WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.280 Thank you, Caleb and crew. I'm pretty sure at some point in history, the number one criteria for the writing of a Christmas song was that it'd be difficult to sing. 00:00:10.120 --> 00:00:14.640 ! Please turn with me to 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:26.000 As previously stated in today's gathering, today marks the first Lord's Day of our Advent season. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:34.240 The word Advent is from the Latin Adventus, which simply means coming, or I prefer, arrival. 00:00:35.219 --> 00:00:48.799 Our tradition of lighting Advent candles and preaching sermons concerning the topics of each candle is aimed at helping us place Jesus Christ at the very center of our holiday season. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:01:02.439 Now, I know that because you have gathered with a Christian church this morning, it is most likely that you are very aware that Christmas is the celebration of the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:10.280 I know that some of you may be thinking that our Advent practice is an exercise in redundancy. 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:16.079 But I also know how very fickle our hearts can be. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:27.099 While giving Jesus lip service during this season, we, just like the world, so often get wrapped up into all the trappings that accompany it. 00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:30.780 We stress ourselves through all of its busyness. 00:01:31.059 --> 00:01:36.299 We get distracted by the glitz and glimmer of lesser things. 00:01:36.619 --> 00:01:42.599 And we functionally forget what the incarnation of God means for today. 00:01:43.039 --> 00:01:45.039 What it means for this month. 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:47.739 And what it means for next year. 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:50.639 We are so forgetful. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:52.679 So we need reminders. 00:01:52.680 --> 00:01:57.200 I am repetitive because we are slow learners. 00:01:58.260 --> 00:02:10.980 My prayer for us this morning is that we will be reminded of Jesus Christ's immeasurable worth so that we will treasure him as we ought, as we consider the hope that is ours in him. 00:02:12.439 --> 00:02:14.200 J.I. Packer once said, 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:19.560 The Christian message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity. 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:21.039 Hope of pardon. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:23.239 Hope of peace with God. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:24.759 Hope of glory. 00:02:25.459 --> 00:02:34.979 Because at the Father's will, Jesus became poor and was born in a stable so that 30 years later he might hang on a cross. 00:02:35.839 --> 00:02:41.479 Our text for this morning is 1 Peter 1, verses 3 through 5. 00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:48.399 And before I read this for our benefit, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's word to us. 00:02:49.239 --> 00:02:52.419 It was written for his glory and for our good. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:03:00.179 And we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:04.639 1 Peter 1, verse 3 and following. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:10.000 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:10.779 --> 00:03:19.799 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:27.480 To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:35.820 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:03:37.080 --> 00:03:41.880 Our study this morning will be outlined in the following three points. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:48.659 Number one, the praiseworthiness of God. 00:03:49.019 --> 00:03:50.060 That's right, note takers. 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:53.699 The praiseworthiness of God. 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:59.039 Number two, the hopelessness of mankind. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:05.159 And number three, the hope of the born again. 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:10.979 So number one, the praiseworthiness of God. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:19.019 Peter begins the body of his epistle with a phrase of praise to God. 00:04:19.719 --> 00:04:25.120 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:29.899 But what does Peter mean by saying blessed? 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:30.019 Blessed. 00:04:30.679 --> 00:04:38.159 We use that word in ways much like hope and we'll see joy and peace and love across this coming month. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:41.099 That the Bible does not use it. 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:48.599 This is not the Greek word translated in other places in the Bible as blessed. 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:54.079 We may read it, but rather blessed, meaning happy or fortunate. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:05:01.300 This is an entirely different Greek word, which means praised. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:10.839 So it could be read, praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:20.360 The indicative mood of the Greek word for blessed is used instead of the optative mood. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:21.759 Don't write any of that down. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:27.839 The optative mood is used to express a wish. 00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:33.759 The indicative mood is used to make factual statements. 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:40.240 So not the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed, 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:48.420 but rather the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is blessed. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:54.360 In our Bible reading from two weeks ago in the book of Ruth, 00:05:54.500 --> 00:06:01.500 when Ruth returns after gathering barley in the field of Boaz and Naomi sees what she was able to bring home, 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:03.700 Naomi exclaims, 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:08.200 Blessed be the man who took notice of you. 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:10.360 This is from Ruth 2.19. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:15.379 Naomi is not wishing fortune on Boaz, 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:21.439 but rather praising him for his generosity toward Ruth. 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:25.180 Peter's doing the very same thing here. 00:06:25.840 --> 00:06:27.120 Blessed be. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:28.780 Praised be. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:31.379 He is, in fact, to be. 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:34.519 Because of the text that will follow. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:39.719 Peter begins with an exclamation of God's praiseworthiness 00:06:39.719 --> 00:06:44.060 before elaborating on his reason for praise. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:47.759 But the rest of our text does just that. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:53.379 Why is it that God is so praiseworthy? 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:57.199 27 times in the Old Testament, 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:01.459 the phrase Baruch Adonai is used. 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:04.800 Blessed be God. 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:10.500 So it was a very common way to give praise to God. 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:13.180 But here Peter adds something pivotal, 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:16.699 something extremely important to this phrase. 00:07:16.699 --> 00:07:17.740 He adds, 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:22.699 and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:26.920 In John 5.18, 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:29.139 amongst many other places, 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:33.279 this is recorded by John of what Jesus claimed of himself. 00:07:34.159 --> 00:07:38.099 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him. 00:07:38.459 --> 00:07:38.839 Why? 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:41.899 Because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:47.459 but he was even calling God his own Father, 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:51.679 making himself equal with God. 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:56.859 And so what Peter is saying is that we now relate to God 00:07:56.859 --> 00:07:59.739 through his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:03.479 Jesus is God incarnate. 00:08:04.099 --> 00:08:07.099 And all those who will worship God rightly 00:08:07.099 --> 00:08:09.879 will worship him through his Son. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:13.959 And because of all that was accomplished by his Son. 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:16.600 Which is what Peter is going on to elaborate 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:19.259 in the following writ. 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:21.300 The point being, 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:27.680 theology should lead us to doxology. 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:31.060 Rightly understanding who God is 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:35.100 should move us to rightly praise him. 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:37.899 This book was not written for us 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:41.899 to merely know things about God. 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:45.639 If we see him rightly by this book, 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:47.740 then we will know him, 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:50.600 and we will be known by him, 00:08:51.060 --> 00:08:56.460 and this will necessitate our praise. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:01.600 So do not miss the praiseworthiness of God 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:02.940 this morning. 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:04.960 Secondly, 00:09:05.640 --> 00:09:10.440 let's look in brief at the hopelessness of mankind. 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:13.620 In order to see this point from this text, 00:09:13.680 --> 00:09:15.980 we need to read a bit through it. 00:09:16.780 --> 00:09:18.640 Peter says in verse 3, 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:21.460 according to his, God's great mercy, 00:09:22.160 --> 00:09:25.080 he has caused us to be born again. 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:31.820 Mercy is compassion shown where wrath is due. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.060 We would have no need of mercy 00:09:35.060 --> 00:09:37.980 if we had not transgressed God's law. 00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:41.300 Had we not rejected him as our king, 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:44.120 doing what is right in our own eyes, 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:46.660 things would be all good. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:48.459 But we have. 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:53.459 All mankind has acted with great wickedness. 00:09:54.339 --> 00:09:55.779 Apart from Christ, 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:59.919 you and I are not all right. 00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:03.639 The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 2, 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:04.740 verse 12, 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.779 of the Ephesian believers 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:09.479 before Jesus' intervention in their life, 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:10.759 he said this, 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:15.319 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.659 alienated from the commonwealth of Israel 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:21.659 and strangers to the covenants of promise, 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:27.179 having no hope and without God in the world. 00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:29.739 So to be apart from God, 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:33.519 the true God that we worship through Jesus Christ, 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:35.939 is to be hopeless. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:39.659 Apart from the mercy of God 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:41.639 and the personal work of Jesus Christ, 00:10:42.239 --> 00:10:44.739 mankind is utterly hopeless 00:10:44.739 --> 00:10:48.179 because their end is destruction. 00:10:49.459 --> 00:10:50.919 Paul wrote to the Philippians, 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:55.279 Philippians 3, verse 18, part of 19, 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.679 many of whom I have often told you 00:10:57.679 --> 00:11:00.639 and now tell you even with tears, 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:04.259 walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:07.500 Their end is destruction. 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:11.120 If you have not believed 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:14.519 in Jesus' accomplished work on your behalf, 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:17.100 you are hopeless. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:21.480 As you see the hope of the born again 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:24.879 and long for the hope that we have 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:28.639 turned from the hopelessness of mankind 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:32.700 in repentance and faith this morning. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:37.100 Third, and we'll spend most of our time here, 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.559 let's look at the hope of the born again. 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:46.480 Peter tells us that God is praiseworthy 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:51.180 because according to His great mercy, 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:55.860 He has caused us to be born again. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:01.500 Notice first that it is according to His great mercy 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:03.840 that we have been shown mercy. 00:12:04.440 --> 00:12:06.600 God is merciful. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.879 It's part of His very character. 00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:11.860 Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 4, 31, 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:15.960 The Lord your God is a merciful God. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:19.080 We have nothing to offer 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:22.100 to the equation of our new birth. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.500 So it is owing to the character of God 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:27.580 that we receive any benefit from Him. 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:30.700 It is because He is merciful 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:34.000 that He shows mercy. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:39.220 Because of God's mercifulness toward mankind, 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:43.720 He has caused us to be born again. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:49.399 Now, what does it mean to be born again? 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:52.320 And how does this happen? 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:56.399 I want you to turn with me to John 3. 00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:58.840 I'm going to come off of 1 Peter for a bit, 00:12:58.919 --> 00:12:59.779 but we'll get back there. 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:00.840 So mark it if you'd like. 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:12.500 What does it mean to be born again? 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:15.480 And how does this happen? 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:19.980 In John 3, 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:22.860 Jesus has a conversation 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:25.280 with a priest named Nicodemus. 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:28.680 And beginning in verse 3 and following, 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.639 John records, 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:33.160 Jesus answered him, 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:36.019 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:13:36.780 --> 00:13:38.259 unless one is born again, 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:42.019 he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.740 So we get some clue 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.240 to what it means to be born again 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:47.720 that in order to see the kingdom of God, 00:13:47.780 --> 00:13:49.879 we must be born again. 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:51.440 Those who are not born again 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:54.600 will not see the kingdom of God. 00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:55.460 Verse 4, 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.780 Nicodemus said to him, 00:13:57.780 --> 00:13:59.560 how can a man be born 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:01.639 when he is old? 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.080 Can he enter a second time 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:04.379 into his mother's womb 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.500 and be born? 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:07.040 I think this is some of the question 00:14:07.040 --> 00:14:07.580 we may have. 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:08.320 We're going, wait a minute, 00:14:08.400 --> 00:14:10.639 what does born again mean? 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.720 Verse 5, 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.580 Jesus answered, 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:15.000 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:18.059 unless one is born of water 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:20.220 and the spirit, 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:23.179 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:25.899 So clearly a different kind of birth 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:27.080 to be had. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:27.899 Nicodemus said, 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:28.360 wait a second, 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:29.559 how is it that you're born again? 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:29.919 And he says, 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:31.500 no, I'm not talking about that birth. 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:34.519 I'm talking about a different birth, 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:36.519 a birth of the spirit. 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:39.759 This is a spiritual being born. 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:40.919 Verse 6, 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.980 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:46.620 and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:49.379 Do not marvel that I said to you, 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:52.759 you must be born again. 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:55.699 So, to be born again 00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:59.079 is to be born of the spirit. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:02.519 Here we find the precious doctrine 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.679 of regeneration. 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:08.379 God makes us new. 00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:13.179 We do not and cannot work our way 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:14.919 into the kingdom of God. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:19.399 We are not in some degree of rightness with God. 00:15:19.479 --> 00:15:22.059 We are either not justified before Him, 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:24.179 or we are made new, 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.219 regenerate, 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:28.079 placing faith in the personal work of Jesus Christ. 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:31.479 We are justified before God. 00:15:31.599 --> 00:15:34.479 It's positionally different. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:38.399 So, we see that to be positionally different, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.379 to be born again, 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:42.419 is to be born of the spirit. 00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:46.659 In Ezekiel chapter 36, verse 27, 00:15:46.839 --> 00:15:49.219 God speaks to the prophet Ezekiel and says, 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.459 And I will put my spirit within you, 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:54.679 and cause you to walk in my statutes, 00:15:55.239 --> 00:15:58.459 and be careful to obey my rules. 00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:03.400 So, we see that this does not happen by human design. 00:16:03.540 --> 00:16:07.980 It is not our plans that cause us to be born again. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:12.820 It is not our willing that causes us to be born again. 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:15.900 God, by His great mercy, 00:16:15.900 --> 00:16:20.300 has caused you to be born again. 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:24.379 And, I will add from John 3, 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:27.479 by the power of the Spirit. 00:16:27.959 --> 00:16:30.579 He goes on in John 3, verse 8, 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:33.179 The wind blows where it wishes, 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:35.039 and you hear its sound, 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:37.839 but you do not know where it comes from, 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.419 or where it goes. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.419 So, Jesus is saying, 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:43.079 the wind is a bit of a mystery. 00:16:43.439 --> 00:16:43.599 Right? 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.980 We see the effect of the wind. 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.860 We see it moving through. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.120 But, where does the wind come from? 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.820 Where does the wind go? 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:54.800 So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:58.779 This great mystery that God works within us. 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:01.159 New birth. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:05.680 So, turn back with me a bit in the book of John, chapter 1. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:09.019 Let's continue to explore this idea a bit 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:12.019 of what it means to be born again. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:27.000 Verse 12 and 13, John chapter 1. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:31.759 To all who did receive Him, 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:34.719 who believed in His name, 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:37.980 He gave the right to become children of God, 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:41.059 who were born, not of blood, 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.859 nor of the will of the flesh, 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:45.139 nor of the will of man, 00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:48.399 but of God. 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:49.059 Okay? 00:17:49.219 --> 00:17:50.399 So, we see once again, 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:52.479 it is not this working of ourselves, 00:17:52.659 --> 00:17:53.859 not a working of the flesh, 00:17:53.959 --> 00:17:55.079 nor of our will, 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.859 but we are born. 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:59.659 Well, what is the contingent placed upon that 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:01.179 in John 1.12? 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:05.500 Belief in His name. 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.979 Belief in His name. 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:10.039 And if you are familiar at all, 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.359 and I hope you are in some degree 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.799 with the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:16.180 you know that we must believe in Christ. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:16.700 Right? 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.619 In His personhood. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:21.539 His name represents all of that. 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:24.619 But how does that come to pass? 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:28.700 Turn with me now to 1 John, chapter 5. 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.700 1 John 1.12. 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:47.860 It's a helpful hermeneutic principle to you 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:49.059 as you're studying the Bible, 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.960 and you see things that seem confusing. 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:52.860 You need to go and see where else 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:54.660 the Bible talks about these things. 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:58.019 The Bible, God so cleverly helps us 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.779 to turn an idea over 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:01.880 and get our minds around 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:03.660 what these phrases mean. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.360 So, 1 John, chapter 5, verse 1. 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:08.340 So, we're seeing that we must be born 00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:09.100 of the Spirit. 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.940 God works as He causes in us 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:12.660 this new birth, 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.660 and that new birth necessitates 00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:16.759 believing in Christ, 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:19.460 I'd say, His person and His work. 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:21.340 You can hear me say that to you often. 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:23.680 1 John, chapter 5, verse 1. 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.300 John writes, 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.600 Everyone who believes 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:28.680 that Jesus is the Christ 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:33.640 has been born of God. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.620 And everyone who loves the Father 00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:38.660 loves whoever has been born of Him. 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.320 So, see what John's doing for us. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:43.180 Everyone who believes 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.080 that Jesus is the Christ. 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.680 So, there we're going back to John, 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.680 chapter 1, verses 12 and 13, right? 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.880 Those who did receive Him, 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.320 who believed in His name, 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:52.240 He gave this right to. 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.720 But in 1 John, 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.700 He clarifies for us, right? 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.960 Those who have been born of God 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.559 believe. 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.720 If we believe, 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:05.079 if we place faith in Jesus Christ, 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:08.680 it's because we've been born of God. 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.799 You see that in 1 John 5, verse 1? 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.259 I hope you do. 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.579 That's why I had you turn there to it. 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:14.179 Everyone who believes 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:16.359 that Jesus is the Christ 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:20.480 has been born of God. 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:24.199 God causes new birth 00:20:24.199 --> 00:20:26.000 by the power of the Spirit 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:29.059 through His Word. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:31.119 So, He brings all of this about. 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.720 It's a presentation to us. 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:34.859 He works it in us by His Spirit, 00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:38.359 makes us new so that we will believe. 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:40.740 And this is a highly contested doctrine 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:42.319 in the church today. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:44.019 And it's altogether biblical. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.859 Go back to 1 Peter, chapter 1. 00:20:48.199 --> 00:20:50.500 I want to show you the one other place 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:52.240 that Peter uses the phrase, 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:52.899 born again, 00:20:53.439 --> 00:20:55.359 and kind of drive it all home for you. 00:20:55.359 --> 00:21:08.519 Look down in verse 23 and following. 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.399 Peter writes, 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:14.740 Since you have been born again, 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:17.000 not of perishable seed, 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:18.459 but of imperishable, 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.939 through, what? 00:21:20.939 --> 00:21:24.619 The living and abiding Word of God. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:26.399 For all flesh is like grass 00:21:26.399 --> 00:21:28.699 and all gets glory like the flower of grass. 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.619 The grass withers 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.119 and the flower fails, 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:33.119 but the Word of the Lord 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:34.659 remains forever. 00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:36.299 And this Word 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.979 is the good news 00:21:37.979 --> 00:21:39.339 that was preached 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.739 to you. 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.439 So, 00:21:43.239 --> 00:21:45.319 God has caused us, 00:21:45.419 --> 00:21:47.119 if you have in fact been born again, 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.799 He has caused you 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.639 to be born again 00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:52.579 by the power of His Spirit 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:54.720 in the proclamation 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:57.179 of the good news 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:58.480 of Jesus Christ. 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.779 Whether you heard that in preaching, 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.740 or you read it from the Scripture, 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:05.099 or a friend told you about it, 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:08.619 watched a well-done YouTube video, 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.619 there are many ways 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:11.419 in which the truth of Jesus Christ 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.599 can be communicated to us. 00:22:13.699 --> 00:22:15.039 And the Spirit of God 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:17.199 uses the Word of God 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:19.140 to bring about this new birth, 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.500 to cause us 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:22.740 to believe. 00:22:23.580 --> 00:22:24.059 So, 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:25.140 why belabor the point? 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.319 I know many of you are going, 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:26.819 yeah, yeah, 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.680 like, we get it. 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.960 God saved us. 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.620 Why? 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:32.299 Because Peter takes the time 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.940 to do that. 00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:33.980 It's the very thing 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.039 he's trying to say to us. 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:35.480 Why? 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.880 Because he wants us 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.840 to say with Him, 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.880 blessed be 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:41.620 the God and Father 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:43.620 of our Lord and Savior, 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:45.420 Jesus Christ. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:47.680 Look at what He has done 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.920 for me, 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:51.740 an unworthy sinner, 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.420 a wicked man. 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.539 He, 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:56.420 because of His great mercy, 00:22:57.360 --> 00:22:58.420 has caused me 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:01.440 to be born again. 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.080 Beloved, 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:04.440 this is the fuel 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:06.539 for Christian living 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.900 that we recognize 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.759 that God 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.400 in His good, 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.860 sovereign purpose 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.440 has saved us. 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.380 So, 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.400 not only has He 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.520 caused us to be born again, 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.260 but He's caused us 00:23:17.260 --> 00:23:18.140 to be born again 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.160 to 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.820 a living 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:22.360 hope. 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:24.380 I think it is important 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.080 at this point 00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:26.100 to make sure 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.800 we are clear 00:23:26.800 --> 00:23:28.060 of what our Bible means 00:23:28.060 --> 00:23:29.640 when we speak 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:31.080 of hope. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.940 I've got a quotation here 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:33.720 from a man named 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.300 R.C. Sproul 00:23:34.300 --> 00:23:35.800 that I think will serve us well 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.460 to that end. 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.060 He wrote, 00:23:38.300 --> 00:23:39.060 Hope is called 00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:40.820 the anchor of the soul. 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:42.100 That's from Hebrews 6.19. 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:44.419 because it gives stability 00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:45.919 to the Christian life. 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:46.719 But, 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.819 hope is not simply 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:49.119 a wish. 00:23:50.199 --> 00:23:51.139 That, by the way, 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.019 my wife, 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.659 I found out was sick 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.039 this morning. 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.659 Hope is not simply 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:55.279 a wish. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.819 I wish that such 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.279 and such 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.759 would take place. 00:23:58.939 --> 00:23:59.339 Rather, 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:00.859 it is that 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.779 which latches 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:03.219 on to the certainty 00:24:03.219 --> 00:24:04.939 of the promises 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:06.439 of the future 00:24:06.439 --> 00:24:07.299 that God 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.219 has made. 00:24:08.719 --> 00:24:09.119 I'm going to read 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.819 that to you again. 00:24:10.699 --> 00:24:11.739 Not simply a wish. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.179 Rather, 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.899 it is that 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:13.839 which latches 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.299 on to 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.779 the certainty 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.419 of the promises 00:24:17.419 --> 00:24:18.699 of the future 00:24:18.699 --> 00:24:19.759 that God 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.019 has made. 00:24:21.979 --> 00:24:22.539 Hope 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:24.479 is faith 00:24:24.479 --> 00:24:26.159 in future tense. 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:29.179 Peter tells us 00:24:29.179 --> 00:24:30.000 not only 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.419 that we 00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:31.219 have 00:24:31.219 --> 00:24:32.779 this hope, 00:24:32.959 --> 00:24:33.899 but that it is 00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:35.259 a living 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.219 hope. 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.660 What do you 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.339 suppose 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.279 is meant 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.799 by that? 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.980 It could 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.420 refer 00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.940 to an active 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.360 hope. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.720 As in a hope 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.680 in the future 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.539 promises of God 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.240 that will yield 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.120 fruit for us 00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.839 today. 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.500 That it means 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.220 something now. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.259 It's living 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.860 in that way. 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.880 And I think 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:55.539 in some measure 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.259 it does 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.640 mean that. 00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.360 It could 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.299 refer to us 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.720 being 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:02.220 born again. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.140 Peter is using 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.059 lots of 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.640 living 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.800 language here, 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.200 isn't he? 00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:07.320 We're born again 00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:08.060 and he talks 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.620 about it being 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.080 through the 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:09.560 resurrection 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.380 of Jesus 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:10.920 Christ. 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:11.840 So maybe 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.420 he's simply 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.940 trying to 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.500 characterize 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.720 hope. 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:15.500 And I also 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.400 think that 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.259 it could 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.920 and probably 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.360 does 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:19.920 mean that. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.920 I think, 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:22.580 however, 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.759 that most 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.320 directly 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:25.680 and most 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.640 importantly, 00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:28.380 it refers 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.060 directly to 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:29.600 the phrase 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.380 that immediately 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.420 follows 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:33.120 through the 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.700 resurrection 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.500 of Jesus 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.019 Christ 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.960 from the 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.240 dead. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.920 I think 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.440 that Peter 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.960 means to 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.700 tell us 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.700 that we 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.539 have a 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.700 living hope 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.800 and that 00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:45.160 hope is 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.560 Jesus Christ. 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.440 He's alive. 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.060 He is 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:50.539 our 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.160 living 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:52.519 hope. 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.539 Jesus 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.160 became a 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.660 man in order 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.080 to live the 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:55.720 perfect life 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.100 we should 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:56.680 have lived, 00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:57.900 to die the 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.620 death that we 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.320 deserved, 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.000 and to 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.919 defeat death 00:26:00.919 --> 00:26:01.740 by being 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.939 resurrected. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.240 Christmas 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.319 is aimed 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.899 at 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:08.059 Easter. 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.480 Through 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.159 the resurrection 00:26:11.159 --> 00:26:12.179 of Jesus 00:26:12.179 --> 00:26:12.919 Christ, 00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:14.059 Jesus 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.599 Christ 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.259 became 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.639 the 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.379 surety 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.339 of all 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.259 God's 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.960 promises 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:20.439 to us. 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.259 You see, 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:22.700 I think 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.019 this is 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.439 Peter's 00:26:23.439 --> 00:26:23.980 logic, 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.399 right? 00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.139 Blessed 00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:25.379 be the 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.599 God and 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:25.859 Father of 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.119 our Lord 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.319 Jesus 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:26.779 Christ. 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:27.460 According 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:27.779 to his 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.019 great 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.500 mercy, 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:28.839 he has 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.359 caused 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:29.779 us 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:29.980 to 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.259 be 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.059 born 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.459 again. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:31.679 He's 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:31.919 talking 00:26:31.919 --> 00:26:32.240 about 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.480 our 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:32.939 regeneration, 00:26:32.939 --> 00:26:33.519 our 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.439 salvation 00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:34.819 to 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.099 this 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.899 living 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.379 hope 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.599 through 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:36.919 the 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.679 resurrection 00:26:37.679 --> 00:26:38.579 of 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:38.939 Jesus 00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.639 Christ, 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.099 who makes 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.740 all of 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.559 God's 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.279 promises 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.559 sure. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.259 Paul wrote 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.059 in 2 Corinthians 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.099 chapter 1 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.839 verse 20, 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:48.879 for all the 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.559 promises of 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.519 God find 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.599 their yes 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.619 in Jesus 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.199 Christ. 00:26:53.939 --> 00:26:54.220 And in 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.740 1 Timothy 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.240 1, 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.759 1, 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.720 Paul opens 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.240 his letter 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.000 with this. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.519 Paul, 00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:59.059 the apostle 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.599 of Christ 00:26:59.599 --> 00:26:59.980 Jesus, 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.200 by command 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.480 of our 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:01.740 God, 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.240 our Savior, 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:02.980 and of 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.740 Christ 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.480 Jesus, 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:07.039 our hope. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.740 So, 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:10.660 we have 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.900 a living 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.900 hope, 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.079 which is 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:14.460 our 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.099 resurrected 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:16.279 Savior. 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:17.740 Everything 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.359 that follows 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:18.859 in verses 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.859 4 and 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.539 5, 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.099 I believe, 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.019 elaborate on 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.799 this idea 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.299 of being 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.960 born again 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.819 to a 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.160 living 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.140 hope. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.460 Now, 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.000 if we 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.299 were 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.860 working 00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:30.519 and doing 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.019 verse-by-verse 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.420 exposition 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.200 through 1 Peter, 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.860 at this point, 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.420 I would say, 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.319 and next week, 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:34.940 we will see 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.759 those things. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:37.039 This would be 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.039 the part 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.920 2 of 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.220 1 Peter 3 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.640 through 5, 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.740 but we're not 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.200 right now. 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.740 We're working 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.360 through the 00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:45.079 Advent season. 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:45.840 I want you 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.420 to see that 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:46.720 we have 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.259 this living 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.920 hope, 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:49.059 which is 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.880 Christ. 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.299 This is the 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.100 prominent thing 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:51.440 we want to 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.579 have on our 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:52.980 minds, 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.420 but I 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:53.819 don't want 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.420 to leave 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:55.360 you hanging 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:55.720 for the 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.460 last two 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.019 verses. 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.319 So, 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.059 in brief, 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:58.660 let me try 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.759 to pack 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.099 this in 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.519 before we 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.019 move on 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.099 and do 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.640 baptisms 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.500 here soon. 00:28:04.360 --> 00:28:04.759 So, 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:06.000 elaborating on 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.460 this idea 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.880 of a 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.480 living 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.259 hope, 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.000 one, 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:09.559 we see 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:11.140 that through 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:11.720 Christ, 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.460 we have 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.019 an 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.799 inheritance. 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.480 Peter says 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:15.759 it is an 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.240 inheritance that 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.940 is imperishable, 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.579 undefiled, 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.579 and unfading, 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.039 and it is 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.960 kept in 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.920 heaven for 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.240 you. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.599 We have 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:22.959 an 00:28:22.959 --> 00:28:24.259 immortal, 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.679 perfect, 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.459 forever 00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.379 inheritance, 00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:28.559 and it is 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.439 secured in 00:28:29.439 --> 00:28:30.299 heaven for 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.639 us. 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.240 We have 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.859 a much 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.879 greater and 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.439 grander 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:34.399 thing that 00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:34.919 awaits us 00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:36.000 beyond this 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.500 place. 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.500 I would love 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.019 at this point 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.980 to make an 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.619 elaborate case 00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.219 to you that 00:28:40.219 --> 00:28:40.899 Jesus Christ 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:41.839 himself is 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.939 that inheritance, 00:28:43.179 --> 00:28:43.740 but I'll 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.799 digress for 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.119 now. 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.859 But this is 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.579 why we are 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.240 instructed in 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.699 places like 00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:49.599 Matthew chapter 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.579 six to 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.339 store it for 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.879 ourselves, 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.880 treasure in 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.880 heaven, 00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:55.220 where moth 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.580 and rust 00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:56.260 do not 00:28:56.260 --> 00:28:56.780 destroy, 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.280 rather than 00:28:57.280 --> 00:28:57.680 here on 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.420 earth where 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.400 moth and 00:28:59.400 --> 00:28:59.980 rust destroys 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.300 and where 00:29:00.300 --> 00:29:01.280 thieves break 00:29:01.280 --> 00:29:02.580 in and 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:03.240 steal. 00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:03.920 We have 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.500 an inheritance 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.240 that is being 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.560 kept for 00:29:06.560 --> 00:29:07.000 us. 00:29:08.040 --> 00:29:08.560 Secondly, 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.120 through Christ 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:11.280 we have a 00:29:11.280 --> 00:29:12.620 security. 00:29:13.020 --> 00:29:13.440 Verse five 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.100 says that by 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:15.200 God's power 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.760 we are being 00:29:15.760 --> 00:29:16.540 guarded through 00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.880 faith for a 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:19.020 salvation ready 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.740 to be revealed 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.639 in the last 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:21.480 time, 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.400 that final 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.099 day when we 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:24.139 are glorified, 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.960 when we 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:26.900 persevere and 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.720 are preserved 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:29.079 to the very 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.859 end. 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.139 Those who 00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:32.400 God saves, 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.660 he keeps. 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.220 And remember, 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.299 he has 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.299 caused us to 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:39.960 be born again. 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.619 Rejoice in 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.460 God's sovereignty 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.339 and your salvation 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.700 because it is 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.339 a sure thing. 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.240 If you are 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.099 his, you 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:48.679 are his 00:29:48.679 --> 00:29:50.139 forever. 00:29:51.199 --> 00:29:51.879 In John 00:29:51.879 --> 00:29:52.379 chapter 10 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:53.119 verses 28 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:54.039 through 30, 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:54.699 Jesus said, 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.319 I give my 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.399 sheep eternal 00:29:57.399 --> 00:29:59.379 life and 00:29:59.379 --> 00:29:59.819 they will never 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:01.339 perish and no 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.019 one will snatch 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.799 them out of my 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.179 hand. 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.679 My father who 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.119 has given them 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.819 to me is 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:07.139 greater than 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.119 all and no 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:09.019 one is able to 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.759 snatch them out 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.519 of the father's 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.199 hand. 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.980 I and the 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.179 father are 00:30:14.179 --> 00:30:14.659 one. 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.240 What a 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.220 precious, 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.319 truth that 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:17.619 we are 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:18.939 secure forever 00:30:18.939 --> 00:30:20.819 in him if 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:22.019 we are his. 00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:23.279 Paul wrote 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:23.959 in Philippians 00:30:23.959 --> 00:30:24.679 chapter 1 00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:25.439 verse 6, 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.119 and I am 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:26.939 sure of 00:30:26.939 --> 00:30:27.639 this, 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.779 that he who 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.500 began a good 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.279 work in you 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:30.939 will bring it 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:31.899 to completion 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:33.259 at the day 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.459 of Jesus 00:30:34.459 --> 00:30:35.119 Christ. 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.159 And so we 00:30:37.159 --> 00:30:37.740 have, 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.639 through Christ, 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.559 this inheritance 00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.319 and this 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:41.279 security. 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.619 We have a 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:44.319 living hope 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:45.559 and a 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:45.919 careful 00:30:45.919 --> 00:30:46.799 consideration 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.659 and reflection 00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:48.339 on this 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.079 ought to 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.839 lift our 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:51.079 eyes from 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:52.039 the din of 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.819 this world 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.839 across the 00:30:53.839 --> 00:30:54.559 next month 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.859 in order to 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:57.339 praise God's 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:57.679 name. 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:57.740 name. 00:30:59.060 --> 00:30:59.779 So those 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.240 who God 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.279 has caused 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.640 to be born 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:03.019 again have 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.500 the living 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.019 hope to 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.700 the resurrection 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.320 of Jesus 00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:06.019 Christ from 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.500 the dead 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:06.900 and a 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.460 perfect 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.259 inheritance 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.080 kept in 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:09.660 heaven for 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.120 us. 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.240 And we 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.600 are being 00:31:11.600 --> 00:31:11.940 guarded 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.759 through faith 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.240 by God's 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.259 power to 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.759 the end. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:16.420 this is 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:17.259 why we 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.879 join with 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.940 Peter and 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.579 the church 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.859 past and 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.920 present and 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.579 the chorus 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.180 of heaven 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.819 in saying 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:25.039 blessed be 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.000 the God 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.480 and father 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.259 of our 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.299 Lord Jesus 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:28.900 Christ. 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.579 Beloved, 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.460 this Christmas 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:33.039 season may 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.500 it be true 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.079 of us that 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.400 we will be 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.059 a people who 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.160 experience the 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.099 living hope 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.720 of the gospel 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.259 of Jesus 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.779 Christ. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.680 Display the 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.440 living hope 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.079 of the gospel 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:42.960 of Jesus 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:44.299 Christ and 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:45.379 proclaim the 00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:46.240 living hope 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.180 of the gospel 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.279 of Jesus 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.779 Christ. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:49.960 May it be 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.859 true of us 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.659 this Christmas 00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.980 season that 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.599 we will be 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.359 a people who 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.359 say with 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:55.960 all that we 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:57.659 feel and 00:31:57.659 --> 00:31:58.700 do and 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.319 speak, 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.579 blessed be 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.220 the God 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.960 and father 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.079 of our 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.440 Lord Jesus 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:04.940 Christ. 00:32:05.379 --> 00:32:06.159 Join me in 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.359 prayer.