WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.419 So the chair's for me. In case you're wondering, my back lasts about five to ten minutes before it gives out. 00:00:10.620 --> 00:00:14.900 I did something to it this week, and so we're going to do this a little differently. 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:19.760 John Hinkson tells me that during the Reformation, this is how preachers would preach. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:25.219 They would sit ex-cathedra in the chair, and the audience would stand and listen to the sermon. 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:31.599 So, but given Jeff's exhortation to not lord it over you, I thought you guys can sit too. 00:00:32.359 --> 00:00:46.239 So anyway, this is a part of God's continuing process of teaching us all that it is in his weakness, in our weakness, that his power is made perfect. 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:52.259 So we're going to do this a little different today and see how it goes and pray that the Lord will bless our time together. 00:00:52.259 --> 00:01:06.579 So with that, in the book, The Two Towers, Sam Gamgee, wondering as he talks to Frodo Baggins, 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:16.239 while they're sitting actually at the mouth of the tunnel into which they will encounter Shelob, the giant spider. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:19.280 He says this, 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:24.519 Still I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:34.739 We're in one, of course, but I mean, put into words, you know, told by the fireside or read out of a great big book with red and black letters years and years afterwards. 00:01:35.379 --> 00:01:38.619 And people will say, let's hear about Frodo and the ring. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:42.320 And they'll say, yes, that's one of my favorite stories. 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:45.120 Frodo was very brave, wasn't he, dad? 00:01:45.380 --> 00:01:48.060 I, my boy, the famousest of hobbits. 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:50.140 And that's saying a lot. 00:01:51.980 --> 00:02:00.080 You know, in this brief encounter, Sam wonders aloud whether the story of his life, the story of their lives, will ever be told. 00:02:00.580 --> 00:02:04.939 Whether it will ever find significance in being part of something greater. 00:02:04.939 --> 00:02:13.460 A legendary tale, one of the stories of great heroes and the stories of overcoming insurmountable odds. 00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:20.340 And of course, we love stories because they often inspire us with these themes and with these ideas. 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:27.560 I wonder if you've ever wondered or longed or imagined that your life might be a part of a bigger story than that. 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:37.000 Well, I think, in fact, we live in a story where narratives give our lives meaning all the time. 00:02:37.259 --> 00:02:38.960 They give it purpose and significance. 00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:41.659 And we might find those stories in different places. 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:47.039 Some of us might find the story of our families, our grandpa and our great grandpa. 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:52.259 And maybe the story of immigrants coming to America from other parts of the world. 00:02:52.259 --> 00:02:57.459 Maybe some of you are living in other parts of the world and God's brought you here for a season. 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:02.120 But your story of where your family has come from gives you meaning. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:11.379 Some of us find story in thinking through our gender, our ethnic or racial background, the place of origin that we come from. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:18.139 You know, the times in which we live and the culture we've grown up in, they shape our story as well. 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:26.180 And maybe some would agree here this morning that, in fact, the best way to think about this is that we get to shape our own story. 00:03:26.299 --> 00:03:29.560 We get to be like those little books, you know, choose your own adventure. 00:03:29.900 --> 00:03:33.639 We get to shape our own story and make our own significance in life. 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:40.399 But I wonder, too, if some of us this morning feel like, you know, there's not a lot there. 00:03:41.059 --> 00:03:43.639 Actually, I don't know there is a bigger story. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:47.679 My life seems full of meaninglessness, drudgery. 00:03:48.359 --> 00:03:53.679 I wonder whether there is a big story that gives it purpose or not. 00:03:54.779 --> 00:03:59.739 And, you know, I think that it's very easy to fall into this, particularly when we're facing suffering. 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:07.260 Because when we're going through trials, when we're going through hard times, often it feels like our lives get small. 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:09.760 Our perspectives become short. 00:04:10.040 --> 00:04:15.879 And we struggle to make it day to day and to think about the big picture. 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:17.840 There's just no way. 00:04:20.400 --> 00:04:28.079 But it's in this theme of finding ourselves in a bigger story that brings us to our passage this morning in 1 Peter. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:30.579 We're continuing in our series in 1 Peter. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:34.139 And we're going to be looking at just a few verses. 00:04:34.359 --> 00:04:37.339 1 Peter 1, verses 10 through 12. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:39.379 And remember what we've already learned. 00:04:39.659 --> 00:04:43.319 Peter opened this by writing to a group of people he called exiles. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:50.240 Those chosen by God out of the world and yet still living in a world in which they no longer fit. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:52.019 We're citizens. 00:04:52.019 --> 00:05:08.000 And then we looked last week at the great hope and promise that what God has done in salvation for us in Jesus gives us great hope for the future and joy in the present, even in the midst of difficulties and sufferings. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:13.360 And from this then, he launches into our passage this morning. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:16.939 And this story reminds us of the story. 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:19.160 The story that the readers are in. 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:20.759 The story that we are in. 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:21.920 To give us encouragement. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:24.019 It is the story of salvation. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:30.300 And it's not just a story like a fairy tale, but a story that is actually true. 00:05:30.300 --> 00:05:32.000 So let's look together. 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:38.759 1 Peter 1, verses 10 through 12. 00:05:38.960 --> 00:05:40.199 Let's read this together. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:49.060 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully. 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:59.080 Inquiring what person or time the spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 00:05:59.079 --> 00:06:13.240 It was revealed to them that they were serving not only themselves, but you in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preach the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:17.339 Things into which angels long to look. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:20.639 Let's pray as we look at God's word for a minute. 00:06:21.459 --> 00:06:23.419 Lord, we ask for your help this morning. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:29.100 Lord, I ask for your help that I would speak your word clearly and proclaim it as I ought. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:33.439 Lord, I pray for all of us that our hearts would sit under your word. 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:36.060 And Lord, this morning that we would be in awe. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:40.139 That we would be in awe of what you have done to make yourself known. 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:43.639 Lord, that we would know the salvation that you have brought. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:51.060 And Lord, that we would have the privilege of being your children, your sons and daughters in this world. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:55.759 Oh, Lord, we pray that you would be with us by your spirit this morning. 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:57.920 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:06:58.680 --> 00:06:58.920 Amen. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:18.139 So as we look at this, I think what we see is Peter reminding his audience and reminding us this morning of the story of the progressive way that God has revealed his great plan of salvation in the world. 00:07:18.340 --> 00:07:19.680 So let's look at it. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:23.600 When you look at it, you know, he starts in verse 10. 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:25.120 He says, concerning this salvation. 00:07:25.340 --> 00:07:26.959 This is what he's been talking about. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:29.639 This is what he's going to continue to talk about throughout the whole passage. 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:48.259 He says, concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours, searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what persons or times the spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:51.759 What in the world is he saying here? 00:07:51.759 --> 00:08:05.740 What he's saying is that the prophets of old preached about the grace and the gospel concerning Christ, even though they didn't fully understand what they were talking about. 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:08.960 So let's break that down and think about what looks like. 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:19.740 We're actually going to spend a bunch of time looking at some Old Testament passages, not in depth, but just referring to them and seeing how they relate to Christ so that we can see what this looks like in reality. 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:24.060 I threw at Kevin these verses about 15 minutes before the service. 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:25.240 So I think we're going to be good. 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:25.560 All right. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:26.199 He says we're good. 00:08:26.579 --> 00:08:38.000 So he'll put the verses up on the screen as well as we look through, because it's amazing when you start to see all of what God has done in revealing himself through scripture. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:47.460 And particularly here, thinking about how the prophets of old predicted or talked about the coming of the Christ and what he would do for them. 00:08:48.299 --> 00:09:02.000 And the thing you want to start with is that even in the Old Testament, and I don't know if this is revelatory to you or not, but the Old Testament prophets were talking about the grace that would come through Jesus Christ. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:16.259 And in the Old Testament, there are hints and whispers and paradigms and pictures, as well as specific predictions that all point us to Jesus Christ. 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:30.080 So you have things like the theme of sacrifice of atonement, whether it be in Genesis 22 and Abraham and Isaac, or whether it be in the temple and the day of atonement and the scapegoat being sent out. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:32.200 There are pictures of these things. 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:45.460 There are pictures throughout the Old Testament of people taking up roles of prophets who would speak for God and priests who would stand between the people and God and intercede for them and kings who would rule over them. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:56.820 And we see all of these as pictures of this Jesus who is going to come and fulfill and be the ultimate prophet, priest, and king for us in the church. 00:09:56.820 --> 00:10:09.140 Let's think about this in specifics, because what it says is they would talk about Christ and his sufferings and the subsequent glories. 00:10:09.760 --> 00:10:12.820 So here are a few examples of where we see that. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:15.060 Psalm 22, 1 and 2. 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:39.179 Friends, you know, these were the words that Jesus himself took up as he was hanging on the cross. 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:48.939 In Matthew 27, 46, he spoke these very words and applied them to himself, said, this is a prayer. 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:58.179 Or perhaps one of the most famous passages that's well known about the sufferings of Christ in Isaiah 53. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:01.819 And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:07.339 For he grew up before him like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. 00:11:07.579 --> 00:11:10.519 He had no form or majesty that we should look at him. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:13.159 He had no beauty that we should desire him. 00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:18.879 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:25.779 And as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed him not. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:28.959 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. 00:11:29.319 --> 00:11:33.199 Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 00:11:34.319 --> 00:11:36.600 But he was pierced for our transgressions. 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:39.539 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:43.720 And upon him, the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:48.559 But upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:51.399 And with his wounds, we are healed. 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:56.220 We will see this in chapter 2 of 1 Peter. 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:59.100 That Peter says, this is about Christ. 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:03.179 It was Christ who suffered in this way for us. 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:07.959 This is what Isaiah was proclaiming would come for the people. 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:13.919 And not only the sufferings, but friends, the glory is also revealed. 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:19.159 So in Isaiah 61, you see the prophet saying these words, 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:25.000 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:30.059 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:34.439 to utter and the opening of the prisons for those who are bound, 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:39.099 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:43.680 to comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion, 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:47.320 to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:50.060 the oil of gladness instead of mourning, 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:53.159 a garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:55.500 that they may be called oaks of righteousness, 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:59.139 the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:02.440 And friends, if you remember in the book of Luke, 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:04.980 when Jesus begins his public ministry, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.240 he walks into the synagogue. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:09.680 He opens to this passage and he says, 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:17.700 In this day, that passage is fulfilled because I am here to bring all of these promises to you and to the world. 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:23.700 And in Daniel chapter 7, verses 13 and 14, 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:24.759 Daniel said, 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:54.439 And friends, when we look in Matthew, 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.620 chapter 24 and 26, 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.480 or when we read the book of Revelation, 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.899 particularly verses 4, 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:02.100 chapters 4 and 5, 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:04.439 we see this son of man 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:07.220 being Jesus, 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:11.259 the one who fulfills all these roles 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:13.960 and takes all of these places of privilege 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.840 and brings this great kingdom. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:19.300 So, friends, we have to stop and think. 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:23.540 Isaiah and Daniel and the psalmist and Psalm 22 and others, 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:25.100 they wrote these things, 00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:28.600 but Peter says they didn't fully understand what they were saying. 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:31.139 They understood the themes, I think. 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.480 They understood the ideas, 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:35.420 but they didn't know the time and the place. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.840 And so they searched and inquired. 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:40.100 What did they search and inquire? 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:42.159 Well, I think they searched and inquired 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:44.279 the words that God had given them, 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.220 first and foremost. 00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:47.840 Secondly, they would have searched and inquired 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:50.139 the words of others in that time, 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:54.379 the prophets that were speaking at the same time, 00:14:54.560 --> 00:14:56.300 and those who had spoken before, 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.899 to try to understand 00:14:57.899 --> 00:15:00.040 how all these pieces fit together. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.940 It's like putting a puzzle together 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:04.440 without having all the pieces, 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:06.980 and certainly without having the box to look at. 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.320 They're trying to figure out, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.600 what does this look like? 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:12.680 But they searched and they looked to understand. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.720 And yet, even as they were doing this, 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:16.320 they were proclaiming God's truth, 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:18.120 even though they knew 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:22.600 that they hadn't seen what it would truly look like. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:27.039 This is what happens in Deuteronomy 18, verse 15. 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:29.000 God is speaking through Moses, 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.539 and he's saying, 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:32.379 the Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:34.519 from among you, from among your brothers. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:36.379 It is to him you shall listen. 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:39.139 And throughout the rest of the Old Testament history, 00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:41.820 no prophet could be like Moses. 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:47.039 Or we see in 2 Samuel 7, 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.740 you know this, 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:51.700 the great promise that God gave to David 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:53.440 as he was taking up his throne, 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.879 that one day when your days are fulfilled 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.659 and you lie down with your fathers, 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:59.639 I will raise up for you offspring 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:02.720 after you should come from your body, 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.980 and I will establish his kingdom. 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:05.920 He will build a house for my name, 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:09.480 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:11.759 I will be to him a father, 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:14.200 and he shall be to me a son. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:17.480 He promises an eternal kingdom. 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:20.759 And Solomon couldn't be the fulfillment of all of this. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.920 And so David and Solomon must have known, 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:24.700 there's another one yet to come 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:26.300 who is a greater king than this. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:28.879 So throughout the whole Old Testament, 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:31.299 we see that even in the Old Testament, 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:34.319 people knew that they were pointing ahead to something. 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:36.539 And that's what Peter is telling us here. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:38.879 This whole Old Testament story 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.959 has a direction and a pointing, 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:43.939 and it has a force behind it as well. 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:46.599 Because we see that what Peter is saying 00:16:46.599 --> 00:16:51.079 is that the Holy Spirit was speaking through this. 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:53.780 The Holy Spirit was actively participating 00:16:53.780 --> 00:16:57.000 and directing these people to write these things. 00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:58.200 Look with me really carefully. 00:16:58.340 --> 00:17:00.200 There's a pronoun here that's really important. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:01.860 In verse 11, 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:06.340 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them 00:17:06.340 --> 00:17:11.460 was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ. 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:14.960 It was not when they predicted the sufferings of Christ. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.380 It wasn't they were wondering when I was talking, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.680 what was I talking about? 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:22.460 They recognized that it was the Holy Spirit, 00:17:22.580 --> 00:17:25.900 the Spirit of Christ that was speaking through them. 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:29.940 And so we see God, the Holy Spirit, 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:36.700 central in this revelation of God's great story. 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:41.299 Peter will reaffirm this in his second book. 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:45.240 In 2 Peter 1, verses 20 and 21, 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.680 Peter writes this, 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:48.360 knowing this first of all, 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.779 that no prophecy of scripture 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:51.980 came from someone's own interpretation, 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:55.759 for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.980 but men spoke from God 00:17:57.980 --> 00:18:01.480 as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:04.640 And so we need to recognize 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:08.519 that as God is revealing his story 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:11.620 historically, progressively through people, 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:14.400 he is superintending the whole thing 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:16.100 through his Holy Spirit. 00:18:16.800 --> 00:18:19.000 And that Holy Spirit that did so 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.360 throughout the whole Old Testament, 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.680 Peter is reminding them, 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:24.380 it's continued now in your day, 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:26.800 because this is how you heard 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:29.780 about this grace that came in Christ as well, 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:32.180 because someone came and proclaimed it to you. 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.900 And verse 12 tells us, 00:18:34.040 --> 00:18:34.519 how is it? 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:36.880 They came and proclaimed it to you 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.700 in the Holy Spirit, 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.840 through the Holy Spirit, 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:42.720 because of the Holy Spirit's enabling and prompting. 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:44.819 And so God is in this process, 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.480 and the Holy Spirit particularly 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:49.079 has this purpose of taking the truth 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:50.140 of what God has done 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:51.640 and making it known, 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:54.440 revealing himself through the scriptures, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.539 through the writers, 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:57.519 and through the proclamation of the gospel 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:59.980 for all of us. 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:03.339 This is how the writers 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:07.279 of the New Testament came to know about Christ. 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.579 This is how the readers, 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.620 the initial readers, 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.699 the recipients in Asia Minor, 00:19:12.199 --> 00:19:13.500 came to know Christ. 00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:14.359 And friends, 00:19:14.479 --> 00:19:17.179 this is how we have come to know Christ today, 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:19.959 because someone moved by the Holy Spirit, 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.000 shared with us, 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:24.339 someone prompted you to pick up a book 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:26.179 or a Bible that pointed you 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.479 to the truth of Christ. 00:19:27.959 --> 00:19:31.639 And this is how God has been revealing himself 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:34.639 in this story throughout the whole time. 00:19:35.439 --> 00:19:37.439 So what does this mean for us? 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:39.700 How do we think about applying it? 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:40.720 Well, friends, 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:42.740 there are so many things we could say here. 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.380 The first thing I want to say is, 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:44.680 one, 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:46.660 this book 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:48.640 is a unique book. 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:52.180 God has given it to us 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.400 because it is the way 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:55.340 that he has revealed himself to us. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.779 And God has moved the writers 00:19:57.779 --> 00:20:00.660 of these words 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:02.519 by his Holy Spirit 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:04.279 so that we might know him. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:06.480 So 1 Timothy 3.16, 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.319 all scripture 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:09.339 is breathed out by God. 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:13.500 It is profitable for us 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.440 for reproof, 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:14.940 for correction, 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:15.660 training, 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.500 and righteousness. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.619 The Old Testament writers 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:22.079 knew this unity of the Bible 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.420 and saw it together. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.539 So Paul writes in Romans 4, 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.740 23 and 24, 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:30.099 he writes this, 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.819 he's talking about Abraham 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:33.439 and what happened to Abraham 00:20:33.439 --> 00:20:34.179 said, 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:36.019 but the words it was counted to him, 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.659 that is, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:38.079 Abraham was counted righteous 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:40.299 because of his faith in God 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.059 in the moment, 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:41.679 said, 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.159 but the words it was counted to him 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:45.799 were not written for his sake alone, 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:47.700 but for ours also. 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:49.579 It will be counted to us 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.859 who believe in him, 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.639 who raised from the dead, 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.639 Jesus our Lord, 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.819 who was delivered up for our trespasses 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:58.259 and raised for our justification. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:02.920 Or think about later in Romans 15.3, 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:06.000 for Christ did not please himself, 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.119 but as it is written, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.480 the reproaches of those 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:10.480 who reproached you fell on me. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.500 For whatever was written 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.619 in the former days 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:15.359 was written for our instruction, 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:17.039 that through endurance 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.160 and through the encouragement 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.960 of the scriptures, 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.259 we might have hope. 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:23.740 Or you see Paul writing again 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:25.379 in 1 Corinthians 10.11. 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.839 Now these things happen. 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.819 And he's talking about 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:30.579 the cursing actually 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:32.059 of the people in the Meribah 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:33.079 for their unbelief 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.220 and their falling into sin. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:34.819 He says, 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:36.879 now these things happened to them 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.740 as an example, 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.159 but they were written down 00:21:39.159 --> 00:21:40.639 for our instruction 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:43.599 on whom the end of the ages has come. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.019 And friends, 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:47.439 this is the amazing thing. 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:50.119 So the Old Testament writers knew 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.179 they were pointing ahead. 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.919 The New Testament writers look back 00:21:52.919 --> 00:21:54.500 and see all that was happening 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.199 in the Old Testament, 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:56.159 pointing ahead, 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:58.700 and all of this finds 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:01.019 the climax, 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.100 the high point, 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.759 the pinnacle 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:04.460 of all that God has revealed 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.040 in his work 00:22:05.040 --> 00:22:07.340 is the person and work of Christ. 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:09.860 It's all about Jesus. 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:11.540 And the storyline 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:12.640 that he's telling 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.060 in the center of it 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:16.279 at the most important thing 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.920 that happens in the whole story 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:19.740 is the life and death 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:21.019 and resurrection of Christ. 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.019 Right? 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:25.839 And so this is what Jesus himself 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:27.859 even said about the scriptures. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.420 In John 5, 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:29.859 he says, 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.960 you search the scriptures 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.379 because you think that in them 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.660 you have eternal life. 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.079 And it is they 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.960 that bear witness about me. 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:40.099 It is also what Jesus said 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:41.720 to the disciples on the road 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.599 to Emmaus 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:44.000 that Tosin read earlier. 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.599 Do you remember what he said? 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.559 Oh foolish ones 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.679 and slow of heart 00:22:47.679 --> 00:22:48.699 to believe all 00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:50.379 that the prophets have spoken. 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.179 Was it not necessary 00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:52.879 that the Christ 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:54.119 should suffer these things 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:55.839 and enter into his glory? 00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:57.179 And beginning with Moses 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:58.240 and all the prophets, 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.480 he interpreted to them 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.899 in all the scriptures 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:03.159 the things concerning himself. 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:07.019 So Jesus himself is saying 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.259 all of this 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:10.060 is pointing to me 00:23:10.060 --> 00:23:11.460 and my work 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.820 and my suffering 00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:14.360 and my victory 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.460 over sin and death 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.540 at the cross 00:23:16.540 --> 00:23:17.580 in the resurrection. 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:19.920 So the scriptures themselves 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.040 teach us 00:23:21.040 --> 00:23:21.800 that this is how 00:23:21.800 --> 00:23:23.240 we're supposed to read the Bible 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:25.279 in a Christ-centered way. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.480 We talk about being 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:28.000 gospel-centered here at Trinity. 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.600 That's code word 00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:30.720 for being Christ-centered 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.320 in some way. 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:33.759 That we read the whole Bible 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.960 through the lens 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:36.480 that God is 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:38.099 doing this work 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.819 of redemption 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:40.399 and the centerpiece of it 00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:41.279 is the life and death 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.779 and resurrection 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.019 of Jesus Christ. 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:46.679 And God is gracious 00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:49.359 as part 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:51.419 we would understand 00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:52.079 the significance 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.139 of Christ 00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:54.419 and what he's done for us. 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:56.759 So what does this mean 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.839 for us in application? 00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:58.619 Well, 00:23:59.379 --> 00:23:59.740 friends, 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.759 let us be like 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:02.019 the Old Testament prophets. 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.640 Let us be those 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.299 who search 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.640 and inquire diligently 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:07.180 to look 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:07.900 and to see, 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.079 to understand 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:10.180 that this 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.799 two-thirds 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.099 of the Bible 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:14.180 that maybe you're tempted 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.819 to ignore 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.400 because you think 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.440 it's not about Jesus. 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.039 It is about Jesus. 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.259 And that you 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.900 would learn to read it 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:22.480 so that you could see Jesus 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.599 in all of scripture. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.400 That you could see 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.640 all of how God 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.879 prepared the world 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.819 for the coming of Jesus. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.379 How he revealed Jesus. 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.600 And then how he worked out 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:31.320 the proclamation 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:32.640 of Jesus 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:34.040 in the age to come, 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:34.660 which is the age 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.460 that we're in now, 00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:36.920 the age of the church. 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.100 This is where we find ourselves 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:40.000 in this picture. 00:24:40.820 --> 00:24:41.520 And friends, 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.740 as we study this 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.080 and as we study this word 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:45.420 that is unlike any book 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.520 that you can read 00:24:46.520 --> 00:24:47.380 over and over 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:48.040 and over again 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:49.080 and continue to learn 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:50.040 more and more 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:51.560 by doing so, 00:24:52.560 --> 00:24:54.120 let us be in awe. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.060 Let us be in awe 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.619 of the work 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.559 that God has done. 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.899 Friends, 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.679 this in fact, 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.359 I believe 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.700 is the pastoral import 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.240 of this passage. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.480 This is sort of 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.240 my second point. 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.079 This may be just 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.079 a one point sermon 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.559 with a really long application. 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.339 So if you're taking notes, 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.480 this is my second point, 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.960 but it might just be application. 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:17.440 So because the pastoral intent 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.819 of this passage 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:20.200 in revisiting 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.460 what the prophets of old, 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.879 he wanted to say, 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.500 do you remember 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.419 this salvation 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.620 that I've just talked about 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.680 and how wonderful it is? 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.320 Here's the big picture 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.000 of where it fits 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.920 in this story. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.320 The prophets of old 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:33.000 looked ahead 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.920 and they longed to know 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:34.840 what they were talking about. 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:36.140 Then Jesus came 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:37.320 and he did all that he did 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:37.840 in his life 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.560 and death and resurrection. 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.019 And you're on the way 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.480 of it. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.920 And he looks at this church, 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:46.460 he looks at his church, 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.160 his audience, 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.660 who are suffering 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.860 for the name of Christ. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.759 And he says, 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.779 do you recognize 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.200 what a privileged position 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.980 you are in? 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:57.980 Because you know 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.820 what the prophets long to see. 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:04.320 You know fully 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.180 the times 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.180 and the places 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:08.980 of how 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:12.000 and the unique person 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.440 of Jesus Christ. 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:16.360 And you have this privilege 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:18.100 of being after the cross 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.860 and the resurrection 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.880 to be able to see 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.620 these things. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:22.139 And it's not only 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:23.539 the prophets in the past 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.079 long to, 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.139 but even, 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.519 you see in verse 12, 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:28.399 even the angels in heaven 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:29.739 long to look. 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.259 And the word there, 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.979 long to look, 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.959 is this cool word. 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.259 It's kind of like, 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:34.939 you know, 00:26:34.979 --> 00:26:35.639 in the sound of music 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.599 when they have the big party 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.679 and the kids get to sit 00:26:37.679 --> 00:26:38.199 on the stairs 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:38.899 and they get to peek 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.539 through the railing 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.659 to see what's going on below? 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:42.000 That's exactly 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.019 kind of the picture 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.820 that Peter is painting here. 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:46.279 The angels get a peek 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:48.440 into this glorious work 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.040 of redemption 00:26:49.040 --> 00:26:50.720 that God is doing 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.040 through Jesus Christ 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:54.720 in the church, 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.040 in us. 00:26:57.820 --> 00:26:59.259 Paul reminds us of this 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.500 in Ephesians 3.10 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.200 where he says 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.940 that through the church 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.000 the manifold wisdom 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.860 of God 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:06.279 might now be made known 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.019 to the rulers 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.720 and authorities 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:09.279 in the heavenly places 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.019 and that's talking 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.960 about the angelic, 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.160 the supernatural realm. 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.360 He says what God 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.759 is doing in the church 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:16.420 is the centerpiece 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:18.180 and the spirits 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:20.860 and the angels 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:22.839 are looking on 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.600 in awe 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:25.180 of this amazing work. 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.880 And this is for you. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:31.480 Look again at this passage 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.480 in 1 Peter. 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.579 Do you see? 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:37.679 What you have 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:38.619 is the grace 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:40.059 that has been proclaimed 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.399 throughout this time. 00:27:41.939 --> 00:27:42.679 The prophets 00:27:42.679 --> 00:27:43.699 of old, 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:45.139 they were serving you 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.439 and they recognized that. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.619 This is what others 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:48.439 have come and preached 00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:49.019 and proclaimed 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.039 to you 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.379 so that you would know 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:53.679 this amazing message. 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:56.519 The message of grace 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:58.220 of Jesus' suffering 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.839 and his subsequent glory. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:04.039 that Jesus came, 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:06.139 took on human flesh, 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:09.039 that he offered himself up 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.079 in our place, 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.720 dying, 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.480 suffering 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.399 on the cross 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.539 on our behalf, 00:28:13.699 --> 00:28:14.859 rising from the dead 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.759 in victory 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.799 over sin and death, 00:28:16.939 --> 00:28:18.379 now offering forgiveness 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.079 of sins 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.139 and a new life 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:20.879 to all who put 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:22.000 their faith in Christ. 00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:24.159 This is the central work. 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.779 And the Old Testament 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.899 prepares us for it. 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.860 the New Testament 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:30.700 reveals it 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.680 and then works it out 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.560 in our lives. 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:34.620 And this is the story 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.960 that Peter wants 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.680 to remind 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:38.280 the church in Asia Minor 00:28:38.280 --> 00:28:39.860 and want to remind us 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.660 today. 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.720 This is the story 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.640 that we are in. 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.980 And friends, 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.120 if you are one of those 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:46.700 who wonder, 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:48.259 does my life have meaning? 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:50.240 What's my bigger story? 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.660 I don't have a bigger story. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:53.120 I don't have anything 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.980 that makes my life 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.660 make sense. 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.240 Peter says, 00:28:56.320 --> 00:28:57.360 no, that's not true. 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.319 You are a part 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.479 of the greatest story 00:28:59.479 --> 00:29:00.199 ever told. 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.879 The story that God 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:04.559 throughout history 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.779 has been working 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.059 to call a people 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.379 for himself. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.679 That he would call us 00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:11.659 out of exile 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.500 in our sin 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:14.319 into his family, 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:15.979 into his story, 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.419 into his kingdom 00:29:17.419 --> 00:29:19.299 where we will conquer 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.439 the greatest enemy 00:29:20.439 --> 00:29:21.559 of sin and death 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:23.059 because of what Jesus 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.659 has done. 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.800 and we will reign 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:25.720 with him forever 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.680 in a kingdom 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:29.180 of unimaginable beauty. 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.960 And this is the story 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.100 that makes 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:33.180 the sufferings 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:33.800 and the trials 00:29:33.800 --> 00:29:34.740 that you are facing 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:36.320 today light 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:37.259 and momentary. 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.740 That makes the trials 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.700 that you are facing 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.320 today, 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.880 and I'm not minimizing 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:42.180 them, 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.580 I'm saying, 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.720 in light of this 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.700 greater story, 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.980 Peter's saying, 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.140 this is why you can 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.700 hang on. 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.920 This is why you can 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.560 keep going. 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:51.100 This is why you can 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:52.559 trust and believe 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:54.099 and hope in Christ 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.519 and not be a fool 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.399 in doing so 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.559 because there is 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.699 a greater story 00:29:58.699 --> 00:30:00.339 that God has placed 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.819 you in. 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.359 And this is the most 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.219 important story 00:30:03.219 --> 00:30:03.879 of your life, 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.879 more important 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.879 than any other one 00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.839 you would hold on to. 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:08.059 This is the most 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:09.039 important story 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.199 of your life 00:30:10.199 --> 00:30:11.419 if you would simply 00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:12.419 let it be so, 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:13.599 if you would believe 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.679 and trust in Christ. 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.659 This is what Peter 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:18.240 exhorts and encourages 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.659 his readers 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:21.340 in this. 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.380 So with that, 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.360 let's pray together. 00:30:29.540 --> 00:30:30.259 Lord Jesus, 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:31.279 we praise you. 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.440 We praise you 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.060 that there is 00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:35.040 this grand story 00:30:35.040 --> 00:30:35.500 and that, 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.660 Lord, 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.900 we have a place 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.360 in it. 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:39.860 Lord, 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.880 I pray this morning 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.779 that we would 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.480 be encouraged. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.480 I pray that, 00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:44.940 Lord, 00:30:45.040 --> 00:30:47.740 even in the face 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.480 of the trials 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:50.240 that we are facing, 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.579 both big and small, 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.000 or Lord, 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.599 in the preparation 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.500 for trials 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:56.779 if today is a day 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.759 in which we are 00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:00.980 relatively at ease. 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:01.920 Lord, 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:03.539 I pray that the knowledge 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.839 of this great story 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:06.259 and of your revelation 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.539 to us in the scriptures, 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.420 Lord, 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.960 that we would be encouraged, 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.900 encouraged to take hold 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:13.720 of this salvation 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:15.579 and to continue on 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.019 in it. 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:17.400 Lord, 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.100 we pray this 00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:19.460 in Jesus' name. 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.259 Amen. 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.400 Amen. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:20.440 Amen. 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:20.460 Amen. 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:20.480 Amen. 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.440 Amen. 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:21.480 Amen. 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:21.539 Amen. 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.400 Amen. 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:22.480 Amen. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:22.539 Amen. 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:22.620 Amen. 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:22.640 Amen. 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:22.660 Amen. 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:22.700 Amen. 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:22.759 Amen. 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:22.819 Amen.