WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.679 It's on page 1223, if you're using one of the red-coloured Bibles. 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:34.939 2 Peter chapter 1, and the focus this morning will be from verses 5 through to 11, but we're 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:38.260 going to read from verse 1 through to 11. 00:00:38.259 --> 00:01:08.239 Thank you. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:16.180 2 Peter chapter 1, from verses 1 through to 11. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:26.000 Let's hear God's word. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:31.579 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:01:31.579 --> 00:02:01.579 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:07.519 He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:14.020 in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:23.020 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge, 00:02:23.740 --> 00:02:29.600 and to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, and to perseverance godliness, 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:34.160 to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:41.300 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:45.639 and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:45.639 --> 00:02:54.059 But if anyone does not have them, well, they are short-sighted and blind, and have forgotten 00:02:54.059 --> 00:02:58.779 that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 00:02:58.780 --> 00:03:07.300 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:16.900 For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom 00:03:16.900 --> 00:03:19.960 of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:22.360 So, Simon. 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:22.439 Simon. 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:33.900 Well, as Simon, go ahead. 00:03:34.480 --> 00:03:38.819 Simon adjusts his, what is it? 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:40.400 It's not a pulpit, is it? 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:41.719 Pulpit. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:42.740 We'll call it a pulpit. 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:45.060 Mobile pulpit. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:53.280 For those of you who don't know, this is Simon O'Mahony, his wife, Megan, and Simon is working 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:59.560 for Borgash, which I always find, but in the law area. 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:00.879 Yeah, in the legal department. 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:01.740 Legal department. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:03.740 So, that's what Simon does. 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:09.060 So, if you have any problems with your gas, you can complain to Simon, and he'll see what 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:09.659 he can do for you. 00:04:10.140 --> 00:04:14.819 Simon preached last week, and we're looking forward to him speaking again today. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:16.339 So, can I pray for you again? 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:16.939 Please, sir. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:19.199 And then we'll let you speak. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:19.839 Let's pray. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:22.040 Father, thank you for Simon. 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:23.120 Thank you for Megan. 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:30.459 Thank you for their involvement and their life here in this church. 00:04:30.459 --> 00:04:33.699 And we thank you for the gift that you've given to Simon. 00:04:33.699 --> 00:04:41.919 And we pray that you would fill him with your spirit and fill us with your spirit too. 00:04:42.599 --> 00:04:50.679 That we may hear your word, not just to understand it with our minds intellectually, but that we 00:04:50.680 --> 00:05:01.660 would experience it and know it in our hearts so that we are changed from the inside out to live for Christ 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:04.800 and to follow him wholeheartedly. 00:05:05.460 --> 00:05:07.579 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:08.500 Amen. 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:09.160 Amen. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:10.280 Thanks, Simon. 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:21.579 Never, never will we stop until we have wiped away this scandal from the Christian name, 00:05:22.239 --> 00:05:28.859 released ourselves from the load of guilt under which we at present labour, and extinguished 00:05:28.859 --> 00:05:30.579 every trace of this traffic. 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:38.039 These were the words of the great emancipator, William Wilberforce, as he condemned the slave 00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:41.800 trade before the House of Commons in 1791. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:48.439 Wilberforce was so passionately opposed to the slave trade that he entered into politics 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:52.959 and dedicated his life to campaigning against the wicked trade. 00:05:54.199 --> 00:05:59.959 It was shortly after his death that the British Parliament would enact the Slavery Abolition 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:03.180 Act, which would abolish slavery in most of the British Empire. 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:10.060 The physical and social chains that once bound the people would be thrown off and they would 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:13.799 be welcomed as citizens to live out their new freedom. 00:06:15.299 --> 00:06:18.120 Peter too is an abolitionist of sorts. 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:23.339 In the verses we are going to look at this morning, we will see he tells us that we have 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:29.139 been elected by God to salvation from slavery to sin and corruption. 00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:35.659 He warns us of the dangers of passivity in the Christian life. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:45.959 However, we can have this assurance of salvation since fruit is evidence of having been set free 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:46.799 from corruption. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:53.859 Having this assurance then, we await the rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:55.360 and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:04.259 In verse 5, Peter begins an exhortation for us to be fruitful in Christlike virtues. 00:07:04.840 --> 00:07:08.240 Let's look at verse 5 down to verse 7 together. 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.240 Peter. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:16.439 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge, 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:22.460 and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control perseverance, and to perseverance godliness, 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:27.120 and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:32.120 Peter said in verse 5, for this very reason make every effort. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:37.300 For what reason are we to make every effort to grow in Christlike virtues? 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:42.920 It's important that we look at the foundation and grounds of his exhortation to us. 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:50.540 Peter exhorts Christians to live a fruitful life because we have been elected and called 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:54.459 by God's glory and goodness to faith in Christ. 00:07:54.459 --> 00:08:00.180 Our understanding of what Peter means when he speaks of election is important 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:06.419 if we're to understand his exhortation to us, and also the warning which follows. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:11.419 Though the doctrine of election is difficult for us to understand, 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:16.500 for the Christian it's a great source of comfort in knowing that we've been saved perfectly 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:23.000 by Christ's grace alone, completely outside of anything good we have done 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:24.639 or good we can do. 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:29.939 In election we see God's great love, goodness, and glory. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:34.659 Election, we will see, is the reason for our faith. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:41.820 Election is God's unconditional calling of a sinner to salvation 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:46.039 based only on God's own glory and goodness. 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:48.840 Look with me back to verse 3. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:52.080 Peter writes in the second half of the verse 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:56.379 that God called us by his own glory and goodness. 00:08:57.340 --> 00:09:02.320 God's calling of a sinner to salvation is not based on anything done by the sinner. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:06.820 God did not call us because of anything good he saw in us, 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:10.400 nor was it because he saw any potential good in us. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:14.940 The grounds of his saving call are his own glory and goodness. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:21.420 Before our series on the Psalms, Johnny preached through Titus, 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:25.080 and before Titus, he preached through Deuteronomy. 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:32.180 A recurring theme in Deuteronomy is God's favour and faithfulness 00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:35.220 to an unfaithful and unfavourable people. 00:09:37.400 --> 00:09:39.600 I'll read a few verses from Deuteronomy, 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:41.940 chapter 7, verses 6 to 8. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:44.580 If you want to keep a finger in 2 Peter, you can. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:49.040 You can find it in the Church Bible on page 186. 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:54.579 Starting in verse 6. 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:59.740 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:04.800 The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:07.520 to be his people, his treasured possession. 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:10.139 The Lord did not set his affection on you 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:13.980 and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:16.120 for you were the fewest of all peoples. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:19.360 But it was because the Lord loved you 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:21.580 and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:25.340 that he brought you out with a mighty hand 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:29.519 and redeemed you from the land of slavery, 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:32.100 from the power of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:37.100 So we see in verse 6 that God chose these people 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.519 out of all the people of the earth 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:41.039 to be his treasured possession. 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:47.039 God didn't choose these people based on their own prosperity as a people 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:49.819 or on their faithfulness to God 00:10:49.819 --> 00:10:52.799 but chose them out of his own love and mercy. 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:56.299 God's choosing and electing of people today 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:58.439 is on the very same grounds 00:10:58.439 --> 00:11:02.279 that he chooses and elects the people in Deuteronomy. 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:07.360 Election is not conditional on anything we have done or will do. 00:11:08.079 --> 00:11:09.439 He elects us to salvation 00:11:09.439 --> 00:11:13.419 based solely on his own love and mercy. 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:17.860 And it's when we come to correctly see 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:20.799 how undeserving we are of this mercy 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:26.039 that the doctrine of election brings so much comfort and joy. 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:31.240 So we are elected based on God's goodness and mercy 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:35.579 and this is accomplished then by God's divine power. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:38.639 So if you look with me back to verse 3, 00:11:39.599 --> 00:11:40.139 Peter writes, 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:43.840 His divine power has given us everything we need 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:45.279 for life and godliness 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:47.960 through our knowledge of him who called us 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:49.620 by his own glory and goodness. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:53.159 God has called us 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:55.879 and God's calling of us here in verse 3 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:58.759 is what Peter is referring to in verse 10 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:01.299 and we look there when he says, 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.620 Therefore my brothers, 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:03.960 be all the more eager 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:06.779 to make your calling and election sure. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:10.319 Election and calling mean the same thing. 00:12:11.079 --> 00:12:12.299 We see from verse 3 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:16.199 that in election God calls sinners to salvation 00:12:16.199 --> 00:12:18.839 and equips them for godly living 00:12:18.839 --> 00:12:20.839 by his divine power. 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:25.740 The source of our election is God's divine power. 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:29.220 We're not saved based on a decision we made 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.439 at some point in our lives. 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.819 We did not decide to be saved 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:33.980 and then we were elected 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:37.399 but we were called from a state of corruption 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:39.460 and saved to godliness. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:42.580 We were saved by God's divine power. 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:45.259 And it's by this divine power 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:47.539 he has given us the precious gift of faith 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.460 which Peter writes in verse 1 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:52.100 comes through the righteousness of Christ. 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.860 This faith that we have been given 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:58.200 is fixed on our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:01.700 This gift of faith does not originate within us 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:03.800 but is given to us by God. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:06.620 So faith is a gift given 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:08.480 to all who are called by God. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:13.000 Just as we read in Deuteronomy 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.780 how the undeserving Israelites 00:13:14.780 --> 00:13:16.160 were chosen by God 00:13:16.160 --> 00:13:17.759 and freed from slavery 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:19.800 to live freely as his holy people. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.480 So too we are chosen by God 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:25.040 set free from the shackles of sin 00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:27.259 and called to live a life 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.560 that's pleasing to him. 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:31.939 In election God calls sinners 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:34.239 from spiritual slavery and death 00:13:34.239 --> 00:13:37.459 to a new life marked by holiness. 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:42.339 Last week we looked at how 00:13:42.339 --> 00:13:45.599 Peter contrasted the corruption of the world 00:13:45.599 --> 00:13:48.139 with partaking of the divine nature. 00:13:49.099 --> 00:13:50.239 Let's look in verse 4 00:13:50.239 --> 00:13:51.579 Peter writes 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.900 Through these 00:13:52.900 --> 00:13:53.960 he has given us 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.860 his very great 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.000 and precious promises 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.460 so that through them 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.960 you may participate 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:00.120 in the divine nature 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:00.960 having escaped 00:14:01.520 --> 00:14:02.820 the corruption in the world 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:04.660 caused by evil desires. 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:07.620 We have escaped corruption 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:09.200 and we are partakers 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:10.820 of the divine nature. 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:14.020 Participating in the divine nature 00:14:14.020 --> 00:14:16.400 means being made more like Christ. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:19.740 Our old lives were marked 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.720 by corruption 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.939 and love of sin 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:24.439 but we now live lives 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:25.959 marked by Christ likeness 00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:28.679 and are being made more like Christ. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:31.419 Our love for sin 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:32.340 has been replaced 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.679 with a love for Christ. 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.399 We were once slaves 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.740 but now we are set free. 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:38.399 And Paul writes 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:40.519 in 2 Corinthians 5.17 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:42.299 Therefore if anyone is in Christ 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.579 he is a new creation 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:44.919 the old has gone 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:46.219 and the new has come. 00:14:47.099 --> 00:14:47.620 Christians 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.799 we are new creations 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:51.099 no longer slaves to sin. 00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:53.039 We have been elected 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:53.740 to salvation 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.699 by the divine power of God 00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:56.779 which is based 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:57.899 on his goodness 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.699 and glory 00:14:58.699 --> 00:15:00.699 and it is to us 00:15:00.699 --> 00:15:02.000 as new creations 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:04.139 that Peter charges us 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:04.959 in verse 5 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:05.860 and following 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:07.620 to strive for holiness. 00:15:10.099 --> 00:15:11.959 Since we are new creations 00:15:11.959 --> 00:15:14.019 having been elected 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:14.980 from corruption 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.419 to salvation 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.000 and holiness 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:19.120 we bear fruit 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.019 according 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.319 to our new nature. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:22.860 The fruit 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.819 of our new nature 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:25.379 is Christ likeness. 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.779 If we are elected 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:29.600 and are new creations 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.100 then our faith 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.019 will be evidenced 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.639 by fruit. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.059 Fruit 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.220 is the evidence 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.139 of our faith. 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:39.139 And it's on these grounds 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.480 that Peter charges us 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.639 in verse 5. 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:43.960 For this very reason 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:45.199 make every effort 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.480 to add to your faith 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:46.840 goodness 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.600 and to goodness 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.100 knowledge 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.059 and to knowledge 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:49.779 self-control 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.840 and to self-control 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.699 perseverance 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.659 and to perseverance 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.199 godliness 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.679 and to godliness 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:55.519 brotherly kindness 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.019 and to brotherly kindness 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.539 love. 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.080 The list that Peter 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.779 gives us 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:02.179 isn't a list 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:02.779 which we are meant 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.779 to tick the box 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:05.000 as we master each one. 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.120 It's not that we 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.419 first master goodness 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.340 and then we move on 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:08.819 to knowledge 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:09.700 and keep ticking 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.200 the boxes 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:12.340 but this is a list 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:14.000 of Christ-like virtues. 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:17.160 Since we are new creations 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:18.260 we are to bear 00:16:18.260 --> 00:16:18.840 the marks 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.820 of Christ-likeness. 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.120 We are to resemble 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:22.660 the one 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:23.400 whom we are being 00:16:23.400 --> 00:16:24.240 modeled after. 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.360 The Christian life 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.460 is a life 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.240 marked 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.260 by Christ-likeness. 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.320 Peter continues 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.440 then his exhortation 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.460 in verse 8. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:36.860 So if you possess 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.500 these qualities 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.639 in increasing measure 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.600 they will keep you 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.600 from being ineffective 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.920 and unproductive 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:43.019 in your knowledge 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:44.820 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:46.660 --> 00:16:47.600 Having these 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.940 Christ-like qualities 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:50.700 Peter tells us 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.840 keeps us from being 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.660 unproductive 00:16:52.660 --> 00:16:53.560 in our knowledge 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.080 of Christ. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.000 So as we 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.300 practice these qualities 00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:58.680 and as these qualities 00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.420 are seen 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.639 in our lives 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.440 we are giving evidence 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.520 that we know Christ 00:17:03.520 --> 00:17:05.640 in a life-transforming way. 00:17:06.580 --> 00:17:07.880 For if we know Christ 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:09.340 these fruits will come 00:17:09.340 --> 00:17:10.000 as a result 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.980 of knowing him. 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.080 Look with me now 00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:13.779 in verse 9 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.200 his exhortation 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.299 changes to a warning 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.960 but 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.100 if anyone 00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:19.100 does not have them 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:20.539 he is short-sighted 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.039 and blind 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.740 and has forgotten 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.640 that he has been 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:25.120 cleansed from past sins. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.340 His warning here 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.620 is not necessarily 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.400 to the faithful 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.460 and fruitful Christian. 00:17:31.080 --> 00:17:31.680 His warning 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.400 is to the person 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:33.640 who with his mouth 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:35.540 professes to be a Christian 00:17:35.540 --> 00:17:37.420 but with his actions 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:39.160 tell a very different story. 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.680 There were false teachers 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.620 at this time 00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:44.220 teaching that 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.000 since we are saved 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.560 by grace 00:17:45.560 --> 00:17:47.320 the law doesn't matter 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:47.759 anymore. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.800 Since Christ 00:17:49.800 --> 00:17:50.780 died for us 00:17:50.780 --> 00:17:51.900 and has forgiven us 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.620 of our sins 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.640 won't he keep 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.220 forgiving us 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.500 no matter how we live? 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.220 Why not just 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:57.900 sin a little 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.740 and then run back 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.860 for a little bit more grace 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.920 and keep doing that? 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.140 We are under grace 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.640 aren't we? 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.440 Peter describes 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.259 the person 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.240 who thinks this way 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.660 as being blind. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.600 You would have to be 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.620 completely blind 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.500 to the grace 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.460 and goodness of God 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.580 if you think this way. 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:16.100 Grace is not 00:18:16.100 --> 00:18:17.140 a license to sin. 00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:18.279 It isn't a cheap 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.039 kind of token 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.039 that gets us 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.620 out of trouble 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:21.500 when we sin. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.380 If a person thinks 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.140 that because Christ 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.779 died for them 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.980 they can go on 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.100 sinning unashamedly 00:18:27.100 --> 00:18:28.259 then they're blind. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:30.740 not only is he blind 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.640 but in verse 9 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.160 we read 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.839 he has forgotten 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:35.039 he has been cleansed 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:36.140 from past sins. 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:38.319 So not only 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.039 are we forgiven 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.879 of our sins 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:41.220 but we are cleansed 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.640 from them. 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.519 If our understanding 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.680 of salvation 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.319 is that God 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.240 merely wipes 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.000 the slate clean 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.859 and sends us off 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.619 on our own way 00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:50.099 then we've forgotten 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.279 what salvation is. 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.519 God saves us 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.619 from slavery 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.180 to sin 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.519 to a new 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.519 and precious life 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.640 of godliness 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:00.440 and Christ likeness. 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:03.320 In salvation 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:04.200 God does not only 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.940 forgive us 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.519 of our sins 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.460 but he also 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.000 gives us 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.000 a new heart 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.120 that loves 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:09.900 to serve him 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.080 and hates sin. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.039 Peter continues 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.560 then in verse 10 00:19:15.560 --> 00:19:16.980 warning and exhorting 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:18.120 us to be eager 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:19.340 to make our election 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:19.779 sure 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.960 so that we do 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.519 not fall. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.100 He writes 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:25.039 therefore my brothers 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.059 be all the more eager 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.359 to make your calling 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.379 and election sure 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:29.579 for if you do 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.199 these things 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:31.639 you will never fall. 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:33.859 What Peter says 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.839 at the end of verse 10 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.939 for if you do 00:19:35.939 --> 00:19:36.379 these things 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.199 you will never fall 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.419 he's not saying 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.500 that what keeps us 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.199 from falling 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:41.619 is our own obedience 00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:42.619 or our own fruit. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.919 Remember what we said 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:45.619 about election. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.500 Election is God's 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.779 unconditional calling 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.339 of a sinner 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.219 to salvation 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.480 based only on 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.759 God's own goodness 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.839 and glory. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.500 Our election 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:59.180 is not conditional 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.360 on our actions. 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:01.940 Our good works 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.839 don't contribute 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.779 to our salvation. 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.940 What Peter is saying 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:07.759 is that our outward fruit 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.079 is evidence 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.420 of what God 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.500 has done internally. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.440 Our fruit is 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.180 evidence 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.180 of our faith. 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.480 Peter's warning 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:17.980 again is 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:19.400 primarily directed 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:19.960 at the person 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:21.140 who's not bearing fruit 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:23.279 in his or her life. 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:25.720 What Peter is saying 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.680 is that the person 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.620 who's not bearing 00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:28.600 Christ-like fruit 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:29.980 will fall 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.400 because they're 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.259 giving evidence 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.319 that they are not saved. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.860 This tells us then 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:36.299 that there is 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.480 a true profession 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:37.940 of faith 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:39.360 and a false profession 00:20:39.360 --> 00:20:39.819 of faith. 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.640 A true profession 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.120 of faith 00:20:42.120 --> 00:20:43.360 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.539 will be evidenced 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.940 by a turning away 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.500 from sin. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.220 True faith 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.779 is not merely 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.440 a verbal expression 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.860 but is accompanied 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.480 by living 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.600 a new life 00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:54.400 of obedience 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.079 to God. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.740 But a false 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.740 profession 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.779 won't have that evidence. 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.079 And this is why 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.000 we are warned 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.640 in verse 10 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.559 therefore my brothers 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.500 be all the more eager 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.799 to make your calling 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.819 and election sure. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.660 How then are we 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.660 to be assured 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.380 of our election? 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:14.280 Well since fruit 00:21:14.280 --> 00:21:15.060 is the evidence 00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:15.880 of true faith 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.780 we can look 00:21:16.780 --> 00:21:17.380 for that fruit 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.460 in our lives. 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.980 A Christian's fruit 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.680 is evidence 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.440 of salvation. 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:27.600 About twice a month 00:21:27.600 --> 00:21:30.020 I go to Dublin 00:21:30.020 --> 00:21:30.660 for work 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:32.080 and it's sometimes 00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:32.600 awkward 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.940 when the train 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.460 changes 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.260 either at Mallow 00:21:35.260 --> 00:21:36.260 or Limerick Junction 00:21:36.260 --> 00:21:37.840 I have to gather 00:21:37.840 --> 00:21:38.460 all my stuff 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.340 and jump onto 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.059 the next train 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.799 and I sometimes 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.139 am left wondering 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:44.319 am I on the right train? 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:47.159 Am I going to miss 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:47.699 my meeting 00:21:47.699 --> 00:21:48.459 if I end up 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.039 in Limerick? 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.939 That won't be good. 00:21:51.939 --> 00:21:52.399 They might cut 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:52.939 my contract 00:21:52.939 --> 00:21:53.740 a little bit shorter. 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:58.000 So when I'm sitting there 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.859 reading my book 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.319 or doing whatever 00:21:59.319 --> 00:21:59.740 I'm doing 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.740 every so often 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:02.079 I'll glance up 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.679 out the window 00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:03.399 and look for 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.399 maybe a sign 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:05.139 or a landmark 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.759 that I know 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.059 yeah these are familiar 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.339 I know these 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.279 I know I'm on 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.119 the right track 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:11.139 I know I'm on 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:12.079 my way to Dublin 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:15.220 and these landmarks 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.039 and signs 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:18.139 that point the way 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.579 to Dublin 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.159 that are familiar 00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:20.279 yes this is the way 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.659 to Dublin 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:22.079 they serve as a comfort 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.480 to me 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.599 I say yes 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.500 okay you know 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:26.000 I'm on the right train 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.299 here 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:31.639 and these landmarks 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:33.039 they serve as signs 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.799 and evidence 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.259 that I'm going 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.839 the right way 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.439 and in the same sense 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.579 we can look to the fruit 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.599 in our own lives 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:42.079 because they serve 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.159 as landmarks 00:22:43.159 --> 00:22:43.699 and signs 00:22:43.699 --> 00:22:45.459 they give evidence 00:22:45.459 --> 00:22:47.699 that we're saved 00:22:47.699 --> 00:22:49.699 our fruit 00:22:49.699 --> 00:22:51.000 is not what saves us 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.079 in the same way 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.559 the signs 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.439 and the landmarks 00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:54.259 didn't get me 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.779 to Dublin 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:57.000 but the fruit 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.379 serves as evidence 00:22:58.379 --> 00:23:00.259 and a signpost 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.759 of a heart 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.859 changed by God 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:06.939 having been given 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:08.000 a true faith 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.459 let us be active 00:23:09.459 --> 00:23:10.339 then in Christ 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:10.899 likeness 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:13.079 Peter charges us 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.719 in verse 10 00:23:13.719 --> 00:23:15.319 be all the more eager 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.879 to make your calling 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.679 and election sure 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:18.959 he's calling us 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.899 to look for fruit 00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:20.839 as evidence 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:22.619 and he's warning us 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.379 of the dangers 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.299 of not having 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:24.779 that fruit 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:26.959 this doesn't mean 00:23:26.959 --> 00:23:27.639 we're to wake up 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.319 every morning 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:30.059 questioning our salvation 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.139 not at all 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:32.919 nor does it mean 00:23:32.919 --> 00:23:34.179 we must be perfect 00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:34.859 in every way 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.819 and anytime we sin 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.740 we must question 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.359 am I saved 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.559 that's not what 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.119 Peter's saying 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.299 perfection is not 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.799 what's expected of us 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.879 for when we sin 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:45.000 through Christ 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.139 we have forgiveness 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.740 of sins 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.839 Peter wants us 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:50.119 to strive forward 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.220 to be eager 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:53.099 to make every effort 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:54.460 in pursuing 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.379 goodness 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.539 self-control 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.059 perseverance 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.500 perseverance 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.579 godliness 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.899 brotherly kindness 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.759 and love 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:03.159 Peter's warning to us 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:04.039 is not meant to 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.960 turn us inward 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.559 and leave us 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.279 in a state of 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.720 questioning our salvation 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.619 every time we sin 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:10.000 but it's an encouragement 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.960 to pursue 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.000 that Christ likeness 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.399 in full confidence 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.200 of our standing 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.919 before God 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:16.859 we're not to have 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.859 a passive attitude 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.359 of thinking 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.460 we can let go 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.159 and let God 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.980 having been saved 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.559 we are to be active 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.480 in pursuing 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.379 Christ likeness 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:27.580 Peter urges us 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:29.000 to be all the more 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.480 eager 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.380 and make every effort 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:33.060 in order to 00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:33.800 spur us on 00:24:33.800 --> 00:24:36.480 living a life 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.460 pleasing to God 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.640 is not passive 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:40.100 but it's active 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:41.120 in good works 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:43.420 are we active 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.380 in doing good 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.920 and pursuing 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.800 Christ likeness 00:24:45.800 --> 00:24:47.360 do we see 00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:48.180 these virtues 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.160 being played out 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.960 in our own lives 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:52.600 let's take comfort 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.400 let's look back 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.160 to verse 3 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:57.080 his divine power 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.220 has given us 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.820 everything we need 00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:00.620 for life 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:01.320 and godliness 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:03.060 he's given us 00:25:03.060 --> 00:25:04.160 everything we need 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.720 to live a godly life 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:07.000 pleasing to him 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:09.300 armed with this knowledge 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:10.860 let's make every effort 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:12.220 at bearing fruit 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:14.380 what is at stake 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:15.580 if we're not bearing fruit 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:16.860 is not that we'll 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.840 lose our salvation 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:19.840 but we'll evidence 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:20.440 the fact 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.500 that we don't have 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.859 a true faith 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.740 in Christ 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.500 as our Lord 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.119 and Saviour 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:27.299 let us be active 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.839 and alert 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:29.380 for if these virtues 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.240 are active 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:30.960 in our lives 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.279 we have evidence 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.039 and assurance 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.559 of a true heart 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.519 changed by God 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:37.900 election 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:39.440 is the reason 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.240 for our faith 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.380 fruit 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.460 is the evidence 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.119 of our faith 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.160 and heaven 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.339 is the destination 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.640 of our faith 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:48.500 the end destination 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.780 of this Christian life 00:25:49.780 --> 00:25:51.580 is being with Christ 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.040 forever 00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:52.920 in heaven 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:55.220 we'll start again 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.860 at verse 10 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.320 and read 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:58.800 therefore my brothers 00:25:58.800 --> 00:25:59.840 be all the more eager 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:00.880 to make your calling 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.740 and election sure 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:03.380 for if you do these things 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.280 you will never fall 00:26:04.280 --> 00:26:05.600 and 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.980 you will receive 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.020 a rich welcome 00:26:08.020 --> 00:26:08.700 into the 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.720 eternal kingdom 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.759 of our Lord 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.360 and Saviour 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.220 Jesus Christ 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:14.819 Peter motivates us 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.740 towards godliness 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:17.000 with the thought 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:18.779 of being richly received 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.500 into the eternal kingdom 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.980 as Christians 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.420 this is our final hope 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:25.579 this is what we strive 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.420 towards 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.720 being welcomed 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:29.259 by our God 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.160 and Saviour 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:32.620 we see 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.480 in this passage 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.660 that God 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:36.000 who elected us 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.900 is also the one 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:39.039 who will bring our faith 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.240 to completion 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.160 Peter tells us 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.940 in verse 1 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:44.080 that God has given us 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:45.000 a precious faith 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.980 in verse 2 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.040 he gives us grace 00:26:47.040 --> 00:26:47.580 and peace 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:48.480 in verse 3 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.640 having called us 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.380 he gives us 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:51.279 everything we need 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.000 for godly living 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.960 in verse 4 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.840 he gives us 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:54.960 his precious promises 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.480 and in verse 11 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.940 he gives us 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.740 a rich welcome 00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:00.340 into his eternal kingdom 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:02.500 God 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.620 is the giver 00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.060 of faith 00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:04.700 in verse 1 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.000 and the completer 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.779 of faith 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.540 in verse 11 00:27:07.540 --> 00:27:10.640 it is God 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.779 who sustains us 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.000 and he receives 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.639 all the glory 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:16.379 the reason we receive 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.160 this rich welcome 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.839 is not because 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.940 we've earned it 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.359 but because Christ 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.160 has earned it 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.859 on our behalf 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:23.759 he's taken our sin 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.420 upon himself 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:25.899 and clothed us 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:27.200 in his own goodness 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.180 and righteousness 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:31.660 in 1820 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:33.539 a woman by the name 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.759 of Fanny Crosby 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.299 was born 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.840 from infancy 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:38.620 she was completely blind 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:40.920 her whole life 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.960 she devoted herself 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.140 to helping the poor 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:44.440 though very often 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:44.880 herself 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:45.539 she was unable 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.920 to pay her own rent 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:48.320 she penned 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:49.560 about 3 or 4 hymns 00:27:49.560 --> 00:27:49.900 a day 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:51.200 and it's believed 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:51.680 she wrote 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:53.100 over 8,000 hymns 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:55.819 Fanny Crosby 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.559 is an example 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.619 of a woman 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:59.039 who lived a life 00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:00.759 bearing much fruit 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.159 evidencing 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:02.779 God's work 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.319 in her heart 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:05.539 her full assurance 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.299 was in Christ 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.639 which inspired her 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:08.679 to pen the hymn 00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:10.199 blessed assurance 00:28:10.199 --> 00:28:15.119 having been blind 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:16.039 her entire life 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.279 she was once asked 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.659 if she would like 00:28:18.659 --> 00:28:19.439 to be able to see 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.740 she answered 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.480 no 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:23.240 the first face 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.160 I want to gladden 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.900 my face 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:26.539 is that of my saviour 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:28.759 may we 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.960 like Miss Crosby 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.380 be spurred on 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.120 in our pursuit 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:33.460 of Christ likeness 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.500 as we ponder 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.220 the thought 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.440 of Christ 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.960 gladdening our face 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.539 as he richly 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.299 welcomes us 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.500 with open arms 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:43.140 into his eternal kingdom 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.720 let's pray 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:47.840 dear heavenly father 00:28:47.840 --> 00:28:48.480 we thank you 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:50.400 for this wonderful 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.339 truth of election 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.660 that you love us 00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:54.420 completely based 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.240 on your own goodness 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.880 and mercy 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:58.059 and not because 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.539 of anything 00:28:58.539 --> 00:29:00.140 we have done 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:02.059 we thank you 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.519 that because 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:02.980 of the blood 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.440 of Christ 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.360 we are cleansed 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.539 from past sins 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:07.120 we are free 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.200 from slavery 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.779 to sin 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.740 to live 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:11.259 a new life 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.819 of obedience 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.380 to you 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.980 thank you Lord 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.019 for the promise 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.500 that you will 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.799 bring to completion 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.259 the work 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.079 which you started 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.579 in us 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.920 I pray you would 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.339 give us 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:21.259 every grace 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.859 necessary 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:23.200 as we live 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.079 the Christian life 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:25.579 Lord we long 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.180 for the day 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.879 when we will see you 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.859 and you will 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.900 richly welcome us 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.240 into your eternal kingdom 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.480 Amen 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:37.880 and you will 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.099 acknowledge and 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.779 all 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:41.339 âm