WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.860 Well, it is a pleasure to be back here again with you today, especially coming to share God's word with you. I always like that. 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:17.859 A spirit rang me and he asked me about what something to speak about. So I was watching RT News. I don't know how many of you watch RT, but I've become quite a fan of the Russian television news. 00:00:17.859 --> 00:00:25.219 And the first story was on Syria and the second was on Iraq and the third one was on the Labour Party and the fourth one was on the Conservative Party. 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:36.100 And then finally, the last one was on Chelsea football team. And the one thing that they all had in common was a lack of unity, a lack of peace. 00:00:36.379 --> 00:00:47.239 There's trouble going in on all these issues. And so I thought, you know, as Christian people, it is a fantastic thing to look what God has offered us and promised to us. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:58.540 So I thought Ephesians 2, 11 to 22 would be a good passage to look at today. And if you keep your Bibles open to page 1175, it might help you to, because I'm going to take it pretty much verse by verse. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:04.780 But to put it in context, the first three chapters of Ephesians are mainly focused on the grace of God. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:13.920 In chapter one, Paul states that those who are called into the kingdom of God were appointed to eternal life before they were ever born. 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:25.960 And he says that when the salvation of men and women is traced back to its true and fundamental source, we find that our salvation is a wonderful act of God's mercy toward us. 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:28.560 Solely a result of his free election. 00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:34.939 And then in chapter two, he began to show us how God brings each person into the body of Christ. 00:01:35.659 --> 00:01:38.599 And here we see the power of divine grace and action. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:45.959 Firstly, Paul reminds us and the Ephesians of how wretched they were before they were called to Christ. 00:01:46.819 --> 00:01:53.519 The total depravity of all men and women apart from Jesus before they are rescued by God. 00:01:54.599 --> 00:02:03.179 And then in verse four, he starts the explanation of how these same men and women are brought to life in Christ. 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:06.619 How God loved us, how God raised us from the dead. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:13.539 And this was where we see that wonderful and beautiful truth of salvation by grace through faith alone. 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:25.800 And he underlines for us again that we were saved not by our own efforts, not by our own works, but that we were saved by God alone. 00:02:26.140 --> 00:02:31.800 Adopted into the family of God and seated with Christ solely by the grace of God. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:35.819 And then we come to our passage, verse 11. 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:42.300 And Paul starts to explain what that meant for the Ephesians and to us now to be in the body of Christ. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:48.120 And his central point is that the one body of Christ draws all people together. 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:51.759 People from the most extreme situations. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:54.580 Even those people who were actually enemies. 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:57.759 They may have hated each other prior to being in Christ. 00:02:58.920 --> 00:03:01.200 We are all drawn together in him. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:09.079 And by being alive in Christ, each one of us has received a common eternal life. 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:16.400 And he starts his explanation there in verse 11 by using a well-known situation of his day, which everyone then would have understood. 00:03:17.160 --> 00:03:19.260 The relationship between Jew and Gentile. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:20.880 That is everybody. 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:23.500 You are either a Jew or you're not. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:24.740 Which means you're a Gentile. 00:03:25.480 --> 00:03:29.140 And the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles was extremely hostile. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:33.299 There was a deep and abiding hostility between them. 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:38.459 And what fed that hostility was the exclusiveness of Judaism. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:42.579 Their customs and their self-consciousness as a people set apart. 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:44.459 God's true and only people. 00:03:45.359 --> 00:03:49.379 It was an exclusiveness that led the Jews to regard Gentiles as inferiors. 00:03:49.459 --> 00:03:52.039 Even to refer to them as the unclean. 00:03:52.039 --> 00:04:00.899 And these Jews produced a mutual animosity toward the Jews on the part of the Gentiles who resented the Jewish view of them. 00:04:01.899 --> 00:04:08.500 Now the Gentiles also considered the Jewish religion and their ways of life as strange, bizarre, offensive in various ways. 00:04:09.399 --> 00:04:13.959 And Paul is primarily writing here from the point of view of the Gentiles. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:15.739 He says in verse 11, 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:24.540 Remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who are the circumcision. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:34.980 Ever since the days of Abraham, the right of circumcision has served as the covenantal sign of the unique relationship between God and the nation of Israel. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:38.819 And the Jews gloried in this special relationship. 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:44.639 And in their pride, they contemptuously referred to the Gentiles as the uncircumcised. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:52.259 And as far as the Gentiles were concerned, it represented the social alienation experienced by them at the hands of the Jews. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:57.959 So Paul now, having reminded them of their former social alienation in verse 11, 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:02.779 he then reminds them of their former spiritual alienation in verse 12. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:04.240 He writes, 00:05:04.339 --> 00:05:07.979 Remember that at the time you were separate from Christ, 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:10.879 excluded from citizenship in Israel, 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:13.759 and foreigners to the covenants of the promise. 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:15.399 Without hope, 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:17.479 and without God in the world. 00:05:18.539 --> 00:05:19.639 In other words, he's saying to them, 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:20.779 You are Christless, 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:22.159 you are stateless, 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:22.939 you are hopeless, 00:05:23.099 --> 00:05:23.939 you are godless, 00:05:24.219 --> 00:05:27.439 and you were trapped by Satan in sin. 00:05:28.719 --> 00:05:33.159 They were not only socially and spiritually alienated from God's people, 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:35.919 but they were also alienated from God. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:38.840 And then in verse 13, 00:05:39.140 --> 00:05:42.540 Paul uses the term that they were far off, 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:43.800 or far away. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.840 And what Paul has underlined for them so far is the bad news of their former life. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:52.479 But then after all the bad news, 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:54.359 notice the first word of verse 13. 00:05:54.619 --> 00:05:55.399 But, he says, 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:56.679 But now. 00:05:57.719 --> 00:05:59.179 Yes, I reminded you, 00:05:59.239 --> 00:05:59.899 and it was true, 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:00.979 you were despised, 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:01.899 you were alienated, 00:06:01.979 --> 00:06:03.000 you were far away. 00:06:03.539 --> 00:06:04.339 But now, 00:06:05.239 --> 00:06:06.919 that is all in the past. 00:06:07.179 --> 00:06:08.419 What was then is no longer. 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:09.219 This is now. 00:06:09.559 --> 00:06:10.719 And through the Lord Jesus, 00:06:10.799 --> 00:06:12.239 he says in verse 13, 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:15.120 You are no longer far away, 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:15.879 because now, 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:17.519 you have been brought near, 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:19.519 by the blood of Christ. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:22.960 And Paul is saying that it is the blood of Christ, 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:25.259 that invites us into this relationship, 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:27.900 to being in the body of Christ. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:30.519 Paul says in verse 14, 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:33.420 that it is the peace of Christ, 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:36.079 for he himself is our peace, 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:38.019 that has made us both one. 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:41.139 He says Jew and Gentile become one in Christ, 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:42.100 in one fellowship. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:45.560 No longer alienated from each other, 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:47.680 but united by the blood, 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:49.420 and by the body of Christ. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:51.960 Now, as we said, 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:54.259 the enmity between the Jew and the Gentile, 00:06:54.460 --> 00:06:55.939 was deep and ancient. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:58.040 And in verse 14, 00:06:58.180 --> 00:06:59.400 Paul refers to again, 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:02.060 in the image of this dividing wall of hostility. 00:07:02.960 --> 00:07:03.579 In the temple, 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:05.439 there was a large wall, 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:07.740 that separated the Jews in the inner temple, 00:07:07.960 --> 00:07:10.480 from everybody else who was in the temple. 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:12.180 And on this huge wall, 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:13.180 in several places, 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:16.180 was a sign in both Greek and Latin, 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:16.819 that read, 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:19.420 no man of another race, 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:21.439 is to enter within this fence, 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:22.920 in the enclosure around the temple. 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:24.860 Whoever is called, 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:27.300 will only have himself to thank, 00:07:27.400 --> 00:07:28.939 for the death that follows. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:33.000 Now that is a plain message of hostility, 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:34.219 to the Gentiles, 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:34.660 isn't it? 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:38.180 And Paul uses this physical reference, 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:39.540 of the wall in the temple, 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:40.120 to say that, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:42.259 the Lord Jesus has now entirely, 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:43.199 wiped out, 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:45.560 the dividing wall of hostility. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.939 And that is Paul's great message, 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:48.819 to both the Jew, 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.139 and to the Gentiles, 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.060 that when we come to Christ, 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:54.079 we are now all one in Christ. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:55.759 All the distinctions are gone. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:56.879 Religious, 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:57.519 social, 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:58.259 financial, 00:07:58.819 --> 00:07:59.199 racial, 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:00.060 historical, 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:00.959 ethnic, 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:03.419 they all fade away, 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:04.639 they are all overcome, 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:06.620 by the Lord Jesus. 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:10.319 Jesus has broken down this barrier, 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:10.979 and in him, 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:12.719 Jews and Gentiles, 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:14.620 all meet on the common ground, 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:15.819 of the cross. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:19.939 And notice at the end of verses 15 and 16, 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:22.659 that he might create in himself, 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:24.219 one new man, 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:25.819 in place of the two, 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:27.219 so making peace, 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:29.599 and he might reconcile us, 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:30.400 both to God, 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:31.340 in one body, 00:08:31.400 --> 00:08:32.240 through the cross. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:33.779 In other words, 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:35.180 the cross has swept away, 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:36.820 all of the obstacles. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.840 And as Jews and Gentiles, 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.200 at one point united, 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:43.060 to crucify Christ in the past, 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:45.420 now Jews and Gentiles, 00:08:45.540 --> 00:08:47.180 are united in Christ, 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:49.019 as one body, 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:49.820 of believers. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:53.139 I mean this is beautifully illustrated, 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:54.080 throughout the New Testament, 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:55.560 especially in the ministry of Jesus. 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:57.740 He called a range, 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:58.860 of different type of people, 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:00.320 into a loving community. 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:01.460 People who would have, 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:03.139 otherwise had nothing to do, 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:03.580 with each other, 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:05.360 find companionship, 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:05.980 and friendship, 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:07.019 in this community. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:08.460 Prostitutes, 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:09.440 and tax collectors. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.360 Roman soldiers, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:12.620 and Jewish priests. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.019 Gentile, 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:14.539 Gentiles, 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:15.820 Athenian philosophers. 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:16.480 Masters, 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:17.300 and slaves. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:19.360 And Paul says, 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:19.860 it was, 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.259 the message, 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:22.159 of peace, 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:23.180 that Jesus brought, 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:24.960 that brought them all together. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:26.460 The peace, 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:27.100 that was preached, 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.019 by the Lord Jesus, 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:28.519 you see, 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:30.180 was available now, 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.060 to all people, 00:09:31.180 --> 00:09:32.379 Jews and Gentiles. 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:33.340 All people, 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.320 are included. 00:09:35.560 --> 00:09:36.720 Verse 17 says, 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.060 and he came, 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:38.659 and preached, 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:39.940 peace to you, 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:41.000 who were far off, 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:42.620 and peace, 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:43.139 to those, 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:43.740 who were near. 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:45.420 You see, 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:46.980 they all needed, 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:48.159 to hear the message, 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:48.680 of Jesus, 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:49.960 whether they were far away, 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:51.060 or whether they were near, 00:09:51.300 --> 00:09:52.300 because they were all, 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:53.279 equally lost. 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:54.720 They were all, 00:09:54.819 --> 00:09:55.439 at that point, 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:56.579 outside of the body, 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:57.220 of Christ. 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:59.120 They were at war, 00:09:59.299 --> 00:09:59.779 with each other. 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:01.019 And not only, 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:01.620 were they at war, 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:02.279 with each other, 00:10:03.079 --> 00:10:03.919 but they were also, 00:10:04.079 --> 00:10:04.439 at war, 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:05.120 with God. 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:06.720 Romans 3, 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:07.539 23 says, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:08.740 there is no difference, 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.360 between Jews, 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:10.000 and Gentiles, 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.240 for all have sinned, 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.059 all have fallen short, 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:14.139 of the glory of God. 00:10:15.079 --> 00:10:15.339 You see, 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:15.799 they were all, 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:16.839 equally in need, 00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:17.459 of Christ, 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:18.559 and his message, 00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:19.600 of peace. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.559 The story, 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.500 of the prodigal son, 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:23.940 is a perfect illustration. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:25.759 That smug, 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:26.399 and surly, 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:27.000 elder brother, 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:28.600 was just as lost, 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:30.179 as the young prodigal. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:32.419 One was far off, 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.259 the other was near, 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:34.980 but both were, 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:35.539 equally, 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:36.600 estranged, 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.279 from the father, 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:38.080 and both needed, 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.379 to be reconciled to him. 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:40.679 I mean, 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:41.519 they both expressed, 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:42.240 their rebellion, 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:42.960 and pride, 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:44.480 and in their own ways, 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:44.720 but, 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:45.879 they both had, 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:46.799 the same inner need, 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:47.480 for forgiveness, 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.139 and for grace. 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:51.419 And this piece, 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:52.080 that unites, 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:52.820 men and women, 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:53.400 to God, 00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:54.180 and to one another. 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:55.720 This piece, 00:10:55.800 --> 00:10:57.180 that only God, 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.400 alone can give, 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.600 is a powerful, 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:02.139 it's a wonderful thing. 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:02.420 You see, 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:04.020 the world doesn't know it. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.160 They may have, 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:05.960 an ill-defined, 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:07.440 longing for it, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.020 but they cannot, 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:10.020 they will not, 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:11.080 ever find it, 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.720 apart from God. 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.540 In Isaiah 57, 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:16.400 the Lord speaks, 00:11:16.400 --> 00:11:17.080 about peace, 00:11:17.160 --> 00:11:17.720 the peace that, 00:11:17.940 --> 00:11:18.740 he gives, 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:19.300 and the peace that, 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:20.080 the world seeks, 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:21.060 but we'll never find, 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:21.659 without him. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:22.959 Isaiah writes, 00:11:23.459 --> 00:11:23.919 peace, 00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:25.039 peace to the far, 00:11:25.119 --> 00:11:25.879 and to the near, 00:11:25.979 --> 00:11:26.619 says the Lord. 00:11:27.599 --> 00:11:28.259 But the wicked, 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.979 are like the tossing sea. 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:32.059 It cannot be quiet, 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:33.599 and as waters, 00:11:33.719 --> 00:11:34.599 toss up mire, 00:11:34.699 --> 00:11:35.099 and dirt, 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:36.559 there is no peace, 00:11:36.619 --> 00:11:37.359 says my God, 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:37.879 for the wicked. 00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:39.919 And so it is, 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:40.219 you see, 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:40.959 human beings, 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:41.479 and the world, 00:11:41.579 --> 00:11:42.219 lack peace, 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:42.679 and therefore, 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:43.519 the world, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.479 lacks peace. 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:46.099 And what we see, 00:11:46.099 --> 00:11:47.239 happening in Syria, 00:11:47.439 --> 00:11:47.799 and Iraq, 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:48.399 for example, 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:50.839 is only a more dramatic, 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.079 example of what, 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.179 is happening every day, 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:53.719 in the world, 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.199 around us, 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:54.859 all the time. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.079 You see, 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:56.979 it's not only nations, 00:11:57.099 --> 00:11:58.179 and people who are at war, 00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.159 and filled with hatred, 00:11:59.839 --> 00:12:00.519 but it's husbands, 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.339 and wives, 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:01.819 parents, 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:02.539 and siblings, 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.679 employers, 00:12:03.979 --> 00:12:04.559 employees. 00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:06.819 Ever since, 00:12:06.979 --> 00:12:08.159 Adam listened to Eve, 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:09.439 on disobey God. 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:10.699 Ever since, 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:12.199 they listened to another voice, 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:12.959 other than God, 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.719 and became subject, 00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:14.559 to another power. 00:12:15.479 --> 00:12:16.239 Human life, 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.139 has been characterized, 00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:18.199 by restlessness, 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:19.079 conflict, 00:12:19.939 --> 00:12:20.359 jealousy, 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:20.979 envy, 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:21.559 hatred, 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:22.579 alienation, 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:23.779 chaos. 00:12:24.719 --> 00:12:25.799 It's like Isaiah said, 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.139 it is, 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:27.519 it's always there, 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:29.059 it cannot be still. 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.000 It's like the tossing sea, 00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:31.579 and the waves, 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.659 they just can't stop. 00:12:32.979 --> 00:12:33.479 Always, 00:12:33.619 --> 00:12:34.359 this agitation, 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:35.299 is going on, 00:12:35.359 --> 00:12:35.839 and on, 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:36.399 and on. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.079 And what we see, 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:39.959 in the world, 00:12:40.599 --> 00:12:41.679 in human relationships, 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.599 is simply, 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:44.519 an expression, 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:45.620 of the alienation, 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.460 and the chaos, 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:47.759 that lies deep, 00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:48.480 in the heart, 00:12:48.680 --> 00:12:49.340 of the individual. 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:51.480 It starts out, 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:52.519 as an alienation, 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:53.500 and a separation, 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.159 from God, 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:54.879 and the true purpose, 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.360 of life. 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.379 And then it begins, 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.800 to express itself, 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.800 in the alienation, 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:00.920 the separation, 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:01.620 from each other. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:04.080 And these two issues, 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.820 of alienation, 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:06.639 and isolation, 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.840 they're from the same, 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.879 spiritual reality, 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:10.680 but as they begin, 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:11.080 to grow, 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:11.960 they begin to feed, 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:12.600 on one another. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:14.200 You see, 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:14.600 I think, 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:15.700 what Paul wants us, 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.460 to understand here, 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:16.740 is that, 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.980 there is no peace, 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:18.740 with God, 00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:20.120 that does not, 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:20.940 create peace, 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.540 between men, 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:21.879 and women. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:24.320 There is no peace, 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.060 in the human heart, 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:25.700 that does not, 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.100 express itself, 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:28.440 in our relationships, 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:29.720 with each other. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.879 And the solution, 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:33.659 the answer, 00:13:33.800 --> 00:13:34.639 to our alienation, 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.480 and our isolation, 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:37.620 is the gospel, 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.560 of Jesus Christ. 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.959 You see, 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.519 the gospel, 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.500 that he brings, 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.779 is a gospel of peace. 00:13:44.239 --> 00:13:45.219 Peace with each other, 00:13:45.319 --> 00:13:46.399 and peace with God. 00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:48.119 Get your Bibles open, 00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:48.779 you'll see it there, 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.459 verse 14, 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:49.979 Paul says, 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:50.979 the Lord Jesus, 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:52.599 is our peace. 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.000 In verse 15, 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.439 he says, 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.419 he makes our peace. 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:58.039 In verse 17, 00:13:58.219 --> 00:13:58.739 he came, 00:13:58.839 --> 00:13:59.979 and he preached, 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:00.879 peace. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:03.019 And this blessing, 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:03.539 of peace, 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.659 through Jesus Christ, 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.939 is what reconciles, 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:07.919 us to each other, 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:08.960 it reconciles, 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:09.580 us to God. 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.779 And in verse 18, 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.419 Paul says, 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.500 it is this peace, 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.620 that gives us access, 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:15.960 to the Father. 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.460 Verse 18 says, 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:19.299 that this access, 00:14:19.439 --> 00:14:20.159 is made possible, 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.080 as the Father, 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:21.700 the Son, 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.519 and the Holy Spirit, 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.139 unite to bring us back. 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.200 They unite, 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.399 to reconcile us, 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:26.899 to God. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:27.960 And notice that, 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.059 the whole Trinity, 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.039 is in that verse. 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:31.339 through him, 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:31.919 Christ, 00:14:32.699 --> 00:14:33.860 we have access, 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:35.179 in one spirit, 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:36.559 to the Father. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:38.740 Now, 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.019 I can honestly say to you, 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.740 that I am not sure, 00:14:41.839 --> 00:14:42.980 exactly how this works. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.219 How the Father, 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:44.860 the Son, 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.439 and the Holy Spirit, 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.439 all work together, 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.059 in this event. 00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:47.399 I just, 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.719 certainly it's one of these things, 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:49.799 I will understand better, 00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:50.839 when I get to heaven. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:52.719 But still, 00:14:52.839 --> 00:14:53.559 let's just be sure, 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.259 what he says there, 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:54.799 verse 18. 00:14:54.959 --> 00:14:55.519 He says that, 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:57.419 those who are in Christ, 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.559 have access to God. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.919 Through Christ, 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.259 and the Holy Spirit. 00:15:05.079 --> 00:15:05.519 In other words, 00:15:05.579 --> 00:15:07.279 those who had been socially, 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:09.259 and spiritually alienated, 00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:09.779 from God, 00:15:09.819 --> 00:15:10.360 and each other, 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.279 are now socially, 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:14.299 and spiritually united, 00:15:14.959 --> 00:15:15.699 through the work, 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.579 of the Lord Jesus, 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.219 and the Holy Spirit. 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:20.559 You know, 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.879 Paul has used most of, 00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:23.579 verses 13 to 18, 00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:24.099 to present, 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:24.959 and explain this, 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.959 great doctrine, 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:26.599 to us. 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:28.259 And still, 00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.899 he comes to the last section there, 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.100 verses 19 to 22, 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.519 and he still has more to say. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:33.860 It's like, 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:35.040 he wants to be sure, 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.500 that we hear this. 00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:37.899 In case there's any doubt, 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.480 in our minds, 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.440 about this doctrine, 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.440 he closes with three, 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.480 final metaphors, 00:15:42.540 --> 00:15:43.620 to further explain, 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:45.340 the unity of believers, 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.460 of the body of Christ. 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.840 And once again, 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:49.519 he reminds him, 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.200 in verse 19, 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:51.580 you are no longer, 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.759 strangers and aliens. 00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:54.840 And then he says, 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.759 we are now, 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:56.720 in verse 19, 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.940 fellow citizens. 00:15:59.160 --> 00:15:59.680 Then he says, 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.560 we are members, 00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:02.220 of God's household. 00:16:03.400 --> 00:16:04.020 And thirdly, 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.180 in verses 20 and 21, 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:05.660 he says, 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.860 we are a temple, 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:09.080 resting on the foundation, 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.379 of Christ himself. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:12.580 You know, 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.520 as fellow Christians, 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.060 as fellow citizens, 00:16:15.160 --> 00:16:15.780 as he says there, 00:16:16.140 --> 00:16:16.820 in Christ, 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:17.660 we are members, 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:18.879 of the same commonwealth. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.139 There is a new fellowship. 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:23.500 We are fellow citizens, 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.740 with all the saints, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.600 who have ever lived. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.340 Imagine that. 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.259 Philippians 3.20, 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.379 says very plainly, 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.620 our citizenship, 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.980 is in heaven. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.620 We are all citizens, 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:35.860 of the same kingdom, 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.480 living under, 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.539 the same authority. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.759 And secondly, 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.299 as members, 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.360 of the same household, 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:44.059 we are brothers, 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.600 and sisters in Christ. 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:47.179 We are members, 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:48.679 of the family of God. 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:49.859 We are heirs together, 00:16:49.859 --> 00:16:51.199 of the new covenant. 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.739 He considers us, 00:16:53.739 --> 00:16:54.319 his children. 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.120 We are children, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.120 of the living God. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.099 The thing about this, 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.759 we are brothers, 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.459 and sisters, 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.899 in the royal family, 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.739 of heaven. 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:03.919 Thirdly, 00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:04.299 Paul, 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.839 uses this illustration, 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.480 of the foundation, 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.159 of the temple. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.659 He sees the church, 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:11.000 as a glorious building, 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.599 that rests, 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.740 on this magnificent, 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.359 foundation, 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:14.119 of Christ, 00:17:14.179 --> 00:17:14.819 and his apostles. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.639 Everything rests. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.840 Everything is anchored, 00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:19.240 upon the Lord Jesus, 00:17:20.060 --> 00:17:21.180 who is the cornerstone, 00:17:21.280 --> 00:17:22.000 of the foundation. 00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:24.100 Now, 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:25.000 before their conversion, 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.200 the Gentiles, 00:17:26.280 --> 00:17:27.020 were building on, 00:17:27.020 --> 00:17:28.960 man's idol philosophies, 00:17:29.080 --> 00:17:30.420 or vain pagan religions. 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.920 The Jews, 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.540 were there part, 00:17:32.580 --> 00:17:33.120 of the building, 00:17:33.280 --> 00:17:33.700 on the burden, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.240 of rabbis traditions. 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.280 None of these, 00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:38.920 foundations, 00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:39.620 would ever last. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.080 They were all, 00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:41.040 built on sand. 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:43.980 But after accepting Christ, 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.319 and becoming part, 00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:46.299 of the body of Christ, 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:47.059 we rest, 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:48.119 in unity, 00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:50.139 as one body, 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.220 upon the enduring, 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.019 foundation, 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.740 of Christ, 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:54.059 the apostles, 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.339 and the prophets, 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:55.879 he says. 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:59.059 Verse 22 says, 00:17:59.159 --> 00:17:59.799 that we are being, 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:00.639 built together, 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:02.299 into a dwelling place, 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.460 for the spirit of God. 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.420 This is who we are. 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.899 This is who we are, 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:09.099 a dwelling place, 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:10.539 for the spirit of God. 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:10.740 I mean, 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.279 just try to imagine that. 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.119 Every stone, 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:13.980 we're the stones. 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.200 Every stone is, 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:16.960 perfectly shaped for purpose. 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:19.119 There are no imperfections. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.259 Every stone, 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.420 perfectly chiseled, 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:23.220 each and every one of us, 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:25.079 is perfectly formed, 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:25.879 and placed. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:28.659 And Paul says, 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.920 as he says these things to us, 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:31.599 as amazing as they may seem, 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:32.799 he says, 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:34.000 these are just simply, 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.720 the facts of the matter. 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:38.220 That by the grace of God, 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.619 and the sacrifice of Christ, 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:41.419 we have been brought, 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:43.399 into peace with God, 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.059 and into peace, 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.059 with one another. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.699 There was a time, 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.439 when we were all, 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.739 separated from God, 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:52.219 and sharing a common fate. 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.159 But now, 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:54.879 we share, 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.419 a common experience, 00:18:56.739 --> 00:18:57.659 of God's love. 00:18:58.459 --> 00:18:59.379 And we share the fact, 00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:00.719 that there is a common inheritance, 00:19:00.719 --> 00:19:01.439 for us, 00:19:01.899 --> 00:19:02.539 in heaven. 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:04.899 And I was thinking, 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.119 you know, 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:06.039 if we know this truth, 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:07.680 and we feel the wonder of it, 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:09.619 then we must have an urge, 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.680 to try to live it out. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.960 We must do honor, 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.839 to a savior, 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.659 as great, 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.180 as the son of God. 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:16.940 A salvation, 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.879 as great as this, 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.619 that has made us, 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.519 alive, 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:19.920 that has, 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:21.399 lifted us up to heaven, 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:21.740 that has, 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:22.619 gathered us up, 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.899 into God's family. 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:25.399 I mean, 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.119 these are favors, 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.639 that not one of us here today, 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.759 is even remotely, 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.720 worthy of. 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:32.200 But they are favors, 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.259 that we ought to feel, 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.319 every day, 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.600 in our everyday lives. 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.900 And if you're like me, 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.360 well then you, 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.680 you do know what it is still, 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.860 to struggle with fears, 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.900 and alienation, 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.700 with anxiety, 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.480 in your heart. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.559 And even if you know this, 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.380 if you are a Christian, 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.519 this afternoon, 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:47.839 then, 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.620 I can still assure you, 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.759 that you have peace with God. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.940 You may not feel it today, 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.259 you may not always feel it. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.380 But God promises, 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.120 that it's yours. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.740 There are times, 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.819 when we fight with God, 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.319 there are times, 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.460 when we push Him away. 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.120 There are times, 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:03.880 when we refuse, 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.920 to trust fully, 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.620 in His promises. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.740 But even, 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:08.299 in the midst of those times, 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.559 it should comfort you, 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.380 and me to know, 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.039 that His peace, 00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:13.839 is still there, 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.220 for us. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:18.039 God has brought you, 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.960 near to Himself. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.400 He has made, 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.620 peace with you. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.240 He has brought you, 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.160 into His family. 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.480 He is building you, 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.740 your very self, 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.640 into a holy temple, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.839 in which He will dwell. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.779 He has set you, 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.920 into the heavenly realms, 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.620 with Christ. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.559 And He has made you, 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.500 an eternal, 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.680 citizen, 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:38.920 of heaven. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.440 So in view, 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.299 of all that wonder, 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:42.779 of all that, 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.319 extraordinary privilege, 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.279 when we watch, 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.279 RT News, 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.980 or whatever it is, 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.660 is there anything, 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.000 that should ever fill our hearts, 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.599 with unease, 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.359 or disquiet, 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:53.099 with anxiety, 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.679 or this, 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:55.319 sense of alienation, 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:55.879 of chaos, 00:20:55.979 --> 00:20:56.459 that the world, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:56.879 in general, 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.599 suffers from? 00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:58.859 I mean, 00:20:58.899 --> 00:20:59.459 think about it. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:20:59.839 Jesus, 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.099 the Son of God, 00:21:01.939 --> 00:21:03.219 has shed His blood, 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.259 to make you, 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:04.959 His own, 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.259 brother or sister. 00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:08.579 And through His sacrifice, 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:09.279 on the cross, 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.759 and the work, 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.619 of the Holy Spirit, 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.179 you have access, 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:13.899 to God, 00:21:13.959 --> 00:21:14.740 the Father Himself. 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:18.059 what can there be, 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.180 in our lives, 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.839 that should ever, 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.359 make us feel, 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.339 that things are not right. 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.819 So if you're here, 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.579 this afternoon, 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.440 and you're a believer, 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.880 you're a Christian, 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.220 then I pray, 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:31.740 that you will, 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:32.720 find comfort, 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.700 in what we see, 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.420 here in this letter, 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:34.660 that, 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:35.859 and I pray, 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.980 that you will find peace, 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.500 in the knowledge, 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.319 that you have been, 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.920 redeemed by the Son, 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.099 that you've been, 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:42.539 reconciled to the Father, 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.319 and you are being, 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.419 renovated daily, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.960 by the Holy Spirit. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.359 So let me, 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.379 pray for us.