WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.519 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:36.480 Today's scripture reading is from Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verses 9 through 17, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:49.200 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh, but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:54.620 And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 00:00:55.380 --> 00:01:01.000 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:04.799 the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:10.719 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:16.579 he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies 00:01:16.579 --> 00:01:19.939 because of his Spirit who lives in you. 00:01:20.819 --> 00:01:24.159 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:28.579 but it's not to the flesh to live according to it. 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:31.659 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:37.459 But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 00:01:37.459 --> 00:01:42.239 For those who are fed by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 00:01:42.919 --> 00:01:48.280 The Spirit you received does not make slaves so that you live in fear again. 00:01:49.299 --> 00:01:55.239 Rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. 00:01:55.899 --> 00:01:59.280 And by him we cry, Abba, Father. 00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:04.379 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:08.319 Now, if we are children, then we are heirs. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:11.000 Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:18.939 If indeed we share in his sufferings, in order that we may also share in his glory. 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:20.979 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:22.659 Thanks be to God. 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:25.280 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:30.919 Thanks to the few of you who encouraged me to take my jacket off this Sunday. 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:35.079 I appreciate your compassion and permission to do that. 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:43.079 We are continuing today just preaching through the Apostle Paul's great epistle to the church in Rome. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:45.959 And I just want to begin asking this question. 00:02:46.119 --> 00:02:50.539 Like, why is it important for us to know the Apostle Paul and to know his writings? 00:02:51.239 --> 00:02:54.819 And I want to start with a quote from a British historian. 00:02:55.519 --> 00:02:56.779 His name is Tom Holland. 00:02:56.780 --> 00:02:59.580 He's got a great podcast called The Rest is History. 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:03.379 Oxford and sort of Cambridge-trained historian. 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:04.199 He says this. 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:09.479 Paul's letters are like a collection of acorns from which mighty oaks have grown. 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:14.099 They are the most influential pieces of writing to have survived from antiquity. 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:20.620 And their influence on Christian history and the present-day character and assumptions of the West are incalculable. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:25.420 Not just our earliest sources for Christianity, they are also the most influential. 00:03:25.419 --> 00:03:31.560 If the European philosophical tradition can be characterized as a series of footnotes to Plato, 00:03:32.359 --> 00:03:37.739 then even more so can Christian theology be characterized as a series of footnotes to Paul. 00:03:38.899 --> 00:03:42.739 Yet that does not mean he should be regarded as the founder of Christianity. 00:03:43.019 --> 00:03:46.139 Without Jesus, we would never have heard of Paul. 00:03:46.859 --> 00:03:52.139 The figure of Christ stands at the heart of Paul's letters just as he stands at the heart of the later Gospels. 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:57.659 That is why Christianity, although it may be Pauline, is not named after Paul. 00:03:58.519 --> 00:04:00.659 And Holland goes on elsewhere and he says, 00:04:00.799 --> 00:04:06.559 I think of Paul as a kind of depth charge deep beneath the foundations of the classical world. 00:04:07.079 --> 00:04:11.239 He sets up ripple effects of revolution throughout Western history. 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:18.660 And I think this is interesting because even if you're here and you don't agree with all the things that the Apostle Paul is saying, 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:24.519 Holland would say that, you know, you can't even understand the present character and assumptions of Western culture. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:30.240 You can't appreciate the various ripple effects of revolution that have happened through Western history without Paul. 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:39.160 So just on an intellectual level, looking at what Paul has to say is just a matter of historical and cultural literacy. 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:47.980 But of course, what we're doing today goes way beyond the intellectual level because we're talking about matters of both the head and the heart. 00:04:48.880 --> 00:05:02.040 And we saw this great theme in Romans 8 last week is about the comfort and the security that a Christian believer has with an assurance of their salvation. 00:05:02.040 --> 00:05:09.860 The absolute certainty of the absolute certainty of the final perseverance of all who are truly justified in Jesus Christ by faith. 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:11.260 That's what Romans 8 is all about. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:19.439 And I want to encourage you, as I did last week, to put this chapter of the Bible, or at least parts of it, into your memory bank to meditate upon. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:30.340 Everything we read about in Romans 8 is made possible and is put into effect by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:33.699 God the Father planned our salvation. 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:35.459 God the Son carried it out. 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:40.019 But God the Holy Spirit is the one who applies that salvation to us. 00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:44.319 And this is why the Holy Spirit is mentioned in this chapter 21 times. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:49.859 It tells us that the Christian life is essentially life in the Spirit. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:55.199 Life animated, empowered, sustained, directed, and enriched by the Holy Spirit. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:56.759 Without the Holy Spirit. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:06:01.459 True Christian discipleship would be inconceivable and impossible. 00:06:01.659 --> 00:06:11.039 And in fact, the hallmark of any authentic believer, the hallmark of any true Christian and real disciple of Jesus is are you filled with the Holy Spirit? 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:14.240 Are you indwelled by the Holy Spirit? 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:17.439 Are you being led by the Holy Spirit? 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:22.560 And what we want to look at today is the way that the Holy Spirit applies God's salvation to us. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:26.660 And particularly the way he gives us these three gifts. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:28.759 We're going to limit ourselves to just three. 00:06:28.860 --> 00:06:30.740 But he gives us three gifts. 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:41.199 And what he says, particularly in verses 14 to 17, is that God's Spirit gives you a stable identity, a vital relationship, and a future hope. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:46.980 God's Spirit gives you a stable identity, a vital relationship, and a future hope. 00:06:47.640 --> 00:06:57.900 As Andrew said, this is a special sermon where we're installing Andrew Ong as our associate pastor and ordaining and installing Jesus Arseneaga as our ruling elder. 00:06:57.899 --> 00:07:03.319 So this is a particular word to you two guys today as shepherds of God's flock. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:18.519 But really to all of the leaders of God's church is that it's our task to serve the people of God by helping them discover and treasure and nurture these three gifts from the Spirit. 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:23.039 A stable identity, a vital relationship, and a future hope. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:24.360 So let's start with this first one. 00:07:25.080 --> 00:07:27.080 God's Spirit gives you a stable identity. 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:35.020 Last week I said that our culture highlights freedom as the main theme and value of our society. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:37.500 Freedom is seen as the highest good. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:42.980 But it may be more accurate to say that there are two interdependent cultural narratives. 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:50.319 First of all, there's freedom, which is that no one has the right to tell me how to live my life unless I hamper the freedom of others. 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:53.339 But in addition to freedom, there's identity. 00:07:54.500 --> 00:08:00.019 Identity says I ought to be true to myself and express my deepest desires and dreams no matter what others say. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:04.180 And these are the two narratives of our culture, freedom and identity. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.079 I have one slide. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.000 I don't know if we can bring it up. 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:16.699 But it's from a psychologist at San Diego State who talks about the ways, looks at all the different books that have been written in the last many years. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:21.219 And the way that this word identity has skyrocketed in our imaginations. 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:23.560 We're kind of obsessed about identity. 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:25.879 And what is identity? 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:29.099 Identity consists of two things. 00:08:29.100 --> 00:08:32.820 First of all, an identity is about a sense of self that's durable. 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:34.200 Right? 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:36.540 We live in many different spheres at once. 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:42.899 We live with our family at home and we're a colleague at work and we're with our friends and we're alone in solitude. 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:52.040 But an identity is that sustained sense of self that's true of you in all spheres no matter where you go and what you're doing. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:57.300 And the second thing is that identity is not only about a sense of self, but it's also about a sense of worth. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:59.919 A sense of dignity and honor. 00:09:00.839 --> 00:09:06.579 And we don't have time this morning to talk about and to examine the dynamics of identity formation. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:12.279 But I would argue that modern identities are inherently unstable. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:17.939 Modern identities are inherently insecure because they're based on one of two things. 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:25.780 They're either based on what my society or my group says about me or they're based on what I think about myself. 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:32.819 And I want to challenge that approach to identity this morning and say, what if identity is about more than that? 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:38.860 What if identity is not about what society and my group says about me or about what I think about myself? 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:44.139 But what if identity is about what God says about me and what God thinks about me? 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:53.240 And the gospel tells us that we can have a stable and secure identity that cannot be shaken. 00:09:53.319 --> 00:09:55.199 And this is what Paul says in verse 14. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:10:00.319 He says that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:06.000 Now the negative truth of that, first of all, is that not all people are the children of God. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:12.139 Those who are led by the Spirit of God, they and they alone are the sons and the daughters of God. 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:18.940 And there's some circles that will talk about, you know, the universal fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:26.059 There are people who will take that further and talk about universal salvation, that in the end, everyone is going to be saved. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:29.980 But the teaching of Jesus, the teaching of the Bible says otherwise. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:37.300 Jesus himself divides humanity into two groups and to use his language, he talks about the saved and the lost. 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:42.060 He talks about those who are perishing and those who are alive. 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:43.759 And that's a hard truth. 00:10:44.680 --> 00:10:46.120 That's why Jesus got rejected. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:50.220 But Paul is bringing that up here for us again in verse 9. 00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:50.519 He says, 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:56.500 You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but are in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:11:01.120 And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:02.759 So Paul is saying, 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:05.980 Not all people have the Spirit of God, therefore they don't all belong to Christ. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:09.279 Therefore, they don't all have God as their father. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.500 They're not children of the Father. 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:16.519 And Paul has been making this case since Romans 5 that none of us by nature are a child of God. 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:20.179 We are rather the children of Adam. 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.279 That's our parentage. 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:25.000 That's where we belong by nature. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:30.399 And the Scriptures tell us that on the other hand, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:33.980 And so he stands alone and unique in this category over here. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:35.860 And this poses a great question for us. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:41.799 How then does anyone become a son or a daughter of God? 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:44.480 And Paul tells us, he says, 00:11:44.480 --> 00:12:00.039 Adoption is this great word. 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:10.959 It's an act of God in which by grace he deliberately chooses us and takes us in so that we belong to him. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:14.899 And with adoption we come to bear the family name. 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:22.679 And we come to eat at the family table and we work in the family business and we share in the family inheritance. 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:32.079 To be someone who's adopted is to be given an exalted position with immense privileges as sons and daughters. 00:12:32.079 --> 00:12:39.139 Now to come and to share the status and all the benefits of God's only begotten Son, Jesus. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:46.939 If you're adopted, that means that you are as secure in the Father's love as Jesus is secure in the Father's love. 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:53.879 Paul is saying that if we're in Jesus Christ and if we're led by the Holy Spirit, 00:12:54.919 --> 00:13:00.539 then your true identity, your enduring sense of self in all spheres of life, 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:07.779 that identity that gives you a sense of worth and dignity is that you are the sons and the daughters of God. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:16.179 And your identity is defined not by yourself, not by your group, but by someone beyond you and someone much greater than you. 00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:24.220 And this is vastly different than modern approaches to identity formation because on the one hand, 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:31.980 in modern life you look inside yourself to discover your deepest desires and dreams and to express them. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:34.159 And then you'll know who you truly are. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:41.579 Or on the other hand, you essentialize your gender, your race, your class, your age, your sexuality, 00:13:41.579 --> 00:13:46.980 and you say, this is who I am, and you define yourself either by what you're not or by who's against you. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:56.839 And the reason both of these approaches to identity are so unstable is that they do not start high enough and they do not go deep enough. 00:13:56.840 --> 00:14:05.680 We need someone from outside of ourselves on the one hand and someone outside of our group and our society on the other hand 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:13.000 to instill in us a sense of self and a sense of worth and to try to rely on our own self-affirmations 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:21.240 or to try to rely on the affirmations and the agendas of our group or our society is inherently unstable because that's constantly changing. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:28.639 But the gospel says that someone from outside of ourselves, someone from outside of our group, 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:37.279 has conferred upon us a sense of self and a sense of worth that can never change and that can never be taken away. 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:43.559 If you're exploring Christianity and you're open to the idea that there is a God 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:48.519 and that that God is a good and a trustworthy and a loving God, 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:52.379 that if he made you and if he's the source of your life, 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:59.419 you have to ask the question, is it possible for me to have a stable sense of self and worth apart from that God? 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:05.799 And the offer of the gospel is that you need no longer be a stranger to that God. 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:10.779 You need no longer be even an enemy of that God, but you can become his child. 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:15.500 And the apostle Paul says it like this in Romans chapter 10. 00:15:15.599 --> 00:15:20.859 He says, if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart 00:15:20.859 --> 00:15:24.779 that God raised him from the dead, then you can be saved. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:29.959 You can become a child of God and have this identity that's stable and secure. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:38.840 And if you're a Christian today, I want to say that you need not look for your identity in here, in yourself. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:44.220 Nor do you need to go look for your identity over here in your group or in society. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:51.340 But rather, you already have an identity that comes from up here, 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:55.879 that comes from this spirit of adoption who's brought you in. 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.379 You've been deliberately chosen. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.939 You've been proactively taken in. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.820 You belong. 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:04.080 You're a beloved son and daughter. 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.939 That is who you fundamentally are. 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:13.559 God loves you as much as he loves his only begotten son, Jesus, 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:15.820 and he can't love anyone more than that. 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:19.960 So your task, if that's true of you, 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:23.679 your task is not to go in search of an identity. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:32.620 Your task is to spend time on a daily basis cultivating and nurturing this God-given identity 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:34.479 that you already have, 00:16:35.479 --> 00:16:42.159 exulting in the status that you have as an adopted, chosen, and beloved child of God. 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.879 Thank you so much. 00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:48.679 I'm always waiting, you know, just to see. 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:53.139 God's spirit gives you a stable identity, 00:16:53.739 --> 00:16:56.179 and you can't get that identity anywhere else. 00:16:57.419 --> 00:17:00.319 But God's spirit not only gives you a stable identity, 00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:02.759 he also gives you a vital relationship. 00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:05.419 He gives you this vital relationship. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.399 He continues that verse. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:07.799 He says, 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:13.059 The spirit enables you to cry, 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.519 Abba, Father. 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.480 The spirit enables you to cry, 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.419 Abba, Father. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:22.700 It's within this stable identity as a son or a daughter, 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:25.720 as someone who's an adopted and a beloved child, 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.399 that you have the confidence now 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:30.779 of knowing who and whose you are 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:34.480 to actively and regularly cry to God. 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:37.920 Because with this new identity and this new position, 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:39.000 this new status, 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:41.700 you've been given a new voice and a new tongue. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.920 And with that voice and with that tongue, 00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:46.079 you cry out to God. 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:50.160 And this is not a generic God or a distant God. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:52.160 No, he's a very specific God 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:54.299 and a cloud who is very close. 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.359 Because what do we say to him? 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:55.799 We say, 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:57.699 Abba, Father. 00:17:58.959 --> 00:17:59.740 Abba, Father. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:03.079 Abba, of course, is the Aramaic 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.819 and pater is the Greek. 00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:08.819 And Abba is this homely word 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.839 used by children 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:13.079 who are talking familiarly with their fathers. 00:18:13.179 --> 00:18:15.179 It's like the word papa or daddy 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:17.179 or opa or baba. 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:21.039 That's how Jesus talks to his father. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.659 In the Garden of Gethsemane, for example, 00:18:22.719 --> 00:18:22.959 he says, 00:18:22.959 --> 00:18:23.719 Abba, Father, 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:26.380 all things are possible for you. 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.660 And what the Spirit does 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.900 is he comes into our lives 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:31.920 and he enables us to talk to God 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:33.720 like Jesus talks to God. 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:36.140 And what does it mean for us 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:36.960 to cry out, 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:37.920 Abba, Father? 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.440 Well, it means that the Holy Spirit 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.539 has granted you 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:44.339 an especially close and personal 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:46.539 and loving relationship with God 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:48.420 as your heavenly father. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:51.259 So that whatever your family of origin, 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:53.720 whoever your parents were, 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:56.200 you now have the father of Jesus Christ 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.059 as your father. 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.500 And I know some of you 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.400 and I know your stories. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:02.140 You didn't have the father you wanted 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.200 or the father you needed. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:05.720 Some of you weren't provided for 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.680 and protected. 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.000 Some of you weren't cherished 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.200 and treasured. 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:12.119 But look who you've been given now. 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:15.599 And how do we relate to him? 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.919 It says that we cry. 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.659 We cry, 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.259 which suggests vulnerability. 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:23.279 It suggests a safety 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.379 and an earnestness 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.539 and a deep emotion 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.119 and fervency 00:19:26.939 --> 00:19:27.919 that we can bring 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:29.439 all of ourselves to him. 00:19:30.739 --> 00:19:31.679 And when we cry, 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.239 what do we say? 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.699 We say, 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:33.539 Abba, 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:35.119 which suggests warmth 00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:36.819 and affection 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:38.019 and rejoicing 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.759 and happiness 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:40.079 and exuberance. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:42.720 when my kids were little, 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:45.500 some of you remember that time, 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.240 and they would run up to me 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:49.299 and they'd throw themselves at me. 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.500 And they would just grab hold of my leg 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:53.019 and just cling on 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.359 and they would hang there. 00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:55.519 They would just hang. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:20:00.539 And if any of you did that today, 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.439 that would be strange. 00:20:01.679 --> 00:20:03.879 That would be overly familiar. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:06.439 But these are my children. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.679 I'm their daddy. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.539 That is their rightful place. 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:10.559 Right? 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.799 Now, if they came 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:14.179 and tried to do that today, 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.599 they'd break my legs. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:15.879 You know, 00:20:15.919 --> 00:20:17.299 they would break my hip. 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:19.939 So now that they're bigger and older, 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:22.019 they still know that 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.319 even when I'm in the middle 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.960 of something extremely important, 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.099 they can walk right in. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.199 They can call me up 00:20:28.199 --> 00:20:28.980 and I'm going to interrupt 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:30.720 and I'm going to answer their call. 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.139 And they know 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:33.480 that they have access to me. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.939 They know that they can come up 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:36.460 right up next to my side 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:38.199 and grab hold of my hand 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:40.340 and whisper something into my ear 00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:41.100 and I'm going to give them 00:20:41.100 --> 00:20:42.860 my full attention. 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:44.759 They come to me 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.840 with the boldness 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:47.600 of a child 00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.740 who knows their daddy. 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.059 And what the Holy Spirit 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:52.380 gives to you 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:53.080 as a Christian 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:54.340 is he enables you 00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.779 to talk intimately 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.980 and confidently 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.660 to God. 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.200 And notice that I said 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.860 intimately and confidently, 00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:03.559 not irreverently 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.279 and flippantly. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.639 Right? 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.899 Because some people read this 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.779 and they start to pray, 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.700 hey dad. 00:21:10.879 --> 00:21:12.079 I don't know if you've ever heard 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.480 someone say, 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:13.200 hey dad. 00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:14.379 And if that's you, 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:14.980 I love you, 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.960 just stop doing that. 00:21:19.919 --> 00:21:21.659 When Jesus prays in the Gospels, 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.259 he prays, 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:23.259 holy father, 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.519 righteous father. 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.599 In the Sermon on the Mount, 00:21:27.679 --> 00:21:28.579 he teaches us to pray, 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:28.940 say, 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.599 our heavenly father. 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:30.719 Father. 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:33.159 Because this is a transcendent 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:34.299 and an exalted God, 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:36.079 a sovereign and supreme God. 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.500 But, 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:38.659 we can cry out to him, 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.299 Abba, 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.099 Father. 00:21:40.219 --> 00:21:40.919 And when we do, 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.859 we have immediate 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:43.839 and bold access to him. 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:45.339 Not as fearful, 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.959 cowering slaves, 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:49.579 but as cheerful, 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:51.379 confident sons 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.539 and daughters. 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.819 And what happens 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.459 when we do that? 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.099 What happens 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:56.939 when we cry out, 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.259 Abba, 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:57.619 Father? 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.000 Paul says in verse 16 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.359 that the spirit 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.359 bears witness 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:03.099 with our spirit 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:05.220 that we are the children of God. 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.059 When we cry, 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.500 Abba, 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:08.839 Father, 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:10.559 and when we take upon our lips 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.460 the very words 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.579 that Jesus used, 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.460 when we come to these 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:16.220 spirit-inspired scriptures 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.740 and we say, 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.240 Abba, 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:17.559 Father, 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.319 show me more of your glory 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.180 through your word, 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.680 the Holy Spirit shows up 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:24.839 and he begins to bear witness 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.660 with our spirit 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:27.799 that we are the children of God. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:27.839 God. 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.859 And I don't know about you, 00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:31.440 but sometimes when that happens, 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.759 I become so overwhelmed 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:36.059 with a fresh realization 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:38.279 that my Father knows me. 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.139 That my Father, 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:40.940 in fact, 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.839 knows me more 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.940 than I know myself. 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:45.019 He knows the very number 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.980 of hairs on my head, 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.720 which is getting easier 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.039 and easier year by year. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:54.420 He knows reality 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:54.980 and history 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.960 way more than I do. 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.079 He knows my past 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.720 and my present 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.279 and my future. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:23:00.519 He has plans for me. 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:03.019 He has great plans for me 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.619 that include trials and troubles. 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.039 He has plans 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.339 that include my pain 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.359 and my suffering. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.980 He has plans to correct me 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.299 and to discipline me, 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.879 but I become overwhelmed 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.920 by this realization 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.299 with the spirit 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.619 bearing witness to my spirit 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:18.559 that I am his child 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:20.440 and he is my Father 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.679 and he can even make 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.539 the worst things in my life 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:25.339 work out for my good 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.700 and for his glory. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.319 And it's just 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:29.059 an amazing experience. 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.519 And if you've never had 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.259 that experience, 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.419 if you don't know 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:34.339 what verse 16 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.119 is talking about, 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.339 I want to encourage you, 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.359 ask for it. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.819 Ask for the spirit 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.539 to bear witness 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.259 with your spirit 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:43.480 that you are a child of God. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:46.880 Jesus says in Luke chapter 11, 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.400 he says, 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.039 if you, 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:51.019 though you are evil, 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.680 know how to give good gifts 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.339 to your children, 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.120 how much more 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.180 will your Father in heaven 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.339 give the Holy Spirit 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.940 to those who ask him? 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.480 I was reading this week 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:05.400 an old Puritan preacher, 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:08.099 probably from about 400 years ago, 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.579 and he says this, 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:09.880 he says, 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.740 picture a man 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.940 who's walking along a road 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.720 with his little boy 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.559 holding hands, 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.559 father and son, 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.980 son and father. 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.519 And the little boy knows 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:21.180 that this man and his father 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:23.140 and that his father loves him, 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.700 but suddenly the father stops 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:26.200 and picks up the boy 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.700 and lifts him up into his arms 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.620 and embraces him 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.400 and kisses him. 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.279 And then the father 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.180 puts him down again 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:33.779 and they continue walking. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.839 And this man said, 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.099 he said, 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:37.740 the boy is no more a son 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.819 when he's being embraced 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.799 than he was before. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.619 And the father's action 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:43.359 has not changed the relationship, 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.220 but oh, 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.480 how much greater 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.359 is the enjoyment 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:48.159 of that relationship. 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:50.460 It is a wonderful thing 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.440 to be walking along 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.659 holding your father's hand, 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:54.440 but it's an incomparably 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.379 greater thing 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.879 to have his arms 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:58.419 enfolded around you. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.759 And that's what Jesus means 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.220 when he says, 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.240 ask your father 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.240 to give you more 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.139 of the Holy Spirit. 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.980 It's what Paul means 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.419 when he says 00:25:06.419 --> 00:25:07.339 the Holy Spirit 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.000 bears witness 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.740 with our spirit 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:10.299 that we are the children 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.720 of God. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.099 Just say, 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.440 Lord, 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.839 I know you love me, 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.640 but give me more 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.279 of your love. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.700 Of course, 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.660 if you do this, 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.619 fair warning, 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.380 there's ethical 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.599 and moral consequences 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.480 to crying out, 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.220 Abba, Father. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.480 Because along with this 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.200 comes a desire 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.259 that others would see 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.839 in us 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:29.299 a life reminiscent 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.619 of the Father himself. 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:33.220 That we would imitate him 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.440 and that people would want, 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.319 people would be able 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.680 to see in us 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.600 no consistency 00:25:37.600 --> 00:25:38.980 between our conduct 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:40.140 and the Father's character. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.380 And so a spirit-filled, 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.559 spirit-led Christian 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.660 hears Paul saying, 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.180 you need to put to death 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.220 the misdeeds of the body. 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.600 You need to kill off 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.420 all that pride 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.720 and you need to mortify 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:52.460 all that self-centeredness. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.900 And you say, 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.799 well, of course, 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.819 that's what I want to do. 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.240 Of course, 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.240 that's what I want to do 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.900 because I'm so grateful 00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:00.319 to be an adopted child. 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.619 I'm so grateful 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:03.220 to be a beloved son 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.639 and a daughter. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.980 I want absolutely 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.119 no dishonor 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:07.759 to come to my Father 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.740 on my account. 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.419 I just want to 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.419 adequately reflect 00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:13.159 and express 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:13.960 and represent 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.759 his glory 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.759 and his excellencies 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.720 to all the people 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.779 around me. 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.839 That's what it means 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:20.460 to cry out 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.740 and have this vital relationship 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.259 and say, 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.899 Abba, Father. 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:28.220 Now, I want to close 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.799 talking about 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.839 one final thing 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.459 and that is that 00:26:30.459 --> 00:26:31.559 God's spirit 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.959 not only gives you 00:26:32.959 --> 00:26:33.919 a stable identity 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:35.139 and a vital relationship 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.839 but he also 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:37.819 gives us a future hope. 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:40.299 He gives us a future hope. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.119 You're probably aware 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.019 that there's an increasing 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.799 number of people 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.519 in our society 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.139 who are filled 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:46.819 with despair. 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.759 Right? 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.859 They look at the future 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.539 and the future 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.919 is utterly bleak 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:52.799 and hopeless. 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.559 And on the one hand, 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:58.039 that's a bad thing. 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.960 It's not good 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:01.019 to live in a society 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.940 that's so charged 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.899 with pessimism 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:03.700 and nihilism 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.339 and doom 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:05.440 and gloom. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.220 But of course, 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.019 on the other hand, 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.720 this is often 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.599 what's required 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.200 to come 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:10.980 to the end 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.559 of ourselves 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.119 and the end 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:12.940 of our schemes. 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.039 Right? 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.539 And to begin 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.659 to look beyond 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.839 this material world 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.519 to a hope 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.579 above and beyond 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.139 this world 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:19.879 and this life. 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.519 And that's what 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.339 Paul is getting at 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:23.059 in verse 17. 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:25.019 He says, 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.659 Now if we are children, 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.619 then we are heirs, 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.519 heirs of God 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.700 and co-heirs with Christ, 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.940 if indeed we share 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.259 in his sufferings 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.980 in order that we may 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.779 also share 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:35.059 in his glory. 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.019 Many people 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.000 have been writing today 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.740 about the great 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.940 wealth transfer. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.399 Have you read 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.019 about the great 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.700 wealth transfer? 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:46.819 The silent 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.480 and boomer 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.059 generations 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.240 are going to 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.279 bequest a total 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:52.740 of $84.4 trillion 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.900 in assets 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:56.120 through 2045. 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:59.940 And $72.6 trillion 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:01.279 is going to go 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.559 directly to their heirs. 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:03.980 Right? 00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:04.380 And so, 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.880 maybe a few of you 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.759 are going to be 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.360 so blessed 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.279 to be heirs 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.920 to inherit 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.559 a bit of that windfall. 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.340 So I hope you'll 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.080 invite me to dinner. 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:15.240 But let's assume 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:17.160 that you are set 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.180 to receive $0 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:20.360 of that great 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:20.980 wealth transfer. 00:28:22.580 --> 00:28:23.680 The good news 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.759 for you 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.420 this morning 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.120 is that if you're 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:27.039 in Jesus Christ 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:28.880 and if you're led 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.759 by the Holy Spirit 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.360 and God 00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:31.720 is your Abba Father, 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.840 then you are 00:28:33.840 --> 00:28:34.840 the heir 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.680 of an inheritance 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:37.539 that's beyond 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.500 your wildest 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.440 imagination. 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.180 This great 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.960 wealth transfer 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.640 that's going to happen 00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.580 is just pennies 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:45.259 in comparison 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.139 with what you're 00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:46.740 going to get. 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.179 And what does 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.319 the Apostle Paul mean 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:48.960 when he says 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:50.419 we are heirs of God 00:28:50.419 --> 00:28:51.379 and we're going to 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:52.240 share in the glory 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.199 of Jesus Christ? 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.119 If you go back 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:55.819 to verse 11, 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.419 he says, 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.199 if the spirit of him 00:28:58.199 --> 00:28:59.799 who raised Jesus 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.399 from the dead 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:01.339 is living in you, 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:03.079 he who raised Christ 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.539 from the dead 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.539 will also give life 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.379 to your mortal bodies 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.359 because of his spirit 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.839 who lives in you. 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.019 This means that 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:11.399 Christ's resurrection 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:13.180 is the pledge 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:13.960 and pattern 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.440 of our coming 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:15.980 resurrection. 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.040 That the same spirit 00:29:18.040 --> 00:29:19.040 who raised Jesus 00:29:19.040 --> 00:29:19.880 from the dead 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:21.759 will also raise us. 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.660 And the same spirit 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.720 who's already given life 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.460 to our spirits 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.420 will also give life 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.880 to our bodies. 00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:30.160 And that does not mean 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.080 that our dead bodies 00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:32.680 will be revivified 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.720 and resuscitated 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.780 so that we're restored 00:29:34.780 --> 00:29:35.600 to the present 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:37.440 material existence 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.240 that we have 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.240 only to die again 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.220 which would be a complete 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.539 and total bummer. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.579 No, Jesus was raised 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.480 in such a way 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.640 that he can never die again. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.819 And if you're in Jesus Christ, 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:53.120 your future hope, 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.279 your coming inheritance 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.279 is that you are going 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.220 to be raised up 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:57.880 with a new body. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.579 And your body 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.680 is going to be transformed 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.880 into this glorious, 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.120 powerful, 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.019 spiritual, 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.059 imperishable, 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.519 immortal body 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.500 like the body 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.380 of Jesus. 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.880 You're going to be liberated 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:11.819 from all the vestiges 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.619 of sin 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.759 and frailty 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.619 and disease 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.519 and pain 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.660 and decay 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.819 and death. 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.579 And this is why 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.859 Christians are people 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:23.019 who are eagerly 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.980 and fearlessly 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:27.500 awaiting this future hope 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.759 as we endure 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.920 this world 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.799 and this life 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:32.720 that's marked by death. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:35.940 But that's only one aspect 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:38.279 of our future hope. 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.720 Paul says in verse 17, 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.299 he says, 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.660 now if we are children 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.500 then we are heirs, 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.400 heirs of God 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.240 and co-heirs 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.480 with Christ. 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.120 What are we set 00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:49.860 to inherit? 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.620 Well, 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:53.039 as I close, 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.059 Jesus, 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.920 when he was talking 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.880 with his disciples 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:57.779 on the night 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.380 before he was 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.259 to be crucified, 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:01.579 he told them a parable 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.700 just before the last supper 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:04.420 and he ended that parable 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:04.960 saying this, 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.259 he said, 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.379 then the king will say 00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:07.400 to those on his right, 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.579 come you who are blessed 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.299 by my father, 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.420 take your inheritance, 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.819 the kingdom prepared for you 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.680 since the creation 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.720 of the world. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.379 Your inheritance 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:18.359 is an entire kingdom. 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:20.579 He said to them 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.219 at the end 00:31:21.219 --> 00:31:22.079 of that last supper, 00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:22.479 he said, 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.319 I confer on you 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:23.799 a kingdom 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.839 just as my father 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:26.599 conferred one on me 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.500 so that you may 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.240 eat and drink 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.599 at my table 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:30.699 in my kingdom 00:31:30.699 --> 00:31:32.539 and sit on thrones. 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.119 So you not only 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.719 have a kingdom 00:31:33.719 --> 00:31:35.000 but you have the table 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.439 of the king 00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:36.500 and you have the throne 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.119 of the king. 00:31:38.139 --> 00:31:39.299 And then after that supper 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.479 Jesus said to them 00:31:40.479 --> 00:31:41.240 additionally, 00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:41.679 he said, 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.959 my father's house 00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:45.059 has many rooms 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:46.859 and I am going there 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.879 to prepare a place 00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:48.320 for you 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:48.920 and if I go 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.760 and prepare a place 00:31:49.760 --> 00:31:50.180 for you, 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.800 I will come back 00:31:51.800 --> 00:31:52.400 and take you 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:54.120 to be with me 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:56.160 that you also may be 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:57.320 where I am. 00:31:58.820 --> 00:32:01.520 And that is so crucial 00:32:01.520 --> 00:32:02.380 for us to hear 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:05.120 because Jesus is telling us there 00:32:05.120 --> 00:32:05.920 that I want you 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.580 to be with me 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.340 that you might be 00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:07.880 where I am. 00:32:08.280 --> 00:32:09.000 Your inheritance 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:10.060 is not necessarily 00:32:10.060 --> 00:32:10.740 a something. 00:32:11.760 --> 00:32:12.640 Your inheritance 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.420 is a someone. 00:32:14.820 --> 00:32:15.780 You're not just set 00:32:15.780 --> 00:32:16.340 to receive 00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:17.740 a resurrection body 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.960 and a kingdom 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.359 and a table 00:32:20.359 --> 00:32:21.180 of the king 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.039 and a throne 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.720 with the king. 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.420 You're going to get 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.299 all those things 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:26.019 but what you're set 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.640 to receive 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:28.400 is the king himself. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.900 The triune God 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:31.460 infinite 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.500 and eternal 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.960 and all of his glory 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.339 and power 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:37.460 all of his excellencies 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:39.339 and all of his strength 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.599 and all of his life 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:41.700 and all of his goodness 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:44.019 that is what you 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.420 the heirs of God 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:47.240 and co-heirs with Christ 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:49.480 are set to inherit. 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.920 And so my friends 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:54.519 we who are filled 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.640 with the spirit of God 00:32:55.640 --> 00:32:58.039 we who cry out to him 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.539 Abba Father 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:01.440 we who know Jesus 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.120 as our king 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:03.519 we have no right 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.180 to despair. 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.480 We have no right 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:08.000 to be people 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:09.660 who are just utterly sad. 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.279 God 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:12.440 we are called 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.200 to be a people 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.100 of joy 00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:15.500 and a people 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.400 of hope 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:17.580 in the midst 00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.360 of this world 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:20.480 that's despairing daily. 00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:23.320 So may God 00:33:23.320 --> 00:33:24.840 empower us 00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:25.620 to be that. 00:33:25.800 --> 00:33:26.640 May God empower us 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.400 to do that. 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:30.080 That this future hope 00:33:30.080 --> 00:33:31.660 would outweigh 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:33.259 all the current 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.300 sufferings 00:33:34.300 --> 00:33:35.380 that we currently 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.220 share with Christ 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:36.980 because it says 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:38.559 we are going to share 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.880 in his glory. 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:42.279 In the name of the Father, 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:43.279 Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.319 Amen. 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:44.460 Amen. 00:33:44.460 --> 00:34:14.440 Thank you.