WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:09.740 Good morning. My name is Eric. I'm the youth director here at Watermark Church, and like you heard, today we are starting a new series on 1 Peter. 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:16.879 And we'll be in 1 Peter for a few weeks, and it'll sort of lead us through the fall, where we're going to be looking at what is the church? 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:20.440 As a church, what should we be doing? How should we be living? 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:23.820 We're kicking it off today with looking at 1 Peter. 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:27.940 Since we're starting a new book, I figured it'd be good to give a little background on the book of Peter. 00:00:27.940 --> 00:00:33.020 It was written by the Apostle Peter. He was one of Jesus' closest friends. 00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:39.219 He was one of the guys, one of the 12 guys who followed Jesus around everywhere he went in his ministry. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:45.780 And out of those 12, he sort of had this special place where he got to see things that even some of the other 12 didn't get to see. 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:53.960 But on the night when Jesus was put on trial right before being killed, he famously denied three times that he had ever met Jesus. 00:00:53.960 --> 00:01:03.439 After Jesus' resurrection, Jesus reinstated him, and he affirmed three times that he does actually love Jesus. 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:11.939 And from the early days of the church, from the day of Pentecost when the church started, Peter was one of the major leaders in the church. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:17.579 Anyone who had heard of Jesus in the world at that time probably would have heard of Peter as well, 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:19.960 because Peter was right there with Jesus from the start. 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:23.059 Peter was one of the leaders in the church from the start. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:26.239 And so when Peter writes this letter, he starts it off saying, 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:27.899 Peter, an apostle of Christ. 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:31.359 And he doesn't really need to give much background or information about who he is, 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:36.399 because anyone who knows of Jesus would have heard of this Peter guy that goes with him also. 00:01:37.339 --> 00:01:42.419 His audience, he addresses the letter to the elect exiles in the dispersion. 00:01:43.039 --> 00:01:45.919 There's a few things we know about this audience. 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.180 There's a few things we don't know about this audience. 00:01:48.820 --> 00:01:50.840 One thing we do know is that they were Christians. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:55.900 When he says elect, he's talking about Christians, people who have been saved by Jesus. 00:01:57.060 --> 00:02:03.400 We also know that they were most likely Gentiles, not Jews, for the majority of them. 00:02:03.900 --> 00:02:06.000 The way that he addresses them later in the letter, 00:02:06.460 --> 00:02:09.879 he talks about the way of life that they had before becoming Christians, 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:14.719 and it's a way of life that would have been characteristic of Gentiles at this time 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:17.780 and would not have been acceptable among Jews, even if they weren't Christians. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:23.359 And so these are a group that maybe had some Jews in it, but primarily Gentiles. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:30.419 It was Christians, and we know that they were exiles in some sense. 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:35.419 Now, the sense in which they were exiles, we're not 100% sure. 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:38.479 It could be a political thing. 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:41.319 If you look at the regions that he names right here, 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:44.099 he lists off five geographic areas in the Roman Empire 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:46.060 that are sort of all connected to each other. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:49.139 And around the time when this letter was written, 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:52.139 those areas were being recolonized. 00:02:53.019 --> 00:02:54.919 Rome decided, we're going to build these areas up. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:57.359 We're going to send people over there to live in these areas 00:02:57.359 --> 00:02:59.560 so that they can be big cities. 00:03:00.359 --> 00:03:02.459 And they took people and sent them over there. 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:06.120 So it could be that as he writes to these people in this area, 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:08.480 they're actually exiles who were born somewhere else, 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:11.460 who maybe even became Christians somewhere else, like Rome, 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:16.180 and then got sent over to these areas to live there and colonize these areas 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:18.300 against their will, possibly even. 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:21.080 But that might not be the case. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:25.340 But either way, they're exiles in another sense, in a deeper sense. 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:30.620 The fact that they're Christians means that they have a hope 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:32.620 that's different than the rest of the world around them. 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:36.740 The fact that they're Christians means that no matter where they're living, 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:38.819 in a sense, they're exiles, 00:03:39.180 --> 00:03:40.920 because they're different, 00:03:41.860 --> 00:03:44.379 because they hope in different things than the worlds around them, 00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:47.980 because they look for different things than the world around them. 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:49.640 And their Christian identity made it 00:03:49.640 --> 00:03:51.800 so that no matter where they were living, 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:55.540 whether it was the land of their birth or somewhere that they had been sent off 00:03:55.540 --> 00:03:57.460 to recolonize, 00:03:58.680 --> 00:03:59.760 they were in one sense, 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:01.060 one very real sense, 00:04:01.200 --> 00:04:02.200 aliens and exiles, 00:04:02.600 --> 00:04:05.960 people who didn't fully belong in the place that they were. 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:08.620 And as Peter writes this letter, 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:11.920 he does it because there's suffering going on 00:04:11.920 --> 00:04:14.040 in the churches that he's writing to. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:16.439 These people have gone through suffering, 00:04:16.960 --> 00:04:17.879 and it's not just, you know, 00:04:18.340 --> 00:04:19.759 life has suffering. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:21.060 Life gets tough at times. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:23.579 But these people had a different type of suffering. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:27.220 They were suffering specifically because of their faith in Christ. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:30.939 They were facing trials that weren't normal to everyday life, 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:35.060 specifically because they were following Jesus. 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:37.699 And Peter wants to write to them and encourage them and say, 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:39.819 look, you have this hope in Christ, 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:43.220 and it's causing you trials, but it's worth it. 00:04:43.660 --> 00:04:48.040 And it gives you the strength to endure these trials with hope and with joy. 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:50.560 And it's not always going to be easy. 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:53.040 But it's worth it. 00:04:54.080 --> 00:04:59.360 And so let's jump in and look at what exactly he says to them in this letter 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:02.379 about how to address their trials. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:05.980 The first thing that I want us to notice is that he starts off 00:05:05.980 --> 00:05:07.439 not by talking about their suffering, 00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:10.560 but by talking about how amazing their salvation is. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:13.699 Because he needs this as a foundation, 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:15.839 so that as they look at their suffering, 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:18.899 they can see, you know, this is tough, 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:20.740 but it's worth it. 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.040 And he starts off in verse 2. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:24.259 He says, 00:05:24.259 --> 00:05:34.399 He's talking about how they became Christians, 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:35.800 and he's starting off saying, 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:38.800 look, your salvation is a big deal. 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:41.599 Your salvation is so big of a deal 00:05:41.599 --> 00:05:45.120 that every individual member of the Trinity got involved in it. 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.079 If you don't know much about Christianity, 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:49.399 we believe as Christians there's one God 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:52.319 who exists in three distinct persons, 00:05:52.539 --> 00:05:54.739 God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:57.879 And each of them works in different ways in our lives. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:03.399 And Peter is starting off this letter saying, 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:06.219 look, every single individual member of the Trinity 00:06:06.219 --> 00:06:08.219 got involved in your salvation. 00:06:08.419 --> 00:06:11.659 Every single member of the Trinity cares about your salvation. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:15.759 Every single member of the Trinity is at work in saving you. 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:19.259 Never, ever, ever think that your salvation 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:21.680 is some throwaway idea. 00:06:22.599 --> 00:06:25.439 Never, ever, ever think that your salvation is unimportant. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:29.079 Because your salvation is so important to God 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:32.240 that every single member of the Trinity 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:36.240 got involved in ensuring that you would be saved. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:39.379 And he starts them off with this foundation 00:06:39.379 --> 00:06:43.500 from the fact that it is the Trinity at work saving us. 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:44.599 And then he goes on, he says, 00:06:44.599 --> 00:06:48.099 Blessed be God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:49.939 according to his great mercy, 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:53.080 he caused us to be born again to a living hope 00:06:53.080 --> 00:06:56.020 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:06:56.080 --> 00:06:58.040 He says, look, God saved us, 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:00.840 and when he saved us, he gave us a living hope. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:04.260 Now from the day that we're born, 00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:06.160 every single one of us hopes in something. 00:07:07.140 --> 00:07:07.860 When we're babies, 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:11.860 it's someone to change our diaper when it's dirty 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:15.100 and feed us and keep us warm and comfortable. 00:07:16.460 --> 00:07:17.780 And as we grow up, 00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:20.340 our hopes develop and change, 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:22.759 and we end up placing our hope for life 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:23.520 in different things. 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:25.139 Maybe it's money, 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:26.639 maybe it's power, 00:07:27.080 --> 00:07:27.720 maybe it's sex. 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:28.840 If you were here last week, 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:30.199 we talked about this idea also. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:31.460 We called these things idols, 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:33.720 things that we build our lives around 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.620 instead of Jesus. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:37.800 And Peter's saying, 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:40.079 look, all of these things that we hope in, 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:42.160 they're dead hopes. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:44.959 They're never going to satisfy you. 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:47.879 They're never going to come through 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:49.300 on the promises they make for you. 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:51.019 Just as a case study, 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:51.699 let's look at money. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.519 So many people spend their lives chasing money 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:57.660 because it holds out this promise 00:07:57.660 --> 00:07:59.079 that if you get enough of it, 00:07:59.160 --> 00:07:59.699 you'll be happy. 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:03.199 How many of us know people 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:05.740 who have taken a job that they hate 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:07.740 over a job that they would love 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:08.719 because the pay was better? 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:14.099 How many of those people that you know 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:16.319 that are working jobs that you hate 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:17.500 or that they hate 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:19.279 because of the better pay 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:20.819 are willing to sacrifice 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:22.240 everything else in life 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.399 and clear out their calendars 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:24.259 to stay late 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:26.019 working at this job that they hate 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:28.079 because they think 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:29.259 that they'll get a better paycheck 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:30.839 or a promotion by doing it? 00:08:33.439 --> 00:08:34.600 How many of these people 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:35.919 that are working jobs they hate 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:36.580 for better pay 00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:39.399 have ruined significant relationships 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:40.500 in their lives 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:43.059 in their effort to get more money? 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:45.860 I know lots of people. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:49.500 And if you think about 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:51.240 these people that we know 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.439 that are working jobs they hate, 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:54.659 working excessive hours 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:55.819 at jobs they hate, 00:08:56.439 --> 00:08:57.460 ruining relationships 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:58.960 for jobs that they hate, 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:00.939 because of the promise of money, 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.879 how many of them would honestly say 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:04.480 that they're happy 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:05.500 because of the amount of money 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.179 in their bank account? 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:12.519 People invest our entire lives 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:14.220 trying to get more and more and more 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:15.279 and it never satisfies. 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:17.220 If I think through the people 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:17.840 that I know 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:19.539 that are working these jobs 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.200 for more money, 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.899 that are working the crazy hours 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:22.580 for more money, 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:24.639 that have ruined significant relationships 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:26.080 in their attempt to get more money, 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:28.660 I can't think of one of them 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:30.580 that would honestly say, 00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:33.259 I'm happy because of the amount of money 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.060 in my bank account. 00:09:35.020 --> 00:09:36.560 What I've actually seen more often 00:09:36.560 --> 00:09:38.680 is that they turn to other things 00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:39.320 like alcohol, 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.480 partying, 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:41.259 sex, 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.340 because they realize 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:43.460 money's not fulfilling me 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:44.259 like I thought it was 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:45.400 and I need something else 00:09:45.400 --> 00:09:46.120 to get me through. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:49.460 Peter's saying, 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:50.320 whatever it is 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:51.100 that we hope in 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:52.340 besides Christ, 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.200 it's a dead hope. 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.679 It's going to require 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:58.220 everything from us 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:00.820 and it's never going to come through 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:02.919 with what it promises to give us. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:05.560 We're going to build our lives around it 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.740 and it's going to tear out 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:08.860 everything that we have ever invested. 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:13.580 But Christ gives us a living hope. 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:15.740 He gives us a hope 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:16.460 that's not dependent 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:17.840 on the balance of our bank account. 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:19.660 He gives us a hope 00:10:19.660 --> 00:10:20.400 that's not dependent 00:10:20.400 --> 00:10:22.220 on our relationship status 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:24.060 or our position within the company. 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:25.000 He gives us a hope 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:26.020 that's secured 00:10:26.020 --> 00:10:27.720 based on His love for us 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:28.680 which is guaranteed, 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:29.940 which is unchanging. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:33.200 He saves us 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:34.680 and gives us this living hope. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:37.460 Our salvation is a big deal. 00:10:38.400 --> 00:10:39.900 He saves us from these dead hopes 00:10:39.900 --> 00:10:41.640 and gives us a living hope. 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:44.039 Peter continues on. 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.379 He says, 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:45.139 to an inheritance 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:46.500 that is imperishable, 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:47.600 undefiled, 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.460 and unfading, 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:50.120 kept in heaven for you. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:51.779 He says, 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:53.919 God is giving us an inheritance. 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:55.960 The interesting thing 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:57.080 about an inheritance is 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.439 it has nothing to do 00:10:58.439 --> 00:11:00.419 with the person receiving it. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.439 An inheritance is wholly dependent 00:11:03.439 --> 00:11:05.080 on the wealth 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:06.299 and reliability 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:07.779 and generosity 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:09.080 of the one giving it. 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:11.820 The inheritance 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:12.780 that God is giving us 00:11:12.780 --> 00:11:13.820 is not dependent on us. 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:14.420 It's not dependent 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:15.220 on our goodness. 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.960 It's dependent on God. 00:11:19.560 --> 00:11:21.100 The infinitely wealthy, 00:11:23.060 --> 00:11:24.940 infinitely generous God 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:25.900 who loves us 00:11:25.900 --> 00:11:26.700 and saves us 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:27.860 and promises us 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:28.960 this inheritance. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.220 Not based on what we've done 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:32.639 but on grace 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.660 that saves us 00:11:33.660 --> 00:11:34.340 when we are rebels 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.360 and don't deserve it. 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:37.060 And it's not just 00:11:37.060 --> 00:11:38.600 some throwaway inheritance either. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:39.139 He says, 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:40.519 it is imperishable, 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.240 undefiled, 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:41.960 and unfading. 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:44.120 It's something 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:44.899 that is pure 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.620 and perfect 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.259 and can't be ruined 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.060 or corroded 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:49.080 or destroyed. 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.759 It's an inheritance 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.080 that will last, 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.539 that doesn't end 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.659 when we die, 00:11:56.659 --> 00:11:58.620 that continues on 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.580 throughout eternity. 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.659 That is what God 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.700 is promising us. 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:03.120 And then he says 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.000 that this inheritance 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.259 is kept in heaven 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.980 for us. 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.320 The picture here 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:09.920 is sort of like 00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:10.660 a parent who goes 00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:11.180 to the store 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:12.340 and buys a toy 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:12.840 for their kid 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:13.360 for their birthday. 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:14.420 Right? 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:14.860 You go out 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.620 and you buy a Nerf gun 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.180 for your kid 00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:17.840 and you take it home 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.660 and you hide it 00:12:18.660 --> 00:12:20.560 because it's not 00:12:20.560 --> 00:12:21.340 the kid's birthday yet. 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:23.900 And you have this present, 00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:24.600 this Nerf gun 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.140 for your kid 00:12:25.140 --> 00:12:26.300 and you're keeping it. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.480 And it's not 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.140 that you're keeping it 00:12:28.140 --> 00:12:28.900 because you never want 00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:29.580 your kid to have it 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.220 but because there's 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.220 a specific time 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:31.940 on their birthday 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:32.940 that you're going 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:33.940 to give them this toy. 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:35.100 And so you have it 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:36.019 and you're keeping it. 00:12:36.060 --> 00:12:36.759 And it's not a question 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:37.340 of are you going 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:37.879 to give it to them? 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:38.639 It's just a question 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:40.100 of when is the time 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.639 going to be right? 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.160 And that's what it's saying 00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:43.279 about this inheritance here. 00:12:43.660 --> 00:12:45.220 That God has this inheritance 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:45.860 for us 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:47.040 and it's not a question 00:12:47.040 --> 00:12:47.500 of oh, 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.399 is he going to be good enough 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.220 to give it to us? 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.680 Is he going to be capable 00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:51.660 of giving it to us? 00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.600 No, it's just a question 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:55.759 of when is the time right? 00:12:57.300 --> 00:12:57.980 He's got it. 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.700 He's keeping it. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:12:59.560 It's secure. 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:00.220 It's guaranteed. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:02.259 It's just a matter of time 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:04.019 until he gives it to us. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.680 And then he continues on. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.360 He says, 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:08.379 who by God's power 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.139 are being guarded 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:09.860 through faith 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.580 for salvation 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.940 ready to be revealed 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:13.120 at the last time. 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:14.360 As if it's not enough 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.460 that God has saved us. 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.700 As if it's not enough 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.660 that God has given us 00:13:17.660 --> 00:13:18.300 this living hope. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.639 As if it's not enough 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:21.500 that God has this inheritance 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.019 that he's promising for us. 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:26.600 he's also maintaining us. 00:13:26.819 --> 00:13:27.879 He's guarding us. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:29.179 He's protecting us. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.579 He's keeping us going. 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:33.819 He's starting off saying 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.860 your salvation 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:36.939 is a huge deal. 00:13:37.939 --> 00:13:38.919 Your salvation 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:39.620 gives you hope 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.720 that nothing else 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.819 in the world 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:42.639 can give you. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.399 Your salvation 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.379 is dependent 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.319 on God 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.299 and God 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:49.019 takes it seriously. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:51.519 And he says 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:53.139 to these Christians 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:53.899 that he's writing to 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.519 you need to understand this. 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:56.899 You need to get this. 00:13:58.799 --> 00:13:59.279 Because 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.679 as great and awesome 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:01.319 as that is 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:03.259 the existence 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.340 of this great salvation 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:04.939 doesn't mean 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.659 life is going to be 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.379 always easy. 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:08.879 Actually because 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.639 of this great salvation 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.220 life's going to be 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:12.960 hard at times. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.220 Because it means 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.019 that your hope 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:17.699 is different 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:18.379 than the world 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:18.899 around you. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:21.659 It means 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:22.819 that if you're living 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.899 in light of this 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.679 great salvation 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.579 you're going to be 00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:26.039 different 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:27.360 and people are going 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:27.899 to notice it 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:28.500 and you're not going 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:28.980 to fit in. 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.279 Because you aren't 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:32.600 going to have 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.379 the same hope as them. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:33.840 They're not going 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.559 to have the same hope 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:34.860 as you 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.659 and things 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.419 are going to 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:37.039 get awkward 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.519 sometimes 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.139 between you. 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.179 There's going to be 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:40.980 times of trials 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:41.600 and suffering 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.639 that come 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.259 because of 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.159 your different hope 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:47.259 and it will lead 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:47.819 to suffering. 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:47.860 suffering. 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.480 He's not saying 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:49.879 go out 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.840 and try to suffer. 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.280 No, he's just saying 00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:53.420 if you live 00:14:53.420 --> 00:14:54.340 in light of this hope 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:54.920 if you live 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:56.140 as who you truly 00:14:56.140 --> 00:14:57.020 are in Christ 00:14:57.020 --> 00:14:58.580 there's going to be 00:14:58.580 --> 00:15:00.060 times of suffering. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.180 I think we don't 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:02.740 like to talk 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.240 about suffering 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.560 today. 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.520 We live in a society 00:15:05.520 --> 00:15:06.120 where we want 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.580 things to be 00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:06.940 comfortable, 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:07.540 we want things 00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:08.260 to be convenient. 00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:10.120 Suffering is 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:10.560 uncomfortable, 00:15:10.780 --> 00:15:11.320 suffering is 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.220 inconvenient 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:14.940 and it requires 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.680 this long-term 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:16.639 perspective that we 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.500 often don't want 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:17.879 to have. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:18.800 I was reading 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.660 an article this week 00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:20.320 about a man, 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.220 he was a computer 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:22.680 programmer and he 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.320 got hired by 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:24.860 Goldman Sachs to do 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.759 programming on their 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:26.480 high-frequency 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.460 trading program. 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.500 Basically, 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.080 it's a computer 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:30.240 program that makes 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.060 lots of trades on 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.680 the stock market 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.639 really fast so they 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.320 can make loads of 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:33.500 money. 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:35.279 And he got hired 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.919 to do programming 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.899 on their high-frequency 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.600 trading software 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:41.579 and realized very 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.299 quickly that the 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.000 software they had 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.699 was old and 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:45.039 outdated and it 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.299 was slow and it 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:48.179 was forfeiting loads 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.959 of profits that the 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:49.519 company could have 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:49.959 been making. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.480 And he went to his 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.299 bosses and he said, 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:53.360 hey, this software is 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.079 old and outdated, 00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:55.459 let me build something 00:15:55.459 --> 00:15:56.319 new from scratch. 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:58.259 It will make us way 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:58.939 more money in the 00:15:58.939 --> 00:15:59.319 long run. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.699 It will be way 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.740 quicker, way more 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.059 efficient. 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.179 And the bosses 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:04.899 said, nah, 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.159 we're already 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:08.019 making $300 million 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.139 a year, US, 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.159 with the software 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:10.699 that we have. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:11.919 And even though 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:12.699 your software could 00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:13.220 make us a few 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:13.740 hundred million 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.279 dollars a year 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:16.059 more, in the 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.299 short term, it 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:17.879 would cost the 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.980 company because we 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.579 would have to pay 00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:21.419 you to develop it 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:22.139 when it's not 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.799 making any money. 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:23.639 We would have to 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.399 go through the 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.279 difficulty of 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.039 switching over our 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.480 software. 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:27.980 It's going to 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.539 cost us in the 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.339 short term and we 00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:30.019 can't afford those 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.679 short term losses. 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.919 So Goldman's 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.459 forfeited hundreds 00:16:33.459 --> 00:16:34.360 of millions, if not 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.100 billions of dollars 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:37.060 of profits, because 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:37.720 they had this 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.659 short term perspective, 00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:39.440 not a long term 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:39.860 perspective. 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.040 And I think that's 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.399 typical in our 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:42.879 world today. 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.840 We want to be 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.639 comfortable now, we 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.620 want to be safe 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:49.420 now, even if it 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:50.040 costs us in the 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:50.340 future. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.399 But what the 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.100 Bible is calling 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.899 us to do is to 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.600 have a long term 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.060 perspective. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:56.960 The Bible says, 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:58.180 look, we have this 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:59.040 great salvation, we 00:16:59.040 --> 00:16:59.840 have this great 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:00.180 hope. 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.120 It's going to cost 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.360 us today, but it's 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.160 going to be worth it 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.100 in the future. 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:07.680 And again, this is 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.279 an attitude that 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.820 we've all seen 00:17:08.820 --> 00:17:09.200 before. 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.040 Think about an 00:17:11.040 --> 00:17:12.060 expat family coming 00:17:12.060 --> 00:17:12.580 to Hong Kong. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.080 The husband works 00:17:14.080 --> 00:17:15.019 for some big bank 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.000 and the bank sends 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.620 them over here on 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:17.279 an assignment for 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.080 two or three years. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.900 And they know that 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.660 once they get back 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.880 to the States, he's 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.560 going to get a huge 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:24.340 promotion, cut 15 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:25.540 years off of his 00:17:25.540 --> 00:17:26.600 advancement through 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.060 the company. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:28.880 It's going to be 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.800 amazing, they're 00:17:29.800 --> 00:17:30.380 going to be making 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.180 way more money, 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.060 life's going to be 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.799 good, but they 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.379 come over here 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:33.919 and things are 00:17:33.919 --> 00:17:35.799 frustrating because 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.559 people don't speak 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:38.440 their language and 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.159 there are strange 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.200 smells in the air. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.740 And they can't tell 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.679 the cab driver how 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:44.279 to get to where 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.980 they need to go. 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:48.240 And they can't find 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.240 their favorite foods. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.679 And there are 00:17:50.679 --> 00:17:51.940 difficulties that 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.679 come into their 00:17:52.679 --> 00:17:53.819 life specifically 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.940 because of the 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.559 long-term hope 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.099 that they have. 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.440 If they had just 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.200 stayed in America, 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.139 stayed comfortable, 00:17:59.140 --> 00:18:01.040 these issues 00:18:01.040 --> 00:18:01.680 wouldn't come up. 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.920 But because they 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.660 have the hope that 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.360 in a couple years 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.140 life will be better 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.780 forever, they go to 00:18:07.780 --> 00:18:08.800 Hong Kong and they 00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:09.700 endure these 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:12.180 difficulties specifically 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.560 because they know 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:15.040 that things are going 00:18:15.040 --> 00:18:15.780 to be better in the 00:18:15.780 --> 00:18:15.980 end. 00:18:16.520 --> 00:18:17.320 They endure two or 00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:17.880 three years of 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.180 hardship for 30 to 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:21.160 50 years of having 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.580 more money, of being 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.620 further along in the 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:23.920 company. 00:18:25.540 --> 00:18:26.500 And it's a similar 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:28.140 picture that in 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:29.140 living in Christ, 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:31.140 it's going to be 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.880 difficult, but it's 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.220 worth it because he's 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.920 calling us to have 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.640 this long-term 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:38.280 perspective, to endure 00:18:38.280 --> 00:18:40.540 some difficulties that 00:18:40.540 --> 00:18:42.600 result directly from 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:43.560 this long-term hope, 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:45.240 but to endure these 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.140 difficulties with hope 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:47.160 because we know that 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:48.240 in the future it's 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.160 going to be worth it. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:52.340 And again, he's not 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:54.300 just saying go out 00:18:54.300 --> 00:18:54.920 there and look for 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.360 difficulties. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.000 He's saying no. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.000 As you go through 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.880 life, there are going 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:58.500 to be difficulties. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.880 Like, again, that 00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.620 expat couple. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.680 They move to Hong 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:01.840 Kong. 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.480 It's not like they 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.680 need to go out and 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.580 look for ways that 00:19:04.580 --> 00:19:05.160 life is going to be 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.920 difficult for them 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.760 living here. 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.460 They just come up and 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.260 they're like, why 00:19:09.260 --> 00:19:10.260 Hong Kong? 00:19:12.360 --> 00:19:13.740 At least a lot of 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.500 families that I've met 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.480 have that feeling. 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:18.740 And he's saying, you 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.720 know, this hope, 00:19:19.800 --> 00:19:20.600 though, it's worth it. 00:19:22.280 --> 00:19:23.560 This hope is what 00:19:23.560 --> 00:19:24.420 gives us the strength 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.060 to endure through 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.859 those times because 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.720 we know it's tough 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.679 right now, but it's 00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:29.299 not going to be this 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:29.740 way forever. 00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:31.559 It's tough right now, 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.639 but I know that 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:33.359 because things are 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.039 going to be better 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.819 in the future, I can 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.659 endure these 00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.859 difficulties for a 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.279 little bit. 00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:40.399 Depending on our 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.379 circumstances, maybe 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.480 the trials that will 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.159 come up will be 00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:44.419 things like loss of 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:44.779 friendships. 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.039 People don't want 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.679 to hang out with us 00:19:47.679 --> 00:19:49.039 because we have 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.679 different hopes than 00:19:49.679 --> 00:19:50.679 them and they can't 00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:51.539 understand why we 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.139 would hope for the 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.720 things that we do. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:55.220 Maybe it will cost 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.620 us a job because 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.319 we're not willing to 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.279 forfeit our families 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.279 for the company. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.960 Maybe it means that 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.900 we'll be at our job 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.700 and we'll see people 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.400 around us making 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:06.600 huge profits that 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:07.500 we have to pass up 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.400 because it involves 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.700 exploiting vulnerabilities 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:11.259 in other people that 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.319 we're not willing to 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:12.759 exploit. 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:17.400 Maybe it means that 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:17.960 your family will 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.480 disown you. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.440 Maybe for tens of 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.259 thousands of Christians 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.160 in Iraq and Syria 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:23.940 this week, it means 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.200 that you're going to 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.879 be driven from your 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:26.259 home and executed. 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.379 Suffering can look 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.299 different in different 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.859 circumstances, but the 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.779 Bible says if we are 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:34.839 following Christ, if our 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:37.279 hope is in him, there 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.960 are going to be times 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.140 of difficulty that come 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:40.759 directly because of 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.000 that. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.940 I think for a lot of 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.460 us, again, it's 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:45.859 strange. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.859 We don't feel like we 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.579 suffer for our faith. 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.759 We don't necessarily 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.920 want to suffer for our 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.140 faith. 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:52.020 We hear about it, and 00:20:52.020 --> 00:20:52.940 in theory, it's like, 00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:53.960 yeah, I guess I could do 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:55.740 that if I had to, but I 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.920 don't want to. 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:59.020 Please don't make me do 00:20:59.020 --> 00:20:59.400 it, God. 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:01.680 But what's happening 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.800 here is Peter is saying 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:04.560 if we're living our lives 00:21:04.560 --> 00:21:05.480 as Christians, if we're 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.160 living with a true hope 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:09.900 in God, that we're going 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.320 to suffer. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.940 And I think if we look at 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.340 our lives, most of us 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.900 would see that we actually 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.940 are willing to suffer for 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.720 things that we want to be 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.140 great at. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:22.059 If we're at work, we're 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:23.200 willing to clear out our 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.079 evening schedule and 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:25.100 suffer a late night of 00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:26.640 work to be great at our 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:26.900 job. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.900 If we're on a sports team 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:30.539 and we're a little bit 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.640 injured, we're willing to 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.860 push through that injury 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:34.680 and suffer for the sake of 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.900 being great at our sport. 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:39.100 If we're parents, a kid 00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:40.420 wakes up screaming at 3 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:42.380 a.m., we're willing to 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:45.480 suffer sleep loss for the 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.259 sake of being a great 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.559 parent. 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.920 And because we care so 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:50.039 much about being great at 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.539 these things, we don't 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.319 think of it as suffering. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.879 We just think of it as 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.200 life. 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.559 We think of it as 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.059 investments. 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.619 I'm investing in my future. 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.920 I'm investing in my kid's 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.240 future. 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.660 But anything in life that 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.839 we want to be great at, 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.160 we're willing to suffer 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.460 for. 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.680 But I feel like for me and 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.460 a lot of people that I 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:13.019 know, suffering for our 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.900 faith is something that's 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.380 really rare. 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:17.259 And I sometimes wonder 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.060 why that is. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:22.880 Is it because we live in 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:24.100 the world in such a way 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.820 that they don't think we 00:22:25.820 --> 00:22:26.640 actually have a different 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:26.960 hope? 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.420 They see us chasing after 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.540 the same things that they 00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:31.759 are. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.540 We're investing our lives to 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:35.700 get all the money we can, 00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:37.120 all the power we can. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.979 And they look at us and 00:22:38.979 --> 00:22:40.419 they say, this person is no 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:41.159 different than I am. 00:22:46.459 --> 00:22:49.839 Is it because we maybe 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:51.759 deep down on the inside we're 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:54.099 different, but we're so 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:55.559 concerned about fitting in 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:57.939 that we let the people around 00:22:57.939 --> 00:22:59.199 us dictate the way that we 00:22:59.199 --> 00:23:00.819 act more than we let Christ 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.839 dictate how we act. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:07.159 And again, I'm not throwing 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.220 these questions out there, 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.980 asking them just for you. 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.019 I'm asking them for me, too, 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.000 because this is something that 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.679 I struggle with. 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.799 Sometimes it feels like life 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.000 is so easy, and I have to 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.299 ask myself, why is that? 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.500 And it's not intended to be a 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:23.039 guilt trip, but Peter's saying 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.799 here, if we're living as 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:26.599 Christians, there will be 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:26.939 suffering. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.659 It's not that we go out and 00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:29.579 seek it, it's just going to 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:29.879 happen. 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:32.200 And if it's not happening, 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:33.760 there's a valid reason for 00:23:33.760 --> 00:23:35.500 questioning, why is that? 00:23:37.260 --> 00:23:38.360 But he says, despite the 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:39.260 suffering that we'll endure 00:23:39.260 --> 00:23:41.880 as Christians, the hope that 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:43.380 we have in Christ gives us 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:45.240 the strength to endure them, 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:47.640 to endure suffering with hope 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.740 and with joy. 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.800 That's why he started out 00:23:51.800 --> 00:23:53.020 talking about the salvation 00:23:53.020 --> 00:23:54.080 that we have and how great it 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.840 is, because it's the 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:57.260 foundation that sustains us 00:23:57.260 --> 00:23:58.060 through our suffering. 00:23:58.059 --> 00:24:00.480 He continues on. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.460 He says, 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.279 so that the tested 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.619 genuineness of your faith, 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.319 more precious than gold 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.460 that perishes, though it's 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:08.720 tested by fire, may be found 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.460 to result in praise and glory 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:12.279 and honor at the revelation 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.299 of Jesus Christ. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.619 If you think about gold, a lot 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.639 of times it'll be mixed with 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.240 different metals. 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.740 And if you're working with the 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.599 gold and you want it to be 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:21.059 pure, you take it and you 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.879 throw it in the fire. 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:24.460 And the fire melts it so you 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.619 can take everything that's not 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:27.699 gold out and be left with 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.639 just pure gold. 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:31.479 Peter's saying that when we 00:24:31.479 --> 00:24:33.059 suffer as Christians, when we 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.119 go through trials as 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:36.439 Christians, it's like God 00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:37.959 taking us and throwing us 00:24:37.959 --> 00:24:39.339 into that fire. 00:24:39.659 --> 00:24:40.979 It's not meant to destroy us. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.979 It's not meant to hurt us. 00:24:42.199 --> 00:24:44.159 It's meant to test us and prove 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:45.459 to us what is real. 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.899 Maybe we think that we have 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:49.259 this great outstanding faith 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.259 and we get into the middle of 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.539 a trial and we realize that 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.419 we're despairing because the 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:54.379 hope that we thought we had 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:56.420 in Christ was actually hope 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:58.380 in something else that's gone 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:58.700 now. 00:24:59.280 --> 00:25:00.720 We can't lean on it anymore. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.160 And when I first moved to 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:05.420 Hong Kong, I had, I thought I 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.960 had this hope in Christ, but I 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:08.280 actually had a lot of hope in 00:25:08.280 --> 00:25:09.240 the fact that I was just a good 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.580 person. 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:13.000 And I just got to Hong Kong and 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:15.380 I realized that my goodness is 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.060 not enough. 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:19.220 And there was a time of trial 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:22.140 where I realized I can't rely on 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.740 my goodness. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.500 But because I had spent so long 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:28.920 relying on it, I reached a 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.840 point where I was like, I don't 00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:31.540 know how to not rely on it. 00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:32.960 It was God's way of sticking me 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:34.840 into that fire, of testing me, 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:36.240 of taking away everything that 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:38.220 was not the true, pure gold, 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:40.259 true, pure faith and hope in him 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:42.880 and showing me that it wasn't able 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.780 to sustain me. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.400 And that's what trials do. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.259 They test us. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.660 They show us where we're falling 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.040 short. 00:25:49.300 --> 00:25:50.720 And when we endure trials well, 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.920 he shows the world around us and 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:58.720 ourselves what is the pure gold, 00:25:58.820 --> 00:26:01.000 what is the true hope that's within 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.360 us. 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:05.920 He continues on and says that it 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.720 will result in praise and glory and 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:09.060 honor at the revelation of Jesus 00:26:09.060 --> 00:26:09.420 Christ. 00:26:09.540 --> 00:26:10.860 And I think this is a two-fold 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.120 thing. 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:13.360 It's one where God and other 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:14.580 Christians see us and they say, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.859 look, you endured well. 00:26:16.179 --> 00:26:16.859 Great job. 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:19.199 But also where us and other 00:26:19.199 --> 00:26:20.500 Christians look at God and we say, 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:23.019 look, you gave us the strength to 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.980 endure well and we praise him. 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.819 The picture I get is sort of, 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.960 this is really cheesy. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.879 It won't be this cheesy. 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:31.699 But the picture is like in a sports 00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:33.059 movie about a little kid's sports 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.379 team. 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:35.299 And you know, the little kid runs 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:37.079 down the field as the seconds are 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:38.000 ticking off in the championship 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.480 game and he kicks it into the goal 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:41.519 and the game ends and his team wins 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.919 and he runs over to the sideline and 00:26:42.919 --> 00:26:44.039 the dad's there on the sideline. 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.619 He's like, you did it, son. 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:47.440 And the son goes, I couldn't have 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.579 done it without you, dad. 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.180 And then they run over and they 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.079 give each other a hug and 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.759 everyone's cheering. 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.559 It's like that type of thing where 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.779 God looks at us and he says, 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:56.079 great job, you did it. 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.299 And we look at God and we say, 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.420 we couldn't have done it without 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.740 you. 00:26:59.159 --> 00:27:01.319 And we, there's, there's this praise 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:03.200 of him saying to us, great job. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.879 And us saying to him, great job. 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:06.720 And everyone around us looking and 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.299 saying, what an amazing God. 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:12.319 When we endure our trials well, it 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:14.259 results in praise and glory and 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:16.279 honor and shows others how amazing 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.039 our God is. 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:21.179 This means that in the midst of our 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:22.559 trials, we can hold out hope because 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:24.220 it's not meant to destroy us. 00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:26.579 It's meant to strengthen us. 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.240 It's meant to purify us. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:30.500 It's meant to draw us closer to God. 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:35.259 Again, the suffering, it'll be real. 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.259 It's not going to be easy. 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.420 But it'll be worth it. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:42.379 Because God will give us the strength 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:43.259 to endure. 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.640 It's like that expat family. 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.480 The difficulties of living in Hong Kong, 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:49.039 if you're from a foreign culture, it can 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.119 be difficult at times. 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.099 That's real. 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:53.579 But they endure those two or three years 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:55.740 of hardship for the sake of a better 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.299 30 to 50 years afterwards. 00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:00.140 In the same way, God's calling us to endure 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:02.900 30 to 50 years of hardship for an 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:05.520 eternity that is better afterwards. 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:10.400 And then he says, he goes on back in 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:12.400 the passage, he says that it will result 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:14.120 in the salvation of our souls. 00:28:15.820 --> 00:28:17.540 I think growing up in a Christian circle, 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:19.860 it's easy to think about salvation of 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:22.320 our souls as our souls get saved and go 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:23.720 to heaven and our bodies just sort of 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.600 die and rot on the ground. 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.880 But that's not what Peter's actually 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.460 saying here. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:29.000 If you look at this word soul, it's 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.920 actually the core of our being. 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.079 And if you look at the story of the 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:34.900 Bible, you see that God has created 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.480 this physical world and that God is 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:38.180 all about restoring and redeeming 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.539 this physical world. 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.599 If you look at the picture that the 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:43.480 Bible gives for our eternal hope as 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:45.759 Christians, it's actually us being 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.720 raised back to life just like Jesus 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:49.319 was, having a real physical body, 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.279 living in a new earth that God's 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.680 creating. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:55.779 That it's not just us spiritually in 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:57.779 some never-ending church service in 00:28:57.779 --> 00:29:00.559 heaven, but it's us in new bodies 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:03.559 living a perfect life on the perfect 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:05.960 earth as God intended it to be from 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.379 the beginning. 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:09.379 And he sets this out here as our hope 00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:12.539 that when we endure trials well, 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.660 that that's what's going to result, 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:17.220 that it's going to be perfect, it's going 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:19.359 to be good, there's going to be an 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:23.519 eternity of amazing goodness with God. 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:27.379 And then at the end, there's this 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:29.579 strange thing about concerning the 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:31.720 salvation, the prophets, and those 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.480 next couple verses. 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:36.339 Basically, he's saying, look, the fact 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.619 that we have Christ, the fact that we 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:40.480 have this great salvation, it should 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.940 encourage us to suffer well. 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:44.359 It should encourage us to suffer with 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:45.379 hope and with joy. 00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:49.420 But if that's not enough, look back at 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.020 your Old Testament. 00:29:51.020 --> 00:29:52.760 Look at the times before Jesus came. 00:29:54.040 --> 00:29:56.760 The prophets then, they heard that 00:29:56.760 --> 00:29:57.600 there was a Savior coming. 00:29:58.140 --> 00:30:00.280 They wanted to know what he was like. 00:30:01.260 --> 00:30:01.800 They couldn't. 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:06.260 But they still obeyed. 00:30:07.100 --> 00:30:08.840 They still endured difficulties for 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.600 Christ or for God. 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:13.199 But now we have Jesus. 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:16.899 We have seen so much more of how good 00:30:16.899 --> 00:30:18.759 God is than they ever could have 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.219 dreamed of. 00:30:20.199 --> 00:30:22.299 We've seen so much more of how 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:25.579 gracious God is than they ever could 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.139 have dreamed of. 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:30.199 We understand God in a way that they 00:30:30.199 --> 00:30:32.439 never, ever, ever did. 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:37.419 And yet, they were willing to endure 00:30:37.419 --> 00:30:38.799 suffering for God. 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:44.199 And if we've seen so much more how 00:30:44.199 --> 00:30:47.019 great God is, how much more should we 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:49.459 be willing to endure hard times? 00:30:50.939 --> 00:30:52.939 Because we've seen how great and 00:30:52.939 --> 00:30:53.699 amazing God is. 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:56.480 We've seen the proof of his love. 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.319 We've seen that he sent Jesus. 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:02.059 That Jesus suffered for us. 00:31:03.459 --> 00:31:05.359 That Jesus died for us. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.500 To save us. 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:12.559 And that should be our strength and 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.159 our motivation. 00:31:14.459 --> 00:31:16.279 When suffering gets hard, when trials 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:20.000 come, we should look to Christ. 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.619 The one who saved us. 00:31:22.719 --> 00:31:25.019 The one who offers us this living hope. 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:27.139 This perfect inheritance. 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:31.240 That's going to save us. 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:34.279 Looking to him is the only way that 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.299 we'll actually have strength. 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:37.119 To endure trials when they come. 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:40.459 Let's pray. 00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:43.579 Father, we thank you for today. 00:31:43.679 --> 00:31:45.619 We thank you for your love. 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:48.139 And for the way that you work in our lives. 00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:50.899 We thank you for the salvation that you give. 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:52.839 And for the fact that it is so good. 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:57.079 That it's good enough to sustain us in hard times. 00:31:58.539 --> 00:32:01.919 That it's good enough to give us hope 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:03.600 when suffering comes. 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:06.019 God, we pray that 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:07.220 that as we live our lives, 00:32:07.300 --> 00:32:08.279 that we would live lives 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:11.500 that are marked by the fact 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.279 that we follow you. 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:15.279 That we wouldn't be concerned about 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.800 suffering when it comes, 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:18.259 but that we would be able to hope in you 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.120 and trust in you 00:32:19.120 --> 00:32:21.660 and follow you through difficult times. 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.519 I pray that we'd have 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:25.519 a long-term, eternal perspective. 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:28.519 Knowing that even though it may cost us today 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.700 and be uncomfortable today, 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:31.680 that it will be worth it. 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:34.299 God, we love you. 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.140 We want to love you more. 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:39.059 In Jesus' name, amen.