WEBVTT

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 Two other self-indulgent moments just quickly.

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 I have left, for anyone who did want to sign up for prayer updates while we're away,

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 I left a sheet out on the Connect desk last chance because we will be gone after today.

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 So please do do that.

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 And the other thing I wanted to say is we're jumping into a bit of 1 Peter today

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 without the chance to kind of chase the rest of it.

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 So I'm leaving it on you to keep reading 1 Peter over Christmas.

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 It's a good book any time, but hopefully after today your appetite will be sufficiently wetted

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 so that you will chase that and get all the gold that God has placed in there.

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 Let's leave me and all the distractions to the side now

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 and ask that God would focus us on his word and what he wants to say.

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 Father God, you are incredibly good.

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 We have already talked about and sung about and prayed about the joy that is Christmas,

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 the joy and wonder it is that you would enter your creation for sinful people like us.

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 And so, Father, we ask that this morning as you speak to us in your word

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 that you would reveal yourself to us,

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 that you would give us a vision for the lives that you would have us live,

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 that you would give us the ability to grasp even tighter

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 the substance of the hope that you have purchased for us through the blood of Jesus.

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 Father, we pray that you would equip us by your spirit to be salt and light in the world.

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 Amen.

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 Some of you may not have noticed, but just in late November,

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 Google, the internet search engine in Australia, made an interesting decision.

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 If you were to search for, for example, the opening hours of Chatswood Chase on Christmas,

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 the tagline at the bottom inserted by Google would have read,

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 this date may be impacted by Family Day.

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 Not Christmas Day, Family Day.

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 Somebody in Google's office in Australia, it wasn't any other country that I'm aware of,

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 made the decision that Christmas Day was not inclusive

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 and that Family Day was a better title.

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 They've since changed it back, you'll be interested to know.

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 But at least for this one person and sufficiently that it made it onto the internet,

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 the course for inclusion, the course for being more open-minded,

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 is the removal of all things Christian.

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 Over the past few months in our country and in our city,

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 because of the new plebiscite,

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 you will remember that there has been a chorus in our political landscape

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 declaring that faith and religion must be removed from the political and the public sphere.

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 You can have your faith, you can believe in Jesus, just shut up about it.

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 And don't let it come into our decision-making.

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 Don't force it on anyone else.

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 Now, aside from the fact that that completely misunderstands what it is to have faith

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 and to believe in a Christ who came and entered in and gives us hope for more than this life,

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 it's interesting that the particular religion that needs to be removed,

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 at least in our context, is Christianity.

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 That's the one that can't have a voice

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 because it's the one that rubs against the grain of the culture that we exist in.

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 Over the past few years, you may also remember an enthusiastic little lobby group known as FIIRUS.

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 It's creatively titled Fairness in Religion in Schools,

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 which is a euphemism for Stop Teaching Kids About Jesus.

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 Aside from the fact that scripture or religious education in schools is completely voluntary,

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 the accusation by this group is that the teaching of Christianity is oppressive and harmful

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 and shouldn't be taught to teenagers in schools.

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 It would be fair to say, just these examples and there's plenty more,

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 that if you are a Christian and you are listening to the world around you,

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 the message that you're getting is,

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 keep your faith to yourself.

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 If you want to believe in Jesus, it stays in your house, it stays in your head,

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 it's not something for public consumption.

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 And yet, as you hear that message,

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 and you turn up to church on a Sunday,

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 you go to your community group,

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 you open the Bible,

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 you are also hearing the message,

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 in fact, the command from God's Word,

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 to be light in the world,

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 to declare the hope of the Gospel.

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 At best,

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 we're living in a tension.

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 At worst,

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 you might be living in a deep confusion and discouragement.

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 So how do we live,

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 as Christians,

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 with that tension?

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 How do we walk out of here with the enthusiasm of being gathered with God's people,

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 and the encouragement of the Gospel,

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 and the hope we have for Heaven,

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 into a world that not only doesn't want to hear it,

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 but may even persecute us for what we believe?

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 How do we live in a hostile environment?

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 Well, 1 Peter is a letter written to Christians scattered throughout what is modern-day Turkey.

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 And we don't know how the Gospel got to these Christians exactly.

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 It could have been people who were converted and travelled there.

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 It could have been missionary journeys.

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 But what we do know is that the Christians in those regions

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 were beginning to experience the kind of hostility and isolation

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 that maybe you're experiencing at the moment.

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 The hostility from work colleagues,

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 the being looked over for promotions,

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 the avoidance of your neighbours,

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 the isolation that comes from living in a culture

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 that you just don't quite fit into.

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 See, the culture in their day was heavily Roman.

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 And so that meant that social interaction for them

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 was heavily tied up in pagan rituals.

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 So you would gather and you would have your feasts

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 around different festivals and sacrifices.

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 Your day-to-day existence was dependent

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 on the willingness of your neighbours,

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 the people you lived around,

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 being willing to trade with you,

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 being willing to buy from you,

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 being willing to sell to you.

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 And these Christians were experiencing the beginnings

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 of what would become a bloody and severe persecution.

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 It's before it gets to its worst.

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 In the following decades,

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 the Emperor Nero would unleash

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 one of the bloodiest persecutions of the Christian church

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 that history will ever know.

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 And so these Christians,

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 as the hostility slowly ramped up,

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 were understandably tempted to compromise,

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 tempted to adjust,

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 tempted to keep their faith to themselves,

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 tempted to modernise what they believed

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 and maybe include some of these other religious festivals

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 with the Jesus that they were trying to follow.

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 And so Peter writes a message to these Christians

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 and it's a message that you and I need today

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 and every day until Jesus calls us home.

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 It's a message we need

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 because the reality is we're in the middle of similar pressures.

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 I'm almost reluctant to use the word persecution.

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 I think that some of our brothers and sisters in the world

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 who follow Jesus are experiencing persecution.

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 We're maybe on the beginning of a path of hostility,

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 but it's getting harder.

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 And it's going to get harder.

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 So how do we live in a world that is hostile?

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 First, remember who you are.

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 Remember who you are.

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 Before we focus too much on the world out there

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 and how to engage them,

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 on the circumstances, the culture we live in,

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 we need to take stock of who we are.

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 We need clarity on our identity as followers of Jesus

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 because it's just as significant a factor

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 in how we live and how we experience our lives

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 as anything that can externally influence you.

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 I mean, this is simple science.

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 Any reaction is dependent on two elements.

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 If you have just petrol, it's fine.

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 Petrol and fire equals explosion.

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 Petrol and water, just a mess.

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 Any reaction is dependent on what both elements bring to the conversation.

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 And so even though the world around us might feel like a flame,

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 might feel hostile, might feel angry,

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 that's only an issue if we're a flammable element.

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 That's only an issue if we come to that fire as paper,

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 with a flimsy identity that's easily burned and easily consumed.

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 If we're paper, we should be worried.

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 We should be avoiding the world.

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 We should be fleeing to the hills.

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 But if we're gold,

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 then the flame is for our benefit.

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 The flame is a good thing.

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 The flame is something to be pursued.

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 It purifies us.

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 It strengthens us.

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 So the first question we need to ask

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 as we begin to experience hostility in the world that we live in

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 is what are we made of?

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 What are we made of?

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 So if you're a Christian, who are you?

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 Verse 1 there in 1 Peter 1,

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 that Jess read out for us.

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 See, you could stop after three words there.

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 If you are a Christian,

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 you are God's elect.

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 That means you are chosen.

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 He chose you before the creation of the world.

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 Before He'd made all that we experience and enjoy,

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 He'd already chosen to do Christmas.

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 He'd already decided He was going to send His Son

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 for you specifically.

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 And now by the power of His Spirit,

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 He has made you His.

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 You belong to Him.

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 You are His possession.

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 He chose you to be somebody who is at home with Him,

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 who is more comfortable with Him.

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 He chose you for something more than this world,

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 something better.

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 In chapter 2 of 1 Peter,

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 He goes on to say that

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 He made Christians to be a holy nation.

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 That means to be set apart for something else.

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 He made Christians to be a royal priesthood,

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 meaning that they are representative of something else,

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 representative of the new home,

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 the new identity that He has purchased for them.

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 If you are a Christian,

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 this is not your home.

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 This is not your home.

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 You do not belong here.

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 And the upside of that is

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 God has chosen you for something better.

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 And so we need to hope for something better.

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 Have a look at verse 3.

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 You could just re-read those verses over and over.

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 The hope that Jesus has purchased for you

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 through His death and resurrection

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 is a living hope.

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 It's a hope that is so substantial,

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 it will continue to grow

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 as you begin to see more of how good God is.

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 It is a hope that cannot perish, spoil or fade.

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 See, before Jesus,

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 every single human individual's life

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 has the same boundary.

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 Death.

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 That's the end point.

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 For every single human without Jesus,

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 because people reject God and ignore Him,

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 we're unworthy of heaven.

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 And so the offer of eternal life,

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 the offer of life for more than just your

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 80, 90, 100 years,

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 is actually off the table.

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 We all have the same fences.

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 You're born, you grow up,

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 you work, you play,

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 and then you die.

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 It's all over.

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 You can't take anything with you.

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 Finished.

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 And so if that's it,

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 then we should eat, drink and be merry.

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 We should spend our lives

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 trying to squeeze everything out of it that we can,

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 collecting experiences,

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 collecting stuff,

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 doing whatever we can

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 to get as much enjoyment as possible

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 out of right now.

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 But,

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 praise be to the God and Father

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 of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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 who's given us new birth

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 into a living hope.

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 See, because Jesus rose again,

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 because He's not still in the grave,

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 He proved that He's more powerful than death.

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 He proved that when we trust Him

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 with our lives,

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 when we follow Him

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 with everything that we've got,

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 we get reborn.

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 We get a new life.

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 We get a hope that lasts

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 well beyond the death,

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 well beyond 80, 90, 100.

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 It's a living hope

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 that doesn't perish,

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 that doesn't spoil,

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 that doesn't fade.

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 If you are a Christian,

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 you have been chosen

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 for unending life.

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 Death is not your finish line.

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 And so that changes

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 how we experience right now.

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 If you are not a Christian,

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 the hope that Jesus offers,

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 the reason that He bothered

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 to come as a baby at Christmas,

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 the reason He lived

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 and died and rose again,

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 is so that death

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 would not be your finish line.

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 So that you could stand

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 in the face of sickness,

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 in the face of death,

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 in the face of rust

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 and decay,

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 and know that nothing

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 can take the eternal life

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 that Jesus offers from you.

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 this inheritance,

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 verse 4,

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 is kept in heaven for you.

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 No one can take it from you.

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 This inheritance is kept

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 in heaven for you

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 who through faith

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 are shielded

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 by God's power

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 until the coming

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 of the salvation

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 that is ready to be revealed

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 in the last time.

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.480
 The inheritance

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.899
 that reshapes

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.740
 our whole existence

00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.679
 and our perspective

00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:05.720
 on our circumstances,

00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:07.179
 that even reshapes us,

00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:10.120
 the thing that we hope for,

00:15:10.979 --> 00:15:12.919
 the thing that we look forward to,

00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:17.819
 our hope is for salvation.

00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:20.699
 That's what draws us forward.

00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:22.879
 That's not just avoiding death.

00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:24.299
 It's at least that.

00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:27.039
 But the salvation

00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.939
 that God offers

00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:32.100
 is himself.

00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.380
 The thing God

00:15:35.380 --> 00:15:36.580
 is keeping for you

00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.140
 in heaven

00:15:37.140 --> 00:15:39.120
 is a place

00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:39.780
 with him.

00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:43.140
 God is shielding people,

00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.400
 his people,

00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:46.120
 for himself.

00:15:47.520 --> 00:15:48.800
 So in verse 5 there,

00:15:49.400 --> 00:15:50.560
 it's salvation

00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.520
 that will be revealed.

00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:53.060
 But if you skip down

00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:53.880
 to verse 7,

00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.260
 it talks about

00:15:55.260 --> 00:15:56.240
 our refined faith

00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.280
 being to the praise of God.

00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:57.600
 When?

00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:58.299
 What is revealed?

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.799
 Jesus Christ.

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.779
 Salvation is not

00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:05.120
 some abstract concept

00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.959
 where you just get

00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:07.039
 set free.

00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.139
 The salvation

00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.100
 that God offers

00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.959
 is a relationship

00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:12.519
 with him.

00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:15.360
 An unhindered relationship.

00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:17.319
 A face-to-face relationship.

00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.459
 The eternal life

00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:20.879
 that God has purchased

00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.899
 through the death

00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:22.819
 of his son Jesus

00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:24.659
 is not just living

00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.419
 forever.

00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:25.500
 forever.

00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.799
 It's life

00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.599
 plugged into

00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:29.759
 the limitless source

00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:31.179
 of life and goodness,

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.439
 God himself.

00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.899
 It's life

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.199
 in an unhindered

00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:37.159
 relationship

00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.019
 with God

00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:39.279
 through Jesus.

00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:41.719
 See,

00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:42.459
 the unfading

00:16:42.459 --> 00:16:42.959
 inheritance

00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:44.419
 of God's elect,

00:16:45.579 --> 00:16:47.479
 the thing

00:16:47.479 --> 00:16:48.500
 that we hope for,

00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.339
 the thing

00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:50.099
 that transforms

00:16:50.099 --> 00:16:51.360
 the way we experience

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.019
 hostility

00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:52.919
 in this world,

00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:56.699
 is the secure

00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:57.459
 salvation

00:16:57.459 --> 00:16:59.399
 of a place

00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.120
 that's prepared

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.559
 for us

00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:00.959
 in heaven.

00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.180
 It's the confidence

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.819
 we have

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.440
 that because

00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.200
 Jesus died

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.940
 and rose again,

00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.079
 not only does God

00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.579
 love us,

00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:09.420
 not only is death

00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:09.920
 defeated,

00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.539
 but our names

00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:13.019
 are written

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.980
 in heaven.

00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:16.139
 There is a specific

00:17:16.139 --> 00:17:17.279
 place that God

00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.940
 has prepared

00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.480
 for you

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:20.579
 that no one

00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.440
 else can take

00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:23.839
 and not only

00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.200
 is God

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.920
 preparing that

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.599
 place for when

00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.140
 you get there,

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.740
 but he is

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.480
 shielding you

00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.240
 every step

00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:29.720
 of the way

00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.480
 from now

00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.019
 until then.

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:37.400
 it may be

00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:37.960
 hostile,

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:40.900
 but as God's

00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.759
 chosen people,

00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:44.400
 we're protected,

00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.740
 we're secure,

00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.359
 and our

00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.240
 inheritance can

00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.079
 never perish,

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:50.559
 spoil,

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.240
 or fade.

00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.180
 How do we live

00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:53.960
 in this hostile

00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.400
 world?

00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.339
 Remember

00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.059
 whose

00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.099
 you are.

00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.059
 You're

00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.639
 God's

00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:01.120
 chosen

00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:01.140
 who chose

00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.360
 you

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.720
 and who

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.040
 gave you

00:18:03.040 --> 00:18:03.660
 new birth

00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.020
 through the

00:18:04.020 --> 00:18:04.420
 resurrection

00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:04.800
 of his

00:18:04.800 --> 00:18:05.060
 son.

00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.620
 Remember

00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.080
 who you

00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:07.320
 are,

00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:07.660
 God's

00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.120
 chosen

00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:08.600
 son

00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:08.840
 or

00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:09.240
 daughter

00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.920
 with a

00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.400
 glorious

00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.040
 inheritance

00:18:12.040 --> 00:18:12.680
 that awaits

00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:12.980
 you.

00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.340
 In

00:18:15.340 --> 00:18:16.020
 hostility,

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:17.880
 remember

00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.200
 who you

00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.440
 are.

00:18:20.600 --> 00:18:21.240
 In

00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.800
 adversity,

00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.020
 remember

00:18:23.020 --> 00:18:23.440
 who you

00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:23.720
 are.

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.220
 Even

00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.440
 in

00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.080
 prosperity,

00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:26.780
 remember

00:18:26.780 --> 00:18:28.160
 you

00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.340
 were

00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:28.800
 chosen.

00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:29.940
 You

00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.120
 have

00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:30.280
 a

00:18:30.280 --> 00:18:30.540
 living

00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:31.020
 hope.

00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:32.320
 Remember

00:18:32.320 --> 00:18:32.740
 who you

00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.020
 are,

00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.000
 and the

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.240
 second

00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.560
 thing

00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:34.960
 is,

00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:35.880
 remember

00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.300
 where

00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:36.600
 you

00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:36.960
 are.

00:18:38.300 --> 00:18:38.700
 Remember

00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.060
 where

00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:39.320
 you

00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:39.640
 are.

00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:40.600
 So

00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:40.840
 Peter

00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:41.240
 is writing

00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:41.500
 this

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:41.780
 letter

00:18:41.780 --> 00:18:42.560
 to a

00:18:42.560 --> 00:18:42.940
 diverse

00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.280
 group

00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:43.480
 of

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:43.880
 people

00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.780
 scattered

00:18:44.780 --> 00:18:45.120
 across

00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:45.540
 a big

00:18:45.540 --> 00:18:46.120
 geographical

00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:46.740
 area.

00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:47.759
 Their

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.060
 cities

00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:48.340
 would have

00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:48.560
 been

00:18:48.560 --> 00:18:49.100
 distinct

00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:49.460
 in these

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:49.800
 different

00:18:49.800 --> 00:18:50.380
 provinces,

00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.460
 the way

00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:51.600
 they

00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.220
 functioned

00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.320
 and

00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:52.820
 operated,

00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.220
 but he

00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.620
 still

00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.080
 addresses

00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:54.460
 them

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:54.980
 all

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.500
 with

00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:55.740
 that

00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.259
 title

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.039
 elect

00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.220
 and

00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.660
 then

00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:59.960
 exile.

00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.140
 Elect

00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.400
 is

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:01.559
 who

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:01.779
 they

00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.180
 are,

00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.099
 exile

00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:03.620
 is

00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:04.039
 where

00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.299
 they

00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:04.620
 are.

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.079
 Now

00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:05.400
 exile

00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:05.740
 is a

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:05.920
 big

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.220
 Old

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.599
 Testament

00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:06.940
 word.

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:07.839
 In

00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:07.960
 the

00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.180
 Old

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:08.599
 Testament

00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.039
 exile

00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.460
 talks

00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:09.700
 about

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:09.860
 the

00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.279
 time

00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.700
 where

00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:11.059
 God's

00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.380
 people

00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:11.880
 Israel

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.720
 after

00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.559
 repeatedly

00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.259
 disobeying

00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.660
 God

00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.099
 and

00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.579
 worshipping

00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.059
 idols

00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.880
 and

00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:17.519
 bowing

00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:17.680
 down

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:17.839
 to

00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.120
 false

00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.539
 gods,

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.079
 finally

00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.339
 they

00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.440
 are

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:19.720
 taken

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.019
 into

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.579
 exile

00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.000
 or

00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.519
 captivity

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.759
 by the

00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.380
 Babylonian

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:23.779
 army.

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.980
 So exile

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.339
 is where

00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:25.579
 they're

00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.119
 removed

00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:26.399
 from

00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:26.599
 their

00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.079
 country,

00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.519
 from

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:27.700
 their

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.079
 homeland

00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.920
 and

00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.200
 dumped

00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.440
 into

00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:29.700
 this

00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:29.960
 new

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.299
 place,

00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:30.579
 they're

00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:30.899
 forced

00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:31.119
 to

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.279
 live

00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:31.379
 in

00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:31.539
 this

00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:31.740
 new

00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.119
 place

00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.599
 without

00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:32.859
 their

00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.259
 culture,

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:33.680
 without

00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.220
 their

00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:34.759
 routines.

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:35.879
 So exile

00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.519
 is usually

00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.220
 politically

00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.139
 motivated.

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.680
 In this

00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.079
 case,

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.099
 the idea

00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.920
 was that

00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.139
 if you

00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:42.839
 take Israel

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.440
 away from

00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:43.639
 their

00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:44.899
 home and

00:19:44.899 --> 00:19:45.859
 you dilute

00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.879
 them into

00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:48.240
 the Babylonian

00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.619
 culture,

00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.539
 what you do

00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:49.859
 is you

00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.420
 weaken

00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.019
 them as

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.500
 a nation.

00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:52.879
 You

00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.379
 take away

00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:53.860
 the things

00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:54.300
 that make

00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:54.700
 them

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.200
 them and

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.860
 you dissolve

00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.680
 the culture

00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.140
 and the

00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.680
 values.

00:19:58.780 --> 00:19:59.240
 That's

00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.920
 Old Testament

00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.580
 exile for

00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:00.820
 Israel.

00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.100
 Now,

00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:01.980
 Peter's not

00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.780
 just writing

00:20:02.780 --> 00:20:03.300
 to Jewish

00:20:03.300 --> 00:20:04.000
 people here.

00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.400
 There might

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:05.640
 have been

00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.160
 some Jews

00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:06.560
 in these

00:20:06.560 --> 00:20:07.000
 provinces,

00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.760
 but he's

00:20:07.760 --> 00:20:08.160
 not writing

00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.840
 to just

00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:09.540
 Jewish

00:20:09.540 --> 00:20:09.980
 people.

00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.300
 These

00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:11.800
 people,

00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.340
 and you

00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.600
 and I

00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.020
 come from

00:20:13.020 --> 00:20:13.280
 a whole

00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:13.640
 bunch of

00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:13.900
 different

00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.440
 countries

00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:14.980
 and ethnic

00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.580
 backgrounds,

00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.020
 these people

00:20:17.020 --> 00:20:17.480
 are not

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.560
 in geographic

00:20:18.560 --> 00:20:19.560
 exile like

00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.260
 Israel was,

00:20:20.300 --> 00:20:20.580
 they're all

00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:21.220
 spread out.

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.779
 Now,

00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.039
 I'm not

00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.400
 aware of

00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:23.740
 anyone in

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.220
 this room

00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.680
 who is in

00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.100
 geographic

00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:25.640
 exile,

00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.779
 although you

00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.240
 might be,

00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.120
 but the

00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.019
 point is

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.539
 for these

00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.140
 people and

00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.700
 for us

00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:34.059
 is that

00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.440
 they're

00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.180
 exiled

00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.440
 because of

00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:36.860
 who they

00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.660
 now are.

00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.900
 Now that

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.460
 they're God's

00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.380
 chosen people,

00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.400
 now that

00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.000
 their hope

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.740
 is a living

00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.420
 hope in the

00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:44.839
 death and

00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.579
 resurrection of

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:45.880
 Jesus,

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.279
 their home

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.299
 is now with

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.860
 God in

00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:49.140
 heaven.

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.300
 That's

00:20:50.300 --> 00:20:50.680
 where they

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.080
 belong.

00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:51.840
 That's

00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.000
 their

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.480
 defining

00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.020
 reality.

00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:53.440
 That's

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:53.640
 their

00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.180
 passport.

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.020
 They

00:20:56.020 --> 00:20:56.460
 don't

00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.060
 belong in

00:20:57.060 --> 00:20:57.280
 this

00:20:57.280 --> 00:20:57.640
 world.

00:20:58.540 --> 00:20:58.880
 They

00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.180
 are in

00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.940
 exile in

00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.280
 this

00:21:00.280 --> 00:21:00.560
 world.

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:00.860
 And so

00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:01.300
 if you

00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:01.640
 are a

00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.060
 Christian,

00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:02.900
 your

00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.500
 inheritance

00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.140
 and your

00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.920
 hope and

00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.060
 your

00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:05.600
 identity,

00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:06.660
 your

00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.320
 citizenship

00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:09.259
 is in

00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:09.920
 heaven with

00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.200
 God.

00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:11.980
 That's

00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.280
 where you

00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:12.600
 belong.

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.580
 That's

00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:14.920
 what you're

00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.580
 looking forward

00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:15.860
 to.

00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.640
 That's

00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:16.960
 why you

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.200
 feel

00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.000
 frustrated

00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.600
 about the

00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.019
 world that

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.399
 we live

00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:19.619
 in and

00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.019
 the things

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.359
 that are

00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:20.740
 wrong with

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.059
 it because

00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.679
 you know

00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.259
 you were

00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.740
 made for

00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.039
 something

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.319
 better.

00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:23.519
 Your

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.099
 exile is

00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.339
 not

00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.939
 Australia.

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.719
 It's

00:21:27.719 --> 00:21:27.939
 this

00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:28.379
 world,

00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.059
 still full

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.619
 of sin

00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:31.579
 and death

00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.419
 and opposition.

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.079
 Now the

00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.819
 whole concept

00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.539
 of exile,

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:35.919
 and this is

00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.659
 why this is

00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:37.199
 really important

00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:37.719
 for us,

00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.359
 the whole

00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.000
 concept of

00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.659
 exile has

00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:40.579
 built into

00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.319
 it the

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.399
 hope or

00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:43.000
 the longing

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.959
 for return.

00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:45.919
 While Israel

00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:46.439
 was in

00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:46.779
 Babylon,

00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.799
 initially they

00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.980
 longed to

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.919
 return home.

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.319
 They longed

00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.799
 to go back

00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.139
 to where

00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:52.379
 they were

00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:52.899
 from and

00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.139
 where they

00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:53.680
 were supposed

00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.220
 to be.

00:21:55.379 --> 00:21:55.940
 But then

00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.859
 progressively they

00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.579
 settled into

00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.139
 the culture.

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.200
 Some people

00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.099
 became more

00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.799
 Babylonian than

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.240
 Jewish.

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.599
 And at that

00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.359
 point it ceases

00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.119
 to be exile.

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.879
 It's just

00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.379
 immigration.

00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.099
 You've moved

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.500
 and you're in a

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.039
 new place and

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.399
 you've made

00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:09.899
 yourself at

00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.200
 home.

00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.359
 Exile has

00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.139
 built into

00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.279
 it that sense

00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.159
 that I don't

00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:15.019
 belong here.

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.660
 I want to

00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.400
 be where I

00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.000
 where I'm

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.700
 supposed to

00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:18.900
 be.

00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.639
 I want to

00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:19.940
 be at

00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.319
 home.

00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:20.940
 And if

00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.220
 you're a

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:21.440
 Christian,

00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.099
 that home

00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.980
 is heaven.

00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.059
 This is

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:27.379
 not heaven.

00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.879
 I'm assuming

00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.519
 that's not a

00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.279
 newsflash for

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.639
 people.

00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.079
 Even though

00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:35.420
 there's plenty

00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.139
 of good things

00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:36.559
 that God

00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.160
 blesses us

00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.500
 with,

00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:38.619
 even though

00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.420
 Christmas is a

00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.339
 joyful time,

00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:44.220
 this is not

00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.779
 heaven.

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.720
 And so as

00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.500
 God's chosen

00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.039
 people,

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.379
 as his

00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:50.879
 elect,

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.500
 we need to

00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.079
 cultivate,

00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.079
 we need to

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.959
 embrace a

00:22:54.959 --> 00:22:57.139
 holy discontent

00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:57.759
 with where we

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.019
 live.

00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.879
 We need to

00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.480
 look around

00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.379
 the world

00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:02.839
 that we are

00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:04.919
 in and

00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.720
 long for the

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.379
 something better

00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.079
 that God is

00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.679
 keeping for

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.039
 us.

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:10.059
 and that

00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.399
 God is

00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:10.940
 keeping us

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.279
 for.

00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.799
 We need to

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.579
 be very

00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.159
 nervous,

00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.000
 maybe even

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.039
 catch ourselves

00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.480
 if all our

00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.220
 dreams and

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.680
 hopes and

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.139
 aspirations are

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:24.039
 confined to

00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.460
 what's going to

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.200
 happen to us

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.159
 within our

00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:26.819
 lifespan on

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.119
 earth.

00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.619
 If that's all

00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.059
 you're aiming

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.639
 for, maybe

00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:31.859
 you've

00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.339
 immigrated.

00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.119
 Maybe you've

00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.559
 forgotten where

00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.259
 your home is.

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.180
 Maybe you've

00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.720
 forgotten who

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.140
 you are.

00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.299
 We need to

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.180
 cultivate and

00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.019
 embrace a

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.140
 holy discontent

00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.559
 and long for

00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:46.880
 the better

00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.380
 home that

00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:47.980
 God's keeping

00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.640
 for us.

00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.700
 Verse 6,

00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.420
 in all this

00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.920
 you greatly

00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.579
 rejoice,

00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:54.960
 though now for

00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.539
 a little while

00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.019
 you may have

00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.600
 had to suffer

00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.299
 grief in all

00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.720
 kinds of

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.100
 trials.

00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.160
 One of the

00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.640
 reasons we

00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.240
 long for that

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.839
 future is

00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.200
 because we

00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.660
 know that

00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:02.960
 where we

00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.279
 are is

00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.680
 temporary.

00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.120
 We know

00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.460
 that the

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.079
 suffering we

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:06.559
 experience,

00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.160
 the loneliness,

00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.840
 the sickness,

00:24:08.060 --> 00:24:08.420
 the hurt,

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:08.860
 the pain,

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.259
 the death,

00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:10.019
 it's temporary.

00:24:11.820 --> 00:24:12.660
 It's fading.

00:24:13.040 --> 00:24:13.580
 Even the

00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.259
 blessing,

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.600
 even the

00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.100
 good things

00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:16.940
 we know that

00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.380
 we have in

00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:17.920
 this life are

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.320
 temporary.

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.620
 But they're

00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.700
 still real.

00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.320
 It still

00:24:24.320 --> 00:24:25.540
 hurts when

00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:26.000
 we suffer.

00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.040
 It's still

00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:28.759
 unpleasant to

00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.460
 be lonely or

00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.220
 sick or to

00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:30.820
 lose a loved

00:24:30.820 --> 00:24:31.120
 one.

00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.239
 people.

00:24:31.239 --> 00:24:31.799
 It's

00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:35.239
 why Peter

00:24:35.239 --> 00:24:35.799
 says you

00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.219
 will suffer

00:24:36.219 --> 00:24:36.919
 trials of

00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:38.179
 many kinds.

00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.159
 He's being

00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:40.839
 pretty inclusive

00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.279
 here.

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:42.979
 He's not

00:24:42.979 --> 00:24:43.459
 saying that

00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:43.979
 some of the

00:24:43.979 --> 00:24:44.539
 trials in

00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.439
 your life are

00:24:45.439 --> 00:24:46.139
 supernatural

00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:46.679
 spiritual

00:24:46.679 --> 00:24:48.000
 opposition and

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.679
 other ones are

00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:49.319
 just unlucky.

00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.779
 That's not how

00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.619
 life works.

00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.179
 Life doesn't

00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:54.419
 get compartmentalised

00:24:54.419 --> 00:24:54.799
 into the

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.699
 spiritual stuff

00:24:55.699 --> 00:24:56.859
 and then the

00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:57.839
 other stuff.

00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:59.240
 our whole

00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.740
 lives are

00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.199
 part of a

00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:01.259
 broad spiritual

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:03.439
 reality and

00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:04.079
 so the trials

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.939
 may come in

00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:05.539
 the form of

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:05.959
 demonic

00:25:05.959 --> 00:25:08.159
 oppression or

00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.939
 a crisis of

00:25:08.939 --> 00:25:09.339
 faith.

00:25:10.699 --> 00:25:11.839
 But equally

00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:14.079
 they might

00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.639
 come as

00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.419
 sickness,

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.539
 financial

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.039
 struggle,

00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.019
 relationship

00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.659
 breakdown.

00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.699
 Those are

00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.459
 the tools

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:31.819
 that Satan

00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.500
 loves to

00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:32.940
 use.

00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.799
 They're the

00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.380
 things that

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:36.880
 Satan loves

00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.279
 to use to

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.140
 distract you

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.600
 from the

00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:38.960
 hope that

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.440
 you have.

00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.920
 To make

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.660
 you desire

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.620
 and pine for

00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.180
 the comfort

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.640
 that the

00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.019
 world can

00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.400
 offer you

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.019
 right now.

00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.980
 But later

00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.380
 on in one

00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:48.740
 Peter,

00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:49.680
 he says,

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.259
 dear friends,

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.900
 do not be

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.960
 surprised at

00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.519
 the fiery

00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.299
 ordeal that

00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.799
 has come on

00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.420
 you to test

00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.100
 you as

00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:55.519
 though something

00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.380
 strange were

00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.019
 happening to

00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.240
 you.

00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:59.600
 when we

00:25:59.600 --> 00:26:00.200
 forget we

00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.519
 are in

00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:00.980
 exile,

00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.340
 we begin

00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:02.819
 to wonder

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:05.059
 why there

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.440
 would be any

00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.100
 difficulty in

00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.620
 our lives.

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.160
 We begin to

00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.779
 measure how

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.380
 happy God

00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.100
 is with us

00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:10.640
 by how

00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.400
 smoothly our

00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.799
 life is

00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.059
 going.

00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.600
 Things are

00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:14.019
 going well,

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.059
 so I must

00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.500
 be honouring

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.759
 God.

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.180
 So,

00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:18.700
 all of

00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.220
 these things

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.980
 are tools

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.740
 that Satan

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.279
 would use

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.840
 to turn

00:26:21.840 --> 00:26:22.620
 you away

00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.160
 from God

00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.940
 and to

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.360
 doubt his

00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:25.660
 goodness.

00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.840
 But those

00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:27.860
 struggles that

00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:28.560
 we experience

00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:28.920
 now,

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.080
 while we

00:26:30.080 --> 00:26:30.320
 live in

00:26:30.320 --> 00:26:30.759
 exile,

00:26:31.320 --> 00:26:31.820
 serve an

00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.180
 eternal

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.820
 purpose

00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:34.799
 if we are

00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.320
 followers of

00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:35.640
 Jesus.

00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.279
 Verse 7,

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:39.879
 these have

00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.359
 come,

00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.480
 the trials

00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:41.960
 have come,

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.799
 so that the

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:44.079
 proven genuineness

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.420
 of your

00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.920
 faith,

00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.559
 of greater

00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.099
 worth than

00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.859
 gold which

00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.720
 perishes even

00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.279
 though refined

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.879
 by fire,

00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.940
 may result in

00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.559
 praise,

00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.639
 glory and

00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.720
 honour when

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.700
 Jesus Christ

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.460
 is revealed.

00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.359
 We're not

00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:58.539
 paper in the

00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:58.899
 face of

00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.420
 hostility.

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.879
 We're gold that

00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.819
 increases in

00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.519
 purity and

00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.359
 value as we

00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:05.059
 get put under

00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:06.079
 the trial of

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.460
 flame.

00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.460
 The reason,

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.019
 the purpose,

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:09.859
 the benefit of

00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.460
 the trials that

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.019
 you will face,

00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.779
 maybe that you're

00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.919
 in right now.

00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:16.819
 They're the

00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.000
 Father's tools for

00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.759
 refining you,

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.720
 for proving you

00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.759
 and to ensuring

00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.579
 that you finish

00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.319
 the race.

00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.720
 See, God in

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.299
 his incredible

00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.679
 love has taken

00:27:27.679 --> 00:27:28.859
 Satan's tools that

00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.879
 would distract you,

00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.960
 that would drag you

00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.679
 away and he has

00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:32.619
 transformed them into

00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.679
 opportunities to

00:27:33.679 --> 00:27:34.440
 grow you.

00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.759
 Opportunities to

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.659
 strengthen you,

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.099
 opportunities to

00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.279
 increase your joy

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.279
 in him and to

00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.960
 help you discover

00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.919
 that in the grief

00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:44.299
 and in the loss,

00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:46.099
 Jesus is better.

00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.759
 That no matter

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.759
 what else happens,

00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:50.419
 no matter what can

00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:51.339
 be taken away from

00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.159
 you, the

00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:53.059
 inheritance that

00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.139
 can never perish,

00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.159
 spoil or fade,

00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:56.359
 Jesus is more

00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.079
 than sufficient.

00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:01.539
 We are so wired

00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.700
 as people to

00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:04.000
 avoid suffering.

00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.419
 We're all about

00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.740
 pain avoidance.

00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.299
 We're conditioned

00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.899
 to aim for the

00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:12.039
 short-term solution,

00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:14.099
 to fix it today

00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.700
 and deal with

00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.720
 tomorrow's consequences

00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.599
 when we get there.

00:28:18.659 --> 00:28:19.819
 We get frustrated

00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.659
 with God when our

00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:21.419
 lives are not running

00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:21.919
 smoothly.

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.720
 Why are you allowing

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.279
 this, God?

00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.000
 Why don't you help me,

00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.319
 God?

00:28:26.679 --> 00:28:27.500
 What have I done

00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.319
 wrong, God?

00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:30.359
 As if comfort was

00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.079
 somehow a measure

00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.899
 of God's approval.

00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.480
 Have we forgotten

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.099
 who we are?

00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.199
 Have we forgotten

00:28:38.199 --> 00:28:39.399
 that we are the

00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:40.839
 ones chosen and

00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.799
 purchased by the

00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.579
 death of Jesus?

00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.339
 Have we forgotten

00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.759
 that we have a hope

00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.419
 for heaven?

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.460
 Have we forgotten

00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.699
 that this is exile?

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:51.000
 That there should be

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.919
 a certain level of

00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:52.899
 unpleasantness?

00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:54.899
 Even if at its very

00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:56.039
 base level it's just

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.859
 the fact that it's

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.799
 not yet heaven and

00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.399
 we know that's where

00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.340
 we're supposed to be?

00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:03.820
 Have we traded in

00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:05.519
 the living hope

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:07.560
 and our unfading

00:29:07.560 --> 00:29:08.120
 inheritance

00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:10.840
 for temporary comfort?

00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.200
 Now I'm not saying

00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.880
 go looking for

00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.259
 suffering.

00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.220
 You don't have to.

00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.920
 Just follow Jesus.

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.580
 It'll find you.

00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.620
 But the reality is

00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.700
 there is a daily

00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:27.600
 temptation for us.

00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:30.360
 A daily temptation

00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:31.880
 to forget the hope

00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.560
 that we look forward

00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:32.820
 to.

00:29:33.280 --> 00:29:34.680
 To forget that God

00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.800
 is shielding us

00:29:35.800 --> 00:29:36.980
 by his power

00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:39.600
 and so to compromise

00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.519
 just to make

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.340
 ourselves a little bit

00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:41.980
 more comfortable.

00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:46.240
 To be not willing

00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.300
 to admit that maybe

00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:48.140
 we believe something

00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.000
 different to the

00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.840
 people we work with

00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:50.300
 while there's a

00:29:50.300 --> 00:29:51.300
 conversation about

00:29:51.300 --> 00:29:52.680
 religion.

00:29:54.280 --> 00:29:55.480
 To maybe water

00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.500
 down the gospel

00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.200
 a little bit for

00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.140
 those people who

00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:59.660
 just it's too far.

00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:01.440
 So we say things

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.340
 like yeah you can

00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:03.019
 follow Jesus

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.740
 you're welcome to be

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.500
 part of our church

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.580
 and call yourself a

00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:06.019
 Christian you don't

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.539
 have to change

00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.660
 anything just come to

00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.059
 church.

00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.680
 Rather than the

00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:10.559
 message that God

00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:11.539
 had to die because

00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.340
 you are so

00:30:12.340 --> 00:30:13.880
 ridiculously sinful

00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.580
 and unworthy

00:30:14.580 --> 00:30:15.779
 and he has a better

00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.519
 life for you

00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.440
 we just water it

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:17.880
 down because that's

00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.460
 a bit offensive.

00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:20.559
 Rather than

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.299
 declare the truth

00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.840
 of the gospel

00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.620
 that there is only

00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.400
 one way to heaven

00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:23.980
 and that is in

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.880
 Jesus Christ

00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:26.140
 we say

00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:27.599
 whatever you

00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.519
 believe is fine.

00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.480
 There is a daily

00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.559
 temptation for us

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.839
 to want to fit in

00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:36.019
 and make this

00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.339
 home.

00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.799
 Temptation to make

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.700
 our life decisions

00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.400
 based on what's

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:43.900
 going to be most

00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.720
 comfortable right

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:46.980
 now instead of

00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.779
 on the death

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.299
 and resurrection

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.400
 of Jesus and the

00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:50.519
 eternal home that

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.339
 he's prepared for

00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:51.659
 us.

00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.679
 If we start

00:30:54.679 --> 00:30:55.459
 living like this

00:30:55.459 --> 00:30:55.899
 is home

00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:59.220
 there's a good

00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.919
 chance that we

00:30:59.919 --> 00:31:00.539
 will have traded

00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.199
 our internal

00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:03.000
 inheritance for

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.339
 this.

00:31:07.199 --> 00:31:07.939
 If there's no

00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:08.740
 difference between

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.819
 us and the world

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.559
 that we live in

00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:13.220
 that should be a

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.359
 reason for concern.

00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.399
 I was having a

00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.119
 conversation with a

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.839
 man at a funeral

00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.659
 recently that we had

00:31:19.659 --> 00:31:20.579
 here at St. Paul's.

00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.659
 I'd never met the

00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.559
 guy just having a

00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.480
 conversation about

00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.740
 stories about the

00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.539
 man who had died.

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.679
 The man I was

00:31:26.679 --> 00:31:27.299
 talking to was a

00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.899
 non-Christian and I

00:31:28.899 --> 00:31:29.519
 was telling him

00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.619
 about the hopeful

00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:32.919
 grief that our

00:31:32.919 --> 00:31:33.740
 church family was

00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:36.419
 experiencing and how

00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:37.259
 our grief was

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.299
 tinged with joy

00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.460
 because we celebrated

00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.460
 that this man had

00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:42.000
 been welcomed into

00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.759
 his internal

00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.419
 inheritance.

00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.379
 He was now home.

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.659
 The man looked at

00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:48.679
 me a little confused

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.440
 and quickly explained

00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:50.980
 that he was an

00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:53.100
 atheist and he

00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:53.740
 said that in the

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:55.279
 service instead he

00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.500
 would find comfort in

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.660
 the past and in the

00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.720
 fact that he knew the

00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.380
 man at all for a few

00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:00.840
 years.

00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.900
 This encounter

00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:05.400
 reminded me just how

00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:07.759
 differently I see the

00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.539
 world from those who

00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.180
 don't know Jesus.

00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.740
 It reminded me that

00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.799
 without Jesus the

00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.799
 fence you have is

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.200
 death.

00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:16.340
 That's where it ends.

00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.220
 That's all you've got

00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.439
 and so you must find

00:32:18.439 --> 00:32:19.459
 your joy before then.

00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:25.599
 But because we know

00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:27.939
 Jesus, because he is

00:32:27.939 --> 00:32:30.240
 alive, this life is

00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.039
 just the beginning.

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:33.079
 So we do not grieve as

00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.019
 those who are without

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.500
 hope.

00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.579
 There is a finish line

00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.240
 for us.

00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:41.319
 There is an end to the

00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:41.759
 exile.

00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:42.799
 There is an end goal.

00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:44.379
 Our living hope will one

00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:45.139
 day be revealed.

00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:46.620
 One day we won't have

00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:47.300
 to put up with the

00:32:47.300 --> 00:32:48.120
 sickness and the pain.

00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.060
 We'll be face to face

00:32:49.060 --> 00:32:49.520
 with Jesus.

00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.280
 We'll be home.

00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:52.720
 It'll be amazing.

00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.920
 But that doesn't mean

00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:57.540
 that this life should be

00:32:57.540 --> 00:32:58.840
 really sad and somber

00:32:58.840 --> 00:33:00.480
 and that God has

00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.840
 reserved all the joy for

00:33:01.840 --> 00:33:02.400
 later on.

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:05.040
 Even now we rejoice.

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.840
 Verse 6.

00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:09.500
 In all this you greatly

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.200
 rejoice.

00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:12.360
 Though now for a little

00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:13.300
 while you may have had to

00:33:13.300 --> 00:33:14.140
 suffer grief in all

00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:14.940
 kinds of trials.

00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:17.080
 because of who we are

00:33:17.080 --> 00:33:18.780
 even where we are we

00:33:18.780 --> 00:33:20.300
 greatly rejoice.

00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.220
 Or verse 8.

00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.480
 Though you have not

00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:25.040
 seen him you love him

00:33:25.040 --> 00:33:26.180
 even though you do not

00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.320
 see him now you believe

00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:28.640
 in him and are filled

00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:31.840
 with an inexpressible

00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:34.360
 and glorious joy.

00:33:36.020 --> 00:33:38.000
 An inexpressible and

00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.160
 glorious joy.

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.660
 For you are receiving the

00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:43.140
 end result of your faith

00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:44.780
 the salvation of your

00:33:44.780 --> 00:33:45.180
 souls.

00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:50.259
 Just let that sit for a

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.560
 second.

00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:54.380
 Inexpressible and

00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:56.480
 glorious joy.

00:33:56.480 --> 00:34:05.660
 As we reflect on the

00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.839
 opposition that we face

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.539
 in our lives

00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.980
 that our brothers and

00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:10.139
 sisters face around the

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:11.639
 world in far more severe

00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:13.019
 situations than we are in

00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:14.260
 all because they're

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:15.099
 followers of Jesus.

00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:18.440
 How do you rate

00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:21.119
 on the inexpressible and

00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:22.500
 glorious joy scale

00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.360
 personally?

00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.880
 How do we rate

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:31.880
 on that scale as a

00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.300
 church?

00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:34.980
 And how do we do it

00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.460
 better?

00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:37.460
 Because the opposition

00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:39.159
 and the trials are real.

00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.940
 Pain and grief is a right

00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.960
 response to some of the

00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.880
 things that we're facing

00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:45.220
 but how do we ensure

00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:46.619
 that joy too

00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:48.500
 is a mark of who we

00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.140
 are in Jesus?

00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:54.519
 The keys there in verse

00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:54.760
 8.

00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:58.360
 Though you have not

00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:59.240
 seen him

00:34:59.240 --> 00:35:00.900
 you love him

00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:02.579
 and even though you do

00:35:02.579 --> 00:35:03.800
 not see him now

00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:04.980
 you believe in him

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:06.380
 and are filled with an

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.880
 inexpressible and glorious

00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.760
 joy for you are

00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:09.940
 receiving the end result

00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.660
 of your faith

00:35:10.660 --> 00:35:12.720
 the salvation of your

00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:13.180
 souls.

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:16.079
 the joy

00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.680
 comes from

00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.480
 him.

00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:21.360
 Although we don't

00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:22.280
 see Jesus yet

00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:23.320
 we believe in him

00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:24.280
 and we're filled with

00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:25.079
 joy because we're

00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:26.800
 receiving the end

00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:27.160
 goal

00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:28.180
 salvation

00:35:28.180 --> 00:35:29.500
 which is just

00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.099
 another way of

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.800
 saying we're

00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:31.619
 receiving the end

00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:31.860
 goal

00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:32.980
 Jesus himself.

00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:36.119
 That's where the joy

00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.340
 is.

00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.240
 The end is when we

00:35:37.240 --> 00:35:38.119
 get him fully

00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:39.180
 there's no more

00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:40.039
 gaps we'll be face

00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:40.780
 to face and we'll

00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:41.820
 just be overwhelmed

00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:43.000
 with a whole

00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.820
 another level of

00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.800
 inexpressible and

00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:45.519
 glorious joy.

00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:48.400
 But right now

00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:50.559
 as we trust in him

00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:52.920
 as we remember

00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:54.119
 whose we are

00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:55.519
 as we remember

00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.500
 that he sits on the

00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.260
 throne that death

00:35:57.260 --> 00:35:58.059
 is defeated that

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:59.159
 heaven is our home

00:35:59.159 --> 00:36:01.880
 we begin to enjoy

00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.659
 his goodness

00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:03.699
 and his presence

00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:04.659
 in our lives

00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:05.239
 right now

00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:06.320
 by his Holy Spirit

00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:08.460
 through his comfort

00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.519
 when we suffer

00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:11.519
 through his

00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.639
 patience and grace

00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.340
 when we fail

00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:16.179
 God is present

00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:17.079
 with us in this

00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:17.599
 exile

00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:19.239
 lifting us out

00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:19.840
 of despair

00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:21.440
 filling us with

00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:21.860
 joy

00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:23.519
 in our living

00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:24.099
 hope.

00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.659
 The rest of

00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:27.099
 1 Peter

00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:27.880
 which again you can

00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.619
 read in your own

00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.360
 time goes on to

00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:30.219
 say in light of

00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:31.159
 that in light of

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:31.639
 who you are

00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.259
 in light of where

00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:32.699
 you are

00:36:32.699 --> 00:36:33.539
 do good

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.679
 don't grow weary

00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:35.420
 in doing good

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.280
 keep doing good

00:36:36.280 --> 00:36:37.119
 love your enemy

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.179
 entrust yourself to

00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:38.879
 God who is the

00:36:38.879 --> 00:36:39.379
 real judge

00:36:39.379 --> 00:36:40.299
 continue to do

00:36:40.299 --> 00:36:40.699
 good

00:36:40.699 --> 00:36:41.579
 serve

00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.279
 declare the

00:36:42.279 --> 00:36:43.000
 goodness and

00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:43.639
 forgiveness of

00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.679
 God in the face

00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:45.259
 of opposition

00:36:45.259 --> 00:36:46.699
 and do it

00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:47.579
 filled with the

00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.480
 joy that comes

00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:49.879
 from a living

00:36:49.879 --> 00:36:50.639
 hope.

00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:56.919
 How do you

00:36:56.919 --> 00:36:58.039
 live in a world

00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:58.739
 like this

00:36:58.739 --> 00:37:01.119
 that may grow

00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:02.440
 increasingly hostile

00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:03.339
 as the years

00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:03.879
 go on?

00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:08.119
 remember who

00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:09.099
 you are

00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:12.660
 you are

00:37:12.660 --> 00:37:13.300
 God's

00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:14.099
 chosen

00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:14.660
 people

00:37:14.660 --> 00:37:17.360
 with an

00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.140
 inheritance that

00:37:18.140 --> 00:37:18.900
 will never perish

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.740
 spoil or fade

00:37:19.740 --> 00:37:20.519
 kept in heaven

00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.059
 for you

00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:22.200
 you are

00:37:22.200 --> 00:37:22.920
 shielded by

00:37:22.920 --> 00:37:23.780
 God's power

00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:24.960
 until the day

00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.380
 you get to

00:37:25.380 --> 00:37:25.940
 enjoy that

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.400
 inheritance

00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:29.000
 remember where

00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.500
 you are

00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:31.700
 this is not

00:37:31.700 --> 00:37:32.059
 home

00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:33.820
 always keep

00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:34.400
 lifting your

00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:34.840
 eyes

00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:37.119
 and remember

00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:37.799
 where you are

00:37:37.799 --> 00:37:38.159
 going

00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:40.440
 cultivate that

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.619
 holy discontent

00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:42.340
 and that longing

00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:43.299
 for your heavenly

00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:43.699
 home

00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:47.039
 my prayer for you

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.820
 St. Paul's

00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:49.480
 my brothers and

00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:50.099
 sisters in the

00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:50.420
 faith

00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:52.500
 is that as you

00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.119
 joyfully

00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:54.920
 and boldly

00:37:54.920 --> 00:37:55.639
 live out the

00:37:55.639 --> 00:37:56.139
 hope of the

00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.519
 gospel

00:37:56.519 --> 00:38:00.219
 that the

00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:00.880
 God of all

00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:01.320
 grace

00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:02.940
 who called

00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.480
 you to his

00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:04.400
 eternal glory

00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:05.059
 in Christ

00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:06.659
 after you

00:38:06.659 --> 00:38:07.159
 have suffered

00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:07.880
 a little while

00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:09.840
 will himself

00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:11.039
 respond to you

00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:12.079
 and make you

00:38:12.079 --> 00:38:12.539
 strong

00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.420
 firm

00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.420
 and steadfast

00:38:14.420 --> 00:38:16.300
 to him be the

00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:16.679
 power

00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:17.599
 forever

00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.380
 and ever

00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.780
 amen

00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:26.060
 that

00:38:26.060 --> 00:38:27.160
 and