WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.500 Romans chapter 5 is where we are this morning. 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:15.700 Last week we did verse 1 and we're going to read verse 1 through verse 5. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:28.179 ! Romans chapter 5, verse 1 says, 00:00:28.179 --> 00:00:29.260 ! Therefore, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.359 since we have been justified by faith, 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:36.000 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:39.820 Through Him we have also obtained access by faith 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:42.120 into this grace in which we stand. 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:45.759 And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:49.060 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:51.679 knowing that suffering produces endurance, 00:00:52.240 --> 00:00:53.939 and endurance produces character, 00:00:54.460 --> 00:00:56.019 and character produces hope, 00:00:56.019 --> 00:00:58.100 and hope does not put us to shame, 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:01.060 because God's love has been poured into our hearts 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:03.600 through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 00:01:03.980 --> 00:01:04.680 Let's pray together. 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:10.420 Father, we know it is a privilege 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:12.520 and a great opportunity to meet together 00:01:12.520 --> 00:01:14.760 with our brothers and sisters, 00:01:14.860 --> 00:01:16.220 with your saints. 00:01:16.219 --> 00:01:21.840 Lord, we know that you have called us all here for a purpose, 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:22.560 for a reason. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:26.939 We know that your word does not return void. 00:01:26.939 --> 00:01:29.179 So God, as we read your word, 00:01:29.640 --> 00:01:30.780 and as your word is preached, 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:33.000 I pray, God, that your word would not return void. 00:01:35.099 --> 00:01:38.679 That hardened hearts would be softened. 00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:42.579 That soft hearts would be more receptive 00:01:42.579 --> 00:01:45.439 and more obedient to what you have told us 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:46.259 and taught us. 00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:51.100 That those in here that don't even know you 00:01:51.100 --> 00:01:52.840 would come to know you 00:01:52.840 --> 00:01:55.880 because they have heard from you this morning. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:01:59.800 That you have called them to yourself this morning. 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:04.140 I pray, God, that the words that are spoken 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:05.040 would be your words. 00:02:05.820 --> 00:02:07.660 That you would be exalted on high. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:11.400 That people would leave here 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:13.980 not feeling good, 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:16.760 not having this emotional experience, 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:25.500 but being one mind, one spirit, 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:28.900 praising you as we leave this place, 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:32.040 desiring to exalt you alone. 00:02:34.219 --> 00:02:36.620 Thank you for this opportunity and this time. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:38.780 I pray that you are pleased and you are honored. 00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:40.620 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:45.680 Assurance is a word that isn't used 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:48.879 as much as it is practiced or worked towards. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:51.719 For example, college students. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:54.800 You guys go to college to get a degree 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:58.860 so that you're assured a good, well-paying job. 00:03:00.040 --> 00:03:02.700 Parents raise kids a certain way 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:04.400 to assure that their children 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:09.439 turn out to be good, obedient, and polite students, 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:11.120 employees, and citizens. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:14.080 Some parents bring their children 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:16.180 or take their children to church 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:17.520 to assure that their kids 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:19.580 will grow up and become Christians. 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:21.939 Some of you may have been those kids. 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:26.159 People live a healthy life 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:27.640 in order that they can be assured 00:03:27.640 --> 00:03:29.939 to live a long time. 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:32.460 The truth is that all of that 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:34.500 is circumstantial at best. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:37.000 When we really think about it, 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:38.599 there's not a lot of things 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:39.879 that we can be assured of. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:42.219 The old saying, 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:43.900 there are only two certainties in life, 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:45.060 death and taxes, 00:03:45.939 --> 00:03:47.719 carries with it a little more weight 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:49.680 because it's almost true. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:53.360 But, if you are a Christian, 00:03:53.540 --> 00:03:54.840 if you are a child of God, 00:03:55.740 --> 00:03:57.260 then there are several things 00:03:57.260 --> 00:03:59.020 that you can be assured of. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:02.960 Because as Romans 4, 21 says, 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:07.379 we can be fully convinced 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:09.060 that God is able to do 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:10.420 what He promised. 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:12.819 As Abraham was fully convinced 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:15.180 that God was able to do 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:15.860 what He had promised. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:17.960 Our text this morning 00:04:17.960 --> 00:04:19.460 is about assurance. 00:04:20.780 --> 00:04:22.840 Now, not assurance of salvation, 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.980 like you're doubting your salvation, 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:27.360 although that comes into play, 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:30.080 but more about our salvation 00:04:30.080 --> 00:04:32.460 being secured forever in Christ. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:37.639 Assurance that we have 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:40.439 in and from justification by faith. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:43.840 In fact, Romans 5 and Romans 8 00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:46.540 are about this very topic of assurance. 00:04:48.100 --> 00:04:49.840 The assurance we have in Christ 00:04:49.840 --> 00:04:52.420 and the things that we are assured of 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:54.199 because of Christ. 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:58.079 So, as a quick review of Romans 00:04:58.079 --> 00:04:58.920 up to this point, 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:02.379 chapter 1 is all about 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:04.079 the Gentiles being sinners. 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:07.539 Us, non-Jewish people being sinners 00:05:07.539 --> 00:05:09.920 without hope and guilty 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:13.139 even though we don't have the law. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:16.180 Chapter 2 is about the Jewish people 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:18.699 being guilty because they do have the law. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:21.099 They are held accountable to that law. 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:24.240 Chapter 3 is all about us, 00:05:24.340 --> 00:05:25.460 everyone guilty. 00:05:26.340 --> 00:05:28.060 All of us, sinners, 00:05:29.320 --> 00:05:30.960 cursed, deserving of death. 00:05:31.700 --> 00:05:32.520 Chapter 4, 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:35.420 justification by faith to any 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:39.180 for all who are made right before God. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:42.540 And chapter 5, 00:05:42.960 --> 00:05:45.260 assurance of being justified by faith. 00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:48.500 So, this is where we settle. 00:05:48.599 --> 00:05:49.459 This is where we begin 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:51.539 our study on assurance. 00:05:53.039 --> 00:05:54.779 So, because we have been justified, 00:05:55.599 --> 00:05:57.399 because Christ has died, 00:05:57.459 --> 00:05:58.920 we've been justified by faith, 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:01.420 we have five things from our text 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:02.480 that we can be assured of. 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:05.779 One of them was our topic last week. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:07.539 We talked about peace. 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:08.420 Peace with God. 00:06:08.539 --> 00:06:09.360 We can be assured 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:11.759 that we stand at peace with God. 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:12.740 No longer enemies. 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:14.779 No longer at war with God 00:06:14.779 --> 00:06:15.740 because of Christ. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:17.959 This morning, we have four more. 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:20.860 We are assured access to God. 00:06:21.659 --> 00:06:23.839 We are assured a future glory. 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:27.680 We are assured that suffering will come. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:31.139 And we are assured that God loves His children. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:33.579 So, our first point this morning. 00:06:34.219 --> 00:06:36.379 We are assured access to God. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:38.560 This is verse 2. 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:40.019 It says, 00:06:40.540 --> 00:06:42.879 Through Him, being Christ, being Jesus, 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:46.579 Thanks, Nick. 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:50.259 We have also obtained access by faith 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:53.000 into this grace in which we stand. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:56.220 So, not only do we have peace with God, 00:06:57.040 --> 00:06:57.639 verse 1, 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:00.579 but we are also given access to God 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:02.279 through Jesus Christ. 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:05.879 Access can also be translated introduction. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:09.600 Now, if I want a face-to-face 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:10.659 with the Queen of England, 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:13.040 those of you who don't know, 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:14.060 I was born in England, 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:17.300 so let's say I'm considering citizenship there. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:19.980 And I want to do as much research as I can 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:21.000 and I want to meet the Queen 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:21.680 and talk to her 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:22.759 and see what she has to say 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:23.740 about me being a citizen. 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.540 There would be a long process 00:07:26.540 --> 00:07:27.939 for me to have to go through 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:29.779 for me to be able to even have 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:30.879 a face-to-face with her. 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:34.199 On top of the process, 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:35.879 I'd have to learn proper etiquette. 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:37.920 Where to stand, 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:38.540 where to bow, 00:07:38.659 --> 00:07:40.040 how to touch her, 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.240 all these things. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:45.659 And then when the meeting time happens, 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:47.519 when I get to face-to-face, 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:48.540 of course, 00:07:48.659 --> 00:07:49.560 I would be escorted 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:51.500 to the Queen of England 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:54.659 and introduced by one of her trusted counsel. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:57.140 I would need someone 00:07:57.140 --> 00:07:58.880 to intercede for me 00:07:58.880 --> 00:08:01.800 and then I can be introduced. 00:08:03.260 --> 00:08:05.439 The same is true for us with God. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:06.520 Of course, 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:08.040 on a totally different level. 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:10.960 Because of Jesus Christ, 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.040 we have been given access to God 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:15.600 and been introduced by Jesus 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:17.020 to the Creator of the universe. 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:20.400 Now, this introduction 00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:22.460 isn't because God didn't know us. 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:24.280 It's because we couldn't 00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:26.179 have access any other way. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:30.019 Like the peace we have been given with God, 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:31.779 we needed to have peace with God 00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:33.939 because we were enemies at war with Him. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:37.179 Being sinful creatures 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:38.839 has thwarted any thought 00:08:38.839 --> 00:08:41.240 that you or I could have fellowship with Him. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:45.360 But Christ has given us that access. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:49.039 In verse 2, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:51.500 verse 1 says, 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.539 we have peace with God 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:54.259 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:54.939 Through Him, 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:57.839 we have also obtained access by faith 00:08:57.839 --> 00:08:59.319 into this grace 00:08:59.319 --> 00:09:01.120 in which we stand. 00:09:01.459 --> 00:09:02.919 Another way to say this verse 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:04.059 is through Him, 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.000 we have been put 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:08.459 in this gracious relationship with God. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:12.360 This gracious relationship. 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:14.399 A relationship founded on grace. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:16.339 Where grace abounds. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.879 Grace gives us peace with God. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:23.399 Grace gives us access to God. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:24.960 Because of grace, 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:26.759 we are no longer under the law. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:28.899 Because of grace, 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:30.279 we have a Heavenly Father. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.600 Grace gives us hope 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:33.860 of our future glory. 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:37.240 Grace secures an inheritance. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:39.919 Grace empowers us 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:41.559 to live fearless and victorious. 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:43.580 Because of grace, 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:44.799 we can glorify God 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:46.559 with all of our lives. 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:48.299 Because of grace, 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:50.299 we can be image bearers of God 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:51.579 as we were created to be. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:53.519 Because of grace, 00:09:53.579 --> 00:09:54.839 we have been made alive. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.039 And because of grace, 00:09:57.099 --> 00:09:58.659 we can rejoice in the valley 00:09:58.659 --> 00:10:00.679 and on the mountaintop. 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.779 We stand in this grace. 00:10:03.319 --> 00:10:04.359 It is the umbrella 00:10:04.359 --> 00:10:06.000 that covers us 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.639 from a storm 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.500 that will not end. 00:10:08.359 --> 00:10:10.000 And we rejoice in the storm 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.539 because grace upon grace 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:12.939 is given through Jesus Christ. 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:16.820 We have been given access to God 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:17.900 through Jesus Christ. 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:20.360 And if we could stand with Him 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.280 in His presence, 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:27.100 as if we could stand in His presence. 00:10:28.520 --> 00:10:29.540 In the Old Testament, 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:30.920 throughout the Jewish traditions, 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:33.160 access was given to one person. 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:35.820 No one but the high priest 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:37.000 one time a year. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:40.519 The way that Paul is describing 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:41.460 our access 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:43.360 throws the Jewish teaching 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.080 out of the window. 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.940 There's something better 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:48.860 because of Christ. 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.399 God is no longer 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:53.559 a far-off object of worship. 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:55.559 He's no longer this God 00:10:55.559 --> 00:10:56.899 that we cannot touch or see. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:58.879 He is our friend, 00:10:59.220 --> 00:10:59.879 our Father, 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:00.559 and our Lord. 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:03.100 And now we can just walk 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:04.980 into the presence of God. 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:07.860 Turn to Hebrews chapter 4. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.840 I want you to see this. 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:17.000 If we can walk 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:18.019 into the presence of God, 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:19.019 if that's the case, 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:21.080 then our prayer lives 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.200 should be good. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:24.879 We should have fellowship with God 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.720 like we do with our spouse. 00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:29.019 Like we do with our teammates. 00:11:29.560 --> 00:11:30.759 Or like we do with our brothers 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:32.779 or sisters of fraternity or sororities. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.659 Or our bunkmates. 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.860 We should have that fellowship 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.679 with Him because 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:38.360 we have been given access 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.759 to Him through Christ. 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:41.799 In Hebrews chapter 4, 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:44.319 starting in verse 14, 00:11:44.459 --> 00:11:44.759 says, 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:46.179 Since then we have 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:47.379 a great high priest 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.719 who has passed 00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:49.419 through the heavens, 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.199 Jesus, 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:51.539 the Son of God. 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:53.279 Let us hold fast 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:54.059 our confession. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:55.959 For we do not have 00:11:55.959 --> 00:11:56.600 a high priest 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.839 who is unable to sympathize 00:11:57.839 --> 00:11:58.379 with our weaknesses, 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:00.339 but one who in every respect 00:12:00.339 --> 00:12:02.000 has been tempted as we are, 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:03.659 yet without sin. 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:05.299 So because of Christ, 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:08.019 the writer of Hebrews 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:08.839 is setting us up 00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:09.719 for verse 16, 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:11.839 Let us then with confidence 00:12:11.839 --> 00:12:14.259 draw near to the throne of grace 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:16.159 that we may receive mercy 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.559 and find grace to help 00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:18.899 in time of need. 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:21.779 So, 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.399 after reading that 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.000 and knowing that we have access 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.079 because of Christ 00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:26.879 to God, 00:12:28.079 --> 00:12:30.139 what's wrong with your prayer life? 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:31.919 What's wrong with my prayer life? 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.279 Why don't we pray 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.559 with this kind of confidence? 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.579 We have been assured 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:39.059 of this kind of access. 00:12:39.839 --> 00:12:41.860 Let us go boldly before God 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.639 with reverence 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:44.919 and proclaim grace 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:46.459 boldly to those around us. 00:12:48.939 --> 00:12:51.240 So not only are we assured access 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.120 before God, 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:53.099 but our second point 00:12:53.099 --> 00:12:55.659 is we are assured 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.759 a future glory. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.299 This is the second part 00:12:58.299 --> 00:13:00.099 of verse 2 of chapter 5. 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:03.959 It says, 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.679 By faith into this grace 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:06.699 in which we stand 00:13:06.699 --> 00:13:08.219 and we rejoice 00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:09.219 in hope 00:13:09.219 --> 00:13:10.599 of the glory of God. 00:13:12.339 --> 00:13:13.459 And we rejoice 00:13:13.459 --> 00:13:14.240 in hope 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:15.620 of the glory of God. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.099 That is, 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:18.539 that we have hope 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.319 of the moment 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:20.620 when we will be glorified 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.860 as God is glorified. 00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:24.419 The word rejoice 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:26.799 isn't just to be joyful 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.599 or sing 00:13:27.599 --> 00:13:28.899 or anything like that. 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:29.819 It can be translated 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:31.019 as boast. 00:13:32.319 --> 00:13:33.220 So another way 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:33.779 to say it is, 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:35.840 is we are joyfully confident. 00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:39.039 So if we were to 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.459 say this text again, 00:13:40.579 --> 00:13:42.220 we are joyfully confident 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.079 in the hope 00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:44.340 of the glory of God. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.879 We have been assured 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.039 that we will share 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:48.220 in the glory of God. 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:51.420 We will be made perfect. 00:13:52.420 --> 00:13:54.120 We will be made sinless. 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:56.379 Without suffering. 00:13:56.920 --> 00:13:57.779 Without pain. 00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.160 Here is why 00:13:59.160 --> 00:14:00.080 this is a big deal. 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.879 In Romans chapter 3, 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.820 verse 23 says, 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:06.220 For all have sinned 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.759 and fall short 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.920 of the glory of God. 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.540 In other words, 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:12.160 we have been made unable 00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:13.259 to achieve 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:15.420 to the glory of God. 00:14:15.800 --> 00:14:16.920 We are unable 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.100 without Christ. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:20.580 And now because of Christ, 00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:21.379 we are promised 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.680 that we will share 00:14:22.680 --> 00:14:24.519 in God's glory. 00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:26.879 See, Jesus Christ 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.860 has given us peace. 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:29.040 We have peace with God. 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:34.060 He's given us access to God 00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:35.160 and He's assured us 00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:36.200 that we will share 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:36.920 in His glory. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.300 It's truly 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:40.840 a one-sided relationship. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.560 God has done all the work. 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:45.080 It is no wonder 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.100 we have hope 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:46.899 or are supposed 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:47.779 to have hope 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.339 in what's to come. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.980 Because He's done 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.559 everything up to this point. 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.339 John Stott 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:56.120 defines Christian hope 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:56.519 as this. 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:56.939 He says, 00:14:57.579 --> 00:14:58.639 a Christian hope 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.819 is a joyful 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:02.139 and confident expectation 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:03.439 which rests 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:04.360 on the promise 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:04.919 of God. 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:06.459 A joyful 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:08.159 and confident expectation 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.899 which rests 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.919 on the promise 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:10.399 of God. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.399 God has done it. 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:12.799 So if we have 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.579 this hope then, 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.459 if we have this hope 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:15.299 of future glory 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:15.980 of what's going 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.500 to happen, 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:18.860 how does that 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:19.579 change your life 00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:20.199 or my life? 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.360 How do we live 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.559 differently because of that? 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.220 See, 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.860 if you're truly born again, 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:27.019 if you are a Christian, 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.439 then you will have 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:28.980 a desire 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.980 to please God, 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.860 to do what 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.679 will bring most 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:33.699 pleasure to Him. 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:36.740 So a follow-up question 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:36.940 is, 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.720 do you have 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.560 that desire? 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:39.640 Do you have 00:15:39.640 --> 00:15:40.140 the desire 00:15:40.140 --> 00:15:41.500 to please God? 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.160 If you do, 00:15:44.420 --> 00:15:45.560 then whatever it takes 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:46.220 to please Him, 00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:47.340 you're going to do. 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.140 You will obey His Word. 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.300 You will do 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:51.180 as He says. 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:53.480 Hebrews 4.12 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:53.900 says, 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.040 God's Word 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:55.740 is living 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.620 and active, 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.140 sharper 00:15:58.140 --> 00:15:59.420 than a two-edged sword, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:01.179 piercing 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:02.740 to the division 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.360 of soul 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.199 and of spirit, 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.919 of joints 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.659 and of marrow, 00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:09.019 and discerning 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.679 the thoughts 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:10.399 and intentions 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.240 of the heart. 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.319 If that's what 00:16:14.319 --> 00:16:14.979 the Word of God 00:16:14.979 --> 00:16:15.399 does, 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.959 then just listening 00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:17.539 to it 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:19.399 isn't an option. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.279 Just hearing it 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.179 isn't an option. 00:16:22.979 --> 00:16:23.699 If we know 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.179 that we have been 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:24.779 assured 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:26.719 of future glory, 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.659 how does it 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.519 change our life? 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.899 It frees us 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.599 to be bold. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.639 It frees us 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.919 to proclaim 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:36.259 Jesus Christ. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.479 It frees us 00:16:38.479 --> 00:16:39.059 to live 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.740 for the Gospel 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.579 and sometimes 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.120 to die 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:41.759 for the Gospel. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.620 It's why Paul 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.579 says in Philippians, 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:45.120 for to me, 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.339 to live is Christ 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:47.379 and to die 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:47.919 is gain. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.240 To live 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.339 isn't just 00:16:51.339 --> 00:16:51.959 happiness 00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:53.439 or pleasure. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.179 It is Christ 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.899 because what He 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.399 has done 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:56.879 because He 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.379 is far better 00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:00.019 far better 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.740 than this world 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.740 and because of 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.220 what we have 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.700 been assured 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.620 of in Christ 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:03.980 which is 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.599 future glory. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.359 And to die 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.440 isn't tragedy. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.339 It isn't the end 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.200 but gain 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.839 because of what 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.619 Christ has been 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:13.000 assured, 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:13.799 what we have 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.240 been assured 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.000 in Christ, 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.680 what He has 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:17.680 assured for us. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.140 So not only 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:20.819 are we assured 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.960 access to God 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.819 because of Christ 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.919 and not only 00:17:24.919 --> 00:17:25.559 are we assured 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.460 future glory, 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.139 but guys 00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:28.700 were also 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.179 assured 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:30.099 that suffering 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:31.319 will occur. 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.639 Verse 3 and 4. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.779 Verse 3 and 4 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.240 says, 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.720 I'm going to read 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.200 verse 2, 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.460 Through Him 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.019 we have also 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.779 obtained access 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.480 by faith 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.399 into this grace 00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:44.439 in which we stand 00:17:44.439 --> 00:17:45.960 and we rejoice 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.779 in the hope 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.379 of the glory 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:47.939 of God. 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.639 Verse 3, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.599 More than that, 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.839 we rejoice 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.899 in our sufferings 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:54.839 knowing that 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.099 suffering produces 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.740 endurance 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.819 and endurance 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.899 produces character 00:17:58.899 --> 00:17:59.980 and character 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.480 produces hope. 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.959 Anyone who 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:04.740 preaches to you 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.219 and says 00:18:05.219 --> 00:18:06.039 that if you 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.679 know Jesus, 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.039 that if you 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.019 come down here 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.939 and you pray a prayer 00:18:09.939 --> 00:18:10.759 and you know Jesus, 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.859 if you accept Jesus, 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:12.839 you will have a happy, 00:18:13.199 --> 00:18:13.639 fulfilling, 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:15.240 best life now. 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.159 They are lying to you 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:18.079 and being unbiblical. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.159 In fact, 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:20.859 the Bible 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:22.299 promises suffering 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.559 instead of happiness. 00:18:25.959 --> 00:18:26.919 Your life 00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:27.859 will be fulfilling, 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.879 but it might not be 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.639 with the BMW 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:32.299 or the vacation home. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.979 And that's okay 00:18:34.979 --> 00:18:35.759 because Christ 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.619 is far better. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.859 We can be assured 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.839 that as a Christian, 00:18:41.219 --> 00:18:42.339 we will suffer. 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:45.059 Let's step back 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.599 for a minute. 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:48.179 What Paul has done 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:49.000 is he's looked out 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.419 towards the horizon. 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.719 He's looked out 00:18:51.719 --> 00:18:53.259 and he tells us 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.979 what he sees. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.819 He sees peace 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:56.399 with God. 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:58.919 Children of God 00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.719 are going to have peace 00:18:59.719 --> 00:19:00.899 with God. 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.959 He sees 00:19:01.959 --> 00:19:04.419 access with God. 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:05.259 They now have 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.339 access with God. 00:19:06.439 --> 00:19:06.740 He sees 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.500 the future glory, 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.539 the future perfection 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.619 that is going 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.240 to occur 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.699 someday. 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:13.419 He sees 00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:14.459 all these things 00:19:14.459 --> 00:19:17.039 that are going 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.459 to happen 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:17.840 for us. 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:18.160 He sees 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.480 in the future. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.640 And as his eyes 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:21.360 come back, 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.319 as his eyes 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:22.940 kind of come back 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.900 to where he is, 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.840 he sees 00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:26.340 suffering. 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:27.640 He sees 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.200 hardship. 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.180 He sees 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:29.920 hate towards 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.400 Christians. 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:31.180 He sees 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:31.920 hate towards 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.340 Christ. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:33.860 He sees 00:19:33.860 --> 00:19:34.940 all the things 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.720 that he himself 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.620 has experienced 00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:38.579 and he himself 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.619 has actually 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:40.199 been a leader 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:40.659 of. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.299 And he sees 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.279 it and he knows 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.239 that he must 00:19:45.239 --> 00:19:46.199 reassure the 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:47.179 Christian to stand 00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:47.639 firm. 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.000 Reassure the 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.059 Christian to be 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:51.299 bold and keep 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.099 a lookout at the 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.500 horizon of what's 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:53.979 to come. 00:19:54.979 --> 00:19:55.659 I remember 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.579 vividly when I was 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.000 a kid, 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.259 I'd been riding 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.500 my bike for a 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.059 few years. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.500 And in 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.319 Chicago, 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:02.839 we had, 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.919 even the 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:04.559 neighborhoods had 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.940 the hard square 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.700 curbs so you 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.259 couldn't just ride 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.839 your bike in it. 00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:08.279 You either had to 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.279 jump it or go to 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.440 where a sidewalk 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.200 came, you know, 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.099 where it's nice and 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.419 smooth. 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.059 I remember I'm 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.700 riding my bike 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.339 down the road 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:17.519 and I'm wanting 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.500 to get onto the 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.240 sidewalk so I'm 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.839 waiting for that 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.679 moment where I can 00:20:20.679 --> 00:20:21.220 because I can't 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.819 get up on the 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.259 curb yet. 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:25.159 And I'm staring 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:25.980 at the corner. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.119 I'm staring at 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.819 this curb going, 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.259 I don't want to 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.599 hit that. 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.240 I don't want to 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.500 hit that. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:29.920 I actually want 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.359 to go there. 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.019 And I don't 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.440 want to hit that. 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:31.819 I don't want to 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.059 hit that. 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.420 And what do I 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:32.680 do? 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.599 I hit it. 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.859 I slam into it 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.680 and fly off my 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.059 bike. 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.640 It's vivid to me 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:39.099 because I do 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:40.259 that driving as 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.619 well. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.359 I don't hit 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.220 curves, but there's 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.019 things like in the 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.680 road and I'll say, 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.539 I don't want to 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:45.880 hit that. 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.299 I don't want to 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:46.599 hit that. 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.099 And I'll end up 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.680 hitting it because 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.599 I'm staring at it 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.319 instead of staring 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.720 down the road. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.059 You guys know 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.480 what I'm talking 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.140 about, don't you? 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.000 You've all 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.819 experienced that. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.559 So, lesson 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.019 here, don't 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.740 fall, don't be 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.299 ahead of me, I 00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.579 guess. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.259 Don't be in the 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:00.640 road when I'm 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:02.700 driving because I'll 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.279 stare at you and 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.660 hit you. 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.120 It's the same way 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:09.000 though for us as 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.420 Christians. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.359 If we look out and 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:13.240 say, oh, this 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.059 looks really hard. 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.500 We're going to 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.880 suffer. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.240 What are we going 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.559 to do? 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.120 We're going to be 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:17.940 defeated in that 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.380 suffering. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:18.920 We're not going to 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.740 rejoice in that 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.079 suffering. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.859 We're not going to 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:22.059 be happy about it. 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.740 We're not going to 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.500 treasure it. 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:26.319 As we'll see in a 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:26.799 moment, the 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.740 suffering leads to 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.640 good things in our 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.000 lives. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.880 We're going to be 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:31.099 defeated by it. 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.279 We're going to hit 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.180 that curb and fly 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.880 off our bike. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.240 See, as we look 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.079 and see through the 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.900 lens of the Word of 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.759 God, we see that 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.559 suffering is in our 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.700 DNA as a Christian. 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.819 It's going to 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.180 happen. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.039 But we should be 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:51.000 focusing on the 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.359 horizon. 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.859 And that's what 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.599 Paul is trying to 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:54.179 do for us in 00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:54.819 this text. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.679 The first part of 00:21:58.679 --> 00:22:00.899 verse 3 is 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:02.039 fascinating to me 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.599 because he says, 00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:04.439 so, end of verse 00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:05.619 2 says, rejoice in 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.599 hope of the glory of 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:06.799 God. 00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:07.919 Rejoice in what's 00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:08.539 going to happen. 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.939 And then verse 3 00:22:09.939 --> 00:22:11.299 says, more than 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:13.479 that, we rejoice in 00:22:13.479 --> 00:22:14.059 our suffering. 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.799 More than rejoicing in 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.519 what's going to 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:16.819 happen. 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:18.240 More than rejoicing in 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.500 God perfecting us. 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:23.240 rejoice in our 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.819 suffering. 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.959 The same word is in 00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:26.599 verse 2. 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.000 Rejoice. 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:29.219 So be joyfully 00:22:29.219 --> 00:22:30.740 confident in your 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.179 suffering. 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.079 2 Timothy 3, 00:22:35.459 --> 00:22:36.619 verse 12 says, 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:39.259 it says, indeed, 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:41.139 all who desire to 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.579 live a godly life in 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.939 Christ Jesus will be 00:22:44.939 --> 00:22:45.799 persecuted. 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:45.859 persecuted. 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:49.220 All who desire to 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.339 live a godly life in 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:52.000 Christ will be 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.539 persecuted. 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.319 To rejoice in 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.379 suffering is not a 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.559 new idea for Paul. 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.359 This isn't something 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.659 that he just made up. 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.220 Jesus taught this 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.919 very idea in the 00:23:02.919 --> 00:23:03.440 Sermon on the 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.099 Mount in Matthew 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.980 chapter 5. 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:08.399 In chapter 5, 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.480 verse 10, he 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.419 says, blessed are 00:23:10.419 --> 00:23:11.079 those who are 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.879 persecuted for 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.839 righteousness sake, 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.899 for theirs is the 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.619 kingdom of heaven. 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.579 Blessed are you 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.599 when others revile 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.440 you and persecute 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.339 you and utter all 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.099 kinds of evil 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.240 against you falsely 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.359 on my account. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.879 Rejoice and be 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.700 glad, for your 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.119 reward is great in 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.399 heaven. 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.339 For so they 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.059 persecuted the 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:30.759 prophets who were 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.279 for you. 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.079 He repeats it 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.559 twice. 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.819 Blessed are those 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:35.619 who persecute you 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.159 for righteousness 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:36.519 sake. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.799 Blessed are you 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.299 when others 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.000 revile you and 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.720 persecute you. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.339 There's importance 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.599 here. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.299 There's weight 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:42.980 here to what 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:44.079 Jesus is saying. 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:45.539 And now Paul is 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.319 repeating the very 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:46.980 same thing. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.399 Now this 00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:50.099 suffering in 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:51.319 Romans isn't 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.899 necessarily pain, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.759 although some 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.519 people may suffer 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.059 pain. 00:23:55.939 --> 00:23:56.839 It could be. 00:23:57.679 --> 00:23:58.659 The word refers 00:23:58.659 --> 00:24:00.220 to olives or 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.259 grapes being in 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.899 the press. 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:05.119 Being squeezed 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.759 for all its 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.119 juices. 00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:07.759 That's the picture 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.199 here of this 00:24:08.199 --> 00:24:08.500 word. 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.700 So instead of 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.539 just pain and 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.140 sorrow, it's 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:12.200 more of being 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.240 under pressure 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.740 from tribulation 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.220 and from 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.099 persecution. 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.400 And then Paul 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.660 tells us why we 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.319 need to rejoice 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.519 in our suffering. 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.099 Why we need 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:27.779 to be happy, 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.779 to be joyful, 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:32.619 to be joyfully 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.240 confident. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.880 Because suffering 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:37.400 produces endurance. 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.460 endurance. 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.740 Spiritual 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.559 fortitude. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.140 Stick-to-itiveness. 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.839 Like a marathon 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.400 runner. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.160 So like in 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.900 Hebrews 12, 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.759 1, let us run 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.660 with endurance 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.680 the race that 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.299 is set before 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.720 us. 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.359 When you need 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.259 to build strength 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.839 or endurance 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.500 in your body, 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.240 you exercise, 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.099 you practice, 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.759 you do specific 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.740 exercises for 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.740 specific goals. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.579 If our goal 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.359 is to live a 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:08.019 life that is 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.680 pleasing to 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:10.220 God, then 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.180 suffering helps 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:11.960 in that goal. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.980 Because suffering 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:16.220 produces endurance. 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:19.099 A fruit of the 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.120 suffering is 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.900 endurance. 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.380 Now, a question 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.200 arose for me in 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.940 my studies about 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.579 this topic. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:27.640 It says in 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.099 verse 3, 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.920 More than that, 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.240 we rejoice in 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:31.079 our sufferings, 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:31.620 knowing that 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.480 suffering produces 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:32.960 endurance. 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.579 My question 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:36.519 was, does it 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.440 matter if I 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.460 rejoice in my 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.200 suffering or 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.860 after my 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.200 suffering? 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.099 Is this 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.660 preposition 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.279 important? 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.759 In. 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.640 Is it 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:46.980 important? 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.500 Yes. 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.339 It was a 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:49.920 quick answer. 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.380 It didn't take 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.860 me very long 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.259 to find the 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.500 answer. 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.720 Yes, it is 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.079 important. 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.279 Paul uses the 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.240 preposition in, 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.299 so it's in 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.059 our suffering. 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.380 So hindsight 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.500 may be easier 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.480 to rejoice in, 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:04.200 but the call 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.039 here is for 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.839 us to rejoice 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:07.720 in it while 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.299 going through 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.539 it. 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.279 And it 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:11.860 doesn't mean 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:13.779 this stoic 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.519 determination 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.799 to get 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.440 through this 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.279 rough patch 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:19.400 or to make 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.140 the best out 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.620 of a bad 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.200 situation. 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.079 It doesn't 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.579 mean that. 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.779 It means to 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.860 know that what 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:26.440 is occurring 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.200 is for my 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.599 good and 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.259 God's glory. 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.740 And if your 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.339 goal is to 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:31.819 live a life 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.119 that is 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:32.879 pleasing to 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.199 Him, 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.559 then you're 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:34.819 going to be 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.319 okay with 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.459 that. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:35.740 You're going 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.299 to rejoice 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.919 in that 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.319 suffering. 00:26:38.459 --> 00:26:39.159 It brings 00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:39.899 God glory 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:40.359 when we do 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:40.599 this. 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.259 It pleases 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.599 Him. 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.720 But not 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.199 only does 00:26:44.199 --> 00:26:44.899 suffering 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:45.339 produce 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.740 endurance, 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.139 but endurance 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.779 produces 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.339 character and 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:49.819 character 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.399 produces 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.259 hope. 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:54.179 Straight from 00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:54.619 the text, 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.240 verse 4. 00:26:56.699 --> 00:26:57.279 And endurance 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.679 produces 00:26:57.679 --> 00:26:58.459 character and 00:26:58.459 --> 00:26:59.699 character produces 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.600 hope. 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.960 So the fruit 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.559 of endurance 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.240 is character. 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.340 Character here 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:06.200 is a person 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.980 tested by 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.759 trial and 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.180 proven. 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.819 Tested and 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.240 proven. 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.039 So parents and 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.980 young people who 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.440 want to be 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.160 parents someday, 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.940 if you want 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.559 kids of 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.080 character, 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.400 lead them to 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.080 Christ and 00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.840 let them go 00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.400 wherever He 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:20.940 calls them. 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.640 For suffering 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.440 will come and 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.299 character will 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:26.819 be formed. 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:30.740 for us, 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.659 so in those 00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:32.339 moments of 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.279 hopelessness and 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.720 defeat, in 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.579 those moments 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.519 of sorrow and 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.419 hardship, we 00:27:38.419 --> 00:27:39.700 endure and are 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:41.139 found proven by 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:41.960 the trials to be 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.799 men and women 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.659 of character. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.079 And character 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:47.240 produces hope. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.500 It is the 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.419 experience of 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:51.679 coming out of a 00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:52.659 time of testing 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.399 that produces 00:27:53.399 --> 00:27:54.200 hope, 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:56.819 which, of 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.440 course, is 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.220 opposite of the 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.080 Disney movies, 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.600 is opposite of 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.259 what a lot of 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.920 us think or 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.680 have been taught. 00:28:03.340 --> 00:28:03.860 See, because we 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:05.039 say we hope to 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.539 get out of the 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:07.180 situation, or 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:09.279 we hope to 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:09.980 win the lottery, 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:12.360 or we hope to 00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.240 not get caught. 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.980 But true godly 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.039 hope is formed 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.740 in the testing 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.299 and hardship. 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.880 A quote from 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.340 one of the 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:23.559 commentaries I 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.179 read this week 00:28:24.179 --> 00:28:24.559 says, 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.039 Our confidence 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.940 in God's 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.619 ability and 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.299 willingness to 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:28.940 bring us through 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.000 difficult times 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.859 leads to an 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.700 ever brighter 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:34.460 hope for that 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.019 which lies 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.460 beyond. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.139 Hope is not 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:38.519 superficial optimism, 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:39.700 but the 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.819 confident assurance 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:42.000 of that which 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.539 will surely 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.539 come to pass. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.919 This hope 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.539 comes through 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.019 suffering. 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.759 And because 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.359 hope comes 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.000 through suffering, 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:50.559 we can be 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.740 assured we 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.440 will suffer. 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:55.019 it's not a 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.820 topic we like 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:56.720 to talk about. 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.220 It's not a 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.799 topic we like 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.320 to celebrate, 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.140 but it's 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.480 biblical. 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.539 And if it's 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.059 biblical, then 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.380 it's going to 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.220 be taught here, 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:02.799 and we're 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.900 going to touch 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.220 on the 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.580 subject. 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.200 But here's 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.500 the good 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:08.840 news. 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.340 It's not 00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:11.200 only are we 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.019 assured access 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.500 to God, 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.820 which is 00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:13.420 great news. 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:15.100 Not only do 00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:15.720 we have future 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.500 glory awaiting 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:16.960 us, 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:19.500 not only 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:19.779 are we 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.420 assured to 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:20.759 suffer, 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:21.740 but we're 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.360 assured that 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:23.539 God loves 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.220 His children. 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.400 Though we 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:25.960 may suffer 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.519 in it, 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.019 through it, 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.600 God loves 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.200 His children. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.920 Verse 5 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:33.640 says, 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.220 And hope 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.480 does not put 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.079 us to shame 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.960 because God's 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.880 love has 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.420 been poured 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:38.920 into our 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.420 hearts through 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:39.700 the Holy 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.240 Spirit who 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.519 has been 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.680 given to 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.559 us. 00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:43.779 Hope does 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.400 not put us 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:44.860 to shame. 00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:45.720 It never 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.700 disappoints. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.600 It does 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.140 not let 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:48.660 the believer 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.160 down. 00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:50.259 So what 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.059 God says 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:52.100 will occur, 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:52.980 it will 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.360 happen, 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:53.640 and we 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.160 can rest 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:54.640 in our 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.880 hope of 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.059 it. 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.200 We are 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.680 quick to 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.120 speak of 00:29:59.120 --> 00:29:59.680 God loving 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.299 His children 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.980 with reference 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.460 to Jesus 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.059 Christ on 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.519 the cross. 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.519 His death. 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.380 And a lot 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:06.960 of times it 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.600 ends there. 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:08.860 Jesus loves 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.299 sinners. 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:10.819 He died 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.380 for sinners. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.680 And it 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.360 ends there. 00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:13.900 But it's 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.319 just not 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:14.680 that. 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.960 It's also 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.360 not 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.319 an 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:17.879 intellectual 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:18.719 understanding 00:30:18.719 --> 00:30:19.399 of God's 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:19.659 love. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:19.879 Well, 00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:20.399 I know 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:20.879 that God 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.500 loves me. 00:30:22.179 --> 00:30:22.719 It's not 00:30:22.719 --> 00:30:23.000 that. 00:30:23.199 --> 00:30:25.759 It's also 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.740 an inner, 00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:27.799 as John 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.359 Piper would 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:28.639 say, 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.579 down to the 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.240 bones, 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.439 feeling a 00:30:32.439 --> 00:30:32.979 subjective 00:30:32.979 --> 00:30:33.799 certainty that 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.539 God does 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.479 love us. 00:30:36.439 --> 00:30:37.219 To the point 00:30:37.219 --> 00:30:37.759 that Paul is 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.279 trying to make 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:38.879 clear in this 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:40.579 text is by 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.479 saying God's 00:30:41.479 --> 00:30:42.039 love has been 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.740 poured into 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.379 our hearts 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:43.679 through the 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.200 Holy Spirit 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:44.500 has been 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.060 given to 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.460 us, 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.600 is that we 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:46.920 can be 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:47.340 certain, 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.759 is that we 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.080 can be 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:49.680 assured, 00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:50.680 down to 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.259 our bones 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:51.779 with every 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.500 fiber of 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.000 our being, 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.960 that God 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:55.560 loves us. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.440 We may not 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.259 understand it, 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.100 we may not 00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:00.480 be able to 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.279 comprehend all 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.500 of it, 00:31:01.560 --> 00:31:02.299 but we know 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.120 without a doubt 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:03.720 that God 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.660 loves us. 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:05.620 If you were a 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.259 child of God, 00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:07.560 God loves you. 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:13.059 we can be 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.839 certain of it. 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.259 And it says 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:16.279 that love has 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:16.980 been poured 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.460 into our 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:17.940 hearts. 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.099 It's like an 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.079 extravagant 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.759 overflow, 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.579 an abundance 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.399 of love. 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.559 It doesn't say 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:23.960 that God 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:24.740 shares His 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.000 love, 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.119 He pours it 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:26.899 into our 00:31:26.899 --> 00:31:27.279 hearts. 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.440 So as we 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:29.879 suffer, 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.759 as we 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.259 trudge 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.980 through life's 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.480 lowness, 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.460 we know that 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.440 God loves 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:34.779 us. 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:36.319 We are 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:37.059 assured of 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.279 it. 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.339 So when 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:39.220 doubts creep 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.480 in, 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.220 when the 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.619 enemy 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.480 attacks, 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:41.940 we have 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:42.759 assurance of 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.279 God's love 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:43.799 for us. 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.460 As I said 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:45.779 before, 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.259 we may not 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.980 understand it, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.279 but we 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.759 know it. 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:50.839 God 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.419 loves His 00:31:51.419 --> 00:31:51.740 children. 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:52.859 As we 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:53.339 look out on 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:53.899 the horizon, 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.399 we can be 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.500 assured of 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:55.859 a few 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:56.379 things. 00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:57.419 As we 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.000 look out 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.559 far out 00:31:59.559 --> 00:31:59.759 to the 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.240 horizon, 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.559 we can 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.139 be assured 00:32:03.139 --> 00:32:05.279 that we 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:05.899 have access 00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:06.339 to the 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:06.720 Creator. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:09.120 so we 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.620 can pray 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.039 to Him. 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:10.600 We 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:10.759 can 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.339 fellowship 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.720 and we 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:11.839 can 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.259 approach 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.480 the 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:12.779 throne 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.019 with 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.519 boldness 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:13.819 because 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.039 of 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.420 Christ. 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:15.740 We 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:15.920 have 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.620 assurance 00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:17.039 of our 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.380 future 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:17.920 glory. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.059 And we 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.620 can hope 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.660 with joyful 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.299 assurance 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.360 because it 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:23.720 will happen. 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.160 We too 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.640 can be 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.319 fully 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.839 convinced 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.480 that God 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:28.920 is able 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.380 to do 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:29.819 what He 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.000 has 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.380 promised. 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:32.040 chapter 4 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:32.660 verse 21. 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:34.840 We have 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:35.280 assurance 00:32:35.280 --> 00:32:35.580 that 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:36.140 suffering 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.720 will 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.100 occur. 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:37.460 It 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.800 isn't a 00:32:37.800 --> 00:32:38.140 question 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:38.340 of 00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:39.000 will 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.240 it. 00:32:40.040 --> 00:32:40.340 It's 00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:40.660 when 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:40.900 will 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:41.100 it. 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.260 We 00:32:42.260 --> 00:32:42.440 will 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:42.860 suffer. 00:32:43.820 --> 00:32:44.140 But 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.620 suffering 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.120 produces 00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.820 endurance. 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:46.500 And 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.080 endurance 00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:47.680 produces 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.260 character. 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:49.700 And 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.040 character 00:32:50.040 --> 00:32:50.460 produces 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:50.800 hope. 00:32:51.840 --> 00:32:52.420 Hope 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.040 that will 00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:53.300 not 00:32:53.300 --> 00:32:53.820 disappoint. 00:32:54.760 --> 00:32:55.100 And we 00:32:55.100 --> 00:32:55.260 have 00:32:55.260 --> 00:32:55.680 assurance 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.040 that 00:32:56.040 --> 00:32:56.380 God 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:56.740 loves 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:56.920 His 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.220 children. 00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:58.039 We 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.259 have 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.640 proof 00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:58.839 that 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:58.980 He 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.480 does 00:32:59.480 --> 00:32:59.700 by 00:32:59.700 --> 00:32:59.880 the 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.079 Holy 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.500 Spirit. 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:01.539 God 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:01.900 loves 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.140 us 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.319 when 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:02.460 He 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:02.920 created 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.400 us. 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.279 Loves 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.400 us 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:05.700 as He 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.120 calls 00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:06.480 us. 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:07.079 Loves 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.200 us 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.500 as He 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:07.860 saves 00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:08.299 us. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.299 And 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.600 as He 00:33:11.600 --> 00:33:12.140 glorifies 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.579 us in 00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:12.940 the end. 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:14.579 If 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:14.819 God 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.100 loves 00:33:15.100 --> 00:33:15.240 us, 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:15.559 let us 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:15.940 love 00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:16.339 others 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:16.620 with the 00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:16.860 same 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.380 certainty 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:17.660 and 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.120 fervor 00:33:18.120 --> 00:33:18.680 as 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:18.839 our 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.059 Lord 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.319 Jesus 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:19.860 Christ. 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:21.140 2 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:21.539 Corinthians 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:21.920 5 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.380 14 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:22.779 says, 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.200 For 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.360 the 00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:23.799 love 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.079 of 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:24.680 Christ 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.440 controls 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:25.460 ! 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.579 Another 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:27.960 version 00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:29.160 compels 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.420 us. 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:29.579 For 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:29.720 the 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:29.960 love 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.140 of 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:30.519 Christ 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.440 controls 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:31.720 or 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.319 compels 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:32.720 us. 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.579 Let's 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:34.819 pray 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.079 that 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.519 all 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:35.680 of 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.059 us, 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:36.700 member 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:36.980 or 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.380 not, 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:37.980 visitor 00:33:37.980 --> 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