WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:07.600 It's great. What a wonderful morning. And we do give thanks to God and give him all the praise 00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:12.759 and the glory for how he is at work in people's lives. Here's what I'd love you to do. I'd love 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:22.519 you to come to the book of Genesis. This is the very first book in the Bible. And we are 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:31.179 starting a new series this morning in this first book of the Bible, looking at this man 00:00:31.179 --> 00:00:37.539 called Jacob. This is going to take us through the summer. And here's why this is exciting this 00:00:37.539 --> 00:00:46.500 morning. It's exciting as we begin this because this story explains Delia's story. 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:53.060 As we get to know this man called Jacob. And this has been my prayer over this last number 00:00:53.060 --> 00:00:58.219 of weeks as we've been thinking about this new summer series. My prayer is that it would 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:06.799 remind us of who the God of the Bible is and how he works, what he does, what he's in the 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:12.400 business of. Because what we fundamentally believe as Christians about the God of the 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:20.320 Bible is that he loves to speak hope into the most hopeless of situations. Now with that 00:01:20.320 --> 00:01:25.760 in mind, let me tell you about my friend Trevor, right? He's one of my new best friends. He and 00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:32.180 his wife Val, they live down in London. Trevor serves as the London director of the FIEC, the 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:38.320 Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, working to see churches planted all over our country 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:45.299 for the glory of Jesus. Alex and I met them, him and his wife, on a beach in Jersey. And we had lunch 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:54.280 with them. And he starts telling us about how he came to know Jesus. And a more messy and complicated 00:01:54.280 --> 00:02:04.099 family situation you could not imagine. So his mum moves from Aberystwyth in Wales to the bustle and 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:12.060 grime of East End London. The year is 1918. Why that's significant is that she goes there to London 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:19.500 to try and make a living as a housemaid during the war. And she goes there at the age of 16. 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:24.780 So she leaves the little farming village where she's from. She moves to the East End of London. 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:33.400 And long story short, Trevor is the youngest of three. He has two older sisters. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:41.599 And the three of them have three different biological fathers. His dad is now the stepdad of the family. 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:47.640 The family, one sister ends up in foster care when she was growing up. The other one 00:02:47.640 --> 00:02:55.900 is at some point evacuated during the war. And so Trevor grows up in a home that is full of secrets, 00:02:55.900 --> 00:03:05.879 that is packed with heartache, that's riddled with shame, and is full of mess. And a more complicated 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:13.420 family situation you could not imagine. But the one thing that Trevor loves in his life as a little 00:03:13.420 --> 00:03:19.379 boy is he loves football. And he hears about the church down the roads who are running a summer 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:25.079 football camp. And quite frankly, if it's got the word football in it, he's there. And he goes, 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:32.280 and he hears about Jesus for the first time. And after a bit of time in the workplace, 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:38.740 he becomes a Christian. And God calls him after a little bit of time in the church to go to Bible 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:45.259 college. And after a while, he later becomes the pastor of the church when he first heard about 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:50.739 Jesus. And so over a burger and a chips, as we're thinking about his story, here's what he says. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:59.620 He says, my life is testimony to the truth that God's grace is bigger and greater than our mess. 00:04:01.799 --> 00:04:07.819 And that's the kind of God that we're dealing with as we come to the pages of the Bible. A God 00:04:07.819 --> 00:04:15.239 whose grace is greater than our mess. And maybe this is where this is going to hit for many of us 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:22.100 today. You might be sitting here right now. And all you can think about is about mistakes that are 00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:29.879 behind you. And all you're aware of right now is mess around you. And all you can think about and see 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:37.600 ahead of you are dead ends. And if truth be told, it feels like you are sinking in the bog. 00:04:38.780 --> 00:04:45.120 And that line that you two sang way back in the day is so fixed in your mind. You've got 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:52.540 yourself stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it. It's often what shame and guilt feel like, 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:57.600 isn't it, in our lives. It feels like you're sitting on a bus and you're heading in the wrong 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:04.199 direction. And with every passing stop that goes by, it just gets easier to keep sitting. And it just 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:08.160 feels impossible to get up and press the button to stop. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:13.520 And if that's you here this morning, you need this. 00:05:15.520 --> 00:05:22.780 Let God, through his word, as we see this man, Jacob, and all the mess that surrounds his life. 00:05:22.880 --> 00:05:27.680 I mean, the state of this family, as we travel with it over the weeks, this would be something 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:32.780 that today would leave Jerry McHale and Oprah scratching their heads thinking, how on earth do 00:05:32.779 --> 00:05:39.599 we fix something like this? This is messy. But let this story about how God is at work in this family's 00:05:39.599 --> 00:05:48.219 life, lead you to see what he has done for you, to save you from your mess, to lift us out of the 00:05:48.219 --> 00:05:56.219 bog so that we can get off the bus and we can cross the road and we can get on the bus marked to grace, 00:05:56.419 --> 00:06:00.319 which is heading in the other direction. This is what repentance means in the Bible, 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:04.980 to stop going your way, to turn and to start going God's way. 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:11.680 So here's what my thinking has been this week, as we turn to Genesis. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:19.620 Why did Moses, the author here, why did, as he writes this, give us so many details? 00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:24.500 Right? He could have saved himself a lot of time and just given us the biblical family tree, 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:28.680 could he not have? Genesis would have been a much shorter book if he had. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:35.519 He wants us to see Jacob and his family, warts and all. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:47.160 Yeah? And so we view this as the readers, not like we would watch a play. This is much more like 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:55.280 looking in a mirror. This is not for us to look back and laugh at their misfortune. No, 00:06:55.279 --> 00:07:02.619 this is so we can see ourselves in their folly and see that Jesus is our only hope. 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:08.559 So we're going to read this together now in at verse 19 of chapter 25. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:12.659 And as we do this, here's a little challenge for you. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:15.459 Verse 19, chapter 25. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:21.500 Here's the challenge. See how many mistakes you can spot. 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:23.299 Right? 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:28.519 See how much mess is in this picture. See if you can count them on your fingers. 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:31.379 It's like a game show, isn't it, as we read it through. 00:07:32.099 --> 00:07:34.019 See how many mistakes you can spot. 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:35.939 Here's the story. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:44.420 This is the account of the family line of Abraham's son Isaac. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:52.800 Abraham became the father of Isaac and Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebecca, 00:07:53.579 --> 00:08:02.439 daughter of Bethuel the Aramean, from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:09.560 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:14.759 The Lord answered his prayer and his wife Rebecca became pregnant. 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:16.500 Verse 22. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:21.159 The babies jostled each other within her and she said, 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:22.680 why is this happening to me? 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:25.699 So she went to inquire of the Lord. 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:28.659 The Lord said to her, 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:35.159 two nations are in your womb and two peoples from within you will be separated. 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:42.620 One people will be stronger than the other and the older will serve the younger. 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:47.860 When the time came for her to give birth, they were twin boys in her womb. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:53.600 The first to come out was red and his whole body was like a hairy garment. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:55.399 So they named him Esau. 00:08:56.680 --> 00:09:00.840 After this, his brother came out with his hand grasping Esau's heel. 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:03.519 So he was named Jacob. 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:08.759 Isaac was 60 years old when Rebecca gave birth to them. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:13.300 The boys grew up and Esau became a skillful hunter, 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:15.279 a man of the open country, 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:20.279 while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:24.980 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau. 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:27.720 But Rebecca loved Jacob. 00:09:29.079 --> 00:09:31.539 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:34.620 Esau came in from the open country famished. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:35.740 He said to Jacob, 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:38.500 quick, let me have some of that red stew. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:39.539 I'm famished. 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:42.379 That is why he was also called Edom. 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.399 Jacob replied, 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:45.100 first, 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:47.039 sell me your birthright. 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:49.279 Look, I'm about to die. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:50.959 Esau said, 00:09:51.199 --> 00:09:53.019 what good is the birthright to me? 00:09:53.459 --> 00:09:54.439 But Jacob said, 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:55.879 swear to me first. 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:58.779 So he swore an oath to him, 00:09:58.939 --> 00:10:01.519 selling his birthright to Jacob. 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:05.399 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. 00:10:05.579 --> 00:10:09.439 He ate and drank and then got up and left. 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:15.539 So Esau despised his birthright. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:18.659 And this is God's word to us this morning. 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:20.599 Now, if we were to channel our inner teacher 00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:23.659 and mark the mistakes on this, 00:10:24.459 --> 00:10:28.539 I think you would have one or two blue ticks 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:30.799 and you would have a whole lot of red. 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:31.799 Yeah? 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:34.839 But here's the big thing I think Moses is saying to this generation 00:10:34.839 --> 00:10:37.419 as it comes to them and as it comes to us today, 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:39.519 even these mistakes, 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:41.979 even these wrongdoings 00:10:41.979 --> 00:10:45.819 will not stop the grace of God. 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.159 So here's three of them today. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.439 We'll rattle through these. 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:51.719 But here's three things I want us to know 00:10:51.719 --> 00:10:53.620 won't stop the grace of God. 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:56.500 Here's the first one that won't stop it. 00:10:56.699 --> 00:10:59.139 Life being full of questions. 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:03.899 So the question facing Isaac and Rebecca is, 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:06.860 why can't we have a child? 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:10.319 And I get that for many of us here today, 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:13.559 that is a pain that either we will know 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:16.000 or we know others will know. 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:20.779 That sense of sadness and disappointment, 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:24.759 the kind I've heard Christopher Ashe, 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:27.860 who's a former pastor down in Oxford, 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:31.620 describe it as like grieving without an object. 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:37.379 And I get that it's hard watching others rejoice 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:39.480 in the birth of babies. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:44.100 And we'd love to walk and talk with you in that 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:45.620 and pray for you in that 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:48.200 as we seek to be a church that walks with one another 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:50.340 through the ups and the downs of life. 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:53.440 But the added pain for Isaac and Rebecca 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:58.480 is the fact that God had promised Isaac's father, 00:11:58.800 --> 00:12:04.000 Abraham, that through their family line 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:09.600 would come one who was both the serpent crusher 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:12.700 of Genesis 3, who was going to defeat evil in the world, 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:15.560 and he was going to be the one who would bring blessing 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:16.360 to the nations. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:17.960 And so they're looking at this thinking, 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:20.420 where is that child that God has promised us? 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:25.220 Has God failed at generation two of that promise? 00:12:25.400 --> 00:12:27.840 And so this is really painful for them in this moment. 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:31.440 Do you not love that the Bible doesn't shy away 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.540 from that kind of pain 00:12:32.540 --> 00:12:35.400 and those kind of questions? 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:38.360 So glad for that. 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:40.860 It's almost God's invitation to say to us, 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:42.560 you can come to me with these things. 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:47.399 Here's what I think we can learn from Isaac and Rebecca. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.519 Where do they go with their pain and their questions? 00:12:49.719 --> 00:12:51.739 They do not go away from God, 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:55.539 but they go to God in prayer. 00:12:57.839 --> 00:13:00.119 Because the salvation story of the Bible 00:13:00.119 --> 00:13:03.259 is that God does his best work 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:06.959 when human beings are all out of options. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:11.300 And Isaac would know that his parents, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.920 Abraham and Sarah, 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:15.400 they couldn't have a child either. 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:17.080 They went through the exact same thing. 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:20.040 Isaac is the miracle child in Genesis. 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:24.400 They know that they have a God big enough 00:13:24.400 --> 00:13:25.800 to deal with their pain. 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:29.500 They know that they have a God with a track record 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:32.040 of coming through on his promises. 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:34.360 They know that they have a God who loves them enough 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:37.680 and invites them to come to him with their questions 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:40.879 and not to run away from him in the pain. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:44.659 You know, I remember hearing a man called Paul Mallard 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:48.460 speak a number of years ago down south 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:51.480 and he was talking about how he and his wife, Edry, 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.919 how they process everything 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:56.039 when she was diagnosed 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:59.340 with a neurological degenerative disease. 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:02.580 And he writes about it in his book called 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:04.720 Invest Your Suffering. 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.580 And I just want to read you this one quote 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:09.660 and the whole quote's on the screen. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:12.420 I just want you to read the last bit to you. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.360 Here's what he writes. 00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:15.220 And this is a book well worth checking out 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:16.920 if that's a question in your mind. 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:18.879 He says, 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:20.540 But one thing I've never doubted 00:14:20.540 --> 00:14:24.180 is that in the darkest circumstances, 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:29.379 we were only ever in the hands of God. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:35.679 that has been the ultimate source of comfort and hope. 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.860 And that's what we see here, isn't it? 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.779 In these times when we're up against it, 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:43.299 in these times where we feel stretched, 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:47.259 let's pray and help one another 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:51.580 and pray that our faith would be like an elastic band 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:54.620 that would bring us back into God and the gospel. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:58.539 is God draws us to himself. 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:02.980 See, Isaac, verse 20, what is he doing? 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:05.340 He prayed to the Lord for his wife. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.600 And even after she becomes pregnant, 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:10.379 Rebecca, do you see how she does the same? 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:13.060 Verse 22, she inquires of the Lord. 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:17.899 So even when life is full of questions, 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:21.100 this won't stop his grace. 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:23.540 And the other thing, 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:24.759 the second thing that won't stop it 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:27.960 is when families feel full of tensions. 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:29.820 Right? 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:31.840 Rebecca here, do you see how she gets the news 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:32.860 that she's having twins? 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:35.340 And not long after that has sunk in, 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.820 the Lord tells her, verse 20, 00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:39.580 that these two boys are going to represent two nations 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:42.920 who are going to have two different attitudes to God. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.920 And Esau comes out all red. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:46.639 Love that. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:50.240 Jacob comes out clinging to his heel. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.759 Now you add those details together 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:54.620 and you begin to see that there's something going on here 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:56.840 with the birth of these two boys. 00:15:56.940 --> 00:16:00.159 Now, two things I want us to notice here in the text. 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:05.000 Firstly, notice the description of the boys. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.840 Do you see verse 27? 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:10.299 Esau's a hunter. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:15.820 While Jacob was a quiet man living in tents. 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:18.040 Now, I take it Moses is showing us that there 00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:21.400 to explain the verse that's come before. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.860 So we're in no doubt who is the physically stronger, 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.680 who's the weaker. 00:16:26.520 --> 00:16:27.660 But I take it as well, 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.760 he just wants it to show us 00:16:28.760 --> 00:16:30.820 that these boys couldn't be any more different. 00:16:30.900 --> 00:16:33.180 And yet, they're both boys. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.540 I think it's so important for us to see 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:38.040 how the Bible views that. 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:41.180 Because we live in a culture where today 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:43.020 we'd be tempted to ask questions 00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:44.920 as we look at their character, wouldn't we? 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:47.519 So Esau, when we see him, he's a man's man. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.479 He's like Jack Grealish in Bear Grylls, 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.559 kind of rolled into one. 00:16:52.079 --> 00:16:53.000 Classic lad. 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.740 Classic lad behavior. 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.259 But Jacob? 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.379 Not so sure. 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:01.559 And this is where we want to be very clear 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:04.980 and loving that we want to go baby in bathwater 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:07.519 as we seek to lovingly dialogue 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:11.899 and live distinctly in our culture right now. 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:16.060 The bathwater is that we want to rightly question 00:17:16.060 --> 00:17:19.460 the helpfulness of cultural gender stereotypes. 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:21.820 And we want to repent of the times 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:23.500 that we've got that wrong as a church. 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:24.440 Right? 00:17:24.540 --> 00:17:27.300 Not all boys need to love sport and wear blue. 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:29.840 Not all girls need to love Barbies and wear pink. 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:35.539 But the baby is just because 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:39.319 your character, you like or dislike certain things, 00:17:39.439 --> 00:17:42.399 doesn't make you any less or any more 00:17:42.399 --> 00:17:45.480 of a man or a woman by God's good design. 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:50.000 And so in love and desiring to foster 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.819 the kind of community where we can walk 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:53.579 with one another through these things 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:57.279 and can create a safe place for us to share honestly 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:59.200 our experiences and our struggles, 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.759 let me just say that our genders are both 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:07.860 wonderfully God-designed and assigned to us. 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:11.679 And that is why Moses here, we've got to see, 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:14.740 he makes no comment on that. 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.359 Right? 00:18:16.419 --> 00:18:19.079 And if that's the defense, if you like, 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.919 that we have as Christian believers, 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:24.159 the Bible also gives us an offense. 00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:28.539 To be a man, I'm just picking men 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.559 because we're dealing with boys here, 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.319 to be a man according to the Bible 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:33.979 is to be like Christ. 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.099 Christ. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:38.299 And when you start defining it like that, 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:40.440 all of a sudden the words to describe 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:45.140 our characters should be words like 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:51.420 gentle and humble and sacrificial 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:54.759 and loving and serving 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:57.460 because it's into Christ's image 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.920 that we're being made. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:18:59.539 Okay? 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.740 Talking about guys, 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:03.799 it's the same for our dear sisters as well. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.019 Okay? 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:06.139 Guys have to get used to being the bride of Christ 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:07.139 so you can deal with the fact 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:08.559 that you're being made into Christ's image. 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:08.839 Okay? 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.899 That's what it is. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.180 I've got a friend, Class. 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:16.240 I went around to see them recently. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.980 Class was telling me about how he's going through 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:20.980 so many pairs of jeans as a parent. 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.639 Do you know why? 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:26.319 Because he spends all his time 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.899 on his knees. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.039 Changing nappies. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:34.039 Wiping away tears. 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:36.559 Sweeping up shreddies off the floor. 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.960 Tons of holes in his jeans. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:41.480 Just taking that position of just serving his family. 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:43.539 Guys, I take it that we should be people 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:46.859 in life who've got tons of holes in our jeans. 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:48.759 Yeah? 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:50.339 As we seek after the Lord, 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:53.720 desire more of his character in our lives. 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:57.360 It's into his image that God is making us. 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.339 See the parents' behavior here too. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.539 How they don't cover themselves in glory. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.880 You know, watching Isaac and Rebecca here 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:07.000 made me think of that joke 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.299 that they always make on airplanes 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.640 at the safety demonstration. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:11.500 Parents, fit your own masks first 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:13.420 before turning to fit that of your child. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.900 If you've got more than one child, 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.920 you have to pick your favorite. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:20.019 And we would be in no doubt here 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:22.920 as to who is Isaac and Rebecca's favorite child, 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.340 would we? 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.740 We'd be in no doubt as to that. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.960 Isaac, Moses tells us, 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.500 Isaac loves, do you see it? 00:20:29.580 --> 00:20:32.320 Isaac loves Esau. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:35.759 Rebecca loved Jacob. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:37.920 How that must have messed 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.380 with the minds of these boys 00:20:39.380 --> 00:20:40.400 as they grew up. 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:42.259 Not to mention the tension 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.340 that it must have brought 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.759 on their marriage. 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:46.439 I told you this family was a mess. 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.740 We're only 10 verses in. 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:52.579 Again, Moses makes no comment 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:54.899 except to hold this up as a mirror 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:58.500 and say how unwise, 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:01.879 how foolish to pick your favorite. 00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:04.159 And that's true. 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:09.019 But I think the challenge here, 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.659 particularly to parents, 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.919 is not just don't pick your favorite, 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:14.000 but that's true, 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:16.620 is what is going on in your heart 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.340 as a parent 00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:20.220 that these guys even got to that place. 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:23.640 Yeah, what are they projecting 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.960 onto their kids? 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.300 Something of their own aspirations? 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.100 We don't know it. 00:21:28.340 --> 00:21:29.580 But how do you end up 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:31.480 as a parent in this place? 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.240 That's the question I think 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.480 that we're meant to ask here. 00:21:35.560 --> 00:21:36.460 Yeah, I love that, 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.600 that the Bible doesn't just deal 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:38.860 with the surface things. 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:41.500 The Bible, God calls us 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.660 to examine our hearts 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.579 for hidden motives. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:46.680 What's going on in our hearts? 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.619 So parents, 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.880 what do we long for 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.680 for our kids? 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.559 Yeah? 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:53.339 If we had to make a list 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.859 of the things 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.240 that we want to be true 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.240 for them in the future 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.039 as they grow up, 00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:59.140 what is number one 00:21:59.140 --> 00:21:59.960 on that list? 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.920 If you were to ask them 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.339 this morning, 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:05.900 what is it that most excites mum? 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.099 What is it that brings 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.440 greatest joy to dad? 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.519 What would they say? 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.900 And I think this is where 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.180 I have been so encouraged 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.220 by Delia's story. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:16.299 And I think this is what connects 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:18.900 the story of the life 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.360 of our dear friend Lynn 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.320 that we heard yesterday 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:23.400 and connects what Delia said 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.080 about her mum. 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.600 That there was no doubt 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:29.100 in our minds 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:31.400 what was the most important thing 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:31.920 in their lives 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.700 as they lived it out 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.539 in front of their kids. 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:38.639 Delia's story 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.680 is how God answered 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.420 that prayer 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:42.619 of the greatest desire 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:44.259 of her mum. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.379 And can I just say, 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.980 if you want to think 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.859 about this a bit more, 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.819 here's a book giveaway 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.379 this morning. 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.539 Five of these books 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.180 written by a guy 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.119 called Kevin DeYoung. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.659 I don't know why 00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:54.519 they've got different covers, 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.159 they just do. 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.899 Same book. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.559 It's just called 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.720 Amaze Them With God. 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.440 And it's his summons 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.519 as a parent of, 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.099 I think they've got 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:03.039 eight or nine kids, 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:06.500 to live out 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:08.639 an infectious affection 00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:09.339 for Jesus 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.339 in front of your children. 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.619 If you want one of these, 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.399 we've got five of them, 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.240 just come and take it 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.960 after the service. 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.899 It's only 60 or so pages, 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.539 you'll get through it 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.039 in an afternoon. 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.299 But a brilliant summons 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.940 to parents 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.299 to live out a love 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:20.779 for Jesus 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.799 in front of our kids. 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:23.859 You see, 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.579 when families 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.680 are full of tensions, 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.659 Moses is saying, 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.920 still this won't stop 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.799 God's grace. 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:31.180 And thirdly, 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.059 when people make 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:33.000 foolish decisions, 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.299 this won't stop 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.259 God's grace. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.859 This rivalry, 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.220 you see, 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.740 it develops 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.779 between these boys. 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.859 We get this scene. 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:44.079 Esau comes in 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:45.579 exhausted from the field. 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.200 He's clearly 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.339 a felt needs 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.339 kind of guy. 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.259 He's famished. 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.099 All he can think about 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:51.839 is his stomach. 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:54.019 And how timely 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.140 that Jacob's in the kitchen 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.420 having been cooking 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.400 up a stew. 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.799 But Jacob has been 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.180 cooking up more than that 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.960 in his mind. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.880 Do you see that? 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:04.299 He's been cooking up 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.880 a plan. 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.440 You see, 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.340 there's folly 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:07.320 in Esau 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:08.299 doing anything 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.420 to get a quick feed, 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:11.140 even if it means 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:12.799 selling his birthright 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:14.160 as the firstborn son. 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.480 The privileges, 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.980 the greater share, 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:17.720 the responsibility 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:19.200 that goes with that. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:21.140 But equally, 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.480 there's envy 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.000 a play 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.980 in Jacob's heart. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.220 And again, 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.720 the invitation 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:29.400 is from our father 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:29.819 to say, 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.680 do you see this 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.299 in your heart? 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.000 Do you see envy? 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.240 Do you see jealousy? 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.000 Do you struggle 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.039 when others 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.080 get good news? 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:41.160 Do you rejoice 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.759 when others 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.700 get good news? 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.620 Do you struggle 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.559 to empathize 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:44.940 when others 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.640 get bad news? 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.039 What is going on 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.279 in our hearts today 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.940 as a church family? 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.639 And you have to say 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:52.500 when Jacob makes 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.319 his play here 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.660 and says, 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.779 sell me your birthright, 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.440 you've got to ask 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.079 where on earth 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:57.019 did that come from? 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:58.960 Right? 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.579 I don't think 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.399 we're meant to read this 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:01.519 and think that Jacob 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:03.160 is the opportunist 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.519 par excellence. 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:06.139 Just saw a chance 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:06.859 and went for it. 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.940 I think we're meant 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.480 to understand 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.220 that this has been 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.339 brewing in his heart 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.240 for years. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.680 Years. 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.559 Just waiting 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.440 for that opportunity 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.299 to pounce 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.259 because if he can't 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.980 beat his brother 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.240 by bronze, 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:20.819 he can beat him 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.559 with brains. 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.359 Red pen 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.259 all over this. 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:26.720 Right? 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.940 And Esau 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:29.660 is all too willing 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.960 to take the hook, 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.180 take the bait 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.960 when Jacob plays it 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.720 in front of him. 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:35.379 Right? 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.119 The New Testament 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.240 is it picks up on this 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.460 in Hebrews chapter 12. 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.440 We talk about how 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.980 Esau despised 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.059 his birthright. 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.480 In other words, 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.599 it meant nothing to him. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:45.139 It's like a used bus ticket 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:46.859 just out the window 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.419 that goes. 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.500 It meant nothing to him 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.339 being the firstborn. 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:52.399 Take it once, 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.679 nothing to do with God. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.659 Not really cared 00:25:54.659 --> 00:25:56.759 for anything other 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.759 than his felt needs. 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.319 And here's, 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:00.500 I think, 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:00.979 the challenge 00:26:00.979 --> 00:26:02.059 as we look at this guy. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.759 In this moment, 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.579 his wants 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:07.079 trump 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:08.619 God's word. 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.219 God's word. 00:26:10.219 --> 00:26:11.159 His desire 00:26:11.159 --> 00:26:12.039 to fulfill 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.259 his pleasures 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.679 trumps 00:26:14.679 --> 00:26:15.839 God's 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.079 promises. 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.799 And so, 00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:20.219 you've got 00:26:20.219 --> 00:26:21.319 two different brothers 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:23.699 with two different 00:26:23.699 --> 00:26:24.639 longings 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:27.079 manifesting themselves 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:28.179 in two different ways 00:26:28.179 --> 00:26:29.239 and yet you see 00:26:29.239 --> 00:26:30.319 how we've got 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.539 exactly the same 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:33.239 heart problem. 00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:36.559 And there is mess 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:38.279 everywhere in this family 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.759 and it is only 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.379 going to get 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.559 messier. 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.759 Do you identify 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.599 with that this morning? 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.579 So hard, 00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:48.839 isn't it, 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.639 as we think about 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.039 the, 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.940 oh man, 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.440 the mistakes 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.059 that we have made 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.639 in the past, 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.220 all of us, 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:56.359 the words that we've said 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.659 that we can't take back, 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.740 the attitudes 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.539 that were going on 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.139 in our hearts 00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:00.720 that we thought 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.299 were okay, 00:27:01.419 --> 00:27:02.039 now we look back 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.679 and we shudder. 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.019 Oh man, 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.859 where would we be 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:05.740 if it weren't 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.740 for the grace of God? 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.960 But maybe that is you 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.319 precisely today. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:14.220 All you can think about 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:15.500 is mistakes behind you. 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.839 All you're aware of 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:19.000 is mess around you. 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:21.119 All you're aware of 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.279 is dead ends 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.259 ahead of you. 00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:26.660 But we need to understand 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.200 that the hope 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.099 for messy people 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:31.339 is not what's going on 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:31.839 on the ground. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.159 This throws us 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:36.019 to think about 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:38.319 what's going on above. 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:41.039 What is God up to 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.139 in our mess? 00:27:42.959 --> 00:27:43.679 If we believe 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:44.519 that he is bigger, 00:27:44.699 --> 00:27:45.279 if his grace 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.379 is bigger than our mess, 00:27:46.459 --> 00:27:48.919 then what is he up to? 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.019 Our only hope 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.059 is the God 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.000 who is in control 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.779 and who loves us 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.539 and who is above. 00:27:53.959 --> 00:27:54.159 You see, 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.119 here's my friend Trevor 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.000 again as we begin 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.899 to wind this up. 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.220 Trevor's 70 now. 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:01.740 Trevor's writing 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.720 his story down 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.559 so that he can pass it 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.220 on to future generations. 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.400 And he sent me 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.279 a copy this week. 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:09.180 And he says, 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.160 looking back 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.299 on his life 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.019 and what life 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.539 has taught him 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.160 about God, 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.860 he says this. 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.539 He says, 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.539 I've come to understand 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.779 life like a tapestry. 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:21.279 You look at a tapestry 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:21.940 from underneath 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:24.660 and all you can see 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:25.620 is loose threads. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.880 All you can see 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.620 is frays. 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.980 All you can see 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.640 is knots. 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.060 You can't see 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:33.640 any discernible pattern. 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:35.220 You can't understand 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.720 the logic. 00:28:38.020 --> 00:28:39.420 But that same tapestry 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.400 viewed from above, 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:43.720 that picture's 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:45.080 wonderful. 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.860 And I think 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.700 this is what's going to, 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.600 and if all we do 00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:50.320 with this series 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:50.900 over the summer 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.940 is get bogged down 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.280 in the character details, 00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:54.320 and they are important, 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.060 we're going to miss 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:56.680 the whole purpose 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.400 of this book. 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.840 Because the whole point 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:02.620 is how God 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:04.299 is bringing 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.100 to pass 00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:05.840 his promise 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.820 to bring forth 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.620 a saviour 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:08.320 from the line 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.060 of his people, 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:11.860 despite all the reasons 00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:12.480 that should have 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.480 put him off. 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.039 This is the story 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.680 about God's 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.880 relentless grace 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.759 getting to people 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.460 like us 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:19.779 who desperately need it, 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.120 of God's 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:22.700 unrelenting mercy, 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:24.039 of his unfailing 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.659 purposes, 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:25.960 in blessing 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.819 the world 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:28.980 with Jesus. 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:32.039 Because years later, 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.500 the Bible 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.359 is going to introduce 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.299 us to another 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:37.539 firstborn son. 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.599 From the line 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.319 of Jacob, 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:43.720 born into 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.940 our mess, 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.259 a man who 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.799 wouldn't despise 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:50.659 his responsibilities, 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.500 a man who 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.300 would step 00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:53.620 up to the 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.259 plate, 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.380 and a man 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:56.980 who would do 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.900 what Esau 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.040 didn't do, 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:00.519 and what you 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:00.960 and I 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.480 in and of 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:01.920 ourselves 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.100 can't do, 00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.660 and that's put, 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:06.000 and love the fact 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.540 that God's word 00:30:07.540 --> 00:30:08.220 trumps 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.460 our wants. 00:30:11.040 --> 00:30:12.279 And he would 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.960 come and do 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.620 what Jacob 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.560 couldn't do, 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.900 and what you 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.279 and I 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.940 can't do 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.540 in and of 00:30:17.540 --> 00:30:18.160 ourselves, 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:19.300 and have 00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:20.200 that pure 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:21.540 heart of 00:30:21.540 --> 00:30:22.920 worship to 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:24.480 his God. 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.500 Jesus took 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.700 responsibility for 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.900 my mess, 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:34.019 and your 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.480 mess. 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.279 As he died 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:36.880 for us on the 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:37.920 cross, he paid 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.460 the price for 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.920 our sin. 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.840 He's paid for 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:42.580 all of it. 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.940 He has paid 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.640 for all of it. 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.460 He has washed 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.860 us clean, and 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.840 because he's 00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:49.620 done that, 00:30:50.860 --> 00:30:52.039 he offers to 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.940 redeem us 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.980 out of our 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.940 mess and the 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.180 consequences that 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:56.819 our sin 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.900 deserves. 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.960 Standing above 00:30:58.960 --> 00:30:59.840 all of this, 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.460 and really this is 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.940 what the developing 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.960 story here is all 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.259 about, is God's 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.019 delightful 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.100 determination, 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.620 and his 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:09.059 relentless mercy, 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.100 and in his 00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:11.360 loving desire 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:12.420 to get 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.140 us 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.180 Jesus. 00:31:17.060 --> 00:31:17.920 And I love 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.480 the words of 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.080 John Newton, 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.700 and with this 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.400 we close. 00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:22.840 John Newton, 00:31:23.040 --> 00:31:24.000 former slave 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.940 trader, worked 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.259 on the 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.140 ships, turned 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:27.560 minister, who 00:31:27.560 --> 00:31:28.020 penned that 00:31:28.020 --> 00:31:28.440 words of that 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.080 first song that 00:31:29.080 --> 00:31:29.759 we sang called 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.820 Amazing Grace, 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.620 and he sits 00:31:31.620 --> 00:31:31.980 down at the 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.340 end of his 00:31:32.340 --> 00:31:33.080 life, and 00:31:33.080 --> 00:31:33.820 what has life 00:31:33.820 --> 00:31:34.480 taught him, 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.440 and he says 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:36.700 this, 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.160 although my 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:37.880 memory's 00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:39.900 fading, I 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.460 remember two 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.060 things very 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:43.440 clearly, that 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:43.779 I am a 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.399 great sinner, 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:47.759 and Christ 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.299 is a great 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.639 savior. 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.399 And that's 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.740 what this 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.200 morning is 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.619 about, dear 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:52.980 friends. 00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.799 It's about 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.559 who he is 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:57.200 today, and 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.059 his love for 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:59.099 us, and 00:31:59.099 --> 00:31:59.779 his commitment 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:01.200 to us, and 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.679 like we said 00:32:01.679 --> 00:32:02.240 at the start, 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:03.539 who he is, he 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.119 is the great 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.440 shepherd, and 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:05.839 the great 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.700 overseer of 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.279 our souls. 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.919 Let's pray, 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.220 will we? 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:21.960 And so 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.359 Father, we 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.039 thank you so 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.519 much this 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.599 morning, dear 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:26.220 God, for 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.299 who you are. 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.879 Thank you for 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.700 Jesus that he 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.779 stepped into 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.619 our mess. 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.679 He didn't 00:32:32.679 --> 00:32:33.339 shout from 00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.740 above, he 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.460 didn't tell us 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.339 to work harder, 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:36.839 no, he 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:38.519 entered our 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:40.960 world, and 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.539 he took 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.180 responsibility 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:43.000 for our 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.539 failures. 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:45.660 And as he 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:47.019 stands, having 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.319 defeated them 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:48.940 on the cross, and 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.759 as he stands in 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.400 that place of 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:52.340 victory, thank 00:32:52.340 --> 00:32:53.840 you that we 00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:54.720 have life in 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.000 him. 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.579 And so, 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.819 Father, at the 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.299 end of this 00:32:59.299 --> 00:32:59.640 morning, we 00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.039 would want to 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.460 just give you 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.019 all the praise 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.579 and the glory. 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:02.519 Lord, would 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.180 your spirit be 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.620 at work in 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.120 our lives? 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.380 Maybe we've 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:05.940 never thought 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.340 about this 00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:07.200 stuff before. 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:09.079 May you 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:10.019 prompt us to 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.660 think about the 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.080 things of 00:33:11.080 --> 00:33:11.420 Jesus. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.040 Father, for 00:33:13.040 --> 00:33:13.519 those who are 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.480 struggling, may 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.720 this word come 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:17.380 as a great 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:17.900 source of 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.400 comfort. 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.300 And Father, for 00:33:20.300 --> 00:33:20.900 those of us who 00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:21.740 need challenged, 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.360 Lord, may this 00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:25.519 spur us on to 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.840 live our lives 00:33:26.840 --> 00:33:28.560 to the praise of 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:28.960 his name. 00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:30.519 And we pray 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.320 these things in 00:33:31.320 --> 00:33:32.200 his worthy name. 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.040 Amen. 00:33:33.040 --> 00:33:33.180 Amen.