WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:13.040 Love that. 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:14.960 That's the good news of Easter, isn't it? 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:21.559 That Jesus has blown the door open so that we can enter and be with Him forever, that 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:23.800 He's made the way for us. 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:26.699 What a great joy that is. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:28.960 Thank you all for that song. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.820 I don't know if you've noticed lately, but we live in a crazy, upside-down kind of world, 00:00:38.039 --> 00:00:38.399 don't we? 00:00:39.179 --> 00:00:40.500 Maybe you have noticed. 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:43.820 Maybe you've observed that around you lately. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:49.480 For example, the internet has made it so that we connect with more people than ever before. 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:56.179 We do things faster, and we work faster, and we work longer, many of us, than ever before, 00:00:56.179 --> 00:01:02.420 and yet we seem to be less connected in some ways than ever before. 00:01:03.320 --> 00:01:08.560 A lot of people would be hard-pressed to argue that we actually are doing better and getting 00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:13.099 more accomplished and have figured things out more, even with all these advances. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:19.079 We call it a rat race, that we're always working longer and harder and not getting any further 00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:21.539 than we did spinning our wheels. 00:01:22.900 --> 00:01:28.179 We don't seem to play well with others, even though we're connected to a lot of people. 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:35.319 Some days, like even this week, if you watch the news, you might be tempted to think that 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:37.340 death has gotten the upper hand. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:45.640 That those who are intent on terrorizing others are on the rise, while those who want to be 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:47.300 peaceful are suffering. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:54.540 I won't comment even on our current political scene and what it seems to get you to the top 00:01:54.540 --> 00:01:57.700 in that arena these days and how that works. 00:01:58.240 --> 00:02:02.719 And we could go on and on with examples of things that are upside-down, seemingly. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:08.300 A team like Alabama even beats a great team like Clemson in a football game. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:09.939 It's a crazy world. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:11.439 It's upside-down. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:13.939 Things are not the way that they should be. 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:20.780 It's a crazy world that seems sometimes upside-down or, at the very least, out of control. 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:28.560 We all feel this in different ways, don't we, in our lives, places that we feel confused 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:30.079 or out of control. 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:34.860 And I want us to ask this morning, what does Easter have to say about that? 00:02:35.820 --> 00:02:39.360 What would Jesus say about a world like this? 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:45.080 What does it look like to follow Jesus in this kind of crazy context? 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:52.220 Whether you're a follower of Jesus yourself or just wondering about who Jesus is and what 00:02:52.220 --> 00:02:57.000 it means to follow Him, or maybe you're not even wondering but you got dressed up and dragged 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:58.360 here against your will this morning. 00:02:58.360 --> 00:03:01.620 Hey, we're really glad that you're here too, by the way. 00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:10.180 Regardless of where you are, Jesus claims to have answers to that question that are life-changing 00:03:10.180 --> 00:03:15.860 for all of us, that change the way we would look at every aspect of our lives. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:22.360 God's people in the Old Testament know what it feels like to live in a crazy upside-down 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:23.360 world. 00:03:24.100 --> 00:03:29.140 In the part of Isaiah's prophecy that we're reading this morning, he's writing to people 00:03:29.140 --> 00:03:35.540 in exile, under the rule of a Babylonian king who doesn't share any of their priorities or 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:36.280 values. 00:03:36.980 --> 00:03:38.460 God's people are oppressed. 00:03:39.720 --> 00:03:40.800 Many have died. 00:03:41.700 --> 00:03:45.040 They've lost their homes, disconnected from families. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:50.219 They wonder where hope for new life will ever come from. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:04:00.560 And Isaiah's coming with a message of comfort, of consolation, of hope for God's people. 00:04:01.299 --> 00:04:04.479 But it won't sound exactly like what they might have expected. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:10.099 Let's look at Isaiah chapter 53 and see what he tells them about the one who will come to 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:12.340 bring and be their hope. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:17.840 He's to be their king, but he's called a servant, the suffering servant. 00:04:18.840 --> 00:04:25.019 Already in this chapter, before where we'll pick up reading, he's been prophesied to die 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:26.379 and then to be buried. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:29.740 And we'll pick up at verse 10 of Isaiah 53. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:34.160 This is God's inerrant and infallible word. 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:39.840 In a world of fleeting things, something that is eternally permanent. 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:47.859 In a world of things that fail you, something absolutely reliable that you can count on. 00:04:48.119 --> 00:04:50.159 Isaiah 53 at verse 10. 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:54.179 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:56.059 He has put him to grief. 00:04:56.919 --> 00:05:00.819 When his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:03.239 He shall prolong his days. 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:06.679 The will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:10.759 Out of the anguish of his soul, he shall see and be satisfied. 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:16.720 By his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous. 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:19.620 And he shall bear their iniquities. 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:23.579 Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the many. 00:05:23.780 --> 00:05:26.319 And he shall divide the spoil with the strong. 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:31.360 Because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:37.160 Yet he bore the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:39.660 The grass withers, the flowers fade. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:43.040 But these words of our God will stand forever. 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:45.520 Pray with me and we'll talk about them together. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:50.720 Father, we are so grateful for your word. 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:55.940 Without it, we would be lost and confused. 00:05:56.080 --> 00:05:59.100 Not knowing what we could trust. 00:05:59.880 --> 00:06:01.880 Where we could find truth. 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:04.700 And yet you have shown us truth. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:07.440 In your son and in your word. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:08.860 And we are grateful for it. 00:06:09.520 --> 00:06:14.440 Might we see him more clearly as we talk about him together this morning. 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:16.340 Holy Spirit, show us Jesus. 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:19.639 So that he will be glorious to us. 00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:23.199 And that we will be changed for having seen him again this morning. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:25.199 We ask in his name. 00:06:25.739 --> 00:06:26.099 Amen. 00:06:30.099 --> 00:06:34.839 As God brings us hope for living in this upside down world. 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:42.759 The first thing we see this morning is that there is always need for death before new life. 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:46.920 There is always need for death before new life. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:54.420 It may seem obvious, but on Easter it is important to remember that the way to the empty tomb was through a cross. 00:06:54.899 --> 00:06:55.420 Wasn't it? 00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:00.319 It is interesting in this beautiful prophecy in Isaiah 53. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:03.300 How clearly this is laid out for us. 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:07.099 Just as the description develops through this whole chapter. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:10.379 It works chronologically through the life of Jesus. 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:13.139 It starts as he begins to grow up. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:14.399 Verse 2. 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:17.860 And then as he suffers and dies. 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:19.139 Verse 5. 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:22.180 And then in verse 9 he is buried. 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:28.000 And so we get to the verses that we read earlier that start right after that. 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:30.620 And it is as you would expect about resurrection. 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:35.699 About Jesus rising from the grave after he has been buried. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:38.699 But it is not just about that, is it? 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:47.279 Even when you get to the resurrection part, Isaiah can't keep from turning the clock back over and over again and talking about his death. 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:52.180 He keeps connecting back to his death to talk about the resurrection. 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:54.680 Look at these verses just one more time. 00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:58.560 He starts out saying it was God's will to crush him. 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.519 To put him to grief. 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:04.839 That Jesus is going to make an offering for guilt. 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:07.759 In other words, he is going to die for the guilty. 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:11.619 There is going to be anguish for his soul. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:18.279 And all the way down, even in the part where they have most talked about resurrection, now he has poured out his soul to death. 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:24.539 You can't talk about the resurrection without talking about death, can you? 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:34.759 Perhaps God's people might have thought the prophecies about their future king would begin with victory and power and death for others, right? 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:36.519 To all those who depressed them. 00:08:37.860 --> 00:08:41.440 And the message of hope comes, the promise of a savior. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:49.279 And we read that God himself will crush the one who's coming to rescue them. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:51.259 The one who's their hope. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:54.840 The only death happening is his death. 00:08:54.939 --> 00:08:58.700 Not the death of all their oppressors in this passage, is it? 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:02.000 And it must be that way, right? 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:05.819 Why must the savior come and die? 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:10.399 The good news for us about Jesus starts with his death. 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:14.819 Because someone must die because of our sin. 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:19.539 A holy God must punish sin and sin deserves death. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:19.620 Death. 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:26.339 We've been looking here at Southwood during this Easter season at images of the cross from the Old Testament. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:31.740 Foreshadows, we've called them, of what the cross of Jesus means. 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:34.879 What's happening when he dies in our place. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:37.779 And every one of them is talking about this. 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:41.860 Starting over here with the scapegoat of Leviticus 16. 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:45.919 Who's sent away from the presence of God to die. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:50.279 So that God's people can come into his presence and live. 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:54.100 Then the blood of the Passover lamb. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:10:02.919 Who's slain and his blood on the doors in place of the blood of the firstborn of every home in Israel. 00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:06.599 That they would live while the lamb dies. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:11.000 Then the serpent lifted up on the pole in Numbers 21. 00:10:11.959 --> 00:10:19.039 It shows us that Jesus is actually, as he's lifted up as the serpent, he says, will become sin. 00:10:19.839 --> 00:10:25.860 He himself will actually become our sin in our place so that we can be healed. 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:28.779 So that we can know life. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:31.699 Isaiah takes that picture. 00:10:31.819 --> 00:10:36.559 He makes it even clearer in this passage with the man of sorrows. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:38.439 Verse 3. 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:42.299 Jesus is going to come and be acquainted with grief. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:45.500 He's going to be familiar with suffering and pain. 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:47.059 And then verse 5. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:50.439 He's going to be pierced for our transgressions. 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:54.159 Crushed for our iniquities. 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:59.559 You see, he doesn't have grief and sorrows of his own that he's earned for himself. 00:10:59.699 --> 00:11:02.139 He has grief and sorrows that are ours. 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:03.419 That we deserve. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.719 That he takes. 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:07.120 He takes our punishment. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.339 Our chastisement. 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:10.299 And gives us peace. 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:12.719 He's wounded and we are healed. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:13.759 Right? 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:18.819 As we keep reading through the passage, we get to the verses we read this morning. 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.779 Verse 10. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:23.000 The will of the Lord to crush him. 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:24.459 To put him to grief. 00:11:24.839 --> 00:11:26.459 The guilt offering. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:30.379 He's going to be the one who's the sacrifice. 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:35.819 Who atones and pays for the guilt of all the guilty. 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:39.159 So that his offspring, it says, can live. 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:42.079 He bears our iniquities. 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:43.480 Verse 11. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:47.539 He's going to bear their iniquities. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:49.339 And then verse 12. 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:51.039 He's going to bore. 00:11:51.099 --> 00:11:52.439 He bore the sin of many. 00:11:52.599 --> 00:11:54.959 He makes intercession for transgressors. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.740 For those who have sinned. 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:58.699 He dies in their place. 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:00.980 He stands in for them. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.779 He had to die. 00:12:03.339 --> 00:12:04.740 So that we could live. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:09.719 I've read the story of two brothers in Missouri. 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:12.539 Who went out to play near a sandbag levee. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.299 Not too far from their home. 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:19.379 They got caught while they were playing in quicksand. 00:12:19.859 --> 00:12:21.419 And began to struggle against it. 00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:25.959 By the time rescue workers got there and reached them. 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:28.500 They could see only the younger brother. 00:12:29.359 --> 00:12:31.379 Neck deep in the sand. 00:12:31.699 --> 00:12:32.439 Standing there. 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:34.519 And one of them rushed over to him. 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:36.059 And as he got to the younger brother. 00:12:36.199 --> 00:12:37.679 He said, where is your brother? 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:43.139 And the young boy said, I'm standing on his shoulders. 00:12:44.459 --> 00:12:46.259 I'm standing on his shoulders. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:51.859 The older brother apparently had figured out that for one of them to live. 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:54.579 The other was going to have to die. 00:12:56.059 --> 00:13:00.679 And so he gave his life that his younger brother might have a chance to live. 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:07.059 Our elder brother, Jesus, has done the same for us. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:10.620 He has given his life that we might live. 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:19.099 So for those of us following Jesus, there's always need for death before new life. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:22.579 What does that mean for following Jesus in this world? 00:13:23.359 --> 00:13:24.799 A couple of things for now. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:30.679 I think it means followers of Jesus should face suffering and pain honestly. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:36.299 You know, I'd really like to think that I could just have the new life. 00:13:36.699 --> 00:13:38.120 And skip straight to it. 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:42.620 Without all the pain and suffering and sorrow and difficulty. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:46.919 I'd like to just have the wonderful, happy, cheery parts. 00:13:47.719 --> 00:13:51.019 When I was a child, I thought that's what following Jesus meant. 00:13:51.319 --> 00:13:53.159 That you smiled all the time. 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:55.000 So I always smiled. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.620 I was a smiley kid. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:59.059 And people at church would come up to me and say, 00:13:59.199 --> 00:14:00.600 That's the joy of the Lord. 00:14:01.219 --> 00:14:03.500 He's smiling the joy of the Lord. 00:14:03.719 --> 00:14:05.419 And you know what I thought as a kid? 00:14:06.459 --> 00:14:07.939 Oh, that made me proud. 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.039 It made me smile bigger. 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:11.059 I had the joy of the Lord. 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:13.079 That can happen. 00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:17.980 But following Jesus is not about just putting on a happy face. 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:20.279 It's really not at all. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:24.720 Following the man of sorrows is not at all about just putting on a happy face. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:27.879 And pretending in the face of life's difficulty. 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:34.019 Followers of Christ are able to be honest about the painful reality of suffering. 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:37.899 We should be people of tears. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:43.319 Especially when we enter into the pain of others with them. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:48.419 Followers of Jesus should not find their hope in power first. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.439 In moving up and advancing. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.620 In political control. 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.720 In financial strength. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:58.079 In social influence. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:01.840 It's not where our hope primarily lies. 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:04.580 But rather we should be willing to be silent. 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:07.040 To be persecuted. 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:10.400 To lay down our lives for others. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:12.100 To deny self. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.460 Take up our cross. 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:15.680 And follow Him. 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:19.660 Because we should know that the new life that we long for. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:22.120 Doesn't come by skipping over the pain. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.360 And the dying. 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:25.160 That must take place. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:29.379 Rather by walking through it in the footprints of our Savior. 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:32.100 That's what He's done for us. 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:35.699 Now some of you probably should be thinking. 00:15:36.319 --> 00:15:37.339 Seriously pastor. 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:38.719 Come on. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.299 It's Easter. 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.839 I mean we wore spring clothes. 00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:43.740 And I know the sun hasn't come out yet. 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:45.519 And I know that's discouraging to you. 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:47.059 But can't you talk about new life? 00:15:47.579 --> 00:15:49.819 I thought this was going to be about hope. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.639 In this world that we live in. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:52.539 Hear me. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:54.379 It is about hope. 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:56.320 It's just about real. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.759 Honest. 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.820 Never let you down. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.139 Kind of hope. 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:03.240 The kind that really lasts. 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:06.700 Not the pretend everything is wonderful today. 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:07.840 Kind. 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:11.439 So it starts painfully and honestly. 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:14.779 With a death that leads to new life. 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.679 And the beauty of that reality. 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:20.840 When you see death leading to new life. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:22.860 We also see in this passage. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:25.100 That means there is always hope. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.700 For new life. 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.200 In death. 00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:33.440 And that's true primarily because Jesus has not only endured death. 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:36.420 But also conquered death for us. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.940 That's the glory of Easter right? 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.759 Not just the cross. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.759 Not just that Jesus came to die. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.139 But the empty tomb. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.840 He didn't just endure death. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.700 He conquered it. 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:49.040 He rose to new life for us. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:53.940 Do you know what image Isaiah uses to foreshadow the resurrection? 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:56.580 We get a little foreshadowing of the empty tomb too. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.640 It's mostly of the cross in the Old Testament. 00:16:58.920 --> 00:17:01.060 But you get glimpses of resurrection too. 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.420 Guess what image Isaiah uses? 00:17:04.080 --> 00:17:06.279 It's the image of a victory parade. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:09.380 Soldiers coming back from battle triumphant. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.380 Look at verse 12. 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:14.420 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many. 00:17:14.780 --> 00:17:17.860 And he shall divide the spoil with the strong. 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:20.960 There's that picture from that culture. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:25.080 Of the conquering army coming back from battle. 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:28.200 To cheers and shouts and rejoicing. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:32.420 And the soldiers gathering around to share the spoil of war. 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:34.540 The victory that they've won. 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:37.520 And the benefits that come from it. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:46.220 It's the picture from those soldiers rejoicing that victory is theirs. 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:49.359 That there's spoil to be shared. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.720 That there's plenty to go around. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:58.519 And Jesus has returned from the grave as the victor over death itself. 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.920 That's the picture that we're given. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:06.539 Paul says it this way in 1 Corinthians 15 when he's talking about Jesus' resurrection. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:10.240 When the perishable puts on the imperishable. 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:13.099 And the mortal puts on immortality. 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:16.000 Then shall come to pass the saying that is written. 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:19.000 Death is swallowed up in victory. 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:21.639 O death where is your victory? 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.240 O death where is your sting? 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:26.599 The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:30.460 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:33.559 Through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:36.839 Jesus has conquered death for us. 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:38.079 He's the victor. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:40.819 So there's always hope for new life. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.440 In death. 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:47.179 It's in all three of the verses that we're looking at this morning. 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:51.559 In verse 10 we've talked about where we see the death there. 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:53.359 He's making an offering for guilt. 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:56.639 And even right as he does that in the midst of death there. 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:58.679 He shall see his offspring. 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.799 He shall prolong his days. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:03.940 There's life for him and others after him. 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:06.079 Right in the midst of death. 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.960 And the will of the Lord there. 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:13.539 The will of the Lord that crushed him at the beginning of verse 10. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.500 Now does what? 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:18.259 The same will of the Lord begins to prosper in his hand. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:21.519 He lives and he reigns. 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.579 Over all. 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.480 Verse 11. 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.079 The anguish of his soul. 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.759 Out of the midst of that anguish. 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:31.660 He's going to see and be satisfied. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.440 There's life and death. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:37.319 Even in the midst of sorrow. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.759 Even in the darkest days. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.539 He sees something and is satisfied. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:46.339 And then verse 12 is the picture of the victory parade. 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:49.440 Why is there a victory parade? 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:51.620 How come he gets to divide the spoil? 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:54.559 Because he poured out his soul to death. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.119 Death. 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:57.960 It's because death was right in the midst of it. 00:19:58.119 --> 00:20:00.319 That there's joy and life. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.879 And victory. 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.599 Over and over again. 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:06.440 New life coming in the midst of death. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:10.119 That hope is constantly there for those following Jesus. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.039 And it's there for those following Jesus. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:15.419 Not just for Jesus himself. 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:17.619 Because of what he lives to do. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.899 What's he doing? 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:21.980 Why is it helpful in this passage that he lives on? 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:26.200 He lives, Isaiah says, to collect his people as it were. 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:28.380 To see his offspring. 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:30.920 To make many righteous. 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.120 Verse 11. 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:36.920 He's going to be numbered with transgressors. 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:39.299 He's going to bear their sins. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:42.099 He's going to represent our cause to God. 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.559 He does that actively. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.839 Jesus wins. 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:47.919 He gets the parade. 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:50.079 But so does his team. 00:20:50.959 --> 00:20:52.899 So do all those on his team. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.279 And what team is he on? 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.980 How do you know? 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:57.559 What team is Jesus on? 00:20:58.019 --> 00:21:01.159 Oh, he joined the transgressors team. 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:05.220 He was numbered with the transgressors. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:09.019 The ones who deserved only death. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:10.019 The failures. 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:14.180 The sorrowful ones. 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:20.680 It even makes sense in this passage to say that it's those transgressors that are his spoil. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:24.559 The ones he receives when he conquers death. 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.440 He rescues them from death. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:31.059 And the Bible says God the Father gives them to his Son as a gift. 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.940 We are his treasure. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:36.220 There is hope for new life for us too. 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:38.660 In the face of death. 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:44.740 So what does that mean for those following Jesus in this world? 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:51.200 First it means that followers of Jesus should face their failures honestly. 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:56.779 Because we acknowledge that we're exactly what that passage just said we were. 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:58.740 That we're a community of transgressors. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.480 Not the ones who figured it all out. 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:04.960 That Southwood Presbyterian Church sounds nice. 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:07.539 But we could say Southwood Transgressors Church. 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:10.480 It's a gathering of people who don't have it together. 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.259 Right? 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.579 Who didn't figure it out on our own. 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:17.119 But who came to find hope in Jesus. 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:21.859 We shouldn't be what the church is often known as. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:26.920 Those who think they've got it all together and tell you where you don't. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:32.900 We should be as honest about our sin as we are about our pain and suffering. 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:37.620 We can be honest because no matter how bad it is it's never hopeless. 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.120 Right? 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:44.759 That's why the pastor could tell you last week that he got angry and yelled at his kids. 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:48.300 And to his shame he could say this is what happened. 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:51.180 Because that's not where our hope is. 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:54.859 He doesn't share that because he's proud of it. 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:58.599 But because our hope is not in a pastor performing well. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.440 I sure hope it's not. 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:06.039 But in a Savior who performs perfectly. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:10.500 And then dies for those who couldn't perform well. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:15.819 And rose to give them and me new life. 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:23.000 Followers of Jesus should also be people then of hope and life. 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:24.720 Not just people of tears. 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:28.019 But people who see hope in tears. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:33.680 Who bring the hope and life into today that Jesus brings into eternity. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:37.680 Wherever things seem dead and broken and hopeless. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:41.080 We should be those who bring glimpses of life and hope. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.740 Into a troubled school. 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:46.019 Into a lifeless neighborhood. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:48.259 Into a struggling company. 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.680 Into a broken family. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:52.380 Into a depressed heart. 00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:54.600 Into a hopeless life. 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.180 The hope of heaven. 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.740 The hope of new life. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:00.680 That breaks through into death now. 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:03.400 Because it's true forever. 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.820 Because we are his spoil. 00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:07.620 We are his treasure. 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:09.660 That Jesus shares his new life with. 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:11.660 We get to share it with others. 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.560 I want to share with you this morning. 00:24:16.060 --> 00:24:16.960 Two stories. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.820 Of the hope of new life. 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:20.519 In the face of death. 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.039 Before we close. 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:25.660 One is of Kyle and Jen Porter. 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:27.039 Whom I've never met. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:31.000 I recently read Kyle's account of their story. 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:33.539 After their third child died. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:35.320 At the end of the pregnancy. 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.700 And was stillborn. 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:40.740 Kyle faced the suffering honestly. 00:24:41.939 --> 00:24:43.399 Much of what he writes. 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:45.099 Is of the awful pain. 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.399 And grief. 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.819 Of losing a daughter. 00:24:47.919 --> 00:24:49.519 They had already come to love. 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:52.079 And then he wrote this. 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:55.519 The sorrow that flowed that week. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:57.119 Is an unspeakable thing. 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.819 And we can truthfully say. 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:02.399 That the Lord is good in both. 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:05.000 If not greater in the sorrow. 00:25:06.679 --> 00:25:09.000 That was what we tried to point to all week. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.359 That we do not hope in our children. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.659 That we do not hope in each other. 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.259 That we do not hope in our friends. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:16.079 Or our families. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.980 Or in anything. 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.819 Outside the crucifixion. 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:20.259 And resurrection of Jesus. 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:22.920 That is all in Christ alone. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:26.039 This was a wild reminder of that. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.099 One we didn't want. 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.940 But always need. 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.180 He continues. 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.099 Christ is everything. 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.160 Or he's nothing. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.799 We lost so much. 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.599 But gained so much more. 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:42.559 We got so much more of the Lord. 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.980 Than we ever have before. 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.460 We got more of the Lord. 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.799 Than I knew was possible. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:48.220 For a human to get. 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:51.700 And he finishes his story. 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.079 Talking about heaven. 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:56.240 And their hope for the future. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.700 He says this. 00:25:58.220 --> 00:26:00.160 Heaven is a place I want to be. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:03.120 Not to see the girl I lost. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.740 Although that will be a good thing. 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:07.940 But it is a pale and pathetic thing. 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.660 Compared to seeing in full. 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.960 The God who willingly chose. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:14.400 That which I would never dream. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.079 Of choosing. 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:17.599 I want to meet my daughter. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.099 Yes. 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:20.579 But what I really long for. 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.679 Is to meet the father. 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.599 Who gave his son. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:28.639 In the face of unspeakable pain. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.859 And death. 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.939 Honestly. 00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:32.119 Looked at. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.299 The hope. 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.519 Of new life. 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:36.119 Because the hope. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.079 Is not anything. 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.980 Other than Jesus. 00:26:39.659 --> 00:26:41.659 That's the only hope there. 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:43.679 Christ is everything. 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:43.920 Everything. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:49.259 I also want to tell you about Carrie. 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:52.700 Who would also tell you this morning. 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:54.560 Of pain in life. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.580 Who would also tell you. 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:59.299 You can have hope for new life. 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.580 And that it's all about Jesus. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.640 I hope many of you will get the chance. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:05.360 To meet Carrie sometime. 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.980 He's in that picture up there. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.840 In the red shirt. 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.360 Because I didn't think. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.620 Have any idea. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.740 That he was coming this morning. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:17.640 And he made me promise. 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:19.259 Not to talk about him very much. 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.400 But to talk about Jesus. 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:22.299 That was my only instruction. 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.640 Before I got up here this morning. 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.180 From Carrie. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.460 I met Carrie. 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.740 A couple of years ago. 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:30.059 When he walked into the front door. 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.940 Of the church office. 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.079 Needing money to pay. 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.519 For his utility bill. 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.759 He'd just been. 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.440 Released from prison. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.160 Actually. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.720 When he. 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.440 Came by that day. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.120 He'd been released. 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.180 Because he was dying. 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.380 Carrie'd been in prison. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.460 Most of his life. 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.799 For crimes. 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.420 He committed as a young man. 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.259 Including murder. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.620 Multiple life sentences. 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.640 That he was facing. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.220 He didn't enjoy. 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:57.279 Much of the. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.559 Pleasures of life. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:58.840 That. 00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:00.080 That you may know. 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:03.839 But he was dying of cancer. 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.240 And. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.679 Deemed no threat. 00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:06.419 To others. 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.099 And released. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:08.980 To die. 00:28:10.939 --> 00:28:12.619 He's facing that reality. 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.619 Any day now. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.699 But Carrie has great hope. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:19.319 There hasn't been a lot. 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:21.039 That Carrie's had to live for. 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.720 In this life. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.659 He'd tell you that. 00:28:23.939 --> 00:28:24.500 But. 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.419 Carrie is. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.339 Looking forward. 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.279 To his life. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.619 Really getting started. 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.739 He can't wait. 00:28:29.739 --> 00:28:30.979 To be with Jesus. 00:28:32.979 --> 00:28:33.719 See. 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.619 They met in prison. 00:28:35.699 --> 00:28:36.419 After. 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.639 Carrie had searched. 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.379 Several other religions. 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.479 Looking for. 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.179 Hope. 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:43.679 Instead of finding religion. 00:28:44.199 --> 00:28:45.059 Carrie met. 00:28:45.439 --> 00:28:45.759 Jesus. 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.439 And found true. 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.059 Life. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.259 In him. 00:28:49.659 --> 00:28:50.000 Now. 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:51.179 Even though he is in. 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.399 Immense pain. 00:28:52.479 --> 00:28:53.419 All the time. 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.399 Even though he. 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.979 Hardly has the strength. 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.120 To get up. 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.880 Out of bed. 00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.720 Carrie. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.039 Exudes. 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:01.799 Hope. 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.940 And life. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.740 Just to. 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:05.039 Be with him. 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.079 You feel that. 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.660 A guy in prison. 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.519 Once asked him. 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.039 To stop. 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.360 Talking about Jesus. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:11.880 So much. 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.539 And talk about. 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.420 Something else. 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.319 To which. 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.319 Carrie replied. 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:17.299 What else am I going to talk about? 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:19.220 Jesus is my life. 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.720 That's what you said. 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.059 Isn't it? 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.599 What else am I going to talk about? 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:26.619 Jesus is my life. 00:29:26.719 --> 00:29:28.679 Of course I'm going to talk. 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.759 About Jesus. 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.939 All the time. 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.859 Now whether he's in a hospital. 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.819 Or a nursing home. 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:35.059 Or talking to a pastor. 00:29:35.219 --> 00:29:36.000 He's always. 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:37.639 Talking about Jesus. 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:39.579 Seeking to offer the hope. 00:29:39.639 --> 00:29:40.379 Of new life. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:42.179 To anyone who will listen. 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:44.459 To others facing death. 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.179 With him. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.379 Carrie desperately. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.279 Wants to offer. 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.099 The hope. 00:29:48.199 --> 00:29:49.259 Of new life. 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.339 This joy. 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.379 Every day now. 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.620 I have learned. 00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:55.720 So much. 00:29:56.040 --> 00:29:56.520 From Carrie. 00:29:57.280 --> 00:29:57.940 You would too. 00:29:58.020 --> 00:29:58.780 If you get a few minutes. 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.160 With him. 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.800 Doctors tell Carrie. 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:02.560 That he will die. 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.340 Very soon. 00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:06.180 But he's quite confident. 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.820 That he is just starting. 00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:08.380 To live. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.180 And he's sure of it. 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:11.320 You can ask him. 00:30:13.040 --> 00:30:14.240 That's what it looks like. 00:30:14.300 --> 00:30:16.060 To have hope of life. 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.960 In the face of death. 00:30:18.320 --> 00:30:19.640 That our hope. 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:21.020 Is actually in something. 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.780 That's bigger than something. 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.019 We can get our hands around. 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.000 And enjoy. 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.899 For a few minutes. 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.940 Or a few years. 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.660 But to have eternal. 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.420 Hope. 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.200 You know. 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.059 A lot of Christians. 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.399 Are not so clear. 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:33.920 As these two stories. 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:34.639 I just told. 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.839 On Jesus being. 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.940 What life. 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.059 Is all about. 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:41.039 If you look at. 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.660 Many of us. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.440 You'd think our hope. 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.119 Is tied up. 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.359 In a lot of other things. 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.879 If you're here. 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.399 This morning. 00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:48.139 And you're not. 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:49.360 A follower of Christ. 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.220 I just wanted to say. 00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:51.360 A couple things to you. 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.280 First being. 00:30:52.360 --> 00:30:53.580 We're so glad you're here. 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.120 If you're not. 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.200 A follower of Christ. 00:30:57.300 --> 00:30:58.020 But you haven't. 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.780 Experienced. 00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.400 Christians. 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.920 Like this. 00:31:01.600 --> 00:31:02.660 Followers of Christ. 00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:03.660 Living the way. 00:31:03.820 --> 00:31:04.320 We say. 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.240 We should. 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:05.759 Live. 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:07.020 As followers of Christ. 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.320 Just know. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.840 Please know. 00:31:11.780 --> 00:31:12.420 It's true. 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:12.900 Of Jesus. 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:13.060 Jesus. 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.340 He lives. 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.440 That way. 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.259 He faced. 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.720 Suffering and pain. 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.400 Honestly. 00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:21.340 He was a man. 00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:21.980 Of tears. 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.900 Who sought. 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.900 Not to get ahead. 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.100 But to lay his life. 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.540 Down. 00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:26.480 For others. 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.759 He faced. 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.620 Our failures. 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:29.460 Honestly. 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.100 Identifying. 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:31.640 With us. 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.259 In our sin. 00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:33.620 And taking the punishment. 00:31:33.620 --> 00:31:34.400 Our failures. 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.240 Deserved. 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:37.259 And he's a man. 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.860 Of hope. 00:31:38.800 --> 00:31:39.480 And life. 00:31:40.080 --> 00:31:40.640 He rose. 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.340 From the dead. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.019 To offer. 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:42.740 New. 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.500 Life. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.560 To the most. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.160 Hopeless. 00:31:45.300 --> 00:31:45.740 And dead. 00:31:45.840 --> 00:31:46.160 People. 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:46.759 No matter. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.660 How impossible. 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.460 That seems. 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:48.900 To you. 00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:49.780 He lives. 00:31:49.780 --> 00:31:50.180 Today. 00:31:50.300 --> 00:31:50.840 To tell you. 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.740 It's not. 00:31:52.040 --> 00:31:52.580 You too. 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.540 Can have new. 00:31:53.540 --> 00:31:54.120 Life. 00:31:54.280 --> 00:31:55.540 He's the victor. 00:31:55.780 --> 00:31:56.740 Who offers you. 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.440 Fullness. 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.120 Of life. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:58.800 Sharing. 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.480 In his. 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.300 Victory. 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:00.900 With him. 00:32:03.540 --> 00:32:04.519 What after all. 00:32:04.560 --> 00:32:04.960 Does winning. 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.560 Look like. 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.000 In this. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.040 Crazy. 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:07.960 Upside down. 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.200 Life. 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.440 What's success. 00:32:11.580 --> 00:32:12.180 In this world. 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:18.360 Jesus has an upside down answer to the question of success and winning in this life. 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:22.660 He shows us that the path up is actually down first. 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:27.140 If you follow him the path it goes down before it goes up. 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:29.640 As Isaiah foretells. 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:36.280 Jesus shows us that winning is not as we usually think of it as scoring more points than the other team. 00:32:37.060 --> 00:32:39.060 Having more stuff. 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:41.160 Gaining the most fame. 00:32:41.320 --> 00:32:42.860 Enjoying the most fun. 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:45.619 But winning rather. 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:48.119 Is having little. 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:51.219 But having Jesus. 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:53.699 And the new life he offers. 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:55.419 Through and in death. 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:56.179 And so. 00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.119 Having little. 00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:58.119 But like Kyle. 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:58.859 And Jen. 00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:00.459 And like Carrie. 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:02.279 Having everything. 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.279 Because Jesus. 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.960 Because Jesus. 00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:06.019 Is everything. 00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:09.480 This is the way Paul says it in. 00:33:09.879 --> 00:33:11.019 First Corinthians 15. 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.359 If. 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:13.220 If only for this life. 00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.599 We have hope in Christ. 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.399 We are of all people. 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.480 Most to be pitied. 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:21.639 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:24.220 The first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:26.299 So you haven't seen anything yet. 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:26.960 He says. 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:31.519 The hope for your life is not something you're experiencing in fullness right now. 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.840 It gets better. 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:34.420 He's the first fruits. 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:36.079 There's more victory coming. 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:39.259 It's not just for this life that he gives you hope. 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:39.900 It's forever. 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.059 For life. 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.680 Everlasting. 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:46.980 So ultimately followers of Jesus should find their hope. 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.600 In Jesus. 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:50.799 In his death in our place. 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:53.799 And his life today and forever. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.960 Standing before God on our behalf. 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:58.700 Whether we do all the other shoulds. 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.100 Or not. 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.700 Do them very well. 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:04.840 We should be people who make much of Jesus. 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.860 Not of ourselves. 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:09.039 He is our ultimate hope. 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.179 Not us. 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:12.139 He is our great king. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:14.059 He is our risen savior. 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:16.860 Because he is the one who endures death. 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.760 Who conquers death. 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.019 And as he does. 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:22.220 Brings new life. 00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:23.260 Let's pray. 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:28.000 Jesus. 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.039 Jesus you are our hope. 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:35.480 We like to grab on to many other things. 00:34:35.679 --> 00:34:37.780 And think they're going to fulfill us. 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:40.720 But we know what's true. 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:44.079 Is that nothing compares to the surpassing greatness. 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.480 Of knowing you. 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:48.299 And being with you forever. 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:51.579 Enjoying fullness of life. 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:53.779 Would you teach us that from your word. 00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:56.840 Would you teach us that in our lives. 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:59.239 Would you show us the emptiness of other things. 00:34:59.319 --> 00:35:00.920 And the fullness of Jesus. 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:04.539 That we might truly make much of him. 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:08.460 That we might find our hope and our joy. 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:10.179 In him alone. 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:12.039 And we ask it in his name. 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:12.819 Amen. 00:35:16.859 --> 00:35:18.039 For more information. 00:35:18.419 --> 00:35:19.339 Visit us online. 00:35:19.339 --> 00:35:20.639 At southwood.org