WEBVTT

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 2018 is winding down, as I'm guessing everybody knows,

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 and a new year is rapidly approaching.

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 It's a good time to take a step back

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 and sort of take stock of the last year

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 and reflect on 2018 a little bit.

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 Many of us in this room would look back

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 and point to significant life events,

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 whether it's difficult health things,

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 whether it's job transitions,

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 whether it's new life added to our family,

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 going off to college, etc., and so forth.

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 Others would look back and say,

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 we're still kind of waiting to see how this decision is going to pan out.

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 We had to make some kind of decision here,

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 but we're still kind of unsettled about the results that we see.

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 It's also not just a time to look back and reflect,

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 but a time to look forward, right?

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 That's why we have these New Year's resolutions

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 that some of us will be making.

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 We wonder with anticipation,

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 what is 2019 going to bring?

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 There will be upcoming milestones,

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 just like there are past milestones.

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 Graduations, retirements,

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 sending our children off to college, and so on.

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 One of my favorite things to do in this season of the year

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 is not just to reflect on kind of what has happened in my life,

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 but to reflect on what God has done

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 and to look forward in anticipation

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 of what He is going to do in the future.

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 Commend this practice to you, church.

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 It's so sweet.

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 And if we're honest, we'd look back on 2018

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 and we'd be able to point,

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 all of us in this room could testify

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 to the ways that God has been faithful.

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 Maybe He's given you strength

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 to complete a major work project

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 that you've been working on for a long time,

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 and by His grace, you endured,

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 and you persevered,

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 and you did something that you could be proud of.

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 Maybe He's provided a new friend for you

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 just at the right moment

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 when you felt desperate for fellowship.

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 Maybe you've just sensed His ongoing presence

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 and comfort to you in the midst of hard things.

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 But even that, you'd say He's faithful.

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 He hasn't gone anywhere.

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 He's here.

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 And we've all sensed His loving correction, right,

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 that has grown us into greater and greater degrees

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 of godliness and faithfulness to Jesus.

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 We should be expecting more of the same in 2019.

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 Our lives are just chock full of the reality

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 of the grace of God.

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 And it's because of this child born to us, isn't it?

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 The Christ who was born in a manger

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 in the city of Bethlehem,

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 who lived this perfect life in obedience to God the Father,

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 who shed His blood for us on the cross

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 and then was raised victoriously from the dead.

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 The past work of Jesus

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 is why we can point to the faithfulness of God

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 day in and day out.

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 But not just that, right?

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 Now the risen and radiant and reigning King Jesus

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 is coming back one day

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 for all of His people

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 to redeem creation,

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 to eradicate sin,

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 to wipe every tear from the eyes

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 of His long-enduring people.

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 These realities,

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 the Jesus Emmanuel, God with us,

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 and His return at some point in the future,

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 they bookend our very lives

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 here in Kenosha, Wisconsin

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 on December 30th, 2018.

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 And they do it every single day of our lives.

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 So we must say that He is worthy of praise.

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 He is worthy of all of our praise

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 day after day after day.

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 His provisions,

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 His mercy,

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 His love,

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 His protection and correction.

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 We serve and know a God

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 who is deserving of all of our thanks and praise.

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 And this is what our text in 1 Peter

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 is really all about today.

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 The praiseworthiness of God.

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 If you haven't,

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 I invite you to turn to 1 Peter chapter 1.

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 God's call from this text this morning is

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 pretty straightforward.

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 Lord,

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 in light of the praiseworthiness

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 of our God,

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 church,

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 we are to persist

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 in praising

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 the God of our salvation.

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 To persist

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 day in and day out

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 in the good times

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 and in the bad,

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 in the highs and lows,

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 in the big transitions,

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 in the monotonous daily routines.

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 We are to have a heart of praise.

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 We're to be postured

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 to persist

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 in praising Him

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 in all things.

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 Persist in praising

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 the God of your salvation,

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 church.

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 If you've got one resolution

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 to make in 2019,

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 make it this.

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 Persist in praise.

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 Well, the context of our passage

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 this morning,

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 we can kind of

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 walk through it

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 from verses 1 and 2.

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 We see that it's Peter,

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 an apostle of Jesus Christ,

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 who is writing to

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 this group of people.

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 Now, this is the Peter

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 who's walked with Jesus

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 as one of His 12 disciples.

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 He saw Him

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 transfigured

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 and shiny bright

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 on the mountain.

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 He saw the empty tomb

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 and he saw the nail-pierced hands

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 of His risen King.

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 And he writes,

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 with all of the authority

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 bestowed from Jesus

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 on an apostle.

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 It's the very Word of God.

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 And we see the readers then

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 in verse 1 as well

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 that these folks

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 who Peter identifies

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 as elect exiles.

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 And they're in Asia Minor,

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 not unlike the churches

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 that John has been writing to

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 in the book of Revelation

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 that we've been in.

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 Very similar kind of location

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 in the world.

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 And in calling them

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 elect exiles,

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 Peter essentially says,

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 chosen nomads.

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 They're handpicked

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 for the kingdom of God

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 and then they're handed

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 a suitcase saying,

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 you're just going to be

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 kind of not home yet.

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 And yet possessed by God.

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 Bound for an eternity

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 in a homeland.

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 The new Jerusalem.

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 In verse 2,

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 we see these amazing

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 theological claims

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 surrounding this status

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 as elect exiles

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 that we can't really

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 get into a ton,

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 but essentially,

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 here's what Peter's saying

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 in verse 2

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 to these folks.

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 Their status,

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 their identity,

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 is foreknown

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 by the plan of God,

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 the Father.

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 And it is by the power

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 of the Holy Spirit

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 that they have both

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 been handpicked

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 out of their current

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 situation into this

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 new reality

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 and will be sustained

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 in it until the end.

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 That's the sanctification

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 of the Spirit.

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 We see the aim,

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 the goal of it

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 is for obedience

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 to Jesus Christ

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 and for sprinkling

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 with His blood.

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 This is covenant language.

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 The obedience

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 of the people of God

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 that is sort of

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 pointed to

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 and officially

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 kind of sanctioned

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 by the sprinkling

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 of sacrifice.

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 Peter's pointing back

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 to Exodus chapter 24.

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 So here's who's writing

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 and who he's writing to.

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 Folks not too much

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 unlike us today.

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 This sermon,

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 the way we're going to

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 walk through this passage

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 now is a sermon

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 brought to you

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 by the letter R.

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 Billy has inspired me

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 to try and get

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 some repeated letters.

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 So we're going to

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 give it a shot.

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 So if you look

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 in verse 3,

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 we're going to see

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 the first R.

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 It's the recipient

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 of our praise.

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 Peter starts out

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 after kind of

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 addressing formally

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 his audience.

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 Blessed be the God

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 and Father

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 of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Our praise is aimed.

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 It doesn't meander.

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 It's focused

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 on the one

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 who Peter identifies

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 as worthy

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 of all praise.

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 He's the one

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 who created

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 the universe,

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 sustains it

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 powerfully

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 right now

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 and forever.

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 He exercises

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 sovereign control

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 over all things.

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 The king's heart

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 is like water

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 in the hand

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 of the Lord

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 and he makes

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 armies do his bidding

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 around the world.

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 He is present

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 everywhere

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 at all times.

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 He never gets tired.

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 He never takes naps.

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 He never changes.

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 He's all powerful,

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 all knowing,

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 all wise.

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 He is holy,

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 holy,

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 holy

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 and righteousness

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 and justice

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 are the foundation

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 of his throne.

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 This God

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 is perfect

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 and his greatness

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 is unsearchable.

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 It's no wonder

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 that this word

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 blessed

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 every time it shows up

00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:02.779
 in our New Testament

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 is reserved

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 for this person,

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 this being,

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 God,

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 who is deserving

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 of all of our praise.

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 He's not just

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 somewhat worthy

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 or sometimes worthy,

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 right?

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 But totally

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 and forever

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 worthy.

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 the God

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 and Father

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 of our Lord

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 Jesus Christ

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 is now

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 and forever

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 the only one

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 worthy of all

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 of our praise.

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 That's who Peter

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 says is to receive

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 the praise

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 of his people.

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 And if we knew

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 nothing else

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 about God

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 other than this

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 kind of descriptive

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 list,

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 we'd have

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 infinite reason

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 to praise him.

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 But if we keep

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 reading in verse 3,

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 we come to the second R,

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 we see the reason

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 that Peter

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 is going to give us

00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:50.000
 to praise

00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.320
 this God.

00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.960
 Look at verse 3

00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:55.639
 and we see this

00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:57.799
 astonishing reason.

00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.220
 He has caused us

00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.899
 to be born again.

00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:07.659
 There's a bunch of

00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:09.139
 phrases and terminology

00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.019
 surrounding that,

00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:10.980
 but before we kind of

00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:12.000
 get into all of those

00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:12.639
 details,

00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.740
 let's just kind of

00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:15.379
 savor this reality.

00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:16.519
 It's the core

00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.559
 of what Peter's saying,

00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:19.159
 why God is worthy

00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:20.100
 of praise.

00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:21.840
 Because he has

00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.659
 caused us

00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:24.139
 to be born again.

00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.120
 What does Peter

00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:27.980
 mean by this?

00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:30.360
 Essentially,

00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.299
 it means that God

00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:32.579
 creates new life

00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:33.519
 where there previously

00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.240
 was none.

00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.679
 It's not unique

00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:39.480
 to Peter.

00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:41.600
 The Apostle Paul

00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:43.259
 in 2 Corinthians 5.17

00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.720
 says it this way,

00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.800
 if anyone is in Christ,

00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:48.120
 he is a new creation.

00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.820
 The old has passed away,

00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:51.180
 behold,

00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.220
 the new has come.

00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:54.860
 In Ephesians 2,

00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:55.360
 verse 10,

00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:56.040
 he says that

00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:57.720
 we are God's workmanship

00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:00.180
 created in Christ

00:12:00.180 --> 00:12:00.779
 Jesus

00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:02.680
 for good works.

00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:02.799
 Jesus.

00:12:04.859 --> 00:12:05.599
 This is sounding

00:12:05.599 --> 00:12:06.120
 a lot like

00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:06.979
 Genesis 1.

00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:08.879
 In the beginning,

00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.819
 God created the heavens

00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:10.239
 and the earth.

00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:10.519
 He said,

00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:11.159
 let there be light

00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:11.779
 and there was light.

00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:13.899
 God saw the light,

00:12:14.599 --> 00:12:15.519
 saw that it was good.

00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.439
 Except this is now

00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.079
 talking about

00:12:19.079 --> 00:12:20.319
 the spiritual birth

00:12:20.319 --> 00:12:21.079
 of Christians.

00:12:21.319 --> 00:12:21.699
 God says,

00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:22.739
 let there be a Christian

00:12:22.739 --> 00:12:23.779
 and there was a Christian

00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:26.239
 where there formerly

00:12:26.239 --> 00:12:26.919
 was not.

00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:26.959
 God.

00:12:28.599 --> 00:12:30.059
 The Gospel of John

00:12:30.059 --> 00:12:30.539
 gives us

00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.939
 the same kind

00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:32.539
 of language.

00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:34.719
 In John's introductory

00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:36.120
 remarks of chapter 1

00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.120
 in verses 12

00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:38.139
 and 13,

00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:39.079
 he says,

00:12:39.579 --> 00:12:40.099
 for everyone

00:12:40.099 --> 00:12:41.240
 who receives Jesus

00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:42.120
 and who believes

00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.679
 in Him,

00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.039
 God has given the right

00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:45.939
 to become children

00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:46.779
 of God.

00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:47.879
 And then listen

00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.500
 to how he says

00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.899
 it's born not of blood,

00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:52.519
 not of the will

00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.240
 of the flesh,

00:12:53.339 --> 00:12:53.879
 nor of the will

00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.319
 of man,

00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:55.419
 but of God.

00:12:55.419 --> 00:13:00.860
 You hear the language

00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.639
 born again,

00:13:02.339 --> 00:13:03.579
 born of God,

00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.620
 created in Christ,

00:13:05.979 --> 00:13:07.379
 a new creation,

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.120
 a God-produced

00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:13.159
 spiritual birth.

00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:17.719
 When Peter says

00:13:17.719 --> 00:13:18.659
 that God has caused us

00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.539
 to be born again,

00:13:20.079 --> 00:13:20.679
 he is speaking

00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:22.019
 of a moment in time,

00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.879
 an instantaneous occurrence

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.399
 in which a man

00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.779
 a God-generated

00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:27.860
 spiritual heartbeat

00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.840
 begins.

00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:33.620
 If you're a Christian

00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.299
 in this room,

00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.480
 this is true of you.

00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.779
 God has brought

00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:41.600
 new life

00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:43.439
 where there was none.

00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:46.220
 This is why

00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.120
 there's no such thing

00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.240
 as a boring testimony.

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:52.620
 If you realize

00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.299
 you realize

00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:53.620
 exactly

00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.200
 how amazing

00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.240
 salvation is,

00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.980
 you won't be bored

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.000
 sharing it with people.

00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.120
 Whether you were

00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:00.840
 saved when you were

00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.180
 just a young kid,

00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:02.980
 and you grew up

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.860
 in a Christian home,

00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.560
 and you haven't really

00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:05.480
 struggled with any kind

00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:07.000
 of real hard

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.860
 addictions

00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.500
 or difficulties,

00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.360
 or whether

00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:12.480
 you've got a life

00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.299
 of just kind of

00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.299
 doing your own thing,

00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:15.200
 and you came to faith

00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:15.480
 late,

00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:17.539
 this is miraculous

00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.279
 and amazing.

00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:20.100
 And it's the core

00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:20.720
 of the reason

00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.759
 why Peter says,

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.379
 this God is praiseworthy

00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.259
 all the time,

00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:24.779
 forever.

00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:26.800
 He's caused us

00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:27.680
 to be born again.

00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:34.060
 You probably realize

00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:35.659
 that this is

00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:37.320
 fine spiritual China

00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:37.800
 we're holding

00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:38.240
 in our hands.

00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:40.399
 This is a precious gem

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.360
 that we're talking

00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.519
 about this morning.

00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.799
 God is teaching us

00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.039
 about deep realities

00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.319
 of our life

00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.059
 in Christ.

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.980
 God intends

00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:52.399
 His truth

00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.279
 to bring praise.

00:14:55.579 --> 00:14:57.000
 We're to praise Him.

00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.360
 Christian,

00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.559
 you are alive

00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.960
 because God

00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.120
 has made you alive.

00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:09.860
 You don't need

00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.399
 to turn there,

00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.639
 but over in chapter 2

00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.220
 of Peter

00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.259
 in verse 24,

00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:14.740
 Peter brings

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.360
 his reality

00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.419
 right to the cross.

00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.360
 He says that

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.720
 it is Jesus Himself

00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:22.240
 who bore our sins

00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.100
 in His body

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.720
 on the tree

00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:25.559
 so that we might

00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.340
 die to sin,

00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.699
 the only life

00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.319
 we ever knew,

00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:29.559
 and might live

00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:30.179
 to righteousness.

00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:30.840
 This life

00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:31.580
 that God puts

00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.240
 in us

00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.240
 because of Jesus.

00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:36.860
 This gift

00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.259
 of life

00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.279
 is precious.

00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:38.500
 Jesus,

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:41.439
 and now

00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:42.699
 Peter begins

00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:43.679
 to kind of

00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:45.299
 hold this gem

00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:45.639
 up

00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.459
 and just start

00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:47.399
 kind of rotating

00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.559
 it so that the

00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:49.779
 rainbow light

00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.480
 would just be

00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.000
 glittering in front

00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.699
 of our eyes

00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.740
 as it dances

00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.659
 around the room.

00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.379
 So we're going to

00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.120
 take a look at these

00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.679
 sort of rays of light

00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.659
 that are shining here.

00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.819
 Look back at

00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.819
 verses 3 and 4.

00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:07.100
 The first one

00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.500
 is that it is

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.440
 according to

00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.620
 God's great mercy.

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:14.360
 Does anyone

00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:14.740
 in the room

00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.460
 ever ask,

00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.720
 why did God

00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.379
 save me?

00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:21.160
 Maybe out loud

00:16:21.160 --> 00:16:21.700
 or maybe just

00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.100
 in your heart

00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.540
 you just kind of

00:16:22.540 --> 00:16:22.680
 wonder,

00:16:22.760 --> 00:16:22.879
 God,

00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.640
 what did I ever

00:16:23.640 --> 00:16:24.240
 do to deserve

00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.620
 this?

00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:26.460
 Peter would say,

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.620
 absolutely nothing.

00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.240
 Mercy is your

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.620
 answer.

00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:34.060
 You can't

00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:34.860
 manipulate it,

00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:35.340
 you can't

00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.139
 manufacture it,

00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:36.860
 it is God's

00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.639
 to freely give

00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.519
 and instead of

00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.279
 deciding to

00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.039
 judge us

00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:40.940
 and to punish

00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.840
 us for the

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.399
 guilt of our

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:42.659
 sin,

00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:44.919
 God shows

00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.580
 mercy and he

00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.159
 decides to

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.779
 save and

00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:47.580
 rescue instead.

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.560
 It is God's

00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:50.940
 mercy,

00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.600
 Peter says,

00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.600
 that governs

00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.340
 his decision

00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:53.940
 to save

00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:54.320
 sinners.

00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:57.820
 He's

00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.460
 praiseworthy.

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.860
 second ray

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.279
 of light

00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:03.740
 off of this

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.619
 gem we see

00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:06.920
 in verse

00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.619
 three is that

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.200
 he's caused

00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.680
 us to be

00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.279
 born again

00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:11.339
 to a living

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.400
 hope,

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.740
 present,

00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.299
 here and

00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.599
 now,

00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:15.720
 real hope.

00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.319
 It's kind of

00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:19.980
 a funny word,

00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.400
 isn't it?

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.759
 When you and

00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.779
 I kind of use

00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.279
 hope,

00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:25.980
 a lot of times

00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:26.180
 it's,

00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:26.339
 well,

00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:26.720
 I've got a

00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.420
 tea time at

00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.299
 Muni later to

00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.079
 hit some golf

00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:29.700
 balls and I

00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.140
 sure hope it

00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:30.640
 doesn't rain.

00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.000
 I've checked

00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.660
 the forecast

00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:31.940
 and it's

00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.840
 kind of 50-50.

00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:34.720
 We come out

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.780
 of an exam

00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:36.200
 that we'd

00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:36.720
 studied and

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.259
 prepared a

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:37.700
 long time

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.080
 for and we

00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:38.180
 say,

00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.300
 well,

00:17:38.300 --> 00:17:38.800
 I sure hope

00:17:38.800 --> 00:17:39.300
 I did well

00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:39.700
 on that

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.120
 exam.

00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:40.960
 I worked

00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.580
 really hard.

00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.460
 The Bible

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.160
 here is using

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:45.700
 it differently

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.420
 for us.

00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:50.220
 The hope

00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.759
 that Peter's

00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.420
 talking about

00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:51.980
 is not a

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.020
 fingers crossed,

00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.360
 wishful thinking,

00:17:54.540 --> 00:17:55.220
 rabbit foot

00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:55.920
 kind of hope.

00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.060
 hope.

00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:57.940
 It's the

00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.779
 expectation

00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.700
 that God

00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.820
 is faithful

00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:01.580
 and he will

00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:02.340
 fulfill all

00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.200
 of his promises

00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.800
 in Christ

00:18:03.800 --> 00:18:04.200
 Jesus.

00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.640
 Everything

00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.300
 he's promised

00:18:08.300 --> 00:18:08.779
 will come

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.420
 to pass.

00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.140
 That's the

00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:11.600
 hope that

00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.200
 Peter's getting

00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:12.539
 at.

00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.519
 It's certain

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:13.920
 to happen

00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.500
 because God

00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.000
 has said

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.440
 so.

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.700
 He never

00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.320
 lies.

00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:22.700
 And he

00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.200
 wants this

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.899
 hope to be

00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:24.619
 contrasted

00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:24.859
 between

00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.299
 something

00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.939
 that's alive

00:18:25.939 --> 00:18:26.539
 and vibrant

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.159
 and fresh

00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:27.539
 and something

00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.200
 that's rotting

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.619
 and dead

00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.359
 and decaying.

00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:32.460
 It's like

00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:32.859
 the king

00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.419
 salmon on

00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:33.659
 the end

00:18:33.659 --> 00:18:33.859
 of your

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.480
 fishing line

00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.099
 that's peeling

00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:35.859
 off drag

00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.679
 as it buries

00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:37.179
 into deep

00:18:37.179 --> 00:18:38.240
 water versus

00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.899
 the dead

00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.419
 half-eaten

00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:40.039
 bloated one

00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:40.539
 that washes

00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.039
 up on the

00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.579
 shore of Lake

00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.019
 Michigan.

00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.039
 Living hope.

00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.700
 Real hope.

00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.379
 Certain hope.

00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:49.399
 It's a

00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:49.740
 difference

00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.359
 between that

00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.419
 stick that

00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:52.019
 lands in your

00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.399
 yard that

00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:52.700
 you have to

00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.099
 pick up

00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.579
 before you

00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:53.879
 mow the

00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.480
 lawn and

00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.039
 the giant

00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.519
 oak tree

00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:55.960
 that gives

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.639
 shade to

00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:57.460
 all of your

00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.000
 property.

00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.399
 Living.

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.599
 It's oak

00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.200
 tree hope

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.740
 that Peter's

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.480
 talking about

00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:02.819
 here.

00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.359
 There's reason

00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.159
 to praise him.

00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.519
 There's another

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.599
 ray of light.

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:16.859
 Peter says

00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.579
 hope isn't

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.159
 the only thing

00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.540
 alive,

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:18.960
 friends.

00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:22.220
 We are

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.660
 born again

00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:22.940
 to a

00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.320
 living hope

00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:23.840
 through the

00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.360
 resurrection

00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.000
 of Jesus

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.680
 Christ from

00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.040
 the dead.

00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.600
 Jesus,

00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.580
 our Lord,

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.560
 is alive.

00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:31.800
 There's a

00:19:31.800 --> 00:19:32.740
 past resurrection

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.420
 and a past

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:33.940
 new life,

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.600
 and his

00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.460
 resurrection is

00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.259
 how God

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.840
 gives new

00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:37.279
 life to

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.759
 us.

00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.200
 It's the

00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:40.800
 resurrection

00:19:40.800 --> 00:19:42.200
 life of

00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:44.300
 Jesus pulsing

00:19:44.300 --> 00:19:44.820
 through your

00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.200
 veins.

00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:48.779
 Jesus

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.160
 isn't

00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.580
 alive.

00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:51.299
 None of

00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:51.680
 us are

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:51.980
 either.

00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.299
 Neither do

00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:53.660
 we have a

00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.240
 living hope.

00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.480
 But God

00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.319
 has raised

00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.180
 him from

00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.140
 the dead.

00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.380
 He's alive

00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.100
 and so too

00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:02.100
 are all of

00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:02.779
 God's

00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.299
 people.

00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:08.160
 There's one

00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.779
 more ray we

00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.399
 look at in

00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.000
 verse 4.

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.359
 Future

00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.039
 inheritance.

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.039
 This

00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.599
 inheritance

00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.359
 word is

00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.279
 family talk.

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.200
 Right?

00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.480
 You inherit

00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.319
 what is passed

00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.079
 down from your

00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.539
 mother and

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:27.940
 father.

00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.220
 Though it's

00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.819
 not obvious,

00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.480
 the God and

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:31.940
 Father, the

00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.339
 Lord Jesus

00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.019
 Christ, is

00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.539
 calling us

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.159
 his children.

00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.460
 Rightful

00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.379
 inheritors of

00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:38.839
 all that is

00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.500
 God's.

00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.059
 That's

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.720
 everything by

00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.019
 the way.

00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:43.879
 This is our

00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.839
 place and our

00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.559
 possession in

00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.240
 the kingdom of

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:46.720
 God, the

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.500
 new Jerusalem,

00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:48.839
 where nothing

00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.740
 wears out,

00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:50.960
 where there is

00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.839
 no lack or

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.500
 any need.

00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.139
 This is

00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:56.720
 ours in

00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.180
 Christ.

00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.500
 Notice the

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.559
 descriptors that

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:02.019
 Peter gives.

00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.980
 It's imperishable

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.819
 and undefiled

00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.500
 and unfading.

00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.079
 It means that

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.140
 time will never

00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.960
 harm it.

00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.200
 That it's never

00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.500
 going to be

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.160
 defiled or

00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.759
 tarnished by

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.839
 anything impure.

00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.440
 And it has

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.660
 unending beauty

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.759
 and value.

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.500
 It's kept in a

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.279
 place that's

00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.380
 more secure than

00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.000
 a bank vault.

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.140
 It's in

00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:27.460
 heaven.

00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.640
 It has our

00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.380
 names on it.

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:35.240
 blessed be the

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.599
 God and

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.220
 Father of our

00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:36.660
 Lord Jesus

00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.220
 Christ.

00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.059
 This mercy

00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.819
 driven, new

00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.519
 life given,

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.380
 dead raised and

00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.360
 inheritance keeping,

00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.620
 praiseworthy God.

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.259
 And as if that

00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:50.819
 wasn't enough,

00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.579
 verse 5 kind of

00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.380
 concludes this

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:52.920
 section of the

00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:54.299
 reason to

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.000
 praise him.

00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:57.460
 It's not just

00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:57.960
 keeping an

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.400
 inheritance.

00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.680
 He's keeping us

00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.019
 too.

00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.759
 He's keeping

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.460
 all of the

00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.240
 people of God

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.099
 for a salvation

00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:03.759
 ready to be

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.400
 revealed in the

00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.960
 last time.

00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.480
 See that in

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:11.980
 verse 5?

00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.139
 Who by God's

00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:14.139
 power are being

00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:16.480
 guarded through

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.240
 faith for a

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.160
 salvation ready to

00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.700
 be revealed.

00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.059
 Well the thing

00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.819
 to notice in this

00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.579
 verse is the way

00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.819
 that God's power

00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.519
 and our faith

00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.519
 kind of work in

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:25.859
 tandem.

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.900
 They cooperate

00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:28.160
 with one another.

00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:30.720
 Sometimes we can

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.440
 kind of go

00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.720
 through life sort

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.440
 of thinking that

00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:35.560
 it's really our

00:22:35.560 --> 00:22:36.380
 faith that's going

00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.360
 to get us to the

00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.000
 finish line.

00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:39.480
 And in part that's

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:39.780
 true.

00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:42.180
 Peter wants us to

00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:42.800
 see here in verse

00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:44.040
 5 that God's power

00:22:44.040 --> 00:22:44.820
 is the greater

00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:46.220
 reality and our

00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.820
 faith is the

00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.080
 lesser.

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.560
 If it were

00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.360
 dependent merely

00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.580
 on us, we might

00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:50.300
 be in trouble with

00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:51.240
 the waves tossing

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.060
 our faith around in

00:22:52.060 --> 00:22:52.360
 life.

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.880
 But God's power is

00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.920
 constant and

00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:56.340
 unchanging and

00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:56.820
 certain.

00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.860
 It's an anchor for

00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.500
 all of us that

00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.120
 will hold.

00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.040
 The one who raises

00:23:02.040 --> 00:23:02.940
 the dead is

00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:04.840
 guarding us for

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.360
 salvation.

00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.460
 And the

00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:10.060
 salvation is ready.

00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.960
 God has no

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.940
 finishing touches to

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.460
 put on it.

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.000
 He's not

00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.860
 constructing it.

00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.800
 It's ready and

00:23:17.800 --> 00:23:20.240
 waiting for the

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.380
 moment Jesus returns

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.160
 for his people.

00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:22.220
 people.

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.900
 So to recap this

00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:29.080
 reason, God's

00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:30.040
 already caused us

00:23:30.040 --> 00:23:30.820
 to be born again.

00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.420
 God has given us a

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.460
 living oak tree

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.000
 hope.

00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:35.600
 And we have a

00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.440
 future inheritance

00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.420
 and salvation of

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.300
 epic proportions.

00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.480
 This is the

00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.700
 reason Peter gives

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.340
 to praise the God

00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.060
 and Father of our

00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:44.940
 Lord Jesus Christ.

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.000
 Christ.

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.559
 Now let's look at

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.640
 verses 6 to 9

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:51.480
 to see our

00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.320
 response.

00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.220
 Our response

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:58.980
 is to rejoice.

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:01.019
 It's to praise him.

00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:03.299
 It's to delight in

00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:03.539
 him.

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:07.899
 What I love about

00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:08.799
 what Peter does,

00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.480
 he's been talking

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.700
 about really deep,

00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.059
 weighty, heavy,

00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.659
 abstract, invisible

00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:15.299
 things.

00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:19.200
 Hard to understand

00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.000
 and really kind of

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.240
 imagine what he's

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.759
 getting at.

00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:22.960
 And now Peter

00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.139
 knocks on our

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.720
 front doors.

00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:27.000
 And he enters our

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.659
 living rooms and he

00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:28.420
 sits down on our

00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.539
 couches and he props

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.639
 his feet up on our

00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.619
 coffee table.

00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:33.659
 And he says,

00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:36.299
 I want you to know

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.459
 that I'm not aloof,

00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.939
 I'm not ignorant of

00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:39.779
 any of the real

00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:41.379
 problems in life.

00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.299
 The ways that our

00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.139
 faith is causing

00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:47.719
 hardship,

00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:50.339
 struggles that we're

00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.019
 going through as

00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.500
 Christians.

00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.059
 Peter's saying,

00:24:53.139 --> 00:24:53.579
 I understand,

00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.519
 I want you to know

00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.279
 that I understand

00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.919
 and I want you to

00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:56.819
 take heart in the

00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.879
 midst of these things.

00:24:59.239 --> 00:24:59.859
 Whether you're

00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.899
 battling a temptation

00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.479
 that just,

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.339
 you can't shake

00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.439
 free of and you're

00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:04.459
 stumbling more than

00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:05.859
 you're succeeding.

00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.679
 Whether you have

00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.519
 family tensions

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.579
 because an unbelieving

00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.699
 sibling or an

00:25:10.699 --> 00:25:11.859
 unbelieving child is

00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.759
 just kind of running

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.979
 amok and maybe

00:25:13.979 --> 00:25:14.639
 they're distancing

00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.479
 themselves from you

00:25:15.479 --> 00:25:16.639
 because you want

00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.339
 them to know Jesus

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.879
 and they're just

00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:18.799
 resistant to the

00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.199
 gospel.

00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.739
 Maybe it's a

00:25:21.739 --> 00:25:22.679
 godly grief that you

00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:23.559
 see as you look out

00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.299
 from your home and

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.659
 you say,

00:25:25.939 --> 00:25:26.539
 Lord, look at all

00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.279
 these people around

00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.899
 here and they don't

00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.459
 know Jesus.

00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:31.119
 They're perishing in

00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.839
 their sins.

00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:35.219
 Some of us in this

00:25:35.219 --> 00:25:36.699
 room, some of us

00:25:36.699 --> 00:25:37.439
 dear to this church

00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:38.379
 have had unrelenting

00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.899
 physical or mental

00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.959
 difficulties that are

00:25:40.959 --> 00:25:41.679
 threatening to

00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:42.779
 dismantle our faith

00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.539
 altogether.

00:25:47.219 --> 00:25:48.199
 And around the world

00:25:48.199 --> 00:25:49.719
 there's folks suffering

00:25:49.719 --> 00:25:51.099
 persecution for their

00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.879
 faith and Peter says,

00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.859
 I know it all.

00:25:52.979 --> 00:25:54.259
 I understand it all.

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:56.539
 I'm not making light.

00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.819
 I'm not minimizing any

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.599
 of this in your

00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.220
 lives.

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.960
 We can say what I'm

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.940
 getting at here because

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.960
 in verse 6 he says,

00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:08.920
 though you've been

00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:11.519
 grieved by trials.

00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.299
 These are grievous,

00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.099
 real things.

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.059
 Life is hard.

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.879
 Peter understands that.

00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:18.480
 He's not living in a

00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.200
 vacuum just saying,

00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.839
 rejoice and praise God.

00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:22.559
 I'll see you when you

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:24.179
 get through this mess.

00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.359
 He's in it.

00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:26.720
 He understands it.

00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.759
 And not only that,

00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.779
 he says, there's another

00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.879
 thing that makes it

00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.839
 really, really hard to

00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.759
 praise God now.

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.939
 If you look down at

00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.879
 verse 8, he says,

00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:40.459
 he recognizes that as an

00:26:40.459 --> 00:26:41.819
 apostle, he was someone

00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.799
 who saw Jesus.

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.220
 He walked with him.

00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.099
 He saw the miracles.

00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:48.240
 He saw him on the

00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.559
 cross.

00:26:48.719 --> 00:26:49.899
 He saw the empty tomb

00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:50.740
 and then he saw him

00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.339
 alive.

00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.859
 And all of the

00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.740
 recipients of this

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:56.039
 letter, they didn't have

00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.699
 that luxury.

00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.559
 He says, though you

00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.480
 have not seen him.

00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.339
 And then he goes on,

00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.419
 though you do not now

00:27:02.419 --> 00:27:02.939
 see him.

00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.279
 That's the reality too,

00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:04.480
 right?

00:27:05.219 --> 00:27:07.240
 People going, Lord, I

00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.000
 see hardship.

00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:10.099
 I see trials.

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.839
 They're right in front of

00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.480
 my face.

00:27:12.899 --> 00:27:13.839
 And Peter says, yeah,

00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.259
 I know.

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.319
 I know.

00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:18.539
 I know.

00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.819
 Rejoicing and praise

00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:22.959
 require faith now.

00:27:24.419 --> 00:27:25.899
 They require us to walk

00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:27.139
 not by what we see, but

00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:28.559
 by what God has declared

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:30.639
 in Christ to be true.

00:27:32.959 --> 00:27:34.679
 That's why four times in

00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:37.199
 verses 5 to 9, Peter uses

00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:38.259
 this word faith.

00:27:39.439 --> 00:27:40.219
 You can look at them.

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.919
 In verse 5, it's that we're

00:27:41.919 --> 00:27:43.279
 being guarded through faith.

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:46.720
 Verse 7, that the tested

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:48.339
 genuineness of your faith.

00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.279
 Verse 8, it's a little

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.299
 tricky because the word

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:54.559
 believe just means you

00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.879
 have faith in him.

00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.259
 You believe in him.

00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.599
 And then verse 9, it's

00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:01.660
 this inexpressible joy is

00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:03.379
 because, verse 9, you're

00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.559
 obtaining the outcome of

00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.139
 your faith.

00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:11.220
 Peter understands, church,

00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:13.420
 that present circumstances

00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:15.040
 and what we can see with

00:28:15.040 --> 00:28:15.860
 our two eyes

00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:18.000
 always threaten to steal

00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:19.220
 the praise that's due our

00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.520
 God.

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:23.460
 When we focus on our

00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:24.240
 circumstances,

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:29.080
 the trials and sufferings of

00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:30.000
 our lives, we end up

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.140
 focusing on ourselves.

00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.460
 ourselves.

00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:33.900
 Our eyes are off of God

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:35.040
 and praise is far from

00:28:35.040 --> 00:28:35.680
 our lips.

00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:37.220
 When we live by what we

00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:39.000
 see, we can easily, right,

00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.380
 become so discouraged

00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:43.060
 and discontented

00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:44.480
 and even deceived.

00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:49.620
 Peter says, if you want to

00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:51.940
 honor God and respond to

00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.540
 this call to persist in

00:28:53.540 --> 00:28:55.120
 praise, your focus needs to

00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:57.200
 be here on your living hope

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.980
 in a future resurrection that

00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.480
 began when God raised you to

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.039
 a new life.

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.240
 You focus on your living

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.839
 hope, your oak tree hope for

00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:07.599
 a future salvation because

00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:09.059
 God has given you life in

00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.539
 Christ.

00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:12.019
 You rejoice by faith.

00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.680
 Friends, if you're in the

00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.920
 room struggling to rejoice,

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.400
 I just encourage you, check

00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:20.940
 your faith.

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:22.519
 It's probably on empty.

00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:27.099
 Ask God by His Holy Spirit to

00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:28.380
 impart faith into your

00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:28.940
 hearts.

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:31.860
 strengthen your resolve to

00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:33.080
 believe this truth because

00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:34.059
 when you believe it,

00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:35.580
 rejoicing comes.

00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.200
 Just three quick things to

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.160
 notice in these verses.

00:29:44.580 --> 00:29:46.539
 Verses 6 and 7, Peter says

00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:48.820
 that legitimate faith is

00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.700
 tested faith.

00:29:51.860 --> 00:29:51.980
 Right?

00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:54.420
 God uses trials to test and

00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.920
 refine and strengthen our

00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.240
 faith.

00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.339
 faith.

00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:58.420
 It's how God operates.

00:29:58.620 --> 00:29:59.240
 This isn't something

00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.200
 strange.

00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:04.220
 God forges faith in the fire

00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.779
 of affliction like a

00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:07.500
 goldsmith forges and

00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:09.299
 purifies gold in fire.

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.380
 That's what Peter's getting

00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:11.680
 at.

00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:15.680
 And we see this lived out by

00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:17.279
 our Lord and Savior Jesus,

00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.359
 who for the joy set before

00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:21.099
 Him endured the cross,

00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.659
 despising the shame.

00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.779
 Hebrews 12.

00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.879
 This means that grumbling,

00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.579
 anxiety,

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.099
 despair,

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.679
 by faith ought to be

00:30:34.679 --> 00:30:36.139
 replaced with praise.

00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:41.119
 If faith is precious to us,

00:30:41.219 --> 00:30:41.459
 church,

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:43.659
 we can rejoice in trials,

00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.699
 in the midst of them,

00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:47.599
 because they strengthen our

00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:49.579
 faith that is precious to us.

00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:54.679
 Second thing to notice,

00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.819
 verse 7,

00:30:55.919 --> 00:30:57.559
 is that this tested faith

00:30:57.559 --> 00:31:00.299
 will be celebrated by God

00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.599
 in the last day.

00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:05.619
 God applauds the forged

00:31:05.619 --> 00:31:08.119
 and purified faith of His

00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:08.460
 people.

00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:12.439
 That's the honor and praise

00:31:12.439 --> 00:31:15.000
 and glory language there.

00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.399
 When Jesus comes back,

00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.059
 God will say,

00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:18.919
 well done to all of His

00:31:18.919 --> 00:31:20.819
 people who by faith were

00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:23.799
 tested in trials and

00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.279
 endured,

00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:26.759
 continuing to praise His

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.740
 name regardless.

00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:34.659
 And the last thing to notice

00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:36.980
 in these verses is that our

00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.839
 focus just matters so much.

00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:42.940
 Peter starts verse 6 with

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.200
 this,

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.720
 in this you rejoice.

00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.900
 maybe better worded,

00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:48.299
 because of this.

00:31:48.360 --> 00:31:49.240
 And he's talking about these

00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:51.019
 invisible spiritual realities.

00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:53.220
 This new birth that God

00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.600
 has given to us in Jesus

00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.220
 Christ.

00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:58.880
 The inheritance and the

00:31:58.880 --> 00:32:00.100
 salvation that's coming.

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:00.980
 Peter says,

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.079
 in these things you're

00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.740
 rejoicing,

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:04.380
 though right now,

00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.600
 life is difficult.

00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.079
 And in verse 9,

00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.480
 he says,

00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:10.120
 you're rejoicing with an

00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:11.720
 inexpressible joy because

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:14.200
 you're obtaining salvation.

00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:17.519
 Faith has a finish line,

00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:17.960
 friends,

00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:20.279
 when Jesus comes back.

00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.319
 Essentially,

00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.620
 Peter is saying that

00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:25.960
 rejoicing now requires

00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:27.579
 a faith gaze.

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:32.319
 We must gaze by faith to

00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.579
 remember who God is,

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:35.400
 to remember what God has

00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:35.759
 done,

00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:37.180
 to remember what God is

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.519
 doing,

00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.799
 and to remember what God

00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.759
 will do.

00:32:42.379 --> 00:32:44.399
 We persist in praise by

00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:45.419
 faith today.

00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.539
 One day,

00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:49.019
 we will persist in praise by

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:51.159
 sight when Jesus returns.

00:32:51.160 --> 00:33:00.380
 Well, if we had time to

00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:01.580
 jump into 10 to 12,

00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:03.220
 the R I would use would

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:04.019
 be research.

00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.800
 Research that validates

00:33:07.800 --> 00:33:09.040
 the praise that Peter is

00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:10.060
 calling all of the people

00:33:10.060 --> 00:33:10.700
 of God to.

00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:12.600
 The prophets of the Old

00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:14.220
 Testament and the angelic

00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:16.140
 host are just dying to see

00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:17.300
 the salvation of the

00:33:17.300 --> 00:33:17.960
 people of God.

00:33:18.060 --> 00:33:19.380
 Just give me a glimpse of

00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:19.580
 this.

00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.680
 Where do I have to go to

00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.400
 figure out who they're

00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:22.400
 talking about and what

00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.259
 God means?

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:25.900
 If you don't think

00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:27.140
 they're diligent inquiring

00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:28.220
 and searching validates

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.660
 praise,

00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:32.220
 I'll try and build a case

00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:32.900
 a little bit later,

00:33:33.060 --> 00:33:34.240
 but it's amazing.

00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:35.500
 They're just astonished

00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.560
 by this salvation,

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.980
 and they want to see it.

00:33:38.060 --> 00:33:39.039
 They want to look into it.

00:33:39.060 --> 00:33:39.820
 And this is angels.

00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:40.700
 People are in the,

00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.880
 beings who are in the

00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:42.880
 presence of God.

00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.380
 Blessed be the God and

00:33:46.380 --> 00:33:47.440
 Father of our Lord Jesus

00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:48.000
 Christ.

00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:50.580
 That's what Peter says.

00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.539
 He's praiseworthy,

00:33:51.699 --> 00:33:53.079
 so persist in praising

00:33:53.079 --> 00:33:53.960
 him always.

00:33:57.419 --> 00:33:58.439
 That's the message of our

00:33:58.439 --> 00:33:59.119
 text today.

00:34:04.639 --> 00:34:06.119
 To conclude, I just want to

00:34:06.119 --> 00:34:07.399
 try and answer for us,

00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.179
 how?

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.759
 Okay, I see it in the text,

00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:13.579
 I'm going to persist in

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.819
 praise, but how do I do

00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:15.100
 that?

00:34:19.160 --> 00:34:20.300
 Remember that first and

00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:23.039
 foremost, praise is a

00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.800
 matter of the heart.

00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.980
 Peter is not here

00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:28.700
 primarily interested in

00:34:28.700 --> 00:34:31.539
 arms waving and falling

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.500
 on our face, kind of

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.660
 external things.

00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.039
 Right?

00:34:34.080 --> 00:34:35.260
 Those are important, but

00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:36.559
 he's addressing our

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.200
 hearts.

00:34:40.120 --> 00:34:41.460
 Praise flows from a

00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:43.140
 heart that is glad in God.

00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:46.379
 God, we praise who we

00:34:46.379 --> 00:34:46.719
 adore.

00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:52.699
 If you're not sure how to

00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:54.179
 grow in your delight for

00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:56.559
 God, I just encourage you

00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.819
 to meditate on your

00:34:57.819 --> 00:34:58.259
 salvation.

00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.960
 Here's some scripture

00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:02.019
 verses that you might want

00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:02.440
 to go to.

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.480
 If you've got a pen, you can

00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:04.019
 write them down.

00:35:04.859 --> 00:35:06.319
 This passage in 1 Peter is

00:35:06.319 --> 00:35:06.980
 great.

00:35:07.719 --> 00:35:08.500
 There are many others.

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:10.420
 Ephesians chapters 1 and 2.

00:35:12.239 --> 00:35:14.280
 Colossians 1 verse 13 and

00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:16.420
 14, and then get into some

00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.639
 of chapter 2 as well.

00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:20.579
 The book of Titus has two

00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:22.599
 glorious descriptions of

00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:24.159
 salvation in chapter 2

00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:26.239
 verses 11 to 14 and

00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:28.260
 chapter 3 verses 5 to 8.

00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:31.420
 Of course, Revelation 5 where

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.760
 we see the Lamb worshipped

00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:34.599
 because he was slain to

00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.840
 ransom people from every

00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:37.440
 tribe, nation, language, and

00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.760
 tongue.

00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:41.680
 Reflect on these passages and

00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:42.940
 ask God to fill your heart

00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.700
 with praise.

00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:45.120
 He will.

00:35:46.140 --> 00:35:47.360
 He's jealous for the praise

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:47.940
 of his name.

00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.640
 He'll fill your heart with

00:35:49.640 --> 00:35:50.020
 praise.

00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:55.060
 Second, in answering how, we

00:35:55.060 --> 00:35:56.060
 need to engage in it.

00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:58.060
 Engage in praise.

00:35:58.059 --> 00:36:04.539
 large variety of what this

00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:05.199
 could look like.

00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.539
 Let me give you a couple.

00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:11.139
 Prayers that tell God of his

00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:11.739
 great worth.

00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.619
 Singing praises even if you're

00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.239
 tone deaf.

00:36:19.739 --> 00:36:21.340
 Being present here in this

00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:22.799
 place week after week after

00:36:22.799 --> 00:36:23.559
 week for worship.

00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:25.799
 So that you join your voices

00:36:25.799 --> 00:36:26.900
 and your hearts with the

00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:28.659
 body of Christ and praise.

00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:35.099
 Well, how do I engage in

00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:37.179
 praise and hardship and hard

00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:38.360
 things and trials?

00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:44.599
 You need to see them as God's

00:36:44.599 --> 00:36:46.940
 means of building your faith.

00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:49.720
 God intends to use them for

00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:50.780
 good in your life.

00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:54.620
 You need to turn your eyes away

00:36:54.620 --> 00:36:55.940
 from your circumstances and

00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:57.180
 away from yourself and put them

00:36:57.180 --> 00:36:58.060
 on to the God of your

00:36:58.060 --> 00:36:58.560
 salvation.

00:37:00.780 --> 00:37:02.720
 You'll find that praising is

00:37:02.720 --> 00:37:05.460
 possible because God is good

00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:06.240
 all the time.

00:37:06.680 --> 00:37:07.860
 Even in the hardest things of

00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:08.720
 life, God is good.

00:37:11.880 --> 00:37:14.240
 Finally, how do we persist in

00:37:14.240 --> 00:37:14.620
 praise?

00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:18.300
 Well, it's really a lifestyle.

00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:23.600
 It's not like, well, from 11 in

00:37:23.600 --> 00:37:24.880
 the morning until noon I'm going

00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:25.980
 to praise God and then I'm

00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:27.160
 going to go back to baking

00:37:27.160 --> 00:37:27.560
 biscuits.

00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:30.260
 It's not what the Bible would

00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:31.019
 call us to.

00:37:31.620 --> 00:37:32.620
 It's a lifestyle.

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:35.420
 It goes beyond a church service

00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:36.320
 on Sunday mornings.

00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.900
 It goes beyond being in a life

00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.140
 group.

00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:40.800
 It goes beyond the singing of

00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:41.760
 praise music.

00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:45.039
 It's a life aimed at him.

00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:47.800
 Living for him and for his glory

00:37:47.800 --> 00:37:48.300
 alone.

00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:51.260
 It's a life that prioritizes the

00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:53.760
 kingdom of God above all things.

00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:57.200
 Essentially, it's committing to a

00:37:57.200 --> 00:38:00.360
 lifestyle that obeys God.

00:38:03.880 --> 00:38:05.940
 We adore and honor God when we

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.640
 keep his word.

00:38:07.620 --> 00:38:08.920
 It's praising him.

00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:15.440
 It's why in verse 2 of 1 Peter 1, it

00:38:15.440 --> 00:38:18.039
 says that this whole deal is for the

00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:19.539
 obedience to Jesus Christ.

00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:22.559
 Peter starts with worship and the

00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:24.099
 praiseworthiness of God and then the

00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:25.440
 rest of the letter, he goes into all

00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:28.340
 these ways that high and low, good and

00:38:28.340 --> 00:38:30.960
 bad, we praise God by pressing into the

00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:34.139
 world and into life and obedience and

00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:34.480
 faith.

00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:38.380
 And it's a lifestyle in which we are

00:38:38.380 --> 00:38:42.179
 eager to share Jesus with other people.

00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:45.480
 We praise God by speaking to others

00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:46.820
 about the greatness of God.

00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:49.460
 That Psalm 145, one generation shall

00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.860
 commend your works to another.

00:38:51.539 --> 00:38:53.599
 We commend the works of God over and

00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:56.360
 over to our wives and husbands, to our

00:38:56.360 --> 00:38:58.059
 children, to our friends, to our

00:38:58.059 --> 00:38:58.519
 families.

00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:58.719
 families.

00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:04.179
 And we share him with those who don't

00:39:04.179 --> 00:39:04.599
 know him.

00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:08.619
 Telling them how they too can come under

00:39:08.619 --> 00:39:11.699
 this glorious, precious, saving reign of

00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:12.599
 God in Christ.

00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:17.920
 That's how, church.

00:39:18.659 --> 00:39:21.099
 We do it together by faith.

00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:27.099
 That's what God wants for us at the end

00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:29.519
 of this year, as we launch into a new

00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:33.299
 year, to persist in praising the God of

00:39:33.299 --> 00:39:34.000
 our salvation.

00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:40.000
 God, be praised as we do.

00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.539
 Let's pray.

00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:41.579
 Let's pray.

00:39:47.079 --> 00:39:48.579
 Father, thank you for your word.

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:52.019
 You're praiseworthy.

00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:54.500
 And so we praise you.

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:57.619
 Thank you that we have a chance to

00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:59.480
 immediately respond by opening our

00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:01.000
 mouths, singing this final song.

00:40:02.799 --> 00:40:03.819
 But I pray more than that.

00:40:03.860 --> 00:40:05.559
 God, as we leave this church building,

00:40:05.699 --> 00:40:08.360
 we would still be poised to praise you

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:09.279
 in everything we do.

00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:12.400
 Holy Spirit, please help us.

00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:13.839
 We need your help.

00:40:15.259 --> 00:40:17.319
 God, as we go about our lives praising you,

00:40:17.380 --> 00:40:20.759
 we pray that Jesus would be glorified and

00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:21.500
 made much of.

00:40:22.600 --> 00:40:24.200
 It's in and through him we pray.

00:40:24.620 --> 00:40:24.920
 Amen.

00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:25.040
 Amen.

00:40:25.040 --> 00:40:25.080
 Amen.

00:40:25.080 --> 00:40:25.100
 Amen.

00:40:25.100 --> 00:40:25.120
 Amen.

00:40:25.120 --> 00:40:25.140
 Amen.

00:40:25.140 --> 00:40:25.160
 Amen.

00:40:25.160 --> 00:40:25.200
 Amen.

00:40:25.200 --> 00:40:25.220
 Amen.

00:40:25.220 --> 00:40:27.120
 Amen.