WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.140 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:11.380 --> 00:00:21.980 Special welcome if you're new or visiting. We're glad that you're here and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:35.000 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good they don't need God's grace and no one so bad they can't have it, which means that everyone needs to hear what God has to say in his word. 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:44.620 We're continuing our study in the book of 2 Peter. I invite you to turn there with me now, either in your Bible or in your worship guide near the end, or you can turn on your phone. 00:00:44.619 --> 00:00:54.920 And remember that 2 Peter is a letter written by a man named Peter and he writes it to a church in the 60s AD somewhere in the Roman Empire. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:01:01.579 And he writes this letter with one hope, one goal. He wants these people to grow. 00:01:03.019 --> 00:01:09.979 And he wants them to grow in two ways. He wants them to grow in grace and he wants them to grow in knowledge. 00:01:09.980 --> 00:01:18.180 That's how he begins and ends the letter. He begins it asking that they be multiplied in grace and peace through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:24.680 And then he ends it in the very last verse with a command that they would grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. 00:01:24.840 --> 00:01:33.380 And so it's with that focus that we turn to it now. Now I've had a lot of questions about previous sermon on 2 Peter. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:40.920 There's been one burning thought, which is this. What happened to the mystery seeds that I told you about? 00:01:42.179 --> 00:01:51.280 I never told you what they grew up into. And the reason is this. I was 4 or 5 at the time and I don't remember. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:02:03.900 What I do remember was how excited I was to send my penny off in the mail and the anticipation that I had that one day a seed packet was going to show up. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:07.840 And so the answer is, you know, it was all sorts of plants. 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:12.060 But of course, that brings us back to last week. Remember, our question was this. 00:02:12.139 --> 00:02:16.379 What's the relationship between our obedience and our salvation? 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:24.180 And we saw the answer that the fruit of obedience is what confirms and verifies that we belong to God. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:28.099 It confirms and verifies that God is the gardener of our lives. 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:33.599 He has cultivated, is cultivating a rich harvest of obedience in our lives. 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:37.719 And we're told in verse 10, right, from last time, 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:40.560 be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:45.379 So there's this working going on, this knowledge and this grace working together. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:51.780 This week, Peter is going to give us one of the tools that we need to be diligent. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:55.680 He's going to talk to us about the importance of remembering. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:00.799 He's going to talk to us about the importance of remembering. 00:03:01.019 --> 00:03:04.579 And so it's with that that we are going to turn together to read. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:07.120 Remember that this is God's word. 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:12.319 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:17.939 And it is sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:20.939 And so that's why we read now, starting at verse 12. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:29.319 Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 00:03:30.079 --> 00:03:35.520 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:42.280 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:51.659 And I will make every effort so that after my departure, you may be able at any time to recall these things. 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:56.500 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:03.639 Our Father in heaven, we thank you again that you are a good father who speaks to his children. 00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:06.439 And so we simply ask that you would do that this morning. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:13.579 You'd speak clearly through your word, that you'd give us your spirit to soften our hearts and to clear our minds, 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:20.160 that we would be able to understand and receive and believe everything that you have told us in your word. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:23.980 We are grateful to you that we don't have to earn these things or deserve them, 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:26.500 but instead we ask them in Jesus' name. 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:27.639 Amen. 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:27.800 Amen. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:27.840 Amen. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:38.240 When I was in college, I had, of course, many requirements that I had to meet to be able to graduate. 00:04:38.900 --> 00:04:41.259 And one of them was a phys ed requirement. 00:04:41.379 --> 00:04:46.900 I had to get two phys ed credits to be able to graduate. 00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:50.740 And so I tried to stay on top of these sorts of things, and I wanted to get it done quickly. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:53.879 So my freshman year, I looked at what the options were, 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:59.379 and I decided to take this swing dance class that met on Sunday evenings. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:01.800 And so I would go every Sunday evening. 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:03.279 I think it was seven or eight weeks. 00:05:03.719 --> 00:05:07.279 We'd have this wonderful class in the athletic building on campus, by the way, 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:10.519 the same athletic building that Stephen Curry was using at the time. 00:05:11.219 --> 00:05:12.300 It's my claim to fame. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:15.800 And in this class, these teachers were wonderful. 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:18.180 It was this husband and wife who would come and instruct us. 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:22.980 And at least in that class, I felt like I'd learned everything they taught. 00:05:23.019 --> 00:05:24.240 I felt like I was good at this. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:25.639 You know, it made sense to me. 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:27.319 I was able to do everything they asked. 00:05:27.379 --> 00:05:28.720 And so I left wanting more. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:34.139 And they talked about maybe offering a sequel class of follow-up, which never happened. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:38.840 So I leave college with my appetite whetted, right, 00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:40.780 knowing at some point I would want to return to this. 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:42.680 So that was spring of 2008. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:44.699 And then I think I believe it was summer of 2012. 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:48.420 I was living in Virginia, and there was a swing dance program going on over the summer. 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:49.139 I was a teacher. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:50.319 I had summers off. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:52.500 And so I thought, what am I going to do to fill my time? 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:54.079 What am I going to pursue this summer? 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:55.600 Well, I'll take these swing dance classes. 00:05:56.100 --> 00:05:57.220 So I showed up. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:00.379 It was not as good of an experience. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:02.960 And I was not as good as I remembered. 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:07.819 Now, at the beginning of every class, we would have a review. 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:12.180 The teacher would go over everything that she had taught us before, all the basics. 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:17.220 So we'd do the basics through, and then we would start the class, which was helpful. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:18.439 And I did okay. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:20.040 Didn't do great. 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:22.400 However, there was one class. 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:23.379 These were on Tuesday nights. 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:24.160 I showed up. 00:06:24.939 --> 00:06:26.240 There was no review. 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:30.259 She did not go over any of the basic moves. 00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:31.879 She just told her to jump in and get started. 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:37.319 I had forgotten everything. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:43.180 I could not remember a single move that I was supposed to do. 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:46.339 She was referencing all these things that I was supposed to know week after week, right? 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:48.180 She'd been teaching us for multiple weeks. 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:49.659 It had all gone out of my mind. 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:55.719 Now, I was teaching at the time, and so this was a great lesson for me of what it was like to be a student. 00:06:55.720 --> 00:06:59.320 By the way, I did not keep doing swing dancing classes. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:04.040 Did not help that I got shamed by someone else in the class, too, but that's another story. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:11.620 However, that school year, so this is my second year teaching, I realized, oh, I show up only on Tuesday nights. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:14.380 I don't think about swing dance between Tuesdays. 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:18.580 This woman lives and breathes swing dance, so she forgets that I don't know everything that she knows. 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:21.319 Oh, that's what happens with my students, too. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:24.560 That's why they don't remember the most basic things that I'm trying to tell them day after day. 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:30.800 So I started each class, each Latin class, my second year of teaching, with a basic review. 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:32.259 Things like, what is a noun? 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:35.219 What is a verb? 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:38.000 What is this case? 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:38.819 What is that case? 00:07:39.419 --> 00:07:45.939 And I was amazed, right, that I had students weeks, months into the semester who still couldn't answer my questions. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:52.339 And I realized, right, what good teachers know, the importance of review. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:55.680 You have to always be going back to the very basics. 00:07:56.279 --> 00:07:59.199 You, as a teacher, right, think about things all the time. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:01.339 Your students do not. 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:08.240 The only time they think about it, perhaps, is when they show up to class or when they do their homework. 00:08:09.339 --> 00:08:11.980 And so I realized what it was like to be a teacher. 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:22.080 Samuel Johnson, the 18th century English writer, says this, that people need to be instructed or need to be reminded much more often than they need to be instructed. 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:27.740 We're talking here in 2 Peter about this symbiotic relationship between grace and knowledge. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:29.720 That's something we've seen from the very beginning. 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:33.920 And now we're going to head into how that knowledge is at work. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.279 We've talked about it a little bit. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:40.080 Here, Peter's going to tell us that the knowledge is at work through a reminder. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:43.240 In fact, we see that in verse 12. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:49.960 I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:53.620 Now, if you're tracking along, you probably think I've set you up for this. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:58.400 You know, we need to be reminded because we forget things. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:02.020 These people need to be reminded because they forget things, too. 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:05.680 Except that's not what was just stated in verse 12. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:09.699 It's actually different than me at the swing dance class. 00:09:09.839 --> 00:09:12.579 Different than my Latin students because we find this. 00:09:12.939 --> 00:09:17.699 You know them and are established in the truth that you have. 00:09:18.339 --> 00:09:24.879 Peter tells these people they need to be reminded of things they have not forgotten. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:27.959 Think about that. 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:33.440 Peter tells these people they need to be reminded of things they have not forgotten. 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:40.300 This would be like me saying, I need a review at the beginning of class, even though I just practiced it before I showed up. 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:42.480 Why? 00:09:42.480 --> 00:10:02.300 The reason these people need a reminder is because Christianity is less like graduating from school and it's much more like eating food. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:06.879 Of course, many people think of their Christian lives in this school aspect, right? 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:08.759 I'm going to learn these basic things. 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:12.539 I'm going to take Christianity 101 and I'm going to master these things. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:19.860 And then after Christianity 101, it's time for me to move on to Christianity 201 or 301. 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:27.240 And so when I show up to a Bible study or to worship and we talk about things that are from 101, that's wonderful. 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:31.100 I'm glad all those other people are here to hear it. 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:34.399 Wow. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:36.639 What a great review. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:44.159 Now, I'm looking forward to the Sunday when we're able to talk about some 201 stuff, you know, for us advanced students. 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:50.439 That is a school mindset of thinking about Christianity, right? 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:53.399 This is one of the saddest things in the church. 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:57.439 When we believe, we believe the lie that somehow we've arrived. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:59.279 We've heard all these things before. 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.220 We know them. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:02.860 And so the only thing that's left for us is a review. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:06.299 We walk away, right, and say, well, yeah, that was a nice review. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:10.220 I mean, I already knew all that stuff about Jesus. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.320 And I've heard that doctrine before. 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:16.720 I wish we could just, I just wish we could learn something new. 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:19.720 These are the kinds of people who are only comfortable in the church, right? 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.139 Taking on the role of the teacher. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:24.960 They don't think they have anything to learn or they need to listen. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:30.080 And so if that's your approach to Christianity, this statement at some level doesn't make sense. 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:34.259 Why would we need to remind people of things they're established in and have? 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:39.700 The reason is this, because our Christianity is not like school. 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:41.540 It is like food. 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:51.200 You would not order a meat lover's pizza for your family and sit down and eat it together. 00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:56.340 And after you're finished, say, that was a good review. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.740 That kind of tasted like it did last. 00:11:58.780 --> 00:12:00.640 Do you guys think it tasted like it did last time? 00:12:02.400 --> 00:12:05.140 I mean, that, you know, the pepperoni and the meat, it tasted the same. 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:05.840 It's nothing new. 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:09.440 Domino's never has anything new. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.899 But that was, you know, that was a good review. 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:14.720 That was a decent meat lover's pizza. 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:16.399 It's all right. 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:20.100 No, no one does that. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:24.720 People eat the same things over and over, right? 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:28.220 You don't go to, your spouse doesn't come to you and say, 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:30.220 hey, would you like a cup of coffee this morning? 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:33.759 You don't say, you know, honestly, I had a cup of coffee yesterday morning. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:36.720 So I'm good, but thanks for offering. 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:44.120 But I know a lot of people in the world who need cups of coffee because they've never tasted it before. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:47.500 Why don't we help those people get coffee? 00:12:49.439 --> 00:12:53.220 No, you have coffee if you're a coffee person every morning, right? 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:56.299 You have the same blend because you need it. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:58.899 Because it sustains you. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:00.980 You do not graduate from coffee. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:06.580 There is no coffee 201. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:11.360 If you're like me, you need to be stirred up every morning by way of reminder. 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:15.639 That is what Peter is talking about here, right? 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:20.779 No one says, you know, I've had all the types of food before, so I stopped eating. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:25.899 Now I just make food for other people because they need it. 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:30.899 I've been to all the restaurants in Colorado Springs, so we don't go out to eat anymore. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:34.220 We kind of been there, done that, you know. 00:13:35.199 --> 00:13:35.699 It's old. 00:13:35.939 --> 00:13:37.679 It's old hat for us, right? 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:44.500 I took out some of my pandemic stress when we were all quarantined on Chick-fil-A. 00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:50.419 And I was forced to learn how to use the app, right? 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:52.339 Because it's much easier if you're using the app. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.839 Social distancing works. 00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:57.599 If you have one of these apps, whether it's for Chick-fil-A or Panera or something else, 00:13:57.599 --> 00:13:58.899 you're going to have a section on it, right? 00:13:58.899 --> 00:14:03.799 It's going to say something like Matthew's favorites or recent orders. 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:05.259 Why? 00:14:07.079 --> 00:14:09.679 Because you're going to order the same thing over and over. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:12.659 If you open up the Chick-fil-A app on my phone, 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:16.120 you are going to find that I am firmly established in the truth 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:20.340 of the Southwest chicken salad with avocado lime ranch dressing. 00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:25.399 And sometimes I need to be stirred up by way of reminder. 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:29.759 In fact, as I was reviewing my sermon notes last night, I was tempted. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.699 I thought, I really need to be stirred up by way of reminder. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:36.220 I need to remember what the Southwest chicken salad tastes like. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:40.220 And I stood strong in the face of temptation. 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:46.679 When we come to God and his word, 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:51.799 it is the food that sustains us. 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:54.000 We do not graduate. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:15:00.079 It is meant day after day, week after week, 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:03.220 to be what feeds us and sustains us. 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:08.259 The same truths that we need to hear over and over again. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:11.639 We're getting a meat lover's pizza tonight. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:12.799 Yes. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.759 Mom's making spaghetti again. 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.039 Yes. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:20.360 Justification by faith alone through grace. 00:15:20.439 --> 00:15:21.639 That's what we're talking about today. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:22.740 Yes. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:25.240 Ah, that really hit the spot, right? 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.460 I needed that reminder. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:29.379 Oh, we're talking about Psalm 23 again. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.379 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.419 Yes. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.000 Needed that. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.759 That really hit the spot. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:37.360 Oh, we're talking about tithing again. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.600 Yes. 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.320 Okay, some of you feel that way. 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:46.080 We're in political season, right? 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.920 If you go to a political rally, 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.620 and there's a candidate there, 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:53.560 they are not going to be saying new and novel things. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:57.480 They are saying the same thing they say at every stop. 00:15:57.480 --> 00:16:02.279 And people are there waving signs and cheering. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:07.800 How much more for our great king. 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.700 Wow. 00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:12.100 God's grace. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:12.779 Amen. 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:17.019 Say it again. 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:22.620 Let's be stirred up by way of reminder. 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:27.379 Peter is clarifying for us how knowledge works, 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:29.399 not the way we want it to. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:36.439 If we approach the Bible as a review, 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:40.240 it does not show us our knowledge 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:43.259 and how advanced and smart we are. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:47.679 If we approach the Bible as a review, 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:53.240 it reveals to us how hard-hearted and cold-hearted we are. 00:16:58.319 --> 00:17:05.079 God has given us his word to stir us up over and over again. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:10.039 And so we need the same thing that these people need, right? 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:12.420 Peter is stirring them up with a reminder, 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.720 even though they know the truth. 00:17:14.340 --> 00:17:15.039 Verse 13. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.460 Verse 14. 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:20.220 He knows that his life is going to end soon. 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:25.240 And he wants to make sure he reminds them as much as possible. 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:27.900 That's his passion, that they would know the truth. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:30.100 And so we're stirred up as well, right? 00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:32.440 We're reminded of things that we already know. 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:34.840 God is the creator of heaven and earth. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.539 Yes, we knew that. 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.920 And we're stirred up. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:42.740 We're stirred up to care for this creation 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:45.920 and his animals he's given us with respect 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:47.759 because they belong to God. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.980 God is our loving father. 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:53.120 We have favor because of Christ. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.680 Okay, yes, we knew that. 00:17:54.800 --> 00:17:56.200 And we're stirred up. 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:58.480 If our favor is from God, our loving father, 00:17:58.580 --> 00:18:01.140 then we also are able to be loving fathers. 00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:05.000 We don't need the favor that comes from our children's perfect obedience. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:09.019 And so we're able to have grace with them when they fail. 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.240 We're stirred up. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:13.259 God is a generous God. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:16.359 Not a hair can fall from our heads without him knowing. 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:19.119 And so we're stirred up. 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:21.660 If God cares for me in that way, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.740 maybe I don't have to hoard. 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:27.579 Maybe I can let some of my resources go 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:29.400 to care for those who need it 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:31.220 because God is the one who protects me. 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:34.180 It's not enough to know the knowledge. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.240 It stirs up. 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.880 It moves us. 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:38.339 God leaves the 99 to chase the one. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.360 Yes, I knew that. 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.600 And I'm stirred up. 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:43.660 If God interacts with me that way, 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:46.100 then I also can pursue people in heart 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:47.660 and challenging relationships. 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:52.839 It is our review of the knowledge that we have 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.279 that is meant to stir us up, 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:57.079 to stir us up to obedience. 00:18:57.079 --> 00:19:02.019 And so we, as we come to this passage, 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:06.399 we want to do the same things that Peter wants 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:07.740 for these people in this church. 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:11.819 We put ourselves in places where we can be stirred up. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:16.119 We are stirred up together through worship. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:19.779 We are stirred up together with Scripture. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:23.240 And we are stirred up together in relationship. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.879 We're stirred up through worship, 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.460 with Scripture, in relationships. 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:28.400 When you come this morning, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.420 as you're sitting now, 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:31.900 this is not a place where there's supposed 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:34.579 to be an information dump from me to you. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.539 Right? 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:38.600 No, we are here to be stirred up 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:40.299 for Christ and His kingdom. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:44.500 We are not showing up here this morning 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:46.440 just for another academic lecture. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:48.680 No, we're coming to sing songs 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:51.279 that we would remind our hearts of what's true 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:53.480 and we'd be stirred up to lives of obedience. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:58.860 No athlete says, 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:01.599 I don't need to go to practice today. 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.420 I went last week. 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:06.380 No, that would be ridiculous, right? 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:11.500 Why do we sing the same songs year after year? 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:14.539 Why don't we sing new songs every Sunday? 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:19.660 So we can be stirred up by way of reminder 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:21.500 that we would put it in our hearts deep, 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:23.400 that what would be true of us, 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.880 what Peter wants, verse 15, 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.119 he's making every effort. 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:29.000 They would be able at any time to recall these things. 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.779 He wants these things on instant recall. 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:32.299 He wants it in their working memory. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:36.019 And so we work for the same things. 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:37.460 We're here in worship, right? 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:40.259 Humble enough to realize that we need it. 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:44.379 If you meet someone, speaking of food, 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:48.159 and they say, I never miss lunch. 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:51.359 No matter what's happening during the day, 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:53.480 always make sure I have lunch. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.519 What do you think about that person? 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:57.899 Wow, what a legalist. 00:20:57.900 --> 00:21:01.580 That person, he is so uptight. 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:05.080 I bet his parents never let him have any fun. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:08.080 Because if his parents let him have fun, 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:10.140 he would understand it's okay to miss lunch, right? 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:12.380 He wouldn't be so uptight about it. 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:16.019 No, that person doesn't have lunch every day 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.140 because they're a legalist. 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.620 They have it because they need it. 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:21.560 Because they know the nourishment and sustainment 00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:22.620 that their body requires. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:24.400 The same is true for us. 00:21:24.780 --> 00:21:26.200 We know that we need it, 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.940 just as Peter knows for this people, 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.799 we need to be stirred up. 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:33.019 We need reminder week after week, 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:35.900 day after day of God and his grace. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:37.440 It is a physical principle 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:39.140 and a spiritual principle, right? 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.920 You all know this. 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.759 If you don't use it, you lose it. 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:46.539 And it's even more true as we age, right? 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:47.940 The less we use our bodies, 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.259 the less we're able to. 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:53.120 The less we're here with God in worship, 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:55.299 the colder our hearts are going to be. 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:57.440 And so we come week after week 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.059 knowing that we need it. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.000 Not only through worship, 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.639 but of course this overlaps with worship, 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:03.399 with scripture. 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.960 We're reminding ourselves of the truth. 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.899 That's what we talked about a few weeks ago 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:09.500 with these precious and very great promises. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.139 We stir ourselves up with that. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:13.839 And then finally, in relationships, right? 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.940 We are like Peter. 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:16.960 Peter, verse 15, 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:19.779 is making every effort for the sake of these people. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:23.940 We follow after Peter, 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.899 making every effort as well 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:27.740 to stir one another up 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:29.220 by way of reminder. 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:35.099 Not with trite, insensitive words, 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:37.539 but praying to God for wisdom 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:39.079 that we would know what to speak 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.559 and when to speak it. 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:44.779 Reminding each other of God's goodness 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.579 and his grace. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:47.460 Reminding each other of God's provision 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.779 for us in Christ 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:50.940 and in our lives. 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:54.319 We are looking to place ourselves 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:56.779 where we can be reminded. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.480 Not because we're legalists. 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.859 Not because we're nerds. 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:06.160 But because we're people 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.720 who are hungry for grace 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:09.680 and we know that we need it. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:15.220 Now this may sound a little bit like 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:17.960 knowing better is doing better. 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:20.380 But of course, as Christians, 00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:21.759 we know that to know better 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.920 is not to do better. 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:25.920 What we have is not a problem of knowledge, 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:28.160 but a problem of the heart. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.720 And so we see again 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.720 that knowledge is merely an instrument. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:33.039 Remember, we looked a few weeks ago 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.000 at the fact that knowledge 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:36.340 is an instrument of God's power 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:39.400 that he uses to play a song of obedience 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.280 in our lives. 00:23:40.320 --> 00:23:41.200 It's an instrument. 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.220 And so again, 00:23:43.280 --> 00:23:44.980 we look to the power behind it. 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:45.880 Of course, for us, 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.940 it is God by his Holy Spirit 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:50.180 using knowledge in our lives. 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.360 He is the one 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:53.240 who must be playing the knowledge 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:56.340 if we expect any change. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:56.740 And of course, 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:58.600 this is what Jesus tells us 00:23:58.600 --> 00:24:00.240 in John chapter 14. 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.820 When he's talking to his disciples, 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.780 he tells them about the privilege 00:24:03.780 --> 00:24:05.360 of receiving the Holy Spirit. 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:07.980 In fact, he considers it such a privilege 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.079 that he tells them 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:11.000 that it's better to have the Holy Spirit 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.700 than to have Jesus with them. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.420 Think about that for a second. 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:18.559 Jesus considers him leaving this earth 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.680 to be an upgrade 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:23.620 because he's sending his spirit. 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:25.220 He tells them in John chapter 16, 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.180 it is to your advantage that I go away. 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.519 For if I do not go away, 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:30.380 the helper will not come to you. 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.559 But if I go, 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.819 I will send him to you. 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:35.220 And then earlier in John 14, 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.939 he tells them 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:37.240 he's going to send them 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.460 the Holy Spirit 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.839 who will dwell with you 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.579 and be in you. 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.559 And then, of course, 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:45.619 Peter is writing these things, 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:47.899 remembering what Jesus has taught. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:48.759 Why? 00:24:51.439 --> 00:24:52.779 Because Jesus promised 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:54.539 the Holy Spirit in John 14 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:57.339 would bring to their remembrance 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:59.439 the things he had taught. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:02.120 And so the Holy Spirit 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:04.259 is reminding Peter 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:07.140 of what Jesus taught. 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:09.980 Peter is then stirring up 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.820 these people by way of reminder. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.039 In other words, 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.740 he is not taking 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:19.299 an academic exercise here. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.480 John 14 tells us 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.200 the Holy Spirit 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.600 will teach you all things 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:24.539 and bring to your remembrance 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:26.019 all that I have said to you. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:28.319 It's the Spirit, 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.480 not the knowledge, 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.240 that has the power. 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.920 And so God is using 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.579 that knowledge, 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.900 using these reminders 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.200 to stir us up. 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.279 He is sending his Spirit 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.900 to bring his Word 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.779 and his promises 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.619 to our memory. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.379 It is one of the ways 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:44.240 that he serves as the vine. 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.180 Remember last time 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.819 we talked about 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.240 the fact that Jesus is the vine. 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.059 We are the branches. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:50.180 How does he nourish us? 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:53.799 One way is by his Spirit 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:55.519 reminding us of his Word. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:59.019 Knowing better 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.339 is not doing better. 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.819 Only knowledge, 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:05.160 knowledge is only helpful 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.639 when it is an instrument 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:08.160 of God's Holy Spirit. 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.339 And so we look to Jesus, right? 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.960 Gardeners do the same thing 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.940 over and over again. 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.039 If you're trying 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.000 to take care of plants, 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.680 you don't try to find 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.139 a different water each morning. 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:21.759 You're bringing the same water, right? 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.200 Day after day, 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.319 week after week. 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:26.960 Your plant doesn't talk back 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.659 to you and say, 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.200 could we try something new today? 00:26:30.439 --> 00:26:31.519 Maybe some Kool-Aid 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.099 would be helpful. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.619 No, it's grateful 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.919 for the water that you bring. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.980 And so we also, 00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:38.579 we look to our Lord 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.659 and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:41.359 He sends us his Spirit 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.859 to stir us up, 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:44.259 and he's able to send it 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.379 because he has returned 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:45.980 to the Father. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.599 He's able to send it 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:49.099 because he's earned it for us 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:50.000 by his death 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.200 and his resurrection. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.779 And so this hope 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.940 and confidence comes 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.960 to those 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.160 and only to those 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.960 who have faith 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:58.400 and hope in Jesus Christ, 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.220 who have repented 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.519 of their sins, 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.420 acknowledging that 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.420 they have no hope 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:04.120 aside from Christ's death 00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:05.140 and his resurrection. 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:06.920 And so they are 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:08.080 accepting him, right, 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.240 as their vine. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.240 And so if you want 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:15.000 to be reminded 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.740 of what's true, 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.340 if you want to be 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.140 stirred up, 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.519 if you want knowledge 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:20.000 to actually lead to change, 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.099 it must be knowledge 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.140 that comes from the vine. 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:24.259 It must be knowledge 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.720 that comes from Jesus Christ. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:30.279 He is the only option. 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.640 And so that's why we pray 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.259 every week, 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.940 every Sunday, 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.119 that God would send his Spirit 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:37.380 because we know 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:37.940 that we need it. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.980 That's why I pray 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.920 before every sermon 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.700 that God would send 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.220 his Spirit, 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:44.420 not as some ritual 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:46.140 or word spoken 00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:46.819 over and over, 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.960 but as an acknowledgement 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.619 that without God's Spirit, 00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:50.719 what we are doing 00:27:50.719 --> 00:27:51.559 here today 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.479 is worthless. 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.259 We need him 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.639 and his power 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:58.979 to stir us up. 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.419 We need him 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:00.719 to stir us up 00:28:00.719 --> 00:28:01.559 with these reminders 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.239 because, 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.579 and only because, 00:28:03.679 --> 00:28:05.079 God is at work 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.239 through them. 00:28:09.719 --> 00:28:10.719 We're going to end 00:28:10.719 --> 00:28:12.099 today our closing song. 00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:12.559 I'm going to invite you 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.219 to take a look at it 00:28:13.219 --> 00:28:14.059 on page six. 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.299 It's a song 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:18.519 about being stirred up 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.519 by way of reminder. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:22.599 The last line, 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.359 so we'll go backwards, 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.299 tells us this. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.099 Let that grace now, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.720 like a fetter, 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.879 bind my wandering heart 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:28.420 to thee. 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.500 Prone to wander, 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.440 Lord, I feel it. 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.119 Prone to leave 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:31.839 the God I love. 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:32.420 In other words, 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:34.220 author of this hymn 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.420 doesn't have a knowledge problem. 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.220 He has a heart problem. 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.460 He's being pulled away 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.619 over and over. 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:46.000 There's a power 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.879 at work in his heart. 00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:47.919 His heart is wandering. 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.599 So what does he do? 00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:52.759 Second verse. 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.259 Stirs himself up 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.199 by way of reminder. 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.759 He tells us 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.439 that he raises 00:28:57.439 --> 00:28:58.119 an Ebenezer. 00:28:58.239 --> 00:28:58.919 Now, we don't talk 00:28:58.919 --> 00:28:59.879 about Ebenezers 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:01.359 very often today. 00:29:01.479 --> 00:29:02.779 It sounds somewhat obscure, 00:29:02.919 --> 00:29:03.519 but actually it comes 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.379 from the Old Testament 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.879 in 1 Samuel. 00:29:07.239 --> 00:29:07.679 Samuel, 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.799 a prophet of God, 00:29:08.959 --> 00:29:10.019 sets up a stone. 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.259 Ebenezer, by the way, 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.700 means stone of help. 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.339 He sets up this stone 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:16.480 in 1 Samuel 7, verse 12, 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:18.180 as a reminder 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.720 of when God helped them 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.900 against the Philistines. 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.079 By the way, 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:23.039 God had helped them 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.079 against the Philistines 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:26.480 despite their unfaithfulness 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.740 and their cowardice. 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.480 And so Samuel 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.539 sets up a reminder 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:33.180 not of their faithfulness, 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.900 but of God's faithfulness. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.160 And so this hymn writer 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.839 is referring to that. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.660 Here I raise up 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.460 my reminder, 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.440 my Ebenezer. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.820 What is he reminding himself of? 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.759 He's reminding himself 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.940 of basic truths. 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.080 Hither by thy help 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:44.580 I'm come, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.320 and I hope 00:29:45.320 --> 00:29:46.420 by thy good pleasure 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:47.759 safely to arrive at home. 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.039 Jesus sought me 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.799 when a stranger 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:51.640 wandering from the fold of God, 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.900 he to rescue me 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.559 from danger, 00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:55.580 interposed his precious blood. 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.059 He reminds himself 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.240 that Jesus paid 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.340 the price for his sins. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.100 Not Christianity 201, 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.960 not Christianity 301, 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.900 Christianity 101. 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:08.779 And he has that Ebenezer, 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.400 that reminder, 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.279 over and over. 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.420 And then we see, 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:11.880 finally, 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.880 the first verse. 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.059 What does he expect 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.579 to happen? 00:30:16.380 --> 00:30:17.160 He says, 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:17.960 come thou fount 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.640 of every blessing, 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.799 tune my heart 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:21.559 to sing thy grace. 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.360 In other words, 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.900 he knows that God 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:25.680 will use knowledge 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.420 as an instrument 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.200 of his power 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:29.819 to play a song 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.319 of obedience 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.080 in his life 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:33.240 by way of reminder. 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:36.900 God is the one 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.799 tuning our hearts. 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.100 He is doing that. 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.420 He is stirring us up 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.740 by his spirit 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:44.140 as a way of reminder 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:45.220 so that we would be 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:47.059 like this writer. 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.640 Our hearts would be tuned 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.380 to sing his grace. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.480 That's what we're gonna do now. 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.180 First, 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.160 I invite you to pray with me. 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.880 Our Father in heaven, 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.900 we thank you again 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.799 for your word. 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.340 That nourishes us 00:30:58.340 --> 00:30:59.380 and sustains us. 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.779 We ask that you would do it now, 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:02.880 not through our achievement 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.640 or accomplishment 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.400 in knowing, 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:05.559 but through your spirit 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:07.000 which uses it powerfully 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.660 in our lives. 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.480 That you would remind us 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.160 of our weakness 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:11.420 and because of it 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.799 we would come back to you 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.819 for food 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.740 day after day, 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:15.680 week after week, 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:16.840 year after year, 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.460 walking in faithfulness 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.340 to our Lord and Savior, 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.059 Jesus Christ. 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.360 And it's in his name 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:21.940 that we pray. 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:22.819 Amen.