WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:03.240 Father, we just want to know you. 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:09.960 And I just ask, Lord, that your word, as we look at it, as we hear it read, 00:00:10.380 --> 00:00:13.400 and as we go off and reflect on it later in the week, 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:17.120 that you would just minister to our hearts and our minds. 00:00:17.820 --> 00:00:19.960 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:22.900 --> 00:00:26.500 Now, there's this new show on Amazon Prime 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:30.359 that me and Amy, my wife, have been getting into lately. 00:00:30.920 --> 00:00:33.579 And it's called The World's Toughest Race. 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:37.899 And this one, I don't know if they always have it in Fiji, 00:00:38.019 --> 00:00:41.539 but this one is based in Fiji this year, or whenever they recorded it. 00:00:42.760 --> 00:00:47.920 And what this race is, is basically an Ironman on steroids, 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:49.480 if you know what an Ironman is. 00:00:50.679 --> 00:00:55.879 It, like, pushes the human body to, like, the max physical limit. 00:00:55.880 --> 00:01:00.160 And it also pushes the human body to the max mental limit. 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:05.439 And the course that they're going through in Fiji 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:12.300 is the most intense course you'll ever see in a race. 00:01:12.300 --> 00:01:17.060 It involves going through into the ocean, 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:20.359 way off, like, 100 kilometers, and then back. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:23.599 And then it also involves going into the Fiji Mountains, 00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:27.620 into the jungle, and working through it to get to these checkpoints. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:30.900 And at the same time, they have to get these medallions. 00:01:31.579 --> 00:01:34.959 And these medallions signify your progress through the race. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:39.900 But another thing in this race is you have to hit certain checkpoints, 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:41.239 or as they call them, camps, 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:45.739 to get, at a certain time, to continue on in the race. 00:01:45.739 --> 00:01:47.759 And if you don't, you're disqualified. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:49.819 So it's constant pushing people. 00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:50.879 You barely get to sleep. 00:01:50.979 --> 00:01:51.859 You barely get to eat. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:53.780 But they have to keep going. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:55.619 And I just want to, I bring this up, 00:01:55.679 --> 00:01:57.199 because I want to focus in on this one scene 00:01:57.199 --> 00:01:58.500 that's a couple episodes in. 00:01:58.539 --> 00:02:01.699 It's not a spoiler, because a lot of teams lose in this. 00:02:01.739 --> 00:02:02.519 There's only one winner. 00:02:03.459 --> 00:02:07.560 What happens is this team is so far behind. 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:08.599 They're in last place. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:13.299 They're stuck on the island that they had to take these boats to 00:02:13.299 --> 00:02:15.840 by paddling, and then they get back. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:17.699 But they decided to camp there for a night, 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:18.780 because they felt wary. 00:02:19.819 --> 00:02:23.199 And in the morning, they had to start going across. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:25.039 And they're like 100 kilometers behind. 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:28.359 And as they kept going, they kept pushing it, 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:30.439 saying they're going to get there, they're going to get there. 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:34.759 And then when they get onto the main island of Fiji, 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:38.139 one of the race officials comes up to them and tells them 00:02:38.139 --> 00:02:42.199 that it is mathematically impossible for you to make it to the camp 00:02:42.199 --> 00:02:45.120 in time to continue on in the race. 00:02:46.459 --> 00:02:48.780 And I say this, I bring this up, 00:02:49.159 --> 00:02:51.359 because the text that we're going to look at 00:02:51.359 --> 00:02:56.159 kind of says that to us in the Romans epistle. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:03:02.239 It says that even though you can do all these things, 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:06.060 you still fall short of the glory of God. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:08.219 All have sinned. 00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:09.520 All fall short. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:14.760 And as we continue on through this summer sermon series 00:03:14.760 --> 00:03:17.120 called The Crucified Messiah, 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:20.040 this week we're looking at, it's called 00:03:20.040 --> 00:03:22.740 Jesus' Death is Your Justification. 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:27.500 And I admit, this is a hard thing to hear, 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:30.640 that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:36.919 It seems like, how can then, how does the Christian walk so good 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:39.699 if all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God? 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:42.059 How can we do this? 00:03:42.299 --> 00:03:43.599 Is it even possible? 00:03:44.299 --> 00:03:46.579 But there's this other truth in the text 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:49.759 which surrounds that one verse that says that, 00:03:50.119 --> 00:03:51.179 which is a great truth. 00:03:51.619 --> 00:03:54.239 It is a truth that we should meditate on every day 00:03:54.239 --> 00:03:55.299 in our Christian walk. 00:03:55.300 --> 00:04:00.420 It is like the foundation of Christianity 00:04:00.420 --> 00:04:01.560 and that is justification. 00:04:02.760 --> 00:04:03.820 So if you haven't already, 00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:08.420 turn with me to Romans chapter 3, verses 21 to 25. 00:04:08.920 --> 00:04:10.240 And we'll take a look at it. 00:04:10.920 --> 00:04:12.040 And as you're turning there, 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:13.380 or looking up in your phone, 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:15.460 I'll just give a bit of context. 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:17.720 Paul is writing to the church in Rome. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:20.120 This church is made up of Jewish people, 00:04:20.340 --> 00:04:22.120 Jewish Christians, and Gentile Christians. 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:27.459 And he's writing to them because there's this conflict 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:30.620 between the Jewish and the Gentile Christians. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:33.660 There's this conflict that the Jewish people think 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:36.939 they know the right way, how to do things, 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:38.300 and they're better than the Gentiles. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:40.959 But the Gentiles think they know what they're doing 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:42.399 better than the Jewish Christians, 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:44.459 and they think they're better higher up. 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:47.459 So Paul is trying to show them that 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:51.719 no matter how high you feel or how low you feel, 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:53.060 that is not what matters. 00:04:53.659 --> 00:04:55.060 That is not what matters. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:57.979 So let's take a look. 00:04:58.180 --> 00:04:58.959 Let's look at this. 00:04:59.359 --> 00:05:01.240 And beginning at verse 21. 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:20.780 Now some of you could be asking, 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:22.379 what is the righteousness of God? 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:24.920 The righteousness of God, 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.240 what Paul is talking about here, 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:28.960 how he talks about it always in all his epistles, 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:33.439 is the justifying act of God. 00:05:34.159 --> 00:05:35.560 And what he's talking about here, 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:36.739 he's talking about the cross. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:39.199 He's talking about that moment in history 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:44.139 when Jesus went to the cross to die for sinners, 00:05:44.299 --> 00:05:45.199 to die for people. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.379 And then he rose from the dead. 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:49.139 So he's talking about that. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:52.859 It has been manifested apart from the law 00:05:52.860 --> 00:05:54.680 and apart from the prophets. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:59.439 Now, what he means by apart from the law, 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:02.240 we will look at in the couple of verses following. 00:06:02.840 --> 00:06:03.980 So I'm just going to mention 00:06:03.980 --> 00:06:05.800 what he means about the prophets. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:07.939 The prophets talk about, 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:09.860 all through them, 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:11.400 they prophesy, 00:06:11.860 --> 00:06:13.500 they speak about a future event. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:15.360 And that event is the cross. 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:16.560 And I'll just look at one of them 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:18.540 that Paul is referring to right now. 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:20.439 And that is found, 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:21.040 I'll just read it, 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:21.879 you don't have to turn there. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:27.020 That is found in Isaiah 53, verse 5. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:28.920 There's also many others in Isaiah. 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:30.319 But I'm just going to highlight this one. 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:34.320 Isaiah 53, verse 5. 00:06:34.320 --> 00:06:38.600 But he was pierced for our transgressions. 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:42.320 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:47.200 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:50.439 And with his wounds, 00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:52.159 we are healed. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:55.060 That is a great text. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:59.199 That text speaks of a future event in that time. 00:06:59.659 --> 00:07:02.139 And that future event was the cross. 00:07:02.860 --> 00:07:05.860 And that's what Paul is trying to get the two sides, 00:07:06.219 --> 00:07:08.620 even though there's no two sides. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.159 It's just one Christian body. 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:11.920 But unfortunately, 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:14.420 there seems to be distinctions that happen. 00:07:15.620 --> 00:07:18.060 So the Old Testament points to an historical event, 00:07:18.140 --> 00:07:18.640 the cross. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:21.080 So we're going to continue 00:07:21.080 --> 00:07:24.520 in verse 22, the second half, 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:25.780 going into verse 23. 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:39.599 Now this, some of you could be saying, 00:07:39.679 --> 00:07:40.719 it seems very harsh. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:45.879 It seems like this is the great leveler. 00:07:46.419 --> 00:07:49.519 This means that no one is greater. 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:52.279 No one is lower. 00:07:53.119 --> 00:07:54.739 No one measures up. 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:56.980 All have sinned. 00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:00.300 But some of you could be thinking, 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:03.800 well, like, surely I'm better than that person. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:07.660 That's a very common human thing that we do. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:11.319 We end up always measuring ourself against other people. 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:14.980 And Paul here is trying to show that 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:16.560 no one is better. 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:21.959 No one can achieve what he's talking about here 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:25.620 over some other person who they deem is not as good. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:29.800 But surely I have some leg up on people, 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:31.899 on those kinds of people, 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:32.740 you could be thinking. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:34.879 You see, we all fall short. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:37.539 All have sinned. 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:42.000 Your sins merit ultimate penal suffering 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:44.799 and rejection of God's presence. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:48.139 And there's nothing you can do to change it. 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:53.199 Now, why am I guilty? 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.379 It doesn't seem fair. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:59.939 It seems like there's no evidence against me. 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:01.919 But Paul, 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:05.360 Paul here is talking about how there is evidence. 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:08.539 And that evidence is found in Genesis, 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:11.379 when Adam and Eve ate the apple, 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:15.240 when they decided they want to become more like God. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.740 They want to become all-knowing. 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.419 And because of that, 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:22.039 God had to curse humanity 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:23.460 because of that moment. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:24.879 It's called the fall. 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:26.419 Because of that. 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:27.560 Because of that moment, 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:30.259 no one measures up now. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:34.500 It's very similar, if you think about it, 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:37.240 to the cancel culture 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:39.460 that's happening right now in our culture. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:42.980 The cancel culture basically is 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:44.159 if someone does something 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:45.339 that they consider wrong 00:09:45.339 --> 00:09:46.779 or if they do something 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:47.600 that they consider, 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.959 it could be the slightest thing. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:51.339 They decide to cancel them 00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:52.459 and just say, 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:53.059 you're canceled. 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:53.939 And basically, 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:54.919 they boycott. 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:56.439 Either they boycott businesses 00:09:56.439 --> 00:09:57.799 or they boycott people. 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:00.319 And they try to ruin the person's image. 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:02.159 Even if there's no evidence 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:03.759 that happens. 00:10:05.439 --> 00:10:06.879 They try to force people 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:07.579 to submit 00:10:07.579 --> 00:10:09.720 to them 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:12.259 of fear being canceled. 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:14.419 But if you look at this, 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:14.980 the Bible 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:16.220 has canceled 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.799 us all out. 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:20.539 All 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:22.080 the evidence 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:23.919 is stacked against us. 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.179 And there's nothing 00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:26.100 you can do about it. 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:27.779 When you read through the Bible, 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:28.840 the evidence becomes 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:30.200 more and more 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:31.679 stacked against us. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.659 By the time you get home 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:35.259 from the church service today, 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.379 there will be more evidence 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:37.539 stacked against you. 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:38.480 It's just, 00:10:39.199 --> 00:10:40.519 we are lost 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:42.519 in our own selves. 00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:46.199 All evidence 00:10:46.199 --> 00:10:47.299 is against you and me. 00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:49.279 The case 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:50.219 has been laid out. 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:52.439 The jury 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:53.459 has read the verdict 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:54.319 in a sense. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.419 And they read out 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:56.819 guilty. 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.480 We find the accused 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:59.899 guilty on all accounts 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:00.599 against them. 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:06.159 The text says, 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:06.840 all are guilty. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.820 All have sinned. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.159 No one is righteous. 00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:09.560 Now, 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.600 if I was to stop here, 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:12.060 this would seem 00:11:12.060 --> 00:11:12.980 like the harshest 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:13.740 church service 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.759 you've ever been to. 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:15.420 It would, 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.060 it would be very, 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:17.899 it's very depressing 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.019 if that's where I stop. 00:11:19.540 --> 00:11:20.899 But there's a great truth 00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:21.820 in this text. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:24.100 There's a great truth 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:25.240 when you continue on. 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:26.500 It is the most 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:27.960 uplifting thing 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:29.320 that you can, 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:29.580 like, 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:30.500 grasp. 00:11:31.020 --> 00:11:31.720 And I'll continue. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:33.300 And I just want to mention, 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.320 we all know what it's like 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:35.960 to fail and fall short. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.480 So I'll continue 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:39.139 and I'll read 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:39.960 the second half 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:41.100 of verse 22 again. 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:43.540 For there is no distinction 00:11:43.540 --> 00:11:45.500 for all have sinned 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:46.200 and fall short 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:47.240 of the glory of God 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.740 and are justified 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.280 by His grace 00:11:50.280 --> 00:11:51.360 as a gift 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:53.300 through the redemption 00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:55.080 that is in Christ Jesus 00:11:55.080 --> 00:11:56.800 whom God put forward 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:58.140 as a propitiation 00:11:58.140 --> 00:11:59.200 by His blood 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.800 to be received 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:01.660 by faith. 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:02.980 This was to show 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:03.920 God's righteousness 00:12:03.920 --> 00:12:05.580 because in His divine 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.860 forbearance 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.900 He had passed over 00:12:07.900 --> 00:12:09.000 former sins. 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:10.640 See, 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:11.800 this is a beautiful thing. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.020 Everything is stacked 00:12:13.020 --> 00:12:13.980 against us. 00:12:14.540 --> 00:12:15.780 But Paul here shows 00:12:15.780 --> 00:12:16.700 that Christ came 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.400 into the world 00:12:17.400 --> 00:12:19.300 to take our place. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:20.460 To, 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:21.200 in a sense, 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.600 you can visualize 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:24.920 a courtroom 00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:26.399 that we are standing 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:27.060 in the docket 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:28.000 before the judge 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.220 and the jury 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:29.940 has just read out 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:30.519 the statement 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.379 that we are guilty 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.300 and the judge 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:32.960 is about to give 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.500 the sentence 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.159 and the sentence 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.680 is death. 00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:36.300 But Jesus comes 00:12:36.300 --> 00:12:37.680 and He says, 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.420 hold on. 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.340 I am going to 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.180 take their place. 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:42.659 I am going to 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:43.699 take their place 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:44.519 and take on 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:45.599 the judgment, 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:48.000 the verdict 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.099 that they deserve 00:12:49.099 --> 00:12:52.259 so they can be justified 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.699 and it is a free gift. 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:55.539 He did it freely 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.779 as when we were 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.779 lost in ourselves, 00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:58.639 He came. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:01.100 He took on 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:03.220 the criminal's sentence 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.019 and He died 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.639 on the cross 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.500 and rose again. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:09.240 It's kind of like this. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:10.960 There's this story. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.240 I don't know 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.659 the big details 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.879 or where exactly 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.299 it was, 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.319 but the story is 00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:17.480 there is these prisoners 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.319 in Japan 00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:20.039 during the time 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:20.620 of a war 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:22.059 and they are forced 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:23.240 to build a road 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.919 with shovels. 00:13:24.939 --> 00:13:25.580 They have to shovel, 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.319 they have to chug out 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:26.879 all the dirt, 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.559 all the rocks 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:28.559 and then put new 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:29.419 gravel down. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.259 And then one night, 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:34.039 after every night 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:34.639 they would count 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.659 the shovels 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:36.219 to make sure 00:13:36.219 --> 00:13:37.299 nothing has gone missing 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:38.339 or anything like that. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:40.019 And one night 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:40.639 when they are counting 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.500 the shovels, 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:42.579 one of the shovels 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:42.979 is missing 00:13:42.979 --> 00:13:45.239 and they searched 00:13:45.239 --> 00:13:46.039 and they searched 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:47.059 and they couldn't find it 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:48.319 and they were furious 00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:49.799 and they lined up 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.579 all the prisoners 00:13:50.579 --> 00:13:51.539 and they said 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:52.179 that we will kill 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:52.719 all of you 00:13:52.719 --> 00:13:54.819 if no one comes forward. 00:13:56.239 --> 00:13:57.519 And then right before 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:58.319 when they are counting 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.540 down to execute 00:13:59.540 --> 00:14:00.200 the prisoners, 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.180 one of them 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:01.940 steps forward 00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:03.120 and says, 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:03.840 I did it. 00:14:05.260 --> 00:14:06.540 I lost the shovel. 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.000 And they killed him 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.560 right there 00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:10.480 in front of everyone else 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.300 and they sent the rest 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:12.500 away back to the camp. 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:15.420 And then the next day, 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.500 after the work day, 00:14:16.560 --> 00:14:17.700 they count the shovels 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.840 and all the shovels 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.240 are there. 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:22.980 you see, 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.340 that man 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:25.919 took the place 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.860 of everyone else. 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.440 He didn't have to, 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.560 but he did. 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.320 Jesus came forward 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.180 even though 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:35.220 he was innocent. 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.039 And you see, 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.700 when you put your faith 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:39.019 and trust in Jesus, 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.259 you are justified. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:40.500 God, 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:43.779 some of you 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:44.240 could be looking 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:44.840 at the text 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.200 and be like, 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:45.340 well, 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:45.539 Matt, 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.480 that sounds nice. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.039 But this blood, 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.259 this blood seems 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.439 so barbaric. 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.539 Why blood 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:55.100 and not just 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.879 a handshake? 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.220 Well, 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:57.759 as I mentioned 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.299 before, 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.879 earlier in the text, 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.559 he talks about 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.080 the law. 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.740 And this right here 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.460 is what he's talking 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:03.759 about. 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.259 He's talking about 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.080 the Mosaic law. 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.139 You see, 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.600 God made a covenant. 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:09.759 He gave a law 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.199 and this law 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:12.340 was a guide to holiness. 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.860 It was a guide 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.299 to holiness 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.399 for the Israel people. 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:18.659 But 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:21.480 the people of Israel 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.299 always failed. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.759 They always failed 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.980 no matter how hard 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:25.399 they tried. 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.460 They always failed. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.879 So they had to have 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.600 sacrifices. 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:31.200 And they used animals. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:31.899 They used, 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.299 for the sin sacrifice, 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:34.240 a perfect lamb. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.279 But that still didn't 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.980 cover all the sins. 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:40.340 It still, 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.240 it always required 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.720 a sacrifice constantly. 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.779 It never fully 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.659 did the job 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.279 in a sense. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:47.659 You see, 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.439 in North America, 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:49.220 the culture 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:51.220 talks sin down. 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.379 It seems like 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.220 such a faux pas. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:54.960 It says, 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:56.199 just live a good life. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.439 Live your best life now 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:58.199 and you'll be fine. 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:58.919 You'll go to heaven. 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:01.059 But sin is serious. 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.580 And the Bible, 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.500 all through the Bible, 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:05.080 it is talked about 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.039 and it's very serious. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:09.319 It goes against 00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:10.539 God's plan. 00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:11.199 It goes against 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:12.819 His very nature. 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.100 And only something 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.460 as serious as sin 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:19.279 had to happen 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.199 to break 00:16:20.199 --> 00:16:20.860 the judgment 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.960 that was against us. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.000 See, 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:24.480 God sent His Son 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.419 because He had 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:26.319 to send His Son. 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:28.240 Jesus came into the world, 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.819 lived a perfect life. 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:32.220 He willingly 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.279 came forward 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.259 to be the sacrifice 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.179 for you and me. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.480 And He died 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.379 the criminal's death 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.220 on the cross 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:41.600 to save us 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.600 from eternal judgment. 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.819 He took on the judgment 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:45.240 so we could be justified 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.279 before God. 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.559 It had to be 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.360 something final. 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.299 And that was death. 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:57.799 It basically, 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.819 it had to be so final, 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.600 it had to be death. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:02.100 It is like when the casket 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:03.379 is lowered into the ground. 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.880 There's that moment 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:06.700 when you're there 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.660 and it just seems like 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.460 this is the most final thing 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:11.299 that you'll ever experience 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:11.980 in this life. 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:15.480 It seems like the most final, 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.180 like, 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.940 it almost seems like time stops. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.960 But the world 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.740 keeps going around you. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:25.319 Jesus had to come 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.779 to die for us. 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.160 But that wasn't 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.359 the final thing. 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:30.920 You see, 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.099 Jesus rose from the dead 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:32.940 three days later. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.420 He ascended into heaven, 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.759 as we said in the Creed. 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.920 Jesus' death 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.319 justifies all 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.160 who put their faith 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.180 and trust in Him. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.519 Soon as you put 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.299 your faith and trust, 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:47.599 and that faith is a gift. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:50.059 That is a God-given gift. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.579 You are justified. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.500 Just to drive home 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.440 more of the illustration 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:00.059 of the casket. 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:02.799 Just over a month ago, 00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:04.159 one of my friends 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:05.359 and my wife's Amy, 00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:06.679 dear friend, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.679 passed away. 00:18:08.159 --> 00:18:08.899 It was very sudden. 00:18:10.179 --> 00:18:10.720 And when we were 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.440 at the funeral, 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:13.319 it seemed like 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.220 that was it. 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.000 That was the end. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.899 But that was not the end. 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.740 She had her faith 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.580 and trust in Jesus. 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.280 And she is with Jesus 00:18:22.280 --> 00:18:23.180 right now in heaven. 00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:23.900 You see, 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.680 when you put your faith 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.680 and trust in Christ, 00:18:26.280 --> 00:18:29.440 you are justified instantly. 00:18:30.800 --> 00:18:31.560 There's nothing 00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:32.540 after that 00:18:32.540 --> 00:18:34.540 that you have to do. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.980 You are justified 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.100 by faith, 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.140 not by works. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.940 And I'll just read 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.799 the text again, 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:46.320 beginning at the second part 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:47.279 of verse 22. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:49.759 For there is no distinction 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:51.900 for all have sinned 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:52.779 and fall short 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.759 of the glory of God 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.799 and are justified 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.900 by his grace 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.500 as a gift 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:58.039 through the redemption 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.320 that is in Christ Jesus, 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.799 whom God put forward 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.759 as a propitiation 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.180 by his blood 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.180 to be received 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.960 by faith. 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.360 This was to show 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:09.420 God's righteousness 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:11.820 because in his divine forbearance 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.720 he had passed over 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.700 former sins. 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.680 The penalty due to you 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:17.320 for your sins 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:18.580 and my sins, 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:19.960 whatever they were, 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:21.000 was paid for, 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:22.519 paid for you 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.460 by Jesus Christ, 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.259 the Son of God, 00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:24.980 in his death 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.720 on the cross. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:26.900 See, 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.900 the life where you live 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.480 can feel 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.240 like the toughest race, 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.019 the hardest race 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.580 in the world. 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.539 It could be 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.279 at times 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:34.800 that you feel 00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:35.680 so lost 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.420 or so bogged down 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:39.440 of something 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.720 you've done 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:42.220 and you feel ashamed 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.900 or you could be 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.279 going through 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.039 a high time 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.800 feeling like you're 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:46.539 just doing a great job 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.180 in the race. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.700 Nothing can hold you back. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.259 But you see, 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:53.200 regardless of your situation, 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:54.120 you are justified 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.980 by faith, 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:56.120 not by works. 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.240 John Bunyan, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:03.259 in his allegorical book 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.700 called 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.560 The Pilgrim's Progress, 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.700 I don't know if people here 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.240 have read that, 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.319 but it is a great book. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.019 It is a great book 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.299 to read and reflect on. 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:09.839 And I'm just going to 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.019 say one of the scenes. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.640 The main character 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.980 is called Christian. 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:14.900 He just uses these 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.420 very defined titles. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:16.980 There's Christian 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.900 and there's other ones. 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:18.980 And he's with his 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.420 companion, 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.019 Hopeful. 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.400 And he comes 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.120 to this river. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.460 And this river, 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:26.279 the only way to cross it 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.079 is by faith. 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.960 And they start 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.880 going through the river 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.299 and he begins to sink 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:33.019 because his focus, 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.220 he was focused on, 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.420 for some reason, 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.120 he just starts 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:36.980 getting bogged down 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.140 like, 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.600 I can't, 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.779 I will never make it 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.400 in this river. 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.980 I will never get through 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.779 because of the things 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.400 I've committed. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.380 And then his companion, 00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:45.100 Hopeful, 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.100 cries out to him 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:47.920 as he's sinking, 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:48.840 saying, 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.220 Be of good cheer. 00:20:51.320 --> 00:20:52.519 Jesus makes you whole. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.519 And then Christian, 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.380 the main character, 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:56.240 cries out 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.840 the beautiful verse 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:58.759 that's in Isaiah. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.360 He cries out, 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:01.719 and this is God 00:21:01.719 --> 00:21:02.859 talking through Isaiah. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.759 When you pass 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.500 through the waters, 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.279 I will be with you. 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:08.019 And through the rivers, 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.019 they shall not 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.819 overwhelm you. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.619 When you walk 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.479 through the fire, 00:21:11.919 --> 00:21:13.099 you shall not be burned. 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.479 And the flame 00:21:14.479 --> 00:21:15.959 shall not consume you. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:16.979 See, 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.599 if you're here 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.299 and you haven't put 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.979 your faith and trust 00:21:18.979 --> 00:21:19.379 in Jesus, 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.359 now is the time. 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.119 Now is the time 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.539 to just call out 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.019 to him. 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.719 It doesn't have to be 00:21:25.719 --> 00:21:26.859 a big fancy prayer. 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:28.899 It just has to be, 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:29.479 Lord, 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.479 help me. 00:21:31.679 --> 00:21:32.859 And if you are here 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:34.019 and you have your faith 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.799 and trust in Jesus, 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.699 know that you are justified. 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:38.059 And as we come 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.759 in a few moments 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.539 to the table 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:41.219 and we reflect 00:21:41.219 --> 00:21:43.299 on the bread, 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.719 Jesus' broken body 00:21:44.719 --> 00:21:45.179 for us, 00:21:45.199 --> 00:21:46.219 and as we reflect 00:21:46.219 --> 00:21:47.119 on the wine 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:48.000 or the grape juice, 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.939 Jesus' blood, 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:51.279 know that you are justified 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.879 and you can come 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.740 to this table 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:55.559 just filled with joy 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:57.700 regardless of what situation 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.379 you feel like 00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:59.079 you're in right now. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.599 Let us pray. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.220 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.240 I thank you. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.139 I thank you that 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:07.079 sometimes your text 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.679 is hard, 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.179 but there's great truths 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:10.919 in it regardless. 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.919 Father, 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.899 thank you for Jesus. 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.179 Thank you for the cross. 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.059 Thank you that 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.619 we are justified 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.799 on faith 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.859 and not by works. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.159 Thank you, Lord. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.839 It doesn't matter 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:24.159 where we stand. 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:26.620 Jesus paid it all. 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.360 Jesus paved the way. 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:29.840 And I just pray this 00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:30.759 in Jesus' name. 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:31.680 Amen.