WEBVTT 00:00:01.360 --> 00:00:04.719 Welcome to this week's message from the Church at Chelsea Westover. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:10.800 Our core values are vibrant worship, intimate fellowship, fulfilling service, and clear biblical truth. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:13.359 We pray that this message changes your life. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.760 Let's tune in to today's message and see what God has in store for you. 00:00:18.079 --> 00:00:24.559 I want you to turn with me in your Bibles this morning to 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:26.559 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:34.719 As we start this month, the series is going to be A Place Called Calvary. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:36.719 A place called Calvary. 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:57.200 Now, if you do not have an outline, would you please raise your hand so our ushers, Brother Bob, could get you one so you can follow along as we take the scriptures and look at the scriptures verse by verse, phrase by phrase, word for word. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:00:58.799 It's exciting. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:02.079 We have a little saying around here about the Word of God. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:04.560 It's one of our core values. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:11.760 If you visitors, when you walk in, you see we have signs everywhere because we want you to know who we are. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:15.680 And we use our core values as our platform. 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:20.560 In fact, we even have it on the back wall, we have it on the sidewalls. 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:25.599 Clear biblical truth, vibrant worship, fulfilling service, and intimate fellowship. 00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:29.200 Somebody asked me the other day, they said, why don't y'all eat together every week? 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.439 Well, first of all, I'm hungry. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:32.879 Amen. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:35.519 And that's a pretty good reason, isn't it? 00:01:35.599 --> 00:01:36.400 We're hungry. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:41.120 But secondly, because we want to have intimate fellowship with each other. 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:43.359 And I hope, and I see you. 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:51.920 One of the things I encourage our members to do is each Sunday, maybe try to eat with someone differently so you can get to know them in our church body. 00:01:52.079 --> 00:02:05.040 And you know, it's amazing when you eat together how close you become and you get to know each other so that we can pray for each other in ways that uh other than just greeting each other. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:10.080 So that's part of our key core values here is intimate fellowship. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:18.479 And then also fulfilling service at home and abroad, where uh you see these nine precious ladies' faces and names. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:20.719 They will be with us on Easter. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:27.280 I mean, it's gonna be an unbelievable day coming from uh Africa, and we're excited about that. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:29.280 And we have helped one of them come over. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:30.800 We supported one of them. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:33.360 So they'll be singing that day for us, I think. 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:38.319 And uh that following Wednesday night, they'll be with our young people sharing their testimonies. 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:41.759 So it's just gonna be a glorious, glorious time. 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:44.560 And so, with that said, that's what we are. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:46.800 We fulfilling service at home and abroad. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:58.240 And then as Benji and the praise team uh did a great job this morning, vibrant worship, worshiping God in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 00:02:58.719 --> 00:02:59.680 So it's awesome. 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:01.759 It is awesome, it really is. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:09.360 Well, today, we and with that said, we have a saying about our fulfilling truth, uh, about this Bible. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:11.680 Three things we say about the word of God. 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:12.639 We what? 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:16.240 We love it, learn it, we live it. 00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:20.159 Thy word is a lamp unto our feet and a light into our path. 00:03:20.319 --> 00:03:23.039 Psalms 119, verse 105. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:28.000 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:30.159 Psalms 119, verse 11. 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:32.240 So it's it's it's our word. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:36.319 Hey, the word is our sword, it's our uh it's our everything. 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:40.319 It really is, and it's what we build our lives upon. 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:47.599 Well, this month we're gonna be looking at this morning the priority of the cross. 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:51.919 Then next week, we're gonna look at the plot of the cross. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:59.919 And next week, you don't want to miss next week because we're gonna be after service, we well, it'll be part of the service. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:01.360 It'll be integrated in. 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:06.960 It's gonna be a beautiful time as we partake of the Lord's Supper together as a church body. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:12.319 Since we've incorporated, we've what we've done is we've done it on a Sunday night. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:21.120 We've had a special service to make it special, but we want to do it with the whole church body next Sunday, on Palm Sunday. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:22.879 So it's gonna be a beautiful service. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:29.920 And then on Easter, we've we'll have looked at the priority today, next week the plot. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:34.720 Then on Easter, we're gonna look at the person of the cross. 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:38.800 And then the last Sunday, we'll look at the pain of the cross. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:50.639 So it's gonna be four fantastic messages, not because I preach them, but because of the truth that we're gonna look at in that living word that we know changes our lives. 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:51.279 Amen? 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:56.800 1 Peter chapter 2, verses 21 through 25. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:05:00.000 This section's dealing basically with submission. 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:04.160 Talking to the masters, talking to the bosses. 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:07.600 Uh really, it can apply to a lot of different people. 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:11.839 Uh, it can, and we'll be looking at that and what it does apply to. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:20.879 But notice he says, servants, be submissive to your own master with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:27.759 In other words, it's it's not how people treat you that matters, but it's how you respond that matters. 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:29.040 Can I get an amen? 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:30.160 Amen? 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:37.040 Because you're gonna be treated harshly sometimes, but you are not to respond or retaliate. 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:39.600 You are to respond with love and kindness. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:42.480 So it's pretty adamant about that. 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:44.319 For this is commendable. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:45.279 That's pretty good. 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:47.680 In other words, you're gonna be rewarded for it. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:51.199 If because of conscience toward God, one endures grief. 00:05:51.279 --> 00:06:05.519 In other words, if you're living for Christ and you endure hardship and greed, even suffering wrongfully, for what credit is it if you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:12.480 But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:14.399 God, and there's a reason. 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:16.560 Why is he commendable? 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:17.920 Why is it commendable? 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:24.240 Why is God pleased with us when we don't retaliate, but we love back or we take it? 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:28.319 Now is really the meaning of the priority of the cross. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:31.360 Notice what he says in verse 21 through 25. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:53.360 For to this ye were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps, who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth, who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:07:14.079 When he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him that is God, who judges righteously, who himself bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we having died to sins might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed. 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:22.560 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:23.519 Wow. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:31.439 You know, the name of Jesus evokes many images in the minds of people. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:38.000 One of the first images I think you think of is what Christmas. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:42.160 When you think of Christmas, we think of a baby in a manger. 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:48.079 We think of Christ in Christmas, we think about that. 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:53.199 And then we think of the child growing up, we think about him being in the temple. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:53.839 What? 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:59.199 Astounding the religious leaders of his day when he was 12 years old. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:01.279 Wow. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:08.240 We think of him growing up in the carpenter's home, Joseph being a carpenter, a common man. 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:09.600 We think of that. 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:14.399 We think of him as being a religious leader in Jerusalem. 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:17.600 We think of him of being the healer. 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:21.759 He set, hey, he everywhere he went, he would heal people. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.800 He would heal them physically and spiritually. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:25.600 Amen. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:33.519 In fact, the purpose of the physical healing was so that he could ultimately heal them spiritually, which is the greatest healing. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:43.759 And then we think of him as the preacher, the bold, fiery preacher or the bold calm preacher that taught and preached to thousands. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:54.080 But when we come to the cross, the one image of Christ that I think surpasses all the other images is the Christ on the cross. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:09:06.960 Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2 2, he says, I am determined not to know anything among you except, now watch, Jesus and him crucified. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:13.519 I am determined not to know anything except Jesus and him crucified. 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:27.679 He said in Galatians 6.14, God forbid, if I should glory in anything except the cross, by whom I am crucified unto the world, and the world unto me. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.279 Wow. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:41.519 So the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is literally the outworking of God's redemptive purpose in time and eternity. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:50.960 For this very reason, and I put it in your notes, the cross is central to God's word and God's world. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:57.759 In fact, it is the cross that we see is prevalent in all the Word of God. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:15.600 In the Bible, we find the message of the cross of Christ central in the law, in the Old Testament, in the Psalms, in the prophets, in the Gospels, in the Acts, in the Pauline epistles, and all of Paul's writings, and in the book of Revelation. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.000 The cross is central. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:20.240 It's central. 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:22.720 It is the purpose. 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:37.360 But surely the cross of Christ is also, and by the way, it was planted on a hill in Jerusalem called Calvary, in an area called Palestine. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:52.480 And that day when Jesus literally died for your sins and my sins, and he was crucified, it was a mark in history that separates eternity for each of us. 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:59.039 It is a profound state driven in the ground for an eternity. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:02.960 Eternity that will be spent in heaven. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:07.600 Or an eternity that will be spent in hell. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:12.639 Hey, determined by what you do with the cross. 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:17.759 There were two men crucified that day with him. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:20.480 Two thieves, one on the right and one on the left. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:24.240 One rejected the cross and died and went to hell. 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:31.039 The other received the cross, and that day Jesus turned and said, You shall be with me in paradise. 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:41.120 So each and every one of our eternities, for each of us, our eternity is determined by what we do with the cross. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:46.320 The cross of Christ is central to human experience. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:51.679 It relates to government, it relates to people, it relates to presidents. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:59.200 Hey, it re it relates to business owners and it relates to employers and employees. 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:03.759 And it relates to the family, husbands and wives and children. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:08.879 A careful study of these verses that we just read makes it obvious. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:19.759 And I also put this in your notes obvious that without submission to Christ of the cross, there can be no hope of peace, harmony, or goodwill. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:20.879 Wow. 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:22.799 So let's begin. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:37.039 And we see right here in this passage, this chapter 2, verses 21 through 25 shows us that the suffering of Jesus had three great effects, three great effects for each of us. 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:43.519 The first effect, the cross is God's standard for men. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:49.039 It's God's example for men. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.720 Look at what he says. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.240 Now I love this word. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:56.399 He says in verse 21, for to this you were called. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.600 Keleo. 00:12:57.840 --> 00:12:58.720 Kale'o. 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:09.679 It means to, the word there called, kaleo, literally means to be called to bear a name or title among men. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:16.080 You and I are called to bear the name of children of God. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:22.720 We are, hey, hey, we are called to bear the name sons of God. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:27.440 We are called to bear the name as Christians. 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.320 It's very important. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:33.919 And in order to do that, look at what he says. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.440 The word example. 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:40.080 The word example right here means to trace. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:43.120 It means to copy over. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:55.679 Remember when you were in elementary school and they used to give you a picture and you'd put it down and they'd give you this real thin paper and you'd put it over, and part of your exercise was to trace that picture. 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.840 How many of you have ever done that? 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:00.639 Some of you are still doing that. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.399 Just a thought. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.679 It is fun. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.840 It is fun to trace. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:14.159 So what it what is the and remember you got the grade on how you stayed within the lines. 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:18.080 That's why Susan's doing the coloring over there, not me and David. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.559 But remember that. 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.720 Well, that's what it means right here. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:28.320 It means to, hey, to put underneath and to copy over. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.240 Now, notice what else it says. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.840 Hey, I love this. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:37.759 The verb you should follow is a compound one. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:43.200 Notice, suggesting a close following of the example you've just seen. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:45.279 In other words, here's what it means. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:49.039 When the Lord says you're to be an example, we are called. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:51.840 We are to bear, hey, his likeness. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:53.840 We are to bear his character. 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.759 In other words, we are to follow him. 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:58.240 And here's how closely we are to follow him. 00:14:58.559 --> 00:15:04.159 Wherever he puts his foot, his footprint, we are to step in. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:09.200 That's what that word, we should follow him, means. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.159 Wow. 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:12.240 Oh my, my, my, my. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:16.320 Boy, when I saw that and did that word study, that so convicted me. 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:18.000 So, you know why? 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:24.480 Because there's been a lot of times his footprints are there, but you know, I decide I want to use my own footprints. 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:27.360 I decide I'll go my way instead of his way. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:29.039 Anybody else ever been there? 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.159 Amen. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:35.360 So instead of following his steps, I decide I'll make my own steps. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:38.080 And every time I do that, I get in trouble. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:40.000 Every, every time. 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:43.919 For they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:47.440 For they that walk in the flesh cannot please God. 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.720 Romans 8.8. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:16:06.080 But those that follow his steps, his word, through the teachings and hey, and the teachings and the preachings of the Holy Spirit teaching and preaching to us through the word of the living God, as we follow his steps that he puts before us, then we become more like him. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:08.240 We become like that Son of God. 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:10.799 We become like, hey, that child of God. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:13.600 We become like the Christian. 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:16.000 That they should be. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:20.639 We become that light that set on a hill cannot be hid. 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:25.600 Walk in his steps. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.639 Wow. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.799 Walk in his steps. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:30.320 That's exactly what it means. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:33.519 So now let's look at what those steps are. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:37.120 If we are to walk in his steps, look at three steps right here. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:40.639 First of all, the cross required Jesus to suffer. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.320 Look at it, verse 21. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:43.679 To suffer. 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.000 To suffer. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.039 Man. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.200 What do you mean, preacher? 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:53.679 That means if we walk in his steps, we're going to suffer. 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:58.159 We are going to suffer. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:03.279 In fact, the Bible says in 2 Timothy 2.3, thou therefore endure what? 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.079 Say it with me. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.720 Hardness as a what? 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:09.119 Good soldier of Jesus Christ. 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:13.759 If you and I are good soldiers, and that means we're obedient, that means we're following our commander. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:16.640 That means we're following, hey, the orders that he gives us. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.960 That means we're walking in his steps. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:21.920 We're going to endure some trying times. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.960 Amen. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.160 But we got to realize something. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:28.720 As he suffered, so we will suffer. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:32.720 But the exciting news, even through the suffering, is he's with us. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.799 He is in our boat. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:37.119 Page, keep rowing. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:41.839 When the waves come, when the storms come, you keep rowing. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:45.359 You don't give up, you don't give out, and you don't quit. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.799 Amen. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.559 You say, Well, I get tired. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:50.720 We all get tired, but you still don't quit. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.680 Amen. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.440 You just stay in the book. 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.440 You stay in the book. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.279 So we're going to suffer. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:18:02.559 In fact, look at James 1, 1 verses 2 through 4. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:04.079 Look at what he says. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:06.640 My brethren, say the next word for me. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.279 Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:10.480 Do that again. 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.480 Count it all joy. 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.839 Count it all joy. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.640 Yeah, I'm ready. 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.000 Let's get excited. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.920 Let's count it all joy for what? 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:21.599 When you fall into diverse temptation. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.319 That word diverse is porculus. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:27.920 And it literally means a multitude of different trials. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.880 All kinds of trials. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:34.559 I mean anything you can imagine. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:38.799 In other words, if it's going to go wrong, it's going to go wrong, hey, with us. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:39.920 Amen. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.359 It's going to happen. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.880 And that's what he says. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:48.960 Kenan on Joe, how in the world don't you got up this morning and said, I can't wait to have a tough day today. 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:50.880 Woo! I'm excited. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.319 Huh? 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.160 That's what he means. 00:18:58.240 --> 00:19:02.480 That's what the word joy, that exuberance, that hilariousness. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.720 When you fall into diverse temptation. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:07.519 Here's how you can do this, and this is why you can do that. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:13.839 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works, patience. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.119 That's maturity. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.799 That means he's maturing you, he's growing you up. 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:24.720 In other words, you're that little boy, and he's holding your hand and you're following in his steps, daddy. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:30.400 And one day he hopes to get you to where he'll no longer be carrying you by the hand. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:42.400 He'll step aside and hey, he's already, in fact, we call him the trailblazer, he's already braced the trail, and he knows now that you mature, you can walk in his steps. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.200 Wow, that's good. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:48.640 Now that only comes when you go through the fire. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:52.559 You can't learn to follow Christ if you don't go through the fire. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:55.359 That's Yetrap, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:59.759 They had to go through the fire before they were promoted. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:01.599 That's Daniel in the lion's den. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:05.039 You got to go to the lion's den before you can be promoted. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:11.599 But because of the cross, you can be victorious. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.440 Amen. 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.240 But why? 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:19.680 Because he snatched death, the keys of hell, right out of Satan's hand. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.079 Amen. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.880 Yes. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:25.039 That's exciting. 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.559 And we see that. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:31.440 Hey, so let patience have her perfect work that you may now watch. 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.720 Oh, this is so good. 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:34.000 Be perfect and entire. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.960 You know what that means? 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:39.599 You will be so secure in Christ even when all hell breaks a loose. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.039 Listen, you're content. 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.839 You're content. 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.759 Wow. 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:49.599 Nothing's impossible with my God. 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:54.160 And that's what you learn through the fire. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.240 Hey, through the lion's den. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:02.079 Faith has to be tested before it can be trusted. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.519 Amen. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.440 Has to be. 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.880 And that's what he does. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:10.640 Hey, he's hey, he tries us constantly. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.200 Why? 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.400 He wants to trust you. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.279 Now listen, here's what's why you're gonna count it all joy. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:23.680 When he's refining you and when he's melting you down, and when he and by the way, you know why they put gold and silver into the furnace? 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.559 To what? 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:26.319 To burn off all the draws. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.839 You know what the draw is? 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.359 It's the ugliness. 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.200 The impurities. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.799 I call it the ugliness. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:35.839 And you know when they know it's ready to pull out? 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.279 Oh, they have a timer. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.759 No. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:41.519 When they see their reflection in it, they know it's ready. 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:46.000 When you are ready to be used greatly, I'm about to have a spell. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:55.440 When you are ready to be used greatly by the awesome Lord Jesus Christ, it's because when you look, he looks at you, he sees himself. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:55.920 Amen. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.000 Woo! Glory. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.680 Glory. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.079 Glory. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.400 Is that not awesome? 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:10.480 Now he says, Let him loose. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.880 Let him loose. 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.000 He's ready. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:17.039 Notice the second thing. 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:26.640 Not only did the cross require Jesus to suffer, but it also required absolute sinlessness. 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.319 Look at verse 22. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.799 He committed no sin. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:34.559 Neither was guile found in his mouth. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.799 Hallelujah, we need that. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:42.720 Although we know Peter is here quoting from the Old Testament, Isaiah 53. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.400 No doubt he is. 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:51.680 No one followed the Lord Jesus more closely or knew him more intimately than Peter did. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:56.000 Therefore, we see as he reviews the life and death, here's what he said. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:23:00.000 Jesus committed no sin, nor was guile found in his mouth. 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.519 Now here's what that means. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:08.160 Jesus never failed in word or deed. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.160 Wow. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.119 What? 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.400 Hey, talking about raising the bar. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.440 So what is he telling us? 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:25.839 He is telling us right here that we can live a life that's honored to him in our speech and in our actions. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.359 Can I get an amen? 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:32.720 How many of us use our mouth the wrong way sometimes? 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:37.680 I I'm I'm I'm well say that again. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.119 I want every hand up. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:46.000 Lying lips are abomination unto God. 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.279 Amen. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:52.720 How many times have we say things about people we ought not to say? 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.720 Yep. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:24:03.359 And by the way, I have put some of these little hearing buds in your rooms, and anytime you talk about the preacher, they go off. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.480 Sorry. 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:23.839 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:31.440 If it's not edifying, building up, spoken graciously, and lovingly, hey, and spoken lovely, don't say it. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.359 Kelly, you cut your hair. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.640 That looks good. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.680 Amen. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.319 Amen. 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.480 Amen. 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.359 Amen. 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:49.440 Think on those things. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.400 Amen. 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:56.640 So please don't get up and go to the bathroom and preacher Danny, he'll get you. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.319 But notice what he says. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.440 Sinlessness. 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.559 Listen to what he says. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.519 This is awesome. 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:07.359 First of all, he says that we have power over sin. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:10.720 Listen to what he says in Isaiah 53, 9. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:14.559 Jesus committed no sin in word or deed. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.519 That's what he said. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:22.640 And 1 Peter 1, 15 and 16, he says that we are to be holy in all manner of conversation. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:28.559 The word conversation means behavior, for it is written, Be ye holy, Jesus said, for I am holy. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:35.519 Let us purify ourselves and cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:41.839 Listen, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Corinthians 7 1. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.880 Amen. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:48.640 So we see, in fact, this is I found an illustration here. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.519 Dr. 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.319 D.M. 00:25:50.480 --> 00:26:00.079 Stearns was a great preacher and theologian, and he was preaching in a crusade, and he had a gentleman come up to him, and he said, he said to Dr. 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:01.119 Stearns, Dr. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:05.920 Stearns, why in the world do you preach so much on the cross and on the blood? 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.759 You know, that just turns me off. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:15.359 You ought to be preaching more as instead of Jesus being the Savior and Jesus giving his life and suffering. 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:20.079 You ought to be preaching more on Jesus and the teacher and the comforter. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:23.680 He said, if I did that, would you be more willing to follow him? 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.839 He said, I absolutely I would. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.359 Notice what he said. 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:30.640 He said, I don't like the way you preach. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:35.759 I do not care to, hey, for all this talking about Christ dying for the loss. 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:40.799 Instead of preaching the death of Christ on the cross, it's better to be updated. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:45.279 Be willing to, hey, he said, preach Jesus the teacher an example. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:45.920 Dr. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:50.799 Stern said, Would you then be willing to follow him if I preached Christ as the great example? 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:53.920 He said, Absolutely I would. 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:56.880 I would follow in his steps then, Dr. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.519 Stern. 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.640 Dr. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:01.839 Stern then said, Let us take the first step. 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.200 Who did know sin? 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:06.799 As we read in 1 Peter 2 22, can you take this step? 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.799