1 00:00:29,859 --> 00:00:32,419 If you win your Bibles this morning, turn to 1 Peter chapter 2 00:00:32,419 --> 00:00:36,419 2, and we begin our series in the book of 1st Peter. 3 00:00:36,659 --> 00:00:40,179 So we'll be covering this book over the next several weeks and of 4 00:00:40,179 --> 00:00:42,979 course there'll be some interruptions with stewardship and 5 00:00:43,139 --> 00:00:49,419 other special speakers, but we'll begin on our theme verse is 6 00:00:49,419 --> 00:00:54,019 found in verse 21, 1 Peter chapter 2, and verse 21. 7 00:00:56,429 --> 00:01:01,349 For even to hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered 8 00:01:01,349 --> 00:01:07,789 for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow in his steps. 9 00:01:08,269 --> 00:01:12,149 So there's where our theme comes from, that ye should follow 10 00:01:12,149 --> 00:01:17,309 in his steps who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, 11 00:01:17,549 --> 00:01:21,309 who when he was reviled, reviled not again when he suffered, 12 00:01:21,309 --> 00:01:25,029 he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth 13 00:01:25,029 --> 00:01:29,549 righteously, who his own self bare our sins in his own body on 14 00:01:29,549 --> 00:01:30,069 the tree. 15 00:01:30,469 --> 00:01:35,509 That we being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness by 16 00:01:35,509 --> 00:01:40,309 whose stripes ye were healed, for ye were as sheep going astray, 17 00:01:40,789 --> 00:01:45,029 but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls. 18 00:01:45,029 --> 00:01:45,549 Let's pray. 19 00:01:45,549 --> 00:01:50,189 Heavenly Father, Lord, we come to you tremendous already message 20 00:01:50,189 --> 00:01:51,629 through songs that we've heard. 21 00:01:51,869 --> 00:01:56,749 And Lord, we're so thankful again for the example that your son 22 00:01:56,749 --> 00:01:59,749 set for us that we might follow in his steps. 23 00:01:59,749 --> 00:02:03,749 And Lord, may we see the practical application of that in 24 00:02:03,749 --> 00:02:05,469 our lives throughout this year. 25 00:02:05,869 --> 00:02:06,549 We'll thank you. 26 00:02:06,549 --> 00:02:08,189 In Jesus name, amen. 27 00:02:09,069 --> 00:02:13,069 It was in 2008, I came across a book, and actually it was my mom, 28 00:02:13,229 --> 00:02:18,579 I believe, who I saw this at my mom and dad's house and I mentioned 29 00:02:18,579 --> 00:02:22,499 something to my mom, and my mom was an avid reader, and she said, 30 00:02:22,579 --> 00:02:23,299 that's a great book. 31 00:02:23,299 --> 00:02:24,179 You ought to read it. 32 00:02:24,259 --> 00:02:26,259 And so I grabbed it and I kept it. 33 00:02:26,899 --> 00:02:28,739 You take stuff from your mom and dad's house. 34 00:02:30,579 --> 00:02:34,059 If I find tools and everything, I'll call and say, hey. 35 00:02:34,059 --> 00:02:38,939 Or I'll text the whole group, hey, I cannot find my tool, whatever 36 00:02:38,939 --> 00:02:40,419 it is, fill in the blank. 37 00:02:40,739 --> 00:02:43,779 And usually they come back and say, well, I don't have it. 38 00:02:44,319 --> 00:02:46,519 And then the other son will say, I don't have it. 39 00:02:46,519 --> 00:02:47,839 And the other son will say, I don't have it. 40 00:02:47,839 --> 00:02:50,559 And then a couple hours later, one of them will fess up. 41 00:02:52,879 --> 00:02:54,759 I found it in, you know. 42 00:02:54,759 --> 00:02:56,399 Yeah, that's how it goes. 43 00:02:56,399 --> 00:02:58,319 So anyway, my mom gave me this book. 44 00:02:58,799 --> 00:03:03,519 And so in 2008, I pulled it off the shelf and I read it. 45 00:03:03,519 --> 00:03:07,719 And it just really did have a profound impact on my life at that 46 00:03:07,719 --> 00:03:08,079 moment. 47 00:03:08,239 --> 00:03:11,599 And it really is about, what would Jesus do? 48 00:03:11,599 --> 00:03:16,189 Charles Sheldon was a Pastor and he began a series of messages 49 00:03:16,749 --> 00:03:23,709 on in his steps how we are practically to apply the principles 50 00:03:23,709 --> 00:03:26,429 and the life of Jesus Christ in our everyday life. 51 00:03:26,589 --> 00:03:28,989 And he wrote it in a way that it's like a novel. 52 00:03:29,228 --> 00:03:30,789 And so we have several copies back there. 53 00:03:30,789 --> 00:03:32,149 Encourage you if you would like to. 54 00:03:32,149 --> 00:03:33,709 That's not a whole lot of money. 55 00:03:34,109 --> 00:03:35,389 Seven or eight dollars, I believe. 56 00:03:35,869 --> 00:03:37,669 And you can buy these on Amazon as well. 57 00:03:37,669 --> 00:03:40,709 In his steps by Charles Sheldon. 58 00:03:40,709 --> 00:03:44,329 One of the most sold books in the world. 59 00:03:44,329 --> 00:03:47,849 Probably if it's not the second most book, it's the third. 60 00:03:47,849 --> 00:03:49,129 And so the Bible's number one. 61 00:03:49,129 --> 00:03:50,289 I'm so thankful for that. 62 00:03:50,849 --> 00:03:52,209 Most published book in the world. 63 00:03:52,769 --> 00:03:55,409 And then Pilgrim's Progress is probably number two. 64 00:03:55,489 --> 00:03:56,769 And this is number three. 65 00:03:56,849 --> 00:03:57,809 Over 30 million. 66 00:03:58,289 --> 00:03:59,249 It's just amazing. 67 00:03:59,649 --> 00:04:00,329 It's a good book. 68 00:04:00,329 --> 00:04:03,209 It's an easy read and first time I read it. 69 00:04:03,209 --> 00:04:05,569 So Charles Sheldon wrote this in 1896. 70 00:04:06,049 --> 00:04:08,689 He preached the first one to his congregation. 71 00:04:08,849 --> 00:04:10,609 And it was like a story. 72 00:04:11,009 --> 00:04:17,089 And the story were again ethical, moral stories that followed 73 00:04:17,089 --> 00:04:18,809 the principles found in the word of God. 74 00:04:18,969 --> 00:04:23,569 But it was practically laid out so that it hit home, you know, 75 00:04:23,569 --> 00:04:26,569 what does it mean when the Bible says thou shalt not steal? 76 00:04:26,649 --> 00:04:30,209 And he would tell a moral story about that, a biblical story 77 00:04:30,209 --> 00:04:33,849 or a moral story, and then apply it to the congregation. 78 00:04:34,249 --> 00:04:35,649 And of course the kids loved it. 79 00:04:35,649 --> 00:04:39,289 And the word of God was preached and the house was packed 80 00:04:39,289 --> 00:04:41,129 and the church, in fact, it was overflowing. 81 00:04:41,149 --> 00:04:45,299 And even in the time, just within a few weeks after the series 82 00:04:45,299 --> 00:04:47,699 was done, 100,000 copies were sold. 83 00:04:47,699 --> 00:04:50,779 He ended up not owning the copyright, received zero money from 84 00:04:50,779 --> 00:04:51,059 it. 85 00:04:51,299 --> 00:04:54,739 Sixteen publishers published it, even back in the early, early 86 00:04:54,739 --> 00:04:55,699 1900s. 87 00:04:55,859 --> 00:05:01,659 And he, as a pastor later told a particular news organization, I'm 88 00:05:01,659 --> 00:05:03,619 glad I didn't own the copyright. 89 00:05:04,019 --> 00:05:06,419 Had I owned the copyright, one publisher would have published it. 90 00:05:06,419 --> 00:05:08,619 It would have been a minimal publication. 91 00:05:08,619 --> 00:05:11,859 But because I didn't own the copyright, 16 publishers published 92 00:05:11,859 --> 00:05:12,179 it. 93 00:05:12,359 --> 00:05:14,919 And again, millions and millions of copies were sold around 94 00:05:14,919 --> 00:05:15,399 the world. 95 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:17,399 Had a profound impact. 96 00:05:19,799 --> 00:05:21,239 What would Jesus do? 97 00:05:21,879 --> 00:05:26,519 And really, that phrase, and though I'm sure has been used since 98 00:05:26,519 --> 00:05:30,919 the time of Jesus, but really Charles Sheldon is kind of given 99 00:05:30,919 --> 00:05:33,719 the credit for using that in publication. 100 00:05:34,039 --> 00:05:35,959 You know, maybe even for the first time. 101 00:05:36,039 --> 00:05:37,239 What would Jesus do? 102 00:05:39,089 --> 00:05:42,849 I'm thankful this morning, I know that religion does not save. 103 00:05:43,729 --> 00:05:47,209 Religion is a set of rules, and a set of rules does not save. 104 00:05:47,209 --> 00:05:49,009 You cannot work your way to heaven. 105 00:05:49,409 --> 00:05:54,649 You cannot keep this law and that law and this law and make your 106 00:05:54,649 --> 00:05:55,249 way to heaven. 107 00:05:55,809 --> 00:05:57,809 The Bible Says we're all sinners. 108 00:05:58,689 --> 00:06:05,419 We all cannot, we cannot, we will not keep the law without fail. 109 00:06:06,059 --> 00:06:07,179 And because of that, we're sin. 110 00:06:07,179 --> 00:06:08,939 And the Bible says the wages of sin is death. 111 00:06:09,819 --> 00:06:12,779 But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 112 00:06:13,979 --> 00:06:16,339 And so I'll go into that a little more in a minute. 113 00:06:16,339 --> 00:06:21,339 But we know that Christian, the word Christian means Christlike. 114 00:06:22,379 --> 00:06:25,499 They were called Christians first at Antioch. 115 00:06:25,499 --> 00:06:28,059 That's found in Acts 11, verse 26. 116 00:06:29,179 --> 00:06:29,899 Christian. 117 00:06:29,899 --> 00:06:31,019 The word Christian. 118 00:06:31,019 --> 00:06:33,419 The name Christian means an imitator of Christ. 119 00:06:35,209 --> 00:06:39,289 And we, as born again believers are to imitate Jesus Christ, 120 00:06:40,569 --> 00:06:44,089 we are to again follow in his steps. 121 00:06:45,209 --> 00:06:47,369 But what does it mean to imitate Christ? 122 00:06:48,249 --> 00:06:52,329 And though here at our church we do say that a lot, and we make 123 00:06:52,329 --> 00:06:56,009 sure we say it a lot because we believe Christianity is Christ, 124 00:06:56,809 --> 00:07:02,119 it is Christ, and that our lives ought to be lived around the 125 00:07:02,119 --> 00:07:03,199 life of Jesus Christ. 126 00:07:04,639 --> 00:07:07,439 But Peter helps us to know exactly what that looks like. 127 00:07:07,599 --> 00:07:10,879 And we'll be covering that throughout the year as we follow 128 00:07:10,959 --> 00:07:14,159 and as we study his particular epistle. 129 00:07:15,359 --> 00:07:19,039 It's to live righteously in the midst of adversity. 130 00:07:20,079 --> 00:07:25,119 It's to live a life that's mirrored in the life of Jesus Christ. 131 00:07:26,319 --> 00:07:32,009 It's to keep Christ in view as we traverse through this life, his 132 00:07:32,009 --> 00:07:34,809 character and his conduct. 133 00:07:35,849 --> 00:07:39,769 Again, Christ being our example of how we are to respond 134 00:07:39,769 --> 00:07:42,489 to adversity and evangelize the lost. 135 00:07:43,849 --> 00:07:48,089 Our lives are made up of big things and small things. 136 00:07:48,409 --> 00:07:51,209 Usually the big things in life are minimal. 137 00:07:51,209 --> 00:07:55,369 Three or four or five big things in our life, and then a thousand 138 00:07:55,449 --> 00:07:56,169 little things. 139 00:07:56,749 --> 00:07:57,869 A thousand little things. 140 00:07:58,029 --> 00:08:03,269 We think about the subject of the family, how important life and 141 00:08:03,269 --> 00:08:06,109 our family is a part of our life. 142 00:08:06,269 --> 00:08:09,709 We think about our job in connection with our family, because 143 00:08:09,709 --> 00:08:12,189 we need a job in order to take care of our family. 144 00:08:12,989 --> 00:08:16,189 And then if you go down the list, we think about food. 145 00:08:16,429 --> 00:08:19,949 Of course, every sermon of mine has to include food, and food 146 00:08:19,949 --> 00:08:21,549 is important for life. 147 00:08:21,549 --> 00:08:25,109 But in order to feed our family, we have to have a job, to 148 00:08:25,109 --> 00:08:28,249 make money and in order to provide food for our family. 149 00:08:28,569 --> 00:08:32,929 And then, you know, a bed, a bed for our family, for our kids 150 00:08:32,929 --> 00:08:35,729 to have a bed and a place to sleep. 151 00:08:35,729 --> 00:08:39,489 And we have to buy a mattress and we have to buy sheets, and we 152 00:08:39,489 --> 00:08:43,369 have to maybe buy a pillowcase for them if it'll stay on. 153 00:08:44,649 --> 00:08:47,369 I'm just saying the little things we think about, the little 154 00:08:47,369 --> 00:08:50,689 things are connected to the big things in life, but the big things 155 00:08:50,689 --> 00:08:51,649 really are minimal. 156 00:08:51,649 --> 00:08:54,569 And when it comes right down to it, how many Big things in life 157 00:08:54,729 --> 00:08:57,819 that, that we have that again, all the thousands of small things 158 00:08:57,819 --> 00:09:00,419 are underneath those main priorities. 159 00:09:01,859 --> 00:09:06,059 And how were we to conduct ourselves when it comes to not only 160 00:09:06,059 --> 00:09:07,859 the big things, but all of these small things. 161 00:09:09,619 --> 00:09:10,299 We studied. 162 00:09:10,299 --> 00:09:15,819 And one year our theme was one thing out of Philippians, this one 163 00:09:15,819 --> 00:09:16,579 thing I do. 164 00:09:17,299 --> 00:09:21,379 And we made the statement many times that we are pulled in all directions 165 00:09:21,379 --> 00:09:22,339 when it comes to life. 166 00:09:22,989 --> 00:09:25,549 Man, you have this pulling you a job, pulling you family, pulling 167 00:09:25,549 --> 00:09:30,469 you church, pulling you on and on and on, all these priorities pulling 168 00:09:30,469 --> 00:09:30,989 on you. 169 00:09:31,149 --> 00:09:32,429 And you're just. 170 00:09:32,909 --> 00:09:36,669 You want to please everybody or you're trying to please everybody, 171 00:09:37,149 --> 00:09:38,669 but really you only got to please one. 172 00:09:39,789 --> 00:09:43,149 This one thing I do, and that's to please Jesus Christ. 173 00:09:44,349 --> 00:09:46,829 If you'll please the Lord, everything else will fall in place 174 00:09:47,549 --> 00:09:48,429 if you put him. 175 00:09:48,429 --> 00:09:48,949 Priorities. 176 00:09:48,949 --> 00:09:50,749 Seek those things which are above. 177 00:09:51,069 --> 00:09:52,829 Set your affection on things above. 178 00:09:52,989 --> 00:09:54,349 Out of the book of Colossians. 179 00:09:54,799 --> 00:09:57,639 Then everything else will fall into place again. 180 00:09:57,639 --> 00:10:01,359 The big things will take care of the little things. 181 00:10:03,119 --> 00:10:04,239 Priorities in life. 182 00:10:05,999 --> 00:10:09,119 We could sit down and talk, and I could for hours talk about 183 00:10:09,199 --> 00:10:13,239 all the laws that are found in the Bible, all the principles that 184 00:10:13,239 --> 00:10:14,159 are found in the Bible. 185 00:10:14,479 --> 00:10:15,919 And we could make a list. 186 00:10:15,999 --> 00:10:17,279 And we do make a list. 187 00:10:17,519 --> 00:10:20,519 And I think it's important that we understand that a preacher 188 00:10:20,519 --> 00:10:21,509 ought to get up every. 189 00:10:21,659 --> 00:10:25,819 And he ought to, at many points, point to the list. 190 00:10:26,539 --> 00:10:30,579 Now there's not shy away from preaching against something or preaching 191 00:10:30,579 --> 00:10:31,259 for something. 192 00:10:31,739 --> 00:10:32,299 Amen. 193 00:10:32,299 --> 00:10:34,059 Especially the day and hour which we live in. 194 00:10:34,619 --> 00:10:38,739 In fact, in Peter it will address in chapter two and also in 195 00:10:38,739 --> 00:10:41,659 chapter one how our relationship to our government should 196 00:10:41,659 --> 00:10:41,979 be. 197 00:10:42,219 --> 00:10:45,699 And by the way, it makes it very clear in 1 Peter 1 and 1 Peter 198 00:10:45,699 --> 00:10:49,659 2 and 1 Peter 3, it brings it up again that we ought to obey those 199 00:10:49,899 --> 00:10:51,579 who have authority over us. 200 00:10:52,459 --> 00:10:52,899 Yeah. 201 00:10:52,899 --> 00:10:58,299 Somebody tells you a policeman tells you to stop, you know, tells 202 00:10:58,299 --> 00:11:02,779 you to, you should. 203 00:11:06,859 --> 00:11:08,139 Pretty common sense to me. 204 00:11:10,139 --> 00:11:10,779 Amen. 205 00:11:10,779 --> 00:11:11,859 The Bible makes that clear. 206 00:11:11,859 --> 00:11:12,899 I'm not talking about. 207 00:11:12,899 --> 00:11:16,109 I'm saying I'm kind of being whatever because of what's going 208 00:11:16,109 --> 00:11:18,389 on in our country. 209 00:11:18,949 --> 00:11:22,389 But we're to obey those submit to the authority that's over us. 210 00:11:25,269 --> 00:11:26,149 What if they're wrong? 211 00:11:26,149 --> 00:11:27,829 It doesn't say that anywhere in there. 212 00:11:28,309 --> 00:11:29,669 It just says, obey them. 213 00:11:31,109 --> 00:11:31,829 It's tough. 214 00:11:32,709 --> 00:11:35,029 So we could come up with all the do's and don'ts in the Bible. 215 00:11:36,629 --> 00:11:42,389 But the overwhelming driving force, the Christian life should 216 00:11:42,389 --> 00:11:43,749 not be the do's and don'ts. 217 00:11:44,629 --> 00:11:48,109 As far as how I conduct myself, no. 218 00:11:48,109 --> 00:11:51,749 The overall driving force should Be in my own life is the focus 219 00:11:51,749 --> 00:11:53,229 that I have on Jesus Christ. 220 00:11:53,229 --> 00:11:58,389 And the overall focus on him drives every area of my life. 221 00:11:58,789 --> 00:12:00,309 What would Jesus do? 222 00:12:00,869 --> 00:12:02,309 And I know that's a popular. 223 00:12:02,709 --> 00:12:06,629 And sometimes it becomes a little, you know, it's used so much, 224 00:12:07,079 --> 00:12:11,079 it doesn't have quite the teeth it used to have, but it's absolutely 225 00:12:11,079 --> 00:12:11,719 biblical. 226 00:12:12,999 --> 00:12:14,679 Would Jesus go where I'm going? 227 00:12:15,639 --> 00:12:18,279 Would Jesus say to my spouse what I just said? 228 00:12:19,479 --> 00:12:22,439 Would Jesus treat my children as I just treated them? 229 00:12:22,439 --> 00:12:25,879 Or would he talk to my boss the way I talk to my boss? 230 00:12:25,879 --> 00:12:27,479 Or on and on and on? 231 00:12:28,119 --> 00:12:29,319 What would Jesus do? 232 00:12:29,319 --> 00:12:30,359 How would he do it? 233 00:12:30,439 --> 00:12:31,559 What would he say? 234 00:12:32,609 --> 00:12:37,809 And this is the theme this year that we, as Peter has said, 235 00:12:38,049 --> 00:12:42,209 should follow in his steps, following the steps of Jesus Christ. 236 00:12:43,329 --> 00:12:45,289 First off, we see that Christ suffered for us. 237 00:12:45,289 --> 00:12:46,049 Look at the verse. 238 00:12:46,369 --> 00:12:47,889 Look back at the verse, verse 21. 239 00:12:48,929 --> 00:12:52,849 For even hereunto were you called, because Christ also suffered 240 00:12:53,089 --> 00:12:53,889 for us. 241 00:12:54,849 --> 00:12:56,289 He suffered for us. 242 00:12:59,739 --> 00:13:00,779 He was our example. 243 00:13:02,699 --> 00:13:07,819 Peter, one of the apostles who wrote this book, was a fisherman. 244 00:13:09,099 --> 00:13:10,299 He was passionate. 245 00:13:10,619 --> 00:13:11,979 All of us would agree to that. 246 00:13:12,539 --> 00:13:14,539 He had foot and mouth disease. 247 00:13:17,499 --> 00:13:20,699 Remember, in Matthew 16, we quote the verse all the time. 248 00:13:20,699 --> 00:13:23,659 Verse 16, chapter 16, verse 18. 249 00:13:24,379 --> 00:13:26,859 Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. 250 00:13:26,859 --> 00:13:29,419 Jesus said to him, what does it say before and after? 251 00:13:30,379 --> 00:13:32,899 Well, Jesus asked the question, whom do men say that I 252 00:13:32,899 --> 00:13:33,179 am? 253 00:13:33,579 --> 00:13:36,779 And Peter stood up and said, thou art the Christ, the son of the 254 00:13:36,779 --> 00:13:37,379 living God. 255 00:13:37,379 --> 00:13:40,378 And Jesus said, flesh and blood hath not revealed that unto 256 00:13:40,378 --> 00:13:42,139 you, but my Father, which is in heaven. 257 00:13:45,419 --> 00:13:50,299 And Peter, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. 258 00:13:51,439 --> 00:13:52,639 He talks about the keys. 259 00:13:53,119 --> 00:13:58,399 But then just another verse down, he begins to explain in verse 260 00:13:58,399 --> 00:14:01,919 21, Matthew 16, that he was going to die. 261 00:14:03,119 --> 00:14:06,079 Jesus began to say, I am going to go to Jerusalem. 262 00:14:07,039 --> 00:14:07,999 I am going to die. 263 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:15,199 Peter said, thou shalt not be unto thee. 264 00:14:15,279 --> 00:14:18,669 In other words, no, you're not, Lord. 265 00:14:18,669 --> 00:14:19,389 No, you're not. 266 00:14:19,629 --> 00:14:20,749 And what did that mean? 267 00:14:20,749 --> 00:14:23,629 We're just talking three or four verses down, and in the same 268 00:14:23,789 --> 00:14:27,109 area of conversation, the same conversation they were having, where 269 00:14:27,109 --> 00:14:30,669 Jesus said to him, flesh and blood have not revealed this unto 270 00:14:30,669 --> 00:14:32,349 you, Peter, but my Father, which is in heaven. 271 00:14:33,629 --> 00:14:36,669 And then in the three verses down or four verses down, he says, 272 00:14:37,069 --> 00:14:38,549 get thee behind me, Satan. 273 00:14:38,549 --> 00:14:42,269 As he points to Peter, that was Peter. 274 00:14:42,269 --> 00:14:42,539 He. 275 00:14:42,609 --> 00:14:45,169 He had foot and mouth disease. 276 00:14:47,329 --> 00:14:48,209 Peter, get thee. 277 00:14:48,209 --> 00:14:50,569 Because Peter said, no, no, Lord, you're not going to go die. 278 00:14:50,569 --> 00:14:54,889 In another area, another scripture, Peter said, you're not 279 00:14:54,889 --> 00:14:55,889 going to die on my Watch. 280 00:14:56,849 --> 00:14:57,569 No, no, no. 281 00:14:57,569 --> 00:14:58,528 He said, I would die. 282 00:14:58,528 --> 00:14:59,489 I'll die for you. 283 00:15:00,449 --> 00:15:01,169 I'll do it. 284 00:15:01,249 --> 00:15:02,049 I mean, I will. 285 00:15:02,609 --> 00:15:06,169 And then we know that he denied Jesus three times there at 286 00:15:06,169 --> 00:15:06,769 the trial. 287 00:15:07,889 --> 00:15:09,569 So Peter again was passionate. 288 00:15:10,599 --> 00:15:12,759 He was he again. 289 00:15:14,359 --> 00:15:16,599 Big highs and some big lows. 290 00:15:17,879 --> 00:15:18,839 And as you read. 291 00:15:19,559 --> 00:15:23,479 As you read the Gospels and you see the life of Peter in the 292 00:15:23,479 --> 00:15:29,039 Gospels, you realize that Peter just didn't quite grasp what 293 00:15:29,039 --> 00:15:29,959 was really going on. 294 00:15:30,439 --> 00:15:32,839 By the way, none of the apostles did, maybe except John. 295 00:15:36,049 --> 00:15:37,889 No, no, Jesus was going to die. 296 00:15:39,409 --> 00:15:42,249 But Peter's understanding of Christ's death and his suffering 297 00:15:42,249 --> 00:15:43,009 was limited. 298 00:15:45,009 --> 00:15:50,689 But now as you read the book of first Peter, he understands. 299 00:15:52,769 --> 00:15:56,129 He understands the reality of what Jesus did. 300 00:15:57,089 --> 00:16:02,089 And then you read for even hereunto were you called because 301 00:16:02,089 --> 00:16:03,569 Christ also suffered. 302 00:16:03,929 --> 00:16:04,809 It doesn't end there. 303 00:16:05,529 --> 00:16:06,409 What does it say? 304 00:16:07,849 --> 00:16:08,529 Say it, class. 305 00:16:08,529 --> 00:16:10,489 What is it for us? 306 00:16:12,169 --> 00:16:13,369 Say that together for us. 307 00:16:13,369 --> 00:16:13,849 Say it. 308 00:16:15,449 --> 00:16:16,809 He suffered for us. 309 00:16:18,409 --> 00:16:24,689 Imagine Jesus Christ, the greatest teacher of all time, being 310 00:16:24,689 --> 00:16:25,769 killed by man. 311 00:16:27,449 --> 00:16:28,609 Being killed by man. 312 00:16:28,609 --> 00:16:33,409 The passionate teacher, the tender teacher. 313 00:16:34,769 --> 00:16:39,449 The teacher who was kind and gracious and gentle and healed the 314 00:16:39,449 --> 00:16:42,289 sick and the lame and all these great things he did. 315 00:16:43,249 --> 00:16:44,369 And they killed him. 316 00:16:47,569 --> 00:16:48,769 Man killed him. 317 00:16:49,489 --> 00:16:50,689 God allowed it. 318 00:16:51,649 --> 00:16:57,779 If that's all there is to it, that would seem ludicrous and certainly 319 00:16:57,779 --> 00:16:58,419 not right. 320 00:17:01,219 --> 00:17:01,619 Right. 321 00:17:03,059 --> 00:17:06,699 But you add on the word the little statement for us, it changes 322 00:17:06,699 --> 00:17:07,379 the whole thing. 323 00:17:08,739 --> 00:17:10,339 No, he didn't just suffer. 324 00:17:11,858 --> 00:17:15,459 He suffered beyond any man who's ever suffered. 325 00:17:16,419 --> 00:17:17,619 That's what the Bible says. 326 00:17:18,179 --> 00:17:20,419 He died the death, even the death of the cross. 327 00:17:20,499 --> 00:17:23,379 He did not suffer just all that physical suffering. 328 00:17:23,379 --> 00:17:27,599 He went through the, the whipping and the spitting and all 329 00:17:27,599 --> 00:17:27,879 the. 330 00:17:27,879 --> 00:17:30,279 In fact that they could not even recognize him as a man. 331 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:34,999 Didn't have the strength to carry his cross up the hill. 332 00:17:38,839 --> 00:17:42,599 No, it was more than the suffering that he went through physically. 333 00:17:42,599 --> 00:17:46,839 The Bible says that God the Father laid on His Son the iniquity 334 00:17:46,839 --> 00:17:51,239 of us all see, the suffering we cannot see and they did not see 335 00:17:51,659 --> 00:17:54,339 is far more than what the physical anguish and pain that he 336 00:17:54,339 --> 00:17:54,779 went through. 337 00:17:55,419 --> 00:17:59,859 It was the rejection of God the Father, not of Jesus, not of 338 00:17:59,859 --> 00:18:02,379 His Son, but the sin that was laid upon him. 339 00:18:02,779 --> 00:18:07,219 So much so that God his Father turned his back on him there on the 340 00:18:07,219 --> 00:18:07,579 cross. 341 00:18:11,819 --> 00:18:16,819 Paul in his writings dwells a lot on the death of Christ and Peter 342 00:18:16,819 --> 00:18:17,219 does too. 343 00:18:17,219 --> 00:18:22,149 But Peter's more so leans towards and emphasizes the suffering 344 00:18:22,149 --> 00:18:23,309 that Jesus went through. 345 00:18:25,069 --> 00:18:29,109 It's amazing how we can assent to the physical death of Jesus and 346 00:18:29,109 --> 00:18:32,269 sometimes not even bring an emotional response from us. 347 00:18:34,189 --> 00:18:40,349 But if you describe the suffering he went through, the lashing 348 00:18:40,589 --> 00:18:42,749 on his back by the Roman. 349 00:18:43,389 --> 00:18:47,299 By the Roman soldier, all the things that he suffered, the crown 350 00:18:47,299 --> 00:18:48,219 of thorns on his head. 351 00:18:48,779 --> 00:18:50,859 And I wish I was better at describing it. 352 00:18:51,979 --> 00:18:54,459 I wish I was a better storyteller. 353 00:18:55,099 --> 00:18:58,539 Man, I've heard pastors who can do that, and, man, they go through 354 00:18:58,539 --> 00:19:00,699 the suffering and people begin to cry in the audience. 355 00:19:01,419 --> 00:19:05,739 If you describe the suffering, because it moves you emotionally, 356 00:19:07,659 --> 00:19:09,779 especially moves you emotionally if you're a little older 357 00:19:09,779 --> 00:19:14,339 and you've experienced loved ones who've died and how many of 358 00:19:14,339 --> 00:19:16,099 y' all getting that way as you get older? 359 00:19:16,339 --> 00:19:17,539 It affects me more. 360 00:19:18,499 --> 00:19:20,499 In fact, I'll tell you, it affects me a lot more. 361 00:19:22,579 --> 00:19:27,498 Greater understanding of losing a loved one, especially one 362 00:19:27,498 --> 00:19:28,739 who suffered as he suffered. 363 00:19:28,739 --> 00:19:32,299 And so Peter deals with more so the suffering of Christ than the 364 00:19:32,299 --> 00:19:32,979 death of Christ. 365 00:19:34,499 --> 00:19:37,699 Again, the key here is he died, he suffered for us. 366 00:19:39,849 --> 00:19:42,009 Oh, I love that old hymn. 367 00:19:42,489 --> 00:19:45,289 Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan. 368 00:19:46,569 --> 00:19:47,689 Listen now closely. 369 00:19:47,849 --> 00:19:49,769 Oh, the love that drew. 370 00:19:52,089 --> 00:19:55,609 If you could draw a picture of salvation's plan. 371 00:19:56,089 --> 00:20:01,569 Oh, the grace, unmerited favor not earned that brought it down from 372 00:20:01,569 --> 00:20:02,409 heaven to man. 373 00:20:03,689 --> 00:20:07,559 Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span. 374 00:20:08,279 --> 00:20:09,079 What gulf? 375 00:20:09,399 --> 00:20:11,159 The gulf between God and man. 376 00:20:12,279 --> 00:20:12,679 Where? 377 00:20:12,919 --> 00:20:13,799 At Calvary. 378 00:20:14,919 --> 00:20:15,799 At Calvary. 379 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:17,799 That's the love of Jesus. 380 00:20:18,919 --> 00:20:23,319 And that he would give his life and suffer anguish and agony, 381 00:20:23,319 --> 00:20:26,279 not just physically, but emotionally, relationally. 382 00:20:26,279 --> 00:20:31,479 His father turns his back on him, and yet he looks through time. 383 00:20:32,039 --> 00:20:33,319 He saw his seed. 384 00:20:33,639 --> 00:20:34,999 He prolonged his days. 385 00:20:35,159 --> 00:20:37,559 He stayed on the cross for us. 386 00:20:38,679 --> 00:20:41,559 For us, for you, for me. 387 00:20:41,959 --> 00:20:44,519 He died, he suffered. 388 00:20:44,679 --> 00:20:47,559 He gave his life for us. 389 00:20:49,319 --> 00:20:50,119 To do What? 390 00:20:50,279 --> 00:20:51,319 Well, verse 24. 391 00:20:51,319 --> 00:20:51,919 Look with me. 392 00:20:51,919 --> 00:20:58,949 First Peter, chapter 2, verse 41, 24. Who his own self bare our 393 00:20:58,949 --> 00:21:01,429 sins in his own body on the tree. 394 00:21:01,749 --> 00:21:03,909 Again, our sins laid upon him. 395 00:21:04,469 --> 00:21:07,429 Not just your sins, not just my sins, but the sins of the whole 396 00:21:07,429 --> 00:21:10,229 world, past, present and future, were laid upon him. 397 00:21:11,189 --> 00:21:16,669 That we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness, by 398 00:21:16,669 --> 00:21:18,389 whose stripes ye were healed. 399 00:21:18,389 --> 00:21:21,749 By the way, it's quoting the verse I just quoted from Isaiah 53. 400 00:21:23,519 --> 00:21:28,239 He suffered and died for us. 401 00:21:28,559 --> 00:21:33,599 He died, paid the penalty for our sins in our place. 402 00:21:34,799 --> 00:21:36,479 So he suffered for us. 403 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:37,519 Why? 404 00:21:40,079 --> 00:21:41,679 That he might give us an example. 405 00:21:42,559 --> 00:21:44,079 That he might be an example. 406 00:21:44,239 --> 00:21:48,399 Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example. 407 00:21:50,489 --> 00:21:53,369 I think about again, the example of Jesus Christ. 408 00:21:53,929 --> 00:21:56,569 Again, all the principles and presets found in the Bible are good. 409 00:21:56,569 --> 00:22:02,009 In fact, God said to Israel, I have given you all these rules for 410 00:22:02,169 --> 00:22:02,969 your good. 411 00:22:03,289 --> 00:22:06,489 We give our children Rules for their good. 412 00:22:07,369 --> 00:22:08,329 Can I get a witness? 413 00:22:09,449 --> 00:22:11,209 Some of our kids need to be reminded of that. 414 00:22:13,129 --> 00:22:13,689 Love you. 415 00:22:15,859 --> 00:22:17,619 No, we give them boundaries for their good. 416 00:22:17,619 --> 00:22:18,739 We're protecting them. 417 00:22:18,899 --> 00:22:21,059 And God gave rules to the children of Israel. 418 00:22:21,059 --> 00:22:24,739 And by the way, rules to us to protect us, whether it's to do something 419 00:22:24,739 --> 00:22:25,699 or not do something. 420 00:22:26,819 --> 00:22:30,778 But again, more so than that, in the New Testament, we have this 421 00:22:30,778 --> 00:22:35,379 example to follow, more so than drawing out and listing every 422 00:22:35,379 --> 00:22:36,339 do and every don't. 423 00:22:36,339 --> 00:22:39,059 In the Bible, we can follow the example of Christ. 424 00:22:39,859 --> 00:22:44,829 We can follow his life, his gracious words, his gentle deeds, 425 00:22:44,829 --> 00:22:46,949 his wisdom, his tenderness. 426 00:22:48,149 --> 00:22:51,109 Man, the life of Jesus, what an example. 427 00:22:52,629 --> 00:22:55,509 Our lives should be molded and shaped by his life. 428 00:22:56,709 --> 00:23:01,909 The word example there, the definition is a thing to be retained. 429 00:23:02,309 --> 00:23:05,669 How many of y' all used the Big Chief tablets in school? 430 00:23:06,949 --> 00:23:07,429 Yeah. 431 00:23:07,429 --> 00:23:07,789 Good. 432 00:23:07,789 --> 00:23:08,149 Yeah. 433 00:23:08,149 --> 00:23:09,749 In fact, I was still part of that era. 434 00:23:09,989 --> 00:23:15,859 So Big Chief Tablet and the Big Chief tablets would have in the 435 00:23:15,859 --> 00:23:16,739 front of them or whatever. 436 00:23:16,739 --> 00:23:18,219 They would have all the Alphabet. 437 00:23:18,219 --> 00:23:18,779 Remember that? 438 00:23:19,019 --> 00:23:21,019 And what did your teacher tell you to do? 439 00:23:21,659 --> 00:23:26,299 You had to trace the A and you had to trace the B. 440 00:23:26,299 --> 00:23:28,139 You wrote over the top of the letter. 441 00:23:28,619 --> 00:23:32,139 You traced it, you traced it, you traced it, you traced it, you 442 00:23:32,139 --> 00:23:34,299 traced it and you traced it and you traced it. 443 00:23:34,699 --> 00:23:36,219 And I had add. 444 00:23:36,539 --> 00:23:39,179 And so it just became so mundane and so boring. 445 00:23:40,049 --> 00:23:45,849 Then you would turn it in and you'd get a grade on how well you 446 00:23:45,849 --> 00:23:50,289 traced it, how well you followed the line, how well you followed 447 00:23:50,289 --> 00:23:53,409 the angles, how well you made the corner, right? 448 00:23:54,049 --> 00:23:58,169 And you got, you know, whether you got a feeling grade or you got 449 00:23:58,169 --> 00:23:58,929 a 80. 450 00:23:58,929 --> 00:24:01,289 I mean, they used to get grades and those little grades. 451 00:24:01,289 --> 00:24:02,449 And now, anyway, we do it. 452 00:24:02,449 --> 00:24:02,809 We do it. 453 00:24:02,809 --> 00:24:07,159 Heritage, but hca, just messing with y' all now. 454 00:24:07,719 --> 00:24:11,359 But you traced it and you traced it and you traced it and you 455 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:12,439 did it over and over. 456 00:24:12,519 --> 00:24:15,639 And you turn it in again, and the teacher would say, oh, that's 457 00:24:15,639 --> 00:24:16,439 a little better, Eric. 458 00:24:16,439 --> 00:24:17,119 That's a little better. 459 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:18,279 Maybe you can do a little better. 460 00:24:18,279 --> 00:24:19,999 Try again, and you do a little better. 461 00:24:19,999 --> 00:24:22,359 It's kind of like when you try to teach your kid to color. 462 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:24,039 And you're trying to stay within the lines, Billy. 463 00:24:24,039 --> 00:24:25,159 That's what you're supposed to do. 464 00:24:25,159 --> 00:24:27,599 You stay within the lines, and you're trying really hard to stay 465 00:24:27,599 --> 00:24:28,439 within the lines. 466 00:24:28,599 --> 00:24:31,549 It's tracing over the picture. 467 00:24:31,549 --> 00:24:34,829 Tracing on top of retaining that image. 468 00:24:36,829 --> 00:24:38,469 That's what our life is supposed to be in. 469 00:24:38,469 --> 00:24:39,229 Jesus Christ. 470 00:24:41,309 --> 00:24:42,989 We're supposed to mirror him. 471 00:24:44,269 --> 00:24:46,189 We're supposed to look like him. 472 00:24:47,229 --> 00:24:49,789 When you look at our life and how we live our life. 473 00:24:50,029 --> 00:24:56,029 It should look like what he would live in every area of our lives, 474 00:24:57,269 --> 00:24:58,989 retaining the image of Jesus Christ. 475 00:24:58,989 --> 00:25:02,429 We were being conformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Jesus 476 00:25:02,429 --> 00:25:07,749 Christ to make our life exactly the same as Jesus Christ, 477 00:25:07,749 --> 00:25:12,229 who is our pattern for life to follow in his steps. 478 00:25:16,149 --> 00:25:19,549 I was trying to think of the different times in which somebody 479 00:25:19,549 --> 00:25:25,259 has told me, you know, hey, walk behind me, following my steps. 480 00:25:25,259 --> 00:25:27,299 And I have too many illustrations of it. 481 00:25:27,539 --> 00:25:30,339 And all of you could think about something in your life where 482 00:25:30,819 --> 00:25:34,099 you've been told to follow somebody's steps, maybe in the snow 483 00:25:34,099 --> 00:25:38,419 or the ice, or maybe it was on a rocky precipice. 484 00:25:39,779 --> 00:25:44,499 One time I went Boulder hiking at night at youth camp. 485 00:25:44,499 --> 00:25:50,459 We snuck out, and I'm the preacher's kid, too, so it's a bad 486 00:25:50,459 --> 00:25:50,739 deal. 487 00:25:51,429 --> 00:25:55,309 I was influenced by the deacons kids, and by the way, half 488 00:25:55,309 --> 00:25:56,789 the workers of camp went with. 489 00:25:56,869 --> 00:25:58,149 They're the ones leading us. 490 00:25:58,549 --> 00:26:00,509 And we went through the Boulder hike up in Colorado. 491 00:26:00,509 --> 00:26:03,749 Some of y' all been up there years ago, and just big old boulders 492 00:26:03,749 --> 00:26:04,469 piled on top of each other. 493 00:26:04,469 --> 00:26:05,349 We did it at night. 494 00:26:05,989 --> 00:26:09,789 And the guy who worked for the camp said, you follow me, do exactly 495 00:26:09,789 --> 00:26:10,709 what I do. 496 00:26:11,669 --> 00:26:13,069 I will tell you exactly what to do. 497 00:26:13,069 --> 00:26:15,029 And it wasn't just about following steps. 498 00:26:15,029 --> 00:26:17,589 It was about putting your back up against this rock and you had 499 00:26:17,589 --> 00:26:19,589 to shimmy across this little area. 500 00:26:20,459 --> 00:26:23,339 But he said, you follow everything, you'll be fine following. 501 00:26:24,379 --> 00:26:25,579 You follow the guide. 502 00:26:27,019 --> 00:26:32,619 You follow in the steps of the guide who's already been there, who 503 00:26:32,619 --> 00:26:37,059 already knows the path, who already knows every crack, every 504 00:26:37,059 --> 00:26:39,979 crevice, every nook and cranny of where we're going. 505 00:26:41,259 --> 00:26:43,499 If I follow him and do what he says. 506 00:26:46,629 --> 00:26:47,829 There's safety in that. 507 00:26:48,869 --> 00:26:50,229 There's comfort in that. 508 00:26:51,989 --> 00:26:54,229 I would tell you, humanly speaking, I was still scared. 509 00:26:55,989 --> 00:26:58,709 But aren't we as well in the Christian life, too? 510 00:26:59,109 --> 00:27:00,629 Though sometimes we shouldn't be. 511 00:27:02,069 --> 00:27:05,869 But Jesus Christ already knows what's around the corner in your 512 00:27:05,869 --> 00:27:06,229 life. 513 00:27:08,229 --> 00:27:10,869 He already knows what's going to happen tomorrow in your life. 514 00:27:12,759 --> 00:27:15,479 And we're to follow in his steps where he is to be our guide. 515 00:27:15,639 --> 00:27:19,319 And in that guide, unlike a human guide who may make a mistake, 516 00:27:19,399 --> 00:27:20,919 God never makes a mistake. 517 00:27:21,559 --> 00:27:23,399 Christ never takes the wrong step. 518 00:27:23,799 --> 00:27:24,759 And if we'll just. 519 00:27:25,799 --> 00:27:30,639 He made a pattern for me there, you know, he already went 520 00:27:30,639 --> 00:27:31,799 6 inches in the snow. 521 00:27:31,799 --> 00:27:33,079 He knows what's underneath there. 522 00:27:33,079 --> 00:27:33,959 And now he's. 523 00:27:34,039 --> 00:27:35,359 And I just follow him. 524 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:36,119 There's comfort. 525 00:27:37,079 --> 00:27:38,279 There's comfort in that. 526 00:27:38,279 --> 00:27:40,839 There's care in that, there's safety in that. 527 00:27:42,189 --> 00:27:46,029 And then lastly to follow in his steps. 528 00:27:46,909 --> 00:27:50,509 Unlike other religions, by the way, there's a lot of good teachers 529 00:27:50,509 --> 00:27:51,069 out there. 530 00:27:51,389 --> 00:27:53,629 By the way, there's good teachers in other religions. 531 00:27:54,509 --> 00:27:59,269 In other words, you could say, well, he is a good example of how 532 00:27:59,269 --> 00:28:00,149 I would want to live. 533 00:28:00,149 --> 00:28:02,989 There's other religions that have that as well. 534 00:28:03,309 --> 00:28:06,429 Other people who would say, well, I'm following this example, 535 00:28:06,429 --> 00:28:07,709 I want to be like this person. 536 00:28:09,479 --> 00:28:12,919 But there is a huge difference when it comes to Christianity. 537 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:18,599 See, all those other religions will give you a set of rules and 538 00:28:18,599 --> 00:28:22,919 a pattern to follow, but no power to keep it. 539 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:25,599 No power to do it, by the way. 540 00:28:25,599 --> 00:28:27,159 No power to want to do it. 541 00:28:28,439 --> 00:28:34,479 What's so amazing about a life with Jesus Christ and a life given 542 00:28:34,479 --> 00:28:37,159 to Jesus Christ and a life that's following in the steps of 543 00:28:37,159 --> 00:28:40,119 Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is that when I get saved, when I accept 544 00:28:40,119 --> 00:28:44,959 him as Savior, he suffered for me, he suffered for us, he died for 545 00:28:44,959 --> 00:28:45,159 us. 546 00:28:45,159 --> 00:28:46,399 He gave his life for us. 547 00:28:46,399 --> 00:28:50,359 And when we reach out to him and when we accept him as our Savior 548 00:28:50,439 --> 00:28:54,559 and he rescues us from sin and he rescues us from the penalty of 549 00:28:54,559 --> 00:28:58,559 sin and we are passed from death unto life and we begin to follow 550 00:28:58,559 --> 00:29:01,159 the Savior, he gives us a new want to. 551 00:29:02,439 --> 00:29:05,079 The things I used to do, I don't want to do them anymore. 552 00:29:05,669 --> 00:29:08,989 When I got saved, there was a great change since I've been born 553 00:29:08,989 --> 00:29:09,269 again. 554 00:29:10,389 --> 00:29:13,669 And I can read this book and it does have a lot of biblical principles 555 00:29:13,669 --> 00:29:16,429 and it does use the Bible in many, many places. 556 00:29:16,429 --> 00:29:19,349 But can I tell you this book and its stories have no power? 557 00:29:20,229 --> 00:29:21,029 No, no, no, no. 558 00:29:21,029 --> 00:29:25,749 The Bible, the Bible says it is powerful and sharper than any 559 00:29:25,749 --> 00:29:26,629 two edged sword. 560 00:29:26,869 --> 00:29:27,229 Power. 561 00:29:27,229 --> 00:29:28,629 It's dynamite. 562 00:29:29,349 --> 00:29:37,159 It has the power to give you the strength and grace you need to 563 00:29:37,159 --> 00:29:38,879 follow in the steps of Jesus. 564 00:29:41,359 --> 00:29:43,759 Others may inspire, other books may inspire. 565 00:29:43,759 --> 00:29:47,078 I've watched some good movies, Facing the Giants and many other 566 00:29:47,078 --> 00:29:48,719 good movies that inspired me. 567 00:29:49,119 --> 00:29:51,919 But there's no power in those movies. 568 00:29:52,879 --> 00:29:55,879 There's no, there's no, by the way, there's no will to do in those 569 00:29:55,879 --> 00:29:56,239 movies. 570 00:29:56,799 --> 00:29:57,679 But there is here. 571 00:29:59,919 --> 00:30:01,839 When I got saved, I received a new nature. 572 00:30:02,559 --> 00:30:05,439 I became a partaker of the divine nature of God. 573 00:30:06,399 --> 00:30:09,119 The Holy Spirit resides in me. 574 00:30:09,759 --> 00:30:11,679 The Bible says the Holy Spirit lives in you. 575 00:30:11,679 --> 00:30:13,439 The Bible says Christ lives in you. 576 00:30:13,519 --> 00:30:15,199 The Bible says God lives in you. 577 00:30:15,439 --> 00:30:19,999 Realize that the Trinity and again the Holy Spirit is there to 578 00:30:19,999 --> 00:30:22,399 comfort us and help us and encourage us and strengthen us. 579 00:30:23,229 --> 00:30:30,149 Give us the power we need to live out the Christian life again. 580 00:30:30,149 --> 00:30:36,149 Jesus Christ paid for our sins, suffered for us that he might 581 00:30:36,149 --> 00:30:37,149 be in our example. 582 00:30:38,269 --> 00:30:38,949 What does that mean? 583 00:30:38,949 --> 00:30:46,429 Well, selfless example, living a selfless life, being selfless with 584 00:30:46,429 --> 00:30:48,949 our spouse and being selfless with our kids and being selfless 585 00:30:48,949 --> 00:30:52,029 in our workplace, being selfless with our neighbor, treating 586 00:30:52,029 --> 00:30:55,069 others as we want to be treated, following in the steps of 587 00:30:55,069 --> 00:30:55,589 Jesus. 588 00:30:56,549 --> 00:31:00,629 It's copying the letter and copying the letter and copying and 589 00:31:00,629 --> 00:31:03,949 just keep copying it, keep copying it. 590 00:31:03,949 --> 00:31:05,509 You'll never get perfect at it. 591 00:31:06,149 --> 00:31:09,989 There'll always be one little jot or one little this not exactly 592 00:31:09,989 --> 00:31:10,429 on the line. 593 00:31:10,429 --> 00:31:11,589 But I'm going to keep at it. 594 00:31:12,229 --> 00:31:15,389 And I'm thankful I have the Holy Spirit who strengthens and guides 595 00:31:15,389 --> 00:31:16,149 me and helps me. 596 00:31:19,199 --> 00:31:23,999 And the longer and the more I follow in the steps of Jesus, relying 597 00:31:23,999 --> 00:31:28,999 upon him, relying on the Holy Spirit, the more I will be conformed 598 00:31:28,999 --> 00:31:29,919 into his image. 599 00:31:34,559 --> 00:31:36,319 Salvation makes a change in us. 600 00:31:37,599 --> 00:31:39,919 Truly ought to ask the question, as you live throughout 601 00:31:39,919 --> 00:31:42,159 this year, what would Jesus do? 602 00:31:43,639 --> 00:31:44,519 What would he do? 603 00:31:45,559 --> 00:31:49,039 What would he do in the situation you may be in today, how 604 00:31:49,039 --> 00:31:50,039 would he handle it? 605 00:31:50,519 --> 00:31:51,559 What would he say? 606 00:31:54,439 --> 00:31:55,559 That's what you should do. 607 00:31:56,919 --> 00:31:58,358 You say, well, I'm not sure. 608 00:31:58,358 --> 00:31:58,879 I'm not sure. 609 00:31:58,879 --> 00:31:59,399 I'm not sure. 610 00:31:59,399 --> 00:32:01,959 Well, pray, Lord, show me. 611 00:32:03,239 --> 00:32:06,119 Show me what to do, Lord. 612 00:32:06,199 --> 00:32:07,799 Help me to say the right thing. 613 00:32:09,039 --> 00:32:16,079 Help me to live, talk, care like Jesus. 614 00:32:17,679 --> 00:32:19,359 Help me to follow in his steps. 615 00:32:20,719 --> 00:32:21,599 Let's all stand.