WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.960 Lord, thank you that we can meet together. 00:00:04.320 --> 00:00:06.960 Lord, we are opening your word. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:08.700 Your word is powerful. 00:00:09.660 --> 00:00:11.580 It is for us. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:12.700 It is about you. 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:16.740 And we ask that you will minister to us by your word. 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:24.420 Any kind of dross or unnecessary words that I say, 00:00:24.620 --> 00:00:25.740 may they fall to the ground. 00:00:25.900 --> 00:00:27.280 May your word be lifted up. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:30.000 And minister to us today in Jesus' name. 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:30.679 Amen. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:31.600 Please be seated. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:46.960 We are a people that, whether we think so or not, 00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:48.620 we like conformity. 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:54.859 I just read an article about a lifestyle blog. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:57.200 I didn't read the lifestyle blog. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:03.420 But there's like this sub-genre of lifestyle blogs that's about parenting. 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:11.280 And there's a bunch of moms who are talking about how much parenting sucks 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:20.319 and about how they regret the kids being such a ball and chain, so to speak. 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:22.879 And it seems kind of crazy. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:30.299 But, you know, because of our propensity to conform, 00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:32.659 there's going to be a lot of people, a lot of parents that read that. 00:01:32.739 --> 00:01:38.780 And it will give them license to indulge in their selfish nature. 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:46.620 There's a lot of good lifestyle blogs as well that help people to cook healthier foods, 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:50.980 to be more conscious of social issues around. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:54.340 The point is, we are people that conform. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:55.340 We do. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:02:02.540 There's not too many fully autonomous people sitting in this theater this morning. 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:07.300 And I would suggest that there's not many walking the streets of Ottawa. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:13.159 In Canada, in the States, conformity is the air we breathe. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:14.900 And I'm not suggesting that it's wrong. 00:02:15.260 --> 00:02:16.719 I'm just drawing your attention to it. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:23.219 So, we are on the third week of our sermon series on the crucified Messiah. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:29.259 Each week, we're taking a look at one aspect of what Jesus has done on the cross, 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:30.719 how he accomplished something. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:32.900 So, the first week was Jesus. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:34.620 George preached on Jesus. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:37.860 He was a substitute for us. 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:39.120 And that's what he did on the cross. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:43.240 Last week, we talked about how, on the cross, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:47.400 This week, we're looking at how Jesus is an example for us to follow. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.300 And the thing with Jesus being an example to follow, 00:02:51.480 --> 00:02:53.320 we're looking at 1 Peter 2. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:57.439 Shane read a big section, 18 to 25, just for context, 00:02:57.540 --> 00:03:02.040 because we're actually just reading, taking a look at one verse, verse 21. 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:06.060 And we could have looked at a few other verses throughout the New Testament 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:10.680 because this idea of imitating Christ is actually throughout the Bible. 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:13.460 So, we could have looked at John 13. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:16.420 It says this in verse 34, a new commandment. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:17.140 This is Jesus speaking. 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:22.020 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you. 00:03:22.620 --> 00:03:24.219 You also are to love one another. 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:26.800 In Philippians 2, it says, 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:30.700 Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:33.040 regard one another as more important than yourselves. 00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:34.120 And it continues on. 00:03:34.180 --> 00:03:34.439 It says, 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:38.159 Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:42.060 Ephesians 5, verse 1 and 2. 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:48.740 Therefore, be imitators of God, and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:50.340 You get the picture. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:53.939 There's a ton of verses about imitating Christ. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:57.800 But we're reading 1 Peter 2, verses 21. 00:03:57.919 --> 00:03:58.639 And this is what it says. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:03:59.259 I'll read it again. 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:04.819 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:09.519 leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:12.539 This text is worth our consideration. 00:04:13.079 --> 00:04:16.519 I mean, all of those texts really are, but this text in particular this morning, 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:20.199 because it flies in the face of our current cultural moment. 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:25.099 Because at the heart of this text, it teaches us that true satisfaction in life, 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:31.580 and real, genuine happiness is found in actually giving up our prerogatives, 00:04:31.900 --> 00:04:35.200 and giving up our freedoms for the sake of others. 00:04:36.420 --> 00:04:38.360 But it actually goes a bit further than that. 00:04:39.520 --> 00:04:44.840 It says, it'll teach us, and I'll hope to bring your eyes, your attention to it. 00:04:45.260 --> 00:04:47.920 It also tells us that we are actually created to be subjects, 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:50.819 not autonomous individuals. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:56.040 That we were created to be subjects, not autonomous individuals. 00:04:56.660 --> 00:05:02.560 And that true human flourishing is found not in the expressions of more freedom, 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:08.580 but the limiting or the suspending of such freedoms for the sake of others. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:14.080 We live in a society that values a curated life. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:19.399 If something doesn't tickle your fancy, or you want to incorporate something new, 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:21.779 you do it, you get it, you spend the money. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:26.279 You take a class, you watch YouTube tutorials till the cows come home. 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:28.659 But the point is, you can curate your own life. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:32.500 It's about what you can do, your own freedoms. 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:37.099 And I'm suggesting that the scriptures, and this one in particular, suggests the opposite. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:43.219 But before we can really jump into this verse in 1 Peter chapter 2, 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:49.540 I just want to take a few moments to talk a bit about the background of the book here. 00:05:49.880 --> 00:05:51.800 Or, I guess, really chapter 2. 00:05:52.640 --> 00:05:54.540 So Peter here is talking to slaves. 00:05:55.560 --> 00:06:01.280 It's likely that a good amount of Peter's audience, 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:04.000 the people that he's addressing, were slaves. 00:06:04.880 --> 00:06:07.300 And slavery was bad back then. 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:08.460 It was terrible back then. 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:12.160 However, just to be clear, it wasn't the same as the African slave trade. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:14.100 It wasn't based on race. 00:06:14.260 --> 00:06:15.620 It wasn't man-stealing. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:21.700 People found ways into, found, you know, themselves in slavery for a number of different reasons. 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:24.140 One could be that they were conquered people. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:26.320 Another, that they couldn't pay back debts. 00:06:27.900 --> 00:06:33.440 So people, I mean, slaves were all sorts of different ethnicities. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:36.719 And they could participate to a degree in social life. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:41.060 But nevertheless, they were slaves. 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:46.860 They were still property owned by other people. 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:50.580 And as property, their masters had full authority over them. 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:53.980 To treat them really well or to treat them terribly. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:56.180 To inflict beatings on them. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:07:01.920 There's no sort of mechanism that they could appeal to, 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:06.580 to have their masters' hands stayed or punished for beating them. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:10.199 They were really at the whim of their master. 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:11.720 And just a pause on this. 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:14.340 Because as I was studying this, one thing came to mind. 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:15.419 And I'm reading this. 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:16.560 Peter's addressing slaves. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:17.659 It sounds really good. 00:07:18.619 --> 00:07:21.979 Why doesn't Peter tell the slaves to run for the hills? 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:24.779 To fight for their freedom? 00:07:25.479 --> 00:07:30.839 Why does he just tell them how to act in a nice way to their unjust slave owners? 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:31.879 To their masters? 00:07:32.739 --> 00:07:35.459 Is this somehow Peter condoning slavery? 00:07:35.679 --> 00:07:38.059 And if he's not condoning it, why isn't he fighting against it? 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:40.319 And I struggled with this a bit. 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:45.280 Struggled, in one sense, with my own, I don't know, frustration. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:46.899 Initial frustration. 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:50.100 But also, how am I going to explain this to the folks here? 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:51.980 Or, I don't know, I have new neighbors now. 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:56.160 They say something like, well, like, have you read this part of the Bible? 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:58.040 How do I explain that to them? 00:07:58.660 --> 00:07:59.920 I would just like to say one thing. 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:09.180 The overarching story, like, the story in the Bible that is used time and time again 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:15.840 to communicate God's interaction with humanity is the Exodus story. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:21.160 God has rescued, we looked at a bit of this last week, 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:26.240 but God rescues this people from terrible slavery. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:30.600 Slavery, that was generations after generations after generations after generations, 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:38.259 saves them into promise, into freedom, into non-slavery, 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:40.220 but really into human flourishing. 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:44.600 And this story is brought up time and time again throughout the Scriptures. 00:08:45.180 --> 00:08:48.600 And I would also like to say, wherever the true Christian faith, 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:55.240 the true Spirit-filled, real conviction of the Spirit message is believed, 00:08:55.240 --> 00:09:00.539 believed, slavery diminishes and eventually is no more. 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:04.940 Slavery is incompatible with the message of the Scriptures. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:08.159 So what do we have here with Peter? 00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:12.480 I think Peter is addressing specific people in a specific situation 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:16.200 with a specific goal in mind. 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:20.379 And this is actually one reason why the Bible can be trusted, 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:23.720 because it doesn't talk in just outrageous platitudes, 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:27.799 ideals that are so lofty, they don't make sense. 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:32.240 The Bible speaks into the muddy mess of life. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:38.039 Peter is addressing slaves. 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:40.159 Who addresses slaves? 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:41.399 It was a problem then, 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.860 it is a problem in parts of the world now, 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:45.399 and has been a problem throughout human history, 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:46.579 but he addresses it. 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:49.000 And that gives me great hope in the Scriptures, 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:52.379 because I know that they apply, 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:56.980 they touch different parts of real human experience. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:10:01.379 So that's a little apologetic for why I think, 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:05.360 actually, Peter isn't somehow condoning slavery in the Scriptures. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:06.620 If you still struggle with that, 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:07.899 I'd love to chat with you about it. 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:09.179 I might not have the answers, 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.720 but we can still have a bit of a dialogue about that. 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:15.759 But anyways, so Peter here is addressing slaves. 00:10:17.160 --> 00:10:20.200 And although they are slaves, 00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:21.740 how does Peter address them? 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:26.000 Verse 9, take a look with me in chapter 2, verse 9. 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:27.700 This is what Peter says. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.660 Speaking to slaves. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:31.100 You'll speak to other people as well, 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:32.680 but right here he's speaking to slaves. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.480 But you are a chosen race, 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:36.500 a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:40.300 If you're a slave, imagine hearing this. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:44.379 What else does he say? 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:45.800 Verse 16. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:48.300 He says, 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:50.279 live as people who are free. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:56.620 Here's a big, big, important thing for you to understand. 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.920 That if you are in Christ, 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:02.200 whether a slave or free, 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.680 a woman or a man, 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.899 poor, rich, young or old, 00:11:06.899 --> 00:11:10.559 your eternal standing is declared, 00:11:11.179 --> 00:11:15.319 even if your current temporal standing hasn't changed. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.279 These are slaves. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:18.220 They're still slaves. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.620 But they're free men. 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:23.620 They're a part of a holy nation, 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.000 a royal priesthood. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:26.860 That's who they are, 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:28.340 and that's who they'll be for eternity. 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:30.120 And that's how Peter addresses them. 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.279 At the same time, 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:32.500 he's addressing them as slaves. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:35.580 So it's important that we keep this in our mind 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:37.620 as we take a look at our verse. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:39.960 So let me read our verse again. 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:42.759 1 Peter 2, verse 21. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:45.500 For to this you have been called, 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:48.299 because Christ also suffered for you, 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:50.320 leaving you an example, 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:53.000 so that you might follow in his steps. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:57.120 If we're talking about these slaves, 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:59.080 Peter is addressing these free men 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:00.460 that are currently slaves 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:02.519 but will eternally be free, 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:06.779 there is no more free person 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:09.340 in the entire universe 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:10.679 than God himself. 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:13.320 The scriptures teach us that 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:15.480 God is the uncreated one 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.200 and that everything that is created, 00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:18.080 he created. 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:19.799 We see this in John chapter 1. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:22.279 This means he's subject to no one. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.819 He relies on no one. 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.179 He looks to no one for affirmation. 00:12:26.959 --> 00:12:29.279 He is not seeking somebody's approval. 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:34.740 He's not a debtor of anybody. 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:39.079 He is in no need of anyone 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:40.699 or anything. 00:12:41.839 --> 00:12:43.139 And what does he do? 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.759 The second person of the Trinity, 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:47.159 God, the Son of God, 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:48.000 what does he do? 00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:50.299 He descends to earth, 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:53.399 is born of a virgin, 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.839 fully man, fully God, 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:58.240 and he suspends his divine rights, 00:12:59.079 --> 00:13:01.539 his divine freedom, so to speak. 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:05.139 And he's born in a specific time 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:08.379 in very not the greatest circumstances 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.079 to common folk 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:13.580 and grows up in a backwater, 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.920 dinky little town 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:19.060 some hours north of a walk of Jerusalem. 00:13:19.180 --> 00:13:21.000 You remember when he first comes on the scene, 00:13:21.040 --> 00:13:22.820 what do they say about Jesus? 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:25.259 Can anything good come from Nazareth? 00:13:26.540 --> 00:13:28.120 Like, what's Nazareth? 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:33.179 The completely free and independent God 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:35.220 lays it down 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:40.740 to enter into the reality of humanity. 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:44.919 And Peter is addressing this. 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:47.379 And, I mean, this is all throughout Scripture. 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:50.659 The Apostle Paul actually says in Ephesians 2, 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.500 verse 7, 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.680 talking about Christ, 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:54.679 but Christ emptied himself 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.979 by taking the form of a servant, 00:13:57.819 --> 00:14:00.099 literally taking the form of a slave, 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:02.539 a bondservant, 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:06.839 being born in the likeness of men. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:09.579 So Jesus came to save, 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.739 and what happens to him? 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:12.959 What happens? 00:14:13.479 --> 00:14:15.979 He is crucified not because of crimes he committed, 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:19.500 but because a Roman governor 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:23.159 kowtowed to an unruly and jealous Jewish mob 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.240 2,000 years ago. 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:30.060 He is crucified as a criminal unjustly. 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:32.580 He suffered unjustly. 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:36.639 He had accusations thrown on him unjustly. 00:14:36.920 --> 00:14:39.120 He suffered, he suffered, he suffered unjustly. 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:43.740 But this was God's design all along. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.860 Jesus, what he did when he came, 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:47.799 it wasn't a plan B. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:50.299 It was always in God's plan and providence 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.180 that this would happen. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:55.240 That Jesus would suffer for the sake of others. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:58.500 This was always, always God's plan. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:03.519 And although this text is specifically addressing the slave, 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.879 it's actually addressing everyone. 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:07.659 It's addressing all Christians. 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:10.060 And Peter uses two ways to elaborate 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:12.460 on our call to suffer 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.040 as Christ. 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.600 The first is this. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.780 Let me just read this again. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:19.180 Verse 21. 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:21.860 For to this you have been called 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:23.879 because Christ also suffered for you, 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.639 leaving you an example 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:28.600 so that you might follow in his steps. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:30.540 So how do we imitate Christ? 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.800 We take him as an example 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:34.560 and we follow in his steps. 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:36.160 The idea of an example 00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:37.580 is literally like a stencil. 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:40.220 If you take a stencil, 00:15:40.400 --> 00:15:41.720 you're not innovating. 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:44.960 You're trying to stencil the exact image 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:48.800 of whatever stencil you're kind of filling in or using. 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.480 It's like painting by numbers. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.220 You don't elaborate. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:58.340 You try to mimic the exact image that you're seeing. 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:01.000 And this is the same type of idea 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:04.519 that we are not innovating something new 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.540 in the Christian faith. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.379 We are looking to Christ. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:09.000 We are trying to imitate him. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.639 We're using him as an example. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:12.559 We're looking at his life 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:14.120 and then examining our life. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.440 And if there's some kind of incongruity, 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.620 then we adjust. 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:20.379 We'll talk about that adjustment in a bit. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.080 But also the second thing 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.340 that we follow in his footsteps. 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:26.539 It's not something that we see today, 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:28.279 but the idea here is that 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:30.559 there's disciples following a rabbi. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:32.379 The rabbi goes this way. 00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:33.579 The disciples go this way. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:34.939 The rabbi goes that way. 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:36.459 They're hanging on his every word. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:40.019 They're forsaking all other opportunities 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:41.219 to follow the rabbi. 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.679 To be a disciple of the rabbi 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:45.479 is a very, very good thing. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:47.599 Maybe they'll have disciples later on, 00:16:47.719 --> 00:16:49.619 but that's the idea that we're seeing here. 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:51.279 To follow in his footsteps 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:54.559 is to literally follow on his coattails. 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:59.939 Again, the call is not to innovate 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.559 new ways to be a Christian. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:05.119 The call is to imitate Christ. 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:08.960 So when we suffer unjustly, 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.940 interestingly, 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.119 and we suffer righteously, 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:15.639 we bear witness to Christ. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.159 It's a wordless witness. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.559 And that's, by the way, 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:20.980 not an excuse not to share our faith. 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:24.440 But it means we bear witness to Christ 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.259 in his suffering, 00:17:25.840 --> 00:17:26.759 but without words. 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:27.860 Indeed. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.740 Like, with deeds. 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:30.420 Not indeed. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.820 Like, indeed, that's what you'll do. 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.880 No, but like, indeed. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:37.920 We also trust that God will vindicate us, 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:40.080 so we ought not to seek vengeance. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:41.680 And I'll just pause really quickly. 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:44.460 It is not an ungodly thing 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:47.460 to push back against misunderstandings 00:17:48.320 --> 00:17:48.920 or slander. 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.299 I think there's a, 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.100 we live in a society 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.199 where we have mechanisms 00:17:55.199 --> 00:17:56.319 to fight injustice, 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.279 and we ought to. 00:17:57.980 --> 00:18:00.240 But I think what this is getting at 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.199 is this. 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:03.159 I'll just say this. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.439 Like the slave 00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:06.559 is addressed as a royal, 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:09.639 a holy nation, 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.559 a royal priesthood, 00:18:10.959 --> 00:18:12.059 that they are freemen. 00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:13.839 That's their eternal standing. 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.859 There is nothing that will 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:18.939 further that eternal standing. 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:20.620 Their reputation 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:23.220 before God Almighty 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:25.880 is secure. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:28.000 Christ calls them brothers 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.480 and sisters. 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.320 There is nothing more 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:32.160 that they can do 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.960 to be accepted 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.380 or righteous in God's eyes. 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.640 The problem is 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:39.019 if you're pushing back 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.279 against unjust suffering 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.940 in a way 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:43.039 to guard your reputation, 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:46.019 to advance your reputation. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.440 in a selfish way, 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:49.059 maybe if somebody 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.379 is unjust to you, 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.900 you're going to be unjust back. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.680 You're going to get them back. 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.400 If they slander you, 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.500 you're going to slander them back. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.259 You're going to dig up 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.079 a bunch of dirt 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.940 and broadcast it. 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:00.019 Because to hell 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.940 with them 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.500 if they're going to mess me up, 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.839 if you have that idea. 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:10.699 Because how can one 00:19:10.699 --> 00:19:12.839 elevate one's own reputation 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:14.619 if your reputation 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.859 is secure 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:17.099 for eternity 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.959 in Christ? 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.539 So, 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:20.500 this is not calling us 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.500 to be a perennial doormat. 00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:23.799 We fight injustice 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:25.279 when we can, 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:25.879 but not 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:27.500 as a self-serving way, 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:29.459 in a way that's still loving 00:19:29.459 --> 00:19:30.559 the person 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.099 that is persecuting us. 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:35.039 But, you know, 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:36.459 to really understand 00:19:36.459 --> 00:19:37.819 how to 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:40.119 faithfully endure 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:41.379 unjust suffering 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.639 in the same way Christ did, 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.639 you have to have 00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:44.519 an eternal mindset. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.059 You have to. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.639 And I'll tell you 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.219 the reason why. 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.980 The slave won't be 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.819 a slave forever. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.919 The slave will either 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.559 be released 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.399 or will die 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.119 and then they are 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.839 a slave no longer. 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:03.500 And by the way, 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.879 their eternal, 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.679 as a reminder, 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:09.240 their eternal position 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.099 is free man 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.339 or free woman. 00:20:12.919 --> 00:20:14.679 So, to have an eternal mindset 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:15.740 means we can endure 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.819 suffering now. 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:17.899 Why? 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:20.599 Because there are benefits 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:22.220 and pleasures 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.220 and glories 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:25.699 and union with Christ 00:20:25.699 --> 00:20:26.500 forever and ever. 00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.399 Romans 8 00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:28.980 says this 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.619 in verse 31, 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.819 What then shall we say 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.399 to these things? 00:20:31.479 --> 00:20:32.439 If God is for us, 00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:33.599 who can be against us, 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.059 he who did not spare 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.859 his own son 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.699 but gave him up 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:37.359 for us all, 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.519 how will he not also 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:43.459 with him graciously 00:20:43.459 --> 00:20:44.439 give us all things? 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:47.319 Matthew chapter 5, 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.299 Jesus says this, 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:49.179 Blessed are you 00:20:49.179 --> 00:20:50.779 when others revile you 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.699 and persecute you 00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:53.039 and utter all kinds 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.019 of evil against you 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.019 falsely on my account. 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.639 Verse 12, 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:57.159 Rejoice and be glad 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.519 for your reward 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.860 is great in heaven. 00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:03.980 Your eternal rewards 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.660 are just that, 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.360 they're eternal. 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.120 So, it's important 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.640 to have an eternal mindset 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:12.700 to remember that this world 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.259 as we see it today 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:16.240 with all of the ups and downs 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.420 and it feels like 2020 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.860 has a bit more downs and ups, 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:22.140 that this will not be 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.320 the end of the story. 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:27.359 Interesting too 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.559 that Christ lays down 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.539 his life for us. 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:32.179 He endures the cross 00:21:32.179 --> 00:21:33.399 despising the shame 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:35.000 and remember that Christ 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.159 doesn't stay on the cross, 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.879 he doesn't stay in the tomb. 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:41.279 He is resurrected forever 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:43.779 and if we endure 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:47.000 the sufferings like him 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:48.240 as he is our example, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.579 then we too will participate 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:52.259 in the resurrection. 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:55.879 That if we are found 00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:56.619 in Christ, 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:58.159 we will have 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:59.500 that eternal 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:02.220 security with him. 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.200 That's a wonderful, 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:05.119 wonderful truth. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.679 So, I mentioned 00:22:06.679 --> 00:22:07.079 at the beginning 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.799 that this flies 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.379 in the face 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:08.939 of our current 00:22:08.939 --> 00:22:09.740 cultural moment. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:13.720 This text asks us 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:15.139 to give up our freedom 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.019 and be defined 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:18.099 not by how we curate 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.139 our lives 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.139 but in following 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:21.659 a life of self-sacrifice. 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:25.440 And calls on us 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.700 to have a life 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.320 of duty 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:30.420 and not self-expression. 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.200 So, by the way, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.100 if this is wrong, 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.320 your quarrels 00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:35.320 with Christine, okay? 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.380 Christine, 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.300 if she watches this, 00:22:37.540 --> 00:22:38.180 I'm sorry. 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.080 Anyways, 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:39.860 I was talking with her 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.180 about this. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.060 I'm just joking around. 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:42.019 But Christine talked 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.560 about this idea 00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:42.980 of duty 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:45.320 versus self-expression 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:45.840 and she says 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.820 it's interesting 00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.700 because the queen, 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:50.539 she has embraced duty 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:53.420 at the expense 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.500 of her own dreams. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.100 I mean, listen, 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.120 the queen's not suffering, 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:56.600 okay? 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.759 She's still the queen. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.480 She still enjoys 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:01.759 a lifetime of benefits 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.660 that we don't have. 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.860 But how about if she 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.799 wanted to do something else? 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.180 How about if she 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.000 wanted to be an engineer? 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.259 I don't know 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.900 if you guys maybe 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.600 know a biography 00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:09.279 or you've watched 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.620 The Crown 1,500 times, 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.140 you know. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:13.180 But maybe she 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.819 wanted to do 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.480 something else. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.740 What does she do? 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:18.099 What has she done? 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.779 She suspended 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.160 her own privileges, 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.799 her own self-interest 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.059 for the sake of others. 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.000 And Christine goes, 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.819 compare that with 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.859 Meghan Markle and Harry. 00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.500 What do they do? 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.460 They say, 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:33.120 forget about duty. 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:33.819 We're going to live 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.640 our best life now. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.000 We're going to curate 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.539 our life. 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.299 We're going to live 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.359 the life that we want 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:40.839 even if it means 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.039 despising 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:44.059 laying down our lives 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.660 for other people. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.640 You get what I'm 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.340 trying to say here. 00:23:46.540 --> 00:23:47.660 It's an interesting 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:50.960 compare and contrast 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.640 with the Queen 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.720 and Meghan and Harry. 00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:54.440 By the way, 00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.259 if I'm wrong 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.920 on that at all, 00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:56.300 again, 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.340 the quarrel's with Christine, 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:59.100 so I feel no problem. 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.279 Christine's a big, 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:02.200 she's a big royal fan. 00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.900 Being self-defined 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:06.380 is the highest form 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.080 of humanity 00:24:07.080 --> 00:24:07.960 in our culture. 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.500 Having freedom 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.440 to embrace 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.480 whatever we want, 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.339 to embrace 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.980 whatever we want 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.680 for a time 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:16.319 and then throw it 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.319 to the wayside. 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:18.960 I mean, 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.360 a very, 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.259 very selfish, 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.460 we live in a very, 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.339 very selfish, 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.519 self-centered 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.819 cultural moment. 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.740 And I said to you 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:29.140 that true human happiness 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.099 isn't the embracing 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.000 of more freedoms 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.539 but the restriction of it. 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.240 Consider this. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:37.640 if you are all about 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:40.740 creating the best life now, 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.880 then that's going to change 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.720 from time to time. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.160 You're worried about 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.259 how other people see you, 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:50.940 so you spend a ton of money 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.660 on a new wardrobe. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.079 By the way, 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.359 none of these things 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:54.120 in and of themselves 00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.799 is wrong, 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.960 but hear me out. 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:58.200 Maybe your spouse 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:59.440 or significant other, 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.019 your partner, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:02.220 just doesn't do the trick anymore. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:04.299 How can you live 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.980 your best life 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.559 when they've gained 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.319 30 pounds? 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.539 You know, 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.799 they've lost their job 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:11.299 or this other person 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.059 looks a lot better. 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.640 How can you live 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.360 your best life? 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.039 No, no, no. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.039 Forget about it. 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.400 What happens 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.140 if your children 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.860 are weighing you down? 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.839 They're not children 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.420 who are here. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.059 You're not weighing 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.799 your parents down. 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.700 Hear me out. 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.180 How about if your children 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.299 are getting in the way of, 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.559 you know, 00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:28.539 you want to vacation 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.579 three, four times a year 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:31.660 and not in a tent? 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:32.380 You know? 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.240 You want to be 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.759 in an airplane. 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.259 Well, I don't know 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.640 if you want to be 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.140 in an airplane now, 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.640 but you get what 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.120 I'm trying to say. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.440 The point, 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.480 the point is, 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.759 your kids, 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.940 like they're a nuisance. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.420 How are you supposed 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.580 to live your best life now? 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:44.860 And so on, 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.380 and so on, 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:45.960 and so on. 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.380 What does that sound like 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:48.540 to you? 00:25:48.540 --> 00:25:49.019 Does that sound like 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.540 a free person 00:25:49.540 --> 00:25:50.320 or like a slave? 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:59.299 If you worship something, 00:25:59.439 --> 00:26:01.200 you will be enslaved to it. 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:04.659 And I'm going to put forward to you 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:06.339 that that's the case 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:09.179 for God Almighty as well. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:12.859 That we are made to be slaves, 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:14.079 to be subjects. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.579 But, 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.799 if this is rubbing you 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.480 the wrong way, 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:20.799 when we are slaves to God, 00:26:21.699 --> 00:26:23.539 we are slaves to other people. 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.839 When we are subjects to God 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.480 and subjects to other people, 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:28.000 we experience true freedom. 00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:30.359 Some of you have been Christians 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.099 for a long time 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.720 and you know 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.779 that there's some seasons 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.919 that are just sweeter 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.519 with the Lord. 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.539 It's like, 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.379 you read the Bible 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.460 and every verse, 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.460 it's like it is, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.000 it is, 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.680 it is water 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.839 in a dry land, 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.940 but then there's other seasons 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.319 where, 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.200 I mean, 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.440 you labor over the scriptures 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.440 or you labor at church 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:46.880 and you're just, 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.039 you don't feel it. 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:48.980 But just, 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.640 hold on a second. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.420 Those times when you are, 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.460 it's a sweet season 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.039 with the Lord, 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.400 does that feel like slavery? 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.819 Or does it feel like freedom? 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:00.319 Does it feel like you are less 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.380 of your true self 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:02.440 or that you are more 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.940 like your true self? 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:07.900 The world tells us 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:10.000 that we need to 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:12.080 obsess over me, 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:15.180 consume to overflow, 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:18.200 to live whatever life 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.320 makes us happy, 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:21.040 but it really is 00:27:21.040 --> 00:27:22.840 calling us to slavery 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.740 to our flesh. 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:26.240 And if you're honest 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.780 with yourself, 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:28.080 I'm honest with myself 00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:28.800 right now, 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.620 we fall into it. 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.560 We fall into it. 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:39.000 We prayed it 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.700 at morning prayer 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.579 at the 8 a.m. service, 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:42.200 but we didn't today. 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.779 There's a call 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.879 called the call for peace. 00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:44.779 I don't know if we'll, 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.460 it'll be in the, 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.339 yeah, 00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:48.879 it won't be. 00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:50.279 But the call for peace 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:50.839 goes like this, 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.960 a very ancient prayer. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:52.919 I love it. 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:53.960 This is what it says. 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.279 O God, 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.319 who art the author 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:56.779 of peace 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.860 and lover of concord, 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.500 in knowledge of whom 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:01.000 standeth our eternal life, 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.779 whose service 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:04.620 is perfect freedom. 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.200 And then it goes on. 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.279 Laying your life 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.200 down for others, 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:13.980 suspending your own freedoms, 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.519 following the example 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.360 of Christ 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:18.140 will lead to blessing 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:19.100 and blessing 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.900 and blessing. 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.940 Enduring unjust suffering 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:24.700 might feel really, 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.140 really, 00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:26.539 really unfair. 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.779 But remember 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:29.460 that Christ went through it. 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.240 So He can relate to you. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.480 So when you pray to Him, 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.740 it's not that He says, 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.140 you know, 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.000 sucks to be you. 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:39.420 I know what you've gone through. 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.320 I've experienced it. 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.160 I can relate. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:48.200 And what fruit does it bring? 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:51.320 It brings blessing to others. 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:56.359 No more slavery 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.319 to our flesh, 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:59.379 to our desires, 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.859 to our addictions, 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.919 to our passions. 00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:04.419 And it means we get to operate 00:29:04.419 --> 00:29:05.359 the way we truly 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.700 were designed to operate. 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.419 To both the Christian 00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:09.159 and the non-Christian, 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.419 consider the reality that 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.639 no matter what, 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.519 you will be a servant 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:15.019 or slave to something. 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.619 You will. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.859 And if that bothers you, 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:20.319 we can talk about it. 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.579 If you want to beat me 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:21.980 over the head 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.799 after the service, 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.740 verbally, 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.700 you can. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.759 I'm happy. 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.039 I'm happy to talk. 00:29:30.179 --> 00:29:31.379 And if you're honest with that, 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.960 if you're honest with that, 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.279 if you really consider it, 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:37.679 consider becoming a slave of Christ. 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.819 Maybe for the first time. 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:39.619 Maybe you're struggling 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.179 with your faith. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.179 Maybe you haven't truly 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:43.000 ever been saved. 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.500 You know it, 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.139 you know, 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.619 deep down, 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.299 you may be feeling 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.000 conviction today. 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:48.259 today is a perfect time 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.259 to become a slave 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.140 to Christ, 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.380 a slave to God. 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.839 To follow the example 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.319 of Christ, 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.920 to lay down 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.759 whatever freedoms 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.579 you may have 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:58.160 for the sake of others 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:58.960 because ultimately 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.240 you are doing it 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:01.960 for God. 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.539 Bearing witness 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.539 to the very nature 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:07.440 of the cross of Calvary. 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:10.240 And he will help you do this. 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.339 He will help you do this. 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:14.879 Israel was taken from Egypt 00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:15.959 out of slavery. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:18.259 Still slaves up here. 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:20.439 Still slaves up here. 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.720 But God was patient with them 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.379 and he'll be patient 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.139 with you as well. 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.919 Slavery to Christ 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.899 is true freedom. 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.480 Let us pray. 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:31.959 Heavenly Father, 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.919 thank you so much 00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:34.039 for your words 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:36.019 in Holy Scripture. 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.919 Thank you so much 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:39.419 that our example 00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:40.139 is Christ 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:41.859 of how to suffer unjustly. 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:43.259 How to walk 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.519 in a way 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.579 that is pleasing to you. 00:30:45.699 --> 00:30:47.759 How to be a slave to you 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.039 which is perfect freedom. 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.480 Lord, I pray 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.500 that this morning 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.959 that you will 00:30:52.959 --> 00:30:54.259 to the Christian 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.359 and the non-Christian, 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:56.379 to the skeptic, 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.939 to the believer, 00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:59.099 to anybody in between, 00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:00.859 that by your Holy Spirit 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:02.559 you will show us 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:04.000 areas in our lives 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:05.519 where we are addicted 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.259 to pleasure. 00:31:06.939 --> 00:31:07.720 That we are slaves 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.179 to pleasure. 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:08.919 We are slaves 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:11.800 to the need 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:12.840 to be recognized 00:31:12.840 --> 00:31:14.840 and rather, 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.080 Lord, 00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:15.480 you will begin 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.160 the process, 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.480 again, 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.460 by your Holy Spirit, 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.519 fellowship of believers 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.660 by your word 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:23.000 to start removing that. 00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:24.600 Help us to serve you. 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.580 Help us have 00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:26.600 that eternal mindset 00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:29.360 and to look to Christ 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:30.320 as our example. 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:31.980 Pray all these things 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.580 in Jesus' name. 00:31:32.580 --> 00:31:32.640 Amen. 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:32.700 Amen. 00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.140 Amen. 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.700 Amen. 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.039 Amen. 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.140 Amen. 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:34.180 Amen. 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.640 Amen. 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:34.700 Amen. 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:34.759 Amen. 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:34.779 Amen.