WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.919 The reading is going to be from 1 Peter chapter 4, starting at verse 7. 00:00:07.379 --> 00:00:09.740 The end of all things is at hand. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:14.660 Therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:21.800 ! Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:25.320 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 00:00:26.240 --> 00:00:29.760 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another. 00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:32.399 As good stewards of God's a varied grace. 00:00:33.100 --> 00:00:36.100 Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God. 00:00:36.700 --> 00:00:40.219 Whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies. 00:00:40.780 --> 00:00:44.159 In order that in everything, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:50.079 To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 00:00:55.719 --> 00:00:59.100 So I recently read a survey during this week. 00:00:59.100 --> 00:01:02.340 And I found it quite surprising when I read it. 00:01:02.859 --> 00:01:06.359 And what it said is that nine, it's an American survey. 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:14.320 Nine in every ten Americans who identify as a Christian, only one-third of them actually participate in a faith community. 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:16.359 Or go to a Bible study. 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:18.980 Or take part in any aspect of church life. 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:21.079 And I know this is an American survey. 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:27.560 But this could lead us to just think about how bleak it probably is in Canada. 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:31.240 Because America has it within their culture, Christianity. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:33.100 But in Canada, it's definitely different. 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:33.780 A lot different. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:38.900 So we have to ask ourselves, why are the numbers so bad? 00:01:39.540 --> 00:01:45.760 Shouldn't Christians be filling the pews or seats, movie theater seats, every Sunday? 00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:47.240 Shouldn't they be doing that? 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:55.760 Well, one answer I've heard after talking with people through the years is that they just feel church isn't doing it for them anymore. 00:01:55.760 --> 00:01:58.500 We now have this great blessing live streams. 00:01:58.700 --> 00:02:02.240 We can listen to any podcast, any preacher throughout the world we want to listen to. 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:03.939 So why do I need to go to church? 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:07.240 And I can just do my own walk with the Lord on my own time. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:10.000 And hear a sermon whenever I want to hear it. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:15.540 Another answer I've heard is that church, all churches just abuse power. 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:18.379 And I don't need to deal with that. 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:25.080 And you have to say to that person, well, that's a terrible thing that you've experienced church abuse. 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:27.200 And that should be dealt with. 00:02:27.640 --> 00:02:29.080 And you should leave that church. 00:02:29.420 --> 00:02:32.560 But you should not just not go to church. 00:02:32.660 --> 00:02:35.520 You should just find a better church, one that does not abuse power. 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:41.860 Another answer I've heard is that I've been too busy with my kids. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:43.240 I can't make it to church. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:44.040 There's sports. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:47.620 There's other things I need to attend to instead of going to church. 00:02:48.420 --> 00:02:54.300 See, the text we're looking at this morning, 1 Peter, I believe helps to remedy, 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:58.880 or to shed light on this issue that is happening within the church. 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:06.360 It's going to help shed light on the lethargy or anything else towards church attendance and church involvement. 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:08.920 And Peter gets right at the point of this. 00:03:09.260 --> 00:03:09.980 So let's turn. 00:03:10.180 --> 00:03:14.280 Please turn with me to 1 Peter, chapter 4, verses 7 to 11. 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:18.780 If you don't have a Bible, I believe there's some on the table outside of the sanctuary. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:21.160 At any time, if you want a Bible, just go get it. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:22.719 Don't worry about getting up while I'm talking. 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:28.919 It's very helpful to have a Bible because we have to remember that these are letters that we're looking at. 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:32.599 They're not just little sayings that we look at every Sunday. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:37.180 So the way we're going to look at this text is that we're going to look at it in three ways. 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:39.900 The first is controlled and sober prayer. 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:43.840 The second is love, hospitality, and serving. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:47.800 And the third is everything for God's glory. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:04:01.699 Now the thing that's difficult when we do sermons where you just jump into a text is that you have no understanding or no context of what's going on within the letter through as you look at it. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:03.420 And what the writer has been talking about. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:06.400 Because there's always a theme that runs through the letter. 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:08.080 And Peter's talking about that. 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:09.080 We need to remember that. 00:04:09.260 --> 00:04:15.500 So I'll be referring to different verses through the sermon within the first Peter letter. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:18.660 Now the author is the apostle Peter. 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:20.740 He is one of the twelve disciples. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:23.199 He traveled and learned from Jesus. 00:04:23.620 --> 00:04:25.819 He's an eyewitness of all that Jesus did. 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:28.199 He's an eyewitness of Jesus' death. 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:31.580 He's an eyewitness of Jesus' resurrection and ascension. 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:39.599 So we see that he is writing, when you look at this, at the beginning he says he's writing to dispersed Christians. 00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:42.500 In the opening verses he lists where they are. 00:04:43.159 --> 00:04:46.759 Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia. 00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:49.419 If you look at a map, they're all side by side. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:55.560 So a letter runner, someone who would have taken this letter and brought it to all the churches through it, the dispersed churches. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:05:03.959 In chapter 5, verse 12, Silvanus, or however you say his name, signs off on this letter. 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:06.680 He is the one who most likely would have taken the letter. 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:15.720 See, Peter is writing to them because these Christians are facing persecution, they're facing suffering, they're facing discrimination. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:28.140 And the theme of this letter that is helpful for us to remember is that those who persevere in the faith while suffering from persecution should be full of hope. 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:31.940 For they will certainly enjoy eternal salvation. 00:05:32.780 --> 00:05:39.960 Since they are already enjoying God's saving promises here and now through the death and resurrection of Christ. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:48.259 At the time of this letter being written, a decree hadn't been put out by the Roman emperor banning Christianity yet. 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:59.159 So the suffering and persecution they would have been feeling would have most likely been verbal and discrimination being shunned by the community or the society that they were a part of. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:03.159 Because in that time, people worshipped many gods. 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:09.580 And to say that you only worshipped the one true living God would have been very controversial. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:11.960 It would have been almost scandalous in that time. 00:06:12.040 --> 00:06:17.720 Because there's all these apparently different gods where you'd go to to get certain things at the time you need them. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:23.100 But they, as we, hold to that there is only one true living God. 00:06:23.200 --> 00:06:25.560 So this makes it easier for us to relate to this. 00:06:25.760 --> 00:06:27.360 It's not talking about martyrdom. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:28.820 That does happen later. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:33.980 But it's talking about verbal abuse and discrimination and suffering in that way. 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:37.199 So with this in mind, let's look at the text. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:37.860 Verse 7. 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.219 The end of all things is at hand. 00:06:43.159 --> 00:06:48.579 Therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:52.539 Now I probably, I was thinking about this yesterday. 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:58.639 I should open this sermon with this thing saying I'm going to talk about the end times. 00:06:59.219 --> 00:07:05.099 Because I would have all your attentions for the rest of the sermon when I'm talking about the end times. 00:07:05.599 --> 00:07:12.000 Because it just takes, just one, go on the internet, go on YouTube and put, if you just type end times in, 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:16.379 you're going to get so many rabbit holes about the end times. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:19.240 So it's always on people's minds, the end times. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:20.420 So we're going to look at it. 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:23.779 Because Peter says, he talks about the end times right here. 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:25.439 So the end times. 00:07:25.559 --> 00:07:26.159 The end times. 00:07:27.119 --> 00:07:29.679 The end of all things is at hand. 00:07:30.059 --> 00:07:31.319 What is he talking about? 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:36.039 Well, to summarize, we need to summarize what Peter's been talking about up to this point. 00:07:36.099 --> 00:07:37.119 Because it's very helpful. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:42.279 And what he says, what he's been talking about through his letter, is that, 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:46.979 what he's talking about, I got, switch the page. 00:07:47.239 --> 00:07:49.459 What he's talking about, he's saying this through the letter. 00:07:49.459 --> 00:08:11.419 See, on Thursday this coming week, it's Ascension Day. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:18.099 This is the day where we remember Christ's ascension into heaven and being seated at the right hand of God. 00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:22.220 This letter is written only 15 years after this happened. 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:26.140 See, the ascension was crucial for God's plan of redemption. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:33.139 Because through the ascension, the Holy Spirit was sent and God's church was inaugurated, 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:35.659 as you read in the early chapters of Acts. 00:08:36.680 --> 00:08:41.759 But the other thing about the ascension is that it marks the beginning of the end times. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:47.960 See, the end times have been happening since Christ was ascended and the Holy Spirit came. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:53.759 See, Christ can return at any moment, as Jesus said in the gospel text that we looked at. 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:57.360 He'll return to judge the living and the dead. 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:01.899 When Peter says the end of all things is at hand, 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:05.800 he wants his readers and listeners to have this in mind. 00:09:06.340 --> 00:09:09.879 As you face suffering, as you face persecution, 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:13.200 Christ can return at any moment. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.960 How are you living through these times? 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:20.100 That's the question he asks his readers, in a sense. 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:22.519 And that's the question we need to ask ourselves every day. 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:28.139 But as he says this, he turns his attention towards the church and church life. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:30.259 That's what he turns his attention to. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:32.199 See, look again at verse 7. 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:34.120 He says this, 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:49.139 To be self-controlled and sober-minded, 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:52.980 What he's referring to here is that earlier in chapter 4, 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:56.299 he refers to those who aren't followers of Christ. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:59.059 And he says this, earlier in chapter 4. 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:00.399 He says, 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:28.759 See, 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:30.939 These things lead to confusion. 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:33.039 If a church was full of them, 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.279 they'd be full of confusion. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:37.720 But to be self-controlled and sober-minded 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:40.259 is not just so we can pray nicely. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:43.379 It's so we can pray more effectively, 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:44.600 appropriately, 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:47.240 prayer steeped in scripture, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:51.700 to the ability to view world events, 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:56.319 evaluate and discern them wisely and biblically. 00:10:56.320 --> 00:11:01.640 See, prayer that lacks self-control and sober-mindedness 00:11:01.640 --> 00:11:05.060 versus prayer that has that self-control and sober-mindedness 00:11:05.060 --> 00:11:05.960 is kind of like this. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:07.280 Think of a river. 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:09.560 A river that runs, 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:11.020 think of the Ottawa River. 00:11:11.140 --> 00:11:12.080 It is very deep, 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:14.000 but it has river banks 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.660 to keep the water in. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.520 Yes, when it rains a lot, 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.060 it floods, 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.480 but the majority of the time, 00:11:19.900 --> 00:11:22.420 it is deep and it runs in one direction. 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.180 It has banks holding it in. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:27.339 A river that spills out is shallow. 00:11:27.819 --> 00:11:29.159 There's no depth to it. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:32.659 So to have self-control and sober-mindedness 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:35.059 in our minds as we pray 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:38.099 keeps us within the banks of prayer. 00:11:38.479 --> 00:11:40.199 And prayer will run deep. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:42.059 It won't just be shallow. 00:11:43.339 --> 00:11:44.839 When Peter is showing his readers, 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:46.719 what Peter is showing his readers 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:49.019 is that the church should be full of people 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.299 who pray for one another. 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:53.120 But prayer that is controlled and sober. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:54.859 Prayer that makes sense. 00:11:55.859 --> 00:11:58.019 But look with me how Peter describes 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.219 how a church should act 00:11:59.219 --> 00:12:00.500 in verse 8. 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:02.859 Above all, 00:12:04.079 --> 00:12:06.159 keep loving one another earnestly 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:09.439 since love covers a multitude of sins. 00:12:10.579 --> 00:12:11.579 See, love here, 00:12:11.699 --> 00:12:13.319 what he says in the Greek, 00:12:13.459 --> 00:12:15.059 it's agape in the New Testament. 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:17.079 And this has a deep meaning. 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:20.060 I'm sure we've all heard this word agape before. 00:12:20.680 --> 00:12:22.420 It's likened to the love of God. 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:23.560 But obviously, 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:26.320 humans cannot love like God. 00:12:26.520 --> 00:12:27.520 God's love is perfect. 00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:30.100 But this love that he refers to 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:31.560 is strong. 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:32.560 It's deep. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.360 It's pure. 00:12:33.780 --> 00:12:34.540 It's genuine. 00:12:34.780 --> 00:12:35.240 It's earnest. 00:12:36.020 --> 00:12:38.160 This sounds like the love of a married couple. 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:41.320 But Peter is commanding it to all believers, 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:43.360 not just those who are in a marriage. 00:12:44.020 --> 00:12:45.120 See, every day this week, 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.060 I've asked myself, 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:48.840 have I loved Christ's people like this? 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:51.039 And I confess, 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.000 I have to say no. 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:54.179 And we should all ask ourselves this question. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:56.560 Have we loved Christ's people like this? 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:59.560 With this deep, pure, clean, strong, 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.820 genuine, earnest love. 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.980 Peter commands it here. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.980 But why does he do that? 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:06.539 And he says it. 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.179 See, friends, 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:10.340 we need to strive to love one another. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:13.139 What if someone has wronged me, 00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:13.820 you might be thinking. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:16.120 See, love them all the more. 00:13:17.020 --> 00:13:17.840 Because he says, 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.800 love covers a multitude of sins. 00:13:20.920 --> 00:13:23.800 Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.200 many small offenses, 00:13:25.780 --> 00:13:26.980 even some large ones, 00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:31.780 are readily overlooked and forgotten. 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:34.240 Now, if someone commits an offense, 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:36.560 repercussions should be warranted. 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:39.620 This is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.639 When things happen 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.980 that need to be dealt with, 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:43.940 they should be dealt with. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.519 Think of a parent. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:47.539 A parent with a child. 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:50.379 That when the child acts out, 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.740 you have to discipline the child. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.899 But the parent does not 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:56.720 stop loving that child. 00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:58.740 They do it in a sense of discipline. 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:01.720 That is the idea here. 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:04.500 See, the parent will be crossed with the child, 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:06.000 but regardless of the offense, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.059 they will love the child. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:09.279 As one commentator said, 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.659 but where love is lacking, 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:14.820 every word is viewed with suspicion, 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.960 every action is liable to misunderstanding, 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:20.259 and conflicts abound 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:22.139 to Satan's perverse delight. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.799 Proverbs 10.12 says, 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.919 hatred stirs up strife, 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:29.820 but love covers all offenses. 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:32.640 But how do we find this love? 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.740 That's the question. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.000 Where is this love at? 00:14:35.260 --> 00:14:37.100 Can we just muster it up on our own? 00:14:37.400 --> 00:14:37.740 No. 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:40.800 We need to look at the cross of Christ, 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:42.520 because that is where we see 00:14:42.520 --> 00:14:44.820 the true love of God, 00:14:45.280 --> 00:14:46.840 that he saw us 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:48.740 so far gone, 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:52.080 so going in the opposite direction 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:53.320 that he wants us to go, 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:56.340 that he sent his son into the world 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:58.100 to die upon the cross, 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:59.580 to rise again and ascend, 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.920 to take our place. 00:15:01.420 --> 00:15:02.940 See, when we look at the cross, 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:05.779 we see Jesus being pinned there 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:07.920 for our transgressions, 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:08.639 not his own. 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:11.040 And that is the deep love of God 00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:12.399 that he would give his son 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.800 for you and for me. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.540 That is the love 00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:17.720 that we need to be earnest, 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:19.759 to share to our fellow believers. 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:22.100 This is deep love of Christ. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:24.660 See, after Peter gives this command 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:26.019 to love each other 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.660 in light of the end times, 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.719 because Christ can return 00:15:28.719 --> 00:15:29.439 at any moment, 00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:31.579 he gives two ways 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.559 of expressing it. 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:34.480 And he does this in verse 9 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.740 and the following verses. 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.679 So verse 9. 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:39.639 Show hospitality to one another 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.519 without grumbling. 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:44.399 See, Peter gives this command. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.399 And it's interesting 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.980 that he uses hospitality 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:48.879 as a way to show this kind of love. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:49.379 Why? 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:51.299 We have to ask ourselves that. 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:53.120 Why would he use hospitality 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.679 as a way? 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:55.459 See, I think there's three ways 00:15:55.459 --> 00:15:56.599 that we can look at it 00:15:56.599 --> 00:15:58.379 that shows us 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.819 when it's done without grumbling. 00:16:00.219 --> 00:16:01.519 Because as soon as grumbling 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.839 is behind the hospitality, 00:16:04.359 --> 00:16:05.959 it loses its benefit. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.319 So the three ways 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.439 I think we can look at it 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:09.379 is number one, 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:11.439 when we do hospitality, 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:13.699 which most of the time 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.759 ends up being a meal, 00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:15.399 if we're honest, 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:17.240 it costs the host 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:19.720 time and money. 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.419 They have to clean their house. 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:23.279 They have to do all these things. 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:25.500 See, this is a direct blessing 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:27.360 towards the other person 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:27.959 who's coming, 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.159 who's taking part 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:31.579 in being served by the host. 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.299 This is a direct way 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.199 of blessing people 00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:36.199 with what God has provided for us. 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:38.240 When it's done with grumbling, 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:40.360 it's directly against God's provision 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.699 for our lives 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:43.319 and his willingness to bless. 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:44.500 Secondly, 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.659 sharing a meal with people 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.960 is a very intimate thing. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.419 Have you noticed 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.759 when you sit around a table 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.240 with people, 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.399 there's a sense of fellowship 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.220 that just happens? 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.759 You don't experience that 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.639 anywhere else 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.320 except over sharing food 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:58.840 with people. 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.580 It deepens the bond 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.159 of affection. 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.659 As I come up here 00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:05.099 to preach every so often, 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.220 you'll hear me quoting 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.759 a lot of Token, 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:09.299 the guy who wrote 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.079 Lord of the Rings. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.880 See, Token was aware of this 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:12.559 in his writings 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.539 when you read his books 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:15.339 because he had a deep love 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:17.500 for the Anglo-Saxon writings, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.720 which speak a lot 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.240 about feasts happening 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.559 and being merry. 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.000 See, in The Hobbit, 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:24.059 when you read The Hobbit 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.000 and The Lord of the Rings, 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:27.039 he really drills this down, 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:28.700 this idea of sharing meals together. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.420 In the books, 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.779 there's lots of meals 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.579 shared between 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.599 the good characters, 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.959 but the enemy 00:17:33.959 --> 00:17:34.819 shares none, 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.279 but they fight 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.359 and kill over the food. 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.740 The movies take this away, 00:17:40.199 --> 00:17:41.480 but if you've seen The Hobbit, 00:17:41.699 --> 00:17:42.439 they've kept it in 00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:43.199 the first scene, 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.199 which they call it 00:17:44.199 --> 00:17:45.319 The Unexpected Party, 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:47.519 which has lots of food, 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.139 drink, 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.039 and singing, 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.079 and merriment, 00:17:50.459 --> 00:17:51.899 and then they set off 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.579 on their quest 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.779 to the Lonely Mountain. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.779 See, meals shared together 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.899 deepen the bonds 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:58.459 of affection 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:00.700 and shows the kind of love 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.920 that God has for us. 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.340 But thirdly, 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:03.980 and I think this is 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.920 the most important thing 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.220 when we think about hospitality, 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.840 meals shared together 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:10.059 are an image 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.559 of the great marriage feast 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:13.120 that we will all take part in, 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.600 that those who call Jesus 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.460 their Lord and Savior 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.299 and follow him. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.360 Jesus talked about this 00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:19.259 in his ministry, 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.840 always about the feast, 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:21.620 the feast, 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.799 the great marriage feast, 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.579 that he will be the host 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.579 of this great banquet. 00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:27.460 See, when we do hospitality 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:29.000 with one another 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.900 within the church, 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.460 when we have each other 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:33.460 over to our houses, 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.819 we are showing an image 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.140 of this great feast 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:39.100 that we will all take part in 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:40.480 when we meet Jesus 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.460 face to face. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.039 The Apostle John 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.799 in his letter, 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:45.740 Revelation chapter 19, 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.440 verse 9, 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.200 says this. 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.620 He records this. 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:49.960 And the angel said to me, 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.960 write this, 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:52.940 blessed are those 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.559 who are invited 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.759 to the marriage supper 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.579 of the Lamb. 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.019 See, this idea 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.299 of sharing meals together 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.700 is all throughout the Bible. 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.160 Friends, 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.879 let us challenge ourselves 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:03.379 with this. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.720 Host people for meals. 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.700 Host people you don't know. 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.519 It's easy to host people 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:08.960 you know 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.359 and you're rewarded immediately. 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:12.240 Let us be a church 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.259 that shows hospitality 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.599 to each other. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.519 Don't worry about 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.599 what actually the meal 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.319 will be. 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:19.319 Everyone likes hot dogs 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.139 and veggie dogs. 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.779 And if you don't, 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.539 there's something else 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:23.480 that's easy to make 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.220 that people like. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:25.759 It's about the people 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.120 who sit across from you, 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.599 love each other 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.759 through hospitality. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.460 And I point my finger 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.740 at myself for that as well. 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.720 See, look with me now 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.779 because there's other ways 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.700 Peter lists 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:38.720 the ways of showing 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:41.380 expression of this deep love. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.900 Look with me at verse 10 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.620 to 11, 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.880 the beginning of verse 11. 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:48.260 As each has received a gift, 00:19:48.760 --> 00:19:50.300 use it to serve one another 00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:51.220 as good stewards 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.620 of God's very grace. 00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:54.140 Whoever speaks 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.600 as one who speaks 00:19:55.600 --> 00:19:56.660 oracles of God. 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.160 Whoever serves 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.160 as one who serves 00:19:59.160 --> 00:19:59.880 by the strength 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:01.000 that God supplies. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.760 See, every believer 00:20:02.760 --> 00:20:03.660 within the church 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.420 has a gift 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:06.060 given directly by God 00:20:06.060 --> 00:20:07.560 and it varies drastically 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:08.560 through one another. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.100 And these gifts 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.940 are for the use 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.200 within the life 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.900 of the church. 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:15.300 Peter earlier in his letter 00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:16.880 likened believers 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:18.080 to living stones 00:20:18.080 --> 00:20:19.720 that when they're put together 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.800 build the church. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.400 The church needs 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:22.940 your gifting. 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.960 Some may have one, 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.380 some may have many gifts, 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.640 but everyone has a gift 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.220 to use. 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.480 You may be thinking 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.480 you don't have a gift. 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:31.700 Well, here's a short list. 00:20:32.320 --> 00:20:32.640 Singleness, 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.040 marriedness, 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.280 age, 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.780 whether you're young 00:20:36.780 --> 00:20:37.800 or whether you're older, 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.759 age plays a huge factor 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.240 in gifting. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.680 Different kinds 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.720 of evangelism. 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.580 It could be just 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:44.980 conversations with people. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:45.720 It could be 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.840 running groups. 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.360 It could be 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:49.120 living a godly life. 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.580 Music ministry. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:52.280 Teaching in various ways. 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.140 Bible studies. 00:20:53.560 --> 00:20:54.180 Sunday school. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:54.860 Discipling. 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.380 Greetings. 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.040 Wealth. 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:58.640 Poor. 00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.360 Educated. 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.080 No education. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:00.840 Arts. 00:21:01.280 --> 00:21:01.660 Helping. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.340 Baking. 00:21:02.560 --> 00:21:02.900 Time. 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:03.960 Gifted in trades. 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:04.900 Gifted in administration. 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.519 See, we all have 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.860 these different giftings 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.980 that make the church 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.820 a beautiful thing 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.560 that we can use 00:21:10.560 --> 00:21:11.400 within the church 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.920 and then it spills out 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.920 and people notice. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:16.000 See, this list goes on. 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.900 Everyone has something 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:19.080 or have experienced life 00:21:19.080 --> 00:21:19.580 in a way 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:21.140 that can bless the church. 00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:22.380 We are called 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.200 to be stewards 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.300 of God's gifts 00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:25.540 and we must use them. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.720 We're called to use them. 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:28.100 Within the church, 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.840 earnest love 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.900 will find its expression 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:31.180 in the use 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.240 of spiritual gifts. 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.540 Not just self, 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:35.019 not for self-advancement 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.960 or to draw attention 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.660 to ourselves 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:38.059 but for the benefit 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.740 of others. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.839 But you might be thinking, 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.359 and I can relate to this, 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:42.920 but Matt, 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:44.379 I'm so gassed. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.119 I'm so tired 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.799 at the end of the day. 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.660 I don't have much left 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.119 to give. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.019 A commentator 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.559 said this very interesting thing. 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.160 God's rule 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.000 for our gifts 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.079 is that we use them 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.879 with confidence. 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.980 That resource, 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.920 and these resources 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.680 will be used 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.799 in faithful stewardship. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.579 But our faith 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.079 needs to be 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.480 that he'll replenish it 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:05.120 because he's a faithful master 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.519 who cares deeply for us 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.299 and knows 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.279 what we're experiencing. 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:10.019 We are called 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.620 to be a church 00:22:10.620 --> 00:22:11.440 that prays. 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.079 We are called 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.839 to be a church 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.140 that earnestly loves. 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.079 We are called 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.700 to be a church 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.400 that earnestly 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.620 shows hospitality, 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.579 excels in it, 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.880 and serves unconditionally. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.220 But why? 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.819 That's the main question. 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.480 But why? 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:25.240 Look with me again 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:27.000 at verse 10 and 11. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:31.059 As each has received a gift, 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.700 use it to serve one another 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.620 as good stewards 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:35.059 of God's very grace. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.480 Whoever speaks 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.259 is one who speaks 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.360 oracles of God. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.680 Whoever serves 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.559 is one who serves 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.340 by the strength 00:22:41.340 --> 00:22:42.220 that God supplies 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:44.120 in order that in everything 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.740 God may be glorified 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.720 through Jesus Christ. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.660 To him belong glory 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.420 and dominion 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.920 forever and ever. 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:51.519 Amen. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.240 See, 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:54.460 we all know people 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.120 who do things 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:55.920 for their own glory, 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:56.680 but we are called 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.059 to do it 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.240 for God's glory. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.200 Using our gifts 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.340 will lead 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.500 to giving 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.900 God glory. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.160 And this is something 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.039 we're supposed to do. 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.259 But if we use our gifts 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.940 for God's glory, 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.100 we bring him glory. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.900 Think about that 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.319 for a minute. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.700 Like, really think about it. 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.960 When we serve each other, 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:17.380 when we do these things, 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.440 in light of living 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.259 in this time 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.279 that Christ can return 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.960 at any moment, 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.220 when we pray 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:22.860 for each other, 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.779 when we show love 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.400 for each other, 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.480 when we show hospitality 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.299 and use our gifts 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.600 for his church, 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.759 we bring him glory. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.259 Earlier in the letter 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.259 of 1 Peter, 00:23:33.719 --> 00:23:35.659 he calls believers 00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:37.319 a part of the royal priesthood 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:39.099 and that we are called 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.839 to do spiritual sacrifices 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.139 to God. 00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:44.639 These are the spiritual sacrifices 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.939 that he's referring to. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.699 It's things like this, 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.839 serving one another, 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:50.079 serving the community, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.099 serving the church. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.699 This is such a profound thing 00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:54.879 because it brings them glory. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.419 When we really think about it, 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:58.100 it's profound 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:59.560 that we bring glory 00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:00.800 to God in that way. 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.759 See, as Daniel continues 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.880 in the book of Romans, 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:06.180 it's already become 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:06.920 pretty clear 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.360 that we cannot do 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.340 any of this 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.700 by our own doing. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.420 You get that pretty quick 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.220 when you read Romans. 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.420 It's only through 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.820 the saving work of Christ. 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.880 No matter how hard we try, 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.620 without Christ 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.920 at the center of our lives, 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.600 we'll never be able to do it. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.779 We'll always do it 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.560 for different reasons. 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.259 So this brings us back 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.000 to the question, 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:28.640 why are numbers so bad? 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:29.860 Shouldn't Christians 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.160 be filling the pews everywhere? 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.779 Why does there seem to be 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.779 this lethargy over the church? 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:36.060 Why do some think 00:24:36.060 --> 00:24:36.920 they don't need church? 00:24:37.060 --> 00:24:37.880 Why do others run 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.440 from the church? 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.539 Why do others put 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.580 other things 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:42.039 over attending church? 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:43.700 See, 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:45.620 it comes down to identity. 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.980 And what do I mean by that? 00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:49.140 What do I mean by identity? 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:51.300 See, identity has many layers. 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:52.500 We may say, 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.740 Jesus is my all. 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.759 I'm committed to follow Jesus. 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.659 But I'm also this. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.619 I'm a mom plus Jesus. 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:01.099 I'm a father plus Jesus. 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:02.519 Professional plus Jesus. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:04.359 A pastor plus Jesus. 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.019 Athletic plus Jesus. 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.419 Again, the list can go on. 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.859 See, Jesus must be first. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.079 Anything that takes you away 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.859 from Jesus, 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.279 it must go. 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:18.539 I led a funeral last week. 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.279 I was asked to speak 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:19.779 at a funeral 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:21.240 and do the service for it. 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.079 And this person 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.980 didn't know Christ, 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.819 which is a sad thing. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.480 They were cremated 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.220 and they were put 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.399 in a niche. 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:30.000 And what was interesting 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.879 is that this man, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.099 he picked where he wanted 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.599 to be, 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.579 his ashes to be laid. 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.180 And it was literally 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.079 at the feet 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.559 of a big cross 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.039 with Jesus on it. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.599 Literally, 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:42.420 like three meters away. 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:44.800 And it was a sad thing 00:25:44.800 --> 00:25:47.200 because he did not know Jesus. 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.740 He was pretty clear about that. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.800 But he wanted to be laid 00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:51.560 at Jesus' feet. 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:51.980 It was very, 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:54.860 this very weird dichotomy 00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:56.240 or it was very ironic. 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:58.500 This scene moved me deeply 00:25:58.500 --> 00:26:00.860 because it was a very sad thing. 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:03.519 See, our hearts are similar though. 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:06.279 What is at the center of your heart? 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.720 Is it Christ crucified? 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.860 Or is it yourself, 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.519 your identity? 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.379 Are you striving 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.759 to bring God glory 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.500 or not? 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.220 Friends, brothers, 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.259 sisters in Christ, 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.700 I include myself in this. 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.779 How are you living 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.420 in light of it being 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.359 in the end times? 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.160 Is your life 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.319 dedicated to Christ? 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:27.019 Is it what Peter lists here? 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:28.440 Are we doing these things? 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.660 Because it's so important. 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.639 And he's writing to a church 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:34.799 that is facing persecution. 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.160 He's writing to a church 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.279 that's facing suffering. 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.859 But he calls them 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.699 to do this. 00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:42.959 To live as a church 00:26:42.959 --> 00:26:44.500 that brings glory to God. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.659 And through this, 00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:48.419 through living like this, 00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:49.639 through coming together, 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.740 those who don't know Christ 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:53.199 will be drawn to it. 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:55.419 Because they will see God's glory. 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:57.179 They will see God's love 00:26:57.179 --> 00:26:59.819 through those who show Christ 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:01.119 through the ways they live. 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.639 Friends, let's live like that. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.359 Let's live the way 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:06.939 Christ has called us to live. 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.600 Let's live the way 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:21.539 whochtsch 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:21.539 00:27:21.539 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