WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.280 And open your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 1. 00:00:04.980 --> 00:00:06.000 Ephesians chapter 1. 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:11.060 Last Sunday I talked about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:11.019 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.640 This is the letter to Ephesians. 00:00:32.259 --> 00:00:38.039 But in Acts when he arrived in Ephesus where he found a bunch of people that were claiming to be Christians. 00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:43.060 Or certainly disciples who hadn't even heard of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:45.740 Now we'll come back to that. 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:47.780 But that's an interesting scenario isn't it? 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:55.200 Is it possible to be a Christian and not have ever heard of the Holy Spirit? 00:00:56.460 --> 00:00:57.659 Think about that. 00:00:57.659 --> 00:01:00.719 A.W. Tozer said this quite controversially. 00:01:00.919 --> 00:01:04.420 He said if the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:08.140 95% of what we do would go on. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:10.899 No one would notice the difference. 00:01:12.039 --> 00:01:14.799 But if the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:19.159 95% of what they did would stop immediately. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:21.259 And everyone would know it. 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:22.420 Now is he right? 00:01:22.420 --> 00:01:24.159 It's quite a controversial thing to say. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:27.199 Can he be a Christian without the Holy Spirit? 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:29.340 Without knowing the Holy Spirit? 00:01:29.659 --> 00:01:31.159 Without ever having heard of the Holy Spirit? 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:33.280 Can he be a church? 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:34.420 A real church? 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:36.599 And not know the Holy Spirit. 00:01:36.679 --> 00:01:37.500 Not to have heard of him? 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:40.459 Well according to these words. 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:41.620 According to Ephesians chapter 1. 00:01:41.679 --> 00:01:42.500 That's just not possible. 00:01:43.679 --> 00:01:44.259 Too soon he says. 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:46.099 Look at Ephesians chapter 1 verse 13. 00:01:46.179 --> 00:01:47.400 It's part of a long sentence. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:48.379 I'm going to break into it. 00:01:48.379 --> 00:01:51.539 From verse 3 right through to verse 14. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:52.439 Is one sentence. 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:54.699 And notice it begins with praise. 00:01:55.239 --> 00:01:56.420 And it ends with praise. 00:01:57.039 --> 00:02:00.399 And Paul in this long sentence is thanking God for salvation. 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:02.840 And here towards the end of the sentence. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:04.479 In verse 13 and 14. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:08.759 He thanks God particularly for the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:09.800 Not the gifts. 00:02:09.800 --> 00:02:10.800 Interestingly. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:14.439 Today there are Christians. 00:02:14.580 --> 00:02:14.700 Aren't they? 00:02:14.760 --> 00:02:17.760 They are preoccupied with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:17.860 --> 00:02:18.600 They're quite obsessed. 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:22.260 With some of the more extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:23.960 There are loads of gifts. 00:02:24.700 --> 00:02:26.320 That Christ gives to the church. 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:27.420 Gifts of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:28.420 --> 00:02:30.620 But people are often more preoccupied with the extraordinary. 00:02:30.620 --> 00:02:33.120 Those unusual gifts. 00:02:33.200 --> 00:02:34.860 That Paul calls the lesser gifts. 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:36.140 Like tongue speaking for example. 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:39.520 And there is amazing ignorance. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:41.240 About the gift itself. 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:44.259 About the person and the word of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:47.400 And that's what Paul is talking about here. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:48.800 So let me read you from verse 13. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:51.520 In him. 00:02:51.620 --> 00:02:52.540 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:53.340 You also. 00:02:53.480 --> 00:02:54.580 When you heard the word of truth. 00:02:54.659 --> 00:02:55.840 The gospel of your salvation. 00:02:56.340 --> 00:02:57.180 And believed in him. 00:02:57.240 --> 00:02:59.900 Were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:02.180 Who is the guarantee. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:04.140 Of our inheritance. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:07.939 Until we acquire possession of it. 00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:09.580 To the praise of his glory. 00:03:10.980 --> 00:03:13.280 It's one of the greatest ideas in the Bible. 00:03:15.700 --> 00:03:17.520 That God gives you. 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:18.620 His Holy Spirit. 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:21.080 When you believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:23.319 He's promised. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:24.599 The Holy Spirit. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:25.340 In the Old Testament. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:26.379 To all believers. 00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:28.759 And when you hear the gospel. 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:31.120 When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:33.340 As he's presented you in the gospel. 00:03:33.519 --> 00:03:34.859 You receive the gift. 00:03:35.139 --> 00:03:36.099 Of the Holy Spirit. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:38.699 He is the gift. 00:03:38.899 --> 00:03:41.340 And the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:42.879 To indwell us. 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:43.719 There are five things. 00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:44.939 You can catch up. 00:03:45.099 --> 00:03:46.500 I'll listen to the recording from last Sunday. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:47.939 But here he is talking. 00:03:48.139 --> 00:03:49.359 In Ephesians 1. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:50.979 About the presence of the Holy Spirit. 00:03:51.099 --> 00:03:51.759 In the believer. 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:52.719 As a seal. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:54.520 In fact. 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:55.319 There's two metaphors. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:55.599 Aren't there. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:56.800 That we're going to look at tonight. 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:57.580 There is. 00:03:57.759 --> 00:03:58.759 He is a seal. 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:00.379 And he is a guarantee. 00:04:01.419 --> 00:04:02.039 A seal. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:02.879 And a deposit. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:04.740 And what I want to do. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:06.319 I just want to unpack those metaphors. 00:04:06.419 --> 00:04:07.300 And see what they mean for us. 00:04:07.539 --> 00:04:08.319 So first of all. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:09.460 He is the seal. 00:04:09.579 --> 00:04:10.439 Of our salvation. 00:04:11.500 --> 00:04:12.360 Having believed. 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:14.939 You were marked. 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:16.860 With a seal. 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:19.360 Having believed in him. 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:20.199 You were sealed. 00:04:20.199 --> 00:04:21.699 With the promised Holy Spirit. 00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:23.640 Just like. 00:04:23.760 --> 00:04:24.180 When the Romans. 00:04:24.380 --> 00:04:25.180 Buried to Jesus. 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:26.600 They put a seal. 00:04:26.700 --> 00:04:27.280 On his tomb. 00:04:28.960 --> 00:04:29.900 They wanted. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:31.220 To stop the body. 00:04:31.320 --> 00:04:32.200 From being tampered with. 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:34.060 There was every possibility. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:34.800 That somebody would come. 00:04:34.900 --> 00:04:35.920 And steal the body. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:37.440 And they wanted to make sure. 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:38.120 That wouldn't happen. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:39.480 And so they sealed the tomb. 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:40.040 A seal. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:41.040 Keeps something safe. 00:04:42.340 --> 00:04:42.700 A seal. 00:04:42.820 --> 00:04:43.980 Keeps something secure. 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:45.860 But a seal. 00:04:45.940 --> 00:04:46.580 Is also a mark. 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:47.160 Of identity. 00:04:47.160 --> 00:04:47.620 It's a mark. 00:04:47.640 --> 00:04:48.240 Of ownership. 00:04:49.940 --> 00:04:50.340 So. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:50.800 Remember. 00:04:50.940 --> 00:04:51.520 When you were a student. 00:04:51.700 --> 00:04:52.520 You lived in a shared. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:52.879 House. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:53.539 What would you do? 00:04:53.659 --> 00:04:55.199 You put a label. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:55.519 Didn't you. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:56.299 On your food. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:04:57.099 In the fridge. 00:04:58.039 --> 00:04:58.939 It wouldn't stop. 00:04:59.019 --> 00:04:59.579 Your housemates. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:00.060 From stealing. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:00.560 From you. 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:01.120 But at least. 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:01.799 They would know. 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:03.240 Who they were stealing it from. 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:03.879 Isn't it? 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:05.399 Because. 00:05:05.740 --> 00:05:06.539 You had labeled. 00:05:06.539 --> 00:05:07.159 Your food. 00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:08.419 You had put your seal. 00:05:08.419 --> 00:05:08.859 On it. 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:10.299 It was a mark. 00:05:10.299 --> 00:05:10.779 Of ownership. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:11.439 This belongs. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:11.839 To me. 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:12.539 Hands off. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:14.419 There's a kind of seal. 00:05:14.479 --> 00:05:15.079 A label. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:16.019 Identifying it. 00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:16.439 As yours. 00:05:16.659 --> 00:05:17.019 It's like. 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:17.680 When you brand. 00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:18.180 Cattle. 00:05:18.359 --> 00:05:18.779 Or sheep. 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:19.579 It's the same thing. 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:22.079 It's like a label. 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:23.039 On a bottle of wine. 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:25.660 It tells you. 00:05:25.700 --> 00:05:26.200 Where the wine. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:26.939 Comes from. 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:29.040 What kind of wine. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:29.500 It is. 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:31.100 And so. 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:31.939 We can think of the seal. 00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:32.800 In that sort of sense. 00:05:32.840 --> 00:05:33.560 And that is what God. 00:05:33.640 --> 00:05:34.160 Does for us. 00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:35.040 When we trust. 00:05:35.140 --> 00:05:35.740 In Jesus. 00:05:36.900 --> 00:05:37.960 When we come to believe. 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:39.200 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:39.320 --> 00:05:40.480 He does both of those things. 00:05:40.700 --> 00:05:41.720 He puts his stamp. 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:42.280 Of ownership. 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:43.000 On us. 00:05:43.080 --> 00:05:43.720 First of all. 00:05:45.320 --> 00:05:46.180 There are a few places. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:47.139 Where Paul talks about. 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:47.980 The sealing of the spirit. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.060 So let me refer you to it. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:49.900 Another couple of places. 00:05:50.459 --> 00:05:51.240 In 2 Corinthians. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:51.920 For example. 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:52.519 In chapter 1. 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:53.220 In verse 20. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:55.340 He talks there. 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:57.079 About all the promises of God. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:58.139 Being yes. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:05:59.079 In Christ. 00:05:59.280 --> 00:05:59.840 And amen. 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:00.600 In Christ. 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:02.800 Christ is. 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:03.540 The fulfillment. 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:05.139 Of all the Old Testament promises. 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.360 They are yes. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:06.840 And amen. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:07.560 In Christ. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:09.379 And he goes on to say. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:10.060 If that wasn't enough. 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:11.420 To say that all the promises. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:11.879 Of the Bible. 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:13.240 Are summed up. 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:14.040 And fulfilled. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:14.699 In him. 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:16.779 God in Christ says. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:17.339 Yes. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:18.579 And amen. 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:20.899 To us. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:22.279 As if that wasn't enough for us. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:22.979 He goes on to say. 00:06:23.039 --> 00:06:23.800 Now it is God. 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:24.920 Who makes both us. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:25.479 And you. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:26.860 Stand firm. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:27.620 Here's the point. 00:06:28.039 --> 00:06:28.800 In Christ. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:30.120 He anointed us. 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:32.599 And set his seal. 00:06:32.599 --> 00:06:33.279 Of ownership. 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:34.060 Upon us. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:35.539 And put his spirit. 00:06:35.659 --> 00:06:36.319 In our hearts. 00:06:36.419 --> 00:06:37.099 As a deposit. 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:37.860 Guaranteeing. 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:38.599 What is to come. 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:40.860 Those who have trusted. 00:06:40.860 --> 00:06:41.860 In Christ. 00:06:42.839 --> 00:06:44.180 He has anointed us. 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:46.659 Christ means. 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:48.599 And the anointed one. 00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:50.039 That's what the word Christ means. 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:51.479 It's not a surname. 00:06:51.659 --> 00:06:52.259 Jesus' parents. 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:52.800 But not Mr. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:53.099 And Mrs. 00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:53.639 Christ. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:56.279 It was Jesus of Nazareth. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:06:57.159 The Christ. 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:58.319 The anointed one. 00:06:59.019 --> 00:06:59.759 The Messiah. 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:00.800 The prophet. 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:01.240 Priest. 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:01.899 And king. 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:04.199 So do you remember. 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:04.699 In his baptism. 00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:05.419 In the Jordan. 00:07:06.219 --> 00:07:07.319 You have the three persons. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:08.240 Of the Trinity there. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:11.099 You have a graphic demonstration. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:12.580 Of the father. 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:13.300 Son. 00:07:13.780 --> 00:07:14.740 And holy spirit. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:15.960 Working in our salvation. 00:07:17.020 --> 00:07:17.700 The father. 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:18.640 Is in heaven. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:20.060 The son. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:21.200 Is in the Jordan. 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:22.379 And the spirit. 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:22.960 Comes down. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:23.939 In the form of a dove. 00:07:24.820 --> 00:07:25.400 And a voice. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:26.240 Is heard from heaven. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.480 This is my beloved son. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:28.680 With whom I'm well pleased. 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:29.800 And there's a sense. 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:30.100 In which. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:30.879 At his baptism. 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:32.120 At the age of 30. 00:07:33.460 --> 00:07:34.140 The significance. 00:07:34.140 --> 00:07:35.080 At the age of 30. 00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:35.379 Is that. 00:07:35.580 --> 00:07:36.520 That was when the priest. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:37.540 Would have been ordained. 00:07:38.340 --> 00:07:39.520 Would have been set apart. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.819 For their anointed ministry. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:41.959 At the age of 30. 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.079 Jesus is baptised. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:43.779 In the Jordan River. 00:07:44.859 --> 00:07:46.019 And he's owned. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:46.699 From heaven. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:47.959 As the anointed one. 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:50.219 As the anointed prophet. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:51.079 Priest. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:51.919 And king. 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:54.099 This is. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.479 My beloved son. 00:07:55.599 --> 00:07:56.219 The father says. 00:07:58.279 --> 00:07:59.180 Now there is a sense. 00:07:59.219 --> 00:07:59.859 In which you and I. 00:07:59.859 --> 00:08:00.899 When we come to believe. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.120 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:02.339 --> 00:08:02.879 We receive. 00:08:03.159 --> 00:08:03.799 That same. 00:08:04.099 --> 00:08:04.620 Anointing. 00:08:06.159 --> 00:08:07.199 That is what Paul says. 00:08:07.299 --> 00:08:07.819 In 2 Corinthians. 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:08.379 He says. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:10.480 He has anointed us. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:11.300 In that same. 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:12.259 Kind of way. 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:14.699 And he has sealed us. 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:15.500 With his spirit. 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:17.779 It's almost. 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:18.980 As if God looks down. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:19.540 From heaven. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:20.139 And he says. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:21.240 That is my boy. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:23.540 That is my girl. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:26.139 What is it. 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:26.639 With parents. 00:08:26.719 --> 00:08:27.600 And school photographs. 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:28.579 Kids hate them. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:29.219 Parents love them. 00:08:30.339 --> 00:08:30.759 You know. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:31.279 During manor. 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:32.600 There's big photos. 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:33.220 On the wall. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:33.620 Aren't there. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:35.620 Of all the kids. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:36.360 In certain years. 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:37.220 In the school I was at. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:38.399 About 900 of us. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:39.879 We would all line up. 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:40.300 And you would. 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:41.899 You would have one long photo. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:43.120 And it would come in a scroll. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.620 And you would unwind it. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:47.120 And what did the parents look for? 00:08:48.540 --> 00:08:49.860 What did your parents look for? 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:50.940 In the school photograph? 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:51.940 Your mates. 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:52.960 And the teachers. 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:53.860 And they looked for you today. 00:08:54.180 --> 00:08:54.720 There he is. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:55.379 There she is. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:56.840 There I am. 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:57.379 We see. 00:08:58.340 --> 00:08:59.440 And it's almost like that. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.879 In the teeming millions. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:02.660 Of planet earth. 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:03.279 What are we? 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:05.040 We are little smacks of consciousness. 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:06.360 In this vast universe. 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:07.579 And yet. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:09.199 The father looks and says. 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:11.459 That's my boy. 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:13.579 There's my girl. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.899 Remember how Paul puts it in Romans chapter 8 verse 16. 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:18.199 He says. 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:20.259 The spirit bears witness with our spirit. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:22.799 That we are the children of God. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:24.579 You see. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:25.679 It's a mark of identity. 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:29.699 And if you are wondering who you are as a believer. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:30.439 That is who you are. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:32.180 You are a child of God. 00:09:32.300 --> 00:09:32.980 The father says. 00:09:33.040 --> 00:09:34.020 This is my son. 00:09:34.140 --> 00:09:35.260 This is my daughter. 00:09:36.780 --> 00:09:39.840 He's putting his mark of ownership upon us. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.180 And God is doing that. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:44.000 By giving us his Holy Spirit. 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:46.820 It's interesting. 00:09:46.900 --> 00:09:48.080 As you look at the Ephesians passage. 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:49.460 There's an interesting little detail there. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.200 We should pick up on. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:51.840 Look at verse 11 in Ephesians 1. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:52.440 And following. 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:54.220 There's a change of pronoun. 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:56.960 He says. 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:58.019 In him. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:00.399 In him. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:03.960 We have obtained an inheritance. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:06.440 Having been predestined. 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:09.399 According to the purpose of him. 00:10:09.540 --> 00:10:10.440 Who works all things. 00:10:10.540 --> 00:10:12.120 According to the counsel of his will. 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:15.600 So that we who were the first to hope in Christ. 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:17.340 Might be to the praise of his glory. 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:18.200 In him. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:19.240 You also. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.920 When you heard the word of the truth. 00:10:21.160 --> 00:10:22.460 The gospel of your salvation. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:23.500 And believed in him. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:25.639 Were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:26.039 Did you notice? 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.840 There's two groups of people. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:30.100 I'm going to figure this out this week. 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:31.480 There's two groups of people. 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:33.139 There is we. 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.860 There is we. 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:36.399 Who were the first to hope in Christ. 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.039 Verse 12. 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:39.500 And there is. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.840 You also. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.980 Were included. 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:42.740 Verse 13. 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:44.500 This has come out as clearly in the SV as it should. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:47.399 We. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:49.059 Who were the first to hope in Christ. 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:50.519 And you also were included. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:53.460 Now what is all that about? 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:56.500 Surely what Paul is saying is this. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.799 Who were the first to hope in Christ. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:10:59.220 The Messiah. 00:10:59.320 --> 00:10:59.919 They were the Jews. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:03.759 You remember the covenant God made with Israel. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:04.320 His people. 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:05.500 On Mount Sinai. 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:07.240 Where the terms of the covenant. 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:09.259 Were outlined. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:09.259 Were outlined. 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:09.519 Were they. 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:10.759 In Exodus chapter 19. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.740 This he says. 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:14.259 This is what you are to be. 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:15.179 To the house of Israel. 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:16.820 And what I want you. 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:17.899 To tell that. 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:18.639 The people of Israel. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:18.940 Moses. 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:20.059 This is what I want. 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:21.039 To reveal myself. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:21.539 To them. 00:11:22.599 --> 00:11:23.339 You yourselves. 00:11:23.339 --> 00:11:24.639 Have seen what I did. 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:25.299 To Egypt. 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:27.099 How I carried you on eagles wings. 00:11:28.099 --> 00:11:29.359 And brought you to myself. 00:11:29.459 --> 00:11:29.739 And he says. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:30.519 Now if you obey. 00:11:31.119 --> 00:11:31.519 Me. 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:32.659 And my covenant. 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:33.619 And keep it fully. 00:11:33.739 --> 00:11:34.639 Then out of all the nations. 00:11:34.739 --> 00:11:36.139 You will be my treasured possession. 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:38.960 And although the whole earth. 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.779 Is mine. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.199 You will be for me. 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:42.039 A kingdom of priests. 00:11:42.699 --> 00:11:43.399 A holy nation. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.419 That is what Israel was. 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.939 They were the chosen people of God. 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:47.699 To be God's treasured possession. 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:50.279 To be a kingdom of priests. 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:51.220 Of anointed ones. 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.419 To be a holy nation. 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:53.340 And Paul says. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:54.519 That is true of us Jews. 00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:56.799 We were the first to hope. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:57.600 But you too. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.220 You Gentiles. 00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:00.340 You non-Jews. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:01.600 You are now included in that. 00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:04.100 And he's trying to reassure. 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.120 The Ephesian Christians. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:06.200 These Gentile believers. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:07.659 You are not second class. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:10.620 You're not in some sort of. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.980 Different category. 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.259 To a test of believers. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.840 When you heard. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:16.480 And when you believed in Jesus. 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.679 And when you trusted in him. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:20.159 You too were included. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.200 And you too. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.580 Became God's treasured possession. 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:27.600 You became God's anointed one. 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:29.680 We are a kingdom of priests. 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.419 What's he saying? 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.639 He's saying that is what we are now. 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:37.120 That God has sent his ownership upon us. 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.460 And we belong to him. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:41.679 We've become full members. 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.560 Of the people of God. 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.500 Of God's treasured possession. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.019 That's one thing we can say. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.139 About the sealing of the Holy Spirit. 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:49.440 It's God's stamp of ownership. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:52.419 But the seal is more than that. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.980 It's more than really. 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.500 A mark of identification. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.940 He is also. 00:12:58.940 --> 00:12:59.840 Our security. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:02.340 It's a lovely story. 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.019 From history of. 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:04.080 Alexander the Great. 00:13:05.040 --> 00:13:06.320 It's said that Alexander the Great. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.280 Once sent an adversary. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:08.040 To Egypt. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.519 And this representative. 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:11.879 Of Alexander the Great. 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:13.580 He traveled without weapons. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.960 And without military escort. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.240 And he carried. 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.460 Only the seal. 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.480 Of Alexander the Great. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:22.379 And as the story goes. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.920 He met with the king of Egypt. 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:26.440 Who stood with his vast army. 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.100 Behind him. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.220 And he communicated. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:29.920 This message. 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:31.039 From Alexander the Great. 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:31.860 To the king of Egypt. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.019 And this was the message. 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.659 Cease hostility. 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:37.240 Cease hostilities. 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.840 Against Alexander's interest. 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:42.740 The king of Egypt. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.840 Wanting to save face. 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.220 Said he would consider the request. 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.180 And let them know. 00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:48.259 About it. 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:49.820 At that. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.960 Alexander's emissary. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.060 Drew a circle. 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.780 In the dirt. 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.560 Around the king. 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:54.660 The king of Egypt. 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.320 And he said to him. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.899 Do not leave this circle. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.420 Without giving me your answer. 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:01.340 I talked about nerve. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.420 Even whose army. 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.000 Might have said. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.320 He was on his own. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.340 He had no weapons. 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:10.740 There was no army backing him. 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:13.180 All he had was the seal. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.040 Of Alexander the Great. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.680 The king of Egypt. 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:17.639 Had an entire army. 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.200 At his back. 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:20.560 And yet the king. 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.100 Didn't dare touch this man. 00:14:23.160 --> 00:14:24.519 Because he carried the seal. 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.480 Of Alexander the Great. 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:27.340 To touch him. 00:14:28.160 --> 00:14:28.759 Was to touch. 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.560 Alexander the Great. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.220 To disobey him. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.420 Was to disobey. 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.259 Alexander the Great. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.180 To give affront to him. 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:35.900 Was to give affront. 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:36.860 To Alexander the Great. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:39.320 And realizing this. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.539 After a long tense moment. 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:41.620 In which the king. 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.500 Assessed his options. 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.180 He said. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.899 Tell Alexander. 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:47.060 He has his request. 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:48.500 And then he said. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.000 I got a circle. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:51.600 Now you and I. 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:52.080 What courage. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.800 That should give us. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.879 When we find ourselves. 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:57.879 In a similar situation. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.759 In the workplace. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.560 When we stand. 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.560 For God's words. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.120 And we face. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.960 Great ridicule. 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:06.500 In evangelism. 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.360 When we speak to people. 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:09.340 And they mock. 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:12.420 In all sorts of situations. 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.320 What a wonderful thing. 00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:14.060 It is to realize. 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:15.000 That we might feel. 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:15.780 Very intimidated. 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.519 We might feel. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.320 Threatened by. 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.840 The people that we're talking to. 00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.660 And by our culture. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.620 But we carry the seal. 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.639 Not of Alexander the Great. 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:25.180 But Jesus. 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:25.920 The greatest. 00:15:27.780 --> 00:15:28.840 The king of the universe. 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:29.259 We hide. 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.300 His emissaries. 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:32.879 And we are protected. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.779 By his seal. 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.199 Which he has put us. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.559 On us. 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:37.179 With the Holy Spirit. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.979 It is our safety. 00:15:38.099 --> 00:15:38.859 It is our security. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:39.319 You see. 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.059 The story of a man. 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.779 From North Africa. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.479 Who was a believer. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.519 He's fleeing from persecution. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.500 And his enemies. 00:15:45.599 --> 00:15:46.639 Are relentlessly pursuing. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.399 This African man. 00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:48.000 He's on the run. 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.319 He goes through. 00:15:51.359 --> 00:15:52.099 The African countryside. 00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:53.199 Until he fell exhausted. 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.299 Into a small cave. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.000 And he expected. 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.879 That they would catch up. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.439 With him there. 00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:57.959 And he eventually. 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:58.620 Would be killed. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:01.340 But he just wasn't able. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.820 To keep running. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.779 So he just fell. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.060 Exhausted to the ground. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.919 Into this cave. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.519 And he waited. 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:06.879 There was nowhere else to hide. 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.340 And as he sat there. 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.200 Waiting for his enemies. 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.139 To catch up with him. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.919 Waiting for certain death. 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.500 He thought. 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.500 He noticed. 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.179 A spider. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.159 Weaving a web. 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.480 And within minutes. 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:18.940 The little insect. 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:20.320 It was a beautiful pattern. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.060 Across the mouth. 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:21.679 Of the cave. 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.120 Only a small cave. 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.120 And by the time. 00:16:24.180 --> 00:16:24.700 The pursuers. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.519 The enemies arrived. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.899 They saw the spider's web. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.399 And they just assumed. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.459 That he couldn't possibly. 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:30.259 Be in the cave. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.699 They figured out. 00:16:32.959 --> 00:16:33.559 They figured. 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.500 That he would have broken. 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.299 The web. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.399 If he'd gone into that cave. 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.379 And so they just went on. 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.139 And he was safe. 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.240 That man later. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:40.860 Wrote this. 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:42.100 His name was Frederick Nolan. 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.579 And he wrote this little ditty. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.159 This little reflection. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.159 On his experience. 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.139 He said. 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:49.439 Where God is. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.600 A spider's web. 00:16:51.699 --> 00:16:52.840 Is like a wall. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.460 Where God is not. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:57.040 A wall. 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:58.240 Is like a spider's web. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.580 Where God is. 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.420 A spider's web. 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.220 Is like a wall. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.600 Where God is not. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.079 A wall. 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.160 Is like a spider's web. 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.640 And that is the kind of security. 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.259 That we have. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.779 As believers. 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.799 The Holy Spirit. 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.740 Has taken up residence. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.440 In our hearts. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.220 The spirit. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.039 Is shy. 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:22.880 The spirit. 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.319 Is not. 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.299 Demonstrative. 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:26.399 The spirit. 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.339 Is not loud. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.919 The spirit. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.740 Is often silent. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.519 He takes a silent. 00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.519 Residence within us. 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.480 And he is soft. 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.440 And he is quiet. 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:39.119 His presence. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:39.819 In us. 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:42.960 Sometimes. 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.700 Like a very. 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.599 Delicate thing. 00:17:46.159 --> 00:17:46.919 He's sometimes. 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.399 Grieved by us. 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.680 Scripture says. 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.940 And the thread. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.980 Is easily broken. 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.240 Like a spider's web. 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.900 But where God is. 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.799 A spider's web. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.640 Is like a wall. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.160 And if you have the Holy Spirit. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.599 In your life. 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.240 Prompting you. 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.120 Convicting you. 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.200 Putting his finger. 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.220 On your sins. 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.420 Pointing you to Jesus. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.599 If the Holy Spirit. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.680 Is at work within you. 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.599 Where God is. 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.500 A spider's web. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.279 Is like a wall. 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:13.700 And God has woven. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.660 The Holy Spirit. 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:17.180 The web of the Spirit. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.759 Over the doorway. 00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:18.259 Of your life. 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.019 He has shielded us. 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.779 How safe. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.740 Are the saved. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.079 How safe. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.799 Do you feel. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.619 How safe. 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.279 Are the saved. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.440 We couldn't be safer. 00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.660 God has shielded us. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.500 With his Holy Spirit. 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.220 Claiming us. 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.660 As his own. 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.119 Possession. 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:36.339 And protecting us. 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.359 With his power. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.139 But that is something else. 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:38.960 That goes deeper than that. 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.079 There is another metaphor. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.259 That Paul picks up on. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.039 Not only does God. 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.779 Seal us. 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:44.480 With his spirit. 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.160 And claim us. 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.200 As his own possession. 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.180 But do you see. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.620 He uses his other metaphor. 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.880 He says that. 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:51.579 We have been given. 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.000 The Holy Spirit. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.160 As a pledge. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.340 He has pledged himself. 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.400 To give us our inheritance. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.579 Look at verse 14. 00:18:58.340 --> 00:18:59.039 The ESV says. 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:00.240 He is the guarantee. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.000 Of our inheritance. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.799 He. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.779 Is the guarantee. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.279 Who not it. 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.220 He not it. 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.240 This isn't some force. 00:19:16.340 --> 00:19:18.220 This isn't some influence. 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.460 This is the third person. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.420 Of the blessed trinity. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.200 Who is a deposit. 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:26.360 Who is the guarantee. 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.500 Of our inheritance. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.579 Until we acquire. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.360 Possession of it. 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:31.440 To the praise of his glory. 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.519 So what do you do. 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:33.900 When you want. 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.860 When you want to buy a house. 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.340 You put a deposit down. 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:40.119 What does God do. 00:19:41.419 --> 00:19:42.839 He puts a deposit down. 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:44.839 2 Corinthians 5. 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.839 Is another place. 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:46.480 Where he talks about. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.799 The sealing of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:50.619 He talks about living. 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.480 In a tent. 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.859 Our bodies are like tents. 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.319 That's our current situation. 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.319 We are camping out. 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.259 And. 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.119 You know. 00:19:59.159 --> 00:19:59.399 Don't you. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.000 And we know. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.379 As we grow older. 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:03.240 The tent gets a little bit more rickety. 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.339 And our existence. 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:07.059 Seems just a little bit more. 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.759 Precarious. 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.700 And there's aches. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.279 And pains. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.059 And joints. 00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.879 That don't work like they did. 00:20:12.919 --> 00:20:13.819 It's just like camping out. 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.299 In a tent. 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:15.159 In inclement weather. 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.539 And he describes that. 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:17.879 And he says. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.279 We know. 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:19.399 That if the earthly tent. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:19.879 We live in. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.759 Is destroyed. 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.000 What will happen to us then. 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.579 Is it curtains? 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.220 No. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.480 He says. 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:24.799 We know. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.519 That if suddenly. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.200 Our tent. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.659 Is blown away. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.379 If this earthly tent. 00:20:29.419 --> 00:20:30.519 Of our present existence. 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.139 Is destroyed. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.059 We have a building. 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:32.519 To go to. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.919 A building from God. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.819 An eternal house. 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.259 In heaven. 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:38.619 Not built by human hands. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.119 Meanwhile. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.079 We groan. 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:40.539 He says. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:42.159 Longing to be clothed. 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.139 By our heavenly dwelling. 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:45.740 Because when we are clothed. 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.839 We will not be found naked. 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.480 For while we are in this tent. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.139 We groan. 00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:51.559 We are very good groaners. 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:51.879 Aren't we? 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.700 We complain. 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.099 And we are burdened. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:57.359 But we don't wish to be unclothed. 00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:58.179 But to be clothed. 00:20:58.179 --> 00:20:59.139 With our heavenly dwelling. 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:02.680 We are longing for this. 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.300 That is what you were made for. 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:05.660 You see. 00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:08.759 So that what is mortal. 00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:10.840 May be swallowed up by life. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.440 Now he says. 00:21:13.520 --> 00:21:14.740 It is God who made us. 00:21:14.780 --> 00:21:15.780 For this very person. 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.160 And listen. 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.700 Has given the spirit. 00:21:17.800 --> 00:21:18.620 As a deposit. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.340 Guaranteeing what is to come. 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:23.820 So if you want to buy something big. 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.620 You put down. 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:24.960 Don't you? 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.240 A deposit. 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.460 You put down a lump sum. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.759 A first payment. 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.799 Guaranteeing that the rest is to come. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.940 That is what God has done in your life. 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.160 And so if you have heard. 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.620 The simple gospel. 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.819 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.120 And his death on the cross. 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.960 For you as a sinner. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.160 If you have heard that gospel. 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.059 And put your trust. 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:49.440 And you rely on Jesus Christ alone. 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:52.539 God has put a down payment on your life. 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.839 He has made a payment on the house. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:58.420 That you are going to live in for all eternity. 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.759 It is a guarantee. 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.660 He has given you the Holy Spirit. 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.559 As a guarantee of that. 00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:06.220 But it is more than that. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.519 Isn't it? 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.359 Because in the fact. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.500 The word that he uses. 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.039 Well. 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.019 It is. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.859 It is more than a guarantee. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.140 It is actually the first installment. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.000 It is a down payment. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.740 In the sense that he has given us. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.839 A foretaste of what is to come. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:22.959 Now. 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.039 This is fantastic. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.919 When you come to think about it. 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.139 As Christians. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.919 We should believe in time travel. 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.139 You can do a degree. 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.599 Can't you know. 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.359 In time travel. 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:38.039 I don't think it's the UWE. 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.959 But you can do a degree in it. 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.539 But we should believe in time travel. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.339 Let me explain that. 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:44.079 Because in the gospel. 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:46.539 When we put our trust in Christ. 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:50.019 We don't go into the future. 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:53.259 But the future comes into us. 00:22:55.199 --> 00:22:56.959 And so when somebody is born again. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.779 By the Holy Spirit. 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:59.759 They begin to experience the power of the age. 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.859 To come now in your life. 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:04.220 And God gives you a foretaste. 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:06.359 Of what it's going to be like. 00:23:06.959 --> 00:23:08.099 In the new heavens and the earth. 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:08.939 It's only a taste. 00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:11.379 It's only a taste. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.500 And in our better moments. 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:14.179 We wouldn't trade it for anything. 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.319 Being Christians. 00:23:15.719 --> 00:23:17.980 The spirit at work in our hearts and lives. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.799 We wouldn't want to change that for anything. 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.039 But it's only a little taste. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.240 It's only a taste of heaven. 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.939 Because heaven is not our final destination. 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.579 We've seen that. 00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:28.419 In Isaiah. 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.480 Heaven isn't. 00:23:31.719 --> 00:23:33.119 The head of final destination. 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.519 Heaven is the transit land. 00:23:34.719 --> 00:23:35.939 The transit land. 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.639 To our waiting. 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:39.020 Heaven is looking forward. 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:41.020 To the new creation of the heavens and the earth. 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:44.220 Our final destination. 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:47.020 Is resurrected bodies. 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:48.700 With brilliant minds. 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:50.120 In a transformed universe. 00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:52.700 And that's where we're headed. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.200 And God puts. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.500 A little bit of that. 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:59.000 Into you. 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:02.120 When he puts his Holy Spirit. 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.120 He gives us. 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.840 Just a little inkling. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.059 Of what it's going to be like. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.419 There's a lovely story. 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.299 About Fanny Crosby. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.000 The hymn writer. 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.079 And she wrote. 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:14.059 A very famous hymn. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.679 It's a little bit twee. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.480 But we're going to sing it. 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.459 At the end of the service. 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.019 Blessed assurance. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.679 Jesus is mine. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.359 Oh. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.839 What a fortress. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.059 Of glory divine. 00:24:24.699 --> 00:24:25.240 It's a great hymn. 00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:25.659 Actually. 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:27.860 But there's a back story. 00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:28.779 That you might not know. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:31.519 Fanny Crosby was blind. 00:24:32.820 --> 00:24:34.640 When she was six weeks old. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.840 She had a slight cold. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.980 And her eyes were inflamed. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:41.259 A doctor gave her the wrong medication. 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.120 And she went blind. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:43.480 She lived until she was 95. 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:46.480 She married a blind musician. 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.500 And they had one child. 00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:49.460 Who died in infancy. 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:52.480 She wrote more than. 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:54.860 She wrote more than 8,000 hymns. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.740 And the overwhelming. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.759 Emotion. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.579 In Fanny Crosby's hymns. 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.000 Is one of joy. 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:06.779 When she was in her 50s. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:08.360 Phoebe Palmer Knapp. 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.640 Composed the tune. 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.680 And brought it to her. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.680 And Fanny Crosby told Phoebe. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.380 Play it for me. 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:17.079 She played it. 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.200 On the piano. 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:18.579 And said. 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.779 What does the tune say? 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.179 She played it again. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.720 She played it a third time. 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.099 And Fanny Crosby said. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.000 Blessed assurance. 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.799 Jesus is mine. 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.179 Oh what a foretaste. 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.179 Of glory divine. 00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.960 She wrote that psalm. 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:37.039 In a very very short time. 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:40.919 A minister once told Fanny Crosby. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.839 That it was too bad. 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.919 That God did not give her. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.720 The gift of sight. 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.819 And this is what she said. 00:25:45.699 --> 00:25:46.759 If I had been given. 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.839 A choice at birth. 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.519 I would mask be blind. 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:53.419 For when I get to heaven. 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:55.779 The first face I will see. 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:57.960 Will be the face of the one who died for me. 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:05.279 That is someone who has the Holy Spirit living in her. 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.659 Isn't it? 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:08.360 You can sense the excitement. 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.360 Sense the anticipation. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.540 She's not grumbling. 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:14.480 Grumbling and complaining about her lot in life. 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.160 She's looking forward. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.560 The first face I will see. 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.560 Is the face of one who died for me. 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:18.980 Blessed. 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.620 Assurance. 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:21.140 Jesus. 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:21.940 Is mine. 00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:22.380 Oh. 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.580 What a foretaste of glory. 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:25.980 Divine. 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.140 We've received the guarantee. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.819 We have the deposit. 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.500 The down payment. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.900 Now let me try and apply this. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.120 As one said of the Puritan. 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.860 Richard Siv. 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.880 It was one of the great Puritans. 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.480 That heaven was in him. 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:39.079 Before he was in heaven. 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.240 It's a great thing to say. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:43.259 It's a great thing to say of anybody. 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.779 But what I'm trying to tell you tonight. 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.660 Is that as true of you. 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:48.599 If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.759 Heaven is in us. 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.799 Before we get to heaven. 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.339 Heaven begun below. 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.720 That is what it means to be a Christian. 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.660 Now let me try and apply it. 00:26:58.059 --> 00:27:00.220 I think this should really affect. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.180 The way that we live. 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:04.180 It should lead to holiness. 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.380 In our lives. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.160 Come with me to Ephesians 4. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:09.839 Verse 30. 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:11.039 Just over the page. 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:14.779 Paul there is contrasting light and darkness. 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.759 And he's talking about the Christian lifestyle. 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:18.980 And he's comparing it with the kind of lifestyle. 00:27:19.159 --> 00:27:20.059 That we used to live. 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.759 We used to indulge in it. 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.720 Before we became Christians. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.619 And in the midst of that. 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:26.220 He talks about all sorts of things. 00:27:26.959 --> 00:27:28.459 He talks about the way we talk to one another. 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:30.399 About how we meet one another's needs. 00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:32.139 But he says in verse 30. 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.799 Doesn't he? 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:34.240 Chapter 4. 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.419 How can I reference right? 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.799 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:41.039 With whom he was sealed for the day of redemption. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:46.460 You see to have the Holy Spirit living in your life. 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:48.980 Is a huge spur to holiness. 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:55.460 Think what spirit dwells within you. 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.200 Says the hymn writer. 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:58.779 Think. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.480 Think. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.240 Think. 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.019 Think this week. 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:05.379 The Holy Spirit dwells within you. 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:08.720 What a father loves you yet. 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:10.460 What a saviour dies to win you. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.319 Child of heaven. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.900 Why should you fret? 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:15.119 Think you are not your own. 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:17.579 You are bought with a price. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:19.019 You are the Lord's now. 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:21.000 And his spirit dwells within you. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.960 Think about that. 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.720 H.G. Wells. 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.859 And tells of the day. 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.559 Days when he was newly married. 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:32.359 H.G. Wells was a very successful author. 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:34.220 And in the early days of his marriage. 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.119 He was very well known. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:37.079 And it was a time of great pleasure. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.799 There were great massive temptations. 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.740 Because of his great success. 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.659 The world was his oyster. 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:44.279 The world was opening up for him. 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:46.039 Women were throwing themselves at him. 00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:47.759 And this is what he said. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.460 As far as I know. 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.720 H.G. Wells wasn't a believer. 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.279 He said. 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:53.899 It was as well for me. 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:56.179 That behind the folding doors. 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.899 Of 12 Mornington Road. 00:28:57.900 --> 00:29:01.160 There slept one so pure and so clean. 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:04.040 That I could not bear to stand before her. 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:05.420 Squalid or drunken. 00:29:05.800 --> 00:29:07.280 And shaven or base. 00:29:09.780 --> 00:29:12.460 Think who lives behind the doors. 00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:13.920 Of 12 Mornington Road. 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:15.220 As far as you are concerned. 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.519 Or whatever address your address is. 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:21.759 Think what spirit dwells within you. 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:25.240 It's not the spirit of Mrs. H.G. Wells. 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.720 Lovely as she might have been. 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.640 But the Holy Spirit. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:29.059 The Spirit of Jesus Christ. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.779 The third person of the Blessed Trinity. 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.859 Think about. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:35.519 That he's easily offended you know. 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.900 Think about that before you speak. 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:41.460 Think about that before you indulge. 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.480 In some course of action. 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.980 That would grieve the Holy Spirit. 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:46.339 The Spirit's present in us. 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:47.900 Is a constant reminder. 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:50.640 To us that we are a work in progress. 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:54.080 And the God who began a good work. 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.720 And he will bring it to completion. 00:29:56.280 --> 00:29:57.420 On the day of Christ. 00:29:57.520 --> 00:29:58.600 He is at work within us. 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:01.720 Don't quench the Spirit's fire. 00:30:03.140 --> 00:30:05.380 Be sensitive to his presence. 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:07.500 What a spirit of holiness. 00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.780 And what a reason to hope. 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:14.500 I love the way Paul describes himself. 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.700 In Ephesians 1 again. 00:30:15.780 --> 00:30:16.900 Just come back there with me. 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:19.400 If you look at chapter 1 and verse 12. 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:20.380 He says so that we. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:22.480 Who were the first to hope in Christ. 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:25.200 The first to hope in the Messiah. 00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:30.340 Our society is hopeless. 00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:33.080 It is hopeless. 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:37.360 And that's why people have lost hope. 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:37.740 Haven't they? 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:42.740 Why do people behave like they do. 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:44.240 In your work parties. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.900 When you go out with the parents. 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.680 From school. 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:50.680 Why do they behave in the way that they do. 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.460 It's because they've got nothing to look forward to. 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:56.279 And if you've got nothing to look forward to. 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:58.480 Well you've got no reason to live well. 00:31:00.120 --> 00:31:02.160 Biblical hope is not hoping for the best. 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.559 It's not whistling in the dark. 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.920 It's not hoping in its hope. 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:09.440 Biblical hope is a life shaping certainty. 00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:11.000 About your future. 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:14.940 And what you believe about your future. 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.539 Will either sweeten your life. 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.440 Or it will sour it. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:17.840 Won't it? 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.779 What you believe about your life. 00:31:20.840 --> 00:31:22.220 Will either brighten you. 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.400 Or darken you. 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:26.000 George Bernard Shaw. 00:31:26.080 --> 00:31:26.960 On his 19th birthday. 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:27.980 Said something really interesting. 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.940 Especially when you know the kind of man he was. 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.140 He wasn't a believer. 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.980 He was an atheist. 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:34.380 He was an easy bloke to live with. 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.620 Cantankerous. 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.099 So and so. 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:36.700 In lots of ways. 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.759 And on his 19th birthday. 00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:39.140 He's reported to have said this. 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:42.120 Our conduct is influenced. 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:44.059 Not so much by our experience. 00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:46.319 As by our expectation. 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:51.279 Our conduct is influenced. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.680 Not so much by our experience. 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:54.360 But by our expectation. 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.900 You'd love to be a fly on the wall. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.299 Wouldn't you? 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:59.019 You can imagine the kind of situation. 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.559 His grandchild says to him. 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:02.019 You ought to know better at your age. 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:05.119 And this was his excuse. 00:32:05.419 --> 00:32:06.220 Well I've lived 90. 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.119 I've lived a long life. 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.259 But my conduct. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:09.599 Is influenced. 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:11.379 Not so much by my experience. 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:12.680 As by my expectation. 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:13.960 And what am I going to look forward to. 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.740 At 90 years old. 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.319 He was an atheist. 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.720 He didn't have any to look forward to. 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.359 And therefore. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:23.139 He had no reason to behave himself. 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:25.920 But you and I. 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:27.259 Whether we live to 90. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.220 Or not. 00:32:29.820 --> 00:32:30.920 We've got something great. 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.700 To look forward to. 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.100 We have a future. 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.560 And a hope. 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:35.720 That is not a forlorn hope. 00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:37.160 It is a hope. 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.720 That is grounded. 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.680 In the resurrection. 00:32:38.800 --> 00:32:39.240 Of Jesus. 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:40.460 Risen from the dead. 00:32:40.540 --> 00:32:41.640 And sealed to us. 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.520 By the Holy Spirit. 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.200 Who has given us. 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.700 A deposit. 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.080 Guaranteeing what is to come. 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.680 And it should fill us. 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.060 With hope. 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.240 That brings me right back. 00:32:50.320 --> 00:32:50.759 To the start. 00:32:50.820 --> 00:32:51.600 To where we began. 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:53.020 Can you be a Christian. 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.660 And not believe. 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.359 In the Holy Spirit. 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.420 Look at what it says. 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.079 In verse 13. 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.680 And you also. 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.859 Were included in Christ. 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.460 When you heard. 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.200 The word of truth. 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.599 The gospel of your salvation. 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.839 And having believed. 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.660 You were marked. 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.319 In him. 00:33:06.879 --> 00:33:07.839 You were sealed. 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.660 With the promise. 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.259 The Holy Spirit. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.619 He is talking about. 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.460 People becoming Christians. 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:15.079 And he is really saying. 00:33:15.139 --> 00:33:16.359 You cannot hear the gospel. 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.400 And believe it. 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:18.579 Without being at the same time. 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.720 Sealed by the Holy Spirit. 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:23.319 So you go to Acts chapter 19. 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.180 And that story. 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.779 About these people. 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.920 Who never heard of the Holy Spirit. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.960 What does Paul do. 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:27.960 With those people. 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.819 Well I will tell you what he does. 00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:29.819 He tells them about Jesus. 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:32.559 And he preaches the gospel to them. 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:35.079 And the Holy Spirit comes. 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:36.680 In a very demonstrable way. 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.079 To them. 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:38.900 But the Holy Spirit. 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.779 Does not come to them. 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.960 Until they believe in Jesus. 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.440 And the point is. 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.420 You cannot have Jesus. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.279 Without the Holy Spirit. 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:48.420 And you cannot have the Holy Spirit. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.599 Unless you have Christ. 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:54.559 They are indesolubly. 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.500 Indesolubly. 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.299 Bound together. 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.700 Let me finish with this lovely story. 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.579 There is a story about a man. 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.339 Who was an art collector. 00:34:01.399 --> 00:34:01.920 He had. 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.920 A huge collection. 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:05.019 Of very famous. 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.779 Priceless works. 00:34:05.879 --> 00:34:06.319 He died. 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:07.920 And. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:09.079 In the collection. 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:10.840 In pride of place. 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.360 Was a portrait of his son. 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.460 Who was a war hero. 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:15.920 And it had been painted. 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:17.159 By one of the young men. 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:18.599 Whose lives had been saved. 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.059 By. 00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:21.340 The owner's son. 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:22.340 This young man. 00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.500 And it had a pride of place. 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.019 In the collection. 00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:26.599 And it wasn't a great work of art. 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:28.440 But it was there. 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:29.559 Anyway. 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.260 The man died. 00:34:30.340 --> 00:34:30.760 And eventually. 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.340 They got around. 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.079 Holding the auction. 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:33.579 People came from all over the world. 00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.960 To buy the great works of art. 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:37.220 And they all turned up. 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.599 And on an easel. 00:34:38.720 --> 00:34:39.340 On the platform. 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:41.019 Was the portrait. 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.940 Of this man's son. 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:43.380 The auctioneer. 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.200 Pounded his gavel. 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:44.619 And he says. 00:34:44.700 --> 00:34:45.599 We'll start the bidding. 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.420 With this picture. 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.079 Of the son. 00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:47.860 Who will bid. 00:34:48.760 --> 00:34:49.440 For this picture. 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.480 It's embarrassed silence. 00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:52.240 Then a shout. 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.220 Came from the back of the room. 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:54.240 We don't want that picture. 00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:55.920 We want to see the great works of art. 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:56.820 The famous picture. 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.740 It's the Rembrandts. 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.480 And the Picassos. 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:00.880 And so on. 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:02.119 The auctioneer persisted. 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:03.860 Will someone bid. 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.840 For this painting. 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.019 Who will start the bidding. 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:07.019 At ten dollars. 00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:08.059 Again silence. 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.760 We didn't come to see that painting. 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:12.020 We've come to see the man gone. 00:35:12.520 --> 00:35:13.340 And the Rembrandts. 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.000 Get on with it. 00:35:14.120 --> 00:35:15.380 The auctioneer was unmoved. 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.380 The son. 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.640 Who will take the son. 00:35:21.560 --> 00:35:23.360 Finally a voice came from the back of the room. 00:35:23.580 --> 00:35:25.520 It was the family's long time gardener. 00:35:25.700 --> 00:35:27.040 Probably embarrassed by the whole thing. 00:35:27.100 --> 00:35:27.320 He said. 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.900 I'll give ten dollars for the painting. 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.660 That's all he can afford. 00:35:31.820 --> 00:35:33.660 I suppose he felt embarrassed for the family. 00:35:33.660 --> 00:35:35.600 We have ten dollars. 00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:37.000 Who will bid twenty dollars. 00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:37.880 Said the auctioneer. 00:35:38.080 --> 00:35:38.460 Silence. 00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:41.420 The crowd grew more and more restless. 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.639 More and more annoyed. 00:35:42.780 --> 00:35:43.800 They haven't come for this. 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.800 Going once. 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.480 Going twice. 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:48.199 Said the auctioneer. 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.519 Sold at ten dollars. 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.760 Now let's go on with the auction. 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:53.220 Shouted a man in the second row. 00:35:53.579 --> 00:35:55.199 But the auctioneer laid down his gavel. 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.659 And said the auction is now ended. 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.679 What about the paintings? 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.440 Wrote the crowd. 00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:01.019 I'm sorry. 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.940 Said the auctioneer. 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:03.179 The auction is ended. 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.840 And when he was called to explain. 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:08.240 Apparently there had been a secret stipulation in the will. 00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:10.679 That only the painting of the sun would be auctioned. 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:12.779 And whoever took the sun. 00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:15.819 Got the entire collection. 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:19.039 Now I don't know if that's a true story. 00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:20.719 It's a slightly preacher's story isn't it? 00:36:20.819 --> 00:36:20.939 But. 00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:23.099 It would be lovely if it was. 00:36:23.179 --> 00:36:25.059 But there is something even more wonderful than that. 00:36:26.779 --> 00:36:28.179 And it's what we've been talking about this evening. 00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:29.979 What I've been trying to say to you this evening. 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:33.440 That whoever takes the sun. 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:34.960 Gets everything. 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:37.440 Gets everything. 00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:40.179 You take Jesus Christ tonight. 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:41.880 To be your saviour and your lord. 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:43.900 And you get the new heavens and the new earth. 00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:46.260 Got everything you can imagine. 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:49.840 You take Jesus as your lord and saviour. 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.340 The gospel. 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.619 Which is the word of truth. 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:54.019 It's true and it's gospel. 00:36:54.179 --> 00:36:55.059 It is good news. 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:56.860 Most religions say you've got to do this. 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.759 And you've got to do that. 00:36:58.679 --> 00:37:01.659 To be saved the gospel tells you what God has done. 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:05.039 That he has not spared up his own son. 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:07.039 But he has given him up for us all. 00:37:07.259 --> 00:37:08.559 And whoever takes the sun. 00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:09.259 Gets everything. 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.699 Whoever takes the sun. 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.739 Gets the Holy Spirit. 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:15.960 Let's start. 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:16.659 Let's sing. 00:37:16.659 --> 00:37:46.639 Let's sing.