WEBVTT

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 That's a scary introduction.

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 I recall being told of a meeting in America where the speaker was introduced very generously,

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 and the pedoration, the climax of the introduction was,

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 I want you to know that our speaker has made a million dollars out of oil in Texas.

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 Well, this, of course, got the attention of the audience,

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 and then the speaker stood up and said,

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 Well, thank you for that, sir, and I appreciate the spirit in which it was said,

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 but I do think one or two words of correction might be in order.

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 Firstly, it wasn't actually me. It was my brother.

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 And secondly, it wasn't in Texas. It was in Oklahoma.

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 Thirdly, it wasn't oil. It was cattle.

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 And fourthly, he didn't make a million. He lost a million.

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 And when I get that introduction, I kind of fear,

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 goodness, maybe at the end of it all, they'll say,

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 We've got the guy who lost a million.

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 But thank you, sir, for inviting me here,

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 and it's been a great, great privilege to be with you this morning.

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 Let me begin by asking,

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 and it's great to be in a church for the first time.

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 You simply don't know who the people are,

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 except that I do know Trey and Cinder,

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 and for a small fee, I'll tell you what I know about them.

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 But I don't know anything about the other people.

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 So let me ask you a very simple, basic, straightforward question.

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 Are you a Christian?

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 Please don't answer vocally.

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 Are you a Christian?

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 Now, I'm not asking,

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 Do you hope you're a Christian?

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 Do you think you're a Christian?

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 I'm trying to be a Christian.

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 I'm a Southern Baptist.

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 I come to First Baptist Pickens.

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 Don't blame you for doing that.

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 I'd come here if I lived in this neck of the woods.

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 But are you a Christian?

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 Do you have a credible testimony?

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 Could you come up here,

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 if your knees were tied together to stop them knocking,

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 and give a credible testimony

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 that the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord?

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 Now, if you are, I've got some wonderful news for you.

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 The best news you have ever heard.

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 News so wonderful that if you grasped,

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 hear the words carefully,

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 if you grasped everything that the message means,

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 you would have a job keeping your seat.

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 You would be at least metaphorically jumping up in the air with excitement.

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 Why do I say that?

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 Because I'm going to tell you the most wonderful thing you have ever heard

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 about your future home in heaven.

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 Now, you may have heard many sermons on heaven,

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 but you may never have heard this.

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 And I've called it, as I think you will have seen in the bulletin,

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 by way of a sermon title,

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 the five most amazing words in the entire Bible.

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 And Trey Lee was mumbling away some attempts at it yesterday,

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 but as he also had a 10-foot left to right downhill putt on spiked greens,

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 he wasn't getting close.

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 But either with the putt or with the suggestion,

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 the five most amazing words you have ever heard.

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 Now, if you're not a Christian,

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 then I have been praying that by the end of the service,

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 you will be saying,

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 that's what I want.

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 That's what I'm looking for.

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 If only that were true of me.

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 And I pray that there'll be a longing in your heart

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 that that would become true for you,

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 and that God will graciously meet the longing in your heart.

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 Turn with me to the first epistle of John.

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 Right towards the end of the New Testament,

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 for those unfamiliar with the Bible structure.

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 And we might just cheat and go to the very end of the letter

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 for just one text here.

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 Chapter 5 and verse 13 tells us why John wrote the letter.

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 I write these things to you who believe,

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 that is, who trust in the name of the Son of God,

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 so that you may know that you have eternal life.

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 So that's the purpose of him writing.

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 Now get to chapter 3 and the beginning of the chapter.

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 Look at verse 1.

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 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us

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 that we should be called the children of God.

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 And the phrasing there in the English kind of obscures

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 the spirit of what was being said,

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 which is something along these lines.

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 What kind of love is this?

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 Now, we can express human love in amazing ways.

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 Imagine the reference now to being the children of God.

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 Imagine a family without children of their own,

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 and they adopt a child from a third world family,

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 a desperately needy child.

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 I had an email from a friend just the other day.

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 They've had three children of their own

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 and adopted 18 others from needy countries in the world.

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 Imagine the love that they have poured out upon those children,

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 taken them from their squalor,

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 and probably from being deprived of both parents killed in civil war

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 and in some other way.

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 Made them their own, taken them into their family,

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 poured out their resources upon them.

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 Difficult to imagine human giving love

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 being expressed in more ways than that.

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 And John says, yes, but what kind of love is this?

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 What kind of love is this that the Father has bestowed upon us

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 that we should be called the children of God?

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 And the difference, and why John is expressing it in this,

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 but look at the difference way,

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 is that the parents, these adopting parents,

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 had nothing against these 18 other children

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 from different needy countries.

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 They were neutral as far as they were concerned.

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 They simply, out of the fullness of their hearts,

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 had compassion on them and drew them into their family.

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 Here's the difference.

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 God had something against us.

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 It was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.

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 Our whole natures were corrupt and godless and vile

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 and had no time for God or for the things of God.

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 We were entirely opposed to Him.

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 We were, to give Paul's testimony in Ephesians 2,

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 we were by nature children of wrath,

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 which simply means we were by nature born under the wrath of God.

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 And that's how, left to ourselves,

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 we would have lived for the rest of our lives.

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 Imagine that.

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 We would have lived for the rest of our lives under the wrath of God.

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 So again, if you are not a Christian this morning,

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 maybe you think you're nearly one or you're close to one

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 or you're mixed with the right kind of people.

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 Let me tell you something unspeakably solemn,

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 but terribly true.

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 You are at this moment under the wrath of God.

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 When Jonathan Edwards preached this great sermon

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 on sinners in the hands of the angry God,

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 he said,

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 it's only of God's grace, I paraphrase him,

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 it's only of God's grace that this very moment,

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 the earth doesn't open up and you fall down into hell forever.

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 Now, my friend, that's where you are this morning,

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 if you're not a Christian.

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 So how great a love,

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 how amazing a love is this,

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 lavished on us that we should be called the children of God.

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 And not only does it say it once,

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 he says it a second time.

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 Look at the end of verse 1.

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 And that is what we are.

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 It's as if he says,

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 you may not believe this,

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 so I'm telling you again.

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 Oh, and look at the beginning of verse 3.

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 He says the same thing.

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 Let me read you the whole passage.

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 How great is it that the love of the Father has lavished on us

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 that we should be called children of God.

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 Secondly, and that is what we are.

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 And then the beginning of verse 2,

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 dear friends,

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 now we are the children of God.

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 If John had been speaking to them word by word

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 instead of writing to them,

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 I think he would have said,

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 as he might have seen frowns of unbelief on people's faces,

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 watch my lips.

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 Did you get it?

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 We are the children of God.

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 That's what we are.

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 We are the children of God.

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 Then something amazing happens to this apostle.

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 He becomes an agnostic.

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 It's gone awfully quiet in here.

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 He became an agnostic.

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 And here we are.

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 Look at it in verse 2.

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 Dear friends,

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 now we are the children of God,

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 and what we will be has not yet been made known.

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 In other words,

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 he is saying,

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 look,

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 what the entire eternal future of God's people is concerned,

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 the entire line-by-line future is concerned,

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 we don't know.

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 We haven't been told absolutely everything.

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 Of course,

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 he was writing in ignorance of the television evangelist

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 who said he'd been to heaven for 45 minutes

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 and had to work with God,

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 patted Jesus on the shoulder and come back,

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 and got it on his television program

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 and sold a million books.

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 So he didn't have the advantage of meeting this evangelist.

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 He said,

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 look,

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 there are things we simply don't know.

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 But his agnosticism lasts

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 for only the time that he's got to write those words,

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 because immediately he becomes absolutely certain,

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 and he says this,

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 but we know that when he appears,

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 we shall be like him,

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 for we shall see him as he is.

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 So here are the five most amazing words in the Bible.

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 We shall be like him.

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 We won't just be with him,

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 or before him,

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 or alongside him,

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 or in front of him.

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 We will be like him.

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 Now,

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 it's impossible for us,

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 in our finite states,

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 to grasp anything more than the outer fringes

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 of what all of this means,

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 but let's do the best we can

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 in the course of a service like this

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 by concentrating just on

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 what is being said here,

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 one word at a time.

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 And it may help us,

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 believe it or not,

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 to try to grasp it

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 if we begin at the end

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 and work toward the beginning.

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 There are just a few times when I preach

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 when I actually begin at the end of a sentence

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 and work toward the beginning.

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 Why I do that,

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 why that works,

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 I just don't know.

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 Freud would probably say

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 that I was dropped on my head as a child,

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 so I've got all things the wrong way around.

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 But as Freud was a fraud,

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 I wouldn't have believed a word he said anyway.

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 And so,

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 this is how we're going to do it.

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 We shall be like him,

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 like the Lord Jesus.

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 Now just think of his earthly life.

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 Think of it generally.

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 He was tempted in every way,

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 just as we are,

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 yet was without sin.

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 Think of the words that he spoke.

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 Everyone was amazed at the gracious words

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 that came from his lips.

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 Think of his meekness.

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 I am meek

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 and lowly of heart.

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 Think of his patience.

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 When they hurled insults at him,

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 he did not retaliate.

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 When he suffered,

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 he made no threats.

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 Think of his compassion.

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 Time and again,

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 he was moved with compassion.

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 Think of his humility.

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 humility.

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 I haven't come to be served,

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 but to serve.

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 Think of his faith.

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 He entrusted himself to him

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 who judges justly.

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 Think of his obedience.

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 My food is to do the will of him

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 who sent me

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 and to finish his work.

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 And yet,

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 when we've ransacked the Gospels

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 and the Epistles,

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 for example,

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 of his perfect character

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 during these 30-something years on earth,

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 we've only touched the surface

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 of what John is saying

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 because he is not speaking about,

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 he's not looking back

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 and speaking about the earthly Jesus.

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 He is speaking about Jesus

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 as he now is.

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 He's speaking about

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 his glorified humanity.

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 And amazing and staggering,

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 and this gets more amazing

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 and staggering

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 as it goes along,

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 Jesus is referring

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 to his glorified humanity.

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 And the clearest confirmation

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 we have of that

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 is in John 17,

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 the high priestly prayer,

00:13:01.219 --> 00:13:02.139
 where Jesus prays,

00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.580
 I have given them the glory

00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.759
 that you gave me.

00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:07.419
 Oh, not his eternal glory.

00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:09.139
 We don't become divine.

00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.580
 But all that Jesus did,

00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:13.519
 all the glory that was poured upon him,

00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.500
 he accepted,

00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.120
 not for his own benefit,

00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.639
 but for ours.

00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.899
 And that's the glory

00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.500
 that we will share with him

00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.220
 in heaven.

00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:22.399
 We are heirs of God

00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:24.059
 and co-heirs with Christ.

00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:26.239
 So we shall be like,

00:13:26.619 --> 00:13:28.139
 we shall be like him.

00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:33.819
 And then secondly,

00:13:33.939 --> 00:13:35.779
 we shall be like him.

00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.299
 You know,

00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.379
 when babies are born

00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.679
 into families,

00:13:40.739 --> 00:13:41.399
 there's always some

00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.799
 very interesting discussions

00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:44.299
 going on among family members.

00:13:45.099 --> 00:13:46.359
 Who does he look like?

00:13:47.619 --> 00:13:48.459
 Oh, I think he's got

00:13:48.459 --> 00:13:49.359
 his mother's nose

00:13:49.359 --> 00:13:50.519
 and his father's eyes

00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.979
 and his grandpa's cheekbones

00:13:51.979 --> 00:13:52.979
 and all that kind of stuff,

00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:53.299
 you know.

00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:56.399
 Well, it's a genetic certainty

00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:59.039
 because parents do pass on

00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.299
 their genes.

00:14:01.479 --> 00:14:03.899
 It's a genetic certainty

00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.759
 that the parents

00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:06.839
 will be represented

00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:08.139
 in the children.

00:14:08.979 --> 00:14:10.459
 They will bear some resemblance

00:14:10.459 --> 00:14:11.799
 even if it's not always

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:13.439
 and strikingly apparent.

00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.539
 But the time is coming

00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:16.379
 or truthfully,

00:14:16.599 --> 00:14:17.559
 eternity is coming

00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:19.579
 when all Christians

00:14:19.579 --> 00:14:20.779
 who have ever lived

00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:23.279
 will be like him.

00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:25.879
 we shall be like him.

00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:28.360
 And we can certainly

00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.240
 flesh that out

00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.339
 in two ways.

00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:30.939
 First of all,

00:14:31.339 --> 00:14:33.220
 there will be a physical transformation.

00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.179
 Turn back with me,

00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:36.220
 but keep your finger in,

00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:36.860
 first John, there,

00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:39.100
 to Philippians chapter 3.

00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:51.560
 And in Philippians 3

00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:53.759
 and verses 20

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:56.060
 and 21,

00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:58.279
 Paul says,

00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.279
 says,

00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.779
 our citizenship is in heaven.

00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.639
 And we eagerly await

00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.819
 a Savior from there,

00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:05.259
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.519
 who by the power

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.379
 that enables him

00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.179
 to bring everything

00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.220
 under his control,

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.679
 will transform

00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:12.620
 our lowly bodies

00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.339
 so that they will be like

00:15:14.339 --> 00:15:16.899
 his glorious body.

00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:19.919
 Now, the bodies we have

00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:22.299
 are truly amazing.

00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.360
 C.S. Lewis once said,

00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.059
 you've never met

00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.799
 an ordinary person.

00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:28.799
 Our bodies,

00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.079
 our physical bodies

00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:30.899
 are truly amazing.

00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:32.980
 When you go into the details,

00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.340
 the more amazing they come.

00:15:34.699 --> 00:15:35.559
 In the psalmist's words,

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.939
 we really are fearfully

00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:38.899
 and wonderfully made.

00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:41.059
 And yet,

00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:43.620
 as the result of the fall,

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.419
 how feeble

00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:47.799
 and frail

00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:48.539
 and fragile

00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:50.179
 they have become.

00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.600
 Every atom of our bodies

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:54.840
 is prone to

00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.240
 disease

00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:58.399
 and deterioration

00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:00.240
 and decay

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.220
 and eventually

00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.139
 to death.

00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:05.100
 But not when

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.740
 we see him.

00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:09.379
 we will be physically

00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:11.360
 transformed.

00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.899
 Our bodies,

00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.600
 and we really can't

00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.399
 totally get our heads

00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:15.899
 around this,

00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.299
 our bodies will be

00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:19.379
 identifiable

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.799
 with our present bodies.

00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.320
 You'll be able to tell

00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.799
 the pastor from his wife.

00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:28.019
 Okay.

00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.139
 You'll be able to tell

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:30.720
 the pastor from his,

00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.740
 you can do it now,

00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:32.299
 I hope,

00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.779
 and you'll be able to,

00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.399
 she's the good looking one.

00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:37.860
 And you'll be able

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.600
 to tell the difference

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.000
 in heaven.

00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.220
 So our bodies

00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.399
 will be identifiable

00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:44.799
 with our present bodies

00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:46.139
 but not identical

00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.980
 to them.

00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.579
 Because our present bodies,

00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.399
 presently constituted

00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:52.579
 and subject to the ravages

00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:53.379
 of the fall,

00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:55.120
 can't be in two places

00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:55.639
 at once

00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:57.620
 and are currently designed

00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.220
 and limited

00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.699
 by their humanness

00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:01.120
 and by their inability

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.220
 to do a thousand

00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.179
 and one things.

00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:06.599
 But our heavenly bodies

00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.619
 will not be

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:09.099
 so constricted.

00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.039
 They will be adapted

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.319
 to live in eternity

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.559
 and not merely

00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.740
 in time.

00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.319
 And just as

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.720
 the body Jesus

00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.579
 now possesses

00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.839
 is no longer subject

00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:20.599
 to the limitations

00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.440
 of time and space,

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.159
 so neither will ours be.

00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.079
 The perishable

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.379
 will be clothed

00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:26.179
 with the imperishable

00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.940
 and the mortal

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.059
 will put on

00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:30.419
 immortality.

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.179
 Don't we all long

00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.680
 for that?

00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.480
 And I have news for you,

00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.600
 the longer you live,

00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.900
 the more you long

00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.380
 for that.

00:17:37.820 --> 00:17:38.920
 And especially those

00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:39.740
 who have reached

00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.880
 the metallic age

00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:43.460
 with gold in the hair

00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:45.740
 and silver in the teeth

00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:47.720
 and lead in the boots.

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.700
 And when I said that

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.060
 to somebody,

00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:50.320
 they said,

00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:50.820
 you've forgotten,

00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.039
 titanium in the hips.

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.420
 And yeah,

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:54.820
 I mean,

00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.480
 we long for all of that

00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.420
 to be over

00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.019
 and done with.

00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:59.480
 We long for our new bodies

00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.740
 which will have none

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.779
 of those things.

00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.980
 And that is the glorious

00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.500
 prospect that lies

00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.039
 before us.

00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.799
 Romans 8,

00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.319
 we wait eagerly

00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.140
 for our adoption

00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:08.759
 as sons,

00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.900
 the redemption

00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.980
 of our bodies.

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.120
 Now that wasn't

00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:12.799
 current thought

00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.940
 2,000 years ago.

00:18:15.120 --> 00:18:15.539
 The Greeks

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.339
 and other pagans,

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:16.880
 well,

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.400
 what is happening

00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.920
 at death

00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:19.559
 is that

00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.859
 the spirit

00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.420
 at last

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.779
 gets out.

00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.640
 Listen to the difference.

00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:24.799
 Escapes

00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.680
 from this prison,

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.359
 this earthly,

00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.240
 bodily prison,

00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.059
 and now

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.140
 the spirit is free.

00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:30.180
 Now what that idea

00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.940
 of freedom was

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.440
 and what in the world

00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.180
 that spirit would do

00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:32.920
 is another matter.

00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:33.620
 But you see,

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.759
 they saw death

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.180
 as meaning

00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.259
 the permanent

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.560
 splitting up,

00:18:38.040 --> 00:18:38.259
 well,

00:18:38.320 --> 00:18:38.960
 the escape

00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.800
 of the spirit

00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:40.500
 from the body

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.700
 and at last

00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:43.120
 the body's no longer

00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:44.220
 going to mess us around

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.540
 and do us any harm

00:18:45.540 --> 00:18:46.220
 because it simply

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.040
 won't exist.

00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.060
 That's not

00:18:54.060 --> 00:18:54.940
 what the Bible teaches.

00:18:55.280 --> 00:18:55.680
 Christianity

00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:57.360
 totally rejected that

00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:57.599
 and said,

00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:57.719
 no,

00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:59.139
 what we are waiting

00:18:59.139 --> 00:19:00.539
 for is the redemption

00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.659
 of our bodies.

00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:04.579
 There is a wonderfully

00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.839
 physical element

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:07.519
 in the future home,

00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.139
 the new heavens

00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:08.879
 and the new earth

00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:10.259
 of God's people.

00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.019
 And the bodies

00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.740
 will be there.

00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.139
 We're not going to

00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:15.099
 leave them in the grave.

00:19:16.219 --> 00:19:17.199
 But they will be

00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:18.439
 reconstituted

00:19:18.439 --> 00:19:20.099
 as glorious,

00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.539
 eternal bodies.

00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.339
 And there will be

00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.459
 a spiritual transformation

00:19:23.459 --> 00:19:23.939
 as well.

00:19:24.159 --> 00:19:25.099
 This is the second way

00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.759
 in which we should be

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.199
 like Him.

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.240
 Now,

00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:28.779
 what is Jesus like

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.980
 now?

00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:31.519
 Well,

00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.279
 we can say

00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.279
 about Him

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:35.440
 whatever we can say

00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.140
 about God.

00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.100
 But there's no need

00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.680
 to speculate

00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.559
 what John

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.200
 especially has in mind.

00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.340
 Look in the text

00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:41.740
 with me

00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.539
 at these

00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:44.400
 three specific things

00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.259
 and notice the way

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.120
 that John uses

00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:47.120
 the present tense.

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.039
 Look at verse 3.

00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.539
 The last words,

00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:52.960
 He is pure.

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.759
 That is,

00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.299
 He's without

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.279
 any contamination

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:57.500
 or defilement.

00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.840
 In His very nature,

00:19:58.940 --> 00:20:00.200
 He is morally perfect.

00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:03.059
 Then look at verse 5.

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.900
 In Him is no sin.

00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:06.920
 And this follows

00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.559
 from the first.

00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.380
 And what a tremendous

00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:10.480
 encouragement that is

00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.180
 in the context

00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:12.079
 of the promise

00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:13.240
 we are studying.

00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:14.680
 And then look

00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.380
 at verse 7.

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:18.160
 He is righteous.

00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.960
 And we have that

00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.700
 repeated for the

00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.400
 note takers here

00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.420
 in chapter 2

00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:21.900
 verse 1

00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.440
 and chapter 2

00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.000
 verse 29.

00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.180
 He is righteous.

00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:25.279
 The word is just.

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.840
 It means in complete

00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.680
 conformity

00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:29.460
 with the rightness,

00:20:29.580 --> 00:20:30.259
 the consistency,

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.019
 the integrity,

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.700
 the justice,

00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.460
 the truthfulness

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.660
 and the faithfulness

00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.480
 of God's law.

00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:35.920
 So,

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.300
 Jesus

00:20:36.300 --> 00:20:38.540
 is pure

00:20:38.540 --> 00:20:40.560
 and sinless

00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:42.400
 and righteous.

00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.340
 And these are,

00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:44.740
 if you like,

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.019
 John's shorthand notes

00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.900
 on the heavenly

00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:48.040
 character of Jesus.

00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.500
 Now comes the

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.200
 how can you sit

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.019
 in your seats bit.

00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:53.279
 We shall be

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.720
 like Him.

00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.300
 As pure

00:20:57.300 --> 00:20:58.220
 as He is pure.

00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.500
 As sinless

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:02.880
 as He is sinless.

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.240
 As righteous

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:08.160
 as He is righteous.

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.940
 There will not be

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:12.880
 any difference

00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:15.400
 in our purity

00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.580
 and sinlessness

00:21:16.580 --> 00:21:17.940
 and righteousness.

00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:21.580
 we will be

00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:22.300
 exactly

00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:23.540
 the same

00:21:23.540 --> 00:21:24.860
 in those qualities

00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:26.180
 and characteristics

00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.480
 of Jesus.

00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.779
 We will be

00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.380
 as pure

00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.300
 as He is pure.

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.460
 As sinless

00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.420
 as He is sinless.

00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.300
 As righteous

00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:34.960
 as He is righteous.

00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:36.480
 All that can be said

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.060
 now

00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:38.240
 about the heavenly

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.380
 character of Jesus

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.400
 will be true

00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:41.120
 to be said

00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:41.740
 about you

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.519
 if you're a believer

00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.620
 in that day.

00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:48.539
 we shall be like Him.

00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.719
 We shall be like Him.

00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.219
 Now it gets

00:21:54.219 --> 00:21:55.079
 even more exciting.

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:58.439
 We shall be like Him.

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.679
 John doesn't say

00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:01.339
 well you know

00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.000
 it's a possibility.

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:04.299
 And for those

00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.259
 who did very well

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.099
 in the Christian life

00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:06.379
 for those

00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.219
 who made great progress

00:22:07.219 --> 00:22:07.719
 those who were

00:22:07.719 --> 00:22:08.500
 greatly used

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:10.440
 those who were

00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.200
 pastors of

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.299
 First Baptist churches.

00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.759
 We.

00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.640
 All of us

00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.539
 who are believers

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:19.900
 shall be like Him.

00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:22.059
 It is not just feasible

00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:24.000
 it is factual.

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.839
 Peter says

00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:28.039
 when the chief shepherd

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.440
 appears

00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.079
 you will receive

00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:30.160
 the crown of glory

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:32.779
 that never fades away.

00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.880
 Paul in Colossians 3

00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.840
 when Christ

00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.480
 who is your life

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:36.840
 appears

00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.660
 then you also

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.060
 will appear

00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:38.500
 with Him

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.340
 in glory.

00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.580
 But the strongest

00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:42.360
 of all the

00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:43.940
 endorsements of that

00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.880
 comes in that

00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.500
 great passage

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.540
 in Romans 8.

00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:49.020
 Let me tell you

00:22:49.020 --> 00:22:49.400
 a story.

00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.580
 I was preaching

00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:52.060
 in America

00:22:52.060 --> 00:22:52.920
 a number of years

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.500
 ago now

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.960
 and a pastor

00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.620
 said to me

00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.380
 would you have a word

00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:57.820
 with the man

00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:59.220
 in my congregation?

00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.340
 He's a Christian

00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.320
 he's a fine Christian

00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:03.960
 and a brilliant man

00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.840
 in his field.

00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.340
 which happened

00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.220
 to be dentistry

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:08.240
 but that's putting it

00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.920
 mildly as far

00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.640
 as he was concerned.

00:23:09.760 --> 00:23:10.840
 He was an implantologist

00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.400
 and I don't know

00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.140
 how many ologists

00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:12.980
 rolled into one

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.240
 and his offices

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.180
 I was later to see

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.580
 was just

00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:16.760
 didn't need any wallpaper

00:23:16.760 --> 00:23:17.940
 it was entirely

00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.380
 covered with diplomas

00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.800
 and honors

00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:21.580
 granted to him

00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.180
 around the country.

00:23:22.300 --> 00:23:23.000
 He was a very

00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.900
 very top man.

00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.320
 But said the pastor

00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:27.800
 although he is a Christian

00:23:27.800 --> 00:23:28.480
 he would say

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.340
 his sins are forgiven

00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:31.100
 he cannot be

00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.500
 absolutely sure

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:34.420
 depending on

00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.060
 what might happen

00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:36.000
 to him in this life

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.140
 that at the end

00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:37.600
 of life

00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.220
 he will spend

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.160
 eternity in heaven.

00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.080
 He lacks

00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:43.800
 permanent assurance

00:23:43.800 --> 00:23:45.120
 of his standing

00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.620
 in Christ.

00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.779
 Would you have

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.380
 a word with him?

00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:49.100
 Now I kind of

00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:50.019
 wince when pastors

00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.740
 say that

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.640
 and I think

00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.860
 you've been preaching

00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.700
 to him for 10 years

00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.160
 and you think

00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.920
 I'm going to sort him

00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.700
 out in half an hour

00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.720
 but anyway

00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.420
 I said

00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.360
 I'll be glad

00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.940
 to have a word with him.

00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.240
 So we met one day

00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:00.779
 came into

00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.600
 we sat in a Sunday

00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.360
 school room somewhere

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:04.059
 and this great man

00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.240
 and he is a great man

00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.740
 in his field

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:07.360
 sat down with me

00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:08.420
 and told me his story

00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:10.039
 and yet that's exactly

00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.080
 as the pastor had said

00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:12.860
 and when he'd finished

00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:14.779
 I must confess

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.100
 I thought

00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:18.039
 what in the world

00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.880
 can I say to him?

00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.420
 What can I

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.440
 what point would I

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.340
 take up with him?

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.420
 And I turned instead

00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:24.640
 to Romans chapter 8

00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.519
 and if you want

00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.920
 to turn to me now

00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:28.539
 that would be fine

00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:33.100
 and I read to him

00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:34.140
 of course verse 28

00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:35.240
 that we all know so well

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.420
 and we know that

00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.100
 in all things

00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:38.080
 God works for the good

00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:38.980
 of those who love him

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.860
 who've been called

00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:42.100
 according to his purpose

00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:43.860
 and then I'm sure

00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:44.600
 I explained to him

00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.480
 that the earlier part

00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:45.920
 of the chapter

00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.180
 is actually speaking

00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:49.060
 about the very fragile

00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:49.820
 breaking up

00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:50.880
 crumbling away world

00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.560
 in which we live

00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:53.140
 creation in bondage

00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.759
 to decay

00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.700
 what if Paul

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.460
 had been a scientist

00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.080
 he would have called

00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:56.800
 the second law

00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:57.740
 of thermodynamics

00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.320
 the available energy

00:24:59.320 --> 00:24:59.860
 in the cosmos

00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.720
 in a closed system

00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:02.020
 is just cracking up

00:25:02.020 --> 00:25:02.680
 and that's

00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.780
 so here is everything

00:25:03.780 --> 00:25:05.080
 going wrong

00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:06.440
 on a mega scale

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:08.880
 and Paul says

00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.560
 and we know that

00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.300
 in all things

00:25:10.300 --> 00:25:11.060
 so he's just writing

00:25:11.060 --> 00:25:11.520
 in this column

00:25:11.520 --> 00:25:12.100
 doesn't matter

00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:13.080
 what's going wrong

00:25:13.080 --> 00:25:14.300
 we know this

00:25:14.300 --> 00:25:15.800
 that God works

00:25:15.800 --> 00:25:16.660
 for the eternal good

00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.580
 of those who love him

00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.560
 and then someone

00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:19.000
 asks well

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.920
 how can he know that?

00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.240
 Notice the first word

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.500
 of verse 29

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.460
 for

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.279
 which means

00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.160
 because

00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:26.359
 notice the link

00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.559
 Paul says

00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.440
 we know that everything

00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:28.960
 is working

00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.880
 for the eternal good

00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.460
 of God's people

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:32.039
 and this is why

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.700
 we know

00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:34.759
 now listen carefully

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:37.579
 God

00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.519
 God

00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.200
 for

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.359
 those God

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.119
 for knew

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.920
 he also predestined

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.859
 to be conformed

00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.519
 to the likeness

00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.160
 of his son

00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:46.160
 that he might be

00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.819
 the firstborn

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:48.079
 among many brothers

00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:49.579
 those he predestined

00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.480
 he also called

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.400
 those he called

00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.400
 he also justified

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.680
 those he justified

00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:55.200
 he also glorified

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.819
 and so I went

00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.440
 through them again

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.059
 and here was this

00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.680
 great man

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.339
 with his pencil

00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.099
 making notes

00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:02.180
 and I explained

00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:02.980
 for example

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.319
 those God

00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.339
 for knew

00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:06.599
 which I said

00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.460
 means much more

00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.000
 than well

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.900
 God knows everything

00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.519
 and God knows

00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.140
 ahead of time

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:11.120
 who's going to become

00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.500
 a Christian

00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.000
 and who isn't

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.680
 so that's all

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.240
 that that means

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.759
 God has omniscience

00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.740
 concerning the future

00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.500
 and I said

00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:16.700
 no

00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.819
 that actually means

00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.740
 something quite different

00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.859
 it means God

00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.720
 doing something

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.480
 specifically

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:23.279
 for a specific people

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.059
 and for each of

00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.480
 the specific persons

00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.279
 within that group

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.380
 of specific people

00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.400
 it means God

00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.779
 set his love

00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.299
 upon them

00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.400
 there's a parallel word

00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:32.000
 we don't have time

00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.559
 to look to it

00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.259
 in Amos

00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:35.980
 where the writer says

00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.940
 God knew you

00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.819
 above all the nations

00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.319
 of the earth

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.000
 it doesn't mean

00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:42.440
 God would have said

00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.000
 search me

00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.420
 I don't know

00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:43.839
 if there are any

00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:44.339
 other nations

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:44.839
 on the earth

00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.980
 it means God

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.119
 chose you

00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:48.159
 set you apart

00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:49.079
 from all the other

00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.819
 nations on the earth

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.879
 so that's the first thing

00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:52.339
 but all of those

00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.240
 God foreknew

00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:55.099
 he predestined

00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.439
 and there are people

00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:58.240
 in our circles

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.220
 who wince a bit

00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.819
 draw back a bit

00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:02.000
 whenever you use a word

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.220
 like predestination

00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:05.079
 and they may say

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:07.899
 I don't like the sound

00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.480
 of that

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:10.559
 well I don't like

00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.119
 the sound of

00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:12.359
 some things I hear

00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.519
 in church worship services

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.819
 but I like every sound

00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.439
 I heard here

00:27:15.439 --> 00:27:15.939
 this morning

00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.539
 let me say

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:19.259
 my answer to that

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.659
 is well

00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:20.079
 have a word

00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:20.599
 with the author

00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:22.919
 because I didn't

00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.399
 write it

00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.859
 God wrote it

00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.559
 so if you've got

00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:25.939
 a problem

00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:26.519
 ask him

00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:29.259
 God predestined

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:34.980
 and just nobody

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.960
 I can't think of a Christian

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:38.879
 who would

00:27:38.879 --> 00:27:39.859
 wince

00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:41.500
 and hold back

00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:41.819
 and say

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.039
 well I'm not really sure

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:44.220
 that I want to believe that

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.160
 with the phrase

00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:46.000
 that we're studying

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.500
 this morning

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.799
 we shall be

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.839
 like him

00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:50.400
 what Christian would say

00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.640
 I really don't like

00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.480
 the sound of that

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.799
 I mean

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.099
 they would say

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:55.240
 well that's terrific

00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.519
 and I would say

00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:56.700
 well

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.720
 but how do we know

00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.420
 that it's true

00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.559
 well

00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:01.440
 precisely because

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.460
 of what he said here

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.100
 you see

00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:04.420
 what is the predestination

00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:04.700
 about

00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.799
 predestination

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:07.299
 to be conformed

00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.000
 to the likeness

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.559
 of his son

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.900
 that's the whole point

00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:12.720
 God has predestined

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.340
 all of those

00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.019
 on whom he said

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.620
 his love

00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.799
 that they will be

00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:16.480
 conformed

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.220
 to the likeness

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.140
 of God's son

00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.860
 in eternity

00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:20.100
 we shall be

00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:20.700
 like him

00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.200
 so the two

00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.940
 are absolutely

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:23.420
 tied together

00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.779
 and so

00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.700
 Paul goes on

00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:27.039
 those he predestined

00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:28.220
 he called

00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.980
 which doesn't mean

00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.940
 he arranged

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.500
 that they heard

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.000
 the gospel

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.880
 most people

00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.940
 who hear the gospel

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.880
 reject it

00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.920
 and they're not

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.900
 included in this

00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.700
 call

00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:40.019
 and it doesn't

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.259
 matter how many

00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.820
 systems

00:28:41.820 --> 00:28:42.680
 we invent

00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.140
 within the

00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.019
 organized Christian

00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.380
 church

00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.259
 to have this

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.960
 and that event

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.720
 and we're looking

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.420
 for X people

00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.019
 to be saved

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.580
 and all the rest

00:28:48.580 --> 00:28:48.759
 of it

00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:50.140
 that's by and large

00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.640
 nonsense

00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:52.740
 this is

00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.940
 the inner call

00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.759
 the inner call

00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.640
 if I'm in an airport

00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.780
 and I hear all sorts

00:28:57.780 --> 00:28:59.920
 of announcements

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.780
 being made

00:29:00.780 --> 00:29:01.620
 about there's a delay

00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.240
 in this flight

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.860
 there's a change

00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.280
 of gate

00:29:03.280 --> 00:29:03.820
 there's a this

00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:04.360
 and there that

00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.080
 and I yawn

00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.620
 through it all

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:05.880
 and think

00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:06.420
 nothing whatever

00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.180
 to do with me

00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:08.300
 but as soon as I say

00:29:08.300 --> 00:29:09.100
 well Dr. Blanchard

00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:09.540
 on the flight

00:29:09.540 --> 00:29:10.700
 they've got my attention

00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:13.140
 I hear that call

00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.520
 that doesn't just

00:29:14.520 --> 00:29:15.100
 reach here

00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:16.200
 it reaches here

00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.400
 and these two things

00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:17.940
 down here

00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:19.520
 and I get there

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.799
 as quickly as I can

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:22.039
 that's the difference

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.740
 between the outward call

00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.299
 and the inward call

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.740
 and maybe

00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.500
 that some of you

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:26.980
 here this morning

00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.859
 and you've heard

00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.559
 the outward call

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.680
 how could you do otherwise

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.720
 than hear the outward call

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.799
 under this man's ministry

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:33.799
 and you know the gospel

00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.879
 if I said come up here

00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.079
 and give me a brief outline

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.619
 of the gospel

00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.500
 you could do it

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:39.180
 you could do it

00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.879
 you could talk about

00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.819
 God's creation

00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:42.200
 man's fall into sin

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.500
 Jesus coming into the world

00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.160
 to save sinners

00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:45.200
 dying on the cross

00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.720
 rising again from the dead

00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:48.319
 you could rattle all that off

00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:50.000
 so you've heard

00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:51.000
 the outward call

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.119
 a hundred times

00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:53.179
 but have you heard

00:29:53.179 --> 00:29:54.059
 the inner call

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:56.259
 the inner call

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.659
 in the heart

00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:58.259
 which is irresistible

00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.220
 the irresistible

00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:00.919
 grace of God

00:30:00.919 --> 00:30:02.379
 so Paul goes on

00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:03.359
 those he called

00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.419
 he also justified

00:30:04.419 --> 00:30:05.759
 he made them

00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.720
 right with God

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:06.980
 look

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.319
 treat this podium

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.019
 as time

00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.579
 so time

00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.779
 looking from your angle

00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.500
 starts here

00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.480
 and finishes there

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.439
 so here we are

00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:14.539
 God

00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.720
 for you

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:17.059
 before time began

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:18.779
 he predestined

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.940
 before time began

00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:21.200
 during time

00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.220
 during your lifetime

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.799
 if you're a believer

00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.799
 he called you

00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:26.119
 and he justified you

00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:28.139
 so now we've got

00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.119
 for new

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.119
 predestined

00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.799
 called

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.779
 justified

00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.859
 oh and there's one more

00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:35.179
 and those

00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:36.039
 he justified

00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:37.799
 he also glorified

00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.700
 so that of course

00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:40.579
 is in the eternal future

00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.240
 so

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.539
 went through all of that

00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.700
 and he had pages

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.639
 of notes by now

00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.819
 and I said

00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.899
 just one more thing

00:30:46.899 --> 00:30:50.339
 what do you think

00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:51.139
 are the tenses

00:30:51.139 --> 00:30:52.079
 of the verbs

00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.759
 that are being used here

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.419
 for example

00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:56.500
 what is the tense

00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.299
 of

00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.659
 for new

00:30:58.659 --> 00:30:59.119
 he said

00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.379
 that's a past tense

00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.679
 so out came his pencil

00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:02.500
 I said you're right

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:04.240
 past tense

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.599
 and what about

00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.259
 predestined

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.919
 what do you tense

00:31:06.919 --> 00:31:08.399
 well that's in the past tense

00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:09.659
 past tense

00:31:09.659 --> 00:31:10.859
 and what about

00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:12.700
 called

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:14.179
 well that would be

00:31:14.179 --> 00:31:15.119
 in the past tense

00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:17.819
 what about justified

00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:19.199
 past tense

00:31:19.199 --> 00:31:21.179
 what about glorified

00:31:21.179 --> 00:31:22.179
 he put his pen down

00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:22.859
 he said ah

00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:24.719
 now you're trying to trick me

00:31:24.719 --> 00:31:25.739
 and he said

00:31:25.739 --> 00:31:27.079
 and that's my problem

00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:28.859
 I can see all the others

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:30.299
 but it's this question

00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.779
 of will I be glorified

00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.339
 that's it

00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.659
 will I eventually

00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.459
 get there

00:31:34.459 --> 00:31:35.139
 and I said

00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:35.500
 Max

00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.219
 listen carefully

00:31:36.219 --> 00:31:39.699
 the word glorified

00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:42.119
 is in the past tense

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:44.539
 Paul is so certain

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.919
 about something

00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:46.559
 that's going to happen

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.339
 in the future

00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:48.959
 that he messes around

00:31:48.959 --> 00:31:49.519
 with the grammar

00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.739
 in order to magnify

00:31:50.739 --> 00:31:51.619
 the grace of God

00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:53.459
 it's in the future

00:31:53.459 --> 00:31:55.079
 it is as certain

00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.539
 as any of those

00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.219
 in the past

00:31:57.219 --> 00:31:59.059
 he put his pen down

00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.759
 I saw a tear

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.719
 trickle down his cheek

00:32:00.719 --> 00:32:01.459
 and he said

00:32:01.459 --> 00:32:01.799
 John

00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:04.659
 30 years of doubt

00:32:04.659 --> 00:32:06.960
 have just rolled away

00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:09.519
 and correspondence with him

00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.899
 afterwards convinced me

00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:12.480
 that it had

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:16.399
 so we shall be like him

00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:18.619
 so to recap again

00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.619
 we should be like him

00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:21.000
 we should be like him

00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.619
 we shall be like him

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:24.279
 well what do we make of this

00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:26.579
 we shall be like him

00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:28.619
 we shall

00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:30.159
 our bodies

00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:31.279
 we've touched on that already

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:33.540
 our lowly bodies

00:32:33.540 --> 00:32:36.700
 full of so many weaknesses

00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.980
 they have sickness and death

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.759
 written all over them

00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.800
 I have a very large volume

00:32:40.800 --> 00:32:41.420
 at home called

00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:42.920
 Guide to Family Health

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:44.960
 and if I have a little ache

00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.460
 or a pain

00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:45.900
 or something

00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:47.279
 I flip open these

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.300
 hundreds of pages

00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:49.380
 to look at what I've got

00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.700
 and you know what happens

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:53.200
 the symptoms could also be this

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.640
 and something

00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:55.120
 it's like googling something up

00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:56.220
 and three hours later

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.100
 you haven't reached the end

00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:58.400
 of the rabbit trails from it

00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.700
 and I wind up thinking

00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:01.720
 I've got about 157 diseases

00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.580
 as I can understand

00:33:02.580 --> 00:33:03.160
 at the moment

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.940
 I don't feel

00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:05.180
 I don't feel in pretty good shape

00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:05.640
 at all

00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:08.420
 so that's what our bodies

00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:09.000
 are like

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:10.480
 and our spirits

00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:12.680
 subject

00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:14.000
 by nature

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:16.180
 objects of God's wrath

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:20.039
 and spiritually

00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:22.700
 the things that there are

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.380
 in our bodies

00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:25.140
 and in our spirits

00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:26.940
 that would cause us

00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.660
 to look twice

00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.380
 at this phrase

00:33:28.380 --> 00:33:29.280
 we shall be

00:33:29.280 --> 00:33:30.140
 like him

00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:34.020
 think of some of the

00:33:34.020 --> 00:33:34.660
 sins

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:36.560
 that have stained

00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:37.940
 and polluted

00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.759
 and plagued

00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.400
 your life

00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:44.380
 Jesus at one stage

00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.460
 when people were discussing

00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:47.620
 where sin had its

00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:48.920
 genesis

00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:51.080
 said this

00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:53.480
 what comes out of a man

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.659
 is what makes him

00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:55.399
 unclean

00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:57.419
 for from within

00:33:57.419 --> 00:34:00.319
 out of man's hearts

00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:03.500
 come evil thoughts

00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:07.899
 sexual immorality

00:34:07.899 --> 00:34:10.539
 theft

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.480
 murder

00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:14.599
 adultery

00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:18.460
 greed

00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:20.519
 that ring a bell

00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:22.820
 malice

00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:24.500
 deceit

00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:26.420
 lewdness

00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:28.240
 envy

00:34:28.240 --> 00:34:32.579
 slander

00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:34.460
 arrogance

00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.840
 folly

00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:37.420
 all these evils

00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.539
 come from inside

00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.920
 and make a man

00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:41.619
 unclean

00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:44.400
 see the problem

00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.440
 is not that we're

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.019
 deprived

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:47.079
 but that we are

00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.019
 depraved

00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.780
 we're by nature

00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:49.280
 corrupt

00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:50.219
 and vile

00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:51.280
 and godless

00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.500
 and you know

00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.420
 the more spiritually

00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.579
 mature we become

00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.679
 the more we know

00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:56.840
 those things to be true

00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:58.059
 Paul in Romans 7

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.340
 says

00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:59.480
 I know that nothing

00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.440
 good lives in me

00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:01.219
 that is in my

00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.920
 sinful nature

00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:02.900
 I've heard people say

00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.880
 well Paul was looking

00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.579
 back to his

00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:05.579
 pre-conversion days

00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:05.800
 and say

00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.820
 boy I was a mess

00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.119
 then

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:10.800
 and

00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:11.960
 I can't

00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:13.480
 find any way

00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.420
 to interpret it

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.980
 as being

00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:17.019
 autobiographical

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:18.079
 autobiographical

00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:19.059
 and looking past

00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.599
 before his

00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.019
 conversion

00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:21.579
 I tell you

00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:23.519
 the further you go

00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.639
 in the Christian life

00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.860
 the more you identify

00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.940
 with Paul who says

00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:28.259
 I know that in me

00:35:28.259 --> 00:35:29.219
 that is in my

00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:30.099
 sinful nature

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.340
 the idea that when you

00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:32.019
 become a Christian

00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:33.099
 your sinful nature

00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:33.659
 is removed

00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:34.539
 and you go through

00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.219
 the rest of life

00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:36.139
 whistling a happy tune

00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.780
 with never to worry

00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:37.280
 in the world

00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.079
 is baloney

00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:38.980
 that could hardly

00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.819
 even find a place

00:35:39.819 --> 00:35:42.719
 on religious television

00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:43.519
 though it does make

00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.199
 a big attempt

00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:47.319
 the fact of the matter

00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:47.799
 is

00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:49.299
 that in our

00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:50.219
 sinful natures

00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:51.159
 there dwells

00:35:51.159 --> 00:35:52.319
 no good thing

00:35:52.319 --> 00:35:53.659
 and we

00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:54.460
 shall

00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.099
 be

00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:56.039
 like

00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.980
 him

00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:59.739
 C.H. Spurgeon

00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:03.199
 received a copy

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:03.940
 once of Andrew

00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.840
 Bonner's commentary

00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:05.480
 on Leviticus

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.360
 Bonner was a

00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:07.059
 Scottish preacher

00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.860
 he was so blessed

00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.699
 he sent it back

00:36:09.699 --> 00:36:10.059
 to him

00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.920
 and said

00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.719
 could you

00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.920
 autograph it

00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:14.460
 and give me

00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:15.739
 a photograph

00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:17.420
 now I'll be happy

00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:18.139
 to sign your books

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.519
 afterwards

00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.480
 but no photographs

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:19.880
 please

00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:21.579
 nor would you

00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.139
 want one

00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:25.659
 and

00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:28.159
 Bonner replied

00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:28.900
 dear Spurgeon

00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:30.659
 here is the book

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:32.179
 with my autograph

00:36:32.179 --> 00:36:33.519
 and my photograph

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:35.400
 if you had been

00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:36.360
 willing to wait

00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:37.340
 a short season

00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:38.880
 you could have

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.400
 had a better

00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:39.980
 likeness

00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.599
 for I shall

00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.640
 be like him

00:36:42.640 --> 00:36:44.820
 I shall see him

00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:46.300
 as he

00:36:46.300 --> 00:36:47.039
 is

00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:49.220
 so will all

00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:50.240
 who belong

00:36:50.240 --> 00:36:51.059
 to Christ

00:36:51.059 --> 00:36:52.539
 now

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.500
 those of you

00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.160
 who are Christians

00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:55.480
 isn't that

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.220
 wonderful news

00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:58.099
 and you're a Christian

00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:58.880
 and there have been

00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.700
 ups and downs

00:36:59.700 --> 00:37:00.860
 there have been

00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:01.820
 doubts and fears

00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:03.039
 struggles with that

00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:03.860
 and fears within

00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:06.559
 and sometimes

00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:07.039
 you've been hit

00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:08.320
 by very heavy blows

00:37:08.320 --> 00:37:09.039
 and sometimes

00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.559
 two or three

00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:10.639
 triple whammies

00:37:10.639 --> 00:37:12.940
 and you've wondered

00:37:12.940 --> 00:37:13.480
 at times

00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.619
 nothing wrong with that

00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:18.099
 the best of Christians

00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.860
 as I see it

00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:19.820
 reading history

00:37:19.820 --> 00:37:20.840
 have had their

00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:21.699
 moments

00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:23.219
 but isn't it wonderful

00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:24.460
 to have this reassurance

00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:25.920
 we shall

00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.639
 be

00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.639
 like

00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.820
 him

00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:31.380
 oh and if you're

00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:31.940
 not a Christian

00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:33.280
 as we come to the

00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:34.200
 end of this service

00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:37.600
 would you like to be

00:37:37.600 --> 00:37:38.880
 like him

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:41.420
 almost four years

00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:42.000
 to the day

00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:43.740
 I laid

00:37:43.740 --> 00:37:44.340
 the body

00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:45.000
 of my wife

00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:45.480
 Joyce

00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:46.800
 in

00:37:46.800 --> 00:37:48.240
 her grave

00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:50.420
 and I'm sure

00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:50.960
 it will not be

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.440
 very long

00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:51.840
 before

00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:53.280
 I join her

00:37:53.280 --> 00:37:53.680
 there

00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:55.099
 and if you were

00:37:55.099 --> 00:37:55.460
 to go to

00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:56.159
 Epsom Cemetery

00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:56.839
 just that side

00:37:56.839 --> 00:37:57.259
 of London

00:37:57.259 --> 00:37:58.859
 you would find

00:37:58.859 --> 00:37:59.440
 a beautiful

00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.039
 headstone

00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:02.919
 in black

00:38:02.919 --> 00:38:03.460
 marble

00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:04.339
 with gold

00:38:04.339 --> 00:38:04.719
 lettering

00:38:04.719 --> 00:38:05.259
 across it

00:38:05.259 --> 00:38:06.559
 and her name

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.039
 Joyce

00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.719
 Sylvia

00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.440
 Blanchard

00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.219
 date of birth

00:38:09.219 --> 00:38:12.019
 2nd of December

00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:12.819
 1933

00:38:12.819 --> 00:38:13.779
 date of death

00:38:13.779 --> 00:38:15.559
 17th of February

00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.839
 2010

00:38:16.839 --> 00:38:17.579
 and underneath

00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.359
 these words

00:38:18.359 --> 00:38:21.000
 with Christ

00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:22.659
 which is

00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.579
 far

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.599
 better

00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:26.239
 than a big

00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:26.719
 space

00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:28.079
 and you know

00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:28.460
 what's going

00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:28.899
 there

00:38:28.899 --> 00:38:30.759
 I've booked

00:38:30.759 --> 00:38:31.079
 that

00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:33.079
 and the reason

00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:33.899
 I chose the text

00:38:33.899 --> 00:38:34.460
 is this

00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:35.920
 even when I'm

00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.119
 dead

00:38:36.119 --> 00:38:36.420
 I'll be

00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:36.759
 preaching

00:38:36.759 --> 00:38:38.379
 and everybody

00:38:38.379 --> 00:38:39.019
 who passes

00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:39.859
 will look

00:38:39.859 --> 00:38:41.099
 and whether

00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:41.480
 they've got an

00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:42.099
 interest in my

00:38:42.099 --> 00:38:42.639
 name or not

00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:43.079
 will say

00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:44.460
 and I've known

00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:45.139
 people mentioned

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:45.739
 to me already

00:38:45.739 --> 00:38:46.519
 they passed

00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:47.339
 that and read

00:38:47.339 --> 00:38:47.799
 the text

00:38:47.799 --> 00:38:48.859
 with Christ

00:38:48.859 --> 00:38:49.500
 which is far

00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:49.719
 better

00:38:49.719 --> 00:38:50.519
 now my friend

00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.079
 as I leave

00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:51.239
 you

00:38:51.239 --> 00:38:52.959
 and perhaps

00:38:52.959 --> 00:38:53.500
 never to see

00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:53.879
 you again

00:38:53.879 --> 00:38:55.399
 let me

00:38:55.399 --> 00:38:56.519
 urgently ask

00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:57.239
 you to give

00:38:57.239 --> 00:38:58.719
 serious weight

00:38:58.719 --> 00:38:59.139
 to this

00:38:59.139 --> 00:39:00.159
 when the moment

00:39:00.159 --> 00:39:00.859
 comes for you

00:39:00.859 --> 00:39:01.219
 to die

00:39:01.219 --> 00:39:01.639
 and I don't know

00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.179
 what the marker

00:39:02.179 --> 00:39:02.759
 will be on your

00:39:02.759 --> 00:39:03.059
 grave

00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:03.539
 or whether you'll

00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:04.019
 be cremated

00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:05.359
 that's immaterial

00:39:05.359 --> 00:39:06.059
 this is for

00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.939
 illustrative purposes

00:39:06.939 --> 00:39:07.279
 only

00:39:07.279 --> 00:39:08.779
 on your headstone

00:39:08.779 --> 00:39:09.579
 one of two

00:39:09.579 --> 00:39:10.539
 things could be

00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:11.339
 could be written

00:39:11.339 --> 00:39:13.500
 maybe you or

00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:13.899
 your family

00:39:13.899 --> 00:39:14.319
 have something

00:39:14.319 --> 00:39:14.819
 else in mind

00:39:14.819 --> 00:39:15.599
 but one of

00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:16.019
 these two

00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:17.019
 could be written

00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:18.259
 with Christ

00:39:18.259 --> 00:39:21.019
 which is far

00:39:21.019 --> 00:39:21.980
 better

00:39:21.980 --> 00:39:23.300
 better than

00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:23.940
 anything

00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.920
 you have ever

00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:25.539
 experienced

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.179
 and better than

00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:26.599
 anything you

00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:26.920
 could ever

00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:27.320
 imagine

00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:29.380
 or

00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:32.059
 without Christ

00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:35.800
 which is far

00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:36.199
 worse

00:39:36.199 --> 00:39:39.219
 worse than

00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:39.639
 anything

00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:41.400
 you have ever

00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:42.079
 experienced

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:43.960
 or anything

00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:46.219
 you could ever

00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:47.599
 imagine

00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:49.500
 will you

00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:50.319
 come to Christ

00:39:50.319 --> 00:39:52.099
 and join

00:39:52.099 --> 00:39:52.679
 those of us

00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:53.279
 who rejoice

00:39:53.279 --> 00:39:53.860
 in this

00:39:53.860 --> 00:39:55.880
 amazing

00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.559
 wonderful

00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.259
 staggering

00:39:57.259 --> 00:39:59.139
 almost

00:39:59.139 --> 00:39:59.940
 unbelievable

00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:00.500
 truth

00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:01.559
 but it's

00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:02.000
 believable

00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:03.679
 because God

00:40:03.679 --> 00:40:04.159
 said it

00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.659
 through his

00:40:04.659 --> 00:40:05.019
 servant

00:40:05.019 --> 00:40:06.980
 we

00:40:06.980 --> 00:40:09.400
 shall be

00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:09.920
 like him

00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:12.059
 let's pray

00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:25.420
 father

00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:25.900
 thank you

00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:26.279
 for giving

00:40:26.279 --> 00:40:26.840
 us this

00:40:26.840 --> 00:40:27.380
 sacred

00:40:27.380 --> 00:40:27.639
 hour

00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:28.039
 together

00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:30.219
 and I

00:40:30.219 --> 00:40:30.799
 pray that

00:40:30.799 --> 00:40:31.119
 you will

00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:31.460
 give to

00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:31.820
 each one

00:40:31.820 --> 00:40:32.259
 of us

00:40:32.259 --> 00:40:34.539
 the grace

00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:35.320
 of understanding

00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:37.759
 and even

00:40:37.759 --> 00:40:38.119
 more

00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:38.759
 the grace

00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:40.460
 of obedience

00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:42.119
 and I

00:40:42.119 --> 00:40:42.860
 pray especially

00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:44.599
 that any

00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:44.860
 who has

00:40:44.860 --> 00:40:45.440
 become to

00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:45.980
 this moment

00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:46.340
 in our

00:40:46.340 --> 00:40:46.820
 service

00:40:46.820 --> 00:40:50.840
 are knowing

00:40:50.840 --> 00:40:51.240
 in their

00:40:51.240 --> 00:40:51.780
 hearts

00:40:51.780 --> 00:40:52.619
 that these

00:40:52.619 --> 00:40:53.079
 things are

00:40:53.079 --> 00:40:53.460
 not yet

00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:53.860
 true for

00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:54.099
 them

00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:56.059
 Lord by

00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:56.860
 your spirit

00:40:56.860 --> 00:40:58.679
 work in

00:40:58.679 --> 00:40:59.320
 their hearts

00:40:59.320 --> 00:41:01.139
 that they

00:41:01.139 --> 00:41:01.760
 might call

00:41:01.760 --> 00:41:02.340
 out to you

00:41:02.340 --> 00:41:03.079
 to be saved

00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:05.240
 and join

00:41:05.240 --> 00:41:05.820
 those of

00:41:05.820 --> 00:41:06.159
 whom

00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:08.879
 these words

00:41:08.879 --> 00:41:09.619
 are wonderfully

00:41:09.619 --> 00:41:10.039
 true

00:41:10.039 --> 00:41:12.679
 so that

00:41:12.679 --> 00:41:13.299
 they too

00:41:13.299 --> 00:41:14.359
 shall be

00:41:14.359 --> 00:41:15.059
 like

00:41:15.059 --> 00:41:16.039
 him

00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:17.619
 and we

00:41:17.619 --> 00:41:18.059
 ask it

00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.359
 in his

00:41:18.359 --> 00:41:18.719
 name

00:41:18.719 --> 00:41:20.559
 amen

00:41:20.559 --> 00:41:26.440
 W

00:41:26.440 --> 00:41:26.539
 He

00:41:26.539 --> 00:41:27.299
 What

00:41:27.299 --> 00:41:29.380
 you

00:41:29.380 --> 00:41:29.480
 what

00:41:29.480 --> 00:41:31.539
 he

00:41:31.539 --> 00:41:33.960
 He

00:41:33.960 --> 00:41:34.000
 what

00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:35.159
 he

00:41:35.159 --> 00:41:38.340
 what

00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:38.619
 he

00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:38.639
 Lord

00:41:38.639 --> 00:41:39.960
 He

00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:41.519
 He

00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:45.619
 What

00:41:45.619 --> 00:41:45.820
 What