WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:15.280 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:39.880 Today's reading is from the letter of Paul to the Romans, chapter 8, verses 16 through 28, as printed in the liturgy or on page 916 of the Blue Church Bibles. 00:00:40.780 --> 00:00:43.260 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. 00:00:44.380 --> 00:00:49.219 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:52.340 Now, if we are children, then we are heirs. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:54.660 Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:59.039 If, indeed, we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:04.840 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 00:01:05.420 --> 00:01:09.379 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 00:01:10.180 --> 00:01:15.920 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:19.920 in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:22.780 and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:28.480 We know that the whole creation has been groaning, as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:34.680 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:38.379 as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 00:01:38.960 --> 00:01:40.480 For in this hope, we were saved. 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:43.980 But hope that is seen is no hope at all. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:46.060 Who hopes for what they already have? 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:50.500 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:53.579 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:01:54.100 --> 00:01:58.960 We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 00:01:59.680 --> 00:02:02.480 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, 00:02:02.740 --> 00:02:06.200 because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:10.180 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:12.219 who have been called according to his purpose. 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:14.140 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:15.860 Thanks be to God. 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:19.319 Well, thank you for that scripture reading, Michael. 00:02:19.420 --> 00:02:20.159 Good morning, everyone. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:22.879 My name is Andrew, and I'm one of the pastors here. 00:02:23.259 --> 00:02:27.360 And I'm looking forward to opening up this word from God with you this morning. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:29.120 Will you join me in prayer? 00:02:32.259 --> 00:02:34.140 Lord God, I want to give you praise. 00:02:34.139 --> 00:02:39.679 Because you know that this week when I was working on this sermon, it just felt like duty. 00:02:40.739 --> 00:02:44.459 But by your Spirit and through the prayers of your people, you turned it into a delight. 00:02:45.619 --> 00:02:53.319 And I pray that those who hear your word this morning would taste how delightful your word is. 00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:57.399 How good the good news of the gospel is in Christ. 00:02:57.839 --> 00:03:00.060 So would you do that amongst us, amongst your people. 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:03.039 For your glory we pray in Jesus' name. 00:03:03.659 --> 00:03:03.959 Amen. 00:03:05.139 --> 00:03:07.000 All right, so we've been taking our time. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:11.159 We've been going through chapter 8 of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:15.259 And last week we left off in verses 17 and 18 with some really good news. 00:03:15.399 --> 00:03:16.019 Michael just read it. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.199 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 00:03:20.839 --> 00:03:22.699 Now if we are children, then we are heirs. 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:25.459 Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:26.460 It's great news. 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:26.480 It's great news. 00:03:26.480 --> 00:03:26.540 It's great news. 00:03:26.540 --> 00:03:26.599 It's great news. 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:26.740 It's great news. 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:31.700 But then just as soon as we read this good news, that we are God's children, co-heirs with Christ, 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:36.680 Paul continues, if indeed we share in his sufferings. 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:38.939 in order that we may also share in his glory. 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:40.540 And all of a sudden, it's like, wait, what? 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:42.599 God's children will still suffer? 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:47.240 What kind of an all-powerful and loving father 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:49.219 would allow his children to suffer? 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:51.420 What kind of a good parent would write suffering 00:03:51.420 --> 00:03:53.659 into the stories of his children? 00:03:54.460 --> 00:03:55.620 As a pastor of care here, 00:03:55.700 --> 00:03:58.819 I know many of the sufferings that are in this room, 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:00.120 in our church family, 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:02.180 and I know that this is not just an abstract, 00:04:02.540 --> 00:04:04.020 theoretical question for many of us, 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:05.840 but a deeply personal one. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:07.780 And why would God let anyone, 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:10.259 and especially his children, suffer? 00:04:11.200 --> 00:04:13.379 And maybe this is why some of you don't believe in God, 00:04:13.420 --> 00:04:15.240 or some of you have trouble believing in God. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:18.240 It's why my own best friend has walked away from God, 00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:20.780 because he can't believe in the coexistence 00:04:20.780 --> 00:04:23.199 of God and suffering. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:25.699 Now, I don't want to mislead you. 00:04:25.780 --> 00:04:27.800 Today's sermon is not going to directly engage 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:30.220 with the problem of God and suffering. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.660 You're going to have to wait a month or so 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:33.560 for Jonathan to tackle that one. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:35.759 I just raised the questions here. 00:04:36.599 --> 00:04:39.739 He's going to tackle that one in our Explore God series 00:04:39.739 --> 00:04:41.699 in just a few weeks. 00:04:42.139 --> 00:04:43.479 I think it's sermon number three, 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:44.979 so you can mark your calendars for that. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:47.000 December 8th, I mean, October 8th, 00:04:47.239 --> 00:04:49.319 why does God allow pain and suffering? 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:51.939 But for today, I'm simply going to assume 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:55.120 that God and suffering somehow coexist. 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:57.479 And the question I believe Paul addresses 00:04:57.479 --> 00:04:59.519 in our text today is, 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:00.779 in the face of suffering, 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:03.819 what good is being a child of God? 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:05.279 In the face of suffering, 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:06.419 what good is being a child of God? 00:05:06.479 --> 00:05:07.659 Like, how does being a child of God 00:05:07.659 --> 00:05:09.719 make a difference for those of us who suffer? 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:12.899 And what resources are uniquely available 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:15.759 to God's children in the midst of their suffering? 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:17.859 Now, according to Paul, 00:05:18.159 --> 00:05:20.099 being a child of God makes all the difference 00:05:20.099 --> 00:05:20.579 in the world. 00:05:20.659 --> 00:05:21.899 But in case you beg to differ, 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:23.620 I want to ask you to consider 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:26.180 what better resources do you have 00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:29.300 to face pain and suffering in your life? 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:31.800 Because, you know, we can bash Christianity 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:34.319 for not giving us satisfying answers 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:36.060 to the problem of pain and suffering, 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:37.060 but no matter who we are 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:40.259 and no matter how many religious traditions 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:41.600 we might reject or critique, 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:42.340 at the end of the day, 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:44.680 we're still all left with the same problem 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:47.060 and the same absence of answers. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.600 I mean, sure, maybe some take the mindfulness route, right, 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:52.639 and try to trick themselves into believing 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:55.139 that their suffering is not that bad 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:56.439 or just an illusion. 00:05:57.259 --> 00:05:59.680 Or others take the materialist, atheist route 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:00.599 like Richard Dawkins, 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:02.599 who claims that suffering is neither good 00:06:02.599 --> 00:06:04.199 nor evil nor meaningful, 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:07.379 but just a bare, neutral fact of reality. 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:09.719 But for the rest of us, right, 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:12.259 the majority of us who are probably unconvinced 00:06:12.259 --> 00:06:13.740 that suffering is a mere illusion 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:16.060 or a meaningless fact of reality, 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:18.620 we know that we need the resources 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:21.279 to live meaningfully through our pain 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:21.979 and through our suffering. 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:23.660 And the problem for most of us, though, 00:06:23.700 --> 00:06:25.640 is that this modern Western culture 00:06:25.640 --> 00:06:28.520 that we swim in offers us little to no resources 00:06:28.520 --> 00:06:30.540 or explanations for our suffering. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:32.840 Like everywhere around us, 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:33.939 we're told that the meaning of life 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:36.560 is to pursue pleasure through consumption 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:38.580 or to pursue personal freedom 00:06:38.580 --> 00:06:40.900 so that we can consume whatever we want. 00:06:41.640 --> 00:06:44.240 But this has left us incredibly soft 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.939 and ill-equipped and vulnerable 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:48.319 in our attempts to handle the harshness 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:49.680 of this broken world. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.259 You know, there's this renowned surgeon. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.680 His name is Paul Brand. 00:06:53.780 --> 00:06:55.800 He worked with lepers, 00:06:56.100 --> 00:06:58.240 people who suffered from leprosy in India 00:06:58.240 --> 00:06:59.000 for many years. 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:00.600 But then he moved and he started to practice 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:02.000 in the United States. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:03.900 And what he writes is this. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:04.480 He writes, 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:24.280 And the reason he suggests 00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:25.719 is that if consumerism, 00:07:25.859 --> 00:07:27.939 the pursuit of pleasure and freedom 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:28.819 through consumption 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:30.319 is the very meaning, 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:32.099 the ultimate meaning of our lives, 00:07:33.019 --> 00:07:34.719 that then suffering can ever only be 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:36.679 an interruption in our lives, 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:39.679 an unfortunate, meaningless, useless chapter 00:07:39.679 --> 00:07:42.519 in our poorly self-written stories, right? 00:07:42.559 --> 00:07:44.239 A wasted page in our storybooks, 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:46.759 just purposeless chance misfortune. 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:48.360 But you know what? 00:07:49.159 --> 00:07:51.339 The good news of God's word to us today 00:07:51.339 --> 00:07:53.680 is that God is a better story writer 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:57.159 and God has a better plot for his children, 00:07:57.599 --> 00:08:00.120 one that can even make meaning out of suffering, 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:01.379 subvert suffering, 00:08:01.539 --> 00:08:03.519 redeem suffering for our good 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:05.000 and for the glory of God. 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:06.360 Notice in verse 17, 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:07.319 the narrative arc there, 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.819 Now if we are children, 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:10.159 then we are heirs, 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:11.579 heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, 00:08:11.719 --> 00:08:13.319 if indeed we share in his sufferings 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:17.259 in order that we may also share in his glory. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:19.779 See, if we are children of God, 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:23.139 if the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:26.259 has united us with God's crucified and risen Son, 00:08:26.339 --> 00:08:28.500 we have an incredible resource 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:30.819 with which we can face suffering. 00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:32.559 And so God's word to us today is this, 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:34.340 that though God's children 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:36.480 will never avoid suffering, 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:39.620 we always groan with hope 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:41.340 and we never groan alone. 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:44.460 Though God's children will never avoid suffering, 00:08:44.560 --> 00:08:46.420 we always groan with hope 00:08:46.420 --> 00:08:48.040 and we never groan alone. 00:08:48.140 --> 00:08:49.040 And those are our three points, 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:49.640 that no, sorry, 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:51.240 God's children never avoid suffering, 00:08:51.520 --> 00:08:53.080 but they always groan with hope 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:53.860 and never alone. 00:08:53.940 --> 00:08:54.600 So point number one, 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:57.980 even God's children never avoid suffering. 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:59.240 Even God's children groan. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:01.240 Here in verses 17 and 18, 00:09:01.300 --> 00:09:02.160 you can look at it with me. 00:09:03.060 --> 00:09:05.340 Paul strips his readers of any notion 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:07.040 that God's children enjoy 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:09.639 the special privilege of a life without suffering. 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:10.839 And Paul would even say 00:09:10.839 --> 00:09:12.439 that the greatest possible privilege 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:14.179 isn't the absence of suffering, 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:15.679 but the presence of God. 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:18.360 Fellowship with the Father and the Son 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:19.079 and the Holy Spirit. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.099 And maybe to some of us, 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:21.980 this is incredibly disappointing, right? 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.919 Especially for those of us 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:23.659 who are on the fence 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:26.059 about whether or not we want to follow Jesus 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:27.019 and have him in our lives. 00:09:27.079 --> 00:09:27.980 But if we pay attention 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:29.500 to what Paul's saying here 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:31.120 in verses 17 and 18, 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.599 he has something incredibly profound to say 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:35.940 about our present sufferings. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:38.480 And listen, when he says in verse 18, 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:39.320 excuse me, 00:09:40.040 --> 00:09:41.159 that these present sufferings 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.659 are not worth comparing 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:44.659 with the glory that will be revealed, 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:46.360 he's not trying to be all saccharine 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.759 or like some kind of, you know, 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:50.460 pie-in-the-sky, optimistic preacher 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:52.040 just telling us that there's a silver lining 00:09:52.040 --> 00:09:53.220 in all our sufferings. 00:09:53.300 --> 00:09:55.420 No, Paul doesn't downplay our groaning. 00:09:55.540 --> 00:09:57.600 He doesn't downplay our suffering. 00:09:57.980 --> 00:09:59.320 But he does want to put it 00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:00.340 in proper perspective, 00:10:00.540 --> 00:10:01.920 in proper context. 00:10:02.760 --> 00:10:04.600 See, when Paul not only admits, 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:05.680 but he foretells 00:10:05.680 --> 00:10:07.660 that even God's children suffer, 00:10:07.800 --> 00:10:09.960 he's making a provocative suggestion. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.740 And that suggestion is that 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:12.680 the chief and the man 00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:15.060 is not to not suffer. 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:18.580 And maybe that's a word for us this morning, right? 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:20.720 Us Americans, us Westerners, 00:10:20.800 --> 00:10:21.940 are we living our lives guided 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:23.160 by the ultimate principle 00:10:23.160 --> 00:10:24.560 of avoiding suffering? 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:26.380 Or are we living our lives guided 00:10:26.380 --> 00:10:27.660 by the ultimate person 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:29.980 who may very well call us to suffer 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.980 just like he did 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:32.219 for the good of others 00:10:32.219 --> 00:10:33.740 and for the glory of God? 00:10:34.719 --> 00:10:36.639 Are we working our jobs 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:37.579 guided by the principle 00:10:37.579 --> 00:10:39.539 of doing as little work as we can 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:40.839 for as much money as we can, 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:42.179 just trying to minimize our inputs, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.459 maximize our outputs? 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.600 Or are we selflessly 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:47.120 and sacrificially going to our jobs 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:49.879 with the goal of bearing fruitful witness 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.100 to the kingdom of God 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.939 and the lordship of Jesus Christ? 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:54.500 Are we raising our kids 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.799 guided by the principle 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.059 of seeing them suffer 00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:58.279 as little as possible? 00:10:59.019 --> 00:10:59.939 Or by the principle 00:10:59.939 --> 00:11:00.919 of seeing them grow 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:01.919 into the fullness 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:02.759 and maturity 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:04.459 of Jesus Christ 00:11:04.459 --> 00:11:05.519 as his disciples? 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:07.659 Paul is making 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:10.120 a counter-cultural statement here 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:11.519 that the chief end 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.259 of our existence 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.899 is not to not suffer, 00:11:14.299 --> 00:11:14.979 but actually 00:11:14.979 --> 00:11:16.819 it may very well 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:18.079 involve suffering. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:19.719 And this is even more 00:11:19.719 --> 00:11:20.620 counter-cultural, right? 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:21.979 Contrary to modern 00:11:21.979 --> 00:11:23.339 Western secular thought, 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.500 which only understands suffering 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.660 as an interruption 00:11:25.660 --> 00:11:26.460 and an obstacle 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:28.240 to us living our best 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.060 and fullest lives. 00:11:29.160 --> 00:11:29.660 Paul is saying 00:11:29.660 --> 00:11:30.720 that there is such a thing 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:32.320 as a full and meaningful, 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:33.360 satisfying, 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.600 and significant life 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.800 that the worst suffering 00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:38.080 cannot take away from us. 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:39.500 He's saying 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.259 that suffering 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:41.560 is not the ultimate enemy 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:43.560 or it's not the ultimate enemy 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:44.180 of the fullest, 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:45.139 most meaningful lives 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.019 we could possibly live, 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:46.879 but perhaps 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:49.080 even a necessary part 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:50.879 of the glory stories 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.340 God's writing for us. 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:54.299 And maybe you're thinking like, 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:56.120 man, that's a lofty claim. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:57.960 And you doubt the basis 00:11:57.960 --> 00:11:58.759 of such a claim 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.259 and to that, 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:00.279 Paul would point you 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.399 to the Son of God, 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:02.879 Jesus Christ, 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:04.439 innocent and blameless 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:05.279 in the entirety 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.259 of his life, 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:07.480 the most beloved 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.740 of God's children, 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:10.559 and yet the one 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.279 who faced the most 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:12.779 literally excruciating 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:14.480 suffering of all time. 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:16.620 Just read the prophet Isaiah, 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.320 chapter 53, 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:18.120 he bore the curse 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:18.679 of our sin, 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:20.159 he bore our griefs, 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:20.959 he carried our sorrows, 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:21.559 he was stricken, 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:22.159 smitten, 00:12:22.479 --> 00:12:23.759 and afflicted by God, 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:24.479 his own father, 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.519 as he bore our sins 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.079 in his body, 00:12:26.239 --> 00:12:27.799 pierced for our transgressions, 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.519 crushed for our iniquities, 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:29.979 wounded, 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:30.939 chastised, 00:12:31.099 --> 00:12:31.599 and oppressed, 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:33.179 cut off from the land 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:33.879 of the living. 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.399 No one suffered more 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.219 than the Son of God, 00:12:36.339 --> 00:12:36.979 and yet, 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:38.679 no one lived 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:39.519 a more meaningful, 00:12:40.359 --> 00:12:40.879 significant, 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.699 and satisfying life 00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:45.120 than the suffering servant 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.120 Son of God. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:47.719 Listen again 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:48.180 to the words 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:48.940 of the prophet Isaiah 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:50.279 at the end of chapter 53. 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:51.340 It was the Lord's will 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:52.240 to crush him 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.160 and cause him to suffer, 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.379 but though the Lord 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:55.040 makes his life 00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:55.860 an offering for sin, 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:57.180 he will see his offspring 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:58.860 and prolong his days, 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:00.360 and the will of the Lord 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:02.180 will prosper in his hand 00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:03.620 after he has suffered. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.080 He will see the light 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:05.759 of life 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.820 and be satisfied. 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.340 By his knowledge, 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.080 my righteous servant 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:10.480 will justify many, 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.259 and he will bear 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.040 their iniquities. 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:12.680 Therefore, 00:13:12.680 --> 00:13:13.660 I will give him 00:13:13.660 --> 00:13:14.220 a portion 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.560 among the great, 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.879 and he will divide 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.539 the spoils 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:18.279 with the strong 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:20.319 because he poured out 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:21.979 his life unto death 00:13:21.979 --> 00:13:23.159 and was numbered 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.639 with the sufferers, 00:13:24.739 --> 00:13:26.019 numbered with the transgressors. 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:27.379 You see, 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:28.039 in Christ, 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.539 we find that the most 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:31.039 painful life in history 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:32.079 was at the same time 00:13:32.079 --> 00:13:32.979 the most profound 00:13:32.979 --> 00:13:34.779 life in history. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.019 At the cross, 00:13:36.079 --> 00:13:36.839 we find that suffering 00:13:36.839 --> 00:13:38.139 doesn't get in the way 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:38.819 of a full life. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.079 Rather, 00:13:39.199 --> 00:13:40.199 it is the way 00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:42.379 to a full and meaningful life 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.240 that honors God 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.000 and serves others in need 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.899 and satisfies our own souls. 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:49.000 So I'm not saying 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.620 that we should therefore 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.139 go and try to suffer 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.419 just for the heck of it, 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:52.720 okay? 00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.720 But what I am saying 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.759 is that when God's children 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.740 look to their ultimate 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.539 older brother, 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.259 the Son of God 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.279 who became flesh 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.620 and dwelt among us 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:01.539 in this broken world, 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.439 what we find 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:04.220 is that while suffering 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:05.259 is never an end 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:05.980 in itself, 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:07.259 it can very well be 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:07.860 the beginning 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.779 of something glorious. 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:11.799 And all God's children 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.519 are invited 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:14.100 into this fellowship, 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.079 into the fellowship 00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:16.559 of this glorious story, 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.379 invited to share 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.199 and unite themselves 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:18.959 with the story 00:14:18.959 --> 00:14:20.240 of the risen Christ, 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:21.819 co-heirs with Christ. 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:23.500 Notice in verse 17 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.500 how Paul doesn't just say 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.220 that God's children 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:25.720 will suffer, 00:14:25.839 --> 00:14:26.339 but it says that 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:27.279 co-heirs with Christ 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.339 will share, 00:14:28.839 --> 00:14:31.120 will share in His sufferings 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.459 in order that we may 00:14:32.459 --> 00:14:34.299 also share in His glory. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.379 This is what it means 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.899 to be united with Christ. 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.980 It means to experience 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.679 what He experienced. 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.479 It means to walk 00:14:40.479 --> 00:14:40.859 in His way 00:14:40.859 --> 00:14:41.519 after the pattern 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.459 of His life 00:14:42.459 --> 00:14:43.519 in this broken world. 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.339 And that means 00:14:44.339 --> 00:14:45.799 that we will indeed 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:48.179 share in His sufferings 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:50.479 in order that one day 00:14:50.479 --> 00:14:51.739 we will also share 00:14:51.739 --> 00:14:52.519 in His glory. 00:14:52.579 --> 00:14:53.359 A glory, as it says 00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:53.899 in verse 18, 00:14:53.979 --> 00:14:55.099 that will far outshine 00:14:55.099 --> 00:14:56.779 any of our sufferings. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.819 If the eternal Son of God, 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.479 Christ Church, 00:14:59.979 --> 00:15:01.159 if the eternal Son of God 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.519 did not consider Himself 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.599 too great to suffer, 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:05.319 neither should any 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:06.719 other child of God. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:08.419 And this is the pattern 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.879 of all God's children 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:10.879 living in this broken, 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.539 sin-stained world. 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.159 The pattern of Jesus' life. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:15.159 The Son of God, 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.240 a journey from suffering 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.240 to glory. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:19.259 And there is no greater story 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.179 ever told 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.059 than the story 00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:22.019 of the glory 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.939 of Jesus. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.639 And the good news today 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.599 is that we're all invited 00:15:25.599 --> 00:15:26.740 into this story. 00:15:27.459 --> 00:15:28.360 So if you're here today 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.259 and you're frustrated 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.399 in your suffering 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.199 and you're frustrated 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:31.620 with God 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.599 because you feel like 00:15:32.599 --> 00:15:33.759 He should give you, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.059 His child, 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:36.279 a life that is free 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.459 from such suffering, 00:15:38.579 --> 00:15:39.439 the Spirit of God 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:39.799 crying, 00:15:39.979 --> 00:15:40.439 Abba, Father, 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.299 within your hearts 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.039 this morning 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:43.000 wants to point you 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.879 to Jesus 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.479 and to the reality 00:15:45.479 --> 00:15:46.219 that even God's 00:15:46.219 --> 00:15:47.639 most beloved child 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:49.099 did not avoid suffering. 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:51.599 Unless we be tempted 00:15:51.599 --> 00:15:52.879 to fume at God 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.339 for placing this 00:15:54.339 --> 00:15:55.679 seemingly unnecessary, 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.319 pointless page of pain 00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:58.159 into the storybooks 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:59.219 of our lives, 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.099 God invites us 00:16:01.099 --> 00:16:01.879 to see our pain 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.319 not as an interruption, 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.540 but as an invitation, 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.460 a generous invitation 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.720 to fellowship with Him 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.980 and to know Him, 00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:10.720 to know His beloved Son. 00:16:12.040 --> 00:16:12.980 Yes, in suffering, 00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:15.180 but also and more importantly, 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.480 in His glory. 00:16:17.540 --> 00:16:18.420 So while our modern, 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:20.000 Western, secular culture 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.940 may claim that suffering 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.700 is the enemy 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.700 of the self-made, 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.960 meaning we're all striving 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.760 to manufacture 00:16:24.760 --> 00:16:25.940 for our lives, 00:16:26.040 --> 00:16:27.060 God offers us 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.760 a transcendent meaning 00:16:28.760 --> 00:16:31.100 through union with Christ 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.260 that no suffering 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:34.200 could ever take away. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.360 And that's point number one, 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.720 that God's children 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.659 do still suffer, 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.259 but that's neither 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.460 the worst possible news 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.600 nor an obstacle 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:43.340 to God's good news 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:45.500 for us in Christ. 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.899 Now, for all God's children, 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.720 suffering is an opportunity 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:52.319 to experience deep union, 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.120 communion, 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.200 and fellowship 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:55.100 with the living God, 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:56.019 the Son of God, 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:58.179 and the full and meaningful life 00:16:58.179 --> 00:17:00.539 that He very much wants for us. 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:02.199 That's beyond all comparison, 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.159 glorious. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.940 Now, point number two, 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.359 God's children 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:09.259 always groan with hope. 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.379 All right, now in verse 23, 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.159 Paul talks about 00:17:12.159 --> 00:17:13.000 how God's children, 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.339 they suffer, 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.339 and they groan 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.759 in their present sufferings. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.559 But Paul also wants us 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.680 to remember Christ's 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.440 whole trajectory 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.700 from suffering 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:23.000 to glory 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:24.720 that we never groan 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.859 without hope. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:29.159 And he even sees creation 00:17:29.159 --> 00:17:31.099 testifying to this hope 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.719 in eager expectation. 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.379 Verse 19, 00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:34.459 For the creation 00:17:34.459 --> 00:17:36.279 waits in eager expectation 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.759 for the children of God 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.459 to be revealed. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.539 Meaning all of creation 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:41.059 is waiting for God's people 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:42.059 to be the way 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.679 that they were always 00:17:42.679 --> 00:17:43.039 meant to be. 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:43.819 Free from sin, 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.859 free from suffering, 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.619 restored as image bearers 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:47.119 of God, 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.740 and ready to rightly rule 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:50.259 over His creation. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.399 Like quite the opposite 00:17:51.399 --> 00:17:52.039 of what happened 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.539 at the fall. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.479 Look at verse 20. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.500 For the creation 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.620 was subjected to frustration 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:58.319 not by its own choice 00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.940 but by the will 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.779 of the one 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.660 who subjected it. 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.140 And see, 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.680 this is Paul bringing us back 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.960 to Genesis chapter 3 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:06.339 and the fall of humanity 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.240 and all creation. 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.240 He's saying that the world 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.299 was subjected to pain 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.099 and suffering 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:11.019 and futility 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.279 because the people of God, 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.740 the people God made 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.440 to rule over creation, 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.460 we went our own 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.440 destructive ways 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.339 apart from God 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:19.579 and thus creation, 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.500 this creation 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.240 that we were all called 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.700 to manage, 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.000 it went south too. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.259 So broken by sin 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.740 is creation 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.799 that even inanimate, 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.140 like subhuman creation, 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.360 everything is just 00:18:29.360 --> 00:18:30.140 out of whack now. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.500 Natural disasters, 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:33.579 painful, deadly illnesses, 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.620 scarcity, 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.000 thistles and thorns, 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.779 meager and uncertain harvests, 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.360 that's all because 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.720 of our sin. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.079 That's all because 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.720 sin has crept in 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:45.220 and broken this world. 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.440 But, 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.960 notice the last two words 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.819 of verse 20. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:51.039 For creation was subjected 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.620 to frustration, 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.140 it says, 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.279 the last two words, 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.660 in hope. 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:55.799 See, 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.240 God still had a plan, 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.819 God still had an intention 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.079 and a goal for his creation 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:01.779 even while subjecting it 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:03.099 to thorns and thistles 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:03.700 and scarcity 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:05.059 and sweat and toil. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.519 He subjected it 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:08.140 to frustration 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.400 in hope. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.220 In hope, 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:10.740 verse 21, 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.200 that the creation itself 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.339 will be liberated 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.200 from its bondage 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.720 to decay 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.440 and brought into the freedom 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.420 and glory 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.880 of the children of God. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.039 See, 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.960 that was always the goal. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.900 Liberation from decay, 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:23.400 freedom and glory. 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.780 This is what all of creation 00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:26.300 has been groaning for 00:19:26.300 --> 00:19:27.960 ever since our falling out 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.600 with God. 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.120 Verse 22, 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.620 we know that the whole creation 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:32.019 has been groaning 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:34.140 as in the pains of childbirth 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:36.080 right up to this present time. 00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:38.000 And this is an important metaphor 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.759 to describe creation's groaning, 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:41.259 this idea of the pains 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.240 of childbirth. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.480 I have no experience in that, 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.059 but I'm told 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:45.120 it's very awful. 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:45.940 And I believe, 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.140 I believe those who tell me. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:47.720 All right? 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.180 And by the way, 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.579 shout out to Chengin and An. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.680 Maybe you're tuning in 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.920 on their baby. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.620 I don't know if you remember 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.599 Chengin a couple weeks ago. 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.579 She shared her story of faith. 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.859 She just had a baby this week. 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.880 So praise God for that. 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.740 But I imagine 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:03.299 it was not easy, right? 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.720 I wasn't there, 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.240 but I imagine 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.920 it wasn't easy. 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:08.380 And here we have Chengin 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.539 experiencing firsthand, right? 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:11.480 The pains of childbirth, right? 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.259 And the mothers here, 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.700 you know this pain, right? 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.960 And that's a massive understatement, 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.160 but I'm just going to stop there. 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.059 But what's key also 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.680 to this metaphor 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:23.140 is that pain 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:24.920 is not for nothing, right? 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.880 Pain is not for nothing. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.620 And the groaning 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.279 is a yearning, 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.099 not just a yearning 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:29.099 for the pain to be over, 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.480 but for the pain 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.140 to accomplish 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.240 its better purpose. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.099 And what is the purpose? 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.920 New life. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.360 Fruitfulness. 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.440 Something, 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.779 someone who will make 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.940 every good mother say, 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.460 I was glad to suffer for this. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.220 This was totally worth it. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.500 And my life is better 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.620 for having suffered 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.660 through this experience 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:48.519 than if I had not. 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.039 You know, 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.759 my wife Chelsea, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.579 she's not here today. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.960 My nephew's actually 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.539 getting baptized 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.420 out in Castro Valley. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.259 That's why my family's 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.839 not here today. 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.259 But that's why 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.940 I can talk about her. 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.039 You know, 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.839 she had two, 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.519 we have two daughters, 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.839 and both those pregnancies 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.640 were super hard. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.259 People ask us, 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:05.920 are you going to go 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.400 for a third? 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:06.880 We say, 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:08.300 if we could be guaranteed 00:21:08.300 --> 00:21:09.360 that it won't be as hard, 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.720 we would, 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:12.200 but we don't have that guarantee, 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:12.840 so we're done. 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.320 We're done. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:15.340 And again, 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:15.740 her pregnancy 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.580 was just super hard. 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.940 She was barfing 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.540 like buckets upon buckets, 00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:21.640 multiple hospital visits, 00:21:21.780 --> 00:21:22.400 ER visits, 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.980 and honestly, 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.180 she wanted to die. 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:27.200 She would say that 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.960 every day, 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.380 and we would cry together 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.360 every day. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.639 She wanted to die. 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:35.039 And it came to a point, 00:21:35.459 --> 00:21:35.740 right, 00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:37.139 where her pregnancy 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:38.219 was so hard 00:21:38.219 --> 00:21:40.059 that both times, 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:41.779 for Kami and for Leah, 00:21:42.719 --> 00:21:44.419 our medical provider 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.740 and even some close family 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.919 suggested 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:48.719 that we terminate 00:21:48.719 --> 00:21:49.139 our daughters, 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.199 that we just have 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:50.599 an abortion 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:52.500 to just end 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:54.059 my wife's suffering. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.879 So I'm incredibly 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.359 sympathetic 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.299 to those who 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:58.399 contemplate that option 00:21:58.399 --> 00:22:00.039 because it truly was 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.460 the worst suffering 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.779 that my wife 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.740 has ever experienced 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:05.779 and myself, too. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.579 But you know what? 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.920 On this side 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:10.200 of the suffering, 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:12.359 as we watch our girls 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.460 laugh 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.819 and play 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:17.519 and sing 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:19.579 and show kindness, 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:20.379 right, 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.859 and recite 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:24.420 the Bible verses 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.159 that Miss Catherine 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:26.240 gives us every week, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.799 as we teach them 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.319 to pray 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.980 the Lord's Prayer, 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:32.399 Chelsea will tell you 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:34.139 that she is glad. 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.559 She's glad 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.399 she didn't end 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:36.980 her suffering 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.279 prematurely 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.839 when she could have. 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.619 Chelsea waited 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.559 eagerly 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:44.299 for her future hope. 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.980 And this is what 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.779 children of God 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.720 are called 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.359 to do. 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.259 Especially 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.940 as those who've 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.519 witnessed 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.259 the first fruits, 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:54.579 right, 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.940 of the ultimate hope 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.299 to come, 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.279 Jesus is risen. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.399 Jesus' resurrection 00:22:59.399 --> 00:23:00.799 points to our future 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.960 resurrection, 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.119 new creation, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.740 life. 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.200 Verse 23, 00:23:05.379 --> 00:23:06.099 not only so, 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.019 but we ourselves, 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.680 who have the first fruits 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.420 of the Spirit, 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.559 a risen Christ, 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.639 grown inwardly 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:13.720 as we wait eagerly 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.579 for our adoption 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.619 to sonship, 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.139 the redemption 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:17.119 of our bodies, 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.399 the full and final 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:19.819 reception of our 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:21.659 inheritance in Christ, 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.579 imperishable, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.759 incorruptible, 00:23:24.699 --> 00:23:25.519 eternal life, 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.480 with no suffering, 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:27.799 with God, 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.939 in His new creation, 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:29.799 forever. 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.460 Verse 24, 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.819 for in this hope, 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.019 this new creation, 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.480 resurrection hope, 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.220 that isn't simply 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.660 like wishful optimism, 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.720 but a sure hope 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.860 that's only yet 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.420 to be revealed. 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.400 In this kind of real 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.380 and future hope, 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:42.819 Paul says, 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.759 we were saved, 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.500 but hope that is seen 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.380 is no hope at all. 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.680 Who hopes for what 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.539 they already have? 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.079 Verse 25, 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.019 but if we hope 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.819 for what we do not 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.779 yet have, 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.160 we wait for it 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:54.079 patiently, 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.819 and I might add, 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.079 expectantly, 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.019 even in our groaning. 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:01.119 And I wonder if that's 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.119 a word for you today, 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.359 that yes, 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.240 your life may be 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.859 full of groaning, 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.940 but in Christ, 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.240 it can be even fuller 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.359 with hope, 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.900 because the suffering 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.980 servant is risen, 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.299 and his suffering 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.420 was only a chapter 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.500 on the way 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.759 to the final page 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:19.259 of forever glory. 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.240 And now point number three, 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.579 God's children 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:25.319 never groan alone. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.160 So in verse 23, 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.059 Paul talked about 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.619 the groaning 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.680 of God's children, right? 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.779 But there are two 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.559 other subjects 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.400 in this passage 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:33.200 who groan along with us, 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:33.579 right? 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.700 Verse 22, 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.059 we know that the whole 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.440 creation has been groaning 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.579 as in the pains 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.279 of childbirth 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.579 right up to this present time. 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.299 Here we see Paul 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:43.139 personifying creation, 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.759 the universe, 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.500 as something that groans 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:47.519 and suffers just like us 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.039 and alongside us. 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:51.220 So like when you have 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.839 an oil spill 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.740 that destroys tons 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.539 of marine life, 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.759 creation groans. 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.500 When COVID, 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.319 when the death count 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.660 rapidly rose and rose, 00:24:58.660 --> 00:25:00.140 creation groaned. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.320 Creation groaned 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:02.000 over the smoke 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.560 rising in Lahaina, 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:06.180 over the 25,000 people, 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.200 10,000 of whom 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.940 are children 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.259 who die every day 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.960 due to hunger-related 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.580 causes. 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.540 Creation groans, 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.300 and I think we all 00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:14.140 can hear it 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.080 if we're paying attention. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.440 Now maybe you're wondering, 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.060 though, like, 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.700 so what? 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.160 Why does it matter 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.140 that creation groans 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.759 with us? 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:23.980 Well, maybe I can provide 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.480 an alternative scenario. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.299 Okay, you know, 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.640 the famous atheist, 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.839 Richard Dawkins, 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.599 he wrote this, 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.220 in a universe 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:33.220 of blind physical forces 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.920 and genetic replication, 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.500 some people are going 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.980 to get hurt 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.400 and other people 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.480 are going to get lucky. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.980 And you won't find 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.980 any rhyme or reason 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.319 in it, 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.180 nor any justice. 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.779 The universe that we observe 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:46.380 has precisely the properties 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:47.299 we should expect 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.460 if there is, 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:48.980 at bottom, 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:49.620 no design, 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.799 no purpose, 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.819 no evil, 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.740 no good, 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:56.160 nothing but pitiless indifference. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:57.859 So see, 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.960 in Dawkins' mind, 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.200 the universe 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.299 isn't created 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.319 by a personal God 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.059 and therefore 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.039 it doesn't groan 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.759 over suffering. 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.519 The harsh world 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.359 just is. 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.680 Suffering just is. 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.880 It's all impersonal 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.480 and indifferent 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.299 as the universe 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.240 just hums along 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.859 its natural path. 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.980 But for Paul, 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:16.079 and I think for all of us, 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:17.319 if we really think about it, 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:20.640 when Paul personifies creation 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.920 as something that groans, 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.900 he's indicating 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.880 that contrary 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:24.640 to a strictly 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:26.220 materialistic view 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:26.680 of the world, 00:26:26.800 --> 00:26:27.720 things are not the way 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.800 they were meant to be. 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:30.720 And suffering 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.680 is neither normal 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.660 nor natural 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.600 nor neutral 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:35.279 but something wrong 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:37.340 and worth groaning about. 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.740 Paul doesn't say 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.940 creation hums along 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:41.140 or that the cogs 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.539 of creation 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.519 just continue to turn 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.720 with natural seasons 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:45.120 and rhythms of suffering 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.680 just because 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.500 that's the way it is. 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.000 No. 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:49.259 He says creation groans 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.980 because creation 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.900 gets it. 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.279 It gets it. 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.360 And creation knows 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.980 and testifies 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.860 that this isn't it, 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.960 that we were all meant, 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.279 every square inch 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.039 of reality 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:01.059 was meant to experience 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.200 something far, 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.920 far better 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:04.259 than what we currently 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.180 experience 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.279 in this broken world. 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.720 See, Christians 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.860 aren't wishful, 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.360 thinking, 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.240 self-deluded optimists. 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.880 We simultaneously 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.819 have the greatest 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:15.319 reason to groan 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.519 even as we have 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.599 the greatest reason 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.379 to hope. 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.279 And we can hold 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.259 both of these things, 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.279 groaning and hoping, 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.079 together 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:27.179 because of 00:27:27.179 --> 00:27:28.719 the other person here 00:27:28.719 --> 00:27:29.419 who groans 00:27:29.419 --> 00:27:30.500 alongside of us 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.740 in verse 26. 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.199 In the same way, 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.559 the Spirit 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.779 helps us 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.719 in our weaknesses. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.279 See, we are weak, 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:38.740 Paul says, 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.599 and we're miserable 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.919 and we are so unaware 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:42.319 of what we even need 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.559 that Paul says 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.119 in verse 26, 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.859 we do not know 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.980 what we ought to pray for, 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:47.400 but the Spirit himself 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.680 intercedes for us 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:50.099 through wordless groans. 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.700 And he who searches 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.160 our hearts 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.920 knows the mind 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.420 of the Spirit 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.400 because the Spirit 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:56.380 intercedes for God's people 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.180 in accordance 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:58.220 with the will of God. 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.400 And what this is saying 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.940 is that for every 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.960 child of God, 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.460 the Spirit of God 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.640 intercedes for us. 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.160 Praise to the Father 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.920 on our behalf. 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.839 Like fragrance 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.740 rising up 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.440 into the heavens, 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.860 the Spirit expresses 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:13.599 our deepest groanings 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.200 to the Father 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:14.819 and the Father 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.920 hears our groanings 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.860 and he is faithful 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.460 to listen 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.360 and to answer. 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:19.779 So like, 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:20.880 even when we pray 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:22.000 totally inappropriate, 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.560 off-base prayers 00:28:23.560 --> 00:28:24.539 that are not at all 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.100 in accordance 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:26.140 with the will of God, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.400 like, 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.100 God, 00:28:27.320 --> 00:28:28.580 help me lose my virginity. 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.420 Or, 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.140 God, 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.279 let me win the lottery. 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.220 Or, 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.460 God, 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.500 make me powerful 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.259 and influential 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.440 in my workplace, 00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:36.380 in my industry. 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:38.080 The Spirit of God 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:39.120 discerns the thing 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:40.120 beneath the thing. 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:42.120 The deeper groanings 00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:43.140 beneath these prayers 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.920 for his children 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:45.519 are primal groanings 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.620 for intimacy, 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.740 are primal groanings 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.980 for basic necessities 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.759 and security, 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.500 are primal groanings 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.880 to be fruitful 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:55.160 in our vocations. 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.500 These pure groans 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.500 that actually are 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:57.940 in accordance 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.120 with God's will, 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.900 these are lifted up 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.660 to the Father 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.920 by the Holy Spirit 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.640 and the Father 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.759 delights to receive 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.820 and grant 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:06.800 these requests 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:08.180 from these 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.500 Spirit-descerned 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:09.880 groans. 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:11.940 You know, 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.440 Tim Keller, 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:15.220 he used to often 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.080 say this about prayer 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.860 that even though 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:18.200 God often 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:20.040 doesn't answer 00:29:20.040 --> 00:29:20.520 our prayers 00:29:20.520 --> 00:29:21.420 in exactly the way 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.840 we want, 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.720 for all God's children, 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.920 he does give us 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.320 everything 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:27.000 we would have asked for 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.120 if we knew 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.600 everything 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.600 that he did. 00:29:31.020 --> 00:29:31.300 And see, 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:31.760 when the Spirit 00:29:31.760 --> 00:29:32.700 groans with 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.840 and for us, 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:34.960 the Spirit 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.780 intercedes 00:29:35.780 --> 00:29:37.620 and asks the Father 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.619 for the things 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.659 we really should 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.299 have asked for. 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.719 That's the work 00:29:41.719 --> 00:29:42.459 of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.579 And when this happens, 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.679 that's how we get 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.879 this wonderful promise 00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:47.039 in verse 28. 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:48.119 And we know 00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:50.079 that in all things, 00:29:50.699 --> 00:29:51.359 God works 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.259 for the good 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.399 of those 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.099 who love him, 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.239 who have been called 00:29:56.239 --> 00:29:57.439 according 00:29:57.439 --> 00:29:58.459 to his purpose. 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.879 And this is the gospel. 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.919 Not that we must 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.959 work all things 00:30:03.959 --> 00:30:05.019 for our own good 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.179 through self-love, 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:07.940 but that we have 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.259 a God 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.080 who both groans 00:30:09.080 --> 00:30:09.740 with us 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.060 and who is working 00:30:11.060 --> 00:30:12.120 for our good. 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.000 And it doesn't say 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.900 he's working for the good 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.880 of those who avoid 00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:16.100 suffering at all costs. 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.740 No, it says that 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.279 in all things, 00:30:17.340 --> 00:30:18.100 he works for the good 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:19.460 of those who love him 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.799 and who have been called 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:22.360 according to his purpose. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.380 So again, 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.100 how are we living 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:24.640 our lives? 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:25.980 How are we going 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.720 to live our lives? 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:28.440 Are we living primarily 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.600 to avoid suffering 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.500 or are we living 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.500 to love God 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.820 by walking 00:30:32.820 --> 00:30:33.720 in his calling 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.640 and his purposes 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.820 even when suffering 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:36.880 might be involved? 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.780 Do we love the one 00:30:38.780 --> 00:30:39.800 who first loved us? 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.460 Has it sunk in 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.220 how deep 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.980 and how far 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.680 and how wide 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.360 and how long 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.320 is his love 00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:46.380 for his children? 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.700 You know, 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.040 at the beginning 00:30:49.040 --> 00:30:49.400 of the sermon, 00:30:49.540 --> 00:30:50.300 we approached 00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:51.660 the problem of God 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:52.200 and suffering 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.780 and I told you 00:30:52.780 --> 00:30:53.259 I wasn't going 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.100 to try to provide 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:54.660 an answer 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.860 to why God 00:30:55.860 --> 00:30:56.759 has allowed 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.480 such suffering. 00:30:58.520 --> 00:30:59.160 But what I do 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.640 want to share, 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:01.000 what I am absolutely 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.040 convinced of 00:31:02.040 --> 00:31:02.860 is what the answer 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.660 cannot be. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.680 And the answer 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.720 cannot be 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:08.200 that God 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.400 doesn't love us 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.600 or that he's 00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:11.580 unwilling to come 00:31:11.580 --> 00:31:12.300 near to us 00:31:12.300 --> 00:31:13.040 and experience 00:31:13.040 --> 00:31:13.900 our groaning 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.900 and our suffering 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:15.500 himself. 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.320 You see, 00:31:17.560 --> 00:31:18.340 it's not only 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:18.940 the creation 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.480 that groans 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.020 with us, 00:31:20.520 --> 00:31:21.180 it's not only 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:22.080 the comforter 00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:22.759 who groans 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.140 with us, 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.860 the Holy Spirit, 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.820 but the wonderful 00:31:25.820 --> 00:31:27.320 mystery of our faith 00:31:27.320 --> 00:31:29.520 is that Christ 00:31:29.520 --> 00:31:31.340 groans with us, 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.200 that Christ 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.860 groans for us. 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:35.419 the one who 00:31:35.419 --> 00:31:36.619 took Psalm 22 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:37.439 upon his lips 00:31:37.439 --> 00:31:37.939 while hanging 00:31:37.939 --> 00:31:38.759 on a cross 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:40.439 in our place. 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:41.459 He cried, 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.099 my God, 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:42.979 my God, 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.359 why have you 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.059 forsaken me? 00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:46.379 And do you know 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.059 how the rest of that 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.359 verse 1 of chapter 22 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:49.279 in the Psalms goes? 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:51.339 Why are you so far 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:52.319 from saving me 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:53.779 from the words 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:55.179 of my groaning? 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:57.680 we have a groaning 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.100 Savior. 00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.680 And see, 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.320 on the cross, 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.720 Jesus was dying 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:03.340 and he was groaning 00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:05.360 and he was crying out, 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.740 but no one came near 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.560 to his groans. 00:32:07.820 --> 00:32:08.680 Even his Father 00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:09.100 in heaven 00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:10.120 did not save him 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:11.640 from that cross. 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.960 And the good news 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.600 of the gospel 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:16.000 is that because Jesus 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:17.299 came near to our groaning 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.900 and had his own 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.920 groanings ignored 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.740 upon a cross, 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.820 none of our groanings 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.480 will therefore 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.899 ever go unheard 00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:25.359 or unanswered. 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.379 Christ groaned 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.480 and died upon a cross 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.799 so that God 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.399 could end 00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:30.159 our groaning 00:32:30.159 --> 00:32:31.200 and our suffering 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.439 without ending us. 00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:34.019 And this is the gospel. 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.480 For although 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.500 the children of God 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.000 will never 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:38.480 avoid suffering, 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.339 they will always 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.980 have hope 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.159 and they never 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:42.819 groan alone 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:44.179 apart from 00:32:44.179 --> 00:32:45.039 the Spirit of God 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:46.700 and the Son of God. 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.079 His name is Jesus. 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.879 Will you pray with me? 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:51.579 Lord God, 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.759 we can't say 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.740 that we like suffering. 00:32:55.159 --> 00:32:55.960 We thank you 00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.460 that you're bigger 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.000 than that. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.439 You're a better 00:32:58.439 --> 00:32:59.039 storyteller, 00:32:59.159 --> 00:32:59.480 you're a better 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.119 story writer 00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:02.240 and you offer us 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.980 a better hope. 00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:04.599 God, 00:33:04.639 --> 00:33:05.460 help us to be a church 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:07.099 that embodies 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:07.799 authenticity, 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.159 that truly groans 00:33:09.159 --> 00:33:09.659 together, 00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:11.220 but that also 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.980 hopes together 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.460 and therefore 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.179 rejoices 00:33:14.179 --> 00:33:15.419 in the good news 00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:16.019 of Jesus, 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.819 our suffering servant 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.519 who groaned 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.299 in our place 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:21.599 so we can be 00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:21.980 guaranteed 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:23.700 that you hear us, 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.180 you hear our groans, 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.460 you are listening 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:28.440 as we await 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.680 the final chapter 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:30.460 in our stories, 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.500 the story of glory 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:33.079 because of the work 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.559 of Christ 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.019 and the work 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.619 of your Spirit. 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.480 Thank you, God. 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.700 Thank you. 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.579 Give us faith 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.279 to believe 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.519 this wonderful news 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.460 in Jesus' name. 00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:42.379 Amen. 00:33:42.379 --> 00:33:42.519 Amen. 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:42.579 Amen. 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:42.639 Amen. 00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:42.700 Amen. 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:42.759 Amen. 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.139 Amen. 00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:43.159 Amen. 00:33:43.159 --> 00:33:43.240 Amen. 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.559 Amen. 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:44.639 Amen. 00:33:44.639 --> 00:33:44.659 Amen. 00:33:44.659 --> 00:33:44.700 Amen. 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.180 Amen. 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:45.200 Amen. 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.220 Amen. 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.240 Amen. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.259 Amen. 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:45.319 Amen. 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:49.279 Amen.