WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.259 All right, well we are going to go now into our time in the Word and our hope and our 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:12.339 prayer is that our hearts will be focused for the Lord's table as we come to remember 00:00:12.339 --> 00:00:15.019 Christ and what He has done for us this morning. 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:18.160 So there are some clipboards at the back for kids. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:23.539 Now's a great time to grab them if you want to do the activity sheets that are on there. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:28.760 We are going to be looking at Paul's second letter to Timothy this morning. 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:34.079 If you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to 2 Timothy, but I'll also try to have 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:37.020 the words on the screen as much as possible for us. 00:00:37.539 --> 00:00:41.840 Most of you probably know that Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:00:42.500 --> 00:00:48.780 He wasn't one of the 12 apostles, but later after the events of the Gospels, as we read 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:54.240 in the book of Acts, Jesus revealed Himself to this man whose name was Saul while he was 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:57.920 on the road to Damascus and his name was changed to Paul. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:05.379 He came to faith in Jesus and Jesus appointed him to be an apostle, a spokesperson on his 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:08.000 behalf to the non-Jewish world. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:14.760 And while Paul was on his journeys spreading the news about Jesus, he came across a young 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:16.540 man named Timothy. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:20.900 And Timothy was from the region of Galatia, which is in modern-day Turkey. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:28.100 Timothy became a disciple of Jesus and later became a partner in ministry with Paul. 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:33.340 And he helped Paul spread the news of Christ around the Mediterranean world. 00:01:33.860 --> 00:01:40.240 At some point in their journeys together, Paul sends Timothy to the city of Ephesus, the ancient 00:01:40.240 --> 00:01:46.140 city of Ephesus, and stations him there where it seems Timothy served as a pastor or a leader 00:01:46.140 --> 00:01:47.420 in the church. 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:55.120 And so by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul came to write two letters to this man, 00:01:55.219 --> 00:01:56.420 this young man, Timothy. 00:01:56.799 --> 00:01:59.900 And both of those letters we have in our Bibles today. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:04.579 And it's this second letter that we turn to today, 2 Timothy. 00:02:05.099 --> 00:02:10.900 It's thought that Paul wrote this letter to Timothy sometime after Acts chapter 28. 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:18.620 And if you know the book of Acts, Acts 28 ends with Paul in prison in Rome. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:26.159 And tradition or history or both has it that Paul later came to be imprisoned a second time 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:31.640 in Rome and wrote this letter to Timothy sometime before his death. 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:36.319 This is a letter of encouragement that Paul writes to Timothy. 00:02:36.319 --> 00:02:41.239 And this encouragement comes against the backdrop of suffering. 00:02:42.699 --> 00:02:46.400 Paul has suffered much for the name of Christ. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:50.719 And we're not going to look at all the passages that tell us what he suffered. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:55.799 But it wasn't just scorn or ridicule. 00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:02.699 At this point in the story, there is widespread persecution of the church of Jesus Christ. 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:12.859 And even violence, even putting the followers of Jesus to death. 00:03:13.519 --> 00:03:15.319 It's a very difficult time. 00:03:16.099 --> 00:03:18.079 And so Paul writes to encourage Timothy. 00:03:19.259 --> 00:03:25.099 There's a sense perhaps here in this letter that Timothy is tempted to give in to fear 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:27.099 and to be silent. 00:03:27.579 --> 00:03:31.339 To stop preaching the good news of Jesus. 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:38.960 And so Paul writes to encourage him to rekindle the gift of God that he has received. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:43.360 To keep preaching, keep teaching, spreading the message of Jesus. 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:52.020 Paul writes to encourage him, do not be ashamed of this message of Jesus, this testimony about Jesus. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:04:00.060 He writes to encourage him to willingly share in the sufferings that come with making the good news of Jesus known. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:06.520 And it's here that Paul reminds Timothy of some of the goodness of that news. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:14.180 He reminds Timothy that we have a gospel, a good news that's worth suffering for. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:20.180 And so this is what we want to look at this morning as we prepare our hearts for the Lord's table. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:27.139 Let me read you Paul's words to Timothy from 2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 6 to 12. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:57.120 Paul says to him, 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:06.659 He has saved us, he has saved us, he has saved us, and called us to a holy life. 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:13.740 Not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. 00:05:14.899 --> 00:05:19.680 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:24.600 But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus. 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:32.139 Who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 00:05:33.379 --> 00:05:39.460 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, says Paul. 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:42.480 That is why I am suffering as I am. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:45.340 Yet this is no cause for shame. 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:48.860 Because I know whom I have believed. 00:05:49.740 --> 00:05:54.939 And I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:57.860 These are sweet words. 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:00.180 Paul is essentially saying, 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:02.020 Timothy, don't forget. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:07.480 We have a gospel, a good news that's worth suffering for. 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:12.600 Let's consider some of what he says here, especially in verses 9 and 10. 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:15.319 Paul reminds him in verse 9, 00:06:15.960 --> 00:06:18.140 He has saved us. 00:06:19.580 --> 00:06:25.300 We use that word saved a lot to refer to whether someone has come to believe in Jesus. 00:06:25.960 --> 00:06:27.120 We'll ask the question, 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:28.420 Is that person saved? 00:06:29.180 --> 00:06:29.980 Or we'll say, 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:32.660 That person was saved a few years ago. 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:36.000 And it might sound strange to outsiders, 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:38.060 But we use this word for a reason. 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:40.500 This is God's word. 00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:44.900 For what he has done for us who believe in his son Jesus. 00:06:45.460 --> 00:06:47.220 He has saved us. 00:06:48.200 --> 00:06:49.780 Which of course begs the question, 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:51.319 Saved us from what? 00:06:52.660 --> 00:06:54.300 The Bible's answer to this, 00:06:54.300 --> 00:07:00.340 God's answer to this is that we are all sinners who stand guilty before God. 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:04.340 We are all deserving of punishment because of that. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:08.259 And the Bible tells us what the punishment or the penalty for our sins is. 00:07:09.780 --> 00:07:10.240 Death. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:12.500 And beyond that, 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:13.680 Hell. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:19.819 And so there is need for us to be saved. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.860 To be rescued from that. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:24.199 And the good news, 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:26.300 The gospel of Jesus, 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:29.759 Is that God has done that for us. 00:07:30.780 --> 00:07:32.780 He has made a way for us to be saved. 00:07:32.900 --> 00:07:35.900 He has made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins. 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:38.500 And our guilt taken away and atoned for. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:43.199 And our final sentence changed from death and hell. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:47.319 To life forever with God. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:49.199 Heaven. 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:56.759 And this is a big deal. 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:00.639 Timothy, remember. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:03.840 God has saved us. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:07.420 Remember this good news. 00:08:07.580 --> 00:08:08.860 We were in dire need. 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:13.580 He provided a way for us to be rescued from ultimate disaster. 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:13.659 Father. 00:08:14.859 --> 00:08:15.699 And there's more. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.000 Not only has he saved us, 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:18.639 Paul says, 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:23.359 He has saved us and called us to a holy life. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:25.000 Quite literally here, 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:28.899 He has called us to a holy calling. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:33.840 Now there's some differences among the translations here. 00:08:33.959 --> 00:08:36.980 I put a couple of them up there on the screen for you. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:38.699 Some say with a holy calling. 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:41.740 Some say to a holy calling. 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:43.519 Truth be told, 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.639 in the original language, 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.179 it could be either. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:50.240 But the native speakers of the language 2,000 years ago, 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:52.579 they probably would have known exactly which it was, 00:08:52.579 --> 00:08:53.720 just by the context. 00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:56.700 We're kind of left to guess a little bit here today. 00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:01.680 Is it that the calling itself is special, 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:03.139 distinct, 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:04.800 holy? 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:08.320 Or is it the life that the calling brings us into 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:10.060 that's special, 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:11.259 distinct, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:12.360 and holy? 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:16.279 And I can't tell you the answer from this passage alone, 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:19.240 but we do know from other places in the New Testament 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:20.779 that both are true. 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:23.379 Both are truths that are taught 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:25.960 in the Scriptures by God. 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:28.620 Let's look at the first one. 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:30.259 First, 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:34.980 we are called with a holy calling, 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:37.299 with a special calling. 00:09:37.560 --> 00:09:39.259 And I'll give two reasons. 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:40.659 First, 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:44.240 the calling is holy 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:46.340 because God is holy. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:49.960 It's a special invitation, 00:09:50.420 --> 00:09:51.420 call from God 00:09:51.420 --> 00:09:53.120 because of who it comes from. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:54.600 And second, 00:09:55.700 --> 00:09:56.360 the calling 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:58.259 is special. 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:59.040 It is holy 00:09:59.040 --> 00:10:00.420 because it is powerful 00:10:00.420 --> 00:10:02.220 and effectual. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:05.019 We'll look for a moment here 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.620 at Romans 8, 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:09.160 verse 28 to 30. 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:12.600 This is also Paul writing to the church at Rome. 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:13.120 He says, 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:15.279 And we know that in all things, 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:18.419 God works for the good of those who love him, 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:22.060 who have been called according to his purpose. 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:24.519 For those God foreknew, 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:28.039 he also predestined to be conformed 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:29.460 to the image of his son, 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.720 that he might be the firstborn 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:32.259 among many brothers and sisters. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:34.340 And those he predestined, 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.519 he also called. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:37.360 Those he called, 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:38.919 he also justified. 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:41.159 Those he justified, 00:10:41.719 --> 00:10:43.759 he also glorified. 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:46.919 There is an unbreakable chain of logic here. 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:49.559 All who are foreknown 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:52.740 are also predestined. 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:54.839 All who are predestined 00:10:54.839 --> 00:10:56.139 are then called. 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:59.099 All who are called by God 00:10:59.099 --> 00:11:01.139 respond with faith 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.059 and are justified. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.659 They're made right with God. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:05.120 And all who are justified 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:07.639 go on to be glorified 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:09.100 someday when Christ returns. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.460 So it is a very special, 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:14.480 holy calling. 00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:18.159 First, because it's from a special and holy God. 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:19.039 And second, 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:20.279 because it seems to be 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:22.320 a powerful and effectual calling 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:24.620 such that those who receive this calling, 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.240 they do respond. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.399 They are saved. 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:29.360 In that sense, 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.019 it is special. 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:31.159 It is set apart 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:32.700 from the general invitation 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:34.700 that God gives to all. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:36.860 So that covers 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:38.120 the first possibility 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:40.060 that God has called us 00:11:40.060 --> 00:11:42.100 with a holy calling 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.320 and two reasons there. 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:43.960 But as I said, 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:45.000 the second possibility 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:45.879 is true as well. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:46.940 God also tells us 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:47.940 in quite a few places 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:49.220 that we have been called 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:50.700 to a holy life. 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.759 To a different life 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:53.759 than we had before. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:57.139 We've been hearing 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.139 a little bit about this 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:00.080 in the Gospel of John 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:00.940 as Jesus speaks 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:01.700 to his disciples. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:03.299 In John 15, 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:04.159 verse 19, 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.480 he said to his disciples, 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:06.679 I have chosen you 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.779 out of the world 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:11.439 to be different than them, 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.919 to be set apart from them, 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.779 to be holy. 00:12:14.079 --> 00:12:15.039 In other passages, 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:17.259 we see to live a holy life. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.860 And Paul will go on 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.639 to urge Timothy 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.500 in this very letter 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.459 to live that distinct life, 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.480 that holy life, 00:12:25.719 --> 00:12:26.779 filled with righteousness 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.959 and love and faith 00:12:28.959 --> 00:12:30.100 and peace. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:32.439 A life that matches 00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:33.120 the Jesus 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.379 that we have believed in. 00:12:34.439 --> 00:12:35.879 That in 2 Timothy 2, 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:37.639 verse 19 to 22. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.959 So God has saved us. 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:43.259 He has called us 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:45.799 both with a holy calling 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:47.779 and to a holy calling. 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:49.720 And, says Paul, 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:52.519 he has done this 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:55.340 not because of anything 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.180 we have done, 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:59.040 but because of his own 00:12:59.040 --> 00:12:59.940 purpose 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:01.560 and grace. 00:13:03.180 --> 00:13:04.440 This being saved, 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.680 this being called by God, 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.940 it's not something God 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.680 did to us 00:13:07.680 --> 00:13:08.560 because we had been 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:09.720 such good people 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.980 or because we had done 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:13.540 enough good works. 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:15.939 No, says Paul. 00:13:16.459 --> 00:13:17.240 He saved us 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:17.860 and called us 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:19.179 because of his own 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:19.959 purpose 00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:21.219 and grace. 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.740 Do you hear this? 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.439 God has his own 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.740 purpose 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.079 for saving 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:30.299 and calling sinners 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:31.740 like you and me 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:33.399 to himself. 00:13:34.219 --> 00:13:35.899 He has his own purpose, 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.139 his own reason. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.759 It's not because 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.860 he's obligated 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:40.839 to save us 00:13:40.839 --> 00:13:42.339 because of 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.540 how we've 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:44.180 somehow 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:46.040 met a certain requirement, 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.480 done enough 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.420 good works. 00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:50.280 No, the purpose, 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.220 the reason God 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.700 saves and calls us 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:54.160 is not found 00:13:54.160 --> 00:13:54.980 in us. 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.800 It's found 00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:57.780 in him. 00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:00.540 Paul says 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:01.180 he does it 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:02.040 according 00:14:02.040 --> 00:14:03.440 to his own 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:04.620 grace. 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:07.560 God is a good, 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:09.040 gracious, 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.100 generous God. 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.080 he is truly 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.899 benevolent 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:14.759 and it's out 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.399 of his own 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:15.920 goodness, 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:16.980 his generosity, 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:18.620 his giving nature 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.300 that he has 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:19.980 purposed 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:21.320 to save us 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:23.060 and to call us 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:24.820 to himself. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:27.080 Perhaps another way 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.659 to say it 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.960 is this, 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.460 that God 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.120 has decided 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.040 to save us 00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:33.279 and call us 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.920 reflects much 00:14:34.920 --> 00:14:35.639 more on 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.220 him 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.540 and who 00:14:37.540 --> 00:14:38.360 he is 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.659 than on 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.159 us 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:41.440 and who 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.419 we are 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.060 and have 00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:43.360 been. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:45.800 That's 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.180 humbling, 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.019 isn't it? 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.120 In fact, 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:49.700 this is why 00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:50.340 the good news 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:50.759 of Jesus 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.759 is so wonderful 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.759 because truthfully 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:54.639 we are 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.220 unworthy 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:56.440 of God 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:58.360 because of 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:58.879 our sins, 00:14:59.060 --> 00:14:59.580 because of 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.600 our corruption, 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.300 our rebellion 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:02.019 against him. 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:03.159 We don't deserve 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.139 to be in a 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.220 favorable relationship 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:05.879 with him. 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.120 But he is 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.639 the kind of 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.300 good and 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:10.300 gracious 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.399 God, 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:12.879 compassionate, 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.259 merciful God 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:17.420 that he offers 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.700 this saving, 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.700 this salvation 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:21.460 as a gift, 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.040 a free gift. 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:25.899 And that is 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.860 wonderful news 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:28.700 because according 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.460 to God's word, 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:29.740 I mean, 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.440 we could never 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:31.420 do enough 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:32.879 good to earn 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.100 it, 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.000 to get that 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.639 right standing 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.220 with God. 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.639 That's why 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.279 we need 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:37.819 to be 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:38.699 saved. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.080 We need 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:39.460 to be 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:39.919 rescued. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.279 So God 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:43.299 has saved 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.659 us. 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:45.480 He has 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.519 called us 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.159 both with a 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.879 holy calling 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.779 and to a 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.460 holy calling. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.399 And, 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:50.960 says Paul, 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:51.439 he has 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.580 done this 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.399 not because 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:53.819 of works 00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:54.259 we have 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.500 done, 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.059 but because 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.460 of his 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:56.399 own purpose 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.620 and grace. 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:00.960 And he 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.539 goes on, 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.139 this grace 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:04.179 was given 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:04.659 us in 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.019 Christ 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.460 Jesus 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.399 before the 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:06.799 beginning 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:07.559 of time. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.299 I'll be 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:10.559 honest, 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.000 I actually 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.519 don't like 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.360 that translation. 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:13.740 Quite 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.179 literally, 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:14.860 the text 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.720 reads, 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:16.860 grace that 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:17.299 was given 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:17.720 us in 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.399 Christ Jesus 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.460 before times 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.179 of eternity. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.039 But that 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.439 doesn't come 00:16:22.439 --> 00:16:22.840 through so 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.279 well into 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.039 our English 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.819 language. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.059 So I 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:26.539 understand 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.860 what the 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.639 translation that 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.200 was just on 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:30.360 screen is 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:30.919 trying to 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.740 get at. 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:33.980 Let me be 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.879 philosophical for 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.220 a moment 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.480 here. 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.080 This is not 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.779 the scriptures 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.240 talking, 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.840 this is me 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.259 talking. 00:16:38.680 --> 00:16:38.980 In my 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:39.620 understanding, 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:40.899 time does 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:41.539 not have a 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.639 beginning in 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.019 the first 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.379 place. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.039 Time is no 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:44.740 thing in 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.180 itself. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:45.620 What is 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.060 time? 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:46.980 Isn't it 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.480 just how we 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.080 measure the 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:49.060 sequence and 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:49.919 succession and 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.919 duration of 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:52.720 happenings of 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.100 things that 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.460 occur? 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.420 Think about 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:54.980 this, if the 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.500 earth didn't 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.060 rotate, if it 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.720 didn't orbit 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:59.200 the sun, there 00:16:59.200 --> 00:16:59.940 would still be 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.760 sequence and 00:17:00.760 --> 00:17:01.460 succession of 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.080 events upon 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.600 the earth. 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:03.460 Never mind 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:04.120 that life would 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:04.980 probably cease to 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.860 exist because we 00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:06.640 need the sun and 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:07.400 all that regular 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:07.840 stuff. 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.539 We just find 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.279 different ways to 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.820 measure it. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.539 But I'm getting 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.320 all philosophical 00:17:13.320 --> 00:17:13.779 now. 00:17:14.100 --> 00:17:14.740 This is why I 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.920 prefer other 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.940 translations. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.559 The King James 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.240 got it right 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.480 400 years ago, 00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:22.360 I think, when it 00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:24.200 says, before the 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.200 world began. 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.559 That's what he 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:27.320 means, isn't it? 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.160 Before the world 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:29.840 began. 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.539 Or another good 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.320 translation, the 00:17:32.320 --> 00:17:32.720 New American 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.600 Standard Bible, 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.240 this grace which 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.000 was granted to 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.880 us in Christ 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.279 Jesus from all 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.320 eternity, from 00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:41.120 that time before 00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:41.840 our world was 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:42.640 created, before 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.779 time as we know 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:45.279 it began and 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.220 that chain of 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.840 events in our 00:17:46.840 --> 00:17:48.360 world started to 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:48.799 unfold. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.580 Are you getting a 00:17:49.580 --> 00:17:50.100 sense of what 00:17:50.100 --> 00:17:50.799 Paul is saying 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.100 here? 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.000 This is a 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.880 profound thing 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.200 and it's something 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.039 that God wants 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.580 you to know and 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.380 to understand. 00:17:58.380 --> 00:18:01.920 God's grace, his 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:03.000 gift of salvation 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.880 for sinners like 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.000 you and me was 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.060 given, meaning it 00:18:06.060 --> 00:18:07.720 was decided, it 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.660 was planned, it 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:10.000 was purposed long 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.480 ago. 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:12.620 Before the world 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.560 even came into 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:15.100 being from all 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:16.220 eternity in that 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:18.040 vast infinite 00:18:18.040 --> 00:18:20.200 sequence of 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.540 happenings before 00:18:21.540 --> 00:18:22.440 God had created 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.100 the heavens and 00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:23.680 the earth, he 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.660 knew what would 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.600 happen on it. 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:27.579 He knew what 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.279 path we would 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.759 choose. 00:18:29.959 --> 00:18:30.939 He knew that we 00:18:30.939 --> 00:18:31.519 would become 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.839 corrupt and fall 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:35.019 away and become 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.399 guilty and already 00:18:36.399 --> 00:18:37.899 he had decided back 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.319 then that he would 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:40.899 do something to 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:42.719 save and rescue 00:18:42.719 --> 00:18:43.819 us. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.099 Which means that if 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.759 you're a Christian 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.819 today, if you are a 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:49.079 born again believer in 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:51.059 Jesus, a child of 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:53.159 God, listen to this, 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:55.259 you have been loved 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:57.019 from all 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.820 eternity 00:18:57.820 --> 00:19:00.720 by this God 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.620 who created you. 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:05.200 You were loved so 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.779 deeply 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:08.180 before the universe 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.000 as we know it 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.300 even came to be. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.900 There was a purpose 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.960 and a plan in place 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.759 to save you. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.660 A decision 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:19.940 that was made 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:21.860 to call you to be 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:22.920 a special child of 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.220 God. 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.740 And again, it's not 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.759 because of how good 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.779 we have been or any 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:28.200 things we have done 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.460 or how awesome or how 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.620 wonderful we would 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.880 someday be. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.720 No, it's because of 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.920 how good and 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:36.720 gracious God has 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:38.440 always been. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.120 I love the words of 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:43.580 the psalmists and 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:43.960 David. 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.779 Give thanks to the 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.299 Lord for he is 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:47.660 good. 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.620 His what? 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:52.279 His mercy, his 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.380 loving kindness, his 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:55.920 love endures forever. 00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:57.799 It's an everlasting 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.400 love. 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:03.400 He has saved us and 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.460 called us to a holy 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.500 life not because of 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.519 anything we have done 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.940 but because of his 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.799 own purpose and 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.120 grace. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.660 This grace was given 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.920 us in Christ Jesus 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.059 before the world 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:15.240 began but it has 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:17.340 now been revealed 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.539 through the appearing 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.379 of our Savior, 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:21.700 Christ Jesus who 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:23.059 has destroyed death 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.079 and has brought 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.759 life and immortality 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:27.639 to light through 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.240 the gospel. 00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:30.259 There's a distinct 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.579 moment in the story 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.879 of our world when 00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:34.720 God's eternal love 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:36.659 and grace touches 00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:39.299 down to earth and 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.399 the plan to save us 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:41.519 comes into motion and 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:43.319 Paul tells us this has 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:45.779 now happened with the 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:47.879 appearing of Jesus 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:49.539 our Savior. 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:52.279 Jesus himself is the 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:54.440 grace of God that 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.639 has now been revealed 00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:57.240 to humanity. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.759 This is the good news. 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.759 This is the gospel. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.720 God's salvation has 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.279 arrived. 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.740 This gift that's free 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:07.019 has come and it comes 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.960 through the Messiah, 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.859 the Christ, 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.319 Jesus. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:10.480 Jesus. 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.480 He's the Savior. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.779 He's the one who 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:15.919 will accomplish our 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:16.419 rescue. 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.740 And this is why we 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:20.259 treasure Jesus so 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.619 much. 00:21:21.659 --> 00:21:22.879 It's not just the 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:24.099 story of some wise 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.139 rabbi who lived 00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:27.200 2,000 years ago and 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.019 did some things. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.919 It's the story of 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:32.960 God's eternal grace 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.779 and goodness breaking 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:37.139 into our world through 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:38.159 the coming of a very 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:39.079 special son. 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.779 man, the son of 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:42.079 man, the son of 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.379 God. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.079 And here is what the 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.960 Savior has done, 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.659 says Paul. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.319 Look at this. 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.119 Verse 10. 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.720 He has destroyed 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:54.759 death and has 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:56.379 brought life and 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:57.559 immortality to 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:57.859 light. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:02.319 Quite literally, he 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.579 has abolished 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.460 death. 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.740 He has rendered it 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.259 powerless. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.500 death. 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.420 That great 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.339 inevitable fate of 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.259 every single person 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.119 who has ever walked 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.559 the earth. 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.220 Death. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:15.440 That unbeatable 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.740 demise that overtakes 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.440 all of us. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:20.140 Jesus has destroyed 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.440 it. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.460 He has abolished 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:21.720 it. 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.660 He's broken its 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.099 power. 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.640 And, says Paul, 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.519 he has brought two 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.279 things to light. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.799 Now, this is 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.859 metaphorical language 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:33.240 here, but it is 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.140 beautiful. 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:36.259 The sense of it is 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.020 that there were two 00:22:37.020 --> 00:22:37.800 things that were 00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:39.060 lost to us in the 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:39.840 darkness, meaning 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:40.600 that we could no 00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.860 longer find them. 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.380 They were out of 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:44.540 reach, out of 00:22:44.540 --> 00:22:44.940 sight. 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:47.240 And both of these 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.900 things really are 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.860 closely related. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:51.240 One of them is 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.020 life. 00:22:55.520 --> 00:22:56.560 We have a measure 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:57.680 of life, but 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.560 eventually we all 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:58.860 die. 00:22:59.060 --> 00:22:59.920 Human life in its 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.780 fullness was not 00:23:00.780 --> 00:23:01.660 meant to be like 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:01.940 that. 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:03.779 That's not how we 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.320 were made in the 00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:04.660 beginning. 00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:05.380 It was meant to 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:05.900 go on. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.039 We were not 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.019 created originally 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.000 with defects 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.360 whereby our 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:12.019 bodies age and 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.519 our parts begin to 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.240 wear out and 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:16.160 fail and then 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.580 die. 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:19.000 That came after 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.440 we rebelled as 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.039 the consequence 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.680 for sin. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.880 And so life, 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.660 like we used to 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.140 have it, was 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.200 lost to us. 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.680 It was lost in 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.400 the darkness. 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:32.140 beyond our 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.900 ability to find 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.120 it. 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.420 And the second 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.180 thing that Jesus 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.980 has brought to 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.000 light is 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.940 immortality. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.700 There was once 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.400 a time when 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.519 we were 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.080 immortal. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.460 That doesn't 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.180 mean eternal. 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.720 Eternal means 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.420 that always has 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.540 been, always 00:23:51.540 --> 00:23:52.100 will be. 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.420 Immortal just 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:55.720 means you will 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.320 never die. 00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:58.280 We still had a 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.680 beginning. 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.359 We are not 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:02.879 God, but 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.279 immortal. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.660 We used to be 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.139 immortal. 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:05.980 There was a 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:08.599 time when we 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.399 would not die. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.259 But as I said 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.980 before, when we 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.579 sinned against 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.160 God, our 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.680 immortality was 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.139 lost. 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.779 Death came. 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.279 It was the 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.899 punishment we 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:19.259 deserved. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.799 And no matter 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.420 how hard we 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:20.980 tried, we 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.819 could not find 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.940 immortality again. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:25.240 It was lost 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.559 to us. 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.140 And so what 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.640 has Jesus 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:28.980 done? 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.720 Paul says he 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:31.079 has shone the 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:33.519 light on life 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.720 and on 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.799 immortality. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.099 He has helped 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:38.359 us to see how 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.519 we can have 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.120 those things 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:40.579 again. 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.099 He has helped 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.839 us to find what 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.859 was lost to us. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.420 Or in the words 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.319 of Jesus, so 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.099 often used, 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:52.599 he has shown 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.939 us how to 00:24:53.939 --> 00:24:54.759 get eternal 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.559 life. 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.399 There is, by 00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:59.000 the grace of 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.599 God and by 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.059 the kindness 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.899 of God, a 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:02.240 way to live 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.059 forever. 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.299 And Jesus 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.399 has made the 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:07.059 way by 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:08.000 abolishing death 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.659 and he shows 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.199 the way through 00:25:10.199 --> 00:25:10.740 his words. 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.139 We're going to 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:11.659 look at some 00:25:11.659 --> 00:25:11.980 of them. 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.799 All of them 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.119 from the 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:14.679 gospel of 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.000 John. 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.139 John chapter 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:17.779 4 verses 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:19.399 13 to 14 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.140 says this. 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:20.860 This is Jesus 00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:21.340 talking. 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:21.780 He says, 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:22.400 everyone who 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.700 drinks this 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.300 water, meaning 00:25:24.300 --> 00:25:24.900 the water in 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.420 the well, will 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:25.860 be thirsty 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.320 again. 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:27.519 But whoever 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.180 drinks the 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.040 water I give 00:25:29.040 --> 00:25:29.540 them will 00:25:29.540 --> 00:25:30.380 never thirst. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:31.980 Indeed, the 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.780 water I give 00:25:32.780 --> 00:25:33.100 them will 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:33.860 become in 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:34.720 them a 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.340 spring of 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.080 water welling 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:37.220 up to 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.140 eternal life. 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.180 Or John 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.880 chapter 5 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:42.060 verses 24 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.780 and 25. 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.480 Jesus said 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:43.780 this, 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.019 very truly I 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.560 tell you, 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.720 whoever hears 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.660 my words and 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.380 believes him 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.100 who sent me, 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:51.100 has eternal 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:53.259 life and 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.900 will not be 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.519 judged but 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.120 has crossed 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:56.080 over from 00:25:56.080 --> 00:25:57.120 death to 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:57.519 life. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.060 Very truly I 00:26:00.060 --> 00:26:00.640 tell you, a 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.420 time is coming 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.700 and has now 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.340 come when the 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:04.120 dead will hear 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.900 the voice of 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.440 the Son of 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.600 God and 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:07.100 those who 00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:08.920 hear will 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.280 live. 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.660 On another 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.420 occasion, John 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.140 chapter 6 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:13.100 verses 33, 00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:13.840 Jesus said 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.160 this, 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.800 for the bread 00:26:14.800 --> 00:26:16.320 of God is 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:16.900 the bread that 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.720 comes down from 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.300 heaven and 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.519 gives life 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.619 to the world. 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.539 Verse 35, 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:22.879 then Jesus 00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:23.399 declared, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.599 I am the 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.000 bread of 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.440 life. 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.059 Whoever 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.639 comes to 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:27.960 me will 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.599 never go 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.220 hungry and 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.960 whoever believes 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.500 in me will 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.000 never be 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.399 thirsty. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.879 And down a 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.339 little further 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.200 in verse 40, 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.720 for my 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.419 Father's will, 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.019 said Jesus, 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.919 is that everyone 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:39.700 who looks to 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.740 the Son and 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.440 believes in 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.220 him shall 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.619 have eternal 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:45.919 life and I 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:46.799 will raise 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:48.659 them up at 00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:49.099 the last 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.500 day. 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.259 And down a 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.779 little further, 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.240 the same 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.779 passage, 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.039 verse 47, 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.940 very truly, 00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:56.639 said Jesus, 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:57.960 I tell you, 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.559 the one who 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:00.099 believes has 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.759 eternal life. 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.119 I am the 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:03.480 bread of 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.940 life, 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.200 said Jesus. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.960 Your ancestors 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.559 ate the 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.180 manna in the 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.539 wilderness, 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.019 yet they died. 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.680 But here is 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.259 the bread that 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.079 comes down from 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.599 heaven which 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.339 anyone may 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.259 eat and not 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.720 die. 00:27:17.939 --> 00:27:18.659 He said, 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.699 I am the 00:27:19.699 --> 00:27:20.339 living bread 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.079 that has come 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.639 down from 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:21.959 heaven. 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.559 Whoever eats 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.399 this bread 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:25.419 will live 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:25.839 forever. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.619 This bread 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.619 is my flesh 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:29.019 which I will 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.659 give for the 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.159 life of the 00:27:31.159 --> 00:27:31.359 world. 00:27:31.439 --> 00:27:32.119 What was Jesus 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.779 doing as he 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.459 said all those 00:27:33.459 --> 00:27:33.839 things? 00:27:34.199 --> 00:27:34.819 He was, in the 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.439 words of Paul, 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:38.299 bringing light 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:40.500 to life and 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.519 immortality, 00:27:42.199 --> 00:27:42.740 showing the 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.659 way for us to 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:44.259 receive that. 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:44.940 And it comes 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:46.240 through faith in 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.519 Jesus. 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.340 There is a way 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:48.320 to cheat death, 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:51.440 to beat death. 00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:53.540 And Jesus is 00:27:53.540 --> 00:27:55.040 saying that he 00:27:55.040 --> 00:27:55.960 is that way. 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.880 Should we 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.740 believe Jesus? 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.300 What happened 00:28:06.300 --> 00:28:07.080 three days after 00:28:07.080 --> 00:28:07.580 he died? 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:10.259 He rose up 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.200 from the grave. 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.540 He came back 00:28:12.540 --> 00:28:13.120 to life. 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.660 God's grace. 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.900 And this is 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.940 Jesus' own words, 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.640 John 5, 21. 00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:20.180 For just as the 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.180 Father raises the 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.759 dead and gives 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:23.019 them life, even 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.860 so the Son 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:25.740 gives life 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:27.200 to whom he 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.040 is pleased 00:28:28.040 --> 00:28:29.700 to give it. 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:31.480 This is the 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:31.860 gospel. 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:32.920 This is the 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.600 good news of 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:33.860 Jesus. 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.560 We can be 00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:35.000 saved. 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:36.340 We have been 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.180 called with a 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.040 special calling 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:39.680 to a special 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.140 life. 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:41.140 God's grace. 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:41.759 It's a gift of 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.640 God's grace. 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.460 Not because of 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.160 anything that we 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.960 have done, but 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.660 according to his 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:49.340 own purpose and 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:50.700 his own goodness. 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:52.620 He planned and 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.540 decided to send 00:28:53.540 --> 00:28:54.600 Jesus into the 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.520 world before he 00:28:55.520 --> 00:28:56.759 had even made 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:56.980 it. 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.360 And now that 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.360 gift of grace 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.820 has come and 00:29:00.820 --> 00:29:02.100 Jesus has broken 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:02.920 the power of 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.640 death and shown 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:05.640 us the way to 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.500 eternal life. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.559 life. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.259 And so if you 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.000 haven't already 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.759 done this, I 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.619 want to urge you 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:12.500 today to repent, 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.460 to turn to 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:18.079 God, and I 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.799 want to encourage 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:20.680 you to believe 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:22.940 this good news. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.200 At the very 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.900 center of this 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.640 good news, this 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.559 plan of salvation 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.599 was something that 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:29.579 needed to be done 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:31.980 for us to be 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.339 saved. 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.359 Our sins 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.619 needed to be 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.460 atoned for. 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.380 A transaction 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.099 needed to be 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.460 made. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.619 It was Jesus' 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.480 perfect, sinless 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:44.740 life for ours. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.420 As we just read 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.519 back in John 6, 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.819 50 to 51, 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.839 I am the living 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.779 bread, said Jesus, 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.640 that came down 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.119 from heaven. 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.319 Whoever eats this 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.460 bread will live 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:57.859 forever. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:30:00.000 This bread is my 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.039 flesh, which I 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.880 will give for the 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:04.000 life of the world. 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.779 His life had to be 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.119 offered. 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.079 His flesh, his 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:10.200 body given as a 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:11.099 sacrifice for 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.500 ours. 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:12.740 It was a great 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.399 exchange. 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.240 This is what 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.859 happened when 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:17.160 Jesus suffered 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:19.200 and died on 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.720 the cross. 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.599 The grace of God 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.359 came to its 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.279 fullest expression. 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.519 The power of 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.559 death over us 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.720 was broken 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:30.619 because Jesus 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.519 took on himself 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.220 the punishment 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.700 that we 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.200 deserve. 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.880 Freeing us 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.360 from that 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:37.259 consequence and 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.319 opening the 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.960 way for us 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.600 to enjoy 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:43.319 life and 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:44.279 immortality 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:45.400 with God 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.960 forever. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.259 That's what we 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.259 remember and 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.100 celebrate when we 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:50.339 come to this 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.980 table. 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.180 The bread 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:53.799 that we partake 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.500 of represents 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.400 Jesus' body 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:57.000 which was given 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:59.460 for us to have 00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.819 life. 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.859 life and 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.220 the cup 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.139 represents the 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:02.539 blood of 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:04.019 Jesus which 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.500 was poured 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.159 out to 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:07.339 atone for 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.019 our sins. 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.439 And so I 00:31:10.439 --> 00:31:10.659 want to 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:11.279 encourage us 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.919 now to take 00:31:11.919 --> 00:31:12.179 a few 00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:13.720 minutes to 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.899 just pray 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.839 silently. 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.779 Talk to 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.319 God in the 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:18.859 quiet of your 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.179 heart. 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.259 Talk to 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.740 him about 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.279 your own 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.759 sins. 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:28.799 God in the 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.240 faith. 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.059 Ask for 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.700 God to 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.240 forgive you. 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.519 If you 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.099 haven't put 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:32.680 your faith 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.200 in Jesus, 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.559 do it. 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.359 If you 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:39.180 have or 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:39.740 if you do 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.759 this morning, 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.779 then I 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.000 want to 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.400 invite you 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.079 to partake 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:44.279 of this 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.660 table, 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:45.440 of the 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.299 bread and 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.680 the cup 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:48.220 when it's 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.619 served as 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.740 we remember 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.220 our Savior. 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:50.660 So let's 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.180 do that now. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.799 Let's just 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.519 pray quietly 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.119 and reflect. 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:54.000 And after 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.379 a few 00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:54.839 minutes of 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.119 that, 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.719 I'll have 00:31:56.719 --> 00:31:59.979 Rod and 00:31:59.979 --> 00:32:00.819 Dave come 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.379 and serve 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.399 us the 00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:02.779 bread and 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.159 the cup. 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:03.979 If you 00:32:03.979 --> 00:32:04.539 don't want 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.159 to participate, 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.159 feel free to 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.979 just put your 00:32:06.979 --> 00:32:07.639 hand up and 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:09.059 signal that 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.439 you don't 00:32:09.439 --> 00:32:09.859 wish to. 00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:11.419 And when 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:12.039 we do pass 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.319 it out, 00:32:12.399 --> 00:32:12.699 we'll wait 00:32:12.699 --> 00:32:13.299 until everyone 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:13.779 has been 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.139 served. 00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:15.599 And then 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:15.919 we'll eat 00:32:15.919 --> 00:32:16.239 and drink 00:32:16.239 --> 00:32:16.879 all together 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.759 at the 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.000 end. 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:27.839 and 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:27.979 even 00:32:27.979 --> 00:32:33.519 shall 00:32:34.159 --> 00:32:34.619 be 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:34.779 punished 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.319 for 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:35.759 то 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:38.059 , 00:32:38.639 --> 00:32:39.659 here 00:32:39.659 --> 00:32:40.059 to 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:43.259 pure 00:32:43.699 --> 00:32:44.479 and 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:44.659 second 00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:45.779 we'll 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:45.839 keep 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:48.359 hard 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:48.599 on 00:32:48.599 --> 00:33:18.579 Thank you. 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:48.579 Thank you. 00:33:48.599 --> 00:34:18.579 Thank you. 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:48.579 Thank you. 00:34:48.599 --> 00:35:18.579 Thank you. 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:48.579 Thank you. 00:35:48.599 --> 00:36:18.579 Thank you. 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:48.579 Thank you. 00:36:48.599 --> 00:37:18.579 Thank you. 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:48.579 Thank you. 00:37:48.599 --> 00:38:18.579 Thank you. 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:48.579 Thank you. 00:38:48.599 --> 00:38:50.599 Thank you. 00:38:50.599 --> 00:39:18.579 Thank you. 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:20.579 Thank you. 00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:21.360 Thank you, Jesus. 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:23.360 Thank you. 00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:25.360 Thank you. 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:27.360 Thank you. 00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:29.360 Thank you. 00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:30.360 Amen. 00:39:30.360 --> 00:39:32.360 Amen. 00:39:32.360 --> 00:39:40.360 Amen. 00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:42.360 Amen. 00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:43.360 Amen. 00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:44.360 Amen. 00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:46.360 Amen.