Experiencing Scripture
Series: Your Word is Truth
Speaker: Nick Freestone
Date: 30th June 2024
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 Good morning and welcome church, welcome online, good to see you.
00:00:03 --> 00:00:07 My name is Nick, I'm the pastor for discipleship here at St. Paul's.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:09 Lovely to see you.
00:00:10 --> 00:00:11 What did we just experience?
00:00:14 --> 00:00:21 Today we're taking our final step in our season called Your Word is Truth.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 And if you're new today or you've missed a week or two,
00:00:24 --> 00:00:30 let me catch you up real quick on what we've heard from God's Word in preaching this term.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 Joseph, you might want to turn this down.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 I do tend to get a little emotional and louder than that.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:37 There we go, caught me just in time.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:39 Here's where we've been.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 The Bible is the truth that interprets the world.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:46 We ought to take it seriously.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 It needs nothing added to it.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 We need it to discover God.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 It's how we see God's glory.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 It's clear enough for anyone to see God.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 For a child and a university professor.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:11 It reveals eternal past to future reality with complete finality.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:17 And all of it, every word of it, in history and promise and song and poem and wisdom and prophecy,
00:01:17 --> 00:01:23 all intertwined with the journeys of real, broken, fallible children, women and men,
00:01:24 --> 00:01:29 is gathered for us to point us toward one person, Jesus,
00:01:30 --> 00:01:33 who was God and is God.
00:01:33 --> 00:01:40 Jesus is the embodiment of the Bible, called the Word himself,
00:01:41 --> 00:01:49 as the only true, worthy, capable, certain, majestic, authentic, climactic, reigning king
00:01:49 --> 00:01:56 over the kingdom of God that has been forever planned through him and established for him.
00:01:56 --> 00:02:00 So it's not just another book, right?
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 The Bible is all of that.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:12 And it's a completely new experience that you must have.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:17 And you can't get that experience any other way.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:22 Experiencing the Bible as God intends really matters.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:24 Let's pray.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:24 Let's pray.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:29 Lord God, you made the world and all that is in it.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:35 You gave us testimony through the Holy Spirit from witnesses and prophets
00:02:35 --> 00:02:41 who wrote down your works and your words for all people to experience.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:46 Would you help us to see in these words as your spirit carries us along in them?
00:02:46 --> 00:02:53 Help us to see Jesus in Scripture today and light our life by him to guide us on our journey.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 Amen.
00:02:56 --> 00:03:02 As a child, my family went on one big holiday to Canada.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:09 I could tell you stories about a bald eagle that flew just over our heads.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 It was so big and terrifying.
00:03:11 --> 00:03:16 I felt like cowering, even though it was nowhere near me at the time.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:19 I saw a bear catching a salmon in a river.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:25 I had hot chocolate by a waterfall beside a glacier.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 After canoeing across a lake.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:33 A pot of orcas swam along beside our boat.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:35 It was amazing.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 And we had a camera with us.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:43 It was one of those old film cameras where you don't ever know if a photo was going to turn out.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:47 You just have the guess of capturing that moment.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:57 But the photos that we caught, even though many of them are very good, they don't tell the whole story of just experiencing the awe and wonder of that place.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 Each picture helps tell the story of our trip.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:05 But to truly experience it, you had to be there.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 You had to be there.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:18 It's this little phrase that in English that we use to truly experience what happened, you need more than a story.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 You need more than a photo.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 You'd have to be physically there.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:27 Hearing you had to be there when someone's telling you a story, it's quite isolating.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 Often people are using it to say, you weren't there.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:45 The joy or the shock or the gravity of what someone's trying to tell you about that event, it can't be shared in a way that brings us into that experience.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 But the Bible is not like that.
00:04:49 --> 00:05:05 As you read its words, even over and over and over again, you experience something that according to 2 Peter is even better than witnessing the history in person.
00:05:06 --> 00:05:09 It's even better than being there.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:14 Because God's speaking these words as we read them.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 These words will never leave you empty.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 Just fearing that you'd have to be there.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 Today's passage is a letter from Peter.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 It's his second letter that we have.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:34 And Peter was one of Jesus' closest 12 disciples.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:39 And he wrote this letter to Christians around about 65 AD.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:48 Now, I don't know much about history, but I know that was a really bad guy running Rome at about this time called Emperor Nero.
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 And he loved killing Christians.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:57 Eyewitnesses to Jesus were being killed and they were dying out.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:04 And in verses 13 to 14, Peter tells us that he fully expected to die soon.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 And he would.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:10 He was crucified.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:16 It is said he was hung upside down on a cross for his faith.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:21 And as Peter is writing this, he knows it's going to be his last letter in all likelihood.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:25 It's like his last will in Testament.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 So what's in Peter's will?
00:06:31 --> 00:06:37 What does Peter want to communicate to Christians as one last final word?
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 Is he going to tell a grand story?
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 Like, ah, you had to be there.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 All right, bye.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:50 No, Peter instead is going to explain why we don't need him around.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:57 As we have the scriptures as our eyewitness to the power and majesty of Jesus.
00:06:57 --> 00:07:04 Because in experiencing scripture, we are made to see what Peter saw.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:09 We become eyewitnesses of Jesus ourselves through scripture's words.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:16 Peter is going to explain this to us by, figuratively, he's going to get out one old photo.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:23 One story that his readers would have already heard him tell.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 And he's going to say this.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 One last time.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 Let me just point to this and say, you know what?
00:07:32 --> 00:07:37 This incredible experience that I had is what you'll experience.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 And I'm sure of it.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 When you open scripture.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:49 So let's see how Peter shares this memory with us.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:53 This little Polaroid from his journey.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 Have a look in your Bibles of verse 16.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:59 And if I haven't convinced you or the last few weeks haven't convinced you,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 make sure you've got your Bible in your hand in this moment.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 Check with me that this is what God says.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 Don't just rely on the screen.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 I type mistakes all the time.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 Verse 16 of 2 Peter chapter 1 says,
00:08:14 --> 00:08:22 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,
00:08:23 --> 00:08:26 but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:34 Peter must have been surrounded by sceptical people challenging his stories about Jesus,
00:08:34 --> 00:08:39 even as he shared them as eyewitness testimony, as his proof.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:46 Peter is said to have been the main source for Mark's gospel,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:54 which is one of the four consistent histories of Jesus that we have gathered from many eyewitnesses here in the Bible.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:58 Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 They're not myths.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:05 And as those gospels will attest to, and Mark as well,
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 Peter is not clever at all.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:13 He almost laughed.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 I imagine Peter laughing in that verse that we just read.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:22 At the idea that he would be clever enough to make up everything that he said happened.
00:09:22 --> 00:09:27 How could he make up something so wonderful?
00:09:30 --> 00:09:35 So he one last time testifies to the power and majesty of Jesus.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:40 And Peter shares the testimony of God himself.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 So let's have a look at the next verse there.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:42 Verse 17.
00:09:42 --> 00:10:10 If you've ever read the gospels,
00:10:10 --> 00:10:16 you might be aware of the little photo that Peter's pulled out here.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 Do you know what memory he's pointing us to?
00:10:20 --> 00:10:23 He wants us to remember a moment,
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 as if we've already heard it,
00:10:24 --> 00:10:28 because he's already told the people who he's writing to,
00:10:29 --> 00:10:32 about what we now call the transfiguration,
00:10:33 --> 00:10:37 which is recorded in three of the four gospels.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:40 And one is in Mark chapter 9.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:43 So I'm going to actually show you what this photo is.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 I'm going to describe this memory to you,
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 as Peter told it to Mark.
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 Here's what happened.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 Jesus took Peter,
00:10:52 --> 00:10:57 James and John with him and led him up a high mountain where they were all alone.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 There he was transfigured before him.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 His clothes became dazzling white,
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:12 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses,
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 who were talking with Jesus.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:19 Then a cloud appeared and covered them.
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 And a voice came from the cloud.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 This is my son,
00:11:23 --> 00:11:23 whom I love.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 Listen to him.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:26 Suddenly,
00:11:27 --> 00:11:27 when they looked around,
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 they no longer saw anyone except Jesus.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 The Lord God himself,
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 and Moses and Elijah,
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 and Peter,
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 James and John,
00:11:40 --> 00:11:45 and Jesus together testify that Jesus is God's son,
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 the Messiah.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:50 So here's why I think Peter shares with us,
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 and with everyone who reads this,
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 that one memory.
00:11:57 --> 00:12:01 Jesus was witnessed to by Moses and Elijah.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:07 The Old Testament was summarized in Jewish tradition as the law and the prophets.
00:12:08 --> 00:12:11 The law and the prophets.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 The champions,
00:12:13 --> 00:12:16 or the main characters,
00:12:16 --> 00:12:21 or the most memorable characters of those two sections were Moses and Elijah.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 And in this moment,
00:12:22 --> 00:12:28 Peter was showing us that their presence on the mountain of transfiguration
00:12:28 --> 00:12:32 confirmed Jesus is the Messiah,
00:12:33 --> 00:12:37 the man those two men had personally written about and hoped for.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 And figuratively,
00:12:40 --> 00:12:43 the law and the prophets that they represent,
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 the whole Old Testament,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:46 is there,
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 figuratively,
00:12:49 --> 00:12:53 witnessing to Jesus in that moment.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:58 All the fulfillment of the promises of the entire Old Testament,
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 pointing to Jesus and saying,
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 listen to him as you've listened to us.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 It is their witness,
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 their original prophetic message,
00:13:11 --> 00:13:17 that has led Peter to share this memory in his last will with us in particular.
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 So let's have a look at verse 19.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 Again,
00:13:21 --> 00:13:28 we also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,
00:13:29 --> 00:13:32 and you will do well to pay attention to it.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 It is as if Peter's held up this photo,
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 this memory,
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 and he's taken you through it.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 He's pointed you one more time,
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 just last thing,
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 just remember this thing that happened to me.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 And then he says this,
00:13:45 --> 00:13:50 as I put this photo down,
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 pick your Bible up.
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 As I leave,
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 pick up Scripture.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:06 In here is a clearer moment,
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 a clearer picture
00:14:08 --> 00:14:10 of what I've just described,
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 what I got to see with my own eyes.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 It's clearer in there.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 The original language is even stronger,
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 and I've highlighted it on the screen for you,
00:14:19 --> 00:14:21 because a better translation of verse 19,
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 which happens to be in the ESV
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 and some of the other translations,
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 Peter actually says,
00:14:26 --> 00:14:29 we have something more sure,
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 the prophetic word.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 More sure than even being there,
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 or hearing from Peter,
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 is what God does
00:14:39 --> 00:14:41 through the prophetic word.
00:14:42 --> 00:14:42 Now,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:45 Peter here is talking about part of the Old Testament,
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 talking about the Old Testament Scripture,
00:14:48 --> 00:14:52 when he explains how God worked to create it.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 In the past,
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 God never left people
00:14:56 --> 00:14:59 to create their own interpretation of him,
00:14:59 --> 00:15:02 based on the world around them,
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 in verse 20.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 Have a look there in verse 20,
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 you might see that there.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 Or by their own thought or will,
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 in verse 21.
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 But these more sure Scriptures
00:15:14 --> 00:15:17 came directly from God himself.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:21 Peter is connecting God's own testimony
00:15:21 --> 00:15:24 that he heard from heaven about Jesus
00:15:24 --> 00:15:28 with God's words spoken through the pages
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 of the law and the prophets.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:33 These are one continuous testimony.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:40 God testified through the Old Testament this way.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 In verse 21,
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 Peter says,
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 prophets, though human,
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 spoke from God,
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 as they were carried along
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 by the Holy Spirit.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 I read this week that
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 we can think
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 of this like
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 sailing.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 Ever been sailing?
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 Ever been at the beach
00:16:05 --> 00:16:07 and had the urge to go sail?
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 Let me try and put you in that place.
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 Imagine
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 a calm ocean
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 beside a small town.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:18 You look out to the ocean
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 and you see the water surface
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 darken and shiver,
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 showing where the wind
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 is moving.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 There's a boat
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 on the shore
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 with a mast.
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 It's begging you
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 to push it out
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 into the ocean.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 As you
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 break through the waves
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 with it,
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 you see an island
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 out to sea.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:41 You're kicking a snorkel around
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 in the bottom of the boat.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:44 And then as you look,
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 you see dolphins
00:16:45 --> 00:16:48 just turning the corner
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 around the point
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 ahead of you
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 and away
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 out of sight.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 What do you need to do
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 to experience
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 sailing in this moment?
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 Because frankly,
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 that boat's not going to move you.
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 Once you get in it,
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 you're just going to sit there
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 and it's going to be
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 a real dull experience.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 What do you need?
00:17:04 --> 00:17:07 You need to set a sail.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 If you raised a sail
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 on that mast,
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 turned it to catch
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 some breeze,
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 the boat would move along
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 against the current
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 and you'd steer it on
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 by the strongest wind
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 and you'd sail
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 wherever that wind
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 might send you
00:17:22 --> 00:17:24 and go with it
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 where you could not go
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 without it.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 Scripture is like sailing.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:34 People wrote
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 what the wind,
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 figuratively,
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 but the wind of the Spirit
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 gave them.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 As they were blown along,
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 carried by the Holy Spirit,
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 they yielded their sail,
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 themselves,
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 to its direction.
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 They didn't swim.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 They didn't get out there
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 with their hands
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 and try and push themselves along.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 They yielded to the wind
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 of the Holy Spirit.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:59 Because they wrote
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 God's words for us
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 in this way,
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 our experience
00:18:03 --> 00:18:06 in reading those same words,
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 in our experience,
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 we're blown along
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 by the same Spirit.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 It's like we've caught
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 the same breeze.
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 We're carried along
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 as sailors
00:18:16 --> 00:18:18 towards God's destination
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 for us
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 and as we've heard
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 this season,
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 all the wind blows
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 toward Jesus.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:26 Peter is more sure
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 that God will speak
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 to readers of Scripture
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 through the Holy Spirit
00:18:30 --> 00:18:33 than having to be there
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 to witness Jesus.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 Does that make you
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 think of anyone?
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 It makes me think
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 of doubting Thomas.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 Does anyone remember Thomas,
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 the poor guy
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 who has doubting
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 forever in front of his name?
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 He was a disciple
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 who wasn't there
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 when Jesus first
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 appeared to the disciples.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 And when they told him
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 about it,
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 he didn't believe it.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 But when Jesus
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 did appear to him,
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 immediately he says,
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 my Lord
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 and my God.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 Seeing was believing.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 Then Jesus says,
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 because you have seen me,
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 you have believed.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 But blessed are those
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 who have not seen
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 and yet have
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 believed.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 Peter is saying this morning,
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 if you open this,
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 you get to see.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:24 the blessing of God
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 is received by those
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 who open Scripture
00:19:26 --> 00:19:29 and see Jesus revealed.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 Lord and God,
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 powerful and majestic.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 Even though we did not
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 see him like Peter
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 and Thomas in Scripture,
00:19:36 --> 00:19:38 we really can see.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 And Scripture does not stop
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 with the law
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 and the prophets.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 Peter is not just talking
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 about an Old Testament
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 experience.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:50 and here's how I know that.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 Peter wrote later
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 in this letter
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 in chapter 3.
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 We were in chapter 3
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 as a community group
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 this week
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 of 2 Peter.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 He writes actually there
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 about Paul's letters.
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 Because people around
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 Peter and Paul
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 both at the time,
00:20:10 --> 00:20:10 they were twisting
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 their words
00:20:11 --> 00:20:14 to try and prove them
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 as wrong
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 or try and prove Jesus
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 as just another man.
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 And people were doubting
00:20:21 --> 00:20:24 and twisting Paul's words
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 as they were doing that.
00:20:27 --> 00:20:29 They were denying Jesus' power
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 and majesty.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 And Peter says something
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 amazing here.
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 He says in verse 16
00:20:34 --> 00:20:37 that those who twist
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 Paul's words
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 also twist
00:20:40 --> 00:20:43 the other Scriptures.
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 Did you just catch that?
00:20:47 --> 00:20:49 Peter just equates
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 the Old Testament,
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 the Scriptures of God
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 with Paul's letters.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 Even the earliest teaching
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 of the church
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 that was coming
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 from the mouths
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 of the apostles
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 in these letters
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 was expected
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 to be as powerful
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 to Christians
00:21:06 --> 00:21:08 as the Old Testament,
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 as eyewitness testimony,
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 as all the Scriptures.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 He applies
00:21:16 --> 00:21:18 in our passage today,
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 verse 21,
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 to Paul
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 as one
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 who spoke from God
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 as if they were carried
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 along by the Holy Spirit.
00:21:27 --> 00:21:29 Testimony validates Jesus.
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 The prophetic word
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 witnesses Jesus.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 Scriptures validate
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 other Scriptures.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 It's the testimony
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 of the apostles too
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 that were part
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 of the Holy Spirit's work.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:41 They were all inspired
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 by the Spirit of God.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 They are trustworthy.
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 And likewise,
00:21:45 --> 00:21:47 as they were inspired,
00:21:47 --> 00:21:49 as their sails
00:21:49 --> 00:21:49 were filled,
00:21:51 --> 00:21:53 so are ours
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 as we experience
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 the Bible.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 That experience
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 as we see Jesus
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 through Peter's testimony
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 and Mark,
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 his reminders
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 in his letters
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 and Paul's letters
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 and the other Gospels
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 and the Old Testament
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 and everything in here
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 changes life
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 for us.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 And Peter says
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 that opening Scripture
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 in verse 19
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 is like
00:22:11 --> 00:22:14 is the experience.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 Here's why I said
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 when Merle had finished
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 her reading,
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 what have we just experienced?
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 This is what Peter thinks
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 we've just experienced.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 A light shining
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 in a dark place.
00:22:25 --> 00:22:31 To truly be
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 ever in the dark,
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 pitch dark,
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 is terrifying.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 I heard a true story
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 this week.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:39 There were war planes
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 coming back
00:22:40 --> 00:22:42 from a dog fight
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 in a world war
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 and they were flying back
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 over the Atlantic Ocean
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 trying to land
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 on their aircraft carrier
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 but they couldn't see it.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 They knew where it was
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 but they couldn't see it
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 in the pitch dark
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 of the night.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:55 and they radioed down
00:22:55 --> 00:22:57 to try and tell
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 the aircraft carrier
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 hey can you put the lights on
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 we don't know where to land.
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 And the aircraft carrier said
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 no we can't.
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 We've got intel
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 that there's threats
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 above and below
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 that if we are seen
00:23:09 --> 00:23:11 they'll shoot us
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 and we'll sink.
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 So we can't put our lights on.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 They had nowhere to land
00:23:19 --> 00:23:21 and they perished
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 in the dark waves
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 of the Atlantic Ocean.
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 Peter says that
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 to not open scripture
00:23:29 --> 00:23:31 or pay attention to it
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 is to keep our eyes
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 shut to the light
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 that we need to see
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 in the darkness
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 of our world.
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 Jesus says
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 in John 8
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 12
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 12
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 I am the light
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 of the world.
00:23:49 --> 00:23:51 Imagery of light
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 in the Bible
00:23:51 --> 00:23:53 usually is pointing us
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 to Jesus.
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 If you're a Christian
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 you might have had
00:23:57 --> 00:23:59 a moment
00:23:59 --> 00:24:01 of seeing that light
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 for the first time.
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 When you see Jesus
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 as Lord and God
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 like a dawn
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 of the most wonderful day
00:24:08 --> 00:24:10 you've ever experienced.
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 Light exploding
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 over the horizon
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 into the darkness
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 of your life
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 and your mind
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 and your heart
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 receive it
00:24:17 --> 00:24:19 and remember it.
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 Friends
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 every time
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 Christians open
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 scripture
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 they return
00:24:24 --> 00:24:26 to that source
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 of light
00:24:26 --> 00:24:29 to enjoy
00:24:29 --> 00:24:29 what they first
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 eyewitnessed
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 through the Holy Spirit
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 in its pages.
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 And then
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 the next verse
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 of John 8
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 is just astonishing.
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 It's on the screen
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 verse 13
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 the Pharisees challenged him
00:24:40 --> 00:24:42 here you are
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 appearing as your own witness
00:24:43 --> 00:24:45 your testimony
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 is not valid.
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 Oh how wrong
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 they were.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 The Holy Spirit
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 testifies with Jesus
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 to the fact
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 that he is
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 the light of the world.
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 All of scripture
00:24:58 --> 00:25:00 God himself
00:25:00 --> 00:25:02 Peter, James, John
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 they all testify
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 that Jesus
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 is the light
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 of the world.
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 And if we didn't
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 need light
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 if we didn't need
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 Jesus
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 if we didn't
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 need anything
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 if you didn't
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 need the experience
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 of scripture
00:25:13 --> 00:25:17 then the world
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 wouldn't need Jesus.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 You wouldn't need
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 any of this information.
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 We wouldn't need
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 to be here.
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 We wouldn't need
00:25:24 --> 00:25:24 to open our Bibles.
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 But we do need it
00:25:27 --> 00:25:29 because this world
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 is as deep
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 as darkness
00:25:30 --> 00:25:33 compared to a life
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 with Jesus.
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 By his light
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 we see what is
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 in the dark
00:25:38 --> 00:25:41 and turn away
00:25:41 --> 00:25:44 and turn to him
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 for safety
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 by the light
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 of the world.
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 Jesus who said
00:25:49 --> 00:25:51 whoever follows me
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 will never walk
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 in darkness
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 but will have
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 the light
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 of life.
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 He is eternally
00:25:58 --> 00:25:58 committed
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 to every Christian
00:25:59 --> 00:26:01 to always be
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 their light.
00:26:01 --> 00:26:03 he stepped
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 into our
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 darkness
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 to lead us
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 into his
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 eternal light.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 If we're warplanes
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 in the dark
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 of the night sky
00:26:11 --> 00:26:13 and there's a threat
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 to the aircraft
00:26:14 --> 00:26:16 carrier
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 ship
00:26:16 --> 00:26:19 that's Jesus
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 he would turn
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 his lights on
00:26:21 --> 00:26:25 until
00:26:25 --> 00:26:27 verse 19
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 says
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 of our passage
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 today
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 the day dawns
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 and the morning
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 star
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 rises
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 in your hearts
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 for there will
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 be a day
00:26:36 --> 00:26:38 when Jesus
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 who is called
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 the morning star
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 in the Old Testament
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 in Isaiah 14
00:26:42 --> 00:26:44 and in Revelation
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 in chapter 22
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 when Jesus
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 will finally come
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 in the dawn
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 of an unending
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 day
00:26:50 --> 00:26:52 Jesus himself
00:26:52 --> 00:26:52 will be
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 with us.
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 He will satisfy
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 the hopes
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 of every heart
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 so we will
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 no longer walk
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 in darkness
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 again.
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 We will not
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 need our
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 Bibles
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 then
00:27:02 --> 00:27:05 but we will
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 experience
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 what we now
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 find in
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 scripture
00:27:07 --> 00:27:09 truly face
00:27:09 --> 00:27:09 to face
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 with Jesus
00:27:10 --> 00:27:12 but until
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 that morning
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 star rises
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 until Jesus
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 comes again
00:27:15 --> 00:27:17 the real sun
00:27:17 --> 00:27:19 rises over
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 our city
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 day after
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 day after
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 day.
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 Every day
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 we have a choice
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 to turn to the
00:27:27 --> 00:27:27 light of Jesus
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 in scripture
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 or not.
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 So look
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 back in our
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 passage today
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 1 Peter
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 let's go back
00:27:35 --> 00:27:37 to verse 13
00:27:37 --> 00:27:39 I think it
00:27:39 --> 00:27:39 right to
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 refresh your
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 memory
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 as long
00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 as I
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 live in
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 the tent
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 of this
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 body
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 because I
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 know that I
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 will soon
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 put it aside
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 as the Lord
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 Jesus Christ
00:27:47 --> 00:27:47 has made
00:27:47 --> 00:27:47 clear to me
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 and I
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 will make
00:27:49 --> 00:27:49 every effort
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 to see that
00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 after my
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 departure
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 you will
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 always be
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 able to
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 remember
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 these things.
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 Do you see
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 Peter's hope
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 for you here
00:27:59 --> 00:28:01 as a Christian
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 written in
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 his will
00:28:03 --> 00:28:05 or as
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 someone who
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 doesn't yet
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 follow Jesus
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 watching what
00:28:07 --> 00:28:09 God is
00:28:09 --> 00:28:09 promising
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 Christians?
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 He would
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 see Christians
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 as always
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 able to
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 remember all
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 he testified
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 to and
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 all scripture's
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 testimony along
00:28:19 --> 00:28:21 with it so
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 we can live
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 life seeing
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 in the dark.
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 We can only
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 keep tiny
00:28:28 --> 00:28:30 fragments of
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 the wonder of
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 scripture in
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 our mind at
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 any one time.
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 You might have
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 remembered the
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 whole of the
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 book of
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 Romans but
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 there's so
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 much more
00:28:39 --> 00:28:39 than just
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 that.
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 The regular
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 daily
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 deliberate
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 hopeful
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 Bible reading
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 was what
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 people knew
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 we needed
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 for life
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 more than
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 we needed
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 him even
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 though we'd
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 never seen
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 a Bible.
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 His efforts
00:28:57 --> 00:28:59 put words
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 in our
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 hands.
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 He was
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 killed for
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 what he
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 put in
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 our hands
00:29:04 --> 00:29:06 so we
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 would always
00:29:07 --> 00:29:07 be reading
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 and seeing
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 the light
00:29:08 --> 00:29:10 never blind
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 in the
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 dark of
00:29:11 --> 00:29:11 our world.
00:29:11 --> 00:29:15 I left
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 out two
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 verses
00:29:16 --> 00:29:18 on purpose
00:29:18 --> 00:29:20 from Peter's
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 little photo.
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 I just want
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 to point to
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 them as we
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 finish off
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 today.
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 On the
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 mountain
00:29:26 --> 00:29:28 when that
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 astonishing
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 wonderful thing
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 is happening
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 and blowing
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 Peter's mind
00:29:32 --> 00:29:34 Peter piped
00:29:34 --> 00:29:36 up and
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 said
00:29:36 --> 00:29:39 Rabbi
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 it's good
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 for us
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 to be
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 here.
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 Let's
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 put up
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 three
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 shelters
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 one for
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 you
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 one for
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 Moses
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 and one
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 for
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 Elijah.
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 He did
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 not know
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 what to
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 say.
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 They were
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 so frightened.
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 Isn't Peter
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 relatable?
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 He always
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 opens his
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 mouth and
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 says something
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 stupid.
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 But do you
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 see the word
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 shelter there
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 on the
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 screen?
00:30:00 --> 00:30:03 it's tent
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 in other
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 translations.
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 In the
00:30:06 --> 00:30:06 Greek
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 original
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 Greek
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 it's the
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 word
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 tabernacle.
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 The same
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 word
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 Peter uses
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 to describe
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 his body
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 in our
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 passage
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 today.
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 When
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 Peter dies
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 he's going
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 to cast
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 off his
00:30:20 --> 00:30:20 temporary
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 shelter
00:30:21 --> 00:30:23 looking forward
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 to receiving
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 a glorified
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 body that
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 he just
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 saw Jesus
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 take on
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 up the
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 mountain.
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 he's
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 remembering
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 this stupid
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 thing that
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 he said
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 to Jesus
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 in that
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 moment
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 about
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 building
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 tents
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 for them
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 to dwell
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 there
00:30:35 --> 00:30:37 because he
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 knew he
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 missed the
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 point on
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 that day.
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 Jesus
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 had given
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 up the
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 glory of
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 heaven
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 to take
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 up this
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 tent
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 dwelling
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 of a
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 body
00:30:46 --> 00:30:49 so we
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 could look
00:30:50 --> 00:30:50 forward to
00:30:50 --> 00:30:50 a new
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 life beyond
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 our aging
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 tents.
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 In
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 2 Peter
00:30:56 --> 00:30:58 he's now
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 well into
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 his 60s
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 he's facing
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 execution for
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 his faith
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 and he's
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 probably
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 chuckling to
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 himself as
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 he describes
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 his own
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 body as
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 a tent
00:31:05 --> 00:31:07 because he
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 discovered that
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 what he did
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 in the tent
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 of his body
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 on earth
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 mattered for
00:31:12 --> 00:31:12 eternity
00:31:12 --> 00:31:14 and he
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 lived boldly
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 in the
00:31:15 --> 00:31:17 light of
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 his Lord
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 Jesus
00:31:17 --> 00:31:19 and Peter
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 would call
00:31:19 --> 00:31:21 us to
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 do the
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 same.
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 Peter wrote
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 in this
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 letter
00:31:25 --> 00:31:28 probably
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 reflecting on
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 Moses
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 words in
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 Deuteronomy
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 4 that
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 would have
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 been well
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 known to
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 those of a
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 Jewish
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 background.
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 Do not
00:31:37 --> 00:31:37 forget the
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 things your
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 eyes have
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 seen.
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 Let them
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 fade from
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 your heart
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 as long
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 as you
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 live.
00:31:46 --> 00:31:46 Experiencing
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 the Bible
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 is your
00:31:48 --> 00:31:50 chance to
00:31:50 --> 00:31:50 see Jesus
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 in a way
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 more sure
00:31:52 --> 00:31:54 than the
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 eyewitness
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 Peter did.
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 Inspired by
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 the Holy
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 Spirit,
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 Scripture
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 speaks to
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 you by
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 that same
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 Spirit of
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 God.
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 And as we
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 read,
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 we see
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 light that
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 guides our
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 way in the
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 darkness of
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 this world.
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 And once
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 experienced,
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 the Bible
00:32:10 --> 00:32:12 continues to
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 light our
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 journey,
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 our way
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 every day
00:32:15 --> 00:32:17 until Jesus
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 comes back.
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 So what are
00:32:19 --> 00:32:19 you going to
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 do with it?
00:32:20 --> 00:32:23 what are
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 you going to
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 do with
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 your Bible?
00:32:27 --> 00:32:27 Maybe
00:32:27 --> 00:32:28 not drop
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 it.
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 Is
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 experiencing
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 this work
00:32:32 --> 00:32:32 going to
00:32:32 --> 00:32:32 matter to
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 you?
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 There are
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 so many
00:32:37 --> 00:32:37 distractions
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 here in
00:32:38 --> 00:32:38 the dark.
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 They want
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 to pull
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 your face
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 away,
00:32:44 --> 00:32:44 to shut
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 these pages,
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 to even
00:32:46 --> 00:32:46 forget where
00:32:46 --> 00:32:46 your Bible
00:32:46 --> 00:32:47 is.
00:32:48 --> 00:32:48 And I'm
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 too often
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 deceived,
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 to keep
00:32:51 --> 00:32:51 this word
00:32:51 --> 00:32:52 shut and
00:32:52 --> 00:32:52 on the
00:32:52 --> 00:32:52 shelf
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 myself.
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 Don't
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 listen to
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 those
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 distractions.
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 If you're
00:32:59 --> 00:33:00 one who
00:33:00 --> 00:33:00 has never
00:33:00 --> 00:33:00 seen
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 Jesus,
00:33:02 --> 00:33:03 open a
00:33:03 --> 00:33:03 gospel.
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 Get the
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 word
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 one-to-one
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 app,
00:33:06 --> 00:33:06 which is
00:33:06 --> 00:33:07 like a
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 guided tour
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 through one
00:33:08 --> 00:33:09 of the
00:33:09 --> 00:33:09 gospels
00:33:09 --> 00:33:10 written
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 by John,
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 who's also
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 there on
00:33:12 --> 00:33:13 the mountain
00:33:13 --> 00:33:13 with Peter,
00:33:14 --> 00:33:14 an eyewitness
00:33:14 --> 00:33:15 to Jesus.
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 Open the
00:33:16 --> 00:33:17 word to
00:33:17 --> 00:33:17 see the
00:33:17 --> 00:33:19 light that
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 you need
00:33:19 --> 00:33:21 that shows
00:33:21 --> 00:33:22 Jesus for
00:33:22 --> 00:33:22 who he
00:33:22 --> 00:33:23 really is.
00:33:24 --> 00:33:24 And to
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 you who
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 are here
00:33:26 --> 00:33:26 this morning,
00:33:27 --> 00:33:27 who say
00:33:27 --> 00:33:28 you have
00:33:28 --> 00:33:29 seen Jesus
00:33:29 --> 00:33:30 but are
00:33:30 --> 00:33:31 not opening
00:33:31 --> 00:33:32 your Bible,
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 ask God
00:33:34 --> 00:33:35 for the
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 desire to
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 see him.
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 He will
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 help you.
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 Do not
00:33:41 --> 00:33:41 leave your
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 eyes shut
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 in the
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 dark any
00:33:44 --> 00:33:44 longer.
00:33:45 --> 00:33:46 And ask
00:33:46 --> 00:33:46 for help.
00:33:46 --> 00:33:47 staff would
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 love to
00:33:48 --> 00:33:48 speak to
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 you today,
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 anyone wearing
00:33:50 --> 00:33:50 one of
00:33:50 --> 00:33:50 these,
00:33:52 --> 00:33:52 to help
00:33:52 --> 00:33:53 you find,
00:33:55 --> 00:33:55 even though
00:33:55 --> 00:33:56 your lips are
00:33:56 --> 00:33:56 declaring that
00:33:56 --> 00:33:57 you follow
00:33:57 --> 00:33:57 Jesus,
00:33:58 --> 00:33:58 that your
00:33:58 --> 00:34:00 life shows
00:34:00 --> 00:34:01 that you
00:34:01 --> 00:34:02 are also
00:34:02 --> 00:34:02 interested
00:34:02 --> 00:34:06 and desiring
00:34:06 --> 00:34:07 to experience
00:34:07 --> 00:34:07 light in
00:34:07 --> 00:34:08 his word.
00:34:09 --> 00:34:09 Speak to
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 someone to
00:34:10 --> 00:34:10 help you
00:34:10 --> 00:34:12 shift that
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 attitude today.
00:34:14 --> 00:34:14 And for
00:34:14 --> 00:34:15 those of
00:34:15 --> 00:34:15 you who
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 are opening
00:34:16 --> 00:34:16 God's
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 word,
00:34:17 --> 00:34:18 more often
00:34:18 --> 00:34:18 than not,
00:34:19 --> 00:34:20 four or
00:34:20 --> 00:34:20 more times
00:34:20 --> 00:34:20 a week,
00:34:21 --> 00:34:22 keep reading.
00:34:23 --> 00:34:24 Peter would
00:34:24 --> 00:34:24 have reminded
00:34:24 --> 00:34:25 you that no
00:34:25 --> 00:34:25 matter how
00:34:25 --> 00:34:26 often your
00:34:26 --> 00:34:27 Bible is
00:34:27 --> 00:34:27 opened,
00:34:27 --> 00:34:28 to keep
00:34:28 --> 00:34:28 looking into
00:34:28 --> 00:34:29 the light,
00:34:29 --> 00:34:30 keep seeing
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 Jesus for
00:34:31 --> 00:34:31 the sake of
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 defending
00:34:32 --> 00:34:33 Jesus' power
00:34:33 --> 00:34:33 and majesty
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 like he spent
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 his life
00:34:35 --> 00:34:35 doing,
00:34:36 --> 00:34:36 for your
00:34:36 --> 00:34:37 own sake
00:34:37 --> 00:34:40 and for
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 the sake of
00:34:40 --> 00:34:41 those you
00:34:41 --> 00:34:41 live alongside,
00:34:42 --> 00:34:43 at home and
00:34:43 --> 00:34:43 at work or
00:34:43 --> 00:34:44 wherever you
00:34:44 --> 00:34:44 are,
00:34:44 --> 00:34:46 who witness
00:34:46 --> 00:34:47 you living
00:34:47 --> 00:34:47 for Jesus,
00:34:48 --> 00:34:49 testifying to
00:34:49 --> 00:34:49 them in
00:34:49 --> 00:34:50 word and
00:34:50 --> 00:34:51 action,
00:34:52 --> 00:34:53 that he is
00:34:53 --> 00:34:53 the light
00:34:53 --> 00:34:55 of your
00:34:55 --> 00:34:56 world and
00:34:56 --> 00:34:57 theirs.
00:34:57 --> 00:34:58 They can't
00:34:58 --> 00:34:59 see him
00:34:59 --> 00:35:01 without
00:35:01 --> 00:35:01 experiencing
00:35:01 --> 00:35:03 scripture.
00:35:04 --> 00:35:05 So,
00:35:05 --> 00:35:06 ready yourself
00:35:06 --> 00:35:07 to open the
00:35:07 --> 00:35:07 Bible with
00:35:07 --> 00:35:07 others.
00:35:07 --> 00:35:09 God,
00:35:09 --> 00:35:10 it's how we
00:35:10 --> 00:35:11 all can
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 witness Jesus
00:35:12 --> 00:35:13 in a way
00:35:13 --> 00:35:14 more sure
00:35:14 --> 00:35:14 than we've
00:35:14 --> 00:35:15 witnessed your
00:35:15 --> 00:35:16 changed life
00:35:16 --> 00:35:18 lived in his
00:35:18 --> 00:35:19 light.
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 Let's ask God
00:35:22 --> 00:35:23 to help us
00:35:23 --> 00:35:24 as we experience
00:35:24 --> 00:35:25 the scripture.
00:35:25 --> 00:35:26 Let's pray.
00:35:26 --> 00:35:28 Lord God,
00:35:28 --> 00:35:29 you know us
00:35:29 --> 00:35:29 and love us.
00:35:30 --> 00:35:30 Thank you for
00:35:30 --> 00:35:31 giving us your
00:35:31 --> 00:35:31 words in the
00:35:31 --> 00:35:32 Bible to
00:35:32 --> 00:35:33 experience the
00:35:33 --> 00:35:33 wind of your
00:35:33 --> 00:35:34 spirit's
00:35:34 --> 00:35:34 guidance,
00:35:35 --> 00:35:37 that help us
00:35:37 --> 00:35:38 see Jesus as
00:35:38 --> 00:35:38 powerful,
00:35:39 --> 00:35:39 glorious,
00:35:41 --> 00:35:41 as your
00:35:41 --> 00:35:42 son,
00:35:42 --> 00:35:43 and reveal
00:35:43 --> 00:35:44 him as
00:35:44 --> 00:35:45 light that
00:35:45 --> 00:35:46 guides us to
00:35:46 --> 00:35:46 life in the
00:35:46 --> 00:35:47 darkness of
00:35:47 --> 00:35:47 our sinful
00:35:47 --> 00:35:48 world.
00:35:49 --> 00:35:50 We are so
00:35:50 --> 00:35:50 imperfect,
00:35:51 --> 00:35:51 just like Peter
00:35:51 --> 00:35:52 was.
00:35:53 --> 00:35:53 Would you
00:35:53 --> 00:35:54 help us to
00:35:54 --> 00:35:54 come to know
00:35:54 --> 00:35:55 Jesus?
00:35:56 --> 00:35:56 Would you
00:35:56 --> 00:35:57 help us to
00:35:57 --> 00:35:58 desire to
00:35:58 --> 00:35:58 experience
00:35:58 --> 00:36:00 scripture every
00:36:00 --> 00:36:00 day?
00:36:01 --> 00:36:02 Would you
00:36:02 --> 00:36:02 help us to
00:36:02 --> 00:36:03 share the
00:36:03 --> 00:36:03 light of
00:36:03 --> 00:36:04 scripture in
00:36:04 --> 00:36:04 our lives,
00:36:05 --> 00:36:06 so that many
00:36:06 --> 00:36:07 of the millions
00:36:07 --> 00:36:09 you love
00:36:09 --> 00:36:11 may experience
00:36:11 --> 00:36:12 seeing Jesus
00:36:12 --> 00:36:13 like Peter
00:36:13 --> 00:36:13 did on that
00:36:13 --> 00:36:14 mountain,
00:36:14 --> 00:36:14 in his
00:36:14 --> 00:36:15 glorious,
00:36:16 --> 00:36:16 gracious
00:36:16 --> 00:36:17 majesty,
00:36:18 --> 00:36:18 forevermore.
00:36:19 --> 00:36:19 Amen.