WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.980 Take your copy of God's Word and turn to Romans chapter 8, where we'll spend our time this morning. 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:19.219 At home, Sam and I have gotten in the habit of singing the doxology after we pray before our meal, hoping that Cade will learn it and learn it well. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:27.820 We don't sound nearly as nice as you guys all do together though, so I think you guys should all come to our house for dinner every night and help us sing that song. 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:31.519 Because my leading it just is not nearly as beautiful. 00:00:32.480 --> 00:00:40.259 I'm really thankful today. I'm thankful first and foremost for the redemptive work of Christ on my behalf. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:55.000 I just feel unfettered this morning. I feel so free and unburdened because of the lack of slavery to sin this morning. 00:00:55.000 --> 00:01:02.939 I'm incredibly thankful this morning. On this day, six years ago, I married my lovely wife, Sam. 00:01:03.240 --> 00:01:05.200 So I'm really thankful for her. Thank you. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:13.560 And my family's here this morning. You guys know there's been a lot of sickness in our home. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:17.680 And I'm just really, really, really thankful that they get to actually be here. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:19.000 Both of my precious boys are here. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:21.659 I'm not stag this morning at church. 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:24.180 So I'm thankful for all these things this morning. 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:28.599 And I'm thankful that I get to preach this morning to you out of Romans chapter 8. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:34.460 We have, just to remind you, in Romans we've been venturing through this gospel presentation 00:01:34.460 --> 00:01:36.340 that Paul is giving to us. 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:42.039 And he has said to us that the curse of sin has affected all humanity. 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:43.799 We all bear that curse. 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:46.920 And in addition to that, we've all sinned ourselves. 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:54.019 So not only has the curse of Adam passed on to us, but we have brought our own condemnation because of our own sin. 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:59.299 And therefore, none of us can escape the wrath of God on our own. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:02.539 Praise him for the propitiation of Christ. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:05.560 That he came and stood in our place. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:07.799 Bore God's wrath on our behalf. 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:12.859 That if we will place our faith in that work of Jesus, we might be saved. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:18.379 We've seen now the effects of the gospel in chapters 6 and 7. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:23.199 And now into chapter 8, we get to learn about these positive effects of the gospel. 00:02:23.379 --> 00:02:26.639 The life that the Spirit has brought us. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:30.039 And we're looking together at the ministry of the Spirit. 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:35.319 And we see that the Spirit in our lives ministers to us in regeneration. 00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:37.099 He gives us a new nature. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:40.060 We've been born in the Spirit. 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:42.460 We see this in chapter 8, verse 5. 00:02:43.620 --> 00:02:44.639 I just won't read it to you. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:45.639 Chapter 8, verse 5. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:46.340 You can look at it. 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:49.939 As well as in 1 Peter 1, 3-5, which says, 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:52.060 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:57.199 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again through the Spirit. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:02:58.240 To a living hope. 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:00.459 To the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:04.159 To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:05.740 And kept in heaven for you. 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:10.859 Who by God's power, which is the work of the Spirit in us, are being guarded through faith. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:14.039 For a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:19.219 We see also that the Spirit ministers to us in our lives through the process of sanctification. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:25.300 Sanctification, that process by which we are passing from one degree of glory to another. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:29.620 That we are becoming more perfect as we progress in our Christian living. 00:03:30.079 --> 00:03:32.560 So he ministers to us in sanctification. 00:03:33.180 --> 00:03:35.080 Chapter 8, verse 13. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:37.659 As well as Philippians 1, 6. 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:38.240 Where Paul says, 00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:49.659 We are being moved steadily by the Spirit towards perfection. 00:03:50.159 --> 00:04:00.100 We also saw that last week that the Spirit ministers to us in our security unto glorification. 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:03.900 So after we die, the work of the Spirit is our glorification. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:08.240 But up to that point is our security keeping us to that day. 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:11.259 You can see that in chapter 8, verse 14. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:14.060 That he puts in us the Spirit of adoption. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:17.360 That we are called sons of God because he lives within us. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:20.579 As well as Ephesians 1, 13 and 14. 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:21.420 Which reads, 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:43.040 So last week we saw that Paul turned in verse 17 to begin to talk about suffering in the life of a Christian. 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:50.120 And that suffering includes all of the things we encounter as Christians along the way. 00:04:50.160 --> 00:04:52.040 As we're moving towards glorification. 00:04:52.700 --> 00:04:53.500 It's all those things. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:59.000 So it's from the head cold I still kind of have this morning to martyrdom. 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:05.280 It's all those things that are uncomfortable for us as we're in this process of being made perfect. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:09.960 And he gives to us the way that we bear up underneath that. 00:05:10.320 --> 00:05:12.820 Which is the hope of future glory. 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:17.160 We saw last week a certain amount of groaning going on. 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:20.220 He speaks to us of the creation groaning. 00:05:20.520 --> 00:05:23.640 Waiting eagerly to be restored. 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:26.040 To be put back in the place that it was meant to be. 00:05:26.640 --> 00:05:30.340 And we saw that we as believers groan inwardly. 00:05:30.660 --> 00:05:33.259 We wait eagerly for the adoption of the Son. 00:05:33.340 --> 00:05:34.860 For the redemption of our bodies. 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:36.480 That final state. 00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:42.600 And this morning's text, we're going to see the Spirit groan on our behalf. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:43.920 So let's read together. 00:05:44.140 --> 00:05:47.620 Beginning in verse 26 through verse 30. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.560 I know that you may be thinking me rather ambitious. 00:05:50.900 --> 00:05:56.680 But I hope by the end of this you'll understand why I'm going to take us that far this morning. 00:05:56.920 --> 00:05:57.939 Beginning in verse 26. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:01.519 Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:03.699 For we do not know what to pray for as we ought. 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:08.060 But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:11.220 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:14.540 Because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:18.459 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:20.560 For those who are called according to his purpose. 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:25.180 For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of a son. 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:27.839 In order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:30.399 And those whom he predestined, he also called. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:32.420 And those whom he called, he also justified. 00:06:32.920 --> 00:06:35.920 And those whom he justified, he also glorified. 00:06:36.420 --> 00:06:37.139 Let's pray together. 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:43.539 Father God, we thank you for your word and the ministry it is to us. 00:06:43.899 --> 00:06:47.240 We thank you that you have planned the end from the beginning. 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:51.539 We thank you that you're bringing it about through the personal work of Jesus Christ. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:53.599 And through the work of the Spirit in our lives. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:56.319 Father, we appeal to you this morning. 00:06:57.060 --> 00:07:02.019 That you might work in us a miracle in clear speaking and clear understanding. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:08.919 That you will provide both knowledge and understanding that yields wisdom in our lives. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:15.919 That we might live for you and exalt Christ in all that we do, even in the midst of our suffering. 00:07:16.539 --> 00:07:22.279 We pray this in the precious name of Christ, who gives us the ability to approach you and even pray to you. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:23.259 Amen. 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:30.000 So, we see that he starts out this language in talking about the Spirit. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:32.660 He starts groaning on our behalf. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.959 And he speaks of our weakness. 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:38.420 So, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:43.899 And what does he mean by that is the first question that came to my mind as I began to study this text. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:46.879 Initially, I looked at verse 25. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:48.000 And verse 25 says, 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:50.779 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:53.100 This future glory that's coming, we wait for it with patience. 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:58.019 And so, I presume that the weakness he was talking about was when we fail in that. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:01.740 So, we, in his hope of glory, we are waiting. 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:06.699 We are eagerly anticipating the coming hope of glory for us. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:10.240 And when we fail in that, the Spirit intercedes for us. 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:13.680 But that's not actually what he means in this text. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:19.299 The word weakness here, the Greek term, is found in Romans 6.19. 00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:25.240 And Paul refers there, and it's translated in the ESV to our natural limitations. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:31.199 And John chapter 5, when Jesus is at the pool of Bethesda, there's the lame man. 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:32.299 And in verse 5, it says, 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:36.100 One man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:39.259 That term invalid is the same term weakness here. 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:44.700 The inability of his body to walk. 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:50.240 1 Corinthians 15.43 and 44, speaking of resurrection, says, 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:52.080 It is sown in dishonor. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.460 It is raised in glory. 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:55.200 It is sown in weakness. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.100 Same word. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:57.780 It is raised in power. 00:08:57.900 --> 00:08:59.820 It is sown a natural body. 00:08:59.900 --> 00:09:01.840 It is raised a spiritual body. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:06.920 And so, what he's talking about here, when he says that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:15.559 is the frailty of our flesh, the burden of our sinful nature that we all carry around. 00:09:16.479 --> 00:09:20.779 So, does that include our failing to wait with patience for future glory? 00:09:21.459 --> 00:09:22.419 Absolutely, it does. 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:27.479 But he's expanding beyond that and speaking much more broadly than that. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.719 Look at the very next sentence. 00:09:28.839 --> 00:09:29.139 He says, 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:33.059 For we do not know what to pray for as we ought. 00:09:33.059 --> 00:09:43.339 So, in the middle of our suffering, we don't even know how to pray because we are so corrupted by our sin. 00:09:43.979 --> 00:09:45.859 That's what he's talking about here. 00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:48.799 He starts this sentence out by saying, 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:49.959 Likewise. 00:09:51.459 --> 00:09:52.619 He talks out by saying, 00:09:52.959 --> 00:09:54.679 Likewise the Spirit helps us. 00:09:54.719 --> 00:09:57.639 So, what is the likewise he's referring to? 00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:59.419 Well, it's the groaning. 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:05.199 It's referring back to verse 18, the eager longing of the creation, 00:10:05.599 --> 00:10:08.740 the creation groaning in the pains of childbirth. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:15.279 It's that same groaning, which is the way the Spirit helps us on our behalf. 00:10:16.579 --> 00:10:21.379 See that at the very heart of the Spirit of God within us 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:26.599 is a longing for us to be made perfect. 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:29.580 He desires that. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:32.300 And he groans on our behalf 00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:33.960 for such a thing 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:35.440 to take place. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:38.000 And he groans with words, 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:39.740 with a groaning that is 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.879 too deep 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:42.340 for words. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.399 Now, we in Protestant evangelicalism 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:47.139 have really neglected 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:48.200 the Holy Spirit. 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:51.180 We make much of God the Father 00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:52.800 and much of God the Son, 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:55.500 which we should do, and we should never cease doing. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:57.720 We can never talk too much 00:10:57.720 --> 00:10:58.779 about God the Father 00:10:58.779 --> 00:10:59.899 and about God the Son. 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:01.200 But we do 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:02.740 talk too little 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.399 about the Spirit. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.059 Pentecostals have 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:07.820 elevated 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:09.000 the role of the Spirit 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.840 in life. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:10.679 They have 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:12.120 done so to the degree 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:12.879 that they have 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.879 relegated, 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:16.019 they have diminished 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:17.500 the Gospel itself. 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.080 They talk 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:18.940 often 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:19.700 about 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:21.419 the baptism of the Holy Spirit, 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.259 very little 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.419 about the Gospel. 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:25.299 they've gotten it out of balance 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.159 in that direction. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.139 I think we've done 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.079 the same 00:11:28.079 --> 00:11:29.259 by not talking 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.299 as much 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.079 as we ought to 00:11:31.079 --> 00:11:32.079 about the work 00:11:32.079 --> 00:11:32.719 of the Holy Spirit. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.860 We should put him 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.659 in his proper 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:36.519 place 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:38.019 as part 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:39.199 of the Godhead. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.759 If you're like me, 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.479 often in my life 00:11:43.479 --> 00:11:44.620 I think of the Holy Spirit 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.719 as a minion 00:11:45.719 --> 00:11:47.159 of the Father 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:47.659 and the Son 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:48.759 doing 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.799 doing the bidding. 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:52.139 He is equally God 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:53.840 dwelling within us. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.139 We need to see 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:55.860 that that 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:56.899 part of God 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:57.779 dwells within us 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.259 and grows 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.100 for us, 00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:01.419 longs 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:01.819 for us 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:02.639 to be made 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.580 perfect 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:05.580 in the image 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.600 of Christ. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:07.740 What an amazing 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.500 reality 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.919 that is. 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:12.159 This does not 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:12.659 mean 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.779 that when we 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.139 don't know 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:14.799 how to pray 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:16.059 we should 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:17.080 begin to speak 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:18.120 in gibberish. 00:12:18.900 --> 00:12:19.220 Should have 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.580 bought a Honda 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:19.940 but I bought 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:20.379 a Yamaha. 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:22.259 It's not what 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:22.980 this text means. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.540 That's what the 00:12:24.540 --> 00:12:25.160 Pentecostals 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:25.680 have done with it. 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:26.340 That is not 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:27.680 what this text 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:28.320 means. 00:12:28.520 --> 00:12:28.940 And I hope 00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:29.620 to show you 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.800 beyond that 00:12:30.800 --> 00:12:32.200 what it does mean. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.360 So we see 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.879 that the Spirit 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:35.300 then groans 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:35.560 for us 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.240 in verse 27 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.660 according 00:12:37.660 --> 00:12:38.780 to the will 00:12:38.780 --> 00:12:39.139 of God. 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.100 It intercedes 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.740 for us, 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:41.660 prays on our 00:12:41.660 --> 00:12:42.220 behalf 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:43.500 according 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:45.280 to the will 00:12:45.280 --> 00:12:45.980 of God. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:46.820 So we see 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:47.460 clearly here 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.420 that there's 00:12:48.420 --> 00:12:49.800 a conversation 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.840 happening between 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.379 the Spirit 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:51.780 of God 00:12:51.780 --> 00:12:52.379 within us 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.300 and God 00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:53.740 the Father. 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:54.620 Now is that 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:55.820 to the Spirit's 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:56.120 benefit? 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:57.800 If the Spirit's 00:12:57.800 --> 00:12:58.340 groaning, 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.540 longing for 00:12:59.540 --> 00:13:00.720 our perfection, 00:13:00.900 --> 00:13:01.240 for the 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:01.520 saints' 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:02.060 perfection, 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:03.500 does he 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.320 have this 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.180 prayer time 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:05.600 with God 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:06.020 so that he 00:13:06.020 --> 00:13:06.379 can feel 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.040 a little better 00:13:07.040 --> 00:13:07.600 about the 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.420 end results? 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.480 Of course not. 00:13:09.540 --> 00:13:09.840 The Spirit 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.160 of God 00:13:10.160 --> 00:13:11.200 knows exactly 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:11.680 what will be 00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:12.060 accomplished. 00:13:12.640 --> 00:13:12.900 The Spirit 00:13:12.900 --> 00:13:13.240 of God 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.300 prays, 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:14.920 groans 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:16.159 by the 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:16.519 will of 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:16.799 God. 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:18.599 So the 00:13:18.599 --> 00:13:19.519 Spirit longing 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.120 within us 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.719 for perfection 00:13:20.719 --> 00:13:21.899 is not for 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.500 his benefit, 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:23.559 it's for 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:24.139 ours. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:26.039 When we 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.740 suffer and 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.459 we don't 00:13:27.459 --> 00:13:28.740 know how 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:29.439 to pray, 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:30.639 the longing 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.699 in our lives 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:32.199 for the 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:32.539 will of 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:32.799 God, 00:13:33.099 --> 00:13:33.639 even when 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.019 we don't 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:34.779 know exactly 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:35.839 what the 00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:36.319 prayer should 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:36.679 be, 00:13:37.079 --> 00:13:37.360 it's for 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:37.919 our benefit 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:38.319 that we 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:39.379 know the 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:39.819 Spirit of 00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:40.519 God is 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.240 moving us 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.659 toward future 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.519 glory. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:44.980 As I 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:45.159 mentioned 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:45.579 before, 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.839 this is a 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:47.620 chunk of 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:47.860 Scripture. 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:48.779 These verses, 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.019 particularly 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.879 verse 28, 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:52.559 29, 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.000 and 30, 00:13:53.219 --> 00:13:54.139 are very 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:55.219 expandable. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:55.980 Boy, 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:56.279 can we 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:56.799 preach some 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.299 sermons out 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:57.539 of those 00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:57.980 three verses. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:13:59.779 But keeping 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:00.279 it in its 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.000 context is 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.279 why I'm 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:01.399 going to 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:01.719 take us 00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:02.219 that far. 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.299 I want 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:03.539 you to 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.419 see that 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:04.939 he's 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.519 working 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.199 these 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.939 things 00:14:06.939 --> 00:14:08.299 for our 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:08.919 good that 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.220 we might 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.699 hope in 00:14:09.699 --> 00:14:10.159 future glory 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:10.519 and bear 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.399 up under 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:11.819 suffering. 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:12.980 So, 00:14:13.339 --> 00:14:13.539 in verse 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.000 27, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.500 he says 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.039 he prays, 00:14:15.219 --> 00:14:16.339 he intercedes 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:16.639 for the 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:16.899 saints 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.399 according 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.240 to the 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:18.519 will 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.219 of God. 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:21.199 What is 00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:22.659 God's 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:23.000 will for 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.279 us? 00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:24.659 We see 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.139 in verse 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:25.639 28, 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:26.759 it talks 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.199 of those 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:27.480 who are 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:27.899 called 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:28.199 according 00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:28.500 to his 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:28.799 purpose, 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.480 and then 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.299 verse 29, 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:31.980 here's the 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.240 answer, 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:32.620 to be 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.339 conformed 00:14:33.339 --> 00:14:33.839 to the 00:14:33.839 --> 00:14:34.240 image 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:35.159 of his 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:35.379 Son. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:37.659 And there 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:37.919 you see 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.620 again the 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.299 longing of 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:39.759 the Spirit 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.659 to move 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.039 us, 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.120 to progress 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.580 us, 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:43.740 towards 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.159 perfection. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.019 This is a 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.600 Trinitarian 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.240 activity, 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.080 our future 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.419 glory. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:49.179 God the 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:49.560 Father 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:50.560 planned it, 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.179 God the 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:53.039 Son provided 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:54.139 for it, 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.240 and God 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.899 the Spirit 00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:57.279 protects it 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.100 until it 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:58.419 comes to 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:58.779 pass. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:14:59.779 I want you 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:00.159 to see that 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:00.580 this morning. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.419 Verse 28, 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:06.099 and we 00:15:06.099 --> 00:15:07.219 know that 00:15:07.219 --> 00:15:07.779 for those 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.439 who love 00:15:08.439 --> 00:15:08.919 God, 00:15:09.099 --> 00:15:10.079 all things 00:15:10.079 --> 00:15:11.179 work together 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:11.819 for good 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:12.639 for those 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:12.879 who are 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.339 called 00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:14.240 according to 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:14.819 his purpose. 00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:16.120 Now, 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:16.579 this morning 00:15:16.579 --> 00:15:17.079 I want to 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:17.539 give to 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:17.699 you, 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:17.939 and I 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:18.279 believe it's 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:18.799 what Paul 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.599 intended here, 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:20.779 a sense 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.099 of your 00:15:21.099 --> 00:15:21.799 security 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.959 in Christ. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:23.799 But I 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.399 don't want 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:24.679 to give 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:25.219 to you 00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:25.939 false 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:26.439 security 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.139 at all. 00:15:28.599 --> 00:15:29.139 So, 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.980 how is it 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.860 that things 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.539 work together 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.120 for good? 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.159 For whom? 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.799 For those 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:36.919 who love 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.959 God. 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:39.599 John MacArthur 00:15:39.599 --> 00:15:41.159 in a sermon 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:41.639 on this text 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:41.959 says, 00:15:42.599 --> 00:15:43.079 we love 00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:43.439 God. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.819 I hope 00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:45.079 you're one 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:45.299 of those. 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:45.779 We love 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.059 God. 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:47.000 We love 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.819 Jesus Christ. 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:48.699 It is a 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:49.199 love that 00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:49.879 meditates 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.259 on his 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:50.659 majestic 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.039 glory. 00:15:51.339 --> 00:15:51.819 It is a 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.259 love that 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.079 longs to 00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:53.459 worship, 00:15:53.599 --> 00:15:54.000 to sing 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.579 his praises. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.339 It is a 00:15:55.339 --> 00:15:55.819 love that 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:56.439 seeks the 00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:56.980 fellowship of 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:57.459 others who 00:15:57.459 --> 00:15:57.959 love him. 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:58.740 It is a 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.199 love that 00:15:59.199 --> 00:15:59.939 loves those 00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:00.379 who love 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.099 him and 00:16:01.099 --> 00:16:01.599 are loved 00:16:01.599 --> 00:16:02.360 by him. 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.179 It is a 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:03.539 love that 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.419 seeks communion 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.000 with God, 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:05.699 intimate 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:06.120 communion. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.079 It is a 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:07.459 love that 00:16:07.459 --> 00:16:08.039 seeks the 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.539 knowledge of 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.000 God and 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.339 the word 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:09.779 of God, 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.199 to know 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:10.679 him more. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.779 It is a 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.179 love that 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:12.699 is sensitive 00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:13.259 to God's 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.879 honor and 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.179 God's 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:14.639 dishonor. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.500 It is a 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:15.839 love that 00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:16.399 hates what 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.019 God hates 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.939 and love 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:18.699 what God 00:16:18.699 --> 00:16:19.120 loves. 00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:19.879 It is a 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.219 love that 00:16:20.219 --> 00:16:20.699 grieves 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.179 over sin 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:21.759 and rejoices 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.339 over righteousness. 00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:23.079 It is a 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:23.379 love that 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.039 rejects the 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.299 world. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:24.899 It is a 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.179 love that 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:25.799 longs for 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.099 the coming 00:16:26.099 --> 00:16:26.419 of Jesus 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:26.879 Christ, 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:27.779 but mostly 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.240 it is a 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:28.740 love that 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.279 obeys the 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:29.539 scripture. 00:16:30.339 --> 00:16:30.679 If you 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.279 love me, 00:16:31.859 --> 00:16:32.319 do what? 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:33.699 Keep my 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.120 commandments. 00:16:35.099 --> 00:16:35.359 Whoever 00:16:35.359 --> 00:16:36.059 keeps my 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.459 word, 00:16:36.979 --> 00:16:37.859 he it is 00:16:37.859 --> 00:16:38.819 that loves 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:39.120 me. 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.259 That's 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.739 who all 00:16:41.739 --> 00:16:42.120 this is 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.699 working for 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:43.239 for good. 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.219 That's 00:16:44.219 --> 00:16:44.939 who the 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:45.319 Spirit of 00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.279 God abides 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:46.859 in and 00:16:46.859 --> 00:16:47.839 longs and 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:48.639 groans on 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.199 our behalf 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:50.319 for future 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:50.639 glory. 00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:52.179 Those who 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:52.819 love God. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:53.899 And we 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.479 see that 00:16:54.479 --> 00:16:56.059 all things 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.419 in verse 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.779 28 work 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.319 together for 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:58.579 good. 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.500 All things 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.139 work for 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:01.399 good. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.080 Now I 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.500 hope if 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:02.799 you've 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.340 spent any 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:03.700 time at 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:03.960 all as 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:04.319 a Christian 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:04.900 you're 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.420 familiar 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:05.839 with 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.059 Romans 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.279 8. 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.619 28. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.660 Again, 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.319 I believe 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.819 this is a 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.319 verse that's 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.980 commonly 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.960 taken out 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.279 of the 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.559 proper 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.160 context. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.440 Very 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.160 expandable. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:15.940 It certainly 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:17.059 means that 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.059 all things 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.359 in our 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:18.740 life, 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.259 those things 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:19.579 good, 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.039 those things 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.440 bad, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:20.980 the suffering 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.259 that we 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:21.880 experience, 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:22.660 works together 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.200 for good, 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:23.740 that we 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.759 might be 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.099 able to 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.819 share in 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.240 the suffering 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.799 of others, 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:27.680 that we 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.420 might learn 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.279 perseverance, 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.319 that we 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.480 might deeper 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.480 rely on the 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:32.859 grace of 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.119 God, 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.519 certainly 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.240 those are 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.119 good. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.440 That is good 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:36.859 that these 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.379 things are 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:38.099 working toward, 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.940 but ultimately 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.799 what Paul is 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.500 saying to us 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.460 is an 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.619 ultimate good 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.759 for these 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:44.019 things to 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.379 work toward, 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.259 an ultimate 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.180 and final 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:46.680 good, 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.200 the glorification 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.059 of our 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.440 bodies. 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:51.180 So all 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.759 things, 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.879 including sin 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.380 in our 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:54.700 life, 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.460 God is 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.480 working and 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.420 bringing us 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.360 toward glory 00:17:59.360 --> 00:17:59.980 together. 00:18:01.780 --> 00:18:02.540 My son, 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.080 my second 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.660 son Judah, 00:18:03.760 --> 00:18:04.220 is here this 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:04.420 morning. 00:18:04.520 --> 00:18:05.140 I don't know 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:05.600 if many of 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:05.900 you have had 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.200 a chance 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.500 to meet 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:06.900 him yet 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.660 as Sam 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:07.880 has been 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.380 home with 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.240 primarily 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.880 Cade being 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.260 sick. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.620 Please go 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.100 say hello 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:12.520 to him this 00:18:12.520 --> 00:18:12.680 morning. 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.120 He's already 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.600 two months 00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.700 old and he's 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.120 been such a 00:18:15.120 --> 00:18:15.620 blessing for 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:15.860 us. 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:17.400 He was born 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.120 on February 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.460 17th. 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:20.720 Sam went 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.200 into labor 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.100 on the night 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:22.980 of the 16th 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.160 and labored 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:25.360 rather uncomfortably 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.019 all through the 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.279 night, 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.720 but the 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.319 contractions were 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.860 only about 10 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.380 minutes apart, 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.120 so we waited. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:30.660 We didn't go to 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.059 the hospital. 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:32.019 The next day, 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.180 we had Cade 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:33.880 sent off to my 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.599 parents' house 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.579 and figured any 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.220 moment we would 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.960 rush off to the 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.599 hospital to have 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:37.819 Judah. 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.240 We waited and 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.559 we went for a 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:40.839 walk. 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.720 I think we walked 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.480 three and a half 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.180 to four miles 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.380 and got those 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.339 contractions speeding 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.099 up and we had 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.660 them about five 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.380 minutes apart on 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.279 clockwork and we 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.480 thought, 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:48.960 hey, let's go 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.059 home and take 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.319 off. 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.660 And we got 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.299 home and Sam 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:52.779 said we can eat 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.359 some lunch before 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:53.819 we took off to 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.500 the hospital and 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.539 in that time her 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.480 contractions slowed 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:58.119 back down to about 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.599 15, 20 minutes 00:18:59.599 --> 00:18:59.940 apart. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.539 So we waited and 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.259 we waited and 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.740 finally Sam just 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.599 said, I'm tired of 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:04.759 waiting. 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.359 Let's just go to the 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.039 hospital and see 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.619 what's going on. 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:06.940 They're probably 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.639 going to laugh at us 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.279 and send us home, 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.240 but let's just go 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.799 see what's going 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.299 on with me. 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:13.059 We got there and 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.579 they were quite 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.599 busy and in fact 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:16.139 the nurse that 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.740 checked Sam, 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.460 you could actually 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.220 tell she was a tad 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.279 agitated that Sam 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:19.960 just wanted to be 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.819 checked out and 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.720 she even assumed 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.900 that by Sam's 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:24.420 telling that she 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:24.840 was going to send 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.799 us on home and 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:27.120 she checked Sam 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:27.600 and laughed. 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.360 Sam was six 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.200 centimeters dilated 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.380 and gentlemen, 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.079 for those of you 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.539 who don't know, 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.200 that's quite 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.720 dilated. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.019 It's time to be at 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.340 the hospital at 00:19:35.340 --> 00:19:35.819 that point. 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.500 And so they very 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.360 quickly admitted us 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.000 and got everything 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.480 going and Sam 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.120 decided to have an 00:19:41.120 --> 00:19:41.940 epidural this time 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:42.660 and got her on an 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:44.400 epidural and not 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.700 long after she 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.259 started pushing. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:48.700 God's grace, 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.180 I believe, 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.700 to us, 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.019 Sam's epidural 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.500 didn't take 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.359 entirely so she 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:53.339 had a rather 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.400 massive pain spot 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:54.940 on her left 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.019 side and I 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.460 think that it 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.460 motivated her to 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:59.599 push hard and 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:01.000 I think she 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.400 pushed through 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:01.940 like four 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:03.680 contractions and 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.299 Judah's little 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.599 head came out 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:05.980 of the womb. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.799 It was purple 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.859 and that's not 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:10.539 the normative 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.619 thing for a 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.099 child's head. 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.779 Quickly, as is 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.279 always the case, 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.940 doctors take a 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.579 little syringe 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.200 bulb and they 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.940 suck the gunk 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.299 out of their 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:17.880 heads and try 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.240 to get them 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.259 breathing as 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.559 they've been 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.840 breathing water 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.400 up to this 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:21.660 point. 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.799 They come out 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.759 and he still 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.059 didn't. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.740 So the doctor 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.200 gave him a 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.740 little yank 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.279 and saw that 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:27.700 the umbilical 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.080 cord was 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:28.500 wrapped around 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:28.880 his neck. 00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.460 I was going 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.860 to crack a 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:31.299 joke about 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.100 letting him 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:32.480 cut it. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.580 Hey, you can 00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:33.860 go ahead and 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:34.200 cut that if 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.519 you'd like to. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.559 Before I could 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.539 even process 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.019 the words out 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.440 of my mouth, 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.220 he had go-go 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.220 gadgeted instruments 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:41.279 and snip-snip 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.840 cut and had 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.259 that thing 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.279 around Judah's 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:43.480 neck. 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.120 But still, 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.419 Judah didn't 00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:47.299 change color. 00:20:47.479 --> 00:20:47.879 His head was 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:48.219 still very, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.659 very purple. 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.399 So the doctor 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.119 said, let's give 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.419 him one more 00:20:51.419 --> 00:20:52.259 push and 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.299 yanked him 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.819 right out of 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:54.939 him. 00:20:55.459 --> 00:20:56.199 And his little 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:56.639 body was 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:57.079 lifeless, 00:20:57.219 --> 00:20:57.500 gray. 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.559 His head was 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.019 purple, his 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.659 body was just 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.000 gray. 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.319 And the image 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.319 of the doctor 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:04.720 looked like a 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:06.159 lateral to the 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:06.439 nurse. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:07.839 Judah's little 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.720 body just limp, 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.939 arms hanging, 00:21:10.439 --> 00:21:11.240 looked entirely 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.759 lifeless. 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.439 And quickly 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:14.539 shuffled him 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:14.939 over to the 00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:15.579 receiving nurse. 00:21:16.179 --> 00:21:16.700 She had already 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.399 hit the triage 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:18.539 button, so a 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.439 team of nurses 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.359 came kind of 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:20.919 busting in the 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:21.139 door. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.519 There's just 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.879 this kind of 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.539 pandemonium 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.200 breaking out. 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.779 And we had, 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.860 in a number of 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.440 ultrasounds 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:29.200 beforehand, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:29.840 Judah always 00:21:29.840 --> 00:21:30.240 looked a little 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.920 funny in the 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.080 womb. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.940 He looked like 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.640 a bridge troll. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.700 And so Sam 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.240 and I had joked 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:36.259 around about him 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.940 being a rather 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.740 ghastly baby. 00:21:39.340 --> 00:21:39.960 So I just kept, 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.080 I believe at least, 00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:41.779 from what I can 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.200 remember, I was 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.700 just saying the 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:42.860 same. 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:43.340 He's beautiful. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.059 He's so cute. 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.700 Like everything's 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.080 great. 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:45.620 Definitely good. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:48.080 And it wasn't. 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.880 And you know, 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.360 you've ever seen 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:49.880 a movie where 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.700 time seems to 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.080 kind of stand 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:51.400 still. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.080 Like the characters 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:53.740 are moving at 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.339 regular pace, 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:54.740 but everything 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.440 around them is 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.420 moving in slow 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.200 motion or it's 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.480 stopped. 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.019 That's how it 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.240 felt. 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.200 All these nurses 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.640 and doctors 00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:00.140 are running in 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.460 and out and 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:00.880 all this stuff. 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:02.000 And all I could 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.980 do was look at 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.460 Judah's little 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.299 lifeless body 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.380 on the table. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:07.880 He's obviously 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.640 alive, so the 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:09.440 story ends very, 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.099 very well. 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:12.180 They just had to 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:12.700 get him on some 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.079 oxygen. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.299 The little bit of 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.240 trauma he experienced 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:15.819 with the cord around 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.359 his neck coming 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:17.380 out, he just 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:18.180 didn't jumpstart 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.940 the way he should 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.240 have. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.120 And that first 00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:21.140 little cry was 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.240 so precious. 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.559 Even the doctor, 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.220 I heard him go 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:26.240 when he started 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.679 to cry. 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.519 I'll always 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.179 remember that. 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:28.960 But what was 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:31.579 going on in me 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.299 as this is 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:34.460 happening was 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.200 828. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.440 All things for 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:36.619 good. 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.539 All things for 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:37.700 good. 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.440 All things for 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:38.539 good. 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.119 I didn't even 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:40.480 know what should 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:40.879 have happened. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.460 I didn't know 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.019 how to pray. 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.259 If my life is 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.859 ultimately about 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:47.220 exalting Christ and 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.059 moving in this 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:49.139 process of perfection, 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.299 I didn't know what 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.039 was best for me. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.039 maybe losing my 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.379 son was the best 00:22:53.379 --> 00:22:53.659 thing. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.259 Maybe that would 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.680 have been the best 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.859 thing to move me 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:59.859 toward ultimate and 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.799 final glory. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.559 I didn't know what 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.440 to pray, but I 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.460 believe that the 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.539 Spirit of God was 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:06.559 groaning for me and 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.779 reminded me of 828. 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.019 All things for good. 00:23:09.159 --> 00:23:09.839 All things for good. 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.559 All things for good. 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.680 And I came back. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.259 But that would have 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.500 been true either way, 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.039 wouldn't it? 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.859 There are people in 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.740 our congregation who 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.460 have lost babies. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.240 It's for good. 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:23.019 Ultimate and final 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.000 good. 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.240 And that can be so 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.980 hard to swallow in 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.399 the moment. 00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:30.099 But we have the 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:33.019 Spirit within us who 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.359 groans for us. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.180 Then we might 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.819 believe that to be 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.859 true. 00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:42.299 And Paul affirms 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.079 that for us. 00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:45.519 He puts that into 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.639 proper perspective 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:48.079 for us with a 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:49.899 view of eternity. 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.599 Verse 29. 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:55.139 For those whom 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:56.819 he foreknew, 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.699 those that he knew 00:23:58.699 --> 00:23:59.719 would be his, 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:00.859 those that he knew 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.319 would have the 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.019 Spirit of God 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:03.099 abiding within them, 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.859 that would cry to 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.419 him, Abba, 00:24:05.479 --> 00:24:05.799 Father. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:05.879 Father. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.379 Those he knew 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:09.339 that about in the 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:10.299 beginning of time. 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.119 There's not such 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.359 a thing. 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:12.960 But in the beginning 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.680 of eternity, 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.460 he predestined, 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.720 he preordained 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.740 that we would be 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.319 conformed to the 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:19.879 image of his Son. 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.259 That we would, 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.099 in fact, 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:25.159 reach final and 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:26.419 full glorification. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.519 It's going to 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:28.919 happen. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.599 Because God 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.759 wrote it. 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:33.440 In order that we 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.180 might be the first 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.399 born among many 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:35.740 brothers. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.599 Verse 30. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.940 And those whom 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.659 he predestined, 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:41.419 he also called. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.200 So those that he 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.139 preordained would 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:46.180 become like his 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.279 Son, he called. 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.000 And this is an 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.759 effectual call. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.919 This is not a 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.819 general call here. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.440 This is an 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.220 effectual call. 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.159 If he, in fact, 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.919 preordained that 00:24:53.919 --> 00:24:54.279 they would become 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.879 like his Son, 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:58.019 the calling must 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.779 have been answered. 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.500 Because those who 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.819 he called, he 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.240 justified. 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:04.180 If you don't know 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.400 Christ, if you 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.720 don't have saving 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:08.099 faith, this, I 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:10.079 think, would cause 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.680 you to question, 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.900 how do I know? 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.440 If I'm being 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.279 called, if I'm 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.440 feeling a tugging on 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.859 my heart to answer 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.980 the call to the 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.900 gospel, how do I 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.339 know if it's an 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.940 effectual call? 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.519 Your response is 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.559 the evidence of 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:23.779 that. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:26.299 If you respond to 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.200 the gospel in your 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:29.279 life, you place your 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.019 faith in Jesus 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.399 Christ, it was an 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.039 effectual call. 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:33.480 The Spirit of God 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.899 was working in you. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.779 I can make a call. 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.000 I can preach the 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.700 gospel to you. 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:40.460 But I can't give to 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:42.160 you an effectual call. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:44.279 I can't make you 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.139 believe. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.200 The Spirit does 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:47.559 that. 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.500 Remember the first 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.039 ministry of the 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.220 Spirit? 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:49.879 Regeneration. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.200 The Spirit gives 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.700 to you a new heart. 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:54.839 Causes you to 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.099 believe. 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.700 So how do you 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.319 know if the call 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:56.940 is effectual? 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.359 You answer it. 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:01.399 And he justifies 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:01.619 those. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:03.079 The work of Christ 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:04.200 is given to you. 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.680 He has taken your 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.680 wrath, given you 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.359 his righteousness, 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:09.500 and we stand right 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.480 before God. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:12.200 And those whom he 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:14.680 justified, he also 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:16.279 glorified. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.920 Now notice that the 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:20.240 word glorified is 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.799 past tense. 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:22.759 Isn't that 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.119 interesting? 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:24.839 It doesn't say, 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.619 and those whom he 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:27.960 justified, he will 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.579 also glorify. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.740 Talking about future 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.120 glory. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.000 Remember, that's the 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.819 context that we're 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.120 in here. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.000 Paul is telling us 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.860 the hope that we 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.880 can have and what 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.519 will come to pass. 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.740 Why does he use a 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.380 past tense version 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.480 of this verb? 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.400 Because it has been 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:49.059 accomplished. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:52.259 We're in the process 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.759 of it being 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.579 accomplished, but it 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.980 has in fact been 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.299 accomplished. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.659 It's already been 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.379 written. 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.460 God knew our 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:01.839 eternal ending from 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.619 the eternal 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.619 beginning. 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.859 Because he's the 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:05.339 one that brings it 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:05.759 to pass. 00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.879 He's fully sovereign. 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.980 He's fully in 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.379 control. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.279 And as we suffer 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.940 here in this earth, 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:14.299 we can know, 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.399 Paul's trying to 00:27:16.399 --> 00:27:17.720 tell us here, we 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.099 can know that we 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.839 are secure. 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:23.039 It does not matter 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.659 what this world 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.399 throws our way. 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.620 And in fact, the 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.280 Bible teaches us 00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:27.540 that we will suffer 00:27:27.540 --> 00:27:28.400 as Christians. 00:27:29.040 --> 00:27:29.580 If you haven't 00:27:29.580 --> 00:27:31.120 already, it's 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:31.480 coming. 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.720 In all types of 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:35.080 degrees, you'll 00:27:35.080 --> 00:27:35.980 suffer as a 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.259 Christian. 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:38.560 You'll long for a 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.780 better place. 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:41.900 This world is not 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.480 my home. 00:27:42.560 --> 00:27:42.960 I don't know about 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.780 you, but I'm really 00:27:43.780 --> 00:27:44.580 uncomfortable here. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.519 I'm ready to go to 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.600 where I belong. 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:50.120 Heaven and then the 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.120 new earth when God 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:53.640 recreates all things. 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.900 is back as it 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:56.160 should be. 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:59.720 If I could lose 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.600 my salvation, if 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.520 God granted to me 00:28:01.520 --> 00:28:03.340 any control at all 00:28:03.340 --> 00:28:04.340 over these things, 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.720 if I could lose my 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:07.200 salvation, I would. 00:28:08.800 --> 00:28:10.759 I am so utterly 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.980 corrupted by sin, 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.300 the weakness that we 00:28:13.300 --> 00:28:14.100 talked about earlier. 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.680 I would lose my 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.000 salvation. 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.780 You would too. 00:28:17.060 --> 00:28:17.640 You may not think 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.380 that, but you would. 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.860 Praise God that he is 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:21.500 fully in control. 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.420 from the very 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.319 beginning of it 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.500 to the very 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.420 end. 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.759 And so, those 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:28.460 whom he justified, 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.660 he also 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:31.319 glorified. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:34.079 See that God the 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:35.599 Father planned 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.359 our glory. 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.700 That God the 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:39.400 Son provides 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.460 for our glory. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.880 And that God the 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:43.799 Spirit protects 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.440 our glory. 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.700 Bear up 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.660 under suffering. 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:48.539 Bear up 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.819 in your sin. 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.079 Because our 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:53.119 end is sure. 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.500 It's pretty good.