WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.960 Good morning everyone and happy new year to you all as we begin 2024. It was about this time last year when I stood up here that I said that one of my new year's resolutions was to run a marathon. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:38.140 Last year that is. And my second resolution was to do it in a personal best time. Given that it was my first ever marathon, it was if I achieved the first one I would achieve the second one automatically, which I did in July last year. 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:51.039 Having run that marathon, by the end of July, in fact, before I'd even finished the marathon, I resolved never to run another one again. 00:00:51.039 --> 00:01:09.340 However, I do want to encourage you today to run. That's my goal today, is to encourage you to take up running if you have not yet taken up running and to particularly run in 2024. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:19.200 Not a marathon, I wouldn't necessarily encourage us all to do that at all, but in fact to run the race of faith in Jesus Christ. 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:28.400 So if you're someone who takes notes, I've really got four points. If you've got the translator version in front of you right now, you'll see three points there. 00:01:29.040 --> 00:01:34.180 That's because I gave it to John yesterday and I woke up early this morning in order to add a fourth point. 00:01:36.359 --> 00:01:46.460 So my four points is to run. Secondly, to run with Jonathan Edwards. Thirdly, to plan your run. And fourthly, lastly, how to run. 00:01:46.459 --> 00:01:49.599 That's the four points for the direction we're going to take this morning. 00:01:49.679 --> 00:01:55.500 So first of all, run. New Testament letter to the Hebrews. Ash has mentioned it, just read out a section of it just then. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:02:02.479 It was written to a bunch of Christians who were losing sight of what it meant to be disciples and to follow Jesus. 00:02:03.259 --> 00:02:12.879 The most famous section of this letter is chapter 11, verse 1, through to chapter 12, verse 3. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:18.919 It's the section about the great examples of faith from the past. 00:02:19.620 --> 00:02:31.240 Chapter 12 refers to it as the great cloud of witnesses who were there, if you like, as in the stadium, watching us compete in the race of faith. 00:02:31.240 --> 00:02:44.280 The writer is hoping to inspire the Hebrews, the recipients of this letter, with examples of those who had gone before them as faithful disciples of Jesus. 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:50.600 And chapter 12, verse 1, is the main application of the section. 00:02:50.760 --> 00:02:53.600 So open your Bibles, it'd be great if you followed along with me here. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:03:23.579 It's the main application. 00:03:23.580 --> 00:03:24.940 The word can mean race. 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:27.140 It can also mean a struggle. 00:03:27.380 --> 00:03:28.420 It can mean a fight. 00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:30.220 It can mean a contest. 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:42.580 As difficult as a marathon is to run, I think those of us who have lived long enough realise that life is fundamentally harder than just running a marathon. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:44.640 It's a contest. 00:03:44.880 --> 00:03:45.400 It's a struggle. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:46.200 It's a fight. 00:03:46.820 --> 00:03:50.780 And the life of faith is, in fact, a fight. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:55.259 In fact, this whole section in chapter 12, if you continue to read on, talks about enduring. 00:03:55.699 --> 00:03:56.920 It talks about shedding blood. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:04:02.360 It's all within the imagery of the Olympics. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:06.640 It's all within the imagery of fighting, struggling. 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:14.119 Endure is what Hebrews 12 is telling us to do. 00:04:14.619 --> 00:04:15.759 Fight the good fight. 00:04:16.279 --> 00:04:16.979 Be disciplined. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:18.180 Train hard. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:20.219 Run the race set before you. 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:28.500 Of course, we know that that operates in a physical sphere as well for us, not just in the spiritual sphere. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:39.700 Doctors will tell you that you are not going to live a good life, a healthy life, or even a long life, unless you are willing to exert yourself and sweat. 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:59.560 But our bodies get to a point where they will not be able to perform normal daily exertions, unless there are times of extraordinary exertions called exercise. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:18.220 So what a command to a church here that was getting old, was settling into the world, losing its wartime mentality, starting to drift through life without focus, without vigilance, without energy. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:20.139 Their hands were growing weak. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:23.720 Their knees were feeble, according to verse 12 of chapter 12. 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:29.379 It was just easier to meander in the crowd of life than to run the race of faith. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:33.180 Or to treasure Jesus and pursue their joy. 00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:47.360 And so against this mentality, having spent chapters after chapters of elevating the majesty and the splendor of Jesus Christ, 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:55.100 he then calls the church to endure, to persevere, to run, to fight, to be alert, to be strengthened. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:55.740 Don't drift. 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:56.439 Don't neglect. 00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:58.120 Don't be sluggish. 00:05:58.220 --> 00:05:58.740 Don't stroll. 00:05:58.860 --> 00:05:59.379 Don't meander. 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:00.920 Don't wander aimlessly. 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:10.759 Run as in a race with a finish line, with everything in life hanging on that finish line. 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:19.180 Fight the fight of faith on the basis of Christ's spectacular death and resurrection. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:22.439 Now, we need help here. 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:34.300 We need help in the modern world because we are convinced in the modern world that the chief aim of life is our happiness and our comfort. 00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:54.939 On the most part, we are busy, incredibly busy, with secondary to-do lists and neglecting the importance of working hard to grow in treasuring Jesus. 00:06:54.939 --> 00:07:00.279 Growing in God's faith and growing in God's faith and the gospel joy. 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:01.560 And the gospel joy that comes as a result of that. 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:06.079 So I want to do something here this morning, which I've done before in the past. 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:20.819 I want to turn to someone who, if Hebrews 11 was taken right through into the 18th century, this man would be included in this list of those who have run the race as part of the cloud of witnesses. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:25.099 And I want to encourage us to run with Jonathan Edwards. 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:32.219 Jonathan Edwards was born on the 5th of October, 1703. 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:35.339 He died March 22, 1758. 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:43.279 He was a preacher, a theologian, a philosopher, a missionary to First Nations people in America. 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:48.759 And he was the first president of Princeton University. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:08:00.539 Edwards is considered now by both secular and Christian historians alike to be the greatest Protestant thinker America has ever produced. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:12.420 He was a small-town pastor for 23 years in a church of about 600 people, because back in those days, everyone went to church. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:17.620 He was a missionary to First Nation peoples for seven years. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:24.120 First president of Princeton for a few months before he died. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:32.519 He reared 11 faithful children, giving credit to his wife on that one as well. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:37.560 And the more you understand his life, you give even more credit to his wife on that one as well. 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:39.919 He reared 11 faithful children. 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:53.879 He worked without the help of electricity, without emails, word processors, computers, or even sufficient paper to write on. 00:08:54.839 --> 00:09:00.099 He lived only till he was 54, which I'm turning in a few months myself. 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:11.159 Yet this man, in such a short life, led one of the greatest spiritual awakenings of modern times. 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:20.200 He wrote theological books that administered to people for more than 250 years. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:32.400 And did more for the modern missionary movement, the global advancement of Christianity, than any single person of his generation. 00:09:35.400 --> 00:09:38.620 A remarkable individual. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:44.980 Now, as a teenager, Edwards wrote down, a teenager mind you, right? 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:49.580 This is before social media and gaming. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:55.840 And he wrote down 70 resolutions to govern his life. 00:09:56.960 --> 00:10:01.519 And to help cultivate growth as a disciple of Jesus. 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:02.919 70 resolutions. 00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:11.939 He went on to reread this list at least once a week to keep his mind focused and renewed. 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:20.059 These resolutions sustained his vision for God and drove him to persevere and grow as a disciple of Jesus. 00:10:20.839 --> 00:10:26.860 I've printed out maybe 10, 15 copies of those resolutions. 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:29.779 They're not hard to access online. 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:36.100 You can grab them online and you'll see the remarkable focus of this man. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:47.100 And my prayer for us this morning is that we will see something here that will give us a new sense of zeal and commitment to the most important things of life. 00:10:47.959 --> 00:10:57.159 And there are four broad exhortations, if you like, from the life of Edwards that I want to focus on this morning. 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:59.699 I'm not going to go through all 70 resolutions. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.879 You'll be grateful to know that. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:11.559 The first thing I want to say is Edwards exhorts us to radical single-mindedness in our occupation of spiritual things. 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:17.899 Two of his resolutions that he made in 1723. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:21.439 He was almost 20 when he wrote these. 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:24.160 Resolution number 44. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.340 Resolved. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:28.600 That no other end but religion. 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:31.880 Now when he uses the word religion, what he means by that is the Christian faith. 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:34.240 Resolved. 00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:39.420 No other end but religion shall have any influence at all in any of my actions. 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:48.420 And that no action shall be in the least circumstance any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:50.120 Number 61. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.279 Resolved. 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:50.839 Resolved. 00:11:50.839 --> 00:11:51.319 Resolved. 00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:51.360 Resolved. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:51.399 Resolved. 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:51.839 Resolved. 00:11:51.839 --> 00:12:06.099 That I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it. 00:12:07.099 --> 00:12:13.599 I think that's the application of the Apostle Paul's principle in 2 Timothy 2 verses 4 to 6. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:17.659 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs. 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:19.800 He wants to please his commanding officer. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:27.080 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:31.740 The hardworking farmer shall be the first to receive share of the crops. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:49.240 What happens for many of us in the busyness and the difficulty of life is we start to give way to amusements and diversions and hobbies just to survive emotionally. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:51.919 They don't just become helpful things. 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:55.180 They become our way to survive emotionally. 00:12:55.179 --> 00:13:09.519 The evenings and the days off are filled up with harmless, enjoyable diversions and what happens is before too much longer the whole focus shifts. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:15.199 The radical urgency of the kingdom priorities fade. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:19.639 The wartime mentality shifts to a peacetime mentality. 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:22.620 The lifestyle starts to get cushy. 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:27.620 The all-consuming singleness of vision of life evaporates. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:52.200 I want to ask you, in all seriousness, how many Christians do you know, how many Christians do you spend time with, who are laboring, and I use that word intentionally, laboring to know God. 00:13:52.200 --> 00:14:02.340 Who are striving earnestly to study of the scriptures and prayer to enlarge their vision of God. 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:12.700 So the first exhortation from Edwards is to be radically single-minded in our occupation of spiritual things. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:19.700 Secondly, Edwards exhorts us to labor earnestly to know the scriptures in particular, to know the Bible in particular. 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:27.520 Don't get your vision of God secondhand. 00:14:30.020 --> 00:14:32.780 This is Edwards' example himself. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:41.759 An early biographer of Edwards said that he came to his pastorate, his church in Northampton. 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:51.720 He says he had studied theology, not chiefly in systems or commentaries, but from the Bible. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.419 Edwards once said in a sermon, 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:58.139 Be assiduous. 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:01.480 That is, I had to look that up. 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:06.059 Showing great care and perseverance. 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:10.279 Be assiduous in reading the holy scriptures. 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:15.480 This is the fountain whence all knowledge and divinity must be derived. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:21.759 Therefore, let not this treasure lie by you neglected. 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:31.299 He was an amazing example in his own diligence in studying the Bible himself. 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:34.219 One example. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:40.919 I think you can see this Bible from memory in a museum in Germany, if I'm correct. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:44.259 He grabbed a Bible. 00:15:45.479 --> 00:15:50.099 He took the binding off the Bible, separated every page of the Bible, 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:55.159 put a blank sheet in between each page and bound the whole thing back up again 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:58.299 and drew a line down the middle of every blank page. 00:15:58.299 --> 00:16:07.059 And the blank page, the two columns were just filled with notes, page after page after page, 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:09.100 notes of the scriptures as he studied them. 00:16:10.219 --> 00:16:13.279 And then when they were filled, he turned it sideways 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:17.179 and wrote over the top of his notes the other direction. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:29.120 I think there is reason to believe that Edwards really did follow on his 28th resolution. 00:16:30.219 --> 00:16:30.879 Resolved. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:38.399 To study the scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:45.980 as that I may find and painfully perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:51.360 I find this resolution to be a rebuke. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:59.319 How many of us have a plan of growing in the grasp of the whole terrain of scriptures? 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:06.480 I don't mean the terrain of just the Bible verses to prop up my theological preferences. 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:10.920 I mean the whole terrain of scripture. 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:16.920 How many of us have a plan of growing in that way? 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:20.960 Do we labor over the scriptures in such a way that we can plainly see 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:25.160 that today we understand something that we did not understand yesterday? 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:34.920 Some of us work at reading books on the Christian life with a view of growing, 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:42.539 but have no plan and no sustained effort to move steadily and constantly forward 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:45.820 in our understanding of the Bible. 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:53.240 Study the Bible so steadily and constantly and frequently 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:57.720 that you can clearly perceive yourself to grow in them. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:18:05.279 Resolution 11 is one of the reasons why he made such amazing progress 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:07.180 in his theological understanding. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.440 It says, 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.279 Resolved. 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:14.259 When I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:18.140 immediately do what I can towards solving it, 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.620 if circumstances do not hinder. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:28.739 What he's saying there is his resolution was not to be a passive reader. 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:34.299 He read with a view to solving problems. 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:45.859 Most of us in the modern world are cursed with a bent towards passive reading. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:53.500 We read, if we do, in the same way that we watch TV. 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:57.859 We don't ask questions as we read. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.019 We don't ask, 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:01.279 Why does that sentence follow that sentence? 00:19:02.219 --> 00:19:06.740 How does this paragraph relate to the one that was there three pages earlier? 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:12.679 We don't ferret out the order of thought or ponder the meaning of terms. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:15.720 And if we see a problem, 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:20.740 I think we habitually just leave them to the experts. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:28.539 Thirdly, Edwards exhorts us to redeem the time 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:32.440 and to do what our hand finds to do with all of our might. 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:36.600 His sixth resolution was pretty simple and powerful. 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:40.779 Resolved to live with all my might while I do live. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:44.359 Resolution five was pretty similar. 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:47.359 Resolved never to lose one moment of time, 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:54.059 but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can. 00:19:55.559 --> 00:20:02.539 He was a great believer in doing what you could in the time that you have, 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:05.559 rather than putting things off to a more convenient time. 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:14.539 He was clearly a person who was disciplined in mind and body and spirit. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:22.960 He would spend up to 13 hours a day in his study. 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.159 He rose early, 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:29.940 even for non-electricity and alarm days. 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:32.039 In fact, 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:36.039 he was probably entirely serious. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.640 I read it as a joke, 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:39.680 but he was probably entirely serious 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:43.799 when he wrote in his diary in 1728, 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:49.400 I think Christ has recommended rising early in the morning 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:53.120 by his rising from the grave very early on the Sunday. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:59.899 I commend for your consideration 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:03.759 whether such care to maximize time and effectiveness 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:06.559 in devotion to the pursuit of God and his word 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.719 is what the preacher meant 00:21:07.719 --> 00:21:10.739 when he says in Ecclesiastes 9 verse 10, 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:12.719 whatever your hand finds to do, 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.459 do it with all your might, 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:17.639 for in the grave where you are going, 00:21:18.239 --> 00:21:20.079 there is neither working nor planning 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.939 nor knowledge nor wisdom. 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:27.100 Fourthly, 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.720 the theological, 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:33.400 the biblical labor of Edwards 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:35.860 exhorts us to study 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:40.200 for the sake of hearts of worship 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:42.860 and for practical obedience. 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:47.360 What you see in Jonathan Edwards 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:53.759 is the sweet marriage of reason and affection, 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:56.979 of thought and feeling, 00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:59.639 of head and heart, 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:02.079 of study and worship 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:06.539 that took place in the life of Edwards 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:10.799 that I think is rare today. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:18.720 So the final exhortation from Edwards 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:24.220 is to recover what the old-time Puritans 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:27.059 used to call logic on fire 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:31.919 or fire with joy and obedience. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:36.419 Edwards did not pursue a passion for God 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:39.860 because it was an icing on the cake of his faith. 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:42.580 He wanted to be smarter than everyone else 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.640 in terms of the Bible. 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.420 For him, 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:49.279 faith was grounded in a sense of God 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:53.340 which was more than what reason alone could deliver. 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:55.699 In other words, 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:59.279 it is to no avail whatsoever 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:03.579 merely to believe that God is holy 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:06.559 and that God is merciful. 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:12.399 For that belief to be of any saving value at all, 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:16.220 we must have true delight in it 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:18.579 of what it is in and of itself. 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:21.879 We must delight in that truth 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:23.559 for it to have saving power. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.659 Otherwise, 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:28.099 the knowledge of God 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:31.639 is no different than what Satan has. 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.879 Satan knows that he's merciful. 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:37.259 Satan knows that he's all-powerful. 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:39.460 But Satan does not delight 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:41.480 in that knowledge of God. 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:46.059 Does that mean that all of his study 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.799 was in vain? 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:48.519 Not at all. 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.679 He said, 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:51.859 the more you have 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.199 of a rational knowledge 00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:54.339 of divine things, 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:56.480 the more opportunity there will be 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.299 when the Spirit 00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:00.339 shall be breathed into your heart 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:02.980 to see the excellency of these things 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:05.659 and to taste the sweetness of them. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.480 So the goal for Edwards 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:10.059 was not just growing 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:12.480 in knowing God, 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:15.899 but growing in delighting in God, 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:17.240 in savoring God, 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.460 in relishing in Him. 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:21.940 for all of his intellectual might 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:23.140 and frankly, 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:26.500 he was a very, 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:29.559 he had a very powerful mind. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.340 But Edwards, 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.140 for all of that, 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:36.380 Edwards was the furthest thing 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:38.980 from a cool, 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.559 detached, 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.079 neutral, 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:45.240 disinterested academic. 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:45.619 Disinterested academic. 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:55.639 We often fall on one side or the other 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.819 for the donkey on this. 00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:59.699 We're either the academics 00:24:59.699 --> 00:25:00.899 who are coolly detached 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:02.079 or we're people so-called 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:03.039 filled with the Spirit, 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:05.079 alive in Jesus 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:06.919 but don't know the Scriptures. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.240 Edwards rebukes both. 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:20.339 He was as intent 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.359 on cultivating 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.819 his passion for God 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:24.319 as he was cultivating 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.460 his knowledge of God. 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.059 He said, 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.559 or he wrote, 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:31.919 seek not to grow in knowledge 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:33.759 chiefly for the sake of applause 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:36.159 and to enable you 00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:37.720 to dispute with others 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:40.220 but seek it for the benefit 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.259 of your souls 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:43.139 in order to practice 00:25:43.139 --> 00:25:44.419 according to what knowledge 00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:45.019 you have. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.460 This will be the way 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:50.059 to know more. 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.879 Edwards is remarkable in this. 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:55.440 He said, 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.100 the moment 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:58.040 in your study 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:59.040 of the Scriptures, 00:26:00.280 --> 00:26:00.920 the moment 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:02.760 you don't put something 00:26:02.760 --> 00:26:03.500 into practice 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.440 from your study 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.240 is the moment 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.140 you stop growing 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.700 in knowledge. 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.260 Knowledge is to be put 00:26:10.260 --> 00:26:10.880 into practice 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.440 and the moment 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.640 you don't put into practice 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.140 is the moment 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.860 you stop growing 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.400 in knowledge. 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.680 The greatest thing 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.160 I think 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.900 that we can learn 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.580 from Edwards, 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:23.119 I think, 00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:26.339 is that God 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.740 is glorified 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.519 not most 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.819 by being known 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:33.599 nor by being 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:35.359 dutifully obeyed. 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.740 He is glorified 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.539 most 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:40.119 by being 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.799 enjoyed. 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:44.039 If you've been around 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.759 St. Paul's 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.439 a while, 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.399 you will 00:26:47.399 --> 00:26:48.220 potentially 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.059 put together 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.939 my love 00:26:50.939 --> 00:26:51.480 for Edwards. 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:53.199 in our vision 00:26:53.199 --> 00:26:53.779 statement, 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.359 treasuring 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.139 Jesus 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.019 together 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.740 for the joy 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.939 of all people. 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.159 The joy, 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.939 treasuring Jesus 00:27:02.939 --> 00:27:03.599 and joy 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.839 go together. 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.519 Edwards wrote this, 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:09.079 God is glorified 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.759 not only 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.699 by his glory 00:27:10.699 --> 00:27:11.699 being seen 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:13.519 but by 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.519 being rejoiced 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.039 in. 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:17.240 when those 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.980 who see it 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.159 delight in it 00:27:19.159 --> 00:27:20.700 God is 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:22.559 more glorified 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.420 than if 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.200 they only 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.220 see it. 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.480 In other words, 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.839 the disciplined 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.259 life, 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:30.619 the goal 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.180 of a disciplined 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.740 life 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:33.079 is the joyful 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:34.339 worship of God 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:36.480 and the 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.779 undisciplined 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.460 life 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:40.339 robs us 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.139 of delighting 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:41.599 God, 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.079 our greatest 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.579 joy. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.960 So that 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.319 brings me 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.679 to my 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.339 third point 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:48.839 that is 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.339 and I'll 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:49.919 briefly run 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.359 through this 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:50.699 stuff, 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.480 plan your 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:51.779 run. 00:27:52.199 --> 00:27:52.720 The essence 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.059 of the 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.460 challenge 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:53.980 for us 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.879 as we 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.379 step into 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:55.679 a new 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.119 year 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:57.220 is to 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.699 plan your 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.019 run 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.659 with 00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.179 Jesus. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.579 News 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.159 of a 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:02.960 terminal 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.559 illness, 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.319 attending 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.019 a funeral, 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.740 they are 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.500 often times 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:08.839 when we 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.439 focus on 00:28:09.439 --> 00:28:10.059 what really 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.960 matters in 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.440 life. 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.759 The sharp 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.559 realities of 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.740 life come 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:16.059 to bear 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.480 on us in 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:16.980 that moment. 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:17.259 And I 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.339 think the 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:18.740 beginning of 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.519 a new 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:21.319 year may 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.720 be a 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.099 distant 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.919 but a 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.339 relatively 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:23.919 close 00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:24.779 third as 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.039 well. 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:27.559 We must 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.619 labour to 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.599 ensure that 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.079 the most 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:31.179 important things 00:28:31.179 --> 00:28:32.240 stay the 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.879 most important 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.379 things in 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:33.779 life. 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:36.720 So be 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:38.159 inspired by 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.300 in 00:28:38.300 --> 00:28:38.580 Edwards. 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.060 Get 00:28:40.060 --> 00:28:40.340 some 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.100 plan in 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:41.720 place to 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.680 grow in 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:42.800 the 00:28:42.800 --> 00:28:43.259 important. 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.140 Don't 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.480 coast, 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:44.980 don't 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.460 meander, 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.380 redeem the 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.880 time. 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:47.460 That's the 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.060 challenge from 00:28:48.060 --> 00:28:49.140 Hebrews and 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:49.540 Edwards. 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.360 For the 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:52.100 past year, 00:28:52.840 --> 00:28:53.580 we have been 00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:54.580 constantly saying 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:54.900 here at 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.400 St. Paul's 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.560 encouraging you 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:57.420 to take 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.580 your next 00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:59.000 step. 00:28:59.380 --> 00:28:59.700 We have 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.180 the good 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:00.960 news of 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.519 the gospel. 00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:03.360 It's written 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:04.019 out there on 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.500 the board 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.259 straight behind 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.840 me here. 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:07.640 We have 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:07.960 the good 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.340 news of 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:08.880 the gospel 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.320 and on 00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:09.660 the other 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:10.100 board we 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:10.420 have what 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.880 the gospel 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.700 gives us. 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.740 Embrace the 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.420 good news of 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.400 Jesus Christ 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:16.460 and you end 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.140 up with a 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.860 life of 00:29:17.860 --> 00:29:19.020 satisfaction and 00:29:19.020 --> 00:29:19.440 meaning and 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.020 hope and in 00:29:20.020 --> 00:29:20.560 other words, 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.380 joy. 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.520 They are the 00:29:24.520 --> 00:29:25.460 consequences of 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.040 trusting in 00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:26.340 Jesus. 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.060 So how do 00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:29.259 we pursue, 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.360 pursue, 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.560 pursue the 00:29:31.560 --> 00:29:32.080 gospel in 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:32.700 our life in 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.520 order that 00:29:33.520 --> 00:29:34.460 those consequences 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.300 might grow 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:36.520 more and more 00:29:36.520 --> 00:29:37.060 and more in 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.440 our hearts 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.720 and our 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.079 minds. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.179 We're going 00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:43.599 to be talking 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:44.139 more about 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.579 that in our 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.339 vision series 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.259 in a few 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.839 weeks. 00:29:48.919 --> 00:29:49.679 But to get 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:50.220 Hebrews and 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:50.740 to put Edwards 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.179 together, I 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:51.440 just want to 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.179 say one 00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:52.659 thing about 00:29:52.659 --> 00:29:53.220 planning your 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.619 joy. 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:56.500 Pursue 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.319 godly habits 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:57.919 in life. 00:29:59.240 --> 00:29:59.659 Pursue 00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:00.299 spiritual 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.139 disciplines, 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:03.520 spiritual 00:30:03.520 --> 00:30:04.259 practice, 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:07.680 diligently 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.540 pursue them, 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.620 train in 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.400 those things, 00:30:14.800 --> 00:30:16.259 sweat in 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.060 those things. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:23.960 we're going 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.399 to emphasize 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.379 seven things 00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:25.879 as we move 00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.279 forward. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:26.960 Weekly 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.440 worship, 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:27.879 daily 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:28.619 devotions, 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:29.980 Christian 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.599 community, 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.359 use of 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.220 our talents, 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.639 the service 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:35.179 of others, 00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:36.599 generous 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:36.980 giving, 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:38.899 witness of 00:30:38.899 --> 00:30:39.419 the gospel, 00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:41.619 and rest. 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.399 Rest. 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:45.200 something that 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.640 we do not 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.060 know how to 00:30:46.060 --> 00:30:46.700 do in our 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.340 modern world. 00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.700 Now I'm not 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.600 expecting any 00:30:51.600 --> 00:30:53.440 of us to 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:54.060 be the next 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:54.680 Edwards, 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.340 the next 00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:56.660 Jonathan 00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:57.080 Edwards, 00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:59.560 or to take 00:30:59.560 --> 00:31:00.340 on all of 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.060 his disciplines. 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.620 He was a 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.620 remarkable man 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.620 who I think 00:31:03.620 --> 00:31:04.259 we should 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.060 just frankly 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:05.660 admire. 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:07.920 But I do 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.460 want you to 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.840 take your 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.360 next step. 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.720 I do want 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.180 to exhort 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:12.640 you to a 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.380 discipline 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.100 life. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.720 Because life 00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.580 and faith 00:31:17.580 --> 00:31:18.560 is a race 00:31:18.560 --> 00:31:20.440 and therefore 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:21.740 all of us 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.640 have at least 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.240 one next 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.640 step to 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:23.980 take. 00:31:25.080 --> 00:31:25.920 At least 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.420 one next 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:26.760 step to 00:31:26.760 --> 00:31:27.040 take. 00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.780 Lastly, 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.760 how to 00:31:31.760 --> 00:31:32.060 run. 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:33.400 As a, 00:31:33.520 --> 00:31:34.500 someone who's 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.580 done a bit 00:31:35.580 --> 00:31:35.920 of running 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.460 over the 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:36.880 years, 00:31:37.280 --> 00:31:37.920 more recently, 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.400 and 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:41.740 trained for 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.200 a marathon, 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:42.340 marathon, 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:44.240 I had to 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.539 Google 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:45.920 how to 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.160 run a 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.480 marathon. 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.779 How to 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.380 actually run 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:49.920 a marathon 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:51.420 and get 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:51.940 advice from 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.299 a bunch of 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.500 people, 00:31:52.580 --> 00:31:52.799 how to 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.259 train for 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.660 a marathon, 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.259 all that 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.519 sort of 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:54.720 thing. 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:55.840 So how do 00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:56.240 you run 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.660 the race 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.220 of faith? 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.279 life? 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:57.339 life. 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:57.379 life. 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.379 So this is my 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:01.919 last point, 00:32:02.139 --> 00:32:02.740 but let me 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.119 just say, 00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:04.059 very significant 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.459 point. 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:05.859 How to run 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:06.399 the race of 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:06.839 life and 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.179 faith. 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.619 This is the 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:09.220 crucial 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.959 dynamic. 00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.319 It is, 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:11.779 if you like, 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.519 the petrol in 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.079 your engine. 00:32:15.959 --> 00:32:16.699 Reading for the 00:32:16.699 --> 00:32:17.519 beginning of 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.939 Edwards' 00:32:17.939 --> 00:32:18.679 resolutions, 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.079 and it sets 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:20.899 the tone for 00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:21.399 the entire 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:22.139 70 of the 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:22.699 resolutions, 00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:24.459 Edwards wrote 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.140 this right at 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:25.460 the beginning, 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:27.180 being sensible 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.460 that I am 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.539 unable to do 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.480 anything without 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.440 God's help, 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.180 I do humbly 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.240 entreat him by 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.779 his grace to 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.620 enable me to 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.259 keep these 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:39.079 resolutions so 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.480 far as they 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.600 are agreeable to 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:43.160 his will for 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.900 Christ's sake. 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.940 Hebrews 10 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:49.079 puts Edwards' 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.500 introduction in 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.140 these, sorry, 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.120 Hebrews 11 puts 00:32:52.120 --> 00:32:52.680 it in these 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.160 words. 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.220 Fix your eyes 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.960 on Jesus, 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.680 the pioneer 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.079 and the 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.720 perfecter of 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.299 your faith. 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:00.840 You might say 00:33:00.840 --> 00:33:01.400 the pioneer 00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:01.819 and the 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.480 perfecter of 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.420 your race. 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:06.180 Jesus is 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.500 not simply 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.079 the pattern 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.019 of life and 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.900 faith, he 00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:10.559 is the 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.740 completer of 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.600 it as well. 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.700 He is the 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.700 only one who 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.480 has perfectly 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.700 lived it and 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.559 he did it for 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.059 us. 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:23.019 So I'm not 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.880 just exhorting 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.460 you to a 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.000 life of 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.700 discipline. 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.440 I'm exhorting 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:27.800 you to a 00:33:27.800 --> 00:33:28.360 life of 00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:29.120 discipline that's 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:29.780 focused on 00:33:29.780 --> 00:33:32.000 Jesus who 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.500 has run the 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.060 race before 00:33:33.060 --> 00:33:33.740 you and 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.460 completed your 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.000 race for 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.280 you. 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.980 There is a 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:38.000 great gulf 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.300 between the 00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:40.500 understanding that 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.480 God accepts us 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.560 because of our 00:33:42.560 --> 00:33:44.040 efforts and the 00:33:44.040 --> 00:33:44.920 understanding that 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:46.040 God accepts us 00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:46.880 because of what 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:47.760 Jesus has done 00:33:47.760 --> 00:33:48.420 for us. 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:52.100 religion operates 00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:53.100 on the principle 00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:54.140 that I obey 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:56.440 and therefore I 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:58.380 am acceptable to 00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:58.720 God. 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.840 The operating 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:01.580 of the Christian 00:34:01.580 --> 00:34:02.160 faith, the 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:02.900 operating principle 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:03.320 of the Christian 00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:04.140 faith is I'm 00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:05.640 accepted by God 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.680 through what 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.980 Jesus Christ has 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:09.079 already achieved 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:10.639 for me and 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.360 therefore I 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:11.639 obey. 00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:13.099 Therefore I 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.519 pursue. 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.180 Therefore I run 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:15.859 the race. 00:34:18.899 --> 00:34:20.239 Two people 00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:22.079 living by those 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:23.039 two very 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.399 different principles 00:34:24.399 --> 00:34:26.500 may in fact 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.519 look the 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:27.940 same. 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.819 They may 00:34:31.819 --> 00:34:32.319 even be sitting 00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:33.059 beside you in 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:33.659 church now. 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.259 They both 00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:38.639 pray. 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:39.919 They both 00:34:39.919 --> 00:34:40.599 give generously. 00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:41.639 They're both 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.739 loyal and 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.359 faithful to 00:34:43.359 --> 00:34:43.980 family and 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.619 the church and 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:44.940 they're good 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.079 citizens but 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.940 they live it 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.639 out with 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.339 radically 00:34:48.339 --> 00:34:49.019 different 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:49.559 motives. 00:34:51.339 --> 00:34:51.779 Religion 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.819 tries to 00:34:52.819 --> 00:34:53.239 live out 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:53.599 divine 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.579 standards out 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.159 of fear. 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.000 If we 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:58.739 don't live a 00:34:58.739 --> 00:34:59.019 disciplined 00:34:59.019 --> 00:35:01.059 life then we 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.759 fear we'll miss 00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:02.319 out on God's 00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:03.079 blessing now in 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.659 this life and 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.019 in the next 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.799 life to come 00:35:04.799 --> 00:35:05.900 every time 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:06.519 something bad 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.139 happens in 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.579 life. 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.339 And you 00:35:09.339 --> 00:35:09.539 go, 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.319 hang on a 00:35:10.319 --> 00:35:10.420 bit, 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:10.559 what? 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:12.819 Oh, 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.380 I haven't 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:13.699 been reading 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:14.299 my Bible, 00:35:14.439 --> 00:35:14.699 I should 00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:14.899 have gone 00:35:14.899 --> 00:35:15.299 to church 00:35:15.299 --> 00:35:15.519 and give 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:15.679 a little 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:15.980 bit more 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.259 money. 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.119 That's a 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.480 life of 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:18.879 fear. 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:23.579 Gospel 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.679 motivation is 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:26.480 gratitude for 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.039 the blessing 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.539 we have 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.719 already received 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.599 because of 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:29.960 Jesus. 00:35:30.799 --> 00:35:31.480 That's why 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.659 the writer 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.000 to the 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.439 Hebrews 00:35:33.439 --> 00:35:35.419 spends 10 00:35:35.419 --> 00:35:36.039 chapters 00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:37.259 exhorting the 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:37.960 Hebrews about 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.559 the supremacy 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:38.960 and the 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:40.480 magnificence of 00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:41.380 Jesus Christ 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.380 before he 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.980 says run. 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:44.820 Run. 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.980 Gospel 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:51.059 motivation is 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:51.800 gratitude for 00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.240 the blessing 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:52.559 we have 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.639 already received 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:54.619 in Jesus 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.139 Christ. 00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:56.199 While the 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.179 religious person 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:58.159 is forced 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:59.260 into obedience, 00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.340 the Christian 00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:02.820 rushes into 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:04.219 it in a 00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:04.980 desire to 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:06.019 please and 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:06.740 to resemble 00:36:06.740 --> 00:36:08.639 the one who 00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:09.440 endured the 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.099 cross for 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:11.900 them, for 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.440 their joy 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:12.720 and for 00:36:12.720 --> 00:36:13.079 his. 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:16.460 And so my 00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:17.360 exhortation for 00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:17.740 you this 00:36:17.740 --> 00:36:18.119 morning, 00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:20.639 today, 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.679 beginning of 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:23.740 2024, is 00:36:23.740 --> 00:36:24.619 rush, 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:26.059 rush, 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:28.639 rush into 00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:29.360 obedience 00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:31.440 with joy. 00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:32.980 Look to 00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:33.559 Jesus and 00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.019 the gospel, 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:34.840 plan your 00:36:34.840 --> 00:36:35.320 run with 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:36.220 him and 00:36:36.220 --> 00:36:36.679 take your 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:37.139 next step 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:37.599 of faith 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:38.380 in 2024.