WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.179 Okay, well, this morning we continue to work through the book of 1 Peter in our series, The Splendor in the Furnace. 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:14.980 Now, if you're new to Watermark this morning, you're joining us in kind of the climax of our series. 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:24.140 We've been working through the book of 1 Peter, and this is the part where we really get to find out about the furnace and affliction and suffering. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:30.140 And it's around this time that we get to see why we call this series The Splendor in the Furnace, 00:00:30.200 --> 00:00:36.520 because Peter is writing to a bunch of Christians who feel like they're being thrown in the furnace of affliction. 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:38.159 They are going through a hard time. 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:42.799 They are being persecuted and maligned for their faith, for following Jesus. 00:00:43.540 --> 00:00:49.219 They are being ostracized because they weren't worshipped, the household gods, etc. 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:53.760 And Peter writes them to say, though this may feel like you're being thrown in the fire, 00:00:54.140 --> 00:00:58.460 something beautiful and splendid is going to come of it. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:02.420 God is going to do something majestic and beautiful in the season. 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:10.560 And your faith, which is like gold, is going to be tested in the fire and is going to be purified and fortified and strengthened. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:18.780 And so this book really is about how walking with God through pain and suffering really does produce something beautiful inside of us. 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:21.799 Now, if you're here this morning and you're not yet a Christian, 00:01:21.799 --> 00:01:28.500 I guess you've probably got a whole bunch of questions around pain and suffering and evil and how can God allow these things. 00:01:28.939 --> 00:01:32.459 And there's many good, those are good questions and there's many good answers. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:38.120 The book of 1 Peter is just one of Jesus' answers to us, to this question. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:40.039 Why does God allow these things? 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:44.120 Well, he does it partly to shape us and to form us and to fashion us. 00:01:44.179 --> 00:01:48.920 And so if you're still trying to make sense of the claims of Jesus, we're so glad you're with us this morning. 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:53.420 Now, today's passage follows on closely from last week's passage. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:02:00.460 If you're here last week, I felt like I did a very inadequate job of opening up the scriptures and I apologize for that. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:03.760 So let's hope that we can make more sense of this today. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:07.640 Summarize briefly last week and then dive into today's passage. 00:02:07.820 --> 00:02:07.960 Okay. 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:11.080 So the big idea for today, this sounds very loud. 00:02:11.139 --> 00:02:11.780 Is it loud to you? 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:12.740 No? 00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:13.460 Okay. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:14.319 I'll just bear it. 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:16.599 The big idea for today is this. 00:02:16.959 --> 00:02:34.099 Watermark, let us not waste our time of suffering, but let suffering drive the gospel deeper into our hearts so that we become a community which is gospel sacrificial rather than self-indulgent. 00:02:34.579 --> 00:02:34.719 Okay? 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:43.819 So, Watermark, when suffering comes our way, don't waste the opportunity that suffering produces to drive the gospel deeper into your heart. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:53.939 Let suffering make us the kind of community which is gospel-saturated, that is gospel sacrificial rather than self-centered and self-indulgent. 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:55.800 And there's four points today. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:56.099 Okay? 00:02:56.539 --> 00:03:00.699 And so let's dive into the first one, which is the splendor of the gospel. 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:04.979 Now, the main idea from last week was this. 00:03:05.099 --> 00:03:07.060 1 Peter 3, verse 9 says, 00:03:07.179 --> 00:03:13.339 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but bless those who persecute you. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:15.659 And the way to bless them is to pray for them. 00:03:15.919 --> 00:03:20.039 Someone's giving you a hard time, you pray God's richest blessings on them. 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:25.459 And the motivation for this was found in chapter 3, verse 18, where Peter writes and says, 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:32.600 For Christ suffered for sin, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:37.300 And this verse really is a kind of summary of the entire Bible. 00:03:37.540 --> 00:03:45.000 Everything from Genesis to Revelation is pointing to this one truth, that Jesus Christ, the righteous one, 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:50.100 suffered for sins, for your sins and my sins, that he might bring us to God. 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:54.219 Christ, the perfect one, died in the place of the imperfect ones. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:58.159 Christ, the sinless one, died in the place of sinful ones. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:03.900 Christ, the righteous, died for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:08.780 You know, there's an amazing verse in the Old Testament in 1 Samuel chapter 14, 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:13.860 where a lady in Israel comes to King David and says, 00:04:14.419 --> 00:04:15.699 We all deserve to die. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:17.459 Let me just get it for us. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:22.759 But like water that's been spilt on the ground and cannot be gathered up again. 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:25.459 But God does not take away life. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:34.159 God goes out of his way to find ways to devise means so that banished ones do not remain estranged from him. 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:35.560 So here's what she's saying. 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:39.620 She's saying, like if you take a bottle of drinking water and it spills on the ground, 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:42.219 on sandy ground, it becomes muddy. 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:45.539 There's no ways you're going to be able to drink that water again. 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:46.399 It's gone, right? 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:48.639 It's unsavable, unsalvageable. 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:51.419 He says, that's how we are in the natural realm. 00:04:51.919 --> 00:04:55.000 But God finds a way to save the unsavable. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:59.339 God goes out of his way to find ways of doing the impossible, 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:02.680 of taking those that are far from him and bring them back to him. 00:05:03.039 --> 00:05:04.019 And how did he do it? 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:07.060 Well, Jesus, the righteous one, died for sins, 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:10.240 the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:12.259 This is the gospel. 00:05:13.159 --> 00:05:16.079 And so this is what we've been talking about. 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:18.479 This is what the whole of 1 Peter is all about. 00:05:19.419 --> 00:05:22.479 However, that's not all there is to the gospel. 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:26.479 You see, the gospel is magnificent and it's deep and it's beautiful, 00:05:26.479 --> 00:05:27.959 but it's not one-dimensional. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:30.139 There's many aspects to it. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:31.579 And so consider this. 00:05:31.719 --> 00:05:36.979 Consider how Christ's death on the cross was not only the means by which God purchased our forgiveness. 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:37.799 It was that. 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:39.060 But it was so much more. 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:44.879 Christ's death on the cross was the means by which God made his enemies his friends or his children. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:46.639 Romans chapter 5 says, 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:51.759 For while we were enemies of God, God reconciled us to himself by the death of his son. 00:05:52.300 --> 00:05:57.360 Consider how Christ's death on the cross was the way that God made those that were spiritually dead alive again. 00:05:57.659 --> 00:05:58.600 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:05:58.719 --> 00:06:03.680 As for you, as for me, we were dead in our sins, but now we've been made alive with Christ again. 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:09.639 Consider how the cross is the means by which God's unusual way of defeating his enemies. 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:11.259 Colossians chapter 2 says, 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:18.740 God disarmed the rulers and authorities, put them to open shame, triumphing over them in Christ on the cross. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:23.819 Well, consider how the cross is the way by which Jesus glorified God the Father. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:26.439 Remember, just before he dies, he prays and says, 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:28.939 Father, the hour for my death has come. 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:30.839 Now glorify your name. 00:06:30.839 --> 00:06:37.319 The cross is the way by which Jesus puts on display the infinite majesty and the holiness and the justice, 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:41.359 as well as the kindness and the compassion and the mercy of God. 00:06:41.679 --> 00:06:46.560 Well, consider how not only that, the cross is the means by which God makes a new community. 00:06:46.979 --> 00:06:52.459 He takes those that are banished and estranged and individuals, and he brings them back together as a family. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:58.239 You know, sometimes we think, Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:00.639 And that's true, but that's not the whole truth. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:07.039 The truth is also that God makes a new community, a family, a royal nation, a people for his own possession. 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:13.219 Friends, Jesus dying on the cross to take people like you and I and bring us back into his family 00:07:13.219 --> 00:07:16.919 is like a great shepherd going after the lost sheep and bringing them back to the fold. 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.699 It's like a father who goes to the judge and says, 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:26.480 I'll serve my son's prison sentence so he can be released from jail and reconciled with the family. 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:29.500 Jesus' death on the cross makes a new community. 00:07:30.020 --> 00:07:35.639 But not only that, as we saw last week, Jesus' death on the cross, in all its anguish, in all its pain, 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:44.439 is a picture of how living for the will of God, though it will require you to die initially, actually leads to life. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:46.819 Karen Job said it like this. 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:53.600 Christians know that Christ's death was both purposeful and victorious because death was not the final word. 00:07:54.140 --> 00:07:58.980 Christians followed Jesus' footsteps through death to victory and life. 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:02.680 You see, Jesus' death shows us that death is not the final word. 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:06.280 It's part of the journey towards real, eternal life. 00:08:06.700 --> 00:08:09.040 And for the Christians, this is the pattern of our lives. 00:08:09.460 --> 00:08:14.580 Christ calls us to come and die when we follow him that we may find true life. 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:19.659 And all of this is because Jesus died on the cross, what Christ accomplished for us, 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:26.399 the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, the splendor of the gospel. 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:31.639 And that leads us to today's passage, chapter 4, verse 1, and to point 2. 00:08:31.799 --> 00:08:36.759 And so point 2 is this, the splendor of the gospel and the furnace of affliction. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:37.319 Okay? 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:41.600 So let's look at verse 1 of 1 Peter, chapter 4. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.159 Peter starts off like this. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:44.539 He says, 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:49.200 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, so that's everything we've just spoken about, okay? 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:55.340 Since Jesus died on the cross, the righteous for the unrighteous, to accomplish all of those things and more, 00:08:55.340 --> 00:09:00.560 therefore, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:01.139 Okay? 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:06.399 So Peter's saying this to these Christians that are facing the mill, right? 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:08.720 Things are not very comfortable for them. 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:09.620 And he's saying, 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:15.800 When persecution comes, when you suffer unjustly, when hardship and difficulty comes your way, 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:19.840 remember how Christ suffered unjustly on the cross. 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:22.019 Arm yourself with the same kind of thinking. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:24.960 And it's interesting that he uses the word arm yourself. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:26.040 What's he saying there? 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:26.780 He's saying, 00:09:27.060 --> 00:09:27.900 Take up your weapons. 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:29.920 Take up your arms, right? 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:32.240 So when unjust suffering comes your way, 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:37.440 when people are persecuting you and ridiculing you and you're going to suffer for following Jesus, 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:42.740 when your boss refuses to give you a promotion because you won't flirt with him or sleep with him, 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:46.400 when your boyfriend breaks up with you because you won't sleep with him, 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:51.560 when your family ridicules you because you won't worship the ancestors or pray to them, 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:58.019 when you lose out on a financial deal because you choose to do the path of integrity rather than dishonesty, 00:09:58.819 --> 00:09:59.719 arm yourself. 00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:00.959 Take up these weapons. 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:03.359 And what is the weapon we should take up? 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:04.799 Is it swords and spears? 00:10:05.339 --> 00:10:06.619 Is it guns and ammunition? 00:10:07.459 --> 00:10:07.899 No, no, no. 00:10:07.979 --> 00:10:09.819 Take up this weapon, he says, 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:13.339 which is to arm yourself with the thinking of the gospel. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:19.019 Set your heart and your mind to think about Jesus and how the way he died on the cross. 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:21.199 Because last week Peter said, 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:23.519 well last week I said, 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:26.259 I was trying to say what Peter said, 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:30.620 that one of the ways we respond is to pray for our enemies. 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:33.460 We bless those who persecute us. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:35.840 And now he gives us a second means, 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:39.340 and that's to arm ourselves with gospel thinking. 00:10:40.319 --> 00:10:42.120 Friends, if you're a Christian here today, 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:43.899 and you're suffering, 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:46.299 or maybe if you're suffering because you're a Christian, 00:10:46.299 --> 00:10:51.299 that will produce in us one of two responses. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:52.279 Okay? 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.819 One of two responses. 00:10:54.459 --> 00:10:59.819 Either opposition to the gospel will tempt us to try and live lives of self-preservation, 00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:01.639 of self-centeredness. 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:06.439 It will either tempt us to try and find our joy and happiness in ourselves, 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:11.199 or it will drive the gospel deeper into our hearts. 00:11:11.479 --> 00:11:11.699 Okay? 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:13.360 So in Matthew 24, 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:14.300 Jesus says this, 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.680 just before he dies on the cross. 00:11:15.780 --> 00:11:16.080 He says, 00:11:16.400 --> 00:11:17.879 the end of the age is drawing near, 00:11:18.160 --> 00:11:20.820 and because wickedness will increase in the world, 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:23.400 the love of many will grow cold. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.020 Okay? 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:24.740 So think about this. 00:11:24.780 --> 00:11:26.020 You've got a massive fire. 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:26.320 Okay? 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:27.680 You've got a barbecue pit. 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:30.120 You're going to barbecue some roast lamb. 00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:30.460 Okay? 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:33.360 And busy barbecuing there, 00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:37.680 and next to it is a tin of see-through liquid. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:39.359 And so I say to you, 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:39.559 hey, 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.659 what's in this liquid? 00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:41.759 And you say, 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:42.179 I don't know. 00:11:42.239 --> 00:11:43.779 Let's throw it on the fire and see. 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:44.399 Okay? 00:11:45.239 --> 00:11:45.439 Now, 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:48.259 if that liquid is cold water, 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.899 let's say it's a big jug of cold water, 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:50.799 you throw it on the fire, 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:51.599 what's going to happen? 00:11:52.439 --> 00:11:53.279 It's going to quench it, 00:11:53.319 --> 00:11:53.459 right? 00:11:53.479 --> 00:11:54.279 It's going to put it out. 00:11:54.339 --> 00:11:55.620 It's going to kill the fire. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:58.579 But if that liquid is paraffin, 00:11:58.659 --> 00:11:59.459 or gasoline, 00:11:59.599 --> 00:12:00.439 or something like that, 00:12:00.459 --> 00:12:01.139 what's going to happen? 00:12:01.219 --> 00:12:02.359 You're going to throw it in the fire end? 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:04.159 It's going to be an explosion, 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:04.539 right? 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:06.319 It's going to be a combustion. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:07.159 Well, 00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:08.360 Jesus is saying the same thing. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:08.659 He's saying, 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:10.679 when persecution comes, 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:11.839 when suffering comes, 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:13.860 there's two ways that you can respond. 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:16.099 The one is it's like throwing cold water 00:12:16.099 --> 00:12:17.579 on your affections for Jesus. 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:19.000 It's going to dampen. 00:12:19.079 --> 00:12:21.559 It's going to cause the love of many to grow cold. 00:12:22.099 --> 00:12:24.539 It's going to tempt you to retreat 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.719 into self-preservation. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.079 But the other hand, 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:29.500 if you arm yourself with gospel thinking, 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:32.899 it's like throwing high-octane paraffin on the fire. 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:35.079 It's going to combust with explosion, 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.459 right? 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:40.039 Either persecution will make our sinful hearts 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.639 and temptations more appealing 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.600 and more tempting, 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:45.340 or it will open our eyes to see what sin is 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:46.620 and make sin more disgusting 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:48.259 and the beauty of Jesus more glorious. 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:50.019 And this is what Peter's saying. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:52.480 Look at how he says it in verse two. 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:53.279 He says, 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:56.079 either suffering will make us feel sorry for ourselves, 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:57.059 and as a result, 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:59.600 we will look for joy and happiness and pleasure. 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.879 And what does he use the word here? 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.519 He says, 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:03.659 human passions, 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.100 okay? 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.980 That's self-seeking desires. 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.639 That's what makes me happy, 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.559 what satisfies my desires. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.100 Or, 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:10.779 he says, 00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:11.740 Peter says, 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.899 don't let that happen. 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:13.740 Rather, 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:16.679 combat the temptation to feel sorry for yourself 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:19.600 by seeking joy and pleasure and happiness 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.700 in what does he say? 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.340 In the will of God. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.759 In the will of God. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.100 And so, 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:25.240 look at how he says it here. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:25.879 He says, 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.940 since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:30.440 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:32.980 For if anyone has suffered in the flesh, 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:35.840 if they respond with gospel thoughtfulness, 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:38.660 if they respond by reflecting on Jesus and his death, 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:40.820 they have ceased from sin, 00:13:41.260 --> 00:13:43.140 so as to live for the rest of their time, 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.820 no longer for human passions, 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:45.680 my desires, 00:13:45.760 --> 00:13:48.260 and what makes me feel comfortable, 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:50.020 but for the will of God. 00:13:50.540 --> 00:13:51.120 You see that? 00:13:51.640 --> 00:13:53.180 See that there's two responses here. 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:54.379 So either, 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:56.959 suffering and hardship will drive us 00:13:56.959 --> 00:13:58.739 to become more self-focused, 00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.759 self-aware, 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.879 self-centered, 00:14:01.099 --> 00:14:02.139 and self-entitled, 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:03.879 as we feel sorry for ourselves, 00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:04.819 or, 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:06.799 it will make us selfless, 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.099 others-focused, 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:08.879 generous, 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.339 and servant-hearted. 00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:11.359 Okay? 00:14:11.599 --> 00:14:14.539 The reformers used to say it like this, 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:17.699 the same sun that bakes the clay 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:19.719 also melts the ice. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:22.360 The sun bakes the clay. 00:14:22.420 --> 00:14:22.920 In one sense, 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:23.820 it makes you hard, 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.000 it can harden your heart 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.060 towards God and the gospel. 00:14:26.660 --> 00:14:29.139 But the same sun can also melt the ice, 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.300 can also soften your heart 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:31.000 towards the gospel. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.460 How do you know which one 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.320 it's going to do to you? 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.300 Well, 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.480 how are you going to respond 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.779 when hardship and difficulty 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:37.840 comes your way? 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.220 And so this is what Peter's saying. 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:39.600 He's saying, 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:41.420 don't waste your suffering. 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:43.560 Don't waste the opportunity 00:14:43.560 --> 00:14:44.860 that opposition brings 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:46.860 to drive the gospel deeper 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.580 into your hearts 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:49.180 and to fall more in love with Jesus. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:51.299 And this is why this book 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:51.679 is called 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:53.139 The Splendor in the Furnace. 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:54.959 When the heat is turned up, 00:14:55.219 --> 00:14:56.599 when you feel like you're being thrown 00:14:56.599 --> 00:14:57.899 in the furnace of affliction, 00:14:58.219 --> 00:14:59.839 when difficulty comes 00:14:59.839 --> 00:15:01.779 because you're following Jesus, 00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:02.659 not genus, 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.219 Jesus, 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:05.699 the furnace will do something 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:07.259 in you and to you 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.739 which you'd never have discovered 00:15:08.739 --> 00:15:09.620 apart from it 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:11.439 if you arm yourself 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:13.000 with gospel thinking. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:14.799 Tim Keller, 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:15.699 gee, 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.579 I can't speak today. 00:15:16.719 --> 00:15:17.319 Tim Keller, 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.500 I really do apologize. 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:20.600 Tim Keller 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:23.020 wrote the most incredible book 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:24.440 and I wish I'd brought my copy 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.020 to show you. 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:25.940 I really want to encourage you 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:26.440 to buy this. 00:15:26.520 --> 00:15:26.840 It's called 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.720 Walking with God 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:28.920 Through Pain and Suffering. 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.360 Probably one of the best books 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.540 I've ever read in my life. 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:32.600 And in it, 00:15:32.780 --> 00:15:33.520 he writes this. 00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.440 It's quite a long quote 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.820 and I forgot to put it on the slide 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.820 so you're going to have to 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.600 listen up carefully. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:38.340 It says this, 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:40.560 No matter what precautions we take, 00:15:40.780 --> 00:15:43.320 no matter how well we have put together 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.019 a good life, 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.720 no matter how hard we've worked 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:47.460 to be healthy, wealthy, and comfortable, 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:50.680 something will inevitably ruin it. 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.220 In a secular view, 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:54.080 suffering is never seen as meaningful 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.879 but only as an interruption 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.320 to my good life. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:59.100 Christianity teaches 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.740 that while suffering is overwhelming, 00:16:01.280 --> 00:16:02.120 while it's real, 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.860 and contrary to karma, 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:05.180 suffering is often unfair, 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.899 it's not without meaning. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.519 There is a purpose to it. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.819 And if faced rightly, 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:12.899 it can drive us like a nail 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:14.500 deep into the love of God, 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.639 into more stability, 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.019 into spiritual power 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.139 you could never imagine. 00:16:18.839 --> 00:16:20.179 While other worldviews lead us 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:22.099 to sit in the midst of life's joys, 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:24.159 foreseeing the coming sorrows, 00:16:24.739 --> 00:16:26.539 Christianity empowers its people 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:28.559 to sit in the midst of world's sorrows, 00:16:29.219 --> 00:16:30.899 tasting the coming joys. 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:31.979 You see that? 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:34.139 The gospel says that suffering 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.179 is not without meaning. 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.899 It's not always comfortable, 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.860 it's not fine, 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:38.620 it's not nice, 00:16:38.699 --> 00:16:39.299 it's terrible, 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.000 it's overwhelming, 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:42.439 but it's not without meaning. 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.299 And so this is what Peter's saying to us. 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:46.799 He's saying don't waste the opportunity. 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:49.199 Friends, don't waste your suffering. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.819 Don't run away from it. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.860 Don't retreat into self-preservation. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:55.840 Let God use the furnace of affliction 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.919 to open your eyes 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:58.500 and to fall more in love with Jesus, 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.580 to see the ugliness of sin 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.659 and the beauty of Christ 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:03.000 and the splendor of His glory 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.480 and to long for heaven. 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.259 And so this is what Peter's saying. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.559 When you suffer for the gospel, 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:09.519 arm yourself with gospel thinking. 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.140 Fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.259 Remember the cross. 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.859 Remember what Jesus did for us. 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.859 For whoever suffers in the flesh 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:17.259 has ceased from sin 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:19.059 and spends the rest of their time 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.279 living for the will of God. 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:21.319 Okay? 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.200 So the splendor of the gospel, 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.779 the splendor of the gospel, 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.839 the furnace of affliction. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:29.500 Thirdly, a community of self. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:32.759 Now, what we see in this next section 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.240 from verse 3 to 11 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:36.500 is that one of the ways we know 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:38.720 how we will respond to the gospel 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:40.460 or how we will respond to suffering 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:43.480 is by observing the nature of the community 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.619 that we are part of 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:45.980 or more specifically, 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:48.099 our view of community life. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:48.640 Okay? 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.799 So how do you know 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.859 which way you're going to respond? 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.099 More self-entitled 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:53.240 or more other-centered? 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.900 Feeling sorry for yourself 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:56.759 or more selfless and sacrificial? 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:58.259 Well, one of the ways you know 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.879 is by observing the nature 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:01.240 of the community you're part of 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.619 and how you view community. 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.559 Because in verse 3 to 4, 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.359 we have a picture 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.460 of what some people 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:08.599 might consider to be a fun community. 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.039 Okay? 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.940 Lots of passion. 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.960 Lots of excitement. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.299 Maybe it's the kind of community 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.640 you want to be part of. 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.700 But there's something sinister about it. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.339 And so let's see if we can pick it up. 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.480 Look at verse 3 and 4. 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:19.960 He says, 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.480 Peter talks about people 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:23.480 that are living in sensuality. 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.559 That means just living 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:26.220 for what feels good in the moment. 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.259 People who are living for passions. 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.420 That's what excites you. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.319 Living for drunkenness. 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:31.539 Okay? 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.960 Living without any restraints. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.380 Living for orgies. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:36.220 Fulfilling all your sexual desires. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.620 Drinking parties. 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:39.100 And lawless idolatry. 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.220 Now that may be, 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.319 maybe that sounds exciting. 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:41.880 Maybe you think 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:43.299 that's exactly what I'm looking for. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.120 Sign me up. 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.940 Where can I join? 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:45.339 Right? 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.160 But there's something sinister 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.819 about this. 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.660 Because the problem is 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:53.160 that this lifestyle, 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:54.360 like a community 00:18:54.360 --> 00:18:55.440 that's focused on this, 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:57.100 cannot sustain itself. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.080 It's going to come to an end. 00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.960 It's going to unravel 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.200 at some point in time. 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:02.640 Because look at how Peter 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.340 shows us this 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.259 in verse 3 and 4. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:04.720 He says, 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:06.580 this is how you used to live. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.340 Remember, 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.100 this is how you, 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.059 you were once part 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.759 of this community. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:11.039 But now, 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.299 they are surprised 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.539 when you do not join them 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.940 in the same flood of debauchery. 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.559 And they malign you. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.120 They ostracize you. 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.680 They persecute you. 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:20.420 Why? 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.800 Because a community 00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:22.440 that's built 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:24.019 around pleasure seeking, 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:26.200 around self-indulgence, 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:26.880 around fulfilling 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:28.200 humanistic desires, 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.820 does not love you 00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:30.600 and accept you 00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:31.660 for who you are. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.259 It merely loves you 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.820 and accepts you 00:19:33.820 --> 00:19:34.880 because you join them 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.420 in fulfilling 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:37.039 self-gratifying desires. 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:38.000 Does that make sense? 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.039 So the community 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:39.539 doesn't say, 00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:39.920 hey, 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.500 I love you 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.420 because I love you. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:41.840 It says, 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.860 you can be part of us 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.779 as we both try 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.420 and fulfill 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.820 our own pleasures together. 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.400 Let me see 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:48.200 if I can tell a story 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.340 to demonstrate this. 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.100 When I was in high school, 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.799 so back in South Africa, 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.600 in high school, 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.720 you finish high school 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.019 when most people 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.819 turn 18 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.140 in their final year 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:58.539 of school. 00:19:59.580 --> 00:20:00.700 And in South Africa, 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.960 everything happens at 18. 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.000 You finish high school, 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:03.940 you also get 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.860 your driving license 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.840 and you can drink 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:07.460 legally at the age of 18. 00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:09.059 So most people 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.100 turn 18 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.799 in their final year 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.319 of high school 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.380 except most people 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:13.240 have started drinking 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.420 many years before that. 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.460 14, 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.180 15, 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.660 et cetera. 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:18.580 And so when I was 00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:18.900 at school, 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.040 my final three years 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:20.400 of school, 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.440 I was in the boarding house 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.500 which was the best 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.060 three years 00:20:23.060 --> 00:20:24.000 of my high school career. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.360 We had a lot of fun. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:27.140 But I had decided 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.080 that I wasn't going 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:28.779 to drink alcohol 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.779 before I was 18. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.000 It's just a personal decision. 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.500 And so while I had 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.300 a lot of friends 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:34.040 in the boarding house, 00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:35.440 I was always slightly 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.100 on the outside. 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:37.740 I was never really 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.880 in the circle 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.279 with the guys 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.480 because I wouldn't 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.019 drink with them 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.620 on weekends. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.080 I'd go to the parties 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:45.420 but I would drink soda 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.920 and I was a little bit 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.560 on the outside. 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.180 A bit nerdy. 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.580 But when I turned 18, 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.060 I had a motorbike 00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:52.759 in the boarding house 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.580 and so I went 00:20:53.580 --> 00:20:54.560 out of the school grounds, 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:56.060 I went to a liquor store 00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:56.519 and I bought 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.660 a whole case of beers 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:59.800 and I brought them 00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.600 back to the hostel 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:02.039 and I said to all 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.000 the guys in my year, 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.300 I said, 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:03.600 listen, 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.620 I've turned 18 today, 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.279 we're going to go down 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.100 to the rugby fields 00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:06.420 and we're going 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.200 to have beers together. 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.580 And so we went 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:09.460 down to the rugby fields 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.200 and we all cracked 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.840 open these beers 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:11.820 and had a couple 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:12.420 of beers together. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.060 And it was amazing. 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:15.500 For the first time, 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:17.039 I was right in there. 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:18.259 I was part of the crowd. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.079 Maybe that's what happens 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.899 if you buy beers 00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:20.879 for other guys, right? 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:23.539 But something changed 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:23.940 that day 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.839 where I was part 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.359 of the crowd. 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:27.279 I was part of the men. 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.179 I was welcomed 00:21:28.179 --> 00:21:29.319 into the circle, right? 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.639 Because I had bought 00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.319 beers for them. 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:33.019 But the problem is 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.460 that the fickleness 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.539 or the ease 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.599 with which you join 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:37.240 a community 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:39.480 is the same ease 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.440 with which you'll be 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.819 excluded from the community 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.919 when you no longer 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:43.559 participate 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:53.559 or you dress differently 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:55.240 or you no longer 00:21:55.240 --> 00:22:09.200 listen to the same kind 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:09.599 of music, 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.519 you're out. 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.759 And that's exactly 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.240 what's happening 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.059 to these Christians. 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:15.139 They were excluded 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.079 because they no longer 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.940 participated in the activities 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.940 of the same interest. 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.079 You see, friends, 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.559 a community which is formed 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.920 around similar ideas 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:24.379 of self-indulgence 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:25.859 or personal gratification 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:28.740 or what makes me happy 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.960 is self-defeating 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.379 because the very thing 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.639 that brings them together 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.920 is the same thing 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:35.099 that actually undermines 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:35.859 true community. 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.879 True community is formed 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.539 when you say 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:40.039 we have common commitments, 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.099 common convictions 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.960 where together 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:42.879 we are united 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:44.079 about a commitment 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.639 to something outside of us, 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:47.240 something bigger than us. 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.879 And in the Christian context, 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.559 it's the person 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.519 of Jesus Christ. 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.019 Communities form 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.579 not just around 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.240 common interests 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.200 but common convictions 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.879 and commitments. 00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:56.000 And friends, 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:56.899 one of the challenges 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.980 for us as a church 00:22:57.980 --> 00:23:00.299 is that a Christian community 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.379 can actually be 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:02.579 just as secular 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.659 but just around 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.980 Christian personal 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.980 self-gratification. 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.800 So we can pretend 00:23:07.800 --> 00:23:08.860 and think we're part 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.779 of a Christian community 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.640 but it's not because 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.480 we actually committed 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.580 to loving and serving 00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:13.140 one another. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.940 It's because I fulfill 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.920 my own religious 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.880 self-gratification 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.779 and you fulfilling 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.140 your religious gratification 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.220 and we're doing it together 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.340 but as soon as 00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.279 one of us is different, 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.519 as soon as one of us 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.540 has a different idea, 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:25.500 what do we do? 00:23:25.560 --> 00:23:26.440 We shun the person. 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.380 We kick them out. 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.480 You're no longer allowed 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.259 to be our friend. 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.019 And Peter writes and says 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.339 that kind of community 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.700 is always self-defeating. 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:34.980 And that leads us 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.440 to the fourth 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.400 and the final point 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.980 which is a community 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.259 of gospel sacrifice. 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.700 And so let's look 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.420 at what a community 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:42.559 which is forged 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.759 in the furnace of affliction, 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.839 which is thought deeply 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.579 about the gospel 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:47.200 and Jesus looks like. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.480 Let's read verse 7 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.480 to 11 together. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.940 Peter writes this, 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.420 The end of all things 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.119 is at hand. 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:55.019 Therefore be self-controlled 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.339 and sober-minded 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.819 for the sake of your prayers. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.119 Now just pause quickly. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.400 It's interesting, 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.940 this is the third time 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.860 in three weeks 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.840 that the passage 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.900 of scripture we've looked at 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.580 has mentioned 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:06.920 for the sake of your prayers. 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:07.960 It's interesting, 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:09.120 Jesus is telling us 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.600 that God takes our obedience 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:12.060 to his word very seriously. 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.620 There is a correlation 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.580 between our obedience 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.200 to Christ 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.340 and our relationship with him. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.280 Three weeks in a row 00:24:17.280 --> 00:24:18.920 the passage has spoken about 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.700 obey Christ 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.880 for the sake of your prayers. 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.180 Then verse 8, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.180 he gives us 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.580 four characteristics. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.340 He says, 00:24:25.800 --> 00:24:26.320 Above all, 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.940 keep loving one another 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.480 earnestly 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.839 since love covers 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:31.000 a multitude of sins. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.420 Show hospitality 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.440 to one another 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.299 without grumbling. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.740 As each has received 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.200 a gift, 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.279 use it to serve one another 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.200 as good stewards 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.519 of God's varied grace. 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:41.660 Whoever speaks 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.380 is one who speaks 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.319 the oracles of God. 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.039 Whoever serves 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.779 is one who serves 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.400 by the strength 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.259 that God supplies. 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:48.220 In order that in everything 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.680 God may be glorified 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.980 through Jesus Christ. 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.680 To him belong glory 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.400 and dominion 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:55.019 forever and ever. 00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:55.940 Amen. 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.720 Four things that Peter 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.160 gives us. 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.360 Four marks of a gospel 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.259 community that's been 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.259 forged in the furnace 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:01.880 of affliction 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:03.299 but has thought deeply 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.960 about Christ 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.500 and who he is. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.360 First thing is this. 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.039 Love one another 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.420 for love covers 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.100 over a multitude 00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:09.740 of sins. 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.460 You see, 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.340 every community 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.240 whether Christian 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.740 or secular 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.920 is going to have 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.279 times of misunderstanding, 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.519 miscommunication, 00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:17.860 difficulty, 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.820 disappointments, 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.059 right? 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.460 Chris mentioned earlier 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:20.980 this week, 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.279 he said, 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.019 a lot of people 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:23.299 get disappointed in church 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.980 because church 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.940 can be disappointing. 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.059 And it's true, 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.360 right? 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.240 As churches 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.860 we're not immune 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.299 from that. 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.440 We're full of sin, 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.640 we're full of pride, 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.620 we're full of stuff 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.819 and we get in the way 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.880 and we hurt each other. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.400 What's going to stop us 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.559 from distangling 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.900 and becoming self-centered 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:40.620 and self-orientated? 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.299 The gospel community 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.980 is one whose association 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.740 is determined 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:46.819 not by self-interest 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.980 or what makes me happy, 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.460 by a common commitment 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.180 to love 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.400 and serve one another. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.480 Jesus said, 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.779 as I have loved you, 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:55.539 so you love one another. 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.700 And how did he love us? 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:58.339 By dying on the cross, 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.740 by covering our sin 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.519 with his blood. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.360 Christ's love 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:02.940 speaks 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.599 to Christian community. 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:05.599 You see friends, 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.640 Christian love 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.400 is not soft 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.039 and mushy. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.860 It's not like, 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.559 oh, 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.559 rosy 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.339 and gentle, 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:11.599 right? 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.400 It's robust, 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.579 it's strong, 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.759 it's healthy, 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.500 it covers over sins. 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.019 And when someone 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.559 hurts you 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.319 and maligns you 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.720 and does something hurtful, 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.980 the Christian community 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.700 is able to say, 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:23.000 because Christ suffered 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.360 for me, 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.279 I can forgive you. 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:26.259 The gospel calls us 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.000 to love one another. 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.519 Secondly, 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.220 verse nine, 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.240 he shows that 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.779 a community 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:31.019 shaped by Christ's 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.460 selfless, 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.580 sacrificial death 00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:33.700 is one that 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.559 is marked 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.360 by incredible 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.019 hospitality. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.420 In Hong Kong, 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.279 because we have 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.299 small homes 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.120 and because 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:42.960 time is of a, 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:44.279 is a very precious 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.819 commodity, 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.480 the temptation 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.779 is to give in 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.920 to our secular culture 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.819 and to never have 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.980 people in our homes. 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.099 Friends, 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.099 I want to encourage us 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:54.220 not to go that route. 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.680 I want to encourage us 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.380 to let the gospel 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.140 shape us 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.579 and to become 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.920 incredibly hospitable, 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.019 to open up 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.920 not just our homes 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.799 but our hearts 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.539 to one another. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.319 You see, 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.259 opening up our homes 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.220 is a way of showing, 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.079 of letting people 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.880 into the most private 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.860 areas of our lives. 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:09.140 It's a way of allowing 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.160 people to see the good 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:11.720 and the not so good, 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:11.980 right? 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:13.000 It's allowing people 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.900 to see our lives 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.579 when we're not putting 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.500 our best foot forward 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.640 but when our kids 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.259 are messy 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.000 and there's stuff 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.740 in the lounge 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.460 and the music 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.339 is too loud 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.620 and Claire 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:23.099 patiently puts up 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.500 with me 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.920 and I get frustrated. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:25.880 When people 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.359 in my homes, 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.980 they get to see 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.680 the real me. 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.839 They get to see 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.740 all the sin 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.359 and all the mess. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.460 Friends, 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.319 consider how Jesus 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.819 opened up 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.099 not only his home 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:35.120 but his heart to us. 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.259 Consider how Jesus 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.980 suffered in order 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.620 to bring us 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.380 into the family. 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.620 Remember how Jesus 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.299 welcomed us 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.140 with open arms. 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.039 Remember how Jesus 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.279 said, 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:42.980 I welcome you 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:47.000 and then you change. 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.640 I don't ask you 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.120 to change 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.180 before I welcome you. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.579 Rosario Butterfield 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.700 wrote an incredible book 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.039 called 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.220 The Gospel Comes 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.960 with a House Key. 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.220 In this book, 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.180 she tells her story. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.620 She was an antagonistic 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.539 anti-Christian, 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.339 didn't want anything 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.140 to do with Christians. 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.779 What changed her life 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.779 was she met a couple, 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.579 an older couple, 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.039 that welcomed her 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.039 into their home. 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.759 For two years, 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.319 they would just 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.420 welcome her at any time. 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:11.720 They said, 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.180 we have dinner 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:13.400 at 5.30 every night. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.819 This is in the States, 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.480 not in Hong Kong. 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.500 We have dinner 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.799 at 5.30 every night 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:19.339 and you're welcome 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.120 any time you want. 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.680 Just pull in 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.140 and there will always 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:21.860 be food for you. 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.660 And this hospitality 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.660 challenged her. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.319 She says this, 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.059 for two years, 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.319 I was loved and welcomed 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.620 by a Christian community 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.519 that I mocked, 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.720 despised, 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.339 and rejected. 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.779 I accepted them 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.860 when it worked for me 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:35.440 but all the other times 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.360 I rejected them. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.480 But eventually, 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:39.240 this couple won her heart 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.259 and she explained 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.059 the gospel to her 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.859 and she became 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.599 a follower of Jesus. 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.099 And she writes this 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.460 in a book. 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:44.859 She says, 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:47.159 the gospel calls us 00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:48.480 to engage in radical, 00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:50.059 ordinary hospitality, 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.799 which means we provide 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.779 the time necessary 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:54.279 to build strong relationships 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.279 even with people 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.559 who think differently to us, 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.359 as well as strong relationships 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:59.099 with people 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:00.240 within the family of God. 00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.099 Of course, 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.940 it takes planning, 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.139 intentionality, 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:04.279 and sacrifice 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.440 to create margins 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.399 of time and money. 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.740 but it won't take 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.820 anything from you 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:10.200 that you don't already have 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.259 in Christ 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.340 and the gospel. 00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:13.180 Friends, 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.000 because of what we have 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.560 in the gospel, 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.400 God calls us 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:16.480 to spend ourselves 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.560 for the sake of others. 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:18.880 Thirdly, 00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:20.300 Peter says this 00:29:20.300 --> 00:29:21.040 in verse 10, 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.440 that such a community 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.540 born of the gospel, 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.860 shaped by affliction 00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:25.940 and thinking about Jesus, 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.620 will live not for themselves 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.580 but for the well-being 00:29:28.580 --> 00:29:29.060 of others. 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.360 Remember in chapter 3, 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.160 we spoke about this 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:32.900 two weeks ago, 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:34.660 in chapter 3, 00:29:34.780 --> 00:29:35.220 Peter says, 00:29:35.340 --> 00:29:35.680 husbands, 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.600 use the strength 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.500 that God has given you 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.920 to serve your wife. 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.080 Whatever strength 00:29:41.080 --> 00:29:41.720 God has given you, 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.680 you use it 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.360 to build up 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.320 and encourage your wife. 00:29:44.780 --> 00:29:44.920 Now, 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.140 Peter says the exact same thing 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.920 to all Christians. 00:29:47.060 --> 00:29:47.640 He says here, 00:29:48.280 --> 00:29:48.780 each of us 00:29:48.780 --> 00:29:49.740 has received a gift. 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:50.840 So think about 00:29:50.840 --> 00:29:51.860 the gifts you've received. 00:29:52.340 --> 00:29:53.860 Maybe it's your natural talents 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.740 and gifting. 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.800 Maybe it's your resources, 00:29:57.060 --> 00:29:57.560 finances, 00:29:57.820 --> 00:29:58.400 or a house, 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.240 or a car. 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:00.840 Maybe it's connections 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:02.019 and contacts that you have. 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:02.660 He says, 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.900 use the gifts that you've got. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.420 Each one has received a gift. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.519 Now use it 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.640 to serve one another 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.740 as stewards 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.519 of God's gracious gift. 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.320 I think one of the best examples 00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:13.019 I can think of 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.560 of this 00:30:13.560 --> 00:30:14.779 is Franklin and Teresa. 00:30:15.540 --> 00:30:16.500 Franklin and Teresa 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.580 have been really blessed 00:30:17.580 --> 00:30:18.720 by God in many ways. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.759 Good education, 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.660 good family, 00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:21.519 blessings, 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.200 work, 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.279 opportunities. 00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:25.180 Franklin is always 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:26.120 asking the question, 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.320 how can I use 00:30:27.320 --> 00:30:28.019 the gift that God 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.660 has given me 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:30.000 to bless and serve others? 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:30.800 I think of the way 00:30:30.800 --> 00:30:31.700 he even bought a car 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.340 a year ago. 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:32.720 I mean, 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.699 it's just Franklin and Teresa 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.359 in their home, right? 00:30:34.419 --> 00:30:35.119 There don't have any kids 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.599 staying at home. 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.539 He bought a seven-seater car 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.959 and the thinking was this, 00:30:39.459 --> 00:30:40.139 I'm sure there are going 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.599 to be people 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.220 that are going to need 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.419 lifts to and from things. 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:43.720 I'll give people lifts. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.720 So he bought a bigger car 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:46.279 just to help people out. 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.459 But he's constantly 00:30:47.459 --> 00:30:48.359 asking the question, 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.519 how can I use 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.259 the gifts that God 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.879 has given me 00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:53.259 to love and serve others? 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.240 And then finally, 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.119 Peter gives us 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:55.960 the fourth, 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:59.539 I guess, 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.359 proof of gospel community. 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.259 And look at what he says 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:02.980 in verse 11. 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:03.720 He says, 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:05.599 Let him who serves 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.420 serve by the strength 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.140 that God gives 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:08.859 in order that in everything 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:10.319 God may be glorified 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.799 through Jesus Christ. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.420 To him belong glory 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.059 and dominion 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:15.839 forever and ever. 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.640 Amen. 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.839 Friends, 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:19.679 if the gospel is true, 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:21.079 if Jesus Christ 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:21.959 went to the cross 00:31:21.959 --> 00:31:23.000 to bear our sin 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:24.000 upon his shoulders, 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:25.439 if Jesus Christ, 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.379 the righteous one, 00:31:26.459 --> 00:31:27.699 died for unrighteous 00:31:27.699 --> 00:31:28.740 you and me, 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:31.259 if God does not 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:32.500 hold our sin against us 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.659 but rather welcomes us 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.359 into his family 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:35.099 and into our arms, 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:35.779 friends, 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.720 if God loves us 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.399 and forgives us, 00:31:37.459 --> 00:31:38.159 not because of what 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.119 we've done but because 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:40.000 of what Jesus did 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:41.480 on the cross for us, 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.939 is there any room 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:43.740 left for boasting? 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:45.279 Is there any room 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.480 left for self-glory? 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.900 Is there any room 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.720 left for arrogance 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.880 or self-sufficiency? 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.319 Peter writes this, 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.279 to him, 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.539 to Christ, 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:55.440 belongs all the glory 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.440 forever and ever 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.559 and ever 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.660 and ever 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:01.299 and ever. 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.079 Amen. 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:02.779 Right? 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.420 A gospel community 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.460 forged and shaped 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.160 by the gospel 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:06.940 be one that says 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.900 Christ to you 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:09.319 be all the glory. 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:10.700 Watermark, 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.640 if there's one prayer 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.779 I've prayed for our church 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:14.120 the last year, 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.680 there's one prayer 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.440 I've prayed over 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.400 and over and over 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.100 again is this, 00:32:17.580 --> 00:32:18.340 God make us 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.259 a gospel church, 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.640 make us a gospel 00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.140 community, 00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:22.300 get the gospel 00:32:22.300 --> 00:32:23.820 deep into our hearts, 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:24.680 make us a community 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:25.680 which is formed 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.280 and fashioned 00:32:26.280 --> 00:32:26.880 and shaped 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:27.680 around the person 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.420 of Jesus Christ 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.900 and what he's did 00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:29.440 on the cross. 00:32:30.080 --> 00:32:30.640 And I've prayed 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.680 that prayer for myself, 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:32.640 say God, 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.200 I want to be 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:33.940 a gospel man, 00:32:34.300 --> 00:32:35.519 I want what you did 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.240 on the cross Jesus 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.519 to shape every area 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.940 of my life, 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.500 I want to be 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.180 a gospel man. 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.280 And you know what, 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:41.440 I think God is starting 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:42.600 to answer that in my life. 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.140 By 1%, 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:45.080 very slowly, 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:46.599 God is doing stuff 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.139 in my life. 00:32:47.199 --> 00:32:47.819 But you know what, 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:48.919 there's two things 00:32:48.919 --> 00:32:49.500 that are happening. 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.419 One, 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.299 the way that God 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:51.779 is doing it 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.579 is he's exposing 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.679 all sorts of sin 00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:54.839 and rubbish in my heart. 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.059 I'm seeing things 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:57.019 that I've never seen before 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.679 and it hasn't been 00:32:57.679 --> 00:32:58.359 very comfortable. 00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.639 And secondly, 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.859 he's taken me through 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.460 probably the most 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:03.039 difficult trialing season 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.759 of my life. 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.619 But God is doing something. 00:33:06.199 --> 00:33:06.480 And friends, 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.439 I think Jesus wants 00:33:07.439 --> 00:33:08.179 to answer that prayer 00:33:08.179 --> 00:33:08.759 for our church. 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.259 I think Jesus wants 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.779 to make us 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.740 a gospel community, 00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:12.679 a gospel church. 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.880 But chances are 00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:14.360 when he does it, 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.460 he's going to expose things. 00:33:16.060 --> 00:33:16.700 The things that are 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.799 hidden under the surface 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.779 that are going to come up. 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:19.740 But secondly, 00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.600 there's chances are 00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:21.180 he's going to do it 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:21.860 by taking us 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.980 to the furnace of affliction. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.860 He's going to dial up the heat. 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.100 He's going to allow us 00:33:26.100 --> 00:33:27.000 to suffer a little bit. 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:28.460 But as he does that, 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:29.500 let's respond. 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.500 Let's arm ourselves 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.120 with the gospel. 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.039 Let's think about 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.980 Christ on the cross. 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.259 And let's become those 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.580 who don't waste suffering, 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.820 but use it to get 00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.700 the gospel deeper 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.440 into our hearts 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.220 so that we're 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:41.560 a gospel sacrificial community. 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:43.339 Let's pray together. 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.599 Oh, Heavenly Father, 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:51.720 these things are good ideas 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:53.819 and they're nice theory, 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:55.000 but God, we need you. 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:56.179 We need a work of your grace 00:33:56.179 --> 00:33:57.200 and a work of your spirit 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:58.139 to really do this 00:33:58.139 --> 00:33:58.659 in our hearts. 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.619 Jesus, we need you 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:02.139 to make each one of us here 00:34:02.139 --> 00:34:03.740 a gospel man, 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.779 a gospel woman, God. 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.899 We want to arm ourselves. 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.839 We want to think 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:09.400 carefully and intentionally 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.079 about you 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.059 and your death 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.539 on the cross 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.239 and what you accomplished 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:12.799 for us. 00:34:13.819 --> 00:34:14.759 God, won't you 00:34:14.759 --> 00:34:15.719 shape our hearts, 00:34:15.799 --> 00:34:16.559 we pray, God. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:17.920 And Father, 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.739 as you do that, 00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:19.319 won't you shape 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:19.940 our community. 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.759 I pray, God, 00:34:20.799 --> 00:34:21.360 that Watermark 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.219 really will be 00:34:22.219 --> 00:34:23.380 a gospel community, Lord. 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.840 That we will be those 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.840 that love one another 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:27.059 intensely and deeply. 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.719 We will be those 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:30.400 that are extravagantly 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.739 hospitable and open. 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:33.699 We will be those, God, 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:34.559 that use the gifts 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.460 that you've given us, 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.719 not for our own benefit, 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.599 but for the well-being 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:38.139 of others. 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.339 And Father, 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.099 you'll make us 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.599 a community 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.279 that lives 00:34:41.279 --> 00:34:42.819 and that the song 00:34:42.819 --> 00:34:43.440 of our heart 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.359 is to the glory 00:34:44.359 --> 00:34:45.019 of Christ, 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:46.319 the praise 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:47.079 of your name. 00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:48.739 God, I pray, 00:34:48.839 --> 00:34:49.460 make us different. 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.900 Make us a counter-cultural 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:51.460 community. 00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:53.079 May we be a light 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:53.879 in the city, God. 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:55.019 May we swim upstream. 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.960 May people see 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.699 the wonder 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.799 and the beauty 00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:00.339 of Jesus 00:35:00.339 --> 00:35:01.159 because of what 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:01.980 you've done in our hearts. 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.299 We pray this 00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:04.619 in your wonderful name. 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:05.739 Amen. 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:05.920 Amen.