WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.360 Well, good morning, everyone, and welcome to our Vision Series for 2024. 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:12.519 I'd be grateful if you had your Bibles open, but also the St Paul's app, which has an outline 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:14.500 for today's message. 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:25.080 In the latter half of 2009, I received a letter from RMS, New South Wales Roads, requesting 00:00:25.079 --> 00:00:32.839 that I front up to a vehicle inspection station with the vehicle that I'd purchased about 00:00:32.839 --> 00:00:34.019 18 months earlier. 00:00:34.899 --> 00:00:41.859 The letter stated that there was, for RMS, some concern that my vehicle wasn't adequately 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:48.200 repaired from a major accident that it had had earlier, something that I was unaware 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:50.239 of at the time. 00:00:50.240 --> 00:00:55.900 I wasn't concerned because it was a great vehicle, no issues at all, drove really, 00:00:56.039 --> 00:00:56.420 really well. 00:00:57.300 --> 00:01:03.219 I arrived at the inspection station, handed over the vehicle, the keys, confident of where 00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:03.840 I stood. 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:11.299 After about 45 minutes of sitting there twiddling my thumbs, two inspectors came in, sat either 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:15.740 side of me, and gave me the classic good news, bad news report. 00:01:15.739 --> 00:01:24.659 Well, the good news is your vehicle is in fantastic order and certainly roadworthy. 00:01:25.339 --> 00:01:28.859 The bad news is that this is not your vehicle. 00:01:31.259 --> 00:01:35.239 This is what is known as a rebirthed vehicle. 00:01:36.119 --> 00:01:41.640 They explained that the rebirthed vehicle is a stolen vehicle. 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:51.079 Someone purchases what is called a repairable write-off, most likely from interstate, and instead of 00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:56.900 going through the costs of repairing the repairable write-off, they steal a vehicle that is exactly the 00:01:56.900 --> 00:02:05.740 same and transfer the numbers from the repairable write-off to the stolen vehicle, and then sell it 00:02:05.739 --> 00:02:09.099 as a repaired vehicle. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:13.500 That way they don't go through the costly process of repairing it. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:15.099 It looks good. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:21.359 In fact, it looks exactly the same as what the original vehicle did on the outside before the accident, 00:02:22.019 --> 00:02:30.120 but all the identifying markers of the original vehicle are gone, and the stolen vehicle 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:32.400 are attached to it. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:38.599 And then, of course, the original vehicle that they purchased interstate is chopped up and discarded 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:40.900 or thrown in the bottom of the Parramatta River. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:50.040 I was then told by the inspectors to sit tight as major crimes were on their way. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:03:02.199 And four officers turned up, and within two hours, my vehicle, I watched it being loaded on the 00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:08.560 back of a police truck, and with it, $25,000 gone. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:16.539 They said, the vehicle that you have insured is most likely in the bottom of the Parramatta 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:17.319 River right now. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:22.500 That's the good news, because if you had an accident with this vehicle, you weren't insured 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:22.979 for it. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:25.879 All this happened. 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:33.919 The good news is that as a result of my case and the evidence that I gave, you can now buy 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:35.780 a second-hand vehicle with confidence. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:43.819 There is now a national register that identifies the entire history of every vehicle. 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:45.919 You're welcome. 00:03:49.079 --> 00:03:54.519 This all happened on the day before our second child was born. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:00.740 One day, I'm dealing with rebirthing, and the next day, I'm dealing with an actual birth. 00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:09.439 And when she was born, the first time I looked at her, I went, oh yeah, she's ours. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:15.040 Immediately identifiable as ours, belonging to us. 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:25.420 At birth, we are all identified genetically as we share the genetic makeup of our biological 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:26.140 parents. 00:04:27.020 --> 00:04:31.500 We also inherit an ethnic makeup, depending on where you're born. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:33.900 You're also likely to have a national identity. 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:41.120 And certainly for many years, as you were growing up, you share the socioeconomic identity 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:42.300 of your parents. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:50.000 That is, our birth identifies us in every possible way. 00:04:51.740 --> 00:04:57.360 And as we just read, Nick read out to us, Peter describes becoming a Christian as being 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:00.699 reborn, a new birth. 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:11.479 This new birth doesn't change who we are ethnically, nationally, genetically, socioeconomically, but 00:05:11.479 --> 00:05:18.259 it does change our lives in such a way that we are fundamentally different people. 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:21.399 Fundamentally different people. 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:30.680 You may not look different on the outside, but you are fundamentally different on the inside. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:34.979 Totally different on the inside. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:38.899 And that's what this vision series is all about. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:46.800 Over the course of this term, we are building up towards Easter and the celebration of the 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:50.779 death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity. 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:55.019 And as we build up to Easter, I've kind of reversed everything. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:57.180 I can't kind of change the date for Easter. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:06:02.060 As we build up to Easter, we're going to be looking at the resurrection. 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:08.560 And specifically, the resurrection impact on our lives now. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:10.480 What it does for us. 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:15.800 And we're going to be going through sections of 1 and 2 Peter as we do that. 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:21.300 And for the first four weeks, I'm focusing on the first 16 verses of 1 Peter. 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:25.199 So you're going to see that Bible reading again and again and again. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:30.160 Again, if you get your Bibles open and have it there with you, that'd be fantastic. 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:34.740 Today, I want to lay the foundation of the new birth. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:35.920 What is the new birth? 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:37.819 What does it do? 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:41.519 How does it grow in us? 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:44.300 And who makes the new birth possible? 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:46.420 That's kind of the three points for today. 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:47.500 So what's the new birth? 00:06:48.219 --> 00:06:50.180 Verse 3, just read out to us. 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:53.860 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:58.819 In his great mercy, he has given us new birth. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:11.120 All Christians, that is, everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ, are described as being reborn. 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:13.060 It's a new birth. 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:19.939 That is, every Christian is born again. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:24.399 That term is not just for a certain kind of Christian. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:27.620 You know, there's Christians and then there's born again Christians. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:31.480 That's not biblical in any way whatsoever. 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:35.420 All Christians are born again. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:45.840 And we're not told much here about what the new birth is that the Christian has received. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:55.720 We know from other parts of the Bible that the new birth is a new life and a new vitality. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:59.060 New life and a new vitality. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:03.540 When a person is born again, they experience new life. 00:08:04.580 --> 00:08:08.760 That is, we are told in Ephesians that we are spiritually dead. 00:08:09.880 --> 00:08:13.000 And being born again, spiritual life comes into you. 00:08:13.940 --> 00:08:17.180 God puts his very life into us. 00:08:17.700 --> 00:08:19.540 His eternal life into us. 00:08:19.540 --> 00:08:25.340 And the new birth comes to us in different kinds of ways. 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:30.819 That is, there's no one type of experience that everyone must have. 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:36.159 For some, their experience of new birth is like lightning bolt. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:41.519 And you can identify, which someone like I can identify, 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:47.120 on the day, 30th of May, 1993, when the lightning bolt struck. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:54.879 For some, it's a gradual process where it's hardly even recognisable. 00:08:54.879 --> 00:09:01.799 So it's important not to insist that it happens in a certain way. 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:07.580 Even though the new birth comes to us in different ways, 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:11.460 and at times this new birth might be subtle, 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:16.019 it is nevertheless astounding and powerful. 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:22.939 The New Testament, the original New Testament word for it, 00:09:23.579 --> 00:09:24.779 is palagenesia. 00:09:26.779 --> 00:09:27.500 Palagenesia. 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:29.980 It means regeneration. 00:09:31.819 --> 00:09:35.340 The book of Titus tells us that when we are born again, 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:37.419 we experience regeneration. 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:40.259 And Titus uses the word palagenesia. 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:47.299 In Matthew 19, verse 28, Jesus says this, 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:51.500 Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:54.980 when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, 00:09:55.439 --> 00:09:58.000 what Jesus is talking about there in Matthew 19, 00:09:58.179 --> 00:09:59.559 is the end of all things. 00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:02.100 When he rules the universe, 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.700 God's power will come into the world 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:07.039 and renew the entire world. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.259 He'll make it all right. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:11.139 Everything that's wrong, everything that's stained, 00:10:11.319 --> 00:10:13.759 everything that's evil, everything that's deformed, 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:17.439 broken about this world will be fixed in that moment, 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:19.720 in a twinkling of an eye by Jesus Christ 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:22.159 at his second coming. 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:25.759 Death and evil and suffering will be gone. 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:29.600 All tears, sadness, anxiety will be wiped away. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:33.980 And despite all the superpowers and the wealth 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.500 and the technology of the world, 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:40.679 we cannot fix it. 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:47.440 So think of what is required 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:50.759 to bring about that kind of renewal 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:52.919 in our world. 00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:58.659 And Jesus describes that time 00:10:58.659 --> 00:11:00.679 as the renewal of all things 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:03.239 and he uses the Greek word, 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:04.939 palogenesia, 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:06.719 in Matthew 19. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.959 So the Apostle Paul here, 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.439 sorry, the Apostle Peter here, 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:15.059 in 1 Timothy, 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:17.659 sorry, the Apostle Paul, 00:11:18.079 --> 00:11:21.319 has the audacity to use the exact same Christian word 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:25.399 to describe the new birth 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:27.599 of the Christian in Titus. 00:11:28.859 --> 00:11:29.419 Palogenesia. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:32.179 The renewal of all things. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:37.219 The tremendous power 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:41.120 that renews all things at the end 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:45.360 comes into the life of the Christian now 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:47.579 in order to effect rebirth 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:49.759 through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:52.899 Can I just say, 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:53.679 therefore, 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.100 if you are a Christian, 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.980 you, like me, 00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:02.580 are putting up with a whole heap of stuff 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:04.220 in our lives that we don't have to. 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:11.019 The potential for change 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:17.100 in our lives is astounding. 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:21.600 Incomprehensibly astounding 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.159 because that power 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:26.139 is present right now. 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:33.279 This is the new life we get 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.720 with the new birth. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.360 So particularly, 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:39.299 where does this new birth operate 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:40.580 in the life of the Christian? 00:12:40.699 --> 00:12:41.379 What does it do? 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.819 The new birth 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:45.720 operates 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:48.500 especially in the hopes 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.779 of the Christian, 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.419 which is what we read there 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:53.639 in 1 Peter 3. 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.779 The new birth, 00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:58.240 the reason the new birth 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.440 changes our, 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:01.519 changes the Christian so much 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.200 is because it changes 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:05.279 our hopes so much. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:08.539 If you change a person's hopes, 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.659 you change everything about them. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.480 Back in verse 3 again, 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:14.559 Praise be the God and Father 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:15.679 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:17.139 In his great mercy, 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.799 he has given us new birth 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:19.659 into a living hope 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:21.439 through the resurrection 00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:22.819 of Jesus Christ from the dead 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:24.199 and into an inheritance 00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:25.779 that can never perish, 00:13:26.579 --> 00:13:27.059 spoil, 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.480 or fade. 00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:30.819 This inheritance is kept 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:32.419 in heaven for you. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:35.219 The direction 00:13:35.219 --> 00:13:38.179 of every person's life 00:13:38.179 --> 00:13:39.299 is set 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:40.659 on what they hope 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.479 the most. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:46.079 So if you offer 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:46.979 a person 00:13:46.979 --> 00:13:48.699 a life-giving, 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:50.159 imperishable hope, 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.500 then their life 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:53.019 is changed forever. 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:57.519 All of us, 00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.480 every human being, 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:01.679 has certain desires 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.659 and expectations. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.839 And there are desires 00:14:05.839 --> 00:14:07.919 like meaning, 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.679 significance, 00:14:08.859 --> 00:14:09.279 security, 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:09.979 purpose, 00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:13.019 and then you work out 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.379 what you think 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:15.279 will fulfill 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.479 those desires. 00:14:18.099 --> 00:14:20.479 And whatever we believe in 00:14:20.479 --> 00:14:21.939 to fulfill those desires 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:23.399 is what we set 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:23.939 our hopes 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:25.000 and our hearts on. 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.620 Which is another way 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.179 of saying, 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:33.519 we are all hope-driven 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.419 people. 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.679 And our hearts, 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.220 in order to 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.379 fulfill our hopes, 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.340 might be set 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.200 on our careers, 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.320 might be set 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:44.860 on money, 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:45.779 might be set 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:46.560 on accomplishments, 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.360 it might be set 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.060 on status, 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.120 it might be set 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.799 on love, 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.419 romance, 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:50.960 beauty, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.060 our children, 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:54.200 might be a political 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:54.539 hope, 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.240 might be social 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.799 causes. 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:59.519 every single person 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.559 chooses something 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:02.199 to believe in 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:03.279 that will fill 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.979 their hopes. 00:15:06.979 --> 00:15:07.939 We are 00:15:07.939 --> 00:15:09.059 unavoidably 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:11.259 hope-based 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.019 creatures. 00:15:13.819 --> 00:15:14.799 Proverbs 13, 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.279 12, 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.120 in the Old Testament 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:16.779 tells us 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:18.419 that hope deferred 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.579 makes the heart 00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:19.979 sick. 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:24.320 we experience 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.460 our present 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.519 in radically 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.399 different ways 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.360 depending on 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.240 what our future 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.159 hope actually 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:30.820 is. 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:33.420 Imagine 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:36.200 I have 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:37.000 two people 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:39.279 and I 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.279 give them 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:40.860 the exact 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.440 same 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.300 pair of 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:42.560 scissors 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:44.000 and I 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.440 say, 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.139 I want you 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.820 to cut 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.399 the church 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.159 grass 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:49.300 with these 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:49.620 scissors. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.659 Pull one 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:51.899 of them 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.460 aside. 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.180 Their 00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:54.759 experience 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.340 of that, 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.320 I mean I 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:56.620 heard the 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.420 groans already, 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.039 you know like, 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:01.120 their experience 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.060 of that 00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:02.980 cutting the 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:03.560 grass with a 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:03.940 pair of 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:04.279 scissors 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.759 will be 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.120 quite 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.879 different 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.779 based on 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.539 the conversation 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.080 I have with 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.480 each of them 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:09.940 privately. 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.800 I say to 00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:12.460 one of them 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.200 at the end 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:13.519 of this 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.019 job, 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:14.899 when you're 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.600 all finished, 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.080 I'm going 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.320 to give 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:16.879 you $20. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:19.279 to the 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:19.439 other 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:19.860 person, 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.259 I say 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.480 at the 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:20.659 end of 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:20.799 this 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:21.039 job, 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:21.340 when you're 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:21.519 all 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.019 finished, 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.299 I'm going 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:22.600 to give 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.799 you $200,000. 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.200 One 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:26.820 is going 00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:27.240 to whistle 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:27.720 when they 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.120 work, 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:29.639 the other 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.179 will not, 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.120 depending on 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.480 the end 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:32.740 goal. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:35.899 And when 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.320 they have a 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:36.720 break, 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:37.080 one of them 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:37.279 is going 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.480 to go, 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:37.860 I can't 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.720 believe we're 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.200 doing this 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.559 for this. 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:40.159 Like, 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:40.600 this is, 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.580 you look at 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.059 the conditions 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:42.500 we're dealing 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:42.960 with here, 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.480 the other 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:43.860 one's going 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.059 to go, 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:44.299 I don't 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:45.219 care that 00:16:45.219 --> 00:16:45.519 it's going 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:45.699 to be 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.159 30 odd 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.779 degrees today, 00:16:46.839 --> 00:16:47.059 I don't 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.419 care. 00:16:49.619 --> 00:16:50.500 Hope makes 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.139 all the 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.579 difference 00:16:51.579 --> 00:16:51.919 of our 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.179 current 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:52.839 experience. 00:16:54.839 --> 00:16:55.599 My point 00:16:55.599 --> 00:16:56.039 is we 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.500 are hope 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.439 driven and 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:57.859 the new 00:16:57.859 --> 00:16:58.779 birth changes 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.739 our hopes. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:00.479 The new 00:17:00.479 --> 00:17:01.119 birth gives 00:17:01.119 --> 00:17:01.759 us a hope 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:02.079 that is 00:17:02.079 --> 00:17:03.179 imperishable. 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:06.980 And that 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.279 is the 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.899 contrast with 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:08.299 every other 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.980 hope that 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:09.399 this world 00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:10.099 offers us. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:11.539 It 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:11.919 perishes, 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.220 it fades, 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.640 it spoils. 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:15.700 Put your 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:15.980 hope in 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.380 a career, 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:16.819 you'll have 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:17.339 to retire. 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:19.920 Put your 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.240 hope in 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:20.539 money, 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.420 you're never 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:21.839 secure. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:23.880 Hope in 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.480 your family, 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:25.940 it's 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.259 potentially 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.779 the last 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.279 one left. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.339 So how 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:31.640 does this 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.100 new hope 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:32.759 grow in 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.100 us? 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.240 How do 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:38.360 we wrench 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:39.360 our hearts 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:40.019 away from 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.480 hopes that 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.019 will fade 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.779 and perish 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.860 and put it 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.319 into a 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:43.799 hope that 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.279 will never 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.799 perish, 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:45.899 fade or 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.939 disappoint in 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.619 any way? 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.379 How do 00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:49.079 you make 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.679 that shift? 00:17:50.479 --> 00:17:51.059 There are 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.899 multiple ways 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.259 that that 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.979 happens in 00:17:52.979 --> 00:17:53.240 the New 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:53.679 Testament, 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:54.500 but the 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.339 main way 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.279 that 1 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:58.039 Peter talks 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.879 about growing 00:17:58.879 --> 00:17:59.539 in new 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:00.079 life and 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:00.719 new hope 00:18:00.719 --> 00:18:01.479 and therefore 00:18:01.479 --> 00:18:01.859 to become 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.359 more like 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:02.899 Jesus in 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.359 character, 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.059 more stable 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.699 in life, 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.679 more loving 00:18:06.679 --> 00:18:07.319 and joyful, 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:09.479 the more 00:18:09.479 --> 00:18:10.219 shaped into 00:18:10.219 --> 00:18:10.699 his image 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:10.980 and his 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.460 priorities. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.059 The 1 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.620 Peter speaks 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.319 about one 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.640 way primarily 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.460 that that is 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.080 affected in 00:18:16.080 --> 00:18:16.500 your life. 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:16.960 The new 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.640 birth grows 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.059 in you 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.660 and the 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.779 hope grows 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.220 in you 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.220 and it's 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.059 surprising for 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.440 us. 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.519 It's 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.059 suffering. 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:25.980 Suffering. 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.920 In fact, 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:28.880 I think I 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.539 would declare, 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.660 I'm assuming 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.160 someone else 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:31.620 would say the 00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:31.900 same, 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.039 that apart 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.519 from the 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.200 book of 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:34.860 Job in 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:35.200 the Old 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.680 Testament, 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.740 1 and 2 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:36.980 Peter, 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.480 but particularly 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.200 1 Peter, 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:39.960 are the 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:40.339 greatest 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.480 books of 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.980 the theology 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.599 of suffering 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:44.039 in the 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.339 Bible. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.559 Suffering. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.519 Now, 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:49.920 I'm going to 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.620 say a lot 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.220 more about 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.900 that in a 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:52.539 few weeks, 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.559 so I don't 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.000 really want 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.279 to steal 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.700 all that 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.500 thunder now, 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.640 but here's 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.220 a taste. 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.079 Verse 6, 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.400 In all 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:00.960 this you 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.339 greatly 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.019 rejoice, 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:02.819 though now 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.240 for a little 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:03.900 while you 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.299 may have 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.039 had to 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.980 suffer grief 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.940 in all 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.460 kinds of 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.059 trials. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.740 These have 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.440 come so 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:11.920 that the 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:12.380 proven 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.099 genuineness 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.559 of your 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.140 faith, 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.839 of greater 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.380 worth than 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:15.799 gold, 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.420 which perishes 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.019 even though 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.640 refined by 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.059 fire, 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.440 may result 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.339 in praise, 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:22.360 glory, 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.660 and honour 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.779 when Jesus 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.819 Christ is 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.480 revealed. 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.539 The first 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:28.900 words of 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.559 verse 6 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:31.180 say that 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.559 the Christian 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.039 rejoices in 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.839 their 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.900 hope. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.759 rejoices in 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.200 their hope. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.799 The word 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.279 is in 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.759 actual fact 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.240 a present 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.799 tense. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.039 You're 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.599 rejoicing in 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:44.940 your hope 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.319 now. 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.720 What makes 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.740 that remarkable 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:50.980 is that the 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.339 words suffer 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.880 grief are 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:54.620 connected to 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:54.819 it. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.220 And the 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.839 words suffer 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.579 grief actually 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.660 mean to be 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.779 in agony, 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:04.120 lots of 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.559 pain, 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:04.659 pain. 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.299 It doesn't 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.299 say you 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:08.960 used to 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.679 rejoice but 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:10.480 unfortunately 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.500 now you're 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:11.779 suffering 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.220 agony. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.579 Nor does 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.240 it say that 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.859 because you've 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.500 got lots to 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.339 rejoice about, 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.019 you're not 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.879 actually really 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:19.519 in pain, 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:19.859 you know, 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.359 get over 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:20.799 yourselves, 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.559 move on, 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.440 take some 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:22.980 Panadol, 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.539 have a lie 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:23.879 down, 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.259 it's not 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.759 really that 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.119 bad. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:27.719 both the 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.779 feeling of 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.619 the agony 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.699 and the 00:20:30.699 --> 00:20:31.719 rejoicing 00:20:31.719 --> 00:20:32.659 are both 00:20:32.659 --> 00:20:33.199 present 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:33.839 tense. 00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:35.979 They are 00:20:35.979 --> 00:20:36.639 concurrent 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.559 activities. 00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:44.019 And what 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.139 1 Peter 00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:45.639 says here, 00:20:45.719 --> 00:20:46.099 when we do 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:46.799 both of those 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.699 things at the 00:20:47.699 --> 00:20:48.659 same time, 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:49.779 it's like 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.659 putting gold 00:20:50.659 --> 00:20:51.359 into a 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:51.759 furnace. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:54.259 it refines 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.900 you and 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.740 grows you 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.220 as the 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.619 suffering 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.379 drives you 00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:58.180 deeper and 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.879 deeper and 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.539 deeper into 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.200 your real 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:00.619 hope, 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.700 the hope 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.059 that can 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.839 never perish, 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.940 spoil or 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.299 fade. 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.660 And yet, 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.940 this is 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:09.259 almost never 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.019 our view 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.819 of suffering. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:13.220 in a 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.819 day and 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.359 a culture 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:15.099 that suggests 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.839 our personal 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.559 happiness 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:19.000 is of 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.639 the highest 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.419 importance, 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:22.740 then anything 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.439 hard, 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:24.460 anything 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.259 difficult, 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.139 anything 00:21:26.139 --> 00:21:26.960 unpleasant 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.220 is considered 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.740 bad, 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.399 wrong and 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:29.879 evil. 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.359 And it's 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.259 God's job 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.700 to take it 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.240 away from 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.059 me in 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.579 order that I 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:35.960 might be 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.319 able to 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.659 rejoice. 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:40.060 we 00:21:40.060 --> 00:21:40.580 therefore 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:41.060 cannot 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:41.720 possibly 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.620 imagine 00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.759 because 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.040 we've 00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:44.779 been so 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.460 marinated 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.000 in such 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.500 a culture, 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.160 we cannot 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.519 possibly 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.259 imagine 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.100 why God 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:50.180 would allow 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.900 suffering and 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.300 hardship 00:21:51.300 --> 00:21:51.920 come into 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.320 my life 00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:52.820 at all. 00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.300 So, 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.900 imagine a 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.440 forestry 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:57.800 worker. 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.580 They have 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:00.259 marked out a 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.620 bunch of 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.019 trees, 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:01.340 they're going 00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:01.680 to cut 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.220 them down 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.560 and they're 00:22:02.560 --> 00:22:02.759 going to 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.279 get set 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:03.620 off to 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:05.019 the sawmill 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:07.039 and then 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.279 they come 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:08.639 in to do 00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.079 their job 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.359 and they 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:09.960 notice at 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.240 the top 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.559 of one of 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.200 this tree 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.539 they're about 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:11.819 to cut 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.240 down, 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:12.920 there's 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:14.440 this bird, 00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:15.180 a lovely 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.639 bird, 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.779 making a 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.099 nest, 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:17.619 it's building 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.240 a nest 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.339 in the top 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:19.559 of the 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:19.960 tree in 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.319 the forest 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:20.559 where it 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:20.740 goes, 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.440 you know, 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.460 so they 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.139 bang on 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.779 the tree, 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.259 make lots 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.680 of noise 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.119 to get the 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:27.559 bird to 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.160 move on 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:30.000 and much 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.319 to their 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.859 delight the 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.680 bird flies 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.859 and moves 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.359 to the next 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:33.779 tree. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.839 Oh, 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.839 starts 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.019 bang on 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.440 that tree, 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:37.799 bang, 00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:38.160 bang, 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.500 bang, 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:38.920 lots of 00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:39.139 noise, 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:39.859 get the 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.259 bird to 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.940 move on, 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.319 bird moves 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:43.720 on to the 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.420 third tree, 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:45.839 oh, 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.399 here comes 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:47.099 the forestry 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.519 work of 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:47.839 the bird, 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.319 what is 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.119 wrong with 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.899 this person? 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:50.619 Like, 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.240 seriously, 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:51.920 give me a 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.440 break here, 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:52.740 I'm just 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.119 trying to 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:53.539 build my 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:53.960 nest, 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.639 trying to 00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:55.019 raise a 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.460 family, 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:55.819 you know, 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.099 like, 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:56.859 what is 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.639 wrong with 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.079 this forest? 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:58.980 Bang, 00:22:59.139 --> 00:22:59.519 bang, 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.859 bang on 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.299 the tree 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.859 again and 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.299 the bird 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.819 gets up 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.379 and flies 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:05.580 off and 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:06.020 lands on 00:23:06.020 --> 00:23:06.480 a rock, 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:07.800 starts to 00:23:07.800 --> 00:23:08.080 build the 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:08.460 nest and 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:08.920 notices the 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.300 forestry 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:09.840 worker leaves 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.280 them alone. 00:23:19.560 --> 00:23:20.260 The older 00:23:20.260 --> 00:23:20.820 we get, 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:23.100 we realise 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:23.760 that every 00:23:23.760 --> 00:23:24.220 tree, 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.380 every hope 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.580 will come 00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:27.900 down. 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.900 will 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.820 come down. 00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:31.680 We don't 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.120 believe it 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.420 when we're 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:32.740 young. 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.060 When we're 00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:35.360 young, 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:35.800 we think 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.259 that whatever 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.800 tree that 00:23:36.800 --> 00:23:37.259 we try to 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.980 plant our 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.860 nest in 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:39.160 will be 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.620 there all 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:40.060 the time. 00:23:41.280 --> 00:23:41.900 As you 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.400 get older, 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.080 you realise 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:44.080 every tree, 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.600 every hope 00:23:45.600 --> 00:23:46.120 will eventually 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:46.780 come down. 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.480 And yet 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.340 every generation 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.000 thinks it'll 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.519 be able to 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.120 do what no 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.860 other generation 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.200 has been 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.620 able to do 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.160 before it. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:57.920 Our hearts 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.460 are not 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.440 designed to 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.040 be completely 00:24:00.040 --> 00:24:00.800 fulfilled by 00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.840 anything or 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.460 everything in 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.060 this life. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.519 We simply 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.740 don't realise 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.460 the greatness 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.560 of our souls 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:09.440 and the depth 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.279 of our desires 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.000 and our hopes. 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.900 And the best 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.600 thing that God 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.759 can do for us 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:16.540 while we live 00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:17.460 in this body, 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.400 in this world, 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.140 before Jesus 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:19.940 comes back, 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.400 is to bang 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.740 on every tree 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.320 that we build 00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:24.019 our lives on. 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:26.220 until we 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.380 reach the 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.120 solid rock, 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.560 the sure 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.620 foundation that 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:30.259 is the 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.720 gospel of 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.300 Jesus Christ 00:24:31.300 --> 00:24:31.640 alone. 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.800 An 00:24:34.800 --> 00:24:35.460 imperishable 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:35.800 hope, 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.460 a greater 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:37.860 hope, 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:38.800 a sure 00:24:38.800 --> 00:24:39.440 foundation. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.100 The worst 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.700 thing that can 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.620 happen for us 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:44.160 is to be left 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.840 to our own 00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:45.640 devices to 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.100 build our 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:46.640 nests at the 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.040 top of the 00:24:47.040 --> 00:24:47.340 tree, 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:48.820 build our 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:50.100 lives on 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:51.380 something that 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:52.200 will in short 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.840 time come 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:53.580 crushing down. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:25:01.640 So who 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.220 then makes 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.620 this new 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:02.820 birth 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:03.259 possible? 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:05.540 How can 00:25:05.540 --> 00:25:06.300 Peter say 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.640 that if you're 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.200 a Christian, 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:08.720 this new 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.000 birth, 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:10.259 you have a 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.820 new birth, 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.320 you have a 00:25:11.320 --> 00:25:11.720 living and 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.100 perishable 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:12.440 hope? 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.380 How's that 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.259 possible? 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:16.120 How can 00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:16.820 he say 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.660 that when 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.259 we know 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:18.820 of ourselves, 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:19.460 we constantly 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.320 fail God, 00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:21.300 we fail each 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.619 other, 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.419 how can 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:23.039 he say, 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:23.919 we even 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.740 fail ourselves, 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.259 how can 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.899 we possibly 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.940 have that 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.460 kind of 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.779 hope, 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.500 sure hope? 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.419 None of 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:30.759 us have 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.399 loved God 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:31.799 and loved 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.259 our neighbours 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.299 ourselves all 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.000 of the time. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.879 We haven't 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.279 done it, 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:36.960 we never 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.339 will. 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.379 How can 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.279 Peter promise 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.119 us a hope 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.839 that will 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.399 never, 00:25:41.399 --> 00:25:42.839 ever perish, 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.759 never come 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.619 crashing down, 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.859 never fade? 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.339 Verse 10, 00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:48.539 concerning this 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.000 salvation, 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:49.519 the prophets 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.019 who spoke 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.299 of the 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.159 grace that 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.459 was to 00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:51.799 come to 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.000 you, 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:52.579 searched 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.299 intently 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.979 and with 00:25:53.979 --> 00:25:54.539 the greatest 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.059 care, 00:25:55.399 --> 00:25:55.799 trying to 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.179 find out 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:56.659 the time 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:56.919 and the 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.539 circumstances 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:57.979 to which 00:25:57.979 --> 00:25:58.599 the Spirit 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.279 of Christ 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.099 in them 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.699 was pointing 00:26:00.699 --> 00:26:01.079 when he 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.519 predicted 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.479 the sufferings 00:26:02.479 --> 00:26:03.079 of the 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.559 Messiah 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.379 and the 00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:04.899 glories 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.259 that would 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.639 follow. 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.759 It was 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.500 revealed to 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.579 them that 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.000 they were 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.659 not serving 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:10.039 themselves 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.859 but you 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.719 when they 00:26:11.719 --> 00:26:12.319 spoke of 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:12.939 the things 00:26:12.939 --> 00:26:13.500 that have 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:13.979 now been 00:26:13.979 --> 00:26:14.479 told you 00:26:14.479 --> 00:26:14.959 by those 00:26:14.959 --> 00:26:15.219 who have 00:26:15.219 --> 00:26:15.459 preached 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:15.880 the gospel 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:16.360 to you 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:17.220 by the 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.860 Holy Spirit 00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:18.380 sent from 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:18.680 heaven. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.680 Even 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.380 angels 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.340 long to 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:21.860 look into 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.200 these 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.620 things. 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.360 What is 00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:26.079 the gospel 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:28.100 that the 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.539 prophets 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.220 revealed 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.900 centuries 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.440 before 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.539 and that 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.160 the apostles 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:32.799 preached? 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.200 What is 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:33.660 the gospel? 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.980 It is 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.559 that Jesus 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.319 Christ 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.620 suffered. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.279 He 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.680 suffered. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.019 The 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.440 Son of 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:42.759 God, 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.279 the 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.680 Creator 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.240 of all 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.579 things 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:45.059 came 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.519 as 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:45.759 the 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.259 rescuer 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.539 and 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:46.740 the 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:46.980 ruler 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.579 of all 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:47.720 of 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.379 humanity 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:49.119 in 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.720 weakness. 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:50.980 Not in 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.480 triumph, 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:51.899 in 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.460 weakness. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.659 He died 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:55.039 on a 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.279 Roman 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.819 cross 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.599 for the 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:56.899 sin 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.319 and the 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.619 failure 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:57.879 of 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.379 humanity. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.200 He 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.559 died 00:26:59.559 --> 00:26:59.759 the 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.079 death 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.700 that we 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:00.960 should 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.359 die. 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:02.980 We, 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:03.539 the 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.019 weak 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.559 and the 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.200 perishing, 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.379 have a 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:06.919 glorious 00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:07.240 and 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.019 imperishable 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.460 hope 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.419 in 00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.179 Jesus 00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:10.740 Christ, 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.019 the 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.419 glorious 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:11.840 and 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:11.980 the 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.420 eternal 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:12.860 one 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:14.900 because 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.160 he 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.759 perished 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.420 in 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:16.720 shame 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:16.960 for 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.340 us. 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.279 Our 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.740 new 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.259 birth 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.519 and 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.000 glorious 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.440 hope 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.000 are not 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.759 based on 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:23.980 our 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.480 performance. 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.160 It is 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.720 based on 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:26.940 the 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.660 performance 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.880 of the 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.860 imperishable 00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:30.320 one, 00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:31.600 the one 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:33.360 who died 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:35.019 but rose 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.440 again 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:37.080 and lives 00:27:37.080 --> 00:27:37.560 forever 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.300 and reigns 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.680 forever. 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:42.960 The 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.019 Christian's 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.619 ultimate 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.480 glory 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.799 is 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.659 assured 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:49.359 because 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.059 he 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.799 emptied 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.480 himself 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.119 of his 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.559 glory. 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:57.099 So it's 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.599 all his 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.079 work. 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.039 So what 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.639 are we 00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:01.180 called to 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.759 do then 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.279 in order 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:02.759 to build 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.399 this hope? 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:06.079 If you're 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.599 a Christian, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.299 what do 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.720 you do? 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.279 It says 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.700 there that 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.480 the angels 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.019 never get 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.559 tired of 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.039 looking at 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.519 what Jesus 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:13.980 has done 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.559 for us. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:15.799 In fact, 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:16.319 the word 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.740 there 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:18.759 means, 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:19.940 the word 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.579 too long 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.240 there means 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.059 to lust 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.799 for something. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.779 The angels 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.559 are lusting 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:26.259 after the 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.779 work of 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.299 Jesus. 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:28.740 That is, 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.220 there's nothing 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:30.639 greater for 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:31.339 an angel 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.039 to do 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.039 than to 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.720 look at 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.500 and ponder 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.159 more and 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.159 desire more 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.119 what Jesus 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.439 Christ has 00:28:38.439 --> 00:28:39.059 done for 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.599 humanity 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.559 in salvation. 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.439 I find 00:28:43.439 --> 00:28:44.079 that astounding 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:46.359 because it's 00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:46.919 a present 00:28:46.919 --> 00:28:47.539 lusting. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.059 What I find 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.479 astounding 00:28:49.479 --> 00:28:50.199 about that 00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:50.639 is that 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:50.979 how long 00:28:50.979 --> 00:28:51.359 have angels 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.859 been around 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.159 for? 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.259 people, 00:28:53.100 --> 00:28:55.380 I'm 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:55.840 assuming 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.680 they're 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.480 around 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:57.860 for a 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.040 long 00:28:58.040 --> 00:28:58.600 time, 00:28:59.540 --> 00:28:59.980 like a 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.340 lot longer 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:00.640 than a 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:00.840 human 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.400 being, 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:01.840 you know, 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.620 for millennia. 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:04.459 and it 00:29:04.459 --> 00:29:05.379 says here 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.559 that their 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.239 hearts 00:29:07.239 --> 00:29:08.159 never grow 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.659 weary 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.259 of the 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.679 gospel. 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:12.639 Searching 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.079 it out, 00:29:14.219 --> 00:29:14.379 its 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.079 implications, 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:15.719 seeing 00:29:15.719 --> 00:29:16.379 connections, 00:29:17.899 --> 00:29:18.699 never grow 00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.319 weary of 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.539 it. 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.479 And that 00:29:25.479 --> 00:29:26.179 is how we 00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:26.719 heal our 00:29:26.719 --> 00:29:27.219 hearts 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:28.099 of the 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:28.579 despair 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:28.919 that we 00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:29.299 have. 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.399 keep 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:30.919 looking at 00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:31.079 the 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.460 gospel 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.059 and his 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.399 living 00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.159 hope 00:29:33.159 --> 00:29:34.019 will 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.539 grow 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.240 in our 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:35.659 hearts 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.039 and it 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.200 will 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:36.740 change 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.319 us 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.839 more 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.259 and more 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.740 into the 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.119 likeness 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.379 and the 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:40.819 priorities 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.279 of Jesus 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:41.879 Christ. 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.079 Never 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.799 get tired 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.079 of the 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:44.460 gospel. 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.419 Lust 00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:46.200 after the 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.619 gospel. 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.039 Now, 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:50.539 I'm also 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.099 mindful that 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.559 not everyone 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.139 here is a 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:52.500 Christian, 00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:53.559 tuning in 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.200 either building 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.579 or tuning 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.139 in online. 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.059 Very 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.619 mindful of 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:56.960 that and 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.299 you are 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.119 very welcome. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:58.980 We 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.480 love to 00:29:59.480 --> 00:29:59.799 have you 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.120 here, 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.559 that you 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:00.799 might 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.220 discover 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.539 something 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:01.920 of this 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.160 living 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.500 hope. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.279 And I've 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.819 realised that 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.339 I've covered 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:06.980 a huge 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.680 topic in 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.019 a very 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.339 short 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.799 time. 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.039 I've 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.400 got a 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:11.700 few more 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.019 weeks to 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.259 go. 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.539 And I've 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.059 made 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.799 statements 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:17.799 and claims 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.700 that I 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.200 haven't 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.980 unpacked 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.400 that are 00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:21.400 very worthy 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:22.220 of being 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.920 unpacked 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.319 more and 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:23.599 more. 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:26.259 I'm aware 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.779 that on 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.240 any given 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.839 Sunday, 00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.659 we are 00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:29.399 all at 00:30:29.399 --> 00:30:29.679 different 00:30:29.679 --> 00:30:30.679 stages of 00:30:30.679 --> 00:30:31.279 this journey 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.059 of understanding 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.559 the gospel 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.039 of Jesus 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.519 Christ. 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:35.779 And so 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.319 maybe I've 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:36.659 made some 00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:37.059 assumptions 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.659 today that 00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:37.919 are not 00:30:37.919 --> 00:30:38.159 your 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:38.599 assumptions. 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:40.699 And I 00:30:40.699 --> 00:30:41.559 would love 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.799 to invite 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.139 you to 00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:44.079 explore that 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.559 more with 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.000 us. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.220 Have the 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.779 conversations 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.519 about that. 00:30:48.959 --> 00:30:49.500 At the end 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:49.819 of this 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.199 month, 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.619 we are 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.419 starting a 00:30:51.419 --> 00:30:52.279 seven-part 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:53.579 course called 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.639 Alpha that 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.399 explores the 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.100 big questions 00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.840 of life 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.980 and the 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.300 Christian 00:30:58.300 --> 00:30:58.860 faith. 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:00.680 It's a 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.100 relaxed, 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:01.860 it's a 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.480 safe place 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.320 to explore 00:31:03.320 --> 00:31:03.720 deeper, 00:31:04.300 --> 00:31:04.580 and I 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:04.820 want to 00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:05.280 just invite 00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:05.500 you to 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:05.820 be part 00:31:05.820 --> 00:31:06.019 of it. 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:06.519 Get your 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:06.900 phone and 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.200 get to 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.560 the QR 00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:08.460 code and 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.880 be part 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.240 of that, 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:09.980 to explore 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.500 with us 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.100 what this 00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:11.759 new birth 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.280 is, 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.180 what this 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.160 imperishable 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.759 hope in 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.040 Jesus 00:31:15.040 --> 00:31:16.180 Christ is. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:20.820 But maybe 00:31:20.820 --> 00:31:21.360 you've already 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:21.920 taken the 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.320 steps of 00:31:22.320 --> 00:31:23.120 exploring it, 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.180 but today 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:26.420 it's pressing 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.060 in on you. 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:30.240 Pressing in 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.620 on you. 00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:33.180 God is, 00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:33.680 by his 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:33.980 spirit, 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:34.660 pressing on 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.039 you to 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.880 take that 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.940 next step. 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:38.820 Take the 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:39.340 next step of 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:39.759 coming to 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:41.180 Jesus and 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:42.920 receiving new 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:45.220 birth today. 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:46.880 If that's 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.120 you, 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.259 I'd be 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.759 delighted to 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:48.960 have a 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.440 conversation 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:49.759 with you 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.100 afterwards.