WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.660 read or hear about someone who has destroyed their credibility 00:00:06.660 --> 00:00:09.919 and it's no one's fault but their own. 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:12.759 Jesse Smollett. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:17.019 He's the poster child of someone doing that right now. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:24.679 But what he's done is not something new. 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:28.679 People have been doing that, well-known people, 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:30.500 obscure people. 00:00:31.559 --> 00:00:35.060 People have been doing that since the Garden of Eden. 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:41.480 You can think of individuals well-known or in your family 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:45.539 or among your friends who did some things 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:51.679 that it appears they destroyed their credibility. 00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:54.659 It happens to Christians. 00:00:54.659 --> 00:01:00.759 In fact, one of the most well-known Christian leaders of all time, 00:01:01.279 --> 00:01:05.819 Simon Peter, the leader of Jesus' disciples, 00:01:07.479 --> 00:01:11.319 he almost destroyed his credibility. 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:14.519 Most of you in here, you know the story. 00:01:15.779 --> 00:01:22.519 He appeared to have just blown it all when, right after Jesus was arrested, 00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:27.979 Peter was asked not once, not twice, but three times, 00:01:28.139 --> 00:01:31.459 do you know him or you are one of his? 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:35.239 And all three times, Peter said, no. 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:37.659 I don't even know the man. 00:01:39.239 --> 00:01:43.539 Now, that's well-known among Christians. 00:01:44.759 --> 00:01:51.379 But do you remember what happened before Peter did that? 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:54.479 Before Jesus was arrested, 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:59.060 Jesus prayed this for Peter. 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:00.379 Look at it. 00:02:00.379 --> 00:02:01.420 It's in Luke 22. 00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:07.439 Jesus said, I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. 00:02:08.079 --> 00:02:11.460 And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. 00:02:12.740 --> 00:02:14.280 By God's grace, 00:02:16.019 --> 00:02:20.060 Peter did not destroy his faith or his credibility. 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:23.219 After he denied Jesus, 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:26.960 the scripture tells us he went out and he was broken. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:30.360 He truly repented. 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:36.080 He came back as a strong Christian, Christian leader, 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:38.560 and pillar of the early church. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:42.520 He did exactly what Jesus prayed he would do. 00:02:43.140 --> 00:02:45.460 He strengthened his brothers. 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:48.340 He did that to the very end of his life, 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:52.039 as recorded in his last letter, 2 Peter. 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:54.120 If you would, turn there with me this morning. 00:02:54.860 --> 00:02:57.640 2 Peter, chapter 3, 00:02:57.939 --> 00:03:01.000 the last letter that this disciple, 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:04.960 who appeared to have messed up his life, 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:06.659 destroyed his credibility, 00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:09.140 but he came back. 00:03:11.480 --> 00:03:14.680 This is not the focus of the message this morning, 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:16.280 but I want you to know this. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:23.479 If you have royally messed up some things in your life, 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:30.080 maybe you've done some things just within your family 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:33.120 or to a certain friend 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.680 or where you work 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:37.659 or where you did work. 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:40.680 You've done some things that 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:45.039 it appears you have lost your credibility. 00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:47.859 I want you to not give up. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:50.879 By the grace of God, 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:55.060 if Peter could come back from what he did, 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:57.819 you can come back as well. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:00.039 Sometimes it takes time. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:04.959 Sometimes it requires God working in some other people's lives 00:04:04.959 --> 00:04:06.680 to forgive you 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:09.019 and to show you grace. 00:04:10.579 --> 00:04:15.479 But God can work in all kinds of situations, 00:04:15.579 --> 00:04:16.240 and he does, 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:21.159 to rescue us when we blow it, 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:23.939 as in a case like Peter. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:27.279 2 Peter, chapter 3, 00:04:27.740 --> 00:04:28.839 beginning in verse 13. 00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:31.719 We're going to continue to look at 00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:34.979 how God expects us, 00:04:35.179 --> 00:04:36.259 commands us, 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:38.679 to live in this world 00:04:38.679 --> 00:04:42.179 until we see Jesus face to face. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:44.719 Now that day is going to come 00:04:44.719 --> 00:04:45.899 for every single one of us in here. 00:04:46.859 --> 00:04:49.279 One day we're going to see Jesus face to face. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:52.479 It'll be the day that we die. 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:54.919 You know, we looked at that 00:04:54.919 --> 00:04:56.099 a few weeks ago. 00:04:56.179 --> 00:04:56.839 We did a series, 00:04:57.219 --> 00:04:58.379 what happens after we die, 00:04:58.379 --> 00:04:59.920 what happens after Christians die. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:01.319 And we looked at 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:03.219 from several different passages of Scripture, 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:05.360 when we close our eyes in death 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:06.519 in this world, 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:10.079 we're going to open them again immediately 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:11.600 in the presence of Jesus. 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:15.079 So one day, 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:17.860 we're all going to be face to face with Jesus. 00:05:19.219 --> 00:05:20.879 Either right after we die, 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:25.420 or we could be alive when He returns to this world. 00:05:25.420 --> 00:05:29.360 And we'll see Him when He comes back. 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:32.480 But the point that Peter is going to make 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:33.540 in this passage is, 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:38.800 it matters how we live until that day. 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:41.839 God holds us accountable 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:44.259 for how we live our lives 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:46.740 day in and day out in this world. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:48.560 Let's read it. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:50.079 2 Peter chapter 3, 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:51.319 beginning in verse 13. 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:53.800 But according to His promise, 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:56.060 we are waiting for new heavens 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:57.199 and a new earth 00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:00.300 in which righteousness dwells. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:02.139 Therefore, beloved, 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:05.180 since you are waiting for these things, 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:07.959 be diligent to be found by Him 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:09.600 without spot or blemish 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:11.379 and at peace. 00:06:12.039 --> 00:06:13.779 And count the patience of the Lord 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:14.539 as salvation, 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:17.159 just as our beloved brother Paul 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:18.780 also wrote to you 00:06:18.780 --> 00:06:21.100 according to the wisdom given Him, 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:22.960 as He does in all His letters 00:06:22.960 --> 00:06:25.420 when He speaks in them of these matters. 00:06:26.080 --> 00:06:27.420 There are some things in them 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:28.540 that are hard to understand, 00:06:29.260 --> 00:06:31.520 which the ignorant and unstable 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:34.640 twist to their own destruction, 00:06:35.440 --> 00:06:37.040 as they do the other scriptures. 00:06:37.820 --> 00:06:39.000 You, therefore, beloved, 00:06:39.700 --> 00:06:41.180 knowing this beforehand, 00:06:41.900 --> 00:06:44.840 take care that you are not carried away 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:47.239 with the error of lawless people 00:06:47.239 --> 00:06:49.560 and lose your own stability, 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:53.859 but grow in the grace and knowledge 00:06:53.859 --> 00:06:56.259 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:06:56.919 --> 00:06:58.819 To Him be the glory both now 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.560 and to the day of eternity. 00:07:01.239 --> 00:07:01.559 Amen. 00:07:04.059 --> 00:07:05.979 God cares how we live right now. 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:11.099 Here's what we looked at last week. 00:07:11.979 --> 00:07:13.839 Get serious about your character. 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:17.459 As we live life in this world, 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:20.659 right up till the day we die 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:21.579 or Jesus comes, 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:24.019 God wants us to be serious 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:25.139 about who we are 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:26.439 in terms of our character. 00:07:26.599 --> 00:07:27.419 Look at verse 14. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:28.379 He says, 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:30.159 Be diligent to be found by Him 00:07:30.159 --> 00:07:32.519 without spot or blemish 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:33.779 and at peace. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:35.939 That was what we looked at last week 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:37.039 in a lot of detail. 00:07:37.859 --> 00:07:39.239 So let's just hit some highlights here. 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:41.959 God calls each one of us 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:43.299 to develop and demonstrate 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:45.480 Christian character in two ways. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:46.720 A lot of ways really, 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:48.259 but two in this passage. 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:48.759 Number one, 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:49.920 live a pure life. 00:07:50.460 --> 00:07:51.400 That's what He's talking about 00:07:51.400 --> 00:07:51.759 when He says, 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:53.520 without spot or blemish. 00:07:54.280 --> 00:07:55.620 Purity matters to God. 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:57.800 And as I said last week, 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:58.759 some people look at that 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:00.019 and they just automatically think 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:01.120 about sexual purity 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.740 and it certainly matters to God. 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:04.420 But God cares about 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:07.220 how we live in every realm of our lives. 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:10.000 God cares about us 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:13.120 being morally pure 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:15.440 in our own minds 00:08:15.440 --> 00:08:16.240 and what we think 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:17.380 when nobody else knows. 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:19.200 He cares about us 00:08:19.200 --> 00:08:20.220 being morally pure 00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:21.720 in our speech. 00:08:22.580 --> 00:08:24.020 The way we talk to people 00:08:24.020 --> 00:08:24.700 and about people. 00:08:25.940 --> 00:08:26.480 And obviously, 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:27.320 God cares about 00:08:27.320 --> 00:08:28.400 our moral purity 00:08:28.400 --> 00:08:30.360 and just the way we live. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:32.720 That includes 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:36.700 our private lives 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:39.180 when nobody else is around, 00:08:40.180 --> 00:08:41.460 nobody else sees, 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:44.820 as well as our public life. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:46.460 A lot of you know 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:49.399 a well-known concept 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:51.000 or definition of character. 00:08:52.040 --> 00:08:52.960 Character is defined 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:54.420 by how we are 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:55.600 when no one's looking 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:58.100 just as much 00:08:58.100 --> 00:08:59.779 as when 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:00.920 everyone is looking. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:03.600 God wants us to live 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:05.879 pure lives. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:06.860 It matters. 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:08.820 God also wants us 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:09.920 to live a peaceful life. 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:10.659 Look at that word, 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.580 not just spotless 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:14.480 and blameless, 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:15.360 but at peace. 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:17.500 It's important 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.139 that we live 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.220 at peace 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:19.720 with God 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:20.460 and other people. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:22.820 But the point here 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:23.820 seems to be 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:25.320 the character quality 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:25.879 of peace. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:26.420 And peace is 00:09:26.420 --> 00:09:27.200 the character quality. 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:29.700 We've done a study 00:09:29.700 --> 00:09:30.680 on Wednesday nights 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:32.260 on the fruit of the Spirit 00:09:32.260 --> 00:09:33.020 not too long ago. 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:35.440 Paul lists 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:37.900 in Galatians chapter 5 00:09:37.900 --> 00:09:40.160 a list of character qualities 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:40.700 that he calls 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:41.540 the fruit of the Spirit 00:09:41.540 --> 00:09:42.340 and one of them 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:42.879 is peace. 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:44.800 Now, 00:09:44.800 --> 00:09:46.500 one of the best ways 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.480 for us to develop 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:48.680 such peace 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:50.400 is to truly 00:09:50.400 --> 00:09:52.160 trust God 00:09:52.160 --> 00:09:53.800 that He is both 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:54.500 wise 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:56.639 and sovereign. 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.579 That means 00:09:58.579 --> 00:09:59.719 we need to learn 00:09:59.719 --> 00:10:00.559 to trust God 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:02.259 that He's wise. 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:03.759 He always knows 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:04.679 what's best, 00:10:05.319 --> 00:10:06.039 what's right 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:06.759 for us. 00:10:07.599 --> 00:10:08.199 And because 00:10:08.199 --> 00:10:08.819 He's sovereign, 00:10:08.979 --> 00:10:10.259 He always has 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:10.799 the ability, 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:11.439 the power 00:10:11.439 --> 00:10:13.099 to bring it about 00:10:13.099 --> 00:10:15.379 when He wants to 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:16.659 and in the way 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.259 He wants to. 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:19.460 If we'll learn 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.480 to trust God 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:21.259 like this 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:23.179 instead of worrying, 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.679 peace will be 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:27.139 the result. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:27.980 I want you to look 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.100 at what Paul says 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.679 in Philippians chapter 4 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:32.500 along this line. 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:33.759 He says, 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.659 Do not be anxious 00:10:34.659 --> 00:10:35.659 about anything, 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:37.500 but in every situation 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.639 by prayer 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:39.439 and petition 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:41.500 with thanksgiving 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:43.559 present your requests 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:44.620 to God. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:45.980 and the peace 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:46.560 of God 00:10:46.560 --> 00:10:47.799 which transcends 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:48.940 all understanding 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.779 will guard your hearts 00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:52.259 and your minds 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.700 in Christ Jesus. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:56.620 We can develop 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:58.060 this character 00:10:58.060 --> 00:10:58.720 quality 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:00.039 of peace, 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:02.320 of wellness, 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:04.519 rightness 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:06.120 when we learn 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.039 to trust God, 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.320 take things to Him 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:08.840 in prayer 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:10.039 instead of worrying 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.720 about it 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.620 because He has 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:13.240 the power 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.279 and the ability 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:15.660 to actually 00:11:15.660 --> 00:11:17.120 do things 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:19.019 that will work out 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:19.680 in the way 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:21.120 that's best for us. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:22.779 Trust Him. 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:23.759 Now, 00:11:24.060 --> 00:11:25.100 we also saw last week 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:25.840 that God calls us 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:26.259 to put forth 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.100 our best effort 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.620 to develop such character. 00:11:28.920 --> 00:11:30.040 Look at the first words again. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.160 Be diligent 00:11:31.160 --> 00:11:33.399 to be found by Him 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:34.000 without spot 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.460 or blemishing 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:34.920 at peace. 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:36.759 God's actually 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:37.320 commanding us 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:38.519 to try hard 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:40.139 to live like 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:41.000 the Christian 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.919 that He has 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:44.720 already made us. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.379 This doesn't mean 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:47.860 try hard 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:48.360 to make yourself 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.019 right with God. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.799 I emphasized 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:52.720 that last week. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.319 We are saved 00:11:54.319 --> 00:11:55.759 by God's grace, 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:57.720 His undeserved favor 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:59.500 through faith 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.659 in Jesus 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.740 and what He's done 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.600 not what we've done. 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:05.139 When God saves us 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.139 He puts His Spirit 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:06.960 in us. 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.660 The Holy Spirit 00:12:08.660 --> 00:12:09.860 works in us 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.660 from the time 00:12:11.660 --> 00:12:12.360 we're saved. 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.280 He works in us 00:12:14.280 --> 00:12:15.100 throughout our lives 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:16.500 and He's the one 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.519 who gives us 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:19.000 desires 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.800 to please God. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:22.560 You know, 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:23.220 sometimes when you 00:12:23.220 --> 00:12:24.240 think right 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:24.820 and you know 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:25.780 you think better 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:26.519 than other people, 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:28.120 you have better desires 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.060 than a lot of people 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:29.540 maybe that 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:31.120 you work with, 00:12:31.400 --> 00:12:32.200 some of your classmates. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.900 Don't pat yourself 00:12:33.900 --> 00:12:34.560 on the back. 00:12:34.900 --> 00:12:35.680 If you're a Christian 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.720 that's the Spirit of God 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:37.480 working in you, 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.080 giving you 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:39.120 those kind of desires 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.060 and He'll not only 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.960 give you those desires 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:43.320 but Scripture tells us 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:45.399 He will work in us 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:46.600 to enable us 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:48.200 to act on them, 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:49.860 to do them. 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:50.899 Again, 00:12:51.420 --> 00:12:52.220 from last week, 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:53.399 Philippians 2.13, 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:54.840 for it is God 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.740 who works in you 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:56.820 both to will 00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:57.940 and to work 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:59.340 for His good pleasure. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.680 Peter's telling us 00:13:00.680 --> 00:13:01.480 here in verse 14, 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.399 in effect, 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:05.680 put forth your best effort 00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:06.240 to cooperate 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.159 with the Holy Spirit 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.840 so that you can be 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.600 pure 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:11.480 and peaceful, 00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:13.320 a pure and peaceful 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:13.980 Christian. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:14.920 Now, 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.840 let's move on. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:16.899 The next way 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:17.320 to get ready 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:17.899 to meet Jesus 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.639 face to face 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.460 whenever that will be 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.700 is this, 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:22.360 make the most 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:24.180 of God's patience. 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.159 Have you ever thought 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.200 about how patient 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.220 God is 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:29.220 and why? 00:13:30.060 --> 00:13:30.240 Well, 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.000 let's look at it. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.019 This is going to be 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:33.040 in verses 15 00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:33.580 and the first part 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.279 of verse 16. 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:35.360 He says, 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:36.740 and count the patience 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.600 of our Lord 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.540 as salvation. 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:39.779 God's giving us 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.639 time to be saved. 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:41.940 And count the patience 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:42.519 of our Lord 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.160 as salvation. 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:45.040 Just as our 00:13:45.040 --> 00:13:46.879 beloved brother Paul 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:49.000 also wrote to you 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.139 according to the wisdom 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.820 given him 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:52.139 as he does 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.060 in all of his letters 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:53.680 when he speaks 00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.200 in them about 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:55.360 these matters. 00:13:56.560 --> 00:13:57.519 Peter is describing 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:59.419 God as being patient 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:01.539 and that's his way 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.199 of explaining 00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:03.019 why Jesus 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.860 has not come back 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.539 into this world. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.819 We'll look at it 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:08.159 later on next week. 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.559 Peter is combating 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:12.659 false teachers. 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:15.019 People in the church, 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.720 people who came 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.399 into the church 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.699 and caused all kinds 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:18.220 of problems 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:18.860 because they were 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.559 teaching things 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.279 that were wrong, 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:20.799 that were leading 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:21.659 people astray. 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:22.679 And one of the things 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:23.179 they were teaching 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:23.679 is this. 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:26.899 These New Testament 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.980 leaders like Peter, 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:28.699 Paul, 00:14:29.579 --> 00:14:30.559 they've been saying 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:31.179 for years 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:32.079 that Jesus was 00:14:32.079 --> 00:14:32.740 coming back. 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:33.519 Well, he hasn't. 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:35.959 And the reason he hasn't 00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:37.139 is he's not going to. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.879 And so Peter's responding, 00:14:41.539 --> 00:14:41.939 they don't know 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.699 what they're talking about. 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:45.240 The reason that Jesus 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.240 has not returned 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.500 to this world yet 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:49.759 is because God 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.840 is being patient 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.980 with people, 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:54.539 giving them time 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:57.000 to be saved. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.439 I want you to look 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.839 back at verse 9. 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:00.679 We didn't read it, 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.360 but we're in 2 Peter 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:02.919 chapter 3, 00:15:02.959 --> 00:15:03.459 verse 9. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:03.819 It's going to be 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:04.439 on the screen. 00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:06.879 Peter explains this 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.439 in more detail. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:09.279 The Lord is not slow 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.419 to fulfill His promise, 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:12.620 as some count slowness, 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.539 but is patient 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.439 toward you, 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:17.279 not wishing that 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.620 any should perish, 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.519 but that all 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:22.480 should reach repentance. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.659 Now think about 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.200 what He's saying. 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.960 People are saying, 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.340 Lord's never coming back. 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:31.539 It's been this long, 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.300 He never will. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.800 But Peter is saying, 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.240 no. 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.220 The reason that Jesus 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.240 has not yet returned 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.220 is because God 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.879 is patiently 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.600 waiting, 00:15:42.539 --> 00:15:43.720 working in people's lives, 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.480 giving them time 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.500 to repent. 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.139 And Peter points out 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.120 that Paul 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:51.300 taught the same thing 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.699 in His letters. 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:54.879 Now, 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:56.759 we don't know 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.500 which letters. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.259 It could have been, 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:01.939 for example, 00:16:02.599 --> 00:16:03.120 Romans. 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:05.139 Here's why I say that. 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:06.679 Paul emphasized 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:08.199 not only God's patience, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.759 but also His kindness 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.519 in this statement. 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.139 Look at it. 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.799 He says, 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.659 do you presume 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.740 on the riches 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.500 of His kindness 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:20.360 and forbearance 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.500 and patience, 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.779 not knowing 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:24.259 that God's kindness 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:26.639 is meant to lead you 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.740 to repentance? 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:29.740 Now, 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:30.419 I want us to just 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.100 pause here 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.899 for a few minutes 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.559 and think about 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:34.879 that God is patient. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:37.779 He's patient with us. 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.779 He's patient with people 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.740 who do not believe. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:44.000 God's patience 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:46.100 reveals His love, 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:47.980 His mercy, 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:50.100 and His grace. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.419 I don't know 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:54.100 what everyone's concept 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.740 of God is. 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.620 Some people have 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.539 a warped view 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:58.060 that God's in heaven 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.399 looking down on us, 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.019 waiting for us 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.840 to get out of line 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.740 so He can inflict 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.600 some kind of pain 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.500 or punishment on us. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:05.359 That couldn't be 00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.279 further from the truth. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.240 These passages 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.819 that I'm reading 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.460 from Romans, 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.720 here from 2 Peter, 00:17:12.439 --> 00:17:13.779 God's patience 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:16.419 reveals that He's 00:17:16.419 --> 00:17:17.419 a God of love, 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:18.139 of mercy, 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.939 of grace. 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.899 God does not 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:22.740 want to destroy people. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:25.299 He wants to save people. 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:27.000 Peter's telling us. 00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:29.799 But when Jesus 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.019 returns to this world, 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.679 the truth is 00:17:32.679 --> 00:17:34.179 the time for salvation 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:35.879 will be over. 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:40.240 At the time of death, 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:43.180 our time of salvation 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:43.740 will be over. 00:17:44.260 --> 00:17:45.700 Whatever a person's 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.900 spiritual condition is, 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.460 at the moment 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.980 they see Jesus, 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:51.140 whether it be through 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.080 death or His return, 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.460 at the moment 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.080 they see Jesus, 00:17:54.260 --> 00:17:54.700 at the moment 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.780 we see Jesus, 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.660 our eternal destiny 00:17:58.660 --> 00:18:01.300 is determined. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.940 It is fixed. 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.620 It is permanent. 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.980 As we saw a few weeks 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.900 ago in another study, 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:10.799 that means 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.980 it'll either be 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.920 joy in heaven 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.820 or torment 00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:18.240 in hell. 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.400 That's the reality. 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.660 The fact that Jesus 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.539 has not yet come back 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.100 to this world 00:18:24.100 --> 00:18:25.720 is because God 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:27.580 is being patient 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:28.860 with people. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:30.679 Right now, 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.379 God is waiting 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.259 for more and more people 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.699 to repent of their sin 00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:34.679 and trust Jesus 00:18:34.679 --> 00:18:35.839 as their Lord and Savior. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.139 I'm going to touch on this 00:18:37.139 --> 00:18:37.979 a little bit later on, 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.000 but right now, 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:41.619 if you have family members 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.059 and friends 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.939 who are not Christians, 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.419 you need to take this 00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:45.159 and make it personal. 00:18:46.459 --> 00:18:47.679 God is being patient, 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.899 waiting on 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:50.139 your loved one, 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.099 your friend. 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.399 And it may be 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.119 that God is 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:56.599 patiently waiting 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.539 for you 00:18:57.539 --> 00:19:00.519 to share the gospel 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.579 with that person. 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.599 And through 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.759 your witness, 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:07.000 God's going to draw 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.899 them to faith in Jesus. 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.799 Don't discount 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:13.379 that reality, 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.179 that possibility. 00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:15.679 Now, 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.059 if you're not 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.579 a Christian, 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:20.279 what Peter is saying, 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.039 what Paul is saying, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:23.279 this means that God 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.599 is patiently waiting 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:26.159 for you right now. 00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:28.279 Also, 00:19:28.719 --> 00:19:30.419 if you are a Christian 00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:33.039 and you're living 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.759 in rebellion 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.419 against God, 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.379 if you're a Christian 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:37.379 and you know 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.959 just as well 00:19:38.959 --> 00:19:39.879 as you're sitting there, 00:19:40.939 --> 00:19:43.019 I'm not right with God 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.000 and I know why 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:46.939 and I'm just not willing 00:19:46.939 --> 00:19:47.939 to do anything about it. 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.159 I want you to know 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.759 the fact that you are 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.819 alive and here 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.440 and hear that 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.079 and understand that, 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.519 that is God being patient. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.879 Because you are 00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.879 presuming upon 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:00.619 His grace 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.079 and mercy 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.779 and love 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:05.460 by still being 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.140 rebellious. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:08.960 So, 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:11.019 think about 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.019 as we move on here, 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.759 this applies 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.460 to both Christians 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.240 and unbelievers. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.000 God is being patient, 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.519 but Paul says, 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:23.539 God's also being kind. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.920 Look at it again. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.059 God's kindness 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.019 is meant 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.619 to lead you 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.139 to repentance. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.480 Let's think about 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.039 how God 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.460 shows us 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.279 patience 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.680 and kindness 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.799 or patient kindness. 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:38.319 Think about 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.339 how He does this 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:41.480 in your life 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.259 if you're not a Christian. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.460 But also 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.299 in your life 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.500 if you are a Christian 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.119 and especially 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:47.519 if 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.720 you just won't 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.480 listen to God. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.740 You won't 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.299 obey Him 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.680 right now. 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.859 Maybe God's 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:56.639 kindness toward you 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:57.339 is in the form of 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:59.119 you have good health. 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.299 Your family 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.980 life 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.619 is great. 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.000 You've got 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.660 good friends 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.400 who love you, 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.639 care for you. 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.519 Maybe God's 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.519 patience 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.779 and kindness 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.220 with you 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.620 is seen 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:18.000 in your 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.019 athletic ability, 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.500 your musical talents. 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:23.940 Maybe God's 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.400 patience 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.240 and kindness 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.600 toward you 00:21:26.600 --> 00:21:28.720 is seen 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.160 in just 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:31.400 the good ways 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:31.860 God 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.339 has just 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.440 blessed you. 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.019 But if you're 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.759 away from Him 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.940 as a Christian 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:39.319 or as an unbeliever, 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.900 He's intended, 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:41.519 He wants you 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:41.740 to see 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.319 these good things 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.779 as signs 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.180 of His 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.960 kindness 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.619 and patience, 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.579 He wants you 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.240 to come to Him. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.059 Let that goodness 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.779 bring you 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.139 to Him. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.259 Maybe God 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.559 is 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:54.980 showing His 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.779 patient kindness 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.460 by preventing 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.680 you from 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:00.660 reaping 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.099 the 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:02.160 sinful 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.099 seeds 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:04.379 you have 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:04.700 sown. 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:07.500 the 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.740 scripture 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.460 talks about 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:08.819 something 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.160 that a lot 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.319 of people 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.700 refer to 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.460 as the 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.140 law of the 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.500 harvest. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.360 We reap 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:13.100 what we 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:13.480 sow. 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.059 But maybe 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.660 you can think 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.160 right now, 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.640 I've sown 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.100 some pretty 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:20.160 bad seeds 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:23.340 and nothing's 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:23.640 happened. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.700 That's God 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.400 being patient. 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.160 That's God's 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.559 kindness. 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:29.700 kindness. 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.359 But don't 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:32.259 presume that 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.960 just because 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.339 the crop 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.039 hasn't come 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.500 in yet 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:35.799 that it 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.319 won't ever. 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.700 We reap 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.159 what we 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:39.500 sow. 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:40.879 That's a 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.399 biblical 00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.119 principle. 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.039 And I 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.299 want to 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.879 encourage you 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.539 before you 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.159 have to 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:48.019 haul in 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.379 that 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.419 harvest, 00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.399 listen to 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:52.740 the Lord 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.299 and obey 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.619 Him. 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:56.859 Confess 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.599 that sin. 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.919 put your 00:22:58.919 --> 00:22:59.519 trust in 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.039 Christ. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.559 Don't 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.719 presume upon 00:23:02.719 --> 00:23:03.139 God's 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:03.639 patience. 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.039 It could 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.559 be that 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:05.899 God's 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.319 showing you 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.079 His 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.679 patient 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.199 kindness 00:23:08.199 --> 00:23:09.959 by helping 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:10.679 your family 00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:11.519 and friends 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.659 to not 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.459 give up on 00:23:13.459 --> 00:23:13.959 you even 00:23:13.959 --> 00:23:14.399 though you've 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:14.819 given them 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.399 reason to 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:15.879 do that. 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.740 It may 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.039 be that 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.619 right now 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:21.459 your 00:23:21.459 --> 00:23:22.779 spouse 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.219 or your 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:23.719 children 00:23:23.719 --> 00:23:24.719 or your 00:23:24.719 --> 00:23:25.319 parents 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:28.079 they have 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.579 every reason 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.019 in the world 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.539 just to 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.460 let you 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:30.839 go 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:33.419 because of 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:33.619 the way 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.079 you've 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:34.819 mistreated 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.179 them, 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.099 dishonored 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.439 them. 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.319 It may 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.639 be that 00:23:39.639 --> 00:23:40.159 you've lost 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:40.399 some 00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:40.899 credibility 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.700 or maybe 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.599 all credibility 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:42.980 in their 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.700 eyes but 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.059 by the 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.519 grace of 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.099 God they 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.579 are being 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.220 patient 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.200 with you 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.000 and waiting 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.419 for you 00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:48.919 to wake 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:49.319 up. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.679 Waiting 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.039 for you to 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.460 get right 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:52.919 with God 00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:53.319 and then get 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:53.799 right with 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.079 them. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:57.460 maybe God's 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.879 kindness 00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:59.220 is in the 00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.659 form of 00:23:59.659 --> 00:24:00.319 allowing you 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.659 to have 00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.039 some kind 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.899 of serious 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:02.759 problem 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:04.879 to wake 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:05.419 you up 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:06.139 spiritually 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:08.039 before it's 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.559 too late. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.980 I have a 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.960 Christian friend 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.579 who was living 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.139 in rebellion 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.919 against God 00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:14.679 at one point 00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:16.639 and God 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.339 put them 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.619 in the 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.079 hospital 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.659 with a 00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:19.179 sudden 00:24:19.179 --> 00:24:20.299 physical 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.480 problem 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:24.759 and as 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.059 it turned 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.279 out 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.680 that was 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.220 an act 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.759 of God's 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.220 kindness 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.400 because that 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.200 interruption 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.440 that hospital 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.339 stay 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:34.960 disrupted 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.839 the plan 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.379 to carry 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:36.960 out some 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.619 sinful 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.900 behaviors 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:41.519 and when 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:41.980 all was 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.339 said and 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:42.619 done 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.220 they did 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.079 not act 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.480 on 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.799 those 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.420 sinful 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.779 plans 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.059 they had 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.559 made. 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:50.920 God's 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.619 kindness 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:53.079 intervened 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:53.939 but through 00:24:53.939 --> 00:24:54.539 the hospital. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.179 I have 00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:56.399 another 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:56.699 Christian 00:24:56.699 --> 00:24:56.960 friend 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.079 who 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.379 rebelled 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:57.659 against 00:24:57.659 --> 00:24:58.039 God 00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.619 and did 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.339 not repent 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.000 until he 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.699 had lost 00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.500 everything 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.379 his wife 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:06.000 his job 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.139 and his 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.679 reputation. 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:11.000 He finally 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.379 woke up 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:15.579 truly repented 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.299 came back 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.859 to God 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.419 but he 00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.019 never got 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.859 his wife 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.899 or his 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.439 job 00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:21.299 or his 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.839 reputation 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.439 back. 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.000 He did 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.699 lose 00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:26.559 much 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:28.639 in that 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.259 process. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.220 If you're 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.539 not a 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:31.799 Christian 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.240 the fact 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.519 that you 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.099 are alive 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.359 and hearing 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.919 this message 00:25:33.919 --> 00:25:34.559 is an 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.099 expression 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.039 of God's 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.879 patience 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:38.480 and kindness 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.679 that also 00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.179 applies to 00:25:41.179 --> 00:25:41.539 you if you 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.059 are a 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.399 willfully 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:44.480 disobedient 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.079 Christian. 00:25:46.699 --> 00:25:47.519 But the 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:47.980 day will 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.419 come 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:50.599 God's 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:50.939 patience 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.840 will end. 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.680 God is 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.380 truly loving 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:54.680 but he 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.220 is also 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.779 holy. 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.320 God 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.400 loves us 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:00.740 but he 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.440 cannot allow 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.180 our sin 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:02.559 to go 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.240 unpunished. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.940 The good 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.380 news of the 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:05.799 Bible is 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.100 that God 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.580 provided a 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.460 way to 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.660 express both 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.759 his love 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:11.140 and his 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.360 holy justice. 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.900 He did 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.220 that by 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:14.880 sending Jesus 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.299 into this 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.340 world to 00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:16.759 take the 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.460 punishment for 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.460 our sins. 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.860 God 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.980 was dying 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.240 on the 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.600 cross. 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:22.960 He took 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.519 our sins 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.240 upon himself 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.519 and he 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.299 experienced 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:26.860 God's 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.340 wrath. 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:27.720 He 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.200 experienced 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.860 the punishment 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.799 that we 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.240 deserved. 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:32.819 Jesus 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.880 suffered what 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.160 we could 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.880 consider the 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:35.680 torment of 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.779 hell as he 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.240 died on the 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.519 cross. 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.220 The pain, 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.079 the torment 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.559 of being 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.319 separated from 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.579 God. 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.299 That's why he 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:41.940 cried out as 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.259 he hung on 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.600 the cross, 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.380 my God, 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.799 my God, 00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:44.319 why have you 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.100 forsaken me? 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:46.740 God had 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.379 turned away 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.219 from him 00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:49.259 as he was 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.779 our sin 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.679 bearer 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:53.359 taking our 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:53.819 punishment. 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.919 But there on 00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:56.439 the cross as 00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:56.839 he did that, 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.519 he paid the 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.240 penalty for our 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.000 sins in full, 00:26:59.419 --> 00:27:00.539 which means 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.539 when he cried 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.000 out at the 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.459 end, 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.619 before he 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.399 died, 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.219 it is 00:27:06.219 --> 00:27:06.899 finished. 00:27:08.199 --> 00:27:08.659 It means 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.779 everything 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.359 necessary for 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:10.659 us to be 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:11.279 right with 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.459 God has 00:27:12.459 --> 00:27:13.000 been done. 00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:13.779 The penalty 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.379 for our sin 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:14.660 has been 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.180 paid. 00:27:16.300 --> 00:27:16.900 Jesus died 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.140 and was 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.540 buried, 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.720 but God 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.300 raised him 00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:19.620 from the 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:19.920 dead, 00:27:20.280 --> 00:27:21.160 and when he 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.580 raised him 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:21.700 from the 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:21.900 dead, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.420 that shows 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:22.760 us that 00:27:22.760 --> 00:27:23.180 God has 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.760 accepted 00:27:23.760 --> 00:27:24.360 Jesus' 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.080 sacrifice 00:27:25.080 --> 00:27:26.560 for us. 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.340 By raising 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:28.900 Jesus from 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.260 the dead, 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.460 God is 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.920 saying, 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.040 Jesus has 00:27:32.040 --> 00:27:33.540 defeated sin 00:27:33.540 --> 00:27:34.960 and death 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.880 and the 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.160 devil. 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.660 He's won 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.760 that victory 00:27:38.760 --> 00:27:40.160 for us. 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.300 This is the 00:27:41.300 --> 00:27:41.740 gospel. 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.520 This is the 00:27:43.520 --> 00:27:44.300 good news of 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.079 God's gracious 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:46.180 salvation through 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.700 faith in 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.119 Jesus. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.579 But this 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.700 gospel requires 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:51.200 our response. 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.079 It's not 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.579 enough just to 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.099 believe these 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.700 facts. 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:55.899 We've got to 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.879 respond to what 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:58.180 Christ has done 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.639 for us. 00:27:59.440 --> 00:27:59.980 We've got to 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.720 repent of our 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.240 sin, change 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.899 our mind about 00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.680 it, own up to 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.619 it, turn from 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:04.859 it. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.379 We've got to 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.019 put our 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:09.180 personal trust, 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.500 faith, confidence 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:12.399 in Jesus as my 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:12.700 Savior. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:15.080 and commit 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.620 my life to 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.680 Him as my 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.100 Lord. 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:18.880 Here's what I 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.220 want to ask 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.420 you. 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:21.000 Have you made 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.600 this kind of 00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:22.140 commitment? 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.039 Have you made 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.539 this kind of 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.500 response to the 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:25.960 gospel? 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.539 Everyone in here, 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.180 have you made 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.559 this kind of 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.059 response? 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.620 If not, 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.799 will you do it 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.059 now? 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.279 Will you cry out 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.720 to God, 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:38.799 confessing your 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.440 sin, turning 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.360 from it, putting 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.059 your faith in 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.279 Jesus, calling 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:42.779 upon Him to 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.259 save you? 00:28:43.459 --> 00:28:44.099 If you'll do 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.799 that right now, 00:28:44.899 --> 00:28:45.240 the Scripture 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.899 says, whoever 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:46.559 will call upon 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:46.879 the name of 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.639 the Lord will 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.459 be saved. 00:28:50.699 --> 00:28:51.359 But I know 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.719 that the 00:28:51.719 --> 00:28:52.159 overwhelming 00:28:52.159 --> 00:28:52.899 majority of 00:28:52.899 --> 00:28:53.179 people in 00:28:53.179 --> 00:28:55.339 this room, you 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.259 would say, I've 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.559 done that. 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.039 I've done that a 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.659 long time ago. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.799 Well, here's what 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.119 I want us to 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.519 understand. 00:29:01.439 --> 00:29:02.319 If we are 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:04.359 Christians, there 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:05.679 will be evidence 00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:07.379 to show that. 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:09.240 I had a real 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.400 encouraging 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.460 conversation this 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:13.160 past week with 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.720 a man, late 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.300 30s, early 00:29:15.300 --> 00:29:15.880 40s. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.260 He's got a 00:29:18.260 --> 00:29:20.220 real demanding 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:22.380 job, wife and 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:22.900 children. 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.480 He's got a very 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.660 busy life. 00:29:27.300 --> 00:29:28.300 But in the 00:29:28.300 --> 00:29:29.100 conversation with 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.840 this guy, I 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.240 found out he is 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.960 not only very 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.640 active in his 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.760 church, but he 00:29:33.760 --> 00:29:35.280 is a real student 00:29:35.280 --> 00:29:36.620 of the Bible. 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:39.360 And he was 00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:40.280 telling me that 00:29:40.280 --> 00:29:41.400 he was concerned. 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.720 There was no 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.980 pride or arrogance. 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.040 There was no, you 00:29:46.040 --> 00:29:46.760 know, look at me 00:29:46.760 --> 00:29:47.380 and putting people 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.620 down. 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.640 He's talked about 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.440 how he was so 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.660 concerned that just 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.540 around him, among 00:29:51.540 --> 00:29:52.300 his family members 00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:53.320 and friends, in his 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:54.280 church, there's so 00:29:54.280 --> 00:29:55.260 many people who 00:29:55.260 --> 00:29:55.940 claim to be 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.640 Christians, but 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.500 there's absolutely 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.720 no evidence in 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.680 their lives that 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:02.380 the Lord's ever 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:03.260 changed them or 00:30:03.260 --> 00:30:03.980 the Lord has even 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.720 reeled them now. 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:09.240 Do you 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.020 understand that? 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.400 Do you 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.160 understand that if 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.680 a person is a 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:15.180 Christian, if you're 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.680 a Christian, you 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.580 will experience the 00:30:16.580 --> 00:30:18.080 presence of the 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:19.640 Holy Spirit within 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.020 you. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.560 Romans chapter 8 00:30:22.560 --> 00:30:23.380 tells us if the 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:24.000 Spirit of God does 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.860 not live in us, we're 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.460 not Christians. 00:30:26.020 --> 00:30:27.100 But Romans 8 also 00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:28.080 tells us that if the 00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:28.800 Spirit of God lives 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:30.160 within us, he will 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:32.920 so work in us to 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:34.200 give us this sense 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:36.380 notice that God is 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.360 our Heavenly Father 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:39.819 and enable us to 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:41.380 truly pray and 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.920 call Him Father. 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.400 That's the Spirit of 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.559 God living within us. 00:30:47.080 --> 00:30:48.120 That's in addition to 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:49.140 what we said earlier, 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.240 how He gives us the 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:51.720 desire and the 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.640 ability to please 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.039 God. 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.500 But think of this, 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.180 if the Holy Spirit's 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.740 living within us, when 00:30:57.740 --> 00:31:00.259 we fail to please 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:02.680 God, the Spirit will 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:06.920 grieve us, inflict 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:10.700 guilt on us, and 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:12.060 move in us to cause 00:31:12.060 --> 00:31:13.340 us to want to 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.539 confess our sin to 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.640 God and be forgiven 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:18.140 and be restored to a 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:19.060 right relationship with 00:31:19.060 --> 00:31:19.160 Him. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.900 That's what the Spirit 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.660 of God will do. 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.039 If we're Christians, 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.299 we, right now, we 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:26.360 should understand the 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.860 Spirit's presence and 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.740 how He works in our 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:30.180 lives in some ways. 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.180 He's real. 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:33.320 If we're Christians, 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.560 our family members and 00:31:35.560 --> 00:31:38.060 friends will see 00:31:38.060 --> 00:31:41.120 evidence that Jesus 00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:43.160 has changed my life. 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:45.680 He is changing my life. 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.840 People will see, people 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:50.400 will just see the 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.799 presence of the Lord, 00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:53.480 the power of the Lord, 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:55.220 in some way, not in a 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:57.140 perfect way, but in some 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.820 way in your life. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:32:00.060 If we're Christians, we 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:01.159 understand, we should 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:01.960 understand that saving 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.659 faith is continuing 00:32:03.659 --> 00:32:04.279 faith. 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.359 And it will be evident 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:07.779 for everyone to see. 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.519 You know, when Jesus 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.319 talked about things like 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.779 this, about how we 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.679 should live, He talked 00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:13.980 about how a tree should 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.379 be known by its fruit. 00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:18.659 People should be known 00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:20.980 by the kind of 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:24.059 character quality fruit 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:27.259 fruit their lives put 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.779 forth. 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:31.000 Paul described such 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:32.599 spiritual fruit in terms 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.399 of character qualities 00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:35.000 like love and joy and 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.240 peace and patience and 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.879 kindness and goodness and 00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.960 faithfulness and gentleness 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:40.299 and self-control. 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.599 Paul also talked about in 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:45.279 Colossians 3 that a part of 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:47.480 Christian living involves 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:50.659 killing sin within us, 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:52.740 turning from it, 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:56.560 dying to things like 00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:57.860 sexual immorality, 00:32:58.620 --> 00:33:00.779 impurity, anger, 00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:04.480 slander, obscene talk, 00:33:05.580 --> 00:33:06.120 lying. 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:10.160 See, the New Testament is 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:12.259 telling us that being a 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.759 Christian involves far more 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:16.500 than just saying, I trust 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:16.960 Jesus. 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.640 Far more than just being 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:20.580 baptized, far more than 00:33:20.580 --> 00:33:21.700 just coming to church. 00:33:22.780 --> 00:33:26.080 A Christian is someone who 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:28.240 is growing by the grace of 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.960 God more and more, 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:33.420 developing Christ-like 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:34.000 character. 00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:35.420 Paul describes it this way, 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:37.060 for those whom He foreknew, 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:39.640 He also predestined to be 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:41.580 conformed to the image of His 00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:41.880 Son. 00:33:42.040 --> 00:33:42.759 That's how Paul is 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.580 describing Christians. 00:33:44.040 --> 00:33:46.940 Those He foreknew, God 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:49.240 predestined them to be 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.740 conformed to the image of 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.100 His Son. 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.080 And God does that through 00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:53.640 His Spirit who indwells us. 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.960 Hear this clearly. 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:58.240 If your life does not 00:33:58.240 --> 00:34:01.460 produce any evidence that 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:04.160 the Bible says a Christian 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:08.139 will show forth, then you 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:09.039 shouldn't consider yourself to 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.480 be a Christian. 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:12.099 See, you don't get to define, 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:14.380 I don't get to define what a 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:14.940 Christian is. 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.760 Bible does that. 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:17.200 God does that for us. 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.920 And when we examine our 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.880 lives in light of what the 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:22.039 Scripture says a Christian 00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:24.920 is and how a Christian lives, 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.980 that's how we have to 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:28.340 evaluate ourselves. 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.740 As we think about God being 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:34.119 patient and giving people time 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:37.920 to be saved, do you have 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:39.639 family members and friends who 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:40.360 are not Christians? 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:46.860 God is patiently waiting for them. 00:34:48.760 --> 00:34:50.920 God is giving them time to 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:52.400 repent and trust Jesus. 00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:55.200 Could it be that God is 00:34:55.200 --> 00:34:58.720 patiently waiting for you to be 00:34:58.720 --> 00:35:00.059 the one to share the gospel with 00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:00.240 them? 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:03.500 The second Sunday of this year, 00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:09.800 I preached a message about us 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:12.519 taking on the responsibility to 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:14.179 develop relationships with people 00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:15.920 who are not Christians who are 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:17.079 already in our lives. 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:19.380 I passed out a paper that had 00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:21.340 concentric circles, people in your 00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:23.500 family, your immediate family, 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:26.079 your extended family, classmates, 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:28.400 work associates, neighbors, friends, 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.239 all these kind of things. 00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:31.099 And I asked you to think about 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:33.039 just a few people who might fit in 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.159 that category who's not a 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:36.159 Christian and to pray for them 00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:37.639 and develop a relationship with 00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:39.819 them and ask God to give you an 00:35:39.819 --> 00:35:40.899 opportunity to share the gospel 00:35:40.899 --> 00:35:41.359 with them. 00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:43.559 Have you done that? 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:47.739 Are you still thinking of them, 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:49.839 praying for them, working with 00:35:49.839 --> 00:35:51.959 them, looking for an opportunity to 00:35:51.959 --> 00:35:53.619 share the gospel with them? 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:57.599 If you're not, I want to encourage 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:59.339 you to start today. 00:36:01.739 --> 00:36:03.360 Consider that God's being patient 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:05.679 with that person that you love and 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.920 you want to spend eternity with. 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:10.159 Be thankful that God's being 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:12.019 patient, but get involved. 00:36:12.139 --> 00:36:13.799 Ask God how you should be involved. 00:36:14.799 --> 00:36:15.819 Share the gospel with them. 00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:19.159 All of us need to let it sink in 00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:21.619 this morning that while God is 00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:25.659 patient with us, his patience is not 00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.960 unlimited. 00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:30.460 Time is running out. 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:33.299 We all need to listen to the Lord 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:37.399 and respond to his patient call. 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:40.119 And we need to do it right now. 00:36:41.339 --> 00:36:43.199 We need to do it as the writer to the 00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:45.799 Hebrews warns us. 00:36:46.799 --> 00:36:47.779 Final thought. 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:49.980 This is from Hebrews chapter 3. 00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:52.799 See to it, brothers and sisters, 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:55.780 that none of you has a sinful, 00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:58.880 unbelieving heart that turns away 00:36:58.880 --> 00:37:00.060 from the living God. 00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:02.560 But encourage one another daily as 00:37:02.560 --> 00:37:04.060 long as it is called today, 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:07.100 so that none of you may be hardened 00:37:07.100 --> 00:37:09.440 by sin's deceitfulness. 00:37:10.260 --> 00:37:12.300 We have come to share in Christ, 00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:15.900 if indeed we hold our original 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:19.920 conviction firmly to the end. 00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:21.820 Let's pray. 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.720 Dear God, 00:37:24.740 --> 00:37:26.860 show us now how we should respond. 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:31.380 Show us, Father, how we should 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:34.680 demonstrate our gratitude for your 00:37:34.680 --> 00:37:36.800 patience and your kindness. 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:42.059 Help us, Father, not to presume upon it. 00:37:43.659 --> 00:37:45.280 And help us, Father, not to wait 00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:46.360 until it's too late. 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:50.440 In an attitude of prayer, 00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:52.280 you just do what God's calling you to do. 00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:55.800 I would be happy to pray with you. 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:59.880 But you listen to God and obey Him.