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<v SPEAKER_00>I think today Saint Peter gives us one of the most important truths in all Christianity.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He says, you were ransomed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ransomed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Think about that word.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not purchased, not acquired, ransomed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A ransom is paid when something valuable has been captured.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Someone is trapped, someone cannot free himself, and then what happens is another one steps in and pays the price.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Peter says that's us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Humanity was trapped, sin had entered the world, death entered, shame entered, the human heart became divided.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And Saint Peter says, You were ransomed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But then he tells us the price, not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I wonder if we really understand that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because we live in a world that constantly tells us our worth, our salary, our followers, what's your title, how successful you are, how beautiful you are, what's your status.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And Christianity says something shocking.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Your value was established on Calvary.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The Son of God gave his blood for you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's your worth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not silver, not gold, the blood of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do you realize what Peter is saying?

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<v SPEAKER_00>The cross was not plan B.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He says he was known before the foundation of the world, before creation, before Adam, before the stars, the cross was not an emergency response.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It was love.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And then Peter says something else.

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<v SPEAKER_00>All flesh is like grass.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's a humbling line.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We know grass grows, grass can look beautiful, grass can die, the flowers bloom, the flowers wither.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Everything passes.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Beauty passes, age passes, money passes, success passes, the house, the car, the career, the applause, all of it will pass away.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Maybe that's hard for us because we spend so much time, energy wasted on chasing things that cannot stay.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Peter says, The word of the Lord remains forever.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Everything else will fade, but God will remain.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I think this connects beautifully with the gospel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The disciples are arguing about greatness.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Who is first?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Who matters more?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What's who has status?

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<v SPEAKER_00>What does Jesus do?

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<v SPEAKER_00>He takes a child, he places a child in their midst.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And in the ancient world, children had no status, no power, no prestige.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And Jesus basically says, Well, if you want greatness, stop climbing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Receive, serve, become small.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What a word for our world.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because everybody wants to be noticed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus says become humble.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Everyone wants to rise.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus says become little.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Everybody wants importance.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus says love.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because in the kingdom greatness looks different.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The saints understood this.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Saint Francis, Mother Teresa, Saint Philip Neri yesterday.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They all became small, and God made them great.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So you were ransomed, not by gold, not by silver, but by the blood of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Which means this you are loved more than you realize.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You're wanted more than you know.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You're worth more than the world can measure.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Don't let the world convince you of anything else.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And if all flesh is grass, then build life on what remains.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Build it on Christ, because everything else fades.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus Christ will always remain.