WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.900 We turn to Ephesians chapter 1. It's on page 976. Ephesians chapter 1. And we're continuing through verses 3 to 14. That's the section of the three weeks we'll be looking at. We're looking at verses 7 to 10 today. 00:00:17.899 --> 00:00:47.480 And this is called the big prayer of praise. Let me read that in verses 7 to 10 again. In him we have redemption through his blood, forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him. 00:00:47.899 --> 00:01:14.259 Things in heaven and things on earth. Let me pray for God's help today. Lord, we do ask that by your spirit you would be with us. You would help us to listen and to hear your word and to know Christ better. Would he be set forth today? And would we receive him by faith? And we pray this all in his name. Amen. 00:01:14.260 --> 00:01:27.180 Two thousand years ago, a young man, not much older than myself, hung on a piece of wood, bleeding and suffocating and dying. 00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:43.160 And if you could have somehow recorded that scene, if somehow you could get a camera and just capture that whole scene on Calvary, it could have looked like a death like any other. 00:01:44.900 --> 00:01:52.320 There would be wounds just like the criminals around him. Blood like any other person bleeds. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:56.919 But on that day, something special was happening. 00:01:57.779 --> 00:02:01.979 On that day, God was restoring the whole universe. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:08.479 Last week, we saw, in Ephesians, the behind the scenes of the church. 00:02:09.019 --> 00:02:13.939 We peeped into God's goal and purpose in all of history. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:21.579 All history, all history, all salvation is unfolding for one purpose in particular, to praise Jesus for his grace. 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:25.620 That's the big goal for you and for all of history. 00:02:26.079 --> 00:02:28.500 And this week, we're going behind the scenes again. 00:02:29.579 --> 00:02:31.460 We're still peeking behind the curtain. 00:02:31.879 --> 00:02:37.360 And Paul, the Apostle Paul who wrote this, is going to take us behind the scenes of something extraordinary. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:50.440 We're going to go behind the scenes of the cross to tell us what is really going on behind that cross 2,000 years ago as Jesus hung on it. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:56.500 What is going on in the spiritual realms and in God's purposes and his plans? 00:02:56.500 --> 00:03:03.800 Have you ever watched a film on Amazon Prime and seen their x-ray function? 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:04.819 Have you seen that? 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:06.460 Maybe some of you don't have Amazon Prime. 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:15.699 But when you watch a film on Amazon Prime and you hit the pause button, a little window pops up and a screen, the pause screen pops up. 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:17.460 And it tells you really cool things. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:21.340 It will tell you who the actors are in the scene and their characters. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:26.240 And it will tell you sometimes really interesting, fun facts and trivia about a film. 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:35.680 So if there was a film with Brad Pitt and the scene was Brad Pitt walks in, he has a hat, he throws the hat on a hook and it lands on the hook. 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:41.039 If you hit pause on that scene, I've just made that scene up so don't look for a film like that. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:49.420 If you hit pause on that scene, it will tell you behind the scenes facts like Brad Pitt on the first take threw that hat and it landed perfectly. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:51.799 And that's the scene we have today. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:58.060 Or there will be other facts like this location was actually the director's old school when he was a kid. 00:03:59.279 --> 00:04:01.599 And that's the x-ray function on Amazon Prime. 00:04:01.679 --> 00:04:07.579 Well today, Paul is hitting pause and doing an x-ray on the cross. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:12.439 You can record that scene on Calvary. 00:04:12.839 --> 00:04:15.219 That man hung there bleeding. 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:18.000 Perhaps a death like any other. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:20.360 And we can hit pause. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:23.199 And the reality of that scene pops up. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:27.699 And it's not just fun facts that are appearing here. 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:30.800 But what Paul tells us in verse 7. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:34.199 In him, that's in Jesus. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:40.199 In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:51.599 Paul says that through that man and his blood, we have redemption, the forgiveness of trespasses. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:54.640 And this is my first point to see today. 00:04:54.960 --> 00:04:58.140 You have redemption through Jesus' blood. 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:02.439 You have redemption through Jesus' blood. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:04.600 Redemption is a funny word. 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:06.520 We were thinking about it earlier in Sunday school. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:08.960 We don't use the word redemption much. 00:05:09.520 --> 00:05:10.879 We use the word redeem sometimes. 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:13.100 It's like when you redeem a voucher in Tesco. 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:19.500 But the word redemption in the Bible is a very different use to how we use it. 00:05:19.740 --> 00:05:20.600 If we use it at all. 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:23.620 Redemption in the Bible is to do with slavery. 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:27.720 So if there's a slave who belongs to a slave owner. 00:05:28.280 --> 00:05:35.120 For that slave to be freed and released, that slave needs to be bought with a price. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:37.540 That slave needs to be redeemed. 00:05:37.899 --> 00:05:38.379 Bought. 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:39.120 Redeemed. 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:40.519 At that price. 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:48.180 And so redeemed just means you buy someone out of slavery for a price and then they're free. 00:05:48.180 --> 00:05:56.800 So Israel were redeemed out of slavery in Egypt with the price of the blood of a lamb. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:00.180 And then they were freed and taken to the promised land. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:03.120 God gave them redemption. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:09.759 And Paul says here in verse 7, in Jesus we have redemption. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:13.740 So what did he redeem us from? 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:18.720 Well later on in the verse, he calls this redemption something else. 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:21.759 The forgiveness of our trespasses. 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:27.000 We were redeemed from our trespasses. 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:28.720 That's another word for sin. 00:06:28.840 --> 00:06:31.860 We often see sin and trespasses together, particularly in Ephesians. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:35.980 So we were under slavery of sin. 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:38.439 Under the power of sin. 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:39.340 The guilt of sin. 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:41.060 Under God's judgment for sin. 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:44.819 But we were redeemed out of that. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:48.560 Taken completely away from that. 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:50.980 And what is the price paid? 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.199 Redemption needs a price. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:53.660 Remember. 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:55.220 What was paid? 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:56.620 Well, look back to verse 7. 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:02.079 In him we have redemption through his blood. 00:07:03.540 --> 00:07:04.939 Through his blood. 00:07:05.800 --> 00:07:08.560 The payment was huge. 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:13.220 It cost the blood of the Son of God. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:15.199 To redeem us. 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:18.480 And that payment is so big. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:21.579 Because the price on our head is so big. 00:07:21.899 --> 00:07:24.899 Our sins leave a huge cost to pay. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.259 And God's judgment is huge. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:30.279 But there's one thing that can pay for it. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:32.600 One thing that can redeem us. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:34.920 It's the blood of Jesus. 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:39.220 And look what this redemption means in verse 7. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:42.259 In him we have redemption through his blood. 00:07:42.780 --> 00:07:45.100 The forgiveness of our trespasses. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:48.900 Paul hits the pause button on the cross here. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:52.680 And says, you see that blood right there? 00:07:53.460 --> 00:07:57.319 Through that blood your sins are forgiven. 00:07:57.319 --> 00:08:03.599 We don't talk about blood on a day-to-day basis, do we really? 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:05.219 It's not really a topic of conversation. 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:07.659 Maybe if you're a doctor here, you might talk about blood a lot. 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:09.800 I'm sorry if you're squeamish about blood. 00:08:09.899 --> 00:08:10.980 But we're going to talk about it today. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:14.959 Because the Bible talks about blood a lot. 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:18.300 We, as Christians, talk about blood a lot. 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.519 We sing about blood. 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:21.539 We just sung about blood, in fact. 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:26.000 You could say, we here are obsessed with blood. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:33.000 And in some way, the story of the Bible is a story about the quest for blood. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:37.740 Ever since the fall, we've needed blood. 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:40.960 Because blood deals with sin. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:43.860 Hebrews, the book of Hebrews says, 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:48.639 Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:51.259 That's a big statement. 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:56.480 So you here today, you here need something. 00:08:57.319 --> 00:08:59.720 And it doesn't matter who you are or what you've done. 00:08:59.819 --> 00:09:00.779 You need something. 00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:03.319 You need blood. 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:09.139 The human story and the human need is about blood. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:13.759 So, when Adam and Eve first sinned in the garden, 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:16.100 they saw their nakedness. 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:19.259 They knew their sin and God, what did God do? 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:21.519 He clothed them with animal skins. 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:27.240 Blood of animals had to be shed to deal with their sin. 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:31.920 Moses was given the law, which we read earlier. 00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:33.580 He was given the law. 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:36.379 And the law is more than the Ten Commandments. 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:40.160 The law includes sacrifices to deal with sin. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:46.519 Sacrifices to deal with sin so that we could dwell with God. 00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:50.939 Animals had to be killed and blood shed to deal with sin. 00:09:51.219 --> 00:09:52.860 Blood deals with sin. 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:57.600 So just think about Israel's history in the Old Testament. 00:09:58.539 --> 00:09:59.120 Just try and think. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.779 Of the thousands upon thousands of litres of blood 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:06.600 that must have been spilled by goats and bulls 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:08.860 to deal with sin in Israel. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:13.100 But the book of Hebrews says something about that blood 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:14.559 that was shed. 00:10:15.939 --> 00:10:16.720 Hebrews says, 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:20.579 it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats 00:10:20.579 --> 00:10:21.799 to take away sins. 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:25.559 All that blood in the Old Testament 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:28.599 did nothing for our sin. 00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:32.659 So a question hangs over the human story. 00:10:33.719 --> 00:10:35.899 Whose blood will save us? 00:10:36.959 --> 00:10:40.779 Whose blood is good enough to forgive our sins? 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:45.539 Well, I have the privilege and the joy to declare today 00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:47.379 there is an answer. 00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:48.419 And the answer is here. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:52.779 In Jesus, we have redemption through his blood. 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:55.759 The forgiveness of our trespasses. 00:10:58.079 --> 00:10:59.959 For those who are in Jesus Christ, 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.639 you have redemption. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:04.379 Your sins are forgiven. 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:08.059 And did you notice when Paul says 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:09.079 all of this is happening? 00:11:10.079 --> 00:11:11.559 In verse 7, he says, 00:11:12.199 --> 00:11:13.259 we have, 00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:15.980 we have right now, 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:16.559 redemption. 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.839 Right now, 00:11:19.619 --> 00:11:21.139 your sins are forgiven. 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.519 And we do something 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:26.119 every Sunday morning here, 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.039 and we did it earlier, 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:29.759 where we confess our sin 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:32.500 and we hear God's pardon, 00:11:32.619 --> 00:11:34.159 God's forgiveness on us. 00:11:34.619 --> 00:11:35.279 And so today, 00:11:35.359 --> 00:11:36.439 we heard from Micah, 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.000 the book of Micah, 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.019 when David was leading us, 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:41.599 we heard from the book of Micah 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:45.100 that God treads our iniquities underfoot, 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:48.820 and he casts our sins into the depths of the sea. 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:51.040 Do you remember we heard that earlier? 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:53.540 Well, I want you to know 00:11:53.540 --> 00:11:56.240 that that just isn't a little Bible verse 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.019 that you read out, 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:59.600 just for the formality of the occasion. 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:03.320 No, that is a huge moment going on 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.220 on a Sunday morning. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:09.899 That is God declaring a profound reality on you, 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:11.019 who are in Christ. 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:13.600 God says to you, 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.259 you are forgiven. 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:20.759 Your guilt and your sins have been taken off you, 00:12:21.660 --> 00:12:22.800 thrown into the ground, 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:24.360 stabbed on, 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:26.399 trodden underfoot, 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.320 thrown into the sea, 00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:29.460 into the depths of the sea, 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:30.879 never to be seen again. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:33.740 And this isn't a maybe, 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:35.399 this isn't a possibility, 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:36.620 this isn't a, 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:38.039 I hope this is the case. 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:40.139 No, God is saying definitively, 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.919 all those in Christ 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:44.539 are right now forgiven of their sins 00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:45.659 by Jesus' blood. 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:49.220 What has washed away your sins? 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:52.179 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:57.960 Now I'm sure there are many of us here 00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:00.720 who struggle to feel that. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:03.039 That is an amazing reality, 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:05.320 but we can struggle to feel that, 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:05.860 can't we? 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.159 Like, 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:10.840 we know we're forgiven in our heads, 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:14.480 but the memory of our sins, 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:16.480 or that feeling of guilt, 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.860 still weighs on us. 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.360 Well, if that's you, 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.659 please hear again today, 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.799 the blood of Jesus 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:26.940 has cleansed you from your sin. 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:29.700 Jesus didn't bleed, 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.920 so you could feel, 00:13:31.160 --> 00:13:33.080 still feel crushed by your sin. 00:13:34.260 --> 00:13:35.660 No, he was crushed, 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.820 so you could be free from your sins. 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:41.060 God doesn't look at you, 00:13:41.380 --> 00:13:42.000 and say, 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:44.680 yeah, but I know what you've done. 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:46.820 I still look at you, 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.860 and I see all of it. 00:13:48.920 --> 00:13:50.200 No, he looks at you, 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:50.879 and says, 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:54.820 their sin is on them no more. 00:13:55.520 --> 00:13:58.280 I hold no guilt over you. 00:13:58.680 --> 00:14:01.060 I hold no anger over you. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:03.180 You are in Christ. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:04.920 You're in him. 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:06.339 And so, 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:07.939 when God looks at you, 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.879 he sees Christ. 00:14:11.099 --> 00:14:12.799 He sees his beloved, 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:13.959 and now, 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.039 he calls you, 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:16.159 his beloved. 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:18.979 You are his beloved son, 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:19.919 or daughter. 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:23.000 If you are in Christ, 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.159 God loves you, 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:26.159 and you are forgiven, 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.360 right now. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.679 But we need to see, 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:32.519 that this astonishing forgiveness, 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.720 is for those who are, 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.120 in Christ. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.779 In him. 00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:41.639 It's for those who trust in Jesus, 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.579 for their salvation. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.779 Only in him, 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.199 do we have redemption. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.100 So, 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:50.340 if you're not trusting in Christ today, 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:53.360 God has a big treasure trove, 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.179 of grace, 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:57.539 and he just lavished it upon us, 00:14:57.579 --> 00:14:58.319 on the cross. 00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.759 Lavish just can mean, 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.000 like, 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:00.840 overflow, 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.240 like, 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:02.100 give generously. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.500 God was just, 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.220 on the cross, 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:06.899 pouring out his grace on us, 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.480 more than we could ever need. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:12.059 That's what happened on the cross. 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:13.899 So, 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:15.220 think of it like this. 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.519 As Christ, 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:18.779 poured out blood from his veins, 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:21.860 he was pouring out grace, 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:22.799 and forgiveness, 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.279 on us. 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:26.840 Our God is so generous, 00:15:27.079 --> 00:15:28.600 and extravagant in his grace. 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.159 And Paul says, 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.079 in verse 8, 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:33.220 all this grace was lavished upon us, 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:34.900 in all wisdom, 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.860 and insight. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:37.879 In all wisdom, 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:38.220 and insight. 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:39.139 There's a comma, 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:39.800 just after, 00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:40.820 or it says, 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:42.080 which he lavished upon us, 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:42.460 comma, 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:44.100 but it's better to think of it, 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:44.720 without the comma. 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:45.379 So, 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:47.280 God lavished his grace upon us, 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:48.379 in all wisdom, 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.259 and insight. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:51.900 The lavishing was wise, 00:15:52.400 --> 00:15:53.720 and insightful. 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.440 So, 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:56.200 when God poured out his grace on us, 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.220 in Jesus' blood, 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:59.259 God was showing us, 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.440 something about himself. 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.420 He was showing us, 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:03.360 his wisdom. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.340 So, 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.540 on that freeze frame, 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.300 the x-ray of the cross, 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.800 Paul says, 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:12.200 God did all of that, 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.580 with wisdom, 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.540 and insights. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.200 That, 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.519 shows God's wisdom. 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:21.000 Now, 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.299 it's a bit of a, 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.519 a surprising thing to say, 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:24.000 isn't it? 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.620 We don't often think about wisdom, 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.299 when we think about the cross. 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:30.199 You might think about love, 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.179 which is true, 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:32.159 and sacrifice. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.000 But wisdom, 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.779 it's an interesting thing to say, 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.299 about the cross, 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:36.720 isn't it? 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.179 In this way, 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.319 so you can see wisdom, 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.259 in all the folk, 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.659 when they just handle their situation, 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.279 so well. 00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:44.159 You can just see, 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.079 a very wise person, 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:45.559 and just think, 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:46.199 wow, 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.899 he handled that situation, 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.619 so well. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.139 That could have been, 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.739 really messy, 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.599 but he did the best thing, 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.419 just at the best time, 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:54.979 and he, 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:56.559 and he handled that so perfectly, 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.859 he did that in the best way. 00:16:59.859 --> 00:17:00.199 Well, 00:17:00.219 --> 00:17:00.879 the cross, 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:01.579 is God, 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:03.059 doing the best thing, 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:04.500 at the best time, 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.559 in the best way. 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:07.980 Sin, 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.759 is such a big problem, 00:17:10.419 --> 00:17:10.940 with a, 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.639 such a specific need, 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.500 and such a, 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.799 a particular solution, 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:16.019 required to it. 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.859 There was only one way, 00:17:18.919 --> 00:17:19.519 it could be solved. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.419 It could have, 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.579 only happened, 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.480 by the cross. 00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:25.579 The best thing, 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.519 and the only thing, 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:27.659 to be done, 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.500 to solve our sin, 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.159 is God, 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.319 needed to forgive, 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.159 our sins. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.480 He needed to, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.240 to redeem, 00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:34.940 a people, 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.839 out of judgment. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.659 He couldn't just, 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.139 ignore our sin, 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:41.240 he needs to, 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:42.579 redeem us from it, 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.519 and take us, 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.819 right away from it. 00:17:46.679 --> 00:17:47.559 He needs to, 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.119 to make us, 00:17:48.199 --> 00:17:48.919 right with him. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.299 And, 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.220 and he did this, 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.460 at the right time, 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.659 at the best time. 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:55.759 When all the prophecies, 00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:56.919 of the Old Testament, 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.980 had been laid down, 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.179 when, 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.119 when our need, 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:00.819 for Christ, 00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:02.220 had been made known to us, 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.480 and shown to us. 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:06.379 When we'd been prepared for him, 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.579 at that time, 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:09.039 then Christ came. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:11.799 And God did it, 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.460 in the best, 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.859 and most perfect way, 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:16.319 by sending his own son, 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.180 in the flesh, 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:18.480 God, 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.299 and man, 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.759 to believe for us. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.000 So think of this, 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:26.099 just another man, 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:27.359 just a man, 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:29.279 couldn't have saved us. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.019 God, 00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:31.839 is the only one, 00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:32.700 that can save us. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.240 Yet, 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.899 only a man, 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.079 can pay for sins. 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:38.279 Blood, 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.200 needs to be shed. 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.339 We're humans, 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.460 that have sinned, 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.200 and a human, 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.940 needs to pay for it. 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.079 So, 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.819 God, 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:47.059 had to be both. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.839 Both God, 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:49.920 and man. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.180 And God, 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.839 on the cross, 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.139 perfectly delivered, 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.339 in the best way possible, 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:56.899 in Christ. 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.420 It was exactly, 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.119 what we needed. 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.960 There's a scene, 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.240 in Avengers Infinity War, 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.099 I'm really, 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.299 playing on the movie theme here. 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:08.059 There's a scene, 00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:09.220 in Avengers Infinity War, 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.980 if you've seen it, 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.339 if not, 00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:11.359 I'll try and explain to it, 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.819 where a character, 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.779 Doctor Strange, 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.440 he's a goodie, 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:15.960 he's, 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.440 they're in a really bad situation, 00:19:17.639 --> 00:19:18.440 Thanos the bad, 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.919 he's about to win, 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.599 and Doctor Strange, 00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:23.000 he didn't look into the future, 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:23.940 through time, 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.339 and what he did was, 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:27.819 he looked into all the different possibilities, 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.759 of beating Thanos. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.839 He says, 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.459 I've looked at like, 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:32.199 40 million possibilities, 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.199 and there's only, 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.079 one, 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.039 that works. 00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:37.039 There's a, 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.539 famous thing, 00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:39.339 he does that, 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:39.899 one, 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.059 there's only one that works. 00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:42.740 Well, 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.039 with our sin problem, 00:19:45.159 --> 00:19:45.859 you can look, 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:47.459 at infinity options, 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.359 and only one, 00:19:49.459 --> 00:19:50.000 could work. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.220 It's the cross. 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:54.940 It shows God's, 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:57.100 sheer and utter wisdom. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.000 That is how you save us, 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:02.579 and what a way to save us. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.279 And his wisdom here, 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:08.460 is also displaying his grace. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:11.120 It is through the blood of Jesus, 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:12.779 that God's glory, 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.519 and grace is best displayed. 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.519 On that x-ray, 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:18.319 when you pause on the cross, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.000 it says, 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.000 there lies God's wisdom. 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:26.079 But it shows us his wisdom, 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.839 for another reason. 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.660 Because the cross shows us, 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.779 something else. 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.799 It shows us his ultimate plan, 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:36.400 to unite and restore, 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.380 the whole creation. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.440 And this is my third point, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.079 for today. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.539 The cross, 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.519 is God's big plan, 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:45.779 to unite the whole creation. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:48.440 The cross is God's big plan, 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.779 to unite the whole creation. 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.819 So look to verse 9 with me. 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.640 Verse 9, 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:55.539 when God poured out his grace on us, 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.240 in Jesus' blood, 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:56.860 verse 9, 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:59.539 he was making known to us, 00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:00.980 the mystery of his will, 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:03.140 according to his purpose, 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.440 which he set forth in Christ, 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:07.500 as a plan for the fullness of time, 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.360 to unite all things in him, 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.500 things in heaven, 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.799 and things on earth. 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.180 In the cross, 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:17.279 God was making known to us something. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.680 He was showing us his will. 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:23.160 He was showing us what he was deciding to do with creation, 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.819 which Paul calls, 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.480 in verse 10, 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:28.140 a plan for the fullness of time. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:34.619 Paul is saying that the cross reveals God's plan for the fullness of time. 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.759 The fullness of time, 00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:38.079 that just means when this age is complete, 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:41.199 and eternity arrives, 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.979 the age to come arrives. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.819 That's what he means by the fullness of time. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.819 So when you hit pause, 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.039 on the cross, 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:49.119 an x-ray of the cross, 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:51.159 a plan pops up. 00:21:52.239 --> 00:21:52.939 A blueprint, 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:53.719 you could say. 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:56.519 God's plan for all creation. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.659 And what is that plan? 00:21:58.660 --> 00:22:00.300 Verse 10, 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.880 a plan for the fullness of time, 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:05.200 to unite all things in him, 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.519 things in heaven, 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.140 and things on earth. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:14.820 God's big plan for creation is to unite all things. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.940 In Jesus, 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.840 the plan is bigger than you think. 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:21.680 The cross, 00:22:22.060 --> 00:22:23.640 and Jesus' work, 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.800 is bigger than you think. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.700 On the cross, 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.080 yes, 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.940 Jesus was uniting us 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.440 to God's, 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:33.319 forgiving our sins, 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.940 that they were uniting there. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.400 And if he was doing something else, 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:38.100 he was uniting a people together. 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.519 The doors of salvation 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.980 were being blown open 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.860 to Jew and Gentile on the cross. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.319 And we're evidence of that today. 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.240 But actually, 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:50.000 God's plan 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:52.500 is on a cosmic scale. 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.500 His plan 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:57.000 is to unite all things 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.180 in Jesus, 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.119 things on heaven 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.460 and things on earth. 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.779 So this world 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.799 we live in, 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.599 it's broken. 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.500 It's splintered. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.319 The world we live in, 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.579 it's fractured. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.119 It's not united. 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:17.259 And that's what sin does. 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:19.199 Sin shatters 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:20.959 and splinters. 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.419 And it starts to pick away 00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:24.939 and unthread reality. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.379 And so, 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.939 if you can look on the world 00:23:28.939 --> 00:23:29.799 right now 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.299 and think, 00:23:30.699 --> 00:23:32.379 what is going on? 00:23:33.219 --> 00:23:34.199 Do you ever think that? 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.099 You just look at the world 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.299 and think, 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.859 what is going on? 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:39.899 The world is falling apart. 00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:41.699 There's war right now. 00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.259 There's hatred. 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.719 There's disease. 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:46.839 There's economic disaster. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.939 And you can look at all of this 00:23:49.939 --> 00:23:50.579 and just say, 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.679 this isn't right. 00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:55.279 This world is falling apart. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:58.539 And you're right to say that. 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:02.940 And we can look at our own lives as well. 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.980 We can look at the pain 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:07.319 and suffering in our own lives. 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.579 And we can feel the same. 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:12.539 Our bodies are failing. 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:16.019 Our work is frustrating. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:18.460 Our lack of work is frustrating. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:22.139 Our relationships are broken. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.460 And war. 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:27.319 Death is around us. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:30.299 Death is separating us 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:32.480 from the ones we love. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:35.620 Our lives are shattered 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:37.640 and splintered in so many ways. 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.799 And we can look into our hearts 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:42.779 and see the sin that lingers there 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.380 and just think, 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.519 what is going on? 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:48.559 All of this isn't right. 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.960 And all of that, 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.880 all that splintered, 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.380 fractured stuff 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.180 are in the world 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:57.160 and in our lives. 00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:59.060 All of that is the world 00:24:59.060 --> 00:25:00.220 crying out 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.380 to be united. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.720 It's saying, 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.740 this needs uniting. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.600 This is a world 00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:08.380 that needs to be pulled back 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:09.300 and held together. 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.299 God's big plan. 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:13.099 And that is God's big plan. 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:15.980 To unite all things in heaven, 00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:18.099 things in heaven and things on earth, 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:20.059 to restore the whole universe 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.039 to how it should be, 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.759 to wipe out all sin 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:24.220 and suffering 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.159 and conflict 00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:26.200 and lies 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.919 and division 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.380 and to wipe out 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.140 death entirely. 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.100 And 00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:34.180 we will all be held together 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:36.380 in perfect harmony 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:38.519 with Jesus as the head 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.960 as its king 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:41.300 holding it all together. 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:45.579 So if you x-ray the cross, 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:49.259 that is what God is doing. 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:52.639 He's redeeming us sinners 00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:54.839 and he's redeeming 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.799 the whole universe. 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.139 Jesus really is 00:25:59.139 --> 00:26:01.240 the saviour of the universe. 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.659 Now this will only 00:26:03.659 --> 00:26:04.619 completely happen 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.639 when Jesus returns 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.859 at the fullness of time. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.619 But the cross 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:10.099 is the beginning of that plan. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.739 It's the centre of that plan. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:14.539 And this plan is huge. 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.259 Brothers and sisters, 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.819 we are a part 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.959 of something cosmic. 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:22.099 God's plan is cosmic. 00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:24.219 The church is at the centre 00:26:24.219 --> 00:26:26.359 of a universe-scale plan 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:28.379 to restore all things 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:30.479 in heaven and on earth. 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:33.979 Jesus' blood has healed our souls 00:26:33.979 --> 00:26:35.719 and it's going to heal 00:26:35.719 --> 00:26:36.959 the whole universe. 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:40.279 And on that final day, 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:42.319 Christ will be the one 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.359 sat on the throne 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:45.259 holding it all together 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:48.119 and we will be united together 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.179 in our praise 00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:50.199 declaring, 00:26:50.479 --> 00:26:51.859 apply your blood, Lord Jesus, 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.619 we have redemption 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:55.219 and forgiveness of sins. 00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:57.659 We long for that day. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.539 Let me pray.