WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.240 We will go ahead and dismiss our children to children's church, age of kindergarten through second grade. 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:12.019 They'll meet you in the foyer and then lead you down to children's church. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:14.240 We have a guest speaker with us this morning. 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:21.500 And instead of our usual sermon video, introduction video, I'm going to tell you just a little bit about our guest speaker. 00:00:21.759 --> 00:00:22.940 His name is Phillip Nation. 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:25.780 He is a friend of mine, has been for the last few years. 00:00:26.140 --> 00:00:32.579 And they stayed in our house last night because we have that guest bedroom on the side. 00:00:32.579 --> 00:00:41.719 And they got our special wake-up call around 7 o'clock this morning when Finley, our big Irish wolfhound slash doodle, 00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:44.979 decided to go open their door because he can do that. 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:50.579 And he's used to, you know, maybe my parents staying in there or something like that. 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:53.480 And they'll, you know, anyway, it just, that was not expected. 00:00:53.579 --> 00:00:54.459 I apologize for that. 00:00:54.700 --> 00:00:56.659 But fun nonetheless. 00:00:56.939 --> 00:00:57.439 There you go. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:00.500 So, but we had a great time of fellowship last night. 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:04.480 And Phillip is the publisher for Thomas Nelson Bibles. 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:06.840 He's a vice president with HarperCollins. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:08.659 And he has been a church planner. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:09.579 He's been a pastor. 00:01:10.039 --> 00:01:14.780 He was an executive at Lifeway, the Southern Baptist publication arm for many years. 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:17.719 And he's had a lot of ministry experience. 00:01:18.019 --> 00:01:19.159 He's going to bless you this morning. 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:22.340 So, Phillip, without any further ado, you come and share what God's laying in your heart. 00:01:22.340 --> 00:01:22.979 Thank you so much. 00:01:23.039 --> 00:01:23.640 Appreciate that. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:25.819 Well, thank you, Sam. 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:27.339 All right. 00:01:27.659 --> 00:01:31.000 So, let's make sure that this is, oh, there we are. 00:01:31.139 --> 00:01:31.639 There we are. 00:01:32.059 --> 00:01:33.519 Well, good morning, everybody. 00:01:33.779 --> 00:01:36.179 I have my phone here for a reason. 00:01:36.679 --> 00:01:38.780 And it is to start a timer. 00:01:39.179 --> 00:01:43.339 But all of you know what it means when a Southern Baptist pastor starts a timer. 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:44.739 Nothing. 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:50.019 So, well, I want you to turn in your Bibles or turn on your Bibles, 00:01:50.019 --> 00:01:52.280 depending upon what generation you're from, 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:57.420 and find your way over to the book of 1 Peter in the New Testament. 00:01:57.700 --> 00:02:01.040 If you get to the book of Hebrews, you haven't gone far enough. 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:04.060 If you get to the book of Revelation, you've gone too far. 00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:07.260 So, it's in between those two books of the New Testament. 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:10.920 And we're going to look at a passage in chapter 2 this morning, 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:15.340 specifically verses 4 through 10 in just a moment. 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:20.700 As I was thinking about getting ready for this passage to share this with you, 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:26.340 I thought about the idea of have you ever felt like you did not fit in? 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:30.020 You know, maybe you reach all the way back to childhood, 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:36.400 and you remember some moment on the playground where you felt like you didn't fit in, 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:41.280 or maybe it's been some social situation that it was like just super awkward. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:47.719 Everybody else was, you know, cheering for one team, but you were a fan of another team. 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:53.120 Or there's any number of reasons for why you wouldn't feel like you fit in. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:03:00.639 Well, as Peter, this early leader of the church, is writing to these believers in the Roman Empire, 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:03.860 this is very much the theme of his two letters, 00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:09.539 is that we as a people don't feel like we fit in, and there's a good reason. 00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:12.419 We don't. And that's a good reason. 00:03:12.739 --> 00:03:18.699 It's a very positive thing for us to think about why it is that we don't fit in, 00:03:18.799 --> 00:03:26.180 why there is a certain amount of earthly awkwardness to Christian faithfulness. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:30.599 Because you are very much the old metaphor of the, you know, 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:33.319 you're the fish swimming against the current. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:39.780 You are the person who is standing out because you're the peculiar one in the situation. 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:41.299 And that's okay. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:44.579 The early church, they felt this. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:46.159 They felt this culturally. 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:49.379 They felt this amongst their families oftentimes, 00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:52.759 always socially, very often politically, 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:56.319 when it came to the empire, when it came to other religions, 00:03:56.519 --> 00:03:59.740 when it came to just the business practices of the day. 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:01.859 They didn't feel like they fit in. 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:03.180 And that's a good thing. 00:04:03.600 --> 00:04:07.160 And so Peter writes to them in this kind of manner. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:12.400 In fact, if I can just ask you to look not at chapter 2 of 1 Peter, 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:14.500 but go ahead and look at chapter 1, 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:18.540 and see how it is that he opens up this passage, 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:20.120 opens up this letter. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:20.980 He says, 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:21.439 Peter, 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:21.439 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:21.439 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:27.840 an apostle of Jesus Christ to the pilgrims of the dispersion. 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:30.520 And then he names all of these other places. 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:38.480 I mean, he launches with this idea that we're all pilgrims in a foreign land. 00:04:39.020 --> 00:04:43.100 And then the verse, I'm going to read in just a second verses 4 through 10. 00:04:43.100 --> 00:04:48.100 But look there in chapter 2, verse 11, and he says, 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:55.439 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, essentially as people that are foreigners. 00:04:55.640 --> 00:05:00.220 And you'll remember that the Apostle Paul, in some of his writings in the New Testament, 00:05:00.760 --> 00:05:04.560 he tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ. 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:08.820 It is, you're not, you don't belong here any longer. 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:11.160 Your citizenship is with another kingdom. 00:05:11.160 --> 00:05:13.260 You're from another place now. 00:05:13.520 --> 00:05:16.960 You belong to something else and something greater. 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.740 And so, yes, we're going to feel like we're out of place. 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:23.820 And again, that's the good thing. 00:05:23.900 --> 00:05:27.660 Because as the world continues to reject the Lord, 00:05:28.260 --> 00:05:33.120 we can continue to shine the light of why they should come back in. 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:34.980 They should come into the kingdom. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:40.860 So look with me, if you will, here in 1 Peter chapter 4. 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:44.320 I'm going to begin at verse 4, or chapter 2. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:48.140 I'm going to begin at verse 4 and read through verse 10. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:53.300 Coming to him as to a living stone. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:55.280 The him there is referring to Jesus. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:58.519 Coming to him as to a living stone. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:06:03.439 Rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:09.519 You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house. 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:11.259 A holy priesthood. 00:06:11.679 --> 00:06:17.219 To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 00:06:17.539 --> 00:06:20.019 Therefore, it is also contained in the scripture. 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:24.819 Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone. 00:06:25.539 --> 00:06:30.680 Elect, precious, and he who believes on him will by no means be put to shame. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:35.659 Therefore, to you who believe, he is precious. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:41.599 But to those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected, 00:06:41.979 --> 00:06:43.680 he's become the chief cornerstone. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:47.500 And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:52.980 They stumble being disobedient to the word to which they were also appointed. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:58.019 And then verse 9 is where I'm going to ask you to focus in in just a few moments. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:02.840 And I want to try to give some greater explanation here to verse 9. 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:06.799 But you are a chosen generation. 00:07:07.159 --> 00:07:09.459 A royal priesthood. 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:11.319 A holy nation. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.859 His own special people. 00:07:14.299 --> 00:07:21.719 That you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:27.459 Who once were not a people, but are now the people of God. 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:33.060 Who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:34.899 What an incredible passage. 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:37.859 You know, I say that every time I preach. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:39.740 Sam, you probably think the same thing. 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:44.279 You get finished reading a passage of scripture and you think in your mind. 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:48.159 And we as pastors, preachers, teachers, we say out loud. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:50.719 What an incredible passage. 00:07:50.919 --> 00:07:55.079 Those of you that are Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, you probably do the same thing. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:58.319 You get to the end of every passage and you say, what an incredible passage. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:02.680 Knowing that every passage you could read in scripture is incredible. 00:08:03.159 --> 00:08:06.560 And so I think it is always appropriate after we've read the scripture. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:07.839 Let's pause for a moment. 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:15.519 Let me guide us in just another moment of prayer and ask God to help us to hear clearly from his spirit. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:19.299 As to what he wants to teach and to move in our hearts. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.120 How he wants to move in each one of us today. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:21.979 Pray with me. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.799 Father, we come to you humbly. 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:32.279 Because we know that you don't have any rivals or equals on the earth or in heaven or in the spiritual realm. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:34.000 That you alone are God. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:37.720 You alone are worthy of praise and adoration and worship. 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:42.319 We pray that what we have already done this morning collectively as a people. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.860 To study your word. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.120 To sing your praises. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:50.860 To hear the testimonies of how you are moving in our midst and in our city. 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:56.279 That you would bless us with a knowledge of who Christ is. 00:08:56.279 --> 00:09:05.600 That you would allow us to hear clearly how the spirit wants us to respond to you this morning from your word. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:10.320 And so God, I would pray that what we do not know you will teach us. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:15.080 That what we're not ready for yet, that you'll equip us. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:21.080 And how it is that we have not conformed our lives to Christ yet. 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:23.759 That you would mold us. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:29.240 So that we would be obedient, holy followers of our Lord. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:31.379 For it's in the name of Christ we pray. 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:32.399 Amen. 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:40.600 Peter in this passage describes this Christ that we follow. 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:45.279 And makes it very clear that the world, that many people are going to reject him. 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:47.740 And he leans back into the Old Testament. 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:49.379 Quoting from the Old Testament. 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:54.360 He uses this metaphor of a stone, of a chief cornerstone. 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:56.100 Now, I'm not a builder. 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:57.639 I'm not handy. 00:09:57.639 --> 00:10:00.580 I am not mechanically inclined. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.679 In fact, you would have to call me mechanically declined. 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:07.100 I am not a person who should be around power tools. 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:13.699 If you need something fixed at your house, you call me and I'll get you in touch with somebody who can help you. 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:16.939 But if you need to break something at your house, I'm your guy. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:23.399 And so, like, this kind of imagery, sometimes I have to dig a little deeper to get to it. 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:36.220 But I got to it of understanding that in this old, ancient world, the idea of a key stone is critical for the construction of an entire building. 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:46.340 It is the one piece of foundation that they make sure is plumb, that they make sure is straight on all sides, that is going to set the foundation. 00:10:46.540 --> 00:10:51.540 It's going to set the stage so that everything is level and everything is secure. 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:58.419 And without the key cornerstone, without that foundational stone, nothing else matters. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:11:00.319 The structure is not going to happen. 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:05.419 And the same is true for us as an individual, as a believer. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:08.399 And it's also true of us as congregations. 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:14.679 That if we don't have that key cornerstone of Christ as our foundational rock, nothing else matters. 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:18.019 If it's our religious fervor, doesn't matter. 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:20.259 If it's our traditions, doesn't matter. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:23.919 If we're going to build it on our own faithfulness, doesn't matter. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.639 Everything's going to get very shaky. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:27.279 Everything is going to fall apart. 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:34.000 But if we will utilize Christ as that key cornerstone, and we keep going back to the idea of, 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:37.539 this is the stone that the rest of the world has rejected. 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:40.340 Therefore, look at how the world is falling apart. 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:42.120 Look at the shakiness. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:44.720 Look at the unsettled nature of the world. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:50.539 It's because they've not chosen Christ as the foundational cornerstone. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:53.039 They're trying to build on all sorts of other things. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:58.600 Financial security, moral superiority, immoral superiority. 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:04.060 They're trying to base it on their own wit, their own wisdom, their own decision making. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:11.120 But boy, we've got to turn a mirror on ourselves as individuals and as groups and as congregations 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.700 of, well, what are we doing? 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:16.960 Are we ensuring day after day after day, year after year after year, 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:24.840 are we willing to come under, I'll just say, a ruthless kind of observation of our own lives? 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:31.560 That we would be willing to have that kind of assessment of what am I building my life on? 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:33.519 And you know what? 00:12:33.560 --> 00:12:39.720 Oftentimes, there's a really easy way for you to go through that kind of assessment of your life, 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:43.280 and that is look at your bank account and your calendar. 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:46.080 And I don't just mean like a work calendar. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:49.960 I mean, really think about what is it that I spend all of my resources on, 00:12:50.040 --> 00:12:52.259 and what is it I spend all my time on? 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:55.340 And if you look through all of that and Christ is missing, 00:12:56.000 --> 00:13:00.360 or Christ is so far removed from a priority, 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:05.340 then we're not building our lives on Christ as the cornerstone. 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:09.919 And Peter gives this great warning that the people, 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:14.019 not only is Jesus not their cornerstone, 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:16.860 but he has become an offense, 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:19.439 and he is something that they're just stumbling over. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:23.260 And you and I need to come under that question of, 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:25.400 what is it that I'm building my life on? 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:28.460 But then he's able to pivot and say, 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:29.100 but you know what? 00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:30.640 There is some really good news. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:36.660 There is some really good news about the people that Peter is writing this letter to, 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:39.360 and I hope that you'll take comfort in this. 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:41.360 I hope that you'll find yourself in this. 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:43.360 If you don't find yourself in this, 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:46.659 that's what we want to be able to help you with today, 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:49.360 is to bring you to Christ, 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:51.019 the one who loves so dearly, 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:53.220 the one who cares so completely, 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:57.940 the one who has died in our place for our sins on the cross of Calvary, 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.659 is dead, is buried, 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:02.180 and is resurrected three days later, 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:03.279 so that you and I, 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:05.940 if we will just put our simple faith in him 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:07.160 and repent of our sins, 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:08.020 that he says, 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.380 I'll give you eternal life, 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:11.540 which he says in John chapter 17, 00:14:11.920 --> 00:14:12.420 verse 3, 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:14.300 that eternal life is knowing him 00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:16.540 and is knowing the God in heaven 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:18.200 and the one that he has sent. 00:14:18.520 --> 00:14:19.080 And yes, 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:21.720 eternal life is also about gates of pearl 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.740 and streets of gold 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:25.020 and walls of precious jewels. 00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:25.600 And yes, 00:14:25.900 --> 00:14:26.200 you know, 00:14:26.260 --> 00:14:26.880 each of us, 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:28.040 like the old hymn says, 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:30.040 I've got a mansion just over the hilltop 00:14:30.040 --> 00:14:30.960 in that bright land 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:32.300 where I'll never grow old, 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:35.360 but there's so much more than just that destination. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:38.400 Christ promises this relationship with us 00:14:38.400 --> 00:14:41.160 if we will make him that chief cornerstone. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:44.620 And so I want you to think about these descriptions 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:46.540 that Peter gives to us 00:14:46.540 --> 00:14:49.400 as to whether or not your relationship with God 00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:52.120 is relational or it's transactional. 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:54.879 Is it that you have decided, 00:14:55.280 --> 00:14:55.900 I'm just going to be, 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:57.639 I'm going to do favors for God 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:59.379 and I'm expecting him to do favors for me. 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.800 I'm going to be a good guy, 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:03.660 and I'm going to expect him to do nice things to me. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:05.060 I'm going to be nice to my neighbors. 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:07.759 I expect God to do good things for me. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:12.900 Or have you come under a surrendering relationship with God 00:15:12.900 --> 00:15:14.139 where you have said, 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:14.759 Jesus, 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.759 I'm yours. 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:18.960 Because that's what we're about to see explained 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:22.240 in 1 Peter chapter 2. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:26.220 He gives to us four descriptions of who you and I are 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:29.820 if we come into a relationship with Jesus there in verse 9. 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:32.060 First he says, 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:35.340 but you are a chosen generation. 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:39.560 Some of your translations of scripture may say 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:41.280 you're a chosen race. 00:15:41.760 --> 00:15:43.480 But you're a chosen generation. 00:15:43.640 --> 00:15:45.720 There is this amazing call 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:48.500 that God puts out to us into the world 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.420 where he says, 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.640 if you will come to me, 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.879 I will make you mine. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:54.520 I want to choose all of you. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.879 I'm the one doing the calling. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:16:01.939 I, from eternity past through eternity present, 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:06.159 God is calling out through the annals of history. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:08.639 And he is calling in this moment. 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.519 He's calling you. 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:14.000 Maybe you responded to that call like me. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:18.699 I responded to that call to become a believer when I was very young. 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:22.519 Some of you responded to that call when you were in adulthood. 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.960 Some as teenagers. 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:27.079 Some of you are still thinking about that call. 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:31.639 But just know that right now God is calling your neighbor 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.300 and your co-worker 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.900 and your cousin 00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:37.500 and that guy down the street 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:39.620 that never keeps his lawn up 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:41.620 and that other gal down the street 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.920 that always shows off 00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:44.500 because her lawn is immaculate 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.820 and nobody else's is. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:48.420 He's calling all of us. 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:49.540 But he says, 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:52.459 You are this chosen generation 00:16:52.459 --> 00:16:55.819 that you can join with him 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:58.620 and with the great chorus of the church 00:16:58.620 --> 00:17:00.879 globally and locally 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:04.799 to be a showpiece of the grace of God. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:07.539 It is such a mistake 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.700 for us to think that somehow 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.859 we would have figured out 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:13.740 this whole thing on our own. 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:16.980 This is a testimony of God's goodness. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:21.559 Now, oftentimes I missed 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:24.860 when I would read the four Gospels, 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:26.680 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:29.299 about what the highlight 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:33.620 of the beginning of the ministry of Jesus really was 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:36.259 because the very, chronologically, 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:40.720 the very first message that Jesus delivered 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:43.200 was the simple message, 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:47.000 repent for the kingdom of God is near. 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:49.059 And for so long, 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:53.200 I saw that and kind of shrugged up a little bit 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:56.500 because I wanted always God to be the God of grace, 00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.380 the God of love, 00:17:57.480 --> 00:18:01.500 the God that was the soft father in heaven 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:06.340 and not feeling like it was the hard-edged judge 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:08.620 of the universe in eternity. 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:11.379 But as I've grown up 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:12.579 and as I've matured 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:14.739 and as I've tried to read the whole of Scripture 00:18:14.739 --> 00:18:15.839 and understand it, 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.539 I've come to this conviction 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:22.619 that when God makes this universal call to us 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.479 and He says, repent, 00:18:23.959 --> 00:18:27.119 that that is the great kindness of God. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.699 Think about what it is 00:18:28.699 --> 00:18:31.759 that He is trying to call you out of, 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.719 the self-destruction 00:18:33.719 --> 00:18:36.039 that we heap upon ourselves 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.719 that sin does to us, 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:42.500 the self-imposed damage 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:44.960 of our sinful choices 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:47.120 of what we do in the dark 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:49.279 and sometimes that we put on display 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:51.039 for the whole world to see 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:53.000 that I'm allowed to get angry 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.660 because I got a reason to be angry 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:56.120 or I'm allowed to be bitter 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.940 because I got a good reason to be bitter 00:18:57.940 --> 00:19:01.279 or I'm allowed to fill in the blank 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.980 with whatever sinful behavior. 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:05.180 I'm allowed to be mad at this person 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:07.180 or to get back at that other person 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.539 or to act this way 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:10.560 and God is calling us. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:14.259 He wants you to know He chose you 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:16.420 and He wants you 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:19.580 and He is calling for you to come out of that 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:22.580 so that He can make you one of His own. 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:24.860 You're a chosen generation. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:28.480 Secondly, He doesn't just say, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:31.799 okay, I just need you to get in the threshold of the door. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:34.940 I just want you to kind of graduate from this life, 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:37.400 summa cum, skin of your teeth into heaven, 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:40.880 but instead, you're chosen. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:43.220 But then secondly there in verse 9, 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.680 He says, 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:45.240 not only are you a chosen generation, 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:47.620 you're a royal priesthood. 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.220 Now that sounds insane. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:51.039 Like, I got up this morning 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:53.279 and I saw myself in the mirror. 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:56.660 I don't feel like a member of the royal priesthood 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:58.160 of the kingdom of God very often. 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.600 Like, I know me. 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:02.400 Like, I know what I'm capable of. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.579 And yet God says, 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:06.779 not only are you going to come into the family 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:08.700 as part of the chosen generation, 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:12.299 I'm going to make you a member of the royal family 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:14.259 and I'm going to make you 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:16.119 one of the people on the earth 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.819 that you get to serve 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:20.599 as bringing the offerings of praise 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:22.019 to the God of the universe, 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.480 that you're one of the people 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.839 who puts that on display 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.720 for all of the world to see, 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.079 that you're one of the people 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:29.599 that is the go-between 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:31.700 between heaven and earth, 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:34.599 but you are not just like a little minion, 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:37.539 but instead you're part of the royal family. 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:41.399 One of my favorite stories of the Old Testament. 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.579 is found, 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:45.740 it's almost like a footnote 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.579 in the story of King David. 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:52.200 King David became really close friends 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.019 with Jonathan, 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.700 the son of King Saul, 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:57.079 when David was still waiting to be king 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:59.619 and Saul was mad all the time 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:01.379 that God had removed his spirit 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:03.680 and that there was going to be another king 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:05.139 that was going to come behind him 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:07.240 because Saul had been immoral 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.980 and had not followed after the Lord. 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:11.419 And yet David, as a young man, 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.820 becomes really close friends 00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:14.820 with Saul's son, Jonathan, 00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:17.700 and one day they make a private promise 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.480 to one another. 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.840 They say, 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:22.360 if anything happens to the other one of us, 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:25.140 we'll take care of each other's families. 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.200 David says, 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.500 if anything happens to you, Jonathan, 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.800 I'll take care of your family. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.800 Jonathan says, 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:31.640 David, if anything happens to you, 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.779 I'll take care of your family. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.700 Well, you fast forward, 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.600 civil war breaks out. 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:41.019 Eventually, Saul is off the throne and gone. 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.660 Jonathan is killed in battle. 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:45.220 David becomes king. 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:49.279 And David sends one of his servants out 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.759 and he says, 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:52.940 go and find out if there's anybody left 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:55.700 of the house of Jonathan. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.880 And they go and they do a search 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:59.819 and they discover there's one guy left 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:02.000 and his name is Mephibosheth. 00:22:02.179 --> 00:22:03.519 Now, I went to seminary 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.119 so I could learn how to pronounce that. 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.799 His name is Mephibosheth. 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:09.720 And Mephibosheth, 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.819 when he was a baby, 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.399 during all of the civil war, 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:16.000 some soldiers came to attack the home 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:18.339 and a nursemaid picked up Mephibosheth 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:20.279 and went to run out of the house. 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.079 And when she did, 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.200 she dropped him 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:24.740 and it broke both of his legs 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:26.759 and he was a crippled man 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.119 for the rest of his life. 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:30.500 And so they bring Mephibosheth 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.859 now as a grown man 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:34.179 into the court of King David. 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:37.639 Mephibosheth is part of the family of Saul. 00:22:37.919 --> 00:22:39.339 He's the grandson of Saul. 00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:41.959 And so David says to him, 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.759 are you Mephibosheth, 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.079 the son of Jonathan, 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.039 the son of Saul? 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:48.279 And Mephibosheth's response is, 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.159 I am. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.959 What does the king want 00:22:50.959 --> 00:22:52.639 with a dead dog like me? 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.819 That's what he says, 00:22:53.939 --> 00:22:55.279 a dead dog like me. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:58.619 And King David says, 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.000 you're adopted, 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.980 you're a part of the royal family, 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.539 you will live in my house 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:05.539 and you will eat at the king's table 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:08.000 for the rest of your life. 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:10.379 And that's the picture 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.960 of what happens to you and I. 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.079 It doesn't matter 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:14.500 the condition of our life, 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.460 it doesn't matter 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:17.240 what the world has said about us, 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:19.200 you and I get adopted 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:22.259 into the royal family of God 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:24.200 where we get to be a showcase 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.319 of God's grace. 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.480 We're the people now 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.819 who get to display, 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.000 who get to sing, 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.099 who get to talk, 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.559 who get to witness, 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.980 who get to tell 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:34.819 about the goodness of God. 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.579 He says, 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:37.339 you are a chosen generation, 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:39.119 a royal priesthood, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.859 and then he says, 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.859 you are a holy nation. 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.700 Holiness is a weird word. 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.259 In our modern parlance, 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:48.220 we often think about people 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.819 that are holy 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.799 as those who just make 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:51.240 really good moral decisions. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:53.000 And I want to encourage you 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.299 that that is part of holiness. 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:56.720 But the biblical idea 00:23:56.720 --> 00:24:00.140 built out from Genesis to Revelation 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:02.319 of what does it mean to be holy 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:04.579 is not just that you've made 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:06.319 morally superior decisions 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.120 to your neighbors 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.120 and your co-workers 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.480 and all of your friends, 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:12.180 but rather the biblical concept 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.839 of holiness 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.579 is that you have a life 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.819 that is set apart 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.180 for the will 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.960 and the ways of God. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.120 Think about it that way. 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:21.159 Set apart 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:22.439 for the will 00:24:22.439 --> 00:24:23.959 and the ways of God. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.919 And so it does include 00:24:25.919 --> 00:24:28.000 all of those ethical decisions 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.979 that you make, 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.179 but it's the idea 00:24:30.179 --> 00:24:31.299 that we are now 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.859 a separate nation. 00:24:33.479 --> 00:24:35.139 We are a group of people 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:36.039 unified 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:38.059 under the banner of Christ 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:39.419 where our lives 00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:40.279 are set apart. 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:40.779 Now, 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.059 Sam, 00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:43.019 in your very kind introduction, 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.159 talked about how I had been 00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:45.819 previously. 00:24:45.979 --> 00:24:47.099 I've been a pastor 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:49.339 and now I'm in a season of life 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.819 where I am a Bible publisher. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.219 I mean, 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.240 that is a cool gig. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.059 Can you imagine 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:54.740 waking up every day 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.859 that it's my job 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.259 to publish Bibles, 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:59.319 to get more Bibles 00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.879 into the world? 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:01.199 That is so awesome. 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.699 But let me just tell you, 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.039 every day, 00:25:04.199 --> 00:25:05.659 what I actually do 00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:07.399 is swim in a sea 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.799 of Excel spreadsheets. 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.639 I do inventory management, 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.319 I do production meetings, 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:14.559 I talk to our marketing team. 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:14.940 Now, 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.960 I do get to do 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.279 the cool stuff of like, 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:17.679 hey, 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.339 let's come up 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.659 with a new typesetting, 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.460 let's come up 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:22.019 with a new study Bible edition, 00:25:22.179 --> 00:25:22.799 let's figure out 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.460 how we can put 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.799 cross-references in 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.899 that'll help people 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.599 like navigate 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.339 through the scriptures. 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.359 I do get to do 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.359 that fun part, 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:31.019 but most of what I do 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:33.039 is I run a business unit 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:35.419 within a big publishing company. 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.779 And there are some days 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:40.759 that I feel very disjointed. 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.539 There are some days 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.740 that I get sideways, 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:46.200 and I feel disconnected. 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.559 There are some days 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:49.359 to put in a phrasing 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.759 of one of my very close friends, 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.559 his name's Michael, 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.920 that he's a great writer 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.680 and great thinker. 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.720 He talks about 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.339 how sometimes 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:57.620 we self-amputate 00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:59.700 from the body of Christ, 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.259 how we decide 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.039 that we're gonna take 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:03.059 a step back 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.900 because we didn't like something, 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:06.180 we didn't like somebody, 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.579 because we got selfish, 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.559 because, you know, 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:09.559 I just don't wanna participate 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.259 right now, 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.180 I wanna go over here 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.940 and kinda stew 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.840 in my own juices 00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:13.799 about something, 00:26:14.080 --> 00:26:15.600 or I've chosen 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:17.140 a certain sin 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:18.200 that I just think 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.880 is more important 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:20.160 than my own spiritual growth 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.759 right now, 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:21.640 or I'm, you know, 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:23.720 or I just get lazy 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.420 or apathetic 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.759 about my spiritual life. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.539 And here, 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:28.859 Peter is reminding us 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.779 as believers, 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.059 you, 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.779 God called you, 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.660 he adopted you 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.519 into the family 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.240 so that you could be 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.759 a part of this 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.900 royal priesthood, 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.660 and you're a holy nation. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.180 Your life is gonna look 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.599 different from everybody else, 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:44.220 but not just your life. 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.579 I'm from Alabama, 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.400 so I would say 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.539 y'all's life, 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.240 so there'd be 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.119 two apostrophes, 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.440 Y apostrophe, 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.079 A-L apostrophe-S, 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.180 or Ewan's, 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.740 you know, 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:57.279 it's y'all of us 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.980 are now 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:01.279 a holy group of people. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:02.960 And 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:06.519 I kid a little bit 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.259 when I say this, 00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:08.500 but I kinda mean it too. 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:12.240 The city of Henrietta, Texas 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:15.320 ought to look at the family 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:17.440 of First Baptist Henrietta, 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.880 and there ought to be 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.480 a part of them 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.180 where they go, 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.580 those people are 00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:23.779 a little different from us. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.299 That ought to be 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.360 actually the case 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:28.060 where they say 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:28.799 those people are 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:30.100 a little bit different from us 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:31.140 because if you look 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:31.740 at the next 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.940 and the fourth description, 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.060 he says, 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.060 a chosen generation, 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.980 a royal priesthood, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.740 a holy nation, 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:39.680 his own special people. 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:41.180 There's some translations 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.080 that say 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:45.080 a peculiar people, 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:47.680 a people of his own possession. 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:49.160 When you take those 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.500 last two descriptions, 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.500 a holy nation, 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:51.559 a holy nation, 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.720 and a people, 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.740 his own special people, 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.359 it is that, 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:57.700 yeah, 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:59.920 we're gonna stand out. 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.039 We're gonna be 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.000 a little bit different. 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.660 We're gonna love 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:05.119 when other people don't. 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:06.660 We're gonna show grace 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.940 when other people don't. 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.359 We're gonna stand up 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.000 for the truth 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.319 when other people don't. 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:13.119 We're gonna call you 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.839 to Christ 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.980 when other people say, 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.539 no, no, no, 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.279 you can continue 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.660 to be exactly who you are. 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.440 We are gonna be 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.279 a little bit different 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.900 and that's the good thing. 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.779 That is who we are 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:25.400 and there is a sense 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:27.180 at which we love 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.900 our rugged individualism. 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:30.800 We love being who we are. 00:28:31.080 --> 00:28:32.220 This is how I was born. 00:28:32.340 --> 00:28:33.360 This is how I was bred. 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.840 This is how I'm gonna be. 00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:35.259 You know, 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:37.900 the preacher joke 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:39.259 that I heard growing up 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.560 as it was, 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.100 you know, 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.560 I was Southern Baptist born. 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.740 I was Southern Baptist bred 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.640 and when I die, 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.980 I'll be Southern Baptist dead. 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:46.680 You know, 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:48.400 and so that's some 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.779 of how we operate 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.019 no matter where it is 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.779 that whether it's your fan base 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:54.620 of whatever team you root for 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.880 or whatever it is 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.440 that is that, 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:56.660 you know, 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.120 the special thing in your life. 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.060 But he says 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:02.660 that you have been acquired. 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:05.120 That idea there 00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:07.400 of his own special people, 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.940 the language behind that 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.259 is that you've actually 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:12.080 been acquired by Christ. 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:14.340 You've been acquired by God. 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:16.119 He made the payment 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.099 with his blood. 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:19.159 You are now his. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:22.179 And how freeing is that? 00:29:22.699 --> 00:29:24.139 That now you know 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:25.439 who you are. 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.179 Now you'll know 00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:28.199 what to do. 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:28.799 I mean, 00:29:29.439 --> 00:29:30.519 as a pastor, 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:33.679 maybe the most common question 00:29:33.679 --> 00:29:34.819 that people ever came 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:36.699 to talk with me about 00:29:36.699 --> 00:29:37.139 is, 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.039 Lord, 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.879 I've asked the Lord, 00:29:39.959 --> 00:29:40.500 I've asked the Lord, 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.119 I've asked the Lord. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.639 I don't know 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.239 what I'm supposed 00:29:42.239 --> 00:29:43.599 to do next. 00:29:44.459 --> 00:29:45.559 And I've learned 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.500 over the years 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.519 of traversing 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.139 that question 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:49.279 in my own life, 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:51.579 not perfect yet, 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:53.099 got a long way to go. 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.959 But if you want to know 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:55.599 what you're supposed 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.459 to do next, 00:29:57.399 --> 00:29:57.919 figure out 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:59.319 who you are right now. 00:30:00.679 --> 00:30:01.899 Know who you are 00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:03.219 so that you'll know 00:30:03.219 --> 00:30:04.079 what to do. 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.599 Because if you've decided 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.939 that you are your own man, 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:08.019 you are your own woman, 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:09.619 I will make my own decisions, 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:11.219 then you're going to be 00:30:11.219 --> 00:30:12.039 going in a million 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:13.000 different directions. 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.079 But if you know 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.199 whose you are, 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:17.699 that Christ has acquired you 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:20.039 by the cost of blood, 00:30:20.239 --> 00:30:21.259 that you are 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.419 a holy nation, 00:30:22.739 --> 00:30:23.739 you're a group of people 00:30:23.739 --> 00:30:25.019 set apart for the will 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.500 and the ways of God, 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.239 that you are 00:30:27.239 --> 00:30:28.500 a royal priesthood, 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.519 you've been adopted 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:31.079 into the family of God, 00:30:31.199 --> 00:30:32.039 that you are 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.919 a chosen generation 00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:35.599 where God is the one 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.659 who called you 00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:37.919 out of death 00:30:37.919 --> 00:30:39.079 and into life, 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.179 then suddenly 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:41.699 knowing what to do next, 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.960 that becomes easy. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.500 And we saw a testimony 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.500 of that this morning. 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.299 As I was watching 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:47.759 that video, 00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:48.839 I had to ask 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:50.259 Pastor Sam for a pen 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:52.179 because Emberlin, 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:52.839 I don't know 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.859 who Emberlin is, 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:56.319 but Emberlin said, 00:30:56.659 --> 00:30:58.339 and part of her testimony 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.720 that we saw in the video, 00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:01.819 she had one of the longer ones, 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.859 so I couldn't write it all down, 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.579 so Emberlin, 00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.099 if you're in here, 00:31:04.159 --> 00:31:04.859 sorry about that. 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.119 But basically, 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.759 she said, 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.920 now I know 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:09.700 what to do with my life 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:11.900 so that when people ask me, 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:14.119 why are you so kind, 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.619 I can tell them 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:17.539 because I have the love of Jesus. 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.079 I mean, 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:20.940 one of your own GAs 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:22.460 put on display 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.980 exactly what this passage 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.819 is all about, 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:27.019 that why are you so kind? 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:29.119 Why is it that you're so calm? 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:30.940 Why can you be so steady 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:32.140 in the midst of all of this? 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.440 Why is it that you can 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.579 get along with everybody? 00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:36.399 Why is it that you can set 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.039 your wants, 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:37.619 your wishes, 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:39.079 your preferences aside 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:41.039 so that we can serve Christ 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.899 in the community? 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:44.099 Why can you do that? 00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:45.960 Easy. 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:48.339 Because I have the love of Jesus. 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:50.799 Because this passage ends 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:52.720 with saying 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:55.099 that 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:57.460 you are a chosen generation, 00:31:57.659 --> 00:31:58.500 a royal priesthood, 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.199 a holy nation, 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:00.419 his own special people, 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:02.640 so that 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:04.720 you can proclaim 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:06.880 the praises 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:08.019 of him 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:09.960 who called you out of darkness 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:11.860 into his marvelous light 00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:14.200 who once were not a people 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:16.160 but are now the people of God 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:17.860 who had not obtained mercy 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:21.060 but now have obtained mercy. 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.800 Great theologian 00:32:24.800 --> 00:32:25.800 from another generation 00:32:25.800 --> 00:32:26.759 and another continent 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.440 once said, 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.519 there's no other church 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.240 than the church 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.840 sent into the world, 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.900 there's no other mission 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.080 than that of the church 00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:33.779 of Christ. 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:36.440 In a generation 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.340 after him, 00:32:37.580 --> 00:32:38.940 another theologian said, 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.420 you know what, 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.920 the church exists 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.620 by mission 00:32:41.620 --> 00:32:42.920 just as fire 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:44.539 exists by burning. 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.180 I mean, 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:46.500 it is part and parcel 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.500 of who we are. 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.680 Without the mission 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.160 of Christ, 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.860 without knowing 00:32:49.860 --> 00:32:50.500 who we are 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.700 and being out on mission, 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.920 we are not 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:54.080 the people of God. 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:55.779 It is moving 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:57.480 from the orange ping pong balls 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.439 to the white ones. 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.579 It is the prayer 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.639 for the lost neighbor. 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.559 It is the prayer 00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.799 for the lost grandchild. 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.919 It is the prayer 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:05.960 for the wayward son of God. 00:33:06.199 --> 00:33:07.099 It is the prayer 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:07.839 for the neighbor 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.899 who doesn't know 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:10.039 the gospel yet 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.179 or who knows it 00:33:11.179 --> 00:33:12.359 but has rejected it. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.099 It is, 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.659 I am chosen. 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:16.460 I am part of the priesthood. 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:18.059 I am part of the holy nation. 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.339 I am the people 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:20.599 of God's own possession 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:23.199 so that I can declare 00:33:23.199 --> 00:33:24.619 the praises of the God 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.679 who calls us 00:33:25.679 --> 00:33:26.459 out of darkness 00:33:26.459 --> 00:33:28.559 and into his marvelous light. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.219 And I want you 00:33:30.219 --> 00:33:31.059 to be a part 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:33.679 of that great family of God. 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.759 And so today, 00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.879 no matter how long 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.699 you've been a church, 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.639 attender, 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.599 member, 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:40.359 Sunday school attendee, 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.219 volunteer, 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.480 all of those things, 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.899 you can put all of that aside 00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:45.000 if there's not been 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.839 a moment in time 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.379 in your life 00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:47.179 where you have surrendered 00:33:47.179 --> 00:33:48.279 your life to Christ, 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.219 you have repented 00:33:49.219 --> 00:33:49.879 of your sins, 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:50.780 you have put your faith 00:33:50.780 --> 00:33:51.720 in Jesus Christ, 00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:53.360 the resurrected Lord 00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:54.600 of all things, 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.900 today is the day 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.860 of your salvation. 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:58.440 But I also want to say 00:33:58.440 --> 00:34:00.340 that if you've done that 00:34:00.340 --> 00:34:01.440 and you have found 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.600 yourself hesitant, 00:34:03.260 --> 00:34:04.200 you have found yourself 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.880 at a loss, 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.760 you have found yourself 00:34:05.760 --> 00:34:06.700 as a I don't know 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:08.039 how to get to this person, 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.500 I love to share 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.519 the gospel with them, 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:12.099 I want you to call 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.760 upon the name 00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.380 of the Lord today. 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.380 I want you to beg 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.380 the Spirit today 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:16.579 that He would give you 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.160 an entrance 00:34:17.160 --> 00:34:18.400 into that person's life, 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.740 into that conversation, 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.840 that He would give you 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.900 boldness of heart 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:23.260 not to just go 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:24.660 and to bludgeon them 00:34:24.660 --> 00:34:25.420 with the gospel, 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.440 but to be able 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.840 to lovingly enter 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.920 into the conversation 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:30.019 so that you can share 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:31.360 the gospel with a neighbor, 00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:32.700 so that you can go 00:34:32.700 --> 00:34:33.780 and love someone 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.920 who is unlovable, 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:36.220 so that you can go 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:36.940 and be a part 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:38.619 of the Spirit's work 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:40.200 here in your community, 00:34:40.660 --> 00:34:41.660 and to respond 00:34:41.660 --> 00:34:42.840 to the call of God, 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:45.019 so that you can be 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.740 a part of the 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:47.220 so that generation, 00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:48.980 that God has made me 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.619 one of His 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:51.019 so that I can call 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.619 more people 00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:52.699 to be one of His. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.819 I want to pray for you, 00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:56.159 and after I pray, 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:58.319 then Pastor Sam's 00:34:58.319 --> 00:34:58.699 going to come 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.859 and close out the service, 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:01.359 but let me pray for you, 00:35:01.439 --> 00:35:01.899 and you just, 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:03.199 let's bow our heads, 00:35:03.759 --> 00:35:04.759 enter into a moment 00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:05.299 of prayer, 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.779 and just come along 00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:08.539 with me as I guide us 00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.239 in this moment. 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.339 Father, 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.259 you are good, 00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:13.039 you are so good to us, 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.919 and I pray that you 00:35:13.919 --> 00:35:14.599 would forgive us 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:15.900 where we have faltered, 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:17.739 where we have fallen short, 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:19.460 where we have not been 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:21.039 your faithful stewards 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.880 of the gospel, 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:23.799 because it happens 00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:24.619 to all of us, 00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.519 and none of us 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.079 are immune, 00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:28.259 but God, 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:29.219 this is a moment 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.420 where we want to, 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:31.259 once again, 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:31.980 come before you 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.739 and surrender. 00:35:34.759 --> 00:35:35.480 So God, 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:37.360 I pray for the man, 00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:37.819 the woman, 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.659 the teenager, 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.819 the kid in this 00:35:39.819 --> 00:35:41.420 congregation today, 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:42.599 whether they're 00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.259 in the room, 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:45.039 or out with the kids 00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:46.279 in children's ministry. 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:47.679 Lord, 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.480 if there is one 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.319 here today 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:51.599 that has not yet 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:52.839 surrendered their life, 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:54.179 no matter how 00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:56.420 baptistic they've been, 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:57.619 no matter how religious 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:58.360 they've been, 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.940 or how wayward 00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.619 they've been, 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:01.940 God, 00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:02.940 would you fulfill 00:36:02.940 --> 00:36:03.599 your word 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:05.119 and come and heal 00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:06.480 our rebelliousness, 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:08.159 and love us, 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.360 and make us your own? 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:10.980 God, 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:11.820 I pray that you 00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:12.579 would help the one 00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.280 who has not yet 00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:14.159 surrendered to Christ, 00:36:14.240 --> 00:36:14.780 that right now 00:36:14.780 --> 00:36:15.380 in this moment, 00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:16.980 they will call upon you 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:18.179 as Lord and Savior, 00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:19.300 repent of their sin, 00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:19.960 and say, 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:21.639 I trust in Christ 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:22.579 that he's risen 00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:23.420 from the dead. 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.960 I pray that that 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.719 would be the case. 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.119 Allow them to hear 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.539 clearly from your spirit, 00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:29.940 that they would respond 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:31.159 to you in faith 00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.099 for their salvation. 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:33.920 And Lord, 00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.619 for the many 00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:37.039 members of this church 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.840 that are looking 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:38.780 for a way 00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:39.980 to share their faith, 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.219 looking for a way 00:36:41.219 --> 00:36:42.000 to be faithful 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.639 to you. 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:44.699 I pray 00:36:44.699 --> 00:36:46.980 that they would 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:48.480 just lift that name 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:50.840 of that co-worker, 00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.780 that family member, 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.420 that friend, 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.000 that neighbor 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:54.199 before you right now. 00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:55.000 Friends, 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:55.880 let's just do that 00:36:55.880 --> 00:36:56.519 right now. 00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:58.199 Let's take those names 00:36:58.199 --> 00:36:58.699 of the people 00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.860 that we love so much, 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:01.240 that we know so closely. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.460 Let's lift them 00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:03.260 before the Father 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:03.780 in heaven. 00:37:03.780 --> 00:37:05.560 God, 00:37:06.100 --> 00:37:07.640 these friends of ours, 00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:08.260 these people 00:37:08.260 --> 00:37:09.140 in our families, 00:37:09.660 --> 00:37:10.180 these people 00:37:10.180 --> 00:37:11.300 at our workplaces, 00:37:11.560 --> 00:37:12.400 would you give us 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:13.920 a way to share 00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:15.180 the gospel with them? 00:37:15.600 --> 00:37:15.920 Lord, 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:16.560 help us to be 00:37:16.560 --> 00:37:17.360 on the long-term 00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.320 journey of friendship 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:18.960 with them, 00:37:19.120 --> 00:37:19.700 but God, 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.480 we want to see 00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:21.360 them saved. 00:37:21.640 --> 00:37:22.560 We want to see 00:37:22.560 --> 00:37:24.540 an awakening spiritually. 00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:25.360 We want to see 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:26.220 a revival 00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:28.100 in our city. 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.240 God, 00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:30.060 would you bring 00:37:30.060 --> 00:37:30.660 that about? 00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:31.860 Would you use us 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.200 in it? 00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:32.680 God, 00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:33.920 would you use me 00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:36.200 in his life? 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:36.960 God, 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:38.180 would you use me 00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:39.620 in her life? 00:37:41.220 --> 00:37:41.660 God, 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:42.539 we know that you 00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.320 love these friends 00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:44.120 of ours so much 00:37:44.120 --> 00:37:44.880 more than we can 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.440 fathom. 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.340 So will you make 00:37:47.340 --> 00:37:48.099 us faithful 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:49.800 in your kingdom 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:51.460 and give us 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:52.620 understanding 00:37:52.620 --> 00:37:54.099 and courage 00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:54.800 to speak 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:55.480 when you open 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:55.980 the door? 00:37:56.720 --> 00:37:57.160 Father, 00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:57.820 we thank you 00:37:57.820 --> 00:37:58.640 for your word. 00:37:59.220 --> 00:37:59.860 We thank you 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:00.579 for your goodness. 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.900 Lord, 00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:02.519 we're ready 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:04.039 to be on your 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.480 mission 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.380 continuously 00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:06.559 day after day. 00:38:07.279 --> 00:38:07.940 For it's in the name 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:08.880 of Christ we pray. 00:38:09.299 --> 00:38:09.619 Amen. 00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.519 Folks, 00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.000 let's go ahead 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:16.779 and keep our seats. 00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:18.039 We have just a minute 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:19.500 or two before we dismiss, 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:21.319 but before we do that, 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:22.319 would you go ahead 00:38:22.319 --> 00:38:22.920 and bow your heads 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:23.420 with me 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:24.440 and remain in a moment 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:24.900 of prayer? 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:25.900 I'm going to ask 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.980 some follow-up questions 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:28.559 from what our speaker 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.460 was talking to us 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:30.199 about this morning. 00:38:31.139 --> 00:38:32.199 I'm grateful for him 00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:32.900 bringing the word. 00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:35.300 You heard a very clear 00:38:35.300 --> 00:38:37.860 call that reminds us 00:38:37.860 --> 00:38:38.960 who we are in Christ. 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:40.760 And I'm going to ask 00:38:40.760 --> 00:38:41.380 this question. 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:44.099 I don't for a moment 00:38:44.099 --> 00:38:45.340 believe that everyone 00:38:45.340 --> 00:38:46.179 in this room 00:38:46.179 --> 00:38:48.400 has had that moment 00:38:48.400 --> 00:38:49.059 of conversion, 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:49.960 that moment of giving 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.840 your heart to Jesus. 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:55.079 So I want to invite you 00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:55.820 to do that today. 00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:58.519 If that's you 00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:59.180 and you say, 00:38:59.340 --> 00:39:00.320 I need to make 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:01.120 today the day 00:39:01.120 --> 00:39:03.539 that once and for all 00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:04.780 I give my life 00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:05.180 to Jesus. 00:39:05.220 --> 00:39:06.200 We just had three boys 00:39:06.200 --> 00:39:06.820 do it at camp. 00:39:07.780 --> 00:39:08.640 We've had adults 00:39:08.640 --> 00:39:09.360 do it this year. 00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:10.820 We've had teenagers, 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.900 people of every age group 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:15.940 choose to make 00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:16.420 the commitment 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:16.820 and say, 00:39:16.860 --> 00:39:17.519 I'm giving my life 00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:18.039 to Jesus. 00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:20.120 If that's you this morning, 00:39:20.180 --> 00:39:20.620 would you slip 00:39:20.620 --> 00:39:21.559 your hand up right now? 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:22.940 You have privacy 00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:23.640 in this room. 00:39:23.920 --> 00:39:24.760 I'd like to see you 00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:25.700 and like to pray for you. 00:39:28.060 --> 00:39:29.060 Let me give you a moment. 00:39:32.520 --> 00:39:33.500 How many of you would say 00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.060 I have someone 00:39:34.060 --> 00:39:35.080 on my mind right now? 00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:37.280 Maybe while Phillip 00:39:37.280 --> 00:39:37.940 was praying. 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:39.420 How many of you say 00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:39.840 I have someone 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:40.760 on my mind right now 00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.780 that I'm going to pray 00:39:41.780 --> 00:39:42.340 for them 00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:43.440 to give their lives 00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:43.860 to Jesus 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:44.460 and I'm going to see 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.200 what God would have me 00:39:45.200 --> 00:39:45.500 to do 00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:47.020 to speak to them 00:39:47.020 --> 00:39:48.300 and share the gospel. 00:39:48.420 --> 00:39:49.060 Would you slip your hand 00:39:49.060 --> 00:39:49.520 up real quick 00:39:49.520 --> 00:39:50.340 all across the room? 00:39:50.640 --> 00:39:51.020 Thank you. 00:39:51.400 --> 00:39:52.780 I know many of those people 00:39:52.780 --> 00:39:53.740 that are on your minds 00:39:53.739 --> 00:39:54.679 right now are represented 00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:55.859 in these ping pong balls. 00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:57.519 We're praying for them. 00:39:57.579 --> 00:39:58.219 We've seen two 00:39:58.219 --> 00:39:59.459 turn to faith in Christ. 00:39:59.659 --> 00:40:00.319 We've got reports. 00:40:00.439 --> 00:40:01.139 There's another one. 00:40:02.439 --> 00:40:02.819 God, 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:04.279 right now, 00:40:04.319 --> 00:40:05.219 I just ask 00:40:05.219 --> 00:40:06.859 that you would use 00:40:06.859 --> 00:40:07.419 your people 00:40:07.419 --> 00:40:08.119 in this room. 00:40:09.159 --> 00:40:10.379 Give us boldness, God. 00:40:10.739 --> 00:40:11.859 Give us opportunity 00:40:11.859 --> 00:40:14.339 and give us boldness. 00:40:14.439 --> 00:40:15.559 Give us clarity of mind. 00:40:15.639 --> 00:40:16.319 Help us to do 00:40:16.319 --> 00:40:16.959 the hard work 00:40:16.959 --> 00:40:17.819 behind the scenes 00:40:17.820 --> 00:40:19.120 of preparing, 00:40:19.360 --> 00:40:21.100 of diving into the gospel, 00:40:21.300 --> 00:40:21.900 making it 00:40:21.900 --> 00:40:23.920 so real 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:24.539 and fresh 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.160 in our minds 00:40:25.160 --> 00:40:26.320 that we can't help 00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:27.740 but share it 00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.720 when you give us 00:40:28.720 --> 00:40:29.360 those chances. 00:40:31.600 --> 00:40:32.200 And God, 00:40:32.260 --> 00:40:33.100 work on the hearts 00:40:33.100 --> 00:40:34.840 of those who need to hear. 00:40:35.640 --> 00:40:36.740 Remind us who we are. 00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:38.320 We are your chosen people. 00:40:38.740 --> 00:40:39.840 We are your 00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:41.039 peculiar, 00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:42.080 special people. 00:40:42.220 --> 00:40:42.620 But God, 00:40:42.720 --> 00:40:43.600 you have us here 00:40:43.600 --> 00:40:44.140 for this 00:40:44.140 --> 00:40:46.019 high and holy purpose. 00:40:46.160 --> 00:40:47.120 Help us to not miss it. 00:40:47.119 --> 00:40:48.000 Thank you, 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.000 00:40:48.000 --> 00:41:17.980 Thank you.