WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:01.240 Morning, church. 00:00:03.740 --> 00:00:06.679 Our passage this morning is from the book of Hebrews, 00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:09.779 chapter 4, verses 14 through 16. 00:00:10.820 --> 00:00:14.480 You can find this on page 943 of one of the Bibles 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:15.660 in the pew in front of you. 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:18.960 If you're new to the Bible, the big numbers you see 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:21.120 on the pages of the chapters and the small numbers 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:23.339 are the verses, so you can also use that 00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:26.000 to help you navigate to the passage this morning. 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:28.480 As you're finding your way there, 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:30.179 let me open us up with a word of prayer. 00:00:32.619 --> 00:00:35.200 Father God, we confess to you this morning 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:37.640 that we are a people in need, 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:42.719 in need of your salvation, your wisdom, your strength, 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:44.960 your righteousness, and your comfort. 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:48.679 We ask that you would open our hearts and minds 00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:51.719 as we study your word together, teach us your ways, 00:00:52.480 --> 00:00:54.040 reveal to us our need for you, 00:00:54.659 --> 00:00:57.100 and make known to us the path that you forged 00:00:57.100 --> 00:00:58.960 so that we can be reconciled to you. 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:01.439 We pray these things in the name of Jesus, 00:01:01.899 --> 00:01:02.939 our great high priest. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:03.939 Amen. 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:09.480 Well, I probably don't have to work very hard 00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:11.659 to convince you that suffering is something 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:13.960 of a fundamental human experience. 00:01:14.740 --> 00:01:17.520 Everybody experiences suffering in different ways, 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:20.679 but I don't think anybody could stand up with honesty 00:01:20.679 --> 00:01:22.420 and declare that they've lived a life 00:01:22.420 --> 00:01:25.959 or expect to live a life free from suffering. 00:01:27.039 --> 00:01:29.859 Many books have been written trying to understand, 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:32.239 address, and minimize our suffering, 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:34.579 and it turns out one of those books 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:37.039 is a popular bedtime book at our house right now. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:40.039 It's called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:41.959 No Good, Very Bad Day. 00:01:41.959 --> 00:01:45.780 It's a wonderfully lighthearted exposition 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:48.479 on how we experience, how we process, 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:51.219 and how we respond to our suffering. 00:01:52.759 --> 00:01:55.419 It starts out with Alexander, a young schoolboy 00:01:55.419 --> 00:01:59.019 who wakes up one day to all kinds of irritating events. 00:02:00.139 --> 00:02:03.000 And these events reveal to him the writing on the wall 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:06.599 that today is indeed going to be a terrible, horrible, 00:02:06.819 --> 00:02:08.299 no good, very bad day. 00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:13.000 And as you might imagine, his prophecy is progressively fulfilled 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:15.240 over the course of his otherwise ordinary activities. 00:02:16.160 --> 00:02:18.200 In a single day, Alexander's subjected 00:02:18.200 --> 00:02:21.320 to every kind of misfortune that a young child could dream of. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:25.100 There's the disappointment of the cereal box with no prize, 00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:27.820 embarrassment in the school hallways 00:02:27.820 --> 00:02:30.920 as he's demoted from best friend to third best friend, 00:02:31.860 --> 00:02:34.480 a health scare when the dentist finds a cavity, 00:02:35.320 --> 00:02:37.140 the injustice of being forced to buy 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:38.500 the plain old white sneakers 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:40.659 instead of the ones that he actually wants. 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:44.019 And what's so entertaining about this story 00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:45.059 is the light that it sheds 00:02:45.059 --> 00:02:46.659 on how we're naturally disposed 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:48.299 to respond in these situations. 00:02:49.519 --> 00:02:52.519 In the face of injustice, he rebels, 00:02:53.119 --> 00:02:55.019 declaring they can buy him the shoes, 00:02:55.619 --> 00:02:56.979 but they can't make him wear them. 00:02:58.199 --> 00:02:59.799 When confronted with disappointment, 00:02:59.959 --> 00:03:03.799 he longs to retreat far, far away to Australia. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:06.680 When his best friend demotes him, 00:03:06.760 --> 00:03:08.660 he curses him, wishing that his ice cream 00:03:08.660 --> 00:03:13.120 would fall off the cone and land far away in Australia. 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:16.360 And the dentist? 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:19.620 Well, he won't have the opportunity to fix that cavity 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:21.740 because it turns out that Alexander is scheduled 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:25.980 to be in, of all places, Australia during his appointment. 00:03:25.979 --> 00:03:31.319 We can probably all see a little bit of Alexander in ourselves, right? 00:03:32.539 --> 00:03:34.459 So what's the lesson of the story here? 00:03:34.579 --> 00:03:37.919 After a day of tragedy after tragedy befalling Alexander, 00:03:38.179 --> 00:03:40.399 feeling tired, dejected, and alone, 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:42.620 he lays his head on his pillow 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:45.539 and declares that it has indeed been a terrible, horrible, 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:47.259 no good, very bad day, 00:03:47.259 --> 00:03:50.639 to which his mother lovingly replies, 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:52.939 some days are just like that, 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:55.639 even in Australia. 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:00.979 On the one hand, this is a great lesson to learn 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:02.459 for children and adults. 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:04.959 There are two things asserted here. 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:06.739 The first is pretty explicit. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:08.340 Bad days are going to happen, 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:10.500 and there's not much you can do about it. 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:12.819 The second is more implied. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.919 Not every day is going to be a bad day, 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:17.620 and tomorrow is a new day. 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:20.759 The real lesson is that we can persevere 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:21.919 through our bad days 00:04:21.919 --> 00:04:23.899 in hope of the better days that are to come. 00:04:24.919 --> 00:04:27.319 And this is a wonderfully practical lesson 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:29.659 that everybody certainly needs to learn, 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:32.180 but it stops short a bit, doesn't it? 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:35.159 Aren't there some underlying questions 00:04:35.159 --> 00:04:36.899 that still need to get answered? 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:41.480 Is it really just chance that today was a bad day? 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:45.719 Do I have any control over my bad days? 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:50.379 What if my bad day turns into a bad week, 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:53.740 or a bad month, or a bad year? 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:58.200 And if persevering is the way to handle my bad day, 00:04:58.300 --> 00:04:59.759 where do I get the strength, 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:02.379 and what am I persevering toward? 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:07.860 These are deep questions that require rich answers, 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:10.000 and our text today has a lot to say about this. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:11.480 So again, turn in your Bibles with me 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:12.699 or follow along on the screen 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:13.819 as I read our passage, 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:17.139 Hebrews chapter 4, verses 14 through 16. 00:05:19.159 --> 00:05:21.240 Since then, we have a great high priest 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:22.579 who has passed through the heavens, 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:24.420 Jesus, the Son of God, 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:26.719 that has hold fast our confession. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:29.900 For we do not have a high priest 00:05:29.900 --> 00:05:32.060 who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:34.800 but one who in every respect 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.720 has been tempted as we are, 00:05:37.200 --> 00:05:38.560 yet without sin. 00:05:40.020 --> 00:05:41.780 Let us then with confidence 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:43.680 draw near to the throne of grace 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:45.660 that we may receive mercy 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:49.160 and find grace to help in time of need. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:54.600 Well, before we dive in, 00:05:54.640 --> 00:05:56.560 it's helpful to back up just a little bit 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:59.220 and get some context about the book of Hebrews. 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:00.920 This book was likely written 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:02.360 to a group of Jewish Christians 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.860 who were suffering under political pressure 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:06.240 and persecution on account 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:07.800 of their newly found faith. 00:06:08.580 --> 00:06:10.840 The letter is meant to be an exhortation 00:06:10.840 --> 00:06:11.680 and an encouragement, 00:06:12.400 --> 00:06:14.460 an exhortation to persevere, 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:17.260 to not forsake their God and Savior 00:06:17.260 --> 00:06:18.960 in response to their persecution, 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:21.380 and also an encouragement 00:06:21.380 --> 00:06:25.080 that God himself is faithful to sustain us, 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:26.460 to equip us, 00:06:26.520 --> 00:06:28.980 and to shape us through our suffering. 00:06:30.400 --> 00:06:32.040 So we're picking up in a passage 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.100 that's about a third of the way 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:33.660 through the letter, 00:06:34.580 --> 00:06:35.960 and the author's already been building up 00:06:35.960 --> 00:06:36.960 to this point in his argument. 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:39.040 He's expounded on the person 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:40.440 and the work of Jesus 00:06:40.440 --> 00:06:43.080 as superior in every way. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:46.200 The person of Jesus is called 00:06:46.200 --> 00:06:48.200 the radiance of the glory of God 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:50.139 and the exact imprint of his nature, 00:06:50.719 --> 00:06:51.779 higher than angels, 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.839 and the one true Son of God. 00:06:54.979 --> 00:06:56.379 And the work of Jesus 00:06:56.379 --> 00:06:59.039 is that he has made purification for our sins 00:06:59.039 --> 00:07:00.980 because he led a perfectly faithful 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:02.039 and obedient life 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:04.180 and then suffered and died 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:06.460 as the perfect and superior sacrifice 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:08.140 for our sake. 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:12.040 Jesus' nature and his work, 00:07:12.140 --> 00:07:12.460 we're told, 00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:14.260 make him the greatest high priest, 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:15.420 greater even than Moses, 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:17.260 with the job of rescuing humanity 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:21.360 and the creation that was his from the start. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:24.980 And it's because of the person and work of Jesus 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:26.340 that we have an opportunity 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:29.439 to enter into a rest for the people of God. 00:07:29.840 --> 00:07:31.560 And up to now in our passage, 00:07:32.280 --> 00:07:34.900 this opportunity seems to be at risk 00:07:34.900 --> 00:07:37.080 because of the temptation to forsake 00:07:37.080 --> 00:07:38.520 their newly found faith. 00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:41.979 So now we arrive at our passage, 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:42.799 which starts, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:45.259 since then we have a great high priest. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.319 The author is saying, 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:49.180 since Jesus is so great 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:52.079 and since he died for you and for me 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:54.039 and since your suffering 00:07:54.039 --> 00:07:56.079 is tempting you to reject the rest 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:56.979 that God has offered, 00:07:58.060 --> 00:07:59.560 listen to what I'm about to say. 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:02.259 In a nutshell, 00:08:02.479 --> 00:08:03.359 the author is going to tell us 00:08:03.359 --> 00:08:03.879 that Jesus, 00:08:04.159 --> 00:08:06.120 as our all-sufficient high priest, 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:08.439 supplies us with everything we need 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:10.160 to rightly interpret, 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:10.959 process, 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.699 and respond to our suffering 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:14.639 and temptation in times of trial. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:16.840 So in asking, 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:17.819 what do we do in the face 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:19.000 of suffering and temptation, 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.399 our passage lays out three helpful steps. 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.459 First, confess our weaknesses. 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:26.500 Second, cling to our great high priest. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:29.720 And third, come to the throne for help. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.319 Confess our weaknesses, 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.039 cling to our great high priest, 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:34.919 and come to the throne for help. 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:37.839 So in verse 14, 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:39.279 the first verse in our passage, 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:40.519 the author calls us 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:42.279 to hold fast our confession. 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:44.639 And what is this confession 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:45.500 that we're supposed to be 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:46.939 holding on to so tightly? 00:08:48.099 --> 00:08:49.159 At a high level, 00:08:49.199 --> 00:08:51.699 it's referring to holistic confession 00:08:51.699 --> 00:08:52.799 of gospel teaching, 00:08:53.059 --> 00:08:54.120 confessing the person 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:55.639 and the work of Jesus Christ 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:56.620 as we just talked about. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:59.539 The more specific context 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:00.839 of our passage, though, 00:09:01.099 --> 00:09:02.439 suggests that this confession 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:03.760 has something to do 00:09:03.760 --> 00:09:05.540 with temptation and suffering. 00:09:06.780 --> 00:09:08.100 So in this explicit 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:09.600 and ultimate confession 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.040 of who Jesus is 00:09:11.040 --> 00:09:12.300 and what he's done for us, 00:09:12.660 --> 00:09:14.140 there's also an implicit 00:09:14.140 --> 00:09:16.380 and contextual confession 00:09:16.380 --> 00:09:18.140 about who we are 00:09:18.140 --> 00:09:19.480 in relation to Jesus. 00:09:20.540 --> 00:09:22.200 We're confessing here 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:24.020 that Jesus is strong 00:09:24.020 --> 00:09:24.840 and faithful 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:27.280 while we are weak 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:28.459 and wayward. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.879 As we consider these terms, 00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:33.019 suffering, weakness, 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:33.839 and temptation, 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:35.279 let's try to outline 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:36.059 their definitions 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:37.399 and their relationships 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.139 to one another 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.720 to sort of help ground 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:40.339 the discussion. 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:42.279 First, suffering. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.059 If we want to know 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:44.539 how to rightly understand 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:45.980 and respond to our suffering, 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.339 then the best starting point 00:09:47.339 --> 00:09:48.419 is to define 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.699 what we mean by suffering. 00:09:49.700 --> 00:09:52.220 For our purposes, 00:09:52.420 --> 00:09:53.240 it'll be helpful 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:54.759 to cast suffering 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:56.600 as directly experiencing 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:57.980 that the world 00:09:57.980 --> 00:09:59.500 is not as it should be 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:01.120 and recognizing 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:03.180 that it's not within our power 00:10:03.180 --> 00:10:04.040 to change it. 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:07.440 We might experience loneliness, 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:08.680 sickness, 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:11.000 separation, or death, 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:13.240 and it's natural to feel 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:13.840 that there's something 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:15.240 not right about our experiences 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:15.840 in the world. 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:18.060 And what's more, 00:10:18.160 --> 00:10:18.900 because we're part 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:19.659 of this natural 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:20.759 and created world, 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.579 this brokenness, 00:10:23.459 --> 00:10:24.240 this sin, 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:26.559 is not just around us, 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:28.519 it's also within us. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:30.500 And whether it's sin 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.100 in the world 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:32.439 or sin in ourselves, 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:34.299 it often seems as though 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:36.199 we're powerless to fix it. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:37.659 And this realization 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:38.399 can produce 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:40.500 a great deal of distress. 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.559 So if suffering 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:44.399 is recognizing 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.179 and experiencing 00:10:45.179 --> 00:10:45.840 that the world 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:47.079 is not as it should be, 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.500 then it seems 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:49.179 that our suffering 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:50.419 stems in part 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:52.139 from our second term, 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:52.759 weakness. 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.159 Now, 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:55.840 weakness in and of itself 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:56.620 is not actually 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.279 a bad thing. 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.419 All of us have weaknesses, 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.299 and the Genesis account 00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:01.500 clearly outlines 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.320 that by virtue 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:03.360 of being created, 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:05.159 that we are not God 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:05.799 and therefore 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.759 not self-sufficient. 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:09.419 There are some things, 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.179 many things, 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:10.659 in fact, 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:12.179 that we just can't 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:12.940 do ourselves. 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.919 We were created 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:16.059 to be fully dependent 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:16.659 on God, 00:11:16.719 --> 00:11:17.539 and that was meant 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.659 for our good 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:20.319 and for God's glory. 00:11:21.719 --> 00:11:22.779 Where our weakness 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:24.259 becomes a potential problem 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.259 is when temptation 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:26.519 enters the picture. 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:28.739 The brokenness 00:11:28.739 --> 00:11:29.419 within us 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.419 and around us 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:31.879 presses in 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.899 on our weaknesses 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:35.079 and drives a temptation 00:11:35.079 --> 00:11:36.299 to turn from God 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.979 and look for our own solution 00:11:37.979 --> 00:11:39.159 to our problems. 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:42.719 If then our faith 00:11:42.719 --> 00:11:43.159 in God 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.699 is marked 00:11:43.699 --> 00:11:44.559 by a joyful 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:45.360 and confident 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:46.199 dependence 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:47.139 on our Creator, 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:49.139 then when sin 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.039 enters the equation, 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:51.259 our faith is challenged 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.079 by temptation 00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:52.819 and suffering, 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.399 threatening to rob 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.100 our joy 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:56.120 and our confidence 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.000 in God's care 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:58.159 and provision for us. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:01.240 So now we've arrived 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:02.139 at our third term, 00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:02.799 temptation. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.759 What does temptation 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.699 actually look like? 00:12:06.959 --> 00:12:07.779 The majority 00:12:07.779 --> 00:12:08.500 of temptations, 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:08.819 I think, 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:09.640 can be boiled down 00:12:09.640 --> 00:12:10.879 to doubting God 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:11.980 and more specifically 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:13.260 doubting His goodness, 00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:14.300 His sovereignty, 00:12:14.640 --> 00:12:15.540 or both. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:19.000 Maybe God is so good 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.120 that He wants the best 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:20.540 for me, 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:22.640 but He must not be 00:12:22.640 --> 00:12:23.520 powerful enough 00:12:23.520 --> 00:12:24.740 to make it happen. 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.720 Or alternatively, 00:12:27.780 --> 00:12:29.500 maybe God is so powerful 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.360 that He could make 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:32.240 everything perfect for me, 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:35.260 but He must not love me enough 00:12:35.260 --> 00:12:37.200 to care to do it. 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:40.200 In either case, 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:40.879 when we're suffering, 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:42.160 it can quickly feel 00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:42.800 as though God 00:12:42.800 --> 00:12:43.940 is uninterested in 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:45.520 or unable to resolve 00:12:45.520 --> 00:12:46.700 what's wrong 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.500 in our lives. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.040 But Jesus is very clear, 00:12:50.140 --> 00:12:50.259 though. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:51.460 In John chapter 16, 00:12:51.680 --> 00:12:52.120 He says, 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:52.879 in the world, 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.759 you will have tribulation, 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:56.520 but take heart. 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.340 I have overcome 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.560 the world. 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:02.479 If we have Jesus 00:13:02.479 --> 00:13:03.899 as our great high priest, 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.059 then we have 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:06.359 an infinitely capable 00:13:06.359 --> 00:13:07.439 and caring master 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.679 who's gone before us 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:09.339 in our suffering. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.639 And in doing so, 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.279 He's overcome 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.559 the darkness in the world 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:15.159 so that sorrow 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.039 might be turned to joy. 00:13:18.099 --> 00:13:19.439 But doubt can begin 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.159 to creep in, 00:13:20.339 --> 00:13:21.679 even for the most faithful 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.699 among us. 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:25.740 Sometimes the doubt 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.640 leads us to question 00:13:26.640 --> 00:13:27.860 God's provision for us 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.420 and we're tempted 00:13:28.420 --> 00:13:29.280 to take control 00:13:29.280 --> 00:13:30.020 for ourselves. 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:30.900 The temptation 00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:32.440 always sounds something like, 00:13:33.020 --> 00:13:34.140 if I don't do this thing 00:13:34.140 --> 00:13:35.140 for myself, 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:36.960 then I'll never experience 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.020 the full joy 00:13:38.020 --> 00:13:38.980 that I desire. 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.940 So better get to work 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:43.320 finding the right spouse, 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.020 getting a good job, 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.160 making a good living, 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.060 raising a good family, 00:13:48.280 --> 00:13:49.259 taking care of your body, 00:13:49.400 --> 00:13:50.520 taking care of your community. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.199 Otherwise, 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.379 we'll never find 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.639 our true fulfillment. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:56.319 Right? 00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.279 Now, these things 00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.899 are all certainly 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:01.220 good things to pursue, 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.779 but remember our confession. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.799 The world is broken 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:06.279 and so are we. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.059 So what happens 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:10.159 when despite our best efforts, 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:12.500 we're unable to accomplish 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.860 these goals for our lives? 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:17.199 If these are the things 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:18.419 that bring true joy, 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.079 where are we left 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:20.759 without them? 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.460 Well, friends, 00:14:23.540 --> 00:14:24.540 we suffer greatly 00:14:24.540 --> 00:14:27.520 because at the end of the day, 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.440 we've recognized 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:29.940 the brokenness in our world 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:31.100 and we put our faith 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.740 in something 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:33.060 that can't ultimately 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:34.460 fix the problem. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:38.139 But suffering doesn't come 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.139 only when we give in 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:39.820 to temptation, 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.720 but even and sometimes 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.620 especially as we resist 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.360 temptation, 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.600 we might find ourselves 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.580 dealing with a chronic 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.400 health condition, 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.180 a struggling marriage, 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:51.940 chronic unemployment, 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:52.860 and the like. 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:55.200 And it's here 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.040 that we might feel 00:14:56.040 --> 00:14:56.879 as though we've reached 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:58.220 the end of our 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.160 spiritual endurance. 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:02.100 It's natural 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:03.020 to find ourselves 00:15:03.020 --> 00:15:04.340 asking with the psalmists, 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:05.040 how long, 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:06.660 oh Lord? 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:08.719 And it's important 00:15:08.719 --> 00:15:09.439 to recognize 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.439 that even in this, 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:11.319 there is a rightness 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.879 to confessing our weakness 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.319 and our temptation 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:16.000 to despair. 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:18.759 Consider again 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.259 the passage 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.939 that was read 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:20.339 this morning 00:15:20.339 --> 00:15:21.219 from Lamentations, 00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:22.500 starting in verse 17. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.600 My soul is bereft 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.379 of peace. 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.939 I have forgotten 00:15:26.939 --> 00:15:28.480 what happiness is. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.319 So I say, 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.360 my endurance 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.939 has perished. 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:34.960 So has my hope 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.960 from the Lord. 00:15:38.380 --> 00:15:39.420 Even in the midst 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.460 of great perseverance 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.700 through trials 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.300 and suffering, 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:43.180 you might find 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:43.780 in your weakness 00:15:43.780 --> 00:15:44.660 that you feel 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:45.340 as though 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:47.000 you can't persevere 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.700 any longer. 00:15:48.280 --> 00:15:48.880 And you begin 00:15:48.880 --> 00:15:49.380 to doubt 00:15:49.380 --> 00:15:50.840 if even the Almighty God 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.680 is big enough 00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:53.280 to pull you out 00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:54.180 of your deep well 00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:55.000 of suffering. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.060 But the beauty 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.540 of the gospel 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.300 is that when God 00:15:59.300 --> 00:16:00.780 reaches into our lives 00:16:00.780 --> 00:16:01.500 and pulls us 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.340 out of the darkness 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.580 and into the light, 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.780 we're raised 00:16:04.780 --> 00:16:06.300 to a new spiritual life. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.180 And like any new life, 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.240 the starting point 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.340 involves a lot 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:11.920 of weakness. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.379 And so, 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:14.980 from the start, 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:15.960 God begins in us 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:17.000 a very good work 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.879 of sanctification 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.120 or molding us 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.980 into the people 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:21.519 that he's created us 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.000 to be. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.860 This looks a lot 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.500 like a lifelong 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.600 spiritual workout 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.580 kind of challenging 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.120 a muscle 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.340 to make it stronger. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.660 There are many ways 00:16:30.660 --> 00:16:31.540 in which our faith 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.219 is weak 00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:33.839 and we're not 00:16:33.839 --> 00:16:34.799 at all aware 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:35.059 of it 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:35.839 until God 00:16:35.839 --> 00:16:37.599 graciously intervenes 00:16:37.599 --> 00:16:38.339 in our lives 00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:40.000 to issue a challenge 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.019 to those muscles. 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:44.240 But you can be sure 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:44.959 that whatever 00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:45.699 difficulty 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.500 or injury 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.439 you sustain 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:48.179 in the process 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:49.120 of this workout, 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.779 he'll be there 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.439 to carry you 00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:53.539 through the entire thing. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:57.299 So when we suffer, 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.419 we said we should 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.639 confess our weaknesses, 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:02.000 but is that it? 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:02.779 Do we just finally 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.419 fess up 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:04.399 and then everything 00:17:04.399 --> 00:17:05.379 is magically better? 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.240 Well, turn back again 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.119 with me to our passage 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:10.200 from Lamentations, 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.859 picking up in verse 21. 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:13.879 But this I call 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:14.599 to mind 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.679 and therefore 00:17:15.679 --> 00:17:17.179 I have hope. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.979 The steadfast love 00:17:18.979 --> 00:17:19.519 of the Lord 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.559 never ceases. 00:17:21.219 --> 00:17:21.819 His mercies 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.899 never come 00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:23.659 to an end. 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.939 They're new 00:17:24.939 --> 00:17:26.319 every morning. 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:29.179 Great is your faithfulness. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.419 The Lord 00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.279 is my portion, 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.359 says my soul. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.319 Therefore, 00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:34.379 I will hope 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.339 in Him. 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:38.220 You see, 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.799 as we confess 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.599 our weaknesses 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.939 and our waywardness, 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.459 we ought not 00:17:42.459 --> 00:17:44.079 to get weighed down 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:45.119 by our sin 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.379 and by our weaknesses, 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.439 kind of dwelling 00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:48.099 on the ways 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.679 in which we're not 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:49.379 strong enough 00:17:49.379 --> 00:17:50.119 or smart enough 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:50.799 or good enough. 00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:53.119 Rather, 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.339 when we're confessing 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:54.859 our weaknesses 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.579 to the Lord, 00:17:55.679 --> 00:17:56.599 we're confessing 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.500 to the one 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.079 who is infinitely strong, 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.759 completely sovereign, 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.319 and perfectly good 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.980 all of the things 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.079 that we are not 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:08.240 we find in lamentations 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.059 that our endurance 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.980 has perished, 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.799 but the mercy 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.819 and the faithfulness 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.379 of the Lord 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.259 is unending, 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.579 and as long 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.399 as we cling 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:15.960 to Him 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.679 as our portion, 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:17.699 our weakness 00:18:17.699 --> 00:18:19.519 is not the end of us. 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.899 And this leads us 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.839 to our second point. 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.839 We said, 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.099 to rightly understand 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.579 and respond 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.379 to our suffering, 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.240 we have to first 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.659 confess our weaknesses 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.679 and temptations, 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.359 and second, 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.419 we have to cling 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:33.079 to our great high priest. 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:35.579 This is part of the 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.240 since then 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.220 in verse 14, 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.679 let us hold fast 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:40.079 or cling to Him, 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.199 our great high priest, 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.460 who is indeed 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.379 our confession. 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.419 And verse 15 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:46.579 expounds on why 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.579 we can and should 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.179 do this. 00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:48.960 It says, 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.240 for we do not 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.279 have a high priest 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:52.460 who is unable 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.279 to sympathize 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:53.939 with our weaknesses, 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:55.079 but one who 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:56.599 in every respect 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.599 has been tempted 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.339 as we are, 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.439 yet without sin. 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:04.019 So what is 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.840 a high priest 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.680 exactly? 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.620 We said we should 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.640 be confessing 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.400 to the Lord, 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:09.460 but the problem 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.200 in the Old Testament 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.000 was that because 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.840 of our sin, 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.820 there was no way 00:19:12.820 --> 00:19:13.840 to actually stand 00:19:13.840 --> 00:19:14.559 in the presence 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.880 of an infinitely 00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:16.640 holy God 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.360 to proceed 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:18.460 with the confession. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.080 So God, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.039 in His mercy, 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.680 appointed one high priest 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:24.039 who each year 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.200 would go into the room 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.920 in the tabernacle 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:27.039 where God was dwelling, 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.440 and He would offer 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.660 sacrifices on behalf 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.240 of Himself, 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:32.340 and all of the people 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:32.980 of Israel. 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:35.279 If we look ahead 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.539 to chapter 5 in Hebrews, 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.039 it says, 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.019 every high priest 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.320 chosen from among men 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:40.420 is appointed to act 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.480 on behalf of men 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.720 in relation to God 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:44.080 to offer gifts 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:45.039 and sacrifices 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.200 for sins. 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.380 He can deal gently 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:50.019 with the ignorant 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.059 and wayward 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.700 since He Himself 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:54.200 is beset 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:55.420 with weakness. 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.620 This high priest 00:19:58.620 --> 00:19:59.240 was a person 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.559 who was well acquainted 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.420 with weakness 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.380 and could therefore 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:04.620 effectively empathize with 00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:05.500 and advocate 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.900 for those in His community 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:08.359 who would confess 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.140 their own weaknesses. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.740 Only this one person 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.359 who was appointed 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:12.900 by God 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.440 could go into His presence 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.539 to offer the necessary 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.839 sacrifices for Himself 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:18.179 and for the people. 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:21.059 These sacrifices 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.819 were meant to be 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.579 an acknowledgement 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.539 and repentance 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.419 of our weakness 00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:25.119 and sinfulness 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.220 in the sight of the Lord 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.939 as well as a reminder 00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:29.639 that the ultimate consequence 00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:30.480 of sin 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.480 is death. 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:34.079 But it was also 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.599 a reminder 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.980 of God's faithfulness, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.299 a reminder 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.720 that God had intervened 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.939 to cover over 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.759 our iniquity 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:42.179 so that we could be 00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:43.339 reconciled to Him. 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:46.500 In these sacrifices, 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.679 God was graciously 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.319 transferring 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.500 our record of sin 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.059 to another 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:52.119 and wiping our slate clean. 00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:54.259 Of course, 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:55.319 this sacrificial procedure 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.539 had to continue annually 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.519 because the sacrifices 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.679 were never really enough 00:20:58.679 --> 00:20:59.359 to cover over 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.299 everyone's sins 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.279 once and for all. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.599 No single high priest 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.799 could ever be 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:06.740 the eternal high priest 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:08.459 until Jesus. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:11.319 God came to dwell 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.180 with His creation 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.100 in human form 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:14.160 so that He might live 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.120 the perfect life, 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.840 become the perfect 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:18.160 sacrificial offering, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:20.240 and secure His status 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.380 as the eternal high priest. 00:21:23.840 --> 00:21:24.539 And importantly, 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:27.100 this was going to require 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:28.299 suffering. 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.920 Hebrews tells us 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.299 that Jesus is the founder 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.880 and perfecter of our faith 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:35.340 and He was made perfect 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.460 by the suffering 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.319 which He endured 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.700 on our behalf. 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.360 You see, 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:43.319 by joining His own creation, 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.579 God was eliminating 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:47.000 any claim 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:49.440 that He is a distant God, 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:51.960 that He's somehow aloof 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.539 and uninterested in 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.400 our suffering. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.420 Rather, 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:58.000 He is so interested 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.920 in His creation 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:00.000 that He joined it, 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.880 experiencing in full 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:04.180 every form of weakness, 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.059 temptation, 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.720 and suffering 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:07.039 that we have experienced 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.299 and more, 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:10.859 and yet without sin. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.839 And He did this 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.019 all for the sake 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.179 of our reconciliation 00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.019 to Him. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.039 Consider Matthew 4 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.139 where we find Jesus 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.759 in the wilderness 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.720 after fasting 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.639 for 40 days 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.419 and 40 nights. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.220 And the passage says 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.240 that He was hungry. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.240 Makes sense. 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:32.179 Satan leverages 00:22:32.179 --> 00:22:32.859 that weakness 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.819 to challenge 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:33.859 to challenge 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.939 Jesus' faith 00:22:34.939 --> 00:22:36.099 by seeding doubt 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:37.199 and tempting Him 00:22:37.199 --> 00:22:38.939 to use His power 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:40.139 to turn stones 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:40.779 into bread 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.059 and meet His own 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.179 physical needs. 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.219 Certainly, 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:45.879 this temptation 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.799 to doubt God's provision 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.740 must have yielded 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:49.039 some physical suffering. 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:51.299 Later in Matthew, 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.139 we see as Jesus 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:53.500 is knowingly approaching 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.799 His own execution, 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.219 He tells His disciples 00:22:56.219 --> 00:22:57.000 that His soul 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:58.000 is overwhelmed 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.799 with sorrow 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.000 to the point 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.859 of death. 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.900 And later, 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.720 as He hung 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.460 on the cross, 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.779 scorned, 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.579 hated, 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.859 and despised, 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.220 Jesus quotes 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.859 the Psalms 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:11.119 in His darkest moment 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:11.539 saying, 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.339 My God, 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.579 my God, 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.200 why have you 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.539 forsaken me? 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.539 Can you hear 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.180 the agony 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.680 in Jesus' words? 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.039 Friends, 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.619 if this isn't 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.180 a temptation 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.079 to doubt God 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.799 and to despair 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.799 in our circumstances, 00:23:29.939 --> 00:23:30.899 I don't know 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:32.159 what is. 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.000 And yet, 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.779 Jesus remains faithful 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:37.299 to the bitter end, 00:23:37.699 --> 00:23:38.659 and in doing so, 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.919 He bears the ultimate 00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:40.639 experience 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:42.179 that we deserved, 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.299 separation 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:45.000 from our Creator. 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:47.980 Importantly, 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.799 the mere fact 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.859 that Jesus suffered 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:51.019 greatly did not 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.419 diminish the effectiveness 00:23:52.419 --> 00:23:53.559 of His ministry, 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.939 His standing before God, 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:56.059 or His sufficiency 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.480 as the ultimate sacrifice. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:59.140 On the contrary, 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.700 He is our great 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.440 High Priest 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:03.279 because of His suffering. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.220 He's merciful to us 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.579 through His suffering, 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:08.180 and He's the perfect 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.500 sacrifice for us 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:11.259 by His suffering. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.740 So if the perfect 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.759 Holy Creator 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.920 can enter into 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:18.400 our suffering with us 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.579 and redeem 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.799 that very suffering 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.839 for our good 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:23.299 and His glory, 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:25.059 then ought we not 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.339 view our own suffering 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.379 with hope. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.079 Jesus' life, 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.439 death, 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.039 and resurrection 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.980 mean that He is not 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.699 only the perfect sacrifice 00:24:34.699 --> 00:24:35.480 for our sins, 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:37.000 but also the conqueror 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.240 of sin and death 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.279 and the risen, 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.480 eternal High Priest. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.859 Our sin was laid 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.740 upon Him, 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.659 and because of 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:46.000 His great love for us, 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.759 He advocates for us 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.839 at the throne of God 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.639 so that when God 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:50.359 looks at us, 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.519 He doesn't see our sin, 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:54.220 but He sees Jesus' 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.019 righteousness, 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.859 and He welcomes us 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.119 into fellowship with Him. 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.819 And this leads us 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.779 to our final point. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.279 If we confess our weakness 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.000 and we cling 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.139 to our great High Priest, 00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:06.940 then by His merit, 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.799 we can come to the throne 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.559 for help. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.819 We're encouraged 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.819 in verse 16, 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.319 let us then with confidence 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.119 draw near 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.299 to the throne of grace 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:18.160 that we may receive mercy 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.639 and find grace to help 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.759 in time of need. 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:23.319 You see, 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.379 the one who was faithful 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:25.400 until the bitter end 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.900 was faithful so that 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:28.339 we could be reconciled 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:28.839 to God. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.879 And part of being 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.859 reconciled to God 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:33.259 means being regenerated 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.160 into the person 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.799 that God created us to be, 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:37.059 a process called 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.839 sanctification. 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.980 This process isn't easy. 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.200 Scripture compares it 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.379 to a refiner's fire, 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:45.579 a process of melting down 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:46.960 a metal such as gold 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.420 for purification purposes. 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:50.920 The refiner would apply 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.940 heat to the metal 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.900 and the impurities 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.680 or the dross 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:55.000 would rise to the surface 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.640 for removal 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.820 so that the only thing 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.300 remaining 00:25:57.300 --> 00:25:59.660 was the precious metal itself. 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:02.320 Sanctification is a similar 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:03.440 process for us. 00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:04.759 The heat applied 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:06.380 can be painful indeed, 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:08.019 but we can rest assured 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.180 that the heat exists 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.660 with the explicit purpose 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.860 of filtering sin 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:12.680 and brokenness 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.440 from our lives. 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:16.700 And here's the thing. 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:18.640 Jesus was so perfectly faithful 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.580 that he willingly died 00:26:20.580 --> 00:26:22.059 to reconcile us to God. 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.779 And if part of that reconciliation 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:26.880 requires sanctification, 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.059 then the one who is 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.160 perfectly faithful, 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.580 totally sovereign, 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.940 and completely loving 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:34.559 must certainly be faithful 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:36.000 to complete the good work 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.460 that he's begun in us. 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.860 Think about it this way. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.180 Imagine going to a flea market 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:43.360 and stumbling upon something 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:44.620 that's nearly priceless. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.779 Maybe it's a rare jewel, 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.039 a historic painting, 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.860 or a memento 00:26:48.860 --> 00:26:50.000 of some iconic figure 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.039 that you greatly admire. 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.940 And in your excitement, 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:55.220 you pay a massive price 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.820 to possess this treasure. 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.759 Now, you're at the flea market, 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.759 so this thing's been out 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.299 in the elements 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.560 for quite some time, 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.160 and so it's pretty banged up. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.200 It's got dirt all over it. 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.519 It's covered in scratches and dents. 00:27:06.560 --> 00:27:08.460 It's just totally worn down. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.779 And now that you've got it, 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.060 you have a choice. 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.220 You can clean it up 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:16.000 so that you can put it on display 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.519 so that everyone can see it 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.000 and admire its beauty 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:20.019 and magnificence. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.480 Or you can leave it 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:24.880 broken, dirty, and haggard 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.779 only to continue degrading 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.940 in its current form 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:30.320 until it's completely unrecognizable. 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.100 What are you going to do? 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.779 Obviously, you're going to clean it up, right? 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:37.000 I mean, what sense would it make 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.299 to pay a great price 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.420 for a wonderful treasure 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:41.060 and never care for it, 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:42.160 leaving it to decay? 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.980 Friends, the God who is faithful 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:47.400 considered us, 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.640 his creation, 00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:50.220 to be so valuable 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.580 that he was willing 00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:54.000 to empty himself completely 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.660 to save us, 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:57.340 even as we were covered 00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:59.920 in complete sin and brokenness. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:03.060 And this same God promises us 00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:04.460 that he is fully committed 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.620 to our sanctification. 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.440 Certainly, this God 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:10.240 must also be compassionate enough 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:12.140 to meet us and sustain us 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:13.700 through our moments of suffering. 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:18.019 But this doesn't relieve us 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.480 of our personal responsibility 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:21.180 to persevere in our faith. 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:23.240 So, what do we do? 00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:23.940 What does it mean 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.920 to approach the throne of grace 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:27.519 as it says in verse 16? 00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.539 Well, on one level, 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.580 it's important to recognize 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:33.240 that we are physical beings 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.519 living in a broken world. 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.380 And by common grace, 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.539 God's revealed many ways 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.360 that we can manage 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.100 the experiences 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:40.080 of our brokenness. 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.700 Maybe it's diet and exercise, 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.500 counseling, 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.440 modern medicine, 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:45.140 or other avenues 00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:46.000 of physical care. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.900 And just as we know 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.320 that God designed our bodies 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:52.139 to function with certain inputs, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.879 he also designed us as people 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:56.639 to function as a community 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:58.559 and not as individuals. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.339 We're called to be 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.359 a people of community 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:04.099 so that we can one another well. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.419 God never intended 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.619 that we should experience 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:09.079 hardship and suffering 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.740 and isolation, 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.859 but rather he knew 00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:12.659 that in our weakness, 00:29:12.939 --> 00:29:14.139 we would need support. 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:17.819 We receive our support 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:19.019 principally through him, 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:20.139 but one of the ways 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:21.120 in which he meets needs 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:22.180 is through those 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:23.080 whom he's called 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:23.800 to a community. 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.860 So if you're struggling, 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:29.600 find a trusted friend 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.380 or mentor. 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:33.240 Share openly 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:34.640 about your temptations 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:35.920 and your suffering. 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.480 Open the door 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.980 for God to work in your life 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.020 through others 00:29:41.020 --> 00:29:42.080 that have been shaped 00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:43.180 by his grace 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.920 through their own trials 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.900 and tribulations. 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.259 And tribulations. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.440 But at its core, 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.100 when we talk about 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:52.080 approaching the throne 00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:53.000 for help, 00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:54.539 it means approaching God 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.100 in the ways 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:56.340 that he's instructed us, 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.800 reading his word 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:58.840 and praying regularly. 00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:01.960 God's revealed himself 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:03.220 to us through his word, 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.360 both his written word 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:05.380 and the living word, 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.259 Jesus Christ, 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:08.579 and through his word, 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.420 we're instructed 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:11.819 to be anxious about nothing 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:13.079 but by prayer 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:14.339 and supplication 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:16.079 and with thanksgiving 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:18.119 to submit a request 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:18.660 to God. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:21.220 And the promise, 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:23.900 the peace of God 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:24.660 which transcends 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.500 all understanding 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.640 will guard your hearts 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.460 and your minds 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.859 in Christ Jesus. 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:32.439 Jesus gives us 00:30:32.439 --> 00:30:32.919 an example 00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:33.599 of what it looks like 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.159 to do this 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.299 in our moments of suffering. 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.319 In the garden of Gethsemane, 00:30:37.479 --> 00:30:38.899 as he awaits his executioners, 00:30:38.959 --> 00:30:39.419 he prays, 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.099 My Father, 00:30:40.199 --> 00:30:41.240 if it be possible, 00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:43.819 let this cup pass from me. 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.199 Nevertheless, 00:30:46.679 --> 00:30:47.799 not as I will, 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.439 but as you will. 00:30:51.199 --> 00:30:51.819 You see, 00:30:51.939 --> 00:30:53.419 Jesus is fully immersed 00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.179 in the weakness 00:30:54.179 --> 00:30:54.899 of humanity 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.679 in this moment 00:30:55.679 --> 00:30:56.740 and in the weakness 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.519 of the flesh, 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.539 he's confronted 00:30:58.539 --> 00:31:00.759 with significant temptation 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.460 to defect 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.920 from God's ultimate plan. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.519 He certainly had the power 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.079 to escape, 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:08.399 but in faithful submission, 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:08.899 he says, 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:10.000 not as I will, 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.819 but as you will. 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.139 This is our ultimate prayer 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:16.079 because we know 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.399 that the will of the one 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.139 who is faithful 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.960 is a will 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:20.299 for our sanctification, 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.399 for our eternal good 00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:23.240 and his glory. 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.139 And what could be better 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:25.619 than that? 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:29.879 I wonder if you're struggling 00:31:29.879 --> 00:31:31.199 today with suffering, 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.479 temptation, 00:31:32.739 --> 00:31:33.239 or despair. 00:31:34.939 --> 00:31:36.599 Maybe you miss a loved one 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:38.259 or you're longing 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.039 for connection 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:40.199 or companionship. 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:43.119 Maybe you lost your job, 00:31:43.479 --> 00:31:44.239 received a difficult 00:31:44.239 --> 00:31:45.239 health diagnosis, 00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:46.719 or maybe you're battling 00:31:46.719 --> 00:31:47.259 addiction 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.559 or depression. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:51.419 whatever it is, 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:53.319 don't relent 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.460 in your faith. 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:56.399 Persevere. 00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:58.960 Hold fast 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.679 your confession. 00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:01.779 Continue reading 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.299 the scripture. 00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:04.200 Continue praying. 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.740 Continue gathering 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.339 together 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.740 and continue 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.319 worshiping. 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.099 Remember 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:13.119 that by confessing 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:13.659 our weaknesses 00:32:13.659 --> 00:32:14.339 and clinging 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:14.980 to Jesus, 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.000 we have confidence 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.839 in the purpose 00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.799 of our suffering 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.639 and the right 00:32:19.639 --> 00:32:20.799 to boldly ask 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.339 for help 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:23.039 in our time of need. 00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:26.000 Jesus has gone before us 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.899 and walks with us 00:32:26.899 --> 00:32:27.899 through our suffering 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:28.619 and the one 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:29.919 who is perfectly faithful 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:31.539 will not forsake us 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.480 as we endure 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.240 the fog 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.139 and the fire 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:35.059 of sanctification. 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:39.099 One commentator 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.839 says it well, 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.919 sanctification 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:42.419 is glory begun 00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:43.899 and glory 00:32:43.899 --> 00:32:45.279 is sanctification 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.240 completed. 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:48.599 Friends, 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.480 any suffering 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.159 we experience 00:32:50.159 --> 00:32:50.839 serves only 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.559 to promote 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.559 the sanctification 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.439 which God 00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:54.279 has for us 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:56.179 and the very nature 00:32:56.179 --> 00:32:57.059 of sanctification 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:58.079 is that it's temporary 00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:00.339 and it's purposeful. 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:02.879 Sanctification 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.679 is a process 00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:04.359 with a clear 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:05.500 and amazing end. 00:33:06.459 --> 00:33:07.099 It's moving us 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:08.179 toward glory, 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.740 a glory 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.299 where there's 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.279 no more suffering 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:13.019 and where we finally 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:13.619 end up 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:15.039 where we were created 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.899 to be, 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:18.259 resting in the presence 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.259 of our Creator 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.579 and Lord. 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.379 Let's pray. 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.299 Father, 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.059 we thank you 00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:28.079 that because of your 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:28.920 great love, 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.740 you joined us 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.480 in our suffering 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:33.299 and went before us 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:35.079 to forge a path 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.799 of reconciliation 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.500 and regeneration. 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:40.380 and we thank you 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.180 that by the power 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:41.680 of the blood 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.160 of Jesus 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.119 we can boldly 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.759 approach you 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.039 to ask for your help 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.180 in our great times 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.640 of need. 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:49.559 We ask that your peace 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.319 would be a reality 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:50.900 to us 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.759 and that we would not 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.400 grow weary 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.240 by the trials 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.000 and temptations 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.720 of this life 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:56.619 but that we would look 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:57.539 confidently 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.500 and joyously 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.259 to the day 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.480 of ultimate redemption 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:02.140 when we can rest 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.960 in glory 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.900 with you. 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:05.660 We pray this 00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.120 in the name 00:34:06.120 --> 00:34:06.700 of our great 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.440 high priest 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.980 Jesus Christ. 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.139 Amen.