WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.200 Well, good evening. As it's been said, we're continuing our series in 1 Peter, looking at the first 11 verses of chapter 4. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:22.339 I think it's a passage that has a lot to say to us and challenging to us as we think about how we live in the limited time that we have in our lives. 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:28.060 Our culture has a really strange relationship with death. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:31.959 On one hand, we hide away from it. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:45.460 I'm sure in most cultures, in most societies around the world and throughout history, it would be completely inconceivable that I could have got to this age without having ever seen a dead body. 00:00:47.239 --> 00:00:52.759 But on the other hand, it's also obsessed with the idea of morality. 00:00:52.759 --> 00:00:59.519 People make bucket lists. Lists of things to do before they kick the bucket. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:09.579 Publishers have jumped on the bandwagon with 1,001 whatever's to do, see, hear, visit before you die. 00:01:09.579 --> 00:01:17.939 And those of you who are a bit younger than me, tag all your posts with YOLO. 00:01:19.039 --> 00:01:20.879 You only live once. 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:30.719 It's something I was particularly conscious of towards the end of last year as I was heading towards my 40th birthday. 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:36.699 And sort of looking back and thinking about, yes, the things I'd achieved. 00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:42.780 But also possibly the opportunities that may have let pass by. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:49.480 So with that in mind, let's turn back to the passage that was read to us. 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:57.340 Be helpful to keep it in front of you because we're going to be jumping about a bit in it so you can see where we're going. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:01.980 And so you can confront me at the end if I completely misinterpret what it says there. 00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:10.819 Because in this passage, Peter talks about how the Christians should live. 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:13.340 But this is mixed through with why. 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:15.980 Why should they live this way? 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:17.500 Why does it matter? 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:24.659 As we read the passage, you may have spotted that's full of words giving reasons. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:29.359 In verse 1, therefore, since, because. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:31.780 Verse 2, as a result. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:33.340 Verse 3, for. 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:35.960 Verse 6, for this is the reason. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:37.079 So that. 00:02:37.479 --> 00:02:38.800 Verse 7, therefore. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:41.680 Verse 11, so that. 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:47.620 Peter wants to make sure that they are not just blindly following what he says. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:50.019 But that they understand why. 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:53.979 That they are not about legalistic rule keeping. 00:02:54.659 --> 00:02:59.659 But that they are about living, intelligent lives of thoughtful worship. 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:06.780 So I want us to take a first pass over the text looking at the reasons why that he gives. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:12.539 And then go back over it to look at how he says that we should live. 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:21.519 One of the reasons that Peter keeps repeating throughout the passage is that time is short. 00:03:22.519 --> 00:03:28.539 In verse 2, he talks about how the Christian lives the rest of their earthly lives. 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:37.799 And he carries on in verse 3 to say, you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:43.359 You have limited time and you've wasted enough of it already. 00:03:45.019 --> 00:03:48.239 Stop wasting time and get on with it. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:57.400 In verse 4, he compares the Christian life with the reckless, wild living of the people around. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:04.860 The phrase in some translations, in fact in the older version of the NIV on the pews, 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:07.160 translates it as dissipation. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:09.159 Essentially, waste. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:09.719 Waste. 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:11.139 Squandering. 00:04:11.859 --> 00:04:14.039 Just letting life run away. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:20.759 It's the same word that's used to describe how the prodigal son wasted his inheritance. 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:24.860 But he notes how that will be brought to an end. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:31.079 And they will have to give an account before God for this wasted life. 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:37.120 But then we get to verse 6, which says, 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:43.500 For this is the reason the gospel is preached, even to those who are now dead, 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:48.939 so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:53.060 but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 00:04:54.779 --> 00:04:58.219 When you first look at this, it's a confusing verse. 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:04.840 You wonder if this is going back to those tricky things that Thomas dealt with last week 00:05:04.840 --> 00:05:08.140 about imprisoned spirits and such like. 00:05:09.140 --> 00:05:14.040 But in the context, he has just talked about having to give an account to God. 00:05:15.380 --> 00:05:22.300 And so because of that, it's important that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, 00:05:22.840 --> 00:05:26.460 to those who have died since the gospel was first proclaimed, 00:05:26.459 --> 00:05:29.399 since Christ's death and resurrection. 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:34.060 In Peter's time, that would only be part of a generation. 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:39.120 Today, that is many, many generations. 00:05:40.919 --> 00:05:45.679 We and the world may judge them by human standards. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:49.919 We may see some of them as great men and women. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:53.520 We may see others of them as tyrants. 00:05:55.280 --> 00:06:02.140 But many of them we'll see as nobodies that have been completely forgotten to history. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:06.460 But that is not how God judges them. 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:09.300 He knows the heart. 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:15.700 And he will judge them on how they responded to the gospel that was preached to them. 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:19.659 And I think that's a key thing to point out here. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:24.039 This passage is not about how to live a good life to please God. 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:29.779 Instead, this whole letter is written to Christians. 00:06:30.599 --> 00:06:34.659 It's written to those who have accepted the free gift of salvation 00:06:34.659 --> 00:06:37.779 through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:44.579 It's written to teach them how to live in response to what has been done for them. 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:50.099 If that's not you, then that's the issue you need to be thinking about. 00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:55.859 But Peter doesn't just want to tell them that life is short. 00:06:57.639 --> 00:07:03.819 Because actually, he tells them that time is running out on a far more cosmic scale. 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:06.459 In verse 7, he writes, 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:09.459 The end of all things is near. 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:14.980 In his second letter, he repeats this idea again, saying, 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:18.699 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:22.079 what kind of people ought you to be? 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.060 Even at that time, people were questioning, 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:29.920 Will this really happen? 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:33.480 Would Christ truly return? 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:36.180 They'd waited several years. 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:37.839 Decades even. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:42.879 But Peter insists that the end is near. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:47.939 And if that was true in around 65 AD, 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:52.699 how much more true must it be in 2020? 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:59.120 So it's not just our individual lives that are short. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:04.480 But history itself is rapidly heading towards that day 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.040 when God will say, 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:07.560 Enough is enough. 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:11.899 When he will bring all things to an end. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.840 When, as we thought about this morning, 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:17.439 he will bring all the earth to justice. 00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:22.019 And we'll usher in new heavens and new earth. 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:26.759 So Peter wants us to know that time is short. 00:08:28.159 --> 00:08:29.079 But so what? 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.439 The world understands that. 00:08:33.699 --> 00:08:35.639 We know there is limited time, 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:38.779 but why does it matter what we do with that time? 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:43.059 Peter bookends this passage with two reasons. 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:46.839 Right at the beginning, in verse 1, we read, 00:08:47.459 --> 00:08:51.039 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body. 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.939 Immediately we see he starts, 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:54.319 Therefore. 00:08:55.319 --> 00:08:57.360 This is not a standalone passage. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:00.980 He's continuing the argument that he's been going through 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:02.100 in the previous passages. 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:05.639 In particular, I think this is a reference back to 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:07.940 verse 18 of chapter 3, 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.720 which says, 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:12.879 Christ suffered once for sins, 00:09:13.540 --> 00:09:15.860 the righteous for the unrighteous, 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:17.759 to bring you to God. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:22.659 If Christ suffered for our sins, 00:09:23.060 --> 00:09:24.180 to bring us to God. 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:26.960 If, as we read back in chapter 1, 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:29.560 we were redeemed by something as valuable 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:31.120 as the blood of Christ. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:34.460 Then, we are under an obligation 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:37.820 to live in response to this. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:41.600 Our lives are not our own. 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:44.899 And so how we live matters. 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:48.420 But he then finishes the section, 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:50.000 in verse 11, 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:51.700 with the ultimate reason. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.040 The reason that we, 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:55.860 and in fact all of creation, 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:57.000 exist for. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:59.300 So that, 00:09:59.299 --> 00:10:00.979 in all things, 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.740 God may be praised 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:04.159 through Jesus Christ. 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:06.679 To him be the glory 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:07.719 and the power 00:10:07.719 --> 00:10:09.199 forever and ever. 00:10:09.839 --> 00:10:10.219 Amen. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:13.259 It's not about us. 00:10:14.359 --> 00:10:16.120 It's not about us 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:17.079 feeling fulfilled. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:19.359 It's not about us achieving. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:23.019 It's not even about what we do for others. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:25.060 Although, as we'll see later, 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:25.940 that is important. 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:29.019 As the Catechism says, 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.919 and probably the only line of it I know, 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:33.139 man's chief end 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.860 is to glorify God 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:36.680 and enjoy him 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:37.340 forever. 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:37.460 forever. 00:10:39.060 --> 00:10:40.420 So how we use 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:41.639 our limited time 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:42.320 is important 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:43.980 because Christ 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:44.960 has died for us. 00:10:45.660 --> 00:10:46.160 Because 00:10:46.160 --> 00:10:47.600 we have been redeemed. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:48.860 And because 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.700 we were made 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:51.060 for an amazing purpose. 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:52.399 To bring glory 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:53.360 to God. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.580 So then, 00:10:58.580 --> 00:11:00.399 having thought of the reasons 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.700 of our limited time, 00:11:03.660 --> 00:11:04.940 of the great price 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:05.560 that has been paid 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:06.379 to redeem us, 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:08.659 what does Peter say 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:10.639 about how we should live? 00:11:10.699 --> 00:11:11.379 About what 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.339 we should do? 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:16.299 We see back in verse 1, 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.719 he talks about suffering. 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:21.500 It's a major subject 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.859 of his letter 00:11:22.859 --> 00:11:24.819 and one that will be dealt with 00:11:24.819 --> 00:11:26.739 far more fully next week. 00:11:27.739 --> 00:11:28.839 But primarily, 00:11:29.479 --> 00:11:30.339 he says 00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:32.259 that just as Christ 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:33.859 was willing to suffer for us, 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:36.240 we should be willing 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:37.700 to suffer for him. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.539 He goes on to say, 00:11:41.180 --> 00:11:42.700 whoever suffers 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:43.539 in the body 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:45.440 is finished with sin. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:48.539 Obviously, 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.480 suffering for Christ 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:52.340 does not bring about 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.139 moral perfection 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:53.899 in this life. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.800 So what on earth 00:11:55.800 --> 00:11:56.320 does he mean? 00:11:57.920 --> 00:11:59.360 I think he's saying here 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:01.340 that if we're willing 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.500 to suffer for Christ, 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.060 it demonstrates 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:04.820 that we are 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.899 no longer living 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:06.700 for the desires 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:07.360 of the flesh. 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.899 If what is driving us 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.899 is what feels good, 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.580 then of course 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.860 we will not be willing 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.379 to suffer. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.560 Everything in us 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:16.519 will flee from it. 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:18.700 If we are willing 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:19.220 to suffer, 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.840 it shows that something 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:21.899 has changed. 00:12:23.660 --> 00:12:24.440 We will 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:25.639 still fail. 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:28.159 We will still stumble 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.220 and fall 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.360 again 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.419 and again. 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.139 But that's 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:33.779 no longer 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.120 what defines us. 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:37.500 Last week, 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.139 we were reminded 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:38.899 about how 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.419 baptism demonstrates 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:40.980 the fact 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.559 that our old self 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:44.220 has been put to death 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:45.659 and that we have been 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:46.139 raised 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:47.379 to new life 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.340 in Christ. 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.240 But in Romans 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.679 chapters 5 to 8 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:53.259 that we studied 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:53.919 last year, 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:56.279 Paul discusses 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:56.959 the complexity 00:12:56.959 --> 00:12:57.899 of all of this. 00:12:59.219 --> 00:12:59.659 Yes, 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:01.860 we have been made 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:03.059 alive in Christ, 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.740 but we still 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.479 must daily 00:13:05.479 --> 00:13:06.699 put to death 00:13:06.699 --> 00:13:07.439 the deeds 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.459 of our sinful nature. 00:13:10.459 --> 00:13:11.199 I think 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:11.699 what Peter 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.459 is saying here 00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:12.979 is that 00:13:12.979 --> 00:13:15.299 if we are willing 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:15.839 to suffer 00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:16.559 for Christ, 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.379 it shows that sin 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:18.980 is no longer 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.839 our identity. 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.539 It's no longer 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.919 what defines 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:24.059 who we are. 00:13:25.959 --> 00:13:26.839 He continues 00:13:26.839 --> 00:13:27.819 this in verse 2, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:28.759 writing that we 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.279 should not be 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:29.839 living for 00:13:29.839 --> 00:13:31.039 evil earthly 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:31.620 desires. 00:13:32.719 --> 00:13:33.399 We're really 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:34.259 not sure why 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:34.799 the NIV 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:35.360 chose to 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:35.839 translate it 00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:36.199 that way, 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.240 because almost 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.819 every other 00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:39.339 translation 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:40.479 just talks 00:13:40.479 --> 00:13:41.500 about human 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.219 desires. 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:42.340 desires. 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.700 I think 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.279 what Peter 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.800 says 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:47.080 is true 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:47.399 whether 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:47.700 these 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:48.200 desires 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:48.800 are evil 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:49.700 or not. 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.440 What drives 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:51.779 us should 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:52.279 not just 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.060 be what 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:53.620 feels good, 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:54.720 what our 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.560 bodies want. 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.440 Some of the 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:57.920 things we 00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:58.440 long for 00:13:58.440 --> 00:13:59.560 may be good 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:00.220 in themselves, 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:02.940 but they are 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.860 not what 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.620 life is about. 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:06.120 We are made 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.940 for far more 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:07.899 than that. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:10.259 rather than 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:10.740 our lives 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.699 being driven 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.279 by our own 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:12.819 desires, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.639 our own 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.139 ideas, 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.319 our plans, 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:15.860 our own 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.279 wisdom, 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.019 Peter says 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.519 we should be 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.120 seeking to 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.319 live for 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:20.840 the will 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.480 of God. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:23.879 When we 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.419 make the big 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.120 decisions in 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.439 life, 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.480 or when we 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:26.779 make the 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.399 small ones, 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.139 when we 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.120 choose what 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:30.620 career to 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:30.939 follow, 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.220 where to 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:32.539 live, 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.500 or how to 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.139 respond to 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:35.679 the person 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.539 that's just 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.099 said something 00:14:37.099 --> 00:14:37.679 that really 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:38.319 annoyed you? 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.819 Are we 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:41.819 just trying 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.299 to do 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.299 what feels 00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:43.579 good, 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.500 what feels 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:44.859 right, 00:14:45.459 --> 00:14:46.439 or are we 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:47.419 seeking to 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.419 know and 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.459 learn what 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:49.719 would be 00:14:49.719 --> 00:14:50.479 honouring to 00:14:50.479 --> 00:14:50.799 God? 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.739 He goes on 00:14:53.739 --> 00:14:54.500 in verse 4 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.299 to talk about 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:56.739 how we should 00:14:56.739 --> 00:14:57.519 not be 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:57.759 living. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.099 I think the 00:15:00.099 --> 00:15:00.859 key idea that 00:15:00.859 --> 00:15:01.939 links all of 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:02.419 these things 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.859 together is 00:15:03.859 --> 00:15:04.599 losing control. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.699 being carried 00:15:06.699 --> 00:15:07.500 along by our 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:07.899 feelings, 00:15:08.439 --> 00:15:09.319 our fantasies, 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.279 by losing 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.219 our inhibitions. 00:15:12.719 --> 00:15:13.719 But probably 00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:14.299 one of the 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.219 least popular 00:15:15.219 --> 00:15:16.239 parts of the 00:15:16.239 --> 00:15:16.679 fruit of the 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:18.219 spirit is 00:15:18.219 --> 00:15:19.039 self-control. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.219 We should 00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.419 not be 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:22.959 losing our 00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:24.459 inhibitions to 00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:25.019 alcohol, 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.039 good though it 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:26.659 may be in 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.120 moderation, 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.399 or allowing 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.039 ourselves to be 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.500 controlled by 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.399 anything else. 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.620 But instead, 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.699 we should be 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:36.080 seeking to be 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.180 led by the 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:37.440 spirit. 00:15:39.520 --> 00:15:40.259 This may 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:40.900 make us not 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:42.040 fit in with 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:42.379 the world 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.040 around us. 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.720 Like Noah, 00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:45.259 who we thought 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.140 about this 00:15:46.140 --> 00:15:46.500 morning, 00:15:47.040 --> 00:15:47.620 we are 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.400 sometimes called 00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:49.160 to go against 00:15:49.160 --> 00:15:49.660 the flow. 00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:52.000 Some people 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.580 we meet 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.840 may be 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:54.300 curious. 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.400 Some may 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:56.780 mock, 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.020 as they can't 00:15:58.020 --> 00:15:59.600 understand why 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.480 we don't want 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.520 to live the 00:16:01.520 --> 00:16:02.020 same way as 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.419 they do. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.480 But we 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.439 know why 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.039 it's important. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.720 We know 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.600 what we have 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:08.980 been made 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.259 for. 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.659 We know 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.480 that we 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:11.779 have been 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.120 redeemed. 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:15.279 So Peter 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:16.139 then goes on 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.039 to detail 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.659 some of the 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.539 positive things 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.179 that we 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:19.620 should do. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.360 In particular, 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.500 how we should 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.379 respond to the 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:23.899 fact that 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.379 there's so 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.019 little time. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.120 And they're 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.240 not necessarily 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.419 the things 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:29.740 that we 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.019 would 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.680 automatically 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.899 put top 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.180 of the 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:32.519 list. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.759 Maybe 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.799 sort of 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.320 naturally, 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.120 he starts 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:38.560 in verse 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:38.960 seven 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:41.620 by calling 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.860 us to 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.580 be alert 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.200 and of 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.100 sober mind 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.299 so that 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:46.680 we can 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:46.960 pray. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.220 It's 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:49.659 interesting 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.180 because so 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:50.560 often we 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:50.919 think of 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:51.980 prayer as 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.299 a means 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.600 to an 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:52.899 end, 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.240 of a way 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.000 of achieving 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.519 something. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:57.779 even if 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.639 that thing 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:58.879 that we're 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.240 trying to 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.740 achieve is 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.199 just a 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:00.759 closer 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.299 relationship 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:01.939 with God. 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.740 But Peter 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.700 here sees 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.019 prayer as 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.319 an end 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:06.879 in itself. 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:09.859 Because 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.720 prayer shouldn't 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.279 be something 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.279 that we 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.720 fit into 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.339 the gaps, 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.379 as so 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.000 often I'm 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.500 inclined to 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:16.700 do. 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.579 I think 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.420 possibly many 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.099 of us 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.579 rebel 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.639 against the 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:23.960 sort of 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.599 perceived 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.500 legalism of 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:27.339 fixed daily 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.180 quiet times 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.440 and think 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.059 that somehow 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.220 spontaneity 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.380 is more 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:32.920 spiritual. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.519 But what 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.180 Peter's telling 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:36.700 us here 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.480 is to 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.000 shape our 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.720 whole lives 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:40.299 in such 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.740 a way 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.279 as to 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:41.579 enable 00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:42.019 prayer. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.299 That's 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.599 what we 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.000 should be 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:47.160 fitting 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.579 everything 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:47.980 else 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.400 round, 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.700 not fitting 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.359 it into 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:50.880 the gaps. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.559 We may 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.259 think that 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.200 we're too 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.380 busy to 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:56.759 dedicate 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.380 much time 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:57.840 to prayer. 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.319 But Peter, 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.600 in light of 00:18:01.600 --> 00:18:02.140 the fact 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.140 that we 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:03.519 have so 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.240 little time, 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.680 puts living 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.220 a life of 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.000 prayer as 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.420 his top 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.000 priority. 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.039 It should 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.360 be the 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:11.660 central focus 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.000 of our 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.400 lives. 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.720 But then 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.120 the next 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:16.539 thing he 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.440 prioritizes 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.460 in verse 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:20.019 eight is 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.779 living in 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.240 community. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.039 He tells 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.399 us to 00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.139 put loving 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.740 each other 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:26.180 above all. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.099 And not 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:28.619 just loving 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.059 each other, 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:29.819 but loving 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.359 each other 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.180 deeply. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.660 This should 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.099 not just 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.079 be a 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:35.339 passing 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.680 concern for 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.019 a brother 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.579 or sister, 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.139 but an 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:39.859 intense, 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:40.720 deep, 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.759 sacrificial 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.240 love, 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.619 a willingness 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.099 to put 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.599 ourselves 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.819 out for 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.339 the benefit 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.319 of our 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.679 brothers. 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.480 And the 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:50.959 reason he 00:18:50.959 --> 00:18:52.139 gives is 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:52.339 quite 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:52.799 interesting. 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.159 Because love 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:56.659 covers a 00:18:56.659 --> 00:18:57.919 multitude of 00:18:57.919 --> 00:18:58.319 sins. 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.899 He's not 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:01.519 saying here 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.539 that love 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.599 is salvific, 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.079 that it's a 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.480 means to 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.319 gain salvation. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.419 That is 00:19:07.419 --> 00:19:08.480 only available 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.519 as a free 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.000 gift from 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.299 God. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.000 But what he 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.399 is saying 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.159 here is 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:13.559 that in our 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.079 relationships 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.000 with one 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.419 another, 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.420 as we 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.840 try and 00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:17.300 live as 00:19:17.300 --> 00:19:17.800 best as 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.400 we can 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.000 as a 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.480 community 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.160 of broken 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:20.640 people, 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.580 we will 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:24.140 sin against 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.759 one another. 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.660 And it's 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.220 only if we 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.840 have that 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.500 sort of 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.820 love that 00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:30.259 we will 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.980 be able 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.600 to forgive, 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.960 that we 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.740 will be 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.220 able to 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:35.860 put aside 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.720 our grievances 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.940 and keep 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.620 seeking the 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.820 best for 00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:40.320 those who 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:40.759 have wronged 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.060 us, 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.680 knowing that 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.560 we likewise 00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:45.039 need forgiven 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.039 for the 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.539 way we 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.099 through our 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:47.420 own 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.359 selfishness, 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.559 arrogance, 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.079 pride, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.539 and just 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.119 general 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.759 carelessness 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:55.339 hurt those 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:56.099 around us. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.379 To go 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:00.139 perhaps slightly 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:00.700 off-piste, 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.299 on Friday 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:05.539 many, 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.599 many cards 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.539 and gifts 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.539 were given 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.480 in the name 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.920 of love. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:12.300 many romantic 00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:13.240 words were 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.580 spoken, 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.519 and I 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:15.900 don't want 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.400 to belittle 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.140 the importance 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.539 of that 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:17.860 for a 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:18.120 moment. 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.220 But this 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.560 morning, 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.539 I saw 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:22.860 something 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.259 different. 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.100 I watched 00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.560 as a few 00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:26.920 rose in 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:27.320 front of 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:27.519 me. 00:20:28.560 --> 00:20:28.759 John 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.200 Cameron 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.000 put his 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.360 arm 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:31.160 round his 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.380 wife, 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:31.640 Rose 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:31.840 Marie, 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:32.620 and helped 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:32.920 her to 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.460 stand up. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.920 That is 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.200 love. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:37.759 The love 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.120 that is 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:39.019 there through 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.519 thick and 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:39.779 thin. 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.900 the love 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.220 that is 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.039 there when 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.580 it hurts. 00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:44.440 And that 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.120 is the 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:45.800 love that 00:20:45.800 --> 00:20:46.019 we are 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.460 called to. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.740 In 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.340 verse 9, 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:53.200 he teaches 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.500 us to 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.759 offer 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.400 hospitality 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.720 to one 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.039 another. 00:20:58.620 --> 00:20:59.240 And he 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.759 goes on to 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.140 say that we 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.440 should do 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.640 this without 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.500 grumbling. 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:04.720 I think 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.220 all of us 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.820 appreciate 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.360 generous 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:06.920 hospitality, 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.019 and we 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.400 often 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.299 aspire to 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.539 it, 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.779 but then 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.460 allow other 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.940 things to 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.220 get in 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.559 the road. 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.619 Whether it 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.000 is being 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.339 too worried 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.859 about having 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.559 to impress 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:20.940 with our 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.400 homes, 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.420 or our 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.720 culinary 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.420 abilities, 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:25.319 or just 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.759 being too 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.299 keen to 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.299 keep our 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.119 own space, 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.059 and not 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.359 wanting 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:30.879 others 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.839 intruding 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.459 on it. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.119 Recently, 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.439 I had a 00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:38.679 friend asking 00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:39.099 if one of 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.779 their friends 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.439 could stay 00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:40.939 with me for 00:21:40.939 --> 00:21:41.399 the weekend. 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.459 I must 00:21:44.459 --> 00:21:45.839 admit that 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.099 when I 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:46.439 initially 00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:46.959 asked, 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.799 it took a 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.259 while to 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.659 respond. 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:51.980 If I 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.139 had been 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:52.500 my friend 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.959 himself, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:53.839 yes, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.319 I'd have 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:54.559 dropped 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.099 everything 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.939 immediately, 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.379 and welcomed 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.220 the opportunity 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.019 to spend 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.480 time with 00:21:59.480 --> 00:21:59.619 him. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:01.639 But, 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.920 I felt 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.240 this would 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.480 be an 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:04.879 intrusion. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.819 I'd had a 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.420 hectic week. 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.579 I just 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.000 wanted to 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.440 be able to 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.119 collapse in 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.480 a heap, 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:11.680 and not 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.200 worry about 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.039 anyone else. 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.240 To be 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:15.500 honest, 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:15.759 it was 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.099 partly 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.759 studying this 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.359 passage at 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.819 the time 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:20.119 that persuaded 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:20.599 me that I 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:20.859 should be 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.099 willing. 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:22.819 And, 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.299 to be honest, 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:23.680 he was no 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.139 problem at 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.379 all. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:25.740 And I've 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.160 welcomed him 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:26.660 back several 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.400 times when he's 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:27.900 here tonight. 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:31.560 So, 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:31.780 yeah, 00:22:32.060 --> 00:22:32.240 but, 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.720 I've 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.280 experienced 00:22:34.280 --> 00:22:35.840 two great 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:37.040 examples of 00:22:37.040 --> 00:22:37.840 hospitality in 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.280 my life. 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.320 Before coming 00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:41.960 to Brunsfield, 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.340 I lived and 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:43.840 worked for 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:44.720 about a 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.100 year and a 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.100 bit down 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:46.620 in Guernsey. 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:48.660 I went 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.280 along to 00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:50.060 a small 00:22:50.060 --> 00:22:50.600 gospel hall 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:50.840 there. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.240 There was 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.019 only about 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.700 15 to 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.360 20 people, 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:55.780 and there 00:22:55.780 --> 00:22:56.360 were many 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:57.060 things that I 00:22:57.060 --> 00:22:57.320 would have 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:58.099 happily changed. 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.539 But one 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.240 thing they 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.759 got right 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.700 was their 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.019 welcome. 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.839 I was 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.919 really made 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.279 to feel 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.659 part of 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.139 the family 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.879 right from 00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.299 the beginning. 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.000 I was 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.079 fed four 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.500 nights a 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.779 week, 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.960 every week, 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:13.579 for the 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:13.960 year and a 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.359 bit I was 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:14.639 there. 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:16.599 For a 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.179 young man 00:23:17.179 --> 00:23:17.740 away from 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.179 home for 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:18.539 the first 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.500 time in 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:19.879 a strange 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.319 place, 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.720 that was 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.079 amazing. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:26.500 second was 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.099 a woman who 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.539 used to be 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.159 in Brunsfield, 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.439 Sheila 00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:29.939 McBride. 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.079 Many of 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.460 you will 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:32.779 have known 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:34.240 her, but 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.819 it's amazing 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.879 how many 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.279 of you 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.399 never met 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:37.639 her. 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:38.839 In fact, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:39.980 some of 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.220 you may 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.579 not even 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:40.899 know her 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.099 name. 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.559 She was a 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.699 fairly quiet, 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.679 unassuming 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:47.379 woman who 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:48.000 lived alone 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.619 just across 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.059 the road from 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.480 the church, 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:51.700 where many 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.419 people say, 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.599 oh, drop 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.059 in at any 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.379 time. 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.779 Sheila 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.319 meant it. 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.059 Her door 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.599 was always 00:23:58.599 --> 00:24:00.279 open at 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.940 any time 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.679 of day 00:24:01.679 --> 00:24:02.419 or night. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.539 As students, 00:24:04.679 --> 00:24:04.919 we'd be 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.700 frequently there 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.619 for a Sunday 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:08.799 lunch, and 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.460 it was always 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.839 full three 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:13.859 courses, the 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.779 full Sunday 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:16.220 roast, all 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.859 the trimmings, 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:19.119 and we 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.559 were gathered 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.099 there around 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.899 huge dining 00:24:20.899 --> 00:24:21.919 table, and 00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:22.500 another table 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.019 set up in 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.339 the corner 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:23.859 to take the 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.219 overflow. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.979 She frequently 00:24:26.979 --> 00:24:28.359 had one or 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.939 more guests 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:29.459 staying with 00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:30.859 her, even 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.439 sometimes when 00:24:31.439 --> 00:24:31.879 she wasn't 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.259 even there 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.639 herself. 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:35.019 I remember 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.719 one time 00:24:35.719 --> 00:24:36.799 turning up 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.279 at her 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.859 door at 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.519 about half 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:38.879 ten at 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.279 night. 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.399 I've locked 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:41.899 myself out 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.619 my flat, 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.159 and my 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:43.619 flatmate's 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.139 not back 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:44.959 till tomorrow. 00:24:45.479 --> 00:24:45.759 Do you have 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.199 a bed for 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:46.619 the night? 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:48.479 And 00:24:48.479 --> 00:24:49.339 unquestioningly, 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.039 I was 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.759 welcomed in. 00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:53.199 We sat 00:24:53.199 --> 00:24:53.959 and talked 00:24:53.959 --> 00:24:55.099 for several 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:57.439 hours, and 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:58.159 before heading 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.740 off to bed. 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.859 When at 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.339 the end she 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:02.939 was seriously 00:25:02.939 --> 00:25:04.359 ill, it 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.939 was announced 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:05.959 that visiting 00:25:05.959 --> 00:25:06.799 was for 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.579 family and 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.459 close friends 00:25:08.459 --> 00:25:08.859 only. 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:10.659 But they 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:11.240 discovered a 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.799 slight problem. 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.000 There was an 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.659 awful lot of 00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:15.839 people who 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.240 considered 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.180 they were 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.200 close friends. 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.620 When John 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.500 Gemmel, our 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.240 previous pastor, 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.140 first came to 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:23.660 Brunsfield, 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.519 probably about a 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.000 year after 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.660 Sheila's death, 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.500 he made a 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.079 point of meeting 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.599 up with as 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.299 many people in 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.759 the church as 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.839 possible and 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.359 talking to 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.259 them about 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.859 the church. 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.880 And he 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.960 commented that 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.140 almost everyone 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.200 he spoke to 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:41.120 mentioned the 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:42.039 huge influence 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.799 that Sheila had 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.799 had on the 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.299 life of the 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.619 church. 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.460 And so 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:50.740 finally, in 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.460 verses 10 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.099 and 11, 00:25:53.639 --> 00:25:54.220 Peter teaches 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.940 us to use 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:56.339 all of the 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:57.519 gifts that 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.099 God has given 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:58.859 us to serve 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.299 others. 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.700 For some 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.740 of us, like 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.740 Sheila, that 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.339 gift may be 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.319 going way above 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.779 and beyond 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:07.200 expectations in 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.740 hospitality. 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:10.440 For others, it 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.900 may be a 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.839 great ability 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.779 to get 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:14.180 alongside those 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.720 who do not 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.400 yet believe 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.799 and share the 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.440 gospel with 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.019 them in a way 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.900 that they can 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.440 relate to. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.960 For others, it 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.859 may be being 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.539 great at 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.500 encouraging those 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.799 around you to 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.839 keep on in 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.279 their Christian 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:31.319 faith, to 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:33.380 listen to their 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.640 struggles, their 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:36.259 difficulties, their 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.620 doubts, to 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.599 offer wise, 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.119 godly advice. 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.679 For others, you 00:26:42.679 --> 00:26:44.039 may be those 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.639 people whose 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.859 life is defined 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:47.739 by prayer, who 00:26:47.739 --> 00:26:48.659 spend much time 00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:50.399 alone interceding 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.139 for brothers and 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:52.319 sisters around 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.839 the world. 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.500 We're told to 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:58.259 do whatever we 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.879 do as 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.039 faithful stewards, 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.819 recognizing that 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.319 God has 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.699 graciously given 00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:05.619 us these 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:07.299 gifts, not to 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.839 use for our 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.599 own benefits, 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.980 but for that 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.500 of others. 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.680 He specifically 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:16.099 focuses down 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:16.879 in verse 11 00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:19.039 on anyone who 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.500 speaks. 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.079 That's 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.680 particularly 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.500 humbling when 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.440 in this position. 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:24.500 conversation. 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:27.940 But I don't 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.640 think it just 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:30.039 means in this 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.960 context, but 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:33.160 whenever we 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.240 speak of God 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.420 and his word, 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:38.360 in public, in 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:39.920 small groups, in 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:42.220 our homes, one-to-one, 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:44.279 in any of these 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:46.400 situations, we have 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.660 to make sure that 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.440 we are not saying 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.539 what we want to 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:51.900 say, or what we 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.360 think our 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.580 hearers want to 00:27:53.580 --> 00:27:55.540 hear, but that 00:27:55.540 --> 00:27:57.140 we're trying as 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:57.740 much as we are 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.720 able to keep 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:00.100 faithful to God's 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:01.660 word and to 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.840 allow him to 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.920 speak through 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.320 us. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.900 But of 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.460 whatever we 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:09.920 say, whatever 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:12.100 we do, however 00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:13.980 we serve, Peter 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.880 reminds us in 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.360 verse 11, 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:18.379 that we cannot 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.939 do it by our 00:28:19.939 --> 00:28:20.639 own strength. 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.799 We can't 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.000 love as we 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.339 need to. 00:28:25.459 --> 00:28:26.459 We can't 00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.399 share hospitality 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.219 as we should. 00:28:29.219 --> 00:28:30.179 We can't 00:28:30.179 --> 00:28:30.799 speak the right 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.919 words in the 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.839 right way at 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.599 the right time 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.519 by our own 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:34.979 strength. 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:37.299 Instead, we 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.559 must do 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:40.000 everything relying 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.039 on the strength 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.559 that God 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.899 provides to 00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:43.179 us. 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:46.720 And so as 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.180 we draw to 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:48.920 an end, we've 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:50.019 seen that Peter 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.100 agrees with the 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:52.700 slogan, you 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.480 only live 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.080 once. 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:56.539 As C.T. 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.840 Stud, the 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.740 English international 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.080 cricketer who 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.900 gave up a life 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.940 of fame and 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:03.320 fortune to go 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:03.820 as a missionary 00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:04.759 to China and 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:06.160 beyond, famously 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.840 wrote, only 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.580 one life 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:10.200 will soon be 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.660 passed. 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.500 Only what's 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.039 done for 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.399 Christ will 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:14.960 last. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.399 It doesn't 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.619 matter if you 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.399 visit all 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:21.079 1001 buildings 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.579 and have only 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.740 managed 108 on 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.279 the list so 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:24.500 far. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.859 Watch all 1001 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.659 films or 00:29:27.659 --> 00:29:28.379 whatever. 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.759 Ultimately, at 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.700 the end, it 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.480 doesn't matter. 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.579 Do you want to 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.559 be remembered at 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:37.000 your funeral by 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.659 those who knew 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:39.079 you for having 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:40.099 done all the 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.920 amazing things on 00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:41.259 your bucket 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.579 list? 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:44.439 Or do you 00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:45.139 want to stand 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:45.679 before the 00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:46.339 throne of God 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:48.319 after a life of 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.159 service to him 00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:50.220 and hear the 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.359 words, well 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:53.039 done, good and 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:54.079 faithful servant? 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:57.879 for some, like 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.859 Sheila, our 00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.639 lives may be cut 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.059 short by 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.419 illness. 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:03.319 For others, like 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.119 her father who's 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:05.259 commemorated the 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.779 plaque on the 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:07.559 back pew, we 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.240 may live past 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.539 100. 00:30:09.939 --> 00:30:11.679 Either way, time 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:12.159 is limited. 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.339 So what we do 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.279 for Christ 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:15.980 matters. 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:16.079 others. 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.180 I'd like to 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:21.500 finish with the 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:21.960 words of a 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.019 hymn that were 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.700 quoted at my 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.339 gran's funeral. 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.799 Don't remember 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.019 much else of it. 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.000 It was quite a 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.900 long time ago, but 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:30.039 this stuck with 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:31.120 me, and I hope 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.940 it's a challenge 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.799 to all of us. 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.900 We bear the 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:37.000 torch that 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.799 flaming fell 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.680 from the hands 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:41.000 of those who 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.460 gave their 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.799 lives proclaiming 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.740 that Jesus 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.220 died and 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:45.640 rose. 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.839 Ours is 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.339 the same 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:50.120 commission, the 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:50.900 same glad 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.859 message ours, 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.960 fired by the 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.620 same ambition. 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.359 To you we 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.000 yield our 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.500 powers. 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.200 O 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.480 Father who 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.000 sustained 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.579 them, O 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.220 Spirit who 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.880 inspired, 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.359 Saviour whose 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.299 love constrained 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.620 them to toil 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.359 with zeal 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:09.140 untired. 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.339 From 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.160 cowardice 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.700 defend us, 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:14.460 from lethargy 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:16.799 awake, forth 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.779 on your errands 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:19.160 send us to 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.880 labour for 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.779 your sake. 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:21.759 Amen.