WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:18.859 God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we do pray for your help. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.879 We always need your help. 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:26.480 Every moment, every day. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:26.580 Amen. 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:39.399 We are especially needy as we come to your word and seek to know it and understand it, 00:00:39.899 --> 00:00:47.179 to see it cut to our hearts, that it would shape us and mold us as you would have it. 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:52.179 And so we ask that you would speak this morning as we look to your word. 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:54.659 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:56.479 --> 00:01:10.239 Last Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching in Memphis as the church that I grew up in celebrates its 50th anniversary, 50 years as a church. 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:16.079 And looking back 50 years to remember God's faithfulness is really neat. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:20.420 But God has been faithful a lot longer than 50 years. 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:25.560 He's been a God of redemption since before He created the world. 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:27.500 That's who He is. 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:36.120 Looking back to the Old Testament even to see His character on display generation after generation 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:45.120 is a beautiful reminder to us of who God has always been and who He continues to be today and in our lives. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:54.340 So this summer, we're going to do that for a few weeks to look at what we will call redemption stories in the Old Testament. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:56.320 You can see a couple of them up there. 00:01:56.380 --> 00:01:58.340 You might be able to figure out which ones they are. 00:01:58.340 --> 00:02:04.900 He's been working to redeem for thousands and thousands of years. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:09.319 And some pastors and churches these days are critiquing the Old Testament. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:17.340 They're fearful of the wrathful God that we will find there and not like and be turned off by. 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:29.180 But we will see there a God who is indeed holy and who is and has always been all about redemption, full of grace. 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:35.460 So that's going to expand our vision of God's greatness, of His love. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:42.039 That vision we have that Paul tells us in Ephesians is the one thing that is absolutely essential 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:46.500 essential to us being the people in the church God has called us to be. 00:02:46.579 --> 00:02:53.019 That we would have a glorious vision of God, of His great love for us. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:58.819 And as we look back to the Old Testament, it's going to expand that vision that we have. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:00.959 That we might love God as we should. 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:04.340 That we might be used of Him to transform Huntsville and the world. 00:03:05.099 --> 00:03:06.319 We need that vision. 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:10.299 I love being able to go to the Old Testament for that. 00:03:10.300 --> 00:03:15.420 One other reason that we pastors wanted to spend some time in the Old Testament this summer 00:03:15.420 --> 00:03:20.920 besides the fact that we've been in Luke for 17 years, not that long, just a couple of years. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:22.500 We're almost finished, by the way. 00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:29.800 Many of these great stories are stories that we and our kids know and love. 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:35.900 And so we get a chance as we look at some of these Sunday school stories and some others 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:41.039 to understand stories that we love in the context of the big story. 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:42.939 God's big story. 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:46.500 So that's an opportunity we'll have all through this summer. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:49.860 This morning we're going to start near the beginning of God's big story 00:03:49.860 --> 00:03:51.879 with a familiar episode. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:54.099 The story of Adam and Eve. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:55.520 A serpent. 00:03:56.640 --> 00:03:57.719 Forbidden fruit. 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:04.000 The fallout of the first sin as they rebel against the Holy Creator. 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:06.900 Is there redemption there in that story? 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:08.860 Absolutely. 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:12.419 Because God is here and that's who He is. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:16.000 Read with me in Genesis chapter 3 the whole story 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:19.120 and then we'll look back at parts of it together. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:26.079 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:27.519 He said to the woman, 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:32.399 Did God actually say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden? 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:34.939 And the woman said to the serpent, 00:04:35.719 --> 00:04:37.979 We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:42.680 but God said you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, 00:04:43.039 --> 00:04:45.539 neither shall you touch it lest you die. 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:48.299 But the serpent said to the woman, 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:50.839 You will not surely die, 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:54.379 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:57.259 and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 00:04:58.300 --> 00:05:00.899 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:02.600 and that it was a delight to the eyes 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:06.079 and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:08.199 she took of its fruit and ate. 00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:12.100 She also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:16.420 Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew that they were naked 00:05:16.420 --> 00:05:19.540 and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:23.780 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day 00:05:23.780 --> 00:05:27.520 and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God 00:05:27.520 --> 00:05:29.300 among the trees of the garden. 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:33.400 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, 00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:34.660 Where are you? 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:38.879 And he said, I heard the sound of you in the garden 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:41.960 and I was afraid because I was naked and I hid myself. 00:05:43.020 --> 00:05:45.740 He said, Who told you that you were naked? 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:48.680 Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat? 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:52.780 The man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, 00:05:53.080 --> 00:05:56.040 she gave me fruit of the tree and I ate. 00:05:56.760 --> 00:05:59.500 And the Lord God said to the woman, What is this that you have done? 00:05:59.780 --> 00:06:03.420 And the woman said, The serpent deceived me and I ate. 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:06.240 The Lord God said to the serpent, 00:06:06.580 --> 00:06:09.400 Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:11.160 and above all beasts of the field. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:15.680 On your belly you shall go and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:20.639 I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:24.759 He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:29.800 To the woman he said, I will surely multiply your pain and childbearing. 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:32.100 In pain you shall bring forth children. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:35.660 Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:40.180 And to Adam he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:42.480 and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:44.079 you shall not eat of it. 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:46.620 Cursed is the ground because of you. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:49.680 In pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life. 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:52.460 Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you. 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:54.579 And you shall eat the plants of the field. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:57.939 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread 00:06:57.939 --> 00:06:59.519 till you return to the ground. 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:00.780 For out of it you were taken. 00:07:01.660 --> 00:07:02.600 For you are dust. 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:04.680 And to dust you shall return. 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:08.139 The man called his wife's name Eve 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:10.199 because she was the mother of all living. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:13.340 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife 00:07:13.340 --> 00:07:15.699 garments of skins and clothed them. 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:18.040 Then the Lord God said, 00:07:18.400 --> 00:07:21.340 Behold the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:24.740 Now lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:25.800 and eat and live forever. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:30.300 Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:32.639 to work the ground from which he was taken. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:36.039 He drove out the man and at the east of the garden of Eden 00:07:36.039 --> 00:07:38.719 he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword 00:07:38.719 --> 00:07:43.360 that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:49.979 Thus far God's holy, inerrant, infallible word 00:07:49.979 --> 00:07:52.939 for which we give him great thanks. 00:07:54.599 --> 00:07:58.039 It was a really hot August day 00:07:58.040 --> 00:08:00.439 that I first learned a lot 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:03.560 about my offensive line coach 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.900 in high school. 00:08:05.080 --> 00:08:07.840 I was a freshman on the football team. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:11.140 It was the first time through two-a-day practices. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:13.100 It was sweltering out there. 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:14.580 I didn't know what it would feel like. 00:08:15.820 --> 00:08:18.560 And I watched as one of the upperclassmen 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.860 tried to block his own way, 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:22.280 the way he wanted to do it 00:08:22.280 --> 00:08:24.780 rather than the way that the coach had taught us. 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:27.079 And he ended up face first on the ground. 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:29.219 He could have gotten seriously injured 00:08:29.219 --> 00:08:31.000 trying to do it his own way. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:33.159 And to remind him of that, 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:35.339 he got a metal visor clip 00:08:35.339 --> 00:08:37.319 from my coach on the back of his helmet. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:38.819 And the way he reacted, 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:41.839 wincing in pain as the ringing in his ears, 00:08:41.939 --> 00:08:42.159 I said, 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:44.019 I never want that ringing in my ears. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:45.240 I'm sure of that. 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:48.980 But then he decided to talk back to the coach. 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:53.200 And he got sent in full pads, 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:55.060 all of his football gear, 00:08:55.200 --> 00:08:57.820 to run up and down the steep hill 00:08:57.820 --> 00:08:59.080 up to the locker room 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:00.519 for the rest of practice. 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:04.240 Dripping with sweat, 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:06.840 you can imagine he didn't run too long. 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:10.279 Pretty soon he was crawling up the hill 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:13.000 and almost rolling down it. 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:14.799 I knew, 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:17.360 as I watched this develop, 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:19.820 that coach took quite seriously 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:22.399 both blocking your own way 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:24.399 and the dangers that come with that 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:28.100 and disrespecting his authority. 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:32.360 Adam and Eve had been promised 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:34.840 that disobeying God 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:37.860 would have frightful consequences. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:40.980 And man's first sin here, 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:44.440 determining to distrust his good creator 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:47.220 and insist on his own way, 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:51.100 indeed receives God's just punishment. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:53.920 We learn right away about God 00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:56.420 that he takes sin quite seriously, 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.120 don't we? 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:00.060 I mean, just look at how this develops 00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:01.700 for a second in this passage. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:05.600 Satan, having inhabited the serpent, 00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:09.659 begins to cast doubt on the word of God. 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:12.620 Did God really say? 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:13.919 Are you sure? 00:10:15.839 --> 00:10:17.419 But beyond that, 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:21.480 he casts doubt on the character of God. 00:10:22.459 --> 00:10:25.339 Can God really be trusted? 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:29.860 Does he really have your best in mind? 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:33.159 Is he really good? 00:10:34.439 --> 00:10:36.879 Y'all, what a monstrous evil. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:37.879 Right? 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:39.259 Can you imagine this? 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:42.439 This God who has just created 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:45.700 this glorious, good world 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:48.159 and put Adam and Eve in the midst of it 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:48.480 and said, 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:50.519 here's everything you need. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.740 Eat fruit from all these trees. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:54.259 Look at all these animals. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:57.179 And I'm going to walk and talk with you 00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:59.759 every day with me. 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:04.100 And evil suggests 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:06.939 that he might not be good. 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:10.840 Evil questions his goodness? 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:12.860 Preposterous! 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:16.600 No way will they buy that. 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:20.259 I mean, we would never. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:25.299 But Eve begins to wonder, doesn't she? 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:29.199 And soon, Adam and Eve decide 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:30.979 to try their own way 00:11:30.979 --> 00:11:33.219 rather than God's. 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:35.859 It may seem astounding, 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:39.259 but we still try to handle relationships 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:42.059 and our marriages our own way 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:43.379 rather than God's, don't we? 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:46.519 We try to handle our bodies 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.759 and our sexuality 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:49.179 our own way 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:50.859 rather than God's. 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:53.139 We try to handle our money, 00:11:53.560 --> 00:11:54.340 our time, 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:55.720 our priorities, 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:56.800 our own way 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:58.659 rather than God's. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:02.259 And it's dangerous to us. 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:04.039 And God knows that. 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:09.279 The Creator's just judgment is severe. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.980 The man and woman 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.800 must not be left to think 00:12:12.800 --> 00:12:15.580 that they can find life their own way. 00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:17.159 It's not true. 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.759 And so God pronounces curses 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:21.379 on all of creation. 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:22.179 In fact, 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.080 right on the places 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:24.899 they hurt the most. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.519 Adam and Eve were created 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.220 to reflect God's image 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.299 by filling 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:31.200 and subduing 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:32.319 the earth. 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:34.639 Two things He told them to do. 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:35.360 Now, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:35.960 filling 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:37.559 will be hard 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:38.759 and painful. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.000 Pain and childbirth. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.659 Now, 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.500 subduing 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:43.679 will be hard 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.620 and painful. 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.379 Thorns, 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:46.299 thistles, 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.220 a cursed 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:48.179 ground. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.399 But it gets worse. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.419 As you read through 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.379 the rest of the story, 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.819 what happens to Adam and Eve? 00:12:56.319 --> 00:12:57.120 Banishment 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.559 from God's presence, 00:12:58.679 --> 00:12:58.879 right? 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.480 Their closest friend. 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:03.120 Out of the garden. 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:04.759 Sent away. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:06.439 And the spiritual 00:13:06.439 --> 00:13:07.480 and eventually 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:09.080 physical death 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:10.720 that they'd been promised 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.779 if they disobeyed. 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:15.679 all the good creation 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.360 broken. 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:18.919 Those around you 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:19.860 hurt 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:21.259 by your failure. 00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:23.339 Can you imagine 00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:23.799 for a minute 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:24.980 the guilt 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:26.179 and shame 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.120 that Adam and Eve 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:27.879 must have felt 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:29.319 as that sunk in? 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:31.039 As they experienced 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:33.360 the Holy Creator 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.559 pronouncing these 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.179 curses, 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:36.299 sending them away. 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:38.399 How did we get 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.459 taken in by that? 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.899 We've blown it 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:43.679 and we can't fix it. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.419 Have you felt 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.459 the shame 00:13:47.459 --> 00:13:48.639 of sin 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.559 and failure? 00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:51.919 Kids, 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.539 have you felt 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.939 so embarrassed 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:55.759 or ashamed 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:57.659 at disobeying 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.639 your parents? 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.159 At something 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:01.319 you've looked at? 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:02.319 At something 00:14:02.319 --> 00:14:03.539 you've said? 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:06.500 the first audience 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.719 of the book 00:14:07.719 --> 00:14:08.319 of Genesis 00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:10.379 had felt this. 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.219 That the Exodus 00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:12.959 generation 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:14.159 that God had just 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.740 brought out of Egypt 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.860 now they're 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.740 wandering 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:18.759 in the wilderness. 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:19.740 Why? 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:21.159 Because they 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.539 didn't trust 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.819 God. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:24.740 And they 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.039 doubted Him 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:26.759 and insisted 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:28.219 on their own way 00:14:28.219 --> 00:14:28.839 didn't they? 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:29.779 And so 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.699 here they are 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:31.399 wandering 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.259 and perhaps 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:32.839 wondering 00:14:32.839 --> 00:14:33.480 how will this 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.379 God respond? 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.180 What's He like 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:36.879 anyway? 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.779 And they learn 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:40.500 that He does 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.300 take sin 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:42.039 seriously 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:42.680 don't they? 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:43.879 They're tasting 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.820 that when they 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:46.300 get this story 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:47.399 from Moses. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.759 But is that 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.279 the end of the story? 00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:53.039 Is that all 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:53.560 there is? 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:55.759 See 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.740 all the other 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.480 gods that 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.580 they've heard about 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.300 in Egypt 00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:00.320 and the other 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.639 nations around them 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.720 those other 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.460 gods are like 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:03.759 that? 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:04.560 They take sin 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.400 seriously. 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:05.780 They're 00:15:05.780 --> 00:15:07.080 terrifying. 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:08.680 Retributive. 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:09.720 You need to 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.240 watch out 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:10.460 or they'll 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:10.820 get you. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:14.620 Is Yahweh 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.740 any different? 00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:17.280 Is there 00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:18.360 any hope 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.420 for us 00:15:19.420 --> 00:15:20.320 in our failure 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.259 now that we've 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.120 blown it? 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.900 Maybe you're 00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:25.720 wondering that 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:27.060 this morning. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.460 Here's the 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.360 good news 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.360 God's 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:31.800 of this story. 00:15:31.800 --> 00:15:32.940 In the midst 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.860 of our failures 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.820 which are huge. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.659 The holy 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.180 creator 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:38.340 and He is 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:38.759 holy 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.700 and He 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.360 takes sin 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.560 very seriously 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:43.200 He is also 00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:44.379 our gracious 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.720 redeemer. 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:47.659 And this makes 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.399 all the difference 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:48.740 y'all. 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:49.720 There's no other 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.460 God like 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.279 this. 00:15:51.800 --> 00:15:52.419 Look at how we 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.120 see God's 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.060 character on 00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:54.980 display here. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:55.920 How do we 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.740 and the 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.259 Israelites 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.579 learn about 00:15:58.579 --> 00:15:59.599 a redeeming 00:15:59.599 --> 00:16:00.399 God who 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:01.719 gives failures 00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:02.919 hope? 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.479 Well it 00:16:05.479 --> 00:16:06.299 starts with 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:06.839 a question. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.620 Where are 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:10.879 you? 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.259 Nearly every 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.879 day when I 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.639 get home from 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.099 work my 00:16:16.099 --> 00:16:16.919 five-year-old 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:18.419 Lily runs 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.459 and hides 00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:20.399 away from 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:20.639 me. 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.019 That's kind 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.699 of a thing. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.360 It's a game 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:23.699 right? 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:26.240 Except that 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.840 I know 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.300 where she 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:27.660 is. 00:16:29.900 --> 00:16:30.500 Invariably 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.440 Lily has 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.100 run up 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.860 to her 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.300 bed 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.440 and hidden 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:35.280 herself under 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:35.820 a blanket 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:37.000 creating an 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.940 unmistakable 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.700 lump in the 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.580 exact shape 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.259 of a five-year-old 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.680 little girl. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.320 It's hard to 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:41.580 miss. 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:43.800 But she hides 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:45.020 there and I 00:16:45.020 --> 00:16:46.000 walk up the 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.660 stairs and I 00:16:46.660 --> 00:16:47.400 say Lily 00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.300 where are 00:16:48.300 --> 00:16:48.900 you? 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.780 Now I know 00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:51.180 where Lily 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:51.600 is. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.540 But I 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.099 I ask 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:54.939 where are 00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:55.500 you? 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.240 And so 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.360 she gets 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.039 engaged, 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.379 right? 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.279 She can 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:00.179 make noises 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:00.879 to give me 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.419 hints or 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:01.879 usually she 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.279 just starts 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:02.679 giggling 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:03.500 underneath the 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.919 blanket so 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.240 now it's a 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.940 moving lump 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.859 even easier 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.379 to spot. 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:07.920 And I 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.579 say where 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.339 are you? 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.019 Not to 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.359 get an 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.539 answer but 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.240 to get her 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.460 engagement because 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.559 I love her and 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:15.920 being in 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.779 relationship with 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.139 her, right? 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:19.920 If I know 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.700 where Lily is 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.160 under her 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.500 blanket, do 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:22.820 you think 00:17:22.820 --> 00:17:24.020 God, the 00:17:24.020 --> 00:17:24.840 Creator knew 00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:25.900 where Adam 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:26.940 was behind 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.780 his fig 00:17:27.780 --> 00:17:28.100 leaves? 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:29.780 Yeah. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.000 Yes he 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.340 did. 00:17:32.780 --> 00:17:33.720 And yet he 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:35.680 says, where 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.380 are you? 00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:38.520 Here comes 00:17:38.520 --> 00:17:39.259 God on his 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.860 daily walk 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.540 in the garden 00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:42.420 as he always 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:42.680 does. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.540 Used to 00:17:43.540 --> 00:17:44.360 being with 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:44.880 the man and 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.420 the woman in 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.180 intimate 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.000 relationship. 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.080 He loves 00:17:48.080 --> 00:17:48.700 them, doesn't 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:48.880 he? 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.019 He comes to 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.600 walk with 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:50.960 them. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.019 And yet 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.580 today they're 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.380 not running 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:53.980 out to greet 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.200 him. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.360 They're hiding, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:57.940 aren't they? 00:17:59.060 --> 00:18:00.000 Verse 7, 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.660 they sewed 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.279 fig leaves 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:02.980 together and 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.900 made themselves 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.300 loincloths and 00:18:05.300 --> 00:18:05.980 they heard the 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.539 sound of the 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.320 Lord God walking 00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:07.800 in the garden. 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:08.420 They knew that 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:08.759 sound. 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:09.580 He always came 00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.200 to walk with 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.900 them in the 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.340 cool of the 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:12.380 day and the 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:12.920 man and his 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.680 wife did what? 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:14.820 Hid 00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:15.400 themselves. 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.759 from the 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.400 presence of 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:17.720 the Lord 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.940 God among 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:20.440 the trees of 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:20.920 the garden. 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.259 And the 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.000 first question 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.160 that God 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.019 asks in the 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.900 Bible's whole 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:28.100 story, it's 00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:28.640 not, what 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:28.960 were you 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.340 thinking? 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.880 It's not, how 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:32.660 could you 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.380 possibly? 00:18:35.060 --> 00:18:35.580 What's the 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.080 first thing he 00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:36.460 asks? 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.660 Where are 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:38.940 you? 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.000 God's not 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.539 looking for 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.120 information. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:45.119 God's 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:46.599 pursuing Adam 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.459 in his 00:18:47.459 --> 00:18:48.679 guilt and 00:18:48.679 --> 00:18:49.559 shame to 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.459 engage him in 00:18:50.459 --> 00:18:51.359 relationship 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.479 because he 00:18:52.479 --> 00:18:53.379 loves him and 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.159 being in 00:18:54.159 --> 00:18:55.159 relationship with 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.379 him. 00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:57.379 A pastor 00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:57.959 friend of mine 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:58.739 recently said 00:18:58.739 --> 00:18:59.219 to me that 00:18:59.219 --> 00:19:00.579 God asks 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.419 fallen man 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:02.479 here, where 00:19:02.479 --> 00:19:03.279 are you? 00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:04.599 And we are 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.599 still avoiding 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.879 that question 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:08.059 and hiding 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.799 from him. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:09.799 We love to 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.339 hide, don't 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:10.519 we? 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:12.819 Adam says 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.160 he was 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.460 ashamed and 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.539 afraid and 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:16.420 so he 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.940 hid. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.299 He didn't 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.119 run out and 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.139 throw himself at 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:20.859 God's feet and 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.200 say, oh 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.319 father, I'm 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.259 right here, I'm 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.160 feeling the pain 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:25.299 of my mistakes, 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.400 the embarrassment 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.440 of my failures, I 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.319 need you desperately, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.259 here I am. 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.859 No, he went to 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.700 the fig leaves. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.879 Man, I get 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.180 that. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:40.120 He'd really 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.640 blown it. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.640 Big time 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.960 failure, genuine 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.299 guilt and 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.080 when I feel 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.960 that, my 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.980 instinct is to 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.740 hide. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.420 Don't let 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:50.980 anybody know. 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:53.880 Some of you 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:54.440 hide the way 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.120 that I often 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.460 do, behind 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.320 busyness. 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.779 Just so no 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.539 one can know 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.519 where my heart 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.220 really is. 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:03.220 I'll be really 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.000 busy, I'll 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.680 avoid God's 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.220 word, avoid 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.240 prayer, just 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.039 let's do a lot. 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.480 Nobody will 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:07.899 really know 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.399 what's going 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:08.740 on. 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.500 Maybe you 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.159 hide by not 00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:12.720 telling your 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.720 parents what's 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.399 really going 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:14.759 on. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.879 Maybe you 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.500 hide behind 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.339 blame shifting 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.460 like Adam. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.440 This woman, 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.539 you gave 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.019 me. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.460 It's always 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.159 someone else's 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.759 fault, right? 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.440 Plenty of 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:26.779 people to 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.079 blame. 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.000 Maybe you 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.619 hide behind 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.279 alcohol, 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.319 behind 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.519 religiosity, 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.279 being a good 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.819 person, 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:37.079 behind humor, 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.639 behind 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.480 intellect, 00:20:39.439 --> 00:20:39.960 telling 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.919 yourself as 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.939 you hide 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:42.859 that no 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.619 one, not 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.220 even God, 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.059 really knows 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.439 you. 00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:47.439 We all have 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.259 our favorite 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.519 hiding spots, 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.159 don't we? 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.279 And of 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.539 course, 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:54.379 they're fig 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:54.819 leaves. 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.799 God sees 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.619 right through 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.059 us. 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.740 He knows 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.460 where we 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:02.279 are, but 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.019 we hide. 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:04.940 Maybe you're 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.519 hiding this 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:05.859 morning. 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.440 God says, 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.559 where are 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.019 you? 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.819 This won't 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.519 sound like 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.000 good news, 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.759 perhaps, if 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.759 you're hiding 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.500 from Him, 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.480 but it is. 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.460 No matter 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.440 how good you 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:19.899 are at 00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:20.359 hiding, 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.879 your father 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.440 is even 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.599 better at 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:24.940 seeking. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:25.859 It's not 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.359 even like 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.039 the odds 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.399 of me 00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:28.180 finding Lily 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.700 under her 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.039 blanket. 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.440 He's way 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.180 better at 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.759 seeking than 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.259 we are 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.400 at hiding. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.660 He pursues 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.559 you because 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.460 He loves 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:37.860 you. 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.120 And that's 00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:39.880 good news 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.799 because God 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.259 makes a 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.900 promise that 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.640 He's not 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.299 coming merely 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:43.980 to shame 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.460 us and 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.279 punish us. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:46.940 He's seeking 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.920 us for our 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.100 good, to 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:50.320 redeem what 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.140 once was 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:51.759 lost. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.580 God pledges 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:54.420 to remove 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.259 our guilt 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.440 and shame. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:58.580 Isn't it 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.920 remarkable that 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.480 the first 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.279 promise in 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.740 the Bible 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.480 comes in 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.339 this 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.500 passage? 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.639 The one 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.099 where we 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.059 blow it 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.680 and the 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.859 Creator King 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.639 has just 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.680 been spurned 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.139 by His 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:12.660 creatures, 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.480 rebellion 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.519 is rampant, 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.180 here come 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:16.160 the curses, 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.319 and the 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.839 verse that 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.720 Christians since 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.420 the first 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.339 century have 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.099 referred to 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.819 as the 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:23.420 Proto-Evangelium, 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:25.119 the first 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:27.259 promise of 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.960 the gospel 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:30.319 comes in 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.140 the midst 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:32.360 of God 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.519 pronouncing 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.720 curses. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.079 Verse 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.160 15, 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:38.900 I will put 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.860 enmity between 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.860 you and the 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.160 woman, 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:41.900 between your 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.500 offspring and 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.059 her offspring, 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.299 he shall 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.019 bruise your 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.259 head and 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.360 you shall 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.940 bruise his 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.759 heel. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.819 What's God 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.180 saying? 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.160 I haven't 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:53.259 given up on 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.600 these failures. 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:54.879 sinners. 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.679 There's a 00:22:56.679 --> 00:22:57.439 singular 00:22:57.439 --> 00:22:58.519 person 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:00.000 coming from 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.199 this disobedient 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:02.219 woman who 00:23:02.219 --> 00:23:02.759 will bring 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.319 hope. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.779 There's a 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.879 child I'll 00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.699 send who 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:07.559 will defeat 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.559 the serpent 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.740 once and 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.619 for all. 00:23:11.459 --> 00:23:12.079 Listen to 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.959 this promise, 00:23:13.199 --> 00:23:13.379 y'all. 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.459 Right at the 00:23:14.459 --> 00:23:15.279 low point 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.659 in the story, 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.000 right? 00:23:18.679 --> 00:23:19.839 There's a 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.459 certainty 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:22.319 that evil 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.179 will 00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:24.500 lose. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.579 that your 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.599 arch enemies 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.819 will be 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.819 defeated, 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.959 that Satan 00:23:29.959 --> 00:23:30.599 will be 00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.980 crushed and 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:33.159 all creation 00:23:33.159 --> 00:23:33.619 will be 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.259 redeemed. 00:23:34.959 --> 00:23:35.480 That's what 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.579 God's saying. 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.299 Adam and 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.099 Eve, don't 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.939 lose hope 00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:39.379 in your 00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:39.839 failure. 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.019 Israelites 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.919 wandering in 00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.399 the wilderness, 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.319 don't lose 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.259 hope in 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.019 your failure. 00:23:47.219 --> 00:23:48.059 Southwood, 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.959 dear friends, 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.059 don't lose 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.480 hope in 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.199 your failure. 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.399 The one 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.219 true God 00:23:56.219 --> 00:23:57.199 is a 00:23:57.199 --> 00:23:58.139 redeeming 00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:59.319 God. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.259 That's the 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.039 unchanging 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.879 nature of 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.939 his character. 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:03.959 That's who 00:24:03.959 --> 00:24:04.759 he is. 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:05.799 Do you want 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.199 to know how 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:07.539 gracious your 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.399 father is? 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.119 Yes? 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.779 Yes, you do 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.099 want to know? 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:13.019 See, ask me, 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.219 right? 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.019 How gracious 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.619 is he? 00:24:14.719 --> 00:24:15.119 Okay, can you 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.679 ask me that? 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.779 One, two, 00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.199 three. 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.980 How gracious is he? 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.819 That was really 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.219 good, all 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.720 talking during 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.140 the sermon. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.920 Even in the 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.960 midst of 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.900 meeting out 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:27.460 justice, he 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:29.079 oozes out 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.160 grace, doesn't 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.339 he? 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.000 Even in the 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.799 face of our 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.259 greatest rebellion, 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.559 he promises 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.759 redemption. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.059 Even to the 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:39.059 most guilty 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.900 and the most 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:41.440 ashamed, he 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.460 brings hope. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.039 Even to those 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.380 facing certain 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.360 death, he 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:47.579 brings life, 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:49.480 eternal life. 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.500 He's so 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.099 good. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.740 He's so 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.720 gracious. 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:54.699 That's who 00:24:54.699 --> 00:24:55.339 he is. 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.419 But the 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:58.740 redemption 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.579 story gets 00:24:59.579 --> 00:24:59.939 even more 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:00.379 beautiful. 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.419 Before they're 00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:02.799 sent out of 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.220 the garden 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.740 because of 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.279 their sin, 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:04.799 God doesn't 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.539 just speak 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.019 hope. 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.199 He begins 00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:08.819 to act to 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.139 cover our 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:11.579 guilt and 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.059 shame. 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.339 I don't 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.539 want to 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.399 overplay the 00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:15.339 sacrifice 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.619 imagery here, 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.899 but it's 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.659 almost certain 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.219 that we see 00:25:19.219 --> 00:25:19.659 the first 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.439 example of 00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:20.979 an animal 00:25:20.979 --> 00:25:22.199 having to 00:25:22.199 --> 00:25:23.059 die so a 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.779 person could 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.399 be covered. 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:25.759 Look at 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.699 verse 21. 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.119 The Lord 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.359 God made 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.039 for Adam 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.559 and for 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.259 his wife 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.479 garments of 00:25:32.479 --> 00:25:33.959 skins and 00:25:33.959 --> 00:25:34.879 clothed 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.479 them. 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.939 This probably 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.839 means there 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.159 was an 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:39.500 animal 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.239 sacrificed, 00:25:41.239 --> 00:25:42.599 but it 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.500 definitely 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:45.000 means that 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.539 God 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.259 demonstrates 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.480 tangibly 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.279 that he's 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.940 continuing 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.779 to care 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.519 for Adam 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:50.859 and Eve 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.680 even better 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.000 than they 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.400 could care 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.119 for themselves, 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:53.579 right? 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.079 No fig leaves, 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.599 garments of 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.180 skin. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.019 He hasn't 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.039 abandoned them 00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.740 even when 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.279 they've sought 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.900 to abandon 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.700 him. 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.180 He offers 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.900 protection, 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.799 covering for 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.400 their shame 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.359 much better 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:08.440 than their fig 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:08.859 leaves. 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.819 This time, 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.500 God himself 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.619 does the 00:26:12.619 --> 00:26:13.160 covering, 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.200 doesn't he? 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.480 God. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:16.559 And in that 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:16.860 sense, 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.460 at least, 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:18.580 we get a 00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:19.340 taste already 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.720 of the 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.539 redeeming 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.799 grace of 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.660 God that 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:22.980 we know 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.640 most fully 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.360 in Jesus. 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.880 Covering 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.420 Adam and 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:26.900 Eve with 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.720 animal skins 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.319 is only the 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.319 beginning of 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:29.900 what God's 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.819 going to do, 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.220 of his 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.080 care for 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:33.000 his rebellious 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.900 people. 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:35.100 In Jesus, 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.259 God provides 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.860 not merely 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.660 a second 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.539 chance for 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.559 failures who 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:39.920 would blow 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.440 that second 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.080 chance anyway, 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:42.480 but a second 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.919 Adam, 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.379 one who 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.679 comes and 00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:46.099 who when 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.720 he is 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.559 tempted to 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.659 doubt God's 00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:49.480 word and 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.359 God's good 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.079 character, 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.220 he does 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.480 what? 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.439 He trusts 00:26:53.439 --> 00:26:54.960 his father. 00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.579 He obeys 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:58.000 the father. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.879 He succeeds 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.279 where Adam 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.919 has failed 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:02.419 and where 00:27:02.419 --> 00:27:03.919 we have 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:04.319 failed. 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.139 And yet, 00:27:06.199 --> 00:27:06.519 even though 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.019 he's the 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:08.199 successful one, 00:27:08.439 --> 00:27:08.879 the one who 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.519 doesn't give 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.220 in to temptation, 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.200 he does 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.940 actually go 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.259 to the 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.720 cross, 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:13.600 doesn't he? 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.620 He goes 00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:15.059 to the 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.740 cross to 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.299 die where 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.140 we deserve 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.380 to. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.279 Galatians 3 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.480 actually says 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.180 it this way, 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.220 he redeemed 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.059 us from 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.920 the curse 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.720 of the law 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.759 by becoming 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.579 a curse 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.779 for us. 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.400 For it's 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:27.640 written, 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.339 cursed is 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.559 everyone who 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.279 is hanged 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.160 on a tree. 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:31.920 Jesus 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:33.660 takes the 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.980 curse so 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.240 that we 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.839 receive the 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.600 blessing he 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:36.960 earned. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.019 That's why 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.039 we sang in 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.480 that great 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.819 hymn, 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.600 the beginning 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:40.940 of the 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.299 service. 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.000 He comes 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.559 to make 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.380 his blessings 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:45.200 flow far 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.860 as the 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:47.100 curse is 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.559 found. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.059 Where's the 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.740 curse in 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.380 this story? 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.100 It's on 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:51.720 creation, 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.640 it's on 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:52.880 you, 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.279 it's on 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.440 me, 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.240 it's everywhere 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.140 and Jesus 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.740 comes to 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.880 make blessing 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.500 flow 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.519 everywhere. 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.720 That's why 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.240 we rejoice. 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.299 That's why 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.640 we have 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.059 hope. 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.519 For 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.259 failures 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.299 buried 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.859 beneath 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.220 their 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.879 guilt 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.339 and 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:09.559 their 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.319 shame. 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:10.960 Jesus 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.159 sacrifices 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.759 himself 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.299 to be 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.460 a 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.879 covering 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:15.319 for us. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.720 Hebrews 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.480 chapter 10 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:16.919 says it 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:17.399 this way, 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.079 but when 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.700 Christ had 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.279 offered for 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.859 all time 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.559 a single 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.220 sacrifice 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.099 for sins, 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:22.899 he sat 00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:23.259 down at 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.579 the right 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:24.019 hand of 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.319 God, 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:24.960 waiting 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.399 from that 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:25.919 time until 00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.379 his enemies 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:26.779 should be 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.079 made a 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:27.579 footstool 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.039 for his 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.379 feet. 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:28.980 For 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.519 by a 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.879 single 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.460 offering, 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.119 he has 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:31.839 perfected 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.480 for all 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.879 time those 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.460 who are 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:34.940 being 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:36.080 sanctified. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:36.920 He 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.940 crushes 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.820 the head 00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:39.460 of the 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:39.800 serpent, 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.780 defeats 00:28:40.780 --> 00:28:41.800 all his 00:28:41.800 --> 00:28:42.760 and our 00:28:42.760 --> 00:28:43.280 enemies, 00:28:43.580 --> 00:28:44.100 and by 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.740 his one 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.580 sacrifice 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.880 covers us 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.700 safely 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.480 forever. 00:28:50.060 --> 00:28:51.040 Verse 17 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:51.700 keeps going. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.580 I will remember 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.240 their sins 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.560 and their 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.300 lawless deeds 00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:54.840 no more. 00:28:55.260 --> 00:28:55.700 Where there 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.380 is forgiveness 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:57.200 of these, 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.060 there is no 00:28:58.060 --> 00:28:59.300 longer any 00:28:59.300 --> 00:29:00.240 offering for 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.680 sin. 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.940 No more 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.920 sacrifice 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:04.220 needed for 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.060 your sin. 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:05.940 It is 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.620 finished. 00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.940 His was 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.600 enough. 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.240 No matter 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.880 how shameful 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.519 your failure, 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.220 no matter 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.779 how big 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.519 your sin, 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:17.920 his death 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:19.000 covers 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:20.039 you. 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.700 What's God 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.140 like when 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.640 you fail? 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.080 Can you 00:29:27.080 --> 00:29:27.519 answer that 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:27.900 a little bit 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:29.000 better now? 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:31.480 He pursues 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.539 you to draw 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:32.960 you out 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.519 of hiding 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.079 into a 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.740 relationship 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.440 with him. 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.799 He promises 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.639 hope at 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.539 your lowest 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.379 and darkest 00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:40.440 moments. 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.420 He takes 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.279 action to 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.119 provide what 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.940 you need. 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.519 He's always 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.279 been that 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.500 way. 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.299 He always 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.779 will be. 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.159 It's who 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.920 he is. 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.720 It's the 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.899 first glimpse 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.379 of his 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:51.980 redeeming 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.519 nature in 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:52.960 this story, 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.680 but there 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.139 are many, 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.980 many more 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.339 preparing us 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.639 for the 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.039 ultimate 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.579 redemption 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.379 we find 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.420 in Jesus. 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:01.700 Yahweh is 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.220 the king 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.220 of creation 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.200 who rules 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.460 justly and 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.519 firmly and 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.400 living your 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.120 own way 00:30:08.120 --> 00:30:08.779 rather than 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.640 his is 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.759 dangerous to 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.440 your soul. 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:12.920 So take 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.420 heed. 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.400 Don't trust 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:15.920 yourself. 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.660 And at the 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.480 same time, 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:21.240 he loves 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.039 to redeem. 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:24.580 So take 00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:25.100 comfort 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:27.159 and trust 00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:28.119 him. 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.039 I said I 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.779 learned a lot 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.299 about my 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:33.099 coach that 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:34.299 really hot 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:36.019 August day. 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.719 I did. 00:30:37.959 --> 00:30:38.919 I actually 00:30:38.919 --> 00:30:39.939 came to 00:30:39.939 --> 00:30:41.059 realize I 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.819 could trust 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:43.199 my coach, 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.500 that he 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.319 really loved 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.619 me. 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.059 Coach would 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:48.559 eventually say 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.319 encouraging 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:49.899 things. 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.279 He would 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.399 pray for us 00:30:51.399 --> 00:30:52.139 before every 00:30:52.139 --> 00:30:52.539 game. 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:52.859 God, 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.719 take care of 00:30:53.719 --> 00:30:54.279 my guys. 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:55.319 And so he 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:55.920 would demonstrate 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.420 his love. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:56.879 But I knew 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.259 by the end 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.799 of that first 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.500 practice I 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.019 could trust 00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.240 him. 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.220 By the end 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.859 of practice 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:03.359 that day, 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.319 I saw what 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.019 he was like 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.799 having been 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:07.079 disregarded, 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.500 having been 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.519 disrespected. 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.859 He went 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:13.379 and walked 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:13.879 over to that 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.539 hill where 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:16.220 of course the 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.079 player is now 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.799 crawling up 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.160 the hill. 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.759 And my 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.160 coach, who 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.500 is not a 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.059 small man 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.660 himself, 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.279 got down on 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.700 his hands 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.160 and knees 00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.740 beside him 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.019 and started 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.640 crawling up 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.000 the hill. 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.039 Shouting 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.779 encouragement 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.859 to the guy 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:28.420 next to him. 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:28.819 Come on, 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.319 you can do 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.460 it. 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:30.099 You can do 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.220 it. 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.420 Keep 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.700 coming. 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.200 Of course, 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.599 my coach 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:31.960 beat him 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.359 up the hill 00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:32.579 because it 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:32.799 was his 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.299 first trip. 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.079 He got 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:35.400 up to the 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:35.700 top and 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.000 he turned 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.339 around and 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.039 reached down, 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:37.720 grabbed the 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.259 guy by the 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.980 arm and 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.599 pulled him 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.220 up to 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.779 stand next 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.500 to him and 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.160 threw his 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.759 arms around 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.240 his big 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:43.940 sweaty, 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:44.880 stinky 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:47.620 self and 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.160 hugged 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.420 him. 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:50.740 And I 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:50.960 thought, 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:52.299 I can 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.420 trust him. 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:55.339 He does 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:55.980 love us. 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.160 I don't 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.500 want to 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.120 blow it, 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:00.839 but he's 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.180 the one I 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.759 want around 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.480 when I 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:02.720 do. 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.120 Y'all, 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.559 God has 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.599 entered into 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.240 our sin. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.519 He has 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.940 suffered for 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.660 us and 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.140 given us 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:12.019 not just a 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.880 hand up 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.900 but an 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.680 eternal 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.680 security, 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.440 a righteous 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.339 standing with 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:18.519 him, 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:18.980 a new 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.660 family when 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.599 we deserved 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.819 none of it. 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:24.879 there's no 00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:25.359 other God 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:25.980 like him. 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:26.919 No one 00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:27.700 else meets 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.079 you in 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.779 your failure 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.579 to bring 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.339 you hope 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.500 and redemption. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:32.799 Everyone 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.960 and all 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.619 of creation 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:35.319 needs to 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:36.439 know about 00:32:36.439 --> 00:32:37.240 a God who 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.200 redeems like 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:38.500 that. 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:38.759 Amen? 00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:40.419 Let's pray. 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:44.839 Father, 00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:45.359 we need to 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:45.939 know that 00:32:45.939 --> 00:32:46.460 because we 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.079 forget. 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:49.179 we fail 00:32:49.179 --> 00:32:49.599 and we 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:51.919 forget that 00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:52.699 you still 00:32:52.699 --> 00:32:53.299 love us 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.240 and that 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.720 you're more 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.639 gracious and 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.519 merciful than 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:58.419 we believe. 00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:01.199 Thank you for 00:33:01.199 --> 00:33:01.740 giving us a 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:03.000 reminder of that 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.559 this morning, 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:04.779 a picture 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:06.799 of your 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.960 redeeming 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.859 nature, 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:10.019 how you love 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:11.099 to rescue us 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:12.399 in the midst 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:13.059 of our failure. 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:13.819 Would you 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:15.720 so excite us 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.460 by that 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:16.819 that we 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.700 might long 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.279 for the 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:18.879 world to 00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:19.299 know 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:21.200 for everyone 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.579 and every 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.200 part of this 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:23.000 creation to 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.240 be touched 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.279 by the 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.980 God who 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:27.000 rules over 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.519 it all 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.259 and who 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.240 redeems 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:31.059 so gloriously. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.839 We ask it 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.579 in Jesus' 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:33.980 name. 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:35.539 Amen. 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:39.899 For more 00:33:39.899 --> 00:33:40.420 information, 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.220 visit us 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.119 online at 00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:43.000 southwood.org. 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:44.000 Thank you.