WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.679 So thank you very much for having me. 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:08.380 I'm going to just lower this a small bit. 00:00:08.419 --> 00:00:13.620 If you want to turn your way to the 2 Peter, where you've been walking through this summer. 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:16.760 I'm going to start my timer here as well. 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:20.019 2 Peter chapter 3. 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:32.340 And we'll be looking at verses 11 to 16 in particular. 00:00:43.120 --> 00:00:47.320 So 2 Peter, before we read, 2 Peter is a letter. 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:55.320 And so I think instead of just jumping into a text and reading it in isolation to the rest of the letter. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:58.700 I think it's better for us to just remember that it is a letter. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:00.480 And that we should take a running jump at it. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:03.179 Don't just fly into the text and try to have a bit of context. 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:09.060 So what I did is I read and listened to 2 Peter and 1 Peter over and over again. 00:01:09.719 --> 00:01:16.000 To try and get just a feeling and to just really have in my mind exactly what Peter is trying to say to his people. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:21.840 Peter is at the end of his life and he is writing to them and he is exhorting them. 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:26.239 And so I'd like to just read out kind of a sketch of 1 and 2 Peter. 00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:32.019 Just to give us a bit more context so that as we get into the verses we have that running jump to it. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:36.399 So the Apostle Peter is calling believers to remain faithful to the end. 00:01:37.140 --> 00:01:42.359 He says you've been born again to a living hope, a salvation into which angels long to look. 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:45.179 So don't be surprised at trials. 00:01:45.699 --> 00:01:46.199 Be holy. 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:52.579 You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. 00:01:53.460 --> 00:01:59.079 That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:01.780 For the Lord's sake submit to every institution. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:05.400 Endure sorrow of unjust suffering and trust the Lord. 00:02:06.460 --> 00:02:09.420 Husbands and wives live as God has called you to. 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:14.619 All the time that is passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles want to do. 00:02:15.579 --> 00:02:18.060 The end of all things is at hand. 00:02:19.019 --> 00:02:23.299 Therefore be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers. 00:02:24.119 --> 00:02:27.139 Again, don't be surprised when persecution comes. 00:02:27.899 --> 00:02:29.000 This is to be accepted. 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:30.500 And remember Jesus. 00:02:31.659 --> 00:02:34.219 Entrust yourself to a faithful creator just like he did. 00:02:34.219 --> 00:02:39.460 Elders, shepherd God's flock well with a right heart. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:41.580 Everyone, be humble. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:43.560 You have an enemy. 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:47.620 He is a vicious lion, but resist him and he will flee from you. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:48.360 Hold fast. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:49.699 God will restore you. 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:51.259 He will confirm you. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:53.340 He will strengthen you and establish you. 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:59.860 And in second Peter, brothers and sisters, his divine power is granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 00:02:59.860 --> 00:03:04.320 In other words, you have all that you need for the Christian life. 00:03:05.240 --> 00:03:08.620 Therefore, make every effort to grow in Christlikeness. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:13.620 If you're not growing, you've lost sight of the fact that you've been cleansed from your sins. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:18.340 And as long as I, Peter, am alive, I'll keep reminding you about these things. 00:03:19.440 --> 00:03:20.600 This isn't a man-made myth. 00:03:20.700 --> 00:03:22.700 I've seen Christ transfigured on the mount. 00:03:23.140 --> 00:03:26.820 So believe me, this is God's word, not an invention of man. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:31.719 False teachers will come among you as they always have. 00:03:32.539 --> 00:03:38.639 They are condemned, but God knows how to rescue his own people and keep the unrighteous under punishment. 00:03:39.959 --> 00:03:46.139 These false teachers promise you freedom, but they themselves are slaves to corruption. 00:03:47.079 --> 00:03:50.979 They'd be better off if they had never known the truth than that they knew it and turned from it. 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:57.419 They'll laugh at the idea of a promised judgment day. 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:05.280 But God's word is true, just as he called creation into being by his word, so he will call creation to an end by his word. 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:06.719 The day of the Lord is coming. 00:04:07.299 --> 00:04:08.579 The day of the Lord is coming. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:13.739 Like a thief in the night, as Jesus said, the day of the Lord is coming. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:26.460 And so as we come to verse 11 to 16 of chapter 3, have that in your mind that Peter has been calling, exhorting, reminding us of who we are, what is coming. 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:29.819 The false teachers will come among us, that we have all that we need. 00:04:30.900 --> 00:04:33.800 And so let's begin reading in verses 11 with this in mind. 00:04:36.400 --> 00:04:38.100 Let's start first in verse 10, I think. 00:04:38.100 --> 00:04:41.100 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:43.280 He's borrowing Jesus' language from Matthew 24. 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:52.820 And then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 00:04:54.960 --> 00:05:05.660 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people you ought to be in lies of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:13.120 Because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:21.980 But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 00:05:22.820 --> 00:05:31.420 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:39.060 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our brother Paul also wrote to you, according to the wisdom given him. 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:43.259 As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:53.819 There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:06:05.680 Now, I'd like to start off with, as I was thinking through this, I'd like to start off with just saying that I was convicted when I read 2 Peter and 1 Peter. 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:09.680 And maybe you will be too, maybe you have been as you've gone through this summer. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:14.899 I was convicted of the fact that I rarely give thought to the second coming of Christ. 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:17.699 I don't know, maybe I'm alone in that. 00:06:19.699 --> 00:06:29.120 I do read the Word of God, and I love the Lord, but I've noticed that for the last, for months, I could go months, I'd say, without having thought of the fact that Jesus could come back tomorrow. 00:06:30.739 --> 00:06:36.479 And it's something that when you think of it, you go, how could I have forgotten something so clear, something that Jesus promised he would do? 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:39.319 And it should be something that I think about often. 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:45.759 I mean, we talk a lot about how Jesus intervened the first time when he became a man. 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:57.480 And Jesus, who in the form of God did not account equality with God, something to be grasped, but he emptied himself by taking the form of being born in the likeness of man and being found in human form. 00:06:57.639 --> 00:07:01.819 He humbled himself by becoming obedient, even to the point of death on a cross. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:03.379 And we should speak about this. 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:06.420 We speak about how Jesus became a man and how he rose again. 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:13.220 But I have noticed, at least in my own life, that I've failed to consider and to hasten the second coming of Christ. 00:07:13.840 --> 00:07:15.439 I just realized I've just not been doing it. 00:07:16.580 --> 00:07:23.939 Maybe I don't want to be coming across as some sort of apocalyptic nutter, someone who has a sign in their garage, you know, the end is nigh. 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:31.319 And although that is not the gospel, it's not the gospel to go out and show a sign that says the end is nigh. 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:34.899 Because that's not necessarily, specifically Christian. 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:38.199 That is part of the Christian message. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.480 And so I don't want to be a weirdo who only talks about the end times. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:47.439 But then I don't want to be someone who ignores that part of scripture that calls us. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:48.740 And so I had to repent of it. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:53.579 But I want to ask you this morning, try something for me. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:56.160 Just picture Main Street down in Carragalline. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:08:00.759 I was thinking of Balancholic where I live, but I also know Carragalline as well. 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:04.399 I want you to think of Main Street down in Carragalline. 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:10.740 You can see the Carragalline Court Hotel, there's the Catholic Church, there's the Super Valley, there's a little bridge, there's the hill. 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:13.379 And I want you to ask yourself this question. 00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:16.560 Do you believe that one day all this will be gone? 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:19.899 Do you believe that? 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:24.219 Do you believe that one day Carragalline will not exist? 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:30.699 That it will be broken down and that there will no longer be that place? 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:33.840 That the house I live in right now won't be there. 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:36.120 There will be a new heavens and new earth. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:38.620 Now think about that. 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:39.799 Do you really believe that? 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:42.179 That's a big thing to believe. 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:46.539 But I want you to let the weight of that just rest on you. 00:08:47.299 --> 00:08:50.799 Jesus has promised he will return to judge the living and the dead. 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:55.179 The universe as we know will pass away. 00:08:55.299 --> 00:09:00.500 The towns we live in, the jobs that we work, the houses we live in, there will be no more. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:04.720 Yet all men will be brought before the judgment seat of Christ. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:08.080 There will be a new heavens and a new earth. 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:12.040 Some believe that the present universe will be destroyed ultimately. 00:09:12.800 --> 00:09:16.820 In other words, that God will destroy the universe and that he'll make a new one from scratch. 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:23.899 While others still hold that it'll be melted down and sort of reduced to its original elements and then built back up. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:30.100 And I think that that second interpretation is more in line if you look at Romans 8 where Paul says, 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:46.540 And so you see in verse 12, 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:53.120 And you know, I was trying to picture that. 00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:53.579 I was like, what? 00:09:54.899 --> 00:10:01.279 You know, if I was a director in a film, how would I direct the heavens being set on fire and dissolved and the heavenly bodies melt as they burn? 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:04.740 And what can we point towards? 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:08.659 I'm sure we could hire some really skilled CGI guy to do it. 00:10:09.339 --> 00:10:12.339 But the whole idea is that it's humbling and it's scary. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:14.539 And that only God can do that. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:17.299 Men can burn down buildings, but we can't burn creation. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:25.879 And so moving on, I suppose the main thrust of what I want to look at this morning is that in light of this, 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.059 in light of the surety of Christ's return, 00:10:28.819 --> 00:10:30.860 we should be godly. 00:10:31.839 --> 00:10:32.819 It's simply the message. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:37.059 There's no need to make it somewhat complicated than it is. 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:43.919 But while we wait for Christ, we should try and be more and more like Christ by the power of his spirit. 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.679 And so what I'd like us to do is look, 00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:50.220 I suppose you could look at, if you want to call it, the verbs that are in these verses. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:51.379 What does this look like? 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:56.179 Godliness is something that we all as Christians hope to attain to and hope to grow in. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:59.279 It's not a place you arrive at and go, I'm no godly. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:05.319 But rather it's a matter of degrees where we come from one measure of glory to the other, more like Christ. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:08.379 But have a look in verse 12. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:14.259 So I'm going to look at waiting, how we can wait in godliness, how we can hasten in holiness, 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:17.899 being diligent and counting God's patience as salvation. 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:18.740 So four things. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.019 So the first one being waiting. 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:20.940 Look at verse 12. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:22.960 So in verse 12 it says, 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:25.180 Waiting for and hasten the coming of the day of God. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:27.720 We should be waiting for Christ's return. 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.039 Waiting is always forward looking. 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:33.139 So if you see someone sitting on the side of the street and you ask them, you know, what are you doing? 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.159 And he goes, I'm waiting. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:36.159 You wouldn't go, okay. 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:38.480 You'd say, well, what are you waiting for? 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:41.480 Waiting always has, it might sound obvious to stay, 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:44.740 but waiting always is something that's in the future that you're waiting for. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:45.480 It has an object. 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:49.420 And so our waiting is for the return of Christ. 00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:51.820 And how do we do that? 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.159 It's not a passive waiting. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:57.320 So if you'd move on just two words later in the verse, 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:00.600 it says that we're hastening the return of Christ. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.779 We don't passively wait. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:07.399 It's not just to sit there and, you know, like you're waiting for a bus. 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.279 You can sit and wait for a bus. 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.039 You don't have to do anything. 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:10.799 You don't have to hope the bus arrives alone. 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:11.759 In Ireland you're going to have to do. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:15.919 But hastening, we don't passively wait. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.120 We actively wait. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:19.860 And to hasten means to earnestly desire it, 00:12:20.339 --> 00:12:21.899 to hurry it along, so to speak. 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:24.079 So how do we do that? 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.360 How do we hasten the day of the Lord? 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:30.740 Again, I think it's a pretty straightforward answer, 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:34.620 but when we do all that we can to help accomplish the Great Commission, 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.360 we are hastening the Lord's return. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:40.300 And we should pray to that end. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.399 Look at the end of Revelation. 00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:43.700 He who testifies to these things says, 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:45.120 Surely I am coming soon. 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:45.419 Amen. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.300 Come, Lord Jesus. 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:49.460 We should pray that Christ would return. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:52.340 And we should pray knowing that he will not return 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:54.379 until the gospel has gone forth to all nations. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.820 He will not return to the gospel, 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:59.300 which came through the whole world as a testimony to all nations, 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:00.779 as Jesus said in Matthew 24. 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:02.059 Therefore, we should pray. 00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:07.519 On a practical level, look in the news today. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.079 You should pray for Egypt. 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.159 There is a power struggle. 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:14.220 And we know from the word of God 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.899 that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:18.100 but against the powers of darkness. 00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:20.339 And we know that what's going on there 00:13:20.339 --> 00:13:21.480 in that country right now 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:23.500 has implications for the rest of the Middle East. 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:27.440 And someone's going to land up with more power than somebody else. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.620 The dust will settle, 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:31.159 and someone will have power. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.220 And we should be praying, 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.919 Lord, whoever it is, 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:36.659 we know that the heart of the king 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:37.820 is like a stream in your hands. 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:40.879 Whoever it is who has power in Egypt 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.759 in two years' time or three years' time 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:43.600 when there's stability, 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:45.019 would you please, Lord, 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:46.159 make sure that that person 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:48.659 allows for greater freedom for Christians. 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.399 That's how we should be praying. 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.100 Look at the news. 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.320 Take that as your prayer points. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.879 Think globally and pray 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:58.320 that the Great Commission would be carried out. 00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:59.559 And think locally as well. 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.679 Am I sharing the gospel with my friends? 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.320 Am I using every opportunity 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:05.860 and making the best use of the time? 00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:07.779 Because the days are evil. 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:11.379 Verse 14. 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.179 We go to verse 14. 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:14.360 Therefore, beloved, 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.360 since you are waiting for these, 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:17.059 be diligent to be found in him 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:19.279 without spot or blemish, 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.220 and at peace. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.759 I think that peace they're referring to, 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:24.360 you know, think of Romans, 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:26.240 therefore having been justified by faith. 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:27.659 We have peace with God. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.059 Peace. 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.279 You don't have to be worrying 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:32.379 is God going to destroy you as a Christian 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:34.639 because his wrath is gone. 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.580 There's not any wrath left for any Christian. 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:39.679 God didn't get rid of 90% of it on the cross 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.240 for his people. 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:42.460 He got rid of 100% of his wrath. 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:45.600 There is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ. 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:46.400 We have peace. 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:49.700 And we should seek to live in peace with all people. 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:53.160 But I want us to focus here 00:14:53.160 --> 00:14:57.019 on the words being diligent 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:58.840 and without spot or blemish. 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.379 And the word diligence here 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.800 is the same word that Peter used back 00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:04.920 at the start of chapter 1 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:08.219 when Simon was speaking a few weeks ago 00:15:08.219 --> 00:15:09.339 on this passage. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.740 He said when he entreats us 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.740 to make every effort 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.459 to make our calling and election sure. 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.519 So he's at the end of his letter now 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.519 he's just reminding you 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.639 keep going, 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:18.819 make every effort, 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.139 be diligent to grow. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.659 It's also the same one he uses in 115 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:24.319 where he says, 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:24.500 you know, 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.479 I'll make every effort 00:15:25.479 --> 00:15:26.620 to remind you of these things. 00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:27.299 I'm going to be diligent 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:28.099 to remind you 00:15:28.099 --> 00:15:29.039 to be diligent. 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:29.759 So, 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.339 it's a striving, 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.299 it's a daily effort 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:36.779 and to be found in him 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.779 without spot or blemishes. 00:15:40.319 --> 00:15:41.399 Now I was thinking about that, 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:41.740 I was like, 00:15:42.339 --> 00:15:45.599 why did he use that kind of language? 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:45.879 I mean, 00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:47.539 it's kind of in stark contrast 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:48.939 to what he used in chapter 2. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:52.399 He says we shouldn't have spots or blemishes 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:54.079 and he actually describes false teachers 00:15:54.079 --> 00:15:56.159 as blemishes and stains. 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:58.459 Not that they have stains or blemishes, 00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:59.400 they are blemishes. 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.320 But I was wondering, 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.540 Peter doesn't point out 00:16:03.540 --> 00:16:05.519 big inconsistencies 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.920 but rather small things, 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.900 spots and blemishes. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.580 You know, 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:12.340 if I took you outside, 00:16:12.400 --> 00:16:14.139 we drive a silver polo, 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.220 it's about 14 years old. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.480 If I took you outside 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.160 and I showed you 00:16:18.160 --> 00:16:19.200 the bodywork of our car, 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:22.780 it's got dents and scratches. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:25.519 It's not spring chicken 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.440 and it's got a few dents 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.280 and a few bumps in it. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.360 Thankfully, 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.720 there are no missing doors 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.300 or windows. 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:35.840 And that's really handy. 00:16:36.400 --> 00:16:37.460 So it's roadworthy. 00:16:38.640 --> 00:16:39.600 Now when it comes to cars, 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.180 that's fine. 00:16:40.380 --> 00:16:41.500 You don't even need a car 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:43.020 to be absolutely perfect 00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:45.000 and without blemish or spot. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:48.120 But as Christians, 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.779 I think we can be too easily 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.600 fooled into thinking 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.759 that godliness is just about 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.960 dealing with the missing cars 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.419 and windows. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:56.360 And we just glaze over so easily 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.000 the little dents 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.360 and the small spots of blemishes. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:05.120 You know, 00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:06.279 I suppose in my thinking, 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:06.779 I kind of think, 00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:07.900 as long as I don't crash 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.720 with big sins, 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.140 then that'll be fine. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.940 But really godliness, 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.720 something very helpful 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.500 which I'd like to read 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:14.940 to you in a minute, 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.039 godliness is really 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.920 the sum of a thousand 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.620 small things. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.599 If you ever think about 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.660 how Jesus lived his life, 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:20.960 I mean, 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.539 you think of Jesus 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.059 in his ministry, 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.860 but I like thinking of, 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.720 imagine what Jesus was like 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.440 when he was a teenager, 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.279 when he was asked 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.799 to do something 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.599 that no teenager likes 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.180 being asked to do 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.299 to do the washing 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:31.000 or clean up. 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.480 Or what was Jesus like 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.680 when he was really hungry 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.319 and was struggling 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.079 with being cranky? 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.519 Or what was Jesus like 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.220 when someone, 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:37.859 you know, 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.859 when he stubbed his toe? 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.399 Or when someone 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.419 was just really rude to him 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:41.899 for no reason 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.159 and he was trying 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:43.119 to buy something off him? 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:44.079 I mean, 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.379 kind of, 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.839 that really is godliness 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.579 being lived out. 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.200 I'd like to read from you 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.419 from Kevin DeYoung. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:51.779 He's an author. 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:52.399 He wrote a book 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:53.299 about holiness, 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.879 a hole in our holiness, 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.440 we call it. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:57.779 And he puts it well. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:58.980 He said, 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.900 Holiness is the sum 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:02.320 of a million little things, 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.640 the avoidance 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.460 of little evils 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.320 and little foibles, 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.559 the setting aside 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.259 of little bits 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.840 of worldliness 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.680 and little acts 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.240 of compromise, 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.940 the putting to death 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.360 of little inconsistencies 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.720 and little indiscretions, 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.480 the attention 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.400 to little duties 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.320 and little dealings, 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.100 the hard work 00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:18.960 of little, 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:20.240 small self-denials 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.880 and small self-restraints, 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.160 the cultivation 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.460 of little benevolences 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.660 and little forbearances. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.000 Are you trustworthy? 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.880 Are you kind? 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.620 Are you patient? 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:30.080 Are you joyful? 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.620 Do you love? 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.560 These qualities 00:18:33.560 --> 00:18:34.180 worked out 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.420 in all the little things 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:35.800 in life 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:36.560 determine whether 00:18:36.560 --> 00:18:37.480 you are a blight 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.019 or a blessing 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.019 to everyone around you, 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.019 whether you are 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:41.220 an ugly spiritual eyesore 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.720 or growing 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.779 into a good-looking Christian. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:46.859 And although Christ 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.180 is speaking 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.920 in a different context, 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.660 I think it's helpful 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:49.619 to remember his words. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:51.660 He said, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.000 you know, 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:55.319 one who is faithful 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.839 in a very little 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.579 is also faithful 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:57.980 in much. 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.440 And one who is dishonest 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.000 in a very little 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.839 is also dishonest 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.200 in much. 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.519 I suppose if I give 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:04.899 an example 00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:05.579 from my own life, 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.160 if I'm praying 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:06.639 for Egypt 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:07.180 and praying, 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.819 as I described already, 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:11.139 that God, 00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:12.579 the kingdom of God 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.159 would be further 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:14.139 through that conflict 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:14.559 and that he would 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.099 bring peace. 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.339 And then I go out 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.799 and my wife asks me 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.599 to empty the dishwasher 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.059 and I'm like, 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:22.980 then I can't separate 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.339 the two. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.199 I can't be cranky 00:19:25.199 --> 00:19:25.859 with my wife 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.919 and then think 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:28.639 that that's fine 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:30.339 because I'm praying 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.059 for big things. 00:19:32.159 --> 00:19:33.059 That's how we work 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:33.799 out our salvation. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.599 So, 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.539 something that's been 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.359 very helpful for me 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.159 that I would pass on 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.679 and that I think 00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:39.359 Peter is drawing 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.699 attention to here 00:19:40.699 --> 00:19:41.740 is spots and blemishes. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.620 Look for those things 00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:43.000 that you think, 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:44.160 it's not that small. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.220 It's not any small thing. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.900 It's part of my personality 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.539 or I've always been 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:48.960 that way. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.579 But if it's not 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.140 in line with the word 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.420 of God, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.200 just get rid of it. 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.099 Ask him for his help. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.859 Unless you think, 00:19:58.259 --> 00:20:00.200 I know what it's like 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:01.500 to be hearing 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:03.120 preaching about holiness 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.220 and sometimes 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.740 you can just feel 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.059 like you're being 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:06.000 whacked over the head 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.440 and you can just 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:07.839 find it, 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.099 yeah, 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.620 I know I should be 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.700 better and I'll try 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.140 and do better. 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:12.560 But look back 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.259 to chapter 1. 00:20:13.800 --> 00:20:14.500 We have all 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:15.020 that we need. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.180 We have everything 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.640 that we need. 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.300 Holiness, 00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:19.280 being Christ-like 00:20:19.280 --> 00:20:20.200 is not a pipe dream. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.500 It's not something 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.520 that the Lord gave us 00:20:22.520 --> 00:20:23.140 just so he could 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.620 watch us, 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.000 you know, 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:25.040 fumble. 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:27.360 He gave us a goal, 00:20:27.580 --> 00:20:28.280 Christ-likeness, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.120 and he's given us 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.220 everything that we need. 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.960 Now we see that 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.620 God sovereignly 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.300 changes us, 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.420 but we have to 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:36.420 pick up and go 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.340 and make every effort. 00:20:38.040 --> 00:20:38.520 You're not going to 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.240 wake up one day 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:39.759 as some, 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.139 you know, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.039 holy saint 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.180 with a ring around 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.799 the back of your head. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.579 We have to 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:45.539 make every effort 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.099 and grow. 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.379 Be more godly today 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.279 than you were yesterday. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.519 Even if they're 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.180 small steps, 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.940 they're steps nonetheless. 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.680 In verse 15, 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.579 I want to just 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.359 look at a 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:59.019 phrase here 00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:00.279 where he says, 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:01.019 count the patience 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.480 of the Lord 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.119 as salvation. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.279 I've read this 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.779 loads of times 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.559 and I never really 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.039 understood what he 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.619 meant by that. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:07.639 It's not terribly 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.439 complicated when I 00:21:08.439 --> 00:21:09.239 actually thought about it. 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:11.779 So, 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.859 the word count here 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:13.779 can mean to consider 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.599 or to deem 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.359 or to account, 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.359 to think of. 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.119 So, 00:21:17.239 --> 00:21:17.899 we could put it like this. 00:21:17.979 --> 00:21:18.259 We could say, 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.179 consider the patience 00:21:19.179 --> 00:21:19.579 of the Lord 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.159 as salvation 00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:21.259 or deem the patience 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.739 of the Lord 00:21:21.739 --> 00:21:23.459 or think of the patience 00:21:23.459 --> 00:21:23.919 of the Lord 00:21:23.919 --> 00:21:24.539 as salvation. 00:21:25.479 --> 00:21:25.719 So, 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.479 to put it simply, 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:29.299 when we consider 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.079 why God hasn't 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.759 come back yet, 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.639 we should understand 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.719 this to be an account, 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:34.719 on account, 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.559 of his patience. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.339 A patience 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:38.900 with the aim 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.519 of salvation 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.319 which Paul, 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:40.980 he spoke of 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.860 in Romans chapter 2 00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:42.160 and he said, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.319 you know, 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.000 do you presume 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.500 on the riches 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.440 of his kindness 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.140 and forbearance 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:45.860 and patience 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:47.039 not knowing 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.759 that God's kindness 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.500 is meant to lead 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:49.079 you to repentance? 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.700 God's patience 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.480 as an expression 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.180 of his kindness 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.400 is there 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.660 so that sinners 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.220 will repent. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.400 So, 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:56.900 if someone comes up 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.400 to you and goes like, 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:57.799 oh well, 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.500 Jesus is taking 00:21:59.500 --> 00:21:59.799 his time 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.360 coming back 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:02.480 and they're snacky 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.120 but I think you can 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.579 just kind of 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.259 quickly retort 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.539 and say, 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:04.879 that's because 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.359 he's giving you 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.000 time to repent. 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.700 You've got time. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.960 I can't guarantee 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.660 you much longer 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.220 than this minute 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:11.980 but you have time. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.440 People will laugh 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.019 at the fact 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.640 that Jesus 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.400 is coming back 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:20.420 and they'll caricature it 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.879 and think they were 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.079 like, 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.440 you know, 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.599 they'll think 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:23.960 they were kind of 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.079 like, 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:24.279 you know, 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.339 Armageddon 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.819 kind of people 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:27.619 but it is a note 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:28.500 and it is a part 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:28.960 of the gospel 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.920 and we should warn 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.720 people of the wrath 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.079 to come. 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:31.759 So, 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.419 when someone says, 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:32.679 you know, 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.519 I don't see 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.119 any signs 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.480 that he's coming 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:34.839 back, 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.139 then we can 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:36.779 clearly say to them 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.139 that's because 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:37.740 he's giving you 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.460 time to repent. 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.579 He's calling 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:39.939 his people 00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:40.480 to himself 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.599 and once that's 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:41.819 done, 00:22:41.939 --> 00:22:42.299 there will be 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:42.759 no more time 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.179 to repent. 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:44.759 That's it. 00:22:47.439 --> 00:22:48.779 Verses 15 and 16, 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.500 let's have a quick 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.179 look at those again. 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.279 Count the patience 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.759 of the Lord 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.359 as salvation 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.220 just as our beloved 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.019 brother Paul 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.980 also wrote to you 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.919 according to the 00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:58.740 wisdom given him 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.039 as he does 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.740 in all his letters 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.259 when he speaks 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.000 in them of these 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.319 matters. 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.579 There are some 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.099 things in them 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.599 that are hard 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.279 to understand 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.440 which the ignorant 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.779 and the unstable 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.740 twist to their 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.359 own destruction 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.359 as they do 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:10.720 with the other 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.099 scriptures. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.019 Now, 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.720 I want to address 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.160 this because 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.859 this is part 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.200 of the text 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.740 I've been given 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:19.000 and it might seem 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.480 just a little bit 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.180 separate to what 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.700 I've spoken of 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.559 already about being 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.279 holy and how we 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.859 should hasten and 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.480 wait for the Lord 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:26.660 but it's really 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.019 important. 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.779 Peter refers to 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.240 Paul's letter 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:28.660 saying that 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.339 Paul also wrote 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.660 about these 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.819 things and in 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.380 doing so he's 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:31.980 emphasizing the 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.440 fact that they're 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:32.819 in agreement 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.259 about these 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.480 things. 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:33.900 So he didn't 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:34.279 have one 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.819 apostle going 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.240 I think this 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.539 is how it's 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:35.900 going to play 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.339 out and this 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:36.579 is what you 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.000 should do and 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.380 another apostle 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.880 going well no 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.400 I think you 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.240 know they're 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.960 all in agreement 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:43.539 and Paul is 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.660 we understand 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.140 he's passed 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.599 away at this 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.039 time his 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.579 letters are in 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.200 circulation 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.819 probably for 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.380 quite a while 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:51.400 and so he's 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:51.759 going on to 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.480 point out that 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.519 there are some 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.259 things in Paul's 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.819 letters that are 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.660 hard to understand. 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.559 I am relieved 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:57.940 that's in the 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.120 Bible. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:01.799 Because I think 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.240 we're fooling 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.859 ourselves if we 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.400 say that the 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.160 Bible is simple 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.880 to understand 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.740 and I kind of 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.339 feel sorry for 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:07.819 people who do 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.539 kids Bibles and 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:08.920 they come to 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.759 passages that are 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.359 really hard to 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:10.880 do which is like 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:12.000 you can't really 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.539 get around how 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.220 complicated that 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.480 is. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.559 Paul was a 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:17.539 gigantic intellect 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:20.940 and he spoke in 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.440 ways that are 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.740 just that are 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.839 really rigorous 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.679 rigorous and 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:25.679 strong and 00:24:25.679 --> 00:24:27.019 watertight but in 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.599 order to be 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.399 watertight and 00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:28.879 rigorous and 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:30.019 strong they're 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.639 quite complicated 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.099 sometimes. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.179 But Peter says 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:35.679 that there are 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:36.119 ignorant and 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.799 unstable people 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:39.939 out there and 00:24:39.939 --> 00:24:40.599 what they do is 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.559 they twist the 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.099 word of God and 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.980 that word can 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.519 actually even mean 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.019 to torture. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:47.000 I always like to 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.839 think of, you 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.319 know, remember 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.059 Stretch Armstrong 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.420 remember those 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.019 toys, anything 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.440 like that, any 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.859 kind of squishy 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.680 toys, you pull 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.220 them and you can 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.740 twist them but if 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.299 you let go of 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.099 them they just go 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.559 back to the way 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.000 they were. 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.339 And one of the 00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.900 great things about 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.680 the Reformation I 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.139 suppose and was 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:01.660 there before the 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.299 Reformation was just 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.119 being reminded that 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.700 the best way to 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.379 interpret scripture 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.139 is with scripture 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:06.700 and that we 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.359 shouldn't twist the 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:07.900 word of God. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.400 And notice why he 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.180 says they twist it 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.559 to their own 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.039 destruction. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:14.500 I'm sure every 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.180 single one of us 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:15.659 in this room, if 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:16.159 we're being honest, 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.519 there have been 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.000 times you've read 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.639 the Bible and 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.299 gone, I wish that 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.759 wasn't there. 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.599 I'll be honest 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.420 about it, I just 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.980 wish that wasn't 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.180 there. 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.539 Whether it's 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:25.839 something that 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.539 convicts me or 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.079 something that I 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.119 think is not fair 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:30.740 and oftentimes I've 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.079 gone on to 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.879 understand it better 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.220 and go, okay, 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.720 that's not actually 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.180 saying what I 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.799 think it's saying 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.819 but there have 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.639 been times when 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:38.019 I've gone, if 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.559 that wasn't there 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.299 I wouldn't miss it 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.859 in some ways. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:43.659 But whenever we 00:25:43.659 --> 00:25:44.500 change the Bible 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:46.220 it's always a 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.899 loss, it's never 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.259 again. 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.000 Never. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.980 No one ever 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.899 wins by changing 00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:51.259 the Bible. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.839 And when you 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.460 have teachers, 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.039 false teachers, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.240 who will, by 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:57.319 ignoring passages 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.879 of scripture, 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.579 they're actually, 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.559 their people are 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.639 losing out and 00:26:02.639 --> 00:26:03.139 they're only doing 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:04.019 damage because the 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.759 word of God in 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.819 its entirety is 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.299 profitable. 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.019 It's good for us. 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.539 Some of it is 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.319 better swallowed than 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:10.879 chewed, as 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.439 Spurgeon said, 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:13.539 but it is all 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.279 good for us and 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.919 we need it all. 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.179 And so when they 00:26:16.179 --> 00:26:16.939 twist the scriptures 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:18.339 they do it to 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:18.720 their own 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.200 destruction. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.700 And so look at 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.579 verse 16 and 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:24.279 this is very 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:24.639 important. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.279 He says about 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.240 Paul's writings, 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.939 he says, as they 00:26:26.939 --> 00:26:27.419 do the other 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:27.740 scriptures. 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.259 So they twist 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.559 Paul's writings as 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.200 they do the other 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.559 scriptures. 00:26:31.439 --> 00:26:32.099 And so Peter here 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.759 I think is clearly 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.500 affirming the 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.220 writings of Paul 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.859 whose letters were 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.460 known in circulation 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.359 for a while as 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:36.740 scripture. 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.900 Some have said 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.359 that these verses 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.019 are not saying 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.720 this, but I 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.000 think even aside 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.539 from the clear 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.160 sentence structure 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.519 there, if you 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:44.980 look at the fact 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.940 that if we found 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.539 Paul's letter, 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.900 another letter of 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:49.140 Paul today in 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:50.519 Caracol, if we 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.059 managed to find 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.720 another letter of 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.640 Romans part 2, 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.839 we wouldn't hold 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.480 that as scripture. 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.160 We would say 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.759 that's a fantastic 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.480 find and we can 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.380 get a mind even 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.000 more into the 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.440 mind of Paul, 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.539 a view, but we 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.079 wouldn't hold that 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.480 as scripture. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:06.420 And so, what 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.900 he's saying is 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.460 that if they 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.220 twist Paul's 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.880 letters, if Paul's 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:09.500 letters and he's 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.920 referring to them 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.579 as not scripture 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.860 and they twist 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.380 them, then they're 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:12.799 just twisting 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.360 Paul's letters. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:13.860 They're not 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.500 twisting scripture. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.660 If I write a 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.140 letter to someone 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.120 here about the 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.920 Christian faith and 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.480 they twist it and 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.519 misinterpret it, 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.460 they're not going 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.019 to get destroyed 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.480 for that. 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:23.940 But if it's 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.420 scripture they're 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:26.360 twisting, you see 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:26.779 the link? 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.839 If it's not 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.420 scripture then it 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:30.339 can't be eternally 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.940 fately. 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.519 And so, that's 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:37.240 just a run 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.819 through of those 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:39.319 verses, but I 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.799 want us just to 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.279 recap. 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.360 Ask yourself 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.259 again, think about 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.819 it this morning, 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.180 later today, when 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.700 you go to work 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.440 tomorrow, whatever 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:47.900 you're doing. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.640 That Christ's 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.740 second coming is 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.839 coming and that 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.360 he is coming 00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:53.660 back. 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.539 He will come 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.360 back to judge the 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:56.759 living and the 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:56.960 dead. 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.779 In the meantime, 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.019 let us be holy and 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.480 about our 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.200 master's business, 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.680 the great 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.839 commission, until 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.839 he comes or we 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.119 die. 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.639 We can also die. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.599 So, one of 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:11.220 those will come. 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:12.779 I used to think 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.500 in terms of 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.099 motivation, the 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.579 fact that one 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.039 day I know I'm 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.579 going to die, but 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.379 I just forgot the 00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:18.000 fact that you 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.720 might actually die, 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.500 Christ might just 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:21.240 come back, and he 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.740 might meet you 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.500 before you get to 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.039 meet him, as it 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.180 were. 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.519 He might show up 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.079 by surprise. 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.059 You know, one of 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.519 my first passages of 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.139 scripture that I ever 00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:30.920 memorized, and I hope I 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.680 can do it justice this 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:31.940 time. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.560 It was Mark 8. 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.720 And he said, you 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.299 know, Jesus was 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.840 speaking to his 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:38.140 disciples, and he 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.600 said, if anyone 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:39.480 will come after me, 00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:40.299 let him take up his 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.240 cross and follow me. 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.920 For whoever would 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.539 save his life will 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.000 lose it. 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.200 Whoever loses his 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.920 life for my sake and 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:48.220 the gospel will save 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.440 it. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.500 He said, you 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.620 know, whoever is 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.440 ashamed of me and 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:58.299 of my words, and of 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.340 my words in this 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:00.100 wicked and adulterous 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:01.039 generation, of him 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.740 will the Son of Man 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:03.199 also be ashamed when 00:29:03.199 --> 00:29:04.639 he comes in the glory 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.500 of his Father with the 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.079 holy angels. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.099 I'm sure I've missed 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.779 out a small bit, but 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.859 the point being that 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.859 Christ will come back, 00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:12.619 and as he said 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.759 himself, will I find 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.359 faith on her? 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.779 So let's lay aside 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.219 every weight and 00:29:19.219 --> 00:29:20.039 every sin which 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:22.379 clings so closely and 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.919 run with endurance the 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.839 race that is set before 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.199 us. 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:27.059 And in closing, I'd 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.860 like to just read from 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:30.180 Isaiah 40, which I 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:32.220 think really speaks to 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.340 how temporal this life 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:34.860 is and how small we 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:35.340 are really. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.440 Isaiah 40, verses 6 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.860 to 8. 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:41.279 All flesh is like 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:43.700 grass, and all its 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.640 beauty is like the 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.580 flower of the field. 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:48.680 The grass withers, the 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:50.400 flower fades, when the 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.120 breath of the Lord 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:52.100 blows upon it. 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:53.819 Surely the people are 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.179 grass. 00:29:55.199 --> 00:29:57.059 The grass withers, the 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.799 flower fades, but the 00:29:58.799 --> 00:30:00.899 word of our God will 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:02.000 stand forever. 00:30:03.199 --> 00:30:04.019 Let's pray. 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.079 Let's pray.