WEBVTT 00:00:04.640 --> 00:00:07.799 Okay. So before we get started there, I'm going 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:09.480 to read the question. You read the answer. This 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:13.179 is from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Question 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:32.119 number 34. What is adoption? Adoption. Think 00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:36.460 about that. As a child of the living God, you 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:41.799 have full rights and privileges as the king's 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:46.140 children. What an amazing thing. The doctrine 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:51.399 of adoption. A beautiful work of Christ through 00:00:51.399 --> 00:00:55.640 soteriology. Next week, we will be starting our 00:00:55.640 --> 00:01:00.299 journey on the genuine sound doctrine of the 00:01:00.299 --> 00:01:04.599 faith. Versus the false doctrine of and exposing 00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:08.719 those teachings through the biblical lens of 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:11.159 scripture. So get ready for that. That is going 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:16.340 to be a ride. And it will lovingly and kindly 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:20.340 challenge you. We are going to read 2 Peter chapter 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:24.900 1 verse 3 through 21. And then we will. Dig in. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:28.219 Let us pray. Father, I want to thank you so much 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:29.640 for your goodness. Thank you, Lord, for your 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:33.420 word. Thank you for this amazing three -chapter 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:36.459 letter from Peter in the midst and given to the 00:01:36.459 --> 00:01:39.569 people of God in the dispersion. to help them 00:01:39.569 --> 00:01:42.930 to continue to carry the truth, to know who and 00:01:42.930 --> 00:01:46.790 in the truth we have, who is the truth and in 00:01:46.790 --> 00:01:49.209 the truth we have, and to know the doctrines 00:01:49.209 --> 00:01:51.329 of grace and the doctrines of God so that we 00:01:51.329 --> 00:01:54.109 may live it out rightly for all to see. Help 00:01:54.109 --> 00:01:57.150 us to be people of faith and to add to our faith 00:01:57.150 --> 00:02:00.310 virtue and knowledge and self -control and steadfastness 00:02:00.310 --> 00:02:03.849 and godliness and brotherly affection and love. 00:02:04.049 --> 00:02:06.129 May you be honored and glorified in all things 00:02:06.129 --> 00:02:10.699 in Jesus' name. Amen. Second Peter chapter 1 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:14.659 verse 3 through the end of the chapter. His divine 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:18.240 power has granted to us all things that pertain 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:22.560 to life and godliness through the knowledge of 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:27.139 him who called us to his own glory and excellence 00:02:27.139 --> 00:02:32.180 by which he has granted to us his precious and 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:36.509 very great promises so that Through them, you 00:02:36.509 --> 00:02:39.930 may become partakers of the divine nature, having 00:02:39.930 --> 00:02:43.530 escaped from the corruption that is in the world 00:02:43.530 --> 00:02:46.750 because of sinful desire. For this very reason, 00:02:46.770 --> 00:02:50.090 make every effort to supplement your faith with 00:02:50.090 --> 00:02:52.909 virtue and with virtue knowledge and with knowledge 00:02:52.909 --> 00:02:56.250 with self -control and self -control with steadfastness 00:02:56.250 --> 00:02:59.229 and steadfastness with godliness and godliness 00:02:59.229 --> 00:03:01.430 with brotherly affection and brotherly affection 00:03:01.430 --> 00:03:05.810 with love. For if these qualities are yours and 00:03:05.810 --> 00:03:09.710 are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective 00:03:09.710 --> 00:03:13.349 and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus 00:03:13.349 --> 00:03:17.210 Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is 00:03:17.210 --> 00:03:21.650 so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten 00:03:21.650 --> 00:03:24.770 that he is. or that he was cleansed from his 00:03:24.770 --> 00:03:28.229 former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the 00:03:28.229 --> 00:03:30.710 more diligent to confirm your calling and election, 00:03:31.090 --> 00:03:34.490 for if you practice these qualities, you will 00:03:34.490 --> 00:03:40.289 never fall. For in this way, there will be richly 00:03:40.289 --> 00:03:43.110 provided for you an inheritance into the kingdom 00:03:43.110 --> 00:03:45.669 of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, 00:03:45.789 --> 00:03:50.310 I intend always to remind you of these qualities, 00:03:50.330 --> 00:03:54.199 though you know, them and are established in 00:03:54.199 --> 00:03:57.699 the truth that you have. I think it right as 00:03:57.699 --> 00:04:02.020 long as I am in this body to stir you up by way 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:05.639 of reminder since I know that you or that the 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:10.099 putting off of my body will be soon as our Lord 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:13.659 Jesus Christ made clear to me. I will make every 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:17.079 effort so that after my departure you may be 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:20.519 able at any time to recall these things. For 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:23.800 we did not follow cleverly devised myths when 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:27.779 we made known to you the power and coming of 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:32.139 our Lord Jesus Christ. But we were eyewitnesses 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:36.839 of his majesty. For when he received honor and 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:39.360 glory from the Father, from God the Father, the 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:43.649 voice was born to him by The majestic glory. 00:04:44.149 --> 00:04:47.389 This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. 00:04:47.689 --> 00:04:50.689 We ourselves heard this very voice born from 00:04:50.689 --> 00:04:54.029 heaven. For we were with him on that holy mountain. 00:04:54.930 --> 00:04:59.860 And we have the prophetic word more fully. confirmed 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:03.019 to which you will do well to pay attention to 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:06.939 or pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:10.459 place until the day dawns and the morning star 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:14.199 rises in your hearts. Knowing this, first of 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:17.240 all, that no prophecy of scripture comes from 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:21.959 someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:27.120 was ever produced by the will of man. But men 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:30.959 spoke from God as they were carried along by 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:34.779 the Holy Spirit. Oh, this is a good part of the 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:38.620 chapter. This kind of carries into our discussion 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:42.399 next week. But what does it mean to be a man 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:45.199 of faith? Principle number one, since we are 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:48.420 partakers of the divine nature, we must always, 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:53.300 without fail and not reluctantly, remind each 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:57.879 other of how we must live and whom we represent. 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:03.100 Genuine faith is not seen in how genuinely human 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:07.899 you are, but in how genuinely Christ -like you 00:06:07.899 --> 00:06:12.550 are. You want to see people of faith? How much 00:06:12.550 --> 00:06:17.310 of faith do they represent? For in 2 Peter chapter 00:06:17.310 --> 00:06:19.970 1, verse 5 through 7, which we just read, for 00:06:19.970 --> 00:06:24.470 this very reason, make every effort, supply with 00:06:24.470 --> 00:06:29.050 all diligence to supplement or furnish your faith, 00:06:29.290 --> 00:06:32.649 your firm trust and persuasion and conviction 00:06:32.649 --> 00:06:36.350 in Christ with virtue, which is uprightness. 00:06:36.470 --> 00:06:40.569 And uprightness, knowledge, the wisdom of God. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:44.939 And the wisdom of God with self -control. To 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:49.199 master desires and passions. And to master desires 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:53.240 and passions with steadfastness. Endurance in 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.399 the faith. And endurance in the faith. Godliness. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:59.980 Reverential devotion. And reverential devotion 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:04.019 with brotherly love. Philadelphia. Brotherly 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:07.759 love. It's really no other word for it. And brotherly 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:12.709 love. With love. Agape. The active love of God. 00:07:13.689 --> 00:07:17.269 This is what we should be adding. To our faith. 00:07:17.750 --> 00:07:21.170 As people of God. Specifically since it's Father's 00:07:21.170 --> 00:07:26.660 Day. Men. As you go. So goes your household. 00:07:26.980 --> 00:07:29.459 It does not mean that you're not going to struggle, 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:31.860 that you and your wife aren't going to have disagreements. 00:07:32.019 --> 00:07:36.060 Even after 62 years, I'm sure, Ron has forgotten 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:40.480 to clean a spoon and put it in the sink. Or pick 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:43.160 up his socks after a long day when he says, honey, 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:47.620 my back hurts. Therefore. I love this word, therefore, 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:52.620 2 Peter 1, verse 12. Therefore, because of all 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:55.620 of that that I just read to you, for this reason, 00:07:55.660 --> 00:08:01.660 I intend always, I am destined to constantly 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:05.600 remind you. I want you to understand, Peter is 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:07.540 at the end of his life. This is the last letter 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:10.339 he is going to write. He knows he's at the end 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:14.199 of his life. One, he tells this. And he is reminded 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:17.220 of what Jesus had told him when he had went with 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:20.860 Jesus for a walk in John 21, which we'll see 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:25.199 in a minute. That Jesus said, you will be taken 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:27.819 to a place you don't want to go, and you will 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:31.040 be dressed by people who have never dressed you, 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:36.600 and you will stretch out your hands. And so he 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:39.019 knows he's at the end. And what does Peter want 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:42.809 to do before he dies? To remind the people of 00:08:42.809 --> 00:08:46.129 God, to remind, I am reminding you as men in 00:08:46.129 --> 00:08:50.149 the same way, that you should live in these qualities. 00:08:51.669 --> 00:08:56.429 So goes the man, so goes the household. So goes 00:08:56.429 --> 00:08:59.710 the household, so goes the church. So goes the 00:08:59.710 --> 00:09:02.529 church, so goes the country. If you have any 00:09:02.529 --> 00:09:06.029 questions on where we are as a country, look 00:09:06.029 --> 00:09:09.139 at the family and look at the church. When there 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:12.059 are godly homes, there are godly churches. When 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:14.480 there are godly churches, there's a godly country. 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:20.159 It's not by accident. I believe that God has 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:24.059 guided us through these four years to this moment. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:31.820 We live in the days of wickedness and post -Christianity. 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:36.950 And he is calling men everywhere. to turn and 00:09:36.950 --> 00:09:41.230 come to him and live rightly before him as obedient, 00:09:41.389 --> 00:09:44.970 committed to holiness, and loving the sacred 00:09:44.970 --> 00:09:49.350 by which God has placed before you. He has intended, 00:09:49.549 --> 00:09:53.570 he is destined to constantly remind them and 00:09:53.570 --> 00:09:57.509 us of these qualities. Thank the Lord that he 00:09:57.509 --> 00:10:01.769 has given us this letter in writing by divine 00:10:01.769 --> 00:10:06.639 inspiration. Though you know, And are established 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:10.720 in the truth that you have. Because the gospel 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:13.100 has been clearly given. The doctrine of the truth 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:17.519 of Christ. Peter has faithfully provided. By 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:19.919 the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Notice what he 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:24.779 says in verse 13. I think it right. It's then 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:28.620 right as long as I am in this body. To stir you 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:32.659 up. To awaken you thoroughly. I mean we live 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:36.519 in. We live in the woke. I mean, do we not? I 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:39.539 mean, woke is everywhere. Woke is on YouTube. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:42.440 It's on Fox News. It's on CNN. Everybody's woke. 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:46.519 But listen, they're not woke. They're sleeping. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:50.539 You know why they're not woke? They're only woke 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:52.799 to the things they desire. They're not woke to 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:55.899 the truth of Christ. That means they are dead 00:10:55.899 --> 00:11:01.700 in their trespasses and sin and not awake. But 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:06.870 if you know Christ, you are. And what he's saying 00:11:06.870 --> 00:11:10.450 is, I am waking you up thoroughly. It means to 00:11:10.450 --> 00:11:15.549 walk in a bedroom and shake someone awake. Now, 00:11:15.570 --> 00:11:18.330 I'm warning you wives, don't do that to your 00:11:18.330 --> 00:11:22.190 husband. They will knock you out and then they 00:11:22.190 --> 00:11:23.889 will be like, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it. 00:11:23.970 --> 00:11:26.230 They'll think you're a burglar and you're going 00:11:26.230 --> 00:11:28.769 to be... You're going to be coming to church, 00:11:28.809 --> 00:11:31.549 and I'm going to be like, what happened? My husband 00:11:31.549 --> 00:11:37.509 punched me. Oh, no. Ben, Chuck, Lanny. Blake, 00:11:37.549 --> 00:11:39.649 no. I woke him up in the middle of the night. 00:11:39.870 --> 00:11:45.210 I wanted to make sure he's wide awake. So that's 00:11:45.210 --> 00:11:47.629 what this means, to stir you up, to awaken you 00:11:47.629 --> 00:11:52.169 thoroughly by way of reminder. We do this with 00:11:52.169 --> 00:11:56.029 our kids, my wife and I. Especially our daughter. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:00.019 I know, Ash, I'm sorry. I'm going to use you 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:04.279 as an example. Because Nick is, if I'm not the 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:07.899 first up, Nick is. Like 4 .30. I don't know how 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:10.500 he does it. He's already dressed and everything. 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:17.539 I'm like, it's 5 o 'clock in the morning. But 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:20.779 my daughter, forget it. It's like, hey, the dog's 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:23.720 got to go out. Uh -huh. Dog's got to go out. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:30.220 Dog's got to go out. And then she'll walk out 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:37.919 and be like, can you take her out? I figured 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:42.740 that. I hit home for some people. It did. So 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:45.759 by way of reminder, we want to awake thoroughly. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:49.299 Since I know that the putting off of my body 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:53.440 will be soon as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:58.059 to me. And that scene. In John chapter 21, verse 00:12:58.059 --> 00:13:02.419 18 and 19. Very important. Look what it says 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:05.019 here. Well, there it is. Truly, truly, I say 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:07.399 to you, when you were young, he's talking to 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:10.200 Peter, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:13.100 you wanted. But when you were old, you will stretch 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:15.240 out your hands and another will dress you and 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:18.100 carry you where you do not want to go. This, 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:21.159 he said, to show by what kind of death he was 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:25.179 to glorify God. And after saying this, He said 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:28.860 to him, follow me. He must take up his cross 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:32.340 and follow me. Isn't that interesting? He must 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:35.980 take up his cross and follow Christ. He must 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:39.519 deny himself. So Peter realized he's going to 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:43.419 deny himself upside down. I, and I will make 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:47.120 every effort, verse 15, Peter says, I will make 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:50.139 every effort so that after my departure, you 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:53.480 may be able at any time to recall these things. 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:57.600 So I want you to get this. As a man, what is 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:59.700 your legacy? What do you want to give your kids? 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:04.440 You want to give them a house? A money? Life 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:08.639 insurance policy? Stuff that they could care 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.779 less about? Though it doesn't matter how many 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:14.120 times you told them it's 200 years old and it's 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:17.220 worth a million dollars? Trust me, when you're 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:19.200 gone, they're going to sell it and get that million 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:23.539 dollars. Right? It means nothing. Your money 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:25.320 means nothing. Your home doesn't mean anything. 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:29.320 Your hobbies and trophies mean nothing. What 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:33.279 are you going to leave? Is it Christ? Is your 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:38.740 legacy Christ? May the legacy you leave be the 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:42.500 constant reminder of Christ and that your kids, 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:45.799 when they become men and women, say with full 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:49.860 unction and conviction that you, as their father, 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:53.480 left them Jesus. That is the only thing you can 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:58.240 give from generation to generation. I am, through 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:01.299 my father, a second generation. Through my mom, 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:05.500 a first generation. My kids are second generation 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:08.879 in reality. If you look at my father, third generation 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:14.259 believers. Some of you sitting here are fourth 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:18.259 and fifth generation believers. That's the legacy. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:24.320 How many of you know that your father, your grandfather, 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:27.440 their parents were believers? How many of you 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:30.440 can say that? I want you to hear that. We have 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:33.600 two people with three or more generations. Any 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:35.679 question on why our country is in the situation 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:39.899 it is after 250 years? Why? Because they left 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:42.580 them property instead of leaving them Jesus. 00:15:43.389 --> 00:15:45.850 You can go back generations and find out how 00:15:45.850 --> 00:15:48.750 long that farmland has been in the family for 00:15:48.750 --> 00:15:50.990 seven, eight generations. That's what I hear 00:15:50.990 --> 00:15:54.389 here. I haven't buried out back. Where are they 00:15:54.389 --> 00:15:58.549 in faith? Has their father given them Jesus? 00:15:59.269 --> 00:16:02.389 And has their grandfather given their father 00:16:02.389 --> 00:16:05.070 Jesus? And has their great -grandfather given 00:16:05.070 --> 00:16:07.610 their father Jesus? And has their great -great 00:16:07.610 --> 00:16:12.289 -grandfather given their father Jesus? Our country... 00:16:12.830 --> 00:16:16.409 And the church is in dire straits because we're 00:16:16.409 --> 00:16:19.289 not giving away Jesus. We're giving away things 00:16:19.289 --> 00:16:24.289 that have no value. That's what happens in fatherless 00:16:24.289 --> 00:16:26.909 countries and fatherless homes. Second principle. 00:16:27.990 --> 00:16:31.470 Jesus Christ is not a myth devised by men's imagination. 00:16:32.070 --> 00:16:36.570 He is the great I am, worthy of all glory, majesty, 00:16:36.629 --> 00:16:40.889 and power. There is no one greater. There is 00:16:40.889 --> 00:16:44.649 no one more loving. more kind, more holy, righteous, 00:16:44.769 --> 00:16:50.690 and just than him. Luke 9, 28 through 36. Now 00:16:50.690 --> 00:16:54.309 about eight days after these sayings, he took 00:16:54.309 --> 00:16:58.690 with him Peter, John, and James and went up on 00:16:58.690 --> 00:17:01.970 the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, 00:17:02.070 --> 00:17:04.930 the appearance of his face was altered and his 00:17:04.930 --> 00:17:08.630 clothing became dazzling white. In the gospel 00:17:08.630 --> 00:17:16.099 of... I think it's Matthew. It says that his 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:22.180 white, his clothes became bleach white. And behold, 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:25.539 two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:29.539 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure. 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:35.470 Notice, Elijah and Moses are there. standing 00:17:35.470 --> 00:17:37.930 next to Jesus, having a conversation, and they're 00:17:37.930 --> 00:17:41.329 not talking about, hey, where is my mansion? 00:17:41.549 --> 00:17:45.049 Just talking about, Lord, when are you coming 00:17:45.049 --> 00:17:51.890 back? Why? Because his departure is the fulfillment 00:17:51.890 --> 00:17:55.549 of the promise by which Moses and Elijah spoke 00:17:55.549 --> 00:18:01.920 of years, centuries before. They want to see 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:05.400 the fulfillment of what they had proclaimed in 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:08.759 the promise of the coming Christ. When are you 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:11.180 going to die? Because we know when you die and 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.839 you resurrect, you're coming back. And when you 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:15.019 come back, we know that what you have promised 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:17.140 is fulfilled. When are you going to fulfill that? 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:21.119 When is your departure? Which he was about to 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:25.980 accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:30.500 who were with him were heavy with sleep. Peter 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:33.980 has a problem with sleeping. We know that because 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:36.099 at the Garden of Gethsemane, he had the same 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:39.980 issue. Just likes to fall asleep. And it's interesting 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:44.119 because he uses the term to awaken thoroughly. 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:50.539 Which we just read. Now I know why. Peter is 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:54.799 reminding us to stir each other, to awaken us 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:57.720 thoroughly. Because if he was awake thoroughly, 00:18:57.900 --> 00:19:00.470 he would have gotten this. The God of all glory, 00:19:00.630 --> 00:19:03.390 the one who created him, is standing before him 00:19:03.390 --> 00:19:09.809 and his glorifiedness, though veiled. He got 00:19:09.809 --> 00:19:14.369 to see what Moses saw. And he says, but when 00:19:14.369 --> 00:19:20.130 they became fully awake, thoroughly awake, they 00:19:20.130 --> 00:19:23.349 saw his glory. So I want you to get this. For 00:19:23.349 --> 00:19:25.309 those of you who are sitting here and you don't 00:19:25.309 --> 00:19:28.009 know Christ, you can't see the glory of God without 00:19:28.009 --> 00:19:30.890 the Spirit of God. But God is calling you to 00:19:30.890 --> 00:19:35.069 come. If you hear his voice today, do not harden 00:19:35.069 --> 00:19:38.359 your hearts, but come now. Because the day is 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:41.119 coming when you will not have a chance. And the 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:42.980 glory of Christ will come before you and you 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:45.220 will not look at him with splendor and glory 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:48.539 and awe. You will fear the coming of the great 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:51.640 king who will judge you for your sin as a child 00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:54.180 of wrath. But he wants you to become a child 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:58.539 of the living God. Come now. And the two men 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:01.920 who stood with him, meaning Elijah and Moses, 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:05.480 and as the men were departing or parting from 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:11.180 him, As Moses and Elijah had left, Peter said, 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:18.940 Master, it is good that we are here. I'm privileged, 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:23.420 but it's so good we're here. Let us make three 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:27.779 tents. Let us make three houses of worship. This 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:31.900 word tent is tabernacle. Peter knew exactly what 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:35.400 he was saying. Because he knows that the tent. 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:40.019 That was made by human hands. Given by God's 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:44.339 verbal command. Exactly in proportion as God 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:48.559 had determined it. His glory, his presence would 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:53.539 rest upon the tent. Or in the tent. On the seat 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:57.700 of mercy. And here, Peter's like, let's make 00:20:57.700 --> 00:21:01.519 three of them. Because there is no prophet greater 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:05.319 than Moses and Elijah after all. One for you. 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:10.220 One for Moses and one for Elijah. Knowing what 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:16.079 he said. And as he was saying these things, a 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:20.160 cloud came and overshadowed them. Do you get 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:25.319 that? In the same way that the cloud overshadowed 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:30.480 the Mount of Sinai. And sat upon the top of the 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:34.680 mountain as fire and as a cloud. The presence 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:37.759 of God looking like it was consuming the top 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:41.000 of the mountain. This same cloud comes and rests 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:45.920 upon them. And they were afraid as they entered 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:49.579 the cloud. They should be. But notice what he 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:53.460 says. What a beautiful statement from the Father. 00:21:54.990 --> 00:21:58.029 And a voice came out of the clouds saying, this 00:21:58.029 --> 00:22:06.170 is my son, my chosen one. Listen to him. Why? 00:22:06.470 --> 00:22:11.009 Because Christ is the living word. In the beginning 00:22:11.009 --> 00:22:13.309 was the word and the word was with God and the 00:22:13.309 --> 00:22:17.130 word was God and the word was speaking. Listen 00:22:17.130 --> 00:22:23.349 to the word, Peter. I like my voice. I mean, 00:22:23.390 --> 00:22:26.309 I got that little inside voice, right? I mean, 00:22:26.309 --> 00:22:30.269 we pray and we have these, maybe this is God 00:22:30.269 --> 00:22:32.490 speaking. If it's not according to the word, 00:22:32.609 --> 00:22:36.950 it ain't God speaking. That's why he says, Peter, 00:22:36.990 --> 00:22:43.150 John, James, listen to him. And Jesus was found 00:22:43.150 --> 00:22:50.619 alone. No other tent, Peter. No other tent. No 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:53.900 other tabernacle. No other one can you worship 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:58.039 but him alone. And they kept silent. Oh, I love 00:22:58.039 --> 00:23:01.019 that fact. That'd be kind of hard for me. But 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:03.039 Peter shut his mouth. He's like, and told no 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:06.019 one of those days anything of what they had seen 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:10.200 until 2 Peter chapter 1. In 2 Peter chapter 1, 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:13.339 verse 16 through 18. For we did not follow cleverly 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:19.890 devised myths. The first coming of Jesus. His 00:23:19.890 --> 00:23:22.029 death, his burial, resurrection, his fulfillment 00:23:22.029 --> 00:23:26.009 of the law and perfection, obedience, was not 00:23:26.009 --> 00:23:28.769 a myth. It was real. It does not matter what 00:23:28.769 --> 00:23:31.609 all of the science and all the quote -unquote 00:23:31.609 --> 00:23:36.150 men of wisdom say they know that Jesus is a myth, 00:23:36.210 --> 00:23:38.670 and this is just a bunch of books devised to 00:23:38.670 --> 00:23:42.509 scheme you. They want you to follow their cleverly 00:23:42.509 --> 00:23:45.789 devised statements, but they don't know the God 00:23:45.789 --> 00:23:52.789 that we know. When we made known to you the power 00:23:52.789 --> 00:23:55.529 and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you hear 00:23:55.529 --> 00:24:01.789 that? The work of Christ before them in his power 00:24:01.789 --> 00:24:05.450 and might. And the most powerful moment in all 00:24:05.450 --> 00:24:08.849 of world history. That has clearly delivered 00:24:08.849 --> 00:24:12.329 and healed every man of every sin. The cross. 00:24:13.829 --> 00:24:16.970 And the resurrected Christ. There is no greater 00:24:16.970 --> 00:24:21.339 power. But were eyewitnesses of his majesty, 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:26.319 of his greatness. For when he received honor 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:28.779 and glory from God the Father, the voice was 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:34.359 born to him by the majestic glory. That is my 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:38.039 beloved son with whom I am well pleased. Stated 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:40.640 at the beginning of Christ's ministry as his 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:44.900 baptism. And now stated again after Christ proclaims 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:47.750 his death and resurrection. If you have any questions, 00:24:47.990 --> 00:24:52.549 you can see that. I'll give it to you in a minute. 00:24:53.609 --> 00:24:58.150 He proclaims this truth when Jesus is symbolically 00:24:58.150 --> 00:25:03.789 buried and resurrected in an act of what repentance 00:25:03.789 --> 00:25:08.529 should look like. Jesus isn't repenting of sin. 00:25:08.630 --> 00:25:12.119 He didn't sin. So that all righteousness may 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:15.019 be fulfilled, Christ was baptized. And what does 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:17.720 the father say? This is my son in who I am well 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:21.619 pleased. And the spirit of God was hovering over 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:25.420 him like a dove. And again, here, it's interesting. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:29.279 If you go and you read these scriptures I'm about 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:31.940 to give you, you can see right before, literally, 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:35.940 right before God the father proclaims a statement, 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:41.140 Jesus predicts. His death and his resurrection. 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:45.220 We ourselves heard this voice born from heaven. 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:51.740 For we were with him on the holy mountain. I'd 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:54.839 like to know what mountain that was. Not because 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:57.500 I would go and worship it there. But it would 00:25:57.500 --> 00:26:02.980 not surprise me if it was Mount Moriah. I would 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:07.519 not be shocked. But we don't know. In Matthew 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:11.319 17, one through eight, this is stated. In Mark 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:13.779 chapter nine, verse two through eight, this is 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:16.660 stated. In Luke chapter nine, 28 through 36, 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:20.059 this is stated. In three of the four gospels, 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:22.440 this statement, this is my son in who I'm well 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:25.759 pleased after he proclaims his death and resurrection 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:29.480 is present here. What is Peter doing? Peter is 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:32.319 building our confidence that Christ is who he 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:35.000 says he is, and we can fully have confidence 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:39.599 in the truth. So as men of God, do you have full 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:43.160 confidence in what God says is true? Do you reflect 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:47.500 that in how you live at home? God's word is for 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:51.779 him, by him, and through him. given for the edification 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:55.000 and sanctification of his people for life and 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:58.920 godliness until we all attain to the unity of 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:01.299 the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:04.920 God to mature manhood to the measure of the stature 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:08.400 of the fullness of Christ. Do you hear that? 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:12.799 Put that in a nutshell. Add to your faith virtue. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:17.700 And virtue, knowledge. Knowledge, self -control. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:21.519 Self -control, steadfastness. Steadfastness, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:24.420 godliness. Godliness, brotherly love. Brotherly 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:27.539 love, love. That's living the word actively. 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:32.539 Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1 through 3. Long ago 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:35.200 at many times and in many ways, God spoke to 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:39.700 our fathers by the prophets. But in these last 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:43.640 days, he has spoken to us by his son, whom he 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:47.940 appointed the heir of all things. through whom 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:51.859 also he created the world. He is the radiance 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:54.299 of the glory of God and the exact imprint of 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:57.519 his nature. And he upholds the universe by the 00:27:57.519 --> 00:28:02.380 word of his power. So if anyone tells you that 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:06.400 the word of God is only one means of his proclamation, 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:10.380 they are a false teaching church. Christ alone 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:13.740 and his word, this is what he gave us, is the 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:15.839 only proclamation of the truth of the gospel. 00:28:16.520 --> 00:28:21.759 There is nothing else inspired, only his, which 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:24.819 we will see in a minute. 2 Peter 1, verse 19 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:26.740 through 21, and we're done. You're like, oh, 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:31.400 thank you. It's 1130. I did good since vacation. 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:34.859 Can you imagine if I had two weeks? We'd be here 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:38.019 at one o 'clock. And we have, we hold, we keep 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:41.319 the prophetic word. The word proclaimed by the 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:43.420 prophets. What did the prophets proclaim? The 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:46.380 gospel. The very thing that Moses and Elijah 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:51.819 had been proclaiming. When are you coming back? 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:54.519 When are you going to return? When is the gospel 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:57.680 going to be fulfilled? That's the proclamation 00:28:57.680 --> 00:29:01.259 of the prophets. More fully confirmed. How do 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:05.460 we know that the gospel, that the word that the 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:09.960 prophets proclaimed is fully confirmed? Empty 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:14.480 cross. Do you get that? The cross is empty and 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:18.539 so is the tomb. Do you get that? The God of all 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:21.920 creation has resurrected from the dead and by 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:26.579 that alone is proof that our God lives. He's 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:31.309 not a God in the imagination of men. We are created 00:29:31.309 --> 00:29:34.150 by some type of protozoa or some one -celled 00:29:34.150 --> 00:29:36.650 organism that decided on its own to replicate. 00:29:36.990 --> 00:29:40.130 That's a myth by men. He is the living God who 00:29:40.130 --> 00:29:42.490 spoke all things into existence for his glory. 00:29:42.690 --> 00:29:46.609 The risen creator. That's the prophet. That's 00:29:46.609 --> 00:29:50.390 the one who the prophet's confirmed. Why? We 00:29:50.390 --> 00:29:53.829 are sure and certain to which you will do well 00:29:53.829 --> 00:29:59.029 if you practice with propriety. Do you practice 00:29:59.029 --> 00:30:01.609 the gospel? Anybody, what's that mean? What do 00:30:01.609 --> 00:30:03.369 you mean practice the gospel? The gospel is Christ 00:30:03.369 --> 00:30:05.210 crucified, buried, rose again on the third day. 00:30:06.029 --> 00:30:09.609 Yes, that's true. But what else did Christ do? 00:30:10.130 --> 00:30:15.309 Lived obediently. Have you committed as men to 00:30:15.309 --> 00:30:19.849 be holy in your home? Well, holiness means that 00:30:19.849 --> 00:30:22.150 I don't get to enjoy certain things. No, it does 00:30:22.150 --> 00:30:24.410 not. It means when you enjoy these things, you 00:30:24.410 --> 00:30:30.059 do it rightly for the glory of God. God doesn't 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:32.819 want us to be fools and live as if we are not 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:37.940 here. But we live as lights here. Pay attention. 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:41.940 Be on guard. Give heed. Attend to yourselves 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:47.599 as a lamp shining in a dark place. As a lamp. 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:51.660 Matthew 5, 17 through 20. We know what that says. 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:54.900 After all, a man does not go and light a lamp 00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:57.220 and stick it under a bowl. So that no one in 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:59.140 the house can see, he leaves it out so everybody 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:01.900 can see in the house. Are you a light for all 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:04.059 to see in your house so that no one in your home 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:07.859 is walking blind in the dark? Then he says, dark. 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:12.279 It's an interesting word. Doesn't mean dark without 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:15.940 light. It means dingy and filthy. We have a couple 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:19.819 of ponds like that around here. Some ponds I 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:22.720 don't want to fish and swim in because I can't 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:26.579 see the bottom. It's a little scary. I know that's 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:28.259 what the big mouth bass are. And that's the only 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:30.700 way to get a good big mouth bass is a pond you 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:32.140 can't see because they eat everything and they 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:34.660 get big and fat. I get it. But that's what he's 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:37.880 talking about here. A dingy, filthy place, i 00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:45.099 .e. the world. Until. Hey, who is the word here? 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:50.140 It's a very interesting word. Hey, who? It means 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:57.789 up to where? Over there. Until up to where the 00:31:57.789 --> 00:32:03.470 day dawns. Who is the day that dawns? Who's the 00:32:03.470 --> 00:32:06.549 one that rises and brings the dawn? Christ shines. 00:32:07.069 --> 00:32:10.789 And the morning star rises. Christ rises. Where? 00:32:11.069 --> 00:32:14.940 In your hearts, he says. In the seat. of your 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:19.400 spiritual intelligence, spiritual faculty, and 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:22.200 your spiritual understanding where the seed of 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:28.779 Christ reigns in you. Does the light reign in 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:33.400 you? Is he your God? Or is he just a means to 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:36.279 an end to make you feel good that you have met 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:40.359 your requirement for the week? Knowing this first 00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:44.599 of all, That no prophecy, no inspired message 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:48.160 of Scripture, God's Word, because that's literally 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:51.599 what it means, God's Word, comes from someone's 00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:56.579 own interpretation, ellipsis, someone's own explanation 00:32:56.579 --> 00:33:00.180 of the Scripture. Man cannot determine how to 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:04.140 explain, untie, or loosen the Word of God. So, 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:07.839 for no prophecy was ever produced, was brought 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:11.579 to bear. The reality of the truth of God was 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:15.420 not brought to bear by your own thinking. That's 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:17.039 the problem with some of these preachers. They 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:19.380 sit behind the pulpit, they give you a verse, 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:21.339 and they go, this is what it means. Because if 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:23.980 they held to the full counsel and the context 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:26.180 of the scripture, they would have walked rightly 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:28.619 before a holy God. But people don't want that. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:32.460 They want people to tickle their ears. Brought 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:35.599 to bear by the will, by the desire, by the inclination, 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:42.549 or the desired will of any human. But men, men 00:33:42.549 --> 00:33:45.950 announced or preached the word of God and his 00:33:45.950 --> 00:33:49.509 doctrine as they were carried along, as they 00:33:49.509 --> 00:33:52.309 were led to bear, bringing forth, and producing 00:33:52.309 --> 00:33:55.950 the truth of God by the Holy Spirit. That's called, 00:33:56.029 --> 00:34:00.329 the reality is called inspiration. The doctrine 00:34:00.329 --> 00:34:02.869 of inspiration. Matthew Henry says it this way, 00:34:02.869 --> 00:34:06.519 and this is the end of the message. He, the apostle 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:09.539 Peter, tells us, we do well if we take heed to 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:14.159 them. That is, apply our minds to understand 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:18.420 these senses, or the sense and our hearts to 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:24.579 believe the truth of this sure word. Yea, bend 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:28.079 ourselves to it. Do you bend yourself to the 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:36.000 word that we may be molded and fashioned by it, 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:41.519 that we may be forged under the heat as men drawn 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:45.159 by God into the heat and then beaten and pounded 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:47.739 to the point that he brings us to the point of 00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:51.280 what we are to be, the tool used by God. Are 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:55.579 you the sword in the hand of God in the house 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:58.619 that you live and in the community in which you 00:34:58.619 --> 00:35:08.380 serve? Are you molded? The word is that form 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:13.380 of doctrine in which we must be cast. Not the 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:16.000 doctrine that we choose, but the doctrine that 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:26.619 he has provided beforehand. That formally, formulary 00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:30.760 of knowledge by which... by which we are to regulate 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:34.679 our thoughts and sentiments, our words and our 00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:38.079 confessions, our whole life and conversation. 00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:43.139 If we thus apply ourselves to the word of God, 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:49.079 we certainly do well in all respects. What is 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:51.739 pleasing to God and profitable to ourselves? 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:57.940 And this indeed is but paying that regard. which 00:35:57.940 --> 00:36:05.539 is due to the oracles of God. You owe it to him 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:10.719 because he has given everything for you to give 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:13.980 you life and godliness to walk solely by the 00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:17.460 word of God, not by a man dressed in a pretty 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:22.159 suit telling you to pray to pictures, saying 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:26.590 that's the way. Christ is the only way. And his 00:36:26.590 --> 00:36:30.750 word are the words of life. And if you walk and 00:36:30.750 --> 00:36:33.929 you live by them, you will shine like you've 00:36:33.929 --> 00:36:39.250 never shined before. So be people of God. Love 00:36:39.250 --> 00:36:46.409 him and love his word. Build upon your faith 00:36:46.409 --> 00:36:51.110 virtue. And virtue, the knowledge of Christ. 00:36:51.309 --> 00:36:55.900 And the knowledge of Christ, self -control. and 00:36:55.900 --> 00:37:01.260 self -control, godliness, and godliness, steadfastness, 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:05.099 and steadfastness, brotherly love, and brotherly 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:16.199 love, agape. Be like Christ, men, always, in 00:37:16.199 --> 00:37:20.480 all things. Father, I want to thank you so much 00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:23.920 for your word. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:34.150 message. Father, we come before you hearts broken, 00:37:34.329 --> 00:37:41.590 challenged, revived, awakened to be men fully 00:37:41.590 --> 00:37:45.949 committed to your ways. And I pray that we would 00:37:45.949 --> 00:37:47.949 be an example to the women and the children in 00:37:47.949 --> 00:37:50.369 our lives. And I pray that the women and the 00:37:50.369 --> 00:37:54.690 children who are here live in such a way as we 00:37:54.690 --> 00:37:59.130 follow Christ, they follow us because your way 00:37:59.630 --> 00:38:03.130 Is the only way. We thank you and praise you. 00:38:03.650 --> 00:38:07.090 In your holy and precious name. The name of Jesus. 00:38:07.769 --> 00:38:08.289 Amen.