WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.040 We're reading Romans 8 verses 28 to 39. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.880 He also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:38.100 What then shall we say to these things? 00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:41.460 If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:46.439 He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:50.539 how will he not also with him graciously give all things? 00:00:51.740 --> 00:00:54.439 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:56.539 It is God who justifies. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:00:58.859 Who is it to condemn? 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:01.479 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:05.219 More than that, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:07.739 who is indeed interceding for us. 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:11.260 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:16.859 Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:18.799 or danger or sword? 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:20.319 As it's written, 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:23.900 For your sake we are being killed all the day long. 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:26.760 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:32.580 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 00:01:33.080 --> 00:01:37.520 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:42.820 nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:45.219 nor anything else in all creation, 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:49.780 will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:55.060 For your sake we are, 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:56.560 Can I ask by, 00:01:57.019 --> 00:01:57.599 With a question, 00:01:57.780 --> 00:01:59.400 Can you confidently say at the moment, 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:00.460 God is for me? 00:02:04.240 --> 00:02:05.140 I'm hearing some water, 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:06.079 Yeah, good. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:07.879 Well maybe you can. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:10.199 Maybe you're on track to getting what you want. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:11.340 Maybe you've got a new job. 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:14.560 Maybe a new relationship, 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:15.360 Moving house, 00:02:15.580 --> 00:02:16.780 Holidays for some, 00:02:16.900 --> 00:02:17.580 Not all of us, 00:02:17.640 --> 00:02:18.879 But holidays have arrived. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:20.659 Maybe you can say, 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:21.400 God is for me. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:24.500 Maybe you can't. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:26.199 Right now. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:29.280 Or maybe you, 00:02:30.020 --> 00:02:32.699 Life isn't terribly exciting or hard, 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:33.240 It's just, 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:36.140 You weigh everything up in the balance and go, 00:02:36.480 --> 00:02:36.640 Yeah, 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:37.640 Yeah, okay. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:39.400 God has blessed me with a lot. 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:45.640 I've been reading Joshua recently, 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:50.219 And after Israel finally stepped foot in the promised land, 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:53.439 After 40 years of discipline in the wilderness, 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:56.060 And they've got to face Jericho, 00:02:56.200 --> 00:02:57.140 The fortified city, 00:02:57.580 --> 00:02:58.939 The biggest and first challenge. 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:00.439 So they're in the land, 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:02.219 And Joshua, 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:04.439 The commander of Israel, 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:05.960 Now that Moses has died, 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:08.219 He's confronted by this heavenly man. 00:03:08.219 --> 00:03:12.180 And this man has a drawn sword. 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:14.819 And Joshua asks a question, 00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:16.199 Are you for us? 00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:19.439 Or are you for our adversaries? 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:22.780 And the man replies, 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:24.219 No. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:28.240 No. 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:33.379 I am the commander of the army of the Lord. 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:36.299 In other words, 00:03:36.299 --> 00:03:37.359 Wrong question. 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:42.240 It's not about whether God is for you, 00:03:42.759 --> 00:03:43.859 In your plans, 00:03:44.019 --> 00:03:45.699 To bless your agenda. 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:47.579 The all important question is, 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:50.560 Are you for the Lord? 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:56.640 And Joshua falls on his face, 00:03:57.159 --> 00:03:58.319 In the dust, 00:03:58.979 --> 00:04:01.280 Acknowledging he is but dust himself, 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:02.319 And he worships, 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:03.500 And he says in effect, 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:05.420 Command me. 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:12.159 So our picture of what it would look like for God to be for us, 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:14.539 It's the wrong question. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:18.040 We've got to put our agenda, 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:19.879 Put our face in the dust, 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:20.920 And worship, 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:22.000 And say instead, 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:22.680 Lord, 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:23.399 Command me. 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:28.120 So, 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:29.740 When you start asking the question, 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:32.120 Am I living my whole life in this posture? 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:38.079 Then your confidence that God is for you, 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:39.579 Because you are for him, 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:43.139 That becomes very shaky ground, 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:43.579 Doesn't it? 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:45.740 But today, 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:49.120 We reach the crescendo of the symphony, 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:51.840 Of assurance of God's love, 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.500 That Paul began in chapter 5. 00:04:54.920 --> 00:04:58.500 We're finishing on a note of total victory, 00:04:58.500 --> 00:05:02.000 In verses 35 to 39, 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:03.079 But I'd like, 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:04.680 I'd like to start there, 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:06.740 On the note of total victory, 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.000 And then I want to come back to verses 31 to 34, 00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:09.379 And ask, 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.439 What produces that kind of confidence? 00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:12.779 That you can, 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:13.579 You can say, 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:15.000 More than conqueror, 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:17.120 Through him who loved us. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:23.139 So what is this total victory? 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:25.879 Verses 35 to 39, 00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:27.319 The victory spoken here is, 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:29.719 Is not about the power of positive thinking, 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:32.639 That our day and age is big on. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:34.659 Lincoln and Leah, 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:36.000 And the students in Myanmar, 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:38.439 They're in the midst of a civil war, 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:40.019 There's bullets firing, 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:41.319 There's brutality, 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:44.279 There's lack of compassion everywhere, 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:47.740 Positive thinking is powerless, 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:49.439 To keep those children safe. 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:53.039 This isn't about positive thinking. 00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:57.000 Being arrested, 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:58.920 And questioned in parts of the world, 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:01.800 Quite literally, 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:04.260 Some believers might be facing the sword. 00:06:06.660 --> 00:06:07.300 Beheading. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:11.080 Positive thinking cannot set you free, 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:12.140 From those captors. 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:14.280 This is not positive thinking, 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:16.560 If I can say that enough. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:19.259 The power of positive thinking. 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:20.120 It's very positive. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:22.579 It's a celebration of total victory. 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:23.699 But it's not saying, 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.839 Your attitude is the power, 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:27.459 If you're hearing me right. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:31.360 Like verse 35, 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:33.620 These situations are extremes, 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:34.100 Aren't they? 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:36.600 Many of us haven't faced them. 00:06:36.759 --> 00:06:37.319 I can't, 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:38.620 I can't claim I've faced, 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:41.720 Not in a, 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:43.220 Not a total or, 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:45.740 At its worst sense. 00:06:46.780 --> 00:06:47.259 But, 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:49.240 Many of our brothers and sisters across the world, 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:50.300 Are in them right now. 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:51.600 And throughout history, 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.819 The church has faced these kinds of things. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:58.399 As we send people out for the gospel, 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:00.699 In different parts of the world, 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.180 We might be sending them, 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:03.939 Into situations where these things, 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:04.699 Are a very, 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.000 Very real risk. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:06.480 Like, 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:08.540 Like, 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:09.680 This is no theory. 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:11.019 This isn't theory. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:12.300 It might be theory for us, 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:13.259 Because of our experience. 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:14.720 But it's no theory for Paul. 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:18.480 He lists his afflictions, 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:20.399 As an apostle in 2 Corinthians 11. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:21.060 If you remember, 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:22.040 Those verses, 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:22.860 I'm not going to read it out. 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:23.939 You can go look later. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:24.180 But, 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:26.899 It's precisely because, 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:28.379 Paul was devoted, 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:30.019 To the spread of the gospel, 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:30.920 That he faced, 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:31.899 A lot of these things. 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:32.939 Danger here. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.740 Danger there. 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:34.439 Danger there. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:35.959 Persecution in every city. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:36.920 It's because, 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:38.800 Of that, 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:40.819 That he entered these things. 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:46.240 So, 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:47.819 Why else would you go? 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:50.040 Why would we send people into this, 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.939 If we weren't absolutely sure, 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.439 That nothing and no one, 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:56.160 Can separate us from the love of God? 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.980 We better be sure. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:01.540 And we better be sure, 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:03.019 These are the extremes, 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:03.439 And so, 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:05.259 It captures all affliction. 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:06.180 Whatever affliction, 00:08:06.359 --> 00:08:06.979 We're going through, 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:08.099 Or whatever's coming up, 00:08:10.099 --> 00:08:10.479 We, 00:08:10.479 --> 00:08:10.759 We, 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:12.779 We need to have this assurance. 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:15.899 And Paul quotes Psalm 44, 00:08:16.719 --> 00:08:18.019 To show that this has been true, 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:19.479 Of God's people all the time. 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:21.819 What's, 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:23.120 What's amazing in that psalm, 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:23.360 Which, 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:23.980 Which Bo, 00:08:24.400 --> 00:08:25.819 Started the morning off with, 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:27.700 Is that, 00:08:28.660 --> 00:08:29.200 They claim, 00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:29.939 They're not suffering, 00:08:30.160 --> 00:08:31.280 Because they've disobeyed God. 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:33.480 And that we haven't, 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:34.639 Departed from you God. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:36.720 Look at those words, 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:37.480 At the start of the quote, 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:38.960 For your sake. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:40.500 It's not because, 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:43.120 It's because we're staying loyal to you, 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.279 That we're experiencing this. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:47.639 Incredible prayer of faith, 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.019 Isn't it? 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:50.740 I'm experiencing this, 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:53.179 Rejection from my family, 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:54.139 Not because, 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.399 I've disobeyed you, 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:57.460 But for your sake. 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:03.399 The battle scars, 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:04.559 Of being loyal to God, 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.799 In a world at war with God, 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:06.720 Is actually evidence, 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:08.299 Of being close to God. 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:09.879 That's basically, 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:11.120 Paul's entire defense, 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:12.639 That's what 2 Corinthians is about. 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:14.259 That the, 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:15.479 Corinthians have lost faith, 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:16.759 In Paul's apostleship, 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:17.259 And he's saying, 00:09:17.599 --> 00:09:17.779 Look, 00:09:18.179 --> 00:09:19.779 I am weak. 00:09:21.459 --> 00:09:22.259 I am, 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:23.019 I am crushed, 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:23.799 I am defeated. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:25.759 Look, 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:27.139 I look like Christ. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:28.299 That's my defense. 00:09:28.459 --> 00:09:29.500 That's 2 Corinthians. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:32.179 It's the weakness, 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.699 That God is using him, 00:09:33.839 --> 00:09:34.500 Through his weakness, 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.439 To save people. 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:40.039 So, 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:41.459 It's amazing confidence, 00:09:41.599 --> 00:09:42.699 It's for your sake, 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:44.679 I'm enduring this. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:49.699 So, 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:50.979 Who shall separate us, 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:52.019 From the love of Christ? 00:09:53.359 --> 00:09:54.719 We get verses 28, 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.579 38 and 39, 00:09:57.579 --> 00:09:58.759 Which encompass, 00:09:59.579 --> 00:10:01.579 Any reality we can picture. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:02.939 Whether, 00:10:02.939 --> 00:10:04.099 Whether you're alive, 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:04.839 Or you're dead. 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:06.500 Either way. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:10.919 Nothing can separate, 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.500 You from the love of Christ. 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:15.080 Whatever cosmic powers, 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:16.259 Are at work, 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:17.100 Behind the scenes, 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:18.059 That we can't see, 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:19.179 That are causing, 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:20.039 These afflictions, 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:21.360 They can't, 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.019 They can't, 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:22.960 They can't, 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:23.700 Can't separate us. 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:24.279 They can't win. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:26.799 Whatever, 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:28.279 Present, 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:29.600 Situation, 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:30.559 Or future fears, 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.460 And uncertainties, 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.700 Can't separate us. 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:35.960 Nor anything else, 00:10:36.040 --> 00:10:36.800 In all creation. 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:39.200 Paul's making sure, 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:39.920 There are no, 00:10:39.920 --> 00:10:41.140 Loopholes here. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:41.900 And, 00:10:42.280 --> 00:10:42.960 If you think, 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:44.240 You, 00:10:44.400 --> 00:10:45.379 A created thing, 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.900 Can remove yourself, 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:48.980 From the love of God, 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:53.180 Yeah, 00:10:55.300 --> 00:10:55.879 We'll say it, 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:56.740 I'll just, 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:57.820 I'll just get in trouble later. 00:10:58.100 --> 00:10:59.139 I think that's adding, 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.320 To the text. 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.320 Paul's trying to say, 00:11:02.920 --> 00:11:03.639 There's no, 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:04.860 Loopholes. 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:06.519 In all creation, 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:07.960 There's nothing in all creation, 00:11:08.060 --> 00:11:08.980 That can separate us. 00:11:09.300 --> 00:11:10.440 We are part of that creation. 00:11:11.800 --> 00:11:12.879 I'm confident of that, 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:13.220 Because, 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.100 To say, 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:15.279 I can remove myself, 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:15.920 Is going, 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:17.580 Totally against, 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.660 Paul's point. 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:21.120 It's total victory, 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.680 Total assurance. 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:24.759 I think it's adding, 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:25.440 To the text. 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.379 If we put ourselves, 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.280 That we can separate. 00:11:31.780 --> 00:11:32.440 There's nothing, 00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:33.160 You can imagine, 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:33.920 That can take you, 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:34.680 Out of God's love. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:35.480 Nothing. 00:11:41.780 --> 00:11:42.560 So what does, 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.820 More than conquerors mean? 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:46.800 I've heard that phrase, 00:11:47.100 --> 00:11:47.120 And, 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:50.020 I've wondered what that means, 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.220 And, 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:52.080 What does that mean? 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:53.700 Is it just exaggeration? 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.020 Like, 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:55.740 We definitely win? 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:57.940 It could be, 00:11:58.020 --> 00:11:58.720 But it could be saying, 00:11:58.760 --> 00:11:59.400 A lot more than that. 00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:00.360 It's being, 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:01.600 Sure of victory, 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:02.600 No matter the obstacle. 00:12:03.160 --> 00:12:04.260 It's not just saying, 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.060 We escape, 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:06.200 By the skin of our teeth. 00:12:06.280 --> 00:12:07.520 We just make it in, 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.900 To heaven at the end. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:09.120 It's, 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:09.660 It's not saying, 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.639 We just make it. 00:12:12.719 --> 00:12:13.579 It's saying that, 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.620 Because Jesus is sovereign, 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:17.539 We can be sure, 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:18.939 Like in verse 28, 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:19.939 The wonderful promise, 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:20.919 We looked at last week, 00:12:21.219 --> 00:12:22.100 All things are working, 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:22.659 For our good. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:25.219 It's not that we just, 00:12:25.219 --> 00:12:25.860 Make it through, 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.240 But all things are working, 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:27.860 For our good. 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.459 We can be sure, 00:12:31.079 --> 00:12:32.299 That like the apostle Paul, 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:33.519 God loves, 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:34.860 To use weakness, 00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:35.679 To, 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:36.339 To, 00:12:36.939 --> 00:12:38.339 Bring about his gospel power. 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:40.780 Death is at work in us, 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.080 So that the life of Jesus, 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.560 Might also be at work through us. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.100 It's, 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.100 It's total victory. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:55.639 In, 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:00.060 Many of you would have read, 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.160 The Hiding Place, 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:02.440 Corrie Ten Boom. 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:05.080 Her story in, 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:07.300 Nazi concentration camps, 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:08.240 And her and her sister, 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:08.859 Betsy, 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:10.759 They sneak a Bible, 00:13:11.839 --> 00:13:12.519 Into the, 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.519 Into the prison, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.639 And then the camps. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.659 Even how they sneak the Bible in, 00:13:17.719 --> 00:13:19.059 Was through Betsy's illness. 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.559 So God used weakness, 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:22.359 To get past the guards. 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:22.719 But anyway, 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.439 That's another story. 00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:24.199 But, 00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:25.819 They were in this dormitory, 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.639 Overcrowded, 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.399 The sick, 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.519 With the less sick. 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:30.419 It's, 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:32.059 Awful place to be. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:33.839 And on top of that, 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:35.139 There were fleas. 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.379 This dorm, 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:37.359 Out of other dorms, 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.199 Had fleas. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:39.599 Like, 00:13:40.859 --> 00:13:42.779 In such a dark place, 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.799 You've got to put up with fleas as well. 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:46.279 And, 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.259 They would have these, 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:49.259 Times in the evening of, 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.479 Reading the word, 00:13:50.579 --> 00:13:51.279 And praying together. 00:13:52.079 --> 00:13:53.479 And the women would gather around, 00:13:53.599 --> 00:13:53.799 Because, 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:54.879 They had to be quiet. 00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:56.659 So the guards wouldn't hear them. 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:59.539 They came across a verse, 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:02.500 Give thanks in all circumstances. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.139 And, 00:14:04.219 --> 00:14:05.139 And Betsy, 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:07.939 Said we should give thanks for the fleas. 00:14:08.459 --> 00:14:08.579 And, 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:09.279 And, 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:09.360 And, 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.059 And, 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:10.799 Corey's just like, 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.240 Okay, 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:11.539 Nah, 00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:12.399 Too far. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.519 I can, 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.500 I can give thanks. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.039 We're together. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.519 We're alive. 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.779 We know God. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.399 We know Jesus. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.019 But, 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.480 There's lots of things I can give thanks for. 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.100 Fleas, 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:22.860 That's too much. 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:25.079 And then a couple of weeks pass, 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.379 And Betsy comes, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.379 Smiling up to Corey. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.500 It's the fleas. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.939 The soldiers, 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.519 Don't come near the dorm, 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:34.500 Because they don't want to go near the fleas. 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:39.980 In that, 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.159 In that providence, 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:41.799 Fleas. 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:43.539 God was using it, 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.480 To teach Corey, 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.279 To trust his providence, 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:46.700 In all, 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:47.740 In all situations. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:49.139 To learn to give thanks. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:51.639 That's victory. 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.320 Conforming her, 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.559 To be like Christ. 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:57.379 Because of those fleas, 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.439 Because of those fleas, 00:14:58.439 --> 00:15:00.399 God was using that to keep them safe, 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:02.500 So that they could have those times of worship, 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.699 So that those women, 00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:04.639 Reading God's word, 00:15:04.739 --> 00:15:05.739 Could be a light, 00:15:06.099 --> 00:15:06.679 Of hope, 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.019 In that, 00:15:07.619 --> 00:15:08.659 Utter dark place. 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:11.819 Victory. 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:17.779 Total victory, 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.299 In all these things. 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:20.019 Not after, 00:15:20.239 --> 00:15:20.500 In. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:25.600 And the victory wasn't there, 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:26.440 These ladies, 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:27.139 To claim. 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:28.419 It was through him, 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.080 Who loved us. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:30.179 It's not our victory, 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.700 It's through him, 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.340 Who loves us, 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.179 Who loved us. 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:43.139 John Patton, 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.539 Was a, 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:46.539 Missionary to Venuatu, 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:47.579 In the 1800s, 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:47.819 And, 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:50.359 Just about 19 years, 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.699 Before he went to Venuatu, 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.599 Some missionaries, 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:54.239 John Williams, 00:15:54.319 --> 00:15:55.239 And James Harris, 00:15:55.579 --> 00:15:57.159 Just minutes after arriving, 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.299 They were clubbed to death, 00:15:58.859 --> 00:15:59.859 And then cooked, 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.779 And eaten. 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:03.519 And so, 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.539 When John Patton, 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.500 Told his congregation, 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.860 I feel called, 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:07.679 To Venuatu. 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.100 Apparently, 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.100 An elder in the church, 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:11.799 Mr. Dixon, 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.299 Came to him, 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:12.539 Said, 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.639 They'll eat you. 00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:16.279 You'll be eaten, 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.259 By cannibals. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.480 Mr. Dixon, 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.879 You're advanced, 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.620 In years now, 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:24.879 And, 00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:26.639 Your own prospect, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.600 Is soon to be laid, 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.319 In the grave, 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.480 And there to be eaten, 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.199 By worms. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:34.339 I confess to you, 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:34.519 That, 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:36.339 If I can but live, 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:36.839 And die, 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.519 Serving, 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.899 And honouring the Lord Jesus, 00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:42.079 It will make no difference to me, 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.319 Whether I'm eaten by cannibals, 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.039 Or by worms. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.740 And on that great day, 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:47.779 My resurrection body, 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:49.500 Will rise as fair as yours, 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.759 In the likeness, 00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:51.819 Of our risen Redeemer. 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:55.539 Where does that come from? 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:57.439 Where does that perspective, 00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:58.159 Come from? 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.459 Where does that confidence, 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.159 Come from? 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:02.100 Don't you envy Christians, 00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:02.579 Like that? 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.299 This isn't, 00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:07.980 This perspective is not, 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.279 Just for super Christians, 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.299 There's no such thing, 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.599 This is for all of us, 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.240 Because, 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.920 We've all got to go deeper, 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.539 In this confidence, 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.059 Because it comes, 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.480 From Romans 5 through 8, 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.740 It comes from believing, 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.559 Romans 5 through 8, 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:26.679 So in verse 31, 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.720 Back to verse 31, 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.859 We've looked at the total victory, 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.240 Now where does this come from? 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.139 Verses 31 to 34, 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:38.640 What shall we say to these things, 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:41.840 What are these things, 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:45.240 Is it the verses just prior, 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:46.360 That we looked at last week, 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:48.480 That our salvation originated in God, 00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:50.259 His choosing us, 00:17:50.520 --> 00:17:51.680 Before we chose Him, 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.640 We chose Him because He chose us, 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.600 And so we can't mess it up, 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:59.639 Verse 28, 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.899 That all things work for good, 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:03.039 Verse 30, 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.759 That your final glorification, 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:07.939 It's already past tense, 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.240 Because it's as good as done, 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.659 Because of His sovereign love, 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.680 Is it these things, 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.779 Yes, 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.740 Yes it is, 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.779 Is it from verse 18, 00:18:19.300 --> 00:18:20.240 Of chapter 8, 00:18:20.300 --> 00:18:21.340 Our certain hope, 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:23.500 That we will inherit the new creation, 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:25.420 And that we will have resurrected bodies, 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.200 With the Lord Jesus, 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:31.560 That the Spirit is interceding in our weakness, 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.660 To make sure we make it, 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:34.940 Yeah, 00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:35.740 I think it is, 00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:37.640 Is it all of Romans 8, 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.800 God's verdict over your life, 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.480 If you're a believer, 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:44.100 He is innocent, 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.840 No condemnation, 00:18:46.540 --> 00:18:49.279 He has satisfied His law, 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.200 Through His Son, 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:52.480 The Spirit testifies to us, 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:54.080 We are children, 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.580 Abba, 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.080 Father, 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.600 Yeah, 00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:59.779 I think it's these things as well, 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.759 Is it Romans 7, 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.920 God's law no longer condemns us, 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:07.620 Even though our war with sin, 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:09.519 Is daily struggle, 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.160 It is a battle, 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:14.080 But we're not under law, 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.200 We have a new covenant, 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.779 A new husband, 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.279 The Lord Jesus, 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.720 Yes, 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:24.080 We are not under the condemnation, 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.600 Of the law, 00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:26.360 Is it Romans 6, 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.380 That the power of sin, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:29.100 Will not have the final say, 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:30.019 It's present, 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:32.500 But its rule over us, 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.200 It's been defeated, 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.539 Because we've died with Christ, 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.879 We've been raised new, 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.500 We want to please God now, 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.759 We struggle to do that, 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.559 In our flesh, 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.740 But we've been raised new, 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.619 We want to walk, 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.599 In newness of life, 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:46.299 It's Romans 6, 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.519 Is it Romans 5, 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.779 That our salvation in the end, 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.119 Boils down to who you belong to, 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.439 Do you belong to Adam, 00:19:52.219 --> 00:19:53.299 And his disobedience, 00:19:53.639 --> 00:19:54.579 And the condemnation there, 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.679 Or do you belong to Christ, 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.779 Whose obedience, 00:19:57.219 --> 00:19:58.699 Trumps his disobedience, 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.240 Where sin increased, 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.899 Grace super abounds, 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:05.040 Our salvation is because, 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.900 We belong to him, 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:09.120 And the rest of Romans 5, 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.620 That we're justified by faith, 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.259 As a free gift, 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:11.980 And so we know, 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.220 We are at peace with God, 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:19.380 His love is poured into our hearts, 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:24.140 He showed his love for us, 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.140 Even while we were sinners, 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:25.880 He died for us, 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:27.960 How much more will he give us all things, 00:20:28.540 --> 00:20:29.759 And so we can even rejoice, 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.920 In our sufferings, 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.880 In the hope of glory, 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:34.380 I think it's all these things, 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.820 Because the start of Romans 5, 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:37.800 And the end of Romans 8, 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.820 Have such similar themes, 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.060 They're very similar, 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:44.000 So I think it's encapsulating all these things, 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.680 And chapters 5 through 8, 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.460 What's it all about? 00:20:49.780 --> 00:20:52.360 In what shall we say to these things? 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:54.200 It's about assurance, 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:57.820 That God loves us, 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:01.880 That you and I have all the benefits, 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:04.500 We have all the benefits, 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.740 Of belonging to Jesus, 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:11.920 So brothers and sisters, 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:13.420 These are all yours, 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:16.640 Through him who loved us, 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:19.800 I started this term asking, 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.860 What God sees, 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.240 And relates to us through, 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:24.660 Is it through his law, 00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:26.680 Is he constantly looking at your performance? 00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:28.140 No, 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.480 Romans 5 through 8 says, 00:21:33.040 --> 00:21:34.340 He only, 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.080 And always, 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.600 And fully, 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.759 Relates to us through his son, 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:43.500 Only, 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.420 Always, 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.379 And fully, 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.359 Through his son, 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:48.379 Through his son, 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:55.900 God's love is like, 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.559 A fresh spring in the mountains, 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.240 And, 00:21:58.359 --> 00:22:00.000 We are thirsty, 00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:00.599 And, 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.480 The river, 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:03.160 Is what brings that spring, 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.180 To us to drink, 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.799 Christ is that river, 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:08.039 All you receive from God, 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:08.720 Any blessing, 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.700 Is through Christ, 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:15.059 And in Jesus, 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.919 We receive all the father's love, 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.579 For his son, 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.319 His son, 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.039 All of it, 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:23.779 So confidence of total victory, 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.960 Willing to suffer for Jesus' sake, 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.579 Is, 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:32.480 Is when it comes from knowing, 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.399 How safe we are, 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.319 How loved we are, 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.920 So what, 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.619 What after all that, 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.039 Could Paul possibly add, 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.759 In verses 31 to 34, 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.680 To deepen that, 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.059 Like, 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.680 I'm not sure, 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.900 What can he add to that, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.240 I'm not, 00:22:58.360 --> 00:23:00.940 I'm not sure he adds too much, 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:03.440 I think he's more drawing our attention to who, 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:07.980 I'm not sure he's adding too much to what, 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:09.039 God has done, 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.900 More about who, 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.220 God is, 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.880 I think he's drawing our attention to, 00:23:15.080 --> 00:23:18.380 He gives a string of questions in 31 to 34, 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.680 And, 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:20.660 This might be ironic, 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:21.520 Because, 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.260 It's legal question, 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.740 Who's going to bring a charge, 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:26.760 Who's going to condemn, 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.600 This is a courtroom picture, 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:31.100 And it's just question after question, 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:31.760 Which, 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:34.280 Kind of feels like a prosecutor, 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:36.280 Is just asking you question after question, 00:23:36.520 --> 00:23:36.660 And, 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:39.600 And you've got no leg to stand on, 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.240 By the end of it, 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.019 So maybe it's a bit ironic, 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.400 After all these questions, 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:46.400 We don't feel exposed, 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.240 We feel, 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:49.120 Assured, 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:51.420 God is holding us up, 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.019 So maybe it's ironic, 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.539 Maybe Paul's just getting excited, 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.420 I'm not sure, 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:58.460 I'm going to read the verses again, 00:23:58.460 --> 00:24:00.340 If God is for us, 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.799 Who can be against us? 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.920 He who did not spare his own son, 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:06.299 But gave him up for us all, 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:08.340 How will he not also with him, 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:10.360 Graciously give us all things? 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.200 Who shall bring any charge, 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.200 Against God's elect? 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:15.600 It is God who justifies, 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.140 Who is to condemn? 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:20.640 Christ Jesus is the one who died, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.900 More than that, 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.200 Who was raised, 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:25.640 Who is at the right hand of God, 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:29.140 Who indeed is interceding for us, 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:31.120 Verse 31, 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:33.880 No one can successfully be against you, 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:34.960 Wow, 00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:36.640 What a promise, 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.640 Verse 32, 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:40.259 He will give you everything you need, 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:40.960 Okay, 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:42.580 Verse 33, 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:44.520 No one can make any charge against you, 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.180 Stick in heaven, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.220 Even when it's true, 00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:49.320 Verse 34, 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.480 No one will condemn you, 00:24:50.820 --> 00:24:51.600 Can condemn you, 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:57.059 But notice here, 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:58.279 The answer to the question, 00:24:58.399 --> 00:25:00.339 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:01.219 The answer isn't, 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:02.939 I'm justified, 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:04.859 That's not the focus, 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:08.240 The emphasis is, 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.099 Look who it is, 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.559 Who justifies you, 00:25:12.919 --> 00:25:14.379 The wording is, 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.899 It is God, 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:20.040 It is God, 00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:21.940 Who justifies you, 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:25.100 He is the supreme court, 00:25:26.300 --> 00:25:28.040 If he declares something, 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.860 What's anyone else going to do? 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.720 The answer to these questions, 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:34.620 Is silence, 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:41.120 If God is for us, 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.420 Who can be against us? 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.539 Silence, 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:47.600 Silence, 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:47.620 Silence, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:54.240 Who shall bring any charge, 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.300 Against God's elect? 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:01.019 There's silence in heaven, 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:04.140 Because it's God who justifies, 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:09.480 Who is to condemn? 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:12.279 It's not saying Christ Jesus will, 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.619 It's saying, 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.379 Who is to condemn? 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.200 Silence, 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:27.339 God said to Abraham, 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.819 Now I know you love me, 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:31.440 You did not spare Isaac, 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.319 Your only son, 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.339 And we can say to God, 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.980 Now I know you love me, 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.220 You did not spare your own son, 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.920 How could such a God, 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.940 Who did not spare his own son, 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:43.600 How could he not also, 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.660 Give us all we need? 00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:47.900 Of course he will, 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:52.680 That's the kind of God he is, 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:57.340 And look who it is, 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.779 Who's taken your condemnation, 00:26:59.340 --> 00:27:01.140 Again the focus is on the who, 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.779 It isn't animals, 00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:07.160 It isn't a good man, 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:09.360 Or just a man, 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:11.120 It isn't an angel, 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.860 Look who it is, 00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:18.220 It was the one who willingly, 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:21.120 Jumped in front, 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:23.759 Of the bullet of God's wrath, 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:28.259 Such a one died for you, 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:31.400 Will such a one, 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.339 Allow anyone, 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.879 Even your own conscience, 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.720 To condemn you, 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:41.759 And when the father looked at his son, 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.299 In the tomb, 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.099 Absorbing, 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:47.160 Having absorbed his wrath, 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:49.019 So that we the church, 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.819 Can be at peace, 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:53.379 Delighting in the fact that, 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.980 His son trusted him, 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.599 Even through death, 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:59.579 That he had honoured, 00:27:59.959 --> 00:28:00.919 God's justice, 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.500 That sin didn't go unpunished, 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:06.019 He is just, 00:28:07.459 --> 00:28:09.099 The father satisfied in the son, 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.959 Come home, 00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.019 Get up, 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:13.939 Well done, 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.699 And he raised him, 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.839 Publicly vindicating him, 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.219 This is who, 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.959 How could we be condemned, 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.759 If the father is totally for the son, 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:27.440 That the son was raised, 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:32.039 And then he seated him, 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:33.379 At God's right hand, 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.700 Quoting Psalm 110, 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.420 Verse 1, 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.519 Which is the most quoted, 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.619 Of the Old Testament, 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:40.059 The Lord says to my Lord, 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.599 Sit at my right hand, 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.460 Until I make your enemies, 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:44.339 Your footstool, 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.879 It's a metaphor, 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.339 It's a, 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.960 Yes Christ is in heaven, 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.640 But it's a metaphor, 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.960 Like Joseph, 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.839 Right hand of Pharaoh, 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.319 In Egypt, 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:54.099 All God's authority, 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:55.639 Has been entrusted to him, 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:59.539 All heaven, 00:28:59.939 --> 00:29:00.960 All authority in heaven, 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.639 On earth, 00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:03.179 Is given to me, 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:08.980 The one, 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.939 Who willingly died for us, 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.019 The one who the father, 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.279 Is totally for, 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:14.659 Because he resurrected him, 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.740 The one, 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.039 Who has all authority, 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:18.799 What is that one doing, 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:21.019 He's interceding for us, 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.879 Right now, 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.519 In heaven, 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:26.799 He lives to intercede for us, 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:31.180 Such a one is, 00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:32.779 Representing us, 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.180 Now that doesn't mean, 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.119 Interceding doesn't mean, 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.899 He's adding to his work of salvation, 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:40.299 It is, 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.799 It is a priestly, 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.359 Picture here, 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.720 He is our high priest, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:46.819 But he's not adding to our salvation, 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:48.779 Like the salvation's done, 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.640 It's, 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:53.240 It's that him, 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:55.059 In his resurrected, 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.539 Glorified bodily presence in heaven, 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:59.720 Is representing all he has achieved, 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:06.640 So Satan might harass you, 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.180 Pointing out, 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.140 Look how, 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:13.400 Look how she's failing you, 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:18.440 But look who's interceding for you, 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:21.380 Such a one who died, 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.700 And was raised, 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.519 And was at the right hand of God, 00:30:27.280 --> 00:30:28.700 Other people might condemn you, 00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:29.800 Look how incomplete, 00:30:30.800 --> 00:30:31.880 Your doctrine is, 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.259 Look how inconsistent, 00:30:33.620 --> 00:30:34.640 Your life is, 00:30:36.060 --> 00:30:37.720 Look who is interceding for you, 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:37.780 Look who is interceding for you, 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:43.399 Your own conscience, 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.279 Might condemn you, 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:47.579 Your sufferings, 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:49.779 Might feel like God is, 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:52.559 Pouring out his wrath on you, 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.279 But we've got to remember, 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.480 Who's interceding for us, 00:30:55.899 --> 00:31:01.259 Our high priest, 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:02.420 Is totally for us, 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:07.480 You might be thinking at this point, 00:31:07.580 --> 00:31:07.800 Yes, 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.800 This is all wonderful, 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.460 But if only it was for me, 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.960 Now, 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.940 I've had my personal doubts, 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:17.340 But, 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:20.400 I'm going to let you listen, 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.259 To someone who, 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.840 Deeply, 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.259 Over a long period of time, 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.420 Struggled with this, 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.820 Who was sure, 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:28.100 Absolutely sure, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.120 He wasn't elect, 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.100 Sure he was going to go to hell, 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:33.000 So John Bunyan, 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:33.579 Who wrote, 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.980 Pilgrim's Progress, 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:35.740 He also wrote, 00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:38.199 Grace abounding to the chief of sinners, 00:31:42.199 --> 00:31:43.240 I saw, 00:31:43.959 --> 00:31:45.279 With the eyes of my soul, 00:31:45.439 --> 00:31:46.299 Jesus Christ, 00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:47.419 At God's right hand, 00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.639 There, 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.599 I say, 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.959 Is my righteousness, 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:58.179 So that wherever I was, 00:31:59.159 --> 00:32:00.339 Or whatever I was doing, 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:02.619 It was not my good frame of heart, 00:32:02.699 --> 00:32:04.000 That made my righteousness better, 00:32:04.679 --> 00:32:05.939 Nor my bad frame, 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:07.539 That made my righteousness worse, 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.419 For my righteousness, 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:11.000 Was Jesus Christ himself, 00:32:11.699 --> 00:32:12.559 The same yesterday, 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.259 And today, 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.799 And forever, 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:19.079 God graciously, 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.299 Brought him to a point, 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:21.899 Of seeing, 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.039 It's not even your own conscience, 00:32:24.219 --> 00:32:25.639 It's not even your own thoughts, 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:27.019 That tell you, 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:27.959 Whether you're elect, 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.919 And secure or not, 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:31.019 Your righteousness is up there, 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.519 It's, 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.840 He's outside of you, 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.400 In that sense, 00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:37.740 And so it's absolutely sure, 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:40.440 He's greater than our conscience, 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:45.940 Always living to intercede, 00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:46.900 Hebrews 7, 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:47.519 25, 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:49.799 He is able to save, 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.579 To the uttermost, 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:51.980 Those who draw near to God, 00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.759 Through him, 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:55.200 Since he always lives, 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.779 To make intercession for them, 00:32:57.779 --> 00:33:02.279 What wonderful assurance, 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:07.539 So is God for me, 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.639 Wrong question, 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:14.660 Is God for me, 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:19.940 I think we should, 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:21.440 Come away from, 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.860 Our time in Romans, 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.480 Going, 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.420 We shouldn't even be, 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.320 Ask the question, 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:27.759 It's not even a question, 00:33:28.580 --> 00:33:31.279 We should be living as if, 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.300 Since, 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:34.160 God is for us, 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:35.880 It's not a question, 00:33:36.040 --> 00:33:36.779 It's since, 00:33:38.060 --> 00:33:39.680 God is for us, 00:33:40.300 --> 00:33:41.080 Through him, 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.060 Who loved us, 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:46.220 The father loves us, 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.159 He gave his son, 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.700 How will he not give us all things, 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:51.059 The son loves us, 00:33:51.099 --> 00:33:51.919 He gave himself, 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:54.319 And he's using all his power now, 00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:55.279 To intercede for us, 00:33:56.179 --> 00:33:57.240 The spirit loves us, 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:59.319 He's testifying to the love of God, 00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:00.059 In our hearts, 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:01.339 That we are adopted, 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:01.879 That we, 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:04.720 We have all of God's love, 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.559 Through Christ, 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:09.719 It is being full, 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.779 Of the love of God, 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.179 That we can approach, 00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:13.079 Any situation, 00:34:13.279 --> 00:34:14.539 Confident of total victory, 00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:17.179 Not victory, 00:34:17.299 --> 00:34:18.139 That things will work out, 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:18.659 How we, 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.779 Want them to work out, 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:20.420 But victory, 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.159 That no one can take us, 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:22.880 Out of his love, 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.619 Victory, 00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:24.659 That all things work, 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.239 For our good, 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:26.119 He's preparing us, 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.900 For an eternal, 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.279 Eternal, 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:32.719 Experience of delight, 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:35.959 He's working for our good, 00:34:36.299 --> 00:34:37.079 And it's victory, 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:38.899 Knowing that he will use our weakness, 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.819 To bring this, 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:41.239 This life to others, 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:45.599 If he's fully for us, 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:47.039 Since he's fully for us, 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:49.879 We can know we can have total victory, 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:53.419 Even in the darkest, 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:54.659 Darkest situation, 00:34:55.659 --> 00:35:02.079 So what's the purpose of giving us such, 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.960 Massive, 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.679 Assurance, 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.679 Like why, 00:35:05.799 --> 00:35:06.400 Why does, 00:35:07.799 --> 00:35:09.759 Why does God want us to know this, 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:11.179 Why does he want us to live, 00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:14.059 Going since you are for us, 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:15.179 Through him who loved us, 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:16.539 Why does he want that, 00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:19.340 It is not, 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.980 So that we, 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:22.480 In our commitment, 00:35:22.799 --> 00:35:24.880 To the Australian comfortable life, 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:27.219 Can just add a few spiritual pillows, 00:35:27.219 --> 00:35:32.839 We're given this, 00:35:32.839 --> 00:35:34.839 So that it sets us free, 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:36.500 From that worldly agenda, 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:39.799 So that, 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.619 We will face, 00:35:41.819 --> 00:35:42.579 Any hardship, 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:43.959 Not doubting his love, 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:45.599 We will even move into hardship, 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.980 For his sake, 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:49.239 It sets us free, 00:35:49.399 --> 00:35:49.559 Because, 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:51.199 Because we're so assured, 00:35:51.259 --> 00:35:51.759 Of his love, 00:35:51.859 --> 00:35:52.839 It sets us free, 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.340 From that, 00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:55.440 What the world chases, 00:35:56.660 --> 00:35:57.660 So that we live a life, 00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:58.260 That counts, 00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:03.760 We're given this deep assurance, 00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:04.380 So that, 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:06.860 We give all of ourselves, 00:36:07.100 --> 00:36:07.620 To him, 00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:09.579 Who's given all of himself, 00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:10.320 To us, 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:12.360 That's why we're given it, 00:36:18.760 --> 00:36:20.320 Since God is for us, 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:20.860 In Jesus, 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:24.420 Romans 12 verse 1, 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.599 I appeal to you, 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:26.059 Therefore, 00:36:26.300 --> 00:36:27.140 Brothers and sisters, 00:36:28.240 --> 00:36:29.660 By the mercies of God, 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.579 To present, 00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:32.420 Your bodies, 00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:33.720 As a living sacrifice, 00:36:34.660 --> 00:36:35.059 Holy, 00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:36.340 And acceptable to God, 00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:38.180 Which is your spiritual worship, 00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:47.640 Since God is for us, 00:36:47.740 --> 00:36:48.460 We can gladly, 00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:50.320 Give all of ourselves to him, 00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:52.360 Will you pray with me, 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:52.900 Let's pray, 00:36:53.620 --> 00:37:03.400 Lord, 00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.340 I know, 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.140 My own, 00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:09.240 My own sense of hypocrisy, 00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:10.220 Even preaching this, 00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:10.559 How, 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:13.599 Still in love, 00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:14.920 With the things of this world, 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.160 And so, 00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:17.059 I pray for me, 00:37:17.160 --> 00:37:18.200 And I pray for all of us, 00:37:18.199 --> 00:37:20.859 That your love, 00:37:20.859 --> 00:37:22.759 Would conquer all that, 00:37:23.759 --> 00:37:26.199 And that you would increasingly, 00:37:26.679 --> 00:37:30.719 Show us what kind of God you are, 00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:35.559 That you freely give us all of yourself, 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:39.299 And that you've promised an eternity, 00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:40.519 Of delight, 00:37:41.659 --> 00:37:42.419 Lord, 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.419 I pray for each one of us, 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.699 Whatever we're going through, 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.899 Whether we're, 00:37:45.899 --> 00:37:47.239 In love with this world, 00:37:47.359 --> 00:37:49.019 Or we are barely coping, 00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:49.759 I pray that, 00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:51.759 Your spirit might, 00:37:52.759 --> 00:37:55.339 Bring the truths of Romans, 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:56.939 More deeply into, 00:37:57.139 --> 00:37:58.039 Into our hearts, 00:37:59.039 --> 00:37:59.519 Lord, 00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.619 I pray for us as a church, 00:38:01.339 --> 00:38:02.500 That we might respond, 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.599 To what we've been learning, 00:38:04.259 --> 00:38:05.559 Not by, 00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:06.980 Just feeling good, 00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:08.719 And going about, 00:38:09.219 --> 00:38:10.519 Living for the things of this world, 00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:12.059 But I pray that you would help us to, 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:13.320 As a church together, 00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:17.099 Live lives that are pleasing to you, 00:38:17.239 --> 00:38:18.719 That reflect the sun, 00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:20.860 In choosing suffering, 00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:22.679 So that others might come in, 00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:24.880 To the life of knowing you, 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.300 And I pray all this in Jesus' name, 00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:27.759 Amen.