WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.839 Thanks very much, Connor. We'll have your Bibles open to 1 Peter while I sit up here. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.159 Thank you, Connor, for leading. 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:49.280 Just to say that on the table at the back as you came in, there's a little container. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:55.960 It says the Court Kerry Project, and in your news sheet as well, there's a little notice about that. 00:00:55.960 --> 00:01:01.020 And so we made last week and this week an opportunity to give to that work. 00:01:01.160 --> 00:01:08.760 If you still want to be able to do that and you weren't able to do it last week, then please avail of that opportunity today. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:23.219 Well, we've already prayed, so let's look at this section in 1 Peter, chapter 1. 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:33.459 The true story of Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee has captured the minds and hearts of thousands of people. 00:01:34.299 --> 00:01:43.759 For those who don't know, Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee are brothers who race and compete against each other in the triathlon. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:50.560 In their most recent race, Jonathan, the younger brother, was leading. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:57.120 And as the race was reaching its conclusion, it was obvious that no one was going to catch him. 00:01:58.340 --> 00:02:03.320 But with about 100 metres to go, Jonathan was overcome with exhaustion. 00:02:04.100 --> 00:02:10.240 He could barely stand, never mind run, wobbling from side to side. 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:14.340 Coming in second was his brother Alistair. 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:15.340 Alistair. 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:20.719 But instead of running past him to claim first spot, he stopped. 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:23.960 He put his arm around his brother. 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:33.759 And while another competitor ran past, he literally hauled his brother to the finish and pushed him over the line. 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:42.240 Alistair sacrificed himself to help his brother finish the race. 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:45.920 That's brotherly love. 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:53.400 Now, if we are Christians, we are to show this same brotherly love to one another. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:55.219 Look at verse 22. 00:02:55.219 --> 00:03:08.139 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth, so that you have sincere love for your brothers and sisters, 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:13.860 love one another deeply from the heart. 00:03:13.860 --> 00:03:23.900 You see, the big theme of 1 Peter is that to live as a Christian in this world is really tough. 00:03:24.920 --> 00:03:32.380 It's like we're strangers, outsiders, unwanted, pushed out, ostracised. 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:44.099 If we speak Christian truth, if we stand for Christian values, it means we will face opposition and at times persecution. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:55.819 And when we face that kind of pressure, the temptation is to just give up for an easier kind of life. 00:03:55.819 --> 00:04:02.239 That's why we need the support and the encouragement of brotherly love. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:12.019 The church, God's family, is that strong supporting arm that carries us along when life gets tough. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:19.539 It is the support that we need that will get us from this life to our eternal life. 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:24.780 So let's see how we are to love God's family. 00:04:26.020 --> 00:04:30.840 First, we are set apart to love each other. 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:33.620 Set apart to love each other. 00:04:33.700 --> 00:04:34.439 Verse 22. 00:04:36.200 --> 00:04:41.100 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:47.300 Purified in this context is to be made clean for a purpose. 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:55.900 When Kirsty and I travelled through Central America years ago, we had to take with us little puri tabs. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:04:59.280 You might have had to do the same if you've been overseas. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:07.180 Because the water is so dirty, you just drop in a couple of puri tabs and it cleanses the water. 00:05:08.259 --> 00:05:10.780 Tastes like bleach, but it's still clean. 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:13.180 It becomes purposeful again. 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:14.480 You could drink it. 00:05:14.540 --> 00:05:15.600 You could cook with it. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:21.560 Now if we're Christians, followers of the Lord Jesus, we are made pure. 00:05:22.200 --> 00:05:23.320 Look at verse 22. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:27.900 By obeying the truth. 00:05:28.960 --> 00:05:35.939 The gospel is dropped into our lives as the purifying agent. 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:44.300 So as we turn to Jesus, as we trust in Jesus, we are made clean by God. 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:45.959 And here's the purpose. 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:48.420 Look at verse 22. 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:54.360 So that you have sincere love for your brothers and sisters. 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:56.240 We've been purified. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:56.680 We've been purified. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:06:03.819 We've been set apart by God so that we can love the family of God. 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:10.259 Because love is the mark of authentication for the Christian community. 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:13.180 It is the stamp that is on us. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:13.199 It is the stamp that is on us. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:14.740 That sets us apart. 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:22.860 That lets the world know that we are Christians because of our sincere love for one another. 00:06:22.860 --> 00:06:29.220 We are purified for the purpose of loving each other. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:34.639 Now, this isn't something that we can achieve by ourselves. 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:39.240 This is something that God does in us. 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:44.180 It is a miraculous work of God that goes on in our life. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.699 It happens in two ways. 00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:51.699 First, by the living word. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.420 Look at verse 23. 00:06:55.639 --> 00:07:06.680 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:15.259 If you know somebody who has an exceptional talent, you might say this about them. 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:21.339 You would say they were born to run or born to dance, born to write. 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:25.500 Their talent is part of their DNA. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.759 It's who they are. 00:07:28.099 --> 00:07:32.139 It's a natural gifting that just overflows from them. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:41.319 Well, if we are Christians, we are born again to love by the living word. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:45.180 Born again to love by the living word. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:48.699 Look at how the structure goes. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:51.060 If you look at the very last line of verse 22. 00:07:52.219 --> 00:08:02.659 Love one another deeply from the heart for or because you have been born again. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.500 Let me explain what he's getting at here. 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:11.300 You think the birth of a baby is something really quite extraordinary. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:18.300 The seed from the father fertilizes the egg from the mother and a life begins. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:23.280 But that life, as in all life, will come to an end. 00:08:23.660 --> 00:08:24.600 It will die. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:27.600 That's what he's saying here in verse 23. 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:29.699 It's a perishable seed. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:31.139 It will not last. 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:42.439 But in contrast to that, when God gives us new life by his living word, it's imperishable. 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:51.620 When the living word, the truth of Jesus Christ, takes effect in our lives, we are born again to a new and eternal life. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:56.039 A new life that is a life filled with love. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:09:05.879 Our spiritual DNA, when we are, if you like, birthed by God, is to love God's family. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:17.799 So as people look at us and as we look at our own lives, when God has taken effect in our lives, it's like we're saying we have been born to love one another. 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:24.759 It's a natural gift that God has given to us to be able to love one another. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:31.279 This living word at work within our lives producing a life of love. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:40.419 So this setting apart to love each other happens by the living word and second, by the eternal word. 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.459 Look at verse 24. 00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:45.399 Again, we're giving another explanation. 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:49.679 If we take the end of verse 22, love one another deeply from the heart. 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:50.919 Verse 24. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:59.000 For or because all men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:05.120 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:14.980 Now, to us, this is just kind of like an odd verse that's kind of inserted and it's hard to make the connection about love. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:18.639 Well, this is a quote that comes from the prophet Isaiah. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.820 Isaiah chapter 40. 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:29.340 So keep your finger in 1 Peter and let's jump back to the prophet Isaiah and chapter 40. 00:10:32.520 --> 00:10:38.560 So keep your finger in 1 Peter and then jump back to chapter 40. 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:44.379 Chapter 40 is a turning point in the book. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:47.300 It's like the centerpiece of the book. 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:54.000 Chapters 1 to 39 is all about God's judgment on Israel for their rebellion against God. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:11:01.639 And as he goes through chapter after chapter, it seems like everything is at a loss for these people. 00:11:01.939 --> 00:11:03.459 There's no hope of change. 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:08.819 They've set their lives in a rebellious course and it's going to end in judgment. 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:11.199 There's no hope of change for these people. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:14.160 And then we get to chapter 40. 00:11:15.020 --> 00:11:16.980 And we read verse 1. 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:22.440 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:33.240 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for. 00:11:34.020 --> 00:11:38.840 All of a sudden, there's a shift towards hope. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:43.019 God is saying, there's going to be comfort. 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:45.200 Your sin has been paid for. 00:11:45.680 --> 00:11:47.740 So what is the response to all of this? 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:51.440 Well, look down to verse 6 and here's where the quote comes. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.800 A voice says, cry out. 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:56.040 And I said, what shall I cry out? 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:59.000 What's my response to what God is going to do? 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:05.400 All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:10.899 The grass withers, the flowers fall because the breath of the Lord blows on them. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:14.059 Surely the people are grass. 00:12:14.959 --> 00:12:21.759 When we are left to our own devices, there is nothing that we can do to change ourselves. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:28.500 All we can do is die like the grass or the flowers of the field. 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:33.259 That is what our lives are like without God at work within us. 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:35.439 We cannot change our lives. 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:38.080 We can't make ourselves love people. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:40.620 All we'll do is wither and die. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.100 Our end will come. 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:46.460 But, look at verse 8 of chapter 40. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:51.399 The grass withers and the flowers fall, just like we do. 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:57.320 But, the word of our God stands forever. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:01.740 The word of God, which promises salvation and restoration. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:04.639 The word which brings about new life. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:13.120 The word which changes and transforms lives and hearts is not going to fail and will do a work in people's life. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:19.100 And that's the point that Peter is getting to us by quoting from Isaiah 40. 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:21.039 So, go back to 1 Peter. 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:27.860 Peter is saying to us, left to our own devices, we cannot love each other. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:30.360 We can't change our sinful lives. 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:34.179 Before, we didn't have the capacity to love one another. 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:38.939 Our hearts meant that we actually ran past our brother and sister. 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:40.839 And we didn't care about them. 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:54.000 But the eternal work of God, the eternal word at work in our life, changes our hearts, transforms our life, and forms a family of love. 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:57.959 So, we have been set apart by God. 00:13:58.719 --> 00:14:01.419 We've been given new life by the living word. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:05.439 We've been given a changed life by the eternal word. 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:10.740 So, that we have sincere love for our brothers and sisters. 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:17.879 It is a radical transformation that God brings about for those who trust in him. 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:24.099 So, first, we are set apart to love each other. 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:29.500 Second, we are called to love each other deeply. 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:35.060 Let's read 1 Peter 1, verse 22 again together. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:42.980 Now that you've purified yourselves by obeying the truth, so that you have sincere love for your brothers and sisters, 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:46.920 love one another deeply. 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:54.000 What will it mean for you and for I to love each other deeply? 00:14:54.719 --> 00:15:02.659 What will it mean for you to love deeply the person who's sitting next door to you or the person in front of you? 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:12.000 Well, we need to clear out all the unlove in our lives. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:15.580 Look at verse 25. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.440 The end of verse 25. 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:21.960 And this is the word that was preached to you. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:29.679 So, the living word, the eternal word that took effect in your life and set you apart to love one another. 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:33.199 Because of that, chapter 2, verse 1. 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:46.639 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and all hypocrisy and all envy and all slander of every kind. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:52.419 There's a program on television called Hoarders. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:56.340 And I just want you to know that I just don't watch daytime television. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:59.019 I've just seen it sometime. 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:01.100 TV Hoarders. 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:02.500 I'm sure you've seen it yourself. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:06.220 It's all about people who can't throw away things. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:08.159 They hoard everything. 00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:13.580 The one that I saw was about a man who lived in a house, two-story house. 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:24.580 His house was so bad that the only space left was the entrance in the doorway and access to one sink in the whole house. 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:28.500 He had to use public toilets because that was all full of rubbish. 00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:35.879 Where he slept was like a few inches from the ceiling in the living room because he was lying on top of all his rubbish. 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:39.300 It was an absolute mess. 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:54.279 Now, while we've been set apart for love, the problem is we can store up an awful lot of sinful junk and rubbish in our own hearts. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:58.539 Where we cannot function as we should as God's people. 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:02.459 So we've got to be ruthless to clear it out. 00:17:02.719 --> 00:17:04.279 Look at verse 1, chapter 2. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:07.119 Therefore, rid yourselves. 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:15.639 Clear out all the sinful junk and all that rubbish that has got stored up in our hearts. 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:22.299 You see, everything that's listed here in verse 1 is opposite to love. 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:30.359 Malice is intentionally causing harm to another brother or sister by the things we say. 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:40.359 Deceit is saying things like, oh, I'm going to pray for you, but having no intention whatsoever of doing so. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:49.619 Hypocrisy is demanding that people overlook the sin in your life while you remember everybody else's sin. 00:17:51.199 --> 00:17:59.039 Envy is not giving praise or thanks or acknowledgement to somebody else because you're jealous of their gifts. 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:08.759 Slander is quietly saying to someone, I wouldn't tell everybody this, but did you hear about? 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:15.920 None of these things actually help or support your brother or sister. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.680 In fact, it crushes them. 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:26.200 This kind of behaviour is like running past your brother or sister, ignoring them so that you get ahead. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:32.980 It's sinful junk that stops us loving people as we should. 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:37.640 So, let me ask us all this question. 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:44.400 What is it that stops you loving your brother or sister? 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:47.660 Maybe there's somebody you find it hard to love. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:51.100 What is it that will stop you from loving them? 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:53.959 What's the sin in our heart? 00:18:55.199 --> 00:18:59.799 What's that junk that's getting in the way of us loving? 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:05.219 Well, the command is to us all, repent. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.199 Get rid of. 00:19:07.699 --> 00:19:10.159 Clear out all the unlove. 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:16.839 Ask God to show you in your life what it is that needs to be rooted out 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:20.279 so that we can love one another. 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:22.079 You see, that is. 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:25.379 Dealing with sin, it's when we think about loving each other, 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:27.399 it's got to start with our heart. 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:34.439 It's a loving action to deal with the sin in our hearts because we get rid of it. 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:39.099 Then we are free to love one another. 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:42.159 So, how do we love each other deeply? 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:47.159 Well, we clear out all the unlove in our life through repentance. 00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:53.219 And we crave the word together. 00:19:54.179 --> 00:19:55.319 Look at verse 2. 00:19:56.719 --> 00:20:01.959 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk 00:20:01.959 --> 00:20:06.139 so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:13.380 When we repent, when we clear out all that sinful junk and clutter in our hearts, 00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:20.920 it needs to be filled and replaced with something good and pure and beautiful. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:25.520 We are to crave pure spiritual milk. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:28.780 Now, he changes his metaphors here from clearing out something 00:20:28.780 --> 00:20:33.380 to drinking in pure spiritual milk. 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:36.540 But have that idea of getting rid of something 00:20:36.540 --> 00:20:40.060 and replacing it and filling it with something else. 00:20:41.060 --> 00:20:42.320 A newborn baby 00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:45.860 craves and longs for pure milk 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:48.280 from her mother's breast. 00:20:49.020 --> 00:20:52.300 The cries of a little baby is only satisfied 00:20:52.300 --> 00:20:54.320 when they begin to feed. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:58.259 Because the natural instinct of the little baby 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.539 kicks in and tells them 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:01.500 that they need their mother's milk. 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:03.139 And if they don't get that milk, 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.039 they're going to die. 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.240 They're not going to survive. 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.960 And they long for it. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.599 They crave. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:09.099 They cry out for it. 00:21:10.879 --> 00:21:12.439 Now, look at verse 2. 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:15.960 We are to be like newborn babies 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:20.420 that crave pure spiritual milk. 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:23.400 We are to long for that living word. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:25.420 That eternal word. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:28.980 That word that changes us and transforms us 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:31.759 so that, middle of verse 2, 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:35.920 that we may grow up in our salvation. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:38.220 That we would, just like a little baby, 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:40.259 gets the milk and grows up physically, 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:43.140 as we take in of that pure spiritual milk, 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:45.640 we will grow up and mature. 00:21:47.020 --> 00:21:49.620 It's the living word that gives us new life. 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:52.200 It's the eternal word that will change us 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:53.100 and transform us. 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:55.680 It's the word, that pure spiritual work, 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:58.060 word, what am I saying? 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:02.900 The pure spiritual word at work in our life 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:04.520 is going to change us 00:22:04.520 --> 00:22:07.020 so that we love one another. 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:09.100 In fact, 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:11.500 this craving 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:14.779 is an act of brotherly love 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:17.039 because it is something 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.419 that we do together. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.419 Peter's writing here 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:22.659 not just to individuals 00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:24.500 but to a church, 00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:26.740 to a gathered group of people. 00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:29.299 It's plural, verse 2, 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:31.639 like newborn babies 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:34.679 crave pure spiritual milk 00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:36.099 so that by it you 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:38.379 together may grow up. 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.419 So, 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:43.279 by craving pure spiritual milk 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.399 is something 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:46.059 that we do together 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.919 as God's people 00:22:47.919 --> 00:22:50.299 and that is an act of love. 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.679 So, what does that mean in practice? 00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:54.459 Well, if you know somebody 00:22:54.459 --> 00:22:55.679 within the church family 00:22:55.679 --> 00:22:58.099 who's struggling 00:22:58.099 --> 00:23:00.039 to live life as a Christian 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.839 in this world, 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.619 they're up against it 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.659 and it's hard. 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:06.659 Or maybe somebody's finding it 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.360 really tough 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:08.420 because they've been 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:10.440 standing up for Christian values 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.380 and they're getting 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.680 knocked for it at work 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.620 or in their college 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:14.180 or school. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.560 The greatest act 00:23:16.560 --> 00:23:17.660 of brotherly love 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:19.279 is to get alongside 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.180 that person, 00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:22.019 put your arm around them 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:24.300 and read God's word 00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:25.240 with them. 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:27.500 Because helping somebody 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:29.060 to read the word 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:31.159 is helping them 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.899 to grow strong 00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:34.119 so that they get 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.179 to the finish line. 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:38.799 Jump to chapter 4, 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.700 verse 8. 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:40.940 He gives us 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:42.279 a little example of this. 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.339 Chapter 4, 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:43.919 verse 8. 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:52.640 Above all, 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.320 love each other 00:23:55.320 --> 00:23:56.279 deeply 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:58.100 because love 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.800 covers over 00:23:58.800 --> 00:24:00.140 a multitude of sins. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.880 And then he gives 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.539 some examples. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.680 But look at verse 11. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:06.560 If anyone speaks, 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.539 he should do it 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.860 as one speaking 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.800 the very words 00:24:11.800 --> 00:24:13.019 of God. 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:15.440 To love one another 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:15.980 deeply 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:18.039 is to speak 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:19.599 the truth of God's word 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:21.339 to one another. 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.680 It is passing 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.700 on to each other 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:25.299 the pure spiritual milk 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.799 that will sustain them 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.660 and grow them 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.920 and nourish them 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.859 and get them 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:31.019 across the finish line. 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.619 That is true love. 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:34.039 That is an act 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.440 of brotherly love. 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.639 So, 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.119 how do we love 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.920 each other deeply? 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.599 We deal, 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.400 we repent 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.539 of the sinful junk, 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.519 the unlove 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.200 in our lives, 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.759 we clear it out 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.559 and we fill 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.119 ourselves 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:49.460 with the pure 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.619 nourishing word 00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.599 of God 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.759 so that 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.480 we can 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.339 encourage 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.200 and support 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.559 one another. 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.440 So, 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.500 we are set apart 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.379 to love each other, 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.399 we are called 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.240 to love each other 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.720 deeply, 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.799 and then 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.640 last, 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.579 we are to love 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.160 each other 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:11.860 from the heart. 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.600 Verse 22, 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.579 again, 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:16.000 1 Peter chapter 1 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.740 verse 22. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.740 2 Peter chapter 2. 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.740 2 Peter chapter 2. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.740 2 Peter chapter 2. 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.740 2 Peter chapter 2. 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.519 Now that you've 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.640 purified yourselves 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.019 by obeying the truth, 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:26.240 so that you have 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.079 sincere love 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.640 for your brothers 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.400 and sisters, 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.799 love one another 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.299 deeply 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:33.460 from 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:35.160 the heart 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.140 or from 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.859 a pure 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.440 heart. 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.640 Now, 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.299 when we think 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.799 of heart, 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.559 we just think 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.380 of that organ 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.620 inside our bodies 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:46.199 that's pumping blood 00:25:46.199 --> 00:25:48.039 around our body. 00:25:48.939 --> 00:25:49.859 But in the Bible, 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.739 when the Bible 00:25:50.739 --> 00:25:51.619 uses the word 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.119 heart, 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:53.679 it's biblical 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:55.099 language for saying 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.119 the heart 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.719 is actually 00:25:56.719 --> 00:25:57.699 the control 00:25:57.699 --> 00:25:58.319 centre 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.639 of our 00:25:59.639 --> 00:26:00.419 personality. 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:02.379 It's the control 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.239 centre of our 00:26:03.239 --> 00:26:03.899 personality. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:04.539 So, 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.519 whatever's going on 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.459 in our hearts 00:26:06.459 --> 00:26:09.819 will mean 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:11.479 or affect 00:26:11.479 --> 00:26:12.099 how we live 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.799 and behave. 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:13.739 So, 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:15.059 whatever captivates 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.759 our hearts 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.420 shapes our behaviour, 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.720 it controls 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.500 our desires 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.259 and drives 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.940 our emotions. 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.120 In other words, 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.940 the heart 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.960 affects 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:25.160 how we act, 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.240 how we think 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.559 and how we feel. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.359 Now, 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.279 if our hearts 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.740 have been 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:32.240 captivated by God, 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.380 that means 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.920 from the overflow 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.660 of our hearts 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.319 we're going to 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.039 love each other. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.259 Let me show you 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.079 how this works. 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.440 As we drink 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.160 in the pure 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.140 spiritual milk 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:44.100 of God's word, 00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:45.520 so we're 00:26:45.520 --> 00:26:46.180 reminded 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.220 of how 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.980 good 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.220 the Lord 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.720 is. 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.780 Look at 00:26:50.780 --> 00:26:51.520 chapter 2, 00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:52.540 verse 2. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.920 Like newborn 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.480 babies, 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.380 crave pure 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.300 spiritual milk 00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:58.120 so that by it 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.920 you may grow up 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.780 in your salvation. 00:27:00.780 --> 00:27:01.380 Verse 3, 00:27:02.040 --> 00:27:03.020 now that you 00:27:03.020 --> 00:27:03.759 have tasted 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.360 that the Lord 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:05.960 is good. 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:07.600 You see, 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:09.019 as we taste 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.700 that pure 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.960 spiritual milk, 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.840 that living 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.519 and enduring 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.420 word of God, 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.720 it sets off 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.640 our spiritual 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.640 taste buds 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:19.460 and reminds us, 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.319 wow, 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.360 God 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.620 is good. 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.660 In other words, 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.799 as we read 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.799 God's word, 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.420 so our hearts 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:28.880 are being 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.900 captivated 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:31.059 by the amazing 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.140 goodness of God 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:33.120 towards us. 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:34.939 we're reminding 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.579 ourselves, 00:27:35.679 --> 00:27:36.199 as Peter 00:27:36.199 --> 00:27:36.959 has been doing, 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.419 that in love 00:27:38.419 --> 00:27:39.319 we have been 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.000 chosen 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.439 to be God's 00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:41.799 people. 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:42.979 That in his 00:27:42.979 --> 00:27:43.779 love he has 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.259 given us 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.279 new birth 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.519 and new life 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.439 into a 00:27:47.439 --> 00:27:48.419 living hope. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.699 In his love 00:27:49.699 --> 00:27:50.439 he's given us 00:27:50.439 --> 00:27:51.179 an inheritance 00:27:51.179 --> 00:27:52.279 that can never 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:52.879 perish, 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.879 spoil or fade 00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.739 and it's being 00:27:54.739 --> 00:27:55.779 kept for you 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.539 and you are 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.099 being kept 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.579 for it. 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.799 In his love 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.619 he has given us 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.219 a loving 00:28:00.219 --> 00:28:01.739 church family. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:04.980 All of this 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.680 is ours 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:07.839 because in love 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.579 God gave 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.420 of his son, 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.259 the Lord 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.120 Jesus Christ, 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.180 our true 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:13.160 older brother 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:14.539 who not only 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.839 walks with us 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:17.759 but who actually 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.859 gave his life 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:20.039 for us. 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.079 When Jesus 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:22.180 died on the cross 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.000 with his arms 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:24.000 stretched out wide 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.859 it is as if 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.799 Jesus is putting 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:27.380 his arm around us 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:29.039 removing every 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.380 barrier of sin 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:31.019 and death 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.940 so that we 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.740 can reach 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.619 the finish 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:33.960 line. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.799 As we engage 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.440 with God's 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:36.619 word, 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.500 as we listen 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:37.980 to it, 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.379 we are reminded 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:41.039 of how good 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.740 the Lord is. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.200 As we look 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.980 again and see 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.619 what Jesus 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.220 has done, 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.240 our hearts 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.139 are filled 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:48.920 with the 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.460 goodness of 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.119 God and 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.680 from the 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.579 overflow of 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.139 our hearts 00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:53.000 comes a 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.539 love for 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.200 one another. 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:57.779 You see, 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.480 as the word 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.299 works in our 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.839 hearts, 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.859 so we begin 00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.700 to respond 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.919 to the needs 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:05.579 of others. 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.319 Rather than 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:07.960 be a people 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.500 who are looking 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.159 out for number 00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:09.460 one, 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.319 we actually 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:12.500 stop what 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.099 we are doing 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.940 in our lives. 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.379 We begin to 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.839 sacrifice all 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.460 our wants 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.139 and desires. 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.279 We put our 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.000 arm around 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.659 our struggling 00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:21.359 brother and 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:21.720 sister. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.740 We walk 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.399 with them 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.440 through the 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.379 fiery trials 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.039 that they're in. 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.119 We bring them 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:28.200 back to the 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.860 goodness of 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.600 God and 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.039 we help 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.779 them taste 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.400 and see 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:31.900 that the 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.380 Lord is 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:33.100 good and 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:33.880 their hearts 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.380 are filled 00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:34.759 with the 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.240 goodness of 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:35.920 God and 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.440 they are 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.779 led to 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.299 be people 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:38.819 of love. 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.500 Life as a 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:45.340 Christian in 00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:46.360 this world is 00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:46.940 going to be 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.299 tough. 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:48.900 If you 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.740 speak out 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.759 Christian truth, 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:52.799 if you stand 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.259 up for 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.340 Christian values, 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.959 you will be 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.379 hit. 00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:58.199 It will be a 00:29:58.199 --> 00:29:58.579 struggle. 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.959 But the 00:30:01.959 --> 00:30:03.039 good news is 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.599 we have got 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.779 one another. 00:30:06.179 --> 00:30:07.279 We have the 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.539 love of God's 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:10.099 family to 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:11.079 support us, 00:30:11.179 --> 00:30:11.980 to put that 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.980 arm around us, 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:14.459 to speak truth 00:30:14.459 --> 00:30:15.419 into our lives, 00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:16.959 to bring us 00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:18.099 to that 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.939 finishing line. 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.179 Thank God 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.279 for one 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.640 another. 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.940 Thank God 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.299 for the 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.140 person beside 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.380 you. 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.440 Thank God 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:26.820 for the 00:30:26.820 --> 00:30:27.759 family that 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.220 God has 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.820 placed you 00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:30.340 in to 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:30.779 give you 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.299 that loving 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:31.799 support. 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.680 Let's do 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.240 that now, 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:35.539 as we thank 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.440 God for 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.000 his love.