WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.359 Good morning. My name's Chris, for those of you who don't know me. Happy New Year. Good, let's hope it improves from that. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:35.659 I think, like most men, I have a habit of forgetting things. Wallets, keys, visas, like you name it, I have lost it. You can ask my wife afterwards, she'll give you the list. 00:00:35.659 --> 00:00:45.119 And I think one of wives' most significant roles in a marriage is to remind their husbands of things that they have forgotten. 00:00:46.379 --> 00:00:54.319 She'll say things to me like, how many times do I have to tell you that the washing up brush does not go in the sink? 00:00:54.320 --> 00:01:01.719 And I normally reply at that point, probably a few hundred. And I'm not joking. 00:01:02.579 --> 00:01:11.740 Because at the beginning of a new year, we need to be reminded of things because we forget if you're anything like me. 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:13.819 And we're coming back to the book of 1 Corinthians. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:22.060 And we're going to remind ourselves of some of the essentials of what it means to be a church, what it means to be Christians. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:27.859 And in fact, we're going to look at one chapter for the next four weeks. 00:01:28.460 --> 00:01:34.120 It's the longest chapter that Paul wrote, even though he didn't write chapters, but it's the longest chapter we have. 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:38.540 And it's one of the most significant chapters in the whole of the New Testament. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:48.840 And we need to really get this because the church of Corinth, if you remember back way again, kind of a few months ago, if you were here, 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:51.799 they were a church which had got sidetracked. 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:57.960 They'd been focusing on secondary issues and they'd forgotten what the main thing that they were supposed to be about. 00:01:58.760 --> 00:01:59.980 They was. 00:02:00.120 --> 00:02:02.480 So they had forgotten what real spirituality was. 00:02:02.520 --> 00:02:05.980 And they were focusing on things like who the best leaders were. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:08.319 They were focusing on who'd got the best gifts. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:14.140 They were focusing on questions of sexuality and all kinds of things, eating food. 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:19.859 And they'd forgotten that there was something which was more important than all of these, which tied all of these things together. 00:02:20.799 --> 00:02:25.919 And Paul starts off this chapter saying to the Christians, I want to remind you of the main thing. 00:02:26.259 --> 00:02:28.799 And the main thing is the gospel. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:31.039 It's right up here. 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:31.859 Okay? 00:02:31.860 --> 00:02:35.980 Because as a church, we also want it to be the main thing. 00:02:37.200 --> 00:02:38.800 And so he says in verse 1, 00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:47.300 I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, 00:02:47.440 --> 00:02:51.620 if you hold fast to the word I preached to you. 00:02:52.140 --> 00:02:56.340 And what he's saying is, it doesn't matter how long or short you've been a Christian, 00:02:56.640 --> 00:03:00.140 there's a past, present, and future reality to the Christian life. 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:04.379 The Christian life isn't just a decision you made 20 years ago. 00:03:04.500 --> 00:03:07.659 It's an ongoing journey of walking with Christ. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:11.939 And he's saying, if you want to get to the checkered flag, 00:03:12.139 --> 00:03:16.279 if you want to get through to the finishing line without your engine dying, 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:19.259 without your wheels falling off your spiritual car, 00:03:19.579 --> 00:03:24.299 you've then got to hold on to this word of the gospel. 00:03:24.459 --> 00:03:26.459 And that word, it says hold fast, 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:30.740 it's actually a word, it's kind of like a policeman rugby tackling a thief, 00:03:30.980 --> 00:03:33.480 and getting him on the ground and not letting go. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:34.740 That's what it is. 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:37.840 That's what you've got to be like with God's word, he says. 00:03:37.900 --> 00:03:40.900 You've got to be tenaciously clinging to the gospel. 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:47.140 And because I used to think the Christian life is a little bit like, 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:49.819 do you know one of those trick candles? 00:03:50.200 --> 00:03:51.500 Did you ever get those when you were a kid? 00:03:51.860 --> 00:03:53.460 I used to have, I used to hate them. 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:56.740 Because, you know, it'd be your birthday, you'd blow them out, 00:03:56.860 --> 00:03:59.060 and then two seconds later it'd come back to light again, 00:03:59.120 --> 00:03:59.920 and then you'd be like, ah. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:01.520 And then you'd have to blow it out again, 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:04.080 and then two seconds later it would come back to life again. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:04.520 Right? 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:07.439 And you would just be so frustrated after trying this a number of times. 00:04:09.420 --> 00:04:11.240 But that's actually what the gospel is like. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:15.180 That though you may flicker, though sometimes you may fall, 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:19.120 that if your candle is that gospel candle, 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:20.759 you're never going to go out. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:24.060 You're actually going to shine brighter and brighter and brighter 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:26.000 if the gospel is what you're clinging to. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:29.460 And cancer may come, temptation may come, 00:04:29.780 --> 00:04:31.639 relational difficulties may come, 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:33.720 job layoffs may come, 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:37.520 but if you're clinging tightly to this word, 00:04:38.640 --> 00:04:42.540 then you and this church will be like that candle 00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:45.640 which is never going to be put out by anything. 00:04:47.080 --> 00:04:50.020 That's what Paul wants the Corinthians to get. 00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:51.960 That's why he's going to come on and say, 00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:55.140 this is what you guys in our church need to get. 00:04:56.360 --> 00:04:59.220 But the Corinthians, the reason Paul wants to say this 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:00.480 is because the Corinthians had, 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:03.220 teachers had come into the Corinthian church 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:04.980 and were teaching stuff from the culture 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:07.660 and they were saying, you can't really believe this gospel. 00:05:08.140 --> 00:05:11.780 You can't really believe this stuff about being raised from the dead, can you? 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:15.640 And they're beginning to doubt whether this is really true. 00:05:16.700 --> 00:05:19.520 And so we're going to look a little bit more about what Paul says 00:05:19.520 --> 00:05:21.400 we really need to be clinging to 00:05:21.400 --> 00:05:24.540 if we're going to burn that gospel candle that doesn't go out. 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:27.980 And I want to focus just on kind of three themes from today's passage. 00:05:28.400 --> 00:05:30.780 One, Jesus the Messiah is risen. 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:33.340 Two, your past is redeemed. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:35.819 Three, the future is secure. 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:37.040 Christ is risen. 00:05:37.220 --> 00:05:38.160 The past is redeemed. 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:39.939 Your future is secure. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:42.020 Verse three. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:43.140 Let's have a look at it together. 00:05:43.700 --> 00:05:43.920 It says, 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:57.560 Paul gives a basic gospel presentation. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:01.600 It's what I like to call CDR News. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:03.180 CDR News. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.700 If someone says to you, what's the gospel? 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:06.240 Tell them it's CDR News. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:07.040 Okay? 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:09.560 It's Christ. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:10.960 Do you see that word Christ? 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:12.359 Christ, that's not his surname. 00:06:12.719 --> 00:06:13.620 That's a title. 00:06:14.099 --> 00:06:14.339 Okay? 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:15.779 That's a title for Jesus. 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:18.500 It's a title which means the Messiah, 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:21.079 the promised king who is going to come 00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:23.899 that the whole of the Old Testament was looking forward to. 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:25.039 And it's saying, 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:28.179 Jesus, the promised king, has come. 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:29.120 That's the C. 00:06:29.419 --> 00:06:29.740 Come. 00:06:30.799 --> 00:06:33.620 And he's died for our sins. 00:06:33.719 --> 00:06:34.199 That's a D. 00:06:34.339 --> 00:06:36.120 He's died for our sins. 00:06:36.979 --> 00:06:39.839 The punishment that we deserved was on him. 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:40.519 He's died for our sins. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.479 Buried deep in the ground with Jesus. 00:06:42.659 --> 00:06:43.399 He was dead. 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:45.319 Our sins are dead and buried. 00:06:45.799 --> 00:06:48.099 He died our death and he rose. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:48.779 That's the R. 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:51.119 He rose to resurrect us. 00:06:51.679 --> 00:06:54.459 He rose to restore the world. 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:55.399 That's the gospel. 00:06:56.179 --> 00:06:57.539 I don't need to say anything more. 00:06:58.859 --> 00:07:01.479 But that's completely nuts. 00:07:01.819 --> 00:07:02.579 Have you thought about it? 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:04.599 That is a crazy message. 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:07.140 Go into your office and say, 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:10.660 last week my pastor was raised from the dead. 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:13.080 And go and see how people respond to you. 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:17.060 Or if you go down into Lang Kui Fong, 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:19.480 I don't know how many conversations you're going to have with people saying, 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:21.379 hey, my friend got raised from the dead last week. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:23.400 It's not going to happen. 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:25.160 It's not normal conversation. 00:07:25.580 --> 00:07:28.939 And back then, it wasn't normal conversation either. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:32.939 It's not the kind of thing human beings do, rise from the dead. 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:35.639 And as you read the gospels, 00:07:35.719 --> 00:07:39.639 you find that the disciples are just as surprised as anybody about this idea, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:44.160 this CDR news that Jesus had risen from the dead. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:46.319 You see, they didn't get Jesus at all. 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:49.319 Just when you think, okay, Peter says, 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:50.519 Jesus, you're the Messiah. 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:51.800 Then he says, you're not going to die. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:53.659 And Jesus has to rebuke him. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:56.139 When Jesus is arrested, they all run away. 00:07:56.139 --> 00:07:59.259 Anyway, when someone says, do you follow Jesus? 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:00.419 Peter denies him. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:04.459 And they're so scared after Jesus' death that they lock themselves in a room, 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:06.759 hiding, hoping that nobody finds them. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:07.360 Why? 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:10.839 Because these disciples, at the same time, 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:12.039 I don't know if you know, 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:14.560 but there are actually quite a number of Messiah figures 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:17.339 who were going around Judea. 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:19.459 In the period of about 100, 150 years, 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:22.939 there's five to 10 other figures who claim to be the Messiah 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:26.120 coming into Judea at this time. 00:08:26.579 --> 00:08:28.680 In Acts, one of them is mentioned, Judas of Galilee. 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:31.500 And do you know what happened to those Messiahs? 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:35.279 They all got killed by the Romans. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:37.580 And do you know what happened to their followers? 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:41.220 Well, if the Romans didn't get after them, 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:44.740 then they kind of slunk away and went off to retirement 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:45.740 somewhere in the countryside 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:48.019 because they didn't want to get known 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:52.159 because the Romans were not really particularly pleasant people at times. 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:55.659 So it's not surprising that the disciples are very scared 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:58.179 after Jesus' death 00:08:58.179 --> 00:09:01.980 because they knew what might happen. 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:06.339 So then why would a bunch of scared followers 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:08.980 of a failed, dead Messiah figure 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:13.639 suddenly be transformed to be so bold 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:16.220 that they would go throughout the whole of the Roman Empire 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:18.759 willing to risk their lives proclaiming 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.920 that the Messiah had risen from the grave? 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:24.540 Why would a bunch of people be willing, 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.120 who were doubting, who were clueless in so many ways, 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:30.080 be willing to put their lives on the line 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:32.200 and be martyred for Jesus' sake? 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:35.940 What caused them to start churches 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:38.180 across the whole of the Roman Empire 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:41.100 which was so radically sacrificial 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:43.480 and transformative in that culture 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:46.220 that even one pagan emperor, the Emperor Julian, 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:49.100 writes to his high priest, pagan high priest, saying, 00:09:49.660 --> 00:09:52.400 listen guys, we've got to do something about these Christians 00:09:52.400 --> 00:09:53.600 because do you know what? 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:56.500 They love people so much better than we do. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:58.820 And he even writes and says, 00:09:59.140 --> 00:10:00.220 they look after the poor. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:01.080 They look after their own poor. 00:10:01.140 --> 00:10:02.020 They look after our poor. 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:03.679 They do so much better than we do. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:05.379 We've got to do something 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:09.759 because these Christians were making such an impact 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:12.179 in the Roman world. 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:13.720 Why? 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:17.039 And historians throughout 2,000 years 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:18.860 have been trying to put this together 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:21.179 and say something happened. 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:24.240 Different people have different explanations 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:26.179 but the early Christians, 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:27.620 and if you look in the book of Acts, 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.779 the thing that they keep coming back to, 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:31.779 the sermons that all the early church preachers, 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:35.379 is Jesus has risen from the dead. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:40.299 Now, in our world, 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.960 we have a slightly different view of things. 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:43.919 In their world, you know, 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:46.059 they believed in monsters and myths 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:47.919 and magic and things, 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.939 but we're very scientific in our day. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.879 And science has shown us 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:54.220 that fairies don't live at the bottom of our apartments. 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:57.080 You know, mental illnesses are caused by chemicals, 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:57.840 not demons. 00:10:58.300 --> 00:11:01.060 Evolution proves that we don't need God. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:06.480 Now, even though they lived in a more supernatural world, 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:10.019 people didn't rise from the dead any more than they do now. 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:11.480 That's why Thomas doesn't believe. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:16.159 That's why the disciples keep thinking that they see a ghost. 00:11:16.699 --> 00:11:20.759 That's why the pagan writers at the time 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:23.799 continually mock Christians for believing 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:27.379 that Jesus could possibly have bodily raised from the dead. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:31.860 If it's a story that was made up, 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:34.899 well, why would you put women 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:39.360 who in the culture had no credibility as a witness, 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:42.580 as the main people who were witnesses 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:44.559 for the resurrection? 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:46.659 It totally undermines the story. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.719 Why would you do that? 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:50.500 Unless it's true. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:55.139 And for those who thought that maybe they're all hallucinating, 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:57.259 well, Paul in this passage tells you, 00:11:57.980 --> 00:12:00.299 okay, maybe one or two people you can think, 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.620 you know, after death, they see a vision, 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:07.179 but 500 people at the same time see Jesus. 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.959 This is not a hallucination. 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:10.360 It's not a flashback. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:11.659 It's not, I saw my great, 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:13.500 I kind of felt my great-granddad's presence 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.839 in the kitchen kind of thing. 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:17.820 This, Paul is saying, is real. 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:19.639 It's real. 00:12:20.660 --> 00:12:23.160 And if it's real, then it's the defining moment 00:12:23.160 --> 00:12:25.120 in the whole of history for Christians. 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:30.160 Because Buddha came and he spread his teaching 00:12:30.160 --> 00:12:31.620 throughout the world and he died. 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:34.840 Muhammad came and he claimed to have a message from God 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:35.759 and he died. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:38.000 Genghis Khan defeated enemies, 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:40.580 created the largest empire across the world 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:41.420 and he died. 00:12:41.900 --> 00:12:44.180 Gandhi came and led to the largest peace movement 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:46.279 in the whole of history and he died. 00:12:47.239 --> 00:12:49.500 Steve Jobs created technology 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:52.759 that went across the world and he died. 00:12:53.359 --> 00:12:55.579 Jesus the Messiah came without an army, 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:58.079 without a degree, without a marketing strategy, 00:12:58.079 --> 00:12:59.519 and he died. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:04.120 But on the third day, 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:06.899 he did something that no one else 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:08.899 in the whole of human history has ever done. 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:13.639 He defeated death itself. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:17.459 And he rose from the dead. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:21.959 He's not just the king over a few enemies. 00:13:21.959 --> 00:13:25.579 But if he really rose from the dead, 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:27.860 then he's the Lord over everything. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:30.800 Because what's the ultimate enemy 00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:32.919 that no one else has defeated? 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:33.820 It's death. 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:36.120 If Jesus has defeated death, 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:38.180 then he is Lord over everything 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:40.200 and nothing can stop him. 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.399 He's the risen Lord. 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:46.039 That means, 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:47.840 if it's true, 00:13:48.579 --> 00:13:49.980 then he's Lord over Hong Kong. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.860 He's Lord over the stock market. 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:54.319 He's Lord over the Chinese and U.S. governments. 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:56.980 He's Lord over your boss. 00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:59.279 He's Lord over your families. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:01.179 He's Lord over your lives. 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:03.120 Jesus is Lord. 00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:05.959 Do you see why 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:07.819 a small band of Christians 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:09.659 in the early church 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.139 were willing to go out 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:13.279 and risk their entire lives 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:15.120 sharing this message 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:17.459 because they believed 00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:18.659 in their heart of hearts 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:20.779 that their Lord was the one 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:22.199 who had defeated death. 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:23.959 He was the almighty King of kings 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:24.799 and Lord of lords. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.740 And if he's in control of death, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.399 then what else have you got to lose? 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:33.079 Now, why is that important? 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:35.240 In our society, 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:38.120 we like things 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.240 and we don't like things. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:40.759 Look up Facebook. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.259 We judge things 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.939 by how we feel about them. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:45.620 We get offended. 00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:46.959 We kind of pick and choose. 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:48.719 We say we like this bit 00:14:48.719 --> 00:14:50.799 about love in the Bible. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:52.500 We don't like these things 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:54.100 about maybe sex or money 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:54.959 or those other things 00:14:54.959 --> 00:14:55.459 in the Bible. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.919 The problem comes 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.740 when you start dealing 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.219 with facts. 00:15:00.839 --> 00:15:01.839 Facts are annoying 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:04.980 because just think about it. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.699 If I say to you, 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:07.240 you will die 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.759 and you say to me, 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.960 but I don't like that. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.399 I'll say to you, 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.100 it doesn't matter 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.000 if you don't like it. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.319 It's a fact. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.679 You have to deal with it 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.899 if it's a fact. 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:22.220 I used to have a housemate 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.519 who when we would argue 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:25.220 over who should have 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.340 vacuumed the floor, 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:28.759 I would look at the roster 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:30.799 on the side of our wall 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.439 and I'd point out his name 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:33.179 and I'd say, 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.059 you were on there 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:34.879 and he would say, 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:36.899 stop confusing the issue 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.799 with facts 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:40.519 because he knew 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:42.620 if you have facts, 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:44.059 whether you like it or not, 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.279 you have to deal with them. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:49.059 If you're a Christian 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:50.079 or you're not a Christian, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.639 the issue isn't 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:55.159 whether you like Christianity 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.179 or you like bits 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.339 or you don't like bits. 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.139 I mean, 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.759 a lot of people say, 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:58.980 yeah, 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.579 I kind of like Jesus 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:01.620 but I don't like the, 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:03.120 I don't like the Old Testament bits 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.000 and I don't like the, 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.939 the kind of bits 00:16:04.939 --> 00:16:06.179 about sexual ethics there. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.919 I think that's wrong 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:08.399 so I'm not going to trust in Jesus. 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:08.899 Well, 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:14.259 if Jesus has risen from the dead, 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:18.319 whether you like bits or not, 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.879 that's what you've got to contend with 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.279 before anything else. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.319 That's the issue. 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.720 It's not whether you like 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.759 some in the Old Testament. 00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:27.840 You can deal with that afterwards. 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:28.939 The key issue is, 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:31.419 did Jesus rise from the dead or not? 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.860 Because if he did, 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:34.840 if he did, 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:36.220 that means you and I 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:38.899 have to reckon 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:40.240 the whole of our lives 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.220 and reassess 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.480 whether Jesus is truly 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.540 Lord of our lives 00:16:43.540 --> 00:16:47.980 and whether we're surrendered to him. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.180 If he didn't, 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:52.420 then Christianity is a fraud 00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:53.460 and we might all as well 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.360 go away 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.200 and just kind of watch 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.519 daytime TV or something 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:58.240 because it'd be a better idea. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.899 Because Paul didn't like Christianity. 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:04.059 He was offended by it. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:04.960 In fact, 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.579 he was so offended by it, 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:08.220 he thought young children 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.600 might be influenced by it 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:11.279 and so he actually went out 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.420 and started persecuting 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.620 and killing Christians. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:14.740 Now, 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.900 you've got to be pretty offended 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.480 by something 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.440 to start doing that. 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:17.740 You know, 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.620 even Richard Dawkins 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.640 and people don't do that. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.360 Okay? 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:23.340 But Paul met Jesus 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:25.240 face to face 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.700 on the road to Damascus 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.620 and then it was irrelevant 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.960 whether he was offended 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.079 by those things or not 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:31.680 because he'd met 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.480 the risen king 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.799 and his only response 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:35.140 was to surrender his life 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:35.860 and trust him. 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:37.799 And Paul is saying 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.480 to the Corinthians 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.660 who haven't met Jesus 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.539 face to face, 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.740 he's saying, 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:44.000 this message is trustworthy. 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:46.860 Every one of us 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.440 has a Lord. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.360 It could be your job, 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.579 it could be your status, 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:52.759 it could be your family. 00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:54.680 Christians say 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.880 that their Lord 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.539 is the one 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:58.400 who is the all-defeating 00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:00.160 conqueror over death. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.259 He is risen, 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.339 he is Jesus 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:04.140 and he's our hope 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.019 for resurrection. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.740 Jesus is risen. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.359 What does that mean? 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:11.740 Secondly, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.500 resurrection means 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:15.379 your past is redeemed. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:17.160 Your past is redeemed. 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.920 Verse 17, 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.660 we'll jump a bit, 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.660 verse 17 says, 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.319 if Christ has not been raised, 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.879 your faith is futile, 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:26.299 you are still in your sins. 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:29.640 If there's no resurrection, 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:32.000 you've still got to live 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.840 with your past. 00:18:35.060 --> 00:18:36.560 We all have pasts. 00:18:37.020 --> 00:18:37.820 Some of us 00:18:37.820 --> 00:18:39.740 are proud of our pasts. 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.460 Some of us 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.820 are ashamed of our pasts. 00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:42.520 Some of us 00:18:42.520 --> 00:18:43.600 are a little bit in between 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:45.100 about our pasts. 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:47.080 And Paul has a past. 00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.180 He says this, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.520 last of all, 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:52.480 this is verse, 00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:56.879 verse 9, 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.720 8 and 9. 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.460 Last of all, 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:03.359 as to one untimely born, 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.859 he appeared to me. 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:07.059 For I am the least of the apostles, 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:08.859 unworthy to be called an apostle, 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:11.160 because I persecuted the church of God. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.559 But, 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:14.720 by the grace of God, 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.900 I am what I am. 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:18.220 Towards the end of his life, 00:19:18.300 --> 00:19:19.700 in 1 Timothy 1, 00:19:20.060 --> 00:19:22.019 when he's coming to the end of his life, 00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:23.460 he's still saying the same thing. 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.019 He says this, 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.140 I was a blasphemer, 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.160 a persecutor, 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.340 an insolent opponent, 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:29.400 but I received mercy, 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.019 and the grace of our Lord 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.500 overflowed for me 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.060 with the faith and love 00:19:34.060 --> 00:19:35.060 that are in Christ Jesus. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.860 The saying is trustworthy 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:38.340 and deserving of full acceptance 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:40.180 that Christ Jesus came 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.280 into the world 00:19:41.280 --> 00:19:42.280 to save sinners, 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.860 of whom I 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:45.340 am the worst. 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.519 That's what Paul says, 00:19:48.040 --> 00:19:50.400 I am the foremost sinner. 00:19:51.800 --> 00:19:53.100 Some of us feel like 00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:54.220 we're too messed up, 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:54.900 too broken, 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.280 we've got too much wreckage 00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:57.400 from our pasts, 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.660 from the poor choices 00:19:58.660 --> 00:20:00.180 we've made again and again 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.120 in our lives. 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.280 Some of us wonder 00:20:03.280 --> 00:20:05.160 whether Christ would really forgive us 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.000 for some of the things 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.560 that have happened. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.200 But Paul says, 00:20:09.280 --> 00:20:09.759 if you want to have 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.019 a badness competition, 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.560 well, let's go then. 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:14.159 He says, 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.559 okay, 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.619 I'll beat your hands down. 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.659 You've got a porn addiction, 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.519 I'm a murderer. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.839 You've treated 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.799 your colleagues badly, 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.859 I persecuted 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:23.179 and tortured 00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:25.460 God's own precious family. 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.960 You've shouted at your kids, 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.940 I've blasphemed 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.919 and opposed 00:20:28.919 --> 00:20:30.259 the living God himself. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.539 That's my past, 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.240 Paul says. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.240 But, 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:38.339 and it's a big but, 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.059 bigger than my but, 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:43.480 but by the grace of God, 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:46.319 I am what I am. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.620 Paul says, 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.319 I was one untimely born. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.539 This is a really strong word. 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.559 It actually means 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.059 an aborted fetus. 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.640 That's what it means. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.240 He says, 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:58.160 I was an aborted fetus. 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.500 He's saying, 00:20:58.620 --> 00:21:00.240 I was dead spiritually. 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:02.339 I wasn't birthed 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.420 like the other disciples 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:05.299 who walked alongside Jesus. 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.500 Yet, 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.140 God, 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:10.079 in his incredible mercy, 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.940 came and met me. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.299 He forgave me. 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:15.140 He wiped away my past 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.039 and he graced me 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.059 by bringing me alive 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.900 with his resurrection power. 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.200 And he looks around 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.019 at all the Corinthians 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.640 and he says, 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.859 and even all the other apostles 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.180 and says, 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.620 I have achieved more 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.740 than anybody else 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.319 in this room. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.139 I've worked harder 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.980 than anyone else, 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.000 but it's only 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.579 by the grace of a God 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.500 whose resurrection power 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:35.039 takes a desert of a heart 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:37.439 and brings green shoots, 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:38.700 brings blossom, 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.200 brings springs of water 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.899 where there was only dust 00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:42.659 and dirt 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.980 and death before. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.799 And it's all to do 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.659 with God's grace. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.559 What do you do 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.279 with your past? 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:55.000 Maybe your past 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.599 is your sin 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.279 from this morning. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.259 Maybe it's from 20 years ago. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.359 I don't know. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.859 For some of us, 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.279 our past is a bit like 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.200 one of those mosquitoes 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.539 at night. 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.119 You know, 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.680 it just kind of 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.480 buzzes round 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.299 and buzzes round 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.899 and you try and 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.859 swat it away 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:11.000 with your hard work, 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:13.039 with your achievements, 00:22:13.879 --> 00:22:14.619 with shopping, 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.200 with drinking, 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.879 and you try and drown out 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:19.079 the noise in your head. 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.200 And for a while 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.859 it goes quiet 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.179 and you think 00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:22.099 everything's okay 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.919 and then suddenly 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.479 you hear that 00:22:23.479 --> 00:22:25.779 buzz again 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.779 and it's back 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.819 to haunt you. 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.599 And the poor choices, 00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:34.819 the people we've hurt, 00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:35.859 the painful memories 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.519 we have, 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:38.679 some of it sticks to us. 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:42.919 But, 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:45.079 but, 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.139 but, 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.199 but, 00:22:45.199 --> 00:22:45.219 but, 00:22:45.219 --> 00:22:45.279 but, 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.339 but, 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.699 but, 00:22:45.699 --> 00:22:47.139 but, 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:49.139 but, 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:51.160 Christ says, 00:22:51.520 --> 00:22:52.540 and this is amazing, 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:55.680 your sin 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:57.220 is buried 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.420 with Christ 00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.380 six foot under. 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:02.040 It's wiped away, 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:04.080 it's nailed in a coffin 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:05.200 and it ain't ever 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.140 coming back up. 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.759 That's what Christ done. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.080 and Christ, 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:10.980 death and resurrection 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.880 for you 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.480 is like, 00:23:12.540 --> 00:23:13.240 do you know one of those, 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.980 those bands 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.759 or one of those badges 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.940 when you get to a conference 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.880 or you go to 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:19.299 like a music event 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.680 or something 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.480 and they give you that 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.000 and, 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:23.099 and you've got to pay first 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.559 usually 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.279 and, 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.240 and you get in 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.500 and some of those 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.779 dodgy security guards 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.240 are around 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.059 looking after you, 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.940 looking for you 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.880 and then you just 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.799 kind of hold up your band 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.160 and they're like, 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.440 okay, 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:32.819 fine, 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.019 you're good. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:36.099 That's what the resurrection 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.880 is like 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:38.220 and the death 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.640 and resurrection, 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.539 because what it is, 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:40.480 when those thoughts 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.079 come in, 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.199 when Satan comes 00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:43.119 and accuses you 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.980 of your past, 00:23:44.139 --> 00:23:45.000 you just hold up 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.939 that band of Christ, 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.000 death and resurrection 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.480 and say, 00:23:47.699 --> 00:23:48.579 it is finished. 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:51.019 My past is dealt with. 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.559 My past does not define me. 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:52.839 Christ, 00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:54.220 death and resurrection 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.859 define me. 00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:55.559 I'm forgiven. 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.839 I'm cleansed. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:58.339 Christ has done it all. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.159 Just hold it up. 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.359 That's what those words 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:03.159 for when I'm tempted, 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:04.299 when Satan tempts me 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.960 to despair 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.599 and tells me 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.539 of the guilt within, 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.720 upward I look 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.220 and see him there 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.600 who made an end 00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.400 to all, 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.319 to all, 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.299 to all, 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:16.180 to all my sin. 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.079 That's the gospel 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:23.680 and it's grace. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:27.740 But some of us may say, 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:31.319 it's okay. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.880 I put the past behind me 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:34.740 by my hard work, 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.740 my self-discipline, 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.440 my determination. 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:38.680 I am what I am. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:40.740 I can do it. 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.080 I was actually 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:43.840 a bit like this, 00:24:44.060 --> 00:24:44.500 I think, 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.080 before. 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.920 I'd never have said it 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.560 that bluntly. 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:49.340 But I kind of lived 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.140 like that. 00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.960 I was self-reliant. 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.539 I was kind of 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.480 a little Donald Trump. 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.019 You know, 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:55.220 I was disciplined. 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.799 I was hardworking. 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.299 And I would look down 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.080 on those people 00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:00.000 who I thought, 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.740 you know, 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.539 they couldn't put 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.400 their lives together. 00:25:04.080 --> 00:25:04.960 They were lazy. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.799 I didn't have time 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.200 for them. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.519 But God brought me 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.200 to a place 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.279 where he showed me 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.559 that when you rely 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.600 on your own strength, 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.960 you'll lack compassion 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.180 for people 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.420 who aren't as strong 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.319 and disciplined you. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.460 And he led me 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.279 through a journey 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.960 where he brought me 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.840 down to a pit 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:24.039 and I had a breakdown, 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.200 a mental breakdown 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.880 and depression 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.100 for four years. 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:30.259 And in that pit, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.619 and it was because 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.439 of my own pride, 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.219 my own choices, 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.939 in that pit, 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.879 he began to show me 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:38.159 the devastation 00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:39.379 that my own pride 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.019 in thinking 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:41.319 that I could do it 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:42.059 by myself 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.839 would cause. 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.679 But when I was 00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:45.359 in that pit, 00:25:45.459 --> 00:25:46.679 then God began 00:25:46.679 --> 00:25:47.879 to start using me. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.319 And suddenly, 00:25:50.459 --> 00:25:51.319 I began to see 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.919 that it wasn't 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:53.079 my past performance 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.879 that meant God 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.519 would use me. 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.939 It was only because 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.759 of unfathomable grace 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.140 that he would come to me 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:00.140 and he would say, 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.299 I want to use you. 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:03.340 And that fuel injected me 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:04.019 to want to start 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.700 following him 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.480 and obeying him 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.960 like I'd never done before. 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.680 It was like, 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.019 you know, 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:11.400 the former slave ship owner, 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.259 John Newton, 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:16.940 who met Christ 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:19.920 and became one 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.539 of the most influential people 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:23.620 in the anti-slavery campaign. 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:25.460 And he wrote the words 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.579 which you all know. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.840 Amazing grace, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.700 how sweet the sound, 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:33.380 that saved a self-reliant, 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:36.480 sinful person like me. 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:40.620 A wretch like me. 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.840 And that became real. 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.079 And when that grace 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.840 becomes real, 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.880 it changes you. 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.680 God doesn't just 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.920 forgive your past. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:51.720 He redeems your past. 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:53.579 If you surrender 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:55.779 to Christ's lordship, 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:57.279 he takes the crap 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.200 and the manure 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.539 of your lives. 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.640 He buries it 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.740 deep into the ground. 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.279 And from that, 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.000 from the sewage 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.920 of our lives, 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.740 this garden grows. 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:11.420 By the spirit of God 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.480 bringing life in, 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.579 you begin to blossom 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:15.660 fruit and flowers 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.860 which otherwise, 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:19.579 only God could have done that. 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:22.899 And I've seen 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:24.399 how God's done that 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:25.179 in my life 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:27.339 as he's changed my heart 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.339 to be able to minister 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.199 to some people 00:27:29.199 --> 00:27:30.399 only by his grace 00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:32.000 with more compassion 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.639 than I ever would have done before. 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.500 And I don't know 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:38.199 what your past is. 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:38.859 I don't know 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.960 what your sins are. 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.579 But God, 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:42.079 I know this for sure. 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:43.000 He wants to take 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.199 all of those things 00:27:44.199 --> 00:27:46.259 and he can transform them 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:47.759 if you surrender to him 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.339 with resurrection power. 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.220 He takes the dead, 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.440 he brings them to life. 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.819 And there are people around 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:55.079 who God wants to use 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.259 through your own life 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.259 and your own pasts 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:59.839 who only you can minister to 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:01.640 if you allow him 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:03.279 to redeem those things. 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.740 That's what he wants to do. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.920 And at the end of it, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.539 you look at it 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:07.940 and you say, 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.299 it's only the grace of God. 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:11.019 It's nothing to do with me. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.900 I cannot stand here 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.720 because I'm clever. 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.819 I stand here 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.980 because the grace of God 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.680 is amazing. 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.100 So let me ask you, 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.180 if someone was to look 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.960 at your life, 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.660 would they see 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.960 your life 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.960 is a testimony 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:28.140 to resurrection power? 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.400 Not that you're perfect, 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.220 none of us are. 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.600 Does your life 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:35.220 show the graciousness of God 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.759 who takes what's dead 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.019 and brings it alive? 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.299 Or are you still 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.259 trying to prove yourself 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:42.960 with your work 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.980 relying on yourself? 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.140 Are you trying to shake off 00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:46.180 your guilt by yourself? 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.039 Christ is risen. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.120 Your past is redeemed. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.400 Thirdly, 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.480 your future is secure. 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.680 He says, 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.340 verse 19, 00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:58.360 and if Christ 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.500 has not been raised, 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:02.279 your faith is futile 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.480 and you're still 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.180 in your sins. 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.819 Then those who have 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.600 fallen asleep 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.420 in Christ 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.100 have perished. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:10.460 If in Christ 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.400 we have hope 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:13.200 in this life only, 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.320 we are of all people 00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:16.920 most to be pitied. 00:29:19.560 --> 00:29:20.780 There are a number of theories 00:29:20.780 --> 00:29:21.580 about what happens 00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.160 when you die. 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.980 Some people believe 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.780 that you just kind of 00:29:25.780 --> 00:29:26.660 go to nothingness, 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.980 you become food for worms. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.660 Some people believe 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.980 you come reincarnated 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.620 in some way, 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.660 come back into the world. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.920 Others believe you kind of 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:36.700 meld in and mesh 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.740 into the universe 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:41.460 in some very vague 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.340 kind of way. 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.880 The problem with many 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:46.060 of the theories 00:29:46.060 --> 00:29:47.200 that people have out there, 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.560 it's all very impersonal 00:29:48.560 --> 00:29:50.259 and it's all quite scary. 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.240 Chinese culture 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.000 is riddled 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:54.259 with the fear of death. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.440 Just think about it. 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.340 If there's a flat 00:29:56.340 --> 00:29:57.340 where there's been a suicide, 00:29:58.080 --> 00:29:59.140 who wants to go 00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.660 and live there? 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.820 Think about the number four. 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.700 Think how many times 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.759 people are trying to avoid 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:05.500 areas with the number four. 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.220 And just think about things 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:09.019 like anti-aging creams. 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:12.640 Why they sell so massively? 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.160 Because we're scared 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.960 of getting older. 00:30:15.340 --> 00:30:16.299 We're scared of dying. 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:18.519 Think about midlife crises. 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:20.200 What is a midlife crisis? 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.840 It's suddenly the awareness 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:23.080 that I don't have 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:24.200 very much longer left 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.980 and what have I done 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.720 with my life? 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:26.819 Right? 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.680 You see, 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.880 we are afraid of death. 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:33.560 And even if you say 00:30:33.560 --> 00:30:34.780 you're not afraid of death, 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.960 I think you're probably 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.960 just living in denial. 00:30:38.800 --> 00:30:39.280 Or, 00:30:39.760 --> 00:30:40.520 you're young enough 00:30:40.520 --> 00:30:41.480 to think you're immortal. 00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:42.320 Okay? 00:30:42.820 --> 00:30:44.200 And time will soon 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.460 tell you that you're not. 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:49.140 But if you actually 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:50.100 really think about it, 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.940 death is actually 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.620 very scary. 00:30:52.260 --> 00:30:52.720 It is. 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:54.120 It's very scary. 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:56.080 Because we all, 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.820 our deepest desire in life 00:30:57.820 --> 00:30:58.580 is to be loved 00:30:58.580 --> 00:31:00.000 and to have love. 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:02.000 And yet, 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:03.800 death is the great thief. 00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:05.720 Because death, 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:06.640 I mean, 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.960 just think how 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:10.040 people are afraid 00:31:10.040 --> 00:31:10.820 of someone coming in 00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:11.800 and robbing your flat. 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.380 Right? 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:13.640 Now, 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:15.320 think about what death does. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.460 Death robs you 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.840 of what you love the most. 00:31:18.260 --> 00:31:19.060 It robs you 00:31:19.060 --> 00:31:21.040 of who you love the most. 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:23.640 It mercilessly strips you 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.140 of the things 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:25.800 which are most precious to you. 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:28.160 And it's unquenchable. 00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:29.260 You can't stop it. 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:31.500 And those of us 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.960 who have lost loved ones, 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.720 you know that pain 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:36.279 of that emptiness. 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:40.119 If there is no resurrection, 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.180 Paul says, 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:43.099 the only hope you have left 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:44.099 is in this world. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:46.019 And if it's only in this world, 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.779 then when death steals it from you, 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.940 you're still left 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:50.119 longing for love. 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:53.739 It's an impersonal, 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:55.159 loveless future. 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.579 And you've got to try 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.399 and refill it. 00:31:57.739 --> 00:31:59.000 But the gospel says 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.399 that if death steals 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.739 everything from you, 00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:03.119 what awaits 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:04.059 is not a cold, 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:05.899 impersonal grave, 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.419 but the very epitome 00:32:07.419 --> 00:32:08.299 of love. 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:10.339 It's a personal future 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:12.279 with Jesus waiting for you 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.539 at the gates 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:15.199 of death. 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.779 And he's the Lord 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.700 over death. 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:18.700 And he's the one 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.759 who loves you 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.519 more than anyone. 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:23.279 It's a personal future. 00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:24.340 Not only that, 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:27.980 it's not just that 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.380 your future is personal. 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.420 But if your only hope 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.259 is in this world, 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:34.660 you can't get your life back. 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.580 And once it's gone, 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.200 it's gone. 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.200 Paul has been shipwrecked. 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.580 Paul has been beaten. 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.360 Paul has been thrown in prison. 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:45.819 Paul has had numerous people 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:47.359 mocking, insulting. 00:32:47.879 --> 00:32:50.839 I mean, his life has been a mess 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:52.579 all because of the gospel. 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.439 And he says, 00:32:54.959 --> 00:32:56.500 if there's no resurrection, 00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:58.579 basically he's wasted 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.339 all his time. 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:02.139 His life is a waste of time. 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:05.319 There's no second chances. 00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.599 Our society says, 00:33:08.699 --> 00:33:09.799 hope is only found 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.439 in this world. 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:13.240 And so that means 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.180 we're crippled 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.059 by a fear 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:17.000 of missing out now. 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:17.799 You know, 00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:18.759 it's actually a word. 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:21.200 It's now in the Oxford Dictionary, 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:22.660 FOMO. 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:25.600 Fear of missing out. 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.480 FOMO. 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:26.880 Okay? 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:28.080 You all need to know this. 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:28.600 Okay? 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:31.120 Why do we constantly 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:32.240 check our phones 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.880 for messages 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.519 all the time 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.279 like a drug addict? 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.299 FOMO. 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.600 Why do we have to be 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:39.320 at every single networking event, 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.200 every party, 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.680 FOMO? 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:44.539 Why do you have to panic 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:46.420 about all your kids' education? 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.160 FOMO. 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.880 Why do you have to complete 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:51.680 that bucket list 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.440 of all the countries 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.120 you've got to visit 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:53.960 before you die? 00:33:55.340 --> 00:33:55.860 FOMO. 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:56.980 Can I hear that? 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:57.920 What is it? 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.740 Oh, good. 00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:00.960 If we've taught you one word, 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.880 you'll remember this one. 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:04.060 Now, 00:34:04.520 --> 00:34:05.660 the singles here, 00:34:06.300 --> 00:34:08.460 I think this really affects 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.519 singles today 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:10.280 in our culture 00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:12.400 because I think 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.160 many singles 00:34:13.160 --> 00:34:13.960 are terrified. 00:34:15.160 --> 00:34:15.619 Firstly, 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.519 we're scared 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.079 to commit 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:18.000 to a relationship 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:19.880 because you're afraid 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.760 that you'll miss out 00:34:20.760 --> 00:34:21.400 on your career. 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:23.280 And then, 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:23.980 once you've reached 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:25.340 the plus 30 mark, 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.180 you're scared 00:34:26.180 --> 00:34:26.780 that you're never 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:27.619 going to get married. 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.539 And you'll be lonely 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.740 for the rest of your life. 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:31.700 And when you're 70, 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.920 the only thing 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:33.480 that will be looking 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.019 after you 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.200 is a bunch of cats. 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:38.619 That's the fear 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.819 that cripples 00:34:39.819 --> 00:34:40.919 so many people. 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:43.460 And some of you singles 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.179 are tempted 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:45.359 to compromise 00:34:45.359 --> 00:34:47.239 right now 00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:48.759 because you should 00:34:48.759 --> 00:34:49.960 either be getting married 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.599 and you're not 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:51.480 and you should be 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.960 or you are choosing 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:54.839 to date inappropriate people 00:34:54.839 --> 00:34:56.639 because FOMO drives you. 00:34:58.159 --> 00:35:00.599 But the resurrection says, 00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:02.079 listen, 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:04.219 if you don't get it all now, 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:06.199 you're not just going 00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:07.519 to get a bit of consolation 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.299 in the afterlife, 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:08.659 you know, 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:09.219 a little bit of 00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:10.500 spiritual bliss 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.759 like to make up 00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.659 for what you lost, 00:35:12.839 --> 00:35:13.919 which is what other religions 00:35:13.919 --> 00:35:14.699 will tell you. 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:18.179 The resurrection of Jesus 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:20.699 who rose to resurrect us 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:21.899 tells you 00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:23.599 you're going to get back 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:25.899 more than you ever lost. 00:35:26.319 --> 00:35:27.480 Not consolation, 00:35:27.879 --> 00:35:29.359 but full restoration. 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:33.099 Tim Keller puts it like this. 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:34.379 You don't just get 00:35:34.379 --> 00:35:35.139 your body back. 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:36.699 You get the body 00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:37.980 you always wanted 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.980 but never had. 00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:40.439 Doesn't that sound good? 00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:43.439 You don't just get 00:35:43.439 --> 00:35:44.419 your life back. 00:35:44.859 --> 00:35:45.859 You get the life 00:35:45.859 --> 00:35:47.099 that you always wanted 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:49.559 that you never had. 00:35:50.859 --> 00:35:52.199 And I have male 00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:53.319 and female friends 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:54.039 in this church 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.299 and in previous churches 00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:56.719 who have said, 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.919 because I know 00:35:57.919 --> 00:35:59.939 the resurrection is real, 00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:03.519 and if Christ does not bring me 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:05.380 an appropriate spiritual partner 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.159 in my life, 00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:07.200 then I can trust 00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:08.539 in the risen Lord 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:09.639 because I know 00:36:09.639 --> 00:36:10.480 in the resurrection 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:12.240 I'll have a better husband 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:12.780 or wife 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:14.320 than I would ever have had 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:15.760 here on earth. 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:17.099 Many of you married people 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.559 will know what I'm talking about. 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.420 That's a joke. 00:36:21.420 --> 00:36:26.760 But that husband 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:28.440 will be Christ 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:30.760 and he'll be waiting 00:36:30.760 --> 00:36:31.980 to take you 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:32.700 and me 00:36:32.700 --> 00:36:33.539 and us 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.700 up the aisle 00:36:34.700 --> 00:36:36.880 when we see him. 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:39.599 You won't miss out 00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:40.400 on anything. 00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:42.380 That is what 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.180 the resurrection 00:36:43.180 --> 00:36:43.940 of Jesus 00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:45.400 tells us. 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:46.920 You are not 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:48.320 going to miss out. 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.260 FOMO 00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:50.039 is not 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:51.480 in the Christian vocabulary. 00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:54.840 The future 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.539 is personal 00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:56.519 and secure. 00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:59.320 So what would 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:00.460 your life look like 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:02.640 if you really believed? 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.760 If you really believed? 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:06.260 Not just up here, 00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:07.800 but if you really believed 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:08.340 that Jesus 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.180 was risen 00:37:09.180 --> 00:37:10.820 from the dead. 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:12.700 What would this church 00:37:12.700 --> 00:37:13.340 look like 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:15.420 if you really believed 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.040 Jesus 00:37:16.040 --> 00:37:16.960 was risen 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.940 from the dead? 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:20.000 I think it looked 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:20.880 like a church 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:22.560 that could be honest 00:37:22.560 --> 00:37:23.600 about their past 00:37:23.600 --> 00:37:25.700 like Paul was 00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:26.400 that no longer 00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.020 looked down 00:37:27.020 --> 00:37:27.560 on people 00:37:27.560 --> 00:37:28.520 who are struggling 00:37:28.520 --> 00:37:30.560 but has compassion 00:37:30.560 --> 00:37:31.660 and walks alongside 00:37:31.660 --> 00:37:32.500 others 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:33.540 because we know 00:37:33.540 --> 00:37:34.900 there but for the grace 00:37:34.900 --> 00:37:35.460 of God 00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:36.740 that could be me 00:37:36.740 --> 00:37:38.019 and it's only 00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:39.059 by grace 00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:39.659 that I am 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:40.619 what I am today. 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:44.619 So we could be honest 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.440 and hopeful 00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.579 in our struggles. 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.740 That's the kind of church 00:37:48.740 --> 00:37:49.900 he wants to make us. 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:51.800 I think it also 00:37:51.800 --> 00:37:52.920 looked like a church 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:54.179 that looks a little bit 00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:55.019 like the early church 00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:55.720 in Acts. 00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:57.340 Maybe the church 00:37:57.340 --> 00:37:58.039 that that pagan 00:37:58.039 --> 00:37:59.500 emperor Julian saw. 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:00.920 It's a church 00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:01.820 that doesn't cling 00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.639 to its time, 00:38:02.760 --> 00:38:03.280 its money, 00:38:03.720 --> 00:38:05.179 its kids' tutorial classes, 00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:06.879 above everything else 00:38:06.879 --> 00:38:09.239 because as we see 00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:10.000 the needs 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.980 of the people 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:11.960 around us, 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:14.079 we're not afraid 00:38:14.079 --> 00:38:15.019 that if I don't go 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:15.759 on that holiday 00:38:15.759 --> 00:38:17.259 then I'm going to FOMO 00:38:17.259 --> 00:38:17.799 and miss out 00:38:17.799 --> 00:38:18.739 of everything else 00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:20.799 but we can spend it 00:38:20.799 --> 00:38:21.719 serving people 00:38:21.719 --> 00:38:22.559 around us 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:24.339 sometimes 00:38:24.339 --> 00:38:25.859 or joining 00:38:25.859 --> 00:38:26.919 a community group 00:38:26.919 --> 00:38:27.879 because normally 00:38:27.879 --> 00:38:28.779 we're afraid 00:38:28.779 --> 00:38:30.059 that if I go 00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:31.159 then I'll miss out 00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:32.480 on opportunities 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.159 to network 00:38:33.159 --> 00:38:33.799 at work 00:38:33.799 --> 00:38:36.539 but that wouldn't 00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:37.779 grip us so much 00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:40.619 because the gospel 00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:41.940 says Jesus 00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:43.279 is risen from the dead. 00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:44.799 We will work hard 00:38:44.799 --> 00:38:46.139 with a new mission, 00:38:46.359 --> 00:38:47.519 with a new energy 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:48.339 but not because 00:38:48.339 --> 00:38:49.379 it's based on us 00:38:49.379 --> 00:38:50.599 trying to prove ourselves 00:38:50.599 --> 00:38:52.059 but it's only because 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:53.339 we know who our Lord is. 00:38:53.659 --> 00:38:54.539 He's taken us 00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:55.259 who are dead, 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.420 who are in the dirt 00:38:56.420 --> 00:38:57.760 and he's lifted us, 00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:58.840 infused us with 00:38:58.840 --> 00:38:59.960 resurrection power 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:01.180 and now sends us out 00:39:01.180 --> 00:39:02.820 to go out to a world 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:03.960 which is crippled 00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:04.820 by FOMO, 00:39:05.200 --> 00:39:06.559 crippled by their past 00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:07.659 and it says 00:39:07.659 --> 00:39:09.119 that if this church 00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:10.240 is to be that candle 00:39:10.240 --> 00:39:11.380 which is burning brightly, 00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:12.539 this is the gospel 00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:13.780 which we carry 00:39:13.780 --> 00:39:14.760 to the world 00:39:14.760 --> 00:39:15.960 which we need to keep 00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:17.360 reminding each other 00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:19.320 of time and time again 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:20.579 because we'll forget 00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:22.800 but the call is 00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:24.280 will you surrender 00:39:24.280 --> 00:39:27.040 your life right now, 00:39:27.640 --> 00:39:28.260 your time, 00:39:28.640 --> 00:39:29.100 your money, 00:39:29.680 --> 00:39:30.660 whatever's going on 00:39:30.660 --> 00:39:31.400 in your life 00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:33.519 to the risen Lord. 00:39:34.360 --> 00:39:35.200 Will you trust him 00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:35.920 with your past 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:37.500 that he's forgiven, 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:38.640 wiped it out? 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:40.320 Will you trust him 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:41.120 with your future 00:39:41.120 --> 00:39:42.760 that he's got it 00:39:42.760 --> 00:39:43.780 as secure 00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:45.400 as any bank 00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:46.200 could ever have? 00:39:46.720 --> 00:39:47.160 In fact, 00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:48.600 far more secure than that. 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:50.700 Jesus is risen, 00:39:51.200 --> 00:39:52.380 your past is redeemed, 00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:53.800 the future is secure. 00:39:54.280 --> 00:39:54.900 Let's pray. 00:40:05.900 --> 00:40:06.940 Let's pray. 00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:08.280 Let's spend a moment 00:40:08.280 --> 00:40:10.040 thinking about that question. 00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:12.880 What would my life 00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:14.100 look like 00:40:14.100 --> 00:40:16.660 if I really believed 00:40:16.660 --> 00:40:18.700 that Jesus 00:40:18.700 --> 00:40:20.920 has risen from the dead? 00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:35.119 I have found some 00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:35.780 with me. 00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:36.800 I've been thinking about it 00:40:36.800 --> 00:40:38.159 especially today. 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:56.440 Father, the gospel is amazing news. 00:40:59.319 --> 00:41:00.299 Forgive me. 00:41:01.619 --> 00:41:04.899 Forgive us when we kind of know it in our heads, 00:41:05.379 --> 00:41:06.980 but actually in our lives. 00:41:08.159 --> 00:41:10.759 It's another galaxy away. 00:41:13.219 --> 00:41:18.739 I pray that you would make this truth become so real in our lives, 00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:22.980 in my life, in the life of this church, 00:41:23.899 --> 00:41:26.859 that we would see you are the Lord. 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:30.239 You are the Lord. 00:41:31.679 --> 00:41:35.440 You're the one who we worry about so many things, 00:41:35.440 --> 00:41:38.840 and yet if you've got death covered, 00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:41.159 well, you've got everything else covered as well. 00:41:43.159 --> 00:41:44.820 Whatever's going on in our lives now, 00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:47.860 Lord, I pray for those who are struggling from their past. 00:41:49.159 --> 00:41:49.639 There's guilt. 00:41:49.980 --> 00:41:51.420 There's things which hold them. 00:41:51.420 --> 00:41:58.039 I pray that right now you would minister to them 00:41:58.039 --> 00:42:00.740 and tell them it's finished. 00:42:02.019 --> 00:42:03.180 I've risen. 00:42:03.179 --> 00:42:16.279 Lord, I pray for those of us who are self-reliant, 00:42:17.139 --> 00:42:18.139 who think we can do it. 00:42:19.279 --> 00:42:21.159 I pray that you would show us 00:42:21.159 --> 00:42:24.899 that we are dead without you, 00:42:26.119 --> 00:42:28.480 and yet when you come in 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:32.059 and you break us and you bring us that new life, 00:42:32.139 --> 00:42:34.279 you send us out with a new compassion, 00:42:34.539 --> 00:42:35.559 with a new mission 00:42:35.559 --> 00:42:38.319 to love those around us. 00:42:39.359 --> 00:42:41.239 Make us that kind of church. 00:42:41.239 --> 00:42:47.139 I pray for those of us who are worried, 00:42:47.479 --> 00:42:48.659 fearful about the future, 00:42:49.679 --> 00:42:53.919 that we would see you got the future. 00:42:56.299 --> 00:43:00.199 We're so worried about so many things which may happen, 00:43:00.299 --> 00:43:03.419 and yet you know the future, 00:43:04.419 --> 00:43:07.219 and you're there in the future. 00:43:07.219 --> 00:43:09.759 Father, you're here with us now. 00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:11.719 Help us to trust you. 00:43:13.279 --> 00:43:14.199 In your name. 00:43:14.959 --> 00:43:15.379 Amen.