WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.779 I remember it vividly, although it was, I think, around about 44 years ago now, something like that. 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:14.019 I was like 10 or 11, and I was on my first school excursion. 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:17.679 We were away for something like four days. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:21.100 We had travelled about 400 kilometres from home. 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:25.960 We were just north of here near Newcastle. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:30.600 And each of our grade were billeted out. 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:34.020 We were distributed to families from the school that we were connecting with. 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:39.079 This is before there were things like child protection laws and things like that. 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:47.400 And I remember staying with this family, and it was the end of a very long day. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:48.439 It was the first night. 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:54.240 There were so many things that were familiar with this family to my own, 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:57.560 but there was a whole bunch of stuff that was different as well. 00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:01.579 And I remember we had dinner, and the mum said, 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:06.099 do you want to call home and just tell your parents that, you know, you're okay? 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:09.540 And so I rang home to tell them that I was okay, 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:14.540 and as soon as my mum answered the phone, I just burst into tears. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:17.599 I didn't know what happened, where it came from. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:20.079 I just started blubbering. 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:24.739 And I was told that it was called homesickness. 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:29.479 And it's like, and I mean, these people may be sick. 00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:32.879 You know, like, what is this homesickness? 00:01:34.619 --> 00:01:38.419 In case you're not sure what it is, it's an emotional distress. 00:01:38.619 --> 00:01:42.659 It's the feeling of emotional distress when you're away from home 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:45.539 and in a new and unfamiliar environment, 00:01:45.539 --> 00:01:49.659 even though there were many things that were familiar to that environment for me. 00:01:50.979 --> 00:01:56.359 Maybe some of us here feel that experience on a regular basis, 00:01:56.899 --> 00:02:00.659 given the fact that Australia is not your first home. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:06.560 But it is the Christian life according to the Bible. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:10.860 It's what we touched on last week in 1 Peter, 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:15.640 as Peter describes the life of the Christian as resident aliens. 00:02:15.920 --> 00:02:17.479 We are exiles, foreigners. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:23.599 That is, the Christian is not a tourist in this world. 00:02:24.920 --> 00:02:29.879 We live, in fact, to serve our neighbours for the good of society. 00:02:29.980 --> 00:02:32.000 And in that sense, we are resident aliens. 00:02:33.300 --> 00:02:34.580 This is not our home. 00:02:34.580 --> 00:02:38.320 We are homesick for our true home. 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:44.380 We live as homesick people longing for our true home. 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:49.700 This was true for the first residents, 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:53.280 sorry, the first recipients of this letter from Peter, 00:02:53.420 --> 00:02:59.060 as they themselves were struggling under the oppression of a Roman society, 00:02:59.720 --> 00:03:02.480 standing against their trust in Jesus Christ. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:07.119 And it's true for the Christian today in our society, 00:03:07.619 --> 00:03:10.759 and for Christians everywhere, from every culture and society, 00:03:10.899 --> 00:03:14.819 from the time that Jesus ascended, 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:18.979 and until we reach home, we are homesick. 00:03:19.799 --> 00:03:21.060 When you become a Christian, 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:24.000 you don't just turn over and you leave, 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:26.939 or simply become a little bit more spiritual. 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:31.219 In the Bible, 1 Peter says that, as we just read, we are reborn. 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:33.039 Reborn. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:36.180 A whole entire new life has begun. 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:39.280 The old is gone, and new has come. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:44.780 The resurrection power of Jesus Christ, 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:50.560 the same power that saw him go from death to life, 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:52.699 comes into our lives. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:59.840 And so what does the pilgrim resident alien life look like? 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:04.939 That's the journey we're on here in 1 Peter, 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:06.360 as we look at this new life. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:08.560 But one way that Peter answers that, 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:12.240 is as he who called you is holy, 00:04:12.860 --> 00:04:14.599 so be holy in all you do. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:17.620 For it is written, be holy, because I am holy. 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:20.459 So that's what we're looking at this morning. 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:21.360 We've got three things. 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:23.699 If you've got the St. Paul's app, you can download it. 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:29.620 If you want to just take notes, feel free to do that as well. 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:30.479 But what is holiness? 00:04:31.479 --> 00:04:33.339 How does holiness grow? 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:36.719 And who makes the holiness possible? 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:39.139 So what is holiness? 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:40.919 That's the first thing. 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:45.779 We start to answer that question by looking again at verses 15 and 16. 00:04:45.919 --> 00:04:47.980 Just as he who called you is holy, 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:50.079 so be holy in all you do. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:54.899 For it is written, be holy, because I am holy. 00:04:57.079 --> 00:04:59.979 Now, when we hear the word holiness, 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:03.479 which is not a word that's generally used in society much at all, 00:05:03.539 --> 00:05:05.479 unless somehow it's a slight, 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:09.620 but we automatically think in terms of morality. 00:05:10.479 --> 00:05:11.659 It's morality. 00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:12.519 It's moral things. 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:13.299 It's ethics. 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:18.019 And we think of things like the Ten Commandments 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:20.120 or the Golden Rule, the Great Commandment, 00:05:20.159 --> 00:05:20.859 that sort of stuff. 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:24.240 Holiness, according to the Bible, 00:05:24.299 --> 00:05:27.479 doesn't mean less than morality, 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:30.839 but it does mean something fundamentally more 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:32.680 than just morality. 00:05:34.019 --> 00:05:38.620 The clue to that is Peter's quote in verse 16. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:44.660 Be holy because I am holy. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:48.459 What Peter's doing there is he's quoting from Leviticus 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:49.780 in the Old Testament. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:53.639 And there are at least five times in Leviticus 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:55.980 that God says to his people Israel, 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:58.040 words to the effect of, 00:05:58.280 --> 00:06:01.340 be holy because I am holy. 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:05.679 Now, but the interesting thing about the book of Leviticus 00:06:05.679 --> 00:06:08.219 is that it's talking, 00:06:08.459 --> 00:06:10.419 Leviticus talks about holy things, 00:06:11.159 --> 00:06:13.959 not so much holy people. 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:18.319 That is, Leviticus does not include 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:19.819 a list of the Ten Commandments 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:22.219 or the moral codes. 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:23.500 You've got to go to Deuteronomy, 00:06:23.559 --> 00:06:24.719 you've got to go to Exodus for that. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:28.080 Leviticus talks about holy tables 00:06:28.080 --> 00:06:32.880 and holy pots and holy utensils. 00:06:34.580 --> 00:06:38.980 That is, holiness is much more 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:41.740 than just morality and ethics. 00:06:44.880 --> 00:06:49.840 You know, what after all is a holy pot? 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:55.399 More curiously, what is a unholy pot? 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:58.299 I googled unholy pot 00:06:58.299 --> 00:07:00.539 and up comes marijuana. 00:07:05.339 --> 00:07:07.439 The word holy in the Bible 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:09.439 means separate or set apart. 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:12.739 This is why God can easily call himself holy. 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:15.259 He is set apart from everything 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:17.779 and every being. 00:07:17.779 --> 00:07:20.479 That is, he stands outside of creation. 00:07:20.619 --> 00:07:21.559 He creates creation, 00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:23.199 but he's not part of creation. 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:24.539 He is unique. 00:07:25.359 --> 00:07:26.739 That is, God himself, 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:29.679 by himself, exists in his own category. 00:07:30.159 --> 00:07:31.719 There is none like him. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:33.879 And when God says, I am holy, 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:35.039 he is saying, 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:36.419 there is nothing, 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:39.079 no one like me at all. 00:07:40.979 --> 00:07:42.859 And so, to look at Leviticus, 00:07:43.059 --> 00:07:44.579 to understand what holiness is, 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:46.139 a holy item, 00:07:46.479 --> 00:07:48.339 like a pot or a table 00:07:48.339 --> 00:07:49.800 or a spoon, 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.959 is set apart 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:56.240 for God's exclusive use. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:59.159 It's used for God 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:01.459 and worshipping God. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:07.060 So, when Peter quotes Leviticus here 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:08.779 to tell people 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:10.959 that they should be holy 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:13.299 in living the pilgrim life, 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:16.279 the implication is 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:18.159 that he's going beyond 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:18.979 and deeper 00:08:18.979 --> 00:08:20.859 than ethics and morality. 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.399 Holiness is 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:26.359 fundamentally 00:08:26.359 --> 00:08:28.799 belonging to God. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:30.639 That's what it is. 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:32.159 Not simply 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:34.480 a moral code. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:38.840 The core of holiness 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:40.500 is very personal. 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:42.740 Very personal. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:47.060 A very, very personal God. 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:49.039 Not law codes. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:51.340 Not moral rules. 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:53.799 They're not at the core of holiness. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.500 Belonging 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:58.279 to a personal God 00:08:58.279 --> 00:08:59.620 is at the core of holiness. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:01.639 So, that means 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:03.220 it is actually possible 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:05.700 to be moral 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:07.940 out of a sense of duty 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:09.879 or self-worth 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:11.639 or meeting expectations 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:12.600 of others 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:15.000 or just simple pragmatism 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:18.620 and yet still not belong to God. 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:22.139 You can be moral 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.460 for selfish reasons. 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.360 It's possible 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:25.960 to be moral 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:27.480 but not long to God. 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:28.980 It's possible 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.159 to do good things 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:32.000 and to live 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:33.039 a good life 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:34.820 and still not belong 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:35.419 to God. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:37.159 You see, 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:37.879 belonging to God 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:39.279 is primarily 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:40.340 a heart issue. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.600 It's not an activity 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:43.720 first and foremost. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:48.279 There are only 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:49.259 a few people 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:50.279 in my life 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.940 where I can say 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:52.899 that their claims 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:53.519 of love 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:54.460 on my life 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.500 are so great 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:57.019 that I belong 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:57.600 to them. 00:09:58.440 --> 00:09:59.259 That's my wife 00:09:59.259 --> 00:09:59.899 and my children. 00:10:03.540 --> 00:10:04.639 There are things 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:05.779 that I do now 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:07.040 that I would 00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:08.019 most likely 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:09.019 not do 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.700 if it wasn't 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:12.399 because of those 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.220 love relationships. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:17.720 If it wasn't 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:18.379 because of those 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.200 love relationships 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:19.920 there was things 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:20.879 that I currently do 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.820 that I would not 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:23.100 choose to do. 00:10:27.060 --> 00:10:28.440 To belong to God 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:29.420 means to live 00:10:29.420 --> 00:10:30.639 on his terms, 00:10:31.540 --> 00:10:32.540 delighting in him, 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:33.879 reserving ourselves 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:34.440 for him, 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:35.040 obeying him, 00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:35.680 honouring him. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.040 Belonging to God 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:37.940 means 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:39.899 duty becomes 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:40.399 delight. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:40.539 delight. 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:43.860 It is not 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:44.379 enough to be 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:44.699 moral. 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:47.159 To be holy 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:47.740 we must 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:48.799 belong 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:50.019 to God. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:53.539 Imagine a scenario 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.199 where you have 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:55.620 a single 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:56.600 poor woman 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:57.079 who has 00:10:57.079 --> 00:10:57.779 one child. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.220 This woman 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:00.899 teaches her child 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:01.860 good ethics, 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:03.319 good things 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:03.639 to 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:05.939 care for the poor, 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:06.840 to always tell 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.500 the truth, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:09.080 to have a great 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:09.659 work ethic, 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.460 work hard. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:11.340 And she does 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.320 everything for her 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:13.059 child as she's 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:13.740 growing up. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:14.879 She works long 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:15.919 hours in hard 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:17.179 conditions and 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:18.379 sacrifices much to 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:19.039 provide for her 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:19.299 child. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:19.620 And so, 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.840 such a point where 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:21.700 she works and 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.200 works and works 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:22.679 and is able to 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:23.659 send this child 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:25.460 into a university 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:26.200 and as soon as 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:27.340 this child gets 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.120 their university 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.659 degree and 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:31.279 then from there 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:32.080 they do well, 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:32.740 they get into a 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.480 great job, 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.480 the child calls 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:34.980 her up with the 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:35.759 great news, 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.580 I've got this 00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:37.740 fantastic job, 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:40.080 getting paid 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:40.560 well, 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.360 I can afford 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:41.879 some great 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.259 rent. 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:44.519 So, 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:45.960 from here on 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:46.279 in, 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:47.159 I'll be in 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:48.039 touch occasionally. 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:52.500 Christmas time, 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:52.980 birthdays, 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:55.500 I'll send a 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:55.879 card. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:57.980 But from here 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.440 on in, 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.220 I'm living life 00:11:59.220 --> 00:11:59.879 my way 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:01.860 because I don't 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.820 actually need you 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:03.259 anymore. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.759 because I'm 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:07.259 doing what you 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:07.920 told me to do, 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:08.580 I'm taking care 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.080 of the poor, 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.139 I tell the 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.680 truth and I 00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:11.420 work hard, 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:12.659 thank you for 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:12.940 that. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.420 Mother starts 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:15.980 to cry, 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:17.860 it's confused, 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.320 they're really 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:19.879 upset. 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.159 And the 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:22.800 child, 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:24.600 what's your 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:24.960 problem? 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.139 I'm doing the 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:26.759 things that you've 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.620 told me to do, 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.200 I am loving 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:30.740 the poor, 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:31.639 caring for them, 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:32.180 I'm telling the 00:12:32.180 --> 00:12:32.460 truth, 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:32.980 I'm working 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:33.399 hard, 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.620 what is your 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.019 problem? 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.039 Why are you 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.919 upset with me? 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.059 Now if you've 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:41.019 got any emotional 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:41.939 intelligence at all, 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:42.639 you would understand 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.340 that child doesn't 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:43.840 have emotional 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.340 intelligence. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:48.139 It's unthinkable, 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.659 horrible for 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:50.639 someone to treat 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:51.919 their parent like 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:52.319 that, 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.459 and yet that's the 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:53.939 way we often 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:54.539 think about 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.899 morality, 00:12:56.319 --> 00:12:56.740 it's often the 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.179 way we think 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:57.819 about holiness, 00:12:58.579 --> 00:12:59.299 we just do 00:12:59.299 --> 00:12:59.840 things, 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.279 live a certain 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:01.699 way, 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.360 but without 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.059 a relationship. 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.439 For anyone 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:09.120 to say that 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.620 it's really 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:11.139 important that 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:11.799 I am moral, 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:12.519 but I don't 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.459 need God, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.839 you're not 00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:16.199 holy. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.220 Holiness means 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:20.860 you belong to 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.100 God, 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:21.559 and so the 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:22.100 core of 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:23.399 holiness is 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.259 intentionally, 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.220 intensely 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.399 relational. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:26.480 relational. 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.179 This leads to 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:29.879 another very 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.720 important discovery. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.319 We now have 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:33.759 the key 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.840 principle in 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.179 which to 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:36.039 apply holiness 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.579 to every 00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:38.740 single part 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:39.360 of our 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.019 lives. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.179 The opposite 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:43.679 of belonging 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.600 to God is 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.240 to live for 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:45.879 yourself. 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:48.600 The opposite 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:48.980 of belonging 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:50.100 to God is 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:50.579 to live for 00:13:50.579 --> 00:13:51.100 yourself, 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:52.679 you, 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:53.679 what you want 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.240 in life, 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.120 your preferences. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.240 And so the 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:57.840 principle of 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:58.659 holy living 00:13:58.659 --> 00:14:00.779 is to 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:02.379 live for 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.039 yourself, 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:05.939 sorry, 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:06.539 is to not 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:06.819 live for 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:07.259 yourself, 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.220 but to 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:08.500 live for 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:08.819 God. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.340 1 Corinthians 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:10.699 6, 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.459 19 puts it 00:14:11.459 --> 00:14:12.059 like this, 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:12.860 you are 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.519 not your 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:13.959 own, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.059 you are 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:16.399 bought at 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:16.980 a price, 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:17.919 therefore 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.539 honour God 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:18.939 with your 00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:19.279 bodies. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.259 The Christian 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:20.620 has been 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.059 bought at 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:21.639 a price, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.019 they are 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:22.480 owned by 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:22.819 another. 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.639 That means 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:23.879 that there 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.299 is not a 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:24.779 single 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.879 situation 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:26.819 in life, 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:29.159 not a 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.839 single 00:14:29.839 --> 00:14:31.079 situation 00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:32.100 in life 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:34.699 where we 00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:35.559 make a 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:36.139 decision 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:38.539 based on 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.079 personal 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.839 preference, 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.100 not a 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.379 single 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:41.879 decision, 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.459 nothing in 00:14:43.459 --> 00:14:43.839 life, 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:45.120 anywhere 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.699 where I 00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:47.480 think about 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.819 what is 00:14:48.819 --> 00:14:50.279 my need 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.139 first. 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:53.879 you live 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.240 for God 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.740 and others. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.039 It's 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:58.259 really 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:58.639 interesting, 00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.080 I find 00:14:59.080 --> 00:14:59.539 that Peter 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.319 in the 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:00.840 first place 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.659 quotes from 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.159 Leviticus. 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.120 In the 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.419 book of 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:04.779 Acts, 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.480 we read 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:05.919 that God 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.519 really had 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.000 to push 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.500 home to 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:09.179 Peter that 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:09.720 it wasn't 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.539 necessary for 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:10.819 him to 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.240 keep the 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:11.580 entire 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.039 Levitical 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.480 code. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.480 As a 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:14.699 Jew, 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:15.220 Peter was 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:15.759 committed to 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.279 the rules 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.259 about food, 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:17.740 clothing, 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:18.319 ceremonies. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:20.680 He even 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:21.580 was insisting 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.300 that new 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:22.800 Christians, 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.340 Gentile 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:23.980 Christians, 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:24.960 needed to 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:25.460 submit to 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:25.879 this same 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.360 law code 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:26.860 as well 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.740 in certain 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.280 areas. 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.280 And then 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:31.020 God gives 00:15:31.020 --> 00:15:31.720 Peter a 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:33.260 vision and 00:15:33.260 --> 00:15:33.720 tells him, 00:15:33.760 --> 00:15:34.000 in Acts 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.379 chapter 10, 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:34.920 and tells 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:35.720 him that 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.379 all these 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.440 laws have 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:37.900 now been 00:15:37.900 --> 00:15:38.600 fulfilled by 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:39.000 Jesus. 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.320 Jesus has 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.300 perfectly 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:43.700 obeyed and 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.560 so you are 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.620 clean and 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.140 you are now 00:15:46.140 --> 00:15:47.760 acceptable to 00:15:47.760 --> 00:15:48.140 Jesus. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:52.080 it took 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.400 Peter a 00:15:53.400 --> 00:15:53.940 little while 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:54.560 to get 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:54.940 that. 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.780 But he 00:15:57.780 --> 00:15:58.540 finally got 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.180 the principle 00:15:59.180 --> 00:15:59.820 of holiness. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.840 Every part 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:03.280 of your 00:16:03.280 --> 00:16:05.320 life is 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:05.680 holy. 00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:09.060 Every part 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.620 is to be 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:09.940 holy. 00:16:10.760 --> 00:16:11.379 And to be 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.320 holy is to 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.060 belong to 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:13.960 God first 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.840 and foremost. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:16.240 The 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.360 particulars of 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.060 Leviticus, 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.700 are fulfilled 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.620 by Jesus 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.820 but the 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.900 principle still 00:16:22.900 --> 00:16:23.780 applies to 00:16:23.780 --> 00:16:24.300 the Christian 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:24.820 now. 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.900 Every part 00:16:26.900 --> 00:16:27.680 of your life 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:28.540 belongs to 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:28.980 God. 00:16:29.520 --> 00:16:30.260 Every part. 00:16:30.260 --> 00:16:30.300 Every part. 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:39.459 the principle 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:41.199 of living for 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:41.740 God and 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.479 others and 00:16:42.479 --> 00:16:43.219 not self 00:16:43.219 --> 00:16:44.919 is to push 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.699 its way into 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.659 every corner 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.379 of our 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.039 lives. 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:51.059 So I 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.500 ask you 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:51.979 the last, 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:52.979 just think of 00:16:52.979 --> 00:16:53.479 the last big 00:16:53.479 --> 00:16:54.099 decision that 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:54.639 you've made. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.639 I'm not 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:59.139 asking you, 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.580 did you pray 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.059 about it? 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.700 I'm asking 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:08.299 how have 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.680 other people 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.379 responded to 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:09.539 it? 00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:11.099 What wisdom 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.599 and guidance 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:11.920 did you get 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.319 from God's 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.779 word about 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.000 it? 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:21.140 So, 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.400 second point 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.700 is how 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:23.980 does it 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.220 grow? 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.440 If that's 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.000 what holiness 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.480 is, 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:27.759 then how 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.839 does it 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.700 grow in 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:32.039 our lives 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.519 and in 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:32.859 this new 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.200 life we 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.460 have in 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:33.740 Jesus? 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:33.900 Jesus. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.200 These 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.400 verses tell 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.160 us that 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.000 holiness 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.220 grows in 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.200 three ways. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:43.980 The mind, 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:45.180 the will, 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:45.779 and the 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.120 heart. 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.140 So first 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:47.380 of all, 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.059 let's focus 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:48.339 on the 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:48.599 mind. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:48.900 Notice 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:50.500 verse 13. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:50.740 With 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.960 minds that 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.500 are alert 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.140 and fully 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.559 sober, 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.059 set your 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.660 hope on 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.240 the grace 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:55.599 to be 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.220 brought to 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.099 you when 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:57.599 Jesus 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.359 Christ is 00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:59.559 revealed at 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.519 his coming. 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:02.839 it is 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.500 clear that 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.180 the mind, 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:04.859 with the 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:05.220 mind the 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.039 intellect is 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.559 engaged. 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.700 Minds that 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.160 are in 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:08.940 fact alert 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.460 as we're 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:09.839 told here 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.279 and fully 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.619 sober. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.359 To be 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.519 fully sober 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.639 is not to 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.119 mean that 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:14.700 you don't 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.299 drink alcohol. 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.059 To be 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.779 fully sober 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.379 the word 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:17.720 means 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.480 judicious. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.639 It means 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:20.940 to be 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.420 careful. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.279 It means 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.539 to be 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.039 thoughtful. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.440 It means 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:23.700 to be 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.139 sensible. 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:24.480 It means 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:24.700 to be 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.240 prudent. 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.240 It's 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.440 the, 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.460 if you 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:27.799 like, 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:28.920 in the 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.420 first century 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:29.759 it's the 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.420 mindset of 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.019 the scholar. 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.039 The other 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.400 statement is 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:35.759 for our 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.240 minds to 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.000 be alert. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.980 In the 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.480 original 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.240 New Testament 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.279 language that 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.420 reads as 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.440 gird up 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.480 your minds. 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:46.320 I think 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:47.360 some of the 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:48.279 early English 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.140 translations have 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.820 the idea of 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:50.560 gird up your 00:18:50.560 --> 00:18:51.120 minds. 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.060 It's quite a 00:18:52.060 --> 00:18:52.920 vivid statement. 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.539 Back in those 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.140 days when this 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:55.759 was written, 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:57.400 everyone wore 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.980 dresses, 00:18:59.300 --> 00:18:59.759 well technically 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.240 robes. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:03.359 If you 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:03.700 need to 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.259 do something 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.099 active, 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.299 what you 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:06.799 did was 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.200 you got 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.319 your robe, 00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:08.720 you pulled 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.180 it up and 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.859 you stuck 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.299 it in your 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:10.700 belt, 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:12.400 your girdle, 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.180 you stuck 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:14.579 it in your 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.019 belt in order 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.279 to be able 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.740 to do the 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.559 active thing. 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.619 So how 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:23.119 alert and 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.039 fully sober 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.200 work together 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.740 in this 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:27.099 passage is 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.439 that the 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:28.699 Christian needs 00:19:28.699 --> 00:19:29.039 to be 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.579 thinking, 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.119 thinking, 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:30.659 thinking, 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.539 pouring over 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.019 God's 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.419 word, 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:33.259 his 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.939 requirements, 00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:34.959 the gospel, 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.779 again thinking, 00:19:35.959 --> 00:19:36.179 thinking, 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.699 thinking towards 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:38.339 action. 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.939 Not just 00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:42.839 blowing our 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.939 brains out 00:19:43.939 --> 00:19:44.519 more and more 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.019 with more and 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.699 more theology, 00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:47.859 but towards 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.519 action. 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.159 Thinking very 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:51.480 carefully about 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.859 the implications 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.679 of faith in 00:19:53.679 --> 00:19:54.799 Jesus in 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.539 every single 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.500 corner of 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.740 our lives 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:03.199 with the 00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:04.079 purpose or 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:05.000 the goal of 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.919 doing it, 00:20:07.479 --> 00:20:08.379 practicing it. 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:11.439 It tells us 00:20:11.439 --> 00:20:11.979 here to set 00:20:11.979 --> 00:20:12.679 our hope, 00:20:13.679 --> 00:20:14.519 to set our 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.319 sights, if you 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:16.419 like, on the 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:17.679 grace that is 00:20:17.679 --> 00:20:19.319 coming with 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.199 Jesus at the 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:20.899 end of all 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.459 things. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.960 in other 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:25.279 words, be 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.799 alert and 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.579 fully sober, 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.319 engage, 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:28.940 engage your 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.299 brains, put 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.660 it into 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.519 practice, the 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.079 Christian life 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.000 into practice, 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:34.180 with the 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.960 end goal in 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.519 focus. 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.559 Fix your 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.460 mind on the 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.420 finish line and 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.019 all its 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.259 rewards and 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.039 keep thinking 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.680 about it and 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.100 all its 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:45.380 implications over 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.519 and over and 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.700 over again and 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:49.640 push all those 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:51.079 implications down. 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:53.600 into practice. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.340 Put it like 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:59.380 this, are 00:20:59.380 --> 00:20:59.700 you a 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.039 Christian? 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.440 Do you know 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.740 that the 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.480 Bible says that 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.180 God made this 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.819 world to be 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.960 perfect paradise, 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:08.019 a perfect place 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.079 of love and 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.900 glory? 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.860 And yet 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.700 everything is 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.840 broken in our 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:15.360 world because 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.460 humanity turned 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.160 away from its 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.680 creator. 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:17.820 life. 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:21.600 But God, at 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.759 infinite cost to 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:24.680 himself, entered 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.519 history, his 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.980 story, as 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.740 Jesus Christ and 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.920 died on a cross to 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.600 pay the debt of 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.519 humanity's sin. 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.720 He will one day 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.100 return and remake 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:38.440 everything so that 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.400 it all becomes 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.840 perfect once again. 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:40.899 everything. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.759 What that means is 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.419 that whatever 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:47.480 happens to you in 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:49.379 life, whatever 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:50.519 happens to you in 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:52.379 life, it will end 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.199 up okay. 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.859 It will all be good 00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:58.759 in the end. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.919 Better, in fact, in 00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:01.500 the end. 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:03.439 The best thing that 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:04.959 can ever happen and 00:22:04.959 --> 00:22:06.079 the worst thing that 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.959 can ever happen to 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:09.559 you will live, is 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.279 that we will live 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.179 forever with him 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:12.359 in perfection and 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:12.740 glory. 00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:14.740 That is the worst 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.359 thing that can 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.059 happen to you, 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:18.659 namely death, is 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:19.759 the best thing that 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.779 can happen to you 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.460 because of Jesus. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.940 I want to ask you, 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.960 do you have peace 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.720 in that right now, 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.279 confidence in that 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.899 right now? 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:36.059 If you do not, 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:41.500 and if you are 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.279 constantly making 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.480 decisions to shore 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.440 up that peace and 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.079 to grow in that 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:47.440 confidence your way, 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:51.639 it's because you're 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.159 not thinking. 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:54.960 It's because you're 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.419 not thinking. 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.779 Don't believe the 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:02.119 self-serving narrative 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.980 of our time that 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.920 says Christians, 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:06.400 or more broadly 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:07.460 religious people, 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.819 well, they have 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.640 faith, but everyone 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.799 else thinks. 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:14.000 That is absolute 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.720 nonsense. 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.500 Absolute nonsense. 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.160 Think. 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:22.559 The Bible says that 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.620 you will not be 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.000 holy. 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.559 You will not have 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.079 peace. 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.799 You will not have 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:30.559 security and 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:32.900 certainty unless you 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.940 think. 00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:36.180 And primarily 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.940 think. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:41.120 Pour over God's 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:42.100 word to us. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.040 Have the gospel 00:23:44.040 --> 00:23:44.980 in front of you 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:46.800 again, day in 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:48.060 and day out. 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.680 I think we've 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.480 said this 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.740 multiple times 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.320 in the last 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:52.960 three to four 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.460 years. 00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:54.800 If you are not 00:23:54.800 --> 00:23:55.460 doing that a 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.259 minimum of four 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.220 times a week 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.259 in God's word, 00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.980 you are not 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.540 thinking. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.779 you are not 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.480 growing in 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:02.899 holiness. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.139 You will not 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.000 have certainty. 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.319 Thinking, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.859 however, is not 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.539 the only thing. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.000 The will must 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.940 also be engaged 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.319 in order to 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:15.899 grow in holiness. 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.319 Have a look at 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.940 verse 14. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.740 As obedient 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.279 children, do 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.019 not conform to 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.819 the evil desires 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.599 you had when 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.619 you lived in 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.359 ignorance. 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:24.419 obedience. 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.959 To be holy 00:24:27.959 --> 00:24:29.699 does in the 00:24:29.699 --> 00:24:30.259 end require 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.779 obedience. 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.479 As I said, it 00:24:31.479 --> 00:24:32.619 requires a 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.119 movement from 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.059 thinking towards 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.699 action. 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.359 So it requires 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.839 obedience. 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.719 Peter here is 00:24:37.719 --> 00:24:38.919 addressing Gentiles. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.639 They didn't know 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.500 the Ten Commandments 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.119 or the rest of the 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.039 law, but now 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.519 they do. 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.619 And now that 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.279 they do, he 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.000 says they need 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.799 to conform to 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.000 it. 00:24:48.199 --> 00:24:48.740 We should 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.459 note, though, 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.079 that even as 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:51.859 Peter says 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.119 obedience is 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:55.179 required, notice 00:24:55.179 --> 00:24:55.979 he calls them 00:24:55.979 --> 00:24:57.639 obedient children. 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.000 As obedient 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.399 children. 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.039 Again, it's 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.059 highly relational. 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.399 Not obedient 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.659 slaves, not 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:05.639 obedient workers, 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:06.939 not obedient 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:08.599 servants, obedient 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.519 children. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.279 He's talking 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.119 about the kind 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:15.299 of trusting 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:17.099 obedience that 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.279 children give 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.199 to parents, 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.819 parents who 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.819 they rely 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.639 upon and 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.240 love. 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:27.840 Another great 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.460 example of 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.140 this in 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:29.980 terms of 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.480 obedience is 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.820 in 2 Samuel 00:25:32.820 --> 00:25:33.540 23. 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:34.680 It's one of 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.259 these narratives 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.780 that you 00:25:35.780 --> 00:25:36.360 potentially could 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:37.000 fly straight 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.640 over and not 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.120 notice the 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:38.740 beauty of it. 00:25:39.540 --> 00:25:40.240 When David 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.140 became king, 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.220 the Philistines 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.500 were so worried 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.040 about David. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.520 They were like, 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:47.420 this guy is 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.640 going to be a 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.460 formidable force 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.240 to reckon with. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:52.180 As soon as he 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.339 was crowned 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.160 king, the 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.620 Philistines 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.200 decided we're 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.819 going to invade 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.559 his country 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.740 while he's still 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.920 celebrating or 00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.420 while he's a 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.579 little bit unsure 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.299 of himself as 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.759 king, new in the 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.319 role as the 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.839 head man. 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:07.160 They came in 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.980 real strong. 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.319 David, in this 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.480 moment, responds 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.039 in the way that 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.099 they probably 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:13.720 predicted he 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.140 would. 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.640 with a few 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.660 hand-picked 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.500 men known as 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.200 David's mighty 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.040 men, he 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:20.120 escaped into 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:20.640 the wilderness. 00:26:21.020 --> 00:26:21.520 He did a 00:26:21.520 --> 00:26:22.640 runner with a 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.240 few choice 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.800 guys. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.300 The Philistines 00:26:25.300 --> 00:26:26.460 came in, they 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.240 took over the 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.900 key parts of 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.560 David's kingdom 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:30.600 including David's 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.200 hometown, 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.020 Bethlehem. 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:35.320 So Dave's out 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:35.759 there in the 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.640 wilderness, one 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:38.200 hot day, he 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.980 laments his 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.920 situation and 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:41.500 says with words 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:43.700 to effect, if 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:45.359 only I had 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:47.000 a Frank 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:48.119 Green full 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.940 of the water 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.559 from the 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:52.000 well that I 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.000 drank out of 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.740 as a kid in 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.339 Bethlehem, if 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.099 only I had 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.440 that. 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:58.240 It was a 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.359 hope, it was a 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.339 longing of things 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.220 to be reversed. 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.119 It wasn't a 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.000 command and 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.700 three of these 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.940 key dudes are 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.559 there going, 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:09.660 hmm, strap 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.279 their swords 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.039 on, grab the 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.639 water jug, 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.839 fought their 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.019 way through 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.779 the Philistines 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.619 to Bethlehem, 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.899 filled up the 00:27:16.899 --> 00:27:17.659 water jug from 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:18.659 the well, came 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.579 running back, 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.119 fought their 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.720 way back through 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.440 the Philistines 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.180 and gave the 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.799 water jug from 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.319 Bethlehem to 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:23.680 Dave. 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:26.940 What did he 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.220 do? 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.460 Tipped it on 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.819 the ground. 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.180 Tipped it all 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.619 on the ground. 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.039 Why? 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.119 I am unworthy 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.720 of this kind 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.200 of devotion. 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.359 I am 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:47.519 unworthy of 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.139 this kind of 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.500 devotion. 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.180 That's his 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.500 point. 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.500 And the 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:52.940 point that I 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.599 want to say 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:55.079 in the call 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.680 to obedience 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.740 here in 1 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.200 Peter, when 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.779 you're really 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.759 devoted to 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:01.759 someone as 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.619 these three 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.980 men were to 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.619 their king, 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.659 belong, when 00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:08.119 you really 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.879 belong to 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.720 someone as 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.260 these three 00:28:10.260 --> 00:28:11.000 men were to 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.580 their king, 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.660 you will do 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.800 anything to 00:28:14.800 --> 00:28:17.120 delight that 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:17.660 person. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.960 You will do 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.920 anything to 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.860 honour that 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.360 person. 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.760 When we have 00:28:22.760 --> 00:28:23.660 this kind of 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.560 relationship with 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.940 another, namely 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:27.360 Jesus, there is 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:28.420 no difference 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.380 between a 00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:32.000 command or 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.800 a request 00:28:32.800 --> 00:28:34.720 or even 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.700 simply a 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.140 sigh. 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:38.240 they heard 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.400 a sigh 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.480 from David 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.560 and they 00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:42.320 risked their 00:28:42.320 --> 00:28:42.960 lives for 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.240 him. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.259 You don't 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:48.259 look at the 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.980 rules and the 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.920 regulations and 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.660 work out which 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.460 ones do I need 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:51.880 to keep 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.980 nowadays, God? 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.220 If we have 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.780 to ask 00:28:58.780 --> 00:28:59.280 ourselves 00:28:59.280 --> 00:29:00.200 questions like, 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:02.200 so, calculating 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.840 my giving, 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.960 should it be 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.180 pre-tax or 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.960 post-tax? 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.420 Or asking 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.420 questions, how 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.640 regular do I 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.240 need to be at 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.140 church in order 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.720 to be considered 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.140 regular? 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.960 Plus, can I 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.640 add to that, 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.759 the thousands, 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.880 the tens of 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.720 thousands of 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.820 questions that 00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.880 are really hiding 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.539 behind the 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.480 deepest questions 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.299 of the human 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.240 heart, what is 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.140 the bare minimum 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.640 that God requires 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:30.320 of me before he 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:30.860 gets crossed 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.320 with me? 00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:34.060 That's not 00:29:34.060 --> 00:29:34.480 holiness 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.500 question at 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.920 all. 00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:41.860 And it's a 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.700 million miles 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:44.240 away from 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.160 the devotion 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.319 of David's 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.279 men to their 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.680 king. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.039 And he was 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.720 just a man. 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.819 To be holy 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:56.099 is to belong 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:56.920 to God, to 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.779 live for God, 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.519 and not just 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.339 obey the things 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.140 you do know, 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.160 but you look 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.700 in multiple ways 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.279 of how I 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.319 might increase, 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.580 how I might 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:07.600 increase my 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.440 obedience towards 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.740 him. 00:30:12.080 --> 00:30:13.019 And in the 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:15.180 end, if you 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.920 delight in him, 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.500 it doesn't feel 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.059 like obedience 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.600 at all. 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.539 It is just 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.140 delight. 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:23.080 A delightful 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:23.519 duty. 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.940 To grow in 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.620 holiness, we 00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:27.200 need to engage 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:28.779 the mind and 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.559 the will, and 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.980 lastly, the 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.399 heart. 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.200 Verse 17, 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.480 since you 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.200 call on a 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.659 father who 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.240 judges each 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.019 person's work 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:39.019 impartially, live 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.119 out your time as 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:41.980 foreigners here in 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.980 reverent fear. 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.659 Living in the fear 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:48.799 of God is how you 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.879 engage the heart. 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:52.720 that is, the 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.840 fear of God, the 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.560 biblical fear of 00:30:54.560 --> 00:30:56.400 God, is crucial to 00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:57.560 understanding the 00:30:57.560 --> 00:30:58.380 Christian life. 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.800 This is the heart 00:31:00.800 --> 00:31:01.440 of what will 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.300 motivate and 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:04.300 create a desire 00:31:04.300 --> 00:31:05.720 for us to 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.840 please God, and 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:08.060 delight in God, and 00:31:08.060 --> 00:31:09.020 give ourselves to 00:31:09.020 --> 00:31:09.340 God. 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.440 The word fear 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.340 here does not 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:12.360 mean scared. 00:31:13.060 --> 00:31:14.500 It means awe 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.580 and wonder. 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.660 It's an internal 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.900 sense of awe and 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.560 wonder. 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:21.760 not doing things 00:31:21.760 --> 00:31:22.520 because you have 00:31:22.520 --> 00:31:23.560 to do it out of a 00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:24.900 sense of duty, but 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:27.880 awe and wonder at 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.920 the magnificence of 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:30.580 a God who has 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.840 captured my heart 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:33.720 through sacrificing 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.800 himself, giving 00:31:34.800 --> 00:31:36.680 himself for me. 00:31:38.300 --> 00:31:39.540 In other words, 00:31:40.020 --> 00:31:40.760 fear of God 00:31:40.760 --> 00:31:42.360 grows the more we 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:43.520 understand his love 00:31:43.520 --> 00:31:44.360 for us. 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:50.219 and finally, and 00:31:50.219 --> 00:31:52.199 really quickly, how 00:31:52.199 --> 00:31:54.839 is, who makes 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.419 this possible? 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.879 What is it that 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:58.619 will capture our 00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.599 hearts so that they 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.839 will grow in fear and 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.119 wonder? 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.839 What makes this new 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.619 life possible? 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.139 What's the engine 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:09.219 under it all, if you 00:32:09.219 --> 00:32:09.519 like? 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:11.900 verse 18 and 19, 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.240 for you know that 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.879 it was not with 00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.879 perishable things such 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:16.259 as silver or gold that 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.160 you were redeemed from 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:18.980 the empty way of life 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.599 handed down to you from 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:22.599 your ancestors, but with 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.579 the precious blood of 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:26.660 Christ, a lamb without 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:28.440 blemish or defect. 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.640 defect. 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:34.059 Again, Peter is 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:35.220 alluding to Leviticus. 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.840 To live the Christian 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:40.980 life, our hearts need 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.460 to be filled with the 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:44.580 fear and the awe and 00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:46.000 the wonder of Jesus 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.320 Christ's blood being 00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:49.680 shed for us, for you. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:52.180 He has sacrificed 00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:53.400 himself for you. 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:57.380 You cannot grow in 00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:59.460 holiness unless your 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:01.680 mind, your will, and 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:03.300 your heart is fixed on 00:33:03.300 --> 00:33:04.680 that, the gospel. 00:33:06.520 --> 00:33:07.780 He wants us to know 00:33:07.780 --> 00:33:08.840 the joy and the 00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:10.880 freedom of not living 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:12.200 for ourselves anymore. 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.800 He wants us to know 00:33:14.800 --> 00:33:15.720 the joy and the 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:17.220 freedom, the freedom 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:19.740 from the 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:22.120 claustrophobia, the 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:25.240 narrowness of living 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:26.220 for the self. 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:29.820 Jesus gives his life 00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:30.900 away that we might 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:32.620 experience and grow in 00:33:32.620 --> 00:33:33.540 the freedom of new 00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:33.980 life. 00:33:35.100 --> 00:33:36.520 And as we see him 00:33:36.520 --> 00:33:38.220 living and dying for 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:40.380 us, we will die to 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:42.460 ourselves and we will 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.980 live for him. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.160 You belong to him. 00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:48.440 You belong to him. 00:33:48.440 --> 00:34:18.420 You belong to him.