WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.660 Well, I did a quick study this week, just a quick search. 00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:07.440 If you did a more thorough one, you may find the answer to be different than this. 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:15.480 But in a quick search this week, I discovered that the word holy is recorded in the Bible, 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:20.339 both Old and New Testament, somewhere around 700 times. 00:00:21.580 --> 00:00:22.640 That's a lot of times. 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:27.440 It's also a big book, and lots of words are used lots of times. 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:32.500 But it may surprise you that if you were to compare that and do a quick search between the word holy 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:41.840 and maybe the words love, or grace, or mercy, or salvation, or good, 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:45.320 holiness blows them out of the water. 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:49.060 I mean, for the most part, it doesn't even come close. 00:00:49.520 --> 00:00:51.980 Where holy is mentioned some 700 times, 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:56.219 some of those words that we might expect to actually be mentioned over and over and over 00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:00.939 might be mentioned 200, 300 times in the Old and New Testament. 00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:03.339 I found that to be actually quite surprising. 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:12.500 But it goes to show us the importance that God places on his own holiness, 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:17.340 and then also living lives that are holy and righteous in his sight. 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:22.840 There's two ways that the various forms of holy are used in the Bible. 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:27.600 The first is in describing God. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:35.500 We're told in Revelation chapter 4 and verse 8 that the throne of God is surrounded by creatures 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:40.620 who continuously say out in praise to God, 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:46.060 holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, 00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:49.980 who was and is and is to come. 00:01:50.599 --> 00:01:54.719 We just sang a song that's rooted in Revelation chapter 4. 00:01:54.900 --> 00:01:56.579 And when we come to this word in the Bible, 00:01:56.700 --> 00:02:00.879 we find it very often being used to describe God in this way. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:04.140 When the Bible says that God is holy, 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:09.159 what it means is that he is absolutely perfect, 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:17.740 righteous, and glorious in all that he is and in all that he does. 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:20.180 One author put it this way, 00:02:21.219 --> 00:02:26.139 that the holiness of God refers to the unparalleled majesty 00:02:26.139 --> 00:02:31.399 of his incomparable being and his blameless, 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:36.000 faultless, unblemished moral purity. 00:02:36.519 --> 00:02:39.759 So when we come to this word and we see it in relation to God, 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:43.239 we're thinking of the perfection of God, 00:02:43.619 --> 00:02:46.019 the highness of God, 00:02:46.019 --> 00:02:51.939 that he is absolutely incomprehensibly perfect 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:56.719 and righteous in everything that he is and in everything that he does. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:02.599 But holy in the Bible can also refer to people and things. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:04.879 And when it's used in this way, 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:07.740 it really means to be set apart 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:14.699 or devoted to God's purposes and God's glory. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:17.759 Now that's the definition we really want to wrap our brides around now. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:18.919 So let me say it again. 00:03:18.919 --> 00:03:22.500 To be holy in the Bible when it's not describing God, 00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:24.679 when it's being used in one of these other ways, 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:28.119 it really is referring to something that is set apart, 00:03:28.399 --> 00:03:33.279 that is devoted to God's glory and to God's purpose. 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:37.479 For example, Exodus chapter 31 and verse 15 00:03:37.479 --> 00:03:44.579 says that the weekly Sabbath day for Israel was holy to the Lord, 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:49.460 meaning that Israel was to devote the weekly Sabbath 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:55.100 to God's purpose and glory through rest and worship. 00:03:55.980 --> 00:03:59.080 To use that Sabbath day for any other thing 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:02.340 other than God's glory in rest and worship 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:05.260 was a sacrilegious sin 00:04:05.260 --> 00:04:08.080 because that day was set apart, 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.860 devoted to God's glory and God's purpose. 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:13.440 When we study on through the Old Testament, 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:17.439 we find that the various instruments 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:20.639 used in the tabernacle and in the temple 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:23.460 were made holy to the Lord, 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:27.060 meaning that the basins that the priest would use 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:28.259 for their various duties 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:30.080 were not to be used for any other thing. 00:04:30.340 --> 00:04:32.139 Those basins in and of themselves 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:35.160 were set apart to this particular purpose 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:37.560 in God's plan and God's glory and God's purpose. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:40.040 We see that the other thing, 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:43.019 certain animals are set apart and made holy, 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:46.079 devoted to the worship of God. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:51.019 And to use those things for any other purpose, 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:52.980 as Israel did at times do, 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:56.740 invited the wrath of God. 00:04:58.019 --> 00:04:59.980 Well, the Bible also says that 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:03.019 we are to be holy, 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:08.139 devoted to God's purpose and God's glory. 00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:10.219 So in the beginning, 00:05:10.719 --> 00:05:13.799 Adam and Eve were holy beings, 00:05:13.799 --> 00:05:16.079 not in the sense that God is holy 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:17.719 because that would make them God 00:05:17.719 --> 00:05:18.819 and they weren't God, 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:21.599 but they were holy beings created by God 00:05:21.599 --> 00:05:24.859 and they were created to glorify him. 00:05:25.859 --> 00:05:29.180 They were created to enjoy him as their creator. 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:30.840 But of course, 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:33.519 they fell short of God's purpose and glory, 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:34.680 according to Romans 3, 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:37.600 when they disobeyed God's instructions 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:40.860 and they sinned in rebellion against God. 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:44.519 And what was first devoted to God's glory 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:49.079 was then devoted to God's wrath. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:51.160 Do you see the exchange now? 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:54.420 Adam and Eve in their innocence 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:56.199 are devoted for the purpose 00:05:56.199 --> 00:05:57.360 to live their lives, 00:05:57.360 --> 00:06:00.000 to glorify their Lord and enjoy their creator. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:01.780 But because of their rebellion 00:06:01.780 --> 00:06:02.980 and because of their sin, 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.759 they then and of themselves 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:07.060 became devoted to God's wrath. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:09.980 And it is only in God's grace and mercy 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:12.600 that his wrath was not poured out on them 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:13.699 in that moment. 00:06:15.220 --> 00:06:17.759 A testament to the goodness of God 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:19.400 even amidst his wrath. 00:06:20.900 --> 00:06:22.960 But this is why the gospel of Jesus 00:06:22.960 --> 00:06:24.120 is so necessary. 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:26.939 Because as the son of God, 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:30.300 Jesus was perfectly holy. 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:34.379 He fulfilled all the demands of the law. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:36.300 And on the cross, 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:39.259 he was devoted to God's wrath 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:41.240 on our behalf 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:43.939 so that all who trust in him 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:46.740 will be given his righteousness. 00:06:47.300 --> 00:06:49.560 So there's another exchange that takes place. 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:53.060 It's the exchange that the Old Testament anticipates 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.060 that is ultimately revealed 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:57.019 in the person of Jesus. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:01.259 You see, it's because of our sin 00:07:01.259 --> 00:07:04.500 that each one of us is devoted 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:06.079 to God's eternal wrath. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:10.120 But it is through Christ alone 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:12.819 that we can once again 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:16.699 be devoted to God's glory and purpose. 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:18.000 So are you following me? 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:20.540 We are created for God's glory, 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:23.839 but our sin falls short of the glory of God. 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:26.819 Therefore, we are now devoted to God's wrath. 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:29.500 And the fact that you have any life to live at all 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:31.779 is a testament to God's graciousness 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:34.079 even to those who are in rebellion against him. 00:07:35.480 --> 00:07:37.160 But God in his own love 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:39.040 sends his only son 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:41.019 who was perfectly holy 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:43.539 to suffer his wrath 00:07:43.539 --> 00:07:46.459 so that we now can be made holy again 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:49.359 through him and through him alone. 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:53.419 You see, this is where 1 Peter's discussion of holiness 00:07:53.419 --> 00:07:54.699 comes into view for us. 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:58.019 Since we have been united together 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:01.019 on account of our union with Christ, 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.620 we are called together 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:07.139 to be God's holy people. 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:09.699 In fact, flip back just a page, 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:10.579 perhaps in your Bibles, 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:14.120 to 1 Peter 2, verse number 9. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:15.500 Peter says, 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:18.259 you are a chosen race, 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:20.160 a royal priesthood, 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:22.160 a holy nation, 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:25.600 a people for his own possession 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:28.020 that you may proclaim 00:08:28.020 --> 00:08:29.720 the excellencies of him 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:31.460 who called you out of darkness 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:33.759 into his marvelous light. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:35.399 Once you were not a people, 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:37.320 but now you are God's people. 00:08:37.680 --> 00:08:39.460 Once you had not received mercy, 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:42.120 but now you have received mercy. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:45.379 And what is the end of that mercy 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:46.600 that we have been shown? 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:48.980 That God has his people 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:51.279 that are a holy nation 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.019 that are to proclaim 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:55.540 the excellencies of his glory 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:58.199 fulfilling the original purpose 00:08:58.199 --> 00:08:59.699 of Adam and Eve in creation 00:08:59.699 --> 00:09:01.699 so he saves us 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:03.240 and redeems us 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:04.779 and calls us together 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:08.319 so that then we may reflect his purpose 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:09.879 and his glory 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:12.019 in the way that we live. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.759 So now that we have received 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:16.159 the righteousness of Christ 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:17.659 through his cross, 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:20.419 we are called as his people 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:22.879 to live in total devotion 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:25.879 to the glory and purposes of God. 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:28.259 But then as we study 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:31.100 Peter's instructions for holiness, 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.379 we need to remember 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:34.639 that the purpose of this letter 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:38.080 was to encourage and challenge Christians 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:41.580 who were facing intense suffering 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.860 for their faith. 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:46.340 And it is in this context of suffering 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:50.340 that Peter flavors these instructions here 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:52.899 in chapter four relating to our holiness. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:54.460 In fact, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:57.139 in the case of these Christians 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.060 to which he's writing, 00:09:58.460 --> 00:10:00.019 it was their holiness 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:02.340 that actually caused them 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:04.100 to face such hardship. 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:06.899 So if we could summarize 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:09.000 the point of these verses 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:11.379 and the point of the message today, 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:12.279 it would be this. 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:15.060 God calls us to holiness 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:17.500 to pursue holiness 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:20.820 even when it produces suffering. 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:23.360 And it is his gospel 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.920 that provides us with the hope 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:27.139 that is necessary 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:28.720 as we suffer 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:30.800 on account of our new life in Christ. 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:32.040 Okay, do you have that? 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:33.080 That's the summary. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:34.379 That's the big picture 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.340 of what we want to accomplish 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:36.820 as we work through these verses. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.000 God calls us to pursue holiness 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:40.480 even when it means 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.379 that we're going to suffer. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:43.720 And then his gospel comforts us 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:45.879 as we inevitably face the suffering 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:47.820 that comes along with a holy life. 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:49.040 So let's work through it together. 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:50.020 Number one, 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:52.500 I want you to see our call to holiness. 00:10:53.560 --> 00:10:55.460 Our call to holiness. 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:57.100 Verse one, 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:01.600 since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:06.620 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:09.120 Notice that our call here 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:12.659 is grounded in the gospel of Jesus. 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:17.500 That Christ suffered in the flesh. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:20.060 But what does Christ's suffering 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:22.759 have to do with how we live our lives? 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:24.299 And for that answer, 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:26.039 we look back just a few verses. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.639 If you'll go to chapter three 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:29.200 and verse 18, 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:30.879 Peter writes, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.720 for Christ also suffered for what? 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.120 Once for sins. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:39.879 The righteous for the unrighteous. 00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:42.519 That he might bring us to God 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.460 being put to death in the flesh, 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.740 but made alive in the spirit. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:48.440 So first, 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:50.940 Jesus suffered and died 00:11:50.940 --> 00:11:54.000 to pay for our sins. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.120 The righteous one 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:58.340 absorbs the wrath of God 00:11:58.340 --> 00:12:02.340 set against the unrighteous ones. 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:05.659 We understand the Bible's teaching here. 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:07.820 Death is the result of sin. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:09.120 But Jesus, 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:11.399 as the perfectly sinless son of God, 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:14.500 had no sin for which he had to pay. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:16.940 That's why Peter, 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:18.580 in that great sermon 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:19.759 on the day of Pentecost, 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:21.500 Acts 2.24 says, 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:23.240 God raised him up, 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.399 loosing the pangs of death, 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:27.879 because it was not possible 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:30.200 for him to be held by it. 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:32.259 Why was it not possible 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.080 for Jesus to be held by death? 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:36.620 Because Jesus had no sin 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.360 for which he had to pay. 00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:41.940 Therefore, death had no claim on Jesus. 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:44.560 The death that he died, 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:47.280 he died for the sins of his people. 00:12:48.140 --> 00:12:48.920 Those who have, 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:50.600 according to Ephesians 2, 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:53.720 been redeemed by the blood of the cross. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.220 So then, 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:57.220 when we consider Christ's suffering 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.820 concerning our holiness, 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:01.680 we do so because our devotion 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:04.680 to sin and to self 00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:06.800 was the very reason 00:13:06.800 --> 00:13:08.220 that he suffered. 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:10.520 You see, this is the thing, 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:12.059 this is why the gospel focus 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:13.159 is so necessary. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:16.620 And when we don't focus on the gospel 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.639 and everything that we do, 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.059 Christians can so easily 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:20.100 lose sight of this. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.559 Why does it matter 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:23.019 how I live my life? 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:25.299 Because the sinfulness of your life 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:26.960 is the very reason 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:29.019 that Christ came to die. 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.379 He didn't come 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:33.600 just to make us feel better 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.399 about stuff. 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.519 He didn't come 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:39.159 just as a superior example 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:40.519 of how to go through 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.740 living in morality 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.259 and in good works. 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:45.079 That was not his purpose. 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:47.740 His purpose was to come 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:50.179 and die for our sin. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:52.319 Why then would we feel 00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:53.139 it's okay 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.959 to continue on 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:56.159 in the very sin 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:57.559 that put him on the cross? 00:13:57.559 --> 00:14:02.719 Paul refers to this 00:14:02.719 --> 00:14:04.059 in Romans chapter 6. 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:07.059 For the death that he died, 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.819 he died to sin 00:14:08.819 --> 00:14:10.199 once for all. 00:14:11.339 --> 00:14:12.899 But the life he lives, 00:14:13.099 --> 00:14:14.079 he lives to God. 00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:17.000 So you also 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:18.979 must consider yourselves 00:14:18.979 --> 00:14:20.219 dead to sin 00:14:20.219 --> 00:14:22.579 and alive to God 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:23.839 in Christ Jesus. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:26.740 Let not sin 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:28.379 therefore reign 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:30.080 in your mortal body 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.759 to make you 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:33.139 obey its passions. 00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:35.620 Do not present 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:37.139 your members to sin 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:38.160 as instruments 00:14:38.160 --> 00:14:39.519 for unrighteousness, 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.899 but present yourselves 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:41.720 to God 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.100 as those who have been 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.139 brought from death 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.139 to life 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:47.360 and your members to God 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.740 as instruments 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.540 for righteousness. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.759 Why does our holiness matter? 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.759 Why does Peter 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.800 lead off with 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.019 for just like 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.879 Christ suffered 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.699 in the flesh? 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:57.759 Because our holiness 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.859 has everything to do 00:14:58.859 --> 00:14:59.699 with Christ's suffering. 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.599 It has everything 00:15:01.599 --> 00:15:02.579 to do with the gospel. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.899 But it's not just that 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.120 that Peter's getting at here. 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.539 Jesus' suffering 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:08.039 also sets an example 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.500 for our holiness. 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:13.639 Jesus pursued 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.659 the will 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.919 and the glory 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.899 and the purpose 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.539 of God 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:20.759 knowing full well 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:22.719 that it would ultimately 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.440 lead to intense suffering 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.980 and death. 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:27.879 That's why 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.300 Peter writes here 00:15:29.300 --> 00:15:30.680 that we are to 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:32.259 arm ourselves 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:34.160 with the same way 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:35.080 of thinking. 00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:35.820 In other words, 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.300 he's saying 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:37.259 you need to have 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.379 the mind of Christ 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.139 in this 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.279 who pursued 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.120 God's purpose, 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.279 who pursued 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:43.220 God's will, 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.340 who pursued 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.180 God's glory 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:45.879 knowing 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:47.000 that it would lead 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.920 to the cross. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:50.159 So, church, 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:52.079 have this same mind 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.719 when it comes 00:15:52.719 --> 00:15:54.439 to your own holiness. 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:58.899 Our call to holiness 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.699 begins with 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:00.659 looking to Christ 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:02.240 and living 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.079 in conformity 00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:03.659 to him. 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:06.000 A total transformation 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.399 of thought 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:09.199 that is produced 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.019 by the Spirit 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:10.879 through the gospel. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.539 Here's why we say 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.500 it's a total transformation 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.259 of thought. 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:17.039 because before 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.539 the gospel 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.059 comes in 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:18.559 and transforms 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.299 our lives, 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.580 the power of God, 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.600 who do we live for? 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.240 Well, me. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.100 My life 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.759 is characterized 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.100 by what makes 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:30.259 me happy. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.740 My life 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.539 is primarily 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.460 characterized 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:36.419 by self-preservation 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:38.439 and self-advancement. 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.100 But when we come 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.740 to the gospel 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.620 and we examine 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.840 who Christ was 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.740 and what Christ did, 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.639 we find 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.960 that that was 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.259 not his pursuit. 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:48.960 His pursuit 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.460 was not 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.980 self-advancement 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:52.879 and self-fulfillment 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.399 in the sense 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.220 that we would 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.200 pursue those things. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.960 He actually 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.659 pursued 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.180 God's purpose, 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:01.240 the glory 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.060 of the Father, 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.600 even though 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:03.899 it meant 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.620 his own suffering. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.779 And when we 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.579 come to Christ 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:09.019 and the Spirit 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.980 moves in 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.279 and transforms 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.599 our lives, 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.980 he transforms 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.700 our minds. 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.460 You see, 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.279 this is how we deal 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.139 with the reality 00:17:18.139 --> 00:17:20.660 of man's will 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.240 as we begin 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.539 to understand theology. 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:25.279 That before Christ, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.879 our desires 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:27.799 are set wholly 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.799 on ourselves. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.940 But it is through 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.819 the work of the Spirit 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.980 that our desires 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.759 are transformed 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.720 and we then pursue 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.759 the desires of God. 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:38.899 Paul talks about this 00:17:38.899 --> 00:17:39.899 to the Romans as well. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.800 Romans chapter 12. 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.860 Do not be conformed 00:17:43.860 --> 00:17:44.519 to this world. 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.560 Be transformed 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.740 by what? 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.220 The renewing 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:49.820 of your mind. 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.660 That by testing 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.360 you may discern 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.380 what is the will of God, 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.060 what is good 00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:55.720 and acceptable 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.640 and perfect. 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:58.200 And then Peter 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.720 goes on 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.500 to describe 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:01.019 what kind of holy life 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.940 is produced 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.900 by this transformation 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:03.620 of the mind. 00:18:04.060 --> 00:18:04.480 Look again 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.160 at verse 1. 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.440 For whoever 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.420 has suffered 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.160 in the flesh 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.800 has ceased 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.859 from sin. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.339 Now that's 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.059 a weird statement 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:15.299 and it can be confusing 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.980 so let's make sure 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.639 that we understand 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:18.019 it appropriately here. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.559 So remember, 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:20.859 suffering 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:22.019 in the context 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.159 of this passage 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:24.819 is hardship 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.859 that comes 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.159 from our faithfulness 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:27.680 to God 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.579 in the gospel. 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:29.460 Okay? 00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:31.440 Ceased 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.379 from sin 00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:34.039 does not refer 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.399 to sinless perfection 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:37.060 but to that 00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:37.940 transformation 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.320 of mind 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:40.560 that pursues 00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:41.320 God's will 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:42.400 over our own. 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:42.820 Okay? 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.240 Are you with me? 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:45.600 So the pursuit 00:18:45.600 --> 00:18:46.200 here, 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.840 the ceasing 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.460 from sin 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.380 is not that 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.060 we reach 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:50.960 and attain 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.340 a level 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:52.240 of sinless perfection. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.320 This is just 00:18:53.320 --> 00:18:54.080 that disposition 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:54.860 of the mind 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:55.540 where our 00:18:55.540 --> 00:18:56.720 primary desire 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.940 is to please 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.460 the Lord 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.400 rather than 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.200 simply to please 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.740 ourselves. 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:01.920 And the one 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.620 who has suffered 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.659 is the one 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:04.319 who has suffered 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.259 on account 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:07.259 of their faithfulness 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.959 to Christ 00:19:07.959 --> 00:19:08.879 and the gospel. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.279 So Peter's point 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.179 is that those 00:19:11.179 --> 00:19:11.819 who suffer 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.059 for Christ's sake 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.439 show, 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.000 excuse me, 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.500 show that their 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.979 desires for sin 00:19:17.979 --> 00:19:19.699 and self-preservation 00:19:19.699 --> 00:19:21.639 have been eclipsed. 00:19:21.719 --> 00:19:22.119 It's not that 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:23.239 they always go away 00:19:23.239 --> 00:19:25.039 but they've been 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.939 eclipsed 00:19:25.939 --> 00:19:27.259 by a desire 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.879 to love 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:28.939 and obey God. 00:19:29.699 --> 00:19:30.539 So he's really 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.659 working backwards here. 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.180 He begins 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.019 with the suffering 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.840 when maybe 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.279 if we just 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.880 reverse it 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.180 we say 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.720 well actually 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.560 this transformation 00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:38.660 and putting 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:39.540 away of sin 00:19:39.540 --> 00:19:40.040 is actually 00:19:40.040 --> 00:19:41.000 what results 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.580 in the suffering 00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:42.960 here. 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.880 David Helm 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.540 helps, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.279 he says 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.519 he is simply 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.259 affirming 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.120 that those 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.600 who suffer 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:50.440 for the gospel 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.900 do by their 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.660 very willingness 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.440 to suffer 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.440 demonstrate 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.200 that they are 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.040 done with sin. 00:19:57.040 --> 00:19:57.800 Everyone who 00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:58.759 suffers for Jesus 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.920 will first 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.820 be resolved 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.759 somewhere along 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.319 the line 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.480 to cease 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.279 from sinning. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.559 Well then 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.179 Peter takes it 00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:07.819 a step further 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.439 and he goes on 00:20:08.439 --> 00:20:09.000 to explain 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.000 the manner 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.200 in which a 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:11.679 Christian 00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.539 ceases 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.839 from sin. 00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:14.879 Look with me 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.579 at verse 2. 00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:17.500 So as to live 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.139 for the rest 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:18.859 of the time 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:20.379 no longer 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.200 for human 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.799 passions 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:23.319 but for 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.759 the will 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.379 of God. 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.220 For the time 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.220 that has passed 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.179 suffices 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.019 for doing 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.440 what the 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:29.980 Gentiles 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.400 want to 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:30.660 do 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.180 living 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.420 in 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.200 sensuality 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.799 and passions 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.640 and drunkenness 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.120 and orgies 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.620 and drinking 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.019 parties 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.640 and lawless 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:37.060 idolatry. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.640 So our call 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:39.120 to holiness 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:39.840 demands that 00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:40.299 we live 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.080 the remainder 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:42.019 of our days 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.259 devoted to 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.900 God's glory 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:44.560 and purposes 00:20:44.560 --> 00:20:45.240 rather than 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.620 our own. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.400 It's fairly 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.900 simple there 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.320 isn't it? 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.860 God's desire 00:20:49.860 --> 00:20:50.660 for his people 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:52.279 is then 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:52.740 that we 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.340 abandon 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:55.039 human passions 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:57.120 to pursue 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:57.700 his will. 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.380 And looking 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.000 through Peter's 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.279 letter 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.100 helps us 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:01.640 understand 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.420 the distinction 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.580 between human 00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:04.059 passions 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.960 and the will 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.440 of God. 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.180 In fact 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.720 flip back 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.220 just a page 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.100 to chapter 1. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.539 1 Peter 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.240 chapter 1 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.539 look with me 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:13.200 at verse 14 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.900 set your eyes 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.319 there if you 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:14.660 can. 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:15.880 He says 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.519 as obedient 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.120 children 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.759 do not be 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.340 conformed 00:21:19.340 --> 00:21:20.200 to the passions 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.039 of your 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.759 former 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.620 ignorance 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:24.519 but as 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.039 he who 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.580 called you 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:26.180 is holy 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:28.140 you also 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.820 be holy 00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:29.720 in all 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.700 your conduct 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.580 since it 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:31.960 is written 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.460 you shall 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:32.980 be holy 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.940 for I 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.480 am holy. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.299 Okay so 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.039 he's setting 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.539 a distinction 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:36.860 here. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.500 What are 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.279 human passions? 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:38.920 The things 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.320 we live 00:21:39.320 --> 00:21:39.680 for in 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.320 the past 00:21:40.320 --> 00:21:41.340 before Christ 00:21:41.340 --> 00:21:42.220 what is it 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.620 to pursue 00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:42.960 the will 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.400 of God? 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.060 To live 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:44.440 holy 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.160 in all 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.500 your 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.400 conduct. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.440 Look at 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.000 chapter 2 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.380 now. 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:49.700 Chapter 2 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.420 set your 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:50.840 eyes on 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:51.920 verse 11. 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.519 Beloved 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.940 I urge 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.299 you as 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.019 sojourners 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.879 and exiles 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:58.299 to abstain 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:58.740 from the 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.160 passions 00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.500 of the 00:21:59.500 --> 00:21:59.960 flesh 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.079 which wage 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.940 war against 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.599 your soul. 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.639 Now what 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.079 is God's 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.339 will? 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.559 Keep 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.440 your conduct 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.059 among the 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.660 Gentiles 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.619 honorable 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:10.039 so that 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.379 when they 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.000 speak against 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.359 you as 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:11.940 evildoers 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.420 they may 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:13.099 see your 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:14.220 good deeds 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.539 and glorify 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.099 God on 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.400 the day 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.259 of visitation. 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.079 Again the 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.599 distinction 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.279 there are 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:19.900 the passions 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.279 of the 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.720 flesh 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.299 and then 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:21.500 there's 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:21.799 the will 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.319 of God 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:22.779 and the 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.039 will of 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.240 God 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.619 in chapter 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:23.960 2 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.359 is to 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:24.559 keep 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:24.720 your 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.139 conduct 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:26.079 honorable. 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.359 It is 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.899 to have 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.899 good works 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.700 and good 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.279 deeds 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.919 that glorify 00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:32.980 God. 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:33.919 And the 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:34.519 call to this 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.139 holy life 00:22:35.139 --> 00:22:35.779 is then set 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.619 in contrast 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:38.179 to the sins 00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:39.019 that characterize 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.740 the lives 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.759 of unbelievers 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.720 back in 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.559 chapter 4. 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.000 And it's 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.799 amazing when 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.720 Peter gives 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.339 this list 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.960 here it's 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.700 amazing how 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.500 close of a 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.039 parallel 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:50.119 Peter's 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.939 first century 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.340 list is 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:52.720 to the 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.080 modern 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.559 party 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:53.980 culture 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.360 in which 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:54.880 we live. 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.400 Did you 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.059 notice that? 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.680 Of course this 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.120 is not an 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:58.900 exhaustive list 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.340 of sins. 00:22:59.420 --> 00:22:59.740 He's dealing 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.600 with specific 00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.160 things in 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.799 these churches 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:03.160 which would 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.880 have existed 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.400 in what is 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:04.960 modern day 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.400 Turkey. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.500 The theme 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.140 of the list 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:08.600 is an 00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:10.100 unrestrained 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:11.680 party life 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:13.539 consumed with 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.620 immoral sex 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:16.039 and inebriating 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.779 substances. 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:19.859 half of the 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.599 words listed 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.720 here are 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.119 used 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.839 specifically 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.639 in connection 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:25.039 to festive 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.920 processions 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.539 and holidays 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:26.960 in their 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.399 culture. 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.480 Meaning 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.879 that these 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.500 Christians 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.759 were regularly 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.440 tempted 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.799 during cultural 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.599 celebrations 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:36.899 to let down 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.359 their guard 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.059 against sin 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:40.119 and live 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.399 in the 00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:40.940 unholiness 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.559 that so 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.240 characterized 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.700 the pagan 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.299 world around 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.539 them. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:45.500 Now we 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.859 can so 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.480 easily see 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:46.839 this. 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.019 You need 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.539 only look 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:48.899 through a 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:49.480 few reels 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:49.799 on your 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.159 Facebook 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:50.700 feed to 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.279 find out 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.339 that our 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.000 culture is 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.700 consumed with 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.159 these very 00:23:54.159 --> 00:23:54.599 things. 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.000 They're 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.720 consumed with 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.379 lives that 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:57.879 are obsessed 00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:58.720 with sexual 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.399 immorality. 00:23:59.619 --> 00:23:59.859 They are 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.960 consumed with 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.899 drunkenness 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:03.559 with this 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.420 party style 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:04.960 of life and 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.399 when the 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.299 cultural holidays 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.079 come along 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:09.119 it's exacerbated 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.659 even further 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:10.119 isn't it? 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:10.700 And if we're 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.259 not careful 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.920 Christians can 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.399 very easily 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:12.839 get sucked 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.339 into this. 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.220 Where most 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.940 of the time 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.279 we are able 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.980 to withstand 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.720 but then there 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.339 come certain 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.059 seasons of 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.059 life, certain 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.740 groups of 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.879 people, certain 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:24.039 celebrations or 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.779 causes that 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.960 suck us back 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.159 in even if 00:24:27.159 --> 00:24:28.139 momentarily and 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:29.619 briefly into a 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.519 life that is 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.319 not characterized 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.440 by God's glory 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.359 and purpose and 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.420 will for us but 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.339 it is sucked into 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.240 a life that so 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.220 characterizes the 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.180 pagan culture in 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.720 which we live. 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.079 Peter says that 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.000 this is not the 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.779 way to holiness. 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.619 He says look 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.359 to Christ who 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.059 has suffered 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:47.339 for these very 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:49.180 sins and arm 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.799 yourselves with 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.819 the same way of 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.720 thinking so that 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.319 even when your 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.200 family gathers 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.859 together for 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.700 Thanksgiving and 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.399 Christmas this 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.480 year you will 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.680 not give in to 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.639 the flood of 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.480 debauchery. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.119 He says 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:04.440 pursue holiness. 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:04.539 holiness. 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:06.720 Loved ones. 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:09.299 Our temptations 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.100 are no different 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:10.759 than theirs. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.500 But our call is 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:13.940 the same. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.440 Our call is to 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.980 abandon the sinful 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.100 practices of our 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:21.620 past to pursue 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.620 God's will for 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:24.259 moral conduct and 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.940 good works. 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:26.980 But this 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.740 commitment to 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.160 holiness is only 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.960 possible as we 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.920 fix our eyes on 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:33.019 the love and 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:34.019 example of Christ. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:35.980 You see when we 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.700 try to do these 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.460 things in our own 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.599 power we inevitably 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.139 fail. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.099 And you know what I 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:40.720 mean when I say 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.019 that. 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:42.639 How many times have 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.319 you been tempted 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.980 and rather than go 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.559 to the Lord, 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.599 rather than set your 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.500 mind on the gospel 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.259 and what Christ has 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.019 done, you try to 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.759 give yourself the 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.859 very best pep talk 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.440 that you can 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.240 possibly give. 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.079 Don't do it Jared, 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.900 don't do it Jared, 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.639 don't do it Jared, 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.440 don't do it Jared. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:58.019 And then you fail 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.840 and you fall. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.860 You see, the key to 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.720 this is not pulling 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.660 ourselves up by our 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.480 bootstraps so to 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:05.820 speak. 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.640 The key to this is 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.920 that gospel focus that 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.759 we started with so 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.519 many weeks ago. 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.200 Let me prove it to 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.440 you from 2nd 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.100 Corinthians chapter 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.440 5. 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.019 I think this is 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.480 actually on the 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.080 screen for you to 00:26:16.080 --> 00:26:16.320 see. 00:26:17.320 --> 00:26:18.299 Paul says that it 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.000 is the love of 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.920 Christ in the gospel 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.380 that controls us 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.960 because we have 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.960 concluded this, 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:26.560 that one has died 00:26:26.560 --> 00:26:27.140 for all, 00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:28.460 therefore all have 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:28.700 died. 00:26:28.820 --> 00:26:29.300 Those who are in 00:26:29.300 --> 00:26:30.200 Christ have died to 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.460 sin. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:32.140 And he died for all 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:34.020 so that those who 00:26:34.020 --> 00:26:35.640 live, those believers, 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.380 might no longer live 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.080 for themselves, 00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:39.700 but for him who for 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:42.060 their sake died and 00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:42.740 was raised. 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.940 You see, what is the 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.620 key to pursuing 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.400 holiness in our 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:45.660 lives? 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.700 The key to pursuing 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:48.100 holiness is to fix 00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:49.180 our eyes on Christ, 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.940 to fix our eyes on 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.080 the gospel, to 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.759 preach it to 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.820 ourselves day by 00:26:53.820 --> 00:26:55.019 day by day by 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.039 day by day. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.620 Knowing that in 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.400 those moments when 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.960 we do fall, we 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.720 immediately bring 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.720 ourselves back to 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:06.600 that same gospel that 00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:07.600 reminds us of our 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:09.200 own forgiveness and 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.160 the mercy of God. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.440 So we see our call 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:14.279 to holiness, now we 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.779 see our conflict with 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.259 the world. 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.080 Our conflict with 00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:18.360 the world. 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.160 Look at verse 4. 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.360 With respect to 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:20.920 this, they are 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:22.740 surprised when you 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.700 do not join them in 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.580 the same flood of 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:25.060 debauchery. 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:25.779 I love that phrase. 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.580 Throw that into a 00:27:27.580 --> 00:27:27.980 sentence at 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.640 Thanksgiving this 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:28.800 year. 00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:31.600 And then they 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.320 malign you. 00:27:35.580 --> 00:27:36.620 So here Peter 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.660 introduces a 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:39.140 disturbing reality. 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.560 It is a reality 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.279 that our holiness 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.240 will set us in 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.080 conflict with the 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:45.080 world around us. 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.560 And there's a 00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:49.740 progression to the 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.519 response that we 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.380 receive from 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:52.539 unbelievers when we 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.460 abandon sinful 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.200 passions. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:55.740 We pursue God's 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:55.940 will. 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.019 First, they're 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.380 shocked. 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:59.220 Did you see that in 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.200 the text there? 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.799 Look again at verse 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.059 3, or excuse me, 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:03.559 verse 4. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.059 With respect to 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.859 this, the fact that 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.440 you are not doing 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:07.359 these things, with 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.380 respect to this, they 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:09.720 are surprised. 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:12.099 They're shocked by our 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.519 transformation. 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.920 If you came to 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.740 Christ at a later 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.680 point in life, then 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.779 you know probably 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.500 better than anyone 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:20.180 what this shock is 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.519 like. 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.200 The first time that 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.160 you didn't go with 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.039 those friends to that 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.920 place to do that 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:25.220 thing. 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:26.859 And they said, 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.500 you're really serious 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:29.319 about this Jesus 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:30.019 thing now, aren't 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.160 you? 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.879 Do you remember 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:32.579 that the looks that 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.200 you received the 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.879 first time that you 00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.519 stood up against 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.279 some type of moral 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.180 evil in our world? 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.299 Maybe you'll get 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:39.879 one of those looks 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.359 at Thanksgiving 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.879 this year. 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.779 Sinners are so 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.579 entrenched in their 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.939 sins that they are 00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:48.579 aghast when someone 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.559 does not indulge 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.019 with them. 00:28:51.699 --> 00:28:52.519 Their first hit was 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.220 surprise. 00:28:53.939 --> 00:28:54.480 Oh, why wouldn't 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.079 you do this? 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.799 You've always done 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.119 this. 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.699 Surely we've all 00:28:59.699 --> 00:29:00.579 experienced the 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.539 bewildered looks of 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:03.359 unbelievers who find 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:04.059 out that we don't 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.839 want to be drunk, 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.319 that we don't want 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.679 to have illicit sex, 00:29:09.199 --> 00:29:10.139 that we don't want 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:11.439 to behave sensually 00:29:11.439 --> 00:29:13.359 in our lives. 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.979 to the world, we 00:29:14.979 --> 00:29:16.199 are the epitome of 00:29:16.199 --> 00:29:17.259 weirdos. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.279 We are. 00:29:21.379 --> 00:29:22.919 But eventually, this 00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.719 shock turns to 00:29:23.719 --> 00:29:24.279 offense. 00:29:25.959 --> 00:29:26.899 Peter says we must 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:27.719 expect that the 00:29:27.719 --> 00:29:28.619 unbelieving world 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:29.359 will be utterly 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:31.240 offended by our 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.439 holiness to the 00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:33.779 point that they 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.799 will insult, 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.819 slander, even 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.779 persecute us, 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:39.079 which would be the 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.879 definition of 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.859 maligning here. 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:42.719 and then when we 00:29:42.719 --> 00:29:43.419 start to understand 00:29:43.419 --> 00:29:44.419 the context of these 00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:45.159 churches to which 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:45.859 Peter is writing, 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.359 this carries itself 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.259 all the way along to 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.059 the point of death. 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.859 Their very lives 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.559 were in danger 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:55.359 because they wouldn't 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.059 go along with what 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.779 the world wanted to 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.459 go along with. 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.839 Again, David Helm 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.259 is helpful. 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:01.619 He says, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.939 surprise evokes 00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:03.799 misunderstanding. 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.039 Misunderstanding 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.139 evokes a sense of 00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:06.759 being judged. 00:30:07.719 --> 00:30:08.559 And when the world 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.519 feels that it's been 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.519 judged by our way 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:12.379 of life, those who 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:13.519 are of it will 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.680 condemn you as a 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.859 life hater. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.279 Stick in the mud. 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.799 Hear one of those. 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.160 In his book, 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.099 The Holiness of God, 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.960 R.C. Sproul tells 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:27.799 the story of Billy 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.099 Graham being invited 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.960 to play golf with 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:33.139 President Ford and 00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:34.240 two PGA 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.980 professionals. 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:36.700 And after the 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:38.400 round, a friend of 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:38.700 one of the 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:40.059 professionals asked 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.840 what it was like to 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.940 play with Graham and 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.279 Ford. 00:30:43.340 --> 00:30:44.660 And the man is said 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.900 to have erupted in a 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:48.039 litany of curses that 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:49.259 ended with, I don't 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.380 need Billy Graham 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:52.200 stuffing religion down 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.779 my throat. 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.740 And he continued on to 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.700 the practice tee and 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.840 after having some time 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.580 to cool down, his 00:30:57.580 --> 00:30:58.279 friend approached him 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.480 again and said, Billy 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.440 was a little rough on 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.100 you out there, wasn't 00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:01.279 he? 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.880 To which the 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.980 professional responds, 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.500 no, he didn't even 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.279 mention religion. 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:07.680 I just had a bad 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.019 round. 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.940 And R.C. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.380 Sproul writes in 00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:12.539 connection with that, 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.319 astonishing. 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:15.860 Billy Graham is so 00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:17.160 identified with the 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.720 religion, so 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:20.100 associated with the 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:21.740 things of God, that 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.220 his very presence is 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.640 enough to smother the 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:26.279 wicked man who flees 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.600 when no man pursues. 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.640 Luther was right. 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:32.420 The pagan does tremble at 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.559 the rustling of a leaf. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.640 He feels the hound of 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:37.240 heaven breathing down his 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.680 neck. 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:40.680 He feels crowded by 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:42.259 holiness, even if it's 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:44.240 only made present by an 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.779 imperfect, partially 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:47.700 sanctified human vessel. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:51.400 Have you ever felt the 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:53.240 indignance of an 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:55.440 unbeliever who's just 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.759 offended by the way you're 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:58.539 living your life, not 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.740 even merely by the words 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.759 that you've said to them? 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:02.980 This is the kind of thing 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:04.119 Peter says we should 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:04.700 expect. 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:07.440 Peter's point is that like 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.920 Jesus, we are to pursue 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:10.980 holiness, even when it is 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:12.500 sure to bring this kind of 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:12.960 suffering. 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.900 We're never commanded to 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:17.879 invite the world's hate, but 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:19.819 we are surely to expect it. 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:22.660 And still, our call in 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:25.220 holiness is not lessened by 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.819 our cultural circumstances. 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.940 And here's what I mean. 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:29.500 There will never be a time 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.980 where we stand before God and 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.420 he says, I'm going to give you 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:34.559 a pass on that sin because 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.100 your wife would have hated 00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:37.640 you had you not gone along 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.299 with that thing. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.340 That will never happen. 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:44.799 This confronts that popular 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:46.960 notion that says God's 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.799 primary concern is for our 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.779 personal happiness. 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:52.100 That's not true. 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:55.319 God is far more concerned 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:57.000 with your personal holiness 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:59.419 than your selfish pursuits 00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:00.899 of happiness that are 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:03.559 tainted in mind by our 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.599 sinful condition. 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:07.659 He demands we follow Christ 00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:09.339 and that we follow his 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.759 example even when it comes 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:12.059 at great personal cost. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.639 And that cost will be 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:14.779 different for each of us. 00:33:15.719 --> 00:33:16.799 So we see the call to 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:18.019 holiness, then we see the 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.099 conflict with the world, and 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:20.859 finally, we see our comfort 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:22.319 through the conflict. 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:24.279 Our comfort through the 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:24.719 conflict. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.819 Look at verse 5. 00:33:26.699 --> 00:33:27.859 But they will give account 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:29.939 to him who is ready to 00:33:29.939 --> 00:33:30.879 judge the living and the 00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:31.159 dead. 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:33.219 For this is why the gospel 00:33:33.219 --> 00:33:34.459 was preached even to those 00:33:34.459 --> 00:33:36.359 who are dead, that though 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:37.659 judged in the flesh the way 00:33:37.659 --> 00:33:39.500 people are, they might live 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.699 in the spirit the way God 00:33:40.699 --> 00:33:41.119 does. 00:33:41.959 --> 00:33:42.699 Now hang with me, we're 00:33:42.699 --> 00:33:43.219 almost there. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:46.559 In the midst of this kind of 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:48.039 suffering, Peter offers two 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.880 forms of comfort. 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:52.680 First, we are comforted by 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:55.279 God's judgment of sinners who 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:56.319 might malign us. 00:33:59.420 --> 00:34:00.519 We need to understand this the 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.259 right way, though. 00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:02.440 Notice what he says. 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:04.319 They will give account to him 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.519 who is ready to judge the 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.200 living and the dead. 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:07.819 Two ways to think about this. 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:09.619 First, we recognize that all 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.880 who are wicked will give an 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:13.119 account of their lives to God. 00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:16.159 And in the call to our own 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:18.019 holiness, so will we. 00:34:19.459 --> 00:34:20.779 So remember, we have a judge. 00:34:20.859 --> 00:34:22.119 We will all stand before him, 00:34:22.459 --> 00:34:23.699 the righteous and the wicked 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.159 alike. 00:34:24.899 --> 00:34:26.159 But then when we come to this 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:28.159 point of comfort, I think he's 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:30.359 saying this in terms of what we 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:32.000 see so very often in the Psalms. 00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:34.439 For instance, in Psalm 31, 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:37.679 O Lord, let me not be put to 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:39.819 shame, for I call upon you. 00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:42.000 Let the wicked be put to shame. 00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:44.539 Let them go silently to shield 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.340 or death. 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.800 Let the lying lips be mute, 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:49.920 which speak instantly against the 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:51.300 righteous in pride and contempt. 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.780 If you read through the Psalms, 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.820 you'll find lots of statements 00:34:53.820 --> 00:34:55.360 like this, where the psalmist 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:57.780 actually calls on God to pour out 00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:59.739 his wrath on his enemies. 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.340 And we are conflicted about 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:02.199 passages like that. 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.340 We come to him and we think, 00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:04.980 am I supposed to pray that way? 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:07.059 Am I actually supposed to pray? 00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:09.099 Is it right for me to pray for 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.000 their destruction? 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:12.139 And we need to understand, I 00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:14.019 think, the perspective of the 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.679 psalmist here. 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:18.199 Our comfort doesn't come in the 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.440 destruction of the wicked. 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:22.019 Not even God is delighted in their 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.480 destruction. 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:24.579 We learn that in Ezekiel 33. 00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:28.019 What brings us comfort is the 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.759 eventual triumph of God's 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:30.340 righteousness. 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:34.019 That he will triumph over all 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.440 sin. 00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:36.940 He will triumph over all 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:37.840 wickedness. 00:35:38.720 --> 00:35:40.180 He will not be defeated. 00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:42.260 They will not have the last 00:35:42.260 --> 00:35:42.700 laugh. 00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:44.600 And it's not that we desire for 00:35:44.600 --> 00:35:45.539 them to go to hell. 00:35:46.180 --> 00:35:48.160 Our thoughts toward those who 00:35:48.160 --> 00:35:50.300 persecute us should be a desire 00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:51.240 for their salvation. 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:53.720 But we can take comfort in the 00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:56.220 fact that God will triumph over 00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:56.800 this world. 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:59.400 And those who continue in their 00:35:59.400 --> 00:35:59.960 wickedness. 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.599 So when you do face that 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.980 suffering and you do face that 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:04.760 persecution on account of your 00:36:04.760 --> 00:36:06.280 relationship to Christ and his 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:08.400 gospel, you can at least take 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:10.639 comfort in the fact that God 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:11.200 will win. 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:13.900 And he will judge. 00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:16.280 That's reason enough for me to 00:36:16.280 --> 00:36:17.240 continue in holiness. 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:20.000 And it's reason enough for me in 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:21.300 the gospel to pray for their 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:21.800 conversion. 00:36:22.240 --> 00:36:24.240 But it's also comforting to me to 00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:26.260 know that they will not defeat him 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:27.940 and his righteousness and his 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.200 purpose. 00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:29.819 I think we can take comfort in 00:36:29.819 --> 00:36:30.000 that. 00:36:30.379 --> 00:36:32.059 But the second form of comfort is 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:33.399 found in the gospel itself. 00:36:34.259 --> 00:36:36.379 And we have in here in verse 6 00:36:36.379 --> 00:36:38.699 another confusing moment in this 00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.139 passage. 00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:41.799 But I really think it's meant to be a 00:36:41.799 --> 00:36:42.939 wonderful comfort to us. 00:36:43.259 --> 00:36:44.179 Look at verse 6 again. 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:45.879 This is why the gospel was 00:36:45.879 --> 00:36:47.079 preached even to those who are 00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.419 dead. 00:36:48.059 --> 00:36:49.739 That though judged in the flesh the 00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:52.179 way people are, they might live in 00:36:52.179 --> 00:36:53.699 the spirit the way God does. 00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:58.460 So those who are dead refers to 00:36:58.460 --> 00:37:01.000 Christians who have died, perhaps 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:02.219 even through persecution. 00:37:02.859 --> 00:37:02.980 Okay? 00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:06.119 He's not talking about preaching to 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:07.480 them after they die. 00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:10.099 He's talking about preaching to the 00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:13.139 gospel to those who have been 00:37:13.139 --> 00:37:15.639 converted and have passed away and 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:17.899 were reflecting now back on their 00:37:17.899 --> 00:37:18.739 life and their death. 00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:21.379 their judgment in the flesh the way 00:37:21.379 --> 00:37:24.019 people are speaks to the fact that 00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:26.479 they have indeed died like all people 00:37:26.479 --> 00:37:27.459 will die. 00:37:27.879 --> 00:37:27.979 Okay? 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:31.420 But their life in the spirit the way 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:34.960 God lives speaks to their eternal life 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:37.820 received through faith in Christ. 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:41.460 And Peter said that this gospel is 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:44.139 preached so that those who believe will 00:37:44.139 --> 00:37:47.219 live though they will still die. 00:37:48.219 --> 00:37:50.659 And it's reflecting on Jesus' own words 00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.380 in John 11. 00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:54.019 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:57.840 Whoever believes in me though he die yet 00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:58.760 shall he live. 00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:01.720 And everyone who believes or who lives 00:38:01.720 --> 00:38:04.180 and believes in me shall never die. 00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:05.440 Do you see the connection here? 00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:07.680 Peter is saying in confusing words 00:38:07.680 --> 00:38:08.500 perhaps in English. 00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:10.500 He's saying this is why the gospel is 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:12.900 preached because as we reflect even on 00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:14.740 believers who have already died 00:38:14.740 --> 00:38:16.940 perhaps even died as a result of this 00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:17.780 kind of suffering. 00:38:17.780 --> 00:38:20.140 We take comfort in the fact that they 00:38:20.140 --> 00:38:20.980 still live. 00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:24.880 That in Christ in the gospel they still 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:25.360 live. 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:27.059 But what does this have to do with our 00:38:27.059 --> 00:38:28.599 holiness and suffering? 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:31.780 The people to which Peter was writing 00:38:31.780 --> 00:38:33.720 were under threat of death for their 00:38:33.720 --> 00:38:34.800 holiness and their faith. 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:38.700 Their faith was demonstrated through their 00:38:38.700 --> 00:38:39.440 holy behavior. 00:38:39.820 --> 00:38:42.360 So their temptation would be to abandon 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:46.019 public pursuits of holiness in order to 00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:47.039 preserve their lives. 00:38:47.420 --> 00:38:48.380 Are you following with me? 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:50.780 So they're under threat of death. 00:38:50.780 --> 00:38:53.480 If they continue to publicly live in this 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:56.720 holiness to display this transformation to 00:38:56.720 --> 00:38:59.240 the world around them to even preach this 00:38:59.240 --> 00:39:00.860 gospel to the people around them. 00:39:00.940 --> 00:39:03.280 That means their threat of death will grow 00:39:03.280 --> 00:39:04.120 even greater. 00:39:04.260 --> 00:39:07.080 So the temptation would be I'll just live my 00:39:07.080 --> 00:39:08.360 holiness in private. 00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:13.180 I'll speak of the gospel to others who are 00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:15.360 open to the gospel. 00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:19.320 I'll not take that stand among my 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:19.820 co-workers. 00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:22.000 I'll not take that stand among my 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:22.480 community. 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:25.460 I'll not take that stand among my family 00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:28.660 because if I do the result could be 00:39:28.660 --> 00:39:29.640 tragic. 00:39:30.840 --> 00:39:33.160 But Peter writes this to encourage them 00:39:33.160 --> 00:39:36.960 to continue in holiness knowing that death 00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:38.960 in this life is that if that's where it 00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:41.420 leads is not the end for a believer. 00:39:41.420 --> 00:39:45.380 That even when our lives are threatened we 00:39:45.380 --> 00:39:48.920 take comfort in Christ who graciously gives 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:51.380 us eternal life through the gospel. 00:39:52.240 --> 00:39:53.539 Well let's finish with this. 00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:57.280 God calls every believer to devote their 00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:58.880 life to his glory and purpose. 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:02.039 And again as we are looking at this 00:40:02.039 --> 00:40:04.639 passage we're fitting it into the thought 00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:06.840 of who we are in Christ and what he has 00:40:06.840 --> 00:40:08.119 called us to be as a people. 00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:12.059 Meaning he desires Lakeside Bible Church to 00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:13.420 be a holy church. 00:40:14.719 --> 00:40:16.599 That begins of course with individual 00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:19.099 believers but it should be reflected in 00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:20.380 the congregation itself. 00:40:21.259 --> 00:40:22.859 And there are many applications we could 00:40:22.859 --> 00:40:24.380 draw to that that we'll save for another 00:40:24.380 --> 00:40:24.759 day. 00:40:26.440 --> 00:40:28.480 Pursuing holiness must be at the forefront 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:31.519 of our minds as we consider who we are 00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:34.199 in Christ and what he calls us to be as 00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:34.639 his people. 00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:37.879 So in closing let's connect this back to 00:40:37.879 --> 00:40:39.859 these values that we've mentioned at the 00:40:39.859 --> 00:40:40.159 beginning. 00:40:41.219 --> 00:40:44.599 First it is by nature of our union with 00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:48.079 Christ in the gospel that God calls us to 00:40:48.079 --> 00:40:48.839 live in holiness. 00:40:51.219 --> 00:40:52.759 Christ died for our sins. 00:40:54.059 --> 00:40:56.539 Therefore we must abandon sinful desires. 00:40:57.420 --> 00:41:01.000 So a gospel focus is what will produce 00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:02.719 holiness in our lives. 00:41:02.719 --> 00:41:06.319 Secondly, the first way we demonstrate 00:41:06.319 --> 00:41:09.119 holiness is through our gathered worship 00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:10.000 with God's people. 00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:12.819 I mean that's really the baseline isn't it? 00:41:14.399 --> 00:41:18.419 To be a holy person, a holy Christian is 00:41:18.419 --> 00:41:20.500 that we commit ourselves to the regular 00:41:20.500 --> 00:41:23.500 gathering of God's people for the purpose 00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:24.039 of worship. 00:41:25.319 --> 00:41:29.239 There is no greater setting apart to our 00:41:29.239 --> 00:41:32.359 culture and devotion to God's purposes than 00:41:32.359 --> 00:41:34.739 when we gather to sing our praise to him, 00:41:34.899 --> 00:41:37.339 to hear his word preached to us, to repent of 00:41:37.339 --> 00:41:39.779 our sins afresh, and to communicate and 00:41:39.779 --> 00:41:41.299 commune with God's people. 00:41:42.339 --> 00:41:45.019 So we live it out first in that way. 00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:51.000 Third, it's a commitment to Bible teaching that 00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:53.759 informs us about what it means to live in 00:41:53.759 --> 00:41:56.959 holiness and how to pursue God's will. 00:41:56.960 --> 00:42:01.179 If you don't read the Bible, how will you know 00:42:01.179 --> 00:42:02.639 what is sin and what is not? 00:42:04.320 --> 00:42:07.099 If you don't submit yourself to biblical teaching 00:42:07.099 --> 00:42:09.920 and preaching, how will you ever grow in the 00:42:09.920 --> 00:42:12.420 knowledge necessary to actually live a holy life? 00:42:12.740 --> 00:42:13.659 It's necessary. 00:42:15.240 --> 00:42:19.139 And then fourthly, one of the primary functions of a 00:42:19.139 --> 00:42:22.720 discipling culture is for Christians to help one 00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:26.679 another abandon human passions and pursue the will of 00:42:26.679 --> 00:42:26.919 God. 00:42:28.179 --> 00:42:32.119 By lovingly speaking truth to one another, we will grow 00:42:32.119 --> 00:42:34.480 into a mature, holy people. 00:42:36.219 --> 00:42:39.299 And I recognize that it's actually very hard to live a 00:42:39.299 --> 00:42:42.599 life like this because it's a very hard life for me to 00:42:42.599 --> 00:42:42.859 live. 00:42:44.599 --> 00:42:47.879 It's hard to live as a holy husband and father. 00:42:47.880 --> 00:42:52.860 It's easy to play a game of putting on a form of holiness 00:42:52.860 --> 00:42:57.500 before a church, but then actually live a life of 00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:59.099 holiness when the church isn't around. 00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:03.019 It's a struggle for me like it is for anyone else. 00:43:03.180 --> 00:43:04.420 I know that it's hard. 00:43:04.820 --> 00:43:08.940 I know that the temptations are strong, especially when it 00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:12.280 comes to being maligned by people around us. 00:43:12.280 --> 00:43:16.300 But our challenge this morning, even before the part of 00:43:16.300 --> 00:43:22.420 holiness, is to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, who for our 00:43:22.420 --> 00:43:27.640 salvation pursued God's will, even when it meant certain 00:43:27.640 --> 00:43:28.040 death. 00:43:29.240 --> 00:43:31.560 What a comfort that is to our own suffering. 00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:36.700 What a motivation that is to our personal and our corporate 00:43:36.700 --> 00:43:38.380 holiness as a people.