WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.840 Hebrews 12, verse 3. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.659 It is for discipline that you have to endure. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:40.019 God is treating you as sons. 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:43.420 For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:47.719 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:51.159 then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:58.019 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. 00:00:58.020 --> 00:01:02.900 Shall we not much more be subject to the father of spirits and live? 00:01:03.680 --> 00:01:07.980 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:13.180 But he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 00:01:14.240 --> 00:01:18.100 For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:24.100 but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:28.339 Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees 00:01:28.339 --> 00:01:30.379 and make straight paths for your feet, 00:01:30.539 --> 00:01:34.679 so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. 00:01:35.419 --> 00:01:40.959 Strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 00:01:41.759 --> 00:01:44.939 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:48.939 that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, 00:01:48.939 --> 00:01:51.359 and by it may become defiled. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:55.899 That no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, 00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:58.480 who sold his birthright for a single meal. 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:02.879 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, 00:02:03.259 --> 00:02:06.719 he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:08.759 though he sought it with tears. 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:12.599 For you have not come to what may be touched, 00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:16.699 a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest, 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:21.759 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg, 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:24.679 that no further message be spoken to them. 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:27.780 For they could not endure the order that was given. 00:02:28.519 --> 00:02:31.699 If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned. 00:02:32.379 --> 00:02:35.459 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:36.540 I tremble with fear. 00:02:37.320 --> 00:02:40.879 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, 00:02:41.219 --> 00:02:42.200 the heavenly Jerusalem, 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:46.280 and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 00:02:47.200 --> 00:02:50.540 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enthralled in heaven, 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:52.460 and to God the judge of all, 00:02:52.900 --> 00:02:55.300 and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 00:02:55.760 --> 00:02:58.300 and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:02.800 and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:07.880 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. 00:03:08.660 --> 00:03:13.939 For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, 00:03:14.200 --> 00:03:19.860 much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.460 At that time his voice shook the earth, 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:25.200 but now he has promised, 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:29.640 yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:32.639 This phrase, yet once more, 00:03:33.079 --> 00:03:35.419 indicates the removal of things that are shaken, 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:37.779 that is, things that have been made, 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:41.979 in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 00:03:42.759 --> 00:03:46.799 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:53.139 and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship and reverence and awe, 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:55.919 for our God is a consuming fire. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:04:02.859 Good morning everyone. 00:04:06.119 --> 00:04:08.239 Will you pray with me as we come to God's word? 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:17.579 Our Father, we thank you that you give us your word and we need it to live on. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.699 Lord, I pray that you would remove all distraction, 00:04:20.699 --> 00:04:24.360 I pray that you would give us understanding with our minds, 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:29.139 and I ask that this understanding would press into our hearts, 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:33.420 so that we might further be encouraged to press on, 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:35.279 running the race, looking to Jesus. 00:04:36.420 --> 00:04:38.519 Give me every grace in speaking, 00:04:38.719 --> 00:04:40.959 give all of us ears to hear you speaking. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:43.120 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:43.199 Amen. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:50.759 Well, I was listening to a radio station one time, 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.600 and the hosts got serious for a moment, 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:54.720 which is really unusual. 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:56.959 Usually it's just banter, 00:04:57.079 --> 00:04:58.040 but they got serious, 00:04:58.220 --> 00:04:59.620 and they were asking each other, 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:03.379 did they believe that bad things had purpose? 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:05.040 And one of them, 00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:08.040 one of the hosts said that they thought that everything was connected, 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:11.660 and they thought that this thought experiment helps sometimes, 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:12.960 that maybe, yes, 00:05:13.020 --> 00:05:15.420 your toast got burnt in the morning, 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:17.080 and your kids spilt their breakfast, 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.260 and your car was out of petrol, 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:20.620 and it ran you late for work, 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:21.800 and it was really stressful, 00:05:22.080 --> 00:05:24.020 but maybe all those bad things 00:05:24.020 --> 00:05:28.440 stop you from being in that car accident, 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:31.000 if you had have left 15 minutes earlier. 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:33.420 Or maybe you bump into someone, 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:36.580 and you land a big client, 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:37.980 a big deal for work, 00:05:37.980 --> 00:05:41.860 maybe something good happens because of those. 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:49.420 Do you get that secular cause and effect universe 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:52.980 with a bit of wishful thinking thrown in? 00:05:53.980 --> 00:05:55.420 You can imagine maybe, 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:57.640 maybe within my lifespan, 00:05:57.900 --> 00:06:00.240 there can be silver linings to pain. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:04.740 A better version I've heard 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:07.100 is that pain can grow your character, 00:06:07.280 --> 00:06:09.680 it can actually help us be thankful for what we do have. 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:11.480 I think that's a better version. 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:17.620 So that's one way of coping with hard things. 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:22.340 Here's another way. 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.759 We're hearing the awful things happening in Myanmar, 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:28.860 the civil war and the earthquake. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:33.500 A friend of mine who's over there, 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:35.480 you may know them as well, 00:06:35.539 --> 00:06:36.639 but I won't mention their name, 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:40.360 but they sent a picture of this Buddhist temple, 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:45.099 and this hall is filled with all these Buddhists 00:06:45.099 --> 00:06:46.120 meditating, 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:48.060 and they're blindfolded, 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:49.300 not talking to each other, 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:50.240 sitting still, 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:51.939 got a bottle of water all day, 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:52.599 every day, 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:56.080 except for bodily necessities. 00:06:58.540 --> 00:07:00.900 That's how you deal with pain. 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:04.540 This life is an illusion. 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:07.280 It's meaningless. 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:09.840 Karma is to be escaped. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:13.800 Suppress, eradicate all your desires. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:15.700 That's how you can get through life. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:17.939 Escape life, even. 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:24.459 There's another approach to pain. 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:28.480 The other way is what we heard through Lincoln and Leah, 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:28.959 isn't it? 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:35.000 That incredible report of the school teacher who... 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:37.220 I knew I wasn't going to get through this. 00:07:37.459 --> 00:07:39.040 The school teacher who, 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:42.220 in that instinctive moment, 00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:43.680 when the building was trembling, 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:46.800 grabbed those three kids to herself, 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:48.840 and when the rescuers came, 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:49.480 said, 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:50.600 prioritise them, 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:52.379 and it cost her her life. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:55.180 And Lincoln and Leah knew the father 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:57.180 and heard his testimony, 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:04.139 and his view of God being good was not shaken. 00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:07.819 They said it was emotional testimony. 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:09.540 There was deep grief, 00:08:09.540 --> 00:08:16.340 and yet he could say that his daughter embodied Jesus 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:19.200 in giving her life to save others. 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:22.340 There was peace and purpose, 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:24.400 even hope in that testimony. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:33.860 No one has such deep wells to drink from 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:36.639 to face hardship and suffering than a Christian. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:44.819 We are given such deep wells of resources to drink from. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:51.179 We can... 00:08:51.179 --> 00:08:52.899 The things I've described so far 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:54.399 are just things that happen to us. 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:57.299 But these Christians back then, 00:08:57.419 --> 00:09:00.059 they were facing hostility from their own people. 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:05.279 Why doesn't the book end in chapter 10? 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:08.839 We've been in Hebrews for a while now, 00:09:09.119 --> 00:09:12.959 and I want to do a bit of recap. 00:09:13.339 --> 00:09:15.279 My small group is getting a bit sick of me 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.419 doing a recap every week. 00:09:17.579 --> 00:09:19.619 But I want some responses, okay? 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:22.239 So what have we learnt so far? 00:09:22.319 --> 00:09:25.079 What is Jesus better than? 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:26.799 Like, we've seen lots of themes. 00:09:27.339 --> 00:09:28.719 What is he better than? 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:31.540 Just try and keep it like one-word answers. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:33.080 Angels. 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.560 He's better than angels. 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:38.379 The greatest beings, closest beings to God. 00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:39.600 He's better and greater. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:42.680 Everything, yeah? 00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:43.759 That's a summary. 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:44.620 Yes? 00:09:45.680 --> 00:09:46.360 Moses. 00:09:46.540 --> 00:09:47.759 He's greater than Moses. 00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:52.139 Moses was faithful as a servant. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:55.920 Jesus was faithful as a son over the whole house. 00:09:56.060 --> 00:09:56.200 Yep. 00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:57.200 Melchizedek. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:09:58.879 Melchizedek. 00:09:59.520 --> 00:10:00.200 Oh, yeah, thanks. 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:01.360 I forgot about that. 00:10:02.060 --> 00:10:02.660 Melchizedek. 00:10:02.780 --> 00:10:06.540 This strange figure, this king and priest. 00:10:08.780 --> 00:10:12.780 Jesus is greater than Melchizedek, the king and priest. 00:10:14.160 --> 00:10:15.620 He's greater than David. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:16.580 Yes. 00:10:17.020 --> 00:10:18.220 The greatest king. 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:23.279 He's greater than Abraham. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:23.600 Yeah? 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.279 He's the greatest sacrifice. 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:30.560 All those animals sacrificing, they could just wash the body. 00:10:30.660 --> 00:10:32.120 They couldn't deal with your conscience. 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:35.180 He's the once for all sacrifice. 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:35.420 Yeah? 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:37.800 High priest. 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:40.740 We need someone to connect us to God. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:42.019 You need a go-between. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.060 You need one. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:44.359 I'm not it. 00:10:45.239 --> 00:10:50.119 You have, we have the great high priest, the God-man, Jesus Christ, 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:53.019 who connects us to God, the greatest priest. 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.139 Prophet. 00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:01.379 Yes, God spoke in the past all these words from God about who God is 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:07.000 and his will, and now his son reveals God fully and his will for the world. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.059 It's a full and final word from God. 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:14.539 Tabernacle. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:15.000 Yes. 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:19.720 The high priest couldn't go in only once a year and only with blood. 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:24.799 We can go into the presence of God through the curtain, through Jesus. 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:26.440 We're in the holy of holies. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:31.200 We're in the presence of God. 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:32.539 He is our tabernacle. 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:36.959 There's also the rest. 00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:40.019 Joshua didn't give them rest in the land. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.599 We have rest in Christ. 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.099 Anything else people want to say? 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:46.759 That's pretty good. 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:47.980 I'm sure there's more. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:49.259 Like Job. 00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:52.039 Job. 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:52.399 Yep. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:56.539 We've got the whole list of Old Testament saints. 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.759 Jesus is at the forefront of that. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:03.220 Now, so why doesn't the book end at chapter 10? 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:05.819 The argument's done, in a sense. 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.500 Jesus is better. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.919 Don't go back to Judaism. 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:11.519 Like, don't revert back. 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.759 He's so much better. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:14.879 He's better than everything. 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.899 We have full access to God. 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:19.860 Hold on to your hope. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:23.000 Don't neglect meeting together. 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:24.039 Encourage each other. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:26.460 The day of judgment and salvation is coming. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:27.679 Why not end there? 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:39.080 Why, as Matt Hunt took us through, does he say, recall your previous sufferings? 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.840 When some of you went to prison. 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:44.580 Others visited, risking your life visiting them in prison. 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:50.139 Others had your houses taken from you and you were joyful about it. 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:52.059 Remember that. 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:53.059 Why is he... 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:55.460 Remember your original confidence. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:13:01.360 And then, as Martin took us through, this Old Testament from creation right through history, 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:06.340 this parade of saints who trusted the promises of God. 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:09.639 And at the front of this parade is Jesus. 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:15.360 The one who is the answer to their faith, who creates our faith. 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:17.900 He's the example of faith. 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:22.399 He endured out of joy. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.519 The joy set before him. 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:27.139 So what's all this about? 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:32.539 I think the key through this whole section is that word endurance. 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:40.480 In a sense, he's spoken to the mind and now he's speaking to the heart, convincing us. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.399 We need to endure. 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:55.959 We're part of this great, long list of saints following Jesus who face hardship and trusted the promises of God. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:14:05.080 To believe Jesus is so much better than what this world has to offer, it comes at a cost. 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:10.759 The cost is we don't belong in this world. 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:18.139 I think we can talk about this as if that's just some Christians' experience. 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:21.759 As if some people face persecution. 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:24.819 I think this is all Christians. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.879 This is all of us. 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:30.539 Now, it can be simple things. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:40.000 It can be you've got church on a Sunday and your sports team, it's been the rain, it's rescheduled for a Sunday and you're just like, 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:43.860 I can't, I've got to go to church. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:47.319 And you'll probably get ridiculed for that. 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:50.460 You'll probably feel like you're letting the team down. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:52.660 There's simple things like that. 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:59.420 But I know there's people in this church family who have been asked by their superiors at work to be dishonest. 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:05.960 Legally, you're doing the wrong thing and yet pretty confident they'll get away with it. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.280 That puts you in a dilemma. 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:21.279 You can not be a team player and feel like you don't belong to that company all because you want to be faithful to your Lord. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:27.899 I know some of you have had close friends who haven't talked to you for years simply because you're a Christian. 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.000 There is a cost. 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:33.860 There's some friends who say, don't talk about Christian things around me. 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:39.199 Not realising that those things are at the heart of who you are. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:41.279 They're rejecting the core of you. 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.179 That's a cost. 00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:49.599 I know there's relational strains in families. 00:15:49.599 --> 00:15:51.299 I've heard some of the things at least. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:59.979 I'm not sure there's a family in this room that doesn't have relational strains because of your allegiance to Jesus. 00:16:00.099 --> 00:16:02.599 At least a bit weird in your family. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:12.379 This section addresses our fearful hearts. 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:25.960 That not having a home in this world is worth it because of the home that Jesus Christ gives us is far better. 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:30.720 In chapter 12, we've got this great cloud of witnesses. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:35.060 We're part of this great history of people trusting God. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:39.220 And chapter 12 gives us these deep resources to drink from. 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.360 Here's what I think we see. 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.840 We aren't alone. 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:47.000 We're following the Son. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:54.200 Hostility and hardships are even evidence of our Father's love. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.519 There's good purpose. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.860 It's not meaningless. 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:06.920 He's creating us to be holy and loving peace. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:10.059 A people who are holy and loving peace. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:17.000 We are already members of his holy, heavenly home. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:22.160 And we're going to receive a new home that can't be shaken. 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:25.460 We've got so many resources to drink from. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.440 Let's have a look at each of these. 00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:31.200 So if you've got your Bibles with you, verses 3 to 4. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:42.600 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted. 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:48.259 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:53.639 It's an interesting thing to focus on, isn't it? 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.240 Follow Jesus. 00:17:55.240 --> 00:18:00.359 Wouldn't it be better to think of his reward now? 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.480 He doesn't say that. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:04.740 He says, think of his suffering. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.799 Why is that encouraging? 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:16.720 Well, the hostile sinners that he endured under were his own people. 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:20.700 They were the Jewish people who rejected him. 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:33.900 So these Jewish Christians, facing the same hostility from their own people, their own families, the son can sympathize with your family cutting you off. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.880 You're in good company. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:40.160 It's not strange what's happening to you. 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:42.539 Very painful, but it's not strange. 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.240 You're following the son. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:54.120 In your struggle against sin, I don't think that's just sin generally. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:19:02.160 In the context of Hebrews, it's more likely that it's the temptation to turn away from Jesus. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:06.299 The greatest threat isn't the hostility from people. 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:15.279 But in that circumstance, the greatest threat is the temptation to just play it safe and lose your love for Jesus. 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:22.819 You haven't yet shed your blood. 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:26.059 Well, thank you. 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:29.980 Thanks for reminding me of what could happen. 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.299 How is that encouraging? 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:40.039 It can't be saying that you need to be faithful to Jesus unless your life is at stake. 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:43.099 The Old Testament lists the saints, Jesus himself. 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:48.240 Faithfulness to Jesus is our whole life. 00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:54.059 I think it could be meaning something along these lines. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:59.740 Emma's created this list of bad things for Sam and we've numbered them one to ten. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:06.559 Just to help him when something bad happens, goes, is it kind of like this or this or this? 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:08.180 It's to put it in perspective. 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:16.359 So I wonder if it's saying, yes, it feels incredibly overwhelming what you're going through. 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:18.640 But maybe it's just putting it in perspective. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:23.039 I think it might be more than that. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:29.680 I wonder if it's saying, you haven't yet shed your blood, but consider him. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.659 He did. 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.659 And he did it for you. 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:45.059 He endured trusting his father to the point of shedding his blood for you. 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:47.559 I wonder if that's why it's encouraging. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:50.119 So consider him. 00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:50.839 You're not alone. 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:58.039 He knows the pain, the searing pain of being rejected by your family, your own people. 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:04.679 And most of all, remember that he shed his blood to have you. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:09.819 Then we've got verses 5 to 11. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:22.460 I think these give us a perspective that can even transform the most malicious criticism and slander. 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:26.720 Being deliberately left out. 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:31.299 It can transform even the worst kinds of abuse. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:36.859 Verse 7 captures this section. 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:42.379 It is for discipline that you have to endure. 00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:45.199 God is treating you as sons. 00:21:48.699 --> 00:21:52.179 Our culture says pain is to be avoided. 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.459 It's inherently bad. 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:58.119 But the believer, we can drink from this well in our suffering. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:00.319 Tim Chester, an author, says this. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:04.319 Hardship is not a sign that God dislikes or disowns us. 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.019 Quite the opposite. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:09.720 It's a sign that he loves us and accepts us as his children. 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:18.920 If we receive hardship by faith, it has the power to bring us closer to our heavenly father. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:26.220 In every adversity, we can enjoy the father's love. 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:38.660 Now that only makes sense if we believe that Jesus has shared his sonship with us. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:48.319 I'm sure if I handed the mic around, we could all share stories of how your suffering has brought you closer to God. 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:51.339 Especially the older saints among us. 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:58.980 Teaching us that his love is sufficient. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:04.359 We still call bad things bad. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.919 Evil things are still evil. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:08.119 Injustice is injustice. 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:18.239 But the Christian can look past all those evil, intensive people and see a loving father. 00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:23.079 Who is treating you as his child. 00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:24.519 Who he loves. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.659 That's incredible. 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:31.480 There's no other faith in the world that can look past suffering like that. 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:36.019 And see purpose in it. 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:42.740 I was going to list examples of this, but I don't think it's appropriate. 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:46.980 There's things that my dad and my parents disciplined me. 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:50.339 And I'm so grateful for them now. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:54.339 I did not like them at the time. 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.180 But I'm so grateful. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:59.039 I'm sure you can all think of things. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.700 How much more? 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:05.299 In their limited wisdom, limited opportunity in training us. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:12.180 How much more should we trust a wise and in control father? 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:14.900 Who wants to give us eternal life? 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:24.759 That perspective, it gives us resolve. 00:24:25.040 --> 00:24:26.340 But I think it does more than that. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:32.340 Or as Tim Chester said, it can actually make us go, you're loving me. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:35.880 It can actually connect us to God as father. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:41.080 And it can even give us wisdom and ask different questions. 00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:44.820 We stop asking, why is this happening to me? 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:49.580 And we start asking, Father, what do you want me to learn in this? 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:55.960 Who are you that I can rest and find hope in you? 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:59.259 How do I respond in a way that pleases you? 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:03.840 It can teach us to ask wiser questions. 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.759 To be trained by it. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:12.599 So we are following the son. 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:19.660 We can drink from the well knowing our father loves us. 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:26.339 And we're told, we're not left in the dark about what our father is doing. 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:29.180 It's not some vague sense. 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:31.860 He tells us at the end of verse 10 and 11. 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.960 End of verse 10. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:39.380 He disciplines us for our good. 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:44.019 That we may share his holiness. 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:48.580 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:52.620 But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:55.199 To those who have been trained by it. 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.899 I don't know if you're familiar. 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:01.639 Have you heard the phrase in Christian circles? 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.179 It's something along these lines. 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.139 There's different forms of it. 00:26:05.679 --> 00:26:07.539 Seek holiness, not happiness. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.619 Have you heard that phrase? 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.859 Okay, great. 00:26:11.939 --> 00:26:13.000 I'm getting one or two nods. 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:15.920 Now there's something to that. 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:22.640 If what we mean by that is don't just seek the immediate pleasures of what we want now. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.720 Think of holiness. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:26.180 There's something to that statement. 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:29.119 Otherwise I think it's dangerous. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:34.539 There's a dangerous misunderstanding it could lead you to. 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:38.619 As if holiness and happiness are mutually opposed. 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.319 That is not true. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:45.200 Our father is committed to giving us everlasting happiness. 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:47.539 And for that to occur, we need holiness. 00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:51.059 You want to be happy? 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:53.480 You want others in this church to be happy? 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:56.759 We need to share his holiness. 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:04.819 Because when we act righteously, it creates peace in community. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.659 Peace with God. 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.539 Peace with one another. 00:27:07.859 --> 00:27:09.319 It creates joy. 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:24.179 And so God wants us to pursue what his goal is. 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:29.500 That holiness, that righteousness that produces a peace-loving community. 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.960 That's what our goal should be. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:36.119 And I think that's what verses 12 to 17 are about. 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:39.039 We know our father's purpose. 00:27:39.239 --> 00:27:40.519 It is a good purpose. 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:44.479 He's playing the long game, so to speak. 00:27:45.939 --> 00:27:48.339 And so we should get on board with his goal. 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:57.339 Hardships are not reason to doubt and turn away from God's goodness or think Jesus isn't so good after all. 00:27:57.339 --> 00:28:00.819 It's time to get on board with God's goal. 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:06.039 It's time to run towards the same goal. 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:10.059 The body metaphor. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.980 Lift your drooping hands. 00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:13.539 Strengthen weak knees. 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:15.639 Make straight paths for your feet. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:23.740 I think this section makes the most sense in a church application, not just an individual. 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:33.700 We're to help each other drink from these resources during hardship. 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:39.420 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God. 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:42.680 We all wander off sometimes. 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:45.340 We all lose our way. 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:52.279 We're to give each other this teaching so that we can keep going. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:56.420 That root of bitterness is quoting Moses. 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:59.880 It's an internal attitude that says, 00:29:00.820 --> 00:29:03.600 I can turn away from God and everything will be okay. 00:29:05.800 --> 00:29:07.900 No, it won't be okay. 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:11.120 Don't let that attitude spread among you. 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:16.080 God is committed to our holiness to create our happiness. 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:22.800 That sexual immorality can spread. 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:26.420 Now, I'm not sure why that specifically appears here. 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:28.980 The author comes back to it in chapter 13. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.960 Certainly it would destroy peace. 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:34.100 Certainly it's not holy. 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.740 But maybe it was a particular problem then. 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:39.360 In that church. 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:42.420 And then we've got Esau. 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:52.019 He is the opposite of the great cloud of witnesses in chapter 11. 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:56.240 He is godless and unholy. 00:29:56.240 --> 00:30:01.339 He was in line to receive the promises of God. 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:04.660 And he thought they were of such low value, 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:07.599 he'd prefer a bowl of stew. 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:15.620 That's how ungodly Esau was. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:23.059 He'd prefer this world instead of the promises of God. 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:25.099 See to it we don't have that attitude. 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:35.059 So let's get on board with God's goal of creating a peace-loving, righteous community. 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:37.460 And we've got to help each other do that. 00:30:38.179 --> 00:30:39.980 Help each other drink from these worlds. 00:30:40.679 --> 00:30:42.759 Yes, it's hard following Jesus. 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.599 It's costly. 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:45.359 But you're following the Son. 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:47.139 The Father is loving you. 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:49.500 And here's the next well to drink from. 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:51.140 18 to 24. 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.360 In the Son. 00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:58.400 Yes, you might be cut off here. 00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:06.980 But you are already members of the heavenly joy-filled family of God. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:10.519 This is not future. 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:11.220 This is now. 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:16.680 There's two pictures here. 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:18.839 There's Mount Sinai. 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.160 The giving of the law. 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:24.500 Which I think this is a way to recap the whole book of Hebrews. 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:27.259 There's nothing to go back to there. 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:30.400 And then there's the heavenly city. 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:32.059 The heavenly community. 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:34.460 In Mount Zion. 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:36.220 There's two mountains. 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:39.879 You have not come to Mount Sinai. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:42.440 You have come to this heavenly city. 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:44.980 Don't approach God through the law. 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:47.480 Approach God through faith in Jesus. 00:31:47.480 --> 00:32:05.900 You think it was impressive when God came down and the mountains shook and his holiness was like a fire that made the mountains smoke and the trumpet blast and his voice in thunder. 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.539 Yes, it was awesome. 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:12.420 But they were terrified. 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:15.299 Don't talk to us anymore, God. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:17.440 I can't handle it. 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:19.759 Even Moses is petrified. 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:25.000 They couldn't stand in the presence of God. 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:28.420 They couldn't enjoy his company. 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:32.380 Don't approach God like that. 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:33.500 Don't go back to that. 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:36.259 It crushed them. 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:37.940 There's no access to God. 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.620 Verse 22. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.940 But you have come. 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:51.559 To his holy, heavenly home. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:53.079 By faith in Jesus. 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:55.500 You have come to Mount Zion. 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:58.359 And to the city of the living God. 00:32:59.159 --> 00:33:00.440 The heavenly Jerusalem. 00:33:00.659 --> 00:33:03.179 And to innumerable angels. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:05.720 In festal gathering. 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:10.119 And to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven. 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.119 And to God. 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.579 And to God. 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.959 The judge of all. 00:33:12.959 --> 00:33:15.599 And to the spirits of the righteous made perfect. 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.959 And to Jesus. 00:33:17.179 --> 00:33:19.659 The mediator of a new covenant. 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:21.299 And to the sprinkled blood. 00:33:21.739 --> 00:33:24.139 That speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:28.580 We use the term church. 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.740 We use the term church. 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:31.980 And what do you think of when I say church? 00:33:32.419 --> 00:33:34.099 You probably think of what we're doing now. 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.199 Which, fair enough. 00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:36.319 This is church. 00:33:36.379 --> 00:33:37.220 We are the church. 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:38.339 The people of the church. 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:40.099 Building's not the church. 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.379 The people of the church. 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:43.820 We might talk universal church. 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:47.780 There's so many Christians gathered around Newcastle. 00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:51.260 We are united to those who trust the Jesus of the Bible. 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:53.320 There's a universal church. 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.760 But here's the foundation. 00:33:55.060 --> 00:33:57.560 Here's the most true. 00:33:58.560 --> 00:33:59.600 The most real. 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:01.760 I'm not sure. 00:34:02.280 --> 00:34:04.260 I'm probably creating dichotomies here. 00:34:04.520 --> 00:34:06.040 There is the heavenly church. 00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:08.400 We are in heaven right now. 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:10.039 If you're in faith in Jesus. 00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:10.840 We are in heaven. 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:14.700 We are gathered with all the Old Testament saints. 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:17.579 Who put their faith in God's promises. 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.380 That were fulfilled in Jesus. 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:21.140 And we're gathered with all Christians. 00:34:22.240 --> 00:34:23.460 Who have faith in Jesus. 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.860 We're in the heavenly church. 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:31.480 Knowing that is good news. 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:35.440 If you feel like you're losing your home in this life. 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:36.320 Is it not? 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:41.360 Whenever you get into the immediate presence of God. 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:41.940 God in scripture. 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:43.559 You find angels. 00:34:46.140 --> 00:34:47.579 What are they doing? 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:52.220 They are not trembling. 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:54.160 Like Mount Zion. 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:58.280 They're in festal gathering. 00:34:58.280 --> 00:35:00.580 I don't know what that looks like. 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:02.340 But they are singing. 00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:04.720 They are making a raucous. 00:35:05.040 --> 00:35:07.420 They are partying. 00:35:08.160 --> 00:35:11.340 This is a joy-filled community. 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:13.340 They are in the immediate presence of God. 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:15.920 And angels are with us. 00:35:17.040 --> 00:35:18.040 Full of joy. 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:29.579 And your name is enrolled in heaven. 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:34.199 You might be scratched out of the sporting team. 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:36.380 You might be kicked out of your job. 00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:37.480 You might. 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:41.440 Some people are even kicked out of their family. 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.980 You lose your last name. 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:46.539 But your name is written in heaven. 00:35:46.539 --> 00:36:00.279 You are gathered with all those Old Testament saints who are made perfect now. 00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:06.220 But you noticed it, didn't you? 00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:11.460 In the middle of these wonderful descriptions, you've got this terrifying description. 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:13.700 God, the judge of all. 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:15.899 Did that make you tremble a bit? 00:36:18.179 --> 00:36:19.980 How is that good news? 00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:24.159 Or verse 24. 00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:26.699 We're the new covenant people. 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:32.179 We've come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant. 00:36:36.439 --> 00:36:43.239 And to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:45.899 We've already drawn near to God the judge. 00:36:46.259 --> 00:36:50.639 We are in the Holy of Holies, behind the curtain, through the blood of Jesus. 00:36:51.399 --> 00:36:53.719 We've come to the judge and we're safe. 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.559 We're accepted. 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.579 We're washed. 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.879 We have full access. 00:37:00.479 --> 00:37:01.679 We can call him Father. 00:37:03.979 --> 00:37:11.479 Abel's blood, when Cain killed him, cried out to God the judge for vengeance. 00:37:13.239 --> 00:37:21.000 Jesus' blood cries out to God's justice for our forgiveness. 00:37:22.419 --> 00:37:23.199 Forgive them. 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:26.199 It's a better word. 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:29.459 His justice is not against us anymore. 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:31.479 It's for us. 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.480 It's for us. 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:32.480 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:44.039 It is good news. 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:47.920 I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:54.800 We are already full members of this heavenly, holy church. 00:37:54.800 --> 00:38:06.640 And so you can face suffering, even partying with the angels. 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.360 Because you know you belong. 00:38:12.740 --> 00:38:14.440 And the best is yet to come. 00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:21.920 Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:28.880 Yes, it hurts if you don't belong to this world. 00:38:29.380 --> 00:38:36.440 But it would be crazy to build your life on this world that is going to be shaken. 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:45.720 To refuse to listen to the message of the sun and build your life on what this world is for. 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.840 That is crazy. 00:38:47.659 --> 00:38:49.000 It's going to be shaken. 00:38:50.200 --> 00:38:59.119 His holiness is coming to purify us so that he creates that community who love righteousness and peace. 00:38:59.119 --> 00:39:03.460 Anything that isn't holy will be shaken and gone. 00:39:06.339 --> 00:39:11.259 And he's giving you, because of Jesus, a home that cannot be shaken. 00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:12.679 The best is yet to come. 00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:15.159 By faith we're in this heavenly gathering. 00:39:16.579 --> 00:39:17.859 Now let's face it. 00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:19.960 We struggle to sing that last song. 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:24.900 But gee, the best is yet to come. 00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:29.460 Have you ever been in a stadium singing? 00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:32.780 We are going to be gathered with the angels. 00:39:33.900 --> 00:39:38.960 And our delight is for God and for one another is going to be pure. 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:42.300 We've got a home that's coming. 00:39:43.680 --> 00:39:44.940 Don't build it here. 00:39:46.220 --> 00:39:48.059 You don't belong here and that's okay. 00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:54.400 You've got a kingdom that cannot be shaken. 00:39:54.900 --> 00:40:02.139 Christians, drink from these worlds. 00:40:03.660 --> 00:40:15.500 And we can face hardship and even hostility with peace and purpose and hope and even joy. 00:40:17.360 --> 00:40:19.099 We're following the sun. 00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:27.039 The Father is loving us, getting us ready for this unshakable home. 00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:32.340 We're already in the greatest community. 00:40:34.400 --> 00:40:38.800 So therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. 00:40:38.800 --> 00:40:45.380 And let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe. 00:40:46.620 --> 00:40:49.880 For our God is a consuming fire. 00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:57.559 I can even, in the sun, I can even look forward to that consuming fire. 00:40:57.680 --> 00:40:58.920 I'm sick of my sin. 00:41:00.119 --> 00:41:01.260 It's going to be gone. 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:03.220 It will be gone. 00:41:03.320 --> 00:41:04.900 I'm safe in his son. 00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:05.920 I'm already accepted. 00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:07.880 That kingdom's coming. 00:41:08.559 --> 00:41:13.420 Let's help each other drink from these resources so that we can just stay on track for Jesus. 00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:15.760 Let us pray. 00:41:18.680 --> 00:41:28.000 Father, please fill us with this vision of your holy and heavenly home that you've given to us in your son. 00:41:28.240 --> 00:41:35.740 Fill us with this vision so that we will remain faithful to you and love holiness. 00:41:35.739 --> 00:41:38.939 So that we can be happy with you forever. 00:41:39.139 --> 00:41:43.819 Lord, place on us a burden of responsibility for one another. 00:41:44.759 --> 00:41:49.159 To keep us looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. 00:41:49.279 --> 00:41:50.399 In Jesus' name I ask. 00:41:50.699 --> 00:41:51.000 Amen. 00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:51.099 Amen.