WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.679 Thanks, Ken. We're doing things slightly differently because Steve is sick this morning, 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:12.280 so I'm stepping in and I'm going to step out to go to the Mandarin to preach. So it's a 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:18.879 very interesting day for our church, I think. We've been looking at the sermon series, Get 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:27.039 Up and Grow, and particularly from the letter that Peter wrote to the churches in Asia. And 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:34.100 today's topic is growing in suffering, I think, which predicates a relationship between growth, 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:40.439 Christian growth, spiritual growth, and suffering. I wonder whether you've thought about what 00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:47.879 that relationship might be. Is it growing by suffering? That is, you grow as a Christian 00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:56.519 if you suffer. Or is it growing in suffering? Suffering is to context the sphere in which 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:04.659 growth is to take place. So slightly different, maybe is that. Or growing despite of suffering? 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:11.180 Could be that. Well, Peter certainly was concerned about growing. That's why he wrote this letter. 00:01:11.800 --> 00:01:19.060 And the context in which he was writing was suffering. But not any suffering, not suffering 00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:26.820 in general, not suffering because of sickness, ill health, economic downturn, because you've got a 00:01:26.820 --> 00:01:34.060 grating personality, not because of that you're a thief, murderer, or someone who can't keep his or her 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:39.900 nose out of other people's business. Not suffering because of blown tires, a leaking roof, difficult 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:46.300 children, tsunamis, flooding, nuclear disasters, none of that. The context in which Peter was writing is 00:01:46.299 --> 00:01:52.780 suffering as suffering as Christians, for being Christians, and always Christian suffering. Very specific 00:01:52.780 --> 00:02:02.280 context. Christian growth and Christian suffering. For you and I need to know that there is a great cost. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:10.219 There's a great cost in being followers of the one who suffers, who has suffered. 00:02:10.219 --> 00:02:20.639 And as a corollary, there is a great cost in growing as a follower of the suffered one. 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:30.300 Growing and suffering. I just want to point out five things. Two things is to do with our thinking, 00:02:30.860 --> 00:02:38.719 and three things to follow is to do with our conduct. Come with me back to 1 Peter chapter 4, 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:48.219 verse 1, to see what Peter has to say about growing and suffering. So 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 1. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:55.939 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, 00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:04.120 because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. So the first thing that Peter wants us to 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:12.020 know is that in our facing of suffering is that we should have the same mindset, the same attitude as Jesus. 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:19.180 And it has to do with the changing of our minds, particularly about two things, which I will 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:27.980 draw out for you. The first thing, the first mindset that we are to adopt is that death ends sin. 00:03:27.979 --> 00:03:39.339 Death ends sin. At this point, I have to say I'm not a big fan of the NIV at this point, for there are two 00:03:39.339 --> 00:03:45.019 translations which doesn't really quite bring out what I think Peter's trying to say. Firstly, the word 00:03:45.019 --> 00:03:52.959 suffer. Suffer could mean suffering, going through stuff. But in the context, when he talks about Jesus, 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:57.920 is talking about the suffering of death. And you can see that back in chapter 3, 00:03:58.480 --> 00:04:09.760 verse 18. If you can flip to it, chapter 3, verse 18, which I can't do on my iPad. Anyway, 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:16.040 it is great stuff. Suffer, you know. 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:25.560 He talks about how Jesus died once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous. And the word that 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:31.200 he used is actually suffer. Jesus suffer once for all. And in the context, he's actually talking about 00:04:31.200 --> 00:04:39.379 death. It's the suffering of death. But more importantly, NIV translates to a word, a phrase, 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:48.120 that there is suffering in the body. He died in the body, which is an unfortunate translation, 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:54.079 because it makes it sound like the contrast is between a physical suffering and a spiritual 00:04:54.079 --> 00:05:01.000 sort of whatever it is. So suffering in the body, raised by the spirit. That's how 3.18 is translated. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:06.240 And here, he says, Jesus suffered in the body. So in the same way, I'd have the same attitude. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:10.340 See, I don't think that's the right contrast. The contrast isn't between 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:16.319 the physical and the non-physical, you know, body and spirit. But rather, the contrast, 00:05:16.400 --> 00:05:21.160 the real contrast is between flesh. That's the word that is used, the word sucks, 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:28.240 which is otherwise translated as flesh or sinful nature in Romans. The contrast is between flesh 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:35.740 and spirit. The contrast is between two worlds. The world of flesh, 00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:41.900 this world, this age, which is a very physical world, but at the same time, a very non-physical 00:05:41.900 --> 00:05:51.579 world, this world, and the world of the spirit, which is also a very physical world. But that 00:05:51.579 --> 00:05:59.040 talks about the world that is to come, the age that is to come. For 3.18 talks about the resurrection 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:06.379 of Jesus. It's not a non-physical resurrection, but rather, it is a resurrection that's brought 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:14.580 about by the spirit. The hand of the work of the spirit is in it. Jesus rose in the spirit, 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:22.960 for that is the age to come. That is the world that is to come. There are two worlds. It is in these two 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:29.039 worlds that we exist. What Peter is saying in chapter 4, verse 1 to 3, is that when you become a 00:06:29.039 --> 00:06:36.139 Christian, you are dead to this world, which is kind of like a funny idea because you and I are still 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:42.539 walking around in this world. What he's saying is that because you are united with Jesus, you are dead 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:53.439 to the world of flesh. And if you're dead to the world of flesh, you are dead to sin. How can you sin 00:06:53.439 --> 00:07:02.480 if you're dead? You know, temptation, if you're dead, you are, on the other hand, alive to God. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:09.600 You are alive to the world that is to come. For the spirit has come upon you, has made you alive. 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:16.720 You belong to the next world even now. And this is the attitude that you are to have, 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:25.060 that you are dead to the world of flesh and alive to the world of the spirit. That is why you suffer. 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:34.220 For, in verse 2, have a look at that, there is a conundrum, a problem. As a result, he, that is anyone, 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:42.140 does not live the rest of his earthly life, his life in the flesh, for evil human desires, 00:07:42.140 --> 00:07:49.920 for passions of the flesh, but rather for the will of God. You see, there's a problem for Christians. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:56.180 We are dead to the world of flesh, but we are still living in the world of flesh. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:08:04.439 This is where the conflict, the dilemma, the war, the struggle comes. This world keeps pulling us, 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:11.500 making us want to settle, become citizens of this world. And Peter says, resist it. You no longer 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:19.699 belong to this world because you died in the flesh. So, so stop living like as if you belong to this world. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:27.079 Have this attitude, have this mindset. The time has passed for you to be living for this world, 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:33.319 to have his value. Put all the things of this world, his values, his priorities, his ambitions, 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:39.919 all behind you. Be done with it. You don't live like people of this world, verse 13. That's why 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:47.480 they find it strange. For in the rest of your time here, in the flesh, you are to live for the spirit 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:55.279 world to do God's will. That is what he's saying. This is the mindset. So, it's a little bit like 00:08:55.279 --> 00:09:02.940 migration. Anyone comes from overseas here? Yeah, I did. Josh did. And a couple of other people. 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:09.840 If you migrated, he's kind of saying, don't keep trying to go back. It's not like other sort of 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:16.019 migration. So, imagine if you come from a crazy place like North America or Europe or France or something 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:23.439 like that, you've learned to drive on the wrong side of the road. So, when you come to Sydney, Australia, 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:32.980 put that behind you. Don't drive on the wrong side of the road. Don't drink Canadian beer. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:41.139 Don't watch hockey. Just change to cricket or something. You know, the tension is, you know, 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:45.079 when you get into that car, you keep wanting to go to the wrong side of the road. And Peter says, 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:52.580 no, come to the right side. Don't do that anymore. Put that behind you. You've moved to a new place. 00:09:53.160 --> 00:09:58.379 Live like people of that place. You see, this is the Christian difference. Not that we've got a new 00:09:58.379 --> 00:10:06.440 set of rules. Christian ethics is applying applicable to everyone. That's not what makes us different. 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:13.140 It's not because we try harder. We live differently because we are dead. This is why we live differently. 00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:19.280 We are dead. And we are born again. We've been made alive again. That's what Peter says in chapter one. 00:10:19.540 --> 00:10:24.740 We are new people. We are born again. We've been created, recreated into new people. We have new lives. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:30.100 This is why the world doesn't understand you. So, this is the first mindset that we need to adopt, 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:36.600 that we are dead to this world and alive to the age that is to come. The second mindset is in chapter 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:42.200 four, verse five. Well, let's start reading from verse four. 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:48.759 They think it's strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:54.440 and they can hit abuse on you. But they will have to give an account to him who's ready to judge the 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:58.519 living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:07.679 so that they might not judge according to man in regard to the flesh, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:14.059 Note, this is the changing attitude. Verse seven. The end of all things is near. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:22.079 The end of all things is near. This is what we need to do to live differently. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:28.639 We are to realize, to think, to put ourselves in the position of people who know that the end is, 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:31.879 you know, when the end is near, it really focuses your attention. 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:38.379 So, assuming that you're one of the poor people who lived in Japan in the last two weeks, 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:44.520 imagine you're living right on the path of the tsunami, 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:51.659 and you are told that you've got ten minutes before the tsunami comes and takes you and your family away. 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.379 What would you do 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:55.299 knowing that? 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.720 Would you go to your bookshelf and say, 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:00.919 this is the time for me to read James Joyce. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:05.500 I've never managed to finish Ulysses, and I'm going to do it now. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:09.860 Or, gee, you know, I've always wanted to work on my golf swing. 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:11.299 So, I'm going to... 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:15.480 Or, there's something I left at the office I need to do, so I'm going to call them up to fix this up. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:19.340 Or, you know, this tsunami thing is going to ruin the garden, 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:21.960 so I'm going to start arranging for a landscape. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.399 No! 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:27.159 You've got ten minutes before the tsunami comes and takes you away. 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:28.120 What are you going to do? 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.340 You run. 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:33.139 You will run for your life, 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:35.720 and you will take your family with you to safety. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.779 When you know that the end is near, 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:42.199 your mind focuses on things that are important. 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:46.779 The people of this age, of this world, 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.500 are ignorant. 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:51.460 They are ignorant of the end. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:55.080 They are ignorant of the nearness of the end. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:57.580 That is why they are wasting 00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:00.879 the remaining time that they have 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:03.220 on their petty ambition 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:05.919 and on their hobbies. 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:10.340 Imagine when the flood of judgment comes 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:15.139 and they're found to have the best shell collection in the world. 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:21.639 They'll be washed away 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:24.779 when the judgment of God comes. 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:27.299 People of the next world, 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:28.459 people of the spirit, 00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:31.059 are to have a different mindset. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:33.839 We know that the end is nigh. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.819 That is why we live differently. 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:41.179 We know that we are dead 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:42.639 to the world of flesh, 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:45.039 alive to the world of the spirit. 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:47.240 We know that the end is coming 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:49.899 very, very soon. 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:52.840 I won't go through verses 12 to 19. 00:13:53.199 --> 00:13:54.039 We don't have time. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:54.939 But essentially, 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:55.860 it's saying that, 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:58.480 in saying that God begins his judgment 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.419 with the household, 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.220 his own household, 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.620 it means that 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:03.919 what we experience in suffering 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:06.299 is what the world will experience, 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.340 but how much more? 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.399 See, this is saying 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.899 when Christians suffer, 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.579 it's not a sign that we are weak 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:14.299 or that our God is weak 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:16.419 and he cannot protect us from suffering. 00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:19.799 This is saying that God is strong 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:22.919 and he will bring about his judgment, 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:23.860 the end, 00:14:24.479 --> 00:14:25.139 the accounting, 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:27.199 and we can tell that 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:29.719 because we as Christians suffer first. 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:32.779 Purification comes with us 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:35.459 and because we experience purification, 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.639 the world will experience it 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:39.299 in a much greater way. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:41.579 The end will come 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:43.740 and our suffering and purification 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:45.519 guarantees it. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.480 Well, what are we to do 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:50.860 if we are dead to this world 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.679 and that the end will come? 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:56.539 Are we to lock ourselves away 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:57.319 in a monastery? 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:00.879 Are we to vote the Christian Democrats 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.319 so that they can go into government 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.980 so that, you know, 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:05.120 maybe not in New South Wales 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.100 because it's too sinful, 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.679 we can go and take over Tasmania? 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.340 You know, 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.759 we'll create a little Christendom 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.579 in Tasmania, 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.100 bringing our own laws 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:14.279 so that we can live there. 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:16.179 Is that what it means 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:17.639 that the end is near? 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.419 What does Peter say? 00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:23.059 Well, there are three things. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:26.079 Come back to chapter 4, verse 7. 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.240 He says, 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:29.000 The end of all things is near. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.460 Therefore, 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:31.460 be clear-minded and self-control 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:33.759 so that you can vote. 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:36.539 No. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.200 What does it say? 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.419 Sober-minded, 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.919 so that you have the right sort of thinking, 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.419 focus, 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.419 so that you can 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.519 pray. 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.139 That's what it means 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.480 for people who are dead 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.399 to this world 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.440 and who knows that the end 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.019 is near. 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.740 We are people who pray. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.279 We're prayerful people. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.419 Verse 19 says 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.279 a similar sort of thing. 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.519 We are to commit ourselves 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.319 into the hands 00:16:01.319 --> 00:16:02.340 of our Creator. 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.799 He is faithful. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.539 He will bring about 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.159 righteousness 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:07.139 and justice 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:08.480 and our vindication. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:10.399 That's what He will do. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.819 That's what the Lord's prayer 00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:12.419 is about. 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.919 Remember the first two lines. 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:15.179 Our Father in Heaven 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:19.659 is all about 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.679 the bringing of 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.899 the nearness 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:22.799 of the end, 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.220 isn't it? 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:26.240 And the same in Luke 18. 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:26.919 You know, 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.419 the parable of the widow 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.559 and the unjust judge. 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:31.039 You know, 00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:32.539 it's persisting in prayer. 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:34.500 And Jesus ends that parable 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:34.860 with saying, 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.259 however, 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.340 when the Son of Man comes, 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.679 will He find 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:40.139 faith on earth? 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:42.000 What does He expect to see 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.779 of His people 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:44.019 when He returns? 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.679 Faithfulness. 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:46.639 Faith. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.639 Trust in the one 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.480 who can save. 00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:50.419 Prayerfulness. 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:51.719 We need to be 00:16:51.719 --> 00:16:52.779 clean-minded and sober 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.679 so that we can focus 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.379 our mind 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.620 on praying. 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.719 That is what we do. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.360 But what else 00:16:59.360 --> 00:16:59.899 do we do? 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.199 Are we to evangelize? 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:02.179 Is that what we do? 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.919 Is that what Peter says? 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.460 Verse 8. 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.379 Have a look at it. 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.039 What do we do? 00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.819 We love. 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.359 I don't know 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.399 whether you expect this. 00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:18.220 This is what we do 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:20.240 because the end is near. 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.680 Because we don't belong 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.480 to the world flesh. 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.700 We love each other deeply 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.319 because love covers 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.400 a multitude of sin. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.400 What does it mean to love? 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.579 He goes on to expand 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.620 on this. 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.420 We are not to, 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.120 you know, 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.100 we don't love 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:34.920 like the world. 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.759 The people of this age, 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:38.240 they love as well too. 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.140 But what do they love? 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:41.299 They love themselves. 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.660 That's what 2 Timothy says. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.120 People will become lovers 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:45.559 on this earth. 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:47.279 The people of this age, 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.359 of the flesh, 00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:49.459 they take and they take 00:17:49.459 --> 00:17:50.019 and they take. 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.019 They come to church 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:52.019 and they take and they take 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.519 and they take. 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.459 But Christians, 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.339 people who live 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:56.199 belonging to the next world, 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.119 they are people, 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:59.199 we are people who give. 00:17:59.719 --> 00:18:00.539 That's what love is. 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.219 We give and we give 00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:03.939 and we give until we can't give 00:18:03.939 --> 00:18:05.159 and then we give some more. 00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:06.479 This is why we love 00:18:06.479 --> 00:18:08.039 one another deeply. 00:18:08.439 --> 00:18:09.479 This is what it means 00:18:09.479 --> 00:18:10.259 to be living 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.859 in the light of the end, 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:14.039 in the world of the spirit. 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.379 Love means, 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.119 verse 8, 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.240 forgiveness. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.859 Love covers a multitude of sin. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.980 That's a quote from 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:27.079 Proverbs 10, 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.779 10-12. 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:32.259 Hatred stirs up dissension, 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:36.619 but love covers over all wrongs. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:38.899 That's what love does. 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.399 It forgives. 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.460 It overlooks. 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:43.180 It does not keep an account. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.960 The reality is, 00:18:45.060 --> 00:18:46.160 in this world of sin, 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:46.980 of flesh, 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.180 there will be great suffering 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:48.900 and injustice. 00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:52.160 Love forgives the hurt 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.779 caused by sin and suffering. 00:18:55.060 --> 00:18:56.580 But love also does another thing. 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.060 Verse 9, 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:57.860 what does love do? 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.080 Have a look. 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.420 You tell me. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.860 Hospitality. 00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:05.700 Ungrumbling, 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.680 joyful, 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.060 grateful hospitality. 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.240 Hospitality. 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.839 Hospitality, 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.419 the Greek word for hospitality 00:19:11.419 --> 00:19:13.599 is philosanos, 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.379 philosanos. 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.079 Zanos, 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:19.000 as in xenophobic, 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:23.919 is a fear of strangers. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.279 Philo, 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.200 as in Philadelphia, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:32.099 is love of strangers. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:34.639 That's what hospitality is. 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.920 It's not entertainment. 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.400 It's loving people 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.740 who are not one of us. 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:41.840 You can see why 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.680 it doesn't have to be done 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.320 just at home. 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:44.780 You know, 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:45.800 it's not just entertainment. 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:48.000 Hospitality is when you invite people 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.840 out for a cup of coffee, 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.140 maybe, 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:51.620 or accept their invitation 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.500 to have a cup of coffee. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:55.160 Hospitality can happen 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:56.420 even on Sunday mornings. 00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:58.060 How? 00:19:58.059 --> 00:20:00.679 By us being, 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:01.899 Deb, 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:05.500 welcoming. 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.599 That's what welcoming 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.480 is about, isn't it? 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.240 It's about hospitality. 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.599 We love people 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:14.299 who are not one of us. 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.879 Churches that are not welcoming 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:19.200 has no love for the strangers. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.099 They live in a world of flesh. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.299 They don't know 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.879 that the end is near. 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.119 We are different. 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:29.139 We have a different mindset. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.379 We love strangers. 00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:33.059 We, you know, 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:34.199 hospitality can, 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.039 doesn't have to be, 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.259 you know, 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.139 it can be exercised 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:37.239 right here this morning 00:20:37.239 --> 00:20:38.359 as we stay 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.519 and talk to people. 00:20:40.459 --> 00:20:41.059 And, I mean, 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:42.359 we can be hospitable 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.899 at a social convention. 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:45.000 It's easy to do that. 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:46.139 But Peter says, 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.219 do it without grumbling. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.899 Don't complain. 00:20:49.719 --> 00:20:50.599 But do it with joy 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.739 and thankfulness. 00:20:52.739 --> 00:20:53.219 So, 00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:54.639 forgiving, 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:56.339 loving, 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:57.339 hospitable, 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.919 what else? 00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:00.299 Verses 10 to 11a. 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.799 How else 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.399 is love 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.259 express, 00:21:04.899 --> 00:21:06.019 expresses itself 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.799 in the last days? 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:07.799 In, 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:13.220 that's right, 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:15.019 in a working bee. 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:18.559 Oh, 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.180 shameless plug there. 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:23.339 In teaching scripture. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.000 In tidying up 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.319 after everybody else leaves. 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.799 Isn't that what 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.420 love expresses? 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.019 So, you know, 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.680 each of us 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.639 are actually gifted 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:34.180 by God in some way. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.799 Our resources, 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.299 experience, 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:35.799 abilities. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.279 The people of this age 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.180 who don't know that end, 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.500 they use this stuff 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.160 for themselves 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:42.180 to make their lives easier, 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:42.920 to get recognition, 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.580 to feel good. 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.740 But the people 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:46.240 of the world to come, 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:48.259 the world of the spirit, 00:21:48.800 --> 00:21:50.320 we use what we have 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.100 for the service 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:52.140 of other people. 00:21:53.560 --> 00:21:54.620 And it can be done 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.560 whether in words 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:56.560 or in deeds. 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.300 If we are to use it 00:21:58.300 --> 00:21:58.779 in words, 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.700 we are to speak 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.960 as if we're speaking 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.220 the very words of God, 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.180 which could mean 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.180 in what we say, 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.360 that is not just our opinion, 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.440 but the words of God, 00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.600 or in the manner 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:09.120 in which we say our words. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.640 For when God speaks, 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.600 how does he speak? 00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:13.619 He speaks truthfully. 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:15.839 He does not slander. 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:17.079 He does not grumble. 00:22:17.219 --> 00:22:18.179 He doesn't complain. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.219 He doesn't lie. 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.059 He doesn't gossip. 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.159 When he speaks, 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.819 his words can be trusted. 00:22:23.179 --> 00:22:24.039 He's dependable. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.599 He has pure words. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:27.039 He has loving words. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.559 That is how our words 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.099 are to be 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.379 as we serve one another, 00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:33.299 but also in deeds. 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.559 If we serve, 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.299 Peter says, 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:36.079 we are to serve 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.959 with the strength of God. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.699 In other words, 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.679 whatever God 00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:41.019 has asked you to do, 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.980 he will pay the bills. 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:46.200 He will not assign you, 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.379 he will not call you 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.660 to do something 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.759 that he's not prepared 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.980 to equip you for. 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.160 If you think 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:54.539 that your body is spent, 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.139 you're too weak, 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.779 you're too young, 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.480 you're too old, 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.359 you're too stupid, 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.740 whatever it is, 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.339 do you really trust 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.599 that God will pick up 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.460 the tap for you 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.680 when you serve? 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:07.960 And the intention 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.560 of all this, 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.600 verses 11b, 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.840 verse 11b, 00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:18.240 there's evangelism, 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:18.680 isn't it? 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.640 It's so that, 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.740 you know, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.340 when people see 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:23.860 how forgiving I am, 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.500 is it so that people 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.039 will say, 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.420 gee, 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.400 isn't Brian such 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.580 a wonderful human being? 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.519 No. 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:32.819 When we have this 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.440 sort of mindset, 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.799 when we love one another, 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.579 when we minister 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.259 to one another, 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:40.379 when we welcome 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.160 one another, 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.539 it is so that 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.279 people can say, 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.759 you know, 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.680 I know St. Paul's, 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.660 I know these people, 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.799 but you know what? 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.339 Jesus has made a big difference 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.299 to this church, 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:51.319 in these people's lives, 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.319 so that Jesus 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.740 might be glorified. 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.220 See, 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.119 as we wait 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:57.240 for the nearest 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.779 of the end, 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:59.000 this is what we are to do, 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.740 in words and in deeds. 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.680 Christian growth, 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.759 Christian suffering. 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.960 If you're a Christian, 00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:06.639 if you're living 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.240 as a Christian, 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.680 you will suffer. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.240 There is no question 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.680 of that. 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.879 In other parts 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:14.339 of the world, 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.480 the suffering comes 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.700 in the form of violence 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.900 and deprivation. 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:20.039 I think in our context 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.259 is less of that, 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:22.980 but rather, 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.200 our trial, 00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.380 our testing, 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:27.200 comes in the form 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:29.180 of seduction. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.559 That is our temptation. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.960 That is our trial 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.840 in the West, 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.360 in Sydney, 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:35.980 in Chesford. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.220 Our trial, 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.840 our testing, 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:39.080 comes in the form 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:40.080 of abundance, 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:42.039 not the lack of. 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:45.340 This will come to us. 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:47.179 How will we grow 00:24:47.179 --> 00:24:48.240 in this suffering? 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.939 In the face of abundance 00:24:50.939 --> 00:24:51.859 and seduction, 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.399 we are not to live 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.859 as this world, 00:24:55.179 --> 00:24:56.079 the world of flesh. 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:57.559 We are to count ourselves 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.879 as dead to the world, 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:00.799 but alive to God 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.599 in Christ, 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:03.599 made alive by his spirit. 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.740 We are people 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.559 who are deeply aware 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.679 that the tsunami 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:09.759 is coming in 10 minutes. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.220 So we give up 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.400 our petty ambitions 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:14.119 for us and our children 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:15.440 and we do things 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:17.279 that are important. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.539 What are the things 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.160 that are important? 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.440 We pray, 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.799 we love, 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.640 and we serve one another. 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.460 Amen. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.720 Amen. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.299 Amen. 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.000 Amen. 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.220 Amen. 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.380 Amen. 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.019 Amen. 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.380 Amen. 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:32.819 Amen. 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:32.980 Amen. 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:33.819 Amen. 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:33.980 Amen. 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.279 Amen. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.600 Amen. 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.539 Amen. 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:36.900 Amen. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.039 Amen. 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:39.160 Amen. 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.620 Amen. 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.200 Amen. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:41.120 Amen. 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:43.420 Amen. 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.160 Amen. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.680 Amen. 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.559 Amen. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.440 So we are 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.279 God's every single 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.059 May could 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:50.000 exhale without 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.200 つtezings. 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.680 Amen. 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.340 Amen. 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.559 Amen. 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.039 Amen. 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.120 Amen. 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.620 Amen. 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.259 Amen. 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.700 Amen. 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.539 Amen. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:55.660 Amen. 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:55.779 Amen. 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.059 Amen. 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.440 Amen.