WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.040 Thanks very much, Julia. Good morning, everyone. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:05.200 Can I repeat the welcome was given at the beginning? 00:00:05.339 --> 00:00:08.880 And can I perhaps particularly welcome those who've joined us on live stream 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:12.240 or watching video later or listening to the audio recording? 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:14.900 I've got a reason for doing that this morning. 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:21.120 As Kate had told us earlier, the funeral service for Donald McMillan is this Thursday. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:23.859 Most of you, I'm aware, have never met Donald, 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:27.839 but he'd been a member of our church family since the 1930s, 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:29.679 since before the Second World War. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.840 He was an elder of the church for more than 30 years, 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:37.340 and for most of that time, he also was chairman of the elders' meetings. 00:00:38.340 --> 00:00:43.759 But I will remember Donald particularly as someone who served humbly and faithfully. 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:47.340 If there was something to be done and he could do it, 00:00:47.879 --> 00:00:52.640 Donald would do it without fuss, often unseen by everyone except God. 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:56.039 He was a wonderful role model, particularly to my generation. 00:00:57.079 --> 00:00:59.859 Donald hasn't been able to be with us for the last few years, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.560 except very occasionally at the breaking of bread on Sunday morning. 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:06.379 There was COVID, then his wife Audrey was very ill, 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:09.340 and Donald himself has been very unwell. 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:13.400 But Donald watched this service every Sunday morning, 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:15.620 and he liked to talk about it. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:18.340 It kept him in touch with the church. 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:21.460 It made him feel still part of the church family, 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:25.960 that he could worship with us and that he could learn with us. 00:01:26.579 --> 00:01:29.219 So this morning, a big thank you to those who make that possible, 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:30.979 for those who do the video recordings. 00:01:31.479 --> 00:01:35.299 And as I said, a particularly welcome to those who are not able to be with us, 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:37.439 but are watching us online. 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:41.819 Now we're looking today at 2 Corinthians chapter 3. 00:01:41.919 --> 00:01:43.139 It's quite a difficult chapter, 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:46.199 so I want to do a few things before we get into the passage, 00:01:46.619 --> 00:01:49.379 just to help us to understand what it's about. 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:51.479 I want to begin with a story. 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:53.099 It's a story you may be familiar with, 00:01:53.339 --> 00:01:57.000 but I think it will help you to see where we are going this morning. 00:01:58.119 --> 00:02:00.579 In the village of Boya in Spain, 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:06.140 in 1930, a local artist called Elias Garcia Martinez 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:10.219 painted a picture on the wall of Jesus, 00:02:10.219 --> 00:02:14.019 the image of Jesus in a crown of thorns. 00:02:15.079 --> 00:02:16.180 The title is Echihomo. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:19.340 Oh, it was Jesus before Pilate. 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:23.740 Over the years, this painting deteriorated. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:28.500 And particularly because they had quite bad damp on the walls of the church, 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:32.319 eventually it really became quite bad. 00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:36.120 And there were processes in place to get it restored 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:39.939 when a local woman decided she would do it herself. 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:43.200 An 81-year-old woman called Cecilia Gimenez. 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:46.159 She decided that she would do the restoration. 00:02:47.019 --> 00:02:49.539 And this is the bit you may remember having seen in the past. 00:02:49.859 --> 00:02:52.239 It turned out really badly. 00:02:53.359 --> 00:02:55.359 There is a good happy ending to the story 00:02:55.359 --> 00:02:58.500 because this painting and the church became a tourist attraction 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:03.139 and it raised quite a lot of money for the church and the local economy. 00:03:03.139 --> 00:03:06.559 But what I think that illustrates to us 00:03:06.559 --> 00:03:08.619 is if you've got an image 00:03:08.619 --> 00:03:12.159 and you're trying to restore it to its former glory, 00:03:12.559 --> 00:03:15.439 you need the right person doing it. 00:03:16.059 --> 00:03:21.099 If it's the wrong person, it's liable to turn out really badly. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:25.500 And that's really what this passage today is about. 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:28.619 We're leading up to the end, verse 18, 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:31.879 where it talks about the image of God. 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:34.819 Now, right back at the beginning in Genesis, 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:36.799 when God created humans, 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:39.280 he made them in his image. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:42.460 But that image has been marred by our sin 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:45.900 to the point of being in many ways almost unrecognizable. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:49.900 And over the time in the Old Testament, 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:52.180 in the law given through Moses, 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:54.879 the people who tried to keep that law, 00:03:55.259 --> 00:03:56.379 they couldn't do it. 00:03:56.919 --> 00:03:58.079 Because of their sin, 00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:03.080 they couldn't restore themselves to be in the image of God. 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:05.480 And Paul says in this chapter, 00:04:05.600 --> 00:04:07.060 and we'll come to it right at the end, 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:09.480 that we are restored into the image of God. 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:11.439 We are being conformed more and more 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:12.939 to the image of God 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:15.020 through the work of the Holy Spirit 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:18.819 and through focusing our attention 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:20.379 on the Lord Jesus 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:23.000 and thinking about him. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:25.120 So the image can be restored, 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:27.939 but it can't be done by our own efforts. 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:31.199 It can only be done through God's Spirit. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:33.319 So that's where we're going. 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:35.220 Before we get into the passage in detail, 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:37.120 let me also give you a couple of keys 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:39.259 to help us understand it, 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:41.800 to open up the passage for us. 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:45.160 And the first key is Paul's purpose. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:48.000 If you get any passage in the Bible, 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:49.300 it's good to think, 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:51.379 well, why was this passage written? 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:53.560 What is the point of it? 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:56.240 And Paul's purpose in writing 00:04:56.240 --> 00:04:58.879 basically most of the book of 2 Corinthians, 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:00.379 but certainly the early chapters, 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:03.779 was to counter some people 00:05:03.779 --> 00:05:04.600 who had come along 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:06.920 and who were trying to do him down. 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:09.100 Now, Graham's presented that to us 00:05:09.100 --> 00:05:11.279 over the last few weeks. 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:13.019 People were coming and saying, 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:15.199 well, Paul is not really committed to the churches. 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:16.959 He keeps changing his mind. 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:21.240 He's not really that good a messenger for God. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:24.860 And we have that continuing in this passage. 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:26.600 The people who had come 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:29.219 were by and large peddling Jewish traditions. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:30.159 They were trying to get people 00:05:30.159 --> 00:05:31.779 to go back to the law. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:33.620 They were presenting themselves 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:35.839 as people who had mystical experiences. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:38.259 And they were expecting the church 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:39.199 to give them money 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:42.019 to pay them for what they did. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:45.300 And they looked at Paul with some disdain. 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:46.439 I like the description 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:48.120 that Jonathan Lamb gave of this. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:49.819 He said they viewed Paul 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:51.600 as little more than a clown, 00:05:52.400 --> 00:05:53.360 a manual worker, 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:55.259 an amateur speaker, 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:58.259 a buffoon who didn't even charge 00:05:58.259 --> 00:05:59.660 for his services. 00:06:00.819 --> 00:06:02.680 And these people had come into the church 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:04.980 and they were putting Paul down. 00:06:05.080 --> 00:06:07.460 And he wants to defend himself. 00:06:08.400 --> 00:06:09.900 But perhaps more significantly, 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:13.639 they were also denying Paul's teaching. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:15.979 They were saying it's not enough, 00:06:16.099 --> 00:06:16.800 as Paul says, 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:17.979 to have faith in Jesus 00:06:17.979 --> 00:06:20.699 and to be forgiven by God. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:23.719 You've got to obey the Old Testament law. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:25.060 You've got to do things 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:27.500 to earn God's favour. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:29.500 They were trying to impose 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:31.300 Jewish regulations 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:32.539 and Jewish practices 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:34.219 on top of the gospel 00:06:34.219 --> 00:06:36.139 that Paul preached. 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:38.180 And Paul is countering 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:39.560 these people in this chapter. 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:40.479 The first six verses, 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:42.460 largely about his credentials. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:44.900 The remaining verses of the chapter, 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:46.080 and indeed through into chapters 00:06:46.080 --> 00:06:47.500 four and five and beyond, 00:06:48.020 --> 00:06:49.660 are a defence of his teaching 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:50.840 and a presentation 00:06:50.840 --> 00:06:52.460 of how more glorious 00:06:52.460 --> 00:06:54.800 the message of the gospel of Jesus 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:56.319 is than anything 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:58.640 that is in the Old Testament. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:00.400 So that's key one, 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:01.900 Paul's purpose. 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:06.040 The second key is that in this chapter, 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:08.160 Paul draws some parallels. 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:11.000 He takes things from the Old Testament 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:12.880 and he compares them 00:07:12.880 --> 00:07:14.540 with what is happening now 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:16.380 with his ministry. 00:07:17.700 --> 00:07:18.340 And he does that, I think, 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:19.160 in two main ways. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:21.160 He compares himself and Moses, 00:07:21.880 --> 00:07:23.980 not overtly in some ways, 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:25.460 but it definitely is there 00:07:25.460 --> 00:07:26.500 in the passage. 00:07:27.580 --> 00:07:28.860 Moses was the messenger 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:30.400 of the Old Covenant, 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:32.360 of the law that God gave 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:34.180 the people on Sinai. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:36.320 He chose to communicate it 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:37.300 through Moses, 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:38.480 giving him the tablets 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:39.500 and Moses would go in 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:40.319 and meet with God 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:41.319 and come out 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:43.240 and talk with the people. 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:45.800 Paul says that he also 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:46.959 is a messenger 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:48.740 of a covenant, 00:07:49.579 --> 00:07:50.459 that he is bringing 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:52.199 the people God's new covenant. 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:53.980 Today, Corinthians first learned 00:07:53.980 --> 00:07:55.659 the gospel message from Paul 00:07:55.659 --> 00:07:58.039 and so he was the messenger 00:07:58.039 --> 00:07:59.719 of God's new covenant 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:01.000 through Jesus. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.100 And if the people 00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:04.379 who had come into church 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.339 were accusing Paul 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:06.379 of incompetence, 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:07.360 then Paul says, 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:09.379 yes, I would be incompetent, 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:11.019 but I've been made competent 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:13.100 through the Lord Jesus. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:15.759 So Paul can present 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:16.779 God's message 00:08:16.779 --> 00:08:17.339 and does it, 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:18.079 unlike Moses, 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:19.220 he does it without 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:20.459 in any way hiding 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:22.040 the God's glory. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.060 Then the second bit 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:25.500 of the parallels 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:27.339 is between the letter 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:28.879 and the Spirit. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:29.360 In other words, 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:30.540 the Old Testament, 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:32.460 God said to his people, 00:08:32.939 --> 00:08:34.279 here is a list of things 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:35.439 you have to do. 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:37.340 If you do these things 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:38.259 perfectly, 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:40.120 you will be justified 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:41.480 before me. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:42.879 And in practice, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.639 no one could do it. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:46.059 So Paul said, 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:47.299 the letter of the law, 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:49.519 that just brought death. 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:51.500 And the parallel now, 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:52.240 Paul says, 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:54.019 is that under the new covenant 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:55.039 that God is bringing, 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:56.820 it comes through the Spirit 00:08:56.820 --> 00:08:57.799 and does not depend 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:58.860 on our efforts, 00:08:58.879 --> 00:08:59.919 we have the Spirit 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:01.179 of God in us, 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:02.659 revitalizing us, 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:03.639 giving us life 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:05.159 and enabling us 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.600 to serve God. 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:08.639 So bear these two 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:10.039 keys in mind 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:11.279 as we go through. 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.039 I think they do help us 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:13.879 to understand 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:14.980 the passage. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:16.539 But let's get into it now. 00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:17.159 I've divided it 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:18.220 into four sections 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:19.860 and each of these sections 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:20.559 is based around 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:22.259 something that Paul tells us 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:23.879 about the Holy Spirit. 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:24.500 The Holy Spirit, 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:25.100 of course, 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:26.759 is part of the Trinity, 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:27.659 Father, Son, 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:28.779 and Holy Spirit, 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.659 that great mystery 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:32.219 and yet that wonderful truth 00:09:32.219 --> 00:09:33.919 that there is one God 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:35.480 in three persons. 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:37.279 And the Holy Spirit 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.000 is the person 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:38.860 who is with us 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:40.379 and can help us 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:41.919 in our lives now. 00:09:43.699 --> 00:09:45.100 So we're going to look first 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:47.299 at the transforming spirit 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:49.339 and that's in verses 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:50.879 one to three. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:52.939 Paul's being accused 00:09:52.939 --> 00:09:54.079 of boasting 00:09:54.079 --> 00:09:55.779 about himself 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:57.240 without any 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:59.379 corroborating testimony. 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:00.740 The people 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:01.799 who had come into the church 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:02.819 had come with letters 00:10:02.819 --> 00:10:04.059 of recommendation. 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:05.799 Perhaps from the Jewish 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:06.399 leader or something 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:06.899 like that. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:07.859 They come with letters 00:10:07.859 --> 00:10:08.219 that says, 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:08.819 these are people 00:10:08.819 --> 00:10:09.799 you should listen to. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.379 They're going to tell you 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.679 what you need to know. 00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:14.079 And they were saying, 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:14.879 look at Paul. 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:16.319 He didn't have anything 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:17.020 like that. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:18.340 He just came 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:19.140 and he preached 00:10:19.140 --> 00:10:20.320 and there was no one 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:20.820 behind him. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:21.500 There was no one 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:22.879 giving him a recommendation 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:24.140 to you. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:26.160 Now letters of recommendation 00:10:26.160 --> 00:10:27.020 were very common 00:10:27.020 --> 00:10:27.900 in those days. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:29.379 Perhaps less common 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.180 now in churches 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:30.820 although I think 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:31.660 they could be used 00:10:31.660 --> 00:10:33.100 a lot more than they are. 00:10:33.140 --> 00:10:33.900 If someone moves 00:10:33.900 --> 00:10:34.680 from one city 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:35.180 to another, 00:10:35.260 --> 00:10:35.800 for example, 00:10:36.300 --> 00:10:37.060 quite good if their 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:37.620 old church 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.220 could communicate 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:39.280 with their new church 00:10:39.280 --> 00:10:40.860 and let them know 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.040 how they have served 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.940 and been part 00:10:42.940 --> 00:10:43.580 of the fellowship. 00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:46.100 But Paul didn't believe 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:47.379 he needed something 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.520 written down on paper 00:10:48.520 --> 00:10:50.379 as a letter of commendation 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:51.080 or recommendation 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:53.160 to the Corinthians. 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.480 Paul said, 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:57.340 my letter of recommendation 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:00.000 is written on the heart. 00:11:00.780 --> 00:11:01.680 It's not something 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:02.100 that's written 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.180 with pen on paper. 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:05.400 It's written by the Spirit 00:11:05.400 --> 00:11:06.900 on heart. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.220 In other words, 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:09.420 what Paul is saying 00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:10.960 is that the Corinthians 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:11.879 were his letter 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:12.720 of recommendation 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:14.439 because their lives 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:15.320 and their hearts 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:16.799 had been transformed 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:19.059 by God's Holy Spirit. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:20.740 If we went back 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:21.799 and read in 1 Corinthians 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:22.700 chapter 6, 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.919 Paul described 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:25.120 what many of the Corinthians 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:25.899 were like 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:27.639 before they became Christians. 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:28.879 He says 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.200 they were sexually immoral, 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.620 they were idolaters, 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:32.580 they were drunkers, 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.439 they were swindlers 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:35.139 and a whole lot more 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:35.919 besides. 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.360 They weren't 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:38.360 what you might call 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.740 good people. 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:41.100 And yet, 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:41.940 through the gospel 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:42.919 that Paul preached, 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.279 the gospel of the Lord Jesus, 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.860 through the transforming power 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:47.399 of the Holy Spirit, 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.399 the Corinthians 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:50.000 had been changed. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.159 Not that they were perfect, 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:53.000 you correctly pick that up 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.740 if you go through 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:55.159 1 and 2 Corinthians, 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.740 but they had been changed 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.700 from what they were 00:11:57.700 --> 00:12:00.120 and they were still being changed 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:01.840 by the Holy Spirit. 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:03.440 And by questioning 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.379 Paul's credentials, 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.720 actually they were questioning 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.680 their own salvation 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.339 because what Paul 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:09.039 had brought them 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:09.679 was the message 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.399 that had changed 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:11.120 their lives 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.759 as they came to faith 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:14.139 in the Lord Jesus. 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:15.799 He didn't need 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:17.139 a letter of recommendation 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.959 because the Corinthian 00:12:18.959 --> 00:12:20.139 Christians themselves 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:22.099 were his recommendation. 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:25.019 I have to take a pause there 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:26.039 and we'll ask this question 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:26.759 again at the end 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.539 of the service. 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.939 If your life 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:30.899 was a letter 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:32.519 that people could read, 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:34.339 what would it say? 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.460 What would they read about it? 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.019 It's about your faith, 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.720 about your love for Jesus, 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:42.100 about what he has done 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.440 in your life. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:45.000 We'll come back to that 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:45.340 at the end 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:46.060 in the questions, 00:12:46.420 --> 00:12:47.139 but just leave that 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.080 to think about 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:48.920 and to mull over 00:12:48.920 --> 00:12:49.920 for a while. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.080 Let's move on though 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.120 into the second part 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:53.960 of the passage 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:55.180 and I've called this 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:56.360 the life-giving spirit. 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:58.300 It's verses 4 to 6 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.740 of the passage. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.660 Paul is writing 00:13:01.660 --> 00:13:02.980 with confidence. 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.300 And he says 00:13:04.300 --> 00:13:05.060 in that confidence 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:05.779 it's not a kind 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:07.000 of spiritual one-upmanship, 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:08.340 I'm better than you. 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.159 Rather it is 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:10.980 because he's been 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.720 made competent 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:13.720 to be a minister 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:14.399 of the gospel 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.980 through the spirit 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:17.120 of God. 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.980 In verse 3 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.600 he talks about 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.519 tablets of stone 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:21.000 that were given 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.500 to Moses. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.180 Verse 6 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:22.920 he talks about 00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:24.279 the letter of the law 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.259 and the life 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.159 that comes 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.180 through the spirit. 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:29.759 So Paul says 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.899 the letter of the law 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.799 brings death 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:33.399 but the spirit 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:34.899 brings life. 00:13:35.699 --> 00:13:36.399 The old covenant, 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:37.239 the agreement, 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:37.979 the commitment 00:13:37.979 --> 00:13:38.759 that was made 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.839 between God 00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:40.859 and the people 00:13:40.859 --> 00:13:41.899 in Moses' day 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:44.500 was a mutual commitment 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:46.120 where God's requirements 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:46.859 were laid out 00:13:46.859 --> 00:13:48.419 in very precise detail 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.759 and the people 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.199 committed 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:51.559 to obey them. 00:13:52.219 --> 00:13:53.379 And then they found 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.579 they couldn't. 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:56.139 it was impossible. 00:13:56.920 --> 00:13:57.480 The standard 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.820 was just too high 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:00.440 and their inability 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:01.639 to keep it 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.980 Paul says 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.780 led to death. 00:14:05.920 --> 00:14:06.639 Contrast that 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.980 with the situation now. 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:09.540 Paul says 00:14:09.540 --> 00:14:10.460 we have the spirit 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:10.680 now. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.800 We have the Holy Spirit 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:13.340 who is with us 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:15.080 who can lead us 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.680 to Christ 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:16.620 and can help us 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.520 grow in our faith. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:19.940 And we're not 00:14:19.940 --> 00:14:20.520 dependent 00:14:20.520 --> 00:14:21.820 on our own efforts 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:23.020 because if we're 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:23.400 Christians 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.139 if we trust 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:24.980 in Jesus 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:26.220 then God 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:26.840 is at work 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:27.679 in our lives 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:28.620 and anything 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.399 we achieve 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.620 any competence 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.699 that we have 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:33.139 we owe to him 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.279 and not 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.500 to ourselves. 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.100 I think that's 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.319 another very good 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:39.079 reminder. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:40.860 We are completely 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.279 dependent on God 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.459 for any good 00:14:43.459 --> 00:14:44.379 that comes 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.600 from what we do. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.259 It's an antidote 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.279 both to pride 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.759 and to discouragement. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.019 Perhaps your experience 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:51.919 has been similar 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.459 to mine. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:53.919 At times 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:54.740 I feel that 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:56.399 I'm doing pretty well 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.539 that God is 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:58.339 with me 00:14:58.339 --> 00:14:59.019 as I speak 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.059 or as I serve 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:00.759 in the church 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.939 and I'm tempted 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:02.419 to think 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.759 well that's my efforts 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.979 I've done really well 00:15:04.979 --> 00:15:05.959 I've worked hard 00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:06.899 at it. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.539 Other times 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.779 things don't go so well 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:11.539 and I get quite discouraged 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:11.939 and think 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:12.740 well am I really 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.959 up to the job here 00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:15.339 should I be doing 00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:16.179 whatever 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:17.459 I'm serving 00:15:17.459 --> 00:15:18.139 in. 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:20.139 Both attitudes 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.580 are wrong. 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:24.080 If things go well 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:24.840 it is because 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:25.860 God's spirit 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.439 is with us 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:29.019 it is empowering us 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.539 and is using us. 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.759 And if we think 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.699 things are going badly 00:15:32.699 --> 00:15:33.720 well we don't know. 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.399 We may be inadequate 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.279 we are inadequate 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.179 of ourselves 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.659 but God is able 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:39.340 to take 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.460 and to use 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.720 our failures 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.879 and our weakness 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.259 and to bless 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:44.779 others 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.759 through it. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.059 We are called 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:47.779 to serve 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.360 to serve 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.120 faithfully 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.839 and to serve 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:51.600 in the power 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.839 in the strength 00:15:52.839 --> 00:15:53.799 that God 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.879 gives us. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.279 There's no question 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.139 of how we feel 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.759 after it 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.759 or whether we feel 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.459 we've done a good 00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:00.939 or a bad job. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.079 The Holy Spirit 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:03.159 is the enabler 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:04.639 he's the life giver 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:06.199 and if there is to be 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.079 anything that comes 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:07.939 from our service 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:09.179 for the Lord Jesus 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:10.699 it is through 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:11.439 him. 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:14.100 Okay so that's 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.899 the first 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.379 part of the passage 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.100 where Paul is 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.039 defending himself 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.779 personally 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.159 against the attacks 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.360 made against him. 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.779 Let's move on 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.500 and again we have 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:23.960 two headings 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.480 in the second 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.519 part of the chapter 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.939 which is about 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:28.399 Paul's message 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.439 and particularly 00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:30.059 the means 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.279 by which it comes. 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.019 I've called the third 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.820 section from verse 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.600 7 to 11 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:35.439 the glorious spirit 00:16:35.439 --> 00:16:36.159 and hopefully you can 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.639 see that 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.939 if you've got it 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:39.100 in front of you. 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.980 So we're going back 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.740 in the next section 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.320 of the passage 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:44.360 to Exodus chapter 34. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.259 If you get the chance 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.939 when you get home 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:46.340 it would be worth 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.519 reading Exodus 34. 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.899 It very much is 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.500 the background 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.840 to what's happening 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.580 here. 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.179 Moses went up 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.179 the Mount Sinai. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.399 He went up twice. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.000 The first time 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.679 he came down 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.179 and the people 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.980 had brought a golden 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:59.700 calf and Moses 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.799 threw down 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.600 the commandments 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.340 he'd been given 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.179 and the people 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:04.700 suffered God's wrath 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.640 for what they'd done. 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:06.799 Moses went back 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.379 up again 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.700 pleaded for the people 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.940 that God would save them. 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.819 God in his mercy 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.460 relented 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.299 and Moses came down 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.759 and because he'd been 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.980 in the presence of God 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.240 when he came down 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:19.120 his face was shining. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:19.940 So shining 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.920 that the people 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.559 were afraid 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:23.319 to come to him. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.819 That shows 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.519 I think 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.120 that Moses 00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:27.860 the covenant 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.380 that was given 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:28.860 through Moses 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.500 the message 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.100 that was given 00:17:30.100 --> 00:17:30.600 to Moses 00:17:30.600 --> 00:17:32.220 was a glorious one. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.640 It's easy for us 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:33.980 to say 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.880 well the law 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.440 it's gone 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.079 it's passed 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:37.460 what really matters 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.440 is the gospel 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.400 and to an extent 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:39.960 that's true 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:41.400 but we mustn't put down 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.360 the law 00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:43.700 in the Old Testament. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:45.860 What God gave 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.620 to the Israelites 00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:48.019 was glorious. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.400 It was 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:51.120 a representation 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:52.279 of his holiness 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.940 and his greatness 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.680 and the standards 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.980 that he lived to. 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.340 Even though 00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:59.380 it led to death 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:01.220 Moses' face shone 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.100 as he'd been 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.680 in the presence 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.299 of God 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:04.340 and as he was able 00:18:04.340 --> 00:18:05.480 to present something 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.680 of the character 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.319 of God. 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.100 But how much 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:10.000 more glorious 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.859 says Paul 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:12.019 is the ministry 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.699 of the Spirit. 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.779 If the old ministry 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.879 if what came 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.539 through Moses 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.579 just resulted 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.179 in death 00:18:18.179 --> 00:18:18.759 because people 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.319 couldn't do 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:19.899 what they had 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.379 to do 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.439 how much 00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:22.199 more glorious 00:18:22.199 --> 00:18:23.480 is the ministry 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:23.959 now 00:18:23.959 --> 00:18:25.379 of the Holy Spirit 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.759 that gives us 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.539 life. 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.379 It's also 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.000 more glorious 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.339 because it brings 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:31.959 righteousness 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:33.339 and not 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.559 condemnation. 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.139 And here's 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:36.679 the heart 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.740 of the Christian 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.080 faith. 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:38.560 Paul will 00:18:38.560 --> 00:18:39.400 expand on it 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.740 in later chapters. 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.180 No one 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.060 except Jesus 00:18:43.060 --> 00:18:43.980 could keep 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.340 the law 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:44.960 perfectly. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.440 So everyone 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:48.100 was condemned. 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:49.880 But Jesus 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.420 has taken 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.000 the punishment 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.799 for our sins 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.440 so that those 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:52.940 who trust 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.380 in him 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.259 are made 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.720 righteous 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:56.080 and we can 00:18:56.080 --> 00:18:56.759 live more 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.400 righteously 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:59.140 by the power 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.500 of the Spirit. 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.779 So the 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.799 ministry 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:04.240 of the Spirit 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.880 that brings 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.039 justification 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.900 and righteousness 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:08.220 is so much 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.839 greater than 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.460 the ministry 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.680 of the law 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.839 which condemns 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.680 us because 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.279 we can't 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.779 keep it. 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:15.640 And then 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.259 finally in this 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.740 section 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.140 Paul reminds 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.980 us that 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.620 the glory 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.200 that Moses 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.460 had was 00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:22.240 temporary 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.839 and the glory 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.519 of the law 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:26.200 was in that 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.039 sense temporary 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.740 too. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.480 It's lost 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.059 its glory. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.759 A good 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.700 analogy I read 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.180 was if you 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.640 look at the 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.180 sun and 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:34.440 the moon. 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:34.820 If you go 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:35.860 at night 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.100 in a clear 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:38.060 sky the 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:38.720 moon looks 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.680 really bright. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.240 If you go 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:41.779 out again in 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.380 daylight and 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:43.900 you see the 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.259 sun you 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.900 can't even 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.920 see the 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.200 moon. 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:47.320 The level 00:19:47.320 --> 00:19:47.940 of brightness 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.980 is so much 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.200 greater with 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:50.759 the sun 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.680 than the 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:51.940 moon. 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:53.759 God's glory 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.259 in the Old 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:54.740 Testament 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.960 shone bright. 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.940 God's glory 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.720 in the New 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.259 Testament 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.900 shines even 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.740 brighter. 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:02.860 So bright 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.899 that eclipses 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.579 completely 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:06.240 the glory 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.079 of the 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.759 Old Testament. 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:09.500 As Paul 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:09.959 says, 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.119 the letter 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.919 kills but 00:20:12.919 --> 00:20:13.679 the spirit 00:20:13.679 --> 00:20:15.579 gives life. 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.079 Let's move 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:20.719 on then and 00:20:20.719 --> 00:20:21.339 look at the 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.339 final section 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.899 from verse 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.419 12. 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:24.779 And I've 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.339 called that 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.559 the liberating 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:26.979 spirit. 00:20:28.219 --> 00:20:28.699 Now again 00:20:28.699 --> 00:20:29.240 let me remind 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.479 you of 00:20:29.479 --> 00:20:30.199 Exodus chapter 00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:31.019 34. 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.240 Israelites 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.740 have left 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.359 slavery in 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.799 Egypt. 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:34.819 They're going 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.200 through the 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.559 wilderness. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:35.980 They've been 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.319 there for 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.059 40 years. 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:37.420 They're still 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.019 fairly early 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.339 stages in 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:39.759 that. 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:40.900 Moses goes 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.319 up saying 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.900 I try to 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.259 get the 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.720 commandments. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:43.779 He comes 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.200 down the 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:44.819 second time 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.160 with a 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.079 radiant face 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:47.359 having witnessed 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.440 the glory of 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.819 God. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.180 And the people 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.940 are so terrified 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.819 with that that 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.680 Moses has to put 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:53.379 a veil on his 00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:54.180 face to cover 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.500 it. 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.779 And Paul 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.259 tells us 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.539 though the 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.019 Old Testament 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.619 doesn't that 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.119 part of the 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:58.619 purpose of 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.740 that veil was 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.359 so that people 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:00.900 wouldn't see 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.559 that the glory 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.240 was fading. 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.200 That the 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.759 shining of 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.420 Moses' face 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.180 would gradually 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.579 diminish until 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.400 he went again 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.160 into the 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.660 presence of 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.480 God, took 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.220 the veil off, 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.119 his face 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.500 again took 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.220 on the glory, 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:13.920 the shining 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.119 countenance, 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.900 he came out 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.960 again and 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.640 he put the 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.720 veil on. 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.920 So the 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.500 shining represented 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.380 the glory of 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.960 God, it was 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.700 evidence to 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.220 the people 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.120 that Moses 00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:26.580 had been 00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:27.080 into the 00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.680 presence of 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.740 God and 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.260 that what he 00:21:29.260 --> 00:21:30.020 was relaying 00:21:30.020 --> 00:21:30.520 back to 00:21:30.520 --> 00:21:31.360 them was 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:31.880 what God 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.280 had said 00:21:32.280 --> 00:21:32.800 to him, 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:33.660 it was the 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.960 instructions that 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.460 they needed 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.680 to obey. 00:21:38.020 --> 00:21:38.780 But now, 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.400 says Paul, 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:40.680 things are 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.580 different. 00:21:42.560 --> 00:21:43.040 There is no 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.820 need now 00:21:43.820 --> 00:21:45.500 for a veil. 00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:46.580 There is no 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:47.460 need now to 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.420 hide the 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.660 glory of 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:50.160 God. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.440 Paul and 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:51.860 his fellow 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.580 evangelists, 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.000 he says, 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.960 we can be 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.059 bold. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.140 We can be 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:58.940 confident that 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.839 we are able to 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.460 go out to the 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.160 people and 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.119 without veiling 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.480 anything to 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.180 present to 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.079 them God in 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.500 all his 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:05.980 fullness, 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.339 in all his 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:07.819 greatness, 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.259 in the wonder 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.599 of what comes 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.599 through Jesus. 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.779 The glow in 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.440 Moses' face 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.279 faded just as 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.140 the law 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:16.920 faded. 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.180 But the 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.819 glory of 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.519 Christ has 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.680 superseded that 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.660 and it 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.500 will never 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.039 fade. 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.500 There is no 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:24.940 reason, 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.660 says Paul, 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.080 to be 00:22:26.080 --> 00:22:26.820 bashful about 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:26.980 this. 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:27.240 So in 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.720 verse 12, 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.160 he says, 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:28.980 we are 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.880 very 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:30.980 bold. 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:32.060 In 00:22:32.060 --> 00:22:32.519 Romans chapter 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:32.820 1, 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.360 Paul says, 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:33.860 I'm not 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.460 ashamed of 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.000 the gospel 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:36.420 because it 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.759 is the 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.279 power of 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.779 God that 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.620 brings salvation 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:39.340 to everyone 00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:40.180 who believes, 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.779 first to the 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.980 Jew and 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.120 then to 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.060 the Gentiles. 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:46.839 God 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.119 says, 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.720 says Paul, 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.679 there is 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:49.079 still a 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.299 veil. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.659 And the 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.220 veil isn't 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.740 on our 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.279 side of 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.720 those who 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.440 are preaching 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.299 the good 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.740 news. 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.220 The veil is 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.759 on the 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.899 hearts of 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.940 the hearers. 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.319 Many 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.700 Jews, 00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:01.359 says Paul, 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.440 are blind. 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.000 Their minds 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.379 have been 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:04.079 made dull, 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.759 he said. 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.779 They can't 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.700 understand the 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.220 truth of the 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.460 gospel. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:07.740 And what 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.759 appears obvious 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.299 to some of 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:09.619 us as 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.599 Christians in 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:10.940 the Old 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.319 Testament 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.059 refers to 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.399 Jesus. 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.399 They just 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.519 can't see 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:14.839 it. 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.740 They're 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.480 still living 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.679 in darkness. 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:18.799 And of 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:18.940 course, 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.259 it's not 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:19.819 just Jews 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.019 who are 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.299 in that 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:20.720 position. 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.839 So many 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.579 people today 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:22.960 in our 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.579 society 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.359 who have 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.119 no time 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.700 for the 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.059 Christian 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.500 message, 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:26.919 for the 00:23:26.919 --> 00:23:27.319 gospel, 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.119 for God 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:29.179 at all. 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.159 They have 00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:30.899 been blinded. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.200 They have 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.740 the veil 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.359 over their 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:32.839 hearts. 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.819 And unless 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.519 that veil 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.559 is removed 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:35.980 through the 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.379 power of 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:36.879 the Spirit, 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.399 then it 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.119 will remain. 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.299 But, 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:40.819 says Paul, 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.339 when we 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.419 turn to 00:23:42.419 --> 00:23:43.000 the Lord, 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.099 when we 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.480 do put 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.120 our trust 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.120 in Jesus, 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.360 the veil 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:48.000 is removed, 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:48.980 and we 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.660 can observe 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.140 God's 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:50.519 glory, 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.519 and we 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.240 can share 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.200 in it. 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:54.880 And that 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.279 brings us 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.779 to the 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.400 glorious 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.900 climax 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:58.140 of this 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:58.599 chapter. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.259 Now, 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.000 just as a 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.440 point of 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:01.860 detail, 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.259 when we 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.799 come to 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.940 verses 16 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.599 to 18, 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.519 I think 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:05.839 when it 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.480 refers to 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.019 the Lord 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.460 there, 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.339 it's not 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.980 specifically 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.759 referring to 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.160 Jesus. 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:10.599 I think 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:10.879 in the 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.420 context, 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.039 it is 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.720 the Yahweh 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.879 of the 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:14.559 Old Testament, 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:15.299 although 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.700 obviously 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.140 everything 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:16.579 that we 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.039 have 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.720 is 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.140 through 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:19.079 Jesus. 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.200 So, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.500 in verse 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.119 17, 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:24.059 Paul says, 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.759 when Moses 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.559 encountered 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.680 the Lord 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.119 in the 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.539 tent of 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:27.980 meeting, 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.500 we encounter 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.640 him through 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.940 the Spirit. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.900 And that 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.619 encounters 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:36.519 liberating 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.799 for us. 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.359 It frees 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.319 us from 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.700 the bondage 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.559 of sin. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:42.980 It frees 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.359 us from 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.000 the hardness 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.839 of heart 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.639 that we 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.079 had. 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.259 It frees 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:47.639 us to 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.240 be obedient 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.000 to God 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.779 through the 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.779 work of 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.180 the Holy 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:51.599 Spirit. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.660 And so 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.000 then in 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.660 verse 18, 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.539 Paul says, 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:56.799 like Moses, 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.960 we can 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.680 view God's 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.720 glory with 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.460 unveiled 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.379 faces. 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.660 Only 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.299 Moses in 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.639 the Old 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.079 Testament, 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.480 in the 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.920 account in 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.200 Exodus, 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:05.980 only Moses 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.500 could go 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.299 into the 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:07.819 presence of 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.160 God, 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.900 take the 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.440 veil off, 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.559 and experience 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.299 the glory 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.440 of God. 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.380 When Moses 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:13.880 came back 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.180 to the 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.460 people, 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:14.859 they saw 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.160 a little 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.519 bit of 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:15.660 the 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.119 reflected 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.640 glory, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.400 but even 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:17.900 that was 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.460 then hidden 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.519 as the 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.500 veil was 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.140 put on. 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.480 We, 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:22.819 though, 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.259 have 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.220 unveiled 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.160 faces. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.460 We, 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:26.819 if we're 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.240 Christians, 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:27.799 if we know 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.220 the Lord 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:28.599 Jesus, 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.500 we can 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.099 gaze on 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.319 him, 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:30.740 we can 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.539 wonder at 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:31.920 who he 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.220 is, 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:32.779 and at 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.180 all that 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.480 he has 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.160 done for 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.519 us, 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.420 and we 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.700 can 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.460 recognize 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.660 and experience 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:39.259 his glory. 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.160 And as we 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.759 do that, 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:42.960 says Paul, 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.339 our lives 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.920 are transformed. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.240 We are 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.440 transformed into 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.220 the image 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.259 of God 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:52.319 with ever-increasing 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.220 glory. 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.880 That image, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.480 as I said, 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.279 which was spoiled 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.200 through our sin 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.500 in Genesis 00:25:58.500 --> 00:26:00.319 is now being 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.880 restored 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:02.039 through the work 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.839 of the Spirit 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.740 and through 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.419 for those 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.000 who have 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.439 faith 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:06.519 in Jesus. 00:26:07.459 --> 00:26:07.759 And it 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.379 comes about 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:08.959 as we 00:26:08.959 --> 00:26:09.679 understand 00:26:09.679 --> 00:26:10.079 better 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.559 and as we 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.399 contemplate 00:26:11.399 --> 00:26:12.419 the Lord's 00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:12.799 glory 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.859 and see 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.279 what it 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.799 means to 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.859 be in 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.379 his image. 00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:16.759 How do 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.059 we do 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.419 that? 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.059 Well, 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.459 we moved 00:26:18.459 --> 00:26:18.759 a few 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.039 verses 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.599 to chapter 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:19.980 four, 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.419 which I think 00:26:20.419 --> 00:26:20.859 Graham will be 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.279 speaking on 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.879 next week. 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:22.579 Chapter 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.439 four describes 00:26:23.439 --> 00:26:23.819 Jesus 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.779 as the 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.240 image 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.439 of God. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.160 God 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.480 and we 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.720 are 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.940 transformed 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.820 into the 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.279 image of 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.680 God 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.600 as we 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:32.080 observe 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.600 the one 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.039 who is 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.539 truly 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:33.980 the image 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.580 of God 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:35.240 who is 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.740 God 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.820 with us. 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:37.860 John says 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.100 in his 00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.480 gospel, 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:38.960 no one 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.340 has ever 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:39.680 seen 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.120 God, 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.240 but God 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.620 the one 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.019 and only 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.340 Son 00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:42.640 who is 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.100 himself 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:43.539 God 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.360 and is 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:44.660 in the 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:44.960 closest 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.720 relationship 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.640 with the 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.039 Father 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.400 has made 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:48.759 him 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.720 known. 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.320 Our 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:51.840 transformation 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.779 begins 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.600 when through 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.700 the prompting 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.100 and leading 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:55.860 of the Spirit 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.340 opening 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.039 our hearts 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.839 to God's 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.179 word. 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.319 We recognise 00:26:59.319 --> 00:26:59.799 that we 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.359 don't win 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.059 God's favour 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.539 by our 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.220 own efforts, 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.059 by being 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.579 a set of 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:03.899 rules, 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.480 by living 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.359 in a 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:06.079 certain way. 00:27:06.699 --> 00:27:07.439 We only 00:27:07.439 --> 00:27:08.579 find God's 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:08.839 favour 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.619 through faith 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.179 in Jesus 00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:10.819 who died 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.159 on the 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:11.559 cross 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.319 to take 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.079 our sins 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.000 and make 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.559 us righteous. 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.059 That is 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.559 the beginning 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.599 of the 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.119 transformation. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.879 The 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.279 transformation 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.099 continues 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:21.059 as we 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.079 contemplate 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.939 the Lord's 00:27:22.939 --> 00:27:23.339 glory, 00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:24.319 particularly 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.339 as revealed 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.579 in Jesus. 00:27:27.459 --> 00:27:28.099 If we're 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.559 Christians, 00:27:28.679 --> 00:27:28.959 we should 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:29.500 be spending 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.559 time daily 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.559 with God's 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:31.959 word, 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:32.619 we should 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.220 be meditating 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:33.939 on it, 00:27:34.179 --> 00:27:34.639 we should 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.379 be seeking 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:35.939 to learn 00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:37.119 more about 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.559 the Lord 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.259 Jesus and 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.919 his life 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.639 and his 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.679 death and 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.159 all that 00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.740 he means 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.779 for us. 00:27:43.439 --> 00:27:43.939 And as we 00:27:43.939 --> 00:27:44.480 do that, 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.259 the Spirit 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.119 continues the 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.500 work of 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.179 transformation 00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:48.379 and makes 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.059 us more 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:50.159 and more 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.960 like 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.380 Jesus. 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.220 And the 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.600 transformation 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.160 will be 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.640 complete 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.519 one day. 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.500 One day 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:56.880 when we 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.240 go and 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.740 see him 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.480 face to 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.660 face and 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.220 we become 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.900 like him 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.920 in every 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.279 way. 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.120 That's the 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:03.800 experience of 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:04.660 these lovely 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.860 fellow Christians 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:06.240 who have 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.840 recently gone 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.360 to be 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.100 with the 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:08.660 Lord Jesus. 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.180 They are 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.019 now with 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.580 the Lord 00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.540 they love. 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.420 If we 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.980 have our 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.500 trust in 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:14.759 Jesus, 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.300 then one 00:28:15.300 --> 00:28:16.140 day when 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.940 he returns 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.860 or when 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.580 we pass 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:18.819 through 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.220 death, 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.960 we will 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.339 go to 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:20.799 be with 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.000 him 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.460 forever 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.439 and we 00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:22.839 will be 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.299 totally 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.179 transformed. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.019 We will 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.599 be without 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:25.980 sin. 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.379 We will 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:27.359 be like 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.259 Jesus. 00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:29.799 As 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.119 Charles 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.419 Wesley 00:28:30.419 --> 00:28:30.839 put it, 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:31.199 change 00:28:31.199 --> 00:28:31.899 from glory 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:32.759 into glory 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:34.159 till in 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:34.740 heaven we 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.299 take our 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.799 place, 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.359 till we 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.099 cast our 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.659 crowns 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.460 before thee, 00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:40.899 lost in 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:41.500 wonder, 00:28:42.179 --> 00:28:42.519 love, 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.079 and praise. 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:46.500 So to 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.659 conclude this 00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:48.159 morning, 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:49.380 my challenge 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:49.820 to you is 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.279 where are 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.820 you on 00:28:50.820 --> 00:28:51.580 that journey 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.240 of being 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.240 transformed 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.380 by Jesus? 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:55.960 Some of us 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.700 perhaps haven't 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.259 done the 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.779 first step. 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.220 We haven't 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.640 come to 00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.840 realise that 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:00.540 only through 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:01.660 Jesus is 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.320 there hope. 00:29:02.800 --> 00:29:03.160 That we 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:03.779 can't do it 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.600 by ourselves. 00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.880 Only through 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:06.700 trusting in 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.660 the saving 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.220 work of 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.519 the Lord 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.120 Jesus and 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.560 dying for 00:29:09.560 --> 00:29:09.880 us on 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.400 the cross 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:11.300 can we 00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:12.140 be right 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.140 with God. 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.180 If that's 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.440 you, 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.580 please this 00:29:15.580 --> 00:29:16.420 morning consider 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.480 that Christ 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.039 died to 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.640 save you 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.559 and that 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:19.940 you can 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.440 have peace 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.099 with God 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:22.220 through him. 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.799 Put your 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.339 trust in 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.579 him. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.240 Maybe for 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.579 some of 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:25.940 us that 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.319 work of 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.900 transformation 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.400 seems to 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.799 have stalled 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.240 a bit. 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.279 Yes, 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:29.519 we're 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.000 Christians, 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.360 yes, 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:30.599 we've 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:30.880 come to 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.380 our trust 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:31.920 in Jesus, 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.140 but actually 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:33.720 our lives 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.440 aren't really 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:34.980 progressing 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:36.240 very much. 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.539 We're just 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.140 static, 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:38.860 maybe even 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.559 going backwards 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.620 in our 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.019 faith. 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.420 In that 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:42.680 case, 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.380 the challenge 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.259 is to 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.700 again 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.480 contemplate 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.019 the Lord's 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.400 glory, 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:46.920 to look 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.440 on Jesus, 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.160 to follow 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.220 his example, 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.299 to trust 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.900 him through 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.539 the Spirit 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.580 to continue 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:53.460 the process 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.559 that began 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.420 at your 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:55.980 conversion. 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.500 And for 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.039 all of us, 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.000 wherever we 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.140 are, 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.759 let's lift 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.380 our eyes. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.720 Let's give 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.299 thanks for 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.840 the glory 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:03.440 that God 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.380 has revealed 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.000 to us 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.880 through Jesus 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.480 Christ, 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.360 and thanks 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:08.720 that is 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.680 accessible to 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:10.019 us and 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.640 come before 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.380 him with 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.039 unveiled 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:13.259 faces to 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:13.799 see his 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.940 beauty and 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.299 to be 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.559 changed to 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.019 be like 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.259 him. 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:18.659 So let's 00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:19.180 pray together. 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.859 As we 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:22.200 gaze on 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:22.799 your kingly 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.240 brightness, 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:23.799 so our 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.940 faces display 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.180 your likeness. 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.119 Ever 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.960 changing from 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.579 glory to 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:28.879 glory, 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.700 mirrored here, 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.619 may our 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.240 lives tell 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.879 the story. 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.200 Shine on 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.519 me, 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:34.960 shine on 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.279 me. 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:36.899 Father, 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.500 we pray that 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.539 indeed you 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:38.960 will through 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.519 your Spirit 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.680 shine on 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.019 us, 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.200 that we 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.720 may see 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.779 the glorious 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.539 glory to 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.119 the Lord 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:46.519 Jesus, 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:47.960 that as 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.420 we do, 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:48.839 that we 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.299 may be 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.519 transformed 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.379 to be 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:51.920 more like 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.160 him, 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.059 to be 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.639 in his 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.440 image. 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:55.700 If we 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:55.879 have not 00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.240 already 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.879 trusted him 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.460 for salvation, 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:57.940 help us 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:58.680 to realise 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.399 that the 00:30:59.399 --> 00:30:59.879 only way 00:30:59.879 --> 00:31:00.299 is through 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:00.680 Jesus, 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.279 not through 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.660 our own 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.099 efforts. 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.099 And if 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.399 we are 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.779 Christians, 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.319 help us 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:04.839 to grow 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.279 in him, 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.160 to grow 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:06.779 like him, 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.740 as we 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.559 contemplate 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.019 his 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.460 greatness. 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:10.299 We thank 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:10.440 you for 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:10.899 your presence 00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:11.339 with us 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:11.920 this morning. 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:12.960 We pray 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.259 for the 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.720 coming week, 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.100 particularly 00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.640 pray for 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.440 the funeral 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.100 service on 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.440 Thursday, 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:16.940 that that 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.440 will be 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.200 a fitting 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.799 tribute to 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.019 Donald, 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:19.460 but more 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:19.960 than that, 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.559 that it 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:20.980 will bring 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.860 glory to 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.259 the Lord 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.600 Jesus. 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:23.740 We give 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.240 you thanks 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.579 and ask 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:24.819 for your 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.180 continued 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.620 blessing. 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:26.480 In Jesus' 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:26.880 name. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.019 Amen. 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.100 Amen.