WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.560
 Let's open the word to Romans chapter 5, verse 1 to 5.

00:00:09.560 --> 00:00:12.820
 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:16.559
 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:20.679
 Through him we have also obtained access by faith

00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:23.480
 into this grace in which we stand,

00:00:23.580 --> 00:00:26.780
 and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:30.400
 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings,

00:00:31.060 --> 00:00:33.060
 knowing that suffering produces endurance,

00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:35.579
 and endurance produces character,

00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:37.900
 and character produces hope.

00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:40.539
 And hope does not put us to shame,

00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:43.960
 because God's love has been poured into our hearts

00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:46.700
 through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:55.060
 Okay, so we're going to jump into Romans chapter 5,

00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:56.420
 the first five verses this morning.

00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:01.740
 I do so by way of just illustration from the election.

00:01:01.980 --> 00:01:04.760
 We're two months out from a federal election,

00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.260
 and you'd have to be something really wrong

00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:12.840
 if you've missed the huge election roadshow

00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:15.879
 that rumbles on every single day.

00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:19.280
 Switch on the radio, the TV, it's there.

00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:20.799
 It's just in front of us all the time.

00:01:21.420 --> 00:01:23.000
 But here's the problem with it.

00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:27.659
 In spite of a really punishing schedule of visits to electorates

00:01:27.659 --> 00:01:28.659
 all around the countryside,

00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:33.980
 in spite of the ongoing handshaking and baby kissing,

00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:36.719
 in spite of the big promises,

00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:39.560
 and equally big funding packages

00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:41.519
 that seem to be tossed around at this time of the year,

00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:43.960
 all of which we're told will build our nation,

00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:46.260
 will create jobs, will increase our prosperity,

00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:47.980
 in spite of all of that,

00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:52.980
 scepticism is really widespread.

00:01:57.219 --> 00:02:00.640
 In fact, many voters, I think it would be fair to say,

00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:03.540
 regardless of which party wins the election,

00:02:03.960 --> 00:02:08.920
 many voters believe there'll be no lasting or real change,

00:02:09.020 --> 00:02:10.200
 no lasting benefits.

00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:13.599
 It's just more words.

00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:16.899
 It's just a performance.

00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:23.519
 Now, there's a similar concern that Paul, I think,

00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:25.879
 is addressing as we move into chapter 5.

00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:29.939
 He's working systematically through the gospel, what it is.

00:02:30.399 --> 00:02:32.000
 And as we move into chapter 5,

00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:33.459
 Paul asks the question,

00:02:34.239 --> 00:02:36.759
 what does the gospel actually do?

00:02:36.899 --> 00:02:38.120
 What does it actually achieve?

00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:39.479
 What are the benefits of it?

00:02:40.679 --> 00:02:42.079
 Now, we've got to backtrack a little bit

00:02:42.079 --> 00:02:43.239
 and put that in context.

00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:45.919
 So, at the start, Paul, from the start,

00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:48.719
 Paul has been really excited about God's gospel.

00:02:49.139 --> 00:02:50.219
 He said it early on,

00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:53.819
 that God's gospel is God's powerful way of saving people.

00:02:53.899 --> 00:02:55.439
 That's Romans chapter 1, verse 16.

00:02:58.459 --> 00:02:59.659
 And then, in chapter,

00:02:59.899 --> 00:03:01.879
 they're bound to chapter 1 and chapter 2 and chapter 3,

00:03:01.879 --> 00:03:04.319
 he made it clear that unrighteousness

00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:08.399
 or failure to live in the light of what we know about God

00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:11.500
 means that every single person who's ever lived

00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:12.780
 actually needs the gospel,

00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:14.520
 desperately needs the gospel.

00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:17.379
 There's God's righteousness or holiness,

00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:18.680
 and against that,

00:03:19.240 --> 00:03:21.860
 our unrighteousness or rebellion or sinfulness.

00:03:22.180 --> 00:03:23.280
 We need the gospel.

00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:26.759
 The picture gets bigger and bigger and bigger.

00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:29.099
 And then, in chapter 3 and chapter 4,

00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:32.240
 he's spelled out in detail what the gospel is.

00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:35.040
 We fall short of God's glory

00:03:35.040 --> 00:03:39.340
 and we're overcome with God's glory

00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:41.000
 as we're saved in Christ.

00:03:42.100 --> 00:03:43.540
 And he tends to spell out in chapter 4

00:03:43.540 --> 00:03:47.200
 exactly how individual believers receive the gospel,

00:03:47.320 --> 00:03:48.280
 the benefits of the gospel,

00:03:49.820 --> 00:03:51.080
 or receive God's salvation.

00:03:51.480 --> 00:03:53.240
 And now, in chapter 5 through to 8,

00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:54.520
 he moves into the next section,

00:03:54.600 --> 00:03:55.840
 which is a really positive section,

00:03:56.200 --> 00:03:58.280
 and he's going to spell out one by one

00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.479
 the benefits of the gospel,

00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:02.099
 what it actually achieves,

00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:03.300
 what the results of it are,

00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:04.379
 what it actually does.

00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:06.479
 And it's like building blocks,

00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:08.560
 just putting them one on top of the other

00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.120
 to step up and up and up

00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.879
 just to see how amazing

00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:13.939
 these benefits are

00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:15.360
 that come to us in the gospel.

00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:18.000
 So we're going to jump into it this morning

00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:18.899
 just in five verses.

00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:22.340
 In short, as I want to introduce

00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:23.120
 these three chapters,

00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:23.819
 then in short,

00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:26.019
 what does the gospel achieve?

00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:28.699
 Well, the gospel means

00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:31.240
 a radical change

00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:33.319
 in the way God views us,

00:04:33.659 --> 00:04:36.079
 in the way God treats us.

00:04:37.979 --> 00:04:39.199
 I'll say that again.

00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:42.379
 The gospel means a radical change

00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:45.919
 in the way God views us and treats us.

00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:50.339
 So in Jesus,

00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:53.359
 as we move into verse 1 of chapter 5 here,

00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:54.299
 in Jesus,

00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:56.500
 the first radical change

00:04:56.500 --> 00:04:57.939
 in the way God views us and treats us

00:04:57.939 --> 00:04:59.680
 is that we have a new standing.

00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:02.120
 A new standing

00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:04.620
 in which peace

00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:07.199
 defines relationship with God.

00:05:09.420 --> 00:05:11.100
 Now those of you who know history

00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:12.840
 or were old enough to remember,

00:05:13.840 --> 00:05:15.240
 World War II

00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:17.139
 ended formally

00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:19.939
 with a very, very simple

00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:21.580
 radio announcement.

00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:23.599
 and it said this,

00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:26.779
 hostilities are over

00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:29.639
 and we are now at peace.

00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:35.279
 It sort of,

00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:36.180
 in one sense,

00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:36.759
 jars

00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:39.180
 against the five years

00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:40.079
 that led to that,

00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:41.219
 the millions

00:05:41.219 --> 00:05:41.939
 that died,

00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:43.299
 the destruction.

00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:45.860
 but there it was.

00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:48.259
 Hostilities are over

00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:50.939
 and we are now

00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:51.639
 at peace.

00:05:55.520 --> 00:05:56.740
 Folk had known

00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:58.759
 the awfulness of war

00:05:58.759 --> 00:05:59.620
 for so long.

00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:02.400
 Indeed,

00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:03.240
 folk had known

00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:04.439
 that the war

00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:05.420
 was unavoidable.

00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:09.020
 but still,

00:06:09.140 --> 00:06:10.319
 they longed for peace.

00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:11.840
 And can I say

00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:13.000
 that they've longed for peace

00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.500
 as only those

00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:16.020
 who've experienced war

00:06:16.020 --> 00:06:17.600
 can long for it.

00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:20.580
 It's something that

00:06:20.580 --> 00:06:21.780
 probably my generation,

00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:22.639
 well maybe

00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:23.800
 because I come from Ireland

00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:24.400
 is a little bit different,

00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:25.700
 but generally speaking,

00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:26.480
 people my age

00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:27.580
 have not experienced

00:06:27.580 --> 00:06:28.879
 anything except peace.

00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:33.839
 So we don't know

00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:34.199
 what it is

00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:35.540
 to long for peace.

00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:38.600
 How do you think

00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:39.600
 Ukrainians

00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:40.779
 or many in Russia

00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:41.959
 would be thinking

00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:42.459
 this morning

00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:43.579
 as they long for peace?

00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:45.839
 Or many other parts

00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:46.459
 around the world.

00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:49.680
 But here it is.

00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:51.420
 They've longed for it

00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:52.759
 and here it is at last

00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:53.959
 as they heard

00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:54.899
 that radio announcement.

00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:55.860
 And of course,

00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:58.159
 it brought

00:06:58.160 --> 00:06:59.360
 such tremendous joy

00:06:59.360 --> 00:06:59.800
 to people

00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:00.700
 that countless

00:07:00.700 --> 00:07:02.200
 tens of thousands

00:07:02.200 --> 00:07:04.000
 of people

00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:05.439
 just went into the streets

00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:06.660
 dancing and singing

00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:07.800
 and hugging and kissing.

00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:10.880
 That's what peace does

00:07:10.880 --> 00:07:14.600
 in contrast to war.

00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:17.700
 And now you can understand

00:07:17.700 --> 00:07:18.340
 people thinking

00:07:18.340 --> 00:07:19.320
 well now

00:07:19.320 --> 00:07:20.700
 relationships

00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:21.800
 will be defined

00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:23.080
 and governed by peace

00:07:23.080 --> 00:07:23.940
 rather than war.

00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:31.340
 the horror of war

00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:32.060
 being replaced

00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:32.780
 by peace.

00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:35.300
 I think that's what

00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:36.600
 Paul's talking about here.

00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:37.720
 I'm trying to build up

00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:38.160
 the picture

00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:38.939
 so we can actually

00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:40.880
 feel it emotionally.

00:07:41.940 --> 00:07:42.600
 In verse 1,

00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:43.360
 therefore,

00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:44.540
 since we have been

00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:45.960
 justified by faith,

00:07:46.700 --> 00:07:47.860
 we have peace

00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:49.280
 with God

00:07:49.280 --> 00:07:50.900
 through our Lord

00:07:50.900 --> 00:07:51.600
 Jesus Christ.

00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:55.640
 friends,

00:07:55.780 --> 00:07:57.240
 the immediate benefit,

00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:58.540
 the first tab

00:07:58.540 --> 00:07:59.220
 off the rank

00:07:59.220 --> 00:07:59.920
 in terms of what

00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:00.900
 the gospel achieves

00:08:00.900 --> 00:08:02.420
 is peace

00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:03.660
 with God.

00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:07.140
 Hostility

00:08:07.140 --> 00:08:08.700
 from God

00:08:08.700 --> 00:08:10.020
 is a thing

00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:10.760
 of the past

00:08:10.760 --> 00:08:12.160
 in respect

00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:12.700
 of his people.

00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:20.279
 But we actually

00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:20.899
 need to do

00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:21.740
 a little bit of work

00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:22.860
 so we're clear

00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:23.240
 about what

00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.039
 peace with God

00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:24.560
 means

00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.579
 because the whole

00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:26.779
 concept of peace

00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:27.259
 with God

00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:28.339
 has been pretty well

00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:29.120
 sabotaged

00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:30.480
 in our day and age.

00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:33.100
 When you talk

00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:33.879
 about peace

00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:35.679
 or peace

00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:36.279
 with God,

00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:38.179
 I think for many

00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:39.879
 it would simply

00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:40.600
 be reduced

00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:41.460
 to how they

00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:42.639
 feel about God.

00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:45.040
 and the process

00:08:45.040 --> 00:08:45.460
 would work

00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:45.660
 therefore

00:08:45.660 --> 00:08:46.540
 something like this.

00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:48.320
 I don't actually

00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:49.220
 feel any

00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:49.980
 animosity

00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:50.879
 towards God.

00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:51.520
 I've never

00:08:51.520 --> 00:08:52.400
 ever felt

00:08:52.400 --> 00:08:53.180
 any animosity

00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:54.040
 towards God

00:08:54.040 --> 00:08:55.700
 and I even

00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:56.540
 have an inner

00:08:56.540 --> 00:08:57.280
 sense of calm

00:08:57.280 --> 00:08:57.820
 when I think

00:08:57.820 --> 00:08:58.420
 about God.

00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.240
 And so therefore,

00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:03.480
 what are you

00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:03.920
 talking about?

00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:04.940
 I don't believe

00:09:04.940 --> 00:09:05.540
 there's ever been

00:09:05.540 --> 00:09:06.040
 a problem

00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:07.840
 in the relationship.

00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:09.680
 In fact,

00:09:09.780 --> 00:09:10.320
 I would venture

00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:10.940
 to say that I've

00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:11.540
 always been at

00:09:11.540 --> 00:09:12.180
 peace with God.

00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:15.520
 You see the danger

00:09:15.520 --> 00:09:15.980
 of that thing?

00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:17.060
 It's about how

00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:18.020
 I feel

00:09:18.020 --> 00:09:19.580
 towards God.

00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:22.660
 But you see,

00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:24.120
 our own experiences

00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:24.720
 in life

00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:25.500
 should make us

00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:25.920
 a little bit

00:09:25.920 --> 00:09:26.300
 cautious.

00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:31.240
 I think most of us

00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.219
 will experience

00:09:32.219 --> 00:09:33.379
 the shock

00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:34.519
 of discovering

00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.679
 that a relationship

00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:36.539
 we thought

00:09:36.539 --> 00:09:38.139
 was peaceful

00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.059
 and working

00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:39.599
 well

00:09:39.599 --> 00:09:41.740
 was actually

00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:42.799
 seriously broken.

00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:43.719
 It's just that we

00:09:43.719 --> 00:09:44.539
 didn't know about it

00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:45.219
 and that the other

00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:46.439
 party in the relationship

00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:47.419
 was actually really

00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:48.259
 hostile to us,

00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:49.299
 was at war with us.

00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:51.699
 Have you been there,

00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:52.439
 discovered that sort

00:09:52.439 --> 00:09:52.719
 of thing?

00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:54.899
 It's a shocking

00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.800
 thing to discover.

00:09:59.160 --> 00:09:59.940
 No amount

00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:00.620
 of pretending

00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.540
 a relationship

00:10:01.540 --> 00:10:02.259
 is peaceful

00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:02.920
 and functioning

00:10:02.920 --> 00:10:03.960
 well matters

00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:05.980
 if the other

00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:06.420
 person,

00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:07.560
 the other party

00:10:07.560 --> 00:10:08.300
 to the relationship

00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:09.560
 is not of the same

00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:09.960
 mind.

00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.580
 I can feel

00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:12.300
 really warm

00:10:12.300 --> 00:10:12.680
 and fuzzy

00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:13.120
 towards them,

00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:13.820
 but if they're

00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:14.360
 not warm

00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:14.680
 and fuzzy

00:10:14.680 --> 00:10:15.180
 towards me,

00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:16.240
 then the relationship

00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.159
 doesn't work.

00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:23.299
 So,

00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:23.980
 verse 1.

00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:26.580
 The focus here

00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:27.580
 for Paul

00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:28.720
 is not on how

00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:31.100
 I feel about God,

00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:32.600
 but far more

00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:33.120
 importantly,

00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:34.259
 it's about how

00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:35.580
 God feels about me.

00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.019
 That's what we

00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:38.820
 want to know about.

00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:41.019
 And the verse

00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:41.560
 then says,

00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:41.940
 therefore,

00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.180
 since we have

00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:43.820
 been justified

00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:44.759
 by faith,

00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:47.720
 we have peace

00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:48.319
 with God

00:10:48.319 --> 00:10:48.700
 through our

00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:49.179
 Lord Jesus

00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:49.700
 Christ.

00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.539
 In Jesus,

00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:55.299
 hostility

00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:55.980
 has been

00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:56.860
 brought to an

00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:57.120
 end.

00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:00.100
 There is no

00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:00.720
 more hostility

00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.559
 from God

00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:02.759
 towards me

00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.319
 in my

00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:04.340
 unrighteousness,

00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:04.939
 my sin,

00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:05.580
 my rebellion.

00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:06.200
 He spoke about

00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:06.799
 in chapters 1

00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:07.059
 and 2.

00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.179
 Why not?

00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:09.980
 Because of

00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:11.000
 what Jesus

00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.539
 has done

00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:12.139
 for me.

00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:17.559
 peace with

00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:18.039
 God

00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:19.500
 is tied

00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.100
 to the

00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:20.500
 death of

00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:20.899
 Christ

00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:22.360
 and is the

00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.480
 direct result

00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.120
 of being

00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:24.679
 justified

00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.480
 by grace

00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:25.899
 alone

00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:26.799
 through faith

00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:27.100
 alone.

00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:28.779
 So,

00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:29.120
 my friends,

00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:29.699
 the gospel

00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:31.019
 actually changes

00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:32.019
 the standing

00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:33.179
 or the way

00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:34.259
 God views

00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:34.879
 his special

00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.259
 people.

00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:37.720
 The gospel

00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.340
 means that God

00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:39.279
 is reconciled

00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:39.699
 to me.

00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:42.360
 Where once

00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.799
 I was pushed

00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:44.299
 away to

00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:44.879
 arm's length,

00:11:45.079 --> 00:11:45.839
 alienated from

00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:46.159
 God,

00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:46.519
 and God

00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.220
 alienated from

00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:47.759
 me because

00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.100
 of my

00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:48.879
 unrighteousness,

00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:50.959
 he's now

00:11:50.959 --> 00:11:51.439
 brought me

00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:51.899
 back.

00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:52.899
 He's now

00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.779
 reconciled

00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:54.279
 himself to

00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:56.620
 me through

00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.259
 the death

00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:57.740
 of the

00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.159
 Lord Jesus

00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:58.620
 Christ.

00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:01.919
 Again,

00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:02.419
 let me just

00:12:02.419 --> 00:12:02.740
 try an

00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:03.179
 illustration.

00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:03.779
 I'm just

00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:04.439
 keen to

00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:05.279
 try and get

00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:05.959
 us to feel

00:12:05.959 --> 00:12:06.519
 this, the

00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:07.059
 power of

00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:07.319
 this.

00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:08.579
 It's

00:12:08.579 --> 00:12:09.019
 familiar

00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.579
 words,

00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.639
 but I

00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.219
 deal with

00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:11.559
 it every

00:12:11.559 --> 00:12:12.299
 day of

00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:12.599
 the week

00:12:12.599 --> 00:12:13.419
 where people

00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:13.979
 can't just

00:12:13.979 --> 00:12:14.779
 grasp it

00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.379
 practically.

00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:20.059
 Three weeks

00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:20.399
 ago,

00:12:20.959 --> 00:12:22.399
 Russia began

00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.139
 hostilities

00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:25.059
 in Ukraine.

00:12:28.339 --> 00:12:28.899
 Now,

00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.179
 as we

00:12:30.179 --> 00:12:30.519
 ponder

00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:30.879
 that,

00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.759
 we know

00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.919
 that Ukrainians

00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:35.099
 don't want

00:12:35.099 --> 00:12:35.779
 hostility

00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.959
 and war

00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:37.519
 with Russia.

00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.159
 And what

00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:39.419
 do we have

00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:39.740
 to say?

00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:40.860
 Well, that

00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:41.220
 matters

00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:41.579
 little.

00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:44.699
 It matters

00:12:44.699 --> 00:12:45.600
 little that

00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:46.519
 Ukrainians don't

00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:47.259
 want hostilities

00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.679
 because superpower

00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:50.539
 Russia has

00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.500
 declared war.

00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.559
 So what's the

00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.059
 only hope of

00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:54.399
 peace,

00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:55.860
 realistically?

00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.539
 Well, it

00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.120
 will be if

00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:59.379
 superpower Russia

00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:01.379
 decides at some

00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.480
 point that the

00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.500
 graviences or

00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.179
 whatever the

00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:04.799
 issues were that

00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:05.319
 caused the

00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:05.980
 hostilities in

00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.360
 the first

00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:06.640
 place,

00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:07.140
 have been

00:13:07.140 --> 00:13:07.700
 satisfied.

00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.100
 My friends,

00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.020
 the superpower,

00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.360
 whether we like

00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:17.900
 it or not,

00:13:18.520 --> 00:13:19.180
 holds the

00:13:19.180 --> 00:13:20.160
 key to

00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:20.580
 peace.

00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:26.700
 So go back

00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:27.040
 to my

00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:27.620
 Second World

00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:27.860
 War

00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.879
 illustration.

00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.020
 Christ's death,

00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.580
 as it were,

00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:30.880
 then,

00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.840
 is God's

00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.220
 radio

00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:32.860
 announcement

00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.720
 that the

00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:35.419
 state of

00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:35.860
 war,

00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:36.659
 which is

00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:37.620
 holiness or

00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.279
 righteousness,

00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.379
 caused him to

00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:40.500
 declare in

00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.340
 response to our

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.279
 unrighteousness,

00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.279
 our unholiness,

00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:43.960
 our sinful

00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:44.500
 rebellion,

00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:47.100
 is now over.

00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:52.100
 The superpower,

00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:52.820
 God,

00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:53.519
 the righteous

00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.019
 God,

00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.139
 declared war,

00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:56.559
 as it were,

00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.759
 declared hostility

00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.460
 against our

00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.259
 unrighteousness,

00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.259
 and he now

00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.720
 has declared

00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.340
 peace.

00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:03.740
 Why can he now

00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.340
 declare peace?

00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:06.820
 Because we are

00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:07.759
 justified, we are

00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.860
 put right with him

00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:10.019
 through the death of

00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.519
 the Lord Jesus

00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:10.980
 Christ.

00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.000
 The righteous

00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.500
 God is

00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.400
 reconciled to his

00:14:17.400 --> 00:14:17.580
 people.

00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:18.320
 The cause of

00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:19.680
 alienation and war

00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:21.519
 is gone completely

00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:23.000
 and forever.

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:25.720
 no longer

00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:27.000
 are God's

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.500
 people the

00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.120
 target of his

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.419
 anger,

00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:31.019
 but peace

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.600
 means we are

00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.220
 the recipients

00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.460
 of his love

00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.139
 and blessing.

00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.580
 No longer

00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:37.440
 is there

00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:38.279
 tension and

00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.179
 alienation in

00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:39.740
 the relationship

00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.440
 between God

00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:40.860
 and people.

00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:42.879
 Now there is

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.620
 only peace

00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.820
 and closeness

00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:47.360
 and enjoyment

00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:49.600
 and stability.

00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:56.460
 Now friends,

00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:59.060
 this might seem

00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:00.220
 to be an

00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.180
 understated

00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:01.980
 application,

00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:02.759
 but I think

00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.159
 it's really

00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:03.540
 important.

00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.159
 Increasingly,

00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:04.500
 I think it's

00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:04.980
 really important.

00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:07.379
 We so often

00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.399
 fail to

00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:09.180
 appreciate

00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:10.879
 what a great

00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.800
 benefit we get

00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.420
 from Christ's

00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:12.940
 death at a

00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:13.759
 practical level.

00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:15.340
 Yes, we can

00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.320
 work through

00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:16.960
 the theological

00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:17.580
 theory,

00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:18.560
 but when it

00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.379
 comes to being

00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.139
 on the ground,

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.019
 living with

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.419
 our sin,

00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.000
 living with

00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.659
 ourselves on

00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.460
 a daily basis,

00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.679
 so often we

00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:25.059
 fail to

00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.399
 appreciate the

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:26.980
 benefit we

00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.879
 have in

00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.320
 Christ.

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.039
 Often we're

00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.840
 ho-hum and

00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:34.700
 matter-of-fact

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.659
 rather than

00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.519
 amazed and

00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.519
 full of praise

00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.980
 and secure.

00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:40.340
 Why?

00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:40.960
 Why might

00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.399
 that be?

00:15:42.539 --> 00:15:43.159
 Well, because

00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.220
 the notion of

00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:44.980
 personally

00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.019
 recognizing and

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.039
 owning my sin

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:48.080
 or unrighteousness

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.679
 or rebellion

00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.479
 against God

00:15:49.479 --> 00:15:50.819
 and the

00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.919
 severe consequences

00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.699
 this brings in

00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.639
 terms of God's

00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.639
 just condemnation

00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:56.299
 is not something

00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:57.419
 I or we find

00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:58.519
 pleasant or easy,

00:15:59.319 --> 00:16:02.239
 especially in

00:16:02.239 --> 00:16:03.219
 our world where

00:16:03.219 --> 00:16:04.079
 constantly we're

00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:04.559
 being told,

00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.000
 actually,

00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.639
 people are really

00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.339
 good at heart.

00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:15.480
 so if I

00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:17.139
 fudge that part

00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.879
 of the equation,

00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.700
 then it

00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.340
 makes sense

00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.120
 that the other

00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.580
 part of the

00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:23.860
 equation,

00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.620
 what God has

00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.139
 done for me

00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.660
 in Jesus

00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:28.000
 is no big

00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.280
 deal.

00:16:28.280 --> 00:16:28.399
 So,

00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:34.179
 God's holy

00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:34.860
 or just

00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.419
 or righteous

00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:36.059
 character

00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.939
 is too

00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.659
 hard for us

00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:37.980
 to bear

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.679
 and so we

00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.179
 try to dumb

00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:39.679
 it down

00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:41.600
 and we

00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.340
 rob ourselves

00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.840
 therefore

00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:44.199
 of

00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:45.860
 the joy

00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.199
 and the

00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:46.600
 praise

00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.620
 that

00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:49.360
 should flow

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:49.860
 to us

00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:51.240
 when we

00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:51.919
 see the

00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.840
 massive gap,

00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.379
 opening up

00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:53.980
 the massive

00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:54.980
 gap and then

00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.679
 see how that

00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:56.759
 massive gap

00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.360
 is bridged

00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.460
 an incredible

00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.259
 cost to the

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.600
 Lord in

00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:01.939
 the death

00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.220
 of his

00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.500
 son.

00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:06.839
 So,

00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.140
 on the one

00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.359
 hand,

00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:07.579
 you see,

00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:09.599
 either we

00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.619
 tend to view

00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.240
 God as

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.799
 sort of that

00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.299
 heavenly

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.180
 grandfather

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:15.000
 whose job

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.980
 is to spoil

00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.420
 us,

00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.779
 giving us

00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.279
 whatever we

00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.240
 want regardless

00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.140
 of our most

00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:21.759
 obnoxious

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.220
 behavior.

00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:22.859
 That's what

00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.319
 I think

00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:23.879
 grandfathers

00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:24.420
 are sometimes

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.359
 expected to

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:25.579
 do.

00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.640
 Or,

00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.039
 alternatively,

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.559
 we think

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.379
 of God as

00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:32.259
 constantly

00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.039
 cranky

00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:35.160
 and unpleasant

00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:35.920
 to be around.

00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:36.859
 Maybe he's still

00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.319
 a grandfather

00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:37.700
 figure,

00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.160
 maybe that's

00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:38.579
 coming closer

00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.059
 to home for

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.279
 me.

00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.599
 We tend

00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:40.859
 to think

00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.099
 of God

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.379
 as being

00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:41.819
 constantly

00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.359
 cranky

00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:42.839
 and unpleasant

00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:43.180
 to be

00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:43.400
 around.

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.200
 And so

00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:44.839
 we try

00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.059
 to have

00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.440
 as little

00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:45.799
 to do

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.140
 with God

00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:46.700
 as possible.

00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:53.240
 again,

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:53.860
 it just

00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.840
 dumbs

00:17:54.840 --> 00:17:55.500
 down and

00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:55.960
 blurs

00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:56.480
 that which

00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:56.740
 should be

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.600
 really sharp.

00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.779
 Advertisers,

00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.440
 for example,

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.480
 know the

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.340
 power of

00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:02.100
 before and

00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.559
 after.

00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.740
 It's used

00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.620
 constantly in

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.140
 advertising.

00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.440
 So you've

00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:06.720
 got the

00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.779
 drab person

00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:09.299
 with drab

00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:09.840
 hair,

00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.180
 dandruff.

00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.480
 Why is this

00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.140
 drab person

00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.779
 so bad?

00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.720
 Because they

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.299
 haven't used

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.980
 Pantene

00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.539
 Pro-V.

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.420
 And three

00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.039
 days worth

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.399
 of using

00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:20.220
 that and

00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.819
 this person

00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.319
 is totally

00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:21.779
 renewed.

00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.559
 The pitch,

00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.200
 and it works,

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:24.779
 we can laugh

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.000
 at it,

00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.399
 but it really

00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:25.779
 works,

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.399
 is the

00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:27.099
 before and

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.539
 after.

00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.220
 Friends,

00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.500
 as Christians,

00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.299
 we must

00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.740
 keep reminding

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.579
 ourselves of

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.359
 the before

00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.299
 and after

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:40.779
 picture.

00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.319
 Before,

00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.599
 hostility.

00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:44.940
 Wrath,

00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:46.319
 righteous

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.339
 condemnation

00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:49.539
 for our

00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.639
 unrighteousness.

00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:52.299
 Now,

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.980
 peace,

00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.660
 joy,

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:56.660
 stability.

00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.379
 The connection

00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:00.960
 with the two

00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:02.920
 in Christ.

00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.440
 If we forget

00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.399
 this contrast

00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:11.240
 and this

00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.299
 great blessing

00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:12.779
 of peace

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.399
 with God,

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.839
 we won't

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.440
 be stirred

00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.099
 to praise

00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.720
 and thankful

00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.240
 obedience.

00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:17.839
 It's that

00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.139
 simple.

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.599
 The second

00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.019
 thing then

00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.299
 is,

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.000
 the second

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.700
 benefit is

00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.500
 a new

00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.079
 intimacy

00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:24.819
 and privilege,

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.240
 what I'm

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.519
 calling

00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.539
 unrestricted

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.119
 access

00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.180
 to God.

00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.039
 Now,

00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.519
 peace was

00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.139
 declared by

00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:32.359
 God.

00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.139
 That's a

00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:34.440
 legal process.

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.000
 God

00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.680
 declared

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.379
 peace,

00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.819
 a judicial

00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.500
 process.

00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:38.559
 peace.

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.400
 Now,

00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.559
 when a judge

00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.119
 acquits

00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.619
 a criminal

00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:42.079
 in our

00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.559
 justice

00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.019
 system,

00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:43.859
 there's

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.220
 absolutely

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.819
 no

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.779
 expectation

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.680
 of

00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.359
 ongoing

00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.059
 relationship

00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.680
 between the

00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.059
 judge

00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:49.740
 and the

00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.019
 person

00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.420
 acquitted.

00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:50.900
 God

00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:55.480
 acquits

00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.019
 his people,

00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.120
 not only

00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:58.460
 does he

00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.660
 change his

00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.120
 view of

00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.279
 us

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.900
 judicially,

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:03.960
 but there's

00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.240
 actually

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.160
 ongoing

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.060
 personal

00:20:06.060 --> 00:20:06.700
 benefit,

00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.400
 the benefit

00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.259
 of intimate

00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.900
 personal

00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.660
 relationship

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.840
 and immense

00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.440
 privilege.

00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:14.680
 Look at

00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.180
 verse 2.

00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:15.580
 Do you see

00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:15.759
 that?

00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:17.559
 We have

00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:17.980
 peace with

00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.379
 God through

00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:18.680
 our Lord

00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.200
 Jesus Christ.

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.079
 Through him,

00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:20.960
 we have

00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.160
 also obtained

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:23.980
 access by

00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.720
 faith into

00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:27.559
 this grace in

00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.019
 which we

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.460
 stand.

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:30.839
 We have

00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.619
 also obtained

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.819
 access by

00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.859
 faith into

00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:35.420
 this grace in

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:35.819
 which we

00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.220
 stand.

00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.960
 Now,

00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.460
 what does

00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:40.920
 that mean?

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.480
 Well,

00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.039
 I think it

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.599
 means this.

00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.059
 We're all

00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.079
 familiar with

00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.700
 the notion

00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:47.180
 of security

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.960
 clearances.

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.720
 Well,

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:50.940
 I think

00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.259
 what it's

00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.840
 saying here

00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:53.799
 is that

00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.120
 we,

00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.380
 in Christ,

00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.380
 we are

00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.900
 issued with

00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.740
 the highest

00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:00.600
 level security

00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:02.120
 clearance in

00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:03.240
 terms of

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.819
 rock concerts.

00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:04.880
 It's an

00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:06.000
 access all

00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.259
 areas past.

00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.880
 It means

00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.360
 when you

00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.039
 flash that

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.700
 thing that

00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.240
 hangs around

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.720
 your neck on

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.140
 a lanyard,

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.039
 it tells

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.980
 people that

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.500
 you have a

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:16.960
 right to

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.420
 be there.

00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:19.680
 You belong

00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.079
 there.

00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.039
 In the

00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.819
 presence of

00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.899
 God himself,

00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:32.200
 displaying our

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.680
 right now

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.960
 in Christ

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:37.559
 to be in

00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.299
 God's presence

00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.720
 for all

00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.099
 eternity.

00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:50.480
 God's

00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:50.639
 God's presence.

00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:50.939
 So again,

00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.599
 an illustration,

00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:52.579
 I think this

00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.099
 might do it,

00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:53.740
 but if not,

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.419
 try and come up

00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:54.759
 with your own

00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.139
 illustration.

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.240
 Don't trip over

00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.299
 my failures.

00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.059
 In days past,

00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:00.179
 when a person

00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:00.819
 was,

00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.539
 and I'm talking

00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:03.119
 many generations

00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.359
 ago,

00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:03.919
 when a person

00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:04.519
 was invited

00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.299
 to a party,

00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:05.839
 put on by

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.579
 some dignitary,

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.399
 you'd be

00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:08.919
 brought into

00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:09.679
 the ballroom

00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:12.139
 and you

00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:12.839
 would stop

00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.299
 and somebody

00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.199
 would formally

00:22:15.199 --> 00:22:16.079
 announce you.

00:22:17.199 --> 00:22:17.500
 They would

00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.199
 call out your

00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:18.759
 name so as

00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.199
 everybody would

00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:20.299
 hear that

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:20.859
 Mr. and

00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.779
 Mrs. Calderwood

00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:23.000
 were here

00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.279
 by invitation

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.480
 of the host

00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:28.579
 and by that

00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.299
 invitation

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.599
 are entitled

00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.359
 to all

00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:31.899
 household

00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.459
 privileges.

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:42.279
 as I

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.759
 came to

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.220
 Christ,

00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:43.819
 as I was

00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.380
 brought to

00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:45.079
 Christ by

00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.840
 God's grace,

00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.640
 I was brought

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.319
 into the

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:47.920
 throne room

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.380
 of God

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.100
 by Christ

00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:51.700
 and formally

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.360
 announced

00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:54.279
 to the

00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.539
 Heavenly

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:54.980
 Father

00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:56.559
 as one

00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.140
 being the

00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.680
 recipient

00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.380
 of the

00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:58.759
 benefits

00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.120
 of his

00:22:59.120 --> 00:22:59.579
 death

00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:01.779
 and therefore

00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.440
 entitled

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.759
 to all

00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.460
 the blessings

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.759
 of God's

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.120
 grace.

00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.720
 Imagine that.

00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.559
 Imagine being

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.180
 entitled to

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.920
 all the

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.340
 blessings

00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:17.960
 of God's

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.360
 grace

00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:20.420
 and having

00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.360
 the confidence

00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:23.160
 to look

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.660
 for them.

00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.400
 See,

00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:26.840
 that's much

00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:27.140
 more than

00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.779
 just permission

00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.380
 to be in

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:28.680
 God's

00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.080
 presence.

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.079
 God's

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.339
 presence.

00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.139
 That's the

00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:31.879
 invitation to

00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.579
 come into

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.319
 God's

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.559
 presence and

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.299
 fill the

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.519
 space that's

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:36.980
 been given

00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:40.000
 you and

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.720
 enjoy the

00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.299
 space that's

00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.679
 been given

00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:43.899
 you in

00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.220
 God's

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.619
 presence.

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.859
 Dare I

00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.259
 say,

00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:49.619
 it's to

00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.299
 act as if

00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:50.759
 you ought

00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.099
 to be

00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:51.419
 there.

00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.220
 Some years

00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.199
 ago I was

00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:54.480
 down in

00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.659
 Adelaide and

00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:57.600
 kids,

00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.080
 our four

00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:58.500
 children had

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.000
 a choice of

00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.340
 going with

00:23:59.340 --> 00:23:59.580
 Alison

00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.940
 shopping or

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.360
 coming with

00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:01.779
 me to try

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.120
 and get into

00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.460
 the South

00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:02.800
 Australian

00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.380
 cricket ground.

00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.160
 We didn't

00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:05.860
 have tickets and

00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.180
 I said,

00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.540
 look, just

00:24:06.540 --> 00:24:07.000
 follow me,

00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:07.480
 kids, don't

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.080
 look up, just

00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:08.600
 look as if you

00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:08.940
 own the

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.279
 place.

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:10.840
 And that

00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:11.259
 got us in

00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.600
 through the

00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.060
 first couple

00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:12.460
 of gates,

00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.400
 but then

00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.120
 finally a

00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.840
 security guard

00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:15.660
 accosted us.

00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.140
 But by then it

00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:17.560
 was too late

00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:17.800
 because there

00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:18.480
 was actually no

00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.019
 way out, we

00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.440
 were stuck.

00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.360
 And at that

00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:20.759
 point I

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.420
 used my

00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.279
 I'm Irish,

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:23.900
 that didn't

00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.220
 work.

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.299
 I even

00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.700
 used my

00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.220
 I'm Irish

00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.559
 and from

00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:26.960
 the country

00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.220
 and that

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.440
 didn't

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:27.740
 work.

00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:28.500
 We were

00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.039
 escorted out

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.220
 of the

00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.740
 ground and

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.160
 my kids

00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.779
 were still

00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.240
 laughing at

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.640
 me weeks

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:31.900
 later.

00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.100
 The point

00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:35.680
 is I

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.500
 pretended at

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.059
 that point

00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.140
 to look as

00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.620
 if I should

00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:38.940
 have been

00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.279
 there.

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.400
 It didn't

00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:43.420
 work, not

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:43.799
 for very

00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.059
 long.

00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:46.079
 But in

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:48.500
 Christ, as

00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:48.819
 it were, if

00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.160
 you can just

00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.819
 picture this and

00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.500
 it'll come with

00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:50.900
 me in the

00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:52.380
 picture, in

00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.279
 Christ I can

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.299
 wander around

00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.940
 the courts

00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.259
 of heaven in

00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.000
 the presence of

00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.639
 God himself,

00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:03.000
 knowing I

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.339
 have the

00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:04.019
 right to be

00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.819
 there, not

00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.399
 by my own

00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.759
 merit, but

00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.420
 by Christ.

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.740
 And I can

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.460
 claim those

00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.399
 benefits every

00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:15.740
 single day in

00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.599
 my daily work

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.160
 with Christ.

00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.220
 Christ.

00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.259
 Christ.

00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.299
 Christ.

00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.319
 Christ.

00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:17.339
 Christ.

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.359
 Christ.

00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:17.379
 Christ.

00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.440
 Christ.

00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:17.460
 Christ.

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:17.500
 Christ.

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:17.859
 Christ.

00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:17.879
 Christ.

00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:19.299
 Christ.

00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.339
 Christ.

00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:19.839
 Christ.

00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.399
 Christ.

00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.379
 Christ.

00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.399
 Christ.

00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:23.259
 Christ.

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.980
 Christ.

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.059
 Christ.

00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.319
 That's some

00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.920
 blessing, isn't

00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.039
 it?

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.160
 Being treated

00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.140
 in grace is

00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:30.940
 generously receiving

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.940
 the opposite of

00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.559
 what I deserve.

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.519
 What a great

00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:39.220
 blessing that you

00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.079
 and me as sinful

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.900
 people have,

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.660
 through Christ,

00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.980
 been brought to

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.400
 God who

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.440
 declared that we

00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.819
 will forever share

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.859
 the blessings of

00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:49.299
 his grace and

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:52.000
 favor fully and

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.900
 without reserve.

00:25:53.259 --> 00:26:02.039
 During the Vietnam War, there were hundreds of little children who had no families.

00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:07.019
 They used to follow the soldiers around and beg to be taken home with them.

00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:18.259
 And it's a great joy to read history that many American soldiers and Australian soldiers did just that.

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:21.019
 These little children were lost.

00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:24.279
 They had no place to belong, nobody to care for them.

00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:30.619
 And many of these GIs took them home and adopted them into their families.

00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:40.180
 Adopted hopeless children and gave them a new home and security.

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:54.100
 My friends, being given access into grace is being adopted into God's own family.

00:26:54.960 --> 00:27:01.779
 And given the security and privileges of that family forever.

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:13.779
 Now the question is, again, do you see the privilege that is yours as a Christian?

00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:24.200
 Do you fill your mind with pictures to help you appreciate what this means?

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:44.519
 Do you really believe that in Christ you're God's adopted child and that he will protect you and keep you and love you and provide for your every need and never abandon you?

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:55.799
 Do you know yourself to be held firmly and tenderly in your father's arms?

00:27:56.359 --> 00:28:01.259
 Just like a father embraces his child and calms their fears.

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.660
 Do you understand that he loves you?

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:10.859
 That he'll only do what's good for you.

00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:10.900
 Do you?

00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:10.960
 Do you?

00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.460
 Do you?

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:11.539
 Do you?

00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.000
 Do you?

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.039
 Do you?

00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:14.039
 Do you?

00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:19.200
 And he'll only keep on doing that for eternity.

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.740
 Well, the final point, we're almost finished.

00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:34.799
 New standing, new intimacy and privilege and a new orientation bound for glory.

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:40.119
 So I said at the start, these benefits are like just giant building blocks.

00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:43.399
 The benefits of the benefits of the gospel are piled up one on top of the other.

00:28:43.479 --> 00:28:47.699
 We climb onto one to access the next one and fully understand the next one.

00:28:48.459 --> 00:28:50.299
 We have a new standing with God.

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:55.639
 And we're actually adopted into God's family and enjoy all its privileges.

00:28:55.639 --> 00:29:01.240
 But most amazing of all, we're bound for glory.

00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:05.859
 Which means that we will actually be made like Jesus.

00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:11.519
 Verse 2 again.

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.539
 Second half of verse 2.

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:17.379
 We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:25.279
 We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:30.779
 Remember back in chapter 3, verse 23, it said we've all fallen short of the glory of God.

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.720
 Now we're back in contact with it again.

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.099
 In Christ.

00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:43.459
 Now the word hope is not like we use it these days, as Don mentioned in his children's talk.

00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:46.759
 It's not some vague hope or wish.

00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:51.439
 Here it's a conviction, a certainty, a reality.

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.779
 There's nothing uncertain about it.

00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:58.139
 So it would help us if we change that word.

00:29:58.219 --> 00:30:04.339
 We rejoice in the certainty of experiencing the glory of God.

00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:12.740
 What is that?

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:20.119
 Well, I've already said in chapter 3, verse 23, sin meant we fall short of God's glory or character of righteousness.

00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:22.059
 That's what Bo talked about a few weeks ago.

00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:24.480
 God's glory is God's character of righteousness.

00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:28.439
 We fall miserably short of that in our own abilities.

00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:33.400
 And the gospel means we regain that which was lost.

00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:40.480
 Hope of glory is that we will be with God and that we will be like him.

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:48.279
 Paul mentions this in Philippians chapter 3.

00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:51.259
 Just listen to Philippians chapter 3, verse 20 and 21.

00:30:51.259 --> 00:31:21.240
 Paul says this,

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:32.240
 So going back to the adoption idea again, children who are adopted into a family invariably begin to develop the characteristics of the family that they live with.

00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:40.180
 I remember in time when people laughed at me endlessly because I said this particular little boy was starting to look like his father.

00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:42.519
 His father was white Anglo-Saxon.

00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:44.299
 This little boy was Negroed.

00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:48.940
 But I had just seen them over years.

00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:52.000
 And I had stopped saying color or anything else.

00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:54.740
 He just started to look like his father in my eyes.

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:59.720
 He was an adopted boy, by the way.

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:01.319
 I should have told you that was part of the story, I suppose.

00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:07.240
 Children who are adopted into a family invariably began to develop the characteristics of that family.

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:11.720
 And this is exactly what happens to those who are in Christ's family.

00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:19.500
 Christ's spirit works in us, renovating us little by little from the inside out to become like Jesus.

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:24.319
 You might be saying by this stage,

00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:28.860
 But what about all the trials and the hard circumstances I experience?

00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:40.899
 Surely the reality of life as a Christian is that tough circumstances and my own failings and my experiences are more likely to destroy me than to see me become like Christ.

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:46.719
 Well, not so, according to Paul in verses 3 and 4.

00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.799
 So he says,

00:32:48.959 --> 00:32:51.219
 We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

00:32:52.179 --> 00:32:53.259
 More than that,

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.000
 Get that?

00:32:55.119 --> 00:32:57.619
 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings.

00:32:58.859 --> 00:33:01.059
 Knowing that suffering produces endurance,

00:33:01.219 --> 00:33:02.919
 And endurance produces character,

00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:05.019
 And character produces hope,

00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:07.639
 And hope does not put us to shame,

00:33:07.719 --> 00:33:11.859
 Because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,

00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:13.459
 Who has been given to us.

00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.299
 In Christ,

00:33:20.199 --> 00:33:21.359
 As Christians,

00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:23.879
 We are bound for glory.

00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:29.080
 Nothing will stop us from getting there.

00:33:32.520 --> 00:33:34.760
 So what about these hard circumstances?

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:35.880
 What about our experiences?

00:33:36.060 --> 00:33:36.660
 Well, says Paul,

00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:39.860
 These very experiences,

00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:41.120
 Sometimes painful,

00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:42.640
 Enormously difficult,

00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:45.100
 Will be the means by which

00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:47.620
 We become more and more

00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:49.360
 Like our Lord.

00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:53.979
 So here's the rub for us.

00:33:54.219 --> 00:33:55.500
 Glory is certain,

00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:59.139
 But there's no promise of an easy,

00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.879
 Hassle-free ride.

00:34:04.879 --> 00:34:06.539
 I like a neat yard at home.

00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:10.019
 But to achieve that neat yard,

00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.779
 I have to mow the lawn,

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.679
 I have to dig out weeds,

00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:16.980
 And I have to keep the edges trimmed,

00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.719
 And I have to keep the fences in tight.

00:34:19.919 --> 00:34:20.719
 Which interestingly,

00:34:20.899 --> 00:34:22.279
 All of which I hate doing.

00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:27.279
 But I do them,

00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:30.500
 Because of what it produces.

00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:35.099
 It's the same here with Paul.

00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:39.619
 Being like Christ is the end point.

00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:43.199
 But the process involves dealing with

00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:45.579
 All sorts of painful and frustrating

00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:48.099
 And disappointing circumstances along the way.

00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:51.880
 And when we can see this link,

00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:55.579
 Then we can actually find a place

00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:57.559
 And a way to view our circumstances,

00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:59.279
 Painful and difficult as they are,

00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:02.299
 As a means to an end.

00:35:04.859 --> 00:35:07.359
 The end which we long for,

00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:11.059
 Therefore we can find a way to joy

00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:12.720
 In our sufferings.

00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:16.820
 So it's not that we enjoy suffering

00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:18.039
 For suffering's sake.

00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.760
 That's masochism.

00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.700
 That's unbiblical.

00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:25.059
 We rejoice in what suffering produces.

00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:30.300
 Nobody thinks an illness

00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:32.039
 Or a broken relationship is wonderful.

00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:33.620
 But,

00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:36.120
 I've heard repeatedly over my years,

00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:36.880
 And I've said it myself,

00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.840
 If this is the means by which

00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:40.960
 I am brought

00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:43.300
 To a more Christ-likeness,

00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:45.880
 Then it's been a worthwhile,

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.820
 Though painful,

00:35:48.820 --> 00:35:49.360
 Process.

00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.860
 Friends,

00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:57.200
 Friends,

00:35:57.200 --> 00:35:57.579
 Again,

00:35:58.000 --> 00:36:00.039
 Too often our desire for relief

00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:01.180
 From our circumstances

00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:04.900
 Has a greater priority

00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:06.440
 Than our desire

00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:08.620
 To grow to be like Christ.

00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:09.960
 Put simply,

00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:13.000
 We would choose a hassle-free life.

00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:15.059
 This is what I've found myself doing

00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.500
 So many times over my years.

00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:19.860
 I would prefer to choose a hassle-free life

00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:22.559
 Than to choose circumstances

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.500
 That I know

00:36:23.500 --> 00:36:27.039
 Will push me into new levels of godliness.

00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:30.980
 How short-sighted am I?

00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:33.960
 Hopefully you're not that short-sighted.

00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:40.059
 And so often that very thing

00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:41.239
 Is reflected in our prayers,

00:36:41.340 --> 00:36:41.659
 Isn't it?

00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:44.239
 Give me relief,

00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:44.980
 Lord.

00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:47.139
 Brown,

00:36:47.139 --> 00:36:50.380
 Give me an ability to trust you.

00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:56.579
 Friends,

00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:57.780
 What great blessing,

00:36:57.860 --> 00:36:59.679
 We'll see more over the next two weeks,

00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:02.719
 What great blessings come to us in the gospel.

00:37:03.199 --> 00:37:04.740
 But behind those great blessings,

00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.480
 Then we have to say,

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.440
 What a great God.

00:37:07.199 --> 00:37:08.320
 The God of the gospel.

00:37:08.320 --> 00:37:12.260
 So I'll just leave you with this thought,

00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.180
 Asking that,

00:37:13.580 --> 00:37:14.519
 And hoping and praying

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:17.000
 That his honour and glory

00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:18.940
 Will be your desire.

00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:21.380
 Your whole desire

00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:23.039
 In this coming week.

00:37:26.200 --> 00:37:28.260
 If we have any understanding

00:37:28.260 --> 00:37:32.380
 Of the significance of peace

00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:35.019
 And the price at which it was purchased for us,

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:38.380
 If we have any concept of the intimacy

00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:41.300
 And privilege that we now have in Christ,

00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.940
 And if we have any longing

00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:46.239
 For the glory that's developing in us now,

00:37:46.320 --> 00:37:48.099
 And will one be completed,

00:37:49.759 --> 00:37:50.880
 Then,

00:37:51.800 --> 00:37:54.300
 Surely we live every day for the Lord.

00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.280
 Surely,

00:37:56.940 --> 00:37:58.659
 If we understand what he's done for us

00:37:58.659 --> 00:37:59.800
 And is doing in us,

00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:02.539
 Then we will be people

00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:05.259
 Who reflect his righteousness

00:38:05.259 --> 00:38:07.519
 And who want to honour his name.

00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:10.059
 Join me in prayer.

00:38:12.920 --> 00:38:15.579
 Lord, these are so lofty,

00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:16.239
 These blessings,

00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:17.759
 So amazing,

00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.139
 And yet,

00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.579
 We struggle, Lord,

00:38:20.759 --> 00:38:21.940
 At least I struggle,

00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:24.880
 To speak about them in a way

00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:27.320
 That just takes our breath away.

00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:28.779
 I pray, Lord,

00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:29.940
 That your spirit might

00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:33.000
 Take us into your word

00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:33.940
 Again,

00:38:34.159 --> 00:38:35.059
 In our minds,

00:38:35.220 --> 00:38:36.539
 And help us just to see

00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:38.300
 What blessing it is to say,

00:38:39.240 --> 00:38:41.300
 Since we have been justified by faith,

00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:42.880
 We have peace with you.

00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:46.139
 Help us to live, Lord,

00:38:46.200 --> 00:38:48.320
 As those who enjoy peace,

00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:49.840
 And help us, Lord,

00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:50.740
 To live, therefore,

00:38:50.820 --> 00:38:52.579
 As those who want to be

00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:54.200
 Peacemakers,

00:38:55.159 --> 00:38:57.000
 As we'll see more of next week.

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:59.780
 I pray this in Jesus' name.

00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:00.719
 Amen.