WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.359 Well, good evening. It's a real privilege to be speaking to you tonight from 1 Peter chapter 5 as we bring our little series to an end. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:16.780 I hope you've found it as challenging and as encouraging as the guys that have been working through it have done. 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:21.140 So, just before we do that, let's pray. 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:30.399 Our God and our Father, we acknowledge and we praise you this evening as our powerful and glorious God. 00:00:31.079 --> 00:00:34.840 I thank you that you are gracious and that you care for each one of us. 00:00:35.740 --> 00:00:41.519 Please help us to still our hearts so that we can hear what you have to say to us through your living and active word this evening. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:44.579 In Jesus' precious name, Amen. 00:00:44.579 --> 00:00:44.699 Amen. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:59.979 So, in Peter in chapter 5, his message for us really is that we are to be motivated by God's eternal glory to live humbly together through temporary suffering. 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:09.759 Most of you will no doubt be familiar with the film Chariots of Fire, which tells the story of Eric Liddell, 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:13.959 who in fact went to church down at Holy Corner for a time. 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:16.699 And that's now the Eric Liddell Centre. 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:22.879 And the film tells the story about Eric Liddell competing at the Olympics in 1924. 00:01:23.559 --> 00:01:27.939 He was the Usain Bolt of his day and he was the favourite to win the 100 metres. 00:01:29.059 --> 00:01:31.839 But the 100 metres was scheduled for a Sunday. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:37.419 And Liddell, being a committed Christian, famously refused to compete. 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:43.000 And to the world, it looked like he was throwing away his shot at Olympic glory. 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:48.939 However, he entered the 400 metres instead, which wasn't his distance. 00:01:49.059 --> 00:01:50.159 He wasn't as good at that. 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:52.539 And nobody really gave him a chance. 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:58.659 But incredibly, he managed not only to win the gold, he also set a new world record. 00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:06.099 And Eric Liddell explained his experience of winning the gold medal in this way. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:07.939 He said, 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:35.620 And after the Olympics, Eric Liddell, who was in the peak of his career and could have gone on to win many more gold medals, 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:40.120 gave up his athletics career and went to China to become a missionary. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:49.520 His actions demonstrated that he was truly motivated by God's eternal glory to live humbly through temporary suffering. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:57.000 Serving God was more important to him than the earthly glory that his athletics career promised. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:03.219 So the question for us as we look at our lives tonight really is, what are we living for? 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:05.900 Is it success in our exams? 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:08.300 Being promoted at work? 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:12.159 Is it about having the best holidays or experiences that you can? 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:19.199 Or are we truly motivated in how we live by the majesty of God and what he's done for us? 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:25.959 Peter is asking us in chapter 5 if we are living like sheep who belong to God. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:28.519 Because that is what Christians are. 00:03:29.619 --> 00:03:35.699 We're going to think about what chapter 5 tells us about what it means to be a sheep of God's flock. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:39.539 And then what it looks like to live as a sheep of God's flock. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:49.579 So being a sheep of God's flock means firstly that you belong to God. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:57.139 In 2005 a group of Turkish shepherds sat down to enjoy their lunch together. 00:03:57.979 --> 00:03:59.599 They thought their sheep would be okay. 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:04.859 They kind of enjoyed their lunch, were chatting, having a bit of a laugh. 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:09.440 And as they began to relax, something rather alarming caught their attention. 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:14.680 They could only watch in horror as hundreds of their sheep followed each other, 00:04:15.600 --> 00:04:17.960 one after the other over the edge of a cliff. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:23.020 In verse 2, Peter refers to Christians as God's flock. 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:28.199 This means that we are sheep who belong to God and have him as our shepherd. 00:04:28.199 --> 00:04:35.360 If that's the case, can we have confidence that we will fare any better than the Turkish sheep 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:37.719 who were so badly neglected by their shepherds? 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:44.379 Well, Peter's emphatic answer is that we can have such confidence because of who God is. 00:04:45.659 --> 00:04:47.719 And if we look at some of the verses here, 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:51.800 we can see some of the characteristics of God that Peter draws out. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:56.120 Firstly, we see that God is powerful in verse 6. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:58.019 He has a mighty hand. 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:02.240 And in verse 11, we see that the power belongs to him for eternity. 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:05.579 God is also eternally glorious. 00:05:06.459 --> 00:05:12.040 In verse 10, we're told that Christians are called to his eternal glory in Christ. 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:15.720 But the really amazing thing I've found in this passage 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:18.860 is that God isn't just powerful and glorious. 00:05:19.660 --> 00:05:21.360 He's also gracious and caring. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:26.259 In verse 10, Peter describes God as the God of all grace. 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:31.420 In verse 10, sorry, verse 7, we're told that God cares for us. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:38.020 God isn't just the almighty creator of the world who's perfectly holy, righteous, and just. 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:42.800 He's also a God of incredible mercy who loves his people 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:46.819 and sent his son to live in this world of brokenness and sin 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:50.040 so that we can be brought back into relationship with him. 00:05:51.139 --> 00:05:55.000 So Peter assures us that we belong to a God 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.899 who's not only powerful and glorious, 00:05:57.459 --> 00:05:59.420 but who is also gracious and caring. 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:03.319 And he reminds us that God has displayed these attributes 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:06.379 most fully in Jesus' death and resurrection. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:11.420 Jesus describes us as lost sheep wandering away from God. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:14.460 And he describes himself as the good shepherd 00:06:14.460 --> 00:06:16.680 who lays down his life for the sheep. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:21.340 Notice how Peter describes himself in verse 1 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:23.819 as being a witness of Christ's sufferings. 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:30.780 It's Christ's sufferings that was the price that it took to bring us to God. 00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:35.240 Earlier in chapter 2, verses 24 to 25, 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:37.139 Peter explains it in this way. 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:42.719 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree 00:06:42.719 --> 00:06:46.139 so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:48.719 By his wounds you have been healed, 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:50.979 for you were like sheep going astray, 00:06:51.539 --> 00:06:55.259 but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:57.599 And what a privilege this is, 00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:01.319 to know that we belong to a God who is also our shepherd, 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:05.079 who feeds us, cares for us, guides and protects us. 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:08.759 And I suppose this evening we need to ask ourselves, 00:07:09.099 --> 00:07:11.620 do we believe that this is who we belong to, 00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:14.839 this powerful, glorious, gracious and caring God? 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:19.319 Do you really believe that he's powerful enough to answer your prayers, 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:21.860 glorious enough to merit your praise, 00:07:22.599 --> 00:07:24.339 gracious enough to forgive your sins, 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:27.579 and caring enough to deal with the situations that you're facing? 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:29.399 If you don't, 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:33.620 I hope that you might see something of who God is this evening in this passage. 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:34.899 And if you do, 00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:39.500 I hope that you're challenged to see how this should cause us to live distinctively for him. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:48.879 Being a sheep of God's flock also means that you will share in God's eternal glory. 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:52.500 Again, what is your motivation in life? 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:57.579 For me, it's sadly no longer achieving any sort of athletic success, 00:07:57.579 --> 00:08:00.079 but it might be making money, 00:08:00.539 --> 00:08:02.539 it might be just being comfortable, 00:08:03.219 --> 00:08:06.300 maybe it's just simply enjoying your family and your friends. 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:09.860 And for each one of us, the truth lies in our hearts, 00:08:10.479 --> 00:08:14.399 but it's normally displayed in the way we spend our time and our money. 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:20.339 For Christians, Peter tells us that our ultimate motivation and goal in life 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:22.619 is to be God's eternal glory. 00:08:23.659 --> 00:08:25.879 And this means reminding ourselves each day 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:29.219 who God is and what he has done for you 00:08:29.219 --> 00:08:32.039 as your motivation for living for him. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:34.740 In verse 10, 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:39.799 we're told that we've been called by God to his eternal glory in Christ. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.620 And Peter says in verse 1 00:08:42.620 --> 00:08:45.439 that he will share in the glory to be revealed. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:48.320 And this promise doesn't just belong to Peter, 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:49.640 it belongs to every Christian. 00:08:50.640 --> 00:08:52.200 If we belong to God's flock, 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:54.380 then we will share in God's glory. 00:08:55.580 --> 00:08:59.020 And this is such an incredible example of the grace of God. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:02.320 We don't deserve to share in God's glory. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:04.980 Nothing we could do merits that. 00:09:06.260 --> 00:09:08.000 So God not only saves us, 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:10.960 he bestows us this incredible privilege 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:14.060 of sharing in the fullness of God for eternity. 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:17.819 The promise of sharing in God's glory 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:19.679 means that our reward in death 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:23.059 is to enjoy being in God's presence for all of eternity. 00:09:24.239 --> 00:09:27.239 What's more, verse 10 says that sharing in God's glory 00:09:27.239 --> 00:09:30.259 means that God will fully restore us 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:33.439 and make us strong, firm, and steadfast. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:36.639 And that is such an incredible comfort 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:39.399 when you're doubting or when you're hurting. 00:09:40.339 --> 00:09:42.039 I know that in my own life, 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:45.139 I find myself to be weak, soft, and wavering 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:47.120 in the face of difficulties of life. 00:09:47.819 --> 00:09:50.699 I'm frustrated by how often I give in to temptation, 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:54.399 how often I lose my temper with those I love the most, 00:09:54.939 --> 00:09:56.959 and how often I fail to share my faith. 00:09:58.319 --> 00:09:59.539 And as we look around, 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:03.079 we're so often hurt by the brokenness of this world, 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:06.759 whether it's experiencing relationships breaking down, 00:10:07.400 --> 00:10:10.240 friendships lost, jobs being lost, 00:10:10.300 --> 00:10:13.860 or the effects of illness taking their toll on our loved ones. 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:17.860 I suspect many of us feel broken or scarred 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:19.100 by the effects of sin 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:23.080 in our lives or in the lives of others. 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:25.240 And it's a tremendous encouragement 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:27.280 that God promises ultimately 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:30.500 to heal us completely, mind, body, and soul. 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:34.559 And it's this hope in God's eternal glory 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:36.459 that is to be our motivation 00:10:36.459 --> 00:10:39.899 to live for God's glory rather than our own. 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:43.139 And this attitude should permeate our whole life, 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:45.000 including how we approach our families, 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:47.959 our friends, our work, church, possessions, and leisure. 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:49.279 There's not an area of our life 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:51.319 that this shouldn't touch. 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:55.080 And so what does this look like in your life 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:56.300 on a day-to-day basis? 00:10:57.300 --> 00:10:58.500 And perhaps like me, 00:10:58.760 --> 00:11:01.120 you might admit that too often 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:02.400 your focus and time 00:11:02.400 --> 00:11:05.200 is spent on pursuing success and enjoyment 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:07.879 in these things themselves 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:09.379 rather than in the God 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:11.280 who provides and sustains them. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:15.340 So as we develop a greater appreciation 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:18.200 of what it means to belong to God 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.500 as a sheep of his flock, 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:21.940 we will be challenged more and more 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:23.580 to live humbly together 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:26.840 in the way that Peter sets out in chapter 5. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.019 If you don't belong to God this evening 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:31.779 and you don't have this hope 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:33.220 of being with him for eternity, 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:36.299 then I would challenge you 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:39.379 to consider that Jesus sees you as a lost sheep 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:41.779 and he wants you to return to God's flock. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:48.440 So how does being a sheep of God's flock 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:50.360 and knowing these things 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:52.520 change the way that we should live our lives 00:11:52.520 --> 00:11:53.480 here on earth? 00:11:55.020 --> 00:11:57.120 Peter's answer is that we are to follow 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.200 the example of Jesus, 00:11:58.560 --> 00:11:59.600 who is our chief shepherd, 00:12:00.160 --> 00:12:01.860 by living humbly together 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.360 through temporary suffering. 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:05.560 It's important to remember, 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:09.260 as Peter Dixon reminded us last week, 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:12.320 that the suffering that Peter is focusing on here 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:14.900 is suffering because of our faith in Christ. 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:19.179 And we can think about this 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:21.299 in terms of three ships. 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.860 There's servant leadership, 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:24.620 there's humble fellowship, 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.539 and there's enduring hardship. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.659 And in terms of servant leadership, 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.039 quite a big chunk of this passage 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:34.679 was about elders 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.059 and how they should be acting. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:39.379 But there's things that we can all learn from that. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:43.519 And so in terms of servant leadership, 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:45.700 there's, 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:48.179 in verse one, 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:50.240 Peter appeals to his fellow elders 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:52.120 to be shepherds of God's flock. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:54.720 And he gives three reasons 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:56.679 why elders are to display 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:57.639 this servant leadership 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:59.820 in their role as shepherds. 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.080 And firstly, 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.600 the first thing to remember 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:04.220 is that the shepherds 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.419 do not own the flock. 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.940 God's flock belongs to God, 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:09.160 no one else. 00:13:09.920 --> 00:13:10.700 In verse three, 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:12.680 Peter emphasizes that the flock 00:13:12.680 --> 00:13:14.520 is entrusted to the elders. 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.920 And that's really a call 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:18.440 on all of us 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:19.680 to treat the role of an elder 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:21.280 with the utmost seriousness 00:13:21.280 --> 00:13:23.320 in recognition of the trust 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.960 that has been placed in them by God. 00:13:26.280 --> 00:13:28.560 Elders are to care for the Christians 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:29.500 under their care 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.840 and the knowledge that 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:33.200 one day they must give an account to God. 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:36.120 And that's a huge responsibility 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.039 and challenge, 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.139 but it's also one 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.960 that can be a huge joy. 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:41.919 And as members, 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:43.820 for those of us who aren't elders, 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:47.039 there's a particular responsibility 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:48.159 on us 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.240 to support, 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:49.840 encourage, 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:51.100 and care for our elders, 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.519 both in prayer 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.899 and in practical ways. 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.200 And so I suppose 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.519 I would just challenge 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.320 you, 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:58.340 and I would challenge myself, 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:00.280 next time you're speaking 00:14:00.280 --> 00:14:01.519 to one of the elders, 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.160 why don't you make a point 00:14:03.160 --> 00:14:04.519 of asking specifically 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:06.120 what would they like to be, 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.580 you to be praying for them? 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:10.940 Secondly, 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:13.800 the shepherds 00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:15.019 have a chief shepherd. 00:14:16.560 --> 00:14:18.399 Elders aren't just shepherds, 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.560 they're also sheep 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:20.660 like the rest of us 00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:22.660 who have a chief shepherd. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:25.300 And Jesus is the chief shepherd 00:14:25.300 --> 00:14:26.460 that Peter speaks of 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:27.280 in verse four. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:30.120 Jesus set the ultimate example 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.480 of how to shepherd the flock. 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:34.560 In Jesus' death on the cross, 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.840 we see perfect love, 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:36.840 humility, 00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:37.759 and sacrifice. 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:40.120 And elders have a responsibility 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.139 to model 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:43.200 a Christ-like attitude 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:43.759 of love, 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:44.680 humility, 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:45.540 and sacrifice 00:14:45.540 --> 00:14:46.680 to the rest of the sheep. 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:47.879 Because, 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:48.900 in so doing, 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.100 Peter tells us 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.040 that in verse three, 00:14:51.780 --> 00:14:53.139 they are examples 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.040 to the flock. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.320 And elders who model 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:58.160 Jesus in their lives 00:14:58.160 --> 00:14:59.379 help to establish 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.300 a healthy tone 00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:01.420 for the life of the church. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.940 And that doesn't mean 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.980 the elders 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.040 strut around 00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:05.620 saying, 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.320 look at me, 00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:06.720 look, 00:15:06.800 --> 00:15:07.740 I am doing things. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:08.879 But rather, 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:10.379 it means that they should be 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.600 constantly 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:13.360 striving to point people 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.180 to Christ. 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:16.780 And thirdly, 00:15:17.300 --> 00:15:17.900 the shepherds 00:15:17.900 --> 00:15:20.160 have an eternal reward. 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:21.920 In verse two, 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.220 Peter talks about 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.940 an elder's motivation. 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:26.240 They should be willing 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.180 and they should be eager 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:27.779 to serve. 00:15:28.920 --> 00:15:29.700 And the reason 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:30.440 for this eagerness 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:31.740 is made clear 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.519 in verse four. 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:34.160 The chief shepherd 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:35.399 is coming again 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.740 and the elders 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.820 will receive 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:39.019 a crown of glory 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:40.320 that will never fade away. 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:42.420 The reward 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.180 for shepherding 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:43.779 the flock 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.899 isn't earthly. 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.420 It's not money, 00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:47.460 it's not power, 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.620 it's not recognition, 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.800 it's not status, 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:51.059 it's something 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:52.079 far more precious 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:53.019 and infinitely 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.879 more enduring, 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.479 a crown of glory 00:15:55.479 --> 00:15:56.059 in heaven. 00:15:57.479 --> 00:15:58.439 And on the basis 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.299 of this promise 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:00.459 of eternal reward, 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:02.359 elders are to resist 00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:03.859 all earthly motivations 00:16:03.859 --> 00:16:04.479 for leadership 00:16:04.479 --> 00:16:05.479 which are worth 00:16:05.479 --> 00:16:06.579 nothing in comparison. 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.419 In verse two, 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.159 we see that 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:09.979 elders 00:16:09.979 --> 00:16:11.199 are not to be greedy, 00:16:11.479 --> 00:16:12.299 they're not to pursue 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:13.199 dishonest gain. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.419 In verse two again, 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.120 we see that 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.479 they're not to serve 00:16:17.479 --> 00:16:18.599 simply out of duty, 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.920 they're not to serve 00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:20.820 simply because 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.399 they must. 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.259 And in verse three, 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.440 we see that elders 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.820 aren't to serve 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:27.100 for some 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:28.620 ambition 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.460 to get power. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:30.899 It says that elders 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.700 are not to lord 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.500 over those 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.480 entrusted to them. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:35.960 So, 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.500 I think both elders 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:39.420 and the rest of us 00:16:39.420 --> 00:16:40.060 should be 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:41.240 seriously challenged 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.320 but also strongly 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:42.980 motivated 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:44.560 by the truths 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.860 Peter sets out here 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:47.120 and we should be 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.779 reminded how 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.959 important it is 00:16:48.959 --> 00:16:49.959 to actively 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:50.899 support our elders 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.759 as they seek 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.319 to guide 00:16:52.319 --> 00:16:53.279 and support us. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:57.559 So, 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.259 living together 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.039 as God's flock 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.179 also means 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.519 living together 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.600 in humble fellowship 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:04.779 and this means 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.319 that the church 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:05.980 should be 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.379 marked by an attitude 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.859 of radical humility 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.899 firstly, 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.779 before God 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.940 and secondly, 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:12.920 amongst our 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.639 fellow Christians. 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:16.100 in verse six, 00:17:16.320 --> 00:17:17.000 we're commanded 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.280 to humble ourselves 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:19.800 under God's mighty hand. 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.540 And why is this? 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.720 Because God 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.920 opposes the proud 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:26.280 but gives grace 00:17:26.280 --> 00:17:26.880 to the humble. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.620 Humility 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:29.500 before God 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.700 means to recognize 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.380 that God 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.080 is God 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:33.040 and we are not. 00:17:34.040 --> 00:17:34.880 True humility 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.540 grows out of 00:17:35.540 --> 00:17:36.100 an increasing 00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:37.380 dependence on God 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:38.860 and the challenges 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.720 to trust God 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.660 with all aspects 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.280 of our lives, 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.240 not just the bits 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.259 we want to give to him. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.240 It's really easy 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.200 to think that we know 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:46.940 what is best 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.120 and to pursue 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:49.059 our own plans, 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.359 our own ambitions 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.000 and give God 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.420 only a second thought. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.019 Humility means 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.019 to reverse this 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.059 and acknowledge 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.839 that God knows 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.480 what's best 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.759 and to pursue 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.519 his plans 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.200 for our lives. 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:04.180 During his time 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.259 in a Japanese 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.740 prison camp, 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:07.480 Eric Liddell 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.180 wrote a little 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.220 devotional book 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.579 which is a 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.880 really fantastic read 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:13.140 and in it 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.880 he describes 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.420 the power 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.040 of authentic 00:18:15.040 --> 00:18:16.220 Christian humility 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.880 like this. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.520 He says, 00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:19.740 humility is powerful 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:21.200 for it is based 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.760 in the sense 00:18:21.760 --> 00:18:22.860 of being absolutely 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:23.600 dependent 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:24.240 on the grace 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:24.760 of God. 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.240 That is why 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.660 a Christian 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.740 has such a serene 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.420 and confident 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:28.980 spirit 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.380 combined with 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.360 the utmost humility. 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.580 He aims very high, 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.360 attempts great things 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:36.500 and yet without 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.140 proud looks 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.780 or thoughts 00:18:37.780 --> 00:18:39.160 because he is not 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.160 thinking of himself 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.100 but of God. 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:42.680 Would it not be 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.100 wonderful 00:18:43.100 --> 00:18:44.640 if we were 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:45.519 known as people 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.340 who demonstrated 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:47.080 this kind of 00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.480 humility 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.759 as we live 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.200 our lives 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:49.840 in the world? 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.640 Peter says 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:53.340 in verse 6 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:53.720 that we are 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.279 to be humble 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:55.540 so that God 00:18:55.540 --> 00:18:56.460 may lift you up 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.259 in due time. 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.000 That means 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.400 that we don't 00:18:59.400 --> 00:18:59.960 need to promote 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.560 ourselves 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.420 now 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.980 even when 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.060 we are unfairly 00:19:04.060 --> 00:19:04.420 ignored 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.400 or put down 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.360 because we know 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:06.920 that God's 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.200 timing is perfect. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.860 And that doesn't 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.440 mean that we'll 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.660 necessarily gain 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.740 recognition 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.740 or success 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.660 in this life. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.380 It means so much 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:16.700 more 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.940 that we will 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.779 ultimately be 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.620 united with our 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.400 God in heaven. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:21.819 And truly 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.559 believing this 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.400 liberates us 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.500 to serve God 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.100 more fully 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:26.120 in the midst 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:26.720 of a hostile 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.360 culture 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.580 which encourages 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:31.039 and demands 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.700 incessant 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.539 self-promotion. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.440 I was looking 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.360 at a statistic 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:36.100 the other day 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:36.619 and it said 00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:39.419 that 86% 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:40.019 of people 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:41.000 aged between 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.719 13 to 38 00:19:42.719 --> 00:19:43.799 would like 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.439 to become 00:19:44.439 --> 00:19:45.619 a social media 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:46.319 influencer. 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:47.659 Now I don't 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.099 know if 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.240 how many of you 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.659 know what a 00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:50.159 social media 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:51.779 influencer is. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.519 I'm certainly 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.019 not one. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.459 But they're 00:19:55.459 --> 00:19:56.119 basically people 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.679 who want 00:19:57.679 --> 00:19:59.159 to earn 00:19:59.159 --> 00:19:59.579 their money 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.419 by promoting 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.039 their wonderful 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.559 lives, 00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:02.679 wonderful products, 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.459 holidays, 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.699 and take 00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:05.299 photographs 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:07.440 and all 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.779 that kind 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.139 of stuff. 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.819 Now there's 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.180 not many 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.980 in here 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.639 that probably 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:15.759 want to 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.220 pursue that 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.759 as a career 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:18.159 but often 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:18.839 as Christians 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:20.500 we do put 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.019 a mask 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.740 on on a 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.059 Sunday 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.579 to demonstrate 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.180 that we've 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.500 got our 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.419 lives together, 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.079 that we are 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.440 sorted. 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.799 Trusting in 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.859 God frees us 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.519 to be open 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.119 and honest 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:31.639 with others 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:32.139 about the 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.819 fact that 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.579 we're still 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.180 works in 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:34.759 progress. 00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:36.700 And we 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.000 can be 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.799 confidently 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.259 humble 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.120 before God 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:40.720 because we're 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.120 told in 00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:41.680 verse 7 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.500 that he 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.019 cares for 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.560 you so we 00:20:44.560 --> 00:20:45.180 can cast 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.900 all our 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.840 anxiety on 00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:47.080 him. 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.600 Just think 00:20:48.600 --> 00:20:49.060 for a moment 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:49.640 how amazing 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.200 that is. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.279 The almighty 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.080 God of the 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:53.080 universe wants 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.900 to know about 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.740 the things that 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.480 matter to you. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.200 We live in a 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.940 world where 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:59.200 Christians and 00:20:59.200 --> 00:20:59.840 non-Christians 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:01.220 alike struggle 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.960 on a daily 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.720 basis with 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.079 worry, 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.160 stress and 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:05.680 anxiety and 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.279 it seems to 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.620 be getting 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:07.079 worse all 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.480 the time. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.279 How reassuring 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.059 it is to 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.360 know that 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:10.759 our God 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.500 is compassionate 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.720 and invites 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.059 us to 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.400 throw the 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:13.839 weight of 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.140 all our 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:14.680 anxieties 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.299 onto him. 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:16.860 And we're 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.240 not to 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.880 trust and 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:18.559 depend on 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:18.920 God in 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.620 some abstract 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.240 sense. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.400 We're to 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:21.819 trust in 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.799 God in 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.160 a real 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:23.860 and concrete 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.880 way in 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.259 our lives 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.640 day by 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:25.920 day. 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.519 What 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.000 specific 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.960 concerns do 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.400 you have 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:29.860 on your 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.299 heart this 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.640 evening? 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:31.960 A difficult 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.559 relationship? 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.799 Health concerns? 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.039 Finances? 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.640 Loneliness? 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.039 Job worries? 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.319 Tiredness? 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.579 God wants 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:41.940 you to 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.559 cast these 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.200 onto him 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.019 because he 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.539 cares for 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.799 you. 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:47.019 And there's 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.539 also to be 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.700 humility amongst 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.500 God's flock 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.539 because we 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.059 know that our 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.779 status before 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.240 God matters 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.259 infinitely more 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.660 than our 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.299 status before 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.640 men. 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.360 But what 00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:57.880 would it look 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.800 like to 00:21:58.800 --> 00:21:59.460 actually live 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.000 like that? 00:22:01.280 --> 00:22:01.800 In my 00:22:01.800 --> 00:22:02.800 work as a 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:03.180 commercial 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.660 lawyer, 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:05.300 time is 00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:05.880 quite literally 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.220 money. 00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.220 Every six 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.360 minutes is 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:09.920 more money. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.480 So there's 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.160 always a 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.040 pressure on 00:22:14.040 --> 00:22:15.500 productivity, 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.460 efficiency, 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:17.880 and all that 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.360 kind of thing. 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.560 So for me, 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.400 humility can 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.800 sometimes be 00:22:21.800 --> 00:22:22.420 as simple as 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:22.960 taking the 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.160 time to 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:24.640 help someone 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.100 fix the 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:26.180 printer or 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:26.780 taking the 00:22:26.780 --> 00:22:27.140 time to 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.460 help a 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:27.960 more junior 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.240 colleague who 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.559 is struggling 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.180 with something 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.039 that I think 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.759 is blindingly 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.559 obvious. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.220 And there 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.400 are countless 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.460 opportunities for 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.279 me to display 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:39.640 God's care to 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.140 the people I 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.519 come into 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.220 contact with 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.720 each day. 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:42.779 But without 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.799 reminding myself 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:45.079 every day that 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.779 I belong to 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.900 God and that 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.380 I'm to live 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.140 for his glory, 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.340 it's so easy 00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:50.400 to forget the 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:51.920 importance of 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.799 caring for 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.880 people as I 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.360 rush around 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:54.880 trying to 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.480 meet deadlines. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.539 humility will 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.400 look different 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:58.799 for each 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.440 of us in 00:22:59.440 --> 00:22:59.940 our different 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.240 situations, 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:02.819 maybe at 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.539 home, at 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.380 university, or 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:05.059 at work, or 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.779 just with your 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.259 friends and 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.660 family. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.620 But Peter 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:09.519 commands all 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.160 Christians in 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:12.059 verse 5 to 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:13.039 clothe ourselves 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.759 with humility 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.440 towards one 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.740 another. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.980 Again, my 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.019 work recently 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.680 introduced a 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.440 dress-for-your-day 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:19.980 policy. 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.960 It means we're 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.720 moving away from 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.339 a strict 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:24.600 dress code of 00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:25.279 suits, shirts, 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.519 and ties to 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:26.960 a flexible 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.839 dress code that 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:29.779 lets you decide 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:31.100 every day what 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.380 to wear depending 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:32.839 on what you're 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.079 doing. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.160 I prefer just 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.839 wearing suits and 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:36.279 ties, but there 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:36.600 you go. 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:38.279 So every day I 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.920 now have to get 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.839 up and make a 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.680 conscious decision 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.640 about what I'm 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.160 going to wear 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.900 depending on what 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.259 I'm doing. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.160 I don't always 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:45.059 get it right, but 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.079 that's the 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.339 theory. 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:49.539 In the same 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.759 way, Christians 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:52.019 need to make a 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.740 deliberate choice 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.399 about what 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:54.500 attitude we're 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:54.859 going to 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.439 clothe ourselves 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:56.079 with each 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.379 day. 00:23:57.459 --> 00:23:58.000 But Christians 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.839 don't have a 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.619 flexible dress 00:23:59.619 --> 00:23:59.939 code. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.399 We're always to 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.179 clothe ourselves 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:03.059 with humility 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.359 because we know 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:04.819 that we are to 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.539 live for God's 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.319 glory and not 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:06.619 our own. 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:07.980 And that means 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.659 consciously 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:09.639 investing our 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.539 time, resources, 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:12.439 and skills to 00:24:12.439 --> 00:24:13.179 build up God's 00:24:13.179 --> 00:24:14.299 kingdom rather than 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.220 establishing our 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.659 own little 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.420 fiefdoms. 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.019 We do this not 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.400 in our own 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.240 power, but in 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.160 reliance on the 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.980 grace that God 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.519 gives to the 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:21.759 humble. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:23.920 And perhaps you 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.500 need God's 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.360 strength this week 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:26.740 to show humility 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.700 to a colleague 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.820 at work whose 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:29.720 opinion always 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.400 seems to be at 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.100 odds with yours. 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.660 Or perhaps you 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.360 need to admit to 00:24:33.360 --> 00:24:33.880 someone that you 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.759 were wrong in the 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.120 way that you 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.000 treated them and 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.580 ask them for 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.019 forgiveness. 00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.540 God wants you to 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.240 pray about these 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.480 specific situations 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.540 and ask for the 00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:43.340 strength and wisdom 00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:44.320 to show humility 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:44.759 in them. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.599 And the church 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.700 should be recognized 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.619 as a place where 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.879 people interact with 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.640 one another in a 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.500 genuinely humble 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.879 manner. 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.180 And I think we all 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:55.539 see good examples 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.099 of this. 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.660 We see people who 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:59.140 are perhaps regarded 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.319 in the world as 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.579 very successful, 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.799 high-powered jobs, 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:03.960 but then you see 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.799 them doing some of 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.420 the most menial 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.619 tasks in the church 00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:08.059 and taking a genuine 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.980 interest in those 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.700 that others might 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.099 avoid. 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:12.240 Christians and 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.159 churches aren't 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:14.599 perfect and things 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.599 do go wrong. 00:25:16.719 --> 00:25:17.639 Where pride creeps 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:20.319 in unaddressed in a 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.039 church, it causes 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:22.599 division, disruption 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.539 and heartbreak. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.159 And some of you 00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:25.939 may have experienced 00:25:25.939 --> 00:25:26.659 that yourself. 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.740 So it is really 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.639 important that a 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.579 culture of authentic 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:33.079 humility is actively 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.099 promoted within the 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.439 church. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.900 So what can we be 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.900 doing practically to 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.880 contribute to 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.940 cultivating a culture 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.960 of humility here at 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.460 Brunsfield? 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.559 Do we show humility 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.559 in the way we express 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.620 our opinions about 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.559 how things are done 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.620 or how we would like 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.180 them to be done? 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.140 Do we make the effort 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:52.100 to speak to those who 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:52.900 are on the margins 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.700 of our church? 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.299 A church community 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.299 that is founded on 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.100 genuine humble 00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:58.340 fellowship is a 00:25:58.340 --> 00:25:59.420 powerful example to 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.220 a world that is 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.320 increasingly founded 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:02.820 on the pride of the 00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:03.240 individual. 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:05.019 And we all need to 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.779 actively play our 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:07.079 part in creating 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.759 that culture. 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.039 And enduring 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.579 hardship. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.819 Peter is very clear 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.200 that living together 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.019 as God's flock 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.380 requires all Christians 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:18.460 to endure hardship 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.240 for the sake of 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:19.620 Christ. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.980 He reminds us that 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.700 we are in a fierce 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.700 spiritual battle. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.599 Peter describes the 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.500 devil in verse 8 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.240 as our enemy, 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.440 who is like a 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.339 prowling and roaring 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:30.480 lion that is looking 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.220 for someone to 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:33.059 destroy, to devour. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.819 The devil wants us 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.660 to doubt that our 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.599 God is powerful, 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.859 glorious, gracious 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:39.400 and caring by 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.220 attacking us through 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.039 temptation and 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.380 suffering. 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.039 And this is how the 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.799 devil has always 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.579 tried to tempt 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:45.039 humans. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.500 If you've been here 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.079 for some of the 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:48.740 Genesis talks, you 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.380 might want to think 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.680 back to Genesis 3 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:52.099 where the serpent 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.680 asks Eve, did God 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:55.019 really say you must 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.819 not eat from any 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.539 tree in the garden? 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.240 It's the same today. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.720 The devil wants us to 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:01.259 make us doubt who 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.299 God really is and 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.480 what his word really 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.920 says. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.400 And we can't be 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:06.600 complacent about sin 00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:08.180 because it has 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.500 devastating consequences. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.860 We need to be 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.900 self-controlled and 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:13.480 alert and active in 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.299 our resistance to 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.059 evil. 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.779 We need to be on our 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:18.200 guard or we will let 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.279 Satan get his foot in 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.400 the door and when he 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:21.860 does, he will seek to 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:23.120 steal, kill and 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.539 destroy. 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.880 But our resistance 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:27.039 isn't to be founded in 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.759 our own strength. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:29.220 It's ultimately to be 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:31.400 founded on us standing 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.660 firm in the faith. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.299 As Peter says in 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:36.119 verse 9, on our own 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.339 we're defenseless 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.460 against the devil. 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.379 The devil is described 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:42.019 as a lion in the 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.099 context of us being 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:44.140 described as sheep. 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.879 In any normal 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:47.200 situation, there's only 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.119 going to be one winner 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:49.160 in a fight between a 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.059 lion and a sheep. 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:52.099 But with our chief 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.119 shepherd, we are able 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.940 to stand firm because 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.640 Jesus is not just like a 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:56.879 lion. 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:58.640 He is the lion of 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.820 Judah who is all 00:27:59.820 --> 00:28:00.260 powerful. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.700 Throughout his letter, 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:04.100 Peter's made it clear 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:05.620 that there is an 00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:07.080 inescapable link between 00:28:07.080 --> 00:28:08.400 sharing in God's glory 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:10.060 and enduring hardship 00:28:10.060 --> 00:28:10.800 for the sake of 00:28:10.800 --> 00:28:11.180 Christ. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.660 In verse 9, we're 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.420 reminded that our 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.320 brothers and sisters 00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:17.160 across the world are 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.060 also suffering for 00:28:18.060 --> 00:28:18.580 their faith. 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:20.120 We're not alone. 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.460 Others are also 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.400 suffering for Christ 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.580 just as Christ suffered 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:25.100 for us. 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.179 And we need to 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:27.179 remember them in 00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:27.459 prayer. 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:31.879 But the important 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:32.919 thing Peter wants us 00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:34.579 to realize here is 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.599 that the suffering of 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.419 a Christian is 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:36.919 temporary. 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:39.379 Verse 10 says that 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.419 God will restore us 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:41.579 after we have 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.819 suffered a little 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.219 while. 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:46.079 Peter wants us to 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.459 view our suffering 00:28:47.459 --> 00:28:49.480 in the context of 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.519 God's eternal glory. 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.519 God's eternal glory. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.000 And he wants us to 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.660 remember that our 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.819 certain hope that we 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.980 will ultimately be 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.039 restored and made 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.539 strong, firm and 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.879 steadfast by God 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:02.460 will motivate us to 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.819 resist evil and endure 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.579 hardship in the 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:04.879 present. 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.259 And Peter here isn't 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.900 trying to ignore or 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.980 diminish the present 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:13.000 reality, pain and 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.180 difficulty of suffering. 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:16.319 But it does mean that 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.279 we can always have a 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.500 certain hope in the 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.559 God that cares for us. 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:23.259 And so just as we 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:26.480 finish, after winning 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:29.079 his gold medal at the 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.799 Paris Olympics, as we 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:32.720 heard, Eric Liddell 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.519 turned his back on 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.859 his athletics career 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:36.619 and walked away for a 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:38.220 life of obscurity in 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.279 China as a missionary. 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.659 And he was asked if he 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.779 regretted exchanging 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:44.460 this glory, this 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:46.579 athletic glory for life 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.139 as an obscure 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:47.559 missionary. 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:49.480 And it was very 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.279 interesting how he 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.759 replied. 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:53.919 He said, oh well, of 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:55.339 course it's natural for a 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:57.259 chap to think over all 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.059 that sometimes. 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:00.159 But I'm glad at the work 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:01.220 I'm engaged in now. 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:03.019 A fellow's life counts 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.460 for far more for this 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.119 than the other. 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.879 Not a corruptible 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:08.299 crown, but an 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:09.319 incorruptible one. 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:12.700 Liddell was imprisoned in 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:14.039 a Japanese internment 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:15.319 camp during the Second 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:15.960 World War. 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:18.420 And he was separated 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.519 from his wife and his 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.659 children who were back 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.200 in Canada. 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:24.619 And rather than him 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.639 sitting around moping, 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:27.559 he busied himself by 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.899 helping the sick and the 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.299 elderly. 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.059 He taught Bible classes 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.480 at the camp school, he 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.059 arranged games, and he 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.039 taught science to the 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.359 children. 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:38.000 And if you read any of 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:40.019 the books about his 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:41.939 life, you'll find that his 00:30:41.939 --> 00:30:43.740 fellow prisoners universally 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.679 described him as a man who 00:30:45.679 --> 00:30:48.219 had displayed incredible 00:30:48.219 --> 00:30:51.000 faith, humility, and care for 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:52.559 others in the most difficult 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.439 of circumstances. 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:58.340 So Eric Liddell is a famous 00:30:58.340 --> 00:31:00.180 example of a remarkable 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:02.620 Christian who lived humbly 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:04.059 through his temporary 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:06.259 suffering because he fully 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.640 believed that the glory of 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:09.440 gold was nothing in this 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:11.000 world compared to the glory 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.740 of God. 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.559 But we have a greater example 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.340 than Eric Liddell. 00:31:15.840 --> 00:31:17.140 We've got the example of our 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.240 chief shepherd, Jesus. 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:20.700 And Jesus invites us to join 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:22.340 God's flock and to share in 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:24.419 God's eternal glory as our 00:31:24.419 --> 00:31:25.959 motivation for living humbly 00:31:25.959 --> 00:31:27.480 together through temporary 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:27.919 suffering. 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:31.959 In verse 12, Peter tells us 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:33.599 that he wrote the letter of 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:35.559 1 Peter to encourage his 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:37.799 readers and to testify to the 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.859 true grace of God. 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.539 And he challenged his readers 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:43.399 who were about to experience 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:46.099 real suffering under Nero to 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:48.119 stand fast in the true grace 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.619 of God. 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:51.240 And that really remains our 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:53.039 challenge here today in 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.319 Edinburgh in 2020. 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.660 We're not called to run away 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.759 from the challenges of our 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:59.859 society, but we're called to 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:01.980 stand firm in Christ and face 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.599 them together. 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.960 We'll just pray to close. 00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:10.460 Our gracious God and Father, 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:12.880 we thank you for the privilege it 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:14.819 is to be able to call you our 00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.460 chief shepherd. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:17.819 Lord, I pray that as we go out 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:19.440 into our different weeks, we 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.759 would do so with a renewed 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:22.779 focus on you and your glory, 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.240 and that the world would be 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:26.120 more, and that we would be 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:28.200 motivated to live more 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:29.579 dependently on you. 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:31.480 In Jesus' name, amen.