WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.759 Well, we have been preaching verse by verse through the book of Romans, and we have spent the past two weeks in chapter 6 thinking about what it means to be set free from sin. 00:00:12.580 --> 00:00:23.539 ! I have been attempting to help you see the tightrope we walk as Christians, knowing that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and the personal work of Jesus Christ alone, 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:36.500 but also knowing that if we have been saved, set free from the power of sin, given a new nature, then our faith will be a faith that works in the pursuit of holiness. 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:47.219 I do not think that I have done a good job of helping the church see this careful tension over the past decade and a half. 00:00:47.219 --> 00:00:55.700 It seems to me that I have overemphasized sanctification as evidence of justification. 00:00:56.259 --> 00:01:02.280 Not an untruth, but perhaps a truth with too much emphasis. 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:15.519 I want you to know that this comes from a desire for you to persevere, but the imbalance comes from a reaction to the cheap grace preaching of our day. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:21.539 Perhaps you remember me recently reading from John MacArthur's commentary. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:24.859 There he wrote, 00:01:24.859 --> 00:01:32.480 Perhaps the most common reason why Christians find it hard to believe they are freed from sin's tyranny while they are still on earth, 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:38.799 is that their continued battle with sin seems almost constantly to contradict that truth. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:44.000 If they have a new holy disposition and sin's control has truly been broken, 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:52.219 they wonder, why are they still so strongly tempted, and why do they so often succumb? 00:01:52.219 --> 00:02:02.099 So this morning, I want to step away from Romans 6 before we complete it, Lord willing, next week, 00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:05.719 and I just want to encourage you. 00:02:07.060 --> 00:02:10.419 The planned text for today, sufficient for the task. 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:13.259 Verses 15 through 23. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:18.960 It can be accomplished there, but not the way I wrote it this week. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:27.580 So I'd like to labor with it a bit more that we might get that balance correct in that text. 00:02:28.659 --> 00:02:35.240 In Isaiah chapter 42 and verse 3, it is prophesied of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:38.700 A bruised reed he will not break, 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:43.879 and a faintly burning wick he will not quench. 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:52.219 And I think that most people in our church are like me, are hard on themselves. 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:56.439 I am my own worst critic. 00:02:57.359 --> 00:03:00.620 I don't think Satan has any concern with being an accuser to me, 00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:02.900 because I take care of it all on my own. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:08.879 I think perhaps because we're a church that takes the Bible seriously, 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:12.199 because we care about holiness, 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:21.259 perhaps because people can tend to be attracted to the preaching of someone who feels the way they feel. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:23.780 We're kind of alike in this way. 00:03:24.799 --> 00:03:28.659 So, this morning you may feel beaten down. 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:35.019 You may feel like the flame of your faith is just barely lit. 00:03:35.020 --> 00:03:38.700 You are in good company. 00:03:39.600 --> 00:03:40.780 I often feel this way. 00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:42.760 Many of us do. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:47.160 In fact, as I just searched, 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:50.020 kind of thinking towards the end of this week, 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:54.920 perhaps not the way I wrote Romans 6, 15 through 23. 00:03:55.740 --> 00:03:57.700 This text that were coming to my mind, 00:03:57.879 --> 00:03:59.240 things that we had preached on before, 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:02.379 I thought, oh, that's a good, encouraging text to this point. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:04.400 And I would go and I would read those sermons and go, 00:04:04.579 --> 00:04:09.560 whew, that was really hard on us in that particular passage. 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:13.120 And so I just want to be an encouragement to us today. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:15.079 I want to prod at us, 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:20.420 help us to consider the completed work of Christ on our behalf. 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:25.639 And we're going to do that by looking at Hebrews chapter 2, verse 1. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:37.019 Before I read it, let me remind you, beloved, 00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:39.579 that this is God's word to us, 00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:42.459 written for his glory and our good. 00:04:43.079 --> 00:04:45.139 And so we would do well to listen to it 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:46.979 in order to believe its promises. 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:50.300 Let me emphasize that part of this thing I say when I preach. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:53.839 Believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:56.299 Hebrews 2 and verse 1. 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:02.759 Therefore, we must pay much closer attention 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:04.819 to what we have heard, 00:05:05.359 --> 00:05:08.359 lest we drift away from it. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:15.079 There is one exhortation or encouragement in today's text, 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:18.839 and it is the ruling or overarching exhortation 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:22.839 of the entire letter to the Hebrew people. 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:25.359 The original audience for Hebrews 00:05:25.359 --> 00:05:27.939 is a church of Hellenistic Jews, 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:29.519 think Greek-speaking Jews, 00:05:30.039 --> 00:05:31.419 that had not seen Jesus, 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:35.719 but they had heard the gospel and believed. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:41.319 Most likely a small church meeting on the outskirts of Rome. 00:05:42.159 --> 00:05:44.759 They had endured much suffering to this point, 00:05:44.919 --> 00:05:49.399 and the author is anticipating that they will suffer further. 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:53.019 So there exists among them the temptation 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:55.319 to forsake their faith in Jesus Christ 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:57.839 and return to Judaism. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:01.120 Jews practicing Judaism 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:04.019 had long been accepted in the Roman Empire, 00:06:04.179 --> 00:06:04.919 and this remained true 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:08.319 in the days that this letter was written. 00:06:08.419 --> 00:06:09.359 So they're being tugged at. 00:06:09.419 --> 00:06:12.879 Perhaps we can still worship God in that way, 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:15.399 this way that won't cost us 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:19.319 our possessions and our comfort and our lives. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.259 And apostasy had already happened in the life of the church, 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:25.500 so there's lots of warning in this letter. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:30.500 And we find that there's an accompany warning in this verse. 00:06:30.599 --> 00:06:32.159 And we're not going to neglect it altogether, 00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:34.899 but we're going to focus our energy together 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:38.519 on the exhortation from the letter. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:43.560 Therefore, we must pay much closer attention 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:45.579 to what we have heard. 00:06:46.479 --> 00:06:49.759 The exhortation begins with a therefore, 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:51.959 and as you may be thinking, 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:55.279 how is this text meant to encourage me this morning? 00:06:55.359 --> 00:06:56.039 Well, here it is. 00:06:56.899 --> 00:07:00.439 Everything contained within that therefore. 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:05.500 That is what is meant to be an encouragement to you today. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:09.819 The therefore refers back to all that the author has said 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:12.480 of Jesus Christ in chapter 1. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:14.839 Now, we don't have time this morning 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:18.319 to unpack all of chapter 1. 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:19.680 Perhaps we could fly over it, 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:21.839 but I think that would be unfair to you. 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:26.399 So we're just going to look at two verses from chapter 1. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:31.139 Hebrews chapter 1, verse 2 and verse 3. 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:35.439 So let me read verse 1 just to get us into verse 2 and 3. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:40.420 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:43.800 God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:48.560 But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:51.759 whom He appointed the heir of all things, 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:54.579 through whom also He created the world. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:57.860 He is the radiance of the glory of God 00:07:57.860 --> 00:08:00.480 and the exact imprint of His nature. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:05.259 And He upholds the universe by the word of His power. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:08.060 After making purification for sins, 00:08:08.140 --> 00:08:12.180 He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:16.160 Behold, in these two verses, 00:08:17.020 --> 00:08:21.980 the supremacy and the finality of Jesus Christ. 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:25.580 Kent Hughes, a contemporary pastor, 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:28.300 in his commentary on this text, said, 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:30.340 the grand theme of these verses 00:08:30.340 --> 00:08:34.539 is the supremacy of Christ as God's final word. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:37.899 Christ is held up like a great jewel 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:40.159 to the sunlight of God's revelation. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:43.039 And as the light courses through it, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:47.879 seven facets flash with gleaming brilliance. 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:52.259 Christ's supremacy and His finality 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:56.199 is refracted for us to consider. 00:08:56.719 --> 00:08:59.319 This is the encouragement this morning, 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:03.459 who Christ is and what He's accomplished. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:07.120 So let's give these seven refractions, 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:11.059 titles, to help us in our study. 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:14.619 Christ is, so this is an outline if you care for it. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.459 I'll repeat these. 00:09:15.579 --> 00:09:18.479 But Christ is an inheritor, 00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:21.799 a creator, a sustainer, 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:23.779 a radiator, a representer, 00:09:24.619 --> 00:09:26.779 a purifier, and a ruler. 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:32.199 So first, Christ is an inheritor. 00:09:32.839 --> 00:09:33.859 We see in verse 2, 00:09:34.079 --> 00:09:38.659 whom He, God, appointed the heir of all things. 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:41.980 It follows that because Jesus is the Son of God, 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:44.959 then He is also the heir of God. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:47.719 The writer of Hebrews identifies for us 00:09:47.719 --> 00:09:52.360 Jesus Christ as the anointed and Son of Psalm 2 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:57.120 when He cites Psalm 2-7 in chapter 1 and verse 5. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:58.539 You are my Son. 00:09:59.179 --> 00:10:01.419 Today I have begotten you. 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:05.259 He's referring to Psalm 2. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:07.439 In Psalm 2 and verse 8, 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:08.259 the psalmist writes, 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:09.240 Ask of me, 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:11.500 and I will make the nations your heritage 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:14.960 and the ends of the earth your possession. 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:17.240 Referring to this anointed one. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.519 So Psalm 2 teaches us 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.179 that the inheritance of Jesus Christ 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:23.240 is the earth and its peoples. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:26.259 But Colossians chapter 1 and verse 6 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:27.980 teaches us that all things, 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:30.399 so the very cosmos themselves, 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:33.259 were created for Him. 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:33.899 Him. 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:36.720 But not only that, beloved, 00:10:37.319 --> 00:10:39.220 if you are in Christ Jesus, 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.159 then you, 00:10:40.939 --> 00:10:42.639 specifically you, 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.319 are His inheritance. 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:48.899 You belong to Him. 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:51.799 Through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.379 on the cross, 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.620 He has purchased you 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:55.539 and He treasures you 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.960 as His inheritance. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:11:00.759 In Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 18, 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:02.280 Paul tells the Ephesian believers 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:04.519 that He always prays 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:05.660 that they may know 00:11:05.660 --> 00:11:07.040 what are the riches 00:11:07.040 --> 00:11:09.060 of His glorious inheritance 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:11.320 in the saints. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:15.740 What an astounding truth. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:18.600 But not only are we Christ's inheritance, 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:21.360 we are also His co-heirs. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:21.519 Heirs. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:24.159 In Romans 8 and verse 17, 00:11:24.560 --> 00:11:25.980 Paul calls us heirs, 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.240 heirs of God 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:28.659 and fellow heirs 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:30.500 with Christ. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.560 Christ is the heir of all things. 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:35.159 He is the heir of God, 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:36.279 but as followers of Christ, 00:11:36.419 --> 00:11:37.580 we are found in Him, 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:40.539 so we are also heirs. 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:43.120 1 Corinthians chapter 3, 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:44.919 verse 21 and following says, 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:46.860 So let no one boast in men, 00:11:47.559 --> 00:11:49.779 for all things are yours, 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:52.199 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:54.639 or the world or life or death 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:56.059 or the present or the future, 00:11:56.199 --> 00:11:57.120 all are yours, 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.759 and you are Christ's, 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:01.459 and Christ is God's. 00:12:01.979 --> 00:12:04.740 We are heirs with Christ. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:09.039 Secondly, Christ is creator. 00:12:10.079 --> 00:12:12.579 Verse 2 says that God created the world 00:12:12.579 --> 00:12:14.199 through Him. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:17.459 Not only does Christ inherit all things, 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:20.519 but He also created all things. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:22.419 The Greek word here, 00:12:22.599 --> 00:12:24.099 translated world, 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:27.459 could be more literally translated ages. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:30.500 And it is a wonderful word 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:33.139 because it includes all things. 00:12:33.819 --> 00:12:35.379 Not only space, 00:12:35.979 --> 00:12:38.120 but also time. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.799 Brooke Westcott, 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.959 who was a 19th century British theologian, 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.680 defines this Greek word in this way. 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:48.259 The sum of the periods of time, 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:50.139 including all that is manifested 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:52.040 in and through them, 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:54.820 an order which exists through time, 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:58.080 developed in successive stages. 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.100 Everything, 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:00.460 all of it, 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.639 forever, 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:04.940 was created by Christ. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:10.840 Our galaxy is an average-sized spiral galaxy. 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:12.520 Those of you who know me 00:13:12.520 --> 00:13:14.740 know I like this kind of stuff. 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:19.540 It's over 100,000 light years across, 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:22.560 which is 600 trillion miles. 00:13:22.640 --> 00:13:25.660 I dare you to comprehend a number like that. 00:13:25.660 --> 00:13:29.960 600 trillion miles across our galaxy. 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:32.960 We can see with modern telescopes 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:36.860 about 100,000 million galaxies. 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:39.540 Each galaxy contains 00:13:39.540 --> 00:13:42.759 100,000 million stars. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:45.840 The average distance between these galaxies 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:48.920 is 3 million light years. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.879 This is astounding. 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:54.820 The universe is absolutely astounded. 00:13:54.820 --> 00:14:00.040 And it was created by and for Christ. 00:14:01.280 --> 00:14:03.200 John 1 and verse 3, 00:14:03.760 --> 00:14:05.120 All things were made through Him, 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:07.080 and without Him was not anything made 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:08.620 that was made. 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:11.180 1 Corinthians 8 and verse 6, 00:14:11.260 --> 00:14:12.400 Yet for us there is one God, 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:12.820 the Father, 00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:14.140 from whom are all things 00:14:14.140 --> 00:14:15.640 and for whom we exist, 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:17.640 and one Lord Jesus Christ, 00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:19.240 through whom are all things 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.620 and through whom we exist. 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:25.100 Colossians chapter 1 and verse 16, 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:27.460 For by Him all things were created, 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.019 in heaven and on earth, 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.879 visible and invisible, 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:32.620 whether thrones or dominions 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:34.039 or rulers or authorities, 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.440 all things were created 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:38.700 through Him and for Him. 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:41.860 And Romans 11 and verse 36, 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.940 For from Him and through Him 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:46.399 and to Him are all things. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.600 To Him be glory forever. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.019 Amen. 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:50.180 Amen. 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:53.439 The cosmos were created 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:56.879 that we might praise Christ. 00:14:58.099 --> 00:14:59.679 And we are a new creation, beloved, 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:03.459 for the praise of Christ. 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:06.019 2 Corinthians 5 and verse 17, 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.599 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 00:15:07.699 --> 00:15:10.079 he is a new creation. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.099 Behold, it's passed away. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:14.839 Behold, the new has come. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:17.359 Christ is the creator of all things, 00:15:17.359 --> 00:15:19.859 including us. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:24.239 A powerful word has spoken all things 00:15:24.239 --> 00:15:27.419 for the praise of God into existence. 00:15:28.099 --> 00:15:30.039 Not only is Christ the creator, 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.819 He's also the sustainer. 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:35.159 Verse 3 tells us that He upholds the universe 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:38.419 by the word of His power. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:41.679 Jesus Christ created all things. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:44.539 And sustains them, keeps them going. 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:49.000 He actively sustains by the word of His power. 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:52.459 That means that Jesus says to the world, 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.179 move like this. 00:15:54.839 --> 00:15:56.379 Behave like that. 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.919 Rain here, snow there, 00:15:58.919 --> 00:16:01.419 and the world obeys. 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:04.860 This means that nothing will cease to do 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.479 exactly as it is told 00:16:06.479 --> 00:16:09.620 until Jesus says to do otherwise. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:12.220 I think that's very cool. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:14.980 Jonathan Edwards, 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:17.340 one of the greatest minds 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:19.779 that this country has ever produced, 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:22.039 much less greatest theological minds, 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:23.620 he's often given credit for being 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:26.120 just one of the greatest minds, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.440 believed in something that he called 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.919 continuous creation. 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:32.199 And that was to say that he thought 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:34.159 that the world was being created 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:35.059 moment by moment, 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:37.579 spoken into existence moment by moment. 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.539 And to be frank, 00:16:38.599 --> 00:16:40.259 this makes my head explode 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:42.479 because I am no Jonathan Edwards, 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:45.799 in case you were unclear about that. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.979 But just listen to what he says. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.159 It's just fascinating. 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:50.639 So, quote, 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.240 It is plain, 00:16:53.099 --> 00:16:55.919 nothing can exert itself or operate 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:58.639 when and where it is not existing 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:01.159 because what is past entirely ceases 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:03.799 when present existence begins. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.579 It does no more coexist with it 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.960 than it does any other moment 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.619 that had ceased 20 years ago. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.639 Here's my dumb summary of that. 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:14.119 The past does not have the power 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:15.960 to sustain that which is in the present 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.920 or in the future. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:18.740 I believe that's what he just said. 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.039 But he goes on. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.480 Here's the part I want to get you to. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:21.920 Quote, 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:26.000 God's upholding created substance 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:28.119 or causing its existence 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:30.119 in each successive moment 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:32.240 is altogether equivalent 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.940 to an immediate production 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.920 out of nothing 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:35.880 at each moment 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:38.200 because its existence at this moment 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.880 is not merely in part from God 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:42.519 but wholly from him 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:44.859 and not in any part or degree 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:47.500 from its antecedent existence. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:50.599 He's saying the past ceased to exist 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.240 in the past, 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.980 so the present must exist 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:55.120 by the power of God. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.400 Now, 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.480 you could rewind this idea 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.640 of continuous creation 00:17:58.640 --> 00:18:00.440 and hear that whatever he's saying 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.740 is that Christ, 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.759 by the word of his power, 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:05.000 holds us together. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.940 Have you ever really considered 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:10.259 what it is that keeps us together? 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:13.000 Why is it that our atoms exist 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.960 the way our atoms exist 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:16.299 and that those atoms exist together? 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.720 There are scientific explanations for this. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.579 I understand. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:22.500 But I just want to posit to you 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:25.199 that if Christ would cease 00:18:25.199 --> 00:18:26.319 holding us together 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.319 by the word of his power, 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:29.220 what makes us up 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:31.159 would just fly off into oblivion. 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.679 In a moment, 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:35.019 it would all be gone. 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:37.819 Christ is the sustainer. 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.980 If Jesus Christ has the power 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.299 to sustain the universe, 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.279 the cosmos, 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.599 then, beloved, 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.619 he has the power 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:49.579 to sustain our faith. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:53.019 As feeble as it can be at times, 00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:55.980 he can hold that together. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.439 This is why Paul was able to say 00:18:58.439 --> 00:18:59.519 with such confidence 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.199 to the Philippian believers 00:19:01.199 --> 00:19:02.439 in Philippians 1-6, 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:04.000 I am sure of this, 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:06.799 that he who began a good work in you 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.919 will bring it to completion 00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:10.740 at the day of Christ. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:14.199 Christ is the sustainer. 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:16.519 Notice fourthly 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:19.160 that Christ is the radiator. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.980 We see in verse 3, 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:25.039 he's the radiance of the glory of God. 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:28.519 Radiance here is a better translation 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:30.940 than the oft-used reflection. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.680 Maybe your translation this morning 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.940 says reflection. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:37.680 The moon reflects the light of the sun. 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:40.420 The sun, though, radiates that light. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:43.620 Jesus does not merely reflect God's glory, 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:47.599 he is part and parcel of God's glory. 00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:53.000 He is part of the source of that glory. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:56.579 John writes in John 1 and verse 18, 00:19:56.739 --> 00:19:58.479 no one has ever seen God, 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:01.279 the only God, referring to Jesus, 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:03.500 who is at the Father's side, 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:07.259 he has made him known. 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:09.539 The Nicene Creed, 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.579 325 A.D., 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:13.259 an important confession, 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.259 states, 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:18.680 we believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, 00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:20.599 the only Son of God, 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:22.000 begotten from the Father 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.420 before all ages, 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.259 God from God, 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.819 light from light, 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.900 true God from true God, 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.240 begotten not made 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.259 of the same essence 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:33.700 as the Father. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.819 And this is what 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:37.080 the biblical evidence bears out, 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:41.180 including Hebrews 1 and verse 3. 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:43.100 Jesus is God, 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.720 so when we see Jesus, 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:47.860 we see God. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:50.279 And this is an astounding reality 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:53.600 for us living in the New Testament era. 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:57.100 Colossians chapter 1 and verse 15 says, 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:59.039 Jesus is the image 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:01.480 of the invisible God. 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:04.180 Christ is the radiator. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:06.559 Christ is also the representer. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.980 Verse 3 says, 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:10.079 he's the exact imprint 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.579 of God's nature, 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:13.200 of his nature. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.599 Now this phrase balances out 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.720 the previous phrase. 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:19.039 Jesus as God's radiance 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.720 speaks to his oneness 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.460 with the Father. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:24.539 Jesus as God's representer 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.500 or imprint 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:27.879 speaks to his distinctness 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:29.440 as the Son. 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.680 So the author of Hebrews 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.640 gives us a taste 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.660 of the mystery 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:35.580 that is the Trinitarian nature 00:21:35.580 --> 00:21:36.740 of God. 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.800 Many people have attempted 00:21:39.800 --> 00:21:41.400 to give some analogy for this 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:43.680 and they all fail miserably, 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:45.400 which is why I never try. 00:21:46.540 --> 00:21:47.940 Beloved, this reality 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.300 of the triune nature of God 00:21:49.300 --> 00:21:50.520 should move us 00:21:50.520 --> 00:21:53.220 to odd speculation. 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.240 A God who is one 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.640 but three in one. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:58.800 A mystery that I look forward 00:21:58.800 --> 00:22:00.360 to having unraveled 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.460 in glory. 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.680 I often joke, 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.320 you may know, 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.160 that I feel like 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.540 there's going to be 00:22:05.540 --> 00:22:06.640 a frequently asked questions 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:09.120 video when we arrive 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.800 in that day. 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.320 They're just going to be like, 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:10.840 hey, wait, wait, wait, 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.720 hold the questions. 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:14.920 An old VHS will be popped in 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.960 to help us understand 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:19.440 these types of glorious truths. 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.840 But I don't know 00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:22.360 that we're going to fully comprehend 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.880 this one ever. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:25.180 It's possible 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.940 that we may explore 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:29.400 the glory of this God 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:31.080 one but three in one 00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:32.180 forever. 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:34.340 We might constantly be becoming 00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:35.720 new revelation, 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.460 awe and wonder 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.260 and worship 00:22:38.260 --> 00:22:40.000 for eternity. 00:22:41.760 --> 00:22:42.760 Now, exact imprint 00:22:42.760 --> 00:22:45.440 refers to the image 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:47.400 on a coin made by a die. 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.580 So a stamp, 00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:50.260 an exact imprint. 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.900 Once again, 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.400 when we see Jesus, 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:55.579 we see God. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:58.460 We know how He thinks. 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:00.740 We know how He speaks. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:03.559 We know how He feels. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.879 We know how He relates 00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:07.420 to mankind broadly. 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.680 We know how He relates 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:11.660 to us as His people. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.259 God has spoken to us 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:17.279 in His Son. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:20.240 And listen to what Jesus says. 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.700 There's one thing 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:23.440 from Matthew chapter 11, 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:25.440 verse 28 and 29. 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.279 Come to Me, 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.359 all who labor 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:31.259 and are heavy laden, 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:34.299 and I will give you rest. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.579 Take My yoke upon you 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.480 and learn from Me, 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.359 for I am gentle 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.859 and lowly in heart, 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:42.359 and you will find rest 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:44.039 for your souls. 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.740 So Jesus, 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.460 as the 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:48.059 representer of God, 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.039 we do have the confidence 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:51.119 that when He speaks, 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.119 He speaks to us 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:53.379 from Him, 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.639 and that we can find 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:56.359 rest for our souls 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.759 in Christ, 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.779 the representer. 00:24:00.379 --> 00:24:00.940 Sixth, 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.759 Christ is 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.259 the purifier. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.579 Once again, 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.359 verse 3 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.099 says, 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.359 after making 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.579 purification 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:10.539 for sins, 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.319 Jesus Christ 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:14.000 is the supreme 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.039 priest. 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:17.000 He was the agent 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.759 of the purification 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.779 for our sins 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:20.559 and the sacrifice 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.659 necessary 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.480 for that 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.639 purification. 00:24:24.399 --> 00:24:25.559 He is the supreme 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.059 priest 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.859 and 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:28.220 the final 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.200 priest. 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.500 We no longer 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.220 have a need 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.579 for sacrifice, 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.179 and we no longer 00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:34.939 have a need 00:24:34.939 --> 00:24:35.619 for a priest 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:36.500 to offer that 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.019 sacrifice 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.960 on our 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:39.059 behalf. 00:24:39.679 --> 00:24:40.639 That's why 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.759 in this church, 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:43.259 you will never 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.700 hear an altar 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.160 call, 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.059 because we do 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.559 not have 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.319 altars 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:48.720 in a New Testament 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.559 church. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.900 Christ died 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.640 once for all. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.220 The sacrifice 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.400 has been made. 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.240 Maybe someone 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.980 will ask you 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.359 to come 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.259 to the stage, 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.279 but there is 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.119 no altar here, 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.440 and there is 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.400 no priest 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.019 except 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.200 for the Lord 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.960 Jesus Christ. 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.579 The author 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:05.879 of Hebrews 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.480 will go on 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.140 to expand 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:08.140 on both 00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:08.839 of these 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.480 realities, 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:09.839 that he 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.120 is the 00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:10.620 sacrifice, 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.240 and he 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.839 is the 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.039 great 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.700 high priest. 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.539 In his 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:13.900 letter in 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.140 Hebrews 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.620 chapter 10, 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.000 listen to 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.480 verse 11 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.220 and following. 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.480 There he 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:18.720 writes, 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.099 and every 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.819 priest stands 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.559 daily at 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.200 his service, 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.460 offering 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.160 repeatedly 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:24.079 the same 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.860 sacrifices, 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.460 which can 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:25.940 never 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.019 take away 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.680 sins. 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.420 They're 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:28.839 always meant 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.319 to point 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.059 us to a 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.539 greater 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.579 sacrifice 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.519 than is 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:32.980 Christ. 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.960 Verse 12, 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.140 but when 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.700 Christ 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.519 had offered 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.400 for all 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.960 time 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.819 a single 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.759 sacrifice 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.840 for sins, 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.160 he sat 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.600 down 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.360 at the 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.759 right hand 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.200 of God. 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.440 Sat down, 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.519 so significant, 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.860 waiting from 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.299 that time 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.680 until his 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.059 enemies 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.380 should be 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:49.680 made a 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.140 footstool 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:50.600 for his 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:50.920 feet. 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.039 For by 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.980 a single 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.700 offering, 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:54.539 he has 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.480 perfected 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.380 for all 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:56.819 time 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.440 those 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.100 who are 00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:58.819 being 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:00.140 sanctified. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.200 By that 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.660 single 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.140 offering, 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.480 he guaranteed 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.220 the purchase 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.660 of his 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.059 church 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:06.079 and their 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.000 perfection 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.240 through time. 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.319 He guaranteed 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:09.720 the thing 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.120 would be 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:10.640 accomplished 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.480 that is 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:11.980 now 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.720 being 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:14.099 accomplished. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.519 John 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.240 chapter 19 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.559 and verse 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:17.900 30, 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.680 Christ said, 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:20.620 it is 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.860 finished. 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.000 And he 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.380 bowed his 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:24.880 head and 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:25.220 he gave 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.380 up his 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:26.759 spirit. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:27.839 Romans 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.500 chapter 6 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:28.860 and verse 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.200 10, 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:29.819 for the 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.279 death he 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.720 died, 00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:31.400 he died 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:32.019 to sin 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:33.019 once 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.220 for all. 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:34.980 But the 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.420 life he 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.000 lives, 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.299 he lives 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.460 to God. 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.299 He has 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.960 completed it. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.539 He is the 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.139 purifier. 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:41.819 It is an 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.599 accomplished 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.379 work. 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.379 And 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.879 seventh, 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.960 Christ is 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.619 the ruler. 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.759 He sat 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.079 down, 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:53.500 verse 3 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.819 says, 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.259 at the 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.000 right hand 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.680 of the 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.139 majesty 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.779 on high. 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.039 Jesus 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.539 Christ does 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.099 not have to 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:00.740 work as 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.200 the Levitical 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.559 priests 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.079 work. 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.159 They 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.759 never 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.879 sat. 00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:06.259 The 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.599 temple, 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:06.899 the 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.379 tabernacle 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.000 preceding 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.179 it, 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.579 had lots 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:09.980 of furniture 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.359 in it, 00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:11.000 with lots 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.519 of purposes, 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.399 not a 00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:13.000 single place 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.619 to sit 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:13.879 down. 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:14.839 They 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.220 never, 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.519 they were 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.039 always, 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.339 when they 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.679 were on 00:27:16.679 --> 00:27:17.359 their shift, 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:17.919 continually 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.319 making 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.139 sacrifice 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:19.919 for the 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.220 sins 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.299 of Israel. 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.200 Meant to 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.679 teach us 00:27:22.679 --> 00:27:22.980 something, 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.379 there is a 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:23.819 greater 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.899 sacrifice, 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.679 one who 00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:26.079 will 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.740 come. 00:27:27.179 --> 00:27:27.399 The 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:27.740 writer of 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:27.980 Hebrews' 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:28.679 words are 00:27:28.679 --> 00:27:29.639 astonishing 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.320 here. 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.820 Don't 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.500 let this 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.100 be lost 00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:33.520 on you. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.680 The 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.040 original 00:27:35.040 --> 00:27:35.900 hearers of 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.660 this letter 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.340 would have 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:38.100 taken such 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.000 courage 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.000 from this 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.480 phrase, 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:41.280 he sat 00:27:41.280 --> 00:27:42.759 down at 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.040 the right 00:27:43.040 --> 00:27:43.780 hand of 00:27:43.780 --> 00:27:44.300 the majesty 00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:44.920 on high. 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.120 They would 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:46.940 have remembered 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.680 that Jesus' 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.920 sacrificial 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:50.060 work is 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:51.080 finished, 00:27:51.540 --> 00:27:52.020 completed. 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.880 Romans chapter 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:54.180 three, 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.100 verse 21 and 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:55.580 22, 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.560 but now the 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.220 righteousness of 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.559 God has 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.380 been manifested 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.279 apart from 00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.720 the law. 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:00.880 Although the 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.519 law and the 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.180 prophets bear 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.880 witness to 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.680 it, the 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.460 righteousness of 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.120 God through 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:05.920 faith in 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.680 Jesus Christ 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.680 for all 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:09.059 who believed. 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.440 It is of 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.200 great significance 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.380 that Jesus is 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.059 at the right 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.960 hand of the 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:16.299 majesty on 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.640 high. 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.519 Having 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.319 completed that 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.700 work, the 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.579 right hand 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:22.680 historically was 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.420 the place of 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.440 highest honor 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.640 power and 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:26.000 power. 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.799 Second only to 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.140 the king was 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.620 the one that 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.279 sat at the 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.440 right hand 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.740 of the king. 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:34.759 Ephesians 4, 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.380 verse 10, 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.059 he who 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.600 descended, 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.140 being Christ, 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.759 is the one who 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.820 also ascended 00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:42.299 far above all 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.400 the heavens 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.860 that he might 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:46.600 fill all 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:48.100 things. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.660 Where Jesus 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.880 is now, 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.519 bodily, 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:53.799 is in what 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.379 is called his 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.700 session, his 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.839 reign over 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:58.579 all things. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.639 Paul tells us 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.359 this session 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.759 means something 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.079 for us. 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:03.440 He's doing 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.559 something specific 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:06.399 for those who 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:07.839 believe in 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.159 him. 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:09.919 He's carrying 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:11.139 out a specific 00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:12.019 task. 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.460 Romans chapter 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.879 8, verse 31 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.419 and following, 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.200 just after a 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.399 grand explanation 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.440 of God's 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.519 elective purpose, 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.579 calling together 00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:22.019 a people for 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.639 his possession, 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.860 says, 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.120 what then 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:26.000 shall we say 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.680 to these 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:27.200 things? 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.960 If God is 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.500 for us, 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.720 who can be 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.360 against us? 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.640 He who 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:32.820 did not 00:29:32.820 --> 00:29:33.259 spare his 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.640 own son, 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.140 but gave 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:34.660 him up for 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.100 us all, 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:35.620 how will 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.000 he not 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.620 also with 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.800 him graciously 00:29:37.800 --> 00:29:38.240 give us 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.300 all things? 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:40.840 Who shall 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:41.400 bring any 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.120 charge against 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.840 God's elect? 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:42.879 God. 00:29:43.439 --> 00:29:43.980 It is God 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.819 who justifies. 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.959 Who is to 00:29:45.959 --> 00:29:46.419 condemn? 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.699 Christ Jesus 00:29:47.699 --> 00:29:48.319 is the one 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:48.740 who died. 00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:49.339 More than 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.659 that, 00:29:49.879 --> 00:29:50.459 who was 00:29:50.459 --> 00:29:50.980 raised, 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:51.919 who was at 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:52.439 the right 00:29:52.439 --> 00:29:53.240 hand of 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.799 God, 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.339 who indeed 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:58.159 is interceding 00:29:58.159 --> 00:29:59.559 for us. 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.119 He's making 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:02.299 a case for 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.759 us to God. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.259 He sees 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.959 you in 00:30:06.959 --> 00:30:07.539 him and 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:07.819 he says 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:09.259 mine to 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.539 God. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.659 He belongs 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.119 to me. 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.199 She belongs 00:30:12.199 --> 00:30:12.679 to me. 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.119 Regardless of 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:15.019 their performance, 00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.739 but because of 00:30:15.739 --> 00:30:16.459 mine, 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.699 they are 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:19.119 ours. 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.619 So Christ 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:23.159 is the 00:30:23.159 --> 00:30:23.659 inheritor, 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.219 the creator, 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:24.979 the sustainer, 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.639 the radiator, 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.599 the representer, 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.359 the purifier, 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:29.500 and the 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:29.799 ruler. 00:30:31.739 --> 00:30:32.379 And that's 00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:33.239 what's contained, 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.659 at least that 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.059 is what's 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.719 contained in 00:30:35.719 --> 00:30:36.139 the word 00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:36.839 therefore 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.479 in Hebrews 00:30:38.479 --> 00:30:38.939 2 00:30:38.939 --> 00:30:40.119 and verse 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.519 1. 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:42.319 But let's 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:43.000 look at the 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.419 rest of the 00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:43.839 verse. 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:46.059 Because of 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.319 Jesus' 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.279 supremacy 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:49.219 and finality, 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.439 we must 00:30:50.439 --> 00:30:51.579 pay much 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.679 closer attention 00:30:52.679 --> 00:30:53.919 to what 00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:55.000 we have 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.399 heard. 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:57.000 The author 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.339 of Hebrews 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:57.919 is referring 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.719 to all 00:30:58.719 --> 00:30:59.379 they knew 00:30:59.379 --> 00:31:00.339 of Jesus, 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.339 his person, 00:31:02.239 --> 00:31:02.599 and his 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.000 work, 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.399 which he's 00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:05.399 referring back 00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:05.979 to in this 00:31:05.979 --> 00:31:06.659 therefore of 00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.379 verse 2 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:08.159 and 1. 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.500 and then 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:08.880 he refers 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.720 forward to 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.860 it in 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.340 chapter 2 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:11.640 and verse 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:12.360 3 as 00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:13.380 such a 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.040 great 00:31:14.040 --> 00:31:15.580 salvation. 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.220 We're 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.700 to pay 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.740 much 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.880 closer 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.960 attention. 00:31:22.320 --> 00:31:23.060 The Hebrew 00:31:23.060 --> 00:31:24.000 verb 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.000 pay attention 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.700 is in the 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.180 present 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.240 tense, 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:28.640 which means 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:28.860 that the 00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:29.340 author does 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:29.960 not have 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.460 in mind 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.240 the completion 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.800 of the 00:31:31.800 --> 00:31:32.500 task in 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.279 any given 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.860 amount 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:35.000 of time. 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:36.839 This suggests 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.159 that one 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:37.619 can pay 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:38.079 attention, 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.000 but that we 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.839 must all 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.479 continue 00:31:40.479 --> 00:31:41.299 paying 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.240 attention. 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:43.699 The work 00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:44.359 of paying 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.099 much closer 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:45.479 attention 00:31:45.479 --> 00:31:45.979 is not 00:31:45.979 --> 00:31:46.519 a work 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.359 that will 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.779 be 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.719 completed. 00:31:49.199 --> 00:31:49.459 We're to 00:31:49.459 --> 00:31:50.319 pay much 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.579 closer 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:50.939 attention 00:31:50.939 --> 00:31:51.379 and pay 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:51.539 much 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:51.799 closer 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.119 attention 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:52.759 and pay 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.019 much 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.699 closer 00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:54.839 attention. 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.319 But note 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:56.879 with me 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:58.019 the emphasis. 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.159 Not pay 00:32:00.159 --> 00:32:00.759 much closer 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.159 attention 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:01.639 to 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.879 yourself. 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.619 your successes 00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:05.759 or your 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.219 failures. 00:32:06.959 --> 00:32:07.379 Our faith 00:32:07.379 --> 00:32:08.219 cannot be 00:32:08.219 --> 00:32:08.799 sustained 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.439 if the 00:32:09.439 --> 00:32:10.079 focus of 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:10.219 it 00:32:10.219 --> 00:32:10.879 is on 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:12.079 ourselves. 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.959 Our faith 00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:14.619 is sustained 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:15.379 by focusing 00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:16.179 on what 00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:16.759 we 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.779 have 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.939 heard. 00:32:19.939 --> 00:32:20.439 Saving 00:32:20.439 --> 00:32:20.959 and sustaining 00:32:20.959 --> 00:32:21.719 faith must 00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:22.399 find its 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:22.879 focus 00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:23.599 on 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:25.219 Christ. 00:32:26.659 --> 00:32:27.259 Just 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.539 pay attention 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:28.839 to what the 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.259 author of Hebrews 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.679 is saying 00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:29.919 here. 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:30.379 Remember 00:32:30.379 --> 00:32:30.939 a people 00:32:30.939 --> 00:32:31.619 who are being 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:31.939 tempted 00:32:31.939 --> 00:32:32.919 to apostatize, 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.439 to walk 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:33.779 away 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.240 from 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.380 the 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:34.759 faith. 00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:36.360 Different 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:36.820 than we 00:32:36.820 --> 00:32:37.220 may be 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:37.500 feeling 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:37.759 beat 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.039 down, 00:32:38.100 --> 00:32:38.360 but they 00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:38.539 were 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:38.920 feeling 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.259 beat 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:39.600 down 00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:39.940 by being 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.320 followers 00:32:40.320 --> 00:32:41.019 of 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.400 Christ. 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.120 And he 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.480 says to 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:42.759 them, 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:43.140 therefore 00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:43.620 we must 00:32:43.620 --> 00:32:43.940 pay much 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.180 closer 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.500 attention 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:44.840 to what 00:32:44.840 --> 00:32:45.080 we have 00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:45.500 heard 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.340 lest 00:32:46.340 --> 00:32:47.200 we drift 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.400 away 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:47.840 from it. 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.259 Turn 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.440 your 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:48.759 focus 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.120 on 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.559 Christ 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:49.799 so 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.140 that 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:50.380 you 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:50.700 will 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.220 not 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.799 drift. 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.340 And we 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:54.640 don't 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.320 want to 00:32:55.320 --> 00:32:55.720 ignore 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.360 that 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:57.340 warning. 00:32:57.600 --> 00:32:57.680 We're 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:57.820 just 00:32:57.820 --> 00:32:57.940 going 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.620 to 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.019 minimize 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.340 it 00:32:59.340 --> 00:32:59.779 a bit 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.900 this 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.220 morning. 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:01.840 But there 00:33:01.840 --> 00:33:02.080 is a 00:33:02.080 --> 00:33:02.340 warning 00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:02.680 there 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:02.920 that 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.500 accompanies 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:03.799 this 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.720 exhortation 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.500 lest 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.279 we 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:06.620 drift 00:33:06.620 --> 00:33:07.120 away 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:08.240 from 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.460 it. 00:33:09.580 --> 00:33:09.840 The 00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:10.039 picture 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.180 the 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.400 author 00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:10.539 is 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:10.779 painting 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.140 here 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.640 is of 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:11.880 a 00:33:11.880 --> 00:33:12.340 ship 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:12.980 safe 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.120 at 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:13.480 harbor 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.640 not 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:14.980 having 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.240 its 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.700 anchor 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.620 properly 00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.680 set, 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.100 slowly 00:33:19.100 --> 00:33:19.539 moving 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:19.980 out 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.279 toward 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.440 the 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:20.840 danger 00:33:20.840 --> 00:33:21.480 of 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:21.620 the 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:21.880 sea, 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.460 imperceptibly 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:23.840 being 00:33:23.840 --> 00:33:24.519 drug 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:24.860 in 00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:25.180 that 00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:26.420 direction. 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:27.880 Now 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:27.980 the 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.120 ship 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:28.360 was a 00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:28.660 common 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:29.080 early 00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:29.620 symbol 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.500 of the 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:30.820 church. 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:31.759 You 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:31.840 can 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.000 see 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.180 some 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:32.519 examples 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:32.680 of 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:32.819 this. 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.059 1 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.299 Peter 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:33.539 chapter 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:33.880 3 00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.180 Peter 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:34.400 makes 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:34.539 a 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:34.920 connection 00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:35.279 between 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.579 Noah 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:35.779 and 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:35.940 his 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.319 family 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:37.160 being 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.500 carried 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.099 safely 00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:38.460 through 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:38.700 the 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.099 flood 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:39.319 and 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:39.480 the 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:39.900 church 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.319 being 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:40.980 in 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.859 Jesus 00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:42.339 Christ. 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:43.799 Mark 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.000 chapter 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.380 4 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.339 Jesus 00:33:45.339 --> 00:33:46.259 calms 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:46.480 a 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.380 storm, 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:47.859 a 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.119 little 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.019 tossed 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.619 ship 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:50.759 on a 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.019 troubled 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.480 sea. 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:52.819 When 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.160 the symbol 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.420 of the 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:53.720 cross 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:53.960 had to 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.099 be 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:54.380 hidden, 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:54.859 it 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.019 could 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.380 be 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:56.160 easily 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:57.740 disguised 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.119 in the 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.579 mast 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:58.940 of a 00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.220 ship. 00:33:59.339 --> 00:33:59.480 And this 00:33:59.480 --> 00:33:59.940 constantly 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.599 happened. 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:00.980 They put 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.339 crosses 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:01.959 in those 00:34:01.959 --> 00:34:02.399 masts 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:03.759 of the 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.039 ship. 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.259 Brothers 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:05.639 and sisters, 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.179 this picture 00:34:06.179 --> 00:34:06.759 of drifting 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.500 is meant 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.099 to elicit 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:09.059 imagery 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:10.480 of subtle 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.000 movement, 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.099 of movement 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.900 toward danger 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.440 made by 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.059 degrees 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:15.239 and increments 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:16.360 at a 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:16.739 time. 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.139 And so, 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.579 we must pay 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.259 much closer 00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:21.039 attention and 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.559 continue 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.880 doing it 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.019 lest we 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.679 drift 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:26.360 from it. 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:28.200 later in 00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:28.400 Hebrews, 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:28.760 the author 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:29.480 writes in 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.120 chapter 6 00:34:30.120 --> 00:34:30.980 and verse 19 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.640 and following, 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.120 we have 00:34:32.120 --> 00:34:33.280 this as 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:33.900 a sure 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.960 and steady 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.480 anchor 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.380 of the 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:36.780 soul, 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:38.079 a hope 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:38.519 that enters 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:38.860 into the 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:39.320 inner place 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.820 behind the 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.059 curtain 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.599 where Jesus 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.260 has gone 00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:41.680 as a 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:42.340 forerunner 00:34:42.340 --> 00:34:43.500 on our 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.579 behalf. 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.740 So notice 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.220 again that 00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:46.700 language. 00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:47.079 He's trying 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.500 to draw 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:48.220 us to 00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:49.300 this careful 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.099 consideration, 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.380 this closer 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.059 attention 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:53.480 to Christ 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.380 himself, 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:55.599 his person 00:34:55.599 --> 00:34:56.500 and his 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:56.860 work. 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:57.480 Him 00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:58.319 being 00:34:58.319 --> 00:34:58.940 the 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.659 anchor 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:01.679 because we 00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:01.980 don't want 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.400 to drift 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.440 from him. 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.699 In Hebrews 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.219 6, 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:06.940 verse 7 00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.400 and following, 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.480 having just 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.139 spoken of the 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.599 apostate, 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:10.000 the author 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.460 of Hebrews 00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:12.059 uses a 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.659 different 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.519 metaphor. 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:14.920 Here he 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.159 says, 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.079 for land 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.400 that has 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:16.839 drunk of 00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.259 the rain 00:35:17.259 --> 00:35:17.739 that often 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:18.339 falls on 00:35:18.339 --> 00:35:19.259 it and 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:19.719 produces 00:35:19.719 --> 00:35:20.259 a crop 00:35:20.259 --> 00:35:20.880 useful to 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.299 those who 00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:21.839 forsake it 00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:22.360 as cultivated 00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:23.179 receives a 00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:23.599 blessing 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.319 from God. 00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:25.579 But if it 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.360 bears thorns 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:26.980 and thistles, 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.739 it is worthless 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:28.480 and near to 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.139 being cursed 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:29.960 and its 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:31.420 end is 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:31.719 to be 00:35:31.719 --> 00:35:32.179 burned. 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.460 There's the 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:33.840 drifting 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:35.519 taking place 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.799 there. 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.000 Let us be 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:38.639 careful lest 00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.719 we drift. 00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.199 Paul speaks 00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.699 of the same 00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:42.460 concern in his 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.059 first letter 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:44.139 to Timothy. 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.400 Chapter 1 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:46.199 and verse 19, 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:46.819 Paul makes 00:35:46.819 --> 00:35:47.319 mention of 00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:47.940 Hymenaeus 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.619 and Alexander 00:35:48.619 --> 00:35:49.500 who made 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:50.219 shipwreck 00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:51.039 of their 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:52.099 faith by 00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.619 rejecting 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:54.059 faith and 00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.319 a good 00:35:54.319 --> 00:35:54.960 conscience. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.220 And then 00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:56.720 in 1 Timothy 00:35:56.720 --> 00:35:57.500 chapter 6 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.000 verse 20 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.480 and 21 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:58.880 he says, 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.380 O Timothy, 00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.079 guard the 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:00.539 deposit 00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:01.019 entrusted 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.460 to you. 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.380 Avoid 00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:03.059 the irreverent 00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.440 babble 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.240 and contradictions 00:36:04.240 --> 00:36:04.720 of what is 00:36:04.720 --> 00:36:05.119 falsely 00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:05.579 called 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.380 knowledge. 00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.139 For by 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.679 professing 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:07.940 it, 00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:08.679 some have 00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:09.400 swerved 00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:09.760 from the 00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:10.099 faith. 00:36:12.260 --> 00:36:12.920 Back to 00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:13.599 Hebrews 6 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.880 verse 9, 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.420 though we 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.000 speak in 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:16.720 this way 00:36:16.720 --> 00:36:17.280 of this 00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:17.760 good 00:36:17.760 --> 00:36:18.699 cultivated 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:19.139 soil 00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:19.619 and this 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.260 thorn 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.679 producing 00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:21.159 soil, 00:36:21.740 --> 00:36:22.199 he says 00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:22.579 there, 00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.439 yet in 00:36:23.439 --> 00:36:23.859 your 00:36:23.859 --> 00:36:24.659 case, 00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:25.599 beloved, 00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:26.919 we feel 00:36:26.919 --> 00:36:28.219 sure of 00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:29.000 better things, 00:36:29.339 --> 00:36:30.539 things that 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:31.960 belong to 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.379 salvation. 00:36:33.819 --> 00:36:34.679 So how do 00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:35.679 we ensure 00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:37.460 that we are 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.159 not drifters? 00:36:39.779 --> 00:36:40.379 Therefore, 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:41.299 we must pay 00:36:41.299 --> 00:36:42.000 much closer 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.699 attention to 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.119 what we have 00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:43.779 heard lest 00:36:43.779 --> 00:36:44.599 we drift 00:36:44.599 --> 00:36:45.399 away from 00:36:45.399 --> 00:36:45.619 it. 00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:48.099 Love the 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:48.980 person and 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:50.199 work of 00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:50.399 Jesus 00:36:50.399 --> 00:36:50.839 Christ. 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:51.939 You 00:36:51.939 --> 00:36:52.639 will 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:53.439 serve 00:36:53.439 --> 00:36:54.199 what you 00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:55.480 love. 00:36:56.399 --> 00:36:56.839 Set your 00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:57.439 gaze on 00:36:57.439 --> 00:36:57.779 him. 00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.199 Recognize 00:36:59.199 --> 00:36:59.739 that all 00:36:59.739 --> 00:37:00.279 the promises 00:37:00.279 --> 00:37:00.699 of God 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:01.639 are confirmed 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:02.399 in his 00:37:02.399 --> 00:37:03.279 completed 00:37:03.279 --> 00:37:04.419 work. 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:05.699 Consider it 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.299 and consider 00:37:06.299 --> 00:37:07.000 it and 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.599 consider it 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:08.099 and surround 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:08.619 yourself with 00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:09.059 people who 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:09.359 are doing 00:37:09.359 --> 00:37:09.839 the same 00:37:09.839 --> 00:37:10.099 and will 00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:10.819 help you 00:37:10.819 --> 00:37:11.719 do this. 00:37:11.799 --> 00:37:12.039 People who 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.559 will speak 00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.099 the truth 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.439 to you 00:37:13.439 --> 00:37:13.759 when you 00:37:13.759 --> 00:37:14.960 most desperately 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.039 need to 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:16.419 hear it. 00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:18.019 Christ is 00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:18.619 the inheritor, 00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:19.219 the creator, 00:37:19.339 --> 00:37:19.960 the sustainer, 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.539 the radiator, 00:37:20.720 --> 00:37:22.039 the purifier, 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:24.179 and the 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:24.460 ruler. 00:37:26.059 --> 00:37:26.500 In 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:26.720 closing, 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:26.940 I would 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:27.220 like to 00:37:27.220 --> 00:37:27.760 read to 00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:27.980 you a 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.800 prayer from 00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:29.179 the Valley 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.579 of Vision, 00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.019 which is a 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.800 collection of 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:31.340 Puritan 00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:32.519 prayers. 00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:32.740 And I 00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:32.940 want you 00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.240 just to 00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:35.240 note the 00:37:35.240 --> 00:37:35.480 great 00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.699 humility and 00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:37.920 self-awareness 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:39.440 and recognition 00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:40.740 of frailty 00:37:40.740 --> 00:37:41.559 of this 00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.179 author. 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.079 The 00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:44.059 attitude of 00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:44.559 his heart, 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.619 which I 00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:46.380 will assume 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:47.300 led him to 00:37:47.300 --> 00:37:48.360 pay much 00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:49.199 closer. 00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:50.579 attention. 00:37:51.539 --> 00:37:52.159 This is 00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:52.519 the prayer. 00:37:53.720 --> 00:37:54.699 You are 00:37:54.699 --> 00:37:55.860 the blessed 00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.360 God, 00:37:57.139 --> 00:37:57.980 happy in 00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:58.519 yourself, 00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.659 source of 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.760 happiness in 00:38:00.760 --> 00:38:01.380 your creatures, 00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:02.920 my maker, 00:38:03.720 --> 00:38:04.300 benefactor, 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:05.599 proprietor, 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:06.720 upholder. 00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.659 You have 00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.840 produced and 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:10.659 sustained me, 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.519 supported and 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.300 indulged me, 00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.500 saved and 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.039 kept me. 00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:16.239 you are in 00:38:16.239 --> 00:38:17.099 every situation 00:38:17.099 --> 00:38:17.639 able to 00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.059 meet my 00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:19.119 needs and 00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:19.619 miseries. 00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:21.360 May I 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:22.279 live by 00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:22.559 you, 00:38:22.779 --> 00:38:23.559 live for 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:23.860 you, 00:38:24.199 --> 00:38:24.679 never be 00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:25.400 satisfied with 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:25.820 my Christian 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:26.219 progress, 00:38:26.340 --> 00:38:26.860 but as I 00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:27.900 resemble Christ 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.440 and may 00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:29.699 conformity to 00:38:29.699 --> 00:38:30.300 his principles, 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:30.920 temper and 00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:31.500 conduct grow 00:38:31.500 --> 00:38:32.480 hourly in 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:32.980 my life. 00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:34.619 Let your 00:38:34.619 --> 00:38:35.420 unexampled 00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:36.619 love constrain 00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:37.099 me into 00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:38.019 holy obedience 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.900 and render 00:38:38.900 --> 00:38:39.860 my duty, 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.099 my delight. 00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:42.739 If others 00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:43.259 deem my 00:38:43.259 --> 00:38:43.940 faith folly, 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:45.360 my meekness 00:38:45.360 --> 00:38:46.059 infirmity, 00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:47.339 my zeal 00:38:47.339 --> 00:38:47.880 madness, 00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.119 my hope 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:49.659 delusion, 00:38:49.819 --> 00:38:50.500 my actions 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:51.159 hypocrisy, 00:38:51.299 --> 00:38:51.839 may I 00:38:51.839 --> 00:38:52.579 rejoice to 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.579 suffer for 00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:54.039 your name. 00:38:55.299 --> 00:38:55.719 Keep me 00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.159 walking 00:38:56.159 --> 00:38:57.079 steadfastly 00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:57.579 towards the 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.199 country of 00:38:58.199 --> 00:38:58.759 everlasting 00:38:58.759 --> 00:38:59.460 delights, 00:38:59.900 --> 00:39:00.619 that paradise 00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:01.440 land which 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.199 is my true 00:39:02.199 --> 00:39:02.900 inheritance. 00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:05.059 Support me 00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.579 by the 00:39:05.579 --> 00:39:06.059 strength of 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.480 heaven that 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:07.039 I may never 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.679 turn back 00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:08.579 or desire 00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:09.440 false pleasures 00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:09.860 that will 00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:10.440 disappear 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.500 into nothing. 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:12.900 As I 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:13.559 pursue my 00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.179 heavenly journey 00:39:14.179 --> 00:39:14.599 by your 00:39:14.599 --> 00:39:14.920 grace, 00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.460 let me be 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:16.059 known as 00:39:16.059 --> 00:39:16.579 a man with 00:39:16.579 --> 00:39:17.860 no aim but 00:39:17.860 --> 00:39:18.539 that of a 00:39:18.539 --> 00:39:19.360 burning desire 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:20.980 for you and 00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:22.200 the good and 00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:23.340 salvation of 00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:23.980 my fellow men. 00:39:24.720 --> 00:39:25.460 Let's close 00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:25.900 in prayer.