WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:15.300 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:32.039 Hi, my name is Elise. I live in North Oakland and I'm part of the Little Faith Group with a few of the women here. 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:39.420 Today's reading is from the Book of Acts, chapter 13, verses 13 to 48. 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:49.120 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 00:00:49.119 --> 00:00:53.059 From Perga, they went on to Pisidian, Antioch. 00:00:53.599 --> 00:00:56.679 On the Sabbath, they entered the synagogue and sat down. 00:00:57.519 --> 00:01:03.459 After the reading from the law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:08.679 Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak. 00:01:09.479 --> 00:01:12.219 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said, 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:17.599 Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.399 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors. 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:25.259 He made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt. 00:01:25.679 --> 00:01:28.679 With mighty power, he led them out of that country. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:32.979 For about 40 years, he endured their conduct in the wilderness. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:39.479 And he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 00:01:40.199 --> 00:01:43.060 All this took about 450 years. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:48.920 After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel, the prophet. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:02:00.120 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled 40 years. 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:03.659 After removing Saul, he made David their king. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:06.300 God testified concerning him, 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:11.199 I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:14.159 He will do everything I want him to do. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:21.060 From this man's descendants, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:27.800 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 00:02:27.800 --> 00:02:31.240 As John was completing his work, he said, 00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:33.200 Who do you suppose I am? 00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:35.520 I am not the one you are looking for, 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:40.640 but there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:45.260 Fellow children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, 00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:49.080 it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 00:02:49.640 --> 00:02:53.500 The people of Jerusalem and the rulers did not recognize Jesus, 00:02:53.500 --> 00:03:00.159 yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:03.680 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:06.060 they asked Pilate to have him executed. 00:03:07.020 --> 00:03:12.180 When they had carried out all that was written about him, 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:15.240 they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 00:03:15.960 --> 00:03:17.680 But God raised him from the dead, 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:23.319 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. 00:03:24.139 --> 00:03:26.419 They are now his witnesses to our people. 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:28.419 We tell you the good news, 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:32.180 what God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:34.580 their children, by raising up Jesus. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:39.080 Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus, 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:41.680 the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.860 Through him, everyone who believes is set free from every sin. 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:48.939 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:52.240 the people invited them to speak further on these things. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:54.060 On the next Sabbath, 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:56.600 when the congregation was dismissed, 00:03:56.879 --> 00:04:01.240 many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:05.659 who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:07.259 On the next Sabbath, 00:04:07.579 --> 00:04:10.280 almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:12.639 When the Gentiles heard this, 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:15.019 they were glad and honored the word of the Lord, 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:18.040 and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:20.860 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:22.300 Thanks be to God. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:25.360 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:04:25.900 --> 00:04:29.680 It is good to see your smiling faces. 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:31.340 It's been way too long. 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:35.240 I like your eyes, but I really like your smiles as well. 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:37.319 So it's really good to see you all this morning. 00:04:37.780 --> 00:04:41.080 And wasn't last Sunday amazing? 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.879 And I'm not just talking about Andrew's ordination service. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:49.759 I'm talking about the nacho bar after the ordination service. 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:50.600 Wasn't that amazing? 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:52.759 There was an army of people with crockpots, 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:54.779 melted cheese and meat, 00:04:54.920 --> 00:04:56.699 and it was just a beautiful thing. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:59.980 And it's created quite a buzz, I think, at Christ Church. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:03.480 People are asking about starting a new nacho ministry, 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:07.199 making First Sunday's Nacho Sunday, 00:05:07.659 --> 00:05:11.839 and sort of rebuilding Christ Church one nacho at a time. 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:16.239 So I'm sorry to say there are no nachos today, 00:05:16.359 --> 00:05:18.339 but we will have a coffee hour in the side yard. 00:05:18.419 --> 00:05:19.179 We hope you'll come. 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:22.639 We hope you'll meet maybe one person you don't know today. 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:26.579 But we are continuing today in the Acts of the Apostles, 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:29.000 this great book in the New Testament 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:31.120 that could also be called the Acts of Jesus 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:35.039 by the Holy Spirit in and through his church. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:39.179 And we've been tracing the movement of the gospel 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:43.860 from Jerusalem and Israel to Antioch and Syria. 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:46.199 And we've seen as the gospel's been moving, 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:48.000 it's gone out to the Samaritans, 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:51.840 and then it went to this Ethiopian eunuch, 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:53.180 and he was converted, 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:55.399 and he took the gospel to the ends of the earth, 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:56.639 to the continent of Africa. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:06:00.620 We saw the conversion of Cornelius and his household 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:04.720 and how he took the gospel into the Greco-Roman world. 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:07.440 And now here we are in Acts chapter 13, 00:06:08.080 --> 00:06:12.840 and it's the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey. 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:15.820 And we're told in verse 13 that from Paphos, 00:06:15.940 --> 00:06:18.500 Paul and his companions, they sailed. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:21.960 And they sailed to Perga and Pamphylia, 00:06:22.140 --> 00:06:25.980 and then from Perga, they went to Pisidian Antioch. 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:28.200 Now, this is about 45 AD, 00:06:28.440 --> 00:06:30.600 15 years after the resurrection of Jesus. 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:35.540 And Paul has gone sailing overseas from Syria 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:37.400 to the island of Cyprus, 00:06:37.400 --> 00:06:39.520 and now he's in central Turkey. 00:06:39.520 --> 00:06:41.680 If you can imagine the map in your mind. 00:06:42.379 --> 00:06:44.200 And he's in central Turkey, 00:06:44.320 --> 00:06:46.820 which is basically his home territory, 00:06:47.020 --> 00:06:49.060 about 200 miles west of Tarsus, 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:50.420 where he grew up. 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:52.400 And it's a place right where these two regions, 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:56.439 called Asia and Galatia, come together. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:58.200 And we're told in verse 14 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:01.019 that on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:02.620 and sat down. 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:04.639 This is the practice of Jesus, 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:06.219 we're told in the Gospel of Luke, 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:07.759 that on the Sabbath, 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:10.420 Jesus went to the synagogue as was his custom. 00:07:11.159 --> 00:07:12.459 Week by week by week, 00:07:12.539 --> 00:07:14.719 the people of God have always gathered together 00:07:14.719 --> 00:07:16.339 to worship God. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:18.579 And that was their predictable pattern. 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:21.180 So one of the elders of the synagogue 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:23.459 presumably met with Paul ahead of time, 00:07:23.599 --> 00:07:25.159 asked him to come and be a guest preacher. 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:27.920 And so we read in verse 15, 00:07:28.840 --> 00:07:30.460 after the reading from the law and the prophets, 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:31.540 the leaders of the synagogue 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:33.380 sent word to them saying, 00:07:33.520 --> 00:07:36.400 brothers, if you have a word of exhortation 00:07:36.400 --> 00:07:38.960 for the people, please speak. 00:07:39.940 --> 00:07:42.379 Two major divisions in Israel's Bible, 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:43.379 those were read, 00:07:43.840 --> 00:07:47.020 and then came this word of exhortation, 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.260 which is what preaching and teaching is. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:51.840 It's the opening up and the expounding 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:54.099 of this inspired text, 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:56.219 faithfully and sensitively, 00:07:56.219 --> 00:07:59.000 so that the voice of God can be heard, 00:07:59.619 --> 00:08:01.000 and so that the people of God 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.079 can obey his voice. 00:08:03.179 --> 00:08:04.199 And that's what Paul does. 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:06.560 He steps up to the microphone, 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:08.939 and we're told in verse 16 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:09.859 that standing up, 00:08:09.959 --> 00:08:10.739 he motioned, 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.639 he apparently used his hands a lot too, 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:14.620 he motioned with his hands 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:15.199 and said, 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:17.000 people of Israel and you Gentiles 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:17.899 who worship God, 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:19.699 listen to me. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:22.300 And what comes is this amazing, 00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:23.240 marvelous summary 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:26.539 of the Apostle Paul's incredible message 00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:28.439 here in this little sermon, 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.279 and what he says to those people 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:32.659 I want to say to you today, 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:35.779 and that is that God's king rules us 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:38.379 with forgiving grace. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:40.299 That's Paul's message, 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:43.460 that God's king rules us 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:46.019 with forgiving grace. 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:47.799 And I want to talk a little bit 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:49.840 about how God's king rules, 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:52.439 because that's where Paul starts out. 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:53.399 In verse 17, 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:54.919 the God of the people of Israel 00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:56.899 chose our ancestors, 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:58.340 and right away we hear 00:08:58.340 --> 00:08:59.620 that the Apostle's teaching 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:02.220 is biblical teaching, 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:04.899 because he goes to Genesis chapter 12, 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:06.799 God's covenant with Abraham, 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:08.419 because Paul thinks like a Jew, 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:09.500 he writes like a Jew, 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.179 he argues like a Jew, 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:12.759 and he knows Israel's scriptures 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.299 extremely well, 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:15.860 backwards and forwards, 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.300 he's masterfully skilled 00:09:17.300 --> 00:09:19.899 at unfolding the story of the Bible 00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:21.340 from Moses to the prophets. 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:24.019 He quotes all kind of books of scriptures 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:26.440 from Genesis to Habakkuk in this sermon, 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:28.120 and he works his way 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:29.440 from the covenant with Abraham 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:30.759 to the covenant with Moses 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.620 to the covenant with David, 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:34.820 working through the history 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:35.740 these people knew, 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.220 the hopes that they cherished, 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:39.440 but Paul gives them a golden key 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:41.460 that unlocks its meaning. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.399 And he starts out again, 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:44.060 verse 17, 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:45.459 the God of the people of Israel 00:09:45.459 --> 00:09:46.839 chose our ancestors. 00:09:46.839 --> 00:09:48.159 That's Genesis 15, 00:09:48.719 --> 00:09:49.779 chapter 12, 00:09:50.219 --> 00:09:51.939 verse to chapter 50, 00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:54.039 where God elects Israel 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.379 from among the nations. 00:09:56.459 --> 00:09:57.639 And then he says that 00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:59.500 God made the people prosper 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:00.639 during their stay in Egypt 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.139 with mighty power. 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:04.159 He led them out of that country. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:05.819 That's Exodus 1 to 15, 00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:08.419 where God delivers Israel from slavery. 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:10.500 And then he says in verse 18, 00:10:10.599 --> 00:10:11.919 for about 40 years, 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.379 he endured their conduct 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.439 in the wilderness. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:15.379 That's Exodus, 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:15.959 Leviticus, 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:16.479 Numbers, 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.639 and Deuteronomy, 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:19.899 where God cares for his people 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:21.740 despite the fact 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:23.179 that they're a pain in the you-know-what. 00:10:24.019 --> 00:10:25.139 And then in verse 19, 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:26.259 it says he overthrew 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:27.899 seven nations in Canaan, 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:29.539 giving their land to his people 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:30.459 as their inheritance. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:32.360 That's the book of Joshua, 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:34.120 where God provides Israel 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:36.000 with a home in the promised land. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:38.779 And then in verses 20 to 22, 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:41.279 Paul expounds the book of Judges 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:42.919 and Ruth and Samuel. 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:44.639 And he basically says, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.259 look, the Bible is this immense, 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.879 sprawling, capacious, 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.580 millennia-long story. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:52.340 You can easily get lost, 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:54.799 but if there's one key word 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:56.179 that sums up the whole theme, 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:56.799 it's this. 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:57.980 It's kingdom. 00:10:58.940 --> 00:10:59.799 The kingdom. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.820 And we're told in verse 21 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:04.600 that the people ask God for a king. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.540 And then in verse 22, 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:09.000 that God made David their king. 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:11.860 God's people are meant to be ruled 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:13.360 by God's king. 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:16.220 And we're told in verse 22 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.960 that that king is to be a man 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:19.139 after God's own heart. 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:21.460 A person who will do everything 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:23.360 that God wants him to do. 00:11:25.540 --> 00:11:28.620 This king is to rule Israel 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.660 and through Israel 00:11:29.660 --> 00:11:30.779 to rule the nations 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:32.200 with justice and truth. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:33.960 And that's the problem 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:36.800 with the entire Bible, right? 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.700 Because David, 00:11:38.540 --> 00:11:40.580 King David and David's sons 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:42.759 failed miserably, 00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:44.040 failed fantastically, 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:45.200 failed tragically 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:46.520 to be the kings 00:11:46.520 --> 00:11:48.300 that they were supposed to be. 00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:49.480 And everything ends up 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.460 in exile 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:51.660 with the people of God 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:53.940 longing for the true king 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:54.840 to come. 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.420 And this is where 00:11:56.420 --> 00:11:57.879 Paul gives these people 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.300 the golden key 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:01.359 that unlocks the problem 00:12:01.359 --> 00:12:02.979 of the entire Bible. 00:12:03.219 --> 00:12:03.859 In verse 20, 00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:04.299 he says, 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.659 from this man's descendants, 00:12:06.719 --> 00:12:07.979 God brought to Israel 00:12:07.979 --> 00:12:09.079 the Savior Jesus 00:12:09.079 --> 00:12:10.659 as he promised. 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:14.679 Jesus is the Savior King. 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:16.199 He's the Messianic King 00:12:16.199 --> 00:12:18.139 that God had promised 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:19.500 would rule universally 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:21.399 and reign eternally. 00:12:21.479 --> 00:12:22.279 And Paul goes on 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.959 in verses 26 to 29 00:12:23.959 --> 00:12:26.019 to say that the message 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:26.779 of salvation 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.240 is that through 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.819 Jesus' death on the cross, 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.220 he established 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.839 once and for all 00:12:32.839 --> 00:12:34.459 the kingdom of God 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:35.559 on the earth. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.939 And Paul's argument 00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:38.360 is this. 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:39.319 Remember how 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:40.959 God liberated us 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:42.399 from slavery? 00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:43.819 Remember how he conquered 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:45.000 in the promised land? 00:12:45.079 --> 00:12:46.199 Remember how he provided 00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:47.839 a leader in King David? 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:48.860 Well, God is still 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.860 liberating us, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.139 but he's liberating us 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:51.799 from sin. 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.759 He's still conquering, 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.839 but now he's conquered 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:55.720 over death. 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:56.840 He's still providing 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.259 a leader, 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:58.740 but believe it or not, 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.399 that leader 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:01.800 is a crucified king. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.840 And then Paul comes 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.519 to the climax 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.320 of his sermon 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:06.060 in verse 30, 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.720 and he says, 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:10.320 but God raised him 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.360 from the dead, 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.240 and for many days 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:13.960 he was seen 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.740 by those who had 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.399 traveled with him 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:16.040 from Galilee 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:16.779 to Jerusalem. 00:13:17.540 --> 00:13:18.160 They are now 00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:18.779 his witnesses 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:19.680 to our people. 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:20.960 We tell you 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:21.879 the good news, 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:23.379 what God promised 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.160 our ancestors, 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.159 he has fulfilled 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:25.740 for us 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.419 their children 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:28.240 by raising up 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.679 Jesus. 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:32.000 Paul says, 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:33.159 we live in a sad 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.419 and broken world. 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.459 We live in a messy, 00:13:37.319 --> 00:13:38.559 muddled world, 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:39.279 but God 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:40.639 has launched 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.799 his new creation 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:42.699 in the midst 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:43.139 of this world. 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.159 God has launched 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:45.980 the new world order, 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:47.500 and that new world order 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.179 is ruled by one 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:49.939 who was dead 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:50.519 and buried, 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:52.199 and yet he did not 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.100 see corruption 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.379 or decay. 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.500 God's new creation 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.139 is ruled 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.379 by this king 00:13:58.379 --> 00:14:00.079 who's throbbing 00:14:00.079 --> 00:14:01.179 with life 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.240 and energy. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:06.179 He is full of power, 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.259 he's full of wisdom, 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.439 he's full of truth 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:09.419 and justice, 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.679 and he's the one 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.620 that we've all 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.539 been waiting for 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.659 who can put 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:15.139 the world right, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.500 who can bring heaven 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:18.199 down to the earth, 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:18.759 and he says, 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.580 my friends, 00:14:19.960 --> 00:14:20.879 brothers and sisters, 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.539 I invite you, 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.220 do not miss out 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.100 on what God 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.019 is doing 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.200 here and now 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:29.039 through his king, 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.559 Jesus. 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.519 And what I want 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.340 to say to us today 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:34.460 is that the truth 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:36.439 of this risen king 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.340 I think is far 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.120 more comforting 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.700 than many of us 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:41.340 perhaps realize. 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.179 Maybe you've seen 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.639 the movie 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:45.200 The Darkest Hour, 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:47.120 it came out 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.000 in 2017, 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.320 it's an account 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:51.179 of Winston Churchill, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.940 arguably one 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:52.399 of the most 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.279 important public 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.879 figures of the 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.580 20th century. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.259 And Churchill 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.659 is facing 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:59.460 extreme challenges 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.740 in his new role 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.759 in early days 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.740 as the prime minister 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:04.340 of Great Britain. 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:05.580 He's not only 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.500 trying to manage 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.639 the terrifying 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.240 and expanding 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.560 presence of 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:10.240 Adolf Hitler 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:10.720 in Europe, 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.799 but he's also 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.720 facing mounting 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.980 pressure from 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:15.159 his political rivals 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:15.879 to enter into 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.500 peace talks 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.100 with the Nazis. 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:18.740 And so basically 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.500 the future of 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.720 Western civilization 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.720 is hanging in the 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.620 balance and his 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:24.019 own relationship 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.840 with the king 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:26.919 is tepid at best. 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.899 His foreign secretary 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:29.340 says, 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.299 you only have to 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:30.860 meet with the king 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.460 once a week 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.779 and Churchill says, 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.220 well that's like 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:33.879 saying you only have 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.779 to have your tooth 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.899 pulled once a week. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.820 And later on 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:38.620 we find in this 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.340 pivotal scene 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.080 late in the film, 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.159 Churchill is sitting 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:42.860 on his bed 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.559 in the dark 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:45.639 staring into space, 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:46.279 he's clearly 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:48.419 at a very low ebb, 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.399 just troubled 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.559 and with the full 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:51.600 weight of the world 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.939 on his shoulders 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:53.840 he's completely 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.240 unclear how 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.460 he's to proceed. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.159 He looks disheveled, 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.139 his suit's rumpled, 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.759 he's a complete mess. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.460 Maybe you relate 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:01.860 to that. 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:03.220 Then he has 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:04.699 this surprise visitor 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:06.559 come into his home. 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:09.279 King George VI 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.720 enters the room, 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.740 he's the most proper 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:13.539 man in all of Europe, 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:14.779 the height of manners 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.639 and decorum 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.159 wearing this 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.199 impeccable suit 00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:18.519 and the king comes 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:18.980 and he says, 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.679 Mr. Churchill, 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:21.459 I hope you can 00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:22.679 forgive the late hour 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.639 but your wife thought 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.539 tonight might be 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.120 a good time, 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:25.759 should we sit? 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.740 It appears the prospect 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.720 of a peace deal 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.159 with Hitler 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.459 has increased dramatically 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:32.019 and Churchill says, 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.720 well later today 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:34.100 I will address the house, 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:35.699 I should like to know 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.639 your mind 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.459 because nations 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:38.740 which go down fighting 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.500 rise again 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.159 but those 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.019 which surrender 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.620 tamely 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.899 are finished. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:44.559 the king says, 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.120 well what about 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.519 the mood 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.139 of the parliament? 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:47.779 Churchill says, 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.439 it's fear 00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.360 and panic. 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.899 The king says, 00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:52.000 well are you not afraid? 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:53.360 Are you afraid at all? 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.120 And Churchill says, 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.919 I am most terribly 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.879 afraid. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.360 Our defeat 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.000 in France 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.939 is the most crushing 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:02.240 in the history 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:02.919 of the empire. 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:04.019 Support among 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.740 my party 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.480 for a campaign 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.079 of resistance 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.359 has collapsed. 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:09.519 and at this point 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.359 the king moves 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.059 to sit next 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.000 to his prime minister 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.839 and the king says 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.179 to him, 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.899 you have 00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:16.059 my support. 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.639 And Churchill 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.259 can't believe 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.519 he's there 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:18.919 as he says, 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:19.859 your majesty. 00:17:20.939 --> 00:17:21.619 And the king says, 00:17:21.719 --> 00:17:22.579 you have 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.759 my support. 00:17:23.919 --> 00:17:24.779 We shall work 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.219 together, 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.039 you shall have 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.759 my support 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.879 at any 00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:28.740 hour. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.279 And Churchill 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:30.619 says, 00:17:30.679 --> 00:17:31.279 well I fear 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.219 I may be defeated. 00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:34.019 On certain matters 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.279 I have few people 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.720 with whom I can speak 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.579 frankly. 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.319 And the king says, 00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:40.240 well perhaps now 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:42.000 we have each other. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.099 And they remain 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.559 sitting there 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.399 side by side 00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:45.960 friends 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.220 for the rest 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:47.879 of their lives. 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.599 Today you might 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.500 be navigating 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:53.559 the labyrinth 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.700 of adolescence. 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:57.299 You might be 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.639 navigating 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.259 the difficult 00:17:59.259 --> 00:17:59.940 dysfunctions 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.399 of your family 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.079 as we have 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.839 these wonderful 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.859 family gatherings 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.319 this summer. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.039 You might be 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.500 navigating 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.079 your messy 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.639 workplace 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:08.519 or the 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.319 complexities 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:09.879 of being 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.259 part of 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.799 an imperfect 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.420 church 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.539 or the 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.160 complications 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.700 of your 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.139 neighborhood 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.639 and your 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:14.980 city. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.379 But my 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:15.859 friends, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.539 when you 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:17.920 know 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:19.160 that the 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.519 king 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.819 is seeking 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.539 you 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.720 and that 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.359 the king 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.960 is with 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.220 you 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.680 and he's 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.180 for you, 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.660 that your 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.460 king is 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:26.980 on your 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.420 team 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:28.160 and he's 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.160 by your 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.559 side, 00:18:29.639 --> 00:18:29.980 that you 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.440 have the 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:30.960 support 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.399 and the 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:31.740 friendship 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.599 of your 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:32.980 king 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.920 at any 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.359 hour. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.699 You can 00:18:35.699 --> 00:18:36.119 face 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:36.740 anything. 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:37.959 You can 00:18:37.959 --> 00:18:38.419 face 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:39.019 your 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.679 darkest 00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:40.379 hour. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:40.919 In Christ 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:41.179 church, 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.839 we don't 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.639 just have 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:43.599 any old 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:43.979 king. 00:18:44.719 --> 00:18:45.679 We have 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.259 God's 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.019 promised 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.000 anointed 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.839 king, 00:18:48.939 --> 00:18:49.359 the king 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:49.619 of the 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:49.939 ages, 00:18:50.419 --> 00:18:51.139 who went 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:51.419 through 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:51.919 death 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.740 and then 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.459 came out 00:18:53.459 --> 00:18:53.799 the other 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.139 side, 00:18:54.199 --> 00:18:54.599 the king 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:54.859 of the 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.139 ages 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.939 who filled 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:56.740 his tomb 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:58.059 with life, 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.179 the king 00:18:59.179 --> 00:18:59.779 who walked 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.439 out of his 00:19:00.439 --> 00:19:01.699 grave and 00:19:01.699 --> 00:19:02.639 launched the 00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.500 new creation 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.160 of God 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.000 and says 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.740 to everyone 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.759 and everything, 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.079 come alive 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.079 with me. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:09.880 Christ 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.240 church, 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.319 the kingdom 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:11.859 of God 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.460 is here 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:12.839 and the 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:13.720 king is 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.359 risen and 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.099 he's with 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.140 you and 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:16.779 he's for 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.059 you and 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.380 I wonder 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:17.680 if that 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.079 gives you 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.019 any comfort 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.039 in the 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.420 midst of 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.180 what is 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.819 going on 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.420 in our 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.880 lives. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.119 And I 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.339 want to 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:24.819 say also 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.200 that the 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.700 truth of 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.180 this risen 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:27.740 king is 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.420 not only far 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.259 more comforting 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.619 than we 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.140 realize, 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.220 but the 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.640 truth of 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:32.040 this risen 00:19:32.040 --> 00:19:32.940 king is 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.880 more dangerous 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.680 than I 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.100 think most 00:19:35.100 --> 00:19:35.400 of us 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:35.900 realize. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.720 One pastor 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.680 is sort 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.320 of commenting 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:40.040 on this 00:19:40.040 --> 00:19:40.259 and he 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:40.460 said, 00:19:40.540 --> 00:19:40.680 you know, 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.060 everywhere 00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:41.740 the apostle 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.480 Paul went 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.460 a riot 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.040 broke out 00:19:44.040 --> 00:19:44.400 but everywhere 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.240 I show up 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.580 they just 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:46.120 serve tea. 00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:47.920 And the 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.400 reason, 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.020 you know, 00:19:49.100 --> 00:19:49.720 Paul's 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.580 scandalous 00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:51.300 message about 00:19:51.300 --> 00:19:52.140 God's king 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:53.220 who's risen 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:55.120 started riots 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.080 is because 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.759 he went to 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.340 these places 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:58.759 where Caesar 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.520 was believed 00:19:59.520 --> 00:20:00.140 to be lord 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.540 and Paul 00:20:01.540 --> 00:20:01.800 said, 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.000 no, 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:02.300 you know, 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:02.759 Jesus, 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.460 the king, 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:03.980 the risen 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.240 king, 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.080 he's the 00:20:05.080 --> 00:20:05.500 lord of 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:05.840 all. 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.480 And therefore, 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.759 we need to 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.440 recover this 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.060 dangerous 00:20:10.060 --> 00:20:11.880 message that 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.360 Jesus, 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.840 the king of 00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.460 this world, 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.900 calls all 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.560 people to 00:20:16.560 --> 00:20:17.040 believing 00:20:17.040 --> 00:20:18.200 allegiance in 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.360 him, 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.080 calls all 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:19.660 of us to 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.680 live under 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.660 his kingship 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.560 in obedience 00:20:22.560 --> 00:20:23.120 to him, 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.880 calls all 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.360 of us to 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.300 share this 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:26.500 amazing message 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.040 of his 00:20:28.040 --> 00:20:29.380 kingship to 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:29.900 the whole 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.020 creation. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.400 This is the 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.820 point of 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:34.360 Paul's 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:34.960 sermon, 00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:35.760 that God's 00:20:35.760 --> 00:20:37.400 king rules. 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:39.460 And God's 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.500 king not 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.180 only rules, 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:41.880 but he rules 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.460 us. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.940 And he rules 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.980 us with 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.320 forgiving grace. 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.980 God's king 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:48.520 rules us with 00:20:48.520 --> 00:20:49.520 forgiving grace. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.440 Paul comes to 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.280 the climax of 00:20:51.280 --> 00:20:51.740 his sermon, 00:20:52.760 --> 00:20:53.340 and like all 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.880 good preaching, 00:20:54.040 --> 00:20:55.380 he issues an 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.780 invitation and a 00:20:56.780 --> 00:20:57.100 challenge. 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:58.619 He says in 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.399 verse 39, 00:20:59.719 --> 00:21:00.019 therefore, 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.159 in light of 00:21:01.159 --> 00:21:02.240 this risen and 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.039 living king, 00:21:03.419 --> 00:21:03.639 therefore, 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.599 my brothers and 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:04.919 sisters, 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:06.019 I want you to 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.500 know that 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.379 through Jesus, 00:21:07.899 --> 00:21:08.379 the forgiveness 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.299 of sins is 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.339 proclaimed to 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:10.759 you. 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.079 And through 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.500 him, 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.339 everyone who 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.519 believes is 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.359 set free from 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.599 every sin, 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.419 a justification 00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:18.740 you were not 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.659 able to obtain 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:20.839 under the law 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.799 of Moses. 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.659 Whatever those 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.699 words mean, 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:26.620 they mean that 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.559 our king, 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.120 Jesus, 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.640 he's not a 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.680 coercive or 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.900 oppressive or 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:33.240 dehumanizing king. 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:34.720 In fact, 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.380 it says in 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.319 verse 43 that 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.700 when the 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.519 congregation was 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.080 dismissed, 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.220 many of the 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:39.660 Jews and 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.420 devout converts 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.000 to Judaism 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.799 followed Paul 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.420 and Barnabas 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.200 who talked 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.600 with them and 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:44.420 they urged them 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.700 to continue in 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.779 the grace of 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.120 God. 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.700 Our king is a 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.080 gracious king. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.759 Our king is a 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.319 merciful king and 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.299 he rules us with 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.819 grace. 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:55.539 to make us 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.379 into a forgiven 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:57.679 and a free 00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.460 people. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:21:59.980 You've got to 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.480 remember that 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.319 Paul is preaching 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.379 this sermon in 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.879 Galatia and in a 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.779 few short months 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.319 he's going to 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.259 write this letter 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.299 to the Galatians 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.659 where he'll 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:09.700 explain these 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.579 simple yet 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.799 profound and 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:13.099 deep words like 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.740 sin, 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.200 forgiveness, 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:16.619 grace, 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.179 faith and 00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:18.599 belief, 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:20.299 justification and 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:20.679 freedom. 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:21.899 I don't have time 00:22:21.899 --> 00:22:22.379 to do all that 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.639 today but I do 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.300 want to give you 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:25.780 a story with 00:22:25.780 --> 00:22:26.900 some pictures in 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.380 your mind. 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.880 Without God's 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:31.800 grace and the 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.680 grace of God's 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.360 king, we are 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:35.160 like the 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:35.780 ever given. 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.280 Did you follow 00:22:37.280 --> 00:22:38.000 the story of the 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.640 ship, the 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.100 ever given? 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.320 This was back in 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:42.080 March, about six 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.980 days in March. 00:22:43.560 --> 00:22:44.340 This giant 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.220 container ship 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.100 got stuck in the 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:47.759 Suez Canal in 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.060 Egypt. 00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:49.940 The ship is a 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.300 quarter mile long. 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.080 It's the size of the 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.859 Empire State 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.480 building about 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.939 four football 00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:55.419 fields. 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.339 This Leviathan 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.279 weighs over 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:59.439 200,000 tons. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.159 So if a ship 00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:00.899 this large gets 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.779 stuck, it's like 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.399 really, really 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:02.899 stuck. 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.399 And this became 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:04.960 one of the most 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.319 consequential shipping 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.779 accidents in 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.839 maritime history. 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.879 The Suez Canal 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:12.319 is a 150-year-old 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.119 trench that goes 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.579 through Egypt and 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.240 it's this critical 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.319 shortcut between 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.439 east and west. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.659 It's one of the 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:20.099 world's most important 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.899 waterways that 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.659 connects Europe 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:23.319 and Asia and 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.099 through there 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:25.419 about 15% of 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:26.000 the global 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.339 container shipping 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:29.119 capacity moves. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.579 And part of the 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.439 problem that day 00:23:31.439 --> 00:23:32.079 was that the 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.879 weather, there 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.679 was this wind 00:23:33.679 --> 00:23:34.299 storm, this 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.299 sand storm that 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:37.799 turned the ship 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:39.079 sideways and 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.819 caused it to 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.639 start moving to 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:41.779 the left and to 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.500 the right down 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.399 this waterway. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.759 And then human 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:46.159 error got involved 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:46.699 and the crew 00:23:46.699 --> 00:23:48.079 tried to regain 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:48.839 control of the 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.779 ship by putting 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.839 on speed, which 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.959 of course only 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:53.679 made matters worse. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.720 And so the 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.859 ship, this giant 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:58.119 ship just slammed 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:58.939 into the bank and 00:23:58.939 --> 00:23:59.659 ran aground. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.799 The bow and the 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.079 rudder were stuck 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.359 in the sand and 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.639 the mud and the 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.019 rock. 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:06.599 And when the 00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.779 Apostle Paul talks 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.399 about this word 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:10.399 sin, he's talking 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:11.199 about the human 00:24:11.199 --> 00:24:12.179 condition of being 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:13.359 stuck, of being 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.539 run aground. 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:16.079 He's talking about 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:17.839 how we're fixed and 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:19.059 we're lodged as 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.799 people, whether we 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.740 like it or not, in 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.099 our own self-centeredness 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.839 and self-interest. 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.859 And our sin, 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.519 therefore, creates a 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.579 chain reaction that 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.959 ripples and compounds 00:24:30.959 --> 00:24:32.500 basically in every 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:32.980 direction. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.959 The ever-given 00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:36.579 clogged one of the 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:38.299 most crucial arteries 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.879 of trade in the 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.480 whole world. 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:42.699 It blocked shipping 00:24:42.699 --> 00:24:43.679 traffic in both 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:44.159 directions. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:46.119 There were 400 ships 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:46.980 that had to wait in 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.059 line outside the 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.380 canal. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:50.299 This colossal traffic 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.779 jam significantly 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:53.039 disrupted the global 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.460 supply chain and 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.519 created basically a 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.819 full-blown crisis. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.220 This stalled ship, 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.620 this one stalled ship 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:01.660 was holding up $10 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.980 billion worth of 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.019 cargo a day. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.920 Things like cars, 00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.860 oil, livestock, 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:11.120 laptops, jet fuel, 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.900 scrap metal, grains, 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:14.200 sweaters, sneakers, 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.700 electronics, appliances, 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:17.740 toys, medical equipment, 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:18.980 toilet paper. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:21.019 Any brand you can 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.620 imagine, it was on one 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.279 of these ships. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.059 And so if you're having 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.080 trouble finding what you 00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:27.539 need at IKEA, it's 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:29.220 probably, this is the 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.519 reason. 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.460 Three months later, in 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.539 fact, the crew and the 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.740 ship of the ever-given, 00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.880 with all of its 18,000 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:37.840 containers, $750 million 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:40.000 worth of goods is still 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.880 stuck in Egypt. 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:43.260 And isn't that a picture 00:25:43.260 --> 00:25:44.200 of our lives? 00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:46.920 We get wedged in sin. 00:25:47.760 --> 00:25:48.900 And because we're wedged 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:50.540 in ourselves, turned in 00:25:50.540 --> 00:25:51.860 on ourselves, everything 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:53.100 else in our relationships 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:55.120 gets clogged and stalled 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:57.000 and jammed and blocked. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.180 And all of our loves 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.140 become disordered. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.180 All of our loves become 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.160 jacked up, right? 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:04.180 We don't love God with all 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.700 of our heart. 00:26:04.780 --> 00:26:06.320 We don't love one another 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:08.100 as we love ourselves. 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:10.419 And so the great question 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:13.199 of the human dilemma is 00:26:13.199 --> 00:26:14.819 how do we get dislodged? 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:17.039 How do we come to be 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.619 salvaged? 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:19.799 How did it happen for the 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.199 ever-given? 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.339 Well, they brought in eight 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.279 of the world's most 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:24.579 respected experts, and 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:26.559 they deployed diggers and 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:28.119 front-end loaders and 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:29.779 specialized dredgers and 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:31.179 tugboats, and they were 00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:32.159 working on this thing for 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:34.259 six days and six nights, 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.819 and none of their efforts 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:37.219 were enough to fix the 00:26:37.219 --> 00:26:37.480 problem. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.440 Anybody feel like that? 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:40.579 I got $10 billion problems 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:42.140 a day, and nothing I do 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:43.799 is making it any better. 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.759 In fact, it might even be 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.980 making it worse. 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.700 Well, by God's grace, on 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.480 the seventh day, the tides 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.880 turned. 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:53.519 This ship that was stuck 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:55.079 just north of the Red Sea, 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:57.720 where Israel got unstuck from 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.940 her bondage and went into 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.980 freedom, after six days, the 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.500 ever-given had a little mini 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:04.140 exodus of her own. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:06.640 Because of this fortuitous 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:08.560 full moon, when it was 00:27:08.560 --> 00:27:10.660 closest to the earth, and 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:12.000 because the sun and the 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.640 moon and the earth were 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:16.700 aligned in such a way, it 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:18.540 conjured up this unusually 00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:20.900 high spring tide where the 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:23.120 waters began to rise. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:25.259 And as a result, the ship got 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:28.280 unstuck from its bondage, and 00:27:28.280 --> 00:27:30.560 it began to float, and it was 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:32.400 free to move again. 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.400 And when that happened, there 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.320 were horns, and there were 00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:35.240 sirens, and there were 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.480 cheers, and all the world 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.900 that was watching this drama 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.140 rejoiced. 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:42.259 Because these puny machines 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:45.580 and human effort were not 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.960 enough to get this mammoth 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:48.940 boat out of the mud and the 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.280 muck. 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:52.220 The ever-given needed heavenly 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:54.060 bodies to move, heavenly 00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:55.540 bodies to align. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:57.280 The ever-given needed a cosmic 00:27:57.280 --> 00:28:00.300 event that could salvage her 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:02.200 and set her free. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.440 And this, my friends, is what 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.839 the Apostle Paul means when he 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:07.279 talks about the forgiveness 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.599 of sins. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.359 Listen to it again. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.480 He says, therefore, my 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.899 brothers and sisters, I want 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:14.980 you to know that through 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.980 Jesus, the forgiveness of 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:18.440 sins is proclaimed to you, and 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:20.359 through him, everyone who 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.839 believes is set free from 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:23.440 every sin. 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:26.139 Paul says that that heavenly 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:28.779 body, that heavenly person who 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:30.740 came close to us, who aligned 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:33.519 himself with us to salvage the 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:35.700 human race, is God's King 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.740 Jesus, whose very name means 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:40.319 that he will save people from 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.240 their sins. 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.220 And this is what he talked 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.160 about all the time. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.639 The Son of Man has authority on 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:47.099 earth to forgive sins. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:50.220 I've come to call sinners to 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.660 repentance. 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:52.519 I've come to seek and to save 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:54.940 those who are lost and stuck in 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:55.480 their sin. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:57.500 And Paul says the cosmic event 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:59.759 that dislodged us and that 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:02.620 salvaged our lives stuck in sin 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:04.779 is the King's cross. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:08.740 Because forgiveness is a moral 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:12.140 impossibility for God without the 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.860 King's cross. 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:15.680 How can the moral ruler of the 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:17.559 universe forgive sinners without 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:19.559 compromising his absolute 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.120 justice? 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:24.039 And yet how can he judge sinners 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:26.459 without frustrating his love? 00:29:27.479 --> 00:29:29.719 It's because of the cross of God's 00:29:29.719 --> 00:29:34.000 King that the tides turn for us. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.459 The death of God's promised 00:29:36.459 --> 00:29:38.759 anointed King caused the waters of 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:42.099 God's grace to rise up and to set 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:43.359 us free. 00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:46.919 Paul says in verse 28, though they 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:49.799 found no proper ground for a death 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:51.559 sentence, they asked Pilate to have 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:53.180 Jesus executed. 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:56.639 Jesus didn't die for his own sins 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.680 because he had none. 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:59.680 They could find no evidence against 00:29:59.680 --> 00:29:59.960 him. 00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:02.619 And so if Jesus didn't die for his 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:05.200 own sins, and if the resurrection 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:07.899 proves that God vindicated him as 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:10.059 the righteous one, then who did he 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.819 die for? 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.919 He died for you. 00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:14.720 He died for me. 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:17.139 When he was hanging on his cross, 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:19.140 the dark clouds of sin encircled 00:30:19.800 --> 00:30:22.720 around him and closed in on him, and 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:25.220 he cried out, my God, my God, why have 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.180 you forsaken me? 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:29.500 And as he bore our sins on the cross, 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.620 you know what he was praying? 00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:33.440 Father, forgive them. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.200 Father, forgive. 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:38.140 And then he spoke that most powerful 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:42.000 word spoken in the history of the world 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.920 when he said to tell us die. 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:46.380 It is finished. 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:49.980 The work of dislodging and salvaging, 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:53.059 the work of forgiving and freeing has 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:55.839 been and will remain forever 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.900 accomplished. 00:30:58.180 --> 00:31:01.880 The king's cross shows us that God's 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:06.759 righteous, implacable intolerance of our 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:08.740 self-centeredness, and yet at the same 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:11.000 time, it shows us the burning, 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:13.559 inextinguishable compassion that he 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:15.920 has for sinners like me. 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:19.740 At the king's cross, God judged our sin, 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:22.380 and yet there he bore his own justice 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.359 himself. 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:28.059 In the king's cross, he condemned sin in 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:31.200 the flesh of Jesus, and there he suffered 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:33.420 the condemnation for sin. 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:37.019 You see, it's here at the king's cross that 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:40.940 infinite justice is exacted for the penalty 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:44.599 of sin, and yet infinite grace accepted it 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:47.480 as sufficient for every one of us. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:49.879 And so, my friends, it is finished. 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:53.859 The work of sin-bearing has been completed, 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:57.359 and therefore nothing needs stand in the way, 00:31:58.359 --> 00:32:01.279 and nothing needs stand in God's record 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:04.759 against any one of us anymore. 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:07.599 You can be justified. 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:11.660 You can be declared in the right with God, 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:15.859 forgiven, a full and free member of God's 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:20.460 people, reconciled in the fellowship and the 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:24.039 favor, the very grace of God. 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.740 Hear it one more time. 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.640 Verse 39. 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:37.460 Through him, everyone who believes is set free from 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.160 every sin. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:41.520 Have you heard Jesus whisper in your ear, 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:47.640 my son, my daughter, your sins are forgiving you. 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:49.280 Go in peace. 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:53.320 In Christchurch, if you've heard that, do you still 00:32:53.320 --> 00:32:53.820 believe it? 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:58.879 I want to urge you, like Paul and Barnabas urged the 00:32:58.879 --> 00:33:02.419 people there in Pisidian Antioch, I want to urge you 00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:06.099 today to continue in the grace of God. 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:11.500 For God's king rules us with his forgiving grace. 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.279 Amen. 00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:14.919 In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:15.560 Amen. 00:33:15.560 --> 00:33:17.140 Amen. 00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:17.860 Amen. 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:20.759 Amen. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.759 Amen. 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.120 Amen. 00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:25.240 Amen. 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.019 Amen. 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:26.240 Amen. 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.480 Amen. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:30.340 Amen. 00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:32.120 Amen. 00:33:32.120 --> 00:33:33.340 Amen. 00:33:33.580 --> 00:33:33.720 Amen. 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:33.840 Amen. 00:33:34.360 --> 00:33:34.560 Amen. 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.820 Amen.