WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:06.339 We're going to begin our worship this morning, and we're going to sing to God's praise in 00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:07.160 Psalm 100. 00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:11.720 This is in the Scottish Psalter, page 362. 00:00:16.100 --> 00:00:18.160 We'll sing to the tune, the Old 100th. 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:22.400 This is the first version, the long meter version. 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:27.740 All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice, him serve with 00:00:27.739 --> 00:00:33.179 mirth, his praise forth tell, come ye before him and rejoice. 00:00:35.060 --> 00:00:36.099 Let's worship God. 00:00:36.099 --> 00:00:57.019 All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. 00:00:57.020 --> 00:01:14.020 Then serve with earth his praise for tell, come ye before him and rejoice. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:23.019 All that the Lord is God indeed. 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:40.019 We are his love, he does not speak. 00:01:40.019 --> 00:01:49.019 And for his sheep he doth stay. 00:01:49.019 --> 00:01:51.019 All the Lord. 00:01:51.019 --> 00:02:07.500 All enter in his gates with base, approach resg shock his corpse and too. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:16.520 Praise God and bless His name always, 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:25.500 for it is simply so to do. 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:34.580 For while the Lord our God is true, 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:43.360 His mercy is forever sure, 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:51.920 His truth that all times serve me soon, 00:02:51.919 --> 00:03:00.379 and shall promise to each end you. 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:09.639 Let's call on God's name in prayer. 00:03:15.079 --> 00:03:16.819 Our Father in heaven, 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:21.159 we have today every possible reason 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:26.479 to come and to sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:33.620 We seek today to adore and glorify You 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:36.419 for Your mercy and Your goodness 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:40.319 and Your abundant grace towards us. 00:03:41.519 --> 00:03:44.539 We see it, Lord, in the world that You have created, 00:03:45.300 --> 00:03:48.919 ample provision being made for us, Your creatures, 00:03:48.919 --> 00:03:54.739 enabling us to live and breathe day by day, 00:03:55.299 --> 00:04:00.639 to pursue great and wonderful things in our lives, 00:04:01.299 --> 00:04:04.739 the greatest of which is Your worship, 00:04:05.459 --> 00:04:06.899 magnifying Your holy name. 00:04:08.060 --> 00:04:11.179 And so today we would seek to glorify You as You deserve. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:13.879 As we give You the praise of our lips, 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:16.340 may we also worship with our hearts 00:04:16.340 --> 00:04:19.660 and with our minds engaged in what we are doing. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:22.139 We pray that You would free us today 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:24.879 from any semblance or appearance 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:28.680 of merely going through the motions of Christian worship, 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:32.819 but that today we would worship You in spirit and in truth. 00:04:34.819 --> 00:04:38.340 As we say, that our hearts would be engaged with true devotion, 00:04:39.340 --> 00:04:42.060 our minds engaged with a desire to understand 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:45.079 and know the God whom we worship and love. 00:04:46.660 --> 00:04:49.420 We ask today, Father, that You would forgive us for our sins. 00:04:49.420 --> 00:04:53.180 We come before You confessing that our sins are many, 00:04:54.080 --> 00:04:56.660 and yet we know we have an abundant grace in God. 00:04:58.140 --> 00:05:00.620 And so today I pray, Father, especially for anyone here 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:02.319 who is in the midst of great despair, 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:05.800 who thinks that perhaps their sins are too much, 00:05:07.080 --> 00:05:10.319 who perhaps today imagines that there is no way back for them. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:15.180 May You today speak into each one of our hearts and lives, 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:19.459 assuring us of the great forgiveness that is available through Jesus Christ 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:21.660 and helping us to know Him 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:24.439 in the abundance of His grace towards us. 00:05:25.819 --> 00:05:27.680 And so bless us in our time of worship today. 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:31.180 Receive our thanks as we meet with You 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:36.180 and free us from all external concerns 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:38.980 that would distract us from the truth of God. 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.660 Bless us this day, we pray, in Jesus' name. 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:43.680 Amen. 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:48.340 Now, boys and girls, this morning, 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:53.360 I have brought with me another item from our house, 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:56.120 which at times looks like a building site, 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:59.660 because we're in the middle of doing up our house just now. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.720 And one of the things that we are doing is painting, 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:07.340 and painting means you have to make choices. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:12.319 So when you're deciding what color you want the walls of your house to be, 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:16.579 like your bedroom walls or your living room walls or your kitchen walls 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:18.939 or the walls in the hall or the walls in the toilet, 00:06:19.159 --> 00:06:20.740 all of them need to have paint on them, 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:22.939 what you get are these things. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:24.180 I don't know if you've seen them before. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:25.540 This is a little test. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:27.079 It's called a tester roller. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:34.439 I have to be careful because Roddy won't be happy with me if I spill paint all over the pulpit today. 00:06:34.599 --> 00:06:35.359 So I have to be careful. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:39.199 But this is a paint tester, and what you do is you squeeze it, 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:42.080 and some paint comes out of the thing down here, 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:43.720 and then it goes on to the roller, 00:06:44.020 --> 00:06:48.280 and then you roll your little bit of paint on the wall of your room. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:52.080 And you can get maybe five or six of these that are different colors, 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:54.040 and you'll decide and you'll say, 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:58.140 that's the color that we want for this room. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:01.060 But when you look at it, it's a tiny little brush, 00:07:01.780 --> 00:07:04.640 and if you were going to paint your whole room with a brush like this, 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:06.840 it would take forever, 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:09.620 because this little brush only does about that much space. 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:12.400 You can just imagine if your whole wall is like a whole room, 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:13.759 it would take forever to paint with one of these. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:16.140 So you need to get a bigger brush with the real paint. 00:07:16.140 --> 00:07:17.879 But this means you can just do a little tester patch, 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:19.680 and you can see what it's like. 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:21.320 So they're a wonderful little thing. 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:25.060 And that got me thinking a little bit this morning about paint, 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:30.120 because what we do with paint is we cover up what's there before. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:33.180 So when you go into one of the rooms in our house, 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:36.540 it's one of the front bedrooms in the house downstairs, 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:42.480 and for some reason, the original paint is still on that wall. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:44.759 It was underneath all the wallpaper. 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:47.000 So when we stripped all the wallpaper off, 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:49.600 we found the original paint still there, 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:56.680 and that original paint is the brightest lime green you can ever imagine. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:05.480 And it's going to take a lot of coats to cover up the bright lime green paint that's on this wall. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:08.320 And it got me thinking a little bit, 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:10.700 because a lot of the time in our lives, that's what we kind of do. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:13.439 We say to ourselves, 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:22.519 I'm just going to be good enough to cover up all of the lime green sins, 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:26.259 and all of the lime green terrible bad things that I do, 00:08:26.599 --> 00:08:30.279 all of the times that I'm disobedient to my mom or dad, 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:34.759 all of the times that I'm angry in school, 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:41.039 all of the times that I shout at my brother or my sister unfairly, 00:08:41.819 --> 00:08:43.740 all of the bad things that we do, 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:45.080 we think to ourselves, 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.139 I can just cover them up, 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:49.559 and I'll be okay. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:54.080 If I can just cover up all the bad things enough, 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:56.480 then everything will be all right. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.920 And so we think to ourselves, 00:08:58.080 --> 00:08:59.840 if I'm just good enough, 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:02.800 all the bad things will be covered up. 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:05.240 And it's like trying to say to ourselves, 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:07.060 if only I had enough paint 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:10.820 to cover up the lime green, 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.820 and I'll just do lots and lots of good things, 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:17.960 and then when God looks at me, 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:20.960 he won't see the bad things. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:23.159 We say to ourselves, 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:25.899 God will see the good things that I've done. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:28.840 And that's what we do in our lives. 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:30.220 We try and cover up 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:33.200 all of the bad, naughty things that we do, 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:35.800 but it doesn't change 00:09:35.800 --> 00:09:37.899 the fact that underneath, 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:42.560 our hearts are like the walls in that bedroom in our house. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:45.879 You can cover them with as much paint as you like, 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:49.980 but the lime green is still going to be there. 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:55.860 And I think that's one of the most important lessons we can learn. 00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:00.220 And we can try as hard as we like 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:04.139 to cover up all of the bad things that we've done, 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:07.019 but what we really need 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:10.920 is for something really special to happen. 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:14.139 And that is for God 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:18.059 to come in and change what's there. 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:23.059 And so what God does 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:24.599 when we come to believe in Jesus, 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:26.079 when we come to Christ, 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:28.620 and we put our faith in him, 00:10:28.659 --> 00:10:30.000 when we trust in Jesus 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:32.439 to save us, 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:35.380 and one of the things that God does 00:10:35.380 --> 00:10:36.900 is he covers us 00:10:36.900 --> 00:10:39.160 with Jesus. 00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:42.980 And that's because when Jesus comes, 00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:45.280 he doesn't just change what's on the outside in our lives, 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:46.920 he changes the inside as well. 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:50.620 Transforms that lime green paint 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:52.480 of our sinful lives 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:54.379 and makes us 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:56.000 totally good 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:58.000 in God's eyes. 00:10:58.100 --> 00:10:59.240 So when God sees us, 00:10:59.300 --> 00:10:59.940 if we're believers, 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.860 if we love Jesus, 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.180 when God sees us, 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:06.960 he doesn't see the lime green paint at all. 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:08.000 Even when he looks inside, 00:11:08.420 --> 00:11:09.259 he doesn't see 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.779 the old person. 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.980 He sees someone as perfect 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:15.620 as his son, 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:16.940 Jesus Christ. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:20.180 And so what's so much better 00:11:20.180 --> 00:11:21.940 than having to change the, 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:24.380 or rather paint over the paint that's there, 00:11:24.680 --> 00:11:26.580 to change the color of it on the outside, 00:11:27.400 --> 00:11:28.300 what we really need 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:30.080 is someone who can change the inside, 00:11:31.300 --> 00:11:33.520 get rid of the original lime green entirely, 00:11:34.380 --> 00:11:35.980 and just make us perfect 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.460 in God's sight. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.880 And that's what we're going to think 00:11:39.880 --> 00:11:41.240 a wee bit about today in the sermon, 00:11:41.900 --> 00:11:45.400 about how God changes our hearts 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:48.759 and perfectly converts us, 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:50.500 transforms us, 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:52.079 makes us completely different 00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:54.000 so that we can be seen 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.019 like Jesus has seen. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.819 Just perfect 00:11:58.819 --> 00:12:00.279 in God's eyes. 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.539 Let's say the Lord's Prayer 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.279 just now together. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.419 Our Father in heaven, 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.939 hallowed be your name. 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:11.879 Your kingdom come, 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:14.319 your will be done on earth 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:15.840 as it is in heaven. 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.740 Give us this day 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.700 our daily bread, 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:21.060 and forgive us our debts 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:23.420 as we forgive our debtors. 00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:25.860 And lead us not into temptation, 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:28.180 but deliver us from evil. 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:30.060 For yours is the kingdom, 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:31.260 the power, 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.800 and the glory forever. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:33.980 Amen. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.540 Amen. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.140 We're going to sing again 00:12:37.140 --> 00:12:37.920 to God's praise 00:12:37.920 --> 00:12:39.420 in Psalm 32, 00:12:40.260 --> 00:12:41.140 this time in the 00:12:41.140 --> 00:12:42.640 Sing Psalms version, 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.679 page 38. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:00.120 And this is a psalm 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.080 that talks about 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:01.720 how good it is 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.080 to receive that forgiveness 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:03.819 of our sins. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.059 And so we're going to sing 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:05.580 from the beginning 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:06.480 through to verse 7, 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.159 how blessed 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.899 the one who has received 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:10.019 forgiveness for his sins, 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.259 whose sins are covered 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.360 from God's face, 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:14.039 whose debt is cancelled 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.360 in God's grace. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:17.299 There's no deceit in him. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.659 There's nothing flawed inside 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.980 because God has changed 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.000 his heart. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:22.840 So we're going to sing 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:23.679 verses 1 to 7 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.299 to God's praise. 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:25.299 How blessed the one 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:26.960 who has received forgiveness 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.200 for his sins. 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.139 Please stand if you're able. 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:33.100 Because God has received forgiveness 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:35.240 for his sins, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.139 whose sins are covered 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:39.559 from those kings 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.559 description, 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:42.000 however, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.059 losing your sins 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:44.000 andージг shall be 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.500 for God's work! 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:44.899 How blessed the one 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.139 who has received forgiveness 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.519 for his sins, 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:47.600 who has performed 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:47.639 for their sins, 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:48.539 who has failed 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:50.279 for his sins, 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:51.659 whose sins are covered 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:55.200 from those kings, 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.679 whose sins are covered 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:57.399 but their sins doGod's answer 00:13:57.399 --> 00:14:05.799 Whose debt is canceled, in rose-glaze, 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:13.059 There's no deceit in air. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:22.419 When I can silent all thy voice, 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:29.419 With glory dwell for now. 00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:38.419 In England I felt and dropped, 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:47.419 Both day and night my strength was set, 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:54.419 As in a summer's night. 00:14:54.419 --> 00:15:02.419 Then I may bear my sin to you, 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:09.419 The guilt that lived within. 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:18.419 I said, O Lord, I can't resist, 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:27.419 And you forgive when I confess, 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:34.419 You pardoned all my sin. 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:43.419 So let the Godly pray to you, 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:50.419 While you are to be found, 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:59.419 Surely when waves are sweeping past, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:07.419 And mighty waters rising past, 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:14.419 You keep them safe and sound. 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:23.419 You are my hiding place, O Lord, 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:29.419 My true security. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:39.419 You keep me safe and troubled days, 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:47.419 You circle me with joyful praise, 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:54.419 When you have set me free. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:17:03.419 Please turn with me in your Bibles this morning, 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:07.420 To read in Paul's letter to the Romans. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:14.420 I think this will be around about page 1131 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.420 In the church Bible. 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:20.420 Romans chapter 1. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:33.420 Romans chapter 1. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:36.420 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:39.420 Called to be an apostle, 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:42.420 Set apart for the gospel of God, 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:45.420 Which he promised beforehand through his prophets 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:47.420 In the holy scriptures, 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:49.420 Concerning his son, 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:52.420 Who was descended from David according to the flesh, 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:55.420 And was declared to be the son of God in power, 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:58.420 According to the spirit of holiness, 00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:00.420 By his resurrection from the dead, 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:03.420 Jesus Christ our Lord, 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:07.420 Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:09.420 To bring about the obedience of faith, 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:13.420 For the sake of his name among all the nations, 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:18.420 Including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:20.420 To all those in Rome who are loved by God, 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:22.420 And called to be saints, 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:24.420 Grace to you and peace, 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:26.420 From God our Father, 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:28.420 And the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:33.420 Firstly, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:38.420 Because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:40.420 For God is my witness, 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:42.420 Whom I serve with my spirit, 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:44.420 In the gospel of his son, 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:48.420 That without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:50.420 Asking that somehow by God's will, 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:54.420 I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:56.420 For I long to see you, 00:18:56.420 --> 00:19:00.420 That I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:05.420 That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:07.420 Both yours and mine. 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.420 I want you to know, brothers, 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:11.420 That I have often intended to come to you, 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:13.420 But thus far have been prevented, 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:16.420 In order that I may reap some harvest among you, 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:19.420 As well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:24.420 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:26.420 Both to the wise and to the foolish. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:30.420 And so I am eager to preach the gospel to you also, 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:33.420 Who are in Rome. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:35.420 Amen. 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:37.420 This is God's word to us. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:41.420 We will come back to this passage in just a little while. 00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:45.420 Let's bow our heads then once more in prayer to God. 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:53.420 Our God and our Father, 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:55.420 We bow before you today. 00:19:55.420 --> 00:20:03.420 We seek to have the same spirit of rejoicing that Paul had, 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:07.420 When he says that he has been set apart for the gospel. 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:13.420 Help us to know today that the wonder of what it means, 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:18.420 To be in the very epicenter of your grace and purpose. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:22.420 You have ordained for us to be here today. 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:26.420 You've made it possible for us to be here today. 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:29.420 And in a world filled with strife, 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:32.420 And in a world filled with distractions, 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:34.420 And a world filled with busyness, 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:38.420 Where so many things could easily intrude into our lives. 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:42.420 You've brought us to this point today, 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.420 Where we're gathered for worship, 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:48.420 Where we're gathered for fellowship to encourage one another. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:52.420 You've brought us to a place today where we can hear the gospel. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:56.420 You've brought us to a place where prayer is made. 00:20:56.420 --> 00:21:01.420 Where we can intercede for our community, 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:05.420 For our families, for the town, for the island, our nation, and the whole world. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:11.420 So help us, Lord, to see the enormous significance 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.420 In what we are doing this morning. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:17.420 We're here because you care, 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:19.420 Not only about us, 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:22.420 But you care about the people, 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:24.420 And the things that concern us. 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:28.420 You want us today to intercede for these people. 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:32.420 You want your church on earth to be a praying church. 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:36.420 A church that is concerned for the world around it. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:40.420 In order that we may be salt and light within it. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:45.420 And so help us today to know that because you have that concern, 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:48.420 Help us therefore to pray with boldness and confidence. 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:53.420 That when we pray for your blessing in the lives, 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:55.420 Not only of this congregation, 00:21:55.420 --> 00:22:00.420 But in the lives of our town, our families, our friendships, 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:05.420 In the life of our nation, and to the ends of the earth. 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:07.420 Help us to know today that we are praying to a God 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:11.420 Who has ordained that we should pray for these things today. 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:18.420 And who is powerful to bring answers to the prayers of his people. 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:22.420 We want to pray today, Father, for this church. 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:26.420 We want to pray for it in all of its particular needs, 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:28.420 As a gathering of your people. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:32.420 And you know, Lord, the troubles and the sorrows that each one of us bear. 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:35.420 You know what we are carrying as we came to church today. 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:39.420 You know what struggles we have already had this morning in order to get here. 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:41.420 And we lift all of these things up before you today. 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:44.420 And we pray, Father, that you would bless us. 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:50.420 We know that so often our strength is insufficient for the things that we face. 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:57.420 And so we pray that you would make us men and women who are dependent on an almighty God. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:23:02.420 Help us to learn what it is to know that your strength is made perfect in our weakness. 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:06.420 And to discover the sufficiency of your great grace. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:12.420 Lord, we want to pray today for particular needs that people may have. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.420 We pray for the sick. 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:17.420 For those who are struggling through various kinds of illness just now. 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:21.420 And we ask that you would bring healing and help. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:25.420 We pray for those, Lord, who are struggling through the experience of old age. 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:30.420 And who know that perhaps difficult and increasingly difficult years may lie ahead. 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:36.420 And we pray that you would give endurance in the face of suffering. 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:41.420 In all of this, Lord, we ask and pray that you would give us a spirit of joy. 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:46.420 To know that our joy is not rooted in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:50.420 But our joy is rooted in the person who is with us. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:54.420 You've given us yourself. 00:23:55.420 --> 00:24:01.420 And so may we today find true joy in knowing your fellowship in all of our circumstances. 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:06.420 Whether it's in time of plenty or in times of want. 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:10.420 Whether it's in times of health or in times of illness. 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:14.420 Whether it's in times of joy or sorrow. 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:17.420 May we know the presence of God. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:21.420 And may we be encouraged and built up through that. 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:25.420 May we pray, Father, for our town, for our community here on the island. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:30.420 We pray for an awareness of the gospel to grow in this place. 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:37.420 May men and women, boys and girls, come to know the great mercy that is available in Jesus. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:41.420 There are so many people around us, Lord, today who are full of despair. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:44.420 People who do not know that salvation is even possible. 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:48.420 People who are limping through life. 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:54.420 Because of the overwhelming burden of this broken reality in which we live. 00:24:54.420 --> 00:25:01.420 And we ask, Father, that you would bring into the experience of these people an abundance of mercy. 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:05.420 We pray that you would do this by raising up people like us. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:08.420 People who will know the Lord. 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:14.420 And who will therefore be bold to share the good news of Jesus with those around about us. 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:20.420 Give to us confidence, therefore, to talk of Christ in our lives day by day. 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:25.420 Help us to live out the reality of salvation in Jesus. 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:29.420 That we would be gracious in how we interact with others as well. 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:33.420 We pray for the great needs of our community at this time. 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:36.420 Lord, we know there is so much uncertainty in people's lives. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:38.420 There is uncertainty around jobs and employment. 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:42.420 We ask and pray, Father, that in all of this you would be gracious to us. 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.420 That you would provide for us. 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:49.420 We pray, Father, for those who are working in particularly difficult sectors 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.420 in our community. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:54.420 Those particularly who deal with substance abuse. 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:59.420 Those who are working with people struggling through alcoholism, drug addiction. 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:03.420 Those who are working with young people whose lives are full of trouble. 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:11.420 And we ask and pray, Lord, that you would be gracious and help those dealing with these particular societal ills. 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:14.420 That you would give wisdom to them. 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:16.420 We pray for our leaders. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:21.420 We pray for those elected to represent us in the council, in parliament. 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:23.420 We ask and pray your blessing on them. 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:26.420 Give them wisdom for the decisions that have to be made. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:29.420 We know, Lord, there are always difficult choices to be made. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:32.420 And so we pray that you would give them boldness. 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:37.420 As they would seek to stand up for the plight of our communities in particular. 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.420 Bless our nation. 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:41.420 Bless us with wise leaders. 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:46.420 Bless us with people who will help and do justice. 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:51.420 People who will grant abundant mercy where it is needed. 00:26:52.420 --> 00:27:02.420 People who will wield the sword of responsibility with clarity, with fairness. 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:05.420 Help us with people who will not abuse the power that they have been given. 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:12.420 Help us to be a light of hope in a dark world. 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:24.420 Help us to be a place where the way of God's pattern of justice is what informs and guides our politicians. 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:31.420 So we want to pray today for those who are seeking to uphold the truth in our nation. 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:38.420 We want to pray especially for organizations like CARE, the Christian Institute. 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:46.420 Others who would seek to promote a biblical worldview in our parliaments, in our society. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:55.420 May their voice be heard in the midst of such a clamor of opinion amongst our leaders. 00:27:56.420 --> 00:28:04.420 So often, Lord, what happens in our nation, we know it's the result of choosing to pursue the wisdom of men. 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:07.420 Whether it's focus groups or anything else. 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:12.420 And we pray, Father, that into this, the voice of righteousness and wisdom would be heard in the streets. 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:17.420 We pray for our world, Lord, today. 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:20.420 We know how dark a world it is. 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:22.420 We've seen it over recent weeks. 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:31.420 With the increasing complexity and violence in the Middle East. 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:38.420 We see it continuing in Ukraine and the war there on our borders in Europe. 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:45.420 We see it, Father, in the conflicts that spread through parts of Africa and particularly in Sudan. 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:51.420 We ask and pray, Father, that in all of these places, that you would remember your people. 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:54.420 That you would remember the witness of the saints. 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:59.420 To be voices that long for peace and reconciliation. 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:03.420 Lord, that's what we long for above all. 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:04.420 We long simply for peace. 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:10.420 But we know as we look at these situations that peace has to be matched with justice. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:15.420 And so we long for a day of Christ's power. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:21.420 When he comes, then there will be peace. 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:24.420 When he comes, there will be justice. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:31.420 And so we pray, Father, that the appearing of Jesus would come. 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:37.420 As the book of Revelation closes, we pray, Father, even so, come, Lord Jesus. 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:41.420 This world is so full of sorrow. 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:47.420 That we echo the groaning of the world as it waits for the appearance of the saints. 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:53.420 That we would see an end to the unimaginable suffering of millions upon millions of people. 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:58.420 And so, Father, we long for a day of justice. 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:00.420 A day of power. 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:04.420 And in the waiting, we long for grace. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:09.420 We long for grace to flow through the witness of the church. 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:14.420 That into all of these places where there is real darkness because of violence and conflict. 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:19.420 We know as well there is a spiritual darkness that runs into the hearts of men and women and boys and girls. 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:28.420 And as we long, Lord, for peace, for an end to these conflicts, may we long more for the appearance of salvation for these people. 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:33.420 The salvation for those on the battlefield. 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:36.420 The salvation of those displaced refugees. 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:38.420 The salvation of combatants. 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:41.420 The salvation of bystanders. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.420 The salvation of all, Lord. 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:45.420 We long for the work of the gospel. 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:49.420 To go forth unfettered in these places. 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:56.420 And so, may you send forth and raise up workers for this vineyard. 00:30:58.420 --> 00:31:01.420 We long, Lord, for the appearance of the gospel. 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:05.420 And may that be our heart's desire this day. 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:08.420 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.420 Amen. 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:19.420 We're going to sing again to God's praise in Psalm 63. 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:29.420 This is in the Sing Psalms version again, page 80. 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:32.420 We're going to sing to the tune, Werum. 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:35.420 Verses 4 to 8. 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.420 Just three stanzas. 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:40.420 I'll bless you, Lord, throughout my life. 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:42.420 And raise my hands to you in prayer. 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:45.420 My joyful lips will sing your praise. 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:48.420 My soul is fed with richest fear. 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:52.420 Upon my bed I lie awake and in my thoughts remember you. 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:57.420 I meditate throughout the night and keep your constant love in view. 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.420 Because you are my help alone. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:02.420 In shadow of your wings I'll sing. 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:05.279 You hold me up with your right hand. 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:09.420 To you, O God, my soul will cling. 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:13.420 Let's remember God's, the words of this psalm, God's constant love. 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:17.420 The idea there in Hebrews is the same as the word we're going to be thinking about today. 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.420 God's grace. 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:25.420 It's that flowing, abundant, joyful mercy that God extends to us continually. 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:27.420 And so let's sing to his praise. 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:29.420 I bless you, Lord, throughout my life. 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.420 I bless you, Lord, throughout my life. 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:32.420 I'll bless you, Lord, throughout my life. 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:49.420 And raise my hands to you in prayer. 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:58.420 My joy, who lives, will sing your praise. 00:32:58.420 --> 00:33:07.420 My soul is fed with richest fear. 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:25.420 Upon my bed I lie awake and in my thoughts remember you. 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:32.420 I meditate throughout the night. 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:43.420 And keep your constant love in view. 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:52.420 If pause to lie, my help alone. 00:33:52.420 --> 00:34:00.420 In shadow of your wings I'll sing. 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:09.420 You hold me up with your right hand. 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:19.420 To you, O God, my soul will cling. 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:40.420 And please turn with me in your Bibles back to Romans chapter 1. 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:45.420 That's right. 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:56.420 And look at verse 5 of this chapter. 00:34:56.420 --> 00:35:11.420 Through Jesus, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Jesus, we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among the nations. 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:18.420 Including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:23.420 Let's just bow in prayer for a moment. 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:41.420 Heavenly Father, as we take some time this morning to think about your abundant grace, help us to remember that as Paul writes in this verse, that includes us. 00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:48.420 That this morning, your abundant grace extends to us. 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:58.420 That this verse is for people like us who are going through all of the things that we are going through. 00:35:58.420 --> 00:36:01.420 That you care about each one of us. 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.420 That you care about each one of us. 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:07.420 In that particular love with which you have for us. 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:15.420 And so help us today, Father, to see that our receiving grace. 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:18.420 And our reflecting grace. 00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:19.420 Our giving grace. 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.420 Our showing grace. 00:36:20.420 --> 00:36:23.420 Our grace is all part of your purpose for us. 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:28.420 And we ask this in Jesus' name. 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:29.420 Amen. 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.420 Amen. 00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:31.420 Amen. 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.420 Amen. 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.420 Amen. 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:43.420 I wonder just how casually we use the word grace or how we think about what grace is. 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:48.420 I certainly think myself from my own youth. 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:53.420 We would always say grace before a meal. 00:36:53.420 --> 00:37:03.420 We would give thanks to God and we would ask his blessing on the food that we were about to receive. 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:13.420 We think about grace in terms of the special privileges that belong to some people. 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:20.420 That there is a way of referring to nobility as your grace. 00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:24.420 Someone who has an elevated status. 00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:29.420 I mean, well, grace certainly belongs to people who are in a privileged position. 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:35.420 But this passage today that we are looking at, this verse that we are thinking about today, 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:38.420 is one where Paul is pretty clear. 00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:42.420 Grace is not merely about what you say just before you eat your food. 00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:49.420 And grace is not something referred to specifically for a certain category of people. 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:57.420 He talks about having received grace in order to bring about this thing called the obedience of faith. 00:37:57.420 --> 00:37:59.420 So grace is for something. 00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:04.420 And that purpose extends to those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:09.420 So everyone who belongs to Jesus today, and I would hope that's everyone here. 00:38:09.420 --> 00:38:10.420 That would be my desire. 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:13.420 That all of us here today would belong to Jesus. 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:15.420 That we've come to him in faith. 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:23.420 That for all of us, receiving this same grace that Paul is talking about is really important. 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:26.420 And so I wanted today to think about grace. 00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:33.420 The root word simply means in Greek, actually, the word means to rejoice. 00:38:33.420 --> 00:38:38.420 That's what the basic idea behind this word is. 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:40.420 A rejoicing taking place. 00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:45.420 A joyful experience that comes into someone's life. 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:54.420 And so today, what we want to think about is how that experience of joy, where it comes from, what the origin of it is. 00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:57.420 We want to think about what its nature is. 00:38:57.420 --> 00:39:00.420 What exactly is this thing called grace? 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:03.420 What effect it has on our lives? 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:07.420 What happens to us when we receive grace? 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:14.420 And ultimately, what the goal and purpose of this grace really is. 00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:17.420 To begin with then, to think about the origin of grace. 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:24.420 Paul writes here very clearly, tells us through Jesus, we have, he says, received grace. 00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:29.420 We need to get the context in this letter right. 00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:31.420 This is just the beginning of this letter. 00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:35.420 It's a letter in which Paul talks about grace an awful lot, in fact. 00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:38.420 And there's only, well not only, but it's one of the common words in the New Testament. 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:40.420 It's used about a hundred times in the whole New Testament. 00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:45.420 A quarter of the uses of the word grace in the New Testament are here in the letter to the Romans. 00:39:45.420 --> 00:39:50.420 So grace is a central theme to this letter, as much as a theme to the New Testament and to the Bible. 00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:52.420 Paul thinks it's really important. 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:55.420 It's right here in the introduction to his letter. 00:39:55.420 --> 00:39:57.420 These Christians receive grace. 00:39:57.420 --> 00:40:00.420 And Paul's talked about his calling and his consecration. 00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:04.420 He's been set apart, he says, for the gospel of God. 00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:11.420 For the good news about Jesus coming into the lives of men and women. 00:40:11.420 --> 00:40:17.420 He's been set apart for this proclamation of this good news, which is the gospel of God, which was promised beforehand, 00:40:17.420 --> 00:40:22.420 which God had effectively given a promise to right the way back in the very beginning. 00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:25.420 I was talking to the kids this morning about having a covering. 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:30.420 The thought came to me, in fact, this morning, I was double checking it, but the word covering is there. 00:40:30.420 --> 00:40:32.420 Right in the very beginning of the story of humanity. 00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:36.420 After the fall, Adam and Eve are driven out of the Garden of Eden. 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:41.420 They've tried to cover themselves with fig leaves, but God provides a covering for them. 00:40:41.420 --> 00:40:50.420 And so God in the gospel is providing a promise there that one day he would properly cover sin once and for all. 00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:52.420 And that comes through Jesus. 00:40:52.420 --> 00:41:01.420 This grace that we think about today includes the work of Jesus coming to cover our sin. 00:41:01.420 --> 00:41:12.420 And so today the offer is there to us right from the outset in this, that the person and the work of Jesus is for sinners. 00:41:12.420 --> 00:41:22.420 That if today you are a sinner, if today you are someone whose life is mired in rebellion against God. 00:41:23.420 --> 00:41:25.420 And that's evidenced in lots of different ways. 00:41:25.420 --> 00:41:30.420 It's perhaps sometimes seen in the wickedness that we live in. 00:41:30.420 --> 00:41:36.420 But sometimes it's seen in the attempts at righteousness that we live in, where we try to cover our own sin. 00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:41.420 Our own empty hearts are covered, we think, by our own righteousness, our own goodness. 00:41:41.420 --> 00:41:44.420 We have no interest in Christ himself for God. 00:41:44.420 --> 00:41:49.420 That rebellion against God, a covering for that is available today for us. 00:41:52.420 --> 00:42:05.420 Because this gospel, this good news is about Jesus, God's Son, who was incarnated, came into the world as the Son of David, a descendant of David. 00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:10.420 But who is proclaimed through his resurrection to be Christ, the Son of God. 00:42:10.420 --> 00:42:14.420 This Jesus has brought salvation for us. 00:42:14.420 --> 00:42:20.420 And Paul now says, abundant grace is given to us flowing through Jesus. 00:42:20.420 --> 00:42:28.420 It's through Christ that we have received grace. 00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:34.420 It originates, this thing grace, this joy. 00:42:34.420 --> 00:42:37.420 It originates with God. 00:42:40.420 --> 00:42:45.420 Through joy in the experience of men and women who are fashioned in God's image. 00:42:45.420 --> 00:42:55.420 True joy originates in our experience, not aside from God, but in fellowship with him. 00:42:56.420 --> 00:42:58.420 We know that in our experience anyway. 00:42:58.420 --> 00:43:02.420 Our deepest joys are not something that we experience by ourselves. 00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:09.420 Our deepest joys are things that we experience in fellowship with others, in partnership with people. 00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:12.420 The friendships that we have. 00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:15.420 The marriages that we have. 00:43:15.420 --> 00:43:17.420 The families that we have. 00:43:17.420 --> 00:43:23.420 The joy that we find in the joy of our parents over us throughout our lives. 00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:30.420 The joy that we find in the closeness of working with people to shared goals. 00:43:30.420 --> 00:43:36.420 The joy that we find in partnerships, in the life of the church. 00:43:36.420 --> 00:43:38.420 All of these joys. 00:43:38.420 --> 00:43:40.420 We find joy in all of these different relationships. 00:43:40.420 --> 00:43:49.420 But at the core of all of this, for us as human beings, what we're created for is to experience joy. 00:43:49.420 --> 00:43:55.420 To experience grace in relationship with God. 00:43:57.420 --> 00:44:00.420 And so for us to discover the greatest of all joy. 00:44:01.420 --> 00:44:04.420 For us to discover this thing called grace. 00:44:05.420 --> 00:44:08.420 We need to discover Christ. 00:44:08.420 --> 00:44:13.420 We need to discover where God has come to us. 00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:19.420 And where God has said, I will fix what is broken in the relationship between us. 00:44:20.420 --> 00:44:26.420 I will restore joy and harmony into the life of you and I. 00:44:27.420 --> 00:44:30.420 And so today I wonder, just to begin with. 00:44:31.420 --> 00:44:36.420 Before we get into any more thought about the nature of grace and what happens. 00:44:36.420 --> 00:44:37.420 Or what's going on with it. 00:44:37.420 --> 00:44:39.420 And how it all works. 00:44:39.420 --> 00:44:40.420 I want to ask you very simply. 00:44:40.420 --> 00:44:42.420 Have you come to Christ? 00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:47.420 And some people have an outward form of Christianity. 00:44:47.420 --> 00:44:48.420 You come to church. 00:44:51.420 --> 00:44:56.420 Some people have the morality of Christianity somehow deep ingrained within them. 00:44:56.420 --> 00:45:01.420 Their worldview is affected by the biblical teaching that they've received. 00:45:01.420 --> 00:45:05.420 That's all maybe good and I'm sure it's wonderful for society and for yourself. 00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:06.420 But do you know God? 00:45:07.420 --> 00:45:08.420 Do you know Jesus? 00:45:11.420 --> 00:45:12.420 Is Christ your friend today? 00:45:13.420 --> 00:45:16.420 Does knowing him bring you joy today? 00:45:16.420 --> 00:45:22.420 Secondly, I want to think about the nature of grace. 00:45:23.420 --> 00:45:25.420 And it's interesting the way Paul talks about that here. 00:45:25.420 --> 00:45:29.420 He talks about having received not only grace through Jesus. 00:45:29.420 --> 00:45:33.420 We have received not only grace but also apostleship. 00:45:33.420 --> 00:45:39.420 And it's really important to come and to understand the nature of grace. 00:45:39.420 --> 00:45:42.420 Looking at how these two ideas connect to one another. 00:45:42.420 --> 00:45:45.420 Grace and apostleship in this verse. 00:45:46.420 --> 00:45:47.420 Grace is not just an isolated thing. 00:45:48.420 --> 00:45:53.420 It's not just a sort of, it's not like you put, you know, salt onto your food to make it taste a little better. 00:45:53.420 --> 00:45:57.420 So the food's pretty good already and you add the salt and it makes the flavor just kind of pop. 00:45:58.420 --> 00:45:59.420 That's not what grace is. 00:45:59.420 --> 00:46:03.420 It's not something that you just add to make our lives a little bit better. 00:46:04.420 --> 00:46:08.420 It is essential, integral to our whole existence. 00:46:11.420 --> 00:46:12.420 Paul writes in Ephesians 2, he says, 00:46:13.420 --> 00:46:15.420 By grace you have been saved through faith. 00:46:16.420 --> 00:46:20.420 Our whole salvation as Christians depends on this thing. 00:46:20.420 --> 00:46:21.420 It's all about this. 00:46:21.420 --> 00:46:30.420 There's no functional life as a Christian without the grace of God operating in us and for us. 00:46:32.420 --> 00:46:37.420 And so grace is all that God has given us. 00:46:37.420 --> 00:46:39.420 All that God projects into our lives. 00:46:39.420 --> 00:46:44.420 All that God puts in there in order to transform us and renew us. 00:46:44.420 --> 00:46:48.420 To make us into images of Christ. 00:46:48.420 --> 00:46:51.420 To make us look like Jesus. 00:46:51.420 --> 00:46:55.420 Because that's what actually is happening in our salvation. 00:46:56.420 --> 00:47:02.420 Our salvation involves not merely a sort of slight improving of the person that we once were. 00:47:02.420 --> 00:47:05.420 But a radical transformation of what we are. 00:47:05.420 --> 00:47:12.420 So that we are no longer just aimless and purposeless and identity-less. 00:47:13.420 --> 00:47:15.420 Apart from ourselves. 00:47:15.420 --> 00:47:18.420 We are given a purpose. 00:47:18.420 --> 00:47:19.420 We are given a purpose. 00:47:19.420 --> 00:47:23.420 Because operating alongside grace, Paul says, is apostleship. 00:47:24.420 --> 00:47:31.420 And when Paul talks about apostleship, what he means is that setting a part of God with a purpose. 00:47:31.420 --> 00:47:36.420 And that is what Christ came with. 00:47:36.420 --> 00:47:37.420 Christ came with. 00:47:37.420 --> 00:47:41.420 And Christ, remember, is not merely here in the world. 00:47:41.420 --> 00:47:43.420 He's sent into the world. 00:47:43.420 --> 00:47:46.420 The Father sends the Son into the world. 00:47:46.420 --> 00:47:50.420 And then Jesus, when he's commissioning the apostles, he says to the disciples, 00:47:50.420 --> 00:47:53.420 As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. 00:47:53.420 --> 00:47:59.420 And so something about receiving grace is about a purpose being given to us. 00:47:59.420 --> 00:48:03.420 The nature of it is a purpose-given thing. 00:48:06.420 --> 00:48:08.420 Grace gives us purpose. 00:48:11.420 --> 00:48:14.420 When Paul talks about grace in this letter, it's worth noting. 00:48:14.420 --> 00:48:19.420 You can maybe do this this afternoon if you just get a concordance or one of your apps on your phone. 00:48:19.420 --> 00:48:22.420 You can search for the word grace in the letter to the Romans. 00:48:22.420 --> 00:48:24.420 You see there, Romans 12, for example, Paul writes, 00:48:24.420 --> 00:48:30.420 For by grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think, 00:48:30.420 --> 00:48:34.420 but to think with sober judgment and according to the measure of faith that God has given. 00:48:34.420 --> 00:48:39.420 So, by the grace given to me, I say to everyone. 00:48:41.420 --> 00:48:48.420 The nature of Paul's life is one that has been shaped by the coming of grace into him. 00:48:48.420 --> 00:48:55.420 Paul's purpose is to share the call of the gospel. 00:48:55.420 --> 00:48:59.420 You see in Romans 12, verse 6, 00:48:59.420 --> 00:49:04.420 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. 00:49:04.420 --> 00:49:08.420 So, if prophecy in proportion to our faith and so on. 00:49:09.420 --> 00:49:17.420 And again, if you go to Romans 12, Paul's whole point there is that all of us are given gifts in the life of the church, 00:49:17.420 --> 00:49:21.420 gifts that God gives us for ministry, for service. 00:49:21.420 --> 00:49:28.420 And these gracious gifts that are given to us are to be used, to be exercised, to be lived out, 00:49:29.420 --> 00:49:36.420 in connection to our calling, in connection to the purpose which we have been given. 00:49:36.420 --> 00:49:39.420 Romans 15, 00:49:39.420 --> 00:49:43.420 On some points I have written to you very boldly, by way of reminder, 00:49:43.420 --> 00:49:49.420 because of the grace given to me by God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, 00:49:49.420 --> 00:49:53.420 in the priestly service of the gospel of God. 00:49:55.420 --> 00:50:00.420 The nature of grace is that it is a sending work. 00:50:00.420 --> 00:50:10.420 God gives us, in giving us grace, God gives us purpose. 00:50:12.420 --> 00:50:14.420 That's there throughout Romans. 00:50:14.420 --> 00:50:23.420 Whatever Paul talks about it, he's talking about the fact that grace is inseparable from the mission of God. 00:50:23.420 --> 00:50:34.420 That grace, coming into our lives, that the work of the gospel, the Holy Spirit, applying into our lives the work of Jesus, 00:50:34.420 --> 00:50:38.420 is not given to us so that we can just sit there and say, well, isn't this lovely? 00:50:39.420 --> 00:50:44.420 It's given to us so that we can be bold in his service, 00:50:45.420 --> 00:50:50.420 and exercising all of the gifts that have been given to us. 00:50:50.420 --> 00:50:55.420 And that ties in to the joyful heart of God himself. 00:50:58.420 --> 00:51:01.420 God today loves Stornoway. 00:51:05.420 --> 00:51:06.420 You need to stop and think about that. 00:51:06.420 --> 00:51:09.420 God loves this town. 00:51:09.420 --> 00:51:11.420 The people of this town. 00:51:13.420 --> 00:51:15.420 And he loves them so much 00:51:15.420 --> 00:51:22.420 that he has gathered a people to be his apostles, 00:51:22.420 --> 00:51:25.420 his witnesses, 00:51:26.420 --> 00:51:28.420 his sent ones. 00:51:29.420 --> 00:51:33.420 And in that process of gathering in this congregation 00:51:34.420 --> 00:51:36.420 to be his witnesses, 00:51:36.420 --> 00:51:38.420 he has given us grace 00:51:38.420 --> 00:51:39.420 grace. 00:51:43.420 --> 00:51:46.420 So that we can be transformed. 00:51:48.420 --> 00:51:51.420 So that we can become missionaries. 00:51:53.420 --> 00:51:56.420 And that's the thing I suppose to remember today. 00:51:57.420 --> 00:51:58.420 The grace of God 00:51:59.420 --> 00:52:01.420 that abounds towards sinners 00:52:02.420 --> 00:52:04.420 is quite simply a missionary grace. 00:52:04.420 --> 00:52:07.420 It is something of God's love for the lost. 00:52:07.420 --> 00:52:11.420 God's love for people to be redeemed. 00:52:12.420 --> 00:52:14.420 God's love for sinners. 00:52:15.420 --> 00:52:19.420 This abundant chesed of God. 00:52:20.420 --> 00:52:21.420 God's love for the unlovable. 00:52:22.420 --> 00:52:25.420 The sheer joy that God himself has 00:52:25.420 --> 00:52:29.420 in extending grace to unworthy people. 00:52:30.420 --> 00:52:31.420 The sheer delight of God 00:52:32.420 --> 00:52:34.420 in sending his son into this world 00:52:35.420 --> 00:52:37.420 in order to show his grace 00:52:38.420 --> 00:52:39.420 towards sinners. 00:52:40.420 --> 00:52:44.420 In order to exercise grace towards sinners. 00:52:45.420 --> 00:52:49.420 That we share in that today. 00:52:50.420 --> 00:52:53.420 That we are drawn into that today. 00:52:53.420 --> 00:52:56.420 That today if we're believers, 00:52:57.420 --> 00:52:59.420 it's not something that I'm saying we should be. 00:53:00.420 --> 00:53:03.420 I'm saying really that it is what we already are. 00:53:04.420 --> 00:53:06.420 That today as believers, 00:53:07.420 --> 00:53:09.420 we are evidence of God's salvation, 00:53:10.420 --> 00:53:12.420 God's mercy, God's grace 00:53:13.420 --> 00:53:15.420 towards our families, our community, 00:53:16.420 --> 00:53:18.420 our island, and our nation and the world. 00:53:19.420 --> 00:53:21.420 That God freely gives the church. 00:53:21.420 --> 00:53:27.420 To be a means of his grace towards sinners. 00:53:32.420 --> 00:53:33.420 Paul says this in Romans 3. 00:53:34.420 --> 00:53:36.420 You are justified by his grace 00:53:37.420 --> 00:53:38.420 as a gift 00:53:39.420 --> 00:53:41.420 through the redemption that is in Jesus. 00:53:41.420 --> 00:53:46.420 So the work of salvation, 00:53:47.420 --> 00:53:48.420 it's a free gift of God. 00:53:49.420 --> 00:53:52.420 And it's pretty clear that that then results in us 00:53:53.420 --> 00:53:54.420 using that same free gift, 00:53:55.420 --> 00:53:56.420 that same grace, 00:53:57.420 --> 00:53:58.420 to bring that message to others. 00:53:59.420 --> 00:54:02.420 And so the nature of grace is simply this. 00:54:02.420 --> 00:54:10.420 It is a joyful free gift that transforms people. 00:54:11.420 --> 00:54:14.420 That's grace today. 00:54:15.420 --> 00:54:20.420 A joyful free gift that transforms people. 00:54:20.420 --> 00:54:26.420 And so I wonder today, have you received that? 00:54:27.420 --> 00:54:29.420 Yes, we're here today in church. 00:54:30.420 --> 00:54:33.420 Have you received the grace of God? 00:54:34.420 --> 00:54:36.420 Have you experienced this grace that Paul is talking about? 00:54:37.420 --> 00:54:40.420 This wonderful, free, joyful thing 00:54:40.420 --> 00:54:45.420 that brings you into the missionary heart of God himself. 00:54:46.420 --> 00:54:51.420 I suppose we're already touching a little of this 00:54:51.420 --> 00:54:53.420 to think about the effect of grace, 00:54:53.420 --> 00:54:57.420 but it does link into that central identity that Paul has. 00:54:58.420 --> 00:55:00.420 If you remember, when Paul talks about receiving from Jesus 00:55:00.420 --> 00:55:02.420 grace and apostleship, 00:55:03.420 --> 00:55:05.420 he says it's to bring about the obedience of faith. 00:55:06.420 --> 00:55:09.420 So the goal of him receiving grace and apostleship, 00:55:09.420 --> 00:55:11.420 these two words that go together, 00:55:12.420 --> 00:55:13.420 are this missionary and objective 00:55:14.420 --> 00:55:16.420 of bringing about the obedience of faith. 00:55:17.420 --> 00:55:18.420 But just to go back and think about what Paul means 00:55:19.420 --> 00:55:20.420 when he talks about being an apostle, 00:55:21.420 --> 00:55:22.420 it's worth looking at verse one. 00:55:23.420 --> 00:55:25.420 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, 00:55:26.420 --> 00:55:27.420 called to be an apostle. 00:55:27.420 --> 00:55:30.420 Now, the important thing here to remember 00:55:30.420 --> 00:55:32.420 is the word servant that we read in our Bibles 00:55:33.420 --> 00:55:36.420 is not, if you were reading this as a Roman 00:55:37.420 --> 00:55:38.420 in the first century, 00:55:39.420 --> 00:55:40.420 is not the word servant that we think about. 00:55:40.420 --> 00:55:41.420 When we think about servants, 00:55:41.420 --> 00:55:42.420 we maybe think about Downton Abbey. 00:55:43.420 --> 00:55:44.420 We think perhaps about people 00:55:44.420 --> 00:55:46.420 wearing slightly posh frock coats 00:55:47.420 --> 00:55:48.420 and being drivers and maids and all the rest of it 00:55:49.420 --> 00:55:51.420 in a posh upper-class home. 00:55:52.420 --> 00:55:55.420 The word Paul uses for servant here is the word slave. 00:55:55.420 --> 00:55:58.420 And for some reason, 00:55:58.420 --> 00:56:02.420 all of our Bibles in the latter half of certainly 00:56:03.420 --> 00:56:04.420 this last century, 00:56:05.420 --> 00:56:06.420 perhaps going back a few centuries before, 00:56:07.420 --> 00:56:09.420 we've been really hesitant to use the word slave 00:56:10.420 --> 00:56:13.420 to describe this word that Paul uses, 00:56:14.420 --> 00:56:16.420 or to translate, sorry, this word. 00:56:16.420 --> 00:56:19.420 But Paul says he is a slave. 00:56:20.420 --> 00:56:23.420 And a slave is someone who is engaged wholly 00:56:24.420 --> 00:56:26.420 in the work and purposes of their master. 00:56:27.420 --> 00:56:28.420 It's not voluntary. 00:56:29.420 --> 00:56:32.420 It's total. 00:56:33.420 --> 00:56:36.420 And Paul links it to his apostleship. 00:56:36.420 --> 00:56:38.420 As someone who is sent, 00:56:39.420 --> 00:56:41.420 I am under compulsion by a master 00:56:42.420 --> 00:56:43.420 who I cannot refuse. 00:56:44.420 --> 00:56:46.420 I'm not in a position to refuse this. 00:56:46.420 --> 00:56:47.420 I'm not in a position to decline this. 00:56:51.420 --> 00:56:52.420 My liberty is not here to say to God, 00:56:53.420 --> 00:56:54.420 no, I won't do this. 00:56:54.420 --> 00:56:57.420 I must comply. 00:56:58.420 --> 00:57:01.420 Which is why when Paul comes into verse 5 00:57:01.420 --> 00:57:03.420 and he talks about having received grace 00:57:04.420 --> 00:57:05.420 through Jesus, 00:57:06.420 --> 00:57:07.420 having received grace and apostleship, 00:57:08.420 --> 00:57:09.420 he says it's to bring about 00:57:10.420 --> 00:57:12.420 the obedience of faith. 00:57:15.420 --> 00:57:17.420 This is what grace does. 00:57:17.420 --> 00:57:24.420 Grace brings about the obedience of faith. 00:57:24.420 --> 00:57:26.420 Now that word obedience is really important. 00:57:27.420 --> 00:57:29.420 It's not simply this idea that as Christians 00:57:30.420 --> 00:57:32.420 we're therefore free to do whatever we want, 00:57:33.420 --> 00:57:35.420 just with that little sprinkling of salvation 00:57:36.420 --> 00:57:38.420 as a sort of insurance policy for us at the end of days. 00:57:39.420 --> 00:57:42.420 That everything will for in the end work out okay for us, 00:57:43.420 --> 00:57:44.420 but as Christians we can live however we want 00:57:44.420 --> 00:57:45.420 because we have grace. 00:57:47.420 --> 00:57:49.420 The point that Paul's making is that 00:57:50.420 --> 00:57:51.420 the effect of grace 00:57:52.420 --> 00:57:54.420 is one of transformation of heart 00:57:55.420 --> 00:57:56.420 to comply, 00:57:57.420 --> 00:57:59.420 to be shaped by and consistent with 00:58:00.420 --> 00:58:01.420 the purpose of God. 00:58:04.420 --> 00:58:05.420 And so faith, 00:58:06.420 --> 00:58:07.420 properly exercised, 00:58:08.420 --> 00:58:09.420 results in 00:58:10.420 --> 00:58:11.420 a life lived 00:58:12.420 --> 00:58:13.420 to the glory of God. 00:58:15.420 --> 00:58:17.420 And that comes through grace. 00:58:20.420 --> 00:58:21.420 I say that today because 00:58:22.420 --> 00:58:23.420 probably most of us 00:58:24.420 --> 00:58:26.420 struggle in some way with sin day by day. 00:58:27.420 --> 00:58:28.420 If we're believers today, 00:58:29.420 --> 00:58:31.420 we experience a daily battle 00:58:32.420 --> 00:58:33.420 with sin in our lives. 00:58:34.420 --> 00:58:35.420 And Paul simply, 00:58:36.420 --> 00:58:37.420 I think the point that Paul's making here, 00:58:38.420 --> 00:58:39.420 is that in that battle, 00:58:39.420 --> 00:58:40.420 in that struggle, 00:58:40.420 --> 00:58:41.420 in that conflict, 00:58:41.420 --> 00:58:44.420 grace is available to us. 00:58:45.420 --> 00:58:50.420 A free, joyful gift of experience in God 00:58:51.420 --> 00:58:52.420 is available to us 00:58:53.420 --> 00:58:54.420 to help us live 00:58:55.420 --> 00:58:56.420 obedient lives. 00:58:58.420 --> 00:58:59.420 That today, 00:59:00.420 --> 00:59:02.420 God makes the grace available to you, 00:59:03.420 --> 00:59:04.420 the strength available to you, 00:59:05.420 --> 00:59:07.420 freely to live an upright life. 00:59:08.420 --> 00:59:10.420 And so if you're struggling with 00:59:11.420 --> 00:59:12.420 addiction, 00:59:13.420 --> 00:59:14.420 grace is available to you. 00:59:15.420 --> 00:59:18.420 If you're struggling secretly with drinking at home, 00:59:19.420 --> 00:59:21.420 perhaps nobody else sees it. 00:59:22.420 --> 00:59:24.420 Perhaps it's a hidden sin, 00:59:25.420 --> 00:59:26.420 but there is an addiction there. 00:59:26.420 --> 00:59:28.420 You can't free yourself from it. 00:59:29.420 --> 00:59:31.420 You can't get through the day without it. 00:59:32.420 --> 00:59:33.420 You can't relax without a drink. 00:59:34.420 --> 00:59:35.420 Grace is available to you. 00:59:36.420 --> 00:59:42.420 If you're struggling with angry responses, 00:59:43.420 --> 00:59:47.420 if you're struggling with a bitter heart, 00:59:48.420 --> 00:59:52.420 if you're struggling with age-old resentment, 00:59:52.420 --> 00:59:57.420 if you're struggling with a fixation with pornography, 00:59:58.420 --> 01:00:01.420 if you're trapped in an abusive, 01:00:02.420 --> 01:00:04.420 and by that I don't mean somebody who's been abused, 01:00:05.420 --> 01:00:07.420 but if you are trapped in abusing somebody, 01:00:08.420 --> 01:00:09.420 there is freedom available to you 01:00:10.420 --> 01:00:11.420 to be loosed from that. 01:00:12.420 --> 01:00:15.420 If today you're locked into 01:00:16.420 --> 01:00:19.420 any sinful pattern of living, 01:00:19.420 --> 01:00:22.420 there is grace available for you 01:00:22.420 --> 01:00:25.420 to become obedient to God. 01:00:26.420 --> 01:00:28.420 And that means being free 01:00:29.420 --> 01:00:30.420 from any of these other things. 01:00:32.420 --> 01:00:34.420 And it's freely available to you. 01:00:35.420 --> 01:00:38.420 The effect of grace is to give us 01:00:39.420 --> 01:00:40.420 joyful liberty from sin. 01:00:41.420 --> 01:00:42.420 Because remember, 01:00:43.420 --> 01:00:45.420 the root idea of grace is this idea of joy, 01:00:45.420 --> 01:00:46.420 of joy, of rejoicing. 01:00:48.420 --> 01:00:52.420 And today all of the things that cripple joy in our lives, 01:00:53.420 --> 01:00:55.420 all of the sinful patterns and habits 01:00:56.420 --> 01:00:58.420 that bog us down and trap us, 01:01:00.420 --> 01:01:05.420 there's freedom from them available today in Christ. 01:01:08.420 --> 01:01:10.420 Obedience to Jesus and his ways 01:01:10.420 --> 01:01:13.420 instead of slavery to sin. 01:01:13.420 --> 01:01:16.420 The master transforms. 01:01:17.420 --> 01:01:21.420 We are moved from one kingdom of slavery and darkness 01:01:22.420 --> 01:01:23.420 to a kingdom of liberty and light 01:01:24.420 --> 01:01:27.420 because our master has changed. 01:01:28.420 --> 01:01:31.420 Because grace comes to free us. 01:01:32.420 --> 01:01:35.420 And I see just the time is gone, 01:01:35.420 --> 01:01:36.420 so let me just conclude on this. 01:01:36.420 --> 01:01:39.420 The goal of this 01:01:40.420 --> 01:01:42.420 is to bring about 01:01:43.420 --> 01:01:45.420 the glory of Jesus. 01:01:46.420 --> 01:01:47.420 And I'll stop and look at this verse again, 01:01:48.420 --> 01:01:49.420 verse 5. 01:01:50.420 --> 01:01:51.420 Paul has said, 01:01:52.420 --> 01:01:55.420 Through Jesus we have received grace and apostleship 01:01:57.420 --> 01:01:59.420 to bring about the obedience of faith 01:02:00.420 --> 01:02:03.420 for the sake of his name among the nations. 01:02:03.420 --> 01:02:08.420 The reason today that God makes grace available to us, 01:02:09.420 --> 01:02:11.420 the reason God offers us his grace, 01:02:12.420 --> 01:02:16.420 is so that his glory in Jesus will be seen. 01:02:17.420 --> 01:02:20.420 John Piper, American preacher, 01:02:21.420 --> 01:02:22.420 Baptist, forgive me for quoting, 01:02:23.420 --> 01:02:26.420 but the ultimate goal of all of God's dealings 01:02:26.420 --> 01:02:29.420 is that his name, 01:02:29.420 --> 01:02:31.420 or the name of Christ who is his image, 01:02:32.420 --> 01:02:37.420 would be known and admired and cherished and praised 01:02:38.420 --> 01:02:40.420 above all other realities. 01:02:42.420 --> 01:02:44.420 The purpose of this is that we would know 01:02:45.420 --> 01:02:51.420 just how wonderful Jesus is. 01:02:51.420 --> 01:02:55.420 And that not only that we would know it ourselves, 01:02:56.420 --> 01:02:57.420 but that we would sing of it. 01:02:58.420 --> 01:03:00.420 That we would want to tell people 01:03:01.420 --> 01:03:04.420 just how wonderful Jesus is. 01:03:07.420 --> 01:03:10.420 And so I wonder today if that's our experience of grace. 01:03:11.420 --> 01:03:13.420 Is that your experience of Christianity? 01:03:14.420 --> 01:03:16.420 That's probably the litmus test actually of it. 01:03:16.420 --> 01:03:19.420 What's it doing in your heart? 01:03:20.420 --> 01:03:22.420 When you come to church on a Sunday, 01:03:23.420 --> 01:03:26.420 do you walk out the door wanting to glorify Jesus? 01:03:27.420 --> 01:03:32.420 Do you want to walk out the door singing of how good Jesus is? 01:03:33.420 --> 01:03:35.420 Because that I think is the litmus test 01:03:36.420 --> 01:03:37.420 for what this is doing for you. 01:03:38.420 --> 01:03:41.420 If you're walking out the door thinking you're a better person, 01:03:42.420 --> 01:03:43.420 I'm living a righteous life, 01:03:43.420 --> 01:03:44.420 look how good I am. 01:03:45.420 --> 01:03:46.420 I think it might be missing something. 01:03:47.420 --> 01:03:49.420 If you're walking out the door today 01:03:49.420 --> 01:03:51.420 and you're thinking that's my duty done. 01:03:51.420 --> 01:03:52.420 I've fulfilled my obligation. 01:03:53.420 --> 01:03:55.420 Again, I think you're missing something. 01:03:57.420 --> 01:03:58.420 The goal of grace, 01:03:58.420 --> 01:04:00.420 the goal of what we are about as a church, 01:04:00.420 --> 01:04:03.420 the goal of what the church exists to achieve 01:04:04.420 --> 01:04:07.420 is that Jesus will be magnified. 01:04:07.420 --> 01:04:10.420 And so today, remember, 01:04:11.420 --> 01:04:16.420 Jesus has come freely to bring joy into your life. 01:04:17.420 --> 01:04:18.420 The joy of God himself. 01:04:19.420 --> 01:04:22.420 And that today is available to each and every one of us. 01:04:24.420 --> 01:04:27.420 To know that the cross has taken away your sin. 01:04:28.420 --> 01:04:30.420 Your sins are covered in God's grace, 01:04:31.420 --> 01:04:32.420 as we've sung already. 01:04:32.420 --> 01:04:37.420 To know that the Holy Spirit is given as a prize to Jesus 01:04:38.420 --> 01:04:40.420 to dispense to his people. 01:04:41.420 --> 01:04:43.420 To bring freedom into their experience. 01:04:44.420 --> 01:04:45.420 To bring joy into their experience. 01:04:46.420 --> 01:04:49.420 To liberate them from all of the horrors of sin 01:04:50.420 --> 01:04:51.420 and brokenness in this world. 01:04:52.420 --> 01:04:55.420 To give new hearts in the lives of God's people. 01:04:56.420 --> 01:04:57.420 It's all for him. 01:04:57.420 --> 01:04:58.420 It's all of him. 01:04:58.420 --> 01:04:59.420 It's all to him. 01:04:59.420 --> 01:05:02.420 It's all for the glory of God in Christ Jesus. 01:05:05.420 --> 01:05:07.420 And today we are invited 01:05:08.420 --> 01:05:11.420 to receive this grace. 01:05:12.420 --> 01:05:14.420 Let's pray to him for this now. 01:05:16.420 --> 01:05:17.420 Heavenly Father, 01:05:18.420 --> 01:05:21.420 we long to receive grace upon grace. 01:05:22.420 --> 01:05:24.420 That's our desire, Lord, today. 01:05:24.420 --> 01:05:26.420 We know we are empty ourselves. 01:05:26.420 --> 01:05:30.420 We know without the fullness of the grace of God, 01:05:30.420 --> 01:05:33.420 we are so ill-equipped to face life. 01:05:34.420 --> 01:05:37.420 And so, Lord, help us today to see Jesus 01:05:37.420 --> 01:05:39.420 in all of his wonderful sufficiency. 01:05:40.420 --> 01:05:41.420 In all that he offers to bring us. 01:05:42.420 --> 01:05:43.420 In all that he has done. 01:05:44.420 --> 01:05:45.420 To know that through the cross, 01:05:46.420 --> 01:05:47.420 sin has been dealt with. 01:05:48.420 --> 01:05:50.420 Through the empty grave of the resurrection, 01:05:51.420 --> 01:05:52.420 life is promised. 01:05:52.420 --> 01:05:55.420 To know that one day he will return. 01:05:56.420 --> 01:05:59.420 And bring fullness of joy and rejoicing 01:06:00.420 --> 01:06:02.420 into the experience of all of his people 01:06:03.420 --> 01:06:04.420 forevermore. 01:06:05.420 --> 01:06:06.420 Help us to receive your grace today. 01:06:07.420 --> 01:06:08.420 We ask this in Jesus' name. 01:06:09.420 --> 01:06:10.420 Amen. 01:06:10.420 --> 01:06:21.420 We're going to sing in conclusion in Psalm 67. 01:06:22.420 --> 01:06:25.420 Again, this is in Sing Psalms, page 84. 01:06:25.420 --> 01:06:30.420 This is a psalm about the mercy of God 01:06:31.420 --> 01:06:34.420 in his great mission. 01:06:38.420 --> 01:06:40.420 That without God's blessing, 01:06:40.420 --> 01:06:41.420 without God's mercy, 01:06:41.420 --> 01:06:42.420 without God's grace, 01:06:43.420 --> 01:06:44.420 there's nothing. 01:06:45.420 --> 01:06:47.420 And so when God's grace comes, 01:06:48.420 --> 01:06:50.420 there is abundance and a joy and a harvest. 01:06:50.420 --> 01:06:52.420 And so we're going to sing the whole of the psalm 01:06:52.420 --> 01:06:53.420 to God's praise. 01:06:54.420 --> 01:06:55.420 God be merciful and bless us. 01:06:56.420 --> 01:06:57.420 Shine upon us with your face. 01:06:58.420 --> 01:06:59.420 That the earth may know your actions 01:07:00.420 --> 01:07:02.420 and all lands your saving grace. 01:07:03.420 --> 01:07:04.420 We're going to sing to the tune, 01:07:04.420 --> 01:07:05.420 Martyrs, to God's praise. 01:07:05.420 --> 01:07:06.420 We'll stand and sing. 01:07:06.420 --> 01:07:07.420 Lord, we're going to sing. 01:07:07.420 --> 01:07:08.420 We're going to sing. 01:07:09.420 --> 01:07:11.420 May God. 01:07:12.420 --> 01:07:19.420 God be merciful and blessed shine upon us with your face. 01:07:20.420 --> 01:07:25.420 That the earth may know your actions 01:07:26.420 --> 01:07:30.420 and all lands your saving grace. 01:07:30.420 --> 01:07:40.420 O Lord, may the peoples praise you, may all peoples sing your praise. 01:07:41.480 --> 01:07:51.860 Are you just the nation's just thing, ruling over every race? 01:07:51.860 --> 01:08:02.900 May they sing with joy and gladness, may they all rejoice as one. 01:08:03.340 --> 01:08:12.860 O God, may the peoples praise you, as they all unite in song. 01:08:12.860 --> 01:08:23.840 Then the land will yield its harvest, God will pour its gifts and flow. 01:08:24.380 --> 01:08:35.319 God, our God, will surely bless us, all the earth will fear our God. 01:08:35.319 --> 01:08:46.000 Now the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of God the Holy Spirit be with each one of us now and always. 01:08:46.659 --> 01:08:47.019 Amen. 01:09:05.319 --> 01:09:06.319 Amen.