WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 This morning we're going to be thinking about a victory. 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:07.040 We love victories, don't we? Whether they're sports, 00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:10.019 ! Particularly some of us, whether they're in the family home, 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:13.320 there's always one of us who can get a little bit overcompetitive. 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:16.240 You know who you are. We love to win. 00:00:17.620 --> 00:00:20.219 And victories also make for great films, don't they? 00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:23.100 Whether battle films, superhero films, 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:27.019 we love to see the enemy defeated, the hero succeed. 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:30.719 A favourite film of mine is Gladiator. 00:00:30.939 --> 00:00:32.880 I don't know if you've seen it. Fantastic film. 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:37.519 It's about this retired Roman general called Maximus. 00:00:38.240 --> 00:00:41.379 And will he succeed? He's been enslaved. 00:00:41.879 --> 00:00:43.039 He's become a gladiator. 00:00:43.179 --> 00:00:48.280 And will he succeed against the twisted and useless Roman emperor Commodus? 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:54.439 And the ending is a moving and great victory. 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:57.059 I won't give it away, but some of the final lines of this, 00:00:57.140 --> 00:00:59.099 he was a soldier of Rome. 00:00:59.599 --> 00:01:00.399 Honor him. 00:01:00.659 --> 00:01:03.159 It's great, isn't it? We love a victory. 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:07.000 And today we see a great victory. 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:09.939 We see one of the greatest ever in history. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:12.239 And from a human perspective, 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:14.180 it is a political victory on, 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:17.599 not far off equaling the Goths sacking Rome, 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:22.120 but this time it's the Israelites sacking the mighty Egyptians. 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:25.480 And as we said last week, 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:28.300 the Israelites have been enslaved by the Egyptians. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:29.660 Pharaoh was king. 00:01:30.180 --> 00:01:31.460 He was utterly supreme, 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:33.140 ruling over this great empire. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:37.200 And he was a man who defied God. 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:41.820 But God will bring his people out. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:43.060 He will rescue them. 00:01:43.460 --> 00:01:45.439 He employed sanctions, as we saw last week, 00:01:45.460 --> 00:01:46.980 and he employed the ultimate one. 00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:49.359 We see that in verse 29, 00:01:49.600 --> 00:01:52.320 at the beginning of what was read, 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:55.620 that the Lord struck down the firstborn. 00:01:57.060 --> 00:01:58.040 And if you were here last week, 00:01:58.100 --> 00:02:00.260 I spoke about that Passover lamb 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:02.359 that rescued the people of Israel 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:03.719 from being struck down. 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:05.800 How God provided a rescue. 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:07.540 But today we're going to think about 00:02:07.540 --> 00:02:08.819 what happens next. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:12.060 And the first thing I want us to see is this. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:16.740 God's victory is a decisive defeat. 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:21.000 God's victory is a decisive defeat. 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:23.740 Pharaoh, the great king, 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:26.180 the king who's hardened himself against God, 00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:28.680 who's treated God's people so badly, 00:02:29.280 --> 00:02:30.580 who is so majestic, 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:34.400 well, we see here his utter defeat. 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:35.080 It's a rout. 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:36.340 It's a whitewashing. 00:02:36.659 --> 00:02:39.120 It's a complete annihilation of him. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:41.580 And you'll just see it just stacked up. 00:02:41.700 --> 00:02:44.960 Firstly, we see him in an utter state of panic. 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:47.500 If you notice that in verse 31, 00:02:47.920 --> 00:02:50.259 he summons Moses and Pharaoh by night. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:53.159 He's in such a hurry to get them out of here. 00:02:53.640 --> 00:02:55.840 And we see it all the more in what he says. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:58.920 He goes, up, go, all of you, go. 00:02:59.099 --> 00:03:00.620 Take everything, be gone. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:02.759 It's get out. 00:03:03.960 --> 00:03:05.259 Make sure it's all of you. 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:07.719 The victory is stark. 00:03:07.719 --> 00:03:09.800 God takes all his people. 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:13.719 And Pharaoh completely loses his slaves. 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:16.139 But notice what he says next. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:17.680 He says, verse 32, 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:20.120 take your flocks and your herds. 00:03:21.659 --> 00:03:23.240 Now, previous to this, 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:25.780 Pharaoh had been making all the stipulations. 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:27.240 He had said, you can go, 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:29.300 but leave your flocks and herds. 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:31.079 But now he's saying, 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:32.240 take everything. 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:33.680 You win. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:37.439 God's victory is a decisive defeat. 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:38.939 God takes all his possessions. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:41.200 And Pharaoh loses it. 00:03:42.640 --> 00:03:44.140 And I don't know if you noticed it, 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:47.879 but there's a huge comment in what he says at the end. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:48.980 What Pharaoh says at the end. 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:49.240 He says, 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:51.580 and bless me also. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:57.240 That the king of Egypt is asking for a blessing. 00:03:57.240 --> 00:04:00.100 This is an extraordinary comment. 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:02.140 This is like Stephen Hawking's 00:04:02.140 --> 00:04:04.240 asking for some help with some physics. 00:04:05.140 --> 00:04:09.100 This is a moment of utter humiliation for Pharaoh. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:13.200 Pharaoh knows he's in the presence of a far greater power. 00:04:13.320 --> 00:04:15.200 He knows he's been surely beaten 00:04:15.200 --> 00:04:17.240 by a God far greater than he. 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:20.240 God's victory is a decisive defeat. 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:22.740 God is the one who blesses. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:24.579 And Pharaoh is humiliated. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:26.659 And then it keeps going. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:28.859 Then as the people leave, 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:30.839 not only do they take their own livestock, 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:33.919 if you haven't noticed at verse 35 and 36, 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:36.620 they take all the silver and gold and clothing. 00:04:37.599 --> 00:04:39.419 They take the wealth of Egypt too. 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:42.500 They utterly plunder the Egyptians. 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:44.099 God takes all the riches. 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:46.560 And Pharaoh is plundered. 00:04:46.979 --> 00:04:47.979 And not only riches, 00:04:48.419 --> 00:04:49.879 do you notice in verse 38, 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:51.919 it says it's a mixed multitude. 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:53.660 Not only Israelites, 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:55.259 but Egyptians have left as well. 00:04:55.379 --> 00:04:56.819 People are flocking out of Egypt, 00:04:57.140 --> 00:04:59.160 like refugees seeking a better home. 00:04:59.900 --> 00:05:01.360 God takes people, 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:04.300 and Pharaoh's nation is plundered. 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:08.120 God's victory is a decisive defeat. 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:10.319 Now before this moment, 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:13.060 Pharaoh probably thought he had a bit of a chance. 00:05:14.040 --> 00:05:17.720 Probably thought actually the result's going to be close. 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:20.860 A bit like a famous football match. 00:05:20.900 --> 00:05:22.360 Not sure if you're a football fan, 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:24.320 but back in 2014, 00:05:24.820 --> 00:05:27.080 there was a World Cup semi-final 00:05:27.080 --> 00:05:28.860 that set itself up similarly. 00:05:29.260 --> 00:05:31.420 It was Brazil versus Germany. 00:05:31.500 --> 00:05:32.480 I don't know if you remember it. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:34.260 And Brazil probably thought, 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:35.820 this is going to be a tight one. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:37.260 We've got a chance here. 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:39.360 I think we're going to win it. 00:05:39.760 --> 00:05:40.700 Do you remember the score? 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:43.879 It was 7-1 to Germany. 00:05:44.219 --> 00:05:45.240 7-1. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:47.300 It was an utter destruction, 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:48.620 a total victory. 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:50.759 Brazil had no chance. 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:53.000 Pharaoh thought he had a chance. 00:05:54.039 --> 00:05:56.120 But God's victory was decisive. 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:57.379 Not even a contest. 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:03.620 And because it was a decisive defeat, 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:06.379 we also see that God's victory 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:08.399 is a rich rescue. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:10.840 It is a rich rescue. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:11.560 Firstly, 00:06:11.740 --> 00:06:15.120 it is a rescue of a huge number of people. 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:16.680 Do you notice the size? 00:06:16.780 --> 00:06:17.939 It's a vast group of people. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.379 Over 600,000. 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:20.319 That's just the men. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:22.579 It could be up to about 2 million. 00:06:22.660 --> 00:06:23.280 We're not sure. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:25.959 But even at this lowest estimate, 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:27.780 that's the population bigger 00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:30.139 than the whole of Luxembourg moving out. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:32.720 And just think of their experience. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:33.960 A few hundred years before, 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:36.240 66 people turned up. 00:06:36.760 --> 00:06:38.040 And now look where we are. 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:39.720 It is a great nation. 00:06:39.820 --> 00:06:41.960 It's even got Egyptians joining them. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:44.740 And it's not only a change of size, 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:46.320 but it's a change of fortune. 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:48.260 A few chapters later, 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:50.640 these guys were facing extreme slavery 00:06:50.640 --> 00:06:52.000 and persecution. 00:06:52.580 --> 00:06:53.980 Their children were being murdered. 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:55.360 They were being beaten. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.080 They're being worked harder than ever. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:06:59.360 And here they are, 00:06:59.640 --> 00:07:01.220 leaving into freedom. 00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:04.240 Rich beyond their wildest dreams. 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:06.160 Laden with silver, gold, 00:07:06.320 --> 00:07:07.120 fired clothing, 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:09.700 huge flocks of sheeps and goats. 00:07:09.820 --> 00:07:12.960 This is the ultimate rags to riches. 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:14.720 It's a bit like that film, 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:15.620 I don't know if you know, 00:07:15.700 --> 00:07:16.780 Slumdog Millionaire. 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:20.100 It's one of the great rags to riches films. 00:07:20.260 --> 00:07:21.320 The main guy, Jamal, 00:07:21.420 --> 00:07:23.700 he grows up in horrendous poverty, 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:26.180 living in the slums of Bombay. 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:27.420 He's an orphan, 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:30.639 has to beg to live. 00:07:30.780 --> 00:07:32.280 And he makes his way slowly. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:34.139 He becomes a chaiwala, 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:37.100 a tea boy in a call centre. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:38.900 And it's, 00:07:39.139 --> 00:07:41.680 will he be rich beyond his wildest dreams 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:43.780 with a girl he has loved forever? 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.939 Will it be a Slumdog to Millionaire moment? 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:48.420 And that is a picture, 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:50.519 Slumdog to Millionaire is a picture 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:52.660 of what happens to these Israelites. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:55.939 God takes his people from slaves to superstars, 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.360 from victim to VIP. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:02.579 God's victory is a rich rescue. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:05.800 And it's so clear, isn't it, 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:08.419 that this victory is God's victory. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:10.159 He's the one doing it. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:11.199 Did you notice, 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:15.599 he's the one who brought the judgment in verse 29. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:20.500 He's the one who gives the people favour in verse 36. 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:22.639 And for him, 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:25.379 all this was just a night of watching. 00:08:26.419 --> 00:08:28.099 Do you notice that in verse 42? 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:31.780 It was a night of watching by the Lord 00:08:31.780 --> 00:08:34.320 to bring them out of the land of Egypt. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:37.060 In a sense, 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.060 this is not like Germany versus Brazil. 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:40.800 This is more like Germany playing 00:08:40.800 --> 00:08:43.019 your local Saturday league team. 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:45.560 He didn't even break a sweat. 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:47.820 It was a decisive defeat 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:49.480 and a rich rescue. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.120 Now the victory of God over Egypt, 00:08:53.320 --> 00:08:54.360 the rescue of his people, 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:56.700 is taken by the Bible as a great picture 00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:59.700 of God's victory and rescue 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:00.940 through Jesus Christ. 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:03.720 Jesus himself talks about 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:06.000 how he's tied up the strong man 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:08.620 so he can plunder his belongings. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:11.320 Just like the defeat of Pharaoh, 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:13.060 Jesus said he's tied up the devil. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:15.940 He's tied up the powers of evil in this world 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:17.640 and is plundering him, 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:19.160 particularly of people. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:23.240 And Jesus Christ's death and resurrection 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:25.800 is that great moment of victory. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.959 Paul in Colossians says this, 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:28.279 he says, 00:09:28.839 --> 00:09:31.500 he disarmed the rulers and authorities 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:34.299 and put them to open shame 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:37.419 by triumphing over them in him. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:41.679 How did he disarm all these powers, 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:42.759 all the powers of the world? 00:09:42.859 --> 00:09:43.959 Well, in many ways, 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:46.879 but one was by defeating death itself. 00:09:48.459 --> 00:09:49.079 Death, we know, 00:09:49.099 --> 00:09:51.299 is a great weapon against people, 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:51.740 isn't it? 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:52.779 We fear it. 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:53.720 It ultimately, 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:55.839 it rips apart our relationships. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:59.699 It's threatened by tyrants and rulers. 00:10:01.439 --> 00:10:03.339 And by defeating death, 00:10:03.939 --> 00:10:05.439 but by taking on sin, 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:07.220 as Jesus Christ died, 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:08.779 by rising again, 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:11.399 showing that death had no power on him, 00:10:11.959 --> 00:10:14.759 Jesus completely took away death's power. 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:18.740 As Paul says in 1 Corinthians, 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.419 quoting Isaiah, 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:19.720 he says, 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:23.460 death is swallowed up in victory. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:27.179 The world has no power anymore. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.120 Death is no longer a threat. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:35.139 Although we know death breaks relationships awfully, 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:38.059 a Christian can face it confidently. 00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:42.119 We know there is a resurrection, 00:10:42.939 --> 00:10:44.379 that there is eternal life. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:48.339 Christ's victory is a decisive defeat. 00:10:48.819 --> 00:10:51.519 Through a seemingly small act, 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:52.839 2,000 years ago, 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.759 on a hillside of a backwater of the Roman Empire, 00:10:56.599 --> 00:10:59.000 God had utter victory. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:04.000 And this means his victory is also a rich rescue. 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:08.100 He rescues a huge group of people. 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:11.860 The Church of Jesus Christ spans thousands of years. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:15.580 It spans every tribe, nation and tongue, 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:17.039 from China to Brazil, 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.799 from India to Iran. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:21.220 God is rescuing many, 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:22.080 thousands, 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:22.799 millions. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:27.139 And the secular world and other religions 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.299 just shake their fist 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:30.779 that they will not win. 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:34.879 Just need to look at a country like Iran. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:36.679 Right under the Ayatollah's nose, 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:38.199 the Church of Jesus Christ 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:40.339 grows faster than any other place in the world. 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:45.519 And it is a nation given great riches. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:49.139 God lavishes blessings on his people. 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:51.359 In Ephesians 1, 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:53.399 Paul outlines many of these riches 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:55.300 that Christ has won. 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.680 I'm not going to read it now, 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:58.700 but I will pick out snapshots. 00:11:58.800 --> 00:11:59.899 Do go and read it later. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:01.159 Ephesians 1. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.120 But in it, 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:05.120 Paul says that we have every spiritual blessing. 00:12:06.180 --> 00:12:07.700 We have been adopted as sons. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:10.000 We have been blessed in Christ. 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.300 We have redemption. 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:13.340 We have forgiveness of sins. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.080 We've been lavished with grace. 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:17.060 We have God's spirit in us. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.620 And we wait for an inheritance to come. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:21.360 Right now, 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:23.279 the Church of Jesus Christ 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:25.899 has incredible spiritual blessings. 00:12:28.060 --> 00:12:29.360 Now you may notice 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.759 many of these blessings are unseen. 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:36.419 But even unseen to the Christian, 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:37.980 they are very real. 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:41.879 To know forgiveness 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:45.240 is something many in our world yearn for. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.939 Without it, 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.360 we know people have regrets, 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.399 have sorrow, 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:52.299 and yet Christians are given it 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.439 by Jesus Christ. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:56.260 To know we have a loving, 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.300 heavenly Father 00:12:57.300 --> 00:12:58.920 being adopted into his family 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:01.520 reaches deep into our lives, 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.220 especially those who don't know 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.200 parental love, 00:13:04.280 --> 00:13:05.800 who lack security, 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:06.940 company, 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:09.080 and yet Christians are given it. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:12.760 To know the hope of eternal life 00:13:12.760 --> 00:13:15.600 when so many face despair, 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.000 suicide, 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:20.460 and yet Christians are given it. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:21.159 Unseen, 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:22.779 but very real. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.600 And the unseen 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.960 will be clearly seen 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:27.580 in the future 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.740 when Christ returns. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:30.240 There is an inheritance 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.399 to come, 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.039 Paul says. 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.799 When Christ returns, 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.539 we will inherit 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.980 all that he has won for us. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.299 Eternal joy, 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:39.259 sorry, 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.059 eternal life, 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:40.960 unspeakable joy. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:43.399 God's victory in Christ 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:45.539 is a rich rescue. 00:13:46.819 --> 00:13:48.699 What a generous God we have. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:50.600 We are utterly undeserving, 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.720 and yet God has decided 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.840 to lavish his blessings 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:55.799 on his people. 00:13:57.319 --> 00:13:58.639 So how do we respond 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.799 to this God? 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.879 This God who's victorious 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.699 and gracious? 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:03.899 Well, this passage 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.620 presents to us 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.539 two options, 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.699 two responses, 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.019 in a sense, 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.600 two types of fear. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:13.600 It shows us one type 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.600 and leaves us feeling another. 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:16.820 Firstly, 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:17.779 it shows us 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:19.300 the fear of Pharaoh 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:20.580 and the Egyptians. 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.120 It's a fear 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.860 that results in 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.820 running away 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.639 from blessing. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.259 Pharaoh says, 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.080 up, go, 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:27.820 be gone. 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:29.240 The people of Egypt 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:29.840 are urgent. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.960 Get them out of here. 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.960 They want the riches, 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:35.540 the victory of God 00:14:35.540 --> 00:14:37.580 to be as far away 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:38.720 from them as possible. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.759 They want God 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.879 at a distance. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.220 They want Christians 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.659 to be at a distance. 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:46.720 And perhaps 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:48.519 you identify with that. 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:50.259 Perhaps you hear about God 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.439 and actually 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.319 you just don't want 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.419 anything to do with it. 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:55.179 You perhaps come here 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.799 a few times 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:56.460 and you just want to 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.779 keep it at arm's length. 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.419 A bit like a friend's 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:00.039 Rottweiler. 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:02.059 A mean looking dog. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.860 Nice for you, 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.139 but keep it at a distance. 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.179 Okay? 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.299 But please, 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:08.080 I urge you, 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.080 notice that 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:10.740 Christ's victory 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:12.020 is total. 00:15:13.280 --> 00:15:13.940 This is true 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:14.780 as implications 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.700 for all of us 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:17.080 whether we believe it 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.900 or not. 00:15:19.540 --> 00:15:20.420 And in this victory, 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.259 which side 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.139 will you be on? 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.879 The victors 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.400 or those defeated? 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.840 Worshipping 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.020 Jesus Christ 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:28.840 on his throne 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:30.259 or his enemy 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.300 under his judgment? 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:33.959 please don't be 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:35.399 like Pharaoh 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:38.039 who knew his defeat 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:39.439 but ran away 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.079 from blessing. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.479 Because there's a second 00:15:42.479 --> 00:15:43.579 type of fear. 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:44.740 It's not shown 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:46.419 explicitly in this passage 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.919 but it's the one 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.500 the passage 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.339 leaves us with. 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.559 Instead of a fear 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:51.159 that leads us 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.419 to running away, 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:54.019 it's a fear 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:54.799 that leads us 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.979 to going and serving 00:15:55.979 --> 00:15:56.939 the Lord. 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.080 Lord, 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.300 this passage 00:15:59.300 --> 00:15:59.940 should leave us 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.720 in a wonder 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.680 and fear 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:02.660 of this powerful 00:16:02.660 --> 00:16:02.940 Lord. 00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:04.380 It is a colossal 00:16:04.380 --> 00:16:05.160 victory. 00:16:05.880 --> 00:16:07.040 No one can mess 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:07.580 with him. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.160 In our world 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:10.880 no one will beat him. 00:16:11.880 --> 00:16:12.780 Political rulers, 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.760 spiritual rulers, 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.040 they've lost their power. 00:16:15.140 --> 00:16:15.860 Not even death 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.780 can defeat God 00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:17.620 and his purposes. 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.660 He is truly 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.280 almighty. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.380 Pharaoh, 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.600 empires, 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.540 philosophies, 00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:25.139 religions 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.060 will all fade 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:28.019 but God is. 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:29.800 He is always the same. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.360 Mighty, 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:31.800 victorious, 00:16:32.060 --> 00:16:33.440 lavishing grace 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:34.399 on his people. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.019 What we see 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.600 of God here 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:39.659 is very helpfully 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.779 put in a famous quote 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.440 from The Lion, 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.620 the Witch and the Wardrobe 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:44.000 a book by C.S. Lewis. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.120 It's for children 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:46.659 but it is very profound. 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.480 A character 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.779 called Mr. Beaver 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:50.300 is talking to a girl 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.160 called Susan 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:52.420 about Aslan 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.599 who is in a sense 00:16:53.599 --> 00:16:54.539 the God's character 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:56.000 and Mr. Beaver 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.379 says this, 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:56.599 he says, 00:16:56.719 --> 00:16:58.219 Aslan is a lion. 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.479 The lion, 00:16:59.599 --> 00:17:00.539 the great lion. 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:01.759 Ooh, 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.459 said Susan. 00:17:02.719 --> 00:17:04.159 I thought he was a man. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.619 Is he quite safe? 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.519 I shall feel rather nervous 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.740 about meeting a lion. 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:10.659 Safe, 00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:11.759 said Mr. Beaver. 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.859 Who said anything 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:14.420 about safe? 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:16.460 Of course he isn't safe 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.980 but he's good. 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.619 He's the king 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.519 I tell you. 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.840 Our Lord isn't safe 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:26.140 but he's victorious 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:27.560 and he is good 00:17:27.560 --> 00:17:29.980 and knowing that 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:31.820 leads us towards him. 00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:33.779 The Lord is the great 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.660 and good king 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:36.720 who lavishes blessing. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.240 The people of Israel 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.440 were not leaving Egypt 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.300 to run away. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:41.940 They were heading 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.940 to Mount Sinai 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:44.200 to worship him. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.580 We fear the Lord 00:17:46.580 --> 00:17:47.460 in a way that means 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.960 we come to worship him 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.440 like bees to a honeypot, 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:52.240 like flies to a light. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.940 As we see God like this, 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.880 this victorious, 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.820 this good saviour, 00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:59.380 then our hearts 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.600 are drawn to him 00:18:00.600 --> 00:18:02.539 and we come in reverence 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:04.340 and we come in fear. 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.920 That is the right response. 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:07.600 You know, 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.960 we never waltz up 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:10.060 to the Queen Elizabeth 00:18:10.060 --> 00:18:10.779 would we and go, 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.440 alright Lizzie, 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.080 how's tricks 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:13.360 and slap her on the back. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.840 And nor would we, 00:18:16.080 --> 00:18:17.900 and should we treat God similarly. 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:19.880 Like a, 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.680 we shouldn't treat him 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.840 like a lucky charm 00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:23.780 that we pray to 00:18:23.780 --> 00:18:24.900 when we just need help. 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.100 Or like a mate 00:18:26.100 --> 00:18:26.980 down the pub. 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:27.759 No, 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:28.920 he is the great 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.759 and victorious God. 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:33.940 But we do come to him. 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.140 We do come to him. 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.420 His greatness 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.460 is worthy of our worship. 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.960 As we see the world's efforts 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.799 fade. 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.700 Fads, 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.559 they come and go, 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:43.900 don't they? 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.160 Political heroes 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:46.420 disappear. 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:47.599 Celebrities 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.720 fade. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.519 Technologies 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.539 get superseded. 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.140 Jobs 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:51.779 finish. 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.220 Wealth 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.900 will rot. 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.720 Even our family 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.620 eventually dies 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.400 and leaves us. 00:18:58.280 --> 00:18:59.000 But our God 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.920 does not fade. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.460 The only person 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.240 worthy of our 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.380 heart's desires, 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.320 worships and longings 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:06.580 is God himself, 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.240 the Lord. 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:11.000 And if God's word 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.720 has brought that 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.800 response in you, 00:19:13.300 --> 00:19:14.780 perhaps this week 00:19:14.780 --> 00:19:16.120 spend time 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.100 in praise. 00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:20.340 Get to church 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.160 on Sunday. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:22.640 Pray on your own 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:24.300 and recognise 00:19:24.300 --> 00:19:25.880 all his worth. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.620 Speak out of his 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.180 victory, 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.520 of his grace. 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.240 If you've never 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.000 done that before 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.980 but you're drawn 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.660 to this God, 00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:33.440 then try, 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.000 do it, 00:19:34.040 --> 00:19:34.700 just speak 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:36.460 knowing he hears you. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.380 When we meet 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.280 someone really talented, 00:19:39.580 --> 00:19:40.560 we can't help but 00:19:40.560 --> 00:19:41.560 tell them how great 00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:41.840 they are, 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.180 can we? 00:19:42.540 --> 00:19:43.820 Oh, I loved how well 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:44.640 you played that music. 00:19:44.780 --> 00:19:45.560 Oh, you're a great 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.320 rugby player. 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:48.220 It's a natural response. 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:50.300 And how much more 00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:52.000 with our great God. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.759 come to him, 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.660 our victorious, 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.420 our gracious God. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.960 God's victory 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.180 in Jesus Christ 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.599 is a decisive defeat. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.940 It is a rich rescue. 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.180 Let's pray to him now. 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:05.620 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:35.599 Thank you.