WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 Turn to the book of Romans, chapter 15. 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:08.599 And as you're doing that, let me say to those of you who are guests with us this morning, 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:13.919 you probably have discovered, maybe shockingly, that we have the kids remain with us in the service. 00:00:14.419 --> 00:00:16.660 I hope that's not been too much of a shock for you. 00:00:17.519 --> 00:00:22.879 We believe that it's of value to the family to meet together for worship. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:26.480 And we do have some amenities across the hall if you need a place to go. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.039 There's both video and sound over there. 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:32.960 It's a place that you can let the kids be a little more loud versus over here. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:36.960 And we'd invite you to use that space if you feel that you need it. 00:00:37.379 --> 00:00:39.899 Also, I am not easily distracted. 00:00:40.119 --> 00:00:45.259 So don't be too terribly concerned with little noises as far as I'm concerned. 00:00:45.739 --> 00:00:48.859 And I think the people around you will be very gracious to you as well. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:51.519 We've been working our way through the book of Romans. 00:00:52.420 --> 00:00:58.500 We don't always but believe that the best form of preaching is verse-by-verse exposition. 00:00:59.039 --> 00:01:04.959 And we have found ourselves today in chapter 15 at verse 13. 00:01:05.420 --> 00:01:07.420 Let's read that together and then we'll pray. 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:11.680 Romans 15, verse 13. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:23.020 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 00:01:23.540 --> 00:01:24.180 Let's pray. 00:01:24.180 --> 00:01:31.460 Father God, we do praise you this morning that by your grace we have been set free. 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:40.740 That those of us who were once far off, which was all of us, have now been brought near through the blood of Christ. 00:01:40.739 --> 00:01:46.959 And I pray, Lord, I plead that that's the case for everyone here this morning. 00:01:47.119 --> 00:01:51.459 That all of us have placed believing faith in Christ. 00:01:51.579 --> 00:01:54.979 That the Spirit of God has regenerated our hearts. 00:01:55.140 --> 00:01:59.159 That we have been caused to love you. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:05.439 And I pray, Father, for those here who may not know you. 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:08.419 This will be the last day that that will be true of them. 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:13.199 And for those that do, our hearts will be continually warm to the gospel. 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:15.620 We might live in light of it. 00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:21.019 We will honor you with all that we do as we go about this next week. 00:02:21.020 --> 00:02:23.939 And we pray this in God's name. 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:24.840 Amen. 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:29.520 So Romans 15, 13. 00:02:29.740 --> 00:02:33.120 I'd say I've been incredibly sick this week. 00:02:33.320 --> 00:02:34.960 I'm on antibiotics now. 00:02:35.219 --> 00:02:37.020 I'm feeling a little bit loopy. 00:02:37.600 --> 00:02:40.379 I'm actually going to work at keeping this brief this morning. 00:02:40.640 --> 00:02:44.379 As Paul does in his benedictory prayer. 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:51.000 His conclusion here at the end of what I would call his formal letter to the Romans. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:52.960 He certainly goes on beyond this. 00:02:53.040 --> 00:02:55.500 We have the rest of chapter 15 and all of chapter 16. 00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:57.520 Which are really his closing remarks. 00:02:57.980 --> 00:02:58.240 The Romans. 00:02:58.340 --> 00:03:02.000 So this is the end, verse 13, of his formal letter. 00:03:02.260 --> 00:03:06.800 The case that he's been making to the believers in Rome. 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:09.760 And he ends it with a simple benediction. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.379 A prayer on their behalf. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:15.680 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:19.700 So that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:22.359 And I want to just look at three observations. 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:26.619 First, Paul's desired outcome for the believers in Rome. 00:03:26.839 --> 00:03:29.199 The means for the desired outcome. 00:03:29.739 --> 00:03:32.879 And the source of the means for that desired outcome. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:39.599 So firstly, what is it that Paul wants to see happening in the lives of these Roman believers? 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:49.379 He wants to see all joy and all peace and abounding hope in their lives. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:55.219 So notice here that the word all, the adjective all here, is in the original text. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:03:58.519 And I would assume that all of your translations included. 00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:01.560 If it doesn't, you may not want to use the translation you're using any longer. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:03.240 Because it is in fact in the original text. 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:07.900 And all both applies to joy and peace. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:11.900 So Paul doesn't wish that they'll have just some joy. 00:04:12.260 --> 00:04:13.960 A little measure of joy. 00:04:14.600 --> 00:04:15.760 A smidgen of joy. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:19.620 And some peace at times in their life. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:22.280 But he desires that they have all joy. 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:24.340 And all peace. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:29.040 Sufficient measure for every aspect and part of their life. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.780 For any circumstance in their life. 00:04:31.840 --> 00:04:34.080 That they would have all joy. 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:36.040 And all peace. 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:42.760 Which will lead them to so that they may have abounding hope. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.020 Again, not just a little bit of hope. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:49.500 Not hope in times of trouble alone. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:51.120 But abounding hope. 00:04:51.400 --> 00:04:52.640 An overflowing hope. 00:04:53.280 --> 00:04:55.660 An extra measure of hope. 00:04:55.660 --> 00:04:59.480 That continues to flow and to flow and to flow. 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:01.380 An abiding hope. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:02.660 An abiding joy. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.300 An abiding peace. 00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:08.900 This is Paul's desire for the believers in Rome. 00:05:10.140 --> 00:05:13.800 So what then is the means for this desired outcome? 00:05:13.900 --> 00:05:17.340 How is it that we have this type of peace? 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:18.520 And this type of hope? 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:21.620 And this type of joy? 00:05:23.200 --> 00:05:23.360 Right? 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:24.560 It's by. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:27.620 The means is by our faith. 00:05:28.460 --> 00:05:34.360 Notice here that he says that you may have all joy and peace in believing. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:38.020 The means is our faith. 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:38.900 Faith in what? 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:43.319 Faith in the promises of Scripture. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:47.240 Which speak of the person and the work of Christ. 00:05:48.340 --> 00:05:50.699 Recall contextually where we've just been. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:59.959 He's given to us four Old Testament quotations from each of the four literary types of writing that we find in the Old Testament. 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:10.639 To show to us that God's eternal purpose for the world was to make his name known not just among Israel, but amongst the world. 00:06:10.899 --> 00:06:11.019 Right? 00:06:11.079 --> 00:06:11.860 To the nations. 00:06:11.860 --> 00:06:18.020 Paul uses here in these four references starting in verse 9 through 12 Gentiles. 00:06:18.900 --> 00:06:22.180 To show the Jewish believers here in Rome that it wasn't just them. 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:26.620 It was the Israelites and everyone else. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:35.379 So he has just talked about, beginning in verse 8, that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness. 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:39.220 In order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:40.939 And those are the quotes that we give here. 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:45.500 So that the Gentiles will glorify God for his mercy. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:55.519 If we back up beyond that, we see in verse 5 that the God of endurance encouragement would grant them to live in harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:07:01.079 Because of the encouragement of the Scriptures which give us hope in verse 4. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:05.000 So notice the flow and the connection that he's making here. 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:06.540 So we're to have faith in what? 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:13.199 In the promises of Scripture which speak of the person and the work of Christ. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:19.759 We talked a little bit about some of the liberties that Paul seems to take with his Old Testament quotations. 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:22.360 And why it was certainly permissible for him to do so. 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:28.339 In his inspiration, he quotes lastly here in verse 12. 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:29.079 He says, 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:32.740 The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles. 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:35.379 In him will the Gentiles hope. 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:38.980 And this is taken from Isaiah chapter 11 verse 10. 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:43.400 Now I want you just to listen to it as you look at what's found in verse 12. 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:43.960 Okay? 00:07:44.140 --> 00:07:45.540 And notice the difference here. 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:47.819 Isaiah 11 verse 10 reads, 00:07:48.300 --> 00:07:57.120 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples, of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. 00:07:58.020 --> 00:07:59.420 A little bit different there. 00:07:59.540 --> 00:07:59.939 Am I right? 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:02.200 A little prophecy on Isaiah's part. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:06.780 And here we see the way Paul quotes it as it's been fulfilled. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:18.139 So Paul, living in the days that the gospel has now been expanded beyond just the borders of Israel and has now gone out to the Gentiles, adds some commentary to it. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:24.959 But he's also referencing Isaiah chapter 11 verse 1, which says, 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:33.539 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:36.720 A sure promise of God given to us. 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:40.759 And here, as he gives his commentary to it and quotes it differently, says, 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:47.399 The root of Jesse will come, and in him will the Gentiles hope. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:50.100 A sure promise given to us. 00:08:50.439 --> 00:08:52.399 A promise that we can believe in. 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:55.500 That we can place our faith in. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:01.840 If you've been following us and following Paul's argument all along here throughout the book of Romans, 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:08.720 he's continually said to us that we're saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:16.060 If I could just easily sum up the point, the treatise put forth in the book of Romans, 00:09:16.160 --> 00:09:21.980 it's that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:24.580 That's what he's been driving at us all along. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:29.180 Recall, we've spent now, I think, almost two years in the book of Romans, 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:31.540 but this would have been read to the congregation. 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:33.139 It would have taken about an hour. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:37.240 A good hour-long sermon read here. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:41.820 So let's just back up and look, just in one spot, Romans chapter 5, verses 1 and 2, 00:09:42.560 --> 00:09:48.080 to connect you back to what he's been saying all along here. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:53.700 And I want to show you the beautiful connection to chapter 15, verse 13, 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:57.120 about joy and peace and hope. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:59.539 Chapter 5, verse 1. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:05.220 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:08.899 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:10.060 Okay, so notice the means. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.360 We have been justified by what? 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:12.240 By our faith. 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:15.820 And now, as a result, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:19.180 Through him, we have also obtained access by what? 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:20.860 Again, the means, by faith, 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:23.440 into this grace in which we stand. 00:10:23.540 --> 00:10:25.360 And we rejoice, okay, 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:28.500 which is an exaltation, a glory in, 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:29.920 right, 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:31.339 the result of the salvation, 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:33.000 which is birthed out of joy. 00:10:33.059 --> 00:10:34.379 That's what the original language means. 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:37.439 Exaltation comes from joy in a reality. 00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:39.199 Okay, so there's joy again. 00:10:39.459 --> 00:10:40.479 And what do we rejoice in? 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:42.419 Hope, right, 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:43.539 of the glory of God. 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:45.399 So you see the connection there. 00:10:45.699 --> 00:10:45.899 So, 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:47.699 the means by which 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:49.740 these things come about 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:50.620 is our faith, 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:53.519 our belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:57.199 that we are saved by grace alone 00:10:57.199 --> 00:10:59.000 through faith alone 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.539 in Christ alone. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:03.799 It has nothing to do with our action. 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:06.699 It has nothing to do with what we can earn 00:11:06.699 --> 00:11:08.159 of our own merit. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.059 Because anything that we can do, 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:11.220 any attempt on our own, 00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:13.360 is as filthy rags, 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:16.319 soiled garments to God, right? 00:11:16.319 --> 00:11:18.120 It is by His grace 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:20.799 through faith in Christ. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:20.979 Christ. 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:23.759 And this is the means 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:25.099 by which we have joy 00:11:25.099 --> 00:11:26.319 and peace 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:27.879 and hope. 00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:31.139 But how is it that we have this faith? 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:33.399 How is it that we believe? 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.379 And Paul tells us, 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.339 quite frankly here, 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:35.939 and simply, 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:37.759 in chapter 15, 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:38.500 verse 13, 00:11:38.859 --> 00:11:41.099 that it is by the power 00:11:41.099 --> 00:11:42.579 of the Holy Spirit. 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:45.899 He's not introducing this as a new idea. 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:48.000 He turned to Romans chapter 8, 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.439 verse 9. 00:11:50.799 --> 00:12:00.099 He says to the believers in Rome, 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:00.859 you, however, 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:01.699 are not in the flesh, 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:02.859 but in the Spirit, 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:04.299 if in fact the Spirit of God 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:05.039 dwells in you. 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.779 Anyone who does not have 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.939 the Spirit of Christ 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:10.319 does not belong to Him. 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:12.539 And again in verse 14, 00:12:13.579 --> 00:12:14.639 for all who are led 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:16.059 by the Spirit of God 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:18.419 are sons of God. 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:20.740 So we see that the faith 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.360 that works in us 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:21.899 works in us 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:23.179 by the Spirit. 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:25.379 And as we were born, 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:27.159 our hearts were hard. 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.199 Our hearts were utterly 00:12:29.199 --> 00:12:30.839 devoid of the ability 00:12:30.839 --> 00:12:32.539 of believing in God. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.719 Some people believe 00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:35.639 in a doctrine 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:38.219 called pervenient grace, 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:39.500 which is taught nowhere 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.099 in the Scriptures, 00:12:40.219 --> 00:12:40.740 that there's somehow 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:42.539 some shred of good 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.740 remaining within us. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.360 That's all that's good in us, 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:47.080 but we have this little ability 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:48.120 left to believe. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:50.519 The Bible teaches the opposite. 00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:51.200 The Bible teaches 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:52.080 that we're dead 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.500 in trespasses and sin. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.060 Not mortally wounded, 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.940 not so sick 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.120 we're about to die, 00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:59.080 but we're dead 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:01.039 in our trespasses and sin. 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:02.560 Totally incapable 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:03.259 of righteousness 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:05.120 of any kind whatsoever. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:08.840 Until the Spirit of God 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.240 comes into our lives, 00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:12.840 regenerates our hearts, 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:13.700 and we believe. 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.019 There's much debate 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:16.820 in Christendom 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:18.200 about whether or not 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:20.399 regeneration precedes faith, 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:23.040 or if faith precedes regeneration. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:24.180 And I put forth to you 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:25.540 that regeneration precedes faith. 00:13:26.420 --> 00:13:28.180 How exactly this all goes down, 00:13:28.280 --> 00:13:29.680 I don't fully understand, 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.300 and I don't think 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:32.519 it's ours to understand. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.399 But what we need to recognize 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.420 is that this is the work 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:37.860 of the Spirit of God 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.720 in our hearts. 00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:40.460 It's not our own doing. 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:43.180 Ephesians 2, 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.620 verse 8 and 9. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.820 If you struggle with the statements 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:47.560 I just made, 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.519 it says, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.840 For by grace you have been saved 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:53.360 through faith. 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:56.920 For by grace you've been saved 00:13:56.920 --> 00:13:57.680 through faith. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.519 If we stop there, 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.920 it would be very easy to say, 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:01.940 I had faith, 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.560 therefore I was given grace. 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.900 Paul is careful to say, 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:07.980 and this is not your own doing, 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.879 it is the gift of God. 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.559 Referring to the faith, 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.240 not the grace, 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:12.919 as some would argue. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.899 It's referring to the faith. 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:14.939 It is the gift of God, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.620 and it's given to us 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:17.059 by the Spirit. 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:19.000 It's not a result of works, 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:21.759 so that no one may boast. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.299 So none of us have any right, 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:26.779 any claim to boast 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:28.159 in our own action, 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.919 any part in our own salvation. 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.659 Our salvation was not synergistic, 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:34.059 it was not a work of God, 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:35.759 and we came alongside Him 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.620 to accomplish it. 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:38.940 It was fully a work of God. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.899 It was monergistic. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.659 He accomplished it in our hearts. 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:45.299 If He didn't, 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:50.060 we would have willingly rejected Him forever. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.440 Willingly rejected Him. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:57.060 Our lives reflected this before Christ. 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.799 Everything that we did 00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:03.080 was absolute, utter rejection of Him. 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:06.379 These doctrines are so key 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:08.520 to our understanding of the Gospel. 00:15:09.020 --> 00:15:10.879 And our proper understanding of the Gospel, 00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:13.560 our belief in the promises of the Scripture, 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.120 is what brings about all joy, 00:15:16.520 --> 00:15:17.820 and all peace, 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:20.840 and abounding hope. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:24.600 So that whatever circumstance you're in, 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:27.140 whatever trouble you experience, 00:15:27.280 --> 00:15:29.420 whatever sins you commit as a believer, 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:32.240 however desperate and dark 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:34.199 and removed from God you may feel, 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:36.779 you can remember the promises of God. 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.819 That the work of salvation 00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:40.899 is fully His work. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:44.199 That you have joy and peace 00:15:44.199 --> 00:15:46.199 and abounding hope. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.299 Because God is a God 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:50.759 who is sure to keep His promises. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.559 It doesn't depend on you. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.679 It depends on Him. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.079 It's His work in our hearts. 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:01.360 Praise Him forever and ever. 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:05.139 As weak as I was just bouncing around, 00:16:05.540 --> 00:16:06.460 doing some reading, 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.940 I'm going to come across a great quote 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:10.020 from Martin Luther, 00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:13.160 who was a great champion of these doctrines. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.740 Talked often about grace alone 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:17.460 through faith alone in Christ alone. 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:18.240 Lived in a day 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.980 when the Catholic Church 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:21.460 was teaching quite the opposite. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.740 They were selling indulgences. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.600 They were selling time out of hell 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.860 for their family members. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:28.200 That there were works 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:29.539 that could be committed 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.980 to gain heaven. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:35.919 And Martin Luther being troubled by this 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:37.800 became a monk. 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.980 And as he continued to be troubled by 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:42.139 how is it that I can do enough 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:44.539 to gain righteousness? 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.800 How is it that I could possibly achieve 00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:49.039 this holy standard that God has set? 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.519 They put him to work 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.419 to keep him busy 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:53.679 translating the book of Romans. 00:16:54.219 --> 00:16:56.000 What a bad move 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.480 on the Catholic Church's part. 00:16:58.599 --> 00:17:00.699 And he began to see this. 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.919 God revealed to him 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:03.639 that salvation is by grace alone 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.759 through faith alone 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.639 and Christ alone. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.639 And we all know that 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:08.980 Martin Luther was no great fan 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:10.200 of the Pope 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:12.019 and what the Pope was teaching 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.200 and proposing. 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.579 And I say to you this day 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:16.539 that there are many Christians 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:18.019 who are claiming 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.379 to have great hope 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:21.079 in the new Pope. 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:21.799 Right? 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.599 He's going to be the champion 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.399 of the poor. 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:24.759 Good. 00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:25.779 That is great. 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.680 But as he stands 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.899 he's still a liar 00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:32.079 until he begins to teach 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.599 that salvation comes 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.440 by grace alone 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.759 through faith alone 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.339 in Christ alone. 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.579 And I hope that we'll be 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.339 praying for him 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:40.460 because he has the ability 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.359 to see that 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.539 and to do that 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.659 and to influence 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.539 billions 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:46.220 with that truth. 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:47.059 But listen to what 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:48.420 Martin Luther said 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:50.759 of the Pope of his time. 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.279 I can't remember 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:51.899 who it was 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.559 but in his commentary 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.240 on Galatians. 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.059 He said, 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:55.440 If the Pope would concede 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.899 that God alone 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:57.980 by his grace 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.639 through Christ 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.859 justifies sinners 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:01.480 we would carry him 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.220 in our arms. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.000 We would kiss his feet. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.440 Now Martin Luther 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.460 who was set up 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.519 as this great enemy 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.960 of the Pope 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.139 said if the Pope 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:12.200 would just concede 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.580 that salvation comes 00:18:13.580 --> 00:18:14.600 by grace alone 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.559 through faith alone 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.600 in Christ alone 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:18.299 I'll carry him 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.360 and kiss his feet. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.160 Right? 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.840 Because he would be 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.360 a herald 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:24.640 of this great truth. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.120 Right? 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.980 So this is the means 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:30.360 for these outcomes 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:31.299 for having all joy 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:31.819 all peace 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.700 abounding hope 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.500 is that we 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.539 believe 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.880 by the power of the Spirit 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.980 in the gospel 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.759 of God. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:41.220 Does that seem 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.460 too simple 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.279 to you? 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.799 Want me to now 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:47.259 unpack all the ways 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.039 that we practically 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.879 carry this out 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.619 in our lives? 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.640 How is it that we 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.240 apply 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:53.000 this type of truth? 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.319 Right? 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:55.740 We could go on 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.680 and on 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.579 and on 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.440 about how this works 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.160 out in our lives. 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.160 The gospel 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.420 is the answer 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:03.059 to every one 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:04.000 of our ills. 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.140 Right? 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.819 It speaks 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.920 to all of it. 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.740 Let me just give you 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.259 an example. 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:10.360 Many of you this week 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.340 probably became aware 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.620 for the first time 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.820 of a man named 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:14.539 Kermit 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:16.360 Gasnell 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:16.880 I think I'm saying 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:17.620 his last name right. 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:19.120 Who operated 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.039 in a legal abortion 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.440 clinic 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.779 in Pennsylvania. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.080 Pittsburgh. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.440 Yes. 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.519 This story's been 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.640 going on for quite a while. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.100 Right? 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:28.720 It was shut down 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.320 in 2011. 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.320 I don't share 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:33.039 a lot of the things 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.840 I follow with you. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.519 I've been keeping up 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.019 with this story 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.660 from the beginning 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.259 and it has been 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.180 wrenching at my heart 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.379 for quite some time now. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:38.799 Many of you 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.500 for the first time 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:41.240 have seen these atrocities. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.460 Are becoming 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:44.099 maybe for the first time 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.099 aware of how 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:45.980 horrible 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:47.519 abortion actually is 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.059 and the degree 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.539 to which 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.740 it's carried out. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.519 But listen. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.799 Even in those things. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.220 Even as our heart 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.019 breaks 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.140 for the sinfulness 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:58.299 of man. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.799 How horrible 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.759 man is 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.160 to commit 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.879 such acts. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:02.619 Right? 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.500 We can have 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.179 all joy 00:20:04.179 --> 00:20:05.759 and all peace 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.719 and abounding 00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:07.139 hope 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:07.979 because 00:20:07.979 --> 00:20:09.379 included 00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.059 in the gospel 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.899 of Jesus Christ 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:11.659 is the fact 00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:12.339 that he will 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:12.939 return 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:13.799 and he will 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.659 make all 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.339 things 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.259 right. 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.119 He has a 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.599 perfect 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.519 and a sovereign 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.019 plan 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.739 that it's 00:20:20.739 --> 00:20:22.099 his work 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:23.439 and not 00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:24.759 our work 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:26.139 being accomplished. 00:20:26.459 --> 00:20:27.219 That he will 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:27.799 in fact 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.739 make it all 00:20:28.739 --> 00:20:29.459 right 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.200 and new 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.160 one day. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.019 So the gospel 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.480 ministers 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.819 to my soul 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:36.220 as it breaks 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:38.440 for these conditions 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.319 and these situations 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.860 these things 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.539 that are going on 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.460 as I long 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.140 to do something 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:42.759 radical 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.960 to change things. 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.160 As I want 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.460 to be involved 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.640 in making this world 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.519 a better place 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.840 in saving those 00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.440 who can't save 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.019 themselves 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.860 the gospel 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:53.019 ministers to my heart 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.640 because I know 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.880 that these promises 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.340 are sure 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:56.660 that God is a good God 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.500 that God is working 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.460 out his sovereign plan 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.160 that he is fully 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.720 in control 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.700 I can believe 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.299 in those things 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.440 and have joy 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.579 and peace 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:06.500 and abounding hope. 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.700 Now notice 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:12.220 I find 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.220 in this text 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.680 maybe you don't 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:16.079 maybe this is the first time 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.059 you've been thinking about it 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:19.000 but the order 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.860 seems a little bit 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:20.240 backwards 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.079 to me 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.279 because he says 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.400 that he hopes 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.460 he will be filled with 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:26.039 by the God of hope 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.440 with all joy 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.080 and peace 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.380 so that will have 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.240 hope 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:32.640 and it seems to me 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.880 that the hope 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.779 would precede 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.620 having joy 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.100 and peace 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:37.320 that having hope 00:21:37.320 --> 00:21:37.779 in God 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.779 believing in the promises 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.259 of God 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:41.059 would then lead 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.740 to us having 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.180 joy and peace 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:43.720 and as I began 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.400 to ponder this 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:46.299 my mind was pulled 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.799 back to our context 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.240 and I recalled 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.019 back up at the end 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.660 of verse 4 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:52.440 Paul says 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:52.900 that through the 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.360 encouragement 00:21:53.360 --> 00:21:54.000 of the scriptures 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.359 we might have 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.720 hope 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.740 right 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.140 so that's where 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.759 he began 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.420 talking about 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.720 where the source 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:01.960 is 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.660 and then he says 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.279 and I think 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.400 very cleverly 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.960 intentionally 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.480 says 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.480 may the God 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.220 of hope 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.799 fill you with 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.279 all joy 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.099 and peace 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.880 and believing 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.299 and so 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.960 we see that 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.859 I believe here 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.700 that it's a cycle 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.119 that's what he's 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.980 trying to say to us 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:16.440 that having hope 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:18.039 in the promises 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.579 of God 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:20.140 makes us 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:21.359 sanctified in him 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:22.460 regenerates us 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.460 brings to us 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.100 joy 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.079 and peace 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.340 as we believe 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:27.960 which births 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.900 more hope 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:31.279 right 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.019 because it's 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.420 evidence 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.759 of the fact 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.880 that we are his 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:36.059 that we're found 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.620 in him 00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:37.640 the fact that 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.000 when we go 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.480 through difficult 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.200 times in our lives 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.799 and we can have 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.380 joy and peace 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:40.960 in those times 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.000 shows us 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.640 that we do 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.200 in fact 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.819 rest 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.519 in the promises 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:44.900 of God 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.440 that we do 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:45.840 hope 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.579 in the promises 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:46.960 of God 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.880 and it births 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.700 more hope 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:50.120 right 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:51.140 it's like a 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.039 perpetual wheel 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.659 of joy 00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:54.099 peace 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:54.559 and hope 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:55.599 right 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.279 and the axle 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:56.779 of which 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.220 is 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.659 our belief 00:22:58.659 --> 00:23:01.259 that term 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.039 abounding 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.119 in hope 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:04.079 to abound 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.559 in it means 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:04.920 that it goes 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.299 on 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.639 and it goes 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:05.980 on 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.319 and it goes 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.700 on 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.079 and it goes 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.399 on 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.259 and here's 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.180 the cycle 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:10.659 which we find 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.440 ourselves in 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:14.379 listen beloved 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:16.859 the Christian life 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.799 is not an easy 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.240 life 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.579 that promise 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.200 is never given 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.519 to us 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:20.779 in fact 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.180 quite the 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.500 opposite 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:21.900 is given 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.359 to us 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:22.879 he said 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.200 we'll be 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.740 persecuted 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.639 for our 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:24.879 faith 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:26.259 it's not 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.599 an easy 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:26.920 life 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.599 but it is 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.180 a simple 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.359 life 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:31.400 it's a life 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:33.000 of believing 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.759 being filled 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.420 with joy 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.460 and peace 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.359 in believing 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.440 the gospel 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.240 of Jesus 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.759 Christ 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.779 and then 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.160 abounding 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.720 in hope 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:43.559 and I think 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.180 that the trouble 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.019 is that when 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.960 we don't have 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.339 joy 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:46.960 and we don't 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.779 have peace 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.119 and we don't 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:49.839 abound in 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.220 hope 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.980 is that we 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.740 look to the 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.440 world for the 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:52.779 answers 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.920 we look to 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.940 pop psychology 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.819 to the answers 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.839 we look to 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.759 some pulpits 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.099 that aren't 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.500 giving us 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.079 the real 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.480 answer 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.420 to where 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:00.839 these things 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.259 come from 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.519 and we 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.059 fail to 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.460 look 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.579 to the 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:03.899 gospel 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:05.399 we fail 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.000 to behold 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.819 Christ 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.319 on the cross 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:08.720 on our 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.240 behalf 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.440 we fail 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.079 to recognize 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.619 the fact 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.119 that he's 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.680 promised 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.779 to return 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.019 he will 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.799 complete 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.819 the work 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.899 we get 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.639 distracted 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.599 by this 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.019 world 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.819 and we 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.220 fail to 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.879 look at 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.599 the simple 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.440 source 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.019 of all 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.339 of these 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.720 things 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.379 and that 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:25.859 is the 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.299 person 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.379 and work 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:28.460 of Jesus 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.960 Christ 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:31.419 so we see 00:24:31.419 --> 00:24:31.859 the desired 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:32.220 outcome 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.740 here 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.619 and we 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.019 see now 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:35.000 the means 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.740 for that 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.500 desired 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.000 outcome 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.779 what is 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.799 the source 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.379 then 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:40.599 of the means 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.039 for the 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.599 desired outcome 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.079 what is 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:42.559 the source 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.740 simply 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.440 he begins 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.180 verse 13 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.759 by saying 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.619 may the 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.099 God 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:48.420 of hope 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:51.000 our God 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.319 is the 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.799 God of 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.059 hope 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.099 who reigns 00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:54.240 over hope 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.759 who is 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.819 the source 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.960 of all 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.960 hope 00:24:57.960 --> 00:25:00.039 our God 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.819 the great 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.839 I am 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:03.099 the one 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.819 who exists 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.819 apart from 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.779 any other 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.640 exterior 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.599 circumstance 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.140 from any 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:09.500 other 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.779 control 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:12.400 the one 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.339 that everything 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.279 plugs into 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.019 but he plugs 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.900 into nothing 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:17.019 he is 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.379 self 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:18.220 existent 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:20.299 he is 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.299 the God 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.099 of hope 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.420 the source 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.279 of all 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.700 this 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.059 of our 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.500 joy 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.259 and our 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.759 peace 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.920 and our 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.259 abounding 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.700 hope 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.500 so we 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.099 could read 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.940 verse 13 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.559 this way 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:36.079 the God 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.500 of hope 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.500 fills us 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.000 with all 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.359 joy 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:38.919 and all 00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:39.440 peace 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.579 which leads 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.339 to abounding 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:41.799 hope 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.759 by working 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.220 in us 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.759 faith 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.200 in the 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.679 person and 00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:44.980 work 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.819 of Jesus 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.319 Christ 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.419 by the 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:47.799 power 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.940 of the 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.099 Holy 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:49.419 Spirit 00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:52.000 this is 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.599 the way 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:54.259 that Paul 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.619 decides to 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.259 conclude 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.500 the formal 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.339 part of his 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.019 letter to the 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.319 Romans 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.939 that their 00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.579 lives would 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.000 look 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:03.419 like this 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:04.879 and he's not 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.399 suggesting that 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:06.059 their lives don't 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:07.139 already look 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.579 like this 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.339 that God's not 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.579 already accomplishing 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.579 this in them 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:10.980 but it's his 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.579 prayer that he 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.240 will continue 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.359 to carry 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.279 that out 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.740 that that will 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.720 continue to go 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.399 that cycle 00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:17.240 will run 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.740 notice in 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.299 verse 14 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.639 he says 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.319 I myself 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.399 am satisfied 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.700 about you 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:23.299 he's seeing 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.859 already this 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.519 progression in 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.019 their lives 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.379 this great 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.059 work of God 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.679 he's confident 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:27.539 that the work 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.039 that God 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.559 began in 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.079 them will 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.460 be completed 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.159 back in 00:26:31.159 --> 00:26:31.680 Romans chapter 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.019 8 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.619 we can see 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.279 that he 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.899 knows 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:34.440 that the 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.779 things that 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.299 God begins 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:35.899 he finishes 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:37.980 from the 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.339 beginning to 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.619 the end 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.139 we're secure 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.619 in God's 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:39.859 hand 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.639 he knows 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:41.379 that this 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.099 will take 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.639 place 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.559 and this 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:43.920 is his 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.539 desire 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.019 that their 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.519 lives 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:45.980 will be 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.359 flavored 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.000 with joy 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.920 and peace 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.899 and with 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.299 abounding 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.759 hope 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.659 and it's 00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:51.819 my prayer 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.619 for us 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.159 this day 00:26:53.159 --> 00:26:54.460 the 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.339 benediction 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.039 for you 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.920 at the 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.200 closing 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.560 of this 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:58.019 service 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.519 that the 00:26:59.519 --> 00:26:59.860 God of 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.160 hope 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:00.720 will fill 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:00.980 you 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.580 with all 00:27:01.580 --> 00:27:02.140 joy 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.960 and peace 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.539 in believing 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:05.200 so that 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:05.500 by the 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.960 power of 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.220 the Holy 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.539 Spirit 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.380 you may 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:07.800 abound 00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.480 in hope 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.220 let's pray 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.519 together