WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:04.839 Reading this morning is from Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1 to 10. 00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:12.939 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:18.620 following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air, 00:00:19.300 --> 00:00:23.420 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:29.100 among whom we all once lived in the passion of our flesh, 00:00:30.020 --> 00:00:33.539 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:40.280 and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:49.460 But God, being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, 00:00:49.880 --> 00:00:56.400 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. 00:00:56.399 --> 00:00:59.239 By grace you have been saved. 00:00:59.239 --> 00:01:08.079 And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:21.840 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:27.439 For by grace you have been saved through faith. 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:31.520 And this is not your own doing. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:34.900 It is the gift of God, 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:38.140 not a result of works, 00:01:38.140 --> 00:01:41.000 so that no one may boast. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:45.079 For we are his workmanship, 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:49.939 created in Christ Jesus for good works, 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:52.159 which God prepared beforehand, 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:56.060 that we should walk in them. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:58.060 This is the word of God. 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:02.439 Thank you, 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:02.680 Angie. 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:03.180 Well, 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:03.799 I want to encourage you, 00:02:03.900 --> 00:02:04.799 if you've got a booklet, 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:06.219 to grab it, 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:08.620 and we're going to be working through this passage. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:09.379 If you don't, 00:02:09.539 --> 00:02:10.900 there are a few up here, 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:14.439 but let's pray firstly, 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:16.879 and then we're going to look at this passage together. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:18.599 So why don't you join me as we pray together? 00:02:19.900 --> 00:02:20.819 Heavenly Father, 00:02:21.020 --> 00:02:22.099 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:24.879 as we come to this passage of scripture, 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:30.959 which is one of the most wonderful and amazing passages in the entire Bible, 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:32.340 God, 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:34.459 we again pray that you will speak to us. 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:35.039 God, 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:38.199 come and open the eyes of our hearts to see you. 00:02:38.299 --> 00:02:41.259 Come and open our ears to hear from you. 00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:42.680 Lord, 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:47.579 we want to encounter your presence and your grace through your living word. 00:02:47.859 --> 00:02:48.319 And so God, 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:48.560 again, 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:54.680 we pray that my words will fade into the background and your words will be loud in our ears. 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:55.039 God, 00:02:55.659 --> 00:02:56.560 come and speak to us. 00:02:56.640 --> 00:02:57.840 Come and give us clarity. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:02:58.240 God, 00:02:58.300 --> 00:03:02.500 come and help me to bring clarity to this passage and speak to us from your word. 00:03:03.300 --> 00:03:04.680 We pray this in your wonderful name. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:05.699 Amen. 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:07.719 Well, 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:08.740 over the last few weeks, 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:18.539 we've been looking at Ephesians and which talks about this great big cosmic plan that God has for the whole world. 00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:22.379 What the Bible calls his great plan of salvation. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:25.000 And if you've been here the last few weeks, 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:29.539 one of the things you would have learned is that the gospel is not just good news for us as individuals. 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:30.920 It's not just me and you. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:31.580 It's true. 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:32.500 But actually, 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:36.120 the gospel is a cosmic good news. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:37.819 It's a good news for all of creation. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:39.460 It's where the world is headed. 00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:46.740 That God is going to vanquish all that is broken and evil at the world and unite all things under Christ. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:49.760 Things in heaven and earth and the new creation. 00:03:50.820 --> 00:03:52.939 And this is what we heard last week, 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:58.520 that Christ is seated in the heavenly places above all rule and authority and dominion and power. 00:03:59.060 --> 00:03:59.800 And the church, 00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:00.360 amazingly, 00:04:00.540 --> 00:04:01.840 is included in this plan. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:05.580 God has included us in his great big cosmic plan. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:08.420 And that's why Paul prays and says, 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:11.180 this is the hope to which you've been called. 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:15.000 The hope of Christianity isn't just that one day you get to, 00:04:15.100 --> 00:04:19.540 you sit on a cloud in the heavens and play on a harp with a robe. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:19.780 No, 00:04:19.960 --> 00:04:21.280 there's a new creation. 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:23.000 This is the hope to which you've been called. 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:25.360 And we heard about this last week. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:27.920 But one of the problems is that, 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:29.139 I mean, 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:31.340 that's all good and well here in church. 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:33.840 But five minutes out of the building, 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:36.259 you face the reality of life, 00:04:36.280 --> 00:04:36.520 right? 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:38.759 Maybe last week you heard Neil's preaching, 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:39.580 second half, 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:40.340 Infusion's one. 00:04:40.840 --> 00:04:41.040 You thought, 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:41.819 this is amazing. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:43.379 This is so wonderful. 00:04:43.780 --> 00:04:44.759 I can't believe it. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:46.020 And on Monday morning, 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:47.639 you open up your laptop, 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:48.759 you read the news, 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:53.819 and you find 400 mass graves found in a forest in Ukraine. 00:04:54.759 --> 00:04:55.139 Ah. 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:57.620 And you're reading about the war. 00:04:57.779 --> 00:04:59.879 And then you change pages, 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:03.379 and you're reading about some racist event somewhere in the world. 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:05.939 One group of people attacking another group of people, 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:07.920 just because they don't like their beliefs, 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:09.399 or their ethnicity, 00:05:09.599 --> 00:05:10.639 or the color of their skin. 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:15.159 Or maybe you page through the news, 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.459 and you read about human trafficking. 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:19.239 50 million people a year. 00:05:20.039 --> 00:05:20.639 And you just think, 00:05:20.719 --> 00:05:21.259 oh God, 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:22.539 this world is so broken, 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:23.519 such a mess. 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:26.699 And it feels like all the good news we heard in church 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:28.379 just quickly evaporates. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:31.899 And so how do we reconcile these two realities? 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:34.719 The Bible talks about this amazing cosmic hope. 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:35.359 It's wonderful. 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:36.519 And yet, 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:38.000 our world is so broken, 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:39.539 and it's so messy. 00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:42.000 And how do we bring these two things together? 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:43.899 Well, 00:05:43.919 --> 00:05:46.199 the passage that Angie read to us today, 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:47.060 and we're going to look at, 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:49.459 talks about this in some way. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:51.219 And so let's look at this together. 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:53.599 These 10 verses 00:05:53.599 --> 00:05:56.979 are some of the most wonderful and important verses 00:05:56.979 --> 00:05:58.079 in the entire Bible. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:05:59.500 And I've got a challenge for you. 00:05:59.539 --> 00:06:02.199 I want to encourage you to memorize these verses. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:03.599 Of the next few weeks, 00:06:04.019 --> 00:06:04.879 sit on the MTR, 00:06:05.039 --> 00:06:05.899 pull out your phone, 00:06:06.159 --> 00:06:08.319 and learn off by heart these verses. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:09.719 Because if you get them into your heart, 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:11.740 they will change your life. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:13.959 And the big idea is this. 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:15.379 This is what Paul wants us to get. 00:06:16.039 --> 00:06:16.479 Mankind, 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:18.039 by nature, 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:20.099 is more depressing 00:06:20.099 --> 00:06:22.639 than what you think it is. 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:24.739 Our situation is worse 00:06:24.739 --> 00:06:25.879 than what we think it is. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:28.240 But what mankind can be, 00:06:28.359 --> 00:06:29.039 by grace, 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:31.579 is infinitely more wonderful 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:33.479 than what you can hope or imagine. 00:06:33.979 --> 00:06:34.819 That's the big idea. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:36.079 That's what Paul wants us 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:37.299 to get in this passage. 00:06:37.719 --> 00:06:38.899 What mankind is, 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:40.060 by nature, 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:40.699 on our own, 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:41.620 left to ourselves, 00:06:41.620 --> 00:06:43.360 it's depressing. 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:43.879 In fact, 00:06:43.899 --> 00:06:44.840 it's more depressing 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:45.680 than what we think. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:47.819 But what mankind can be, 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:48.579 by grace, 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:50.540 is infinitely more wonderful 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:52.220 than what you can hope or imagine. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:55.780 So let's look at the first few verses. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:57.100 Ephesians chapter 2, 00:06:57.160 --> 00:06:57.980 verse 1 to 3. 00:06:58.019 --> 00:06:58.600 And let's look at 00:06:58.600 --> 00:06:59.939 how Paul describes 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:01.480 our natural condition. 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:02.420 He starts off, 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:03.019 and he says, 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:04.379 As for you, 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:05.959 you were dead 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:07.300 in your trespasses 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:08.699 and your sins. 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:10.259 The Bible's assessment 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:11.180 of the world 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:11.879 and humanity 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:13.139 is pretty stark. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:13.980 It's pretty bleak. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:15.439 Paul isn't coming 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:18.659 with just face-saving niceties. 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.959 He tells it as it is, right? 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:21.319 Niels, 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:23.099 a few months ago, 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:24.480 spoke about he's Dutch. 00:07:24.599 --> 00:07:24.699 You know, 00:07:24.719 --> 00:07:25.860 he says things as it is. 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:27.339 Ecclesiastes tells us 00:07:27.339 --> 00:07:28.420 how it is, right? 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:29.379 Well, 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:30.699 Paul does the same thing. 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:31.399 As for us, 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:32.399 we were dead 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:33.459 in our trespasses 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:34.159 and sins. 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:35.620 And we think 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:36.480 the world is bad. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:37.039 The Bible says, 00:07:37.099 --> 00:07:37.219 no, 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:38.079 it's actually worse 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:38.800 than what you think. 00:07:39.719 --> 00:07:40.659 And what does the Bible mean 00:07:40.659 --> 00:07:41.139 when it says 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:42.519 we are dead? 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:43.599 Well, 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:44.819 what it means is 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:45.519 that we are cut off 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:46.339 from true life. 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:48.939 In chapter 4, 00:07:49.359 --> 00:07:49.859 Paul writes, 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:50.259 and he says, 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:51.839 you are alienated 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:53.199 from the life of God. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:54.459 You're cut off 00:07:54.459 --> 00:07:55.419 from the life source. 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:56.500 You look alive, 00:07:56.599 --> 00:07:57.199 but there's something 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:57.939 inside of us 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:59.159 that isn't 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:00.579 the way it's meant to be. 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:02.139 I don't know 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.099 if you go to 00:08:03.099 --> 00:08:04.219 the wet market 00:08:04.219 --> 00:08:05.019 in Hong Kong. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:05.779 We, 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:06.259 our family, 00:08:06.259 --> 00:08:07.219 we love calamari, 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.319 so we often go down 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:09.639 to the fish market 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:10.959 and we'll buy some squid 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:11.980 and take it home. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:13.019 And one of the things 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:13.480 you see 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:14.539 is these fish 00:08:14.539 --> 00:08:15.339 that have been like 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:16.219 filleted, 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:16.620 right? 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.079 Cut off half the body. 00:08:18.539 --> 00:08:19.339 And yet the other half 00:08:19.339 --> 00:08:19.659 that's there, 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:20.819 the heart is still there 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:21.980 and the heart is still beating. 00:08:22.219 --> 00:08:22.819 You seen that? 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:23.980 Or the gills 00:08:23.980 --> 00:08:25.379 are kind of breathing in and out. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:26.959 And it looks alive. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:27.199 I mean, 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.480 it looks like it's got a heartbeat. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:29.459 But you put that thing 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:29.860 in the water, 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:30.879 it's not alive. 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:32.200 It's not going to swim anywhere, 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:32.580 right? 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:34.500 And that's what Paul says. 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:35.340 We look alive. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:36.580 You take your pulse, 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:38.460 and I'm still pretty alive 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:38.860 and well. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:40.580 You do some sport, 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:41.580 you run up the mountain, 00:08:42.040 --> 00:08:43.160 you start a new business. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:44.120 But actually, 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:44.560 Paul says, 00:08:44.660 --> 00:08:44.740 no, 00:08:44.800 --> 00:08:44.860 no, 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:46.300 underneath the surface, 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:47.940 all is not well. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:49.180 No, 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:50.019 we're in trouble. 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:50.500 Paul says, 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:51.180 we are dead 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:52.160 in our trespasses. 00:08:52.420 --> 00:08:52.680 Remember, 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:53.639 Jesus says, 00:08:53.920 --> 00:08:55.160 this is real life, 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:56.700 that they may know you, 00:08:56.820 --> 00:08:58.060 the only true God 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:59.480 and Christ whom you sent. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:00.980 But the problem is, 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:01.780 in our natural state, 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:02.700 we don't know God. 00:09:03.300 --> 00:09:04.560 We can't find our way to Him. 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:06.059 That's why He had to come to us. 00:09:07.219 --> 00:09:08.159 That's the problem 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:08.839 with the world. 00:09:08.939 --> 00:09:10.419 The world is full of 00:09:10.419 --> 00:09:11.479 dead men walking. 00:09:12.939 --> 00:09:13.859 And Paul goes on, 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:14.219 and he says, 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:14.839 not only that, 00:09:15.099 --> 00:09:16.000 we are slaves 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:17.019 to our desires 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:18.279 and our spiritual forces 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:19.539 and ways of thinking. 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.759 We're like prisoners 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:22.139 that are just marching 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:22.659 on the way 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:23.919 that's set before us, 00:09:24.359 --> 00:09:25.759 and we're just slaves 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:26.699 following the ways 00:09:26.699 --> 00:09:27.119 of the world. 00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:28.099 Look at how he says it 00:09:28.099 --> 00:09:29.419 in verse 2. 00:09:29.599 --> 00:09:29.919 He says, 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:30.599 you are following 00:09:30.599 --> 00:09:31.719 the course of this world, 00:09:32.199 --> 00:09:33.039 following the prince 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:34.219 of the power of the air, 00:09:34.459 --> 00:09:35.379 that means Satan 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:35.939 or the devil, 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:37.319 following the passions 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:38.159 of our flesh. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:39.699 Why do we do 00:09:39.699 --> 00:09:40.679 the things that we do? 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:41.740 Why do we often 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.039 act irrationally, 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:44.219 hurting ourselves 00:09:44.219 --> 00:09:45.139 and hurting others? 00:09:45.699 --> 00:09:46.839 Why do we say things 00:09:46.839 --> 00:09:47.279 that are just 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:48.819 so unnecessary? 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:50.299 It just causes hurt 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:50.679 to others 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:51.579 and hurt to ourselves. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:52.500 Well, 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:53.279 Paul says actually, 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:55.099 we are in bondage. 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:56.259 We're not as free 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:57.059 as we think we are. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:58.739 We often talk about 00:09:58.739 --> 00:09:59.419 the fact that we have 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.079 free will. 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:00.719 The Bible says 00:10:00.719 --> 00:10:01.639 even our free will 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.279 is in bondage. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.159 We are slaves 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:04.059 to our desires, 00:10:04.219 --> 00:10:05.479 to the ways of this world. 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:08.539 Paul says we are like addicts, 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:08.719 right? 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.500 I don't know if you've ever, 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:11.899 someone that is a slave 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:12.500 to an addiction, 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:14.619 first they have control 00:10:14.619 --> 00:10:15.179 of their addiction 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:15.959 and then their addiction 00:10:15.959 --> 00:10:17.019 has control over them. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:19.259 And you end up doing things 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:20.319 that you don't want to do, 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.539 but you just can't help it. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:24.199 Paul's painting this bleak picture 00:10:24.199 --> 00:10:24.959 of our condition. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:26.419 And he says, 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:27.599 all of this leads to the fact 00:10:27.599 --> 00:10:29.059 that we are under God's judgment. 00:10:29.219 --> 00:10:29.579 He says, 00:10:30.079 --> 00:10:30.620 in verse 3, 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:31.979 we are under wrath. 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:34.099 Prior to Christ coming, 00:10:34.199 --> 00:10:35.719 we weren't just lost, 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:36.699 we were rebels. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:38.319 We were going against 00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:39.699 God's plan for the world. 00:10:40.459 --> 00:10:41.159 Rather than living 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:42.360 for the praise of His glory, 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:42.740 we were living 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:43.879 for the praise of ourselves. 00:10:45.079 --> 00:10:46.159 I don't know if you know 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:47.779 that very famous book, 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.219 The Lord of the Flies, 00:10:49.599 --> 00:10:50.599 by William Golding. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.679 You read it, Michelle? 00:10:51.839 --> 00:10:52.079 I can see. 00:10:52.199 --> 00:10:53.579 I had to read it at school. 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:55.039 It's the story of 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:57.379 some children from the UK 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:59.379 or some people that evacuate 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:00.139 because they think 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:01.319 there's a nuclear war coming. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:02.379 So they're on this airplane 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.240 evacuating. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:05.000 And they crash land 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:05.799 in an island 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.139 in the Pacific somewhere. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.179 And pretty soon, 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.939 these very upper class, 00:11:11.099 --> 00:11:12.360 well-educated, 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:13.199 smart, 00:11:13.339 --> 00:11:14.579 sophisticated people, 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:18.240 society starts to disintegrate. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.039 And they start to act brutish. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.000 They're like beasts. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:24.639 They gang up on one another. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:27.220 They start acting irrationally, 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:28.180 not thinking straight. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.360 They become like animals. 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:31.639 And they start killing one another. 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:33.419 And someone eventually 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:34.500 comes to rescue them. 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:35.799 And his shock and horror 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:37.259 is that these sophisticated, 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:38.879 civilized people 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.620 are acting like animals. 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:42.700 And William Golding's point there 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:45.019 is when you peer off the veneer, 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:45.620 you know, 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:46.840 we all act very civilized 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:47.840 towards one another. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:49.500 But when you peer away the veneer, 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.720 peer back the curtain, 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:52.440 actually underneath, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:54.139 all is not well. 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.519 And that's what Paul's saying here. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.060 He's saying, 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:57.980 we know how to speak well 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.460 and act very civilized, 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:00.500 but underneath, 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.600 behind the curtain, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.919 looks what lies beneath. 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:05.000 And Paul's point is, 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:07.000 that's true of all people. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.840 At the time of the New Testament, 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:09.740 the Jews, 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:10.980 if they'd read this, 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:11.360 they thought, 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:11.700 yeah, 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:12.720 the Gentiles, 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.000 those people, 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.440 those pagan, 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:17.019 barbarians, 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.100 those guys, 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:18.399 yes, 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.740 children of wrath, 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:21.179 uncivilized, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.360 good for nothing Greeks, 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:24.679 right? 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.419 Those Romans, 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:26.960 those Babylonians. 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.759 But look at what Paul says here, 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:29.259 verse one, 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:29.580 he says, 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.240 and you, 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:31.580 verse three, 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.080 he says, 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:34.740 and we all once lived like this, 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:36.919 following the passions of our flesh. 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:38.620 We were by nature 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:40.240 under God's judgment, 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.820 like the rest of mankind. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:45.680 And like Paul does in Romans three, 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:48.260 Paul's painting this very bleak picture. 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:50.660 He's showing how all the world, 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.320 all humanity, 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:52.680 irrespective of your culture, 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:53.580 your background, 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:54.720 I'm sorry, 00:12:54.800 --> 00:12:55.620 this thing is crackling. 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:55.900 I hope, 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:57.640 I'm going to just keep on going. 00:12:58.200 --> 00:12:58.580 He's saying, 00:12:58.620 --> 00:13:00.040 irrespective of your ethnicity, 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:01.180 your language, 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.400 your education, 00:13:03.280 --> 00:13:05.160 you study at an Ivy League university, 00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:06.760 or you haven't finished high school, 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.080 actually, 00:13:07.140 --> 00:13:08.220 this is true of all of us. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.139 By nature, 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.720 we're in a dire, 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.879 dire situation. 00:13:12.680 --> 00:13:13.519 And Paul could have said, 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:14.080 listen, 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:14.860 you were bad, 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:15.800 but God loved you, 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.100 right? 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:17.220 But actually, 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:20.860 he wants us to see the totality of our brokenness. 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:23.180 It affects every area of our lives, 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:23.759 our hearts, 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.360 our minds, 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:24.860 our worlds, 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.500 our conscience, 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:27.379 every area of our lives. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.060 Paul's point is, 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:31.340 what mankind is by nature 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.860 is far more depressing 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.580 than what we think. 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:36.200 Well, 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:38.220 let's say the benediction and go home. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:40.000 I hope you've enjoyed the sermon today. 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.040 No, 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:41.280 no, 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.400 that's not where we end, 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.379 because actually, 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:45.000 that's not Paul's main point. 00:13:45.160 --> 00:13:46.460 I know that's depressing, 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.780 but verses 1 to 7 00:13:48.780 --> 00:13:51.400 is one sentence in the Greek Bible, 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:53.480 and the way grammatically it's written, 00:13:53.660 --> 00:13:54.940 in Chinese and English, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.660 we don't see this, 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.560 but in Greek you see it. 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.180 Actually, 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:59.660 the climax sentence is verse 4. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.740 This is his main point. 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:00.940 So, 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:02.460 look at verse 4 with me. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.720 Paul says, 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:04.480 listen, 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.400 things are bad, 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.240 but, 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.120 but, 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:08.620 I have some good news for you. 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:10.340 Imagine you go to the doctor, 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.000 and he says, 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:11.540 listen, 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.759 I've got some bad news. 00:14:13.160 --> 00:14:14.280 We ran some tests, 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:16.560 your cancer markers are very high, 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.980 I found a tumor, 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.040 but, 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:20.240 I've got some good news. 00:14:20.800 --> 00:14:22.460 You're going to be sitting on the edge of your seat. 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:22.800 You're going to say, 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.360 give it to me, 00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:23.660 okay, 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.940 I'm all ears. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.240 Paul says that, 00:14:26.280 --> 00:14:27.180 that's what Paul's saying. 00:14:27.660 --> 00:14:28.100 He's saying, 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.700 I've got some bad news, 00:14:30.040 --> 00:14:30.600 but, 00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:32.560 I've got some good news for you. 00:14:33.140 --> 00:14:34.300 And what is his good news? 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:34.719 He says, 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.979 but God, 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.779 Paul doesn't start with ourselves. 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:38.839 He doesn't say, 00:14:38.959 --> 00:14:39.099 listen, 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.359 things were really bad, 00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:43.099 but then you sorted yourselves out. 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.599 And well, 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.679 thank goodness it all, 00:14:44.959 --> 00:14:45.879 things are going to be okay. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.620 Or, 00:14:46.859 --> 00:14:47.879 things were bad, 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:50.479 but finally you came to your senses. 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.679 Or, 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.099 things were bad, 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:55.839 but then you grew up and started acting mature. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.080 No, 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.259 he doesn't say anything about you. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.000 He says, 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.080 things were bad, 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.759 but God, 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.000 he's got some good news for us, 00:15:03.040 --> 00:15:04.540 and it all starts with God. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.300 But God, 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.160 what about God? 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.280 Being rich in mercy, 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:11.980 because of his great love, 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:14.040 with which he loved us. 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:16.379 Friends, 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.100 can I just say, 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:21.080 I know for a fact that many of us, 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:23.639 because I know this is true for me, 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:27.259 struggle with the fact that God actually loves you. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.100 Maybe you grew up in a home, 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:32.139 where your parents never told you once, 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.059 that they loved you. 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:36.120 Maybe you grew up in a home, 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:37.559 that there wasn't much love, 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.360 and you kind of wonder, 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:39.259 or maybe you think, 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:39.899 God loves me, 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:40.639 I know God loves me, 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:41.419 that's his duty, 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.159 he's God, 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:42.480 right? 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.779 Of course he loves everyone, 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.879 but he doesn't actually like me. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.399 Friends, 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:48.300 but God, 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.200 in his great mercy, 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:51.639 because of his great love, 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:54.940 with which he loved the world, 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:58.940 made us alive with Christ, 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.820 verse 5. 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:01.420 Friends, 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.899 Christianity is not, 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:04.399 he says, 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:05.720 we are dead in our sins, 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.000 and now we are alive with Christ. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.740 Christianity is not self-help, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.860 it's not self-improvement, 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:12.220 it's CPR, 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:15.279 it's dead being made alive, 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.779 it's revitalization. 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:18.320 He goes on, 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.720 he says, 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:19.659 we were dead, 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.340 we've been made alive with Christ, 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:21.860 verse 6, 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:23.600 we've been raised with Christ, 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.379 we've been seated with Christ, 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.860 in the heavenly places. 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.480 Now, 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:29.399 if you were here last week, 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.700 that should jog your memory, 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:30.920 right? 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:32.300 Neil spoke about that last week. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:32.659 Remember, 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:33.580 chapter 1, 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.200 verse 19, 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:34.779 what does it say? 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:37.639 God shows his immeasurably great power, 00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:38.399 in this, 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:40.759 that he raised Christ from the dead, 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:42.220 he seated Christ, 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.279 in the heavenly places. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:43.960 Well, 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.980 what does he say about us? 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.460 We were dead in our sins, 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:48.200 and God made us alive with Christ, 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.759 he raised us with Christ, 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.500 he seated us with Christ, 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.100 in the heavenly places. 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:55.779 Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.600 so we have been made alive with Christ. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.379 Jesus was raised to glory, 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.500 we've been raised with Christ to glory. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:03.899 Jesus was seated at the right hand of God, 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:06.220 we've been seated with Christ in glory. 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.740 What happened to Christ, 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:10.279 for those of us that are in Christ, 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.519 has now happened to us. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.640 You were dead, 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.700 and you've been made alive, 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:16.460 you were slaves of this world, 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:18.160 you're now seated in glory in heaven, 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:20.120 you were following the ways of this world, 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:22.339 and now you reign with Christ. 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:22.900 It's amazing. 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.819 And look at verse 7, 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.319 he says, 00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:27.160 what is the end goal of this? 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:29.380 So that in the coming ages, 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:31.819 that means both now and forever, 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.700 both now and next year, 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.039 and in a decade from now, 00:17:35.100 --> 00:17:36.480 and a billion years from now, 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:38.559 God might demonstrate, 00:17:38.840 --> 00:17:39.980 or put on display, 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:43.100 the immeasurable riches of his grace, 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.700 and his kindness towards us. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.920 I know that's big language, 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.940 but what it means is this, 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.080 picture this, 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:51.140 you get an award at work, 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:53.500 greatest bond trader ever, 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:54.580 in the history of the world, 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.200 Oscar, 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:55.819 okay, 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.240 get some award, 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.920 Celeste is laughing, 00:17:59.080 --> 00:18:00.000 not so sure about that. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.860 Greatest partner in the firm, 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.199 okay, 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.699 whatever it is, 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:06.159 and you get this award, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.439 what do you do with that award? 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.939 You put it on display, 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.339 you show off, 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:12.939 or greatest rugby player ever, 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.959 in the history of the universe, 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:14.619 Dan Tillis, 00:18:14.659 --> 00:18:14.859 okay, 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.899 you put this award on display, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.439 or you win the Nobel Prize, 00:18:18.479 --> 00:18:18.939 or something, 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:20.099 or maybe, 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.479 you've got this, 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:23.079 incredible heirloom, 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:24.079 that's been passed around, 00:18:24.179 --> 00:18:25.199 for four generations, 00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.799 and now it belongs to you. 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.779 You put it on display, 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:30.519 so that when people come to your house, 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.119 they see, 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:33.139 look at what God is saying here, 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.740 so that in the coming generations, 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:37.680 he might put on display, 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.059 the immeasurable riches, 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.639 of his grace towards us. 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.879 F.F. Bruce put it like this, 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.279 throughout time, 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.220 and into eternity, 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:49.339 this society of pardoned rebels, 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:51.400 called Watermark Church, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.920 and every other church, 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.720 is designed by God, 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.119 to be a masterpiece, 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:58.200 his trophy of goodness, 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.279 and grace. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.400 So for that all eternity, 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:02.380 angels, 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.279 and saints, 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.680 and all creation, 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:06.539 will be able to look at you and I, 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.000 and say, 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.460 oh my goodness, 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.759 isn't God's grace amazing? 00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:10.559 Right? 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:13.340 God took those of us, 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.900 that were dead in our sins, 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:15.720 lost, 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.000 slaves to the devil, 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:17.880 and our desires, 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:19.059 and the ways of this world, 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.779 and now he's saved us, 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.700 he's forgiven us, 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:22.700 he's raised us, 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.920 made us alive in Christ, 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.140 and now you and I, 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:27.220 are trophies of his grace. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.180 And why does God do this? 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.140 Well maybe God looked down, 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.519 the corridor of time, 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.660 and he saw this person, 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:37.880 called Tiffany, 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.940 or Walter, 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:41.960 and he thought, 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:43.140 there's a good guy, 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.539 right? 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.960 I mean I know Walter's, 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:46.140 going to have such a good heart, 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.680 he's got such good intentions, 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.819 I will save him, 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.500 and redeem him. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.880 No, no, no, 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:53.100 look at what verse 5 says, 00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:53.660 it says, 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.360 God being rich in mercy, 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.400 because of the greatness, 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.000 of his love, 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:59.019 even when we were dead, 00:19:59.060 --> 00:20:00.060 in our trespasses, 00:20:00.060 --> 00:20:00.640 and sins. 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:01.640 Friends, 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.440 God acts like this to us, 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:05.360 not because we've got it all together, 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.680 even in our former state, 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.880 when we were rebels, 00:20:09.040 --> 00:20:11.720 and had nothing to commend ourselves to God, 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.880 God looked down the corridor of time, 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.240 and said, 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.519 there's some rebels, 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.780 that I will be gracious to, 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.480 and though they did in their sins, 00:20:18.540 --> 00:20:20.240 I will breathe my life into them, 00:20:20.280 --> 00:20:21.660 and raise them with Christ, 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:23.700 and pour my favor upon them. 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:25.519 Friends, 00:20:25.580 --> 00:20:26.560 you see what Paul is saying? 00:20:27.060 --> 00:20:27.340 He's saying, 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:28.580 a Christian is not just someone, 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.759 who's had their sins forgiven, 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.759 so they can one day, 00:20:31.040 --> 00:20:31.259 you know, 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.000 not go to hell. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:32.740 He's saying, 00:20:32.820 --> 00:20:33.759 we're dead in our sins, 00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:35.140 we've been raised with Christ. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.100 Once walked the ways of this world, 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:39.680 now we are seated in glory with Christ. 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:41.040 Once by nature, 00:20:41.100 --> 00:20:42.460 under God's condemnation, 00:20:42.800 --> 00:20:43.940 now by grace, 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:46.360 a trophy of his kindness. 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:49.579 What mankind is by nature, 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:52.359 is more depressing than what we can imagine. 00:20:53.179 --> 00:20:55.399 But what mankind can be by grace, 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.639 is infinitely more wonderful, 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.619 than you can hope, 00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.759 or imagine. 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.759 Now we could just stop here, 00:21:02.979 --> 00:21:03.319 and say, 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:05.740 best of luck, 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.740 go and do that. 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.000 Okay? 00:21:07.479 --> 00:21:08.839 But the problem is, 00:21:09.439 --> 00:21:10.399 there's this thing called, 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.479 works righteousness. 00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:12.619 I know that's a big term, 00:21:12.679 --> 00:21:13.479 I'll explain in a second. 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.919 Works righteousness, 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:17.440 is deep in the human heart. 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:20.140 Works righteousness means this, 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:22.420 you and I tend to think, 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.560 what makes us righteous, 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.519 or acceptable, 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.120 or loved by God, 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.640 is our good works. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.279 How good we are, 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:31.460 how faithful we are, 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:33.019 how much we've read our Bible. 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.019 And so, 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:36.900 no matter how well you know the gospel in your head, 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.980 or sing in your heart, 00:21:39.060 --> 00:21:39.240 right, 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.000 it's easy to sing, 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:41.380 Jesus paid it all, 00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.860 all to him I owe. 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.420 How did it go? 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:46.460 Sin had left a crimson sand, 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:48.120 he washed it white as snow. 00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:49.100 We sing this, 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.480 but deep in our hearts, 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:52.000 I tend to think, 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:54.000 that if I'm a good Christian, 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.779 and I do all the right things, 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:57.480 God will really love me, 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.220 and accept me. 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.940 Works righteousness runs deep. 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.400 And Paul, 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.500 who writes Ephesians, 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.220 wants to take a shotgun, 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.620 to works righteousness, 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.140 and blow it to pieces. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.360 So look at what he says here. 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.060 He says, 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.660 verse 8, 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:13.860 for by grace, 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.380 you have been saved. 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:16.620 Okay, 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:18.400 it's by grace that this has happened. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:21.420 Grace is the opposite of deserving something. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.880 Because imagine you, 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:23.600 you have work, 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:26.360 and you're working really hard on a project, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:29.180 and you pull off this great project, 00:22:29.300 --> 00:22:30.320 and you win a client, 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.160 and your company makes tons of money. 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:34.279 And your boss comes to you and says, 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:37.340 here is a reward for your work, 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:37.560 right, 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.419 here's a check, 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:41.539 commission for what you did. 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.359 Okay, 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.159 that's not grace, 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.960 that's a reward, 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.700 that's commission. 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.940 But imagine you've got this project, 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:48.740 and you mess up the project badly, 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.879 and you lose the client, 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.819 and your company doesn't make any money, 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.879 but your boss comes to you and says, 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:58.000 I know you were really looking forward to that commission, 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.759 because you wanted to bless your parents, 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.480 well, 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:02.019 here's the check anyway, 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.519 right? 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.919 That's grace. 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.899 It's the opposite of deserving it. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.960 You don't deserve it. 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.180 You lost the client. 00:23:08.280 --> 00:23:08.960 You messed up. 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.220 That's grace. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.920 Look what Paul says. 00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:13.100 By grace, 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.280 you have been saved. 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:15.759 By grace, 00:23:15.840 --> 00:23:16.519 this has happened. 00:23:18.300 --> 00:23:19.940 So how do we access this grace? 00:23:20.040 --> 00:23:20.180 I mean, 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.340 if it's not through good works, 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.240 how do we access it? 00:23:22.300 --> 00:23:22.560 He says, 00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.360 by grace, 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:25.300 you've been saved through faith. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:29.100 It's the small hinge of faith 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:31.920 that opens the massive doors 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:34.940 into God's vault of grace. 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.100 Well, 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.940 what is faith? 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:42.660 Faith is putting all your weight on Jesus. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:45.680 I think Alan told this story a little while ago. 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:47.720 There was a missionary called John Paton, 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.500 150 years ago. 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:51.600 He goes to Vanuatu Islands, 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:51.940 okay, 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:54.680 once upon a time called the New Hebrides, 00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:57.940 and he's translating the book of John's gospel, 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:59.480 and he stumbles 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.519 because he doesn't know 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:02.059 what the word trust is 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.779 in their language. 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.180 In fact, 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:05.100 they don't have a word trust 00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:06.380 because they're cannibals. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.320 They eat one another. 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.640 They don't trust one another. 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:11.000 There's no word for trust 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.080 in their language. 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.720 But John's gospel 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:15.580 is all about believe on Jesus, 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.779 have faith in Jesus, 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.759 trust in Jesus. 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:20.220 So he's translating John's gospel, 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:22.039 and he stumbles in chapter one 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.860 when it says, 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.120 believe in Jesus. 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.700 And at that point, 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:29.660 a villager walks into his house or whatever, 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.700 and he says to his villager, 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.900 what am I doing now? 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.980 He's sitting at his desk. 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.839 And the villager says, 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:36.299 you're sitting at your desk. 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:36.880 He says, 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.120 okay. 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:39.319 He leans back on his chair 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.960 so that he's rocking on his chair. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.440 And he says, 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.519 what am I doing now? 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.000 And the villager says, 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:47.220 you are putting all your weight on the chair. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.279 And he took that verb 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.799 and he translated it in his Bible, 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:53.000 put all your weight on Jesus. 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.880 That's what faith is. 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:57.000 It's to put all your hope, 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.220 all your confidence, 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:01.039 all your weight on Jesus. 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:04.180 For by grace you have been saved 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.180 through faith, 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:07.519 through putting no confidence in yourself. 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.299 Now you may say, 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:12.480 okay, but at least I put my faith in Jesus. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:15.799 I mean, Jesus didn't put faith in Jesus for me. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.400 I mean, at least there's a little bit of something I did. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:20.059 I mean, can't I get a little bit of credit 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.539 for my faith at least? 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.400 Right? 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.539 Well, look at what Paul says. 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.579 He says, 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.500 even this is not your own doing. 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.059 It's a gift of God. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:32.220 So even your ability to trust in Jesus 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:34.099 is God's gift of grace to you. 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:36.960 You can't even put your faith in your faith. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:40.279 It's all God's gift of grace. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:42.779 For by grace you have been saved. 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.779 Through faith, 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:45.639 this is not your doing. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.359 It is the gift of God, 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.200 not a result of works, 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:51.399 so that no one can boast. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:54.420 Friends, this Christian hope 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.740 to which you've been called 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.859 and which you've been given 00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:58.680 is all of God, 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.339 100% of God. 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.899 It is God's initiative, 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.680 even when we're dead in our sins. 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:05.579 It is God's doing, 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:07.019 not a joint venture, 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.879 a little bit of God, 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.619 a little bit of me. 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:10.259 It is God's gift, 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:12.219 not a reward for good works. 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.099 It's all His grace. 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.579 It is God's kindness, 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:16.399 not His duty or His obligation. 00:26:16.959 --> 00:26:18.639 It is to the display 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:20.419 of God's praise and glory 00:26:20.419 --> 00:26:22.079 so that no one can boast. 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:25.159 It is all God's doing. 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:28.139 And so Paul starts off 00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:29.339 this great letter saying, 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:31.699 Praise be to the God and Father 00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:33.019 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:35.299 because of all the spiritual blessings 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.339 He has given us 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.980 in Christ. 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:40.079 Here's his point. 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.379 Friends, 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:43.599 you were in a worse condition 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.579 than you realized 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:46.000 by nature. 00:26:46.939 --> 00:26:48.079 By grace, 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:50.740 you have been infinitely more blessed 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.859 than you can ever hope 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:53.079 to imagine. 00:26:54.939 --> 00:26:56.299 Does that make any sense? 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.740 Now, 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.879 there's one last question 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:00.720 before we get to some 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.579 practical applications. 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.619 One last thing 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.379 in this passage. 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.800 And that is this. 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:06.760 If it's all by grace, 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:07.560 I mean, 00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:09.320 if this great gospel message 00:27:09.320 --> 00:27:09.920 is true, 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.420 does that mean 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:13.260 we just get this free pass 00:27:13.260 --> 00:27:14.900 to live however we want? 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.240 Hey, Catherine, 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.180 great to see you. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.860 Welcome back. 00:27:18.340 --> 00:27:19.320 Just noticed, 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.200 Catherine. 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.480 Sorry. 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:25.720 Does this mean 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:27.260 we just get a free pass, 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:27.560 right? 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.320 Like, 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:32.080 live however you want. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.460 I mean, 00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:33.299 you are dead, 00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.059 you've been made alive, 00:27:34.159 --> 00:27:35.199 you're seated with Christ. 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:37.139 It's just free for all. 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.220 Do whatever you want 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.279 because you've all been forgiven. 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.460 Well, 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.839 look at what Paul says 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.599 in verse 10. 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.759 He says, 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.240 for, 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.279 so he's continuing 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.639 his same train of thought, 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.480 same logic, 00:27:48.179 --> 00:27:48.539 for, 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:51.139 we are God's workmanship. 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.519 We are His workmanship. 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.139 Okay, 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:53.980 that's what he's been saying 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.500 all along. 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.460 This gospel salvation 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.740 isn't our workmanship. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.859 My new creation 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:01.139 isn't something that I did, 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:02.259 it's something God did. 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.180 We are being made alive, 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:05.220 raised with Christ. 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.700 It's not my work, 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.640 it's God's work, 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.720 not a result of works 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.860 so that I can't boast. 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.140 It's His workmanship. 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:13.360 For we are His workmanship, 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.220 which God created 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.220 in Christ Jesus 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:18.380 for good works 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:20.180 that we should walk in them. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:22.380 And that makes complete sense. 00:28:22.780 --> 00:28:23.600 In verse 7, 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:23.960 he said, 00:28:24.060 --> 00:28:24.880 we are trophies 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.680 of God's grace. 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.720 One day for all eternity, 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:29.200 the angels will look at 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.600 rebels like you and I 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:30.939 and say, 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:31.779 man, 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.740 look at what God did 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.559 with those people. 00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:34.299 I mean, 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.459 they were dead in their sins 00:28:35.459 --> 00:28:36.779 and now they're alive in grace. 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.159 That's amazing. 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:40.259 But trophies of grace 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.599 don't then go and live 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:42.879 as if grace is not true. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.299 It's actually, 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.759 the way God has saved us, 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:47.079 He's also changed us 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.619 and now we walk 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.659 in the new life 00:28:49.659 --> 00:28:50.719 that He's called for us. 00:28:51.719 --> 00:28:52.079 Imagine, 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:54.319 a patient 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.859 wheeled into hospital 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:58.139 and Dr. Joyce 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:59.639 revitalizes them, 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.479 does CPR, 00:29:00.719 --> 00:29:01.419 saves their life, 00:29:01.699 --> 00:29:02.679 they're flatlined 00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.679 and suddenly 00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:04.899 they've become alive again. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.240 Right? 00:29:06.459 --> 00:29:07.019 And then, 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.339 a week later, 00:29:09.659 --> 00:29:10.579 Dr. Joyce says, 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.039 okay, 00:29:11.199 --> 00:29:11.679 you're good, 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.459 you can go home. 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.740 And the patient says, 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:14.359 no, 00:29:14.419 --> 00:29:15.119 I actually quite like 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:16.259 just lying on the Guernsey here. 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.259 I think I'm just going to live 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:17.839 like I'm dead 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.839 the rest of my life. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:19.719 No, 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:19.900 no, 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.000 no, 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.480 when you've been made alive, 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:23.180 you live like you're alive. 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.700 Imagine a prisoner 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:26.120 is set free from jail. 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:28.140 They once were slaves 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.299 to the ways of this world, 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.700 kept under bondage 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.600 and lock and key 00:29:31.600 --> 00:29:33.339 and their liberator comes 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.360 and sets them free 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:35.240 and says, 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:35.400 no, 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.620 I think I'm just going to sit in jail 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.380 for the rest of my life. 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.200 I just like, 00:29:38.360 --> 00:29:38.579 actually, 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:40.200 can you put the handcuffs back on me? 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.680 I just like being in bondage. 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:42.579 No, 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:42.759 no, 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.880 you've been made alive, 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.880 you've been set free. 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.660 Imagine somebody 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:48.720 once under God's judgment, 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:50.460 the judge looks at them 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.660 and says, 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.799 you are condemned. 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:52.980 Oh, 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:54.339 but then a new piece of evidence 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.620 comes in 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.380 and the judge says, 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.100 you are acquitted, 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.960 you are free. 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:58.860 You can go, 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.579 you can get free. 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:00.180 So, 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.319 no, 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:00.500 actually, 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.559 I like being condemned. 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.660 Can you actually just, 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.759 just write to my record 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.839 that I am guilty? 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.460 I like having a record 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.079 on my name. 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:07.819 No, 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:09.019 don't live like that. 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.779 He says, 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:11.559 you are God's workmanship. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.799 God has saved you, 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:13.779 He's changed you, 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:15.000 He's redeemed you, 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.500 He has created you 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.779 for good works. 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:20.039 Now go and walk in them. 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:21.859 Friends, 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.879 those that have received 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:25.299 the immeasurable mercy of God 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:26.160 live differently 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:28.700 because we live from grace, 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:30.579 not trying to earn it, 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.720 we are saved. 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.500 So, 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:35.299 how should we respond to this? 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:36.680 Friends, 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:38.879 Paul is trying to show us here, 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:41.660 mankind by nature is, 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:43.720 our state is more depressing 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.639 than we realize. 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:46.120 but oh, 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:47.500 mankind by grace 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.840 is infinitely more wonderful 00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:49.960 than you can hope 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.480 or imagine. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.480 For all eternity, 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:55.240 be seated with Christ, 00:30:56.020 --> 00:30:57.440 reigning in the new heavens 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.320 and new earth. 00:30:58.820 --> 00:31:00.060 Like Niels told us last week, 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.140 Christ is the head 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.240 of raw creation 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.800 and what are we? 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.759 We are His body, 00:31:04.540 --> 00:31:05.560 creation under His feet. 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.080 Amazing. 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.420 So, 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.460 how should we respond? 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:09.700 Well, 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.440 I've got four very quick thoughts. 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:12.920 First one is this, 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:16.080 rejoice in the rich mercy of God. 00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:18.220 Paul starts off Ephesians, 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:20.580 praise be to the God and Father 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:21.640 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:23.140 who has blessed us in Christ 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.960 with every spiritual blessing 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.980 in the heavenly places. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.240 Friends, 00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:29.519 imagine you go to your doctor 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.740 and he comes 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.400 and previously, 00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:33.000 you have cancer 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.800 and he comes and he says, 00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:35.120 I've got great news for you. 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.660 Cancer is gone. 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.960 You are free. 00:31:38.800 --> 00:31:39.240 Changed. 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:39.759 Nothing. 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.779 It's all gone. 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:43.000 And you respond saying, 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.279 very well, 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:44.599 chap. 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.460 Good news. 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:45.879 Thank you. 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.740 Appreciate that. 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:47.720 No, 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.000 no, 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:48.299 he says, 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:49.000 it's amazing. 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.279 Praise God. 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:51.480 Bring out the champagne. 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.859 Pop the cork. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.319 I mean, 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:53.799 I once, 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.019 I had cancer. 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:56.180 I was dead. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.500 I'm alive again. 00:31:58.379 --> 00:31:59.079 You don't just say, 00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.200 oh, 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.059 good news. 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.359 No, 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.039 thank you. 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.799 I appreciate that. 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.500 No, 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:04.059 you rejoice in the good news. 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:04.339 Friends, 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:07.079 delight in the rich mercy of God. 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.920 And don't just do it on Sunday. 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:10.320 We're going to do that in a few minutes. 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:12.720 Leo's going to lead us in a song of celebration. 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:13.779 Monday, 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.420 Tuesday, 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:15.000 Wednesday, 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.519 Thursday, 00:32:15.840 --> 00:32:17.100 when you go to work, 00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:21.980 you uncork the champagne bottle of delight in God's rich mercy. 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:24.920 Celebrate in what he's done for you. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.740 Secondly, 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:30.779 flood your heart with the riches of his grace. 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:31.720 Friends, 00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.640 this week, 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:34.440 something is going to happen 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:36.640 that is going to convince you 00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:40.279 that God doesn't really love you 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:43.039 and you don't really sit under his mercy 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.880 and God is not pleased with you 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.000 because you're such a rebel. 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.660 And Satan is going to come 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:49.039 and try and convince you 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:51.700 that you don't deserve God's mercy and grace. 00:32:52.340 --> 00:32:53.180 And do you know what you do 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.299 on Thursday afternoon 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.620 when you're feeling like that? 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:58.160 You preach to yourself. 00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:58.519 You say, 00:32:58.660 --> 00:33:00.440 once I was dead in my sins, 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:03.160 following the ways of this world 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:05.820 and the prince of the power of the air, 00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:09.960 once I was a son or a daughter of God's wrath 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:11.019 under his judgment, 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:13.400 but God who is rich in mercy 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:16.340 because of his great love with which he loved me, 00:33:16.580 --> 00:33:18.640 even when I was dead in my sins, 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:21.320 made me alive together with Christ. 00:33:21.600 --> 00:33:23.299 It is by grace that I am saved 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:25.000 and raised me up with Christ 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.500 and seated me with Christ 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.980 in the heavenly places 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:29.860 so that in the coming ages 00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:32.519 he might show the immeasurable riches 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:35.259 of his grace and his kindness towards me, 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:37.459 making me a trophy of his grace. 00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:40.059 And this is all by grace, 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.699 not by works, 00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:43.459 so that no one can boast 00:33:43.459 --> 00:33:45.059 through simple faith 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:46.419 that God, 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.659 that I might walk 00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:49.939 in the plans that God may have me. 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.899 Friends, 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:54.299 this week you preach that message to your heart. 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:56.000 And when you feel like, 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:57.419 surely God doesn't love me 00:33:57.419 --> 00:33:59.779 and God must be disappointed with me, 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:02.579 you preach to yourself the riches 00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:04.199 and you flood your heart 00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:06.079 with the riches of his grace. 00:34:07.179 --> 00:34:08.339 So believe it. 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:11.759 Here's a third way we can respond. 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:15.579 Beware of self-righteousness 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:17.299 or judgmentalism. 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:19.319 Friends, how do we know 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:21.480 that we truly understand the grace of God? 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.420 Well, one of the ways 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:25.139 is that we can't stand 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.659 self-righteousness 00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:28.400 and self-sufficiency 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:30.260 and judgmentalism. 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:31.679 You know, 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:33.300 Jesus has pretty strong words 00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:34.219 for the Pharisees 00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:35.219 and the religious leaders. 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:36.000 And you know why? 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.539 It's not because 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:39.300 they didn't have their Bible reading 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:40.240 or their devotions. 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:41.740 It's not because 00:34:41.740 --> 00:34:43.480 they didn't follow the rules. 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.880 They knew the rules. 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:47.599 It's because of their self-sufficiency 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:49.300 and their self-righteousness. 00:34:50.700 --> 00:34:51.039 Friends, 00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:54.500 Ephesians 2 is meant to vaporize 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.599 any sense of self-righteousness 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:57.140 and self-confidence. 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:59.140 How can those of us 00:34:59.140 --> 00:34:59.599 that are recipients 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:02.780 of this incredible grace and mercy 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:04.820 then be self-righteous 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.579 and self-sufficient 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.400 to those of us 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.980 that are still struggling around us? 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:09.640 And so, 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.980 when in our hearts 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:12.220 we feel that sense 00:35:12.219 --> 00:35:13.259 of looking down 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:14.519 on our nose at others, 00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:16.379 let's just remember 00:35:16.379 --> 00:35:17.679 the great mercy 00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:18.859 and kindness of God 00:35:18.859 --> 00:35:21.779 that I was an object of wrath. 00:35:22.319 --> 00:35:24.119 I was dead in my sins. 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.899 I was following 00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:26.839 the ways of this world 00:35:26.839 --> 00:35:28.699 and God in His grace 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:30.500 rescued me 00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:31.299 and redeemed me 00:35:31.299 --> 00:35:32.659 and let me extend 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.179 that grace 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:34.179 to those around me. 00:35:37.319 --> 00:35:38.339 Ephesians is going to 00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:39.679 again and again and again 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.779 wash us with this. 00:35:40.899 --> 00:35:42.079 As you have received 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:42.440 grace, 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.319 so extend grace 00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:43.819 to one another. 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.420 And then the last thing 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:45.840 is this, 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:47.779 make sure you're in Christ. 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.099 Friends, 00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:50.759 this is unbelievable 00:35:50.759 --> 00:35:51.619 good news 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:53.519 but it's only good news 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.639 for those that are in Christ. 00:35:54.779 --> 00:35:55.779 Are you in Christ today? 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.199 Friends, 00:35:57.239 --> 00:35:57.920 are you still dead 00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:58.460 in your sins? 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.340 Are you still a slave 00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:01.460 to the ways of this world? 00:36:02.319 --> 00:36:03.500 Slave to your own desires? 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.059 Friends, 00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:05.460 are you just, 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.779 you think you're free 00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:07.259 but actually 00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:08.400 you can't help yourself? 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:09.719 Friends, 00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:10.679 are you in Christ? 00:36:10.679 --> 00:36:10.799 Christ, 00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:12.839 have you come to Christ 00:36:12.839 --> 00:36:14.019 in simple faith 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.699 and repentance? 00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.940 Ask Him to save you, 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:18.219 ask Him to redeem you, 00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:20.159 ask you to make you alive 00:36:20.159 --> 00:36:20.799 in Christ? 00:36:21.799 --> 00:36:22.419 Dear friends, 00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.179 come to Jesus, 00:36:23.339 --> 00:36:24.539 come and surrender to Him, 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:26.759 come and put all your weight 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:27.219 on Him. 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:29.579 Come put all your trust 00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:29.899 in Him. 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:32.039 Abandon your self-sufficiency 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.579 and come to Jesus. 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:34.739 Come make Him your Lord, 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:36.359 come make Him your King, 00:36:36.839 --> 00:36:38.199 come and bow down to Him, 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.099 come and say, 00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.519 Jesus, 00:36:39.719 --> 00:36:41.479 have your way in my life. 00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:42.839 Friends, 00:36:42.899 --> 00:36:43.939 Ephesians 1 starts off 00:36:43.939 --> 00:36:44.239 and says, 00:36:44.399 --> 00:36:45.339 Praise be to God 00:36:45.339 --> 00:36:46.139 and Father of our Lord 00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:46.719 Jesus Christ. 00:36:46.859 --> 00:36:48.539 All these spiritual blessings 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.339 are for those 00:36:49.339 --> 00:36:50.779 who are in Christ. 00:36:51.479 --> 00:36:52.379 Let's come to Him 00:36:52.379 --> 00:36:53.179 now. 00:36:53.939 --> 00:36:54.179 Friends, 00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:55.579 what mankind is by nature 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:57.099 is infinitely more depressing 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:58.239 than what you could think. 00:36:58.239 --> 00:37:01.099 But what mankind can be by grace 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:03.279 is infinitely more wonderful 00:37:03.279 --> 00:37:04.259 than you could hope 00:37:04.259 --> 00:37:05.319 or imagine. 00:37:05.899 --> 00:37:06.899 Let's come to Him 00:37:06.899 --> 00:37:08.459 and rely on His grace. 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.859 Let's pray together. 00:37:10.879 --> 00:37:12.119 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:15.219 this morning we have not even begun 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:16.719 to scratch the surface 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:18.419 of the riches of Your grace. 00:37:19.259 --> 00:37:21.119 Last week we heard about 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:22.579 the immeasurable greatness 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.639 of Your power 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:25.500 raising Christ from the dead. 00:37:26.359 --> 00:37:28.019 God, this morning You've washed us 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:29.380 with the immeasurable greatness 00:37:29.380 --> 00:37:30.420 of Your grace 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:32.079 towards rebels like us. 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.139 Jesus, 00:37:33.239 --> 00:37:35.000 I pray for each one of us individually 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:36.500 and I pray for us as a church 00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:38.440 that this will be our anthem, 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:41.039 this will be the song of our hearts, 00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:41.940 that God, 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:43.139 when we feel condemned, 00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:44.519 when we feel without hope, 00:37:44.860 --> 00:37:47.119 when we feel like the world around us 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:48.059 is falling apart, 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:49.719 God, may You remind us 00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:51.880 that there is hope 00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:53.000 for those that are in Christ. 00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:55.940 God, for those of us this morning 00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:57.199 that come and feel like 00:37:57.199 --> 00:37:59.059 how could God ever love me? 00:38:00.059 --> 00:38:02.000 Those of us that doubt God's assurance, 00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:05.179 that doubt the goodness of God, 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.819 Father, I pray, 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:08.379 open the eyes of our hearts 00:38:08.379 --> 00:38:09.579 that we may see 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:11.659 the riches of Your grace. 00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:14.500 We pray this in Your wonderful name. 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.719 Amen.