Get Up and Grow: Suffering
Speaker: Brian Tung
Date: 19th March 2011
Passage: 1 Peter 4:1-19
00:00:00 --> 00:00:07 Thanks, Ken. We're doing things slightly differently because Steve is sick this morning,
00:00:08 --> 00:00:12 so I'm stepping in and I'm going to step out to go to the Mandarin to preach. So it's a
00:00:12 --> 00:00:18 very interesting day for our church, I think. We've been looking at the sermon series, Get
00:00:18 --> 00:00:27 Up and Grow, and particularly from the letter that Peter wrote to the churches in Asia. And
00:00:27 --> 00:00:34 today's topic is growing in suffering, I think, which predicates a relationship between growth,
00:00:34 --> 00:00:40 Christian growth, spiritual growth, and suffering. I wonder whether you've thought about what
00:00:40 --> 00:00:47 that relationship might be. Is it growing by suffering? That is, you grow as a Christian
00:00:47 --> 00:00:56 if you suffer. Or is it growing in suffering? Suffering is to context the sphere in which
00:00:56 --> 00:01:04 growth is to take place. So slightly different, maybe is that. Or growing despite of suffering?
00:01:06 --> 00:01:11 Could be that. Well, Peter certainly was concerned about growing. That's why he wrote this letter.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:19 And the context in which he was writing was suffering. But not any suffering, not suffering
00:01:19 --> 00:01:26 in general, not suffering because of sickness, ill health, economic downturn, because you've got a
00:01:26 --> 00:01:34 grating personality, not because of that you're a thief, murderer, or someone who can't keep his or her
00:01:34 --> 00:01:39 nose out of other people's business. Not suffering because of blown tires, a leaking roof, difficult
00:01:39 --> 00:01:46 children, tsunamis, flooding, nuclear disasters, none of that. The context in which Peter was writing is
00:01:46 --> 00:01:52 suffering as suffering as Christians, for being Christians, and always Christian suffering. Very specific
00:01:52 --> 00:02:02 context. Christian growth and Christian suffering. For you and I need to know that there is a great cost.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:10 There's a great cost in being followers of the one who suffers, who has suffered.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:20 And as a corollary, there is a great cost in growing as a follower of the suffered one.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:30 Growing and suffering. I just want to point out five things. Two things is to do with our thinking,
00:02:30 --> 00:02:38 and three things to follow is to do with our conduct. Come with me back to 1 Peter chapter 4,
00:02:38 --> 00:02:48 verse 1, to see what Peter has to say about growing and suffering. So 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 1.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:55 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude,
00:02:56 --> 00:03:04 because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. So the first thing that Peter wants us to
00:03:04 --> 00:03:12 know is that in our facing of suffering is that we should have the same mindset, the same attitude as Jesus.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:19 And it has to do with the changing of our minds, particularly about two things, which I will
00:03:19 --> 00:03:27 draw out for you. The first thing, the first mindset that we are to adopt is that death ends sin.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:39 Death ends sin. At this point, I have to say I'm not a big fan of the NIV at this point, for there are two
00:03:39 --> 00:03:45 translations which doesn't really quite bring out what I think Peter's trying to say. Firstly, the word
00:03:45 --> 00:03:52 suffer. Suffer could mean suffering, going through stuff. But in the context, when he talks about Jesus,
00:03:52 --> 00:03:57 is talking about the suffering of death. And you can see that back in chapter 3,
00:03:58 --> 00:04:09 verse 18. If you can flip to it, chapter 3, verse 18, which I can't do on my iPad. Anyway,
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 it is great stuff. Suffer, you know.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:25 He talks about how Jesus died once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous. And the word that
00:04:25 --> 00:04:31 he used is actually suffer. Jesus suffer once for all. And in the context, he's actually talking about
00:04:31 --> 00:04:39 death. It's the suffering of death. But more importantly, NIV translates to a word, a phrase,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:48 that there is suffering in the body. He died in the body, which is an unfortunate translation,
00:04:48 --> 00:04:54 because it makes it sound like the contrast is between a physical suffering and a spiritual
00:04:54 --> 00:05:01 sort of whatever it is. So suffering in the body, raised by the spirit. That's how 3.18 is translated.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:06 And here, he says, Jesus suffered in the body. So in the same way, I'd have the same attitude.
00:05:06 --> 00:05:10 See, I don't think that's the right contrast. The contrast isn't between
00:05:10 --> 00:05:16 the physical and the non-physical, you know, body and spirit. But rather, the contrast,
00:05:16 --> 00:05:21 the real contrast is between flesh. That's the word that is used, the word sucks,
00:05:21 --> 00:05:28 which is otherwise translated as flesh or sinful nature in Romans. The contrast is between flesh
00:05:28 --> 00:05:35 and spirit. The contrast is between two worlds. The world of flesh,
00:05:35 --> 00:05:41 this world, this age, which is a very physical world, but at the same time, a very non-physical
00:05:41 --> 00:05:51 world, this world, and the world of the spirit, which is also a very physical world. But that
00:05:51 --> 00:05:59 talks about the world that is to come, the age that is to come. For 3.18 talks about the resurrection
00:05:59 --> 00:06:06 of Jesus. It's not a non-physical resurrection, but rather, it is a resurrection that's brought
00:06:06 --> 00:06:14 about by the spirit. The hand of the work of the spirit is in it. Jesus rose in the spirit,
00:06:14 --> 00:06:22 for that is the age to come. That is the world that is to come. There are two worlds. It is in these two
00:06:22 --> 00:06:29 worlds that we exist. What Peter is saying in chapter 4, verse 1 to 3, is that when you become a
00:06:29 --> 00:06:36 Christian, you are dead to this world, which is kind of like a funny idea because you and I are still
00:06:36 --> 00:06:42 walking around in this world. What he's saying is that because you are united with Jesus, you are dead
00:06:42 --> 00:06:53 to the world of flesh. And if you're dead to the world of flesh, you are dead to sin. How can you sin
00:06:53 --> 00:07:02 if you're dead? You know, temptation, if you're dead, you are, on the other hand, alive to God.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:09 You are alive to the world that is to come. For the spirit has come upon you, has made you alive.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:16 You belong to the next world even now. And this is the attitude that you are to have,
00:07:17 --> 00:07:25 that you are dead to the world of flesh and alive to the world of the spirit. That is why you suffer.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:34 For, in verse 2, have a look at that, there is a conundrum, a problem. As a result, he, that is anyone,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:42 does not live the rest of his earthly life, his life in the flesh, for evil human desires,
00:07:42 --> 00:07:49 for passions of the flesh, but rather for the will of God. You see, there's a problem for Christians.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:56 We are dead to the world of flesh, but we are still living in the world of flesh.
00:07:56 --> 00:08:04 This is where the conflict, the dilemma, the war, the struggle comes. This world keeps pulling us,
00:08:04 --> 00:08:11 making us want to settle, become citizens of this world. And Peter says, resist it. You no longer
00:08:11 --> 00:08:19 belong to this world because you died in the flesh. So, so stop living like as if you belong to this world.
00:08:19 --> 00:08:27 Have this attitude, have this mindset. The time has passed for you to be living for this world,
00:08:27 --> 00:08:33 to have his value. Put all the things of this world, his values, his priorities, his ambitions,
00:08:33 --> 00:08:39 all behind you. Be done with it. You don't live like people of this world, verse 13. That's why
00:08:39 --> 00:08:47 they find it strange. For in the rest of your time here, in the flesh, you are to live for the spirit
00:08:47 --> 00:08:55 world to do God's will. That is what he's saying. This is the mindset. So, it's a little bit like
00:08:55 --> 00:09:02 migration. Anyone comes from overseas here? Yeah, I did. Josh did. And a couple of other people.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:09 If you migrated, he's kind of saying, don't keep trying to go back. It's not like other sort of
00:09:09 --> 00:09:16 migration. So, imagine if you come from a crazy place like North America or Europe or France or something
00:09:16 --> 00:09:23 like that, you've learned to drive on the wrong side of the road. So, when you come to Sydney, Australia,
00:09:24 --> 00:09:32 put that behind you. Don't drive on the wrong side of the road. Don't drink Canadian beer.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:41 Don't watch hockey. Just change to cricket or something. You know, the tension is, you know,
00:09:41 --> 00:09:45 when you get into that car, you keep wanting to go to the wrong side of the road. And Peter says,
00:09:45 --> 00:09:52 no, come to the right side. Don't do that anymore. Put that behind you. You've moved to a new place.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:58 Live like people of that place. You see, this is the Christian difference. Not that we've got a new
00:09:58 --> 00:10:06 set of rules. Christian ethics is applying applicable to everyone. That's not what makes us different.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:13 It's not because we try harder. We live differently because we are dead. This is why we live differently.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:19 We are dead. And we are born again. We've been made alive again. That's what Peter says in chapter one.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:24 We are new people. We are born again. We've been created, recreated into new people. We have new lives.
00:10:25 --> 00:10:30 This is why the world doesn't understand you. So, this is the first mindset that we need to adopt,
00:10:30 --> 00:10:36 that we are dead to this world and alive to the age that is to come. The second mindset is in chapter
00:10:36 --> 00:10:42 four, verse five. Well, let's start reading from verse four.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:48 They think it's strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation,
00:10:49 --> 00:10:54 and they can hit abuse on you. But they will have to give an account to him who's ready to judge the
00:10:54 --> 00:10:58 living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,
00:10:58 --> 00:11:07 so that they might not judge according to man in regard to the flesh, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:14 Note, this is the changing attitude. Verse seven. The end of all things is near.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:22 The end of all things is near. This is what we need to do to live differently.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:28 We are to realize, to think, to put ourselves in the position of people who know that the end is,
00:11:28 --> 00:11:31 you know, when the end is near, it really focuses your attention.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:38 So, assuming that you're one of the poor people who lived in Japan in the last two weeks,
00:11:39 --> 00:11:44 imagine you're living right on the path of the tsunami,
00:11:44 --> 00:11:51 and you are told that you've got ten minutes before the tsunami comes and takes you and your family away.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 What would you do
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 knowing that?
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 Would you go to your bookshelf and say,
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 this is the time for me to read James Joyce.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:05 I've never managed to finish Ulysses, and I'm going to do it now.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:09 Or, gee, you know, I've always wanted to work on my golf swing.
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 So, I'm going to...
00:12:11 --> 00:12:15 Or, there's something I left at the office I need to do, so I'm going to call them up to fix this up.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:19 Or, you know, this tsunami thing is going to ruin the garden,
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 so I'm going to start arranging for a landscape.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:23 No!
00:12:23 --> 00:12:27 You've got ten minutes before the tsunami comes and takes you away.
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 What are you going to do?
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 You run.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 You will run for your life,
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 and you will take your family with you to safety.
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 When you know that the end is near,
00:12:39 --> 00:12:42 your mind focuses on things that are important.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:46 The people of this age, of this world,
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 are ignorant.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:51 They are ignorant of the end.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:55 They are ignorant of the nearness of the end.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 That is why they are wasting
00:12:57 --> 00:13:00 the remaining time that they have
00:13:00 --> 00:13:03 on their petty ambition
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 and on their hobbies.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:10 Imagine when the flood of judgment comes
00:13:10 --> 00:13:15 and they're found to have the best shell collection in the world.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 They'll be washed away
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 when the judgment of God comes.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:27 People of the next world,
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 people of the spirit,
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 are to have a different mindset.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 We know that the end is nigh.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 That is why we live differently.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 We know that we are dead
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 to the world of flesh,
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 alive to the world of the spirit.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 We know that the end is coming
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 very, very soon.
00:13:49 --> 00:13:52 I won't go through verses 12 to 19.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 We don't have time.
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 But essentially,
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 it's saying that,
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 in saying that God begins his judgment
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 with the household,
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 his own household,
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 it means that
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 what we experience in suffering
00:14:03 --> 00:14:06 is what the world will experience,
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 but how much more?
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 See, this is saying
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 when Christians suffer,
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 it's not a sign that we are weak
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 or that our God is weak
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 and he cannot protect us from suffering.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:19 This is saying that God is strong
00:14:19 --> 00:14:22 and he will bring about his judgment,
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 the end,
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 the accounting,
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 and we can tell that
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 because we as Christians suffer first.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 Purification comes with us
00:14:32 --> 00:14:35 and because we experience purification,
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 the world will experience it
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 in a much greater way.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 The end will come
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 and our suffering and purification
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 guarantees it.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 Well, what are we to do
00:14:47 --> 00:14:50 if we are dead to this world
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 and that the end will come?
00:14:53 --> 00:14:56 Are we to lock ourselves away
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 in a monastery?
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 Are we to vote the Christian Democrats
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 so that they can go into government
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 so that, you know,
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 maybe not in New South Wales
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 because it's too sinful,
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 we can go and take over Tasmania?
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 You know,
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 we'll create a little Christendom
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 in Tasmania,
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 bringing our own laws
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 so that we can live there.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 Is that what it means
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 that the end is near?
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 What does Peter say?
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 Well, there are three things.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:26 Come back to chapter 4, verse 7.
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 He says,
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 The end of all things is near.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 Therefore,
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 be clear-minded and self-control
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 so that you can vote.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 No.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 What does it say?
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 Sober-minded,
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 so that you have the right sort of thinking,
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 focus,
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 so that you can
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 pray.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 That's what it means
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 for people who are dead
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 to this world
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 and who knows that the end
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 is near.
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 We are people who pray.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 We're prayerful people.
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 Verse 19 says
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 a similar sort of thing.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 We are to commit ourselves
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 into the hands
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 of our Creator.
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 He is faithful.
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 He will bring about
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 righteousness
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 and justice
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 and our vindication.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 That's what He will do.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 That's what the Lord's prayer
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 is about.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 Remember the first two lines.
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 Our Father in Heaven
00:16:15 --> 00:16:19 is all about
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 the bringing of
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 the nearness
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 of the end,
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 isn't it?
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 And the same in Luke 18.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 You know,
00:16:26 --> 00:16:28 the parable of the widow
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 and the unjust judge.
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 You know,
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 it's persisting in prayer.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 And Jesus ends that parable
00:16:34 --> 00:16:34 with saying,
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 however,
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 when the Son of Man comes,
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 will He find
00:16:37 --> 00:16:40 faith on earth?
00:16:40 --> 00:16:42 What does He expect to see
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 of His people
00:16:42 --> 00:16:44 when He returns?
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 Faithfulness.
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 Faith.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 Trust in the one
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 who can save.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 Prayerfulness.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 We need to be
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 clean-minded and sober
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 so that we can focus
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 our mind
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 on praying.
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 That is what we do.
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 But what else
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 do we do?
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 Are we to evangelize?
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 Is that what we do?
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 Is that what Peter says?
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 Verse 8.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 Have a look at it.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 What do we do?
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 We love.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 I don't know
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 whether you expect this.
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 This is what we do
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 because the end is near.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 Because we don't belong
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 to the world flesh.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 We love each other deeply
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 because love covers
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 a multitude of sin.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 What does it mean to love?
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 He goes on to expand
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 on this.
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 We are not to,
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 you know,
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 we don't love
00:17:34 --> 00:17:34 like the world.
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 The people of this age,
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 they love as well too.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 But what do they love?
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 They love themselves.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 That's what 2 Timothy says.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 People will become lovers
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 on this earth.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:47 The people of this age,
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 of the flesh,
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 they take and they take
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 and they take.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 They come to church
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 and they take and they take
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 and they take.
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 But Christians,
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 people who live
00:17:54 --> 00:17:56 belonging to the next world,
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 they are people,
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 we are people who give.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 That's what love is.
00:18:00 --> 00:18:02 We give and we give
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 and we give until we can't give
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 and then we give some more.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 This is why we love
00:18:06 --> 00:18:08 one another deeply.
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 This is what it means
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 to be living
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 in the light of the end,
00:18:12 --> 00:18:14 in the world of the spirit.
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 Love means,
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 verse 8,
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 forgiveness.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:20 Love covers a multitude of sin.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:23 That's a quote from
00:18:23 --> 00:18:27 Proverbs 10,
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 10-12.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:32 Hatred stirs up dissension,
00:18:32 --> 00:18:36 but love covers over all wrongs.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 That's what love does.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 It forgives.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 It overlooks.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 It does not keep an account.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 The reality is,
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 in this world of sin,
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 of flesh,
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 there will be great suffering
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 and injustice.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:52 Love forgives the hurt
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 caused by sin and suffering.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 But love also does another thing.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 Verse 9,
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 what does love do?
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 Have a look.
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 You tell me.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 Hospitality.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 Ungrumbling,
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 joyful,
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 grateful hospitality.
00:19:08 --> 00:19:08 Hospitality.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 Hospitality,
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 the Greek word for hospitality
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 is philosanos,
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 philosanos.
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 Zanos,
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 as in xenophobic,
00:19:20 --> 00:19:23 is a fear of strangers.
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 Philo,
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 as in Philadelphia,
00:19:28 --> 00:19:32 is love of strangers.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 That's what hospitality is.
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 It's not entertainment.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 It's loving people
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 who are not one of us.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 You can see why
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 it doesn't have to be done
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 just at home.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 You know,
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 it's not just entertainment.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 Hospitality is when you invite people
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 out for a cup of coffee,
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 maybe,
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 or accept their invitation
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 to have a cup of coffee.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:55 Hospitality can happen
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 even on Sunday mornings.
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 How?
00:19:58 --> 00:20:00 By us being,
00:20:01 --> 00:20:01 Deb,
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 welcoming.
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 That's what welcoming
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 is about, isn't it?
00:20:08 --> 00:20:10 It's about hospitality.
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 We love people
00:20:12 --> 00:20:14 who are not one of us.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 Churches that are not welcoming
00:20:16 --> 00:20:19 has no love for the strangers.
00:20:20 --> 00:20:22 They live in a world of flesh.
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 They don't know
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 that the end is near.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 We are different.
00:20:27 --> 00:20:29 We have a different mindset.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 We love strangers.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 We, you know,
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 hospitality can,
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 doesn't have to be,
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 you know,
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 it can be exercised
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 right here this morning
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 as we stay
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 and talk to people.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 And, I mean,
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 we can be hospitable
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 at a social convention.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 It's easy to do that.
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 But Peter says,
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 do it without grumbling.
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 Don't complain.
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 But do it with joy
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 and thankfulness.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 So,
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 forgiving,
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 loving,
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 hospitable,
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 what else?
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 Verses 10 to 11a.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 How else
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 is love
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 express,
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 expresses itself
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 in the last days?
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 In,
00:21:08 --> 00:21:13 that's right,
00:21:13 --> 00:21:15 in a working bee.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:18 Oh,
00:21:18 --> 00:21:20 shameless plug there.
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 In teaching scripture.
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 In tidying up
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 after everybody else leaves.
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 Isn't that what
00:21:28 --> 00:21:30 love expresses?
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 So, you know,
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 each of us
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 are actually gifted
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 by God in some way.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 Our resources,
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 experience,
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 abilities.
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 The people of this age
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 who don't know that end,
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 they use this stuff
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 for themselves
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 to make their lives easier,
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 to get recognition,
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 to feel good.
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 But the people
00:21:44 --> 00:21:46 of the world to come,
00:21:46 --> 00:21:48 the world of the spirit,
00:21:48 --> 00:21:50 we use what we have
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 for the service
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 of other people.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 And it can be done
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 whether in words
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 or in deeds.
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 If we are to use it
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 in words,
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 we are to speak
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 as if we're speaking
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 the very words of God,
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 which could mean
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 in what we say,
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 that is not just our opinion,
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 but the words of God,
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 or in the manner
00:22:07 --> 00:22:09 in which we say our words.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 For when God speaks,
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 how does he speak?
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 He speaks truthfully.
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 He does not slander.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 He does not grumble.
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 He doesn't complain.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 He doesn't lie.
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 He doesn't gossip.
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 When he speaks,
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 his words can be trusted.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 He's dependable.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 He has pure words.
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 He has loving words.
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 That is how our words
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 are to be
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 as we serve one another,
00:22:31 --> 00:22:33 but also in deeds.
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 If we serve,
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 Peter says,
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 we are to serve
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 with the strength of God.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 In other words,
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 whatever God
00:22:39 --> 00:22:41 has asked you to do,
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 he will pay the bills.
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 He will not assign you,
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 he will not call you
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 to do something
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 that he's not prepared
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 to equip you for.
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 If you think
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 that your body is spent,
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 you're too weak,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 you're too young,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 you're too old,
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 you're too stupid,
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 whatever it is,
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 do you really trust
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 that God will pick up
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 the tap for you
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 when you serve?
00:23:04 --> 00:23:07 And the intention
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 of all this,
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 verses 11b,
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 verse 11b,
00:23:12 --> 00:23:18 there's evangelism,
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 isn't it?
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 It's so that,
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 you know,
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 when people see
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 how forgiving I am,
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 is it so that people
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 will say,
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 gee,
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 isn't Brian such
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 a wonderful human being?
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 No.
00:23:30 --> 00:23:32 When we have this
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 sort of mindset,
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 when we love one another,
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 when we minister
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 to one another,
00:23:37 --> 00:23:40 when we welcome
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 one another,
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 it is so that
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 people can say,
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 you know,
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 I know St. Paul's,
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 I know these people,
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 but you know what?
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 Jesus has made a big difference
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 to this church,
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 in these people's lives,
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 so that Jesus
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 might be glorified.
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 See,
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 as we wait
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 for the nearest
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 of the end,
00:23:57 --> 00:23:59 this is what we are to do,
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 in words and in deeds.
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 Christian growth,
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 Christian suffering.
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 If you're a Christian,
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 if you're living
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 as a Christian,
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 you will suffer.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 There is no question
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 of that.
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 In other parts
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 of the world,
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 the suffering comes
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 in the form of violence
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 and deprivation.
00:24:18 --> 00:24:20 I think in our context
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 is less of that,
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 but rather,
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 our trial,
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 our testing,
00:24:25 --> 00:24:27 comes in the form
00:24:27 --> 00:24:29 of seduction.
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 That is our temptation.
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 That is our trial
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 in the West,
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 in Sydney,
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 in Chesford.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 Our trial,
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 our testing,
00:24:37 --> 00:24:39 comes in the form
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 of abundance,
00:24:40 --> 00:24:42 not the lack of.
00:24:43 --> 00:24:45 This will come to us.
00:24:45 --> 00:24:47 How will we grow
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 in this suffering?
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 In the face of abundance
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 and seduction,
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 we are not to live
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 as this world,
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 the world of flesh.
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 We are to count ourselves
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 as dead to the world,
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 but alive to God
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 in Christ,
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 made alive by his spirit.
00:25:04 --> 00:25:04 We are people
00:25:04 --> 00:25:06 who are deeply aware
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 that the tsunami
00:25:07 --> 00:25:09 is coming in 10 minutes.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:11 So we give up
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 our petty ambitions
00:25:12 --> 00:25:14 for us and our children
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 and we do things
00:25:15 --> 00:25:17 that are important.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 What are the things
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 that are important?
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 We pray,
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 we love,
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 and we serve one another.
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 Amen.
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 Amen.
00:25:28 --> 00:25:28 Amen.
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 Amen.
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 Amen.
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 Amen.
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 Amen.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 Amen.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 Amen.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 Amen.
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 Amen.
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 Amen.
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 Amen.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 Amen.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 Amen.
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 Amen.
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 Amen.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:39 Amen.
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 Amen.
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 Amen.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 Amen.
00:25:41 --> 00:25:43 Amen.
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 Amen.
00:25:45 --> 00:25:45 Amen.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 Amen.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 So we are
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 God's every single
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 May could
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 exhale without
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 つtezings.
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 Amen.
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 Amen.
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 Amen.
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 Amen.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 Amen.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 Amen.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 Amen.
00:25:54 --> 00:25:54 Amen.
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 Amen.
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 Amen.
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 Amen.
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 Amen.
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 Amen.