WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.040 Well, why don't we pray as we come to God's word this morning? 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:08.480 The Apostle Paul would write this to the church in Colossae. 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:15.060 He says, we're asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:18.859 in all wisdom and spiritual understanding 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:23.300 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:29.740 And so, Father God, thank you that we can approach you because of Jesus 00:00:29.739 --> 00:00:33.379 and we ask, Lord, that Paul's prayer for this church in Colossae 00:00:33.379 --> 00:00:35.579 that they would grow in their understanding, 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:37.679 that they would be filled with all wisdom 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:42.099 and that they would walk in a manner that is worthy of you. 00:00:42.099 --> 00:00:45.339 Father, that is our prayer today as your people. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:48.579 Lord, we ask that your spirit would come and would he help us. 00:00:49.039 --> 00:00:52.500 Father, we're so aware of our wandering hearts, of our distracted minds 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:55.060 and so we pray, Father, that you would come and help us now 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:56.759 as we turn to your word. 00:00:57.200 --> 00:00:59.480 And we pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:00.440 --> 00:01:02.600 I mean, folks, you might want to turn to Romans chapter 8. 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:06.600 We're in it verses 31 to 39. 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:09.680 Finishing this little series we've been in over the last few weeks. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:12.879 Thinking about the building blocks of the Christian life. 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:15.540 And let me just say, as you're turning that there, 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:17.320 the evening service tonight is 6.30. 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:19.799 Andy Constable is going to be our speaker. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:21.060 Andy's a good friend of mine. 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:23.800 But Andy's one of the pastors at Nidrae Community Church 00:01:23.800 --> 00:01:26.159 and he's heavily involved with the work of 20 schemes, 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:27.659 which you may have heard of, 00:01:28.099 --> 00:01:31.579 planting churches in some of the poorest areas of our country 00:01:31.579 --> 00:01:32.679 to the glory of God. 00:01:32.739 --> 00:01:35.159 We're going to have just a time this evening as well 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:36.780 being able to ask him questions. 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:38.159 So we'll have an open Q&A. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:40.420 Andy's going to come with a few folks from Nidrae. 00:01:40.479 --> 00:01:41.859 It'd be great to hear about their work 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:44.699 and some of the ways that they've seen God at work 00:01:44.699 --> 00:01:47.400 and some of the things that we can pray about for them as well. 00:01:48.160 --> 00:01:49.680 So that's 6.30 this evening. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:52.000 Let me just say as well, on a personal note, 00:01:52.040 --> 00:01:54.480 let me thank you for those folks who were just praying for us 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:55.719 when we were on holidays as a family. 00:01:56.900 --> 00:01:59.520 Some of you were so kind and you texted us to tell, 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.840 texted me rather to say that you were praying for us. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:04.500 And that's just meant so much over the last few weeks 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:06.500 that you, for both Alex and I, that you love us 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:08.080 and that you care for us. 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:10.640 And we just want to say that we love you back 00:02:10.640 --> 00:02:12.000 and we were so delighted to come back. 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:14.300 So thank you so much for doing that. 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:16.800 Let me just give you two thoughts that have been in my mind 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:18.880 over the last few weeks, just as we've been away 00:02:18.880 --> 00:02:21.840 and as we've come back, a few thoughts have been in my mind. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:22.540 Here's the first one. 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:24.680 I wonder if you'd tap into any of these. 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:28.219 Firstly, there's no place like home, right? 00:02:28.660 --> 00:02:31.219 No place like home, and that's home with a small h. 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:33.100 We found this when we were away. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:35.020 I don't know if you find this, that you get there. 00:02:35.700 --> 00:02:37.480 We were sleeping in different places. 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:38.800 We were different places on the holiday. 00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:41.200 And we would get to bed and I would sit there and think, 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:42.380 oh, this is not my bed. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:43.680 This is not my bed. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:44.600 I've got a sore back. 00:02:44.660 --> 00:02:45.780 The mattress is too firm. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:47.020 These pillows are too soft. 00:02:47.140 --> 00:02:48.140 I just want my bed. 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.000 And then you would turn on the shower and you would think, 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:51.979 oh, I just want my shower. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:55.139 This temperature is not, I've got it set at the perfect temperature. 00:02:55.240 --> 00:02:56.020 This is too hot. 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:56.920 This is too cold. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:59.379 The pressure isn't hard enough. 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:00.680 I just want my shower. 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:03.420 And then I found this well down in England. 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:06.199 You would turn on the tap and you have a glass of water. 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:10.680 And you think, oh, I just want my Scottish water back. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:13.620 If you've drank straight from the tap, especially down in London, 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:14.379 you know what I mean. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:16.580 We've got it good up here with the water, haven't we? 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:20.900 And I just came back and think, there's no place like home, small h. 00:03:21.920 --> 00:03:25.900 And then just as well as I've been tuning in to some of the sermons 00:03:25.900 --> 00:03:28.219 when I've been away and as I've been thinking of my own quiet times 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:32.360 and conversations with people, I've just felt in my own spirit, 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:35.219 just there's no place like home, capital H. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:38.219 There's no place like home, capital H. 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:43.199 As we've been journeying through Romans 8, we've hit that last week, didn't we? 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:48.840 This place that God has prepared for those who are in Christ, 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:51.780 whose trust is in Jesus, who are following him as their saviour. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:56.659 This place where he's working towards, he's bringing all things together 00:03:56.659 --> 00:03:58.000 in heaven and earth in Christ. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:02.439 Christ, this place, the hope of the Christian heart, heaven, 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:04.659 we've been thinking about it there. 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:07.939 This place that's marked by things that aren't there. 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:10.259 There's no more groaning. 00:04:10.539 --> 00:04:11.719 There's no more pain. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:13.479 There's no more tears. 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:15.400 There's no more death. 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:16.540 It's been swallowed up. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:19.600 Christ has defeated it, and we're there. 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:22.540 And it's not just defined by the things that aren't there. 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:24.199 It's defined by the things that are there. 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:26.879 Or more rather, it's defined by the person who's there. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:32.379 Or the one who we love as Christians, Jesus Christ is there. 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:35.959 And what is the song, the Hallelujah Chorus that we read about in Revelation? 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:37.639 It's just we're singing his praise. 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:39.719 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:42.480 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:46.259 And my heart, as we read Romans 8 last week, as Wayne was here preaching about it, 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:47.459 we just longed for that day. 00:04:47.579 --> 00:04:48.360 Come, Lord Jesus. 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:53.040 And as I've walked with many of you and as I've had friends who've gone through difficult times, 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:54.860 we say, come, Lord Jesus. 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:57.680 There's no place like home, capital H. 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:06.660 And as I've felt this in my own heart and as I've thought about the reality of my life as I've looked around, 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:10.840 I don't know about you, but that place, it feels a million miles away. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:16.319 Because there's many things that would cause me, and I'm sure cause you, to doubt it. 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:19.420 Or to think that God hasn't got this one. 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:22.259 Or somehow it will slip from us. 00:05:22.340 --> 00:05:24.740 There's external things that cause us to think that, isn't there? 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:31.520 As we live our lives in this world that is seemingly becoming increasingly hostile to the things of the Christian faith, 00:05:31.640 --> 00:05:33.900 increasingly hostile to the things of the gospel. 00:05:35.700 --> 00:05:37.920 And as we think we might have it a little bit hard here, 00:05:37.980 --> 00:05:41.319 just think about our Christian brothers and sisters in places like North Korea, 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:47.740 and Iran, Pakistan, places where it's difficult, really difficult to be a Christian. 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:51.120 You really are taking your life in your hands as you put your hand up and say, 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:51.920 I follow Jesus. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:53.879 External things can cause us to doubt it. 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:56.699 And there's internal things that can cause us to doubt it. 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:59.959 I know this in my own heart, that the sin that plagues me, 00:06:00.099 --> 00:06:03.159 that the mistakes that I make again and again and again, 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:10.579 is this very unspectacular body makes very unspectacular strides 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:14.279 in sanctification and holiness and becoming more like Jesus. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:17.439 And as I know my own heart that it's so often wayward, 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:20.680 so often gets distracted by things, 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:23.319 and it can cause us to doubt it, can't it? 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:25.899 External things can cause us to doubt it. 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:28.079 Internal things can cause us to doubt it. 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:31.439 And the thing, I guess, that I wanted to encourage us 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:34.739 is that we're not the first generation of Christians to feel doubt 00:06:34.739 --> 00:06:37.599 or to feel like this might not happen. 00:06:37.679 --> 00:06:40.519 Because remember that Paul is writing to the church in Rome here. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:44.179 Now, historians reckon he's writing this in AD 57. 00:06:45.359 --> 00:06:49.120 Now, why that is important is because serious persecution of Christians 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:52.259 is about to kick off in AD 64, right? 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:55.560 So, less than a decade later, Nero is about to, 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:58.879 go all out in his persecution of Christians. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:01.000 You read some historians who were there at the time, 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:05.799 and they talk about how Christians were set on fire to light the streets. 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:08.479 They were going to be thrown to the lions. 00:07:10.179 --> 00:07:11.719 And the thing is, what do they need to know? 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.519 What does the Christian in North Korea need to know? 00:07:14.599 --> 00:07:19.620 What do you need to know as you stand for Jesus in this world? 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:20.899 What do you need to know? 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:23.139 You need to know that God is for you. 00:07:24.299 --> 00:07:27.859 You need to know that there is nothing that is going to separate you 00:07:27.859 --> 00:07:31.620 because you're in Christ from his love. 00:07:32.179 --> 00:07:33.339 God has got this one. 00:07:33.419 --> 00:07:34.219 He's got you. 00:07:34.299 --> 00:07:35.799 No matter how hard it gets, 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:40.079 you can build your life on that wonderful truth. 00:07:40.239 --> 00:07:41.319 God is for us. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:44.799 God is for us in Christ. 00:07:44.919 --> 00:07:45.739 He's on our side. 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:46.680 And let me tell you what, 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:48.340 it makes all the difference, doesn't it, in life, 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:49.340 knowing who's on your team, 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:51.500 knowing who's on your side. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:55.379 I remember once when I was at school 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:59.819 doing the Scottish relay championships at Meadowbank down there, 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:01.560 and I lined up in my lane. 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:02.420 It was lane three. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:05.800 And I'm lining up against guys who are much bigger than me, 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:06.740 much stronger than me, 00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:07.720 much faster than me, 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:08.340 and I knew it. 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:10.199 But the thing was, 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:11.460 as they tried to psych me out, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:13.800 I wasn't really listening to it. 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:14.939 I wasn't all that bothered with it 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:16.120 because I knew we were going to win. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.139 And the reason that I was pretty sure we were going to win 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:21.060 is because we had the fastest guy in the country 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:22.439 at that point on the last leg. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:25.540 And it wasn't my speed that was going to win that competition. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:27.400 It was his speed that was going to win that competition. 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:28.560 All I needed to do 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:30.900 was get the bat in and get it to him. 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:31.900 And we were home and trying. 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:34.580 Makes all the difference, doesn't it, 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:35.519 knowing who's on your team, 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:37.139 who's on your side. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:38.180 These verses, friends, 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.740 if you take one thing from this this morning, 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:40.360 let it be this. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:43.360 This is a commitment from our God. 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:44.899 To us, to his people. 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:46.319 This is his commitment to us, 00:08:46.339 --> 00:08:47.379 that he will never let us go. 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.079 It's a commitment from. 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:50.819 Now, automatically, 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.259 we're suspicious of commitments. 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:54.919 And we're suspicious of promises 00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:57.419 as we live our life in this world. 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.539 I don't know if you've found this, 00:08:58.579 --> 00:09:01.899 as you've been watching maybe the TV debates recently 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.919 with the prime ministerial candidates, 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:06.779 as they've been batting it out between them, 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.359 as they've made big promises, 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:10.240 or not made big promises, 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:11.839 about what they're going to do with the economy, 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:13.539 what they're going to do about Brexit, 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:15.299 what they're going to do about climate change. 00:09:15.939 --> 00:09:16.399 And it's funny, 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:18.799 as the person on the TV has asked the question, 00:09:19.199 --> 00:09:20.360 the interviewer asked it back, 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:21.659 have they persuaded you? 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:24.779 Have they persuaded you that they can do this? 00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:25.939 And what came back every time? 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:27.719 No, they haven't persuaded us. 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:29.360 I don't trust them. 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:30.279 I don't trust their commitment. 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:31.740 And I even loved as well, 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:33.259 in that one a few weeks ago, 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:34.740 the eye roll that happened. 00:09:34.819 --> 00:09:35.419 If you saw that, 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.399 somebody rolled their eyes. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:37.240 Love a good British, 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:38.480 passive-aggressive eye roll. 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.519 That's what happened. 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:41.579 Because we don't trust their commitments. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:44.159 But the thing about this, 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:46.019 what we have in our hands, 00:09:46.199 --> 00:09:47.600 is not the word of a politician. 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:50.779 It's not the word of a mere man or woman. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:51.699 What it is here is, 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:54.559 this is the word of our three-in-one creator, 00:09:55.059 --> 00:09:55.319 God. 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:57.340 This is his word to us. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:58.759 And as the psalmist would say, 00:09:58.819 --> 00:10:00.199 we want to lean our whole lives 00:10:00.199 --> 00:10:01.199 and hope in this word. 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:01.860 And if we do so, 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:02.740 we will not fail. 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:07.139 These verses are a commitment from God. 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:08.360 Friends, again, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.259 if you take nothing else from this, 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:10.759 know how committed he is to you. 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:12.399 God says, 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:13.519 I'm committed to you. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:15.240 I'm committed to getting you home 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.460 as one of my people, 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:17.519 as you trust in Christ. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:20.220 I'm committed on the journey there, 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:22.139 no matter how hard it gets, 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:25.399 to shower my love upon you in Jesus Christ. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.279 Shower that love upon you. 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:29.460 The love that I demonstrated 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:32.000 as I sent my son to die for your sin on the cross. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:36.100 And I hold your life in my hand, 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.659 as we saw from the verses in Isaiah, 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:38.340 as we started. 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:40.620 God holds our lives in his hand. 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:41.460 He's got us. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:46.560 He could not be more committed to us. 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:49.000 The great old hymn, 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.779 I love this hymn, 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:50.840 written by Daniel Whittle. 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:51.639 Remember when the first time 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.379 I came to Bronxville, 00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:53.120 to the first service, 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:53.940 we sang this, 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:54.720 and it went like this. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.379 I know what of good or ill 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.820 may be reserved for me, 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:01.580 or weary ways or golden days 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.620 before his face. 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.139 I see, 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:06.419 but I know who I have believed, 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:08.259 and I am persuaded 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:10.060 that he is able 00:11:10.060 --> 00:11:12.519 to keep that which I've committed 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:15.139 unto him against that day. 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:17.120 This is what this is saying this morning. 00:11:18.060 --> 00:11:19.860 If your faith is wavering, 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:22.220 if you are fearful about the future, 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.600 if your trust is in Jesus, 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.779 be assured of God's unwavering commitment 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:28.960 to loving you and bringing you home. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:31.820 And all that was by way of introduction, 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:32.720 right? 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:35.120 Because the power is not in my words, 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:36.120 the power is in this word. 00:11:36.160 --> 00:11:37.960 So why don't you turn to Romans chapter 8, 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:42.200 and let's see what God says 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:45.480 through his word to us this morning 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:47.060 as we tap into what the apostle Paul 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:48.060 was saying to the church in Rome. 00:11:48.280 --> 00:11:50.680 Picking it up at verse 31 of chapter 8. 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:53.960 Paul writes this, 00:11:53.960 --> 00:12:00.420 What then are we to say about these things? 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:03.600 If God is for us, 00:12:03.780 --> 00:12:05.300 who is against us? 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:09.319 He who did not even spare his own son, 00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:11.620 but offered him up for us all, 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:13.979 how will he not also with him 00:12:13.979 --> 00:12:14.799 grant us everything? 00:12:16.099 --> 00:12:17.579 Who can bring an accusation 00:12:17.579 --> 00:12:19.559 against God's elect? 00:12:20.599 --> 00:12:22.299 God is the one who justifies. 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:23.719 Who is the one who condemns? 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:26.819 Christ Jesus is the one who died, 00:12:27.339 --> 00:12:28.240 but even more, 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:29.559 has been raised. 00:12:30.479 --> 00:12:33.099 He also is at the right hand of God 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:35.580 and intercedes for us. 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:39.080 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:42.440 Can affliction or distress 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:44.480 or persecution or famine 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:46.560 or nakedness or danger or sword? 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:48.899 As it is written, 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:50.600 Because of you we are being put to death 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.620 all day long. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:55.040 We are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.800 Knowing all these things, 00:12:56.920 --> 00:12:58.300 we are more than conquerors 00:12:58.300 --> 00:13:00.420 through him who loved us. 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:02.019 For I am persuaded 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:04.019 that neither death, 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.500 nor life, 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.240 nor angels, 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:06.860 nor rulers, 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.980 nor things present, 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.019 nor things to come, 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.840 nor powers, 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:10.840 nor height, 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:11.279 nor depth, 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:13.139 nor any other created thing 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:15.740 will be able to separate us 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:17.579 from the love of God 00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:21.819 that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:23.659 Amen. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.159 This is God's word to us this morning. 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.559 These words have been so refreshing 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:27.539 to my soul this week. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.340 We're just going to look at this 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.100 under two headings. 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.159 We've not got a PowerPoint this morning. 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:30.720 I didn't have time. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.540 I moved house, okay? 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.860 Listen for these headings 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:35.139 and we'll try and group it like this. 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:35.740 First of all, 00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:37.639 what Paul does is he asks some questions 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.680 to help them see it. 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.379 He asks some questions 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.240 to help them see it. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.120 Group them together. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.840 Four questions from verse 31. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.759 Look at it with me. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.340 And the thing about these questions 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.620 is he doesn't ask them 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.620 simply because he wants 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.340 a right answer. 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:52.540 Okay? 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:53.320 He's not going, 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.440 oh, Chris Tarrant on them. 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.420 This is not the chase. 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:56.560 This is not what he's doing. 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.560 He's asking these questions 00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:00.119 because he's after their heads 00:14:00.119 --> 00:14:01.899 and he's after their hearts 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.919 because he wants them 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:04.099 to mull over 00:14:04.099 --> 00:14:05.459 the implications 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:06.259 of everything 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.179 that he's been saying 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:08.199 in this section 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:08.959 because that's what he means 00:14:08.959 --> 00:14:10.000 by these things. 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:10.879 Right? 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.500 He's drawn this to a close. 00:14:13.239 --> 00:14:14.939 Thinking through the logical implications 00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:15.979 of everything that he said. 00:14:16.079 --> 00:14:16.559 Follow with me 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:17.559 and we'll just think on these. 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.239 Verse 31. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.239 If God is for us, 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.459 who can be against us? 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:26.759 Who can be against us? 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:28.600 And the answer is, 00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:29.040 I guess, 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:29.980 plenty of people 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.780 can be against us. 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.420 Plenty of things 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:32.320 can be against us. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.040 But what he wants them to know 00:14:35.040 --> 00:14:35.940 is that they can have 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.080 the world against them. 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:40.720 But if the God of the universe, 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.940 because of their faith in Jesus, 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.980 is on their side, 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:46.259 if he's in their corner, 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:48.940 as their good father, 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.280 then his say, 00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:52.720 it trumps it all. 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:55.560 It trumps it all. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:56.860 You know, 00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:57.800 German reformer 00:14:57.800 --> 00:14:59.060 Philip Melanchthon, 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.600 he was one of the contemporaries 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.139 and good friends 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.940 of Martin Luther 00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:02.840 when he was dying, 00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:03.940 when he was on his deathbed. 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.820 He asked for a minister to come 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:07.300 and simply read this verse to him. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.560 If God is for me, 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.600 who can be against me? 00:15:11.420 --> 00:15:12.500 If God is for me, 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.900 who can be against me? 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.759 Because that's what he needed 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.360 in that moment. 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.759 Say it to me again. 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.660 If God is for me, 00:15:19.680 --> 00:15:20.519 who can be against me? 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.620 But how is God for me, 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.060 you ask? 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.340 How do I know God is for me? 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.259 Is this wishful thinking? 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.080 Well, look what he says, 00:15:25.160 --> 00:15:25.800 verse 32. 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:29.780 He who did not spare his own son 00:15:29.780 --> 00:15:31.139 but gave him up for us all, 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.040 how will he not also, 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:33.720 along with him, 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.220 graciously give us all things? 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.759 He'll give us all things. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:41.100 Maybe you had that experience 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:42.019 when you were a child 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.899 at Christmas time. 00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:44.259 You opened the present 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.019 on Christmas morning 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.620 and you just thought it 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.220 magically appeared there overnight. 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:49.240 Right? 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:51.159 But actually what you realise 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.080 many years later 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.740 is that somebody took 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.580 a very great effort 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.620 to think about that present. 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:58.180 They thought about it, 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:00.060 they researched it, 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.700 they saved for it, 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.399 they went out to buy it, 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.879 they wrapped it, 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.639 they made sure you didn't find it, 00:16:07.180 --> 00:16:08.299 and they presented it 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.100 on Christmas morning. 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:10.799 I don't know if you've ever 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.419 had this experience, 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.399 I remember this as a child, 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.320 opening a present 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:14.720 and those three dreaded words, 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.000 do you remember, 00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:16.060 know those three dreaded words 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:16.639 that you read? 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:19.800 Batteries not included. 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.220 Batteries not included, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.120 they hadn't got the batteries. 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.160 But here's the thing, 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.379 if you've gone to all that effort, 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.519 and I know this now as a parent, 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:27.779 okay, 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:29.000 if you've gone to all that effort 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.980 to get that present, 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.540 all that effort 00:16:31.540 --> 00:16:32.420 to get that present, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.399 can I say no parent in the world 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.660 would see that the batteries 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.420 weren't there and think, 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.240 oh, do you know what, 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.060 let's just put it in the bin 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:39.680 and start again. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.100 Let's just forget it. 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.080 A parent would go out 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:43.720 and get the batteries, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.160 wouldn't they? 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.960 And they would see it home. 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:47.540 Friends, 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.379 if we would do that, 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.279 then what he's saying here 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.480 is how much more 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.200 would God do that? 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.899 How much more 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.540 would God, 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:58.500 having done all the stuff 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.019 that he's done 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:00.420 and sending his son for us 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:01.519 and doing the hard part, 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:01.940 as it were, 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:03.279 how much more 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:03.960 will God 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:05.279 see it home? 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:06.579 It's, 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.319 we don't have time 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.900 to look into this, 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.440 but there's echoes 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.440 of Abraham and Isaac 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.440 in the language here. 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.220 If God was willing 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.319 to pay that price, 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.599 he won't fail 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.439 to get the job done 00:17:15.439 --> 00:17:16.220 and he will give us 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.759 all things 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.679 so that it will happen 00:17:17.679 --> 00:17:18.779 and that all things 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.299 doesn't mean 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.159 that he's like a genie 00:17:20.159 --> 00:17:21.099 that we can rub the lamp 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:21.639 and he'll give us 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.359 our three wishes. 00:17:22.659 --> 00:17:23.399 What it means 00:17:23.399 --> 00:17:24.700 is that he will give us 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.379 all things 00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:26.480 that are going to 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.419 accomplish his purpose. 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.339 We saw that just before, 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:29.679 didn't we? 00:17:29.679 --> 00:17:30.799 As he conforms us, 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.339 as his people, 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.519 more into the image 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.119 of his son, 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.139 Jesus Christ, 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.419 day after day 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:36.000 after day 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.759 after day 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.779 until one day 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.779 we're with him in glory. 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:40.319 That's what he's going to do. 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:40.819 He will give us 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:41.279 all things 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.179 for that purpose. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:44.980 And if God is for us, 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.639 verse 33, 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:47.559 who will bring any charge 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:49.000 against those 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.700 who God has chosen? 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:51.779 Who then is the one 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.839 who condemns? 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.419 Because there's plenty, 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:54.720 again, 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.539 there's plenty of stuff 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.700 that could condemn us. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.240 The devil could take his pick 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.980 from the multiple sins 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.839 that you and I 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.519 have racked up 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.220 in our lives. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.639 But every time 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:05.439 he brings a charge, 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.299 God says, 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.359 God's verdict, 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:09.099 is that individual, 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.659 because they're trusting 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:11.339 in my son, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.839 not only are they 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.439 not guilty, 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.179 but they are right 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:16.599 with me. 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.899 They are justified. 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.479 They are justified. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.819 They are right with me. 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:24.159 Why? 00:18:24.459 --> 00:18:25.779 How is that possible? 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.399 How is that possible? 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:29.740 Well, because Jesus died for us. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.719 We've been singing it earlier. 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:33.259 He took the death 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.339 that I deserve to die 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.219 for my sin, 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.399 my cosmic treason 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.200 against the God 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.800 who made me. 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:39.540 He took it on the cross. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.580 He took it on the cross. 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:43.300 He paid it all. 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.180 And he gives me 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.280 his perfect life, 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.380 meaning that I am 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:49.400 right in God's sight. 00:18:50.040 --> 00:18:50.440 And do you see 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.040 what Paul says? 00:18:51.080 --> 00:18:52.000 He didn't just die. 00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:52.800 What did he do? 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:54.500 He rose again. 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:57.040 That's where he is. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.560 Heaven's champion. 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.680 And it's so important 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.340 that we see 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:01.460 the resurrection there. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.840 Because if Jesus died 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.860 and he didn't rise again, 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.119 friends, 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.459 we would have 00:19:06.459 --> 00:19:07.519 absolutely no clue 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.799 that we were 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.699 in the right with God. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.079 We'd have absolutely 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.759 no clue 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.859 that what he said 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.399 was true. 00:19:14.439 --> 00:19:15.319 And if that were the case, 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.279 if he hadn't risen 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:16.859 from the dead, 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:17.979 not only would he go down 00:19:17.979 --> 00:19:18.539 as the greatest 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.159 con artist 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:20.059 in all of history, 00:19:20.219 --> 00:19:20.859 and if that's true, 00:19:20.939 --> 00:19:21.459 you have to say 00:19:21.459 --> 00:19:22.079 the trick has gone 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.000 remarkably well, 00:19:24.479 --> 00:19:25.259 not only would he go down 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.639 as the biggest 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.259 con artist, 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:27.339 but we'd have no assurance 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:27.759 that our sin 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.419 has been paid for. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.359 We'd have no assurance 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:29.939 that we're in the right 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:30.479 with God 00:19:30.479 --> 00:19:32.179 like he said he would be. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:34.799 But we have this assurance 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:37.380 because of the resurrection. 00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:38.299 Think of it like 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:40.080 the time you go to the shops. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.080 I had this experience 00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:41.860 a few weeks ago. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.880 Went to buy milk 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:44.440 from Tesco 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.200 and I tried to pay 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:45.840 with cash. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.779 Tried to pay with cash 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.299 and the person 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.160 looked at me like, 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.420 what is this medieval 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.299 payment method 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.060 you're trying to do? 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.259 But how do you normally 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.060 pay these dates? 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:56.160 You pay with your card, 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.560 don't you? 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.140 You pay with your card 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:58.680 and what do you do? 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.480 You either enter 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.320 your pen into the machine 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:00.920 or you hold it 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.540 against the machine 00:20:01.540 --> 00:20:02.480 and it reads your details. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.360 There's always that moment, 00:20:04.520 --> 00:20:04.840 isn't there, 00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:05.960 after you've done that, 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.820 that you think to yourself, 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:09.220 has this really gone through? 00:20:10.540 --> 00:20:11.560 Has this really gone through? 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.220 How do I know 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.220 there's sufficient funds 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.880 in the bank account? 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.580 How do I know 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:15.720 this payment has happened? 00:20:16.040 --> 00:20:16.720 And all of a sudden, 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:17.600 five seconds later, 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.080 what happens? 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.800 You get the receipt. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.240 And you think, 00:20:20.280 --> 00:20:20.980 this has gone through. 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:22.340 This has happened. 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:24.480 Well friend, 00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:25.860 how do I know 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.900 my sins have been paid for? 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.840 How do I know it's worked? 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.559 The resurrection 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.379 is like the receipt. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.279 It's like the receipt. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.779 Jesus is risen. 00:20:33.439 --> 00:20:34.419 Our sins have been paid for. 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:36.419 He sits in the place of power. 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.079 Do you see, 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.859 Paul tells him, 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:39.000 at the right hand of the Father, 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.319 that position of authority 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.379 and power. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.619 He is risen. 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.740 And this is what I found 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.579 so refreshing 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.799 for my soul this week. 00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:48.939 What is he doing there? 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.980 Look at it in these verses. 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.519 What is our king? 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:54.480 What is our saviour doing 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:56.199 now that victory has been won? 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:58.660 And fill your souls 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.380 with this one. 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:01.779 This king isn't indulging himself. 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.400 What is he doing? 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:06.360 He's interceding for you and I. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.640 He's bearing our name 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.480 before the Father. 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.840 He lives every moment 00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:13.240 to pray for us. 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:13.880 Do you see, 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.100 this king isn't partying. 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.840 What's he doing? 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.519 He's praying. 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:20.019 Every moment of every day, 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:22.360 representing failures, 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.519 sinners like you and I 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.460 before the Father, 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.599 praying for our every need. 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:28.559 How encouraging do you find it 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.539 when somebody tells you 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.480 that they're praying for you? 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.779 I find it so encouraging. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.680 Friends, 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.339 how much more should we be encouraged 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:37.440 that there is one 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.579 who ever lives 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:40.579 to plead for you and I 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.779 before our creator God 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.779 in heaven. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:46.500 The God who is for us. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:49.359 Before the throne of God above, 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:51.400 I have a strong and perfect plea. 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.059 A great high priest 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:53.980 whose name is love, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.220 whoever lives 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:57.279 and pleads for me. 00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.640 What a thought 00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:00.420 that he is doing that 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.940 right now as we speak for us, 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.500 as his people. 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.539 He's praying for us. 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:04.759 You know, 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.599 we've got that expression 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.160 in our culture, 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.500 don't we? 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.440 Talk about having friends 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.119 in high places. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.279 I mean, 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.380 not only is that spatially 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.140 probably true, 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.500 but friends, 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:16.079 we cannot have a friend 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.180 in a higher place than him. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.680 And I love how Paul drops in there. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.640 If you see it in the text, 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.019 he says, 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:24.079 he also is interceding for us. 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.359 Right? 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.400 So in other words, 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:28.140 who do we have on our team? 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.599 What do we have going for us? 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.559 We've got the Father 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.440 who is for us, 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:33.240 who has chosen us, 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.299 who says we are justified 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.200 and right in his sight, 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.220 and also, 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:38.000 we have the Son 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:40.339 who is praying for us. 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.660 Do you see what Paul is doing? 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.740 He's asking questions 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.700 to help them see it. 00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:46.920 Help them see it. 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.540 Understand what God has done. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.180 And so the natural question 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.000 that comes to us, 00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:51.440 isn't it, 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:52.940 is friends, 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.660 do we see it? 00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:56.480 Do we see it? 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.560 This is what's going on. 00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:00.840 Cannot fathom it, 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.060 but this is what's going on. 00:23:04.300 --> 00:23:05.259 In Christ, 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:09.380 God couldn't be any more committed to us. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.660 And do you see how all the three persons 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:13.140 of the Godhead are involved here? 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.960 God the Father was so committed, 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.940 do we see it in the text, 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.640 that he gave his only Son for us? 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.180 God the Son, 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:21.060 Jesus Christ, 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.759 was so committed 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:23.720 that he gave up his life 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.980 for his bride, 00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:25.700 the church. 00:23:26.040 --> 00:23:27.100 And as we saw earlier 00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.800 in chapter 8, 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.540 God the Spirit 00:23:28.540 --> 00:23:29.620 now lives in us 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.880 and helps us 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.720 every moment 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.740 of every day 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.560 in our every weakness. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.740 Our three-in-one 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.620 creator God 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.759 could not be 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.680 more committed 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.540 to us. 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.659 Does that not encourage you 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.480 in your weak faith? 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.279 That this is not about 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.839 my ability to get home. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.440 This is about 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.579 he who holds me 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.420 fast. 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.579 And having seen all that, 00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:52.779 he asks him one last question 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.559 at verse 35. 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.299 And with this, 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.599 he moves from asking questions 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.480 to help them see it 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.379 to sketching dimensions 00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:59.299 to help them live it. 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.659 Verse 35 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:04.079 brings it all together. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:06.539 Who shall separate us 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:08.679 from the love of Christ? 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:11.879 Will anything block God? 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.960 Will anything hinder 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.439 his love for us? 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:16.919 And he lists all the contenders, 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.339 doesn't he? 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.199 Trouble, hardship, 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:19.659 persecution, famine, 00:24:20.199 --> 00:24:21.439 nakedness, danger, sword. 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.559 Things that Paul knew, 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:22.980 of course, 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.899 apart from the sword 00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:24.740 in his own life. 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:27.519 Things that we will face. 00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:29.460 Things that our brothers 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.399 and sisters around the world 00:24:30.399 --> 00:24:31.759 know all too well. 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.980 And that's why he quotes 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.899 from Psalm 44. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.619 If you're wondering 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:36.480 what that little snippet is. 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.240 Psalm 44. 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:38.839 You can check it 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.319 in your own time, 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.359 but it's a painful psalm 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:40.859 of lament. 00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:42.919 Love it, do you not, 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.740 that God has given us 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.240 in his word 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.619 this prayer book 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.740 which is the psalms 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:48.559 that strike the depths 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.419 of human emotion 00:24:49.419 --> 00:24:50.559 but also scale the heights 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.619 of who this God is. 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.819 It's almost an invitation 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.619 from God, isn't it, 00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:55.720 in life's hardest moments 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.859 and in life's best moments 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.099 to pour our souls to him. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.519 He knows, he cares, 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.279 he understands. 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.559 But this painful psalm, 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.259 Psalm 44, 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.299 is written by 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.660 God's people 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.779 who are feeling the heat 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.140 for being his people. 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:09.819 And it's essentially 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.400 a psalm that says, 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.460 Lord, what's going on here? 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.220 Where are you? 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.299 Are we going to make it through? 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.640 And I think Paul 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.819 quotes it 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.700 because there are 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.660 many hard things 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.140 that will come 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:22.240 our way in this life 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.500 because we follow Jesus. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.240 In other words, 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.079 this is the usual 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.039 Christian experience 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.740 to some degree 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.240 or the other. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:30.519 But you see how Paul says, 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:32.759 even in those things, 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.359 right, 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.660 not despite those things, 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.859 not above those things, 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.000 not after those things, 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.319 in those things, 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:42.059 we won't be separated 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.680 from the love 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.079 of God and Christ. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.359 Nothing, 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:46.880 nothing 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.620 is going to separate us 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.279 from his love. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:53.039 And he's persuaded of it. 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.839 Do you see that little word 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.519 he chucks in there? 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.019 I love that. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.619 In the Greek, 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.859 it's in the perfect tense. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.440 Saying, 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.399 I'm fully in on this. 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.099 I'm persuaded. 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.099 God's got me. 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.899 I'm fully won by this idea. 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:05.139 Nothing's going to convince me 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.440 otherwise. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.139 He's persuaded. 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.519 He's won. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.619 What's he won to? 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:13.319 The truth that we are more 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.940 than conquerors in Christ. 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:17.460 Love it. 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.640 Let me just get my Greek geek 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.380 on for you here. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:22.120 The Greek word for conqueror there 00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:23.620 is the word Nike. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.039 It's in the sports brand. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.500 So if you've got trainers 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.080 on this morning, 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.799 you've got a t-shirt on, 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.360 something like that, 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.340 that's what that means. 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:30.680 Nike, 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.600 conqueror. 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.580 And what Paul has done 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.120 is he's, 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:36.340 he's taken the word more, 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:37.880 he pair, 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.000 and he's combined it 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.640 with Nikon, 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.380 Nike. 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:42.039 And what that means 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.580 is he said, 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.740 we are more than conquerors. 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.779 We are more than victors. 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:46.200 We are super conquerors. 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:48.200 He's mashed these two words together. 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.019 It's what he said. 00:26:50.639 --> 00:26:51.839 It's his way of helping them 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.779 understand that we are 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:54.639 in this untouchable position 00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:55.119 as Christians 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:56.639 because of our position in Christ. 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:59.079 That we are hyper victors. 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.799 We are more than conquerors 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.399 in Christ. 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.200 You can think about it this week 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:04.359 every time you put on your trainers 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:05.519 or you put on your top. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.000 That's what I am in Christ. 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:08.099 More than a conqueror. 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:11.519 And because Jesus has made us his own, 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:13.920 nothing will separate us from him. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.860 Do you see what he says? 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.640 Death won't. 00:27:15.800 --> 00:27:16.100 Again, 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.519 he's just painting the contours. 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.620 Death won't. 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.480 Life won't. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.600 Angels won't. 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.660 Rulers won't. 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.779 Present things won't. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.720 Future things won't. 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.500 Powers won't. 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.279 Height won't. 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.180 Depth won't. 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.860 And I'm sure he paused for a breath 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.360 at this point. 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:30.180 And he added in a sweeper clause 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.420 just in case he's missed something. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.360 Nothing in all creation will. 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.620 Nothing in all creation will. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:39.579 Friends, can I suggest 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.439 just as we bring this 00:27:40.439 --> 00:27:41.399 towards a close this morning, 00:27:42.459 --> 00:27:44.799 if we can grasp this, 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.359 then can I suggest 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.179 that there is no more 00:27:48.179 --> 00:27:49.319 freeing place for us 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.139 to be in life? 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.359 That our God has got us. 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.879 He's got us in his hand. 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.719 We're to run to him, 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.319 to ask him, 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.099 to hope in his word, 00:27:59.159 --> 00:28:00.779 to put our confidence in him. 00:28:01.939 --> 00:28:02.859 And I was thinking this week, 00:28:02.919 --> 00:28:04.379 how should this truth inspire me? 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.920 How should this truth impact 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:07.000 the way that we live our lives? 00:28:07.040 --> 00:28:07.660 And I imagine, 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.480 I was thinking about it, 00:28:08.560 --> 00:28:09.800 surely this frees us up 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:11.880 to take risks for the kingdom. 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.880 If he's got us, 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:16.580 if nothing is going to separate us 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.320 from his love, 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:20.040 we can take risks for him 00:28:20.040 --> 00:28:21.160 knowing that he's got us. 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.860 That's exactly what Paul 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:25.020 is aiming for, I think, here. 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:26.520 Remember, he's trying to 00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:27.980 stoke up the fires of these, 00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:29.900 the hearts of these Roman believers, 00:28:30.040 --> 00:28:30.880 people that he's probably 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:31.560 never met. 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:33.380 Because what does he want them to do? 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:34.620 He wants them to join them. 00:28:35.040 --> 00:28:36.240 As they find themselves, 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.360 remember Rome at this point, 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.680 in the most strategic city 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:40.240 in the world at this time? 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.940 He wants this church to join him 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.900 in this great mission 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:45.100 of reaching the nations, 00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:46.800 reaching the peoples of the world 00:28:46.800 --> 00:28:47.620 for Christ. 00:28:49.280 --> 00:28:50.120 And it's this truth 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:51.140 that's going to impact them 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.120 and help them to do that. 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.600 It's what's inspired generations 00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.620 of Christian ministries 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.360 down the ages 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.600 to take risks 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:57.920 and to give it all for Jesus. 00:28:59.140 --> 00:29:00.360 To quote Jim Elliot, 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.399 he is no fool 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:03.479 who gives what he cannot keep 00:29:03.479 --> 00:29:05.059 to gain that 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:07.179 which he cannot lose. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.159 Let me just ask you, 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.419 do you see that 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.199 in your own life? 00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:13.219 Would you not love 00:29:13.219 --> 00:29:15.000 to be more of a risk taker 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.539 for Jesus 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.559 as you speak for him? 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.079 I was thinking on it this week 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.379 as one of the movers 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.240 helped me pack up 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.459 the van for the house. 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.039 He said, 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.699 what do you do? 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.179 And I told him 00:29:24.179 --> 00:29:24.779 I was a minister, 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.359 I was a pastor, 00:29:25.439 --> 00:29:25.699 and he said, 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.659 I thought you were in finance, 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.599 and I took that as a compliment. 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:29.299 But he said to me, 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.139 I didn't have you down this up. 00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:30.799 What does it mean? 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:32.119 And I had literally 10 seconds 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:33.919 to tell him what I did. 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.619 And do you know what? 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.539 I said it and I thought, 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:36.299 I can make more 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.079 of that opportunity. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.099 I can make more 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:39.939 of those opportunities 00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:40.599 that I have 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.159 with the people 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:41.980 who come into my life 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.559 every day. 00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.579 I want my hope 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:47.099 to be in this truth 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.839 that he has me. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:49.859 Now, 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.439 we bring Romans 8 together. 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.139 We think about it. 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:52.859 What did it start? 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:53.679 And read it in the text. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.480 What does Romans 8, 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:54.939 1 start? 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.799 There is no what? 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:57.599 Condemnation. 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.460 And where does it end? 00:29:58.559 --> 00:30:00.980 There is no separation. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.399 No condemnation, 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.659 no separation. 00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:05.659 What building blocks 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.659 to build our lives upon 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.180 as Christians? 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.480 That there is nothing 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:10.339 that is going to separate us 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:12.240 from the love of God 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:13.319 shown us in Christ Jesus. 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:13.619 Friends, 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.759 there is no place like home. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.960 There is no place like home. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.299 Just as we quote, 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.359 I heard a great story this week 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.139 about the hymn writer 00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.960 Charles Wesley. 00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:23.500 I didn't know this, 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.700 but he wrote his last hymn 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.559 on his deathbed 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.440 at age 81. 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.920 He just wanted to capture 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:28.779 his heart in the moment, 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.500 what he was feeling 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.240 at that moment. 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.640 He was so weak 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.400 that he had to get 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.660 somebody else to hold the pen 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.400 while he said it 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.019 and they wrote it. 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:35.859 81. 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.680 And as they say, 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.599 he wrote this hymn 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.220 to try and capture 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.119 something of his heart, 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:40.960 but he also wrote it 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.220 to try and capture 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:43.000 this truth 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.900 that he wanted 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:45.200 generations of Christians, 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:45.900 his generation, 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.900 but generations to come 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:48.559 to sing for themselves. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.559 And he wrote this, 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.359 get these lines, 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:53.199 in age and feebleness extreme, 00:30:53.719 --> 00:30:56.299 who shall this helpless worm redeem? 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.659 Jesus, 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:59.439 my only hope thou art, 00:30:59.719 --> 00:31:01.879 strength of my failing flesh and heart, 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.579 oh, 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:04.539 that I could catch one smile from thee 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:06.799 and drop into eternity. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.719 And 200 years later, 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:11.000 who would pick up Wesley's hymn 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.479 and be so inspired by it 00:31:12.479 --> 00:31:14.599 that he would want to write it 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.599 in his own words 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:17.859 for his generation to sing it 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:19.559 and for generations to come 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.139 to sing it. 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.699 But Matt Redman, 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:25.019 he would write, 00:31:25.979 --> 00:31:26.879 and this is going to be 00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:27.679 our closing song, 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.719 and on that day 00:31:29.719 --> 00:31:32.099 when my strength is failing, 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.699 the end draws near 00:31:34.699 --> 00:31:35.979 and my time has come. 00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:38.079 Still my soul 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.919 will sing your praise unending. 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:42.139 10,000 years 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:43.279 and then forevermore. 00:31:45.179 --> 00:31:46.059 Oh, that this would be 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.079 the song of our hearts. 00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:48.779 It's God's people, 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.359 unspectacular, 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.379 living our lives for him 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:51.979 in Brunsfield. 00:31:52.899 --> 00:31:53.859 And let's make an effort 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.759 to pass it on 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:56.000 to one another 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:58.240 because there is no place 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.740 like home 00:31:58.740 --> 00:32:00.559 and our God 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:02.039 could not be more committed 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.659 to us 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:04.439 and nothing, 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.919 underscored nothing, 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:08.819 will separate us 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:10.479 from the love of God 00:32:10.479 --> 00:32:12.819 in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:15.279 So just before we sing 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:17.579 our final song, 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:18.119 why don't we just have 00:32:18.119 --> 00:32:18.919 a moment of quiet. 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.039 And friends, 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.859 let me just invite you 00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:23.099 to be still before your maker 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:24.500 and to allow these hearts 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.359 to sink in 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:30.740 that if our God is for us, 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:33.679 who can be against us? 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:41.400 And so, Father, 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.279 I thank you so much 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.820 for this time 00:32:42.820 --> 00:32:43.420 that we've had 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:44.820 in your word. 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:46.820 And I particularly pray, 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.120 Lord, 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.019 for my friends here 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.039 who are maybe doubting 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.560 this morning 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:51.460 or who are hurting 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.060 this morning 00:32:52.060 --> 00:32:53.960 that this truth 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:55.259 that you are for them 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:57.539 in Christ, 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.200 that your spirit 00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.200 would take it 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.539 and would it be 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.559 like a sweet balm 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.240 to their soul. 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:05.779 And Father, 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.779 thank you so much 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:08.559 for that wonderful truth 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.740 that if you are for us, 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:12.580 who can be against us? 00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:13.299 I pray, Father, 00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:13.960 that you would help us 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.600 have that mindset 00:33:14.600 --> 00:33:15.259 this week 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:17.039 that to live is Christ 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.860 and to die is gain. 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.580 Help us to hope 00:33:20.580 --> 00:33:21.180 in him. 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.200 Father, 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:22.960 thank you so much 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.500 for this time 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.360 we commit it to you 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:25.880 in Jesus' precious name. 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.720 Amen.