WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 In any of your Bibles, 1 Peter chapter 1, you remain standing for the reading of God's Word. 00:00:03.300 --> 00:00:04.660 ! 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:10.779 It's been a beautiful day outside and always a beautiful time when we have an opportunity to open up the Word of God. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:12.080 Thank you for being here tonight. 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:15.099 Hope you're enjoying our little study here in the book of 1 Peter. 00:00:15.740 --> 00:00:21.699 Peter's writing to a group of people that are living in a difficult world, difficult times, but he reminds them we have hope. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:24.480 And the same hope is still available today. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:25.359 It's a living hope. 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:29.179 It's a lively hope according to the couple verses here we looked at already. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.079 We kind of took our time getting through the introduction. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:34.960 Really, the first 11 verses of this little letter are the introduction. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:37.799 And we took four or five sermons to get through that. 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:41.259 We'll kind of start moving a little bit more at a faster pace now. 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:44.200 But we still want to dig in and see what the Word of God has for us. 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:46.579 So you found your place there in the first chapter of 1 Peter. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:49.340 We'll begin reading in verse number 13 where the Bible says this. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:58.760 Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you 00:00:58.759 --> 00:01:00.539 at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:06.039 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lust in your ignorance, 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:13.120 but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 00:01:13.759 --> 00:01:17.299 Because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy. 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:23.420 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:26.759 pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:31.899 For as much as ye know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold 00:01:31.899 --> 00:01:36.200 from your vain conversation received by the tradition from your fathers, 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:42.000 but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot, 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.540 who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:49.019 but was manifest in these last times for you. 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:55.019 Who by him do you believe in God that hath raised him up from the dead 00:01:55.019 --> 00:02:00.620 and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God. 00:02:01.240 --> 00:02:04.640 We've talked every sermon about this already, the hope that we have. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:09.080 And what Peter's reminding us here in our text tonight is real hope changes everything. 00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:12.400 It's going to change the way we think, it's going to change the way we live, 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:14.960 it's going to remind us of where that hope comes from. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:16.300 So we're going to look at that here this evening. 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:18.300 Let's go to the Lord and ask him to bless our time together. 00:02:18.420 --> 00:02:22.439 Father, thank you for this opportunity to gather once again in your house this evening. 00:02:23.200 --> 00:02:25.880 Lord, thank you for the songs and the message of them. 00:02:25.980 --> 00:02:29.700 But Lord, we thank you especially for this time that we can gather around your word. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:32.860 And Lord, I pray that you would help us not just be familiar with it 00:02:32.860 --> 00:02:35.720 and maybe know some of these verses, but we would listen intently, 00:02:36.200 --> 00:02:38.540 not just to hear it, but to apply it to our life. 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:43.419 And I pray that you would help us to take these truths with us as we live this next week for you. 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:44.959 And Lord, I pray you would help me. 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:47.340 Lord, you give me the words of saying we ask it in Christ's name. 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:48.159 Amen. 00:02:48.359 --> 00:02:48.879 Thank you for standing. 00:02:48.959 --> 00:02:49.419 You may be seated. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:56.579 Have you ever known somebody that was prepping, preparing for something, 00:02:56.699 --> 00:02:59.280 but showed no signs of preparation? 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:02.959 Yeah, some people are pointing at other people now. 00:03:03.019 --> 00:03:05.219 You know, we like to say things, yeah, I'm doing this. 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:05.960 And you're like, really? 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:10.900 You know, if somebody is going to be training for a marathon, but they never run, 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:13.000 they're probably not going to train for the marathon. 00:03:13.740 --> 00:03:18.099 You know, if you're expecting a big test and maybe you have a test this week, 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:21.539 but you haven't studied one time, you're not really preparing for the test. 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:24.579 I mean, you're really preparing for failure is what's going to take place there. 00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:28.840 People that say, hey, we're preparing for the baby, but you haven't put the crib together, 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:30.440 then you're not nesting properly. 00:03:30.640 --> 00:03:31.780 I learned all about nesting. 00:03:31.880 --> 00:03:35.439 It's a very important situation when you're going to have a baby. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:36.780 You've got to get the house all ready. 00:03:37.100 --> 00:03:39.080 The idea is we prepare for things. 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:43.500 But when somebody is preparing or they say they are and we look at their life and we think, 00:03:43.700 --> 00:03:45.680 I don't get it here. 00:03:46.820 --> 00:03:48.020 Why is it so important? 00:03:48.020 --> 00:03:50.900 Because I think the idea that Peter is going to show us here in these verses, 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:56.300 because real anticipation of what is coming really changes the way you live today. 00:03:57.100 --> 00:04:01.060 And Peter's been reminding them that, yes, life is hard and times are difficult, 00:04:01.320 --> 00:04:04.900 and it just seems like you might not get past this, but he's reminding them, 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:07.420 there's coming a day when Jesus is coming again. 00:04:09.040 --> 00:04:10.620 Jesus is coming again. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:15.620 Okay, I know it's a time change, but he is coming back, and I'll just amen myself. 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:15.900 Amen. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:17.300 Okay, now we're going to move right along. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:23.000 But the idea is if you truly believe something today that is coming, 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:25.019 it's going to shape how you live your life. 00:04:25.479 --> 00:04:28.719 And that's really what he's been building in these first 12 verses, 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:34.799 is sometimes in the midst of life we need to step back and be reminded of all the things that God gives us, 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:37.139 of all the blessings that he has in our life. 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:40.279 And really that's what Peter's been doing in these opening verses. 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:44.819 He's kind of lifting their eyes from the world around them back onto Jesus. 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:51.099 We sang many songs this morning about looking into Jesus, that we're to look there and life is found there. 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:58.139 He encouraged them that Jesus, that if you know him as your Savior, you're chosen by the Father. 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:05.420 That you're sanctified by the Spirit, that God's Spirit works in you and is moving in your life even today. 00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:08.699 And Jesus' blood covers your life. 00:05:09.340 --> 00:05:11.759 It's nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:12.580 I love that song. 00:05:13.280 --> 00:05:16.360 And I know it's a good song we sing all the time, but think about that. 00:05:16.660 --> 00:05:20.500 Think about what you have because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:26.639 But not only who we are, but we can have hope in what he gives. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:32.300 That's what Peter showed us there, moving down into verse number 3, that our hope is not dead. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:34.019 It's not something we're just kind of hanging on to. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:35.319 No, it's a lively hope. 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:37.300 That Jesus is alive. 00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:40.279 We have an incorruptible inheritance. 00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:43.980 We talked about a man this morning who had all these things, but guess what? 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:45.040 All that stuff fades away. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:50.439 But not what Jesus has promised us, and we have a promise that we are kept by his power. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:54.200 I'm so thankful my salvation is not based on me holding on. 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:58.920 No, it's the fact that I'm in God's hands, and nobody can pluck me from the Father's hands. 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:05.300 And because of who we are and what we have, we just need to be reminded how precious it is. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:11.620 We looked at last time we were together in the book of Peter that what you possess, if you know Christ as your Savior, 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:13.300 the prophets were searching for. 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:17.480 They were prophesying, and they were still trying to figure out exactly what it meant, 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:21.400 and the apostles proclaimed it, and angels marvel at it. 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:27.560 But by the time we come to verse number 13, it kind of has this idea, and Peter is saying, 00:06:27.900 --> 00:06:35.300 if all that's true, if the first 12 verses are true, and it is, then it should change the way that you live. 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:37.840 That's really what he's coming to. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:43.560 And the main idea as we kind of walk through this is real hope changes how we think. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:49.560 Real hope changes how we live, and real hope remembers where it comes from. 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:52.060 So the first thing that we see here, number one, is this. 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:54.059 Hope prepares the mind. 00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:55.739 Hope prepares the mind. 00:06:56.299 --> 00:07:00.919 Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober. 00:07:01.599 --> 00:07:05.259 Anytime we see that word in the Bible, wherefore, we need to back up. 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:06.879 And that's what we kind of get a recap. 00:07:07.219 --> 00:07:08.920 Because of all of these things that I've said. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.259 That's what Peter is saying. 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:11.699 All of the things that have happened. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:16.079 Because of everything I've just told you, here's how you should live today. 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:17.819 Here's what I want you to do. 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:20.839 He says, gird up the loins of your mind. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:24.740 Now sometimes we read verses like that, and we kind of have an idea, 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:29.180 but it doesn't really maybe relate to us as much today as it would to the original here. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:34.040 Because when you see, you know, you've seen all the paintings and all the things like that, 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:35.579 and we study history. 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:39.720 Back in these days, they would have wore, men would have wore long robes. 00:07:40.540 --> 00:07:42.500 I'm glad fashion changes. 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:44.019 Just saying. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:45.680 You know, maybe it was a little bit cooler. 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:50.360 You know, there was the desert, and so it got a little more airflow situation going on there. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:56.740 But in Peter's day, men wore these long robes, and when it was time to, you know, put some effort out, 00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:59.560 maybe to run a little bit, they weren't running a whole lot, 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:03.960 but when they would have ran, or maybe they needed a fight or in a situation like that, 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:08.560 they would kind of bring their loins up, and they would gird them about. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:12.939 They'd tuck them into their belts so they could actually move without being hindered. 00:08:13.580 --> 00:08:17.180 You know, when you see the Olympics, you don't see anybody sprinting in the Olympics wearing a robe. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:20.900 No, I mean, they're wearing the lightest shoes, the lightest shoelaces. 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:24.480 I mean, the leotards are absolutely never going to wear one of those, 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:27.800 but they are trying to run as fast as humanly possible. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:29.740 That's the idea. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:35.580 We may not say it like this, but here's what we would say if Peter was saying to us, 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.879 because of all these things are true, here's what I want you to do. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:39.720 Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:41.440 That's kind of how we say it today. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:42.879 We understand what that means. 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:44.360 It is not time to play around anymore. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:46.360 It's time to make sure that we're ready. 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:49.860 And in this opening verse, verse number 13, Peter's saying, 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:52.759 listen, you need to roll up your sleeves and get to work. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:54.740 You need to gird up the loins of your mind. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.080 Do that with your mind. 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:03.480 Because Peter's original hearers and readers would have dealt with some of the same things that we deal with. 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:05.600 The mind is a powerful thing. 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:10.759 And we see our world and these advertisers and all the things around us, 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:11.639 you know what they're trying to get? 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:12.939 They're trying to get into our head. 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:15.319 And they're very effective at it. 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:17.779 And that's why these people get paid millions of dollars. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:22.919 That's why in the Super Bowl, they'll pay millions of dollars for 30 seconds of time. 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:25.199 Because they are going to take that 30 seconds. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:26.199 They're going to get right in there. 00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:27.580 They know what makes us click. 00:09:27.939 --> 00:09:30.559 They know what's going to drive us to their business. 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:34.439 And Peter's just reminding the world is constantly after us. 00:09:34.919 --> 00:09:36.220 That our enemy is real. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:38.600 He's going to tell us that later in this book. 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:39.960 That we need to be sober. 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:41.580 He's going to tell us again, we need to be vigilant. 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:41.920 Why? 00:09:42.160 --> 00:09:47.360 Because our adversary, the devil, walketh about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.900 And many times he does that by being in our mind. 00:09:51.660 --> 00:09:53.280 By what we think. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:54.860 And here's what Peter's kind of saying. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:56.460 Roll up that loose thinking. 00:09:57.400 --> 00:09:59.120 Tighten your mental discipline. 00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:01.600 It's time to prepare for action. 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:06.420 Because the Christian life, we would look then and say, well, yeah, they've got a lot of things going on. 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:08.179 But we're still in a battle, by the way. 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:12.919 We're not in the age of peace and non-war. 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:15.199 No, we're in a spiritual battle still today. 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:16.799 I think turn on the news. 00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:17.399 Read the paper. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:18.979 I mean, it's all over the place. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:25.559 And the New Testament writers, they regularly emphasized the mind when it came to the Christian life. 00:10:26.319 --> 00:10:28.120 Paul told us in Romans chapter 12, verse 2. 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:31.659 And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed, how? 00:10:32.060 --> 00:10:34.879 By the renewing of your mind. 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:39.440 When Jesus is teaching, especially in the Sermon on the Mount and different situations like that, 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.820 here's what he's trying to get us to do. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:42.320 Change the way we think. 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:46.159 Because he said, you've heard it said all of these ways. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:50.100 And because of what they had heard said, they were living that way. 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:53.680 But Jesus is saying, but I say unto you, here's what he's saying. 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:55.100 I want you to think this way. 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:59.420 Because when you think this way, it's going to change how you think about somebody. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:03.800 Because you may not go up and physically punch him, but in your mind you're thinking, I just want to punch him. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:06.860 But Jesus says, if you hate your brother in your heart, you've already committed murder. 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:10.259 If you look upon a woman in lust, you've already committed adultery. 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:14.379 And he was reminding us, hey, how we think is going to determine how we live our life. 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:20.399 Paul also told the Philippians in chapter 2, verse 5, when he's calling them to live in one accord, 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:23.680 and he's calling them to follow Christ, how are they to do that? 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:30.359 Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus. 00:11:31.319 --> 00:11:32.839 How are we to live the life of Christ? 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:36.339 We're to live the same way he did, by renewing our mind. 00:11:36.979 --> 00:11:39.620 It wasn't saying that we have to be intellectually on Christ's level. 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:40.859 We're not going to obtain that. 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:45.479 But it's the attitudes and the actions and the way that he lived. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:49.639 And see, Peter's just echoing what Paul has already commanded. 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:58.279 And he's saying, listen, because, wherefore, because of your great salvation, let's tighten up the shoelaces of our minds. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:04.919 Let's focus on what we're allowing in there and run towards the hope that we have in Christ. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:13.059 You know, when you go to a track and when you go to a sporting event like that, it's pretty important that they stay in your lane. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:18.199 But you ever, you know, when you go to a, you're watching the Olympics, and then Summer Olympics come around. 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.339 I'm ready for Summer Olympics. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:22.219 I don't understand Winter Olympics, except curling. 00:12:23.079 --> 00:12:24.639 Curling's the first event I'm just going to throw this in. 00:12:24.739 --> 00:12:25.479 I thought, you know what? 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.759 I think I could do that. 00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:31.879 Every other Olympic activity, I'm like, yeah, I can definitely, but I'm like, I could do that. 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:34.339 But I love watching the Summer Olympics and watch them run. 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:36.439 But when they get out there, they're focused on their lane. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:40.360 They've kind of, they've gotten rid of all the distractions. 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:44.920 But you ever go watch, and Brother Garrett's about to experience this, three-year-olds play soccer? 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:51.240 Focus is not a word that I would describe a three-year-old soccer field. 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:55.960 I mean, butterflies are flying, and grass is growing, and everything's distracting them. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.640 And they're going here, and they're going there. 00:12:57.760 --> 00:12:59.540 And it's super cute when you're three. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:05.980 But when it's our Christian life, and we're just kind of, which way the wind blows, and what's going on here, and what's going on here. 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:07.879 And we're kind of going here, and we're kind of going there. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:10.399 It's not going to work like God wants it to. 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:12.860 And he's saying, listen, you can't be distracted. 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:14.300 You've got to roll up your sleeves. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:18.279 You've got to gird yourself about and run towards Jesus. 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:21.620 So what does that look like in our life today? 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.620 Yes, Peter's saying that. 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:25.360 We understand we've got to have our mind together. 00:13:25.420 --> 00:13:26.340 But what does it look like? 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:33.440 We may have to get a hold of our mind and stop letting it drift wherever culture pushes it. 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:41.880 Because as much as we may not realize it, or we may even fight against it, the culture has a lot to do with how we live our life. 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:44.120 We allow it to. 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:46.980 Because we say things, well, it can't be that bad. 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:48.700 I mean, everybody's doing it. 00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:51.300 Don't you love when you told your parents that? 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.400 I tell my dad, well, everybody's doing it. 00:13:55.040 --> 00:13:57.940 All my friends, you know, and my kids say it to me. 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.420 And I was like, okay, I'm going to call all your friends. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.639 Well, you don't have to call them. 00:14:00.719 --> 00:14:02.339 I mean, not all my friends. 00:14:03.599 --> 00:14:04.959 And we give kids a hard time. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:11.559 But listen, if we really actually step back and took the inventory of our life, some of the things we're doing is not because the Word of God says so. 00:14:11.599 --> 00:14:13.259 It's because culture says that's how you do it. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:17.620 Well, culture, I mean, this is how they raise their kids, so it can't be that bad. 00:14:18.339 --> 00:14:20.079 Well, no, no, that's not exactly how it goes. 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:30.379 And maybe it looks like this, tightening up our mind is stop feeding it garbage all week long and then expecting clarity when you open up the Word of God or come to church on Sunday. 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.240 So that's not real nice, preacher. 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:36.720 I think that's what Peter's saying, though. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:42.860 That we can't just let whatever we want in and then we open the Word of God and say, well, I'm just not getting anything out of this. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.560 Well, you've been eating junk food. 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:47.640 Anybody's parents say, you're going to ruin your dinner if you eat that before dinner. 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:49.580 Yeah, my wife still tells me that. 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.620 I'm like, I'm a grown man. 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.639 I can eat what I want for dinner. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:54.360 But then I'm not hungry when dinner comes. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:15:00.460 Listen, it's hard to feast on this when you're feeding your mind junk all week long. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:05.279 And that's what Peter's saying, that we have to gird up the loins of our mind. 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:10.779 Maybe it's just stop obsessing over things that won't matter in eternity. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:14.460 It doesn't mean just kind of be lazy and forget things, 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:18.240 but sometimes we're worrying about things that we have no business to worry about. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:22.320 Jesus is going to tell us later, we're almost coming to the place in the Luke where he says, 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:24.879 same thing he said in the Sermon Mount, take no thought for the morrow. 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:30.000 He's not saying just live in a weird way. 00:15:30.180 --> 00:15:31.660 He's saying, worry about this. 00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:33.560 Worry about your relationship with me. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:36.480 That's why he says, seek ye first the kingdom of God. 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:38.840 Because sometimes we're obsessing about all these things. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:42.399 And yes, they're important in certain areas of life, but they shouldn't obsess our time. 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:46.060 And we can't focus on the word of God because we're so worried about all these other things. 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:49.240 In fact, Peter's going to tell us later, hey, cast all your cares on me. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:50.920 Because I care for you. 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:53.120 That's what Christ reminds us. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.759 And the idea is just simple. 00:15:56.440 --> 00:16:00.639 Because of the hope that we have, it should trim up our thinking. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:03.500 It should get it where it needs to be. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:09.159 That we're no longer as followers of Christ and as children of the Heavenly Father, 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:12.620 that we are no longer living for the here and now. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:16.620 No, we're living for a hope of what is to come. 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.500 That we're preparing for that. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.740 That we're training for that. 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:21.980 That is our focus of our life. 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:25.120 And if Christ is coming back, and he promised he would, 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:29.159 when he ascended, he said, hey, why are you standing there looking up? 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:31.139 This same Jesus is coming back. 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:36.759 And Jesus told his followers that it should change what occupies our mental energy. 00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:41.319 You know, sometimes you ever just overthink all the things? 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.819 Any overthinkers in here? 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:44.199 You're like, should I raise my hand? 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:44.559 Should I not? 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.019 That's you. 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:49.279 Have you ever just done that all day? 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:51.379 Sometimes at the end of the day, you're so tired and you've done nothing. 00:16:52.219 --> 00:16:54.620 Listen, how we think affects how we live our life. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:58.639 It affects our relationship with Christ. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:00.080 It affects our relationship with others. 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.820 So Peter says, here's what you need to do. 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:04.920 Because of everything you have in Christ and who you are in Christ, 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:06.400 you need to focus your mind. 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:08.240 And he says this, be sober. 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:13.200 He's not talking about sobriety like we would think. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:17.160 That we're not controlled by alcohol or other things like that. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.900 Here's what he's calling us to do. 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.619 He's calling us to be self-controlled. 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:23.159 That's what the idea of being sober is. 00:17:23.459 --> 00:17:27.039 When it comes to the biblical definition, it's balanced in our thinking. 00:17:27.439 --> 00:17:28.299 It's steady. 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.379 It's clear. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.479 It's focused. 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:35.279 That the mind that we should have should be focused on one thing and one thing alone. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:35.899 Christ. 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:39.459 And then that's going to help us live in all these different areas. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:44.339 That's going to help us to have this self-control when it comes to maybe an impulse decision. 00:17:44.479 --> 00:17:46.299 It's like, what does the Lord have me to do here? 00:17:46.739 --> 00:17:48.039 We're going to be clear in our thinking. 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:50.940 We're going to be focused on what actually matters. 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:56.639 See, genuine, authentic Christianity requires a prepared mind. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:18:02.680 A mind that is immersed in the Word of God and the things of God. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:07.859 Paul said this, let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you. 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:11.579 You know, I don't know if we take that command like we should. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:14.539 We read it when it's convenient. 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:20.019 We kind of just gloss over it and we say amen to some verses and we know some by heart. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:24.799 But listen, are we just all in on the Word of God? 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:32.700 And I'm sure you've noticed we live in a culture that is addicted to outrage and distraction. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.019 Anybody notice that? 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.980 Yeah, I know it's shocking. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.539 Political chaos everywhere. 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.019 Everywhere. 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.259 Everywhere. 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.019 You know, we kind of focus on our little corner of the world. 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:46.599 Last time I checked, the world's kind of in chaos. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.859 We see political chaos. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:53.659 We see social tension, end times speculation, internet rabbit trails. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.519 You ever get down in a rabbit hole on the internet? 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.940 That's a scary place to be. 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:03.019 And I mean, by the time you get done, you're dying because you went on WebMD and the world's ending tomorrow. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.519 I mean, stay off the internet sometimes. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:08.279 But we live in a world that just feeds off that. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:13.000 And Peter reminds us, listen, this is where we should be immersed. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:15.039 Because here's what the Word of God does. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.460 It steadies your mind. 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:20.160 It helps you focus on what really matters. 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:27.220 Throughout the New Testament, and Paul especially nails it down, 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:31.759 but he teaches of the imminent return of Jesus. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:36.019 That just simply means that Jesus could come back at any moment. 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.859 And I think we should all live like that. 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:43.680 And the idea that Peter is saying is, listen, you should be looking forward to what's coming. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.839 And I want to remind you, it could happen today. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.599 It could happen tomorrow. 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:49.240 It could happen next week. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:53.660 And if that was the case, here's a couple questions to ponder. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:57.799 Would you still obsess about what you're obsessing about right now? 00:19:57.799 --> 00:20:02.359 When we see Christ face to face, because the Bible is clear, 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:04.159 when he comes back, we're going to see him. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.940 We're going to meet him in the air. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:11.779 What's in our mind, is it going to be really important when we see Christ? 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:14.700 Is it going to be the most important thing in our life? 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:21.019 Would you still nurse petty bitterness in your life and unforgiveness towards others 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:23.759 if you knew Jesus Christ was coming back tomorrow? 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.359 He could come back tonight. 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:33.399 And, you know, when our mind is kind of tangled up and it's not really girded and it's not sober, 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:36.259 listen, it's going to go that way because we're bent that way. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:40.539 We're bent towards bitterness and unforgiveness and getting our way. 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:45.659 Listen, if Jesus was coming back, would we still live this mentally cluttered life? 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:50.939 Because Peter is saying, listen, real hope produces a disciplined mind. 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:55.119 Because that's an important thing when it comes to living for Christ. 00:20:55.899 --> 00:21:01.579 And see, once we have our, we've anchored our mind in Christ and we've anchored it in his word, 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:04.500 it's going to change the way that we live our life. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:06.559 And that's what we see in verses 14 through 17. 00:21:07.219 --> 00:21:08.199 He says in verse 14, 00:21:08.459 --> 00:21:15.419 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lust in your ignorance. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:19.700 This word fashion that we see fashioning here in verse number 14, 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:25.500 it has the same ideas that we saw in Romans chapter 12 verse 2 of the idea of conforming. 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:27.460 Do not conform. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:31.700 Do not fashion your mind to the way that this world lives. 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:35.380 In your BC life, you know what BC life means? 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.240 Before Christ. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:42.519 In your before Christ life, when it's painted in the New Testament, 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:46.099 and Paul speaks about it, and Peter does as well, and John does, 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.900 we lived like an animal. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:50.279 You think, preacher, that's harsh. 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.400 No, that's how we lived. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.660 That we were slaves to sin. 00:21:55.740 --> 00:22:00.599 We lived foolishly, and we lived in bondage to our passion and to our desires, 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:03.639 and we were captive to our fallen sinful nature. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.339 That's what the Bible describes. 00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:08.079 I mean, you want a great chapter, read Romans chapter 6 about this. 00:22:08.719 --> 00:22:10.139 That's what sin does. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:13.599 Sin promises freedom, but really it just binds you. 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:15.559 It ruins your life. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:18.559 It causes you to be a slave to sin. 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:20.819 And as lost people, I know this is going to shock you, 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.259 you live like a lost person. 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.299 That's what lost people do. 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:27.059 That's how we were before we knew Christ. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:30.519 But praise the Lord, we're not that way anymore. 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.199 If you know Christ. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:35.559 I'm so thankful that I'm not what I should be, 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:37.159 but I'm not what I used to be either. 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:40.699 And we see that sentiment over and over and over again. 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:46.459 And because of Jesus' finished work, we are now a new people. 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.779 Now we're going to skip ahead real quick, 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.279 but look at verse number 9 of chapter number 2. 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.659 Here's what Peter tells them. 00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:56.399 He said, but ye, he's talking to these believers, 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:59.379 these ones that are scattered, these ones that have hope in Christ, 00:22:59.459 --> 00:23:00.519 and all the things we've talked about, 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:03.859 but ye are a chosen generation, 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:06.279 a royal priesthood, 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.759 and holy nation, 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.119 a peculiar people, 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:11.939 that you should show forth the praises 00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:13.740 of him who hath called you 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.859 out of darkness 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:18.619 and into his marvelous light. 00:23:19.719 --> 00:23:21.459 See, the application is simple. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.059 At the beginning of this verse, 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.799 in verse number 14, 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.119 he's reminding of this, 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.619 because of the hope we have, 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.859 don't go back to where you used to live. 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:32.439 Don't live the way you used to live before you met Jesus. 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.619 That's that Jesus didn't save you, 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:36.359 so you could just go back to your old ways. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:38.159 And the application is simple. 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:40.339 Stop trying to blend in. 00:23:41.699 --> 00:23:43.979 You know, we're not called to be chameleons. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:47.299 You know, sometimes you get in a crowd, 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:49.440 you don't want to be the one that sticks out like a sore thumb. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:52.039 I mean, we don't want to be the weirdo, 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:53.240 and you know, you go to work, 00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:53.480 and you, 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:55.640 I love when I was in high school, 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.460 I said the same thing, 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.779 but now teens are the same way. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.000 They're like, 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.360 well, I'm different, I'm unique. 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.819 But you go to their school, 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:02.859 and they all talk the same, 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.439 and dress the same, 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.639 and look the same. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:05.960 Why? 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:07.679 Because we're all creatures like that. 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:10.200 Your friend group, 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.919 the people you hang out with, 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:12.359 you probably have a lot of things in common. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:14.139 You say the same phrases, 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.639 you watch the same shows, 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.879 you read the same books, 00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:17.899 or whatever it may be, 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:20.019 but Peter's reminding us as Christians, 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:21.299 stop trying to blend in, 00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:23.099 because you don't belong here anyways. 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:26.099 This world is not our home, 00:24:26.439 --> 00:24:27.339 and because of that, 00:24:27.459 --> 00:24:28.799 we shouldn't dress like the world, 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:29.699 and talk like the world, 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:31.480 and chase what the world chases after. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.919 We used to do that. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.199 But he says, 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.899 don't go back. 00:24:34.959 --> 00:24:36.119 You did that because you were ignorant. 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.339 You didn't know any better. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.879 You were living like a lost person, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:40.139 but you're saved now. 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.379 Because of that, 00:24:41.459 --> 00:24:42.819 that's how you should live. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:47.359 Paul said it like this in 1 Corinthians 1, 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:50.359 1 Corinthians 1, 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.339 verse 6, 00:24:51.459 --> 00:24:51.759 is this, 00:24:51.759 --> 00:25:05.279 We talked about this morning, 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.220 nor drunkards, 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.960 nor revilers, 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.099 nor extortioners, 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:11.140 shall inherit the kingdom of God. 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.579 Verse 11, 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:15.859 and such were some of you. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.240 Paul said, 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.420 that's not who you are. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.920 In fact, he said this, 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.000 but you are washed. 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.700 But you are sanctified. 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.319 But you are justified 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:26.839 in the name of the Lord Jesus, 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:28.900 and by the Spirit of God. 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.799 Paul was reminding the Corinthians, 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.099 because you know what they were doing? 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:34.440 They were as carnal as could be. 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:36.380 You study the church at Corinth. 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:39.420 Corinth was like the first century Las Vegas. 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:41.759 What happened in Corinth stayed in Corinth. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.220 I mean, that's what it was. 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.839 It was a carnal, carnal city. 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.959 And the problem is, 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:49.659 is these believers had let it creep into the church. 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.779 And they were saying, 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.519 well, it's not that big deal. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.000 Everybody in Corinth does it. 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:53.939 Paul says, 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.639 that's not who you are. 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.599 That's who you used to be. 00:25:57.959 --> 00:25:59.799 And your life is changed now. 00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:02.179 And he closes out that chapter in chapter number 6. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.500 He says, 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:20.519 See, Paul and Peter and John 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:22.299 are all echoing what Jesus told us. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:24.099 Listen, when we trust him, 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.279 everything changes. 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:27.279 That if any man is in Christ, 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:28.980 he's a new creature. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.819 So don't try to go back. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.660 But you know what your flesh is going to try to do? 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.480 Go back. 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:36.399 But how do we fight that? 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.259 We gird up the loins of our mind. 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:40.200 We think on these things. 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:42.240 Paul told us in Philippians chapter 4, 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:45.819 whatsoever things are good and pure and holy and right, 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:48.539 think on these things. 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.240 Because what you think 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:52.039 is eventually going to be who you are. 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:54.139 And that's what he's telling us here. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:55.360 So he tells us, 00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:56.220 don't go back. 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.180 We see in verse 15 and 16, 00:26:58.300 --> 00:26:59.720 well, what should we do then? 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.840 Be holy. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.840 That's it. 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.160 That's the point. 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.620 Be holy. 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:07.220 He says in verse 15, 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:09.580 Because as he which hath called you, 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:10.840 who called us? 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.880 God called us. 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.580 The Spirit sanctifies us. 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:15.000 Christ covers us with his blood. 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.700 Because of who has called you, 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.080 he's holy, 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:22.140 so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.980 You know, 00:27:24.020 --> 00:27:24.940 when kids are real little, 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:27.620 it's awesome because they want to be just like you. 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.020 And they're like, 00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:30.420 Dad, I want to do everything you do. 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.840 As they get older, 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.400 they don't want to be like you, 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.080 but the problem is, 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.560 they are turning into you. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.100 And I'm sorry if you're here 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.300 and you look down the aisle with your dad like, 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.700 this is what it is, man. 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:41.259 I was with my dad this weekend. 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.820 We got to go down there for just a couple days. 00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:43.940 And I just, 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.940 I used to think my dad was cool, 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.780 and now for a while I didn't think he was cool, 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:49.520 but now he's the coolest guy I know. 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:51.180 Because I'm sitting on the couch, 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.759 and I look over there, 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.099 and I'm like, 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.900 I felt like I was looking in a mirror. 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.839 We're set in the same way. 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.200 We're doing the same mannerisms. 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.700 It's just like, 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:59.160 it's just what it is. 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.639 And you think, 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.960 what's the point of that? 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.359 Listen, 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.440 children long to be like their fathers. 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:04.759 Why? 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.519 It's in their nature. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.359 We long to be like our girls, 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.960 little girls love to be like their mom. 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:11.039 It's wired into us. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:12.019 And don't miss this, 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:16.079 our father in heaven longs for us to be like him. 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:21.339 That we spend so much of our time as saved individuals, 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:23.420 trying to act like we're blending in here. 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.799 You know who we should really look like? 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:25.480 Our father, 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:26.139 which is in heaven. 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.339 That should be the goal. 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:30.279 That should be the aim of our life, 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:32.559 that we are to mirror him, 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:33.799 that he is our father, 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.859 and we are his children. 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.379 We'll say, 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.339 what's he like? 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.400 He's holy. 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:40.560 That's the pattern. 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.800 The pattern for holiness is, 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.140 is not that you're just better, 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:46.100 a little better than the person down the aisle from you. 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.440 No, 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.860 the pattern is Jesus Christ. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:50.120 It's how he lived his life. 00:28:50.780 --> 00:28:52.660 Now we hear this word holy all the time. 00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:54.720 We sing songs about it. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.140 But what does it mean? 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.640 I love this definition. 00:28:57.800 --> 00:28:58.500 Here's what holy means. 00:28:59.200 --> 00:28:59.500 Other. 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.660 It's completely separate. 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.080 Distinct. 00:29:04.600 --> 00:29:05.000 Different. 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.000 Set apart. 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.300 God is holy. 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.100 And it just means this. 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.380 There's nobody like him. 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.740 We try to be holy. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:15.019 We're going to try to move that direction. 00:29:15.280 --> 00:29:15.600 But really, 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.200 in all reality, 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:18.080 there's nobody that touches God. 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:19.420 That he isn't a, 00:29:19.580 --> 00:29:22.220 there's everything that's ever was in God. 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.620 He's other. 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.900 He's different. 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:25.780 He's set apart. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.060 You say, 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.300 okay, 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:26.680 well, 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:29.800 what areas of my life should I be holy in like God? 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:34.600 So be holy in all manner of conversation. 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:37.960 That means everything. 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:40.900 The word conversation means our lifestyle. 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:43.320 The way that we live our life. 00:29:44.280 --> 00:29:45.320 So just in case we're wondering, 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.920 it means what you think it means. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:49.060 That you should be holy in your marriage, 00:29:49.300 --> 00:29:49.800 and parenting, 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.640 and business, 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.259 and money, 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.100 and entertainment, 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.080 and social media, 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.820 and attitude, 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.640 and actions. 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:55.680 And we can just keep going, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.299 and going, 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:56.360 and going, 00:29:56.560 --> 00:29:57.080 and going, 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:57.799 and going. 00:29:59.519 --> 00:29:59.960 Why? 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.320 Because if we're to be like our father, 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:02.180 that's what he's like. 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.900 That he's set apart. 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.100 That he's different. 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:06.340 That's what he's already told us in that, 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:08.360 that we should be a peculiar people. 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:09.500 Like, 00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:11.200 we should be different. 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.600 And we aren't to wait, 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.440 and here's what he's saying, 00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:17.080 we aren't to wait for heaven to look like him, 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.500 and to act like him, 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.819 and to think like him, 00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:20.899 and to live like him. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.240 No, 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:23.980 we are to display his character right here, 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.000 and right now. 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:28.000 That's what Peter wanted his readers to understand. 00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:28.859 He said, 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.059 listen, 00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:29.779 life's hard, 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.240 but here's, 00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:32.059 you know what your friends need, 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:32.899 where you move to? 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:34.299 I know you ran from persecution, 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.699 but they need to see our father, 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.379 which is in heaven. 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:39.159 They need to see what God really looks like, 00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:40.099 and how he loves, 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.779 and in fact, 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:43.859 this isn't just some good advice, 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.879 it's a command. 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.799 It's an imperative. 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:49.220 Be ye holy. 00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:49.819 It doesn't say, 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.960 if you feel like it. 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:51.919 No, 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.539 be holy, 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.399 because that's what God is like. 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:57.720 Maybe just ask yourself this week, 00:30:58.399 --> 00:31:01.419 does my life reflect the world, 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:05.099 or does my life reflect that I'm a child of a heavenly father? 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.519 Because it should. 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:07.899 That's the goal. 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.599 That's the aim. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:10.000 That's what we're called to. 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:14.799 So we see that the way that we think shapes the way that we live, 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:16.199 and when we're thinking the right way, 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:17.140 we're not going to go back, 00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:19.759 we're going to strive for holiness, 00:31:20.080 --> 00:31:21.660 but we see in verse number 17, 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:24.059 that we're to walk in reverence of God. 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:26.319 And if you call on the father, 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.840 who without respect of persons, 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:29.720 judges according to every man's work, 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:34.000 pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:36.759 Now don't misunderstand what Peter's saying. 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:39.480 He's not saying that we should live in terror of God, 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.860 that we should live in fear of God, 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:43.599 like we would think fear. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.919 Anybody scared of the dark? 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.059 Yeah, thank you. 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:49.519 I'm scared of all kinds of things. 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:51.079 I'm scared of Garrett when I'm up here working. 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:52.779 He purposely tries to scare me. 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:53.919 He's a jerk. 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:56.059 It's on the record now. 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.039 And he's just in real way, 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:58.959 and he knows what he's doing. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.740 Like, I'll be doing something, 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.500 I'll have it in, 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.099 and I turn around, 00:32:01.139 --> 00:32:02.159 he's just standing there like, 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:04.240 what are you doing, man? 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.740 Of course, after I have a heart attack, 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.679 one of these days he's going to have to, 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.099 I'm going to die right there, 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:09.899 and then he's just going to have to take over. 00:32:09.959 --> 00:32:10.599 I don't know what's going to happen. 00:32:10.659 --> 00:32:11.419 I'll pray for y'all then. 00:32:14.719 --> 00:32:16.359 No, but really what this verse is reminding us, 00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:18.419 because of the glorious gift of salvation, 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:20.719 we're going to stand before the Lord one day. 00:32:21.639 --> 00:32:22.459 That's a privilege. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.500 Don't be scared by that. 00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:26.480 Sometimes we read about in Corinthians, 00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:28.199 we read about the Bema seat judgment, 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.419 or the judgment seat of Christ, 00:32:30.139 --> 00:32:31.859 and there is the great white throne judgment. 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:33.039 You don't want to stand there. 00:32:33.959 --> 00:32:35.379 Those are for people that do not know 00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:36.219 the Lord as their Savior. 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:38.160 And he's going to open the books, 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.480 and he's going to judge them out of it. 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.640 A lot of people say, 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:42.200 well, you know, I think my good works are now, 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.860 wait, my bad works, 00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.600 not going to happen. 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.339 Because our good works, 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:46.539 even the good things we do, 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.680 are as filthy rags. 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.120 That none are righteous, 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.839 no, not one. 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.539 But we are. 00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:52.740 If we stand before Christ, 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.660 if we know Christ, 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.759 we will stand before him. 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:57.460 Not for condemnation, 00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:59.799 but for evaluation. 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.700 And to see what our life, 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.559 what we live for. 00:33:03.120 --> 00:33:04.640 You're not going to lose your salvation, 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:06.720 but I want to stand before Christ, 00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.840 and want to say, 00:33:08.040 --> 00:33:09.240 hey, I did all that I could. 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:11.280 And he's going to give us crowns for that. 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:12.560 And it's not so we can have them. 00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:13.340 Here's what we're going to do. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.400 We're going to throw them back at his feet. 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:17.620 Because he's the only one that's worthy. 00:33:17.780 --> 00:33:19.259 And I want to have something to give 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.480 my Lord and Savior. 00:33:20.800 --> 00:33:23.400 And we need to think about that today. 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:25.320 And I loved how Warren Wiersbe, 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.200 the commentator, said it. 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:28.060 He says that our outlook determines, 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:30.080 or determines outcome, 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:32.640 and attitude determines action. 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:35.040 And Peter's saying, 00:33:35.100 --> 00:33:36.900 listen, you need to live your life 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:38.520 like you're going to stand before the Lord one day, 00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.440 because you will. 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:42.420 And when you stand before the Lord, 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:44.080 and if you truly believe this is going to happen, 00:33:44.340 --> 00:33:47.060 it's going to change the way that you live right now. 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:50.100 You know, when I knew my dad was coming home, 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:52.660 I'd make a mess all day long at the house. 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.000 And my mom would say, 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:55.360 dad's going to be home in 20 minutes. 00:33:55.780 --> 00:33:56.740 I believed that. 00:33:57.360 --> 00:33:59.060 And I cleaned up real fast. 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:01.220 Because I didn't want to stand before him 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:02.500 with a mess all over it and say, 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.980 well, I didn't know you were coming home. 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:05.460 Well, mama just told me, 00:34:05.679 --> 00:34:07.000 mama just told you I was coming home. 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.799 I know it's a crude illustration, 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:11.360 but listen, the word of God says he's coming back. 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:14.199 The word of God says that we're going to stand before him one day. 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:15.900 And if we truly believe that, 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:17.940 it should affect how we live our life here. 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.860 It should affect our priorities 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:21.719 and what we're doing. 00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:25.619 And Peter kind of anticipates our thoughts 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:27.339 through the Holy Spirit, obviously. 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.679 We think to ourselves, 00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:30.179 Peter, man, all this, 00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:31.639 this sounds like a lot of hard work. 00:34:32.339 --> 00:34:34.739 This kind of sounds a little demanding. 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:37.619 I mean, Peter, I don't know if you know this, 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:38.599 but it's 2026, 00:34:38.879 --> 00:34:40.919 and this world's not about holy living. 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.699 You know, I'm going to try my best, 00:34:42.799 --> 00:34:44.579 but I can't make any promises. 00:34:45.859 --> 00:34:47.139 I mean, reverence, I can do that. 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:47.879 I can do it on Sundays, 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:50.019 but, you know, every day I'm not sure about that. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.059 And being watchful, 00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:52.420 have you seen my calendar? 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.239 I got a lot going on, Peter. 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:56.239 I'm going to do the best I can. 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:59.340 But to address this concern, 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:01.940 because, see, it wasn't just a concern for 2026. 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:04.279 It was a concern for even back in the first century. 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:06.420 Peter moves from the future, 00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:08.579 reminding us that Christ is coming back, 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:10.840 and it should change how we think and how we live. 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.659 And he takes us back. 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.920 Takes us back to the cross. 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:17.799 And he says, because of the cross, 00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:19.219 I want to remind you of something, 00:35:19.219 --> 00:35:21.279 that real hope, here's what it does, 00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:24.039 it anchors the heart in redemption. 00:35:24.899 --> 00:35:27.500 These are some of those beautiful verses in all of Scripture. 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:30.699 He tells us in verse number 18, 00:35:30.699 --> 00:35:36.199 for as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, 00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:39.739 as silver and gold from your vain conversation, 00:35:39.859 --> 00:35:42.139 your past life, the way you live, 00:35:42.299 --> 00:35:44.000 received by the tradition of your fathers. 00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:46.939 Listen, it wasn't a bunch of rules that changed your life. 00:35:47.359 --> 00:35:50.079 The reason you're going to heaven is you weren't a good person. 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:51.819 No, here's why you're going to heaven, 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:54.960 but with the precious blood of Christ. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:57.440 That's what makes the difference. 00:35:57.860 --> 00:36:00.460 And Peter's saying, listen, I know this seems like a lot, 00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:03.900 but I just want to remind you what the price was. 00:36:04.720 --> 00:36:05.559 It was Jesus. 00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:08.159 It was the cross of Calvary. 00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:11.079 You should have been on that cross, 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:13.000 but he took your place. 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:18.780 And Peter's readers would have understood this idea of redemption intimately. 00:36:18.780 --> 00:36:21.660 You study history and you study the Roman Empire, 00:36:22.120 --> 00:36:25.080 there was at times, especially in Rome itself, 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:29.060 there was more slaves in Rome than there were actual free people. 00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:33.060 Slavery was a very big business in the Roman Empire. 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:37.280 And the only hope a slave had for freedom 00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:42.820 would be that someone would be willing and able to pay the price for their freedom. 00:36:44.060 --> 00:36:45.800 And many of them would have just given up hope and said, 00:36:45.900 --> 00:36:46.980 there's no chance. 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:49.920 I mean, who's going to pay the price for me? 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:52.260 Who's going to be willing to do that? 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:54.780 And we look at that and think, man, what an awful situation. 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:56.360 We were in a worse situation. 00:36:57.559 --> 00:37:01.719 We were his enemies, and yet he loved us. 00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:06.559 That he came, that Jesus came, and he saw us, 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:10.099 and all we were was a slave to sin and a slave to self 00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:11.820 and really a slave to Satan, 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:15.659 and all the silver and all the gold couldn't free you. 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:18.440 We weren't redeemed with things like that. 00:37:19.299 --> 00:37:21.199 But there was one thing that changed your life. 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:24.940 The precious blood of Jesus. 00:37:25.779 --> 00:37:28.539 There is a fountain filled with blood, 00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:31.599 drawn from Emmanuel's veins. 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:37.019 And all that go underneath are washed of all their guilty stains. 00:37:37.239 --> 00:37:38.420 And it's not just some blood. 00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:39.679 It's not an okay. 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:44.059 No, it's as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.399 Holy blood. 00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:49.199 Why should we try to live a holy life? 00:37:49.319 --> 00:37:51.879 Because a holy God died for us. 00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.779 That he took our place. 00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:55.719 When holiness feels costly, 00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:57.139 when it feels weird, 00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:59.199 and it feels like it's going against the grain of everything 00:37:59.199 --> 00:38:00.599 that we know in our world, 00:38:00.799 --> 00:38:03.119 remember what it costs to save your life, 00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:04.759 to change your soul, 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:06.840 to give you a new eternal destiny, 00:38:07.020 --> 00:38:08.940 when obedience feels inconvenient, 00:38:09.360 --> 00:38:11.760 remember the cross of Calvary. 00:38:12.720 --> 00:38:17.440 We should live in the shadow of the cross every single day. 00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:19.820 Because sometimes we hear things like this, 00:38:20.180 --> 00:38:24.380 and Paul tells us that we're to give ourselves a living sacrifice. 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.560 Paul, man, that's a lot. 00:38:27.000 --> 00:38:28.460 Paul just said, look at the cross. 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:31.020 There's never been a payment so great. 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:34.539 We had a debt that could not be paid. 00:38:35.719 --> 00:38:38.639 Listen, our sin was immense. 00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:41.460 I mean, I can't even, 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:44.099 I couldn't even count how many times I sinned this past week. 00:38:45.239 --> 00:38:46.539 Don't act like you didn't either. 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:48.960 And that's just one week. 00:38:49.739 --> 00:38:50.420 And to be honest, 00:38:50.659 --> 00:38:52.759 I'm a lot better now than I used to be. 00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:55.400 That's called sanctification. 00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.019 You should be. 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:57.259 That's not a boastful thing. 00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:58.759 But I am. 00:38:58.880 --> 00:39:00.259 I know that Christ is my Savior. 00:39:00.260 --> 00:39:01.560 Before that, I didn't care. 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.700 I just did what I wanted to do, 00:39:03.760 --> 00:39:04.520 because that's what you do. 00:39:06.160 --> 00:39:07.820 I mean, just this past week, 00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:09.380 my sin was immense. 00:39:11.040 --> 00:39:12.480 So the payment had to be immense. 00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:15.100 Your sin was great. 00:39:16.620 --> 00:39:17.440 But Peter says, 00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:19.100 but your Savior is greater. 00:39:20.600 --> 00:39:22.240 He's willing to pay the price. 00:39:23.060 --> 00:39:24.440 He came all the way for you. 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:26.180 He stayed on the cross. 00:39:26.260 --> 00:39:28.540 He could have called 10,000 angels to take Him down, 00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:29.579 but He didn't. 00:39:30.159 --> 00:39:31.340 And He stayed all the cross, 00:39:31.380 --> 00:39:31.779 and He said, 00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:33.779 it is finished. 00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:35.460 And because of that, 00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:38.199 we have the hope that we can hold on to. 00:39:38.500 --> 00:39:39.259 And Peter's just saying, 00:39:39.460 --> 00:39:40.699 listen, I know it's a lot, 00:39:40.779 --> 00:39:43.960 but just remember the price that was paid for your life. 00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:47.219 And it's going to change how you think about things. 00:39:47.219 --> 00:39:49.319 So He tells us in verse number 20, 00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:51.000 this wasn't just some, 00:39:51.239 --> 00:39:52.379 hey, this seems like a good idea. 00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:53.899 It's always been the plan. 00:39:54.759 --> 00:39:56.179 Verse 20, He tells us this, 00:39:56.500 --> 00:39:58.639 who verily was foreordained 00:39:58.639 --> 00:40:00.239 before the foundation of the world, 00:40:00.359 --> 00:40:04.079 but was manifest in these last times for you. 00:40:06.399 --> 00:40:10.219 Listen, the cross was not a disappointing accident. 00:40:10.219 --> 00:40:15.379 It was a divine appointment before the world even was. 00:40:17.619 --> 00:40:20.199 If we knew, we get in our car tonight, 00:40:20.359 --> 00:40:22.039 we knew if we go on this road out here, 00:40:22.199 --> 00:40:23.159 you're going to be in a terrible accident. 00:40:23.319 --> 00:40:24.319 You wouldn't go on this road. 00:40:25.119 --> 00:40:26.119 You'd go another way. 00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:27.980 You'd avoid it at all costs. 00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:31.859 Listen, Jesus planted the seed that grew the tree 00:40:31.859 --> 00:40:33.359 that He was crucified on. 00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:36.759 He wasn't caught up in some political scheme, 00:40:36.760 --> 00:40:38.480 some religious outcry, 00:40:38.600 --> 00:40:40.580 and the wheels of all of the things going on. 00:40:40.740 --> 00:40:41.800 No, He wasn't a martyr. 00:40:42.100 --> 00:40:43.840 He was a sovereign Savior. 00:40:44.740 --> 00:40:46.880 And He came, the Bible tells us in Galatians 4, 00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:47.640 verse 4 and 5, 00:40:47.900 --> 00:40:49.060 that at the right time, 00:40:49.260 --> 00:40:50.240 that at the perfect time, 00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:51.340 that God came. 00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:52.940 That He came for us, 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:53.580 and He came, 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:55.460 and He was born to die. 00:40:55.780 --> 00:40:57.500 And before creation ever was, 00:40:57.580 --> 00:40:58.400 before there was angels, 00:40:58.680 --> 00:40:59.620 before there was time, 00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:00.840 there was a plan, 00:41:01.080 --> 00:41:03.160 and it was for you to know Him. 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:05.060 And it was through a cross. 00:41:06.760 --> 00:41:08.260 See, redemption, simply put, 00:41:08.340 --> 00:41:09.660 what Peter's reminding them, 00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:12.180 was never a plan B. 00:41:13.460 --> 00:41:14.720 And because that's true, 00:41:15.620 --> 00:41:16.880 your life is not an accident. 00:41:17.820 --> 00:41:20.320 Your salvation is not random. 00:41:21.240 --> 00:41:22.240 It's precious. 00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:25.480 It changes how you live. 00:41:26.100 --> 00:41:28.080 And if God planned your redemption 00:41:28.080 --> 00:41:30.500 before the foundation of the world, 00:41:30.720 --> 00:41:31.940 here's what Peter's reminding us, 00:41:32.140 --> 00:41:34.920 it certainly deserves our present obedience. 00:41:34.920 --> 00:41:37.840 that whatever God asks for us, 00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:39.360 is never too much. 00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:41.460 We could never repay Him. 00:41:41.599 --> 00:41:43.380 We could never give Him what He deserves. 00:41:43.579 --> 00:41:45.619 And He reminds us of the plan, 00:41:45.880 --> 00:41:46.559 and of the price. 00:41:46.720 --> 00:41:47.780 And in verse 21, 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:49.340 He just reminds us of the power 00:41:49.340 --> 00:41:50.559 that it happened by. 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:53.320 Whom by Him do you believe in God? 00:41:54.180 --> 00:41:55.720 That raised Him up from the dead, 00:41:55.760 --> 00:41:56.619 and gave Him glory, 00:41:56.740 --> 00:41:57.820 that your faith and hope 00:41:57.820 --> 00:41:59.980 might be in God. 00:41:59.980 --> 00:42:03.579 Not only did God plan this, 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:05.240 and He paid the price, 00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:08.579 He gives us the ability to believe it. 00:42:09.240 --> 00:42:12.340 He's the one that gives us the power to do that. 00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:14.179 And that's kind of what verse 21 does, 00:42:14.240 --> 00:42:16.400 that through our faith and trust 00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:17.940 and the accomplished work of Jesus, 00:42:18.119 --> 00:42:19.199 we're believers in God. 00:42:19.780 --> 00:42:23.599 The same God who raised Jesus from the dead. 00:42:23.800 --> 00:42:24.679 That's why He came. 00:42:25.519 --> 00:42:27.919 Listen, Jesus is God 00:42:27.919 --> 00:42:30.399 written in a language we can understand. 00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:32.319 See, in the Old Testament, 00:42:32.419 --> 00:42:33.519 they heard about this God, 00:42:33.679 --> 00:42:35.940 and they just heard about whispers about Him, 00:42:35.960 --> 00:42:37.039 and what does He like, 00:42:37.099 --> 00:42:37.859 and what does He look like, 00:42:37.879 --> 00:42:38.599 how does He love? 00:42:38.659 --> 00:42:39.940 I mean, we've got a bunch of rules. 00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:41.619 Jesus shows up and says, 00:42:41.879 --> 00:42:42.980 this is what God looks like, 00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:44.339 because I am Him. 00:42:44.940 --> 00:42:46.619 I am Him, and I love you, 00:42:46.639 --> 00:42:47.440 and I care for you. 00:42:47.440 --> 00:42:48.619 And because of that, 00:42:48.879 --> 00:42:51.000 we rightly place our faith and hope 00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:52.179 in this God, 00:42:52.559 --> 00:42:54.319 a God that so loved the world 00:42:54.320 --> 00:42:55.960 that He sent His only begotten Son, 00:42:56.160 --> 00:42:57.220 that whoever believed in Him 00:42:57.220 --> 00:42:58.200 should not perish, 00:42:58.300 --> 00:42:59.519 but have everlasting life. 00:42:59.960 --> 00:43:02.580 And that God hath highly exalted Jesus, 00:43:02.820 --> 00:43:03.760 and has given Him a name 00:43:03.760 --> 00:43:04.720 that is above every name, 00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:05.820 that in the name of Jesus, 00:43:05.960 --> 00:43:07.100 every tongue will confess, 00:43:07.300 --> 00:43:08.300 and every knee will bow, 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:11.320 that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. 00:43:12.240 --> 00:43:12.800 And Peter says, 00:43:12.960 --> 00:43:15.360 that's what we have hope to look forward to. 00:43:15.920 --> 00:43:17.920 This is not some fairy tale. 00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:21.620 No, it has been the plan from all creation. 00:43:22.619 --> 00:43:24.039 And he just reminds us 00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:25.559 as he ends this section here, 00:43:25.940 --> 00:43:27.659 that without Christ, 00:43:28.460 --> 00:43:30.139 we have no access to this. 00:43:30.719 --> 00:43:31.839 We have no hope. 00:43:31.940 --> 00:43:33.159 We have no faith. 00:43:33.599 --> 00:43:36.179 All our hope rests on the fact 00:43:36.179 --> 00:43:37.440 that Jesus is alive. 00:43:38.159 --> 00:43:38.980 And He is. 00:43:39.980 --> 00:43:41.500 The tomb is still empty. 00:43:42.380 --> 00:43:43.900 It still is empty today. 00:43:44.079 --> 00:43:46.019 And when your faith feels weak, 00:43:46.539 --> 00:43:48.279 remember, it's not held by your grip. 00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:49.579 We see it once again. 00:43:49.579 --> 00:43:50.799 It's held by His power. 00:43:51.319 --> 00:43:53.159 And He has the power to save. 00:43:53.500 --> 00:43:55.239 He has the power to change lives. 00:43:57.380 --> 00:43:59.000 And see, Peter just reminds us 00:43:59.000 --> 00:44:01.880 in these verses of a powerful truth. 00:44:02.639 --> 00:44:04.980 That living hope, real hope, 00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:08.539 does not leave your life unchanged. 00:44:09.639 --> 00:44:12.039 When something drastic happens in your life, 00:44:12.139 --> 00:44:13.179 it changes everything. 00:44:13.960 --> 00:44:16.219 It could be good things and bad things, 00:44:16.380 --> 00:44:17.639 but you walk away from it, 00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:18.519 and we say things like this, 00:44:18.519 --> 00:44:19.940 well, it's never going to be the same again. 00:44:20.699 --> 00:44:21.500 Sometimes that's for the good, 00:44:21.559 --> 00:44:22.360 and sometimes it's for the bad. 00:44:23.380 --> 00:44:25.139 If Jesus changed your life, 00:44:25.320 --> 00:44:26.599 it should change your life. 00:44:27.280 --> 00:44:27.800 You shouldn't say, 00:44:27.860 --> 00:44:29.280 well, that was a good day, 00:44:29.320 --> 00:44:30.259 but I'm just going to live my life 00:44:30.259 --> 00:44:31.259 like it never happened. 00:44:32.199 --> 00:44:33.079 No, it should change 00:44:33.079 --> 00:44:35.019 how you do everything in your life. 00:44:35.460 --> 00:44:37.480 It should reorder all of your priorities, 00:44:37.699 --> 00:44:38.579 and what it does is 00:44:38.579 --> 00:44:40.039 it changes the way that we think, 00:44:40.099 --> 00:44:41.559 it shapes the way that we live, 00:44:41.559 --> 00:44:42.900 and it anchors our heart 00:44:42.900 --> 00:44:45.340 and a hope that is steadfast and sure. 00:44:46.219 --> 00:44:47.759 And really, these things are inseparable. 00:44:48.500 --> 00:44:50.679 A hopeful life and a holy life 00:44:50.679 --> 00:44:51.900 and a reverent life, 00:44:52.019 --> 00:44:53.500 they all come together, 00:44:54.039 --> 00:44:55.039 and they work together. 00:44:55.659 --> 00:44:57.019 Because the more that we love God, 00:44:57.059 --> 00:44:58.099 the more that we think about God 00:44:58.099 --> 00:44:58.519 and we love Him, 00:44:58.659 --> 00:44:59.900 it's going to change the way that we live, 00:44:59.940 --> 00:45:01.019 and the change the way we live, 00:45:01.039 --> 00:45:01.759 we're going to be more excited 00:45:01.759 --> 00:45:02.639 about the things of God. 00:45:03.039 --> 00:45:04.320 And then it kind of goes in this cycle, 00:45:04.400 --> 00:45:05.519 and then we start telling other people, 00:45:05.679 --> 00:45:06.380 like, hey, listen, 00:45:06.500 --> 00:45:07.639 look what God's done for me. 00:45:07.639 --> 00:45:11.039 This type of life 00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:14.599 will help us avoid the vanity 00:45:14.599 --> 00:45:16.920 of just counterfeit Christianity. 00:45:18.379 --> 00:45:19.420 I think we live in a world 00:45:19.420 --> 00:45:20.139 where Christianity 00:45:20.139 --> 00:45:22.619 really doesn't look any different 00:45:22.619 --> 00:45:23.400 than the world does. 00:45:24.500 --> 00:45:25.619 If we want to be honest, 00:45:26.079 --> 00:45:28.199 people say, oh, I'm a Christian. 00:45:29.099 --> 00:45:29.920 And when you say that, 00:45:29.940 --> 00:45:30.539 people are going to watch 00:45:30.539 --> 00:45:31.299 how you live your life, 00:45:31.779 --> 00:45:32.940 how you think, 00:45:33.420 --> 00:45:34.219 how you live, 00:45:34.279 --> 00:45:35.400 how much hope that you have. 00:45:35.859 --> 00:45:36.379 Not in some, 00:45:36.380 --> 00:45:37.320 we're not called to put 00:45:37.320 --> 00:45:38.840 a fake plastic smile on, 00:45:39.559 --> 00:45:41.480 but if this really happened to you, 00:45:42.099 --> 00:45:43.180 people want to know if it's real. 00:45:44.340 --> 00:45:45.400 And they want to see somebody 00:45:45.400 --> 00:45:46.160 that's authentic. 00:45:46.980 --> 00:45:48.599 And because this kind of life, 00:45:48.960 --> 00:45:49.740 Peter's not saying, 00:45:49.940 --> 00:45:51.460 it's forced morality. 00:45:51.820 --> 00:45:53.579 No, it's the proper response 00:45:53.579 --> 00:45:55.099 to the redemption of our souls. 00:45:56.460 --> 00:45:58.019 That if Jesus did this for you, 00:45:58.160 --> 00:45:59.619 it should change some things. 00:46:02.099 --> 00:46:03.340 Because here's what Jesus did. 00:46:03.340 --> 00:46:05.920 He came and bought you 00:46:05.920 --> 00:46:07.260 out of the slave market of sin 00:46:07.260 --> 00:46:09.660 with His own precious blood. 00:46:11.300 --> 00:46:12.519 And it changed you. 00:46:13.800 --> 00:46:14.800 And that's why we can sing, 00:46:15.840 --> 00:46:18.640 what can wash away my sin? 00:46:19.940 --> 00:46:22.140 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:46:22.860 --> 00:46:25.519 What can make me whole again? 00:46:26.620 --> 00:46:28.720 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:46:28.719 --> 00:46:31.679 That's why we have hope. 00:46:32.559 --> 00:46:34.539 We need to meditate on that truth 00:46:34.539 --> 00:46:35.599 this week. 00:46:36.399 --> 00:46:37.639 Let that sink in. 00:46:38.279 --> 00:46:40.019 Let it change how you think. 00:46:40.939 --> 00:46:42.139 Think of all the things 00:46:42.139 --> 00:46:43.239 that you have going wrong 00:46:43.239 --> 00:46:44.019 in your life maybe, 00:46:44.339 --> 00:46:44.739 and you look, 00:46:45.219 --> 00:46:46.459 well I got one thing going for me. 00:46:47.039 --> 00:46:47.879 Jesus loves me. 00:46:49.399 --> 00:46:50.359 And the things of earth, 00:46:50.379 --> 00:46:50.980 we sang it this morning, 00:46:51.239 --> 00:46:52.239 and the things of earth 00:46:52.239 --> 00:46:54.099 will grow strangely dim. 00:46:55.059 --> 00:46:55.959 Doesn't mean it's not important, 00:46:56.059 --> 00:46:56.759 doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, 00:46:56.859 --> 00:46:57.719 doesn't mean it's not difficult. 00:46:57.719 --> 00:47:00.839 But it refocuses our priorities. 00:47:01.679 --> 00:47:03.179 When we think about this this week, 00:47:03.199 --> 00:47:03.699 it's going to shape 00:47:03.699 --> 00:47:04.679 how we live our life. 00:47:05.619 --> 00:47:06.619 Instead of seeing that person 00:47:06.619 --> 00:47:08.839 as annoying at work 00:47:08.839 --> 00:47:10.419 and an interference to our life, 00:47:10.480 --> 00:47:11.059 maybe it's like, 00:47:11.419 --> 00:47:12.959 maybe they need the same Jesus I have. 00:47:13.859 --> 00:47:14.759 Why don't you come to church with me? 00:47:15.619 --> 00:47:16.839 It's going to change those things. 00:47:19.339 --> 00:47:20.219 Peter's saying, listen, 00:47:20.379 --> 00:47:21.559 because of all that you have, 00:47:22.319 --> 00:47:23.119 life's hard, 00:47:23.119 --> 00:47:25.440 but go live a genuine, 00:47:25.980 --> 00:47:26.480 authentic, 00:47:26.960 --> 00:47:28.059 Christian life. 00:47:28.579 --> 00:47:29.839 The world needs to see it. 00:47:30.739 --> 00:47:33.159 Be reminded of what God has done for you. 00:47:34.199 --> 00:47:35.219 A couple questions and we're done. 00:47:36.880 --> 00:47:38.299 If you know Christ as your Savior, 00:47:38.440 --> 00:47:39.859 are you living intentionally 00:47:39.859 --> 00:47:41.719 or casually? 00:47:43.079 --> 00:47:44.139 Some things in our life 00:47:44.139 --> 00:47:45.299 we're very intentional about. 00:47:45.759 --> 00:47:46.599 Other things we're like, 00:47:46.659 --> 00:47:46.859 hey, 00:47:46.860 --> 00:47:47.920 if it happens, 00:47:47.980 --> 00:47:48.460 it happens. 00:47:49.380 --> 00:47:50.640 Is your mind disciplined 00:47:50.640 --> 00:47:51.640 to the things of God? 00:47:52.220 --> 00:47:53.280 Is your life different 00:47:53.280 --> 00:47:55.039 than maybe the world around you 00:47:55.039 --> 00:47:55.960 and the environment 00:47:55.960 --> 00:47:57.099 God has placed you in? 00:47:57.280 --> 00:47:58.059 God didn't call you 00:47:58.059 --> 00:47:58.860 to be a weirdo. 00:47:59.180 --> 00:47:59.960 Let me just say that. 00:48:00.800 --> 00:48:01.660 But He did call you 00:48:01.660 --> 00:48:02.140 to be different. 00:48:03.220 --> 00:48:03.760 He did call you 00:48:03.760 --> 00:48:05.539 to point your life to Him. 00:48:05.760 --> 00:48:07.200 Is your heart anchored 00:48:07.200 --> 00:48:09.140 in the redemption of Christ? 00:48:10.940 --> 00:48:11.920 Maybe we just need to guard 00:48:11.920 --> 00:48:12.980 our thinking a little bit more. 00:48:14.039 --> 00:48:14.840 Maybe there's something on TV 00:48:14.840 --> 00:48:15.880 we probably shouldn't be watching. 00:48:15.880 --> 00:48:16.980 Maybe there's something 00:48:16.980 --> 00:48:17.619 on the social media 00:48:17.619 --> 00:48:18.360 we probably just need to 00:48:18.360 --> 00:48:19.380 get rid of it. 00:48:19.680 --> 00:48:20.619 Maybe we need to refuse 00:48:20.619 --> 00:48:22.039 some conformity to this world 00:48:22.039 --> 00:48:23.440 and walk in reverence 00:48:23.440 --> 00:48:24.440 of who God is 00:48:24.440 --> 00:48:25.680 and remember that cross 00:48:25.680 --> 00:48:26.260 was our cross 00:48:26.260 --> 00:48:27.500 but Jesus took our place. 00:48:28.720 --> 00:48:30.180 And just live like someone 00:48:30.180 --> 00:48:32.460 who expects to see Jesus one day. 00:48:33.360 --> 00:48:34.240 Because if you know Him, 00:48:34.280 --> 00:48:34.619 you will. 00:48:35.180 --> 00:48:35.640 And in fact, 00:48:35.720 --> 00:48:36.000 if you don't, 00:48:36.119 --> 00:48:37.079 everybody's going to meet Him. 00:48:38.200 --> 00:48:39.420 And if you're here without Christ, 00:48:40.320 --> 00:48:41.680 it's not to be mean 00:48:41.680 --> 00:48:42.820 but there is no living hope. 00:48:43.700 --> 00:48:44.900 There is no secure future. 00:48:44.900 --> 00:48:45.780 There is no internal 00:48:45.780 --> 00:48:47.340 inheritance apart from Christ. 00:48:48.620 --> 00:48:49.900 But the great news is 00:48:49.900 --> 00:48:51.460 the blood still redeems today. 00:48:52.660 --> 00:48:54.000 The blood still saves. 00:48:54.620 --> 00:48:56.320 The risen Christ still calls 00:48:56.320 --> 00:48:58.160 and you can still turn 00:48:58.160 --> 00:48:58.740 from your sin 00:48:58.740 --> 00:48:59.600 and trust Him. 00:49:00.660 --> 00:49:02.040 Because here's the thought 00:49:02.040 --> 00:49:02.720 to take on with this. 00:49:02.980 --> 00:49:04.200 If our hope is eternal, 00:49:05.060 --> 00:49:06.360 then our life should be intentional. 00:49:07.420 --> 00:49:08.760 That we should live differently 00:49:08.760 --> 00:49:10.640 because our hope is not sentimental. 00:49:10.960 --> 00:49:11.920 It's not passive. 00:49:12.140 --> 00:49:13.640 It's transformational. 00:49:14.440 --> 00:49:15.940 It starts at salvation 00:49:15.940 --> 00:49:17.740 but it continues to move 00:49:17.740 --> 00:49:18.400 through our life. 00:49:19.140 --> 00:49:20.520 Real hope changes 00:49:20.520 --> 00:49:22.100 the way we live. 00:49:22.160 --> 00:49:23.320 Would you stand with your heads bowed, 00:49:23.600 --> 00:49:24.380 with your eyes closed? 00:49:24.380 --> 00:49:24.480 Thank you. 00:49:24.480 --> 00:49:35.380 Peter just wants us 00:49:35.380 --> 00:49:36.340 to understand that truth. 00:49:38.740 --> 00:49:39.880 Maybe you can look at your life 00:49:39.880 --> 00:49:40.519 if you know Christ 00:49:40.519 --> 00:49:42.760 and for the first little while 00:49:42.760 --> 00:49:43.240 when you got saved, 00:49:43.300 --> 00:49:44.179 man, you were on fire. 00:49:44.539 --> 00:49:45.539 It really was changing 00:49:45.539 --> 00:49:46.240 the way that you live. 00:49:47.019 --> 00:49:48.320 Don't ever get over that. 00:49:49.519 --> 00:49:51.219 Because as much as you were saved 00:49:51.219 --> 00:49:51.980 that first time 00:49:51.980 --> 00:49:52.780 when you called upon Christ, 00:49:52.780 --> 00:49:53.800 you still are. 00:49:54.480 --> 00:49:56.440 The blood has not lost its power. 00:49:57.360 --> 00:49:59.580 It hasn't lost its effectiveness. 00:49:59.980 --> 00:50:01.660 No, it still works today. 00:50:02.420 --> 00:50:03.500 And it saved you 00:50:03.500 --> 00:50:04.660 but it has the idea of this. 00:50:04.720 --> 00:50:05.960 God wants to keep working 00:50:05.960 --> 00:50:06.620 in your life. 00:50:07.780 --> 00:50:09.720 But sometimes we stop 00:50:09.720 --> 00:50:10.500 letting Him work 00:50:10.500 --> 00:50:11.380 because we're so distracted. 00:50:11.480 --> 00:50:12.480 Our mind's all over the place. 00:50:12.820 --> 00:50:13.660 Maybe tonight we just need 00:50:13.660 --> 00:50:14.940 to gird up the loins of our mind. 00:50:15.500 --> 00:50:16.560 We need to roll up our sleeves 00:50:16.560 --> 00:50:18.340 and focus on what God has for us. 00:50:19.260 --> 00:50:19.780 Maybe there's some things 00:50:19.780 --> 00:50:20.540 we need to let go 00:50:20.540 --> 00:50:21.860 that God has no intention 00:50:21.860 --> 00:50:22.920 for us to carry around 00:50:22.920 --> 00:50:24.019 and obsess over it. 00:50:24.880 --> 00:50:25.960 Cast it on to Him 00:50:25.960 --> 00:50:26.620 and let it be. 00:50:27.920 --> 00:50:28.380 Maybe you're here 00:50:28.380 --> 00:50:28.820 and you don't know 00:50:28.820 --> 00:50:29.559 the Lord is your Savior. 00:50:30.620 --> 00:50:31.480 Listen, He loves you. 00:50:32.860 --> 00:50:35.300 He's shown it time and time again 00:50:35.300 --> 00:50:35.960 in your life 00:50:35.960 --> 00:50:36.920 if you really step back 00:50:36.920 --> 00:50:37.140 and think. 00:50:37.360 --> 00:50:38.240 And He's doing it for one reason 00:50:38.240 --> 00:50:39.539 to draw you to Himself. 00:50:41.079 --> 00:50:42.180 We all need a Savior. 00:50:43.760 --> 00:50:44.660 He paid a price 00:50:44.660 --> 00:50:45.340 we couldn't pay. 00:50:46.640 --> 00:50:47.880 Father, would you just help us 00:50:47.880 --> 00:50:48.940 to respond to you tonight? 00:50:48.940 --> 00:50:52.260 Lord, I'm thankful 00:50:52.260 --> 00:50:53.380 for a hope that's real. 00:50:55.500 --> 00:50:56.659 It's not fabricated. 00:50:56.760 --> 00:50:58.079 It's not to help us feel better. 00:50:59.780 --> 00:51:02.019 But it is to help us live better 00:51:02.019 --> 00:51:03.700 because it's true. 00:51:05.599 --> 00:51:06.539 Lord, that we would take a look 00:51:06.539 --> 00:51:07.099 at our mind 00:51:07.099 --> 00:51:08.559 and see what we're focused on 00:51:08.559 --> 00:51:09.659 and what we're allowing in. 00:51:11.720 --> 00:51:13.300 Lord, help us to get in the Word more 00:51:13.300 --> 00:51:15.960 and to be in communion with you. 00:51:16.960 --> 00:51:18.960 Lord, help us to live better 00:51:18.960 --> 00:51:20.199 for you tomorrow 00:51:20.199 --> 00:51:21.800 because of what you did 00:51:21.800 --> 00:51:22.480 for us already. 00:51:23.340 --> 00:51:25.800 And to share the glorious gospel 00:51:25.800 --> 00:51:27.740 that will anchor hearts 00:51:27.740 --> 00:51:29.440 that hear the truth. 00:51:30.179 --> 00:51:31.760 Lord, help us as we move 00:51:31.760 --> 00:51:32.400 into the invitation. 00:51:32.500 --> 00:51:33.559 We ask it in Christ's name. 00:51:34.099 --> 00:51:34.679 With every head bowed, 00:51:34.699 --> 00:51:35.720 Brother Jared begins to sing. 00:51:35.719 --> 00:51:39.839 Lord, I have heard 00:51:40.000 --> 00:51:40.000 00:51:40.000 --> 00:51:40.000 00:51:40.000 --> 00:51:40.000 00:51:40.000 --> 00:51:40.000 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