WEBVTT

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 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, we are returning to the paragraph that we began last Sunday.

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 We'll finish it today.

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 And so let's read the whole paragraph together, though most of our focus is going to be on

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 verses 15 and 16.

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 Let's read the entire paragraph, beginning at verse 13.

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 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 13 to 16.

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 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you receive the word of God, which

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 you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but as what it really is,

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 the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

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 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God and Christ Jesus that are in Judea.

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 For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who

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 killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out and displeased God and oppose

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 all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved.

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 So as or with the result that they are always to fill up the measure of their sins.

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 Wrath has come upon them at last.

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 Well, as we said last week, there's two groups of people that are presented to us in this text.

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 Both groups of people share an immense privilege that many people actually do not experience

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 in their lifetime.

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 And it's this, everyone to which and about which Paul was writing in 1 Thessalonians had

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 at some point received the word of God.

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 They'd received the word of God.

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 And in the context of the passage that we just read, received refers to hearing a particular

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 message.

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 And that message, what he calls the word of God, is the good news of salvation through Jesus

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 Christ as it is revealed to us in the scriptures.

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 We call it the gospel, right?

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 So everybody to which he's writing and about which he's writing has received this message,

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 this gospel message from the word of God.

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 However, not everyone who receives the gospel, who receives the word of God, responds in the

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 same way.

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 As we discovered in our study of verse 13, some people, like the Christians in Thessalonica,

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 upon receiving the gospel of Jesus, accept it as Paul's word.

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 If you'll just set your eyes on verse 13 again.

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 When you receive the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it.

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 So this is in direct reference to the Christians in Thessalonica.

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 They accepted it.

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 That is, they welcomed it.

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 They believed it.

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 And so Paul offers his thanksgiving to God for this because he recognized that the conversion

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 of the Thessalonian believers ultimately was the result of God's work in them through the

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 preaching of the gospel message.

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 That's what he says, isn't it?

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 That you had accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of

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 God, the gospel, which is at work in you.

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 And we said that this work of God through the word of God continues in each believer so that

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 their faith that is established at their conversion then continues and perseveres even in the face

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 of serious suffering.

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 So in verses 13 and 14, we find that the word of God works.

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 It is at work to save sinners and to strengthen saints.

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 That was all last Sunday.

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 But there's another group that's represented and described in these verses as well.

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 Well, those who accept the gospel are represented in the text by the Thessalonian Christians.

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 Those who reject the gospel are portrayed here in these verses by the unbelieving Jews who

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 persecuted them.

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 That's the focus.

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 The end of verse 14 all the way to the end of the paragraph.

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 Just look at it with me once again.

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 He says at the end of verse 14, you became imitators of the churches of God and Christ Jesus

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 that are in Judea for you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did

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 from the Jews.

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 Countrymen here in this case is directly correlating to Jews.

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 So that while the Thessalonian Christians certainly endured suffering at the hands of unbelieving

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 Gentiles, the opposition against them was initiated, it was instigated, and it was continued by the

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 Jews in their city in particular.

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 And in this way, their experience and their perseverance imitated the Lord Jesus.

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 It imitated the prophets.

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 It imitated Paul and his team.

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 And of course, it imitated the other congregations in Judea.

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 Now, let me just show you from Acts 17.

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 Once again, that's Luke's record of the beginnings of the church in Thessalonica.

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 In Acts 17, verse 5, and then again in verse 13, it tells us this,

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 but the Jews were jealous and taking some wicked men of the rabble.

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 They formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason,

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 seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

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 And then a little bit later in verse 13, it says,

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 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also,

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 they came there too, agitating, stirring up the crowds there.

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 So Paul doesn't write to the Thessalonians, and he doesn't mean to say that all Christian persecution,

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 that every hardship that they faced came at the hands of the Jews.

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 He's just referencing in the beginnings of the church the historical reality of the fact

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 that what they were experiencing in their suffering was started and continued,

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 at least up to this point, specifically by unbelieving Jews,

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 who in Acts 17 were said to have been jealous over the conversion of some of the Thessalonican people.

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 And some people have looked at passages like this,

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 and they have used them to try to accuse Paul of being anti-Semitic.

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 But that's a weak argument when you really begin to understand what he means here,

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 and then of course, some of his other writings.

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 He wasn't putting the blame of all Christian persecution on the shoulders of the Jews.

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 He was using their historic involvement in such things as an example of those

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 who after hearing and receiving the Word of God even repeatedly,

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 continue to reject it, sometimes even vehemently, violently.

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 Their rejection of the gospel, their harm toward God's people,

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 led to greater and greater sin.

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 And Paul gives us an illustration here,

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 like a glass being continually filled with water.

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 Their rejection of God's Word eventually spills over.

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 And what does it spill over into?

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 The wrath of God.

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 So the Word of God that works to save sinners and strengthen saints in verses 13 and 14,

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 we're told in verses 15 and 16 is the same Word of God that works to condemn rebels.

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 They will ultimately be held accountable to God for their rejection of His Word.

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 So in contrast to the Thessalonians who accepted the gospel are the Jews who rejected it.

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 Now do you understand what I'm getting at there?

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 Why is it that Paul is writing this?

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 Why is he focused so much on the Jewish involvement in this persecution?

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 Well, one, because that was the reality of the persecution.

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 He's just being honest about what was happening.

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 There's more to it than that.

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 This is a picture here.

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 On one hand, we have those who receive the gospel and accept it.

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 They believe it.

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 They welcome it.

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 That's the Gentile believers there in Thessalonica.

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 But then on the other hand, we have those who receive the gospel.

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 They hear the Word of God preached over and over and over and over and over and over.

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 They reject it.

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 They're filling up their sins.

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 It's going to spill over eventually into wrath.

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 Paul is describing for us two groups of people.

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 Those who accept.

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 Those who reject.

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 And the fact of the matter is that each of us shares in the same exact privilege as they did.

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 So as we come to this text again for the second week in a row, the overarching question is very simple.

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 To which group do you belong?

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 We already know that you share in the privilege.

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 You've heard the gospel.

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 Most of us have heard it probably hundreds, maybe thousands of times in our lifetime.

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 You've heard the gospel.

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 Now what are you going to do with it?

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 Will you accept it?

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 You believe it.

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 You welcome it.

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 Or will you reject it?

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 Turn away from it.

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 And what I want to do this morning is actually quite simple with the end of this paragraph.

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 I just want to look at the scriptures to show the pattern and the result of hearing the gospel and yet continuing to reject it.

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 And then at the end I just want to draw three simple but important applications.

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 Okay?

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 You're going to look specifically at the pattern of the scripture with the Jews in particular.

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 Of hearing the gospel and rejecting it again and again.

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 What the result of that is.

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 And then at the very end we'll come back and we'll just make three simple and essential applications about it.

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 Okay?

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 So let's think about the word condemns the rebel.

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 The word condemns the rebel.

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 Look with me again at verses 15 and 16.

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 The Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out and displeased God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved.

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 So as always to fill up the measure of their sins.

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 That's that illustration.

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 And when it spills over what is it?

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 The wrath of God has come upon them.

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 The wrath of God has come upon them.

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 The progression of Paul's argument is simple enough to see.

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 First he recounts a series of hateful responses by unbelieving Jews beginning with Jesus' crucifixion.

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 He could have gone earlier than that.

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 Jesus goes earlier than that.

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 And we'll get to that in just a moment.

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 But in the case of this text Paul goes as far back as Jesus.

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 And he says they killed the Lord Jesus.

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 The crucifixion of Jesus.

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 And then he continues through a series of hateful violent responses to the gospel message and to God's people.

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 That culminates in this context in Thessalonica.

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 Leading all the way up to what they were experiencing even then.

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 That's the first thing he does in verse 15.

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 And then after he illustrates those incidents as I said as a glass being filled up.

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 You know what's the illustration about?

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 It's about anticipation.

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 I should have brought a pitcher of water and a glass with me this morning.

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 If you were to just slowly begin pouring water and glass or if you're ever watching your waiter refill your drink at the table and they get distracted while they're pouring your drink.

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 And you're just anticipating that any moment now is going to get to the top and it's going to spill over.

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 That's the point of the illustration.

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 That they are filling up in their rejection of the gospel.

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 In their sin.

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 They are filling up like a pitcher that's just pouring water in a glass.

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 It's getting fuller and fuller and fuller and fuller and eventually what's going to happen, the final thing, is it's going to spill over.

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 So he declares that the filling up of Israel's sins results in the pouring out of God's wrath against them.

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 And that final statement there in verse 16 when he says that God's wrath has come upon them at last.

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 It's a bit tricky, isn't it?

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 Until you remember that Paul is speaking prophetically.

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 There's a type of statement that can be unveiled in the original languages here.

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 We would call it a prophetic perfect, which essentially means Paul's speaking prophetically here.

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 Essentially what he means here is that the condemnation of the Jews as a people, right, for the rejection of the Messiah has already been inaugurated.

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 And it is going to be fulfilled ultimately at the final judgment.

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 That's what he means when he says the wrath has come upon them at last.

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 It's been inaugurated now as the gospel is going throughout the world.

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 God has turned his focus away from Israel and he's focused now on the world and the salvation of the world.

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 And this judgment from God will be made final.

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 It will come to its completion at the return of Christ.

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 So when Paul says this at the end of the passage, what he means is it's been inaugurated, but it's certain.

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 There's no question they will be condemned for their rejection.

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 So Israel in this illustration receives the word,

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 rejects the word,

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 and is ultimately judged by God according to the word that they have rejected.

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 Okay, you follow me?

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 With me.

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 That's the flow of argument here in verses 15 and 16.

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 Now let's think about the scandal of it.

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 The scandal of Israel's rejection of the gospel is magnified by the fact

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 that no group in history, in the history of humanity,

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 no group was more privileged and prepared to rejoice in God's Messiah than Israel.

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 Nobody was better prepared for it.

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 Nobody was more privileged to be ready for it, to receive it, to accept it than they were.

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 It was Israel that God called out to be the people through which he would display his glory in the fallen world,

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 beginning with Abraham and continuing on through the patriarchs to David and ultimately to Jesus.

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 It was to Israel that God gave his law and his very presence.

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 It was Israel that God preserved as a people over and over and over in spite of their sin and rebellion.

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 And supremely it was to Israel that God gave his very son, the Messiah, the Christ,

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 the serpent crusher from Genesis 3, 15,

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 the perfect lamb, spotless lamb pictured for Israel in the sacrifices that they would make at the temple

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 and the tabernacle all throughout their history.

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 The one that the prophets continually preached to them was coming,

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 all the promises, the covenants, everything God had promised.

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 He was sending this Messiah to and through Israel

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 in order that he might bring salvation to the world.

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 And yet despite this immense privilege on the whole as a group,

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 they routinely rejected God,

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 rejected his covenants,

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 and ultimately rejected his Messiah.

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 Isn't that what John means in John chapter 1 in that great prologue?

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 What is it that he says?

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 He came into his own,

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 his own in the Jews.

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 He came to his own,

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 and his own did not receive him.

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 They would not receive him.

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 Now, I want to read just a few verses from Romans chapter 9.

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 They're on the screen for you.

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 Notice what Paul says about it here.

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 And this is another thing that works against this claim that Paul was anti-Semitic.

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 He says,

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 I'm speaking the truth in Christ.

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 I'm not lying.

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 My conscience bears witness in the Holy Spirit

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 that I have great sorrow

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 and unceasing anguish in my heart.

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 For I could wish that I myself were accursed

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 and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,

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 my kinsmen according to the flesh.

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 They are Israelites.

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 And notice what he says.

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 To them belong the adoption.

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 God made them his own people.

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 The glory.

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 He gave them his presence.

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 The covenants.

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 He spoke to them his promises.

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 The giving of the law.

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 The worship.

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 The promises.

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 To them belongs the patriarchs.

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 From their race, according to the flesh,

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 is the Christ,

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 who is God over all,

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 blessed forever.

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 That's their privilege.

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 Over and over and over.

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 Israel heard the word of God.

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 Over and over and over.

00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:49.700
 They heard the promises of the Messiah.

00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:52.039
 And then they saw the Messiah.

00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.379
 And they killed him.

00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.720
 Then he rose from the dead.

00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:01.440
 And they rejected him still.

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:05.660
 Because of Israel's privilege,

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.860
 yet hardness of heart,

00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:11.279
 Jesus routinely warned them

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:13.200
 of the future wrath of God

00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.799
 if they would not repent and believe.

00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:18.220
 Even a cursory reading of the Gospels

00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:20.980
 will show that much of Jesus' interaction

00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.039
 with his own people,

00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.960
 especially in the days leading up

00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.660
 to his crucifixion and resurrection,

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:27.519
 was on this very topic.

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:29.980
 And I want to show you just one example

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:32.279
 that I think Paul is drawing from

00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.579
 when he writes this

00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.980
 in 1 Thessalonians 2.

00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.619
 In fact, why don't you turn with me there

00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:38.240
 to Matthew 23.

00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:42.619
 Matthew 23, verses 29 to 36.

00:18:42.619 --> 00:19:00.859
 Matthew 23, verse 29.

00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.500
 Jesus said, this is Jesus speaking,

00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:05.339
 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:09.039
 For you build the tombs of the prophets

00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:11.339
 and decorate the monuments of the righteous,

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.219
 saying this,

00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:15.199
 If we had lived in the days of our fathers,

00:19:15.479 --> 00:19:17.639
 we would not have taken part with them

00:19:17.639 --> 00:19:19.000
 in shedding the blood of the prophets.

00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:21.979
 So they recognized that their forefathers

00:19:21.979 --> 00:19:26.559
 killed the men that God sent to warn them.

00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.299
 And Jesus says,

00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:29.539
 You build these tombs for them

00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.379
 and you decorate them

00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:32.179
 and you make these festivals around them

00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:33.799
 and you acknowledge them, special days.

00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.239
 And then you say pridefully

00:19:35.239 --> 00:19:37.779
 that if we had lived at the time

00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.539
 that our fathers did,

00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:40.039
 we would have never done what they did.

00:19:40.419 --> 00:19:42.339
 And notice what Jesus says next.

00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:44.479
 Thus you witness against yourselves

00:19:44.479 --> 00:19:45.839
 that you are the sons of those

00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.759
 who murdered the prophets.

00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.939
 Now notice what he says.

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.139
 This is what Paul's drawing from.

00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.779
 Fill up then, he says,

00:19:52.199 --> 00:19:54.279
 the measure of your fathers.

00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.559
 You serpents,

00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:58.659
 brood of vipers,

00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:02.199
 how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?

00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:04.860
 Now notice what Jesus says.

00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:09.420
 Therefore, I am sending you prophets

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:13.140
 and wise men and scribes.

00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:14.480
 And here's what you're gonna do.

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:18.880
 Some of them you will kill and crucify.

00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:22.299
 Some you will flog in your synagogues

00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.880
 and persecute from town to town

00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:25.700
 so that on you may come

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:27.680
 all the righteous bloodshed on earth

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:29.820
 from the blood of the righteous Abel

00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:31.740
 to the blood of Zechariah,

00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:33.000
 the son of Berechiah,

00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.140
 whom you murdered

00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:35.940
 between the sanctuary and the altar.

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:38.180
 Truly I say to you,

00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.980
 all these things will come upon this generation.

00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.799
 So what is it that Jesus does?

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.960
 First he looks back

00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.779
 and he says,

00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:47.580
 look, this is what your forefathers did.

00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:49.700
 This is what Israel has always done, he says.

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.560
 He says, God sends you his people.

00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.660
 He sends you his messengers.

00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:54.100
 They preach the gospel to you.

00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:55.440
 They preach the word to you

00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.480
 and they killed them.

00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:58.480
 And now today you say

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.759
 that you would never do that.

00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:01.180
 So let me tell you what I'm gonna do.

00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:03.160
 I'm gonna send to you prophets

00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:05.500
 and wise men and scribes

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.900
 and you're gonna do to them

00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:09.460
 the same thing that your forefathers did

00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:11.779
 to the ones that God sent to them.

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.539
 That's what he says.

00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.420
 He is going to,

00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:19.200
 they are going to fill up to the brim

00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:21.860
 the measure of their father's sins.

00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:25.000
 These wise men and prophets and scribes

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.140
 verse 34,

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.980
 they're the apostles.

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:29.039
 The prophets,

00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:31.319
 the churches that Christ would use

00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:33.000
 to spread his gospel around the world

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.700
 and Jesus prophesied

00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.920
 that the Jews of his day

00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.920
 would continue filling up

00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.099
 the sins of their fathers

00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:40.079
 who killed the prophets

00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.940
 God sent to them

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.119
 and they will do it

00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.180
 by crucifixion,

00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.960
 by flogging,

00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:47.480
 by persecuting those he sins.

00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.119
 And what did Jesus say

00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:50.960
 would be the result

00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.960
 of this continued rejection

00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.779
 of his gospel

00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.579
 and of his people?

00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.460
 They will not, quote,

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:59.079
 escape being sentenced to hell.

00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.579
 This is what I think Paul is drawing from.

00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.720
 They receive the word,

00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.839
 Christ sends it to them.

00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.019
 They reject the word,

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.920
 they reject the prophets,

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.920
 wrath.

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.880
 And the end is,

00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.519
 the result,

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.259
 is hell.

00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:16.840
 Eternal hell.

00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.200
 Wrath.

00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:21.640
 Now it's not very long after this

00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:23.940
 that there was a man in Jerusalem

00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.860
 named Stephen

00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:27.900
 who preached this very gospel

00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.480
 in Jerusalem

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:30.060
 after Jesus rose from the den

00:22:30.060 --> 00:22:32.460
 and he was using the same themes

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.400
 as Jesus did.

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.840
 And at the very end of his sermon,

00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.720
 notice what Stephen says

00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.759
 in Acts chapter 7.

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.960
 You stiff-necked

00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.740
 people.

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.880
 He didn't mince words,

00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.180
 did he?

00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.500
 Now he's not just being a jerk.

00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.799
 That's Old Testament language

00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.839
 that God used

00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:50.140
 to condemn Israel

00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.319
 when they rebelled against them.

00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.660
 And what Stephen's doing here

00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.420
 is he's not just,

00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.420
 not just trying to be a jerk

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.759
 to them.

00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.660
 What he's doing

00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.660
 is he's drawing on

00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.420
 the parallels

00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.339
 from the Old Testament

00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.319
 from the sins

00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.960
 of their fathers.

00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:01.759
 And he says,

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.640
 you stiff-necked people,

00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.559
 uncircumcised

00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.119
 in heart and ears.

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.419
 You always resist

00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.139
 the Holy Spirit.

00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.159
 You keep doing it.

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.619
 As your fathers did,

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.339
 so do you.

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.539
 And which of the prophets

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.240
 did your fathers

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.099
 not persecute?

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.440
 They killed those

00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.519
 who announced beforehand

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.960
 the coming of the righteous one

00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:18.099
 whom you have now

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.519
 betrayed and murdered.

00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:21.259
 Now notice what he says.

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:23.480
 You who received the law

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:26.019
 as delivered by angels

00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.940
 and did not keep it.

00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.399
 Now notice that last part again.

00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:32.039
 They received the law,

00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.879
 the word of God,

00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:34.140
 but they did not keep it.

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.420
 Or in the language

00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.840
 of 1 Thessalonians 2,

00:23:37.040 --> 00:23:38.640
 they did not accept it.

00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.620
 That sermon itself

00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.180
 by Stephen,

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.800
 it was another

00:23:42.800 --> 00:23:44.580
 gracious opportunity

00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:46.020
 for the Jews present

00:23:46.020 --> 00:23:47.860
 to turn from their sin

00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.720
 and unbelief

00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.100
 to trust Christ.

00:23:51.020 --> 00:23:51.460
 But do you know

00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.980
 what they did?

00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:56.760
 They murdered Stephen instead.

00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.800
 Doing just as Jesus

00:23:59.800 --> 00:24:00.960
 prophesied they would do.

00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:01.420
 He said,

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.480
 I'm going to send you prophets.

00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.400
 You're going to have

00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.319
 more opportunities

00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:06.440
 to respond to the gospel message.

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.319
 And God sends them

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.900
 and they hear the message

00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:11.099
 and they remain hardened

00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.779
 in their heart

00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.599
 to the message.

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.720
 And they kill God's prophet.

00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:19.460
 But just as an aside here,

00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.799
 if you need a ray of hope,

00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:23.319
 there was another present

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:25.240
 who is said to have been

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:27.539
 consenting to Stephen's murder

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.299
 in that moment.

00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:30.919
 later he would repent

00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:31.539
 and believe.

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:34.119
 His name was Saul.

00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:36.139
 We know him as Paul,

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:39.359
 the author of 1 Thessalonians.

00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.859
 Now can we just say,

00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.359
 if you were to look

00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:43.960
 at that crowd,

00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.059
 based on what we understand

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.879
 the scriptures to say,

00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.379
 if you were to look

00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.379
 at that crowd that day,

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.919
 of the people

00:24:47.919 --> 00:24:49.799
 that were stoning Stephen

00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:51.240
 and consenting to this murder,

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:54.339
 and you were to point out one

00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.160
 and say there's no way

00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.099
 that person will ever

00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.819
 turn to Christ,

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.539
 Saul's probably the one

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.079
 you'd point to.

00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.900
 He was a murderer.

00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:05.660
 He thought on behalf of God

00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.759
 he was doing God a favor

00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:08.620
 by actually putting to death

00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:10.620
 and imprisoning Christians

00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.380
 who believed

00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.420
 like Stephen believed.

00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.500
 And all of us probably

00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.120
 would look at him

00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.420
 and say there's no way.

00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.380
 There's no way

00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:16.940
 he'd ever turn.

00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.819
 And yet he's the one

00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.339
 who turns.

00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:20.240
 And here in 1 Thessalonians 2

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:22.139
 he's reflecting on all of this.

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.980
 But of course being underscored

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.619
 by the gospel.

00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.799
 And so maybe there's somebody

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.399
 in your life

00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:28.220
 and you've proclaimed

00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:28.879
 to the gospel

00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:31.039
 to them hundreds of times maybe.

00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:32.379
 And they keep rejecting

00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.299
 and they keep rejecting

00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.099
 and they keep rejecting.

00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.839
 Don't stop proclaiming.

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.139
 Don't stop.

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:40.679
 If Paul will turn,

00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:42.919
 if God can transform him,

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.480
 surely he can transform

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.879
 your kids and your parents

00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:46.779
 and your co-workers

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.579
 and your friends

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.960
 and the people that you love

00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.740
 that are so hardened

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.539
 to the gospel now,

00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:52.480
 just keep giving them the word.

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.579
 Isn't that what we learned

00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:55.059
 last week in 13 and 14?

00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:57.139
 That God works through the word.

00:25:57.419 --> 00:25:58.019
 So what is it

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.059
 that is our responsibility?

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.379
 Give the word.

00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.740
 Give the word.

00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.839
 Give the gospel.

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.960
 That's what God uses.

00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.359
 Just keep doing it.

00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.799
 Just keep praying.

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.819
 Perhaps what you have

00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:10.119
 is a song

00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:12.240
 and God is prepared

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:14.359
 to transform them soon enough.

00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:17.259
 Now back to 1 Thessalonians 2.

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:20.519
 What's Paul's point

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.460
 in saying all of this

00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.539
 to the Thessalonians?

00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.759
 What's the point

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:26.019
 in us taking so much time

00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.000
 to think about it now?

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.519
 Again,

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.019
 it's to show Israel

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:33.619
 as the supreme example

00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:35.579
 of receiving the gospel,

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.379
 the word of God,

00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:39.460
 yet continually rejecting

00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.240
 that truth

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:43.000
 through willful hardness of heart.

00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:46.660
 it's a warning for us

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.940
 not to be like them.

00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.779
 Now give me your attention.

00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.019
 If you don't listen

00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.579
 to anything else,

00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.240
 listen to this.

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.539
 Give me your eyes.

00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.119
 Old and young,

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.640
 teenagers,

00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.039
 listen to what I'm telling you.

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.960
 This is a warning

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.160
 not to be like Israel.

00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:08.060
 Some of you

00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:10.360
 are dangerously close

00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:12.660
 to being like Israel.

00:27:16.040 --> 00:27:17.920
 Israel isn't the only privileged people

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.620
 in this sense.

00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.200
 Every Sunday,

00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.660
 there are people

00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:24.040
 who sit in worship services

00:27:24.040 --> 00:27:24.759
 like this one

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.800
 where the gospel of Jesus

00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:26.500
 is proclaimed

00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.160
 through preaching,

00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:29.259
 it's praised through song,

00:27:29.540 --> 00:27:30.480
 it's displayed

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.160
 through ordinances,

00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.740
 ordinances,

00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:33.140
 yet they continue

00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.820
 to reject

00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.600
 what they've been

00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:36.660
 so privileged to receive

00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:38.220
 so many times.

00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:40.620
 And it's real easy

00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.560
 to look at the Bible

00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.080
 and say,

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:42.980
 how could Israel

00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.860
 be so stupid

00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:46.259
 after all of that

00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:48.360
 and over and over,

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.259
 after all that privilege

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.220
 to still reject it

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.980
 and yet there's people

00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.800
 who sit in churches

00:27:52.800 --> 00:27:54.100
 like this every Sunday

00:27:54.100 --> 00:27:55.600
 and they hear the gospel

00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.440
 every Sunday

00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.960
 over and over

00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.279
 and over and over

00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.720
 and they continue

00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.500
 to reject it.

00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:04.079
 They will not respond

00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:06.059
 in repentance and faith.

00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.600
 And here's the question.

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.600
 Is that you?

00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:11.839
 Is it you?

00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.380
 Because if it is,

00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:18.360
 you can appropriately

00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:19.259
 read yourself

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.279
 into this text here.

00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.980
 You are filling up

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.980
 the measure of your sins

00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.880
 and unbelief

00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:27.740
 which will eventually

00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.880
 spill over

00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:32.480
 resulting in the eternal wrath

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:34.360
 of the Almighty God.

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:37.220
 The Word of God

00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.860
 that you now reject

00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:41.560
 that can save your soul

00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:44.260
 is the same Word

00:28:44.260 --> 00:28:45.240
 that will condemn you

00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.780
 in the end.

00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:48.180
 And what a shame

00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.720
 it will have been

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:51.380
 to have heard

00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.360
 the gospel message

00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.960
 so often

00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:55.380
 and still be condemned

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:55.960
 in the end.

00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.580
 But it's a faith

00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.380
 that you don't have

00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.020
 to accept.

00:29:03.780 --> 00:29:05.040
 There is hope for you

00:29:05.040 --> 00:29:06.600
 now.

00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.920
 Can I just read

00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.600
 to you Romans 3?

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:09.800
 In fact,

00:29:10.020 --> 00:29:10.680
 why don't you turn

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.140
 with me there?

00:29:11.520 --> 00:29:11.940
 Turn with me

00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:13.260
 to Romans chapter 3.

00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:21.140
 Romans 3.

00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.839
 Maybe you know

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.920
 this passage well.

00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.299
 Romans chapter 3

00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.059
 verse 19.

00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.940
 Now we know

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.440
 that whatever

00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.579
 the law says

00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:42.319
 it speaks to those

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.279
 who are under the law

00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:45.379
 so that every mouth

00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.259
 may be stopped

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:48.179
 and the whole world

00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:49.220
 may be held accountable

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.720
 to God.

00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.379
 Now what's Paul saying?

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.439
 He's saying nobody's

00:29:53.439 --> 00:29:54.119
 without excuse.

00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.500
 He's saying if you're

00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.179
 a Jew

00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:57.980
 or you have received

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.319
 the law

00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.240
 or you've had opportunity

00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.359
 you'll be condemned

00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.159
 by that very law.

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.619
 It's the point

00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.480
 that we're making

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.480
 from 1 Thessalonians

00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.759
 chapter 2 as well.

00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.919
 That you will be held by it.

00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:08.539
 You'll be held accountable

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.059
 to it.

00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.599
 And every mouth

00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.139
 will be stopped.

00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.000
 Every mouth will be

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.579
 accountable to God.

00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.059
 Verse 20.

00:30:15.159 --> 00:30:15.659
 He acknowledges

00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.579
 by works of the law

00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.399
 no human being

00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.240
 will be justified

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.399
 since it's through

00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:19.819
 the law

00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:21.200
 that comes the knowledge

00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.539
 of sin.

00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:22.119
 In other words

00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:23.359
 if Israel

00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:25.119
 couldn't do it

00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.079
 through the law

00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.519
 what hope do we have?

00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.519
 What hope do we have?

00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.559
 And the answer is

00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.480
 before you get to verse 20

00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:32.240
 you don't have any hope.

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.619
 You don't have any.

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.639
 On your own

00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:36.859
 you have no hope.

00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:38.979
 Oh but verse 20

00:30:38.979 --> 00:30:41.039
 or 21

00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.259
 it comes into play

00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.879
 for us so helpfully

00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.219
 doesn't it?

00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.979
 But now

00:30:43.979 --> 00:30:44.679
 the righteousness

00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:45.659
 of God

00:30:45.659 --> 00:30:47.879
 has been revealed

00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:48.979
 apart from the law.

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.299
 Even though the law

00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:50.879
 and the prophets

00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:52.039
 testify to it

00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:53.319
 it's the righteousness

00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.079
 of God

00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:55.799
 through faith

00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.299
 in Jesus Christ

00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.359
 for all who believe.

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.179
 For there's no distinction.

00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.399
 All have sinned

00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.920
 and fall short

00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.860
 of the glory of God

00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:05.600
 and all are justified

00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:06.600
 by His grace

00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.240
 as a gift

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:09.100
 through the redemption

00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:10.640
 that is in Christ Jesus

00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:13.420
 whom God put forward

00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.620
 as a propitiation

00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.580
 by His blood

00:31:15.580 --> 00:31:16.960
 to be received

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.640
 by faith.

00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.440
 This was to show

00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.380
 God's righteousness

00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:22.580
 because in His divine

00:31:22.580 --> 00:31:23.259
 forbearance

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.040
 He passed over

00:31:24.040 --> 00:31:24.800
 former sins.

00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.940
 It was to show

00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.560
 His righteousness

00:31:26.560 --> 00:31:27.840
 at this present time

00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:29.620
 so that He might be just

00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:31.579
 in that He has condemned sin

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.899
 through Christ

00:31:32.899 --> 00:31:34.799
 and He might be

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.799
 the justifier

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:37.099
 of the one

00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:38.079
 who has faith

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.319
 in Jesus Christ.

00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.279
 Now this is where

00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:41.299
 your hope comes in.

00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.479
 This is the gospel message

00:31:43.479 --> 00:31:46.159
 that we're all broken

00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:47.059
 we're all sinners

00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:49.239
 we're all rebels

00:31:49.239 --> 00:31:50.579
 that deserve to be condemned

00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.599
 by the very word

00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.819
 that we have rejected

00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:55.059
 and yet Christ

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:56.459
 in the fullness of time

00:31:56.459 --> 00:31:57.299
 as we're thinking

00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:58.139
 about all month

00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.559
 Christ in the fullness

00:31:59.559 --> 00:31:59.980
 of time

00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:01.059
 was sent by the Father

00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.819
 born under the law

00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:04.200
 to redeem those of us

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.179
 who are under the law.

00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.259
 Why?

00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:08.779
 So that He might make us

00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.700
 adopted

00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:11.179
 so that we might receive

00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:11.679
 the adoption

00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:12.940
 and how do we receive that?

00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.980
 Well it's not because

00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.919
 you go to church

00:32:14.919 --> 00:32:16.500
 it's not because you give

00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:18.119
 it's not because you do

00:32:18.119 --> 00:32:19.539
 the charitable work

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:20.039
 that you do

00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:21.399
 it's not because you go Friday

00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:22.859
 to Operation Christmas Child

00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:23.339
 and fill out

00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.519
 fill out Christmas boxes

00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.099
 it's not that

00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.799
 it's all about

00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:27.519
 faith in Christ.

00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:29.819
 Christ has done it

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:31.519
 He's done it for you

00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:33.539
 this is the message

00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.539
 that the Jews rejected

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.639
 this is the message

00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.680
 that you must accept

00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:38.579
 you must accept it

00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.319
 and why wouldn't you?

00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:40.940
 Why wouldn't you?

00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.799
 Come to Christ

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:44.460
 trust in Him

00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:46.400
 what He's done for us

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.119
 on the cross

00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.980
 Romans 3 is said

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.200
 to be a propitiation

00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:53.620
 it has appeased

00:32:53.620 --> 00:32:55.279
 the wrath of God

00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:58.600
 that 1 Thessalonians 2 says

00:32:58.600 --> 00:32:59.940
 has come upon the Jews

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:01.120
 who continue to reject

00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:01.779
 the Christ

00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:04.220
 but in Romans 3

00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:06.200
 whether you're a Jew or not

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:08.480
 it has appeased

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.340
 the wrath of God

00:33:09.340 --> 00:33:11.240
 if you will just

00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.120
 come to Christ

00:33:12.120 --> 00:33:13.039
 and believe it

00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:14.299
 isn't that amazing?

00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:16.839
 if you're alive

00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.899
 and breathing right now

00:33:17.899 --> 00:33:19.200
 it's not too late

00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.700
 to repent

00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.599
 and accept the good news

00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:21.019
 of Jesus

00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:22.700
 it's not too late

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:24.919
 how long

00:33:24.919 --> 00:33:25.759
 you've rejected Him

00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:27.639
 or even harmed His people

00:33:27.639 --> 00:33:28.839
 or prevented others

00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.619
 from hearing the gospel

00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:30.339
 doesn't matter

00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:31.379
 doesn't matter

00:33:31.379 --> 00:33:33.539
 if you come to Him

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.059
 in faith

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:35.460
 at this moment

00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:35.859
 now

00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:38.339
 you will receive

00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:38.859
 nothing

00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:40.639
 but mercy

00:33:40.639 --> 00:33:42.039
 mercy

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:43.180
 through Christ

00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.560
 this is why

00:33:44.560 --> 00:33:45.500
 we call it a gospel

00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:47.740
 because it really is

00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:48.880
 good news

00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:50.620
 it's the best news

00:33:50.620 --> 00:33:53.160
 oh don't reject it

00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:55.340
 come to Him for it

00:33:55.340 --> 00:33:56.380
 now

00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:57.100
 let's just finish

00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:57.600
 with three

00:33:57.600 --> 00:33:59.100
 essential applications

00:33:59.100 --> 00:34:00.400
 from 1 Thessalonians 2

00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.720
 it's really just a summary

00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.600
 of what we've already said

00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:04.460
 first thing is this

00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:06.519
 the opportunity

00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.960
 to respond to the gospel

00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:09.639
 is now

00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:11.220
 it's now

00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:14.179
 we live in a time

00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.699
 of God's patience

00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.459
 and grace

00:34:16.459 --> 00:34:17.079
 don't we

00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:20.339
 the fact that you're here

00:34:20.339 --> 00:34:20.859
 today

00:34:20.859 --> 00:34:23.339
 is a testament

00:34:23.339 --> 00:34:24.819
 of God's

00:34:24.819 --> 00:34:25.739
 gracious

00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.679
 merciful work

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.259
 in your life

00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.399
 you're here

00:34:28.399 --> 00:34:29.399
 you hear the gospel again

00:34:29.399 --> 00:34:32.019
 oh that's His goodness

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.919
 at work

00:34:32.919 --> 00:34:33.699
 in your life

00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:36.159
 now is the opportunity

00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:36.959
 to respond

00:34:36.959 --> 00:34:38.559
 don't be like Israel

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.259
 don't refuse

00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:40.059
 every opportunity

00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.759
 to be saved

00:34:40.759 --> 00:34:41.559
 the time of judgment

00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.900
 has not yet come

00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:44.400
 now is the time

00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.259
 to receive mercy

00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.900
 and grace

00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:47.880
 that's what Paul writes

00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:48.799
 to the church in Corinth

00:34:48.799 --> 00:34:51.019
 behold now is the favorable time

00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:53.340
 now is the day of salvation

00:34:53.340 --> 00:34:54.739
 don't wait

00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:56.940
 second

00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:59.579
 there is an end

00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:01.019
 to God's patience

00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.719
 toward those

00:35:01.719 --> 00:35:02.699
 who reject His word

00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:05.840
 there's an end

00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:08.519
 it's a determined end

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:10.980
 decisive end

00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:14.519
 you may feel at ease

00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.519
 in the moment

00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:19.820
 but judgment really is coming

00:35:19.820 --> 00:35:24.099
 the glass just keeps filling up

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:26.059
 eventually

00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:28.119
 it will spill over

00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:31.519
 and all who refuse the gospel

00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.719
 will face God's wrath

00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:35.139
 and no one

00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:35.779
 who's in this room

00:35:35.779 --> 00:35:36.319
 this morning

00:35:36.319 --> 00:35:38.079
 will be able to stand

00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:38.659
 before God

00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:39.059
 and say

00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:40.199
 well nobody told me

00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:43.259
 you'll be held accountable

00:35:43.259 --> 00:35:44.239
 to the very word

00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:44.980
 that you hear now

00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:47.039
 so

00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:48.139
 now's the time

00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.679
 to respond

00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:50.439
 don't wait

00:35:50.439 --> 00:35:51.099
 because judgment

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.099
 does eventually come

00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:53.819
 now

00:35:53.819 --> 00:35:54.779
 for those of you

00:35:54.779 --> 00:35:55.519
 who are Christians

00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:58.219
 let's not forget

00:35:58.219 --> 00:35:59.119
 that this whole

00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:00.099
 section

00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:00.859
 in this paragraph

00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.900
 that flows out

00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.900
 of the Thessalonians

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:05.059
 suffering for the gospel

00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:06.200
 that's the context

00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:06.559
 isn't it

00:36:06.559 --> 00:36:07.120
 Paul goes on

00:36:07.120 --> 00:36:08.019
 this little digression

00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:08.900
 here as he's presenting

00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:10.099
 to us the differences

00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:11.059
 between the two groups

00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:11.579
 we have those

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.280
 who accept the word

00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.260
 and those who reject it

00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:13.860
 so let's return

00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.680
 to that first thought

00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:15.700
 for those who accept it

00:36:15.700 --> 00:36:17.059
 what was their experience

00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:18.820
 suffering

00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:20.539
 suffering

00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.640
 hardship

00:36:21.640 --> 00:36:24.740
 which is a reminder

00:36:24.740 --> 00:36:25.099
 to us

00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.420
 that to be a Christian

00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:28.120
 what it means

00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:30.699
 is to see

00:36:30.699 --> 00:36:31.420
 the supreme

00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.500
 value

00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:33.359
 of Christ

00:36:33.359 --> 00:36:35.400
 over everything else

00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:37.880
 even your very life

00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:39.960
 isn't that the testimony

00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:41.099
 of the Thessalonians

00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:42.960
 they willingly

00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:44.159
 endured

00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:44.900
 the suffering

00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.319
 why

00:36:45.319 --> 00:36:46.519
 because they saw

00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:47.179
 Christ

00:36:47.179 --> 00:36:47.960
 and his gospel

00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:49.239
 as far more valuable

00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:50.500
 than even their own lives

00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.719
 and their own comfort

00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:54.159
 isn't this what Jesus

00:36:54.159 --> 00:36:54.679
 says

00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:55.279
 in the parables

00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:55.839
 of the kingdom

00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.760
 when he says

00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.360
 that the kingdom

00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:58.460
 is like

00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.360
 a man

00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:00.559
 who's walking

00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.140
 through the field

00:37:01.140 --> 00:37:02.140
 and he finds a treasure

00:37:02.140 --> 00:37:04.079
 that's of incalculable value

00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:05.380
 and he goes

00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:05.800
 and he sells

00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:06.780
 everything that he has

00:37:06.780 --> 00:37:08.059
 to buy that land

00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.760
 in order that he can

00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:09.620
 have that treasure

00:37:09.620 --> 00:37:10.760
 Jesus says

00:37:10.760 --> 00:37:11.780
 that's what I'm like

00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:13.680
 I'm the treasure

00:37:13.680 --> 00:37:14.340
 in the field

00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:15.760
 I'm more valuable

00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:16.780
 than anything else

00:37:16.780 --> 00:37:18.400
 what I offer you

00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:19.079
 is more valuable

00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:19.579
 than anything

00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:20.180
 you might try

00:37:20.180 --> 00:37:20.820
 to hold on to

00:37:20.820 --> 00:37:21.420
 in this life

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:23.640
 we understand that

00:37:23.640 --> 00:37:24.100
 as believers

00:37:24.100 --> 00:37:24.579
 don't we

00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.559
 that's the work

00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:26.119
 of the word

00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:27.239
 at work in us

00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:28.319
 not only at conversion

00:37:28.319 --> 00:37:29.059
 but that's why

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.980
 we keep coming back

00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.519
 to the gospel

00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:30.980
 isn't it

00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.900
 because when things

00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:32.500
 are hard

00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:33.279
 whether it be

00:37:33.279 --> 00:37:34.079
 through persecution

00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:34.799
 and suffering

00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.319
 at the hands

00:37:35.319 --> 00:37:35.960
 of unbelievers

00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:37.119
 or maybe it's just

00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:38.079
 the result of life

00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:38.980
 in a fallen world

00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:40.239
 we get sick

00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:41.980
 and we have pain

00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:43.860
 and we lose people

00:37:43.860 --> 00:37:44.400
 we love

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:45.559
 death awaits

00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.319
 all of us

00:37:46.319 --> 00:37:48.099
 this life is hard

00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:50.420
 every day is hard

00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:51.239
 in some way

00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:51.779
 and some of you

00:37:51.779 --> 00:37:52.380
 know that

00:37:52.380 --> 00:37:53.299
 even more than

00:37:53.299 --> 00:37:54.299
 than others

00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:55.500
 you experience

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.080
 it every day

00:37:56.080 --> 00:37:57.160
 why do we keep

00:37:57.160 --> 00:37:57.620
 coming back

00:37:57.620 --> 00:37:58.180
 to the gospel

00:37:58.180 --> 00:37:59.019
 as God's people

00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.280
 because in the pain

00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:01.120
 and in the suffering

00:38:01.120 --> 00:38:01.880
 and in the persecution

00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.780
 we're reminded

00:38:02.780 --> 00:38:03.680
 that Christ

00:38:03.680 --> 00:38:04.800
 is far more valuable

00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:05.560
 than any comfort

00:38:05.560 --> 00:38:06.539
 I might receive now

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.860
 he's just better

00:38:07.860 --> 00:38:09.240
 and I can endure it

00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:10.340
 because he's good

00:38:10.340 --> 00:38:11.640
 and he's gracious

00:38:11.640 --> 00:38:13.800
 and he's gonna bring me home

00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:16.039
 and when it brings me home

00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:18.780
 I'll never have this pain again

00:38:18.780 --> 00:38:20.720
 I'm never gonna have

00:38:20.720 --> 00:38:21.660
 the sorrow again

00:38:21.660 --> 00:38:23.460
 I'll never have to face

00:38:23.460 --> 00:38:24.179
 death again

00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:26.460
 I'll never be broken again

00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:28.519
 he really is better

00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.740
 Christians know that

00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.780
 which is why

00:38:30.780 --> 00:38:32.039
 when we do face suffering

00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:33.619
 the word of God

00:38:33.619 --> 00:38:34.659
 keeps working in us

00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.199
 to do what?

00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:37.400
 Causes us to persevere

00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:39.940
 isn't that the point

00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:41.139
 for the Thessalonians?

00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:41.840
 Isn't that why

00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:42.860
 Paul's thanking God?

00:38:43.240 --> 00:38:43.780
 I thank God

00:38:43.780 --> 00:38:44.820
 that you've done this work

00:38:44.820 --> 00:38:46.320
 in the Thessalonian Christians

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:46.659
 God

00:38:46.659 --> 00:38:47.699
 through your word

00:38:47.699 --> 00:38:49.319
 what work?

00:38:50.219 --> 00:38:51.139
 Persevering work

00:38:51.139 --> 00:38:54.559
 that is based on the gospel

00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:56.039
 so what do we learn

00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:56.839
 from that as Christians?

00:38:57.779 --> 00:38:58.199
 Oh Christian

00:38:58.199 --> 00:38:58.919
 we need the gospel

00:38:58.919 --> 00:38:59.500
 every day

00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:02.059
 every day

00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:04.179
 you need the gospel

00:39:04.179 --> 00:39:07.079
 can you just close

00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:08.779
 with reading a section

00:39:08.779 --> 00:39:09.799
 from Romans 8

00:39:09.799 --> 00:39:13.559
 take this as an encouragement

00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.099
 Christian

00:39:14.099 --> 00:39:16.799
 that those whom he predestined

00:39:16.799 --> 00:39:18.419
 he also called

00:39:18.419 --> 00:39:20.460
 those whom he called

00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:21.719
 he also justified

00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:23.919
 those whom he justified

00:39:23.919 --> 00:39:25.679
 he also glorified

00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:27.799
 and what then shall we say

00:39:27.799 --> 00:39:28.579
 to these things?

00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:31.440
 if God is for us

00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:33.900
 who can be against us?

00:39:35.699 --> 00:39:38.559
 He who did not spare

00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:39.719
 his own son

00:39:39.719 --> 00:39:41.679
 but gave him up

00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.500
 for us all

00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:44.500
 how will he not also

00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:45.619
 with him graciously

00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:47.719
 give us all things?

00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:50.199
 Who shall bring a charge

00:39:50.199 --> 00:39:51.279
 against God's elect?

00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:53.539
 It's God who justifies

00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:55.759
 who is to condemn us?

00:39:56.259 --> 00:39:57.539
 Christ Jesus is the one

00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.139
 who died

00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:59.539
 more than that

00:39:59.539 --> 00:40:00.420
 who was raised

00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:02.219
 who is at the right hand of God

00:40:02.219 --> 00:40:04.980
 who indeed is interceding for us

00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:07.559
 and who shall separate us

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:08.539
 from the love of Christ?

00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:10.839
 Shall tribulation

00:40:10.839 --> 00:40:12.219
 or distress

00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:13.920
 or persecution

00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:15.599
 or famine

00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:17.599
 or nakedness

00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:18.839
 or danger

00:40:18.839 --> 00:40:19.980
 or sword?

00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:21.400
 No

00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:23.599
 in all of these things

00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:25.379
 we are more than conquerors

00:40:25.379 --> 00:40:27.739
 through him who loves us

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:33.219
 for I am sure

00:40:33.219 --> 00:40:35.319
 that neither death

00:40:35.319 --> 00:40:36.119
 nor life

00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:37.899
 nor angels

00:40:37.899 --> 00:40:39.659
 nor rulers

00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:41.699
 nor things present

00:40:41.699 --> 00:40:43.399
 nor things to come

00:40:43.399 --> 00:40:45.099
 nor powers

00:40:45.099 --> 00:40:45.699
 nor height

00:40:45.699 --> 00:40:46.299
 nor depth

00:40:46.299 --> 00:40:47.239
 nor anything else

00:40:47.239 --> 00:40:48.059
 in all creation

00:40:48.059 --> 00:40:49.119
 none of it

00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:50.599
 will be able to separate us

00:40:50.599 --> 00:40:51.799
 from the love of God

00:40:51.799 --> 00:40:53.439
 in Christ Jesus

00:40:53.439 --> 00:40:54.739
 our Lord

00:40:54.739 --> 00:40:56.179
 into that we say

00:40:56.179 --> 00:40:57.099
 Amen

00:40:57.099 --> 00:40:57.619
 Amen

00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:57.619


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