WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.800 Shall we pray? Lord, thank you for your word and for this wonderful book of Romans that we've been walking our way through over these past few weeks. 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:24.500 ! And as we come to this passage that Deb's just read for us, a real mountain top. Help us to grasp the implications of what you have written for us. 00:00:24.500 --> 00:00:34.120 That we might walk out of here as we've already been singing and praying today, knowing that nothing can separate us from your love. 00:00:34.120 --> 00:00:42.039 Help us to know what that love is and help us to put that in the context of all that's going on in our lives. And may that give us hope. 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:47.140 So Holy Spirit, we continue to speak to us, we pray. Amen. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:47.240 Amen. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:58.640 I wonder if you are going through anything tough at the moment. 00:00:59.800 --> 00:01:07.900 It's probably a silly question because I know that at many different levels there are difficulties in life. 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:16.600 And those difficulties can make us feel like God has abandoned us. He's forgotten us. 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:26.380 Or perhaps even we might start concluding, well, is there some way in which he's punishing us for these things that are going on in my life? 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:37.359 Now, as we've walked our way through Romans, we heard that the Apostle Paul, who writes this letter to the Christians in Rome, 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:41.500 he, if you remember right at the beginning, and if you weren't here, don't worry, 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:49.840 he attributes much of our suffering to this power that's at work in the world, the power of sin. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:02:00.159 And if you remember, and if you don't, don't worry, he paints this picture of a sort of downward spiral that's created by godlessness and wickedness. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:05.859 And that downward spiral, a bit like a tornado, sweeps everything into its grasp. 00:02:06.540 --> 00:02:16.520 And so we both become victims to it, and we also start contributing to some of the damage, death, and destruction that it causes. 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:26.780 And as Liz amazingly prayed already today, we experience these as wolves on a global scale, 00:02:27.100 --> 00:02:33.300 whether it's war, whether it's the climate crisis, whether it's the effects of greed and poverty, 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:40.800 or perhaps more personally, we experience something of it in illnesses, broken relationships, 00:02:41.540 --> 00:02:43.580 perhaps even the death of a loved one. 00:02:44.900 --> 00:02:46.120 God, where are you? 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:51.060 Why should you allow such things to happen? 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:59.140 Now, I'm not going to pretend that in 20 minutes' time you're going to come up with, 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:06.640 I'm going to give you all the answers that seal and make such complex and difficult questions, 00:03:07.040 --> 00:03:11.000 mysterious questions in many ways, all straightforward and simple, you know, sealed up. 00:03:11.100 --> 00:03:13.280 You're going to walk away, no problem. 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:19.740 However, I do believe that with the help of this passage in Romans 8, 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:27.280 it will help us all experience, frame the way that those experiences are interpreted. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:35.140 Because what it does is it talks about our suffering in the light of biblical hope. 00:03:35.139 --> 00:03:41.779 And I think that will lead us to leave here all feeling more hopeful. 00:03:41.780 --> 00:03:45.240 So let's talk about this word hope. 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:54.379 Now, we often use this word hope in sort of common English in the same way that we might use the word luck, don't we? 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:58.900 Oh, I hope I hope I win the lottery or I hope the weather gets cooler or something like that. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:06.000 There's this strong element of sort of probability or chance in the way that we use the word hope. 00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:10.379 But in the Bible, the word hope is much more solid. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:16.639 It is what is promised by God, even if we can't see it yet. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:23.319 In fact, in the middle of the passage that we just heard read, Paul says that if we can see it, 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:25.159 then actually we're not talking about hope anymore. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:30.439 But hope is waiting for something that is coming, yet we don't have fully yet. 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:36.480 So what is it that Christians hope for? 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:40.000 What is it that God promises that we are waiting for? 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:43.500 Something that is going to happen, but we don't yet see fully. 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:50.860 Now, I'm about to say something that might feel quite controversial to many of you. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:52.180 So I'm warning you here. 00:04:52.819 --> 00:04:57.120 Because for generations, particularly in the Christian West, 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:01.280 we've bought into a narrative about future hope 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:08.680 that actually does not do full justice to what the Bible says more fully about what God has in store for us. 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:11.579 Okay, I'll summarise it. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:15.620 You can take a gasp breath when I say that's not the hope. 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:16.800 Okay, and then I'll explore it. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:23.939 Okay, so for many, the hope of a Christian is that my soul will be taken to heaven when I die. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:29.219 Now, I'm saying that is not a very good description of Christian hope. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:30.800 A few shock faces. 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:34.959 At best, that is a half-truth. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:41.279 At worst, that is a serious distortion of the hope that God actually gives us. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:45.139 And so unless we realign ourselves or are prepared to realign ourselves 00:05:45.139 --> 00:05:47.879 to relearn what we're actually hoping for, 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:51.879 passages like Romans actually don't make any sense. 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:57.279 And it very much limits our sense on what our life on earth is actually about, 00:05:57.899 --> 00:05:59.339 including our sufferings. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:05.519 So, let me try and explain what true biblical hope is. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:09.199 And as we have that hope in our lives, 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:10.579 if that's the thing we're looking forward to, 00:06:10.779 --> 00:06:13.279 we are much more likely to experience peace 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:16.659 and to be able to persevere in this life, 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:18.159 to suffer well, if you like. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:22.920 So, let me have a go at summarising what I think biblical hope is. 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:30.140 The hope of a Christian is that God is coming in his full glory 00:06:30.140 --> 00:06:36.020 to dwell with us in a restored, in a redeemed creation. 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:41.000 Christian hope is heaven coming to earth. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:44.480 It's the hope of a renewed earth 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:46.620 where there will be no more pain, 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:48.060 no more sin, 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:49.399 no more death. 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:54.459 Now, do you notice straight away how that is different 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:57.639 from this idea that after death, 00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:00.980 we're looking forward to this sort of disembodied existence 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:02.600 on a cloud with our hearts? 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:03.740 Now, I'm being very pejorative, 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:05.920 but that's what is often sketched out, 00:07:06.040 --> 00:07:07.220 that actually that's the hope we've got, 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:08.319 that we're somehow going to be 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.160 this sort of ephemeral beings 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:13.900 who are away from the earth 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:15.240 and away from our bodies. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:18.120 But God, 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:21.740 actually the hope is that God 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:23.340 will come to be with us. 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:25.540 Our bodies will be resurrected 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:27.480 along, as it were, 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:28.660 with the whole of creation, 00:07:28.780 --> 00:07:29.620 with the whole earth. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:31.500 And that the whole of creation 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:34.459 will experience the glory of God 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:35.120 in its fullness 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:37.860 and be able to live in perfect harmony. 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:41.740 Now, it's a picture of the Bible, 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:43.899 actually, if you read through it with that in mind, 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:45.319 actually paints all the way through. 00:07:45.399 --> 00:07:46.000 So, for example, 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:48.540 in the prophecies of many of the prophets 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:49.379 in the Old Testament, 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:51.040 particularly thinking of Isaiah, 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:53.319 it gives this prophecy of a day 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:55.800 when the wolf will live with the lamb, 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:58.079 when the infant will lie with the cobra, 00:07:58.079 --> 00:07:59.699 and, quote, 00:07:59.859 --> 00:08:01.139 the earth will be filled 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.939 with the knowledge of the glory of God 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:04.680 as the waters cover the sea. 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:06.819 So that's what the prophet Isaiah 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:08.039 is kind of looking forward to. 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:09.259 And, you know, 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:09.939 he doesn't yet know 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:12.000 how it will be fulfilled in any sense. 00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:14.000 And then right through, 00:08:14.159 --> 00:08:16.019 if you care to read it 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:17.560 with that future hope in mind, 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.039 you get to the book of Revelation, 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:19.479 of course, 00:08:19.539 --> 00:08:20.180 where famously, 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.180 right at the end, 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:22.180 there's this picture 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:23.299 of the new Jerusalem, 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:26.199 the home of the temple. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:26.639 If you remember, 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:28.519 the temple is the dwelling place of God, 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:30.360 coming down 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:32.620 to re-establish 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:34.699 God's throne on earth. 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:36.740 His bride, 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:37.879 the bridegroom, 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:40.000 coming to be with the bride on earth. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:40.519 New heaven, 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:41.279 new earth. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:42.860 That is the picture of, 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:44.439 the final picture of hope 00:08:44.439 --> 00:08:47.199 that the final pages of the Bible 00:08:47.199 --> 00:08:49.120 present with us. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:51.360 Now, I'm not going to pretend 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:52.960 that I know, you know, 00:08:53.059 --> 00:08:54.120 I know exactly how that's all 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:54.720 going to work out. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:55.940 It's very much a sort of, 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:57.940 you get this sort of picture, 00:08:58.419 --> 00:08:59.840 a sketch of what might, 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:00.740 how it might work out. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:01.700 But you've got to see 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:02.860 that that is completely different 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:03.639 to this idea 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:05.879 that our disembodied souls 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:06.940 will be with God 00:09:06.940 --> 00:09:08.080 to live with him forever, 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:08.899 somewhere. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:13.560 Now, if that is surprising to you, 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.700 and that's just blown your mind, 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:16.139 well, I won't apologize, 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:17.919 but I recognize that is a big thing. 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:19.080 I'm not going to answer 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:20.440 all your questions about that now. 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:22.900 Now, I've been reading this book, 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:23.900 which summarizes it beautifully, 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:24.660 by Tom Wright. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.480 It's called God's Homecoming. 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:28.640 And his kind of thesis in this 00:09:28.640 --> 00:09:30.420 is that actually many of us, 00:09:30.520 --> 00:09:31.280 including himself, 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:31.980 has been sort of, 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.640 has the wrong picture 00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:34.960 of God's hope. 00:09:35.160 --> 00:09:35.820 And actually what we're 00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:36.640 looking forward to 00:09:36.640 --> 00:09:37.880 is God's Homecoming. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:39.300 So, Tom Wright, 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:39.920 God's Homecoming, 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:41.760 I'm sure you can Google it 00:09:41.760 --> 00:09:42.360 and get it from 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:44.460 an ethically sourced bookstore 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:46.260 and to read that for you. 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:48.299 But I will answer one question 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:49.159 because I know, 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:50.500 sort of partially, 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.399 there's a big question for me 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:53.379 that comes out of this. 00:09:53.460 --> 00:09:53.639 Vicar, 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:55.720 if going to heaven isn't the goal, 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:58.120 what does happen when we die? 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:00.159 That's a pretty key question. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:01.279 Well, again, 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:02.500 the Bible is clear 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:03.720 that when we do die 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:05.139 and we are in the Lord, 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:06.980 we go to be with Jesus. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.759 That is true. 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:11.139 And somehow that our spirit 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.419 is united to be with his, 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:16.439 to be with him. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:18.099 But that is actually 00:10:18.099 --> 00:10:19.579 only a temporary state. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:20.899 That's the difference here. 00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:22.120 That is a temporary state 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.240 because one day 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:24.939 we know that Jesus will return 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:26.919 and complete the task 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:27.860 of bringing resurrection 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:30.059 not only to our bodies, 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:31.719 but to the whole of creation. 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:33.279 We pray the prayer, 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:33.679 don't we? 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:34.979 Your kingdom come, 00:10:35.059 --> 00:10:35.699 your will be done 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:37.059 on earth as in heaven. 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.459 It's that kind of hope 00:10:38.459 --> 00:10:40.519 that we're praying towards. 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:43.159 If that's not quite clear, 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.839 the best analogy I've heard 00:10:44.839 --> 00:10:45.779 is actually one using 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:46.579 a very sort of modern 00:10:46.579 --> 00:10:49.419 computer technology analogy. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.379 When we die, 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:53.159 somehow our software 00:10:53.699 --> 00:10:55.559 is somehow uploaded 00:10:55.559 --> 00:10:56.360 into the server. 00:10:57.819 --> 00:10:59.059 The server of God, 00:10:59.120 --> 00:10:59.659 I should say. 00:11:00.219 --> 00:11:01.559 But our future hope 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.459 is for that software, 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:04.959 with viruses removed, 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:05.519 I should add, 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.139 is downloaded 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.279 into new, 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:09.159 renewed hardware 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.799 here on earth 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:13.079 when all of creation 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:14.019 is rebooted. 00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:17.159 That is the end 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:18.639 of my technical knowledge 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:20.059 of computing, 00:11:20.439 --> 00:11:21.439 but I hope that makes sense. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:22.799 And that might reframe 00:11:23.359 --> 00:11:24.179 for you 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:24.899 this idea 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:25.979 of what we're hoping for. 00:11:27.479 --> 00:11:28.279 Now, as I say, 00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:29.139 you've got loads of questions, 00:11:29.219 --> 00:11:29.539 I'm sure, 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:30.699 but I think if you have 00:11:30.699 --> 00:11:31.519 that in mind 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.939 about what our future hope is 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:33.659 and you read 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:35.199 this chapter of Romans, 00:11:35.859 --> 00:11:37.219 God's coming home, 00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:38.179 he's coming home, 00:11:38.479 --> 00:11:39.079 he's coming, 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.680 God is coming home. 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:42.379 It's all about glory, 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:42.759 isn't it? 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:43.879 God's homecoming. 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:45.780 We sing about it 00:11:45.780 --> 00:11:46.300 because we're hoping 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:46.920 for glory. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.900 God's glorious homecoming. 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:50.620 And that is going to make 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.200 a lot more sense 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:51.980 of our experience 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.600 and also our purpose 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.980 in our lives now. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.160 Okay, so I've given you 00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:57.139 the framework. 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.259 Let's get into it now. 00:11:59.400 --> 00:12:00.180 Because first of all, 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:01.540 it changes how we consider 00:12:01.540 --> 00:12:03.540 our sufferings. 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:04.980 Let me read again 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.200 chapter 8, 00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:08.520 verses 18 to 19. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:10.360 I consider that 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:11.700 our present sufferings 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:13.340 are not worth comparing 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.240 with the glory 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:16.000 that will be revealed in us. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:17.520 For the creation waits 00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:18.800 in eager expectation 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:20.520 for the children of God 00:12:20.520 --> 00:12:21.720 to be revealed. 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:24.379 What does he mean by that? 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.320 Well, the children of God 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:25.900 to be revealed, 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:26.960 that is for those 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:28.180 who have the Holy Spirit 00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:29.980 to become fully 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.720 the people God 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.840 has destined us to be 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:33.480 in resurrection life. 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:37.860 Currently, we are frustrated 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.860 along with all of creation 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.060 because we're in this kind 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.580 of bondage, 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.539 as I say, this spiral, 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:44.100 this bondage to decay. 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:46.039 But the hope is 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.759 that one day 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:48.539 we will be liberated 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:50.080 from that bondage, 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:50.899 from that decay, 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.519 and brought into freedom 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.360 and into the full glory 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.019 of God. 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:57.559 not to escape the earth, 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.000 to go to heaven, 00:12:59.439 --> 00:13:00.779 but with earth, 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:02.980 our hope is to be released 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.039 from all these pains 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:06.220 and let the glory of God 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.159 be fully revealed 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.000 in us 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.319 and around us. 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.980 Now, that's our future hope. 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:13.100 And in fact, 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.039 Paul gives us 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.039 the ultimate picture, 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:15.740 a much better one 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:16.939 than some computer analogy, 00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:18.460 about what his suffering 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:19.720 is like in this world 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:21.139 with this future hope 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:21.740 in mind. 00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:24.080 It's childbirth. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:26.240 So, verse 22, 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:27.440 we know that 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:28.560 the whole creation 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:30.040 has been groaning 00:13:30.040 --> 00:13:30.899 as in the pains 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.720 of childbirth 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:33.080 right up to 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:34.500 the present time. 00:13:36.160 --> 00:13:37.120 Now, it's always good 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.500 as a man 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.580 to speak about childbirth. 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.480 I understand it can be 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.120 a little uncomfortable. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:44.019 But the pains, 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:46.320 sometimes even excruciating, 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:48.340 are leading to something. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.540 they're leading 00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:50.660 to new birth. 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.440 And each of us 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.600 experience part 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:55.180 of being 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:57.680 the whole creation 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.580 that is in these 00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.480 birth pangs. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.340 Not only so, 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.240 but we ourselves, 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:03.500 who have the first fruits 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.240 of the Spirit, 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.280 this is verse 23, 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:05.740 by the way, 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.379 grown inwardly 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.540 as we await 00:14:08.540 --> 00:14:09.639 eagerly 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.399 for our adoption 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.220 to sonship, 00:14:11.540 --> 00:14:12.060 the redemption 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:13.300 of our bodies. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.180 So, you might remember 00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:16.920 from last week, 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:17.540 when we were looking 00:14:17.540 --> 00:14:17.980 at the beginning 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.620 of this chapter, 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.340 that the central role 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.460 of the Spirit of God 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.840 is to unite us 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.480 with God 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.680 in such a way 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.519 that we are free 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.680 from the slavery of sin 00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:28.000 and are made 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.340 children of God. 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:30.800 The Spirit of God 00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:31.480 makes us into 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.460 the family of God. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:33.420 And we are, 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:35.259 as Paul said last week, 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.360 we are adopted 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.460 into sonship. 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.620 Now, if you remember 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.120 from last week, 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.300 that's a technical term 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.639 that Romans would have 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.960 been very familiar with, 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.000 and it describes 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.080 a process of 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.360 rich Romans 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:48.800 adopting a male heir 00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:49.759 in order to, 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.360 if they didn't have 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.180 their own children, 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.259 a male heir 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:52.980 to inherit 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.040 all their stuff 00:14:54.040 --> 00:14:54.820 and their power, 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.720 their whole estate. 00:14:57.920 --> 00:14:59.580 And Paul uses that here 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.879 because that adoption, 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.780 which you were given, 00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:03.379 as it were, 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:05.560 the first deposit of, 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.940 is going to come full 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:08.640 as we inherit 00:15:08.640 --> 00:15:09.760 the kingdom of God 00:15:09.760 --> 00:15:12.460 in the future 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:15.240 homecoming of God. 00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:16.380 So whether we are 00:15:16.380 --> 00:15:17.400 male or female, 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.340 young or old, 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.280 Jew or Gentile, 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:21.540 this adoption to sonship 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:22.420 is ours 00:15:22.420 --> 00:15:24.520 if we believe in Jesus. 00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:26.120 And that full inheritance 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.340 will come fully 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:29.360 when Jesus returns 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.340 and the whole of creation 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:30.880 is renewed. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.300 And until then, 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:34.400 we have received, 00:15:34.520 --> 00:15:35.340 we've only received 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.380 a sort of down payment, 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.299 a deposit, 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:38.700 if you like, 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:42.200 enough that it connects us 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:43.179 to that future hope 00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:44.179 and to know 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:45.939 that the rest is coming. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.720 So as we experience 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.299 suffering 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:51.779 and that temptation 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.399 to think, 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.120 oh my goodness, 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.240 has God just abandoned me? 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:56.600 Our spirit, 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.519 united with God's spirit 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.700 in us, 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.220 groans 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:02.919 in longing 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:04.360 for the future 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.659 and the freedom 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.039 that has been promised 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.600 to us 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:09.139 for all of God's creation. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.819 For in this hope 00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:13.259 we were saved. 00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:15.659 God has brought us 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.439 into this hope 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.299 to be saved. 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.000 So Christianity 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:18.919 isn't just the saving 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:20.159 of individual souls 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.179 to take us 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:22.360 from this nasty earth 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.799 or even from our nasty bodies, 00:16:23.959 --> 00:16:24.759 if we want to call it that. 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.100 No, 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.620 the hope 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:26.759 in which we are saved 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.539 by Jesus 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:28.500 encompasses 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.879 the whole of creation. 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.840 and it means 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.539 that we 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.679 and the environment 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.659 in which we live 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:36.220 is somehow 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.200 caught up 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.220 in this process 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.639 of redemption. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.159 And yes, 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:41.439 of course, 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:41.899 we can enjoy 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.759 some really beautiful 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.720 bits of it now, 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.679 but it is blighted 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:47.139 and it is also, 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.000 it is nothing 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.759 compared 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:50.759 to the glory 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:52.039 that is to be revealed. 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.839 So if you enjoy 00:16:53.839 --> 00:16:56.079 the beautiful views 00:16:56.079 --> 00:16:56.860 around Clevedon 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.819 and they give you 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.599 that sense of, 00:16:58.839 --> 00:16:59.039 ah, 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.259 well just imagine 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.240 how much more 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:04.279 we will experience 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.139 God's glory 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.899 and beauty 00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:06.519 in the future. 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:07.480 And if we're experiencing 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.420 really bad stuff 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:08.940 and we're thinking, 00:17:09.159 --> 00:17:09.399 oh, 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:11.259 this is like hell on earth, 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.240 well that will be 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.420 eliminated 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:16.680 from our experience 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:18.680 in the future. 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:21.500 And just a little aside, 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.799 but quite an important one 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.779 because if that is 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.619 what God's salvation 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.079 is about, 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:25.539 if it's about 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:25.960 the redemption 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:27.099 of the whole of creation, 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.380 actually the care 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.299 of God's creation 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.759 needs to be part 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:32.460 of our mission 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.839 as God's children. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.500 And there's a whole 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.640 sermon series 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.099 and, 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.740 you know, 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.640 strategy to think about 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:40.339 as a church, 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.460 but the care of creation 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.200 is part 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.339 of what God is doing. 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.980 It's not a side hustle, 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.420 it's not unimportant, 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.140 but it actually 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:49.259 expresses our future hope. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:51.619 But also, 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.240 as well as our mission, 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.799 this idea 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.559 of the hope 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.379 that we have, 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:59.140 it also gives us 00:17:59.140 --> 00:18:00.079 a very powerful way 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:00.720 of understanding 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:02.220 what prayer is 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.180 and is about. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:06.440 I wonder how many of you 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:08.740 have been in those situations 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.759 when you're calling out 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.660 to God in prayer 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:12.660 and it feels like 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.920 you are calling out 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.420 to the ether, 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.119 you know, 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.420 to a distant God 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.700 somewhere up there 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:20.059 far away 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:21.700 looking down from us 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.200 and that's our 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.059 experience of prayer. 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:24.980 I know that has been 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.100 mined from time to time 00:18:26.100 --> 00:18:27.860 and that's okay. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.000 But this passage 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.940 shows us 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.100 that we're far more 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:32.960 connected 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:34.240 than that. 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:36.039 When we come 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.980 to believe and trust 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.640 in the Lord Jesus 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:40.519 as our Saviour 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.100 and King, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.000 as we've already said, 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.620 we are given 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:45.620 something of His Spirit. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:48.699 and His Spirit 00:18:48.699 --> 00:18:49.559 comes to live, 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.319 comes to dwell 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.199 in us 00:18:51.199 --> 00:18:52.379 in a mysterious way 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:53.379 that I don't think 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.199 many people are able 00:18:54.199 --> 00:18:54.819 to explain. 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.399 His Spirit 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.679 joins with our Spirit. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.379 And not only 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:01.839 does that, 00:19:02.479 --> 00:19:02.939 as it were, 00:19:02.979 --> 00:19:03.639 the two spirits 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.819 talking to one another, 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:05.539 you know, 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.019 God's Spirit 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:07.519 testifies to our Spirit 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.259 that we are 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:09.079 children of God. 00:19:09.719 --> 00:19:10.239 You are part 00:19:10.239 --> 00:19:11.039 of the family now. 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.419 You can call out 00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:13.199 Abba Father. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.519 You are 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:16.059 a child of God. 00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:17.380 Not only 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.259 does God's Spirit 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.140 testify to us 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:19.660 about that, 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.340 but listen to this 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.319 in verse 26. 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:22.880 In the same way, 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.720 the Spirit, 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.299 God's Spirit, 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.840 helps us in our weakness. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.380 We do not know 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.559 what we ought to pray for, 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.400 but the Spirit 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:30.279 Himself 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.480 intercedes for us 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.620 through wordless groans. 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.240 And He who searches 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.880 our hearts 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:36.059 knows the mind 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.539 of the Spirit 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.299 because the Spirit 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.860 intercedes for God's people 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:39.940 in accordance 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:41.519 with the will of God. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.839 Let me try and unpack 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.639 that dense 00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.819 couple of sentences. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.319 As the whole of creation 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.359 groans for that 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.839 future freedom, 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.579 so does God's Spirit 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.319 within us 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.700 call to our spirit 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.980 to go forward 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.680 with that hope. 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.680 And even if we can't 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.700 put words to it, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.420 even if it's incredibly 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.500 dark for us 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:07.119 and pain-numbing, 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:09.979 we are able to pray 00:20:09.979 --> 00:20:11.559 because God 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.859 is interceding 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.919 for us 00:20:13.919 --> 00:20:14.759 and with us 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.779 in our spirits. 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:16.879 We are connected. 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.539 God is intimately involved 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.819 in it all, folks. 00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:21.339 He's not out there 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.699 beckoning us up 00:20:22.699 --> 00:20:24.019 to some distant heaven. 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:25.479 No, He is already 00:20:25.479 --> 00:20:26.479 dwelling with us 00:20:26.479 --> 00:20:28.679 and calling from us 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.719 this longing, 00:20:30.459 --> 00:20:31.619 this hope, 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.599 that we know 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.319 it's not always 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.259 going to be like this. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:37.559 He's so close. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:42.379 And He is reminding us 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:44.019 that even though 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.799 it's dark now 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.500 or can be 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.519 a dark valley 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.319 where we walk in, 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:49.359 there is a future ahead 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:51.059 which is pain-free, 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.660 where there is 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.440 no more tears, 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.660 no more death, 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.879 no more pain. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.700 And He wants to 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.559 reassure us 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.440 that it will not 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.619 always be 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:02.579 those things 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.180 in our lives, 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.879 won't always be 00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:04.480 experienced. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:07.900 And because 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.160 He's intimately involved 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:11.059 with our lives 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.819 and He's also 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.940 amazingly 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.359 wrapped up 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.960 in every aspect 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.720 of creation, 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.359 all of history 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.799 is somehow 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.619 being used 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.559 for His purposes. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.579 He is sovereign 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:25.059 is what the Bible 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.140 calls that. 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:28.900 He promises, 00:21:29.280 --> 00:21:29.740 that gives us 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.380 an assurance 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:31.780 that He's using 00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:32.940 all things 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:36.540 to lead us 00:21:36.540 --> 00:21:37.300 towards that 00:21:37.300 --> 00:21:39.040 future glory. 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.140 And these 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:41.180 amazing verses, 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.380 which I hope 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.780 are even more 00:21:43.780 --> 00:21:44.640 highlighted by 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.320 what we've just 00:21:45.320 --> 00:21:46.120 been thinking about, 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.380 just take these 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:48.120 words to heart. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.620 And we know, 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.620 this is verse 28, 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.839 and we know 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.239 that in all 00:21:53.239 --> 00:21:53.979 things, 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.379 God works 00:21:55.379 --> 00:21:56.039 for the good 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.699 of those 00:21:56.699 --> 00:21:57.319 who love Him, 00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:57.819 who have been 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.679 called according 00:21:58.679 --> 00:21:59.739 to His purpose. 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.659 For those 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.379 God foreknew, 00:22:02.459 --> 00:22:03.399 He also predestined 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.219 to be conformed 00:22:04.219 --> 00:22:04.739 to the image 00:22:04.739 --> 00:22:05.319 of His Son, 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.439 that He might be 00:22:06.439 --> 00:22:07.319 the firstborn 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:07.879 among many 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.379 brothers and 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:08.759 sisters. 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:09.779 And those He 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.339 predestined, 00:22:10.419 --> 00:22:11.119 He also called, 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:11.519 and those He 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:11.839 called, 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.699 He also justified. 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.459 And those He 00:22:13.459 --> 00:22:13.879 justified, 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:15.479 He also glorified. 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.259 So that glorified 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.740 is that sense 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.360 of knowing 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.039 the glory of God 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.960 in our lives now, 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:22.099 but one day 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.579 knowing the full 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.640 glory of God 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:26.140 around us 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:27.059 and in us. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.420 And that means, 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:29.980 brothers and 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.279 sisters, 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.860 that whether it's 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.400 the good, 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.420 the bad, 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.440 or the ugly, 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.759 for those in 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.360 Christ Jesus, 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.779 every aspect, 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.420 everything, 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.039 is being used 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.019 by God 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:43.279 for good 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:45.000 in this process 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.779 that is moving 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.019 the whole creation 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.599 towards its salvation, 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.160 the glorification 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.900 of all things, 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.319 as it were. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.000 So when we suffer 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.460 now, 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.500 brothers and 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:56.799 sisters, 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.660 as so many 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.380 of you are, 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.619 it isn't God's 00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.519 rejection of us. 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:04.420 It is somehow, 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.440 and in only a way 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.339 that God can 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:06.900 understand, 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.119 being used 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.339 for His purposes, 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:11.599 even for your 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.019 good. 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.420 Now that's sometimes 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.180 a difficult thing 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.819 to believe, 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:17.019 and it's for 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.539 your good 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.539 because of what, 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.599 in light of what 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.220 is to come. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.119 And even death, 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.640 therefore, 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:25.700 becomes a gateway 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:28.259 into eternity, 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.359 waiting 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:31.019 for that 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.839 full freedom. 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.420 That is something 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.839 of the impact 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.779 that having that 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.519 future hope 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.720 can have for us. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:40.819 promise. 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.200 How can we be 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.799 sure of that? 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.200 Because I'm sure 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.259 if you're going 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.860 through stuff 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.460 right now, 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.620 this kind of 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.180 promise doesn't 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.640 necessarily make it 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.240 feel okay, 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.039 and I grant that. 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:53.519 Okay, 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.480 this isn't supposed 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:54.920 to be, 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.420 oh, 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.539 it's all okay 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.559 kind of thinking, 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.600 but it does frame 00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.980 it in a very rich 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.140 and a very true 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.140 and a very real 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:03.680 hope that I think 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.740 does change things. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.819 But how can we 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.299 trust that? 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.079 Because this is 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.819 about faith in the 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:07.899 end. 00:24:07.919 --> 00:24:08.740 We have to believe 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.700 what God is telling 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.019 us. 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.519 Because experience 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.119 may tell us 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.440 otherwise. 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:14.019 The way the world, 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.440 the media, 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.759 frames the suffering 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.519 that is going on 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.259 does not tell 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.859 the story. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.680 It's not about 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:21.159 human progress 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.819 leading towards 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.980 some sort of 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.519 utopia. 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.059 It's neither is it 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.200 a depressing spiral 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.859 where this is all 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.480 just going to lead 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.819 into hell. 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:29.779 No, 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.819 God has taken, 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:33.240 he has chosen 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.079 to come, 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:34.819 and this is where 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.759 we find our 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.720 anchor. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.859 We must think 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.799 of Jesus. 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.879 Think of Jesus' 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.939 own suffering 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.379 and death. 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:49.099 Because as he 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.539 suffered, 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.879 even through 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.000 the personal 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.619 betrayal 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:54.399 and relational 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.279 pains that he 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.899 faced through 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.240 that, 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.579 as he lie 00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.419 on the cross 00:24:59.419 --> 00:25:00.859 as a victim 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.639 of injustice, 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.659 he was facing 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.320 as it were 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:06.640 all the forces 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:07.060 of evil 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:07.720 you can imagine. 00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:08.540 The most 00:25:08.540 --> 00:25:09.740 ferocious wolves 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.740 as Liz 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.400 illustrated. 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:14.060 He's becoming 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:15.519 forsaken by God 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:17.060 and it's the worst 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:17.779 kind of death 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.340 you could die 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:18.800 physically, 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.320 emotionally, 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.920 spiritually. 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:21.920 Now, 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.180 if something 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.300 that horrendous, 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:25.660 Jesus' death, 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.120 if that 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:28.680 can lead 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.060 to something 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:29.880 far more glorious 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:31.200 as we know 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:31.700 it did, 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.720 to his 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.220 resurrection, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.140 to his 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.740 ascension, 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:35.559 and to his 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.080 reign in 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:36.420 heaven, 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:39.059 if that 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.600 can happen 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.319 with Jesus, 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:43.220 can't God 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.819 also use 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.740 our sufferings 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.400 for something 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:45.860 amazing? 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.880 Or to 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:48.420 quote Paul, 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.400 verse 31, 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.039 what then 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.620 shall we say 00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:52.080 in response 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:52.420 to these 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.819 things? 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.779 If God 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.700 is for us, 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.660 who can be 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.400 against us? 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.500 He who did 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:57.940 not spare 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.340 his own 00:25:58.340 --> 00:25:58.860 son, 00:25:59.100 --> 00:25:59.600 but gave 00:25:59.600 --> 00:25:59.960 him up 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.340 for us 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:00.640 all, 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.680 how will 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.120 he not 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.640 also, 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.400 along with 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.799 him, 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:04.140 that is 00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:04.500 Jesus, 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.700 graciously 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.220 give us 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.279 all things? 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.740 If we 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.200 live our 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.740 lives 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.299 through the 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.059 lens of 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.460 Jesus, 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:14.539 i.e. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.000 if we 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.819 understand 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:17.019 our lives 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.340 by what 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:17.880 Jesus has 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.400 done and 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.819 does for 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.000 us, 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.340 if we 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.960 are in 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.279 him, 00:26:20.340 --> 00:26:20.559 if we 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.160 are attached 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.819 to his 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.700 life, 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.000 death, 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.579 resurrection, 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.059 then there's 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.519 ultimately 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.400 nothing 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.579 that can 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.279 defeat us. 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.920 Can 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.200 anyone 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.960 charge us 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.360 or pick 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:32.680 us up 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:32.960 for our 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.600 track record? 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.019 No. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.000 Jesus 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.840 has justified 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:37.360 us. 00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:38.700 Beginning 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.140 of Romans 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.440 8. 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.380 Can 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:40.620 anyone 00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:41.140 accuse 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.660 us 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.360 or 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.720 condemn 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.200 us? 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:45.180 No. 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.259 Jesus 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.039 died and 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.519 rose again 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:47.779 and so 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.259 now he 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.980 intercedes 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.559 for us. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.059 He 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.640 whispers in 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:50.779 the 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.180 father's 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.400 ear, 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.440 that one 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:52.759 there, 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:54.200 she's 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.579 ours, 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.880 I died 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.319 for her, 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.279 I love 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.579 her. 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:58.720 He's 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.000 doing that 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.319 all the 00:26:59.319 --> 00:26:59.660 time. 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.319 Nothing 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.180 can 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.940 change 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.579 God's 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:03.759 love 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.259 for us. 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:04.720 He 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:04.860 won't 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.180 love 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.299 you 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.500 any 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.980 less, 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:06.620 or in 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:06.779 fact, 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:07.019 any 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.519 more, 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.500 because of 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.940 anything you 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.579 do or 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.160 don't do 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.600 or have 00:27:11.600 --> 00:27:12.059 done or 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.380 won't 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:12.660 do. 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:13.340 His 00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:14.299 love is 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:14.759 for you 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.299 because 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.180 he's 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:16.640 shown that 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:16.880 in 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.140 Jesus. 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.420 And so 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:20.700 as I 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.039 come into 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.259 land, 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.440 let me 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:21.920 just read 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.519 these final 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.920 verses. 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:23.539 And you 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:23.960 can feel 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.600 Paul just 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:24.920 kind of 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.840 feeling the 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.559 impact of 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.279 all this 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.779 theology 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.579 that he's 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:28.900 written. 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:30.820 and feel 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.519 the impact 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.100 and the 00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:32.820 assurance 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:33.640 it gives 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:35.100 him and 00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:35.440 those he 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.940 writes to. 00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:38.740 Who shall 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.620 separate us 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:39.960 from the 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.259 love of 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.700 Christ? 00:27:42.300 --> 00:27:42.860 Shall 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.400 trouble 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:45.060 or hardship 00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:46.080 or persecution 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.800 or famine 00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:47.640 or nakedness 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.140 or danger 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.740 or sword 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.519 as it's 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:49.840 written, 00:27:50.040 --> 00:27:50.480 for your 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:50.780 sake we 00:27:50.780 --> 00:27:51.440 face death 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.840 all day 00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.080 long. 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.339 we are 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:52.799 considered 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.279 as sheep 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.599 to be 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.079 slaughtered. 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.599 So Paul 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.639 is experiencing 00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.119 serious 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.619 suffering. 00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.079 No, 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:00.059 verse 37, 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.919 in all 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:01.500 these things 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.019 we are 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.740 more than 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.439 conquerors 00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:04.159 through 00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:05.079 him who 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.819 loved us. 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.019 For I 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.699 am convinced 00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.619 that neither 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.379 death nor 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:09.799 life, 00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.480 neither angels 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.980 nor demons, 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:11.439 neither the 00:28:11.439 --> 00:28:11.919 present nor 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:12.379 the future, 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.000 nor any 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.619 powers, 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:14.119 nor the 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:14.659 height or 00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:15.039 depth, 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.699 nor anything 00:28:15.699 --> 00:28:16.139 else in 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.839 all creation 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.679 will be 00:28:17.679 --> 00:28:18.240 able to 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.039 separate us 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.439 from the 00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:19.779 love of 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.759 God that 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.220 is in 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.039 Christ 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.619 Jesus 00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:23.579 our Lord. 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.460 So far 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.139 from suffering 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.779 making us 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:29.119 failures in 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:29.460 the kingdom 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.019 of God, 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:33.000 because our 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.500 spirit is 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:33.819 linked to 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.180 the spirit 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.879 of Christ, 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.839 just as 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.700 his sufferings 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.440 created 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.259 something 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.019 glorious, 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.279 created 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.879 salvation, 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.759 created this 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.500 future hope, 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.460 meant that 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:44.819 he was the 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.079 sort of 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.759 firstborn, 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.680 the first 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.460 sample of 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:47.940 what is to 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.240 come. 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.160 We attach 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:49.680 ourselves to 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:49.900 him, 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.340 folks, 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.420 nothing can 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.259 separate us 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:53.880 from what 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:54.420 is ahead, 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.600 because nothing 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.560 can separate 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:57.779 us from 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.380 the love 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.240 of God. 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.100 Thank you, 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.779 Father God, 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.000 that nothing 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.039 can separate 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.420 us from 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.860 your love, 00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:13.759 that you 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.420 have defeated 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.140 those most 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:15.640 ferocious 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.340 of wolves, 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.039 and you've 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.480 given us 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.079 the armour 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.440 of your 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:21.899 spirit, 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.119 love, 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.639 righteousness, 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.339 peace, 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.279 that will 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.960 allow us 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.940 to step 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:29.119 in to 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.539 this week 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:31.019 ahead with 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.599 renewed 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.059 hope, 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:34.539 hope of a 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.119 future that 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.259 you will 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.619 and you 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.220 are bringing 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.619 about, 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:39.819 again, 00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.480 through your 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:40.980 son Jesus. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:44.240 thank you, 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:44.720 Holy Spirit, 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.059 that you 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.339 will go 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.839 with us 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.640 into this 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:46.960 week. 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.019 Would you 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.700 keep reminding 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.759 us of the 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.200 hope that 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.559 you've given 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:53.079 us and the 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:53.680 love that is 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.599 ours because 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:55.079 we are your 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.420 children. 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.299 Amen.