a place where righteousness dwells, 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:15.160 there will be peace between people of different races. 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:20.720 There will be humility when people from different cultures interact with each other. 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.860 There will no longer be tension. 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:26.820 That's what happens in a place where righteousness dwells. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.660 If you know someone right now, 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:33.000 if you are someone who's tempted towards gossip, 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:36.060 you love to tear other people down. 00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:37.860 That's how you deal with your insecurities. 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.860 In the place where righteousness dwells, 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:47.060 we are what Ephesians chapter 3 talks about as being rooted and grounded in love. 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:52.480 That person has a new sense of security and calm to them. 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:57.620 They're able to interact with people only to give to them, right? 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.960 Not for what they can take away. 00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:02.500 They are resting in God and his love. 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:04.059 That's what paradise looks like. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:08.379 That's what it looks like to be in a place where righteousness dwells. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:13.340 Heaven, the place where righteousness dwells, 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:15.759 is going to be a place of sexual integrity. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:21.899 In heaven, no one will hold their keys between their fingers when they walk to their car. 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:28.340 In heaven, the place where righteousness dwells, 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:30.539 when people interact with each other, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:33.059 there will be a purity between them. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:38.799 There will be the ability for everyone to look each other in the eyes without shame. 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:44.519 There will be the ability to treat people as fully human, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:46.100 who God created them to be. 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:48.340 There will be no dehumanizing of people. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:53.000 That's what paradise is going to look like. 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:57.800 People in heaven won't be lonely. 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.660 Loneliness is a result of sin, right? 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:05.000 Part of what happens with sin is that there's an alienation. 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:07.880 There's an alienation between us and God. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.700 Our relationship with God is broken. 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:13.920 And so, of course, that flows out into our relationships with other people. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:18.600 But that's not going to be true in heaven. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:21.200 In heaven, there's going to be unity. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:24.820 People are going to have that wonderful feeling that comes 00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:28.039 when you're with a group of people that you're close to. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:32.240 You're able to spend quality time with them, enjoying each other. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:36.300 And you're going to work without strife towards a common vision. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:39.899 That's going to be true of heaven. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:45.240 That is what it's going to look like in the world where righteousness dwells. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:51.879 And so that is our first step here as we work towards holiness, right? 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:55.139 The person whose imagination is captured by this, 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:57.299 whose heart is captured by this, 00:17:57.299 --> 00:18:01.919 their desire is for them to see as much of that as they can now. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:09.420 They want holiness because they love that place where righteousness dwells. 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:13.320 They're not motivated by shame or legalism. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:16.400 They're motivated by a love and a longing and a desire. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.420 You see this in people even today, right? 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:20.420 You know someone they love to go to the beach? 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:23.039 What are they going to have at their house? 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.940 Maybe they have some seashells out, right? 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:29.039 You don't walk into a house with someone who has seashells 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:30.460 and think, that person is so uptight. 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.380 They're such a legalist. 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:35.120 They're just really wound tight about the beach. 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.680 No, a person loves the beach. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:40.259 Of course they want as much of it as they can get now. 00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:42.779 Christian, the same is true for you. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:47.320 Our hearts and minds as believers are captured by the new heavens and the new earth. 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:50.060 And so we want holiness in our lives now 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:53.680 because we want as much of heaven as we can get. 00:18:55.660 --> 00:19:00.019 That's what it means to be captured by love for another world. 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:03.879 That is what these people are being reminded of. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.940 They are to look forward. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:10.660 They are to be waiting for the new heavens and the new earth. 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:13.299 Of course they would want holiness. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:17.799 Of course they would want lives of godliness. 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:23.519 And so we see here not just that there's a longing, but there's also a working. 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:27.579 Because they want to see it, they're working for it. 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:32.779 Verse 11, they're meant to be people with lives of holiness and godliness. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:37.159 And then we're told even more explicitly in verse 14, they're to be diligent for this. 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:40.279 There's a work, there's an effort towards this. 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:44.360 They should want holiness and do what it takes to get there. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:50.180 Remember I told you earlier that this 501st Legion, when they dress up, 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:53.100 these costumes are not cheap, right? 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:56.060 In fact, if you look at the news articles, 00:19:56.420 --> 00:20:01.120 some of these individuals had costumes that were higher quality than what Disney produced. 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:06.279 And so it was actually a gain, right, for the Mandalorian to have them as extras. 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.339 Why? 00:20:08.239 --> 00:20:10.359 Why were their costumes so good? 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:13.519 Was it because they were neurotic? 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:17.539 Were they just like plagued with guilt? 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:22.299 Were they consumed by self-righteousness? 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.299 No. 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:31.099 They had the best costumes because their minds and their hearts and their imaginations 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:33.099 had been captured by that world. 00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:38.679 Brothers and sisters, we long and work hard for holiness 00:20:38.679 --> 00:20:42.699 because our minds and our hearts have been captured by heaven. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:50.519 And so, of course, if that is what we want, that is what we work for. 00:20:50.679 --> 00:20:53.939 Christians work for holiness because we long for heaven. 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:59.759 Christians want as much of it now as we can get. 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:08.019 People who love heaven want as much righteousness as they can have. 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:13.319 People who love Star Wars, they want to dress in the clothes of that world. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:17.039 We, as Christians, want to dress in the clothes of the world to come. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:22.019 Those are clothes, Peter tells us, of holiness and righteousness. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:24.099 Holiness and godliness. 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:28.019 That is what it means to dress like the world that is to come. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:33.420 Now, this morning, I'm putting an emphasis on looking forward. 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:38.720 Because of our limitations on time, I'm not going to dig as deep into being diligent. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:41.639 We're now on our second sermon, basically, on this section. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.639 If we wanted to, we could go into a third sermon. 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:48.940 Part of my hope and my confidence as a pastor is that as we work through sections of the Bible, 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:52.900 as we go through books, all the way from beginning to end, 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:56.240 as we preach the whole counsel of God, we'll get everything that we need. 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.160 So I'll simply say this. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:22:02.500 I've talked before about the importance and what it looks like to be diligent in pursuing holiness. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:06.859 We looked at it in detail when we were in Nehemiah chapter 10. 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:10.319 So if you want to dig deep into being diligent in pursuing holiness, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.500 go down into the details of that. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:14.559 I encourage you to go back and listen to that sermon. 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:18.640 I would be preaching two sermons today if we went in to be diligent. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:23.339 So my goal this morning is that you would understand the motivation for our holiness, 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:25.700 that we're captured by this vision of the world to come. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:28.359 And yes, it involves being diligent. 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:31.819 If you want to dig deep into that, that's something we've talked about before. 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:36.140 Because here at this church, we're convinced of the importance of going through the Bible, 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:38.980 book by book, verse by verse, passage by passage. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:44.839 And so we have many times to talk about holiness, what it means, and how we pursue it. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:50.640 So we said this, those who are diligent, there's a commitment to change. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:54.680 If we're pursuing holiness, it's going to require action, right? 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:57.000 It's going to require faith, it's going to require sacrifice. 00:22:57.860 --> 00:23:02.680 The same is true for people who want their costumes to be good. 00:23:04.040 --> 00:23:07.480 People who love the world that's to come. 00:23:07.540 --> 00:23:08.740 Is this out of legalism? 00:23:10.040 --> 00:23:12.740 No, it's because we can't wait. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.339 We can't wait. 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:18.519 We can't wait to see as much righteousness as we can. 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:25.839 Okay, I'm also going to take a quick aside here to address one strange thing that I'd be remiss not to address, 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:30.279 which is that we're told that we can hasten the world that is to come. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:33.559 Verse 12, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.339 Now this sounds strange, right? 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:40.099 It sounds like that somehow it's up to us whether the new heavens and the new earth come. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.939 I'm simply going to explain it this way. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.939 You already believe this. 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:48.500 You actually already believe that you can speed up Jesus' return. 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.339 Here's how I know. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:53.039 You prayed for it earlier this morning. 00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:58.639 You prayed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:02.019 So either you were insincere in that prayer, 00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:04.419 you didn't realize what you were praying, 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:09.519 or you believe that we can actually bring God's return sooner. 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.600 Because God answers prayer, right? 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.980 And we prayed for that in the Lord's Prayer. 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.900 Does that threaten God's sovereignty? 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.759 Only if prayer threatens God's sovereignty. 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.539 So if you believe in prayer, 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:26.740 you have no problem believing that our actions affect Jesus' return. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:30.840 As I've said before, God works through prayer in his sovereignty. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.120 It's not a threat to his sovereignty. 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:36.839 This passage is simply telling us what we already know from the Lord's Prayer. 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:39.859 We can pray in faith knowing that prayer changes things, 00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:43.839 that God's kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:46.039 So we don't need to be afraid of that phrase hastening. 00:24:46.939 --> 00:24:48.319 As strange as it may sound to us, 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:52.919 it's not a threat to God's sovereignty any more than prayer is a threat to God's sovereignty. 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:55.880 If you believe in prayer, no problem believing in that. 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:58.480 It might raise the question, how do we hasten the day? 00:24:58.580 --> 00:25:00.840 Well, Jesus tells us, remember, that he's going to come 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:02.720 when all the nations have heard the gospel. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.600 So our work in missions is part of that. 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:10.380 We just established we believe that our prayer matters. 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:14.320 So when we gather together as Christians on Sunday morning, 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.100 and we pray the Lord's Prayer together, 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.920 we are obeying this here. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:22.420 We are hastening the coming of the day of God. 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.980 Okay, that's all I'm going to say about that. 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:26.960 Lord's Prayer, take what you understand from the Lord's Prayer, 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.259 transfer it over to here. 00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:32.660 Finally, we have another difficult thing here in verse 14. 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:35.519 We're told to be found without spot or blemish. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:40.340 This, of course, sounds like we're supposed to be perfect, right, 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.259 for Jesus to return. 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:45.759 Somehow, him coming and finding us has to do with our works. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:52.680 Well, again, why was it that the 501st Legion 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:55.000 was chosen to take part in the Mandalorian? 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:59.359 They looked like stormtroopers. 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:04.480 And at the danger of beating a dead horse, 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:06.160 how did they know to look like stormtroopers? 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.559 They had knowledge. 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:10.460 And so at the coming of the filming, 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.460 they were found to be ready. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:16.799 This is not telling us here that we need to be perfect. 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:19.180 Of course, we know that we struggle with sin 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.759 to the end of our lives. 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:25.559 But we are to be found as people who are pursuing 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:27.240 and loving godliness and holiness. 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:29.460 Spotless and blameless here 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:32.100 is the opposite of the false teachers. 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.620 It's not be found perfect. 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:37.420 It is be found doing what this verse tells us to do. 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:40.920 Be found longing for God's new heavens and new earth. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:45.180 Be working, be loving the world where righteousness dwells. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.060 This Legion, right? 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.060 They were prepared. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.580 They were ready to be found. 00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:54.240 Brothers and sisters, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:56.539 when our Lord and Savior returns, 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:58.700 will we be ready to be found? 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:05.320 Will we be found living lives of holiness and godliness? 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:09.299 They were found ready, right? 00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:11.679 And they were pulled up into the greater drama. 00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:15.019 They got to finally live out the world 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.240 that they've been longing for. 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:19.720 The same is true for us. 00:27:20.439 --> 00:27:23.299 God's grace is at work in our lives, 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:25.359 creating holiness and godliness. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:28.279 We're living towards heaven now 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:30.779 so that we can take part in it in the future. 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:40.240 Be found without spot or blemish and at peace. 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:45.740 Finally, you may have noticed the word that's repeated here 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:48.259 that we've seen a few times before in 2 Peter, 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.700 and it's the idea of a promise. 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:53.440 We saw in 2 Peter 1, verse 4, 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:55.420 remember I gave you a long time ago, 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:59.019 the illustration of the child buying presents for his father 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.519 with the money his father gave him. 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:03.480 And I told you that the money our heavenly father gives us 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.460 is his promises. 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:07.359 All the way back in chapter 1. 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:09.139 Chapter 3, verse 4, 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:10.379 remember the false teachers say, 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:14.039 where is the promise of his coming? 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:17.619 And what are we told to bank on now 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:19.960 as we long for this world to come? 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.119 Verse 13, 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:25.099 according to his promise. 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:29.159 We are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth. 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:32.039 And of course, we know this not just from Peter, 00:28:32.699 --> 00:28:36.299 but we also know it from our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:37.159 who tells us, 00:28:37.439 --> 00:28:39.559 I'm turning now to John chapter 4 now, 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.259 he tells us, 00:28:40.379 --> 00:28:41.959 gives us a promise. 00:28:43.699 --> 00:28:44.599 He says this, 00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:46.359 in my father's house are many rooms. 00:28:46.459 --> 00:28:47.219 If it were not so, 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:49.639 would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:52.640 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:54.860 I will come again and will take you to myself, 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.259 that where I am, 00:28:56.340 --> 00:28:57.259 you may also be. 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:01.800 Jesus has promised that he's preparing a place for us. 00:29:02.320 --> 00:29:04.160 It's his promise of a new heavens 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:06.240 and a new earth that we rely on. 00:29:06.300 --> 00:29:07.800 And then he tells us again, 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:11.180 John chapter 14, verse 15, 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.600 if you love me, 00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:14.700 you will keep my commandments. 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:18.040 Why do we live lives of holiness? 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:20.259 Because we love another world. 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.039 If you love me, 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:23.099 you will keep my commandments. 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.899 But it's not legalism, 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.980 because Jesus tells us 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.579 he's going to work it out in our lives. 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:30.000 That's verse 15, verse 16. 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.639 And I will ask the Father, 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:33.039 and he will give you another helper 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.200 to be with you forever, 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:36.259 even the spirit of truth, 00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:38.099 whom the world cannot receive, 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:40.559 because it neither sees him nor knows him. 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.000 You know him, 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:43.200 for he dwells with you 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.720 and will be with you. 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:47.019 He's given us, 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.819 Jesus has left, 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:49.259 he's given us his Holy Spirit 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.740 to work out that holiness 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:53.180 and godliness in our lives. 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.059 And then he says this, 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.339 I will not leave you as orphans, 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.240 I will come to you. 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.019 Yet a little while, 00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:59.519 and the world will see me no more, 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.640 but you will see me. 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.400 Because I live, 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.480 you also will live. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.039 In that day, 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:06.920 you will know that I am in my Father, 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.600 and you in me, 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.299 and I in you. 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:11.400 Whoever has my commandments 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.540 and keeps them, 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:16.380 he it is who loves me. 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.900 And he who loves me 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.360 will be loved by my Father, 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.660 and I will love him 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.780 and manifest myself to him. 00:30:25.800 --> 00:30:27.200 If you love me, 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:29.300 you will keep my commandments. 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:34.500 And I will give you another helper 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.540 to be with you forever, 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.980 even the spirit of truth. 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:39.680 Brothers and sisters, 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:42.039 we long for another world 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:44.039 because we love Jesus. 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:47.299 We want him. 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:49.960 We want as much of that world 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:51.180 as we can get now, 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.039 and we know 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:54.299 we can't do it on our own, 00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:55.759 but we look to and rely 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.920 on the Holy Spirit 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:58.680 to work out that love 00:30:58.680 --> 00:31:00.579 and longing in our hearts, 00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.819 in our lives. 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:04.240 Remember that we're saved 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.819 by grace through faith alone, 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:08.079 and those God saves, 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.220 he sanctifies. 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.639 Those who love Jesus 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:13.339 keep his commandments. 00:31:16.439 --> 00:31:18.200 There's a book 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.539 from a long time ago 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.319 that's now become 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.139 a little bit more popular 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:22.259 because there was a movie 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.339 made out of it 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.460 called Cheaper by the Dozen. 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:25.839 And the reason it's called 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.579 Cheaper by the Dozen, 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:26.939 of course, 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:28.139 is because it's about a family 00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:29.220 that has 12 kids. 00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:31.159 And the father brags 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:32.819 that he's able to make it work 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.460 with 12 kids 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:36.220 because it's Cheaper by the Dozen. 00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:38.299 Now, many people know 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.140 about Cheaper by the Dozen. 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.200 What they don't know about 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.740 is the second book, 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.220 the sequel, 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:43.420 that was not made into a movie. 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.360 Well, it may have been made 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:45.440 into a movie a long time ago, 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.319 but not a recent one. 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.500 And the sequel 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:49.079 follows the death 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.640 of the father, 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.279 the patriarch, 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:50.819 and it's called 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.759 Bells on Their Toes. 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.900 And near the end 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:55.059 of these children being raised, 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.880 they get to 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:58.180 the youngest of all 12, 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.600 and her name is Jane. 00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:02.400 And Jane's brothers decide 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.640 as she gets to high school 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:05.140 that they want her 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.740 to be the most successful 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:08.100 high school student possible. 00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:10.180 They want her to show up 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.019 to ninth grade 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:12.320 and be on top of the world. 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:13.900 And so they begin 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.740 to teach her 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:16.440 what she needs to know 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.860 to be successful, 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:19.920 to succeed, 00:32:20.080 --> 00:32:21.080 especially socially. 00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:23.000 And so there's one thing, 00:32:23.060 --> 00:32:23.720 there's some advice 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.220 that they give her 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.400 that seems counterintuitive, 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.380 and she pushes back 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:27.380 on it a little bit, 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.640 and that is that 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:30.040 they want her to dress 00:32:30.040 --> 00:32:31.320 in a way that's different 00:32:31.320 --> 00:32:32.660 from all the other students 00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:33.280 in the high school. 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.360 Because they know 00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:36.880 something she doesn't know. 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.400 They know how 00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:39.320 the college girls 00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:39.840 are dressing. 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.580 And so they tell her, 00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:43.480 look, this is how 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.320 the girls in college 00:32:44.320 --> 00:32:44.920 are dressing. 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:46.440 You need to dress 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:47.220 that way too. 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.280 It says this, 00:32:50.340 --> 00:32:51.520 the Bobby Sox era 00:32:51.520 --> 00:32:52.720 was making its debut, 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:54.300 talking about the 1950s here, 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.660 after a decade 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:57.340 of formal afternoon dresses, 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.980 spike heels, 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.900 and kinky permanent waves. 00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.980 The boys wanted to be sure 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.940 that Jane was among 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:05.960 the first on the bandwagon. 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:08.300 And so they tell her, 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:10.000 you want to get saddle shoes, 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:11.180 sweaters and skirts, 00:33:11.540 --> 00:33:12.340 and those socks 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:13.000 that just come up 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.600 to your ankles. 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.740 Jane objects, 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:19.680 but she trusts her brothers. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.500 And so she shows up 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.940 on the first day of school 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:26.900 dressed like almost nobody else. 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.819 And you can imagine, 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.240 right, 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:30.940 the nerves there, 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.180 the fear. 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.920 Have I made the wrong decision? 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:35.940 If you know the history 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.839 of the 1950s, 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:37.900 you know she did not 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:39.140 make the wrong decision at all. 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:41.579 Jane ends up doing 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.839 very, very well. 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:45.500 Brothers and sisters, 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:49.140 God has called us 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:51.059 to put on the clothes 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.859 of holiness 00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.940 and righteousness. 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:56.940 They may be out of fashion 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:58.680 now and at times. 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:00.059 There will be moments 00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:01.779 when we are the only ones 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.440 around us 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:03.720 who are wearing them. 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.740 But we know 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:07.000 because of his promise 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:09.460 that that is the future fashion. 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:12.420 Because the new heavens 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.559 and the new earth 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.440 will be a place 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.299 where righteousness 00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:17.679 and only righteousness 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.400 dwells. 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:21.860 And so we work for it 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:23.199 and long for it now. 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:25.579 We trust the promises 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:28.059 because we know 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:29.980 that Jesus is preparing 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:31.840 a place for us. 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.599 If it were not so, 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:36.119 would he have told us? 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:38.559 Let's pray. 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.460 Our Father in heaven, 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.599 we thank you 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:43.360 for your word. 00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:45.119 that challenges us 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:45.820 and comforts us. 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:47.059 We ask that you would use 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:48.840 these passages this morning 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:50.099 to challenge and comfort us 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:50.639 this week. 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.980 That we would be people 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.139 who love and long 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:54.179 for your new heavens 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:55.039 and your new earth 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.139 more and more. 00:34:56.420 --> 00:34:57.259 That it would change 00:34:57.259 --> 00:34:57.960 our lives 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:59.360 and that it would change 00:34:59.360 --> 00:34:59.820 this world. 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:00.840 We ask these things 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.679 in Jesus' name. 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:02.420 Amen.