WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:06.179 We're in a summer sermon series on the attributes, the character of God. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:13.939 We have looked at a number of different attributes, a number of different attributes and characteristics 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:21.800 of God, and the hope is that as we grow to know God, as we behold who God is, his character, 00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:29.280 the very essence of who he is, that we will grow in our love for him, that we're going 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:36.079 to grow in our ability to read his word and encounter him in his word in a more robust 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:36.780 way. 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:41.039 And some of these attributes, they seem quite obvious for us. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:42.060 They're nothing new. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:46.620 If you've been at church even for a few weeks, some of these types of attributes make their 00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:53.980 appearances week after week, talking about God's self-existence or God's omnipotence. 00:00:53.979 --> 00:00:55.299 These are very clear. 00:00:55.419 --> 00:01:02.179 There's very clear instances in scripture where God and his character are revealed, that God 00:01:02.179 --> 00:01:02.959 is the creator. 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:06.200 I mean, I think George, he mentions that almost every week. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:10.519 If you're new and if you haven't heard George mention it, by the way, George is our lead 00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:10.939 pastor. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:12.679 You'll hear it. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:15.620 These are certain characteristics that we hear often. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:25.040 However, we're looking this morning at God's impassibility, something that isn't talked 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:26.020 about all that much. 00:01:26.200 --> 00:01:34.760 Not because George skirts around the issue or it's something that is extremely controversial. 00:01:35.380 --> 00:01:39.140 It's because it's just a lesser talked about doctrine. 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:45.379 The idea behind the impassibility of God is that God is incapable of suffering. 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:48.280 He is incapable of being overwhelmed. 00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:52.120 And he is incapable of being overcome by anything. 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:59.780 So the idea is in the kind of the older sense of the word passion, like Jesus' passion, Jesus' 00:01:59.980 --> 00:02:05.040 suffering, that God is incapable of suffering. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:08.479 So that's where we get this term, the impassibility of God. 00:02:09.139 --> 00:02:15.379 And this actually goes hand in glove with what Shane preached on last week on God's unchangingness 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:18.979 or his immutability, that God never changes. 00:02:19.239 --> 00:02:20.619 And we must take these things together. 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:29.500 In fact, like I mentioned a few weeks ago, the last time I opened up God's word at Messiah, 00:02:29.979 --> 00:02:34.179 is that these attributes of God, they are to be taken together. 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:42.020 We do not have the liberty to pick and choose God's attributes. 00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:46.780 We can't treat God like a buffet where we go there. 00:02:46.860 --> 00:02:47.939 There's many different options. 00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:52.939 And we are bypassing the noodles and going straight for the stir fry. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:03:00.159 It is, we don't have the luxury of picking, okay, I really like God being omnipotent, but this 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:05.139 idea of him being omnipresent everywhere, it seems a bit far-fetched. 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:06.039 I don't really like that. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:08.639 We don't have that luxury. 00:03:08.859 --> 00:03:14.819 So this attribute of God, it's deeply important. 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:25.359 In fact, I want to put forward to you this morning that the impassibility of God is the key characteristic of God 00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:28.739 by which we can have assurance of our salvation. 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:36.959 We preach that when you put your hope and faith and trust in Jesus, 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:42.180 his grip on us, on you, is greater than your grip on him. 00:03:42.180 --> 00:03:46.700 That if you are his, you are adopted by grace. 00:03:47.219 --> 00:03:49.099 He isn't going to unadopt you. 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:51.939 You're not heading back to some kind of spiritual orphanage. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:04:01.340 The impassibility of God is key in this, in understanding a true and hearty assurance of salvation. 00:04:02.480 --> 00:04:05.860 So it's important that we do our best to get this right. 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:15.280 It is not an easy doctrine to talk about because although, of course, we can say that God doesn't suffer, 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:20.759 it opens up a lot of issues that we might find in the Bible. 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:29.000 There are some stories, there are some passages in the Scripture that seem to contradict this idea that God does not suffer, 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:32.040 or God does not change, or God isn't overwhelmed. 00:04:32.040 --> 00:04:38.080 So, we're first, this morning, we're going to look at this idea of divine impassibility. 00:04:38.200 --> 00:04:39.660 What does it mean for God not to suffer? 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.780 For God not to be overwhelmed? 00:04:43.020 --> 00:04:50.040 The second thing is we're going to try to tackle these apparent contradictions in the Scriptures when we read about it. 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:51.340 And I'll have a few examples. 00:04:52.140 --> 00:04:54.400 And then, at the end, why does this matter for us? 00:04:54.960 --> 00:04:55.759 Why is it so key? 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:58.460 I talked about assurance of salvation, but why? 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:01.239 Why does it give us true assurance of salvation? 00:05:03.419 --> 00:05:09.019 So first, let's take a look at what does this actually mean, God's impassibility. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:12.799 God is completely immune to suffering. 00:05:14.919 --> 00:05:20.779 With God being fully sovereign and fully omnipotent, meaning that he is fully powerful, 00:05:20.899 --> 00:05:23.459 there's no power greater than him, 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:26.779 it means that there is no greater power that rivals him. 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:37.079 There is no great power that will somehow influence God to do something contrary to his will, 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:40.299 or to his character, or to his knowledge. 00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:45.119 It's not as if God is all-powerful, 00:05:45.699 --> 00:05:50.319 but in the sense of God is 1A, but there's something else that's like a 1B. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:55.779 We have to understand that God being all-powerful, completely omnipotent, 00:05:56.379 --> 00:06:04.860 means that if God has all power, there is an unbreachable chasm for the next powerful being. 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:08.000 And a big part of that is because God has created everything. 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:14.399 He is the only uncreated being, and that everything in existence is his creation. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:22.239 And therefore, he is completely, completely powerful, more powerful than, infinitely powerful than his creation. 00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:26.979 So that God, what follows is that God can't be overwhelmed. 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:29.239 He can't be overcome by anything. 00:06:29.359 --> 00:06:31.959 He's unaffected by anything whatsoever. 00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:38.379 There is no outside influence that can somehow cause God to second-guess, 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:40.680 or to regret, 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:49.060 or to somehow expose his lack of love, 00:06:49.159 --> 00:06:51.579 or his lack of mercy, or his lack of justice. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:54.819 That God is completely perfect. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:57.099 He is completely other than. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:02.640 And as such, he doesn't have any unrealized potential. 00:07:03.640 --> 00:07:06.879 So for us, maybe you've known some people, 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:08.540 maybe you are one of these people, 00:07:08.640 --> 00:07:10.900 where there was a lot of promise for you when you were younger, 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:15.820 and you grew up, and you didn't quite meet expectations. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:18.320 Whether they're your expectations, or parents, or whatever. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:22.160 But there's unmet expectations. 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:24.480 There's unrealized potential. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:27.160 In God, there's none of that. 00:07:28.020 --> 00:07:35.020 In God, there is the very definition of what love is, 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:38.439 of what mercy, and justice, and compassion is, 00:07:38.520 --> 00:07:42.480 so much so in him that it is his very essence. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:46.740 So we read in 1 John, where it says that God is love. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:48.680 We can extend that to God is mercy. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:50.939 God is compassion. 00:07:51.660 --> 00:07:53.640 God is pure justice. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:57.879 God, in a very pure way, hates evil. 00:07:58.099 --> 00:07:59.800 That is his essence. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:02.219 It's his very essence of who he is. 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:04.800 So he can't get overwhelmed. 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:07.579 There is nothing that can somehow upend him. 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:13.899 There is no power that, in some way, God hasn't considered. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:18.680 For us, we are not like this at all, are we? 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:22.120 We are influenced a ton. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:24.100 Some of us have better self-control than others. 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:24.860 Fantastic. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:29.579 Other people are more kind of rock solid in their emotions than others. 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:34.720 But all of us, whether it be a negative or a positive aspect, 00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:39.680 we, outside influences, can influence us, can change us, 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:41.440 can cause us to reconsider certain things, 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:43.080 can cause us to be overwhelmed. 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:52.320 A flirty interaction with your spouse or somebody that you might be interested in, 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:56.220 that is an outside influence that can level you for the day. 00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:59.360 Like, just totally, totally take over. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:05.519 At the same time, if that spouse is frustrated at you 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:12.639 or a pass at, you know, somebody you're interested in isn't reciprocated, 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:17.180 that can also just, it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. 00:09:17.300 --> 00:09:18.820 And that changes who you are for that day. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.940 We are passable people. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:21.480 We are. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:24.340 We are given to our emotions and our passions. 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.139 And this is the way that we are. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:32.360 And by the way, I'm not trying to advocate for, like, this is a terrible thing. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:37.819 We need to go the way of the Stoics or the Buddhists or the Serenity Now folk. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:40.939 This is just who we are as people. 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:46.379 Our desires are constantly in flux. 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:48.019 They can be disordered quite a bit. 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:51.139 But consider again God, how he can't be affected by anything. 00:09:51.139 --> 00:10:02.299 Nothing, again, is his love for us, for instance, isn't contingent on how we reciprocate back. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:08.679 It is not as though God loves us so that we might love him back and fill a void in his life, 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:12.519 in his eternal being, because there is none. 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:16.720 God is completely impassable. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:25.980 And it's really important that we understand that it is essentially due to him being completely other than us. 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.259 He is the creator. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.419 We are the creation. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:32.319 This summer, like I mentioned, we're going through these attributes of God. 00:10:32.419 --> 00:10:33.699 And there's a number of attributes. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.179 I guess we could look at it like this. 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:39.659 The attributes of God can roughly be understood in two different camps. 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:40.379 Okay? 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:44.240 There's those attributes that we share with God. 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:49.399 Not completely equal, obviously, but we share. 00:10:49.719 --> 00:10:51.240 There's a connection there. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:52.860 God is a loving God. 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:53.899 We can be loving people. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:58.159 God is, he has power. 00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:58.899 He can influence. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:10:59.939 Well, we can as well. 00:11:00.219 --> 00:11:01.379 Again, to a degree. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.259 Never to the extent of God. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:05.059 So we understand this as an analogy. 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:10.099 We're analogous to God, not equal to God in that way. 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:14.339 But then there are these attributes where we have no connection. 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:17.319 There's complete difference with God, right? 00:11:17.479 --> 00:11:18.299 God is immortal. 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:20.079 He has no beginning and no end. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:22.079 We have a beginning. 00:11:22.219 --> 00:11:27.479 Our hope in Christ is that we will not have an end and be with him for eternity. 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:28.459 But we've had a beginning. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:36.620 We can't claim of ourselves, like God can, that he has always existed. 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:45.300 Unlike God, we can't claim that we're omnipresent, that we're everywhere at once. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:47.560 These are unique to God. 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:50.700 And impassibility is one of those things. 00:11:51.300 --> 00:11:56.200 And it's important that we understand this creature-creator distinctive. 00:11:56.200 --> 00:12:04.300 Oftentimes, in our culture, actually in our cultures, maybe that's a better way of talking about it, 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:06.740 we try to switch the roles. 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:19.460 We try to put ourselves as God and then kind of use God as a tool, as a means for our own benefit, 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:21.080 as if God could be manipulated. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:27.280 But with this idea of impassibility, God is completely other than us. 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.480 He's completely unique in this. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:38.700 So much so that God is, as creator, that we actually have our being in him. 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:43.120 It says in Acts 17, the Apostle Paul is saying to the Athenians, 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:45.779 in him we live and move and have our being. 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:52.620 Psalm 18, that Shane read, verses 1 to 3 and then verse 31. 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:55.220 I love you, O Lord, my strength. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:59.940 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:05.419 in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:08.159 I call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised, 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:10.379 and I am saved from my enemies. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:12.439 For who is God but the Lord? 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:16.120 This idea that David is communicating, he's praising God about, 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:20.639 is that God can't be changed and he can't be upended 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:23.519 and he can't be conquered. 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:29.679 There is nothing at all that can prevent God from being God. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:41.559 Consider the Greek and Roman gods who are given to flights of rage, 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:47.239 who are manipulated, who are given to lust and war. 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:51.059 There is an inconsistency in them. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:56.839 In the Hindu pantheon, there is constant struggle. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:59.120 There's no almighty God. 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:05.639 God, our God that we see in scriptures, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.120 is completely other than any other God. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:10.699 Any other God in any other faith tradition, 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:13.939 he is completely, completely other than. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:19.459 And again, we don't talk about the impassibility of God all that much. 00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:23.919 And a part of it is because here at Church of the Messiah, 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:25.199 we go through books of the Bible, 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:32.780 and it's a fantastic way to kind of systematically understand who God is 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:35.480 as God has revealed himself to us. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:43.120 However, it's moments, sermons like these that help us actually read the Bible better. 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:48.779 So, for instance, I mentioned that there seems to be contradictions in the scriptures 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:51.379 about this doctrine of God's impassibility. 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:54.560 There's a number of instances, actually. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.859 I'll give a few examples. 00:14:56.919 --> 00:15:01.379 God negotiates with Abraham before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:15:01.599 --> 00:15:09.739 He negotiates as if there is some kind of influence that Abraham might have on God. 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:14.259 God seems to rage only to calm down, 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:18.339 be calmed down by Moses with the idolatry of the nation of Israel. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:23.580 Somehow, Moses convinces God to change his mind, 00:15:23.780 --> 00:15:27.200 his wrath towards Israel. 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:33.399 Also, God anoints King Saul to be king, 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:35.740 and King Saul blunders, 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:39.300 and God says that he regrets the decision 00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:42.480 that he made to anoint King Saul. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:44.940 It's a kind of repentance, is it not? 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:48.040 I mean, not because God somehow sinned, 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:51.240 but because God made a decision that he needs to correct. 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:56.120 How does that jive with impassibility? 00:15:58.660 --> 00:16:00.760 This is, it's a good question. 00:16:00.800 --> 00:16:01.860 And if you're asking that question, 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:04.900 if you are, maybe you're frustrated at me 00:16:04.900 --> 00:16:06.840 because you're anticipating some of this stuff, 00:16:06.880 --> 00:16:09.120 and you're like, man, you're not reading the Bible properly, 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.220 or maybe it's making you squirm, 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:12.440 or making you feel uncomfortable, 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:16.640 it's a good thing because you're wanting to be faithful to the Scriptures, 00:16:16.760 --> 00:16:17.760 and that's what we want to do. 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:21.020 But a few things that we need to consider 00:16:21.020 --> 00:16:25.320 as we hold on to this doctrine of impassibility 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:30.420 and then encounter a seemingly impassible God in the Scriptures. 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.180 A couple things. 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:34.420 In the 39 Articles of Faith, 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:37.700 it's what kind of defines our doctrine as Anglicans. 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:43.379 Article 20 says that we ought not to expound 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:48.840 one part of Scripture over against another part. 00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:50.120 That might contradict it. 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:51.200 So here's an example. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.180 It says in the Scriptures 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:57.840 that God is spirit. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.780 He doesn't have a body. 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:03.520 And yet, he rescues Israel from Egypt with what? 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:06.680 A strong arm and an outstretched hand. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:09.519 I don't know if it's an outstretched arm and a strong hand. 00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:11.099 I get those things mixed up. 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:11.839 But the point is, 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:14.519 he saves Israel, 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:18.099 and the language used is with his arm. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.180 Now, do we say, 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.039 well, hold on a second. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.839 Clearly, God has a body 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.879 because that's what it says. 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:27.279 Do we contradict one part of Scripture 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:29.720 or interpret one part of Scripture 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.700 at the expense of the other? 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.359 Well, no. 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.819 We say, hold on a second. 00:17:32.939 --> 00:17:35.219 This is language used to communicate 00:17:35.219 --> 00:17:37.599 that God has done a mighty work 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:39.500 on behalf of his people. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.719 That God is spirit. 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.579 He is without body. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:46.439 So we don't read every passage literally 00:17:46.439 --> 00:17:48.299 at face value, 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:51.839 but we honor it in the way it was written. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:54.019 So it's really important 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:57.399 that we never contradict Scripture with Scripture. 00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:59.599 And that's not an easy thing, by the way. 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:00.740 It's not an easy thing. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.960 But this is why we go through a summer series 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.880 that gives us tools 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.799 to read the Scriptures a bit better. 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:08.079 The second thing is that 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:12.480 God uses adequate language to our beings. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:16.599 So the Bible isn't some collection of sayings 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:20.960 or a big tome of law. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.680 It is a story. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:25.940 It's a collection of different types of writing, 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.339 of course, 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:28.279 but ultimately it is this grand story. 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:31.039 And God describes himself as what? 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:33.399 He describes himself as a father 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:35.779 and as a king 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:38.799 and as a lord 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:40.419 and as a lover 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:42.299 and as a shepherd 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.579 and as a husband. 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.699 How does he describe us? 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:50.199 He describes us as his bride, 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.299 as sheep. 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:53.579 We are not sheep, 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:56.519 but the Bible is constantly using. 00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:59.180 God has so ordered the Bible 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.480 to be written in such a way 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.259 by which we can understand it 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.359 and relate to it. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:07.859 We understand life as a story, 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.319 as a journey, 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:13.220 as something that is this grand epic. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:16.279 And this is how God has revealed himself to us. 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:19.259 God reveals, 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:21.779 the infinite God reveals himself in language 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:24.200 that finite, limited humans 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:26.200 can comprehend 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:28.259 and have a capacity to understand. 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:31.940 So, going back to King Saul, 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.700 the issue with King Saul 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:35.339 and God repenting, 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:37.180 is God really repenting? 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:39.299 Is God really, 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:43.160 did God really fail 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.859 to take in all this information 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:46.539 that Saul would mess up 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:48.639 and that God would look bad 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:50.639 and that he regrets 00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:52.479 what he has done 00:19:52.479 --> 00:19:54.279 as if God made a mistake? 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.500 Is that what is happening? 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.819 Is God, 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:01.299 who negotiates with Abraham 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:04.740 about the future of Sodom and Gomorrah, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:06.399 is he really negotiating 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:09.079 as if he's at the market 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.759 and there's kind of like 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:15.199 this discussion over goods? 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.799 And say, 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.559 well, hold on a second. 00:20:17.699 --> 00:20:19.299 We understand that God is unchanging. 00:20:19.699 --> 00:20:20.519 He is all-knowing. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.359 He's impassable. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:23.099 So, how then do we read the scripture 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.859 in light of that? 00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:25.220 Well, I think we need to ask ourselves 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.319 these questions. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:28.599 In light of God being impassable, 00:20:28.699 --> 00:20:30.259 what is God trying to communicate 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.639 in the story of King Saul 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:33.179 having his crown removed? 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.500 What is he teaching us 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.539 about the human condition? 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.559 About his great desire 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:39.680 to be the king of his people 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:42.839 and yet their apostasy, 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:45.180 wanting to be like the other nations 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:46.720 and get a king of their own, 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:48.259 even though the creator 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.579 of heaven and earth 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.599 is their king. 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:54.099 What does it tell us 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:55.059 about God's glory 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:56.220 and God's desire 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:58.700 to bless and not curse? 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:01.899 About to honor free will? 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.399 What does it tell us 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.580 about who God is 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.640 and what God has done? 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.460 What does it tell us 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.360 about God's glory? 00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:10.680 And when we ask those questions, 00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:12.480 right, and we don't, 00:21:12.780 --> 00:21:14.160 we ask those questions individually, 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.840 but we also ask them at church 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:18.660 as a community of God's people, 00:21:18.780 --> 00:21:20.180 but we ask those questions 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.200 and all of a sudden, 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:23.780 all of a sudden, 00:21:23.780 --> 00:21:29.700 we get this beautiful picture 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:31.120 that starts to get painted 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:33.139 of this God that we serve. 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.879 And it's magnificent. 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:39.979 It's greater than we'd ever have thought. 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:42.279 His love is much deeper 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:44.259 than we had ever imagined. 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:46.299 His mercy and his justice, 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:49.919 his patience is so much greater 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:51.619 than we'd ever understand. 00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:55.799 So when we come to instances 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:58.299 where it seems like God is one of us, 00:21:58.979 --> 00:21:59.899 like he is, 00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:02.639 he is fickle, 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:05.319 we have to ask the questions. 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.199 Well, hold on a second. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:08.039 What's really being communicated here? 00:22:09.719 --> 00:22:11.699 We must resist the urge 00:22:11.699 --> 00:22:13.199 to fashion God, 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.019 two extremes, 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.659 to fashion God in our own image 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:19.160 or somehow treat God 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.560 as if he is completely 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:24.100 an apathetic deity, right? 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:25.279 Because if I'm saying like God 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:27.779 is unaffected by anything, 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.279 it kind of goes to, 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:32.160 doesn't it kind of lead us 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.259 to logically think 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:35.200 that God doesn't really love? 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:37.560 Because the idea of love 00:22:37.560 --> 00:22:39.300 is there's some kind of reciprocation 00:22:39.300 --> 00:22:41.880 that he's not, 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:43.019 he doesn't show emotions 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.060 even though we see it in scripture. 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.800 No, no, no. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:47.220 We must hold this tension 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:49.399 of not creating God in our image 00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:50.480 and not treating him 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:52.799 as some kind of apathetic deity, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.940 some kind of God 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:57.019 that makes the watch, 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.819 winds it up, 00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:58.899 and just leaves it. 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.879 So, 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:04.639 the reality is, 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.799 is God does have emotions. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.919 He most certainly does. 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:10.519 In Exodus chapter 3, verse 7, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:15.160 when he sees Israel crying out, 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:17.200 they're in Egyptian slavery, 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:19.119 God most certainly does feel, 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:22.759 but his emotions never change his essence, 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.940 who he is. 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:28.519 He doesn't love, 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:31.420 he doesn't feel out of a lack, 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:33.160 but actually out of fullness. 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:36.900 That God doesn't love to be loved 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.759 or show compassion 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.720 so that he is seen as a nice guy 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:42.080 or shown mercy, 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.160 he doesn't show mercy 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.320 so that people, 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:46.580 oh, look at this God, 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:49.100 we're in his pocket. 00:23:49.320 --> 00:23:50.000 No, no, no, no. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.060 God has emotions, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:54.560 but he is completely unaffected 00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.300 by his emotions. 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:57.420 He's unlike us in this regard. 00:23:57.420 --> 00:24:00.840 So, this is why the study 00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:02.200 of the attributes of God 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.160 is so important 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:05.200 because we come to the scriptures 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.539 and we hold these things in tension 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:09.140 and we realize, 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.080 hold on a second, 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.840 this God is for me. 00:24:12.300 --> 00:24:13.140 He loves me. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:15.039 And also, he's unchanging 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.300 so that I can trust 00:24:16.300 --> 00:24:17.420 in his consistency 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.620 in his character forever. 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:21.000 This is where the rubber hits the road 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.480 because if God has made promises, 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.500 he doesn't go back on them. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.680 Not because he's a good promise keeper, 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:28.799 is because he cannot go back on them. 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:33.039 Because his promises of salvation 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.180 and love, 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:38.960 they are outpouring of his very character, 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:40.220 of who he is. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.759 And he can't go against that. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:45.880 So, when we have the, 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:48.039 these wonderful promises 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:50.500 were made for little Coralie, 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:53.320 that if she grows up 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:55.220 and, you know, 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.379 she has a bad stretch, 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:56.960 God forbid, 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.779 God doesn't look at her 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.379 and say, 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.279 like, enough is enough, 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.839 I'm done, 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:02.859 and pull, 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.720 and pull the rug 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.740 from out from underneath her. 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:07.119 Those promises remain true. 00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:09.579 They've remained true 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.299 all the way. 00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:12.119 And we can, 00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:13.399 we can take that to the bank. 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.099 It means that 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:16.379 when God says 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:18.359 that all the injustice 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:19.939 will be taken care of one day, 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.960 all the injustice 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.259 will be taken care of one day. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.299 And we take that to the bank. 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:27.519 You can't be influenced otherwise. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.720 When God shows mercy 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:31.080 to people, 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:36.059 that mercy doesn't get undid, 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.039 so to speak. 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.500 If he adopts you 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.860 as his son or daughter, 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:43.140 that is never going to be rescinded. 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:45.180 If you are truly his, 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.539 you are his forever. 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:48.299 And all of a sudden, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.159 we understand 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:50.779 that the doctrine 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:52.000 of the impassibility of God 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.119 is key to our assurance 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.759 of salvation. 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:55.000 Because we have a God 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.960 that does not change, 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:57.180 that cannot be influenced, 00:25:58.299 --> 00:26:00.099 that cannot be connived, 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.639 cannot be twisted, 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.420 cannot be, 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.519 he's perfect, 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.579 unchanging. 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.680 And we can take that 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.240 to the bank. 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:07.759 We can. 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.899 We can hold God 00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:09.599 to his promises. 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.559 We can. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.480 His promises come out 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.119 in his way 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.980 and in his timing, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.839 but we can hold 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.799 to his promises. 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:21.039 Another wonderful thing 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.700 about this 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:23.480 is that 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.740 it helps us 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.319 to understand 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.899 the incarnation 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.819 really well. 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.799 One of the, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.200 out of all the stuff 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.039 with the pandemic 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.899 and the restrictions, 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.359 and I'm not, 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.539 I'm not making comments 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.899 on government stuff, 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.379 really, 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.960 but one of the things 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.500 that has been 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:40.099 absolutely horrible 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:41.599 is elderly folk 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:43.980 spending their last days alone, 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.779 dying alone, 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:47.039 suffering alone. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:47.960 Our, 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.700 my grandmother, 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:49.680 when all this stuff happened, 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.519 she was in 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.759 her retirement home 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.599 for three months 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:54.240 and we could see her 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.759 through a window. 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.660 It was heartbreaking 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.399 for us. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.720 Maybe you guys know people 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.960 or you've experienced 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.480 some of that 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.180 with your loved ones. 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:01.980 We got her out 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.759 of the home, 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.460 thank God, 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.579 but other people 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.259 have been in the home 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.160 for a year, 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.359 more, 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:09.659 and they're suffering 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.740 alone. 00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:13.719 They're completely alone. 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.500 In the incarnation, 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.379 God, 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.500 out of his 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:22.099 self-sufficient love 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:23.219 for us, 00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:24.779 what does he do? 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.119 He condescends 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.879 and in the person 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.779 of Jesus Christ, 00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:29.639 he unites himself. 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.279 The fullness 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.179 of the divinity 00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:32.500 unites with the fullness 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.479 of humanity 00:27:33.479 --> 00:27:34.419 in the person 00:27:34.419 --> 00:27:35.299 of Jesus Christ. 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.740 And what does Jesus do? 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.359 He suffers. 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:40.680 His humanity 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.619 suffers 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:44.139 and yet his divinity 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.419 conquers everything. 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.899 Conquers the grave. 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.819 Conquers sin. 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.419 Not one time, 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.039 but forever. 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.519 So in the person 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.059 of Jesus, 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:53.379 we have somebody 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.659 that can relate to us. 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:57.259 That can know 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.819 what it means 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.480 to suffer. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.399 Know what it means 00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:00.099 to be alone 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.940 because what did he do? 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.740 He died alone 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.359 on a cross. 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:06.479 And yet, 00:28:07.219 --> 00:28:08.659 he is fully divine, 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.319 fully God 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.379 in that 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.719 in Jesus, 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:13.279 the divine attribute 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.519 of impassibility 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.679 along with all the other 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:16.740 divine attributes 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:18.199 don't somehow 00:28:18.199 --> 00:28:19.419 get put on pause. 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.219 God remains 00:28:20.219 --> 00:28:21.159 fully God 00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:22.359 in the person 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.099 of Jesus 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.639 so that he 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:26.219 conquers everything. 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.759 He doesn't stay 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.240 in the grave. 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:29.439 He rises again. 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.379 What a wonderful truth. 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:34.839 we have a God 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:36.500 who knows, 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:37.879 is acquainted 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:39.079 with our suffering. 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:40.959 It says in Hebrews, 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:45.579 Hebrews chapter 4, 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.319 that we have a high priest 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.699 who is able to sympathize 00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:49.719 with our weaknesses. 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:50.599 Yet, 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.859 sorry, 00:28:52.979 --> 00:28:53.959 he was able to sympathize 00:28:53.959 --> 00:28:54.559 with our weaknesses, 00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:56.599 but one who in every respect 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:57.339 has been tempted 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:57.919 as we are, 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:59.019 yet without sin. 00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.719 That means Jesus experiences 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.920 all of the emotions 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.759 we have, 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.660 but properly ordered, 00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:05.940 without sinning, 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:08.220 without flying off 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.200 the handle. 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:11.140 He experiences 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.759 everything 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.860 that we have, 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.900 but yet is without sin. 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.000 And what's the result? 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.720 Verse 16 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.920 of Hebrews chapter 4, 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.700 let us then 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.360 with confidence 00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:20.019 draw near 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.759 to the throne 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.380 of grace 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.319 that we may receive 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.039 mercy and grace 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.440 to help 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.480 in our time 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.319 of need. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:27.639 Psalm 18 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.679 continues on 00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.859 and it talks 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.399 about God 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:31.759 rescuing David, 00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:32.500 but it's more 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.240 than just this 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:34.220 picture of David 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.839 being rescued 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.980 from Saul 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.399 when Saul 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:36.759 was trying 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.419 to attack him. 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.480 It is this 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.659 fantastic picture 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.679 of God 00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:41.460 rescuing 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.200 his people 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.740 from the greatest 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.759 of evils, 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.259 from the greatest 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.879 of sin, 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.659 of the greatest 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:49.460 of what hell 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.279 has to offer. 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.339 God rescues 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.759 his people. 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:53.019 And he doesn't 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.500 do it 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:56.400 with the last 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.339 bit of mustering 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.140 of his strength. 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.720 It's done. 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.599 It's done. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.079 Jesus himself, 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.220 what does he do? 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.079 He doesn't get 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:07.059 coerced into 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.980 laying down 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.779 his life for us 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.940 because somehow 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:11.160 we will be 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.599 in his debt, 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.200 like I've mentioned, 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:12.920 this idea of 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.640 quid pro quo. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.779 But in John 10, 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.339 what does he say? 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.000 For this reason 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.839 the Father loves me 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.680 because I lay down 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.660 my life that I may 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.379 take it up again. 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.019 Verse 18, 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:22.400 no one takes it 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.819 from me, 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.920 but I lay it down 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.859 on my own accord. 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.539 I have authority 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.339 to lay it down. 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.180 I have authority 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:28.119 to take it up again. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.400 This charge I have 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.480 received from my Father. 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.500 That God, 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.160 out of his goodness, 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:36.039 out of his self-sufficiency, 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.559 has suffered 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.960 through Jesus 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:40.200 on our behalf. 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.519 Friends, 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.119 listen, 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:45.180 if you are suffering, 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.879 there is someone close. 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.799 When Jesus ascended 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.779 into heaven, 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.980 he sent the Holy Spirit 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.720 to what? 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.559 To comfort us 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.799 in these times. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.400 And oftentimes, 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.099 the Holy Spirit 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:55.759 comforts us 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.779 through one another, 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.860 through the reading 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.480 of his word, 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.519 through times of prayer, 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.700 through the gathering 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.539 around his table, 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.339 through the proclamation 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.360 of his word. 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:06.099 The Holy Spirit's at work. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.079 We will never 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:10.140 have that full satisfaction 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:11.579 until we are glorified 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.559 in heaven with God. 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.839 But we get tastes 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:15.579 of what it means 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.900 to be comforted. 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:18.700 We get tastes 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.320 of what it means 00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:20.620 to be in 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:22.240 the impassable 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:23.600 God's presence 00:31:23.600 --> 00:31:24.700 here on earth 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.720 and to trust 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.460 that his promises 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.280 are true forever. 00:31:28.560 --> 00:31:29.640 And I'll tell you, 00:31:29.820 --> 00:31:30.720 if you are on 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.540 a spiritual journey, 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.480 if you're 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.740 in another faith, 00:31:33.820 --> 00:31:34.420 if you are 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.580 exploring, 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.800 wherever you may be, 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.660 I'm telling you 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.280 that today, 00:31:38.780 --> 00:31:40.860 God extends 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:43.939 this desire 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:44.659 to save, 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:45.519 this love 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.299 that he has done 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.339 on the cross 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.859 of Calvary, 00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:48.319 he extends 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.059 that to you today. 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:50.759 And if he extends 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.379 it to you 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.899 and you are his, 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.839 you will never 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.699 not be his. 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.159 Wonderful truth, 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.259 assurance of salvation. 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.799 Heavenly Father, 00:31:58.919 --> 00:31:59.699 we come before you 00:31:59.699 --> 00:32:00.299 as your people 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:03.199 and we thank you 00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:04.079 that you are not 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.740 like us 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.659 in many respects, 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.519 that you cannot 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:08.619 be manipulated, 00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:10.119 that you don't 00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:10.979 change your mind, 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:12.379 that you aren't, 00:32:13.459 --> 00:32:14.279 in your divinity, 00:32:14.459 --> 00:32:15.379 you do not suffer. 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.000 And yet, 00:32:16.199 --> 00:32:16.979 in the person 00:32:16.979 --> 00:32:18.259 and work 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:18.859 of your son, 00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:19.699 Jesus Christ, 00:32:20.219 --> 00:32:21.139 he suffered 00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:22.179 on our behalf. 00:32:23.679 --> 00:32:24.439 He took 00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:25.919 every last bit 00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:27.699 of the taste 00:32:27.699 --> 00:32:28.139 of death 00:32:28.139 --> 00:32:28.819 away from us 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.299 so that we don't 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.039 have to taste it 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:31.079 because he tasted it. 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.359 And Lord, 00:32:32.419 --> 00:32:33.219 we can be sure 00:32:33.219 --> 00:32:34.179 as sure can be 00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:36.579 that we are yours 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.839 because of what 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.919 you have done for us 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:39.639 and you do not 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.740 rescind your adoption. 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:42.080 You don't send us 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:43.240 back to an orphanage. 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.540 You don't send us 00:32:44.540 --> 00:32:45.880 out to be alone 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:48.300 and to suffer 00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:49.120 by ourselves. 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.500 No. 00:32:51.100 --> 00:32:51.660 So Lord, 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.640 help us to know 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:53.060 you more, 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:54.759 help us to know 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.520 your qualities, 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.320 your attributes, 00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:57.460 your essence more. 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.620 Today, 00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.500 as we read through 00:32:59.500 --> 00:32:59.940 the scriptures 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.540 this week 00:33:00.540 --> 00:33:01.680 and as we continue 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:03.440 on in our service 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.980 or in our summer 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.080 series 00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:07.320 for the rest 00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:07.759 of the summer, 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.839 we pray all these 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.460 things in Christ's 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:09.619 name. 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:10.940 Amen.