WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.720 Good evening, everybody. Lovely to be here with you. 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:06.320 Oh, thank you, thank you. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:09.040 My identity is very secure, I want you to know. 00:00:09.939 --> 00:00:20.120 So, no, it is wonderful to give you the last of these series on identity. 00:00:20.780 --> 00:00:22.900 So let me first of all tell you a story. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:25.879 While walking through the forest one day, 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:32.000 a man found a young eagle that had fallen out of its nest. 00:00:32.579 --> 00:00:37.820 He took this eagle home and he put it in his barnyard 00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:42.120 where it soon learned to eat and to behave like the chickens. 00:00:43.239 --> 00:00:46.640 One day a naturalist passed by the farm and asked, 00:00:47.079 --> 00:00:53.159 why is the king of the birds behaving and living in a barnyard with the chickens? 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:58.119 The farmer replied that since he had given it chicken feed 00:00:58.119 --> 00:01:02.719 and trained it to be a chicken, it had never learned to fly. 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:09.039 So, since it now behaved as a chicken, it was no longer an eagle. 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:14.519 Still it has the heart of an eagle, said the naturalist, 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:17.379 and can surely be taught to fly. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:22.140 He lifted the eagle toward the sky and he said, 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:25.959 you belong to the sky and not to the earth. 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:28.619 Stretch forth your wings and fly. 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:31.879 The eagle, however, was confused. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:34.819 He did not know who he was. 00:01:35.479 --> 00:01:37.719 And seeing the chickens eating their food, 00:01:38.539 --> 00:01:40.599 he jumped down to be with them again. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:45.299 The naturalist took the eagle out of the barnyard 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:46.899 and took him to a high mountain. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:53.560 There he held the king of the birds high above him 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:56.079 and he encouraged him, saying, 00:01:56.079 --> 00:01:59.840 you are an eagle, you belong to the sky. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:02.700 Stretch forth your wings and fly. 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:06.560 The eagle looked around and he looked backwards 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:11.240 towards the barnyard and then he looked up to the sky. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:15.659 Then the naturalist lifted him straight towards the sun 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:20.000 and it happened that the eagle began to tremble. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:23.980 Slowly he stretched out his wings 00:02:23.980 --> 00:02:28.020 and then with a triumphant cry, 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:30.960 he soared away into the heavens. 00:02:32.480 --> 00:02:37.379 It may be that the eagle still remembers the chickens in the barnyard 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:38.939 with nostalgia. 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:45.300 It may even be that he occasionally visits the chickens in the barnyard. 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:48.280 But as far as anyone knows, 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:52.819 he has never returned to the life of a chicken. 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:56.840 So I share this story. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:03.920 Just like the eagle needed to learn to live as an eagle, 00:03:04.700 --> 00:03:10.500 we as God's people need to learn to live as God's people 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:16.120 and to fly and soar with great freedom that God has given us. 00:03:16.120 --> 00:03:22.939 We can do that if we truly understand our identity 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:29.500 and by living in that identity that has been given to us in Christ. 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:34.060 We saw last week that we as believers, 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:36.840 those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:39.460 then we are in Christ. 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:41.340 We have a new identity. 00:03:42.139 --> 00:03:48.539 That Christ has given us where we have everything we need in abundance. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:57.439 But it's not that unusual that we might have trouble adjusting to our new identity. 00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:02.519 Just like the eagle had trouble adjusting to the fact that he was an eagle. 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:07.859 We often go back to what we know best, 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:10.359 what we find easiest. 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:15.260 And sometimes that is the behaviour of our old selves 00:04:15.260 --> 00:04:18.980 rather than who we are in Christ. 00:04:20.020 --> 00:04:23.360 In today's passage, Peter is writing this letter 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:26.740 to a group of new believers who have been scattered. 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:32.819 They have been given new birth into a living hope in Jesus Christ, 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:34.920 just like many of us here. 00:04:34.920 --> 00:04:38.000 But they still need this encouragement 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:40.480 about who they are 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:44.199 and we still need that same encouragement. 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:48.360 Peter gives some powerful imagery in chapter 2. 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:53.019 He explains that this new identity that we've been given, 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:55.740 we have been given a spiritual house, 00:04:55.939 --> 00:04:57.160 a royal priesthood. 00:04:57.319 --> 00:04:58.639 We are a royal priesthood. 00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:00.319 We are a spiritual house, I'm sorry. 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:02.279 We are a chosen people 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:04.360 and we are God's possession. 00:05:05.980 --> 00:05:07.399 Verses 3 and 4 say, 00:05:07.399 --> 00:05:34.279 How do you feel about being described as a stone? 00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:39.819 Pretty odd for us today to be described as stones 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:42.399 and to get all warm and fuzzy about that. 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:46.359 But for the people in Peter's day, 00:05:46.559 --> 00:05:49.419 it was a significant term. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:55.919 This living stone picture would have been so real in their minds 00:05:55.919 --> 00:05:58.239 because of what they knew from the Old Testament. 00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:00.780 Daniel in Daniel 2, 00:06:00.780 --> 00:06:05.319 when he was interpreting a dream of Nebuchadnezzar, 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:09.120 he spoke of God's kingdom being a stone. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:11.699 Isaiah in a vision, 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:13.379 he said, 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:16.120 Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:19.500 a cornerstone chosen and precious. 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:21.500 In Psalm 118, 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:22.680 In Psalm 118, 00:06:22.779 --> 00:06:25.639 the psalmist also spoke of a cornerstone 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:29.439 that would bring salvation to all who believed 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:32.420 as well as a stone that would be a stumbling block 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:34.319 for those who reject it. 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:36.500 And in Luke's gospel, 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:40.800 when we see Jesus' authority is questioned, 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:44.439 Jesus answers with the parable of the tenants, 00:06:44.960 --> 00:06:48.259 quoting that same verse from Psalms 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:51.319 about being a rejected stone. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:54.639 And he was speaking about himself. 00:06:56.020 --> 00:06:56.500 You see, 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:58.980 to the hearers of this letter, 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:03.800 they knew full well what the terminology of a stone was. 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:07.939 And Peter is saying that we are living stones 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:10.879 being built into a spiritual house 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:13.439 and Jesus is the cornerstone, 00:07:13.840 --> 00:07:15.540 the important rock 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:19.540 that every other stone is aligned with 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:22.980 so that this building that is being built 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:25.180 will be straight, 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:26.840 it will be secure, 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:29.939 it will be strong 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:33.040 because it's built with this cornerstone 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:35.740 and everything is lined up with that one stone. 00:07:36.780 --> 00:07:39.160 This spiritual house is the church. 00:07:40.020 --> 00:07:40.879 It's a collective. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:45.200 We are not individuals working at our own identities, 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:48.040 although we do need to do that, 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:51.500 but we are put together 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:54.640 as part of something grand. 00:07:56.400 --> 00:07:59.040 It is in the light of all of this rich 00:07:59.700 --> 00:08:01.759 and contested history 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:04.959 regarding Israel's religious identity 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:06.519 that Peter says, 00:08:07.019 --> 00:08:08.500 as you come to him, 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:11.620 a living stone rejected by men, 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:15.259 but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.459 you yourselves, 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:19.459 like living stones, 00:08:19.539 --> 00:08:21.879 are being built up as a spiritual house 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:24.420 to be a holy priesthood, 00:08:24.599 --> 00:08:26.899 to offer spiritual sacrifices 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:28.759 acceptable to God 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:30.219 through Jesus Christ. 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:34.160 These are stunning words 00:08:34.160 --> 00:08:37.320 and elevating beyond all measure. 00:08:38.180 --> 00:08:39.600 In one sentence, 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:44.899 Peter grasps the entire wealth of Israel's identity 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:49.139 and he applies it not only to Jesus alone, 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:54.060 but he applies it to every man and woman and child 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:56.619 who comes to faith in Christ. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:59.759 When we come to Jesus, 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:02.399 we come to the living stone. 00:09:03.319 --> 00:09:04.639 When we come to Jesus, 00:09:04.819 --> 00:09:06.559 we come into God's kingdom. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:08.019 When we come to Jesus, 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:11.979 we become God's spiritual house 00:09:11.979 --> 00:09:14.319 and holy priesthood. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:18.260 These phrases applied metaphorically 00:09:18.900 --> 00:09:20.780 here to Peter's early readers 00:09:20.780 --> 00:09:25.260 represent the most exalted ideas 00:09:25.260 --> 00:09:27.100 within all Judaism. 00:09:28.040 --> 00:09:28.879 After all, 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.920 the spiritual house was the temple. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:34.620 If God was going to dwell anywhere, 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:37.180 it's going to be in the temple. 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:40.000 In addition, 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.519 the royal priesthood 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:44.339 consisted of those honoured ones 00:09:44.339 --> 00:09:46.759 who had the privilege of standing 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:49.939 in the very presence of God. 00:09:51.239 --> 00:09:52.559 Yet now, 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:54.479 following Jesus' example 00:09:54.479 --> 00:09:56.199 in usurping these ideas, 00:09:56.699 --> 00:09:58.979 Peter claims that in Christ, 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.779 these truths 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:02.879 are likewise transferred 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:04.579 to each and every believer. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:07.420 Every person who is a follower of Jesus, 00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:09.280 we have those same truths 00:10:09.280 --> 00:10:10.139 applied to us. 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:11.420 In essence, 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:13.860 the church has become 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:15.580 God's people 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:17.660 and God's place 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:18.680 in the world. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:21.759 Truly with these phrases, 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:23.200 a spiritual house 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:25.259 and a royal priesthood, 00:10:25.660 --> 00:10:27.900 Peter is raising the identity 00:10:27.900 --> 00:10:30.000 of his early readers 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:33.500 to unimaginable heights. 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:37.480 By way of a single metaphor, 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:38.960 Peter proclaims 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.840 that they are 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:41.200 at the very heart 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:42.220 and centre 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:43.420 of God's activity 00:10:43.420 --> 00:10:44.220 in the world. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.360 They are God's building 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:47.620 and in Christ, 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:49.120 they are being built up 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.440 into a residence 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.580 intended 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:53.379 for God's 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.980 very presence. 00:10:56.020 --> 00:10:57.340 They must have been thrilled 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.700 to learn that their identity 00:10:58.700 --> 00:10:59.480 was secure. 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:03.080 They were God's special 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.420 building project. 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:06.740 We are God's 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:07.539 special 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:09.000 building project. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:11.480 How inspiring 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:13.180 to be reminded 00:11:13.180 --> 00:11:14.519 by Peter 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:15.720 that if you come 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.379 to Jesus 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:17.800 as God's 00:11:17.800 --> 00:11:18.840 living stone, 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:21.519 you are at the centre 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:23.080 of what God 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:23.899 is doing 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:24.920 in this world. 00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:28.019 We are God's 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.479 spiritual house. 00:11:30.599 --> 00:11:31.620 The second new 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.199 identification 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:34.459 that Peter gives 00:11:34.459 --> 00:11:35.139 to the readers 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:36.360 is the priesthood. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.399 Now Peter mentions 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.299 it in verse 5 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:40.719 and also in verse 9. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:41.779 The priesthood, 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:42.279 of course, 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:43.839 began with Aaron 00:11:43.839 --> 00:11:45.740 and it was Aaron 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.899 who stood before 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:48.240 a holy God 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:49.719 and on behalf 00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:51.159 of the sinful people. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:53.039 In some respects 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.519 he functioned 00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:56.019 as an intermediary 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:57.419 between God 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.500 and the world. 00:11:59.459 --> 00:12:00.100 As such, 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.100 the priests 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:03.199 were the ones 00:12:03.199 --> 00:12:04.899 most intimately 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.879 acquainted 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.919 with God. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.219 Now consider 00:12:09.219 --> 00:12:10.740 the impact 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:12.079 of this verse 00:12:12.079 --> 00:12:13.620 in the light 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:14.919 of Israel's 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:16.100 priestly history. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:17.799 Peter calls 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.620 all believers 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.740 holy, 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:20.959 royal, 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:22.159 priesthood. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.339 This means 00:12:23.339 --> 00:12:24.579 that every Christian 00:12:24.579 --> 00:12:26.620 is the ultimate 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.959 insider. 00:12:28.819 --> 00:12:29.919 We're not merely 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:30.759 representatives 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:31.860 of God 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:34.219 in this world. 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:36.360 We serve 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.579 as God's 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:38.039 priests 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:39.500 before the world. 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.059 No wonder 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:42.219 Peter closes 00:12:42.219 --> 00:12:43.319 verse 10 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.639 by saying 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.019 once you were 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:46.799 not a people 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.839 but now 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:48.759 you are God's 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.159 people. 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:50.100 Once 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:50.920 you had 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:51.620 not received 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:51.960 mercy 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:52.879 but now 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.920 you have 00:12:53.920 --> 00:12:54.399 received 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:54.820 mercy. 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.139 What an 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:57.100 encouraging word 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:57.700 for those 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.120 who were 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.840 identified 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.659 as those 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.720 exiles 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.759 in chapter 1 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.259 verse 1. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.340 The ones 00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:05.159 who struggled 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:06.899 with a sense 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:07.580 of being 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:08.440 outsiders. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:09.980 They now 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:10.840 see in a fresh 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:11.820 way that they 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:12.700 are really 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.820 very special 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.279 to God 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:14.660 indeed. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:16.679 I hope 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:17.079 that these 00:13:17.079 --> 00:13:18.000 awesome truths 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.120 that are put 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.679 forward by 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:19.879 Peter 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:20.899 encourage you 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:21.240 in your 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:21.719 faith. 00:13:22.459 --> 00:13:23.279 Your identity 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.539 in Christ 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:25.379 is an 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:25.959 exalted 00:13:25.959 --> 00:13:26.379 one. 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:28.399 How did 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.379 we get 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:29.919 to be in 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:30.600 that position? 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.319 Well, 00:13:32.459 --> 00:13:33.379 verses 6 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:33.839 and 7 00:13:33.839 --> 00:13:34.399 or parts 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:34.759 of them, 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:35.339 whoever 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:36.219 believes in 00:13:36.219 --> 00:13:36.659 him will 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:37.399 not be put 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:38.039 to shame 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.360 and in 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:39.899 verse 7, 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:40.379 so the 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.079 honour is 00:13:41.079 --> 00:13:42.199 for you 00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:43.179 who believe. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:44.980 Remember 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:45.639 one of the 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.240 consequences 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.199 that I spoke 00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:47.919 about two 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.620 weeks ago? 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:49.959 One of the 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:50.459 consequences 00:13:50.459 --> 00:13:51.299 of the fall 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:53.079 was that 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:54.099 we inherited 00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:55.599 shame 00:13:55.599 --> 00:13:56.219 on our 00:13:56.219 --> 00:13:56.719 lives? 00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:58.019 Here, 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:58.779 we have 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.419 clearly 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.500 written out 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.120 for us 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.000 that we 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.919 will not 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.659 be put 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:04.379 to shame. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.599 This new 00:14:06.599 --> 00:14:07.899 and exalted 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.860 identity 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.779 is held 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:10.459 out for 00:14:10.459 --> 00:14:11.559 all who 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:12.340 believe that 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.019 Jesus is 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:13.379 God's 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:13.659 ruler. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.299 Conversely, 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.240 anyone who 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:17.299 rejects Jesus 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:18.220 as God's 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:18.840 cornerstone 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.579 shall stumble 00:14:19.579 --> 00:14:20.240 and fall. 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.199 That's also 00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:21.740 made very 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.079 clear. 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:23.840 Put simply, 00:14:24.319 --> 00:14:24.919 what you 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:25.419 and I 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:26.519 do with 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.039 Jesus 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:28.279 will mean 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.179 everything 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.159 to our 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:30.699 standing 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:31.340 and our 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:31.919 identity 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.740 before God. 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.019 Jesus 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.899 alone 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.840 is the 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.960 full expression 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:37.399 of God 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:37.699 in the 00:14:37.699 --> 00:14:38.039 world. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:39.480 And by 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:39.799 this, 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.120 his 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.759 sacrifice, 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:41.279 he has 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:41.919 brought us 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.819 close to 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.139 God. 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.819 What will 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:45.860 you do 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.559 with Jesus? 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.100 May you 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.720 come to 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.480 Jesus as 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:49.959 God's 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:51.220 living stone 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.699 and may 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:53.519 you experience 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.059 in fresh 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:54.980 ways your 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.360 new and 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.259 treasured 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:58.100 identity in 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:58.559 Christ. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.419 But there 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.019 is more. 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.799 You are a 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.720 chosen people, 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:06.180 people, some 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:07.200 Bible versions 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:07.960 might say that 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.320 you're a 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.259 chosen race. 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:11.240 This is a 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:12.340 corporate identity. 00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:13.320 He's talking 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:13.899 about the 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:15.160 church, the 00:15:15.160 --> 00:15:15.940 true Israel. 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:16.700 But the 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:17.840 implication is 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.139 also individual 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:20.580 because the 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.980 race is not 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.639 racial. 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.120 The chosen 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:26.259 race is not 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.899 black or 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:28.019 white or red 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:29.139 or brown. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.840 the chosen 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:32.019 race is the 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.860 new people 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.500 from all 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.019 peoples 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.740 everywhere. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:36.899 All 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.500 colours, 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:39.120 all cultures 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.799 who are now 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.980 aliens and 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.360 strangers in 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:43.919 the world. 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:44.679 You and 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:44.919 me. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.559 What gives 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:46.960 us our 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:47.720 identity is 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.960 not colour 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:51.299 but chosenness. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.399 Out from 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:53.899 all the 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.639 races we 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.080 have been 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.639 chosen, 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.919 one at a 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.340 time, 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:58.899 not on 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.480 the basis 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:01.019 of belonging 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.740 to any 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.420 group at 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:02.620 all. 00:16:03.420 --> 00:16:04.080 That's why 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:04.780 this amazing 00:16:04.780 --> 00:16:05.420 phrase is 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:06.120 individually 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.660 very crucial 00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:09.019 for you 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.600 and for 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:09.879 me. 00:16:10.540 --> 00:16:11.040 You are 00:16:11.040 --> 00:16:12.200 part of 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:12.759 the chosen 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.220 race. 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.519 So your 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.560 identity is 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:16.000 that you 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.879 are chosen. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.480 God chose 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:18.759 you. 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.980 Not because 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.340 of your 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.120 race or 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.660 for any 00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:22.060 of your 00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.920 qualifications. 00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:24.580 Who I am 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:24.980 and who 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.639 you are, 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:26.980 we are 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.500 chosen. 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:29.220 We did 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.759 not earn 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.520 it or 00:16:30.520 --> 00:16:31.259 merit it 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.600 or meet 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.600 any conditions 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.200 to get 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.420 it. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.660 It happened 00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:36.300 before we 00:16:36.300 --> 00:16:36.840 were born. 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.280 We stand 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:38.960 in awe 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.340 of it. 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.379 We should 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.320 tremble with 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:42.220 joy for 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:42.500 it. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:43.700 We should 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.580 bow and 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.560 accept it 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.580 and we 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.100 definitely 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:47.620 should be 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.340 living to 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:49.060 be faithful 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:49.600 to its 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.080 purpose. 00:16:50.920 --> 00:16:51.720 We are 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.340 chosen. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:54.420 So we 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:54.940 are a 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:55.379 spiritual 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.960 house. 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:56.660 We are 00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:57.259 a royal 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.000 priesthood 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.879 and we 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.500 are chosen. 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.040 But wait, 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.920 there is 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.940 more still? 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.240 Just like 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.860 the ads 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.559 on TV. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.720 This is 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.259 expressed 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:10.799 in verse 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.559 9 that 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.059 we are 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:13.539 God's 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:13.980 possession. 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:15.920 You are 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.720 a chosen 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.180 people, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:17.740 a people 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.519 belonging to 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.039 God and 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.740 now you 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.420 are the 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.059 people of 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.400 God. 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:23.220 God takes 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.920 you to 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:24.400 be his 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:24.860 possession. 00:17:26.040 --> 00:17:26.740 You are 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.180 God's 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.700 inheritance. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.140 You are 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.540 the ones 00:17:29.540 --> 00:17:29.820 he will 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.120 spend 00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:30.580 eternity 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:31.280 with and 00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:31.820 we with 00:17:31.820 --> 00:17:32.080 him. 00:17:33.340 --> 00:17:34.000 When God 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.540 says in 00:17:34.540 --> 00:17:35.120 2 Corinthians 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.700 6, 00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:36.300 16, 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:36.780 he says, 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.220 I will 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.660 be their 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.620 God and 00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:38.980 they will 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.440 be my 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:39.840 people, 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.200 my 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.680 possession. 00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:41.759 What it 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.420 means is 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.519 I will 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.880 dwell in 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.700 them and 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.940 walk among 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.280 them. 00:17:48.280 --> 00:17:48.840 When a 00:17:48.840 --> 00:17:49.440 person comes 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.100 to faith in 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:51.579 Christ, his 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.039 or her 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.719 identity is 00:17:53.719 --> 00:17:54.319 not the 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.019 only thing 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.719 that changes. 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.379 Our text 00:17:57.379 --> 00:17:58.399 says that 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.419 one's calling 00:17:59.419 --> 00:18:00.399 to life 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:01.839 does too. 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.539 The latter 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.159 half of 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.839 verse 9 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:05.819 says, 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:08.299 all this 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.839 occurs so 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:11.819 that you 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.899 may proclaim 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.000 the praises 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.899 of him who 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:15.419 called you 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:15.939 out of 00:18:15.939 --> 00:18:16.419 darkness 00:18:16.419 --> 00:18:17.139 into his 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:17.639 marvellous 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.039 light. 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.519 Wow, 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.559 what an 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.139 exalted 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:22.039 calling that 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.419 is. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.419 What an 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:24.839 exalted 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:25.659 purpose. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.299 We now 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.899 exist to 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:30.200 proclaim the 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:31.359 praises of 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:31.720 God. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.039 Could 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.920 anything be 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.980 better than 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.379 that? 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.319 Are you 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:36.940 doing that 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.379 each and 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:38.000 every day? 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.339 Are you 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.559 proclaiming the 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.539 praises of 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:41.940 God? 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.119 I don't 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.960 mean are 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.599 you preaching 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.240 to every 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.039 person that's 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.519 in your 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.119 eyesight, 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:49.599 but are you 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.339 living your 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.839 life with a 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:53.200 grateful heart 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.519 knowing that 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.559 in everything 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.319 God has 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:57.299 blessed you 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:59.079 with great 00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.500 abundance? 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:01.099 is your 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.140 heart thankful? 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.660 Are you 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.960 aware that 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.680 you are the 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.140 Lord's 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.519 ambassador each 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.299 and every 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:08.779 day? 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.099 Do you 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.440 show humility 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.900 and grace 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:14.140 in all you 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.480 do? 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.099 Does your 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.640 life point 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.420 to Jesus? 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.640 I know 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:22.519 that I 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:24.019 fail very 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.519 frequently, 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:27.259 but I 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.880 am learning 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.420 as I 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.319 mature as a 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.139 Christian that 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:30.899 my identity 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:31.819 is not 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:33.700 shaken when 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.279 I fail. 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.619 I know 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.319 that I'm a 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:36.740 work in 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.339 progress. 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.179 I know 00:19:39.179 --> 00:19:40.439 that perfection 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:41.240 will only 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.460 arrive when 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.460 Jesus returns 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.839 and makes me 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.980 new and fit 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.740 for God's 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.259 presence. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.859 In the 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.779 meantime, I 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.500 am very 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.399 aware of 00:19:51.399 --> 00:19:51.839 what my 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.700 weak spots 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:54.599 are, and 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.220 I would 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.539 really encourage 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.379 each of you 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.100 to examine 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.060 what are 00:19:59.060 --> 00:19:59.740 your weak 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.380 spots, 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.740 because I 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.680 can guarantee 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.300 you, 00:20:03.760 --> 00:20:05.220 wherever your 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.840 weak spot 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:06.720 is, that 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.120 is where 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:07.580 you're going 00:20:07.580 --> 00:20:07.900 to be 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.540 tempted by 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:08.860 Satan. 00:20:10.520 --> 00:20:11.220 So what 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.740 do we do 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.160 when we 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.520 fail? 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.100 Because we 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:13.640 all will, 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.120 this side 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:15.860 of heaven, 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:18.340 or what do 00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:18.900 we do when 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:19.680 we realise 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.180 that we 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.860 have believed 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.460 the lie 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:21.860 that the 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:22.400 world has 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.020 told us 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.960 about who 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.519 we are, 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:25.799 that we 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.619 have succumbed 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.259 to believing 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.440 that our 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.599 identity lies 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.480 in things, 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.279 in achievements 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.740 and the 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.059 like. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.859 How do we 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.480 make things 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.859 right when 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.279 we know 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.879 that Christ 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.400 has given 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.400 us everything 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.259 in abundance 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.660 for us to 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.420 be secure, 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.799 significant 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.839 and accepted? 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.700 If you 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.660 catch yourself 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:49.099 returning to 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.680 the world's 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.400 view of who 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.000 you are, 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:52.980 then I 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.580 would encourage 00:20:53.580 --> 00:20:54.100 you, you 00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:54.620 repent 00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.500 immediately. 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.800 Keep very 00:20:56.800 --> 00:20:58.519 short accounts 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:58.960 with the 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.240 Lord. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.400 Repent and 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.320 believe the 00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:04.120 truth of 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.780 who God 00:21:05.780 --> 00:21:06.420 has made 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:06.640 you. 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.080 Just like 00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:10.100 the eagle in 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:10.960 the story at 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.480 the beginning 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:13.300 who looked 00:21:13.300 --> 00:21:14.720 back towards 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.800 the barnyard, 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.320 we too 00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:17.900 look back 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.519 sometimes. 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:20.340 But looking 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.299 back will 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.339 actually confuse 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.659 you. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.899 Our eyes 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:25.459 are to be 00:21:25.459 --> 00:21:26.500 fixed on 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.679 Jesus and 00:21:27.679 --> 00:21:28.319 we are to 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.500 grow and 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:29.859 to be 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.759 Christ-like 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.199 in our 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:31.559 growth. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.599 Verse 2 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.019 says, 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:34.939 like newborn 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.539 babies, 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.959 crave spiritual 00:21:36.959 --> 00:21:37.779 milk so 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.619 that by it 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.419 you may grow 00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:40.240 up in your 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.779 salvation. 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.720 This refers 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.579 to the very 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.859 things that 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.779 nourish the 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.779 Christian community 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.759 in its growth. 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.939 Knowledge of 00:21:48.939 --> 00:21:49.319 God, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.099 prayer, 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.379 instruction 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.639 in the 00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:53.059 gospel, 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.179 faithful 00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:54.939 obedience, 00:21:55.899 --> 00:21:56.659 hearing God's 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.599 word preached. 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.519 The desire for 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.879 spiritual nourishment 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:02.480 needs to be the 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.779 desire of the 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.899 church that 00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:05.720 wants to know 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.539 the Lord and 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:08.279 to grow and 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.019 to live by 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.599 his will. 00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:11.799 This desire 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.899 is accompanied 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:14.519 by learning to 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.700 rid yourselves 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.480 thoughts of 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.259 all malice 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.500 or deceit, 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.799 hypocrisy and 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.660 envy and 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.440 slander of 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.319 every kind. 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.799 All of 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.779 these things 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.900 are very 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.519 common 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.640 problems that 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:29.000 arise in 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.400 Christian 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.380 communities or 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:31.700 churches when 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.819 spiritual things 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:34.240 are not the 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.380 desired priority 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.340 in individuals' 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:36.940 lives. 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.000 things. 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.440 We have been 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.880 given so much 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:42.240 in Christ and 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.059 as one of my 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:44.019 community members 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.059 said this week 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.980 in our group, 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.120 we need to 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.100 exercise our 00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:48.480 muscles. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.920 We need to 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:52.100 have spiritual 00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:53.220 muscles and 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.160 get strong. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.360 By this, we 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:57.539 need to not 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.500 only be in the 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.940 word, but we 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.460 need to be 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.640 encouraging each 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:03.840 other to be 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.460 in the word. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.559 We need to 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.660 be encouraging 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.700 each other to 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.700 grow spiritually, 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:11.840 challenging each 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.740 other when we 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.200 sense that we 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:16.079 have taken on a 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.519 worldly view of 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.360 our own identity 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.779 and to grow 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.860 together to be 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.500 the spiritual 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.360 house of the 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:22.579 Lord. 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:25.039 We are in a 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.680 highly privileged 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:28.059 position that 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:30.319 each of us are 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.680 individual bricks 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:33.019 or individual 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.039 stones. 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:35.620 of the temple 00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:36.380 of God. 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.600 And yet, one 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.940 brick or one 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.539 stone cannot 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.980 sit out on the 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.980 grass in the 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.819 sun and build 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.759 something all by 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.279 itself. 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.100 All of the 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:51.340 bricks, all the 00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.400 stones need to be 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.340 brought together 00:23:53.340 --> 00:23:54.559 with Christ as the 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:56.180 cornerstone to 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.259 build something 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.539 strong, to build 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.340 God's temple. 00:23:59.339 --> 00:23:59.399 people. 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.159 When we look at 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.859 our 2020 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:05.819 booklet, which 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.240 Tashi has, the 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.819 red book, that 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:10.139 each of you should 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:10.859 have, and if you 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.919 don't have one, I 00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:12.939 have plenty spare. 00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:14.619 But when we look at 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.919 that 2020 booklet 00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:17.179 that has our core 00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:18.899 values in it, it is 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:21.159 by no accident that 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:23.419 our core values are 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:26.299 directly related to 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:28.180 this community of 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:30.359 believers being 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.139 built up in 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:31.599 Christ. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.500 Why are we so 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:36.099 passionate about 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.319 every one of us 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.460 having a secure 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.639 identity in 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.139 Christ? 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.960 Well, I think it's 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.579 twofold. 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:45.419 Having a secure 00:24:45.419 --> 00:24:46.519 identity in 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:48.299 Christ will 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.399 confirm in 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.919 yourself, but 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.480 also to others 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:55.500 that you belong 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.279 to the King of 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.140 Kings, the Lord 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.680 of Lords. 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.220 And the way 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.380 that you respond 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:02.180 to what the 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:03.279 world throws at 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:05.019 you, all those 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.180 difficult scenarios 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.279 that come in 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.019 life, because 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.900 that's what life 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:10.740 is about, the 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.060 way you respond 00:25:12.060 --> 00:25:14.100 will also tell 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:15.160 people, and it 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.140 will be dependent 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.620 upon what your 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:19.500 identity is. 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:22.800 problems won't 00:25:22.800 --> 00:25:25.600 go away, but 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:27.060 you can be very, 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.880 very confident 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:30.360 and secure in 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:31.039 knowing that 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.920 Christ is with 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.120 you. 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.920 The second 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:36.519 reason why we 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.019 would be very 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.880 passionate about 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.880 us understanding 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.620 our identity in 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:44.700 Christ is that 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.880 collectively we 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.220 reflect the 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.039 temple of God. 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.620 I've already 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.400 said this. 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:52.320 But we can't 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:53.160 be God's 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.039 people on our 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.440 own. 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.700 So it's 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:57.120 extremely important 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:58.840 that we encourage 00:25:58.840 --> 00:26:00.039 each other in our 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.500 faith. 00:26:01.560 --> 00:26:03.279 We can do that by 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.220 meeting together, 00:26:05.300 --> 00:26:07.000 by being on 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.660 time when we 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.620 come for corporate 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.019 worship. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.820 It's important that 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:14.080 we challenge each 00:26:14.080 --> 00:26:15.400 other when we 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.519 think that there 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.380 is ungodly 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:19.060 behaviour. 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:22.419 it means giving 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:23.099 each other 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:24.200 permission to 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.159 speak into 00:26:25.159 --> 00:26:25.940 each other's 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.819 lives life 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.700 words. 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.500 Not negative 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:32.039 words, but 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.980 life words. 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.619 If you have a 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.539 brother or sister 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.500 in Christ in 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.500 this congregation 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:39.279 that needs life 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.919 words, you are 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:41.399 the one. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.720 If you know 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.539 that, you're the 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.659 one to actually 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.759 speak those words 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.700 into their life. 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:50.059 in so 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.220 doing, as 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.200 scripture actually 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:54.039 tells us, they 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.000 will know us, 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:56.039 they being the 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.140 community outside 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.299 this fellowship of 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.960 God's people, 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.740 they will know us 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.880 by the way we 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:02.720 love each other. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.900 This is an 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.779 awesome 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.920 responsibility, 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.720 but a necessary 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.100 one for God's 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:11.180 church to grow. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:14.060 identity in 00:27:14.060 --> 00:27:14.620 Christ. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.340 Our identity 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.259 is in 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.920 Christ. 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.539 We are being 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:22.120 built up into 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.900 a spiritual 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:24.340 house, a 00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:25.259 royal priesthood. 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:26.360 We are chosen 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:28.060 people and we 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:30.000 are God's very 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.100 precious possession. 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:34.080 All of this has 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:35.960 been given in 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.340 abundance so 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:38.220 that we can be 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.240 very secure, 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:41.880 significant and 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.480 accepted. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.400 As a church 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:44.859 here in 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:46.420 Chatswood, just 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.579 part of God's 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.940 kingdom worldwide, 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:52.460 may we live to 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:54.759 glorify God in 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:56.460 who we are, in 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:58.259 what we say and 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.000 in what we do.