WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.360 This morning, I want to read a few things for us, and I want you to see if you recognize some of these words. 00:00:07.360 --> 00:00:09.320 I want you to listen to these words. 00:00:10.380 --> 00:00:23.000 There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins, and sinners plunge beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:32.560 Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains, and sinners plunge beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains. 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:40.159 Many of us remember those words and know exactly where those words come from, the song that it comes from, 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:50.260 but have you ever noticed that almost all of the hymns we love and mean so much to us probably don't make a lot of sense to everyone else? 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:59.699 So many of the songs that we sing about and that have an impact on our life, they may not make sense to a world that is lost and dying. 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:04.439 They may not make sense to people who are unfamiliar with the Christian faith. 00:01:04.900 --> 00:01:06.979 What's all of this singing about the blood? 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:10.780 What's all of this singing about the cross and the death and all of these things? 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:19.840 So many of these songs that we love so dearly may not make sense, in fact, probably don't make sense to many other people. 00:01:20.260 --> 00:01:27.240 In fact, I want for just a moment for you to think with me about songs that mean something to you. 00:01:27.700 --> 00:01:31.780 Hymns or songs that we sing at church that mean something to you. 00:01:32.040 --> 00:01:36.719 If you could just think about one of those songs, what song comes to mind right now? 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:43.100 What song comes to mind that just votes those responses like very few things can? 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:54.819 My guess is that many of us are thinking about songs that talk about the blood, that talk about the cross, that talk about the death of Jesus. 00:01:54.819 --> 00:01:59.500 And even if one of those songs doesn't come to mind, maybe something else is coming to mind. 00:01:59.779 --> 00:02:08.319 Whatever's coming to mind is only made possible because of the blood, because of the cross, because of the death of Jesus. 00:02:09.079 --> 00:02:13.419 One of my favorite songs is And Can It Be. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:18.120 We don't sing it a lot because Clay tells me that it's hard to sing. 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:22.120 And all songs for me are hard to sing. 00:02:22.420 --> 00:02:26.759 But if Clay says it's hard to sing, then it's probably pretty difficult to sing. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:31.360 But And Can It Be is one of my favorite songs because it says this. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:38.159 And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood? 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:46.840 Died he for me who caused his pain for me whom to death pursued amazing love? 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:51.819 How can it be that thou, my God, should die for me? 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:56.939 The song begins with the blood of Christ and continues to celebrate it. 00:02:57.259 --> 00:03:02.199 Christus Victor that we sang earlier, by the blood you have redeemed us. 00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:08.119 Christus, spotless lamb, mighty Savior, who lived, who died, who rose victorious. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:17.339 And my guess is that when I asked you just a moment ago to think of a song that just evokes a response that you can remember, 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:23.139 that speaks about who God is, my guess is many of you thought of how great thou art. 00:03:23.139 --> 00:03:32.879 Where it says, and when I think that God, his son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in. 00:03:33.459 --> 00:03:41.539 That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin. 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:47.639 Another one of my favorites that the choir will be singing in the 11 o'clock service is the power of the cross. 00:03:48.419 --> 00:03:50.799 This, the power of the cross. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:53.580 Son of God slain for us. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:55.660 What a love, what a cost. 00:03:56.300 --> 00:03:59.520 We stand forgiven at the cross. 00:04:00.260 --> 00:04:01.840 We could go on and on. 00:04:02.160 --> 00:04:05.719 And in fact, about a week and a half ago, I texted Clay and I said, 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:08.780 Clay, there's going to be a lot of emphasis on the blood. 00:04:09.380 --> 00:04:13.980 A lot of emphasis on the cross, what Jesus did for us in this message. 00:04:14.320 --> 00:04:20.080 Let's make sure that we have some of these songs in there that speak about the blood, that speak about the cross. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:23.859 And after I said, I was like, well, we probably don't have to change a lot. 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:27.300 We probably don't because those are the songs that we sing. 00:04:27.859 --> 00:04:32.539 In fact, that's a great starting point when you're thinking about picking out songs to sing at church. 00:04:32.719 --> 00:04:39.439 It's songs that proclaim the blood, proclaim the power of the cross, proclaim the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:43.819 We sing these songs because they mean something. 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:50.899 And this morning, as we read our passage, you're going to hear a lot about the death and the blood of Jesus. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:57.759 But it is my hope and prayer that as we read this and reflect on the sacrifice made on our behalf, 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:05.980 that we will sing of the blood that gives us forgiveness and that we will boldly proclaim the death that gives us life. 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:10.060 And so if you have a copy of God's word, I want to invite you to follow along with me. 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:16.120 Hebrews chapter 9, we're going to start in verse 15 and then continue through the end of the chapter. 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:20.360 Hebrews 9, starting in verse 15, this is what the word of the Lord says. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:50.340 It says, 00:05:50.360 --> 00:06:20.340 And in the same way, 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:24.139 He sprinkled with the blood both the tent and the vessels in worship. 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:30.199 Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood. 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:35.800 And without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. 00:06:36.340 --> 00:06:43.520 Thus, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:48.540 but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:55.980 For Christ has entered not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, 00:06:56.379 --> 00:07:02.460 but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:11.680 Nor was it to offer Himself repeatedly as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood, not His own. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:15.459 For then He would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:25.600 But as it is, He has entered once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:32.020 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:36.740 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:45.960 will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:53.219 And so as we read this, the main idea that the author is trying to communicate to us today 00:07:53.219 --> 00:07:58.279 is that because of the blood, because of the sacrifice that Jesus made, 00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:03.659 He is our mediator and the one who brings transformation to our lives. 00:08:04.479 --> 00:08:07.219 And what I hope and pray that we see clearly today 00:08:07.219 --> 00:08:11.759 is that the cross transforms us like nothing else can. 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:17.839 And that causes us to live for God with boldness and courage. 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:25.560 And so from this passage, I hope we can clearly see the power of the cross and what it brings to us. 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:30.279 To begin with, let us see the power of the cross brings transformation. 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:34.439 The power of the cross brings transformation to our lives. 00:08:34.939 --> 00:08:36.519 Verse 15, again, it says this, 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:56.740 This verse right here, in many ways, sums up the rest of the chapter. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:04.019 In many ways, this verse almost serves as a thesis for what is going to be said in the remainder part of this chapter. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:08.879 And for the remainder part, we're going to see the transformation that this brings. 00:09:09.079 --> 00:09:11.980 In this one verse, we see the inheritance we are given. 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:15.740 We see the forgiveness of sins we are, the cross brings. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:20.779 And the hope that is available to all those who place their faith in Jesus. 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:26.419 In the passage, it tells us that Christ is our mediator. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:28.079 He's our mediator. 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:33.500 Now, I think that this has the potential to be a little bit troubling for us. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:36.620 Not because that's not what the author means. 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:39.159 Not because that's not a good translation of the word. 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:45.379 But because of what this word has come to mean for us and how we use this term oftentimes. 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:51.860 Oftentimes, when we think of a mediator, for many of us, when we hear the word mediator, 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:59.820 we think of a mediation where someone gets two opposing sides together and tries to come up with an agreement, 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:03.779 with a compromise, where everybody comes together and says, 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:07.800 you know what, I'll compromise here, you compromise there, and we can come together. 00:10:08.180 --> 00:10:10.759 And a lot of times, that's where our mind goes, 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:16.500 where they try to find some common ground and come up with a solution that works for both parties. 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:21.720 The problem with this understanding, at least in this context, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:27.820 is that there is no common ground between a holy God and sinful humanity. 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:31.560 There's no compromising on God's part. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.940 We don't compromise. 00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:36.240 We don't find somewhere where we can agree to disagree. 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:38.280 There's no compromising here. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:46.519 We must understand that Christ, as our mediator, doesn't find a compromise between our sin and God's holiness. 00:10:46.839 --> 00:10:50.139 Because God's holiness cannot be compromised. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:56.620 In fact, Christ agrees with the Father that we deserve the full wrath of God for our sin. 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:59.839 He sees the ugliness of our sin. 00:10:59.959 --> 00:11:04.699 He agrees with the Father that a sacrifice must be paid. 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:09.300 But as our mediator, he agrees to be the sacrifice. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:17.920 He agrees to be the one that takes the full weight of God's wrath and satisfies our sin debt. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:25.720 You see, the transformation that the cross brings to our lives could not be greater. 00:11:26.640 --> 00:11:30.540 When we speak of the life-transforming power of the cross, 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:33.060 it's not just a phrase we say. 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:35.259 It's not just a catchy thing that we like to say. 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:36.959 We actually mean it. 00:11:37.459 --> 00:11:43.839 We actually mean it that because of the cross, because of what Jesus does, it transforms our life. 00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:46.099 It transforms our eternity. 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:48.779 It takes us from death to life. 00:11:48.859 --> 00:11:53.419 It takes us from an eternity in hell to an eternity with God the Father in heaven. 00:11:53.579 --> 00:11:55.259 It transforms our eternity. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:58.139 And it could not do it in a more drastic way. 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:01.959 But not only that, it transforms our life today. 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:08.100 And so when we see this, when we see the power of the cross, we see that it brings transformation. 00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:13.820 Now the rest of the chapter deals with an explanation of this transformation. 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:19.840 It gives us examples of this transformation as we continue to look at it. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:28.060 And so the first thing that we see in this example of this transformation is the power of the cross gives us an inheritance. 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:30.680 It gives us an inheritance. 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:33.500 We see this in verses 15 through 21. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:35.980 I'm going to just read the first few there. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:36.320 It says, 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:39.200 Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant. 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:41.320 This is what we established already. 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:46.280 So that those who are called may receive the promise eternal inheritance. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:53.180 Since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:58.480 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:06.759 For will takes effect only at death since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:11.560 Therefore, not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:18.159 And so in this passage, the author gives us a picture here of receiving an inheritance. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:26.379 The author uses language of an inheritance very deliberately here because he's going to make an analogy about a will. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:34.840 You see, in our English translations, it may be difficult to see, but will and covenant are actually the same Greek word here. 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:38.480 So he closely ties this talk of the new covenant. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:41.460 We've seen it over and over again up to this point. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.899 All this talk about the new covenant. 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:50.799 And so he closely ties this new covenant coming into taking effect with the death of Jesus. 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:58.679 This is the will that we receive, the inheritance we receive is this new covenant that comes at the death of Jesus. 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:07.719 Pastor Josh Smith noted once that whenever you find out that you've been left in a will, he says there's two questions that you have. 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:12.939 There's two questions that you always have whenever you find out that you've been left in a will. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:16.759 And you can ask probably the lawyers in the room if this is true afterwards. 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:18.419 But there's usually two questions. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:21.580 The first question he says is, well, how much money is there? 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.779 How much do they have? 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:26.000 You know, because a will, this is really only good. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:31.659 I mean, if the person leaves you in their will and they're $10 million in debt, this is probably not good news. 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:36.840 And so you first ask, well, how much is there? 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.580 And then he says the second question. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:40.220 Again, this is him. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:46.860 This is not me saying this, but he says the next question you ask is, well, how much longer do they have? 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:50.379 How much, you know, because we understand something, right? 00:14:50.920 --> 00:15:00.379 We understand that for a will to be enacted in order to receive the benefits of the will, a death has to occur. 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:04.100 We understand this in our context. 00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:07.180 And so this is what the author is trying to help us to see. 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:19.219 You see, Jesus has a great inheritance stored up for you, but you can't receive it unless he, the person who made the will, passes away. 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:24.599 The pastor says a will takes effect only at death. 00:15:25.239 --> 00:15:31.319 We receive the promised eternal inheritance because a death has occurred. 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:38.740 Kent Hughes, he calls us to consider the inheritance offered to those who give their life to Jesus. 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.800 He tries to bring our attention to the benefit of this. 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:56.560 And he says this, he says, think of the benefits we enjoy because of Christ's death, forgiveness, a clear conscience, peace, purpose, and ultimately eternal life in heaven. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:16:02.119 All of this is impossible apart from his death. 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:06.619 And it is all activated by his death. 00:16:06.959 --> 00:16:19.959 For those of us who've placed our faith and our trust in Jesus, we have an inheritance that is greater and more valuable than anything and everything in this world. 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:28.920 And so we see that because the power of the transformation of this, we see that we have this inheritance. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:33.519 But the next thing we also see is the power of the cross gives us forgiveness. 00:16:34.400 --> 00:16:35.580 It gives us forgiveness. 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:37.920 We see this in verses 22 through 26. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:42.480 It says, indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood. 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:46.700 And without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. 00:16:46.700 --> 00:17:00.480 And then skipping down to the end of verse 26, it says, but as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:02.320 He gives us forgiveness. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:06.940 He puts away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:16.340 You see, inheritance and forgiveness here are closely related because at its core, the inheritance we receive is the forgiveness of sins. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:22.559 For sins to be forgiven, a sacrifice, a death had to happen. 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:26.240 This is where we've seen over and over again in Scripture. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:34.200 This is where it's so beneficial to read the Old Testament because you see this take place over and over again in Scripture. 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:42.360 Even going back to the beginning, right after, right after Adam and Eve sinned, we see the proto-evangelion, 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:45.279 the first good news where God declares to the serpent. 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:48.579 He says, there's going to be one coming from the offspring of one. 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:51.879 There's going to be one coming that's going to crush your head. 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:57.240 There's going to be a snake crusher that comes that is going to have victory over you. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:18:03.200 And then right after this, he goes to Adam and Eve who at this point are hiding. 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:05.500 They're ashamed because of their sin. 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:08.319 They're ashamed because of what they've done. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:14.279 And to cover up this shame, it says they've sewn together these fig leaves to cover themselves. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.680 They're ashamed because of the sin. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:19.579 They're trying to cover this shame with these fig leaves. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:22.079 But then it says God did something for them. 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:23.839 Do you remember what God did? 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:28.919 He made a sacrifice and made skins that would be a covering for them. 00:18:29.179 --> 00:18:31.559 He made these skins that would be a covering for them. 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:33.459 And so a death occurred from the beginning. 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.319 Sin brings death. 00:18:35.659 --> 00:18:41.119 And that death is the payment that covers our sin and our shame. 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:43.659 We see it over and over again in Scripture. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:47.639 The original Jewish audience would have understood this very well. 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:53.139 They would have understood that sin brings death. 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:55.620 It's a cause and effect relationship. 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:57.860 Sin equals death. 00:18:58.100 --> 00:19:00.040 It would happen over and over again. 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:02.900 They would have seen this as they look through the Old Testament. 00:19:03.020 --> 00:19:09.140 As they hear these stories of how they had to atone for sin, they would have understood this over and over again. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:12.200 Adrian Rogers, he once made the statement. 00:19:12.280 --> 00:19:20.740 He says what had happened was they really had had a conditioned response to sin where they understood that sin brings death. 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:27.059 Many of you may remember from psychology class, Pavlov and those dogs that he trained. 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:28.720 Do you remember the ringing of the bell? 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:34.400 These dogs, he had this experiment where he would ring a bell and then feed the dogs. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:36.859 Ring a bell, then feed the dogs. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.940 Ring a bell, then feed the dogs. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:47.220 It was over and over again so much so that the dogs were conditioned to hear the ringing of the bell and think that there's food on the way. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:54.940 And they had been conditioned so much to understand this that even without the presence of food, they would hear the bell ring and they would begin to salivate. 00:19:55.880 --> 00:20:00.039 They would begin to anticipate that food was on its way. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:02.539 They would begin to anticipate what was coming. 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:12.599 You see, the Old Testament had a conditioned response that wasn't merely an experiment, but it was an actual reality. 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:17.480 It wasn't just an experiment, but it was a reality that sin brings death. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:21.940 And in order for sin to be atoned for, a death must occur. 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:31.240 The audience understood this and the author shows them that a perfect sacrifice, a lasting atonement had been made. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:41.480 What the author is saying is that the death of Jesus brings an eternal forgiveness of sins that no other death could. 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:46.440 You see, ever since sin entered the world, we've been trying to fix it. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:50.420 As soon as sin entered the world, we've been trying to fix it on our own. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:53.620 Adam and Eve did it by sewing together some fig leaves. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:58.799 They tried to cover their sin, cover their shame by doing something, by sewing together fig leaves. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.680 That didn't work. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:12.340 And then following a strict sacrificial system that was only ever temporary to today where many people hope they can go to heaven one day. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:17.240 Well, I hope I've done enough good to outweigh my bad. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:22.900 Where they've gone to church, help out where they can. 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:27.320 But those things don't save anyone. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:35.599 The only thing that saves, the only thing that gives eternal security is the blood of Jesus, which begs the question of us. 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:39.740 What are we giving our lives to in hopes that we will pay our sin debt? 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:43.619 Are we giving our hope to the faith that our parents had? 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:47.599 Are we saying, well, you just, the house that I grew up in was so amazing. 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:49.599 My parents loved Jesus. 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:51.480 They loved him more than anything. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:53.860 It changed everything that they did. 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:59.480 And because of their faith, because I love them, then that must mean that I am saved. 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:07.059 Or we try to put our hope in, and well, I've gone to church more than I've gone anywhere else in my life outside of my home. 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:11.279 I've spent more time in church, more time doing those things than anything else. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:14.799 And so maybe that will be enough that will get me there one day. 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:17.599 Maybe that will be enough what is there. 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:19.339 I've served on the deacon board. 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.379 I pray. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.419 I read my Bible. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:25.939 Or are we looking to the cross? 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:35.719 Because only Jesus, the one who hung on the cross, has the power to save, has the power to forgive those sins. 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:43.599 You see, the final transformation that we see in this passage is the power of the cross gives us hope. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.559 It gives us hope. 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:47.960 Listen to these last two verses. 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.480 It says, 00:22:48.480 --> 00:23:03.099 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:09.079 Not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:16.939 In order to understand our hope in Christ, we must understand our need for hope. 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:21.579 The passage tells us that each and every one of us have an appointment with death. 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:25.579 And so if that's confusing, let me explain it to you. 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:29.619 The passage is telling us that every single person in here is going to die one day. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:33.779 Each and every one of us have an appointment with death. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:39.839 The Bible, unless Jesus returns, each and every person in here is going to die one day. 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:45.219 Not a few of us, not some of us, but every single person. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:54.019 And then the other thing that this passage tells us is not only do we have an appointment with death, it tells us that after death comes judgment. 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:56.100 After death comes judgment. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:24:00.680 And so there's two inescapable truths that we are reminded of here. 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:04.480 That you will die and that judgment will happen. 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:08.779 But the author now brings Christ into the equation. 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:15.920 Because if that's it, if there's just death and judgment, then we don't really have any, we don't have any hope. 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:19.599 We don't have any hope here, but he brings Christ into the equation here. 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:22.779 And so he says, man died, is going to die once. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.079 Then comes judgment. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.960 So Christ. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.920 Christ also died once. 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:32.500 And the payment of your sin was placed on him. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:35.460 Your judgment was put on him. 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:42.119 If you've placed your faith and your trust in Jesus, then your sin is nailed to the cross with Jesus. 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:48.019 If you've placed your hope and your trust in Jesus, then you have a hope for eternity. 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:55.960 But one thing we see here is that every person is going to die and every person is going to receive judgment. 00:24:55.960 --> 00:25:06.279 Michael Kruger, he talks about a time when a hurricane five, category five hurricane was coming towards his home. 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:16.039 He lived near the ocean and he recalls a time when it was evident that a hurricane, a large hurricane, category five hurricane was coming towards his house. 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:20.940 And he says that the power and the size of this hurricane were enormous. 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:33.639 So much so that he said before the hurricane could even get to where they lived, before they could even see, really feel the hurricane, they could hear the rumblings and they could feel the rumblings that it was coming. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:39.539 He said there was no doubt that it was on its way and that it would be there shortly. 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:46.379 He said that God's judgment is like a hurricane heading towards your town. 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:49.920 It's not here yet, but you can see it on the horizon. 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:52.740 We can feel the rumblings. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:57.519 It is enormous, terrifying, inevitably heading our way. 00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:59.519 We can't avoid it. 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:01.039 We can't run from it. 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:02.379 We cannot wish it away. 00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:06.339 In such a scenario, we need a place of refuge. 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:11.319 We need someone who can bear the brunt of the storm for us. 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:17.799 The good news is that Christ has been offered once to bear the sins of many. 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:26.139 He died once and faced judgment once on behalf of every single person who trusts in him. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:28.919 And only he can do this. 00:26:29.379 --> 00:26:33.179 Only he can save us from the judgment to come. 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:44.640 I want you to imagine with me for just a moment that that appointed time when you die has taken place and you're standing before God in judgment. 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:50.539 You're standing before God and all of your sins that you've ever committed are there before you on a ledger. 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:53.500 Where God is reading these things out to you. 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:56.960 And so many sins, probably far more than you could ever imagine. 00:26:56.960 --> 00:27:02.440 All of those sins that every single person knows about and all of the sins that nobody knows about. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:09.259 All the evil and impure thoughts that we have that we thought just stay right here and don't affect anything else. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:11.460 All of those things are laid out there. 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:17.600 All of the times that we've gossiped and talked down about people either right in front of them or behind their back. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:22.100 All the even good things that we've done with evil intentions. 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:24.899 All of those things are listed out. 00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:27.659 And you see all of them before you. 00:27:28.459 --> 00:27:30.939 And all of a sudden God says, what are we going to do about this? 00:27:32.699 --> 00:27:34.059 What are we going to do about this? 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:35.459 How are we going to answer that? 00:27:36.419 --> 00:27:40.459 Are we going to stumble around and say, well, you don't understand, God. 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:44.579 I was just, I got caught up in the moment with everybody else around me. 00:27:44.719 --> 00:27:45.579 You don't understand. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:48.319 It was just, it was a difficult time for me. 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:52.319 Are we going to try to highlight all the good things that we've done? 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:54.779 Well, yes, God, I did do this. 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:58.539 But, but look at all the other good things that I've done. 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:05.279 We're going to stumble around and try to make up excuses for it. 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:10.099 Or are we going to say nothing but the blood of Jesus? 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:14.720 What can wash away my sin? 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:19.100 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:22.100 What can make me whole again? 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:25.120 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:29.940 For my part in this I see nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:32.720 This is all my hope and peace. 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:35.339 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.019 That is our hope. 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:39.900 That is what we get to proclaim before God one day. 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:41.400 It's not up to me. 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.620 It's not up to you. 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:44.959 It's what Jesus accomplished on the cross. 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:48.119 This is our hope for all of eternity. 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:50.059 This is what gets us excited. 00:28:50.179 --> 00:28:58.759 This is what makes a team fly from here to Ensenada, Mexico to share the good news of Jesus with those who may not know. 00:28:58.959 --> 00:29:02.639 Because of what Christ has done for us. 00:29:03.419 --> 00:29:08.639 The power of the cross gives each and every one of us hope. 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:16.720 And if you're unsure about your relationship with Jesus, about your confidence before God, there is hope in the cross. 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:18.600 There is power in the blood. 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:21.720 There is salvation in Jesus Christ. 00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:26.800 And there is nothing that I would love more than to talk with you about that in just a moment. 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:33.079 But if you have this hope, then I want to encourage you to live in it. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:35.559 To live in this hope. 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:43.619 Maybe today you need to stand up boldly and sing the verses of the song that we're going to be singing for our closing invitation. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:48.000 Or maybe you need to just sit right where you are and think about these words. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:51.460 And think about and reflect on what God has done for you. 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:54.119 The sacrifice that was made on your behalf. 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.980 Or maybe you want to come down front. 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:58.420 There's nothing special about this stage. 00:29:58.519 --> 00:30:00.779 There's nothing special about this part down front. 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:04.960 But maybe that's a tangible way that you can say, God, I want to follow you. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.680 I want to live for you. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:08.240 I want to live in this hope. 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:11.259 I want to live in light of what you have done for me. 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:17.559 I want to boldly proclaim your goodness and your grace to everybody that I come in contact with. 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:23.519 And maybe you want to just come down and pray and say, God, give me the strength and boldness to do that today. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:26.279 I don't know where you are. 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:28.299 But God does and you do. 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:34.099 And so I want to encourage you to respond in a way that brings his name, honor, and glory. 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:41.720 Father, thank you so very much for these powerful words that we read. 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:52.279 Powerful words that remind us of the inheritance that we have because of your death. 00:30:52.779 --> 00:31:00.180 Powerful words that remind us of the forgiveness that can only be made possible because of the sacrifice. 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:08.820 Powerful words that remind us that our only hope in this life and the life to come is you. 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:12.700 And so, Lord, I pray that we boldly proclaim that. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:21.000 I pray that we live in light of that each and every day and give us the boldness to live for you in everything we say and do. 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:22.960 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:23.779 Amen. 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:23.980 Amen. 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:30.119 However God is speaking to you this morning, I want to encourage you to respond as we stand together and sing. 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:30.240 Amen.