WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.520 Amen. 00:00:01.280 --> 00:00:02.480 You may be seated, kids. 00:00:02.580 --> 00:00:05.980 You are excused to your children's, your King's Kids class. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:13.120 And I would invite you to open up your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:15.640 We're at the end of this great book. 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:20.480 And so I'm going to read verses 23 through 28. 00:00:20.740 --> 00:00:22.640 Hear the word of the Lord. 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:28.539 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:35.420 And may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:38.420 He who calls you is faithful. 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:40.619 He will surely do it. 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:42.320 Brothers, pray for us. 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:45.480 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:50.200 I put you under an oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 00:00:50.739 --> 00:00:54.140 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 00:00:55.340 --> 00:00:55.679 Amen. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:04.120 In the classic hymn by John Newton, Amazing Grace, we sang it. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:07.239 There's a piece of it. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:12.019 Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. 00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:16.900 Tis grace that brought me safe this far and grace will lead me home. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:26.960 When John Newton penned that, he's recognizing how God's grace saved him, strengthened him, sustained him to where he was. 00:01:27.100 --> 00:01:35.160 And that it would be God's grace that brings him home face to face with Jesus. 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:43.319 What Newton is saying in Amazing Grace is he will surely do it. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:47.979 What he began, he will surely complete. 00:01:48.979 --> 00:01:55.920 And when we sing it, Amazing Grace or Great is Thy Faithfulness, it stirs our souls. 00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:00.099 It gives us strength to continue on. 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:01.500 It gives us courage. 00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:04.460 Anybody in the room in need of courage this morning? 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:06.379 Feeling a little flat? 00:02:07.740 --> 00:02:09.240 Heading into the holidays? 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:17.879 Guys, this morning, I pray that you'll be encouraged by 1 Thessalonians 5, 23-28. 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:27.580 In this passage, Paul is going to reiterate a couple themes throughout the book in order to do so to encourage you. 00:02:27.580 --> 00:02:31.000 So, we are to take heart this morning. 00:02:31.860 --> 00:02:36.200 And what God will do, he will surely do it. 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:36.680 Do what? 00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:39.140 Take heart. 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:42.840 Your God will keep you until Christ comes. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:48.939 And so, I'm going to focus on verses 23 and 24 and 28 this morning. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:53.939 And in so doing, I want to unpack five encouraging words. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:57.359 And I'm going to have you repeat those words when I say them. 00:02:57.620 --> 00:03:02.419 So, I'm going to say the word and I'm going to look to you and you repeat it in a robust fashion. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:06.500 Peace. 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:09.520 Sanctify. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:12.460 Doesn't that come out real nice? 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:13.680 Sanctify. 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:15.219 Coming. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:17.379 Faithful. 00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:19.180 Grace. 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:21.120 Let's do it one more time. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:21.699 Peace. 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:23.439 Sanctify. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:24.699 Coming. 00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:26.479 Faithful. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:27.900 Grace. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:29.919 Take heart. 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:33.900 Your God will keep you until Christ comes. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:36.039 That's going to fill your souls this morning. 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:38.060 Surely do it. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.120 So, let's look at this first word, peace. 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:42.120 In verse 23. 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:44.439 Now, may the God of peace. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:51.340 What we have here in verses 23 and 24 is essentially a benediction. 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:54.479 And 1 Thessalonians closes with like a double benediction. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:04:03.379 And it is the apostle Paul wanting God, wishing God, praying that God would do something in the Thessalonians. 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:06.879 And Paul addresses God as the God of peace. 00:04:08.219 --> 00:04:13.379 God wants the God, Paul wants the God of peace to do something in the lives of the Thessalonians. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:15.319 And so, what is this peace? 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:20.159 Well, if you're familiar with a little Hebrew, it's the word shalom. 00:04:22.659 --> 00:04:28.719 Shalom is peace of God's making. 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:32.320 The God of peace is the God who makes peace. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:39.500 And this peace isn't just an absence of hostility, but a fullness of God's goodness. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:44.580 If you have kids in the home and they're not fighting, you're like, oh, isn't everything peaceful? 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:45.500 Not quite. 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:52.800 A peaceful relationship among siblings would be not just them not fighting, but them embracing each other. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:55.100 Delighting each other. 00:04:55.460 --> 00:04:56.280 Serving one another. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:57.319 Taking turns. 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:05.639 This peace of God's making is a comprehensive peace. 00:05:06.840 --> 00:05:08.780 Think along the lines of four relationships. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:13.720 When Adam and Eve sinned, they broke peace with God. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:20.560 And that peace breaking with God resulted in a breaking of peace within them internally. 00:05:20.940 --> 00:05:25.140 And it resulted in a breaking of peace between them in their relationship. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:30.220 And it also was a breaking of peace in their relationship with creation. 00:05:30.660 --> 00:05:36.500 And so, now the God of peace is seeking to make peace on a comprehensive scale and scope. 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:40.500 So, he's starting by making peace between you and him. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:42.639 And then he's making peace within yourself. 00:05:42.779 --> 00:05:45.060 And he's seeking to make peace between you and others. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:49.399 And eventually he's going to make peace between you and me and all of creation. 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:55.480 This plan of God, this is a peace plan. 00:05:55.600 --> 00:05:57.019 It's his plan of salvation. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:06:01.000 You could call it Operation Forever Peace. 00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:04.939 And God makes this peace. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:09.740 He brings this peace about in an extraordinary way. 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:12.000 In an amazing way. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:23.139 The God of peace makes comprehensive peace through the death and resurrection of the Prince of Peace. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:30.000 Remember that great prophecy on Isaiah 9 where unto us a child is given. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:35.100 And he will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father. 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:36.680 Prince of Peace. 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:45.399 And that Prince of Peace who died on the cross and was raised from the dead is reigning on high on a throne of grace. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:47.639 And is one day closer to coming back. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:54.479 It's by his death and resurrection that God brings about peace. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:57.099 This peace is a gospel peace. 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:59.399 It's a blood-bought peace. 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:11.239 Jesus shed his blood unto death to bring God's peace as far as the curse is found. 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:18.360 And this peace is an already but not yet peace. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:20.600 Here's what I mean by that. 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:30.980 When a sinner recognizes their sinfulness and what God has done for them in Jesus Christ and they believe, 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:34.780 at that moment that they believe, they are justified. 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:38.160 Romans 5.1, and therefore at peace with God. 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:46.759 At that moment, God thinks of that sinner's, the penalty of their sin as being placed on Christ on the cross, 00:07:47.140 --> 00:07:52.560 in all of God's wrath, poured out for all of your penalty of your sin for all time. 00:07:52.660 --> 00:07:53.420 So you're forgiven. 00:07:53.420 --> 00:08:01.439 And then simultaneously, God thinks of all of Christ's righteousness as being put into your account. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:05.000 That you've been imputed the righteousness of Christ. 00:08:05.140 --> 00:08:08.180 And so not are you just forgiven of all of your sin. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:13.139 You've been made acceptable to God based upon the righteousness of Christ. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:15.680 And at that moment, you are at peace with God. 00:08:16.280 --> 00:08:16.720 Do I have an amen? 00:08:17.900 --> 00:08:19.259 But it's a partial peace. 00:08:20.700 --> 00:08:21.879 Because we still sin. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:21.939 Amen. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:24.780 We do things that grieve God. 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:32.340 We experience distance in our relationship with God, not because of God, but because of us. 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:36.899 And so there's this already aspect of peace. 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:37.620 You're justified. 00:08:38.560 --> 00:08:39.700 But there's a not yet. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:47.600 When your relationship with God is fully, finally, and forever at peace. 00:08:48.300 --> 00:08:51.000 We have degrees of peace within ourselves. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:54.720 If you became a Christian, you have a whole new identity. 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:57.519 You're a new creation in Christ Jesus. 00:08:58.340 --> 00:09:00.139 You are a child of the living God. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:02.159 You're a child of the light. 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:03.840 No longer of darkness. 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:07.340 But we forget that and we do stupid things in our sinfulness. 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:14.259 We struggle with things that have been done to us and we've done to others internally. 00:09:14.800 --> 00:09:17.019 So we experience degrees of peace now. 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:18.160 Already not yet. 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:21.240 We experience the same in relationship with others. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:27.899 There's an already not yet where we experience conflict in a breaking of peace. 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:31.019 And yet we also experience a degree of fullness. 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:36.840 But there's coming a time where there'll be perfect peace in our relationship with one another. 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:38.360 And of course, there's creation. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:43.980 There is the already where we see wonderful sunrises and sunsets. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:45.360 Sunrise, sunset. 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:49.279 We have huge snowfalls that some of us love. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:54.879 But we also feel threat from creation. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.199 Tornadoes. 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:58.539 Tsunamis. 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:00.879 This thing called cancer. 00:10:02.959 --> 00:10:08.279 So we are in between the already and not yet peace. 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:17.120 God through Christ's blood has begun a comprehensive peace plan. 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:18.679 Operation Forever Peace. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:26.099 And the cross of Jesus Christ is the living God establishing a beachhead on earth of saying, 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:30.439 I am bringing my peace to this planet. 00:10:32.179 --> 00:10:38.839 And it's going to culminate when Jesus Christ returns and there's full, final, and forever peace. 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:43.479 This is the God of peace Paul addresses in verse 23. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.319 And you want to know something? 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:47.759 You're a part of that plan. 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:50.419 You're in it. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:50.500 You're in it. 00:10:52.319 --> 00:10:57.179 Have you experienced this peace of God in Christ Jesus? 00:10:57.179 --> 00:11:04.099 This God of peace wants to do something else in us. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:06.460 So we move to word number two. 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:07.879 Sanctify. 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:09.600 Peace. 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:11.080 Sanctify. 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:17.580 In between now and the coming of Jesus Christ, God will be doing something in us. 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:20.340 It is His holy aim. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:22.480 His holy purpose. 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:29.940 As we are waiting on the return of Jesus Christ, God is getting something done in us as we're moving to that day. 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:36.380 And this is the first major theme Paul reiterates. 00:11:36.900 --> 00:11:38.100 It's the theme of holiness. 00:11:39.300 --> 00:11:44.060 If you flip back in 1 Thessalonians to chapter 1, in verse 9 we read, 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:52.259 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:53.239 You know what that's a picture of? 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:56.419 Someone being set apart as holy. 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:56.539 Holy. 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:05.679 And then we read in a prayer Paul prays in the middle of this letter, chapter 3, verses 11 through 13. 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:07.959 I'll just read 13 for you. 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.679 Paul prays, 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:18.159 So that He may, God may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:22.679 So God wants to make us holy. 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:26.000 In chapter 4, verse 3, 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:29.139 For this is the will of God, your sanctification. 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.480 Chapter 4, verse 7, 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:34.879 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:42.559 And again in chapter 5, we have this, we are no longer of the darkness, we are children of light, 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:45.939 and so we don't fear that day of Christ's return. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:50.420 No, we don't fear it, we're ready for it because we're going to be awake. 00:12:50.660 --> 00:12:51.500 We're going to walk in the light. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.760 That's a picture of holiness. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:13:00.920 So what God is seeking to do is to make us holy as He is holy. 00:13:01.640 --> 00:13:04.340 For us to be pure as He is pure. 00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:06.220 So when you read in verse 23, 00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:10.700 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:15.140 and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:18.520 What we're talking about is holiness. 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:21.760 Now let me just assure you, 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:27.940 this isn't some kind of pie in the sky, abstract, theoretical holiness 00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:30.340 that God is looking to do in us. 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:31.740 No, this is concrete. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.340 Very specific and concrete. 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.660 He's doing a real work. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:39.660 Have you ever thought of Jesus as holiness incarnate? 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:45.059 God in the flesh, living holy life. 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:50.159 If you read the Gospels and you watch Jesus through that lens, 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:55.620 you get to see a human being, fully God, fully man, 00:13:55.939 --> 00:14:00.299 living life perfectly unto God. 00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:05.199 And that's why when you get to Galatians 5, 22 and 23, 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:07.839 where we are described the fruit of the Spirit, 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:11.419 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control, 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.839 it's a profile of Jesus. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:18.859 And so when God is seeking to purify you, 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:24.139 He's seeking to conform you into the holy image of Jesus. 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:26.720 It's very specific and concrete. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.639 And He goes on to say here, 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:36.059 and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless. 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:41.580 If sanctifying is this act of purifying, 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:46.259 being kept blameless is this preserving, 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:50.100 it's protecting, protecting your holiness, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:52.439 protecting you from sin. 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:56.199 Have you heard of the little phrase, 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:58.500 the perseverance of the saints? 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:02.919 That goes hand in hand with another phrase, 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:04.759 the preservation of the saints. 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:11.240 God is preserving His saints as they're persevering all the way to the end. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.259 They go hand in hand. 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:18.200 God will keep you until the end, take heart. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:20.200 That word blameless? 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:25.120 Does anybody have in their kitchen a non-stick Teflon pan? 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:29.840 I've heard bad things about Teflon, but it'll serve the illustration. 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.300 Teflon pans are non-stick. 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:38.320 Nothing sticks to a Teflon pan. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:46.220 And what God is seeking to do in us as that day of Christ approaches 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:50.900 is to make us blameless when it comes to evil. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.379 No non-stick. 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:57.000 There's no evil that sticks to your character. 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:58.980 There's no evil that sticks to your conduct. 00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:03.260 God is seeking to do a work in you 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:05.340 and keep you blameless. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.460 Teflon-like. 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:12.419 He wants to present you to Christ when He comes, 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:13.879 blameless. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.299 Surely going to do that. 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.319 God Himself is doing this. 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:22.679 Now may the God of peace Himself 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:25.379 sanctify you completely. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:27.379 It's God purifying us. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.799 It's God preserving us. 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:32.179 It's a way in which God is loving us into His holiness. 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:32.959 Hebrews 12. 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:35.279 He wants us to share in His holiness 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:37.699 because that's where the greatest joy is. 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:40.839 So in between now and Christ's return, 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:44.319 God has this holy aim in which He is 00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:46.479 holy, H-O-L-Y, 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:49.339 and holy, W-H-O-L-L-Y, 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:51.159 at work in us 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.959 completely. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:56.060 So that little phrase, 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.680 spirit, soul, and body, 00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.740 it's talking about 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.340 all of who you are. 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:04.380 God is wanting to make 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.779 all of who you are holy, 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:06.960 blameless. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:10.519 He wants to shine you 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.720 with the glory of Christ. 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.840 I've used this illustration a lot, 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.059 so if you're sick of it, 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.180 you can walk out. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.779 Let's see who walks out. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.039 Chip and Joanna Gaines, 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:26.860 fixer-upper. 00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:29.360 It's a show, 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.200 Chip and Joanna, 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:32.360 they restore houses 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:34.539 to their original glory. 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.019 Take a dump, 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.079 make it into glory. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.400 Brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.400 we are God's fixer-uppers. 00:17:46.600 --> 00:17:48.160 He's taken people 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.700 who have been made 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:51.440 or dumps because of sin, 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:53.440 and He is restoring glory 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.900 to us. 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.820 And He has purchased 00:17:58.820 --> 00:18:00.220 the deed of our lives 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.240 through the blood of Jesus. 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:03.759 And between now 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.820 and Christ's return, 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:06.980 He will be restoring 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:09.080 each of us 00:18:09.080 --> 00:18:11.480 one room at a time 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:14.860 to reflect the glory 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:16.059 of His Son, Jesus. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.019 And more often than not, 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:19.080 truth in advertising, 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.759 this is going to be painful. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:24.419 God's sanctifying holy work 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:26.079 is oftentimes painful 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:29.079 because God is exposing sin 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:32.639 in us that we must die to. 00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:36.199 And He's doing it 00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:37.319 because He loves us. 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.879 And so we kill the sin 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.619 by the Spirit, 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.599 and by the Spirit, 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:41.799 we bring to life 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:43.119 Christ-likeness. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:47.119 God Himself is at work 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:50.659 doing this work 00:18:50.659 --> 00:18:51.619 of sanctification 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:53.059 in us. 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.979 Of course, 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:56.439 we have responsibility in it, 00:18:56.739 --> 00:18:58.279 but Paul is closing 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.059 this letter 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:01.079 with the emphasis being 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:03.179 on what God is purposed 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:04.099 to do in us. 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:06.339 And let me just read you 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.939 this passage 00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:09.359 from Philippians chapter 2. 00:19:09.439 --> 00:19:10.119 I'm sure it's kind of 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:10.899 working through 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:11.820 some of your minds 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.440 right now 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.240 where both 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:15.960 are persevering 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:18.080 and God's preserving 00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:19.100 is stated. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.620 Therefore, my beloved, 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.400 this is Philippians 2.12 and 13. 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.300 Therefore, my beloved, 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:25.100 as you have always obeyed, 00:19:25.280 --> 00:19:25.840 so now, 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:27.080 not only in my presence, 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.200 but much more in my absence, 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.340 work out your own salvation 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:31.320 with fear and trembling. 00:19:31.780 --> 00:19:32.620 Persevere, Christian. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.400 Pursue holiness. 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:37.180 And then in verse 13, 00:19:37.280 --> 00:19:38.160 for it is God 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.980 who works in you 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.759 both to will 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.279 and to work 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.220 for His good pleasure. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:44.580 That is His preserving 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:46.720 being kept blameless 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.700 until that day. 00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:50.620 God is at work in you. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.160 You can bank on it. 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.300 Take heart. 00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:57.300 Let me ask you 00:19:57.300 --> 00:19:58.040 two questions. 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.440 Are you welcoming 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.279 His holy work? 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.500 Are you... 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.700 Have your way. 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.559 Make me more like Jesus. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:15.180 Are you actively 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.400 pursuing holiness? 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:22.680 Do you want to be blameless 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:25.220 as God Himself is? 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.740 These are good moments 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:30.039 to reflect upon our lives, 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:30.420 aren't they? 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:33.000 Have your way, O God. 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:35.359 Have your holy way in us. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.720 So we move from 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:39.960 that first word, peace, 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:42.460 to the second word, sanctify, 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.460 and now we move 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.519 to the third word, 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.740 coming. 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.559 As in the coming 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.960 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:50.880 And this is the other 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.680 major theme 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.400 of the book 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.559 of 1 Thessalonians. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:56.500 Paul is reiterating 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.019 these things 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.700 for a reason. 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:58.839 I mean, 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.680 in chapter 1, 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.519 verse 9 and 10, 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.299 you know, 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.380 you've been flipped 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.299 from idols 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:04.599 to serve the living 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:05.339 and true God 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:06.299 and to wait 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:06.799 for the Son 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.379 from heaven. 00:21:08.459 --> 00:21:09.299 That's the coming 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.740 of Jesus. 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:13.279 Again, 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:13.939 if you look at 00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:15.579 chapter 3, 00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:16.299 verse 13, 00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:17.379 so that He may establish 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:17.819 your hearts 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:19.079 blameless in holiness 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:21.179 before our God 00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:21.539 and Father 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.159 at the coming 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:22.919 of our Lord Jesus 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:24.059 with all of His saints. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:25.639 Again, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.379 it's this focus 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:27.960 on holiness 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.380 and at the coming 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.060 of Jesus. 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:34.600 In 5, 1 through 11, 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.580 we are to live 00:21:36.580 --> 00:21:38.040 in the light, 00:21:38.260 --> 00:21:38.980 awake, 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:42.340 as we see that day 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.080 drawing near. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.820 And we're to encourage 00:21:44.820 --> 00:21:45.740 one another in that. 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:48.000 It's that day, 00:21:48.760 --> 00:21:49.260 verse 9, 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.140 at His coming, 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:51.700 and here in 23, 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.860 at the coming 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:54.260 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.540 It's a major theme 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.159 of this book, 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.579 but there's something 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.639 even more significant. 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.359 Paul is intentionally 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:02.879 raising these two themes 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:03.559 together 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.740 at the end of the book. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.799 What he wants you to see 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.700 is the relationship 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.539 between the two. 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.980 The relationship 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:12.299 of being made holy 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.339 and the coming 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.680 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:16.019 There's a very important 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.599 relationship 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:18.519 between our holiness 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.259 and Christ's coming. 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.680 It makes me think 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:23.119 of what scientists 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.920 call a symbiotic relationship. 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:27.799 When two living creatures 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:30.099 are in mutually beneficial, 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:32.319 coexisting relationship 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.279 with one another, 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:35.299 think of a great white shark 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:39.019 and a sucker fish, 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:40.859 a remora. 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.579 Have you seen pictures 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:42.899 of those? 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.240 Big fish, 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.000 big shark, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.059 and there are these little 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.279 like suction cup fish 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:49.279 on the bottom of it. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.819 It's a symbiotic relationship. 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:55.519 The great white benefits 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.299 from the remora. 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.700 It's regularly cleaning 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.539 off parasites 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.819 for the shark. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:01.980 It's like 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:04.000 spa remora 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.460 for the shark. 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.799 And the remora 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.879 benefits from 00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:09.679 the shark, 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.480 gets free ride, 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:13.000 protection with a lot of teeth, 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:15.599 and it gets food scraps. 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.880 There's this 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:19.160 working together 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.359 for the good of both 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:22.059 and that's how we need 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.680 to think about 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.339 our holiness 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:24.640 and Christ's coming. 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.539 Here's how it works. 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.059 You start thinking 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:28.400 about Christ's return. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.579 Oh, maybe he's coming 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.400 back this afternoon 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:32.119 or next week. 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.619 And that 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:35.400 stirs into motion, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.660 sparks something in you. 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.460 It's like, 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.640 how do I want 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.839 the risen Lord 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.779 returning to find me? 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.240 Do I want him 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.759 to find me 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.240 doing stupid things? 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.140 Grievous things? 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.359 Or do I want him 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.579 to find me 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:54.059 living for him 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.740 as my controlling center 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.400 and seeking to actively 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.319 kill sin 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.319 and bring to life 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.400 that which pleases him? 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:02.559 It's the idea of 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.400 Matthew 24 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:04.980 and the parable 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.640 of the talents. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.339 And so, 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:10.200 as I think about 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.200 Christ's return, 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:13.120 it motivates me 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.799 to welcome 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:16.000 his holy work 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.720 in my life. 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.500 And then, 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.279 as I'm experiencing 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.200 his holy work 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.900 in my life, 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.400 do you know 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.100 what that's going to do? 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.340 Oh, 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.380 come Lord Jesus, 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:26.700 come. 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.460 I'm ready for my 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.200 resurrected body. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.340 Come Lord Jesus, 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:31.740 come. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.740 I am ready 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.779 for this full, 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.140 final, 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.039 and forever peace 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:36.100 that you have promised 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.240 and that surely 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.139 you will bring it about. 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.939 And on that day 00:24:41.939 --> 00:24:43.500 when Christ's return, 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.859 we will be completely 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:46.579 wholly sanctified, 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.980 kept blameless. 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:50.199 He will do this. 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.740 We will be at full, 00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.099 final, 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:53.819 and forever peace 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.319 with God. 00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.419 You will experience 00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:55.639 full, 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:55.919 final, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.639 and forever peace 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.719 within yourself. 00:24:57.919 --> 00:24:58.519 Let it be. 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.719 You will experience 00:24:59.719 --> 00:24:59.919 full, 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.159 final, 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.819 and forever peace 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:02.740 between one another. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.920 And then we will 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.940 experience full, 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.359 and final, 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.339 and forever peace 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.579 with creation 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.839 because when he comes back 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.819 he's going to 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.900 recreate the heavens 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.380 and the earth. 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:15.039 No more let sins 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.420 and sorrows grow. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.059 No, 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.700 no more. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:21.339 God's sanctifying work 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.339 in us 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:24.779 is moving towards 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.420 that day. 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:27.940 He wants to present you. 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.380 He's purposed 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.900 to present you 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:32.019 blameless. 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.879 You've been justified now. 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:36.019 You're being sanctified, 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.200 and on that day 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.859 you will be glorified. 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.920 You can say amen. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.700 When we synchronize 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.240 our watches 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.319 to Christ's time, 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:50.720 Mark, 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:54.139 Christ is one day closer. 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:57.279 We also synchronize 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.500 our lives 00:25:58.500 --> 00:26:00.940 to the holy work 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.180 of God in us. 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.180 We welcome it. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.559 Sanctify us. 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.200 Peace. 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.420 Sanctify. 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.220 At his coming. 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.980 The fourth word is, 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:15.880 oh, 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.779 it's such a good word. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.119 It's going to be 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:20.259 wind in your sails. 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.279 It's the word faithful. 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:25.680 524. 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.079 In English, 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.599 we read, 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.500 he who calls you 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.059 is faithful, 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.940 that first clause. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.619 In the original language 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.039 in Greek, 00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:35.859 you know how it rolls out? 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.660 It starts with the word 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.099 faithful. 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.180 Faithful 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.200 is the one 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.079 who is calling you. 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.619 And in the original language, 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.139 that means 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:47.339 it's putting it forward 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.879 first. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.599 It's emphasizing it. 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:51.859 He will be faithful 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:53.259 in finishing 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:55.199 what he starts 00:26:55.199 --> 00:26:55.779 in us. 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.279 I know there's a bunch 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.159 of you who've memorized 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:59.480 Philippians 1, 6, 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:01.439 and Paul writes 00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:02.719 to this church. 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:03.959 And can you imagine 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:05.099 the apostle writing 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.599 to you 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.500 and writing this? 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.619 He says, 00:27:07.959 --> 00:27:09.419 and I am sure of this, 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.919 he writes to the Philippians. 00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:13.259 I am sure of this, 00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:14.379 that he who began 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.139 a good work in you 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:16.259 will bring it to completion 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:18.119 at the day 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.819 of Jesus Christ. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.140 God's faithfulness 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:23.079 is his character. 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:26.059 It's who he is. 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.059 He always does 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.859 what he says 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.440 he will do. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.279 He always follows through 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.519 on his promises. 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.160 And that's why 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:36.960 following this faithfulness, 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.500 you have this next phrase, 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:40.019 he will surely do it 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.839 because he's faithful. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.700 He will surely do it. 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:47.059 He will finish 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.819 what he starts. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.559 He will surely do it. 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.619 What is the it? 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.480 What is he going to do? 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:56.700 He will sanctify us completely. 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.599 He will keep us blameless. 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.799 And Christ will return 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.640 in glory. 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.779 He will surely do it 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:07.240 because he's faithful. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.400 In other words, 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.859 nobody on the planet 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.599 can stop it. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.099 Nobody can stop him. 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:16.439 He's faithful. 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.159 Before I preach here, 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:22.079 just the song we sang beforehand 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.439 is, 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.159 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.899 Third stanza, 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:26.139 Pardon for sin 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:27.559 and a peace that endureth. 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:29.299 Thine own dear presence 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.899 and cheer, 00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:31.500 to cheer and to guide. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.679 What a great line. 00:28:33.219 --> 00:28:34.099 Strength for today 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.679 and bright hope 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.879 for tomorrow. 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.299 Blessings all mine 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.459 and 10,000 besides. 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:42.220 Why? 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.579 Because God's faithful. 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.480 Surely he will do it. 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.860 Strength for today 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.420 and bright hope 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:48.759 for tomorrow. 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.319 Hope! 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.180 Hope! 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.640 He will surely do it. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.579 That puts hope in you. 00:28:56.620 --> 00:28:57.799 Think about this. 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.319 Think about this. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.140 Think about 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:04.519 God's faithfulness. 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:06.019 You hearing that 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.559 and that hitting 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:09.980 the sails of your soul 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.519 and filling them up. 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.819 It's like, 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.859 Oh yes, 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.639 you are faithful. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.819 Surely you will do it. 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:21.359 It fills your soul with hope. 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.319 It drives you forward. 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:27.119 It makes you courageous. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:30.079 It renews your motivation. 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:33.139 It gets you from sitting 00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:34.639 into walking. 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:34.780 Action. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.440 Steve opened up our service 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.900 with Lamentations 3 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:48.759 in verses 19 through 24. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:51.740 I'm going to read 21 and 24, 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.259 but I just want you 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.820 to pay attention 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:54.840 to the word hope. 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:58.480 Hope surrounds God's character. 00:29:59.820 --> 00:30:00.680 But this I call to mind 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.860 and therefore I have hope. 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:04.439 The steadfast love 00:30:04.439 --> 00:30:05.339 of the Lord never ceases. 00:30:05.479 --> 00:30:06.779 His mercies never come to an end. 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.979 They are new every morning. 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:09.539 Great is your faithfulness. 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.559 The Lord is my portion, 00:30:10.679 --> 00:30:11.259 says my soul. 00:30:11.659 --> 00:30:11.939 Therefore, 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:13.259 I will hope in Him. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.740 God's faithfulness. 00:30:16.199 --> 00:30:18.619 This peacemaking God 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:20.559 is faithful. 00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:23.519 And that should put hope 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.959 into our souls. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.799 Take heart. 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.659 Our God will keep us 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:29.559 until Christ's coming. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:32.019 His faithfulness is the divine wind 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.619 that fills our souls 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:36.240 and helps us to press on. 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.039 Peace. 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.179 Sanctify. 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:38.879 Coming. 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:39.879 Faithful. 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.799 And now the fifth word. 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:42.740 Grace. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.720 If you skip down to verse 28. 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:53.460 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.400 be with you. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:56.440 This letter ends with grace. 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:59.940 It's like the second prayerful benediction. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.319 It's like Paul is saying, 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:05.339 may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.140 be with you, 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.480 be at work among you, 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:09.500 be palpable among you, 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.380 transforming you 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:11.539 into the image of Jesus. 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:14.700 Did you know that Paul 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:17.759 ends every one of his letters 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.839 with grace 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:20.379 in the New Testament? 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.940 And interestingly enough, 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:24.720 1 Thessalonians begins 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:26.799 with grace and peace. 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:29.779 Look at 1 Thessalonians 1 verse 1. 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:31.319 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:33.599 to the church of the Thessalonians 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:33.980 and God, 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.519 the Father, 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.779 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:38.159 Grace to you in peace. 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:40.240 And here, 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.360 at the very end 00:31:41.360 --> 00:31:42.160 of 1 Thessalonians, 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.740 verse 23, 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:45.320 now may the God of peace 00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:47.400 sanctify you completely. 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:49.160 And verse 28, 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:51.000 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.580 be with you. 00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:53.300 That is not just random. 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.480 The Apostle Paul 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:57.000 is framing the whole book 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.960 with God's grace and peace. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.940 God's grace 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:05.140 is commonly defined 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.920 as God's unmerited favor. 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:08.380 And what favor 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:09.039 is getting at 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.160 is God's posture 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.840 towards you. 00:32:13.060 --> 00:32:14.300 And there's nothing 00:32:14.300 --> 00:32:16.160 that we have done 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:17.080 or can do 00:32:17.080 --> 00:32:19.920 to earn God's favorable 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:22.340 posture towards us. 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:24.400 You can't win God's favor 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:25.560 because you're so sinful. 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:27.259 Not just you, 00:32:27.300 --> 00:32:27.560 me too. 00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:31.600 We are sinful rebels 00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:32.860 deserving God's wrath. 00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:35.580 He doesn't love us 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:36.500 because we're lovable. 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.579 He loves us 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:39.380 because He's loving. 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:43.380 And instead of being 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.339 on the receiving end 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.900 of an eternity of wrath, 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.579 Christians, 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.900 by God's grace, 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:51.099 are on the receiving end 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:52.960 of God's eternal peace. 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:58.299 God's grace is not limited 00:32:58.299 --> 00:33:00.220 to His favorable posture 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:01.140 towards us. 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:02.340 It also includes 00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:03.940 His unlimited power 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:05.980 for us. 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.720 Ephesians 2.8, 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:09.620 for by grace, 00:33:10.320 --> 00:33:11.780 you have been saved 00:33:11.780 --> 00:33:13.420 through faith. 00:33:15.060 --> 00:33:16.500 God's grace 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:18.840 is what saves us. 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:20.220 God's grace 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:22.600 is His power to save. 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:25.000 It's His gospel power. 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:27.620 It's grace incarnate 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.799 was the appearing 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.399 of Jesus Christ. 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:31.500 And so Jesus Christ 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:33.579 is God's grace. 00:33:33.699 --> 00:33:34.659 His death and resurrection 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:36.359 is His power to save, 00:33:36.919 --> 00:33:37.639 to deliver us 00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:38.500 from the domain of darkness 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.439 and to transfer us 00:33:39.439 --> 00:33:40.619 into His kingdom 00:33:40.619 --> 00:33:41.579 of His beloved Son, 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:42.539 the kingdom of peace, 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.539 the kingdom of light. 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.579 And one day, 00:33:46.679 --> 00:33:47.459 because we're living 00:33:47.459 --> 00:33:48.719 in the already and not yet, 00:33:49.459 --> 00:33:50.079 that kingdom 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:51.439 that He has beached head 00:33:51.439 --> 00:33:53.939 will one day culminate 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.920 in perfect peace 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:56.019 with God, 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:56.580 ourselves, 00:33:56.840 --> 00:33:57.120 others, 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.860 and creation. 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.340 Our salvation, 00:34:01.620 --> 00:34:03.840 this Operation Forever Peace 00:34:03.840 --> 00:34:04.779 is a working 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.920 of God's powerful grace 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.940 from beginning 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:09.639 to end. 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:11.099 Think about it this way, 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.200 Christian. 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.360 Think about it this way. 00:34:15.200 --> 00:34:16.380 You're an object 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:17.220 of God's grace. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.700 He graces you. 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:26.099 Amazing grace 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:27.940 goes like this. 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:28.700 Through many dangers, 00:34:28.820 --> 00:34:29.619 toils, and snares, 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:30.579 I have already come. 00:34:31.200 --> 00:34:32.340 His grace has brought me 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:33.179 safe thus far 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:35.720 and grace will lead me home. 00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:38.179 Grace will lead me home. 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.619 Grace alone. 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:42.559 So I'll stand in faith 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.860 by grace and grace alone. 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:45.559 I will run this race 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.599 by grace and grace alone. 00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:48.340 I will slay my sin 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.519 by grace and grace alone. 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.200 That's talking about 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:51.559 our role in sanctification. 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:54.340 I will reach the end 00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:56.279 by grace and grace alone. 00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:57.840 That's God's role 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.940 in our salvation. 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:02.119 And did you notice 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:02.659 whose grace? 00:35:03.759 --> 00:35:04.779 In verse 28, 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.860 the grace of our Lord 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.659 Jesus Christ. 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.960 He is our God, 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.920 our Savior, 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.619 the controlling center 00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:13.799 of our lives, 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.799 the coming King. 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:16.840 He sits upon 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.820 a throne of grace 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:20.340 to help those 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.099 in time of need. 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:22.420 Anybody you need? 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.079 I'm always in need. 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:26.179 Take heart. 00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:28.339 Your God will keep you 00:35:28.339 --> 00:35:29.440 by His grace 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:33.059 until Christ comes. 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:36.000 As we get closer 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:38.159 to that day, 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:41.239 we should have 00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:42.219 more and more hope. 00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:46.500 Because this God of peace, 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:49.420 this God who is faithful, 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.559 surely He will do it, 00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:51.780 this God of grace 00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:54.019 who will sanctify us 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:55.059 until that day, 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:57.460 we have reason to hope. 00:35:58.820 --> 00:36:02.360 Hope in that our pursuit 00:36:02.360 --> 00:36:04.420 of Christ-like holiness 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:06.880 is not in vain. 00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:09.960 Our efforts 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:12.639 to slay our sin, 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:14.119 that's not in vain. 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.200 You're one day closer. 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:18.199 hope in that 00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:19.739 hope that on the day 00:36:19.739 --> 00:36:20.359 of Christ, 00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:21.519 when He returns in glory, 00:36:21.719 --> 00:36:23.859 we will not dread 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:27.059 His appearing in shame, 00:36:27.419 --> 00:36:29.019 but we will delight 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:30.460 when He returns. 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:32.379 And we want to hear 00:36:32.379 --> 00:36:33.079 those words, 00:36:33.219 --> 00:36:33.779 well done, 00:36:33.879 --> 00:36:35.000 good and faithful servant. 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:40.480 Hope in light of all 00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:41.439 that we've given up, 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:43.019 in light of all 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:44.339 that we've endeavored to do, 00:36:44.439 --> 00:36:45.539 given ourselves to do, 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:47.739 in order to help people 00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:48.759 follow Jesus, 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.539 to disciple, 00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:50.800 because we've been given 00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:51.639 the Great Commission. 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:53.079 On that day, 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:54.900 when Christ's return, 00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.920 we have hope, 00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:57.619 we have reasonable hope 00:36:57.619 --> 00:36:59.300 to say it was worth it all 00:36:59.300 --> 00:37:02.719 for the glory of His name. 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:06.279 Because He is worthy. 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:10.360 And to that end, 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:14.440 we are bound up together. 00:37:17.620 --> 00:37:18.800 We're one day closer 00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:21.760 to seeing our Lord 00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.420 and Savior 00:37:22.420 --> 00:37:24.660 face to face. 00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:25.460 Let me pray. 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.140 Lord Jesus, 00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:31.500 we take our cues 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.100 from the end 00:37:32.100 --> 00:37:33.080 of the book of Revelation. 00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:34.259 You say, 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:35.659 surely I'm coming soon. 00:37:35.719 --> 00:37:36.400 And we say, 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:38.900 come now, 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.519 Lord Jesus. 00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:40.840 Amen and amen. 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:42.259 God, 00:37:42.319 --> 00:37:43.299 would you receive 00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:44.239 our praise 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:45.199 and would you stir 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.819 our hearts 00:37:45.819 --> 00:37:46.659 to be faithful, 00:37:47.739 --> 00:37:48.679 even if it's just 00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.440 for the balance 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.039 of today. 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:51.639 Amen.