WEBVTT

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 But if you're in your place, we're just going to read the first six verses to kind of get a context and idea of what's going on.

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 And Peter says this in verse number one,

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 And really our text is going to be here tonight in verse 3, 4, and 5 especially.

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 Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

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 to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

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 who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.

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 Peter says this in verse 6,

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 Really, the entire theme of this book is this lively hope, this reason to rejoice in our Christian life.

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 And kind of these verses remind us that we have a hope that cannot fail.

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 There's a lot of things in life that let us down.

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 There's a lot of things in life that fail us.

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 And we think, well, this will never change.

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 This will never fail.

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 And lo and behold, it does.

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 But there are some things that will never fail.

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 And what Peter says is what you have in Christ, it's everlasting.

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 It's everlasting.

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 It's something we can hang on to, not just today, but for all eternity.

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 And that's what we're going to look at tonight.

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 So let's go to the Lord in prayer and ask him to bless our time.

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 Father, thank you for this time together.

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 Thank you for the songs that are reminded of the truth that we're going to preach about this evening.

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 And Lord, I pray that this would just be an encouragement to the hearer tonight.

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 Just as I was studying, and be reminded of all that you've done for us, Lord.

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 And we're walking through maybe difficult times in life.

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 And things that we're not sure of the outcome.

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 And we don't even maybe know the questions to ask.

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 But Lord, I pray you would help us just to take a step back and look and be reminded of these truths.

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 Lord, I do pray if there's somebody here tonight that is unsure of their salvation.

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 And still searching, Lord, that looking for hope in something.

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 That tonight would be the night they really come to the realization they need you as their Savior.

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 Lord, I pray you be with me now.

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 You would empty me of self.

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 Cleanse me of sin.

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 Fill me with your spirit, Lord.

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 I might be a help to your people.

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 We ask it in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 Thank you so much for standing.

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 May be seated.

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 Have you ever ordered something that didn't live up to the hype?

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 We've all been in that boat.

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 I mean, it can be something as simple as a restaurant order.

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 I mean, when you go, they always have the little inserts of the menus of their new items.

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 And, man, you look at the picture.

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 You're like, that looks delicious.

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 You see maybe an advertisement on TV.

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 I mean, even McDonald's hamburgers look gourmet on television.

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 But then you order it and you open up the box.

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 You're like, man, there's no substance to this.

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 Maybe some of you, I know Ms. Renee has done this a couple times.

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 She was sucked into Timu.

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 Anybody ever bought something on Timu?

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 I mean, it looks great.

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 Price is great.

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 You know, after you wait about 18 weeks for it to come to China, you thought you ordered a couch.

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 But it was actually just a picture of a couch.

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 And it just didn't match up to what you thought it was.

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 I mean, it looked good online.

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 But there was really no durability, no substance.

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 I mean, you read the reviews.

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 They sounded promising.

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 But it just wasn't what you thought it was.

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 And you sat there maybe after a little bit and you realized, man, this is, man, I got ripped off.

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 You know, that's why when it comes to a restaurant order, I just order the same thing every time.

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 Because I know what I'm expecting.

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 I just want to get what I, I don't want to, I don't want to branch out.

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 But really when we think about this kind of idea, the disappointment, it really comes from a simple problem.

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 It's a lot of expectation and it just turns out there's no substance behind it.

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 We have all these grand plans and all these great things.

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 And it's a great deal and it's a great price and all of the things.

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 But when it comes down to it, there's nothing behind it.

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 And I think if we're honest, that's a pretty good picture of the kind of hope that the world offers.

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 It's grand in its promises.

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 It looks really nice.

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 It's got bright lights and shiny things.

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 But when it really plays out in our life, we think, well, that was disappointing.

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 That really didn't live up to the billing.

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 That didn't really change my life.

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 And I think we realize that the world talks about hope constantly.

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 Hope in the progress we're making.

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 We look at mankind and think of all the progress that we have made.

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 I mean, the fact that we carry, we talked about a GPS.

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 We don't just have to have a GPS.

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 It's on our phone.

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 We carry a computer in our pocket.

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 I mean, that's really what it is.

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 I mean, that's an amazing thing to think about.

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 I just always wonder, like, if people from the past came to here and they're like, what is that?

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 You know, we can just get on the internet and look up anything.

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 But, yeah, we make all this progress.

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 But we're really not getting better.

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 It's really kind of making things worse in certain aspects.

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 There's hope.

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 We hear all the time on the news, hope of peace in the world.

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 Well, peace doesn't come from a contract that some nations sign.

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 It doesn't come from an idea.

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 Peace only comes, real peace comes from Jesus Christ.

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 And we place our hope in systems and in processes.

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 And we hope that things will eventually get better.

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 But it really doesn't matter if this generation or the prior, we can keep going back.

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 I think generation after generation has discovered the same thing.

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 That hope that rests on human effort and human ingenuity, it eventually collapses.

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 You eventually, we realize, well, this isn't what it was billed to be.

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 But as we've kind of introduced this thought of this living hope, I'm so thankful, and I'm sure that you are as well, that biblical hope is much different.

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 That it's not one of these things that over promises and under delivers.

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 No, biblical hope is this settled expectation that's not rooted in our circumstances.

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 No, that it is rooted in what God has done and what he has promised.

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 Because sometimes we look and we think, well, how do we know God's going to do this?

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 I know the Bible promises, well, we can just look at his track record.

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 We can look at it through the scriptures and see how God has come through for his people every time.

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 But I would encourage you, just look in your own life.

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 And you're going to find this, that God has never failed you.

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 God has never let you down.

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 The promises that he has made to you, he keeps.

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 Now, many of the promises sometimes, let's just, let's make sure we understand this, are conditional.

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 What God says, if you do this, then I'll do that.

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 But us as human beings, we say, well, I don't want to do that, but I still want the benefits.

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 And we say, well, I can't believe God didn't hold up his end of the bargain.

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 Peter's going to remind us throughout this book that God always holds up his end of the bargain.

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 That he always keeps his promises.

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 And the reality is, is we need a hope that is certain, that is settled.

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 Because it matters deeply to the believer.

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 Because we look at the world around us and it's always moving.

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 It's shaking at the foundations.

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 Christians.

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 But Peter's told us there in the first verse that we're strangers.

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 That listen, this world is not our home.

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 Yes, we live here.

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 We work here.

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 We raise families here.

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 We have all of these things.

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 But we are not living, we should not be living as Christians for the here and the now.

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 Because if that's the case, we are going to be highly disappointed.

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 We're going to be extremely frustrated.

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 And the closer we get to Christ and the more that we try to live our life for him, we're going to realize that our values, our priorities, our direction is completely different than the culture.

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 Than the society that we live in.

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 And we begin to look maybe a little bit strange.

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 And we begin to realize, well, maybe I don't just, I don't really fit in.

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 And that's okay.

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 Okay.

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 Peter's going to remind us that we should be a peculiar people.

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 That we're set apart.

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 That there's something different.

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 There should be something very different about the believer's life.

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 And he's writing to a group of people that were kind of living that firsthand.

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 They are scattered.

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 The persecution has come.

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 Rome is really kind of trying to purge itself of Christianity.

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 And they are the targets.

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 And they feel like, I don't really know what's going on.

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 And Peter's writing to them with this idea.

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 I want you to know this.

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 You're not hopeless strangers.

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 That you have something you can hold on to tightly.

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 And that's what we looked at a couple weeks ago in these first two verses.

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 That we have hope in what we have.

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 And in who we are.

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 We notice there in verse number two that we are chosen by the Father.

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 That God has ordained that.

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 God is drawing us to himself.

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 We are set apart by the Spirit.

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 And we're cleansed by the blood of Christ.

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 That is who we are.

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 Because we live in a world that is having an identity crisis.

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 They're pushing this identity crisis.

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 And this gender ideology.

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 And all these things.

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 And it's pushing all this confusion.

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 Nobody knows who they are.

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 And Peter wanted the believers to realize, no, you know who you are.

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 You are loved by God.

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 He came all the way from heaven to earth for you.

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 And he died for you.

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 And that is a settled reality.

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 And even when the world feels unstable.

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 Whether it's the first century or it's right now in 2026.

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 Our identity is secure in Christ.

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 And Peter is reminding him of that wonderful truth.

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 And in our text today, Peter kind of takes it one step further.

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 He's kind of introducing this thought.

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 That not only do we have hope in who we are.

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 We have hope in what we have.

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 In who we are and what we have.

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 Here's the wonderful thing.

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 It's all because of Jesus.

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 It's nothing that we've done.

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 It's not by works of righteousness that we've done.

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 No, it's by his mercy.

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 And by his abundant mercy, the Bible says here.

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 And by his grace.

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 So the natural question is what do we have then?

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 If our hope is in who we are.

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 We're elected by God.

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 We're sanctified through the spirit.

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 And we're cleansed by the blood.

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 We know who we are.

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 But what do we have because of that?

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 Number one, I think we see this.

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 We have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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 That's what he introduces there in verse number three.

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 Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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 which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope

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 by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

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 And see, this would have been a powerful truth for Peter.

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 Because when you go back and we're kind of in the midst of the Gospels right now

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 and we look at the disciples there and we realize it took them a while to kind of figure out what was really going on.

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 Because Peter's original hope was in this, that Jesus was going to overthrow Rome.

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 I mean, Peter's hope when he kind of saw some of the things that Jesus was doing

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 and he kind of experienced some of the miracles, he's like, man, I'm on board with this guy.

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 Because they needed a political savior is what they thought.

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 Because in his mind and in the disciples' mind and really in Israel,

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 the greatest problem they were facing at that time was Roman oppression.

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 They were thinking to themselves, if we could just get Rome off our back,

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 we could really live life how it's supposed to be.

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 That God has promised that we are his children and we are his chosen nation

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 and we really need God just to deliver us, kind of like he did in Egypt.

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 Because if Rome was off our back, we'd have no problems.

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 And not only that, I think we see throughout the Gospels, especially in the disciples' life,

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 they were kind of wanting to be up on the stage.

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 They wanted those positions of power and authority.

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 And Peter's thinking, man, this is finally I'm going to get to be somebody.

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 Because it's kind of like the world really hadn't changed much.

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 You've got to be born sometimes into the right family, so to speak,

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 to have power and wealth as the world would look at it.

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 Well, Peter wasn't born into that family.

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 He was just a fisherman.

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 I mean, he was just kind of the low of the low.

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 He was just a hardworking, blue-collar guy.

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 And he thought, man, this is my inside track.

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 And he wanted that position.

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 He wanted to be on his right hand and his left hand.

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 James and John were the same way.

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 And when Jesus came and Peter began to see those miracles,

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 he thought, man, I'm all in on this.

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 And he saw Jesus preaching.

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 He saw the crowds coming.

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 And I think Peter would have got caught up in that a little bit.

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 I think we all would have.

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 Wow, look at this.

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 And like, hey, are you Peter?

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 Yeah, I'm Peter.

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 One of Jesus' disciples.

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 I think when you really study the Gospels,

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 the disciples' heads were going real big sometimes.

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 Jesus was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

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 Because the closer he got to the cross,

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 Jesus started speaking about suffering and death.

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 And when you really, Peter's like, hey, man,

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 we're not about that right now.

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 Like, I'm just going to let you know.

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 If you're for that, I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen.

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 And Jesus said, I'm going to suffer and I'm going to die.

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 And Peter's basically like, over my dead body, you're going to do that.

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 He does that.

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 And Jesus says, get thee behind me, Satan.

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 See, because Peter thought that that's where the hope was,

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 that as long as maybe the political powers were more on their side

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 and more in their favor,

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 and he had a little say in what the culture did,

00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:19.399
 that, man, that's where the real hope is.

00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:22.940
 And so Peter resisted this teaching of Christ,

00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:25.759
 that he had to suffer, and that he had to die,

00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.639
 and that he was going to raise again,

00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:30.539
 and yet Jesus was crucified.

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:33.759
 And it shook them to the core.

00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:37.939
 And they were scattered as sheep having no shepherd,

00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.080
 because they, as the Bible prophesied,

00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:42.539
 and they basically holed up in the upper room,

00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.659
 and they locked themselves in.

00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.700
 What are they going to do?

00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:48.740
 Because they knew who they were, sinful men,

00:14:48.819 --> 00:14:50.899
 and they probably should have been on that cross,

00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:54.120
 and yet the most perfect person that's ever walked this planet

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.620
 is the one that nailed to the cross.

00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:57.519
 They're thinking, man, they're definitely coming for us.

00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.860
 They were afraid.

00:14:59.220 --> 00:14:59.919
 And the Bible says that.

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:03.100
 They were scared for what the Jews were going to do to them.

00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.959
 And Peter even came to the point where he said,

00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.079
 I don't even know that guy.

00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:11.819
 When he realized it was going down a road that he wasn't ready to walk,

00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.779
 even though he promised he was,

00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:16.519
 they said, hey, aren't you one of his disciples?

00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:17.639
 I don't know the guy.

00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.259
 I've never met him.

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:23.240
 He began to curse and say, I have nothing to do with him.

00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:31.279
 And basically what happened is their hope appeared to die.

00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:34.080
 But then came the morning,

00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.039
 and Mary was going down to the tomb,

00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:41.179
 and she got there, and she thought it was a gardener out there.

00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:44.860
 She said, if you just tell me what they did with his body,

00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.279
 I'd love to know that.

00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:50.799
 And he said, Mary, and she knew exactly who it was.

00:15:51.319 --> 00:15:52.179
 You know what she did?

00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:54.839
 She ran back and she told the disciples.

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.879
 And guess who came running?

00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:59.379
 Peter and John.

00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:02.620
 Now, I love that part in John chapter 20,

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.860
 where Peter, John, I mean, John is competitive.

00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:06.659
 I love John.

00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:09.059
 In all Scripture, he says, listen,

00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:11.019
 I want everybody to know I'm faster than Peter.

00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:14.500
 I'm sure they're having a race in heaven right now about it.

00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.379
 And he outran Peter to the tomb.

00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:18.699
 Peter was struggling a little bit, but they got there,

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.399
 and the tomb was empty.

00:16:21.239 --> 00:16:23.119
 And they began to kind of question what's going on.

00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.219
 They go back to the upper room,

00:16:24.359 --> 00:16:26.079
 and lo and behold, here comes Jesus.

00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:28.459
 He said, peace I give unto you.

00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:30.859
 Not peace that the world offers.

00:16:31.359 --> 00:16:33.139
 See, because that's where Peter's hope was.

00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:35.099
 It was in the peace that maybe the world is doing.

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:37.540
 And if we can just get some things in our life together,

00:16:37.540 --> 00:16:39.700
 and we can just kind of get better politically,

00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:41.060
 everything's going to be better.

00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:43.580
 Jesus said, that's not where hope comes from, Peter.

00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:46.860
 And what happened is their understanding,

00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:47.980
 and especially Peter,

00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:50.080
 he's riding from a place of experience.

00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:53.120
 Their understanding of hope was completely transformed.

00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:56.000
 Because that's what the resurrection does.

00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:59.200
 The resurrection changes everything.

00:16:59.800 --> 00:17:02.220
 And Peter didn't just hear about it.

00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:04.920
 No, Peter experienced in his life.

00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:09.240
 Because when Jesus Christ walked out of the tomb on that third day,

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:12.879
 listen, hope was no longer tied to circumstances.

00:17:13.699 --> 00:17:14.899
 Because that's where Peter lived.

00:17:15.459 --> 00:17:16.519
 And I think if we're not careful,

00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:18.399
 that's where we live a lot of times too.

00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:20.980
 That our hope is based on this,

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.980
 and it's based on that.

00:17:22.219 --> 00:17:23.959
 No, hope became alive,

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:25.139
 and it became active,

00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:28.000
 because it was anchored in victory over death,

00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.579
 and hell, and the grave.

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:32.740
 And all the messages that Peter had heard,

00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.699
 and all the miracles that he had seen,

00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.840
 he began to realize,

00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:37.019
 this is what it means.

00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.940
 That this is why he came.

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.700
 And here's the great news.

00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:43.100
 That hope wasn't just for Peter,

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.740
 and for those apostles there,

00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:46.660
 in the early church.

00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:48.539
 No, it's for us too.

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.799
 That that hope is alive.

00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:53.440
 Listen, as much as we give Peter a hard time,

00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.920
 our hope's not political.

00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:58.100
 It doesn't mean that we shouldn't vote,

00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.539
 and we shouldn't have a voice.

00:17:59.800 --> 00:18:02.500
 But listen, we're not basing everything that happens,

00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:04.900
 who's in the White House in this country.

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.700
 It's just not the truth.

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.200
 Because if you're hoping for that,

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:10.740
 and I think we've seen that happen,

00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.360
 even in different generations,

00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.220
 and somebody didn't get elected,

00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:16.019
 man, it's devastating.

00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:19.539
 But that's not where we're supposed to look.

00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:22.399
 Our hope is not in this culture getting better.

00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.680
 Because it's not.

00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.799
 We talked about it in Sunday school.

00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.299
 In fact, the Bible tells us,

00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:29.960
 it's going to get worse and worse.

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.539
 That's not a reason to despair.

00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:35.079
 It's just a reminder that we have a job to do,

00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:38.960
 and we have a joy that transcends the circumstances.

00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:41.079
 Because it's not circumstantial.

00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.019
 See, simply put,

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:47.079
 what Peter's reminding these early believers,

00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:47.839
 in verse number three,

00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:52.980
 that their hope is rooted in the fact that Jesus is alive.

00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:55.259
 That's where it's found.

00:18:56.659 --> 00:18:59.059
 And the same hope is found today.

00:18:59.959 --> 00:19:02.720
 And I think we just need to be reminded of that.

00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:05.819
 Because just like they would have,

00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:06.859
 there's times,

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.039
 and maybe you're in it right now,

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.539
 I don't know,

00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:10.699
 where life feels unstable.

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.819
 Where it feels like everything's moving.

00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:19.700
 And if you anchor your confidence in the wrong things,

00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:22.059
 you're going to be really disappointed.

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:29.599
 And Peter is writing to these people that are literally running for their life.

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.679
 They had to leave everything they know,

00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:33.639
 just so they wouldn't be killed.

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:36.339
 Just so they wouldn't go through intense persecution.

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.939
 And he's saying,

00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.240
 listen,

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.740
 you need to make sure that your hope,

00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.959
 it's not a dead hope,

00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.439
 it's a lively hope,

00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:46.659
 is anchored in what's not going to change tomorrow.

00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.399
 Because, you know,

00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:50.339
 there's going to be things in life that seem like,

00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.579
 this is a sure bet.

00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:53.039
 You ever had somebody do that?

00:19:53.199 --> 00:19:53.539
 They call you,

00:19:53.699 --> 00:19:53.980
 hey man,

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:55.099
 I got a great investment option.

00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.139
 It's a sure bet.

00:19:57.659 --> 00:19:58.019
 Well,

00:19:58.199 --> 00:19:58.599
 guess what?

00:19:58.919 --> 00:20:00.359
 Those sure bets don't always work out.

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.259
 But this one does.

00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:05.240
 And he's reminding them of that.

00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:12.000
 Because there's going to be opportunities that we've maybe anchored our hope into something,

00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:14.579
 not maliciously,

00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:16.679
 not going against the Word of God,

00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.419
 but we just think,

00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:17.639
 well,

00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:19.000
 at least I have my health.

00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.719
 But you know what?

00:20:20.719 --> 00:20:21.039
 Sometimes,

00:20:21.479 --> 00:20:23.379
 you're going to get that doctor report.

00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.679
 And you can't anchor it into that.

00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:29.219
 There's going to be moments in life for that job situation

00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.759
 that you were using

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.519
 and you were planning

00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:33.819
 and you were trying to plan your future

00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.640
 and have some retirement.

00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:36.079
 It might seem uncertain.

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.940
 There's going to be moments in life

00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:39.720
 where relationships feel strained

00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:41.360
 and the bills keep stacking up

00:20:41.360 --> 00:20:44.259
 and our tendency is to anchor hope in the outcomes.

00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.539
 And we think to ourselves,

00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.640
 if this works out,

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.360
 then I'll be okay.

00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:49.600
 If this pans out or this happens,

00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.779
 then everything's going to be okay.

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.819
 And if this changes,

00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:53.079
 then I'll have some peace.

00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:54.839
 Peter's saying,

00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.039
 listen,

00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.819
 don't do that.

00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:56.880
 Hey,

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.059
 life's hard enough

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.859
 and we don't need to anchor it

00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:01.839
 in things that can change like that.

00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:03.960
 Because some of those things,

00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.599
 I mean,

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:06.119
 they can be perfectly fine

00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.539
 and then by tomorrow they're gone.

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.079
 But Peter reminds us

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.940
 our hope isn't what might happen.

00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:13.940
 Our hope is in the fact

00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:17.119
 that Jesus is alive right now.

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.339
 That's where our hope is.

00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:20.579
 I mean,

00:21:20.639 --> 00:21:21.960
 John dealt with the same thing.

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.659
 The world's in upheaval.

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:26.579
 He's been outcast on the Isle of Patmos

00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.919
 and they tried to boil him alive.

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.859
 That didn't really work.

00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.500
 So they're just going to

00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.379
 throw him out on the island

00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.079
 and hope he dies.

00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.699
 And you know what Jesus told him?

00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.779
 You read the first chapter

00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:36.279
 of the book of Revelation.

00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.220
 Here's the hope that he gave him.

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:40.220
 I am he that was dead,

00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:41.339
 was alive and was dead,

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:43.980
 but I'm alive forevermore.

00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:46.159
 That's what he wanted John to realize.

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.539
 That all the things

00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.819
 that he was about to tell him

00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.779
 in the book of Revelation,

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.980
 all the things that the fact

00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:52.000
 that he's coming again,

00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.980
 like what Brother Jared

00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.679
 sang this morning,

00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:55.000
 are rooted in the fact

00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.400
 that he is alive.

00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.820
 Maybe this week

00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:02.140
 or next month

00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:03.380
 or sometime this year,

00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.900
 that anxiety is going to rise

00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.420
 in your life.

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.779
 That doubt is going to come

00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.840
 knocking at your door.

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.620
 And we need to be reminded

00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.880
 that our hope is alive.

00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.960
 That Jesus is alive.

00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:16.799
 I know we talk about it all the time,

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.279
 but we need to take it

00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:20.480
 from this church

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.720
 to where we live.

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:23.380
 Because you're going to run

00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.259
 into things in your life

00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.519
 and you're going to think,

00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:26.339
 well, what am I going to do?

00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.720
 Well, I may not have

00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.579
 the answer for you right now,

00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.100
 but I know this,

00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.360
 Jesus is alive.

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:35.039
 And this is not some cheesy thing

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.539
 to say.

00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.740
 It's the truth.

00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.839
 And that's what he wanted them to see.

00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.720
 We need to be reminded

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.579
 that we need to think

00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.460
 on these things.

00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.880
 Yes, it might look bleak,

00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.839
 but we're not living

00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.720
 for the here and now.

00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.200
 We're pilgrims,

00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.519
 we're strangers in this world,

00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:52.119
 that we're just passing through

00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:53.200
 as the old hymn says.

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.680
 And don't misunderstand.

00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.220
 This is not the power

00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.299
 of positive thinking.

00:22:58.539 --> 00:23:00.220
 Like, I think you should be positive.

00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.220
 Nobody wants to just be around

00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.940
 a person who's like,

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.240
 blah, blah, blah all the time.

00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.539
 No, this is not just,

00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.839
 well, if you think good thoughts

00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.639
 and good things are going to happen.

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:10.639
 No, this is resurrection truth

00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.539
 that's in the Word of God.

00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.359
 That that's what made the difference.

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.139
 What made the difference

00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:17.019
 when they're all locked up

00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.759
 and they're in the upper room

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.559
 and they're scared of their mind?

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:18.659
 When they're in the upper room,

00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.940
 Jesus showed up.

00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:22.519
 That's what made all the difference

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.000
 for them.

00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.659
 And so because Christ is alive,

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.899
 Peter now turns our attention

00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.480
 to what this living hope

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:30.240
 guarantees for the future.

00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:32.139
 So it's not just about

00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:33.879
 what we have right now,

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:36.779
 that God has a greater plan

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.819
 even to the future for us.

00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.039
 Look at the first part

00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:39.599
 of verse number four.

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.579
 Because Jesus Christ is alive

00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.559
 when the resurrection

00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.319
 from the dead,

00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.599
 here's what we have.

00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:47.159
 to an inheritance

00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:48.799
 incorruptible

00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.399
 and undefiled

00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:53.559
 and that fadeth not away.

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.699
 When you think of an inheritance,

00:23:57.679 --> 00:23:58.799
 earthly inheritances

00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.480
 are fragile.

00:24:01.919 --> 00:24:03.399
 You know, they can be spent.

00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.279
 They can be corrupted.

00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.299
 They can be devalued.

00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:06.980
 They can be lost.

00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.679
 They can be taken away.

00:24:07.939 --> 00:24:08.859
 They can be wrapped up

00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:10.219
 in litigation for years.

00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:12.279
 That's just kind of how

00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.459
 our world works.

00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.720
 And really,

00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:18.200
 it can just be done with quickly.

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.779
 You may not even have

00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.259
 an inheritance.

00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.640
 And even worse,

00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.120
 and we're going to see

00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:24.019
 later in this book,

00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.660
 that those who are strangers

00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.519
 to God,

00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.259
 the only inheritance

00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.160
 they have is judgment.

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.660
 That's what's coming.

00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.559
 I know that's not popular

00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.000
 to preach,

00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.680
 but the Bible says

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.140
 that it's appointed

00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.960
 to men once to die

00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.779
 and then after this

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.259
 to judgment.

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.259
 But the beautiful thing

00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.980
 is if you know Christ

00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.480
 as your Savior,

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.079
 Jesus paid the penalty.

00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.500
 That we're not,

00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.220
 I'm not going to stand

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.779
 before the Lord

00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.039
 and weigh my good works

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.619
 and my bad works.

00:24:46.679 --> 00:24:47.379
 No, I'm going to stand

00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.659
 before Him redeemed,

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.279
 washed in the blood

00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.419
 of the Lamb.

00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.799
 And what God reminds us here

00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.599
 is that He has an inheritance

00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.819
 for His children.

00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:59.119
 And that it's a wonderful inheritance.

00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:01.240
 It's nothing like the inheritance

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.019
 that we have here

00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.579
 on this earth.

00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:04.099
 You might have

00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.720
 a great inheritance

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.839
 and you hear people

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.559
 about that and like,

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.559
 oh, they had a great,

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:09.159
 a long lost great uncle

00:25:09.159 --> 00:25:10.019
 that gave him $20 million.

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.519
 I'm like,

00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.539
 where's that uncle

00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.240
 in my family?

00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.619
 Come on, you know.

00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.660
 Come on, Lord.

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.759
 I'm looking for that uncle.

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.539
 All mine are just weirdos.

00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.200
 Probably like your uncles.

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:26.339
 But what Peter's reminding them,

00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.960
 and he kind of uses these words,

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.379
 what he's doing is

00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.180
 he's really kind of

00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.019
 giving some clarity

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.900
 and some depth

00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:33.519
 to what our inheritance is.

00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.900
 It's incorruptible.

00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:39.019
 It cannot decay.

00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.580
 It doesn't rot.

00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.880
 It doesn't wear out.

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.780
 Because here on earth,

00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:43.600
 man, you get your inheritance,

00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.259
 you use it up,

00:25:44.300 --> 00:25:44.780
 it's done.

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.960
 That's not how this works.

00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.720
 That's not how salvation,

00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:50.540
 it's not how it operates.

00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:52.500
 Everything in this world

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.140
 breaks down,

00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.960
 but this inheritance doesn't.

00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:57.100
 What God gives His children,

00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:57.980
 that hope,

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.800
 that promise,

00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.740
 that security,

00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.140
 that if we call on His name,

00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.200
 that He will save us

00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.680
 from our sins,

00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.700
 and He has gone

00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.440
 to prepare a place

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:04.880
 for us in heaven,

00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:07.360
 that will not change.

00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.539
 And Peter wanted them

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.259
 to know that.

00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:11.320
 Not only is it incorruptible,

00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.560
 it's undefiled.

00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.600
 It's untouched by sin,

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.500
 by corruption,

00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.580
 by impurity.

00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.100
 Listen,

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.380
 nothing sinful

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.640
 ever contaminates

00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.720
 what God is preparing.

00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.620
 When we get to heaven,

00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.240
 you know what's going to be?

00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:23.840
 Perfect.

00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.700
 Which is going to be amazing.

00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.039
 I mean,

00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.580
 like right now,

00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.980
 some of you are probably hot.

00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.900
 Who's hot right now?

00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.080
 Who's cold?

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.180
 See,

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.279
 we can't even agree on that.

00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:35.740
 I mean,

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.480
 we're going to all be like,

00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.600
 man,

00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.420
 this is perfect temperature.

00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.400
 I mean,

00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.120
 look at these streets of gold.

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.360
 I mean,

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.940
 everything's going to be perfect.

00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:42.400
 Why?

00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:43.820
 Because we're going to be there

00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.980
 with the perfect Lamb of God.

00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.860
 Because that's who He is.

00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:49.279
 It's going to be untouched by sin.

00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:51.660
 I'm so excited for that,

00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:53.240
 but I can't even fathom that.

00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:55.180
 Because everything that we have,

00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:56.779
 even good things in our world,

00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.740
 are contaminated.

00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.920
 We feel the effects of sin,

00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.080
 of the curse,

00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.259
 in our world today.

00:27:03.800 --> 00:27:04.960
 We have so many blessings,

00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:06.060
 but even in our blessings,

00:27:06.800 --> 00:27:08.940
 we still see sin

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:11.480
 and how it destroys things.

00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.560
 He reminds us,

00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.980
 not only is it incorruptible

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.700
 and it's undefiled,

00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.860
 but it doesn't fade.

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.380
 It doesn't ever diminish

00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.640
 in value

00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:23.060
 or in glory.

00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:25.259
 Things we have here,

00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.460
 man,

00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.220
 you get something new,

00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.200
 you try your best

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.059
 to take care of it.

00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.220
 I mean,

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.139
 kids these days,

00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.919
 I like that.

00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:31.859
 You know,

00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:32.460
 my kids told me,

00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:32.740
 Dad,

00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.579
 when you get these shoes,

00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.619
 you've got to put these little things

00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:35.779
 in there so it doesn't crease.

00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.879
 That's why all these kids,

00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:38.559
 you ever wonder why they walk

00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:38.960
 like penguins?

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.240
 Because they've got big plastic things

00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:40.619
 in their shoes.

00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.119
 They're like this,

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.000
 I don't want my shoes to crease.

00:27:44.679 --> 00:27:45.079
 You know,

00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.139
 and when you get something new,

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.200
 you want to take care of them

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.179
 and you want them to be nice,

00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.039
 but after a while,

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.159
 when you step in that puddle

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:50.679
 or you step in the mud,

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:50.940
 you're like,

00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.539
 well,

00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:53.539
 I guess I gave it a good try

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.840
 and then you just kind of,

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.799
 listen,

00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:58.340
 that's not what God gives us.

00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.860
 He doesn't give us something

00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:00.640
 that looks real good

00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.460
 for a couple days.

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.400
 It's not like,

00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:02.680
 you know,

00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.660
 you love that new car smell

00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.539
 but now if you go in your car

00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.580
 it smells like french fries.

00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.480
 That's not the inheritance

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.320
 that God gives.

00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:11.200
 It wasn't good at the beginning

00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:12.779
 and it just starts losing its value.

00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:14.019
 It kind of fades away

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.799
 and now you're like,

00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:15.060
 ah,

00:28:15.060 --> 00:28:15.820
 I just ran into a pole.

00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.519
 No big deal.

00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.160
 We'll get a new one.

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.820
 That's not how God operates.

00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:24.600
 What Peter is saying right here

00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.900
 in verse number four

00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.660
 at this first part

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:28.440
 is whatever you might think

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.500
 an inheritance is

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.779
 and whatever you experience

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.500
 and maybe whatever you've received

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.500
 here on this side,

00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.440
 this inheritance that God gives

00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:37.060
 is nothing like that.

00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.340
 Like,

00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:40.180
 he's trying to give some examples.

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.820
 He's trying to kind of nail it down

00:28:41.820 --> 00:28:43.340
 but I think Peter struggles

00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:44.460
 like all the biblical writers

00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.320
 and like we do as well.

00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.960
 We can't even fathom

00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:49.180
 how good what God is going to give us.

00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.640
 I have not seen,

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.320
 ear hath not heard,

00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.380
 neither has it entered

00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.180
 into the heart of man

00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.360
 the things that God

00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.420
 has prepared for them

00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.740
 to those that love him.

00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:58.200
 There's going to be a day

00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.580
 when we do see it.

00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.680
 We think,

00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:00.880
 okay,

00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.440
 well preacher,

00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.759
 what is this inheritance?

00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.340
 Well,

00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.019
 scripture tells us

00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.920
 a few things about it.

00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.039
 Number one,

00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:07.519
 he tells us

00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.140
 that we're going to be,

00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.019
 that we're going to receive

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.019
 a glorified body.

00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.380
 Because the Bible tells us

00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.120
 when we see him,

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:15.080
 we shall be like him.

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:17.559
 You know,

00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.259
 I was talking to Brother Jared,

00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.039
 he was moving some things

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.960
 around his house

00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.599
 this past week

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.740
 and he said this,

00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.419
 like we all say,

00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.559
 I guess I'm just not as young

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.379
 as I used to be.

00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.319
 You know,

00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.159
 we start feeling it

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:28.980
 and our bodies start wearing out

00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:30.759
 and our bodies start decaying

00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.279
 and they start,

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.699
 they're just not doing the things

00:29:32.699 --> 00:29:33.679
 that they used to do.

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.679
 Listen,

00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.079
 we're going to get

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.899
 a brand new body

00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:38.079
 that's going to be able

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.559
 to last for all of eternity.

00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:40.699
 I mean,

00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.419
 we're going to need that

00:29:41.419 --> 00:29:42.240
 because you know what

00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.920
 Jesus promises,

00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.880
 eternal life.

00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:47.680
 That we get to experience that.

00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:49.640
 That he offers it so freely.

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.079
 Scripture reminds us

00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.839
 that inheritance,

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.799
 it includes

00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:56.339
 unbroken fellowship

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.440
 with Jesus.

00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.380
 Think about that.

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.120
 I'm sure you're like me,

00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.900
 there's been times in my life

00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.220
 I thought,

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:02.579
 man,

00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:04.079
 I wish I could just see Jesus

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:05.120
 right now face to face.

00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.180
 I just want to ask him this.

00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.819
 There's coming a day

00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.420
 where you can.

00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.120
 The Bible tells us

00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:10.620
 in the book of Revelation,

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:12.099
 there's going to be no need

00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:12.799
 for the sun

00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.879
 in that city.

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.099
 Why?

00:30:14.179 --> 00:30:14.919
 Because he's the light

00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:15.359
 of the city.

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.399
 That he's going to be there,

00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.719
 he's going to dwell among us

00:30:18.719 --> 00:30:19.659
 and he will be our God

00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:21.059
 and we shall be his people.

00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.939
 That that is what is included

00:30:22.939 --> 00:30:24.379
 that this citizenship

00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:26.279
 in God's eternal kingdom

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.179
 and I love how

00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:28.359
 the Apostle Paul puts it,

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.240
 he tells us that

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.319
 one day this corruption,

00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.980
 this mortal body

00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.679
 is going to put up

00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:33.299
 incorruption,

00:30:33.419 --> 00:30:34.139
 this mortality,

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.199
 immortality,

00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.519
 and death will be

00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.959
 swallowed up in victory.

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.759
 Thank the Lord for that.

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.759
 In fact,

00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.440
 Paul says,

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.740
 thanks be to God

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.079
 which giveth us

00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.640
 the victory

00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.519
 through our Lord

00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:48.339
 Jesus Christ.

00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:51.059
 Because sometimes

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.079
 it just feels like,

00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.279
 man,

00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.559
 everything is wearing out,

00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.519
 everything is falling apart.

00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.099
 It might be our body,

00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.299
 it might be our life,

00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.559
 it might be relationships,

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.779
 it might be finances,

00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.579
 it might be health,

00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:03.400
 but here's the great reminder,

00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:05.019
 it's not to minimize that

00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.140
 and act like it's not a big deal,

00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:07.780
 but there is something coming

00:31:07.780 --> 00:31:08.500
 that's much better.

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.840
 That God is going to make,

00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.940
 I love Revelation 21,

00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:15.340
 he will make all things new.

00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.280
 Really what he's going to do,

00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:18.780
 he's going to bring it back

00:31:18.780 --> 00:31:20.520
 what he intended it to be.

00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.160
 You study the Bible,

00:31:22.580 --> 00:31:23.540
 it starts in a garden

00:31:23.540 --> 00:31:25.400
 and it ends in a garden.

00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.820
 He's bringing it all back together

00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.960
 and it has that picture

00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.800
 of this garden there

00:31:29.800 --> 00:31:32.540
 and Revelation 21 and 22,

00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:34.200
 we see a beautiful thing.

00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:37.440
 And just I want us to put ourselves

00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:40.180
 in Peter's original reader's position.

00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:43.139
 We've alluded to it already,

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:45.399
 but they're not a large group.

00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:48.059
 They're small and they're scattered.

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.839
 They don't really have

00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.759
 a beautiful church building

00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:52.200
 like we do to come enter into.

00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.279
 They have small house churches

00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.920
 and meeting where they can.

00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.099
 They're spiritually weary.

00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.960
 These early believers

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.940
 would have been marginalized

00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:03.360
 and really pressured

00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:04.940
 to maybe denounce Christ

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:06.259
 or not speak openly

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.620
 about their faith in him.

00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.519
 And at times,

00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.200
 I would imagine

00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:10.860
 they would have wondered,

00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:12.620
 has God forgotten me?

00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.900
 Is this really,

00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:17.180
 is this really what I should

00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.059
 give my life for?

00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.700
 Is this worth

00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:21.640
 what I'm experiencing right now?

00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:25.220
 And Peter doesn't scold them here.

00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:27.420
 He doesn't really minimize

00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:28.539
 their suffering at all.

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.680
 No, what do you think,

00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.779
 I think what he's doing here,

00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:33.639
 is he's just lifting their eyes up

00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:35.539
 and he's reminding them

00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:37.339
 of the future God has promised.

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:40.359
 Listen, I know it's tough.

00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.460
 That's what he says in verse 6.

00:32:41.879 --> 00:32:43.680
 Maybe right now you're in heaviness

00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:45.960
 through all kinds of difficulties in life.

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:48.119
 But just look up a little bit.

00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:50.099
 I just want to remind you

00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:52.960
 of the hope that you have in Christ.

00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.399
 And the same is true for us today.

00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:57.840
 I mean, there's days in life

00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.940
 where it just feels like

00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.480
 it's never going to end.

00:33:01.280 --> 00:33:02.400
 There's moments in our journey

00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:04.420
 where it just feels long.

00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:07.320
 And I just want to remind you

00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:09.620
 that God often strengthens his people

00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:11.600
 not by removing hardships,

00:33:12.540 --> 00:33:15.800
 but reminding them of what lies ahead.

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:18.279
 Because here's the truth.

00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:20.299
 Some of you have prayed for some things

00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:22.139
 and nothing has changed.

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.399
 That's just the reality of it.

00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:26.240
 There's things in my life I've prayed about

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.559
 and I thought,

00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:28.220
 Lord, would you just please answer that?

00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.899
 Or would you please remove this?

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.879
 Would you please just make this

00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:31.579
 a little bit easier?

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:34.299
 That's not always what we need.

00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:37.159
 God knows what he is doing.

00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:39.059
 And we know that all things work together

00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:40.779
 for good to them that love God

00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:42.099
 and to those who are called

00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:42.940
 according to his purpose.

00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:44.900
 And maybe we're walking through difficulties

00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:46.080
 and God is using it

00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:47.380
 to make us more like him

00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:49.880
 and to help us to be more dependent on him.

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.900
 And Peter's just reminding us,

00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:53.279
 yes, pain is real,

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.700
 but it's not permanent.

00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:57.759
 That's not the inheritance that we have.

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.320
 This isn't all that we have.

00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:02.000
 He's reminding these early readers

00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:03.880
 that yes, the struggle you're going through,

00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.820
 it can be heavy.

00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:07.160
 It can just be overwhelming at times,

00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:08.940
 but it's not the end of the road.

00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:11.159
 The end of the road is much better.

00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:11.940
 It's incorruptible.

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.619
 It's uncorruptible.

00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:13.659
 It's undefiled.

00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:15.099
 It doesn't fade away.

00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:17.639
 Because this world is hard,

00:34:17.720 --> 00:34:19.599
 especially for those that are living

00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:21.340
 really contrary to it

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.720
 if we're following the scriptures.

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.179
 But he said, that's okay

00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:26.559
 because it's actually not your home.

00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:29.159
 He's gone to prepare a place for us.

00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:33.420
 I had a preacher friend of mine

00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.980
 give me this advice,

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.000
 and I think it's a good one.

00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:37.840
 Not to minimize our situation,

00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:40.420
 but when life feels overwhelming,

00:34:40.700 --> 00:34:42.360
 just kind of pause and ask yourself,

00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:45.300
 will this matter in eternity?

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:49.019
 That's a good thought

00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:51.100
 because I think some things

00:34:51.100 --> 00:34:52.400
 that we are so focused,

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.900
 and sometimes we get hyper-focused,

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:54.760
 at least I do,

00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.500
 I ask myself,

00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:58.400
 will this matter in eternity?

00:34:58.400 --> 00:35:01.019
 And it's going to change our perspective.

00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:02.700
 And we can,

00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:04.119
 once we realize that,

00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:05.200
 then you know we can be reminded?

00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.160
 We can thank God.

00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:07.820
 We can just praise His name

00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.460
 for what we already have.

00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:12.220
 This isn't like maybe it's going to happen.

00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.599
 No, it's secured.

00:35:13.680 --> 00:35:14.619
 We're going to see that in a second.

00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.539
 That you're going to have a new body,

00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:17.519
 a perfect home,

00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:18.500
 no more sorrow,

00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:19.300
 no more pain,

00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:20.019
 no more death,

00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:20.760
 no more grief,

00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:22.480
 and we will have everlasting life

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:24.520
 in the presence of our Savior.

00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:25.800
 Peter says,

00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:26.740
 that's what you can hope on.

00:35:28.020 --> 00:35:29.460
 I love how one preacher said it.

00:35:29.620 --> 00:35:29.880
 He said,

00:35:30.100 --> 00:35:32.320
 hope grows when eternity gets bigger

00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.960
 than today's trouble.

00:35:34.560 --> 00:35:35.200
 I like that.

00:35:36.560 --> 00:35:38.800
 But it's easy to focus on what's here and now.

00:35:40.260 --> 00:35:42.400
 And these people would have understood that.

00:35:43.060 --> 00:35:45.460
 And Peter just wanted to get their eyes off the world

00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:47.380
 and back onto Jesus

00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:49.160
 and what He offers.

00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:51.379
 And to make sure they don't doubt it,

00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.420
 even for a moment,

00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:55.839
 Peter now drives this thought all the way home.

00:35:56.299 --> 00:35:57.920
 And we see that at the end of verse number four.

00:35:59.059 --> 00:36:00.019
 And that fate is not a way

00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:02.879
 reserved in heaven for you

00:36:02.879 --> 00:36:05.559
 who are kept by the power of God

00:36:05.559 --> 00:36:07.579
 through faith unto salvation,

00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:10.819
 ready to be revealed in the last time.

00:36:11.899 --> 00:36:13.239
 See, we have a reservation

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:14.859
 and a preservation

00:36:14.859 --> 00:36:17.399
 that God has promised us,

00:36:17.399 --> 00:36:18.839
 that it's in Christ,

00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:20.000
 and our inheritance,

00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:22.639
 it's reserved in heaven.

00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.920
 You know, every once in a while,

00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:26.119
 I haven't gone many places

00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.039
 where you have a reservation

00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:29.980
 because usually it's outside of my budget.

00:36:30.819 --> 00:36:32.000
 But when I have a reservation,

00:36:32.179 --> 00:36:33.500
 I feel super important.

00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:35.639
 Like reservation Bittner,

00:36:36.379 --> 00:36:37.099
 party of two.

00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:38.920
 Because we definitely can't take the kids

00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:39.639
 when we have a reservation.

00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.719
 You know, we're not going to do that.

00:36:41.779 --> 00:36:42.899
 We're not going to waste money.

00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:44.399
 We're not going to have chicken strips

00:36:44.399 --> 00:36:45.559
 at a fancy place.

00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.079
 You know what I mean?

00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:48.179
 We're going to eat something really nice.

00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:50.759
 But you go in there,

00:36:50.799 --> 00:36:51.279
 you're like, man,

00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:53.179
 I feel super important.

00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:54.820
 You know, and people are like,

00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:55.579
 who's that guy?

00:36:55.679 --> 00:36:57.779
 Like, I just called the number on the website.

00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.679
 That's all I did.

00:37:00.159 --> 00:37:02.659
 Listen, we have an inheritance

00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:04.219
 reserved in heaven.

00:37:04.219 --> 00:37:07.459
 The idea is that it's already secured.

00:37:08.359 --> 00:37:10.279
 It's guarded and advanced.

00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:11.419
 And here's the beautiful thing.

00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:14.699
 It's not dependent on your performance.

00:37:15.919 --> 00:37:18.039
 The Christian life is not based on

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:19.279
 how well you perform.

00:37:20.379 --> 00:37:21.819
 You know, we should serve the Lord.

00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:23.159
 We should get involved.

00:37:23.399 --> 00:37:24.399
 We should do things.

00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.539
 But that's not,

00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.299
 we're not doing it

00:37:26.299 --> 00:37:27.399
 so we can get something better.

00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:29.319
 No, it's already reserved.

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.879
 That's for everybody.

00:37:32.459 --> 00:37:33.819
 That God has made that available.

00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:35.780
 And this is not a hopeful guess

00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:36.480
 about the future.

00:37:36.760 --> 00:37:38.300
 No, Peter's reminding you

00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:40.780
 this is a settled reality.

00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:43.600
 It's going to happen.

00:37:44.200 --> 00:37:44.680
 Why?

00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:46.460
 Because God himself

00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:48.519
 has taken the responsibility.

00:37:49.580 --> 00:37:51.260
 He's the one that's guarding it.

00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:53.620
 He is responsible for your inheritance.

00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:55.559
 And the Holy Spirit, the Bible tells us,

00:37:55.720 --> 00:37:56.840
 is his down payment.

00:37:57.680 --> 00:37:58.680
 That's why the Holy Spirit,

00:37:58.800 --> 00:38:00.340
 the Bible says it's our earnest.

00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.600
 You know, you buy a house,

00:38:01.660 --> 00:38:02.860
 you put earnest money down.

00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:04.360
 You know what the earnest is?

00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:05.380
 The Holy Spirit of God.

00:38:06.180 --> 00:38:08.079
 And you know, I love the wonderful life

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.660
 and George Bailey's uncle,

00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:10.920
 he loses the deposit.

00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:13.099
 Doesn't work well for it in the movie.

00:38:13.539 --> 00:38:14.380
 Here's the wonderful thing.

00:38:14.640 --> 00:38:15.660
 God doesn't lose a deposit.

00:38:16.680 --> 00:38:18.660
 We're sealed is what it actually says

00:38:18.660 --> 00:38:20.680
 until the day of his appearing.

00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:23.000
 And it's just a great, great reminder.

00:38:23.300 --> 00:38:24.559
 And the deeper truth is this,

00:38:24.740 --> 00:38:25.720
 is our salvation,

00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.200
 it's not on probation.

00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:29.539
 I'm so thankful for that.

00:38:30.339 --> 00:38:31.799
 God's not watching you,

00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:33.439
 seeing how it's working out.

00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:35.559
 He didn't give you a little bit of salvation,

00:38:35.759 --> 00:38:37.559
 and depending on how good you do this week,

00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:38.719
 and how good you do this day,

00:38:38.879 --> 00:38:40.199
 then you get just a little bit more.

00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:43.119
 No, I'm thankful he gives us the whole thing.

00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:44.460
 But he said,

00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.419
 it's yours.

00:38:45.779 --> 00:38:46.439
 And here's the,

00:38:46.679 --> 00:38:47.379
 even a greater truth,

00:38:47.539 --> 00:38:50.000
 he's committed to fulfilling it.

00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:53.780
 We know that he which hath begun a good work in us,

00:38:54.019 --> 00:38:54.800
 Philippians 1, 6,

00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:57.000
 he will perform it

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:59.019
 until the day of Jesus Christ.

00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:01.039
 That he is willing,

00:39:01.179 --> 00:39:03.320
 and he is responsible for it.

00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:05.699
 So our inheritance is reserved by him,

00:39:05.780 --> 00:39:07.280
 and it's kept by his power.

00:39:08.360 --> 00:39:09.260
 That word kept,

00:39:09.320 --> 00:39:10.159
 it has this idea,

00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:11.019
 to guard,

00:39:11.739 --> 00:39:12.559
 to protect.

00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:14.699
 We're familiar with the verse in Proverbs,

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:17.340
 keep thy heart with all diligence,

00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:18.760
 for out of it are the issues of life.

00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:20.540
 Solomon's saying this,

00:39:20.740 --> 00:39:20.880
 listen,

00:39:21.240 --> 00:39:22.160
 guard your heart.

00:39:22.740 --> 00:39:24.680
 Protect it at all costs.

00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:26.440
 Because what you allow in,

00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:28.200
 is going to affect how you live your life.

00:39:28.680 --> 00:39:29.880
 And that same word,

00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:30.860
 that same thought,

00:39:31.060 --> 00:39:31.900
 is this inheritance,

00:39:32.160 --> 00:39:33.060
 that's undefiled,

00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:34.820
 and it's incorruptible,

00:39:34.880 --> 00:39:35.580
 and it doesn't fade away.

00:39:35.740 --> 00:39:37.180
 It's not our job to keep it.

00:39:37.720 --> 00:39:38.100
 God said,

00:39:38.260 --> 00:39:39.060
 I'll take care of that.

00:39:39.820 --> 00:39:40.840
 I'll protect it.

00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:42.300
 I'll guard it.

00:39:42.780 --> 00:39:43.000
 Listen,

00:39:43.080 --> 00:39:44.560
 when we're placed in the Father's hand,

00:39:44.880 --> 00:39:46.560
 nothing can pluck us from it.

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:48.320
 Nothing can take us out.

00:39:48.320 --> 00:39:50.480
 And notice what Peter does not say.

00:39:50.820 --> 00:39:52.680
 He doesn't say we're kept by our consistency.

00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:54.460
 Sometimes,

00:39:54.760 --> 00:39:57.120
 sometimes we're pretty consistent in our Christian life.

00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:59.100
 And if we're just going to be honest,

00:39:59.140 --> 00:40:00.260
 sometimes we fall off the wagon.

00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:03.780
 Sometimes we're disciplined in the things we do.

00:40:04.059 --> 00:40:05.420
 Sometimes we think,

00:40:05.559 --> 00:40:06.220
 I can hold on.

00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:06.620
 Listen,

00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:07.960
 it's not in your consistency,

00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:08.940
 your discipline,

00:40:09.080 --> 00:40:10.519
 or your ability to hold on.

00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:11.559
 No,

00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:12.680
 it's in this,

00:40:13.160 --> 00:40:13.940
 God's power.

00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:16.000
 That's how you're kept.

00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:18.700
 That's how you're going to make it.

00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:22.240
 And that same power that spoke the universe into existence,

00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:23.980
 that raised Jesus from the dead,

00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:25.099
 that conquered sin,

00:40:25.300 --> 00:40:25.740
 and death,

00:40:25.860 --> 00:40:26.380
 and hell,

00:40:26.539 --> 00:40:29.940
 is actively keeping you right now.

00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:31.400
 What a thought.

00:40:32.220 --> 00:40:34.200
 That's what Jude tells us at the end of the book of Jude.

00:40:34.760 --> 00:40:36.200
 We are kept by His power.

00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:38.500
 And if God saved you by His,

00:40:38.519 --> 00:40:39.019
 listen,

00:40:39.139 --> 00:40:39.639
 don't miss this,

00:40:39.839 --> 00:40:41.639
 if God saved you by His power,

00:40:41.879 --> 00:40:44.000
 He will not lose you because of your weakness.

00:40:46.299 --> 00:40:47.960
 That's a wonderful truth.

00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:51.619
 We can't lose something we didn't even earn.

00:40:52.639 --> 00:40:53.839
 We didn't find salvation.

00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.079
 No,

00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:54.960
 God found us.

00:40:55.899 --> 00:40:57.699
 It's by His power that we're saved.

00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.759
 And when we think about it,

00:40:58.819 --> 00:40:59.739
 faith is the means.

00:40:59.859 --> 00:41:01.359
 It's not the how-to.

00:41:01.359 --> 00:41:02.960
 We're kept through faith.

00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:04.199
 See,

00:41:04.199 --> 00:41:04.539
 see,

00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:07.439
 faith is not the strength that holds salvation together.

00:41:08.919 --> 00:41:09.659
 Faith is saying,

00:41:09.739 --> 00:41:09.839
 listen,

00:41:09.939 --> 00:41:11.799
 I trust God to do it.

00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:13.739
 That our trust is in Him,

00:41:13.939 --> 00:41:14.779
 and Him alone.

00:41:15.000 --> 00:41:16.980
 We're not saved because our faith is strong.

00:41:17.219 --> 00:41:19.039
 We're saved because God is strong.

00:41:20.159 --> 00:41:21.119
 I'm thankful for that.

00:41:21.559 --> 00:41:21.699
 I mean,

00:41:21.719 --> 00:41:22.259
 because there's days,

00:41:22.399 --> 00:41:23.159
 even in my life,

00:41:23.239 --> 00:41:23.419
 where I mean,

00:41:23.539 --> 00:41:24.939
 I know that I'm saved.

00:41:25.579 --> 00:41:27.119
 But there's also times the devil gets in there and says,

00:41:27.339 --> 00:41:29.139
 how can you be saved when you're that weak,

00:41:29.339 --> 00:41:30.179
 when you mess up,

00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:30.859
 when you fall?

00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:31.739
 I just remind him,

00:41:31.919 --> 00:41:32.619
 it's not my job,

00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:33.079
 it's his.

00:41:33.079 --> 00:41:39.000
 And I place my faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary in the empty tomb.

00:41:39.940 --> 00:41:40.840
 That's what the Bible says.

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:43.099
 Because if we're basing it on emotions,

00:41:43.179 --> 00:41:44.639
 it's not going to go anywhere for us.

00:41:45.159 --> 00:41:46.259
 Your salvation is not based on emotions.

00:41:46.420 --> 00:41:49.099
 It's based on the truth of the Word of God.

00:41:49.519 --> 00:41:51.199
 And that's what Peter is driving home.

00:41:51.840 --> 00:41:51.980
 See,

00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:53.300
 when faith feels weak,

00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:54.940
 and there's going to be times where it does,

00:41:55.139 --> 00:41:56.159
 his grip isn't.

00:41:56.420 --> 00:41:57.980
 He's not losing the hold of you.

00:41:58.159 --> 00:41:59.500
 He didn't forget to guard you.

00:41:59.679 --> 00:41:59.800
 No,

00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:00.880
 he does that.

00:42:00.980 --> 00:42:01.860
 When you stumble,

00:42:02.119 --> 00:42:03.400
 his power doesn't falter.

00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:04.240
 When you're weary,

00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:05.780
 he doesn't let go.

00:42:06.900 --> 00:42:07.980
 That he always holds on.

00:42:07.980 --> 00:42:12.960
 And I think what Peter's doing is something we need to be reminded of.

00:42:13.000 --> 00:42:16.119
 I think why this book is so uplifting and encouraging.

00:42:17.019 --> 00:42:18.579
 So I think a lot of times in my own life,

00:42:18.639 --> 00:42:20.199
 I don't need a lot of new information.

00:42:21.159 --> 00:42:23.400
 I just need to be reminded of what we already have.

00:42:24.219 --> 00:42:26.199
 I need to be reminded of what God's already done for me.

00:42:27.699 --> 00:42:28.099
 See,

00:42:28.159 --> 00:42:31.539
 your hope doesn't rest in how tightly you're holding on to Jesus.

00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:34.900
 We should strive to be close to him and to be near him.

00:42:35.159 --> 00:42:38.679
 But it's based in the truth that Christ is holding you.

00:42:39.699 --> 00:42:41.480
 He will hold you fast.

00:42:42.199 --> 00:42:43.619
 He's the one that's doing the work.

00:42:43.619 --> 00:42:45.940
 And sometimes in our lives,

00:42:46.059 --> 00:42:47.400
 we mess up and we think,

00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:47.539
 man,

00:42:47.579 --> 00:42:47.659
 well,

00:42:47.679 --> 00:42:48.380
 I failed again.

00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:49.179
 And man,

00:42:49.179 --> 00:42:50.460
 I should be better by now.

00:42:52.079 --> 00:42:53.279
 And we should have that.

00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:54.799
 We shouldn't be comfortable.

00:42:55.359 --> 00:42:58.119
 We should always be striving to be more like him.

00:42:59.339 --> 00:43:00.900
 But what Peter's answering,

00:43:01.480 --> 00:43:05.219
 he's reminding that we're not kept by our own consistency.

00:43:05.480 --> 00:43:06.759
 We're kept by his power.

00:43:08.099 --> 00:43:09.480
 And I'm not trying to be,

00:43:09.480 --> 00:43:11.079
 you know,

00:43:11.219 --> 00:43:11.679
 depressing.

00:43:11.679 --> 00:43:14.440
 But when you fall short this week,

00:43:15.619 --> 00:43:15.819
 yeah,

00:43:15.839 --> 00:43:16.419
 I said this week,

00:43:17.019 --> 00:43:18.559
 because it probably is going to happen.

00:43:19.219 --> 00:43:20.139
 Might happen tomorrow.

00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:20.919
 Might happen tonight.

00:43:22.919 --> 00:43:23.779
 Run to God,

00:43:24.279 --> 00:43:25.799
 not away from him.

00:43:27.119 --> 00:43:28.239
 And when you run to him,

00:43:28.259 --> 00:43:28.639
 you can say,

00:43:28.719 --> 00:43:28.940
 Lord,

00:43:29.619 --> 00:43:30.739
 thank you for keeping me.

00:43:31.460 --> 00:43:32.679
 Thank you for loving me.

00:43:33.239 --> 00:43:34.440
 Thank you for saving me.

00:43:34.859 --> 00:43:36.359
 Thank you for guarding this inheritance,

00:43:36.519 --> 00:43:37.500
 for protecting it,

00:43:37.579 --> 00:43:38.379
 for keeping it.

00:43:38.380 --> 00:43:39.640
 Because when we see that,

00:43:39.700 --> 00:43:41.640
 we're reminded over and over and over in Scripture,

00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:43.340
 it's not performance-based.

00:43:44.640 --> 00:43:46.160
 It's not by works of righteousness,

00:43:46.300 --> 00:43:46.960
 which we have done.

00:43:47.220 --> 00:43:49.860
 For by grace are you saved through faith.

00:43:50.760 --> 00:43:51.760
 And it's a gift of God.

00:43:51.820 --> 00:43:52.000
 Why?

00:43:52.220 --> 00:43:53.300
 So we don't boast about it.

00:43:54.119 --> 00:43:54.980
 We're not going to get to heaven and say,

00:43:55.039 --> 00:43:56.440
 look at all the things I've done.

00:43:57.000 --> 00:43:58.460
 There's a lot of religions in the world

00:43:58.460 --> 00:44:00.140
 that are basing on what they do.

00:44:00.980 --> 00:44:01.119
 No,

00:44:01.220 --> 00:44:01.559
 it's here,

00:44:01.640 --> 00:44:02.200
 we say it all the time.

00:44:02.359 --> 00:44:03.460
 It's based on what he's done.

00:44:04.559 --> 00:44:06.079
 That's what Peter's reminding us here.

00:44:07.199 --> 00:44:08.199
 Because there's going to be a day

00:44:08.199 --> 00:44:10.460
 where salvation will be fully revealed.

00:44:11.799 --> 00:44:13.659
 Because right here and then now,

00:44:14.279 --> 00:44:15.659
 we're saved from sin's penalty.

00:44:16.359 --> 00:44:17.579
 And our hope is based,

00:44:17.759 --> 00:44:19.339
 and we know on the Word of God

00:44:19.339 --> 00:44:21.960
 that one day we're going to be in heaven with him.

00:44:22.839 --> 00:44:24.119
 And we're being saved now,

00:44:24.179 --> 00:44:25.119
 even from sin's power,

00:44:25.219 --> 00:44:27.419
 that Romans chapter 6 reminds us over and over again

00:44:27.419 --> 00:44:29.079
 that we don't have to serve sin anymore.

00:44:29.679 --> 00:44:31.460
 That God's changed our life completely,

00:44:31.460 --> 00:44:32.519
 but one day,

00:44:32.699 --> 00:44:33.460
 one day,

00:44:33.940 --> 00:44:36.159
 we're going to be saved from sin's presence.

00:44:37.500 --> 00:44:38.780
 Praise the Lord for that.

00:44:39.780 --> 00:44:40.039
 I mean,

00:44:40.079 --> 00:44:40.980
 because I'm sure you're like me,

00:44:41.059 --> 00:44:41.599
 and there's times where,

00:44:41.740 --> 00:44:41.960
 Lord,

00:44:42.019 --> 00:44:43.320
 I'm not going to ever do this again.

00:44:43.480 --> 00:44:44.420
 I'm not going to think this,

00:44:44.480 --> 00:44:45.300
 or look at that,

00:44:45.320 --> 00:44:45.760
 or do this.

00:44:45.960 --> 00:44:47.380
 And you know what we mess up?

00:44:48.260 --> 00:44:48.920
 There's going to come a day

00:44:48.920 --> 00:44:51.500
 where we don't have to fight that anymore.

00:44:52.880 --> 00:44:54.039
 That we're going to be there,

00:44:54.480 --> 00:44:55.720
 and he's going to throw Satan

00:44:55.720 --> 00:44:56.579
 into the lake of fire,

00:44:56.579 --> 00:45:00.239
 and all sin will be gone forever.

00:45:00.699 --> 00:45:02.500
 Praise the Lord.

00:45:04.500 --> 00:45:05.679
 That's what he reminds them.

00:45:05.719 --> 00:45:07.940
 It's going to be revealed in the last time.

00:45:09.400 --> 00:45:09.559
 See,

00:45:09.639 --> 00:45:11.799
 nothing can stop God

00:45:11.799 --> 00:45:13.539
 from completing his work.

00:45:14.699 --> 00:45:15.039
 Nothing.

00:45:17.039 --> 00:45:18.199
 The enemy has tried

00:45:18.199 --> 00:45:19.079
 and tried

00:45:19.079 --> 00:45:20.199
 since the beginning of time.

00:45:20.199 --> 00:45:22.679
 And what he tried

00:45:22.679 --> 00:45:23.779
 for a long, long time

00:45:23.779 --> 00:45:25.639
 was to stop the line of Christ.

00:45:26.339 --> 00:45:27.480
 When you really see a lot of that,

00:45:27.539 --> 00:45:27.859
 and you see

00:45:27.859 --> 00:45:29.339
 even the persecution of the Jews

00:45:29.339 --> 00:45:30.799
 all the way back in the Old Testament,

00:45:30.980 --> 00:45:31.960
 and they're trying to wipe him out,

00:45:32.079 --> 00:45:32.939
 it seems like everybody

00:45:32.939 --> 00:45:34.299
 wanted to wipe the Jews out.

00:45:34.919 --> 00:45:35.279
 Why?

00:45:35.339 --> 00:45:35.819
 Because the enemy

00:45:35.819 --> 00:45:37.179
 wanted to wipe out the seed.

00:45:38.279 --> 00:45:39.119
 Well, Jesus came,

00:45:39.599 --> 00:45:40.639
 and he died,

00:45:40.759 --> 00:45:42.199
 and he rose again.

00:45:43.719 --> 00:45:45.359
 He can't alter the plan,

00:45:45.439 --> 00:45:46.199
 so now what he's done

00:45:46.199 --> 00:45:46.799
 is he's just trying

00:45:46.799 --> 00:45:47.199
 to get us sidetracked.

00:45:48.199 --> 00:45:49.279
 And off course,

00:45:49.280 --> 00:45:51.680
 and these lies

00:45:51.680 --> 00:45:52.400
 that float around,

00:45:52.500 --> 00:45:53.240
 well, you know,

00:45:53.500 --> 00:45:55.500
 God just loves everybody.

00:45:56.019 --> 00:45:56.700
 No, he does.

00:45:57.340 --> 00:45:58.620
 But he also died for everybody.

00:45:59.040 --> 00:46:00.040
 Because all have sinned

00:46:00.040 --> 00:46:01.080
 and come short of the glory of God.

00:46:01.820 --> 00:46:02.860
 And it's not based on

00:46:02.860 --> 00:46:03.940
 what we've done,

00:46:04.000 --> 00:46:04.420
 it's based on

00:46:04.420 --> 00:46:05.140
 that we have to come

00:46:05.140 --> 00:46:05.760
 to that realization

00:46:05.760 --> 00:46:07.080
 of what he did for us.

00:46:07.940 --> 00:46:08.680
 And Peter just wanted

00:46:08.680 --> 00:46:09.780
 to remind these people

00:46:09.780 --> 00:46:11.380
 that their inheritance

00:46:11.380 --> 00:46:12.400
 is secured in heaven,

00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:13.640
 and their lives

00:46:13.640 --> 00:46:14.820
 are guarded on this earth

00:46:14.820 --> 00:46:16.740
 because God said so.

00:46:17.820 --> 00:46:18.940
 That's where it comes from.

00:46:19.700 --> 00:46:20.700
 And it doesn't matter

00:46:20.700 --> 00:46:21.480
 if it's for them,

00:46:21.620 --> 00:46:22.940
 the same is true for us.

00:46:23.660 --> 00:46:24.280
 You know what we should do

00:46:24.280 --> 00:46:24.780
 about that?

00:46:25.700 --> 00:46:26.980
 Greatly rejoice.

00:46:27.920 --> 00:46:29.140
 Be excited about that.

00:46:29.920 --> 00:46:30.840
 You can have hope

00:46:30.840 --> 00:46:31.400
 going in tomorrow.

00:46:31.640 --> 00:46:32.260
 You might be walking

00:46:32.260 --> 00:46:33.519
 through the most difficult valley

00:46:33.519 --> 00:46:34.660
 of your life right now

00:46:34.660 --> 00:46:37.180
 and still have a living hope.

00:46:37.900 --> 00:46:38.800
 Because your hope's not

00:46:38.800 --> 00:46:39.780
 based on the circumstances.

00:46:40.560 --> 00:46:41.260
 It's not based on

00:46:41.260 --> 00:46:42.420
 all the things the world says.

00:46:42.560 --> 00:46:43.500
 It's not based on your job.

00:46:43.560 --> 00:46:44.660
 It's not based on your 401k.

00:46:44.740 --> 00:46:45.480
 It's not based on this.

00:46:45.480 --> 00:46:47.059
 No, it's based in Christ

00:46:47.059 --> 00:46:48.500
 and Christ alone.

00:46:49.659 --> 00:46:50.960
 So the question tonight is this.

00:46:51.019 --> 00:46:51.920
 Where is your hope resting?

00:46:53.719 --> 00:46:54.679
 On your strength?

00:46:56.079 --> 00:46:56.840
 You know, you can make it

00:46:56.840 --> 00:46:57.780
 on that for a little bit,

00:46:58.320 --> 00:46:59.559
 and then it's going to fail you.

00:47:00.320 --> 00:47:01.340
 It's going to wear out.

00:47:02.260 --> 00:47:03.539
 Based on your consistency

00:47:03.539 --> 00:47:05.460
 or how well you think

00:47:05.460 --> 00:47:05.840
 you're doing?

00:47:07.500 --> 00:47:08.920
 No, what Peter wanted them

00:47:08.920 --> 00:47:10.340
 to know and wants us to know

00:47:10.340 --> 00:47:12.660
 is he said you should live

00:47:12.660 --> 00:47:14.539
 like somebody who's kept by God.

00:47:15.940 --> 00:47:18.059
 You have a secure future.

00:47:18.760 --> 00:47:19.480
 You have an inheritance

00:47:19.480 --> 00:47:20.800
 that's incorruptible.

00:47:20.880 --> 00:47:21.500
 It's undefiled.

00:47:21.600 --> 00:47:22.440
 It fades not away.

00:47:23.980 --> 00:47:25.320
 Because there's times in life

00:47:25.320 --> 00:47:26.100
 it feels like you're just

00:47:26.100 --> 00:47:26.980
 barely hanging on.

00:47:28.420 --> 00:47:29.180
 Peter says you're not

00:47:29.180 --> 00:47:30.000
 barely hanging on.

00:47:30.440 --> 00:47:33.320
 You are held by God himself.

00:47:34.400 --> 00:47:35.680
 That you're in his hands.

00:47:35.679 --> 00:47:38.480
 Maybe you're here

00:47:38.480 --> 00:47:39.639
 and you've just kind of

00:47:39.639 --> 00:47:40.239
 been battling

00:47:40.239 --> 00:47:41.239
 and you're struggling

00:47:41.239 --> 00:47:42.319
 with your salvation.

00:47:43.699 --> 00:47:44.899
 Listen, the hope that Peter's

00:47:44.899 --> 00:47:45.799
 talking about in this book,

00:47:45.940 --> 00:47:47.199
 it's not for everybody.

00:47:48.279 --> 00:47:49.539
 It's for God's children.

00:47:50.539 --> 00:47:51.819
 You can't have this

00:47:51.819 --> 00:47:53.179
 without knowing him.

00:47:54.319 --> 00:47:55.019
 See, without Jesus

00:47:55.019 --> 00:47:55.960
 there's no living hope.

00:47:56.059 --> 00:47:57.219
 There's no secure inheritance.

00:47:57.559 --> 00:47:58.399
 There's no assurance

00:47:58.399 --> 00:47:59.139
 of being kept.

00:47:59.980 --> 00:48:00.960
 But through him

00:48:00.960 --> 00:48:02.460
 sins are forgiven.

00:48:03.460 --> 00:48:04.399
 Hope is given.

00:48:04.400 --> 00:48:06.260
 And eternal life is there.

00:48:07.480 --> 00:48:08.900
 What Peter's pointing

00:48:08.900 --> 00:48:09.700
 everybody to is

00:48:09.700 --> 00:48:10.559
 just make sure

00:48:10.559 --> 00:48:11.260
 we're trusting

00:48:11.260 --> 00:48:13.099
 in the right things.

00:48:13.840 --> 00:48:15.019
 Not in what we do

00:48:15.019 --> 00:48:15.920
 but what he's done.

00:48:17.559 --> 00:48:19.180
 As we close out tonight

00:48:19.180 --> 00:48:19.900
 I just want to leave you

00:48:19.900 --> 00:48:20.139
 with this.

00:48:20.220 --> 00:48:21.380
 Just take this into next week.

00:48:22.840 --> 00:48:24.160
 Because Jesus lives

00:48:24.160 --> 00:48:26.340
 my future's secure.

00:48:27.619 --> 00:48:29.340
 And because he's keeping me

00:48:29.340 --> 00:48:30.139
 right now

00:48:30.139 --> 00:48:31.940
 I can live with hope

00:48:31.940 --> 00:48:32.840
 today.

00:48:32.840 --> 00:48:34.860
 You're going to face

00:48:34.860 --> 00:48:35.340
 something this week

00:48:35.340 --> 00:48:36.019
 that's going to challenge

00:48:36.019 --> 00:48:36.579
 that thought.

00:48:37.760 --> 00:48:38.500
 But be reminded

00:48:38.500 --> 00:48:40.039
 we have a hope

00:48:40.039 --> 00:48:42.640
 that can not fail.

00:48:43.240 --> 00:48:43.740
 Praise the Lord.