WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.600 Having recited God's truth, I pray that only the truth would be spoken and only the truth would be heard. 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:09.099 In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:10.300 I invite you to be seated. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:17.179 It's funny when you've been doing things the same way for 40 years, 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:21.879 trying to remember that now the creed goes just after the sermon is a little bit difficult. 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:34.700 So we've been kind of following the evangelical practice for the last, well, at least we understand. 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:38.060 Amy and I have been doing ministry elsewhere for about the last month and a half. 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:45.879 But we've been going, taking a verse or two verses and expositing those particular verses. 00:00:45.879 --> 00:00:51.299 There's a number of ways that we can go when we preach in the evangelical mode, the reform mode, 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:52.979 expository preaching. 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:58.199 You can go through entire books of the Bible, which I think is probably one of the most valuable ways to do it. 00:00:58.439 --> 00:01:02.219 But also one of the ways we can do it, which is also very valuable to kind of switch to, 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:05.479 we want to switch stuff every now and then, is just to focus on one scripture. 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:11.959 And really dig down deep, drill down deep and say, okay, what is the Holy Spirit saying through these passages 00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:16.959 that we all kind of know, they all kind of sit in our hearts, but maybe we can see them in a new way. 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:20.459 And so the passage that I'm going to be focusing on, if you want to turn to it in your Bibles, 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:24.639 is 1 Peter 2, 9 and 10. 00:01:25.019 --> 00:01:30.699 I keep on saying 2 Peter, but 1 Peter 2, 9 and 10. 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:34.459 So it's a section, just two verses out of the epistle that we had read this morning. 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:40.419 Now, recently I read about a phenomenon that I was not aware of, 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:44.099 which is kind of funny because I grew up in the bush, as I like to mention. 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:48.399 And this phenomenon has to do with tree roots. 00:01:48.919 --> 00:01:54.339 I was not aware that when trees come together and their roots actually touch, 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:58.599 there's a kind of fungus, in most cases, that grows on the tree roots 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:03.239 that actually limits the amount of competition between those two trees. 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:09.879 And not only does it limit competition, but it actually binds the trees together 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:14.299 and links them together so they'll share resources back and forth. 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:18.219 And you can, they physically link together. 00:02:18.379 --> 00:02:21.620 This actually happens even with trees of different species. 00:02:22.139 --> 00:02:24.939 So you can have an evergreen and a maple tree, and they'll come together 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:27.500 and they'll actually link their roots together. 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:34.900 And this substance, this fungus that grows there, what happens is, in many cases, 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:41.659 when one tree has access to light, and another tree has access to water, 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:45.840 perhaps just a little bit over there, and another has access to some sort of 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:48.280 the nutrients that are in the ground, a special kind of nutrients, 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:53.680 the trees will actually share, underneath the earth where you can't see, 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:55.800 share these things back and forth. 00:02:55.800 --> 00:03:01.360 And you'll have entire forests, entire forests, that are linked together 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:02.900 and are sharing these resources. 00:03:03.040 --> 00:03:06.860 So I always wondered, how can a short little tree last in these big, huge forests? 00:03:07.020 --> 00:03:10.620 It's because these big trees are actually sharing the sunlight, 00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:11.540 what they get from the sunlight. 00:03:11.660 --> 00:03:14.180 Now, I'm not a scientist, so someone here could probably tell you what that is. 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:17.160 But they're sharing, they're sharing sunlight, let's just say, 00:03:17.600 --> 00:03:18.660 underneath in their roots. 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:23.520 And I like this image, because to me, it's a good image for how the New Testament 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:26.159 speaks about the church. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:29.760 Now, we all see, you know, the surface here. 00:03:30.420 --> 00:03:33.760 But the way the New Testament talks about, and when Peter talks about this, 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:39.740 this new vision of God's people, somehow, underneath, where it's really important 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:43.700 in our lives as a church and as individuals, we are linked together 00:03:43.700 --> 00:03:46.760 and sharing resources back and forth that we're not even aware of. 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:51.500 That's how God in the New Testament wants us to see the church. 00:03:51.899 --> 00:03:54.840 Biblically, we're a network linked together, and under the surface, 00:03:54.959 --> 00:03:55.919 we're sharing back and forth. 00:03:56.859 --> 00:03:59.280 Christians need one another. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:01.819 Now, I don't usually like the term need. 00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:05.620 Okay, when you preach and you use the term need all the time, 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:08.419 the term need all the time, it can become very legalistic. 00:04:09.180 --> 00:04:11.280 But I think the Bible makes it very clear. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:13.039 Jesus himself walked in community. 00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:15.639 Okay, Christians need one another. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:17.579 I want to talk about that this morning. 00:04:19.019 --> 00:04:22.779 Our catechism, to be a Christian, and I speak about this quite a bit 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:26.360 because I was actually very moved by the catechism, the network catechism. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:30.680 One of the reasons I made the jump over to this denomination 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:33.279 was I prayed my way through the catechism. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:37.399 If you haven't read it or prayed your way through it, I strongly recommend it. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:40.899 And when the catechism, our catechism, talks about the church, 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:43.959 it says this, to be a Christian, says, 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:48.379 the New Testament teaches me to view the church as God's covenant people and a family, 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:50.819 as the body and bride of Christ, 00:04:50.979 --> 00:04:54.219 and as the temple where God in Christ dwells by his spirit. 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:57.199 It's a little bit different than the bad press that you'll read about the church. 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:01.019 God's covenant people and family, 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:03.919 the very body and bride of Christ, 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:06.919 and the temple where God in Christ dwells by his spirit. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:10.120 And when to be a Christian says that, 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:15.240 it actually highlights 1 Peter 2, 9 and 10 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:19.160 as key passage that helps us understand what the church is. 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:21.360 And so I'm going to ask, if you haven't already, 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:22.560 that's where we're going to turn to. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:26.540 And as was read this morning, I just want to reiterate it, 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:28.060 but you are a chosen race, 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.720 a royal priesthood, 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:32.720 a people for his own possession, 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:35.640 that you may proclaim the excellencies of him 00:05:35.640 --> 00:05:38.420 who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:40.200 Once you were not a people, 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:41.860 but now you are God's people. 00:05:42.400 --> 00:05:43.920 Once you had not received mercy, 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:46.420 but now you have received mercy. 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:50.940 So, it's very, 00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:53.620 we're as a church used to reading from Paul. 00:05:54.820 --> 00:05:55.960 And reading from Peter, 00:05:56.040 --> 00:05:57.660 we have to get ourselves in a different mindset 00:05:57.660 --> 00:05:59.620 when we're reading anything from Peter 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:00.740 than if we're reading from Paul. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:03.340 Paul does things what we would say properly. 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:04.560 He starts with an idea, 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:06.259 and he's very linear. 00:06:06.460 --> 00:06:07.319 He'll start with that idea, 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:09.340 then he'll just flush that idea out. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:11.740 Anybody who's read Romans, 00:06:11.860 --> 00:06:12.720 like he takes an idea, 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:14.620 and then he just beats that horse till it's dead, 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:15.879 then he moves on to the next idea, 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:16.639 and he does it again. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:17.900 And that's how Paul does it. 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:19.100 But when we read Peter, 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:20.439 completely different. 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:23.480 He's not this highly educated guy like Paul was. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:25.540 For Peter, he exhorts, 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:27.139 and in the middle of that exhortation, 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:27.720 he'll stop, 00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:29.079 and he'll start talking about something else, 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:31.180 then he'll kind of come back to that exhortation, 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:32.300 and he's just back and forth, 00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:33.419 and he's all over the place. 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:35.500 What you catch in Peter is the spirit, 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:37.459 and the excitement with which he's talking about, 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.300 and the urgency of the message 00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:41.439 that he's trying to get to his people. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:42.459 And so, 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:45.360 he's a lot of exhortation. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:46.699 Now, that's a big Bible word. 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:49.099 That's kind of a big theology term that we use. 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:50.279 When he's exhorting, 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:51.099 it's kind of like, 00:06:51.299 --> 00:06:53.560 it's like a mother at a football game, 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:56.680 or Amy at a soccer game with the kids, 00:06:56.980 --> 00:06:58.180 urging their kids on, 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:00.500 exhorting their child 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:02.939 to do well in what they're doing. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:03.959 And so, what we get is Peter 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:06.280 is actually exhorting his children 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:07.840 in our passage. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:09.160 Our passage is interesting. 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:11.600 It's actually, 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:14.399 our passage is an exhortation, 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:17.040 which is a departure 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:19.680 from another exhortation that Peter's having. 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:21.540 So, that's why we stop 00:07:21.540 --> 00:07:23.800 and we focus on just 2, 9, and 10, 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:24.980 because there's a whole lot 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:25.800 of other stuff going on, 00:07:25.840 --> 00:07:27.180 but he says something really important 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:28.980 within this kind of departure 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:30.300 that it is that he's taken. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.180 Now, outside sources confirm 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:34.680 that Peter wrote this in Rome. 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:36.920 Oh, my arrow did show up. 00:07:36.960 --> 00:07:37.240 Look at that. 00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:37.939 Do I have a thing? 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:38.420 There we go. 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:39.639 Up in Rome there. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:40.420 Okay? 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:41.879 And it's probably 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:45.180 two to three years before he's martyred 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:46.740 is when Peter wrote this. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:49.300 We know Paul saw the end coming. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:50.040 Right? 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:50.939 And they were martyred around this. 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:52.079 They were killed around the same time 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:52.759 by the Emperor Nero. 00:07:53.340 --> 00:07:54.540 So, I'm pretty sure, 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.379 we can be pretty sure, 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:57.360 Peter saw the end coming too. 00:07:58.220 --> 00:07:59.780 And so, when Peter's writing his letter 00:07:59.780 --> 00:08:00.720 as he is here 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:03.060 to a people who are themselves oppressed, 00:08:03.400 --> 00:08:04.379 you've got a guy who knows 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.300 the end's probably coming, 00:08:05.960 --> 00:08:06.800 and he's writing 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:07.879 how to be a Christian 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:10.660 when you're under persecution. 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:12.840 That's what he's writing to. 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:15.100 It gives weight to us 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:17.139 when he speaks about faithfulness 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:18.699 in tough times. 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:20.099 And as it's highlighted here, 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:21.719 he's writing the letter 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:23.539 to what's called Asia Minor, 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:24.459 which is right across here. 00:08:24.479 --> 00:08:25.500 This is modern-day Turkey. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:27.379 That's the Black Sea right there. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.920 And he calls this a dispersion. 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:30.399 Okay? 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:31.439 And the reason that is 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:32.480 what they find 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:34.620 in 62-63 AD 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.559 when Peter writes this, 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.460 I'm probably going to do that 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.379 about four or five times, 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:40.559 when Peter writes this, 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:41.779 he's actually writing 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:44.100 to Jewish and Gentile Christians 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:44.700 who are spread 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:46.139 right across that region. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:48.100 Now, the reason 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:49.220 that there's so many 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:51.480 Jewish and Gentile Christians there 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:53.879 is because they have fled 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:55.740 other areas to get there. 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:57.519 They have been persecuted 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:58.319 in other areas, 00:08:58.500 --> 00:09:00.340 and this mixed bag of people 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.919 is coming together 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:03.539 in Asia Minor, 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.740 right across into Asia, 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:06.519 and they've come together, 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:07.240 and they're trying 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:08.139 to be the church, 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:09.519 all these different people, 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:11.519 in the midst of oppression 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:12.159 they've had, 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:13.279 oppression that's having, 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:13.840 and oppression 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:14.659 they can see coming, 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:16.000 because Nero is nuts. 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:18.779 That's the context 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:19.559 within which Peter 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:20.639 is actually writing to them. 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:22.539 The letter's destined for there. 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:25.779 And he's speaking directly 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:27.159 into their situation 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:27.719 of suffering. 00:09:28.079 --> 00:09:30.240 And what 1 and 2 Peter are 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:31.919 is they're basically 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:33.679 just stripped down, 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:35.360 super practical letters 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:35.980 on what it means 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:36.559 to be a Christian. 00:09:37.439 --> 00:09:38.319 Because when you're writing 00:09:38.319 --> 00:09:38.939 to people who are 00:09:38.939 --> 00:09:39.500 in persecution, 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.139 they don't want fluff. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:42.679 When I'm talking 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.299 with my soldiers, 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:44.199 and they've just come 00:09:44.199 --> 00:09:44.899 out of a foxhole, 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:46.579 when they've just come 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:47.179 out of Afghanistan, 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.620 and they've seen the reality 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.579 of the situation of war, 00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:50.759 they don't want fluff from me. 00:09:51.359 --> 00:09:52.379 They want the real deal. 00:09:52.699 --> 00:09:53.679 And so that's what it is 00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:55.120 that Peter is speaking 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:57.000 to these people, 00:09:57.099 --> 00:09:57.799 to his churches 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:58.379 that are there. 00:09:59.219 --> 00:10:00.299 And he gives stripped down 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:00.979 practical advice. 00:10:01.079 --> 00:10:02.259 This entire chapter, 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:02.919 chapter 2, 00:10:02.979 --> 00:10:04.399 if you read the entire chapter, 00:10:04.939 --> 00:10:06.000 this part is about 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.179 what it means 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:07.959 to be a Christian. 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:10.059 What is the Christian life? 00:10:10.059 --> 00:10:13.500 In our passage, 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:14.359 for our purposes 00:10:14.359 --> 00:10:14.979 this morning, 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:16.179 we want to note 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:16.719 that even though 00:10:16.719 --> 00:10:17.939 he's talking to a mixed bag 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:19.059 of people along here, 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:20.279 he's using, 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.159 in particular, 00:10:21.359 --> 00:10:22.879 very Jewish terms 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.899 for the church 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:24.959 throughout the chapter 2. 00:10:25.239 --> 00:10:26.439 He talks about 00:10:26.439 --> 00:10:27.639 Rome 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:29.079 as the new Babylon. 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:31.859 He talks about 00:10:31.859 --> 00:10:32.679 the church 00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:34.319 as God's 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:35.539 new covenant people. 00:10:35.839 --> 00:10:36.619 When he does this 00:10:36.619 --> 00:10:37.539 throughout the second chapter, 00:10:37.579 --> 00:10:38.319 I'm not going to bore you 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:39.420 with it, 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:41.080 but he uses direct quotes 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:41.940 from Exodus. 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:43.020 He uses quotes 00:10:43.020 --> 00:10:44.220 from Hosea within there 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:44.760 that are kind of 00:10:44.760 --> 00:10:45.360 hidden in there. 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:46.540 And what he does 00:10:46.540 --> 00:10:47.200 when he talks about 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:47.780 the church 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:49.360 as the new Jerusalem 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.280 and Rome 00:10:50.280 --> 00:10:51.040 as the new Babylon, 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:51.800 which is exactly 00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:52.520 where he is, 00:10:52.640 --> 00:10:53.800 he's using terms 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:54.760 from Isaiah. 00:10:55.900 --> 00:10:56.620 He's using terms 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:56.879 from Isaiah 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:57.379 and he's trying to 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.480 get them into 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:59.060 the mindset 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:00.540 of Isaiah itself. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.420 And in particular, 00:11:02.780 --> 00:11:03.500 we need to highlight 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.500 the fact that he calls 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.100 the church 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:05.920 the new Jerusalem. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.220 In verses 2, 00:11:07.260 --> 00:11:07.460 9, 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:07.780 and 10, 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:08.600 that we are in, 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.860 what I just read to you, 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.100 are kind of 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:12.759 that central passage, 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:14.799 that central moment 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:15.759 when he's talking 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:16.679 about church 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:18.500 as this new Israel, 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:20.159 as this new people. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.120 And what he's saying 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:24.079 to this super diverse group 00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:24.860 along here, 00:11:25.699 --> 00:11:26.879 what he says 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:28.120 is that the more 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.639 we become rooted 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:31.360 in our identity 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.860 as that royal priesthood, 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.159 the more we become rooted 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.439 as God's chosen race, 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:38.699 a holy nation, 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:40.419 the more we glorify God. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.799 The more we become 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.679 rooted in our identity 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:44.699 together as a people, 00:11:44.839 --> 00:11:46.219 the more we glorify God 00:11:46.219 --> 00:11:47.179 and that fulfills 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:47.860 our very purpose 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:48.319 for living. 00:11:49.719 --> 00:11:50.719 That's kind of the center 00:11:50.719 --> 00:11:52.240 of what Peter's message is. 00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:53.139 Now, 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:54.139 this matters. 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:55.779 I think I've missed 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:56.539 a whole bunch of slides. 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:58.439 Nope. 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:01.900 I get rolling 00:12:01.900 --> 00:12:02.620 and I forget to 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:03.420 switch the slides 00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:03.760 when I go. 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.460 This matters 00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:07.280 because we have trouble 00:12:07.280 --> 00:12:10.300 in our individualistic context 00:12:10.300 --> 00:12:11.520 understanding what it is 00:12:11.520 --> 00:12:12.320 that Peter's saying. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:14.920 Oftentimes, 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:17.600 when I hear, 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:18.860 and I know I've done this too, 00:12:19.520 --> 00:12:20.640 when I read this passage 00:12:20.640 --> 00:12:21.840 or when I hear people 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.640 read this passage, 00:12:23.140 --> 00:12:24.240 they'll read it like this. 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:25.220 They'll look at it and go, 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.240 you know, 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.540 isn't this great? 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:29.179 I am chosen. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.719 I am royal. 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:34.000 I am holy. 00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:36.000 And Peter's 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.279 kind of saying, 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:37.519 well, 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.399 yeah, 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.059 I guess, 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:39.639 but no, 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:40.899 it's more that 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:43.360 we are chosen. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.480 We are holy. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:49.459 We are a royal priesthood. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:53.480 When he says that, 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.679 there's a cultural dissonance, 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.240 I want to say, 00:12:55.939 --> 00:12:57.199 with this verse for us. 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:59.360 When the ancients read the verse, 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.360 when these folks read this verse, 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:05.000 they saw everything in life, 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:06.099 not just the Bible 00:13:06.099 --> 00:13:07.259 or not just these letters 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:08.319 from the apostles. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.879 In the ancient world, 00:13:09.959 --> 00:13:11.139 they saw everything 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:13.259 through the lens of community. 00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:15.559 They saw everything 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:17.639 through the lens of their family 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.799 or through the lens 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:20.139 of their community at large. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:21.519 whereas, 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:23.039 what do we see everything through? 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.100 What's in it for me? 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.580 We're all about I, 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:30.259 whereas they were more about community. 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:32.220 And so that's the lens 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:33.699 through which this letter 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:35.100 was meant to be written. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.939 God's chosen race, 00:13:38.699 --> 00:13:40.059 when Peter says, 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.299 you are a chosen race, 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.179 they saw right away 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:43.879 their community. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:46.340 Because the last time I checked, 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.740 there's no such thing 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:49.820 as a one-person race. 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.639 There's no such thing 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:54.879 as a one-person people. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.299 It's pretty obvious 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:57.919 when you read it, 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:59.080 but for some reason, 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.879 we just focus on the big eye 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.539 when we read this passage. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:06.779 Romans said that we're grafted together 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.639 into the vine. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:10.199 Now, I think it's pretty obvious 00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:14.539 that race is somehow 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:16.639 innately important to us 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:18.199 as people, 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:19.179 as human beings. 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.840 That, you know, 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.580 we've always been in our history 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:25.220 aware of race, 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:28.759 oftentimes with pretty awful results. 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:29.980 We've been like, 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:30.860 okay, race is important. 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:32.279 It's a spiritual need we have 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.379 to be grafted into this race. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.279 But if we don't know Jesus, 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.080 then we start focusing on race 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.899 like my race is better 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:37.620 than your race. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:39.059 Or my nation is better 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:39.759 than your nation. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.759 We end up with wars 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.659 over races. 00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:43.759 We end up with segregation. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.240 We end up with things like slavery 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.179 around the world. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:49.179 We know that race 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:50.699 is very important. 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.039 And in this blind, 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:53.699 leading the blind world now, 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:55.080 I really don't think 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:55.860 things are getting better. 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:58.480 We see people on all ends 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.539 of the political spectrum 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:01.259 leveraging race 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:02.319 for their own ends. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.539 And it's just, 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.439 it's disintegrating. 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.080 It feels like, 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:06.399 maybe not so much here in Canada, 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.580 but around the world. 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.039 I think it's disintegrating 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.620 even more. 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.559 Because the world knows 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:12.899 that there's this spiritual need 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.759 to be a part of the race. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.460 But of course, 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.019 without Jesus, 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.199 you just try to fill it 00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:17.299 in whatever way that you can. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.600 Race is important. 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.960 It's an important need 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.559 in our hearts, 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.899 but not in the way 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:25.199 that the world sees it. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:26.860 Part of the depth 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.919 of our spirituality 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.100 is realizing 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.120 that we have been 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.259 grafted together, 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.519 the Bible says this 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.100 in a number of places, 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.720 into a new race. 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.840 Both Peter and Paul 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.960 hammer away at that point. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:40.019 We're grafted together 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.779 into a new race. 00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:44.560 And this has consequences 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.800 for our spiritual formation. 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:48.840 I'm from a place 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.620 called Halliburton. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.440 Anybody know 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:51.100 where Halliburton is? 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.180 Well, you do now 00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:52.580 because I just put 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.080 a map up there. 00:15:54.040 --> 00:15:55.300 So if you go where Muskoka, 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:56.180 everybody knows Muskoka 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:56.800 for some reason, 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:58.159 and you go kind of 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:59.219 a Bancroft area 00:15:59.219 --> 00:16:00.359 or the valley, 00:16:00.719 --> 00:16:01.639 there's this void 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.319 in between 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:04.079 that no one really knows 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:04.959 about called Halliburton. 00:16:05.219 --> 00:16:06.819 I grew up right about there 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.799 in the middle of that void. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:08.819 Now, 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.679 we're a special 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:11.419 country bumpkin 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:11.919 kind of people. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.319 I was going to say 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.019 we're not a race. 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:14.639 Amy said, 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.879 you are a race. 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:16.899 You're family. 00:16:17.459 --> 00:16:18.359 My family all lives 00:16:18.359 --> 00:16:19.319 within about 15 minutes 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:19.799 of each other. 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.419 I'm the only one 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.359 that kind of moved out 00:16:21.359 --> 00:16:22.459 and got away from there. 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:24.199 It's a very special 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:24.859 kind of person. 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.759 I'll put quotes around that. 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:27.979 That comes from Halliburton. 00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:28.759 Okay? 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.099 Now, 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:31.039 I haven't lived there 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.759 for 20 years. 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.019 I joined the Army. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.599 I've been in the Army 00:16:33.599 --> 00:16:34.620 for 12 years now. 00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:35.939 You know, 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:37.279 being from Halliburton 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.519 is not so much 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:40.079 a part of my identity anymore. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:40.759 It's just kind of 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.859 one thing 00:16:41.859 --> 00:16:42.539 that makes up 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:43.179 who I am. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.299 And the reason 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:45.099 I mention this 00:16:45.099 --> 00:16:45.439 is 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:47.199 I think 00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:49.240 that's really 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.719 how the world 00:16:50.719 --> 00:16:53.299 wants us 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.359 to see our faith. 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:55.519 You know, 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:56.120 kind of like 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.759 we're free runners here 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.240 and then there's 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.220 all these different things 00:16:59.220 --> 00:16:59.919 that kind of make up 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.539 who we are. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.299 Our ideas, 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:01.940 our work, 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:02.379 you know, 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.039 our friendship, 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.519 obviously social media. 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.900 And being a Christian 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.579 is kind of over here 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:06.920 somewhere. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:07.599 Right? 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.720 It's just one little 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.259 small thing. 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.299 Just keep it over there, 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:10.920 not up front, 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.380 right out of the scene 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:12.880 and don't make it 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:13.319 too important. 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:13.799 You're going to become 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.559 one of those crazies. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:15.359 Right? 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:16.979 That's how the world 00:17:16.979 --> 00:17:17.740 wants us to see 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.139 our faith. 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.439 Kind of like me 00:17:19.439 --> 00:17:20.179 being from Halliburton 00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:20.959 or you being 00:17:20.959 --> 00:17:21.319 from wherever 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.039 you're from. 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.459 Just kind of 00:17:22.459 --> 00:17:23.179 one of those things 00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:23.719 that make up 00:17:23.719 --> 00:17:24.259 who we are. 00:17:24.679 --> 00:17:25.439 But the New Testament 00:17:25.439 --> 00:17:26.919 shows us 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:28.119 and talks about 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.599 the fact 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.299 that 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:31.179 the New Testament 00:17:31.179 --> 00:17:31.939 faith is that 00:17:31.939 --> 00:17:33.399 faith becomes 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:34.919 the integrating factor. 00:17:35.179 --> 00:17:35.799 The ultimate 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.939 integrating factor 00:17:36.939 --> 00:17:37.379 in our lives. 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.199 Faith, 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.779 when you come to 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.479 faith in Jesus, 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.719 if you don't know 00:17:40.719 --> 00:17:41.279 Jesus and you're 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:41.839 feeling really 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:43.099 kind of messed up 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.399 right now, 00:17:43.439 --> 00:17:43.979 there's a reason 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.400 for that. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.759 Faith is that 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.660 ultimate integrating 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:49.279 factor that sifts 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.460 and sorts 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.860 all of these 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:52.420 things here. 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.839 Prioritizes them 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.440 according to 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.680 God's design 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.259 for us. 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:59.380 That's how God 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.339 wants us to see 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:00.740 faith. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.839 And that sorting 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.400 and sifting 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:04.019 is something, 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:04.500 friends, 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.599 that happens 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.539 together. 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.460 That's what 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.579 1 Peter is 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.420 talking about to us. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:11.980 Now, 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.140 Peter uses terms 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:14.259 a royal priesthood 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.320 in a holy nation. 00:18:15.580 --> 00:18:15.880 Again, 00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:16.360 plural. 00:18:16.780 --> 00:18:17.340 He's actually 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:18.600 returning to an idea. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.240 If you look in your 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:19.700 Bible there, 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.380 you can see it here. 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:22.280 2 Peter 2.5. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:22.920 So he's just, 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.060 he's made a point 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:26.000 here where he said, 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.600 let me read it from here. 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.500 I'm going to hurt my neck 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.160 if I keep doing that. 00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:30.759 You yourselves, 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.780 like living stones, 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.720 are being built up 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:34.080 as a spiritual house 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:35.580 to be a holy priesthood. 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.540 So he said that, 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:38.120 then he kind of goes, 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.120 he's come back 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.040 to this idea again. 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:40.160 He's, 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:40.280 oh, 00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:40.660 wait a minute, 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.800 I have to flush out 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.720 that idea a little bit. 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:43.200 Now, 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.319 this is from the ESV, 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.440 which is a translation 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.480 we use here at the Messiah. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.220 When it comes to this verse, 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.339 I actually prefer 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:51.059 what the NEB says, 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.599 and it says that 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.500 we are being built 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.859 into a spiritual temple. 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.180 This term, 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.720 spiritual house, 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.659 oikos, 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:01.500 when you read it 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:03.359 within the popular context 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.079 of the ancient world, 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:04.919 it just means house. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.680 Within the Bible context, 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:08.359 it almost always 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.960 has to do with God's house. 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.519 It almost always 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.319 has to do 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.299 with the temple. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:13.900 And so, 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:15.480 Peter is saying there 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:17.240 that you and I 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.539 are being built together 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:20.559 into a spiritual temple, 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.740 and into God's new temple, 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:24.380 which was the focus 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:24.840 of worship 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.759 at that time. 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:26.940 And the, 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.360 it's not built 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.420 out of stones 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:31.259 and beautiful jewels 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.460 and all kinds of gold. 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.799 It's built out of the beauty 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.700 of Christians' lives. 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:38.759 faith-filled, 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.039 spirit-fueled lives. 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.700 That is what 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.299 God's new temple 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.480 is built out of. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.759 God glorifies, 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.140 and that, 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.860 just like the temple itself, 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.759 when we are built together, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.200 that glorifies God. 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.620 And so, 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:58.120 why is that important? 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.319 Well, 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.259 our verse, 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.220 2b, 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.019 goes on, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.920 2, 9b, 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.539 goes on, 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:06.119 says that we are built together 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:07.039 for this reason, 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.639 that you may proclaim 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:10.279 the excellencies of him 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.559 who called you out of darkness 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:13.619 into his wonderful light. 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.720 This term, 00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.139 proclaim, 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.960 that he uses for proclaim here, 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.740 doesn't happen again 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.420 in the New Testament, 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:21.339 but in the Psalms, 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.000 this same term 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.799 is talked about 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:25.740 to be glorifying God. 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.799 It talks about worshiping. 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.159 It's not so much evangelism here, 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.799 that's part of it, 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.299 but really, 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.799 it has to do with worship 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:33.480 and glorifying God. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:35.860 And the old English reformers 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:37.019 said that this, 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.960 said that the main purpose of man 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:40.420 is to glorify God 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.500 and enjoy him forever. 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:42.880 So, 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.940 when we are built together 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.980 into a spiritual house, 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:47.299 we glorify God, 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:50.460 which helps us fulfill 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.200 our chief end. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:53.000 I want you to recite this with me. 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.660 I'm going to ask, 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.420 what is the chief end of man? 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.319 And you're going to say, 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.220 man's chief end 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.319 is to glorify God 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:59.279 and enjoy him forever. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.880 What is the chief end of man? 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.940 Man's chief end 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.760 is to glorify God 00:21:05.760 --> 00:21:06.880 and enjoy him forever. 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.660 Man's chief end 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.300 is to what? 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.160 Glorify God. 00:21:11.280 --> 00:21:11.680 And? 00:21:12.300 --> 00:21:13.600 To enjoy him forever. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:13.960 Wow, 00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:14.460 look at that. 00:21:14.540 --> 00:21:15.320 I checked off 00:21:15.320 --> 00:21:16.320 on good preaching 00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:17.140 to get you involved 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.940 with what's going on. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:19.980 You know, 00:21:20.060 --> 00:21:20.500 according, 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:22.580 this is super important. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.500 According to Peter, 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.000 again, 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.640 when we give up 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.260 of ourselves 00:21:26.260 --> 00:21:27.920 and we join the church, 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.340 we glorify God, 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:31.000 which ends up fulfilling 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.559 our chief end 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.359 as individuals 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.179 and as a community. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.359 So we're not just 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.139 giving up ourselves 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:39.919 for some weird sort of reason. 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.059 It's to fulfill 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:43.799 what God has created us to do. 00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:45.720 The community of faith, 00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:47.579 the community of faith 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:49.299 is a spiritual vehicle 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.399 that allows us 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.619 to meet our purpose. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.819 I'm going to say that again. 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.119 The church 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:57.019 is the chief vehicle 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:59.299 when it's spirit-powered 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.279 that allows us 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.420 to meet our chief end 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.160 in God's purpose 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.720 of glorifying God. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.940 I just like this quote. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.059 The catechism says 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.259 that man's chief end 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.259 is to glorify God 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.180 and enjoy him forever, 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.180 but we shall 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:15.139 then know 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.879 that these are the same thing. 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.119 Fully to enjoy 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:21.160 is to glorify. 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.279 C.S. Lewis. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.559 The more rooted, then, 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:24.940 friends, 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.000 that we become together 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.099 in these identities 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:28.019 that he talks about, 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.519 priesthood, 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.660 chosen race, 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.460 a holy nation, 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:33.359 the more we glorify God 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.819 and fulfill our purpose. 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.779 And so this leaves us 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.660 with something to do. 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.960 I have a spiritual practice, 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:41.119 a couple of spiritual practices 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:42.700 for us to practice this week, 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.160 okay, 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.119 while you're enjoying the beach 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.700 or whatever you do 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.299 during the summer. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.700 Richard Foster said something 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.940 I thought was really amazing. 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.519 He said, you know, 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.680 the biggest need in the world 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.380 and the biggest need 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:53.619 in the church right now 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:56.039 is not for more talented people. 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.979 God doesn't need more, 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.799 more, you know, 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.479 amazing people 00:23:00.479 --> 00:23:01.799 with jazz hands up front. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:04.379 What God needs 00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:06.079 is deeper people. 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.199 God, friends, 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.099 is calling us deeper 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.839 as individuals 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.859 and as a community 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.399 to invest more 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:14.059 and to become more, 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.779 more engaged 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:17.019 with our spiritual purpose. 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.980 So our to-do, 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:22.279 that deepness happens 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.839 within community, 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.839 the Bible teaches us that, 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.099 our to-do is, 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.960 I really want you 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.980 to ask yourself 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.240 a question this week. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.440 What are the ways 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:32.379 that my individualism, 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.400 that's the water we live, 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.339 we swim within, 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:36.039 is our individualism. 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:37.240 What is the way 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.639 that my individualism 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.579 is keeping me 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.639 from fully engaging 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:41.099 with Jesus? 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.539 What are the ways 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.559 that my individualism 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.299 are keeping me 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.299 from fully engaging 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:48.000 with the body of Jesus, 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.980 which is his church? 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.599 That's your spiritual question 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.859 for meditation this week. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.680 We're living stones 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:58.559 and our beauty comes 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.299 when we're together. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.359 So I'm going to leave you 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.819 with that item 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.740 for prayer and meditation. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.700 Just with a couple 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.659 of examples of this. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.460 When Amy and I moved 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.079 to Petawawa, 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.559 as I mentioned, 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.419 my military chaplain, 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.000 we get posted 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.720 all over the place. 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:11.279 It becomes difficult sometimes, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.720 you know, 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.839 moving from church to church. 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.559 And one of the things 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.139 that when I was 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.820 a new chaplain 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.460 and we were posted 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:16.940 at Petawawa 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.060 that I really started 00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:19.720 to enjoy a little too much 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:21.520 was church shopping. 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.380 Because you can go in, 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:25.259 you can enjoy the worship 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.600 and all that. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:25.980 But you know, 00:24:26.020 --> 00:24:27.140 when people started 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.100 to kind of get on your nerves, 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.300 you just moved on 00:24:29.300 --> 00:24:29.800 to the next one. 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.860 But then I found out, 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.420 he says, 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.040 as a chaplain, 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:35.160 wherever you go, 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.400 you always run into people. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.800 And after a while, 00:24:40.020 --> 00:24:41.180 we spent years 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.980 church shopping 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.520 when we were up there. 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.360 You'd be amazed 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:44.020 at how many churches 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.559 you can find 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.460 when you really look hard. 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:47.500 And we never really invested. 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.359 Now, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.400 if I want you to think about, 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.299 that's 2008, 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.400 2009. 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.119 Afghanistan's going on. 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.000 I'm a chaplain 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.599 in Petawawa. 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.579 Do you think maybe 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.559 a few important things 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.139 were going on? 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.079 Maybe some stressful stuff 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.599 was happening 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.460 as an army chaplain 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.019 in Petawawa? 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.539 I really think 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.480 during that time, 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.639 I suffered, 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.799 my family suffered, 00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.759 we suffered spiritually 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.539 because we weren't 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.299 plugged in 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:11.000 to a church. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.680 It wasn't until 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.700 we became plugged in 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.619 to a church 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.359 and were welcomed, 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.299 Archdeacon Tim's church, 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.920 St. Luke's, 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.220 that we really 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.779 started to remember 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:21.559 how important it is 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.460 to be actually 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:24.339 plugged into a church. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.339 So when Amy and I 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:26.500 came here to Ottawa 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.259 and the bishop said, 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:27.420 okay, 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.880 which church 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.380 are you going to choose? 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.500 We come here, 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.599 heard George preach, 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.359 met all of you, 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:31.579 and said, 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.180 we're going to invest 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.059 in this church. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:36.000 And we've been amazed 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.460 that the, 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:38.160 just the big ways 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:39.100 and the small ways 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:39.600 that the Lord 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.720 has opened up 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.620 ministry opportunities 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.220 for us, 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.480 community opportunities 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:43.980 for us, 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:45.200 just being plugged in 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.560 right away, 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.380 just diving in. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.279 Because no church 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.740 is perfect, 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.100 friends, 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.620 because we're in it. 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.560 And we need to learn 00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:53.600 to dive in 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:55.320 where we are 00:25:55.320 --> 00:25:56.160 and where God 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.720 has placed us. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.560 That's the lesson 00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:59.040 that both Amy 00:25:59.040 --> 00:25:59.640 and I learned. 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.120 God blessed 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:01.800 that opportunity 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:02.240 to serve. 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.420 So that's a way 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:06.180 that my own individualism, 00:26:06.300 --> 00:26:07.259 my desire to shop 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.900 and find the church 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.740 that I wanted, 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.340 was getting in the way 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:10.920 of my relationship 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.380 with Jesus. 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:13.180 More in general, 00:26:13.340 --> 00:26:14.160 something that happens 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.080 within our lives, 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.940 you know, 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.500 in this me first world 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.840 that we live within, 00:26:19.320 --> 00:26:23.080 is our constant need 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:24.280 to be first. 00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:26.560 Like we live in a world, 00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:28.220 I mean I drove here, 00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:29.019 there's hardly anybody 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.600 on the highway, 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.740 but people are still 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.840 just all over each other. 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.620 In the cars, 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.019 on the highway, 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:33.320 in there, 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.259 I'm not going to say 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.860 I wasn't one of them, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.759 but we're just all over 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.040 the place. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.000 We live in a world 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.579 where we hate 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.220 to line up. 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:42.319 It's a very me first. 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.079 And one of the 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.940 spiritual practices 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.799 that was recommended 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.399 to me 00:26:45.399 --> 00:26:47.299 was actually fasting 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:49.299 from the need 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.039 to be first. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.159 A spiritual practice 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:52.619 we can do 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.720 is actually fast 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.720 from the need 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.659 to be first. 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:56.920 You know, 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.159 Jesus commented 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.859 in our gospel 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.539 in the context 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.240 of me focus 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.799 that the first 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.200 and the last, 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.680 the last are going 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.039 to be first. 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.539 Those who put 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.359 themselves forward 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:04.460 are going to end up 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.779 at the end 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.200 of the line. 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.340 And so a spiritual 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.460 practice is actually 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.360 putting those words 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.860 of Jesus 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:10.960 into action. 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:12.059 You know, 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:12.799 I've tried this 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.880 in my own feeble way 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.500 and I'm going to admit 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.460 a very feeble way. 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.740 I remember being 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:18.079 on the road 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.039 to work one day 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.740 and, 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.059 oh, 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.779 I missed that one. 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.500 That's a nice picture 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:21.819 of the church. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.259 There we are. 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.319 And OC Transpo 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.200 one day did what 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.500 OC Transpo does best. 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.660 The bus broke down. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.900 Right about carling 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.620 and I was on my way 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.960 into the downtown core 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.160 here. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.299 So we got off 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.860 to the side 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.740 and I remembered 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.880 for some reason 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:38.059 it was by the grace 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.440 of God 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:38.840 because usually 00:27:38.840 --> 00:27:39.319 when I remember 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.840 I'm fasting 00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.380 about something 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:40.819 it's halfway 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.660 through the chocolate bar 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.360 and it's Lent. 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.000 Like, 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.279 oh yeah, 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.660 I'm fasting 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.160 from chocolate. 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.640 I never know. 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.140 Should I finish 00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:46.799 the chocolate bar 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.740 and just go whole hog? 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.660 Or anyways. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.160 But I remembered 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.640 this time. 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.240 I was at the back 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.720 of the bus. 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.440 Like I usually, 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.299 everybody fights 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.940 for those back seats. 00:27:54.100 --> 00:27:54.620 I was at the back 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.079 of the bus 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.259 and I remembered, 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:56.799 hold on, 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.799 you're fasting 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.600 from being first. 00:27:59.360 --> 00:27:59.519 So, 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.660 and I'm a chaplain 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.259 so I can explain 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.860 that to my boss 00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.339 when I'm late. 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.159 So, 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.559 I'm just going to sit here 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.699 and I'm going to observe. 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.459 And there was this other guy 00:28:07.459 --> 00:28:08.319 that was kind of sitting beside me. 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.119 I think we just kind of gave, 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:09.679 he gave up 00:28:09.679 --> 00:28:10.459 and was just going to wait. 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.859 But I observed 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:14.079 when the bus pulled over 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.519 and limped itself 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.799 into the next stop, 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.299 everybody got up 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.639 and started jostling 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.299 for position. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.619 Like, 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.679 and I mean jostling. 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.679 And you could see 00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.099 some people 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.199 who were a little further back 00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:25.879 and they were just, 00:28:25.959 --> 00:28:26.899 they were just on the edge. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.679 They were just about ready 00:28:27.679 --> 00:28:28.519 to lose their minds. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.799 And when those doors opened 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.559 it was like the cattle, 00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.699 like who let the dogs out? 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.859 Everybody went out 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.799 and people were jostling 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.279 one another 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.959 and I'm like, 00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.599 I just realized 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.379 that would have been me. 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:40.259 I'm not saying I'm any better 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.319 because it was by the grace of God 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.279 that that wasn't me. 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.459 And then I watched, 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.559 I kind of came on after 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.240 and I watched as, 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:45.759 you know, 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:47.019 the bus that was waiting for us 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:48.699 was already like 90% full 00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:49.439 because in the morning 00:28:49.439 --> 00:28:50.279 there's never a bus 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.139 that's not 90% full. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.899 People were just cramming themselves, 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.519 yelling at each other 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.039 to get on like, 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:57.039 like loudly talking to each other 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.979 to try to get on this bus. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:29:00.440 Literally bodies up against the window 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.019 like that. 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.579 The doors closed 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.259 and I, 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.539 but for me, 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.819 this is the point. 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:08.099 I saw myself. 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:12.819 I saw my love for my neighbor 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:15.360 and I saw my Christian witness 00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:17.059 get on that bus 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:20.759 because the me first attitude 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:23.019 pervades my life 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.319 just like it pervades yours. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:26.279 It's the water within which we swim. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.740 And this is how fasting 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:30.299 and spiritual practices can work. 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.379 Jesus meets us 00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:32.119 and shows us 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.879 and walks beside 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:33.460 and I can just say, 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:34.099 man, 00:29:34.159 --> 00:29:34.299 Lord, 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:34.939 I'm sorry. 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:37.099 I'm sorry that that's, 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.539 I'm not judging anybody 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.819 like the Pharisee there. 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.759 I'm saying, 00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.299 Lord, 00:29:41.379 --> 00:29:41.960 have mercy. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.899 By your grace, 00:29:42.939 --> 00:29:43.659 that's not me 00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:45.639 doing that to my neighbor. 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.220 Now, 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.339 the interesting end of the story 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:50.039 is just as those doors closed, 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.159 another bus rolled up 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.919 which miraculously 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:53.519 was only about like half full. 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.779 And the five of us 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.180 that were left 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.519 kind of sauntered onto the bus 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.960 and sat down. 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.220 I'm like, 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.559 okay, 00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:58.940 thanks, 00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.160 Lord. 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.819 That's a good lesson. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.319 Sometimes, 00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:02.079 sometimes God does that for us. 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:02.660 You know, 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.279 put yourself first. 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.279 What is it that, 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.299 what is it that you're reaping 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.460 when we sow that? 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.700 What is it that I'm reaping 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.720 when I sow that? 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.920 Simple little practices like that, 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.220 offering little things to God, 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:16.579 help us walk with him 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.660 and see throughout our day 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:19.960 and then to allow Jesus' forgiveness 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.839 to overwhelm us 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:23.480 and to empower us. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.039 So, 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.500 I'm going to ask you again, 00:30:26.459 --> 00:30:27.339 what are the ways 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.359 that individualism 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.119 is keeping you 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.159 from fully engaging 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:30.859 with your faith 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:32.159 and will you walk 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:33.199 with Jesus this week 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:34.480 to allow him 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.279 to show you 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:37.099 and to make you 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:38.259 into that beautiful creature 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.679 that he wants us 00:30:39.679 --> 00:30:40.899 to be together? 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:42.959 Especially, 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.539 friends, 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.879 as pertains to this church. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.459 Emails are going out 00:30:47.459 --> 00:30:48.139 with opportunities 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:49.339 to engage in this church 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.179 every week. 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.360 I see them as well 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:51.720 as you do 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:53.440 and I've been convicted 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:53.960 this week. 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.380 I need to dive in. 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.920 I need to be more involved 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:59.440 and to struggle with Jesus. 00:30:59.560 --> 00:31:00.240 The more rooted 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.320 we become together 00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:02.000 in our identity 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.259 as a royal priesthood, 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.779 as a chosen race, 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:06.259 as God's people, 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.580 a holy nation, 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:09.820 the more we glorify God, 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.240 friends, 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.799 and we fulfill 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:13.360 our purposes together. 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.980 Big finish. 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.140 Okay? 00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:18.840 This is the end 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.199 of the sermon. 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.279 In World War II, 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.959 the enemy conducted 00:31:21.959 --> 00:31:24.899 experiments on POWs, 00:31:24.959 --> 00:31:25.699 prisoners of war, 00:31:25.919 --> 00:31:26.939 to find out 00:31:26.939 --> 00:31:28.500 what is the best way 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:30.220 to get someone to talk. 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.399 They found 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.459 that the best way 00:31:33.459 --> 00:31:34.599 to get a soldier 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.019 to talk 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.439 or get anybody 00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:35.879 to talk 00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:37.439 was solitary confinement. 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.599 You put someone alone 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:41.000 for three to five days, 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.240 they lose their community, 00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:43.579 they lose their sense 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.199 of identity 00:31:44.199 --> 00:31:44.799 with others, 00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:46.119 and they spew 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:47.019 like you wouldn't believe. 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:49.220 all because 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.460 they've been removed 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.379 from their community. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:54.019 Any soldier 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.539 will pretty much 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.019 tell anything. 00:31:55.139 --> 00:31:55.579 Most men 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.200 will tell anything. 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.379 We need fellowship 00:31:58.379 --> 00:32:00.180 and we need community 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:01.639 at a spiritual level. 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.460 That's why 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.099 we need the body 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.539 of Christ. 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.720 We need our fellow believers 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.519 because without it, 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:09.119 when we become 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.200 very easy prey 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.019 for temptation, 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.599 which is everywhere, 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.319 around every corner, 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:14.480 in the abandonment 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.240 of our values. 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.179 Together, 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.200 and then we become 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:19.519 formed into the image 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.139 of the world 00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:21.259 and the powers 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.679 of the world. 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.220 Whereas what Christ 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:23.919 wants for you, 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.960 what Jesus wants 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.399 for me, 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:27.119 is to become formed 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:28.599 into his likeness 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.779 together. 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.700 Let's pray. 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.299 Loving God, 00:32:34.399 --> 00:32:35.299 you call us 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.119 to be 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:37.279 a royal priesthood. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:39.399 you call us 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:39.920 to be 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.940 a chosen race 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.779 and a holy nation. 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.180 Help us, 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:43.740 Lord God, 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.579 to fully engage 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.059 with one another. 00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:46.960 Help us to engage 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.700 in our community 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.899 and in worship 00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:50.299 and in praise 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:51.139 and acts of service 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.500 together 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:53.299 so we can glorify you, 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:54.940 enjoy you forever, 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.899 together as a people. 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.740 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:58.619 Amen.