WEBVTT

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 Verse 7, Peter writes,

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 As one who speaks oracles of God,

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 whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies,

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 in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

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 To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.

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 Amen.

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 Well, perhaps you've heard this question before.

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 Maybe you've entertained it.

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 In your mind at some point along the way.

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 But if you knew that you only had a short term left to live,

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 what would you do?

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 Who would you spend the rest of that time with?

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 What would you spend the rest of your time doing?

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 It's a common question, isn't it?

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 We hear it all the time.

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 We perhaps have asked that question before.

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 And a lot of people, most people maybe even,

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 have something of a bucket list mindset when they come to that question.

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 And they think, well, I've got all of these things that I would like to do in my life,

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 things that I would like to enjoy in my life.

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 And I guess if I knew that I only had a little bit of time left,

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 that the end of my existence here was drawing to a close,

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 I guess I'd start checking off the list, right?

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 Finding all the things that I've really wanted to enjoy in this life,

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 trying to get them done before it's too late.

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 Some may take maybe an opportunistic view of that,

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 which is I'm just going to make the most of my time here.

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 You only have one life, right?

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 Only one life to live.

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 I'm just going to make the most of it and do all the things that make me happy.

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 So an opportunistic view.

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 Some might take a philanthropic view.

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 You may say, you know, I only have a short time here.

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 I don't know why I'm here.

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 I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

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 But I know that at least when my life comes to an end,

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 I want to have left the world better than it was when I came into it, perhaps.

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 And maybe you just give the rest of your time to philanthropy.

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 You're just trying to help people, right?

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 Trying to leave the world a better place.

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 Some might take what we might call it a militaristic view.

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 We say, well, I recognize I only have a short time left to live,

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 and I'm going to be the one that beats it.

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 I'm going to be the one that beats it.

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 Everybody else may die.

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 Everybody else may have 70, 80 years, whatever it is.

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 I'm going to have a longer lifespan than that.

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 And so you spend your life doing everything that you can to beat the odds, right?

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 Maybe you're spending your time focused on hyperhealth living, right?

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 Very careful about the way that you're eating.

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 Very careful about the way you're treating your body, so on and so forth.

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 Just thinking, if anybody's going to beat the odds, I'm going to beat the odds.

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 Now, all of us would probably come to those three scenarios.

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 Maybe there's more of them that we would have.

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 And we'd say, you know, it's not entirely bad, is it?

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 And surely we want to enjoy the life that God has given us.

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 Isn't that what Solomon instructs us in Ecclesiastes?

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 Eat your cake.

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 Enjoy it, right?

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 God has given you a particular lot.

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 Make the most of it and enjoy it in God's blessings, right?

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 We might say, well, yeah, there's a sense in which we'd want to do that.

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 Surely all of us want to make some kind of significant impact on the world around us, or at least the community in which we live.

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 Surely we wouldn't come to that and say, well, no, that's a problem.

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 You shouldn't be living that way.

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 No, we'd say, no, that's pretty good.

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 Surely most of us would say, yeah, you know, we need to be good stewards of our bodies.

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 Maybe we can't completely beat the odds, but maybe we can make things a little bit better than the average person.

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 We'd say, well, that's not necessarily a poor pursuit either.

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 The problem is most people, when they're thinking of that question and they're answering it in those ways,

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 the one thing that they do have in common is that they believe that this life is really all that there is.

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 And that all that really matters in this life is just doing what makes you happy.

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 Just checking off that list.

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 Do the things that you want to do.

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 Help the people that you want to help.

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 Live the way that you want to live, because this is it.

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 You only live once, and once it's gone, it's gone.

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 And we would say, well, you know, that's where the problem really lies, isn't it?

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 This isn't all that there is.

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 What if there is more than this life?

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 What if death isn't really the end?

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 What if your existence here really isn't as purposeless and as meaningless as our culture tends to make it seem?

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 What if your life really isn't about you at the end of the day?

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 What if it's about something greater than you?

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 What if it's about someone greater than you?

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 And, of course, Christians would say, no, that's it.

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 The Bible tells us that all of this, everything that we see around us, this life that we have now, it's all going somewhere, right?

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 We're not here by accident.

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 We're not purposeless beings who are just here, and then we're gone, and then that's it.

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 No, the Bible tells us this is all going somewhere.

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 And the next big event on God's calendar is, of course, the return of Christ.

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 And we'd say that leads to the final judgment.

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 The final judgment where each and every one of us are going to stand before a holy God.

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 Shane helped us to think about that so briefly this morning as we look to God in our call to worship.

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 We see his grandeur.

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 We see God calling us to lift our voices in worship.

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 And then Shane said it.

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 He said, now that we've seen our holy God, we must now humble ourselves before him.

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 Now, why would we do that?

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 Because he really is a holy God.

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 Because he really is a great judge.

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 Because all of our lives are really to be lived for his glory and for his purposes.

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 And each one of us will stand before him.

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 And there's only one of two responses that you can have to that.

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 One is to be utterly terrified of it.

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 And there's a sense in which all of us should tremble to know that this life is not all that there is.

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 And I'm going to have to answer to God for it.

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 And maybe that's you.

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 Maybe when you think of the prospect that after death comes a judgment,

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 maybe what that does is it just scares you.

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 Because you're not exactly sure how you're going to stand when that judgment comes.

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 But of course, it's a comfort for those of us who know the Lord Jesus, isn't it?

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 We stand in fear and in reverence and in awe of our great God.

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 But we do so also with the tremendous comfort of knowing that Christ has redeemed us.

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 That he has paid on the cross for those things that would cause us to be judged by God in eternal hell.

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 And it brings us great comfort to know that actually this is not all there is.

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 Because this life is hard.

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 And while there's so many ways we'd like to live it,

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 none of those ways ever really fully satisfy our flesh, does it?

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 There must be something better to this.

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 And of course, Christians know there is something better.

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 There's a great comfort that comes to us when we think that,

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 oh, this is actually going somewhere.

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 There's a purpose here.

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 And much of Peter's letter has been setting our minds on that, hasn't it?

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 From the very beginning, he speaks to these Christians who are suffering,

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 who are in this existence that he has referred to as exile.

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 And what is it that he begins with at the very beginning?

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 He says, hey, bless God because he has a great inheritance prepared for you.

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 An inheritance that's unfading and imperishable.

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 It's undefiled.

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 He is keeping it for you.

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 What is Peter doing there?

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 He's saying there's something better.

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 And it's coming.

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 Surely, it is almost here.

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 Jesus is about to come back.

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 And now we're at this point in the letter where he's taking all of those wonderful truths

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 and now he's practically applying them to the way that we're supposed to live.

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 It's almost as if Peter has in his mind this idea that, okay,

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 we do only have a short time to live.

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 How are we going to use that time?

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 And he's instructing us on how to do that.

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 That's what he's on about in this paragraph.

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 It begins at verse 7.

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 He opens it up.

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 We talked about this at great length two weeks ago.

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 He opens it up.

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 The end of all things is at hand.

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 What does that mean?

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 Well, it means that we're in the final stage.

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 We're in the final stage of God's plan and redemptive plan in human history.

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 Jesus has come.

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 The kingdom was inaugurated in his first coming.

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 It's going to be consummated in his second coming.

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 And that time in between is where we are.

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 The Bible calls that the last days or the final days,

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 or as Peter refers to it here, the end of all things.

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 Peter says, look, you're in the final days.

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 The final countdown has begun to God's eternal plan.

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 Jesus will return.

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 Therefore, he says, as God's people,

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 there's some things that need to mark your life now.

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 The Bible tells us often, it's not shy about telling us,

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 that the reality of the return of Christ

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 and of our eternal home in heaven

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 is supposed to shape the way that we live now.

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 Here from Hebrews chapter 10, verses 24 and 25,

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 you probably know this verse well.

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 Let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works,

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 not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some,

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 but encouraging one another.

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 Why?

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 All the more as you see the day approaching,

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 the day, the final day, the judgment,

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 the return of Christ.

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 What's the author of Hebrews getting at there?

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 He's saying, listen, the day is approaching,

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 so let's live in light of it.

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 And if we're gonna live faithfully in light of it,

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 we're gonna seek to stir one another up

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 and we're gonna meet together as God's people.

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 We're gonna encourage one another.

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 We're not gonna neglect the church, so on and so forth.

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 Let me give you another one.

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 1 John chapter three, verses two and three.

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 John says, beloved, we are God's children now.

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 And what we will be, that is what we will be in eternity,

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 has not yet appeared.

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 We don't know exactly what our existence is gonna be like then.

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 But we know that when Christ appears,

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 we're gonna be like him

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 because we shall see him as he is.

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 And then John says this,

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 everyone who thus hopes,

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 everyone who sets their minds on that,

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 everyone who sets their focus on what is coming,

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 purifies himself now as Christ is pure.

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 We could go to many more.

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 The New Testament constantly telling us

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 to live in light of the end,

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 live in light of the coming of Christ,

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 live in light of what will be true of us in eternity

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 if we're God's people.

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 And of course, that's what Peter is on about here.

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 And he gives us four exhortations here,

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 four marks of what our lives should look like

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 as God's people

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 as we're living in light of the end of all things.

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 We covered the first two,

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 two weeks ago,

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 and that was sober prayer.

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 We saw that in verse seven.

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 And sacrificial love,

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 which we saw in verse eight.

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 And we're gonna cover the second two this morning.

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 The next one that we come to

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 is what we might call sincere hospitality.

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 Sincere hospitality.

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 So we've had sober prayer.

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 We've had sacrificial love.

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 Now we have sincere hospitality.

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 We find that in verse nine,

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 this third imperative.

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 Peter says,

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 show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

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 And remember,

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 this is flowing out of that opening indicative in verse seven.

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 Because we're in the last days,

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 because Jesus is coming back,

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 show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

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 Of course,

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 hospitality is one of the marks

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 of the early Christian community.

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 And it might surprise you to know

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 that the New Testament repeatedly instructs believers

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 to participate in this.

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 And we might not always think about this.

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 We're thinking about,

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 well, what does it look like to be a Christian?

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 Lots of things may come to our minds.

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 We may be surprised how often the New Testament

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 answers that question

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 by saying something in relationship

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 to this idea of hospitality.

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 One of the biblical qualifications

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 for elders in the church

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 is that they are hospitable.

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 Why?

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 Not because it's more important for pastors

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 than for everyone else,

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 but because elders in the church

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 are to be examples

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 of what every Christian under their care

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 is to be and to do.

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 It's that important.

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 That God would say,

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 those who are going to lead my people

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 and shepherd my people

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 need to have this

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 as a key characteristic of their life

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 because everybody else in their charge

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 needs to look at them and say,

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 that's how I need to live my life.

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 That's how I need to follow

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 in the footsteps of Christ

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 just as my pastors do.

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 And here,

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 Peter exhorts Christians in exile

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 to focus on showing hospitality

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 as we seek to live in light

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 of Christ's return.

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 Think about that.

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 In context here,

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 he's putting hospitality

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 on the same plane

00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:54.759
 as our sincere prayer life,

00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:58.259
 as the sacrificial love

00:14:58.259 --> 00:15:00.200
 that covers a multitude of sins,

00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:01.220
 as we'll see in a few moments,

00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:05.580
 a servant-hearted stewardship

00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:07.300
 in our lives as well.

00:15:08.300 --> 00:15:08.779
 In other words,

00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.899
 we are to understand

00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:11.899
 hospitality as a significant

00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:13.920
 and vital pursuit

00:15:13.920 --> 00:15:15.759
 as we seek to be faithful

00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.100
 to Jesus in this life.

00:15:17.660 --> 00:15:18.460
 So here's the question.

00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.680
 What exactly is hospitality?

00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:22.720
 And how is it that we are to show it

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.879
 if we're going to be obedient

00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.620
 to the Lord?

00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.399
 Well, the term,

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.220
 it literally means

00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.779
 love for outsiders,

00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.120
 love for strangers.

00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:32.779
 And there's a cultural context

00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.940
 to this in Peter's day.

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:36.480
 There's no Holiday Inns

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.980
 or Marriott's or Hilton's

00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:40.000
 just around town, right,

00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.060
 for people and travelers

00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:41.639
 to come into.

00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:43.200
 A traveler would come into a town,

00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.899
 they'd make their way

00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.800
 to the town square,

00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.120
 and that's where they'd camp out

00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:46.639
 for the night

00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:49.300
 unless some hospitable person

00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:50.320
 comes along the way

00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.160
 and says,

00:15:51.300 --> 00:15:52.540
 why don't you come and stay

00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:53.720
 with me tonight

00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.840
 or the next few nights?

00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:57.000
 There's a cultural context to that.

00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:59.220
 So using this word hospitality

00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.920
 literally in their context

00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:02.980
 means loving strangers

00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:04.500
 in that way, right?

00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.860
 Peter adds something here

00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:08.639
 that helps us refine the idea.

00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:11.620
 He says that we are to show hospitality

00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.620
 to one another,

00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:15.080
 which means when Peter uses this term

00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:17.160
 for loving outsiders,

00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:19.899
 and yet it's one another,

00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:21.160
 it's those in the church,

00:16:21.160 --> 00:16:22.519
 what he's really getting at

00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:24.139
 is opening your heart,

00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.720
 opening your life,

00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:27.399
 opening your home

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.040
 to those who are outside

00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:30.060
 of your family,

00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.879
 outside of those

00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:34.120
 who are already closest to you.

00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.300
 That's the idea here.

00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:36.920
 And of course,

00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.720
 it's an overflow of this love

00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:41.519
 that we're to keep pursuing

00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:43.200
 in verse 8.

00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.720
 Hospitality then is not

00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:48.259
 just hosting parties,

00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:50.340
 it's not planning events,

00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:52.180
 it's fundamentally

00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:54.540
 just loving other people.

00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:56.599
 It's loving others.

00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:58.980
 It's opening your life to them,

00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:02.459
 to outsiders for their good.

00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:04.619
 Peter says this needs to

00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:06.240
 mark our lives now.

00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.619
 So then love not only

00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:10.599
 covers a multitude of sins,

00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:12.000
 it also produces

00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:14.259
 this sincere hospitality.

00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:15.960
 And of course,

00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:16.659
 in this case,

00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.000
 it's referring especially

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.220
 to those who are in the church.

00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.779
 Peter has believers

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.940
 foremost in his mind.

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.279
 hospitality then means

00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.140
 opening your life

00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:26.820
 to one another,

00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.500
 opening your home

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.220
 to one another.

00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:32.180
 It is to open your heart

00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:33.820
 to all who need

00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:35.000
 a place of refuge,

00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:37.320
 a place of friendship,

00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:40.080
 a place to receive love.

00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:43.299
 The hospitable heart

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:45.259
 rejoices at the prospect

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:47.100
 of helping someone else

00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:48.820
 or providing a place

00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:49.980
 for them to belong.

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:52.640
 And Christian hospitality

00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:53.759
 does that

00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:56.559
 all because of the radical love

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:58.200
 that has been shown to us

00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.720
 in the person

00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:01.240
 and the work of Jesus Christ.

00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.519
 We just simply want to do

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.140
 for others

00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.740
 what Christ has done

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.700
 for us

00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.640
 and we can't help

00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.759
 but welcome

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.660
 other believers

00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.700
 into our lives

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.720
 for fellowship

00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.900
 and discipleship.

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:14.039
 That's at the heart

00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.920
 of what Peter is saying here.

00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:17.519
 As we are approaching

00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.279
 the end,

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.120
 as we are living out

00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:21.320
 this time of exile,

00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:23.039
 be hospitable

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.860
 with one another.

00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.700
 Open your lives

00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.360
 to one another.

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.320
 Open your homes

00:18:27.320 --> 00:18:28.700
 to one another.

00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.900
 But of course,

00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.380
 sincere hospitality

00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:34.019
 comes at a tremendous cost,

00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.560
 doesn't it?

00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.640
 Isn't it interesting

00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:38.700
 how everything Peter says here

00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.620
 is costly?

00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:42.079
 All four of these exhortations

00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:44.219
 are costly.

00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.059
 Showing hospitality

00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:48.699
 is going to cost you time

00:18:48.699 --> 00:18:50.359
 and energy

00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.179
 that you might

00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:52.500
 otherwise have used

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:54.099
 for pleasure

00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:57.019
 or maybe just productivity,

00:18:57.459 --> 00:18:58.439
 getting things done.

00:18:59.739 --> 00:19:01.179
 It's going to cost you that.

00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.479
 It's going to cost you energy

00:19:04.479 --> 00:19:07.559
 often leaving you physically,

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:10.339
 emotionally drained.

00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:12.859
 Because hospitality

00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:14.419
 isn't just for the extroverts

00:19:14.419 --> 00:19:15.079
 that are energized

00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:16.299
 by their time with people.

00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:19.639
 No, it's even for those of us

00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.859
 who are drained

00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.099
 by our time with people.

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.579
 It costs us something.

00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.159
 It's going to cost you money.

00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.220
 It's going to cost you

00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.039
 other resources

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.359
 as you make provision

00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:32.059
 for those who you welcome

00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.779
 into your home.

00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:34.139
 It's going to cost you privacy

00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:36.659
 as you open your life

00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.620
 to others in ways

00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:38.920
 that are often very difficult.

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:41.960
 That's the cost associated here.

00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.400
 And yet, Peter says,

00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:45.160
 this needs to mark our lives.

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:48.040
 Not only is it commanded

00:19:48.040 --> 00:19:48.900
 of us in the scriptures,

00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.440
 but notice what he says about it.

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.600
 Show hospitality

00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:52.540
 to one another.

00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.400
 How does he finish?

00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:56.279
 Without grumbling

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:58.440
 or complaining.

00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:01.180
 What does that tell us?

00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:03.940
 Well, it tells us that

00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:06.279
 God not only cares

00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.840
 that you do hospitality,

00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:11.680
 God cares about how you feel

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.460
 about your hospitality.

00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.559
 He isn't interested

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.500
 or pleased in us

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:21.080
 merely performing hospitality

00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:21.860
 as a duty.

00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:23.200
 He actually cares

00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.340
 that we delight

00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:26.180
 to do all that we can

00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.860
 to open our lives

00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.440
 and our homes

00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.220
 to other people.

00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:32.400
 That's why Peter says

00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.299
 that we are to keep

00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.200
 loving one another

00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.960
 earnestly above all things.

00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.839
 Sincere hospitality

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:39.579
 flows out of that

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:41.500
 sacrificial love.

00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:43.360
 And this idea of God

00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.440
 actually caring about

00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.759
 the way we think about it

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.680
 is prevalent

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.440
 in the New Testament.

00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.539
 We can just give you

00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.380
 two other examples

00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.360
 to help you wrap

00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.079
 your mind around this.

00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:53.120
 Just set your eyes down

00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:53.880
 on chapter five

00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.600
 for just a moment.

00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.319
 We get to it

00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.180
 in a couple of weeks,

00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.980
 he's going to address

00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:59.279
 the elders in the church.

00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.700
 Notice what he says

00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.500
 in verse one.

00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.000
 I exhort the elders

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.539
 among you

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.440
 as a fellow elder,

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.039
 as a witness

00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.279
 of the sufferings of Christ

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.420
 and a partaker

00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.940
 in the glory

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:09.039
 that's going to be revealed.

00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:11.019
 Shepherd the flock

00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.500
 of God that is among you

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:15.019
 exercising oversight.

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.940
 Now get this,

00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.900
 not under compulsion,

00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.860
 but willingly

00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:21.920
 as God would have you.

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.740
 And what's he saying

00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.259
 to the elders

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.960
 of the church?

00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.019
 That God isn't just

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.019
 concerned

00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.960
 that you fulfill

00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.139
 the duty of an elder.

00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.859
 He's concerned

00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.599
 that you do it

00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.599
 with a particular spirit

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.039
 about you,

00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.460
 that you delight in it,

00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.500
 that you delight

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.379
 in leading

00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.059
 and shepherding

00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.579
 his people.

00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.519
 Perhaps we could think

00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:41.240
 back to Paul's writings

00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.240
 to the church

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.759
 in Corinth.

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.839
 Remember when he was

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.000
 writing about giving?

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.839
 He said that everyone

00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:48.660
 was to lay aside

00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.619
 something that they

00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.220
 could give

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.599
 to a particular mission work

00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.339
 and that they were

00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:52.980
 to do so

00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.700
 as God has prospered them.

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.960
 But then he says,

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.079
 when the collection

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.660
 comes,

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.779
 they're to give

00:21:58.779 --> 00:22:00.500
 that willingly,

00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:04.019
 not under compulsion.

00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.019
 Why?

00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:07.000
 Because God loves

00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.279
 what?

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.200
 A cheerful giver.

00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.200
 It's not that he just

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.279
 cares that we give.

00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.960
 He cares that we

00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.700
 give cheerfully.

00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.960
 It's not that he just

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.420
 cares that pastors

00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.400
 shepherd the flock.

00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:19.960
 He cares that pastors

00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.819
 shepherd the flock

00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.980
 has a delight

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.799
 and has a joy

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.720
 to serve the Lord

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.019
 by serving his people.

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.819
 And when we get

00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.559
 to hospitality,

00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.420
 Peter's saying

00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.059
 the same thing.

00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.359
 God doesn't just care

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.119
 that you do it.

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.319
 He cares about how you

00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.539
 feel when you do it.

00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.259
 He cares that you

00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.639
 delight in it,

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.160
 that you have

00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.519
 joy in it.

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.240
 But what could

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.980
 possibly motivate us

00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:42.099
 to live like this?

00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.119
 This is asking a lot,

00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.579
 isn't it?

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.359
 I thought my life

00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.279
 was meant for me.

00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.779
 You're telling me

00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.539
 that I've got to give up

00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.420
 so much of it

00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.180
 for other people.

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:55.700
 Why would we do that?

00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.000
 Well, because it's

00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.880
 what Jesus did,

00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.360
 isn't it?

00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:02.120
 Will you turn with me

00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:03.140
 to Matthew 25?

00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:06.759
 Jesus models this

00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.680
 in so many ways,

00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.039
 but I want to show you

00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.799
 something that Jesus

00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.580
 said in Matthew 25

00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:13.420
 that I think will help us

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:15.380
 be motivated

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:16.680
 by this very thing.

00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:21.940
 Matthew 25.

00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.680
 Yeah, I want you

00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.420
 to look at

00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.940
 verse 35.

00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.840
 We're parachuting in.

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.519
 This is in the middle

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.240
 of some teaching.

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.560
 Jesus is giving a picture

00:23:30.560 --> 00:23:32.080
 of the final judgment

00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:33.880
 and how he's giving

00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.580
 this illustration

00:23:34.580 --> 00:23:35.460
 of the king

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:37.080
 who is going to

00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:38.539
 judge the people

00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.560
 that come and stand before him.

00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:39.840
 Of course,

00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.120
 Christ is the king here.

00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:43.180
 And there are believers

00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.840
 and unbelievers.

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.120
 We're looking at believers

00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:46.479
 here in verse 35.

00:23:47.979 --> 00:23:48.699
 Jesus says,

00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.659
 for I was hungry

00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:51.419
 and you gave me food.

00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:53.519
 I was thirsty

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:55.819
 and you gave me drink.

00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:57.859
 I was a stranger

00:23:57.859 --> 00:24:00.199
 and you welcomed me.

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.079
 I was an outsider

00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.939
 and you brought me in.

00:24:01.979 --> 00:24:03.119
 You opened your heart to me.

00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:05.179
 I was naked

00:24:05.179 --> 00:24:06.099
 and you clothed me.

00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:06.799
 I was sick

00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.619
 and you visited me.

00:24:07.699 --> 00:24:08.399
 I was in prison

00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:09.279
 and you came to me.

00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.759
 And then the righteous

00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.079
 whom he says this to

00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.059
 will answer him

00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.839
 in return and say,

00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.119
 Lord,

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.819
 when did we ever see you

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.779
 hungry and feed you?

00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:19.019
 When did we ever see you

00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.200
 thirsty and give you drink?

00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:21.720
 When did we see you

00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.559
 as a stranger

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.339
 and welcome you

00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.740
 or naked and clothe you?

00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.859
 When did we see you sick

00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.440
 or in prison

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.139
 and visit you?

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.960
 And the king

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.819
 will answer them,

00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:33.519
 truly I say to you,

00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:35.440
 as you did this

00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.460
 to one of the least

00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.460
 of these my brothers,

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:40.420
 you have done it to me.

00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.920
 You've done it to me.

00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.059
 Who are these

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.019
 the least of his brothers?

00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:48.360
 Those are Christ's people.

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.940
 Those are the people

00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.680
 that you can look around

00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.120
 in this room

00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:52.420
 and see sitting next to you

00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:53.259
 worshiping alongside

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.000
 of you today.

00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.279
 This is the church.

00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.400
 And he says,

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.559
 as you have opened

00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.180
 your heart

00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.360
 and your life

00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:02.340
 and sacrificed

00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:03.120
 and love

00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:04.720
 for the other people

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.380
 in the church,

00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.279
 for other believers,

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:08.860
 you've done it to me.

00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.400
 Piper says,

00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.640
 when we welcome

00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.440
 fellow believers

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.400
 into our homes,

00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:16.420
 it's as if we welcome

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.400
 Jesus himself

00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.299
 into our homes.

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.840
 Now surely,

00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:21.299
 what could give

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.620
 a genuine Christian

00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.579
 more joy

00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:25.240
 than to know

00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.840
 that they are serving Christ

00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:28.400
 as they expend

00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.660
 themselves for others?

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.100
 That's what Christ

00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:33.299
 is calling us to here.

00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.940
 He's calling us

00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:36.400
 to that kind of radical,

00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.960
 love,

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.420
 which by the way,

00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:40.200
 he modeled perfectly.

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.340
 And he did it

00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:43.319
 in so many ways.

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:43.799
 You say,

00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:43.960
 well,

00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.299
 I don't have a great place

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.200
 to live to have people

00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.900
 into my home.

00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.000
 Jesus didn't have

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.920
 any place to live.

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.660
 And yet,

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.860
 he still found ways

00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:53.880
 to show perfect hospitality,

00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:54.420
 didn't he?

00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:57.060
 He fed people

00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:57.779
 who were hungry.

00:25:58.640 --> 00:26:00.320
 He expended himself

00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:01.160
 physically

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:02.880
 over and over

00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.720
 and over again

00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.700
 to be with people

00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.720
 and to teach them

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.880
 and to provide

00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.920
 some kind of good

00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:09.440
 and care for them.

00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.759
 He modeled

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.160
 how hospitality

00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:13.800
 might be the most

00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:14.779
 fruitful form

00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.700
 of evangelism.

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:18.180
 Isn't that why

00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.819
 the Pharisees

00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.779
 hated him so much?

00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:20.860
 Because every time

00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.380
 they saw him,

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.039
 he was sitting down

00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.740
 and having a meal

00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.259
 with the people

00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.220
 that they wouldn't touch.

00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.380
 Jesus models this

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.039
 and then he says,

00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.860
 as you do this

00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.559
 for one another,

00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.559
 it's like you're

00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.559
 doing it for me.

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.819
 And of course,

00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.840
 what greater love

00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:37.279
 for outsiders

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.400
 has ever been known

00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.860
 than the love

00:26:39.860 --> 00:26:40.360
 of Jesus,

00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.500
 the righteous one,

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.720
 as he hangs

00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.480
 on a cross

00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.940
 in the place

00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:46.339
 of the unrighteous ones

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:48.059
 and then he says,

00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.619
 now come to me.

00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.000
 Now come to me

00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.660
 and find rest

00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.380
 for your souls.

00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.980
 That's what hospitality is.

00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.160
 Hospitality is not

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.319
 by checking off a box

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.079
 or hosting a bunch

00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.539
 of parties.

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.119
 Hospitality is about

00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:02.000
 taking the gospel

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.400
 of Jesus

00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.480
 and looking at other people,

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.720
 especially those

00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.180
 in the church

00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.519
 and saying,

00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.400
 now come

00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.759
 and find some rest.

00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.160
 Come and find

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.960
 some refuge.

00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.259
 Come and find

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.980
 some friendship.

00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.420
 Come and find

00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.819
 some love.

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.240
 Come and find

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.960
 Jesus here.

00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.359
 That's what it means

00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.379
 to show hospitality.

00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.859
 And why is it important?

00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.819
 Because Peter's told us

00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.420
 in this letter

00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.160
 that we're living

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.160
 a kind of exile

00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:31.379
 and that exile

00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.079
 is hard.

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.339
 And you know

00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.879
 what we need?

00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.599
 Each other.

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.279
 We need each other.

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.960
 What do you do

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:45.019
 when you're struggling

00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.740
 the faithfulness

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.359
 of your life

00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.180
 is really only

00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.799
 being met

00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.539
 with ridicule

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.140
 or hardship

00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:50.980
 in one way

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.539
 or another?

00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.680
 Boy, it'd be real nice

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.460
 to be able

00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.480
 to have somebody else

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.339
 that understands

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.559
 to say,

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.359
 why don't you just come

00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.039
 and spend some time

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.460
 with me?

00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.140
 Why don't you come

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.900
 and sit in my home

00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.420
 for a while

00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:04.960
 and let's just

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.480
 be together a bit?

00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:09.079
 I just want you

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:10.140
 to know you're not alone.

00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.660
 That I'm right there

00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.039
 with you

00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.700
 and we're going

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.579
 to go to heaven together

00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.000
 and I'm going

00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.779
 to help you get there.

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.039
 Isn't that what this is?

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.400
 Isn't that what

00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.099
 the church is?

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.720
 Isn't that what

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.099
 we're supposed

00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.759
 to be doing?

00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:23.980
 Peter says,

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.259
 yeah.

00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.640
 And he says,

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.380
 as we think about

00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.299
 the end of all things,

00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:27.819
 we think about

00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.640
 the return of Christ,

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.440
 this needs to mark

00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:29.980
 our lives.

00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.660
 We're showing this

00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.460
 kind of hospitality

00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.420
 to one another.

00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.360
 But then he gives us

00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.059
 a fourth thing.

00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.920
 Verses 10 and 11,

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.420
 we have what I think

00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.440
 is helpfully understood

00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:43.860
 as maybe servant-hearted stewardship.

00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:46.700
 Servant-hearted stewardship.

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:48.019
 Let's just read the verses again.

00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:48.940
 Verses 10 and 11,

00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:51.059
 as each has received a gift,

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.559
 use it to serve one another

00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:55.380
 as good stewards

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:57.400
 of God's varied grace.

00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.599
 Whoever speaks

00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.980
 as one who speaks

00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.980
 the oracles of God.

00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.259
 Whoever serves

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.620
 as one who serves

00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:05.380
 by the strength

00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:06.420
 that God supplies.

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:08.000
 in order that,

00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.220
 in everything,

00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.680
 God may be glorified

00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:13.500
 through Jesus Christ.

00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:16.640
 In this final exhortation,

00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.599
 Peter is venturing

00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.339
 into the realm

00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.360
 of spiritual gifts,

00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:21.099
 which might be

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:22.519
 a bit of a struggle

00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.220
 for some of us

00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.860
 to think about,

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.299
 isn't it?

00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.339
 See, there are all kinds

00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.160
 of views on this

00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.099
 and all kinds of ideas

00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:27.860
 about this.

00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.740
 I actually think

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.980
 what Peter does for us here

00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.039
 is helpful.

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:33.980
 alongside of sober prayer

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.740
 and sacrificial love

00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.899
 and sincere hospitality,

00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:38.720
 we find that exercising

00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.279
 our gifts in service

00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.099
 to one another

00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:42.839
 for the glory of God

00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:44.200
 is actually essential

00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.680
 to thriving in exile.

00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.899
 And Peter draws

00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.960
 our attention to it.

00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.579
 Because the end

00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.799
 of all things is at hand,

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.960
 we must possess

00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:53.379
 a special focus

00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:55.220
 on serving Christ

00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.019
 in the context

00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.779
 of the church.

00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:59.299
 Each one of us

00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.480
 has been given

00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.379
 a stewardship,

00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.559
 Peter says.

00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.200
 And it should be

00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.359
 our desire for Christ

00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:06.319
 to find us faithful

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.639
 at his return.

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:10.279
 Let's just consider

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.019
 this for a moment.

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:12.139
 First, the nature

00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:13.079
 of these gifts.

00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.039
 What are they?

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.240
 And then maybe we'll look

00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.660
 at the categories of gifts

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:18.200
 and how exactly do

00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:19.980
 we display this kind of thing

00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.240
 or how can we understand them?

00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.799
 The first thing we see here

00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.819
 is that Peter affirms

00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:25.200
 that each believer

00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:27.080
 is equipped by God

00:30:27.080 --> 00:30:29.500
 to do his work

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.480
 and serve his people.

00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.680
 Do you see that?

00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.539
 Right in verse 10.

00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.900
 As each has received a gift.

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.559
 In other words,

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:37.140
 all of you have it.

00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.519
 All of you have

00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.900
 a special endowment

00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:41.259
 from God

00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:43.200
 in the personal work

00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.880
 of Christ

00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:45.019
 through the working

00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.759
 of the Holy Spirit

00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.519
 in your life

00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.759
 to serve him

00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.900
 and to serve his people

00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:50.259
 in a unique way.

00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.500
 And Peter affirms

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.380
 that for us here.

00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:54.860
 A lot of people

00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.840
 struggle to discern

00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:57.040
 exactly what that is.

00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:58.040
 What is that supposed

00:30:58.040 --> 00:30:58.700
 to look like

00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.320
 in their lives?

00:30:59.540 --> 00:31:01.480
 And I don't mean

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.420
 to be offensive

00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:03.380
 in any way with this

00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.480
 but just to say

00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.140
 that the answer

00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:07.120
 is not in a Christian version

00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:08.560
 of a Myers-Briggs test

00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:10.600
 or an Enneagram survey.

00:31:11.260 --> 00:31:11.940
 That's not where

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.520
 you're going to find

00:31:12.520 --> 00:31:13.300
 the answer here.

00:31:13.540 --> 00:31:14.080
 That's not what

00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.760
 it's meant to do.

00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:15.060
 In fact,

00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.040
 that might be actually

00:31:16.040 --> 00:31:17.080
 most unhelpful

00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:18.560
 to us at this point.

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:20.759
 How God desires

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.799
 to use your life

00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.460
 within the churches

00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:24.099
 is not some great mystery.

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.639
 It's really not.

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.299
 And Peter's approach

00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:27.919
 helps us.

00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.079
 Now there's a couple

00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:30.019
 of perspectives here.

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:30.539
 If you don't get

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.639
 anything else from this,

00:31:31.679 --> 00:31:33.000
 at least get this part.

00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.460
 I get this from Piper.

00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:37.159
 Notice the thing

00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:38.319
 that we're serving

00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:40.099
 in one another

00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:42.899
 is not the gift itself.

00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.399
 Right?

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.419
 Sometimes we get that

00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:46.919
 in our minds.

00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.300
 We think,

00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:47.660
 well,

00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.680
 my spiritual gift

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.500
 is really some kind

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.660
 of uniqueness about me

00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.720
 and I'm going to bless

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.380
 other people

00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:54.140
 by serving them the gift,

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.259
 the gift that I have,

00:31:55.340 --> 00:31:56.519
 putting it on display

00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:58.160
 or impressing them

00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.820
 in some way

00:31:58.820 --> 00:32:00.360
 or whatever it may be.

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:00.580
 Right?

00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.680
 We don't mean to be

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.400
 prideful in that

00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:02.840
 but sometimes

00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:03.220
 that's the way

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.880
 it comes out.

00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:04.800
 And that's not actually

00:32:04.800 --> 00:32:05.440
 what we're serving.

00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.560
 We're not serving people

00:32:06.560 --> 00:32:07.120
 the gift,

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:09.019
 we're serving people grace.

00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.740
 The grace of God.

00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.519
 Piper says it this way,

00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:16.900
 grace is the food

00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.200
 food.

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.519
 The gift

00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.400
 is the way

00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.300
 we're serving it

00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:22.880
 which means

00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:24.580
 that every one of us

00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:25.200
 in the church

00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.860
 has the same objective

00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:29.080
 with our spiritual gifts.

00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.120
 We're all doing

00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.980
 the same thing.

00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:31.840
 We are taking

00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.920
 the grace of God

00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.980
 and the goodness of God

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.940
 and the truth of God

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.000
 and the love of God

00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.460
 and the provision of God

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.380
 and we're taking that

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.600
 and we're serving it

00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:40.420
 to other people.

00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.340
 That's the objective.

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.820
 We're all doing

00:32:41.820 --> 00:32:42.500
 the same thing.

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.819
 But what God does

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:45.059
 in his gracious work

00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:46.460
 is he endows

00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.339
 each of us

00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:49.319
 with a unique capacity

00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:51.279
 for doing that well

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.400
 for his glory.

00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.519
 Because if we all

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.579
 had the same thing

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.640
 it wouldn't work,

00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.059
 would it?

00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.279
 It'd be problematic.

00:32:58.359 --> 00:33:00.220
 We need varied gifts

00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:00.859
 and that's exactly

00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.599
 what God does.

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.359
 How good of him

00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.019
 to do that?

00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.880
 He sees there's some needs

00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:05.640
 that we have

00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.279
 in the church

00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.079
 and he says,

00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.899
 I'm going to endow

00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:08.679
 different people

00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:10.059
 with various capacities

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:12.559
 for serving my grace,

00:33:12.659 --> 00:33:14.339
 for serving my love

00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:15.099
 and my truth

00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:15.980
 and my goodness

00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:17.599
 to others.

00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.579
 And your capacity

00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:22.439
 has a much broader

00:33:22.439 --> 00:33:23.240
 application

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.299
 than a few options

00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:25.000
 on a list.

00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.579
 Your capacity

00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.720
 may even shift

00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:29.939
 or change.

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.939
 Not every gift

00:33:30.939 --> 00:33:31.759
 needs to be thought of

00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.960
 as a permanent gift.

00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:34.399
 Maybe it's a uniqueness

00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:36.559
 for a specific time

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:38.639
 in a specific situation

00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:39.519
 with a specific

00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.579
 group of people.

00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:41.500
 So the question

00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.399
 that we're asking here

00:33:42.399 --> 00:33:42.980
 in relationship

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.639
 to our gifts,

00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.759
 we're not asking

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:46.639
 necessarily at least

00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:47.899
 what is unique

00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:48.639
 about me

00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:50.119
 that I might lean into.

00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:52.639
 What we're really asking

00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:56.200
 is what personal capacity

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:58.839
 has God equipped me with

00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:00.119
 to do his work

00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:01.559
 in this season

00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:03.019
 and with these people.

00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:04.799
 And that may change.

00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.740
 That answer

00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.799
 is going to be different

00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:08.119
 for Kayla

00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.380
 with a newborn

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:11.360
 than it's going to be

00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.480
 for Miss Faye

00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.900
 retired

00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:15.440
 with a little more time

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.840
 and a little more sleep.

00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.920
 Ornery husbands,

00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.320
 both,

00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:22.800
 but still different,

00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.039
 right?

00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:23.900
 Those capacities

00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.380
 are different.

00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.320
 They may have still

00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:25.940
 some of the same

00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.460
 proclivities

00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.340
 and some desires.

00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:28.019
 That's great.

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:29.260
 Certainly that's good.

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.539
 But their capacities

00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.059
 are different.

00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.579
 We're asking

00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:32.940
 different questions here.

00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:34.800
 How is it that God

00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:36.119
 has equipped me now

00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:37.720
 to serve his grace

00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.420
 to others?

00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.679
 And whatever that

00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:41.220
 unique capacity is,

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.420
 Peter says it's a stewardship.

00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:45.519
 It's a stewardship

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.740
 of God's grace.

00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.440
 In other words,

00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:49.440
 God equips his people

00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:51.179
 to do his work

00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:52.800
 and he expects

00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:53.700
 that we steward

00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:54.420
 that gift

00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.579
 faithfully.

00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:57.159
 meaning

00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:58.659
 the capacity

00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:59.920
 that God gives us

00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:02.400
 is fundamentally

00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.639
 a responsibility

00:35:03.639 --> 00:35:05.579
 for which we will

00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.259
 give an account

00:35:06.259 --> 00:35:07.319
 to him.

00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:09.099
 It's not about

00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.960
 highlighting

00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.880
 what's praiseworthy

00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.279
 in us.

00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:11.860
 That's what got

00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:12.739
 the Corinthians

00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:13.319
 in trouble,

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:13.900
 wasn't it,

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.500
 with Paul?

00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.840
 Is they made it

00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:16.659
 a prideful thing

00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:17.079
 and of course

00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:17.619
 we don't want

00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.239
 to do that.

00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:19.420
 What is it?

00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.199
 It's about serving

00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:21.039
 the Lord faithfully.

00:35:21.139 --> 00:35:22.000
 It's about being obedient

00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.599
 to him

00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:23.679
 and stewarding

00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.299
 the capacity

00:35:24.299 --> 00:35:25.019
 that he's giving.

00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:26.880
 And that all starts

00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:27.639
 to come together

00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.420
 when we see

00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.659
 that the function

00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.920
 of these spiritual gifts

00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:32.780
 is to serve one another.

00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.579
 Isn't that what Peter says?

00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.920
 As each has received

00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.480
 a gift,

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:41.380
 serve one another

00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.699
 with it.

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.159
 As a steward,

00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:45.559
 he says,

00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.400
 a steward is a

00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.619
 household manager

00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:51.420
 authorized by the owner

00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.420
 to give oversight

00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.519
 to various parts

00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.820
 of the household.

00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:57.019
 And as we've seen

00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.780
 in chapter 2,

00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:59.179
 the church is God's house,

00:35:59.280 --> 00:35:59.639
 isn't it?

00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:01.340
 And God has now

00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:02.079
 given each of us

00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.739
 a stewardship

00:36:02.739 --> 00:36:04.800
 for caring for that house,

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.159
 a stewardship

00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:07.739
 for caring for his people.

00:36:08.179 --> 00:36:09.179
 And he's blessed

00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:09.719
 each of us

00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:10.480
 with the capacity

00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:12.219
 for serving one another.

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.880
 And it's through that

00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:15.380
 that he blesses

00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:15.900
 his people.

00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:17.000
 Do you see that?

00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.519
 Do you understand

00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.300
 yourself to be

00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:19.960
 a conduit

00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:20.800
 of God's grace

00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.599
 to other people?

00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:23.360
 That's what you are.

00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:25.059
 And how amazing

00:36:25.059 --> 00:36:26.099
 that he would use us

00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:26.719
 in that way.

00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:29.319
 Before we start to ask,

00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.239
 well, what does this

00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:30.980
 actually look like

00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:32.099
 in a practical way?

00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.900
 We need to stop

00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.619
 and just consider

00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.500
 before we get there,

00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.460
 is this even

00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:37.259
 on my radar?

00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.500
 Not the gift,

00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:41.299
 but the responsibility.

00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:42.839
 Is this even

00:36:42.839 --> 00:36:43.699
 on your radar today?

00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:46.759
 Is it on your radar

00:36:46.759 --> 00:36:47.899
 that you've been given

00:36:47.899 --> 00:36:49.239
 a particular capacity

00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:50.519
 from God

00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.980
 to serve his church?

00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:53.939
 And are you using

00:36:53.939 --> 00:36:55.259
 that capacity to do that

00:36:55.259 --> 00:36:55.879
 or are you using it

00:36:55.879 --> 00:36:56.619
 for your own good?

00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.119
 Well, let's get

00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:02.079
 into the categories here.

00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:03.359
 That's what Peter gives us

00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:05.159
 in verse 11, isn't it?

00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:05.719
 There's places

00:37:05.719 --> 00:37:06.439
 in the New Testament

00:37:06.439 --> 00:37:07.539
 that give us lists.

00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.099
 Let me just say

00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:09.759
 those lists

00:37:09.759 --> 00:37:10.239
 aren't meant

00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:11.239
 to be exhaustive,

00:37:11.279 --> 00:37:11.819
 I don't think.

00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:12.719
 They're meant

00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.659
 to be representative.

00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.119
 So I want you

00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:15.659
 to be careful

00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.399
 not to go to

00:37:16.399 --> 00:37:17.439
 some of Paul's writings

00:37:17.439 --> 00:37:18.379
 in Romans

00:37:18.379 --> 00:37:19.699
 and to the Corinthians

00:37:19.699 --> 00:37:20.139
 and say,

00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:21.019
 okay, well,

00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:22.159
 the unique way

00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:23.339
 that God has gifted me

00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:24.199
 must fit

00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:25.619
 in this particular paradigm

00:37:25.619 --> 00:37:26.299
 because what are you

00:37:26.299 --> 00:37:26.619
 going to do

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.319
 when you get to the end

00:37:27.319 --> 00:37:27.779
 of that list

00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:28.279
 and you realize,

00:37:28.439 --> 00:37:29.059
 I don't know

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.719
 that I really fit

00:37:29.719 --> 00:37:30.739
 in any of these places.

00:37:31.359 --> 00:37:31.939
 Well, it's not meant

00:37:31.939 --> 00:37:33.039
 to be exhaustive, right?

00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:33.819
 It's representative.

00:37:34.819 --> 00:37:35.779
 Peter understands that

00:37:35.779 --> 00:37:37.199
 so it doesn't surprise us

00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:37.559
 that Peter

00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:38.719
 doesn't give us a list.

00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:39.899
 What does he do?

00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:41.399
 He gives us categories,

00:37:41.919 --> 00:37:42.579
 two of them.

00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:43.279
 Actually,

00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:45.599
 the first is speaking gifts,

00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:47.559
 gifts of communication.

00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:48.199
 In verse 10,

00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.480
 as each has received

00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:49.859
 his gift,

00:37:49.939 --> 00:37:50.539
 use it to serve

00:37:50.539 --> 00:37:50.980
 one another.

00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:52.279
 Whoever speaks

00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:54.159
 as one who speaks

00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:56.259
 the oracle of God,

00:37:56.339 --> 00:37:57.139
 the truth of God,

00:37:57.219 --> 00:37:58.019
 the word of God.

00:37:58.699 --> 00:37:59.219
 In other words,

00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.779
 God gives some people

00:38:00.779 --> 00:38:02.199
 a unique capacity

00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:03.659
 for communicating

00:38:03.659 --> 00:38:04.599
 well with others

00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:06.759
 and whoever has

00:38:06.759 --> 00:38:07.619
 that capacity

00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:09.159
 needs to use it

00:38:09.159 --> 00:38:10.399
 to speak the word

00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:10.940
 of God,

00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:12.180
 to speak the grace

00:38:12.180 --> 00:38:12.740
 of God,

00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.740
 to speak the truth

00:38:13.740 --> 00:38:14.119
 of God

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:14.780
 because isn't that

00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:15.240
 what the gifts

00:38:15.240 --> 00:38:16.200
 are ultimately about?

00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:18.119
 We are serving grace.

00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.360
 We are serving

00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:20.039
 God's goodness

00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:20.599
 and truth

00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:20.980
 and love

00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:21.720
 to other people

00:38:21.720 --> 00:38:22.700
 and some of us

00:38:22.700 --> 00:38:23.740
 have been endowed

00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.960
 with a unique capacity

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.740
 to do that

00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.880
 by word,

00:38:27.420 --> 00:38:28.059
 communication

00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:29.500
 and that may look

00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:30.440
 a lot of different ways.

00:38:30.820 --> 00:38:32.000
 Maybe it's public teaching

00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.840
 and preaching

00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:33.460
 in the church.

00:38:33.719 --> 00:38:34.559
 Maybe it's writing.

00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:35.940
 Maybe you're scared

00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.299
 to death

00:38:36.299 --> 00:38:37.239
 to be in front of people

00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:37.980
 but man,

00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:39.019
 you can really write

00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:39.880
 to help Christians

00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:41.460
 understand the love of God

00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:42.219
 and maybe what you're

00:38:42.219 --> 00:38:43.239
 using your gift for

00:38:43.239 --> 00:38:44.380
 is to sit down

00:38:44.380 --> 00:38:45.039
 week by week

00:38:45.039 --> 00:38:46.360
 and write notes

00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:46.840
 to people

00:38:46.840 --> 00:38:47.860
 to minister grace

00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:48.360
 and love

00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.259
 and truth to them.

00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:51.000
 Maybe it's some type

00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:52.360
 of visual communication

00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:53.500
 where you have

00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:54.659
 a unique giftedness

00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.440
 and capacity

00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:56.900
 for helping people

00:38:56.900 --> 00:38:58.500
 see the truth of God.

00:38:58.659 --> 00:38:58.900
 It's just,

00:38:59.139 --> 00:39:00.240
 it's speaking gifts, right?

00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:01.340
 It's word gifts.

00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:01.700
 It's,

00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:03.880
 that's one category

00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.820
 that Peter gives us

00:39:04.820 --> 00:39:06.019
 and underneath that category

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.639
 there may be a lot

00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.300
 of different ways

00:39:07.300 --> 00:39:08.720
 that the Lord gifts us

00:39:08.720 --> 00:39:09.420
 to use it

00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:10.159
 but then there's

00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:11.179
 a second category

00:39:11.179 --> 00:39:12.559
 and it's the category

00:39:12.559 --> 00:39:13.280
 of serving.

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:15.220
 Serving gifts.

00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:16.179
 So,

00:39:16.659 --> 00:39:17.539
 whoever speaks

00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:19.079
 as one who speaks

00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:20.000
 the oracles of God,

00:39:20.079 --> 00:39:20.800
 the truth of God

00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:21.840
 but then he says

00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:22.820
 a second category

00:39:22.820 --> 00:39:24.720
 is whoever serves

00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:26.579
 as one who serves

00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.719
 by the strength

00:39:27.719 --> 00:39:29.279
 that God supplies.

00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:30.379
 Now,

00:39:30.419 --> 00:39:31.359
 in Paul's list

00:39:31.359 --> 00:39:33.519
 this might be things

00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.179
 like leading

00:39:34.179 --> 00:39:36.959
 or mercy ministries

00:39:36.959 --> 00:39:38.019
 or giving

00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:39.299
 or helps

00:39:39.299 --> 00:39:40.039
 and encouragement.

00:39:40.199 --> 00:39:41.039
 Maybe it would all

00:39:41.039 --> 00:39:41.619
 fall underneath

00:39:41.619 --> 00:39:42.539
 this category

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:44.319
 of serving

00:39:44.319 --> 00:39:44.919
 but we see

00:39:44.919 --> 00:39:46.099
 the Bible often

00:39:46.099 --> 00:39:46.799
 breaks this down

00:39:46.799 --> 00:39:47.899
 in word and deed,

00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:48.459
 doesn't it?

00:39:48.819 --> 00:39:49.599
 Word and deed

00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:50.279
 and we see that

00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:51.079
 in these categories.

00:39:51.079 --> 00:39:53.119
 God uniquely

00:39:53.119 --> 00:39:54.139
 gifts

00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:54.900
 his people

00:39:54.900 --> 00:39:56.199
 some

00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:57.500
 with word gifts

00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:59.139
 to communicate truth

00:39:59.139 --> 00:40:00.480
 some with

00:40:00.480 --> 00:40:01.739
 deed gifts

00:40:01.739 --> 00:40:03.279
 to serve people

00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:04.340
 in unique ways.

00:40:04.679 --> 00:40:06.179
 You have unique gifts

00:40:06.179 --> 00:40:07.360
 that I don't have

00:40:07.360 --> 00:40:08.460
 and the Lord

00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:09.559
 seeks to use you

00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:10.259
 in that way.

00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:10.759
 Now,

00:40:10.799 --> 00:40:11.279
 here's what all

00:40:11.279 --> 00:40:11.819
 of those gifts

00:40:11.819 --> 00:40:12.420
 and categories

00:40:12.420 --> 00:40:13.179
 have in common.

00:40:14.719 --> 00:40:15.559
 It's all

00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:16.059
 for the glory

00:40:16.059 --> 00:40:16.519
 of God.

00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:19.279
 Verse 11,

00:40:19.280 --> 00:40:20.680
 if you're speaking,

00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.360
 use your gift

00:40:22.360 --> 00:40:23.400
 to speak God's truth

00:40:23.400 --> 00:40:24.260
 not your own wisdom.

00:40:25.380 --> 00:40:26.280
 We all think

00:40:26.280 --> 00:40:27.240
 that our opinion

00:40:27.240 --> 00:40:27.920
 and our wisdom

00:40:27.920 --> 00:40:28.580
 is really going

00:40:28.580 --> 00:40:29.120
 to be the thing

00:40:29.120 --> 00:40:29.860
 that helps people

00:40:29.860 --> 00:40:31.440
 and it won't.

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.060
 That's not what

00:40:33.060 --> 00:40:33.820
 you're called to do.

00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.500
 God hasn't gifted you

00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:36.920
 with word gifts

00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:37.800
 in order that you might

00:40:37.800 --> 00:40:38.420
 tell people

00:40:38.420 --> 00:40:39.380
 your own thoughts.

00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:40.140
 He's gifted you

00:40:40.140 --> 00:40:40.880
 with word gifts

00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:41.380
 so that you might

00:40:41.380 --> 00:40:42.660
 deliver his word

00:40:42.660 --> 00:40:44.240
 to others.

00:40:44.900 --> 00:40:45.519
 And those of you

00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.600
 with the serving gifts,

00:40:46.660 --> 00:40:47.519
 it's not about you.

00:40:47.640 --> 00:40:48.120
 It's not about

00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:49.199
 doing things based

00:40:49.199 --> 00:40:50.159
 on your own talent

00:40:50.159 --> 00:40:51.139
 and your own skills

00:40:51.139 --> 00:40:52.579
 and taking pride

00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.059
 in the work

00:40:53.059 --> 00:40:53.500
 that you do.

00:40:53.579 --> 00:40:53.679
 No,

00:40:53.739 --> 00:40:54.219
 it's serving

00:40:54.219 --> 00:40:55.000
 in the strength

00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:56.019
 that God supplies

00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:57.559
 so that in everything

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:58.319
 Peter says,

00:40:58.380 --> 00:40:59.500
 everything that we're doing,

00:40:59.679 --> 00:41:00.539
 it is God

00:41:00.539 --> 00:41:01.679
 who receives the glory.

00:41:02.259 --> 00:41:02.920
 We are serving

00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:04.639
 fully on his truth

00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:05.739
 and in reliance

00:41:05.739 --> 00:41:06.559
 on his power,

00:41:06.699 --> 00:41:07.299
 thinking nothing

00:41:07.299 --> 00:41:08.139
 of ourselves

00:41:08.139 --> 00:41:09.319
 but giving all

00:41:09.319 --> 00:41:10.380
 the glory to the Lord

00:41:10.380 --> 00:41:11.960
 who equips us each

00:41:11.960 --> 00:41:12.880
 to do his work.

00:41:13.819 --> 00:41:14.739
 So not only

00:41:14.739 --> 00:41:15.400
 are we serving

00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:15.980
 one another,

00:41:15.980 --> 00:41:17.460
 but we're to do

00:41:17.460 --> 00:41:18.840
 so in such a way

00:41:18.840 --> 00:41:20.099
 that in everything

00:41:20.099 --> 00:41:21.300
 God is glorified

00:41:21.300 --> 00:41:22.619
 through Jesus Christ.

00:41:23.139 --> 00:41:23.619
 And so we see

00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:24.980
 these four exhortations here.

00:41:25.519 --> 00:41:25.940
 Peter says,

00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:26.539
 as we're looking

00:41:26.539 --> 00:41:27.400
 toward the end,

00:41:27.539 --> 00:41:28.519
 we recognize

00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:29.400
 at what point

00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:30.099
 in human history

00:41:30.099 --> 00:41:30.619
 we're at,

00:41:30.780 --> 00:41:31.420
 there's some things

00:41:31.420 --> 00:41:32.360
 that need to mark us

00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:33.179
 as God's people.

00:41:33.780 --> 00:41:34.420
 Sober prayer,

00:41:35.099 --> 00:41:36.099
 sacrificial love

00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:36.659
 and then flowing

00:41:36.659 --> 00:41:37.460
 out of that love

00:41:37.460 --> 00:41:38.039
 is this idea

00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:38.800
 of hospitality

00:41:38.800 --> 00:41:40.059
 and service

00:41:40.059 --> 00:41:40.860
 to one another

00:41:40.860 --> 00:41:41.840
 based on the unique

00:41:41.840 --> 00:41:42.800
 giftings

00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:43.579
 that God has given.

00:41:43.579 --> 00:41:45.299
 But then he closes

00:41:45.299 --> 00:41:46.299
 in a unique way.

00:41:47.420 --> 00:41:48.299
 He closes

00:41:48.299 --> 00:41:50.759
 not with an exhortation

00:41:50.759 --> 00:41:52.940
 but with a doxology,

00:41:54.219 --> 00:41:54.860
 a praise.

00:41:55.719 --> 00:41:56.219
 Do you see it there

00:41:56.219 --> 00:41:56.880
 in verse 11?

00:41:58.259 --> 00:41:58.719
 To him,

00:41:58.819 --> 00:41:59.880
 that is to God,

00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:01.460
 belong glory

00:42:01.460 --> 00:42:02.519
 and dominion

00:42:02.519 --> 00:42:04.360
 forever and ever.

00:42:05.039 --> 00:42:06.319
 To the triune God

00:42:06.319 --> 00:42:07.759
 belongs all the glory

00:42:07.759 --> 00:42:10.299
 now and evermore.

00:42:10.799 --> 00:42:11.759
 Which means

00:42:11.759 --> 00:42:13.319
 that all of our lives

00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:15.660
 are for his glory,

00:42:16.519 --> 00:42:17.100
 to be lived

00:42:17.100 --> 00:42:17.800
 for his glory.

00:42:20.240 --> 00:42:20.820
 And isn't that

00:42:20.820 --> 00:42:21.700
 what sets Christians

00:42:21.700 --> 00:42:22.940
 apart from everyone else?

00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:25.580
 What makes a Christian

00:42:25.580 --> 00:42:26.760
 husband a Christian husband?

00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:30.240
 That he loves his wife

00:42:30.240 --> 00:42:31.280
 and he leads his family

00:42:31.280 --> 00:42:32.280
 for the glory of God?

00:42:35.539 --> 00:42:36.720
 What makes a Christian

00:42:36.720 --> 00:42:38.160
 worker a Christian worker?

00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:40.800
 That they serve

00:42:40.800 --> 00:42:41.340
 their boss

00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:42.039
 and their company

00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:43.019
 with good ethics

00:42:43.019 --> 00:42:43.619
 and morals

00:42:43.619 --> 00:42:45.039
 for the glory of God?

00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:47.699
 What makes a Christian student

00:42:47.699 --> 00:42:48.699
 a Christian student?

00:42:49.500 --> 00:42:50.980
 That they work hard

00:42:50.980 --> 00:42:52.960
 and they do their best

00:42:52.960 --> 00:42:54.119
 so that they might

00:42:54.119 --> 00:42:55.619
 glorify God.

00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:58.460
 What makes a Christian friend

00:42:58.460 --> 00:42:59.360
 a Christian friend?

00:42:59.500 --> 00:43:00.159
 So on and so forth.

00:43:00.320 --> 00:43:01.380
 It's that all of our lives

00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:01.900
 are being lived

00:43:01.900 --> 00:43:02.779
 for the glory of God,

00:43:02.840 --> 00:43:03.679
 not for ourselves.

00:43:05.519 --> 00:43:06.420
 Peter reminds us

00:43:06.420 --> 00:43:07.000
 of that here.

00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:08.579
 Just think of the contrast

00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:10.019
 of the last two paragraphs.

00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:12.679
 Because of what Christ

00:43:12.679 --> 00:43:13.380
 has done for us

00:43:13.380 --> 00:43:14.099
 on the cross,

00:43:14.619 --> 00:43:15.820
 verse 1 of chapter 4,

00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:17.579
 we're no longer

00:43:17.579 --> 00:43:19.000
 to live for human passions.

00:43:20.019 --> 00:43:21.000
 We're to cease

00:43:21.000 --> 00:43:21.780
 from those things

00:43:21.780 --> 00:43:22.659
 that non-Christians

00:43:22.659 --> 00:43:23.260
 want to do.

00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:25.179
 The things that we did

00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:27.039
 before we came to know Christ.

00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:28.860
 No, we're stopping with that.

00:43:28.940 --> 00:43:29.659
 No more of that.

00:43:31.500 --> 00:43:31.900
 Instead,

00:43:32.219 --> 00:43:32.960
 we're to remember

00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:34.920
 that we're in the end.

00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:37.000
 Christ is coming back

00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:38.000
 and our hope is sure.

00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:38.720
 Therefore,

00:43:39.320 --> 00:43:40.559
 we're going to live

00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:41.460
 the rest of our lives

00:43:41.460 --> 00:43:42.119
 for God's will

00:43:42.119 --> 00:43:43.019
 and for God's glory.

00:43:43.780 --> 00:43:45.220
 And that looks like

00:43:45.220 --> 00:43:47.440
 these four exhortations here

00:43:47.440 --> 00:43:48.539
 in this passage,

00:43:48.619 --> 00:43:49.320
 at least in part.

00:43:51.139 --> 00:43:52.639
 So let's get busy doing it.