WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.859
 But I am very thankful to be here today. Beginning of this week and throughout the week, it was looking like there might be a wintry mix coming in.

00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:19.160
 And usually I love snow. Usually I want it to snow as much as it possibly can. But today I really didn't want it to because one, I wanted to come together.

00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:27.699
 I wanted to be able to be here worshiping with you. And then two, there's a group of about 10 of us who are leaving at 1205.

00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:33.579
 I mean, we'll say amen, get in the car, and we're heading to the airport to go to Africa on a mission trip to go to Kenya.

00:00:33.719 --> 00:00:42.960
 And so I want to encourage you to be praying for us on that trip. We're going to have the opportunity while we're in Kenya to work with about 240 pastors.

00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:56.399
 140 in one location, about 100 in another location, doing some pastoral training, working with a widow's ministry, working with some of the schools, getting in there, having lessons and studies with the students.

00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:01.479
 And so please be in prayer for us as we travel, as we make our way to Kenya.

00:01:01.619 --> 00:01:08.019
 But as I was thinking about that, there's many things that we've talked about over the last few weeks.

00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:12.019
 Core commitments that we have as a church, things that we believe in.

00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:16.239
 We believe in the authority of God's word. We believe in the power of prayer.

00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:18.780
 We believe in the importance of community.

00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:25.000
 And what we're talking about this week is really ultimately the reason that we're going.

00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:28.000
 It's ultimately the reason that we share faith.

00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:30.420
 It's ultimately the reason that we gather today.

00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:36.099
 And so it's vitally important to everything that we affirm as believers.

00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:41.260
 Today, we're going to be talking about the fact that we believe in the gospel.

00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:47.460
 Not only do we believe in the gospel, this is what we build our lives around.

00:01:47.459 --> 00:01:53.699
 There are so many places that we could turn in scripture to think about the fact that we believe in the gospel.

00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:56.639
 We affirm the gospel. We build our lives around the gospel.

00:01:57.139 --> 00:02:00.899
 And many came to mind as I was thinking about preparing this message today.

00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:06.479
 And in fact, one of the things that I thought about doing was going from a few different passages

00:02:06.479 --> 00:02:11.319
 and just showing how the gospel is something that we see all throughout scripture.

00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:16.699
 But ultimately, I decided to land on a passage in Romans chapter 3.

00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:19.840
 And that's where we're going to spend our time this morning.

00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:25.340
 In this passage, I want us to first see the need that we have.

00:02:26.060 --> 00:02:28.259
 I want us to first see this need we have.

00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:35.859
 The passage, as clear as anywhere, reminds us that we all have a desperate need.

00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:44.020
 This passage, as clear as anywhere you'll find in scripture, reminds us that we all have a desperate need.

00:02:44.440 --> 00:02:49.100
 I want you to follow along as I read Romans chapter 3, starting in verse 9.

00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:52.280
 And we're going to make our way through verse 20 right now.

00:02:52.320 --> 00:02:53.160
 It says this.

00:02:54.200 --> 00:02:56.600
 What then? Are Jews any better off?

00:02:57.080 --> 00:02:58.360
 No, not at all.

00:02:58.360 --> 00:03:03.840
 For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are under sin.

00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:07.140
 As it is written, none is righteous.

00:03:07.820 --> 00:03:08.980
 No, not one.

00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:10.460
 No one understands.

00:03:10.640 --> 00:03:12.100
 No one seeks for God.

00:03:12.200 --> 00:03:13.440
 All have turned aside.

00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:15.820
 Together they have become worthless.

00:03:16.320 --> 00:03:17.560
 No one does good.

00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:19.360
 Not even one.

00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:21.760
 Their throat is an open grave.

00:03:21.920 --> 00:03:24.240
 And they use their tongues to deceive.

00:03:24.380 --> 00:03:26.420
 The venom of asps is under their lips.

00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:29.519
 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.

00:03:29.739 --> 00:03:31.699
 Their feet are swift to shed blood.

00:03:32.119 --> 00:03:34.659
 In their paths are ruin and misery.

00:03:35.619 --> 00:03:37.379
 And the way of peace they have not known.

00:03:38.139 --> 00:03:41.679
 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:47.419
 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law.

00:03:47.419 --> 00:03:52.479
 So that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

00:03:52.479 --> 00:04:01.919
 For by works of the law, no human being will be justified in his sight since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:10.079
 See at the beginning of chapter 3 here, Paul answers the question, is there an advantage to being a Jew?

00:04:10.179 --> 00:04:13.579
 And if you go back to verse 1, you will see that the answer is yes.

00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:21.819
 They have had the word of God in the Old Testament and it has prepared the way to help them recognize Jesus when he comes.

00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:25.520
 And so there is some benefit that the Jews have.

00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:29.180
 But are they without accountability before God?

00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:31.680
 Absolutely not.

00:04:31.900 --> 00:04:38.100
 Paul adds, for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin.

00:04:38.100 --> 00:04:41.960
 And so as it turns out, those advantages are actually not that advantageous.

00:04:42.320 --> 00:04:49.420
 Because it reminds us here in this passage that every single one of us is with sin.

00:04:49.640 --> 00:04:53.400
 When it comes to judgment, they are in the same position as everyone else.

00:04:53.520 --> 00:04:56.100
 We are all under sin.

00:04:56.680 --> 00:04:59.400
 And you would think that would be enough to settle the issue, right?

00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:02.360
 That Paul says that we are all under sin.

00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:08.020
 But Paul doesn't want there to be any confusion whatsoever with this understanding.

00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:10.980
 He wants us to make very clear.

00:05:11.080 --> 00:05:15.639
 He wants to make the point very clearly that none of us are righteous.

00:05:15.840 --> 00:05:18.840
 He goes on to say, he says, none is righteous.

00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:23.939
 And then if this isn't clear enough, he says, no, not one.

00:05:24.960 --> 00:05:25.939
 None are righteous.

00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:31.459
 And then he goes on and on, quoting a number of Old Testament passages with a heavy emphasis

00:05:31.459 --> 00:05:33.360
 on quoting some of the Psalms here.

00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:38.199
 And the thrust of this passage is the universal nature of sin.

00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:40.379
 No one is righteous.

00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:42.439
 No one is good.

00:05:42.779 --> 00:05:47.159
 He doesn't want the misconception, there to be a misconception that people often say

00:05:47.159 --> 00:05:50.920
 that mankind is generally good, but there's just a few bad apples.

00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:55.300
 He doesn't want us to leave room for us to affirm when some people say that

00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:57.000
 that mankind is generally good.

00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:58.420
 Most people are good.

00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:04.060
 No, he's helping us to realize very clearly that no one is good.

00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:06.220
 None are righteous.

00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:13.300
 No, we are all sinners and we are all dead in our trespasses and sin.

00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:20.480
 And this is a really difficult thing for people to hear because it makes us feel out of control.

00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:24.120
 It makes it feel like we're not in control of the situation.

00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:29.319
 I don't know if you've ever noticed, but a lot of times, even if you give somebody bad

00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:33.340
 news, they can deal with it okay if they feel like they're in control.

00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:38.600
 If they feel like they have a way out of it, then like, okay, this is bad news, but I can

00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:39.120
 get through this.

00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:40.360
 I can make a way out.

00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:42.360
 I can figure this out on my own.

00:06:42.840 --> 00:06:46.240
 And this passage lets us know that we can't do that.

00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:51.360
 And so this is a really difficult thing because it makes it feel like we are out of control.

00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:56.939
 Have you ever heard people use the expression, people do desperate things in desperate times

00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:00.280
 or desperate times call for desperate measures?

00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:02.900
 I'm sure we've all heard those things.

00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:10.180
 And I want to share a story with you that really helps highlight this out-of-control feeling

00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:11.139
 that we may have sometimes.

00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:15.480
 I'm going to go ahead and tell you that there's parts of this that are a little hard to hear,

00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:19.780
 a little difficult to hear, but this actually happened to someone that Catherine and I are

00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:22.120
 both very close to.

00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:24.660
 And it happened about 30 years ago.

00:07:25.200 --> 00:07:27.240
 Has anybody in here ever had braces before?

00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:29.939
 Okay, many of you have had braces.

00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:35.400
 And you probably know, like with braces, they get caught on things sometimes, right?

00:07:36.200 --> 00:07:36.720
 Always.

00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:39.879
 Maybe a shirt that you're putting on or taking off.

00:07:39.960 --> 00:07:40.680
 Maybe a pillow.

00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:42.240
 Any number of things.

00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:46.500
 There are many things that braces can oftentimes get caught on.

00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:52.500
 But this person that Catherine and I are really close to, her braces got caught on something

00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:53.160
 a little different.

00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:55.720
 In fact, she was swimming in a pool.

00:07:56.439 --> 00:08:01.900
 And you know, the pools have those rubber liners that are on the bottom of it and seal around

00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:02.840
 the pool.

00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:07.840
 And she was swimming and actually went down to the bottom and hit her mouth on the bottom

00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:08.459
 of the pool.

00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:14.259
 And her front brace got caught on the rubber liner on the bottom of the pool.

00:08:14.919 --> 00:08:18.679
 And all of a sudden, there's really not many options left.

00:08:19.179 --> 00:08:21.819
 You have to force yourself up and come up.

00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:24.419
 And it actually pulled out her front tooth and all of those things.

00:08:24.739 --> 00:08:29.299
 And this story is one of those stories that's really difficult to hear sometimes and really

00:08:29.299 --> 00:08:34.720
 difficult to imagine because that is some kind of panic that you would be in if your mouth

00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:36.220
 is caught on the bottom of a pool.

00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:38.519
 And so there's not a lot of options.

00:08:38.660 --> 00:08:43.160
 And so this story is hard to hear because one, somebody's tooth gets pulled out.

00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:47.600
 And two, there's this real danger that's associated with it of drowning.

00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:55.100
 Yet, and I think one of the most difficult parts of this story is because it feels so out

00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:55.840
 of control.

00:08:56.320 --> 00:08:59.399
 It feels like this situation is out of control.

00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:04.500
 And so we don't like it when we feel out of control in a situation.

00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:10.740
 Many of us, most of us, I would imagine, like to be in control of a situation.

00:09:11.180 --> 00:09:13.759
 When it's out of control, our anxiety rises.

00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:17.220
 Everything around it just feels wrong.

00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:24.160
 And I would even venture to say again that most of us are fine with bad news as long as

00:09:24.160 --> 00:09:25.940
 we feel like we can fix it.

00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:31.340
 As long as we feel like we can fix a situation, then we're okay with it.

00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:39.680
 But what Paul is trying to say here as clearly as he can, without leaving any room for misunderstanding,

00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:43.340
 he's saying that every single person is a sinner.

00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:47.940
 And there's no amount of good works that can make up for that sin.

00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:53.580
 In fact, he would even say that even if you could live a life, even if you could live a

00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:57.540
 perfect life from this day forward, it wouldn't be enough.

00:09:57.960 --> 00:10:01.700
 Even if from this day forward you could live a perfect life, it wouldn't be enough because

00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:08.420
 present obedience doesn't make up for past disobedience because present obedience is what

00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:09.880
 is required anyway.

00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:13.600
 And so it's not like it's something that you can build up.

00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:15.159
 It's not something that you can bank up.

00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:19.299
 It's not something that you, if you live a good enough life, do enough good things, give

00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:22.419
 to the church enough, attend enough, do any number of things.

00:10:22.419 --> 00:10:27.039
 You can't build up a bank to make up for those past things.

00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:31.659
 And at this point you may be thinking, Brad, I thought we were talking about the gospel today.

00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:33.039
 You know, the good news.

00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:37.799
 This is all just seems like really bad news that you're talking about right now.

00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:39.519
 And you're exactly right.

00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:47.319
 But we need to see our helplessness as much as possible to help us see our need for Jesus.

00:10:48.219 --> 00:10:56.479
 We need to see our helplessness as much as we possibly can to really grasp who Jesus is

00:10:56.479 --> 00:10:58.679
 and what he accomplishes for us.

00:10:59.459 --> 00:11:04.919
 Jerry Bridges, in a book I was reading one time, was going into great depth about the weight

00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:08.519
 of our sin and the whole title of the book was the gospel for real life.

00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:12.059
 But he was going on and on about the weight of sin.

00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:19.459
 And he said this, he says, my reason is to cause us all to realize we have no place to hide.

00:11:19.959 --> 00:11:26.599
 In our relationship with God, we cannot plead our Christian duties as helpful as they may be

00:11:26.599 --> 00:11:30.480
 or our external morality as exemplary as it may be.

00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:39.740
 Instead, he says, we must confess with Ezra that our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached the heavens.

00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:42.879
 Bottom line is that we are all sinners.

00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:51.940
 And because of that, apart from Jesus, we are on a path that leads us to an eternity apart from Jesus in hell.

00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:58.100
 And that reality must sink in to understand the gospel.

00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:05.480
 It not only helps us see our need for Jesus, it also reminds us of the need that we have

00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:11.680
 and the call that God has given us as believers to take this message all across the world

00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:14.540
 to people who've never heard the name of Jesus.

00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:24.059
 This need should revive in us a deep appreciation for the gospel, a deep adoration for God for what he did for us.

00:12:24.219 --> 00:12:31.139
 But it should also spur us on to take this message to people who've never heard the name of Jesus.

00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:37.819
 Because if they never hear the name of Jesus, then they're going to spend an eternity in hell.

00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:48.260
 And so this truth of the gospel, that we are all sinners, there's nothing that we can do about it on our own,

00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:51.720
 must be a truth that sinks in deep.

00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:56.260
 It must be something that we understand very clearly.

00:12:56.840 --> 00:13:02.200
 Because we must understand that clearly to understand the gospel clearly.

00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:06.480
 At this point, many people often try to make the argument,

00:13:06.660 --> 00:13:08.759
 well, why doesn't God just forgive?

00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:16.680
 If sin is really this bad, why doesn't God just make a blanket statement and just forgive everybody?

00:13:17.160 --> 00:13:18.960
 And why go through with all of this?

00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:21.020
 Why even send Jesus to the cross?

00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:22.340
 Why do this?

00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:26.560
 If God is all loving, then why doesn't He just forgive?

00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:29.280
 Why doesn't He forgive without sacrifice?

00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:32.139
 And the answer is, there is no other way.

00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:42.120
 Sometimes people like to come up with fictional scenarios to find a loophole in what Christians believe about God.

00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:44.240
 For example, sometimes people will say,

00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:49.259
 well, can God create a boulder so big that He can't lift it?

00:13:49.839 --> 00:13:52.220
 And so this is a trick question, right?

00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:58.000
 They try to, well, if you say yes, then you're limiting God's power to be able to lift it.

00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.720
 And if you say no, then you're saying that, well, God can't do something.

00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:07.879
 And so the truth of the matter is, in a situation like that, that God can create an infinitely large boulder.

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.159
 And guess what?

00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:12.299
 God can lift an infinitely large boulder.

00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:17.919
 But yet many times people try to find these loopholes in that.

00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:23.279
 And others will say, if God is so loving, why doesn't He just forgive people?

00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:27.740
 Why put Jesus through the cross if He is so loving?

00:14:29.479 --> 00:14:34.979
 The cross not only speaks about our sin, but it also speaks about God's holiness.

00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:41.980
 You see, not only does it speak about God's love, but it also speaks about God's justice.

00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:48.039
 Because He is perfect in His justice, He can't ignore sin.

00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:53.279
 It can't be something that can go without a price being paid.

00:14:54.360 --> 00:15:00.399
 You see, God does not exalt His love and His mercy at the expense of His justice.

00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:06.519
 He's not going to exalt one of His attributes at the expense of another attribute.

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:09.000
 And that's why the cross is so beautiful.

00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:15.740
 Because we get to see clearly God's love, His grace, His mercy, His justice, His wrath,

00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:18.879
 all coming together at the cross.

00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.399
 You see, there was no other way.

00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:22.460
 A price had to be paid.

00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:25.980
 And I think we all understand this in a sense.

00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:29.000
 I think in a way we all understand this.

00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:35.379
 For example, if you think about the great theological masterpiece, National Treasure,

00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:41.139
 you know, the one with Nicolas Cage, if you think about that movie, we can all understand

00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.700
 this pretty clearly, I think.

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:48.580
 In the movie, if you haven't seen it, Nicolas Cage, he ends up stealing the Declaration of

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:53.600
 Independence, going on the run from the FBI, and they're going all over until he finally

00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:55.700
 finds this national treasure.

00:15:56.600 --> 00:16:01.720
 And he's, at the end of the movie, he's sitting there with the FBI agent who's been chasing

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:03.100
 him all over the place.

00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.139
 And they're sitting there together.

00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:11.899
 And the FBI agent asks him, he says, well, what do you hope to get out of this situation?

00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.899
 What do you hope to get out of this?

00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:18.200
 And he responds, he goes, I'd really like to not go to jail.

00:16:18.660 --> 00:16:20.800
 He said, I'd really like to not go to prison.

00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:27.500
 And if you remember what that FBI agent says right after the end of this, he goes, well,

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.940
 somebody has to go to jail.

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:34.159
 He says, somebody, you can't do something like steal the Declaration of Independence,

00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:39.919
 go on the run through multiple states, and have the whole FBI looking for you without a

00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.679
 consequence happening.

00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.879
 You can't do that.

00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:45.399
 It can't be ignored.

00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:48.179
 Stealing the Declaration of Independence is a big deal.

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.860
 It can't just be ignored.

00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:52.779
 And you see, sin is a big deal.

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:58.799
 A lot of times we try to gloss over it and downplay it, but it's not something that can

00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.240
 be swept under the rug.

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:05.899
 C.S. Lewis once said, he said, fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs

00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:06.559
 improvement.

00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:10.079
 He is a rebel who must lay down his arms.

00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:15.599
 The problem is people don't see themselves as sinners anymore.

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:18.700
 We don't see ourselves as sinners anymore.

00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:24.940
 There's a book written in 1973 that was already seeing this trend, and it said, whatever became,

00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:27.519
 the title of the book was, whatever became of sin.

00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:34.259
 And in this book, Carl Menger wrote, he says, the very word sin, which seems to have disappeared,

00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.799
 was once a proud word.

00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:41.340
 It was once a strong word, an ominous and serious word, but the word went away.

00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:43.180
 It has almost disappeared.

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:45.160
 The word along with the notion.

00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.360
 Why?

00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:48.460
 Doesn't anyone sin anymore?

00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:51.380
 Doesn't anyone believe in sin anymore?

00:17:52.140 --> 00:18:01.519
 And if this is something that was evident 53 years ago, then surely it's something that

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.700
 is still prevalent today.

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:05.880
 It's still something that people struggle with today.

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.539
 In fact, D.A.

00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:13.380
 Carson, he commented that the most frustrating aspect of doing evangelism in universities is

00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:17.680
 the fact that students generally have no idea of sin.

00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:25.180
 He said they know how to sin well enough, but they have no idea what constitutes sin.

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:30.799
 And so without knowledge of sin, we don't see the need for a savior.

00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:34.420
 Without the knowledge of sin, we don't see the need for a savior.

00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:39.240
 A low view of sin will inevitably lead to a low view of grace.

00:18:39.580 --> 00:18:43.740
 If you don't see sin, if you don't see the need that you have, then you don't see a need

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.539
 for a savior.

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:49.140
 If you don't see the need for sin, then you don't see the need for Jesus.

00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:52.960
 We need to clearly see our sin.

00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:58.759
 As difficult and disheartening as that may be, we need to see our sin.

00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:05.220
 And so if this is where the story ends, and this is pretty depressing, to be quite honest.

00:19:05.280 --> 00:19:11.860
 If this is where this passage stops, then we could all walk out of here with our heads

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:14.639
 low and just feeling really terrible about ourselves.

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:17.139
 However, this is not where the story ends.

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:20.919
 I love it when Paul does this, and he does this in several places.

00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:23.579
 He'll paint a really grim picture for us.

00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:26.079
 And then he says, but.

00:19:27.179 --> 00:19:29.799
 He'll paint a really grim picture for us.

00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.199
 And he says, but.

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.679
 There is hope.

00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:35.639
 There's hope for us.

00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:42.700
 And so we see very clearly in this next section, the good news of the gospel on display.

00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:48.759
 This next section, we see very clearly the good news of the gospel on display.

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:54.000
 We see this gospel on display in many ways throughout this next section.

00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:58.480
 And I want to bring our attention to a few of those pictures that we see.

00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:04.200
 To begin with, we see the beautiful truth that God intervenes.

00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:09.400
 We see the beautiful truth that God intervenes in this situation.

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:17.400
 Verse 21 and 22 says, but now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law.

00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:22.160
 Although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:26.519
 in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:30.519
 Sin and its consequences are terrible.

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.480
 But now.

00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:38.960
 Sin, every single one of us is a sinner and we have no hope on our own.

00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.700
 But now.

00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.360
 Tim Keller says it like this.

00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:48.019
 He says, but is a word that reverses the statement which has gone before it.

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:53.460
 It can qualify praise or it can bring hope where there seem to be none.

00:20:53.460 --> 00:21:00.779
 He says, this is why there are few words more glorious than the but that begins Romans 3.21.

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:04.039
 For by works of the law, no human being will be justified.

00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:06.700
 Through the law comes knowledge of sin.

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:07.900
 But.

00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.100
 But now.

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:17.360
 Paul now turns from the black cloth of human sin to hold up the glittering diamond of the gospel.

00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:21.179
 He says, this is a beautiful statement.

00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:26.479
 This desperate situation that we all find ourselves in that we can't do anything about.

00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:28.079
 But now.

00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:32.599
 But now God intervenes on our behalf.

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:34.699
 In a place where there was no hope.

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:38.799
 The only one who could offer hope shows up in a big way.

00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:41.500
 God intervenes on our behalf.

00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:47.439
 But what we also see in this passage is that God justifies.

00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:49.139
 God intervenes.

00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:51.700
 But we also see God justifies.

00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:54.740
 Since for there is no distinction.

00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:58.680
 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:03.860
 And are justified by his grace as a gift.

00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:08.480
 We are told in this verse how we are made right.

00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:11.320
 God justifies us.

00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:18.080
 Justification is an instantaneous legal act in which God declares our sins to be forgiven.

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.779
 Because of Jesus.

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:23.919
 And Christ's righteousness has been placed on to us.

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:26.039
 This is the great exchange.

00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.879
 This is where we give Christ our sin.

00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.579
 Our shame.

00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:30.199
 Our regret.

00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:34.819
 All of those things that we've done to destroy our relationship with God.

00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.859
 We give those things to Christ.

00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:38.819
 He takes them.

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.299
 Nails it to the cross.

00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:43.399
 And gives us his righteousness in return.

00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:46.179
 And so that when God looks at us.

00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:48.019
 He doesn't see our sin.

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.759
 He doesn't see those things that we regret.

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.700
 He doesn't see those things that we're ashamed of.

00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:55.559
 He looks at us and sees his holy and perfect son.

00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:58.759
 Because he's been given to us in our place.

00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:02.660
 He's taken that sin and given us his righteousness.

00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:06.039
 It doesn't mean that all of our actions are righteous.

00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:09.079
 But it means that he's declared us to be righteous.

00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:13.180
 Because of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.660
 Tony Morita says it like this.

00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:17.720
 He says if you put your faith in Jesus.

00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:20.640
 God declares that you are forgiven.

00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:25.380
 Acquitted and put into a right relationship with God.

00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:28.120
 Based on what Christ has done for us.

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:30.660
 Through his sinless life.

00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.720
 And his death and resurrection.

00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:36.279
 Justified people have a new status.

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:38.059
 A new identity.

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.259
 A new family.

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:43.819
 A new hope of enjoying a new creation.

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:47.480
 Justified people are made new.

00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:50.860
 We have a hope that nobody else does.

00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:53.039
 Because of what Christ did for us.

00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:55.140
 Here's the good news.

00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.320
 In Jesus.

00:23:56.840 --> 00:24:00.700
 God gives us the righteousness that we do not have.

00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:02.780
 And cannot earn.

00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.900
 In Christ.

00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:08.580
 God gives us the righteousness that we do not have.

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.960
 And cannot earn.

00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:13.740
 The saving righteousness is received by faith.

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.780
 It's not something you can earn.

00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.080
 Once you have it.

00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.800
 It's not something that you can lose.

00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:22.620
 And so the question that we must answer today is this.

00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:24.239
 What is your faith in?

00:24:25.179 --> 00:24:27.739
 The question that we must all answer today is.

00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:29.319
 What is your faith in?

00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:32.119
 Is it in the finished work of Jesus?

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:35.659
 Is it in what he accomplished on the cross?

00:24:36.399 --> 00:24:39.699
 Or is your faith in doing enough good?

00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.519
 To try to outweigh the bad?

00:24:42.479 --> 00:24:44.679
 Is your faith in giving enough?

00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:46.059
 Attending enough?

00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:46.959
 Praying enough?

00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.219
 Being baptized enough?

00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:50.500
 What is your faith in?

00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:53.519
 Because if it's in our works.

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:55.160
 And the things that we can do.

00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.279
 Then it's filthy rags.

00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:00.099
 Only one of these things.

00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.420
 Can provide hope.

00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:03.019
 Can provide eternal security.

00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:05.019
 Only one of these things can save.

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.400
 And that's if our faith.

00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:08.680
 Is in Christ.

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:12.980
 The next picture of the gospel we see in this passage.

00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:15.960
 Is the fact that God redeems.

00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.460
 God redeems.

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.880
 We see that God intervenes.

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:20.299
 God justifies.

00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:24.000
 And now we see that God redeems.

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:27.920
 Let us pick up where we left off in verse 24.

00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.039
 It says,

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:31.920
 Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:36.299
 Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood.

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:38.240
 To be received by faith.

00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:41.440
 This was to show God's righteousness.

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:43.819
 Because in his divine forbearance.

00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:47.180
 He had passed over former sins.

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:50.240
 What does this word redemption mean?

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.539
 When you think of redemption.

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.259
 When you think of being redeemed.

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.539
 What comes to mind?

00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:59.240
 Redemption carries with it the thought of salvation.

00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:02.960
 It carries with it the idea of being saved from something.

00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:05.240
 Being redeemed from something.

00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:08.259
 It carries with it the idea of restoration.

00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.700
 Where there was a broken relationship.

00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:12.360
 And now it has been restored.

00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.799
 It has been redeemed.

00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:15.100
 Something was broken.

00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:17.179
 And needed to be thrown away.

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.919
 But now it has been redeemed.

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.980
 Now it has been saved.

00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:21.779
 Now it has been given new life.

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:27.059
 And so what we see here is God is redeeming us.

00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:32.119
 But I also want to bring our attention to a really important word in this passage.

00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:35.079
 And it is not a word that a lot of times we use.

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:38.939
 But it helps us to understand how God redeems us.

00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:44.399
 And he redeems us by Christ becoming our propitiation.

00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.839
 He is our propitiation.

00:26:46.959 --> 00:26:51.859
 Now some of your translations it may read he is our expiation or he is our atoning sacrifice.

00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:56.699
 And these are tremendously helpful in our understanding of what Paul is saying.

00:26:56.700 --> 00:27:04.779
 However, the reason that many translations keep the word propitiation here is because of all that it conveys.

00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:12.940
 Because it carries with it so much more than we can even comprehend in one word in our English language.

00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:18.180
 Like expiation, propitiation in part does mean that our sins are covered.

00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:20.259
 They are removed.

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:28.099
 However, propitiation carries with it, this is done by Jesus taking on God's wrath for us.

00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:31.379
 By paying for the removal with his blood.

00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:35.519
 You see, propitiation is a payment that satisfies.

00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:40.940
 It's a payment that Christ is making that satisfies the wrath of God.

00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.240
 And this is what is given to us.

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:44.299
 This is how we are saved.

00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:46.700
 Listen to how Paul says it elsewhere.

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:49.640
 In 2 Corinthians 5, 21 it says,

00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:56.480
 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that we might become the righteousness of God.

00:27:56.800 --> 00:28:00.320
 He made him to be sin who knew no sin.

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:05.160
 And so in this we are getting this idea of Christ taking this on himself.

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:08.259
 He made him to be sin who knew no sin.

00:28:08.520 --> 00:28:11.140
 The only one who never knew sin was Jesus Christ.

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:15.120
 And God made him to be sin for us.

00:28:15.780 --> 00:28:18.740
 He took that on himself for us.

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:20.779
 Galatians 3, 13 says,

00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:26.759
 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.

00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:33.579
 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:37.460
 And so what we see here is this picture of propitiation.

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:39.779
 This payment that satisfies.

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:44.779
 There was no other way to pay for this except Christ.

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:50.460
 And the gospel is the most life-giving news we could ever imagine.

00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.700
 Because of all of this.

00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:56.680
 The fact that God intervenes when we had no hope.

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.019
 God justifies.

00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:59.720
 He declares us righteous.

00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.579
 He redeems us.

00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.480
 He saves us.

00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:07.639
 This means the gospel is the most life-giving news that has ever been delivered.

00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:09.920
 And so if you're here today.

00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:13.300
 And you've spent your life trying to be good enough.

00:29:13.840 --> 00:29:16.140
 Do enough good to outweigh your bad.

00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:21.440
 Then I plead with you to recognize that you can never accomplish this on your own.

00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:26.120
 Your sin is too great for you to do anything about it.

00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:28.600
 But here is the wonderful news.

00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:31.180
 God knows that.

00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:34.240
 God's always known that.

00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:37.599
 And from the moment that sin entered into the world.

00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:41.460
 He had a plan to offer salvation to you today.

00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:46.500
 God knows this isn't something that you can pay for on your own.

00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:50.160
 God knows that apart from Him working, you have no hope.

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:52.460
 This isn't a surprise to Him.

00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:55.579
 That's why from the moment that sin entered into the world.

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:59.720
 God set in motion a plan that was going to redeem the world.

00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:03.960
 That was going to offer salvation to each of us.

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:07.700
 And so if this is something that you've never done.

00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:10.700
 If this is something you need to know more about today.

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:13.940
 Then I encourage you please come forward after the service.

00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:17.960
 Yes, it may be a little awkward for you to step out and come down.

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:22.440
 But my goodness, look at what we are offered in Christ.

00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.380
 We're offered hope.

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.799
 We're offered salvation.

00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:30.680
 We're offered this in Christ that couldn't be offered any other way.

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:37.400
 I would love nothing more than to pray with you and point you to Jesus as your Savior.

00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:40.120
 Or maybe it's not coming down here to me today.

00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:43.180
 Maybe it's going to the person who invited you.

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.980
 Maybe it's going to a parent.

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:47.120
 Maybe it's going to a Sunday school teacher.

00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:49.019
 But whatever the case may be.

00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:51.440
 If this is something that you need to know more about.

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:54.519
 Then please don't put that off.

00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:56.120
 Don't put it off.

00:30:56.119 --> 00:31:01.779
 But the gospel is good news for believers as well.

00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:05.279
 You know a lot of times we think about a gospel message.

00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:09.199
 As being for those who aren't a part of the faith family.

00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:10.399
 Aren't Christians.

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:13.919
 But the gospel is good news for believers as well.

00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:17.339
 As believers we must continually keep in mind.

00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:21.459
 That Christ has satisfied the justice of God on our behalf.

00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:25.419
 Never again should we have to fear the retributive justice of God.

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:30.560
 Yet all too often we find ourselves living in fear of God's justice.

00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:33.660
 We find ourselves living in this fear.

00:31:34.580 --> 00:31:36.180
 I did it again God.

00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:42.060
 I've been trying to stop this sin over and over and over again.

00:31:42.340 --> 00:31:46.600
 Yeah here am I doing it again and again and again.

00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:50.300
 And if we're not careful we can start telling ourselves.

00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:53.039
 Well surely God is just fed up with me.

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:57.920
 Surely God is just done with me because I can't stop doing this.

00:31:58.879 --> 00:32:01.099
 Surely God is tired of forgiving me.

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:04.200
 And maybe this last time maybe that was his last.

00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:06.059
 That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:08.220
 He's never going to forgive me again.

00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:12.420
 We've got to guard ourselves from going down that road.

00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:14.839
 Because that's not what we see in scripture.

00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:26.000
 As such at times we fail to grasp by faith the fact that Christ Jesus has fully satisfied God's justice for us.

00:32:27.679 --> 00:32:30.539
 Jerry Bridges again was really helpful in thinking about this.

00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:33.480
 He says one morning in my private devotions.

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:36.199
 He said I was reflecting on my sin.

00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:40.259
 Which for some reason seemed particularly painful to me that day.

00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:42.359
 How many of us have been there?

00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:46.440
 Where we're frustrated with ourselves.

00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:51.420
 We're frustrated that we find ourselves going down this path over and over again.

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:56.819
 We find ourselves frustrated by the fact that this happened again.

00:32:58.440 --> 00:33:03.379
 Jerry Bridges says in my discouragement I blurted out.

00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:07.579
 God you would be perfectly just in sending me to hell.

00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:13.379
 And he said immediately on the hill of those words though came the thought.

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.339
 No.

00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:15.919
 You wouldn't.

00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:22.019
 Because Jesus satisfied your justice for me.

00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:26.899
 Because Jesus satisfied your justice for me.

00:33:27.919 --> 00:33:29.579
 And so in those moments.

00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:32.000
 Where our sin is crushing.

00:33:32.179 --> 00:33:33.079
 Where it's overwhelming.

00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.759
 Where we're frustrated with it.

00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:38.400
 May we never say God you would be perfectly just in sending me to hell.

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:40.559
 Because no he wouldn't.

00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:43.059
 Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:45.819
 When we place our faith and our trust in him.

00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:49.579
 Those sins past, present and future are paid for.

00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:51.180
 It's finished.

00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:51.960
 It's accomplished.

00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:52.819
 It's done.

00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:55.759
 There's nothing we can do to add to it.

00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:58.279
 And there's nothing we can do to take away from it.

00:33:58.299 --> 00:34:01.519
 Because it was perfect and complete.

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:06.379
 Church, the gospel is good news for all of us today.

00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:09.159
 Jesus is enough.

00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:12.800
 He's enough to save you.

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:15.659
 And he is enough to sustain you.

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:18.219
 Father, thank you so very much.

00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:19.860
 For your word.

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:21.980
 For what it teaches us about you.

00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:24.219
 Thank you for the gospel, Lord.

00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:26.659
 Thank you for the good news.

00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:30.599
 Thank you for making it very clear to us.

00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:31.940
 That each and every person.

00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.159
 Each and every one of us.

00:34:33.359 --> 00:34:34.279
 Is a sinner.

00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:36.059
 And we have a desperate need.

00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:39.899
 A need that we can't do anything about on our own.

00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:43.139
 But God, thank you for knowing that.

00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:46.899
 Thank you for making a way.

00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.940
 Where your justice.

00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:50.359
 Where your wrath.

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.139
 Where your love.

00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:51.819
 Where your mercy.

00:34:51.819 --> 00:34:52.420
 Where your grace.

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.819
 All come together.

00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:56.500
 To offer us salvation.

00:34:57.279 --> 00:34:59.199
 Lord, thank you for intervening.

00:34:59.379 --> 00:35:00.859
 When we had no hope.

00:35:01.319 --> 00:35:03.259
 Thank you for justifying us.

00:35:03.339 --> 00:35:05.559
 Thank you for redeeming us.

00:35:06.379 --> 00:35:09.199
 And Lord, I pray that if there's somebody here today.

00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:12.579
 That's never placed their faith and their trust in you.

00:35:13.359 --> 00:35:16.059
 Lord, that today would be the day.

00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:18.699
 That they give their life to you.

00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:21.059
 Where they go from death to life.

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:24.039
 But Lord, I also pray.

00:35:25.279 --> 00:35:26.599
 That this gospel.

00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:28.519
 Would be good news.

00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:30.840
 For all who believe as well.

00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:33.659
 That it would daily be good news.

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.699
 Or would daily be reminded.

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:37.579
 That you are enough.

00:35:38.779 --> 00:35:40.179
 You're enough to save us.

00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:41.779
 And you're enough to sustain us.

00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:44.920
 And so Lord, help us to live lives.

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.719
 In light of that.

00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:46.779
 Each and every day.

00:35:47.600 --> 00:35:49.460
 And we ask all this in Jesus' name.

00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:50.200
 Amen.

00:35:51.060 --> 00:35:52.560
 We're going to invite you to stand.

00:35:52.660 --> 00:35:54.940
 We're going to sing a song of invitation this morning.

00:35:55.060 --> 00:35:56.660
 If God is speaking to you.

00:35:56.660 --> 00:35:58.460
 Won't you respond as we stand together.

00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.400
 And sing.

00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:01.800
 Thank you.

00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800


00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:01.800