WEBVTT

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 Good morning, church. It's good to see you this morning. Would you turn with me to 1 Peter chapter

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 3, verses 18 through 22. We'll have it on the screen as I read it in just a minute, but let

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 me encourage you to have it open as we walk through this text together. It's on page 955

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 in the Pew Bible, if you'd like to follow along there. If you're new to reading the Bible,

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 the big numbers are the chapters and the small numbers are the verses. So 1 Peter chapter 3,

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 verses 18 through 22. Actually, let me start reading in verse 17 so we can kind of catch the

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 flow of Peter's thought. All right, let me read this for us, starting in verse 17.

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 For it's better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

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 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might

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 bring us to God. Being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit, in which he went and

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 proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited

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 in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight persons,

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 were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal

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 of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus

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 Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers

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 having been subjected to him. All right, let's pray. Father, help us to understand what on a first reading

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 feels like a challenging text to understand, and help us not just to understand it, but to apply it to our

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 lives today. Through your Holy Spirit, and in the name of Jesus, we ask this. Amen. Amen. So, I want to

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 begin with a quote from Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou said, courage is the most important of all the virtues,

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 because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently. Courage is the most

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 important of all the virtues, because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

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 This made me think of going to the climbing gym. If you've ever been climbing or gone to a climbing gym,

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 you know that it takes kind of a fair number of skills, a fair number of virtues, as it were, to kind of work

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 your way up the wall. But what can happen is that when you get pretty high up on the wall, is that you can get

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 afraid. You're high up, you're stuck, and then your courage runs away. And then in the midst of the fear,

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 it's like everything you knew, all the skills that you worked on, all the virtues just go out the window

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 and you freeze. And maybe, maybe you even fall. And I think life can be like that. You know, we want to

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 live a certain way. We want to be truthful, loving, honest, compassionate, bold. But when pressures or

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 trials come, we get afraid. And then we freeze. And maybe we don't live the way that we set out to live.

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 We struggle to keep our grip on the wall. And maybe we even fall.

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 And so, we need courage. Courage could just be one of the most important of all the virtues,

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 because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

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 But, where does courage come from? How do we get it? Where do we get the confidence, the resolve,

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 the grit to live how we know we should live? In particular, Peter, remember, is writing to

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 Christians who are facing trials and suffering in their Christian life. More and more, they find

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 themselves on the margins of society. Where do they get the courage to keep on following Christ,

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 even and especially when it's hard, when it's against the grain, when it seems like you've got

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 a lot to lose? Where do we get the courage to keep following Christ in the midst of suffering?

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 Well, that's what 1 Peter chapter 3, verses 18 to 22, are all about. We're going to face trials and

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 opposition and even suffering for our allegiance to Christ. And Peter says, here's where the courage

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 comes from. Here's why and how you can stick with it, even when the fears and hardships come,

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 even when you feel beleaguered and battered by a hostile world around you, when it feels like

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 suffering and evil might have the last word. Peter says, take heart, Christian, in your suffering,

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 have courage. Why? Have courage because Christ suffered for you and rose in victory.

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 Now, there are a lot of exegetical and interpretive tangles in the text before us, and we'll do our

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 best to try to comb some of those tangles out as we go. But we don't want to miss the big idea of

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 what Peter's saying here, and that big idea is clear. Christ died and rose again. He ascended in victory.

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 He's seated at the Father's right hand with angels and authorities and power subjected to him.

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 In other words, Christ has triumphed over evil. And if Christ has triumphed through suffering,

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 then all those who are united to Christ, even though they suffer, will share his victory too.

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 His victory is our courage. So let's look a little closer at how Peter unpacks the victory of Christ in

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 this passage so that we too might grow in courage. So first, Peter shows us Christ's victory over sin.

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 Christ's victory over sin. This is verse 18. We see this right off the bat. Look again at verse 18.

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 He says, for Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring

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 us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit. Now, as we saw, the immediate

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 context of this verse is the suffering that Christians will face for their allegiance to Christ.

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 And Peter wants us to not give up in the face of that suffering, but to keep bearing witness to Christ

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 in gentleness and respect. But here in verse 18, he shows us how. He says, Christian, don't be afraid to

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 suffer for doing good. Have courage. Why? Because Christ also suffered, he says. But Peter is saying

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 more here than simply that Christ can sympathize with us in our suffering, although that is a great

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 truth, right? But what Peter is saying here is something more. He's saying that Jesus came and did

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 what no one else can do. He defeated our sin. Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the

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 unrighteous. Now, how is it that Christ's death can be effective to take away our sins?

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 That's what four sins means, after all, that Christ's death is a sin offering, paying the penalty for

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 our sins. How can that be? How can the death of Jesus so long ago take away your sin and my sin?

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 Well, because it's as Peter says, it's because Christ is truly the righteous one. He was without sin,

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 and therefore he had no guilt of his own to pay for. And so he could be the substitute for us,

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 the unrighteous ones. On the cross, Jesus was enacting the great exchange. He, the righteous one,

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 was standing in the place of the unrighteous ones, dying the death their sins deserved,

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 so that we, the unrighteous ones, could come and stand in the place of the righteous one. Do you see?

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 The righteous for the unrighteous. Look at what Jesus's death accomplished. Christ also suffered

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 once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.

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 I wonder if you've ever been invited to a party or an event of some kind, and you've just felt really

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 out of place. You just, you look around at what the people are wearing or what they're talking about,

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 and you just think, oh my goodness, I do not belong here. I am so out of place.

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 Well, friends, the reality is, is that in the presence of a holy God,

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 we don't belong there. None of us belong there. Not with all of our sin, not in the presence of God.

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 Psalm 15 talks about who, who can come into God's presence. David writes in Psalm 15, he says,

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 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? And then David says,

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 he who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart, and who does not

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 slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his

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 friend, in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord, who swears to

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 his own hurt and does not change, who does not put out his money at interest, and does not take a bribe

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 against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. That's who gets to go to the party with God.

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 And you think, oh goodness, how can I possibly meet those standards? Not me, not you, but Christ can.

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 Christ is a righteous one, and he puts his arm around us, and he says, what's true of me is true of you now.

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 Your sins have been paid for by my death, and your moral record has been filled out by my life,

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 so now you do belong at the party. When the host of the party comes and says, no, no, no, you're with me.

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 You belong here now. Changes everything.

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 Because of what Christ has done, you belong in the presence of God. He says, you're with me now.

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 Once we were far off, but now we've been brought near by the blood of Christ.

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 And then Peter says, did you notice this little word? Peter says, Christ died once. Once. Now we could

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 preach a whole sermon on that word, because when Peter says once, he means that the death of Christ

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 was so sufficient, so complete to cover all the sins of everyone who would ever repent and believe in him,

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 that nothing ever, ever needs to be added or repeated to the work of Christ, to the death of Christ.

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 Christ died once for all time, and it's done.

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 And what a great comfort that is when we face suffering and we need courage.

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 Because when we suffer, we can start to believe the lies that maybe we're suffering because God is angry at us.

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 Or maybe we're suffering because we've done something wrong.

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 Or maybe we're suffering because God just doesn't care.

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 But Peter speaks to our troubled hearts so in need of courage,

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 he speaks this powerful word once.

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 Once.

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 For all time, all your sins, past, present, and future,

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 Christ suffered once.

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 The righteous one for you, the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

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 So if you are facing trials, Christian,

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 know this and have courage.

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 Christ has won the victory over your sin once and for all.

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 In your suffering, God is not angry at you.

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 You haven't done something wrong as you face opposition and trial.

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 No, Christ died for your sins.

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 He's brought you to God.

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 Have courage.

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 But Christ's victory doesn't stop there.

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 After all, our trials and our suffering come, right, so often,

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 because we live in a world that is so often hostile to God and God's people.

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 So we need courage to face,

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 we need courage in the face of this very real hostility.

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 And the longer you live in the world,

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 the more you realize, as the Apostle Paul says,

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 that our struggle isn't against flesh and blood,

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 but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

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 In other words, there's a very real spiritual battle going on.

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 Evil, you see, is, according to the Bible,

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 evil sort of compounded in the world, right?

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 Evil in the world isn't just sort of the individual moral choices of people,

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 or what the Bible will call at times the flesh or our sinful nature.

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 And evil in the world isn't just the structural or ingrained evil of cultures and societies,

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 what the Bible sometimes calls the world.

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 Those two are very real,

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 our individual choices and structural evil,

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 both very real, both talked about in Scripture.

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 But there's also a very real spiritual component to the evil that we experience.

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 That along with the world and along with the flesh,

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 our sinful nature,

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 along with corporate structural sin and personal individual sin,

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 there's also cosmic hostility to God.

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 Satan and his evil forces waging war against God and God's creation.

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 Now, I get it.

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 A belief in demons can strike us modern people sometimes as a bit primitive, right?

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 Are we really going back there?

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 But, you know, when you think about it,

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 is it really so hard to believe

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 when you square up to the horrendous evil in the world,

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 is it really so hard to believe that something like a force or a power

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 exploits human sinfulness like a fan on the flame

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 to make it all the more sinful and evil?

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 How can we witness genocide or sex trafficking

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 or how can we read the history of lynching in our own country

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 and find it so hard to believe

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 that evil is much deeper and greater and cosmic

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 than the sum of its merely human parts?

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 It turns out the Bible isn't primitive or irrational in its account of evil,

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 but actually more robust and more brutally honest

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 than we moderns often ever dare to be.

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 But what Peter tells us here in our passage

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 gives us courage.

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 Gives us courage even in the face of evil spiritual forces.

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 Why?

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 Have courage, he says,

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 because Christ has won the victory

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 not just over sin,

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 but over the spiritual forces of evil as well.

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 Let's pick up at the end of verse 18

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 and then read verse 19.

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 Christ, Peter says,

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 was put to death in the flesh

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 but made alive in the spirit

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 in which he went and proclaimed

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 to the spirits in prison

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 because they formerly did not obey.

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 Okay, now,

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 verse 19 is perhaps

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 one of the most difficult verses

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 in the whole New Testament

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 to interpret.

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 The usually quite confident

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 Martin Luther wrote

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 when he was commenting on 1 Peter,

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 he said,

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 this is a strange text

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 and certainly a more obscure passage

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 than any other in the New Testament.

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 I still don't know for sure

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 what the apostle meant.

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 There's Martin Luther on verse 19.

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 Now, okay,

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 we don't have time to dissect

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 all the different interpretations

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 of verse 19,

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 but I want to briefly point out

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 kind of the three most common approaches

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 and then show you the one

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 I think kind of makes the most sense

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 within the context

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 of the whole passage

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 and we'll go from there.

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 But it is worth noting,

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 you know,

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 it's worth noting

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 as we come to a tricky passage

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 like this one

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 that these hard-to-interpret passages

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 in the New Testament

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 are a good reminder to us

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 to be humble before God's word

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 and with one another.

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 I think sometimes

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 God inspired passages like this

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 to remind us

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 that we don't know everything

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 and there are some things

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 that we simply won't figure out

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 in this life.

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 Ultimately, God is God

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 and only He has perfect knowledge.

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 But, you know,

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 I think these unclear passages

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 also give us

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 a richer appreciation

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 of the fact

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 that so much of the Bible

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 is clear,

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 that the main message

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 of the Bible

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 is something

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 that all of us

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 can hear and understand.

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 You know,

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 so these handful

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 of tricky passages

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 like verse 19,

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 they don't just keep us humble,

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 they also remind us

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 that God is so often

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 so abundantly gracious

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 to give us

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 of a revelation of Himself

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 that is much,

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 much more often than not

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 accessible

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 and knowable.

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 God isn't hiding from us.

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 He wants us to know Him

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 and love Him

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 and trust Him

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 through His word.

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 So, anyway,

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 so we're going to stay humble

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 as we come to verse 19.

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 And like I said,

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 there are three main lines

00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:47.040
 of interpretation.

00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.220
 None of them

00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.320
 are without their difficulties.

00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.180
 One, however,

00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.540
 I think is pretty unlikely

00:16:52.540 --> 00:16:53.960
 to be right.

00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.160
 And the other two,

00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.420
 I think,

00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.180
 are more plausible.

00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:56.759
 And I'll tell you

00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.439
 which one of those two

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.700
 I think fits best

00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.259
 with the details

00:16:59.259 --> 00:16:59.779
 of the passage.

00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:00.220
 So, okay.

00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.779
 So, the first interpretation

00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.480
 of verse 19

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.819
 that I think is pretty unlikely

00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:06.180
 is that after Christ's death

00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.839
 and before His resurrection,

00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.759
 Jesus descends into hell

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.220
 and preaches to the spirits

00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.779
 of those sinners

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.759
 who perished in the flood

00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.660
 during the time of Noah.

00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.079
 Okay, that's kind of

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.640
 the first view.

00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.420
 And that view was made popular

00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:19.039
 by origin in the third century.

00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.920
 Now, why do I think

00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:22.460
 this view is the most unlikely one?

00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:25.079
 Well, I think it's unlikely first

00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.759
 because at the end

00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.680
 of verse 18,

00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.379
 Peter says that Jesus

00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:29.900
 was put to death in the flesh

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.559
 and made alive in the Spirit.

00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.099
 Or a better translation

00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:34.640
 would be that He was made alive

00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.440
 by the Spirit.

00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.319
 Christ was made alive

00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.779
 by the power of the Holy Spirit.

00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.799
 And that verb,

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.059
 made alive,

00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.319
 in the New Testament

00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.859
 almost always refers

00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:45.839
 to bodily resurrection.

00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:46.940
 Okay?

00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:48.799
 So, if verse 18

00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.480
 is talking about

00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.379
 the bodily resurrection of Jesus,

00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.740
 how after His death

00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.700
 He was made alive

00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.480
 by the Spirit,

00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:56.480
 then verse 19

00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.559
 can't be talking about

00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.319
 some activity

00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.019
 that Jesus did

00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.759
 between His death

00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.299
 and resurrection,

00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.500
 like descending to the dead.

00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.480
 Verse 19 is something

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.079
 Jesus does

00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:06.099
 after His bodily resurrection,

00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.960
 not before.

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.480
 Now, the other reason

00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.339
 why I think verse 19

00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.200
 isn't talking about

00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:12.079
 Jesus descending

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.299
 to sort of dead humans

00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:15.120
 is because the phrase

00:18:15.120 --> 00:18:16.480
 spirits in prison

00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.980
 is a phrase

00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.700
 that the New Testament

00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:20.799
 never uses anywhere else

00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.019
 to talk about

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.379
 deceased human souls

00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.119
 in the afterlife

00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:24.659
 or in hell.

00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:26.480
 Rather,

00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.440
 the only spirits

00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.240
 that are talked about

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.599
 as being bound in chains

00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.779
 or thrown in prison

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:32.200
 are evil spirits

00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:33.159
 awaiting God's judgment.

00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.139
 Okay,

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.440
 so I think that first view

00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.700
 that Jesus sort of descends

00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.819
 to dead humans

00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.879
 I think is pretty unlikely.

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.680
 Two other views, though.

00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.799
 And the second view

00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.799
 I think is a bit more plausible.

00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.159
 And this was put forward

00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.919
 by Augustine,

00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:46.680
 and then Aquinas

00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.460
 kind of picked it up

00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.659
 in the Middle Ages.

00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:50.019
 And this view says

00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.880
 that what Peter's talking

00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:51.380
 about here

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.420
 is that Christ,

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.980
 through the Spirit,

00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.900
 preached to the people

00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.759
 who were alive

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.740
 in Noah's day,

00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.000
 but who now,

00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.740
 in Peter's day,

00:19:00.800 --> 00:19:01.779
 are dead and in prison.

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.420
 Right?

00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.019
 So this view

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.660
 would take the end

00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.720
 of verse 18 and 19

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.540
 to say something

00:19:06.540 --> 00:19:07.360
 essentially like

00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:09.019
 Christ was made alive

00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.700
 by the Spirit,

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.640
 and by that same Spirit,

00:19:11.800 --> 00:19:12.759
 Christ went back

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.519
 in Noah's day

00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.560
 to preach to the people

00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:15.279
 who are now,

00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.100
 in our day,

00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.160
 spirits in prison.

00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:18.300
 Okay?

00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:19.940
 Now, like I said,

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.960
 that view's actually

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.640
 pretty plausible.

00:19:22.340 --> 00:19:22.900
 After all,

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.840
 Peter says back

00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.720
 in chapter 1,

00:19:24.820 --> 00:19:25.480
 verse 11,

00:19:26.040 --> 00:19:27.340
 that the Spirit of Christ

00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:27.960
 was the one

00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.980
 working through the prophets.

00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.220
 And in 2 Peter,

00:19:31.300 --> 00:19:32.060
 Peter's second letter,

00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.019
 chapter 2, verse 5,

00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.640
 he calls Noah

00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:35.019
 a preacher of righteousness.

00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.540
 So it's not implausible

00:19:36.540 --> 00:19:37.300
 to think that what Peter's

00:19:37.300 --> 00:19:37.980
 doing here is saying

00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.800
 Christ,

00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.500
 through the Spirit,

00:19:39.620 --> 00:19:40.519
 back in Noah's day,

00:19:40.540 --> 00:19:41.140
 was preaching

00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.380
 to those who are now dead.

00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.380
 Okay.

00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:45.640
 That second view

00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.100
 could work.

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.980
 But I think

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.419
 a third view

00:19:47.419 --> 00:19:48.059
 is a bit simpler,

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:48.679
 and it makes

00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:49.599
 a bit more sense

00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.319
 of the overall flow

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.899
 of the passage.

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.279
 And this third view

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.679
 is the one

00:19:52.679 --> 00:19:53.759
 that most New Testament

00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.579
 scholars actually

00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.139
 take today.

00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.759
 And that view says this,

00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.699
 after Christ's bodily

00:19:58.699 --> 00:19:59.939
 resurrection by the Spirit,

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.879
 as he ascended on high,

00:20:02.439 --> 00:20:03.819
 he proclaimed his victory

00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:05.599
 over the evil spirits

00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.419
 that God had been

00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:07.519
 restraining in judgment.

00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:10.960
 2 Peter 2, verse 4,

00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:11.579
 and Jude 6

00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.779
 talk about fallen angels

00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.839
 being kept in chains

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.879
 until the final judgment.

00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.240
 And I think that's

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.859
 the sort of thing

00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.900
 Peter has in mind here,

00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.519
 that Christ,

00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.559
 after his resurrection,

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.779
 ascending on high,

00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.579
 proclaims his victory

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:25.720
 over even the cosmic forces

00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.379
 in the world.

00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.539
 Now, one question

00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.400
 to ask of this view

00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:30.900
 is that,

00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.119
 is,

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.500
 is,

00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.460
 in what way

00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.400
 are these evil spirits

00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.920
 that Jesus is apparently

00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:37.139
 proclaiming his victory to

00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.700
 connected to Noah's flood?

00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.280
 Peter makes that connection

00:20:40.280 --> 00:20:40.980
 in verse 20.

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.180
 And what most commentators

00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.720
 would point out

00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.040
 is that,

00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:45.220
 that many texts

00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.759
 in Jewish,

00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.040
 many Jewish texts

00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:47.920
 in Peter's day

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.180
 would have read

00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.280
 the Genesis account

00:20:50.280 --> 00:20:50.900
 of the flood

00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.660
 and the evil

00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.640
 leading up to the flood

00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.920
 as sort of involving

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.740
 the actions

00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.720
 of evil spirits

00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.540
 or fallen angels.

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.960
 So that's why

00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.480
 in Peter's mind

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.480
 there's this connection

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.780
 between Christ's triumph

00:21:00.780 --> 00:21:01.759
 over the evil powers

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.000
 connecting that back

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.340
 to this particular episode

00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:05.700
 of particular evil

00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.340
 in human history

00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:06.860
 in the flood.

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.460
 Now, like I said,

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.440
 none of these three readings

00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.000
 is perfect.

00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.400
 You can be a member

00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:12.820
 at Trinity

00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:13.740
 and you can hold

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.720
 any of them if you want.

00:21:14.780 --> 00:21:15.720
 That's totally fine,

00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:16.100
 right?

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.520
 But, you know,

00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:20.160
 no matter what we make

00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:22.040
 of verse 19,

00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.740
 when we look at the end

00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.560
 of our passage

00:21:24.560 --> 00:21:25.520
 at verse 22,

00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.820
 we can be sure

00:21:26.820 --> 00:21:27.220
 that no matter

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.340
 what verse 19 means,

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.280
 Peter's very sure

00:21:29.280 --> 00:21:29.900
 that Christ

00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:31.140
 in his ascension

00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.900
 certainly triumphed

00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.040
 over the evil forces

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.639
 of the world

00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.659
 and put them

00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.420
 in subjection.

00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.259
 Angels,

00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.819
 authorities,

00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.359
 powers,

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.420
 all of those things

00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.180
 are describing

00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.639
 that sort of cosmic rebellion

00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.759
 that Christ has now

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.879
 put under his feet

00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.059
 in his triumph,

00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:45.819
 in his ascension.

00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:49.399
 Now,

00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.200
 do you see what this means

00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.179
 for Christians

00:21:52.179 --> 00:21:53.960
 who are facing suffering?

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.500
 It means that no matter

00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:59.299
 what this world throws

00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.200
 at Christians,

00:22:00.439 --> 00:22:02.200
 no matter what the forces

00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:03.539
 of evil might conspire

00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.379
 against the church,

00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.820
 they cannot

00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:07.840
 and will not have

00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:09.060
 the final word.

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.680
 Christ has already

00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:13.100
 proclaimed his victory

00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:13.680
 over them

00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.660
 when he ascended

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.820
 to the right hand of God.

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.700
 Yes,

00:22:18.260 --> 00:22:19.500
 evil might still be active,

00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.480
 evil might still be

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.440
 putting up a fight,

00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.640
 but they're ultimately

00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.780
 a defeated foe.

00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.840
 So this means

00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:29.520
 that we need not shrink back

00:22:29.520 --> 00:22:30.100
 from suffering

00:22:30.100 --> 00:22:30.780
 when it comes.

00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:31.940
 We can meet it

00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.600
 with courage

00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:34.839
 because we know

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.439
 that our enemy

00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.919
 is a defeated foe.

00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.319
 I mean,

00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.419
 isn't it our tendency

00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:41.379
 to kind of avoid

00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.799
 suffering at all costs?

00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:45.019
 This is especially true

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.579
 for our culture

00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.859
 and our time in history

00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:48.359
 because our happiness

00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.939
 so often is so wrapped up

00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:51.139
 in the things of this life,

00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:51.319
 right?

00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.219
 Our happiness is kind of

00:22:52.219 --> 00:22:53.799
 wrapped up in material comforts

00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.299
 or in physical

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.079
 or earthly pleasure.

00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.799
 So suffering is something

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:58.419
 that we just try to avoid

00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:59.659
 at all costs.

00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:02.000
 But if we don't have

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.500
 the courage

00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.500
 to face suffering,

00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.339
 as Maya Angelou said,

00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:05.019
 without courage,

00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.000
 we can't do any

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.720
 of the other virtues

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.359
 consistently.

00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:08.740
 We can't live

00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.319
 with integrity

00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.099
 or compassion

00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.039
 or truthfulness

00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.599
 or justice

00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:13.220
 if we avoid suffering

00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.000
 at all costs,

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.299
 right?

00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:15.660
 I mean, look,

00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.640
 if you're going to be

00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.400
 someone who speaks

00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:17.799
 the truth,

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.500
 if you're going to tell

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.920
 the truth,

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.960
 it's going to cost you

00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.440
 at times

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.480
 in this world,

00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:21.859
 isn't it?

00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.720
 If you're going to act

00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.579
 with compassion,

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.920
 it's going to cost you

00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.319
 at times

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.200
 in a fallen world.

00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.500
 If you're going

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.220
 to do justice,

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.299
 it's going to cost you

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.819
 at times

00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.039
 in a fallen world.

00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.579
 Any virtue,

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:35.259
 any act of Christlikeness

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.439
 is going to bring on

00:23:36.439 --> 00:23:36.899
 trial,

00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:37.379
 suffering,

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:37.740
 hardship,

00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.960
 so you have to be able

00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.759
 to face it with courage

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.839
 and not just run away.

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.519
 And if you see

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.720
 what Peter is saying here,

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.639
 that Christ has won

00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.139
 the victory

00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:47.559
 even over the evil powers

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.299
 in the universe,

00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.439
 and through him

00:23:50.439 --> 00:23:51.099
 we will share

00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:52.259
 in that victory one day,

00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:53.919
 well,

00:23:53.939 --> 00:23:54.740
 then you've got it.

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:57.799
 Because if that's true

00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.519
 of Christ,

00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.740
 and if that's true

00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:01.039
 of you in Christ,

00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.359
 then ultimately

00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.480
 suffering cannot

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.200
 take from you

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.200
 what is most important.

00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.099
 Whatever evil

00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.799
 might befall you,

00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.140
 Christ has conquered it

00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.900
 and promised

00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.019
 to make all things new,

00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.799
 to restore 100-fold

00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.700
 what you've lost.

00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:17.559
 After all,

00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:18.160
 what is loss

00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.099
 of earthly reputation

00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.740
 when the glory

00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.519
 of heaven awaits?

00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.779
 What is the loss

00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.519
 of earthly wealth

00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:23.920
 or comfort

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.940
 when the new creation

00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.539
 beckons?

00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.960
 What even is the loss

00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.660
 of our life

00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.579
 when God promises

00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:31.079
 to raise us up again

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.720
 with Christ,

00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:32.839
 imperishable,

00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.099
 incorruptible in glory?

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.859
 You see,

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.500
 even death

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.579
 has lost its sting

00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.799
 in the victory

00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.859
 of Christ's resurrection

00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:41.579
 and ascension.

00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.220
 You know the song

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.879
 we sing often

00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.500
 at Trinity here,

00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.559
 no guilt in life,

00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.160
 no fear in death.

00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.740
 This is the power

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.639
 of Christ in me.

00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:53.319
 From life's first

00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.559
 cry to final breath,

00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.639
 Jesus commands

00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.379
 my destiny.

00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:58.159
 No power of hell,

00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.899
 no scheme of man

00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:01.279
 can ever pluck me

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:01.980
 from his hand

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.899
 till he returns

00:25:02.899 --> 00:25:03.919
 or calls me home.

00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.159
 Here in the power

00:25:05.159 --> 00:25:06.259
 of Christ I'll stand.

00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.919
 That's what Peter

00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:08.539
 is saying here.

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.079
 So we have courage.

00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.579
 We have courage

00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.379
 in Christ's victory,

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:13.899
 in his victory

00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.559
 over sin

00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.799
 and in his victory

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.439
 over evil.

00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.460
 But lastly,

00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.220
 Peter is going to show us

00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.139
 how we can have courage

00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:22.920
 because of Christ's victory

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.800
 over judgment.

00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:24.940
 Let's pick up

00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.560
 where we loft off

00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:26.180
 in verse 20

00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.700
 and read through verse 21.

00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.180
 God's patience

00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.600
 waited in the days of Noah

00:25:30.600 --> 00:25:31.660
 while the ark

00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.480
 was being prepared

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.440
 in which a few,

00:25:33.580 --> 00:25:34.400
 that is eight persons,

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.380
 were brought safely

00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.040
 through water.

00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.400
 Baptism,

00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.200
 which corresponds

00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.940
 to this,

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.220
 now saves you,

00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:41.700
 not as a removal

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.700
 of dirt from the body,

00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:43.980
 but as an appeal

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.480
 to God

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.480
 for a good conscience

00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.780
 through the resurrection

00:25:46.780 --> 00:25:47.800
 of Jesus Christ.

00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:48.799
 Okay,

00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.639
 so after Peter

00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:51.359
 proclaims Christ's victory

00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.119
 over evil forces,

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.059
 he remembers Noah

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:54.919
 saved through the waters

00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:55.799
 of God's judgment.

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.500
 Now consider how similar

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.659
 Noah's story

00:25:59.659 --> 00:26:00.680
 so often feels

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:02.279
 to the church's experience.

00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.539
 Think about it.

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.480
 Noah and his family

00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.700
 were sort of a minority

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:07.159
 surrounded by a hostile world.

00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:07.779
 Well man,

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.559
 that must have resonated

00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.740
 a lot with Peter's audience.

00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.859
 They felt like a minority

00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.819
 in a hostile world.

00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.579
 Noah was righteous

00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:15.399
 in the midst of a world

00:26:15.399 --> 00:26:15.960
 that was kind of

00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.859
 going its own way.

00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:18.299
 And Peter exhorts us

00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.039
 to be righteous

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.599
 in the midst of unbelievers.

00:26:21.979 --> 00:26:23.979
 Noah witnessed boldly

00:26:23.979 --> 00:26:24.879
 to those around him

00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.899
 by believing in God

00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.219
 and building an ark,

00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:27.839
 right?

00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.599
 And Peter's encouraging us

00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.500
 to be bold witnesses

00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.199
 for Christ.

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.579
 Noah realized

00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.479
 that judgment

00:26:34.479 --> 00:26:35.199
 was soon to come

00:26:35.199 --> 00:26:35.759
 upon the world

00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.939
 and Peter's been reminding us,

00:26:36.979 --> 00:26:37.119
 right,

00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.839
 that the day of the Lord

00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.279
 is coming.

00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.099
 God's judgment

00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.939
 is also coming.

00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:41.939
 At the time of Noah,

00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:43.059
 God patiently waited

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.159
 for unbelievers

00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:44.759
 to repent

00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.959
 before his judgment came

00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.059
 and so also now

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.240
 God patiently waits,

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:49.640
 holding out the forgiveness

00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.120
 of sins

00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:51.140
 to all who believe.

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.279
 Noah was finally saved

00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.460
 with a few others

00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.640
 and Peter encourages us

00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:58.200
 that though perhaps few,

00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.799
 we too will certainly

00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.600
 be saved.

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.240
 Now,

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.799
 what is it

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.620
 that assures us

00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:08.539
 of this rescue,

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.440
 of this salvation?

00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.840
 Noah and his family

00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.759
 entered the ark

00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:14.259
 and God rescued them

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.839
 through the waters

00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.379
 of judgment.

00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.779
 But Peter says

00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:19.220
 that was just a prefiguring.

00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.879
 That was just a type

00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:22.680
 of the greater rescue

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.279
 from judgment.

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.859
 Christ would go down

00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.960
 into the judgment

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.980
 of death itself

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:30.059
 and would rise again victorious.

00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.700
 But how do we

00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.119
 participate

00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:36.200
 in this great rescue

00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.779
 from judgment?

00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:38.599
 How do we get into

00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:40.259
 this even greater ark,

00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:40.900
 as it were,

00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.019
 of Christ's resurrection

00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.820
 so that we might

00:27:42.820 --> 00:27:43.660
 be carried safely

00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.480
 through the waters

00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:44.960
 of judgment?

00:27:46.060 --> 00:27:46.519
 Peter says,

00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.000
 here's how.

00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.140
 Baptism.

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:52.900
 Now,

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.620
 what does Peter mean

00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.200
 when he says

00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:56.519
 baptism saves you?

00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.420
 Is Peter denying

00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.060
 that we're saved

00:28:00.060 --> 00:28:00.920
 by faith alone?

00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.420
 Well,

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:03.640
 no.

00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.400
 He's not denying

00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.019
 that we're saved

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.840
 by faith alone.

00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.300
 Clearly,

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.960
 in 1 Peter,

00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.740
 we've read again

00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.440
 and again and again

00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.519
 that we are saved

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:11.320
 by obeying the gospel.

00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:11.660
 That is,

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.340
 by repenting

00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:12.960
 of our sins

00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.940
 and by trusting

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.779
 in Christ alone

00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.480
 as our Savior

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.200
 and as our Lord.

00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.440
 But,

00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.840
 for Peter

00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:20.340
 and for all

00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:21.240
 the early Christians,

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.580
 conversion

00:28:22.580 --> 00:28:23.960
 and baptism

00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.200
 always went

00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.259
 hand in hand.

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.640
 Let me give you

00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.100
 an illustration.

00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.120
 In the church

00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:32.019
 that I grew up in,

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:32.960
 there would be

00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.519
 an invitation

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.380
 at the end

00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.559
 of every service

00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.640
 to receive Christ.

00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:36.680
 Christ.

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.600
 So,

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.520
 anyone who wanted

00:28:38.520 --> 00:28:39.440
 to become a Christian

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.820
 would be invited

00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:42.460
 to walk down the aisle

00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.940
 to the front

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.500
 of the sanctuary

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.640
 and the pastor

00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.100
 would explain

00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:46.759
 the gospel to them

00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.420
 and they would be led

00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:47.820
 through a prayer

00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:48.620
 to receive Christ.

00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:49.680
 Now,

00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.420
 this act of

00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:52.100
 walking the aisle

00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:53.660
 in some churches

00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:55.200
 became so closely

00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.040
 associated

00:28:56.040 --> 00:28:56.900
 with conversion

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:58.220
 that

00:28:58.220 --> 00:29:00.180
 when you ask someone

00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.020
 if they had

00:29:01.020 --> 00:29:02.440
 walked the aisle,

00:29:03.280 --> 00:29:03.520
 right,

00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.759
 what you were really

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.580
 asking them was

00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.199
 had they come

00:29:06.199 --> 00:29:06.980
 to faith in Christ?

00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.699
 Were they converted?

00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.579
 Were they born again?

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.220
 Right?

00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:10.179
 So,

00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.460
 walking the aisle

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.399
 became a way

00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:13.899
 of talking about conversion

00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.500
 because they were

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.839
 so closely associated,

00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:16.639
 right?

00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.299
 Walking the aisle

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.099
 was part of that

00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.059
 conversion experience

00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:21.559
 so the part

00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.599
 was being used

00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.779
 to refer to the whole.

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:24.720
 Now,

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.079
 of course,

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.199
 walking the aisle

00:29:26.199 --> 00:29:26.980
 in and of itself

00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.759
 didn't literally

00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.579
 save someone,

00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.379
 right?

00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.059
 But,

00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.839
 if you had experienced

00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.819
 conversion in that church

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.639
 and that church tradition,

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:35.339
 if you were indeed saved,

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.519
 you had most likely

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.379
 walked the aisle.

00:29:37.699 --> 00:29:38.240
 You see what I'm saying?

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.639
 Because the two

00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.439
 went hand in hand.

00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:42.199
 Now,

00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.659
 I think

00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:45.000
 something similar

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.799
 is going on

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.939
 in 1 Peter here.

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.199
 When Peter says

00:29:49.199 --> 00:29:50.960
 baptism saves you,

00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.139
 he's using

00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:53.039
 baptism

00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:54.259
 as a part

00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.579
 to refer to

00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.259
 the whole

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.740
 experience of conversion.

00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:00.319
 Because in the New Testament,

00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:00.960
 conversion

00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.759
 and baptism

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.699
 went hand in hand.

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:04.039
 If someone

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.580
 had placed

00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:04.960
 their faith

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.500
 in Christ,

00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.660
 they subsequently

00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.600
 got baptized.

00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:10.180
 A non-baptized

00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:10.519
 Christian

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.340
 was practically

00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.380
 an oxymoron,

00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:13.480
 right?

00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:15.900
 It's a bit

00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.539
 like a wedding ring

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:16.860
 if you think

00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.319
 about it that way.

00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:17.860
 In our culture,

00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.019
 a couple says

00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.840
 vows to each other,

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.960
 they exchange rings,

00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.240
 the pastor pronounces

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.980
 them husband and wife.

00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.340
 Now,

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.200
 do the rings

00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.620
 make someone

00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:27.420
 married?

00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:29.940
 No,

00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:30.440
 right?

00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.279
 It's your public

00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.360
 vows that make

00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:32.940
 you married.

00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.300
 But,

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.560
 wouldn't it be

00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:36.019
 odd,

00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.720
 in our culture

00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.039
 anyway,

00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.480
 if married people

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:38.960
 were walking

00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.620
 around without

00:30:39.620 --> 00:30:40.200
 wearing wedding

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:40.539
 rings?

00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:41.860
 Right?

00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.380
 That would be

00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.019
 kind of strange.

00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:43.500
 Like,

00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:43.880
 you're married,

00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.140
 right?

00:30:44.340 --> 00:30:44.620
 Yeah.

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.539
 Where's your ring?

00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.580
 I left it at home.

00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.320
 Why?

00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.100
 Right?

00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.700
 The two just

00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.340
 always go together.

00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.000
 That's my point.

00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.759
 And it was the same

00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.440
 for conversion

00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:54.000
 and baptism

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:54.700
 in the New Testament.

00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:55.180
 The two

00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.100
 always went

00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.660
 together.

00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:59.560
 Now,

00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.180
 I think we can

00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.600
 know that we're

00:31:00.600 --> 00:31:00.960
 on the right

00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.680
 track here

00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.680
 because of how

00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:03.840
 Peter clarifies

00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:04.460
 what he means

00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.259
 in verse 21.

00:31:05.560 --> 00:31:05.840
 He says,

00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.820
 baptism doesn't

00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:07.560
 save you

00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:08.320
 because it

00:31:08.320 --> 00:31:08.980
 washes dirt

00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.560
 off of your

00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:09.980
 body.

00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.340
 That is,

00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.220
 baptism by its

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.180
 mere physical

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.240
 act isn't

00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.000
 some magical

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.660
 thing that

00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.220
 makes you a

00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.539
 Christian.

00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.039
 Rather,

00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.700
 baptism involves

00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:20.200
 an appeal to

00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.360
 God for a

00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:22.300
 clean conscience.

00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:23.860
 Baptism,

00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.380
 in other words,

00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.220
 is the outward

00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.759
 symbol of the

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.240
 inward

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.059
 reality,

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.579
 the inward

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.359
 prayer of the

00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:31.160
 heart to God

00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:32.519
 asking God

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:32.819
 for the

00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.579
 forgiveness of

00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.680
 sins and a

00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.339
 new heart,

00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.259
 a clean

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.900
 conscience.

00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.940
 In other words,

00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:40.819
 baptism is the

00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.259
 visible,

00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:43.079
 physical expression

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:44.559
 of saving faith

00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.079
 in the heart.

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.420
 And why is

00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:48.140
 this faith

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.500
 expressed in

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.000
 baptism

00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.480
 effective to

00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.160
 save us?

00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:54.220
 because it

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.500
 is faith in

00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:55.880
 the risen

00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:56.500
 Lord Jesus.

00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.540
 That's why.

00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.960
 As Peter says,

00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.580
 an appeal to

00:31:59.580 --> 00:32:00.620
 God for a

00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.380
 clean conscience

00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.400
 through the

00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.140
 resurrection of

00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.900
 Jesus Christ.

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.259
 So then,

00:32:06.340 --> 00:32:07.060
 baptism is the

00:32:07.060 --> 00:32:07.820
 sort of visible,

00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:09.300
 physical sign of

00:32:09.300 --> 00:32:10.320
 our union with

00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:10.840
 Christ through

00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:11.180
 faith.

00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.680
 And think about

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.000
 that.

00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.500
 Just as through

00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.840
 faith we have

00:32:15.840 --> 00:32:16.640
 died and risen

00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.380
 with Christ,

00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.620
 so in

00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.960
 baptism we

00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.580
 go down

00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:20.980
 into the

00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.320
 water,

00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.560
 symbolizing our

00:32:22.560 --> 00:32:22.940
 death with

00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.300
 Christ,

00:32:23.540 --> 00:32:24.120
 and then we

00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.880
 come up again,

00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.300
 symbolizing our

00:32:26.300 --> 00:32:26.840
 rising with

00:32:26.840 --> 00:32:27.180
 Christ,

00:32:27.340 --> 00:32:28.380
 out of judgment

00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.520
 and death and

00:32:29.520 --> 00:32:30.360
 into the new

00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:31.160
 creation of his

00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:32.060
 resurrection life.

00:32:33.580 --> 00:32:34.820
 So baptism

00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:37.040
 then is for

00:32:37.040 --> 00:32:37.940
 our comfort

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.640
 and strength

00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:41.000
 and encouragement.

00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.960
 It marks us

00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:44.000
 as belonging

00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.880
 to Christ

00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.260
 visibly,

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:46.920
 publicly,

00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.140
 It's like an

00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.100
 ancient seal

00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:50.300
 sort of stamping

00:32:50.300 --> 00:32:51.120
 on us in a

00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:51.980
 physical way

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:53.240
 saying all the

00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.880
 promises that

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.620
 are ours through

00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:56.480
 faith are true.

00:32:59.220 --> 00:32:59.940
 So friend,

00:33:00.040 --> 00:33:00.840
 let me just say,

00:33:01.020 --> 00:33:01.600
 if you've placed

00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.140
 your faith in

00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:03.220
 Christ and you've

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:04.200
 not been baptized,

00:33:05.280 --> 00:33:06.740
 don't delay.

00:33:08.060 --> 00:33:08.620
 Don't you see

00:33:08.620 --> 00:33:09.560
 what comfort and

00:33:09.560 --> 00:33:10.300
 what strength and

00:33:10.300 --> 00:33:11.200
 what joy God

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.860
 holds out to you

00:33:11.860 --> 00:33:12.700
 in this physical

00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.240
 expression?

00:33:14.800 --> 00:33:15.620
 Jesus commands

00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:16.240
 you to be baptized,

00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.360
 yes, but it's

00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:18.179
 for your good

00:33:18.179 --> 00:33:18.919
 so that you can

00:33:18.919 --> 00:33:20.740
 experience this

00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.819
 deep assurance

00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.759
 that comes through

00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:24.619
 having your

00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.339
 union with Christ

00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:26.319
 displayed in this

00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:27.059
 beautiful way.

00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:29.039
 So if you'd like

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.500
 to be baptized,

00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.159
 come talk to me

00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:30.679
 right after the

00:33:30.679 --> 00:33:31.259
 service and we'll

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:32.479
 discuss what the

00:33:32.479 --> 00:33:33.219
 next steps are.

00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.099
 You know, don't let

00:33:34.099 --> 00:33:34.799
 the fear of getting

00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.419
 up in front of

00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:36.179
 people stop you.

00:33:36.959 --> 00:33:37.379
 You know, that's

00:33:37.379 --> 00:33:37.859
 what a lot of people

00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.319
 think when they're

00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.719
 like, I don't want

00:33:38.719 --> 00:33:39.079
 to get baptized,

00:33:39.179 --> 00:33:39.599
 I've got to get up

00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:39.959
 there and give a

00:33:39.959 --> 00:33:41.000
 speech, right?

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.240
 But Jesus is going

00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:42.679
 to be with you

00:33:42.679 --> 00:33:43.219
 every step of the

00:33:43.219 --> 00:33:43.439
 way.

00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:45.840
 Now, if you have

00:33:45.840 --> 00:33:47.900
 been baptized, what

00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.600
 Peter's saying here

00:33:48.600 --> 00:33:49.940
 is, look upon your

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:51.900
 baptism and all that

00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:53.600
 it means and have

00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:54.080
 courage.

00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:56.460
 Have courage even in

00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:56.840
 suffering.

00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:58.259
 Why?

00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:00.559
 Because no matter what

00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.420
 suffering comes our

00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:03.279
 way, we've already

00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:05.400
 been through the worst

00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:07.100
 judgment and come out

00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:08.260
 clean on the other

00:34:08.260 --> 00:34:08.639
 side.

00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:10.400
 right?

00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.400
 The world can throw

00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.559
 its worst at us, but

00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.619
 we've already died and

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.579
 come to life again in

00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.000
 Christ.

00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:18.039
 Just like Noah came

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:19.159
 through the flood and

00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.960
 landed in a new

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.460
 creation.

00:34:21.319 --> 00:34:23.359
 Our baptism proclaims

00:34:23.359 --> 00:34:24.379
 that we've entered a

00:34:24.379 --> 00:34:26.059
 new world, the new

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:27.299
 creation where Christ is

00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:27.639
 king.

00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.859
 Let the storms rage,

00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.539
 Peter says.

00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:31.900
 What can they do to

00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.199
 us?

00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.119
 Can they take our

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.539
 lives?

00:34:35.779 --> 00:34:36.519
 But our lives have

00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:37.619
 already, our lives are

00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.619
 already in the hands of

00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:38.940
 another.

00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:40.199
 We've already laid it

00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:41.400
 down and Christ has

00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:42.259
 taken it up again.

00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:44.960
 The waters of baptism,

00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:46.519
 the going down, and the

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.420
 coming up again have

00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.639
 shown it to be true.

00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.960
 We are united to Christ,

00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:52.119
 the victor.

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.019
 There's a great old

00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.059
 Easter hymn that goes,

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.900
 Jesus lives and so

00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.460
 shall I.

00:34:59.339 --> 00:35:00.779
 Death thy sting is gone

00:35:00.779 --> 00:35:01.199
 forever.

00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:03.179
 He who deigned for me to

00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:04.799
 die lives the bands of

00:35:04.799 --> 00:35:05.559
 death to sever.

00:35:06.219 --> 00:35:07.599
 He shall raise me with

00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:08.099
 the just.

00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.920
 Jesus is my hope and

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.279
 trust.

00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:12.739
 Jesus lives and reigns

00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:14.259
 supreme and his kingdom

00:35:14.259 --> 00:35:15.179
 still remaining.

00:35:15.839 --> 00:35:16.960
 I shall also be with

00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:18.279
 him ever living, ever

00:35:18.279 --> 00:35:18.679
 reigning.

00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:21.460
 God has promised, be it

00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:21.819
 must.

00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:23.639
 Jesus is my hope and

00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:24.000
 trust.

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:26.440
 Jesus lives and death is

00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.759
 now, but my entrance into

00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:28.159
 glory.

00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:31.019
 Courage then, my soul, for

00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:32.759
 thou hast a crown of life

00:35:32.759 --> 00:35:33.420
 before thee.

00:35:34.259 --> 00:35:35.779
 Thou shalt find thy hopes

00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.380
 were just.

00:35:37.140 --> 00:35:38.660
 Jesus is the Christian's

00:35:38.660 --> 00:35:39.019
 trust.

00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.720
 Here's where we find

00:35:41.720 --> 00:35:42.400
 courage, friends.

00:35:43.240 --> 00:35:44.160
 Courage when sin and

00:35:44.160 --> 00:35:45.060
 evil and judgment are

00:35:45.060 --> 00:35:45.360
 looming.

00:35:46.100 --> 00:35:47.240
 Courage when trials and

00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:48.019
 suffering mount.

00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.860
 Jesus lives and so shall

00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:51.160
 I.

00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:53.840
 God's word promises it.

00:35:54.540 --> 00:35:55.840
 God's spirit seals it.

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:57.580
 Our baptism proclaims it.

00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.700
 Jesus' suffering has led

00:35:59.700 --> 00:36:00.280
 to victory.

00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:02.519
 And so too shall ours.

00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:04.320
 Let's pray together.

00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:13.240
 Father in heaven, we take

00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:14.519
 a moment now to just pause

00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:17.160
 and be quiet before you and

00:36:17.160 --> 00:36:18.240
 pray that your spirit would

00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:21.240
 come and impress again upon

00:36:21.240 --> 00:36:22.440
 our minds and upon our

00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:25.780
 hearts the great reality of

00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:27.720
 Christ risen and reigning.

00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:32.000
 O Father, by your spirit, fill

00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:33.339
 our hearts with the courage

00:36:33.339 --> 00:36:36.399
 that comes from knowing that

00:36:36.399 --> 00:36:39.339
 we are united to a risen

00:36:39.339 --> 00:36:39.719
 Savior.

00:36:40.500 --> 00:36:41.799
 We pray this in his name.

00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.339
 Amen.