1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:01,259 It's hot outside, isn't it? 2 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:03,550 Aren't you grateful for AC? 3 00:00:04,540 --> 00:00:05,990 Now, you're clapping again. 4 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:07,620 You find out about volleyball and AC. 5 00:00:07,620 --> 00:00:07,960 Amen. 6 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:08,750 I appreciate that. 7 00:00:09,790 --> 00:00:11,520 It's also the midpoint of the year. 8 00:00:11,780 --> 00:00:12,799 We're in June. 9 00:00:13,339 --> 00:00:14,310 It's getting hot. 10 00:00:15,070 --> 00:00:15,990 Summer is here. 11 00:00:15,990 --> 00:00:16,599 It's exciting. 12 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:18,899 We have camps, a lot going on, but it's interesting. 13 00:00:18,900 --> 00:00:20,270 We're at the midpoint of the year. 14 00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:22,090 It's good to do some reflection. 15 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:26,650 At this point because a lot of us have maybe made some decisions 16 00:00:26,650 --> 00:00:29,930 at the beginning of the year And this is a good point to realize. 17 00:00:29,930 --> 00:00:30,320 Okay. 18 00:00:30,959 --> 00:00:33,029 Am I still going along that path? 19 00:00:33,029 --> 00:00:34,519 How are things going in my life? 20 00:00:34,519 --> 00:00:38,909 How are things going in my faith and and even spiritually we started the year 21 00:00:39,469 --> 00:00:44,475 With the focus and we call it become more in 24 And which we were going to 22 00:00:44,475 --> 00:00:46,385 focus as a church about becoming more. 23 00:00:46,385 --> 00:00:51,274 We did a sermon series where we thoroughly walked through the ladder of faith. 24 00:00:51,274 --> 00:00:56,224 Or the, uh, steps of transformation that's laid out in 2 Peter chapter 1. 25 00:00:56,584 --> 00:01:02,205 And we looked and dissected how God calls us to be, not just change a little bit. 26 00:01:02,444 --> 00:01:04,894 Not just have behavior modification. 27 00:01:05,214 --> 00:01:08,334 But for us to be transformed into His people. 28 00:01:08,350 --> 00:01:13,809 And so now here we are we're in June and let me ask you how's it 29 00:01:13,809 --> 00:01:16,300 going and becoming more in 24, 30 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:19,580 how's it becoming? 31 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:21,770 How's it going and becoming more in? 32 00:01:21,770 --> 00:01:25,010 24 for some of us maybe it's going really well. 33 00:01:25,330 --> 00:01:25,929 We're like man. 34 00:01:25,929 --> 00:01:30,200 I've grown so much I'm continuing to grow in my knowledge of my depth and 35 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:36,095 in my faith some of us we may be Maybe we're we're Maybe a little stuck right 36 00:01:36,095 --> 00:01:37,905 now and maybe we weren't growing. 37 00:01:37,905 --> 00:01:39,155 Maybe we started off. 38 00:01:39,395 --> 00:01:40,115 We were growing. 39 00:01:40,115 --> 00:01:43,485 We're soaring But now maybe we're starting to tailor off and maybe we're 40 00:01:43,485 --> 00:01:48,215 in cruise control or maybe some of us We're maybe regressed in our faith. 41 00:01:48,854 --> 00:01:52,305 Maybe we're you know, the old school term We're backsliding a little bit 42 00:01:52,305 --> 00:01:57,505 or we've been really struggling in our faith But I want to say to you 43 00:01:57,545 --> 00:02:02,840 today that there's hope No matter where you are, whether you're on fire, 44 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,140 you've been soaring like never before. 45 00:02:05,340 --> 00:02:08,970 You're in a place where you're maybe, uh, in the middle, or you've really 46 00:02:08,970 --> 00:02:11,200 hit the dumps here lately spiritually. 47 00:02:11,460 --> 00:02:15,220 There is hope for you and me today. 48 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:20,220 And so the title of the sermon is, We Can Still Become More in 24. 49 00:02:21,015 --> 00:02:24,845 All right, we can still become more in 24. 50 00:02:24,885 --> 00:02:27,605 Maybe you started soaring again and you're not at that point. 51 00:02:27,835 --> 00:02:30,765 Maybe you're at a lower place or maybe again you're there, but God 52 00:02:30,815 --> 00:02:33,685 still calls you to become more in 24. 53 00:02:34,525 --> 00:02:35,175 Amen. 54 00:02:35,495 --> 00:02:36,015 Let's go ahead. 55 00:02:36,015 --> 00:02:37,004 Let's go to God in prayer. 56 00:02:37,004 --> 00:02:39,739 God, I'm excited about what you've been teaching me. 57 00:02:40,470 --> 00:02:45,040 God, what you have, uh, been molding me to, uh, to be and what 58 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:46,870 you have reminded me of recently. 59 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:51,320 God, and I pray that your word right now will be communicated in the way 60 00:02:51,500 --> 00:02:56,329 in which every soul will take away the one thing you want them to take away. 61 00:02:56,759 --> 00:02:59,228 Father, we pray that your word communicates. 62 00:02:59,559 --> 00:03:02,740 Father, your heart, father, that we can receive it. 63 00:03:03,050 --> 00:03:04,380 We can let it grow. 64 00:03:04,380 --> 00:03:08,430 We can let it, uh, not just marinate, but take root in the very. 65 00:03:08,595 --> 00:03:12,995 Soul and father that it can therefore produce the fruit that you want. 66 00:03:13,045 --> 00:03:14,495 We pray in the name of Jesus. 67 00:03:14,875 --> 00:03:20,674 Amen So I want to remind us here of a couple of things God wants you and 68 00:03:20,675 --> 00:03:29,290 me to become more like him God wants you to become more like him And this 69 00:03:29,310 --> 00:03:33,810 is so vital for us in our faith and in our understanding, because if we 70 00:03:33,810 --> 00:03:37,960 don't understand this, then we're not going to become what God wants us to 71 00:03:37,970 --> 00:03:43,168 be, and we're not going to interpret life's experiences in a way in which 72 00:03:43,180 --> 00:03:49,790 we should, because we don't have this truth embedded in our brains. 73 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:54,030 And so we have to understand that God wants to, again, transform. 74 00:03:54,545 --> 00:03:56,644 Your heart and your character. 75 00:03:57,165 --> 00:04:02,844 He wants to transform your nature, who you are, the way you view things, the way you 76 00:04:02,844 --> 00:04:06,344 process what you desire, what you dislike. 77 00:04:06,344 --> 00:04:11,494 He wants that to be transformed into his likeness and image. 78 00:04:11,950 --> 00:04:16,200 And in Peter, actually in second Peter, he constantly says, I 79 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,070 want to remind you of things. 80 00:04:18,070 --> 00:04:22,060 He says, until the day I die, this is Marcel's version, until 81 00:04:22,060 --> 00:04:26,059 the day I die, I'm going to keep reminding you of these things. 82 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:28,519 And so there are going to be some things here that we 83 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:30,349 mentioned in which are reminders. 84 00:04:30,510 --> 00:04:33,060 But Peter says we have to keep being reminded. 85 00:04:34,270 --> 00:04:36,310 And so we're going to remind you of a couple of things 86 00:04:36,310 --> 00:04:37,390 here throughout the scripture. 87 00:04:37,390 --> 00:04:38,770 So let's go into it. 88 00:04:38,770 --> 00:04:39,040 One. 89 00:04:39,715 --> 00:04:45,415 Romans 8, 29 says for those God for a new, he also predestined to be conformed 90 00:04:45,455 --> 00:04:50,335 to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers 91 00:04:50,335 --> 00:04:55,134 and sisters, second Corinthians chapter three, verse 18, and we all who with 92 00:04:55,175 --> 00:05:00,535 unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory are being transformed into his 93 00:05:00,565 --> 00:05:05,275 image with an ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is God. 94 00:05:05,660 --> 00:05:08,450 The spirit and then second Peter one, which we studied 95 00:05:08,450 --> 00:05:09,370 out the beginning of the year. 96 00:05:09,530 --> 00:05:15,070 His divine power has given us Everything we need for a godly life through our 97 00:05:15,070 --> 00:05:20,189 knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness Through these he 98 00:05:20,189 --> 00:05:24,269 has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may 99 00:05:24,280 --> 00:05:29,870 participate in the divine Nature having escaped the corruption in the world caused 100 00:05:29,870 --> 00:05:37,933 by evil desires And so this helps us to see this idea and this heart and desire 101 00:05:37,933 --> 00:05:45,224 and plan and vision that God has for us to be transformed back into the image of Him. 102 00:05:45,224 --> 00:05:49,385 God created us in His image, however, sin gets in the way and when Jesus 103 00:05:49,404 --> 00:05:53,585 came and died upon the cross and rose again, that allows us to be reconciled, 104 00:05:53,784 --> 00:05:55,705 but the work doesn't stop there. 105 00:05:56,745 --> 00:06:00,294 There's this redemption work of us being transformed. 106 00:06:00,750 --> 00:06:05,010 And redeemed back into the image in our original intent. 107 00:06:05,280 --> 00:06:07,280 And so we talked about this, I think, a couple years ago, 108 00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:08,320 but I'm bringing it back here. 109 00:06:08,510 --> 00:06:12,969 And this idea of theosis, or, uh, theosis is more kind of the Eastern, 110 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,269 uh, Christian, uh, terminology. 111 00:06:15,269 --> 00:06:18,620 The Western Christian, uh, terminology is more sanctification. 112 00:06:18,879 --> 00:06:22,740 But it's this idea that, hey, God wants us to become like Him. 113 00:06:23,700 --> 00:06:25,860 And so He's sanctifying us. 114 00:06:25,860 --> 00:06:27,720 He, He's, He's purifying us. 115 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:28,870 He's redeeming us. 116 00:06:29,425 --> 00:06:36,065 To have the nature and character of his and so if you think about this it makes 117 00:06:36,065 --> 00:06:42,154 sense because Why after we get saved don't we just go straight to paradise, 118 00:06:44,345 --> 00:06:44,835 right? 119 00:06:45,295 --> 00:06:49,404 Like if everything's just about being in paradise, which ultimately it is is 120 00:06:49,404 --> 00:06:53,699 about an eternal relationship with God But God keeps us here after the day we 121 00:06:53,699 --> 00:06:55,929 repent, come to faith and get baptized. 122 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:56,539 Well, why? 123 00:06:56,569 --> 00:06:58,919 Well, I think there's two main reasons here again. 124 00:06:58,949 --> 00:07:00,639 Yes is to grow in our relationship. 125 00:07:00,669 --> 00:07:05,119 Everything's in that context, but it's this It's for formation and mission. 126 00:07:05,999 --> 00:07:10,500 For us to be spiritually formed into the image of Christ And then for 127 00:07:10,590 --> 00:07:14,520 us to join him in his mission work. 128 00:07:15,260 --> 00:07:19,555 To see his will be done so that others Can get right and have an 129 00:07:19,555 --> 00:07:23,425 eternal relationship with him and join it with God in his redemptive 130 00:07:23,445 --> 00:07:25,555 work and becoming more like him. 131 00:07:26,315 --> 00:07:30,584 The ancient Christian writers had, uh, really this, they 132 00:07:30,585 --> 00:07:33,374 identified stages of maturity. 133 00:07:34,305 --> 00:07:37,455 And so, I want us to look at this real quickly here because 134 00:07:37,455 --> 00:07:39,645 I do, uh, I subscribe to this. 135 00:07:39,665 --> 00:07:41,715 I believe this is a hundred percent true. 136 00:07:41,915 --> 00:07:45,075 That there's stages of our transformation. 137 00:07:45,085 --> 00:07:46,364 Church, are you still with me here? 138 00:07:47,099 --> 00:07:50,890 There are stages to our transformation, to our growth, and to our maturity. 139 00:07:51,140 --> 00:07:54,859 And the first one is this stage of willful obedience. 140 00:07:56,195 --> 00:08:00,565 Meaning this is a stage in which we, we follow God and we obey, but 141 00:08:00,565 --> 00:08:04,594 it's really more out of like really a holy fear and respect for God. 142 00:08:04,675 --> 00:08:05,585 You get what I'm saying? 143 00:08:06,034 --> 00:08:09,104 A lot of us, this is maybe why we even made a choice to become a Christian. 144 00:08:09,104 --> 00:08:11,804 We're like, Whoa, man, I don't want to suffer hell. 145 00:08:11,805 --> 00:08:13,935 So let me, let me go ahead and get right with God. 146 00:08:13,985 --> 00:08:19,135 So that is willful obedience because there's maybe a fear of, of. 147 00:08:19,435 --> 00:08:24,474 You know, somehow disappointing God or fear of judgment or anything like that. 148 00:08:24,695 --> 00:08:28,215 But this is really the stage where there's a lot of self denial 149 00:08:29,475 --> 00:08:31,304 because man, I want to do something. 150 00:08:31,375 --> 00:08:35,193 But because I love and I fear and I respect God and his word and his 151 00:08:35,193 --> 00:08:39,424 will, I'm going to deny those things and try my best to do what's right. 152 00:08:39,424 --> 00:08:40,443 You guys get what I'm saying. 153 00:08:41,525 --> 00:08:43,405 So this is willful obedience. 154 00:08:44,375 --> 00:08:47,375 Then there's the next stage of relational obedience. 155 00:08:48,545 --> 00:08:53,074 Where we follow God and we obey out of love and gratitude 156 00:08:53,084 --> 00:08:54,875 for our relationship with God. 157 00:08:56,305 --> 00:08:58,415 Man, God, I'm so in love with you. 158 00:08:58,415 --> 00:09:00,575 Thank you so much for what you've done in my life. 159 00:09:00,575 --> 00:09:03,174 Thank you that I get to have an eternal relationship with you. 160 00:09:03,495 --> 00:09:07,514 Therefore, I want to obey you because I wouldn't want to hurt you. 161 00:09:07,995 --> 00:09:09,975 I wouldn't want to go against your will. 162 00:09:09,995 --> 00:09:11,905 We have this relationship. 163 00:09:11,915 --> 00:09:16,855 You guys get what i'm saying back in the day You know when I was dating 164 00:09:16,865 --> 00:09:21,165 kareena there there was some times of some willful stuff like okay Uh, let me 165 00:09:21,165 --> 00:09:24,344 do this because I don't want to get in trouble or I don't want us to have any 166 00:09:24,355 --> 00:09:28,605 problems And then it came a point where I was falling in love with her, right? 167 00:09:28,805 --> 00:09:30,585 And it's like man because I love you. 168 00:09:30,685 --> 00:09:31,975 I wouldn't want to harm you. 169 00:09:32,064 --> 00:09:34,535 I'd want to do good by you You guys get what i'm saying? 170 00:09:35,725 --> 00:09:41,375 Then the third and maybe the highest stage is this This is transformed obedience. 171 00:09:41,925 --> 00:09:46,704 This is where we follow and obey because we become more like God in 172 00:09:46,704 --> 00:09:48,975 our character and in our hearts. 173 00:09:50,064 --> 00:09:54,915 This is the stage in which, yes, I have a relationship with God, but I am truly 174 00:09:54,925 --> 00:09:58,664 satisfied in His good will and desires. 175 00:10:00,155 --> 00:10:02,635 What God desires is actually what I desire. 176 00:10:03,505 --> 00:10:05,775 I don't want to do these sinful things because, you know 177 00:10:05,775 --> 00:10:07,495 what, I view them that way. 178 00:10:07,805 --> 00:10:11,305 And I view what's good because God views it that way. 179 00:10:11,305 --> 00:10:17,134 Because I'm thinking and I'm like and I'm viewing things like my father. 180 00:10:18,305 --> 00:10:20,685 I'm becoming more like him. 181 00:10:20,945 --> 00:10:24,945 I obey because my heart desires what God desires. 182 00:10:25,405 --> 00:10:27,955 And so, yes, there's going to be times in which we're 183 00:10:27,955 --> 00:10:29,314 always, we have a sinful nature. 184 00:10:29,314 --> 00:10:31,405 So there's always going to be some willful obedience. 185 00:10:32,090 --> 00:10:36,080 And it's good, it's always in the context of a relationship, but when we become 186 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:43,580 more like God, we think like God, we feel like God, therefore we behave like God. 187 00:10:44,020 --> 00:10:50,740 So you see this progression in our faith and transformation. 188 00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:56,520 And so again, we're reminded that God wants us to become more like Him. 189 00:10:57,180 --> 00:10:59,099 And we can still become more like Him. 190 00:10:59,100 --> 00:11:05,710 And we started off the year looking at 2nd Peter and I want us to do a little 191 00:11:05,710 --> 00:11:10,060 case study here looking at the life of Peter, really Peter's spiritual 192 00:11:10,070 --> 00:11:14,929 journey because Peter talks about this transformed faith and I believe he's 193 00:11:14,940 --> 00:11:22,280 the great, uh, witness of this and the perfect person who can write about this 194 00:11:22,300 --> 00:11:28,230 because he experienced this transformation in his own faith and journey. 195 00:11:28,890 --> 00:11:31,810 So we're going to quickly go ahead and look at Peter and see 196 00:11:31,810 --> 00:11:35,250 some of the parallels between his journey and our journey. 197 00:11:35,260 --> 00:11:36,710 Church, are you still with me here? 198 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:37,740 Amen. 199 00:11:37,770 --> 00:11:38,200 Let's go ahead. 200 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:38,970 Let's get into it. 201 00:11:38,970 --> 00:11:42,950 Alright, so first off here, we're going to go in Matthew chapter 14, 202 00:11:43,119 --> 00:11:44,980 or excuse me, chapter 4 and 18. 203 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:48,940 It says, As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, 204 00:11:48,940 --> 00:11:52,230 Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. 205 00:11:52,470 --> 00:11:54,890 They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 206 00:11:54,890 --> 00:11:56,275 Alright, Come follow me. 207 00:11:56,275 --> 00:11:59,935 Jesus said and I will send you out to fish for people and once they left 208 00:11:59,935 --> 00:12:05,094 their nets and followed him we see here the calling of Simon who would 209 00:12:05,094 --> 00:12:10,285 later be called Peter and Jesus calls him and he calls him to follow me So 210 00:12:10,285 --> 00:12:15,064 there's a call to relationship and then he says what I'm gonna make you go out 211 00:12:15,064 --> 00:12:19,125 and fish for people He wants them to become more than what he is currently. 212 00:12:19,335 --> 00:12:20,225 Hey, you're a fisher. 213 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:22,880 Men, but I want you to be a fisher of men. 214 00:12:23,410 --> 00:12:25,260 And so I always believed Jesus was the first rapper. 215 00:12:25,270 --> 00:12:26,030 You know what I'm saying? 216 00:12:26,250 --> 00:12:28,580 Yo, you a fisher of men, but I'm gonna make you a fisher of men. 217 00:12:28,609 --> 00:12:29,310 You know what I'm saying? 218 00:12:29,319 --> 00:12:31,309 Like, Jesus was doing this, right? 219 00:12:31,310 --> 00:12:33,750 And so he's called him to become more. 220 00:12:34,070 --> 00:12:35,429 He has a plan and a vision. 221 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:36,870 And you know, that's the same for us. 222 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,740 When we, when we come to know God, we come to understand his will and 223 00:12:40,740 --> 00:12:44,990 desire, we realize, well, Jesus is calling me to more than what I am 224 00:12:44,990 --> 00:12:46,760 or what I was thinking for my life. 225 00:12:47,695 --> 00:12:52,315 He's called me to a relationship and then we realize wait He's called me to join in 226 00:12:52,325 --> 00:12:58,445 his mission Matthew 28 in Redeeming the world to have an eternal relationship with 227 00:12:58,445 --> 00:13:03,254 him, you know in John chapter 1 We won't look at it, but Jesus gives Peter a new 228 00:13:03,254 --> 00:13:08,065 name He was he was Simon as we see here, but Jesus is like hey, you know what man? 229 00:13:08,095 --> 00:13:12,185 We don't call you Peter from now on which is also Cephas which means 230 00:13:12,195 --> 00:13:18,095 the rock and you know for us When we became Christians, when we became 231 00:13:18,095 --> 00:13:22,145 disciples of Jesus, God gave us a new name and new identity, didn't he? 232 00:13:23,425 --> 00:13:24,635 He gave us a new identity. 233 00:13:24,635 --> 00:13:26,414 We were no longer the sinner. 234 00:13:26,415 --> 00:13:29,445 No, we were children of the Most High God. 235 00:13:30,405 --> 00:13:33,445 We were disciples of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. 236 00:13:33,704 --> 00:13:37,834 We were citizens in God's kingdom, etc., etc., etc. 237 00:13:37,895 --> 00:13:40,245 We gained a new name and a new identity. 238 00:13:40,694 --> 00:13:45,965 When we came to follow Jesus, then we continue in Matthew chapter 239 00:13:45,995 --> 00:13:50,775 10 verse and you know some in 14 We see Jesus appoints Peter to be 240 00:13:50,775 --> 00:13:52,905 an apostle and there's training. 241 00:13:52,914 --> 00:13:55,495 There's relationship going on There's miracles that take 242 00:13:55,505 --> 00:13:57,694 place Peter walks on water. 243 00:13:57,774 --> 00:14:01,275 He takes a little dip, but he walks on water You know, there's all these 244 00:14:01,285 --> 00:14:05,225 great things taking place And when we become Christians, we see God 245 00:14:05,255 --> 00:14:06,675 do some great things in our lives. 246 00:14:06,685 --> 00:14:10,689 We see his power We're seeing miracles take place in our lives and maybe 247 00:14:10,689 --> 00:14:16,370 restoring relationships or even using us to participate and seeing others in the 248 00:14:16,370 --> 00:14:18,830 miracles that God does in their lives. 249 00:14:19,290 --> 00:14:22,009 And then we go on over to Matthew 16. 250 00:14:22,030 --> 00:14:23,139 I want to read this here. 251 00:14:23,750 --> 00:14:27,430 It says in verse 13, When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea 252 00:14:27,430 --> 00:14:30,490 Philippi, He asked the disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is? 253 00:14:30,490 --> 00:14:32,290 He's saying, Hey, who do people say I am? 254 00:14:32,290 --> 00:14:34,199 What's, what's, what's the latest? 255 00:14:34,199 --> 00:14:36,750 What are they saying on X and Instagram about me? 256 00:14:37,305 --> 00:14:40,474 They replied, some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still 257 00:14:40,525 --> 00:14:42,435 others, Jeremiah, one of the prophets. 258 00:14:43,004 --> 00:14:46,865 But what about you, he asked, who do you say I am? 259 00:14:47,324 --> 00:14:51,114 Simon Peter answered, you are the Messiah, the son of the living God. 260 00:14:51,570 --> 00:14:54,830 Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was 261 00:14:54,830 --> 00:14:59,430 not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 262 00:14:59,700 --> 00:15:03,080 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and 263 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:05,510 the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 264 00:15:05,759 --> 00:15:08,699 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. 265 00:15:08,970 --> 00:15:12,420 Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose 266 00:15:12,420 --> 00:15:14,960 on earth will be loosed in heaven. 267 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:16,220 We'll stop right there. 268 00:15:16,220 --> 00:15:17,710 Peter has this shining moment. 269 00:15:17,710 --> 00:15:23,510 We'll He gets the right answer, and Jesus says, Hey, you know what? 270 00:15:23,510 --> 00:15:25,969 This was revealed by my father in heaven. 271 00:15:26,780 --> 00:15:31,470 And he says, I'm going to give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven. 272 00:15:31,830 --> 00:15:34,680 I was talking to Alan earlier, he says, Marcel, and he shows me his 273 00:15:34,685 --> 00:15:36,510 new keys to his, his, his new car. 274 00:15:36,515 --> 00:15:37,260 He just got a new car. 275 00:15:37,265 --> 00:15:39,270 It's not a brand new car, but it's a new car for him. 276 00:15:39,690 --> 00:15:39,900 Now. 277 00:15:39,900 --> 00:15:41,700 Everybody's like, man, I wanna see your new whip, Ellen. 278 00:15:41,700 --> 00:15:41,970 All right? 279 00:15:41,970 --> 00:15:44,839 So he shows me these keys and I'm like, man, that's really cool, 280 00:15:44,839 --> 00:15:47,089 but man, I wanna see what those keys of the kingdom are like. 281 00:15:47,089 --> 00:15:47,425 You know what I mean? 282 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:51,670 Adam's got some keys, but those keys can't compare to Peter's keys of the kingdom. 283 00:15:51,870 --> 00:15:54,940 But we see Peter's growing in his relationship. 284 00:15:55,420 --> 00:15:57,680 He's growing in his discipleship. 285 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:00,059 He's growing in his faith. 286 00:16:00,609 --> 00:16:03,169 You see him growing to have more of God's desires. 287 00:16:03,370 --> 00:16:08,350 And more of God's desires and plans are revealed to Peter as he's growing. 288 00:16:08,839 --> 00:16:12,520 Now Peter hasn't arrived, but he's growing. 289 00:16:12,849 --> 00:16:13,974 And he's becoming a king. 290 00:16:14,214 --> 00:16:17,114 Transformed because check this out right after this. 291 00:16:17,145 --> 00:16:21,035 This is what happens from that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples 292 00:16:21,055 --> 00:16:24,444 that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, 293 00:16:24,725 --> 00:16:28,345 the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed on 294 00:16:28,354 --> 00:16:30,905 the third day and be raised to life. 295 00:16:31,405 --> 00:16:33,524 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 296 00:16:33,524 --> 00:16:33,905 Never. 297 00:16:33,925 --> 00:16:36,385 Lord, he said, this shall never happen to you. 298 00:16:36,915 --> 00:16:39,484 Jesus turned and said to Peter, get behind me, Satan. 299 00:16:40,395 --> 00:16:41,834 You are a stumbling block to me. 300 00:16:41,834 --> 00:16:45,275 You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concern. 301 00:16:45,905 --> 00:16:46,005 Whoo! 302 00:16:48,824 --> 00:16:50,724 Boy, that was, that was a conversation right there, huh? 303 00:16:51,634 --> 00:16:54,304 You go, wait, the last time we heard about Peter, man, you 304 00:16:54,304 --> 00:16:55,974 got the keys of the kingdom. 305 00:16:56,304 --> 00:16:57,314 Now what do we see? 306 00:16:57,314 --> 00:16:58,165 Boy, you are Satan. 307 00:17:00,734 --> 00:17:01,734 That's some strong language. 308 00:17:01,734 --> 00:17:03,244 I don't know about you, I've been called a lot of stuff, but 309 00:17:03,275 --> 00:17:04,655 nobody's called me Satan yet. 310 00:17:07,685 --> 00:17:09,685 Now, again, is Jesus being mean? 311 00:17:09,694 --> 00:17:09,964 No. 312 00:17:09,973 --> 00:17:12,314 What he's trying to help him, he's rebuking him, he's loving him. 313 00:17:12,314 --> 00:17:13,925 See, hey, look, you're thinking worldly. 314 00:17:14,905 --> 00:17:15,993 You have some stinking thinking. 315 00:17:16,890 --> 00:17:19,079 And what you're talking about, that's what the devil would want. 316 00:17:19,339 --> 00:17:21,170 He wouldn't want me to go to the cross. 317 00:17:21,339 --> 00:17:23,960 Because that means there's no redemption for everybody else. 318 00:17:24,579 --> 00:17:27,060 So you can see why he's trying to really get this point. 319 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,090 And he wants everybody else to get this point. 320 00:17:31,980 --> 00:17:34,350 But Jesus, here, has some strong legs. 321 00:17:34,350 --> 00:17:37,239 And you know, this is a pretty humbling experience, wouldn't you say? 322 00:17:38,679 --> 00:17:42,090 You know, like if we had somebody else, and, and we got on the mic, and it was 323 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:44,150 like, yo, Sonia, you are a Satan, right? 324 00:17:44,150 --> 00:17:45,750 In front of everybody, people are like, whoa. 325 00:17:46,370 --> 00:17:48,169 Let's give her a pat on the back, let's encourage her. 326 00:17:50,095 --> 00:17:50,785 So you can imagine this. 327 00:17:50,845 --> 00:17:51,455 But check this out. 328 00:17:51,495 --> 00:17:52,075 Here's what it says. 329 00:17:52,085 --> 00:17:53,085 This is the next thing we read. 330 00:17:53,475 --> 00:17:57,984 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John, the brothers of James, and 331 00:17:57,984 --> 00:17:59,884 led them up a high mountain by themselves. 332 00:18:00,105 --> 00:18:02,694 This is where they had this momentous experience where the 333 00:18:02,694 --> 00:18:04,434 transfiguration takes place. 334 00:18:05,995 --> 00:18:09,345 Six days later, who's the first name that's listed to go? 335 00:18:11,475 --> 00:18:11,865 Peter. 336 00:18:13,315 --> 00:18:17,525 So he's riding this high he's getting fired up about these keys and maybe that's 337 00:18:17,525 --> 00:18:18,665 what got him in trouble He's like man. 338 00:18:18,665 --> 00:18:19,955 I got the keys to the kingdom. 339 00:18:20,744 --> 00:18:21,955 I could say whatever I wanted. 340 00:18:21,985 --> 00:18:25,664 He's like, no you can't He has this humbling moment, but right back. 341 00:18:25,665 --> 00:18:26,285 He's right back. 342 00:18:26,285 --> 00:18:29,004 Hey, you're still in the inner circle You're still with me. 343 00:18:29,545 --> 00:18:32,765 And in fact, I'm gonna reveal myself in a powerful way like 344 00:18:32,765 --> 00:18:37,975 never before And so Jesus still loves him still believed in him. 345 00:18:37,985 --> 00:18:38,805 It was really cool. 346 00:18:38,805 --> 00:18:43,754 Peter didn't get bitter Did you notice that Peter didn't I'm out? 347 00:18:43,785 --> 00:18:47,360 I'm out leaving this church I can't believe he would say 348 00:18:47,360 --> 00:18:48,150 something like this to me. 349 00:18:48,260 --> 00:18:50,250 No, Peter got it spiritually. 350 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:54,939 And Jesus was willing to speak some truth, but still loved him. 351 00:18:54,940 --> 00:18:56,750 Did nothing to change in the relationship. 352 00:18:58,030 --> 00:18:59,760 But some truth had to be revealed. 353 00:19:00,010 --> 00:19:02,010 That's a different sermon for another day here. 354 00:19:02,010 --> 00:19:02,379 Alright? 355 00:19:02,580 --> 00:19:06,030 And so we go ahead and now we get over and see the witness of the transfiguration. 356 00:19:07,139 --> 00:19:12,439 But Matthew 26, this is when Jesus goes through, uh, the Last Supper and 357 00:19:12,439 --> 00:19:14,770 then to his, his death upon the cross. 358 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:20,480 And we see extreme highs faithfulness of Peter. 359 00:19:20,860 --> 00:19:23,990 He starts off with the other guys in the room and they're like, 360 00:19:23,990 --> 00:19:25,740 Hey, Jesus will die for you. 361 00:19:26,185 --> 00:19:29,125 And then they go outside, some people come, Peter pulls out a 362 00:19:29,125 --> 00:19:30,795 knife and cuts a dude's ear off. 363 00:19:31,975 --> 00:19:33,605 He was bout it, you know what I'm saying? 364 00:19:34,155 --> 00:19:35,965 Peter was there, he was with it, okay? 365 00:19:36,845 --> 00:19:39,564 And so he, he's actually falling through, I'll, I'll, I'll die 366 00:19:39,605 --> 00:19:40,685 with you, and he cuts the ear off. 367 00:19:40,685 --> 00:19:41,835 Jesus is like, what are you doing? 368 00:19:41,885 --> 00:19:44,195 Man, put this ear back on, man, man, put that knife away. 369 00:19:45,884 --> 00:19:49,065 And then right after that, then Jesus allows himself to get arrested and Peter, 370 00:19:49,065 --> 00:19:52,305 with all the other ones, run for safety. 371 00:19:54,049 --> 00:19:55,929 But then Peter decides let me go back. 372 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:59,260 He goes back and there's this kind of mock trial for Jesus. 373 00:19:59,260 --> 00:20:03,080 And then we get to this point here in which Jesus then and this is maybe 374 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:06,849 the lowest point in Peter's faith He fails because he denies that he even 375 00:20:06,849 --> 00:20:09,850 knows Jesus three times in public. 376 00:20:12,399 --> 00:20:15,150 Yes, you can imagine how he felt. 377 00:20:16,010 --> 00:20:17,669 However, the story doesn't end. 378 00:20:17,939 --> 00:20:19,260 We go into John 21. 379 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:20,980 Jesus reinstates Peter. 380 00:20:21,364 --> 00:20:24,215 Gives him a chance and he says, Hey, you're back and no, you're 381 00:20:24,215 --> 00:20:28,089 still going to be that rock that I told you you were going to be. 382 00:20:28,469 --> 00:20:34,419 To be, and then we continue in Acts chapter two, we see when the church for 383 00:20:34,419 --> 00:20:38,629 it starts on a day of Pentecost, Peter preaches the very first gospel message. 384 00:20:38,899 --> 00:20:41,090 He preaches and thousands come to faith. 385 00:20:41,100 --> 00:20:43,470 Thousands get saved and get baptized. 386 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:48,389 Then in Acts 10, we see Peter using those keys to open up the doors 387 00:20:48,589 --> 00:20:50,000 for all the Jews to understand. 388 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:53,379 Hey, this salvation is for all nations, all people. 389 00:20:53,649 --> 00:20:57,110 As we see in Acts chapter 10 with Cornelius there. 390 00:20:57,504 --> 00:21:00,405 And so Peter's being used and you go, man, that's awesome. 391 00:21:01,935 --> 00:21:03,845 But the story doesn't stop there. 392 00:21:04,375 --> 00:21:08,245 Peter is still, he has still not arrived. 393 00:21:09,435 --> 00:21:11,175 He's still being transformed. 394 00:21:11,895 --> 00:21:16,364 Because in Galatians chapter 2, he has a time with Paul the apostle. 395 00:21:16,824 --> 00:21:21,784 And Paul calls out Peter for his fear that led to hypocrisy, that 396 00:21:21,794 --> 00:21:26,614 even led to the treatment of the non Jews in a prejudicial way. 397 00:21:29,574 --> 00:21:31,195 Now hallelujah, Peter repents. 398 00:21:31,695 --> 00:21:36,765 Peter gets back on it and then here's what he says again. 399 00:21:36,765 --> 00:21:41,264 This is the last recorded words that we have from the Apostle Peter. 400 00:21:41,515 --> 00:21:46,825 We go back and here's what he says again in 2nd Peter in verse 3 in chapter 1. 401 00:21:46,975 --> 00:21:50,414 His divine power is giving us everything we need for a godly life. 402 00:21:50,764 --> 00:21:53,565 Through our knowledge of him who has called us by his own glory and 403 00:21:53,565 --> 00:21:57,075 goodness through these he has given us his very great and precious 404 00:21:57,085 --> 00:22:02,425 promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature. 405 00:22:02,534 --> 00:22:03,795 Now think about this again. 406 00:22:03,804 --> 00:22:05,495 We've seen his journey. 407 00:22:05,965 --> 00:22:08,505 We've seen the highs and the lows. 408 00:22:08,515 --> 00:22:10,455 We've seen the miracles. 409 00:22:10,595 --> 00:22:12,015 We've seen the failures. 410 00:22:12,025 --> 00:22:16,805 We've seen the roughneck Peter to this man at this point in which he 411 00:22:16,805 --> 00:22:18,445 says, you know what it's all about. 412 00:22:18,955 --> 00:22:20,355 God wants to transform you. 413 00:22:22,115 --> 00:22:24,355 My spiritual journey has taught me this. 414 00:22:24,845 --> 00:22:29,785 God wants you and me to become more like him. 415 00:22:30,354 --> 00:22:33,815 To participate in the divine nature. 416 00:22:34,995 --> 00:22:37,714 And Peter does die for his faith. 417 00:22:38,645 --> 00:22:42,524 Do you think that Peter ever became just like Jesus? 418 00:22:46,364 --> 00:22:47,314 Probably not. 419 00:22:48,884 --> 00:22:53,754 But he became the best version of Peter that was the most like Jesus. 420 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:58,910 And I believe that Peter did reach that point of the third 421 00:22:58,910 --> 00:23:01,480 stage of transformed obedience. 422 00:23:01,780 --> 00:23:05,149 And that's where he got to that point where he desired what God desired. 423 00:23:05,340 --> 00:23:09,820 So therefore he was the perfect candidate to write 2 Peter and to 424 00:23:09,820 --> 00:23:11,600 write these things for you and I. 425 00:23:11,730 --> 00:23:15,860 Because of his journey in his faith and where he got to. 426 00:23:15,860 --> 00:23:20,159 And now he resides in paradise with a transformed body. 427 00:23:20,360 --> 00:23:22,110 That's what Philippians 3 tells us. 428 00:23:22,460 --> 00:23:24,300 And he's with the Lord. 429 00:23:25,210 --> 00:23:25,690 Again. 430 00:23:26,415 --> 00:23:30,885 This serves as a model for you and me and our faith and our journeys. 431 00:23:31,565 --> 00:23:36,315 You know, God calls us to become more like him and to join in his good work. 432 00:23:36,685 --> 00:23:41,645 And we have many highs and we have some lows in our faith and in our journey. 433 00:23:42,495 --> 00:23:44,884 There's growth and there's regression. 434 00:23:45,374 --> 00:23:50,325 But in the end, we should be looking a lot more like Jesus 435 00:23:50,415 --> 00:23:52,004 than we did at the beginning. 436 00:23:54,544 --> 00:23:57,274 In the end, we should have more depth. 437 00:23:57,720 --> 00:24:02,970 Of a relationship more knowledge of god in his will and we should have 438 00:24:02,970 --> 00:24:11,709 more wisdom than we did When we started and we should reach that point of 439 00:24:11,709 --> 00:24:16,899 the third stage of transformation In which yes, it's relational. 440 00:24:16,900 --> 00:24:17,260 Yes. 441 00:24:17,260 --> 00:24:21,450 There's times where I have to deny my sinful flesh but I start 442 00:24:21,460 --> 00:24:26,139 to look and resemble and take on the image and likeness and 443 00:24:26,139 --> 00:24:29,770 character of my father in heaven 444 00:24:31,935 --> 00:24:33,325 And we are transformed. 445 00:24:33,955 --> 00:24:37,265 And so here's the encouraging thing again for us today. 446 00:24:37,405 --> 00:24:41,335 Whether you're growing, you're stale, you're stuck, or you've regressed. 447 00:24:41,585 --> 00:24:43,165 There's hope for you today. 448 00:24:43,295 --> 00:24:46,285 And there's also a call for you today. 449 00:24:47,775 --> 00:24:49,485 There's a hope that we have. 450 00:24:49,685 --> 00:24:51,274 We can still become more. 451 00:24:51,415 --> 00:24:54,505 And there's a call to continue to become more. 452 00:24:55,790 --> 00:25:00,510 Like I want to read this passage man that this this hit me a couple weeks 453 00:25:00,510 --> 00:25:04,350 ago Or just it hit me this week, but I heard it a while ago I've read it many 454 00:25:04,350 --> 00:25:09,090 times, but it just resonated check this out here It says being confident of this 455 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:14,569 that he who began a good work and you will carry it on to completion until 456 00:25:14,569 --> 00:25:21,685 the day of Christ Jesus Boy, that's, there's hope, there's confidence, there's 457 00:25:21,685 --> 00:25:23,835 assurance in that passage right there. 458 00:25:24,365 --> 00:25:29,495 That God who began a good work in you will make sure to see it to completion 459 00:25:29,655 --> 00:25:32,675 until the day that Jesus comes back. 460 00:25:33,025 --> 00:25:34,734 There's some hope and there's some confidence. 461 00:25:35,005 --> 00:25:37,625 There's hope that we, God's not done with us. 462 00:25:38,565 --> 00:25:41,595 No matter where we are, God is not done with us. 463 00:25:41,930 --> 00:25:46,660 And then there's the confidence that, hey, if I persevere, if I keep trying, if I 464 00:25:46,700 --> 00:25:52,480 don't quit, I put my foot forward, I keep taking steps, that God's gonna make sure I 465 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:56,710 continue to grow and become like Him, and He'll do it until the day Jesus returns. 466 00:25:58,334 --> 00:26:01,955 And then I'll reach that third stage, but I'll reach God's intended 467 00:26:02,345 --> 00:26:05,925 destination for me, and that's for me to take on his character and nature 468 00:26:06,095 --> 00:26:09,355 and be like him in likeness and image. 469 00:26:09,965 --> 00:26:12,004 So there is hope and there is confidence. 470 00:26:12,175 --> 00:26:15,635 We are going that direction and God is making sure we get there. 471 00:26:19,234 --> 00:26:27,944 So hopefully, whether Jesus comes back tomorrow or we die before 472 00:26:27,944 --> 00:26:32,465 the day the Lord's come back, we have hope and confidence that we 473 00:26:32,475 --> 00:26:35,504 can and will be more like him. 474 00:26:39,470 --> 00:26:40,760 What's our response though? 475 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:42,560 Again, we have a role in this 476 00:26:44,950 --> 00:26:47,680 and we'll remind you from what we saw earlier in the 477 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:50,639 year is to make every effort. 478 00:26:53,030 --> 00:26:55,050 2 Peter 1, look what Peter says here. 479 00:26:55,190 --> 00:26:57,659 He also, he says it three times in this letter. 480 00:26:58,270 --> 00:27:01,619 He says again, as he talks about escaping the corruption in the world, 481 00:27:01,830 --> 00:27:06,650 uh, evil that I says, for this reason, make every effort to add to your faith. 482 00:27:07,100 --> 00:27:08,220 And we studied that out. 483 00:27:08,540 --> 00:27:09,159 Verse 10. 484 00:27:09,159 --> 00:27:12,179 He says, therefore, my brothers and sisters make every effort. 485 00:27:12,529 --> 00:27:17,150 To confirm your calling and election for if you do these things you will 486 00:27:17,150 --> 00:27:21,759 never stumble and you will receive a witch Rich welcome into the eternal 487 00:27:21,759 --> 00:27:26,919 kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ chapter 3 verse 14 So then dear 488 00:27:26,919 --> 00:27:32,250 friends since you are looking forward to this make every effort To be found 489 00:27:32,290 --> 00:27:35,929 spotless blameless and at peace with him. 490 00:27:36,009 --> 00:27:37,210 What's Peter's points? 491 00:27:38,225 --> 00:27:42,505 Make every effort make every effort. 492 00:27:42,715 --> 00:27:47,985 We are not earning this No, that's not what he's saying But because God has 493 00:27:48,035 --> 00:27:52,574 equipped this and given us everything we need we need to make every effort to 494 00:27:52,574 --> 00:27:59,415 put it into practice And so again, we're reminded of this reality and truth that 495 00:27:59,475 --> 00:28:05,765 the intersection of God's Empowerment with our human efforts when those things meet 496 00:28:05,795 --> 00:28:11,300 transformation takes place Transformation doesn't take place by me just gritting 497 00:28:11,300 --> 00:28:13,100 through it and me just trying on my own. 498 00:28:13,110 --> 00:28:13,530 No. 499 00:28:13,900 --> 00:28:15,900 Many of us have tried that and it didn't work. 500 00:28:16,380 --> 00:28:18,720 But transformation doesn't take place by just sitting back and 501 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:20,190 saying, God, you got all this right? 502 00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:21,040 You're going to do it. 503 00:28:21,040 --> 00:28:22,030 I don't have to do a thing. 504 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:25,180 No, God says we're going to do this together. 505 00:28:26,319 --> 00:28:31,120 I'm going to empower you, but you need to make every effort. 506 00:28:32,210 --> 00:28:39,720 And when we do this, we become more and more and more like Christ. 507 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:39,790 Amen. 508 00:28:40,365 --> 00:28:44,215 In our nature and in our character. 509 00:28:44,925 --> 00:28:46,335 So let's get real practical here. 510 00:28:46,335 --> 00:28:47,655 Church, are you still with me here? 511 00:28:48,475 --> 00:28:49,844 Action steps this week here. 512 00:28:50,175 --> 00:28:53,945 For, for some of us here, uh, maybe we have not made a decision to follow Jesus. 513 00:28:53,965 --> 00:28:57,515 So we're not able to fully relate to the things that I'm mentioning here. 514 00:28:57,725 --> 00:29:00,105 And so here's the, uh, action step for you. 515 00:29:00,105 --> 00:29:01,975 And that's to take the next step toward God. 516 00:29:02,690 --> 00:29:05,770 To take the next step toward God. 517 00:29:05,990 --> 00:29:09,540 You know, some of us, we have this idea that, Hey, I can't get right 518 00:29:09,540 --> 00:29:11,479 with God until I get myself right. 519 00:29:12,430 --> 00:29:14,220 Some of us have even had that thinking. 520 00:29:14,730 --> 00:29:16,300 But that's actually backwards. 521 00:29:16,589 --> 00:29:18,510 And even we see it through the life of Peter. 522 00:29:18,730 --> 00:29:24,399 No, we take a step, we get right with God, and then He transforms us from there. 523 00:29:25,209 --> 00:29:28,109 So it's not, let me get myself together, then I'll go after you. 524 00:29:28,129 --> 00:29:30,269 No, no, no, no, no, because you'll never have yourself fully together. 525 00:29:31,504 --> 00:29:34,745 No, it's come to me and I'm going to make you more like me. 526 00:29:35,985 --> 00:29:39,135 And so I want to encourage you here today or you're online here with us. 527 00:29:39,275 --> 00:29:41,855 Take the next step toward God. 528 00:29:41,855 --> 00:29:44,055 And some of us, we have a fear of messing up. 529 00:29:44,514 --> 00:29:47,974 Oh no, but if I do this, then what if I mess up or I fail? 530 00:29:48,145 --> 00:29:49,075 Well, look at Peter. 531 00:29:50,504 --> 00:29:51,864 He was given the keys of the kingdom. 532 00:29:51,865 --> 00:29:52,625 Did he fail? 533 00:29:53,824 --> 00:29:54,815 Many times. 534 00:29:55,045 --> 00:29:56,425 And that's just the recorded times. 535 00:29:58,390 --> 00:30:01,020 There's a whole lot more because if Peter's like you and me, which 536 00:30:01,020 --> 00:30:04,280 I'm sure he is, there's probably a mess up every single day. 537 00:30:05,630 --> 00:30:10,530 But God says we'll get back up and let's keep going. 538 00:30:12,010 --> 00:30:16,440 For some of us, the action step is to resume making every effort. 539 00:30:17,389 --> 00:30:20,509 And so maybe you haven't been making effort, but like Peter, let's get back 540 00:30:20,630 --> 00:30:24,020 up and let's start making every effort. 541 00:30:24,530 --> 00:30:29,590 To add to our faith, to live a life in honor of Jesus Christ. 542 00:30:29,590 --> 00:30:33,210 Who died for our sins, but raised again so that we can die 543 00:30:33,210 --> 00:30:35,340 to our sins and live for Him. 544 00:30:35,619 --> 00:30:37,530 Cause there's no excuse not to. 545 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:40,110 We see a great example in Peter, he failed. 546 00:30:40,290 --> 00:30:43,629 Man, if anything, especially after denial, he could have just quit and left. 547 00:30:43,629 --> 00:30:45,219 But Jesus is like, no, no, no, you're still with me. 548 00:30:45,949 --> 00:30:46,989 And you're still that rock. 549 00:30:47,869 --> 00:30:50,149 And you're still gonna be that person that has the keys. 550 00:30:50,249 --> 00:30:51,409 And I'm still gonna use you. 551 00:30:52,275 --> 00:30:53,985 And you're gonna be like me, and guess what, you're gonna 552 00:30:53,985 --> 00:30:55,345 write some of my words down. 553 00:30:56,245 --> 00:30:59,435 And it's gonna have a profound effect upon people for thousands 554 00:30:59,435 --> 00:31:00,614 and thousands of years. 555 00:31:01,194 --> 00:31:02,575 And so we need to resume it. 556 00:31:02,864 --> 00:31:07,355 Because we can, because God's given us His Spirit and we have every tool 557 00:31:07,364 --> 00:31:10,364 needed to apply it to our lives. 558 00:31:10,685 --> 00:31:13,965 And for some of us, we've been on top of it, we've been growing, well then 559 00:31:13,965 --> 00:31:15,455 let's bring others along with you. 560 00:31:16,485 --> 00:31:18,585 Let's go ahead again, nobody has arrived. 561 00:31:18,585 --> 00:31:21,075 Peter never really fully arrived. 562 00:31:21,935 --> 00:31:25,435 You and I would never be the exact replica of Jesus by the 563 00:31:25,435 --> 00:31:26,935 time he comes back or we die. 564 00:31:27,165 --> 00:31:31,625 But again, we could be soaring, we could be growing, but it's not just about us. 565 00:31:31,625 --> 00:31:33,715 We are called to bring others along with us. 566 00:31:34,195 --> 00:31:37,034 So that's those in our fellowship, those in our family groups. 567 00:31:37,225 --> 00:31:39,255 Hey man, let's keep going, let's make every effort. 568 00:31:39,850 --> 00:31:41,860 That's reaching out to our neighbors and friends. 569 00:31:42,010 --> 00:31:45,810 Hey, there's a God who wants to transform your life and wants you to be like Him. 570 00:31:45,990 --> 00:31:50,510 Let's bring others along, whether they're disciples or non disciples of Jesus. 571 00:31:50,730 --> 00:31:54,320 Let's bring others along, cause this isn't a solo ride, this is a team effort. 572 00:31:55,589 --> 00:31:57,239 And we are called to be relational. 573 00:31:59,069 --> 00:32:01,970 We start off the year saying, let's become more in 24. 574 00:32:01,970 --> 00:32:06,290 Today we're reminded we still can become more in 24. 575 00:32:07,130 --> 00:32:12,900 God desires and is working to transform us into the image of Christ. 576 00:32:13,410 --> 00:32:16,700 And like Peter, our journey is going to have ups and downs, 577 00:32:17,050 --> 00:32:20,009 but we need to keep going. 578 00:32:21,090 --> 00:32:23,810 And so let's make every effort. 579 00:32:24,595 --> 00:32:27,825 Right now we're going to take communion and this is where we take the emblems 580 00:32:27,825 --> 00:32:32,055 that represent Jesus's body and blood that was sacrificed for the 581 00:32:32,055 --> 00:32:34,065 opportunity for us to have salvation. 582 00:32:34,394 --> 00:32:38,134 And we're reminded again that everything that we have, this opportunity, 583 00:32:38,134 --> 00:32:41,915 this likeness, this call, this redemption, this opportunity to join 584 00:32:41,915 --> 00:32:44,735 in the work is all through Jesus. 585 00:32:45,335 --> 00:32:46,874 There's no way outside of him. 586 00:32:46,875 --> 00:32:48,095 And so we praise God. 587 00:32:48,095 --> 00:32:50,385 We thank God for Jesus coming. 588 00:32:50,825 --> 00:32:55,145 And for the gospel message, we close out in Philippians 3 verse 20. 589 00:32:55,145 --> 00:32:58,805 I referenced this earlier and says, but our citizenship is in heaven 590 00:32:59,305 --> 00:33:05,315 and we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who 591 00:33:05,664 --> 00:33:09,734 by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control. 592 00:33:09,755 --> 00:33:10,375 Check this out. 593 00:33:10,625 --> 00:33:17,295 We'll transform our lowly bodies so that we will be like his glorious body. 594 00:33:18,055 --> 00:33:18,575 Let's pray. 595 00:33:19,435 --> 00:33:22,515 Father, we thank you so much for Jesus. 596 00:33:23,255 --> 00:33:28,385 We thank you for the call and the opportunity, the hope and 597 00:33:28,385 --> 00:33:33,315 the assurance that we have of you completing your good work in us. 598 00:33:33,834 --> 00:33:37,575 We know that comes through your son Jesus. 599 00:33:38,014 --> 00:33:42,045 We realize these things because of your son Jesus and him being the 600 00:33:42,045 --> 00:33:44,755 full embodiment of you, the father. 601 00:33:45,310 --> 00:33:49,370 And we thank you for your spirit that strengthens and enables and 602 00:33:49,370 --> 00:33:54,090 empowers us to put your word into practice and to be transformed. 603 00:33:55,020 --> 00:34:00,069 And God, we thank you that we have not only a longing for our character and our 604 00:34:00,069 --> 00:34:01,979 nature to be transformed in this life. 605 00:34:02,670 --> 00:34:05,770 But God, it says in the scripture that you will transform us 606 00:34:05,770 --> 00:34:07,310 into the resurrected body. 607 00:34:08,440 --> 00:34:12,960 And that we will somehow, some way, take on the resurrected body of Christ. 608 00:34:13,460 --> 00:34:14,840 For all eternity. 609 00:34:15,300 --> 00:34:18,760 We thank you for your plan, for your vision for us, for your 610 00:34:18,770 --> 00:34:22,920 faithfulness, for your perseverance, for your love that is enduring. 611 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:28,289 And we thank you for Christ's endurance on the cross and most 612 00:34:28,289 --> 00:34:29,770 of all for his resurrection. 613 00:34:30,199 --> 00:34:31,149 It's in his name. 614 00:34:31,710 --> 00:34:32,150 Amen.