WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:08.900 It's good to see you all this morning. Our sermon text is 1 Peter 1, verse 22, through chapter 2, verse 3. 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:11.859 That's page 953 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:19.260 Sometimes the way in which the New Testament breaks up chapters and verses doesn't always fit with the flow of thought. 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:24.879 So today our sermon text kind of spans the end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2. 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:29.100 So 1 Peter 1, verse 22, through chapter 2, verse 3. 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:31.940 Let me pray for us, and then I'll read. 00:00:33.800 --> 00:00:39.020 Lord, as we have just sung, we pray that you would speak to us through your written word 00:00:39.020 --> 00:00:43.539 so that we might see afresh your incarnate word, the Lord Jesus, 00:00:44.480 --> 00:00:52.520 and so that we might live the lives of love and holiness and joy that you have called us to and created us for in communion with you. 00:00:52.840 --> 00:00:55.660 We pray this in Jesus' name, Father. Amen. 00:00:55.659 --> 00:00:59.919 All right, 1 Peter, chapter 1, verse 22. 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:00.719 Peter writes this, 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:05.140 It says, 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:35.140 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:54.780 All right. 00:01:54.780 --> 00:02:00.239 So, you probably noticed that the Olympics started this week, right? 00:02:00.900 --> 00:02:03.200 Did you catch the opening ceremony on Friday? 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:08.159 It's always fun to watch the different national teams kind of march in to the opening ceremony, 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:15.159 and you get to see the diversity of the country's flags and who gets to be the flag bearers at this particular Olympics. 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:23.419 And, of course, you get to see, most importantly, maybe, the outfits that they've chosen to wear, right? 00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:28.039 You know, the U.S. decided to wear these mid-90 throwback parkas. 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:30.879 That was fun the first time around. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:35.319 Other countries wore something more stylish, you know? 00:02:36.819 --> 00:02:40.759 Others were more unique or wore something more particular to their own national culture. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:47.699 But, you know, each country kind of in their own way saying in that moment on the national stage or on the international stage, 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:48.719 This is us. 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:49.759 This is who we are. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:51.579 This is how you'll know us. 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:52.819 This is what you'll know us by. 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:55.780 Now, imagine. 00:02:56.719 --> 00:03:02.840 Imagine if the church, if our church even, were to march out into the opening ceremony. 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:06.340 What would we be known by? 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:09.240 What would be our distinguishing mark? 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:11.680 What would be our close of choice? 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:17.199 You know, throughout the New Testament, there are a number of things that ought to mark the church. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:20.539 There are a number of things that ought to be our defining features. 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:24.780 Of course, there's an allegiance to the truth of the gospel, of God's word, 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:29.699 holding Jesus in the highest possible place of honor and worship. 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:34.219 But, you know, along with that and flowing from that, 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:40.019 the distinguishing mark again and again of the church is more than just holding to the truth. 00:03:40.139 --> 00:03:45.039 Along with that, the defining feature that we see is love. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:52.280 The church is the people as we march out into the arena of the nations around us. 00:03:52.519 --> 00:03:56.120 The church is meant to be the people that genuinely loves one another. 00:03:56.359 --> 00:03:58.539 That's the clothing that we wear. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:02.340 And in our passage, Peter is reminding us, 00:04:02.419 --> 00:04:05.319 and he's calling us again to this central, 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:09.060 essential reality of what it means to be the church. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:11.319 You see the command right there in the beginning in verse 22. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:15.500 And this whole paragraph is telling us to love one another. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:19.720 That's the big idea of this part of 1 Peter. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:21.300 Love one another. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:26.699 But sadly, the church isn't always known by that set of clothes, is it? 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:32.759 Some of you maybe have experienced churches where there isn't love, 00:04:33.039 --> 00:04:39.420 but hypocrisy and envy and slander and other things like Peter lists in chapter 2, verse 1. 00:04:41.039 --> 00:04:44.240 And if that's been your experience, let me say that I'm deeply sorry. 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:47.539 But this isn't how it should be. 00:04:49.039 --> 00:04:52.599 And Peter's going to show us here a different way. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:56.900 He commands us to love one another, but he doesn't leave it there. 00:04:57.480 --> 00:04:59.900 He goes on to kind of drill down a little deeper. 00:05:00.340 --> 00:05:06.120 And in this text, he's going to show us three things about this love that we should have for one another, 00:05:06.200 --> 00:05:07.280 this Christian love. 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:11.720 And first, he's going to show us the nature of this love. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.420 What must our love be like? 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:15.320 That's the first thing he's going to say. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:18.439 And then second, he's going to show us the ground of this love. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:20.640 Why should we love like this? 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:23.939 And then third, he's going to show us the growth of this love. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.079 How can we grow and become more and more people who actually do love? 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:29.860 So that's where we're going to head in our sermon this morning. 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:31.000 So let's take a look. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:34.379 First, Peter shows us the nature of Christian love. 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:37.419 Your love, he says, must look like this. 00:05:37.919 --> 00:05:38.939 Listen again to verse 22. 00:05:39.419 --> 00:05:43.699 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, 00:05:44.419 --> 00:05:48.240 love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:50.560 So what should our love look like? 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:55.460 You must love one another earnestly, Peter says. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:00.019 Now notice, Peter's particularly talking here about brotherly love. 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:04.780 That is, the love of Christian brothers and sisters in the church, in the family of God for one another. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:07.079 Remember last week in verses 13 through 21, 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:13.180 Peter talked primarily about Christians' posture towards the world and toward our old life before we became Christians. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:16.600 And he said, in that regard, we're meant to be distinct. 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:19.280 So the key word there was holy. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:21.280 You know, we're pilgrims, we're exiles, we're strangers. 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:24.500 And God wants us to be beautifully distinct in all that we do. 00:06:24.780 --> 00:06:28.800 But here, in our text this morning, Peter's talking about our posture not towards the world, 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:32.860 not towards our former lives, but toward fellow believers, toward one another. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:35.220 And the key word here is love. 00:06:35.220 --> 00:06:38.760 And that love, he says, must be earnest. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:43.280 And that word earnestly here is a great word. 00:06:44.340 --> 00:06:47.740 You know, it means more than just doing something with deep feeling. 00:06:48.380 --> 00:06:51.440 It means doing something with deep constancy. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:58.820 The word earnest here carries the idea of something being stretched out, like a piece of cloth. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:03.120 Our love should be a strenuous love, Peter says. 00:07:03.180 --> 00:07:04.980 A constant, an intentional love. 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:06.519 A love that stretches us. 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:14.360 You know, this is the kind of love that a husband or a wife shows when after a long day of work, 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:15.680 you listen. 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:19.240 You really listen to how your spouse's day was. 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:26.180 And that's a love that stretches you when all you want to do is get home and relax and retreat and veg out. 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:30.959 But instead, you turn toward each other and you give each other your best. 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:35.180 That's the kind of stretching love that Peter's talking about. 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:42.879 You know, this is the kind of love that decides to send a text to a struggling Christian friend in your small group. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:46.139 It's the kind of stretching love that invites them to coffee, 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:48.699 even though you're not really sure what you can do to help, 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:51.519 but still you stretch yourself and you spend some time with them. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:53.860 And maybe you offer to pray or offer to listen, 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:56.300 and offer just to be present with them as they walk through trials. 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:00.860 You know, this is the kind of stretching love 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:05.300 that leads you to do something bold and fearless and courageous, 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:08.460 like assisting with a children's class on Sundays. 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:12.300 Even though you're not sure kids are your thing, 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:16.199 and even though it means you might have to stick around for the second service. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:18.899 It stretches you a little bit. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:21.139 Or it leads you to help with youth group, 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:23.659 even though teenagers sort of intimidate you. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:26.680 Or it leads you to help with a mentoring program through Bridges of Hope, 00:08:26.719 --> 00:08:31.360 even though you're not sure what it might look like to come alongside a kid who has a different background than you. 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:35.200 This is the stretching love that leads you maybe to host a small group, 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:38.939 even though it means giving up one whole night a week to open up your home. 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:42.779 Even though your home might be a little messier than you'd like in the middle of the work week. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:51.500 This is the stretching love that leads you to introduce yourself to a newcomer on Sundays and welcome them, 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:53.679 even if you're an introvert. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.819 This is the stretching love that leads you to forgive 00:08:59.819 --> 00:09:03.480 when a brother or sister in the church has offended or wronged you, 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:05.179 and they ask for your forgiveness. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:12.199 This is the stretching kind of love that leads you to open up about your weaknesses, 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:14.799 to a trusted Christian friend or two, 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:17.500 asking for prayer and help. 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:23.339 This earnest, stretching love, this is the kind of love that shows up, 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:26.259 even when it's costly, even when it's inconvenient, 00:09:26.459 --> 00:09:28.500 even when it's a bit outside your comfort zone. 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:33.480 Peter says, love one another earnestly, brothers and sisters. 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:40.440 And notice, notice that this earnest love, it isn't optional. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:45.580 It's not just kind of for advanced Christians or really serious Christians. 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:49.279 This is the kind of love for all Christians that we should all show. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:50.340 Now, how do we know that? 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:53.420 How do we know that this isn't optional love, but love for all Christians? 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:56.460 Because in the first part of this verse, verse 22, 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:59.700 Peter is describing our conversion. 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:03.440 He's talking there about what's true of every Christian. 00:10:03.920 --> 00:10:06.759 After all, he says, you've obeyed the truth. 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:11.000 And for Peter, the truth here is the truth of the gospel. 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:14.960 And to obey the truth of the gospel is to believe it, to receive it, 00:10:15.160 --> 00:10:17.200 to center your life around Jesus as Lord. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:21.900 And he says, by obeying the truth, by submitting to the claims of the gospel, 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:23.600 your soul's been purified. 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.160 You've been cleansed. 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:26.140 You've been made new. 00:10:26.139 --> 00:10:28.860 That's what's true of every Christian. 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:31.620 But then he says, what's all of that for? 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:33.939 What's the point of our conversion? 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:38.679 Well, it's for, Peter says, sincere brotherly love. 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:44.159 So this sincere, earnest, stretching love, it isn't optional for Christians. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:45.059 It's the whole point. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:50.899 You know, after all, the reason you kind of pump up your bike tires 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:56.879 after it's been sitting in the garage all winter isn't so that you can put the bike back in the garage 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:58.000 to just gather dust, right? 00:10:58.059 --> 00:10:58.240 No. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:11:01.379 You pump the air back into the tire so you can go out 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:04.639 and so you can experience the joy of riding again, right? 00:11:05.819 --> 00:11:07.559 And our conversion is like that. 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:14.459 God's aim in saving us is to create a community that loves one another 00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:18.619 and in loving one another to display his love to the world 00:11:18.619 --> 00:11:22.179 so that when we march out among the nations, 00:11:22.359 --> 00:11:24.759 they see a little picture of the love of God 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.439 and how we love one another. 00:11:29.339 --> 00:11:31.500 So this is the nature of what our love must look like. 00:11:31.599 --> 00:11:35.079 We must love one another earnestly with a love that stretches us. 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:38.840 But as we turn to the second point of our passage then, 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:42.240 we have to admit that this kind of love is a real challenge, isn't it? 00:11:43.300 --> 00:11:46.340 By definition, a love that stretches us doesn't come easily. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:53.440 And part of the reason it doesn't come easily is because, well, think about it. 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:57.639 It takes time and it takes energy and it takes resources. 00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:04.320 And, well, I'm just not sure I have enough time or energy or resources to do something like that. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:07.340 After all, I have a lot of things to do. 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:08.060 I have good things. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:10.639 I have important things and not a lot of time to do it. 00:12:11.400 --> 00:12:14.120 So I can't really stretch like this. 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:17.900 I think we all feel like that, don't we? 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:23.680 So does Peter have anything to say to us about that? 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.060 Well, he does actually. 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:36.039 In verses 23 through 25, he moves from telling us about the nature of love to a second point where he tells us about the ground of this love. 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:38.179 Where does this love come from? 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:40.119 Why are we able to love like this? 00:12:42.119 --> 00:12:44.799 Look again in our text, picking up at the end of verse 22. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:52.179 Love one another earnestly from a pure heart since, because you've been born again. 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:57.559 Not of perishable seed, but of imperishable through the living and abiding word of God. 00:12:57.740 --> 00:13:01.740 For all flesh is like grass and its glory like the flower of grass. 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:03.120 The grass withers. 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:04.719 The flower falls. 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:07.179 But the word of the Lord remains forever. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:10.219 And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:13.820 So what is the ground of our love for one another? 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.980 Where does this earnest, stretching love come from? 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:21.460 It comes from the fact, Peter says, that we've been born again by God's imperishable word. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:27.899 Notice how Peter emphasizes again and again the constancy, the permanence of God's word here. 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.960 God's word, he says, is imperishable. 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:31.560 It remains forever. 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:37.000 In a world where nothing lasts and everything fades, God's word is living and abiding. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.279 It goes on. 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:40.580 It gives life and it never goes away. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:43.179 And then Peter quotes Isaiah 40. 00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:46.360 And we read Isaiah 40 earlier in the service. 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:48.879 And in the context, what's Isaiah talking about? 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:52.360 Isaiah is talking about the Old Testament return from exile. 00:13:53.159 --> 00:14:00.240 God's people had been trampled by nations, seemingly more powerful, seemingly more permanent than they were. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:03.519 But Isaiah says, don't you see? 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:10.419 Don't you see that all flesh is like grass and all its glory like a flower of grass? 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:12.480 Consider these great nations, he says. 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:17.399 All their armies, all their monuments, all their rulers. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:22.360 Consider their glory, the wealth that they amass, the power that they wield. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.500 Do you see it? 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:27.240 It's ultimately like the grass of the field. 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:33.019 The sun rises, a season passes, and it withers and fades. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.559 All that glory. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.139 It's like a meadow flower. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:40.159 Beautiful for a day. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.580 But gone the next. 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.340 And Isaiah was right. 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:49.100 Babylon withered and fell. 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:51.419 Persia withered and fell. 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:54.379 Alexander's Greece withered and fell. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.399 Rome withered and fell. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:59.839 Everything moves from life to death. 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.599 From order to decay. 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:05.079 Everything is perishable and destined for dust. 00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:08.539 Except one. 00:15:10.219 --> 00:15:15.120 God is the one true living and abiding one. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:18.480 Who never changes and never fades. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:25.500 And therefore the word of this God must also be living and abiding, remaining forever. 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:34.080 To the Old Testament exiles, this meant that God's promise of return and restoration would stand. 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:36.620 His promise to bring them home would remain. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:41.980 Even if the mightiest nations seemed at present to rule the day. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:45.639 The word of God would stand and it would all fade. 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:52.960 But you know, as New Testament believers, we see the even greater promise. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:16:00.700 Because Peter says, this word, this is the good news that's been preached to you, Christians. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:05.560 The message of the apostles that they had heard and received. 00:16:05.780 --> 00:16:07.300 The good news about Jesus. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:11.920 This is the fullness of God's living and abiding word. 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:18.660 What the prophets foresaw was not just a word that brought a mere return from political or geographical exile. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:22.340 The word of the gospel has brought life from death. 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:31.120 This word, Peter says, it's the thing that's made you born anew. 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.800 You've come alive. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.840 And what is this gospel? 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:44.740 What is this message that the apostles proclaim that the prophets foresaw? 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:48.139 What is this message that the church continues to proclaim? 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:51.439 On the authority of the apostles' words preserved for us in Scripture? 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:54.139 What is this good news? 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:57.379 That can make us born again. 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.340 Come alive. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:03.220 Well, friends, this is the good news. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:08.299 And you see it throughout all the pages of Scripture and all the pages of the New Testament. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:12.700 The good news that there's one God who made us all. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:16.920 One God who's holy and just and good. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:23.100 And this God made us humans in his image to love and obey him. 00:17:24.060 --> 00:17:28.000 But instead of loving God and obeying him and loving one another, 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:30.220 instead we rebelled. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:33.160 And we decided to make ourselves kings. 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:35.779 And to pretend that we could save ourselves. 00:17:37.060 --> 00:17:39.560 And in rebelling against the living God, 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:43.759 we of course fell under the sentence of death. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:48.460 But God in his love saw us, 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:51.000 his sinful image bearers, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.640 languishing under the sentence of death. 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:57.299 And rather than destroying us in his justice, 00:17:58.299 --> 00:18:01.140 he became one of us in the incarnation. 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:05.539 In Jesus, God took on a fully human nature. 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:08.420 And after living a perfect life in our place, 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.680 the life that we should have lived, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:13.019 he loved us in the most sincere and earnest way imaginable. 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:16.359 In love, Jesus was literally stretched on a cross. 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:19.799 And he died the death that we deserve to die. 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.799 And then three days later, 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:24.979 God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, 00:18:26.439 --> 00:18:29.939 declaring his conquest of sin and death, 00:18:30.179 --> 00:18:32.819 so that all who turn to the Lord Jesus 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:34.919 and who are united to him, 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.539 not through good works, 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.819 not through trying hard, 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:39.899 but united to him simply through faith, 00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:42.660 will be forgiven of their sins 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:44.200 through his sin-bearing death 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:46.720 and given a new spiritual life 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.580 through his resurrection. 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.259 This is the good news. 00:18:50.780 --> 00:18:51.780 This is the gospel. 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.720 And Peter's telling us here 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.700 that this gospel, 00:18:56.060 --> 00:18:57.940 this truth about Jesus Christ 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:59.980 is the imperishable, 00:19:00.300 --> 00:19:02.259 living, and abiding word of God 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.680 that causes us to be born again. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.740 You know, when you hear the truth about Jesus, 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.500 you aren't just hearing 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.819 a sort of retelling of historical events. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:12.559 You're hearing the very word 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.799 of the living God. 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:17.799 And it's like a seed, Peter says, 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.579 full of power 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:22.920 to wake you up from your sleep, 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:25.019 to bring you from death to life. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.779 And Peter's point here is that 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:32.859 if God's word is imperishable and abiding, 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:36.220 then your rebirth by this word 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:40.059 is likewise imperishable and abiding. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:44.160 This new place of life 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:45.600 where God has brought you, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:48.120 you won't fall out of it 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.819 and you won't lose it 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:51.180 and it will never end. 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.700 We're no longer moving 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:55.799 from life to death 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.559 like the grass of the field, 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.100 but through the gospel, 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.240 we're moving from death 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.680 to increasing life. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.440 The spiritual principle 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:05.120 or power inside of us 00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:06.640 isn't a principle or power 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.259 that runs out or diminishes. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:10.580 It's always and ever living. 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.759 And this is where it all connects 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:16.100 to our call to love one another. 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.320 You know, we won't love 00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:20.259 one another earnestly. 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.039 We won't love one another 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:23.640 in a way that really stretches us 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:25.259 if we think that our lives 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.779 are simply like a clock 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:29.279 winding down eventually to run out. 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:32.059 If my days are finite, 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:36.359 I might love those who benefit me. 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:38.619 I might love those who love me, 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:41.279 but I won't love those who stretch me 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:43.839 because life's too short. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.099 But what if God, 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:51.480 through the gospel of his stretching love, 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:54.319 has stamped eternity onto my heart? 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:58.339 What if I'm a part 00:20:58.339 --> 00:21:00.659 of his forever kingdom 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:02.339 that never fades? 00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:04.319 What if I've been born again 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:06.419 with an imperishable seed? 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.919 If that's true, 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:12.200 then why not stretch 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:14.139 like he stretched for me? 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:16.059 Why not love earnestly? 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.240 What do I have to fear? 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.599 But then you look, 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:24.059 not just at yourself 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:24.879 and your own future 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.879 as it stretches out 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:26.819 into the eternity 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.039 of God's goodness and love. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.399 Look now at your fellow brothers 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:31.539 and sisters in Christ. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.579 Don't you see? 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:36.099 They too have been born again 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.480 by God's imperishable word. 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.639 They are going to be your family 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.980 forever. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:47.039 So the love that you show them 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:49.079 isn't some passing act 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.819 of kindness 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.819 or pity 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.639 or charity. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:53.640 The love that you show 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.420 to one another 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.980 is another brick 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.880 permanently laid 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:59.560 into the kingdom of God 00:21:59.560 --> 00:22:00.900 that will never fade. 00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:03.720 Look at your fellow church members. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.880 Don't you see how Christ 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.620 stretched out 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:07.680 his love over them 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.320 on the cross? 00:22:09.020 --> 00:22:10.420 Don't you see how treasured 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.740 they are in his eyes? 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:12.800 Don't you see 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:14.220 how they will be 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.420 his prize 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.560 for all eternity? 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:20.000 You know, 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.700 we'll stretch out 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.460 for our jobs, 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.339 we'll stretch out 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.799 for our reputations, 00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:24.619 we'll stretch out 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.740 for material comforts 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.379 and security, 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:29.379 but how could we not 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.139 stretch out 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:30.779 for the brothers 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.759 and sisters 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.799 that Jesus purchased 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.659 with his own blood? 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:39.000 So this is the ground 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.259 of Christian love, friends. 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:40.759 This is where 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.240 earnest, 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.480 strenuous love 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.099 comes from. 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:43.980 It comes from 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:45.559 the deep freedom 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.399 and security 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:47.179 of knowing 00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:48.539 that you've been born again 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.439 to eternal life 00:22:49.439 --> 00:22:50.859 by God's eternal word 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.679 and knowing 00:22:51.679 --> 00:22:52.259 that your brothers 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.119 and sisters in Christ 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.199 share that same 00:22:54.199 --> 00:22:55.299 eternal life with you. 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.619 So love earnestly, 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.459 Peter says. 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.740 Okay. 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:05.519 So Peter's shown us 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.399 the nature of this love 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:06.899 and he's shown us 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:08.179 the ground of this love, 00:23:08.219 --> 00:23:09.139 but how do we grow in it? 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:11.299 How do we expand it 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:11.839 more and more 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.399 in our hearts? 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:12.900 Well, that's where 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.680 Peter takes us 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.700 in chapter 2, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.660 verses 1 through 3. 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:16.440 He says, 00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:17.600 so, okay, 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.140 given everything 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:18.900 I've just told you, 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.640 so, put away 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.500 all your malice 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.220 and deceit 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:23.320 and hypocrisy 00:23:23.320 --> 00:23:23.860 and envy 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.740 and all slander. 00:23:25.840 --> 00:23:26.160 Instead, 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.780 like newborn infants, 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.620 long for the pure 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.600 spiritual milk 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.660 that by it 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.600 you may grow up 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:33.320 into salvation 00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:35.240 if indeed 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.660 you've tasted 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.660 that the Lord is good. 00:23:39.040 --> 00:23:39.840 So how do we grow 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:40.640 in this love 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.040 for one another? 00:23:41.040 --> 00:23:41.880 First, Peter says, 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.780 there are some things 00:23:42.780 --> 00:23:43.660 you need to put away. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.840 Okay, now that word 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.560 put away 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:47.980 is used a lot 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.980 in the New Testament 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.420 and it's used a lot 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.180 to describe 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.740 what we should do 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.840 with ungodly 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.640 or unloving 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.880 attitudes or behaviors. 00:23:56.520 --> 00:23:57.480 And the sense 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.300 of that word 00:23:58.300 --> 00:23:59.340 is that 00:23:59.340 --> 00:24:00.140 you're kind of 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:00.880 taking off 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.980 an old set of clothes. 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.300 You're taking off 00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:04.060 an old set of clothes 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:05.120 that doesn't fit you anymore, 00:24:05.260 --> 00:24:06.160 an old set of clothes 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.880 that you don't need. 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.420 You take it off 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.700 and you put it away. 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.740 Now there's something 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.740 deep being talked 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.240 about here 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.519 if we pause 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.100 to see it. 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.720 Peter isn't saying, 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.960 look, 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.620 just stop doing 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.240 all these things. 00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.340 You're lying, 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.200 stop lying. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.460 You're being hypocritical, 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.080 stop it. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.220 That's not exactly 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.840 what he's saying. 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.200 He's saying, 00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:32.900 you used to wear 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.580 those things. 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:36.059 You used to put them on 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.220 because you thought 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.819 you needed 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.839 to clothe yourself 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.339 that way. 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.839 But you don't need 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.699 to wear those clothes 00:24:42.699 --> 00:24:43.079 anymore. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.519 You can take them off 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.740 and put them away. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.099 Because think about it. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.139 Think about something 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.939 like envy. 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.319 Envy, right, 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:53.379 is wanting 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:55.119 what someone else has 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.519 and not liking them 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:56.980 for it. 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.220 But why do you need 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.000 to wear those clothes 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.419 of envy? 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.619 What was it you wanted 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.879 that that person had? 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.859 And why did you want 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.159 their beauty 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:10.960 or their prestige 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.579 or their home life 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.299 that they displayed 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.099 on social media? 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.019 Can you answer 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.639 that question? 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.159 I envy their 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:22.059 physical appearance 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.460 because I see 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.139 how other people 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:24.779 look at them. 00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:26.299 And I want other people 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.419 to look at me that way. 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.879 I want someone 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.619 to look at me 00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:30.319 the way people 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.899 look at them. 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.899 I want to be seen. 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:34.060 I want to be noticed. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.040 But Peter's saying, 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:37.740 you know, friend, 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.320 you can take 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:39.800 that garment 00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:40.580 of envy off. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.600 Put it away. 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.400 Because there is 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.380 one who sees you. 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.980 And there is one 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.740 who notices you. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.780 There is one 00:25:49.780 --> 00:25:50.200 who says, 00:25:50.280 --> 00:25:50.800 you're the apple 00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:51.420 of my eye 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.580 and I'm ravished 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.160 by the beauty 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.080 that I see in you. 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.320 And he's not just anyone. 00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.440 He's the king 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.240 of the universe. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.440 The Lord Jesus 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.019 sees you 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.759 as his bride 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.639 and as his beloved. 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.759 He moved heaven 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.139 and earth 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.859 to get you 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.839 and woo you 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.859 and win you. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.579 And you're jealous 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.660 of her because of him? 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:14.019 Why do you need it anymore? 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.420 You don't need envy anymore, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.319 so put it away. 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.099 Those clothes 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:20.079 don't fit you anymore. 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.980 It's the same 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.639 for malice 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.279 and deceit 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.079 and hypocrisy 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.579 and slander. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.639 The reason why 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.259 we put on 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.980 some of those clothes 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.819 might be different, 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:30.559 but in the end, 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.839 because of who God is 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.599 now for you 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.279 in the gospel, 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:35.759 you don't need those anymore. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.799 Those clothes 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.519 don't fit. 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.299 You used to be 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.259 a deceitful person 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.279 bending the truth, 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.599 telling white lies 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.460 because that's how 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.119 you used to keep 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.119 control of things. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.139 And after all, 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.319 if you're not in control, 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:47.980 who is 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.700 and who's going 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.539 to take care of you? 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.159 But look, 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.659 there is one 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.399 who has ordained 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:54.079 all things 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.679 according to the 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:55.619 counsel of his will 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.519 and in that 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.619 eternal plan, 00:26:57.939 --> 00:26:58.719 he loved you 00:26:58.719 --> 00:26:59.619 and chose you 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.379 before the creation 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:00.979 of the world 00:27:00.979 --> 00:27:02.459 and died for you. 00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:04.679 And now this great God 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:06.299 is working all things 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.379 for your good 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.679 to make you 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:09.679 more like his son 00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.699 so you don't need 00:27:10.699 --> 00:27:11.579 to wear those clothes 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.559 of deceit anymore 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:15.519 because God's in control 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.339 and he loves you. 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.599 So this is the first way 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:20.919 we grow, 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.359 Peter says. 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.079 We put off 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.059 and we put away 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.039 those practices 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.099 that we used to wear 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:26.179 that simply run 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:27.379 counter to love. 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.599 But there's a second thing 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.740 Peter mentions in verse 2 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.679 and this is kind of 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:32.319 the main point 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.399 of these first three 00:27:33.399 --> 00:27:34.279 verses of chapter 2. 00:27:34.459 --> 00:27:35.339 How do we grow up 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:36.119 into this salvation? 00:27:36.419 --> 00:27:37.799 How do we grow in love? 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.539 Like newborn babies, 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:41.039 Peter says, 00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:44.439 long for pure spiritual milk. 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.299 Notice that Peter's talking 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.599 about our desire here. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.799 He's telling us 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.159 to long for something 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:54.939 with a strong desire 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:57.799 He's saying the key 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.440 to loving 00:27:58.440 --> 00:28:00.400 is more than merely 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.840 exercising your will 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:03.039 and it's more than merely 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:04.320 convincing your mind. 00:28:04.580 --> 00:28:05.620 It's about stoking 00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:06.440 your desire. 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.539 Now growing in love, 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.240 yes, yes, 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:10.860 growing in love 00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:11.880 involves your intellect 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:13.019 and involves your will 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:14.259 but it's not merely 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.500 an intellectual exercise. 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.360 You can't simply 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:19.140 think yourself 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.720 into becoming 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.700 a more loving person 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:22.000 and it's not merely 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.440 a volitional exercise. 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.140 You can't simply 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.240 just decide one day 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.120 to become a more 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:26.779 loving person. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.700 You've tried that. 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.220 It doesn't work. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.799 It has to happen 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.880 from the inside out. 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.779 We have to long 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.400 for something. 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:38.700 Peter says, 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.299 we have to long 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.860 for something 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:41.160 the way newborns 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.120 long for milk. 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:44.799 But what is this milk 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.900 that Peter's talking about? 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.120 This milk that's 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.460 pure and spiritual? 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:48.620 Well, 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.319 what's Peter 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.299 just been talking about? 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.799 He's talking about 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.420 God's word, 00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.920 the good news 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:59.019 that's proclaimed to you. 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.380 So you see 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.180 what Peter's saying here. 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.620 He's saying, 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.380 he's saying, 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:03.940 Christians, 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.120 the gospel doesn't 00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:06.180 just give us birth 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.819 spiritually. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.900 The gospel's 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.740 what grows us 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.480 spiritually too. 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.880 It's the deep nourishment 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.960 that our hearts need 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.259 to change and grow. 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:16.859 as we drink deeply 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.579 from the fountain 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.500 of God's grace 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.200 and his word. 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:20.559 It's not just our minds 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.599 getting more information. 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:23.059 It's not just our wills 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.019 getting more instruction. 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.279 It's our hearts 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.720 feasting on what 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.920 can truly satisfy. 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.200 After all, 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.680 Peter says, 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.160 haven't you tasted 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:33.079 that the Lord is good? 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.160 The Lord who stretched 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:37.319 himself out for you. 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.259 Haven't you experienced 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.819 his goodness? 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.160 And if so, 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:45.420 why are you trying 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.700 to find something else 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:48.200 that will make you 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.240 a more loving person? 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.200 Remember what the 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:53.040 Apostle John says 00:29:53.040 --> 00:29:53.820 in his first letter, 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.640 we love 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.420 because he first 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.060 loved us. 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:58.519 The only thing 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.200 that will loosen 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.660 the grip of fear 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.240 or pride 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.840 or insecurity 00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:02.640 or vanity, 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.380 all the things 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:03.940 that keep us 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.460 from genuinely 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.420 loving one another, 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:06.279 the only thing 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.019 that's going to break 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.600 those chains 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.100 is the love 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:09.279 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.700 in the biblical gospel. 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:12.880 And we have to 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.640 keep going back 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:15.000 to it like a newborn 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.620 to milk, 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.380 hungry to drink 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:17.900 our fill. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.220 But Peter isn't 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.600 saying here 00:30:22.600 --> 00:30:23.160 that the gospel 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.700 is some sort 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.880 of simplistic thing. 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.059 He's not sort 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.860 of saying the gospel 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.640 is milk and then 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:28.319 one day you move 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.000 on to meat. 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.860 No, do you remember 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.600 what he said back 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.200 in chapter 1, 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.799 verse 12? 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.940 The gospel's the thing 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.980 that angels long 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.640 to look into. 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.740 It's the very wonder 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.299 of heaven. 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.779 It's the diamond 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.839 that will be turned 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.920 and turned 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.920 and turned 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:45.880 and fresh flashes 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.480 of beauty 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.120 and light 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.819 will continue 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:49.000 to stream forth 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.880 and the wonder 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:50.500 will last 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.460 for all eternity. 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.220 And that's why 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.700 Peter says, 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:56.519 long for it now. 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.519 Go after it 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.599 like a newborn 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.980 goes after their bottle. 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.980 Because every ray 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:04.220 that flashes forth 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.519 from this diamond 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.420 has the power 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.640 to grow you 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:09.259 into this great salvation. 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:11.320 It's the biblical gospel 00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:12.200 that's going to help 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:13.580 you fill out 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:14.960 this new set of clothes 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.580 you've been given. 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:18.460 So that's why 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.279 when we sing 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.019 as a church 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.500 we pick songs 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.039 that are rich 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.860 with God's word. 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.039 And that's why 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.759 when we preach 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.640 we try to turn 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.340 this diamond 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.240 again and again 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.259 and help us see 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.960 how the gospel 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.580 speaks fresh 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:30.340 to our hearts. 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.320 And that's why 00:31:31.320 --> 00:31:32.279 we do the Lord's Supper 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.560 because Jesus commanded 00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:34.380 this in his word 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:35.180 as a means 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:36.060 to experience 00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:36.640 the gospel 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:37.259 of his body 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.279 broken and bloodshed 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.820 for us. 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:41.820 Now how about 00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.539 during the week 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.200 for you? 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.539 Are you finding 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.420 ways to long 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.140 for this pure 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.039 spiritual milk? 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.700 Are you finding 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.580 ways to listen 00:31:51.580 --> 00:31:52.720 to read 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.680 to meditate 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.480 to memorize 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.360 God's word 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:56.840 so that the grace 00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.519 of the gospel 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.600 gets down deep? 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.380 Now you might not 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:03.060 feel like 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:04.079 you're gazing 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.500 in wonder 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.000 at a diamond 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.480 every time 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:05.940 you sit down 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.639 to read your Bible, 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.019 right? 00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:08.740 My Bible reading 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.500 plan right now 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.119 has me in the book 00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:10.579 of Job. 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.539 Sometimes that's 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:12.940 pretty long 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.759 it's a long slog 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.220 through the book 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:14.519 of Job, 00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:14.859 okay? 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.519 Like we can all 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.039 admit some of 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.679 those places. 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.139 But be encouraged. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.659 You're still 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.359 taking in 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.039 the nourishing 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.859 milk of the word. 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.839 It's growing you 00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.779 even at times 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.299 when you don't 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:27.779 feel it. 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.259 Now if you're 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.000 struggling how to 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.599 figure out 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:31.980 how to do 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.500 this on your 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:32.759 own, 00:32:32.959 --> 00:32:33.639 how to long 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.179 and drink 00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:34.759 in the milk 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.319 of the word 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:36.079 on your own 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:36.740 during the week, 00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:38.139 talk to someone. 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:38.839 Ask for help. 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:39.240 Talk to your 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.919 small group leader 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.759 or a mature 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.519 Christian friend. 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:42.799 Ask them for help 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.459 in how you might 00:32:43.459 --> 00:32:44.779 long for and drink 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.719 in the pure 00:32:45.719 --> 00:32:46.419 spiritual milk 00:32:46.419 --> 00:32:46.859 of the word. 00:32:46.939 --> 00:32:47.459 We all need 00:32:47.459 --> 00:32:48.399 help along the way. 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.299 Don't be afraid 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.980 to ask. 00:32:51.459 --> 00:32:52.439 But don't rest 00:32:52.439 --> 00:32:53.899 until you've 00:32:53.899 --> 00:32:54.359 found a way 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:54.839 to drink, 00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:56.299 to let your 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.419 desires be filled 00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:58.059 by the one 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.919 who created 00:32:58.919 --> 00:32:59.519 your desires 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.299 in the first place, 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.059 the Lord Jesus 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.419 Christ. 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.119 Who indeed 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:02.759 is good. 00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.319 And here's 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.939 what we'll find. 00:33:08.179 --> 00:33:09.039 As we keep 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.719 coming back 00:33:09.719 --> 00:33:10.199 to God's 00:33:10.199 --> 00:33:10.639 living and 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:11.399 abiding word, 00:33:11.719 --> 00:33:12.139 the written 00:33:12.139 --> 00:33:12.939 word of scripture 00:33:12.939 --> 00:33:14.159 that proclaims 00:33:14.159 --> 00:33:15.159 the saving news 00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:16.039 of God's grace, 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:17.139 as we keep 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:18.019 coming back, 00:33:18.719 --> 00:33:19.659 we'll grow 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:20.179 in love. 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.119 Love not just 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.659 for God, 00:33:23.199 --> 00:33:23.980 but for one 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.299 another. 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.659 And the clothes 00:33:26.659 --> 00:33:27.219 that we wear 00:33:27.219 --> 00:33:27.899 will no longer 00:33:27.899 --> 00:33:28.519 be the clothes 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.179 of malice 00:33:29.179 --> 00:33:30.119 and envy 00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:30.839 and deceit, 00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.919 because we 00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:32.319 won't need 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:32.819 those clothes 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.259 anymore. 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.679 Instead, 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.419 as we march 00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:36.139 forth among 00:33:36.139 --> 00:33:36.879 the nations, 00:33:37.179 --> 00:33:38.279 as we live 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:38.959 as the church, 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:39.480 the people 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.000 of God, 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.859 the clothes 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.699 that we wear, 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.939 our distinguishing 00:33:42.939 --> 00:33:43.500 mark, 00:33:44.699 --> 00:33:45.279 will more 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:45.619 and more 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.399 be genuine, 00:33:46.959 --> 00:33:48.259 earnest love 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:48.959 for one another 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:51.079 and will be 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.960 known in the 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.400 way Jesus 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:52.940 wanted us 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.519 to be known 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.940 by our 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.259 love. 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.200 Let's pray 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:57.500 together. 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:03.759 Father, 00:34:03.840 --> 00:34:04.220 we ask that 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.539 by your 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:04.880 spirit, 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.259 you would 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:05.920 continue to 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.640 stoke in us 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:07.299 a longing 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:08.320 for your 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.699 word 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:12.299 and help 00:34:12.299 --> 00:34:12.779 our hearts 00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:13.179 to put 00:34:13.179 --> 00:34:13.639 away 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:15.319 the unloving 00:34:15.319 --> 00:34:15.919 practices 00:34:15.919 --> 00:34:17.039 so that we 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.739 might genuinely 00:34:17.739 --> 00:34:18.739 and earnestly 00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:19.259 love one 00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:19.619 another. 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:21.899 God, 00:34:21.939 --> 00:34:22.299 we admit 00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:22.639 that it's 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.019 hard 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.119 and we 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.460 admit that 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.059 we failed, 00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.519 so would 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:26.899 you forgive 00:34:26.899 --> 00:34:27.159 us, 00:34:27.319 --> 00:34:27.399 Lord? 00:34:29.439 --> 00:34:30.039 But we 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.839 also know 00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:31.659 that you've 00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.000 given us 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.460 your spirit 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:32.779 to make 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.339 it possible, 00:34:33.339 --> 00:34:33.779 so help 00:34:33.779 --> 00:34:34.039 us to 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:35.299 trust in 00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:35.719 that and 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.119 in you 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:38.239 and to 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:38.659 go forth 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:39.119 to love. 00:34:39.899 --> 00:34:40.299 We pray 00:34:40.299 --> 00:34:40.599 this in 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:40.819 Jesus' 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.099 name. 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:41.359 Amen.