WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.660 All right, well, this morning I'm going to completely abandon my usual style and method, 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:12.080 and I'm going to tell you right at the start of the message what my main point is and what 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:12.800 the aim is. 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:14.720 This one's for you, Ellie. 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:23.780 This morning, I want to encourage and motivate you to spend countless hours in 2023 with 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:26.719 God in the pages of His Word. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:32.740 Now, I realize that Christmas is two weeks away, and probably the last thing on your 00:00:32.740 --> 00:00:39.019 mind right now is when and where and how much you will read the Bible this next year. 00:00:39.500 --> 00:00:42.719 I know that there's lots left to do in preparation for Christmas. 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:49.519 We're just two weeks away, and there's probably shopping and preparations and decorating and 00:00:49.519 --> 00:00:52.060 cleaning and tidying, and the list goes on. 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:58.719 And you're right, most of the things of 2023 can just wait until 2023. 00:00:59.760 --> 00:01:05.219 But there's one thing that I hope you'll start to think about now before you wake up to a 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:10.820 new year, and it's arguably the most essential and important thing that we can give our time 00:01:10.820 --> 00:01:12.960 to in this new year ahead. 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:19.479 It's so foundational to how this next year will go for you and for me. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:26.079 And so I am praying that by the end of this message, you will take a Bible reading plan 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:32.060 off of the table right there at the back of the sanctuary and resolve to spend countless 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:39.539 hours with our great God and Savior in the pages of His Word and follow through with it. 00:01:39.540 --> 00:01:42.620 Let me start by asking you this question. 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:46.460 How do you want 2023 to go? 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:50.840 What kind of year do you want it to be? 00:01:52.760 --> 00:02:01.360 Do you believe that the time you spend reading your Bible can make all the difference in the year ahead? 00:02:03.580 --> 00:02:04.820 What is this book? 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:11.680 This is the most precious and valuable book on planet Earth. 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:18.000 It's the collection of the many times and various ways that God has spoken to us. 00:02:18.859 --> 00:02:22.979 It's the true story of what's been going on in our world since God made it. 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:31.819 And through these pages are written the very words that God has said to men and women and even 00:02:31.819 --> 00:02:34.019 children through the ages. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:36.699 There is no other book like this. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:41.639 If this book contains the very words of God, 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:48.599 should we not read it and meditate on it again in this year ahead? 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:55.120 Why spend countless hours scrolling through feeds filled with the words of men 00:02:55.120 --> 00:03:02.680 when we can spend countless hours turning through these pages that are filled with the words of the living God? 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:08.219 I hope that some of my enthusiasm and passion is contagious, 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:11.240 but I know that it's not enough to change your heart. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:15.800 And so this morning we want to look at a number of passages from God's Word 00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:21.800 that can motivate us and encourage us to give ourselves to His Word in the year ahead. 00:03:22.520 --> 00:03:27.120 We're going to start with John 17, verse 3. 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:30.060 All these passages will be on the screen. 00:03:31.700 --> 00:03:34.680 And my first reason out of five 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:41.540 for why you should spend countless hours in God's Word in 2023 00:03:41.540 --> 00:03:47.500 is because this book is at the heart of our relationship with God. 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:52.000 It's not just a history book or some ancient writings. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:56.260 This is a book through which we can have relationship with God. 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:03.540 Jesus was praying to His Father in this passage in John 17. 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:05.200 He said, 00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:06.740 Father, the hour has come. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:11.560 Glorify Your Son that Your Son may glorify You. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:14.960 For You granted Him authority over all people 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:19.220 that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:22.399 Now this is eternal life, 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:24.699 that they know You, 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:26.899 the only true God, 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:29.000 and Jesus Christ, 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:30.660 whom You have sent. 00:04:30.660 --> 00:04:34.680 What is life? 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:38.120 Let's just set aside that adjective eternal for just a moment. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:39.500 What is life? 00:04:40.020 --> 00:04:41.200 This is life, 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:43.480 that they may know You, 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:45.720 the only true God, 00:04:46.280 --> 00:04:48.200 and Jesus Christ, 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:49.120 whom You have sent. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:51.740 How do we know who God is? 00:04:51.740 --> 00:04:56.800 We know it from His Word, 00:04:56.900 --> 00:04:58.480 from what He has said about Himself, 00:04:58.840 --> 00:05:01.439 and revealed to us in the pages of the Bible. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:03.699 How do we know who Jesus is? 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:05.100 How do we get to know Him better? 00:05:05.900 --> 00:05:08.040 We know it through the eyewitnesses accounts 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:09.680 that we have right here 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.340 in the Word of God. 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:15.259 Do you want to experience more fully 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:17.500 that abundant life, 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:19.359 that joy 00:05:19.359 --> 00:05:22.399 of having relationship with Christ 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:24.560 in this year ahead? 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:29.099 Then you need to get to know Him even better. 00:05:30.059 --> 00:05:31.359 And you can do that 00:05:31.359 --> 00:05:34.659 by spending countless hours 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:36.939 reading and meditating 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:38.939 on the things God has revealed 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:42.120 about Himself in His book. 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:44.500 This book is at the heart 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:46.959 of our relationship with God. 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:49.899 For my second point, 00:05:50.019 --> 00:05:51.800 I'm going to borrow a little from David Jeremiah 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:53.060 and something I heard from him 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:55.079 here in Sunday school a couple weeks back. 00:05:57.720 --> 00:05:59.819 This book is the place 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:01.740 where our faith grows. 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:05.060 Another reason why we should spend 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:07.579 countless hours reading it 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:08.680 in this coming year 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:10.540 we often use this language 00:06:10.540 --> 00:06:12.199 of growing in our faith. 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:13.500 And it sounds wonderful. 00:06:13.660 --> 00:06:15.319 Yeah, I want to grow in my faith. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.620 Can we grow in our faith? 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:19.800 Well, the Bible says, 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:20.420 yes. 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:23.980 Paul, speaking to the church 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:25.519 at Thessalonica, 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:29.180 said this in 2 Thessalonians 1 verse 3. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:31.780 We ought always to thank God for you, 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:32.720 brothers and sisters, 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:33.600 and rightly so, 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:35.560 because your faith is growing 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:37.100 more and more. 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:40.180 Can our faith grow? 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:41.420 Yes, it can. 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:42.660 It can increase. 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:44.680 But how does it happen? 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:48.720 Paul wrote this to the church at Rome. 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:51.019 Romans 10 verse 17. 00:06:51.019 --> 00:06:55.319 Faith comes from hearing 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:59.359 and hearing from the word of Christ 00:06:59.359 --> 00:07:00.859 or hearing from the word of God 00:07:00.859 --> 00:07:02.279 depending on your translation. 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:06.199 The point Paul's making here 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:07.219 is that faith comes 00:07:07.219 --> 00:07:08.579 when we hear the word of God. 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:09.839 We cannot trust 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:11.279 unless we have something 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:12.119 to trust in. 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.699 And God has spoken. 00:07:14.859 --> 00:07:15.719 He's given us words. 00:07:15.859 --> 00:07:17.500 He's revealed himself to us 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:19.000 so that we could put our faith 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:19.859 in him 00:07:19.859 --> 00:07:21.079 and in his word. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:23.759 And so we can grow 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:25.359 in our faith in God 00:07:25.359 --> 00:07:26.939 as we hear and read 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:28.419 and come to understand 00:07:28.419 --> 00:07:29.620 more about him. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.560 And the more that we know him 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:35.240 in these pages of his word, 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:37.180 the more we trust him. 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:38.979 The more we see 00:07:38.979 --> 00:07:41.560 just how trustworthy he is. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.919 So this book, the Bible, 00:07:45.099 --> 00:07:46.019 is the place 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:48.259 where our faith grows 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:49.939 because this is the place 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:50.919 where God speaks. 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:53.779 And think about this. 00:07:53.819 --> 00:07:55.079 We want to grow in our faith. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:57.240 The more that we trust God, 00:07:57.399 --> 00:07:59.219 the more faith we have in him, 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:01.560 it changes and affects 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:02.500 everything in our lives, 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:03.000 doesn't it? 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:06.459 Worry gives way to the peace 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:08.479 that passes all understanding. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:11.060 The problems and the challenges 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:13.219 that we face in our daily lives, 00:08:13.299 --> 00:08:14.240 they begin to shrink 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:16.099 as our faith grows 00:08:16.099 --> 00:08:17.639 because we know 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:18.899 the good and gracious king 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:19.699 who has promised 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:21.560 to carry us through them. 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:24.240 The one who calms storms 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:26.000 with a word. 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:29.019 As our faith grows, 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:31.039 God leads us down paths 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:32.220 that we might have been reluctant 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:33.399 to choose. 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:35.460 Paths that really will 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:36.919 spare us hardship 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:38.559 and heartache, 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:40.679 pain and trouble. 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:45.179 This book, the Bible, 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:45.899 is the place 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:47.379 where our faith grows. 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:48.699 Do you want your faith 00:08:48.699 --> 00:08:50.019 to increase in 2023? 00:08:51.219 --> 00:08:52.659 Do you want all the benefits 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:53.620 that come with that? 00:08:53.719 --> 00:08:54.319 Then resolve 00:08:54.319 --> 00:08:55.979 to spend countless hours 00:08:55.979 --> 00:08:57.120 in this coming year 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:59.120 in God's word, 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:01.699 in the greenhouse of faith, 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:05.299 the pages of his word. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:09.979 number three. 00:09:10.839 --> 00:09:12.740 This book is the place 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.179 where we find everything 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:16.319 we need for life. 00:09:18.979 --> 00:09:22.779 2 Peter 1, verse 3. 00:09:22.779 --> 00:09:26.240 Peter writes and he says, 00:09:26.319 --> 00:09:28.559 God's divine power 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:29.319 has given us 00:09:29.319 --> 00:09:30.620 everything we need 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:31.759 for a godly life 00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:33.379 through our knowledge 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:33.860 of him 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.959 who called us 00:09:34.959 --> 00:09:36.039 by his own glory 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:37.139 and goodness. 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:38.819 Through these, 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:39.539 he has given us 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.419 his very great 00:09:40.419 --> 00:09:41.639 and precious promises 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:43.299 so that through them 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:44.199 you may participate 00:09:44.199 --> 00:09:45.539 in the divine nature, 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.519 having escaped the corruption 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:48.240 in the world 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.579 caused by evil desires. 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.840 Do you hear this? 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:57.680 We know that God's words 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:58.480 are powerful. 00:09:59.040 --> 00:09:59.820 When we go back 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:00.980 to the beginning, 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:02.759 Genesis chapter 1, 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:03.360 we read about 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:04.620 how God's words 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.400 brought the whole universe 00:10:06.400 --> 00:10:07.040 into being. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:08.980 He spoke and it was. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:13.780 That same divine power 00:10:13.780 --> 00:10:15.340 has also provided you and me 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:17.020 with everything we need 00:10:17.020 --> 00:10:19.100 for a godly life. 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:20.560 for life 00:10:20.560 --> 00:10:21.920 and godliness. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:24.620 How does it come to us? 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.779 Through our knowledge 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.899 of him. 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:30.720 There it is again. 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:33.659 How do we get to know him? 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:36.220 Through the pages 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:36.940 of his word. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.259 This is where he has 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:40.040 revealed himself 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.980 through the centuries. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:44.120 So this book 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:44.899 is the place 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:46.120 where we find 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.980 everything 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:48.379 that we need 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:50.279 for a godly life. 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:53.120 Now we might be tempted 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:54.000 to push back here 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.279 and say, 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:54.620 really? 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.360 Everything? 00:10:57.300 --> 00:10:57.800 You know, 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.580 I believe the Bible 00:10:58.580 --> 00:10:59.720 has lots to help me 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:00.920 with some things. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.139 Maybe spiritual things, 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:04.920 maybe the things 00:11:04.920 --> 00:11:05.840 about salvation. 00:11:06.920 --> 00:11:07.600 But everything? 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:11.779 Well, I didn't write this. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:12.680 This is 00:11:12.680 --> 00:11:13.879 God's own word. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:16.220 Everything 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.379 we need 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.460 for life 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:19.159 and godliness 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:20.519 or for a godly life, 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:22.040 God's word 00:11:22.040 --> 00:11:23.000 provides us 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:23.840 with the knowledge 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.240 of God 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:24.920 that we need. 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:26.879 That's what it says. 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:28.100 I think that's what it means. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:30.920 Think about it. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:32.460 What does God's word, 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.040 the Bible, 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:33.759 touch on? 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:37.120 does it not provide 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.620 the comprehensive framework 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.819 and understanding 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:41.299 of all that we need 00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:41.879 to know 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:43.340 for life, 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:45.059 for a godly life? 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:45.980 It tells us 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.240 how the universe began, 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:49.279 where life came from, 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.299 where we came from, 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.419 how and why 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:52.840 God made us, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.799 what the purpose 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.960 of our lives is, 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.919 how defying God 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:58.220 ruined everything, 00:11:59.019 --> 00:11:59.559 how God 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:00.179 in his goodness 00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:00.919 has been working 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:01.600 mercifully 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.680 to redeem 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.340 and save 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.000 and restore. 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.139 It gives us 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.180 many pictures 00:12:06.180 --> 00:12:07.779 of how everything 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.980 will come 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.259 to its final end 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.759 in our world, 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:13.100 what the final destiny 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:14.300 will be for the universe 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:15.620 and everything in it. 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:17.180 This book 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.180 reveals to us 00:12:18.180 --> 00:12:19.379 who God is, 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.840 his glory, 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:22.180 his many wonderful 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:22.740 attributes, 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.060 how he relates 00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:24.980 to all kinds 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.580 of people 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:26.639 in all kinds 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.399 of situations. 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:29.060 This book 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:31.599 is full of wise words 00:12:31.599 --> 00:12:33.079 and loving instruction 00:12:33.079 --> 00:12:34.299 for every area 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:35.039 of life, 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.919 from the beginning 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:37.679 of life 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:38.239 to the end 00:12:38.239 --> 00:12:38.799 of life. 00:12:39.959 --> 00:12:40.679 God gives us 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:41.419 what he knows 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.199 is essential 00:12:42.199 --> 00:12:43.639 for relationships, 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:45.439 for marriage, 00:12:45.599 --> 00:12:46.639 for parenting, 00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:48.079 finances, 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.179 prayer, 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:49.979 worship, 00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:50.719 work, 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:51.699 administration, 00:12:52.459 --> 00:12:52.879 planning, 00:12:53.239 --> 00:12:53.699 speaking, 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:54.939 justice, 00:12:55.579 --> 00:12:56.239 for knowing good 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:56.700 and evil, 00:12:57.060 --> 00:12:57.659 for helping 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.399 the needy, 00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.279 for how to 00:12:59.279 --> 00:12:59.840 prioritize, 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.200 for character 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:02.639 building, 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.580 for encouraging 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.360 those who are 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:04.879 discouraged, 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.139 for how to live 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:06.919 together as the 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:07.580 people of God 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:08.259 back then 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.000 and today, 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:10.080 for how to make 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:10.919 peace with others, 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:11.840 for how to endure 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.299 hardship and suffering, 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.360 for how to handle 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.000 temptation, 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:15.759 for how to make 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.259 decisions, 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.080 for how to act 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.580 wisely in countless 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:20.019 practical ways, 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.360 for how to love 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.740 and be a neighbor. 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:24.600 And the list 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.399 could go on. 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.500 This book 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.580 really does 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:30.019 reveal to us 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.580 everything that we 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.240 need for life, 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:35.700 for a godly life. 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.200 It touches on 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:37.940 every emotion 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:38.440 that we will 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:39.159 experience. 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:40.620 It speaks to us 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.420 about what to do 00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:42.360 with all of them, 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.920 whether it's anger 00:13:43.920 --> 00:13:44.860 or frustration 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:46.139 or grief 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.519 or unforgiveness 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.440 or bitterness, 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:49.580 sorrow, 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:50.540 worry, 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:51.680 anxiety, 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:52.600 fear, 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.740 doubt and unbelief, 00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:55.779 joy, 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:56.960 happiness, 00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:58.420 passion, 00:13:58.920 --> 00:13:59.360 zeal, 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.659 laziness, 00:14:01.040 --> 00:14:01.519 apathy, 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.960 the list goes on. 00:14:03.040 --> 00:14:03.980 It speaks to all 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:04.320 of it. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.220 And what's so 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:07.960 beautiful about 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.659 this book is that 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.259 it doesn't just 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.340 come to us 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.639 all this knowledge 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.399 of God in the 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.659 form of a rule book 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:15.680 or a dictionary 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:17.920 or an encyclopedia. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.740 God gives it all 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.560 through a great 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.759 variety of genres. 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.399 History 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.700 and poetry, 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:26.000 law 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.240 and love song, 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:28.500 liturgy 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.480 and victory 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.040 chant, 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.220 proverbs 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.500 and parables, 00:14:33.040 --> 00:14:33.620 spectacular 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.379 visions 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.220 and dreams, 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.240 records 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.139 and personal 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:37.620 letters, 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:38.700 covenants 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.720 and confessions, 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.120 prophecies 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.000 and proclamation, 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:43.100 wisdom 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.379 and oracle, 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.320 all of these 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.540 woven together 00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.240 through the 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:49.399 great narrative 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.000 telling us 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.559 the story 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.120 of God 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:54.200 and of us 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:54.940 and our world. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.559 This book 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:00.580 really is the place 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:01.379 where we find 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.779 everything we need 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:04.360 for life 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.620 and godliness, 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.299 the place 00:15:06.299 --> 00:15:07.100 where we grow 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.559 in our knowledge 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:09.500 of God. 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:11.879 So, 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.919 why should we 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.620 spend countless 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.220 hours 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.580 in God's words 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.320 in 2023? 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:16.540 three, 00:15:16.640 --> 00:15:16.940 we've heard 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:17.240 a few 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.060 different reasons. 00:15:18.780 --> 00:15:19.300 Number one, 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:19.900 this book 00:15:19.900 --> 00:15:21.160 is at the heart 00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:22.560 of our relationship 00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:23.200 with God. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.420 This book 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.480 is the place 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.360 where our faith 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:27.100 grows. 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:28.700 This book 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.280 is the place 00:15:29.280 --> 00:15:29.879 where we find 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.140 everything we need 00:15:31.140 --> 00:15:32.360 for life 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.900 and godliness. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.660 And number four, 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:37.240 this book 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.299 is full 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.459 of very 00:15:39.459 --> 00:15:40.019 great 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.259 and precious 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.139 promises. 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.379 We're still 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.679 in 2 Peter 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:45.559 chapter one 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:47.799 verse four. 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.899 Peter says, 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.179 through these, 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:52.779 through his 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.179 greatness 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:53.959 and glory, 00:15:53.959 --> 00:15:55.019 he has given 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.980 us his very 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.559 great 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.719 and precious 00:15:57.719 --> 00:15:58.459 promises 00:15:58.459 --> 00:15:59.779 so that through 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.500 them you may 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.120 participate 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.980 in the divine 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.500 nature. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.679 Having escaped 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.339 the corruption 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.259 in the world 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.680 caused by evil 00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:08.280 desires. 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.820 Do you know 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:11.440 that the Bible 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:12.639 is full 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.960 of very 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.560 great 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.780 and precious 00:16:15.780 --> 00:16:16.500 promises? 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.100 One pastor 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.980 said it this way. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.240 He said, 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.040 the entire Bible 00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:23.700 can be summed 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:24.460 up like this. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.120 Old Testament 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.460 promises 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.320 made. 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:30.000 New Testament 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.200 promises 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:32.060 kept. 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:35.079 God's word 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:35.539 is full 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.159 of promises 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.479 and not 00:16:37.479 --> 00:16:37.939 just any 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:38.719 old promises 00:16:38.719 --> 00:16:39.959 but very 00:16:39.959 --> 00:16:40.519 great 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.319 promises. 00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:43.639 Precious 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.239 promises. 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.159 And as we 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:47.659 read through 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.159 God's word 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:48.839 we see that 00:16:48.839 --> 00:16:50.000 we see part 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.439 of why they're 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:51.000 so precious 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.579 is because 00:16:51.579 --> 00:16:52.239 God always 00:16:52.239 --> 00:16:52.859 keeps his 00:16:52.859 --> 00:16:53.279 promises. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.079 He is 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:55.539 faithful. 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:57.599 He proves 00:16:57.599 --> 00:16:58.179 it over 00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:58.699 and over 00:16:58.699 --> 00:16:59.159 and over 00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.479 again 00:16:59.479 --> 00:16:59.779 throughout 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.299 history. 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:02.819 Let me 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.199 ask you 00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:03.579 something. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.000 Do you 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.460 want to 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:05.779 know 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.940 all that 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.619 God has 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.019 in store 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.559 for you? 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.500 If you 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:09.779 are a 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.079 Christian, 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.399 if you 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:10.680 are a 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:10.940 believer 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.500 in Jesus? 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.579 I do. 00:17:16.399 --> 00:17:17.119 It's all 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:17.579 in here. 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.099 Countless 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.039 promises. 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.240 Both the 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.019 details of 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.440 what he 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.160 has promised 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.000 and the 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.539 assurance 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.079 that he 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.680 will deliver 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:28.160 on those 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.619 promises 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.739 through our 00:17:29.739 --> 00:17:30.279 relationship 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.119 with Jesus. 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:32.959 2 Corinthians 00:17:32.959 --> 00:17:34.339 chapter 1 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.000 verse 20. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.239 I love 00:17:36.239 --> 00:17:36.799 this verse. 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:37.919 Paul says, 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:38.479 for no matter 00:17:38.479 --> 00:17:39.079 how many 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.919 promises God 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.479 has made, 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.159 they are 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:43.559 yes in 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.019 Christ. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.719 It's as 00:17:50.719 --> 00:17:51.159 though Paul 00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:51.979 reflects back 00:17:51.979 --> 00:17:52.559 on all the 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.339 promises God 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:53.899 has made 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:55.159 throughout 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:55.719 history, 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.579 throughout the 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.259 Old Testament 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.720 and he 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.079 says, 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.200 the answer 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:00.619 to all 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:00.900 of them 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.460 is yes, 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.019 I will 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.619 do that 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.079 for you 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.819 through Jesus 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.359 Christ, 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.539 my son, 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.299 through the 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.299 union that 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:07.799 we have 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.240 with him 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.140 when we 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:09.500 come to 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:09.980 believe and 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.339 be born 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:10.700 again. 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.460 God keeps 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.200 every promise 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.640 he's ever 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:14.559 made to 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.079 Jesus, 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.319 the son of 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:16.640 man, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.079 and all 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:18.500 those who 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:18.759 have been 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.539 united with 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.640 him through 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.140 his death 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:21.779 and resurrection 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.640 by faith. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.359 It's a 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.680 wonderful 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.440 assurance that 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.620 God gives. 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.519 But notice 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.000 what else 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.539 Peter has 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.019 to say 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:30.779 about these 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.480 very great 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.539 and precious 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.320 promises. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.940 He has 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.440 given us 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:36.980 his very 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.500 great and 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:37.840 precious 00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:39.220 promises so 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.039 that through 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.059 them you 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.019 may participate 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.940 in the 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.820 divine nature. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.220 What does 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.720 that mean? 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.160 I love 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:49.720 this verse. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:52.299 God speaking 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:52.980 through Peter, 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.440 God is 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.319 not afraid 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:57.259 to tell 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.299 us how 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.059 close we 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.460 can get 00:18:59.460 --> 00:18:59.960 to him 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.640 through his 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:02.079 promises. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.120 We get 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.839 so close 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.319 to God 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:05.720 through the 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.380 promises that 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.000 we find in 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.460 the pages 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:07.839 of his 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.120 word that 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:09.779 we become 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.559 partakers 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.759 of the 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.279 divine 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.299 nature. 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.539 Would you 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:16.920 like to 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.480 partake 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:19.400 of God's 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:19.759 divine 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.180 nature? 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.099 Would you 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:22.420 like to 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.019 participate 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.819 and be 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.120 brought 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.640 into 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.319 this 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.660 wonderful 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.400 person, 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:29.220 God, 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:29.640 this 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.079 glorious 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.579 God? 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.360 Would you 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:32.819 like to 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:34.839 have that 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.559 most intimate 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.420 of relationships 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.000 with him? 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.279 Peter says 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:39.799 that's what 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.299 these very 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.860 great and 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.180 precious 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:41.680 promises 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.680 do for 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:42.839 us. 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.299 That's where 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.120 they lead 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:44.400 us. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.160 Now some 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:45.339 of you 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:45.640 might be 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:45.900 thinking, 00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:46.280 whoa, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:46.920 this sounds 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:47.540 close to 00:19:47.540 --> 00:19:48.660 blasphemy. 00:19:50.040 --> 00:19:50.759 Are you 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.240 saying that 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.840 we are 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.020 going to 00:19:52.020 --> 00:19:52.360 become 00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:52.800 God? 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:54.420 No. 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.420 Let me 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:56.860 clarify. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.780 Peter's not 00:19:58.780 --> 00:19:59.220 saying that 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.860 we become 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.540 God, 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.080 but that 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:01.620 we become 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.400 partakers 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:04.060 in God's 00:20:04.060 --> 00:20:04.920 nature. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.360 How does 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.780 it work? 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:09.120 Well, 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.500 elsewhere, 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.300 Jesus and 00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:10.900 Paul teach 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.259 us very 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:11.940 clearly that 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.600 we who 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.100 believe in 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.100 Christ and 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.480 are born 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.040 again by 00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:15.560 his spirit 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.119 we become 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.359 one with 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:17.779 Jesus. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:18.980 We are 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:20.179 united to 00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:21.940 Christ so 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.480 deeply, 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.159 born again 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.659 by his 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.220 spirit. 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.720 So much 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.700 so are we 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.279 one, are we 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:28.980 united that 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.500 we are said 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.700 to be co-heirs 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.419 with Christ, 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:36.319 sons of 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.799 God, 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.019 adopted into 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.639 the family. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.200 We get to 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.899 share in 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.639 Christ's 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.279 glory. 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.919 we get to 00:20:46.919 --> 00:20:47.519 share in 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.339 his reign. 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.059 And there 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.339 are many 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.839 things that 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.559 Christ has 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:54.940 that we 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.559 will have 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.559 forever. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.440 Life, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.200 immortality, 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.579 holiness, 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.359 perfection, 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.460 incorruptibility, 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:07.139 glory. 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.139 And like 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:09.799 Jesus, we 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.319 will have the 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:10.960 most intimate 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:12.000 relationship with 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.460 God that 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:12.819 we can 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:14.339 ever imagine. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.940 Let's look at 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.339 a couple 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.259 quick passages. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.200 Colossians 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:18.859 chapter 1 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.680 verse 27. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:20.859 To them 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.299 God has 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.880 chosen to 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.319 make known 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:22.759 among the 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.519 Gentiles the 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.319 glorious riches 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.940 of this 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:25.660 mystery which 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:26.460 is Christ 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:28.119 in you. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.660 The hope 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.440 of glory. 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.339 A little 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.880 later in the 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.339 same letter, 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:33.900 Colossians 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:34.660 chapter 3 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.319 verses 3 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.779 and 4, 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.039 Paul says 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.380 to them, 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:37.740 for you 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.420 died and 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.160 your life 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.560 is now 00:21:39.560 --> 00:21:40.260 hidden with 00:21:40.260 --> 00:21:41.080 Christ in 00:21:41.080 --> 00:21:41.580 God. 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.080 When Christ 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:44.560 who is your 00:21:44.560 --> 00:21:45.500 life appears, 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.640 you also 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.520 will appear 00:21:48.520 --> 00:21:49.200 with him 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.400 in glory. 00:21:51.560 --> 00:21:52.060 There's this 00:21:52.060 --> 00:21:53.300 union that 00:21:53.300 --> 00:21:53.760 we have 00:21:53.760 --> 00:21:54.400 with Jesus. 00:21:56.300 --> 00:21:56.880 And a 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.420 passage we 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.900 haven't got 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.420 to yet in 00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.760 John chapter 00:21:59.760 --> 00:22:00.620 17 is 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.580 Jesus prays 00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:02.240 to his 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.580 father. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:03.960 He says, 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:04.500 my prayer is 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.020 not for my 00:22:05.020 --> 00:22:05.900 disciples alone, 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.120 that's the 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.559 ones with 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:07.939 him that 00:22:07.939 --> 00:22:08.279 evening. 00:22:08.719 --> 00:22:09.299 I pray 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.279 also for 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.759 those who 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.199 will believe 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:11.539 in me 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.000 through their 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.500 message, 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.139 that all of 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:14.619 them may be 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.000 one, 00:22:15.219 --> 00:22:15.399 Father, 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.219 just as you 00:22:16.219 --> 00:22:17.079 are in me 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.619 and I 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.159 am in you. 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.059 May they 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:20.039 also be in 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.879 us so that 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.379 the world 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.119 may believe 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.939 that you 00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.439 have sent 00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:23.679 me. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.099 I have 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.579 given them 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.179 the glory 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.819 that you 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.519 gave me, 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.659 that they 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.359 may be 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:31.159 one as 00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:31.500 we are 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:31.819 one. 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:32.919 I in 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:34.039 them and 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.719 you in 00:22:34.719 --> 00:22:35.899 me so 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.199 that they 00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:36.519 may be 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.039 brought to 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.500 complete 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:37.980 unity. 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.339 These are 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:40.680 wonderful 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.059 words. 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.339 There is 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.839 only one 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.259 God and 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.480 there will 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.039 only ever 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.019 be one 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.399 God. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.440 We 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:45.799 sometimes 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.259 refer to 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.759 God as 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:46.940 the 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.319 Trinity, 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.680 Father, 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.460 Son, 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.099 and Holy 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.480 Spirit. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.319 And the 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:51.759 good news 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.200 of Jesus 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.700 is that 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.220 we by 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.819 faith can 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.180 become 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.899 united to 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.460 a member 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.019 of the 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.399 Trinity, 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.759 united with 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.159 Christ, 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.759 that he 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.319 and his 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.420 spirit live 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.060 in us 00:23:03.060 --> 00:23:03.720 and we 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.480 in them. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.460 And so 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.200 God lives 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.720 in us 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:10.580 and we 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.220 in him. 00:23:12.800 --> 00:23:13.580 We can 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:13.920 become 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.519 partakers 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.039 in this 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.120 way of 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.880 his divine 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.779 nature. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.680 And this 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.720 comes as a 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.480 gift of 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:24.080 his glory 00:23:24.080 --> 00:23:25.140 and goodness 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.019 through 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.940 his promises. 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:31.580 through 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.059 believing 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.840 his promises 00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:33.680 and receiving 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.600 what they 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.000 offer. 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.259 So we 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.480 ought to 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:37.720 give 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.140 ourselves 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:38.400 to 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:38.980 countless 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.559 hours 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.299 in this 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.000 book, 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.220 carefully 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:42.840 reading it, 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.799 meditating on 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.240 it in this 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.840 year ahead, 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.779 because it's 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.160 through the 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:47.059 promises found 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.740 here that we 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.240 can become 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.100 partakers of 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:49.600 the divine 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.160 nature, 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.500 lovingly 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.140 joined to 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:53.539 God 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.539 forever. 00:23:57.940 --> 00:24:00.080 this book 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.620 is full 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.039 of 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.440 very 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:02.880 great 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.759 and 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.220 precious 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:04.960 promises 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.220 which 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.759 believed 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.299 and 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.860 embraced 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.320 will 00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:08.860 lead us 00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:09.420 up 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:09.759 into 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.000 the 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.320 glory 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:10.539 of 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:10.880 God, 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:11.880 into 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.460 union 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.140 with 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.580 God, 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.039 through 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.480 union 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.480 with 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.920 Christ. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.460 There's a 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.080 second half 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.460 to this 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.680 one, 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.039 a part 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.519 B for 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.880 those of 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.140 you who 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.440 love 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.059 outlines. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.660 God's 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:25.880 very 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.220 great 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.720 and precious 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.220 promises, 00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:27.799 not only do 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.119 they make 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:28.279 us 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.759 partakers 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.119 of the 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.440 divine 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:29.879 nature, 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.480 but it's 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:30.919 actually 00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:31.279 through 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.839 them that 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.139 we are 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:32.680 empowered 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.759 to 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.619 overcome 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.379 evil 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.599 here in 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.079 the world 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.659 right now. 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.799 Back to 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.819 2 Peter 1 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.579 verse 4. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:44.819 He has 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.359 given us 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:45.919 his very 00:24:45.919 --> 00:24:46.379 great and 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:46.700 precious 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.639 promises so 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.019 that through 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.819 them you 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.519 may participate 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:49.859 in the 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.139 divine 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.480 nature, 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:50.839 having 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.419 escaped 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:51.659 the 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.159 corruption 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:52.559 in the 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:52.960 world 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:54.299 caused 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.859 by evil 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.399 desires. 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:57.820 How do 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:57.940 we 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.300 break 00:24:58.300 --> 00:24:58.700 free 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.000 from 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.200 the 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.680 allure 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.340 of 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:00.660 sin? 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.160 How do 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:02.440 we win 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:02.880 the battle 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.240 when we're 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.620 tempted 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:05.500 and enticed 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:05.880 to do 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:06.280 evil? 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.019 How are we 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.519 set free 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:08.880 from the 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.259 corruption 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.660 in this 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:09.960 world? 00:25:10.080 --> 00:25:10.680 Peter says 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:12.360 it's by, 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.220 it's through 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.759 the very 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.420 great and 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:14.759 precious 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.340 promises 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.580 that God 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:17.080 has made. 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.120 Now what 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.400 does that 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:19.800 mean? 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:21.599 what does 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.039 that look 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.419 like? 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.500 Sin and 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.000 temptation 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.299 make promises 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.039 to us as 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.279 well. 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:30.500 Do this 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.619 thing and 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.139 it will make 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:32.779 you happy. 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.700 Try this 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.240 thing over 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.819 here, it 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.460 will satisfy 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.919 you, it 00:25:36.919 --> 00:25:37.399 will give 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:37.759 you what 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.200 you long 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.579 for. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.559 And these 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.319 promises that 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.819 sin and 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.599 temptation make, 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.460 they're powerful. 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.319 We feel them 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.000 so deeply. 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:48.180 But these 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.940 promises of 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.399 sin and 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:51.019 temptation start 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.140 to lose their 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.800 power and 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:53.380 their appeal 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.000 when we see 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.640 the far 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:56.280 greater promises 00:25:56.280 --> 00:25:58.180 that God 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.240 has made to 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.180 us, to 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.560 those who 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:01.019 love him. 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:02.780 Let me give 00:26:02.780 --> 00:26:03.340 an example. 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.460 I'd love to 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.120 be rich and 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:08.720 have all the 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.980 pleasures and 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.680 comforts of 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.340 this world. 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:13.000 But Christ 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.780 warns me that 00:26:13.780 --> 00:26:14.540 if I were 00:26:14.540 --> 00:26:15.700 even able to 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.480 obtain all of 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.640 that, it 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.380 wouldn't last. 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.860 the day 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.259 would come 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.600 when my 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.100 life would 00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:21.680 be demanded 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.240 from me. 00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:24.000 Death will 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.519 come knocking 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.940 on my 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.200 door. 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.040 And so 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:27.960 Jesus promises 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.720 me that if 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.280 I give up 00:26:29.280 --> 00:26:30.240 my life for 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.620 me in this 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.840 world and 00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:33.680 lay it down, 00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:35.500 die to 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.600 myself and 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.259 follow him, 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:37.840 he will give 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.360 me something 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:39.240 far greater 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.480 that does 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.220 last forever, 00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:43.759 eternal life 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.660 and the 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.640 salvation of 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:47.080 my soul for 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:47.599 eternity. 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.319 This is 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:50.819 just one of 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.699 many very 00:26:51.699 --> 00:26:52.279 great and 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.179 precious promises 00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:54.480 that kills 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.359 the appeal 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.299 of earthly 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.699 riches. 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.679 It breaks 00:26:58.679 --> 00:26:59.519 the power of 00:26:59.519 --> 00:26:59.779 greed. 00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:00.399 It helps us 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.079 escape the 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.220 corruption in 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.799 the world 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.980 caused by 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.919 evil desire, 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.639 specifically the 00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:07.539 evil desire to 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.539 get more and 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.319 more and more 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.019 and more for 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.519 myself. 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:13.240 And amazingly, 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.400 this promise of 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.680 Christ breaks 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.559 the power of 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.819 greed by 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:20.119 offering me 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.519 a superior 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.160 treasure. 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.900 Something that 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.799 just when I get 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.680 my gaze on it, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.559 it enables me to 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.660 let go of the 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.400 treasures of this 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.420 world, the 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.200 things this world 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.639 loves so dearly. 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.660 It's truly a 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.319 wonderful thing. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.900 How does God 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.559 help us win 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.500 against temptation? 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.559 He offers 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.500 more. 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.660 He guarantees 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:45.720 something better 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:47.940 in its place. 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.000 Superior 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.619 pleasures, 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.460 delights, 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.059 experiences, 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.900 greater possessions 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.759 than this earth 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.559 contains for a 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.220 life that never 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.480 ends in the 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.460 glorious kingdom 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.700 of God when 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.480 Jesus returns. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.139 The promises of 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.960 God give us the 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.500 power that we 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.660 need to say 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.700 no to temptation 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.359 and to evil 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:13.940 desires. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.000 Which means 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.799 that to 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.680 overcome sin 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:19.319 and temptation 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:20.180 in 2023, 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.819 we need to 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.559 keep these 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.299 very great 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.819 and precious 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:25.579 promises right 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:26.160 there in front 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.660 of us. 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.640 Reading them, 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.519 meditating on 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.900 them, even 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.779 memorizing them. 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.619 Do you see the 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.480 benefit of spending 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.680 countless hours 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:37.640 in these pages 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.740 days in the 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.280 year ahead? 00:28:39.280 --> 00:28:41.520 This book is at 00:28:41.520 --> 00:28:42.360 the heart of our 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.259 relationship with 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.620 God. 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.580 This book is the 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.420 place where our 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:47.200 faith grows. 00:28:48.020 --> 00:28:48.660 This book is the 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.400 place where we find 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.340 everything we need 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:50.920 for life. 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.280 This book is full of 00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:54.580 very great and 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:55.440 precious promises 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.520 which enable us to 00:28:56.520 --> 00:28:57.680 partake in the 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:59.500 divine nature and 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.140 escape the 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:01.380 corruption in the 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.160 world caused by 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:03.000 evil desires. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.359 And number 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:07.839 five, this book 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:09.240 is full of the 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.240 instructions that 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:12.279 we need to 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:12.980 stand firm 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:14.259 through 2023 and 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.920 through the rest 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.660 of our lives. 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.640 Matthew chapter 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:22.099 7, verse 24. 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.819 Jesus said this, 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.200 he said, 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.819 everyone who 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.539 hears these 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.279 words of mine 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:27.900 and puts them 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:29.980 into practice is 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.099 like a wise man 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.720 who built his 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.359 house on the 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:32.720 rock. 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:35.079 The rain came 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:36.420 down and the 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.740 streams rose and 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.880 the winds blew 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:39.940 and beat against 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.460 that house, yet it 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:43.279 did not fall because 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.380 it had its foundation 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:45.519 on the rock. 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.980 But everyone who 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.799 hears these words 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.500 of mine and does 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.279 not put them into 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:52.740 practice is like a 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:54.299 foolish man who 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.119 built his house on 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:55.559 sand. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.400 The rain came 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.240 down, the streams 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.099 rose and the winds 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.420 blew and beat 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.900 against that house 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.940 and it fell. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.539 with a great 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.259 crash. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.420 This little 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.160 parable gives us 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:08.819 such a powerful 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.480 illustration. 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.220 How will you 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.400 fare through the 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.819 storms, through the 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.480 challenges, through 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:16.480 the difficulties of 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.200 this coming year, 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:17.799 2023? 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.759 Jesus says it all 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.500 depends on whether 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:23.039 you hear his words 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:24.559 and put them into 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.140 practice. 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.200 practice. 00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:27.340 And to put them into 00:30:27.340 --> 00:30:28.140 practice, you must 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.220 first hear what he 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.980 has to say. 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.280 And to hear what 00:30:31.280 --> 00:30:32.220 Jesus says, you must 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.380 spend time in this 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.680 book listening to 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.680 what he has to say. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.860 Jesus says if you 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:40.020 hear his words and 00:30:40.020 --> 00:30:40.800 don't put them into 00:30:40.800 --> 00:30:42.880 practice, you're a 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.160 fool. 00:30:44.280 --> 00:30:45.180 You're an idiot. 00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:47.300 The way you're living 00:30:47.300 --> 00:30:48.180 your life is like a 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:49.360 guy building his main 00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:50.600 residence on the 00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:51.440 sand of a beach. 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.480 church. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.440 How short-sighted. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.340 It's going to be a 00:30:55.340 --> 00:30:55.860 disaster. 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.360 Why is he a fool? 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:01.180 Because he was told 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:02.140 where and how he 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:02.820 should build it. 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.740 And he chose to 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.340 ignore it. 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.500 Foolishness. 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:09.759 But there's something 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.559 even more foolish 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.140 than this. 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:13.480 The person who has 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:15.000 all the words of 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:17.440 Christ right here 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.779 in his Bible 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:21.000 and doesn't even 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.500 open it to listen, 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.940 to hear. 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.839 Imagine that you 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:28.119 were there as Jesus 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:28.980 was speaking these 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.859 words to the crowd. 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:32.200 And you look beside 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.879 you and there's this 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:34.039 guy there who's got a 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:35.259 scowl on his face. 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.420 And he takes his 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.660 fingers and he puts 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.420 them in his ears. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:40.779 I don't need to 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.700 listen to this guy. 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:45.720 That's you. 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.019 That's me. 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.539 When we look at our 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.379 Bible sitting on the 00:31:49.379 --> 00:31:49.980 shelf or on the 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.960 coffee table and say, 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:53.160 eh, I don't need to 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:53.579 do that. 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.200 I've got better 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:56.220 things to do, more 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.059 important things to 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.220 do. 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:57.900 That's boring. 00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:01.440 You're an idiot, 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.279 says Jesus. 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.720 You're a fool. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.680 If you disregard my 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:08.480 words, the house of 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.539 your life will go 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:09.980 splat. 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:14.079 So let's resolve 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.859 today, before this 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:18.479 new year, to not be 00:32:18.479 --> 00:32:22.699 idiots and fools, let's 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:24.439 resolve today to spend 00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:26.419 countless hours with 00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:30.159 Jesus, listening to 00:32:30.159 --> 00:32:31.459 his word, reading it, 00:32:31.719 --> 00:32:33.359 meditating on it in 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:33.959 2023. 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:36.419 This book is at the 00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:37.059 heart of our 00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:38.219 relationship with God. 00:32:38.439 --> 00:32:39.219 This book is the 00:32:39.219 --> 00:32:40.199 place where our faith 00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:40.719 grows. 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.719 This book is the 00:32:41.719 --> 00:32:42.439 place where we find 00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:43.659 everything we need for 00:32:43.659 --> 00:32:44.039 life. 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:45.259 It's full of very 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.079 great and precious 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.680 promises, and it's 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.619 full of the instructions 00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:49.720 that we need to stand 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:52.259 firm through 2023 and 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.339 the rest of our lives. 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:57.099 As elders, we were 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.099 talking about this, and 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:59.659 we've agreed that each 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:01.420 of us elders are going to 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.379 read through the Bible, 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.659 the whole thing, in 00:33:03.659 --> 00:33:04.240 2023. 00:33:05.159 --> 00:33:06.460 We want this to be the 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.839 normal for those in 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.579 leadership in our 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:08.879 church. 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:10.380 kind of the unwritten 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:12.500 expectation for everyone 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.640 who serves as an elder in 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.660 this church, that every 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.920 year we carefully and 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.920 prayerfully read through 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.620 God's word, cover to 00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:18.880 cover. 00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:21.620 And we want to encourage 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:24.280 all of you, we want to 00:33:24.280 --> 00:33:26.420 invite you to join us, to 00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:27.800 read God's word with us. 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:29.940 And so on the table at the 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:31.340 back, we've made available a 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:34.180 few different kinds of Bible 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:36.560 reading plans so that you can 00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:37.020 do that. 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:38.480 Now, we know that 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.559 everybody's at a different 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.019 place. 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:41.099 For some of you, you've 00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:42.000 maybe never tried this 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.359 before. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.019 And so reading through the 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.000 whole Bible may be a bit 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.480 much for you. 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:47.099 We've got a plan for you. 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:49.079 Five by five by five plan, 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.660 five minutes a day, five 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.960 days a week, read through 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:53.839 the whole New Testament in 00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:54.240 the year. 00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:56.119 And you get two days a week 00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:57.379 just to catch up and 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:59.240 reflect in case you get 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.619 behind. 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.339 We've got a plan for kids. 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.660 We want all the kids to 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:02.879 read. 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:04.299 Parents, help your kids 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.400 read through God's word 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:05.900 this year. 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:07.300 We've got a plan back 00:34:07.300 --> 00:34:08.079 there called the sweeter 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.820 than honey plan. 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.820 And it just takes kids 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:11.460 right through select 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:13.019 chapters through the main 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:16.099 story of the Bible with a 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:17.579 good mix of old and new 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:19.559 testaments, Psalms, and 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.059 Proverbs. 00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:23.000 If you're thinking, yeah, I 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:24.880 want to feast on God's word 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.440 this year. 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:27.340 Give me the whole Bible this 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.579 year. 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:29.599 We've got two plans for you. 00:34:29.700 --> 00:34:30.680 We've got one that takes you 00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.539 through the Old Testament 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:31.900 chronologically. 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:34.420 It even puts the Psalms and 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.860 the prophets in their place 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:37.400 in the narrative so you can 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:38.260 kind of know when they 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:40.019 happen and when they spoke. 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:42.079 That's at the back there. 00:34:42.740 --> 00:34:44.340 And we've got a plan called 00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:45.760 the book at a time plan where 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.619 you just work through a book 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:47.880 at a time alternating back 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:49.059 and forth between the Old 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.840 and the New Testament. 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:52.720 And all of these plans are 00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:54.460 just 25 readings per month so 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:56.440 you get days for catch up and 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:56.940 reflection. 00:34:56.940 --> 00:35:00.159 Christian, and let's do 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:00.539 this. 00:35:01.099 --> 00:35:02.260 This could be a really good 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:03.420 year for us as a church. 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:05.639 This is how we grow in our 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:06.539 faith as a church. 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.940 If you're really up for a 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:10.740 challenge, maybe you've 00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.519 already been through the 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:13.820 Bible several times and you 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:16.179 just want to go deeper, I've 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:17.440 got something special for you. 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:19.980 I will give you your own copy 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:22.579 of the Holman Bible Atlas with 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:24.380 all the maps, all the stuff that 00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:25.980 talks about what happened in 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:28.960 those trickier parts, where 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:30.619 the Assyrian Empire went down 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.740 to attack and blah, blah, 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.179 blah, blah, blah. 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.719 It's all back there. 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:35.599 You can have a look at that 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:37.059 and just throw your name down 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:37.219 there. 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:38.539 If you want a copy of that, I 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.679 will give that to you as my 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.740 Christmas gift this year. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:42.300 Read through it with your 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:43.780 Bible reading plan this year. 00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:45.800 Finally, if you don't have a 00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:47.760 Bible, we would love to just 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:49.240 give you one as a church. 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:51.920 We've got Bibles for kids of a 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.699 couple different ages. 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:55.579 We've got Bibles for just nice 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.899 Bibles for you if you're an 00:35:56.899 --> 00:35:58.819 adult and we would be happy to 00:35:58.819 --> 00:35:59.500 just give you that. 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:02.759 We want to see you know God and 00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:05.719 know his son Jesus and we want 00:36:05.719 --> 00:36:07.819 this to be an awesome year for 00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:08.159 everyone. 00:36:08.939 --> 00:36:09.460 Let's pray. 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:13.760 Father in heaven, thank you for 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.760 the gift of your word. 00:36:16.280 --> 00:36:18.199 I pray and ask that you would 00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:19.559 work in our hearts, that we would 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:21.599 hunger and thirst for it, that we 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:24.039 would know that we do not live by 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:26.519 bread alone, but by every word that 00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.539 proceeds from your mouth. 00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:29.880 Work that into each one of us, we 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:31.619 pray in Jesus' name. 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:32.619 Amen.