WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.200 What a joy it is to be with you this morning. 00:00:03.780 --> 00:00:10.099 I bring with me the greetings, the love and the prayers of the congregation at London City Presbyterian Church. 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:17.719 It's been great to get to know your minister, Paul, as I've settled into life in London. 00:00:18.420 --> 00:00:24.280 As I was thinking about coming here this morning, I was thinking, what would be good for a congregation I've not met? 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:27.100 And what would be good for all of our souls together? 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:34.260 And so I thought, what about the Apostle Paul's prayer for the Christians in Ephesus? 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:38.260 You know, Paul planted a church in Ephesus. 00:00:38.780 --> 00:00:44.040 We don't believe that this is the congregation he's writing to here in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:53.939 This is most likely a circular letter for the presbytery, the churches in the area of Ephesus. 00:00:53.939 --> 00:01:02.399 And if you know anything about the letter of Ephesians, you'll know Paul is writing to tell them about the glorious gospel of grace. 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.819 The first three chapters unpack the theology of grace. 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:14.140 And the final three chapters apply it to our lives as individuals, as families, as workers. 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:20.640 It's an amazing letter that unpacks the amazing theology of the gospel. 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:29.840 And as we come to this section in chapter 1, there's that breathtaking beginning where Paul says in verse 3, 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:41.640 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:49.280 Have you ever wondered, what are the spiritual blessings that are yours in Christ, who trusts the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:52.359 Well, Paul unpacks them. 00:01:53.180 --> 00:01:53.780 Verse 4, 00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:59.659 You are chosen before He laid the foundation of the earth to be holy and blameless. 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:08.340 In love, He predestined you to be adopted as His sons and daughters in His Son. 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:15.080 You have redemption, the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:20.259 You have been lavished with the riches of God's grace. 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:30.079 And in verses 13 and 14, He says, He has filled us with His Spirit, the deposit and the guarantee of our inheritance. 00:02:30.899 --> 00:02:36.859 Now, it's in light of this amazing beginning that Paul the pastor says, let's pray. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:47.479 And he prays that the eyes of the heart of these Christians in Ephesus would be wide open to what they have in Jesus. 00:02:47.479 --> 00:02:53.379 And so, brothers and sisters, this morning, that's what I want us to focus our attention on. 00:02:54.019 --> 00:02:57.639 Paul's prayer for the Christians in Ephesus. 00:02:57.959 --> 00:03:01.879 Before we begin, let's just bow our heads and let's just pray and ask for God's help. 00:03:02.819 --> 00:03:10.239 Lord, may the words of my mouth, may the meditation of all of our hearts, 00:03:11.239 --> 00:03:15.699 be pleasing and acceptable in your presence. 00:03:15.699 --> 00:03:22.199 And we pray this in the name of our rock and our redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:23.280 Amen. 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:30.019 Have you ever heard the name William Randolph Hearst? 00:03:30.899 --> 00:03:35.620 He was the Rupert Murdoch of the early 20th century. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:36.839 He was a media mogul. 00:03:37.579 --> 00:03:41.939 He actually, his company put into way the way that newspapers are published. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:45.060 And as a result, he became a multi-millionaire. 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:51.340 And one of his favorite pastimes was collecting antiques. 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:57.219 He loved to come to Europe and collect 14th, 15th, 16th century paintings. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:00.159 He loved to come to Britain for grandfather clocks. 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:03.300 He would visit Syria for rugs, China for vases. 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:04.879 You name it, he had it. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:06.300 He had many mansions. 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:13.740 He had acquired so many antiques that he literally had to build storehouses to keep all that he had. 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:21.199 One occasion, he was sitting in his mansion and he was reading a sort of art dealer's magazine. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:24.759 And it mentioned a painting that everyone was searching for. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:26.719 And he thought, I want that. 00:04:27.039 --> 00:04:30.399 So he picked up his phone and he phoned one of his agents and he said, 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:34.980 Listen, I'll give you all the money, all the time it takes, but you're going to get me this painting. 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:37.079 I want it for my collection. 00:04:38.120 --> 00:04:39.620 So offset his agent. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:42.339 Days turned into weeks. 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:43.839 Weeks turned into months. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:48.740 And then finally, there was a knock at the door of Mr. Hearst. 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:50.240 It was his agent. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:52.519 And he was beaming with a smile. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:56.620 So Mr. Hearst said to him, Did you manage to get this piece of art for me? 00:04:57.259 --> 00:04:58.599 His agent said, Yes. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:02.639 And Mr. Hearst, as he was bringing them into the home, said, 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:05.219 Now tell me, where did you find it? 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:09.379 His agent said, Well, sir, you are never going to believe this. 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:11.379 I've spent a lot of your money. 00:05:12.039 --> 00:05:13.919 I've taken up a lot of your time. 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:19.240 When all along, that piece of art was in one of your storehouses. 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:26.699 That true story is a modern parable of what you and I are like as Christians. 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:35.819 You see, in our union to Jesus Christ, we possess every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:47.800 But like Mr. Hearst, we sometimes fail to take the time to enjoy and appreciate what we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:57.779 And why is Pastor Paul so conscious that believers, the eyes of our heart often get filled with the worries of life and the anxieties of life, 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:04.979 praise for these Christians, that the eyes of their heart would be wide open to three things. 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:07.879 Look down at verse 16. 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:10.839 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 00:06:10.919 --> 00:06:14.179 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, 00:06:14.739 --> 00:06:18.379 may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:24.899 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that is opened, that you may know, 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:29.060 number one, what is the hope to which He has called you? 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:34.899 Number two, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints? 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:44.319 And then number three, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe? 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:51.439 So three points this morning, that the eyes of our hearts may be wide open to our hope in Christ, 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:58.339 to our riches in Christ, and to the power that is ours in Christ. 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:00.719 So first of all, hope. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:03.659 And let me begin by asking you this question. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:10.120 Those of you who are Christians, do you live as a person of hope? 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:17.740 Do the eyes of your heart see the hope to which you have been called? 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:23.540 Or have you taken this amazing blessing, this amazing treasure that is yours in Christ, 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:26.920 and have you stored it away in the storehouse of your heart and head, 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:30.660 never to consider it afresh again? 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:33.019 Well, Pastor Paul prays here, 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:35.060 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, 00:07:35.280 --> 00:07:39.000 in order that you may know the hope to which you have been called. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:41.120 Do you know what biblical hope is? 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:44.220 It's different from worldly hope, if I can put it like that, 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:47.379 which is wishful thinking, I hope it's not going to rain today, 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.279 I hope it's going to be gloriously sunny. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:58.399 Biblical hope is a confident expectation of a guaranteed result. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:04.639 Biblical hope is a confident expectation of a guaranteed result. 00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:08.420 Christ means what He says. 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:09.900 He says what He means. 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:12.300 He makes promises and keeps promises. 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:14.740 We've just been celebrating Easter. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:19.060 Easter is where we see our hope in all of its glory. 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:21.500 The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:27.600 He said He would come, live for us, die for us, and be raised for our justification. 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:33.860 Because He has finished the work, because He's been victorious over death, 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:37.340 all who trust in Him have that future hope. 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:40.560 We will never die but live forevermore. 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:47.159 Our hope as Christians is rooted in the past work of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:52.339 And it impacts our future, because we know where we're going. 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:56.220 But Paul would also, and Peter, in his writings say, 00:08:56.899 --> 00:08:59.980 our hope in Christ ought to impact us also in the here and now. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:03.000 So the apostle Peter speaks about our living hope. 00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:08.540 A hope that is alive, that animates us, that energizes us, 00:09:08.540 --> 00:09:10.960 because we trust in a living Savior. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:15.480 When I think about illustrating what hope is, 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:18.360 biblical hope versus worldly hope, if I can put it like that, 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:20.400 I think of when I was 18 years old. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:22.360 I used to work in a pharmacy. 00:09:22.920 --> 00:09:24.920 It puts the chemist on a Saturday. 00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:28.600 And across the road from the chemist I worked in, 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:32.660 my late grandfather was a resident in a nursing home. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:36.320 And so on my lunch break, I'd go across to the nursing home. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:38.500 And I'm sure you've all been in old folks' home. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:41.500 When you walk into the lounge, it's always sweltering hot. 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:43.379 And you've got all these old buddies, 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:45.940 and they're sitting around tables playing dominoes, 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:48.879 or doing crosswords, or watching the TV. 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:54.419 And I'd often find my grandfather nestled in among some of the old ladies. 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:59.840 So I'd pull up a chair, and they would see that I worked in the chemist, 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:01.580 and so they would engage me in conversation. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:02.720 Oh, you work in the chemist? 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:05.659 Well, do you know, when I was a little girl, 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.840 that chemist used to be a flower shop? 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:11.500 And it turned out that they'd grown up in this village, 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:13.179 and so they would then go on and tell me, 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:15.139 I went to school along the road, 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:17.559 and they would just begin telling me their life story. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:19.879 And I married John, and John was an engineer, 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:21.820 and we've had five children. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.679 John passed away many years ago. 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:28.220 And our five children, only one of them lives nearby. 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:30.000 The rest are all across the world. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:33.259 We've many grandchildren, some that we've never met, 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:35.840 because my children don't come and visit anymore. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:39.379 I've been in here for many years, Andy. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:41.679 In fact, Andy, as I think of you working in the chemist, 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:44.840 I keep boots in business because I'm in so much medication. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:47.319 And you know, when I was speaking to them, 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:49.059 you know, the feeling that I felt inside, 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:51.019 as they walked me through their life story, 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.919 and they even brought it right up to the present, 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:55.980 was a feeling of hopelessness. 00:10:55.980 --> 00:11:00.399 They could never speak about the future. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:04.759 Contrast that with those moments 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:06.139 where a carer would clock 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:08.220 that I had come to see my grandfather, 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:10.039 who was a retired minister, 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:12.180 and they would come over, 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:12.840 they would say, 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:14.779 listen, you should spend some time with your grandfather. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:16.960 So they would wheel him into his room. 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:19.500 He was an old man in his mid-80s, 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:21.039 frail and fragile. 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:23.519 And every time I visited him, 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:24.720 he would never let me leave 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:26.340 without reading the Bible and praying. 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.740 He could barely lift his head, 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:30.639 but every time he did lift his head 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:32.220 to look at me in the eye, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:35.840 he had this glint of excitement, 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:38.100 and he loved to say, 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:39.980 now, Andrew, 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:44.820 I cannot wait to see my Savior. 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:50.139 I cannot wait to get to glory. 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:52.700 That, my friends, 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:55.140 is a picture of hope. 00:11:55.780 --> 00:11:59.040 That is a confident expectation 00:11:59.040 --> 00:12:01.759 of a guaranteed result. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:05.580 And if you are united to Christ, 00:12:05.900 --> 00:12:08.060 that is what you possess in Christ. 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.020 A living hope. 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:13.680 Based on the past work of Jesus 00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:16.120 that has secured your future, 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:18.840 but should impact you in the here and now. 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:21.040 We have a hope, 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:23.280 says the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 5, 00:12:23.660 --> 00:12:24.639 that does not, 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:26.620 that will not put us to shame. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.820 Have you ever put your hope 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:29.560 in a person, 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:30.240 a loved one, 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:31.220 maybe a parent, 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.860 maybe a sibling, 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.460 maybe a child, 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:36.440 maybe a colleague, 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.000 a boss, 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:37.720 a pastor, 00:12:38.280 --> 00:12:39.519 and they've let you down? 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.100 Have you ever put your hope 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:42.840 in circumstances, 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.000 wishing, 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:44.379 hoping, 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.460 they'll all work out for the best, 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:47.700 and it's let you down? 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:48.800 Here's the thing, 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:51.040 if you place your hope firmly 00:12:51.040 --> 00:12:52.000 and securely 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.460 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:55.860 He will never, 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:58.240 ever let you down. 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.879 He means what He says, 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.960 He says what He means, 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:04.580 and you can trust Him 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:07.879 for all that He has done for you. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.180 I wonder, 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:12.580 do you take this blessing 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.600 that you have in Christ, 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:14.519 have you stored it away 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.820 in the storehouse of your heart? 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:16.019 Well, 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:17.759 it's Pastor Paul's prayer 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:19.780 that the eyes of our hearts 00:13:19.780 --> 00:13:21.019 would be wide open 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.379 to the hope 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.800 that we have 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:25.960 in Jesus Christ. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:28.440 You know, 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:29.700 right now in 2023, 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:31.620 nationally, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.259 globally, 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.759 there is a lot of hopelessness. 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:36.200 Locally, 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:36.900 I suspect, 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.220 Ealing is just like 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:39.400 the neighborhood 00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:40.140 I now live in. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.340 There's a lot of people 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.340 without hope. 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.080 And as Christians, 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:44.840 we have a deep 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.360 and unshakable hope 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:48.460 because of what Christ has done. 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.080 And so, 00:13:50.140 --> 00:13:50.940 brothers and sisters, 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.259 we've got every reason 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:53.240 to make known 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.340 that hope. 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:56.340 Those of you in this church 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:56.980 who've got children 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.940 and you're raising them 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:58.980 in the fear and admonition 00:13:58.980 --> 00:13:59.500 of the Lord, 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.500 your confidence 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.820 is not in what you do. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:02.780 Your confidence 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:03.500 ought to be 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.620 in the God 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.960 of hope. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:07.920 The God 00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:09.460 who has made promises 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.220 to His people 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:12.220 and loves to make good 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:12.940 on His promises 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:13.820 to His people. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:17.500 We have 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.200 an incredible God 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:19.759 who wants 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:21.740 the eyes of our hearts 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.900 to be wide open 00:14:22.900 --> 00:14:24.660 to that which is ours 00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:25.480 in Jesus Christ. 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:27.820 second thing Paul 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:28.220 prays for 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:28.820 is that the eyes 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.379 of our hearts 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.759 would see the riches 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.379 that we have 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.019 in Jesus Christ. 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.539 Just look at what 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.240 he goes on to say. 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.240 What are the riches 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.139 of His glorious inheritance 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.120 in the saints? 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.240 And that begs the question, 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:39.259 what does Paul mean 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.100 when he says riches? 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:40.440 Well, 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.980 he's just made mention 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.300 of them back in verse 7. 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:44.220 He says, 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:45.399 we have been lavished 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:47.500 with the riches 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.399 of God's grace. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.680 That's God's undeserved 00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:51.040 love and favor. 00:14:51.540 --> 00:14:52.580 And He's lavished it 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:52.920 on us 00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:53.759 with all wisdom 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.740 and insight. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.480 My professor 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.080 at seminary 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.820 used to speak about, 00:14:58.940 --> 00:14:59.480 you know the verse 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.519 in Corinthians 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.340 where Paul says 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.639 that God's grace 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.759 is sufficient for us? 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:04.820 He used to say 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.779 that God's grace 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:07.300 is tailor-made for us, 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:08.180 like a tailor-made suit. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.860 When God bestows grace 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.460 on His people, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.340 it's done with wisdom 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:12.820 and insight. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.879 He knows how broken, 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.939 He knows how flawed, 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:16.299 He knows how sinful we are, 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.559 and He gives grace 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:18.460 upon grace 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:20.039 perfectly for us. 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:20.539 Now, 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.259 the grace of God 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.379 is most clearly seen 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.259 in the gift 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.200 that is His Son, 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.259 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.439 And brothers and sisters, 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.759 whether we realize it or not, 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.299 we are rich 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.159 beyond anything 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.039 we can imagine 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.919 because we have been given 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:41.419 the most incredible gift 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.580 in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:47.759 I know that many of us 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.200 as Christians 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.519 know how spiritually 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.879 bankrupt we are. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.340 We look in 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.200 and we see this in. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.340 But I think that many 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.179 of us as Christians 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.120 don't realize 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.200 that when you trust 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:58.679 in Christ, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.559 when you're united 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.240 with Christ, 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:02.259 your bank account, 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.419 spiritually speaking, 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.939 is filled with 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:07.220 the infinite wealth 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:08.720 of the undeserved, 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.539 unmerited love of God. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:12.679 such is the grace 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.599 and the mercy of God 00:16:13.599 --> 00:16:14.319 that we wake up 00:16:14.319 --> 00:16:14.879 every morning 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.539 and we receive 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.819 daily grace 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.399 and mercy 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.559 for each day 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.179 because great 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.219 is His faithfulness. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.179 You know, 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.039 in the run-up 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.299 to this coronation, 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.059 I've been reading 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:25.659 a little bit 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.459 about the royal family 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:26.740 again, 00:16:26.819 --> 00:16:27.620 and it was quite 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.339 striking to note 00:16:28.339 --> 00:16:30.279 that King Charles, 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.339 on the passing 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:33.959 of his mother's death, 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:36.320 inherited all of our estates 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:38.160 and all the assets 00:16:38.160 --> 00:16:39.720 are worth billions. 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.540 And into his bank accounts 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:44.759 has come hundreds of millions. 00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:47.320 And upon him coming king, 00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.620 he will receive gifts 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:50.840 from other royal families, 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.460 relations, 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.740 as he takes up this role. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.180 And as I was reading 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:55.879 these articles 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.259 and learning more of this, 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.400 I had the thought 00:16:58.400 --> 00:16:59.340 cross my mind, 00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:00.639 why in the world 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.519 was I not born 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.500 into that family? 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:06.480 And then, 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.660 I had to remind myself 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:11.880 that I have been born again 00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:13.940 into the family 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:16.019 where I have 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.420 a glorious inheritance 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:20.180 that cannot perish, 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.440 spoil, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.799 or fade 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:24.220 because it's kept 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.259 in heaven for me 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.039 and it is shielded 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.880 by God's power. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:29.400 And I am written 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.359 into the will 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.519 of Almighty God. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:33.079 and I am an heir 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.960 of Christ. 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:37.279 And all that is Christ's 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.000 is mine. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.819 He is mine. 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:41.700 And that is the most 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.900 incredible inheritance. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.920 And I am His. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.660 And so are you 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.339 if you're a believer 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.440 in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.660 And Paul here prays 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:51.920 that these Ephesian Christians, 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.319 that all Christians, 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:53.900 we would have 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.980 the eyes of our hearts 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.379 wide open 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:57.819 to the riches 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.099 and the inheritance 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.480 we have in Christ. 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:02.559 What would the church 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.319 of Jesus Christ 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:03.759 look like 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.559 if we stopped 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.179 pretending 00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:06.259 that we were poor 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.839 because we're not poor? 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.219 We're rich 00:18:09.219 --> 00:18:10.039 in the love of God. 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.379 And we started 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:12.819 living as we are. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.059 Maybe you're 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:17.839 in a difficult marriage. 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.519 Maybe you've got 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.439 difficult children. 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.459 Maybe you've got 00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:21.159 difficult neighbors. 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.619 Maybe you've got 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.079 a difficult 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:25.039 boss or colleague. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.579 Do you know 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.240 that God 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.000 is so gracious 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.399 to you? 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.740 He lavishes you 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.720 each and every day 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.000 with love 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.000 that you don't deserve 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.119 in order 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:36.440 that you who realize 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.899 that you need grace 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.059 can show grace 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:40.139 to those that you 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:41.000 live with, 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.659 work with, 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.839 serve with. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:47.119 In the economy 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:47.819 of grace, 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:49.200 God makes us 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.139 trophies of grace 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:50.799 that we might be 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.819 those who are so rich 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.619 and overflowing 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.299 with our riches 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:53.920 that we want to 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.819 share it with everyone. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:57.659 The most glorious 00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:58.519 privilege of standing 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.319 here today is that 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.039 I have the privilege 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.639 of preaching 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:02.059 the unsearchable riches 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:02.779 that are ours 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.779 in Jesus Christ. 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.339 And the most glorious 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.339 privilege we all have 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:06.899 as Christians 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:07.779 is that we get 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.700 to share that 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:10.079 as we live our lives. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.859 What would the church 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.659 of Jesus Christ 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.700 be like if we started 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.220 to realize 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.940 what we have in Christ? 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.819 How rich we are 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:19.339 in Christ? 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.099 You know, 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.200 you will inherit the earth 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.859 if you're a believer. 00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.420 It's your inheritance. 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:29.079 Blessed are the pure 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.799 spirit for they 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.480 shall inherit the earth. 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:32.359 The glory of the gospel 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.720 is that Christ's 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.460 inheritances are 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.859 inherited. 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:36.819 So, 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.639 are you like Mr. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:37.940 Hearst? 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.799 You take the treasure, 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.859 the blessing you have, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.960 you store it away, 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.980 you forget you've got it. 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.659 Paul prays here 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.500 that the eyes of your 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.180 hearts would be 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.579 wide open to see 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.779 the riches 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.879 that are yours 00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:49.779 in Christ. 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.059 Now, 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:52.859 I would say that 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:54.259 hope in some ways 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:54.740 is enough. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.779 I'd say that 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.539 the riches 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.059 and inheritance 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.639 is enough. 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.539 Paul doesn't stop. 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:00.859 He says, 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.519 there's one more thing 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.139 I pray that these 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:02.920 Christians would have 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.579 the eyes of their 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:06.000 hearts wide open to 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.039 and it says 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.319 power. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.819 Look at verse 19, 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.599 and what is the 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.740 immeasurable greatness 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.379 of his power 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.599 towards us 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.039 who believe? 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.319 And do you see how 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:19.180 he layers word upon 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:19.899 word there? 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.319 He says, 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:23.079 immeasurable greatness 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:24.960 of his power. 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.680 Every single person 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.960 who is in Christ 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:32.180 has immeasurably 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.359 great power 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.920 at work within them. 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.279 This is the most 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.480 mind-boggling truth 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.240 that we'll ever 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:42.259 try and understand 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.379 that if you're a believer, 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.420 if you're united to Christ 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:44.940 this morning, 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.839 the third person 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.779 of the Trinity 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.519 has taken residence 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.659 in your life. 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:52.679 In chapter 1, 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.699 verse 13 and 14, 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.779 he says that the deposit 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.419 and the guarantee 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.439 of our inheritance 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:57.559 is the indwelling 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.359 of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:00.119 In chapter 3, 00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:00.959 verse 20, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.939 in his benediction, 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.599 now to him 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.139 who is able 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.139 to do immeasurably 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.799 more than all 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.819 we can ask 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.359 or imagine 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:07.399 and according 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:08.939 to the power 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:11.559 that is at work 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.939 within us. 00:21:13.679 --> 00:21:14.220 So try and get 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.500 your minds 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.119 around this, right? 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.739 God, 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.519 the third person 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.279 of the Trinity, 00:21:17.659 --> 00:21:20.119 is within you 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:22.959 and is powerfully 00:21:22.959 --> 00:21:24.599 at work within you. 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.699 So I know 00:21:26.699 --> 00:21:27.519 that as a Christian, 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.539 we face temptation 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.039 day in, 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:30.419 day out, 00:21:30.459 --> 00:21:31.219 and we find ourselves 00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:31.659 succumbing 00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.439 time and time again. 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.979 And I know 00:21:34.979 --> 00:21:36.019 that we can feel 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:37.619 in a sinful world 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:39.479 powerless, 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:42.059 incredibly weak. 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:44.119 And Satan 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.059 would definitely 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:46.200 want us to believe 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.960 that that is true 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.159 of us 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:47.799 and there is a true 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.419 sense that that 00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.579 is true of us. 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.059 But, 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:51.480 brother, 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.139 sister, 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:52.940 the Scriptures 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.619 tell us 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.519 we are indwell 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.960 with the Holy Spirit, 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.399 the same power 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.559 that raised Jesus 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.960 Christ from the dead 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:02.019 and we are empowered 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.940 to live the Christian life. 00:22:05.639 --> 00:22:07.000 So look at verse 19, 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:07.559 what he says, 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.419 and what is the 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:09.379 immeasurable greatness 00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.599 his power towards us 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.000 who believe 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.960 according to the 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.779 working of his 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.279 great might 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.259 that he worked 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.919 in Christ 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.859 when he raised him 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.759 from the dead 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.059 and seated him 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.159 at his right hand 00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:20.220 in the heavenly places 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.539 far above all rule, 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.000 authority, 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:22.419 power, 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.099 and dominion 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.200 above every name 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.740 that is named 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.919 not only in this age 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:27.139 but also in the one to come. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.119 Here, 00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:29.299 Paul illustrates 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.460 this is the power of God 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.539 that is at work within you. 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.519 It's the same power 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.279 that raised Jesus 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.940 from the dead. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.359 It's resurrection power. 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.539 It's the power 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.500 of the new life 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.220 in Christ. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:42.200 And those who are united 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.720 to Christ, 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.200 the living, 00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:44.139 risen Christ 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:44.759 who is seated 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.879 above all powers 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.619 and dominion 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.359 and authority 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:48.599 is him 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:50.319 who we live 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.759 in relationship with. 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.799 This is the blessing 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.339 that is ours in him. 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:57.399 And it is truly 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:59.139 mind-bending 00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:00.220 and astonishing 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:02.819 because when I look 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.700 at my Christian life, 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:05.799 I don't sometimes feel 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:09.339 as if almighty God 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.200 is living within me 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.899 and is powerfully 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:12.419 at work in me. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.460 But here's the thing, 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.500 it's not about my feelings, 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.000 it's about the facts 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.599 of the gospel. 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.200 When I was a minister 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.819 in Cumbernauld, 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.960 one of the great privileges 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.740 I had was 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:28.359 shepherding the old, 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.819 preparing them for glory. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.879 I sat next to many 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.819 a hospital bed 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.220 and many 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.579 next to an old saint 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.740 on their deathbed 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.919 and they were weak 00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:38.980 and they were fragile 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:42.240 and they were fading away, 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.439 outwardly wasting away. 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:46.799 You know what was glorious? 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.740 I learned more from them 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.399 than they ever learned 00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:49.899 from me 00:23:49.899 --> 00:23:51.439 because inwardly 00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:52.460 they were being renewed 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.639 day by day 00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:56.279 and they had something 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.599 that money can't buy, 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.220 they had something 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.779 that you can't have 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.100 unless God gives you 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:02.000 and that is 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.180 they had the power 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.420 and the love 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.220 and the grace 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.819 to share with me 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:09.360 to say that Christ is king 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:11.039 and we're going to be with him. 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.940 Paul prays here 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.240 that the eyes of our hearts 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.120 would be wide open 00:24:17.120 --> 00:24:18.539 to the blessing 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.819 of God's power 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.180 that is in us. 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:22.559 Now, 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:23.860 as we bring this 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:24.559 to a conclusion, 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.960 let me give you 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.720 an illustration 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.519 that might tie 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.059 all this together. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:31.299 I grew up 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.240 just south of Glasgow 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:34.120 but about 100 years ago, 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.720 north of Glasgow, 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.680 there was a little boy 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.480 called John. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:40.039 When John was a little boy, 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:41.259 he stumbled into a field 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.059 and he heard 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.339 a field preacher 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:45.500 and he became a Christian. 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:49.740 And John grew up 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.259 and he became 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.559 a Baptist minister. 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:52.660 He married 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.799 and him and his wife 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.220 had a little girl 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:57.039 and then sadly 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:58.339 his wife passed away. 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.839 And so John's sister 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.400 moved in 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:03.039 to his man 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:04.120 so she could help him 00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:04.579 pastor. 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.160 And John was a very 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:06.860 gifted preacher, 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.440 so much so 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.559 that he got an invitation 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.500 to go and preach 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.319 in America 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.500 at Moody Church 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.200 in Chicago. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:15.000 And so John 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.779 bought three tickets, 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.600 one for him, 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.360 one for his sister, 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.259 one for his daughter, 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:21.180 for the maiden voyage 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.200 of the Titanic. 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:24.819 You know the story 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.640 better than I do. 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:27.620 It crashed 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.620 into the iceberg 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:31.279 and the unsinkable ship 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:34.140 would be sunk. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:37.380 But it is recorded 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.039 for us 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.039 what happened 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:40.059 when the alarm 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.660 was raised. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.580 Pastor John Harper 00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:45.500 was heard saying this, 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:48.819 all women, 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.519 children, 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:54.359 and unconverted men 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:56.359 aboard the lifeboats 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:57.180 now. 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.759 All Christian men 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.839 stand back. 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.980 This ship 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:05.779 is going down. 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.859 Brothers, 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.420 we are going up. 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.099 Do you know 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:11.640 what that is? 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.839 That is a man 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:14.099 whose eyes 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.419 of his heart 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.539 were wide open 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:16.980 to the hope 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.599 he had in Christ. 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:20.579 Pastor John Harper, 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.799 as the Titanic 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.359 was beginning 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.179 to plummet 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.980 into the icicle 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:26.019 trees in the Atlantic Ocean, 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.819 was heard shouting 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.719 to the orchestra 00:26:27.719 --> 00:26:28.459 aboard the ship, 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:29.919 play nearer, 00:26:29.959 --> 00:26:30.339 my God, 00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:30.740 to thee. 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.339 That is hope. 00:26:32.939 --> 00:26:33.819 That is a confident 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.799 expectation 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:36.480 of a guaranteed result. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.519 He jumped 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.259 overboard, 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.119 landed into 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.859 the water, 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:44.919 and he had 00:26:44.919 --> 00:26:45.740 his life jacket on 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.199 and so he managed 00:26:46.199 --> 00:26:46.980 to grab a piece 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.539 of debris 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.459 and whilst he was 00:26:48.459 --> 00:26:49.719 in the water, 00:26:49.919 --> 00:26:50.879 the man who had 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.579 been converted 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.859 by a field preacher 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:54.519 became a sea preacher 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.779 because he started 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.399 to proclaim 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.419 the unsearchable 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.359 riches of Christ 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:59.459 there in the 00:26:59.459 --> 00:27:00.779 freezing cold 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.240 water. 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.219 How so? 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.839 By the power 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:08.519 of the Holy Spirit. 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.719 This was his 00:27:10.719 --> 00:27:11.679 deathbed moment 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.900 and yet he felt 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:14.299 enabled to proclaim 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.940 the unsearchable 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.560 riches that were 00:27:16.560 --> 00:27:17.019 in Christ. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.360 There was a man 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:19.259 who jumped overboard, 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.720 he didn't have 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.259 a life jacket, 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:21.140 he sunk for a moment, 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.920 came to the top 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.900 and Pastor John Harper 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:24.160 was able to grab him, 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.100 bring him onto 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:25.940 the piece of debris, 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.180 he took off his 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.700 life jacket 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.600 and put it on him 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.640 and in that sense 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.620 he saved this man's life 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:32.360 and he turned to the man 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:32.640 and he said, 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.340 have you believed 00:27:33.340 --> 00:27:34.500 upon the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:36.600 And I can't believe this 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.100 but there 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.899 around the night 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:39.419 they had a gospel 00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:40.159 conversation 00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:41.279 and that man said 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.740 no and Pastor John Harper 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.019 said, 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.379 you must believe 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:46.079 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:47.240 and be saved. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.579 Pastor John Harper 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:52.219 went to glory 00:27:52.219 --> 00:27:52.740 that night. 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.839 Six years later 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.619 there was a reunion 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.939 of all of the survivors 00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:58.000 of the Titanic 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.959 in Ontario, 00:27:59.159 --> 00:27:59.480 Canada 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.799 and a man stood up 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.119 and he said, 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:02.439 I am the last convert, 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.379 Pastor John Harper. 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:06.700 That night 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.500 in the freezing 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.840 ice cold water 00:28:08.840 --> 00:28:09.980 he proclaimed 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.300 the unsearchable 00:28:11.300 --> 00:28:12.520 riches of Christ 00:28:12.520 --> 00:28:13.100 to me 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:14.580 and I was saved. 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.900 That friends 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.400 is because 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.420 John Harper 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.460 lived with his eyes 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.180 wide open 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.840 to the hope, 00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:21.900 to the riches 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:23.840 and he lived his life 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.660 in dependence 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:26.020 upon the power 00:28:26.020 --> 00:28:27.500 of Almighty God. 00:28:28.760 --> 00:28:29.880 And as believers today 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:31.620 Paul's prayer 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.480 for us 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.680 is that you and I 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.300 would not take 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:34.960 the blessings 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.700 that we have 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.220 in our union 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.799 with Christ 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.839 and store them away 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.559 in the storehouse 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.220 of our heart 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.839 but instead 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:42.220 that the eyes 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.919 of our heart 00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:44.240 would be wide open 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:46.319 to that which is ours. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.180 If you've never 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.259 trusted in Christ 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:51.279 believe upon 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.180 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.240 and you shall be saved. 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:54.139 You'll experience 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:56.099 a love that you don't deserve, 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.460 a love that you'd never merit. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.339 You'll be given 00:28:59.339 --> 00:28:59.899 an inheritance 00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.799 that's so glorious. 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.419 You'll be written 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:02.319 in the will of God. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:05.480 If you are a believer 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.059 in Christ 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.659 as you step into 00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.259 this week 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:10.159 you've got grace 00:29:10.159 --> 00:29:10.799 for your marriage, 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.799 grace for your children, 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.500 grace for those 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.099 you work with. 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.000 Grace to share 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:16.259 in the gospel. 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.319 You've got hope. 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.639 Live as a person 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:21.220 of hope 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.919 in a world 00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:24.259 filled with hopelessness 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.799 and do so 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:27.319 all independent 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.619 confidence 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:29.000 on the power 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.619 of almighty God. 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.700 Let's pray. 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.700 Okay.