WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:02.000 How is life right now? 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:07.280 If you were asked to describe your life right now 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:12.120 and do it in enough detail to fill up one sheet of paper, 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:13.859 what would you say? 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:19.960 What would you talk about your life right now? 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:25.560 Who would you talk about in your life right now? 00:00:25.559 --> 00:00:31.719 Well, I would imagine that all of us would describe a mixture 00:00:31.719 --> 00:00:35.339 of both positive and negatives 00:00:35.339 --> 00:00:37.920 concerning such things as our health, 00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:40.340 our feelings, 00:00:41.519 --> 00:00:43.759 our relationships with other people, 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:46.780 even our relationship with God. 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:51.780 If we could compile all these papers, 00:00:51.780 --> 00:00:55.719 most of what would be written 00:00:55.719 --> 00:01:00.579 would describe situations that are less than ideal. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:04.780 And that's because we live in a less than ideal world. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:09.379 We live in a fallen world that is far from perfect. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:13.700 But one day, if you are a Christian, 00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:15.840 that's going to change. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:19.719 We've looked over the past four weeks 00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:21.280 at what happens after we die. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:24.420 Last week we looked 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:27.579 and we saw that one day 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:32.140 the Lord will rescue you 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:34.420 and me if we're Christians 00:01:34.420 --> 00:01:37.159 from this broken world. 00:01:38.080 --> 00:01:39.920 He's going to take us to a perfect world 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:41.719 where we'll live with Him 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:43.700 and our Heavenly Father 00:01:43.700 --> 00:01:46.099 and all other Christians 00:01:46.099 --> 00:01:47.640 forever. 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:50.519 We're going to live eternally 00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:51.459 in a new heaven 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:53.560 and a new earth. 00:01:54.680 --> 00:01:56.260 In that perfect world, 00:01:57.200 --> 00:01:59.460 all the beauty that you enjoy 00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:00.219 in this world 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:02.099 will be preserved 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:04.259 and even enhanced. 00:02:04.259 --> 00:02:07.259 Every Christian relationship 00:02:07.260 --> 00:02:07.780 relationship 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:12.120 that has been severed by death, 00:02:12.659 --> 00:02:14.080 it'll be restored. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:17.400 Your relationships 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:19.580 with your Christian family members 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:20.180 who've died, 00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:23.960 they'll be refreshed. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:25.780 They'll be new. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:29.140 All pain and frustration 00:02:29.140 --> 00:02:31.379 and ugliness 00:02:31.379 --> 00:02:33.580 will disappear. 00:02:33.580 --> 00:02:37.500 All of your deepest 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:39.900 God-honoring desires 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:41.920 will be fulfilled. 00:02:43.200 --> 00:02:44.320 God the Father 00:02:44.320 --> 00:02:46.180 and our Lord Jesus Christ 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:47.360 will light up 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:48.740 this perfect world 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:53.260 with their glorious presence 00:02:53.260 --> 00:02:54.920 and power. 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:57.460 And they'll guarantee 00:02:57.460 --> 00:02:59.020 that life will always be perfect 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:00.620 for you and me 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:02.560 because 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:04.719 when we get to heaven, 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:06.800 they will have made us perfect. 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:10.020 And they will have banished 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:11.439 from eternity 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:14.120 all that is not perfect. 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:15.860 You know, 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:16.719 the Bible writers 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:17.900 do their best 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:20.099 to describe for us 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:22.680 what we can look forward to 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:24.099 for all eternity 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:24.960 in heaven. 00:03:25.960 --> 00:03:28.540 But words are not really adequate 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:31.079 to describe 00:03:31.079 --> 00:03:33.139 what it will be like. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:34.780 And Paul actually 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:35.919 tells us that. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:37.299 Look at this 00:03:37.299 --> 00:03:38.799 in 1 Corinthians 2. 00:03:39.859 --> 00:03:40.419 He says, 00:03:40.519 --> 00:03:41.459 No eye has seen, 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:42.560 no ear has heard, 00:03:42.739 --> 00:03:43.659 and no mind 00:03:43.659 --> 00:03:44.459 has imagined 00:03:44.459 --> 00:03:45.919 what God has prepared 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:47.299 for those who love Him. 00:03:49.799 --> 00:03:51.459 God has prepared 00:03:51.459 --> 00:03:52.699 the best life possible 00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:53.799 for us, 00:03:53.859 --> 00:03:54.439 His children. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:56.919 Jesus' death on the cross 00:03:56.919 --> 00:03:57.559 for our sins 00:03:57.559 --> 00:03:58.939 makes it possible, 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:00.659 and His resurrection 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:02.799 guarantees it. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:05.579 If you're trusting in Jesus 00:04:05.579 --> 00:04:06.479 as your Lord and Savior 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:07.039 right now, 00:04:07.899 --> 00:04:09.359 you have a perfect 00:04:09.359 --> 00:04:11.619 eternal home 00:04:11.619 --> 00:04:13.500 waiting for you. 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:15.779 And that's what we've been 00:04:15.779 --> 00:04:16.360 looking at 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:18.219 over the last four weeks. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:19.759 Well, today, 00:04:20.039 --> 00:04:21.379 we're going to shift focuses. 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:24.120 We're going to think today, 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:24.780 or look today, 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:27.199 how we should live 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:28.780 until then. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:31.259 As Peter instructs us 00:04:31.259 --> 00:04:32.759 in his second letter, 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:34.019 the third chapter. 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:34.959 And I want you 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:36.139 to take your Bible 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:36.600 because we're going 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:37.480 to keep it open there. 00:04:38.340 --> 00:04:40.360 2 Peter chapter 3, 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:42.459 beginning in verse 13. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:44.439 What's happened 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:46.540 in 2 Peter chapter 3, 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:48.240 he's been describing 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:49.340 end times. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:50.879 And he concludes it 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:51.459 by talking about 00:04:51.459 --> 00:04:51.899 the new heaven 00:04:51.899 --> 00:04:52.540 and new earth. 00:04:52.540 --> 00:04:55.379 But what he's actually doing, 00:04:55.500 --> 00:04:56.720 beginning in verse 13 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:57.720 and 14, 00:04:58.220 --> 00:04:59.000 and then through the end 00:04:59.000 --> 00:04:59.620 of this letter, 00:05:00.460 --> 00:05:01.840 he's giving us 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:02.460 some instructions 00:05:02.460 --> 00:05:03.260 on how we need 00:05:03.260 --> 00:05:04.240 to live now 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:06.660 and in anticipation 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:09.180 of living forever 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:11.420 in this new eternal home. 00:05:12.640 --> 00:05:13.439 Read with me. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:14.860 2 Peter chapter 3, 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:15.900 beginning in verse 13. 00:05:15.900 --> 00:05:19.000 But according to his promise, 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:21.340 we're waiting for 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:21.919 a new heaven 00:05:21.919 --> 00:05:23.019 and a new earth 00:05:23.019 --> 00:05:25.459 in which righteousness dwells. 00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:26.439 Therefore, 00:05:26.799 --> 00:05:27.919 in light of that, 00:05:28.359 --> 00:05:28.959 in light of what he's 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:29.439 been saying, 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:30.339 therefore, 00:05:30.739 --> 00:05:31.039 beloved, 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:32.339 he's talking to Christians. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:33.779 He makes it clear 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:34.199 at the beginning 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:34.679 of the letter 00:05:34.679 --> 00:05:35.579 and throughout the letter 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:36.699 in various ways 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:37.219 like this, 00:05:37.299 --> 00:05:38.379 he's calling these people 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:39.199 beloved. 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:40.379 Therefore, 00:05:40.539 --> 00:05:40.979 beloved, 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:42.539 since you are waiting 00:05:42.539 --> 00:05:43.399 for these, 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:44.759 be diligent 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:46.120 to be found 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:46.759 by him 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:47.740 without spot 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:49.180 or blemish 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:50.699 and at peace. 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:53.120 And count the patience 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:54.019 of our Lord 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:55.019 as salvation, 00:05:55.719 --> 00:05:56.980 just as our beloved 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:57.899 brother Paul 00:05:57.899 --> 00:05:59.579 also wrote to you 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:00.659 according to the wisdom 00:06:00.659 --> 00:06:01.420 given him, 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:03.139 as he does 00:06:03.139 --> 00:06:04.180 in all his letters 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:05.019 when he speaks 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:05.620 in them 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.399 of these matters. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:08.339 There are some things 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:08.779 in them 00:06:08.779 --> 00:06:09.519 that are hard 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:10.439 to understand. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:11.180 Now, 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:11.720 I want you to think 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:14.120 as you read 00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:14.740 the New Testament, 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:16.439 some of Paul's letters, 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:17.759 you run across things, 00:06:17.840 --> 00:06:18.519 you scratch your head 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:18.819 and think, 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:19.459 these are hard 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:19.959 to understand. 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:20.280 Well, 00:06:20.280 --> 00:06:20.860 Peter even said 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:21.480 the same thing. 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:23.519 So we're in good company, 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:25.759 which the ignorant 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:26.720 and unstable 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:27.519 twist 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:29.460 to their own destruction 00:06:29.460 --> 00:06:30.860 as they do 00:06:30.860 --> 00:06:32.540 the other scriptures. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:34.819 That puts Paul's writings 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:35.759 in the New Testament 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:37.040 on a level 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:38.720 with scripture, 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:39.680 the authority 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:40.240 of scripture. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:42.139 You, 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:42.540 therefore, 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:43.180 beloved, 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:45.340 knowing this beforehand, 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:47.060 take care 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:48.280 that you are not 00:06:48.280 --> 00:06:49.019 carried away 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:49.959 with the error 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:51.400 of lawless people 00:06:51.400 --> 00:06:52.740 and lose your own stability, 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:54.720 but grow in the grace 00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:55.300 and knowledge 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:56.040 of our Lord Jesus, 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:57.540 of our Lord and Savior 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:58.379 Jesus Christ. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:06:59.819 To him be the glory 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:00.899 both now 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:02.019 and to the day 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:02.840 of eternity. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:03.920 Amen. 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.579 Peter is telling us 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:08.379 no matter how good 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:09.300 it's going to be one day, 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:10.759 it matters how we live now. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:13.819 It matters how you 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:15.000 live your life 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:15.920 every day 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:17.180 in every setting. 00:07:17.400 --> 00:07:19.459 It matters to God 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:21.900 how we all live. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.620 What we have here 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:24.639 are some instructions 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:26.340 on how to live 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:27.100 in this world 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:29.620 until Jesus comes for us 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:30.860 either at our death 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:34.000 or at his second coming 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:34.600 if we're alive 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:35.180 at that time. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.920 Let's think in terms 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:37.759 of how we should live 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:39.360 until then. 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:40.040 First, 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:40.840 and we're just going to look 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:41.639 at one thing 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:42.379 this morning. 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:43.160 First, 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:43.980 get serious 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:45.240 about your character. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:47.460 Believe it or not, 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:49.660 in 2019, 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:52.939 character still counts. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:55.019 It may not 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:55.759 with a lot of people. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:56.439 It may not 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:57.560 in certain places 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:58.480 of government. 00:07:59.280 --> 00:08:00.019 It may not 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:02.279 in certain centers 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:03.939 of the entertainment world, 00:08:04.659 --> 00:08:06.199 even in the sports world. 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.479 It may not 00:08:09.479 --> 00:08:10.419 in a lot of places, 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:11.500 even where you work. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:14.220 But before God, 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:16.399 among God's people, 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.660 in Christian homes 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:21.220 and churches 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:22.899 and businesses, 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:24.639 wherever we are, 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:26.699 God wants us to know 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:28.800 that character counts. 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:30.120 Our character. 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.360 Who we are 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:33.440 deep down. 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:34.440 Who we are 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:35.580 when no one else is looking. 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:37.799 Character counts. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:38.960 And he's telling us here 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:40.259 in no uncertain terms, 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:41.379 get serious 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:42.600 about your character. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:43.439 Look at verse 14. 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:44.639 Be diligent 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.299 to be found by him 00:08:46.299 --> 00:08:47.080 without spot 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:47.919 or blemish 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:48.799 and at peace. 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:50.259 Let's define 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:51.080 what I'm talking about 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:51.620 when I say 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.559 Christian character 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:53.399 in this verse. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:54.519 First, 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:55.360 he says to be 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.139 without spot 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:56.740 or blemish. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.659 That may be a phrase 00:08:58.659 --> 00:08:59.679 that comes 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:00.980 from the Old Testament 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:02.340 sacrificial system 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:03.600 where God told 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:04.399 the people of Israel 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.379 they were to bring 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:05.899 an animal 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.039 to be sacrificed 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:09.279 that was without spot 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:10.639 or blemish. 00:09:11.339 --> 00:09:12.159 They were to bring 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:13.139 their best to God 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:14.699 not what they didn't want. 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:17.159 Bring their best. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.039 Well, 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:20.659 these words, 00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:21.379 the idea of being 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:21.919 without spot 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:22.360 or blemish 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.439 are really found 00:09:23.439 --> 00:09:24.199 throughout the Bible 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:25.079 to describe 00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:27.079 the holy character 00:09:27.079 --> 00:09:28.179 that God calls 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:29.120 all of his people 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:30.819 to develop 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:33.019 and then to actually 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:33.679 demonstrate 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:34.299 in the way 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:34.939 that we live. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:36.560 The point here is 00:09:36.560 --> 00:09:39.020 purity matters to God. 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:41.940 Purity matters to God. 00:09:42.660 --> 00:09:42.880 Now, 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.360 most people 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:44.080 when you think about 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:45.500 use the word purity 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:46.280 they automatically think 00:09:46.280 --> 00:09:47.220 sexual purity. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:48.060 That's okay. 00:09:48.780 --> 00:09:49.660 Let's look at it 00:09:49.660 --> 00:09:50.080 for a moment. 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:51.420 It's not limited to that 00:09:51.420 --> 00:09:52.140 but let's think about it 00:09:52.140 --> 00:09:52.480 for a moment. 00:09:53.140 --> 00:09:54.760 God calls us today 00:09:54.760 --> 00:09:56.480 in our culture 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:59.480 to be pure 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:02.000 in what we think 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:04.139 and in how we live 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:06.179 in the sexual realm. 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.399 He wants us to be pure 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.100 in our thoughts 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:08.820 and in our actions 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:09.759 and it applies 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:10.720 to both the single 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:12.240 and the married. 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.539 Here's something 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:16.539 you're not going to see 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:17.580 anywhere today 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:19.559 or you haven't seen 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:20.919 or heard in a long time 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:23.519 but the Bible 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.840 tells us 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:26.220 that God wants 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:28.460 every young person 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:29.000 man, 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:29.740 woman, 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:31.299 older person, 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:31.519 man, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:31.720 woman 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:32.480 who is single 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:35.019 to abstain 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:36.139 from a sexual 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:36.800 relationship 00:10:36.800 --> 00:10:38.680 until you get married. 00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:42.540 You don't hear 00:10:42.540 --> 00:10:43.100 that much today 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:43.340 do you? 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:43.960 And you certainly 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:44.759 don't see it 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:46.340 lived out 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:47.320 in our culture 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:48.639 on the screen 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.160 or in real life. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.160 And most people 00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:51.740 today think 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:52.759 it doesn't matter. 00:10:53.540 --> 00:10:54.100 That's just, 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:55.399 that is so 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:57.540 way back in history 00:10:57.540 --> 00:10:58.680 dark age type 00:10:58.680 --> 00:10:59.540 mentality. 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:00.860 Tim Tebow 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:01.300 talks about 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:01.979 about things 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:02.539 like that 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.519 and he has 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:03.939 a certain 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:04.899 number of people, 00:11:04.979 --> 00:11:05.299 certain group 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:05.500 of people 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:06.399 who like him 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:06.799 but a lot 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:07.179 of people 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:08.279 despise him 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:09.199 and make fun 00:11:09.199 --> 00:11:09.759 of such 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.859 statements 00:11:10.859 --> 00:11:12.779 about remaining 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:13.919 sexually pure 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:14.839 until you get 00:11:14.839 --> 00:11:15.259 married. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:16.620 This also applies 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.299 to married people, 00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:18.799 remaining faithful 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:20.339 to your spouse 00:11:20.339 --> 00:11:22.159 no matter what. 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:23.579 Now, 00:11:24.579 --> 00:11:25.799 you think, 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:27.699 you just don't 00:11:27.699 --> 00:11:28.079 hear a lot 00:11:28.079 --> 00:11:28.799 about purity 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:29.159 today. 00:11:30.479 --> 00:11:31.359 Does anyone 00:11:31.359 --> 00:11:32.240 really care 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.799 about sexual 00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:34.939 purity enough 00:11:34.939 --> 00:11:36.240 to talk about 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:36.419 it, 00:11:36.699 --> 00:11:37.259 to emphasize 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:37.939 it today? 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:38.339 Well, 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.279 God does. 00:11:41.979 --> 00:11:42.779 And it has 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:43.439 not been removed 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:44.120 from his word. 00:11:45.079 --> 00:11:45.759 And if God 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.599 thinks purity 00:11:46.599 --> 00:11:47.099 matters, 00:11:47.439 --> 00:11:47.699 we, 00:11:47.839 --> 00:11:48.620 his children, 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:49.939 we should 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:50.500 understand that 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.019 it really does 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.219 matter. 00:11:51.359 --> 00:11:52.019 It should matter 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.139 to us. 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:54.799 God cares 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:55.199 about more 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:55.659 than sexual 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:55.939 purity, 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.159 though. 00:11:57.699 --> 00:11:58.600 He cares 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:00.240 about us 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.039 being pure 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:03.120 in our speech, 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.519 in the things 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:06.379 we talk about, 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:08.419 in the way 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:09.000 we talk to 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.259 people. 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:10.980 He cares 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:11.279 about us 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:11.899 being pure 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:13.179 in our 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.179 thought life, 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:15.600 in our 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:16.199 attitudes, 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:17.960 as well as 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:18.460 our conduct. 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:19.840 Now, 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:20.360 look back. 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.120 God also 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.579 wants us 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.300 to be at 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:22.800 peace, 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.300 it says. 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:24.120 Now, 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:24.700 it's not 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:25.500 clear whether 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:25.820 this is, 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:26.759 he's talking 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.780 about peace 00:12:27.780 --> 00:12:28.460 with God, 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:29.800 peace with 00:12:29.800 --> 00:12:30.460 other people, 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:31.480 or just 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:32.000 having a 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:32.580 sense of 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.540 personal 00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:35.920 inner peace. 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:37.240 Well, 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:38.780 we know 00:12:38.780 --> 00:12:39.200 that the Bible 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:39.639 talks about 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:39.840 in other 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.520 places that 00:12:40.520 --> 00:12:42.100 we can 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.040 have peace 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:43.740 with God 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:45.300 through a 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:46.020 right relationship 00:12:46.020 --> 00:12:46.759 with Jesus. 00:12:48.040 --> 00:12:48.700 When we 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.280 have peace 00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:49.840 with God, 00:12:49.920 --> 00:12:50.160 we can 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:50.780 experience the 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:51.339 peace of 00:12:51.339 --> 00:12:51.720 God in 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.279 our lives, 00:12:52.459 --> 00:12:53.659 and when 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:53.980 this is 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.579 taking place, 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.000 it should 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:55.759 spill over 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.439 into our 00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:57.319 relationships 00:12:57.319 --> 00:12:57.799 with other 00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:58.159 people. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.000 So, 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:00.360 when he 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:00.860 talks about 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.179 we should 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:01.559 be at 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.079 peace, 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.240 let's just 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.659 think in 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:04.039 terms, 00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:04.559 in this 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.199 context, 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:06.819 he's talking 00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:07.240 about the 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:07.699 character 00:13:07.699 --> 00:13:08.679 quality of 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:09.100 peace, 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:10.819 that we 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:12.199 experience it 00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:12.980 and we 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.179 communicate it 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.459 in all of 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:16.139 our relationships. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.759 we are 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:18.039 peaceful 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:18.639 people. 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.500 We'll look 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:20.840 at it that 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.360 way today. 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:22.639 Now, 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.059 there's one 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:23.559 phrase that 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:24.000 we skipped 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.519 over at the 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:24.960 beginning of 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.799 verse 14 that 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.080 I want you to 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:26.539 look at now. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:26.980 Look at it 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.340 carefully. 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:28.960 He says, 00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:29.819 be diligent 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:31.500 to be found 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.500 by him, 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.080 that's the 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:34.460 Lord when he 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:34.919 comes back, 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.740 without spot 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.679 or blemish 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:39.740 and at 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:40.179 peace. 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:41.059 The NIV 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:42.279 translates that 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.179 first phrase 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:43.779 be diligent 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.639 as make 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.100 every effort. 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.279 God wants 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.199 us to make 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.179 every effort. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:52.879 God wants 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.559 us to try 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:54.559 our hardest 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:56.199 to be people 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:56.899 of high 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:58.759 moral character. 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.379 That's the way 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:00.939 he wants us 00:14:00.939 --> 00:14:01.620 to live. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.360 That's the kind 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:02.980 of character 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.480 he wants us 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.120 to develop. 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:05.360 And when 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:05.860 the Lord, 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:06.579 when we do 00:14:06.579 --> 00:14:07.139 see the Lord, 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:07.720 whether it be 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:09.000 we die or 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.799 he comes back, 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.220 we won't be 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:11.740 ashamed. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.699 We won't be 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:14.379 embarrassed. 00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:15.240 Now, 00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:16.319 when he says, 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.079 be diligent 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:17.819 to be found 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:18.199 by him 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:18.699 without spot 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.159 or blemish, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.100 he talks about 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.199 make every effort. 00:14:22.199 --> 00:14:22.720 That means 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.419 to try your 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:23.759 hardest. 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:25.819 Hopefully, 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.519 you know, 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:27.199 and just in 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:27.679 case you don't 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:28.299 want to clarify 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:28.740 here, 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:29.759 this does not 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.100 mean that we 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:30.519 have to try 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.159 our hardest 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.000 to earn 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.860 God's favor 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:34.559 or to save 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.740 ourselves. 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.559 As I said 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:37.879 when I was 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.220 reading through 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.799 that passage, 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:39.799 Peter's making 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.259 it clear that 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:40.759 he's writing 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.339 to Christians, 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.000 people who 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.539 are already 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.259 right with 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.559 God because 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:44.879 they are 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.460 trusting in 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:45.740 Jesus. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.080 He's writing 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:47.639 this letter, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.259 it's addressed 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.840 to Christians, 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.759 he refers to 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.379 them as the 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.100 beloved, 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:51.940 they're his 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:52.620 brothers and 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.279 sisters in 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.779 Christ. 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.860 So Peter is 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.659 writing to 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.460 people who are 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.220 already Christians 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.899 and he's saying 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.700 it matters how 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.360 you live. 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:03.639 He's saying 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.000 you need to 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.440 put forth 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:05.340 every effort 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:07.080 to live this 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:07.759 kind of 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.180 pure and 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:10.060 peaceful life 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:10.420 that will 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:11.460 please God, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.200 that will 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.580 please the 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.060 Lord Jesus 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:14.320 when we see 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:14.540 him, 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:14.960 whenever it 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.360 is that we 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:15.820 see him. 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:16.700 Now, 00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.080 this is a 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:18.720 command for 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.200 us to 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:20.720 put forth 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.120 the effort, 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:21.480 we can put 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:21.820 it this way, 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.320 this is a 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:22.639 command for 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:22.940 us to put 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.259 forth the 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.240 effort to 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.200 live like 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:26.000 the Christian 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.300 that we are 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:27.780 through faith 00:15:27.780 --> 00:15:28.220 in Jesus. 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:29.759 Paul said 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.600 something similar 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.300 in his letter 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:31.740 to the 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.860 Philippian church. 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:33.620 I want you to 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.060 look at it, 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.440 it's on the 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:34.740 screen, 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.240 Philippians 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:36.000 chapter 2 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.980 verses 12 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.440 and 13, 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.060 look at it, 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:38.759 the first 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.240 verse, 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:40.220 therefore, 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.480 my beloved, 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:44.100 as you have 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.399 always obeyed, 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.419 so now, 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.759 not only as 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.759 in my presence, 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:50.019 but much more 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.159 in my absence, 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.759 work out 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.919 your own 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.700 salvation 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.419 with fear 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:55.860 and trembling. 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.320 Let's stop 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:56.539 there. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.740 Paul is 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.419 writing to 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.159 Christians, 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.019 the church 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.980 in the city 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.799 of Philippi, 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.799 people who 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.559 are Christians, 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.379 people who 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.359 have experienced 00:16:07.359 --> 00:16:08.459 salvation. 00:16:09.979 --> 00:16:10.799 He's telling 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.659 them to 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:13.319 put it into 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:13.959 practice 00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:15.519 with that 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:15.899 word, 00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:16.859 work out 00:16:16.859 --> 00:16:17.639 your salvation. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.740 He's talking 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.199 about being 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:20.219 very serious 00:16:20.219 --> 00:16:20.779 about it 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:21.679 with fear 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.500 and trembling 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.419 and then he 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:23.839 goes on to 00:16:23.839 --> 00:16:24.279 describe how 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:24.599 that takes 00:16:24.599 --> 00:16:25.059 place. 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:26.399 For it is 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:26.979 God who 00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:27.559 works in 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.899 you both 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.719 to will 00:16:29.719 --> 00:16:30.620 and to 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.219 work for 00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:32.539 his good 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:32.899 pleasure. 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.919 Let's 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.219 think about 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.500 what he's 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:35.959 saying there. 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.179 When God 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:37.919 saves us, 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:38.259 he puts 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.899 his spirit 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:40.019 in us. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:42.879 Whenever 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:45.379 you became 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:45.699 a Christian, 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:46.339 whenever you 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:47.559 were born 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:47.959 again, 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.779 you put 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.240 your faith 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:50.679 in Jesus, 00:16:50.979 --> 00:16:51.279 you turn 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:51.620 from your 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.039 sin, 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:54.019 God put 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:54.620 his spirit 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.199 in you. 00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:57.159 In Romans 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.759 chapter 8, 00:16:57.859 --> 00:16:58.339 we're told 00:16:58.339 --> 00:16:58.799 that if the 00:16:58.799 --> 00:16:59.339 spirit of God 00:16:59.339 --> 00:16:59.620 does not 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.120 live in us, 00:17:00.219 --> 00:17:00.699 we are not 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:01.159 Christians. 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:03.219 very clear. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.700 From the 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.159 point that 00:17:06.159 --> 00:17:06.379 the Holy 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:07.019 Spirit comes 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.599 to live 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.119 within us, 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.480 he works 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.240 in us 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.220 to enable 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.759 us to 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.279 work out 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.059 our salvation. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.399 And the 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:14.920 way he does 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.220 that, 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:15.920 he gives 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.339 us the 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:16.920 desire 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:18.039 and the 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.619 ability 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:20.099 to live 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:20.619 a life 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.659 that pleases 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:22.279 God. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:22.920 Let's 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.139 sort of 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:23.740 pause here 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.740 and evaluate 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.259 this. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.839 if you 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:27.119 are a 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:27.460 Christian, 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.920 you should 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.240 be able 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.180 to say, 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.819 like this 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.140 verse is 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:33.480 saying in 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:33.960 some way, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.460 you should 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.859 understand and 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.180 be able to 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:36.440 say, 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.559 I am a 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:37.859 Christian, 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.400 the Spirit 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:38.740 of God 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.180 works in 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.420 me, 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.079 and he 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.859 gives me 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.839 desires 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.059 to live 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.460 the kind 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:44.900 of life 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:45.240 that would 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.160 please God. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.160 He causes 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:49.660 me to 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:51.819 want to 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.279 do the 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:52.799 kinds of 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:54.859 things that 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:56.159 please God 00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:56.619 like, 00:17:57.719 --> 00:17:58.719 tell the 00:17:58.719 --> 00:17:59.079 truth, 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.319 love your 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.000 spouse. 00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:05.179 He puts 00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:05.939 desires in 00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:06.419 you to 00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:06.859 cause you 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.359 to know, 00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:07.839 I don't 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.119 want to 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:08.419 lie. 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:09.579 I don't 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:09.759 want to 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.639 be dishonest. 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:11.879 I don't 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.099 want to 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.939 be a 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:14.159 jerk 00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:14.719 husband. 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:15.919 I don't 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.259 want to 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.279 be a 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:17.599 battle 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.199 axe kind 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:18.799 of wife. 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.479 The Spirit 00:18:20.479 --> 00:18:20.799 of God 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.399 causes us 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:21.559 to have 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:21.899 the right 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.319 kind of 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:22.859 desires 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.679 that would 00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:24.399 please God. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.399 And not 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:25.759 only does 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:25.959 He give 00:18:25.959 --> 00:18:26.199 us these 00:18:26.199 --> 00:18:26.419 kind of 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:26.939 desires, 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:29.000 if we'll 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.039 cooperate with 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.299 Him, 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:31.319 He will 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:31.859 give us 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.740 the ability 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:34.299 to see 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:34.699 what we 00:18:34.699 --> 00:18:35.019 need to 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.659 do and 00:18:35.659 --> 00:18:36.259 put forth 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.919 the effort 00:18:36.919 --> 00:18:37.379 like that 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:37.879 verse is 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:38.479 talking about 00:18:38.479 --> 00:18:40.819 to sometimes 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.919 close our 00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.439 mouths, 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:44.079 sometimes do 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.659 the thing 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:45.679 that is 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.139 hard to 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:46.379 do, 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.279 sometimes 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.039 resist the 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.619 temptation 00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:49.619 that seems 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.539 overwhelming. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.079 Now don't 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.919 misunderstand this 00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:53.139 now. 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.160 We talk 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:54.440 about the 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:54.759 Spirit of 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.200 God works 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.520 in us 00:18:55.520 --> 00:18:56.040 to give 00:18:56.040 --> 00:18:56.720 us both 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.520 the will 00:18:57.520 --> 00:18:57.780 and the 00:18:57.780 --> 00:18:58.180 work for 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.440 His good 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:58.820 pleasure. 00:18:59.320 --> 00:18:59.640 The Spirit 00:18:59.640 --> 00:18:59.980 of God 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.540 lives in 00:19:00.540 --> 00:19:00.940 us, 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.259 but sometimes 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.600 we're not 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.220 very sensitive 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.680 to His 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.200 presence. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.400 And so 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.060 sometimes we 00:19:06.060 --> 00:19:06.520 don't have 00:19:06.520 --> 00:19:07.240 the strongest 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.420 desire. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.860 Sometimes we're 00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:11.600 just not willing 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.140 to put forth 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.600 the effort. 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.040 That's because 00:19:14.040 --> 00:19:14.520 we have a 00:19:14.520 --> 00:19:15.240 sinful nature. 00:19:16.340 --> 00:19:16.680 We're still 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:17.680 tempted to do 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.660 what we want 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.000 to do, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:21.059 to ignore 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.579 the Holy 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.720 Spirit's 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.779 prompting 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.519 desires. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:27.920 But Peter 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.359 is telling 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:28.819 us, 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:29.880 in effect 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:30.339 here where 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:30.799 we are, 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.359 be diligent. 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:34.900 Put forth 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.599 your best 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.640 effort to 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.420 cooperate with 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.680 the Holy 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:39.160 Spirit to 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.200 develop Christ-like 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:40.680 character, 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.160 specifically to 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.839 be pure 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:44.420 and peaceful. 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:46.240 Now, 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.800 what God 00:19:47.800 --> 00:19:48.440 calls us to 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.759 do in our 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.160 relationship 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.779 with Him 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.180 in terms of 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.740 put forth 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.259 effort, 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.720 work at it, 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:54.880 what God 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.400 calls us to 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:56.140 do like that 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.860 in our 00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:57.140 relationship 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.480 with Him 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.480 is really 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.320 no different 00:19:59.320 --> 00:20:00.660 from all 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.080 our other 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:01.740 relationships. 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:03.000 You think 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.440 about it. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.660 If you're 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.259 married, 00:20:06.840 --> 00:20:07.440 don't you 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.380 have to put 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.240 forth an 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.620 effort 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:12.400 to develop 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:14.240 a close 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.900 and intimate 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.920 relationship 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.859 and maintain 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.559 it with your 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.079 spouse? 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.880 Some of you 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.220 have to do 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.319 it, 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.019 work a lot 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.480 harder than 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:22.900 others. 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.059 I can tell, 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:24.740 I can see 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.200 some punching 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.680 going on 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.099 right here. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.720 I said that 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.019 to be a 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.259 smart, 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.620 that can be 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:32.980 funny, 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.779 but it's 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.059 true. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.539 Sometimes 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:39.819 we just 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.339 don't want 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:40.920 to do it 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:42.000 because we're 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.380 selfish, 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.019 because we're 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.480 lazy, 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:43.940 because 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.080 they don't 00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:45.620 deserve it 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.039 today, 00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:47.059 right? 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:49.940 But if 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.340 we're going 00:20:50.340 --> 00:20:50.720 to have 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:50.960 the kind 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.420 of relationship 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.559 that makes 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.400 us think, 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:53.820 as we think 00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.180 about going 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.539 home, 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.340 we get a 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:55.740 smile on 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.200 our face. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.860 We think 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.700 about doing 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.400 something with 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.080 our spouse. 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.019 We get 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.660 excited about 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:01.920 it. 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.600 Hopefully, 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:04.920 you don't 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.299 think you 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.840 have to earn 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.559 your spouse's 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:06.980 love. 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:10.720 Something's 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.080 wrong if 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.480 you have to 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:13.539 earn their 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.099 love. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.220 Something's 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.500 wrong if 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:17.980 you are 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:18.659 communicating 00:21:18.659 --> 00:21:19.139 to your 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:20.819 spouse that 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.399 he or she 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.000 has to 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.819 earn your 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.799 love. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.619 Hopefully, 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.779 you're married 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.279 to someone, 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.000 those of you 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.119 who are 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:29.379 married, 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:31.019 and you 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.720 know that 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.139 they love 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:32.319 you. 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.559 There is 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.139 no doubt. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.059 Some days 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.319 they don't 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.920 like you, 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.819 but they do 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.519 love you. 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:41.059 If you 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.299 have a 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.519 healthy 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.039 marriage, 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.099 you want 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:43.700 to demonstrate 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.599 your love 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.160 by doing 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.720 certain 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:48.359 things for 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:50.359 and with 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.579 your spouse. 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.119 If you 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:53.299 have a 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.460 healthy 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:53.960 relationship, 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:55.299 you want 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.599 to do 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.339 some things 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.279 for her. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:58.480 You want 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:58.599 to do 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:58.960 some things 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.960 with him. 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.660 You want 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.200 to show 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:03.200 that love. 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:04.799 Sometimes 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.480 it's just 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.180 hard. 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.039 Life is 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.940 busy for 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.380 all of us, 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:09.700 isn't it? 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.220 Not enough 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:11.840 hours a day 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.299 to do all 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:12.519 the things 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:12.900 we want 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.160 to do, 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:13.720 all the 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.080 good things 00:22:14.080 --> 00:22:14.279 that come 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:14.600 through our 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:15.100 minds. 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.240 That's why 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.700 we've got 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.279 to actually 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:17.880 put forth 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.299 effort. 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.640 We've got 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.039 to work 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.440 at doing 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.759 what we 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.380 know is 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.779 important. 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.160 We've got 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:22.860 to work 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:23.240 on doing 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.700 the things 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.200 that we 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.580 cannot 00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.220 neglect. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.180 That applies 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:27.539 not just 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.320 to a 00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:28.620 relationship 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:28.840 between 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.220 husband and 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.480 wife. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.840 It applies 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.100 to a 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:31.360 relationship 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:31.680 between 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.240 parents and 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.600 children. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.380 If you've 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:33.820 got children, 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.100 you've got 00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:34.340 to put 00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:34.740 forth the 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.580 effort to 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:37.000 develop and 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.799 maintain a 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.519 close relationship 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.119 with them, 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.240 to have 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.900 those open 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.579 channels of 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.259 communication. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.640 That kind 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.000 of stuff is 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.440 tiring, 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.119 isn't it? 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.240 Sometimes it's 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.180 tiring physically 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.480 and emotionally. 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.079 If you've got 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.779 children living 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.220 at home, 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.519 if you're 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:54.720 going to 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:57.019 maintain or 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.680 recapture a 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.259 good relationship, 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.559 you've got to 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.079 spend some time 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.380 together. 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:01.940 You've got to 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.380 talk. 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.220 Not text, 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.400 but talk 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.539 face to face. 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:06.039 Nothing wrong 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.539 with texting. 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.079 But you 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.640 can't replace 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.059 talking and 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.180 listening face 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.660 to face. 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:12.480 But here's 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:12.900 the thing. 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.400 In most 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.240 family situations, 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.619 whether your 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.119 children are 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.859 teenagers or 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:18.180 little, you 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:18.579 get up in the 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.099 morning, mom 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.619 and dad, you 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.079 go off to 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.640 work, children 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.160 go off to 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.359 school, you 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.099 come back at 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.359 the end of 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:24.740 the day, 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.259 everybody's 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.640 tired. 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.880 Maybe you 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.259 come home at 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.480 the end of 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.980 the day, you 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:31.380 go to play 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.039 ball, you 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.480 have some 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.440 kind of other 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.460 extracurricular 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:36.039 activity at 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.500 school or 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:36.799 somewhere. 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.079 And you 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:39.819 come home and 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.400 everybody's just 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:40.859 tired. 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.039 We don't 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.740 want to talk. 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.240 We don't 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.700 want to have 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.500 to engage. 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.579 We just 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:48.920 sort of want 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:50.299 to lay back 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.400 and unwind and 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.180 then go to bed. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.819 And if you do 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.859 that day after 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.960 day after day, 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.420 you all of a 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:56.940 sudden realize 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.359 we haven't 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.859 spoken. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.279 We haven't 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.359 actually talked. 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.819 I haven't 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.740 actually listened 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.240 for two 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.759 weeks. 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.119 One of my 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.759 favorite Bible 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.379 teachers is 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:09.339 Matt Chandler. 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:11.139 We've done a 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:11.539 lot of his 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.319 studies on 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.979 Sunday nights in 00:24:12.979 --> 00:24:13.759 our discipleship 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.299 classes. 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:17.959 I have been 00:24:17.959 --> 00:24:19.979 helped by him 00:24:19.979 --> 00:24:21.240 as he's talked 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.959 about in several 00:24:21.959 --> 00:24:22.779 studies and in the 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.359 one we're involved 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.899 in right now on 00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:24.419 Sunday nights. 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:26.380 how hard it is 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.259 some days he'll 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.980 tell us to go 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.440 into his 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.660 children's rooms 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:32.259 at bedtime and 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.060 spend time with 00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:34.960 them in the way 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.640 that he knows he 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.000 needs to. 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.660 He's tired. 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.440 He's worn out. 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.220 But he says 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.140 because I love 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:40.300 my children, I 00:24:40.300 --> 00:24:41.680 want to keep an 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.460 open line of 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:42.840 communication. 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.680 I want to have a 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.380 close relationship 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.700 with them. 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.400 I want to have 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.019 an influence in 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.440 their lives. 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.720 I go in there 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.539 and I lay down 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:51.840 on the bed and I 00:24:51.840 --> 00:24:52.380 ask them about 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.840 their day and I 00:24:53.840 --> 00:24:54.400 listen. 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:56.039 and we talk 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.580 and we pray 00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.140 together. 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:02.320 And when I get 00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:03.880 up and I think 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:05.120 back, it's worth 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.080 the effort. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.920 It's worth the 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.779 putting forth the 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.259 effort, the being 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.420 diligent like Peter 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.640 is talking about 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:12.880 here. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.460 Talking about your 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.300 relationship with 00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:18.060 your spouse and 00:25:18.060 --> 00:25:20.539 children may have 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.380 struck a nerve for 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.000 some of you right 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.320 now. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:24.899 If I've struck a 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:27.480 nerve, I'm glad 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.679 because it's 00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.159 something we need 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:29.759 to talk about. 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.980 We need to think 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.819 about here for a 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.079 moment. 00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:33.819 What kind of 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.599 relationship right 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:36.039 now do you have 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.119 with your spouse? 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.460 What kind of 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.000 relationship do you 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.519 have with your 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:40.919 children? 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.000 What kind of 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.700 relationship do you 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.399 have with your 00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:47.099 parents right now? 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:50.759 could the words 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.759 purity and 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:56.119 peaceful apply in 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.819 terms of the 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:58.099 words you're 00:25:58.099 --> 00:26:00.339 normally speaking to 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:00.799 one another? 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.619 The way you talk to 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.259 one another? 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.099 Well, the way you 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:07.079 talk about one 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.359 another. 00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:09.179 The words purity and 00:26:09.179 --> 00:26:10.619 peaceful apply in 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.839 terms of the way you 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:14.099 think about that 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.699 person that you live 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.000 with. 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.960 And then would the 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.840 words purity and 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:21.279 peaceful describe the 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.039 way you interact? 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.380 Right now, this 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:27.059 moment is a good 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:28.059 time for you to 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.080 evaluate your 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:29.860 relationship with 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:32.400 your spouse and 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.059 your children. 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:37.000 It's a good time for 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:39.620 you to evaluate your 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.440 relationship with your 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:42.480 parents, those of you 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.120 who are living at home 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.579 especially. 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:47.299 We all can agree that 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.419 it's God's will for 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:49.939 our relationships to be 00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:50.339 healthy. 00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:53.839 But Peter is telling 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.539 us, as in everything 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.659 about living the 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:58.239 Christian life, it 00:26:58.239 --> 00:26:59.399 takes diligence. 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:02.319 You've got to put 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.419 forth the effort. 00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.839 You've got to work 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:08.239 to maintain, to 00:27:08.239 --> 00:27:10.259 develop, to grow 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.619 relationships. 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:15.379 By God's grace, you 00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:16.599 can do it, or at 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.679 least you can do what 00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:18.559 you can do. 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.459 But go back to what we 00:27:21.459 --> 00:27:22.099 said a while ago about 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.759 when God puts His 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.479 Spirit in us. 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.500 God gives all His 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:28.319 children the desire and 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.659 the ability to please 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:30.039 Him. 00:27:31.719 --> 00:27:33.319 And being a godly 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:37.579 husband, wife, parent, 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:40.779 child, that pleases 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.200 His God. 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:44.319 He talks about that in 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.000 His Word. 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.819 I want to encourage 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:49.819 you, get serious about 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:51.680 your home relationships 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.639 now. 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.039 Homes in this country are 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.740 not healthy. 00:27:57.359 --> 00:28:00.000 A lot of homes, church 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.879 homes, are not 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.879 healthy. 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:06.700 And a lot of times, it's 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.639 because we don't give it 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:08.680 the attention we need to 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.160 give it. 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.480 And a lot of times, it's 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.860 because we don't give it 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.620 the attention we should 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.660 because it takes work. 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.640 It takes effort. 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:17.519 It's hard, and we're just 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.440 not willing to do it. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:21.360 We're too selfish and lazy 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:22.799 to do what needs to be 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.759 done to maintain, to 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.060 develop, to grow 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:29.019 relationships with the 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.600 people that we truly do 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.420 love more than anyone 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.100 else in the world. 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:35.419 I want to encourage you, get 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:36.339 serious about your home 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:37.240 relationships now. 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.980 If there is sin that you 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:41.099 need to confess, because 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:43.319 your speech, your 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:45.799 attitudes are far from 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:50.079 pure and peaceful, you 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.959 confess it to God. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.539 Agree with God about it. 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.279 Repent of it. 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.219 Change your mind about 00:28:55.219 --> 00:28:56.159 living this way, talking 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:57.099 this way, acting this way. 00:28:57.439 --> 00:28:58.299 Turn from it. 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.619 Seek God's forgiveness. 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:01.679 And the scripture says, if 00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:03.259 we confess our sins, he is 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.759 faithful to forgive us and 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.739 to cleanse us of all 00:29:05.739 --> 00:29:06.500 unrighteousness. 00:29:07.439 --> 00:29:08.539 But after you confess it 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:11.019 to God, confess it to 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.719 your spouse. 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.739 Confess it to your child. 00:29:18.439 --> 00:29:19.899 Confess it to your parents. 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.819 My attitude has stunk here 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:23.119 lately. 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:27.059 Things I've said I am so 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.099 ashamed of. 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:31.299 The way I've treated you, I 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:33.259 know it is totally wrong. 00:29:34.959 --> 00:29:35.599 Be open. 00:29:35.699 --> 00:29:36.219 Be honest. 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.980 Confess with no 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.699 qualifications. 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:42.379 Seek their forgiveness. 00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:46.699 Now, if there's changes that 00:29:46.699 --> 00:29:49.279 need to be made in the way you 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:52.599 talk to one another, make those 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:52.959 changes. 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.500 You've got to start. 00:29:54.719 --> 00:29:55.539 You don't wait for the other 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.180 person to start. 00:29:58.899 --> 00:30:00.579 If you're showing, speaking 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:03.379 disrespectfully to your spouse, 00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:06.740 to your parent, to your child, 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:11.019 own it, kill it. 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.039 That attitude. 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:16.960 Ask God to help you to learn to 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:20.039 speak the right way, the loving 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:22.319 way, the pure way, the peaceful 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:26.259 way, to think that way, to act 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.759 that way. 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.859 If there's changes that need to be 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:31.259 made in how you spend your time, 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:35.099 ask God to help you to see what 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:38.500 needs to be done, what changes need 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:41.940 to be made, and make them. 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:46.400 Your family is important. 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:47.799 Those are the most important 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:49.860 relationships in the world, in this 00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.400 world. 00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:54.279 For some reason, as I've worked on 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:55.660 this message this week, and 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:57.360 especially zero in an end this 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:59.240 weekend, I have felt the need to 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:01.799 focus, just to camp out here and 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:04.220 focus on the character we 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.460 demonstrate in the home. 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:08.819 I believe God wants that 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:10.160 emphasized this morning, and if 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:11.500 God wants it emphasized, it means 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:13.519 there's people here that need to 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:15.940 hear it, to heed it. 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:20.920 If you're a Christian, the place to 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:23.220 begin working to develop and 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:25.519 demonstrate pure and peaceful 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:28.180 character is in your home. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:32.100 First of all, it's in your heart, 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.980 and then it's in your home. 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:37.039 More than anything else, that's 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.039 what your family members need. 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.079 They need that more than your 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.420 money. 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.660 They need that more than your 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:44.960 support, some kind of sport or 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.700 extracurricular activity. 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:52.460 Your family needs for you to be the 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:55.620 man, the woman of God, that God 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:57.319 calls you to be and has put his 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:59.059 spirit in you that will enable you 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:01.400 to be, but you've got to work at 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.579 it. 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:03.299 You've got to care enough to work 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:03.720 at it. 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.600 The question is, will you? 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:11.900 One day, sooner or later, we're all 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:13.519 going to see Jesus face to face. 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:17.600 It will happen immediately after we 00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:19.440 die, or if we're alive, he returns. 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.500 We'll see him then. 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:23.700 But as you think about the Lord 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:27.799 looking you in the eye, does that 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.519 comfort you? 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:31.859 Or does that frighten you? 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:35.420 You know, none of us will ever be 00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:38.139 totally without any spot or blemish 00:32:38.139 --> 00:32:39.440 as long as we live in this world. 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:42.900 We're fallen sinful people. 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:46.420 God's working in us, but we're still 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:48.579 having to fight the temptations of our 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:50.920 sinful nature and the world around 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:52.559 about us and the devil. 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:57.119 But thankfully, if we are trusting, I 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:57.559 want you to listen to this. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:59.419 If you are trusting in Jesus right 00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:03.440 now, God considers you without spot or 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:05.240 blemish for this reason. 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:09.379 Because you're united to Jesus by faith, 00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:13.359 you are cleansed by his blood. 00:33:14.659 --> 00:33:16.559 What that means is, when Jesus died on 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:18.659 the cross, he actually paid the penalty 00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.480 for your sins. 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.460 He took your punishment. 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.680 He died. 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:23.480 He shed his blood. 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:26.539 His blood cleanses you if you're united 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.299 to him by faith. 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:31.500 If you're united to him by faith, you are 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:37.519 clothed in his righteousness, his 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.980 rightness. 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.120 Think about it this way. 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:44.240 His perfectly spotless and blameless life, 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:46.600 the life he lived in this world, that is 00:33:46.600 --> 00:33:50.180 credited to you through faith in him. 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:54.000 So God accepts you as spotless and 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:56.100 blameless because you're united to Jesus. 00:33:56.840 --> 00:33:59.180 God declared you to be spotless and 00:33:59.180 --> 00:34:01.100 blameless the moment you trusted in Jesus. 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:12.019 But ever since that day, God has called you, been working in you 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:18.219 through his spirit to cause you to want to actually become spotless and 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:20.579 blameless in your character. 00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:28.039 So the question now is, think to yourself, am I cooperating with the spirit of God as he gives 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:29.299 me these desires? 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:38.559 Am I cooperating with him and obeying him, putting forth the effort to discipline myself 00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:43.099 and develop pure and peaceful character? 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:47.480 Are you confessing your sins when you fail? 00:34:48.279 --> 00:34:49.639 As I said, we all do. 00:34:51.000 --> 00:35:00.340 And then are you, with God's help, getting up every time you fall and continuing to put forth your best effort 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:05.120 with God's help to develop Christ-like character? 00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:09.280 You know, we can be ready to meet Jesus when he returns. 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.460 We don't have to be afraid. 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:19.280 We won't be perfect, but by God's grace, we can be found trusting him 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:31.120 and obeying him in seeking to grow and develop pure and peaceful character. 00:35:31.120 --> 00:35:39.720 And if we're living like that when he returns, whenever it is, and he looks into our eyes, 00:35:40.240 --> 00:35:41.400 it won't be frightening. 00:35:42.060 --> 00:35:43.220 It'll be comforting. 00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:53.539 And it'll be exciting because we know he's come to take us, to bless us, 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:59.539 and to take us to live with him for all eternity in that perfect place. 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:08.899 But in the meantime, he calls us to put forth the effort to live like his people 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:13.480 at home, at work, at school, wherever you go. 00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:16.119 Let's pray together. 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:27.980 Dear God, show us now how we should respond to what you have said about how we live today, 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:30.920 about developing Christian character. 00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:37.780 Show us what we need to do that we might leave here today prepared with your help 00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:45.340 to work on developing pure and peaceful character. 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:49.840 In an attitude of prayer, you just listen to the Lord and obey him. 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.840 Do what he's telling you to do. 00:36:52.660 --> 00:36:56.440 I'd be happy to pray with you if you want to right here at the front this moment. 00:36:56.440 --> 00:37:04.380 But what's most important is that we all listen to God, obey him, pray for people in your life. 00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.340 Don't be a distraction. 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:09.300 You just listen to the Lord and do what he's telling you to do. 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:12.820 Pray for others during this next few minutes.