WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.600 I'll just, my pleasure to invite again Rory Stott, Reverend Rory Stott, to minister to us this evening. 00:00:06.600 --> 00:00:12.640 We enjoyed his preaching this morning. Rory is ministering for Throws in the Black Isle. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:16.199 And as I said this morning, we went through college together. 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:21.019 Basically, I got him through, so that's what's leaving him here this evening. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:26.000 But we are good friends. We were good friends then and still good friends. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:29.820 So it's my pleasure to welcome him to lead us in worship this evening. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.899 Thank you. Good evening, everyone. He hasn't changed one bit. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:46.659 Let's worship God and let's just hear the word of God before we sing. 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:52.920 In Psalm 138, I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:56.760 Before the gods, I sing your praise. 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:08.879 I bow down towards your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:10.879 Let's worship God. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:10.879 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:18.879 And we're in Psalm 146, Psalm 146, on page 191. 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:25.879 Psalm 146, verses 1 to 8, on page 191. 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:28.899 Praise the Lord, my soul, O praise him. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.379 I'll extol him all my days. 00:01:31.619 --> 00:01:38.340 While I live to God, my Savior, from my heart I will sing praise. 00:01:38.399 --> 00:01:39.219 Let's stand to sing. 00:01:39.219 --> 00:02:09.199 Praise the Lord, my soul, O praise him. 00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:23.719 Do not put your trust in princes, mortal men who cannot save. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:36.500 All their plans will come to nothing where they perish in the grave. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:50.919 Blessed is the one who truly looks for help to Jacob's God. 00:02:50.919 --> 00:03:03.780 Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord. 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:18.020 He who made the earth and heaven and the seas with all their store. 00:03:18.020 --> 00:03:30.780 He who keeps us every promise, who is faithful evermore. 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:45.319 He delivers from oppression and relieves the hungry's plight. 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:59.280 He releases those in prison to find the Lord's side. 00:03:59.280 --> 00:03:59.379 Amen. 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:01.719 Please be seated. 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:06.800 Let us unite our hearts in prayer. 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:07.479 Let us pray. 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:17.379 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:24.759 who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:33.139 We worship you this evening, almighty God, triune God, who reigns on high. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:38.180 Your power is far greater than we can understand. 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:49.199 We come to you this evening, our Father, as those who are weak, as those who are imperfect, and those who are unwise. 00:04:49.400 --> 00:04:51.420 But we thank you that you are strong. 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:53.960 We thank you that you are perfect. 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:59.319 And we thank you that you are wisdom itself. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:05.979 And you are the God who is worthy of all praise and honor and glory. 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:10.620 Hallowed be your name above all other names. 00:05:11.299 --> 00:05:12.719 Your kingdom come. 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:18.359 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:24.879 And we praise you this evening for the one who is our righteousness. 00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:32.400 We praise you this evening for the one who is the foundation on which your people stand. 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:38.180 The psalmist said, my rock and my redeemer. 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:43.340 And we praise you, Lord God, for the hope that we have in Christ. 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:48.819 We bless you for all the spiritual blessings that are ours in Christ. 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:49.819 We worship you. 00:05:50.299 --> 00:05:51.379 We praise you. 00:05:51.799 --> 00:05:55.719 And this evening, Lord, we long to hear from you. 00:05:56.459 --> 00:05:59.759 Would you give us that sense of expectation? 00:06:00.599 --> 00:06:04.019 Would you make your word come alive for us? 00:06:04.359 --> 00:06:06.039 And would you speak to us? 00:06:06.659 --> 00:06:11.599 And we ask these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior. 00:06:11.599 --> 00:06:12.519 Amen. 00:06:13.339 --> 00:06:13.899 Amen. 00:06:15.479 --> 00:06:16.679 Let's sing again. 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:19.819 We sing now in Psalm number 13. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:27.259 Psalm 13, singing verses 1 to 6 in sing psalms. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:36.819 Psalm 13, singing verses 1 to 6 on page 14. 00:06:37.359 --> 00:06:39.179 How long will you forget me, Lord? 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:40.519 Will you forget always? 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:46.519 How long, Lord, will you hide your face and turn from me your gaze? 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:51.299 How long must I be sad each day in deep perplexity? 00:06:51.799 --> 00:06:56.620 How long will my opponents stand in triumph over me? 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:59.360 Shall we stand and sing to God's praise? 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:11.180 How long will you forget me, Lord? 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:13.180 Will you forget always? 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:17.180 Will you forget always? 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:32.180 How long, Lord, will you hide your face and turn from me your gaze? 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:46.180 How long must I be sad each day in deep perplexity? 00:07:46.180 --> 00:08:01.180 How long will my opponents stand in triumph over me? 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:02.180 How long will you pray? 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:02.180 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:02.180 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:02.180 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:02.180 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:03.180 How long will you pray? 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:03.180 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:04.180 How long will you pray? 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:05.180 How long will you pray? 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:05.180 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:06.180 How long will you pray? 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:10.180 How long will you pray? 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:10.180 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:10.180 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:10.180 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:12.180 How long will you pray? 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:12.180 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:12.180 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:22.220 How long will you pray? 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:22.220 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:22.220 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:22.220 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:22.220 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:24.220 How long will you pray? 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:24.220 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:24.220 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:24.220 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:24.220 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:24.220 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:32.540 The sleep of those who die 00:08:32.540 --> 00:08:40.220 Then would my enemy declare 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:47.240 At last I've laid them low 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:56.379 And so my foes would sing for joy 00:08:56.379 --> 00:09:01.980 To see my overthrow 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:12.000 But till I thrust your constant love 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:18.159 You save and set me free 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:27.279 With joy I will extol the Lord 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:33.399 Who has been good to me 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.820 Amen 00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:42.500 Well can we turn in our Bibles 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:43.840 If you have a Bible with you 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:44.720 To the letter 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:46.660 The first letter of Peter 00:09:46.660 --> 00:09:50.100 The first letter of Peter 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.320 And chapter 1 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:53.520 1 Peter 00:09:53.520 --> 00:09:56.980 And chapter 1 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:11.659 Peter 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:11.659 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:13.820 An apostle of Jesus Christ 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:15.500 To those who are elect 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:17.879 Exiles of the dispersion 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:19.620 In Pontus, Galatia 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:21.279 Cappadocia, Asia 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.360 And Bithynia 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:24.680 According to the foreknowledge 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:25.940 Of God the Father 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:35.620 in the sanctification of the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:39.640 May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 00:10:40.640 --> 00:10:44.880 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:44.880 --> 00:10:51.380 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope 00:10:51.380 --> 00:10:55.700 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:10:55.940 --> 00:11:04.660 To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 00:11:05.040 --> 00:11:13.140 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:23.580 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:33.680 so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:42.240 may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:45.560 Though you have not seen him, you love him. 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:56.480 Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 00:11:57.159 --> 00:12:02.799 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:08.819 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:18.459 searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:23.620 when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:29.860 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves, but you, 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:33.519 in the things that have now been announced to you, 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:38.279 through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit, 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:44.620 sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:45.820 Amen. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:49.460 This is the inspired and inerrant word of God. 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:53.200 And we do pray God's blessing on that reading. 00:12:54.180 --> 00:13:00.900 Shall we just bow our heads again in prayer as we come to the Lord in prayer? 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:17.860 Father, we thank you for the privilege of coming into your presence this evening to worship you and to share from you. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:24.360 We do thank you for your word, which is alive and which is sharper than a double-edged sword. 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:28.460 Lord, we long to hear from you. 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:36.039 And our prayer this evening is that you would make your word come alive for us by the power of your Holy Spirit 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:39.259 and that you yourself would speak to us. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:46.800 Father, we do not seek the wisdom of man, but we seek the wisdom of God. 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:52.679 Give us, heavenly Father, a hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:54.659 And we pray for your people here. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.839 We thank you for them. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:59.859 And we pray that you would sanctify your people. 00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:06.439 We pray that your people here would grow into the likeness of Christ. 00:14:06.979 --> 00:14:10.399 We pray that you would build your people up, 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.819 edify them, 00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:14.199 and again, 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:16.480 make them more like Christ. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.579 We do pray, Lord, 00:14:17.939 --> 00:14:19.779 for those who do not know you, 00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:21.840 perhaps here this evening, 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.980 perhaps for the first time in this church. 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:25.500 And we pray, 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.980 heavenly Father, 00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:30.740 for anyone who does not know you 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:32.959 as personal Lord and Savior. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:36.420 And we pray by your Spirit that you would open their eyes, 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:39.680 that they would see their need for you, 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.560 their need for forgiveness, 00:14:41.900 --> 00:14:44.200 and turn away from self, 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.639 away from the world, 00:14:46.040 --> 00:14:47.240 and turn to you, 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.340 the living Christ. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:52.180 We pray for the leadership of this church. 00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:56.740 We thank you for Calamurdo and Joanne and their children. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:58.720 And we pray for them as a family. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:03.480 We pray that you would grant them tokens of your faithfulness. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:07.440 We pray that they would be encouraged in the Lord 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.620 and work in there. 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.820 Give to them, Lord, 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.960 the joy of the Lord. 00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:15.320 We pray for the eldership and the deacons. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.879 We ask, Lord God, 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.259 that you would grant them wisdom, 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:20.840 that you would guide them from on high, 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:25.080 and that your will would be done amongst your people here. 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.560 And we pray, dear Lord, 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:31.379 that you would fill the vacancy with the man of your choosing, 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.339 and that you would work in their hearts, 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:37.519 Lord, a desire to serve you in this place. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.339 We pray for the community. 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:43.779 We pray for the neighbors around us. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:46.439 We pray for this town. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:47.899 And we ask, Lord God, 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.419 for the work of the gospel. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:51.679 We pray for a work of your Spirit. 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:54.879 We pray for good to prevail over evil. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:58.799 And again, we pray for that turning away from the world 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:01.320 and turning to you. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:05.100 Lord, we pray for the bereaved again this evening. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:08.000 We remember the tragedy on Friday evening. 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:11.019 And we pray for all who are involved. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:12.399 We ask, Lord God, 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.620 that you would bring comfort. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.720 We ask, Lord God, 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:19.700 that those who are involved would be aware 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:24.620 of the everlasting arms of Almighty God. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:27.120 And so we pray for those who are grieving. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.840 We pray, Heavenly Father, 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:32.080 for any this evening who are facing tragedy, 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.480 who are facing distress, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:36.580 who are facing relationship breakdown 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.620 or bad news or illness. 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:41.460 You are the great physician. 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.779 You are the great comforter. 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:46.320 And we pray that even tonight, 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:50.700 that your word would be a healing balm for us. 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.780 And so, Lord, 00:16:51.900 --> 00:16:54.960 we humble ourselves before you this evening, 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:58.940 knowing that we bring nothing to you. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:01.220 You are the all-sufficient God. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:05.240 You are the God who created the universe. 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:10.000 You are the God who upholds all things. 00:17:10.340 --> 00:17:13.700 You are the God to whom we turn this evening. 00:17:14.080 --> 00:17:15.319 Would you speak to us? 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:17.480 Would you continue with us? 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.900 Oh, Lord God, we pray. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:22.360 And we pray this in Jesus' name and for his sake. 00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:23.380 Amen. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.120 Amen. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:30.259 We sing now, friends, in Psalm 43. 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:34.360 Remember, Psalm 42 and 43 are psalms 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.440 that they go together. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:40.680 And they are what we might call psalms of lament, 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:43.940 crying out to God in distress. 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:48.039 Come, vindicate me, O God. 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:52.580 So Psalm 43 and sing psalms on page 54. 00:17:53.320 --> 00:17:55.580 Come, vindicate me, O my God. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:58.240 Against this nation plead my cause. 00:17:58.820 --> 00:18:00.700 Deliver me from wicked foes 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:03.759 and hypocrites who break your laws. 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:06.720 You are my stronghold and my God. 00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:09.680 Why then have you rejected me? 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:13.140 Why must I go about in grief, 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:15.720 downtrodden by the enemy? 00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:16.700 And the last stanza, 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:19.299 Why are you downcast, O my soul? 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:22.400 Why are you so disturbed in me? 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:25.759 Trust God, for I will praise him yet. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:29.100 My Savior and my God is he. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.920 Let's stand and sing to God's praise. 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:42.420 Come, vindicate me, O my God. 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:50.220 Against this nation plead my cause. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:57.539 Deliver me from wicked foes 00:18:57.539 --> 00:19:04.759 And hypocrites who break your laws. 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:13.319 You are my stronghold and my God. 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:20.319 Why then have you rejected me? 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:28.639 Why must I go apart and grieve, 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:35.359 downthrottened by the enemy? 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:44.359 O send your light for God, your truth. 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:52.740 Let them direct me in your grace. 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:59.740 And bring me to your holy hill, 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:07.740 Into your sacred dwelling place. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:16.839 Then to God's altar I will go, 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:24.779 To God my joy and my delight, 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:32.799 And I will praise you with the heart, 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:40.799 O God you are my God of might. 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:48.799 Why are you downcast, O my soul? 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:56.799 Why are you so disturbed in me? 00:20:56.799 --> 00:21:26.779 Why are you so disturbed in me? 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:28.680 In verse 6, 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:28.680 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:35.220 In 1 Peter, 1 Peter, 1 Peter, and chapter 1. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:37.639 And if I can just read verse 6 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:41.779 For us to have a focus this evening. 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.940 And verse 6 says, 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.980 In this you rejoice, 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:50.599 Though now for a little while, 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.579 If necessary, 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:57.679 you have been grieved by various trials. 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:15.720 Well, solid foundations are important in a lot of aspects of life. 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:21.759 I was helping a friend just yesterday with two really, really big pot plants. 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:32.319 And we had to just level the ground and sort the stones out and level two pieces of ground 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:38.279 so that there was a solid foundation for these two pot plants. 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:45.960 So that when the prevailing wind came, these pot plants would be on solid ground, 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:49.199 would have solid foundations. 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:53.380 Having grown up in South Africa, we had a tennis court. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:59.660 We had a privileged sort of situation to be in on the farm, and we had our own tennis court. 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:06.580 And there was a wall on the one side of the tennis court that we used to hit the tennis ball against. 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:15.279 And I remember one day looking out at the tennis court from the window after a really, really strong wind, 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:18.899 and the tennis court wall had fallen down. 00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:25.179 And that wall had been built with no foundations. 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:35.380 What we are reminded about in this first letter of Peter is that spiritual foundations are really, really important. 00:23:35.580 --> 00:23:38.840 And when we read the letters of the New Testament, 00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:44.720 more often than not, the letters begin with the foundations, 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:49.620 the spiritual foundations on which we build our lives, 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:53.880 on which we grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. 00:23:53.880 --> 00:24:02.320 So in these first few verses of 1 Peter, we have the solid foundations of Christianity. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:10.820 Now, what is the sort of general background of the letter is that Peter is writing to Christians 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:14.420 who were a little bit like rabbits in the headlights. 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.180 They were a little bit bewildered, 00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:21.600 and they were suffering persecution because of their love of Jesus Christ. 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:30.740 And so the purpose of the letter was to encourage them in their bewilderment and in the vagaries of life. 00:24:31.439 --> 00:24:36.679 We all know that life is full of uncertainty. 00:24:38.439 --> 00:24:45.599 We, in very trivial ways, coming on the ferry on Friday evening, 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:53.419 our ferry was delayed for an hour because of the tragedy that took place here on Sunday evening. 00:24:54.319 --> 00:25:01.139 It was a reminder for many, those who are affected, particularly of the uncertainty of life. 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:06.939 As you go on in the pastoral ministry, you realize how uncertain life is 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:12.879 because you are involved with those who are grieving, with those who are going through distress. 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:16.860 Maybe it is the receiving of bad news. 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:21.580 When the doctor says across the table from you, he or she says, 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:24.960 I'm really sorry, but I have bad news. 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:29.560 When we are thrown that curveball that we were not expecting. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:33.580 The bad news of living in a fallen world. 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:42.000 And so Peter writes this letter, giving the solid foundation on which we build our lives, 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:49.399 but to encourage his people in the uncertainties of life. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:55.439 There is hope on which we rest. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:58.159 And I just want to notice three things this evening. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:07.420 As we look at this section, we're going to notice grief, gladness, and glory. 00:26:07.560 --> 00:26:10.640 Three characteristics, if you like, of the Christian life. 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:14.200 Grief, gladness, and glory. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:20.440 And the first thing that we see here is that of grief, that of suffering. 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:24.779 There is a reality to the suffering that we face. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:40.599 And Paul tells us the same thing in that wonderful chapter in Romans 8. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:50.160 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:56.640 And so here we have the reality of suffering in a fallen, broken world. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:27:01.380 But the reality of suffering for the Christian. 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:13.620 There is a book with the title of Lament for a Son, written by a guy by the name of Nicholas Walterstorff. 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:21.279 And Nicholas lost his 25-year-old son in a mountain climbing accident. 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:29.319 And he, you know, when that tragedy occurs, he went into a long, unwanted journey. 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:36.659 And as he sought to come to terms with his grief, he wrote this book, Lament for a Son. 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:45.080 And in that book, he uses this phrase, he said, sorrow is no longer the islands, but the sea. 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:56.160 And how tragic and real is that phrase, perhaps for somebody this evening here in this room. 00:27:57.200 --> 00:28:02.800 Sorrow is no longer the islands, but the sea. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:09.099 Let's have a look at the grief that Peter is talking about here. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:13.700 These trials that the people that he is writing to are experiencing. 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.440 And we can notice three things. 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:18.159 First of all, very simply, that they are varied. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:23.359 He uses the phrase, you are facing all kinds of trials. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:28.119 And part of that would have been persecution because of their love of Jesus Christ. 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:35.179 But he uses a phrase which explains the varied nature of our trials. 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:42.319 And you know that, we all know that, there is a sense in which there are times where there is something one after the other. 00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:44.039 But our trials are varied. 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:45.019 They are different. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.899 They come in different forms. 00:28:47.219 --> 00:28:53.459 Whether they are through relationship or ill health or whatever it might be for us, they are varied. 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:57.200 And we notice secondly, that the trials are not easy. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:01.759 The trials are not easy. 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:06.900 The word that is used there is the word heaviness. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:14.000 The word heaviness to experience grief or pain. 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:26.440 And as you go on, as I go on in the pastoral ministry, you realize that the varied nature of what people are going through. 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:29.819 And that there is a heaviness to people's trials. 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:34.500 Even as we come here this evening, many of us have come into the room this evening. 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:36.500 And there is a heaviness. 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:39.119 There is a burden which we carry. 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.980 And it is tough. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:46.700 And so there is this reality that we face our troubles and our struggles. 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:53.480 And it takes us to the cross, doesn't it, as those who are disciples of Jesus Christ. 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:58.039 We always go back to the cross and we reflect on the cross. 00:29:58.360 --> 00:30:06.880 And if you are partaking in the Lord's Supper this weekend, you will go back to the cross and you will be reminded of Gethsemane. 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:16.120 You will be reminded of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane where he cries out to his father and he says to his father, 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:23.840 Father, if there is any way could you take this away from me, but not my will, your will be done. 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:27.860 But it is in the garden where he faces sorrow. 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:32.000 He began to be sorrowful and troubled. 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:37.619 And one of the implications of that is that Jesus understands your pain this evening. 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:41.440 He is able to empathize with us. 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:47.539 When we are walking through the deep, dark valley, he knows what it is to go through the deep, dark valley. 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:52.900 And we can cry out to him with confidence, knowing that he understands where we are. 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:56.539 He understands what it is to walk in that deep, dark valley. 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:58.259 He understands your grief. 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.759 He understands your pain. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:02.819 And so you can talk to him with confidence. 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:10.519 Psalm 34, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:13.700 He is close to those who are grieving. 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:21.500 We notice as well as we continue to explore these trials that Peter is talking about, 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:25.579 he says as well that the trials are controlled by God. 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:30.859 He takes us here to the providence and the sovereignty of Almighty God. 00:31:30.939 --> 00:31:36.679 The God who holds, as it were, the lives of his people in the palm of his hands. 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:39.960 And he doesn't take us through anything that we cannot handle. 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.720 He is sovereign. 00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:43.039 He is in control. 00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:45.419 Talk about his sovereign grace. 00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:51.899 And these trials that Peter is talking about, our trials, do not last forever. 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:55.519 They are, as it were, for a season. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:32:00.759 And we might say to each other, it will pass. 00:32:01.080 --> 00:32:06.180 John Calvin said, life is but a moment of time. 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:09.259 And if you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ this evening, 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:13.720 then you have something far better by far to look forward to. 00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:17.580 It will pass. 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:24.059 Recently, I was reading the circumstances of Joseph. 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:31.379 And when he was taken by his brothers and forced into slavery and sold off into slavery, 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:34.099 and he goes off into Egypt. 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:41.899 And it just caught my attention, that section where we are told about Joseph as he gets into Egypt. 00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:45.980 And he is put in charge of Potiphar's household. 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:49.080 And his life is going swimmingly. 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:53.680 And we get a sense in which he is really using his gifts and things are really going well. 00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:57.540 And all the arrows, if you like, are going in the right direction. 00:32:57.900 --> 00:33:00.259 And there is a sense in which Joseph is sitting back. 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:02.920 Everything is going swimmingly for him. 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:05.060 But then we know the story. 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:10.120 Everything crashes around him when he is accused of adultery. 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:12.979 Everything is going swimmingly. 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:15.000 Everything is going absolutely wonderfully. 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:17.979 And then something happens in his life. 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:21.399 Something happens in our lives which we least expect. 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:23.099 And he is thrown into prison. 00:33:23.959 --> 00:33:28.859 And such is the way of life for us so often, isn't it? 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:37.519 His world just crumbles when he is accused of that affair which he is innocent of. 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:41.019 And life sometimes seems like that. 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:44.500 One thing after the other going wrong. 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:46.680 If it's not one thing, then it's another thing. 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:49.759 One thing after the other seems to be going wrong. 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:55.180 Peter, in a sense, he is saying to us this evening, 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:57.099 Do you know what, Christian? 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:59.599 That is par for the course. 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:02.519 We will face our trials. 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:05.160 We will go through hardships. 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:09.679 That is what the Lord is taking us through. 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:16.380 How do you deal with the trials that you face? 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:21.539 Can I commend the Psalms to you? 00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:25.800 The Psalms are a wonderful resource, aren't we? 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:31.080 And we've already sung some of the Psalms of lament. 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:35.460 And there is a third of the Psalms are Psalms of lament. 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:37.220 They are real. 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:39.280 They talk about the trials of life. 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:44.200 Like Psalm 13, the psalmist calls out to God in his distress. 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:46.660 But at the end of that Psalm, he says, 00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:48.400 But Lord, I will look to you. 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.780 I will trust you. 00:34:49.780 --> 00:34:52.280 I will continue to have faith in you. 00:34:52.580 --> 00:34:54.300 I will rest in you. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:35:00.300 And to lament is to talk to God about our pain, 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:03.840 to be honest, to be authentic about our suffering, 00:35:04.200 --> 00:35:06.960 to be authentic about the pain that we go through. 00:35:07.540 --> 00:35:10.120 And to lament has a unique purpose. 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:13.840 And that purpose is to trust in God. 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:20.519 We might say that it is a divinely given invitation to pour out our fears, 00:35:20.720 --> 00:35:29.380 to pour out our frustrations and sorrows for the purpose of helping us to renew our confidence in God. 00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:33.680 Because it is only in God that we will find our strength. 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:40.860 It is only in God where we will find grace to endure the things that we go through. 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:56.019 And I wonder this evening if anybody is tempted to run away from God 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:59.920 because of what you are going through in your life at the moment. 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:04.079 Is that our temptation? 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:12.519 To run away from God, turn to God in lament, in authenticity, in reality, 00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:16.680 and be honest with him about your trials. 00:36:16.840 --> 00:36:23.920 And so Peter says there are things that we will go through that make us sorrowful. 00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:27.700 Let's notice secondly, gladness. 00:36:27.699 --> 00:36:27.819 Gladness. 00:36:29.379 --> 00:36:29.899 Gladness. 00:36:30.439 --> 00:36:33.079 Because again in verse 6, the verse starts with, 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:36.559 In this you rejoice. 00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:40.779 And this is another characteristic of the Christian walk, isn't it? 00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:43.139 Of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. 00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:50.000 There is a joy unspeakable when we are in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:56.539 And so we are to rejoice in and praise God for what? 00:36:56.539 --> 00:37:00.579 What is it that we are to rejoice in? 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:11.820 Well, Peter tells us that we are to rejoice in everything that we have received through Christ's death on the cross. 00:37:11.880 --> 00:37:14.659 And we see that from verses 3 to 5 in this section. 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:22.940 We are to rejoice in everything that we have received through Christ's death on the cross. 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:29.579 And we are reminded this evening that we are, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are united to Christ. 00:37:30.220 --> 00:37:34.320 And that means that you receive all the benefits of Christ. 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:37.659 That everything that is due to Christ is due to you. 00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:40.420 Because we are co-heirs with Christ. 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:42.700 And isn't that a wonderful thought this evening? 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:50.079 If there is nothing else that we take away with us this evening, that we are co-heirs with Christ. 00:37:50.299 --> 00:37:56.919 And all the benefits of Christ, the second person of the Trinity, God himself, are our benefits. 00:37:58.000 --> 00:38:01.759 Everything that belongs to him belongs to us. 00:38:01.759 --> 00:38:04.799 As we are united to Christ. 00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:09.260 And so there is a joy that Peter talks about. 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:13.220 That the believer is able to experience. 00:38:13.680 --> 00:38:15.800 Joy unspeakable. 00:38:17.320 --> 00:38:22.680 There have been two, forgive me for just getting personal just for a moment. 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:29.539 And reflecting on two really, really joyful occasions in my life. 00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:32.320 And the first one was my marriage. 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:33.900 My wedding day. 00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:41.759 It had been, as far as the weather went, it had been wet, as it often is. 00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:43.039 It had been gloomy. 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:47.579 And on the day of the wedding, the sun came out. 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:53.320 And it was probably one of the best days of my life. 00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:55.800 But there's another day that I can think of. 00:38:55.940 --> 00:39:02.519 And maybe you can think of days and experiences that were wonderful and full of happiness. 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:06.200 The other day was the birth of our daughter. 00:39:07.600 --> 00:39:11.320 Who came along six and a half years ago. 00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:16.860 And so perhaps you, this evening, can think about moments or experiences. 00:39:17.059 --> 00:39:17.840 Perhaps it was a wedding. 00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:18.640 Perhaps it was a birth. 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:21.739 Perhaps it was when you graduated from university. 00:39:21.739 --> 00:39:27.839 When you received something that made you incredibly happy. 00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:37.659 When we think about the joy that Peter was talking about, it is far greater than anything else, isn't it? 00:39:38.279 --> 00:39:46.239 It is far greater than that wedding day or the joy that comes when our children are born. 00:39:46.239 --> 00:39:52.879 It is a joy that there is a sense in which we want to tell people. 00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:58.119 We want to tell people about those great days that we want to share with other people. 00:39:58.219 --> 00:40:01.459 But this joy is an indescribable joy. 00:40:01.579 --> 00:40:04.059 This joy is something else. 00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:05.379 It is a wonderful joy. 00:40:05.479 --> 00:40:10.899 It is a joy that bubbles over because we are in Christ. 00:40:10.900 --> 00:40:16.039 Because of that unity we have in Christ. 00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:20.460 We died with him and we were raised with him. 00:40:20.660 --> 00:40:28.400 And there is a sense in which mysteriously we are united with him as we sit here. 00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:32.400 And so there is a joy in that. 00:40:32.400 --> 00:40:41.800 Let me just explore two things that we are to rejoice in as we think about being united to Christ. 00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:45.720 And Peter talks about a living hope. 00:40:46.039 --> 00:40:58.820 And this is an idea of confidence and energy that flow from the expectation of future blessing based on facts and promises. 00:40:58.820 --> 00:41:04.780 I know that's a mouthful but that's simply again resting on what Christ has done for us. 00:41:04.880 --> 00:41:08.820 The historicity of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:41:09.080 --> 00:41:14.220 Meaning that we can look ahead with purpose and meaning and confidence. 00:41:15.100 --> 00:41:19.500 And the other thing that we are to rejoice in is our salvation. 00:41:19.780 --> 00:41:21.880 Again somebody described it like this. 00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:49.720 Believers are not logs of wood. 00:41:49.719 --> 00:41:52.459 We feel pain. 00:41:53.919 --> 00:41:56.099 We suffer. 00:41:57.819 --> 00:41:59.500 We fear danger. 00:42:00.959 --> 00:42:06.399 We feel and are affected by evil. 00:42:07.759 --> 00:42:11.319 And persecution is hard. 00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:13.759 But he said this. 00:42:13.760 --> 00:42:17.360 But it is mitigated by faith. 00:42:18.960 --> 00:42:24.860 And they that's believers cease not to rejoice. 00:42:27.080 --> 00:42:34.060 And so all the bad things in a sense that we experience are mitigated by faith. 00:42:34.100 --> 00:42:35.820 And we see that in verse 5 here. 00:42:35.820 --> 00:42:41.120 The gift of faith that God gives us. 00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:51.740 All the bad things are mitigated by the faith that we have and the joy that we have in Christ. 00:42:51.739 --> 00:43:02.000 It's almost like when you have sort of sprinkled water onto a flame or onto the coals to try and put them out if you're camping. 00:43:03.659 --> 00:43:11.000 The flames, perhaps just think about the flames as all that is bad in the world and all that is bad in our lives and the sin, etc. 00:43:11.000 --> 00:43:18.219 And joy being that water, sort of dosing the flames. 00:43:19.739 --> 00:43:23.559 Gladness for the believer. 00:43:24.800 --> 00:43:29.880 Now Presbyterians have that reputation, haven't they? 00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:36.180 Of being dure, being unhappy, having no joy. 00:43:37.980 --> 00:43:44.380 And yet, perhaps not a big smile on the face, no. 00:43:45.599 --> 00:43:52.240 Perhaps from the outside a sort of a dure look and a serious look on the face. 00:43:52.239 --> 00:44:00.759 But a joy that is inside, that quite often we can't describe to anybody. 00:44:02.279 --> 00:44:05.659 And many of us know that joy. 00:44:07.239 --> 00:44:10.500 Do you know that joy for yourself this evening? 00:44:11.779 --> 00:44:18.599 Perhaps you share this evening, and a lot of what I've been saying is just simply going over your head. 00:44:18.599 --> 00:44:24.839 But perhaps when I talk about joy and happiness, happiness for you and joy for you has just been elusive. 00:44:25.980 --> 00:44:30.920 Where you've tried all sorts of things that haven't made you happy. 00:44:31.019 --> 00:44:37.460 Perhaps they've given you a temporary fix, a temporary joy like alcohol and drugs and sex and such like. 00:44:37.500 --> 00:44:38.339 And they've been temporary. 00:44:38.639 --> 00:44:43.000 But they haven't given you that deep fulfillment and joy that you've been longing for. 00:44:43.000 --> 00:44:52.619 And let me share with you this evening, my dear friend, that Peter is talking about a joy that is available to every single human being 00:44:52.619 --> 00:44:58.780 when we turn from the world and when we turn from ourselves and turn to Jesus Christ. 00:44:58.980 --> 00:45:06.119 And only in him will we find true fulfillment and true happiness and true joy. 00:45:06.119 --> 00:45:12.059 It is only in Christ where we will find that happiness. 00:45:13.440 --> 00:45:20.579 There is a man in Fort Rose who is connected to our congregation. 00:45:22.199 --> 00:45:24.319 And his name is Sandy. 00:45:24.719 --> 00:45:28.659 And Sandy always greets you with a smile. 00:45:28.659 --> 00:45:35.059 He is a most wonderful, godly Christian. 00:45:35.279 --> 00:45:37.219 And his smile is genuine. 00:45:38.039 --> 00:45:42.739 And his first words to me always are, it's a lovely day, isn't it? 00:45:43.259 --> 00:45:46.379 He has this disposition that is just so infectious. 00:45:46.699 --> 00:45:48.480 And we all know people like that. 00:45:48.719 --> 00:45:53.359 Now some of our Christian friends are not necessarily outwardly joyful. 00:45:53.360 --> 00:45:56.740 It's not like always having a big smile on our faces. 00:45:57.059 --> 00:46:01.280 But there is something inside that is just wonderful. 00:46:02.420 --> 00:46:06.079 There is something inside that Sandy has. 00:46:06.420 --> 00:46:08.860 And there is something infectious about Sandy. 00:46:09.099 --> 00:46:14.940 And there is something about Sandy that makes me want to spend time with Sandy all day long 00:46:14.940 --> 00:46:19.000 because he has Christ inside of him. 00:46:19.000 --> 00:46:23.360 There is another lady that I thought about when I was preparing this. 00:46:23.480 --> 00:46:24.260 Her name is Irene. 00:46:24.420 --> 00:46:26.360 And she was in Ayrshire. 00:46:26.699 --> 00:46:28.940 And she had the same disposition. 00:46:29.719 --> 00:46:35.539 See, she was somebody who was affected constantly by pain because she had polio when she was a child. 00:46:36.099 --> 00:46:41.960 But Irene always greets you with a question about yourself, asking, 00:46:42.360 --> 00:46:43.219 How are you today? 00:46:43.280 --> 00:46:46.380 In fact, I remember the time that she had a stroke. 00:46:46.380 --> 00:46:51.340 And the minute I came to her in her hospital bed after she had a stroke, 00:46:51.680 --> 00:46:53.900 I said to her, Irene, how are you? 00:46:54.000 --> 00:46:55.980 She said, no, how are you, Rory? 00:46:56.980 --> 00:46:59.539 She was so concerned about how I was. 00:46:59.700 --> 00:47:01.500 But she had the same disposition. 00:47:02.460 --> 00:47:05.640 And I wonder about us this evening. 00:47:06.900 --> 00:47:08.920 What will your legacy be? 00:47:09.000 --> 00:47:10.380 What will my legacy be? 00:47:10.380 --> 00:47:19.700 Despite all the trials, and we are all imperfect, and we all go through suffering and different degrees of suffering. 00:47:20.160 --> 00:47:30.400 But despite all that, will people know us as having something of the joy of the Lord in our lives? 00:47:30.400 --> 00:47:40.039 And isn't it wonderful to dream about being able to glorify God and to give Him glory with the way that we speak to other people? 00:47:40.039 --> 00:47:45.460 And we all know people that are such wonderful and have been such wonderful examples to us. 00:47:45.639 --> 00:47:48.340 Because you want to spend time with them. 00:47:48.539 --> 00:47:52.039 Because despite what they're going through, they have that inner joy. 00:47:52.940 --> 00:47:54.360 Something that is contagious. 00:47:54.559 --> 00:47:55.579 Something that is infectious. 00:47:55.900 --> 00:47:58.039 And something that just brightens up our day. 00:47:58.039 --> 00:48:08.139 Are we known as people who have something of that in our lives? 00:48:08.920 --> 00:48:21.920 Or do people look at our lives and sadly say, well, I want nothing to do with their God, if that is what their God means to them. 00:48:21.920 --> 00:48:31.619 I want nothing to do with their God, if that is how they live their lives. 00:48:32.800 --> 00:48:34.280 With their God. 00:48:35.320 --> 00:48:37.980 What is our legacy going to be? 00:48:39.200 --> 00:48:44.220 And then the last G, if you like, is the G of glory. 00:48:44.219 --> 00:48:48.539 As we think of these characteristics of the Christian life. 00:48:48.539 --> 00:48:54.539 And Peter talks here about the inheritance of the Christian. 00:48:55.419 --> 00:48:56.559 In verse 4. 00:48:56.559 --> 00:49:19.360 Something better by far. 00:49:19.360 --> 00:49:21.620 That is to come. 00:49:22.700 --> 00:49:25.740 Something far more glorious than anything. 00:49:25.740 --> 00:49:26.220 Anything. 00:49:26.620 --> 00:49:41.019 Any sense of joy or happiness or wonderful experiences in this life is going to be multiplied so much more in that place where our inheritance is going to be. 00:49:41.240 --> 00:49:42.840 Is not going to be. 00:49:43.019 --> 00:49:44.820 We are going to experience. 00:49:44.820 --> 00:49:59.220 And the idea here in Jewish sort of culture and understanding, the idea of an inheritance comes from the promised land which the Israelites inherited. 00:49:59.219 --> 00:50:04.759 God spoke to his people about the inheritance that he would give them. 00:50:04.839 --> 00:50:07.839 The land flowing with milk and honey. 00:50:08.179 --> 00:50:16.279 The land that you have never experienced in your lives before Israelites because it's just going to be so wonderful and glorious. 00:50:16.799 --> 00:50:22.859 And this was a foretaste, of course, of the new heavens and the new earth that the New Testament talks about. 00:50:22.860 --> 00:50:25.420 Romans 8, 16 and 17. 00:50:25.420 --> 00:50:30.200 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 00:50:30.400 --> 00:50:32.420 Now, if we are children, then we are heirs. 00:50:33.260 --> 00:50:35.800 Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. 00:50:36.120 --> 00:50:41.960 If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 00:50:41.960 --> 00:50:50.579 This time of the year, and I don't think I'm used to the winters in a sense in Scotland yet. 00:50:51.059 --> 00:50:58.300 But we begin to look ahead and almost, as it were, look over the horizon to the springtime, don't we? 00:50:59.599 --> 00:51:10.280 And in our lives, we begin, if you're a believer here this evening, we begin to look over the horizon for what is to come because of all that we experience in this life. 00:51:11.960 --> 00:51:14.260 And so glory awaits the believer. 00:51:15.260 --> 00:51:21.840 But also, we can also turn our suffering into glory today. 00:51:22.019 --> 00:51:30.820 And Peter explains to us how we might turn our difficulties in this life into glory today. 00:51:30.820 --> 00:51:36.240 How can we glorify God today through our suffering? 00:51:36.239 --> 00:51:41.819 And there are four things, I think, four things that Peter says to us. 00:51:41.859 --> 00:51:46.819 And the first thing, way, is that we can love Christ in verse 8. 00:51:47.179 --> 00:51:51.039 And I won't go into that or expand that in any way. 00:51:51.339 --> 00:51:54.979 But that is the one way in which we can glorify God here. 00:51:55.579 --> 00:51:58.739 We can love Christ today. 00:52:00.039 --> 00:52:02.199 We can love Christ today. 00:52:02.199 --> 00:52:07.399 And secondly, we can trust Christ today. 00:52:07.399 --> 00:52:08.899 Again, in verse 8. 00:52:09.159 --> 00:52:10.699 We can love Christ. 00:52:11.279 --> 00:52:13.119 We can trust Christ. 00:52:13.179 --> 00:52:18.139 Again, the idea of faith and putting our faith and our trust in Jesus. 00:52:19.219 --> 00:52:23.879 And thirdly, we can rejoice in Christ. 00:52:24.299 --> 00:52:25.579 In Christ. 00:52:26.119 --> 00:52:27.059 In Christ. 00:52:28.659 --> 00:52:30.119 Connected to Christ. 00:52:30.119 --> 00:52:31.739 It's all about Christ. 00:52:31.739 --> 00:52:33.440 And again, in verse 8. 00:52:33.500 --> 00:52:35.980 How can we glorify God in this life? 00:52:36.319 --> 00:52:40.799 We can receive from Christ in this life. 00:52:40.960 --> 00:52:49.739 All the benefits that are yours, that are mine in Christ, we can receive from Christ today. 00:52:50.920 --> 00:52:51.880 What have we seen? 00:52:52.019 --> 00:52:54.099 We've seen grief. 00:52:54.859 --> 00:52:57.420 We've seen gladness. 00:52:57.420 --> 00:53:00.260 We've seen glory. 00:53:01.139 --> 00:53:05.280 I wonder this evening, how will you be remembered? 00:53:05.420 --> 00:53:07.900 How will I be remembered? 00:53:09.119 --> 00:53:20.380 In all our imperfection, and none of us are perfect, but in all our imperfection, and all the trials and uncertainties of life, 00:53:20.380 --> 00:53:24.160 how will we be remembered? 00:53:24.160 --> 00:53:24.480 How will we be remembered? 00:53:25.640 --> 00:53:29.980 Is our faith in Jesus Christ? 00:53:30.079 --> 00:53:36.840 And one last thought, maybe just to leave with us this evening, to have that biblical perspective. 00:53:36.840 --> 00:53:43.640 And this evening, we've been looking at the biblical perspective of suffering. 00:53:44.360 --> 00:53:48.220 That we are on the solid foundation of Christ. 00:53:48.400 --> 00:53:51.200 And nothing can separate us from the love of God. 00:53:51.700 --> 00:53:54.059 We are on the sure foundation. 00:53:54.220 --> 00:53:58.360 We can have assurance because of what Jesus has done for us. 00:53:58.360 --> 00:54:03.400 But do we have that biblical perspective? 00:54:04.440 --> 00:54:08.440 The perspective that puts Christ first. 00:54:08.440 --> 00:54:17.860 I was talking to a friend this afternoon about Cape Town and Table Mountain in Cape Town. 00:54:19.139 --> 00:54:24.900 And he came into, when he was in shipping, he came into Cape Town. 00:54:25.619 --> 00:54:30.980 And he viewed Table Mountain from the perspective of the sea. 00:54:30.980 --> 00:54:38.219 A different perspective as anybody else viewed Table Mountain from the land. 00:54:39.320 --> 00:54:42.760 Viewing the mountain from a different perspective. 00:54:43.400 --> 00:54:47.920 And the mountain itself can be hazardous. 00:54:48.380 --> 00:54:54.880 The mountain itself can be temperamental and harsh and unpredictable as our lives can be. 00:54:54.880 --> 00:55:06.800 And yet with that biblical perspective, we know that we look ahead over the horizon to something that is far greater by far. 00:55:07.420 --> 00:55:13.840 We look ahead to glory, knowing that nothing will separate us from the love of God. 00:55:14.480 --> 00:55:19.039 And what awaits us is far better by far. 00:55:19.619 --> 00:55:20.360 Let's pray. 00:55:20.360 --> 00:55:25.579 Father God, we thank you for your words. 00:55:26.099 --> 00:55:37.039 And we thank you for the solid foundation on which our lives rest if we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ this evening. 00:55:37.800 --> 00:55:46.300 Lord, grant to us strong faith to rest in trust in you in the uncertainties of life. 00:55:47.039 --> 00:55:47.559 Bless us. 00:55:47.760 --> 00:55:48.920 Continue with us, we pray. 00:55:48.920 --> 00:55:50.420 In your name we pray. 00:55:50.820 --> 00:55:51.340 Amen. 00:55:52.139 --> 00:55:52.579 Amen. 00:55:53.960 --> 00:55:59.559 Friends, we're going to finish off on page 314. 00:56:00.460 --> 00:56:03.340 Page 314. 00:56:06.820 --> 00:56:12.920 As we sing Psalm 72 and verses 16 to 19. 00:56:12.920 --> 00:56:33.380 Let's stand to sing to God's praise. 00:56:33.380 --> 00:56:33.980 Amen. 00:56:33.980 --> 00:57:03.980 Of Cornish singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, singing, 00:57:03.980 --> 00:57:20.199 The city shall be flourishing, our citizens abound. 00:57:20.199 --> 00:57:35.419 A number shall like to the grass that grows upon the ground. 00:57:35.420 --> 00:57:50.619 His name forever shall endure, lost like the sun it shall. 00:57:50.619 --> 00:58:05.400 Men shall be blessed in earth, and blessed all nations shall him call. 00:58:05.420 --> 00:58:20.420 Now blessed be the Lord our God, the God of Israel. 00:58:20.420 --> 00:58:35.420 For he alone doth wondrous works in glory that excel. 00:58:35.420 --> 00:58:50.599 And blessed be his glorious name to all eternity. 00:58:50.599 --> 00:59:06.599 The whole earth let his glory fill. Amen, so let it be. 00:59:06.599 --> 00:59:16.559 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory, 00:59:16.559 --> 00:59:23.139 with great joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 00:59:23.639 --> 00:59:31.940 be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen. 00:59:31.940 --> 00:59:52.980 Let's pray. 00:59:52.980 --> 01:00:22.960 Thank you. 01:00:22.980 --> 01:00:52.960 Thank you.