WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 This morning we're looking at Hebrews chapter 7 verses 20 through 28. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:09.580 If you're looking in one of the Pew Bibles, that is page 1004. 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:15.839 We are over halfway through February. 00:00:16.140 --> 00:00:19.379 That means that spring is only one month and four days away. 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:24.460 Even though that may seem hard to believe, it will come. 00:00:24.460 --> 00:00:37.320 Some of faith is believing what we don't currently see, but what we have reliable reasons to know will occur in the future. 00:00:38.260 --> 00:00:42.040 Hebrews 7, starting at verse 20. 00:00:45.040 --> 00:00:48.019 And it was not without an oath. 00:00:49.020 --> 00:00:53.340 For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath. 00:00:53.340 --> 00:00:57.240 But this one was made a priest with an oath. 00:00:57.800 --> 00:00:59.200 By the one who said to him, 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:03.600 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. 00:01:04.460 --> 00:01:06.460 You are a priest forever. 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:12.480 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:15.859 The former priests were many in number. 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:20.580 Because they were prevented by death from continuing in office. 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:23.879 But he holds his priesthood permanently. 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:27.400 Because he continues forever. 00:01:28.759 --> 00:01:33.840 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost. 00:01:34.539 --> 00:01:37.340 Those who draw near to God through him. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:43.000 Since he always lives to make intercession for them. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:48.219 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:55.939 Holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:02:01.140 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:05.579 First for his own sins, and then for those of the people. 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:10.080 Since he did this once for all, when he offered himself. 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:14.660 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests. 00:02:15.420 --> 00:02:17.860 But the word of the oath, which came later than the law, 00:02:18.760 --> 00:02:22.200 Appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever. 00:02:24.140 --> 00:02:27.060 I've never particularly enjoyed going to the doctor. 00:02:27.640 --> 00:02:32.360 But there have been a couple of times in my life when I am very thankful that I did. 00:02:33.220 --> 00:02:36.500 One of those times was just about a year ago, last February. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:40.780 I'd been in bed for two and a half days with a fever and stomach pain. 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:43.379 It felt sort of like the flu, but I wasn't throwing up. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:44.879 And it just felt different. 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:49.759 I felt like it wasn't something I had had quite ever the same before. 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:52.780 So I called the doctor's office on a Thursday morning. 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:54.759 Got the last appointment on a Thursday afternoon. 00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:58.580 Long story short, I was diagnosed with possible appendicitis. 00:02:59.139 --> 00:03:00.860 I was sent to the hospital that night. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:03.599 A CAT scan revealed my appendix had actually ruptured. 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:10.139 And if your appendix ruptures and you don't get any medical treatment, you could possibly die. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:12.199 So it's quite serious. 00:03:12.579 --> 00:03:19.579 The next day, Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 9, I think, of last year, was Blizzard Nemo. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:23.079 Which, if you were in New Haven last year, you certainly remember that. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:29.219 New Haven received three feet of snow in 24 hours, and the city was basically shut down for five days. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:35.180 So I watched the snow come down from my hospital bed on the fifth floor of St. Raphael's Hospital. 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:42.740 While my wife, Jane, and our two young children, Nathan and Grace, were confined in our house for three days because our street wasn't plowed. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:44.460 And there was no way to get out. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:48.840 Now, looking back, I'm thankful for a lot of things. 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:57.039 Throughout the whole process, I was well taken care of by the doctors and hospital staff and nurses of various kinds. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:59.299 But I'm also thankful that I made it. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:05.319 And that I made it to the doctors that Thursday afternoon, because if I didn't go then, then I might not have made it before the blizzard began. 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:09.399 And then who knows what I would have done with a ruptured appendix for three days in a blizzard. 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:15.680 Once I left, thankfully, most of the bill was covered by our health insurance. 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:17.219 Without that, we would still be in debt. 00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:27.140 Now, when you face real problems that you can't fix yourself, it makes a big difference whether or not you are covered, as we say. 00:04:28.020 --> 00:04:34.560 If you have distressing physical symptoms and you don't know what's causing them, or you do know what's causing them and you know it's pretty serious, 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:39.500 in our society, it makes a big difference if you're covered by health insurance. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:49.240 If you're covered by a good insurance policy, you feel the freedom to go see a doctor, pursue a diagnosis, and if necessary, get the treatment you need. 00:04:50.160 --> 00:04:56.220 If you're not, it's possible that you might be tempted to deny the problem or delay getting treatment, 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:00.879 until, at least in my case, it might have been too late. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:06.420 But the same is true, not only when we face problems that are bigger than ourself, 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:10.199 but also when we face a mission that is bigger than ourself. 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:15.120 For example, if you want to start a medical practice to help all the rest of us when we get sick. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:21.199 Or the same example could apply if you're wanting to open a restaurant, 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.680 or revitalize a troubled neighborhood, 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:25.959 or rebuild a troubled marriage, 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:27.500 or train for the Olympics. 00:05:27.500 --> 00:05:31.259 Any mission that is bigger than you can sustain by yourself, 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:35.300 you need to have resources outside yourself. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:39.339 You need to have someone who's going to stand behind you and cover you, 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:41.980 as you go forward in your mission. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:47.699 Somebody who's maybe going to loan you some money, 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:48.860 so you can rent a building, 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:49.959 and buy equipment, 00:05:50.279 --> 00:05:51.180 and hire staff, 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:52.360 and advertise in the community, 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:54.420 and defend yourself against malpractice suits, 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:56.459 and all the other things that doctors have to consider. 00:05:56.459 --> 00:06:01.099 If you're covered with the resources and the support that you need, 00:06:01.299 --> 00:06:02.779 on an ongoing basis, 00:06:03.299 --> 00:06:04.139 not only financially, 00:06:04.279 --> 00:06:05.159 but also personally, 00:06:05.599 --> 00:06:06.919 it makes all the difference. 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:08.719 If you aren't covered, 00:06:08.799 --> 00:06:10.339 if you don't have what you need, 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:14.599 you'll tend to be either crippled by anxious pessimism, 00:06:14.799 --> 00:06:17.299 or blinded by naive optimism. 00:06:18.159 --> 00:06:19.240 Nothing's going to go wrong. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:20.019 Ever. 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:22.500 But if you are covered, 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.099 if you know that someone is standing behind you, 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:26.519 going before you, 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:28.680 protecting you from the dangers that you see, 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:30.819 as well as the dangers that you can't see, 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:34.919 you can go forward with freedom and confidence in your mission. 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:37.899 Now, what this morning's passage is telling us, 00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:40.620 is that in our most difficult problems, 00:06:41.299 --> 00:06:43.159 and in our most important missions, 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:46.680 there is one person who can cover us, 00:06:47.080 --> 00:06:48.200 like no one else. 00:06:49.340 --> 00:06:51.240 At the heart of this passage is verse 25, 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:53.060 which says, 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:53.720 consequently, 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:55.720 he, Jesus, 00:06:56.320 --> 00:06:59.060 is able to save to the uttermost 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:01.560 those who draw near to God through him, 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:03.660 because he always lives 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:06.340 to make intercession for them. 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.979 In other words, 00:07:08.039 --> 00:07:10.159 if you approach God through Jesus, 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:11.519 you are covered, 00:07:11.799 --> 00:07:14.119 completely and forever, 00:07:14.859 --> 00:07:15.919 to the uttermost, 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:20.060 without qualifications or limitations or exclusions. 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:22.519 Now, as we look into this verse, 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:24.039 and this passage as a whole, 00:07:24.099 --> 00:07:25.120 we'll see three things. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:28.199 First, why do we need to be covered? 00:07:29.239 --> 00:07:32.179 Second, why Jesus is able to cover us, 00:07:32.179 --> 00:07:35.899 and third, how he covers us continually. 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:40.500 So first, why we need to be covered by Jesus. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:42.079 Now, the assumption of this passage 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:44.319 is that we need to be covered. 00:07:45.239 --> 00:07:48.000 That every one of us is facing great spiritual dangers 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:51.000 that we cannot defend ourselves against. 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:54.399 Problems that we cannot fix on our own. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:56.079 Verse 25 says, 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:57.699 Jesus is able to save us. 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:59.599 And it presents that as good news, 00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:01.120 but that only makes sense 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.079 if there's actually something 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:05.819 that we need to be saved from. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:07.979 You know, if you told me today 00:08:07.979 --> 00:08:10.500 that I need to spend the next month of my life 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:11.539 in the hospital, 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:12.759 being treated by doctors, 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:14.879 my immediate reaction would be annoyance. 00:08:15.679 --> 00:08:17.679 I don't want to spend the next month of my life 00:08:17.679 --> 00:08:18.279 in the hospital. 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:20.079 I want to be home with my family, 00:08:20.299 --> 00:08:21.259 and here at the church, 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:22.239 and out in the community, 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:24.179 and free to do what I want to do. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:26.819 But if you told me, 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:28.879 and you really knew, 00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:31.060 that I needed surgery tomorrow 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:32.259 to save my life, 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:34.720 and the doctors could do it tomorrow, 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:37.120 but I'd have to stay in the hospital 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:38.379 recovering for a month, 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:40.320 then I would gladly do it. 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:43.100 I'd embrace every single day 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:44.240 that I was in the hospital 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.820 as a precious gift, 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:48.080 and I would live the rest of my life 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.379 knowing that I had been rescued. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:55.279 You see, it's basically the same way 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:56.200 with the Christian faith. 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:59.399 If you believe that you're basically okay, 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:02.000 and you don't need any outside help, 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:03.720 Christianity will feel like 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:04.960 an annoying imposition. 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:06.200 Right? 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:08.700 Like the new healthcare reform law feels 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.360 to a person 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:10.840 if you don't have any interest 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:12.080 in buying health insurance. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:13.360 You feel like, 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.820 I'm perfectly fine without it. 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:16.100 I don't need it. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:17.700 Well, why is there this law? 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:18.180 Right? 00:09:19.020 --> 00:09:19.900 It feels constricting 00:09:19.900 --> 00:09:20.920 and has all these rules 00:09:20.920 --> 00:09:21.960 with penalties attached 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:24.060 that infringe upon your freedom. 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:28.020 And Christianity will feel the same way. 00:09:29.280 --> 00:09:30.100 Or at best, 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:30.860 Christianity will be 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:32.379 an interesting enrichment activity, 00:09:33.180 --> 00:09:34.560 a hobby to fill your time 00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:36.520 until you find something better to do 00:09:36.520 --> 00:09:37.720 on Sunday mornings. 00:09:39.420 --> 00:09:40.120 But you know, 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:41.040 according to the Bible, 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.920 every one of us 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:44.300 is desperately in need 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:45.680 of spiritual help. 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:47.939 even if we don't realize it. 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:50.500 The prophet Jeremiah said, 00:09:50.959 --> 00:09:51.599 the human heart 00:09:51.599 --> 00:09:53.339 is deceitful above all things 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:55.259 and desperately sick. 00:09:56.079 --> 00:09:56.759 In other words, 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.379 we're infected 00:09:57.379 --> 00:09:59.379 with a deadly virus. 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:01.099 But one of the effects 00:10:01.099 --> 00:10:01.979 of this virus 00:10:01.979 --> 00:10:03.459 is to make us numb 00:10:03.459 --> 00:10:05.299 so that we don't recognize 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:05.939 its symptoms. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:07.939 And so especially 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:08.799 when our circumstances 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:09.399 are going well, 00:10:09.459 --> 00:10:10.279 we may feel 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:11.879 very self-sufficient. 00:10:13.179 --> 00:10:14.740 We might not feel 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:16.440 a great need for God. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:19.460 But our present feelings 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.620 and our self-assessments 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.560 are not always 00:10:21.560 --> 00:10:23.080 a reliable indicator 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.820 of our spiritual condition. 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:26.740 You know, 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:27.379 when I was single, 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:30.159 I thought that I was 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.519 generally a selfless 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:33.180 and servant-hearted person. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.340 And then I got married. 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.320 And now there's at least 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:38.519 one person in the world 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:39.500 who knows otherwise. 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:42.419 The experience of marriage 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:43.080 has shown me 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:44.159 my self-centeredness 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:45.320 and my self-defensiveness 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:47.419 in ways that I wasn't 00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:49.379 previously aware of. 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:51.539 It's not that marriage 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:52.559 made me a different person. 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:53.740 It just showed me 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:55.159 aspects of who I was 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:56.519 that I hadn't 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.980 seen before. 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:00.519 Sometimes when life, 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:02.159 or sometimes another thing 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:02.720 that can do that 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:03.679 is when life doesn't go 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.700 the way that we hope. 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:07.420 we become more aware 00:11:07.420 --> 00:11:08.320 of our fallen 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:10.360 and needy human condition 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:12.460 more clearly than before. 00:11:13.660 --> 00:11:13.879 You know, 00:11:13.900 --> 00:11:14.820 think about the things 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:16.700 that make your life work 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:18.620 on a day-to-day basis, 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:20.640 that hold your life together, 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:22.280 that give you stability. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.420 Physical health, 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.259 mental capabilities, 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.240 social connections, 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.140 a job, 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:30.400 a place to live, 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:31.040 a relationship, 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:33.000 your good reputation. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:34.899 And then imagine 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:36.259 if over the next year, 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:38.220 just two or three 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.039 of those things 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:40.580 were removed 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:41.980 or seriously damaged. 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:46.200 On most Wednesdays, 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:47.600 I spend time talking 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:47.980 with people 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:48.879 at the Columbus House 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:49.820 homeless shelter. 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:51.360 And sometimes, 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:52.799 I'll ask people, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.580 what brought you here? 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:54.919 Now, that's never 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:56.139 the first question I ask. 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:58.000 But as I get to know 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.620 people better 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.919 and they open up, 00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:01.200 sometimes I will. 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:02.840 If it seems like 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:05.740 they're willing 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.519 to share about things. 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.100 And many people 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:07.680 have said to me, 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:08.620 I never expected 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.139 to be here. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.980 I grew up in the suburbs, 00:12:12.920 --> 00:12:13.740 a nice suburb. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.800 My wife and I 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:16.600 had two cars. 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.460 I was going to college. 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:22.060 I was a mother of three. 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:24.860 I had a thriving business 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.980 and I was earning good money. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:28.340 And then somehow, 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:30.000 over time, 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:31.779 my life fell apart 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:33.060 and here I am. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.759 Now, if you've been through 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:36.840 a traumatic event 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:38.620 or a major loss, 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.639 you know deep inside 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.139 how vulnerable we are 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.800 at any time 00:12:43.800 --> 00:12:45.860 to changing circumstances, 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:47.560 some of which are totally 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:48.480 beyond our control 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:50.620 and some of which we provoke 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:53.159 through our own foolish tendencies. 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:55.139 But you know, 00:12:55.219 --> 00:12:56.360 this isn't only the experience 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:56.799 of someone 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:58.179 who's become homeless 00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.719 or experienced 00:12:59.719 --> 00:13:00.879 a major loss. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:01.939 A few months ago, 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:02.799 I received an email 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.500 from a guy who I had known 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.480 when he was in college. 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:07.860 And he gave me permission 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.439 to share this. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.179 He graduated from 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:10.100 a top-tier college. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:11.439 He moved to New York, 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.959 found a high-paying job. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.919 He's been very successful 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:14.600 in his field. 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.419 But he wrote this. 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:17.839 This email came to me 00:13:17.839 --> 00:13:18.620 completely out of the blue. 00:13:18.699 --> 00:13:19.379 He hadn't been in touch 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:21.199 for a couple years. 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.640 He said, 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.220 I really enjoy my current job. 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:26.060 I love the people I work with. 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.100 Unlike my last job, 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:29.740 I also have time. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.520 I have time to spend 00:13:30.520 --> 00:13:31.520 with family and friends 00:13:31.520 --> 00:13:32.600 and to pursue other things 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.180 I enjoy. 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.780 But I feel very strongly 00:13:34.780 --> 00:13:35.879 that something is missing. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.000 I was raised Catholic. 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:40.140 The way I was taught growing up, 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:41.580 you are what you do. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.960 You will ultimately be judged 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.180 by the sum of your actions, 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.180 good and bad. 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.900 And that became the source 00:13:47.900 --> 00:13:48.860 of my self-worth. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.779 Until approximately 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.779 junior year in college, 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.840 my sense of self-worth 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:54.139 was tied to a few 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:54.960 specific things. 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:55.940 Athletic performance, 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.000 academic performance, 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.779 and my relationship 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.740 with the girl I had been 00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.680 seeing for some time. 00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:01.279 One by one, 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:02.159 all of those things 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.720 went downhill. 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:04.680 Some of it was my fault, 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.440 but not all of it. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.120 My life had essentially 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.500 been one big victory lap 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.480 up until that point. 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:11.820 I had always tried 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.860 to do right by others, 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.480 and I thought that good things 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.000 happened to me 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.700 because of that. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:18.460 And now I did not understand 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.180 and couldn't accept 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.080 what was now happening. 00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:21.860 Nothing was going my way. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.500 I felt lied to. 00:14:24.140 --> 00:14:24.820 I was angry 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:25.920 and turned away 00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:26.879 from the Catholic Church 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.200 and religion in general. 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:30.759 Embraced the philosophy 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.340 of Ayn Rand. 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.879 But I felt so strangely 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.879 unfulfilled ever since. 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.400 Prestigious job, 00:14:37.520 --> 00:14:38.080 lots of money, 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.000 expensive clothes, 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.700 nice apartment. 00:14:40.140 --> 00:14:40.720 None of it means 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.460 very much to me. 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:42.640 And none of it 00:14:42.640 --> 00:14:43.320 has substituted 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.360 for whatever it was 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.460 I was missing. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:47.779 You see, 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.379 whether your life 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:50.620 has totally fallen apart 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:53.180 and you're forced 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:54.379 to depend on others 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.460 for your basic needs, 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:57.039 or whether you 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:58.139 achieve everything 00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:58.820 that you hoped 00:14:58.820 --> 00:15:00.560 and realize 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.399 that that still 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.659 isn't enough, 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:04.759 sometimes God uses 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.539 the circumstances 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.360 of our lives 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.980 to awaken us 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.600 to our spiritual need 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.100 that we cannot 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.940 fix on our own. 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.919 our need for something 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:17.399 outside ourselves. 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:18.960 And as we get older, 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:20.200 the signs alerting us 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.580 to our own dependence 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:23.399 only increase in frequency 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.500 because the older we get, 00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:25.500 the closer we come 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.879 to the one reality 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.379 that is 100% sure 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:30.500 for every one of us, 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.759 which is death. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.320 When every one of the things 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:36.399 that hold our life together 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:38.259 and that we hold dear 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:40.159 will finally be taken 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.019 out of our hands 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.559 and everything 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:44.000 that held us together 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.819 will fall apart. 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.399 Every one of us 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.279 will face death alone. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.460 We can take nothing 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.939 and no one with us. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.980 And Hebrews 9 says 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.600 it is appointed 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.860 for human beings 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.679 to die once 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:58.319 and after that 00:15:58.319 --> 00:15:59.079 comes judgment 00:15:59.079 --> 00:16:00.960 when each one of us 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.620 will give an account 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.960 of our lives 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.600 to a holy 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:05.139 and pure God 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.279 whose presence 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.579 is like a consuming fire. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:09.700 And on that day 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.360 there will be nowhere 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.900 to hide. 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:12.660 All our illusions 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:13.600 about ourselves 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:15.379 and our own self-sufficiency 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.180 will disappear 00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:18.000 in the blazing light 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.840 of God's all-knowing, 00:16:20.520 --> 00:16:21.259 all-searching, 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.980 all-revealing gaze. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.280 And when we come 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:26.240 into the holy presence 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.700 of God, 00:16:26.780 --> 00:16:28.259 we will recognize ourselves 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.280 to be sinners. 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.980 Maybe for the first time 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.040 we will recognize 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:34.200 that we rightly deserve 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.920 to be forever excluded 00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:37.420 from His presence. 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:39.960 And on that day 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:42.560 there will be only one person 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:44.060 who can help us 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:46.200 in any way at all. 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:48.840 Now the good news 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.580 of this passage 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.820 and the point 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.560 of this passage 00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:53.720 is that unlike anyone else, 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:54.940 Jesus Christ 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:56.200 is able 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.780 to cover us. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.000 He's able 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.300 to save us 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.500 to the uttermost. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.440 That means completely 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.740 and forever 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.480 in this life 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.799 and in the life to come. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:09.339 for all who draw near 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:10.339 to God 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.119 through Him. 00:17:12.439 --> 00:17:12.819 And you know, 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:13.819 when it says 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.699 Jesus is able 00:17:14.699 --> 00:17:16.159 to save us completely, 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.819 it's not merely 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.299 presenting 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.779 a hypothetical possibility. 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.279 It's not saying 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.059 Jesus might 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.460 possibly save you 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:25.299 if you come to Him. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.339 It's saying 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.500 He is powerful 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.899 to save 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:31.039 completely 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.980 those who come to God 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.419 through Him. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:34.160 The same phrase 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.480 is used 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.220 three other times 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.620 in Hebrews 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.240 to describe 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.360 the work of Jesus 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:37.920 or God. 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:38.860 In chapter 2, 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:39.380 verse 18, 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.539 it says Jesus is able 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.440 to help 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.720 those who are being 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.080 tempted 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:44.580 and He does. 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.500 4.15 says 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.340 Jesus is able 00:17:47.340 --> 00:17:48.519 to sympathize 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:48.940 with us 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.640 in our weakness. 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:51.640 Chapter 5, 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.200 verse 7 says 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.980 God was able 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.759 to save 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.500 Jesus from death 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.160 and He did 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.140 in the resurrection. 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.920 And the point is 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.060 Jesus is powerfully 00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:01.759 able to save us 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.560 and He has proved 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:03.080 His willingness 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:03.820 to do so 00:18:03.820 --> 00:18:05.640 for everyone 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:06.460 who draws near 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.620 to God 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.560 through Him. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.300 Unlike anyone else, 00:18:11.800 --> 00:18:12.560 He is qualified 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:14.000 to cover us 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.480 completely 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.720 and forever. 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.560 Now you might ask 00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.320 what makes Jesus 00:18:18.320 --> 00:18:19.220 able to do this? 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.200 How can I know 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.960 that He will? 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.100 How can I have 00:18:24.100 --> 00:18:24.580 confidence 00:18:24.580 --> 00:18:26.240 to trust 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:28.500 that this isn't 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.539 just an empty promise 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:31.599 like all the other 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.259 empty promises 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.160 out there in the world? 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.359 Well, this passage 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.400 gives three reasons 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:38.240 why Jesus is able 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.599 to save us. 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:41.460 Verse 20-22, 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.660 it says that God 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.720 Himself is guaranteed 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:45.319 that Jesus is able 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.480 to save us. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.380 In last week's passage 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.599 we saw how the ceremonial 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.519 law of the Old Testament 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.940 was set aside. 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.819 Verse 18-19 says 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.819 because it was weak 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.660 and useless. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.980 And in the person 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.440 of Jesus, 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.440 God had introduced 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.700 a better hope. 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:01.940 But you know, 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.819 the people who first 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:04.140 read this letter 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:05.720 were most likely 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.539 Jewish Christians 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:08.180 who had lived 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.440 most of their lives 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:11.160 under the Old Testament 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:11.680 law. 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.400 And for them, 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:13.960 this would have felt 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:15.579 tremendously destabilizing. 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.140 Right? 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.859 God Himself 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.819 had given Moses 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.359 the law 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.220 at Mount Sinai 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.079 and instructed him 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:22.099 to build the tabernacle 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:23.480 and establish the priesthood 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.640 in the line of Aaron. 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.440 And now, 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.319 they might wonder, 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.360 wait a minute, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.480 God is doing away 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:31.019 with what He Himself 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.579 established? 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.099 If that is so, 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.160 how can we really trust 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:35.460 that anything God says 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:37.019 is His final word? 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.400 Maybe Jesus is just 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.220 a precursor 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.099 to another prophet 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.599 to come. 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:42.759 Maybe we should 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.640 keep our eyes out 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.860 for something else 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:45.740 that God might send 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.019 to us. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.640 Maybe it's like 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:48.279 an operating system upgrade 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.119 and Jesus is just 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.980 one of many 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.200 forthcoming upgrades 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:53.440 to your Mac OS 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.639 or your Windows 00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:56.000 operating system. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.740 But the author of Hebrews 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.500 is saying no. 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.000 He says, 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.500 when you read 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.000 the Old Testament 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.660 carefully, 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.359 it points forward 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.259 to something greater 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.960 than itself. 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:08.500 And it's an unfinished story 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.220 crying out 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.879 for a lasting resolution 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:12.099 and Jesus is 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.319 that lasting, 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.039 eternal resolution. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.500 And He will not 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.740 be replaced. 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.660 God commanded Aaron 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.220 and his sons 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.799 to be priests 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.259 in the temple 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.819 but there was never 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:24.160 any oath involved. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:24.799 In other words, 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:26.019 there was never a sign 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:27.599 that it was absolutely 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.559 unchangeable 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.619 and would never 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:31.160 point forward 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.019 to anything else. 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.500 God never swore 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.059 an oath to them. 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.879 By contrast, 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.680 in this verse 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.139 that He quotes 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:36.899 from Psalm 110 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:38.180 which talks about 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.079 a different kind 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.420 of priest, 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.200 not in the order 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.579 of Aaron 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.420 but in the order 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.039 of Melchizedek, 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:43.119 God did swear an oath. 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:44.000 So the point is, 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.940 Jesus is this priest 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:47.859 whom God has guaranteed 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:50.699 will be there forever. 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.519 So God has guaranteed 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.799 that Jesus is able 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.519 to save us. 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.619 That's the first reason. 00:20:55.699 --> 00:20:56.319 The second reason 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.500 is because Jesus lives 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.139 forever. 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.919 This is verse 23 and 24. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.659 The second contrast, 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.379 the former priests 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:02.839 were many 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.819 and they were many 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.899 because they all died. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.839 But Jesus is the one 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:08.019 who lives forever. 00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:09.659 And God has guaranteed 00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:10.619 that Jesus is able 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.399 to save us 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:12.500 and He has demonstrated 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.979 that by raising Jesus 00:21:13.979 --> 00:21:14.559 from the dead. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:16.359 You know, 00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:17.740 if you are not sure, 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.519 if you doubt 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:20.279 that Jesus is powerful 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:22.019 and able to save, 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.859 consider the fact 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.940 of Jesus' resurrection. 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.460 If you doubt 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.419 that it really happened, 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.259 look into the historical evidence. 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.899 It's quite strong. 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.279 There's a booklet 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.119 on the back table. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.099 If you want to read 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.819 something short 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.440 or if you want to read 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.059 something long, 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.240 you can read N.T. Wright's 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.079 800-page book, 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:40.639 The Resurrection 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.519 of the Son of God, 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.359 which is a powerful case 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.940 by a leading scholar 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:46.039 for the bodily resurrection 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.619 of Jesus. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.039 You know, 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.980 one of the most remarkable 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.920 aspects of the gospel accounts 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.619 about the empty tomb 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:54.240 is that the first witnesses 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.379 were women. 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.400 Now, at that time, 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:59.180 women were not allowed 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:00.220 to be legal witnesses 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.400 in either Jewish courts 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.319 or Roman courts. 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.299 They were seen as, 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.359 there was one writer 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:05.700 who said, 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:07.019 women are inferior to men 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.680 in every way. 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.339 And that was just 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.099 a common statement. 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:11.359 Nobody really challenged 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:11.879 him on that. 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.480 So if you were going 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.279 to make up a story 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.939 back then 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:18.439 that somebody had been 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.139 raised from the dead 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:19.919 and you wanted people 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:20.759 to believe it, 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.279 you wouldn't make up 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.619 this detail that women 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:25.159 were the first witnesses 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:28.219 as all the gospels do 00:22:28.219 --> 00:22:29.819 unless it really happened 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.740 that way. 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.659 You see, 00:22:33.699 --> 00:22:34.599 you would never make that up 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.859 back then in that context 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:39.139 unless that's how 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:39.879 it really happened. 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:41.579 And they really went 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.000 to the tomb 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.980 and it was really empty 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.219 and Jesus had really risen. 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:45.799 You see, 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.500 the early Christians 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.119 were confident 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.139 in the resurrection 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.659 of Jesus 00:22:48.659 --> 00:22:49.740 because they were convinced 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:51.480 by reliable witnesses, 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:54.079 by women and men 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:56.099 who testified 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:57.519 that it really happened. 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.480 Even the early opponents 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.139 of Christianity 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:01.619 admitted that the tomb 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.139 was empty. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.259 Nobody claimed 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.480 that Jesus' body 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.199 was still there. 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.699 That would have been 00:23:07.699 --> 00:23:08.259 the easiest way 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.980 to disprove it. 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:11.240 You could go on and on. 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.460 But the more you look 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.000 into it, 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.599 the historical evidence 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.620 is strong, 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.200 pointing to the reality 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.900 of Jesus' resurrection. 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.599 And because Jesus 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.400 lives forever, 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:24.259 we can be confident 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.759 that he is able 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.680 to save us 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.259 forever, 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:29.740 unlike anyone else. 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:32.920 So God has guaranteed it. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.079 Jesus lives forever. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.059 And third, 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.720 the third reason 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.140 that we see 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:37.880 that Jesus is able 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.240 to save 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.680 is that he is 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:40.120 our exalted brother. 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.920 This is verse 26 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.559 through 28. 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.240 Jesus wasn't only 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.120 raised from the dead 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.960 to live on earth, 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.720 he was exalted 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.440 to the right hand 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.000 of God 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.279 in heaven, 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:50.779 the position 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.819 of ultimate authority 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.599 over everything 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.700 in the universe. 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:56.319 Verse 26 and 28 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.859 describes Jesus 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.939 as fully identified 00:23:58.939 --> 00:23:59.700 with God 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:01.279 in his moral perfection, 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.480 holy, 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.659 innocent, 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.980 unstained, 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.519 separated from sinners, 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.460 the son who has been 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.179 made perfect 00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:08.819 forever. 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:10.799 And yet, 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.859 verse 27 says 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:13.000 he is fully identified 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.740 with us 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.299 as our brother, 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:17.379 that he offered himself 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.559 up as a sacrifice 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.039 on behalf of sinful people 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.819 once for all. 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:23.659 You see, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:25.079 Jesus is perfectly qualified 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:26.039 to stand before 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:27.019 a holy God 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:29.639 because he is morally pure 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.659 and without blemish, 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.059 unlike anyone else. 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.960 And he is perfectly qualified, 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:36.000 unlike the angels 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.579 or other heavenly beings, 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.859 he is perfectly qualified 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.980 to represent us 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:42.079 because he took on 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.200 our human nature. 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.899 And on the cross, 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.679 he paid the price 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:46.639 to cover us 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:48.159 completely and forever, 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.919 to pay the debt 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.939 that we owed 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:52.140 for our sin. 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.660 And when Jesus 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.900 ascended back into heaven, 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:55.559 you know, 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:56.180 he didn't just 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:57.320 leave his human nature 00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:58.320 behind on earth. 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.620 He carried it with him 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:01.620 into the very presence 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.160 of God. 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.779 And so Jesus stands today 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.700 in the very presence 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.320 of God, 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:07.740 not only as the eternal 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.360 Son of God, 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.340 but also as 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:10.620 our brother, 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.960 our fellow human being. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.120 And him standing 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:18.019 in God's presence 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:20.360 is a sign 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:21.179 that he is perfectly 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:22.339 and powerfully 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:24.339 able to save us 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:26.759 with whom he identified 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.159 and bring us 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:28.759 with him 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:30.939 into God's presence 00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:31.319 forever. 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:33.959 Jesus is able 00:25:33.959 --> 00:25:34.779 to save us 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.879 completely 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:37.019 and forever. 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.219 Well, finally, 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.119 this passage describes 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:41.139 how Jesus continually 00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:42.199 carries out 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:43.079 his work 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:44.799 of covering us, 00:25:44.979 --> 00:25:45.779 of saving us. 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.079 Verse 25 says, 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.059 he always lives 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.519 to make intercession 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.779 for us. 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:52.899 Now, to intercede 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:53.500 for someone 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.919 means to approach 00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:55.980 an authority figure 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.279 with an appeal 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.199 or a request 00:25:58.199 --> 00:25:58.819 on behalf 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.579 of someone else. 00:26:00.439 --> 00:26:01.359 So what this verse 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:01.980 is saying is that 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.299 Jesus, 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.639 our exalted brother, 00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:05.319 our ever-living Savior 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.059 and Lord, 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.759 is continually 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:08.139 approaching God the Father 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.960 with requests 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.000 and appeals 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.799 on our behalf. 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:14.000 Now, you might wonder, 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.960 what does that look like? 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.079 Well, you know, 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:19.240 we can actually get a clue 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:21.559 of what that looks like, 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.279 even though we can't 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.079 look into heaven 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.720 directly 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.319 and hear what Jesus 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.500 is saying to God the Father. 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.539 But when you read 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.379 in the Gospels, 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.940 there's some 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:32.759 records of the prayers 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.259 of Jesus 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.059 that he prayed 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.919 for his disciples. 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.259 So Luke 22, 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.339 31 and 32, 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.319 Jesus says to Peter, 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.319 he says, 00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:40.740 Simon, 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.460 Simon, 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:42.660 behold, 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.799 Satan demanded 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.660 to have you. 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.099 Satan was out 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.680 to get you. 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.839 He wanted to sift you 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.359 like wheat. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.440 But I have prayed 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.220 for you 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:55.640 that your faith 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.920 may not fail. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.680 And when you have 00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.359 turned back, 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.660 strengthen your brothers. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.720 Jesus prays for us 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.299 that our faith 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.120 in him 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:09.859 might not fail. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.859 because it's not 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:13.059 something that we 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:14.319 can sustain on our own. 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:17.380 He prays to God 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:17.839 the Father 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.500 that our faith 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.079 would not fail. 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.019 And when we do 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.700 stumble 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:22.539 and fall 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.819 as Peter did 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:25.519 when he denied Jesus 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.359 that very night, 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.160 Jesus continues 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.220 to intercede 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.819 for us 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.539 that we might 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.220 not only turn 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.000 back to him, 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.720 but then strengthen 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.400 our brothers 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.200 and sisters. 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:37.860 John 17, 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.340 15, 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.440 Jesus prayed 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.039 for his disciples. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.380 He said, 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.360 I do not ask 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.559 that you take them 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.279 out of the world, 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:45.259 but that you keep them 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.140 from the evil one. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.519 Sanctify them 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.580 in the truth. 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:50.960 Your word 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.539 is truth. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.700 Jesus does not 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.240 promise 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.819 to shield us 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:57.220 from the harsh realities 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.740 of life 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.340 in this world. 00:27:58.339 --> 00:28:01.399 Jesus does not pray 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:03.019 that nothing bad 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.599 would ever happen 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.179 to us. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.059 But he does pray 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:08.319 that in all the things 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.119 that happen to us 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.980 that we would be kept 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.359 from the evil one. 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.279 That even through 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.899 our greatest trials 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:17.139 and our hardest temptations 00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:18.419 that we would be set apart 00:28:18.419 --> 00:28:20.359 for holy service 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.199 to God. 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.519 That's what sanctify 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.399 means. 00:28:23.899 --> 00:28:24.899 To be set apart 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:28.660 for a holy purpose 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:30.680 by the truth 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.180 of his word. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.980 Perhaps the most famous 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.519 prayer of Jesus 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.560 is what we now call 00:28:36.560 --> 00:28:37.240 the Lord's Prayer 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.720 in Luke 11. 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.380 And actually, 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.800 the context of that 00:28:41.800 --> 00:28:42.800 is Jesus was praying. 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.519 And back then, 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.040 most people 00:28:45.040 --> 00:28:46.940 prayed out loud 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.940 a little more 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.759 than we do today. 00:28:49.860 --> 00:28:50.660 If you think 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.380 if you find somebody 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.680 praying, 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.240 you might expect 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.900 that they're praying 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.220 quietly. 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.300 But it's probably 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.960 Jesus was praying 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.339 out loud. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.379 His disciples heard him 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.419 and they said to him, 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.639 Lord, teach us to pray. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.460 And then he taught them 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:02.700 based on what he was praying. 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:05.500 And then the second half 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.180 of the Lord's Prayer, 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.319 he makes three requests 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.619 on our behalf. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.720 He says, 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.579 give us each day 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.740 our daily bread. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.339 He's praying for what 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:16.200 that we would be provided 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.019 with what we need 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.399 on a day-to-day basis. 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.119 Second, he says, 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:20.180 forgive us our sins. 00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:21.419 Now clearly, 00:29:21.419 --> 00:29:22.180 Jesus isn't praying 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.980 for himself there. 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:23.879 Right? 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.319 But even when he's 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.639 on earth, 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.299 Jesus is already 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.440 praying to God the Father 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:29.839 that our sins 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.139 would be forgiven. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.819 And third, 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.440 lead us not 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.059 into temptation. 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.319 Even while Jesus 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:37.940 was on earth, 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.779 he was already 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:40.359 praying for his disciples 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:42.480 before the Father. 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.359 And how much more 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.599 since he is in heaven, 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.559 since he has completed 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:47.879 the work of the cross, 00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:49.379 which paid the price 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.019 for our forgiveness 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.799 and for everything else 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.339 that we need. 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:54.740 So in summary, 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:56.299 what does Jesus pray for? 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.139 Well, Peter O'Brien, 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.500 a commentator on Hebrews, 00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.519 summarizes it this way. 00:29:59.619 --> 00:29:59.799 He says, 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:01.579 Jesus prays for anything 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:03.099 and everything 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:05.199 that might prevent us 00:30:05.199 --> 00:30:05.839 from receiving 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:07.519 the final salvation 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.859 that he has won for us 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.779 at the cross. 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.480 In other words, 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.319 through Jesus dying 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:12.859 on the cross 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.740 once for all, 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.679 he has accomplished 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:16.119 our redemption. 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.699 And through his 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:18.980 continual intercession 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.980 on our behalf, 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.559 he applies to us 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:23.019 all the benefits 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.160 that he has won 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:25.579 and paid for 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.759 in his death 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.700 and resurrection. 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:29.819 You see, 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.599 Jesus has not only 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.640 saved us by dying 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.200 on the cross 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:32.960 in the past, 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.779 he continues to save us 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.880 by interceding 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:37.880 for us in the present. 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.000 And one day, 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.099 Hebrews 9, 28, 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.039 says he will appear 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.960 a second time 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.640 to save those 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.339 who are eagerly 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:45.099 waiting for him. 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.259 In other words, 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.400 he has saved us 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:50.079 by his death 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.559 on the cross 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.119 in the past, 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.299 he continues to save us 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:52.799 in the present 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.859 and he will one day 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:54.700 bring us to glory 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:56.420 and complete that. 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.440 That's what the 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.599 Romans 8 passage 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.279 that Kyle read 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.980 earlier this morning 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.680 is all about. 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.119 Called, 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.119 justified, 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.420 sanctified, 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.359 glorified. 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:08.059 He doesn't miss anything. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.859 He carries us 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.500 all the way through. 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.980 So if you approach God 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.039 through Jesus, 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.240 Jesus says, 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.160 I've got you covered 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:21.000 completely and forever. 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.519 I've forgiven you 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.240 of your past. 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.599 I'm upholding you 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.220 in the present 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.480 and I hold your future 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.360 in my hands. 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.980 That's what it means 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:31.599 that he makes intercession 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:33.500 for us. 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.039 Finally, 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.660 if you know 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.579 that you're covered 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.259 by Jesus, 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.700 let me end with 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.660 three brief applications. 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:41.920 Number one, 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.319 if you know 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:42.860 that you're covered 00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:43.259 by Jesus, 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:44.079 we can honestly 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.180 deal with 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.180 and face 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:46.920 our spiritual 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:48.060 sicknesses, 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:49.700 our besetting sins. 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.200 We don't need 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.000 to live in denial 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:53.340 or fear 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:54.100 that our problems 00:31:54.100 --> 00:31:54.700 will be too great 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.140 to handle 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:55.700 or too much 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.180 for us 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.620 to pay for. 00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:58.980 We can examine 00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.779 our own hearts. 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.500 We can even receive 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.240 critical feedback 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.840 from others 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:03.480 without becoming 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.900 angry and defensive 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.779 because we have 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.200 a remedy 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.279 that is available 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.960 to us. 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:09.420 We have free access 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.580 to our great physician 00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:12.259 who is already seen 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.880 into the depth 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:14.540 of our sin-sick heart 00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:15.980 and paid the price 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:16.900 to bring us 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.420 the healing 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.220 and forgiveness 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.260 that we need 00:32:19.260 --> 00:32:21.100 so we can face 00:32:21.100 --> 00:32:23.860 our spiritual sicknesses, 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.280 our sin. 00:32:25.340 --> 00:32:25.700 Second, 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.840 we can go forth 00:32:26.840 --> 00:32:27.380 confidently 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:28.260 into the mission 00:32:28.260 --> 00:32:29.340 to which God 00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:30.120 has called us. 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:32.040 When Jesus prayed 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:33.340 for all who had come 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:34.220 to believe in him, 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.440 you know, 00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:36.880 surprisingly, 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.620 perhaps, 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:38.920 he didn't only pray 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.000 about our problems. 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:42.600 Sometimes our problems 00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:43.340 themselves can seem 00:32:43.340 --> 00:32:44.420 totally overwhelming 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.039 and especially 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.680 when we see them 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.039 in the light 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.720 of God's presence 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.660 but Jesus not only 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.940 prayed about our problems, 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.100 he prayed about our mission. 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.960 He prayed for his disciples 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:54.120 that we might be one, 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.980 that they may all be one, 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.600 just as you, Father, 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.200 are in me 00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:58.920 and I in you, 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.720 that they may also be in us 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:02.000 so that the world 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.800 may believe 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:04.680 that you have sent me. 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:08.900 So for those of you 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.840 who are involved 00:33:10.840 --> 00:33:12.500 in, 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.900 for one example, 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.420 for those of you 00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:14.820 who are involved 00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:15.920 in the church plan 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.420 in New London, 00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:18.320 Jesus is interceding 00:33:18.320 --> 00:33:19.019 for you 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:20.960 that you may be united 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.740 with one another, 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.200 that you may enjoy 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.000 rich fellowship 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:25.220 with Jesus and the Father 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.460 and that you may declare 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.560 the unsearchable riches 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:28.100 of Jesus 00:33:28.100 --> 00:33:29.620 to New London 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.660 and that people 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.940 in that part of the world 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:32.920 would come to believe 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.880 and love Jesus 00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.580 as a result. 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:36.580 And you know what? 00:33:36.620 --> 00:33:37.640 That's already happening 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:39.019 because Jesus has already 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.759 been interceding 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.420 on your behalf. 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.080 And so go forward 00:33:42.080 --> 00:33:43.360 and continue in your mission 00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:45.160 prayerfully and humbly 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:46.160 but also boldly. 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:48.400 For those of us 00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:49.279 who are here in New Haven 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:50.980 and if you're not planning 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.820 to move to New London, 00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:53.299 the same thing applies 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:54.880 to the mission 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:55.740 that God has given us 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.580 here in New Haven. 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.799 He has brought us together 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:01.420 as one body in Christ 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:03.480 and Jesus is constantly 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.980 interceding for us 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:06.120 that we might be 00:34:06.120 --> 00:34:07.519 united to declare 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.240 to the world 00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:11.219 how awesome He is 00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:12.420 and that others 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.199 might come to believe 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:13.579 in Him. 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.699 So go forward 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.659 in the mission 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.539 that God has given you 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.240 with confidence. 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:19.980 Third, 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:20.960 finally, 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.820 in all the trials 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.519 and temptations 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:23.360 that we face, 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.320 be encouraged. 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:26.260 because even 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.760 if you don't know 00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:28.700 what to pray 00:34:28.700 --> 00:34:30.019 or how to pray 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:32.680 or if you feel like 00:34:32.680 --> 00:34:33.800 your prayer life 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:35.320 is weak, 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:37.320 you have someone 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:38.000 who is praying 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.960 for you. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:42.559 You have Jesus 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:44.180 who is praying 00:34:44.180 --> 00:34:45.140 for you. 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:48.780 Louis Burkhoff 00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:49.900 wrote this. 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:50.539 He said, 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.219 that it is a comforting 00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:51.659 thought 00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.739 that Christ 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.739 is praying for us, 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.300 that He is presenting 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.980 to the Father 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:57.079 those spiritual needs 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:58.460 which were not present 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.259 to our minds, 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:00.639 which we often neglect 00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:02.239 to include in our prayers, 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.860 and that He prays 00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.559 for our protection 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.460 against the dangers 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.360 of which we are not 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.099 even conscious 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:08.699 and against the enemies 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.559 which threaten us 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.679 though we do not notice it. 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:12.300 He is praying 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.059 that our faith 00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:14.279 may not fail 00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:15.980 and that we may come out 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.659 victoriously 00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:17.960 in the end. 00:35:18.659 --> 00:35:19.460 So be encouraged. 00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:20.219 Let's pray. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:28.300 Lord Jesus, 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:28.980 we thank You 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:30.159 this morning 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:31.000 that You are able 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.800 to save us. 00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:36.199 And we thank You 00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:36.840 that You are 00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:39.420 continually carrying out 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.039 that work 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:42.579 by interceding for us 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:44.039 at the right hand 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.800 of God the Father. 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:46.719 That we may know 00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:49.079 that You may apply 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:50.079 to us all 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:51.319 of the benefits 00:35:51.319 --> 00:35:53.319 that You purchased 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:53.819 for us 00:35:53.819 --> 00:35:54.299 in Your death 00:35:54.299 --> 00:35:54.940 on the cross. 00:35:59.699 --> 00:36:00.219 Lord, 00:36:00.319 --> 00:36:00.699 this morning 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:02.239 we join together 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:02.699 in the prayer 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.299 that You taught us 00:36:03.299 --> 00:36:03.739 to pray 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:04.960 that reminds us 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.500 of how You are 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.259 praying for us. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.920 Our Father, 00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.659 who art in heaven, 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.599 hallowed be Thy name. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.519 Thy kingdom come, 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:15.299 Thy will be done 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:16.519 on earth 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.620 as it is in heaven. 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:19.560 Give us this day 00:36:19.560 --> 00:36:20.600 our daily bread. 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.140 Forgive us 00:36:22.140 --> 00:36:23.260 our trespasses 00:36:23.260 --> 00:36:25.000 as we forgive those 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:26.519 who trespass against us. 00:36:27.140 --> 00:36:28.000 Lead us not 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.800 into temptation, 00:36:29.580 --> 00:36:30.480 but deliver us 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.120 from evil. 00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:32.900 For Thine is the kingdom 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:34.080 and the power 00:36:34.080 --> 00:36:35.180 and the glory 00:36:35.180 --> 00:36:35.940 forever. 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:37.360 Amen. 00:36:38.760 --> 00:36:39.059 Amen. 00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:39.740 As the music team 00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:40.320 comes forward, 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:40.940 we're going to 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.079 join together 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.900 in one last song 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.840 that speaks of Christ 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:44.760 as interceding 00:36:44.760 --> 00:36:45.440 for us 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.360 before the throne 00:36:46.360 --> 00:36:47.559 of God above.