WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:10.599 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.419 --> 00:00:16.420 Good morning, everybody. If I haven't had the chance to meet you, my name is Derek Harris. 00:00:16.539 --> 00:00:22.539 I'm one of the pastors here, and I'm just going to go ahead and throw down that I am reeling from the events this past week. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:24.339 So you can pray for me. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.000 Thank you. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:43.039 Sorry. 00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:48.519 There's two guys sitting in the back there who are in my youth group in Nashville. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:50.359 I know you're hurting. 00:00:52.019 --> 00:00:52.840 I love you. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:00:56.060 That's why we do what we do. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:00:58.900 That's why we preach the Word of God. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.280 Our world is changing. 00:01:05.579 --> 00:01:06.939 Our world is changing. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:13.079 And America has often been thought of as a Christian country. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:16.740 And it's changing. 00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:18.319 It's changing drastically. 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:19.400 Okay? 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:21.560 This is not an alarmist thing. 00:01:21.640 --> 00:01:25.480 This is a realistic thing that's been happening gradually, not just this past week. 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:29.980 I want us to consider this slide here. 00:01:30.300 --> 00:01:31.540 Let's see if this is working. 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:34.880 Oh, let me get back. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:36.800 I'm going to talk about four things this morning. 00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:39.679 We're going to talk about the world. 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:41.899 We're going to talk about the Word. 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:44.319 We're going to talk about why it matters. 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:46.920 And we're going to talk about what now. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:49.379 But first, with the world, it's changing. 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:49.739 Okay? 00:01:50.239 --> 00:01:51.399 It's changing a lot. 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:53.799 And it may be changing rapidly for you. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:58.599 I want you to consider this quote here from Pew Research just in 2022. 00:01:59.659 --> 00:02:07.599 Only a few decades ago, a Christian identity was so common among Americans that it could almost be taken for granted. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:15.579 And as recently as the early 1990s, about 90% of U.S. adults identified as Christians. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:20.240 But today, about two-thirds of adults are Christians, identifying as Christians. 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:32.079 And the change in America's religious composition is largely the result of large numbers of adults switching out of the religion in which they were raised to become religiously unaffiliated. 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:36.280 Many times they're known as the nones, N-O-N-E-S. 00:02:36.740 --> 00:02:36.900 Okay? 00:02:36.980 --> 00:02:43.900 Because that's what the box that they would check on a survey or a test or something like that. 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:48.800 Because they have no affiliation with faith, none, when it comes to the faith. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:58.020 And not only is religious affiliation changing, so is the treatment of those who claim to be Christians, especially in America. 00:02:58.020 --> 00:03:03.340 Especially in the deep south, the Bible Belt, where you have been protected for so very long. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:11.000 It could be due to the past failures of leaders in the church. 00:03:11.820 --> 00:03:14.760 Workers of the church. 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:17.540 Members of churches who may have hurt people. 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:19.400 Missions, organizations. 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:22.020 In regards to claims. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:24.280 Rightful claims. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:25.680 Of abuse. 00:03:26.580 --> 00:03:27.200 Racism. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:28.860 Discrimination. 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:29.840 Etc. 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:31.020 Right? 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:31.900 Church. 00:03:32.700 --> 00:03:33.840 Quote-unquote church. 00:03:33.920 --> 00:03:34.939 Institution church. 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:37.800 Has done a lot of damage to a lot of people. 00:03:38.480 --> 00:03:39.900 And there's a lot of anger. 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:45.659 And there's a lot of disappointment in our society towards these religious institutions. 00:03:46.040 --> 00:03:47.680 Not just the Christian church. 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:54.740 And so you may not affiliate yourself with church leaders who've been caught up in some sort of public controversy. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:57.200 Or an organization as such. 00:03:57.460 --> 00:04:00.819 But there's a good chance that those people who aren't in church. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:02.980 Who you really wish were here. 00:04:03.420 --> 00:04:07.560 There's a good chance that they actually do affiliate those people with you. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:08.740 Okay? 00:04:08.860 --> 00:04:09.500 And us. 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:12.840 And when you enter into any conversation. 00:04:13.640 --> 00:04:16.160 You may find yourself needing to take punches. 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:22.460 And we're going to sense that more and more and more as Christians. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:23.620 Okay? 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:26.360 I will walk up to some conversations. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:28.160 And if they just hear that I'm a pastor. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:30.500 Conversation's over. 00:04:31.460 --> 00:04:33.720 Or it's instant anger. 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:37.860 My wife was in a conversation with someone recently. 00:04:38.080 --> 00:04:43.840 And they were giving her the dagger eyes just because they knew that I was a pastor. 00:04:45.320 --> 00:04:47.200 And sometimes it's the opposite. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:51.040 Sometimes it's actually, oh, breath of fresh air. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:52.180 Please, can I ask you this? 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:52.940 Can I ask you this? 00:04:54.080 --> 00:04:55.600 But you may feel some of that too. 00:04:55.600 --> 00:05:02.379 As followers of Christ in the West, we don't live in a Christian country anymore. 00:05:03.660 --> 00:05:06.560 We live in a post-Christian country. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:10.560 This is what I mean by that. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:15.720 The fundamental, this is a quote again. 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:25.360 The fundamental societal institutions, family, school, church, that took their meaning and place from a basic Christian worldview shaped by Protestantism, 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:31.340 are going through a rewriting of their status, which undermines their traditional outlook. 00:05:31.339 --> 00:05:37.819 Christians need to learn or relearn how to be creative and faithful minorities. 00:05:38.779 --> 00:05:49.859 The transition may be painful and difficult, but nostalgic attitudes toward a status quo, somewhat marked by Christianity, will not serve the cause of the gospel. 00:05:51.299 --> 00:05:52.899 I thought that was an interesting quote there. 00:05:52.899 --> 00:06:01.199 So what he's getting at is this, that we as Christians now moving into the, living in this post-Christian era and moving forward, 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:10.000 we might need to unlearn some of our old habits to be able to share the love of Jesus with the world that we so desperately want to have in the church. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:14.219 And that's going to be a challenge for us, okay? 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:17.179 It's not far-fetched. 00:06:17.859 --> 00:06:19.719 We're kind of at a crossroads right now. 00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:24.559 It's not far-fetched to believe that in our generation and kids and the generations that you grow up in, 00:06:25.299 --> 00:06:27.839 that if you follow the basic tenets of Christianity, 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:33.699 you're going to be seen more and more as unloving, not loving. 00:06:34.479 --> 00:06:36.259 You're going to be seen as a renegade. 00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:39.039 You're going to be seen as extremist. 00:06:40.299 --> 00:06:44.419 And I just want to prepare you for that because we have to be ready. 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:47.559 We have to be ready to love, okay? 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:52.239 And it's not something to be alarmed about, but it is something that we have to be aware of. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.220 And this is why. 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:59.660 Because the world is really, really confused about the church, okay? 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:07.920 Most of the cars that drive by here that never set foot in here think what we do is really, really weird, okay? 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:14.740 I recently was watching a documentary of the band U2, 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:19.240 and they've rewritten the words to Sunday, Bloody Sunday, 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:23.819 to reflect more where the heart of what they've learned over the years is. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:25.460 And this is what they said. 00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:30.680 Here at the murder scene, the virus of fiction, reality TV, 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:33.319 Why so many mothers cry? 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:38.040 Religion is the enemy of the Holy Spirit guide, and the battle just begun. 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:40.600 Where's the victory Jesus won? 00:07:41.900 --> 00:07:43.019 You ever asked that question? 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:44.939 That resonated with me. 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:49.699 He was coming from a heart of the love of Christ and wanting to share it, 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:52.240 but just creating that tension in those lyrics. 00:07:53.220 --> 00:07:59.040 The world's confused about the church, and the world is longing for the love of Jesus. 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:07.660 And the culture is looking for an alternative to itself, not an echo of itself. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:14.640 So how are we as Christians supposed to behave and live within a world that doesn't understand us 00:08:14.640 --> 00:08:17.259 and is potentially hostile towards us? 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:23.620 Well, remember, though, it may appear more challenging to follow Jesus right now 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:25.800 than it has in the years before in your life, 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:30.660 it was also very difficult for those who followed Christ in the first century. 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:34.960 And they left us some really, really good notes. 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:36.879 The Word of God. 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:41.700 So let's read that today. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:42.700 The Word. 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:47.060 I'm going to open it up and read it from my Bible, 00:08:47.180 --> 00:08:48.899 because I just like reading it from my Bible. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:57.299 Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, 00:08:57.819 --> 00:09:00.379 a tender heart, and a humble mind. 00:09:01.319 --> 00:09:05.779 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:09.059 but on the contrary, bless. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:14.340 For to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:18.720 For whoever desires to love life and see good days, 00:09:19.180 --> 00:09:23.780 let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:27.019 Let him turn away from evil and do good. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:29.700 Let him seek peace and pursue it. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.480 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:35.639 and his ears are open to their prayer. 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:40.639 But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:44.179 This is the Word of the Lord. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.460 Thanks be to God. 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.399 The grass withers and the flower fades, 00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:53.059 but the Word of our God will stand forever. 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:54.240 And it is what we need. 00:09:54.319 --> 00:09:55.379 It's what we need to learn, 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:57.240 and it gives us the direction that we need. 00:09:57.319 --> 00:09:58.279 It's not changed. 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:00.179 God's love hasn't changed. 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:03.080 So a little bit about this. 00:10:03.199 --> 00:10:06.139 Are you all familiar with the TV show Friday Night Lights? 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:07.980 It's an older show. 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:11.899 So Coach Taylor, one of the great TV characters, 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:13.680 he had this phrase that he would say, 00:10:13.800 --> 00:10:17.139 clear eyes, full heart, can't lose. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.700 Although I think he said full hearts. 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:21.879 I think there was an S on it, but you know. 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:24.460 Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.659 Well, this text that we just read, 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:29.500 think of Coach Peter, okay? 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:31.320 He's getting in our faces. 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:37.480 He's helping us see how we're supposed to be playing this game to win. 00:10:38.300 --> 00:10:40.520 Now, let's start there with verse 8. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:40.920 He says, 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:42.580 Finally, all of you, 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:45.360 finally, all of you, 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.940 have unity of mind, sympathy, 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:50.080 brotherly love, a tender heart, 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:51.340 and a humble mind. 00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:56.060 Now, notice he doesn't start by looking outside the huddle. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:57.240 Right? 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:58.700 Imagine him standing there, Coach Peter. 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:00.500 He says, he's talking to the team, 00:11:00.540 --> 00:11:00.900 and he says, 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:03.740 Finally, all of you, right? 00:11:05.060 --> 00:11:08.379 Which means that he doesn't mean some of you. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.320 Okay? 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:11.500 What does all of you mean? 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:13.600 Anybody? 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.820 What does all of you mean? 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:18.020 Everybody. 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:20.040 Okay? 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:22.820 Every single one of us. 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:24.400 And the idea here is that 00:11:24.400 --> 00:11:26.500 what he says after that 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:27.960 is how Christ calls 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:29.820 every single one of us 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.879 who proclaim faith in Christ 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.640 to live 00:11:32.640 --> 00:11:34.200 within the church, 00:11:34.520 --> 00:11:35.240 within the team, 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.860 and also 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:37.680 everywhere 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:39.080 all the time. 00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:41.840 How many of you 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:44.100 love the smell of coffee in the morning? 00:11:44.540 --> 00:11:44.680 Right? 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:45.340 Some of you, 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:46.680 I know there's some big coffee heads. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:47.920 If it's not coffee, 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:48.780 maybe it's bacon. 00:11:49.180 --> 00:11:49.500 Okay? 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:50.960 If it's not bacon, 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:52.180 maybe it's barbecue. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:54.060 If it's not barbecue, 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:55.540 fill in the blank. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.020 Maybe it's candy. 00:11:57.780 --> 00:11:58.379 I don't know. 00:11:58.560 --> 00:12:00.060 Sugar being made. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:01.320 And cookies. 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:03.320 Something like that. 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:03.980 Right? 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:06.060 And when you smell that smell, 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.220 you ever woken up in the morning 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:09.780 and you had that smell 00:12:09.780 --> 00:12:10.580 and you just feel like 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:11.660 one of those cartoon characters 00:12:11.660 --> 00:12:12.879 that wants to float down 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:14.320 to where the smell is coming from, 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:16.420 it changes the environment. 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:18.800 And when we live the way 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:19.980 that Peter describes, 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:22.480 we're not going to echo the culture. 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:24.340 We're going to offer it 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:25.840 the very thing that it needs. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:28.700 The aroma of God's grace. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.160 But that happens 00:12:30.160 --> 00:12:31.860 through Christ-centered community 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.720 and relationships 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:34.320 built on the foundation 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:35.200 of the Word of God 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:37.220 and Christ is the chief cornerstone. 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:39.379 But grace is that aroma. 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.160 I was talking with somebody 00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:40.940 about that this morning. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:43.140 Grace is the aroma. 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:44.980 And what does Coach Peter say? 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:45.400 He says, 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.260 unity of mind, 00:12:46.400 --> 00:12:46.700 sympathy, 00:12:46.900 --> 00:12:47.540 brotherly love, 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:48.060 tender heart, 00:12:48.140 --> 00:12:49.260 humble minds can't lose. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:49.860 Okay? 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:53.379 Think about this for a second. 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:54.779 Unity of mind. 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:56.600 Let's look at those phrases 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.100 for a second. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.700 Unity of mind means 00:12:58.700 --> 00:13:00.419 literally live in harmony. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.240 Literally though, 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.460 be of the same mind. 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:05.139 Okay? 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:07.299 That can only happen 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:09.679 when we share the mind of Christ. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:12.439 Where do you find the mind of Christ? 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:13.460 The Scriptures. 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:15.759 This is offered to us 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:17.220 every day 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:18.620 through the Scriptures. 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:19.400 Right? 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.980 And through the fellowship 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.000 of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:23.120 God in you. 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.060 Christ living in us 00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:26.759 in this inseparable union 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:28.000 that happens through faith. 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:30.000 So the unity of mind 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.000 comes from the unity 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.200 of the mind of Christ 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:33.220 within us 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:34.680 that we apply towards one another. 00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:37.180 And what does the sympathy mean? 00:13:37.280 --> 00:13:38.460 So when we live in harmony 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:40.259 and we're of the same mind, 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:41.400 then we can enter 00:13:41.400 --> 00:13:42.980 into the feelings of others. 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.039 Right? 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.960 Sympathetic comes from a Greek word 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.600 which means feeling with. 00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:52.120 And it's probably better signified 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:54.200 by our English word empathy. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.120 Okay? 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:56.700 And when we can enter 00:13:56.700 --> 00:13:58.120 into the feelings of others, 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:00.360 then we're more properly positioned 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:02.700 to share God's love with them. 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:06.100 And that becomes that aroma of grace. 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.100 So it breaks down 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:09.259 the doors of hostility first. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.120 And my guess is that 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.519 if you've ever been in a situation 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:15.539 where you felt like heard 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.039 and really understood 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:19.379 that whatever anger 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.559 you brought to that situation 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:22.299 probably went down a little bit. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.480 Went down a couple levels. 00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:25.639 Well, Peter's playing off 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.259 his discussion 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.840 that Will got to preach 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.100 last week and not me 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.939 about husbands and wives 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.840 in those previous verses. 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.439 And so here's the idea. 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:37.019 Having the unity of mind, 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.840 having the sympathy, 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:39.259 having this aroma of grace, 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.899 it takes time 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:42.720 and it takes hard work. 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.240 And it's very hard 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.299 to understand one another 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:46.679 even on the good days, right? 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.819 How much harder on the bad? 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.340 But all things are possible 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:52.840 through Jesus Christ 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.860 who gives us strength. 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:55.399 And it starts 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.779 by listening to each other. 00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.879 Listening to hear 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.360 as we've been challenging 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.919 one another here recently. 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:05.179 The church, God's people, 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.659 the living stones, 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.600 which we talked about 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.899 a few weeks ago. 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.740 We're to be lights 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.079 and to be sanctuaries 00:15:13.079 --> 00:15:13.839 out in the world. 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:15.019 Places of peace, 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:16.240 but first to each other 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:16.919 within here 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:18.879 so that this is a place of peace. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.740 And then we take that peace 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.779 into the relationships around us. 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.719 And then we're properly 00:15:24.719 --> 00:15:25.959 postured and positioned 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:28.279 to share that love of God. 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:31.199 And you can start 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:33.639 just simply by asking questions 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:35.699 and then listening. 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:36.980 Okay? 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.539 Listening to love. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.179 Listening to hear 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:42.439 where the world is hurting. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.240 And that, guess what? 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:45.299 That world is here. 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.919 We're hurting too. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.559 Think about listening 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.720 to each other here 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.019 so that you can go listen 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.639 out there. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.539 And then he goes on 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:54.600 to say humble mind, 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:55.919 brotherly love. 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:56.519 We'll start with 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.799 brotherly love, tender heart. 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:58.539 What does that mean? 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:00.299 Being tender hearted 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:02.259 comes more naturally 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.740 to some more than others, right? 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:06.100 However difficult 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.340 though that journey may be, 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.419 the early Christians 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:10.059 would have agreed 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:10.620 on the fact 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.439 that they were called 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:13.519 to become tender hearted 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:15.639 no matter how difficult it was. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.279 That was going to be 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:18.779 a staple characteristic 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.700 of the community. 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.039 Humble mind, 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:21.700 what does that mean? 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:23.100 So humble mind 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:24.340 actually ties together 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.980 the three attitudes before it. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.299 That phrase, humble mind. 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.740 And what I mean is that 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.240 if you have that humble mind, 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.899 you're going to have 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.879 those other three things. 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.759 And one commentator 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.700 describes it this way, 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.720 a humble mind 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.299 shows that the secret 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:39.100 of the character 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.200 described here 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:42.580 lies in a realistic estimate 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.279 of oneself 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.259 and a high concern 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.940 for others. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.340 So it starts 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.899 by looking outside yourself 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:50.360 and putting a higher view 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.759 of that one outside of you 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.620 than yourself. 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.460 I love the language 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:54.840 of the, 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.500 there's a translation 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.259 of the Bible 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.139 called the message 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.960 and it's meant to be 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.560 as a tool, 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.779 not a replacement. 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.279 But it says it this way, 00:17:01.339 --> 00:17:02.220 it helps to get my head 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.740 around these. 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.420 Be agreeable, 00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.619 be sympathetic, 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.299 be loving, 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.639 be compassionate, 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.639 be humble. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:11.079 That goes for all of you, 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.779 no exceptions. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.359 And one of the things 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.399 that I also love 00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:15.899 about Scripture 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:17.559 is how it interprets itself. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.599 The Word of God 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.740 will help you understand 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.960 the Word of God. 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.779 And it reinforces itself. 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:26.079 And it's not just Coach Peter 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:27.720 who says these things. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.799 And it's not just Coach Peter 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.180 who talks about this aroma 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.720 of grace. 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:33.480 So does Coach Paul. 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.680 And listen to what Coach Paul 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.920 says in Ephesians. 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.220 I therefore, 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:40.180 a prisoner for the Lord, 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.860 urge you to walk 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.759 in a manner worthy 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.400 of the calling 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.640 to which you've been called. 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:46.640 With all humility 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:48.180 and gentleness, 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.059 with patience, 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.640 bearing with one another 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:51.319 in love, 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.920 eager to maintain 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:54.259 the unity of the Spirit 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:56.079 in the bond of peace. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:58.059 Okay, now some of you 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.759 may be thinking, 00:17:59.419 --> 00:17:59.819 nope, 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:01.639 not going to do that. 00:18:02.439 --> 00:18:04.159 Not possible for me 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:05.399 in my current situation 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:05.980 that I'm in. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:06.960 You don't understand. 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:09.740 But it is. 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:10.679 Okay? 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.059 When we stop thinking 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.000 about ourselves, 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.319 which is hard, 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.119 guilty, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.019 and we start calling 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.119 on the power of God, 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:21.359 amazing things can happen 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.419 in your relationships. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.079 And remember, 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.419 what God is doing 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.440 with us as a church. 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.200 He said it earlier 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.960 in 1 Peter. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.259 He's building us 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.720 into a spiritual house 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:31.120 where He dwells. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.920 And how's all that happening? 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.580 Not through your power, 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:35.920 but through the power 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.759 of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.860 So before you give yourself 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.480 the test 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.160 and you're destined 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:42.039 to fail 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.300 on your own strength, 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.640 stop it. 00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:45.080 Okay? 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.620 Take that to God, 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.100 whatever the situation is 00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:48.980 that pops in your brain. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.500 And remember, 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.019 He's at work in you. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.800 He's the one 00:18:51.800 --> 00:18:52.420 forming you 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.259 into these things. 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.819 But we have to start 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.720 by being honest 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.819 about where we need 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.920 to be that open door. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.160 To open the door 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.740 of our hearts 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.879 and to be that open door 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.980 for the world 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.559 to talk to. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.119 And the passage, 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:05.759 this passage, 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.700 gives us that opportunity 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.660 because it's possible 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:10.559 to have the Holy Spirit 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.000 in you. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.779 It's a Holy Spirit resident, 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.680 but not president. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.640 Okay? 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:16.720 So, 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:18.019 what does living this way 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.460 look like? 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:20.259 We'll go faster 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.660 through these. 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:22.040 Don't repay 00:19:22.040 --> 00:19:24.160 evil for evil 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:25.340 or reviling for reviling. 00:19:26.300 --> 00:19:27.180 But on the contrary, 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:27.779 bless, 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:29.320 for to this you are called 00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:30.800 that you may obtain 00:19:30.800 --> 00:19:31.420 a blessing. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.080 So, 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.040 in another way, 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.440 you remember, 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:35.920 we talked a few weeks ago 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:37.279 about living stones. 00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:38.440 Living stones 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.300 don't just sit. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.519 Well, 00:19:39.560 --> 00:19:40.620 Peter's giving us more info. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.440 Living stones 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.600 are living blessings. 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:44.000 They go live blessings. 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.720 That's what we do. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.340 That's what the stones do. 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:48.200 We live that blessing 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.880 to one another 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:50.299 and we go live 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.400 that blessing to the world. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.640 And when we do, 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.519 the world sees 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.460 the power of God 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.299 at work in us 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.539 because we can't do that 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.039 on our own. 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.220 I was speaking with someone 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.960 this past week. 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.360 One of the most powerful things 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.160 in evangelism 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.920 to the world 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.600 is emotional health. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.140 Did you know that? 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.039 That your wounds 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:09.660 are actually 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.600 the open door 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:12.180 to share the love of God. 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.840 But one of the things 00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.819 that the world notices 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.519 the most 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:17.319 is how you're still walking. 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:19.379 And so focusing 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.779 on our own emotional health 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.159 is one of the greatest steps 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:23.439 towards evangelism 00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:24.659 because it's one 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.960 of the greatest doorways 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.579 to talk about 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.679 where you found the healing. 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.379 And the world notices 00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:31.220 that seems to be 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.619 one of the number one things 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.879 that makes us approachable 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:34.839 or not approachable 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.639 is 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:37.299 are you emotionally healthy? 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.939 Because they're watching 00:20:38.939 --> 00:20:40.960 in this post-Christian world. 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.159 But Peter says 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.339 we're to bless 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.240 in verse 9. 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.599 So just like 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.419 humble mind 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.519 summed up verse 8. 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:49.120 Peter uses that word 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.140 bless to sum up 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:51.539 all of verses 8 and 9. 00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.880 All of these attitudes 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.519 and virtues 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.320 of the heart 00:20:54.320 --> 00:20:55.060 can be summed up 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.860 in that one word. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.019 Bless. 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:59.279 And what does blessing mean? 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.480 One commentator says this 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.400 I love this definition. 00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:03.560 The calling down 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:05.120 of God's gracious power 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:06.160 and love 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.560 on all people 00:21:07.560 --> 00:21:09.019 even those 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:10.300 who wish to do us harm. 00:21:11.340 --> 00:21:12.840 Who does that sound like? 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:14.820 Hmm. 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:16.240 Jesus. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.119 Right? 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:19.500 Blessing instead of cursing. 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.059 Praying for those 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:22.000 who persecute. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.759 Forgiving our debtors 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.299 as we have been 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:25.980 forgiven. 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.639 And how can we do this? 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.439 First by opening 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:31.519 the doors of darkness 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.879 in our own hearts 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:34.399 to the power 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:34.960 of the light 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.779 of the living God. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.659 And only you 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.599 can open that door. 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:40.200 I can't open that for you. 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:40.759 Your neighbor 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.700 can't open that for you 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.339 but you can. 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.099 You can go and open 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:43.779 that door to God 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.319 right now. 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.899 You can call 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.779 on that resource 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.559 and that power 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.299 of the Holy Spirit 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.599 available nowhere else 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.619 than to God himself. 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.839 And when you do 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:54.559 he's going to come in there 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.639 and he's going to do 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.119 some business 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:56.679 in your heart 00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:57.779 and he's going to show you 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.619 the relationships 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.699 in your life 00:21:59.699 --> 00:22:01.339 that he's calling 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.399 you to 00:22:02.399 --> 00:22:03.480 to have an impact 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.959 for him. 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.519 And typically 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.119 it's going to start 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.539 with the ones 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.000 that probably 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.740 aren't that great. 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.059 They're a mess. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.099 That's okay. 00:22:10.179 --> 00:22:10.579 I don't want that 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.179 to scare you. 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.399 That's the whole purpose 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.179 of needing a savior. 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:14.839 You're a mess. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.839 You don't have it together. 00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:18.339 Neither do I. 00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:20.000 We're broken messes 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.199 but Jesus takes 00:22:21.199 --> 00:22:21.859 broken things 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.960 and he makes them beautiful. 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.460 How? 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.720 Because he was broken. 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.699 And that's beautiful. 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.879 And he offers you 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:30.000 eternal life. 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.439 He was broken for you 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.139 so you don't have to go 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:33.119 be broken for yourself 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.899 and punish yourself 00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:34.460 over and over. 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.759 In fact he's called you 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.199 to be a part 00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:37.119 of cleaning up the mess. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.379 And when you do 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.319 you're going to find purpose 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.399 but it starts 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:41.039 with relationships. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.919 It starts with you 00:22:41.919 --> 00:22:42.579 letting them in there. 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.079 Letting them in your heart 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.700 and look around. 00:22:45.439 --> 00:22:46.460 Ask him to dwell there 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.619 and while he's in there 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:49.039 you've got to keep your eyes 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.659 on the scoreboard 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.220 and the scoreboard 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.960 says you win. 00:22:51.679 --> 00:22:52.200 When you look around 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.599 the world 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:54.019 it says oh this is bad. 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.679 Scoreboard says we win. 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.379 Okay? 00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:59.279 We win because Jesus wins. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.259 We're going to talk 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.339 about that this week. 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:01.599 Right? 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.379 We get to see 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.200 the light 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.799 and the darkness 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.319 of the gospel story 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.759 as we lead 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.720 into this Easter week. 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.200 But only you 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:09.119 can open that door. 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.500 The message says it this way 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.639 no retaliation 00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:14.279 no sharp tongue sarcasm 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.220 instead bless 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.019 that's your job 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.460 bless. 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.319 You'll be a blessing 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.379 and also get a blessing. 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.480 And what's the blessing? 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.079 First 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:23.279 it's this 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.639 that 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:25.460 you're going to experience 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.579 the blessing 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.519 of living a life 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.599 that doesn't retaliate 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.019 with anger. 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:31.019 You're going to have 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.460 freedom 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:33.500 from the prison of anger. 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.519 The prison of comparison. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.679 It's only realized 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.240 through a life 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.759 of forgiveness. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:37.940 forgiveness. 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.379 These are some 00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.240 of the benefits 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.220 of asking Christ 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:42.859 to forgive you 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.660 is that you actually 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.359 get freedom. 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:46.299 And it's only possible 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.359 if you've experienced 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.200 true forgiveness 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.559 that's offered 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.579 through Jesus' blood. 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.420 And when you live 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.420 a life of forgiveness 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:54.039 like Peter described 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.819 you're oftentimes 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.920 going to be reviled 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.500 for it. 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.279 Okay? 00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.099 But you will be free. 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:02.199 And what does 00:24:02.199 --> 00:24:03.279 that freedom look like? 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.759 Unity of mind 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.659 sympathy 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.980 brotherly love 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.980 tender hearts 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.699 humble minds 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:09.839 not repaying evil 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.339 for evil 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:10.939 or reviling 00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:11.639 for reviling 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.759 but blessing. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:15.779 I've got 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.819 a student 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.379 who is in 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:17.900 one of our 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.660 youth groups 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.460 a dear student 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.339 who is in 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.279 a gender transition 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:22.819 right now 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.339 and 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:26.220 you know 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.220 with what happened 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.660 last week 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.160 I didn't 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.920 I wanted to reach out 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.559 because most of the world 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.000 and family 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.079 has abandoned him 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.859 but I still love him 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:36.519 and 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.440 he identifies 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.599 as a female now 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.639 so 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.959 it's still hard 00:24:40.959 --> 00:24:41.619 for me to say that 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:43.199 to say him 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:45.000 so I just texted him 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.519 how you doing 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.399 with the recent news 00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:48.159 he lives in Nashville 00:24:48.159 --> 00:24:50.819 the world is so crazy 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.119 right now 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:51.559 I don't even have 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:53.039 much time to absorb it 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.919 taking this to heart 00:24:54.919 --> 00:24:55.819 I said well you know what 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.639 it's a good time 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.500 for me to remind you 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.480 that I love you 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.419 you are bringing 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:01.419 something to the world 00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:02.719 and I love you 00:25:02.719 --> 00:25:04.339 and I love you 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.939 you know 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:06.679 he sent something back 00:25:06.679 --> 00:25:07.699 right 00:25:07.699 --> 00:25:08.279 we're still 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.440 still in that relationship 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.660 there's an opportunity 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.559 to bless him 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:14.539 and then he returned 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.059 a blessing 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.039 and so you got 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.639 that blessing 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.480 of living that life 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.960 of forgiveness 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.680 not anger 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.859 we don't have to retaliate 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.519 we don't have to be 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.279 so up in arms 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.839 about everything 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.460 we should be 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:24.359 the least easily 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.039 offended people 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.500 on earth 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:27.399 if Christ is at work 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:27.660 in us 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.319 but the blessing 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:28.740 of freedom 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.599 also means 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.859 the future blessing 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.279 of hope 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:31.799 that you have 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.539 that scoreboard 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.139 that's been won 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:33.960 the eternal life 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.480 that's ahead 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.000 where you're going 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.339 to live 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.879 in the presence 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.460 of the one 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.299 who's forgiven you 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.779 is free 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.539 you're going 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:38.960 to worship 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.660 and experience 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.599 that new creation 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.039 forever 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.920 and you get 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:43.079 to take that invitation 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.700 right now 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.319 to the world 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:46.059 that's what you offer 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.639 them when you go 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.099 and enter into 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.759 the relationship 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.859 and you take 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.379 your hurt 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:50.539 and your emotional 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.660 unhealthiness 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.960 and talking about 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.619 how God 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.700 has gotten you 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.160 through it 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.079 guess what 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.460 they need that too 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.599 and ultimately 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.299 you get to hold 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.680 their hand 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.059 and take them 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.619 to Jesus 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.720 okay 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.640 then verses 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.440 10 through 12 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:04.779 there 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:06.460 whoever desires 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.220 to love life 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.120 and seek good days 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:08.720 don't you want 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.279 to love life 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.059 and seek good days 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.440 here's the key 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:13.299 let him keep 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.720 his tongue 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.279 from evil 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.319 and his lips 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.339 from speaking deceit 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.059 oh that's easy 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:19.140 let him turn away 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.620 from evil 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.299 and do good 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.779 okay 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.339 let him seek 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:22.720 peace 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.500 and pursue it 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.180 got it 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.759 for the eyes 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.339 of the Lord 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.140 are on the righteous 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:28.620 and his ears 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:29.100 are open 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:29.820 to their prayer 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.580 but the face 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:31.200 of the Lord 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:32.880 is against 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.900 those who do evil 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:35.480 may not seem so 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.780 but it is 00:26:36.780 --> 00:26:38.140 may not seem so 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.900 when you look around 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:40.200 but it is ultimately 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.280 and one day 00:26:41.280 --> 00:26:41.980 those two things 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.759 will line up 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:45.400 so Peter goes on 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:45.720 now 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.240 and this is what 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.780 I love too 00:26:46.780 --> 00:26:47.540 about the reliability 00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:48.120 of scripture 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:48.660 if you doubt 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.420 the trustworthiness 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.180 of this book 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.940 they quote 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:53.780 from things 00:26:53.780 --> 00:26:54.259 that were written 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.080 hundreds and hundreds 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:56.240 of years earlier 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.080 and all these things 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.639 line up 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.519 you go look at your Bible 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.980 we've taken the oldest documents 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:01.179 and the newest documents 00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:01.819 you compare them 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:04.220 it's 99.9999% accurate 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.699 yes there are some errors 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:06.240 in your Bible 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.679 but you know what 00:27:07.679 --> 00:27:08.639 they're like punctuation 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.240 and little things 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.599 here and there 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.779 and it was transmission stuff 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:13.000 but there's no other document 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:14.779 that is as accurate 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:16.759 and attested to 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.519 as the scriptures 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.159 people aren't going to tell you 00:27:19.159 --> 00:27:19.740 that very often 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.220 it's true 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.199 you can back it up 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.960 there's all the data 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.939 that's not a lie 00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:24.319 so when you read this 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.240 know that what you're reading 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.939 is accurate 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.160 now what we do 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.160 with it is the hard part 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.380 right 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:29.059 it's telling us 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.840 to go do something 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:32.340 so Peter's going on now 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:32.980 to say 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:34.700 I'm backing all this up 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.420 with the Old Testament 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.980 just like he did 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.640 in chapter 2 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:38.460 about living stones 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.259 he backed it up 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.920 with the Old Testament 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:41.539 and then he talked 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.480 about the living stones 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.559 he quoted from Psalms 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.980 he's doing that again here 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.620 because he's a human 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.340 and he writes 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:48.240 and he has similarities 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:50.539 so living stones 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.400 are living blessings 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.920 so a life of blessing 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.820 doesn't curse 00:27:53.820 --> 00:27:55.580 doesn't retaliate 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:57.060 it doesn't speak deceit 00:27:57.060 --> 00:27:58.340 it doesn't pursue evil 00:27:58.340 --> 00:28:00.100 it pursues peace 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:01.860 does that describe you 00:28:01.860 --> 00:28:02.920 in your current relationships 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.080 with other Christians 00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:05.440 does that describe you 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.400 in your current relationships 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.480 with those around you 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.340 it's hard 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:08.920 it's messy 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.740 but that's 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.500 that's what we're supposed to do 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.340 okay 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:17.040 are you doing it 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:19.619 blessed are the peacemakers 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.420 Jesus said 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:22.519 for they shall be called 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.940 sons of God 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:26.159 where is the Lord's 00:28:26.159 --> 00:28:27.079 attentive ear 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:28.220 and caring eyes 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:30.819 they're on the righteous 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.420 it says 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.299 okay 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.899 well who are the righteous 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:35.659 how do you get that 00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:36.940 for our sake 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:38.200 he made him to be sin 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.079 who knew no sin 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:39.740 so that in him 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.420 we might become 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.659 the righteousness of God 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:42.779 it's not us 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.659 it's foreign 00:28:43.659 --> 00:28:44.980 it's an alien righteousness 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:46.099 that's given to us 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.980 by Jesus 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:48.319 and he paid the price 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.319 for the gift on the cross 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.899 so if we confess our sins 00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:52.299 he's faithful and just 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:53.519 to forgive us our sins 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.759 and to cleanse us 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:56.659 from all unrighteousness 00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:58.279 aka we become 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.159 the righteous 00:28:59.159 --> 00:29:01.279 and God's attentive eye 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.039 and listening ear 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.219 are always on 00:29:03.219 --> 00:29:03.799 the righteous 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:05.099 that's you 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:06.319 if you have faith in Christ 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.099 he clothes you 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:08.059 in his righteousness 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:09.679 so in these verses 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.919 this is really cool 00:29:10.919 --> 00:29:12.299 Peter's quoting 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.359 from Psalm 34 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.379 12 through 16 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:16.420 and this was a psalm 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.100 of thanks 00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:19.760 for God to deliver David 00:29:19.760 --> 00:29:20.520 remember he was 00:29:20.520 --> 00:29:21.660 asking to be delivered 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:23.280 from king of Gath 00:29:23.280 --> 00:29:23.920 okay 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.220 referred to as 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.420 Abimelech 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.140 in the title 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:28.500 of that area of your Bible 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:30.360 so David was delivered 00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:31.220 from the king 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.320 after he 00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:33.960 changed his behavior 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.060 is what it says 00:29:35.060 --> 00:29:36.260 now do you remember 00:29:36.260 --> 00:29:37.340 how he changed his behavior 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.040 to get out of there 00:29:38.040 --> 00:29:39.160 he was trapped 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.920 so he tried to act 00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:42.260 like he was going insane 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.839 he just started 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:45.379 you know 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.259 he just started 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.319 freaking out a little bit 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.079 to scare somebody 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.879 he did that 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:50.140 and the king 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.980 let him go free 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:53.039 so Peter's 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:54.299 playing off that theme 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:56.519 by quoting the psalm 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.359 and when 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.099 as Christians 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.359 when we live 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.539 the way he describes 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.819 get this 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.059 lives of freedom 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.640 in Christ 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:05.099 when we change 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:05.799 our behavior 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:07.240 the world's 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.700 going to think 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.839 we've gone mad 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:12.480 but we are the ones 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.559 who are set 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.240 free 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:16.159 isn't that beautiful 00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:17.500 that's the blessing 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.740 that when we come to God 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.119 we're set free 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:21.919 though his face 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:23.559 is against the evildoer 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:25.240 his eyes 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.480 are on the righteous 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:28.539 so to turn your face 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:30.359 is to turn 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.359 your back 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:33.220 okay 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:35.079 we are called 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.759 to repent 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:37.539 and turn our back 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.480 on evil 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:40.059 and run 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.160 to him 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:43.720 but how 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:45.900 there's only one place 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:47.120 where God the Father 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.839 turned his back 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.279 on evil 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:50.460 and it was the evil 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.180 of our sin 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.680 and this 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:54.299 is why on the cross 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.720 Jesus bled 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:57.940 and he cried out 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:58.740 my God 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.440 my God 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.779 why have you 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.720 forsaken me 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:03.259 that's true justice 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.920 why have you 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.860 turned your back 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.360 on me 00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:06.819 God 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:08.939 it's a rhetorical 00:31:08.939 --> 00:31:09.500 question 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.599 it's because 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:11.319 of us 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:13.460 and it's for us 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.980 so that we could have 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.539 the blessing 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.179 that Peter 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:18.000 is speaking of 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.599 in these verses 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.480 to be adopted 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.480 as children of God 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.319 and then to invite 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.799 others into the family 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.859 who has access 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:25.539 at all the times 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.980 to the loving ear 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.639 of King Jesus 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:29.539 who always has access 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.339 to the power 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.159 of forgiveness 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:32.859 who has always 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.119 the future hope 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.519 of heaven 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.059 and eternity 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.379 who possesses 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.220 this knowledge 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:38.079 this power 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.079 and carries it around 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.799 in their bodies 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:41.660 the church 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:43.139 okay 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.500 those who have been 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.619 adopted as sons 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.139 and daughters 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.960 of the living God 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.559 through faith 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.559 in the sacrifice 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.079 of Jesus 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:50.480 and live this life 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:50.859 of freedom 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.480 in Christ 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:53.339 unity of mind 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.200 sympathy 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.259 brotherly love 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.940 tender heart 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.619 humble minds 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.619 can't lose 00:31:57.619 --> 00:31:58.519 the aroma 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.539 of God's grace 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.900 to a grace 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.440 and love 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.160 hungry world 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:03.220 and here's 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:04.480 why it matters 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:06.720 because the culture 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:09.200 is looking for 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.660 an alternative 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.259 to itself 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.820 not an echo 00:32:10.820 --> 00:32:11.340 of itself 00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:13.340 and a divided world 00:32:13.340 --> 00:32:14.480 needs a united church 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:16.040 you are the church 00:32:16.040 --> 00:32:17.680 that's you 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:20.120 remember your purpose 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:21.080 it's greater 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:21.759 than anything 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.860 you can conjure up 00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:23.480 on your own 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:25.180 if you are a child 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.740 of God 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:27.500 you are a uniter 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.380 of this world 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.160 in the name of Jesus 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:30.220 by taking him to him 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.940 these verses 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:32.740 aren't just about 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.460 being moral 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.100 they're not about 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.900 trying harder 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.539 they're not about 00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.240 doing better 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.019 they're about 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.960 remembering your 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.880 true identity 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.680 in Jesus 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:41.220 living stones 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.039 built on the 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:43.079 chief cornerstone 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.120 being built up 00:32:44.120 --> 00:32:44.920 to that spiritual 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.460 house 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.680 literal walking 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.380 temples of the 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.019 Holy Spirit 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.039 living stones 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.559 who are living 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.180 blessings 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.319 living stones 00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:51.700 who are the 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.559 children of God 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:54.059 and how we live 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.640 says something 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.319 really important 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.079 about dad 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:57.759 he knows 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.259 that when his 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.220 children get along 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.279 and treat one 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.140 another this way 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:02.579 other people want 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.059 to be in our 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.440 family 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:05.579 and it's so important 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:06.380 that we live this 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.539 way that he gave us 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:08.299 the Holy Spirit 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:09.100 the power of the 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:09.680 resurrection 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:11.539 to be able to 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.039 live this way 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:13.980 so the companionship 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.440 of Jesus 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:15.319 in every single 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.140 moment is available 00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:16.600 to you 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:18.079 the place where 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.819 we're supposed to 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.539 be safe and 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.339 practice all of 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.680 this 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:22.079 is right here 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:24.720 and this is 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.539 what the world 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.980 needs to experience 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.519 from us 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.220 how 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:30.299 they do it 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:30.779 through you 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:32.319 so 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.299 in closing 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:33.980 church 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.379 who are you 00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:36.779 I love this 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.000 quote 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.799 the church is a 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:39.099 beloved family 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:40.599 created by God 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.799 and redeemed by 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.339 the gospel 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:43.639 called to be the 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:44.660 primary means by 00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.819 which God shows 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:47.379 and tells his story 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.139 of redemption in 00:33:48.139 --> 00:33:48.420 Jesus 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.779 and he tells it 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:50.420 with your life 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:51.200 he tells it with 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:51.799 your wounds 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:53.220 he tells it with 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:54.079 all of the things 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:54.660 that he's made 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.319 you to be 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:56.740 and he's put 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.319 you uniquely 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.039 in one place 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.579 to go share 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.179 it with somebody 00:33:59.179 --> 00:33:59.559 else 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:01.579 so what do 00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:02.019 you do with 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.259 that 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:04.399 I challenge you 00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:05.460 to look inside 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:05.980 first 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:07.240 okay 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:08.759 where do you 00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:09.319 need to open 00:34:09.319 --> 00:34:09.880 the doors of 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.539 darkness in your 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.199 heart to God 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:11.819 today and let 00:34:11.819 --> 00:34:12.500 him walk around 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:14.420 okay 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.579 start there 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:17.199 so look inside 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:18.199 then look around 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.900 once you know 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:21.119 it's probably 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.500 going to be a 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.579 person that you 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:23.099 need to go do 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:23.659 something with 00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.659 make something 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.019 right 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.359 call somebody 00:34:26.359 --> 00:34:27.779 once you know 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:29.079 okay 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.940 go to that 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.359 person 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.579 if you need 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:31.879 help 00:34:31.879 --> 00:34:32.739 take somebody 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:33.179 with you 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.619 and when you 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:35.039 go to that 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.599 person you 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.319 have to seek 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:36.879 peace 00:34:36.879 --> 00:34:38.579 and sometimes 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.000 you have to 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.639 pursue it in 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:40.039 community 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.359 okay 00:34:40.359 --> 00:34:41.019 you don't have 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.440 to go it 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.819 alone 00:34:41.819 --> 00:34:43.000 we're living 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.799 stones right 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:44.179 and living 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:44.739 stones don't 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:45.259 just sit but 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.719 they hold one 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:46.319 another up 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:47.379 where two or 00:34:47.379 --> 00:34:47.679 more are 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:48.179 gathered there 00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:48.599 I am in 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.039 their midst 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:50.339 where do you 00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:51.079 need to go be 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:51.579 that living 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.339 blessing today 00:34:52.339 --> 00:34:53.559 in a relationship 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.139 in the same 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.559 way that 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:56.099 you would run 00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:57.059 after your dog 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:58.559 if he bolted 00:34:58.559 --> 00:34:59.099 out the door 00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.599 and ran into 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.019 traffic 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:02.380 don't expect 00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:03.119 peace to come 00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:03.579 to you 00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:04.579 when you 00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:04.880 whistle 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:07.139 it has to be 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.639 pursued 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:09.039 all right 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.880 and that may 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.480 require us 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:10.960 learning some 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.480 new habits 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:13.299 it's all about 00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:13.820 that freedom 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:14.380 of forgiveness 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.759 though 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:17.019 so look 00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.559 inside 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.500 look around 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.400 and then go 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.059 live a blessing 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:21.219 seek that 00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:21.619 peace 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.119 peace 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:22.719 it's all 00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:23.219 about that 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:23.579 freedom 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.759 and without 00:35:24.759 --> 00:35:25.259 your brothers 00:35:25.259 --> 00:35:25.799 or sisters 00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:27.019 you can't 00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:27.559 do it 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:28.400 okay 00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:28.980 you just 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:29.420 can't do 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:29.699 it 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:31.639 so by the 00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.039 power of the 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.639 Holy Spirit 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:32.980 though 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:35.319 at work in 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.279 us the church 00:35:36.279 --> 00:35:37.599 you can go 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.460 proclaim Jesus 00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:39.339 as alive to 00:35:39.339 --> 00:35:40.099 this whole world 00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:40.859 don't you want 00:35:40.859 --> 00:35:41.359 to do that 00:35:41.359 --> 00:35:43.000 let's go 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.599 proclaim him 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.159 as alive 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:45.539 because this 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:45.960 culture 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:47.159 is looking 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:49.319 for an 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:49.759 alternative 00:35:49.759 --> 00:35:50.539 to itself 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:52.199 not an 00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:52.559 echo 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.839 of itself 00:35:53.839 --> 00:35:55.359 a divided 00:35:55.359 --> 00:35:56.059 world needs 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:56.559 a united 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.079 church 00:35:57.079 --> 00:35:58.059 and you 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.399 are the 00:35:58.399 --> 00:35:58.819 church 00:35:58.819 --> 00:36:00.519 let's pray 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.440 father 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:03.139 on this 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:03.759 Palm Sunday 00:36:03.759 --> 00:36:06.379 I thank you 00:36:06.379 --> 00:36:07.019 father that you 00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:07.599 hold us 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.960 and that it 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.420 was your 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:09.940 palms 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.539 father 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.239 that held 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:11.679 the reins 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:11.960 of the 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.299 foal 00:36:12.299 --> 00:36:13.859 it was your 00:36:13.859 --> 00:36:14.460 palms that 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:14.960 washed the 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:15.379 feet of your 00:36:15.379 --> 00:36:15.859 disciples 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:17.840 and father 00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:19.519 it was your 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.539 palms that 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:20.860 were bound 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:21.140 to the 00:36:21.140 --> 00:36:21.539 cross 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:23.099 and lord 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.599 you've come 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.039 to save 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:24.380 us 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:24.980 you've come 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.380 to redeem 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:25.800 us 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:26.400 and you've 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:26.700 come to 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.079 make us 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:27.500 yours 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.340 and Jesus 00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:29.140 only you 00:36:29.140 --> 00:36:29.780 only you 00:36:29.780 --> 00:36:30.140 father 00:36:30.140 --> 00:36:31.039 can make 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:31.660 us 00:36:31.660 --> 00:36:32.880 slave 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.300 for these 00:36:33.300 --> 00:36:33.960 slaves of 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.400 sin and 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:34.760 fear and 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:35.140 despair 00:36:35.140 --> 00:36:36.039 into prisoners 00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:36.740 of hope 00:36:36.740 --> 00:36:37.579 lord 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.019 jesus 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:39.420 you have 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:39.980 you are 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.900 and you 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.440 will forever 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:42.079 continue to 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.420 do that 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:42.840 thank you 00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:43.220 lord for 00:36:43.220 --> 00:36:43.820 these words 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.140 and that 00:36:44.140 --> 00:36:44.500 prayer 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.460 those are 00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:45.820 not my 00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:46.199 words 00:36:46.199 --> 00:36:46.420 that 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:46.820 scotty 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.159 smith 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:47.539 wrote 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.159 and lord 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.619 i pray 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:49.139 that you 00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:49.519 would do 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:49.860 something 00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:50.400 magnificent 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:50.960 with this 00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.340 church 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:52.240 take us 00:36:52.240 --> 00:36:52.659 into this 00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:52.980 world 00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:53.679 and use 00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:54.300 us father 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:55.599 as those 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:56.220 blessings 00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:57.380 praise you 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:57.760 god 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.500 it's in the 00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:58.780 name of 00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.460 jesus i pray 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.340 amen 00:37:00.340 --> 00:37:04.139 for more 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.659 information 00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:05.460 visit us 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:06.360 online at 00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:07.260 southwood.org