WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.520 Mary's going to come, she's going to read scripture for us. 00:00:03.100 --> 00:00:07.299 She's going to read from Colossians chapter 1, verses 15 to 23. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:08.439 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.420 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:40.560 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:45.439 whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:50.820 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 00:00:51.400 --> 00:00:54.500 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:58.299 in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:01.979 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:04.519 not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:07.560 which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:09.920 and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:15.359 Well, we're breaking into our series in James in the morning 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:21.900 to turn to this very famous passage in Colossians chapter 1 this morning. 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:25.939 It's a big passage about a big saviour. 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:30.679 There's a lot in it, and we're going to try and get through it, 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:34.679 but more as a kind of helicopter view of the passage, 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:38.480 we could be in these verses in a long time. 00:01:39.219 --> 00:01:41.159 But we're not going to do that this morning, 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:44.099 although you may beg to differ by the end of this sermon. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:50.120 Many years ago I read a book entitled The Glory of Christ 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:54.180 by a minister down in England, a guy called Peter Lewis. 00:01:55.560 --> 00:01:58.000 And in the beginning of the book he tells a story 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:02.060 about visiting a church, I think in Wales. 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:04.140 He's on holiday with his family, 00:02:04.660 --> 00:02:10.219 and there was a lay preacher bringing the message that morning. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:13.819 And the preacher concluded his sermon with these words. 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:43.799 He said, 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:44.759 I got to know him personally. 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:47.879 He was a keen angler, and I used to go fishing with him. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:51.280 And on those occasions I was able to observe him 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:53.979 from an entirely different viewpoint. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:57.620 I got to know the man, not merely the image. 00:02:58.979 --> 00:03:03.560 And the nearer I got, the smaller he became. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:10.180 But God eventually led that downcast schoolboy to a new hero. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:14.219 And I've walked with my Jesus for 35 years now. 00:03:15.099 --> 00:03:17.300 And in that time I've often disappointed him. 00:03:17.979 --> 00:03:19.860 But he has never disappointed me. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:22.480 I've got to know him better. 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:28.099 And that the nearer I get, the bigger he becomes. 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:32.839 The nearer I get, the bigger he becomes. 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:36.140 Now here in Colossians chapter 1, 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:38.879 it is evident that for Paul, 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:44.460 Jesus Christ was quite simply a massive figure. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:47.539 Perhaps there are a few places in his writings 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:51.080 where we see this so clearly as here in these verses. 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:55.740 Here is Paul up close and personal with Jesus. 00:03:55.740 --> 00:03:59.320 And in these words he spreads out before us 00:03:59.320 --> 00:04:02.379 something of the majesty and splendor 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:05.980 and greatness and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.060 These verses are really a doxology. 00:04:08.860 --> 00:04:09.180 Worship. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:13.820 Paul wants the hearts of his hearers to be warmed 00:04:13.820 --> 00:04:16.480 and to be filled with Jesus Christ. 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:20.460 He wants our minds to be taken up with Jesus. 00:04:20.460 --> 00:04:24.980 He wants our faith to be rooted in this Jesus. 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:30.300 He wants us to be strengthened by a personal knowledge 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:32.560 of this man, Jesus Christ. 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:36.759 He wants us to draw close and see just how great 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:39.800 and glorious and wonderful he is. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:46.019 He wants us to see that Jesus Christ is indeed a big Savior. 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:50.620 And I want to highlight just four things 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:53.980 that Paul wants us to understand here 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:57.180 about the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ, 00:04:57.520 --> 00:04:58.379 our big Savior. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:00.620 And we'll go through them fairly quickly. 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:02.300 The first is this, 00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:07.240 is Jesus and his unique relationship to God. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:11.259 Jesus and his unique relationship to God. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:14.660 One of the most basic religious questions 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:16.379 that people ask is this, 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:18.120 what is God like? 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:20.579 And Paul's answer here, 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.000 and indeed the answer of the Christian faith, 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:23.620 is this, 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:26.019 God is like Jesus. 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:30.840 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:33.220 That's quite an unusual phrase. 00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:36.959 The Colossian church to which Paul was writing 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:39.860 was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:42.800 The Jews worshipped, if you like, the invisible God, 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:45.980 and the Gentiles were known for worshipping images. 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:49.980 And Paul puts those two ideas together 00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:51.879 when he says that in Jesus, 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:55.100 the invisible God became visible. 00:05:55.340 --> 00:05:59.800 God's nature perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:02.360 Now, that was an outrageous claim 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.379 way back in the first century, 00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:06.060 just as it is today. 00:06:07.080 --> 00:06:08.520 How can flesh and blood 00:06:08.520 --> 00:06:12.500 accurately reflect the eternal God? 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:15.620 And that's why some wanted to say 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:18.139 that Jesus wasn't really a man. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:20.459 They suggested he was a spirit 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:23.180 or some kind of apparition or angel. 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:27.579 But Paul is very clear in these verses 00:06:27.579 --> 00:06:31.300 that Jesus was a man of flesh and blood. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:36.399 In verse 22, he talks of his body of flesh. 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:39.959 The language he uses couldn't make it clearer 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:42.139 that Jesus is to be understood 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:44.299 as being truly human. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:49.799 Of course, there are many that object to that. 00:06:53.299 --> 00:06:56.659 Those who say, well, if he was fully human, 00:06:56.799 --> 00:06:58.859 he couldn't really be fully divine. 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:02.319 Maybe he was somebody who was anointed by God 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:03.179 in a special way, 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:06.339 or he was temporarily, temporarily filled 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.179 with God's Spirit. 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:09.620 Maybe he was just someone who was used by God 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:10.780 in an exceptional way. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.939 But again, the language that Paul uses 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:16.980 in this passage makes it clear 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:18.379 that that could not be the case. 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:19.379 Verse 19, 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:22.819 For in him all the fullness of God 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:25.160 was pleased to dwell. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:28.259 Jesus was truly God, 00:07:28.780 --> 00:07:30.980 truly divine, and truly human. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:33.480 The life of God that dwelt or resided 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:35.800 in Jesus was not something temporary 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:37.319 or partial, 00:07:37.840 --> 00:07:40.020 but something permanent and complete. 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:44.319 The fullness of God dwells in Jesus Christ. 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:45.680 It's hard, really, to think 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:47.540 how Paul could make that any clearer, 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:51.660 that Jesus is both truly human 00:07:51.660 --> 00:07:52.600 and truly divine. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:54.379 And we might say, well, 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:55.900 maybe that's just Paul. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.140 Maybe that's just one of his strange ideas. 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:00.719 But this dramatic claim 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:03.539 to a unique relationship with God 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:06.560 is one that Jesus himself made. 00:08:07.219 --> 00:08:08.599 And we see that in the Gospels, 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:10.839 most notably in John's Gospel, 00:08:10.919 --> 00:08:12.779 the 14th chapter of John's Gospel. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:14.639 John 14, from verse 8, 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:15.500 we read these words. 00:08:15.599 --> 00:08:16.120 Philip said, 00:08:16.479 --> 00:08:17.620 Lord, show us the Father, 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:19.139 and that's enough for us. 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:19.839 And Jesus said, 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:21.680 Have I been with you so long 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.019 and you still don't know me, Philip? 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:25.300 Whoever has seen me 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:26.919 has seen the Father. 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:28.580 How can you say, 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:29.439 show us the Father? 00:08:29.780 --> 00:08:30.460 Do you not believe 00:08:30.460 --> 00:08:31.580 that I am in the Father 00:08:31.580 --> 00:08:32.840 and the Father is in me? 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.920 The words that I say to you, 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:37.139 I do not speak on my own authority, 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:39.379 but the Father who dwells in me 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:40.560 does His works. 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:43.080 Believe me that I am in the Father 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:45.460 and the Father is in me, 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:47.039 or else believe 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:49.019 on account of the works themselves. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:53.019 The unequivocal claim 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:53.940 of the New Testament 00:08:53.940 --> 00:08:56.259 is that the very form, image, 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.139 and glory of God 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:58.159 belong to Jesus 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:00.460 in exactly the same degree 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:02.279 as they do to God the Father. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:05.960 Jesus Christ has a unique relationship 00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:06.860 to God 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:09.679 because He is truly God. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:12.279 I came across these words 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:12.980 of John Owen 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.580 writing on this, 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.419 the image of the invisible God. 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:17.179 He writes this, 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:20.120 This is the foundation of our religion, 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:22.500 the rock on which the church is built, 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:24.439 the ground of all our hopes 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:25.279 of salvation, 00:09:25.599 --> 00:09:26.279 of life, 00:09:26.359 --> 00:09:27.399 and immortality. 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:29.419 All is resolved into this, 00:09:29.599 --> 00:09:29.979 namely, 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:32.839 the representation that is made 00:09:32.839 --> 00:09:34.759 of the nature and will of God 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:37.139 in the person and office 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.459 of Jesus Christ. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:40.860 Here is Jesus 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:42.879 and His unique relationship 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.639 to God, 00:09:43.900 --> 00:09:44.680 truly God, 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:45.500 truly man, 00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:47.019 God in the flesh, 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:48.320 the image 00:09:48.320 --> 00:09:49.620 of the invisible God. 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:51.660 That brings me 00:09:51.660 --> 00:09:52.860 to the second thing here, 00:09:53.660 --> 00:09:54.540 and that is Jesus 00:09:54.540 --> 00:09:55.860 and His unique relationship 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:56.680 to creation. 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:58.840 The firstborn, 00:09:58.940 --> 00:09:59.320 He says, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:00.720 over all creation. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:01.560 By Him, 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.759 all things were created. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:03.960 Heaven and earth, 00:10:04.060 --> 00:10:04.860 visible and visible, 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:05.519 thrones, 00:10:05.660 --> 00:10:06.060 dominions, 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:06.400 rulers, 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:06.980 authorities, 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:08.480 all things created 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.240 through Him 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:10.259 and for Him. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:12.259 He is before all things, 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:13.319 and in Him, 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:14.419 all things hold together. 00:10:16.319 --> 00:10:17.199 Paul calls Jesus 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:19.059 not just the image 00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:20.259 of the invisible God, 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:21.459 but the firstborn 00:10:21.459 --> 00:10:23.779 of all creation, 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:26.399 the Lord of creation. 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:27.019 Now, 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:28.039 some suggest that 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:29.600 these words mean 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:30.720 that Christ was a creature, 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:32.720 the first created being, 00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:34.299 indeed a heresy 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:35.039 that developed 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.039 in the first centuries 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:37.659 of the church 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:38.360 did just that. 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:38.799 That was known 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:39.759 as Arianism. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.219 And today, 00:10:41.719 --> 00:10:43.120 those who take such a view, 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:44.099 generally speaking, 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:46.240 liberal Protestants 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.659 or Jehovah's Witnesses. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:50.339 But Paul does not say 00:10:50.339 --> 00:10:51.259 that Jesus 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:52.539 is the first created. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:54.240 He says, 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:55.539 firstborn. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.259 And in the ancient world, 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:58.279 this title 00:10:58.279 --> 00:10:59.480 was a designation 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:00.539 of supremacy. 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:03.379 The law of primogeniture 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:04.939 means that the firstborn 00:11:04.939 --> 00:11:06.039 was the inheritor 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:08.279 of a father's wealth, 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:09.299 power, and status. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:10.539 And so, 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.500 calling Jesus 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:13.279 the firstborn of 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.480 or over all creation 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:16.059 is actually just another way 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:16.899 of saying that Jesus 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:18.600 is equal with God the Father. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.740 Jesus shares equally 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:22.259 in the Father's power 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.100 and authority 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:24.439 and supremacy 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:25.939 over creation. 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:28.500 He is incomparably great. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.240 And that thought 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:30.779 is developed 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.360 in the verses 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.019 that follow. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:33.200 You notice how Jesus 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.000 is described 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.159 as the agent 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:35.840 of creation. 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:36.740 By Him, 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:38.220 all things were created. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.240 Now, 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:39.779 if all things 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:40.440 were created 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:41.519 by Jesus, 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:42.740 it stands to reason 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.960 that He Himself 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:44.519 could not be 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.620 a created being. 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:47.139 All things 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:47.720 were created 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.639 through Him. 00:11:49.800 --> 00:11:50.620 He is the creator 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.399 of all things 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:52.700 and therefore Himself 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:54.060 not a created being. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.379 Jesus is not 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.779 part of creation 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.259 at all. 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:57.980 How can this be? 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:58.779 Because He is 00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.720 truly God. 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:02.139 every last corner 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.000 of this universe 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.320 was created 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:05.820 by Jesus Christ. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:06.960 He is sovereign 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.779 over all that He has made. 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:11.240 Even those unseen powers 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.060 and authorities 00:12:12.060 --> 00:12:13.680 in this world 00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:14.340 were made 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.500 and controlled 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.180 by Him. 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.660 He rules over all things. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.779 And Jesus here 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:21.960 is not just the agent 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:22.800 of creation. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.680 He is the sustainer 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:25.259 of creation. 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.620 He is before all things, 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:27.300 verse 17. 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:28.439 In Him all things 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:29.079 hold together. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.819 And the claim here 00:12:30.819 --> 00:12:31.459 is that Jesus 00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:32.539 sustains, 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.559 preserves the very 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:34.839 fabric of the universe. 00:12:36.219 --> 00:12:37.500 Why we live in a cosmos 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.419 and not a chaos? 00:12:39.319 --> 00:12:40.339 Because Christ 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:41.799 holds all things 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:42.240 together. 00:12:42.719 --> 00:12:43.500 Because of Him 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.379 there is structure, 00:12:44.719 --> 00:12:45.099 order, 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.039 stability. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:47.859 So, 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:49.459 behind all that there is, 00:12:50.099 --> 00:12:50.740 it's not some 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.379 grand 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:53.819 unifying theory, 00:12:53.979 --> 00:12:54.679 some abstract 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.099 mathematical principle, 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:57.899 but a divine personality. 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.300 It's Jesus 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:00.480 who gives order 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:01.180 and structure 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:02.440 and coherence 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.240 to the universe 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.860 He's made. 00:13:04.040 --> 00:13:04.720 In Him 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.720 all things 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.399 hold together. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.259 He sustains everything 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:08.960 by the power 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:09.659 of His Word. 00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:10.820 And so, 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:11.720 as we explore 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.399 this universe, 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:13.600 as we enjoy 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:14.120 this world 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.100 that He has made, 00:13:15.300 --> 00:13:16.340 as we work in it, 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.080 as we discover 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.399 more of its grandeur 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.000 and beauty, 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:20.139 we come to see 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:21.100 that it's all really 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:21.940 the theater 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:22.720 of His glory. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:26.300 Jesus is the agent, 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:27.560 He's the sustainer, 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:28.600 and also here 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:29.639 the goal of creation. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.300 All things were created 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.460 through Him 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:33.600 and for Him. 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:35.660 The universe 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:37.000 has a purpose 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.840 or a goal, 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.879 it is for Him. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.540 Jesus Christ 00:13:40.540 --> 00:13:41.120 is the key 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.840 to unlocking 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.820 the mysteries 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:43.940 and the deepest 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:44.580 secrets 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.360 of the universe. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.259 It's because of Him 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.120 that there is purpose 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.600 and meaning 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.639 in any of it. 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:52.559 As human beings, 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:54.059 we have embedded 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:54.799 deep within us 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.480 an intuition 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:57.240 of destiny 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.039 and purpose. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.899 No matter 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:01.159 how hard we try, 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.000 some today 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.059 are trying very hard, 00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.240 we cannot erase 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:07.100 or eradicate 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:07.779 that sense 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:09.220 of ultimate 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.939 significance. 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.279 Consistent 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:12.960 atheists 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.559 like Richard Dawkins 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:15.700 and others 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:16.939 say that even 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:17.500 to ask 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.379 the question 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.059 about purpose 00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:19.619 and meaning 00:14:19.619 --> 00:14:21.119 in human existence 00:14:21.119 --> 00:14:21.819 is stupid 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.479 and irrational. 00:14:23.619 --> 00:14:24.179 Everything is 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:25.279 a cosmic accident. 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.279 And theirs 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.419 is an unbearable 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:29.919 and, 00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:30.259 I think, 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:31.259 in the final analysis, 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:33.000 an unlivable 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.679 perspective. 00:14:35.619 --> 00:14:36.519 Whether or not 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.019 we believe 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:37.899 in a Creator 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.579 makes a profound 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.359 difference 00:14:40.359 --> 00:14:41.099 in how we look 00:14:41.099 --> 00:14:41.819 at ourselves, 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.559 how we look 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.379 at other people, 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:45.959 and how we live 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:46.579 our lives. 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.279 It makes all 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.819 the difference 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.400 in the world. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.379 And Paul asserts 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.860 here that 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.240 everything 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.760 that exists 00:14:54.760 --> 00:14:55.879 finds its origin, 00:14:56.140 --> 00:14:56.540 existence, 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.320 and purpose 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.760 in Jesus Christ. 00:14:59.660 --> 00:15:00.620 And that is true 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.080 for you 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.160 and for me 00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:02.520 today. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.420 Jesus Christ 00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:05.640 is the only place 00:15:05.640 --> 00:15:06.640 where you can find 00:15:06.640 --> 00:15:07.940 eternal meaning 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:08.760 and purpose 00:15:08.760 --> 00:15:09.720 in life. 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:11.820 Tim Keller 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.440 once wrote, 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.800 if you don't 00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:14.520 let your thinking 00:15:14.520 --> 00:15:15.100 lead you to 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.060 Jesus Christ, 00:15:16.060 --> 00:15:17.500 it will end 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.500 in despair. 00:15:19.900 --> 00:15:21.320 Jesus is the Lord 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:22.480 over all creation. 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:24.500 That is a dramatic 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.340 and outrageous claim, 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:28.240 an astounding claim. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:31.060 Jesus and His unique 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.860 relationship 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.419 to God. 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.840 Jesus is truly God. 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:35.340 Jesus and His 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.299 unique relationship 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.200 to creation. 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:38.299 He is the Creator. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:40.299 Thirdly here, 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.720 Jesus and His 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:43.000 unique relationship 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.980 to the church. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:45.039 Verse 18, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.799 He is the head 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.340 of the body, 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:46.919 the church. 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.820 He is the beginning, 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.560 the firstborn 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.279 from the dead, 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.360 that in everything 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.700 He might be 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.440 preeminent. 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:56.140 Jesus is forming 00:15:56.140 --> 00:15:57.400 a new community 00:15:57.400 --> 00:15:58.240 around Him, 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.880 the church of Jesus Christ. 00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:01.880 It comprises all those 00:16:01.880 --> 00:16:02.800 who have been joined 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.900 to Him by faith. 00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:06.160 The Lord of creation 00:16:06.160 --> 00:16:07.880 is the Lord of the church. 00:16:09.020 --> 00:16:10.220 Jesus is ushering 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.660 in a new creation. 00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:13.620 And one of the marks 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.580 of that new creation 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.840 is the formation 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.820 of this new people. 00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:20.040 Excuse me a second. 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.280 The New English Bible 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:23.220 translates to 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.399 Corinthians 5, 17. 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:26.240 When anyone is united 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.019 to Christ, 00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:28.600 there is a new world. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.720 The old order is gone 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:32.339 and a new order 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:34.399 has already begun. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.000 In other words, 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.379 Christ's people 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:39.519 belong to a new humanity 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:41.860 of which Jesus Himself 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.639 is the head. 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.360 Now, that picture of Christ 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.899 as head of the church, 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.620 Paul uses it 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.699 in places like 00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:51.220 1 Corinthians 12, 12, 00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:53.319 Romans 12, 5. 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.480 And there he often 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.799 is emphasizing 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:57.100 the mutual dependence 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:57.939 of the body. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.500 But here, 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:00.339 the significance 00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:01.819 he is emphasizing 00:17:01.819 --> 00:17:04.099 is Christ as the head. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.920 This is as men and women 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.319 are connected to Christ 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.379 that they come 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.879 to belong to one another 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:11.779 in this new community 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.240 of faith 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.119 we call the church. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.139 He alone 00:17:16.139 --> 00:17:17.500 is head of the church. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:19.720 The church is dependent 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.539 on him 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.559 for its life 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.180 and health. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.180 Westminster Confession 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.720 says, 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.279 there is no other 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.200 head of the church 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:29.140 but the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.420 Christ alone 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.740 rules and reigns 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.940 over his people. 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:37.680 all must be in submission 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.180 to him. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.200 He is preeminent. 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.120 He is the beginning, 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:41.920 the firstborn 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.700 from the dead 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.880 that in everything 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:45.700 he might be preeminent, 00:17:45.820 --> 00:17:46.259 says Paul. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:48.619 And when Paul speaks 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.400 of Jesus being 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.160 the firstborn 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:50.879 from the dead, 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:52.720 he is clearly 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.119 referencing the resurrection. 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.720 Jesus was the first 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.039 to rise from the dead, 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.099 a pioneer 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.299 gone before us 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:02.240 into death 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.400 and then out of death. 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:05.240 He has conquered death, 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:06.180 drawn its sting. 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.259 And so, 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.019 what is true for the head 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.980 is true for all 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.559 in the body. 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.740 What is true for Christ 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.279 will be true 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.039 for his people. 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:17.440 our very mortality 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.059 is sucked up, 00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:19.599 is, if you like, 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.399 hoovered up 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:23.159 in Christ's resurrection life. 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.799 He is our only hope 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.920 in the face of death. 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.680 And yes, 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.240 there's much 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.579 in this life 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.460 that we can avoid 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.139 and evade, 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.700 but we cannot avoid death. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.720 We cannot outrun it. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.940 We cannot defeat it. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:39.319 But the good news is this, 00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:40.319 that Jesus Christ 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:42.139 has triumphed over death. 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.339 He is its victor. 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:45.179 He is its conqueror. 00:18:45.459 --> 00:18:46.359 He is its king. 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.059 And because Jesus 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.099 has been raised, 00:18:49.419 --> 00:18:50.959 so then all who are joined 00:18:50.959 --> 00:18:51.899 to him by faith 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:53.220 will also be raised. 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.000 He has been led out 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.859 from death, 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.879 and so also will we be. 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.959 He partook of our flesh 00:18:59.959 --> 00:19:00.579 and blood 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.959 to deliver us 00:19:01.959 --> 00:19:02.759 from death. 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.599 He walked 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:06.119 into the valley 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:06.959 of the shadow 00:19:06.959 --> 00:19:08.379 and came out 00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:09.359 the other end 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.779 in resurrection power. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:13.259 And so in Jesus Christ 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.099 there is good news 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:14.619 for a world 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:16.279 under the curse of death 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:18.680 because this Jesus 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.740 is still able 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.680 to lead his people, 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.420 his church, 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.619 through the valley 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.619 of darkness 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:25.180 and into the light. 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.700 Jesus, 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.160 his unique relationship 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:30.680 to God, 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.960 his unique relationship 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.119 to creation, 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.299 his unique relationship 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.440 to the church 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.779 as its king and head. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:39.200 But there's a fourth thing 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:41.160 here about Jesus 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:43.779 and why he is such a big 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:45.039 or such a great Savior, 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.980 and that is because 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.180 of his unique work 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:50.519 upon the cross. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.019 Verse 19, 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.440 In him all the fullness 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.399 of God was pleased 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.220 to dwell, 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.680 and through him 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:59.039 to reconcile to himself 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.740 all things, 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.059 whether on earth 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.579 or in heaven, 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.259 making peace 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.720 by the blood 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.299 of his cross. 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:05.119 You who once 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:05.979 were alienated, 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.959 hostile in mind, 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:08.000 doing evil deeds, 00:20:08.419 --> 00:20:09.659 he is reconciled 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:11.119 in his body of flesh 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.439 by his death 00:20:12.439 --> 00:20:13.759 to present you 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.679 holy and blameless 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:16.219 and above reproach 00:20:16.219 --> 00:20:17.079 before him. 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:20.399 And the key word 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:22.000 that Paul uses 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.679 in these verses 00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.879 is this word reconcile. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.919 We use it, 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:26.919 don't we, 00:20:26.959 --> 00:20:27.679 when we're describing 00:20:27.679 --> 00:20:28.239 the healing 00:20:28.239 --> 00:20:29.079 of a restored, 00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:29.919 or restoring 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:30.879 of a relationship 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:32.379 after some kind 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:32.939 of breakdown 00:20:32.939 --> 00:20:33.699 or fallout. 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.819 And here Paul speaks 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.799 of the whole creation, 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.119 of all things, 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.699 being reconciled 00:20:39.699 --> 00:20:40.399 through Jesus 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:42.139 and through his blood 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:43.059 shed on the cross. 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.919 The root of the brokenness 00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:46.679 of this world 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:49.219 is in our alienation, 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.739 our estrangement 00:20:50.739 --> 00:20:51.339 from God, 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.279 our creator. 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:54.279 As human beings, 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:54.879 we have turned 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.899 our backs on God, 00:20:55.979 --> 00:20:56.759 we have rejected 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.539 his authority 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.139 and rule, 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.259 and the consequence 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.439 of that alienation, 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.139 Paul says here, 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.399 we've become hostile 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.859 to God in our minds, 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:05.199 and that hostility 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:06.579 is manifest 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.619 in evil deeds. 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:09.899 And yet, 00:21:09.959 --> 00:21:10.740 from the very beginning, 00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:11.959 God has not resolved 00:21:11.959 --> 00:21:13.939 to allow evil 00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:14.719 to win the day. 00:21:15.479 --> 00:21:16.619 His righteous character 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.240 is such 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.819 that he has been determined 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.539 to defeat 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.519 all that is broken 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.399 and wrong 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.500 in his creation. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.159 He has chosen 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:25.219 not to abandon 00:21:25.219 --> 00:21:25.939 his creation 00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:26.599 to judgment 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.359 and wrath, 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:29.039 but to rescue it 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.879 and redeem it, 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.219 to reconcile 00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:32.379 the world to himself, 00:21:32.479 --> 00:21:33.299 to make peace. 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:35.379 And how has he done this? 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.219 He has done this 00:21:36.219 --> 00:21:37.699 through the cross 00:21:37.699 --> 00:21:38.639 of Christ. 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.659 When a close 00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:42.939 personal relationship 00:21:42.939 --> 00:21:44.159 breaks down, 00:21:45.479 --> 00:21:46.479 often there is 00:21:46.479 --> 00:21:47.339 a profound sense 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.819 of anger, 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.639 resentment, 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.839 hurt, 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.579 hatred, 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.259 contempt even 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.159 that can take root. 00:21:54.199 --> 00:21:54.699 And sometimes 00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.240 these feelings 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.799 and emotions 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.979 may be justified, 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.519 but if reconciliation 00:21:58.519 --> 00:22:00.219 is ever to take place, 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:01.839 if restoration 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.259 is ever to be affected, 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.359 if the breach 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.519 is ever to be healed, 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.259 then someone 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.140 has to bear 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.920 the pain. 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.500 Without that happening, 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:12.779 forgiveness 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:14.519 cannot be offered 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:17.220 because true forgiveness 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.140 is never cheap. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.000 Restoration 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.839 is not easy. 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.460 We know this 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.339 in our own lives. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.779 There is always hurt. 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.900 There is always pain 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.940 that has to be born. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.480 And that's precisely 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.079 what the cross 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:28.819 tells us. 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.659 On the cross, 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.519 we see God 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.240 in Christ 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.000 reconciling the world 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.740 to Himself, 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.539 absorbing all the pain 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.139 and injury 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.299 awoken in Him 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.240 by our hatred 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.419 and sinful rebellion. 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.200 We see God 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.119 making peace 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.299 through the blood 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.579 of the cross. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.179 And it's interesting 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.399 here, 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.200 the language 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.079 of Paul, 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.500 the physical language 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.139 he uses. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.779 Making peace 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.720 by the blood 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.579 of the cross. 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.559 reconciliation 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.000 in His body 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.419 of flesh 00:22:59.419 --> 00:23:00.639 by His death. 00:23:01.939 --> 00:23:02.679 Fashionable, 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.039 theologically fashionable 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.759 today to downplay 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.659 the blood of Christ. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.619 Something primitive, 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.839 barbaric, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.919 even to despise 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:14.240 the old rugged cross. 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:15.799 Friends, 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:17.079 we must never fall prey 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.000 to that temptation. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:21.099 But as the old hymn put it, 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:24.599 what can wash away my sin? 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.799 Nothing but the blood 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.279 of Jesus. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.179 What can make me 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:30.139 whole again? 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:32.379 Nothing but the blood 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.500 of Jesus. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:38.119 A crucified Savior 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:40.659 stands at the very heart 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.639 and center 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:43.139 of the Christian gospel. 00:23:44.939 --> 00:23:46.459 There's an old path 00:23:46.459 --> 00:23:49.019 not far from where I grew up 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.439 in Lanarkshire, 00:23:50.719 --> 00:23:51.439 in Lesmahagel. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:53.580 It runs over the muir 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:55.200 to Muir Kirk 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.799 in Ayrshire. 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.460 It's a part of the 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.820 Scotland that was 00:23:58.820 --> 00:24:01.580 a strong 00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:02.820 covenanting area. 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.400 And there are 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.259 covenanting 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.640 memorials 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.980 littered all across 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.059 the landscape. 00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:11.860 And on that path 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.779 near to Muir Kirk, 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.259 there lies 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.920 a memorial 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.660 to the 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.360 covenanter 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.400 John Brown 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.259 of Priest Hill. 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:21.579 Brown was executed 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.940 May the 1st, 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.200 1685 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.059 by 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.259 a man known as 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.259 Bloody Claverhouse. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:29.379 He was a kind of enforcer 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:31.119 for the king. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.059 Treasonable papers 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.879 were found 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.779 in his house 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:36.220 and 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.440 he was taken out 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:39.259 and he was shot 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:41.140 in front of his wife 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:42.119 and family. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:44.000 It said that 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.700 the soldiers 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.839 hesitated 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.640 to carry out 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.200 the sentence. 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.319 And so Claverhouse 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:48.940 himself 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:50.620 shot him. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.580 And after 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:55.299 he'd shot him, 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.500 Claverhouse 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.120 is reputed 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.700 to have said 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.660 to Brown's wife, 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.580 as she cradled 00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.240 the bloodied 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.900 body of her man, 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:05.019 what thinkest thou 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.160 of thy husband now? 00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.640 And she replied 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.480 through her tears, 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.519 I ever thought 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.680 much good of him, 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.380 but even 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:15.260 more 00:25:15.260 --> 00:25:16.120 now. 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:18.780 And when 00:25:18.780 --> 00:25:19.380 by faith 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.880 we come 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.500 to see 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.760 Jesus Christ 00:25:21.760 --> 00:25:23.000 mangled 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.740 in the blood 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.440 of the cross 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.120 for us, 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.060 are we not 00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:27.820 tempted to say 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:28.660 something similar? 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.120 I ever thought 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:32.300 much of him, 00:25:33.300 --> 00:25:34.340 but even 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.080 more 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.880 now. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.620 Paul says 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.380 Jesus suffered 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:39.940 and died 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.720 on the cross. 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:41.900 You notice it 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.780 there in verse 22, 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:44.399 in order to present 00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:45.039 you holy 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.940 and blameless 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.960 and above 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.700 reproach 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.099 before him. 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.819 Isn't that an amazing 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.299 thought? 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.180 We, 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:54.799 stained, 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.500 despoiled 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.519 by all our sin, 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.240 burdened 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.619 and weighed 00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.359 down by all 00:25:59.359 --> 00:25:59.940 our guilt, 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.879 presented as 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.980 one holy 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.059 and blameless 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.319 before a righteous 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.299 and holy God. 00:26:08.399 --> 00:26:08.879 Think back 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.700 over your life, 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.240 think of your 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.839 mistakes 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.720 and your errors, 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.460 the ways that 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:13.819 you have 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.839 hurt or let 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.500 down other 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.920 people, 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.460 the way that 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.700 you have 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.740 shown contempt 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.460 for God, 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:20.019 all the ugly 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.960 pride and 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.740 selfishness 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.420 that has 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:23.059 disfigured 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.620 your life 00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:23.900 and your 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.359 heart. 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.339 How on earth 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.960 can someone 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.779 like you, 00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.460 someone like 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.880 me, 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.519 be presented 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.559 as one 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.380 holy and 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.120 blameless 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.960 and above 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.700 reproach? 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:37.779 It does 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.380 not seem 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:38.860 possible. 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.080 And yet, 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.460 it's not 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.440 simply possible, 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.279 it is actual. 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.779 It's not a 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.220 fantasy, 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.100 it's a reality. 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.200 It's real 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.880 because it's 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.819 been accomplished 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:51.100 by none 00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:51.640 other than 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.340 the eternal 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:53.180 Son of God. 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.539 And this 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.819 reconciling work 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.279 of Jesus 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.240 Christ is 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.180 not simply 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.120 something personal 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.759 and individual, 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.440 though it is, 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.660 it's also 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.620 something cosmic 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.500 and universal, 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:06.899 because Paul 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.479 speaks here of 00:27:07.479 --> 00:27:08.599 God in Christ 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.699 reconciling to 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:10.559 himself all 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.439 things on 00:27:11.439 --> 00:27:12.179 earth or in 00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:12.839 heaven, the 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.599 whole created 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.019 order. 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:15.619 He has opened 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.199 up the way 00:27:16.199 --> 00:27:17.059 for a new 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.919 heavens and 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.519 earth in which 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.279 righteousness 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.079 shall dwell. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.859 There as 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.639 King and 00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.299 Lord over 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.839 that new 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:25.099 world will 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.539 be none 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.000 other than 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.399 the Lord 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:27.199 Jesus Christ 00:27:27.199 --> 00:27:27.939 in all his 00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:29.079 risen power 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.859 and majesty 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.479 and glory. 00:27:33.459 --> 00:27:34.039 And C.S. 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.579 Lewis is 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.859 we always 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:36.439 have to have 00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:36.899 either a 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.279 quote from 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.699 Lord of the 00:27:37.699 --> 00:27:38.099 Rings or 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.419 C.S. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:38.799 Lewis in 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.279 every sermon 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.179 here, so 00:27:40.179 --> 00:27:41.000 this is the 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.299 C.S. 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:41.799 Lewis one. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.699 His second 00:27:43.699 --> 00:27:44.199 book in the 00:27:44.199 --> 00:27:44.799 Chronicles of 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.359 Narnia is 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:45.839 called Prince 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:47.599 Caspian, and 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:48.139 there's a scene 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.779 in that book 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:50.819 where Lucy 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:52.079 experiences a 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.879 personal visit 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.779 from Aslan. 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.339 This is what 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:55.779 we read. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.399 The great 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.579 priest rolled 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.439 over on his 00:27:59.439 --> 00:28:00.579 side so that 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.240 Lucy fell, 00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:02.039 half sitting and 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.899 half lying between 00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.779 his front paws. 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.960 He bent 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.680 forward and 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.359 just touched 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:07.099 her nose with 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.579 his tongue. 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.119 His warm 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.940 breath came 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.519 all around 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:10.799 her. 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.059 She gazed 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.819 up into the 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.859 large, wise 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.480 face. 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.399 Welcome, 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:17.240 child, he 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:17.680 said. 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.440 Aslan, said 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.579 Lucy, you're 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:20.960 bigger. 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:23.299 That is because 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.059 you are older, 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.879 little one, 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.720 answered he. 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.599 Not because you 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:27.879 are. 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:30.260 I am not. 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.500 But every 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.640 year you 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:35.460 grow, you 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.380 will find me 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:37.200 bigger. 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.200 Every year 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.380 you grow, you 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.160 will find me 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.680 bigger. 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.340 I was at a 00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:46.520 meeting last 00:28:46.520 --> 00:28:47.220 year, I think, 00:28:47.780 --> 00:28:48.300 one of these 00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:49.140 Zoom meetings 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.000 with ministers, 00:28:51.260 --> 00:28:52.460 and an older 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.060 minister, well, 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.320 I thought he was 00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:54.900 an older minister 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:56.540 until I realized 00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:57.140 he was actually 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:58.140 younger than 00:28:58.140 --> 00:28:58.480 me. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.160 But anyway, 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:00.940 that's another 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.300 story. 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:03.259 He was sharing 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.820 something about 00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:04.840 his experience 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:05.840 in ministry 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.380 over many 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.759 years. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.320 And he 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.060 confessed that 00:29:09.060 --> 00:29:10.259 at times his 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.019 ministry had 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.480 been about, 00:29:11.560 --> 00:29:11.960 this is what he 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.900 said, a big 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:14.140 me and a 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:14.759 little Jesus. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.619 And then he 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.200 spoke about 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.960 his desire 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.440 that his 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.900 life and 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.559 ministry in 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:20.960 his later 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:22.400 years would 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.059 instead be 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.559 about a 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.160 little me 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:25.440 and a 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.259 big Jesus. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.039 What 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.779 characterizes 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.619 your life, 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:31.379 your ministry, 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.299 your heart 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.599 this morning? 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.680 A big 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:38.200 me and a 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:38.980 little Jesus? 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.759 Or a 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.339 little me 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.420 and a big 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:42.799 Jesus? 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.039 Jesus. 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.019 The closer 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.180 you get to 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:47.879 Jesus, the 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:49.299 bigger he 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.859 appears to 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.159 be. 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.299 How close 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.079 are you to 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.379 him? 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.460 In a moment 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.079 we'll share 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.599 the Lord's 00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:56.839 Supper. 00:29:58.159 --> 00:29:58.579 And this 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.200 table is a 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.720 place where 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.240 we get close 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.859 to Jesus. 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.659 As we come 00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:04.180 to him in 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:05.059 repentance and 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.879 faith, he 00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:07.059 meets us, he 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:08.079 blesses us with 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.680 his presence. 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.519 We come in our 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.460 weakness and he 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.419 strengthens us. 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.799 We come in our 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.619 guilt and he 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.460 forgives us. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.819 We come in our 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.799 failure and he 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.720 lifts us up. 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.480 At the table we 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.279 see him in the 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.879 glory of his 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:24.980 cross and 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.139 realize afresh that 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:27.220 he must have the 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.879 place of 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:29.460 supremacy in our 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:29.980 lives. 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.579 I wonder if he 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.319 has that in your 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.740 life. 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.159 Does he have 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:35.940 first place? 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.980 Does he have 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.579 preeminence in our 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:38.980 church? 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:41.220 Does he occupy 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.940 that place of 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.940 supremacy in your 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.460 heart? 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.440 Come to the 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.519 table spread with 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.319 bread and wine 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:50.740 and draw near to 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.539 a big Jesus. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.519 Come and bow the 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.400 knee before him 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:55.980 and discover afresh 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:58.039 just how big he 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.900 really is. 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.980 For the good news 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.519 is this. 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:05.079 He is bigger and 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.900 greater than all 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:09.299 the wickedness and 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:11.339 all the evil and 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.539 all the injustice of 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.579 this broken world. 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:18.379 He is bigger than 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:20.799 your every sin and 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.759 your every failure. 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:25.799 And friends, that is 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.819 good news. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.559 Let's pray together. 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:37.039 Father, we thank you 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:39.019 for a big Jesus. 00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:40.220 We thank you for a 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:41.500 big Savior. 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.779 And Lord, we ask 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:46.660 that you may draw 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:48.579 us closer to him 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:50.039 by your Spirit. 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.519 and as we come to 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.319 the Lord's table, 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:53.279 that we might meet 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.460 with him in a very 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:56.259 real way, in the 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.000 power of the Holy 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:59.079 Spirit, that our 00:31:59.079 --> 00:32:00.819 eyes would be 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:02.980 opened to see him 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.859 as he really is. 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.720 The great, 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:07.879 eternal God, 00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.879 maker of heaven 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:10.460 and earth, 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.019 king and head of 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.700 the church, 00:32:14.659 --> 00:32:16.319 the one who is 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:17.220 the Son of God 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.980 and who loved us 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.279 and gave himself 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.019 for us. 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:22.880 And we pray these 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.720 things in his name. 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:24.799 Amen.