WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.580 Well, thank you so much, Beth. 00:00:02.300 --> 00:00:06.160 Folks, let me invite you to turn to Revelation 21 and 22, 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:09.120 which is where we're going to get to tonight 00:00:09.120 --> 00:00:12.880 as we think about this wonderful topic of heaven. 00:00:13.620 --> 00:00:16.719 And it's been a joy to think about that this week, 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:21.219 particularly on a week where Scotland qualified for a major tournament. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:22.640 It feels like the two have aligned. 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:26.519 But I've been so excited to spend time here this week, 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:28.039 and I hope this is going to thrill our hearts 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:29.400 as we think about these two chapters. 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:30.320 As you're turning there, 00:00:31.059 --> 00:00:33.799 since this is my first time in the pulpit in about a month, 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:36.939 let me just thank you as a church family 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:39.359 just for your love and support to us as a family 00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:42.100 over the last couple of weeks 00:00:42.100 --> 00:00:45.259 as we've kind of welcomed baby Eve to our family. 00:00:45.339 --> 00:00:48.980 We've just been touched by the messages of support and love 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:50.920 and the practical help as well. 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:53.820 So let me just thank you on behalf of Alex and I 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:56.519 and I guess the girls as well for your love and support. 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:01.400 Why don't we pray as we come to this wonderful theme tonight? 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:07.239 Isaiah chapter 66. 00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:11.140 But this is the one to whom I will look. 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:16.099 He who is humble and contrite in spirit 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:19.759 and trembles at my word. 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:24.039 And so, Father, we don't want to just go through the motions this evening. 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:30.500 Lord, you are the living God who delights to inhabit the praises of his people. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:34.480 And so, Father, we ask this evening that as we turn to think about things 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:38.700 that in a certain way are well above our pay grade, 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:40.820 well above our capacity to fathom, 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:44.940 Lord, would you grant us knowledge and understanding? 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:49.040 Thank you that your son is the one who gives the spirit without measure. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:52.740 And so, Father, we are desperately in need of your help this evening. 00:01:52.860 --> 00:01:57.200 Help us to have the eyes and the affection for the glorious Jesus. 00:01:57.860 --> 00:01:59.520 And we pray in his precious name. 00:01:59.860 --> 00:02:00.140 Amen. 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:02.540 Amen. 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:04.360 Well, folks, let me tell you about the car journeys 00:02:04.360 --> 00:02:08.780 that I've noticed don't go well for us as a family. 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:09.480 Right? 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:11.180 Conversation goes something like this. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:13.480 The voice comes from the back seat. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:15.540 Daddy, Daddy, where are we going? 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:16.980 Where are we going? 00:02:16.979 --> 00:02:22.379 And I respond and I say, honestly, sweetheart, I've got no idea. 00:02:23.139 --> 00:02:23.340 Right? 00:02:24.019 --> 00:02:26.839 I just get handed by your mom. 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:27.919 I get handed these digits. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:29.319 I've just put into the sat-nav. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:30.839 I've got no idea where we're going. 00:02:30.959 --> 00:02:32.139 I've never been before. 00:02:32.239 --> 00:02:36.819 But all I know is that we will be there in approximately 46 minutes time. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:38.780 Right? 00:02:38.899 --> 00:02:40.079 Conversation goes like that. 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:42.120 Guaranteed in the back seat. 00:02:42.899 --> 00:02:46.599 A mood of frustration, boredom, and fighting. 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:46.979 Right? 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:47.780 Guaranteed. 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:50.099 Let me flip it around for a minute. 00:02:51.079 --> 00:02:55.419 And tell you about the most enjoyable car journeys that we have as a family. 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:56.019 Right? 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:57.539 Same scene plays out in front of us. 00:02:57.599 --> 00:02:58.519 Voice comes from the back. 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:02.299 Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, where are we going? 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:04.840 And I'm straight on it. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:05.000 Right? 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:07.639 I'm like, oh, kids, you will not believe where we are going. 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:09.819 We are going to Dalkeith Country Park. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:10.019 Right? 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:10.699 It's always a favorite. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:11.379 You've never been. 00:03:11.979 --> 00:03:12.299 Go. 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:12.780 Okay? 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:14.580 We're going to Dalkeith Country Park. 00:03:14.640 --> 00:03:15.580 You are going to love it. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:16.960 I mean, there are slides. 00:03:17.640 --> 00:03:18.800 There is swings. 00:03:18.939 --> 00:03:19.780 There is tree houses. 00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:21.099 There's a flying fox. 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:25.860 And maybe, maybe, maybe, even if you're good, there'll be an ice cream in that bargain for you as well. 00:03:25.900 --> 00:03:29.920 Which even in November in Scotland seems to never lose its appeal. 00:03:30.819 --> 00:03:31.000 Right? 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:36.379 All of a sudden, the mood in the back of the car, frustration replaced with anticipation. 00:03:37.460 --> 00:03:41.080 All of a sudden, the back of the car, boredom replaced with excitement. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:42.159 When are we getting there? 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:43.180 When are we getting there? 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:44.000 Are we there yet? 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:44.840 Are we there yet? 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:49.420 Here's what I want to suggest tonight as we come to think about this topic. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:57.379 That actually, the back seat of my car, on our car journeys, is a lot like the Christian life. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:03:58.679 Okay? 00:03:58.739 --> 00:04:02.619 Tonight, it's all about knowing where we're going. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:03.739 Okay? 00:04:03.739 --> 00:04:04.959 If you want a phrase, just to remember. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:07.539 All about knowing where we're going. 00:04:08.299 --> 00:04:08.779 Right? 00:04:08.779 --> 00:04:17.459 Famous story told, apparently, that happened between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis once upon a time. 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:18.180 Okay? 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:24.840 Tolkien, who was a Christian at the time, turns to Lewis, who wasn't a Christian at the time, and says, 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.920 Have you ever wondered why you love stories so much? 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:30.680 Have you ever wondered why you love stories so much? 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:31.199 Do you know why? 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:32.800 Because you're in one. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:39.680 You see, that's what we encounter as we journey into the pages of Scripture. 00:04:40.460 --> 00:04:40.680 Right? 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:43.160 We encounter a story. 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:44.980 Right? 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:45.020 Right? 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:48.480 Not just a story, but the story. 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:52.140 Friends, the one that we are all caught up in by God's grace. 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:58.080 And tonight, before we get to the end of the story, I want us to understand the story. 00:04:58.259 --> 00:04:58.420 Right? 00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:00.540 And I've unashamedly nicked that from Jesus. 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:01.340 Okay? 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:04.640 Which seems to be a pretty good place to go if you're looking to copy stuff. 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:05.080 Right? 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:07.040 Nicked it from Jesus. 00:05:07.340 --> 00:05:11.000 So what he says, isn't it, to his two disciples, if you want to check out in your own time and look. 00:05:11.640 --> 00:05:13.100 End of Luke, chapter 24. 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:15.840 Journeying to me. 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:18.379 Struggling to come to terms with what's happened. 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:20.259 Why did Jesus have to die? 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:22.839 Jesus is there with them. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:26.040 He doesn't jump out from behind a bush and say, here I am. 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:26.600 Surprise. 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:28.060 Right? 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:28.860 That's what I would have done. 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:30.279 Flogged it to you being framed. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:32.079 500 quid in the bank. 00:05:32.159 --> 00:05:32.759 That's what I would have done. 00:05:32.839 --> 00:05:32.939 Right? 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:33.920 It's not what Jesus does. 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:34.680 What does he do? 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:38.779 He takes them on a journey through the Bible story. 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:40.319 Right? 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:42.839 And beginning, which is what we get in Luke. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:51.079 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself. 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:52.040 Right? 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:56.800 Jesus wants them to get the story, how this is all about him. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:06:03.240 And so we're going to take the Jesus approach tonight to this topic as we think about this story. 00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:09.459 And the story begins, friends, with this delightful gods who we're introduced to. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:11.899 This is who our God is. 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:12.079 Right? 00:06:12.099 --> 00:06:15.800 This loving community of Father, Son, and Spirit. 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:17.579 Majestic. 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:18.860 Holy. 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:20.180 Powerful. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:21.500 Relational. 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:22.620 Beautiful. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:32.439 Who creates the world, not because of anything that was lacking in him, but creates it as an extension, as an overflow of who he is. 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:34.680 This three-in-one community of love. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:41.139 And his desire, his eternal purpose, the title to the story, if you like. 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:43.319 And remember this. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:50.800 His heart is to dwell among a people who he has made his own. 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:51.660 Right? 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:54.220 If you're scribbling stuff down tonight, scribble that one down. 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:59.820 His desire to dwell among a people whom he has made his own. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:09.040 His people enjoying him, reveling in him, glorifying him in his place, knowing his blessing and favor. 00:07:09.660 --> 00:07:10.980 This is who this God is. 00:07:12.260 --> 00:07:12.380 Right? 00:07:12.420 --> 00:07:13.420 This is the God that we know. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:16.640 This is the God who we think about each day as we come to the scriptures. 00:07:16.760 --> 00:07:17.820 This is his word. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:19.480 It's a joy to know him. 00:07:20.980 --> 00:07:28.300 As we think about the story, friends, we're going to make five quick sightseeing stops as we jump on the tour bus of the Bible. 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:29.699 As we trace this theme. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:36.100 As it snowballs and as it gets increasingly more personal as we journey on. 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:36.360 Right? 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:37.319 Five pit stops. 00:07:37.459 --> 00:07:39.439 The last one's heaven, just to give you the game. 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:39.980 Okay? 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:42.259 That's where we'll hang out for a little bit tonight. 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:44.279 But let's get the story. 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:48.379 Okay, the first stop in our tour of the Bible story is the garden. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:49.500 Right? 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:50.779 God creates. 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:51.959 This God creates. 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:52.279 He speaks. 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:57.719 And by his word, the heavens and the earth are formed. 00:07:58.139 --> 00:07:58.299 Right? 00:07:58.359 --> 00:08:01.719 And as the pinnacle of his creation, he creates human beings. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:03.779 Adam and Eve. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:06.239 Human beings stamped with dignity. 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:09.699 And he places them in Eden. 00:08:10.299 --> 00:08:10.579 Right? 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:10.620 Right? 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:13.300 This garden full of beauty. 00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:14.399 Full of life. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:16.919 The light and provision are there. 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:21.539 Adam and Eve have to cultivate it all under his loving rule. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.839 As they find their purpose. 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:26.399 As they find their joy in him, friends. 00:08:26.419 --> 00:08:28.779 Which is why we ever want to experience those things. 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:31.459 We have to find them within the contours of knowing this God. 00:08:31.459 --> 00:08:39.240 And what we see here in Eden is this unhindered fellowship that exists between God and man. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:42.279 In this perfect, unspoiled environment. 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:44.559 As God walks in the garden. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.319 Adam and Eve's rebellion against God. 00:08:48.439 --> 00:08:51.319 Their sin is they eat from the tree. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:54.639 As they say, God not your way, my way. 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:55.899 Sees them banished from the garden. 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:58.819 Sees them banished from the presence of God himself. 00:08:58.820 --> 00:09:03.420 And that sin spreads to every human heart. 00:09:05.060 --> 00:09:11.500 Friends, and the thing for us to see is that God has every reason to leave us in this predicament. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:12.220 Every reason. 00:09:12.400 --> 00:09:13.920 Mankind has given him every reason. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:23.840 But this God will not be deterred in his desire to fully and eternally dwell among a people who he has made his own. 00:09:24.560 --> 00:09:24.720 Right? 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:25.759 Nothing's going to put him off. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:29.139 Nothing's going to thwart him from accomplishing that purpose. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:32.060 And we move from a garden to the temple. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:33.800 Okay? 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:40.320 You see, when God brings his people out of Egypt, the reason is not so that they can kind of run free in the playground. 00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:41.120 Right? 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:42.300 Bell goes ding, ding, ding, ding. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:43.080 You're out. 00:09:43.180 --> 00:09:43.800 Do what you want. 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.000 It's not like that. 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:47.080 God commands Moses to make an ark. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:53.320 Which was to be housed in this tented area called the tabernacle. 00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:54.620 Why? 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:58.200 So that he could live with his people. 00:09:59.300 --> 00:09:59.460 Right? 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:04.259 It's the very thing, as you read the Old Testament, it's the very thing that defines who Israel are. 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:06.840 Their God isn't in some distant place. 00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:08.800 Their God dwells with them. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:10.000 Right? 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:13.200 And you get this from the location of the tabernacle. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:18.259 When the people stopped and camped, where was the tabernacle to be? 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:19.779 Right in the middle. 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.039 Where are the people? 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.980 Where are the 12 tribes? 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:26.159 They're arranged round about it. 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:28.659 Our God dwells with us. 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:29.960 Right? 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:33.159 When the people went, get up and go, God goes with them. 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:36.299 When the people settle down, stop, God settles down with them. 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:41.419 When they enter the promised land, eventually the tabernacle becomes the temple. 00:10:42.859 --> 00:10:46.979 The fixed place where God and man meet. 00:10:48.319 --> 00:10:50.279 The place where worship happens. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:53.279 The place where sacrifice happens. 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:53.539 Right? 00:10:53.639 --> 00:11:00.819 Because while God is among them, access to him is not free and unhindered like it was in the garden because of the sin barrier. 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:10.320 But God makes a way, he makes a sacrificial system by which his people can approach him and know that they are right with him through sacrifice. 00:11:11.780 --> 00:11:12.300 Why? 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:20.480 Because God desires to fully and eternally dwell among the people who he has made his own. 00:11:21.640 --> 00:11:23.200 And we move from the tabernacle. 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:23.379 Right? 00:11:23.420 --> 00:11:24.640 You see how we're racing through these? 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:25.660 We're number three already. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:25.980 Right? 00:11:26.020 --> 00:11:29.400 We move from the tabernacle to the person. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:33.379 John writes this about Jesus in his prologue. 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.240 John chapter one. 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:37.779 The word became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:38.539 Do you see the language? 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:44.659 God's desire takes another gigantic step in the coming of Jesus. 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:47.659 Which is why Christmas, friends, is such a big deal. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.480 It's a huge deal. 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:52.379 As God comes, as we celebrate, as we remember that. 00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:55.740 So God now inhabits space and time in the person of Jesus. 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:57.679 God now is a human being. 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:59.379 Jesus is God in the flesh. 00:11:59.439 --> 00:12:01.479 He is the meeting place between God and man. 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:03.739 Everything that the temple was pointing towards. 00:12:05.099 --> 00:12:13.059 Friends, never before has God dwelt more powerfully, more authentically and personally with mankind than in Jesus. 00:12:14.979 --> 00:12:15.179 Okay? 00:12:15.219 --> 00:12:17.459 And you get this in the bookends to Matthew's Gospel. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:19.739 I wonder if you've ever noticed this before in Matthew's Gospel. 00:12:19.859 --> 00:12:21.459 I haven't really noticed it until recently. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:24.560 Bookended with God's presence. 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:25.879 Okay? 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:28.200 Starts by identifying Jesus as who? 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:29.940 Emmanuel. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.940 God with us. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:37.360 His life, his death on the cross, in our place for our sin. 00:12:38.400 --> 00:12:42.660 His physical resurrection proving that the price has been paid. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:48.500 Death and the claims of hell have been defeated by heaven's king as he claims as for himself. 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:58.759 And it ends with Jesus' promise that as you go and make disciples of all nations, I will be with you till the end of the age. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.259 Why? 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:11.460 Because of this God's desire, his heart, to fully and eternally dwell among a people whom he has made his own. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:12.819 Do you see how there's a snowball in here? 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:19.899 And fourthly, we move from the Christ, from the person, to the church. 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:22.379 That's where we kick in. 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:23.899 Yeah? 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.620 Paul would write this to the Corinthians. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:32.519 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's spirit dwells in your midst? 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:40.399 Meaning, friends, that the moment that you and I put our faith in Jesus, as we find ourselves in him, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:46.320 the spirit of God comes to take up residence inside of us. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:46.940 Get that. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.419 God lives in us. 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:50.419 God lives in us. 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:51.419 God lives in us. 00:13:51.419 --> 00:14:01.919 And that means to be a Christian is not simply to be somebody who believes religious things and acts in religious ways and makes different life choices to everyone else in the world. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:07.639 It is to be somebody who knows the very life and love of the triune God. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:15.500 And collectively, which is how the New Testament always speaks about Christians, right? 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.580 It's the church. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.860 It's the plural you. 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:25.819 To be the church is to be the very place where God dwells and where he builds us up together. 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:37.300 The way he's wired us, as we use our gifts to serve one another, as we speak his word, speak the truth to one another, as we submit ourselves to it and are transformed by it, 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:40.820 we are built up together as a place where God dwells. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:47.220 Now, that is to say that the church is the nearest and dearest thing to God's heart. 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:50.340 God no longer lives in a building. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:53.980 He lives inside his people. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.240 Okay, think about it. 00:14:57.280 --> 00:14:59.160 What's the world saying to us right now? 00:14:59.660 --> 00:15:02.320 It's saying the way that you live determines who you are. 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:07.580 And we've got to understand with Christianity, it's completely the other way around. 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:19.160 Because God pronounces in the gospel who you are as a Christian, who I've made you to be, that determines how you should live. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.000 Right? 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.899 See, it's the other way around. 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.939 Not how you, yeah, you got it right. 00:15:25.699 --> 00:15:26.879 This is who we are, friends. 00:15:26.939 --> 00:15:27.759 This is who we are. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:37.319 You know, there's a famous story told of the queen mum who went in an outing one day, a visit, and she stepped out of the car and she opened the back door of the car where the children were sitting. 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:43.120 And she simply said to them, now remember, children, royal children equals royal manners. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:44.879 Right? 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.360 Royal children equals royal manners. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:52.659 And friends, when we think about our lives in terms of our holy calling as God's people, that is how we're to think about it. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:16:02.240 When we think about holiness, when we think about living out this call that God has placed on our lives, we've got to understand that there's something else going on here as well. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:09.500 When you think about it, you get that wonderful promise from Jesus, don't we, that in John 14 to his disciples who are panicking. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:09.899 Right? 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:13.700 Jesus has just said, I'm going, and where I'm going, you cannot come. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:19.960 This wonderful promise in John 14 where he says, in my father's house, there are many rooms. 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:25.919 And if I go, I will come back and I am preparing a place for you. 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:27.460 Right? 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:29.799 He is going to prepare a place for them. 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:38.179 But we need to understand as well when we're living out this holy calling that God is also preparing us for a place. 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.039 Okay? 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:46.479 And perhaps having arrived at the subject of tonight, we'll maybe slow down at this point and think on that. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:48.139 Okay? 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:51.859 I don't know if you've ever watched those whole makeover shows. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:57.899 I remember when we were young, we used to finish dinner and we used to run to the telly. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.279 And it was always Changing Rooms was on. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:00.879 Okay? 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:04.819 With Handy Andy and we used to call her Carol, Smiley, Smiley, Smiley, Smiley. 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:06.740 Was it today? 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:08.660 It's Homes Under the Hammer or something like that. 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:14.799 You know these shows where somebody's bought something and the host comes in to interview them and says, 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:16.160 what on earth did you see in that? 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.220 Why have you bought that? 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:22.940 And they respond, well, listen, we've taken up ownership of this now. 00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:25.799 And this is ours. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:29.460 And we know where we're going with this place. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.319 Right? 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:32.620 We know what we're doing with this place. 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:42.839 And slowly but surely, room by room, wall by wall, plug by plug, we will get there. 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:48.299 And friends, this is what happens when the Spirit moves into our lives. 00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:56.480 And as we begin to be transformed into the blueprint of Jesus, this is God's call on our lives. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:18:00.879 As we pursue Jesus Christ, that we will be transformed more into his image. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:04.819 He is preparing us for a place. 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.659 Why? 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:14.880 Well, because of his desire to fully and eternally dwell among a people who he has made his own. 00:18:16.100 --> 00:18:19.000 And we are live at our fifth and final pit stop this evening. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.380 Okay? 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:25.759 On the tour, we move from the church to our final stop, which is the city. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:40.119 Now, it's worth saying here before we get to Revelation 21 and 22, that when we die, friends, that we have every confidence that we will be in the very presence of Jesus. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:44.480 This is before new heavens and the new earth. 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:52.619 Right now, when we die, before he comes, we will have every confidence, and we can have every confidence, that we will be in the very presence of Jesus. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.839 Right? 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:57.779 I'd go further and maybe tentatively say, not just spiritually, but physically. 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.459 We will be with the Lord. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.179 We will know him. 00:19:01.739 --> 00:19:03.419 And the joy of knowing his presence. 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:10.399 But here in Revelation 21, and I invite you to turn there now, is the new heavens and the new earth. 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:11.839 Right? 00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:16.479 The book of Revelation, as you're turning there, written to Christians massively up against it. 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:20.559 Written to Christians wondering whether to keep on going for Jesus or not. 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.899 Have you ever asked yourself that question? 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:24.340 Do we keep on going? 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.300 Is it worth it? 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.519 Fearful for the future? 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:30.060 And this is written to give them certainty. 00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:37.100 Friends, in our world, where we are bombarded with uncertainty, as Pete mentioned earlier, we don't know what tomorrow will bring. 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:45.740 In our world derived of hope, in our world where we can feel fearful as Christians about what tomorrow might bring, what might happen in the future. 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:51.259 This is written to assure us of the place that God has prepared for us. 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:52.359 Okay? 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.200 This is what we get. 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.799 Revelation 21. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.660 Let's just read it together. 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:55.980 Okay? 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.839 This is what John sees. 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:01.139 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:07.559 For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 00:20:08.459 --> 00:20:17.519 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride, beautifully dressed for her husband. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:29.299 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, look, God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:36.279 They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:40.519 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:49.079 There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:53.819 Friends, this is where the story is going. 00:20:55.319 --> 00:21:00.779 It's a place, the new heavens and the new earth, a place, the city, defined by what's not there. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.000 Okay? 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.720 Do you notice it? 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:09.500 There is no sea, which in the book of Revelation is always symbolic of evil, right? 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.099 Death is not there. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:14.220 Pain is not there. 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.299 Tears are not there. 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:18.200 Suffering is not there. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:24.519 Do you get a description in the reading that Beth read earlier from Isaiah, that there will be no longer a child who dies in infancy? 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.500 Right? 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:32.319 When Eve was born, I remember the bed right next to us, really bright light shining down. 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:34.339 The baby next to us had extreme jaundice. 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:35.019 Right? 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.519 Doctors coming in and out all the time. 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:37.339 Couldn't get any sleep. 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:39.039 Poor Alex coming in and out all the time. 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:41.440 Updating on how the child was doing. 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.980 Friends, that will not happen in the new creation. 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:45.980 Okay? 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:49.159 Doctors will be unemployed in the new creation. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:53.159 Because those things belong to the old order. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:56.220 And sin is not here. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:22:02.420 Because when this king returns, he will banish it. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:02.759 Right? 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:06.300 All who have lived will be raised, summoned to give account to him. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.960 Because before him, every knee will bow. 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:12.000 He will judge the thoughts of every human heart. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:16.519 And we have to understand that Jesus spoke about this when he was on earth. 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:19.799 He spoke about this more than any other thing. 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:20.420 Right? 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:22.519 Trying to get the people of his generation to understand it. 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:24.359 Speaking in a way that they will understand. 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.160 What do you say? 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:30.680 At the end of the age, he will be like a shepherd who separates the sheep and the goats. 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:35.400 He will be like a fisherman who separates the good fish and the bad fish. 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:39.540 That place that he speaks about of weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:42.320 Now, I don't know exactly what that means. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:45.620 But it doesn't sound like a place that I want to be. 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:50.360 Or I want any of those who I love and rub shoulders with every day to go. 00:22:50.780 --> 00:22:53.240 But friends, we need to take Jesus at his words. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.580 That eternal punishment is real. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:23:02.220 For all those who have persisted in their rebellion against this holy God. 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:09.360 If you're struggling with that, and I take it there's a certain amount of gravity that comes with that. 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.180 And soberness. 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:15.600 That if you're struggling with that, remember that these are the words coming from the mouth of the most loving person. 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:18.660 Who has ever walked this earth. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:22.960 And of course, this is a place where God desires none to go. 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:25.640 He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:30.660 But desires that all would turn to him in repentance and have life. 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:33.800 And I take it as we think about this really briefly tonight. 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:37.240 That we are to reflect something of God's heart for the lost world. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:41.160 And I think deep down this makes sense. 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:44.300 I spent 10 days in Mozambique when I was a student. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.100 Loved that country. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.560 I've been praying for it ever since. 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:54.960 I was moved to tears when I read about the 50 plus people who were beheaded this week by ISIS members. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:57.900 Did you read that in the news this week? 00:23:58.100 --> 00:24:04.120 Just people taking advantage of extreme poverty and seeking to recruit people for a religious cause. 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:09.400 Or maybe that nurse that was found guilty of murdering eight babies this week. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.759 What do you do with that stuff? 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:14.759 You know, it's utterly heartbreaking. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:26.039 But I take it that the news that one day this perfect king will have the last say, the final say, the perfect say on every wrong should greatly comfort us. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.240 And it's good news. 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.240 Right? 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:32.079 Because light cannot be light if darkness still exists. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.940 Think about it this way as well. 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:35.759 Think about our best loved stories. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:39.339 Why is it that they always have this kind of repeated theme? 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.519 Right? 00:24:41.139 --> 00:24:45.500 That we get that there cannot be peace on Middle Earth until Sauron is defeated. 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:46.799 Yeah? 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:52.779 We get that there can't be peace in the Pride Lands until Simba kills Scar. 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:55.279 We get it that there cannot be peace. 00:24:55.980 --> 00:25:00.019 Snow White cannot marry the prince until the wicked witch is killed. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.399 Right? 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:04.259 We get that Aslan can't rule until the white witch is banished. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.480 Right? 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:07.139 Every single one of those stories would be very different. 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:10.300 And we would hate it if it wasn't like that. 00:25:11.020 --> 00:25:12.180 These words of Aslan. 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:15.500 Wrong will be right when Aslan comes in sight. 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:19.280 At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more. 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:22.460 When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death. 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:26.220 And when he shakes his mane, we will have spring again. 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.200 This is our king. 00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:28.180 This is Jesus. 00:25:30.040 --> 00:25:32.300 Do you notice that there's no temple in this city? 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:33.299 Right? 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:36.159 This whole city, if you read on, is a cube. 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:40.579 The only other cube in the Bible is the Holy of Holies in the temple. 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:41.799 Right? 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:44.740 The very place, the very place where God dwelt. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:48.720 And it's as if you like this, this whole city is now the Holy of Holies. 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:51.159 God is fully everywhere. 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:52.579 Right? 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:55.899 And there are no gates to this city. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.079 Right? 00:25:56.139 --> 00:26:00.119 The Romans used to talk about this thing that they got, actually, didn't they? 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:01.659 They got Pax Romana. 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.759 That's what they used to talk about. 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:08.220 That when their rule would establish peace and tranquility throughout the empire. 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:09.740 Right? 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:14.619 So imagine what it's a bit like when you hear maybe an older generation talk about how in 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:17.319 their day, nobody on their street used to lock their doors. 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:17.980 Right? 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:19.059 Because it was safe. 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.059 You could leave stuff out. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.059 You could leave your door open. 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.759 We were in and out. 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.039 Hey. 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:24.960 Just cannot even fathom that today. 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.500 Can you? 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:28.860 The place where peace reigns. 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:33.720 And it reigns because in this city, because the king rules, there is no threat. 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:37.759 Friends, here is a place defined by what's not there. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:42.259 And here is a place, and we've got to see this, defined by what is there. 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.440 Okay? 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.839 Beauty is there. 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:50.759 You read on in Revelation 21, the walls of the city coated with every kind of precious 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.099 drill. 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:53.980 The streets of this city are pure gold. 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:58.799 If you read on into chapter 22, there is a river bright as crystal flowing. 00:26:58.919 --> 00:27:03.839 The tree of life is there bearing fruit, the fruit which is for the healing of the nations. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:11.459 This is a deliberate echo of the Garden of Eden, except because Christ, the true and better 00:27:11.459 --> 00:27:12.439 Adam, rules. 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:15.920 This is almost like Eden amplified. 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:26.320 And where we will reign with him and our physical resurrection bodies, which are patterned on 00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:31.519 his, you know, so once we bore the image of the man of dust, so now we will bear the image 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:33.279 of the man of heaven. 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:38.279 Friends, there will be work to do in the new creation that we will love and we will do for 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:40.399 God's glory, enjoying him forever. 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:45.660 Beauty is there, friends, because the king is there. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:53.740 Jesus, the victorious lamb who was slain and the roaring lion, except here, do you notice, 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:54.779 he is the groom. 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:58.259 And his people are the bride. 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:04.160 There's people who we get through revelation who are from every tribe, every tongue and 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.980 every nation. 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:10.279 This group of people whose hearts beat for the very presence of the king, who love the 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:15.500 king because they have been loved by the king and they have been blood bought and transformed 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:17.000 by this king. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:22.799 And to quote the late Willie Still, who was the minister in Glasgow at the Tron, 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:28.140 the church is the bride, speaks of the climax of the greatest love affair in the world. 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:30.660 That is the love of God for his people. 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:37.779 Friends, what makes heaven, heaven, and I think we need to see this as we close, is being in 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:47.080 the very presence of the source of true joy, of the fountainheads of the lights, of the 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:49.660 giver of life, of God himself. 00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:53.960 It's him, isn't it, our hearts long for? 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:56.240 It's not just a place, it's him. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:00.319 And it's Christ that makes heaven, heaven. 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:06.420 Oh, to be with him, the one who loved us, the one who gave himself for us and who has 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:09.900 given his spirit to be the inheritance in our hearts. 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.440 You know, D.L. 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:15.700 Moody, the great American evangelist, wrote this soon before his death. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:18.480 He said, someday soon you will read in the papers that D.L. 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:24.079 Moody is dead, but don't believe a word of it because at that moment I shall be more 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:26.120 alive than I am now. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:31.059 Friends, you know why we love stories so much? 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.819 Because we're in one. 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:39.740 You know, that same conversation that took place between Lewis and Tolkien, do you know 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:41.099 what Tolkien called Jesus? 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.900 He called him the true myth. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:52.660 Friends, knowing where we're going, anticipating it, being excited by it, particularly on the 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:55.400 journey, makes all the difference. 00:29:57.320 --> 00:30:01.340 You know, Pete's going to come and lead us in prayer in a minute, but I just want to 00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:05.860 close with the words of Colossians 3, verse 1, that the apostle Paul would write. 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:08.019 I'm just going to have a bit of silence. 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:11.720 I realize there's been a lot that we've covered tonight, and maybe there's a lot in your heart 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.759 as well as you come to think about these things. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:18.579 But let me just read Colossians 3, verse 1. 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:22.680 And this is what Paul writes. 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:27.220 Since then you have been raised with Christ. 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:36.759 Set your hearts on the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:41.519 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:47.819 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:57.759 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:02.599 So let me just take a moment of silence, friends, and then I'll close us in a short prayer. 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:16.400 And so, Father, help us fix our minds on the things above, where Christ is. 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.119 Father, we love him. 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:21.900 We thank you for the life that we have in him. 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:28.559 Father, I pray that we would know something more of what it is to know him this week. 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:32.379 Father, he is the jewel and the crown of our faith. 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:38.180 And so, Lord, it's our desire that he would be honoured and glorified, 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:42.660 and that we would experience his love in new ways this week. 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:46.680 And so, Father, we pray these things in Jesus' precious name. 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.600 Amen.