WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.000 Thank you Jonathan. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:07.940 I'm going to get set up here. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.179 I think it's nearly every single time I preach I end up adjusting the pulpit when I come up. 00:00:37.179 --> 00:00:40.740 But I've learned to do it at the start, not midway through when it's dropping or something. 00:00:43.140 --> 00:00:46.100 So thanks again Jonathan, thanks for leading this morning. 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:52.039 And yeah, let's just ask for the Lord's help again as we look at his word together this morning. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:52.659 Let's pray. 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:59.939 Our Heavenly Father, you are good and gracious and kind and loving. 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:06.219 And it is a privilege to open up your word to us this morning. 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:15.280 And we know that you give us your spirit so that the things that are on the page would change our hearts. 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:18.280 And we come to you in humility. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:23.420 We don't have the answer, but you do because you are God Almighty. 00:01:23.900 --> 00:01:26.620 Help us this morning to hear from you. 00:01:27.379 --> 00:01:27.740 Amen. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:34.819 Augustine in the fifth century said, 00:01:35.520 --> 00:01:41.359 Every person, whatsoever their condition, desires to be happy. 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:47.319 Now each of our radars for happiness are tuned that little bit differently. 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:51.919 For some, getting a Taylor Swift concert ticket, that's happy. 00:01:52.659 --> 00:01:57.239 Maybe it's getting into a dating relationship, one that's going to get me towards marriage. 00:01:58.199 --> 00:02:01.419 It's a bigger paycheck at the end of the month, less tax maybe. 00:02:01.919 --> 00:02:05.139 Or you get to my age, 46 today. 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:11.379 And happiness is an armchair nap on a Sunday afternoon in front of the telly. 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:15.759 So, as I said, our happiness radars, they're all tuned a bit differently. 00:02:16.139 --> 00:02:19.280 And it's often made up of small little things, isn't it? 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:26.639 It's not often just one big thing, but lots of things that bring us joy or satisfaction or bring us blessing. 00:02:27.800 --> 00:02:33.539 But the little bits of happiness that each one brings, I don't know about you, 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:37.319 but it never seems to quite add up enough to be the good life. 00:02:37.859 --> 00:02:40.419 It never quite gets me there. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:43.180 And maybe we've tried different ways. 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:44.799 Be reliable. 00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:46.139 Work hard. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:47.280 Do right. 00:02:47.979 --> 00:02:49.120 Or maybe we've flipped and gone. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:49.799 Be free. 00:02:50.019 --> 00:02:50.739 Spread our wings. 00:02:51.079 --> 00:02:52.319 Push the boundaries out. 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:56.079 And it kind of doesn't seem to matter which way we go. 00:02:56.419 --> 00:02:57.639 It doesn't seem to work out. 00:02:57.719 --> 00:03:07.159 Trying to get the good life, chasing it, just seems to push it that slight bit further and further away each time. 00:03:08.239 --> 00:03:11.479 For half of us, we're still hopeful about the good life. 00:03:11.639 --> 00:03:12.439 Maybe we're younger. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:15.060 Maybe we see all the things that are out there and say, 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:16.019 Oh, we can get it. 00:03:16.039 --> 00:03:16.560 It's out there. 00:03:17.359 --> 00:03:21.400 And possibly for some of us, maybe my kind of age, you've kind of given up. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:26.680 And you've become a bit detached or even a bit cynical about it all, about having the good life. 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:31.240 Greek mythology, Tantalus. 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:32.780 Blank looks. 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:33.240 That's okay. 00:03:34.040 --> 00:03:41.180 Tantalus, he was made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low-hanging branches. 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:42.379 Can you picture that? 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:44.520 Pool of water, fruit tree, low-hanging branches. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:50.360 And whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches would lift just beyond his grasp. 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:51.780 So he'd reach up and, ugh. 00:03:52.820 --> 00:03:59.400 And whenever he bent down to drink, the water would recede just that little bit out of reach. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:04.240 And the pursuit of happiness is like that. 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:08.640 It's all tantalizingly close. 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:16.279 Now, what if I told you this morning that happiness could be found? 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:21.819 Not just found, but really found and fully found. 00:04:22.159 --> 00:04:25.419 Not this piecemeal, bit by bit, acquiring happiness. 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:29.419 But, I mean, a happiness that can be grasped and secured. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:33.979 And it all just hinges on this one little word. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:38.600 Well, that one little word this morning is in. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:39.900 Okay? 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:40.460 You got it? 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:41.000 Two letters? 00:04:41.140 --> 00:04:41.920 We can manage this. 00:04:42.340 --> 00:04:45.960 That one little word this morning is the word in. 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:54.420 And if we can grasp in, we can grasp happiness as a Christian. 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:58.720 We've been asking these past few weeks that big question, haven't we? 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:00.960 What is a Christian? 00:05:01.540 --> 00:05:02.900 What is a Christian? 00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:09.020 And for this last sermon, I want to kind of summarize it or pull it together in some ways with this. 00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:15.520 A Christian is in Christ and Christ is in them. 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:22.320 And by being in Christ, we are happy. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:30.379 And this idea, if you want to think of a theological term or a big, big, big, big heading item to put it under, 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:33.639 is called union with Christ. 00:05:34.159 --> 00:05:37.300 Being in Christ and Christ in us. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:45.519 And union in Christ, it's a kind of gravity that just pulls everything together in Jesus. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:48.719 These past weeks, we've talked about the good life. 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:52.500 We've talked about being saved by grace. 00:05:53.460 --> 00:05:56.100 Our dependence on God through prayer. 00:05:56.780 --> 00:05:58.720 Our being together as church. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:00.760 Our hatred of sin. 00:06:01.380 --> 00:06:03.460 And our love for others, even our enemies. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:08.540 And this good life, all of these experiences as a Christian, 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:11.340 they all pull together in Christ. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:19.539 And they all flow from him and connect to us because we are in Christ. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:26.000 Think of the ways to describe a Christian in the New Testament. 00:06:26.099 --> 00:06:30.779 If you open up your Bibles and you were to think, what's a Christian called? 00:06:31.159 --> 00:06:31.679 Christian. 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:32.279 That's a good one. 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:32.919 I've given you one. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:33.559 We've started. 00:06:33.919 --> 00:06:34.120 Okay. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:36.079 How many times do you think? 00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:36.879 Three. 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:39.719 Three times Christian is mentioned in the Bible. 00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:41.120 Well, it's not very many. 00:06:41.580 --> 00:06:42.220 Good term. 00:06:42.960 --> 00:06:43.320 Believers. 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:44.980 That's another good one, isn't it? 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:46.640 Thirteen times. 00:06:46.840 --> 00:06:47.000 Okay. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:47.820 We're getting a bit better here. 00:06:48.400 --> 00:06:51.360 In the book of Acts, you get this idea of being a follower of the way. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:52.740 Have you ever heard that phrase? 00:06:52.840 --> 00:06:53.340 Of the way? 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:54.220 Follower of the way? 00:06:54.900 --> 00:06:55.700 Six times. 00:06:56.020 --> 00:06:56.880 Here's a big one. 00:06:58.140 --> 00:06:58.500 Saints. 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:00.680 So you're called a saint. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:01.420 A holy one. 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:02.760 A set apart one for God. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:04.360 Sixty times. 00:07:05.960 --> 00:07:06.920 But this is the big one. 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:09.060 In Christ. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:10.900 Talking about you. 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:12.720 In him. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:13.580 That is Jesus. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:15.740 In the Lord. 00:07:17.340 --> 00:07:22.980 Depending on how you count it up and look at it, probably over 200 times. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:31.360 The most common way you, in your relationship to God and to Jesus, are described in the Bible, 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:33.759 in the New Testament, is that you are in him. 00:07:34.520 --> 00:07:35.920 You are in Christ. 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:37.500 You are in the Lord. 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:40.520 Such a small word. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:43.520 But it's everywhere in the New Testament. 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:51.299 And this little word in, honestly, I think it's the key to Christian happiness. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:57.560 And we need to pour over our Bibles, a little like we did this morning, look at Ephesians 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:57.879 for it. 00:07:57.939 --> 00:08:04.019 And every time we see in him, in the Lord, in Christ, whether you have a physical pen or 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:07.859 a virtual pen in your head, get it out and underline the phrase. 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:09.980 And look at what it says. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:11.639 And just meditate on those words. 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:16.420 And think of what that means to be in Christ. 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:18.740 Or the thing is in Christ. 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:27.300 To see how big Littling is, we're going to look in detail at 2 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:28.840 9 and 10. 00:08:28.939 --> 00:08:30.960 There are two key verses for this morning. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:32.480 Verses 9 and 10. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:35.920 Let me read them again for us to focus us in this morning. 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:42.680 He, that is God, has saved us and called us to a holy life. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:48.820 Not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. 00:08:49.800 --> 00:08:54.399 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 00:08:54.700 --> 00:09:01.600 And it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has destroyed 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:07.220 death and has brought life and immortality to life through the gospel. 00:09:08.040 --> 00:09:10.159 Now, I didn't put much emphasis on it, see if you'd spot it. 00:09:10.180 --> 00:09:10.899 But where's the in? 00:09:11.920 --> 00:09:12.680 Can you see the in? 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:13.740 Which verse? 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:16.220 It's verse 10, isn't it? 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:21.680 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus. 00:09:22.420 --> 00:09:24.399 And so we're going to look at verses 9 and 10. 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:29.220 We're going to grab in and we're going to hold on to it this morning as we go through these 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:29.560 verses. 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:33.779 It says grace has been given us in Jesus. 00:09:34.599 --> 00:09:36.859 Grace has been given us in Jesus. 00:09:37.479 --> 00:09:46.059 You see, in, that little word, is what anchors us to the very source of grace, Christ Jesus. 00:09:47.239 --> 00:09:49.419 Grace, we spoke about it a few weeks ago. 00:09:49.419 --> 00:10:01.979 Grace is that blessing or favor and that care to us, not because we're especially good or because 00:10:01.979 --> 00:10:09.139 we're deserving, but a love and a care and a blessing that flows to us because the other 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:11.819 person simply loves us. 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:41.800 grace has been given us. 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:45.839 grace is in Jesus. 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:52.319 So it's not just a daily scoop or two of grace that gets handed out from the ice cream truck. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:11:00.020 It's not a shot of grace that we take just before that meeting at 11 a.m. tomorrow that we're dreading going to. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:06.440 It's not even a bucket of grace for the next week or two that we receive. 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:10.560 Because you see, grace is in Jesus. 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:12.460 It's in him. 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:16.580 And that's how it's been given to us. 00:11:17.400 --> 00:11:19.920 So do you want grace in your life? 00:11:20.920 --> 00:11:28.320 Be in Jesus and let him be in you. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:32.700 That's how you experience grace. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:45.280 You see, it's quite easy, if you think about it, to offer a Christ-less grace. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:51.500 It can start well enough from our preaching or our thinking or how we talk about it. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:54.000 We say, Jesus died for you. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:56.379 You need to come to him. 00:11:56.980 --> 00:12:02.519 You can receive grace for your life today from Jesus to you. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:09.720 But did you notice that just in three sentences I've said you four times? 00:12:11.199 --> 00:12:15.379 And so we've kind of subtly learned to come to Jesus. 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:17.399 To guess what? 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.079 Well, grace. 00:12:19.819 --> 00:12:20.559 Grace for today. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:21.960 Yes, please. 00:12:22.699 --> 00:12:25.019 Forgiveness for my sins and no more guilt. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:27.199 Sign me up. 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.419 I'll take some of that. 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:30.159 Peace in my heart. 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:32.179 Oh, I'd love a double dose of that. 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:38.639 Knowing that the creator and sustainer of the whole universe is watching my back. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.439 Tick, check. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:43.679 I'll accept all terms and conditions on that one. 00:12:45.199 --> 00:12:50.419 But you see, it's all now become somewhat Christ-less. 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:55.779 It's a pursuit of happiness through Jesus. 00:12:57.579 --> 00:13:02.000 But Jesus has just become a useful conduit for what I need. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:10.779 And it's a kind of receiving that requires no real change on my behalf. 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.740 No real commitment. 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.600 No change. 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.980 Give me grace. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.360 Thank you very much. 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:26.220 It's a pagan and Christ-less Christianity that we can subtly offer. 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:32.100 And we're trained in our daily lives to transact that kind of business. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.379 Negotiate with mom and dad about bedtime. 00:13:36.180 --> 00:13:40.200 Do the small favor for the person that can pay us back. 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:43.000 Wash the dishes to stop the nagging. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.460 Do business with God. 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:48.220 Give me the blessings that Christ offers. 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:53.580 Remember the story that Jesus shared about the prodigal son. 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.440 It's well known. 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:57.480 I hope you're familiar with the details. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:14:04.100 But it's a story really about not just the prodigal son, but a father with two sons. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:13.639 And when it comes to God our father, we're either like the younger prodigal son who comes up to the father and says, 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:15.680 Give me my inheritance now. 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:25.599 Or we're like the older son who continues to work hard on the farm, but really we're just eyeing up the whole farm at the end. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:29.739 Both sons were pulling from the father. 00:14:29.979 --> 00:14:35.239 And we think we're not as blatant as that or we're not as bad as how we treat God. 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:45.419 But in reality, we can think that we're happiest when we do the minimum to pull just what we need from God. 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:53.759 We think we're at our happiest when we can do the minimum to pull just what we need from God because we're transactional with God. 00:14:55.459 --> 00:15:04.500 But it's only when we come to our senses like the prodigal son and run back and we put ourselves into the arms of the father, 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:11.000 that we grasp it all and we secure it all and we have it all in him. 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:15.500 It's birthday season in the Deppian household. 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:17.839 You might have picked that up, 46 today. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:22.539 But actually we have four birthdays in a span of 17 days. 00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:27.739 And this year we had five birthdays because the dog Oscar turned one on the 1st of July. 00:15:28.099 --> 00:15:30.219 So he was the right dog for us. 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.559 He was a July baby. 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:34.579 So we had five birthdays in 17 days. 00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:38.079 But what mattered most when I woke up this morning on my birthday? 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:41.480 I mean, what really, really, really mattered as I woke up? 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:48.100 I could have woken up this morning and wandered down to the kitchen and we've put our presents on the far end of the table. 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:51.180 I don't know where you usually have yours for the birthday person. 00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:54.560 And I could have been surprised at the usual stack of presents at the far end. 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:55.020 We're missing. 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:56.860 Oh, my goodness. 00:15:58.079 --> 00:16:01.980 Well, you know, Ralph, things are a bit tight this year. 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:04.039 Holidays coming up on post. 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.259 Acting up again. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:05.980 Blame Brexit. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.360 But you know what? 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:09.759 We love you as a family. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.419 We really care about you. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.679 Would I be disappointed? 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:16.379 I did, yeah, a little somewhat, you know. 00:16:17.099 --> 00:16:21.579 But being in the family, it's not about those little microtransactions. 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.979 It's not about the one-offs. 00:16:23.239 --> 00:16:26.599 It's not about the bits and the pieces that we get from each other, is it? 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.539 It is each other. 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:31.679 It's about being in the family. 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.379 That's what matters. 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.719 That's what shapes everything. 00:16:35.719 --> 00:16:39.959 It's what brings the joy and the happiness when you receive the gifts. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:42.379 It's about being in the family. 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:49.659 So let me ask you, what matters most when you think about the gospel? 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:54.899 What really matters when it comes to Jesus? 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:59.360 Or put it this way, what is it that you want? 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:03.299 What is it that's being offered in the gospel? 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:10.720 Well, the Bible says that what's offered is simply this. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:14.059 Jesus himself. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:19.500 What's offered in the gospel is simply this. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:22.700 Jesus himself. 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.740 Not bits of Jesus. 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.980 Or a part of Jesus. 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:30.140 Or just the benefits of Jesus. 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.140 That Jesus won. 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:35.020 Jesus is offered. 00:17:36.020 --> 00:17:38.380 Union with him. 00:17:39.520 --> 00:17:47.800 John Murray says the whole gamut, that's everything, of redemptive grace is included. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:50.780 Salvation in all its aspects. 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:55.240 It's not just forgiveness of sins. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:18:05.920 It's not just grace for today or the mercy that you need or the peace that is essential or heavenly home that is offered in the gospel. 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:10.879 It's Jesus himself that's on offer. 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:15.180 It's all of these things in him. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:28.920 We've grabbed in and seen that our blessing is really, really about being graciously united to Jesus. 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.180 This is the blessing. 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:36.720 This grace was given us, it says in verse 10, in Christ Jesus. 00:18:38.340 --> 00:18:39.160 Verse 9. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:42.500 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:47.519 But it also tells us when it was given. 00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:51.279 But it's not the when that we might have come up with. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:58.059 You see, I tend to think that my union with Christ started when I believed the gospel. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.359 But see what it says. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:06.899 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:15.379 God started that process of me coming to him before time began. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.240 Before it all kicked off. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:22.740 Before the little atoms started to move and to pulsate and to get together. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:28.620 Before the sun and the stars and the mountains and the seas and the whole universe came into being. 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:33.980 God, he put me safely in Christ. 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:37.640 Before I had done right or wrong. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:40.740 Before I could choose to follow Jesus. 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:45.120 God, God put me in him. 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:50.199 God gave me an eternal grace. 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:52.500 Before I took my first breath. 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:56.519 And he placed me in his son. 00:19:57.859 --> 00:20:00.199 God the father and God the son. 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:04.359 They planned in eternity past. 00:20:04.979 --> 00:20:08.459 To show grace to me. 00:20:10.199 --> 00:20:10.839 Wow. 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:14.919 How do you feel? 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:19.119 I feel like that little word in. 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.439 It kind of pulls out of the page. 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:24.379 And it gets stretched to eternity. 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:28.859 And now it's wrapping me all up in Christ. 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:34.299 Because I'm united to him always and forever. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:40.059 And as we look back at verse 9. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:43.639 And it says that he has saved us and called us to holy life. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:47.240 Not because of anything we have done. 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:50.359 But because of his own purpose and grace. 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.740 It makes sense. 00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:54.899 It makes total sense. 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:58.099 That we did nothing to deserve this. 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:59.980 Makes total sense. 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:03.359 When we were placed in Christ before time began. 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:06.019 It didn't start with me. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:08.259 It started with him. 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:12.559 He has saved us and called us to a holy life. 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:15.019 Not because of anything we have done. 00:21:15.719 --> 00:21:19.379 But because of his own purpose to bring glory to his own name. 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:21.839 And because of his grace towards us. 00:21:22.459 --> 00:21:23.899 It was all of him. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.579 And nothing of me. 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:28.159 We're in him. 00:21:28.679 --> 00:21:30.299 And we've always been in him. 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:32.539 And you've got to hold on to that Christian. 00:21:32.699 --> 00:21:35.319 You've got to see that it's you in Christ. 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.480 And Christ in you. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.819 The hope of glory. 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:41.059 Since before the world began. 00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:45.119 Back to birthdays. 00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:48.139 When it comes to birthdays. 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.619 There are some big numbers. 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.899 One of the big numbers is 18. 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.839 That's an important milestone. 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:57.139 I did threaten Chris that he'd come up in the sermon. 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:57.980 Poor fella. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:01.579 Well that's the last birthday in the Deppian household tomorrow. 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:03.299 Christopher is turning 18. 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:05.119 And I want to tell you son. 00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:09.939 The government has planned a lot of responsibility and privilege for you now Chris. 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.639 Now that you're turning 18. 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.740 You're old enough to vote. 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.799 You're old enough to consume alcohol. 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:18.819 You're going to be old enough to serve in our armed forces. 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:21.379 And you're old enough to take on debt. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:31.200 All you're able to do was conceived by governments a long time ago and written down so there's no surprises. 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:35.200 But it still takes your 18th birthday to bring about these actual things. 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.819 So the day itself is still important. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.839 But it's all been planned out for you already. 00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:41.240 What you can do now that you're turning 18. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:45.819 And in a way it's like that with our being in Christ. 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:52.660 The things that were planned in the past have to come about in time. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:23:00.940 You see our grace in Christ couldn't just stay in heaven or in eternity past. 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:04.539 For the world needed a saviour to come. 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:07.680 And if we go back to verse 10. 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:10.139 That's why this next bit is so important. 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.859 I'm going to read from the end of verse 9 again. 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:16.599 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.720 Verse 10. 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:23.779 But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:26.099 Who has destroyed death. 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:31.279 And has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:34.539 Christ couldn't stay in heaven. 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:38.779 For the world needed a saviour to come. 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:45.839 And that's those critical days of Jesus here on the earth. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:50.039 A grace that is now being revealed. 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:53.480 And this is good news. 00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:55.299 This is great news. 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:57.519 This is death destroying. 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.619 And life bringing good news. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.979 Jesus our saviour came. 00:24:03.239 --> 00:24:04.659 And when he came. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.919 I don't know if you've thought about this. 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:09.279 Because we were in him in eternity past. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:11.039 When Jesus came. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:14.019 He came with us. 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:16.399 In him. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:19.199 See union from Christ. 00:24:19.439 --> 00:24:20.059 From eternity. 00:24:20.239 --> 00:24:22.019 That means Jesus when he came. 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:24.559 We were there with him. 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.779 And in him. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:31.119 So Jesus when he went to the cross and he died. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:34.019 It was you in him that he carried. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:37.319 Jesus paid not for his own sin. 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.899 He was sinless. 00:24:39.399 --> 00:24:42.319 But he carried you to the cross. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:46.180 And he paid for your sin on the cross. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:50.119 Because he carried you in him. 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:53.500 When Jesus was taken down. 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.779 And buried. 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.359 And put in the ground. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:59.819 We were buried with him. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:03.219 We were dead in the ground to sin. 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:05.579 And when Jesus rose again. 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.459 We rose. 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:10.319 And he brought us with him. 00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:12.739 When he went to heaven to be with the father. 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:16.740 And Jesus is in heaven now. 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.339 Physically resurrected. 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:20.720 A man in heaven. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.720 The God man. 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:24.000 Interceding for us. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:26.519 His beautiful bride. 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.640 Each and every day. 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.960 Verse 10. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.700 He destroyed death. 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:38.440 That's the death of death. 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:40.900 In the death of Christ. 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:43.140 The death of death. 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:45.400 In the death of Christ. 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:47.019 And in the risen Jesus. 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:49.200 Is life immortal. 00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:49.920 Verse 10. 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:51.380 And our salvation. 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:56.840 And so each beat of Jesus' life. 00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:59.580 Each thing he did. 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:02.560 Each movement through his time on earth. 00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:04.259 Is our life. 00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:07.480 Because we were there with him. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:09.100 And in him. 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:12.599 Romans chapter 6. 00:26:12.699 --> 00:26:13.480 Verses 4 to 11. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:15.119 You don't need to turn to it. 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:17.059 I have the key things up there. 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.019 From those verses. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.980 Summarizes all. 00:26:20.219 --> 00:26:20.919 All of this. 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.779 And it's really just to highlight. 00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:23.740 Another part of scripture. 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:26.179 That talks about being in Christ. 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:28.359 But summarizes all of it. 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.439 For us. 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.199 Romans 6. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.419 4. 00:26:30.439 --> 00:26:30.619 11. 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:31.879 It just makes it so clear. 00:26:32.719 --> 00:26:35.459 We were buried with him. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.559 Through baptism. 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.500 As a symbol. 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.859 Into his death. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:41.759 Just as Christ was raised from the dead. 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:44.640 We too may live a new life. 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:47.420 We have been united with him. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:49.359 In a death like his. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.019 United with him. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.599 In a resurrection like his. 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:56.200 The old self was crucified with him. 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:59.019 We died with Christ. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:02.400 We also live with him. 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:02.460 We live with him. 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:04.500 We live to God. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.119 In Christ Jesus. 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:11.400 His life is our life in him. 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.740 And verse 9. 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:19.420 At just the right time in your life. 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.480 God. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.379 Verse 9. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:24.960 Called you into the good life with Jesus. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.680 He has saved us. 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.400 And called us. 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:29.519 To a holy life. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.920 Because you have eternity past. 00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:35.460 And you have Jesus' life on earth. 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:37.700 And it all catches up to us. 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.480 When we're born. 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.579 And becomes real. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:44.279 As I was knit together in the womb. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.220 Christ had me. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.539 As I was wandering off the roads. 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.559 Down the ballet road. 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:51.000 To primary school. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:54.480 Jesus' hand was on me. 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.839 As I turned in faith. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.640 To embrace Jesus. 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.859 And I was baptized. 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:01.200 I was aged 14. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.700 God was working out. 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.920 His eternal purpose. 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.799 And grace. 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:07.940 In me. 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.420 In Christ. 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.519 There is. 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:14.339 There is that crucial moment of conversion. 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.779 That really matters. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.519 We're in Christ in eternity. 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.740 We were with Christ. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:20.700 Through his whole life. 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:22.000 And existence here on earth. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.440 And in. 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.500 Into heaven. 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.720 And that moment of conversion. 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.859 Is so important. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:30.059 Of being born again. 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:31.920 Being born of God. 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.000 Born from above. 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.740 It's like being. 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:37.000 It's like being woken up from a sleep. 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:39.839 And we stop reaching for the fruit. 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:41.339 That is just out of reach. 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:43.539 And we stop reaching for the water. 00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:44.579 That can never satisfy. 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.620 Instead we find. 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:48.059 That we've been planted. 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:49.700 In him. 00:28:50.659 --> 00:28:52.039 And we have everything. 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.759 In and through. 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.619 Jesus. 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.059 When we come to faith. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.619 In him. 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.700 The psalmist. 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.559 In Psalm 1. 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.519 And this applies to Jesus. 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.799 Mostly applies to Jesus. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.099 Because Jesus is the greatest. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.359 Jesus. 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:11.119 Is like a tree. 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:14.099 Planted by streams of water. 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:16.240 Which yields its fruit. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.079 In season. 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.140 In season. 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.519 And whose leaf. 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.460 Does not wither. 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.620 Whatever. 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.539 Jesus does. 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.779 Prospers. 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:26.079 Jesus. 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.460 Is the fruit. 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:29.059 Yielding tree. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:31.440 Planted by the streams of water. 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:34.200 And we're happy. 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.880 In him. 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:38.319 He is the living water. 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:40.500 And the fruit for our lives. 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.660 That is always. 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.839 Always within reach. 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.839 Three. 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:44.959 Three. 00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:45.039 Three. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.019 Brief ways. 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.679 To enjoy. 00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.599 Being a Christian. 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.119 In Jesus. 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.439 First. 00:29:56.679 --> 00:29:58.319 I want to ask you this morning. 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.659 Have you heard the call of Jesus? 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:00.860 Jesus. 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:04.779 This might be all very new to you. 00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:06.940 But even this morning. 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:09.100 Have you heard something of the call of Jesus? 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.880 He's moving in your heart. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:14.580 He's showing himself to you through the gospel. 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:18.380 That great news of who he is. 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.940 And what he has done. 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.980 God. 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:22.019 The son. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:22.720 Eternal. 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:24.660 The death destroyer. 00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:26.180 And the life giver. 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:28.480 If you're looking for happiness. 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.740 Or you've given up hope for happiness. 00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:31.779 I don't know where you are. 00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:33.640 It doesn't actually matter. 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.799 He is all. 00:30:36.560 --> 00:30:37.480 Come to him. 00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:40.279 Pray this morning. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:40.860 Jesus. 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.900 You are God eternal. 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:47.539 I want you to rescue me. 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:50.320 And I want to put my life in you. 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:52.659 So that you have me. 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:54.539 And I have you forever. 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:58.019 Forgive me for my sin against you. 00:30:58.879 --> 00:31:01.220 Help me to know your love. 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.599 By your spirit. 00:31:02.939 --> 00:31:03.200 Amen. 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.379 Put your trust. 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:07.079 Put your life in Jesus. 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.200 Secondly. 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:10.859 Don't. 00:31:11.159 --> 00:31:12.839 Don't split Jesus up. 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.700 Don't split Christ up. 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.159 Our self hearts. 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.779 Even as Christians. 00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:19.500 We want the benefits of Jesus. 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:21.240 A kind of Christ. 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.440 Less Christianity. 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.819 Guilt free. 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.680 Pain free. 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.220 Worry free living. 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:29.019 But don't split Jesus up. 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:32.000 And look to take his blessings from him. 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:34.539 And kind of leave him behind. 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:40.220 What he has done is for the glory of the father. 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.859 And for our good. 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:44.519 And it's all in him. 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.940 It's what he has done. 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:48.000 And who he is. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:50.019 It's all in him. 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:51.700 The work that he did. 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.799 Saving you in the cross. 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.759 It's in him. 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.859 So be in him. 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.019 Grace. 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.539 Mercy. 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.160 Peace. 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:58.640 Hope. 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.200 Forgiveness. 00:31:59.400 --> 00:31:59.920 New birth. 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.740 The clear conscience. 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:03.900 It's all in him. 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:06.799 Because he deserves all those things. 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:09.920 And he now graciously gives them to you. 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.339 In him. 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:15.240 The Christian life is the good life. 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.539 As we move. 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.359 And as we live. 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:20.339 And as we breathe in him. 00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:24.759 Finally. 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.379 Walk through life. 00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:28.980 In the happiness and joy. 00:32:29.159 --> 00:32:30.359 That Jesus enjoys. 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.039 You see. 00:32:32.159 --> 00:32:33.279 There's no joy. 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.579 In this world. 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.619 Like union with Christ. 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:38.579 The more we can feel it. 00:32:39.639 --> 00:32:41.539 The happier we are. 00:32:42.719 --> 00:32:43.859 Why is that? 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:44.379 Why? 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.019 Why? 00:32:45.219 --> 00:32:47.599 Why are we happy in Christ? 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:50.259 Well anyone who understands. 00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:51.919 True happiness. 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:55.339 Will say that God is most happy. 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.519 Anyone that understands true happiness. 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:59.000 Will say that God is most happy. 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:00.619 Since he. 00:33:01.239 --> 00:33:02.339 Needs nothing. 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:05.639 He finds all comfort in himself. 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.779 He possesses all things. 00:33:07.939 --> 00:33:08.919 Is free from evil. 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:10.220 And filled with all good. 00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:12.799 Jesus is most happy. 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:14.980 Jesus is the most blessed. 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.319 And happiest. 00:33:16.939 --> 00:33:17.619 Person. 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.740 And man. 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:21.720 No one is happier than Jesus. 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:24.099 And his joy is ours. 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:24.819 Christian. 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:26.000 Enjoy happiness. 00:33:26.199 --> 00:33:28.039 Enjoy in Jesus. 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.859 Paul. 00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.179 Felt this. 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:33.080 We didn't look at it in detail. 00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.640 But verses. 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.299 11. 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:34.740 12. 00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:35.140 I think. 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:37.299 Give a sense of that application. 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:37.980 Of. 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:39.240 Being in Christ. 00:33:40.600 --> 00:33:41.539 Paul writes. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.420 And of this gospel. 00:33:42.560 --> 00:33:43.779 I was appointed a herald. 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.019 And an apostle. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.840 And a teacher. 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:47.519 That is why. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.860 I am suffering as I am. 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:50.680 Yes. 00:33:50.860 --> 00:33:51.259 This is. 00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:52.600 No cause for shame. 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.580 Because I know. 00:33:54.820 --> 00:33:56.340 Whom I have believed. 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:58.100 And I am convinced. 00:33:58.600 --> 00:34:00.299 That he is able. 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:02.000 To guard what I have entrusted. 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.299 To him. 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.259 Until that day. 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:06.619 You see. 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.220 Gospel. 00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:08.300 Preaching. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.719 Brought suffering for Paul. 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.599 But so what? 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:12.059 So what? 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.759 Paul had no shame. 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:15.179 Or he had no cause for alarm. 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.900 Because Paul knew. 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.880 Who he believed. 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.880 And he was convinced. 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.400 That no matter. 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:21.519 What he had given over to Jesus. 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:23.460 Or that Jesus had given to him. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.159 It was all good. 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.279 It was all good. 00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:27.040 It was all secure. 00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:30.320 All wrapped up in him. 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:31.780 From eternity. 00:34:32.580 --> 00:34:33.019 Past. 00:34:34.540 --> 00:34:35.580 I'd like to end. 00:34:36.240 --> 00:34:37.940 By reading some more words of Paul. 00:34:38.200 --> 00:34:39.040 It's up on the screens. 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.920 Philippians chapter 3. 00:34:41.040 --> 00:34:42.760 Verses 8 to 11. 00:34:43.100 --> 00:34:44.480 If you'd like to turn to it. 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.560 In your Bibles. 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:47.280 It's page 1180. 00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:48.760 In the church Bible. 00:34:49.200 --> 00:34:50.240 But it's also up on the screen. 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:52.300 I'd like to end this morning. 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:53.900 By reading these words. 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.960 And I just pray. 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.460 That we would grasp. 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.900 What it is to be in Jesus. 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:01.960 Paul writing. 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.480 Of his own life. 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.700 What is more. 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.139 I consider. 00:35:06.660 --> 00:35:07.840 Everything a loss. 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:09.619 Because of the surpassing worth. 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:10.180 Of knowing. 00:35:10.680 --> 00:35:11.440 Christ Jesus. 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.160 My Lord. 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.780 For whose sake. 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:15.019 I have lost. 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.480 All things. 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.500 I consider them. 00:35:18.700 --> 00:35:19.780 As garbage. 00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:22.280 That I may gain. 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:22.980 Christ. 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:24.860 And be found in him. 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.980 Not having a righteousness. 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.980 Of my own. 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.980 That comes from the law. 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.059 But that. 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:30.519 Which is. 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.559 Through faith. 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.860 In Christ. 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.559 The righteousness. 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.440 That comes. 00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:35.719 From God. 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.440 On the basis. 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.300 Of faith. 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:37.960 Oh. 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:39.960 I want to know. 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.059 I want to know. 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:40.880 Christ. 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:41.519 Yes. 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:44.099 To know the power. 00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:44.900 Of his. 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:46.139 Resurrection. 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:47.780 And participation. 00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:49.059 In his sufferings. 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.740 Becoming like him. 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:51.440 In his death. 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.720 And so. 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:53.340 Somehow. 00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:54.900 Attaining. 00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:56.240 To the resurrection. 00:35:56.240 --> 00:35:57.059 From the dead. 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.559 Amen. 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.079 Let's pray. 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:08.179 Thank you. 00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:08.819 Father. 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.500 For a glimpse. 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.199 From your word. 00:36:10.199 --> 00:36:10.440 Of. 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:13.019 A little word in. 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:13.539 And. 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:17.579 Just being in Jesus. 00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:19.659 We. 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:22.299 We couldn't script it ourselves. 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.900 We couldn't. 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:25.099 We couldn't pull it all together. 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:25.360 If. 00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.860 If we were given a blank page. 00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:27.900 And told to write it down. 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:28.940 Father. 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.579 We would just. 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.279 We would just take the little bits. 00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:32.400 As we could get them. 00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:33.880 We wouldn't think of happiness. 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:35.219 As being in Jesus. 00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:36.579 Oh. 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:37.259 But we thank you. 00:36:37.279 --> 00:36:38.360 That when we see Jesus. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.940 And we see all of Jesus. 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:41.519 And we see the whole Christ. 00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:43.639 And we see the offer. 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:44.880 Offer of Jesus. 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:48.699 We just want to be there. 00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:48.940 And. 00:36:49.839 --> 00:36:50.199 Father. 00:36:50.319 --> 00:36:50.639 I ask. 00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:51.679 For your help. 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.659 That each day. 00:36:52.719 --> 00:36:53.819 That as we walk as believers. 00:36:53.820 --> 00:36:56.340 That we would see from your word. 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.760 What it is to be in. 00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.720 Jesus Christ. 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.820 That we would have comfort. 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:01.600 And security. 00:37:02.120 --> 00:37:02.860 And happiness. 00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:04.200 Through this life. 00:37:05.100 --> 00:37:06.080 Because of Jesus. 00:37:07.160 --> 00:37:08.059 For your. 00:37:08.740 --> 00:37:09.260 Purpose. 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:09.940 And glory. 00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:12.360 We thank you. 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.680 For the grace. 00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:14.460 That you've given us. 00:37:14.640 --> 00:37:15.180 In Jesus. 00:37:15.740 --> 00:37:16.000 Amen. 00:37:16.680 --> 00:37:17.100 Amen. 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.340 We're blessed. 00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:22.580 By a lot of good songs. 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:24.739 That speak of our. 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.380 Being in Christ. 00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:27.460 And this is a classic. 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.079 At this stage. 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:29.639 In Christ. 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:30.299 Alone. 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:33.059 In Christ. 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:34.099 We've spoken about. 00:37:34.219 --> 00:37:34.840 And alone. 00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:37.199 There are no other options. 00:37:38.039 --> 00:37:40.279 He is the only God man. 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:41.019 From eternity. 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:42.199 That loves you. 00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.799 Has died for you. 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:44.940 And rescues. 00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:46.000 And saves you. 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.219 Christ. 00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:48.019 Alone. 00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:48.980 No one else. 00:37:49.219 --> 00:37:49.900 Nowhere else. 00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:51.000 Nothing else. 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:53.400 This song is going to help us. 00:37:54.760 --> 00:37:56.039 To focus on him. 00:37:56.659 --> 00:37:58.000 To look to Christ. 00:37:58.179 --> 00:37:58.639 Alone. 00:37:59.119 --> 00:37:59.980 In everything. 00:38:00.199 --> 00:38:00.440 So. 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.139 If you're able to. 00:38:01.260 --> 00:38:01.500 Please. 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:02.840 Feel free to stand. 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.719 As we sing together. 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:04.280 This morning. 00:38:04.280 --> 00:38:04.380 Amen. 00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:34.360 Thank you.