WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.799 Well, do you think forgiveness is important and good? 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:10.040 Sounds like a pretty obvious question. 00:00:10.220 --> 00:00:12.000 I know it's probably not gripping you yet, 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:15.380 but perhaps your mind is already starting to work out 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:17.920 when forgiveness isn't good. 00:00:19.080 --> 00:00:21.900 Like, is there a frequency limit? 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:25.460 They have done the same thing again. 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:27.240 I can't forgive. 00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:30.599 Or is there a severity limit? 00:00:31.159 --> 00:00:33.320 They've caused me way too much pain. 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:36.079 They don't deserve forgiveness. 00:00:37.519 --> 00:00:39.560 Or are there other conditions? 00:00:40.179 --> 00:00:43.879 Like forgiveness is given for as long as the relationship is going well, 00:00:44.259 --> 00:00:49.679 but if it's starting to break down, you can call in past hurts 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:52.019 and bring them to the surface again. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:56.939 Or when has forgiveness actually occurred? 00:00:57.640 --> 00:01:00.260 When you no longer engage in the fight, 00:01:01.260 --> 00:01:04.840 but you still decide to avoid that person for the rest of your life? 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:12.400 Or when trust and intimacy and affection even starts to be rebuilt? 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:16.600 Well, what do people even mean by the idea of forgiveness? 00:01:18.460 --> 00:01:22.800 Roughly speaking, everyone has some idea that forgiveness is no longer seeking justice 00:01:22.800 --> 00:01:25.880 or revenge on the person who has wronged you. 00:01:27.160 --> 00:01:31.420 But is forgiveness something that can only happen between two people 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:33.560 where forgiveness is offered and received, 00:01:33.560 --> 00:01:36.900 or is forgiveness something that can happen just in your own mind? 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:44.700 I think it's more common to hear today that forgiveness is something you can do by yourself in your own mind. 00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:50.540 The top Google result, I know that doesn't bring much authority with it, 00:01:50.860 --> 00:01:51.920 top Google result. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:56.939 But then again, people do go to Google for direction in life, don't they? 00:01:57.640 --> 00:01:58.460 What is forgiveness? 00:01:58.459 --> 00:02:04.019 Forgiveness, it goes to a health organisation and it says, among other things, says this, 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:10.299 forgiveness can help free you from the control of the person who harms you. 00:02:11.060 --> 00:02:12.199 Do you see the motivation there? 00:02:13.019 --> 00:02:15.699 It's to free you from the control. 00:02:15.979 --> 00:02:18.379 It goes on to say, and I agree with this bit, 00:02:18.859 --> 00:02:23.659 forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or excusing the harm done. 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:25.039 I definitely agree with that. 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:27.099 I don't agree with this next bit. 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:31.819 Forgiveness doesn't mean making up with the person who caused the harm. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:35.419 Forgiveness brings a kind of peace, 00:02:36.139 --> 00:02:37.919 talking about your peace, inner peace, 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:40.159 that helps you get on with life. 00:02:43.079 --> 00:02:45.419 That's a common view of forgiveness these days. 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:51.060 Or do you wish I stopped asking these questions? 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:53.479 Are you sick of these questions? 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:57.859 This simple topic of forgiveness is starting to unravel. 00:02:58.579 --> 00:03:01.340 People have so many different ideas of what it means 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:03.939 and so many different ways of practising it. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:08.959 When people say all is forgiven, how forgiven is that? 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:10.919 What do they mean? 00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:13.319 It's really hard to know. 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:20.359 And I realise, I'm skimming, I'm just bypassing so many other aspects 00:03:20.359 --> 00:03:22.979 that we're not looking at today. 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:29.519 Like the difference between genuinely forgiving but still requiring real consequences for actions. 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:31.000 We're not going to touch on that. 00:03:31.959 --> 00:03:34.599 Or the need to rebuild trust over time. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:39.159 Or the fact that sometimes you can have the desire to forgive in your heart, 00:03:39.239 --> 00:03:43.399 but the person has passed away or they are unwilling to talk to you. 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:46.980 So there's a difference there as well, an attitude of forgiveness. 00:03:47.200 --> 00:03:48.760 Just leaving all that to the side. 00:03:49.760 --> 00:03:52.159 The main thing I want to focus on today, 00:03:52.280 --> 00:03:55.780 and the point of this whole series of key words of salvation, 00:03:56.439 --> 00:04:00.000 what we need to get straight today in our mind is, 00:04:00.780 --> 00:04:02.900 what does God mean by forgiveness? 00:04:02.900 --> 00:04:06.780 When he says all is forgiven, what does God mean by that? 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:09.520 When people say it, it's really hard to know. 00:04:09.760 --> 00:04:11.180 But what does God mean by that? 00:04:11.259 --> 00:04:13.560 That is, we need to know what he means. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:15.980 How forgiven is that? 00:04:15.979 --> 00:04:23.019 So we're up to the third of four sermons in this series on salvation. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:26.899 We've looked at the problem in the first week, 00:04:27.039 --> 00:04:32.860 sin, that all of us do evil things and evil words come out of our mouths. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:35.539 And the Bible says that's because our heart has a problem. 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:39.459 We look for life outside of God. 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:40.599 It's called idolatry. 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:42.820 We look for other things to give us life. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:49.879 Fundamental to all that is we think we can rule our lives better than God can. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:51.960 We can play God. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:58.280 So our heart problem, which expresses itself in evil behaviour, 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:03.260 it deserves God's judgement and his anger, his eternal wrath. 00:05:03.400 --> 00:05:04.040 That's the problem. 00:05:04.140 --> 00:05:05.900 But last week we saw the solution. 00:05:07.020 --> 00:05:08.740 Redemption, what God has done. 00:05:08.740 --> 00:05:12.240 Like a prisoner of war, captive in our sin. 00:05:12.819 --> 00:05:16.420 He has bought our freedom. 00:05:16.600 --> 00:05:19.379 If God wants us back home, he had to pay the price. 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:20.259 And he did. 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:21.720 The blood of his son. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:24.019 We are not captive anymore. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:26.400 We are now at home. 00:05:27.460 --> 00:05:29.000 Restored relationship to God. 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:32.699 Today we're looking at the result of that redemption. 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:34.400 What is the result? 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:40.099 And the Bible terms for that is justification and peace. 00:05:41.719 --> 00:05:47.199 So when God says all is forgiven, how forgiven is that? 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:52.300 So let's get into this word justification. 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:59.459 And you're going to notice that this series in Colossians really is just a launching point. 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:05.779 I'm spending our time in Romans today looking at, but the idea is there in Colossians. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:09.800 I think it says it just a little bit clearer in Romans. 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:11.720 So justification. 00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:14.759 It's a legal picture. 00:06:15.400 --> 00:06:17.040 We looked at redemption last week. 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:24.139 Redemption pictures our captivity as slaves to sin being set free at a price. 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:28.780 Whereas justification, it pictures the final day of judgment. 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:32.980 When each of us, we're told, have to give an account for our lives. 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:40.480 We're in the cosmic courtroom at the end of our lives with God presiding on the bench. 00:06:41.580 --> 00:06:45.640 And Jesus says that we're going to have to give an account for our whole lives, 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:50.980 even every careless word that comes out of our mouth, even the ones in secret. 00:06:51.780 --> 00:06:52.720 Our whole lives. 00:06:52.720 --> 00:07:02.260 I remember this one time when I was a youth, I made the whole youth group laugh. 00:07:03.020 --> 00:07:06.860 I said this joke and I made the whole youth group laugh. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:10.540 And I was enjoying my joke, all the laughter. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:17.120 But then my eyes locked onto one person whose look on his face just cut me. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:24.579 I knew that that word was really disparaging of another person. 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:26.340 Everyone else was laughing. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:28.000 One person just goes, oof. 00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:29.180 I still remember it. 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:31.060 For some reason, it's stuck with me. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:33.420 I'm not going to tell you what that word was. 00:07:33.540 --> 00:07:34.819 I've got you all curious now. 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:38.280 And whenever I make these comments, my parents call me up every week, 00:07:38.340 --> 00:07:39.780 what were you referring to? 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:42.639 You don't need to know right now. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:45.699 You'll find out on the day of judgment. 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:47.639 You'll hear it then. 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:51.240 Every careless word. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:53.500 I've got a lot of careless words. 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:57.219 So picture the courtroom. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:07:59.579 All the evidence brought in. 00:07:59.659 --> 00:08:00.219 All of it. 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:02.639 And there's only two verdicts. 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:04.319 Guilty. 00:08:05.599 --> 00:08:06.180 Righteous. 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:10.240 Depart from me forever. 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:14.079 Come, enter your master's joy. 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:23.500 Now, the reason we need to... 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:26.539 I'm not sure if you find that picture impersonal of God. 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:33.360 But despite the fact that the Bible talks a lot about justification, 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:39.860 the reason we need to understand this image is because of who God is at heart, 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:41.720 who he is in his character. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:44.759 Because God is completely righteous. 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:45.800 He is just. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:49.720 God is so reliable. 00:08:50.160 --> 00:08:53.100 He only ever acts according to what is right. 00:08:54.540 --> 00:08:59.000 Unlike anyone else you know, you can count on God to be totally just. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:05.919 And hopefully you're starting to feel the problem that that's a terrifying prospect. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:11.299 If you think of God and the question in your mind is, 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:13.959 how can a loving God not forgive me? 00:09:14.719 --> 00:09:18.019 That is a wrong starting point for thinking about God. 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:21.439 You've got to start with who he is, his justice. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:27.679 How can a good, just God forgive me? 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:30.079 That's the right question. 00:09:31.859 --> 00:09:34.579 How can the God who said in Proverbs 17, 15, 00:09:35.079 --> 00:09:39.939 he who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous 00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:43.979 are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:49.059 How can the God who said that in his courtroom declare me, 00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:54.120 a guilty person, righteous, forgiven? 00:09:54.120 --> 00:10:00.659 If the problem hasn't been clear enough, 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:04.500 I'm going to use the imagery from the prophet Micah. 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:07.799 Listen to what Micah says. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.779 Hear what the Lord says. 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:13.419 Arise. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:14.419 Picture that courtroom. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:15.000 Arise. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:17.480 Plead your case before the mountains, 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:19.860 the mountains that were there since the beginning, 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.440 so they've observed it all. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:24.560 Let the hills hear your voice. 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:28.380 Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord 00:10:28.380 --> 00:10:31.140 and you enduring foundations of the earth, 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:34.700 for the Lord has an indictment against his people. 00:10:37.640 --> 00:10:40.620 And then Micah responds a few paragraphs later. 00:10:40.880 --> 00:10:42.900 With what shall I come before the Lord 00:10:42.900 --> 00:10:45.720 and bow myself before God on high? 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:47.860 Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.700 with calves a year old? 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:53.560 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:56.800 with ten thousands of rivers of oil? 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:00.560 Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:03.400 the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 00:11:06.900 --> 00:11:09.040 If God is to forgive you, 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:13.480 if he is to acquit you of all guilt, 00:11:13.780 --> 00:11:17.020 he has to do it in a righteous way. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:20.819 He's got to do it in a just way because that's who he is. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:26.720 And that's the good news of Romans 3, 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:27.879 of all of Scripture, 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:33.259 but Romans 3 just says it so succinctly and clearly, 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:33.939 unlike me. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:36.159 But can you turn to Romans 3, 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.799 if you're following in your Bibles? 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:40.939 I know I've had two passages previous weeks 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:42.199 and you're probably not sure where I'm going, 00:11:42.319 --> 00:11:45.339 so today we're sticking in Romans 3, 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:47.079 from verse 21. 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:54.280 Just before we read some of these verses, 00:11:54.520 --> 00:11:58.800 how would you feel if you met King David, 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:02.940 who lived a thousand years before Christ? 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:05.040 Israel's greatest king. 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.600 How would you feel in his presence, 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:09.820 as you go to shake King David's hand? 00:12:09.900 --> 00:12:11.940 Would you just be like shaking 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:14.640 because you're in the presence of this great man? 00:12:15.760 --> 00:12:17.300 Or would you even shake his hand? 00:12:18.260 --> 00:12:22.100 This man who took Bathsheba in his lust 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:25.660 and then plotted the murder of Uriah, 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:28.700 could you shake his hand? 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.680 I don't know, 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:36.360 does it matter how remorseful he was? 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:42.120 How could a just God say to King David, 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.200 and he did, 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:44.820 through the prophet Nathan, 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:48.320 the Lord has put away your sin. 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:51.259 You shall not die. 00:12:53.180 --> 00:12:55.500 How can a just God say that? 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:58.200 That's scandalous. 00:13:00.680 --> 00:13:02.200 Romans 3 tells us how. 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:04.279 Romans 3, 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.620 I'm going to start reading from verse 23. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:09.279 For all have sinned 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.100 and fall short of the glory of God 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:12.139 and are justified, 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:13.579 declared righteous, 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:17.000 by his grace as a gift, 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.519 through the redemption 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.059 that is in Christ Jesus, 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:22.459 whom God put forward 00:13:22.459 --> 00:13:25.240 as a propitiation by his blood 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:27.959 to be received by faith. 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:31.059 This was to show God's righteousness 00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:33.019 because in his divine forbearance, 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:35.840 forbearance he had passed over former sins. 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:38.019 It was to show his righteousness 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:39.199 at the present time 00:13:39.199 --> 00:13:41.319 so that he might be just 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:44.039 and the justifier 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:48.299 of the one who has faith in Jesus. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:52.980 God put away David's sin, 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.819 not by sweeping it under the rug, 00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:57.919 but by placing his sin on his son 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:59.919 who paid the penalty. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:04.459 So many religions claim 00:14:04.459 --> 00:14:06.019 to provide a way to be forgiven, 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:09.959 whether it's praying to ancestral spirits, 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:13.539 ceremonial washings in water, 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:16.059 building shrines to Buddha, 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.860 a pilgrimage to Mecca, 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:22.679 going again and again and again 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:23.879 to a human priest 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.759 and eating the mass 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.539 to pay for your sins, 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:29.620 or as secular Australians say, 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:30.740 to forgive yourself. 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.399 The question is, 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.620 do any of these 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:37.959 claims of forgiveness, 00:14:38.099 --> 00:14:39.919 do they deal with it justly? 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:42.099 Is the penalty actually paid? 00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:45.099 It's not. 00:14:45.219 --> 00:14:46.079 None of these ways 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:47.059 clear the conscience. 00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:47.959 They don't work. 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:49.620 And there's a reason it doesn't work, 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:52.779 because they don't deal with sin 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:55.100 in a just way. 00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:00.740 When God says all is forgiven, 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:04.639 the sins are actually dealt with. 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:06.480 They're actually paid for. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.220 Not by you, 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:10.080 but by his son. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.899 Only in Jesus 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.779 is all your sin forgiven. 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:20.019 Now, I've got the privilege 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.240 in a few weeks 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:24.240 to preside over the marriage 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.459 of Zach and Caitlin. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.339 You're probably nervous 00:15:27.339 --> 00:15:28.559 now that I'm putting 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.480 the spotlight on you. 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.459 Now, 00:15:31.459 --> 00:15:32.819 during the marriage ceremony, 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.600 when it's done legally 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:36.399 and righteously, 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.759 in the eyes of the state 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.459 and more importantly, 00:15:39.579 --> 00:15:40.319 in the eyes of God, 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.100 now I've got the privilege 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.180 of making this 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:45.340 very profound statement. 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:47.399 I pronounce you 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:50.379 husband and wife. 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.899 That doesn't count. 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.279 All right? 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.060 It's not yet. 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:53.600 Not yet. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:53.920 All right? 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:56.200 Now, 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.800 people are so focused 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.440 on the next bit. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.399 You can kiss the bride, 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.180 and I'm sure, Zach, 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:01.420 it's going to be kissing 00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:02.440 for the first time, right? 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.620 Everyone's waiting 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.320 for that moment. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.000 But more profound 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.220 is that statement. 00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:10.420 And I get to say it. 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:12.259 I pronounce you 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.479 husband and wife. 00:16:13.579 --> 00:16:14.779 Before I say that, 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.439 Zach is Zach, 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.479 Caitlin is Caitlin. 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:19.579 But in saying those words, 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.839 the very words, 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:23.419 changes your reality. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:27.019 You are now one flesh 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.179 because of those words, 00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:29.079 that declaration. 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.919 You're not individuals anymore. 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:33.059 You're one flesh. 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:35.620 That pronouncement 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.980 changes you. 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:39.360 Do you hear what 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.560 Romans 3 is saying? 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.399 That future verdict, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.220 righteous or guilty, 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.879 that declaration of righteous 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.720 is now in the past. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:54.080 The declaration changes you. 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:56.519 You are righteous. 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:01.180 You are completely changed 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:01.840 at that point 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:04.460 through this pronouncement 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.279 that has occurred 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.319 when Jesus rose 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:06.960 from the dead. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.019 You are righteous. 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.440 All your sin 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.339 has been transferred 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:15.059 to Jesus. 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:16.259 He paid the penalty. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.899 All his righteousness, 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:20.259 the life of obedience, 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.599 is transferred 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.680 to your account. 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.619 When God looks at you, 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.879 he sees Jesus. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.279 Righteous. 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:34.019 The verdict of the future 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.379 is already in the past. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.160 It's done. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.940 When God says, 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.619 justify it, 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.720 all is forgiven, 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:47.279 he means it. 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:48.500 Unlike everyone else, 00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.859 he means it. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.839 Today apparently 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.079 is the anniversary 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.220 of Martin Luther, 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.759 the father of the, 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.539 is he the father 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:00.960 of Protestant? 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:02.120 I should probably know 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.660 that as a pastor. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.319 Anyway, 00:18:03.600 --> 00:18:06.120 he nailed the 95 theses 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:07.759 on that door. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.579 This is the anniversary, 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.039 but for those 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.420 who don't know 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.279 the story of Luther, 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:12.900 Martin Luther, 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.360 he was a Catholic monk 00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.019 before that. 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:18.000 And he annoyed 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.019 his superiors 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:20.360 because he would just 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.660 be in the confessional 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:22.920 for hours. 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:25.339 His superiors are like, 00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:27.119 you're confessing piccadillos. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.659 I don't know, 00:18:28.699 --> 00:18:29.539 it's an old-fashioned term, 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:32.720 but he was so burdened 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.539 by his sin 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:35.319 that every day 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.319 he would be spending 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.720 hours confessing 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:39.359 every single sin. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.980 He was so tormented 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.980 by this idea 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.259 of a just God. 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.659 Here's how he put it. 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:48.000 I had hoped 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.759 I might find 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.899 peace of conscience 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:51.079 with the fast, 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.839 going without food, 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.679 and the prayer 00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:55.480 and the vigils 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.779 with which I miserably 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.899 afflicted my body. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.619 But the more 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.740 I sweated it out 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.199 like this, 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.259 the less peace 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.559 and tranquility 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.019 I knew. 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:07.299 And it was this passage, 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.079 Roman 3, 00:19:08.679 --> 00:19:09.699 that changed everything 00:19:09.699 --> 00:19:11.099 and opened his eyes. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.839 This is how he put it, 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.379 his famous paragraph. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.539 Thereupon, 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.799 I felt myself 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.740 to be reborn 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.599 and have gone through 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.659 open doors 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.460 into paradise. 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:24.300 Now the whole of Scripture 00:19:24.300 --> 00:19:25.340 took on a new meaning 00:19:25.340 --> 00:19:26.180 and whereas before 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:27.400 the justice of God 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.800 had filled me with hate, 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:32.360 now it became to me 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:34.259 inexpressibly sweet 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.820 in greater love. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.500 This passage of Paul 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.580 became to me 00:19:39.580 --> 00:19:40.420 as a gate 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.420 into paradise. 00:19:46.820 --> 00:19:47.820 Because before 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.860 he was trying to earn 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.540 his righteousness 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:49.599 righteousness 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.460 and now 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.420 he understood 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.259 it's a gift. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.519 It's a gate 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.339 of paradise. 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:58.519 But this gift 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.139 of being declared 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:00.539 righteous, 00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:01.599 it's not automatically 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.559 applied to everyone. 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:05.240 It's only for those 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:06.379 with faith 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:07.339 and not just any 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.119 religious faith 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:09.519 but a very specific faith 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.740 as verse 26 says. 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:12.339 God is just 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.240 and the justifier 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.019 of the one 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.420 who has faith 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.319 in Jesus. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:19.299 Now 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:21.159 this faith, 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:21.980 it doesn't, 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.579 faith isn't just 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.779 a lowering of the bar. 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:26.460 He tried, 00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:27.259 it's not as if 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.379 God tried the law 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.200 with Israel 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.539 and they just 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.460 failed at the law 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:31.980 because, 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.559 okay, 00:20:33.439 --> 00:20:34.000 at least 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.399 try a bit, 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.740 try and have some faith. 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.019 That's not what's 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.579 happening here. 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.279 Faith is not 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.839 a merit. 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.019 It's not 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:44.879 saying you do. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:47.180 It's a receiving thing. 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.160 Even our faith 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.839 is a gift. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.980 And Romans chapter 4 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.680 clearly demonstrates 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.660 this with the life 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.139 of Abraham 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:57.039 that God 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:58.139 is always, 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.660 not just post-Christ 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.319 but always 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.000 since Abraham 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.559 has counted 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.440 a person righteous 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.339 not based on 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:04.799 what they do 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.879 but on their faith 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:07.500 in God's promise. 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.460 So in chapter 4 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:09.879 of Romans 00:21:09.879 --> 00:21:10.519 he quotes 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.639 Genesis 15, 6 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:13.339 Abraham believed God 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.299 and it was counted 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.940 to him 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.900 as righteousness. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.539 It's always been 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.200 by faith. 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:21.180 So what is faith? 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.940 Faith is taking 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.359 God at his word 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:27.500 despite all 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.220 the evidence 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.519 that makes it 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.059 seem impossible. 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.139 It's taking 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:34.019 God at his word 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:36.920 and we see this 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.339 in the life 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:37.799 of Abraham 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.680 in chapter 4. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.599 We see it 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.719 described 00:21:40.719 --> 00:21:42.379 from verse 17 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:42.779 onwards. 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.639 Paul is saying 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.839 picture Abraham. 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:48.219 What was going on 00:21:48.219 --> 00:21:49.619 in Genesis 15? 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.399 What was happening 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:50.879 in the life 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:51.359 of Abraham? 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:53.779 Well Abraham 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.179 was about 00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:55.139 100 years old. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.699 His wife 00:21:56.699 --> 00:21:57.819 in the 90s 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:59.159 never had a child. 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:00.779 They had no 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.399 heir 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:02.319 to inherit 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.399 their name, 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:03.919 to inherit 00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:04.759 all the promises 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.500 God had given 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.959 that he would be 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:07.359 a blessing 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.419 to the whole world 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.100 and the land 00:22:09.100 --> 00:22:09.900 and all the promises. 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.539 They had no heir 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.720 to keep going 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.440 in those promises. 00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:14.960 Now that must have 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:16.300 been incredibly painful, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.180 just a hopeless 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.960 situation. 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.759 How would they 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.380 have a child? 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.539 But, 00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:25.080 verse 17, 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.840 Abraham knew 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.720 who God was. 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.240 He's the God 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:32.940 who gives life 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.539 to the dead 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:35.019 and calls 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.740 into existence 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.299 the things 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.200 that do not 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.039 exist. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.099 So when God 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.879 showed Abraham 00:22:39.879 --> 00:22:41.099 all the stars 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.839 in the sky 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.259 and said, 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.079 so shall 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:44.059 your offspring be. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.539 I love this 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.259 phrase in here, 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.079 in verse 18, 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.200 in hope 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:51.220 he believed 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.740 against hope. 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:54.480 What a beautiful 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.359 description of faith. 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:57.279 In hope 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.259 in what God 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.240 promised to do, 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.740 he believed 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.960 against hope 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.680 in anything 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.319 he could do. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.240 That's the 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.019 description of faith. 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.380 It seems impossible. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:08.920 He looked at 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.579 all the evidence. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.759 There is no way 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:12.160 we can have an heir. 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.160 But God said, 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.059 so shall it be. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.200 And he took him 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.720 at his word. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.360 That's faith. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.400 And it's God's word 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.180 that creates 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.740 the faith. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:26.900 I'm not going 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.400 to add to that. 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:27.940 If you want to 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.660 know what I mean, 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.620 come talk to me 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:29.859 later. 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:32.720 Now, 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:33.940 as you weigh up 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.400 the evidence 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.200 of your life, 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.620 think of all, 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:40.059 think of your life 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.779 and whether you'll 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.140 be counted 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.960 righteous or not. 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.299 Look at, 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.000 let's bring all 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.599 the evidence in. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.700 All your regret, 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.660 those big sins 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.259 that you just 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.460 can't forget, 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.480 all the 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.380 half-hearted 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:51.920 worship, 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:54.160 all the lack 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.880 of compassion 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:56.480 for people, 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.519 all the inconsistency 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.480 of your zeal 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.620 for living for Christ, 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.200 all the feelings 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.640 of guilt and shame, 00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:06.160 even how weak 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.759 you feel your faith is. 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:08.960 It feels like 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.259 a flame that is 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.880 flickering, 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:12.120 barely burning 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:12.720 sometimes. 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.600 All that evidence 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.720 says impossible 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.100 for you to be 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.400 forgiven. 00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.980 But God says 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.140 justified. 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.140 Faith is to 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.880 take God 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.779 at his word. 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.420 In hope, 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.160 believe against 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.579 hope. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.960 It's not the 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.900 strength of your 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.000 faith that matters. 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.579 It's the strength 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.220 of the one you 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.240 have faith in. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.700 That's everything. 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.360 Now, 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:45.759 I think I'm 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.259 borrowing from 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.980 Carson here 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:49.160 this next 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.620 thought experiment 00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.460 to describe 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.660 that it's 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.099 all the 00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:53.579 faith of the 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:53.799 one. 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:55.720 It's not 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.160 about how 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.640 strong your 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.120 faith is. 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.599 So imagine 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.799 in Egypt 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.339 in the 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:00.779 Passover, 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.640 they hear 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.240 through Moses 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.440 that God 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:04.839 is going to 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.319 come and 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:05.740 kill the 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.240 firstborn 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.579 throughout 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.000 Egypt. 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.500 And two 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.620 neighbouring 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.140 Israelite 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:11.140 families hear 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:11.759 this message 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.839 and they hear 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.220 the message 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.740 that you need 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.360 to sacrifice 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.139 a spotless 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.959 lamb and 00:25:15.959 --> 00:25:16.519 paint the 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.319 doorway of 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:17.779 your house 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.439 in its 00:25:18.439 --> 00:25:18.699 blood. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.139 Now, 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.079 one father 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.779 is just 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:23.879 full of joy 00:25:23.879 --> 00:25:25.119 and sacrifices 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.679 the lamb 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.359 in thanksgiving 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:26.819 to God 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.359 and paints 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:27.959 the doorway 00:25:27.959 --> 00:25:29.099 and sits 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.599 down and 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.299 enjoys the 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.959 meal at 00:25:30.959 --> 00:25:31.500 ease with 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.019 the family 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.519 knowing that 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:32.879 God will 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.279 keep his 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.179 word and 00:25:34.179 --> 00:25:34.859 goes to 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:36.319 sleep knowing 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.359 that they 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:37.959 can trust 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:39.119 that God 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.419 will do 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:39.659 what he 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.039 promises. 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.679 He can 00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:42.119 look into 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.579 the eyes 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:42.839 of his 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.419 ten-year-old 00:25:43.419 --> 00:25:43.899 son and 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.079 go, 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.059 I'll see 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.259 you in 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.699 the morning. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.559 But then 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.779 next door 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.039 another 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.859 father is 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:52.299 just full 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:52.719 of dread. 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.899 Maybe his 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:54.579 own guilt 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.059 is coming 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.379 up and 00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:58.219 he does 00:25:58.219 --> 00:25:58.599 do the 00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:59.000 sacrifice 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.639 of the 00:25:59.639 --> 00:25:59.899 lamb. 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:00.539 He paints 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.019 the doorway 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.699 but he 00:26:01.699 --> 00:26:02.019 cannot 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.619 eat. 00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:04.740 He cannot 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.279 sleep. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.099 He looks 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.359 at his 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:06.819 ten-year-old 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.279 son and 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.699 he's just 00:26:07.699 --> 00:26:08.240 watching the 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:08.799 chest going 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.179 up and 00:26:09.179 --> 00:26:09.479 down. 00:26:09.959 --> 00:26:10.299 Is God 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.539 going to 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:10.899 keep his 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.179 word? 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.759 Now, 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:15.599 both will 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.180 be saved 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.480 in the 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.819 morning 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:19.019 because it 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.779 doesn't matter 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.220 about the 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.640 strength of 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.140 your faith. 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.980 It matters 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.420 that God 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:22.980 keeps his 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.400 word. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.099 When he 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.619 offers a 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.460 sacrifice in 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:26.779 Jesus, 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.359 he will 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.799 keep his 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.099 word. 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.700 That's all 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.279 that counts. 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.079 When God 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.920 says all 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.480 is forgiven 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.759 by faith in 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.099 Jesus, 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.460 he means 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:37.740 it. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.120 he means 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.319 it. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.120 So let's 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.819 spend our 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.200 remaining 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.900 minutes just 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.839 looking at 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.700 a passage 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.019 that was 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.940 read in 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.599 Romans 5, 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.680 just looking 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.120 at how 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:52.859 much he 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.319 means it. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.519 So Romans 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.339 5 verse 1, 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:57.900 therefore, 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.859 since we 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.220 have been 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.299 justified by 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.740 faith, 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.180 we have 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.319 peace with 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.140 God through 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.500 our Lord 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.240 Jesus Christ. 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:07.539 peace isn't 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.539 here about 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.059 an inner 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.940 feeling of 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.539 tranquility. 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.039 Peace here 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.740 is a 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.380 relational 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:13.920 term. 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:14.980 We are no 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.740 longer enemies. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:16.779 We're not 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.400 trying to rule 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:17.880 our lives 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.160 anymore. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.539 We are 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.400 reconciled, 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:19.900 verse 11 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.299 says. 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.099 God's 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.700 justice and 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.099 anger has 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.460 been dealt 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:22.720 with. 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.599 We are 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.099 at peace. 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.079 That's the 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.759 goal of 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.240 justification. 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.799 He doesn't 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.259 give the 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:31.579 blood of 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.299 his son so 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.620 that we 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.380 can exit 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.120 that courtroom 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:34.579 and then 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.099 go on 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.379 living for 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:36.919 ourselves. 00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:37.599 No, 00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:39.139 he justifies 00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:39.619 us in 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.219 his courtroom 00:27:40.219 --> 00:27:40.740 so that we 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.059 can then 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:42.000 go home 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.119 into his 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:44.279 home and 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.899 have peace 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:45.480 and enjoy 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.039 the father 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:48.019 again and 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.439 live for 00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:48.679 him. 00:27:51.939 --> 00:27:52.459 Because 00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:53.240 justification 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:54.359 is already 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:54.899 sorted, 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.699 we have 00:27:55.699 --> 00:27:56.619 been justified. 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.740 Past tense. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.000 It's already 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.679 sorted by 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.240 his grace. 00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:01.839 Nothing we 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.799 do, not 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.179 even the 00:28:03.179 --> 00:28:03.740 strength of 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.179 our faith 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:04.659 adds to 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:04.839 it. 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.759 We can 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:07.179 be 100% 00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:08.639 sure that 00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:09.259 we and 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.699 God are 00:28:09.699 --> 00:28:10.000 good. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.759 Verse 2 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.379 states this, 00:28:13.439 --> 00:28:13.980 Through him, 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.799 through Christ, 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.179 we have 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:17.119 also obtained 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.199 access by 00:28:18.199 --> 00:28:19.139 faith into 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:20.299 this grace 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.199 in which 00:28:21.199 --> 00:28:22.219 we stand 00:28:22.219 --> 00:28:23.399 and we 00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:24.339 rejoice in 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.679 hope of 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.219 the glory 00:28:26.219 --> 00:28:26.939 of God. 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.699 Now, 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.480 please notice 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.000 at this point, 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.879 none of this 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:31.599 is telling you 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.259 what you must 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.480 do. 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.059 this is all 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.640 saying what 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.200 God has 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.200 done in 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.500 Jesus. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.579 It's not 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.500 saying you 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:37.980 need to 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.180 obtain access 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.920 by praying. 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.420 It's not 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:40.880 saying that. 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.220 It's saying 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.460 you have 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.900 access. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.620 He's done 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:43.940 this. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.200 You are in 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.680 grace. 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.420 If you're a 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:47.700 Christian, 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.339 that's where 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.839 you live. 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.160 You are in 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.599 grace. 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.099 That's where 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.819 you stand. 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.759 That's all 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.480 you'll ever 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.360 receive from 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.720 God. 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.200 Now and 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.920 forever is 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.339 grace. 00:28:59.339 --> 00:28:59.419 grace. 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:02.059 And I 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.419 think that's 00:29:02.419 --> 00:29:04.079 why it 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.579 talks about 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.379 sufferings in 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:05.679 the next 00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:05.899 verse. 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.079 I was 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.299 wondering, 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.159 why talk 00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:07.379 about 00:29:07.379 --> 00:29:08.059 sufferings as 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.419 the first 00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:08.679 thing? 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:12.019 Because once 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.659 you understand 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.699 justification is 00:29:13.699 --> 00:29:15.379 sorted, it 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.000 changes your 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.240 perspective on 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.399 sufferings and 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:18.939 any other 00:29:18.939 --> 00:29:19.720 evidence that 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:21.459 you don't have 00:29:21.459 --> 00:29:21.899 peace with 00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:22.179 God. 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.240 You can even 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.500 rejoice in 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.259 suffering now. 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:28.319 Not that you 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:28.919 love pain, 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.159 but you can 00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:31.059 see a meaning 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.679 to it now. 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.720 There's hope 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.199 now. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.720 It's a pretty 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.919 wild thing for 00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.579 a Christian to 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:41.179 think, I've 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:41.799 got peace with 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.939 God and yet 00:29:42.939 --> 00:29:44.919 he's given me 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:45.559 this medical 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.220 diagnosis. 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:47.720 Really? 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.839 You've got 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.399 peace with 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:53.220 God but your 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:54.099 mental illness 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.839 just won't 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.679 get better? 00:29:57.159 --> 00:29:57.639 Really? 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.079 That's what 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.579 you're claiming? 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:04.119 sure seems 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:04.819 like punishment. 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:08.039 Or is 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.659 Martin Luther 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.759 trembled before 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.599 the council that 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.220 told him you 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.599 better retract or 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:13.039 you will be 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.319 excommunicated from 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:16.319 the church and 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:16.959 you'll die? 00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:20.119 You sure you've 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.679 got peace? 00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:22.220 You sure you've 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.779 got peace? 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:26.899 God says your 00:30:26.899 --> 00:30:28.019 justification is 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.920 sorted at the 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.480 cross and 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.000 resurrection, 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.859 then we can be 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.799 sure that not a 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.480 drop of 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.639 suffering is 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:35.139 punishment. 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.519 Not a drop. 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:39.639 this came home to 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.400 me once when I 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.279 was doing the 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.779 washing up. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.539 It was a bit 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:45.259 random but it 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.500 just, this is just 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:49.180 my personal, it 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.879 just came home to 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.799 me afresh for some 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.059 reason. 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.500 I cut myself 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.539 washing up on a 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.319 pair of tongs, I 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:54.799 don't know how you 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.720 do that but I did 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:55.900 it. 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.960 And sorry for this 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.759 image but I was 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.660 just bleeding into 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:02.619 the sink and I 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.299 was, I don't know, 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:03.980 it just came home to 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.599 me that this blood is 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.139 not punishment. 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.279 Because Jesus' 00:31:08.459 --> 00:31:09.059 blood is spilled. 00:31:09.959 --> 00:31:10.799 I will never 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:12.559 experience a drop 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.119 of punishment. 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:15.699 Discipline, yes, 00:31:16.699 --> 00:31:17.839 but that is very 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.240 different. 00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:19.279 If you are 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.339 disciplined because 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.259 you're forgiven, 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.839 because you are a 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.779 legitimate child, 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.819 you're disciplined. 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.459 That's not 00:31:25.459 --> 00:31:25.879 punishment. 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.199 Because our 00:31:30.199 --> 00:31:31.079 justification is 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:33.759 sorted, it 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:35.259 changes your whole 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:35.819 view on 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.259 suffering. 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.900 It's God making 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.720 sure you make it 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.480 home to glory. 00:31:43.879 --> 00:31:44.759 So Christian, 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.680 don't look at your 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:47.000 circumstances or 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:48.039 what people say or 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.019 what your mind says 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.660 even about your 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.480 peace with God. 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:52.079 Look at the 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.480 cross. 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.700 All you ever 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:59.259 receive is grace to 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.279 make sure you make 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.319 it home to glory. 00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:02.299 You may not 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.299 understand how but 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.140 that is where you 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.480 live. 00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:05.440 You live in grace. 00:32:07.560 --> 00:32:08.080 And we've got the 00:32:08.080 --> 00:32:09.060 down payment of it. 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.580 In verse 5, 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:12.980 God's love has been 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.000 poured into our 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.740 hearts through the 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.820 Holy Spirit who has 00:32:16.820 --> 00:32:17.740 been given to us. 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.759 I think that as we 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.520 look at the cross, 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.960 we know we are 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.220 loved. 00:32:22.800 --> 00:32:23.560 The Holy Spirit 00:32:23.560 --> 00:32:26.680 testifies to us. 00:32:29.020 --> 00:32:29.980 What about the fact 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:31.360 that I still wrestle 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:31.939 with sin? 00:32:31.939 --> 00:32:33.399 I still sin every 00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:34.139 single day. 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:36.159 Surely that's 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:36.939 evidence that I'm 00:32:36.939 --> 00:32:38.219 not fully forgiven. 00:32:38.699 --> 00:32:39.399 I think that's what 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:41.219 verses 6 to 11 in 00:32:41.219 --> 00:32:42.139 chapter 5 are about. 00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:43.839 Verse 8, 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:46.699 God shows, he 00:32:46.699 --> 00:32:47.699 demonstrates his 00:32:47.699 --> 00:32:48.759 love for us in that 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.679 while we were still 00:32:49.679 --> 00:32:51.099 sinners, Christ died 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.579 for us. 00:32:51.579 --> 00:33:04.339 Jesus has already 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:04.919 done the hard 00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.220 part. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.220 When you're an 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:07.879 enemy, he's now 00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:08.879 reconciled you. 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.960 You're a child 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.259 now. 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.779 While you're a 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.659 sinner, he died for 00:33:12.659 --> 00:33:13.399 you and demonstrated 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:13.899 his love. 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.000 He's done the 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.539 hard part. 00:33:16.919 --> 00:33:17.819 Trust him to do 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.299 the rest. 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.180 He's already 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.099 paid for that 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:21.139 sin today and 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:21.799 that sin tomorrow. 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:22.440 He's paid for 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:22.799 that in the 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.240 past. 00:33:24.419 --> 00:33:25.359 He's living to 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:26.940 make sure you 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.619 will get home. 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.720 We're not to 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.200 look at our 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.759 ongoing sin as 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.500 the measure of 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.180 how much peace 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:33.659 we have with 00:33:33.659 --> 00:33:33.960 God. 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.119 We're to look 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:36.720 at the cross to 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.240 tell us how 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.819 much peace we 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.119 have with 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:38.399 God. 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:42.579 Even, dare I 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:44.379 say this, even 00:33:44.379 --> 00:33:45.139 in that moment 00:33:45.139 --> 00:33:46.879 when you are 00:33:46.879 --> 00:33:48.119 loving sin, you 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.079 just don't want 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.559 to do what 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.979 God says and 00:33:50.979 --> 00:33:51.299 you are 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.019 hardened, you 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.479 just don't 00:33:52.479 --> 00:33:53.259 care and you 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:54.500 are choosing to 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.000 do what you 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.659 know is wrong, 00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.379 even in that 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:57.739 moment, you 00:33:57.739 --> 00:33:58.439 have peace with 00:33:58.439 --> 00:33:58.739 God. 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:01.039 He loves you 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.739 with all he 00:34:01.739 --> 00:34:02.099 has. 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.000 You are 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.779 robbing yourself 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:08.619 of enjoying that 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:10.880 peace, but 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.719 that doesn't 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:12.099 change the 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.579 fact that you 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.400 have peace. 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.699 I think that 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.579 thought, for 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.179 me at least, 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:19.359 it ruins the 00:34:19.359 --> 00:34:20.019 enjoyment of 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.219 sin. 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.480 God loves me 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.079 right now. 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:27.859 So let me 00:34:27.859 --> 00:34:28.159 finish. 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:28.559 When God 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.619 says all is 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.319 forgiven, how 00:34:30.319 --> 00:34:30.839 forgiven is 00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:31.059 that? 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:35.000 Well, you can 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.759 rely on God 00:34:35.759 --> 00:34:36.539 being just. 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.139 Like the 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:40.759 prophet Micah 00:34:40.759 --> 00:34:41.299 said, not 00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:42.000 even offering 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.699 your firstborn 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.679 child will pay 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.239 for the sin of 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:45.079 your soul, but 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:47.319 God's firstborn 00:34:47.319 --> 00:34:47.679 has. 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.960 He has, all 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.940 his justice has 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.579 been poured out 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:55.179 on his son, and 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:56.079 you can trust him 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:57.460 to be just, to 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.679 only give you 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:00.239 grace from here 00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:00.480 on. 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.039 He did it so 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.679 that he might be 00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:05.539 just and the 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.440 justifier of the 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.159 one who has 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:07.900 faith in Jesus. 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:10.740 We can walk in 00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.660 hope knowing 00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:12.400 that even in 00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:13.059 suffering and 00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:14.180 ongoing sin, all 00:35:14.180 --> 00:35:14.860 we've got is 00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.320 grace. 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.579 Because the 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.720 final verdict over 00:35:19.720 --> 00:35:20.340 your life, 00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.440 righteous, is 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:22.059 now in the 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:23.940 past, when 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:24.740 Jesus rose from 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.059 the dead. 00:35:26.660 --> 00:35:27.360 We've got to 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.160 take God at 00:35:28.160 --> 00:35:28.599 his word. 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.519 Despite all the 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.320 evidence, we 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.260 take God at 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:31.700 his word. 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:35.739 So brothers 00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.299 and sisters 00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:37.199 who already 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:37.899 do believe, 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.980 such a God, 00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:41.519 such a just 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:43.839 salvation, as 00:35:43.839 --> 00:35:44.399 Romans 12 00:35:44.399 --> 00:35:45.699 says, in 00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:46.639 gratitude, 00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:48.799 deserves a 00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:49.859 whole life 00:35:49.859 --> 00:35:51.019 of worship. 00:35:52.439 --> 00:35:53.399 That's how we 00:35:53.399 --> 00:35:53.939 are to respond 00:35:53.939 --> 00:35:54.419 to this. 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.659 And if you 00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.279 haven't yet 00:35:57.279 --> 00:35:58.500 tasted such 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.599 full forgiveness 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:00.739 and peace with 00:36:00.739 --> 00:36:01.079 God, 00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:04.639 if God is 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:05.179 giving you 00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:06.000 even a glimpse 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:06.619 this morning 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:07.119 into that 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.699 gate of 00:36:07.699 --> 00:36:09.279 paradise, if 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:09.799 he's giving 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.539 you a glimpse, 00:36:10.779 --> 00:36:12.379 don't linger at 00:36:12.379 --> 00:36:12.819 the gate. 00:36:13.559 --> 00:36:14.219 Why would you? 00:36:14.339 --> 00:36:14.619 What are you 00:36:14.619 --> 00:36:15.859 waiting for? 00:36:18.619 --> 00:36:19.480 Let me pray. 00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:19.980 Let's pray. 00:36:31.699 --> 00:36:35.859 Father, in 00:36:35.859 --> 00:36:36.339 light of what 00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:36.679 you've done 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:39.699 for us, I 00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.179 just want to 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:41.179 pray and 00:36:41.179 --> 00:36:41.739 say thank 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:41.939 you. 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:47.019 Amen. 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.360 Amen. 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:48.440 Amen. 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:48.500 Amen. 00:36:48.500 --> 00:37:18.480 Thank you.