1 00:00:00,980 –> 00:00:06,120 I met a man this week who spoke with the same accent as I do. 2 00:00:06,120 –> 00:00:08,780 And from our conversation early on, 3 00:00:08,780 –> 00:00:10,980 it was very clear that he was a Christian believer. 4 00:00:10,980 –> 00:00:12,780 It was a joy to speak with him. 5 00:00:12,780 –> 00:00:15,060 We chatted about life in Scotland 6 00:00:15,060 –> 00:00:17,160 and about life in America. 7 00:00:17,160 –> 00:00:20,020 And then I asked him where he worshipped. 8 00:00:20,020 –> 00:00:21,620 Oh, he said, 9 00:00:21,620 –> 00:00:26,100 I’ve lost interest in organized religion. 10 00:00:26,100 –> 00:00:28,500 And then he expressed various disappointments 11 00:00:28,700 –> 00:00:31,580 that he’s experienced in the church. 12 00:00:31,580 –> 00:00:32,919 The heart of what he was trying to say 13 00:00:32,919 –> 00:00:34,340 was really very simple. 14 00:00:34,340 –> 00:00:38,099 The church isn’t what it ought to be. 15 00:00:38,099 –> 00:00:41,259 So he had opted to become a kind of lone believer 16 00:00:41,259 –> 00:00:44,320 with a personal faith in Jesus Christ. 17 00:00:44,320 –> 00:00:45,900 And I think that there are many 18 00:00:45,900 –> 00:00:49,080 and perhaps even a growing number of people like him. 19 00:00:50,020 –> 00:00:52,020 Now, today, as we come to the last in our series 20 00:00:52,020 –> 00:00:53,139 on the Christian life, 21 00:00:53,139 –> 00:00:56,340 I want to see what Peter has to say about the church 22 00:00:56,340 –> 00:00:58,619 and about her destiny. 23 00:00:58,619 –> 00:01:01,980 And this tenth key will open up a dimension 24 00:01:01,980 –> 00:01:03,540 of the Christian life 25 00:01:03,540 –> 00:01:06,160 that in our highly individualistic society, 26 00:01:06,160 –> 00:01:08,320 many people long for, 27 00:01:08,320 –> 00:01:11,500 but at the same time, struggle to grasp. 28 00:01:11,500 –> 00:01:13,959 You see, when you come to faith in Jesus Christ, 29 00:01:13,959 –> 00:01:16,980 it’s not just that you begin a new life. 30 00:01:16,980 –> 00:01:21,580 It is also that you become part of a new community. 31 00:01:21,580 –> 00:01:24,680 And that is very different from other religions. 32 00:01:24,739 –> 00:01:27,199 You see, you could adopt Buddhism 33 00:01:27,199 –> 00:01:30,360 or Hinduism in private. 34 00:01:30,360 –> 00:01:32,300 They are paths which, if you choose, 35 00:01:32,300 –> 00:01:34,599 you can walk entirely alone. 36 00:01:35,440 –> 00:01:40,440 But Christ calls his followers to walk with him together. 37 00:01:40,519 –> 00:01:43,279 Each of us must come to the cross individually 38 00:01:43,279 –> 00:01:44,959 in repentance and faith, 39 00:01:44,959 –> 00:01:47,440 but when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith, 40 00:01:47,440 –> 00:01:49,440 there we meet each other, 41 00:01:49,440 –> 00:01:53,099 and it is at the cross that God creates new community 42 00:01:53,099 –> 00:01:55,139 of people who are born again 43 00:01:55,139 –> 00:01:57,900 and called to a different life. 44 00:01:57,900 –> 00:01:59,980 Now, you’ll notice if you open your Bibles 45 00:01:59,980 –> 00:02:01,820 at 1 Peter, chapter five, 46 00:02:01,820 –> 00:02:03,419 that right at the beginning of the chapter, 47 00:02:03,419 –> 00:02:05,500 this is what Peter is speaking about. 48 00:02:05,500 –> 00:02:08,699 He speaks about elders, 49 00:02:08,699 –> 00:02:12,679 and he speaks about them being shepherds of a flock. 50 00:02:12,679 –> 00:02:15,380 You see, there are many sheep belonging to Christ, 51 00:02:15,380 –> 00:02:17,500 but he brings them together into a flock, 52 00:02:17,500 –> 00:02:21,279 and he puts them under the care of shepherds. 53 00:02:21,279 –> 00:02:22,339 And this reminds us 54 00:02:22,419 –> 00:02:24,240 that this whole letter of Peter 55 00:02:24,240 –> 00:02:25,600 that we’ve been studying 56 00:02:25,600 –> 00:02:29,660 is written to little communities of Christian believers. 57 00:02:29,660 –> 00:02:31,740 Chapter one and verse one, 58 00:02:31,740 –> 00:02:33,240 Peter talks about God’s elect 59 00:02:33,240 –> 00:02:34,839 who are strangers in the world, 60 00:02:34,839 –> 00:02:36,619 and they’re scattered in Pontus, 61 00:02:36,619 –> 00:02:40,500 Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 62 00:02:40,500 –> 00:02:44,360 Now that is simply what a church is. 63 00:02:44,360 –> 00:02:48,119 A church is a community of believers 64 00:02:48,119 –> 00:02:50,160 in one locality 65 00:02:50,160 –> 00:02:51,720 who have been drawn together 66 00:02:51,740 –> 00:02:54,500 by the common experience of the grace of God 67 00:02:54,500 –> 00:02:56,460 in Jesus Christ. 68 00:02:56,460 –> 00:02:58,100 And God’s purpose is not just 69 00:02:58,100 –> 00:03:00,580 that you and I should belong to Jesus, 70 00:03:00,580 –> 00:03:01,839 but that we should be part 71 00:03:01,839 –> 00:03:06,279 of an identifiable flock of God’s sheep 72 00:03:06,279 –> 00:03:08,220 under the care of shepherds 73 00:03:08,220 –> 00:03:10,740 or trusted spiritual leaders. 74 00:03:10,740 –> 00:03:13,020 Notice how Peter speaks of the flock 75 00:03:13,020 –> 00:03:15,779 that is under your care. 76 00:03:15,779 –> 00:03:16,940 So I want us to think 77 00:03:16,940 –> 00:03:19,220 from one Peter in chapter five today 78 00:03:19,220 –> 00:03:21,059 about the flock, 79 00:03:21,059 –> 00:03:23,139 about the shepherds, 80 00:03:23,139 –> 00:03:26,479 about the dangers that the flock faces, 81 00:03:26,479 –> 00:03:28,580 and then finally about the destiny 82 00:03:28,580 –> 00:03:32,440 that belongs to all of God’s people together. 83 00:03:32,440 –> 00:03:33,679 So I hope you have your Bibles open 84 00:03:33,679 –> 00:03:35,820 at one Peter in chapter five. 85 00:03:35,820 –> 00:03:37,160 First of all, the flock. 86 00:03:38,259 –> 00:03:39,800 Now, one of the exciting things 87 00:03:39,800 –> 00:03:41,460 that I think is happening today 88 00:03:41,460 –> 00:03:44,699 is that there is a new interest in community. 89 00:03:44,699 –> 00:03:48,419 After years of hyper individualism and consumerism, 90 00:03:48,419 –> 00:03:50,860 we’ve got a new generation arising, 91 00:03:50,860 –> 00:03:53,520 often folks who have not experienced 92 00:03:53,520 –> 00:03:56,860 deep or stable relationships in the context of family, 93 00:03:56,860 –> 00:03:58,940 and they are longing to find 94 00:03:58,940 –> 00:04:02,479 and searching for authentic community. 95 00:04:03,740 –> 00:04:05,539 This is a good thing. 96 00:04:05,539 –> 00:04:07,860 I want to offer three observations 97 00:04:07,860 –> 00:04:09,699 that I hope will be helpful. 98 00:04:10,580 –> 00:04:13,660 The first is, that an authentic community, 99 00:04:13,660 –> 00:04:16,140 as we seek to express that together, 100 00:04:16,140 –> 00:04:19,380 will reflect all the struggles 101 00:04:19,380 –> 00:04:23,260 of the individuals who make that community up. 102 00:04:23,260 –> 00:04:26,019 Now it’s very important to grasp this, 103 00:04:26,019 –> 00:04:27,899 is I think this was one of the difficulties 104 00:04:27,899 –> 00:04:30,559 for my friend to spoke with the same accent. 105 00:04:31,420 –> 00:04:34,899 He looked at the church, 106 00:04:34,899 –> 00:04:36,880 and he didn’t like what he saw. 107 00:04:38,380 –> 00:04:41,920 The truth is, in looking in the mirror, 108 00:04:41,920 –> 00:04:43,920 many of us don’t like what we see either. 109 00:04:44,899 –> 00:04:47,179 And the church is simply an expression 110 00:04:47,179 –> 00:04:49,640 on a larger scale of what you will find 111 00:04:49,640 –> 00:04:52,959 within any one Christian individual. 112 00:04:53,820 –> 00:04:55,220 So I need to ask these questions, 113 00:04:55,220 –> 00:04:58,820 do I ever struggle with pride or insensitivity, 114 00:04:58,820 –> 00:05:00,440 do I ever struggle with greed 115 00:05:00,440 –> 00:05:02,440 or at least any number of these things? 116 00:05:02,440 –> 00:05:05,940 If any of these things are struggles in me, 117 00:05:05,940 –> 00:05:07,140 I should not be surprised 118 00:05:07,140 –> 00:05:08,359 if there are struggles also 119 00:05:08,359 –> 00:05:11,700 for others who are in Christ around me. 120 00:05:11,700 –> 00:05:13,880 So the plea that I’m making is simply this, 121 00:05:13,880 –> 00:05:16,839 in our search for authentic community, 122 00:05:16,880 –> 00:05:19,480 let’s be realistic. 123 00:05:19,480 –> 00:05:21,660 Because it is a great mistake 124 00:05:21,660 –> 00:05:24,100 to set one standard for ourselves 125 00:05:24,100 –> 00:05:25,239 and say, well, this is me 126 00:05:25,239 –> 00:05:26,880 and these are all my struggles 127 00:05:26,880 –> 00:05:28,359 but to expect the church 128 00:05:28,359 –> 00:05:30,399 to be something altogether different 129 00:05:30,399 –> 00:05:31,839 when the church is simply 130 00:05:31,839 –> 00:05:34,480 a gathering of folks like us 131 00:05:34,480 –> 00:05:36,420 who are in the process of trying to work out 132 00:05:36,420 –> 00:05:39,540 what it is to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ 133 00:05:39,540 –> 00:05:41,079 and are at various stages 134 00:05:41,079 –> 00:05:43,579 in the development on that path. 135 00:05:44,399 –> 00:05:48,119 The church is not a club 136 00:05:48,119 –> 00:05:51,040 for nearly perfect saints. 137 00:05:52,480 –> 00:05:56,640 The church is a hospital for recovering sinners. 138 00:05:56,640 –> 00:05:58,679 And what we should expect 139 00:05:58,679 –> 00:06:00,619 in the community of God’s people 140 00:06:00,619 –> 00:06:02,600 who are experiencing God’s grace 141 00:06:02,600 –> 00:06:04,059 is to see folks at every stage 142 00:06:04,059 –> 00:06:08,820 of the recovery process. 143 00:06:08,820 –> 00:06:10,579 That’s authentic. 144 00:06:10,579 –> 00:06:13,100 We should look for it, 145 00:06:13,100 –> 00:06:15,399 not be surprised when we see it. 146 00:06:16,540 –> 00:06:17,380 Secondly, 147 00:06:17,380 –> 00:06:21,859 an authentic community will include difficult people. 148 00:06:21,859 –> 00:06:23,160 Now, I’ll give you an example 149 00:06:23,160 –> 00:06:24,299 that’s not from this church. 150 00:06:24,299 –> 00:06:26,220 It’s always good to say it’s not from this church 151 00:06:26,220 –> 00:06:29,480 because everyone relaxes when you say that. 152 00:06:29,480 –> 00:06:31,140 But in the church that I pastored 153 00:06:31,140 –> 00:06:32,000 before coming here, 154 00:06:32,000 –> 00:06:34,899 we had a lady who had been in the church 155 00:06:34,899 –> 00:06:36,839 all her days since childhood 156 00:06:36,839 –> 00:06:38,540 and throughout the course of her life, 157 00:06:38,540 –> 00:06:42,320 she developed increasingly severe problems 158 00:06:42,320 –> 00:06:44,019 of many sorts. 159 00:06:44,019 –> 00:06:46,339 Perhaps the most appropriate way of describing her 160 00:06:46,339 –> 00:06:49,600 would be to say that she was very eccentric. 161 00:06:49,600 –> 00:06:51,239 She used to write anonymous letters. 162 00:06:51,239 –> 00:06:53,980 I had a large file of anonymous letters, 163 00:06:53,980 –> 00:06:55,339 all from her. 164 00:06:55,339 –> 00:06:58,239 I knew her writing them and did I saw her envelope. 165 00:06:58,239 –> 00:07:00,940 Often these anonymous letters were suggesting 166 00:07:00,940 –> 00:07:02,079 that she should be invited 167 00:07:02,079 –> 00:07:04,899 to sing a solo in church on Sunday morning. 168 00:07:04,899 –> 00:07:07,019 She even would list the appropriate songs 169 00:07:07,019 –> 00:07:10,739 that this anonymous person could be invited to sing. 170 00:07:11,140 –> 00:07:13,600 When she spoke with someone who was sick, 171 00:07:13,600 –> 00:07:15,160 she on several occasions would say, 172 00:07:15,160 –> 00:07:17,260 I’m so glad this is happening to you 173 00:07:17,260 –> 00:07:18,679 and not to me. 174 00:07:18,679 –> 00:07:20,779 Oh dear. 175 00:07:20,779 –> 00:07:23,760 We found on more than one occasion 176 00:07:23,760 –> 00:07:25,679 and had to deal with it of course, 177 00:07:25,679 –> 00:07:29,380 that she had gone up to a new person in the church 178 00:07:29,380 –> 00:07:31,380 and befriended them with conversation 179 00:07:31,380 –> 00:07:33,779 and then invited them for lunch 180 00:07:33,779 –> 00:07:35,279 and having invited them for lunch 181 00:07:35,279 –> 00:07:36,700 in a rather nice restaurant, 182 00:07:36,700 –> 00:07:38,980 when the check came to the table she would say, 183 00:07:39,100 –> 00:07:42,279 oh no, I’ve forgot my handbag. 184 00:07:42,279 –> 00:07:45,459 And I don’t know thinking back 185 00:07:45,459 –> 00:07:47,700 if there was ever a year 186 00:07:49,079 –> 00:07:52,500 when the elders did not have to deal 187 00:07:52,500 –> 00:07:55,820 with some problem that arose 188 00:07:55,820 –> 00:07:57,339 because of this lady. 189 00:07:57,339 –> 00:07:59,959 Now she got older, it became worse. 190 00:08:00,839 –> 00:08:02,799 Now here’s the other side. 191 00:08:04,019 –> 00:08:08,200 She did not have a single living relative. 192 00:08:09,799 –> 00:08:12,480 If it was not for the kindness and faithfulness 193 00:08:12,480 –> 00:08:14,619 of a few people in the church, 194 00:08:15,779 –> 00:08:18,600 she would have been completely isolated 195 00:08:18,600 –> 00:08:21,779 in an institution without a single friend in the world. 196 00:08:23,000 –> 00:08:26,519 A few believers with incredible humility, 197 00:08:26,519 –> 00:08:28,519 faithfulness, and loyalty 198 00:08:28,519 –> 00:08:30,880 did the most menial work 199 00:08:30,880 –> 00:08:35,159 in her otherwise filthy home 200 00:08:36,159 –> 00:08:38,739 and managed to sustain a life. 201 00:08:39,419 –> 00:08:40,260 For her. 202 00:08:41,719 –> 00:08:44,840 No social institution in the town 203 00:08:44,840 –> 00:08:46,599 would have put up with her or did, 204 00:08:46,599 –> 00:08:49,020 she’d been thrown out the mall. 205 00:08:49,020 –> 00:08:52,960 Only the church had the grace and the patience 206 00:08:52,960 –> 00:08:54,760 to go on loving and forgiving 207 00:08:54,760 –> 00:08:57,679 and confronting and persevering. 208 00:08:58,919 –> 00:09:01,479 Now, you see, it’s easy to talk about caring 209 00:09:01,479 –> 00:09:03,979 for others outside the church. 210 00:09:03,979 –> 00:09:05,799 But the first test of authenticity 211 00:09:05,799 –> 00:09:07,900 is whether we care about the difficult people 212 00:09:07,900 –> 00:09:10,659 inside the church. 213 00:09:10,659 –> 00:09:13,900 And right there in the story that we’ve just told together, 214 00:09:13,900 –> 00:09:16,619 you have two snapshots of the church. 215 00:09:16,619 –> 00:09:19,200 You have the difficult person 216 00:09:19,200 –> 00:09:21,820 who is embraced by the love of the community. 217 00:09:23,640 –> 00:09:25,960 And you have the love of that community 218 00:09:25,960 –> 00:09:27,840 that is, in hidden ways, 219 00:09:27,840 –> 00:09:29,479 doing extraordinary things. 220 00:09:30,719 –> 00:09:32,820 And perhaps if you’d come into the church 221 00:09:32,820 –> 00:09:35,039 and some person said some dreadful thing to you, 222 00:09:35,039 –> 00:09:37,159 you’d say, oh my goodness, I went to church 223 00:09:37,159 –> 00:09:39,880 and you should hear what some person said to me. 224 00:09:41,140 –> 00:09:43,219 Well, remember the two sides here, 225 00:09:43,219 –> 00:09:46,640 authentic community embraces difficult people, 226 00:09:46,640 –> 00:09:49,000 and the world doesn’t know anything about this. 227 00:09:50,500 –> 00:09:51,739 The world throws them out. 228 00:09:54,619 –> 00:09:56,440 I have a picture in my mind 229 00:09:56,440 –> 00:09:59,320 of a believer standing in heaven and saying, 230 00:09:59,320 –> 00:10:01,520 I love you Lord. 231 00:10:02,239 –> 00:10:05,320 And Jesus looks at the believer and says, 232 00:10:05,320 –> 00:10:09,880 if you love me, why did you not care about my body? 233 00:10:09,880 –> 00:10:13,799 The body of which I am the head, the church, 234 00:10:14,940 –> 00:10:17,400 and the believer looks up into the face of Christ 235 00:10:17,400 –> 00:10:19,900 and says, Jesus, you are wonderful, 236 00:10:19,900 –> 00:10:23,719 but the body is sometimes very unattractive. 237 00:10:25,840 –> 00:10:29,400 Christ says, if you knew anything about me, 238 00:10:30,260 –> 00:10:32,059 you would have learned to love 239 00:10:32,059 –> 00:10:34,840 what is sometimes unattractive. 240 00:10:36,400 –> 00:10:38,000 See, that’s authentic, isn’t it? 241 00:10:40,140 –> 00:10:43,239 Third, an authentic community is gathered by God, 242 00:10:43,239 –> 00:10:46,239 not chosen by us. 243 00:10:46,239 –> 00:10:48,780 Now this is important because it’s not difficult 244 00:10:48,780 –> 00:10:50,919 to choose a few friends who we get on well with 245 00:10:50,919 –> 00:10:52,200 because we’re all likeminded 246 00:10:52,200 –> 00:10:54,359 and create a small group around a common interest. 247 00:10:54,359 –> 00:10:56,599 Nothing wrong with that, good thing. 248 00:10:56,599 –> 00:10:59,979 But the authentic community of the Christian church 249 00:10:59,979 –> 00:11:01,799 involves more than that. 250 00:11:03,140 –> 00:11:04,900 Gathered, not chosen. 251 00:11:06,099 –> 00:11:08,619 You see, the first community that God places us in 252 00:11:08,619 –> 00:11:11,739 is called a family, 253 00:11:11,739 –> 00:11:13,559 and none of us chooses our family. 254 00:11:13,559 –> 00:11:14,960 In fact, we use this phrase. 255 00:11:14,960 –> 00:11:17,380 You can choose your friends, 256 00:11:17,380 –> 00:11:20,219 but you can’t choose your family. 257 00:11:20,219 –> 00:11:22,919 This is a pre-Thanksgiving message here 258 00:11:22,919 –> 00:11:23,739 that we’re getting. 259 00:11:23,739 –> 00:11:24,580 You understand? 260 00:11:25,539 –> 00:11:27,799 No, we don’t choose our family. 261 00:11:27,799 –> 00:11:29,640 Our family, by definition, 262 00:11:29,640 –> 00:11:32,739 are the people Got places next to us. 263 00:11:32,739 –> 00:11:35,000 Now, they may be wonderful. 264 00:11:35,000 –> 00:11:36,440 They may be terrible. 265 00:11:37,840 –> 00:11:41,940 But they are the people God has placed next to you. 266 00:11:42,979 –> 00:11:44,780 And the way that you interact 267 00:11:44,780 –> 00:11:47,359 with the people God has placed next to you 268 00:11:48,299 –> 00:11:51,820 will have a primary shaping influence 269 00:11:51,820 –> 00:11:53,400 on the course of your life. 270 00:11:54,280 –> 00:11:56,580 Now, I say again, they may be wonderful 271 00:11:56,580 –> 00:11:58,400 or they may be terrible, 272 00:11:58,400 –> 00:11:59,960 but irrespective of which 273 00:11:59,960 –> 00:12:02,919 of these two polarities you experience, 274 00:12:02,919 –> 00:12:05,760 the way you react, and respond, and interact 275 00:12:05,760 –> 00:12:07,679 with those God has placed next to you 276 00:12:07,679 –> 00:12:09,940 will have a determinative influence 277 00:12:09,940 –> 00:12:11,280 in the shaping of your life. 278 00:12:11,280 –> 00:12:13,799 For example, if you just run away from them, 279 00:12:14,760 –> 00:12:17,400 that will probably become a pattern in your life. 280 00:12:18,880 –> 00:12:20,840 If you can find a way to forgive them, 281 00:12:21,640 –> 00:12:24,099 and will probably become a pattern in your life. 282 00:12:25,440 –> 00:12:26,619 If you hate them, 283 00:12:27,559 –> 00:12:29,859 it’ll probably become a pattern in your life. 284 00:12:30,820 –> 00:12:31,760 If you care for them, 285 00:12:31,760 –> 00:12:34,119 it’ll probably become a pattern in your life. 286 00:12:35,640 –> 00:12:37,340 Now, it’s the same with the church you see, 287 00:12:37,340 –> 00:12:41,340 because the church is the family of God. 288 00:12:41,340 –> 00:12:44,159 It is the community of people not chosen by us 289 00:12:44,159 –> 00:12:46,760 but gathered by God in his mercy and grace 290 00:12:46,760 –> 00:12:47,859 through Jesus Christ. 291 00:12:47,859 –> 00:12:50,599 And the way that I relate to the church family 292 00:12:50,599 –> 00:12:52,559 where God has set me down 293 00:12:52,559 –> 00:12:54,239 will play a large part 294 00:12:54,239 –> 00:12:56,320 in shaping the person that I become. 295 00:12:57,419 –> 00:13:00,119 So, these relationships within the flock of God 296 00:13:00,119 –> 00:13:02,099 are crucial to the shaping 297 00:13:02,099 –> 00:13:06,859 and the formation of spiritual character, 298 00:13:08,119 –> 00:13:09,520 of flock. 299 00:13:09,520 –> 00:13:10,359 It’s not just 300 00:13:10,359 –> 00:13:13,719 that God wants you to be a follower of Jesus. 301 00:13:13,719 –> 00:13:16,679 It’s that God wants you to be part of a community 302 00:13:17,419 –> 00:13:21,059 in which relationships in that discipleship 303 00:13:21,059 –> 00:13:23,039 are worked out together. 304 00:13:23,039 –> 00:13:24,559 Now, notice, secondly, the shepherds, 305 00:13:24,559 –> 00:13:27,059 because any community must have leaders. 306 00:13:27,059 –> 00:13:28,900 And Peter begins chapter five 307 00:13:28,900 –> 00:13:31,419 with some special words of encouragement 308 00:13:31,419 –> 00:13:33,340 for Christian leaders. 309 00:13:33,340 –> 00:13:35,640 He speaks about elders in the church, 310 00:13:35,640 –> 00:13:38,960 and from earliest days the church had spiritual leaders 311 00:13:38,960 –> 00:13:40,679 who were elected or appointed 312 00:13:40,679 –> 00:13:45,679 and given responsibility to shepherd God’s flock. 313 00:13:45,679 –> 00:13:46,580 Now, Peter has already 314 00:13:46,599 –> 00:13:48,880 told us that Jesus is the shepherd 315 00:13:48,880 –> 00:13:51,619 and the overseer of our souls. 316 00:13:51,619 –> 00:13:54,119 And again, in chapter five and verse four, 317 00:13:54,119 –> 00:13:57,400 he talks about Jesus as the chief shepherd. 318 00:13:58,299 –> 00:14:00,599 But he also speaks about these elders 319 00:14:00,599 –> 00:14:05,359 as being called by Christ to care for the flock. 320 00:14:05,359 –> 00:14:06,979 They are overseers. 321 00:14:06,979 –> 00:14:08,080 Do you see that word there? 322 00:14:08,080 –> 00:14:10,119 They are to oversee the flock. 323 00:14:10,119 –> 00:14:13,520 The word elder is very similar to the word pastor, 324 00:14:13,520 –> 00:14:16,359 which of course means shepherd. 325 00:14:16,460 –> 00:14:18,500 Now shepherd is a beautiful picture. 326 00:14:18,500 –> 00:14:19,919 We don’t have many shepherds 327 00:14:19,919 –> 00:14:21,859 in the Northwest suburbs at the moment, 328 00:14:21,859 –> 00:14:23,559 but we all know what a shepherd does. 329 00:14:23,559 –> 00:14:27,080 A shepherd guards the sheep, leads the sheep and rescues 330 00:14:27,080 –> 00:14:29,299 and searches for the sheep. 331 00:14:30,700 –> 00:14:33,940 One of the great blessings of the church 332 00:14:33,940 –> 00:14:38,940 is that we come into a relationship with others 333 00:14:39,119 –> 00:14:41,960 who care about our spiritual well-being. 334 00:14:43,000 –> 00:14:44,979 This is the place where you are fed 335 00:14:44,979 –> 00:14:48,460 and you are nourished, and it is the responsibility 336 00:14:48,460 –> 00:14:52,619 of spiritual leaders to make sure that it is so. 337 00:14:53,880 –> 00:14:56,500 The names given to spiritual leaders may vary 338 00:14:56,500 –> 00:14:58,520 in different churches or groupings, 339 00:14:58,520 –> 00:15:00,380 but the principles are the same, 340 00:15:00,380 –> 00:15:03,700 that the church is to recognize spiritually mature people 341 00:15:03,700 –> 00:15:08,359 who are to give oversight to the gathered flock of God. 342 00:15:09,440 –> 00:15:12,679 Now notice that having identified that truth, 343 00:15:12,679 –> 00:15:16,719 Peter now sets out three pitfalls 344 00:15:16,719 –> 00:15:21,280 that regularly stand in the way of leaders. 345 00:15:21,280 –> 00:15:23,539 And I refer to this not only because it’s part 346 00:15:23,539 –> 00:15:27,619 of the Word of God, and therefore is profitable for us all, 347 00:15:27,619 –> 00:15:30,479 but for those who are not leaders, 348 00:15:30,479 –> 00:15:34,739 it’s important to know how to pray for leaders. 349 00:15:34,739 –> 00:15:36,799 How do you pray for a missionary? 350 00:15:36,799 –> 00:15:38,020 How do you pray for an elder? 351 00:15:38,020 –> 00:15:39,280 How do you pray for a pastor? 352 00:15:39,280 –> 00:15:40,880 What should you ask of God? 353 00:15:41,780 –> 00:15:43,820 Well, let’s look at what Peter identifies 354 00:15:43,820 –> 00:15:47,859 as the primary battles of Christian leaders. 355 00:15:47,859 –> 00:15:52,099 The first he identifies loss of vision. 356 00:15:52,099 –> 00:15:54,020 Be shepherds of God’s flock, verse two, 357 00:15:54,020 –> 00:15:55,359 that is under your care. 358 00:15:56,260 –> 00:16:00,020 Serving as overseers, not because you must, 359 00:16:00,020 –> 00:16:04,039 but because you’re willing, as God wants you to be. 360 00:16:05,380 –> 00:16:07,619 So the first danger that he identifies 361 00:16:07,619 –> 00:16:09,340 is that a Christian leader sets out 362 00:16:09,380 –> 00:16:12,580 with great passion to serve Christ, 363 00:16:14,400 –> 00:16:18,299 but that five, 10, or 20 years later, 364 00:16:19,780 –> 00:16:23,739 he or she has got into a dull routine 365 00:16:23,739 –> 00:16:26,239 in which ministry is just another job to do. 366 00:16:28,179 –> 00:16:29,780 Another meeting to go to, 367 00:16:29,780 –> 00:16:34,299 another sermon to write, another counseling session. 368 00:16:35,020 –> 00:16:40,020 That kind of an attitude kills ministry. 369 00:16:42,619 –> 00:16:46,900 Peter says make sure your heart is in what you are doing. 370 00:16:48,059 –> 00:16:49,979 Don’t get lazy, don’t lose your vision, 371 00:16:49,979 –> 00:16:52,500 don’t let this become some kind of a dull routine 372 00:16:52,500 –> 00:16:54,520 that you’re doing it just because you got boxed 373 00:16:54,520 –> 00:16:56,580 into doing this particular thing. 374 00:16:56,580 –> 00:16:58,359 Do it because you’re willing. 375 00:16:59,700 –> 00:17:03,099 So I want to encourage you to pray for missionaries 376 00:17:03,140 –> 00:17:04,979 and for pastors and for elders 377 00:17:04,979 –> 00:17:07,880 and for national Christian leaders. 378 00:17:07,880 –> 00:17:12,439 Motivation that we will not lose vision 379 00:17:12,439 –> 00:17:14,819 but we’ll have that drive and that passion 380 00:17:15,859 –> 00:17:18,420 to lead in serving Christ. 381 00:17:19,939 –> 00:17:22,920 Secondly, notice that he identifies 382 00:17:22,920 –> 00:17:26,520 the desire for gain as a pitfall for leaders. 383 00:17:27,959 –> 00:17:30,119 Not greedy for money, 384 00:17:30,959 –> 00:17:33,280 but eager to serve. 385 00:17:33,280 –> 00:17:36,060 Bible’s such an honest book, isn’t it? 386 00:17:36,060 –> 00:17:38,939 Peter says a second danger for Christian leaders 387 00:17:38,939 –> 00:17:40,800 and he’s obviously thinking here 388 00:17:40,800 –> 00:17:42,939 about those who are in full-time ministry. 389 00:17:42,939 –> 00:17:44,859 It revolves round money. 390 00:17:46,959 –> 00:17:51,319 Before I became a pastor, a very close friend to me said, 391 00:17:51,319 –> 00:17:56,319 Colin you will need to decide before you go into ministry 392 00:17:56,800 –> 00:17:59,520 how important money is for you. 393 00:18:01,099 –> 00:18:03,280 And if you don’t do that now 394 00:18:03,280 –> 00:18:04,900 it will haunt you all your life. 395 00:18:06,260 –> 00:18:08,660 So glad he said that. 396 00:18:08,719 –> 00:18:11,180 Actually that’s an issue we all have to make early in life. 397 00:18:11,180 –> 00:18:13,800 How important is money to you? 398 00:18:16,420 –> 00:18:19,660 See anyone who’s going to serve as a missionary, 399 00:18:19,660 –> 00:18:21,619 anyone who’s going to give themselves fully 400 00:18:21,619 –> 00:18:23,880 to the service of Jesus Christ 401 00:18:23,880 –> 00:18:26,319 needs to deal with this issue. 402 00:18:26,319 –> 00:18:29,359 We have to grapple with it and we have to resolve it. 403 00:18:29,359 –> 00:18:30,839 It’s true of all of us. 404 00:18:32,400 –> 00:18:35,079 Christ wants us to be eager to serve. 405 00:18:36,479 –> 00:18:39,339 And you see if you go into ministry with the question, 406 00:18:39,339 –> 00:18:41,819 what can I get out of it? 407 00:18:42,719 –> 00:18:44,380 It will kill your ministry. 408 00:18:45,400 –> 00:18:47,420 You have to serve Christ with a spirit that says, 409 00:18:47,420 –> 00:18:49,839 what can I give to it? 410 00:18:49,839 –> 00:18:52,420 And that’s true not just for a pastor or for a missionary. 411 00:18:52,420 –> 00:18:54,040 It’s true if you’re a Sunday school teacher. 412 00:18:54,040 –> 00:18:56,420 If you go into any kind of ministry as a volunteer 413 00:18:56,420 –> 00:18:58,599 you say, what can I get out of it? 414 00:18:58,599 –> 00:19:00,900 It’ll kill your ministry. 415 00:19:00,900 –> 00:19:03,459 You’ve got to go in saying what can I give to it? 416 00:19:03,459 –> 00:19:05,900 This is what we must pray then for our leaders 417 00:19:05,900 –> 00:19:08,020 and for all of our servers across the board, 418 00:19:08,020 –> 00:19:09,920 not just that there’ll be that motivation 419 00:19:09,920 –> 00:19:11,599 but that we’ll be contented. 420 00:19:11,599 –> 00:19:13,959 Pray that missionaries will be contented, 421 00:19:14,819 –> 00:19:17,300 that pastors will be contented, 422 00:19:17,300 –> 00:19:19,380 that elders will be contented. 423 00:19:21,020 –> 00:19:22,119 Third pitfall. 424 00:19:23,500 –> 00:19:25,099 Abuse of power. 425 00:19:26,020 –> 00:19:26,859 Notice what he says. 426 00:19:26,959 –> 00:19:27,800 Verse three. 427 00:19:27,800 –> 00:19:30,939 Not lording it over those entrusted to you 428 00:19:32,239 –> 00:19:34,959 but being examples to the flock. 429 00:19:35,859 –> 00:19:37,880 Now, lording it over the flock 430 00:19:37,880 –> 00:19:41,199 simply means telling everybody else what to do 431 00:19:41,199 –> 00:19:43,160 and not doing it yourself 432 00:19:43,160 –> 00:19:44,819 and that’s of course hypocrisy. 433 00:19:45,959 –> 00:19:47,579 And those who are called to leadership 434 00:19:47,579 –> 00:19:50,359 have a special responsibility here 435 00:19:50,359 –> 00:19:53,859 particularly those who are called to be in the public eye. 436 00:19:53,900 –> 00:19:57,959 There is no greater stumbling block to the church 437 00:19:57,959 –> 00:20:01,199 than a leader who says one thing in public 438 00:20:01,199 –> 00:20:04,520 and does something else in private. 439 00:20:04,520 –> 00:20:08,099 And the Bible speaks quite plainly about this right here. 440 00:20:08,099 –> 00:20:10,619 The greatest challenge for every missionary, 441 00:20:10,619 –> 00:20:13,540 pastor, elder, board member, leader, 442 00:20:13,540 –> 00:20:18,099 Sunday school teacher is to practice what we preach. 443 00:20:19,579 –> 00:20:23,780 So pray that those who are called to leadership 444 00:20:23,780 –> 00:20:24,979 will be authentic. 445 00:20:27,119 –> 00:20:28,780 Those who are called to leadership 446 00:20:28,780 –> 00:20:30,660 are ordinary folks who are seeking 447 00:20:30,660 –> 00:20:32,439 to follow Christ faithfully. 448 00:20:33,479 –> 00:20:35,900 Now say on behalf of missionaries and pastors 449 00:20:35,900 –> 00:20:38,199 and leaders, will you pray for us? 450 00:20:39,239 –> 00:20:41,079 Will you, the body of Christ, be faithful 451 00:20:41,079 –> 00:20:44,199 in praying, recognizing that all leaders face pitfalls 452 00:20:45,380 –> 00:20:47,979 and that the health of the church, in large measure, 453 00:20:49,000 –> 00:20:51,719 is dependent on the way in which these are navigated? 454 00:20:52,560 –> 00:20:54,239 Pray for our leaders. 455 00:20:56,199 –> 00:20:59,900 The flock, the shepherds. 456 00:21:01,219 –> 00:21:03,079 Thirdly, the danger. 457 00:21:03,079 –> 00:21:04,500 Here we are, the flock of God. 458 00:21:04,500 –> 00:21:07,199 We have shepherds who care for the flock, 459 00:21:07,199 –> 00:21:08,780 there’s danger for the flock of God. 460 00:21:08,780 –> 00:21:09,939 Look at verse eight. 461 00:21:09,939 –> 00:21:12,540 Be self-controlled and alert. 462 00:21:12,540 –> 00:21:16,079 Your enemy, the devil, prowls around 463 00:21:16,079 –> 00:21:20,520 like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 464 00:21:20,660 –> 00:21:25,119 Now, when Peter says, your enemy, 465 00:21:25,119 –> 00:21:27,219 you say that phrase, your enemy, 466 00:21:27,219 –> 00:21:31,400 it’s not you in the singular like one individual’s enemy. 467 00:21:31,400 –> 00:21:33,260 It’s plural. 468 00:21:33,260 –> 00:21:35,619 He’s talking about the enemy of the community. 469 00:21:35,619 –> 00:21:38,020 He’s talking about the enemy of the flock. 470 00:21:38,020 –> 00:21:41,280 He’s talking about the enemy of the whole church. 471 00:21:41,280 –> 00:21:46,280 The enemy of the whole group is like a lion roaring 472 00:21:46,280 –> 00:21:51,280 like a lion, roaring seeking whom he may devour. 473 00:21:51,619 –> 00:21:52,760 And do you see how that follows? 474 00:21:52,760 –> 00:21:54,459 From the picture of us being like a flock 475 00:21:54,459 –> 00:21:56,699 and there are shepherds, but there’s a lion. 476 00:21:56,699 –> 00:21:59,560 There’s an enemy that is danger 477 00:21:59,560 –> 00:22:02,839 out there for the flock of God. 478 00:22:05,060 –> 00:22:08,500 Now, imagine that we’re all going on a safari in Africa 479 00:22:09,520 –> 00:22:11,920 and there are a hundred of us. 480 00:22:11,920 –> 00:22:14,520 And there we are in two buses. 481 00:22:14,520 –> 00:22:17,239 And we’re going through this big game park 482 00:22:18,260 –> 00:22:19,900 and we’re traveling together. 483 00:22:19,900 –> 00:22:21,780 And so we’re organized in groups. 484 00:22:21,780 –> 00:22:23,280 And every time we get on the bus, 485 00:22:23,280 –> 00:22:24,959 you have to count your group of 10 486 00:22:24,959 –> 00:22:26,040 and make sure everybody’s there. 487 00:22:26,040 –> 00:22:27,540 You’ve been on some kind of trip 488 00:22:27,540 –> 00:22:29,420 where a group travels like this. 489 00:22:31,079 –> 00:22:33,680 We go out into the open area in the park 490 00:22:33,680 –> 00:22:37,739 and one of us sees Johnny or Mary 491 00:22:37,739 –> 00:22:39,719 and they’re wandering off on their own. 492 00:22:41,239 –> 00:22:43,380 Somebody needs to do something. 493 00:22:44,640 –> 00:22:46,040 Why, because we’re all control freaks? 494 00:22:46,040 –> 00:22:50,699 No, but because there’s danger in the park. 495 00:22:50,699 –> 00:22:53,020 And one of Satan’s primary strategies 496 00:22:53,020 –> 00:22:55,359 is to find someone that becomes isolated, 497 00:22:55,359 –> 00:22:58,660 discouraged, alienated, distanced 498 00:22:58,660 –> 00:23:00,319 from the rest of the flock 499 00:23:00,319 –> 00:23:02,819 and then he seeks to devour them. 500 00:23:04,660 –> 00:23:07,520 Now that’s the picture that Peter is using. 501 00:23:07,520 –> 00:23:10,040 The church is a community of believers. 502 00:23:10,040 –> 00:23:12,280 We’re making this journey through life together. 503 00:23:12,280 –> 00:23:14,219 We are the flock of God. 504 00:23:14,219 –> 00:23:16,739 But we have a serious enemy 505 00:23:16,739 –> 00:23:19,380 who wants to devour God’s people 506 00:23:19,380 –> 00:23:22,660 and that is why we all need to be self-controlled and alert. 507 00:23:22,660 –> 00:23:24,819 I don’t just need to be controlled and alert 508 00:23:24,819 –> 00:23:26,339 in relation to myself 509 00:23:26,339 –> 00:23:29,939 but I need to be alert to those around me also. 510 00:23:31,640 –> 00:23:34,599 Be alert to those who God has placed next to you 511 00:23:35,859 –> 00:23:39,939 who may be struggling or wandering or in spiritual danger. 512 00:23:39,939 –> 00:23:42,579 Don’t turn a blind eye to that. 513 00:23:45,060 –> 00:23:46,780 You see, the sadness for my friend 514 00:23:46,780 –> 00:23:48,540 that spoke with the same accent as I do 515 00:23:48,540 –> 00:23:49,979 is that he thought he could journey 516 00:23:49,979 –> 00:23:52,380 through the Christian life on his own. 517 00:23:54,119 –> 00:23:56,380 When God says, do it as a community together 518 00:23:56,380 –> 00:23:58,119 where there are people who care for one another 519 00:23:58,119 –> 00:23:59,380 and encourage one another 520 00:23:59,380 –> 00:24:01,180 and look out for one another 521 00:24:01,180 –> 00:24:02,859 because there are dangers 522 00:24:02,859 –> 00:24:05,420 as we try to live the Christian life in this world. 523 00:24:07,319 –> 00:24:11,739 I thank God for people in my life 524 00:24:11,760 –> 00:24:13,199 who knew me well enough 525 00:24:13,199 –> 00:24:15,140 and were discerning enough 526 00:24:16,319 –> 00:24:17,800 to know when I was struggling 527 00:24:17,800 –> 00:24:20,380 and at the right moment to come alongside. 528 00:24:22,280 –> 00:24:24,680 That is why relationships are so important 529 00:24:24,680 –> 00:24:26,119 in the body of Christ. 530 00:24:26,119 –> 00:24:27,819 Church is more than a place 531 00:24:27,819 –> 00:24:30,160 that you come for an hour on Sunday to worship. 532 00:24:31,660 –> 00:24:35,640 This is the place where relationships are to be formed 533 00:24:35,640 –> 00:24:38,760 in which we do the Christian life together. 534 00:24:38,760 –> 00:24:40,439 That’s God’s purpose for us. 535 00:24:41,739 –> 00:24:44,500 Here we are on this safari, and there’s a large crowd. 536 00:24:44,500 –> 00:24:47,319 It’s a helpful and an obvious thing 537 00:24:47,319 –> 00:24:49,099 that we’re organized in groups 538 00:24:49,099 –> 00:24:51,239 so that there can be meaningful relationships 539 00:24:51,239 –> 00:24:52,900 in which people care for each other 540 00:24:52,900 –> 00:24:54,180 in this dangerous world 541 00:24:54,180 –> 00:24:55,500 as we move through life together 542 00:24:55,500 –> 00:24:57,180 serving Jesus Christ. 543 00:24:59,260 –> 00:25:00,359 So the flock, 544 00:25:01,859 –> 00:25:02,979 the shepherds, 545 00:25:04,020 –> 00:25:04,859 the danger, 546 00:25:06,760 –> 00:25:08,280 and finally, the destiny. 547 00:25:09,540 –> 00:25:11,280 Now here we come to some marvelous words 548 00:25:11,500 –> 00:25:15,160 of encouragement beginning in verse four. 549 00:25:15,160 –> 00:25:18,280 When the Chief Shepherd appears, 550 00:25:18,280 –> 00:25:21,800 you will receive the crown of glory 551 00:25:22,800 –> 00:25:26,020 that will never fade away. 552 00:25:26,020 –> 00:25:28,040 And this promise is not just for elders, 553 00:25:28,040 –> 00:25:30,199 but for all who serve Christ faithfully. 554 00:25:30,199 –> 00:25:32,699 Leadership is just one spiritual gift. 555 00:25:32,699 –> 00:25:35,040 The body of Christ functions effectively 556 00:25:35,040 –> 00:25:38,000 when everyone uses the gift that God has given. 557 00:25:38,959 –> 00:25:41,640 Now, when Peter talks about a crown, 558 00:25:41,640 –> 00:25:44,420 he’s talking about a symbol of honor. 559 00:25:45,520 –> 00:25:49,239 And I have to ay I’m not sure I find the idea 560 00:25:49,239 –> 00:25:50,560 of walking around with a crown 561 00:25:50,560 –> 00:25:52,560 particularly attractive to you. 562 00:25:52,560 –> 00:25:54,719 I honestly don’t even like to wear a hat, 563 00:25:54,719 –> 00:25:57,959 so the idea of spending eternity with a lump of gold 564 00:25:57,959 –> 00:26:01,680 on my head doesn’t particularly get to me. 565 00:26:01,680 –> 00:26:04,020 So I’m very thankful that Peter does not say 566 00:26:04,020 –> 00:26:06,199 that you’ll receive a crown of gold, 567 00:26:06,560 –> 00:26:10,640 but he does say that you will receive a crown of glory. 568 00:26:12,660 –> 00:26:14,400 You see, back in the Old Testament, 569 00:26:14,400 –> 00:26:19,400 God said those who honor me I will honor. 570 00:26:19,719 –> 00:26:21,439 And I think that’s the best way to understand 571 00:26:21,439 –> 00:26:22,939 what Peter is saying here. 572 00:26:22,939 –> 00:26:26,520 Though the one who serves Christ well in this life 573 00:26:27,459 –> 00:26:31,260 will be highly honored in the presence of God 574 00:26:32,359 –> 00:26:33,560 for all eternity. 575 00:26:34,560 –> 00:26:38,099 And then Peter takes this theme up again in verse 10 576 00:26:38,099 –> 00:26:41,500 where he speaks of the God of all grace 577 00:26:41,500 –> 00:26:45,300 who calls you to his eternal glory. 578 00:26:45,300 –> 00:26:47,739 And again, he’s speaking of the whole group. 579 00:26:47,739 –> 00:26:49,680 We’re moving through this dangerous world, 580 00:26:49,680 –> 00:26:54,540 but we’re all called to his eternal glory in Jesus Christ. 581 00:26:56,180 –> 00:26:58,579 Glory is simply the word that we use 582 00:26:58,579 –> 00:27:01,660 to describe the brightness 583 00:27:01,719 –> 00:27:06,500 and the splendor of the immediate presence of God. 584 00:27:07,800 –> 00:27:12,800 God calls you to share the brightness 585 00:27:12,800 –> 00:27:17,219 and the splendor of his immediate presence 586 00:27:18,260 –> 00:27:20,260 for all eternity. 587 00:27:20,260 –> 00:27:22,040 And this is an act of his grace. 588 00:27:22,040 –> 00:27:24,839 It’s the God of grace who calls us to his eternal glory 589 00:27:24,839 –> 00:27:26,619 because, of course, it took the death 590 00:27:26,619 –> 00:27:29,060 and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ 591 00:27:29,060 –> 00:27:29,959 to open the way. 592 00:27:30,040 –> 00:27:34,839 But this is where the Christian life comes, 593 00:27:34,839 –> 00:27:36,199 this is our destiny. 594 00:27:39,000 –> 00:27:41,619 And when you are in glory, 595 00:27:42,920 –> 00:27:45,239 God’s glory will be in you. 596 00:27:47,020 –> 00:27:49,160 It’s not just that we will be surrounded 597 00:27:49,160 –> 00:27:52,880 by the brightness and splendor of God’s immediate presence, 598 00:27:52,880 –> 00:27:56,560 but the brightness and splendor of God’s immediate presence 599 00:27:56,599 –> 00:27:59,800 that will be reflected in us. 600 00:27:59,800 –> 00:28:04,520 We will be in glory and his glory will be in us. 601 00:28:04,520 –> 00:28:06,920 That’s why the Bible says when we see him, 602 00:28:08,239 –> 00:28:09,359 we will be like him. 603 00:28:11,420 –> 00:28:14,439 Let’s take just a moment to reflect on that. 604 00:28:14,439 –> 00:28:17,719 Good to think about the destiny of a Christian believer. 605 00:28:19,479 –> 00:28:23,280 Think about your capacity in glory. 606 00:28:24,280 –> 00:28:27,160 See, Christ wants to do so much more than forgive your sins. 607 00:28:27,160 –> 00:28:29,380 He will do so much more than forgive your sins. 608 00:28:29,380 –> 00:28:34,380 He will renovate your entire nature, body, soul, spirit. 609 00:28:34,479 –> 00:28:36,599 Your body will be transformed. 610 00:28:37,920 –> 00:28:39,520 Your mind will be renewed. 611 00:28:39,520 –> 00:28:42,540 Painful memories will be healed. 612 00:28:44,040 –> 00:28:46,180 Your entire soul will be redeemed. 613 00:28:46,180 –> 00:28:48,599 You will have the capacity to live 614 00:28:48,599 –> 00:28:50,500 as you always wished you could. 615 00:28:51,359 –> 00:28:55,140 In glory you will be everything that God created you to be. 616 00:28:55,140 –> 00:28:59,380 You will love God and others with a pure and complete love. 617 00:28:59,380 –> 00:29:03,660 You will have desires that are completely aligned 618 00:29:03,660 –> 00:29:06,119 with all that God purposes for you to do. 619 00:29:06,119 –> 00:29:10,579 And your energies will be constantly renewed 620 00:29:10,579 –> 00:29:13,500 and perfectly matched to every calling 621 00:29:13,500 –> 00:29:15,479 that God gives to you. 622 00:29:15,479 –> 00:29:19,900 You will be more at home and more yourself 623 00:29:19,939 –> 00:29:24,520 than you have ever felt in all of your earthly life. 624 00:29:26,219 –> 00:29:30,160 Not only will you be given that glorious capacity, 625 00:29:31,560 –> 00:29:35,000 but think about the dimension of community, 626 00:29:35,000 –> 00:29:38,180 you see talking about us in the presence of God. 627 00:29:40,400 –> 00:29:42,739 I find it very significant that when the Bible talks 628 00:29:42,739 –> 00:29:47,739 about everlasting life it talks about a holy city. 629 00:29:48,739 –> 00:29:51,280 Now a city speaks of a vast crowd of people, doesn’t it? 630 00:29:51,280 –> 00:29:54,180 And a holy city, a vast crowd of people 631 00:29:54,180 –> 00:29:56,900 living in harmony together. 632 00:29:58,319 –> 00:30:00,260 C.S. Lewis wrote about heaven and hell 633 00:30:00,260 –> 00:30:02,819 in a book called The Great Divorce. 634 00:30:04,319 –> 00:30:05,800 It’s a piece of fiction, 635 00:30:06,859 –> 00:30:09,520 but his imagination has helped me to grasp 636 00:30:09,520 –> 00:30:13,020 something important about this dimension 637 00:30:13,020 –> 00:30:14,000 of heaven and hell. 638 00:30:14,760 –> 00:30:19,219 Lewis describes a tourist arriving in hell, 639 00:30:19,219 –> 00:30:24,219 which he pictures as a dreary town 640 00:30:25,260 –> 00:30:28,640 where it always rains with rows and rows 641 00:30:28,640 –> 00:30:31,199 and rows of identical houses. 642 00:30:32,060 –> 00:30:34,439 And when he arrives there, 643 00:30:34,439 –> 00:30:38,560 he finds that the vast majority of these houses are empty. 644 00:30:40,339 –> 00:30:43,319 And so the tourist eventually finds someone and says, 645 00:30:43,380 –> 00:30:44,219 I don’t understand, 646 00:30:44,219 –> 00:30:46,619 I thought this place would be vastly populated. 647 00:30:46,619 –> 00:30:49,140 Why are all these houses empty? 648 00:30:49,140 –> 00:30:51,760 I can only find one or two scattered individuals. 649 00:30:53,579 –> 00:30:55,699 Oh, says the person he meets, 650 00:30:56,599 –> 00:30:58,140 the reason is very simple. 651 00:30:58,979 –> 00:31:00,979 The neighbors here are so quarrelsome. 652 00:31:02,060 –> 00:31:04,579 As soon as anyone arrives, he settles into a street 653 00:31:04,579 –> 00:31:06,540 and within 24 hours they’ve had an argument. 654 00:31:06,540 –> 00:31:09,359 So he moves on settles in another street, 655 00:31:09,359 –> 00:31:10,939 there’s another argument with another neighbor 656 00:31:10,979 –> 00:31:12,739 and so he moves on. 657 00:31:12,739 –> 00:31:14,260 And this is how this town grows. 658 00:31:14,260 –> 00:31:17,040 They’re always putting up more and more and more houses, 659 00:31:17,040 –> 00:31:18,500 pushing the boundaries of the town 660 00:31:18,500 –> 00:31:20,380 out further and further and further 661 00:31:20,380 –> 00:31:22,540 as greater and greater distance exists 662 00:31:22,540 –> 00:31:27,160 between people who can’t stand the sight of each other. 663 00:31:27,160 –> 00:31:28,099 That’s hell. 664 00:31:29,680 –> 00:31:30,500 That’s hell. 665 00:31:32,699 –> 00:31:36,459 The whole dimension of what it is to be lost. 666 00:31:36,459 –> 00:31:38,459 To be out of relationship. 667 00:31:41,420 –> 00:31:43,380 Lewis says this is one of the big disappointments. 668 00:31:43,380 –> 00:31:45,819 I thought you’d meet interesting people like Napoleon, 669 00:31:45,819 –> 00:31:47,060 and he lists a whole lot. 670 00:31:47,939 –> 00:31:48,939 But you don’t, he says. 671 00:31:48,939 –> 00:31:50,380 They’re all too far away. 672 00:31:52,500 –> 00:31:54,020 People moving on and on and on, 673 00:31:54,020 –> 00:31:56,719 getting further and further and further apart. 674 00:31:56,719 –> 00:31:57,800 But the glory of heaven 675 00:31:57,800 –> 00:32:00,439 is that God brings a community together. 676 00:32:03,660 –> 00:32:05,479 Capacity, community, 677 00:32:07,060 –> 00:32:08,099 clarity. 678 00:32:09,260 –> 00:32:10,079 Think of this. 679 00:32:10,079 –> 00:32:12,599 Now we see but a poor reflection, 680 00:32:12,599 –> 00:32:15,680 then we will see face to face 681 00:32:17,020 –> 00:32:21,099 mysteries that you and I can’t begin to understand now 682 00:32:21,099 –> 00:32:22,439 will be made known. 683 00:32:23,640 –> 00:32:25,839 And in the light of that knowledge, 684 00:32:25,839 –> 00:32:30,079 God will wipe away all tears from your eyes. 685 00:32:31,719 –> 00:32:32,819 Immediacy. 686 00:32:33,780 –> 00:32:36,800 Think of this, you will know the immediate presence 687 00:32:36,800 –> 00:32:38,699 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 688 00:32:38,699 –> 00:32:39,979 You will see Him, 689 00:32:40,739 –> 00:32:42,640 that God Himself will be with His people 690 00:32:42,640 –> 00:32:44,579 and Christ will be the shepherd 691 00:32:44,579 –> 00:32:48,880 who leads us into all the joys of everlasting life. 692 00:32:49,959 –> 00:32:51,900 And think of the beauty of this world. 693 00:32:53,760 –> 00:32:55,380 Think of the beauty of this fallen world 694 00:32:55,380 –> 00:32:56,199 and God says, 695 00:32:56,199 –> 00:32:59,260 I will make a new heaven and a new earth. 696 00:33:00,319 –> 00:33:05,319 And your redeemed senses will be filled up 697 00:33:05,800 –> 00:33:09,660 with the beauty of God’s restored creation. 698 00:33:10,900 –> 00:33:12,680 Think of the variety. 699 00:33:13,920 –> 00:33:15,839 Think of the variety of pleasures 700 00:33:15,839 –> 00:33:18,579 that we know in life now. 701 00:33:18,579 –> 00:33:22,760 People to meet, places to go, challenges to overcome. 702 00:33:24,599 –> 00:33:26,319 Mountains to climb. 703 00:33:27,780 –> 00:33:32,520 The only limitations on us are time and space. 704 00:33:33,819 –> 00:33:35,699 I mean, imagine. 705 00:33:35,699 –> 00:33:38,040 Imagine if we could take a trip 706 00:33:38,060 –> 00:33:40,959 to the 16th century this afternoon just for an hour or two. 707 00:33:42,719 –> 00:33:45,180 Imagine if we could take a stroll this afternoon 708 00:33:45,180 –> 00:33:48,800 on the Great Wall of China, just to be there. 709 00:33:51,300 –> 00:33:55,760 See, the limitations upon us are time and space. 710 00:33:55,760 –> 00:33:59,520 Take away the limitations of time and space, 711 00:33:59,520 –> 00:34:01,479 which is what eternity does, 712 00:34:02,619 –> 00:34:07,560 and you have an unimaginable variety of experiences. 713 00:34:07,640 –> 00:34:11,459 You will never be bored in eternity. 714 00:34:11,459 –> 00:34:15,560 You will never say, been there, done that. 715 00:34:18,040 –> 00:34:20,800 Life will be filled with pleasures 716 00:34:20,800 –> 00:34:23,340 from the creator God’s almighty hand, 717 00:34:23,340 –> 00:34:24,719 and they will always be new. 718 00:34:27,840 –> 00:34:29,520 And think of the safety. 719 00:34:31,080 –> 00:34:33,080 No threat of natural disasters. 720 00:34:33,080 –> 00:34:35,320 No enemies, no attacks, no dangers. 721 00:34:35,360 –> 00:34:38,639 No accidents, no violence, no threats. 722 00:34:38,639 –> 00:34:43,639 You will be free to savor the joys of life without fear. 723 00:34:46,959 –> 00:34:48,479 Think of the creativity. 724 00:34:50,260 –> 00:34:53,340 Creativity, of course, is the gift of the creator. 725 00:34:55,080 –> 00:34:58,159 I think about the creativity that is experienced 726 00:34:58,159 –> 00:34:59,719 among us even here and now, 727 00:34:59,719 –> 00:35:04,120 I think of what a choir, an orchestra can do in concerts, 728 00:35:04,120 –> 00:35:07,159 what construction people can do in building, 729 00:35:07,159 –> 00:35:08,879 what organizing people can do 730 00:35:08,879 –> 00:35:10,860 in putting on a magnificent celebration 731 00:35:10,860 –> 00:35:13,520 of the church’s 50th anniversary and you say, 732 00:35:13,520 –> 00:35:15,540 boy, look at that creativity. 733 00:35:15,540 –> 00:35:18,520 What will it be like in the presence of the creator 734 00:35:18,520 –> 00:35:21,719 when his glory fully rests on all of his people 735 00:35:21,719 –> 00:35:24,479 and we work in harmony together? 736 00:35:26,080 –> 00:35:28,860 Can’t begin to imagine what God’s people can do. 737 00:35:30,959 –> 00:35:32,919 And think about the intimacy. 738 00:35:33,860 –> 00:35:38,760 You will know, Paul says, even as you are known. 739 00:35:41,459 –> 00:35:42,899 One of the glories of heaven 740 00:35:42,899 –> 00:35:46,060 is that you will be fully known 741 00:35:47,260 –> 00:35:48,639 and understood. 742 00:35:49,699 –> 00:35:52,179 And there will be no shame in that. 743 00:35:53,500 –> 00:35:56,040 We will have an intimacy of fellowship 744 00:35:56,040 –> 00:36:00,159 that is based on knowing and understanding each other fully. 745 00:36:01,120 –> 00:36:02,080 That’s why, you see, 746 00:36:02,080 –> 00:36:05,280 even sexual intimacy will be transcended. 747 00:36:05,280 –> 00:36:07,280 We will discover what it is in a new way 748 00:36:07,280 –> 00:36:10,139 to know the depths of another person 749 00:36:10,139 –> 00:36:12,840 and to be known and to be understood 750 00:36:12,840 –> 00:36:16,379 and to be accepted fully and completely. 751 00:36:19,320 –> 00:36:21,159 And it will be for all eternity. 752 00:36:23,239 –> 00:36:26,719 You will know joy without interruption 753 00:36:26,719 –> 00:36:28,840 in a life that will never end. 754 00:36:30,500 –> 00:36:33,040 Now, this is our destiny. 755 00:36:36,060 –> 00:36:38,060 Well, notice how Peter ends. 756 00:36:38,060 –> 00:36:39,800 Two things, and then we’re through. 757 00:36:40,719 –> 00:36:44,000 Notice first, having come to this theme of glory, 758 00:36:45,639 –> 00:36:49,219 he ends up with an expression of praise to God, 759 00:36:49,219 –> 00:36:52,280 and that’s where this should leave us first. 760 00:36:52,280 –> 00:36:54,000 Verse 11, the God of all grace 761 00:36:54,000 –> 00:36:56,659 who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ 762 00:36:56,659 –> 00:36:58,479 after you’ve suffered a little while, 763 00:36:58,679 –> 00:37:00,959 he will himself restore you, 764 00:37:00,959 –> 00:37:03,260 and he’ll make you strong and firm and steadfast, 765 00:37:03,260 –> 00:37:08,260 to him be the power forever and ever. 766 00:37:08,320 –> 00:37:09,179 Amen. 767 00:37:09,179 –> 00:37:10,320 You see what he’s saying? 768 00:37:11,199 –> 00:37:15,820 God will bring you through everything you face 769 00:37:15,820 –> 00:37:17,439 from here to there. 770 00:37:19,000 –> 00:37:19,879 You may suffer, 771 00:37:21,000 –> 00:37:24,000 you may go through overwhelming trials, 772 00:37:25,120 –> 00:37:27,239 you may find that the enemy has attacked you 773 00:37:27,500 –> 00:37:29,199 and injured you in many ways, 774 00:37:30,439 –> 00:37:33,800 but God himself will restore you. 775 00:37:34,840 –> 00:37:36,320 God will make you strong, 776 00:37:36,320 –> 00:37:38,399 God will make you steadfast. 777 00:37:38,399 –> 00:37:41,080 The hardest trial you face in this life 778 00:37:41,080 –> 00:37:45,899 is a passage on the way to this eternal destiny. 779 00:37:45,899 –> 00:37:48,199 You may feel right now that you’re limping on the journey, 780 00:37:48,199 –> 00:37:50,580 you may feel exhausted in the journey, 781 00:37:51,600 –> 00:37:54,379 you may feel that life has knocked the stuffing out of you, 782 00:37:54,379 –> 00:37:56,580 but there is a God who restores. 783 00:37:57,239 –> 00:38:00,419 He restores my soul. 784 00:38:00,419 –> 00:38:01,780 He will bring you through 785 00:38:01,780 –> 00:38:03,800 what may seem overwhelming to you now. 786 00:38:03,800 –> 00:38:08,000 He will make you strong and firm and steadfast. 787 00:38:08,000 –> 00:38:12,820 He is able to bring you to glory and He will do it. 788 00:38:13,780 –> 00:38:15,159 And that’s why Peter says to Him, 789 00:38:15,159 –> 00:38:18,459 be the power forever and forever, 790 00:38:18,459 –> 00:38:20,820 because it’s by that power 791 00:38:20,820 –> 00:38:23,139 that He’s gonna bring you through all the stuff 792 00:38:23,139 –> 00:38:24,239 that you face right now 793 00:38:24,239 –> 00:38:26,399 and right into His immediate presence. 794 00:38:28,219 –> 00:38:30,840 And then, as He glorifies God, 795 00:38:30,840 –> 00:38:31,959 who will do this, 796 00:38:33,540 –> 00:38:35,620 He ends in verse 14 by saying, 797 00:38:35,620 –> 00:38:40,080 peace to all who are in Christ. 798 00:38:41,219 –> 00:38:45,159 There is peace because when, 799 00:38:45,159 –> 00:38:48,300 whatever the difficulties of your life, 800 00:38:48,300 –> 00:38:53,199 you know what the ultimate outcome of it will be. 801 00:38:54,139 –> 00:38:57,840 And when you know the destination, 802 00:38:59,219 –> 00:39:04,120 you will not mind the pain of the journey. 803 00:39:05,260 –> 00:39:06,820 Let’s pray together. 804 00:39:10,540 –> 00:39:12,459 Father, thank you that you have gathered 805 00:39:12,459 –> 00:39:16,439 lost and wandering sheep 806 00:39:16,439 –> 00:39:18,040 and brought them into your flock. 807 00:39:18,879 –> 00:39:22,179 Thank you that you do not leave us alone 808 00:39:22,179 –> 00:39:24,459 and vulnerable in a dangerous world, 809 00:39:26,020 –> 00:39:27,679 but that your presence is with us 810 00:39:27,679 –> 00:39:29,800 in the hardest thing that we face, 811 00:39:31,120 –> 00:39:33,000 and that you give us the privilege 812 00:39:34,199 –> 00:39:38,040 of doing life together in the family of God 813 00:39:39,060 –> 00:39:40,479 and the body of Christ. 814 00:39:43,020 –> 00:39:46,840 We recognize the many challenges of the journey, 815 00:39:47,800 –> 00:39:49,639 many dangers that we face, 816 00:39:51,060 –> 00:39:54,139 but we lift our hearts in thanksgiving to you right now 817 00:39:54,139 –> 00:39:55,919 that we know the destination, 818 00:39:58,320 –> 00:40:02,639 and we ask therefore, that trusting in your strong hand 819 00:40:02,639 –> 00:40:04,280 that will bring all your people 820 00:40:04,280 –> 00:40:07,000 without loss into your presence, 821 00:40:09,320 –> 00:40:12,379 we may know and experience that peace 822 00:40:12,820 –> 00:40:17,320 that comes to all who are in Jesus Christ 823 00:40:18,399 –> 00:40:23,399 from the powerful hand of a loving heavenly Father. 824 00:40:25,239 –> 00:40:29,120 Hear our prayers, in Jesus’ name. 825 00:40:31,280 –> 00:40:32,120 Amen.