WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.799 We are looking tonight for the last time at the theme of story. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:14.280 Four sermons, we have looked at those four kind of big points that we see throughout scripture. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:22.800 ! Once upon a time, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and then we see that an enemy entered in. 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:27.060 And thirdly, we see a rescuer came in the Lord Jesus. 00:00:27.059 --> 00:00:30.160 And tonight we look at happily ever after. 00:00:30.379 --> 00:00:34.000 And my argument is that that is the kind of great overarching theme of the Bible. 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:39.239 And all the stories that we tell each other are kind of pointing us. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:42.460 They are hinting to us of a greater story. 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:48.899 Someone said to me last week, it was great to be reminded of films of the 90s and the early 2000s. 00:00:49.539 --> 00:00:53.739 And I've really enjoyed studying this theme. 00:00:53.739 --> 00:00:56.519 I think one of the things I've really enjoyed is those of you who try to take notes. 00:00:57.060 --> 00:01:03.540 And so those of you who normally take notes of my structured sermons, realizing that there's not much structure and there's lots of thoughts. 00:01:03.900 --> 00:01:04.920 And the notebook shuts. 00:01:05.320 --> 00:01:07.100 And about ten minutes later, the Bible shuts. 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:10.420 But I think it's been helpful. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.040 It's been helpful to me to preach in a different way. 00:01:12.040 --> 00:01:14.420 And I hope it's been helpful to you. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:15.880 Next week we start Jeremiah. 00:01:16.360 --> 00:01:16.500 Alright. 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:20.260 They lived happily ever after. 00:01:21.300 --> 00:01:22.420 Happily ever after. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:24.440 Wouldn't it be wonderful if that was true? 00:01:26.440 --> 00:01:28.040 They lived happily ever after. 00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:34.580 They are some of the most beautiful and haunting words that have ever been spoken. 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:42.040 Why does the end of a great story leave us with a lump in our throat? 00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:50.200 Why does the end of a TV series that you leave, you finish, leave you kind of longing for more? 00:01:50.200 --> 00:02:00.620 And if we've not become entirely cynical, some of the best endings in films and in books and in TV series leave us in tears, don't they? 00:02:00.700 --> 00:02:01.820 Why is that? 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:05.820 Well, I've been arguing because God has set eternity in our hearts. 00:02:05.819 --> 00:02:15.239 Every story that we tell is an attempt to put into words and images what God has written in our hearts. 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:18.819 Remember how the Chronicles of Narnia end. 00:02:21.019 --> 00:02:22.959 Then Aslan turned to them and said, 00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:26.419 You do not yet look so happy as I mean you to be. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:28.479 Lucy said, 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:30.439 We're so afraid of being sent away, Aslan. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:33.719 And you've sent us back into our own world so often. 00:02:33.719 --> 00:02:36.840 No fear of that, said Aslan. 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:38.580 Have you not guessed? 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:42.180 Their hearts leaped and a wild hope rose within them. 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:46.479 There was a real railway accident, said Aslan softly. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:52.819 Your father and mother and all of you are, as you used to call it, in the Shadowlands, dead. 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:54.659 The term is over. 00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:56.439 The holidays have begun. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:02:58.680 The dream has ended. 00:02:58.979 --> 00:03:00.099 This is the morning. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:04.840 And as he spoke, he no longer looked to them like a lion. 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:10.419 But the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. 00:03:12.299 --> 00:03:15.259 And for us, this is the end of all the stories. 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:19.680 And we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:24.780 But for them, it was only the beginning of the real story. 00:03:25.640 --> 00:03:31.700 All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page. 00:03:32.040 --> 00:03:35.580 Now, at last, they were beginning chapter one of the great story. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:38.000 Which no one on earth has read. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:40.180 Which goes on forever. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:43.680 In which every chapter is better than the one before. 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:45.319 It is magnificent writing. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:46.580 It is even better theology. 00:03:46.580 --> 00:03:53.700 There is a longing in the human heart for the happy ever after. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:57.220 And so firstly, every story has an ending. 00:03:58.980 --> 00:04:02.400 Every story, including yours, has an ending. 00:04:04.320 --> 00:04:05.980 I wonder if you've faced that. 00:04:05.979 --> 00:04:11.060 Even if you get a taste of Eden in this life. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:16.159 If you're one of the fortunate souls that finds love and happiness in the world. 00:04:17.039 --> 00:04:18.439 You cannot hold on to it. 00:04:20.159 --> 00:04:21.259 You know this, don't you? 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:25.639 Your health cannot hold out forever. 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:28.480 Age will conquer you. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:34.180 If you live long enough, one by one, your friends and your loved ones will slip through your hands. 00:04:35.640 --> 00:04:38.020 And your work will remain unfinished. 00:04:39.460 --> 00:04:41.500 Your time on this stage will come to an end. 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:47.840 Like every person gone before you, there will come a time where you will breathe your last breath. 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:50.139 And then what? 00:04:52.659 --> 00:04:53.379 And then what? 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:58.199 And if that is the end of the story, it is a tragedy. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:00.799 But Beth was right. 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:04.659 Life is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing. 00:05:06.179 --> 00:05:08.659 Sooner or later, life will break your heart. 00:05:09.239 --> 00:05:11.379 Or rather, death will break your heart. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:16.639 Perhaps it's going to take for you to lose someone that you love. 00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:18.659 To shake you from that denial. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:20.839 That the final enemy is death. 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:23.519 It will come. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:26.000 Every story has an ending. 00:05:27.219 --> 00:05:28.399 Is there no way out? 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:30.740 Do we have a future? 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:34.639 Our enemy is a thief. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:38.360 And it's stolen from our hearts. 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:40.300 The magic wonder. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:44.160 And the promise of a life lived happily ever after. 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:48.819 We live in a city where very few people live with hope. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:55.400 To those without faith, our enemy, the devil, has whispered, your story ends with an accident. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:58.780 And there's nothing really beyond this. 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:00.980 This is as good as it gets. 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:04.920 There's no wonder, is it, that people drink too much. 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.780 People eat too much. 00:06:06.779 --> 00:06:09.039 And they watch too much TV. 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:12.559 And they anesthetize themselves with scrolling. 00:06:13.599 --> 00:06:14.959 And they live beyond their means. 00:06:15.119 --> 00:06:17.099 And basically they opt out of thinking. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:25.839 And if they allow themselves, just for a moment, to feel the depth of their actual longing for life and love and happiness. 00:06:26.979 --> 00:06:28.099 But they won't do that. 00:06:28.100 --> 00:06:35.120 And if they allow themselves just to think about it for a moment, they will despair. 00:06:35.760 --> 00:06:36.560 And so they don't think. 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:38.620 So they escape. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:43.460 Or more than anything, they numb themselves from reality. 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:46.379 They amuse themselves, as Neil Postman says, to death. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:47.180 That's what's happening. 00:06:48.739 --> 00:06:50.819 Our culture has numbed itself, isn't it? 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:51.899 So it doesn't have to think. 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:54.759 Our phones distract us. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:07:00.459 We refuse to allow ourselves any silence or any space just to stop and think. 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:08.919 When you try to drive people to the logical conclusions of their arguments, they refuse to go there. 00:07:10.859 --> 00:07:11.699 They opt out. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:15.180 But what is Act 4? 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:16.439 Act 1. 00:07:17.979 --> 00:07:19.079 Once upon a time in the beginning. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:19.920 Act 2. 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:21.060 Evil enters. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.180 Act 3. 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:24.879 Well, the rescuer, the redeemer comes. 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:27.279 But what is Act 4 in the Bible story? 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:30.259 And it is Revelation 21, verse 4. 00:07:34.980 --> 00:07:37.560 Then I saw, Revelation 21, verse 1. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:42.439 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:45.079 Where's the echo? 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:47.379 Where's the echo? 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:50.180 Deja vu? 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:52.420 Where have you heard that before? 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:57.319 Then I saw a new heavens and a new earth. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:07:59.740 How did the Bible begin? 00:08:01.340 --> 00:08:02.439 Genesis 1, verse 1. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:06.220 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:12.160 Revelation 21, it's a deliberate echo, isn't it? 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:15.180 And that had been promised in the middle of the Bible. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.300 Isaiah 65, verse 17. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:21.920 Behold, I will create a new heavens and a new earth. 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:24.319 It had been promised by Isaiah. 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:27.519 But it's been foreshadowed by the life of Jesus. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:32.580 That as he walks through the Middle East 2,000 years ago, 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:35.919 when he touched the blind, they were able to see. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:39.719 When he touched the deaf, they were able to hear. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:45.479 When he touched the lame, they leapt up to their feet and walked and danced. 00:08:45.979 --> 00:08:51.199 And when he called back the dead, they came to life again. 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:59.480 We see him again and again, wherever humanity was broken, Jesus restoring it. 00:09:00.400 --> 00:09:02.480 The coming of the kingdom of God. 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:05.220 He restores the world that he made. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:08.200 He gives us a trailer of what will one day be. 00:09:09.900 --> 00:09:14.400 And God whispers this into the very warp and woof of creation. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:18.720 He speaks to us through creation of this. 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:22.959 Think of the creation that we enjoy. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:24.600 Think of the dead of winter. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:28.120 Winter is great, isn't it, for about a week and a half. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:32.799 But if it was always winter, you know you get what January was like this year? 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:33.980 It was unbearable, wasn't it? 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.759 It went on for months, it seemed. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.019 So dark, so wet, so windy. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:42.179 If it's also always winter, life is unbearable. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.899 Every tree lifeless. 00:09:45.579 --> 00:09:47.179 Every flower gone. 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:50.019 The grass wet and brittle. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:54.840 And the world cold and silent and bleak. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:58.259 But spring breaks forth, doesn't it? 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:01.980 The blossom begins to come out on the trees. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:04.399 The grass begins to grow again. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:07.199 The daffodils appear and then the bluebells. 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.900 Creation is telling us. 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:11.560 It's what we long for. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:15.320 We long to leave the winter of the world behind. 00:10:16.400 --> 00:10:18.620 And if we will listen to creation, 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:22.240 it will point us to the great restoration. 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:29.620 The restoration of spring and summer is pointing us precisely to what God is promising us. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:33.920 To the miracle that one day he is going to make all things new. 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:39.179 That's what he says in Revelation 21 and verse 5. 00:10:39.479 --> 00:10:40.959 He was seated on the throne and said, 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:43.860 Behold, I am making all things new. 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:46.679 There's a new heavens and a new earth. 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:50.899 And of course, this has started already. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:55.220 Let me read you these words. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:58.660 Very early on the first day of the week, 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:00.139 when the sun had risen, 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.060 they went to the tomb. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:05.120 And they were saying to one another, 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:08.480 Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb? 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:11.320 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.720 It was very large. 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:14.879 And entering the tomb, 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:16.420 they saw a young man sitting on the right side, 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.320 dressed in a white robe, 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.320 and they were alarmed. 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:19.040 And he said to them, 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:19.760 Do not be alarmed. 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:21.900 You seek Jesus of Nazareth, 00:11:22.020 --> 00:11:23.100 who was crucified. 00:11:24.900 --> 00:11:25.680 He is risen. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:29.280 He is not here. 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:32.060 See the place where they laid him. 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:36.040 But go tell his disciples and Peter that he's going before you to Galilee. 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.879 There you will see him, 00:11:38.160 --> 00:11:39.020 just as he told you. 00:11:39.420 --> 00:11:40.640 He was crucified. 00:11:41.300 --> 00:11:42.300 He has risen. 00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:44.160 He is not here. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:49.879 Those are the words which end Mark's gospel. 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:51.659 They are the most stunning, 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:52.500 unbelievable, 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:56.860 happiest ending to a story you could possibly imagine. 00:11:57.980 --> 00:12:00.059 But it's not just a story in history. 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.879 For those of us who have trusted in Christ, 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:03.079 and are united to Christ, 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:05.179 actually it's our story, isn't it? 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:09.659 Because 1 Corinthians 15, verse 20 to 21 says, 00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:12.399 In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:12.439 He said, 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:15.539 The firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:19.019 For as a man came death, 00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:22.179 by a man also came the resurrection from the dead. 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.659 He is the firstfruits. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:27.659 And because he has risen from the dead, 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:29.039 you and I will rise from the dead. 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:33.779 I get up early on a Sunday morning before the sun is up. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.840 And there's a moment, isn't there, 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.740 when you're up that early, 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:40.860 and you start to see just the first bit of light. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:44.240 You see the sunlight before you see the sun. 00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:46.300 There's that first bit of sunlight, 00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:48.340 the first rays. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:50.259 It's not so dark as it was. 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:51.159 What is that telling you? 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.159 It's telling you that the sun is coming up. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.360 The daytime is coming. 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:57.019 And so it is with Jesus' resurrection. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:13:00.399 We see the light. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:04.399 And it's telling us that our resurrection is coming too. 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:08.000 As certain as the sun will come up, 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.699 when we see the first rays, 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:12.199 as certain is our resurrection, 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.340 because of Christ's resurrection. 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:16.920 So the question is this. 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:20.680 Will everyone have a happy ending? 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.320 Will everyone have a happy ending? 00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:28.220 Jesus told a parable to get our attention. 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.620 He actually told a story. 00:13:32.160 --> 00:13:33.379 He said the kingdom of heaven 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:35.340 may be compared to a king 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:37.440 who gave a wedding feast for his son, 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:39.380 and he sent his servants 00:13:39.380 --> 00:13:41.440 to call those who were invited to the wedding feast. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:43.820 But they would not come. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.420 And so again, 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:49.060 the king sends another servant saying, 00:13:49.300 --> 00:13:50.360 tell those who are invited, 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:51.540 see, I've prepared my dinner, 00:13:51.660 --> 00:13:52.420 the reception's ready, 00:13:52.520 --> 00:13:53.760 my oxen and my father's calves, 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:54.780 they've been slaughtered, 00:13:54.920 --> 00:13:56.040 everything is ready. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:58.380 Come to the wedding feast. 00:13:58.379 --> 00:14:02.000 But they paid no attention. 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.279 And they went off. 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.799 One to his farm, 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.080 another one to his business. 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:11.960 The truth is, 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:14.159 not everyone lives happily ever after. 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.460 Because most people 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:19.559 do not want the life 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.720 that God offers them. 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:24.019 And they won't come to the wedding reception. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:27.700 They reject his story. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:30.299 And they reject him. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.539 And they reject his son. 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:37.580 I was with a group of people recently, 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.840 and they were joking around. 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.659 They were telling, 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.299 they were talking about something 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:42.980 that they'd done. 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.399 And one of the people in the group said, 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.460 I mean, you'll go to hell for that. 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:46.960 They all laughed. 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.679 You know what people think of 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:51.000 when they think of things like that, isn't it? 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.820 Don't smoke, don't drink, 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.860 don't have one night stands. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.399 Don't drink, don't smoke, 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.139 or chew, 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.940 or go with girls that do. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:02.379 Some of those things are sinful. 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:05.059 Some of those things are sinful 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:06.139 when they're taken to excess. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:11.600 But that isn't really understanding 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.399 what sin is. 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.259 Primarily, 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.299 sin 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:19.019 is a rejection of God. 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.460 Primarily, 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.820 people are in hell tonight 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:26.140 because they have rejected God. 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:30.700 And they've rejected God's invitation. 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.460 They have refused him, 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.460 and they've rejected his son. 00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:41.460 It is a refusal to let God be God. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:45.060 It is a refusal to listen to his invitation. 00:15:46.900 --> 00:15:47.920 But tonight, 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:51.540 tonight God is patient with you. 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:54.699 He's patient with you. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.159 Not wanting anyone 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.659 to perish, 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.879 but all to come to repentance. 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.459 But if you say to him, 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:04.879 no, 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:08.000 clearly I do not want you, 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:09.120 and I do not want your son. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:13.060 And if you persist in saying no 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:14.120 and refusing him, 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.340 in the end, 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.419 God gives you 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.940 what you want. 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:22.720 The biblical picture of hell 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:25.400 is that of being outside. 00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:29.560 It's of being outside, 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:32.980 of being in darkness. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:37.560 The picture of hell is death, 00:16:37.900 --> 00:16:39.100 not life. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:42.420 The way that the Bible describes hell, 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.600 the way that Jesus describes hell, 00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:45.520 is one of bitter regret. 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:49.740 of endless separation, 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:53.620 of being without hope, 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:58.319 of the agony of knowing then 00:16:58.319 --> 00:17:00.179 what you should have known now, 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.980 but of not being able 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:04.139 to change your circumstances. 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:07.559 George MacDonald, 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.259 in his book, 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.019 The Last Farthing, 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.559 said this, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.440 the man weeks 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:13.539 from the final struggle of death 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:16.180 in absolute loneliness. 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.980 Such a loneliness 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:21.420 as in the most miserable moment 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:22.519 of deserted childhood 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.539 he never knew. 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.819 Not a hint, 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.359 not a shadow of anything 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.619 outside his consciousness 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.440 reaches him. 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:31.899 All is dark, 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:32.920 dark and dumb. 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.700 No motion, 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.319 not the breath of wind. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.579 Never dream of change. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:39.679 not a scent 00:17:39.679 --> 00:17:40.819 from a far off field. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.159 No sign of God anywhere. 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.899 God has so far withdrawn 00:17:43.899 --> 00:17:44.819 from the man 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:46.019 he is in God's prison, 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:48.199 his own separated self. 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:51.439 And I have to say to you tonight, 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.299 that doesn't have to be 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.179 the end of your story. 00:17:55.199 --> 00:17:56.619 It doesn't have to end like this. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.579 Stop being proud. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.579 Stop refusing 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.819 and rejecting God. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.339 Stop making yourself 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.599 the main character 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.539 of the story. 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:11.579 Take your place, 00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:13.199 rightful place, 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.279 in God's story. 00:18:15.699 --> 00:18:17.460 And you can be rescued 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:19.259 from a lost eternity. 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.619 From an eternity 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.519 of regret 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.480 and an eternity 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.419 of sorrow 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.659 and an eternity 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.199 of sadness. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.119 And it's why 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:29.899 those who have been 00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.399 redeemed, 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:32.179 it's why 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:32.839 those who have been 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.339 rescued, 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.879 we cannot help 00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:35.379 but sing. 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.819 It's why 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:40.699 when we try to describe 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:41.679 the new creation, 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.559 we can't really do it. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.740 What would it be like? 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.839 It would be like feasting. 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:49.039 It's described 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.299 as the greatest party 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.259 you've ever been to. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:54.039 It's joy unspeakable. 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.959 But we also have to say 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:58.779 we're not there yet. 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.480 That day 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.639 has not yet come. 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:05.639 And so tonight 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.819 you have the invitation 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.379 of life. 00:19:09.939 --> 00:19:10.740 I have set before you 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.679 life and death. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.699 Now choose life, 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.459 Moses preached 00:19:13.459 --> 00:19:14.099 to the Israelites. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.899 That is the offer 00:19:16.899 --> 00:19:17.480 of the gospel. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.179 The message of this story, 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.559 choose life. 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.699 For God so loved 00:19:22.699 --> 00:19:23.319 the world that he gave 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.099 his one and only son 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.779 that whoever believes 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.699 in him shall not perish 00:19:26.699 --> 00:19:28.319 but have eternal life. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.220 Jesus says, 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.379 come to me 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:32.179 that you may have life. 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:34.240 I came that you 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.980 might have life 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:36.220 and have it abundantly. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.940 And this is eternal life 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.400 that they know you, 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.799 the only true God 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.920 and Jesus Christ 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.539 whom you've sent. 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.640 And so the end of the Bible, 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.480 Revelation 22, 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.420 verse 17 says, 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.620 the bride and the spirit 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.320 say come 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:51.300 and let the one 00:19:51.300 --> 00:19:52.220 who hears 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.279 says come 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.920 and let the one 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:55.519 who is thirsty 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:55.820 come. 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.500 Let the one 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.120 who desires 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:57.960 take 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.420 the water 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.320 of life 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.759 without price. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:05.359 Act 4 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.980 is the happily ever after. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.200 It's the restoration 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.779 of life 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.599 as it was meant to be. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.019 It's the return 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.359 of the beauty 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.059 and the intimacy 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.819 and the adventure 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.579 that you were created 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.259 to enjoy 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.240 and you've longed 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.859 for every day 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.500 of your life. 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.879 And yet better than that 00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:22.759 it's immortal. 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:26.819 Because once 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.480 human beings 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:29.140 stood in the garden 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:30.559 and they knew 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.859 joy and peace 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:33.079 but they lost it. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.659 But in the new creations 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.879 we will never lose it. 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:39.559 It cannot be taken away. 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.139 Sunrise 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.879 and sunset 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:43.779 tell the tale 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.259 every day 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.960 remembering 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.039 Eden's glory 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.480 and foretelling 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.480 Eden's return. 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.899 And then the king 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:51.679 will say to those 00:20:51.679 --> 00:20:52.299 on his right 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:54.440 come you are blessed 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.019 by my father. 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:57.059 Take your inheritance 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.200 the kingdom prepared 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:58.859 for you since 00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.539 the creation 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.779 of the world. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.159 And Paul tells us 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:03.779 that the inanimate creation 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.339 around us 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.220 is longing for this. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.639 The trees 00:21:08.639 --> 00:21:11.200 stand on tiptoe 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:11.740 waiting 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:14.299 with eager longing 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.899 for the revealing 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.759 of the sons of God. 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:17.879 Creation 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.399 which has been 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.779 subject to futility 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.819 which goes wrong 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:22.720 has been subjected 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.399 to futility 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:24.139 in hope 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:25.980 that one day 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.599 creation 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.279 will be 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.099 set free 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.899 released from its 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.559 bondage 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.199 to corruption 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:31.240 and it will 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.079 obtain the freedom 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:33.000 of the glory 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.480 of the children 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:33.980 of God. 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.599 Romans 8. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.879 But we live 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.279 tonight 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.359 in between 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.299 Acts 3 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.099 the triumph 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.679 of Christ 00:21:42.679 --> 00:21:44.459 and Acts 4 00:21:44.459 --> 00:21:45.419 the happily ever after. 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:48.940 we have a glorious 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.539 future 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:51.200 in Christ 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:53.519 but this tale 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.420 is not over yet. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.420 The story 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.080 is not over. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.500 I was thinking 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:00.840 to myself 00:22:00.840 --> 00:22:01.600 I think that is 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:02.180 the phrase 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.759 that I use 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.360 more than 00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:04.259 any other phrase 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.660 in pastoring 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.220 this church. 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.759 The story 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.259 is not over. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:12.519 So the heartache 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.299 in your life 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:15.940 the unfulfilled 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.619 longings 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:19.119 the betrayal 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:19.720 that some of you 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.180 have known 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:22.319 the sin 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:22.960 that you continue 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.879 to struggle with 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:25.279 the apparent 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.759 failure 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.460 of your life 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:28.460 the sickness 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.319 that will not 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:29.940 go away 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.559 the false 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.259 accusations 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.000 that you struggle 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.359 with 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:34.799 the child 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.059 that has 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.539 rejected 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.119 the gospel 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.319 and is far away 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.399 the difficult 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:40.139 marriage 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:41.619 the separation 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.439 that you feel 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:44.099 the story 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.480 is not over. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.960 And we are living 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.740 in the days 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.579 of Christ's victory 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.700 but we are not in 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:55.519 the happily ever after yet. 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:57.460 We're not home yet. 00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.480 Jesus said 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.639 I am going to 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.179 prepare a place 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:03.519 for you 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:05.919 and I will come back 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:07.119 and take you 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.679 to be with me 00:23:08.679 --> 00:23:09.439 and in my 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.159 father's house 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.279 there are many 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:11.679 rooms. 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:13.799 There's plenty 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.119 of room 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.679 in my father's 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:14.899 house. 00:23:16.959 --> 00:23:17.259 And what will it 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.639 be like 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.699 in my father's 00:23:18.699 --> 00:23:18.959 house? 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:21.699 Well 00:23:21.699 --> 00:23:23.719 God will dwell 00:23:23.719 --> 00:23:24.339 with man 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.959 and they will 00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:26.459 be his people 00:23:26.459 --> 00:23:28.899 and God himself 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.479 will be with them 00:23:29.479 --> 00:23:30.019 as their God 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:32.000 and he will wipe 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.639 away every tear 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.239 from their eyes 00:23:33.239 --> 00:23:33.699 and death 00:23:33.699 --> 00:23:34.199 shall be 00:23:34.199 --> 00:23:34.699 no more 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:36.400 and neither 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:36.759 shall there 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.340 be mourning 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:39.220 nor crying 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:41.279 nor pain 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:43.360 anymore 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:44.039 for the former 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.440 things have 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.019 passed away 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:46.500 and he was 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.400 seated on the 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.799 throne and said 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.720 behold I am 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.660 making all 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.860 things new. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.600 So I've been 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.140 arguing that we 00:23:57.140 --> 00:23:57.700 live in God's 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:57.960 story 00:23:57.960 --> 00:24:00.700 in the beginning 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:03.240 and then evil 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.840 enters in 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:05.420 and Christ 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:05.900 comes to 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.140 conquer 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.759 and then 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.480 finally the 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.980 happily ever 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.279 after. 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:08.779 So three 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.440 things about 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:09.980 this story 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.480 for you to 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.840 take with you 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:12.340 in this week. 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.580 The first 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.039 thing is this 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:17.160 things are not 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.759 what they seem. 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.640 Things are not 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.340 what they seem. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.420 And where 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:25.940 would we be 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.700 if Eve had 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.440 recognised 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.220 the serpent 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.620 for who he 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.200 really was? 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:32.700 And then the 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.180 carpenter of 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.720 Nazareth 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:36.000 fixing coffee 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.900 tables and 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.460 shelves. 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.220 He's not 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.160 who he appears 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.660 to be either. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.920 There's far 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.420 more going on 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:44.900 in this story 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.360 than meets the 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:45.799 eye isn't 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:45.960 there? 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.400 You live in 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.240 a world of 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.819 two halves. 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.900 One part that 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.420 you can see 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:55.000 and one part 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.220 that you 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.480 can't. 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.259 And I 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.640 would argue 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.180 that you must 00:24:59.180 --> 00:24:59.620 live and I 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:00.220 must live as 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.500 though the 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.420 unseen world 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:01.980 is more 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.620 weighty 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:04.259 and more 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.640 real 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:06.620 and more 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.319 dangerous 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.700 than the 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.120 part we 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.559 can see 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:10.700 because we 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.079 live by 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.640 faith 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:13.259 and not 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.680 by sight. 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.039 This week 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.600 things are 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:17.880 not what 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.220 they seem. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:20.980 Secondly 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.279 this, 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:21.880 we are at 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.240 war. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.920 The story 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.160 of the 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.600 Bible is a 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:26.160 love story. 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.680 It's the 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.259 greatest love 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.640 story. 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.180 It's a 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.040 beautiful love 00:25:30.040 --> 00:25:30.520 story but 00:25:30.520 --> 00:25:31.060 it's in the 00:25:31.060 --> 00:25:32.840 middle of a 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.200 life and 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.759 death battle. 00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:36.700 Just look 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.340 around you. 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.020 Look at the 00:25:40.020 --> 00:25:41.680 church in this 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.040 country. 00:25:44.540 --> 00:25:45.380 Look at the 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:45.900 casualties 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:47.120 strewn across 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:47.660 the field. 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:51.440 the lost 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:51.960 souls, 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.759 the broken 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.279 hearts, 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.759 the captives, 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.080 those who 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:01.240 fought well 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.400 once but 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.140 now have been 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:04.640 wounded partly 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.000 through their 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.480 own fault. 00:26:07.560 --> 00:26:08.660 And it is a 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.019 war. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.059 war. 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.579 And we 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:11.980 must take 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.480 this battle 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.339 seriously as 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:13.720 Christians. 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.240 There is a 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.220 war for the 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:16.779 human heart. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.059 And there is a 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.839 war for your 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.220 heart. 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.720 And there is a 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.279 war for your 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.980 children's heart. 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:23.799 And so fight. 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.480 Number three, 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.519 and I don't 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.240 know really how 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.859 to put this, 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:31.639 but number 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.119 three this 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:32.420 week, 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.839 you matter. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.740 You have a 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.619 crucial role 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.220 to play. 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:41.240 It is one of 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.639 the themes 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.480 in films, 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:43.900 the kind of 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.660 insignificant 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.740 person who 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.519 has a vital 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.160 role to play. 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:47.980 Think of 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.099 Frodo in 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.480 Lord of the 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:49.879 Rings, 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.740 Lucy Pevensey 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.379 in Narnia, 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:52.740 think of 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.619 Wheezy in 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.480 Toy Story 2. 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.299 Think of all 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.519 the films, 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:56.720 there is 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.599 insignificant 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.379 characters 00:26:58.379 --> 00:27:01.420 that have 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.220 a very 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.660 important role 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.019 to play. 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:04.619 And I think 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.259 I am scared 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.879 as a minister 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.740 of a reformed 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:06.940 church, 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.299 and I think 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.759 we are scared 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.019 in church 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.460 like ours 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:08.680 of a 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.160 self-esteem 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.560 gospel, 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.560 a gospel 00:27:10.560 --> 00:27:10.840 where we 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.440 put ourselves 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:11.759 at the 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.060 centre, 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.600 and it's 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.500 half the 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.019 truth that 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.279 is. 00:27:17.360 --> 00:27:18.120 It is a 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.779 really dangerous 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.340 thing to 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:19.920 underestimate 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.519 your role 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:20.779 in the 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.100 story. 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.940 If you do 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.060 that, 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.480 you'll lose 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.279 heart, 00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:25.600 you'll miss 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.080 your lines. 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:28.840 And this 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:29.700 great story, 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:30.519 this epic 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.560 story that 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.019 we take our 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.620 place in, 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.480 you two and 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.240 I have also 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.900 reached the 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.380 point where 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:36.680 we must 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.300 find our 00:27:37.300 --> 00:27:37.800 courage 00:27:37.800 --> 00:27:38.740 and fight 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.540 for the 00:27:39.540 --> 00:27:39.900 hearts of 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.140 others, 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:40.560 for your 00:27:40.560 --> 00:27:40.840 family. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.360 You know 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:43.860 the scene 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:44.060 in the 00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:44.260 film, 00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:44.620 don't you? 00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:45.240 It could 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.520 be any 00:27:45.520 --> 00:27:45.740 film, 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:45.920 really. 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.580 The hour 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:46.960 is late, 00:27:47.060 --> 00:27:47.520 much time 00:27:47.520 --> 00:27:47.780 has been 00:27:47.780 --> 00:27:48.100 wasted, 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:48.520 but it's 00:27:48.520 --> 00:27:48.840 not too 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:49.060 late. 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.180 And there 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.400 are great 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.780 things to be 00:27:51.780 --> 00:27:52.080 done, 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:52.780 and there 00:27:52.780 --> 00:27:53.060 are great 00:27:53.060 --> 00:27:53.640 sacrifices 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:53.940 to be 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.300 made. 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.040 And you 00:27:57.040 --> 00:27:57.500 won't lose 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.100 heart if 00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:58.620 you really 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.300 understand what 00:27:59.300 --> 00:27:59.740 is going 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.420 on in 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:00.680 God's 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.020 purposes, 00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:01.700 in God's 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:01.960 story. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.880 And you 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.200 won't lose 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.000 heart where 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.720 this story 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.299 is headed, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.579 and what 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.000 your lover 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.539 has promised 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:09.759 you. 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:12.620 And so 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:12.940 this week, 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.299 I think it's 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.620 encouraging, 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:13.900 isn't it, 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.400 going to this 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.700 week with 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.079 these three 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.559 things. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.220 Things are 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.579 not what 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.039 they seem. 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.039 You are 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:20.039 at war in 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.420 this love 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.799 story. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.600 And you 00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:22.920 matter. 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:24.819 You have a 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.460 crucial role 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:25.860 to play. 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.579 God has 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.279 put you 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.900 where you 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.700 are in 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:28.960 your 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.700 circumstances 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:31.620 for you 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.000 to fight, 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:33.680 and for 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:33.900 you to 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.240 stand, 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.019 and for 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.240 you to 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.559 play your 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:36.819 role, 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:39.340 because the 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:39.819 story's not 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.019 over. 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.220 Let's pray.