WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.100 Well, it's great to be here. I appreciate the invitation to come and spend some time with you. 00:00:07.099 --> 00:00:37.079 Thank you. 00:00:37.100 --> 00:01:07.079 Thank you. 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:09.099 Thank you. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:11.099 Thank you. 00:01:11.099 --> 00:01:13.099 Thank you. 00:01:13.099 --> 00:01:15.099 Thank you. 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:17.099 Thank you. 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:19.099 Thank you. 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:21.099 Thank you. 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:23.099 Thank you. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:25.099 Thank you. 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:27.099 Thank you. 00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:29.099 Thank you. 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:33.979 from that sermon series that I could share here this morning that would be an encouragement to 00:01:33.979 --> 00:01:40.859 all of us. So if I normally don't entitle my sermons, but if I were to give this sermon a 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:47.979 title, it would probably be something like continuing faithful over the long haul. One 00:01:47.979 --> 00:01:54.619 of the COVID-19 terms that we become familiar with now is long haulers, because there are some 00:01:54.620 --> 00:02:02.480 people who have ongoing results after they've had COVID-19, and over a long period of time, 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:12.980 they have to deal with different results or consequences of their having COVID-19. And so 00:02:12.980 --> 00:02:19.300 we refer to that as long haulers. Well, in the Christian life, we need long haulers. We need 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:23.819 people that are going to hang in there and continue faithful right to the very end. 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:36.980 In June of 2001, I received a phone call from one of my cousins. He said, my dad, who is, 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:44.280 well, this cousin said, my dad, who was my Uncle Peter Bueller, had just passed away, and they 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:51.080 were preparing for the funeral service. And it just happened that Uncle Peter was a retired 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:53.219 minister. The church that he was attending, and he was a retired minister. The church that 00:02:53.219 --> 00:03:00.040 he was attending was pastored by a person who had very recently become a widower. And so 00:03:00.040 --> 00:03:06.200 the family, in consultation with the pastor, said, you know, conducting a funeral service after 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:16.060 you've just lost your wife for a dear friend would be a tremendous load. And so they said, we could 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:22.120 bring in somebody else to help with the service. And so the family contacted me and asked me if I'd 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:30.060 be willing to speak at my Uncle Peter Bueller's funeral. So I was thinking about, you know, what do you 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:38.319 share a lifetime of faithful walk with God, pastoring a small country church for many of those years? 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:48.300 A person who grew up in a very conservative, traditional church setting where they taught 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:56.620 you that you couldn't have assurance of salvation. It was a sign of pride to say, to make the claim 00:03:56.620 --> 00:04:02.439 that you had eternal salvation. And so my Uncle Peter grew up in that context as a young man, but 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:07.800 then he became a believer in Jesus Christ. He received the assurance of salvation, and the rest 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:14.960 of his life he proclaimed that. And he taught about salvation in Jesus Christ and hope and joy that we 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:21.379 could have by knowing that we belong to Christ. And so I thought, you know, in some ways it's not a hard 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:28.939 service to conduct. When a person has served the Lord faithfully and they've gone on to their eternal 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:38.360 reward, it's not a sad occasion. It's a celebration. But what exactly was I going to say? And as I was 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:45.219 thinking about this, I was driving one day and listening to the radio, and that was exactly the time that 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:51.380 Charles Templeton had died. I don't know if that name rings a bell with any of you. Charles 00:04:51.380 --> 00:04:58.560 Templeton started out as a Christian evangelist back in the era of Billy Graham. As a matter of fact, 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:03.600 Billy Graham and Charles Templeton were very involved in starting the whole Youth for Christ movement 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:14.520 in the U.S. And so he started out as this evangelist and a dynamic man of God. And over a period of time, 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:20.439 he drifted away from his faith and he became what he referred to himself as an agnostic. He says, 00:05:20.539 --> 00:05:25.819 I don't really know if there is a God. I don't really know if there's anything solid you can believe. 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:32.680 And he devoted himself to journalism. And over a period of time, he went even farther and he 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:39.799 proclaimed that he was an atheist. He absolutely declared that there is no God. I don't believe that 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:45.100 there is any God. And so he made his mark in journalism. And on this radio 00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:49.660 program that I was listening to after Charles Templeton had just died, they were 00:05:49.660 --> 00:05:55.420 lauding him and just talking about all the wonderful things he had done and all the 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:58.480 contributions he had made through his journalistic work. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:04.139 And I thought to myself, here were two men that lived kind of in the same era. My uncle Peter, 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:10.259 who the people that were listening to the radio would not have recognized for the most part, 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:16.060 Charles Templeton, whose name was quite well known, but who had remained faithful to God? 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:25.079 One started out very devoted to God, serving God, and left that. The other one started out in a very 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:32.159 humble way and walked faithfully with God and served God's people, served God and served God's people. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:35.100 staying faithful over the long haul. 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:44.400 So Peter writes to encourage a group of Christians who are struggling, who are suffering in their faith. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:52.960 And we know that that is not a new story in Scripture. A lot of people have suffered for their faith. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:07:00.320 In Hebrews chapter 10, we can read A Call to Perseverance. If we read Hebrews chapter 10, 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:07.939 verse 19 and following on. And this short passage of Hebrews is very parallel to what we read in 1 Peter. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:15.120 So Hebrews 10, 19. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:19.500 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:23.500 by a new and living way opened up for us through the curtain, that is his body, 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:27.500 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:32.199 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, 00:07:32.280 --> 00:07:34.939 having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience, 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:39.100 and having our bodies washed with pure water. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:43.220 So there, first of all, the author is pointing us to Jesus. 00:07:43.340 --> 00:07:44.840 He does that all through the book of Hebrews. 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:48.960 He always talks about how Jesus is the new way, how Jesus is the living way, 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:52.320 how Jesus is the better way, how Jesus is the perfect high priest, 00:07:52.520 --> 00:07:54.500 how Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. 00:07:55.200 --> 00:07:58.320 And he goes over and over this theme, comparing the Old Testament 00:07:58.320 --> 00:08:04.460 and contrasting that with Jesus, how Jesus is the fulfillment and the better way. 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:09.419 So he reminds these Christians, this is who Jesus is. 00:08:09.979 --> 00:08:11.099 This is what he has done. 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:15.199 He has opened up a way for us to come into the very presence of God. 00:08:16.919 --> 00:08:19.519 So then he comes out with a word of encouragement. 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:22.060 Because of this, in verse 23, he says, 00:08:22.159 --> 00:08:27.500 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:33.600 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:37.180 Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, 00:08:37.300 --> 00:08:43.580 but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:49.240 A very similar message to what we read in 1 Peter. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:51.180 Let us continue on. 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:52.659 Let us be faithful. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:59.080 We might ask ourselves the question, 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:06.379 If God is so great and God is so good and he has opened up a living way for us to come into his very presence, 00:09:06.780 --> 00:09:10.500 and he has promised to never leave us and never forsake us, 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:14.780 why would we have to go through such hard struggles sometimes? 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:18.340 It's kind of a natural question, isn't it? 00:09:18.400 --> 00:09:21.280 If God is good, if God is all-powerful, 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:23.480 why do we suffer? 00:09:24.040 --> 00:09:24.920 Why do we struggle? 00:09:25.520 --> 00:09:27.460 Why are his people persecuted? 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:31.460 And God has purposes in allowing this. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:37.139 And throughout Scripture, we find different reasons for which God allows suffering in our life. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:46.340 It says he allows suffering as a test to allow us to prove what our faith really is all about. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:53.240 1 Peter 1, verse 7, it talks about the fact that our faith is being tested and we are being refined. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:10:02.299 It's kind of the picture of refining precious metals and taking away the impurities so that what is precious will remain. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:05.799 Removing things that hold us back. 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:12.080 Suffering kind of gets us to the very core of what is really important. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:19.440 Sometimes if life is just easy and we're going along, we have all these things that we think are very significant, very important, 00:10:19.900 --> 00:10:25.920 and then in a time of hardship we realize actually some of those things are not really important in light of eternity. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:32.700 Some of those things could be released and given up, and we would still have the riches of Christ. 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:38.800 Our response to suffering gives us a platform for witness. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:47.580 In 1 Peter, again, in 1 Peter chapter 3, we read that we should be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:59.540 So when the world around us is running out of hope and they don't have a place to turn and they see a Christian who is at peace and a Christian who is content and a Christian who is joyful, 00:11:00.040 --> 00:11:02.300 it should give us a platform for witness. 00:11:02.420 --> 00:11:05.900 And we can say, look at the treasure we find in Jesus Christ. 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:18.459 And so God allows these hard things in our life to refine us and to purify us and to make us more like Jesus Christ and to give us an opportunity to be a witness to the world. 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:32.100 As a matter of fact, in the book of Acts chapter 8, where it talks about persecution, it says that people were scattered and they went everywhere preaching the gospel, 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:34.220 carrying the message of Jesus. 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:42.139 In 1 Peter chapter 1, where Peter is writing to the church and he addresses them as those who are scattered. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:49.519 And the picture, word picture that is there is a sower went out to scatter the seed. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:55.899 And as he went out, he threw the seed here and he threw the seed there onto the ground that was prepared. 00:11:56.920 --> 00:12:01.080 And that's the picture of God sending his people out into the world, 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:10.580 scattering them into the world as carrying the seed of the good word of God and spreading it around so other people could hear that wonderful message. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:16.580 So God knows that we're going to suffer. 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:19.639 His word gives us the tools to prepare ourselves. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:31.759 But in chapter 5 of 1 Peter, I want to look a little more specifically at some of the resources that God has provided for us so that we can stay faithful for the long haul. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:34.960 So let's go to 1 Peter chapter 5. 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:42.139 And in the first three verses, we're going to see that God provides us with leadership, with role models and with examples. 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:50.899 So Peter is writing as an elder in the church, and he's writing to, he appeals to the elders there. 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:57.779 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's suffering and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:01.500 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care. 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:09.159 Serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be. 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:16.500 Not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:22.639 So Peter is specifically writing to the elders and saying, this is the attitude in which you should serve. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:26.639 This is how you should go about your work. 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:38.779 But on the flip side, it also implies that God has provided people to mentor us, to lead us, to encourage us. 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:42.259 And so we have pastors who have been gifted. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:54.240 And when I was pastoring, I like to think of myself as not doing a job or having a career as much as the church has recognized a certain call and gifting. 00:13:55.339 --> 00:14:00.819 And so the church has said to me, we will provide your livelihood for you so that you are free to minister. 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:03.220 And you are free to walk in your calling. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:06.680 And so that was the way I looked at pastoral ministry. 00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:14.759 Not as a job, but as a call that the church recognized and said, we will release you to do that work. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.960 And so don't worry about a house to live in. 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:18.800 Don't worry about the food on the table. 00:14:18.920 --> 00:14:22.940 We'll provide that so that you are free to devote yourself to that calling. 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:34.840 And I trust that in some ways I was one of those examples, one of those role models, one of those people that could walk alongside other people and mentor them in things of the faith. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:45.980 It is so important for us in our walk with God to have those people in our life that we can look to, that we can say, wow, here's a person who stayed faithful. 00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:49.820 Here's an Uncle Peter that stayed faithful to the Word of God. 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:51.660 I can learn from his example. 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.660 He was a role model to me. 00:14:53.659 --> 00:15:05.179 So God has provided these leadership examples for us to help us to stay faithful in the long haul. 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:14.100 But then in going on into verse 5, he also knows that we need an interconnectedness. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:18.659 Not only do we receive from other people, but we also give to other people. 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:22.819 And in that ministry, in that giving, we are also built up and encouraged. 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:26.939 Young men, in the same way, be submissive to those who are older. 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:30.860 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:35.600 Because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:38.980 And in those verses there, it's talking about that relationship. 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:41.459 That healthy relationship. 00:15:42.319 --> 00:15:48.939 I'm sure we've all heard that old African proverb, if you want to go fast, go alone. 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:52.839 If you want to go far, go with others. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.959 And that's very true in our Christian life. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.860 As we walk with others. 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:59.240 As we have this fellowship. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:03.339 Back to Hebrews chapter 10, 25, where it says, don't give up meeting together. 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:07.899 But all the more, as you see the day approaching, encourage one another. 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.339 Be there for each other. 00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:11.679 Humbly depend on God. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:14.419 Humbly walk with others. 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:17.939 And we will be there for each other. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.259 Going on to verse 6. 00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:25.099 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:29.379 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:34.179 Now, what could be more relevant from the word of God for us today? 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:38.539 Cast all your care on him, because he cares for you. 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:43.279 We could go to Matthew chapter 6 and verse 25 to the end of that chapter. 00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:47.879 We could read all about how, if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:50.439 God will provide everything that we need. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:53.120 He says, look at the lilies of the field. 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:58.240 Even Solomon in his splendor wasn't dressed like those beautiful flowers that God has created. 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.759 They're not concerned. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.159 God watches over them. 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:02.279 Look at the birds. 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.740 Do they fret? 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:04.500 Do they worry? 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:06.980 God looks after them. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:13.980 He says, if God can look after the plants and the animals, will he not much more look after you? 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:18.019 He cares about our cares. 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:21.480 He knows our needs, so we don't have to live with anxiety. 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:25.460 It says, cast all your anxiety, cast all your cares on him. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.440 I like that word, cast. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:32.599 I don't know if you've had the experience of carrying something that's heavy, 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:37.599 and you plan to set it down on something that you're not quite sure is strong enough to hold it. 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:41.240 So you have this, maybe a rickety table or a bench or something, 00:17:41.439 --> 00:17:43.419 and you're going to set this heavy thing on it. 00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:46.339 You don't just sort of plop it down. 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:52.899 You set it down very carefully, and you kind of watch to make sure it's going to stay in position, right? 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:57.199 Whereas if you're just dropping a piece of steel onto the ground, 00:17:57.200 --> 00:18:00.279 you don't set it down very carefully. 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:03.039 You just drop it, because you know that it's not going to disappear. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:05.120 The ground is going to hold it. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:12.700 And that's kind of a little illustration or a little picture of how God is sufficient and God is able. 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:14.440 We can cast our care on him. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:17.279 We don't have to go to him very gently and say, 00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:19.460 well, God, do you think maybe you could handle this? 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.680 Obviously he can. 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:26.480 Then we can just sort of hand it to him and know that he's there. 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:30.060 We can cast all our cares on him. 00:18:31.080 --> 00:18:34.100 He goes on to say in 1 Peter 5, verse 8, 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:36.100 Be self-controlled and alert. 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:40.640 Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:43.140 Resist him standing firm in the faith, 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:48.259 because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:55.059 So part of God's equipment for us in this long haul, 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:57.220 this long walk of faithfulness with him, 00:18:57.339 --> 00:19:00.940 is letting us know that there is an enemy, 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.559 but we don't have to fear the enemy. 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:06.379 He gives us the equipment to overcome. 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.500 He warns us that there is an enemy. 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.980 He warns us to be aware. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:13.019 He warns us to resist the enemy. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:16.779 He's looking for someone to devour. 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:20.720 But when we stand firm in the faith, we can resist him. 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:24.799 Just this past summer in the Keniston Church, 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:30.720 we have been so blessed when Ryan and Bryce and Sean came and shared his series of messages. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.900 And they talked about spiritual warfare. 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:38.120 And they would touch at various times on Ephesians chapter 6, 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:43.240 where Paul gives us a list of the equipment that we have to resist the enemy. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:47.580 The helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:51.680 the belt of righteousness, our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:57.240 And so God has given us this equipment so that we can resist the devil, 00:19:57.560 --> 00:20:02.640 so that we can walk faithfully, so that we don't become defeated when he attacks us. 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:08.820 Verse 10. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:12.600 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:16.680 after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.860 and steadfast. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:20.540 To him be the power forever and ever. 00:20:22.540 --> 00:20:24.980 All of us believe something about God. 00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:29.440 All of us have an image of God in our minds. 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:34.559 All of us live out our life with a certain sense of who God is, 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:37.799 how he relates to us, and how we relate to him. 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:40.160 And it's formed in different ways. 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:43.200 It's probably started out being formed in our family life. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:50.600 And maybe our concept of God was very inadequately formed in our family life. 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:54.379 My uncle Peter, in his early childhood, 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:58.619 was formed in a context in his family and in his church setting that said, 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:01.699 you do the best you can and you hope it'll turn out okay. 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:06.219 When he realized that that is not the message of Scripture, 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:11.899 the message of Scripture is an all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins, 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.339 so that we could have eternal hope, 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:16.379 then he spent the rest of his life declaring that message, 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:20.339 declaring the wonderful salvation that we have in Jesus Christ. 00:21:20.699 --> 00:21:30.059 And so his concept of God was developed and changed and formed through Scripture. 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:33.619 So we all believe things about God. 00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:39.319 And these verses 10 and 11 tell us a few things about this wonderful God. 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:43.019 First of all, it says, he is a God of all grace. 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:49.740 Grace is when we receive something that we don't deserve. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:54.419 Somebody comes and gives us something that we haven't earned, 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:58.839 we don't deserve it, and they just freely give it to us. 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.220 That is grace. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:04.939 In Ephesians 2, verses 8 to 10, it talks about, 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:08.119 by grace we have been saved through faith, that not of ourselves. 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:11.659 It is a gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast. 00:22:13.699 --> 00:22:16.459 This God of all grace offers us salvation, 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:21.319 and then he expects us to just live out that Christian life 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:23.479 by gritting our teeth and doing our best, doesn't he? 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:25.319 Of course not. 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:30.439 Our walk with, continual walk with Christ as disciples of Jesus Christ, 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.859 is still by grace. 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:35.199 Every day he gives us the grace to walk with him. 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:37.699 Every day he gives us the grace to be faithful. 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:40.400 Every day he gives us the grace to trust. 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:43.019 It all comes as a gift from him. 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:48.700 And day by day we trust him, we live by faith, and we receive his grace. 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.440 The God of all grace. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:56.140 Even the will and the power to live the Christian life is a gift of grace from him. 00:22:56.140 --> 00:23:01.700 And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory. 00:23:03.300 --> 00:23:04.320 Eternal glory. 00:23:04.780 --> 00:23:08.300 Let's just flip back to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:14.220 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 16. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:23.500 Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:26.660 yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:30.380 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving. 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:32.840 Now Paul, when he says light and momentary, 00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:36.080 he isn't making light of the fact that there are struggles in life. 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:39.920 He isn't making light of the fact that there are tests and trials 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:42.680 and hardships and hurts and losses. 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:44.480 He's not making light of that. 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:47.880 But he's saying there is a comparison. 00:23:49.020 --> 00:23:52.980 On one side of the scale is what we face in life. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:57.319 On the other side of the scale is who God is and what he offers 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:59.200 and what eternity is all about. 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:02.720 And which one outweighs the other. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.640 So that's the point he's making. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.839 So when he's saying our light and momentary troubles, 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.559 he's not saying, 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.120 oh, life is a breeze. 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.759 You won't face any challenges. 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.799 See, that's not what he's saying. 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:18.019 He's saying, in comparison to what God offers us, 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.160 it's small. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:22.799 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:26.000 for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:29.819 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:32.240 For what is seen is temporary, 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:36.000 but what is unseen is eternal. 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:40.799 So we keep our eye on that ultimate goal. 00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:44.819 Fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, 00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:47.139 looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:50.480 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.759 despising the shame, 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:54.360 and is set down at the right hand of God the Father. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.420 The God of all grace, 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.500 who called you to his eternal glory in Christ. 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:05.160 I like to think about 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:08.120 the glory that's going to come. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:12.000 When the scripture tells us in Romans that 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.940 right now we are living in a place 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:15.559 where creation is groaning. 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:20.320 And one day it will be restored. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.920 It will be made better than ever. 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:26.019 It will be a new heaven and a new earth 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:27.940 where righteousness dwells. 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:30.860 And the glory of Christ will be revealed. 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:32.279 We're going to see it. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:36.559 The God of all grace, 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:38.619 who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:40.859 after you have suffered a little while, 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.539 will himself restore you 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:46.740 and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.720 He restores us. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.839 He establishes us. 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:55.920 I was thinking about the Israelites in the wilderness. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.740 Now, we read that story and we say, 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:02.059 yeah, they went out and they gathered a homer of manna. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.519 Okay. 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:07.319 So how many Israelites went out 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.599 and gathered a homer of manna? 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:12.259 Well, 600,000 fighting men. 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.779 So if they were married, 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.420 a million two hundred. 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:18.420 If they had children, 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:21.519 you're easily reaching numbers of two million people. 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:25.519 Now, two million homers of manna every day, 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:28.119 twice as much on Friday 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:29.259 so that they wouldn't have to go out 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.279 and gather it on Saturday. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:35.119 Just doing a little bit of math, 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:38.259 and these are just round, rough figures, 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.980 but just to give us a bit of a concept 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:43.200 of this God who restores and establishes and maintains, 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:45.799 this God who is sufficient, 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.319 these Israelites were consuming 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:50.339 somewhere in the range 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:55.179 of 150 super beast semi-loads of manna every day. 00:26:57.659 --> 00:27:00.079 Now, that's a fair amount of manna. 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:03.399 Then they had water to go with it, 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:05.799 and they had food for their livestock 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.879 that they had with them, 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:10.720 and this happened day after day after day after day 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.540 for 40 years. 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:15.060 I'd say that's a pretty good, 00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:18.620 pretty good amount of food 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:20.500 that had to show up in the wilderness 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:22.140 day after day after day. 00:27:22.560 --> 00:27:23.420 And then when they complained, 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.060 he said, well, okay, here's some quail. 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:27.400 So many quail, you can't even eat them all. 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:31.519 This God will restore 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:34.519 and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.200 Their shoes didn't wear out. 00:27:36.300 --> 00:27:37.259 Their clothes didn't wear out. 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:39.980 Every day's needs were met. 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:42.000 This God is sufficient. 00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:46.780 To him be the power forever and ever. 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:47.820 Amen. 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:51.240 So we are exhorted to be faithful, 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:54.480 but at the end of the day, 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:56.440 it is God that is doing the work. 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:59.420 At the end of the day, we look to him. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:02.840 We enjoy listening to the Gaithers, 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:05.080 and every once in a while, 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:08.060 the Gaither vocal band will sing a song, 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.440 The Church Triumphant. 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.580 Before they sing that song, 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:14.259 Gloria Gaither has this little reading that she does, 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:17.180 and I'd like to close by sharing that reading, 00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:22.460 because it's encouragement that God is at work. 00:28:23.040 --> 00:28:24.620 God is building his people. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.920 God has a plan. 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:26.840 God has a purpose. 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:29.980 We don't want to get sidetracked or derailed 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:33.240 or overcome by the challenges of life. 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.379 We want to stay faithful. 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:38.000 God has always had a people. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:42.500 Many a foolish conqueror has made the mistake of thinking 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:45.740 that because he has forced the Church of Jesus Christ out of sight, 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:49.079 he has stilled its voice and snuffed out its life. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:52.899 But God has always had a people. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:57.420 The powerful current of a rushing river is not diminished 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:59.880 because it is forced to flow underground. 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:05.280 The purest water is the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight 00:29:05.280 --> 00:29:08.160 after it has forced its way through solid rock. 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:13.540 There have been some who, like Simon the magician, 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:18.940 men who could not be bought or sold. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:20.840 God has always had a people. 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:26.019 Men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase. 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:28.140 God has always had a people. 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:31.279 There have been times of affluence and prosperity 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:35.460 when the Church's message has been nearly diluted into oblivion 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:38.519 by those who sought to make it socially attractive, 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:42.259 neatly organized, financially profitable. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:46.220 But God has always had a people. 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:51.640 Yes, it's been gold-plated, draped in purple, encrusted with jewels. 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:55.759 It has been misrepresented, ridiculed, lauded, and scorned. 00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:57.700 But God has always had a people. 00:29:58.599 --> 00:30:02.000 And these followers of Jesus Christ have been, 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.879 according to the whim of the times, 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:08.180 elevated sacred leaders or modern heretics. 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:10.779 Yet through it all, the march is on. 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:14.900 That powerful army of meek, God-chosen people 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:18.880 who cannot be bought, blabbered, murdered, or stilled. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:21.140 On through the ages they march. 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.240 The Church. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:24.880 God's Church Triumphant. 00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:28.060 Listen, child of God. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.259 It's alive. 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.740 Discourage pastor. 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:34.019 It's his church and it's still alive. 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.960 Lonely missionary. 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:38.019 Sow that seed with confidence. 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.799 The Church is still alive. 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.940 Old saint. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:44.740 You're not forgotten or alone. 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.720 The Church is still alive. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.539 It's alive, my broken-hearted friend. 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:50.880 It's still alive. 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:52.820 Busy mother. 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:55.600 Keep on trusting in Jesus. 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.820 The Church is alive. 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.019 You're not alone out there. 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.480 Keep looking to Jesus. 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:01.539 The Church is alive. 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.720 Faithful fathers. 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.180 There is rest in the Lord. 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.860 God's Church is still alive. 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:09.939 So, family of God, lift up your hands. 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:12.019 Lift up your hands and praise the Lord. 00:31:12.719 --> 00:31:16.339 The Church, God's Church Triumphant, is still alive. 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.859 It's alive, my friends. 00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:21.399 Alive and well. 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.380 Amen. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:22.840 Amen. 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:22.920 Amen. 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.440 Amen. 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.300 Amen. 00:31:26.300 --> 00:31:27.480 Amen. 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:27.800 Amen. 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.320 Amen. 00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:28.980 Amen. 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.540 Amen. 00:31:29.540 --> 00:31:30.340 Amen. 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.080 Amen. 00:31:31.080 --> 00:31:32.560 Amen. 00:31:32.560 --> 00:31:33.220 Amen. 00:31:33.300 --> 00:31:34.140 Amen. 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:34.560 Amen. 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:34.580 Amen. 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:36.180 Amen. 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.259 Amen. 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.519 Amen. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.519 Amen. 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.400 Amen. 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:39.460 Amen. 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:41.120 Amen. 00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:41.660 Amen. 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.580 Amen. 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:42.620 Amen. 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.519 Amen. 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.120 Amen. 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:44.620 Amen. 00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:45.660 Amen. 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.540 Amen. 00:31:46.540 --> 00:31:46.700 Amen. 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:47.660 Amen. 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.280 Amen. 00:31:48.280 --> 00:31:48.560 Amen. 00:31:48.560 --> 00:31:48.600 Amen. 00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:49.200 Amen. 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:49.259 Amen. 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.580 Amen. 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.060 Amen.