WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.880 Let's skip the page number. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:12.960 We're reading from Romans chapter 9, which is on page 1135 in the Red Bibles. 00:00:13.700 --> 00:00:15.080 So page 1135. 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:21.920 Romans chapter 9. 00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:28.019 Starting in verse 1. 00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:30.759 I speak the truth in Christ. 00:00:31.100 --> 00:00:32.119 I am not lying. 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:34.880 My conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit. 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:39.560 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:45.439 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:48.379 those of my own race, the people of Israel. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:51.060 Theirs is the adoption of sons. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:56.019 Theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, 00:00:56.020 --> 00:00:58.380 the temple worship and the promises. 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:01.180 Theirs are the patriarchs. 00:01:01.620 --> 00:01:08.320 And from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:08.939 Amen. 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:15.780 It is not as though God's word had failed, for not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:20.099 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:25.539 On the contrary, it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 00:01:25.540 --> 00:01:30.160 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:35.420 but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. 00:01:36.340 --> 00:01:38.580 For this was how the promise was stated. 00:01:39.460 --> 00:01:43.420 At the appointed time, I will return and Sarah will have a son. 00:01:44.520 --> 00:01:50.040 Not only that, but Rebecca's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:55.200 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, 00:01:55.700 --> 00:01:59.020 in order that God's purpose in election might stand, 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:01.680 not by works, but by him who calls, 00:02:02.260 --> 00:02:03.140 she was told, 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:05.400 the older will serve the younger, 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:07.640 just as it is written, 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:11.219 Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:34.539 Well, if the end of that reading troubled you, 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:38.419 it's been troubling me all week, 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:42.780 so we need to pray and ask for God's help. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:50.719 It is written, 00:02:50.919 --> 00:02:51.919 Jacob I loved, 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:54.280 but Esau I hated. 00:02:57.079 --> 00:03:01.120 Father, we confess that your word does speak truth. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:06.500 It tells us about you, 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:09.299 and it tells us about ourselves. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:16.939 And sometimes it is hard for us to grasp and understand, 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:20.079 and so this morning we pray, 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:24.219 would you please pour out your spirit upon us, 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:30.419 so that our minds understand what is difficult in your word. 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:37.539 But we also ask that you would pour your spirit into our hearts, 00:03:38.079 --> 00:03:43.479 so that we accept the things that you say, 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:49.840 and we pray that this would change our lives, 00:03:50.359 --> 00:03:53.639 so that we love you more, 00:03:54.299 --> 00:03:58.120 and that we love others more, 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:05.699 especially that we would love those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:12.199 Father, please be gracious to us this morning. 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.699 And speak to us afresh, 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:17.819 through your word, 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:19.199 for it is truth, 00:04:20.159 --> 00:04:22.240 and it is good for us. 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:25.879 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:27.459 Amen. 00:04:32.459 --> 00:04:34.279 Well, just over a year ago, 00:04:35.219 --> 00:04:38.819 the news broke of a very tragic farming accident. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:40.539 You probably remember it. 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:43.600 Three members of the Spence family, 00:04:43.720 --> 00:04:45.360 the father and two sons, 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:49.260 died in an attempt to rescue each other 00:04:49.260 --> 00:04:52.680 when one had fallen into a slurry tank. 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:54.840 Knowing the dangers, 00:04:55.760 --> 00:04:57.300 but without a second thought, 00:04:57.460 --> 00:04:59.120 one followed the other 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:01.460 to try and save their father. 00:05:02.820 --> 00:05:06.400 Their actions revealed their heart. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:10.419 They had a deep love for each other. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:14.279 They were willing to lose their life 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:19.519 in an attempt to save the life of another. 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:24.199 Now, Paul has that same kind of heart too. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:25.179 Look at verse 1. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:28.139 He says, 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:31.039 As I speak the truth in Christ, 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:34.120 I have something really important to tell you. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:35.879 I'm not lying. 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:38.839 My conscience confirms it 00:05:38.839 --> 00:05:40.519 in the Holy Spirit, 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:41.319 in the Spirit. 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:42.240 This is serious. 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:45.279 I have great sorrow 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:48.000 and unceasing anguish 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:49.439 in my heart. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:53.740 Well, what is it that's burdening his heart? 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:55.480 What is it that's troubling him? 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:57.019 Well, look at verse 3. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:05:59.300 He says, 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:00.439 For I could wish 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:01.439 that I myself 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:03.279 were cursed 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:05.319 and cut off from Christ 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:08.199 for the sake of my brothers, 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:10.540 those of my own race, 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:12.339 the people of Israel. 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:16.040 Do you see what he's saying in verse 3? 00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:19.540 He says, 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:22.660 I am willing to go to hell. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:27.819 I would be willing to be cut off from Christ 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:33.080 if it means my people become Christians. 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:37.240 I would be ready, he's saying, 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:40.040 to have the gift of eternal life 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:41.980 taken away from me 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:45.700 if it means that somebody from my family 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:48.579 gets eternal life. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:54.759 Looking back on that farming tragedy, 00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:57.959 we might think it crazy 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:00.939 for somebody to jump into a slurry tank 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:02.039 and lose their life. 00:07:03.419 --> 00:07:04.579 But the thing is, 00:07:04.659 --> 00:07:06.639 when you have a big heart, 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:11.079 when you see your loved ones in trouble, 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:14.240 you will do anything. 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:19.360 We're going to look at four big things 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:21.819 that flow from this text this morning. 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:23.620 And the first big one is this. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:28.139 Christians long for other people 00:07:28.139 --> 00:07:30.579 to become Christians. 00:07:31.579 --> 00:07:35.120 You see, this is what's Paul's great desire. 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:38.579 His big longing is that his own people 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:39.879 become Christians. 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:42.719 Look at chapter 10 and verse 1. 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:44.339 He says, 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:44.800 Brothers, 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:47.079 my heart's desire 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:49.240 and my prayer to God for the Israelites 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.480 is that they may be saved. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.620 Or chapter 11, verse 14. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:08:01.240 He says, 00:08:01.280 --> 00:08:02.160 It's my hope 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:04.300 that I may somehow 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:07.060 arouse my own people to envy 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:09.519 and save some of them. 00:08:10.840 --> 00:08:12.300 Now, if you're a Christian, 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:13.959 you will identify 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:15.819 with Paul's heart 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:18.780 because there is no greater agony, 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:21.360 there is no greater pain 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:22.400 or heartache 00:08:22.400 --> 00:08:24.879 than to have friends 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:25.800 or family 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:27.840 who do not yet know 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:29.920 and love the Lord Jesus. 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:33.680 Look again what he says 00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:35.259 in chapter 9, verse 2. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:36.060 He says, 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:38.139 I have great sorrow 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:41.080 and unceasing anguish 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:42.720 in my heart. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.240 I long 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:48.059 that my mum 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:50.100 or dad 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:54.480 or maybe it's your sister 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:58.100 or maybe it's one of your own children 00:08:58.100 --> 00:09:01.679 or maybe you're thinking of a friend 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:03.200 that you work with 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:05.819 and it's your longing 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:06.819 and your desire 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:08.000 and your heartache 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:09.260 for them 00:09:09.260 --> 00:09:10.260 to become 00:09:10.260 --> 00:09:11.220 Christians. 00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:14.640 You see, 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:15.520 this is 00:09:15.520 --> 00:09:17.440 a serious matter. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:21.060 Go back to chapter 2 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:23.379 and verse 5. 00:09:24.680 --> 00:09:26.220 It's a serious matter. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:27.200 It's weighing 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:28.460 on his heart 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:29.080 because 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:31.940 it has an eternal consequence. 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:34.940 Romans chapter 2, verse 5. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:38.360 He's already spoken about this. 00:09:39.380 --> 00:09:40.700 Romans 2, verse 5. 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:41.180 Because 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:43.880 of our stubbornness, 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:46.540 because of our unrepentant heart, 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:48.880 we're storing up wrath 00:09:48.880 --> 00:09:50.180 against ourselves 00:09:50.180 --> 00:09:51.800 for the day of God's wrath 00:09:51.800 --> 00:09:54.200 when his righteous judgment 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:55.280 will be revealed. 00:09:56.680 --> 00:09:57.800 Verse 16. 00:09:57.799 --> 00:10:01.459 This will take place 00:10:01.459 --> 00:10:02.699 on the day 00:10:02.699 --> 00:10:04.059 when God will judge 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:05.579 men's secret thoughts 00:10:05.579 --> 00:10:07.679 through Jesus Christ 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:10.599 as my gospel declares. 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:13.139 Do you see? 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:14.779 It's a serious matter. 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:17.059 And with that in mind, 00:10:17.439 --> 00:10:18.779 our heart's desire 00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:19.799 is that people 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:21.159 would come to know 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:21.939 the joy 00:10:21.939 --> 00:10:23.159 and the beauty 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:24.079 of the gospel. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:26.080 that people 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:26.720 would see 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:28.000 that in Jesus, 00:10:28.540 --> 00:10:29.300 which is what 00:10:29.300 --> 00:10:31.020 Romans 1 through to 8 00:10:31.020 --> 00:10:32.060 has been telling us, 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:33.080 that in Jesus 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:34.700 there is forgiveness, 00:10:35.300 --> 00:10:36.400 that there's peace 00:10:36.400 --> 00:10:37.200 with God, 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.200 that we can have 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.400 a brand new beginning, 00:10:39.560 --> 00:10:40.720 that we can be welcomed 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:41.680 and treasured 00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:42.700 as God's children 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:43.720 and be given 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.520 the guarantee 00:10:44.520 --> 00:10:45.920 of eternal life. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:51.079 of course, 00:10:51.219 --> 00:10:51.939 Paul's wish 00:10:51.939 --> 00:10:52.919 in verse 3 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:53.899 of chapter 9, 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.000 his wish 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.719 that he could be 00:10:55.719 --> 00:10:56.679 cut off from Christ, 00:10:57.219 --> 00:10:57.819 he knows 00:10:57.819 --> 00:10:58.419 and we know 00:10:58.419 --> 00:11:00.899 that he can't do that. 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:02.659 It is just simply 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.459 expressing 00:11:03.459 --> 00:11:04.740 what we all feel 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:05.679 as we think about 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:06.479 our friends 00:11:06.479 --> 00:11:07.579 and our family 00:11:07.579 --> 00:11:09.360 who are not yet Christians. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:11.659 You see, 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:12.639 there is nothing 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:14.439 more important 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:16.560 in this life 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:18.380 than to be 00:11:18.380 --> 00:11:19.200 a follower 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:21.040 of Jesus Christ. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.580 Don't you long 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.280 for the day? 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.700 Hasn't your heart 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:29.140 ached? 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:30.080 Haven't you 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:31.540 shed tears 00:11:31.540 --> 00:11:34.000 for people 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.940 who don't yet 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:36.100 follow Jesus? 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:39.000 Christians 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:41.100 always long 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:42.779 for other people 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.040 to become 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:45.000 Christians. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.720 The second 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.320 big thing 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:49.840 that we want 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:50.279 to take 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.420 from this 00:11:51.420 --> 00:11:52.100 this morning 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:53.899 is that people 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:54.540 who don't 00:11:54.540 --> 00:11:55.580 become Christians 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:58.100 can't blame 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.139 God. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.340 People who 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:01.960 don't become 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:02.460 Christians 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.180 can't blame 00:12:03.180 --> 00:12:03.639 God. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:04.820 You see, 00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:05.600 while we may 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.139 desperately 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:06.899 want 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.040 to become 00:12:08.040 --> 00:12:08.519 Christians 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:09.019 or want 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.379 others 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:09.899 to become 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.340 Christians, 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.300 we can never 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:12.120 blame God 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:13.000 if they don't. 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:13.820 It's not 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:15.360 God's fault. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:16.700 Look at 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.379 verse 4. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:19.800 Chapter 9. 00:12:19.920 --> 00:12:20.399 Here Paul 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.360 is looking 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:21.899 at the 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.860 privileges 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.460 and the 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.300 opportunities 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:24.899 that his 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:25.800 own people 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:26.379 have had. 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.500 Verse 4. 00:12:28.300 --> 00:12:28.820 He says, 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.399 theirs 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.200 is the 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:30.759 adoption 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:31.399 of sons. 00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:32.000 It's talking 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:32.560 about the 00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:33.480 privileged 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:34.240 relationship 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:34.759 that they 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:35.299 had with 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:35.659 God. 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.440 There's 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:37.120 the divine 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.659 glory. 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.019 In other 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:38.279 words, 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.120 they had 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.340 known God's 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.320 presence come 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.000 down amongst 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.680 his people. 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.000 There's the 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:44.639 covenants. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:45.440 They knew 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:46.240 about God's 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.039 commitment to 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:47.279 them. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:48.879 They had the 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.639 receiving of 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.299 the law that 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:51.200 God had spoken 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:51.759 to them and 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:52.180 had given 00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:52.700 them his 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.580 very word. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:54.960 They had the 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.759 temple worship 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.240 and the 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:56.799 promises. 00:12:57.340 --> 00:12:58.180 The promises 00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:58.879 of Jesus 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.779 to come and 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.919 the gospel 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:01.600 that was to 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:01.940 come. 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.220 There's, 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:03.800 verse 5, 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.120 are the 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.519 patriarchs and 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.100 from them 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:06.660 is traced 00:13:06.660 --> 00:13:07.399 the human 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.519 ancestry of 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.480 Christ who 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.080 is God 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:10.940 over all 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:11.620 forever 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:12.320 praised. 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:13.200 Amen. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:14.740 You see, 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:15.259 they've been 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.379 given every 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.279 opportunity 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:18.080 possible, 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.600 including the 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.220 fact that 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:21.379 Jesus is 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:21.960 one of their 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:22.720 own people 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.080 and they 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:23.779 could trace 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.700 his family 00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:25.440 line all 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:25.820 the way 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:26.259 through. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:27.820 But even 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.360 though they 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:28.920 had heard 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.540 the gospel, 00:13:29.920 --> 00:13:30.379 even though 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:30.800 they'd had 00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:31.560 the promises 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.319 of it all, 00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:33.179 even though 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:33.619 they have 00:13:33.619 --> 00:13:34.339 this rich 00:13:34.339 --> 00:13:35.319 history and 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:35.799 heritage, 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:37.679 they still 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:38.679 do not 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:39.559 love the 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.239 Lord Jesus. 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:44.739 Perhaps 00:13:44.739 --> 00:13:45.319 there's someone 00:13:45.319 --> 00:13:45.779 in your 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:47.919 family who 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.500 has heard 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.839 many times, 00:13:50.839 --> 00:13:52.779 but still 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:54.099 they are not 00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:54.539 believers. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:54.740 believers. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.179 Maybe you're 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:58.919 like that. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.079 Maybe you're 00:14:01.079 --> 00:14:01.480 here and 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:01.959 you've heard 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:02.559 the truth 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:04.139 many times, 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.199 but yet you 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:07.459 still don't 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:08.259 believe. 00:14:11.459 --> 00:14:12.319 Well, if we 00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:13.159 don't believe, 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.439 and as much 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:15.939 as it may 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:16.659 weigh on 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.379 our hearts, 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.480 we can never 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.199 turn round 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:19.899 and point the 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.620 finger and say 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.339 it's God's 00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:21.659 fault, 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:22.799 he's failed, 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:23.879 he's let us 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.240 down. 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:26.079 Look at 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:26.799 verse 6, 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:28.539 because he 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.240 says this, 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.279 it is not 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:31.279 as though 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.339 God's word 00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:33.339 had failed. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.639 God has 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.620 not stopped 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.399 working. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.639 The gospel 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.799 does not 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.620 fail. 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.199 You see, 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:43.159 people become 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.639 Christians not 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:45.399 just when they 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.360 hear the good 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:46.879 news, 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:48.860 but when they 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.879 also combine 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.120 it with 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.639 faith. 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:53.100 again, 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:53.720 look at the 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:54.699 pattern we 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:55.179 have in 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.759 verse 4. 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:56.639 He's listing 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.299 all the 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:57.819 privileges, 00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:58.419 all the 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.019 opportunities. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:14:59.600 They have 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.379 this and 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:00.879 they have 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.379 that. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.059 And we 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:02.519 could say 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:02.899 where they 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.379 went to 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:03.840 church, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.539 they've had 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.120 the Bible, 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:05.879 they took 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.399 communion, 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.100 they were 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:07.620 taught in 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.360 Sunday school, 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.139 they went 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.500 here, 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.019 they went 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:10.460 there. 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.039 But look 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.460 how this 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:12.960 list of 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.419 privileges 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.319 finishes in 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:15.139 verse 5. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:16.500 It says, 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.500 and from 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.679 them is 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.759 traced the 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.720 ancestry of 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.199 Christ. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.240 He doesn't 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.319 say Christ 00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:24.039 is theirs, 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.000 or that 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.600 they have 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.179 Christ, 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:27.100 he simply 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:27.740 just says 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.019 Christ came 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.139 from them. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.319 In other 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:31.679 words, 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:32.960 Jesus doesn't 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:34.039 belong to 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:34.379 them, 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.100 and they 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.860 don't belong 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.779 to him, 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.639 because they 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.360 have never 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.879 ever joined 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:42.139 themselves in 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.399 faith or by 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.519 faith to 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.259 Jesus. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.480 Despite all 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.179 the privileges 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:50.360 and all the 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.159 opportunities, 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.960 they have 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.039 never responded 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.699 in faith and 00:15:55.699 --> 00:15:57.259 trusted Jesus. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.639 You see, 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.259 we can have 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:01.759 all the 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:02.480 opportunities 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:04.399 and all the 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:04.980 privileges, 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.240 but it will 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:07.819 count for 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:09.379 nothing until 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:09.980 there is 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.460 faith. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:13.340 So people 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:13.919 who don't 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.319 become 00:16:14.319 --> 00:16:14.919 Christians 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:17.000 can't 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.319 blame 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.139 God. 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.740 The third 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.559 big 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:26.579 thing we 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:27.019 want to 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.439 learn this 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.059 morning is 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:28.279 this, 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.000 that becoming 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.679 a Christian 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:31.419 is always 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.319 God's work 00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:33.799 and not 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.259 our own. 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.519 It's always 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.360 something God 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:36.799 does, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.740 not something 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.339 we do. 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:39.719 You see, 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.599 even though we 00:16:40.599 --> 00:16:41.579 may fail to 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.980 respond as 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.480 we should, 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.520 even though 00:16:44.520 --> 00:16:45.120 God in 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.720 his goodness 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.300 has given 00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:47.220 opportunity 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.600 after opportunity, 00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:51.080 he doesn't 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:52.480 stop making 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.600 people Christians. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.080 He still 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.200 keeps on 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.160 working in 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:58.060 people's lives. 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.020 That's the point 00:16:59.020 --> 00:16:59.660 of verse 6, 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.379 it's not as 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.020 though God's 00:17:01.020 --> 00:17:01.800 word had 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.240 failed. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.039 So two 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.600 things from 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:05.220 this we want 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.579 to learn. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.079 First, 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:08.519 becoming a 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:08.919 Christian 00:17:08.919 --> 00:17:10.759 is dependent 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.379 on God's 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:12.960 gracious 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.779 promise. 00:17:13.939 --> 00:17:14.539 Becoming a 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.159 Christian is 00:17:15.159 --> 00:17:16.439 dependent on 00:17:16.439 --> 00:17:16.839 God's 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.199 gracious 00:17:17.199 --> 00:17:17.699 promise. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.359 Let's 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:19.199 read verse 00:17:19.199 --> 00:17:19.720 6 again. 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.319 It is not 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:20.699 as though 00:17:20.699 --> 00:17:21.359 God's word 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:21.980 had failed, 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.179 for not 00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:23.819 all who 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.480 are descended 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.399 from Israel 00:17:25.399 --> 00:17:26.559 are Israel. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:27.740 Now, 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:28.460 that sounds 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.059 confusing, 00:17:29.199 --> 00:17:29.699 that last 00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:30.379 little statement, 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.179 but this is 00:17:31.179 --> 00:17:31.559 what he's 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:31.859 saying. 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.419 Just because 00:17:33.419 --> 00:17:33.939 you've heard 00:17:33.939 --> 00:17:34.639 the good news 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.379 about Jesus, 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.660 just because 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.140 you've had 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.920 this privilege 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:38.380 and this 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:38.980 background, 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.860 doesn't mean 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.560 to say that 00:17:41.560 --> 00:17:41.880 you will 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.520 automatically 00:17:42.520 --> 00:17:43.080 be a 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:43.440 Christian. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.460 So, 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.240 how do you 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.760 become a 00:17:46.760 --> 00:17:47.080 Christian? 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:47.380 Well, 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:47.880 read on, 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.500 verse 7, 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.940 Nor because 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.700 they are his 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.700 descendants are 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.140 they all 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:52.800 Abraham's 00:17:52.800 --> 00:17:53.220 children. 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.260 On the 00:17:54.260 --> 00:17:54.820 contrary, 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:56.140 it is through 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.920 Isaac that 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.620 your offspring 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.200 will be 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.640 reckoned. 00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:00.120 Now, 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.400 again, 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.360 it's confusing, 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.020 it's difficult 00:18:02.020 --> 00:18:02.520 to get our 00:18:02.520 --> 00:18:03.160 heads around 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:03.400 it, 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.460 but one way 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.040 to help us 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.659 to do this 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:06.259 is to think 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.859 back to the 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.500 story in 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.099 Genesis where 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.759 we read about 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.240 the beginning 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.920 of Israel 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.859 and Abraham 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:12.799 and his 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:14.240 first children. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.759 Because in 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.599 that story in 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.200 Genesis we 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:17.639 read that 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.359 Abraham had 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.720 two sons. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.279 The first 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.359 son he 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:22.740 called 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.519 Ishmael. 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.420 The second 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.399 son he 00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:27.659 called Isaac, 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.339 that's being 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:28.980 referred to 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.420 here in 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.099 verse 7. 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.539 They're both 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.259 physical 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.940 descendants of 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.340 Abraham. 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.900 Abraham is 00:18:35.900 --> 00:18:36.720 their dad. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.680 They both, 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.380 if you like, 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.000 had the same 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.860 opportunities, 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:40.480 the same 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.380 privileges. 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.240 However, 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.820 only one of 00:18:43.820 --> 00:18:44.620 them belonged 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.299 to the true 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:45.900 people of 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.200 God. 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.299 Only one, 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:47.820 if you like, 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.440 became a 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.340 Christian and 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:49.740 that was 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.299 Isaac. 00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:51.820 Why? 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.759 Because God 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.320 had given 00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:55.000 the promise 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.799 of salvation 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:57.700 to one 00:18:57.700 --> 00:19:00.420 but not to 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:00.900 the other. 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.500 look at 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.100 verse 8. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.960 In other 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.400 words, 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.840 it is not 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:06.620 the natural 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.840 children who 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.600 are God's 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:09.040 children, 00:19:09.540 --> 00:19:10.960 but it is 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.720 the children 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:13.140 of promise 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.840 who are 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:15.620 regarded as 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.360 Abraham's 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.100 offspring. 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.759 The true 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.420 people of 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:19.980 God or 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.000 people who 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.500 become 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.420 Christians 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:24.460 are those 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:24.840 who are 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:26.220 dependent on 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.019 God's 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.519 gracious 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.720 promise to 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.060 us. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.559 it is 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.299 never about 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.759 our 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.619 privileged 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.339 position 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.179 before 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:33.639 him. 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:36.019 You see, 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.159 some people 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:37.639 think, 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.319 like the 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.079 Jewish people 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.599 here in 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.599 this passage, 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.480 that it is 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:42.960 all about 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.440 position, 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:43.919 it is all 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:44.220 about 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.799 privilege. 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:45.759 So people 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.200 could say, 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.779 oh well I am 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.339 a Protestant 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.200 or I am 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.700 a Catholic 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.179 or I am 00:19:49.179 --> 00:19:49.659 a Baptist, 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.220 but the 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.779 point is it 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.059 does not 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.539 matter what 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.200 your pedigree 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.579 is, 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.500 it does not 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.039 matter what 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.659 your position 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.139 is, 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.339 salvation 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:58.500 only comes 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:58.960 to us 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.259 because 00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.720 God 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.700 promises 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.140 it. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:02.819 Look at 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.519 verse 9, 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.660 for this 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.180 is how 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.960 the promise 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.940 was stated, 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.119 at that 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:09.700 appointed 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.519 time I 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.279 will return 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.380 and Sarah 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:12.960 will have 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.500 a son. 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.480 Again, 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:14.839 if we are 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.480 to go back 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.000 into that 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.599 story, 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.880 we remember 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.799 that Abraham 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.559 and his 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.400 wife Sarah 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:20.900 at this 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.380 time were 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:21.700 very, 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.619 very old. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:23.740 Sarah 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.460 was well 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.079 past the 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.500 age of 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:25.799 having 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.299 children. 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:26.980 It was 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.480 physically 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:27.819 and 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.519 biologically 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.339 impossible 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.319 for her 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.019 to have 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.599 a child. 00:20:32.439 --> 00:20:33.099 But God 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.460 had made 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.119 a promise 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.799 to them 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.599 and said 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:35.980 that I'm 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.460 going to 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:36.919 come back 00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:37.299 and at 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.779 that time 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.059 when I 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.399 return 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.000 you will 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:40.000 have a 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.419 child 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:40.939 because 00:20:40.939 --> 00:20:41.559 what was 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.460 impossible 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.679 for Sarah 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:45.939 suddenly became 00:20:45.939 --> 00:20:46.480 possible 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.659 through God's 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.200 promise. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.619 And this 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.599 is illustrating 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.159 the fact 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:53.059 that salvation 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.179 is only 00:20:54.179 --> 00:20:54.859 possible 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.779 because of 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.259 God's 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.740 promise 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.979 to us, 00:20:59.479 --> 00:21:00.719 not because 00:21:00.719 --> 00:21:01.459 of our 00:21:01.459 --> 00:21:01.959 privileged 00:21:01.959 --> 00:21:02.599 position. 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:04.379 In other 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:04.759 words, 00:21:04.899 --> 00:21:05.559 becoming a 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:05.939 Christian 00:21:05.939 --> 00:21:07.479 is always 00:21:07.479 --> 00:21:08.139 God's 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:09.119 work. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.139 And this 00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:12.699 is repeated 00:21:12.699 --> 00:21:13.240 again, 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.899 but in a 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.199 slightly 00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:16.039 different way. 00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:18.000 Becoming a 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.639 Christian is 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:19.079 not just 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.839 dependent on 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.219 God's 00:21:20.219 --> 00:21:20.559 gracious 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.099 promise, 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:22.519 it's 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.379 dependent on 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:23.879 God's 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:24.259 gracious 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.359 choice. 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:26.779 Look at 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.419 verse 10. 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.579 Not only 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.079 that, he 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.599 continues, 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.619 but Rebekah's 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.480 children had 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.359 one and 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:34.799 the same 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.419 father, 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.879 our father 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.359 Isaac. 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.459 You see, 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.119 as we follow 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.779 the story 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.459 through of 00:21:40.459 --> 00:21:41.339 Abraham and 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.799 Sarah and 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.179 the two 00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:43.679 children, 00:21:44.459 --> 00:21:44.919 in this 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.279 case, 00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:45.959 Isaac, 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.079 well, we 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.480 learn that 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.419 Isaac also 00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.119 had two 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:49.679 sons. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.519 In fact, 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.180 these two 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.779 sons were 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.279 twins. 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:53.840 They were 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:55.140 called Esau 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:56.259 and Jacob. 00:21:57.840 --> 00:21:58.519 So if 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.320 Isaac had 00:21:59.320 --> 00:22:00.000 received the 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.600 promise of 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.200 salvation, 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.539 does that 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.320 mean his 00:22:03.320 --> 00:22:04.420 children will 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.460 also have 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.360 the automatic 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:07.039 right to 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.600 salvation? 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.940 Well, look 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.519 what it says 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.360 in verse 11. 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.740 Yet, 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.920 before the 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.560 twins were 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:16.000 born, 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.500 or had 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.279 done anything 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.259 good or 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.799 bad, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.799 in order 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.599 that God's 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:24.079 purpose in 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.019 election might 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.799 stand, or 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.559 to put it 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.000 this way, 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.900 in order that 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.920 God's purpose 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.960 might be 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.799 driven by 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.900 his choice. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.019 Not by 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.680 works, 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.119 but by 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.579 him who 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.920 calls people. 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:40.779 She was 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.440 told the 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.220 older will 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.180 serve the 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.539 younger. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.480 God 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.319 made a 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.879 choice. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:50.679 And I 00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:52.059 know we 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.639 find that 00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.159 hard to 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:53.799 take in. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:54.980 I know 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.240 we're 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:56.039 struggling to 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.740 hear that. 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.119 But 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.919 according to 00:22:58.919 --> 00:22:59.700 God's 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.579 purpose, 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:02.700 he chose 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.899 between the 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:04.720 two boys, 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.399 between the 00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:06.059 two twins, 00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:07.079 he chose 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:08.740 one and 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.179 not the 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:10.480 other to 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.159 receive his 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:11.740 salvation. 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.599 Verse 13, 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:15.859 just as it 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.480 is written, 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.599 Jacob I 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.019 loved, 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.459 but Esau 00:23:21.459 --> 00:23:23.000 I hate 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.319 it. 00:23:24.939 --> 00:23:25.699 What? 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.259 Are you 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.959 sure that's 00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:29.259 what it 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.699 says? 00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:31.059 I thought 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.759 God loved 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.559 everybody. 00:23:33.459 --> 00:23:34.119 What does 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.559 the great 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.139 verse say? 00:23:35.199 --> 00:23:35.639 That God 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.079 loved the 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:36.379 world. 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:37.160 how can 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.700 God 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.480 hate 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:38.980 someone? 00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:41.460 Well, 00:23:41.520 --> 00:23:42.120 the sense 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:43.320 is something 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:43.980 like this, 00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:44.860 that Jacob 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:46.200 I have 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.820 chosen, 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.000 but Esau 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.640 I've 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.100 rejected. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.400 Jesus 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.760 said the 00:23:55.760 --> 00:23:56.400 same kind 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.820 of thing. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.400 Keep your 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.000 finger there 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.560 in Romans 00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:00.160 9 and go 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.600 back to 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:00.900 John 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.820 chapter 6. 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.560 John's 00:24:04.560 --> 00:24:04.920 gospel 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.940 chapter 6. 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:16.100 John's 00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:16.420 gospel 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.220 chapter 6 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.220 verse 37. 00:24:19.760 --> 00:24:20.540 This is 00:24:20.540 --> 00:24:20.860 Jesus 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:21.460 speaking 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:24.020 about those 00:24:24.020 --> 00:24:24.360 who will 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:24.900 come to 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.100 him, 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.600 those who 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:25.920 will be 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.480 Christians. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.520 John 00:24:27.520 --> 00:24:28.300 chapter 6 00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:29.280 verse 37. 00:24:29.760 --> 00:24:30.000 Jesus 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.880 says all 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.380 that the 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:31.840 father 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:33.500 gives 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.180 me 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:36.100 will 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.459 come 00:24:36.459 --> 00:24:36.719 to 00:24:36.719 --> 00:24:37.039 me 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.359 and 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.039 whoever 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.619 comes 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:39.839 to 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.119 me 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:40.679 I 00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:40.859 will 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:41.179 never 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:42.059 drive 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.679 away. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.639 Verse 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.759 39. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.259 And this 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.019 is the 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.480 will 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.179 of him 00:24:49.179 --> 00:24:49.779 who sent 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.000 me, 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.459 that I 00:24:50.459 --> 00:24:50.719 shall 00:24:50.719 --> 00:24:51.039 lose 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.619 none 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.459 of all 00:24:52.459 --> 00:24:53.019 that he 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.339 has 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:53.740 given 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.119 me, 00:24:54.959 --> 00:24:55.599 but raise 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:55.959 them up 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:56.219 at the 00:24:56.219 --> 00:24:56.899 last day. 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:58.900 God's 00:24:58.900 --> 00:25:00.240 will, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.000 God's 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.740 purpose, 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:02.940 God's 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.019 choice to 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.500 call people 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:07.000 to himself. 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.500 And that's 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.680 what Paul is. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.360 He's essentially 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:11.640 saying the same 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.440 thing here. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.900 in other 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.200 words, 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.299 God has 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.200 chosen to 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.840 give his 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.299 saving 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.960 love to 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.519 some 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:22.960 and not 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.660 to others. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.539 And we 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.019 may think, 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.320 well, 00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.500 if God 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:29.980 made a 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.539 choice like 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:30.820 this, 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:31.620 maybe it's 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.039 because 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.019 Jacob 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.500 must have 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:33.799 been a 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.380 better boy 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.779 when he 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.299 was growing 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:35.640 up. 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.180 Or maybe 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.299 it was 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.740 because 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.400 God 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.080 knew that 00:25:40.080 --> 00:25:40.740 one day 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.180 Jacob 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.759 would 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.259 trust 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.620 in 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:42.940 God 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.440 and he 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.680 knew 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.059 how he 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:44.420 was going 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:44.819 to turn 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.220 out and 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.700 that's 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.099 why he 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:46.420 chose 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:46.599 him. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.900 Well, 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.240 it's got 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.859 nothing to 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.240 do with 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.819 those things. 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.220 It's got 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.720 nothing to 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.240 do with 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.579 our 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.079 character. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.480 Look at 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:53.779 what it 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.200 says in 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:54.839 verse 11. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.420 This is 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.380 Romans 9 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.140 verse 11. 00:25:59.420 --> 00:25:59.859 Yet 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.779 before 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:02.079 the twins 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.839 were born, 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.359 before they 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:05.059 were born, 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.339 or had 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.000 done anything 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.500 good or 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.720 bad, 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.380 before they 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.180 even had an 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.700 opportunity 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.940 to come 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.420 running in 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:12.779 and say 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:14.799 something nice 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.340 or to 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:15.740 throw a 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.340 tantrum, 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:20.779 God made 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.500 his choice. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.299 It wasn't 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.960 as if God 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.519 looked down 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.920 and said, 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.380 oh, 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:25.900 Jacob is 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.140 going to 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.400 be a 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:26.779 good boy, 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.160 I'm going 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.620 to choose 00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:27.980 him, 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.180 or Esau 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.840 isn't going 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.380 to believe 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:31.180 in me, 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.600 so I 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:31.900 won't 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.299 choose 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.740 him. 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.019 No, 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:34.500 the point 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.920 is this, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.580 that becoming 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:36.360 a Christian 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:38.019 depends on 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.740 God's 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.980 gracious 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:41.120 choice of 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.500 us, 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:43.059 not our 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.680 character, 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.960 not about 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.359 who I 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:46.700 am. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.319 Becoming a 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.940 Christian is 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.480 always 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:52.319 God's 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.700 work. 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.839 And the 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.200 fourth 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.940 thing that we 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.559 want to take 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:01.980 from this 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.480 is this, 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:05.960 that although 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.819 these things 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.120 we're struggling 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.440 with, 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.900 and I know 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:09.319 you've got 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:09.819 questions, 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.380 and I know 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:10.880 there's lots 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.500 of puzzles 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.940 that we're 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.279 trying to 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.759 work out 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.079 here, 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.200 but if we 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.680 try and 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.380 work all 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.140 those things 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.599 out, 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.299 in some 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:20.799 sense we'll 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.460 get bogged 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.819 down. 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.319 And what 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:24.860 we need to 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.440 try and do 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:27.259 is to 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.000 accept and 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.019 to go with 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.180 it, 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.339 because if 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.180 we hear what 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.900 God is saying 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.420 to us, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.140 it will 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:34.220 change our 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.440 lives in 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.040 an incredible 00:27:36.040 --> 00:27:36.519 way. 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:37.720 It will 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.400 change our 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:38.920 lives in 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.480 an incredible 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.920 way. 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.940 Three things 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:43.220 that this 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.800 will change 00:27:43.800 --> 00:27:44.400 our lives. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.160 The first 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.759 is this, 00:27:46.560 --> 00:27:47.460 it creates 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.560 humility. 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.800 It creates 00:27:49.800 --> 00:27:50.360 humility. 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:51.960 You see, 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:53.160 if God has 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.940 made me a 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.400 Christian, 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.780 that means 00:27:56.780 --> 00:27:57.560 there is 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:58.620 nothing in 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.400 my life 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.840 that I can 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.580 point to 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.579 and say, 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.599 God made 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.000 me a 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.379 Christian 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.240 because, 00:28:06.439 --> 00:28:07.000 or God 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.599 chose me 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:09.319 because I 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:09.639 was a 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.139 good boy. 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.819 If you're 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.439 a Christian, 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.319 it's not 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.879 because of 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.359 who you 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.099 are or 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.679 what you've 00:28:16.679 --> 00:28:17.059 done, 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.720 or because 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.339 you've 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.179 decided to 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:21.039 do something, 00:28:22.179 --> 00:28:22.839 it's simply 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.939 because God 00:28:23.939 --> 00:28:25.419 chose to 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.000 give his 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.980 love to 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.359 you. 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:29.139 have a 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:29.519 look back 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.719 in 00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:30.379 Deuteronomy 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.339 chapter 7. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.740 Deuteronomy 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.779 chapter 7 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.679 and verse 00:28:37.679 --> 00:28:38.139 7. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.419 Deuteronomy 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:41.039 7, 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:43.079 verse 7. 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:54.259 Deuteronomy 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.720 The Lord 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:56.240 did not 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.240 set his 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.939 affection 00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:58.939 on you 00:28:58.939 --> 00:28:59.960 and choose 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:00.579 you because 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.079 you were 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:02.079 more numerous 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.059 than all 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.480 the other 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.960 peoples, 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:04.980 for you 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.339 were the 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.019 fewest of 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.859 all peoples. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.079 In other 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.299 words, 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:08.639 he didn't 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.059 choose you 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.439 because of 00:29:09.439 --> 00:29:09.720 anything 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.519 about you, 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:12.519 but, 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.259 verse 8, 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:13.740 it was 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.819 because the 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:16.720 Lord loved 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.099 you. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.279 You see, 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:22.839 the question 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.420 here is 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.420 not what 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:24.900 about 00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:26.079 everybody 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.759 else. 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.960 The amazing 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.799 thing is, 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.240 is that 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.779 why would 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.379 God love 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:32.660 me? 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.359 Why would 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:34.779 he love 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.039 me? 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.619 That's 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:36.940 what's 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.359 amazing. 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.160 And if 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.480 we can 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.299 grasp that, 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.659 then it 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.259 takes away 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.180 all notions 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.039 of superiority. 00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:44.220 That means 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:45.119 I can never 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:46.039 ever look 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.700 down on 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.279 somebody and 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.519 say, 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.519 I'm better 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.039 than you 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.139 because I'm 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:50.599 a Christian 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.119 or because 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:51.919 I chose 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:52.419 to follow 00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:53.059 or because 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:54.099 God saw 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.579 something 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.419 beautiful in 00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:55.700 me. 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:56.859 It just 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.339 creates 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:57.899 humility. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.940 It makes 00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.740 me love 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.639 other people 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.839 and serve 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.240 them and 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.779 care for 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.879 them in 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.319 the same 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:07.740 way in 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.279 which God 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:08.899 did that 00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:10.019 unconditionally 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.599 for me. 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.920 So first, 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.480 it creates 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:12.980 humility. 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.000 Second, 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.240 it brings 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.619 about 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.400 security. 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.599 You see, 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.160 if God 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.680 has made 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.059 me a 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.460 Christian, 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.960 then salvation 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.599 is not 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:23.119 dependent 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.740 on me. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.660 If I 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.839 chose to 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.339 become a 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:27.720 Christian, 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.460 if it was 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.319 about me, 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.099 then that 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:31.579 means I 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.279 can choose 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.200 not to be 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.639 a Christian. 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.160 So I can 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.720 kind of jump 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.379 in and be 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:35.839 a Christian 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.500 and then 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.359 decide at a 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.839 later point 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.519 not to 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:38.839 be a 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.240 Christian. 00:30:40.659 --> 00:30:41.039 Now, 00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:41.399 I don't 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:41.859 know about 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.119 you, 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.619 but I've 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:42.919 got an 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:43.459 issue about 00:30:43.459 --> 00:30:43.879 that because 00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:44.559 I choose 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.099 to sin 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.959 every single 00:30:45.959 --> 00:30:46.299 day. 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.919 I choose 00:30:47.919 --> 00:30:48.779 to disobey. 00:30:49.179 --> 00:30:49.980 I choose 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.599 to ignore 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.099 God's 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.339 word. 00:30:51.699 --> 00:30:52.179 So am I 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:52.819 in or am I 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.339 out because 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:53.699 of my 00:30:53.699 --> 00:30:54.139 choices? 00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:56.980 But if I 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.919 understand that 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.579 it is God 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.299 who chose 00:30:59.299 --> 00:30:59.699 me, 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.119 then my 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.959 salvation is 00:31:02.959 --> 00:31:03.659 not dependent 00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.619 on how good 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.299 I am or 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.019 how bad 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.519 I am, 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:07.919 but God 00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:08.559 has promised 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.019 to me. 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.579 He chose 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:10.919 me. 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:12.559 And that 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.200 means I'm 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.220 secure forever 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.000 no matter 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.079 if I 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.879 failed or 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.339 whether I've 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:18.599 been a 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.059 good boy. 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.559 Romans 8 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.799 verse 38. 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.940 This is why 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.579 he can say 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:24.940 this. 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:25.919 Romans 8 00:31:25.919 --> 00:31:26.599 verse 38, 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.099 for I am 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:28.759 convinced that 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.379 neither death 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:29.980 nor life, 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:30.980 neither angels 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.579 nor demons, 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.139 neither the 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:32.819 present nor the 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.279 future, 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.319 nor powers, 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.059 neither heights 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.559 nor depth, 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:36.359 nor anything 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.220 else in all 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.899 creation, 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.339 will be able 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.119 to separate 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:40.980 us from the 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.299 love of God 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:43.740 that is in 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.460 Christ Jesus 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.099 our Lord. 00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:47.339 Why will we 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.759 not be 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.339 separated? 00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:50.279 Because of 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.119 the work God 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.779 has done in 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.440 our lives. 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:55.000 And then the 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.740 last thing that 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.759 it brings about 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.980 is it leads 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.139 to responsibility. 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.759 If I am a 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.200 Christian, 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.220 then this 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.019 truth will 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.259 change my 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.240 heart and 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.799 give me an 00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:09.180 incredible love 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:09.920 for other 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.819 people who 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.460 are not yet 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:11.920 Christians. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.900 That's how 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.960 this text all 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.019 started in 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.740 verse 3. 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:16.700 As Paul 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.779 looked in at 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.160 his own 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:18.720 heart, the 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.559 great sorrow 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.420 and unceasing 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:21.120 anguish that 00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:21.960 he had, how 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.900 he wishes 00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:24.440 that he could 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.120 be cut off 00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:26.259 from Christ 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.940 so that 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.120 others would 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:28.539 become 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.019 Christians. 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.279 Christians. 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.819 And here's 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.319 the wonderful 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.960 thing, that 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.039 if you are 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.680 a Christian, 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.660 God has 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.980 chosen you 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:40.279 and God 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:41.059 has called 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.319 you to be 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:43.059 his witness 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.940 where you 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:45.980 are amongst 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.940 those people 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:48.000 who are not 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:49.359 yet Christians. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.599 Maybe you're 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.480 the only one 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.259 who is a 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.819 Christian at 00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.480 this time in 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.099 your family. 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:58.159 perhaps you're 00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:58.779 the only one 00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.459 who believes 00:32:59.459 --> 00:33:00.259 when you go 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:00.699 into your 00:33:00.699 --> 00:33:01.179 workplace. 00:33:02.399 --> 00:33:02.980 Maybe you're 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.339 the only 00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:03.939 Christian in 00:33:03.939 --> 00:33:04.519 your neighbourhood. 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.719 God has 00:33:07.719 --> 00:33:08.500 chosen you 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.859 and God 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.500 has called 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.339 you and 00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:11.859 he's called 00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:13.639 me so that 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:14.379 we would be 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:15.219 his witness 00:33:15.219 --> 00:33:16.059 placed in the 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.659 middle of all 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.459 those people 00:33:17.459 --> 00:33:19.519 so that 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.079 through you 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.980 they can hear 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.399 the good 00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:23.439 news and 00:33:23.439 --> 00:33:24.199 respond in 00:33:24.199 --> 00:33:25.879 faith and 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.200 become 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.720 Christians 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.080 to. 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.560 It is 00:33:31.560 --> 00:33:32.140 puzzling. 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:33.860 It raises 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:34.560 questions. 00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:36.700 But let 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.480 these three 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.080 things that 00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:38.520 we've just 00:33:38.520 --> 00:33:39.080 touched on 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.620 at the end 00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:41.260 settle in 00:33:41.260 --> 00:33:42.140 your hearts. 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:44.260 God has 00:33:44.260 --> 00:33:44.820 called you 00:33:44.820 --> 00:33:45.360 to be a 00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:45.640 Christian. 00:33:45.780 --> 00:33:46.000 He has 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.700 chosen you 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.300 and it 00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:47.840 brings about 00:33:47.840 --> 00:33:48.500 humility. 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:50.520 It brings 00:33:50.520 --> 00:33:51.260 security. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.100 But it 00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:55.020 leads to 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.779 responsibility. 00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:58.940 Let's 00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.200 pray. 00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.700 Let's 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:01.279 pray. 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.119 Father, 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:16.980 we prayed 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.699 at the 00:34:18.699 --> 00:34:19.039 beginning 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.639 that your 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:21.420 word is 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:21.940 truth. 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.780 And there 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.219 are many 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:26.039 things that 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.760 are in 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.440 it that 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:29.000 are confusing 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.559 to our 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.420 own minds. 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:33.740 And there 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.039 are many 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.639 things that 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.340 we find it 00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:37.199 hard to 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:38.219 accept in 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:38.599 our own 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.119 hearts. 00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:40.440 things that 00:34:40.440 --> 00:34:41.119 are 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.500 faithful to 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.219 us. 00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:42.659 And so we 00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:43.339 pray for 00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:43.980 your ongoing 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.539 work of 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.099 your spirit 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.699 to bring 00:34:46.699 --> 00:34:47.319 clarity 00:34:47.319 --> 00:34:50.059 and to 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:50.259 bring 00:34:50.259 --> 00:34:50.980 acceptance 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.900 in our 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.400 hearts. 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.339 And that 00:34:56.339 --> 00:34:57.000 above all 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.380 that we 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:57.719 would be 00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.380 people who 00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:59.000 bow in 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.539 humility 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.460 before you 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:02.079 and thank 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.599 you for 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.380 our amazing 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.059 salvation, 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.960 for your 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.900 amazing love. 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:09.480 and to 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:09.900 know that 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.320 no matter 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:10.820 what, 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.599 whether I've 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.200 had a bad 00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:13.780 week or a 00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:14.340 good week, 00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:15.980 that your 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.720 love still 00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:18.000 remains and 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.340 we are 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:18.820 secure. 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.019 And in 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.500 the knowledge 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.119 that you 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:24.340 will go on 00:35:24.340 --> 00:35:25.320 making 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.139 Christians and 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:26.480 that your 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.180 gospel has 00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.860 not failed, 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.519 help us 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.099 that we may 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.660 go out 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.599 into this 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:33.340 week with 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:33.980 a message 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:35.059 and with 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.639 a truth 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:37.199 about the 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:37.759 Lord Jesus. 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.400 Help us 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:40.980 as we go, 00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:42.699 in Jesus' 00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.139 name. 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:44.859 Amen. 00:35:44.859 --> 00:35:45.000 Amen.