WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, they don't need God's grace, 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:08.099 and no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:08.620 --> 00:00:13.220 Which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:18.019 This morning we're continuing our series in the book of Romans. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:23.859 And you'll remember that the book of Romans is a letter written by the Apostle Paul in the 50s AD. 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:31.059 And it's called Romans for a very simple reason, which is that Paul writes it to the churches that are in the city of Rome. 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:33.939 It is a letter that is about the gospel. 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:37.679 It's about the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection. 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:45.739 And Paul's hope in writing this letter, as we saw back in chapter 1, is that these churches would be established in the gospel. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:50.200 There will be many applications as we go throughout this letter. 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:55.640 And Paul is especially focused with the mission and the unity of the church. 00:00:56.400 --> 00:01:00.200 And as I've told you many times now, we will have all kinds of little spokes, right? 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:01.859 We're going to go on little adventures. 00:01:02.020 --> 00:01:03.020 One of them is this morning. 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:07.879 And we will constantly return back to the hub of the gospel. 00:01:09.020 --> 00:01:14.620 We are in the section of chapters 1 through 3, which are making one very simple argument. 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:19.060 And that argument is summed up later in this chapter when Paul says, 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:23.020 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:01:23.580 --> 00:01:25.580 So Paul's making one big point. 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:27.520 He's saying everyone's a sinner. 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:29.480 Everyone deserves God's judgment. 00:01:30.020 --> 00:01:35.280 Chapter 1, Gentiles, or we might say non-religious people, deserve God's judgment. 00:01:35.800 --> 00:01:41.200 Chapter 2, Jews, or we might say today, religious people deserve God's judgment. 00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:47.900 Chapter 3, which we begin this morning, Paul's going to bring his argument to a full conclusion. 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:53.500 If you've been with us, you know that Paul is coming at this idea from all different angles. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:01:57.680 He's trying to get it from every possible side, answering all sorts of objections. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:04.439 So two weeks ago, we said, look, the law, having access to the scriptures, is not going to save you. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:09.580 Last week, we said having circumcision is not going to save you. 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:14.500 This week, Paul's going to respond to the new objection that's come from the last two weeks. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:19.640 If those things can't save you, what is the point? 00:02:21.380 --> 00:02:28.920 If being in church, if baptism, if scripture is not going to save me, why am I here? 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:32.319 What are we doing? 00:02:33.519 --> 00:02:37.459 It's with that question, we turn now to Romans chapter 3, starting at verse 1. 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:39.179 I invite you to turn with me. 00:02:39.399 --> 00:02:41.419 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:42.119 --> 00:02:43.259 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:45.439 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:48.899 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:02:49.359 --> 00:02:51.759 And Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5 tells us, 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:54.099 Every word of God is true. 00:02:55.259 --> 00:02:59.139 He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:04.019 And so that's why we read now Romans chapter 3, starting at verse 1. 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:07.159 Then what advantage has the Jew? 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:10.659 Or what is the value of circumcision? 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:13.359 Much in every way. 00:03:14.399 --> 00:03:19.879 To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:24.879 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:03:26.539 --> 00:03:31.539 Our Father in heaven, we do thank you and praise you again this morning 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:36.219 that you haven't abandoned us and left us to figure out life on our own. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:40.340 But instead, you've spoken to us and you've spoken clearly in your word. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:43.500 And so we ask that you would do that again this morning. 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:47.359 You would do what you've promised to do in Isaiah 55, 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:50.420 that your word will not return void to you, 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:53.480 but it will accomplish great things in the lives of your people. 00:03:54.260 --> 00:03:55.500 And so we ask that you would do that. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:58.240 You would use these words in Romans chapter 3 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:00.600 to accomplish great things in our lives. 00:04:01.380 --> 00:04:03.360 Most of all, we ask that you would show us Jesus, 00:04:04.160 --> 00:04:08.220 that we would see his beauty and his glory and his power and his authority, 00:04:08.920 --> 00:04:12.800 his mercy and his grace and his love more than ever before. 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:16.740 And we ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:17.600 Amen. 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:27.060 Many of you know that I was ordained as a pastor in May of 2018. 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:29.699 And to become a pastor in our denomination, 00:04:29.939 --> 00:04:31.300 this Presbyterian denomination, 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:34.259 you have to be examined by the regional church. 00:04:34.840 --> 00:04:37.220 And so for us, that means you're examined by the churches 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:40.080 in Montana and Colorado and Wyoming. 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:44.120 And one of the tests that you have to take as you're being examined 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:45.719 is a Bible knowledge test. 00:04:46.099 --> 00:04:47.219 And they're asking this question, 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:50.519 does this person know enough about the scriptures 00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:52.479 to be trusted to be a pastor? 00:04:53.039 --> 00:04:54.500 And when you take that exam, 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:56.439 there are some harder questions 00:04:56.439 --> 00:04:59.819 that are meant to sort of push you to the limits of your knowledge. 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:02.259 And there are also some easier questions. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:03.779 There are some softball questions. 00:05:04.299 --> 00:05:05.819 And the softball questions are meant to, you know, 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:07.539 help you get some points on your exam 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:09.900 and not feel completely defeated. 00:05:10.780 --> 00:05:14.400 One of my friends, who's a pastor here in town in Colorado Springs, 00:05:14.700 --> 00:05:17.420 got ordained at the very same time that I did, 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:19.980 the exact same meeting of our presbytery. 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:21.900 And he, in his exam, 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:24.300 he missed this question that I'm about to tell you. 00:05:24.900 --> 00:05:26.700 It was not a hard question. 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:29.060 It was a softball question. 00:05:29.820 --> 00:05:30.860 Okay, so here it is. 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:33.280 In the book of Daniel, chapter three, 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:37.520 King Nebuchadnezzar takes the prophet Daniel 00:05:37.520 --> 00:05:41.379 and he throws Daniel into a fiery furnace. 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:45.120 And when he throws Daniel into a fiery furnace, 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:49.740 he throws three other men in with him. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:53.000 What are the names of those men? 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:56.839 And how you respond to that question 00:05:56.839 --> 00:05:59.620 reveals something about where or how 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:01.279 or whether you grew up in the church. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:03.720 If you did not grow up in the church, 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:05.160 you might be thinking right now, 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:07.680 wow, that's a really weird question. 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:12.980 And why do I care what the names of the three men were 00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:15.160 who were thrown into the fiery furnace with Daniel? 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:17.939 Of what use is that to anyone? 00:06:18.980 --> 00:06:21.019 If you did grow up in the church, 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:22.060 the answer is what? 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:27.060 Yeah, everyone knows that, right? 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:32.000 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:35.819 And so the committee examining my friend was shocked. 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:39.599 How in the world could this man make it 00:06:39.599 --> 00:06:41.279 through his preparations as a pastor, 00:06:41.659 --> 00:06:44.579 get to his exam and not know about Shadrach, Meshach, 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:45.099 and Abednego? 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:48.099 And so he said this to them. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:51.260 I never watched Veggie Tales 00:06:51.260 --> 00:06:57.240 or did Bible stories in Sunday school 00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:01.620 because I didn't know Christians as a kid. 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:05.320 My friend didn't grow up in the church. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:09.360 He didn't become a Christian until he was in college. 00:07:10.520 --> 00:07:12.220 He didn't grow up going to Sunday school 00:07:12.220 --> 00:07:14.160 learning about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:07:14.760 --> 00:07:16.160 Had he read that story? 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:16.560 Yes. 00:07:17.640 --> 00:07:19.520 Did he pay attention to those names? 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:20.660 Not at all. 00:07:21.840 --> 00:07:22.240 Right? 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:23.480 Were they critical to him? 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:24.340 He didn't realize that. 00:07:24.380 --> 00:07:25.740 He didn't realize he was supposed to know that. 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:30.220 I tell you that story because the initial point 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:32.740 of this passage from Paul is this. 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:38.100 One of the privileges of growing up in the church 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:41.700 is knowing the word of God. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:47.320 One of the privileges of growing up in the church 00:07:47.320 --> 00:07:51.260 is knowing the word of God. 00:07:52.840 --> 00:07:55.360 Remember last week we talked about the fact that 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:58.480 signs, religious signs, religious symbols, 00:07:58.700 --> 00:08:01.939 religious activity will not save us. 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:03.840 Those things are not our hope. 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:06.799 And so after hearing that, you might be thinking, 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:07.539 that's great. 00:08:07.659 --> 00:08:08.379 Okay, Matthew. 00:08:09.299 --> 00:08:11.839 Then why are we here? 00:08:13.039 --> 00:08:15.339 If religious signs and symbols and activities 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:17.079 don't get us to where we need to go, 00:08:17.239 --> 00:08:18.219 what are we doing? 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:22.819 You can imagine the Jews reading the end of chapter two 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:24.959 and they're thinking, okay, Paul, what's the point? 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:29.659 If circumcision doesn't save, why are we doing it? 00:08:31.859 --> 00:08:36.899 If the law doesn't save, why are we reading it? 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:40.240 You might think, okay, Matthew, you told me last week 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:42.379 going to church isn't going to save me. 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:43.519 Great. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:46.480 I'll go to a coffee shop on Sunday morning. 00:08:47.439 --> 00:08:49.799 I didn't realize I didn't need to be here. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:51.840 I'm so glad that's over with. 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:56.240 You told me reading the law would not change my heart. 00:08:56.920 --> 00:08:57.660 That's great. 00:08:57.780 --> 00:08:59.379 I don't need to read my Bible anymore. 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:02.740 It's a work of the Spirit, so I can just move on. 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:04.780 I suddenly have more time in my schedule. 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:09.060 The Jews reading this would be asking this, 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:12.480 did God make a mistake by introducing circumcision? 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:15.220 Has God changed in some way? 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:17.740 We thought this was really important. 00:09:17.800 --> 00:09:19.100 It was so important, in fact, 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:21.779 that God almost killed Abraham at one point 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:24.120 for failing to circumcise one of his kids. 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:27.980 And now you're saying it doesn't matter? 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:31.840 What are we supposed to do with that? 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:36.639 And so that's the question that's being raised here in verse one. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:40.439 Then what advantage has the Jew 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:44.480 or what is the value of circumcision? 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:49.580 You just told us religious signs and symbols and activity don't save. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:50.779 So what's their point? 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:54.259 And Paul tells them immediately, 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:56.080 he has a first answer in verse two. 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:58.220 Much in every way, 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:00.100 to begin with, 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:05.200 the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:08.759 And when he says the oracles of God here, 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:11.680 Paul is referring to the Old Testament. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:14.600 What was the benefit of being a Jew? 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:16.240 Easy. 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:19.240 You had access to the Bible. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:24.360 You knew things that no other nation knew. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:27.520 You will reveal things about God 00:10:27.520 --> 00:10:29.420 that the Canaanites were not given. 00:10:31.140 --> 00:10:33.660 You had insider information. 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:38.639 One of the privileges 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:41.860 of growing up in the church 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:45.860 is knowing the word of God. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.740 Yeah, it doesn't save. 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:50.620 And 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:53.399 it's one of, 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:54.659 Paul even seems to suggest here, 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.879 might be for the Jews 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:58.439 the greatest blessing that they have. 00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:02.060 And so I'm just gonna pause for a minute 00:11:02.060 --> 00:11:03.160 and say a few things. 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:04.200 First, 00:11:04.780 --> 00:11:05.780 kids, 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:09.500 do not take for granted 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:12.100 the blessing it is 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:15.720 that your parents bring you here every Sunday. 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:19.800 parents, 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:22.860 do not miss 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:25.920 what a huge deal 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.620 it is 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:29.519 to teach your kids 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:31.980 the oracles of God. 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:36.120 Don't forget 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.960 how important it is. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:43.680 it doesn't matter 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:46.879 if your children 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:48.800 are admitted 00:11:48.800 --> 00:11:49.840 into Harvard 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:53.220 if they do not know 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.139 the word 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:54.900 of God. 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:59.259 It doesn't matter 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:02.139 if your kids 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.199 have wild 00:12:03.199 --> 00:12:04.819 professional success 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:08.779 if they do not 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:09.519 know 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.519 the gospel. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:14.659 I'm not saying 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:15.139 those things 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:15.699 don't matter. 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:16.539 I'm not saying 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:17.179 they're not important. 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.179 I'm not saying 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:18.879 they're bad goals. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:21.100 What I am saying 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:21.600 is this. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.659 They are not 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.460 as important 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:25.259 as knowing 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.659 the very 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.799 words 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:28.519 of God. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.199 What advantage 00:12:32.199 --> 00:12:32.860 has the Jew? 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:34.699 Much 00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:35.860 in every 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.799 way. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:40.599 church 00:12:40.599 --> 00:12:43.339 what we do 00:12:43.339 --> 00:12:44.379 in Sunday school 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.259 and nursery 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:47.519 and youth group 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:49.240 really 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:50.179 matters. 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.219 We are 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:54.079 giving our 00:12:54.079 --> 00:12:54.559 children 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:55.479 one 00:12:55.479 --> 00:12:56.379 of the 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:56.979 greatest 00:12:56.979 --> 00:12:58.059 blessings. 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:01.839 I've said 00:13:01.839 --> 00:13:02.439 this before 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:03.399 and I'll say 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:03.759 it again. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.839 My parents 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.180 like all 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:07.720 parents 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:09.960 were flawed 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:10.759 and imperfect. 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:13.500 And my parents 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.379 also got two 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.460 really basic 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.200 really fundamental 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:16.899 things right. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.060 They stayed 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:19.340 married 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:22.100 and they took 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:22.580 us to church 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:23.080 every single 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:23.399 Sunday. 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:26.220 And in the 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:26.980 midst of 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.759 imperfection 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.220 and mistakes 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:28.780 and failures 00:13:28.780 --> 00:13:29.360 as all 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.200 parents do 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.980 those things 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:34.100 matter 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.320 tremendously. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:39.879 Now I've 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.440 been focusing 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:41.360 on kids 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:41.879 for the last 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.120 couple 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.519 minutes. 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:43.379 Of course 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:43.820 what Paul 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:44.399 is saying 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:44.860 here is 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:45.259 true 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:46.080 of all 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:46.519 of us. 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:48.519 What we 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:49.120 do here 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.600 together 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.720 every Sunday, 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.620 what we do 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.160 throughout the 00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:52.860 week in our 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:53.560 small groups, 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.019 in our 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:54.800 Bible studies, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:55.899 those 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.700 things 00:13:56.700 --> 00:13:57.680 really 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.420 matter. 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:02.899 don't 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.659 underestimate 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:06.559 the power 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:08.159 of being 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:09.219 exposed to 00:14:09.219 --> 00:14:09.919 the preaching 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:10.639 of God's 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.839 word week 00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:12.939 after week 00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:13.939 after week. 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.860 Don't miss 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:18.879 what a great 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:20.399 privilege it is 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:22.779 to be told 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.299 about the 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:24.799 gospel year 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.919 after year 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.959 after year. 00:14:28.959 --> 00:14:30.000 It might 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.459 be more 00:14:30.459 --> 00:14:30.959 important 00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:33.000 than anything 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.059 else. 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:38.919 One 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.559 pastor says 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:39.919 this, 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:42.000 there is 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.179 no higher 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.959 privilege 00:14:43.959 --> 00:14:45.019 that can 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.879 come to 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.860 any human 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.379 being 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.860 than to be 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.819 spoken to 00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:51.059 directly 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:52.279 by God. 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.559 And that's 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:55.859 what Paul 00:14:55.859 --> 00:14:56.199 is saying 00:14:56.199 --> 00:14:56.439 here. 00:14:57.479 --> 00:14:58.239 What advantage 00:14:58.239 --> 00:14:58.719 was it for 00:14:58.719 --> 00:14:59.059 you to be 00:14:59.059 --> 00:14:59.539 a Jew? 00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:02.779 Of so 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.379 much 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.079 advantage. 00:15:05.479 --> 00:15:05.919 You 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.899 had 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.279 what many 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.039 other nations, 00:15:09.239 --> 00:15:09.699 what no 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.299 other nation 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:10.779 had, 00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:12.379 the very 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.399 words 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.379 of God. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:14.500 God. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.200 Now if 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:25.419 you're a 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:25.720 devil's 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.059 advocate, 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.259 you might 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:27.759 be asking, 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.179 why? 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.820 Why is it 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.299 so important 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:32.860 to have the 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.360 very words 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:33.779 of God? 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.139 Why does 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.740 it matter 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.179 that your 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:39.139 friend did 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:39.639 not know 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.519 about Shadrach, 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.019 Meshach, 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.559 and Abednego? 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.779 That doesn't 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.299 seem like a 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:44.959 helpful piece 00:15:44.959 --> 00:15:45.599 of information 00:15:45.599 --> 00:15:46.339 that I need 00:15:46.339 --> 00:15:47.279 to spend 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.139 years of 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:48.799 time in 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.179 God's 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.599 word to 00:15:49.599 --> 00:15:49.859 know. 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:50.779 No, 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:51.299 either one, 00:15:51.359 --> 00:15:51.699 I don't 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.059 need to 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:52.639 know that, 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.559 or I 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:54.879 can know 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.120 that in 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:55.339 a minute, 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:55.599 right? 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.059 Maybe your 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:56.479 friend just 00:15:56.479 --> 00:15:56.879 needed an 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.219 extra 00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:58.459 flashcard, 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:58.879 right? 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:01.179 It's not 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:01.639 that he 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.859 missed out 00:16:02.859 --> 00:16:03.399 on something 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:03.799 by not 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.199 being part 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:04.579 of God's 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:04.799 people. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.019 No, 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:05.419 he missed 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:05.699 out on 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:05.919 some 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.399 random, 00:16:06.719 --> 00:16:07.639 unhelpful, 00:16:08.199 --> 00:16:08.699 unuseful 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.019 trivia. 00:16:11.979 --> 00:16:12.459 Of course, 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:12.979 I tell you, 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.519 I told you 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.019 that story. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.319 It's just 00:16:14.319 --> 00:16:15.059 an example, 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:15.439 right? 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:15.939 A funny 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.579 example of 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.000 things that 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.600 we take for 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.259 granted that 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.539 we know if 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.019 we grew up in 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.500 the church, 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.679 but are not 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.559 actually obvious. 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:24.720 Actually, 00:16:24.819 --> 00:16:25.120 you're going to 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.019 be okay if 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.480 you don't know 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.139 about Shadrach, 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:27.500 Meshach, 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:27.919 and Abednego. 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.460 You might not 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.039 be okay, 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:31.279 though, 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:31.639 if you don't 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.179 know about 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:32.939 some other 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.319 things. 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:34.840 There are 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:36.259 many advantages 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.000 to God's 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.240 word. 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:39.779 Scott already 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.299 read some of 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:41.000 them this morning 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.519 for us from 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.179 Psalm chapter 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:42.599 1. 00:16:43.219 --> 00:16:43.599 What does it 00:16:43.599 --> 00:16:43.919 tell us? 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:44.859 God's word 00:16:44.859 --> 00:16:45.739 brings great 00:16:45.739 --> 00:16:46.419 flourishing. 00:16:47.739 --> 00:16:48.299 The person 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.059 who steeps 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:49.899 himself in 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.399 that is the 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:50.879 person who 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.279 has great 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:52.979 life. 00:16:54.599 --> 00:16:55.059 And so what 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:55.479 did the Jews 00:16:55.479 --> 00:16:55.779 have? 00:16:55.839 --> 00:16:56.439 They had this 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.439 manual for 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.919 life that no 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.959 one else had 00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:00.679 access to. 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:03.299 God's promises. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:03.779 Even more 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.359 than that, 00:17:05.419 --> 00:17:06.299 they had 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.179 God's promises. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.799 What is the 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.500 Old Testament 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.799 filled with 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.440 if not the 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.539 promises of 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:14.819 God? 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.899 They knew 00:17:16.899 --> 00:17:17.460 things like 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:17.859 this. 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.399 Genesis 00:17:19.399 --> 00:17:20.200 chapter 12. 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.440 In you, 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.940 all the 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.859 nations of 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.399 the earth 00:17:25.399 --> 00:17:26.179 will be 00:17:26.179 --> 00:17:26.559 blessed. 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:26.639 Christ. 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.000 They knew 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.379 that God 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:29.659 was at 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:30.019 work in 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.379 the world 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:30.659 in a 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:31.279 special way. 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:33.720 They knew 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.259 this from 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.859 Jeremiah 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.899 chapter 31. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.879 This is the 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.559 covenant that I 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.079 will make 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.559 with the 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.299 house of 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:41.700 Israel. 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:44.059 I will put 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.639 my law 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.339 within them 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:48.099 and I will 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.000 write it on 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.799 their hearts 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:52.460 and I will 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:52.859 be their 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.279 God and 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.319 they shall 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:56.359 be my 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:56.720 people. 00:17:59.139 --> 00:17:59.980 The Jews 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.240 had the 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:00.759 promise of 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.039 God's 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.379 presence. 00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:03.839 They knew 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.339 that whatever 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:04.980 was happening 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.339 in that 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:05.899 moment was 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:06.839 not the 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.039 end of 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.500 the story. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.379 They knew 00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:10.980 this promise 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.740 from Ezekiel 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.740 chapter 36. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.879 And I 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:15.259 will give 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.679 you a new 00:18:15.679 --> 00:18:17.720 heart and 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.039 a new 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.679 spirit I 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.279 will put 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.399 within you. 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.299 And I 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:23.960 will remove 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.700 the heart 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.380 of stone 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.420 from your 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:28.460 flesh and 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.240 give you 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.279 a heart 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.380 of flesh. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.559 The Jews 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:36.000 had the 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.420 very promises 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.960 of God. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.299 You'll see 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:41.819 this on page 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.640 seven of 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.000 your worship 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.340 guide. 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.660 The greatest 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.539 thing of 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:48.500 all was 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.000 the fact 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.640 that through 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.700 these oracles 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.299 of God 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:53.059 the Jews 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.519 were given 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.980 a hope. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.019 The hope 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.859 of the 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.319 coming 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:58.379 of the 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:58.799 Messiah. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.779 The other 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:01.480 nations had 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.240 no hope 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.779 at all 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.240 but Israel 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.099 had a 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:05.359 hope. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.240 There was 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.720 a great 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.539 deliverer to 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:08.900 come. 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.500 It was a 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.519 light in 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.000 the darkness. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.500 They alone 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.059 had it. 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:19.440 What a 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:19.980 privilege. 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.079 church. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.860 They didn't 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.440 just have 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.319 the promises 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.339 of God. 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.620 They had 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.120 something even 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:33.720 more important 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.120 than that. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.180 The Old 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.620 Testament 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.700 revealed to 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:38.440 God's people 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.160 two things. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.160 It showed 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:41.759 them their 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.779 great need 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.099 for the 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:43.519 gospel. 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.440 It revealed 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:44.980 to them 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.799 that they 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.599 were without 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.680 hope except 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.140 for a 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.440 savior. 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:50.259 showed 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:50.580 them their 00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:50.980 need. 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.600 And it 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.240 also told 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.580 them that 00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:53.900 there was 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.420 a solution. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.519 It told 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:57.779 them their 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.180 need in 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.720 places like 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.200 Jeremiah 00:19:59.200 --> 00:19:59.980 chapter 2. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.720 For my 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.420 people have 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:02.840 committed 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:03.820 two evils. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.559 They have 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.160 forsaken 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.940 me, the 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.600 fountain of 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.220 living waters. 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:11.240 broken 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.259 and they've 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.740 hewed out 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.539 cisterns for 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.180 themselves, 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.360 broken 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.440 cisterns that 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.259 can hold 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.400 no water. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.380 The Old 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.120 Testament said, 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.720 look, you 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.460 are looking 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.180 for life 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.559 in all 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.600 the wrong 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:27.440 places. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.920 Humanity 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.559 is lost. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.240 It cannot 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.819 save 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.640 itself. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.759 And they 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.019 knew there 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.480 was hope 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.000 from places 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.559 like this. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:37.920 Isaiah 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.839 chapter 43. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.559 But now 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.220 thus says 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:41.779 the Lord, 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.420 he who 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:42.920 created 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.360 you, 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.079 fear not, 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.660 for I 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:47.880 have 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:48.299 redeemed 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.620 you. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.559 I have 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.140 called you 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:52.779 by name. 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.000 You are 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.279 mine. 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.200 Then new 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.819 promises like 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.220 the one in 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.180 Isaiah 53. 00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:01.779 All we 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.400 like sheep 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:02.839 have gone 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.259 astray. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:05.740 we have 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.259 turned 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.740 everyone 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.480 to his 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:09.920 own way 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:12.000 and the 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.700 Lord has 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.400 laid on 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:13.799 him 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.799 the 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.400 iniquity 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.519 of us 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:16.799 all. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.339 What 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.879 advantage 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.319 has the 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.559 Jew? 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.339 Much in 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.799 every way. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.799 the Jews 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.619 were entrusted 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:31.720 with the 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.259 oracles 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.619 of God. 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.559 They knew 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:36.980 what no one 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.379 else knew. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.180 They knew 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:42.079 that mankind 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.940 was lost 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:43.659 without hope 00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:46.779 by themselves. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.899 And they also 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:49.879 knew that 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.480 there was a 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.000 great hope. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:54.039 they knew 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.460 something that 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:55.940 mattered 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.140 more 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:58.299 than anything 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:58.680 else. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.799 Why are the 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.380 oracles so 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:03.599 good? 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.720 The oracles 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.319 of God 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.200 are so good 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.779 because they 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.960 reveal what 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.720 the point 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.359 of Romans 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:10.759 is. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.740 Remember I 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.099 tell you 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.980 every single 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.480 week at the 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.099 very beginning 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:15.059 Romans is 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:16.380 about the 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:16.720 gospel. 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.559 It is 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.839 about the 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.900 good news 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.460 of Jesus' 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.640 death and 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.220 resurrection. 00:22:24.800 --> 00:22:25.860 Why was it 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.500 so good 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.080 to be a 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:27.320 Jew? 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.160 Why is it 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.080 so great 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:30.820 to grow up 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.120 in the 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.540 church? 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.600 Because Paul 00:22:33.600 --> 00:22:34.200 is not 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.980 telling you 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.360 here anything 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:37.860 you don't 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.700 already 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.440 know. 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.840 You 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.519 already 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.019 have the 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.480 very 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.700 words 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.660 of God. 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.040 Paul's 00:22:49.040 --> 00:22:49.700 saying yes 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.120 scripture 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.980 does not 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.539 save. 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.120 Having the 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.980 law doesn't 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.519 get you off 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.019 the hook 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.920 but it 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:59.319 does point 00:22:59.319 --> 00:22:59.940 you to the 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.980 one who 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.519 does save. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.319 And that 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.360 is of 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:06.840 great 00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:08.100 value. 00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.740 This chapter 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.180 in Romans 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.860 chapter 3 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.660 in just a few 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.100 weeks he'll 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:13.559 go on to 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.080 say this. 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.539 for all 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.240 have sinned 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.599 and fall 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.299 short of 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.759 the glory 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.259 of God 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:19.960 and are 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.359 justified 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:20.980 by his 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.460 grace 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.159 as a 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:22.460 gift 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.179 through the 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:24.619 redemption 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:26.299 that is in 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.759 Christ 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.819 Jesus. 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.659 I've told you 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:33.240 before and I'll 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.899 tell you again 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.879 that the book 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.519 of Romans is 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.099 often called 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.639 the fifth 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.220 gospel 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:39.619 because whatever 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.879 Paul teaches 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:42.660 Jesus taught 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.440 first. 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:45.520 The same 00:23:45.520 --> 00:23:45.980 thing is true 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.440 this week. 00:23:47.340 --> 00:23:47.960 John chapter 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.880 5 Jesus is 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.840 rebuking religious 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:50.480 leaders and he 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.100 says this 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:52.560 if you 00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:53.120 believed 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.900 Moses 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:55.300 and it's one 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:55.600 of the 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:56.480 authors of 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:56.780 the Old 00:23:56.780 --> 00:23:57.180 Testament 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.240 you would 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.180 believe me 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.220 for he 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.720 wrote 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.000 of me. 00:24:03.280 --> 00:24:03.840 In other 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.440 words Jesus is 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.880 saying look the 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.580 Old Testament was 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:06.180 about me 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.400 but if you 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:07.820 do not 00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:08.360 believe his 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.180 writings how 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:09.539 will you 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:11.019 believe my 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.980 words. 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.539 Of course 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.000 even more 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.360 famous is 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:16.900 Luke chapter 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:17.640 24. 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.240 Jesus is on 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.920 the road after 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:21.019 his resurrection 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.940 he's explaining 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.460 the Old 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.140 Testament to 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.640 some men who 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.259 are with him 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.820 and it says 00:24:26.820 --> 00:24:28.100 this beginning 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:28.880 with Moses 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.759 and all the 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.880 prophets he 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.700 interpreted to 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:33.240 them in all 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.880 the scriptures 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:35.400 the things 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:36.380 concerning 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.600 himself. 00:24:39.800 --> 00:24:40.960 Why is it 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.759 such a blessing 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.920 and a privilege 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.740 to have the 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.519 oracles of 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:45.880 God? 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:48.840 Because 00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:50.460 they show 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.920 us 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.660 Jesus. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.640 They show 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.100 us our 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.640 need 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:57.040 for his 00:24:57.040 --> 00:24:57.519 grace 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.100 and his 00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:58.440 mercy 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:00.540 and they 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:01.100 show us 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.040 him giving 00:25:02.040 --> 00:25:02.400 us 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.620 that very 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.140 same 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:05.019 grace 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.680 and 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:05.980 mercy. 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:09.960 It's 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.319 good 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.059 because 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:11.259 it 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.700 gives 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.879 light 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:14.099 in the 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.339 dark. 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.740 Some of 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.079 you if you 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.539 were here 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.019 during our 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.599 series on 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:20.119 1st and 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:20.700 2nd Peter 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:22.039 many years 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.579 ago now 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:24.259 heard me 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.579 tell you 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.119 many times 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.379 about 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:25.680 Corrie 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.099 Ten Boom 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.639 who is a 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:26.900 Dutch 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.859 watchmaker 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.859 in the 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.339 Netherlands 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:29.900 in World 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:30.379 War II 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.520 and she 00:25:31.520 --> 00:25:32.000 was famous 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.560 for hiding 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.000 Jews 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.420 who were 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:34.820 trying to 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.400 escape the 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.040 Nazi regime. 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.400 She was 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.700 eventually 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.440 caught for 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.980 her work 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:40.000 and she 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.860 spent most 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:42.000 of 1944 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.240 in a 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.560 Nazi 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.100 concentration 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:44.640 camp. 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.320 One thing 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:46.800 she did 00:25:46.800 --> 00:25:47.240 though when 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.640 she was in 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:47.820 this 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:48.260 concentration 00:25:48.260 --> 00:25:49.460 camp is 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:49.860 she was 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.560 able to 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:51.720 sneak in 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.920 a copy 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.820 of the 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.100 Bible 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.659 and she 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:55.980 and a 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.559 group of 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.839 women 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.619 would read 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.259 it together 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.959 whenever they 00:25:59.959 --> 00:26:00.599 had a 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:01.539 free moment. 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:02.759 They would 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.139 read it in 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:03.480 the morning 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:05.059 and they 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.319 would read 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.539 it at 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.759 night. 00:26:06.719 --> 00:26:07.079 And she 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.480 tells the 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:07.799 story, 00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:08.159 this is on 00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:08.500 the back 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.740 of your 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.000 worship 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.339 guide, 00:26:10.459 --> 00:26:10.719 from 00:26:10.719 --> 00:26:11.179 morning 00:26:11.179 --> 00:26:11.579 until 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.019 lights 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.379 out, 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:13.839 whenever 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.359 we were 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:14.859 not in 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.419 ranks for 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.079 roll call, 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.299 our 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.859 Bible 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.159 was the 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.559 center 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.659 of an 00:26:20.659 --> 00:26:21.019 ever 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.719 widening 00:26:21.719 --> 00:26:22.259 circle 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.359 of help 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.339 and hope. 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.299 Like 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:26.719 wafts 00:26:26.719 --> 00:26:27.159 clustered 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:27.619 around a 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.119 blazing 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.639 fire, 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.019 we gathered 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.719 about it 00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:31.939 holding our 00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:32.659 hearts to 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:33.339 its warmth 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:34.379 and light. 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.379 The 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.219 blacker the 00:26:37.219 --> 00:26:37.779 night around 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.339 us grew, 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.779 the brighter 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.679 and truer 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.259 and more 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.779 beautiful 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:43.399 burned the 00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.459 word of 00:26:44.459 --> 00:26:44.839 God. 00:26:45.219 --> 00:26:45.500 That's the 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:45.959 name of the 00:26:45.959 --> 00:26:46.359 concentration 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.039 camp they 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.459 were in. 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.279 It took 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.899 place on 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.839 two separate 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.519 levels, 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.659 mutually 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.899 impossible. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.759 On 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.219 one, 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.059 the 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.819 observable 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.419 external 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.779 life grew 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.799 every day 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.599 more 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.119 horrible. 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.719 The 00:27:02.719 --> 00:27:03.059 other, 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.439 the life 00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:05.179 we lived 00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:05.919 with God 00:27:05.919 --> 00:27:07.159 grew daily 00:27:07.159 --> 00:27:07.599 better, 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.359 truth upon 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:09.819 truth, 00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:12.599 glory upon 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.539 glory. 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.899 Christian, 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.259 the blacker 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.719 the night 00:27:19.719 --> 00:27:20.619 around us 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.179 grows, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.719 the brighter 00:27:22.719 --> 00:27:24.059 and truer 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:25.079 and more 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.819 beautiful 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:27.799 burns the 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.919 word of 00:27:28.919 --> 00:27:29.259 God. 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.179 Now, 00:27:32.239 --> 00:27:32.619 I had to 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.299 shorten this 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.919 quote so it 00:27:33.919 --> 00:27:34.359 would fit, 00:27:35.199 --> 00:27:35.459 but she 00:27:35.459 --> 00:27:36.099 tells us what 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.399 they were 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:37.519 reading were 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.000 the great 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.379 promises of 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.079 Romans chapter 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.439 eight. 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.019 The promise 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.859 that nothing 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:44.239 can separate 00:27:44.239 --> 00:27:45.379 us from the 00:27:45.379 --> 00:27:46.359 love of 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:46.619 God. 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:48.479 the promise 00:27:48.479 --> 00:27:48.839 that we 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.519 are more 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:49.799 than 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.719 conquerors 00:27:50.719 --> 00:27:51.500 through 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.000 him 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.959 who 00:27:52.959 --> 00:27:53.259 loved 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.639 us. 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.719 Then what 00:27:56.719 --> 00:27:57.419 advantage has 00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:57.839 the Jew 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:59.739 or what 00:27:59.739 --> 00:28:00.199 is the 00:28:00.199 --> 00:28:00.759 value 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.259 of 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.959 circumcision 00:28:01.959 --> 00:28:03.679 much 00:28:03.679 --> 00:28:04.479 in 00:28:04.479 --> 00:28:05.179 every 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:06.079 way? 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:08.899 to begin 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.319 with, 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.740 the Jews 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:10.980 were 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:11.559 entrusted 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.819 with the 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.379 oracles 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:14.559 of God. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.379 Let's 00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:17.579 pray. 00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:20.019 Our 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.480 Father in 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:20.699 heaven, 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.339 we do 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.460 praise you 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:22.740 and we 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.319 thank you 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.039 for the 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.319 great 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:24.939 privilege 00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.539 of your 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:25.839 word. 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:26.960 We thank 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.199 you that 00:28:27.199 --> 00:28:27.379 it's 00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:27.639 living, 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.259 that you 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.799 brought 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.099 dead 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.519 things 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:31.039 to life 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.539 when you 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:31.899 speak. 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:32.879 You 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.139 brought 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.619 creation 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:33.960 out of 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.299 nothing 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.099 by your 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.480 words. 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.759 We ask 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.079 that you 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:37.699 would remind 00:28:37.699 --> 00:28:38.000 us of 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.279 that and 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.519 do it 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:38.919 again this 00:28:38.919 --> 00:28:39.199 morning, 00:28:39.439 --> 00:28:40.059 that your 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.679 word would 00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:40.980 be at 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.199 work 00:28:41.199 --> 00:28:41.819 powerfully 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.179 in our 00:28:42.179 --> 00:28:42.519 hearts, 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:42.799 in our 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.199 minds, 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.480 in our 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.899 lives, 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.099 that you 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:45.980 would bring 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.139 new life 00:28:47.139 --> 00:28:47.839 to us. 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.759 We ask 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.319 these things 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.799 in the mighty 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.240 name of 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.960 Jesus Christ. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.619 Amen. 00:28:53.699 --> 00:28:54.399 I invite 00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:54.939 you to stand 00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:55.279 for our 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.919 closing hymn.