WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:19.140 There's a young man in his late teens, early twenties, he'd been away at university, came back to his home church, and on his way out, his minister was standing at the door, he said, I've got to be honest minister, worship didn't do it for me this morning. 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:31.359 And the minister replied, it wasn't for you, son. It wasn't for you, son. It didn't do it for me this morning. It wasn't for you, son. 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:40.500 And I think that preacher, John Sartell, puts his finger on something when we think about what we're doing this morning. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:54.880 We tend to put ourselves at the front of the line. We think, did this connect with me? Did I like the songs? Do I like the prayers? Was I paying attention? 00:00:56.820 --> 00:01:03.900 Did the sermon interest me? Or was I checked out during the Lord's Supper? Were my children zoned out? 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:18.500 Yes, we are the participants in it. But it wasn't for us. It isn't for us. Worship is something that we are giving to God and to him. 00:01:20.180 --> 00:01:31.340 It doesn't help God. Our worship doesn't improve God's life. Our worship is a response. It is an offering to him. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:40.840 And the book of Romans helps us with this. We shouldn't put one book of the Bible over any other book of the Bible. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:47.420 But in the Christian church, in the history of the Christian church, Romans has been incredibly important. 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:53.420 It tends to be the case, when the church gets back into Romans, things happen. 00:01:54.740 --> 00:01:57.620 And not just at a communal level, at a heart level. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:03.160 I try to work out that I preach on Romans, preach to Romans about every four to five years. 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:05.420 I don't do that with any other book of the Bible. 00:02:06.600 --> 00:02:12.719 Because in the history of the Christian church, when we get into Romans, what Romans does is it diagnoses us. 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:17.020 Romans, as a book, shows you what's wrong with you. 00:02:18.140 --> 00:02:20.540 It celebrates what God is able to do in you. 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:24.239 And it anticipates what is ahead for you. 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:30.780 Romans shows us what our lives would look like if God transformed our ethic. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:34.379 And Romans is not ultimately about us. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:35.739 It is the gospel of God. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:39.239 And this text shows us that. 00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:42.620 It puts us under that light. 00:02:43.139 --> 00:02:47.459 Where we read to comes at the end of the first section of Romans. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:49.879 And so the end of Romans 11 is a transition point. 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:54.180 It moves from the teachy part, if I can put it like that. 00:02:55.100 --> 00:02:56.140 The doctrinal part. 00:02:56.700 --> 00:02:57.980 To the applicatory part. 00:02:58.040 --> 00:02:58.800 That's really simplistic. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:02.640 But the end of Romans 11 functions as a bridge. 00:03:03.980 --> 00:03:06.480 And you'll notice that the end of Romans 11 is a doxology. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:08.640 We're looking at some doxologies, remember. 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:11.460 Doxology is different from a benediction. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:14.500 A benediction is a good word. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:16.379 That's what the word literally means. 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:17.539 From God. 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:21.180 When we pronounce the benediction at the end of the service. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:25.659 You are receiving from the risen Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:26.699 His blessing. 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:31.219 But doxology is when we praise God. 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:33.939 When we speak to God. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:38.060 It's when the people of God pronounce a blessing on him. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:40.920 We don't help God. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:43.159 And we don't improve God. 00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:45.640 God is not needy. 00:03:47.280 --> 00:03:51.219 But we praise him as a response to who he is and what he's done. 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:56.819 And Paul prays at the end of Romans 11 this bridge. 00:03:56.939 --> 00:03:59.020 And then he gives us this doxology. 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:04.840 What's been happening in Romans is that there has been all this doctrine. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:06.939 The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:07.080 --> 00:04:07.960 The good news. 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:11.100 And then he gets into the mystery. 00:04:12.420 --> 00:04:14.340 Of God's great plan. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:20.800 That God has designed his redemption to bring in people like you and I Gentiles. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:28.420 And the Israelites who have had all the privileges of the gospel and the covenant. 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:31.620 He has hardened through their unbelief. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.080 And yet God is not finished with the people of Israel. 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:42.400 And Romans is written to a mixed church with both Jews and Gentiles. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:43.540 To a diverse church. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:46.000 And he says there is one people of God. 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.740 There is one way of salvation. 00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:50.280 There is one saviour. 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:51.599 There is one plan. 00:04:51.979 --> 00:04:52.619 One redemption. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:53.699 One people. 00:04:54.719 --> 00:04:56.199 And as he reflects on this. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:58.719 Doxology bubbles up out of him. 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:02.000 And my prayer is that if you are here this morning. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:03.799 And you're on autopilot. 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:06.619 Then you would realise this morning. 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:07.859 It is not about you. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:08.659 It is about him. 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:12.059 Look at Romans 11 verses 33 to 36. 00:05:14.559 --> 00:05:16.119 Where Paul exclaims. 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:17.739 Oh the depths of the riches. 00:05:18.179 --> 00:05:19.839 And wisdom and knowledge of God. 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:22.899 How unsearchable are his judgment. 00:05:23.179 --> 00:05:24.699 How inscrutable his ways. 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:27.279 For who has known the mind of the Lord. 00:05:27.919 --> 00:05:29.099 Who has been his counsellor. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:31.899 Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid. 00:05:31.979 --> 00:05:32.799 And here is the doxology. 00:05:33.059 --> 00:05:36.419 For from him and through him and to him are all things. 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:38.259 To him be glory forever. 00:05:39.340 --> 00:05:39.699 Amen. 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:39.879 Amen. 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:48.500 Maybe you are here this morning and you hear things like it's all about him. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:50.520 It's all about God. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:53.819 And you say, not out loud, but you say to yourself, I'm not sure. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:58.040 You might say to yourself, I don't know whether I want that to be my life. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:04.540 I don't want to get to the stage where I recognise that he is God and I am not. 00:06:05.980 --> 00:06:08.139 And my prayer is that we look at this this morning. 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:09.839 That he would turn our hearts to him. 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:13.039 Not so that he wins and you lose. 00:06:14.419 --> 00:06:18.679 And not so that God wrenches your arm behind your back and says, well, I'm God and you're not. 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:23.659 But you would see what your soul really wants. 00:06:24.599 --> 00:06:27.459 We're going to let the text set the structure of the sermon. 00:06:27.559 --> 00:06:29.239 So verse 36, three points. 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:31.879 All things are from God. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:34.540 All things are through God. 00:06:35.339 --> 00:06:36.519 All things are to God. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:39.620 From him, through him, to him. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:44.639 What Paul is saying, essentially, is this. 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:49.939 The universe, all things, whether they are known or unknown, whether they are visible or invisible, 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:55.040 whether they are far or near, whether they are personal or impersonal, 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:58.639 all things are from him. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:03.759 And so we are thinking of God as the creator. 00:07:05.539 --> 00:07:06.319 All things are from him. 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:10.259 Now I could pile on here, couldn't I, and just list all the things, all the planets, all the stars, 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:15.259 all the asteroids, all the quasars, all the outer space things that you could think of. 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:19.680 And I don't think that will touch you deeply, but it would be true. 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:23.459 All of that, all of this universe is from him. 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:27.740 But I want you to think this morning of us as creatures. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:33.959 I think when we hear the word creatures, we think of creepy crawlies, don't we? 00:07:35.159 --> 00:07:36.959 We think of little creatures in the woods. 00:07:38.539 --> 00:07:40.139 And yes, though, they are creatures. 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:42.939 But if you want to see a creature, just hold out your hand, look at it. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:44.659 And look at it. 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:47.180 Look at your feet. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:50.279 You are a creature. 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:55.039 You might not believe in God, but you did not make yourself. 00:07:57.239 --> 00:07:58.439 We did not make ourselves. 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:02.379 We are body and soul creatures. 00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:04.519 We are both. 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:06.919 We are bodies. 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:15.159 Often the way that we think of life, I think the way that we think of ourselves is we think we're just bodies. 00:08:16.859 --> 00:08:23.019 And so if I'm feeling low, or if I'm feeling down, you might think, well, I need a hit of something. 00:08:23.099 --> 00:08:23.819 I need some dopamine. 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:26.799 I might go to try and get some serotonin. 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:28.720 I need something chemical. 00:08:29.020 --> 00:08:32.320 I need something immaterial to affect my mood, to affect my body. 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:33.560 But we are body and soul. 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:45.500 If we die before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, if we die before the Lord Jesus comes again, there will be a time when we are souls without our bodies. 00:08:46.859 --> 00:08:50.059 Let me read to you the shorter catechism, which says this. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:56.199 What do benefits, what benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? 00:08:56.319 --> 00:08:59.019 So let's say you're trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and you die this morning. 00:08:59.079 --> 00:08:59.619 What happens? 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:07.820 The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness and do immediately pass into glory. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:08.899 They are with Christ. 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:14.320 And their bodies, still being united to Christ, do rest in the graves till the resurrection. 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:15.419 There is a separation. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:25.100 There is a time, if we die before the Lord Jesus Christ comes again, we are souls without our bodies. 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:27.960 But we can't be bodies without our souls. 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:33.759 Our bodies will rest after our death if we die in him. 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:35.139 We will fall asleep in him. 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:38.460 But we are souls that are embodied. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:41.580 So think about your bodies for a minute. 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:44.019 And think about your organs. 00:09:45.659 --> 00:09:47.159 And your organs are from God. 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:51.919 All the systems of your body are from God. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:57.199 The involuntary things that your body does is from God. 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:02.779 You don't have to think this morning about keeping your heart beating, do you? 00:10:03.819 --> 00:10:05.599 It's really important that your heart keeps beating. 00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:09.079 But you don't have to come up with a strategy to keep breathing. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:14.340 You don't have to come up with a strategy to keep breathing while you're asleep. 00:10:14.540 --> 00:10:16.139 You just do that involuntary. 00:10:16.420 --> 00:10:17.660 Because that is from him. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.780 Even my particular shape. 00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:24.440 And I know there are decisions that we can make, can't there? 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:25.820 That can affect our shape. 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:28.060 But I mean the fundamental shape of who we are. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:30.360 So I am never going to be six foot five. 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:33.000 I'm never going to be five foot one. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:35.639 That is from God. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:39.720 And your shape, the body that you have, is from God. 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:43.759 And our souls are from God. 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:48.000 Often we talk about being image bearers. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.039 I often say that. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:51.080 But the Bible is a bit more direct than that. 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:54.259 It says you are God's image. 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:57.379 It's not just that you bear it. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.519 You are God's image. 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:03.220 You are his image, body and soul. 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:07.840 In our souls we can do things that other creatures cannot do. 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:11.860 Or at least not to the degree that we can do it. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:13.659 We can reason. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:19.200 We have some people in our congregation who are bright. 00:11:20.300 --> 00:11:21.659 Intellectually very bright. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:25.779 We have some people who did astonishingly well in their GCSEs this week. 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:29.340 And that is from God. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:32.180 The ability to reason. 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.639 The ability to will. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.740 The ability to do something. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.200 The ability to execute. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:40.220 The ability to implement is from him. 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:42.539 Some of you in this room have a great work ethic. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.560 You're a hard worker. 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:48.220 Some of you in this room can be really decisive in business. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:50.700 You can pull the trigger when other people can't. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:52.700 You can execute plans. 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:52.700 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:56.400 And it can feel like it's from me. 00:11:57.400 --> 00:11:58.540 But it is from God. 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:03.560 To have a will that is even capable of a work ethic. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:05.920 To be able to make decisions. 00:12:06.180 --> 00:12:06.940 To have reason. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:07.680 To have a will. 00:12:07.800 --> 00:12:08.960 To have emotions. 00:12:09.400 --> 00:12:10.740 We mirror God. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:14.600 It's quite a bit of research out there isn't there. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:17.240 About the human need for awe. 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:21.279 Human beings need to encounter something. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:21.899 You know that. 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.500 It was the start of the football season yesterday. 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.620 You saw. 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:27.500 Hundreds of thousands of people going to worship. 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:30.220 That need for something greater. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.000 That need for awe. 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:34.879 That would get us over the grind. 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:36.200 And the norms of life. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:38.559 We know that there is something bigger. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:39.039 Innately. 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.460 Something more mysterious. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.740 That makes life worth living. 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:45.360 And that ability to experience awe. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.539 Is from God. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:51.279 Now I could go on and on and on about this. 00:12:51.339 --> 00:12:52.459 How is it from God? 00:12:55.079 --> 00:12:57.179 One of the speakers at the Catalyst Conference. 00:12:57.339 --> 00:13:01.419 One of the speakers at the Theology Conference we had in the summer. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:02.759 Was a guy called Kelly Capic. 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:05.839 He's a theological teacher in America. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.719 And he wrote a book called You're Only Human. 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:10.959 And he makes lots of great points in that book. 00:13:10.959 --> 00:13:14.120 But the biggest point he makes in that book. 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:16.259 Is when Christians talk about humility. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:18.039 And the need for humility. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:20.340 And that humility is a good thing. 00:13:20.939 --> 00:13:24.799 We almost always ground humility in badness. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:28.319 And so you know and I know this morning. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:30.360 That we are capable of sin. 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:32.159 We're capable of hurting other people. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.200 And we hurt ourselves. 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.779 We do evil things. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.860 We think terrible things. 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:40.559 And because we are capable of that. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:42.159 And sometimes we do those things. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.159 We should be humble. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.259 And that is true. 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.220 But Kelly Capic makes this great point. 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:50.860 Before human beings ever sinned. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.519 They should still be humble. 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:55.259 Because we are creatures. 00:13:57.179 --> 00:14:00.259 We depend upon God for everything. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:05.419 And so if there was no sin in the world at all. 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:10.759 We would still need God for everything. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:14.120 If there was no sin in the world. 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:16.559 We would still need to be humble. 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:19.819 Because we need God for everything. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:22.919 Because everything is from him. 00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:25.639 All things are from God. 00:14:26.979 --> 00:14:29.199 And all things secondly are through God. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:32.820 So if all things are from God. 00:14:33.020 --> 00:14:34.640 Which makes us think about creation. 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.480 All things are through God. 00:14:37.540 --> 00:14:40.900 Which makes us think about what theologians call providence. 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:45.920 That is God is working all things out according to his purpose and his plan. 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:49.339 Think for a moment of the story of Joseph in the Bible. 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.039 With all the twists and the turns. 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:55.240 All the being sold into slavery. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.519 And then climbing the greasy pole. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:15:00.620 And then sliding down the snake into prison. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:03.919 And then being raised to a position of honour and authority and deliverance. 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:06.039 And he looks back at his long life. 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.599 And he says God has been in it all. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.139 What you meant for evil. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.120 God meant for good. 00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.419 God has a plan. 00:15:11.839 --> 00:15:12.860 And he's working it out. 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:17.939 And providence is not just a term for God making the world. 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:20.899 God didn't make the world like we think of a wind up watch. 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:21.740 Like this watch. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:24.259 That I wind it up on a Sunday morning. 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.439 And I wear it on a Sunday. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:28.599 And I let it wind down. 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.919 And then I get to the next Sunday. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.919 And I wind it up. 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:33.819 But I don't play any role in it week by week. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:37.719 God doesn't say I made the world now you run with it. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.159 God makes everything. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.559 And he rules everything. 00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:42.779 And he directs everything. 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:43.959 And he orchestrates everything. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:48.099 And there's great tension for us here. 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:52.599 Because we hear that and we think we'll slow down a minute. 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.539 What about the Holocaust? 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:57.259 What about genocide? 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.899 What about this terrible crash in Middlesbrough? 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:01.799 What about my awful circumstances? 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:03.899 And we could go on and on and on and on couldn't we? 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:07.959 But you need to understand that Scripture holds to affirmations and denials. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:16.659 In the Bible it's really clear that it affirms that God decrees whatever comes to pass. 00:16:18.599 --> 00:16:20.479 God's personal hand is on everything. 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:27.840 But Scripture is also clear that it denies that God is the author of sin and evil. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:31.820 It denies that God would even tempt someone to sin. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:34.000 So there's affirmation and there's denial. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:38.940 And part of living as a Christian is living in that tension. 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:43.740 Let me get more personal about this. 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:46.280 If everything in life is through God, 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:50.460 that means everything that I experience 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:55.460 can be an on-ramp to experiencing God. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:17:03.800 Everything I experience can be used so that I experience God. 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.340 Let me show you this. 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:09.360 It's interesting to see how Paul shows us that in his missionary journeys. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:14.279 Paul speaks in different ways about the gospel to different people. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:17.379 When he talks to a Jewish audience, 00:17:18.139 --> 00:17:18.980 when he's in a synagogue, 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:21.839 he speaks differently to them than he does to pagans. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:25.579 So when he's speaking to people who didn't grow up in synagogues 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.779 and they don't know the law, 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:27.480 they don't know Joseph, 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.220 they don't know Moses, 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.379 they don't know the prophets, 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:31.759 he does not quote the law and the prophets to them. 00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:35.220 He eases in and he begins with God. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:38.620 And when Paul is in Athens, Greece, 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:41.500 and he's talking there to the intellectuals 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:44.600 and there's an exchange and debate and cut and thrust, 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.500 Paul quotes Greek writers. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:50.339 He quotes to them one of their Greek authors, 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.440 to a Greek audience. 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.860 It's actually attributed to Zeus. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.299 And Paul says, 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.579 one of your own poets, 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.960 one of your own writers said, 00:17:58.120 --> 00:18:00.660 in him we live and move and have our being. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.240 Paul says, 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:05.160 you know that concept that you've got 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:05.900 in Greek philosophy, 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:06.940 it's actually true. 00:18:07.040 --> 00:18:07.820 Think about those words. 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:11.420 In God, we live and move and have our being. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:15.019 And so if everything is from God, 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:16.100 in him we live, 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.820 in him we have our being, 00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:19.680 and it doesn't come from me, 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.180 but it says, 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.140 in him we move. 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:26.440 It's not just that he created me and I've got legs, 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:29.220 and a brain and a nervous system and muscles. 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:30.640 In him I move. 00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:33.540 And it's not just a decision to run. 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:34.440 In him I run. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.140 And that means a lot of things. 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:39.680 It means that God is not just the author of our existence. 00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:41.120 God is the author of our story. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.980 People in our culture are so consumed with their own stories. 00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.779 Let me tell you my story. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:51.580 Let me let you in on my story. 00:18:51.820 --> 00:18:53.880 You've got to know my story to understand me. 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.800 When I tell you my story, 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.800 it deserves attention. 00:18:57.799 --> 00:19:02.899 But God is not just the author of my hands and my feet and my soul and my reason. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:05.059 God is the author of your story. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:10.539 And your story is to direct you to him. 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.819 Let me give you another example. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:15.919 Paul is speaking to a group of pagans in Acts 14. 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.480 They don't believe in the Lord Jesus. 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:19.900 It's a group that didn't grow up with the Bible. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.319 They didn't go to a holiday Bible club. 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:23.879 But he wants them to know the one true God. 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:27.300 And he knows that they were made by this God. 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:30.300 And that they have a body and they have a soul made by God. 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:32.220 And so listen to how he engages with them. 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:34.860 He goes with his friend Barnabas. 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.620 They do a miracle. 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:40.959 And the people are so astonished at who he is and what he's done 00:19:40.959 --> 00:19:43.399 that they begin to worship Paul and Barnabas. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.439 And Paul says, 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.919 Men, why are you doing these things? 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.099 We are men like you. 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:50.919 But we bring you good news 00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:52.919 that you should turn from these things, 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.939 these vain things, to a living God 00:19:54.939 --> 00:19:59.059 who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.599 In past generations, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:03.079 he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 00:20:03.139 --> 00:20:03.979 And now listen to this. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.779 Yet he did not leave himself without a witness. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:09.519 For he did good by giving you 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:11.200 rain from heaven 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:13.039 and fruitful seasons, 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:16.380 satisfying your hearts with food and gladness. 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.519 Think about what Paul just did. 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:22.799 He didn't quote John 3.16. 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:28.120 He didn't draw them a diagram. 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:31.500 He didn't tell them, 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.799 Jesus died for your sins. 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.599 He didn't do that. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.700 He didn't quote the law. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.799 He didn't quote the prophets. 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.640 But here is what he says. 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:39.980 He says, 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.360 The God I want to tell you 00:20:41.360 --> 00:20:42.660 made the world and made you. 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:45.339 And he made the land and he made the sea. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.059 But he goes further than that. 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:47.380 He says, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.099 Did you enjoy a glass of wine last night? 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:52.719 Because the God I'm here to tell you about? 00:20:52.719 --> 00:20:54.819 He didn't just create the grapes. 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:57.899 And he didn't just create the vineyard. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.500 He says, 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:05.259 You see the vintage of the bottle of wine that you drank last night? 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.899 God made that. 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.300 God. 00:21:08.300 --> 00:21:13.280 The God who I'm telling you about 00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:16.800 is the God in whom you live and move and have your being. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:20.639 God was working in your midst, 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.700 providing for you, 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.559 giving you joy, 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.119 even though you didn't know him. 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:28.220 And he did that so that you would come to know him. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:35.000 So the providence of God can be an on-ramp back to him. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.539 In other words, 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.900 you might be here this morning, 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:40.559 bizarrely, 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:42.120 and you might not be interested in the Bible. 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:46.360 You might not be interested in a Bible study or a Christian book. 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:48.140 But you need to realise this. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.420 What has happened to you? 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.640 Your family background, 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.779 your struggles, 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.500 your setbacks, 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:56.360 all of that is ordered by him. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:22:00.099 And it has happened through him. 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.939 And finally, 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.319 all things are to God. 00:22:07.479 --> 00:22:09.199 All things are from him. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.679 All things are through him. 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:14.039 And all things are to him. 00:22:16.439 --> 00:22:17.339 C.S. Lewis wrote, 00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:18.359 In the Weight of Glory, 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:22.139 it's a glorious sermon, 00:22:22.439 --> 00:22:23.339 essay. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.619 And C.S. Lewis is talking about 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:27.559 when you bump into something that you really love 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.419 and you really like it. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.419 Maybe it was a book that you read. 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:34.000 Maybe it was a play that you went to watch. 00:22:34.239 --> 00:22:35.019 Maybe it was music. 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:36.259 Maybe it was a humour. 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:38.119 Maybe it was an experience. 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:40.919 And you're with these people 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.399 and you think, 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.199 this is it. 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.619 I just wish I could bottle this 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.599 and it could stay forever. 00:22:44.699 --> 00:22:46.439 This is what C.S. Lewis wrote. 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:46.940 He said this, 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:48.180 The books or the music 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:50.940 in which we thought the beauty was located 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:53.779 will betray us if we trust to them. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.940 It was not in them. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:58.380 It only came through them. 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:01.019 And what came through them was longing. 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.620 These things, 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.220 the beauty, 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:05.299 the memory of our own past, 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:07.779 are good images of what we really desire. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:10.339 But if they are mistaken for the thing itself, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.220 they turn into dumb idols, 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:15.319 breaking the hearts of their worshippers. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:17.700 For they are not the thing itself. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:21.000 They are only the scent of a flower we've not found, 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:23.259 the echo of a tune we've not heard, 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:25.240 news from a country we've not visited. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.960 Think of the biggest joy you've had this week. 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:32.099 Think of the biggest joy you've had 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.920 in the last six months. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.240 Let me tell you what that was. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:38.779 It was the scent of a flower you've not found. 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:41.279 It was the echo of a tune you've not heard. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.660 It is news from a country you've not yet visited, 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.559 according to C.S. Lewis. 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.700 Now that experience, 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.319 whatever it is, 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.680 is going to be different for everyone in this room. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:53.440 Maybe experience of sport, 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.259 or music, 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.099 or the meal, 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.019 or the trip. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.720 But whatever it is, 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.380 that achievement, 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.740 that experience, 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.180 that career, 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:05.779 the trick is this. 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.840 We find that thing, 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.060 and we think, 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.840 that is it. 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.860 That's the thing. 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.480 I'm going to live for that experience, 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.259 for that sport, 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:16.200 for that person, 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.600 for that job. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.360 And Lewis says, 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:22.000 if you do that, 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:23.560 you will turn it into an idol, 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.680 and it will break your heart. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:29.140 And what you've got to understand, 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:32.060 is that something was coming through that thing, 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:36.480 and your heart actually wants what's behind it. 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:41.100 The longing is for what is behind that experience. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:44.820 And what is behind that experience is God. 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:47.900 The longing is for him. 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:50.900 And here's the amazing thing, 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.840 Paul says in one of his letters. 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:53.340 The culmination of human history, 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.240 when everything is finally wrapped up, 00:24:55.780 --> 00:24:57.540 when all things in the universe, 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.820 are presented to Jesus Christ, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.620 to the risen Christ, 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.800 and are subjected to him, 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.660 then Paul says, 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.940 Jesus will take all things, 00:25:03.540 --> 00:25:04.820 and he'll subject them to his father. 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:08.759 The culmination of all human history, 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.360 is that all things, 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.540 are to him. 00:25:14.040 --> 00:25:14.920 And I can imagine, 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:16.160 that you may be listening to this this morning, 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.400 and you think, 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:18.340 well I actually quite like the bigness of this. 00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:22.460 I like that it provides a big story to my life. 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.980 But I am me. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.800 And I can't see God. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.620 Okay, all things are from God, 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.900 and all things are through God, 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:34.140 and to God. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.759 Good for him. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.420 What about me? 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.680 What about me? 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:40.920 I work really hard. 00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:44.140 And there are things that I have achieved, 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.580 and they are from me, 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:46.399 and through me, 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.220 and to me. 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.419 But actually the word of God, 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.500 won't let us think like that. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.319 There are things though, 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:54.879 this morning, 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:57.019 that are from you, 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.019 and through you. 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.460 Turns out there are things. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:03.899 Envying. 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.460 Envying each other, 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.799 coveting each other's possessions. 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:11.279 Looking around in this room, 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.699 and thinking, 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:13.259 you have what I should have. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.700 You shouldn't have the kind of marriage that you have. 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.299 I should have that. 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.460 You shouldn't have that much money. 00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:19.200 I should have that. 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.819 You shouldn't have that house. 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.519 I should have that. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.799 That's from us. 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.660 And through us. 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:29.140 And we not only have the origin, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.480 but we execute coveting, 00:26:30.540 --> 00:26:30.779 don't we? 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.300 And envying. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:35.400 Our apathy towards the vulnerable, 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.240 and the poor, 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:37.140 the alien, 00:26:37.300 --> 00:26:37.660 the widow. 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:39.960 The fatherless. 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.900 Our apathy, 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.759 the Bible says, 00:26:41.800 --> 00:26:42.880 that's a massive thing. 00:26:44.800 --> 00:26:47.200 Those things that we are often apathetic about, 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.400 they are near to the heart of God. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:54.680 The wounding and hurting people with our words, 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.580 that's from us. 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:58.960 There are people in this room out there, 00:26:59.060 --> 00:27:00.400 and their lives have been changed, 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:03.519 by words that were wielded against them, 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.720 maybe when they were children, 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:06.519 or when they were teenagers. 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:09.900 And they still reel from them, 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.780 when they think about it. 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.860 And the ability to do that is from us. 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:17.759 And the executing of doing it is through us. 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.000 Here's the bad news. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.480 Romans is really clear on this. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.799 Paul begins with his big weighty letter. 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:25.000 He says all those things, 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.759 all our envy, 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:26.500 all our coveting, 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.599 all our wounding each other, 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.660 all our apathy, 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.680 all our lovelessness, 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.980 all our rage, 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:31.799 all our lust, 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.500 it's from us and through us. 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:36.140 And there will come a day when it is to us. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.920 When what is from us and through us 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:42.160 will be credited to us. 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:46.700 When God will give us its due. 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.019 of what he thinks of it. 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:52.879 That it is from you and through you. 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.440 And unto you will be those decisions. 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:58.799 Unto you will be that disposition of heart. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:03.419 That God will say, 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:05.180 let it receive what it justly deserves. 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:06.279 The bad news is this, 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.419 God is fair. 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.279 And God is present. 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.399 And God watches his world so closely 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:15.279 that he wants every dark thing 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.240 to be to the owner. 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:17.940 Because that would be just, 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.940 there is the bad news 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.980 for everyone in this room. 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.879 But here is the good news. 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:25.200 It's the good news 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.840 that is so beautifully unpacked 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.780 in the letter to the Romans. 00:28:28.320 --> 00:28:29.940 It's the good news of the whole Bible. 00:28:30.780 --> 00:28:32.900 It is that there is a good news from God. 00:28:34.340 --> 00:28:36.180 And the good news from God 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.120 is through God. 00:28:37.540 --> 00:28:38.860 And it is from God 00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:40.480 when there was no compulsion 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.460 for him to save. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:44.000 And so rather than that sin 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.760 and that lust 00:28:44.760 --> 00:28:45.560 and that darkness 00:28:45.560 --> 00:28:46.380 and that coveting 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:47.160 and that apathy 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:48.120 about the vulnerable 00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:49.299 or the rage 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.839 and the hurt 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:51.799 rather than that be to you, 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:54.719 God says in the gospel, 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.959 let it be to another. 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:59.339 Let it be to my son. 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:02.939 Let it all be credited to him 00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:05.839 even though all of it 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.559 is from you 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:08.439 and through you. 00:29:09.239 --> 00:29:10.699 Let it be to another. 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:14.479 Let my son receive its due. 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:16.279 And so from God 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.659 who is not obligated to do this 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.500 comes good news 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:20.040 and it's not just from him 00:29:20.040 --> 00:29:22.340 but it is through him 00:29:22.340 --> 00:29:23.600 because God the Father 00:29:23.600 --> 00:29:24.880 sends his son. 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:26.140 Don't ever think 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.940 that the Old Testament God 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:29.800 reluctantly let Jesus come 00:29:29.800 --> 00:29:30.840 and die for sinner 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:32.240 and just regrets it 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.580 as if he wished 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.140 he could send 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:35.700 some thermal nuclear strike. 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:37.080 That's what he really 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.759 would love to do. 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.920 But Jesus twisted his arm. 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.680 No, God so loved the world 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:43.360 that he gave. 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.600 God so loved the world 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:45.259 that he gave. 00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.800 The Father sends the son 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:48.079 and God the son 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.599 accomplishes 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:50.720 receiving the judgment 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.480 that we deserve 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.960 giving us his righteousness 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.879 and he ascends into heaven 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:56.399 and he sends down 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.259 his Holy Spirit 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:59.299 to be with you this morning. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:02.319 Because you cannot fix yourself 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:05.159 and you cannot satisfy yourself 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:07.200 and you cannot cleanse yourself 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:09.379 and you cannot actually rule yourself. 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:11.660 And so turn to him. 00:30:13.300 --> 00:30:14.660 And God the Spirit 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:16.520 says to you this morning 00:30:16.520 --> 00:30:18.100 turn to God the Son. 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:21.020 Be reconciled to God the Father. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.640 All the sin is from us 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.340 and through us. 00:30:24.780 --> 00:30:25.800 All the good news 00:30:25.800 --> 00:30:26.480 is from him 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.180 and through him 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.880 and to him. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.680 And so we are the great beneficiaries. 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:34.460 So let me wrap up. 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.779 You have a soul 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:39.340 a soul that God has made 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:44.200 a soul that has to look at something 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.779 whatever it is 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.320 and say 00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:48.220 to you be glory forever and ever. 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.640 And so what is it 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.640 that you are saying that to? 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.740 You have got to find the thing 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:56.200 and I have got to find the thing 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.400 to which I will say 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:59.140 to you be glory forever and ever. 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:01.759 And all of my life 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:03.160 is orientated towards you now. 00:31:03.580 --> 00:31:04.540 And so we look everywhere 00:31:04.540 --> 00:31:04.920 don't we? 00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:06.660 We look everywhere 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.560 for that thing 00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:08.940 apart from in the right place. 00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:11.400 A huge one to look for 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:12.580 look to is work. 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:15.440 A huge one to look to is achievement. 00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:18.160 A huge one is family. 00:31:20.080 --> 00:31:21.060 I've said it before 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:22.000 and I'll say it again 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:23.940 children are a beautiful gift 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.520 from the Lord 00:31:24.520 --> 00:31:26.020 but they are terrible gods. 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:30.079 Family is a terrible god. 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.960 Watch it break your heart 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.819 if you deify it. 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.799 Sometimes it can seem 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.819 like a really good 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.839 Christian biblical thing 00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:42.660 to say my family 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.799 is my everything. 00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:47.059 My wife is my everything. 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:49.139 It's utter foolishness. 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.920 It is idolatry. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:57.660 But the most loving thing 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.800 that an all powerful God 00:31:58.800 --> 00:31:59.279 could do 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:02.259 would be to have compassion 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:04.460 and to look at people 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:06.380 like you and me 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:06.980 who are saying 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.240 where is it? 00:32:08.320 --> 00:32:09.019 Where is this thing? 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.019 Where do I invest? 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:14.560 Where do I go all in? 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:17.819 The most loving thing 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.599 that God could do 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.419 is to bring himself 00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:20.919 to say to you 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:22.960 it's me that you're looking for. 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:27.299 And so when you've tasted goodness 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.440 and when you're energised 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.879 by music or humour 00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:31.819 or work or money 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:33.179 or achievement 00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:34.960 or running 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.339 whatever it is 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:39.200 you've felt something real 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.779 yes 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:41.819 but the message 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:43.099 that God is saying 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.440 through that 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.139 has turned to me. 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:46.099 come to me. 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:49.159 God does not need you. 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:53.200 You cannot help God. 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:57.200 You cannot build God's CV. 00:32:58.639 --> 00:33:00.720 And so how are you going to repay him? 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.220 From him 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:04.419 and through him 00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:06.819 and to him are all things. 00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:09.359 The most loving thing 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.319 that God could do today 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.379 is to bring you to himself 00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:13.679 and say quit 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:15.340 quit worshipping work 00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:17.980 quit worshipping money 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:19.320 quit worshipping your body 00:33:19.320 --> 00:33:20.779 quit worshipping your family 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:22.320 worship me 00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:25.920 because it is the only thing 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:28.740 that will make your soul 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.720 finally go 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:31.340 with peace and joy 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:32.620 and full confidence 00:33:32.620 --> 00:33:35.019 and you will be able to say to him 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:37.400 to him be glory 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:38.920 forever 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.720 Amen. 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.480 Let's pray. 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:43.480 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.740 may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may may