WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.560 So who was it who said, be who you are and say what you feel 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:14.300 because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind? 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:22.600 This particular philosopher has influenced the entire generation of children 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:25.539 throughout the 20th century, Dr. Seuss. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:32.079 I'll auto-quote the great Oscar Wilde, 00:00:32.619 --> 00:00:36.420 be yourself, everyone else is already taken. 00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:41.739 There's hardly a more pressing topic nowadays 00:00:41.739 --> 00:00:45.399 than the issue of personal identity. 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:47.320 Who am I? 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:54.679 Whether we are speaking about race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:57.920 and how they shape the political culture 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:00.840 or about our personal sense of self 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:04.780 and how it informs our day-to-day life, 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:09.120 the issue of identity, personal identity, is always there. 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:13.039 It hasn't always been that way. 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:17.099 In fact, prior to the 1960s, 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:21.739 there is very little discussion on the issue of personal identity 00:01:21.739 --> 00:01:26.099 anywhere in literature prior to the 1960s. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:33.099 Accelerated social change has meant that the external frameworks 00:01:33.679 --> 00:01:38.439 for identity formation are constantly moving 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:43.519 and so it is difficult to know who am I. 00:01:45.980 --> 00:01:48.459 The answer to the question, who am I, 00:01:48.679 --> 00:01:51.519 is quite elusive for our culture, 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:54.979 our society in which we live, 00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:57.219 but it is not for the Christian. 00:01:57.219 --> 00:02:03.000 Now, if you've just tuned in to us for the first time, 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:03.640 just joined us, 00:02:04.060 --> 00:02:07.459 we just started last week our annual vision series. 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:11.560 We are in the New Testament letters of 1 and 2 Peter 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:14.620 and we're looking at sections of those 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:18.039 about what it is, 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:19.719 what the Christian life entails. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:23.960 Last week we saw that Peter describes 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:28.719 becoming a Christian as nothing less than new birth, 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:33.680 reborn, an entire new life. 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:38.500 It's as radical as having been dead and now alive. 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:40.900 Total new life. 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:46.819 Not just mere forgiveness of sin. 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:51.039 That's not the Christian life in its totality, 00:02:51.139 --> 00:02:51.560 just forgiveness. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:53.939 It's an entire new life. 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:55.900 Tire new priorities. 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:58.019 Touches everything. 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:02.819 Now, but the new birth doesn't change who we are 00:03:02.819 --> 00:03:06.240 in all our ethnic, national, genetic, 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:08.340 and socioeconomic markets, 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:12.680 but it does change our lives in such a way 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:15.280 that we are fundamentally different people. 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:19.219 And that's what this vision series is all about. 00:03:19.739 --> 00:03:22.000 We are building up our way up to Easter, 00:03:22.239 --> 00:03:22.859 the resurrection, 00:03:23.799 --> 00:03:26.439 the celebration of the death and resurrection 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:30.139 of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity. 00:03:30.799 --> 00:03:32.699 And as we build up to Easter, 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:37.099 we are looking at what resurrection life looks like. 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:41.719 How does this new birth, 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:45.479 being reborn, rebirthed by Jesus Christ, 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:47.939 how does it change us? 00:03:48.919 --> 00:03:51.900 And today the issue is how does it change our sense 00:03:51.900 --> 00:03:53.519 of who we are, our identity? 00:03:54.579 --> 00:03:58.079 So if you're someone who takes notes, 00:03:58.359 --> 00:03:59.579 three points really today. 00:03:59.580 --> 00:04:01.920 What is the new identity? 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:05.860 Being true to your new identity 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:10.660 and power to live our new identity. 00:04:11.200 --> 00:04:12.400 That's the three points. 00:04:12.540 --> 00:04:15.320 So the description of the Christian's new identity 00:04:15.320 --> 00:04:18.939 and life is in the very first verse of 1 Peter. 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:30.980 In chapter 2 verse 11, 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:35.699 Peter again describes Christians as exiles and foreigners. 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:39.420 The word exiles that Peter uses here 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:44.519 refers to a particular kind of person in the first century. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:48.759 The best way to understand the meaning of the word exile 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:51.079 is resident alien. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:53.680 And I don't mean when I say alien, 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:54.799 little green guys. 00:04:55.399 --> 00:04:57.839 I mean, you know, foreigners. 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:01.639 Resident foreigners, resident aliens. 00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:06.959 It means, as it describes the Christian's identity and life, 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:10.979 it means that you're not a tourist. 00:05:12.939 --> 00:05:14.279 You're not a tourist. 00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:18.779 You are certainly in a country 00:05:18.779 --> 00:05:22.359 that you are not a citizen of, 00:05:22.659 --> 00:05:25.819 but you are not a tourist of that country. 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:27.979 You live there. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:33.859 You have, if you like, a working visa, so to speak. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:38.139 You are a functioning part of that society 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:40.620 with a job, a home. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:41.839 You've got friends. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:42.479 You've got neighbours. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:47.140 You are working for that particular country's good 00:05:47.140 --> 00:05:48.500 and you are paying taxes. 00:05:49.100 --> 00:05:50.240 On the other hand, 00:05:50.660 --> 00:05:53.720 you are not a citizen of that country. 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:56.660 Your home is elsewhere. 00:05:57.360 --> 00:05:59.520 Your citizenship is elsewhere. 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:05.339 You have many things in common with your neighbours and your friends, 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:08.500 but you don't share all of their values. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:11.000 You don't share all of their customs. 00:06:11.259 --> 00:06:12.079 You are different. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:19.879 As a non-citizen, you are also not expected to stay there forever. 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:28.019 This is what Peter kind of describes the Christian identity and life is. 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:31.620 We are resonant aliens, 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:33.480 not tourists, 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:37.139 but we are engaged, 00:06:38.139 --> 00:06:41.060 engaged to love our neighbours, 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:44.560 to work for the good of our neighbours. 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:50.379 Another similar word might be pilgrim. 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:54.860 Pilgrim means that we are on our way home, 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:56.399 but we are not yet home. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:04.360 While there are so many fantastic things that happen when you become a Christian, 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:05.300 for instance, 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.160 you're pardoned, 00:07:06.400 --> 00:07:07.220 you're accepted, 00:07:07.580 --> 00:07:10.180 you have the praise of the praiseworthy 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:13.400 and the approval of the one who is approved above all things, 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:14.180 you are loved. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:17.420 All those things that happen when you become a Christian 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:18.340 are just the beginning. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:23.860 In other words, 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:25.120 if you are a Christian, 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:28.600 you do not live your best life now. 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:30.180 At all. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:35.280 Not even close to living your best life now. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:40.540 Becoming a Christian is the beginning. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:43.720 And until we reach our home, 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:46.460 we are exiles and we are pilgrims. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:51.699 So, first reality check. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:56.279 That means that if you are a Christian, 00:07:57.099 --> 00:08:01.719 your life will never be satisfying until you get home. 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:10.459 It will never, ever be satisfying until you get home. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:15.560 If you ever get to a point as a Christian, 00:08:15.719 --> 00:08:16.139 you go, 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:17.959 I've got it. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:19.399 I'm content. 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:23.319 You have a problem in following Jesus. 00:08:26.679 --> 00:08:27.799 We will struggle. 00:08:29.219 --> 00:08:31.359 Things will never be just right. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:35.600 We will always feel frustrated that we are not changing and growing 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.779 and dealing with sin. 00:08:38.199 --> 00:08:39.840 There will be empty times. 00:08:39.959 --> 00:08:40.779 There will be struggles. 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:45.620 There will be frustrations all the way through the Christian life. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:49.700 And it's because we are not home. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:52.080 We are not home. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.600 What's home for the Christian? 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:02.279 Home for the Christian 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:07.639 is where everything fits and works 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:12.740 to satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:15.779 In a similar way that our homes are like that. 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:16.840 You know, you go traveling. 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:18.860 You may stay in some great places, 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:19.899 but you come home and go, 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.860 ah, my bed. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.779 Oh, I know where the cups are. 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:27.439 I know where to go and grab that. 00:09:29.319 --> 00:09:30.199 Everything fits. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.340 It's ordered. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:35.300 But our home for the Christian 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:37.879 is a place where the deepest longings of our souls 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:40.180 are met. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:41.800 Complete sanctuary. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.000 A place of complete love 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:45.120 and a complete rest. 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:48.460 And the Bible is filled with stories 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:51.860 that tell us that we are exiles. 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:55.700 In fact, the whole trajectory of the Bible 00:09:55.700 --> 00:09:59.420 is one of coming back home. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:02.920 It begins with home. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.300 The perfect paradise, 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:05.300 the Garden of Eden. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:07.160 We lost that paradise 00:10:07.160 --> 00:10:08.140 because of sin, 00:10:08.280 --> 00:10:10.160 turning our backs on God 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:12.379 because ultimately He is our home. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.500 And from Genesis 12, 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:18.280 God promises a new home. 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:21.879 And one of the great themes of the Bibles 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:24.679 is being exiled and brought back home. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.519 Abraham, Egypt, Babylon. 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:31.019 The Old Testament people of Israel 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:33.980 are simply a microcosm 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:36.919 of God's biggest plan, 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.480 bigger plan for humanity. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.819 The Bible ends. 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:45.379 It begins with us 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:48.360 being in home 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:50.080 and then losing it 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:52.300 and it ends with a perfect paradise 00:10:52.300 --> 00:10:53.240 of the new heavens 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:54.879 and the new earth. 00:10:55.260 --> 00:10:57.780 From creation to new creation. 00:10:58.520 --> 00:11:00.640 From one home to our eternal home. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:04.600 And the point is, 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:06.320 this world is not home. 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:09.840 It is filled with death. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:13.500 We are always losing loved ones 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:15.700 and we are always losing love. 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:19.720 Now I understand completely 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:22.320 that there and in this room even, 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.200 that there are those 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:27.360 who don't believe in God 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:28.580 or the Bible. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:32.340 The irony of that is, 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:35.660 if you think this world 00:11:35.660 --> 00:11:37.240 is all that there is, 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:41.600 but you don't understand, 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.519 you don't know why 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.419 you are so unhappy. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:45.919 You're fully convinced 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.139 this world is all there is 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.440 but you don't understand 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.620 why you are so unhappy. 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.940 You are in exile 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.539 and you don't know it either. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:58.379 If you think this world 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.820 is all there is 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:01.879 and we have, 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:04.940 which is the dominant philosophy 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.820 of our age, 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:07.440 that we have evolved 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.880 to fit this world, 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:12.000 that's natural selection 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.560 and how evolution works, 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:17.080 then why is the human race 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:18.320 so unhappy? 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:22.400 Why is it in so much turmoil? 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:28.699 especially so when 00:12:28.699 --> 00:12:29.959 apparently 00:12:29.959 --> 00:12:32.319 personal happiness 00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:34.159 is the goal of life. 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:37.259 How's it going for you? 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:43.379 If this is the only home, 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:45.819 why can't we handle death? 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:49.740 Why is there a thing 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.620 called grief? 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.919 Why isn't death 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:55.779 merely just the natural process 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:56.519 of evolution? 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:03.379 If we were adapted 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.299 to this world, 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.539 then you could love 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:09.620 someone with all of your heart 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:13.480 and it wouldn't bother you 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.199 if they died. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.639 But it does 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:20.620 and that's because 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.120 this world 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.720 does not fit humanity, 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.980 does not fit the human heart, 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.899 does not fit the soul. 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:28.720 We are not home. 00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:31.039 The Bible says 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:31.620 the reason 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.779 we were created 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:35.439 was for fellowship 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:36.399 with God, 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:37.120 our Creator. 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:39.220 Our true home 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.899 is the loving embrace 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:42.199 of our God. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.539 Psalm 90 says 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:46.019 that He is 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.200 our dwelling place 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.800 and until 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:50.100 we are home, 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:52.140 we are on a pilgrimage 00:13:52.140 --> 00:13:54.840 and things will never be 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.379 the way that we want them to be. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.700 Life doesn't fit. 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.720 This world doesn't fit. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:01.940 There will be 00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:03.280 really good times 00:14:03.280 --> 00:14:04.100 and there will be 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:05.720 really hard times. 00:14:06.520 --> 00:14:08.040 That is this experience 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:09.840 for even the greatest, 00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.180 the heroes 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:12.860 of the Christian faith. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:12.960 life. 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:17.019 That is who we are. 00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:18.019 That's our identity. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.340 We are exiles 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.080 and pilgrims. 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.220 So how do we 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:27.240 be true 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.740 to that new identity? 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.399 What does that look like? 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.000 How do we know 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.000 we are living 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.480 out that identity? 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.259 It's important 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:37.960 because I think 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:38.820 there are two ends 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:39.600 of the spectrum. 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:41.180 traditionally 00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:42.920 in Christianity 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:43.879 in the way 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.560 that we might 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.779 engage 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:47.560 with the issue 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:48.639 of us being pilgrims 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.740 and this not being 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.399 our true home. 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.860 And we tend to gravitate 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.899 in one way 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.399 or the other. 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.639 On one end 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.399 is withdrawal 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:58.480 from the world. 00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:00.420 On the other end 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.000 of the spectrum 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.720 is accommodation 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.860 of the world. 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.500 The Christian 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:10.700 is not identical 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.539 to their neighbours 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:13.379 but they are 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.740 deeply involved 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.320 in loving 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:15.919 their neighbours. 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.299 So one end 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:18.940 of the spectrum 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:20.960 is withdrawal. 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.240 That's 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.840 hyper-conservativism. 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:25.539 Down the other end 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.440 is liberalism, 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.080 just accommodation 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.919 of the world. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.740 Those of us 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:32.220 with a Western heritage 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:33.740 tend to have 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.379 their identity 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:34.899 wrapped up 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:35.820 in personal achievement 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.500 and accomplishment. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.620 On the other hand 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.159 those with 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.620 an Eastern heritage 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.360 tend to have 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.039 their identity 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:42.940 connected to 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.779 family, 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.320 race, 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:44.720 blood. 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.700 When either 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.360 of them 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.879 becomes a Christian 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:52.000 the source 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.039 of their value, 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:54.320 the source 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:55.320 of their worth, 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:57.679 their security 00:15:57.679 --> 00:16:00.299 becomes 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.179 far more 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:02.379 deeply grounded 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:04.039 in being 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:05.700 God's child 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.500 than 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:06.759 through 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.400 accomplishment 00:16:07.400 --> 00:16:08.280 and achievement 00:16:08.280 --> 00:16:09.759 through 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:11.140 the accomplishment 00:16:11.140 --> 00:16:11.879 and the 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.440 achievement 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:14.700 of God's 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:14.920 son. 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.600 The achievement 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.800 of God's 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.240 family. 00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:21.940 Jesus Christ. 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:23.940 Now what it 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.379 means is 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:24.820 when you become 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.320 a Christian 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:25.980 it doesn't mean 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.620 you stop being 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.060 Anglo, 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:27.560 doesn't mean 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:28.120 you stop being 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.860 Asian or 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.820 Hispanic or 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.220 African, 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:30.680 doesn't mean 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.240 you stop being 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.720 any of those 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.120 things. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:32.960 In the same 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:33.100 way, 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:33.340 it doesn't 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:33.639 mean you 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.180 stop becoming 00:16:34.180 --> 00:16:34.500 a truck 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:34.840 driver, 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:35.320 an accountant, 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.820 it doesn't 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:38.379 mean that you 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.820 lose that 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:40.480 identity. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.620 It means 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.860 another identity 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:46.120 comes into 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.680 your life 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:47.120 which is 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:48.200 far deeper, 00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:50.960 far more 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.400 crucial. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:54.800 It means 00:16:54.800 --> 00:16:55.440 a Christian 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.940 sits at a 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.840 distance from 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.639 the idols of 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:00.139 their own 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.280 culture because 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:01.839 they give 00:17:01.839 --> 00:17:02.439 ultimate 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.379 significance 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.879 to the 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.940 God of 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.339 all cultures. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:10.920 So 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.480 Christianity is 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:11.779 not a 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.680 movement away 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.539 from culture, 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.460 it is a 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.139 new way of 00:17:16.139 --> 00:17:16.779 living within 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.099 it. 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.299 The 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:22.799 Christian's 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.299 primary 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:25.019 identity is 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:25.899 not attached 00:17:25.899 --> 00:17:26.240 to their 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.920 vocation. 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.299 It's not 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.200 attached to 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.879 their achievements. 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.480 It's not 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:32.899 attached to 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.399 their gifts, 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.779 their personal 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.220 preferences. 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.259 The 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.019 Christian is 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.619 a resident 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.240 alien. 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:40.720 They are 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.339 the same 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:43.379 and yet 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:43.599 they are 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:43.960 different. 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:46.899 So how 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.259 do we know 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:47.500 if we're 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:47.940 living that 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.200 out? 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.259 Have a 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:49.420 look, 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.119 flick over 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:50.420 to the 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.019 next chapter, 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:51.960 1 Peter 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.859 chapter 2 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:55.680 verse 11. 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.220 1 Peter 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:57.859 chapter 2 00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:58.460 verse 11. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.099 Let me 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:02.579 just pause 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:02.920 there for a 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.039 minute. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.359 I really 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.279 value if 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.839 you've got a 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.359 Bible in 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:07.759 front of 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.019 you. 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.579 Because it's 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.440 actually God's 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.639 word that I 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.420 want to preach 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:12.879 here, not 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.420 mine. 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.379 You need to 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:15.079 have confidence 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:15.960 in God's 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.799 word, not in 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.480 the words that 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.019 are coming out 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.779 of my mouth. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.259 So you need a 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:21.180 Bible in front 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:21.519 of you. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.220 It's one of the 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.960 core values for 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.359 us as a 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:24.700 church. 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:24.779 church. 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:26.779 If you 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.519 don't bring 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:27.900 one to 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:29.340 church, then 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:31.799 get an 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:32.380 app and 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:32.799 put it on 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.480 your phone. 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:37.240 1 Peter 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.240 chapter 2 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.400 verses 11 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.840 and 12. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.440 Dear friends, 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.400 I urge you 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.819 as foreigners 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.819 and exiles to 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.580 abstain from 00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:46.799 sinful desires 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:48.000 which war 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.680 against your 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.259 soul. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.120 Live such 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:50.660 good lives 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.080 among the 00:18:51.080 --> 00:18:51.660 pagans that 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:52.140 though they 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.700 accuse you of 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.680 doing wrong, 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:56.799 they may see 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.960 your good deeds 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.759 and glorify God 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.420 on the day he 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.180 visits us. 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.380 Now if we 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:04.440 are living the 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.640 exile life, 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.279 two things are 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:07.960 happening at 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.920 exactly the same 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:09.460 time. 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.920 Have a look at 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:12.440 these verses 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:12.880 again. 00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:15.160 Though they 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.480 accuse you of 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.680 doing wrong, 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.259 they may see 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.480 your good deeds 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.920 and glorify 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.559 God. 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:26.940 that is, 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.860 if we are 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.600 living the 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.660 exile life, 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.360 two things are 00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:30.740 happening. 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.340 We will be 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:33.180 accused, 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.340 misunderstood, 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.460 we will be 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.019 offensive, 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:36.960 we will be 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.559 viewed as 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.279 strange, 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:38.660 we will be 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:39.819 viewed as 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.880 even dangerous 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.539 in society. 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.860 But others 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:46.240 will see 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.580 something 00:19:46.580 --> 00:19:47.059 different. 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.500 They will 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.920 see the 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.440 beauty of 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.240 the gospel 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.880 of Jesus 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:52.560 Christ being 00:19:52.560 --> 00:19:53.140 worked out 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:53.820 through you 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.660 and they 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.040 will come 00:19:55.040 --> 00:19:55.500 to Jesus. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.020 That is, 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.680 the exile 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:58.080 life at 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:58.840 exactly the 00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.680 same time 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.520 is both 00:20:00.520 --> 00:20:02.700 offensive and 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.180 attractive. 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.380 effective. 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:06.960 That's the 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.400 test of 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:08.940 whether you 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.320 are living 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:10.019 the exile 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.500 life. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.100 We won't 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.980 just attract 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.560 people, 00:20:16.560 --> 00:20:17.740 we'll also 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.560 turn people 00:20:18.560 --> 00:20:19.140 off. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.240 And we 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.660 won't just 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.240 turn people 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.799 off, 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:24.860 we will also 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.680 attract people. 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.660 We'll do both 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.400 of those things. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:30.200 when Peter 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.980 mentions living 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.860 good lives, 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.060 he is alluding 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:34.160 here to 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.140 the words of 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.900 Jesus in the 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.440 Sermon on the 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:36.860 Mountain in 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.420 Matthew chapter 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:37.980 5. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:38.880 And at the 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.540 end of 00:20:39.540 --> 00:20:40.660 Matthew 5, 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.280 or partway 00:20:41.280 --> 00:20:41.740 through Matthew 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.380 5, Jesus 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:44.000 says to 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.180 his disciples 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:46.440 that they 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.340 will be 00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:48.019 persecuted. 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:50.360 And immediately 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.400 after saying 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.940 that, he 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.660 talks to them 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.259 about being 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.019 salt and 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.840 light in the 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:56.240 world. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:58.640 Matthew 5 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.120 verse 16, 00:20:59.200 --> 00:20:59.480 let your 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.220 light shine 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.059 before others 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.740 that they 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.500 may see 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.120 your good 00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:04.339 deeds and 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.400 glorify your 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.079 Father in 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.359 heaven. 00:21:07.620 --> 00:21:08.120 In other 00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:08.900 words, what 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:09.180 I'm saying 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.559 there is, 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.480 Jesus and 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.900 Peter are 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.539 saying exactly 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:11.920 the same 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.220 thing. 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.420 The good 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.539 life, the 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.180 good deeds, 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.079 is what the 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.559 Sermon on the 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.420 Mount is all 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:18.940 about, the 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.299 words of 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.579 Jesus. 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.819 Now, you'd 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.299 be grateful to 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:22.579 know, we're 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:22.779 not going to 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.079 go through 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.460 that verse 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:23.839 by verse 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.299 right now, 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.000 but, 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:27.279 know that 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.700 in the 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.420 first century 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:28.779 there were 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.119 at least 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.279 four ways, 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.700 four ways 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.339 that the 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.019 early church 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.519 lived out 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.359 the Sermon 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:35.640 on the 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.200 Mount in 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.680 such a 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.619 way that 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:37.960 it was 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.880 both attractive 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:40.500 and offensive. 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.619 Four ways. 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.359 And the 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.220 four things 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.579 in the 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.160 first century 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.420 that was 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:45.980 both attractive 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.599 and offensive, 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.500 forgiveness, 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.400 generosity to 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.140 the poor 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:54.140 of all 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.740 races and 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.259 cultures, 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.000 the ability 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.240 to face 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.860 death 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:02.220 cheerfully, 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:04.540 and lastly, 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.100 sexual 00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:05.720 chastity. 00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:07.840 Christians 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.600 were radically 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.880 different than 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.320 the first 00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:11.000 century world 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.560 in those 00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:12.340 four ways. 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.420 Strangely 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.560 different and 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:16.440 also radically 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.180 compelling at 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:17.500 the same 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:17.900 time. 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:18.820 You see, 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.600 the Greco-Roman 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.580 world was a 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:20.960 shame and 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.740 honor culture. 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:23.880 If you 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:25.360 were wronged 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.220 in any 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.720 way, it 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.540 was considered 00:22:28.540 --> 00:22:30.080 honorable to 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:31.060 take vengeance 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:31.980 upon that 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:34.420 person or 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.040 that group 00:22:35.040 --> 00:22:35.519 of people. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.860 And it 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.740 was regarded 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.300 that that 00:22:39.300 --> 00:22:39.940 was the way 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.820 that society 00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:41.780 stayed together 00:22:41.780 --> 00:22:42.640 and worked. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.080 Shame on 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:44.560 a culture. 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:46.800 The Christian 00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.519 message of 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.060 forgiveness, 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.080 of turn the 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:50.720 other cheek, 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.300 of don't 00:22:51.300 --> 00:22:52.040 repay evil 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.700 with evil, 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.859 was considered 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.139 unworkable at 00:22:55.139 --> 00:22:55.879 best in the 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.599 first century 00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:58.119 and dangerous 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.000 at worst. 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.460 It was going 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.420 to upheaval, 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:02.519 turn all 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.200 of society. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.599 The core 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.119 values and 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.559 the principles 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.240 of society. 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.579 It was 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.420 regarded as 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:08.980 offensive. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.879 Forgiveness is 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:11.899 regarded as 00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:12.559 offensive. 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.159 It still is 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:16.619 today, 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:18.979 but just 00:23:18.979 --> 00:23:19.619 not in 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:19.919 liberal 00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:20.379 progressive 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:21.279 societies. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.299 Sydney 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.899 loves the 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.539 concept of 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:24.899 forgiveness. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.619 New York, 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.439 London love 00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:27.899 the concept 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.519 of forgiveness. 00:23:31.439 --> 00:23:32.059 Gaza 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.699 doesn't love 00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.179 the concept 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:33.759 of forgiveness 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:35.679 at all. 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:36.959 Middle 00:23:36.959 --> 00:23:37.219 Eastern 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:37.879 cultures do 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:39.359 not preach 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:39.919 forgiveness. 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.479 It is 00:23:40.479 --> 00:23:41.059 offensive. 00:23:43.199 --> 00:23:43.639 Shame and 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.359 honor cultures 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.159 do not love 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:45.599 forgiveness. 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:49.579 But mercy 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.359 and forgiveness 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.219 is attractive 00:23:51.219 --> 00:23:51.619 to the 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.059 recipients. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.359 Another 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:56.699 thing, 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.059 Christian 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.539 generosity, 00:23:57.699 --> 00:23:58.099 the poor 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.539 of all 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.000 races, 00:23:59.399 --> 00:23:59.759 was 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.439 regarded 00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:01.939 as 00:24:01.939 --> 00:24:03.139 strange 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:04.399 in a 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:04.719 shame and 00:24:04.719 --> 00:24:05.319 honor culture 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:05.839 that gets 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.399 its identity 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.099 from family, 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.459 race, 00:24:07.479 --> 00:24:07.879 and blood. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:10.920 from the 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.180 very 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.680 beginning, 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.260 Christians 00:24:12.260 --> 00:24:13.120 believed in 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.780 the Bible's 00:24:13.780 --> 00:24:14.680 teaching that 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.560 all people 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:16.300 are made 00:24:16.300 --> 00:24:16.760 in the 00:24:16.760 --> 00:24:17.260 image of 00:24:17.260 --> 00:24:17.600 God, 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.800 and therefore 00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.680 all have 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.220 an inherent 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.080 worth and 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:22.900 value and 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.360 dignity. 00:24:24.780 --> 00:24:25.660 In fact, 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.180 it is from 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:26.880 that very 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.280 Christian 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:28.760 teaching that 00:24:28.760 --> 00:24:29.720 any concept 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.240 of human 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.320 rights arose. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.980 It did not 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.580 exist. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.020 The concept 00:24:34.020 --> 00:24:34.480 of human 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:34.980 rights did 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.640 not exist 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:37.060 before the 00:24:37.060 --> 00:24:37.780 Christian faith. 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:40.680 Christians 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.760 also faced 00:24:41.760 --> 00:24:42.540 death with 00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:43.280 poise and 00:24:43.280 --> 00:24:43.760 cheerfulness 00:24:43.760 --> 00:24:44.740 because they 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.380 had confidence 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.020 in the future 00:24:46.020 --> 00:24:46.620 resurrection. 00:24:47.260 --> 00:24:47.960 No other 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.680 person in 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.060 the first 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:50.080 century had 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.640 that kind 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.020 of hope 00:24:51.020 --> 00:24:51.700 at all. 00:24:52.780 --> 00:24:53.320 At all. 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.840 The Roman 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.820 Empire could 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:59.080 not understand, 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.160 I've only been 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.820 reading it in 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:01.340 this past 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:01.740 couple of 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.120 weeks, 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.400 could not 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.560 understand how 00:25:04.560 --> 00:25:05.460 you can torture 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.240 someone, 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:08.220 torture them 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.900 over and 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.539 over and 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.500 over again 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.440 and they 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:13.240 respond with 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.900 grace. 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.940 Could not 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.640 understand that 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.339 concept at 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.660 all. 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.180 The fourth 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.940 area of 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:24.079 impact and 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.759 rejection was 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.640 sexual chastity. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.160 The Greco-Roman 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:27.819 culture of the 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.460 first century 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.920 didn't believe 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.259 that the 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.660 human body 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.440 was important. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.400 What mattered 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.039 to them was the 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.599 mind and the 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:34.919 soul. 00:25:35.459 --> 00:25:36.099 So for them, 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.619 sex was 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.179 nothing more 00:25:37.179 --> 00:25:37.699 than a bodily 00:25:37.699 --> 00:25:38.179 appetite. 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:38.799 You can see 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.240 this in 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.219 1 Corinthians. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.059 Sex was 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.659 nothing more 00:25:43.659 --> 00:25:44.299 than a bodily 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.779 appetite. 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.679 It was a way 00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:46.059 of getting 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.959 personal pleasure, 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.240 nothing more. 00:25:49.679 --> 00:25:50.159 Christianity 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.079 claimed that 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:52.299 sex was a 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:52.939 way of making 00:25:52.939 --> 00:25:54.459 a full and 00:25:54.459 --> 00:25:55.419 total life 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:56.099 commitment to 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.539 one other 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.779 person of the 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.879 opposite sex in 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.419 marriage. 00:26:00.719 --> 00:26:01.779 Complete life. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:01.839 life. 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.399 And it was 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:06.359 absolutely nuts 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.379 in a 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:08.059 promiscuous 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.920 first century. 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.899 And yet, 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.399 it was so 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:13.259 attractive for 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.920 the women and 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:15.180 the children in 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:15.559 the first 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.000 century. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.319 Before 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:19.980 Christianity, 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.759 they had no 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.639 rights and all 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.139 of a sudden, 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.619 the Christian 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.319 faith comes in 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:23.779 and says, 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:24.720 no, no, 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.579 you have 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.079 rights. 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:28.519 you are 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.220 not just a 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.519 tool to be 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:32.059 used for 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:33.740 male appetites. 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.480 That was a 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.339 way, four 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.960 ways that they 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.319 were both 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.000 offensive and 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.339 attractive. 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.319 The Christians 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.139 were persecuted, 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.519 they were 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.039 tortured, they 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.559 were killed 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.339 because their 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.859 views were 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:45.019 offensive, but 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.439 the Christian 00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:46.399 faith grew and 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:47.599 spread and was 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.539 attractive right 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.119 across the 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.939 Roman world. 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.799 In any and 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.839 every culture, 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:57.459 a group of 00:26:57.459 --> 00:26:58.679 Christians who 00:26:58.679 --> 00:26:59.599 live the new 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:01.459 birth of 00:27:01.459 --> 00:27:02.500 following Jesus 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.919 will be both 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:05.699 offensive and 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:07.399 attractive at 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.839 the same time, 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.299 but it will be 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:11.159 in different 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:13.679 ways depending 00:27:13.679 --> 00:27:16.119 on your 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.599 culture. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.459 In every 00:27:19.459 --> 00:27:21.859 culture, it 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:23.039 will attract 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.619 you in some 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.819 ways and it 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.480 will repel 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:25.939 you in other 00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:26.439 ways. 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.720 That is the 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.779 exiled life that 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.339 Jesus has 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.059 called us to. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.179 How are you 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:33.779 going with that 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.240 test? 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:38.879 Have you 00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.220 think about 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:39.419 it? 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.819 Too often, we 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.339 are either 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:45.599 offensive or we 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.159 are attractive. 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.720 We are one or 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.159 the other. 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.659 Offensive because 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.599 we're always talking 00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.419 about the faith, 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.460 we're not 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:53.660 offensive. 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.340 That's all we 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:55.980 ever do. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.500 We take every 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.500 opportunity to tell 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.320 people they need to 00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.400 repent of their sin, 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.740 preach it out from the 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.440 street corners. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.940 We're always tell, 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.759 tell, tell, tell, tell, 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:05.259 tell, tell, tell all 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.960 the time, getting 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.539 pushed back 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.100 constantly. 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:14.140 Or we're 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.539 attractive, but we're 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.080 not offensive. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:18.079 We're attractive 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.879 because we keep a 00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:21.179 low profile, not 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:22.099 saying too much at 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:24.579 all, live a decent 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.579 kind of life. 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:31.679 It is possible to be 00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:32.960 like Jesus in being 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.839 offensive and it's 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.679 possible to be like 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.639 Jesus in being 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.159 attractive. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.779 But Jesus was 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.339 both. 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.659 He wasn't one or the 00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:43.740 other, he was both. 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:47.319 And it is also 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.680 possible to be 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.680 neither offensive 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:51.160 nor attractive. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:54.960 In which case, if 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.559 you are neither 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:57.279 attractive nor 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:59.559 offensive, you're 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.299 nothing like Jesus 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.819 at all. 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.059 You need to 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.779 experience new 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.140 birth. 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:09.240 to be 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.120 offensive takes 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:10.880 courage and 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.320 boldness and to 00:29:12.320 --> 00:29:13.320 be attractive takes 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:14.340 great humility and 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.820 compassion. 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.840 What's your next 00:29:16.840 --> 00:29:17.120 step? 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.480 Do you need to 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.259 grow in courage 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.940 or do you need to 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.660 grow in humility? 00:29:25.780 --> 00:29:26.800 Courage without 00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:27.720 attractiveness, 00:29:29.560 --> 00:29:30.259 courage without 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.120 attractiveness is 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:32.259 self-righteousness, 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:34.599 attractiveness without 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:36.440 courage is not 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:38.000 compassion, it is 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:40.379 not humility, it is 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.339 cowardice. 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.819 Cowardice. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:48.079 And unfortunately in 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.200 the Western world, 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.980 too many Christians 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.299 nowadays are 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.660 gravitating towards 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.440 cowardice. 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.240 So where do we get 00:29:59.240 --> 00:29:59.980 the power to live out 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.700 this new life? 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.360 That's my last 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:01.660 point. 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.480 The first thing is 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.000 to never lose 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.640 sight of 1 Peter 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.700 chapter 2 verse 9. 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.720 You are a chosen 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.220 people, a royal 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.460 priesthood, a holy 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.779 nation, God's 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.759 special possession. 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.340 They are four very 00:30:17.340 --> 00:30:19.600 rich and loaded 00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:22.039 ways to describe the 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:23.120 exiled Christian 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.620 life. 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:26.400 God didn't choose 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.340 the Christian because 00:30:27.340 --> 00:30:28.360 they are the choice 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:30.600 ones, but because 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.419 of his love. 00:30:32.419 --> 00:30:33.859 We are chosen by 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:36.059 sheer grace. 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.899 By sheer grace. 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:43.939 As the last 00:30:43.939 --> 00:30:45.639 statement says, we 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.719 are his special 00:30:46.719 --> 00:30:47.740 possession. 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.459 We are his 00:30:48.459 --> 00:30:48.839 treasure. 00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:50.179 God has got 00:30:50.179 --> 00:30:50.980 galaxies. 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:53.679 He has got 00:30:53.679 --> 00:30:54.859 galaxies upon 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:56.959 galaxies that we 00:30:56.959 --> 00:30:57.559 have not even 00:30:57.559 --> 00:31:00.139 explored, but none 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:00.659 of it means 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.519 anything to 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:03.119 him like the 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.879 Christian does. 00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.659 Do you know 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.419 that kind of 00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:09.299 unconditional love 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:09.779 and acceptance 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.460 and approval? 00:31:11.899 --> 00:31:12.839 Has it captured 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.500 your heart? 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.460 Has it captured 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.139 your imagination? 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.759 Until it does, 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:22.039 until it does, 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.179 I don't believe that 00:31:23.179 --> 00:31:24.019 we will have real 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.579 courage. 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:27.199 neither will we 00:31:27.199 --> 00:31:27.720 have real 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:29.079 compassion and 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.799 mercy and 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.279 humility. 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.779 If you want to 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.839 actually know this 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.659 kind of unconditional 00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:36.659 love, then you 00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:37.500 need to see 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.359 verse 2, 00:31:39.399 --> 00:31:40.980 chosen according 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.000 to the foreknowledge 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.019 of God, the 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.220 Father, through 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:45.639 the sanctifying work 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.619 of the Spirit, 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.460 to be obedient to 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.759 Jesus Christ and 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.679 sprinkled with his 00:31:50.679 --> 00:31:51.019 blood. 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:52.960 God, the 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:54.339 source of our 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.779 unconditional love 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.139 is the shed 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.299 blood of Jesus 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.900 Christ. 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:02.379 Jesus, God 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:04.279 the Son, was 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:06.500 enjoying all the 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.440 bliss of home, 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:10.579 all the bliss of 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:12.259 home, the ultimate 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.440 home, dwelling 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.779 eternally with the 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.599 Father and the 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:17.059 Spirit, enjoying 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:18.440 perfect relationship 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.940 and perfect love. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:22.559 But he left it. 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:26.359 He left home. 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.980 And he came into 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.879 this world taking 00:32:30.879 --> 00:32:32.279 on human form and 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:34.019 identified with us 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.039 in our exile. 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.960 The one who was 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:41.039 home chose to be 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.619 in exile. 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:48.419 You won't read 00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:49.659 anywhere in the 00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:50.739 gospel accounts, 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.779 the biographies of 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.879 Jesus' life, 00:32:55.199 --> 00:32:56.419 where Jesus was out 00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:57.099 preaching and then 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.719 he went home. 00:32:59.699 --> 00:33:00.299 Nowhere. 00:33:01.219 --> 00:33:02.359 In fact, he tells 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.299 his disciples that he 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.919 has no place to lay 00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.459 his head. 00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:07.639 No place. 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.779 He chose to be 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.720 exiled from heaven 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:12.779 and even when he 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.619 was here, he 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.220 wandered. 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.480 It was what he 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.200 came to do. 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.059 And at the end of 00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:21.180 his life, even 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.399 then, he was 00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:23.639 crucified outside 00:33:23.639 --> 00:33:24.379 of the city. 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.259 He was the 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.379 ultimate exile. 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.460 My God, my God, 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.000 why have you 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.940 forsaken me? 00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.259 Was his cry from 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.759 the cross. 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:37.759 He took the 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.680 ultimate exile 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.660 that we deserve 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:41.319 so that we 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:41.859 could be brought 00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:42.299 into the 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:42.960 ultimate home. 00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:45.980 And only when 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.980 we fix our 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:48.140 gaze on him, 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.379 on him 00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:50.140 dying, 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.700 that big 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.619 death for 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:54.259 us, 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.640 so that we 00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.319 don't have to be 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.839 permanently 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.900 exiled from the 00:33:58.900 --> 00:33:59.779 presence of God, 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.480 only then will 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.880 we really 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:05.960 have courage. 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:07.579 Will we 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:08.920 really have 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.400 humility? 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.420 He died 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.960 such a big 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.679 death for me. 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.199 Why should I 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:17.980 not die just a 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.579 little death for 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:18.800 him? 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.240 We are 00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:23.860 exiles and 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.219 strangers, 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:24.599 friends. 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.139 If you've 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:25.460 come to 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:25.940 Christ, you 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.639 are exiles and 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:26.980 strangers. 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:30.699 If you're not 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.280 a Christian, 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.420 you too are an 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:32.980 exile, you 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:33.420 just don't 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.059 see it yet. 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.159 One of the 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:38.680 things that 00:34:38.680 --> 00:34:39.760 struck me when 00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:40.559 I first moved 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.059 to Chatswood 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.659 nearly 15 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.300 years ago 00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:44.280 was just 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:45.059 how few 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:46.220 and how 00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:47.300 small the 00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.079 parks were 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.039 in Chatswood. 00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:52.300 And having 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:53.000 young children 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:54.019 at that time, 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.280 these things are 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:55.740 things that you 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.340 think about. 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.740 Needing to go 00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.440 to a park, 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:01.200 regular requests, 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:02.240 regular trips to 00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:02.739 the park, 00:35:03.479 --> 00:35:04.559 which were on 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:04.899 the way to 00:35:04.899 --> 00:35:05.279 Bunnings. 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:08.199 And in 00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:08.879 fact, even to 00:35:08.879 --> 00:35:10.000 this day, as we 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.719 drive past, 00:35:10.839 --> 00:35:13.319 I remember that 00:35:13.319 --> 00:35:13.559 one. 00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.259 I remember that 00:35:14.259 --> 00:35:14.559 park. 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:15.000 I remember the 00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:15.479 swings there. 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:15.899 I remember that. 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.299 Parks were 00:35:17.299 --> 00:35:17.719 big. 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.239 Great places to 00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:21.000 visit for 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.879 downtime and 00:35:21.879 --> 00:35:22.359 relaxation. 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:24.879 And frankly, 00:35:24.979 --> 00:35:25.419 we've had some 00:35:25.419 --> 00:35:26.000 great family 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.899 times in parks 00:35:26.900 --> 00:35:27.360 over the 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:27.800 years. 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:31.119 But I've 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:31.760 also seen 00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:32.220 some pretty 00:35:32.220 --> 00:35:33.000 horrid parks 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.300 too. 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:35.860 In fact, 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.660 I think of 00:35:36.660 --> 00:35:37.880 two parks 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:38.260 that I 00:35:38.260 --> 00:35:38.639 visited 00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.940 where I 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.720 immediately 00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:41.920 walked out. 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.559 And why? 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:44.660 Why? 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:48.799 Because people 00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:49.259 had moved 00:35:49.259 --> 00:35:51.719 in to 00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:52.519 those parks. 00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:54.399 Awful 00:35:54.399 --> 00:35:55.379 scenario where 00:35:55.379 --> 00:35:55.980 those parks 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.399 were filled 00:35:56.399 --> 00:35:56.879 with homeless 00:35:56.879 --> 00:35:57.319 people. 00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:58.980 And what 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.779 happens when 00:35:59.779 --> 00:36:00.839 a park is 00:36:00.839 --> 00:36:01.539 filled with 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:02.480 homeless people? 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:03.759 It quickly 00:36:03.759 --> 00:36:04.339 becomes 00:36:04.339 --> 00:36:05.299 unattractive, 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:05.739 dirty, 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.460 unpleasant. 00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:08.820 very, very 00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:09.240 quickly. 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.220 Very quickly. 00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:13.519 Parks are 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.380 great places 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.059 to visit, 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:16.619 but a 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:18.159 park cannot 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.039 bear the 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.840 weight of 00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:20.539 the full 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.920 human life. 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.300 It can't 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.659 do it. 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:28.039 It's not 00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:29.619 meant to 00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:29.920 be a 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.300 home. 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:34.800 I use 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.360 this simply 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:35.639 as an 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.139 illustration 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.579 to point 00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:36.859 to a 00:36:36.859 --> 00:36:37.099 greater 00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:37.639 reality. 00:36:39.239 --> 00:36:40.179 If we 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:40.940 really 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.219 rely on 00:36:42.219 --> 00:36:42.819 anything 00:36:42.819 --> 00:36:43.539 more 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:45.480 or love 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:46.379 anything 00:36:46.379 --> 00:36:47.219 more 00:36:47.219 --> 00:36:48.579 or try 00:36:48.579 --> 00:36:48.920 to get 00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:49.480 significance 00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:50.519 and security 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.460 from anything 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:52.279 more 00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:53.319 in this 00:36:53.319 --> 00:36:53.940 world, 00:36:54.879 --> 00:36:56.400 then Jesus 00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:57.440 Christ and 00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:58.440 his salvation, 00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:00.859 those things 00:37:00.859 --> 00:37:01.460 that we are 00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.379 looking to, 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.759 even if they 00:37:03.759 --> 00:37:04.519 are good 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.319 things, 00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:10.339 they will 00:37:10.339 --> 00:37:10.539 never 00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.179 satisfy. 00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:13.500 Because those 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:13.940 things, 00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:14.440 whatever it 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:14.859 might be, 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:15.599 I talked 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:15.879 about them 00:37:15.879 --> 00:37:16.460 last week, 00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.199 relationships, 00:37:17.379 --> 00:37:17.940 your career, 00:37:18.819 --> 00:37:20.059 your home, 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.359 your travel, 00:37:21.779 --> 00:37:23.219 your beauty, 00:37:23.400 --> 00:37:23.719 whatever it 00:37:23.719 --> 00:37:24.239 might be, 00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:25.920 those things 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:27.359 cannot bear the 00:37:27.359 --> 00:37:28.159 weight of the 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:29.000 full human 00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.619 life. 00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:29.679 life, 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:31.299 because those 00:37:31.299 --> 00:37:31.699 things are 00:37:31.699 --> 00:37:32.299 never home. 00:37:34.699 --> 00:37:35.739 Only Jesus 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.380 Christ is 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:36.719 home. 00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.159 And so 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:40.880 our prayer 00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.299 should be 00:37:41.299 --> 00:37:41.799 this, 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.980 Lord Jesus, 00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:44.900 I want to 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.779 live for you 00:37:45.779 --> 00:37:48.119 because you 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:49.059 were exiled 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.799 for me, 00:37:50.799 --> 00:37:51.880 I want you 00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:52.480 to bring me 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:54.000 home as 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.820 only you 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.559 are able 00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:56.199 to do. 00:37:56.199 --> 00:37:56.260 Thank you. 00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:56.280 Thank you.