WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.500 Hebrews 2, page 1001. 00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:04.520 If you can get that open. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:08.259 That's where we're going to be together this evening. 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:10.740 Let me pray one more time as we come to God's word. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:19.019 Our Father, we ask that you would speak and that we would listen 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:19.019 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:23.140 And that your spirit would work in each of our hearts. 00:00:24.519 --> 00:00:27.060 We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:27.059 --> 00:00:34.280 Michelangelo only ever signed one of his sculptures, the Pieta. 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:38.519 It's a statue of Mary holding her crucified son. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:43.799 And this statue stood in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome from 1500. 00:00:45.140 --> 00:00:54.939 And it was there for four and a bit centuries until somebody in 1972 got past security 00:00:54.939 --> 00:00:58.099 and took into it with a hammer. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:02.320 Mary's arm was in smithereens. 00:01:03.239 --> 00:01:06.299 Her nose was very badly damaged as well. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:12.680 That makes throwing paint over Van Gogh's sunflowers or soup, wasn't it, over Van Gogh's sunflowers. 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:14.659 Seemed a bit like child's play. 00:01:14.659 --> 00:01:21.619 But what had happened was this treasure of Renaissance art, Michelangelo's beautiful creation, 00:01:22.420 --> 00:01:24.939 became a marred masterpiece. 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:30.439 And it took experts an age to restore it. 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:37.840 That sense of a marred masterpiece is a great description of you and me. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:44.519 Men and women, boys and girls, we are a marred masterpiece. 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:50.939 That we are a masterpiece, the crown of God's work, comes from the creation story. 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:56.259 God made everything, and we're told when we read those first verses of the Bible, 00:01:56.780 --> 00:01:58.280 that those things were good. 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:00.759 Trees, good. 00:02:01.259 --> 00:02:02.539 Mangoes, good. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:05.079 The silverback gorilla, good. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:09.800 And then he made mankind and looked at his handiwork and he said, 00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:10.939 Very good. 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:13.740 Unique. 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:15.680 Distinct from everything else. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:16.319 Wonderful. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:18.460 All by God's design. 00:02:18.460 --> 00:02:22.860 And that's actually where our author starts this evening. 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:29.060 Verse 5 of Hebrews chapter 2, including Psalm 8. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:34.100 Psalm 8 begins as a meditation on that creation story. 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:37.260 The psalmist looks at humanity in wonder. 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:39.480 He looks at us as we are now. 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:42.580 He does that in wonder that God would bother with us. 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:46.439 God is so vastly glorious, so supremely wonderful, 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:49.039 and we are so insignificant by comparison. 00:02:50.259 --> 00:02:51.120 And the psalmist says, 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:53.620 What is man that you are mindful of him? 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:56.979 But as he goes on, 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:00.500 that declaration from Genesis chapter 1 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:03.520 is at the front of his mind. 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:04.520 Look at verse 7. 00:03:05.960 --> 00:03:09.840 You made him for a little while lower than the angels. 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:13.080 You have crowned him with glory and honor, 00:03:13.240 --> 00:03:16.460 putting everything in subjection under his feet. 00:03:17.539 --> 00:03:18.000 He's saying, 00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:21.500 You gave mankind this place of honor and dignity, 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:23.960 and you gave them this world to rule. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:25.379 That was our original design. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:28.879 We were created to glorify God and enjoy him forever. 00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:30.560 But we know that we blew it. 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:32.080 We blew it. 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:34.680 We chose to reject God's ways in his world. 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:36.300 We squandered our potential, 00:03:36.520 --> 00:03:38.400 and we damaged what God had made, 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:41.319 and we are inescapably marred. 00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:42.400 We're broken. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:45.939 But unlike the Pieta, 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:49.099 the vandalism doesn't come from outside of us. 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:50.420 It is an inside job. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:53.520 Many years ago, 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:56.580 I heard a preacher referring to sin 00:03:56.580 --> 00:03:59.319 like the employee of the bank 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:02.760 who goes down and opens the door for the robbers. 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:03.319 And he said, 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:05.620 Every sin you see is an inside job. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:08.439 And it's a good way to put it, isn't it? 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:10.620 Because our sinful hearts cause the problem. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:14.859 Our sinful hearts open the way for sin to come in. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:17.039 But here's the thing. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:22.240 Just as the Pieta was restored by master artists, 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:24.039 it took them a long time to be sure, 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:28.159 but just as it was restored by master artists, 00:04:28.159 --> 00:04:32.060 Hebrews 2 tells us that this is what God has done for us. 00:04:32.759 --> 00:04:33.639 Through His Son. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:38.740 So the divine Son of chapter 1 of Hebrews, 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:40.060 the supreme one, 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:41.800 supreme over all things, 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:43.680 including, we heard last time, angels, 00:04:44.219 --> 00:04:48.539 that supreme Son is now shown to move in our direction. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:52.060 He's coming to put right, verse 5, 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:54.159 the world to come. 00:04:54.759 --> 00:04:55.740 The world to come. 00:04:56.099 --> 00:04:57.219 Do you notice he says there, 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:59.900 it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:01.480 of which we are speaking. 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:05.340 So it's the era that he is talking about now, 00:05:05.440 --> 00:05:06.360 chapter 1, verse 2, 00:05:06.440 --> 00:05:07.780 in these last days. 00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:10.840 He's talking about the world that followed 00:05:10.840 --> 00:05:14.040 the old order of the Jewish way of things. 00:05:14.760 --> 00:05:16.020 Old covenant Israel. 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:17.960 This is the era of the new covenant. 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:20.540 It's not simply some time far off, 00:05:20.580 --> 00:05:22.800 another world in the new creation. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:23.980 It is this world. 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:27.980 God has come to put right this world, 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:30.720 and in particular, chapter 2, verse 10, 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:31.280 can you see, 00:05:31.900 --> 00:05:34.800 He's done that to bring many sons to glory. 00:05:35.340 --> 00:05:38.199 God is coming to restore us to the presence of God 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:39.699 that we have forfeited through sin. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:42.019 That's what Hebrews 2 is about. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:45.379 You could say that's what salvation history is about. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:48.540 And it is a remarkable story. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:51.500 The way Hebrews 2 unpacks it for us, 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:52.939 it is a remarkable story. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.519 It first of all describes how this supreme son of chapter 1, 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:57.699 here's our first point, 00:05:58.120 --> 00:05:59.899 takes our humanity. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:02.439 How he takes our humanity. 00:06:02.579 --> 00:06:04.000 As I've said, in Psalm 8, 00:06:04.100 --> 00:06:05.719 David is speaking about mankind. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.339 As he begins, he's talking about mankind 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:11.019 and the high calling that we were given in the beginning. 00:06:11.800 --> 00:06:14.459 But the author of Hebrews then makes the connection with Christ. 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:15.319 Look at verse 9. 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:17.939 Now, in putting everything in subjection to him, 00:06:17.979 --> 00:06:19.579 he left nothing outside his control. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:24.019 At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 00:06:25.039 --> 00:06:26.459 He is a marred masterpiece. 00:06:26.919 --> 00:06:28.240 He doesn't rule as he should. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:29.839 Verse 9, 00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:33.639 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, 00:06:34.139 --> 00:06:34.799 namely Jesus. 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:38.479 The psalmist knows that because of sin, 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:40.599 we don't have dominion over the earth, 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:43.699 but there is a particular man who has come to put this right. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:44.920 The Lord Jesus. 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:49.459 So, when the Son of God took on flesh that first Christmas, 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:53.360 the eternal Son was made a little lower than the angels. 00:06:54.159 --> 00:06:55.180 Now, if you were here last week, 00:06:55.219 --> 00:06:56.819 you'll remember that I mentioned... 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:57.839 You'll remember. 00:06:58.079 --> 00:06:59.060 That's presumptuous. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:03.699 What I said last week was that angels are a measure of status of being. 00:07:04.539 --> 00:07:04.980 You remember? 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:06.699 To be above the angels... 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:08.379 In the way the Bible talks, 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:10.259 to be above the angels is to be God. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:13.599 To be below the angels is to be human. 00:07:14.159 --> 00:07:16.920 And here we see that for a little while, 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:21.560 the Son, who according to His divine nature is higher than the angels, 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:25.599 takes to Himself the means by which He can become lower than them. 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:30.019 One of the early church fathers sums this up like this. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:30.419 He says, 00:07:30.419 --> 00:07:35.000 The Son of God deigns to become and to be called Son of Man, 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:38.859 not changing what He was, for it is unchangeable, 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:41.319 but assuming what He was not, 00:07:41.799 --> 00:07:44.359 for He is full of love to man. 00:07:44.799 --> 00:07:46.000 What He's saying there is, 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:49.319 all the grandeur and splendor and majesty of the One 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:51.500 who is portrayed in chapter 1 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:56.620 humbles Himself to take our humanity. 00:07:56.620 --> 00:08:00.540 That profound truth that we sing, 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:05.759 our God contracted to a span, 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:08.860 incomprehensibly made man. 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:13.079 God, who is higher than the angels, 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:17.560 coming for a little while below the angels, 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:21.500 taking up residence in Mary's womb, 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:24.480 taking flesh. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:29.180 And that humiliation marked every aspect of His ministry. 00:08:29.340 --> 00:08:31.000 Baptized by John, you remember, 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:32.740 identifying with sinners. 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:35.980 Embracing temptation in the desert for 40 days 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.360 as the second Adam. 00:08:37.920 --> 00:08:40.600 Living in perfect obedience to the law of God. 00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:44.000 The Lord Jesus is the model of true humanity. 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:47.399 The question is, why? 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:53.899 Why did He make that descent from glory to earth? 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:57.740 It's a shocking thing to think about. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:03.539 Why would the God of heaven and earth 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:08.279 contract to a span incomprehensibly made man? 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:09.440 It is a shocking thing. 00:09:09.800 --> 00:09:12.720 And the answer is even more shocking, actually. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:15.500 He did this in order to be able to suffer and die. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:16.200 That's what we're told. 00:09:16.300 --> 00:09:16.720 Verse 9, 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:18.840 But we see Him who for a little while 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:20.139 was made lower than the angels, 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:20.879 namely Jesus, 00:09:21.040 --> 00:09:22.160 crowned with glory and honor 00:09:22.160 --> 00:09:24.259 because of the suffering of death, 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.720 so that by the grace of God 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:28.120 He might taste death for everyone. 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:31.460 Christ has been crowned as King. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:33.980 He is ruling and reigning this evening 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:36.100 from the Father's right hand 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:37.440 in a human body. 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:40.080 But that exaltation only came 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:42.379 because of His obedience to death. 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:44.320 Do you see the way the writer says that? 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:46.060 That's the reason that He gives. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:47.820 He is crowned with glory and honor. 00:09:48.400 --> 00:09:50.600 The Lord Jesus enjoys a restored humanity 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:53.340 because of the suffering of death. 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:54.600 He has been exalted 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:56.280 because He was humbled. 00:09:56.560 --> 00:09:57.420 He reigns now 00:09:57.420 --> 00:09:59.180 because He was obedient 00:09:59.180 --> 00:10:01.100 to the Father's plan of redemption. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.740 And this was only possible 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:04.620 because He took to Himself 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.940 the ability to suffer and die. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:10.260 Because He made that journey 00:10:10.260 --> 00:10:12.720 from glory to be one of us. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:14.620 There was no other way. 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:15.600 Verse 10, have a look. 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:17.019 It was fitting that He, 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:20.320 for whom and by whom all things exist, 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:22.060 in bringing many sons to glory, 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:24.040 should make the founder of their salvation 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:26.060 perfect through suffering. 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:27.519 He's saying, 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:30.080 if God, for whom and by whom all things exist, 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.500 would bring men and women 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:32.960 back into His presence, 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.680 restore the masterpiece, 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:36.180 bring them to glory, 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:37.980 have them rule with Him, 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:40.120 as Psalm 8 tells us, 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:42.039 the only fitting way for this to happen 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.139 would be through the suffering 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:44.679 and death of the one 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:46.139 who was a qualified Savior. 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:50.259 When it says here 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:51.600 that Christ was made perfect 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:52.399 through suffering, 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.320 that's not suggesting 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:55.460 that there was any deficit in Him. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.019 He wasn't imperfect 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:58.480 before His suffering. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:10:59.700 Rather, the word is, 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.639 literally it is, 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.539 He is the founder, 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.700 He is the pioneer 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:04.279 who goes ahead of us, 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.419 and so He is therefore 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:07.120 a perfectly fit Savior. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:09.779 And He is that, 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:10.779 verse 11, 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:11.919 because He is one of us. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:13.759 Look at verse 11, 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:14.879 For He who sanctifies 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.039 and those who are sanctified 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:18.440 all have one source. 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:22.600 He who sanctifies, 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.379 the Lord Jesus, 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:25.000 and those who are sanctified, 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:26.460 His church, 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.220 all have one source. 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.600 Because of the shared humanity, 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:33.200 He is our perfect representative. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:36.379 He can act on our behalf. 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:38.080 When He took our humanity 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:39.100 to Himself, 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.360 He was then able 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:41.939 to stand in our place. 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.720 And this was essential. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.080 Verse 17, 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.059 Have a look, 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.500 if He would deal with our sin. 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:49.320 Therefore, 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:49.980 do you see, 00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:51.700 He had to be made 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:52.439 like His brothers 00:11:52.439 --> 00:11:53.500 in every respect, 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:54.919 so that He might become 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:56.000 a merciful and faithful 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:56.580 high priest 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:57.539 in the service of God 00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:59.120 to make propitiation 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:01.340 for the sins of the people. 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:03.580 If our sin 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:05.000 will be removed, 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:07.279 if it will be dealt with, 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:09.000 He must take our humanity. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:10.960 And that is what He did. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.379 The God of glory 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.500 became one of us 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.379 so that He could suffer 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:17.419 and die for us. 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.440 He took what we deserve 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.480 for our failure 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:24.539 in order to bring us to God. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:28.039 So, 00:12:28.099 --> 00:12:28.879 the Son of God 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.819 in chapter 1 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:32.980 becomes a son of Adam, 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:36.120 not changing what He was, 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:38.199 but assuming what He had not been 00:12:38.199 --> 00:12:40.120 in order to deal with our sin 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:42.139 and bring us to glory. 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:46.139 Is that not staggering? 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:51.460 The distance between us 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.199 and God 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:54.159 was infinite. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.600 And He came down 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.899 and reached across 00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.139 that chasm. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:01.480 He came from the loftiest height 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.659 into the depths 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.500 of our rebellion. 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:06.039 He came from the sublime 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.620 perfection of heaven 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.960 to the angry hatred 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:09.779 of our world. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:12.740 We didn't care for Him 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:13.299 one bit. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:14.959 We weren't saying, 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:16.599 oh, please come and save us. 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:18.839 Please come and restore us 00:13:18.839 --> 00:13:21.579 to the glory that we had 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:22.179 in the beginning 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:26.319 while we were yet sinners. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:29.179 We hadn't a thought for Him 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.000 or a care for Him 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:30.479 in the world 00:13:30.479 --> 00:13:33.059 and He made that journey. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:37.740 And He did it to taste death 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.779 for everyone 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.939 and bring many sons 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:42.159 to glory. 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:44.679 And sons here 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.359 is the language 00:13:46.359 --> 00:13:47.339 of inheritance. 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:48.819 It refers to both men 00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:49.259 and women. 00:13:52.079 --> 00:13:52.979 If you're a woman, 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:54.439 you want to be a son of God 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:55.159 in this sense 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:57.579 because it means 00:13:57.579 --> 00:13:58.459 that you're an heir 00:13:58.459 --> 00:13:59.299 of salvation. 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.959 It is a staggering thing 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:04.759 that the Lord Jesus did this. 00:14:05.859 --> 00:14:08.120 He took our humanity. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:11.440 But it is on that theme 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:13.120 of inheritance 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.820 and becoming heirs 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:17.440 that our author stays. 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.120 You see, 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:19.799 the Son takes our humanity 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.679 in order to, 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.600 point number two, 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.539 make us family. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.120 That's verses 11 to 18. 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.340 He takes our humanity 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:29.360 in order to make us family. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.179 That's the language that's used. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:31.740 Can you see it? 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.220 Verse 11, 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.320 For he who sanctifies 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.259 and those who are sanctified 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.279 all have one source. 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.980 That is why he is not ashamed 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:38.100 to call them brothers, 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:39.439 saying, 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.519 I will tell of your name 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.120 to my brothers. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.179 In the midst of the congregation 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.379 I will sing your praise. 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:43.899 And again, 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.399 I will put my trust in him. 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:45.879 And again, 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.339 behold, 00:14:46.459 --> 00:14:47.339 I and the children 00:14:47.339 --> 00:14:49.100 God has given me. 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.319 Since therefore, 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.620 the children share 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.779 in flesh and blood, 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:54.220 he himself likewise 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.019 partook of the same things 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:57.019 that through death 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.720 he might destroy 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.339 the one who has 00:14:58.339 --> 00:14:59.240 the power of death, 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.019 that is the devil, 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.559 and deliver all those 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.679 who through fear of death 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.360 were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:15:04.579 --> 00:15:06.399 For surely it is not to angels 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.340 that he, 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.720 it's not angels that he helps, 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.439 but he helps the offspring 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.240 of Abraham. 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.919 The Son of God 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.620 became a son of Adam 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.379 in order to make us 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.740 sons of Abraham. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.879 He did it in order 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.679 to make us children 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.360 of the promise, 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.600 to bring us under 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.779 God's covenant care. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:27.179 He is bringing us to glory, 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.559 but we are going there 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.919 as his children. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.019 Now, 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:34.220 one thing that that means 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.259 is that you have Christ 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.100 as your older brother, 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:41.079 and he's not ashamed of you. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.600 Did you hear that? 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.939 He is not ashamed of you. 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.720 Think about that for a minute. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.879 Lots of us have siblings. 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:50.960 Boys and girls, 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.620 look up for a moment. 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:53.500 Lots of you, 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.439 I assume, 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.559 have siblings that 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.960 sometime or other 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.919 have embarrassed you. 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:02.019 Annoying younger brothers 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:03.240 obsessed with toilet humor. 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.860 You don't want your friends 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.439 to meet them. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.679 Maybe it's sisters 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.779 who talk a bit funny 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.059 or dress a bit funny. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:12.019 You don't want your mates 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.759 to know that 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.840 she's your sister, 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:16.700 and we're a bit ashamed 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.980 to associate with them. 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.840 It could be like that 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.259 in the church, 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:21.580 can't it, 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.460 if we're honest with ourselves. 00:16:22.540 --> 00:16:23.420 We have brothers and sisters 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:23.899 in Christ 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.000 that say and do things 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:25.820 that annoy us 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:27.560 or make us cringe 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.879 or they're socially awkward 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:32.080 or they're a bit intense 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.840 with bad personal hygiene. 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:38.340 Maybe they have extreme views, 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:38.899 we think. 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.139 If only they were 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.100 just a bit, 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:41.560 you know, 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.560 less out there 00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:44.300 with what they thought 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:44.899 about things. 00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:46.139 Pick your poison on that. 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:46.899 There are lots of things 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.480 we get irritated about 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.500 with our brothers and sisters, 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.340 whatever it is. 00:16:50.660 --> 00:16:51.040 We think, 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:52.120 oh, they embarrass us. 00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:53.320 We'd rather not be associated 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:53.800 with them. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.399 There is none of that 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:55.940 with Christ. 00:16:55.940 --> 00:17:00.820 even though we all 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:02.080 behave in foolish ways 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.640 and all kinds of different ways 00:17:03.640 --> 00:17:04.840 a lot of the time, 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:06.500 even though we slip up often, 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:09.000 Jesus is not ashamed of you. 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:14.880 Maybe you need to hear that 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.380 this evening. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.799 Be reminded of the fact 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:21.539 because there's a voice 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.400 in your head that, 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.460 well, you're ashamed 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.820 of yourself, actually, 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:26.700 because you did it again. 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.759 You slipped up again. 00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:31.000 You did that thing 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.639 that you try so hard 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:33.159 not to do. 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.740 You committed that sin again. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:37.460 Jesus is not ashamed of you. 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:41.059 Before the heavenly host, 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:42.919 before the watching cosmic powers, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.159 in the face of accusation 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:44.720 from the devil, 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.200 when the devil comes and says, 00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:48.980 is he one of yours? 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.559 Jesus says, 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.279 that's my brother. 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:53.139 She's my sister. 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:56.240 And he's not ashamed to do that. 00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:59.500 Because for each one of us, 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.619 our salvation reveals 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:03.039 the purpose and the power of God. 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:05.639 Your story of salvation, 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.720 whether you had the privilege 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:08.139 of growing up in a Christian home, 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:10.019 and you can testify to the fact 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.059 that there was never a day 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.839 when you didn't know 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.799 and love the Lord Jesus, 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:15.939 that brings glory to God. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.279 If you have had a different story, 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:21.700 and it was a total mess, 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.339 and he saved you 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.519 in a really radical way, 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:25.700 that brings glory to God. 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.940 Wherever you've come from, 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:31.180 your salvation reveals 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.980 the power and the purpose of God, 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.319 and he gets glory for that. 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:38.859 Satan says, 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.359 well, they're terribly bad, you know. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.339 Do you think God doesn't know that? 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:45.480 Yes, they are, 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.399 but that is how far 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.639 my forgiveness extends. 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:50.019 Have you seen how dark 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.019 their heart is? 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:53.319 Do you think I don't know that? 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.899 That's how wide my mercy flows, 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.859 and it would flow even wider 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.819 if you could find someone 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.939 that you think is even worse. 00:19:03.159 --> 00:19:05.039 You see, Christ doesn't bring us 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.599 to glory, 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:07.319 as one author put it, 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:08.379 holding his nose. 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:13.380 He doesn't... 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.740 When he saved us, 00:19:15.780 --> 00:19:17.280 he was pleased to do so. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.240 In fact, he was so pleased, 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:21.220 verse 12, 00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:22.920 that he praises God for it. 00:19:23.060 --> 00:19:24.740 It's a quote from Psalm 22, 22. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.340 I will tell of your name 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:26.920 to my brothers. 00:19:27.020 --> 00:19:28.260 In the midst of the congregation, 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.280 I will sing your praise. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.120 We are aware of the joy 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.940 that our salvation 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.080 should bring to us. 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:36.020 We should rejoice in the fact 00:19:36.020 --> 00:19:37.320 that we have had our sins forgiven, 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.619 our conscience cleansed, 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:39.599 and that we are made new, 00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:40.899 and that we are on our way to glory. 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:42.099 We know that. 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.519 But here we see the joy 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:45.139 that our salvation brings to him. 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.019 Christ is celebrating 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.480 because he saved you. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.279 And he stands up 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.319 in the midst of the congregation, 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:54.119 and he says, 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.960 God be glorified 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.179 that he has redeemed 00:19:57.179 --> 00:19:58.819 my brother, your name, 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.539 my sister, your name. 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:04.899 We can far too easily forget 00:20:04.899 --> 00:20:05.720 that our God 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.920 is everlastingly full of joy. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.220 We worship and serve 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.079 a God who delights 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:10.880 to save people. 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.039 You know that, don't you? 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:14.420 He takes great joy in you. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.720 I think lots of us, 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.120 lots of Christians, 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.620 believe that God has saved them 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:24.039 because he has to kind of 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:24.740 keep his word. 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.720 He saved us, 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.480 but he's not really 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.519 that pleased about it. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.200 We're so sinful, 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.720 we're so inconsistent, 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.140 we're so weak, 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:34.140 and we imagine God 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.759 is just a bit 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.580 perpetually disappointed with us, 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.940 just kind of rolls his eyes. 00:20:40.840 --> 00:20:41.920 One author says this, 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.660 God is glad, 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.880 and God is joyful. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.240 Now, most Christians 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.040 can deal with that 00:20:46.040 --> 00:20:47.280 assuming it's an attribute 00:20:47.280 --> 00:20:48.500 of God thing, 00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:49.180 that is, 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:49.980 he is those things 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.600 in himself. 00:20:51.780 --> 00:20:52.640 Note this, however, 00:20:52.780 --> 00:20:54.840 he rejoices over his people 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:55.840 with gladness. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.740 He looks at the church 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.040 assembled as we are now, 00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:00.680 and he breaks into song. 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:04.660 Do you ever think that? 00:21:06.060 --> 00:21:07.460 Stop and wonder about that, 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.560 that God in Christ 00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:10.140 wanted to save you, 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:13.160 and he rejoices in having done so. 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.220 He doesn't regret it. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.920 In fact, he's so happy about it 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.960 that he sings about it. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.700 And here's the thing, 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.000 if he's not ashamed of you, 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.920 don't you be ashamed of him. 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.820 What I mean is, 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.840 don't mumble your way 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.640 through our songs 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.600 that give him praise. 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.580 Don't step back from him 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:33.500 when you're told to 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.120 in the workplace 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.180 or when you're at school, 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.799 boys and girls. 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:38.060 And don't be shy 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:39.200 when it comes to speaking 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.060 about him to others. 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.279 He isn't ashamed of you, 00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:43.320 don't be ashamed of him. 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:44.019 And, 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.620 if he isn't ashamed of you, 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.600 don't you be ashamed 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:47.240 of yourself. 00:21:49.820 --> 00:21:50.799 Lots of us, I think, 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:52.480 operate under a cloud of shame. 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.440 I did it again. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.420 I'm such a failure. 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.500 Say, 00:21:56.320 --> 00:21:57.380 repent of your sins, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:00.019 remember the promises 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.639 of the gospel 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:01.680 that he forgives you, 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.940 get back on your feet 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.619 and go again. 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.240 He isn't ashamed of you. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:10.039 He isn't ashamed 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:12.039 to call you his brother. 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.859 Now, there's more to say. 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.519 Let's keep going. 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.559 Part of being in the family 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:18.359 is that Christ calls us brothers, 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.680 but using the language 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.440 of the Old Testament, 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.460 Isaiah chapter 8, 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.119 verse 18, 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.400 we then see he also 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.359 calls us children. 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.779 Through faith in him, 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.939 we are the children of Abraham. 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:28.199 And look at what that entails. 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:28.879 Do you see? 00:22:28.979 --> 00:22:29.859 He took our humanity 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:31.000 all the way to death, 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:31.759 verse 14, 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:33.379 so that through death 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.379 he might destroy 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.659 the one who has 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.479 the power of death, 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.179 that is the devil, 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.939 and deliver all those 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:40.439 who through fear of death 00:22:40.439 --> 00:22:40.939 were subject 00:22:40.939 --> 00:22:42.179 to lifelong slavery. 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.659 The power of death 00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:44.519 that the devil holds, 00:22:44.979 --> 00:22:46.459 that's our fear of death. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.139 We fear death. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.919 All of us fear death 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.859 at one level or another, 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:52.679 not because our physical lives 00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:53.219 will end. 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:54.839 We fear death 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.359 because we know 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.240 that it tells us something 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.859 about ourselves 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.639 that we don't like. 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.879 It tells us 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:01.079 that we deserve to die. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.539 See, death isn't 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.459 a biological thing. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.319 It's a moral thing. 00:23:04.699 --> 00:23:06.339 It is the consequences of sin. 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:08.240 So when the devil accuses us, 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.919 we know that he has a point. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.059 Fair enough. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.599 If we came to an experience 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.159 of death, 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.679 an experience like death 00:23:18.679 --> 00:23:19.479 as innocent people, 00:23:19.479 --> 00:23:20.240 the situation would be 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:20.839 totally different. 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.899 But we're not innocent. 00:23:23.979 --> 00:23:25.439 That's why we fear death. 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.339 And even as Christians, 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.199 for honest, 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.399 we're tempted to fear death, 00:23:29.699 --> 00:23:30.939 which is why we need to grasp 00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:31.979 what we're being told here. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.279 Christ took our humanity 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.699 in order to take away 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:38.319 our fear of death. 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:40.799 And death's sting, 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:42.259 to use Paul's language, 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.959 that is the hold 00:23:43.959 --> 00:23:45.439 that death has over us, 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:48.439 is removed because of the cross. 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:51.880 Christ has defeated the devil. 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.140 Jonathan Edwards, 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.680 the Puritan, 00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:55.720 talks about Jesus going into 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.779 the belly of death 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:58.039 and when he's there, 00:23:58.220 --> 00:24:00.160 poisoning death to death. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:03.660 It's quite an image, 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:03.980 isn't it? 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.840 He's saying it's like 00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:08.240 Jesus inflicts death 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.340 with a terminal disease 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.240 so that it spits 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.360 Jesus out to glory. 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.580 I don't know if you saw 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.940 this week the footage 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.500 of the canoeist in Chile. 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.960 And a humpback whale 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.140 comes up and swallows him. 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.040 His dad is in the canoe 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:22.960 behind filming him. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.540 I can't imagine 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:24.980 what his experience was like. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:27.960 And then the whale 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.700 spits him out 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:30.079 and he's unharmed. 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:32.420 Death is a little bit 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.480 like that for the believer. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.660 We'll go into it, 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.940 but it won't be able 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.819 to stomach you 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.900 and it will eventually 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:39.200 spit you out to glory 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:41.299 because Jesus, 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.039 our pioneer, 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.240 has destroyed Satan 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.380 and has disarmed 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.079 his schemes. 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.160 The New Testament 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.660 has countless ways 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.980 to talk about this. 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.500 In his death, 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.900 Christ cast out 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.860 the ruler of this world, 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.539 John 12. 00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:54.019 Christ disarmed 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.960 the rulers and authorities. 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.660 putting them to open shame 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.900 by triumphing over them 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.839 in the cross, 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.620 Colossians 2. 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.980 The cross is not just 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.259 defeat for the devil. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.519 It's not just a points victory, 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.380 as it were. 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.519 He was destroyed. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.660 It was a thumping. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.660 So yes, 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.839 he still prowls around. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.539 He is the great accuser 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.319 of God's people, 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:16.099 but he is a defeated foe. 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.559 His condition is terminal. 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.599 So his words 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.880 have no lasting power. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.680 His promises 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.279 and his threats 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.420 no longer need 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.500 to pull us away. 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.480 Look at verse 18. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.740 For because he himself 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.839 has suffered when tempted, 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.160 he is able to help 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.700 those who are being tempted. 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:30.940 The temptation 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.880 of these first readers 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:32.720 was to turn away 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.299 from Christ, 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.980 go back to their old lives. 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.200 Well, when Christ 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.259 took our humanity, 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.720 he shared in the same 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.819 struggles that we do, 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.480 but without sin. 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.839 So although the whole point 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.440 of his coming 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.500 was to die and rise 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.400 to bring many sons 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:47.920 to glory, 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.059 in his suffering, 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.599 he was tempted 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.179 to give up. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.919 In Gethsemane, 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.960 he cried out in agony, 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:55.440 If there is any other way, 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:55.819 Father, 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:56.779 let it be so. 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:59.039 But he submitted himself 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:00.240 fully to the Father's will. 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.579 In his human nature, 00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:03.039 he faced the temptations 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:04.240 and the sufferings 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.139 that come 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:06.679 in a human, 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.019 being human. 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.359 And what that means is 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.079 the writer of the Hebrews 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.859 is telling us 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:13.200 that he is able to help you 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.980 in the same struggle. 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.099 So you can hear this, 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:17.159 that he took your humanity 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.160 in order to save you, 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.580 that he made you family. 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.960 He's not ashamed of you, 00:26:21.040 --> 00:26:21.779 but you've got to go 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.940 and live in a world 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.000 that is opposed to you. 00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:26.120 Well, remember this. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.720 Jesus faced the same 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:30.880 temptations and sufferings 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.980 that life in a fallen world brings. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.180 He was without sin, 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.100 but he walked there 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.840 ahead of you. 00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:37.720 And it means that he's able 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.160 to help you 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.940 in the same struggle. 00:26:39.540 --> 00:26:41.040 He understands temptation. 00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:43.560 He understands the human frame. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.200 And he can help you 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.279 whatever your trials. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.799 He can help you now 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:49.539 and he can help you later 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.519 when you face death. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.720 Our older brother 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:55.000 has gone through it already 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.960 and he has taken away the sting. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.660 When death's sting is removed, 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:03.119 the fear disappears. 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:06.039 Yes, you are a marred masterpiece. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:08.160 We are marred masterpieces, 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.059 but the Son of God 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.119 became a son of Adam 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:11.559 in order to suffer and die 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:13.759 to make you a son of Abraham 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.240 and bring you to glory. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.000 So what? 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.940 Well, look at chapter 3, verse 1. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:26.799 Therefore, in light of all of that, 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.640 holy brothers, 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.200 you who share in a heavenly calling, 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:33.200 consider this Jesus. 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.140 Trust him. 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:39.500 Confess his name. 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:42.680 Know that he delights in you. 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.900 Lean on him 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.080 when times are hard. 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.960 And above all, 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.060 keep rejoicing in him. 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.100 Let's pray together.