WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.620 Hebrews 10, we're on page 1007. 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:13.419 Our family used to holiday in a tumbledown cottage in a remote part of Ireland. 00:00:13.419 --> 00:00:18.900 ! And when we started going there, no one had been to the cottage for quite a long time. 00:00:18.900 --> 00:00:23.559 And the path at the side that took you up there had become overgrown. 00:00:24.500 --> 00:00:29.379 And what had once been a kind of driveway of sorts was covered in mud. 00:00:29.379 --> 00:00:33.700 And really the whole thing was impassable. You couldn't get up. 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:36.839 So we couldn't get to where we wanted to go. 00:00:38.379 --> 00:00:45.240 I cut back some of the overgrowth, spent some time hacking away at all the branches that had grown over. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:50.200 And I got someone to come and lay a truckload of stones on the path. 00:00:51.259 --> 00:00:58.539 Now I didn't do that just so that the path was functional again for its own sake. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:04.260 I didn't do it just so that I could step back and say, well that was a good job of cutting back the overgrowth. 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:07.140 And well that path now looks really, really good. 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:10.519 I did it so that we could actually use it. 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:18.140 I did it so that we could benefit and that we could gain access to where we wanted to go. 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:25.480 Now there's a sense in which the same sort of thing is true with all of the theology that we've been given so far in the book of Hebrews. 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:31.260 Back as far as chapter 5 we've been given the sustained case for the supremacy of Jesus. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:35.060 He is our high priest, the true and better high priest. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:41.159 And his sacrifice, offered as it is in the reality of heaven, is superior to all that went before. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.740 But all of that doctrine isn't just given to us as an end in itself. 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:51.739 Chapter 10 verse 19, therefore. 00:01:53.299 --> 00:01:59.839 So he's saying, the author is saying, in light of all that I've just said to you, something must now be done. 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:06.840 All that has been rolled out for us in chapters 5 to 10, you could say is summarized in verse 19. 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:15.259 The blood of Jesus, which creates then verse 20, the new and living way that is opened for us through the curtain, that is through his flesh. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:19.099 Verse 21, and since we have a great priest over the house of God. 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:20.960 He's saying Jesus shed his blood. 00:02:21.420 --> 00:02:24.080 He gave up his life in order to atone for our sins. 00:02:24.360 --> 00:02:26.939 He has opened a way back into the presence of God. 00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:30.500 And he now mediates for us as a perfect priest in heaven. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:32.960 We are reconciled to the Father. 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:35.719 We've been over this, haven't we, the last few weeks. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:38.719 And we're told all of this in rich detail. 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:41.900 Not so that we can say, well isn't that nice? 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:43.099 Although it is. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:48.280 Not so that we can pass a doctrine exam, although the theology is vital. 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:55.740 Not just so that we can meditate on the sheer grace and mercy of it all, although we must. 00:02:56.699 --> 00:03:02.300 Not simply so that our hearts would be captivated with joy with all that this means for us, 00:03:02.620 --> 00:03:04.020 although they very much should be. 00:03:04.020 --> 00:03:06.320 But so that we might act on it. 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:09.300 So that we might do something with it. 00:03:09.540 --> 00:03:11.660 So that it might shape our lives. 00:03:12.540 --> 00:03:18.420 That the way that we live would look like an implication of all of that. 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:21.780 And that's where we start this evening. 00:03:22.540 --> 00:03:23.600 Two points this evening. 00:03:23.700 --> 00:03:24.480 The first is this. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:27.980 Live like we really know Christ. 00:03:27.979 --> 00:03:32.439 Therefore, live like we really know Christ. 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:34.579 That's verses 19 to 25. 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:40.039 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:43.620 Since we have confidence to do this, he tells us to act in three ways. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.179 First of all, let us draw near, verse 22. 00:03:47.079 --> 00:03:49.079 Let us hold fast, verse 23. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:53.000 And let us consider verse 24. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:04:01.580 And I want us to see that as we think about these things, that as he calls us to do them, he's calling us to do them together. 00:04:02.320 --> 00:04:04.020 The language is corporate throughout. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:07.680 Now what that means is, when he says, therefore, brothers, it's brothers and sisters. 00:04:07.820 --> 00:04:08.700 It's the church family. 00:04:09.420 --> 00:04:10.260 Then verse 24. 00:04:10.380 --> 00:04:12.080 The us in view there. 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:14.980 The one another of the church community. 00:04:15.540 --> 00:04:17.240 We'll get more practical on this later. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:25.000 But recognize that what we're called to here, which is the ancient triad of faith, hope, and love, we're called to together. 00:04:25.900 --> 00:04:28.180 This is a corporate exhortation. 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:30.699 This is a team talk, as it were. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:32.980 What will that mean? 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:33.900 Verse 22. 00:04:34.080 --> 00:04:35.580 Draw near in faith. 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:40.280 If you live like you really know Christ, you will draw near in faith. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:48.439 Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 00:04:50.280 --> 00:04:57.960 Now whatever your reasons might be for shrinking back, for keeping God at a distance, 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:04.120 whether because you're cross with Him, or because you feel that you've let Him down. 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:12.079 So whether it's something He's done or something you feel about yourself, if you're a Christian, if you're trusting the Lord Jesus, you can set all of them aside. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:16.659 Indeed, the word translated confidence in verse 19 is literally boldness. 00:05:16.660 --> 00:05:21.300 We can boldly approach the eternal throne of God. 00:05:21.380 --> 00:05:22.240 How can we do that? 00:05:22.540 --> 00:05:24.760 Through the finished work of Christ, our high priest. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:29.099 Because He offered His blood in the true heavenly sanctuary. 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:30.719 You have been sprinkled clean. 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:33.860 You're clean this evening if you're in Christ. 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:43.020 And you know this because of the washing of our bodies, the very thing that is depicted in Christian baptism, what we've just seen this evening. 00:05:44.160 --> 00:05:48.500 Christ's blood, we sing it, really does make the foulest clean. 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:54.439 And if you are trusting in the Lord Jesus, His blood avails for you. 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:59.680 So for the believer in the Lord Jesus, there is no reason to keep God at a distance. 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:05.319 Because there is no sin too great that cannot be covered by His atoning blood. 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:14.480 Now for those of you who are given to self-doubt, for those of you who think that you've sinned your way beyond His reach, 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:23.480 Christ's sacrifice on your behalf commands you to draw near to God and to do so boldly. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:25.620 Don't hold back. 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:32.899 And for those of you for whom life is hard, and because life is difficult, if you're honest with yourself, 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:35.399 there's a part of your heart that is angry with God, 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:41.659 or because life is difficult, you've pulled back and you've allowed your heart to go cold to Him, 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:49.480 Christ's sacrifice commands you to come back, to draw near, go to God in faith. 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:54.520 Draw near in faith. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:07:00.120 Having done that then, verse 23, we are to hold fast with hope. 00:07:00.200 --> 00:07:05.460 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:10.819 As Christians, we confess all that Christ has done for us as the basis of our hope. 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:12.259 What is your hope? 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:16.939 Your hope is all that Christ has done, His finished work. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:21.079 We have a great high priest, one who has gone into heaven on our behalf. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:25.279 When we sin, or when Satan brings his accusations against us, 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:29.420 the Lord Jesus steps in and pleads the merit of His blood. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:34.039 Father, He says, He was purchased at the cost of my life. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:38.839 She is free because I took her punishment in her place. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:41.319 This is our hope. 00:07:43.239 --> 00:07:48.819 That is the ground of all of our hope, the finished work of Christ and the fact that He mediates for us. 00:07:49.239 --> 00:07:54.219 And the author reminds us that we must hold this hope with a tight fist. 00:07:54.719 --> 00:07:56.799 We must hold it unshakably. 00:07:57.799 --> 00:07:58.399 Don't doubt. 00:07:58.919 --> 00:07:59.699 Don't fear. 00:08:00.179 --> 00:08:01.559 Don't put your hope anywhere else. 00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:02.019 Why? 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:05.759 Because God, He who promised, is faithful. 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.159 He's faithful. 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:09.580 What a relief. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:11.360 Isn't that a relief? 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:14.640 If this depended on us, we would be lost. 00:08:15.820 --> 00:08:17.900 We know how fickle our hearts can be. 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:21.020 I certainly know how fickle and cold mind can grow at times. 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:23.460 We know how easily tempted we are. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:27.300 We can have the highest, most lofty thoughts of our God, 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:29.440 and within a moment, within a split second, 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:34.360 we can have our gaze drifting off after some glistening idol somewhere else. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:38.399 We think to ourselves, maybe I'd be happier if that was my life. 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:45.860 We know, if we're honest with ourselves, if making it to glory depended on our faithfulness, 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:47.959 we would be in nothing but trouble. 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:49.679 But it doesn't. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.419 It doesn't. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:54.860 It depends on the faithfulness of God to His own promises, 00:08:54.959 --> 00:08:59.679 and because He is faithful, we can hold on to our hope through even the most intense, 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:04.179 difficult, painful, nerve-shattering storms of life. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:10.500 I don't know what you're going through this evening as you seek to live for Christ. 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:13.919 Temptations that feel overwhelming. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:19.039 Pressure from outside in some way. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:22.000 Difficulties at work. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:23.600 Struggles in your family. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:26.899 A sense of shame that you feel unable to let go of. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:29.600 Anxiety about any number of things. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:32.940 Go to God and hold fast your hope. 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:35.639 Because He's faithful. 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:38.720 He is faithful. 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:40.539 And He has put His Word on it. 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:41.860 He will see you through. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:46.159 And He'll see you through step by step by step all the way to the end. 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:51.120 Sometimes when we're struggling and hope is thin on the ground, 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:54.199 we think to ourselves, I'm never going to make it to the end. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.600 We don't need to think like that. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:56.740 Just take the next step. 00:09:57.179 --> 00:09:57.960 And the next. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:58.759 And the next. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:00.939 And all of a sudden, you realize you've come quite a distance, 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:03.059 and God has been faithful all the way. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:08.740 Hold fast with hope. 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:10.559 And then next, thirdly, 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:13.360 if we're going to live like we really know Christ, 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:15.500 stir up to love. 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:16.199 Verse 24. 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:17.600 Stir up to love. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:20.000 The corporate aspect comes through most clearly here. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:24.319 Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:26.100 The best sports teams, 00:10:27.220 --> 00:10:28.360 whatever the sport, 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:29.319 if it's a team sport, 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.600 the best sports teams 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:33.639 are those where every player knows their job, 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:35.740 but doesn't play as an individual. 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:38.460 Whatever the sport, 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:43.379 and you can ask experts in any one of these sports, 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:45.580 any of the best coaches that there have ever been, 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:46.019 and you say, 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:49.980 what makes an absolutely top-notch player? 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:50.519 They'll say, 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.240 yeah, they're talented. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:51.919 Yeah, they're this. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:53.500 But in the end, 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:54.480 they put the team first. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.439 They know that their role 00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:59.519 is to contribute to something bigger than them. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.200 It's the team as a whole. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:04.340 And we need to think about our Christian life like that. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.180 It is a team sport. 00:11:06.660 --> 00:11:09.400 And the team isn't there just to help you succeed. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:15.780 But we all see our role as contributing to the progress of the whole. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:19.980 You're asking yourself the question, 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:23.199 how can I get the best out of my brothers and sisters? 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.199 The word for stir up here, 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:27.360 let us consider how to stir up one another. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:29.519 That word could be translated provoke. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:32.019 Provoking one another. 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:34.939 Provoking someone is usually doing something. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:36.779 Normally, it's annoying, isn't it? 00:11:36.819 --> 00:11:38.299 You feel provoked by somebody. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:41.279 But it's doing something to bring out a response. 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:45.500 And here we are to provoke one another to love and good works. 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:48.600 And I take it that that means then, verse 25, 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:49.720 what does that look like? 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:51.100 What do the love and good works look like? 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:53.860 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:55.860 but encouraging one another. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:59.379 And all the more as you see the day drawing near. 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:01.699 You see, 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:05.840 if you are struggling 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:08.600 to kind of hold fast to your hope, 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.300 what do you need? 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.620 You need someone to come along in love 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:13.780 and to encourage you to take the next step. 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:19.120 You come along and you say, 00:12:19.680 --> 00:12:22.180 we know that gathering as the church, 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:23.280 week on week, 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.340 is absolutely vital. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.560 Being here for worship 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:29.680 is the beating heart of Christian life. 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:32.620 And so you come, 00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:34.659 not just to consume yourself, 00:12:34.739 --> 00:12:36.539 what is provided for your worship 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:37.579 or your encouragement, 00:12:37.979 --> 00:12:39.839 but you encourage others to do the same. 00:12:40.739 --> 00:12:42.479 I'm struggling to hold fast my hope. 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.000 And you say, 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:44.659 make sure you're there on Sunday. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.919 I'll come and pick you up. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:48.399 You say, 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:50.079 oh, you're cold in your faith at the minute. 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.379 Well, confess your sin 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.620 and draw near to God in faith 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.879 as He calls you to. 00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:57.099 Go boldly to Him. 00:12:57.100 --> 00:13:01.180 You're discouraged for X reason, 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.100 whatever it might be. 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:04.060 Hold fast to Christ, 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:05.120 my brother, my sister, 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:06.460 and do it with hope. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:09.300 He's praying for you in heaven right now. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:10.960 In the midst of this struggle, 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:13.100 the Son of God is praying for you. 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:13.879 Keep going. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.659 Work is killing me at the minute. 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.759 I'm just so busy. 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.180 I just can't, 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:21.320 I can't keep going. 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:22.379 There's so much opposition. 00:13:24.040 --> 00:13:25.000 I'll pray for you. 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.960 Can I help in some way? 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.000 I'll come and meet with you 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:30.720 and pray with you. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.679 Let's read the Bible together for a bit 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:34.059 just to get through this next phase. 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:36.559 Now, often when we're discouraged, 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:38.200 when discouragement hits, 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:39.039 what's the first thing 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.279 that goes by the wayside? 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.500 We withdraw from the people of God. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:44.200 We withdraw from church. 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:46.279 I don't really feel up to it this Sunday. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.220 Well, the author is saying 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.399 that when we don't feel up to it, 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:50.639 it is when we need to go. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:53.299 And not just for ourselves, 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:56.299 but so that other people 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:58.019 who know that we're struggling, 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.679 who know that we're going through it, 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:02.399 see us recognizing that this is a priority 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.419 and we gather together 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:04.879 and they are encouraged. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:08.139 I think this verse gives us an insight 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:10.120 into the original context. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.899 People, what was going on? 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:13.240 So people were discouraged 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.299 because of opposition, 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.960 so they distanced themselves 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:17.019 from the church community. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:21.280 They distanced themselves 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:22.180 from the church community 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:23.500 and so they felt the draw 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.000 back to old covenant religion 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.780 was more attractive. 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:26.820 In the meantime, 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:28.139 the people that they left behind 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.060 were then discouraged 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:30.960 because there were fewer of them at church. 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:33.139 And church life was harder 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.300 and it felt more fragile. 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.280 Here's the thing. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.780 I think we can all sign up 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:43.600 to this idea in theory. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:45.200 Yeah, I'm a team player. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:48.259 I know that we all got to pull together 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:50.320 in the life of the church. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:53.580 But ask yourself this question. 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.879 When it comes to being provoked, 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:59.759 when it comes to being stirred up 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:02.360 towards greater obedience, 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.920 deeper faithfulness, 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:06.680 more consistent, evident 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:08.180 Christian discipleship, 00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:10.040 would you let someone 00:15:10.040 --> 00:15:11.660 speak into your life? 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:18.420 Would you allow someone else 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:19.259 to challenge you? 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:23.399 Would you respond 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:25.080 to their encouragement? 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.100 Or should they just keep 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.100 their nose out of your business? 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:34.340 There are so many demands 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:35.000 on your time. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.620 So many demands 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:40.480 that are pressing on your time 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:42.200 and the brightest minds 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:43.279 in the world 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:45.420 are paid millions of pounds 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:47.740 to lure your heart away 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:49.500 after their products 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:51.539 rather than being captivated 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:53.340 by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.019 We all feel the pressure 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.019 in different ways 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.120 in our culture 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.139 to step back 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.700 from faithfully following Jesus. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:02.879 And we also all have blind spots. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:05.039 Blind spots by definition. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.279 We can't see them. 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.559 So we need other people 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.399 to point them out. 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.579 None of us can stand 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:12.259 on our own. 00:16:14.459 --> 00:16:15.579 We weren't designed 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:16.399 to do that. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.279 None of us 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:18.539 can do it 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.600 because we weren't designed 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.019 to do it. 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:21.000 We cannot live 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.139 the Christian life 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.939 in isolation 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:24.019 and we weren't designed 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.439 to do that. 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.220 And by the way, 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.220 what we might call 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.959 the Christian industrial complex, 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:30.199 they haven't helped us 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:30.759 actually 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:32.360 because we can access 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.959 all kinds of Christian resources 00:16:33.959 --> 00:16:34.419 online 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:35.399 that give us the impression 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.599 that we can live 00:16:36.599 --> 00:16:37.319 the Christian life 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:37.779 on our own. 00:16:38.099 --> 00:16:39.279 If you have an internet connection, 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:41.120 we're told that you can live 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.439 a rich Christian life. 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.719 You can't. 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.000 The Christian life 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.259 is inescapably corporate. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.279 The New Testament 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:54.179 has no vision 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.579 of the Christian life 00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:57.240 apart from the local church. 00:17:01.219 --> 00:17:02.120 This is reflected 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.240 in the vows we take here 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:03.959 as church members. 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:05.140 Vow number four, 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.019 do you recognize 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.120 the authority of the elders 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:08.140 and assent to the governance 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.660 and oversight 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.259 of the International 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.220 Presbyterian Church? 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.400 And do you agree 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.680 to accept their discipline 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.400 if that should ever be necessary? 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.860 We need elders 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.620 who will teach, 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.039 encourage, 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.799 and correct us. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.420 Vow number five, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:20.980 do you promise 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.779 to support the church 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.279 by prayer, 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:23.259 giving money and time, 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.700 and caring practically 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.539 for individuals? 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.900 We need the practical care 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.500 of one another. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.140 Vow number six, 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.940 do you commit yourself 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.900 to building and maintaining 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:34.240 healthy relationships 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.280 within this church, 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.759 treating your fellow believers 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:38.140 as your brothers and sisters 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.140 in Christ? 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.220 What is that vow 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.840 if it is not Hebrews 10, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.320 19 to 25? 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.440 We need others 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.440 to help us live 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.340 the Christian life. 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:51.740 So when we gather like this, 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.959 when you gather with the church, 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.879 you don't just gather 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:54.759 for your own benefit 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.039 or for your own personal growth, 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.799 but for the benefit 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.959 and growth of others. 00:17:58.939 --> 00:18:00.500 And just turning up, 00:18:01.959 --> 00:18:03.519 just being here, 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:05.699 or just turning up 00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:06.500 to the prayer meeting, 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.079 that is an encouragement 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:09.720 to your brothers and sisters. 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:10.819 They look around 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.319 and they say, 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.740 they're still holding fast. 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.179 They cared enough 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:15.119 about the Lord 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:15.859 and about me 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.519 to be here. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.559 Their voice 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.240 made the singing 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.000 more encouraging. 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.279 They want to provoke me 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.779 to godliness 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.779 and encourage our church 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.379 to keep going. 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.699 I'm going to do the same. 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.719 If they can do it, 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.359 so can I. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.259 But again, 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:32.259 for this to be a reality, 00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.379 we need to be willing 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.079 to be provoked. 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.679 To receive a brother 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:37.759 or sister in church life 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.219 telling us 00:18:38.219 --> 00:18:38.719 that we need 00:18:38.719 --> 00:18:41.079 to change certain behavior. 00:18:41.699 --> 00:18:42.759 We need to repent 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.960 of an obvious sin. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.559 We need to change 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.480 our priorities. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:49.379 If someone in church life, 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.240 if one of the elders 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.039 challenged you 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.920 about your parenting, 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.879 how would you take it? 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:54.900 Ooh. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.180 You can talk to me 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.099 about anything else, 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.819 but don't touch 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.619 the idol 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.339 right at the heart 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.079 of everything. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.539 How dare you? 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:08.839 We should welcome 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.339 their willingness, 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:09.879 actually, 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.859 to care enough 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.139 to get involved, 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.940 to provoke us 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:16.659 to love and good works 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:18.059 and to keep going 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.960 in obedience. 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:21.720 Live like you really 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.639 know Christ. 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:23.980 Draw near to God 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.559 in faith. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.539 Hold on to the gospel 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.339 in hope 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.759 and lovingly encourage 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.359 others to do the same 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.799 in all areas 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.819 of discipleship. 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:36.740 live like you really 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.240 know Christ. 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.919 Point number one. 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.519 The author then 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.259 follows this 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.879 with a warning, 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.740 if you don't, 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.700 and an encouragement. 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.639 Point number two, 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.700 live with a wise 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.619 perspective. 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.859 Live with a wise 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.439 perspective. 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.059 That will mean 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.740 two things, 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.899 26 to 31. 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.619 First of all, 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.559 remember what's coming. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.220 Remember 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.819 what's coming. 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:03.059 For if we go on 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.700 sinning deliberately 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.480 after receiving 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:04.899 the knowledge 00:20:04.899 --> 00:20:05.399 of the truth, 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.079 there no longer 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:07.099 remains a sacrifice 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:07.720 for sins, 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:08.899 but a fearful 00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:10.019 expectation of judgment 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.500 and a fury of fire 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.259 that will consume 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.619 the adversaries. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.000 Here the author 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.559 raises the reality 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.099 of judgment. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.099 Now what's interesting 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.559 is, 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.779 if you've been with us 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.619 over these weeks, 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.899 he has just spent 00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:23.819 several chapters 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:25.019 talking about 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.639 the complete 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.419 sufficiency 00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:27.819 of Christ's sacrifice 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.480 for every sin. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.939 All confessed sin 00:20:31.939 --> 00:20:33.119 is forgiven sin. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.379 So there does remain 00:20:35.379 --> 00:20:37.079 a sacrifice for sins, 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.899 even today, 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.759 even this evening, 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:39.859 for anyone who 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.759 hears Christ's voice 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.460 and doesn't harden 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:41.939 their heart, 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.919 but turns their lives 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:43.419 over to him. 00:20:43.419 --> 00:20:44.480 So what does he mean here? 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.159 Well, this is where 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:47.799 the context 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:49.059 really matters. 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:51.240 The problem here, 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.399 as we've said all along, 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.819 is that some Christian Jews 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.259 are attempting to go back 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.799 to the blood 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.179 of bulls and goats. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:58.580 And to do that, 00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.940 they would need to travel 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.500 to Jerusalem 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.820 to offer their sacrifices. 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:04.180 But this letter 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.920 was written around 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:06.060 the late 60s AD, 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.560 just before the war 00:21:07.560 --> 00:21:08.140 broke out 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.799 that destroyed Jerusalem, 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.620 the destruction 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:11.380 that Jesus said 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:11.980 in the Gospels 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.420 would happen 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.120 within the lifetime 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:13.720 of those that he 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.360 was speaking to, 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.120 and it climaxed 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:15.820 in AD 70. 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.620 So he's referring 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.700 to those who would 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.680 go back to the old 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.500 covenant ways 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.720 and go back 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.299 to Jerusalem 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:22.960 to do that 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.680 and incur 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.680 that judgment 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.580 that was going 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:25.980 to come. 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:28.220 So if I can paraphrase, 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.639 it's this. 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:29.240 He's saying, 00:21:29.699 --> 00:21:30.919 for if we sin deliberately 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:31.619 by returning 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:33.000 to the Levitical sacrifices 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.079 which must be offered 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.799 in Jerusalem, 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.720 after we've received 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.079 the knowledge 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.599 of the truth 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.399 that Christ died 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:39.059 once for all 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.619 and did away 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.279 with the repetitive 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.039 sacrifices 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:42.779 in doomed Jerusalem, 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.379 well, there no longer 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.240 remains a sacrifice 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.240 for sins back there, 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:48.919 but a fearful expectation 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:49.439 of judgment. 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:50.819 Roman armies, 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:51.819 massacred Jews, 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.839 fury of fire 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:54.099 which will consume 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:55.259 the adversaries. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.000 The author is concerned 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.859 about a specific 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:01.059 historical judgment 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.019 and so he warns 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.459 his hearers 00:22:02.459 --> 00:22:03.159 about going back 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.779 to Jerusalem 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.599 to worship 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:05.179 when the city 00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.779 is on the verge 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.359 of destruction. 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.019 And that destruction 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.879 came to pass 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:12.139 just as Jesus promised. 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.899 The city fell 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.559 and many who, 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:14.319 verse 26, 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:15.359 had spurned Christ 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.599 were lost. 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:17.980 And what that does 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.980 for us all these years 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.980 later is remind us 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.980 that God keeps his word. 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:22.559 He has promised 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.620 that he will take vengeance 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.759 on those who oppose him 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:26.180 and on that day 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:26.980 whenever it comes 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.620 it will be a fearful thing 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:29.660 to be in that situation. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.339 Verse 31. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.640 Christ has done 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.920 all that is required 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:35.299 to reconcile you to God 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:37.000 regardless of your background, 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.460 regardless of your status 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.460 or your ability, 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.920 regardless of what you've done 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.400 with your life, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.059 however good 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.900 and however bad, 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.079 the blood of Jesus 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.120 has opened the way 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.779 to God 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.200 if you will take it. 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.259 But if you won't, 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:52.519 if you would rather 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.779 navigate this life 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.680 on your own terms, 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.940 the only alternative 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.119 is to fall into the hands 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:57.879 of the living God, 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.279 not as your father 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.779 but as your judge. 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.980 It is real warning 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.759 to real people. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:09.279 So remember what's coming. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:13.019 We always have to calibrate 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:14.400 our behavior in the present 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.839 in light of what we know 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.779 about the future. 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.879 Remember what is coming. 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.859 Apart from the Lord Jesus Christ 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.079 who has done everything 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:23.859 to reconcile us to God, 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.680 to take us all the way 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.200 to glory. 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.039 Apart from that, 00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:30.339 all that there is 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:30.960 is judgment. 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:33.279 It is very sobering. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.079 Real warning. 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.700 The author follows this 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.319 with a reminder 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:41.140 of his hearer's past experience 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.000 as well. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.839 Remember what's coming, 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.220 he says, 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.000 but also remember 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.660 what's past. 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.379 Verse 32. 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:48.540 Remember what's past, 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:50.420 but recall the former days 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.860 when after you were enlightened, 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.560 you endured a hard struggle 00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:54.400 with sufferings, 00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:56.660 sometimes being publicly exposed 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:58.360 to reproach and affliction 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.820 and sometimes being partners 00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:00.840 with those so treated. 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.600 For you had compassion 00:24:02.600 --> 00:24:03.380 on those in prison 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.480 and you joyfully accepted 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.840 the plundering of your property. 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:08.699 When you started out 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:09.879 on this Christian life, 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.359 you took a lot of grief. 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.740 You were mocked 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.139 and humiliated 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:15.759 and rejected 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.519 and abused 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.339 and robbed, 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.679 but you kept going. 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.939 It's almost like 00:24:19.939 --> 00:24:20.759 the author is saying, 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.659 remember the conversation 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:23.319 we had 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.559 that time 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.439 after your flat 00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:26.199 was ransacked 00:24:26.199 --> 00:24:27.699 and they spray painted 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.419 all that stuff 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:30.000 over your front door. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.579 You had your valuables stolen. 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.799 It was an awful time. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.339 And do you remember 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.059 that I was saying 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.619 I was sorry 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.859 that you'd experienced this 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:37.000 and you rebuked me? 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:39.119 You said that this was reproach 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.200 for the sake of Christ 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.500 and that you were glad 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.359 to be counted worthy 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:43.680 to suffer for his name's sake. 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.500 Do you remember that? 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.359 The author is reminding 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.539 these weary believers 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:53.019 what they went through 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.619 in order to get to this point. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.440 And he's saying, 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.539 well, 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.519 first of all, 00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.799 they had the right perspective 00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.319 back then. 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.240 They happily accepted 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.240 the loss of what they had. 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.859 Verse 34. 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:03.259 Since you knew 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.500 that you yourselves 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.899 had a better possession 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:07.899 and an abiding one. 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.079 That's what Christ 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.099 holds out to us. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.299 Something that is way better 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.799 than anything 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.939 we could ever have here. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:19.240 Something that is way better 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.959 that if we were to give up 00:25:20.959 --> 00:25:22.859 now because it's too hard. 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:24.259 We think it's too hard. 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.919 We would be forfeiting 00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:27.339 just something 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:29.679 unimaginably wonderful. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:31.660 and one that is not 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.460 going to be fleeting 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.299 but one that is going 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.860 to abide. 00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:38.420 You had the right perspective 00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:39.180 back then, 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:39.740 Hebrews. 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.660 You know 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.620 and you knew then 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.120 that Christ 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:44.160 was your real treasure. 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.600 But also, 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.100 secondly, 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.480 in order to encourage them 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.039 to persevere 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.720 and not give up. 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.340 He's saying, 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.160 do you remember 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.039 you went through all that? 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:52.140 Why would you give up now? 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.380 Verse 35. 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.560 Do not throw away 00:25:54.560 --> 00:25:55.220 your confidence 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.920 which has a great reward. 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.700 You've come through so much. 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.940 You know like the person 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.480 who takes on 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.500 the massive challenge? 00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:05.140 Those kind of big challenges 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:06.340 that are cool these days. 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.680 I'm going to swim around Europe. 00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:10.000 I'm going to row across the world 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.460 on my own in my pants. 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.840 And they set off 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.780 with great confidence. 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.500 And there's a great fanfare 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.140 in all of that. 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:19.680 And despite all the challenges, 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.820 at the start, 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.520 they keep going. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.480 And at some point, 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.140 in this great challenge, 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.920 there'll be some people 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.180 who say, 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.040 I can't do it anymore. 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:29.700 And they stop. 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.880 But there'll be others 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.320 who think, 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:32.500 you know, 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:33.880 I've come through so much. 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:36.120 I can't stop now. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.200 That's the person 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.840 that he wants 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.740 these people to be. 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.580 He's calling these hearers 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:44.100 to be that person 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:45.000 and to endure. 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.100 Not to believe 00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:46.920 in themselves, 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:48.820 but verse 37, 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.480 can you see, 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:51.220 to trust Christ's promises 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.560 and to have faith 00:26:52.560 --> 00:26:53.240 that God, 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:54.320 who has promised 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:55.040 to be faithful, 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.460 will see them through. 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.200 That's the only way 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.020 anyone will endure 00:26:59.020 --> 00:26:59.540 to the end. 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:01.860 Now, some of you 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.640 need this reminder. 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:05.300 As we come to a close, 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:06.060 some of you need 00:27:06.060 --> 00:27:06.600 this reminder. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.940 You made a courageous start. 00:27:08.020 --> 00:27:09.120 You made a costly start 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.880 in the Christian life. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.880 It cost you friends. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.380 It cost you relationships. 00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:12.980 Your family 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.820 are annoyed with you. 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.740 They're disappointed 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.140 that their dreams for you 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:17.000 haven't been fulfilled. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.099 because you've given yourself 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.380 to being Christian. 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.940 You were warned 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.720 by HR 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.859 because the views 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:25.160 you expressed on X 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.799 weren't in line 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.480 with the company's 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.400 position on inclusion. 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.579 At the beginning, 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.420 you lost your job 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.079 because you liked 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.759 the social media, 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.440 posted, quoted, 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:32.880 the Bible, 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.799 and so on. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.900 Remember those days. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.359 And if you're tempted 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.079 to walk away 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:39.940 from Christ now, 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.680 remember those days 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.620 and don't throw away 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:43.279 your confidence. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.140 Don't lose your nerve. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.779 When following Christ 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.860 is particularly tough, 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:51.200 we need this twin perspective 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.240 in order to be confident 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.940 and keep going. 00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:53.700 Remember, 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:54.799 judgment lies ahead 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.840 and there is nothing else 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:56.740 for those who walk away 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.320 from Christ. 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.400 It's very sobering. 00:28:00.060 --> 00:28:01.420 And at the same time, 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.880 remember what you went through 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.840 to get this far 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:05.139 and don't waste 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:05.959 that struggle. 00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:08.359 Instead, 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:11.399 live like you really know Jesus. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.419 Live by faith 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.339 in our good God 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:15.599 who will keep us 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.699 for glory. 00:28:17.439 --> 00:28:19.199 And let's do it together. 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.240 Let's pray.