WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.620 But before we delve in, I want you to have a think about a question, if you will, about this question. 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:09.880 Why do we look down on people? 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:12.320 Why do we look down on people? 00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:13.759 And it's something we all do. 00:00:14.179 --> 00:00:20.960 I think we just need to look at the recent election and the utter disdain people showed for people of different views, 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:27.859 whether it was conservative versus Labour, but also in other areas we often look down on one another, 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:31.100 whether it's secular versus religious, rich versus poor. 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:35.560 And we do all do it. Have a think about yourself. 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:42.019 Have you written perhaps an offensive comment about someone or gossiped about someone recently? 00:00:43.140 --> 00:00:44.179 Or think of it like this. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:48.840 Who would you not bother listening to if they came and knocked on your door? 00:00:51.140 --> 00:00:52.560 We do all do it. 00:00:52.679 --> 00:00:53.760 So why do we do it? 00:00:53.879 --> 00:00:55.859 Why do we look down on people? 00:00:55.859 --> 00:01:02.880 Well, I think the answer is it's because they lack something that we have. 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:08.299 And we assume we've got it because we're superior in some way. 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:11.079 I understand this. 00:01:11.459 --> 00:01:12.060 They don't. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:13.379 I look like this. 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:14.400 They don't. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:15.900 I live like this. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:17.039 They don't. 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:21.420 There's a character in the American Office TV show. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:22.299 I don't know if you've seen it. 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:25.340 The character is called Dwight Schrute. 00:01:25.539 --> 00:01:31.120 And he just believes he is superior in every way to everyone else. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:35.399 He just believes ridiculous things about himself. 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:36.939 For example, he said, 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:42.060 Through concentration, I can raise and lower my cholesterol at will. 00:01:42.259 --> 00:01:44.920 He just believes ridiculous things about himself. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:47.920 But because he does, he looks down on people. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:49.920 He thinks he's superior to others. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:56.439 But more seriously, what's going on in that moment as we look down on others? 00:01:56.840 --> 00:02:01.020 Well, we're trying to justify our own way of doing things, aren't we? 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:04.200 Make us feel better about it. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:10.699 The issue we pick on, perhaps, whether it's what people look like, what they believe in, what they stand for, 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:18.560 most likely reflects choices and issues that we've invested time and meaning and purpose into. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:26.460 So the moment we look down on someone, it actually reveals far more about ourselves than it does the person we're talking to. 00:02:27.580 --> 00:02:30.460 It reveals superiority in our own hearts. 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:34.120 But it reveals what our identity is based on. 00:02:35.200 --> 00:02:37.140 What's important to us. 00:02:39.200 --> 00:02:44.319 And that identity has massive consequences for us and how we live. 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:47.960 Now, our passage of scripture was taken from the book of Exodus, 00:02:48.600 --> 00:02:53.879 where the two groups of people in it have every reason to look down on one another. 00:02:54.260 --> 00:02:56.879 It's the Egyptians and the Israelites. 00:02:57.020 --> 00:02:58.080 There are two camps. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:02:59.860 It's about 1500 BC. 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:02.719 The Israelites moved there after a famine. 00:03:03.320 --> 00:03:06.420 And after a few hundred years, they are a massive nation. 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:09.120 Far more than 600,000 people. 00:03:10.720 --> 00:03:14.200 But Egypt, like any good superpower, have enslaved them. 00:03:14.720 --> 00:03:16.260 They've done their job. 00:03:16.360 --> 00:03:17.820 They've treated them as inferior. 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:21.160 They've made them build their great buildings. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:25.060 And Pharaoh sets himself up against God. 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:31.319 And through a guy called Moses, God has demanded that Pharaoh let his people go. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:33.759 But Pharaoh refuses. 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:36.900 And so God sent plagues. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:40.960 A bit like righteous sanctions on a rogue nation. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.340 But Pharaoh has refused. 00:03:43.340 --> 00:03:44.900 And God now threatens. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:48.740 That we read about them with the ultimate plague. 00:03:50.040 --> 00:03:53.040 If you don't notice that in verse 5 of chapter 11. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:56.620 Every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:00.500 God calls his people his firstborn. 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:04.419 And so threatens Egypt with the loss of their firstborn. 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:07.879 Now this isn't some overly tetchy little God. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:14.840 No, this is the right and just response on those who have set themselves up against God. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:20.199 And there's an intriguing and important comment from God in verse 7. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:21.160 I don't know if you noticed it. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:22.300 Just at the end it says, 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:37.060 So in this final play God is going to show us a distinction between the two. 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:40.800 In other words, what's at the heart of their identities? 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:43.199 What's the big issue that divides them? 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:45.480 So what is that based on? 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:46.800 Is it just nationality? 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.540 Well there's different ways of answering this. 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:51.500 But let's take it from the view of the Israelite. 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:55.139 Okay, let's see how this final plague works out for him. 00:04:56.160 --> 00:05:00.379 I want you to imagine the day of an ordinary Israelite. 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:02.459 Think back those three and a half thousand years. 00:05:02.899 --> 00:05:03.899 And try and imagine it. 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:06.379 We'll be using what's being read to us in Exodus 12. 00:05:06.540 --> 00:05:09.800 So it's been a tough day's work for this Israelite. 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:13.439 In heat hotter than it was last week. 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:17.279 I know we Brits struggle to imagine heat hotter than it was last week. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.019 But it does actually get hotter than that. 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:24.199 And he's been making brick after brick after brick after brick. 00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:25.419 He comes home tired. 00:05:25.919 --> 00:05:26.659 He's weary. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:28.139 But he's excited. 00:05:28.719 --> 00:05:31.060 He knows today is the day. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:32.899 He gets home. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:34.319 He greets his wife with a kiss. 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:39.299 He perhaps ruffles the hair of his son who completely ignores him 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:43.079 because he's staring at whatever the ancient equivalent of TV is. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:45.120 And he goes out. 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:48.680 And he finds the chosen lamb. 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:49.520 The little sheep. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:51.920 And it's perfect. 00:05:52.080 --> 00:05:52.780 There's not a defect. 00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:53.699 There's not a problem. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:57.740 Now this is a big moment that's about to happen. 00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:02.220 And he manages to get his family in from outside or whatever they're doing to come and watch. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:03.780 They need to see this. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:07.240 This isn't just in a morbid way. 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:10.139 But as we'll see it's because it's a life-giving moment. 00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:14.300 He's had all the instructions from Moses that we've just read. 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.840 And so it's twilight. 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:18.840 The sun's just set. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:20.400 He takes the lamb. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.740 He kills it with his knife. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:25.519 He drains the blood into a bucket. 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:27.720 The meat's prepared to roast. 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:31.639 But it's the blood they're interested in. 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:32.220 He goes out. 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:33.660 He takes his son by the hand. 00:06:33.780 --> 00:06:34.620 Goes outside. 00:06:35.300 --> 00:06:36.900 Grabs a plant called a hyssop. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:38.000 Dips it in the bucket. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:44.420 And starts painting it on the doorposts and the lintel. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:48.019 Perhaps blood drips down a bit leaving marks in the dirt. 00:06:49.900 --> 00:06:52.100 And having painted those doorposts, 00:06:52.100 --> 00:06:53.580 he takes a bit of a step back. 00:06:53.980 --> 00:06:55.180 And in the early evening light, 00:06:55.280 --> 00:06:56.260 you know that orange light, 00:06:56.340 --> 00:06:58.600 he starts to look down the houses, 00:06:58.800 --> 00:06:59.580 row after row, 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:01.160 house after house after house, 00:07:01.260 --> 00:07:03.520 and sees red marks on them, 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:05.100 on each going down. 00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:08.660 A few houses down, 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:10.020 he sees one doesn't have any. 00:07:10.840 --> 00:07:11.920 Fourth on the left, 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.000 there's another one that doesn't have any blood on it. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:15.680 It's the Egyptian's house. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:20.220 But there on his house, 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:22.080 on his door is the blood. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.420 So they go inside, 00:07:23.960 --> 00:07:25.000 eat their roast lamb, 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:27.860 pack their stuff ready to leave Egypt, 00:07:28.140 --> 00:07:29.240 and then go to sleep, 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:30.780 waiting for morning. 00:07:31.580 --> 00:07:33.360 What will be the result? 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:39.639 Now, why had God required the death of a lamb? 00:07:40.400 --> 00:07:45.439 Why is a lamb needed to die instead of their son? 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.199 What does this show us about people? 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:52.000 Well, it shows us the Israelite is no better than the Egyptian. 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:57.680 It shows the Israelite deserves death just as much as the Egyptian does. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:59.000 Without the lamb, 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:01.680 he would die just the same. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:03.180 Before God, 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:05.019 they are both guilty. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:07.720 Both facing God's judgment. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:11.160 And the thing is, 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:11.819 we know, 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:12.840 deep down, 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:15.259 that this is true of us too. 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:21.040 What unites us is actually our guilt before God. 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:23.620 I know that in my heart, 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:24.620 without another's death, 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:27.579 I would not be able to stand before God. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:29.259 Just this week, 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:31.019 I have been self-centered. 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:33.039 I've got angry with my kids, 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.279 when I shouldn't have done. 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:38.019 I've not looked out for the people I've passed by on the streets. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.000 I've not responded to God's goodness, 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:41.700 in the praise that he deserves. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:43.480 Some people say, 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:44.919 humans are good inside. 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:46.639 Well, 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:47.639 to them I say, 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:49.259 you haven't looked in my heart. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:54.179 And they haven't properly looked in their own either. 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:57.600 What united the Egyptian and the Israelite, 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:59.360 before he put the blood on the door, 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:00.720 is what unites humanity. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:01.879 After being humans, 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:03.179 after being in God's images, 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:05.080 we are guilty before him. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:07.659 And that has serious consequences. 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:10.299 Here we see it is death. 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.679 And God is just, 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.159 and deals with our rejection. 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:15.319 He will judge all people, 00:09:15.839 --> 00:09:17.219 whether dead or alive. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:20.480 This is important to acknowledge. 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.659 This is good. 00:09:21.839 --> 00:09:23.039 This is a good thing. 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:25.839 We all actually want justice. 00:09:26.079 --> 00:09:26.879 When things go wrong, 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:29.559 we want those who are to blame to pay. 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:33.639 Just look at the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:36.379 We want justice. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:37.679 And rightly, 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:41.039 God bringing justice is a good thing. 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:44.000 I was reading a book on this recently, 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:45.240 by a man called David Gibson. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:46.439 He put it helpfully like this. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:46.779 He said, 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:48.339 Judgment, he says, 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:50.939 gives my experience losses, 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:52.039 and injustices, 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:55.000 a voice in God's presence. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.959 Every single thing that happens, 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:00.079 will have its day in court. 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:03.099 Every single thing that happens, 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:05.639 will have its day in court. 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:07.559 Justice is good. 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:08.500 But the problem is, 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:10.379 we don't want judgment. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:13.339 Because we won't be okay. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:17.699 Our hearts and lives won't stand up in court. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:18.559 Mine won't. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:19.219 Yours won't. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.319 We'll face the day, 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:21.379 that day in court, 00:10:21.459 --> 00:10:22.759 just like everyone else. 00:10:23.699 --> 00:10:26.360 And God's justice requires a death. 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:28.059 This is a dreadful situation. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:31.480 Let's get back to that Israelite. 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:33.379 They've been asleep, 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:36.179 and the sun rises. 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:39.959 And in the distance, 00:10:40.099 --> 00:10:43.000 there is a noise that fills the sky, 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.179 and it brings a lump to your throat. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:48.839 We read it in 11 verse 6. 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:51.639 And there will be a great cry, 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.959 throughout all the land of Egypt. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:56.820 Our Israelite wakes up, 00:10:57.180 --> 00:11:00.620 to gut-wrenching screams and tears. 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:02.340 It's a great cry, 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:03.440 a loud wailing. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:04.460 It's in the distance. 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:07.200 House after house after house of Egyptians, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:09.540 are pouring out their grief. 00:11:09.660 --> 00:11:12.740 God's judgment is just and good, 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:13.860 but it is not pleasant. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:14.879 It's horrific. 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:18.519 It brings a great cry of anguish. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.100 And yet, in houses nearby, 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:23.480 listen, 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:26.840 there's silence. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:31.139 It's a stunned silence. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.939 Jaws have dropped. 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:36.720 It's the silence of amazement, 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:39.220 of relief, 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.100 of safety. 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:43.920 It's the sound of life, 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.120 of joy, 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:46.540 for the Israelite houses. 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:48.680 Their sons are alive. 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:51.600 God's rescue plan has worked. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:53.180 Imagine their joy, 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.399 in that moment. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.259 Now, for this Israelite, 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.100 there was a massive difference in results, 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:01.560 wasn't there, 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.040 that day. 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.220 One house is wailing, 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:05.639 their house is in peace. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:08.199 That he knew, 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:10.860 what the real difference was, 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:11.659 between them. 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:12.879 Between him and the Egyptian. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:13.679 It wasn't race. 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:14.779 It wasn't wealth. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:16.480 It wasn't how good he'd been, 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:17.679 that day or week. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:20.500 It was the blood, 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:21.539 on the door. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:25.319 It was the death of a lamb, 00:12:25.699 --> 00:12:27.340 in the place of his son. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.000 He had received, 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:31.580 the gift of life, 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:33.319 through another's death. 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:34.159 He had received, 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:35.059 a gift. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.240 He hadn't earned it. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:41.179 Now, what's this got to do with us, 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:43.259 three and a half thousand years later? 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.339 Well, it has everything, 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:45.500 to do with us. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.240 Because in the Bible, 00:12:47.339 --> 00:12:47.779 the lamb, 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:48.759 that died, 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:50.000 has always been, 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:51.139 pointing forward. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:51.579 It's a bit like, 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.679 the shadow of a building, 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.319 on the ground, 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:55.679 that points her eyes up, 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.799 to the edifice above. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.879 Or like seeing a photo, 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.480 of someone, 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.579 and then seeing them, 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:00.860 really face to face. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.299 That the lamb, 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.159 is a picture, 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:04.699 of Jesus Christ, 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:05.779 and his death. 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.360 Paul, 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.059 in 1 Corinthians, 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.620 calls Jesus Christ, 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.980 the Passover lamb. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.000 Jesus himself, 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:14.379 institutes the Lord's Supper, 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.419 on the night, 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.799 of the Passover celebrations. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:17.740 He clearly, 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.319 links his own death, 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:20.620 to the death, 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.860 of the Passover lamb. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.519 Jesus Christ, 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:25.039 dying on the cross, 00:13:25.439 --> 00:13:27.179 was a Passover lamb, 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:28.740 for his people. 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:31.340 When he died, 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.399 being perfect, 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.799 being divine, 00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:34.620 he took, 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:35.680 the death, 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:36.820 and punishment, 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:39.159 not just of the firstborn, 00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:41.820 but of all his people, 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.460 of his firstborn. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.419 In his mercy, 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:46.460 God has given people, 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.360 a rescue. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.100 As someone trusts, 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:51.379 and follows Jesus Christ, 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:51.980 it's as if, 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:53.340 they painted their house, 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.639 with blood. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:56.960 Rather than the death, 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.720 of a lamb, 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:59.600 a Christian is passed over, 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.779 because they are united, 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.879 to Jesus Christ. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.539 They receive, 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:04.799 the gift of life, 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:06.480 through another's death. 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.179 Now it's important to add, 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:09.939 Jesus' death, 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.699 doesn't save us, 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:12.299 from our first death initially. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.039 That will face, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.399 face us all. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.100 No, 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.519 instead, 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.539 Jesus saves us, 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:19.980 from God's judgment, 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.799 when Jesus Christ, 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.399 returns, 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.679 and gives new life. 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:27.639 And just like, 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.500 to the Israelite, 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:30.000 it brings a stunned, 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.039 silence. 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.919 It is an incredible thing. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:38.179 Jesus Christ's death, 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.340 protects us, 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.460 from the righteous, 00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:41.879 judgment of God. 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:42.639 What a rescue. 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.779 Who would not want it, 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:47.120 far greater than the death, 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.759 of a lamb. 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.080 If you're going to remember, 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.080 anything from today, 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:52.460 listen to this. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:54.820 Christians are people, 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.340 who've received, 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:57.340 a gift, 00:14:58.300 --> 00:15:00.000 a gift of life, 00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:01.580 through another's death. 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.879 Christians have received, 00:15:03.040 --> 00:15:03.600 a gift, 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.920 of life, 00:15:05.400 --> 00:15:06.700 through another's death. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.280 Jesus' death. 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:09.900 If you, 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:10.879 are a Christian, 00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:12.040 may you know, 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:12.960 the peace, 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.620 of your rescue. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:16.879 When Christ returns, 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.960 it will not be, 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:19.240 weeping and wailing, 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:19.820 for you. 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.139 Christ died, 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.100 to bring you, 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.179 that silence. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.039 That relief, 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.179 in the new morning. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.440 What a great, 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.820 saviour he is. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.200 What we have, 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:32.919 is what Jesus, 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.879 has done. 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.759 It's not something, 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.440 about you, 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:37.100 or me. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.039 And firstly, 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.539 that means, 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:39.019 our lives, 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.019 should be characterised, 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.180 by thankfulness. 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:43.359 We should be thankful, 00:15:43.359 --> 00:15:44.459 to be alive. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.759 After the horrors, 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.839 of Grenfell Tower, 00:15:47.959 --> 00:15:48.579 I heard an amazing, 00:15:48.579 --> 00:15:49.739 story of rescue. 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:50.879 It was about a guy, 00:15:51.239 --> 00:15:52.699 called Christos Fairbairn. 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:54.019 He was picked up, 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:54.939 by a fireman, 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.519 on the third, 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.479 or fourth floor, 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.779 as he stumbled around, 00:15:58.239 --> 00:15:59.039 in the smoke. 00:15:59.099 --> 00:16:00.279 And a BBC news article, 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.319 in it he said, 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:04.500 I shouldn't be here today, 00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:05.719 but I am. 00:16:06.339 --> 00:16:07.079 And for that, 00:16:07.219 --> 00:16:08.099 I am grateful. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.219 I shouldn't be here today, 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:10.899 but I am. 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:11.500 And for that, 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.840 I am grateful. 00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:15.360 He knew his life, 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.419 was a gift. 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.120 And for the Christian, 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.799 you just happen to be, 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.959 the guy the fireman, 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:21.779 picked up. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.860 Let's praise God, 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.759 for his goodness, 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.519 to us. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:28.819 And secondly, 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.220 our lives, 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:30.000 should be characterised, 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:30.740 by humility. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.600 We have no basis, 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:34.279 for feeling superior. 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.019 If you remember, 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:36.559 that question, 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:37.439 I asked at the beginning, 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.519 why do we look down, 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.039 on people? 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:41.039 Well remember, 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:42.360 your identity, 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:45.480 that question pointed us to, 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:47.019 is a gift. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:48.519 What you have, 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:49.299 you have invested, 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.319 your life in, 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.199 is a gift. 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:54.059 Boasting about it, 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.599 feeling superior about it, 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.139 is like a, 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:57.439 a kid who boasts about, 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.360 their new bike, 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.099 when they know, 00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.779 they borrowed it, 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.059 from a mate down the road. 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:04.099 Boasting about it, 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:04.599 is hollow, 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.639 and deceptive. 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.119 No, 00:17:06.179 --> 00:17:06.879 our identity, 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:08.179 is based on a gift. 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:10.000 We can't look down, 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.500 on those, 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:12.799 who aren't following Jesus. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.419 And sometimes, 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:13.879 as Christians, 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.519 we have a reputation, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.099 for this, 00:17:15.159 --> 00:17:15.460 don't we? 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.579 We have a reputation, 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.899 for looking down, 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.359 on others, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:18.839 and that, 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.879 is a tragedy. 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.679 Now we can still, 00:17:21.679 --> 00:17:22.720 disagree with people, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:26.660 with what they believe, 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.960 and the way they're living. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.100 Sin is still sin, 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.519 Jesus still calls people, 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.180 to repent. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.819 But we don't come, 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.799 to people proudly, 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:35.360 we don't cocoon ourselves, 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.740 away from others. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.299 Just this week, 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.420 this past week, 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.319 I was in Battersea, 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.680 with a missionary, 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.500 who was there. 00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:44.240 And it was amazing, 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.420 to see someone, 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.519 who welcomed, 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.360 anyone, 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.779 and everyone. 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.180 Whatever someone's, 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:50.880 social status, 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.680 whatever they wore, 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.640 or spoke like. 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.700 Whatever their education, 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.140 background, 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:55.940 or their history. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.539 He treated them, 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:59.039 with incredible love, 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.160 and grace. 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.140 He would listen, 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.380 to all of them, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.200 with interest. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.120 He made people, 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:05.059 feel genuinely, 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:06.200 loved. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.539 He knew his salvation, 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.819 in Christ, 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.860 was a gift. 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.880 So thankfulness, 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.680 and humility. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:15.500 And if, 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.100 you're here today, 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.059 and you wouldn't call yourself, 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:17.559 a Christian. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:20.100 Now perhaps you thought, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.880 becoming a Christian, 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.279 was just about being good, 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.700 I've heard that so many times, 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:26.019 at working your way to God, 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.079 then hear this, 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.440 a Christian is someone, 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:30.279 who knows they are not good. 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.980 Who knows they need, 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.720 to be rescued, 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:35.079 by another's death. 00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:36.139 They need, 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.420 to receive the gift. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.500 Now that doesn't mean, 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:39.259 the way we live, 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.000 doesn't matter. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.839 But it does mean, 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.920 there is no one, 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.519 too bad, 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.339 to be excluded. 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.279 Any Egyptian, 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.240 back in the day, 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:48.420 could have trusted God, 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.259 could have put blood, 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.819 on their door, 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.700 and followed Israel, 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:51.379 out of Egypt. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.639 And some did. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.240 Well perhaps you're thinking, 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.059 well I don't need, 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:57.779 to be rescued. 00:18:58.659 --> 00:18:59.779 Done a pretty good job, 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.639 I'll be fine. 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.039 But I hope you've seen, 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:04.419 that that's just not the case. 00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:06.240 Just think back again, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.359 to the way we look down, 00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:07.859 on people. 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.700 What identity, 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:11.259 were you holding on to? 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.439 Will that bring, 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:15.079 forgiveness with God? 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.039 Will you plead, 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.119 but I was beautiful, 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.220 but I was smart, 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.420 but I had a good job, 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:23.079 but I cared about politics. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.359 Those things, 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.039 although good, 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.700 as an identity, 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.480 they just enslave us, 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:31.259 and they will, 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:31.799 not, 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.839 save us. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.460 We need, 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.119 a rescue. 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.700 Without it, 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.720 you will face, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.299 God's terrible judgment. 00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:40.220 We need God, 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:41.619 to deal with our sin. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.859 We need, 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.639 the death, 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.879 of another for us. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.879 And if you realise that, 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.440 if that's you, 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.940 can I encourage you, 00:19:48.280 --> 00:19:50.000 to trust in God's rescue. 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:50.840 Come to God, 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.320 ask for forgiveness, 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.100 from him, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.740 through his amazing rescue, 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.560 the death, 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.580 and resurrection, 00:19:57.080 --> 00:19:58.000 of Jesus Christ, 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:58.580 his son. 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:01.400 We are all guilty, 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.640 that a Christian, 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.640 like the Israelite, 00:20:03.780 --> 00:20:04.240 pleads, 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.740 another's death. 00:20:06.040 --> 00:20:06.620 Not a lamb, 00:20:07.280 --> 00:20:08.480 but Jesus Christ, 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.380 the son of God, 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.320 who died, 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.460 and rose again, 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.640 for his people. 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.960 I pray to.