WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

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 Join us.

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 Before we jump back into the next passage of 1 Peter this morning, our passage today

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 gives us the opportunity to talk about a theological concept called the perspicuity

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 of Scripture and who here is not looking for a chance to talk about the Bible's perspicuity,

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 right?

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 That is why you came this morning.

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 It means the clarity of God's Word.

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 That's why they pick such a clear word like perspicuity for clarity, okay?

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 That'll help you remember.

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 It means the fact that we can understand God's Word.

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 I bet that every one of us at some point has read part of the Bible.

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 Perhaps even this week if you're doing the Bible reading plan with us, you may have been

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 in the book of Leviticus and you've read a passage and thought, I don't have a clue what that means.

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 I don't understand that at all.

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 And I hope this encourages you.

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 Some parts of the Bible are harder to understand than others, but even when that's true, the message

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 of God's Word is clear.

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 It's perspicuous, if you will.

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 Listen to how the Westminster Confession of Faith says this.

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 All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all.

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 Yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation

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 are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other,

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 that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain

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 unto a sufficient understanding of them.

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 God gives us His Word so that we might know Him.

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 So that we might know how to live in relationship with Him, which does not require a seminary degree.

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 Did you know that?

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 It does not require a correct understanding of every theological detail.

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 Thank goodness.

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 Amen?

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 It's about a relationship.

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 So remember, when it feels confusing or difficult as you're reading God's Word,

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 it's not because He's hiding from you.

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 He's showing you Himself in some ways that are easier for you to access than others.

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 Peter says later in his second letter, chapter 3, verse 16,

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 that some things that Paul writes are hard to understand.

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 Is that not encouraging to you?

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 Peter found some things that this crazy Paul guy wrote to be hard to understand.

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 Some of you have found some things Paul wrote to be hard to understand.

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 But he says, don't be distracted when that happens.

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 Rather, grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

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 Don't miss that.

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 Those crucial things are the clearest things, right?

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 God reveals Himself so that we might know Him,

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 so that we might understand ourselves,

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 so that we might find life as He designed us to have it.

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 Why all this talk about clarity, about perspicuity?

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 Well, this passage in 1 Peter 3 that we're about to read

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 has for centuries been referred to

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 as the most difficult to understand in the whole New Testament.

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 Many theologians, all sorts of people with different opinions about what it means,

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 but they agree on this.

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 It's hard to understand, and I'm not sure.

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 And I've read, and I've studied a lot,

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 and I'm not sure I have the right understanding of this passage,

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 which leaves the potential this morning for a really unclear sermon, right?

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 I want to be honest about that with you.

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 I also don't want that to discourage you.

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 I want us to expect that the things God most wants us to hear,

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 His Spirit will speak clearly to our hearts as we open His Word.

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 That's what He does.

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 He loves to do that, okay?

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 So we're going to look at this,

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 and we're going to trust Him to speak clearly to us.

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 And after I read it, you'll start praying for me that we will understand.

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 1 Peter 3, beginning at verse 18,

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 this is the inerrant, infallible, even perspicuous Word of God,

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 the God who loves us so much that He wants us to know Him.

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 For Christ also suffered once for sins,

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 the righteous for the unrighteous,

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 that He might bring us to God.

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 being put to death in the flesh,

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 but made alive in the Spirit,

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 in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,

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 because they formerly did not obey,

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 when God's patience waited in the days of Noah,

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 while the ark was being prepared,

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 in which a few, that is, eight persons,

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 were brought safely through water.

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 baptism, which corresponds to this,

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 now saves you,

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 not as a removal of dirt from the body,

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 but as an appeal to God for a good conscience

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 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

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 who has gone into heaven

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 and is at the right hand of God

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 with angels, authorities, and powers,

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 having been subjected to Him.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Father, we do ask for Your help,

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 that You, by Your Spirit,

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 would be our teacher this morning.

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 Not merely because we want to know

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 what this means,

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 although we ask for Your insight,

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 for Your Spirit to shine light on this Word

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 that we have just read.

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 There's nothing more important

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 than Your Word for us to understand.

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 But Father, we ask it because

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 we want to love and trust

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 our Savior more,

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 to know where our hope should be,

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 to know in the difficulties of life

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 what to hold on to and how to do that.

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 So would You speak to us clearly

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 and give us ears to hear

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 and hearts to obey and love and trust.

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 We ask it in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Last week we noticed

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 that the rest of Peter's letter

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 that we're studying here

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 focuses on suffering

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 in the lives of God's people.

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 He's wanting us to endure faithfully

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 in a world that is not our home.

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 Now here's our picture

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 of the Ukrainian violinist

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 if you were here last week.

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 He wants us to endure

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 by remembering who we are, right?

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 Held in His hand.

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 Part of a courageous people

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 with an eternal hope.

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 And in verses 13 to 18,

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 the key principle about suffering

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 was that those bad things in our lives

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 provide good opportunities

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 for sharing with others

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 the eternal hope that we have in Jesus.

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 Today,

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 in the verses we just read,

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 the principle about suffering

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 builds on that.

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 Because Jesus has endured our sufferings,

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 we can be assured

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 we will enjoy His victory.

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 Where do we get that hope

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 that we're called to share,

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 especially in the dark times?

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 Where does that come from?

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 It comes from our connection with Jesus.

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 Our union with Christ.

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 That's what gives us this assurance.

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 And it's really glorious.

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 Y'all,

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 can we just stay in verse 18

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 for a while this morning?

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 Can we vote on that?

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 Let's just talk about verse 18.

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 For all the complexity

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 and confusion

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 of verses 19 to 21,

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 the good news of verse 18

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 is amazingly clear

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 and perspicuous

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 and glorious.

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 Okay, let's start there.

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 Our connection to Jesus here

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 begins with Jesus

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 entering our sufferings.

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 That's the connection in verse 18

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 from what we've been reading.

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 Hey, Christians suffering unjust,

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 Christ also suffered.

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 That's what Peter's saying.

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 Christ also suffered horribly.

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 Emotionally, physically,

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 spiritually, unjustly.

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 Jesus has endured the sufferings

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 of a world that is not His home.

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 In fact, Jesus so identifies,

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 not with His successful people.

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 Interesting.

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 Jesus so identifies

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 with His suffering people,

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 He's so close to them in that,

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 that when Saul,

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 who's about to become Paul

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 in this story,

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 is killing Christians,

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 is persecuting the church,

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 the followers of Jesus,

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 Jesus confronts Saul on the road

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 and says,

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 Saul, Saul,

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 why do you persecute

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 me?

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 Isn't that amazing?

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 How closely Jesus identifies

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 with those of His people

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 who are struggling.

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 If you feel the pain of suffering

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 as a child of God today,

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 be assured,

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 your older brother feels it with you.

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 He hurts with you.

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 And that's because

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 He has hurt like you

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 for you.

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 This is the glorious good news of Jesus.

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 When He suffered,

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 it wasn't merely to empathize

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 with your sufferings.

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 It was to end your sufferings

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 once and for all,

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 one day, forever.

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 Right?

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 Christ also suffered once,

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 once and for all,

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 for sins,

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 the righteous Him

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 for the unrighteous you

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 that He might bring you to God.

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 Don't miss the glorious message

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 of the gracious Savior.

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 Every one of us

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 has a sin and shame problem.

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 We're messed up.

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 We feel that the dirt

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 that is on us,

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 it clings to us

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 and we want to hide it, right?

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 We don't want to be seen

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 and exposed.

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 And He washed it away

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 by forgiving our sins,

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 all of them,

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 by washing us clean.

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 Every one of us

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 has a guilt problem,

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 a huge debt

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 that we can't pay.

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 We can't afford it.

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 But He paid it all

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 in our place.

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 It was our sins.

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 Let's be clear, right?

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 Jesus was on the cross

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 for our sins,

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 not His.

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 Our sins deserved the cross.

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 And every one of us

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 has a relationship problem,

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 not just a sin and shame problem,

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 not just a guilt problem.

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 We've got this relationship problem

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 where we're distant from God.

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 We're separated from Him

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 because of all this sin

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 that we've talked about,

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 the very God we were created

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 to live with

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 and that's the purpose of life.

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 We're stuck away from Him.

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 And Jesus brought us back

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 near to God.

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 The good news of Jesus

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 is that you don't have to fix

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 any of these problems yourself.

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 You don't.

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 It's not up to you.

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 You are connected to your Savior.

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 You are so covered

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 by your substitute

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 that you are safe

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 and accepted

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 and beloved forever.

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 That's the glory of grace, right?

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 That is the simplicity

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 of substitution

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 that Jesus stands in your place

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 and before the throne

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 of God above

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 I have a strong

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 and perfect plea.

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 It's not something I've done.

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 It's a great high priest

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 whose name is love

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 who ever lives

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 and he pleads for me, right?

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 He stands there in my place.

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 So we sing

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 the vilest offender

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 who truly believes

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 that moment from Jesus

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 a pardon receives.

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 Amen?

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 That's why we sing that

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 because Jesus has indeed

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 won our forgiveness

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 at the cost of his blood

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 on the cross.

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 Praise the Lord, right?

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 Friend, listen.

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 If you don't stand

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 covered by Jesus right now,

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 if you don't know

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 that that's who you are

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 is that you are his

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 and that he is yours,

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 please don't let anything

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 after verse 18

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 distract you

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 from the wonder

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 and the glory

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 of Jesus

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 offering himself

00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.379
 to you right now

00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:10.139
 to cover you today

00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.360
 and forever.

00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:14.220
 Receive his mercy

00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:17.019
 substituting in your place.

00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.639
 That's all it takes.

00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.860
 Rejoice in this

00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:22.600
 brand new relationship

00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.259
 with the God

00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.080
 who made you

00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:25.040
 and loves you

00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:25.980
 and wants to know you.

00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:27.200
 Jesus gives you

00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:29.060
 that relationship again.

00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:31.360
 That is the clear hope

00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.379
 of this passage.

00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.960
 Sins dealt with.

00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:36.539
 Man and God

00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.919
 set right.

00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:39.779
 Unworthy prodigals

00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:41.060
 brought back home

00:14:41.060 --> 00:14:42.879
 covered by Jesus

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.100
 once and for all.

00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.340
 That's there for you

00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.899
 for all of us today.

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.539
 I've told you before

00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.740
 one of my favorite pictures

00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.340
 of this

00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:55.180
 from a PBS documentary

00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.279
 about sheep.

00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.879
 The story begins

00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.180
 with an orphaned sheep

00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:02.159
 who will most surely die

00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:03.739
 the narrator tells us.

00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.679
 Every time

00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.359
 the little sheep

00:15:06.359 --> 00:15:07.339
 runs up

00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:08.399
 to the milk

00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:09.579
 that he needs to live

00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:10.759
 the ewe lambs

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.579
 kick him away

00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:12.639
 because he doesn't

00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.679
 belong to them.

00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:15.059
 That's us, right?

00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.379
 Far from God

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:18.079
 deserving death

00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:19.019
 unworthy

00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:19.979
 not belonging

00:15:19.979 --> 00:15:21.179
 in his family.

00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.199
 Death

00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:25.819
 is coming soon.

00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:28.860
 But then the mood

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.360
 of the music

00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.140
 turns hopeful

00:15:30.140 --> 00:15:30.540
 and you know

00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:31.040
 something good

00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:31.420
 is coming

00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:32.800
 and the narrator

00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:33.180
 says,

00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:33.700
 ah,

00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.700
 but the shepherd

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.920
 knows best.

00:15:37.160 --> 00:15:38.040
 And what the shepherd

00:15:38.040 --> 00:15:39.000
 does is he goes

00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.660
 and he finds

00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:41.320
 one of the little lambs

00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.340
 that is nursing

00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.940
 with his mother

00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:45.180
 and he takes that lamb

00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:45.879
 and he shears

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.920
 his wool coat

00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:47.820
 off of him

00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.780
 and then he scoops

00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:50.140
 up the orphaned

00:15:50.140 --> 00:15:51.340
 lamb in his arms

00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.220
 and he puts

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:52.940
 that coat

00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.040
 leg by leg

00:15:54.040 --> 00:15:55.960
 over that little lamb

00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:57.220
 and he puts him

00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:57.700
 back down

00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:58.520
 and he sends him

00:15:58.520 --> 00:15:59.340
 running right back

00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:00.500
 over to the mother

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.980
 of the first lamb

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.520
 who bends over

00:16:03.520 --> 00:16:04.600
 and sniffs

00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.620
 and feels

00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:07.620
 and welcomes him

00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.380
 back in

00:16:08.380 --> 00:16:10.360
 recognizing her child

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.800
 she brings

00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:13.540
 this orphaned lamb

00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:14.060
 back in

00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:15.140
 to tend for

00:16:15.140 --> 00:16:16.300
 and care for

00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:17.400
 as her own child

00:16:17.400 --> 00:16:18.320
 accepted

00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.580
 and beloved

00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:21.640
 and saved.

00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:24.280
 Listen,

00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.580
 especially if you've

00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.560
 never trusted

00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:28.540
 Jesus before.

00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:29.840
 Jesus,

00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:33.540
 the lamb of God,

00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.740
 the rightful son

00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:37.220
 offers you

00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:38.800
 his coat.

00:16:39.660 --> 00:16:41.320
 Offers to cover you

00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:42.380
 no matter what

00:16:42.380 --> 00:16:42.980
 you've done,

00:16:43.540 --> 00:16:44.520
 no matter where

00:16:44.520 --> 00:16:45.160
 you've been,

00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:47.100
 no matter how little

00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:47.920
 you deserve

00:16:47.920 --> 00:16:49.840
 to be in his family

00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.900
 and if you put

00:16:50.900 --> 00:16:51.700
 that coat on

00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:53.100
 God won't be fooled

00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.520
 by it,

00:16:53.540 --> 00:16:54.259
 he sees you.

00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:56.759
 He will be delighted

00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.580
 to welcome you

00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:00.120
 into his family

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.460
 to feed you

00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.560
 from the bounty

00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:03.900
 of his table

00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:04.840
 and the riches

00:17:04.840 --> 00:17:05.860
 of his grace

00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:07.120
 to keep you

00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:08.819
 close to his side

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.880
 forever.

00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:11.920
 It's all of grace.

00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.640
 It's not up to

00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:14.539
 how well you perform.

00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.420
 You don't have to worry

00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.640
 about that this morning.

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.180
 He has paid it all

00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.500
 once and for all.

00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.279
 It is finished.

00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.480
 That's the gospel,

00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:25.559
 dear friends.

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.740
 It's good news.

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.200
 If you don't know it

00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:29.039
 and if that's not

00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.119
 yours personally,

00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.160
 there's nothing

00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:31.799
 I would commend

00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.319
 to you more.

00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:32.720
 There's nothing

00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.619
 I'd rather share

00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:33.980
 with you.

00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.779
 There's no hope

00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.940
 I'd rather you have

00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.940
 than that good news.

00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.559
 Talk to any of us.

00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.859
 We'd love to tell you

00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.599
 more about Jesus.

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.200
 It's not complicated,

00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:47.660
 but it's good,

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.740
 good news.

00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.860
 Now there's more

00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:52.420
 good news

00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:55.100
 for us

00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:56.000
 as we're in our suffering

00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.799
 of how connected

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.960
 we are to Jesus.

00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.480
 That reality

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.460
 that many of you know

00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:01.960
 that you are

00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.880
 connected to him

00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:03.880
 and covered by him.

00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.059
 It's just a little

00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.039
 harder to understand

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.819
 as we keep going

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.580
 through this passage.

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.480
 I'm going to give you

00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.340
 my best shot

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:13.959
 at seeing glorious

00:18:13.959 --> 00:18:15.079
 gospel complexity.

00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:16.099
 Some of you

00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:16.939
 like complexity,

00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.419
 right?

00:18:17.459 --> 00:18:18.500
 So you're fired up

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:18.919
 about this.

00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.279
 But Jesus was put

00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.740
 to death

00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.299
 in the realm

00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.199
 of the physical

00:18:23.199 --> 00:18:25.379
 but made alive

00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.059
 in the realm

00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:27.279
 of the spiritual.

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.019
 He had a body

00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.959
 then too, right?

00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.799
 Risen bodily

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.539
 from the dead.

00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.799
 So the emphasis here

00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.859
 is on the eternal

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:35.980
 lasting nature

00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:37.399
 of the spiritual realm.

00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.919
 And verse 19 says,

00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:41.539
 in that manner,

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.080
 spiritual,

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:46.279
 he went and preached

00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.259
 to spirits

00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:49.060
 who are now in prison.

00:18:50.800 --> 00:18:52.360
 Proclaiming to spirits

00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.920
 in prison.

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.240
 Who is that?

00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:57.779
 When did that happen?

00:18:59.060 --> 00:19:00.259
 Why do we care?

00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:02.920
 All very valid questions.

00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:04.300
 Very few people

00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:05.180
 agree on the answers.

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:07.640
 I think

00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:09.600
 that the spirits

00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.200
 in prison

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.620
 are unbelieving

00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.160
 people

00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:13.799
 who were on earth

00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.759
 during the time

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.320
 of Noah

00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:18.000
 and have now

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.620
 died

00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:20.400
 and are in

00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.080
 prison

00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:22.140
 because of their

00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.799
 unbelief

00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.180
 and disobedience.

00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.640
 And I think

00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.860
 that Jesus preached

00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.500
 to them

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.680
 back then

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.680
 in Noah's

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.380
 day

00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.460
 through the

00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.120
 spirit.

00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:33.580
 Now one of the reasons

00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.659
 earlier in this book,

00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.519
 chapter 1,

00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.099
 verse 11,

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:37.779
 Peter refers to

00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.439
 these Old Testament

00:19:39.439 --> 00:19:40.139
 prophets

00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:41.119
 preaching

00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:42.980
 as the spirit

00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.039
 of Christ

00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.079
 speaking

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.039
 through them.

00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.699
 So when Noah

00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.799
 foretells

00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.079
 God's judgment

00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.740
 in the form

00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.359
 of a flood,

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:51.819
 he says,

00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:52.619
 God told me

00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.319
 a flood is coming,

00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:54.859
 his judgment,

00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:55.799
 and he calls

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.779
 the people of his day

00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.740
 to find safety

00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.119
 where?

00:19:59.079 --> 00:19:59.939
 In the ark.

00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.019
 He told me

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.839
 to build this ark.

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.579
 You need to come

00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:02.919
 with me.

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.599
 You'll be safe.

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.980
 That's Jesus

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.259
 in the spiritual

00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.099
 realm

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:09.240
 proclaiming

00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.019
 to the people

00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.919
 their need

00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:11.619
 to repent

00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.859
 and trust

00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.699
 Yahweh.

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.859
 That's the only

00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.699
 place they'll find

00:20:16.699 --> 00:20:17.500
 safety.

00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.500
 And I think

00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.399
 why it comes up here

00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.079
 is that Peter

00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.639
 is recalling

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:23.379
 this other time

00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.279
 many, many,

00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:25.379
 many years ago

00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:26.419
 where the people

00:20:26.419 --> 00:20:27.079
 of God,

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.359
 Noah

00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.579
 and his family,

00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:31.319
 they were in

00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.960
 the minority,

00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:34.199
 they were suffering

00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:35.279
 ridicule,

00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:36.960
 and he's saying

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.779
 Jesus was there

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:40.199
 preaching by his

00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.859
 spirit back then

00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.960
 when,

00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:45.039
 that word because

00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.720
 could mean

00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:47.199
 when they were

00:20:47.199 --> 00:20:48.299
 not obeying,

00:20:49.179 --> 00:20:49.960
 back in the days

00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.359
 of Noah,

00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.159
 building the ark

00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:51.779
 and God being

00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:53.159
 patient and not yet

00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:54.839
 sending his judgment

00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.659
 even though there was

00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:56.299
 unbelief,

00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:56.919
 he hadn't yet

00:20:56.919 --> 00:20:58.039
 poured out his judgment,

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.799
 and that's when

00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.480
 all this happened.

00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.480
 Another reason I find

00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.299
 this understanding

00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:06.119
 to fit with Peter's

00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.339
 flow of thought

00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.680
 in this passage

00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.599
 is that he just

00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.379
 told us what

00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.019
 last week?

00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.920
 He told us to preach,

00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.920
 to witness,

00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:17.259
 to share the hope

00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.779
 that we have

00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.259
 in the midst

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.960
 of our suffering

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.079
 with anyone who asks,

00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:21.379
 right?

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.960
 And now he's

00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.859
 assuring us

00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:27.039
 Jesus is with us

00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.379
 in that preaching

00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:29.200
 as well.

00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:31.920
 In that difficult

00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.759
 experience,

00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.960
 Jesus has faced

00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.680
 unbelief

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.700
 and scorn.

00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.500
 An ark

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.359
 in a desert?

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.539
 Come on,

00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:42.819
 Noah.

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.559
 Really?

00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.859
 A resurrected

00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.519
 Jesus?

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.539
 Come on,

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:50.940
 Will.

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.519
 It's not even

00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.299
 Easter anymore.

00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.899
 Stop talking

00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:56.039
 about that stuff.

00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.500
 You can't be serious.

00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.319
 You really believe

00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.799
 that?

00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:01.799
 And so,

00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.240
 Jesus knows

00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:05.039
 when you preach,

00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.339
 when you share

00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:06.779
 your hope,

00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.259
 it's often

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.799
 rejected,

00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.779
 even ridiculed.

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.379
 Don't lose heart,

00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.500
 he's saying.

00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:15.639
 There's hope

00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:16.980
 even then.

00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.299
 As it turned out,

00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.599
 the ark was the place

00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.220
 of safety,

00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.039
 wasn't it?

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:23.500
 when the flood

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:23.879
 came,

00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.899
 the eight family

00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.920
 members of Noah

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.779
 were the ones

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.619
 who were saved.

00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.299
 And then Peter

00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.779
 says,

00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.059
 while we're

00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.799
 making things

00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.440
 confusing,

00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.519
 let's have some

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.139
 more fun with

00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:39.059
 21st century

00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.519
 Christians.

00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.279
 No,

00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.279
 I don't think

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.740
 that's what Peter

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.000
 says.

00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.079
 I think what

00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:44.099
 Peter says next

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.379
 is,

00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.259
 while we're

00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.859
 thinking of

00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.559
 people being

00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.539
 saved through

00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.039
 water,

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:50.500
 that makes me

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:50.960
 think of

00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.619
 your baptism.

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.960
 It's like that

00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.559
 too.

00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.259
 There's judgment

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.359
 due to sin,

00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.420
 but if you run

00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.299
 to the ark

00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.299
 of Jesus,

00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:03.579
 the water,

00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.119
 it will wash

00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:06.299
 you,

00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.420
 it will cleanse

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:07.599
 you,

00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:09.279
 you'll be saved

00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.980
 in just the same

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.879
 way like Noah

00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.759
 and his family.

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.920
 But if you read

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.639
 verse 21

00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.480
 carefully,

00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.079
 it states,

00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.940
 baptism

00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:24.039
 now saves

00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.359
 you.

00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.700
 And if you've

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.200
 been in a church

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.879
 like this long

00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.079
 enough,

00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:28.480
 you think,

00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:28.940
 hold on,

00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.579
 that's not right.

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.879
 I read verse 18.

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.339
 I'm saved by

00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.539
 Christ alone.

00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:36.779
 His death

00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.319
 for sins,

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:37.859
 the righteous

00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:38.799
 for the unrighteous

00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.799
 to bring you

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.319
 to God.

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.159
 Now I'm getting

00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:41.940
 confused again.

00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.599
 Why did we go

00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.619
 past verse 18?

00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:47.279
 Peter says,

00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.399
 don't be confused.

00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.319
 I'm not talking

00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.839
 of course,

00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:53.259
 he clarifies for us.

00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.279
 I'm not talking

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.039
 of the physical

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.239
 water of baptism

00:23:56.239 --> 00:23:57.319
 that would wash

00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.839
 dirt off your body,

00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.919
 that that process,

00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:02.019
 that that ceremony

00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:03.099
 would actually be

00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:03.939
 what cleanses

00:24:03.939 --> 00:24:05.419
 and saves you.

00:24:05.939 --> 00:24:06.939
 But rather,

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.779
 the washing

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.500
 with water

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.639
 is a sign

00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.500
 of the heart

00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.120
 reality.

00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.780
 You're united

00:24:12.780 --> 00:24:13.440
 to Christ

00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.240
 and he is

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.020
 the only one

00:24:15.020 --> 00:24:15.880
 who saves.

00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.180
 So your appeal

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.740
 to God

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.540
 from a good

00:24:18.540 --> 00:24:19.060
 conscience,

00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.500
 from your faith

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.300
 in the risen

00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.100
 Jesus,

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.180
 that's how

00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.600
 you're saved.

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.360
 Through the

00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:26.040
 resurrection

00:24:26.040 --> 00:24:28.100
 of Jesus Christ.

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:28.840
 So listen,

00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.880
 your union

00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:30.620
 with Jesus,

00:24:30.800 --> 00:24:31.120
 where you're

00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:31.720
 connected with him,

00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.780
 it's not just

00:24:32.780 --> 00:24:33.600
 him entering

00:24:33.600 --> 00:24:34.700
 into your sufferings

00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.520
 and into your

00:24:35.520 --> 00:24:36.080
 preaching

00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:37.220
 in a difficult

00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.060
 context.

00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.139
 Christ,

00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:40.240
 it's about you

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.740
 entering his

00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.619
 resurrection life.

00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:46.500
 Romans 6, 5,

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.659
 if we have been

00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.759
 united with him

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.639
 in a death

00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:50.359
 like his,

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.579
 we will certainly

00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.659
 be united

00:24:53.659 --> 00:24:54.339
 with him

00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.419
 in a resurrection

00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:57.220
 like his.

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.339
 Both of those

00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.159
 are true.

00:24:59.399 --> 00:25:00.399
 We need that Easter

00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:01.299
 hope right there,

00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.500
 right?

00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.740
 If you have died

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.059
 with him

00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.639
 and if you've

00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.539
 experienced those

00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:04.980
 sufferings

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.599
 and you're

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.659
 having yourself

00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:07.220
 put to death,

00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.960
 you will also

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.799
 live.

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.840
 Baptism may be

00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.779
 a bit complex

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.880
 and how it works

00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.380
 out that it's

00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.440
 a sign pointing

00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.240
 to something else.

00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:15.840
 Maybe we don't

00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.279
 get all the

00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.140
 nuances right.

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.460
 Some Christians

00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.100
 who really love

00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:19.880
 Jesus still get

00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.620
 confused about

00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.400
 exactly how

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.140
 baptism works

00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.400
 out.

00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:22.880
 Amen?

00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:24.360
 Yep.

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.319
 You know what

00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.019
 we're all clear

00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.360
 on?

00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.220
 It points

00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.340
 to the cleansing

00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.640
 work of Jesus

00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:32.039
 who lives

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.360
 so that connected

00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:34.019
 to him,

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.200
 we too

00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.680
 never more

00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:38.240
 will die.

00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:39.559
 As surely

00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.299
 as Jesus

00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.180
 who endured

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.059
 even more

00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.880
 suffering than

00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.539
 we have

00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.340
 to the point

00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:45.000
 of death

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.380
 on the cross.

00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.600
 As surely

00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.460
 as he is

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.180
 alive

00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.220
 again,

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.840
 so you too

00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:52.759
 who are suffering,

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.100
 who feel

00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:56.759
 worldly powers

00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.559
 against you,

00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.819
 who feel like

00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.660
 you're given over

00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.240
 to death

00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.559
 day after day

00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.039
 and you have to

00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:03.080
 walk back into

00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.819
 this situation

00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.460
 or back into

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.299
 this relationship

00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.039
 and back into

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.599
 this struggle,

00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.960
 you can rest

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.019
 assured that

00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.859
 no matter

00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.980
 what happens

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.839
 in this life,

00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.819
 you will live

00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:14.099
 again and

00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.699
 forever.

00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.539
 Here's the point.

00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.000
 Jesus lives

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.480
 again.

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.299
 You live

00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.819
 again

00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:22.460
 forever

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.939
 with him.

00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:27.220
 That's what I

00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.659
 think is going

00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.119
 on in that

00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:29.359
 middle section

00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.299
 and there's

00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.079
 one more thing

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.099
 that is even

00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.839
 more wonderful

00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.439
 than that.

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.460
 A glorious

00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:37.000
 gospel certainty

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.439
 in this last

00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.839
 verse.

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.879
 This resurrected

00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.480
 Jesus

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:44.599
 has gone

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.539
 into heaven

00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.699
 and is at

00:26:46.699 --> 00:26:47.419
 the right hand

00:26:47.419 --> 00:26:47.960
 of God

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.699
 with angels,

00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.279
 authorities,

00:26:49.439 --> 00:26:50.019
 and powers

00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.919
 having been

00:26:50.919 --> 00:26:51.480
 subjected

00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.559
 to him.

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.359
 Okay,

00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.240
 now we're

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.899
 tracking again.

00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.379
 We've been

00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.059
 singing about

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.879
 this this

00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:57.139
 morning.

00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.379
 Jesus is not

00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:59.539
 merely alive,

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.460
 wondrous

00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.019
 though that is.

00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.539
 He is reigning

00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:04.579
 over everything,

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:05.980
 victorious

00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:07.139
 over it all.

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:07.819
 Now,

00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.740
 this truth,

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.879
 to be fair,

00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:10.759
 fits really

00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.980
 well with the

00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.960
 other most likely

00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.859
 understanding of

00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.399
 the previous

00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:15.000
 verses,

00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:17.339
 besides the one

00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.939
 I gave you.

00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.259
 That spirits

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.500
 in prison part

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.220
 that we read,

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.919
 a number of

00:27:23.919 --> 00:27:24.179
 people,

00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.139
 another possible

00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:25.919
 understanding,

00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:27.000
 especially if you

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.899
 like to read this

00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:29.240
 passage chronologically

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.519
 and assume

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.220
 that the preaching

00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.220
 to the spirits

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.140
 happened in the

00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.880
 days between

00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.779
 Jesus' death

00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.099
 and his

00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.660
 resurrection,

00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.839
 that understanding

00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.359
 would be that

00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.339
 Jesus proclaimed

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.059
 his victory

00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.380
 to fallen angels,

00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.420
 demons,

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.559
 spirits,

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.759
 in prison.

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.420
 Don't get hung up

00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:48.980
 on figuring out

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.559
 which one of us

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:49.920
 is right.

00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.660
 You know I'm right.

00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:51.900
 No,

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.279
 it doesn't matter

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.799
 which one of us

00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.980
 got the understanding

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.259
 of verse 19

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.039
 through 21,

00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.400
 right?

00:27:58.620 --> 00:28:00.039
 Whether verse 19

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.920
 paints that

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.960
 triumphant picture

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.880
 or not,

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.120
 verse 22

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.860
 makes it really

00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.140
 clear,

00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.500
 doesn't it?

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.640
 It makes it very

00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.660
 clear Jesus has

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.960
 indeed triumphed,

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:09.880
 he is reigning,

00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.180
 he is victorious,

00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:11.940
 stick with the

00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.519
 clear part,

00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.579
 so listen,

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.160
 why does that

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.539
 matter?

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.839
 It matters

00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.700
 because some of you

00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.420
 are hurting.

00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:24.840
 all of you

00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.580
 know suffering,

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.080
 some of you

00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:27.440
 are feeling it

00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:27.900
 this morning.

00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.320
 Some of you

00:28:30.320 --> 00:28:30.720
 are feeling

00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.420
 overwhelmed

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.400
 by spiritual

00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.039
 attack,

00:28:34.340 --> 00:28:35.519
 evil spirits,

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.000
 hosts of hell

00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.279
 arrayed against

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.720
 you,

00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.720
 the reality

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.519
 of spiritual

00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.039
 warfare

00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.539
 and you're

00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.440
 living in it

00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:46.560
 and you can

00:28:46.560 --> 00:28:47.539
 have hope,

00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.880
 you can rest

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.900
 assured

00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.880
 that you

00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:53.220
 will share

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.940
 Jesus'

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:54.960
 victory.

00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:56.259
 Jesus is

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.900
 with us

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.220
 in our

00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.860
 suffering,

00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:58.320
 right?

00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.700
 He's there,

00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:00.200
 you're not

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.280
 alone and

00:29:01.280 --> 00:29:01.700
 look where

00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.560
 he ends up

00:29:02.560 --> 00:29:03.900
 having endured

00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.660
 death,

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.519
 he rises

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.519
 to new life

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.360
 and eternal

00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:08.220
 victory at

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.060
 the right hand

00:29:09.060 --> 00:29:09.660
 of the Father

00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:10.860
 over all of

00:29:10.860 --> 00:29:11.820
 his and

00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:13.220
 our enemies

00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.340
 forever.

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.540
 How does

00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.160
 that encourage

00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:19.040
 me when

00:29:19.040 --> 00:29:19.620
 I'm struggling

00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:21.399
 when I'm

00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.379
 losing,

00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:24.899
 when I'm

00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.439
 suffering?

00:29:27.439 --> 00:29:28.539
 It tells you

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.179
 your hope

00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:31.279
 is not

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.519
 fanciful,

00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.219
 it's not

00:29:35.219 --> 00:29:35.879
 naive

00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.719
 optimism,

00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.139
 it's not

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:39.299
 a selfish

00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.159
 vanity,

00:29:40.479 --> 00:29:40.859
 you haven't

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.459
 made this

00:29:41.459 --> 00:29:41.719
 up,

00:29:41.939 --> 00:29:42.179
 no,

00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.139
 if you are

00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:44.019
 really suffering,

00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.599
 if you have

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.500
 died with

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.719
 him,

00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.459
 you will

00:29:46.459 --> 00:29:47.459
 live with

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.759
 him,

00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:48.440
 if he

00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:48.940
 endured

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.400
 your

00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.059
 sufferings

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.700
 and now

00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.480
 reigns

00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.160
 over all,

00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.120
 you will

00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:54.059
 assuredly

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.940
 enjoy

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.779
 his

00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.799
 victory

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.720
 with

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.460
 him,

00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.160
 remember

00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.440
 you're

00:29:59.440 --> 00:29:59.880
 connected

00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.400
 to him,

00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.340
 if he's

00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:01.579
 there,

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.180
 you will

00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.700
 be there

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.360
 with him,

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:03.860
 you are

00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.259
 seated,

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.640
 Derek

00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.140
 read earlier

00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:05.539
 to us,

00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.259
 with Christ

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.860
 in the

00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:08.240
 heavenly

00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.120
 places,

00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.039
 so right

00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.660
 now even,

00:30:10.840 --> 00:30:11.500
 already,

00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.759
 Christ in

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.259
 you,

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.480
 is what?

00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.160
 The hope

00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:17.599
 of glory,

00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.160
 you have

00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:20.119
 right now

00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.980
 living in

00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.339
 you in

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:21.900
 relationship

00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.500
 with Jesus,

00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.720
 the hope

00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:25.259
 of glory,

00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.460
 one day

00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.460
 forever

00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.400
 reigning

00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:29.559
 victoriously

00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.680
 with him,

00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:34.099
 I've shared

00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.379
 with you

00:30:34.379 --> 00:30:34.779
 before,

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.079
 one of my

00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.759
 favorite images

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.259
 of our

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.460
 sharing Christ's

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.160
 victory because

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.019
 we're united

00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:41.119
 to him.

00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.519
 Team Hoyt

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.119
 was a

00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:45.500
 father-son

00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.839
 triathlon

00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.599
 team,

00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.000
 they together

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.879
 completed

00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:51.460
 257

00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.539
 triathlons

00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.019
 including

00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.879
 Ironmans,

00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.240
 72

00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.559
 marathons,

00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:57.059
 they're five

00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.639
 ahead of me,

00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.220
 Rick,

00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.059
 I've been

00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:01.700
 dreaming lately,

00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.420
 Rick the

00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:04.819
 son

00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:06.920
 was born

00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.559
 with cerebral

00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.160
 palsy,

00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:11.279
 he was

00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.779
 unable to

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.920
 talk or

00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.460
 to walk

00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:15.019
 but his

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.759
 dad realized

00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.380
 how much

00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:17.340
 they enjoyed

00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:18.060
 being together,

00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:18.840
 spending time

00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:19.100
 together,

00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:19.560
 especially

00:31:19.560 --> 00:31:20.279
 outside

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:22.240
 when they

00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.720
 could run

00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:24.220
 so they

00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.940
 developed some

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.440
 specialized

00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.500
 devices for

00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.600
 staying connected

00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:28.300
 during the

00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:29.060
 triathlons,

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.100
 Dick biking

00:31:30.100 --> 00:31:31.120
 with Rick

00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.120
 attached to

00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:32.300
 him,

00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.080
 then getting

00:31:33.080 --> 00:31:33.519
 off and

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.340
 jumping into

00:31:34.340 --> 00:31:35.000
 a boat

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.340
 where he

00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.019
 could place

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.460
 Rick and

00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.060
 then swim

00:31:37.060 --> 00:31:37.759
 attached to

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:37.900
 him,

00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:38.640
 and then

00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.620
 running

00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.500
 together

00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.519
 while pushing

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.779
 Rick in a

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.360
 specialized

00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:43.980
 wheelchair,

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.700
 they both

00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.500
 suffered the

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.519
 pain of a

00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:48.300
 triathlon,

00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.920
 bodies hurting

00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:51.080
 as the sun

00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.700
 beat down,

00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.400
 the wind

00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.300
 blowing in

00:31:53.300 --> 00:31:53.980
 their faces

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.640
 as they're

00:31:54.640 --> 00:31:55.720
 running or

00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.259
 biking.

00:31:57.800 --> 00:31:58.140
 But my

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.860
 favorite images

00:31:58.860 --> 00:32:00.220
 are of

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.800
 Team Hoyt

00:32:00.800 --> 00:32:01.880
 crossing the

00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.460
 finish line.

00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:03.340
 Rick,

00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:04.860
 almost always

00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:05.700
 in these

00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.259
 pictures,

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.019
 has this

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:08.379
 joy across

00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:08.579
 him.

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:08.980
 There's a

00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:10.140
 big smile

00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:10.759
 often on

00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.319
 his face.

00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.500
 His fists

00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.140
 are always

00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.119
 pumping in

00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:14.700
 the air as

00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.460
 they cross

00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:15.839
 the line.

00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.140
 He is

00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:17.299
 celebrating

00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.420
 victory,

00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.460
 and he's

00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:20.279
 loving it.

00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:24.480
 I think we're

00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:24.819
 all pretty

00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.180
 clear.

00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.700
 The victory

00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:28.119
 was earned

00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:29.480
 by Dick,

00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.240
 suffering the

00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.980
 pains of the

00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.819
 race to get

00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.200
 to that

00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:33.660
 victory,

00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.139
 even more

00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.460
 than the

00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:34.740
 other

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.559
 competitors

00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.879
 out there.

00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.740
 The victory

00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.339
 was earned

00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.059
 by Dick,

00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:40.579
 but the

00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.500
 victory was

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.740
 enjoyed by

00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.619
 Rick, too,

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.399
 wasn't it?

00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:46.380
 Why?

00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:46.900
 How?

00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.220
 It's the

00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.920
 only way

00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.640
 that Rick

00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.040
 got to

00:32:50.040 --> 00:32:50.820
 finish that

00:32:50.820 --> 00:32:51.620
 triathlon

00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:52.400
 and cross

00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:52.820
 the finish

00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:53.220
 line with

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.880
 that kind

00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.380
 of victory.

00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:54.860
 It was

00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.300
 only, of

00:32:55.300 --> 00:32:55.460
 course,

00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.040
 because he

00:32:56.040 --> 00:32:56.580
 stayed

00:32:56.580 --> 00:32:57.680
 connected to

00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.320
 his father

00:32:58.320 --> 00:32:59.040
 the whole

00:32:59.040 --> 00:32:59.320
 way.

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.740
 A father

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.400
 who delighted

00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:04.900
 to be with

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.120
 him.

00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:06.759
 A father

00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.440
 who found

00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:07.940
 a way

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.880
 to make

00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.420
 it happen

00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:10.259
 when it

00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.660
 didn't seem

00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.140
 possible.

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:14.300
 Listen,

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.120
 whatever else

00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:16.340
 confuses you

00:33:16.340 --> 00:33:16.680
 in this

00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.180
 passage,

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.759
 don't miss

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.980
 our hope

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.240
 for enjoying

00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:23.259
 eternal

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.980
 victory.

00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:25.020
 It is as

00:33:25.020 --> 00:33:25.620
 clear,

00:33:26.100 --> 00:33:27.720
 as perspicuous,

00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.700
 as Rick

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.520
 needing to be

00:33:29.520 --> 00:33:30.400
 connected to

00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:31.420
 his dad to

00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.060
 finish that

00:33:32.060 --> 00:33:32.759
 triathlon.

00:33:33.100 --> 00:33:34.040
 Our hope

00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:34.560
 in our

00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:35.240
 suffering is

00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.259
 not in our

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.180
 own strength.

00:33:37.300 --> 00:33:38.380
 It's not in

00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:39.080
 our wise

00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:40.120
 techniques for

00:33:40.120 --> 00:33:40.780
 managing the

00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.480
 situations.

00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:43.319
 It's not even

00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:44.019
 in the size

00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.139
 of our faith

00:33:45.139 --> 00:33:46.359
 or our own

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:47.339
 strength of

00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:48.299
 our grip on

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.940
 God.

00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.779
 It's not.

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.319
 Our hope

00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.119
 is in the

00:33:52.119 --> 00:33:53.160
 victory of

00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.579
 Jesus,

00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.079
 who has

00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:56.160
 united us

00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:57.460
 to himself.

00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:59.379
 United himself

00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:00.160
 to us in

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:01.160
 this amazing

00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:02.319
 relationship

00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.339
 that can never

00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:03.819
 be broken

00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:04.480
 because he's

00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:04.839
 the one

00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.480
 that bound

00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.220
 himself to

00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.079
 us in

00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:07.819
 love,

00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.840
 enduring our

00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.880
 sufferings,

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.579
 conquering our

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.200
 enemies,

00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:13.119
 and achieving

00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:14.039
 our victory

00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:15.500
 to bring us

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.519
 to God,

00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:16.900
 right?

00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:17.980
 That's why he

00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.440
 did it,

00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.380
 to bring us

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:19.860
 to God,

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.619
 to keep us

00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.079
 near him,

00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.079
 connected to

00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.420
 him.

00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.360
 And where

00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:23.760
 is that?

00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.760
 Where is he

00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:26.039
 that we've been

00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.680
 brought to with

00:34:26.680 --> 00:34:26.900
 him?

00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:28.400
 Where's God,

00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:28.880
 kids?

00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:30.460
 He's in

00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:30.740
 heaven.

00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:32.900
 That's where it

00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.780
 says Jesus is.

00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:34.920
 He's in heaven

00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.680
 at the right

00:34:35.680 --> 00:34:36.420
 hand of God,

00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.579
 reigning over

00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:39.099
 all powers

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.280
 and authorities.

00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.380
 Think of it.

00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.539
 If only for

00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.559
 this life

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.639
 we have hope

00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.300
 in Christ,

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.639
 we are to be

00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.200
 pitied.

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.380
 But no,

00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.840
 that's not it.

00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.639
 Our hope's not

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:57.019
 just for this

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.539
 life.

00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.639
 There's a

00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.800
 life to

00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.360
 come.

00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:02.380
 A hope

00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:03.460
 that we have

00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.320
 that is for

00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:04.940
 a life

00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.400
 eternal,

00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.179
 a hope that's

00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.480
 not in

00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:06.960
 ourselves,

00:35:07.179 --> 00:35:07.840
 but is in

00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.460
 him.

00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.159
 Listen,

00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.880
 one day,

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.000
 all of those

00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.019
 warring against

00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:13.159
 you right now

00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:15.039
 will be

00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:15.559
 defeated.

00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.900
 One day,

00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.059
 we will

00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.880
 taunt

00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:22.340
 death as

00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.199
 we talked

00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:24.039
 about at

00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.420
 Easter.

00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.240
 You can't

00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:25.900
 hurt me.

00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.539
 You can't

00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.220
 bring me to

00:35:28.220 --> 00:35:28.840
 tears with

00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:29.679
 your stings.

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.400
 You are

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:30.920
 defeated

00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:31.539
 forever.

00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.460
 We'll say

00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:33.179
 that one

00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:33.440
 day.

00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.720
 And we

00:35:34.720 --> 00:35:36.139
 will reign.

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.019
 We will

00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.820
 be more

00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:39.139
 than conquerors,

00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:39.539
 right?

00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:40.840
 Through him

00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:42.519
 who loved

00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:43.119
 us.

00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.260
 Because

00:35:44.260 --> 00:35:44.780
 nothing,

00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:46.599
 no powers,

00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:49.139
 no suffering,

00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.340
 nothing in

00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.500
 heaven or

00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.340
 earth can

00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:53.519
 separate you

00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.099
 from the

00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:54.920
 love of God

00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.940
 in Christ

00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.760
 Jesus,

00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:58.320
 your Lord.

00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.240
 Oh,

00:35:59.320 --> 00:35:59.639
 Jesus,

00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.440
 that's our

00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:00.920
 hope.

00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:03.559
 don't let

00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:04.180
 our hearts

00:36:04.180 --> 00:36:04.940
 waver

00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:06.780
 and wander

00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:07.320
 to look for

00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:07.760
 victory

00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:08.700
 anywhere else.

00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.340
 Just as

00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:14.960
 much though,

00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:15.619
 Jesus,

00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:17.000
 don't let our

00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:18.240
 hearts waver

00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:19.059
 and wonder

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.019
 if we have

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.579
 any hope

00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:21.380
 anymore.

00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:26.440
 our suffering

00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:27.519
 can be so

00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.160
 overwhelming

00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:28.900
 at times,

00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:29.200
 Lord.

00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:30.559
 Our world

00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:31.500
 can be so

00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:32.260
 disheartening.

00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:33.539
 Our weakness

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.920
 can be so

00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.300
 discouraging.

00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:38.900
 But greater

00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:39.619
 is he that is

00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.400
 in us.

00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.119
 Jesus,

00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:43.720
 you are in

00:36:43.720 --> 00:36:44.460
 us by

00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:45.500
 your spirit.

00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.860
 Praise you.

00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:49.660
 so no one

00:36:49.660 --> 00:36:50.220
 can keep us

00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:50.920
 from God.

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.559
 Nothing can

00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.440
 separate us

00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.099
 from his

00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:54.440
 love.

00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.160
 Thank you,

00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:56.019
 Jesus.

00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.120
 No one

00:36:57.120 --> 00:36:58.240
 can snatch

00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:59.059
 us out

00:36:59.059 --> 00:36:59.480
 of our

00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.260
 Father's

00:37:00.260 --> 00:37:00.700
 hand.

00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:06.180
 May we

00:37:06.180 --> 00:37:06.620
 find our

00:37:06.620 --> 00:37:07.000
 hope in

00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:08.160
 you today

00:37:08.160 --> 00:37:09.519
 and forever.

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:10.900
 Amen.

00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:11.019
 Amen.

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:15.019
 For more

00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.539
 information,

00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.340
 visit us

00:37:16.340 --> 00:37:17.240
 online at

00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:18.139
 southwood.org.