WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.260 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:03.940 --> 00:00:12.120 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:00:12.119 --> 00:00:27.240 To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:00:28.240 --> 00:00:32.399 Our study this morning will be outlined in the following three points. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:37.119 Number one, the praiseworthiness of God. 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:42.599 Number two, the hopelessness of mankind. 00:00:43.979 --> 00:00:48.119 And number three, the hope of the born again. 00:00:50.059 --> 00:00:54.719 Number one, the praiseworthiness of God. 00:00:55.859 --> 00:01:01.319 Peter begins the body of his epistle with a phrase of praise to God. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:08.079 There in the first part of verse three, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:12.140 What does Peter mean by saying blessed? 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:20.060 This is not the Greek word translated in other places as blessed, meaning happy or fortunate. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:25.900 This is an entirely different Greek word, which means praised. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:35.159 So verse three could be rendered praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:35.820 --> 00:01:44.579 The indicative mood of the Greek word for blessed is used instead of the optative mood, which simply means this. 00:01:44.579 --> 00:01:48.340 The optative mood is used to express a wish. 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:53.939 The indicative mood is used to make factual statements. 00:01:54.679 --> 00:02:05.299 So not the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed as a hope that that we would bless God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:12.919 But rather, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is blessed. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:16.599 He's making this praise declaration, right? 00:02:16.659 --> 00:02:20.340 God is praise worthy. 00:02:21.519 --> 00:02:32.280 In the book of Ruth, when Ruth returns after gathering barley in the field of Boaz and Naomi sees what she is, that she is able to bring home all of this food. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:37.800 She exclaims, blessed be the man who took notice of you. 00:02:37.900 --> 00:02:40.620 This is Ruth chapter two and verse 19. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:48.860 She's not wishing fortune on Boaz, but praising him for his generosity towards Ruth. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:59.020 So Peter begins with this exclamation of God's praiseworthiness before elaborating on his reason for praise. 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:04.100 He is saying our God is worthy of praise. 00:03:04.460 --> 00:03:07.200 But then he'll go on to tell us why. 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:10.500 Why is God praiseworthy? 00:03:11.480 --> 00:03:18.620 27 times in the Old Testament, the phrase Baruch Adonai, blessed be God, is used. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:25.140 So it was a very common way to give praise to God, to ascribe it to him. 00:03:25.139 --> 00:03:35.959 But here Peter adds to the phrase, this Old Testament phrase, Baruch Adonai, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:46.019 He expands the Old Testament statement of praise to help us better understand who this God is that we are to praise. 00:03:46.020 --> 00:03:56.140 In John chapter five and verse 18, John records, this was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, being Christ. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:04:06.200 Because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own father, making himself equal with God. 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:13.280 So we relate most readily to God through his son, Jesus Christ. 00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:16.539 Jesus is God incarnate. 00:04:17.159 --> 00:04:20.800 And those who will worship God rightly will worship him through his son. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:25.319 And because of all that was accomplished by his son. 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:30.419 Which is why Peter elaborates in the following verses. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:37.560 The point being, theology should lead us to doxology. 00:04:37.960 --> 00:04:45.379 Our understanding of who our God is in the person and work of Christ should make us praise him. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:47.780 He is praiseworthy. 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:52.740 The Bible was not written for us to merely know things about God. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:55.900 To stack up the facts about him. 00:04:55.899 --> 00:05:04.659 If we see him rightly by this book, then we will know him and we will be known by him. 00:05:04.859 --> 00:05:09.759 And this absolutely necessitates our praise. 00:05:10.239 --> 00:05:15.879 We ought to be moved to praise as we consider the things of God. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:20.979 Is your life filled with the praise of God? 00:05:21.179 --> 00:05:22.500 We do this in varied ways. 00:05:22.579 --> 00:05:23.959 We do this verbally. 00:05:23.959 --> 00:05:31.759 We do this in our heart, in our emotions, as we feel things towards the world and things towards God. 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:34.919 We do this in the way that we love one another. 00:05:35.299 --> 00:05:40.579 Is your life bent in praise toward God? 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:45.620 If not, it's very possible that you don't know the things about God that you ought to know. 00:05:45.719 --> 00:05:50.039 That you're not aware this morning that God is praiseworthy. 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:57.840 Or it could be that you know those things and yet you don't rightly hold them. 00:05:58.340 --> 00:06:01.840 You don't rightly take them up and meditate upon them. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:11.540 Understand your unworthiness and the way that God has loved you in Christ and therefore his praise worthiness. 00:06:11.540 --> 00:06:17.600 Those of you who know me well know that I'm not a typically very emotional person. 00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:22.640 I often pray that God will help me emote as I ought to. 00:06:23.400 --> 00:06:31.160 This morning I was on my way here early and listened to a song called Behold Our God being sung by a choir. 00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:34.820 And I started crying and I thought, what is wrong with you? 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:37.060 That was the immediate thought that went through my head. 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:40.560 What is going on with you this morning? 00:06:41.400 --> 00:06:45.180 And I realized that I was actually having a wonderful response. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:47.960 The praise worthiness of our God. 00:06:48.080 --> 00:06:54.840 That it was actually a good and natural thing that I should be so overjoyed with our God. 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:57.079 Behold Our God. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:00.279 He is praiseworthy. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:06.659 So do not miss the praiseworthiness of God this morning in this text. 00:07:06.919 --> 00:07:11.079 We don't want to move on quickly to the particulars. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:14.719 We want to recognize that Peter is saying to us, 00:07:15.339 --> 00:07:19.899 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:23.579 Our Lord is worthy of our praise. 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:23.699 Christ. 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:30.359 Second, noticed in the text, the hopelessness of mankind. 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:35.180 In order to see this point, we need to read a bit through today's text. 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:37.479 Peter says in verse 3, 00:07:37.659 --> 00:07:43.180 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again. 00:07:44.419 --> 00:07:49.279 Mercy is compassion shown where wrath is due. 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:53.919 Compassion shown where wrath is due. 00:07:54.739 --> 00:08:03.659 We would have no need of mercy if we had not transgressed God's law and therefore deserved his wrath. 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:11.840 By transgressing God's law, which we have all done, we have rejected him as our king. 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:14.800 We have done what is right in our own eyes. 00:08:14.880 --> 00:08:20.100 We think that we ought to self-determine the way in which we should go. 00:08:20.580 --> 00:08:24.700 We have become rebels against our God. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:28.759 Things would be all good if we had not done that. 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:30.339 But we have. 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:34.700 All mankind has acted with great wickedness. 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:36.299 This is the curse of the fall. 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:43.799 That Adam's sin, his nature passed to us and his guilt passed to us. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:50.059 Apart from Christ, you and I are not all right. 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:54.379 We have a huge, huge problem. 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:57.099 We are separated from our creator. 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:00.639 This life will be miserable and without hope. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:05.659 And the life to come will be all the more miserable and without hope. 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:11.459 As we are taken from him and devoid of his grace and mercy forever. 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:20.220 Remember, the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 12 of the Ephesian believers before Jesus intervened in their life. 00:09:20.780 --> 00:09:35.420 Remember that you are at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 00:09:35.900 --> 00:09:38.700 This is a miserable state. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:55.000 The world is running around trying to find the answer to the great problem that they have and not recognizing that the hope that they need, the restoration that is necessary is one that comes from God and is to God. 00:09:55.840 --> 00:10:04.960 Apart from the mercy of God and the person and work of Jesus Christ, mankind is utterly hopeless because their end is destruction. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:12.280 Paul wrote to the Philippian believers, chapter 3, verse 18 and into verse 19. 00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:20.820 Many of whom I have often told you and now tell you, even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:24.019 Their end is destruction. 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:31.720 If you have not believed in Jesus' accomplished work on your behalf, you are hopeless. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:43.799 As you see the hope of the born again and long for the hope that we have, turn from the hopelessness of mankind in repentance and faith. 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:49.019 Believe in Jesus, what he has done on your behalf. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:56.220 And we would pray this morning that you would discover hope, everlasting, abounding hope this day. 00:10:57.799 --> 00:11:04.879 Now, beloved, those who are in Christ need to display this hope to the world around us. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:08.460 This desperately hopeless mankind. 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:17.299 Peter later in this letter is going to ask us to be ready to give an answer when people ask us about the hope that we have. 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:21.299 Do we hope in the same things that the world hopes in? 00:11:21.459 --> 00:11:23.899 Maybe this is why they don't ask the question. 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:29.000 Because they see the failing of our hope just as their hope fails. 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:33.000 We are meant to have a transcendent hope. 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.719 An alien hope. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:40.959 A hope that is not our own but granted to us because of what God has done for us. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:45.519 We are meant to be strange in this world. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:49.800 But people would say, what is this hope? 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:54.840 And that we would give them the answer of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:11:55.660 --> 00:12:01.040 So let's look thirdly at the hope of the born again. 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:09.839 I hope that each and every person in this room today is, in fact, born again. 00:12:10.339 --> 00:12:12.879 Has this hope. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:22.319 Peter tells us that God is praiseworthy because, according to his great mercy, 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:27.759 he has caused us to be born again. 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:34.779 Notice first that it is according to his great mercy that we have been shown mercy. 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:38.899 God is merciful. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:40.819 This is part of who he is. 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:42.899 This identifies him. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.960 Moses wrote in Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verse 31, 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:51.019 The Lord your God is a merciful God. 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:57.019 We have nothing to offer to the equation of our new birth. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:13:04.519 We bring nothing to the table to come and sit down and draw up a peace treaty with God. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:07.519 We have nothing to offer. 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:14.879 So it is owing entirely to the character of God that we receive any benefit from him. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:19.759 It is according to his great mercy. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:24.960 Because God is merciful toward mankind. 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:28.960 He has caused us to be born again. 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:33.939 Us who did not deserve to be given a new birth. 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:37.679 Rebels, enemies, deserved his wrath. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:41.559 He instead has given to us his mercy. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:44.799 And he has caused us to be born again. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:49.000 What does it mean to be born again? 00:13:49.099 --> 00:13:51.219 And how does this happen? 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:56.799 In John chapter 3, Jesus has a conversation with a priest named Nicodemus. 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:59.639 In verse 3 and following, John records, 00:14:00.239 --> 00:14:01.339 Jesus answered him, 00:14:01.459 --> 00:14:03.279 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:07.419 unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:12.759 How can a man be born when he is old? 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:16.159 Can he enter a second time into his mother womb and be born? 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.899 Jesus answered, 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:19.120 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:22.240 unless one is born of water and the spirit, 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:24.959 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.639 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:30.959 and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. 00:14:31.599 --> 00:14:33.339 Do not marvel that I said to you, 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:36.019 you must be born again. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.579 Right? 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.379 So he says, 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:39.699 Don't be surprised that I've said this thing. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:42.100 In your natural birth, 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.659 you know, Nicodemus, 00:14:43.699 --> 00:14:45.939 that you have a sin nature 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:47.819 and that you are guilty before God. 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:51.019 That which is born of the flesh is flesh. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:53.899 And so there must be this renewal, 00:14:54.079 --> 00:14:55.340 this regeneration. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:59.319 We must be born of the spirit. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:03.879 So to be born again is to be born of the spirit. 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:09.179 We find this precious doctrine of regeneration. 00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:10.019 Right? 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:12.399 A people made new, 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.120 not just in degree, 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:15.659 but in kind. 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.120 Right? 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:17.779 Not born again, 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:19.899 now born again. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:20.179 Right? 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:23.220 Enemies of God now made friends. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:23.480 Right? 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.159 Those without a family, 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.039 without a people, 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:29.059 now called God's family. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:29.399 Right? 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.500 Adopted in Christ. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:36.840 We do not and cannot work our way 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:38.960 into the kingdom of God. 00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:42.779 This is all a doing of him by his spirit. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:46.139 In Ezekiel chapter 36 and verse 27, 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:48.399 God speaks to the prophet Ezekiel and says, 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:51.940 And I will put my spirit within you 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:54.940 and cause you to walk in my statutes 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:58.000 and be careful to obey my rules. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.299 Right? 00:15:58.299 --> 00:16:01.259 This order is so very important. 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:03.099 We don't work. 00:16:03.359 --> 00:16:06.679 We don't earn and then find ourselves saved. 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.719 We're saved. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.699 And therefore, 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:10.599 we work. 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:13.379 Because of the wonderful kindness of God 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.979 to us in Christ. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.240 Right? 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.579 Making us new. 00:16:16.859 --> 00:16:19.199 Giving us the ability by his spirit 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:20.439 to obey. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.659 We obey. 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:22.500 Right? 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:25.460 We declare his glory amongst the nations 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:28.460 because he has caused us 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.860 to be born again. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.879 This does not happen 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.840 by human design. 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.220 Beloved, 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.240 if we were left alone, 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:39.100 we would never choose to do this. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:39.340 Right? 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.899 Our nature would send us 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:42.600 in the opposite direction, 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.879 away from God 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:46.299 each and every day. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:49.740 This should be massively humbling 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.720 to us. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:52.660 As you look around 00:16:52.660 --> 00:16:54.259 in a world in chaos 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.259 right now, 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.620 it is so easy. 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:58.519 We are so quick to judge others. 00:16:58.600 --> 00:16:59.720 How could they think that way? 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.379 How could they believe such a thing? 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.759 How could they say that? 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.620 How could they act 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.900 so wickedly? 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.779 You ought to say, 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.920 but, 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.880 from the grace of God, 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.200 I would be the worst 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.819 of sinners. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.140 Right? 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.380 That would be me 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:14.460 had God not saved 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.620 my soul. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.380 In every single way, 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.559 I would be an enemy 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.299 of God. 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:19.679 Right? 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:21.259 I would be so bent 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.879 away from him 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:24.359 by my design, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.779 but praise be to God 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:27.779 because of his great mercy 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.779 he has caused us 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.179 to be born again. 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:31.039 Right? 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.519 And let me add 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:33.960 a little 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.099 to the text, 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.519 1 Peter. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.659 From John chapter 3, 00:17:38.899 --> 00:17:39.659 he's caused us 00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:40.240 to be born again 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.720 by the power 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.339 of the Spirit. 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:45.259 John 3, 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:45.699 8, 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:46.439 Jesus says, 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.240 the wind blows 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.980 where it wishes 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.740 and you hear it sound, 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.659 but you do not know 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:51.419 where it comes from 00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.279 or where it goes. 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:53.679 So it is with everyone 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:55.159 who is born 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:56.819 of the Spirit. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.859 God brings about 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:00.759 this new birth. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.480 John 1, 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.000 verse 12, 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.500 and following, 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.980 but to all who did receive him 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.939 who believed in his name, 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.619 he gave the right 00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.980 to become children 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:09.220 of God 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.539 who were born 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.659 not of blood 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.100 nor of the will 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:13.940 of the flesh 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.920 nor of the will 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.380 of man, 00:18:15.540 --> 00:18:17.820 but of God. 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:20.759 Proceeding from God. 00:18:21.540 --> 00:18:23.060 1 John chapter 5 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:23.920 and verse 1, 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.460 everyone who believes 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.740 that Jesus is the Christ 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:28.680 has been born of God. 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.980 We've been born of God 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.980 so we believe 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.120 that Jesus is the Christ 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.120 and everyone who loves 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.120 the Father loves 00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:36.340 whoever was been born 00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:37.779 of him. 00:18:38.560 --> 00:18:39.960 So God causes 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.560 this new birth 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.859 by the power 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.579 of the Spirit 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.279 and he does it 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:47.000 through the Word 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.319 of God. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.359 You can look a little 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:49.919 further down 00:18:49.919 --> 00:18:51.419 in 1 Peter chapter 1 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:53.419 beginning in verse 23. 00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:54.559 There Peter writes, 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.899 Since you have been 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:56.460 born again, 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:58.119 not of perishable seed 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.279 but of imperishable 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:01.119 through the living 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:02.059 and abiding 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:03.119 Word of God. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.779 For all flesh 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.480 is like grass 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.139 and its glory 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:06.940 like the flower 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.779 of grass. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.319 The grass withers 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.259 and the flower 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.799 falls 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.119 but the Word 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:12.960 of the Lord 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.579 remains forever 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:16.079 and this Word 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:17.339 is the good news 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.500 that was preached 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.819 to you. 00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:22.980 So God has caused us 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.299 to be born again 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.079 and he has caused us 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:27.439 to be born again 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:30.740 to a living hope. 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:33.079 This is so good. 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.359 He has caused us 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.120 to be born again 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:38.519 to a living hope. 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.380 And I think it's important 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:41.099 at this point 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:42.039 to make sure we're clear 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.819 on what our Bibles 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.680 mean when speaking 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.079 of hope. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.900 I believe this quotation 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.160 from R.C. Sproul 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.079 will serve us well 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:50.420 to that end. 00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:52.400 He once said, 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:54.720 Hope is called 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.580 the anchor 00:19:55.580 --> 00:19:57.080 of the soul 00:19:57.080 --> 00:19:59.180 in Hebrews 6.19 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.840 because it gives 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.560 stability 00:20:01.560 --> 00:20:02.840 to the Christian life. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.320 But hope is not 00:20:04.320 --> 00:20:05.940 simply a wish. 00:20:06.280 --> 00:20:07.460 We do this a lot. 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.900 I wish that such 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.340 and such 00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:10.280 would take place. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.740 Rather, 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.900 it is that 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.800 which latches 00:20:13.800 --> 00:20:15.180 onto the certainty 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.460 of the promises 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.820 of the future 00:20:17.820 --> 00:20:19.019 that God 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.120 has made. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.340 That last part 00:20:21.340 --> 00:20:21.740 of it again. 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:23.359 Hope is that 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.339 which latches 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.559 onto the certainty 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.559 of the promises 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.299 of the future 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.620 that God 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.980 has made. 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.240 Hope is 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.160 faith 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.839 in future tense. 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.039 Believing 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.960 in what God 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.019 has said 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.420 will come 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:41.160 to pass. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.059 So Peter tells us 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.620 not only 00:20:43.620 --> 00:20:44.500 that we have 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.420 hope, 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.839 but he uses 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.799 a very interesting 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.519 phrase 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.279 to say it. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.120 He says we have 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:51.339 a living. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.680 Hope. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.359 Suppose 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.900 is meant 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.519 by that. 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.519 Now it could 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.200 refer to an 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.440 active hope 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.799 as in a hope 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.220 in the future 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.960 promises of God 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.380 that will yield 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:02.940 fruit for us 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.420 today. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.380 It's a hope 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.839 that's alive, 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.299 it's living, 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.539 it's right now. 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.839 I think it does 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.920 mean that. 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.720 It could refer 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.299 to us being 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.099 born again 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.599 and therefore 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.599 we are alive 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:15.059 and have a 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.099 living hope 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:17.700 because we 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.720 are alive 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.279 and I also 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.240 think that it 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.319 does mean 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:21.799 that. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.659 But I do 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.700 think that 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.859 most directly 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:27.159 and most 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:28.019 importantly, 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.720 it refers 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.500 to the phrase 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.099 that immediately 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.379 follows it. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:34.580 through the 00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:35.240 resurrection 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.300 of Jesus 00:21:36.300 --> 00:21:37.000 Christ 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.680 from the dead. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.380 We've been 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:39.740 born again 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.220 to a living 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.600 hope 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:41.620 through the 00:21:41.620 --> 00:21:42.120 resurrection 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.720 of Jesus 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.320 Christ 00:21:43.320 --> 00:21:44.640 from the dead. 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.060 I think that 00:21:46.060 --> 00:21:46.660 Peter means to 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.340 tell us 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.860 that we have 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.460 a living hope 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.020 and that hope 00:21:50.020 --> 00:21:51.420 is Jesus 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.260 Christ 00:21:52.260 --> 00:21:53.700 who is alive. 00:21:54.260 --> 00:21:55.120 We can have 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.820 an active hope 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.360 that's in us 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:56.680 today, 00:21:56.760 --> 00:21:57.380 it means something 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.000 for today. 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.059 We can have 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.440 a hope 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.099 that is alive 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.619 because we 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.400 are alive 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.220 born again 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:03.339 but all of 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.180 that is because 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.339 Jesus Christ 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.519 is alive. 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.059 He is 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:09.319 our living 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.619 hope. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.579 Jesus became 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.180 a man in 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.660 order to live 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.339 the perfect 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.920 life that we 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:17.220 should have 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.519 lived. 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.539 It was required 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.700 of us by 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.160 the Mosaic 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.660 Covenant. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.119 We must be 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.720 perfect before 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.259 God to be 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.059 accepted in 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.660 God. 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.579 How can we 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.160 do such a 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:26.380 thing? 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.339 We've already 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:27.980 screwed that 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.440 up. 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.680 We've already 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.759 transgressed the 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:30.940 law. 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.539 We can't 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.059 make it 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.559 right. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.599 We've already 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.579 failed. 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:35.860 Well, 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.420 Jesus enters 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.860 the scene 00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.279 in the 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.019 incarnation 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:39.440 and lives 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:39.960 the life 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.480 that we 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.180 were supposed 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:42.440 to live. 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:43.819 And not 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.360 only that, 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.460 he dies 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.220 the death 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.000 that we 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.420 deserved. 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.180 He pays 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.860 for all 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.259 of that 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.640 wrath 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.279 that is 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.680 owed 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.440 us. 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.779 God is 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.660 not able 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.740 to not 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.279 punish 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.860 sin. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.120 He 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:58.299 doesn't 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.579 simply 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.019 wipe 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.339 the 00:22:59.339 --> 00:22:59.640 slate 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.180 clean. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.759 He 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.200 must 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.660 punish 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:01.860 it 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.460 somehow. 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.079 So how? 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.660 He punished 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.620 it in 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.839 Christ. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.539 So if you 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:09.799 were in 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.319 Christ this 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.680 morning, 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.079 you have 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.440 been born 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:12.900 again. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.539 What has 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.099 happened for 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:14.559 you is 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:14.980 what's called 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.559 double 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.400 imputation. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:17.860 There's a 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.700 trade that's 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:20.099 taken place. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.559 What we 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.700 bring is 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.360 our sinfulness 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.519 sinfulness, 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:25.179 and Christ 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:25.740 pays the 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.339 penalty for 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.699 that sinfulness. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.119 What he 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:29.679 gives to 00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:30.379 us is 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:30.919 his 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:32.179 righteousness. 00:23:33.439 --> 00:23:34.079 How 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:34.659 unfair 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:35.859 of a 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.259 trade. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.779 We are 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.319 beneficiaries 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.419 of God's 00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:41.219 great 00:23:41.219 --> 00:23:42.379 mercy to 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:42.879 us 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:44.299 in Christ. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.319 Double 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:45.939 imputation. 00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:46.699 What a 00:23:46.699 --> 00:23:47.459 precious 00:23:47.459 --> 00:23:48.099 thing. 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.799 So we 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.059 live the 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.359 life that 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:49.599 we should 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:49.899 have lived. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.340 He died 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:50.720 the death 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.259 that we 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.040 deserve. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.180 And he 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:54.519 defeated 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.840 death by 00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.019 being 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.540 resurrected. 00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:57.580 Jesus 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:58.680 Christ is 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.960 raised from 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.540 the dead. 00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:02.620 Jesus 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.900 Christ now 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.980 sits at 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.680 God's right 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.759 hand in 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.120 what is 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.759 called his 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.720 session. 00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:11.120 He reigns. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:11.740 He is 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.220 ruling. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.360 Nothing is 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.160 happening outside 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.620 of his 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.840 careful attention. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:16.480 He is 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.300 working on 00:24:17.300 --> 00:24:17.960 behalf of 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.480 his people 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.519 all the 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:19.860 time. 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.660 Actively, 00:24:20.800 --> 00:24:21.580 not passively. 00:24:21.780 --> 00:24:22.080 He is 00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:22.720 interceding 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.140 for us. 00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:23.540 This is 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:23.840 a thing 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:24.120 that he is 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:24.880 doing in 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.280 his heavenly 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:25.720 realm. 00:24:25.780 --> 00:24:25.980 But he 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.680 is ruling 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.759 in the 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.259 earth. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.700 We of 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.600 all people 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:33.080 in crazy 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:34.280 times should 00:24:34.280 --> 00:24:35.160 be steady 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.940 because we 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.620 have a 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.940 living hope. 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.100 Christ, 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.580 the one 00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:41.140 who reigns. 00:24:41.780 --> 00:24:42.360 We have 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.240 his spirit 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.440 who helps 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:44.759 us to 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.140 walk 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.400 obediently 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.540 in him. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:48.900 Beloved, 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.420 we cannot 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.380 miss in 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:50.720 the 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.000 Advent 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.660 celebration 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.860 that we're 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.840 looking back 00:24:53.840 --> 00:24:54.200 to a 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:54.920 first coming 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:56.160 but that 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.320 we're 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:56.740 actually 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.000 meant to 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.380 be thinking 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.160 now about 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.039 a second 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.080 coming. 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.360 Christmas 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:03.200 is aimed 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.400 at Easter, 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.480 the resurrection 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.080 of Christ 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:07.100 which guaranteed 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.840 everything 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:09.880 that God 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.500 said would 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:10.980 come to 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.460 pass 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.539 in Jesus. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:12.680 Jesus. 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:14.119 He has 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:14.799 become the 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.639 surety of 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.539 all of 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:16.980 God's 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.420 promises 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.579 to his 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:18.920 people. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.659 Paul wrote 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:21.279 in 2 Corinthians 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.000 chapter 1 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.879 beginning of 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.779 verse 20. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.519 I love the 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.019 beginning of 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.559 verse 20. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.200 2 Corinthians 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.059 chapter 1 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.720 for all the 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.559 promises of 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.659 God find 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:33.119 their yes 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:34.559 in Jesus 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.119 Christ. 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.500 The surety, 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.259 the guarantee 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.500 because of what 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.799 he has 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:41.000 accomplished. 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.500 and in 1 Timothy 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.099 chapter 1 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.619 and verse 1 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.279 Paul opens 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.740 his letter 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.420 this way. 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:45.880 Paul, 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:46.819 an apostle 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.380 of Christ 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:47.759 Jesus 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.619 by command 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.099 of God 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.640 our Savior 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.119 and of 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:50.539 Christ 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.259 Jesus 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:52.440 our 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:54.019 hope. 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.180 If hope 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.940 depends on 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.480 us, 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.019 we are 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.619 without 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.859 hope. 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:01.980 If you 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.460 place any 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:02.920 hope in 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.220 me, 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.180 you're going 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.720 to be 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.819 disappointed. 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.140 But you 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.119 can anchor 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.940 yourself 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.940 in Christ. 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.839 He is 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.480 our 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.359 living 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.159 hope. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.059 He is 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.379 our 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.379 resurrected 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.740 Savior. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.439 Everything 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:18.939 that follows 00:26:18.939 --> 00:26:19.279 in verses 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:19.799 4 and 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.099 5 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.659 elaborate 00:26:20.659 --> 00:26:21.159 on this 00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:21.599 idea 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:21.919 of being 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:22.359 born 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:22.899 again 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.879 to a 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.159 living 00:26:24.159 --> 00:26:24.799 hope. 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:25.179 So in 00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:25.619 brief, 00:26:25.699 --> 00:26:25.919 let me 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.819 just talk 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.220 us through 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.539 those last 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.000 two verses. 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:29.879 Number 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.439 one, 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.000 through 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.579 Christ, 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.419 we have 00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.039 an 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.439 inheritance. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.679 Not only 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:36.919 have we 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.179 been made 00:26:37.179 --> 00:26:37.500 right with 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:37.759 God, 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.539 not only 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.779 have our 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:38.939 sins 00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.459 been forgiven, 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:39.940 we've been 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.279 found 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.700 righteous 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.059 in 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.460 Christ, 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:41.819 but verse 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.380 4 says, 00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:43.100 to an 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:43.579 inheritance 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.000 that is 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.759 imperishable, 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.779 undefiled, 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.519 and unfading, 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.940 kept in 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.180 heaven for 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:50.480 you. 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.819 We have 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.380 an immortal, 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:56.100 perfect forever 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:57.059 inheritance that 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.819 is secured in 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:00.079 heaven for 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.519 us. 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.200 An 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.840 eternal 00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:03.860 treasure 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:05.380 for us. 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.060 And this 00:27:06.060 --> 00:27:06.220 should 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.880 dramatically 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.620 change the 00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.040 way in 00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:08.320 which we 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:08.840 live in 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.440 this world. 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.560 I see 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:12.020 far too 00:27:12.020 --> 00:27:12.240 many 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.720 Christians, 00:27:13.040 --> 00:27:13.860 I see 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.540 myself, 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:15.460 during the 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:15.740 Christmas 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.180 season, 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.220 chasing the 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.780 things of 00:27:17.780 --> 00:27:18.380 the world, 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.680 finding joy 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.580 and satisfaction, 00:27:20.800 --> 00:27:21.400 ultimate joy and 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.900 satisfaction in 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.740 the things of 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.120 the world. 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:24.140 They will 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:25.320 disappoint. 00:27:26.560 --> 00:27:26.880 But we 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.220 have a 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.000 future 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.760 reward that 00:27:29.760 --> 00:27:30.020 we are 00:27:30.020 --> 00:27:31.060 meant to 00:27:31.060 --> 00:27:31.440 look to. 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:32.540 Jesus said in 00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:33.220 Matthew 6, 00:27:33.280 --> 00:27:33.820 verse 19, 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.339 and following, 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:34.839 do not lay 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.039 up for 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.319 yourselves 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.879 treasures on 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.240 earth where 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.740 moth and 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.299 rust destroy 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.619 and where 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.139 thieves break 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:38.539 in and 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:38.939 steal. 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:40.259 Lay up for 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.539 yourselves 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.139 treasure in 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:41.639 heaven where 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.220 neither moth 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.639 nor rust 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.720 destroys and 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.179 where thieves 00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:45.019 do not break 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.179 in and 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:46.559 steal. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.299 It would be 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.139 foolish to 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:49.399 invest in 00:27:49.399 --> 00:27:51.159 this life and 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:52.059 not be investing 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.279 in the life that 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.859 is to come. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.119 Through Christ we 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.220 have an 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.619 inheritance. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.399 And secondly, 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.159 through Christ we 00:27:59.159 --> 00:28:00.919 have security. 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.480 Who by God's, 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.079 verse 5, 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.779 who by God's 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.259 power are 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.819 being guarded 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.720 through faith 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:07.039 for a salvation 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.699 ready to be 00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.419 revealed in 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:09.579 the last time. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.059 Those who 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.299 God saves, 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:14.019 he keeps. 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.319 Those who 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.139 he saves, 00:28:16.439 --> 00:28:18.079 he keeps. 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.960 Having been 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.439 saved, 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.839 if it were up 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:22.399 to me to be 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:22.819 saved, 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.079 I would again 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.519 and again and 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.559 again lose 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.220 that salvation. 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:28.159 I would run 00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:29.859 away from the 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.399 kindness and 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:31.679 mercy of God. 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.279 but because 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.080 he has 00:28:33.080 --> 00:28:33.660 saved me, 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.640 he will 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.920 keep me. 00:28:36.060 --> 00:28:36.440 Remember, 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.279 he has 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.100 caused us 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:39.480 to be born 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.220 again. 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.640 In John 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.259 chapter 10, 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.340 verse 28 and 00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:43.660 following, 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.420 Jesus said, 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.740 I give my 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.680 sheep eternal 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.720 life and 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.640 they will 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.759 never perish 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:51.080 and no one 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.720 will snatch 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.539 them out of 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.100 my hand. 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.380 My father 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:54.820 who has given 00:28:54.820 --> 00:28:55.320 them to me 00:28:55.320 --> 00:28:55.920 is greater 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:56.660 than all and 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.340 no one is 00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:58.039 able to snatch 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.519 them out of 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.160 the father's 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.640 hand. 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.880 I and 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.460 the father 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.820 are one. 00:29:03.860 --> 00:29:04.560 Paul wrote 00:29:04.560 --> 00:29:05.020 in Philippians 00:29:05.020 --> 00:29:05.720 chapter 1 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.520 and verse 6, 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:07.360 and I am 00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:08.020 sure of 00:29:08.020 --> 00:29:08.540 this, 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.660 that he 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:10.100 who began 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:10.460 a good 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:10.920 work in 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.520 you will 00:29:11.520 --> 00:29:12.040 bring it 00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:13.160 to completion 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.140 at the 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:15.400 day of 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:15.620 Jesus 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.120 Christ. 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.020 So those 00:29:18.020 --> 00:29:18.360 who God 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.040 has caused 00:29:19.040 --> 00:29:19.460 to be born 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.020 again have 00:29:20.020 --> 00:29:20.540 a living 00:29:20.540 --> 00:29:21.280 hope through 00:29:21.280 --> 00:29:21.900 the resurrection 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.480 of Jesus 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.720 Christ from 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.160 the dead 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:25.320 and have a 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:25.820 perfect 00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:26.420 inheritance 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.040 kept in 00:29:27.040 --> 00:29:28.220 heaven for 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.660 us. 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.600 And we 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.100 are being 00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:31.120 guarded by 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:31.900 faith, 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.220 by God's 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.240 power to 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:36.120 that end. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.980 This is why 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.779 we can join 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.340 with Peter 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:39.740 and the 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.640 church past 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.920 and present 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.900 and future 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:44.080 and the 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:44.740 chorus of 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.360 heaven in 00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:45.820 saying, 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.120 blessed be 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.720 the God 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.259 and Father 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.640 of our 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.920 Lord Jesus 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.500 Christ. 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.440 Praised 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.480 be our 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:54.360 God for 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:54.720 what he 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.160 has done 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:55.900 for us 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:57.400 in Christ. 00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.140 Beloved, 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.660 this Christmas 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.380 season, 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.680 may it be 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.140 true of 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.460 us that 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:02.720 we will 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:02.980 be a 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.519 people who 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.220 experience 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.840 the living 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.740 hope of 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.220 the gospel 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.680 of Jesus 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.160 Christ, 00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:08.100 that we 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:09.300 display the 00:30:09.300 --> 00:30:09.800 living hope 00:30:09.800 --> 00:30:10.420 of the gospel 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:10.880 of Jesus 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.400 Christ, 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.180 and that we 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:13.440 proclaim the 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.120 living hope 00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:15.120 of the gospel 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:16.060 of Jesus 00:30:16.060 --> 00:30:16.560 Christ. 00:30:17.540 --> 00:30:18.000 May it be 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.660 true of us 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.259 this Christmas 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.820 season that 00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:20.259 we will be 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.019 a people who 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.779 say with 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.480 all that we 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.519 feel and 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.460 do and 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.160 speak, 00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:26.460 blessed be 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:26.779 the God 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.220 and Father 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.980 of our 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.420 Lord Jesus 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:28.880 Christ. 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.920 Let's pray 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.220 together.