WEBVTT

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 There is a point every year during the Christmas season where I think maybe most people, at least most people that I know, right when all the stars align just the right way and all the right things are happening at just the right moment, you have this one fleeting thought that says, wouldn't it be nice if it were Christmas every day of the year?

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 And of course, if you're older than 12, that sentiment doesn't last very long because you realize very quickly, I don't actually want to spend time with family every day of the year.

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 I don't actually want to have to go and purchase these things every year. I want my house back. Let's take the tree down, all the things. You think about that.

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 But the kids, typically we get to Christmas Day and we think, man, how awesome it would be if it was Christmas every day.

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 There's something about the being together, the joyfulness of the season that we just want it to last. We want to have that feeling all the time.

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 I wonder if you've ever had that same thought, asked the same question about Easter.

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 What if every day were Easter?

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 What if every day was an opportunity to turn our fears of death into the expectation of new life?

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 Isn't that what Easter is?

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 Even a secularist would acknowledge that Easter and spring, it's all about new life and winter is gone and darkness is gone and the sun is up and the flowers are coming and it's just, it's so wonderful.

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 It's new life. It's regeneration.

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 What if every ache of the body that you feel now, what if every ache of the heart, what if every confusion of your mind was immediately confronted every time that it popped up with the hope that eventually it will all go away?

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 You think about that. Some of you this morning, you rolled out of bed and you thought, man, all I do is hurt.

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 And then you come to church and you think, oh, well, it's Easter today and we're talking about the resurrection, which is just a reminder that this hurt that I feel and the sorrow that I feel and the struggle that I have right now, eventually it's going to go away.

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 Easter is about life. Easter is about hope.

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 What if every day were like that?

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 What if every experience, whether good or bad, was filtered through the recognition that God has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins?

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 That's what Paul wrote to the church in Colossae.

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 In other words, what if every day were Easter?

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 Well, for many people, every day is Easter.

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 And it could be for you too.

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 Of course, it wouldn't mean anything if every day were spent focused on egg hunts and family dinners and Reese's peanut butter cups,

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 which, of course, is the best Easter candy that there is.

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 But if our hearts and minds were just constantly focused every day on the resurrection of Jesus, what if that were true of us?

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 That's a different story, isn't it?

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 Eventually, you get tired of the peanut butter eggs.

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 Eventually, you don't want to hide the eggs anymore.

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 Eventually, you're ready for the family to go home.

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 But can you ever tire of the glories of the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

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 What if it were on your mind every day?

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 That's at least part of what we gain from Paul's statements in 1 Corinthians 15,

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 as he reminds the church here in Corinth that the resurrection is essential to the gospel message,

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 and that the gospel message is essential to the everyday experience of life and hope.

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 Now, Paul's statements here were made to confront a growing theological problem in Corinth.

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 Some of the people were confused.

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 They were having difficulty grasping the reality of a general resurrection,

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 what we call a general resurrection, which is a future moment when the bodies of all who died in Christ

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 will be resurrected to eternal life.

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 That's really the primary topic at work in 1 Corinthians 15.

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 There were people that were confused about that.

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 There were also people in the church at Corinth who were not confused about it.

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 They just outright denied that anything like that would ever happen.

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 So the context of the chapter has to do with Paul setting the record straight on that specific matter.

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 But you'll notice, in order to answer the question of our future resurrection,

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 he must link it directly to the fact of Jesus' resurrection after being crucified.

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 And at one point, Paul says that if there is no resurrection of the dead,

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 then even Jesus has not been raised.

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 And if Jesus isn't risen, then the apostles have nothing about which to preach,

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 and the Christians have nothing about which to believe.

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 The resurrection changes everything.

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 Think about that for just a moment.

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 Without the resurrection, there is no apostle Paul.

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 Without the resurrection, there's no apostles at all.

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 Without the resurrection, the 12 disciples go back to Galilee,

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 go back to fishing, and living out their lives,

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 hoping that the Messiah will still eventually come for them to save them.

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 If there is no resurrection, then there would be no church.

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 There would be no reason for it to exist.

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 If there were no resurrection, there would be nothing for us to believe.

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 There would be no reason for us to gather together, not only today, but any day.

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 Paul says everything about Christianity, it hinges on the resurrection of Jesus.

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 And he continues.

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 Just set your eyes a few verses down in the chapter on verse 20.

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 He says,

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 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead,

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 the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

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 For as by a man came death,

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 by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

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 For as in Adam all die,

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 so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

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 But each in his own order.

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 Remember, Christ the firstfruits,

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 Christ is the first resurrection.

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 Then at his coming,

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 those who belong to Christ,

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 then comes the end,

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 when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father.

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 After destroying every rule,

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 and every authority and power,

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 he must reign.

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 Until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

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 And the last enemy to be destroyed,

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 is death.

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 It's just significant.

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 Now what I want to focus on this morning,

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 is not the specific controversy that was plaguing the church in Corinth.

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 What I want to focus on,

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 is the gospel-saturated way,

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 that the apostle Paul,

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 answered their question about it.

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 What these people in Corinth needed,

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 was not a theological essay on the topic.

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 They just needed a fresh reminder of the gospel message,

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 and its eternal implications.

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 And it's in this gospel primer,

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 that Paul writes in these first 11 verses,

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 that we find one of the most powerful resurrection texts,

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 in all of the scriptures.

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 And it begins,

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 by reminding us,

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 that the gospel matters,

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 not just at one point in our lives,

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 but at every point in our lives.

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 That it matters every day,

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 and in every way.

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 Look at verse 1.

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 Now I would remind you, brothers,

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 of the gospel I preach to you,

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 which you receive,

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 in which you stand,

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 and by which you are being saved.

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 If you hold fast,

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 to the word I preach to you,

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 unless you believe in vain.

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 Now I want you to think about something,

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 keep your eyes on the verses.

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 Paul could have gone straight,

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 from this phrase in verse 1,

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 I would remind you, brothers,

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 of the gospel I preach to you.

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 He could have gone straight from that,

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 to the phrase in verse 3,

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 at the beginning,

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 for I delivered to you,

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 what I,

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 as a matter of first importance.

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 And think about that,

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 just in the way the structure,

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 the sentence is made.

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 It would have made just as much sense to us,

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 we wouldn't have thought anything was missing,

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 had he just said,

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 I want to remind you of the gospel message,

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 because I delivered to you,

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 the gospel message I delivered to you,

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 was this.

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 But that's not what he does.

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 He adds in these other portions of verse 1.

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 But why does he do that?

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 Because the declaration of the gospel,

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 is not an intellectual exercise,

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 in which one person,

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 simply passes on information,

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 to another person.

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 No, that's not what the preaching of the gospel is.

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 It's much more than that.

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 The preaching of the gospel,

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 is a spiritually intrusive,

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 potentially transformative call,

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 that demands a response,

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 from those who hear it.

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 And in the case of Paul's preaching,

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 to these people in Corinth,

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 the response was to believe the message.

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 They believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And Paul was reminding them,

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 not only of the content of that message,

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 but of the ongoing impact,

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 of that message on their daily lives.

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 Let me prove it to you.

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 Notice the past,

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 present,

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 and future dimensions,

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 of salvation,

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 that are laid out here.

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 These Christians,

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 are said by Paul,

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 to have received.

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 They have received.

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 That's past tense.

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 There was a time in their life,

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 when Paul came,

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 or some other apostle came,

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 and they preached the gospel of Jesus.

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 And these people,

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 as they heard the gospel,

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 understood that it demanded a response.

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 And their response was to receive it,

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 to believe it.

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 They confessed their sins.

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 They confessed Christ as Lord and Savior.

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 And the Holy Spirit changes them,

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 saves them.

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 And that moment of conversion,

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 in their past,

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 then launched them,

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 into a life of faith,

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 in which they were at that moment,

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 in the present,

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 quote,

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 standing,

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 in which you now stand.

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 They're standing on the gospel,

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 and are being saved.

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 That is,

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 it's happening in the present.

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 They are being saved by it,

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 which is a statement,

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 reflecting their ongoing growth in Christ.

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 So,

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 keep up with me here.

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 They are saved,

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 because of this past conversion.

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 They are being saved,

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 because as they stand daily,

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 in the gospel message,

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 the Lord is transforming them,

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 from the inside out.

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 Now,

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 that process,

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 of what we call sanctification,

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 implies,

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 that it eventually has an end.

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 Sanctification does not go on,

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 indefinitely,

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 ad infinitum.

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 It has an end,

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 which brings in the future,

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 dimension of salvation.

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 One day,

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 they will be saved,

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 at the return of Christ.

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 It's amazing.

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 Of course,

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 they will be saved in eternity,

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 unless,

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 Paul reminds them,

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 that their profession proved,

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 inauthentic,

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 and it would only prove,

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 inauthentic,

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 if they stopped,

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 standing,

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 on the gospel message.

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 That's his point here.

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 So,

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 here's what he's saying.

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 I want to remind you,

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 about the gospel,

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 not just what it is,

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 but why it matters for you,

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 every single day,

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 Corinthian church,

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 he said.

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 In other words,

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 when a person,

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 becomes a Christian,

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 by the power of God's grace,

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 it begins,

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 this unstoppable,

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 lifelong move,

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 toward eternal salvation.

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 Now,

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 in so far,

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 as Easter,

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 is about the good news of Jesus,

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 and in so far,

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 as that gospel,

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 the good news of Jesus,

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 is essential,

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 and relevant,

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 to our daily lives,

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 then,

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 every day,

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 should be treated,

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 like Easter,

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 by those,

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 who have received,

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 and are standing,

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 by faith,

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 in the gospel,

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 of Christ.

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 Every day.

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 All those things,

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 I said a moment ago.

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 Every day.

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 If you are in Christ,

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 that is your reality.

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 For a believer,

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 focused on the gospel,

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 each day,

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 no matter how dark,

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 it may prove to be,

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 and you know,

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 that some days,

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 are very,

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 very dark.

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 For a believer,

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 even those dark days,

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 are lived in the light,

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 of the resurrection,

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 of Jesus Christ.

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 when you suffer,

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 physically,

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 emotionally,

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 when loved ones die,

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 what is our only hope,

00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:23.720
 in life and death?

00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:26.059
 Our only hope,

00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.860
 in life and death,

00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.840
 is that Jesus,

00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.179
 is alive.

00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.919
 And that for those,

00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:34.159
 who have trusted in him,

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.079
 that life is ours,

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.660
 and it is coming.

00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.379
 For Christians,

00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.560
 that are living every day,

00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.200
 like Easter,

00:14:45.060 --> 00:14:45.700
 get this.

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.660
 Every sin,

00:14:48.780 --> 00:14:49.700
 every sin,

00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:52.440
 no matter how terrible,

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.220
 it may be,

00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.520
 is followed,

00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.000
 by the peace of knowing.

00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:58.900
 Jesus,

00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.600
 died for it.

00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.300
 Isn't that wonderful?

00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:07.519
 after I blow it,

00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:08.419
 with my wife,

00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:09.919
 with my kids,

00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:13.139
 after I do that thing,

00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.879
 that if,

00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.179
 if,

00:15:14.359 --> 00:15:15.620
 if people in my church,

00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.879
 knew that I did it,

00:15:16.979 --> 00:15:17.899
 no one would ever,

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.639
 want to be around me.

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.959
 Even after that,

00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:26.019
 I can have the peace,

00:15:26.079 --> 00:15:26.479
 of knowing,

00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.419
 Jesus died,

00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.279
 for that sin.

00:15:30.099 --> 00:15:31.399
 That's what it's like,

00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.019
 to live Easter,

00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.379
 every day.

00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:37.139
 And the reality is,

00:15:37.219 --> 00:15:38.000
 that it is,

00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:38.699
 Easter,

00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:39.659
 every day.

00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.519
 It's just that,

00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.779
 many of us don't live,

00:15:41.839 --> 00:15:42.719
 as if the gospel,

00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.919
 is truly a matter,

00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.379
 of first importance.

00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:48.059
 So we don't experience,

00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:49.019
 the benefits,

00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:51.479
 of an every day is Easter,

00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.839
 way of life.

00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:54.359
 But notice,

00:15:54.479 --> 00:15:55.339
 what Paul says next,

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.899
 in verse three.

00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:57.539
 For I deliver to you,

00:15:58.039 --> 00:16:00.799
 as of first importance.

00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:03.719
 what I also received,

00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.379
 and believed,

00:16:04.599 --> 00:16:05.279
 this gospel.

00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:07.259
 The fact that the,

00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.240
 gospel message,

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.779
 is of first importance,

00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:11.240
 it doesn't negate,

00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.000
 the importance,

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.059
 of other issues.

00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:14.639
 There are many,

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.740
 significant things,

00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.219
 that Jesus,

00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.099
 and his apostles,

00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.579
 instructed the church over.

00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:20.500
 There are many,

00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.620
 important discussions,

00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.719
 about life,

00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.399
 and culture,

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.139
 and society,

00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.759
 that we must,

00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:25.879
 be willing to have,

00:16:25.959 --> 00:16:26.519
 with one another.

00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:28.559
 But only the gospel,

00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.759
 as Paul says,

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.579
 in Romans one,

00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.419
 is the power of God,

00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.279
 to salvation,

00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:35.059
 for all who will,

00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:35.840
 believe.

00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:37.559
 Meaning,

00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.000
 the gospel,

00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:41.039
 must have the priority,

00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:41.659
 of focus,

00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.439
 every day,

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.179
 and in every way.

00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.799
 All other matters,

00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:48.500
 of import,

00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.199
 must be,

00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:50.240
 subservient,

00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:50.980
 to that gospel.

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.980
 All conclusions,

00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:53.899
 and actions,

00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:55.139
 regarding those issues,

00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.179
 must have,

00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.519
 the truth of the gospel,

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.100
 as their foundation,

00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.600
 and the glory,

00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:01.539
 of the gospel,

00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.919
 as their end.

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.279
 When you're dealing,

00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.420
 with stuff as a family,

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.519
 your conclusions,

00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.420
 your actions,

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.639
 the way you deal with that,

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.480
 as a Christian,

00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.639
 if you're going to live Easter,

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.619
 every day,

00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.500
 the gospel,

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.779
 must be the foundation,

00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.079
 of all of those discussions.

00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.400
 It must be the foundation,

00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.440
 of all of those actions.

00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.440
 And the gospel,

00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.500
 in its glory,

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:23.680
 must be the end goal,

00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.000
 of those actions,

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.759
 and conclusions.

00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.180
 That everything we do,

00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.799
 is focused,

00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.240
 and governed by Jesus.

00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.720
 That everything we do,

00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.759
 everything we say,

00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.680
 everything we believe,

00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.759
 has the end,

00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:36.420
 of glorifying Jesus,

00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.319
 and his gospel,

00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.180
 before the world.

00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:40.920
 In other words,

00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:41.980
 we have to learn,

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.559
 to live,

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.380
 and view all of life,

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:44.920
 and faith,

00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.079
 through the lens,

00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:46.759
 of the gospel.

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.420
 The gospel,

00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.240
 must have priority,

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:49.859
 in our preaching.

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.119
 The gospel,

00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.319
 must have priority,

00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.259
 in our worship.

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.500
 The gospel,

00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.000
 must have priority,

00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.980
 in the way that we live,

00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.720
 from day to day,

00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.640
 in the things that we do,

00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.779
 in the sins that we commit,

00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.559
 and do not commit,

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.440
 in the evangelistic efforts,

00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.420
 of our church.

00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.879
 So if the gospel,

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.700
 is so important,

00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.119
 then,

00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:09.019
 what is it?

00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.500
 If this is,

00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:13.279
 such a matter,

00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:13.900
 of import,

00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.819
 to my life,

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.140
 if it can make,

00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.500
 that much difference,

00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.259
 for me,

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.220
 what actually is,

00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:19.960
 this gospel?

00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.680
 Secondly,

00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.640
 can I actually,

00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:25.339
 trust this gospel,

00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.140
 or this message,

00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.680
 or this thing,

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.460
 that you're trying to,

00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.539
 get me to think about,

00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.379
 and to believe today?

00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.680
 Can I actually trust it?

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:30.980
 Is there,

00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:32.460
 credibility to it?

00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.039
 Third question,

00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.440
 well,

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.400
 what can it actually,

00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.059
 do for me?

00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:38.879
 Because all of this,

00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.539
 just feels like,

00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.559
 an intellectual exercise,

00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.039
 at this point,

00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:41.500
 doesn't it?

00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.539
 You came to church today,

00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.379
 you wore,

00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.379
 perhaps a new outfit,

00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:46.200
 and you're excited,

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.260
 about the ham,

00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:48.100
 that weighed you later,

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.180
 or a low country boil,

00:18:49.280 --> 00:18:49.880
 in my case,

00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.720
 and you're excited,

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.640
 about all those things,

00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:52.020
 right?

00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:52.620
 Like it's easy,

00:18:52.760 --> 00:18:53.280
 it's fun,

00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:54.380
 but now you just have to,

00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:55.420
 get through this part,

00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.220
 where Jared just talked,

00:18:57.300 --> 00:18:57.680
 for an hour,

00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:59.060
 and it's just like,

00:18:59.120 --> 00:18:59.380
 okay,

00:18:59.560 --> 00:18:59.820
 I just,

00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.500
 I don't want to go,

00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.160
 to school today,

00:19:01.260 --> 00:19:01.480
 Jared,

00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:02.180
 so it'd be great,

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.240
 if we just wrap this thing up,

00:19:03.300 --> 00:19:04.300
 I get on the rest of my day.

00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.300
 Like that's what it feels like,

00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.600
 right now,

00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.020
 doesn't it?

00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.360
 Doesn't it?

00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.960
 So then the question is,

00:19:09.280 --> 00:19:10.120
 what does this gospel,

00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:11.040
 actually do for me?

00:19:13.280 --> 00:19:14.340
 Those three questions,

00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.140
 are the three questions,

00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:15.960
 that I want to answer,

00:19:16.040 --> 00:19:17.220
 that I think Paul helps us,

00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:17.700
 to answer,

00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.820
 at least begins,

00:19:18.820 --> 00:19:20.500
 to give us the answers about,

00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:22.940
 here in this text.

00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.820
 They aren't everything,

00:19:24.820 --> 00:19:25.620
 that you can know,

00:19:25.780 --> 00:19:26.980
 but they are enough,

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.480
 to help you experience,

00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.460
 the truth of Easter,

00:19:29.800 --> 00:19:30.200
 today,

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.320
 and every day,

00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:31.620
 okay?

00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.340
 So let's deal with them.

00:19:32.540 --> 00:19:33.380
 Question number one,

00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.860
 what is the gospel?

00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.259
 What actually is this gospel?

00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.520
 Let's talk about,

00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.980
 the gospel defined,

00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.620
 verse three,

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.940
 for I delivered to you,

00:19:42.020 --> 00:19:43.120
 as of first importance,

00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.880
 what I also received,

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.420
 that Christ died,

00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.300
 for our sins,

00:19:47.300 --> 00:19:48.520
 in accordance with the scriptures,

00:19:48.520 --> 00:19:50.320
 that he was buried,

00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.700
 that he was raised,

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.660
 on the third day,

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:54.160
 in accordance with the scriptures.

00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.200
 Well,

00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.140
 what is the good news,

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.640
 of Jesus?

00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.680
 Paul very plainly,

00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.700
 defines it here,

00:20:00.280 --> 00:20:01.180
 as the death,

00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:02.540
 burial,

00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.020
 and resurrection,

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.500
 of the Savior,

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.080
 Jesus Christ.

00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:08.699
 but that leads us,

00:20:08.699 --> 00:20:09.559
 to a second question.

00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:11.960
 If that's the simple definition,

00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.839
 what makes it good news,

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.960
 rather than just basic,

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.539
 historical,

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.099
 bibliographical,

00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.599
 or biographical information,

00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.299
 right?

00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.439
 Glad you asked.

00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.259
 Let me answer.

00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:26.500
 The answer has everything,

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.819
 to do with this little phrase,

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:30.439
 for our sins.

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:32.180
 brings us,

00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.940
 into the picture here.

00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.100
 This isn't just about Jesus,

00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.900
 it's about Jesus,

00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.140
 in relation to us,

00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.759
 for our sins.

00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:40.539
 God's word teaches,

00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:42.940
 that death,

00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.340
 both physical,

00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.160
 and spiritual,

00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:47.940
 is God's judgment,

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.980
 against those who,

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.460
 by nature,

00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:53.340
 and by action,

00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.279
 have rebelled against him.

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.940
 And every one of us,

00:20:58.060 --> 00:20:59.400
 is guilty before God,

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.900
 because as Paul says,

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.960
 in Romans chapter 3,

00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:04.340
 all have sinned.

00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.380
 But then the Bible,

00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.180
 also teaches,

00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:09.279
 that Jesus of Nazareth,

00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:11.620
 is the sinless,

00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:13.160
 son of God,

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:15.100
 who perfectly,

00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:16.700
 fulfilled God's law,

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.940
 in all the ways,

00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:18.940
 that we were meant to.

00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:20.120
 So the things,

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.240
 that makes us sinners,

00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.300
 Jesus never did those things.

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.340
 He didn't have that nature.

00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:28.500
 He didn't tell those lies.

00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.540
 He didn't have that rebellion.

00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.240
 Whatever it may be,

00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:33.300
 it was sinless.

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:36.519
 He has not sinned,

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:38.100
 nor has he fallen short,

00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:38.759
 of the glory,

00:21:39.540 --> 00:21:40.340
 of God,

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.180
 as each and every one,

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.840
 of us has done.

00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:43.359
 So,

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.339
 that means,

00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.659
 that Jesus' death,

00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:46.559
 was not a payment,

00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.919
 for his own sin,

00:21:48.699 --> 00:21:49.919
 because Jesus,

00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:50.980
 had no sin,

00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.740
 for which,

00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:52.819
 to pay.

00:21:53.919 --> 00:21:54.319
 Therefore,

00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:54.939
 the Bible,

00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.839
 makes it clear,

00:21:56.199 --> 00:21:57.959
 that Jesus' crucifixion,

00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.879
 was a sacrifice,

00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.919
 for the sins,

00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.399
 of others.

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.059
 Which is why,

00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.859
 Paul speaks,

00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:05.079
 of Christ's death here,

00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:07.459
 in terms of substitution.

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:10.100
 Bearing shame,

00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:11.500
 and scoffing rude,

00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.640
 in my place,

00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:14.960
 condemned,

00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.680
 he stood,

00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:19.799
 sealed my pardon,

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.240
 with his blood.

00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.700
 Hallelujah.

00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:24.759
 What a Savior.

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.180
 Isn't that what we see?

00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.100
 Christ died,

00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:29.019
 yes,

00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:32.680
 for our sins.

00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.420
 Here,

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.120
 John Stott,

00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.580
 on the matter.

00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:37.560
 The essence,

00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.180
 of sin,

00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:39.560
 is man,

00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.740
 substituting himself,

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.539
 for God,

00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.140
 while the essence,

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.000
 of salvation,

00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.840
 is God,

00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:47.160
 substituting himself,

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.640
 for man.

00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.920
 Man,

00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.920
 asserts himself,

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.759
 against God,

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.259
 and puts himself,

00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:55.440
 where only God,

00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.299
 deserves to be.

00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.080
 God,

00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.519
 sacrifices himself,

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.299
 for man,

00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:02.099
 and puts himself,

00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.200
 where only man,

00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:04.559
 deserves to be.

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.139
 Man,

00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.680
 claims,

00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.339
 prerogatives,

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.940
 that belong to God alone.

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.180
 God,

00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.339
 accepts the penalties,

00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:13.460
 that belong to man,

00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.460
 alone.

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.079
 But as you might expect,

00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:20.500
 the gospel is not good news,

00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.519
 if all Jesus did,

00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.220
 was die.

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.319
 Everyone dies.

00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.139
 So his death,

00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:28.759
 on its own,

00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.159
 doesn't mean anything.

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:32.659
 which is why,

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.039
 Paul continues to define,

00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.000
 the gospel message,

00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.220
 by his burial,

00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.619
 his resurrection.

00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.159
 Now,

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.460
 Jesus' burial,

00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:42.059
 is a validation,

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:43.440
 of his death,

00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.659
 for those,

00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.519
 who would suggest,

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.639
 that he was merely,

00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.839
 resuscitated,

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.299
 rather than,

00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:49.839
 resurrected.

00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.839
 That's been,

00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.639
 one of the,

00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:53.720
 many alternate conclusions,

00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:54.700
 that people have offered,

00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.299
 through the years,

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.139
 that Jesus,

00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.180
 when he was taken down,

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.639
 on the cross,

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.440
 wasn't actually,

00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.299
 fully dead,

00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.279
 that he was still alive,

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:00.859
 he still had,

00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:02.240
 had life in him,

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.519
 and no one realized it.

00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.159
 So when they put him,

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.700
 in the grave,

00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.139
 eventually,

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.279
 he just kind of,

00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.919
 resuscitated,

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:10.059
 and three days later,

00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.119
 was healed enough,

00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.619
 from this excruciating torture,

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.859
 that he just kind of,

00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:14.579
 decided he was going,

00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.359
 to push the stone away,

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.339
 and walk out.

00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.039
 Like that,

00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:17.440
 that's,

00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.339
 that's a conclusion,

00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:18.959
 that many people,

00:24:18.959 --> 00:24:18.959


00:24:18.959 --> 00:24:19.519
 have drawn.

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.559
 Well,

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.579
 Paul says this here,

00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.559
 in order to,

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.559
 confront that.

00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.159
 The Romans,

00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:28.220
 were expert executioners.

00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.939
 Those responsible,

00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:32.399
 for Jesus's execution,

00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.019
 they even,

00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:34.079
 were told that,

00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.339
 they stabbed his heart,

00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:36.059
 with a spear,

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.379
 post-mortem,

00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:39.599
 just to make sure,

00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.619
 that he was dead,

00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.799
 before they allowed him,

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.720
 to be taken down.

00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:46.420
 Then his body,

00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.079
 was handled,

00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.940
 by multiple people,

00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.360
 as it was removed,

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.900
 from this cross,

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.440
 as it was,

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.140
 briefly prepared,

00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.980
 and wrapped,

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.279
 in the linen cloth,

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.299
 that we read about,

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.259
 in John chapter 20,

00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.039
 just a moment ago,

00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.339
 and then carried,

00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.440
 short distance,

00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.079
 for sure,

00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:03.880
 but actually,

00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.779
 physically carried,

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.299
 from the cross,

00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.799
 to this tomb,

00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.519
 someone would have,

00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.500
 had to gotten down,

00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:11.259
 on the ground,

00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.240
 with this body,

00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.579
 to actually get it,

00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.059
 in the tomb,

00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.339
 because the way,

00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:16.059
 these were designed,

00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:17.899
 we picture a doorway,

00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.099
 like a stone,

00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:19.799
 about this high,

00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.599
 that covered a door,

00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.460
 that you could just,

00:25:21.679 --> 00:25:22.119
 walk right through,

00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:22.919
 that's not how,

00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.519
 these graves,

00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:23.960
 these tombs,

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.500
 you can see them,

00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.139
 today in Israel,

00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:25.740
 they're actually,

00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.259
 very small,

00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:26.980
 about like this,

00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.019
 the stone is about,

00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:28.500
 like this,

00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:28.940
 okay,

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.720
 not as big,

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.240
 as you would think,

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.779
 that's why,

00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.940
 when Peter and John,

00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.740
 run to the tomb,

00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.759
 it says that they,

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.200
 stooped down,

00:25:36.659 --> 00:25:37.460
 to look inside,

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.440
 because they would have,

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.319
 had to get on the ground,

00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.539
 and crawled in,

00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.319
 and then it would have,

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.079
 been an open,

00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.240
 cavity,

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.779
 inside the hill there,

00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.400
 okay,

00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.839
 think about this,

00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:49.680
 professional executioners,

00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.920
 going to great lengths,

00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.799
 just to ensure,

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.960
 that death is done,

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:56.079
 but then comes the grave,

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:56.700
 and all these people,

00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.420
 handling the body,

00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.440
 surely someone,

00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:58.920
 would have noticed,

00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.099
 hey,

00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:00.240
 this guy is still breathing,

00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.259
 no,

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.599
 he was buried,

00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.079
 that's the point,

00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.359
 he was buried,

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.079
 he was dead,

00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.399
 he was fully,

00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.099
 really,

00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:09.879
 truly,

00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.679
 completely,

00:26:10.679 --> 00:26:10.679


00:26:10.679 --> 00:26:11.980
 dead,

00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:14.220
 so Paul's mention,

00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.939
 of Christ's burial,

00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:16.119
 it verifies his death,

00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:17.980
 and it anticipates,

00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.759
 the most significant,

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.819
 element of the gospel,

00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:22.720
 which is Christ's resurrection,

00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.519
 I delivered to you,

00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.419
 as a first importance,

00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.539
 what I also received,

00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:26.960
 and believed,

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.359
 Christ died,

00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.460
 for our sins,

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.519
 according to the scriptures,

00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:32.279
 he was buried,

00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.960
 and he rose,

00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.500
 on the third day,

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.839
 in accordance,

00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.879
 with the scriptures,

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.519
 now here's why,

00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:40.799
 this matters so much,

00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:43.700
 that Jesus rose,

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.420
 from the dead,

00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.279
 proves,

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.539
 that he was truly,

00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:49.559
 without sin,

00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:52.519
 and if he was truly,

00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.599
 without sin,

00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.379
 that means,

00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:57.019
 that he was actually,

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.660
 eligible,

00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:00.019
 to make an atonement,

00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:02.200
 for our sins,

00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:05.339
 this is what Peter says,

00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:06.519
 when he preaches the gospel,

00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.839
 in Acts chapter 2,

00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.579
 in verse 24,

00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.119
 he says,

00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.759
 God raised him up,

00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:12.220
 losing the pangs of death,

00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:14.500
 because it was not possible,

00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:16.299
 for him to be held by it,

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.859
 why was it not possible,

00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.059
 because death,

00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:20.559
 had no claim on him,

00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:22.500
 he laid his life down,

00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:24.259
 for the sins of others,

00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:27.519
 so God raised him up,

00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:30.619
 but Jesus's resurrection,

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:32.079
 it also shows that,

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.519
 God's wrath,

00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:35.200
 against our sins,

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:37.200
 was satisfied,

00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:40.279
 it was satisfied,

00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:43.639
 we just sang about it,

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.379
 a moment ago,

00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.579
 in Christ alone,

00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.779
 till on that cross,

00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:49.000
 as Jesus died,

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.940
 the wrath of God,

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.200
 was satisfied,

00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.920
 for every sin,

00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.200
 and on him was laid,

00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.960
 here in the death of Christ,

00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.700
 I live,

00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:03.820
 it's wonderful,

00:28:05.060 --> 00:28:06.840
 that Jesus rose from the dead,

00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.820
 proves that his death,

00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.920
 was sufficient,

00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:12.480
 nothing else is needed,

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.660
 God's not going to make you,

00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:16.560
 experience some form of death,

00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.759
 for some period of time,

00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:20.480
 based on your level of sins,

00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.720
 in order to make up,

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:23.160
 for whatever Jesus couldn't do,

00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.920
 that won't happen,

00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:27.360
 when he forgives your sin,

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:29.160
 he forgives all your sin,

00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:31.559
 because as Jesus hung on the cross,

00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:33.039
 he cries out,

00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.039
 it's finished,

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.440
 there's nothing left,

00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.980
 I've done it all,

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.640
 all the sins,

00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.279
 all the sins,

00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.299
 for those who believe,

00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:41.860
 done,

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.700
 it's paid for,

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.279
 it's done,

00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.940
 it's wonderful,

00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:46.519
 you say,

00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.519
 how can you know,

00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:49.779
 because God raised him up,

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.000
 his resurrection,

00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:52.279
 was God's way of saying,

00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:52.599
 hey,

00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.859
 I want you to know,

00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:55.399
 this was enough,

00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.019
 this was enough,

00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.920
 to satisfy my wrath,

00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:00.059
 against you,

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.639
 now just come to him,

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:03.019
 and receive it,

00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:05.099
 it's wonderful,

00:29:06.639 --> 00:29:07.139
 really,

00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:09.139
 for our sake,

00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:11.399
 God made him to be sin,

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.500
 who knew no sin,

00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.680
 so that in him,

00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.900
 we might become,

00:29:17.560 --> 00:29:18.259
 the righteousness,

00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.700
 of God,

00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.860
 but there's a final statement,

00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.180
 in this,

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.660
 that we cannot ignore,

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.500
 before we move on,

00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:27.920
 he wrote that Christ's death,

00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.940
 and resurrection,

00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.960
 fulfilled the scriptures,

00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.900
 that is,

00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:35.279
 it all happened,

00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:37.320
 in accordance with what God,

00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.799
 through the Bible,

00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.440
 had said,

00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.920
 what happened,

00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:44.420
 look at it,

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:44.940
 for yourself,

00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:47.100
 Christ died for our sins,

00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:48.840
 in accordance with the scriptures,

00:29:49.320 --> 00:29:51.080
 he was raised on the third day,

00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.740
 in accordance with the scriptures,

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.180
 now,

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:55.039
 your mind might immediately go,

00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:56.440
 to those eyewitness accounts,

00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.300
 of the gospels,

00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.779
 we read one of them,

00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.460
 a minute ago,

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.360
 in John chapter 20,

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.180
 an eyewitness account,

00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.300
 of the resurrected Christ,

00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:05.100
 that's not what Paul,

00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.980
 is referencing here,

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.660
 Paul wrote his letter,

00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.539
 his first letter,

00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.519
 to the church at Corinth,

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.900
 before either,

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.779
 of the four gospels,

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:15.720
 had been handwritten,

00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.779
 and distributed,

00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:19.900
 so what does Paul mean,

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.579
 when he says,

00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.579
 that Christ died,

00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:23.240
 and was raised,

00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.359
 in accordance with the scripture,

00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.379
 doesn't mean the gospels,

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.819
 certainly they're included,

00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:29.379
 but that's not what he has in mind,

00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:31.359
 what Paul has in mind,

00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.619
 is all of those types,

00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.240
 and symbols,

00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.960
 and prophecies,

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.039
 of the old testament,

00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:40.000
 that point forward,

00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.700
 to the death,

00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.359
 and resurrection,

00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.099
 of the Messiah,

00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.000
 that's what he has in mind,

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:48.659
 we could spend,

00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.519
 countless hours,

00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:51.599
 exploring all the biblical material,

00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.059
 that Jesus fulfilled,

00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:53.420
 in fact,

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.879
 in some sense,

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.700
 what we do every Sunday,

00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.480
 through systematic,

00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.740
 expositional preaching,

00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:01.059
 is to do just that,

00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:02.859
 all of the bible,

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.679
 is about Jesus,

00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:04.940
 therefore wherever,

00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.460
 we're preaching,

00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.579
 we're trying to see Jesus,

00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.240
 in the text,

00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:07.879
 we're trying to see,

00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:09.099
 how is this pointing us,

00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:09.740
 to the gospel,

00:31:09.899 --> 00:31:10.879
 because that's what it's for,

00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:13.720
 we'll spend our whole lives,

00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.179
 doing that,

00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:16.419
 and we'll not come close,

00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.779
 to getting it all,

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:21.279
 and in fact,

00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:22.159
 after his resurrection,

00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:22.859
 Jesus said,

00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:23.579
 that it all,

00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:25.339
 ultimately points to him,

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.379
 Luke 24,

00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.500
 then he said to them,

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.299
 these are my words,

00:31:28.379 --> 00:31:29.139
 that I spoke to you,

00:31:29.179 --> 00:31:30.039
 while I was still with you,

00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:32.079
 that everything written about me,

00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:33.000
 in the law of Moses,

00:31:34.159 --> 00:31:34.879
 and the prophets,

00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:35.619
 and the Psalms,

00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.559
 must be fulfilled,

00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:39.200
 then he opened their minds,

00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.319
 to understand the scriptures,

00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.519
 what a Sunday school lesson,

00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:42.200
 that must have been,

00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.200
 and said to them,

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.960
 thus it is written,

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.539
 that the Christ should suffer,

00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.559
 and on the third day,

00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.399
 rise from the dead,

00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:49.000
 and that repentance,

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.440
 for the forgiveness of sins,

00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:52.480
 should be proclaimed in his name,

00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.619
 to all nations,

00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.659
 beginning from Jerusalem,

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.619
 Jesus says,

00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.299
 guys,

00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.779
 what are you marveling for,

00:31:58.859 --> 00:32:00.019
 this is what I was telling you,

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.599
 all of it points to this,

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.180
 it's all about this,

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:06.480
 so go and preach it,

00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:09.180
 we could talk about,

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.200
 Abraham and Isaac,

00:32:11.159 --> 00:32:13.399
 going up Mount Moriah,

00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.000
 we could talk about,

00:32:15.399 --> 00:32:16.279
 the sign of Jonah,

00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:17.879
 that Jesus explicitly said,

00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:19.159
 that was a sign,

00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:19.899
 of his resurrection,

00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:22.099
 we could reflect on Jesus,

00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.920
 as the fulfillment,

00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:24.240
 of the sacrificial system,

00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.940
 of Leviticus,

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.559
 but one of my favorites,

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:28.159
 comes from Isaiah 53,

00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.300
 I imagine,

00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.400
 it might be one of your favorites,

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:30.920
 as well,

00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:32.519
 but he was pierced,

00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:33.900
 for our transgressions,

00:32:34.040 --> 00:32:35.300
 he was crushed,

00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:36.540
 for our iniquities,

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.100
 upon him,

00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:39.200
 was the chastisement,

00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.580
 that brought us peace,

00:32:40.580 --> 00:32:42.279
 with his wounds,

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.440
 we are healed,

00:32:44.560 --> 00:32:45.720
 yet it was the will,

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.140
 of the Lord,

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.960
 to crush him,

00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:48.380
 he has put him to grief,

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.779
 here's resurrection,

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:51.779
 when his soul,

00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.740
 makes an offering,

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.460
 for guilt,

00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:55.059
 he shall,

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:56.940
 see his offspring,

00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.139
 he shall,

00:32:58.139 --> 00:32:59.480
 prolong his days,

00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.339
 the will of the Lord,

00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.480
 shall prosper,

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.180
 in his hand,

00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.059
 all of that,

00:33:03.139 --> 00:33:03.980
 comes after,

00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.720
 his soul is crushed,

00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.879
 as an offering,

00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.119
 for guilt,

00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.019
 death,

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.319
 burial,

00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:11.759
 resurrection,

00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.339
 Isaiah 53,

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:16.399
 so what is the good news,

00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:16.960
 about Jesus,

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:19.660
 the gospel,

00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:20.360
 that I declare,

00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.220
 to you this morning,

00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.559
 is that Jesus Christ,

00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.480
 the sinless son of God,

00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:27.500
 died for our sins,

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.220
 was buried,

00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.440
 and rose from the dead,

00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.420
 on the third day,

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.960
 to bring us forgiveness,

00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.900
 and life,

00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.620
 in his name,

00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:38.220
 and the good news,

00:33:38.340 --> 00:33:40.039
 is that this was God's plan,

00:33:40.420 --> 00:33:41.740
 from before the foundations,

00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.500
 of the world,

00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:44.700
 and he graciously calls,

00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:46.039
 for you to receive,

00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.180
 this salvation,

00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:49.119
 not by doing your best,

00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.079
 and trying your hardest,

00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:50.859
 or putting some money,

00:33:50.899 --> 00:33:51.440
 in the basket,

00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.180
 on your way out,

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:53.159
 or doing any of the things,

00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:53.980
 he just says,

00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:54.759
 come and believe,

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:56.339
 by faith,

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.200
 the person,

00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.339
 and work of Jesus,

00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.619
 Jesus Christ,

00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.039
 salvation,

00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.440
 is graciously,

00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.680
 and freely given,

00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:04.680
 to all,

00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.319
 who come,

00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:06.220
 to believe,

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.839
 that's the testimony,

00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.559
 of the scripture,

00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.639
 nothing more,

00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.820
 nothing less,

00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.860
 Romans 10,

00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.599
 if you confess,

00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.319
 with your mouth,

00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.440
 that Jesus is Lord,

00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:18.179
 believe in your heart,

00:34:18.259 --> 00:34:19.179
 that God raised him,

00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:19.839
 from the dead,

00:34:20.319 --> 00:34:21.739
 you will,

00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:22.960
 be saved,

00:34:23.779 --> 00:34:25.380
 for with the heart,

00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.639
 one believes,

00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.440
 and is justified,

00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.460
 with the mouth,

00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.420
 one confesses,

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.039
 and is saved,

00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:31.380
 for the scripture says,

00:34:31.819 --> 00:34:33.159
 everyone who believes,

00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:33.659
 in him,

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:35.079
 will not be put,

00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:35.679
 to shame,

00:34:35.679 --> 00:34:39.719
 for there is no distinction,

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.579
 between Jew,

00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.179
 and Greek,

00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:43.079
 the same Lord,

00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:43.879
 is Lord of all,

00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.000
 bestowing his riches,

00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:47.539
 on all who call on him,

00:34:47.919 --> 00:34:49.059
 for everyone,

00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:51.199
 who calls on the name,

00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:51.859
 of the Lord,

00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:54.179
 will be saved,

00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:57.539
 which necessarily means,

00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.739
 that everyone,

00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.219
 who does not call,

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.259
 upon the name,

00:35:01.299 --> 00:35:01.739
 of the Lord,

00:35:02.379 --> 00:35:03.599
 will not be,

00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:04.639
 saved,

00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:06.699
 what is the gospel,

00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:07.920
 gospel defined,

00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.359
 we're there,

00:35:08.799 --> 00:35:09.699
 I've got two more,

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.900
 they're far shorter,

00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.400
 I promise,

00:35:11.839 --> 00:35:12.279
 number two,

00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:14.480
 can we trust it,

00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:16.639
 that's great,

00:35:17.219 --> 00:35:18.179
 I can see how,

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.440
 that's what Paul believed,

00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:21.239
 and that that's,

00:35:21.359 --> 00:35:22.019
 what Paul taught,

00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:23.859
 sounds good,

00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:25.759
 how can I actually,

00:35:25.859 --> 00:35:26.379
 trust it though,

00:35:27.339 --> 00:35:28.339
 Paul helps us,

00:35:28.379 --> 00:35:28.819
 with that here,

00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.759
 with the resurrection,

00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:30.259
 defended,

00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:30.920
 verse five,

00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.619
 he appeared to Cephas,

00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:33.500
 then to the twelve,

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.099
 then he appeared,

00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.519
 to more than 500 brothers,

00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.179
 at one time,

00:35:36.279 --> 00:35:36.779
 most of whom,

00:35:36.839 --> 00:35:37.519
 are still alive,

00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.579
 though some,

00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.360
 have fallen asleep,

00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.019
 then he appeared,

00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.539
 to James,

00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.360
 then to the apostles,

00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:42.139
 last of all,

00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.619
 as to one untimely born,

00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:44.659
 he appeared to me also,

00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:47.679
 it's worth remembering,

00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.819
 that in this text,

00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.699
 Paul was not,

00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.799
 confronting anyone,

00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:53.079
 who denied,

00:35:53.219 --> 00:35:53.799
 the resurrection,

00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.360
 of Jesus,

00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:55.019
 remember,

00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.779
 that's not what he's,

00:35:55.779 --> 00:35:56.179
 dealing with,

00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:56.900
 primarily here,

00:35:57.099 --> 00:35:58.679
 what he's dealing with,

00:35:58.679 --> 00:35:59.460
 is those who were,

00:35:59.619 --> 00:35:59.980
 denying,

00:36:00.579 --> 00:36:01.619
 a future resurrection,

00:36:01.619 --> 00:36:02.759
 for believers,

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.599
 at Christ's return,

00:36:04.599 --> 00:36:05.579
 which is why,

00:36:05.839 --> 00:36:06.699
 this defense,

00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:08.119
 is less exhaustive,

00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:08.839
 than you might,

00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:09.679
 want it to be,

00:36:10.359 --> 00:36:11.319
 sometimes we get there,

00:36:11.359 --> 00:36:12.159
 with the scriptures only,

00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:13.559
 we get to a passage,

00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.279
 and we think,

00:36:14.359 --> 00:36:14.659
 you know what,

00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:15.599
 it would be really great,

00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.940
 if God had just given us,

00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:18.139
 like a whole chapter,

00:36:18.299 --> 00:36:18.980
 that just says,

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.079
 okay here's all the things,

00:36:20.159 --> 00:36:21.019
 here's the steps to heaven,

00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.279
 whatever,

00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:22.460
 here you go,

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:22.940
 and laid it out,

00:36:23.299 --> 00:36:24.440
 that's not how he worked,

00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:24.759
 is it,

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:26.359
 it's not how he gave us his word,

00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:27.599
 he gave us a perfect word though,

00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:28.299
 which means his way,

00:36:28.359 --> 00:36:29.099
 was better than whatever,

00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:29.920
 our way would be,

00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.559
 and so,

00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:31.539
 Paul's dealing with,

00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.619
 a specific circumstance,

00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:34.280
 that doesn't demand,

00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:36.519
 a completely exhaustive defense,

00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:37.700
 but,

00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:39.000
 what he does give us,

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:41.340
 in this answer,

00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:42.760
 to the Corinthian controversy,

00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:44.039
 it relied,

00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:45.139
 on the credibility,

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:47.300
 of Jesus's own bodily resurrection,

00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:49.079
 so what he gave us,

00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:50.980
 was this amazing rundown,

00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.820
 of eyewitness accounts,

00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:55.380
 he mentioned Cephas,

00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:58.079
 that's the Aramaic name,

00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:58.700
 for Peter,

00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:00.280
 who met the Lord,

00:37:00.400 --> 00:37:01.720
 shortly after his resurrection,

00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:03.680
 and then multiple times,

00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:04.619
 thereafter,

00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:05.559
 Paul says,

00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:06.400
 you know what guys,

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.559
 Jesus rose from the dead,

00:37:07.640 --> 00:37:08.599
 in accordance with the scripture,

00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:09.780
 don't believe me,

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.960
 go talk to Cephas,

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:13.099
 ask him what he saw,

00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:16.240
 then he mentions the twelve,

00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:19.039
 which refers to Jesus's disciples,

00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.260
 to which he appeared,

00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:21.360
 as we read in John 20,

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:22.480
 on the night of his resurrection,

00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.380
 and then again,

00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.539
 multiple times thereafter,

00:37:25.380 --> 00:37:26.260
 this appearance,

00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.440
 to 500 brothers,

00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:28.240
 all at one time,

00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:30.320
 it's not explicitly recorded,

00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.119
 in the New Testament,

00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.500
 but Paul's point,

00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.119
 is that,

00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:34.539
 almost all of them,

00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.219
 were still living,

00:37:35.860 --> 00:37:37.079
 and could be questioned,

00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:38.159
 by any skeptic,

00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:39.079
 about what they saw,

00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:40.159
 in fact,

00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:40.679
 many people,

00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:41.599
 did question them,

00:37:42.039 --> 00:37:42.780
 the whole reason,

00:37:42.900 --> 00:37:44.539
 we have the gospel of Luke,

00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:46.740
 and Luke's companion piece,

00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:47.579
 the book of Acts,

00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.840
 is because Luke,

00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:50.199
 who was not an eyewitness,

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:52.019
 went to those witnesses,

00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:52.460
 and said,

00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.579
 tell me what you saw,

00:37:53.760 --> 00:37:54.360
 and he gives us,

00:37:54.400 --> 00:37:55.039
 this collection,

00:37:55.240 --> 00:37:56.079
 of eyewitness accounts,

00:37:56.179 --> 00:37:56.599
 it's amazing,

00:37:57.740 --> 00:37:59.300
 James was the half brother,

00:37:59.300 --> 00:37:59.840
 of Jesus,

00:37:59.840 --> 00:38:01.500
 who did not believe,

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.079
 in Jesus,

00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:03.260
 he wasn't even,

00:38:03.400 --> 00:38:04.260
 a follower of Jesus,

00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:05.019
 until,

00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:07.420
 the resurrected Christ,

00:38:07.539 --> 00:38:08.500
 appeared to him,

00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:09.960
 later,

00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:12.619
 and upon that,

00:38:12.699 --> 00:38:13.280
 he could not,

00:38:13.340 --> 00:38:14.260
 deny it any longer,

00:38:14.400 --> 00:38:15.039
 he eventually,

00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:16.219
 became a primary witness,

00:38:16.320 --> 00:38:16.960
 of the resurrection,

00:38:17.740 --> 00:38:18.559
 and he was,

00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.840
 a primary Christian leader,

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:21.199
 in the church of Jerusalem,

00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:23.159
 all of the apostles here,

00:38:23.219 --> 00:38:24.059
 refers to those,

00:38:24.319 --> 00:38:25.819
 specially called witnesses,

00:38:25.819 --> 00:38:26.759
 of the resurrection,

00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.819
 who were not part of,

00:38:27.879 --> 00:38:29.000
 Jesus's 12 disciples,

00:38:29.259 --> 00:38:30.039
 and then finally,

00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:30.819
 Paul himself,

00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:32.419
 had met the risen Christ,

00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.179
 as he journeyed,

00:38:33.259 --> 00:38:33.759
 from Jerusalem,

00:38:33.899 --> 00:38:34.480
 to Damascus,

00:38:34.819 --> 00:38:35.919
 forever changing his life,

00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:37.399
 now Paul's point is this,

00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:39.480
 the resurrection of Jesus,

00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.500
 could be verified,

00:38:41.259 --> 00:38:42.379
 by hundreds,

00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.779
 of eyewitnesses,

00:38:43.780 --> 00:38:45.320
 who not only,

00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:46.540
 saw the risen Lord,

00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:48.700
 but whose lives,

00:38:48.780 --> 00:38:49.740
 were wholeheartedly,

00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:50.780
 changed as a result,

00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.000
 you can't leave,

00:38:52.120 --> 00:38:52.720
 that part out,

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:57.040
 most of those eyewitnesses,

00:38:57.120 --> 00:38:57.920
 were still alive,

00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:58.820
 and could be found,

00:38:59.620 --> 00:39:01.680
 spreading this gospel message,

00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:02.700
 across the world,

00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:04.660
 that's what they were now,

00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:06.040
 committing their lives to do,

00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:07.400
 why,

00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:09.619
 because the resurrection,

00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:10.619
 it changes everything,

00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:12.720
 for them it was as credible,

00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.619
 as anything ever,

00:39:13.760 --> 00:39:14.360
 in their life,

00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:16.559
 and it changed them,

00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:20.500
 many of them,

00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:21.380
 were so convinced,

00:39:21.480 --> 00:39:22.280
 by what they saw,

00:39:22.400 --> 00:39:23.920
 that they willingly,

00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:24.519
 and boldly,

00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:25.460
 gave their lives,

00:39:26.360 --> 00:39:27.559
 becoming martyrs,

00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:29.639
 put to death,

00:39:29.740 --> 00:39:30.579
 because of their faith,

00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:32.119
 but they would not deny it,

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.880
 why would they deny,

00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:34.960
 something that they knew,

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:35.559
 to be alive,

00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:42.119
 we can't travel back in time,

00:39:42.219 --> 00:39:43.539
 to personally witness Jesus,

00:39:44.519 --> 00:39:45.500
 crawl out of that tomb,

00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:48.880
 but the amount of credible,

00:39:49.420 --> 00:39:49.900
 historical,

00:39:50.699 --> 00:39:52.119
 and biblical evidence,

00:39:52.239 --> 00:39:52.759
 that we have,

00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.559
 it really is,

00:39:53.619 --> 00:39:54.259
 it's overwhelming,

00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:57.599
 you can't,

00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:59.219
 and you must,

00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:00.699
 trust it,

00:40:01.539 --> 00:40:02.400
 it's true,

00:40:03.659 --> 00:40:04.299
 thirdly,

00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:06.240
 what can the gospel,

00:40:06.240 --> 00:40:06.860
 do for me,

00:40:07.340 --> 00:40:08.780
 what can the gospel,

00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:09.320
 do for me,

00:40:09.580 --> 00:40:10.960
 let's think about,

00:40:11.200 --> 00:40:11.600
 grace,

00:40:12.260 --> 00:40:12.840
 displayed,

00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:14.480
 verse eight,

00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.440
 or verse nine,

00:40:15.539 --> 00:40:15.880
 excuse me,

00:40:16.400 --> 00:40:17.480
 Paul says,

00:40:18.060 --> 00:40:19.140
 I'm the least,

00:40:19.200 --> 00:40:19.860
 of the apostles,

00:40:20.720 --> 00:40:21.820
 I'm unworthy,

00:40:21.940 --> 00:40:22.960
 to be called an apostle,

00:40:23.560 --> 00:40:23.880
 why,

00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:26.100
 because I persecuted,

00:40:26.240 --> 00:40:26.920
 the church of God,

00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:29.900
 but by the grace of God,

00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:30.920
 I am what I am today,

00:40:31.060 --> 00:40:32.480
 and his grace toward me,

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.580
 it was not in vain,

00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:34.579
 look at the way,

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.639
 that he's used my life,

00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:36.779
 on the contrary,

00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:37.880
 I worked harder,

00:40:37.880 --> 00:40:38.739
 than any of them,

00:40:39.299 --> 00:40:40.179
 that's a reference,

00:40:40.319 --> 00:40:41.019
 to the other apostles,

00:40:41.139 --> 00:40:41.400
 he's not,

00:40:41.599 --> 00:40:42.019
 he doesn't mean,

00:40:42.139 --> 00:40:43.199
 that he was more committed,

00:40:43.319 --> 00:40:43.699
 or passionate,

00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:44.960
 he means that the scope,

00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:45.819
 of his ministry,

00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:47.179
 that God had given him,

00:40:47.259 --> 00:40:48.960
 was greater in breadth,

00:40:49.299 --> 00:40:50.739
 than any of the other apostles,

00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:53.980
 though it was not,

00:40:54.079 --> 00:40:55.219
 I doing that work,

00:40:55.259 --> 00:40:56.279
 it was the grace of God,

00:40:56.319 --> 00:40:56.860
 that's in me,

00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:58.199
 so then whether it was me,

00:40:58.239 --> 00:40:58.739
 or them,

00:40:59.179 --> 00:41:00.659
 we preached the gospel,

00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:01.739
 and you believed it,

00:41:02.279 --> 00:41:04.119
 many of us have,

00:41:04.119 --> 00:41:05.420
 known and,

00:41:05.920 --> 00:41:06.940
 believed the resurrection,

00:41:07.299 --> 00:41:08.679
 since we were very young,

00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:10.500
 that wasn't the case,

00:41:10.559 --> 00:41:10.980
 for Paul,

00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:13.679
 the man writing this passage,

00:41:14.399 --> 00:41:16.679
 was not always friendly,

00:41:16.819 --> 00:41:17.299
 to the gospel,

00:41:17.399 --> 00:41:17.619
 in fact,

00:41:17.659 --> 00:41:18.219
 he was an enemy,

00:41:18.299 --> 00:41:18.779
 of the gospel,

00:41:19.579 --> 00:41:21.500
 he was a vicious persecutor,

00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:22.639
 of Christians,

00:41:22.779 --> 00:41:23.659
 working on behalf,

00:41:23.659 --> 00:41:24.980
 of the Jewish leaders,

00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:25.699
 in Jerusalem,

00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:27.819
 early in his life,

00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:28.819
 he believed,

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.920
 that Christians presented,

00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:31.579
 this great heresy,

00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:33.679
 that blasphemed God,

00:41:34.279 --> 00:41:34.980
 and thinking,

00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:35.839
 that he was doing,

00:41:35.839 --> 00:41:36.739
 God's work,

00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:38.539
 he led the way,

00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:39.899
 in actually entering,

00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:40.819
 their homes,

00:41:41.699 --> 00:41:42.519
 dragging them,

00:41:42.759 --> 00:41:43.460
 out of their homes,

00:41:43.719 --> 00:41:44.579
 imprisoning them,

00:41:44.599 --> 00:41:45.500
 and in some cases,

00:41:45.960 --> 00:41:46.639
 putting them,

00:41:47.099 --> 00:41:47.639
 to death,

00:41:48.259 --> 00:41:50.139
 he wanted to squash,

00:41:50.259 --> 00:41:50.879
 Christianity,

00:41:51.500 --> 00:41:52.379
 because he believed,

00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:53.639
 it was a great life,

00:41:53.659 --> 00:41:54.679
 in that it was a threat,

00:41:54.759 --> 00:41:55.679
 to the truth of God,

00:41:55.819 --> 00:41:56.839
 he thought he was working,

00:41:56.960 --> 00:41:57.699
 on God's behalf,

00:41:57.940 --> 00:41:58.940
 he was the greatest,

00:41:58.940 --> 00:42:00.259
 persecutor of the church,

00:42:00.339 --> 00:42:00.960
 that it had seen,

00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:01.879
 in its early days,

00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:04.079
 which is why,

00:42:04.199 --> 00:42:05.259
 he says all of these things,

00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:06.440
 so how did the great,

00:42:06.440 --> 00:42:07.779
 persecutor of the church,

00:42:07.899 --> 00:42:08.799
 become a mighty,

00:42:08.799 --> 00:42:10.039
 apostle of the church,

00:42:10.719 --> 00:42:12.460
 giving his own life,

00:42:12.799 --> 00:42:13.859
 for this gospel message,

00:42:14.619 --> 00:42:15.799
 well according,

00:42:15.899 --> 00:42:16.819
 to his old testimony,

00:42:17.480 --> 00:42:18.500
 Paul was confronted,

00:42:18.699 --> 00:42:19.679
 by the risen Christ,

00:42:19.799 --> 00:42:20.239
 one day,

00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:21.759
 he was on his way,

00:42:21.779 --> 00:42:22.420
 to Damascus,

00:42:22.519 --> 00:42:23.599
 to persecute some Christians,

00:42:23.659 --> 00:42:23.960
 there,

00:42:24.639 --> 00:42:26.219
 and Jesus showed up,

00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:27.980
 which is why,

00:42:28.059 --> 00:42:28.980
 he says last of all,

00:42:29.039 --> 00:42:30.139
 meaning he was the last one,

00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:31.079
 Jesus did this with,

00:42:31.239 --> 00:42:32.259
 he was the last one,

00:42:32.299 --> 00:42:33.019
 that could ever be called,

00:42:33.099 --> 00:42:33.940
 an apostle truly,

00:42:34.059 --> 00:42:34.579
 in the sense of,

00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:35.659
 the biblical term,

00:42:36.359 --> 00:42:37.679
 he says Jesus showed up,

00:42:37.719 --> 00:42:38.559
 and it changed,

00:42:38.899 --> 00:42:39.559
 everything,

00:42:40.679 --> 00:42:42.239
 it changed everything,

00:42:42.799 --> 00:42:45.399
 these final verses,

00:42:45.599 --> 00:42:46.480
 they display,

00:42:46.799 --> 00:42:47.960
 God's grace,

00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:48.759
 at work,

00:42:49.199 --> 00:42:49.960
 in the life,

00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:50.339
 of one,

00:42:50.399 --> 00:42:51.259
 who comes to faith,

00:42:51.299 --> 00:42:51.719
 in Jesus,

00:42:51.719 --> 00:42:53.239
 in fact,

00:42:53.879 --> 00:42:54.599
 grace,

00:42:55.139 --> 00:42:56.279
 is precisely,

00:42:56.939 --> 00:42:57.419
 the word,

00:42:57.539 --> 00:42:58.439
 that Paul so often,

00:42:58.559 --> 00:42:59.379
 used in these verses,

00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:00.519
 to describe it,

00:43:00.519 --> 00:43:03.039
 utter,

00:43:03.699 --> 00:43:04.619
 total,

00:43:05.480 --> 00:43:05.959
 transformation,

00:43:06.759 --> 00:43:08.679
 not to sinlessness,

00:43:09.819 --> 00:43:11.339
 it doesn't come,

00:43:11.379 --> 00:43:12.379
 until we get to heaven,

00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:15.819
 transformation,

00:43:15.819 --> 00:43:16.819
 of heart,

00:43:17.039 --> 00:43:18.000
 that's what it is,

00:43:18.000 --> 00:43:20.039
 a hater of the church,

00:43:20.119 --> 00:43:20.780
 becomes a leader,

00:43:20.780 --> 00:43:21.440
 of the church,

00:43:21.980 --> 00:43:22.820
 a despiser,

00:43:22.920 --> 00:43:23.340
 of the gospel,

00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:24.199
 becomes a preacher,

00:43:24.760 --> 00:43:25.500
 of the gospel,

00:43:26.380 --> 00:43:28.059
 one trying to work,

00:43:28.119 --> 00:43:28.719
 his way to heaven,

00:43:28.820 --> 00:43:29.699
 by doing all the religious,

00:43:29.820 --> 00:43:30.739
 things the right way,

00:43:31.019 --> 00:43:31.519
 suddenly,

00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:32.420
 abandons,

00:43:32.500 --> 00:43:33.659
 all of those things,

00:43:34.260 --> 00:43:35.320
 to by faith,

00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:37.360
 follow in Jesus Christ,

00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:38.179
 the risen Lord,

00:43:38.840 --> 00:43:39.239
 and Savior,

00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:40.059
 it's total,

00:43:40.460 --> 00:43:41.239
 transformation,

00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:43.519
 Paul wasn't looking,

00:43:43.519 --> 00:43:44.139
 for Jesus,

00:43:44.440 --> 00:43:44.940
 on his way,

00:43:44.980 --> 00:43:45.679
 to Damascus,

00:43:45.679 --> 00:43:48.019
 Jesus came to him,

00:43:49.219 --> 00:43:50.619
 Paul didn't do anything,

00:43:50.719 --> 00:43:51.879
 to earn God's salvation,

00:43:52.839 --> 00:43:53.980
 Jesus opened his heart,

00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:55.079
 to believe the gospel,

00:43:56.199 --> 00:43:57.460
 Paul wasn't worthy,

00:43:57.559 --> 00:43:58.879
 to be an apostle of Christ,

00:44:00.139 --> 00:44:01.480
 Jesus chose him,

00:44:02.159 --> 00:44:02.940
 to be one,

00:44:04.059 --> 00:44:05.539
 all of Paul's life,

00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:06.299
 was a testimony,

00:44:06.879 --> 00:44:08.759
 of the incredible grace of God,

00:44:08.859 --> 00:44:10.259
 displayed in the life,

00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.339
 of one,

00:44:11.739 --> 00:44:12.539
 comes to Jesus,

00:44:13.419 --> 00:44:14.119
 and believes,

00:44:14.119 --> 00:44:16.500
 look around you,

00:44:16.579 --> 00:44:16.920
 this morning,

00:44:18.199 --> 00:44:19.119
 same is true,

00:44:19.179 --> 00:44:19.679
 for most people,

00:44:19.739 --> 00:44:20.599
 sitting in this room today,

00:44:21.400 --> 00:44:23.460
 don't believe me,

00:44:23.880 --> 00:44:25.259
 go ask them,

00:44:25.900 --> 00:44:27.739
 ask Josh,

00:44:27.759 --> 00:44:28.380
 about the night,

00:44:28.480 --> 00:44:29.539
 that he finally realized,

00:44:29.699 --> 00:44:30.539
 through the work,

00:44:30.579 --> 00:44:31.199
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:44:31.279 --> 00:44:31.799
 in his life,

00:44:32.059 --> 00:44:32.859
 that it wasn't about,

00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:33.920
 what he could do,

00:44:34.199 --> 00:44:35.359
 that made him a Christian,

00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:35.980
 that it wasn't,

00:44:36.079 --> 00:44:36.940
 what Christ has done,

00:44:36.940 --> 00:44:37.559
 for him,

00:44:37.599 --> 00:44:39.299
 in this transformative work,

00:44:39.339 --> 00:44:39.980
 of God's grace,

00:44:40.039 --> 00:44:40.539
 in his life,

00:44:40.880 --> 00:44:41.719
 go ask him about that,

00:44:41.759 --> 00:44:42.599
 he'd love to tell you,

00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:45.639
 ask Mark,

00:44:45.679 --> 00:44:46.319
 and all of Fennin,

00:44:46.400 --> 00:44:46.960
 about how,

00:44:47.159 --> 00:44:47.960
 even as young people,

00:44:48.019 --> 00:44:48.619
 as teenagers,

00:44:48.839 --> 00:44:49.440
 they were,

00:44:49.719 --> 00:44:50.759
 after growing up in church,

00:44:50.819 --> 00:44:51.380
 had finally,

00:44:51.819 --> 00:44:52.519
 come to a point,

00:44:52.539 --> 00:44:53.019
 of realization,

00:44:53.019 --> 00:44:54.059
 of their own sin,

00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:54.920
 and understood,

00:44:55.059 --> 00:44:55.799
 the real necessity,

00:44:55.799 --> 00:44:56.440
 of repentance,

00:44:56.639 --> 00:44:57.460
 and reliance,

00:44:57.559 --> 00:44:59.299
 on the death of Christ,

00:44:59.440 --> 00:45:01.819
 for their salvation,

00:45:02.940 --> 00:45:04.099
 and the transformation,

00:45:04.519 --> 00:45:05.279
 that came as a result,

00:45:05.400 --> 00:45:05.599
 of that,

00:45:06.639 --> 00:45:07.639
 we talked to Marty Kane,

00:45:07.739 --> 00:45:08.460
 who ran from it,

00:45:08.500 --> 00:45:09.460
 for quite a long time,

00:45:09.460 --> 00:45:10.300
 but had a persistent,

00:45:10.440 --> 00:45:10.940
 family member,

00:45:11.019 --> 00:45:11.639
 who constantly,

00:45:11.840 --> 00:45:12.800
 was faithful,

00:45:12.920 --> 00:45:13.720
 to share the gospel,

00:45:13.940 --> 00:45:14.059
 with him,

00:45:14.079 --> 00:45:14.659
 and he'll tell you,

00:45:14.679 --> 00:45:15.159
 all about,

00:45:15.320 --> 00:45:16.039
 how that gospel,

00:45:16.220 --> 00:45:16.579
 was preached,

00:45:16.619 --> 00:45:17.460
 and how it changed,

00:45:17.519 --> 00:45:18.240
 his life,

00:45:19.320 --> 00:45:21.059
 go to Brian,

00:45:21.119 --> 00:45:21.960
 and Courtney Baker,

00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:23.179
 and ask them,

00:45:23.260 --> 00:45:24.000
 about what their life,

00:45:24.139 --> 00:45:24.440
 was like,

00:45:24.480 --> 00:45:25.639
 about 15 years ago,

00:45:26.179 --> 00:45:27.960
 and then look at them now,

00:45:29.740 --> 00:45:30.679
 and you tell me,

00:45:30.740 --> 00:45:31.079
 the gospel,

00:45:31.260 --> 00:45:32.119
 can't do anything for you,

00:45:32.240 --> 00:45:35.159
 of course it can,

00:45:35.159 --> 00:45:39.480
 through his gospel,

00:45:40.480 --> 00:45:41.539
 Christ will do more,

00:45:41.859 --> 00:45:42.899
 than you ever thought,

00:45:43.019 --> 00:45:43.659
 imaginable,

00:45:44.440 --> 00:45:46.199
 that's the,

00:45:46.319 --> 00:45:47.659
 that's the wonder of it,

00:45:48.079 --> 00:45:49.199
 it's better,

00:45:49.319 --> 00:45:50.619
 than you even think it is,

00:45:51.179 --> 00:45:53.440
 because it's not just,

00:45:53.440 --> 00:45:53.960
 this thing,

00:45:54.059 --> 00:45:54.619
 that we give,

00:45:54.719 --> 00:45:55.759
 mental assent to,

00:45:56.500 --> 00:45:58.299
 it's this work of God,

00:45:58.879 --> 00:46:00.619
 that Christ,

00:46:00.879 --> 00:46:01.839
 through the Holy Spirit,

00:46:02.039 --> 00:46:03.099
 does in us,

00:46:03.099 --> 00:46:07.079
 he does this changing,

00:46:07.360 --> 00:46:09.179
 he does this saving,

00:46:09.400 --> 00:46:10.219
 he does this,

00:46:10.219 --> 00:46:11.980
 transformative work,

00:46:12.619 --> 00:46:13.659
 and he does it,

00:46:13.799 --> 00:46:15.719
 through the gospel message,

00:46:16.079 --> 00:46:18.619
 so that as we hear it preached,

00:46:19.739 --> 00:46:21.000
 he woos us,

00:46:21.000 --> 00:46:21.860
 by his spirit,

00:46:22.380 --> 00:46:23.839
 he beckons us,

00:46:24.259 --> 00:46:25.699
 to leave our sin,

00:46:26.420 --> 00:46:27.239
 and our religion,

00:46:28.139 --> 00:46:29.179
 and anything else,

00:46:30.099 --> 00:46:31.239
 and believe him,

00:46:31.239 --> 00:46:34.719
 he's a wonderful savior,

00:46:35.319 --> 00:46:37.819
 he'll forgive all your sins,

00:46:38.479 --> 00:46:39.099
 every one,

00:46:39.179 --> 00:46:39.619
 even the ones,

00:46:39.659 --> 00:46:40.439
 you haven't committed yet,

00:46:41.259 --> 00:46:44.679
 he'll transform your life,

00:46:44.759 --> 00:46:45.639
 from the inside out,

00:46:46.179 --> 00:46:47.859
 he'll give you a new affection,

00:46:49.500 --> 00:46:50.699
 affections,

00:46:50.759 --> 00:46:51.519
 that you didn't even know,

00:46:51.579 --> 00:46:52.219
 were possible,

00:46:52.579 --> 00:46:53.419
 he'll put them there,

00:46:54.419 --> 00:46:57.079
 he'll give you the hope,

00:46:57.119 --> 00:46:58.039
 of eternal life,

00:46:58.719 --> 00:47:00.159
 that on your darkest day,

00:47:00.159 --> 00:47:01.859
 brings you peace,

00:47:02.739 --> 00:47:04.219
 that is indescribable,

00:47:05.379 --> 00:47:05.779
 joy,

00:47:06.460 --> 00:47:08.099
 that can't quite be understood,

00:47:08.279 --> 00:47:08.940
 even by those,

00:47:09.000 --> 00:47:09.899
 who possess it,

00:47:11.239 --> 00:47:14.539
 he'll make you at peace,

00:47:14.579 --> 00:47:15.239
 with the father,

00:47:16.039 --> 00:47:16.440
 in heaven,

00:47:17.480 --> 00:47:18.139
 and he'll give you,

00:47:18.219 --> 00:47:18.819
 eternal life,

00:47:18.820 --> 00:47:21.700
 Jesus will make,

00:47:21.700 --> 00:47:23.000
 every day of your life,

00:47:24.019 --> 00:47:24.440
 Easter,

00:47:25.160 --> 00:47:27.820
 if you will just come to him,

00:47:28.420 --> 00:47:29.860
 and believe,

00:47:31.120 --> 00:47:31.720
 and trust,

00:47:31.940 --> 00:47:33.980
 that's what he'll do,

00:47:34.200 --> 00:47:36.900
 and he will not fail,

00:47:36.900 --> 00:47:37.420
 for you,

00:47:37.420 --> 00:47:37.420


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00:47:37.420 --> 00:47:37.420


00:47:37.420 --> 00:47:37.420


00:47:37.420 --> 00:48:07.400
 Thank you.