WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:07.459 Well folks, let me invite you to grab a Bible and come with me to Genesis chapter 27, which 00:00:07.459 --> 00:00:09.540 is where we're going to be this morning. 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:13.759 And the Lord has so much to teach us in this section. 00:00:14.179 --> 00:00:17.039 Just a heads up, we're going to read it together in about 10 minutes time. 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:21.059 I just thought it'd be useful to get a bit of a run up to it so that we kind of know 00:00:21.059 --> 00:00:25.280 what we're looking out for so that we can see the wood from the trees. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:33.260 So, there were 3,326 of them when I counted them this week. 00:00:34.400 --> 00:00:42.159 That is episodes of the Jeremy Kyle show, which aired on British telly between 2005 and 2019. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:52.380 Now, Jeremy Kyle was a show, if you don't know, that basically got people on to explore, and 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:55.219 you could argue exploit, their mess. 00:00:56.380 --> 00:01:03.120 Okay, strained relationships, dashed dreams, neighbourhood dramas, and it was watched at 00:01:03.120 --> 00:01:09.159 its peak by an average of 1 million people, they estimated, in the UK on a daily basis. 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:13.519 Now, here's the thing about shows like that. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:22.700 Meet Jesus in the Gospels, and he'll tell you why they will never be short of guests nor material. 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:29.019 And encounter him in the Gospels, and he'll tell you why, in all honesty, any of us could 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:33.060 be on a show like that, and they would have plenty to talk about. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:41.320 And it's all because of where Jesus says the biggest problem facing human beings is. 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:48.280 And it's not primarily the stuff that goes on outside of us. 00:01:49.859 --> 00:01:55.920 Meet Jesus, and he says that it's the stuff that goes on inside each of our hearts, 00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:02.640 which runs counter-cultural, doesn't it, in terms of what we are told each day in our 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:08.080 world, that the answer is inside of us, and the problems are outside of us. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:11.020 Jesus says, no, no, no, you've got it all wrong. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:17.500 And one of Jesus' most piercing and his sobering of remarks is that it is out of the abundance 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:24.699 of the heart that the mouth speaks, and human beings think and act. 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:28.139 And that might come at you this morning as a revolutionary idea. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:34.960 And I take it it should, in every single generation and every single culture, that Christ should 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:38.580 never fit comfortably into any culture if we've got them right. 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:46.599 I think, though, it is one, if we are honest with ourselves in one way or another, we all know 00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:47.659 this is kind of true. 00:02:48.019 --> 00:02:52.560 Do you know there's a French philosopher called Émile Calais, I think I've got that right, 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:56.039 who was born in 1894, right? 00:02:56.079 --> 00:02:59.419 This guy grows up with zero interest in the Christian faith. 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:03.379 He grows up with absolutely no interest in the notion of God. 00:03:03.379 --> 00:03:11.419 But it was after spending time sitting in the trenches during World War I, makes him stop 00:03:11.419 --> 00:03:16.060 and ask some pretty big questions of his atheistic worldview. 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:21.460 And I guess that kind of is what happens when you must have seen bullet after bullet and 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:24.759 casualty after casualty and friend after friend die. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:27.599 It all made him ask, why, right? 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:31.479 Why do human beings do these kind of things to each other? 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:36.300 And he gets back to France after the war is finished and he goes searching for answers 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:38.240 and he's reading book after book. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:42.680 He's talking to person after person on a quest to find it. 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:43.879 And he's got nothing. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:49.500 And then one day a friend hands him a Bible and he opens it and he begins to read it and 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:57.700 he says of it, he says, at last, this was a book that would understand me. 00:03:57.699 --> 00:04:00.959 So what he says is he opens the Bible. 00:04:01.179 --> 00:04:03.699 It's a book that understands me. 00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:12.039 In other words, Calais founded the pages of the Bible, a book that explained him, explained the world. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:17.939 I must say it was one of my, my testimony coming to the Christian faith, met Jesus, heard him speak, 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:19.620 never heard anything like this before. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:27.040 But the map that he's putting out in front of me seems to be what I'm seeing around me and is definitely what I'm seeing inside of me. 00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:30.620 Here's a book that explains us. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:34.740 And logically, we'd expect nothing else from the word of our creator. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:38.959 Who made us in his image. 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:40.699 Right. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:44.540 We are like if you go to the Louvre, you pick up a copy of the Mona Lisa. 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:44.980 Right. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:50.319 We're like walking little copies of the Mona Lisa that people are meant to look at and think, oh, that's great. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:53.620 But I tell you what, it really wants me to get to know the original. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:55.379 OK, that's what we're meant to do. 00:04:55.460 --> 00:04:57.680 We're meant to image God's greatness to the world. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:04.900 But the problem is by nature, by very nature, we've all turned away from our creators. 00:05:05.080 --> 00:05:06.300 What sin is. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:12.000 It's our rebellion against and our defiance of our maker and his ways. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:19.220 And if that's what sin is, then what sin has does is it has curved us in on ourselves. 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:28.180 And so instead of being that image that glorifies God, what we are about is self-seeking. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:30.660 So our loves are disordered. 00:05:30.779 --> 00:05:32.160 Our desires are tainted. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:33.420 Our wants are twisted. 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:35.199 And here's what I love about Jesus. 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:41.199 He doesn't just tell me about my heart problem. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:42.720 Right. 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:47.339 We've all got those friends, haven't we, who love to say after the event, I told you that was going to happen. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:50.759 But Jesus does way more than that. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.500 He doesn't just tell me I've got a heart problem. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:55.759 He's come to die for my heart problem. 00:05:55.759 --> 00:06:10.180 And in by doing so, he's come to change and transform my heart and free me and free you from the things that naturally grip and have a stranglehold on our hearts. 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:14.199 But talking of heart problems, here's what we're going to read. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:17.420 Come with me to Genesis 27. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:23.199 We'll start at the end of 26 and we'll work all the way through to the beginning of chapter 28. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:24.839 This is where we're going to be. 00:06:24.939 --> 00:06:26.259 This is what we're going to see today. 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:44.139 You might remember a few weeks ago we said that Moses, as he writes this, doesn't want his generation of Israelites who are wandering in the desert, nor does he want any of the readers of this book in the years to come to watch this and look at this like a play or a movie. 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:44.980 Remember that? 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:54.120 But sitting back, popcorn out, laughing and cringing away, what can only be described as we read it in a minute is absolute car crash telly. 00:06:56.960 --> 00:07:00.100 No, he wants us to look deep into this like we would a mirror. 00:07:01.379 --> 00:07:04.800 And he wants us to ask, do you see your heart? 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:07.720 Do you see yourself? 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:19.200 And I think the big message of this is that the only hope for human beings is not that we'd get our act together and start playing happy families. 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:22.160 Because that's never going to happen. 00:07:23.520 --> 00:07:30.660 No, Moses' point is our only hope is that this God would keep his promises. 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:46.300 And he would send the serpent crusher promised in Genesis 3 who would come and who would defeat the devil, who would defeat our sin and our darkness and would free us from these things. 00:07:46.460 --> 00:07:49.300 That's our only hope, that God is true to his promises. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:53.440 So here's what I want you to do as we read this together. 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:55.100 And Sarah and Olivia are going to come up. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:56.260 You guys can come up just now. 00:07:56.379 --> 00:08:00.500 And they're going to read us this for us in a moment in kind of two sections. 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:01.780 Here's what I want you to look for. 00:08:01.840 --> 00:08:03.760 There's four characters in this section. 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:05.939 We've got Isaac. 00:08:06.460 --> 00:08:08.360 We've got his wife, Rebecca. 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:12.220 And then we've got the two boys who are Esau and Jacob. 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:17.440 And all make, you've got that phrase in our culture, a pig's ear of things, okay? 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:19.040 They get it completely wrong. 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:20.140 Here's the challenge. 00:08:20.340 --> 00:08:28.680 See if you can count and try and name the problems in the hearts that are arising as we read about these people here. 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:36.580 Okay, folks, I hope you got that. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:39.019 Imagine this family on Jeremy Cowell. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:44.019 Imagine the viewing figures for this episode. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:50.460 Imagine these four on a psychologist's couch being told to, 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:51.399 how are you feeling? 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:52.460 What's going on? 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:54.620 You would be there for a long, long time. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:59.000 The kind of passage I remember first reading this to myself as a new Christian and thinking, 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:01.139 are you seriously telling me that this is in the Bible? 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:07.740 And it's times at this that we're reminded that the Bible is not first and foremost a moral guide, right? 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:13.700 It's about what God has done to save people from the effects of their sin. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.519 What are the problems? 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:17.439 Well, here's, let's rattle through them quickly. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:18.039 Isaac. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:23.159 Isaac is so stubborn that he won't obey, right? 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:24.899 Verse 1 of chapter 27. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:25.639 Come with me. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:27.919 Let's explore this guy a bit more. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:30.980 Isaac's getting older. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:34.319 And he knows that his days are few. 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:38.699 Now, remember that God had said to Rebecca in the context of this story, 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:42.220 back at verse 23 of chapter 25, 00:09:43.060 --> 00:09:45.740 that these two boys in the womb, 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:50.200 the older shall serve the younger. 00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:52.879 Remember that? 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:54.520 The blessing was to pass from the, 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:58.740 to the youngest son and through his line. 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:00.160 But Jacob, 00:10:01.160 --> 00:10:03.520 verse 28 of chapter 5, 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:07.500 he loved Esau. 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:08.899 Do you remember that implication? 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:13.799 He loved him more than his other son, Jacob. 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:15.340 Now, why did he love him more? 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:17.600 Well, I think you can read between the lines 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:19.860 that Jacob's a hunter. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:21.559 Jacob's got muscles. 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:24.519 Jacob's good at catching animals. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.899 Jacob's good at cooking. 00:10:26.139 --> 00:10:29.220 And Isaac loves to eat. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.139 Yeah? 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:34.340 And that's why he wants one more taste of this stew. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:37.519 And it's unsurprisingly then, 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:41.120 when it comes to officially passing the baton of blessing on, 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:44.660 that he is backing Esau. 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:47.840 He wants this line to continue through Esau. 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:52.220 Now, custom in this day was to gather the whole family together for the blessing. 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:55.360 And I guess that way you know where everyone stands. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:56.700 Everybody's heard everything. 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:59.800 But do you notice in the text how Isaac's gone ahead 00:10:59.800 --> 00:11:01.920 and he's arranged a private one-to-one? 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:03.200 Do you see that? 00:11:04.660 --> 00:11:07.960 Because he's so determined that Esau's getting this blessing, 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:08.900 not Jacob. 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:11.020 Now, what's his heart problem? 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:14.060 He's just really stubborn. 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:17.220 I know what God has said, 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:19.600 but I'm going to go with my gut on this one. 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:20.960 Subtext, God, 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:25.440 I'm pretty sure that I'm smarter than you. 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:28.440 I've got to say as we read this, 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.220 it's a mirror. 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:31.600 Do we see that in our own hearts? 00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:33.120 I know what you've said, Lord, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:36.780 but I'm backing myself to make a good decision here. 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:39.600 As Isaac, what about Rebecca? 00:11:40.160 --> 00:11:43.040 Rebecca is so bitter that she won't trust. 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:46.019 So verse five, 00:11:46.099 --> 00:11:48.179 while this little one-to-one is going on, 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:52.159 Rebecca is eavesdropping at the door. 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:53.199 Right? 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:54.419 I always remember trying that as a kid, 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.819 that old cup against the wall trick 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:57.779 to try and hear what people were saying in the next room. 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:58.860 Still to this day, 00:11:58.959 --> 00:12:00.419 no idea if that works or not. 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.480 But Rebecca's having a shot. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:04.120 You see it? 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:04.819 It's what she's doing. 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.519 She's paranoid. 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:07.779 She's listening. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:08.860 She doesn't trust anyone. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:11.699 And how did she get there 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:13.680 is the question I think we're meant to ask. 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:17.900 Well, not only has she had years and years 00:12:17.900 --> 00:12:21.520 of living with Isaac's favoritism of Esau, 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.480 but she's had years and years 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:26.560 of living with the hurt of Esau's flagrant disregard 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:28.220 for the things of the Lord. 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:30.340 Notice the details we're told in the text. 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:34.140 You see it verse 34 of chapter 26. 00:12:36.140 --> 00:12:38.759 How Esau took Hittite wives. 00:12:39.920 --> 00:12:41.580 So Esau knows what God has said 00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:45.639 about how he's to only marry an Israelite gal 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:47.780 so that his heart would not go astray. 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:50.600 But he thinks I'm wiser 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:54.040 and I prefer it my way. 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:56.420 And he thinks nothing of it 00:12:56.420 --> 00:12:58.720 as he goes and marries these people outside of Israel. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.340 And these women, 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:03.480 what do they make life for Isaac and Rebecca? 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:05.259 And I take it they're just flaunting the fact 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.720 that they've got the heart of his son. 00:13:07.520 --> 00:13:08.240 They make her, 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.039 do you see the word? 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:09.960 Bitter. 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.659 So whatever they're doing, 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.519 they're ripping her apart inside 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:18.159 to the point that she says right at the end of verse 46. 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.639 She says, 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:22.480 I loathe my life. 00:13:23.180 --> 00:13:25.200 And you've got to hear the angst in her voice 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.139 as she says that. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:31.259 Rebecca's really deeply hurt. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:35.120 And she's carrying wounds around with her. 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:37.960 And we've all got hurt wounds in our lives, 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.439 but I think this is what we need to see 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:41.179 from how Rebecca acts here. 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.019 What the hurt has done 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:44.460 as it eats away 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:47.000 and burrows itself through her heart 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.720 is it's birthed in her 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.960 a deep hardness 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:52.240 and a cynicism 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.799 towards the Lord 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.919 and his care of her. 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:58.039 You know, Alex, my wife, 00:13:58.099 --> 00:13:59.679 she spends a long time each night 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:02.159 brushing our girls' hair. 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:03.399 Right? 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.979 Daddy's been told so often, 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:06.659 I don't get to do their hair. 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.099 Okay? 00:14:07.219 --> 00:14:08.139 The girls, let me do their hair. 00:14:08.459 --> 00:14:09.579 Alex is brushing their hair. 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.079 So the jobs at night are, 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:12.620 I do brushing of teeth, 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.719 Alex does brushing of hair. 00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:14.799 And every night, 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:15.599 let me tell you, 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:17.139 she gets the far harder job. 00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:18.379 Because we sit there 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.579 and every single brush, 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.079 you hear it, 00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:21.980 ow, ow, ow, 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:24.519 ow, why are you doing it? 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:26.019 Ow, why are you doing it? 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:27.399 And the reason that they're ow-ing 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:30.419 is because their hair's got so knotted. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:33.339 You kind of brush the knots out 00:14:33.339 --> 00:14:34.759 and it's sore, 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:37.719 but it's just knotted everywhere. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.360 And that's Rebecca's heart. 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.599 It's just knotted. 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:43.339 It's callous. 00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:44.819 Right? 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.360 She's wearing the religious t-shirt, 00:14:46.479 --> 00:14:47.919 but deep down she's thinking, 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:49.360 I'm wasting my time 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:51.599 praying and trusting the Lord. 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.740 It makes zero difference. 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:53.839 Friends, that might be exactly 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.819 where you are today. 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:58.799 She thinks, 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:00.620 I'm taking this into my own hands 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:02.199 and she comes up with this scheme, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.939 channeling her inner Lady Macbeth, 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:05.779 Cruella de Vil, 00:15:05.979 --> 00:15:06.919 mashed into one 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:08.279 to outwit her husband. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:10.199 And it centers on, 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:12.500 and see her manipulation here, 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:14.279 it centers on what she knows 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:16.219 is the way to her husband's heart, 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:17.419 which is through what? 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:19.399 His stomach. 00:15:20.719 --> 00:15:21.579 And she'll have planned this 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:22.599 in her mind for years 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.420 and years and years. 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.920 Rehearsing every move, 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.740 fine-tuning the conversation, 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.080 playing it out. 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.379 So when the moment comes, 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:32.460 she takes her opportunity. 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.399 And you've got to say, 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.360 that's what hurt does 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.060 so often in our lives. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.580 We just rehearse conversations. 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.159 We play out how we're going 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.080 to speak back to people. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.720 I know what my own life is so true. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.220 What is her heart problem? 00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:46.400 It's bitterness. 00:15:49.160 --> 00:15:50.060 What about Jacob? 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.480 Well, he's so weak 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.540 that he won't challenge. 00:15:53.020 --> 00:15:54.560 His mum's come up with this plan. 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:56.340 And do you notice how he doesn't say, 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:57.220 mum, you're a genius. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.580 I would never have thought of that myself. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.440 Let's go. 00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:00.680 What does he say? 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.960 He says, verse 11, 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.580 mum, this is never going to work. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:07.200 I might bring a curse on myself. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.900 He knows that he's in the wrong, 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.639 but he doesn't have the courage to say, 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:13.220 this is not the right thing to do. 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:15.280 The ends do not justify the means 00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:16.360 before the Lord. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.800 Knowing what the right thing is to do, 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:20.560 but being too cowardly to do it, 00:16:20.660 --> 00:16:23.020 that is how he has so easily 00:16:23.020 --> 00:16:24.540 been led astray. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.980 And what happens in this guy's life 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.600 is that lie that he tells 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.060 because he's been led astray, 00:16:30.300 --> 00:16:31.520 what happens to it? 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:33.899 It spirals and it spirals 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.740 and it spirals out of control. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:39.000 And he finds himself in a hole 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.919 that he cannot get himself out of. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:44.539 And it resorts just to bare face lying. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.139 Right? 00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:47.059 And time and time again, 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.079 like a jet pilot, 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:50.039 he could have pressed that ejector seat button 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.879 and boom, he would have got out of there. 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:54.340 But he chooses not to do it. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:56.379 It's so often what we say of politicians, 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:56.980 isn't it? 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:57.879 Right? 00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:59.620 Imagine the hypothetical situation. 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:01.620 There's a PR manager for the PM 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:03.379 who takes a drive 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.859 to another part of the country 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:06.599 to test their eyesight, hypothetically. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.640 And when quizzed on it, 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.940 they just will not say, 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.940 I got it wrong. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.619 I got it wrong. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.140 I'm sorry, I made a mistake. 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.380 And it just gets further 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:17.279 and further and further, 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:19.680 deep down into the hole. 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.779 And before you know it, 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:22.720 everyone's falling out over this lie 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:24.079 that could have been sorted like that. 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:28.679 The devil will convince us, 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.220 dear friends, 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:31.039 that it's safer to live in the lie. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:34.000 It is better to be in the darkness. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:36.720 It is safer to live your life in the hole. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.899 But the gospel says 00:17:38.899 --> 00:17:41.599 that while the consequences for that are real, 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:43.059 and hear me right on that, 00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:45.799 true freedom is to be found 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:47.679 by coming into the light 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:48.980 and saying, 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:50.359 God, I've got it wrong. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.959 I am coming to you 00:17:51.959 --> 00:17:53.079 and asking for your wisdom 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.479 and forgiveness and grace. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.379 What is his heart problem? 00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:58.539 His heart problem is fear. 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:00.899 It's fear. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.439 I know the right thing to do, 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:05.199 but I'm too scared of my mom, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.899 too scared of human beings 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:09.379 to do the right thing 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:11.639 in the sight of the Lord. 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:13.079 And what about Esau? 00:18:13.179 --> 00:18:14.500 Well, he's so angry 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:16.099 that he won't change. 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:19.399 When he learns he's been double-crossed, 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.940 this is like the ultimate version 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.580 of the hustle, right? 00:18:22.800 --> 00:18:24.519 He cries, verse 36. 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.500 He cries. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.580 He's angry. 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:29.280 But I think you read the New Testament 00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:31.380 and it forces us to see 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:34.000 that his tears are crocodile tears, 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:35.900 not true repentance before the Lord. 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.500 Right? 00:18:37.540 --> 00:18:38.400 He's way more upset 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.480 that he's been conned 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.759 than it is that he's sinned 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.500 against the Lord. 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:44.280 And so hear and feel the ice 00:18:44.280 --> 00:18:45.720 in those three chilling words 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.960 you get at verse 41. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:49.779 How did he feel towards his brother? 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:56.200 He hated Jacob. 00:18:58.600 --> 00:19:01.000 And there's murder in his heart 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.620 and there's revenge in his mind. 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:06.079 And Rebecca gets Jacob out of there 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:08.100 because verse 42, she says, 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:10.600 Esau is comforting himself 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:13.059 by planning to kill you. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:16.279 Why did she send him away? 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:18.200 Verse 45, what's her hope? 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:21.099 That buying time 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:24.319 will mean that he will do what? 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.539 He will forget. 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.179 Forget that he was angry 00:19:29.179 --> 00:19:29.960 against his brother. 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:32.099 We've got that phrase in our culture, 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.440 don't we, that time is a healer? 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.059 Friends, if you've ever been wronged, 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:39.679 you know that that is not the case. 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:43.879 Yes, it's wise not to hit send 00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:45.319 quickly on an angry email. 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.220 Don't hear me wrong. 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.919 Sometimes it is wise to step back 00:19:47.919 --> 00:19:48.879 and just cool down. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:52.940 But hear me right in saying that 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:56.079 amnesia is never the cure to anger. 00:19:58.879 --> 00:20:00.440 And so do you see yourself 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.659 in the hearts of these people? 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.319 Imagine these four on Jeremy Kyle. 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:05.859 Imagine these four trying to talk out 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:06.579 their problems. 00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:10.059 Pride, deceit, cowardice, lies, anger, doubt. 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.819 And what we're going to see 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.720 in the rest of Genesis 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.879 is that this stuff, 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.899 it spreads like wildfire 00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.759 through this family 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:17.500 and it causes utter chaos everywhere. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.399 This is in the Bible, 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:20.000 you better believe that it is. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:24.399 And Moses is saying to this generation 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.599 who are wandering in the wilderness, 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:28.139 our hope is not that we are going to get 00:20:28.139 --> 00:20:29.339 our hearts act together. 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:33.339 Kidding ourselves into thinking, 00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:34.699 and we do this every single year, 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.059 don't we, 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.899 in January the 1st, 00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:37.299 thinking this year is going to be different. 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.879 This year I'm going to turn over 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.519 our new leaf. 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:41.179 No, our hope is in the Lord 00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:43.919 and Him alone being faithful 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:45.419 to His promise to save 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:46.299 His wayward people. 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:49.139 To bless the nation, 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.799 says Moses, 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:51.879 not because of who we are, 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:55.620 but despite of who we are, 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:59.080 to send someone to both deal with 00:20:59.080 --> 00:21:00.900 and free us from the sin 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:03.120 that ravages our hearts. 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.580 And here's what I love 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:06.660 as you read the prophets 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.600 in the Old Testament. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:09.060 One of the things that God says 00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:10.300 He's going to do for His people, 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:12.060 the blessings of the new covenant, 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.600 what Jesus is going to bring in, 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.320 is He's going to give them, 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:17.940 He's going to give them new hearts. 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:23.640 Hearts that long not to live for themselves. 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:28.320 Hearts that long to lovingly obey Him 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.140 and worship Him. 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:32.680 And that's what Jesus is. 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:34.640 And that's what Jesus does. 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.700 He comes from this line 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:40.160 into this mess 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:43.200 and He sets His face like flint 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.559 to go to the cross 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:46.279 for all the dross, 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:47.700 for all the ugliness 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:49.660 that centers in my heart 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:50.440 and in my life. 00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:51.819 He dies for it. 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:55.319 That sin that I should have been paying for 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.600 before a holy God, 00:21:57.019 --> 00:22:00.200 Jesus pays His penalty on my behalf 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:02.299 and your behalf. 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:05.100 And in so doing, 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.180 He breaks, 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.180 and if you picked this up 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.600 in the first song that we sang, 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:10.900 He breaks the power of sin 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.319 and darkness. 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:15.259 He wrestles control 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:18.279 from sin that it had on my life. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:19.659 He wrestles control 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.399 and He says, 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.339 you are mine. 00:22:21.439 --> 00:22:24.240 I set you free to live and worship me. 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:25.399 And here's what I mean by that. 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.559 He changes us. 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.599 He's in the business 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:31.159 by His Spirit living in us 00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:34.279 of transforming our hearts 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:36.159 to be more like His. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:39.759 It's what they often say, 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:40.019 isn't it, 00:22:40.040 --> 00:22:41.080 that happens when mothers, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.600 they hold their infants 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:43.820 close to their chest. 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:47.040 The baby's heartbeat 00:22:47.040 --> 00:22:49.620 begins to match 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.600 the pace of mums. 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:54.860 I always love that scene in Narnia. 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.640 Maybe you can think of it 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.440 this way as well. 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:58.700 The place in Narnia. 00:22:58.800 --> 00:22:59.540 I love C.S. Lewis. 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.440 You might have picked that up 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.100 over the years. 00:23:02.540 --> 00:23:03.860 Lewis writes to the Narnia, 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.839 it's always winter 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.699 but never Christmas. 00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:09.279 But when Aslan comes on the scene, 00:23:10.479 --> 00:23:13.659 things begin to melt. 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:17.699 And it's the warmth of his breath 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:20.459 as he goes around the statues, 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:22.500 it's the warmth of his breath 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:24.579 that begins to free 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:26.179 and bring statues to life. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:31.019 What is the cure for people like Isaac 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.979 with hearts who are just full of pride 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:35.400 is knowing the forgiveness 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.460 and the changing power 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:38.579 of the effect of the humility of Jesus. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:43.759 What's the cure for deeply hurt hearts 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.900 like Rebekah's? 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.779 It's knowing the peace of Jesus 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:50.819 that transcends all understanding. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.880 What's the cure for people 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.380 who are weak like Isaac 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:57.200 is the truth of Jesus. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:24:00.220 What is the cure for hearts 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:02.000 that are brimming with anger 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.799 like Esau's? 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:06.059 It's the forgiveness 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.880 and the melting grace of Jesus. 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.779 And on that one, 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:12.039 let me just do some pastoral 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.279 and apologetic work 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.840 on this whole issue of forgiveness 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:15.779 because I understand 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.100 that it's really hard 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:19.080 for many of us. 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.640 I say as Christians, 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:23.819 we want to really care about justice. 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:26.079 I think we're called to do that 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.740 as we read the Bible 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.439 to really care about justice. 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:31.099 But all wrongs being put to right. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.939 We really care about justice. 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.839 But we should also really care 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.539 about forgiveness. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.919 These should be like two train tracks 00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:41.439 running right next to each other 00:24:41.439 --> 00:24:42.339 in our lives. 00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:43.939 Our culture says it's one or the other. 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:46.019 Pick which one you're going for. 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.599 But the Christian says 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:49.599 we want to and we can do both. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:53.179 Is forgiveness just brushing things 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:54.039 under the carpet? 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:56.099 Does it ignore the wrongdoing? 00:24:57.719 --> 00:24:59.379 Can I suggest that it doesn't? 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:03.359 Forgiveness doesn't undermine it. 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:06.039 No, it underlines it. 00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:09.399 The cross of Jesus says to you 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.539 that what happened to you 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.519 is not trivial. 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:14.799 That it was so serious, in fact, 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:16.039 that it required the suffering 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.359 and death of the Son of God 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.319 to pay for it. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:20.240 It really matters. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.519 But we should look at Jesus 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.200 on the cross 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.779 and we should almost hear him say, 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.700 I know what it is to be wronged. 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:29.159 I know what it is to have people 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:30.799 who were closest to me betray me. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.559 I know what it is to have family 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:34.059 think I'm crazy. 00:25:37.179 --> 00:25:38.859 And it's only because of our belief 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:40.839 in the eternal justice of God 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:44.019 that one day we can know for certain 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.220 that he will come back 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:47.700 in the person of Jesus 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.759 and he will have all wrongs righted. 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:51.240 And that's why we can 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:53.019 leave it with him. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:57.039 And it's only the grace of Jesus 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:59.019 that says it may be a very long 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:01.240 and it may be a very painful road. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.920 But today can be the day 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.940 as we look to him 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.759 that we turn 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:09.279 and we say, 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.440 I do not want my life 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.900 to be dominated by anger 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.460 and bitterness 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.420 and hate. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.000 Dear friends, 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.859 that may be exactly 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.599 what you need to do 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:19.019 off the back of this sermon today. 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.240 To come to Jesus 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.039 and say, 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.220 Lord Jesus, 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.879 help me with this. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.440 So much of my thinking 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.339 on this has been shaped 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.079 by two people. 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.599 Firstly, 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.460 by Tim Keller. 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.279 He's got a great book 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.759 that he released 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.379 before he died 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.180 called Forgiveness. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.880 I lent my copy away to someone 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.779 so I can't get it to you. 00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:37.320 I don't know what it is, 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:39.400 but wonderful book 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.840 thinking about this whole topic. 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.200 And another lady 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:43.980 is called Amy Orr Ewing. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.500 She gave an address 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.960 at the National Parliamentary 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.620 Prayer Breakfast 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.820 this week down in London. 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.620 In the audience 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.740 was a complete mixture 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.900 of church leaders, 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.240 parliamentary leaders, 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.980 and she's speaking 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.920 about this whole issue 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.519 of forgiveness. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.620 And she said this, 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.259 and I think she is 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.180 bang on the money. 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.039 She said, 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:03.639 I believe the power 00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.500 to forgive 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.899 and receive forgiveness 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.700 may just be 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:10.099 the greatest power 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:12.099 the Christian story 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:13.599 can offer 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:15.039 our age. 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.920 And into a world 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.619 that seems to be 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.980 increasingly divided 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.980 and just becoming 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.159 more increasingly 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:23.079 polar opposite 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:23.659 on things 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:25.220 and just throwing rocks 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.159 at each other 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:27.420 rather than lovingly 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.000 dialoguing 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.619 with each other. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.619 Do you see how we've got 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.940 a wonderful opportunity here 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.019 as the church of Jesus 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.580 to demonstrate 00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:34.259 the difference 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.779 that he makes 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.440 in our lives? 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.140 I always love it 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:38.700 and you can have this 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.200 for free. 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.460 I was thinking this week, 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.019 we get, 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.380 as Jesus works 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.019 in our lives, 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.600 I love how Paul 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:47.059 in Galatians chapter 5, 00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:48.360 just to stretch you a bit, 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:50.019 he contrasts 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.440 the works of the flesh 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.880 with the fruit 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.519 of the Spirit. 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.200 Right at the end 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.480 of chapter 5. 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.680 And my attention 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.660 had always gone to 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.920 the flesh and the Spirit, 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.900 but actually 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:02.800 I was encouraged 00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:03.140 this week 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.620 to think about 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.519 the adjectives, 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:05.539 right? 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.240 The works 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.840 and the fruit. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.380 Have you ever wondered 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.160 why he doesn't call them 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.980 the works of the flesh 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.940 and the work of the Spirit? 00:28:10.060 --> 00:28:10.460 He says, 00:28:10.820 --> 00:28:11.660 the works of the flesh 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.800 and the fruit of the Spirit. 00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:13.539 In other words, 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:15.160 the works of the flesh, 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.279 these things, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.140 are the things 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:18.160 that we just work out, 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.640 just come naturally to us 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:21.240 and what comes out of us, 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.340 that's works. 00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:23.480 But fruit 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:25.240 is something 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.860 that grows 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.600 and comes 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.560 out of us 00:28:27.560 --> 00:28:28.620 as Jesus changes us 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.359 by his Spirit. 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.479 Because all glory 00:28:31.479 --> 00:28:32.159 goes to him 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:33.000 and you start reading 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.439 those words 00:28:33.439 --> 00:28:34.939 in Galatians chapter 5, 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.219 the fruit of the Spirit 00:28:36.219 --> 00:28:37.459 is love 00:28:37.459 --> 00:28:38.479 and it's joy 00:28:38.479 --> 00:28:39.539 and it's peace 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.579 and it's patience 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.519 and it's kindness 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.339 and it's gentleness 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:45.019 and it's self-control. 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:46.000 And you read those words 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.419 and you think, 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.979 I want them in my life. 00:28:49.239 --> 00:28:50.399 And the only way 00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:51.459 that it can happen 00:28:51.459 --> 00:28:53.639 is if the Spirit of God 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:54.779 works in us 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.859 and we produce 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.439 the fruit 00:28:56.439 --> 00:28:57.639 to Jesus' glory, 00:28:58.639 --> 00:29:01.119 that he would come in 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.079 and he would change my heart 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:02.959 because I see this stuff 00:29:02.959 --> 00:29:03.799 all over my heart 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.619 all the time 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.439 and I hate it. 00:29:06.219 --> 00:29:06.919 And I take it 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:07.639 the very fact 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.319 that you see it 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.859 in your life 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.719 and you hate it 00:29:09.719 --> 00:29:10.299 is a sign 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:10.879 of the Spirit 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:11.879 working in you. 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:16.279 Now just as we close 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:16.559 and 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:18.899 can I just tell you 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.879 about what I've been 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.979 really struggling with 00:29:20.979 --> 00:29:21.399 in June? 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:24.780 And lots of you 00:29:24.780 --> 00:29:25.500 will be in the trenches 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.640 with me here 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:28.120 as we bring Lys to a close. 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:30.080 I have been struggling 00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:30.860 so much 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.660 with my hay fever. 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.940 Anyone else struggling 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.660 with their hay fever 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.080 in June? 00:29:36.800 --> 00:29:37.240 Right? 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:37.980 I feel like I'm 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.600 every night 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.100 I'm hunting 00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:40.519 for an antihistamine tablet. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.100 I feel like 00:29:41.100 --> 00:29:42.120 the Met Office website 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:43.340 is now in my bookmarks 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:44.120 on my phone. 00:29:44.600 --> 00:29:45.360 My nose 00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:46.640 was like a tap 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.220 in June. 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.660 Felt like I was Rudolph 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.720 walking about everywhere 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.640 with a red nose. 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:53.540 But the question is 00:29:53.540 --> 00:29:54.100 why? 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.040 Why was that 00:29:56.040 --> 00:29:57.000 happening in June? 00:29:57.340 --> 00:29:57.460 Right? 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.860 And the answer is 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.900 really simply 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:00.500 I think 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:02.320 that the sun 00:30:02.320 --> 00:30:02.840 was out. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.200 And because the sun 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.740 was out 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:07.660 the flowers 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.620 began to open. 00:30:08.800 --> 00:30:08.900 Yeah? 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.960 And because the flowers 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.700 began to open 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:13.320 pollen began to spread 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:14.340 everywhere. 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:16.420 And it only happened 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.720 because the sun 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.160 was out. 00:30:18.280 --> 00:30:18.400 Now 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.720 think about 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.880 Genesis 27 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.420 the verses 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:21.940 that we've taken 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.440 in today. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.660 Here is the response 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.260 I think we need 00:30:24.260 --> 00:30:24.900 to make to this 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.260 today. 00:30:26.560 --> 00:30:27.360 Keep that image 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:27.880 in your head. 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:29.260 Sun hits the flowers 00:30:29.260 --> 00:30:30.380 flowers open. 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:33.180 The only thing 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.920 that's going to birth 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.680 this kind of stuff 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.280 in our lives 00:30:35.280 --> 00:30:35.700 that's going to 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.880 help us change 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:39.660 is us 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.260 like the flower 00:30:40.260 --> 00:30:41.380 looking at the sun 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:44.560 and allowing the sun 00:30:44.560 --> 00:30:45.420 to open us. 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.540 That's what the Bible 00:30:47.540 --> 00:30:48.540 means when it says 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.899 behold the sun 00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:51.339 behold the glory 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:51.920 of God 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.639 in other words 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.740 look at him 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:55.379 and as you take him 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.420 in allow him 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.639 to transform you 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:59.619 into his likeness. 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.339 And so that's what 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:00.899 we need to do 00:31:00.899 --> 00:31:01.359 off the back 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:02.039 of this today. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.819 Not try harder. 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.139 Right? 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:05.680 Not come up with 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.440 a swear jar 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.079 so that every time 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.559 we get something 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.139 wrong we chuck 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:08.339 something. 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.819 No, no, no. 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:10.240 The application of this 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.399 is to look to the sun 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.099 and to live. 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.960 In case you're wondering 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.559 where I've got that 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.119 imagery from 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.599 I've nicked it 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.079 from one of the 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.399 greatest Christian hymns 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.220 down the ages. 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.619 It goes like this 00:31:21.619 --> 00:31:22.639 joyful, joyful 00:31:22.639 --> 00:31:23.779 we adore you 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:25.460 God of glory 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.599 Lord of love 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:28.299 hearts unfold 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:29.339 like flowers 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.159 before you 00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:31.359 opening to 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.240 the sun above 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.980 melt the clouds 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.519 of sin 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.200 and sadness 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.740 drive the dark 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.720 of doubt away 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:39.039 giver of 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:40.579 immortal gladness 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:42.240 fill us 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.839 with the light 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.220 of day 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.799 they don't like 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.799 writing like the old ones 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.379 now do they? 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.819 How incredible is that? 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.980 Fill us with the light 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.440 of day 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:51.539 that's what we need 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.279 to do in response 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.779 to this. 00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:54.779 We're going to pray 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.980 and then we're going 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.460 to spend a little 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.419 time taking communion 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:57.899 together 00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:59.839 to allow us a bit 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.819 more time to think 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.700 about the gospel 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.680 today 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.659 and listen 00:32:03.659 --> 00:32:04.299 if you want to pray 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:04.859 about anything 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.519 that we've talked 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.019 about there 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.599 because I realise 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:08.119 we covered a lot 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:08.599 of ground 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:10.879 and I take it 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:11.480 one of the reasons 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.519 that this is here 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.419 is to say 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.539 it's okay 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.640 to come to me 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:17.320 as in God 00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:18.519 with your mess 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:20.340 and I care enough 00:32:20.340 --> 00:32:21.200 this is real life 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.519 to transform you 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.220 we'd love to 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.180 as an elders team 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.539 or anyone 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.039 that you've seen 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.560 here today 00:32:25.560 --> 00:32:26.680 we'd love to pray 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.220 and think about 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.160 that more with you 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.440 so please do grab us 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.180 after the service 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.840 and we'll make that 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:31.200 happen 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.820 but let's pray 00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:32.180 will we? 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.720 Father we thank you 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.779 so much for this 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.140 morning 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.759 we thank you 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.640 for your word 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:40.380 Father thank you 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:41.560 that you love us 00:32:41.560 --> 00:32:43.840 and Father thank you 00:32:43.840 --> 00:32:44.640 for your commitment 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.180 to us 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:45.800 your people 00:32:45.800 --> 00:32:47.300 in the person 00:32:47.300 --> 00:32:47.860 of Jesus 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:49.820 and so Father 00:32:49.820 --> 00:32:50.660 we look to him 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.120 today 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:53.120 our all conquering 00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:53.759 champion 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:55.740 we look to him 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.440 today as the one 00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:57.720 who has paid 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.340 the penalty 00:32:58.340 --> 00:32:59.140 of our sin 00:32:59.140 --> 00:32:59.840 on the cross 00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:00.660 as we're going to 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:01.640 remember in just a moment 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:03.780 and we look to him 00:33:03.780 --> 00:33:04.460 as the one 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.860 who is able 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.620 to transform 00:33:06.620 --> 00:33:07.440 our hearts 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.079 that we would 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.700 bear more 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.660 of his image 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.539 in our lives 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.860 and so Father 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.640 by your spirit 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.860 be moving amongst us 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:15.420 this morning 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:16.420 be convicting 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:18.000 be challenging 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.420 be comforting 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.299 as we pray 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:21.460 for the glory 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.000 of Jesus 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.960 in our lives 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.940 and in this city 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.440 we pray 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:26.180 in his precious name 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.180 Amen