WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.960 We do have a new year, but we have the same God. 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:11.620 And so we come to God's word expecting many of the same things as we have in the past. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:15.519 I wonder if you know what outsiders need. 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:18.000 They need solidarity. 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:19.300 Sometimes they need encouragement. 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:23.260 I wonder if you know what wanderers need. 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:25.480 Well, wanderers need guidance. 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:28.219 And what do the vulnerable need? 00:00:29.179 --> 00:00:30.980 The vulnerable needs protection. 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:37.359 And it's all of these things that the audience of 1 Peter needs. 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:42.359 Peter is writing to Christians who are in exile of a sort. 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:43.939 They're out of the Holy Land. 00:00:44.379 --> 00:00:48.140 They're away from the place they've gotten used to knowing about God's promises. 00:00:49.320 --> 00:00:53.519 If you can imagine the earliest Christians still hanging on to quite a bit of the Jewish traditions. 00:00:54.239 --> 00:00:56.879 That the Temple or the Holy Land would have had significance. 00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:00.660 And being located elsewhere could be a problem. 00:01:02.440 --> 00:01:03.580 And indeed they did. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:04.740 They faced trials. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:06.920 They faced problems of that sort. 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:09.340 They were in the diaspora. 00:01:09.520 --> 00:01:13.300 Peter addresses the letter to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion. 00:01:13.820 --> 00:01:15.219 And Pontus, Galatia, and so on. 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:18.659 He names all these different places that are outside of Israel. 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:22.119 These people are expats. 00:01:22.200 --> 00:01:24.140 And they need to hear from their own country. 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:29.799 The difficulties that they were facing were really sufferings. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:31.659 Hardships of various types. 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:38.799 But particularly the type of hardship that a Christian faces in a society that does not share its beliefs. 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:41.560 The government. 00:01:42.179 --> 00:01:44.079 Different social relationships. 00:01:44.899 --> 00:01:45.959 People's reputation. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:50.359 All of this stuff was critical for how the Christians would live. 00:01:50.399 --> 00:01:53.420 And how they were experiencing life as God's people. 00:01:55.620 --> 00:01:57.439 And so Peter wants to reassure them. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:01.979 You can live in this society and respond in godly ways. 00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:03.239 Don't give up hope. 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:06.699 You can live and respond in godly ways. 00:02:08.579 --> 00:02:11.819 And so we come to the end of the book here actually in chapter 5. 00:02:12.139 --> 00:02:16.159 And this little passage is addressed to the elders. 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:18.139 As you would have heard, I exhort the elders among you. 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:20.500 But it's also addressed to the wider congregation. 00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:25.979 Its message is quite straightforward. 00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:28.819 Elders should lead the church like Christ the great shepherd. 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:32.599 Everyone should remain humble before God. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:36.080 Because God will restore them in the end. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:39.060 As you can see in verse 6. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:41.680 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God. 00:02:42.580 --> 00:02:43.379 And in verse 10. 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:49.260 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:53.439 Will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:57.240 This is the great promise that is upheld in this letter. 00:02:57.240 --> 00:03:03.500 What appears several times though is the theme of glory. 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:05.460 And I don't know if you caught it when we read the passage. 00:03:06.939 --> 00:03:09.000 Glory is laced throughout the entire passage. 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:10.100 And it comes in two forms. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:11.760 First is the glory of God. 00:03:12.480 --> 00:03:15.120 And second is the glory of oneself. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:21.740 As many of you will know, I really do like America. 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:23.900 It is my favorite country. 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:26.420 So we'll just get that out of the way for the record. 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:30.959 But what I'd like to talk about this morning is the senator from Nevada. 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:32.519 Someone who has recently passed away. 00:03:33.359 --> 00:03:34.500 Maybe you saw this in the news. 00:03:34.619 --> 00:03:37.739 Harry Reid was a senator from Nevada. 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:40.339 And he of course received all sorts of tributes. 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:45.259 All sorts of words of kindness from people who knew him. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:49.039 Senator Reid was one of a kind. 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:50.840 He was honest. 00:03:51.819 --> 00:03:52.879 He was tough as nails. 00:03:53.799 --> 00:03:55.159 He ran a tight ship. 00:03:56.359 --> 00:03:57.879 He was a caring friend. 00:04:00.359 --> 00:04:02.599 What one politician said really caught my attention. 00:04:04.019 --> 00:04:05.659 Above all, in everything that he did, 00:04:05.799 --> 00:04:08.439 Senator Reid was a consummate American. 00:04:09.299 --> 00:04:10.739 A consummate American. 00:04:11.399 --> 00:04:15.239 That's the kind of tribute that someone would give to a senator in the U.S. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:16.939 Americans love America. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:19.759 Most of the time. 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:24.240 That is a nation that is among other things a source of pride, importance, and even glory. 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:26.980 Now it's not always a source of those sorts of things. 00:04:27.599 --> 00:04:28.360 But it can be. 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:32.459 You may know the star-spangled banner. 00:04:35.079 --> 00:04:36.519 Now it, that is the flag, 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:39.240 catches the gleam of the morning's first beam. 00:04:39.980 --> 00:04:43.219 And full glory reflected now shines in the stream. 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:45.099 Tis the star-spangled banner. 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:46.740 O long may it wave 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:50.819 over the land of the free and the home of the brave. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:54.920 In full glory reflected now, it shines. 00:04:54.920 --> 00:05:01.420 I'm not going to rattle on about America, however great or not so great it might be. 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:09.379 But it should come as no surprise that the Bible is going to give a stern warning about our own self-importance. 00:05:09.780 --> 00:05:16.639 It's going to give a stern warning about our own self-importance and the sources of that self-importance and glory. 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:23.099 The warning comes through very clearly in the first four verses of today's passage. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:26.900 Now remember, these are instructions mainly for the elders of the church. 00:05:26.960 --> 00:05:30.400 It will have a broader application than that, but that is the initial target. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:38.359 So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:42.679 as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:51.519 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you. 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:54.420 Not for shameful gain, but eagerly. 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:58.600 Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:05.240 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 00:06:08.700 --> 00:06:11.379 Notice how glory occurs in verses 1 and 4. 00:06:12.900 --> 00:06:17.840 As a witness of the sufferings of Christ, we also partake in the glory that is going to be revealed. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:23.620 And then in verse 4, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:31.900 What these instructions show, and it's not particularly evident at first, 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:35.199 is that elders can be particularly prone to glorify themselves. 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:39.560 And there are really three ways that leadership might go wrong. 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:42.540 The glorification part will become clear later on. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:45.060 Three ways that leadership might go wrong. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:50.639 Leadership can go wrong when an elder feels obligated to serve, rather than delighted to serve. 00:06:51.200 --> 00:06:53.460 Obligated to serve, rather than delighted to serve. 00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:59.299 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, 00:07:00.299 --> 00:07:01.799 as God would have you. 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:08.899 Leadership might go wrong when an elder pastors for gain, rather than for the people. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:15.740 When an elder seeks to build a bank account, instead of building up the good of the people of God. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:22.740 The passage goes on to say, not for shameful gain, but eagerly. 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:24.519 Not for shameful gain, but eagerly. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:27.319 That is, eager for the people of God. 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:37.379 Thirdly, leadership might go wrong when an elder bullies the congregation, rather than serving as a worthy example. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:44.560 Verse 3 says, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:48.639 Not domineering over those in your charge, but examples to the flock. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:53.439 These might be framed as three thoughts of problematic pastoring. 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:57.779 Pastors might be in trouble if they're thinking, well, it's what I have to do. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:07:59.179 You know, I signed a contract. 00:08:00.739 --> 00:08:03.619 Or it pays the bills, and for what it is, you know, it's decent money. 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:09.519 Or, people just need to do what I say. 00:08:09.619 --> 00:08:13.319 Things would go a lot smoother around here if you all just listened to me. 00:08:15.479 --> 00:08:17.779 Three thoughts of problematic pastoring. 00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:24.619 Sometimes, we might be able to say some of those things about other jobs. 00:08:26.239 --> 00:08:28.879 But God's chosen leaders must tend after the sheep. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:32.559 This is a holy calling, and a special calling. 00:08:36.199 --> 00:08:37.439 And so, what about glory? 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:39.100 What about glory? 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:41.839 I said this passage has something, or a lot to do with glory. 00:08:41.839 --> 00:08:42.539 And it's framed. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:47.120 Those instructions we just read are framed by this reference to glory. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:52.079 And I don't think the problem is simply that those mottos, 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:55.159 the thoughts I just gave you, are ways of glorifying ourselves. 00:08:55.819 --> 00:08:57.139 It doesn't seem that straightforward. 00:08:58.079 --> 00:09:00.039 They don't big up the pastor, necessarily. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:00.939 I mean, they do, in a way. 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:05.819 But the problem is, really, that those methods of leadership 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:08.539 have lost sight of the glory of God. 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:11.759 They've lost sight of the glory of God, 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:14.379 and put the pastor first, and the people second. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:22.179 It's a failure to recall that God has made us a participant in his very own glory, 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:24.639 and that he's promised an inheritance that will not fade. 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:29.439 It's a matter of losing sight, of taking our eye off the prize, 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:32.740 of not watching the point of focus. 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:36.519 And so, what I'd like to do this morning is focus. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:39.600 Let's all focus, elders and congregation alike, 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:42.240 on that glory, the glory of God. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:45.000 And we're going to see three things. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.060 God reveals his glory, 00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:49.519 God gives his glory, 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:52.379 and God draws us to his glory. 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:54.220 God reveals his glory, 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:56.080 he gives his glory over to us, 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:58.139 and he draws us, or invites us, 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:00.620 into his own glory. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:07.360 As I said, Christians, and especially elders, 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:10.560 are partakers in the glory that is going to be revealed. 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:12.179 That is the first verse. 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:17.600 The language here clearly designates a type of glory. 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:19.460 This is a to-be-revealed glory. 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:22.299 It's the glory that is going to be revealed. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:25.659 It might be soon, it's about to be revealed, 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:28.259 or it might be some unspecified point in the future. 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:31.259 But it's not the glory that you now see, 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:34.659 or that we've now experienced through scripture, 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:36.019 or through experience. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.259 It's not the glory that's been fully realized. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:40.899 It is yet to come. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:46.679 Now, we know full well that God reveals himself 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.100 through creation. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.439 He reveals his glory in creation. 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:50.819 Many of you could quote to me, 00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:52.299 Psalm 19, 1. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.139 The heavens declare the glory of God, 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:57.340 and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:01.779 So, Peter can't be thinking about that kind of glory, 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:03.460 the kind of creation glory, 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.960 the glory that you experience 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:07.200 when you go on a trip through the mountains in Scotland 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:09.419 or watch a National Geographic program. 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.039 Right? 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:12.679 This isn't blue planet glory. 00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:16.700 But we have, I think, 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:18.879 had a taste of this to-be-revealed glory. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:20.100 We have had a taste of it. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.679 It's not the same as the glory we see 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:22.799 when we look out the window. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:25.659 But we have had a little bit of a taste, 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:27.039 even if it's going to be revealed. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:32.319 Who is the radiance of the glory of God 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:34.139 and the exact imprint of his nature? 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:37.240 Who became flesh and dwelt among us? 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.220 Whose glory we have seen. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:41.700 Glory is of the only Son from the Father, 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:43.139 full of grace and truth. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.519 This is Christ, obviously. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:49.379 God reveals his glory in Christ. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:51.419 And dare I say, 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.080 through the incarnation, 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:55.700 he has given us a meager revelation 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:57.420 of the glory that will be revealed 00:11:57.420 --> 00:12:00.100 when Christ comes in full glory 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.940 in his second coming. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:05.920 We're told that every knee will bow 00:12:05.920 --> 00:12:07.340 and every tongue confess 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.820 that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:12:10.520 --> 00:12:11.879 There was a huge mismatch 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:13.879 between the revelation that came in Christ 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.259 and the revelation to come in Christ. 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:18.500 But we have nonetheless 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.899 had the revelation in Christ 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:23.100 and gotten a taste of the glory of God. 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:28.139 But this is not just the 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.200 to be revealed type of glory. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:34.539 Peter says we're partakers in that glory. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:35.819 Partakers in that glory. 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:38.139 Now, how can we be partakers in that glory 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.159 when Paul says, 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.659 for all have sinned and fallen short 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:41.720 of the glory of God? 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:43.340 When I think of the glory of God, 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.940 I often think of that's something 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:46.420 that we fall short of. 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:48.560 The majesty of God. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.879 The expectations of God. 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:51.960 The Christ-likeness of God. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:55.120 The very image of God. 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:57.100 We have not attained these things 00:12:57.100 --> 00:13:00.040 and yet we are partakers of it. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:04.740 This is a classic case of God's work 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:07.720 being already started but not yet complete. 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:10.240 It's God's work being already started 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.440 and not yet complete. 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:14.240 a real, real feature 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:15.660 of the Christian life. 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:19.300 And this is why Paul can also say, 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:21.740 and we all with unveiled face 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.320 beholding the glory of the Lord 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.200 are being transformed 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:25.480 into the same image 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.080 from one degree of glory to another. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.500 We have fallen short 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.640 but God is in the process 00:13:30.640 --> 00:13:32.000 of restoring us. 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.800 And his own glory 00:13:33.800 --> 00:13:35.260 and our beholding of that glory 00:13:35.260 --> 00:13:37.360 has a big role to play. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:42.200 So you are a participant 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:43.220 in the glory of God 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:45.340 that is and will be revealed. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:48.740 And God first reveals his glory. 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.620 Second, God gives his glory. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.200 Verse 4 says, 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:56.080 when Christ appears, 00:13:56.180 --> 00:13:56.940 we will receive 00:13:56.940 --> 00:14:00.300 the unfading crown of glory. 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.879 The unfading crown of glory. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.500 Or the crown that doesn't fade. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:06.259 That is the crown of glory. 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:10.019 Now, crowns in those days 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.500 were usually made of wreaths. 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.899 You'd be familiar with that. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:16.500 A Roman or a Greek soldier 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:18.759 kind of celebrating a victory. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:21.320 Or someone in a contest, 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.879 an Olympian or something like that 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:24.720 would have a wreath of leaves. 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:25.139 Right? 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.200 So take your advent wreath, 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:26.919 take the candles off 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.639 and put it on your head. 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.740 That's what they did. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:29.639 Okay? 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:32.980 But you can also think 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.720 of a golden crown 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.539 because a leafy crown 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.539 will obviously fade. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.319 It's fading. 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:38.199 It's a fading crown. 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:38.439 Right? 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:40.039 Those leaves will eventually droop 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:40.740 and the thing will kind of 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.740 fall apart and so on. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.139 So let's imagine still 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.620 a golden crown, 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.399 a metal crown. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.860 Something that's suitable 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.539 for royalty. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.700 Even those crowns 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.559 will fade. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:57.319 And a lot of jewelry fades, 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:57.799 doesn't it? 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.240 Right? 00:14:59.199 --> 00:15:00.539 If I'm lifting something metallic, 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.439 I try to take my ring off. 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.219 Right? 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.659 So if I'm fixing a bicycle 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:06.539 or using gym equipment 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.379 or something like that, 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.559 I'll take my ring off 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:09.120 because it's going to 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.719 scratch up the gold. 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:13.059 I still remember buying 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.000 this wedding ring actually 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.599 and the sales person 00:15:15.599 --> 00:15:17.839 left me with an invitation 00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:18.319 to what? 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.099 Come back any time 00:15:20.099 --> 00:15:21.079 and get that thing shined. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:22.139 You can come back any time 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.019 and I'll put it in the machine 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:24.839 and we'll shine it up. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.419 And sure enough, 00:15:26.479 --> 00:15:27.079 a few months later, 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.960 I found myself walking 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:28.620 by the store 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.560 and I thought, 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:30.160 why not? 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.240 Let's shine it up. 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.500 And I stopped him. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.980 Jewelry fades. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.520 And so we polish the silver. 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:41.840 We get our ring shined. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.840 We have diamonds cleaned up. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.639 We rub our watches. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.279 We rub our watches. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.100 But the crown of glory 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.100 will not fade. 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:54.939 And that crown of glory 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:57.139 refers to our future inheritance. 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:59.639 Our future inheritance in Christ. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.939 If we go back to the first chapter 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.799 of 1 Peter, 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.100 it's just one page to the left. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:08.840 And look in verse 4. 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:13.460 Peter says, 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:14.560 we've been born again 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.500 to a living hope. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.540 And verse 4 says, 00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:17.500 to an inheritance 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:19.220 that is imperishable, 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:19.940 undefiled, 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.160 and unfading, 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.440 kept in heaven 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:24.139 for you. 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.700 In that passage, 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.480 and back here in chapter 5, 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:33.000 Peter's referring to our salvation. 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.060 That's the inheritance. 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:35.599 The inheritance 00:16:35.599 --> 00:16:37.379 of our fully restored humanity. 00:16:38.619 --> 00:16:39.879 Salvation is not just being, 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.799 in a kind of simple way, 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:43.099 taken out of sin 00:16:43.099 --> 00:16:44.199 and into heaven, 00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:46.239 or out of a destiny to hell 00:16:46.239 --> 00:16:47.399 and into a destiny of heaven. 00:16:47.479 --> 00:16:47.919 It is that. 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.319 But salvation refers 00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:51.239 to the full-orbed blessings 00:16:51.239 --> 00:16:53.019 of God in Christ. 00:16:53.099 --> 00:16:54.079 And that includes 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:56.259 a fully restored people. 00:16:58.839 --> 00:17:00.359 This is when we will worship God 00:17:00.359 --> 00:17:01.239 and love one another 00:17:01.239 --> 00:17:02.859 without stain or blemish. 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.819 The day when we will say, 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.799 holy is the Lamb 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.700 and worthy is the Lord 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.400 to be worshipped 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.140 forever and ever. 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:11.400 It is the day we say that 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.820 without reservation. 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:13.559 That is our inheritance. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.799 Holy and fully committed 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.860 to God. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.720 That is the unfading crown 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.440 that will be ours. 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.759 This glory will be revealed. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.259 It will be a gift 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.600 that does not fade. 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:32.799 And this glory, lastly, 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.679 also belongs to God. 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:37.259 It is his eternal glory. 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.740 Have a look at verse 10. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.279 After you have suffered 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.099 for a little while, 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.240 the God of all grace, 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:45.939 who has called you 00:17:45.939 --> 00:17:47.539 to his eternal glory 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.599 in Christ, 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.119 will himself restore, 00:17:51.199 --> 00:17:51.480 confirm, 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.219 strengthen, 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.539 and establish you. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:57.480 This is God's eternal glory. 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.980 And he has called us 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.460 to it. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.859 There are two points 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:05.339 I'd like us to see here. 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.920 The first is 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.759 the more obvious one 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.720 that I've already said, 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.079 sort of. 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:12.960 That glory belongs to God. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.399 You may know the hymn, 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.539 To God be the glory, 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:18.000 great things he has done. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.880 And that's the first thing 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:19.660 that this phrase 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.559 brought to mind for me. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:23.059 I found that the lyrics 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.819 and tune for this hymn 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.859 were written by two Americans 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:26.079 in the 1870s, 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.680 but that the hymn 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.079 gained large popularity 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.880 in Britain, actually. 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.500 It was recommended 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.259 to Billy Graham 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.480 for his London crusade 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.380 in 1954 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:35.539 and was a great success. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.579 There's a very good version 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.440 of this hymn, also, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:42.599 recorded at the Royal Albert Hall. 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.779 It took me right back 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.980 to summer of 2019, 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.440 or 2020, 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:50.120 and being there 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:50.759 in the living room 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.740 with one of the IPC Psalms 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.440 picked on YouTube 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.680 and singing along 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.720 with the Royal Albert Hall 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.660 Orchestra. 00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.779 And how do you think 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.620 that version begins? 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.539 What instrument do you think 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.360 starts that version, 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.240 To God be the glory, 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.140 in the Royal Albert Hall? 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.140 Clarinet? 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:08.380 Flute? 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.420 Percussion? 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:11.980 Trombone? 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.380 It's a trumpet. 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.160 It's a trumpet, of course. 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.940 Trumpets are the sound 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:19.080 of glory. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.160 And that's not just 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.340 a choice of musical arrangement. 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.300 That's really 00:19:24.300 --> 00:19:26.460 a biblical musical preference. 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.759 The Lord will descend 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.279 from heaven 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.360 with a cry of command 00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:31.440 and with the sound 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.200 of the trumpet 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.400 of God. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.740 1 Thessalonians. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.100 The trumpet will sound, 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.779 and the dead will be raised, 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:40.560 imperishable. 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.019 That's 1 Corinthians. 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.139 2 Corinthians. 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.440 The trumpet signals 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.619 a glory that belongs 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.099 to God. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.720 To God be the glory. 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.440 One consequence 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:54.879 of this glory 00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:56.019 belonging to God 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.759 is that he doesn't 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.940 share it with anyone else, 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.799 at least parts of it. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.160 Isaiah says, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.799 I am the Lord, 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.599 that is my name. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.799 My glory I give 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.339 to no other, 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.279 nor my praise 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.119 to carved idols. 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:11.059 God's warning his people. 00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:11.639 Don't go making 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:12.399 little gods 00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:13.500 and giving glory to them. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.379 Don't package my majesty 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.399 in some wooden figure. 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:23.019 In John's gospel, 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.319 when Lazarus has died, 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:28.059 Jesus is standing 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.839 at the tomb 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:30.559 with Lazarus' 00:20:30.739 --> 00:20:31.459 sister Mary. 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:32.959 Excuse me, Martha. 00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:35.059 And Jesus and Martha 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.599 are standing there, 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.359 and you know what happens. 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:36.979 Martha says, 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.139 let's roll away, 00:20:38.239 --> 00:20:38.799 no, Jesus says, 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.759 let's roll away the tomb. 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.739 Let's roll away the tomb. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.359 And Martha says, 00:20:41.979 --> 00:20:42.500 oh, Jesus, 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.539 I don't think I would do that. 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:45.459 I just think, 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.799 maybe give him a few days, 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.039 right? 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:47.319 Why? 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.199 Because it's going to smell. 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.179 And Jesus says, 00:20:51.239 --> 00:20:52.059 no, no, 00:20:52.139 --> 00:20:53.759 let's roll the stone away. 00:20:54.439 --> 00:20:55.439 And he adds this 00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:55.919 to Martha. 00:20:56.979 --> 00:20:57.979 Did I not tell you 00:20:57.979 --> 00:20:59.039 that if you believed, 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.039 you would see 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.519 the glory of God? 00:21:03.199 --> 00:21:04.179 If you believed, 00:21:04.219 --> 00:21:04.679 you will see 00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:06.119 the glory of God. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:08.159 Jesus is referring 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:09.059 to God's glory 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.559 that belongs to him, 00:21:10.679 --> 00:21:11.459 that shows up again 00:21:11.459 --> 00:21:11.819 and again 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:13.719 in his mighty works. 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.879 Who else's glory 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.799 is Martha going to see 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.379 when it comes to 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.139 raising her brother 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:20.699 from the dead? 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.980 She doesn't know 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.380 it's coming. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:23.960 But indeed, 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.900 it comes. 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.740 And that's the corollary 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:30.160 of glory belonging to God. 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.980 It's not our glory. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.720 We are participants 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:34.860 in the revealed glory 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:36.140 that God has promised 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.920 to grant us 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.519 in Christ. 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:38.660 But there is a level 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.220 of glory 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.900 that the people saw 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.960 in the life of Christ 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.680 and that we witness 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.319 in the scriptures 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.519 that belongs 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.920 wholly to God. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:48.940 Jesus raising Lazarus 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.620 from the dead 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:51.120 belongs to that category. 00:21:52.580 --> 00:21:53.500 And it's not something 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:55.240 that we will know 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:57.360 from Jesus' side of things. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.960 Jesus miraculously 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.600 feeds people. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.240 He raises men 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.740 from the dead. 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.539 He knows the thoughts 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.259 of his dinner guests. 00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:04.700 He outwits the intelligentsia 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.300 of his day. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.420 He's in a different category. 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.120 He's in a different category. 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:11.220 Jesus does things 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.519 that we don't do 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.100 to get the glory. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.779 The kind of things 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.339 that we do 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.480 that get sort of 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.920 importance and honor 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:18.039 and praise and so on 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:19.379 are not like that. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.299 Jesus is in a different category 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.220 because he has the glory 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.480 that belongs to God. 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:31.379 So this glory belongs to God. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.339 And secondly, 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:34.759 glory has a special relationship 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.460 to suffering. 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.079 This comes through 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.519 in the beginning 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.119 of verse 10. 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.680 And after you have suffered 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.519 for a little while 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.779 the God of all grace 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.279 who has called you 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.200 to his eternal glory 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.119 in Christ 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.299 will himself restore, 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.079 confirm, strengthen, 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:48.980 and establish you 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.319 after you have suffered 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.819 for a little while. 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.740 Paul says in Romans, 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.339 for I consider 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.139 that the sufferings 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.000 of this present time 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.920 are not worth comparing 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.779 with the glory 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:02.559 that is to be revealed 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.180 in us. 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.220 This is what a lot 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.299 of the letter of Peter 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.819 has to do with. 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.559 This is what a lot of it 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.759 is what it's about. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.119 As I said at the beginning, 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.259 people are undergoing trial, 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:15.940 hardship. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.859 What do they look to? 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.339 They get encouragement 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.099 from God, 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.140 looking to the glory 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:21.220 that is going to be revealed 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.079 and that is promised 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.700 to them. 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:25.819 And there's all 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.559 these comparisons. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.099 The suffering 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.779 that you suffer 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:31.160 for a little while 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.920 compared to 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.940 what type of glory? 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.379 Eternal glory 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.180 of God. 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.799 God's glory 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.339 is revealed. 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:41.439 He gives it to us 00:23:41.439 --> 00:23:43.359 and then He invites us 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:43.919 to it. 00:23:45.959 --> 00:23:47.159 We need to behold it. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.799 We need to put it 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.619 before our eyes. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.679 We need to read about 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.679 the glory of God. 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.859 We need to remind 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.799 one another of it. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.839 We need to hang it 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.220 on the wall 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.759 and look at it 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.439 every time we walk 00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:59.279 through the room. 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.439 It's a part 00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:03.240 of God's very being 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.679 and something 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.480 we need to encounter 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:06.159 again and again. 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:09.080 And yet we must 00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:09.759 also respond 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.440 to that glory, 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.980 that glory of the Lord 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.779 with humility. 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:14.500 If we go back 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.100 to verse 6, 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.600 this is really 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.500 the kind of crux 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.120 of the passage. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.000 Humble yourselves 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.440 therefore 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.840 under the mighty 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.880 hand of God 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:24.560 so that at the 00:24:24.560 --> 00:24:25.160 proper time 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.480 He may exalt you. 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.480 Cast all your anxieties 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:29.800 on Him 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.680 because He cares 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.420 for you. 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:34.019 Peter says 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.440 to give your 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:34.980 sufferings 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.180 and your worries 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.279 over to God. 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:37.900 Trust that He 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.600 will care for you. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.519 Resist the devil 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:41.039 and know that God 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.840 will protect you. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:43.920 Hardship, 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:44.500 anxiety, 00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:45.100 and even Satan 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:46.039 himself can take 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.120 so much 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.900 from us. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.060 Those things 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:49.820 can take so much 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:50.120 from us. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.500 Happiness, 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.480 they take the people 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.920 we love, 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.820 they take our security, 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.580 they take our health, 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.840 just to name a few things. 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.740 But none 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.519 of those things, 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.080 no hardship, 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.160 no worry, 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.100 no activity 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:02.640 of Satan 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:04.140 can compromise 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:05.100 the inheritance 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:06.080 of glory 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:07.300 that God 00:25:07.300 --> 00:25:08.279 will give to those 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.400 who know Jesus Christ. 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.560 They cannot touch it. 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:14.279 This is the inheritance 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.820 that God now 00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:17.019 invites us to. 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.840 Let me conclude 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:23.539 with some promises 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.100 of Scripture. 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.820 The prophet Habakkuk 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.060 said, 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.800 for the earth 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:28.519 will be filled 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.500 with the knowledge 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.819 of the glory 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.599 of the Lord 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.380 as the waters 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:33.500 cover the sea. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.359 And John 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.180 in the book of Revelation 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.000 picks up on this 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.420 and says, 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.980 when the congregation 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.859 is gathered around 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:41.839 the Lamb in heaven, 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.119 they will say, 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.920 worthy are you, 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.680 our Lord and God, 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.680 to receive honor 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:47.099 and power 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:48.000 and glory. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.579 For you created 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.079 all things 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:51.420 and by your will 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.059 they existed 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.799 and were created. 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:55.059 the new heavens 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.579 and the new earth 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.419 will have a new city, 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.299 the new Jerusalem. 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.259 And that city, 00:25:59.379 --> 00:25:59.759 we are told, 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:01.039 has no need 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.759 of sun 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.359 or moon. 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.559 For the glory 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:04.919 of God 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.299 will give it 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.759 its light 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.519 and its lamp 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.139 will be 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.940 the Lamb, 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.899 Jesus Christ. 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.700 And this is why 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.159 we say, 00:26:14.419 --> 00:26:15.319 glory be to the Father 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.039 and to the Son 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.960 and to the Holy Ghost 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.960 as it was in the beginning 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.480 is now 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.240 and never shall be 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.680 world without end. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.139 Amen. 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.280 Amen.