WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:01.120 It's great to be here. 00:00:01.280 --> 00:00:03.839 Thank you so much for joining us this morning. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:06.400 If you're visiting, I want to say welcome. 00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:09.919 I hope that you've already been welcomed by someone. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:23.519 And if not, then we ask that you would uh stick around and especially after our worship services later on this morning, uh, we'd love to welcome you even further and to say thank you for being here this morning. 00:00:24.399 --> 00:00:31.920 So we are in the beginning stages of our fourth quarter class as we wrap up 2026. 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:38.880 And as we finish out our year, we're looking at the writings of uh first and second Peter. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:42.479 And so as we get started, just um some housekeeping notes. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:45.520 Um I would love to hear your comments throughout class. 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:53.520 Um I believe the input from multiple sources uh makes for a very beneficial class and would love to hear any comments that you have. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:58.000 One thing I do ask, if you would, um if you want to make a comment, please raise your hand. 00:00:58.079 --> 00:01:01.280 Uh we have men standing in the back that are holding microphones. 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:12.159 Um, and if you would wait to start speaking until that microphone comes to you, uh, we would love to be able to let everyone hear what your comment is, especially those joining us on the live stream. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:16.959 If you're not speaking into a microphone, the live stream won't uh pick those comments up. 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:26.480 Um so we don't want just the 30, 45 seconds of blank space on those that are trying to tune in from home that aren't able to be here this morning. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:37.920 So I appreciate your willingness to comment and your willingness to share your thoughts in that way so that everyone is able to get the full effect of our class this morning. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:47.280 So last week, uh Brother Justin kicked us off by giving an intro into these letters, really looking at the the who, the what, the when, the where, the why. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:56.719 Um and so as we jump into Peter's writing this morning, um the topic that we're looking at is faith in the fire. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:04.640 Um and and just kind of as a as an intro, we know that Peter talks about this fire, these trials that are coming. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:07.439 And how we react to those really matters. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:21.280 Um it can it can set us up for the better, to be better effective members of God's kingdom, um, or we see the opposite of what might happen if we don't prepare for this fire, for these trials that are coming. 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:36.719 And so I think it's very important for our lives today to read these letters from Peter through a scope of the people and what times looked like as he was writing these letters. 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:49.439 So, one of the beautiful things about scripture is even if a letter is not directed specifically to you, to your time period, to your background, God's truth is still the same. 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:56.639 The teachings don't change based off of where you're at, where our society is at, where our world is at. 00:02:57.039 --> 00:02:59.039 God's truth does not change. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:06.400 As much as our world wants it to, um, as much as even Christians want it to, it does not change. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:19.360 So I believe that the evidences we see throughout this book are that the writings were primarily uh directed to Christians that uh came from a non-Jewish background. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:23.120 And so I want to look at some reasons uh for that. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:27.360 So if you'll turn with me to 1 Peter, that's where we're gonna be mainly uh this morning. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:32.879 So starting in uh chapter 1, verse 14 of 1 Peter. 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:47.599 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he as he who called you is holy, you also be holy. 00:03:48.319 --> 00:04:03.039 Another verse, verse 18, just a little ways down, knowing that you were ransomed from the feudal ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:07.039 Flipping over just a little bit, chapter two, verse ten. 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:13.759 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:19.439 Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:25.680 Then flip over a couple of pages to chapter four, starting in verse three. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:38.639 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:48.079 So with these things of uh that we've read, it seems to be maybe directed primarily to these Gentile Christians. 00:04:48.240 --> 00:05:01.439 But I think it's also interesting that there's language used that Jewish Christians would have would have definitely picked up on as well, that they would have recognized from the history of their ancestors. 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:11.439 And so if I'm reading this through the lens of a a Jewish Christian, so a new Christian who's from that Jewish background, I'm going to see these themes. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:20.720 Um, for example, in chapter 1, verse 1, it says, To those who are elect exiles, it brings up that Jewish culture. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:28.639 But the other verses we mentioned seem to talk about this Gentile background, possibly. 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:36.160 So other verses that use the language that would connect this as well to the Jewish culture. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:43.199 So chapter 1, verse 17 talks about conducting yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:48.720 Chapter 2, verse 11 talks about being sojourners in exiles. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:54.000 And then one that's interesting to me is chapter 5, verse 13. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:56.639 Peter makes a reference to Babylon. 00:05:57.120 --> 00:06:01.439 Now there's some debate on what is actually meant here when he says that. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:06.079 So it could be a literal meaning talking about Babylon. 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:15.920 Although it's probably not likely, we don't necessarily have evidence that Sylvanus or Peter or Mark spent time working in that region. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:30.000 And kind of the most common accepted um thought of this calling of Babylon was a reference to what a lot of writers in that time were calling Rome. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:36.879 They made that connection of Rome and Babylon because of the lack of morals, how it hindered God's people. 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:47.839 But either way, there's yet another connection that would spark the emotions of a Jewish Christian and possibly help bring some unity with a Gentile Christian. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:55.759 And I don't believe that it was an accident that we see language associated with both cultures and both backgrounds used in this book. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:02.959 If I'm a Christian that comes from that Jewish background here in the first century reading this, it's helping me connect those dots. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:05.839 I'm thinking of all the things that my ancestors went through. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:18.160 I'm thinking about that exile, that not having a true home, not having that place to lay my head, and the stress that comes with that, the pain that comes with that, the suffering that comes with that. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:36.800 And it's it's hard enough if I'm from a Gentile background for me to hear this new message, to hear of this promise, this new way of life, and to be converted to that, to be convicted to follow Jesus. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:44.639 And not only am I very likely feeling the pressures from the outside world, I may be feeling pressures from my family. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:49.519 I may be feeling just this, maybe my family is withdrawn from me. 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:52.000 I don't, they don't have anything to do with me anymore. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:08:02.560 Well, in theory, if if Christianity is working like it's supposed to, these other brothers and sisters are supposed to help build me up, to encourage me, to love me. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:09.360 But but all of a sudden, these these Jewish the people from this Jewish background aren't doing that. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:15.759 They're putting me down, they're making it even harder to make this transition, which is already hard enough. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:25.040 And so I believe that the the words in this these scriptures help these Jewish Christians to understand a little bit more. 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:26.160 You know what? 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:28.160 Maybe we are all in this together. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:36.559 If I'm looking at it through that lens, I have I maybe all of a sudden feel some compassion for these new Gentile Christians. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:48.399 So no matter which different background you come from, the writings of Peter are things that I need to hear. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:55.759 And so we're not gonna look at all of the let's see here. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.200 Welcome. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:04.559 Worship is starting in 50 minutes, so um we'll give it just a second. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:06.559 Perfect. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:12.559 So this is a slide that um Justin had used in his last class, and I wanted to bring it back up. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:31.120 And we're not gonna look at all of the verses listed here, but what we read here leads us to conclude that at this point in history, at this point in the story of Christianity, they these Christians really weren't treated all that differently than we are today. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:35.279 We don't see an evidence of this government-mandated persecution. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:47.120 We don't see um you know a lot of recorded tortures or murders or um people who were killed or physically harmed for their faith at this point. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:59.759 It was more so a social rejection, as you see up on the screen, an alienation, um, maybe a discrimination or just unjust treatment because of their faith. 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:06.879 And so, is that really all that different than what we're seeing today? 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:16.480 I think it's a fair statement that right now there are people in our world today that might treat us the same way. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:20.240 They talk poorly to us and about us at times. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:27.919 And even though we're living in the Bible belt of America, maybe that's not quite as harsh as it might be other places. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:43.759 Um, I think a lot of our persecutions today are from social media, people who are um attacking the faith that way and maybe not having the courage to say these things to our face, which that's a whole separate discussion we could have. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:49.519 But I would say that we do have a feeling of being different. 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:59.519 If we're living our Christian lives like we're supposed to, if we're truly looking different than the world looks, then we're supposed to feel a little bit different. 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:03.200 We're supposed to feel a little bit rejected by the world, aren't we? 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:12.720 We're supposed to dress different than the world, we're supposed to think different than the world, we're supposed to raise our children different than the world does. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:21.360 And so we may talk differently, we should talk differently, we think differently, and we're different. 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:37.600 But even though we may not have these terrible physical harms like the people here similarly did, Peter warns that something is coming. 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:45.440 So, how do you feel when you read 1 Peter chapter 4, verse 12? 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:48.799 If you'll flip over there, it's also on the screen. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:54.320 1 Peter 4 12. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:12:03.679 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:12.480 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:15.759 Do not be surprised. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:21.039 How does that make you feel when you read that? 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:24.799 Do not be surprised at the fiery trial. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.679 Not surprised. 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.279 We have no excuse. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.720 We know it's coming, right? 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:34.480 Yes, ma'am. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:40.240 I think the the key word there is when it comes upon you. 00:12:40.559 --> 00:12:42.480 Be prepared beforehand. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:55.360 And then remember, when it comes to test you, we are trying to uh study right now for a test to and we've seen this before, right? 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:56.320 With Job. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:59.840 And and he was able to withstand now, and that wasn't without trials. 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:01.200 So take those trials. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.639 That's why he's saying rejoice. 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.879 There's a bigger and better picture here. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.399 You can get through this. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:08.240 Let's get through it together. 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:24.080 So I think it's really important because we've discussed the the connections of of that persecution that Christians in that time were facing to today. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:29.759 So it's it's important for us to ask the same question. 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:34.879 That warning is the same for us. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:38.879 It's not if it's coming, it's when it's coming. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:45.840 So, in response to this warning, it's it's fair for us to ask the question what is it that's coming? 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:49.279 That's an important question for us to ask. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:57.600 Well, let's look at what was coming for Peter and those in the first uh century, um, those Christians that were living in Rome. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:14:00.639 And so I'm by no means a history buff. 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:10.879 Um, I I've always kind of struggled with making connections in history, and so I'm sure there's lots of history buffs in here that would know this story uh much uh better than I would. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:29.919 Um But for what I've found in my studies preparing for this class, so moving forward just a few years after these writings of Peter, in this time where you know it was more just a social injustice, a looking down upon, just facing pressures from the world. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:39.120 So, fast forward to um the Roman Empire under Nero, who led from uh 54 to 68 AD. 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:43.360 Um, so this is coming from a uh non-biblical writing. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:47.200 It's a uh writing from a Roman historian named Tacitus. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:55.120 Um he wrote that Nero had became a hated man due to the poor job and his irresponsibility in office. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:15:00.799 Um, and so in the year of 64, a great fire broke out. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:08.960 Um, in order to uh save his name, protect his image, he starts pushing the blame for this on Christians. 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:11.759 And so things start ramping up. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:22.799 All of a sudden, it's it's a lot more aggressive, and we start seeing beatings and murders and imprisonments and harsh treatment of Christians because of their faith. 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:38.799 And we see evidences by other historians as well that Peter was killed in during this time period, during this purge, um, and it's very likely that Paul was killed around the same time in this time period. 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:46.159 So, what just started out as slander and justice against Christians ramped up. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:53.360 So keep in mind, this is only a few years after the writings of these letters. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:16:01.840 And so, again, I ask you if we make connections, we can't guarantee that history repeats itself. 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:08.960 But we can make connections, we can use that to prepare our minds for what's coming. 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:11.840 So I submit to you again that same question. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:14.799 What is it that's coming? 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:22.000 I can't promise to you that the next few years would bring tortures, murders, imprisonments, or physical harm because of our faith. 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:24.720 And I pray that that's not the case. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:35.039 But what I can promise you is this in 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 8, Peter warns us, be sober-minded, be watchful. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:41.840 Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.559 Satan is coming. 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:49.200 Not only is he coming, he's here. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:17:04.319 He knows you, he knows your fears, he knows your temptations, he knows your insecurities, he knows your family, he knows your friends, that neighbor that you always avoid, that coworker that gets on your nerves, he knows them, and he's seeking souls from them as well. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.200 So don't be surprised. 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:12.000 We've been told, we know the warning. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:15.279 But the good news is oh, yes, ma'am. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:34.880 This is my favorite passage, and I always talk about it in the ladies' class, but I like as it continues there, that when we resist them, that we we're aware that there's other people going through the exact same things as us and that there's a limitation to it. 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.319 It will end. 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:39.599 And that's just so encouraging. 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:47.279 Yeah, so with without just introducing the problem, Peter also gives us a solution. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.240 Yes, sir. 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:55.440 Well, we talk so much about Satan. 00:17:55.599 --> 00:18:04.400 Uh why this is so appleable for us today is that whatever Satan has done in the past, if it works, he's still gonna do it. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:07.759 Uh and that's what that's what it says, do not be surprised. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:19.200 Because uh, and you know, we we we're lucky that right now we're living in a in a in a time that we do have our freedom here, but uh, it's not that way with the rest of the world. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:28.960 You know, we we hear the atrocities that uh others do to Christians that's not any different than it was in uh biblical times and Roman times. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:32.160 So uh these things can happen. 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.559 Uh Satan's gonna try it. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:37.039 I mean it's it's it's starting to work. 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:44.559 So there is gonna be a time where we will not be surprised that we're gonna have to step up on our path. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.599 It's gonna be it's gonna be tried for us. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:50.000 Uh I may not be here when it happens. 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:52.079 You'll be the one to have to deal with it, you know. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:19:01.599 But but I could still be here because time is still, we, we, we, we're not we're not in control of time. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.519 And that's the one thing. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:06.559 God's wanting great time with me when we live among them. 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:13.759 That's our dispensation is while we're on this earth, we're we're bound by time until we leave this this earth. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.200 We're no longer bound by that. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.960 But while we're here, we're bound by time. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.039 And and that's what Satan works with. 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:19.920 He works with time. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:21.279 That's what he's always done it. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:24.160 He's he's done it from the very beginning. 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:33.920 And so it we should not be surprised by the things that we see happening, that it's still the same thing that's always happening. 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:36.640 Satan is going to use what he always knows works. 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.640 He's not going to change. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:49.759 Would it be out of the realm of possibility that some of these people um witnessed the death of Christ? 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:53.359 I wouldn't think it'd be out of the possibility by any means. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:20:03.440 So, you know, they know from the death of Christ uh to the resurrection on up to where they were now that there things were not, you know, good. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:07.680 So they could expect some of that for a while. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:20.160 And going along those lines, I've always wondered, you know, living in the time where we're living, we have the entirety of scripture to to read and look back on. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:30.559 How does that affect our faith differently than the people who were actually there who didn't have the all of the scriptures because they were still happening at that point? 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:35.519 Um just something I've always wondered if that would change the way that we look at things. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.480 But yes, ma'am. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.119 Yes, ma'am. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:50.160 I've often wondered how many of these new Christians were still looking for a physical kingdom getting rid of Romans, and then when it didn't happen, feeling rejected. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.640 Wonder how many left because of that. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.759 That's a great question. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:02.079 So Peter has introduced the problem. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:09.440 And if you notice, this is kind of later in the first um book of Peter, and it's not the first time that he's mentioned it. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:20.400 But I find it very interesting that not only does he give us the problem, but very early on in his writing, he really starts off with the solution to that problem. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:26.160 We know the issue at hand, we know the warning, but we also have the solution. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:34.559 So flipping back a few pages, uh, first Peter chapter one, starting in verse three. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:59.680 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:02.960 Ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:25.920 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes through it, is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:35.039 So, what is that solution to these fires, to these trials that are coming? 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:50.240 This passage, if you see highlighted on the screen, it's by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:56.319 As Christians, that's what that is the mindset that we hold on to through these trials. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:23:03.359 That genuine faith is required of us to make it through these trials. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:14.960 No matter what type of persecution we are encountering, because that doesn't discount the persecution of that social injustice, of the pressure that the world is giving us to be like them, because that's hard. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:17.200 There's no way around that. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:24.240 It's hard to not feel accepted by those around us, even those that are in the world. 00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:28.319 It's hard to hear the comments of us acting a little bit different. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:31.279 Oh you don't do that? 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.640 Well, I I do that. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.480 That's odd. 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:42.559 That's a little comment that really I don't know that there's harm intended in those types of comments. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.599 But those aren't easy to hear, is it? 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:55.839 And over time, if we don't have that genuine faith, if we don't have a strong mindset that no matter what I go through, I'm going to hold on to that joy. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:02.559 I'm going to hold on to that promise that was given to me that starts chipping away at us. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:07.519 So God's power protects us. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:13.519 We must hold on to that before that trial comes. 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:17.279 We have to practice that before we jump into that trial. 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:21.759 No matter what trial it is that we're facing, maybe it's a trial from something in the past. 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:26.240 Maybe it's a trial that's currently happening, or maybe it's a trial that we know is fixing to happen. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:33.599 No matter where we're at in that, we must prepare our minds, we must prepare our hearts, we must prepare our faith to endure that. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:40.079 So let's let's flip over to the book of James, uh just a book before, a couple pages over. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:45.759 So James tells us that we're gonna face trials of many kinds. 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.119 Uh comment over here. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:25:04.400 I was just gonna say, you know, we get the image of okay, we're just gonna grit our teeth and bear it, but we need to open our eyes to opportunities because when you're going through something terrible, if you look around, you're in a different situation in life. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:12.240 You have access to different people, and and and it may be everything has an opportunity connected with it. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:15.279 And and a lot of times we're just like, oh, get me through this. 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:21.200 But I mean, I I've been through a couple of difficult things with hospital stays and stuff with family. 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:28.960 And it's just like after you get over the shock, you're like shaking yourself, wait a minute, I don't have to just sit here, you know, I can do something. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:35.200 If you'll do that, it helps just you know get your mind leveled out too. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.039 Absolutely. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:56.559 And I think that's so important in realizing before I'm even in the trial, just having this mindset that no matter where I'm at in my life, I'm going to glorify God in any situation so that when you're in the trial, you're not having to scramble and look for those answers and figure out what am I supposed to be doing. 00:25:56.799 --> 00:26:01.519 We have our decision made up before we even enter that trial of how it's going to end up. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:03.440 And we we have that power through Christ. 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.160 Yes, sir. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.119 Oh, yeah. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:11.359 I was thinking, I know you have verse five highlighted on the screen, but I was also um reflecting on verse seven. 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:18.880 Um I would be willing to assume that everyone in this in this classroom has taken a test before. 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:22.559 And you don't you don't go in blindly to the test. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:32.720 There is there's a lot of prep that goes into taking a test, and there's a lot of time, and there's a lot of hours that go into studying that you probably don't want to do. 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:46.000 Um, but you you recognize that the result of going through the test is a certification, is a whatever it may be, a degree, there's something at the end of this test that you are striving towards. 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:48.640 What's the result when our faith is tested? 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:50.559 It's tested at the end of verse 7. 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:59.839 The result of our faith being tested is the praise and glory and honor to our Jesus Christ. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.839 That's the result of our test. 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:05.440 That's what we're striving to do, that's what we're trying to achieve. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:07.279 Is it honoring our God? 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.319 Absolutely. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.519 Yes, ma'am. 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:21.440 I think the whole book of Peter, excuse me, is more about playbook for early Christians so they could know how to post and how to help one another. 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:30.000 He says, in this moment, you're gonna have a feeling of maybe hostility or something to your brethren, but you need to take them in. 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:37.200 They could be widowed, they could be their husband could be burning on a pipe because that's what they did. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:42.480 They could be fodder for some kind of feed of wild animals. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:47.599 There were all kind of horrible atrocities that were about to occur. 00:27:48.160 --> 00:28:00.720 And he tells them right here let the impurities fit away and let the gold rise to the top whenever you're tested with fire, be that gold. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:05.920 Be sure that you have done all you can to support one another. 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:09.119 You're in this because why wouldn't you be tested? 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:13.920 You have become a part of the very thing that's thank you underneath God. 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:17.839 Why wouldn't you be tested? 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:20.160 It's a great comment. 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.359 Thank you for that. 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:34.319 So thinking about the trials of many kinds that we're gonna face, um, referencing James chapter 1, verse 2. 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:41.440 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:51.200 And steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that may you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:55.440 So we know that the trials are gonna look differently. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:29:00.160 In our own lives, we're gonna have trials that look differently. 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:05.119 In other people's lives, their trials are gonna look different than your trials. 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:18.000 But God didn't create the church on accident, He didn't make create Christianity this um the need to be unified. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.440 That's not an accident. 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:24.559 We need to rely on each other to help each other through these trials. 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:40.400 Because if we come out and we we keep that faith, we let those trials strengthen our faith, we become better suited to serve our Lord and Jesus Christ and to further his kingdom in a more effective way. 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:56.960 So thinking about the different trials that we face, I uh I came up with four categories, which I'm sure you could break them down in many different ways, but these are the kind of the categories just for the sake of this class that I thought of. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:30:02.160 So some of the trials that we face are number one, caused by our own sin. 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:05.440 Maybe it's our own wrongdoing that put us in a trial. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:11.200 And we're we're dealing with the ramifications, we're dealing with the effects of this mistake. 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:14.880 I think about the story of David and Bathsheba. 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:19.279 That's a direct result of David's mistake here. 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:23.759 And he's having to deal with those consequences, and that's the fact. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:32.079 Sometimes we have sin in our lives that as bad as we want to just drop it, forget about it, and have it never never come back again. 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:35.599 We have consequences and we have to learn how to deal with those. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:40.799 Maybe your trial is caused directly from someone else's sin. 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:45.440 I think about the father of the story in the prodigal son. 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:48.160 The father didn't do anything wrong. 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:50.400 His son decided, you know what? 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:52.160 I want this now. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.920 I'm gonna go live my life. 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:55.839 I have want nothing to do with you. 00:30:56.000 --> 00:31:01.119 Give me my things now, and I'm gonna go live this life that pleases me. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.119 Think about that. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:05.279 What did what did the father do wrong? 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:09.119 I don't I don't read that he did anything wrong. 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:16.000 But he's directly in a trial as a result of his son's sinful lifestyle. 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:21.839 And we see from his reaction the way that he went back and he ran and embraced his son. 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:24.480 He didn't just forget about that. 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:29.359 He loved his son through that, but it hurt him deeply. 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:42.000 I think about uh Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:49.519 I mean, they're they're literally physically facing a fire because of their faith. 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.519 What about Job? 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:55.839 We've talked about Job extensively a few weeks ago. 00:31:57.599 --> 00:32:01.680 Because of his strong faith, what did he go through? 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:06.640 And then the fourth one, maybe it's not caused by anything. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:13.279 Maybe it's nothing you did wrong, maybe it's nothing you did right, but sometimes that's just how life goes. 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:17.039 So I want to spend a little bit more time on this one. 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:20.160 So turn with me to John chapter nine. 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.680 John chapter nine. 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.640 Verse one. 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:48.079 So this is the story where Jesus heals a man who was born blind. 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:56.559 Says, and he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth, and his disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned? 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:58.319 This man or his parents? 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.839 That he was born blind? 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:08.640 Jesus answered, It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:12.720 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:15.440 Night is coming when no one can work. 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:20.799 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:25.039 Nobody did anything wrong here. 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:28.960 But can you imagine this man who's just born blind? 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:32.160 That has a effect on your life. 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:36.799 And I'm sure he found ways to deal with that and to cope with that. 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:39.519 But it's still a trial. 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:45.599 To not be able to see, I would imagine, is a very difficult thing in life. 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:49.440 But Jesus gives us the direct reason for this trial. 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:51.680 Nobody did anything wrong. 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:57.759 This man's trial was so that the works of God might be displayed. 00:33:58.559 --> 00:34:01.519 Is that a hard pill for you to swallow sometimes? 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:03.359 Maybe I've done nothing wrong. 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:07.200 Maybe I've done something right and I'm still in this trial. 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:13.920 Maybe I'm working so, so hard to provide for my family, and the money just is not there. 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:16.639 And I have that pressure on me. 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:25.679 Maybe I try so, so hard to keep my body healthy and to so that I can live a long and fruitful life. 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:31.119 And I go to the doctor and I get a diagnosis that nobody ever wants to hear. 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:35.760 But these words of Jesus, they're powerful. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:50.320 If we can hang on to this, that no matter what has caused this trial, no matter what started that fire, that the work of God is going to be displayed in my life through this trial. 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:55.519 Isn't that so important for us today? 00:34:56.320 --> 00:35:31.119 So if we take the warning that we see in Peter to understand that trials will come, and if we add the words from James to count the trials as joy, and to remember that they help us to be better Christians, to be more productive Christians, and we add the words from Jesus to remind us that the trials in our lives can display the works of God for the benefit of the kingdom. 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:35.199 Church, we are prepared for whatever comes our way. 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:36.239 Yes, sir. 00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:40.400 You know, it's it's all about mindset. 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:52.559 Um because when I read my Bible, it's not about making the words fit to what I want to happen, but it's about conforming myself to what the word says. 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:56.400 Because in the after all, the word is Jesus. 00:35:56.880 --> 00:36:05.920 And you know, the one thing that uh we hear a lot about is when those fiery trials do come, we always hear it in the negative way. 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.360 Well, that's life. 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:20.320 But when we think about it and we change that mindset, you know, Jesus says in John 10, 10, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I've come to give you life and give it to you abundantly. 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:25.679 And so when we say that's life, that's a blessing. 00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:28.719 And the fiery trials will come. 00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:29.840 I mean, why wouldn't they? 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:32.880 Jesus said if they did it to me, they're gonna do it to you. 00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:51.440 And so sometimes we I have to tell myself, you know, God, I don't know why I'm going through this, but I know in the end, as long as I conform to your will, that you will be glorified. 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.559 Yes, sir. 00:36:57.519 --> 00:37:03.119 So we are given the problem, and we are given the solution. 00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:05.760 That's the message. 00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:18.480 It's the same for Jewish Christians from the first century, it's the same for the Gentile Christians in the first century, and it's the same for us here at Milwaukee Avenue Church of Christ and around our world today. 00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:22.960 We know the fire's coming. 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:25.519 We know it's here for many of us. 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:30.000 But we can control the outcome. 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:36.480 So uh flipping over to First Peter chapter one, uh, verse five through seven. 00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:57.920 Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:37:58.079 --> 00:38:17.599 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes through it, is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:28.000 So we know that this fire, this trial, is a test. 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:34.400 And if you think about taking any type of test today, you've got two outcomes. 00:38:34.639 --> 00:38:37.760 You're gonna pass that test, or you're gonna fail that test. 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:45.119 So thinking in these terms, what does a passing grade here result in? 00:38:45.599 --> 00:38:53.519 It results in the praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and that's special. 00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:56.559 What does a failing grade look like? 00:38:56.719 --> 00:38:58.000 What does that result in? 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:04.159 Let me remind you of the slide we had up here just a few moments ago. 00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:12.559 Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:16.000 Who are the ones that are going to be devoured? 00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:21.760 We've been given the study guide. 00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:23.599 We know the test is coming. 00:39:23.679 --> 00:39:25.199 The test has been scheduled. 00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:29.760 We know what happens if we pass, we know what happens if we fail. 00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:34.000 And the only piece that is missing is the study. 00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:35.599 The hard work. 00:39:36.639 --> 00:39:38.880 Have you ever sat around a campfire? 00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:43.039 If you're like me, I like to fidget with things while I'm doing that. 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:52.159 I love just the the conversations that happen around campfires and lean over and pick up a piece of grass or a pebble or a piece of trash and throw it in there. 00:39:52.239 --> 00:39:56.159 I just love seeing how the fire reacts to different things. 00:39:57.280 --> 00:40:02.800 If you think about a piece of grass, almost immediately, like that, burns into nothing. 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:05.199 But take something metal. 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:11.679 Maybe it's metal or stone, that that fire ring that contains that campfire. 00:40:11.920 --> 00:40:14.079 It's made out of it's not made out of grass. 00:40:14.239 --> 00:40:18.000 Because if it was made out of grass, that fire would just take over. 00:40:19.360 --> 00:40:21.119 It's built to contain that fire. 00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:23.039 It's not unaffected though. 00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:27.119 Maybe it's charred, maybe it's a temperature change. 00:40:28.559 --> 00:40:32.000 But it doesn't burn up like that small piece of grass does. 00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:41.679 One fact I would like to point out is that you cannot change to be something that you are not when you're in the fire. 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:49.599 That grass can't can't convince the fire, hey, I know I'm a piece of grass, but can you just not let me burn up this time? 00:40:50.639 --> 00:40:53.119 It's grass, it's going to burn. 00:40:54.239 --> 00:40:56.159 Can't convince the fire that it's metal. 00:40:56.639 --> 00:41:02.320 In the same way, a faith that's not genuine cannot pretend to be genuine in the fire. 00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:04.800 Is your faith genuine? 00:41:05.280 --> 00:41:09.920 Maybe it's your faith is built on pleasing someone else. 00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:14.239 Are you here this morning just to keep a family family member happy? 00:41:14.559 --> 00:41:18.719 Maybe you're somebody in your life has been nagging you over and over again. 00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:20.239 Hey, can you come to church with me? 00:41:20.320 --> 00:41:20.960 That'd be great. 00:41:21.119 --> 00:41:21.920 I would love that. 00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:24.239 And praise God for that person in your life. 00:41:24.559 --> 00:41:28.559 But the reality is, someone here today is here as a result of that. 00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:33.280 So let's work on making that faith genuine. 00:41:34.159 --> 00:41:39.679 A genuine faith is what withstands the fire as we've seen. 00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:41.920 That genuine faith. 00:41:42.480 --> 00:41:46.880 Looking at 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 8 and 9. 00:41:47.119 --> 00:41:49.119