WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120
 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Acts.

00:00:06.120 --> 00:00:09.080
 The book of Acts. We're pausing our series this morning.

00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:12.960
! We're going through the book of Genesis regularly on Sunday mornings,

00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:18.379
 but we're going to pause it just for one week this morning to spend time in Acts chapter 17,

00:00:19.100 --> 00:00:21.679
 verses 22 through 34.

00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:24.160
 If you don't have your own Bible with you, that's okay.

00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:27.219
 We provide them in the seat back there in front of you,

00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:30.099
 and I would just encourage you to have a copy of God's Word open.

00:00:30.739 --> 00:00:33.759
 And if you don't have a copy of God's Word at all,

00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:36.920
 then please take that one home with you as our gift to you.

00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:41.579
 We want to make sure that you have a copy of God's Word available to you.

00:00:41.739 --> 00:00:45.859
 So the book of Acts, chapter 17, verses 22 through 34.

00:00:46.259 --> 00:00:50.640
 And when you've found that, let's stand this morning in honor of the reading of the Word of God.

00:00:57.219 --> 00:00:59.679
 It says,

00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:03.060
 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said,

00:01:03.060 --> 00:01:08.280
 Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.

00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:12.000
 Whereas I passed along and observed the objects of your worship,

00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:14.960
 I found also an altar with this inscription,

00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:16.719
 To the unknown God.

00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:22.099
 What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:25.659
 The God who made the world and everything in it,

00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:29.879
 being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,

00:01:30.479 --> 00:01:33.640
 nor is he served by human hands as though he needed anything,

00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:39.259
 since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

00:01:40.179 --> 00:01:45.679
 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth,

00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:49.539
 having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:51.719
 that they should seek God,

00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:54.840
 and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.

00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:58.000
 Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.

00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:01.780
 For in him we live and move and have our being.

00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:04.280
 As even some of your own poets have said,

00:02:04.380 --> 00:02:06.920
 For we are indeed his offspring.

00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:09.560
 Being then God's offspring,

00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:14.599
 we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone,

00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:18.000
 an image formed by the art and imagination of man.

00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:20.960
 The times of ignorance God overlooked,

00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:26.800
 But now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:31.600
 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness

00:02:31.600 --> 00:02:34.120
 by a man whom he has appointed.

00:02:34.620 --> 00:02:39.659
 And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:43.099
 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,

00:02:43.219 --> 00:02:44.039
 some mocked,

00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:45.299
 but others said,

00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:46.840
 We will hear you again about this.

00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:49.060
 So Paul went out from their midst,

00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:52.300
 but some men joined him and believed,

00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:55.960
 among whom also were Dionysius, the Areopagot,

00:02:56.259 --> 00:02:57.740
 and a woman named Damaris,

00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:00.000
 and others with them.

00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:07.099
 Father God,

00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:11.259
 we praise you for the simple message of the gospel.

00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:15.879
 And we praise you for the efforts of Paul to go to Athens

00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:17.639
 and to proclaim this gospel message.

00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:21.780
 We praise you that this gospel message is going forth throughout the world,

00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:22.840
 even this very moment.

00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:25.740
 And we pray your blessing on the preaching of the word.

00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:27.159
 Would you make it clear to us?

00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:28.960
 Would we respond to you in faith?

00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:30.800
 We pray in Jesus' name.

00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:32.219
 Amen.

00:03:32.980 --> 00:03:34.080
 You may be seated.

00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:41.560
 Imagine with me for a minute that you have come to a worship service.

00:03:42.760 --> 00:03:44.879
 Not making you work too hard quite yet.

00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:50.580
 You have come to this worship service gathering because,

00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:52.900
 well, you're not exactly sure why you're here.

00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:55.300
 Maybe a friend has invited you.

00:03:55.300 --> 00:03:57.500
 Maybe you saw a Facebook advertisement.

00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:00.240
 Maybe you were just driving by,

00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:03.000
 and you thought that it would be a good idea just to stop on in.

00:04:03.979 --> 00:04:06.919
 And you're not really sure what to believe about all of it.

00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:12.020
 You think that probably maybe you believe in some sort of spiritual something out there,

00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:14.259
 but you're not quite exactly sure what.

00:04:14.360 --> 00:04:15.180
 I mean, to be honest,

00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:17.040
 you're a little bit confused.

00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:21.980
 And maybe you pass by five or six other places of worship on the way here.

00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:26.879
 And so it seems like there's so many different opinions out there on which God is the right one.

00:04:27.780 --> 00:04:29.439
 How does He desire to be worshipped?

00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:30.700
 How would you even know?

00:04:31.960 --> 00:04:33.160
 And maybe it doesn't even matter.

00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:33.819
 You're here.

00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:35.620
 You're doing your best.

00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:39.060
 And you feel like it's probably wise just in case.

00:04:39.400 --> 00:04:41.720
 Make sure you have God or the gods,

00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:42.720
 whoever it may be,

00:04:42.840 --> 00:04:43.879
 in your corner.

00:04:44.080 --> 00:04:44.920
 And so you go.

00:04:45.140 --> 00:04:46.319
 You participate.

00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:47.620
 You sing the songs.

00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:49.420
 It feels good to be here.

00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:53.579
 You enjoy hearing the speaker talk as long as he doesn't go too long.

00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:56.259
 If you come on a special occasion,

00:04:56.379 --> 00:04:57.800
 you may even get a meal out of it.

00:04:57.819 --> 00:04:58.340
 Who knows?

00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.639
 But if you're honest,

00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:04.840
 you don't really have a clue what's going on.

00:05:04.899 --> 00:05:08.899
 It all seems a little bit strange and a little bit complicated.

00:05:09.259 --> 00:05:11.519
 You're not quite sure where you stand.

00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:18.359
 And it would be nice if somebody would just stand up and make it all plain and simple.

00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:29.539
 I can almost guarantee that this imaginary scenario is not so imaginary in many churches throughout the country this morning.

00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.839
 And in fact, it may not be so imaginary for some of you.

00:05:33.099 --> 00:05:38.539
 The truth is that we live in an age of great religious confusion.

00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:45.360
 People don't know who to worship or how to worship or why to worship.

00:05:45.400 --> 00:05:48.540
 If they ought to worship at all, it's all just a little bit confusing.

00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:50.720
 But it's not just our age.

00:05:50.780 --> 00:05:56.780
 What we see in our passage this morning is that this type of religious confusion is nothing new at all, is it?

00:05:57.820 --> 00:06:05.020
 In fact, we see it all the way back here in the first century in the book of Acts in Athens, Greece.

00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:10.240
 Here in the book of Acts, the apostle Paul is journeying throughout the ancient world,

00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.839
 proclaiming the message of the gospel.

00:06:13.599 --> 00:06:15.759
 And he's come here to Athens, Greece.

00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:23.180
 And what he sees when he gets there is all sorts of religious confusion and uncertainty.

00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:23.879
 It's chaos.

00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:26.359
 And so what does Paul do?

00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:36.120
 Paul stands up here in our passage and he tries to very simply, very clearly clear up all of this religious confusion.

00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:37.980
 And what is the message that he brings to them?

00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:39.980
 What does he say?

00:06:40.960 --> 00:06:45.500
 He gives them the simple message of the gospel.

00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:55.939
 His goal and my goal for us this morning is to make sure that all of us have heard the simple message of the gospel.

00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:59.500
 We want to make certain that you have heard the good news.

00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:02.540
 And so we see it here in our passage in four parts this morning.

00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:03.180
 Four parts.

00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:06.339
 The gospel is a message about God.

00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:09.220
 It is a message about man.

00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:12.120
 It is a message about Christ.

00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:16.620
 And it is a message that demands a response.

00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:19.339
 Let's take a look here at each part.

00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:22.199
 First, we see the gospel is a message about God.

00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:24.240
 Look there with me starting in verse 22.

00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:28.139
 Now again, Paul is trying to bring some clarity here.

00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:31.360
 He is interacting with these deeply confused Athenians.

00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.780
 And where does he start?

00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:38.180
 The first thing he starts talking about is God.

00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:40.160
 Look there to verse 22.

00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:40.680
 Paul says,

00:07:40.680 --> 00:08:00.579
 He says,

00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:01.180
 He says,

00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:03.919
 I see all of these objects of your worship.

00:08:04.039 --> 00:08:08.279
 I pass by all of these different synagogues, all of these different altars.

00:08:08.419 --> 00:08:10.099
 It is clear that you are very religious.

00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:13.319
 But it is also clear, y'all are real confused.

00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:16.139
 And so let me make this clear to you.

00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:18.899
 He says it with absolute certainty, doesn't he?

00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:21.879
 There is a God.

00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:27.959
 You know, depending on who you speak with, that type of certainty is hard to come by, isn't it?

00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:34.539
 Some people claim to be atheists, meaning they don't believe that there is any sort of God.

00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:36.299
 Others claim to be agnostic.

00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:38.740
 That's a little bit more fashionable now, these days.

00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:41.059
 Where they claim, well, maybe there is a God.

00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:42.360
 Maybe there is not a God.

00:08:42.439 --> 00:08:43.580
 But I don't know.

00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:45.059
 And how could we know?

00:08:45.839 --> 00:08:49.379
 But Paul here speaks with absolute direct certainty.

00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:52.319
 He says there is a God.

00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:54.019
 How can he be so confident?

00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:57.199
 You know, if you're here and you're not a believer,

00:08:57.399 --> 00:09:00.339
 you might wonder as you speak with your Christian friends,

00:09:00.459 --> 00:09:02.419
 as you come to a Christian worship service,

00:09:02.739 --> 00:09:07.039
 we stand here every single week proclaiming the truth that there is a God.

00:09:07.359 --> 00:09:08.139
 Maybe you wonder,

00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:11.099
 How in the world can all these Christians be so confident?

00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:13.839
 No one's ever seen God.

00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.160
 No one's ever touched God.

00:09:16.280 --> 00:09:18.120
 No one's ever sat next to him.

00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:20.580
 How do you know that there is a God?

00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:23.300
 I think Paul would answer that question in two ways.

00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:25.920
 For one, he would say,

00:09:26.660 --> 00:09:27.700
 Look around you.

00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:29.960
 Look around you.

00:09:31.300 --> 00:09:33.740
 Greece is one of those places where I would love to visit.

00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:35.120
 Maybe some of y'all have been there before.

00:09:35.280 --> 00:09:36.139
 I've never been.

00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:36.840
 I would love to go.

00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:39.620
 But everything that you hear about Greece

00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:43.820
 is that it is just absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

00:09:44.019 --> 00:09:46.019
 You have Mount Olympus over here.

00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:48.620
 You have Elephanisi Beach.

00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:49.740
 I don't know if I'm pronouncing that right.

00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.279
 Elephanisi Beach over here.

00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:53.419
 It's got this pink coral sand.

00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:58.000
 And then the light blue, breathtaking, clear waters over here.

00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:00.479
 If you go dive into the waters,

00:10:00.579 --> 00:10:05.319
 there's over 500 species of marine life there in the water to see and explore.

00:10:05.479 --> 00:10:07.740
 You have loggerhead turtles and parrotfish

00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.919
 and all sorts of octopus there.

00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.840
 There's Samaria Gorge up here.

00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:15.899
 Some of the best hiking in all of Europe.

00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.860
 You have volcanic landscapes over here.

00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:22.600
 Everywhere you look, there is natural beauty all around you.

00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:25.159
 And I promise y'all I'm not trying to sell you a trip to Greece this morning.

00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:27.159
 Although if you want to go, I'll go with you.

00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:29.879
 The point is,

00:10:30.680 --> 00:10:34.340
 this type of beauty in creation and in nature,

00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:36.379
 it has a message.

00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:41.179
 All of it proclaims that there is a beautiful,

00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:44.080
 supernatural creator who made it all.

00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:47.639
 One way that God makes himself known

00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:51.059
 is in and through his works of creation.

00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:52.759
 This is where Paul starts, isn't it?

00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.059
 He says,

00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:58.600
 The God who made the world and everything in it,

00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:01.759
 this God I proclaim to you.

00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.580
 Psalm 19 tells us,

00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:07.080
 The heavens declare the glory of God.

00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.040
 They have a message.

00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:10.879
 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.940
 The skies above proclaim his handiwork.

00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:16.840
 Day after day, they pour out speech.

00:11:17.020 --> 00:11:19.200
 Night after night, they reveal knowledge.

00:11:19.300 --> 00:11:20.040
 And listen to this.

00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:22.300
 There is no speech,

00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:24.080
 nor are there words,

00:11:24.280 --> 00:11:26.720
 whose voice is not heard.

00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:27.480
 In other words,

00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.680
 everyone in creation,

00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.800
 everyone in this room,

00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:33.720
 and everyone in the world

00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:36.360
 has heard this message loud and clear.

00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:38.019
 There is a God.

00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:40.379
 We can know there's a God

00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:43.240
 because we live in his creation.

00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.660
 And Paul keeps going.

00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:45.980
 He says,

00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:46.759
 Verse 25,

00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:50.740
 This God gives to mankind life and breath and everything.

00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:53.019
 It all comes from his sovereign hand.

00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.759
 Not only this,

00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:57.019
 this God actively rules over his creation.

00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:57.919
 Verse 26,

00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:00.439
 He determines the allotted periods

00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:02.519
 and the boundaries of all the dwelling places

00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:04.419
 of all the peoples of the earth.

00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:07.799
 God is actively at work in his creation.

00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:11.299
 All his creation proclaims who he is.

00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:12.919
 We have to start here.

00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:14.799
 There is a God,

00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:18.399
 and we live in his world.

00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:20.179
 But there's another second answer

00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:22.000
 that Paul might give to that question.

00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.899
 If you were to ask him,

00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.139
 Paul,

00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:25.059
 how do you know that there's a God?

00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:25.659
 He would say,

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.299
 creation,

00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.080
 that's one,

00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:28.000
 but also,

00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:29.279
 and especially,

00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:30.740
 proclamation.

00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:32.620
 Proclamation.

00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:34.840
 See, the Athenians,

00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:36.320
 they weren't atheists.

00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:38.879
 They weren't even agnostics.

00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:41.279
 They worshipped as many gods

00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:43.019
 as they could possibly think up.

00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:45.139
 They were religious pluralists.

00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:48.419
 They had those coexist bumper stickers

00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:49.440
 long before we did.

00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:53.560
 They thought that all of these different gods,

00:12:53.660 --> 00:12:54.780
 all of these different religions

00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:56.360
 could play nicely together,

00:12:56.520 --> 00:12:58.540
 and we just kind of take a piece of truth from here

00:12:58.540 --> 00:12:59.700
 and a piece of truth from here,

00:12:59.760 --> 00:13:01.660
 and we can worship all of them, right?

00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:05.620
 And there's an old argument that people make,

00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:07.800
 and they give this example of an elephant.

00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:08.840
 Maybe you've heard this before.

00:13:09.580 --> 00:13:10.300
 And they say,

00:13:10.420 --> 00:13:10.700
 well,

00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:14.280
 what if each religion is just kind of looking at the elephant

00:13:14.280 --> 00:13:15.500
 from a different perspective?

00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.440
 And so Christians,

00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:18.299
 they're looking at the side of the elephant,

00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:20.460
 so they describe it as tall,

00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:22.460
 and they describe it as long.

00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.240
 But maybe the Muslims,

00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.460
 maybe they're looking at the elephant

00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.460
 from the top view,

00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:28.000
 and so they describe these tusks

00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:29.580
 coming out from the front,

00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.639
 and the long trunk,

00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:32.720
 and the hair running down from top to bottom.

00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:34.620
 And maybe the Buddhists,

00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:36.080
 maybe they're looking at it from behind,

00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:39.019
 and so they describe these sturdy hind legs,

00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:40.700
 and they describe the wagging tail.

00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:41.720
 But really,

00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:42.660
 all of us,

00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:44.540
 we're all playing the same game here.

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:46.160
 We're all worshiping the same God.

00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.700
 We're all describing the same thing.

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.399
 We just all have different perspectives,

00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.259
 right?

00:13:52.420 --> 00:13:54.340
 The response that we would give

00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:56.300
 to that sort of argument would be,

00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:56.620
 well,

00:13:57.720 --> 00:14:00.259
 what if that elephant can speak?

00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:04.660
 What if we're not left to figure it out

00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:06.840
 with our own limited perspective?

00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:09.340
 What if the elephant can actually speak

00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:11.200
 and reveal to himself

00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:13.259
 what he's like?

00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:15.759
 We believe that's exactly what God has done.

00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:20.600
 The God who created all things

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.860
 has spoken.

00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.800
 He has revealed himself

00:14:24.800 --> 00:14:26.960
 through his word.

00:14:28.160 --> 00:14:31.060
 His holy word reveals his holy character

00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:33.280
 and his plans for his creation.

00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:34.840
 And even more than that,

00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:36.759
 we have the supreme revelation

00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:38.780
 of the person and the work

00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:40.460
 and the character of our holy God

00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:41.620
 in his Son,

00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.519
 Jesus Christ.

00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.920
 The very word of God

00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:46.040
 who became flesh

00:14:46.040 --> 00:14:47.700
 and dwelt among us.

00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.759
 Jesus Christ

00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.860
 is the revelation of God.

00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:53.200
 Friend,

00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:53.840
 if you are

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:55.960
 confused or uncertain,

00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:57.720
 if you want to know about God,

00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:59.960
 spend time in his world,

00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:01.519
 but also and especially

00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:03.080
 spend time in his word.

00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.060
 Paul begins his message

00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:09.040
 simply telling us

00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:10.800
 there is a God.

00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:12.240
 He is our creator.

00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:14.240
 He is our ruler.

00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.580
 He has revealed himself

00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:16.639
 in his world.

00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:18.019
 He has revealed himself

00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.759
 in his word.

00:15:20.160 --> 00:15:21.320
 But he doesn't stop there.

00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:21.740
 Second,

00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.620
 we see also

00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.860
 this gospel message

00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.879
 is also a message about us.

00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:29.600
 The gospel is also

00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.840
 a message about man.

00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:34.019
 John Calvin,

00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:36.180
 he starts off his institutes

00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:37.540
 with this now famous line.

00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:37.899
 He says,

00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.840
 Nearly all wisdom

00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.720
 that we possess,

00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:40.560
 that is to say,

00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:42.360
 true and sound wisdom,

00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:44.399
 consists in two parts.

00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.879
 The knowledge of God

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:47.600
 and the knowledge

00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.920
 of ourselves.

00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.120
 This is important.

00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.980
 We need to not only

00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.639
 understand who God is,

00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:56.780
 but in light of who he is,

00:15:56.780 --> 00:15:57.780
 we need to rightly understand

00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.959
 understand who we are.

00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:01.779
 And we should know

00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:03.919
 that it is not good news.

00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:06.519
 Not yet at least.

00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:09.179
 Calvin goes on to say,

00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:09.379
 well,

00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:11.360
 when we truly see ourselves,

00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:12.720
 when we pop open the hood

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.039
 and look and see what's inside,

00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.319
 what will we find?

00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:16.299
 He says,

00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.079
 we are going to find

00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.419
 a teeming horde

00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.399
 of infirmities.

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.039
 To put it plainly,

00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.639
 the gospel,

00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:23.779
 the bad news

00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.759
 of the gospel,

00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.620
 it tells us that

00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.600
 you and I

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.919
 and everyone else,

00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:29.919
 we are all

00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:32.100
 deeply sinful.

00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.919
 There is a God

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:36.539
 and we are at odds

00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.059
 with him

00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:38.179
 because of our sin.

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:41.000
 There is a creator God

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.079
 and we have not

00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:43.100
 honored him

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.720
 as we ought to honor him.

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.360
 What do I mean?

00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:45.659
 Well,

00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.579
 consider the Athenians.

00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.600
 Paul tells us plainly,

00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.279
 for one thing,

00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:51.879
 like the Athenians,

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.919
 we are deeply confused

00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.120
 about the value

00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.080
 of religion.

00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.879
 Paul goes through the city.

00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.019
 He's bothered

00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.840
 by what he sees.

00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.480
 There's idols

00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.720
 all over the place.

00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:04.019
 There's temples everywhere.

00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.339
 There's worship

00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.259
 being offered up

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:08.059
 to every sort of false god

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.880
 that you can imagine.

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.700
 And he says,

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.140
 man,

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.259
 y'all are really religious.

00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.000
 It's clear

00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:16.720
 that simply being religious

00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.920
 in and of itself,

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:20.299
 it may not be a good thing,

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:20.720
 is it?

00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:23.580
 The religious devotion

00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:25.640
 in and of itself,

00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:27.420
 if it's misdirected,

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.840
 is not a good thing.

00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.020
 Our Muslim friends,

00:17:30.800 --> 00:17:32.300
 they are deeply religious.

00:17:33.780 --> 00:17:34.780
 Our Hindu friends

00:17:34.780 --> 00:17:36.160
 are deeply religious.

00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.620
 Some of y'all college

00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:39.700
 sports fans, right?

00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.740
 Deeply religious.

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.560
 We're wrong to think

00:17:45.560 --> 00:17:47.040
 that religious devotion

00:17:47.040 --> 00:17:47.940
 in and of itself

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:49.400
 brings us any closer

00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.060
 to God.

00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.279
 You know,

00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:50.940
 you don't earn

00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:51.740
 any brownie points

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.519
 with God this morning

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.119
 for being here,

00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.639
 for singing the songs,

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:57.759
 for coming to church,

00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:59.299
 for doing all

00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.419
 the religious things.

00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:02.399
 Apart from genuine

00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:03.919
 repentance from your sin,

00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.000
 and apart from

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.679
 a saving relationship

00:18:06.679 --> 00:18:07.819
 with Jesus Christ,

00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:09.480
 your religion is empty.

00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.599
 Not only this,

00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:14.139
 but like the Athenians,

00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:17.460
 we have all worshipped idols.

00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.000
 I remember when

00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.360
 we lived in Charlotte.

00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:22.980
 Amanda and I,

00:18:23.020 --> 00:18:24.840
 we went on a walk.

00:18:25.040 --> 00:18:26.180
 It was snowing outside,

00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.100
 and we decided to go

00:18:27.100 --> 00:18:27.700
 for a walk,

00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.440
 and we came up

00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:30.140
 to the Charlotte Buddha Temple,

00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:30.840
 and we were feeling

00:18:30.840 --> 00:18:31.840
 adventurous that day,

00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:33.000
 and so we decided

00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.080
 to walk inside

00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:35.340
 and just take a look.

00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.120
 They allowed us

00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:37.120
 to go in and do that,

00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:39.359
 and I will never forget

00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.339
 what I saw

00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.319
 when I went in there.

00:18:41.399 --> 00:18:43.399
 The walls were lined

00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.619
 from top to bottom,

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.359
 up and down

00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.179
 with statues,

00:18:46.959 --> 00:18:47.419
 images,

00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.559
 idols,

00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:50.539
 and there were people there

00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:52.179
 bowing down to them,

00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.119
 head on the ground,

00:18:53.239 --> 00:18:54.119
 arms outstretched,

00:18:54.419 --> 00:18:56.179
 praying to these figures,

00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:56.859
 and I just thought,

00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:59.459
 somebody made these things.

00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:02.819
 Somebody pieced these together,

00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:05.099
 and somebody placed them

00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:05.979
 up on a shelf.

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.299
 Somebody painted

00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.480
 the faces on them,

00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.819
 put them right there,

00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:11.700
 and how foolish it is

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:12.200
 for these people

00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.759
 to bow down

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.599
 and to worship

00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:15.720
 some created thing,

00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:17.039
 but the truth is,

00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:20.220
 we are all guilty

00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.680
 of this exact same thing.

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.099
 I'll quote Calvin again.

00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:25.599
 He says,

00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.460
 the human heart

00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.920
 is an idol factory.

00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:29.960
 Constantly,

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.920
 we are cranking out

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:33.500
 idols in our hearts,

00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:33.940
 so no,

00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.240
 we may not bow down

00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.019
 to a statue,

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.380
 but we make idols

00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:38.259
 of sports,

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.059
 and we make idols

00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:41.019
 of sex,

00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:42.660
 and we make idols

00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.720
 of money,

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.680
 we make idols

00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.880
 of success,

00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.319
 we make idols

00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.180
 of the approval

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.980
 of others,

00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:49.759
 we make idols

00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.660
 of our children,

00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.759
 we make idols

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.920
 of our marriage.

00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.480
 No,

00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.759
 we may not lay down

00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.460
 with our face

00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.180
 to the ground

00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:57.480
 and pray to these things,

00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:59.140
 but we give our lives

00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:00.099
 to these things,

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.259
 and we put them

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.539
 in a sacred place

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.220
 in our heart

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.079
 that belongs

00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:05.220
 to God alone.

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.079
 That's idolatry.

00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:09.740
 Paul says,

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.519
 how foolish is this?

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.839
 Don't you see?

00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.619
 Verse 29,

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.420
 don't you see?

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.859
 He says,

00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:20.140
 we are the offspring

00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:21.319
 of God.

00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:24.299
 We are made

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.960
 in the image of God.

00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.960
 Some of your own poets

00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:28.079
 have recognized this,

00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:30.500
 and if that's true,

00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.799
 then why would we

00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.500
 ever think

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.480
 that God,

00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.259
 our creator,

00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.919
 is like gold

00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:37.199
 or silver

00:20:37.199 --> 00:20:38.079
 or stone?

00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.000
 Why would we ever

00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.500
 fall down

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.099
 and worship

00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:41.339
 the created things

00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.419
 when our creator

00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:43.379
 is the one

00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:44.000
 that's deserving

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.960
 of our praise?

00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.460
 Not only this,

00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.879
 but like the Athenians,

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.980
 we have all

00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:53.079
 walked in pride.

00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.659
 Paul humbles them

00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:55.179
 a little bit here

00:20:55.179 --> 00:20:55.839
 in verse 24.

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.259
 Look there.

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:57.699
 Paul says,

00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.299
 this God

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.840
 who created

00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.519
 heaven and earth,

00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.640
 he doesn't live

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.279
 in your temples.

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.279
 He's not served

00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.420
 by your hands

00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:07.299
 as though he needed

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:07.700
 anything.

00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.160
 You realize

00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.019
 God does not need

00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.920
 anything from you.

00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.299
 What a prideful thought.

00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.200
 But again,

00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.160
 in our sin,

00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:19.400
 this is our default mode,

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:19.759
 isn't it?

00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:21.100
 We want the universe

00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.779
 to be about us.

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.900
 We want to be

00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.759
 in control

00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.920
 of our life.

00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:29.140
 And if we serve

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.640
 a God,

00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.420
 if we worship

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:30.900
 a God,

00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.819
 we got to have

00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.000
 a God that needs

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.559
 us,

00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.259
 needs our service,

00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:36.360
 needs a little bit

00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.039
 of our help,

00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.420
 one we can pick up

00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.140
 and put down

00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.519
 exactly where we want

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.559
 so we can be in control.

00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.460
 Paul says,

00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:42.799
 no.

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.960
 What we need

00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.880
 is a bigger view

00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.539
 of God

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.740
 and a smaller view

00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:49.460
 of ourself.

00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.120
 We have all

00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:52.059
 walked in pride.

00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.740
 It keeps going.

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:54.559
 not only this,

00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.740
 but also like

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.359
 the Athenians,

00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.640
 we have all sought

00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:59.599
 independence from God.

00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.960
 Look at verse 25

00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.339
 and verse 26.

00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.700
 Again,

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.259
 Paul says,

00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.720
 God has given you

00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.359
 your life.

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.140
 But have you

00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:08.319
 lived your life

00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:08.740
 for him?

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.480
 God has given you

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.200
 your breath.

00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.559
 He sustains your life

00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.319
 this very moment.

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.400
 But do you consider

00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.680
 that every breath

00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.460
 you take

00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.500
 comes from him

00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.940
 and belongs to him?

00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.700
 Have you offered

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.599
 back up

00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:24.259
 every single breath,

00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.619
 every single breath

00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.079
 you've taken

00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.180
 for your entire life?

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.980
 Have you offered

00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.480
 it back up

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.140
 to him in worship?

00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.420
 God has given you

00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.019
 everything,

00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.640
 he says.

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.660
 But do you give

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.880
 everything to God?

00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:38.000
 None of us have.

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.380
 And not a single one

00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:40.799
 of us

00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.099
 have done this perfectly.

00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.119
 And I say all

00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.140
 because this is me too.

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.140
 We all

00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:47.400
 have sought

00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.140
 independence

00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:49.359
 from God.

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.179
 That's the essence

00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:50.699
 of sin.

00:22:52.719 --> 00:22:53.199
 Ultimately,

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.879
 what this means

00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:54.519
 is that we have

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.939
 all failed

00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:57.059
 to live up

00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.079
 to our purpose

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.139
 for existing

00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:00.219
 in the first place.

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:00.740
 Are you all

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.399
 depressed yet?

00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.459
 Thought you'd come

00:23:05.459 --> 00:23:05.939
 in here and have

00:23:05.939 --> 00:23:07.240
 a peppy Easter message?

00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.919
 Think again.

00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.159
 We'll get there.

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.579
 Verse 27 says,

00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:14.799
 God made us

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.639
 that we should

00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:17.079
 seek him.

00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.199
 God made us

00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.940
 that we should

00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.340
 seek him.

00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.480
 God made you

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.840
 that you should

00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.980
 seek him.

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.740
 Have you sought

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.059
 him?

00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.299
 Have you sought

00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.019
 him perfectly?

00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.640
 Have you always

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.340
 sought him?

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.940
 If not,

00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.340
 then friend,

00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.059
 join the club.

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.519
 You are a sinner

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.380
 just like me,

00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.100
 just like

00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.559
 the Athenians.

00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.880
 This is bad news.

00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:43.860
 And to make it

00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:44.180
 worse,

00:23:44.300 --> 00:23:45.020
 Paul says,

00:23:45.260 --> 00:23:46.000
 verse 31,

00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:47.180
 that there's a

00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.320
 time of judgment

00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:49.660
 coming against

00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.200
 the world.

00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:50.760
 Paul says,

00:23:51.040 --> 00:23:51.840
 God has fixed

00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:53.180
 a day of judgment

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.040
 to address

00:23:54.040 --> 00:23:55.400
 every sin.

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.120
 Look there

00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:57.780
 to verse 30.

00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.200
 He says,

00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.220
 the times of

00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.100
 ignorance God

00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.600
 overlooked,

00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.460
 but now he

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.640
 commands all

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.960
 people everywhere

00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.980
 to repent

00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:06.520
 because he has

00:24:06.520 --> 00:24:07.180
 fixed a day

00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:07.640
 on which he

00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.220
 will judge the

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.620
 world in

00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.180
 righteousness

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.600
 by a man

00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.160
 whom he has

00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:11.580
 appointed.

00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:12.940
 And of this

00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.320
 he has given

00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:14.299
 assurance to all

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.440
 by raising him

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.880
 from the dead.

00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.680
 So we see

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.799
 there is an

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.180
 infinite gap

00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.019
 between the

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.140
 glory and

00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.759
 the holiness

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.580
 of God

00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:25.340
 and between

00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.620
 our sin.

00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.380
 There is a

00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.480
 problem to be

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.240
 dealt with.

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:29.920
 There is an

00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.519
 issue.

00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:31.560
 God's wrath

00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:32.620
 is against us

00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.580
 in our sin.

00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.340
 There is a

00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.320
 coming day of

00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:35.740
 judgment.

00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.720
 What can we

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.860
 do about this?

00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:38.560
 The command

00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.100
 is clear.

00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.940
 He says,

00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.180
 friend,

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.000
 repent of

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.580
 your sin.

00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.820
 Repent of

00:24:44.820 --> 00:24:45.380
 your sin.

00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:48.080
 This is the

00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:49.160
 bad news

00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.060
 of the gospel,

00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.640
 but tucked

00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.220
 into this

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.840
 bad news

00:24:51.840 --> 00:24:52.580
 is some

00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.100
 incredibly

00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:53.680
 good news.

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:53.960
 I wonder

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.400
 if you saw

00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:54.620
 it.

00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:55.740
 And it's

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.360
 the good

00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.759
 news that

00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.259
 we celebrate

00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.700
 here at

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.420
 Easter and

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:58.980
 that we

00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.779
 celebrate every

00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.500
 other Sunday

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.980
 for that

00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.279
 matter.

00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:01.720
 Third,

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.440
 we see

00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.440
 the gospel

00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.320
 is a

00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:04.840
 message

00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.660
 about

00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.600
 Jesus.

00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:08.779
 Did you

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.200
 catch it?

00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:10.920
 Read it

00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:11.180
 again.

00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.920
 He says,

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.259
 sinners

00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.940
 everywhere are

00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.639
 commanded to

00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.240
 repent of

00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.819
 their sins.

00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:16.399
 Why?

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.339
 Because God

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.220
 has fixed a

00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.980
 day of coming

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.500
 judgment.

00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.839
 God will

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.379
 judge the

00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.839
 world in

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.460
 righteousness

00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.940
 by a man

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.879
 whom he has

00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.539
 appointed.

00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.240
 Who could

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.680
 this be?

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.579
 God has

00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.319
 given assurance

00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.279
 of this to

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.180
 all by

00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.259
 raising him

00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.819
 from the

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.099
 dead.

00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.559
 Who could

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.059
 this be?

00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.819
 who is

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.339
 the God

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:36.899
 appointed,

00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.440
 resurrected,

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.799
 coming judge

00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.339
 of all the

00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:40.700
 earth?

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.319
 It is

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.059
 the risen

00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.639
 Lord

00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.159
 Jesus.

00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.139
 The

00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.599
 resurrection

00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.359
 of Jesus

00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.379
 is right

00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:48.859
 here at

00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.139
 the very

00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:49.779
 heart of

00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.319
 the message

00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.799
 of the

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.259
 gospel.

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:51.779
 And it's

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.399
 the only

00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:52.980
 hope for

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.559
 sinners like

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.019
 us.

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.099
 In fact,

00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:56.440
 this seems

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.740
 to be at

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.159
 the very

00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:57.619
 heart of

00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.019
 Paul's

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.399
 message.

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.639
 Even

00:25:58.639 --> 00:25:59.099
 before he

00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.579
 gets up

00:25:59.579 --> 00:25:59.899
 there at

00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.200
 the top

00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.440
 of the

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.200
 Areopagus,

00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.339
 verse 18

00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:02.879
 says he

00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.059
 was

00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.699
 preaching

00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.139
 about

00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:04.639
 what?

00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.139
 What does

00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.480
 it say?

00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:06.720
 How does

00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.000
 it sum

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.299
 up his

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.619
 preaching?

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.179
 He was

00:26:09.179 --> 00:26:09.699
 preaching

00:26:09.699 --> 00:26:10.099
 about

00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.679
 Jesus

00:26:10.679 --> 00:26:11.639
 and the

00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:12.379
 resurrection.

00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.319
 This is

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:14.679
 right at

00:26:14.679 --> 00:26:15.000
 the heart

00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.220
 of the

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.519
 Christian

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:15.879
 message.

00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.119
 If you

00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.299
 want to

00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:16.639
 know what

00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.059
 Christians

00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.639
 are all

00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.059
 about,

00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:18.679
 we are

00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:19.339
 all about

00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.000
 Jesus

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.879
 and the

00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.500
 resurrection.

00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:23.919
 Look at

00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:24.199
 how they

00:26:24.199 --> 00:26:25.059
 responded to

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.699
 this message.

00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.099
 They thought

00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.419
 he was

00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:27.139
 crazy.

00:26:28.199 --> 00:26:28.399
 Isn't

00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:28.519
 it

00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.879
 interesting?

00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.939
 They sat

00:26:29.939 --> 00:26:30.319
 through all

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.879
 that stuff

00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.559
 about God

00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:31.980
 making

00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.279
 all

00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.779
 things.

00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:33.180
 They sat

00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.519
 through all

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.559
 that stuff.

00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.160
 The hard

00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.799
 talk about

00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.620
 his rebukes

00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:36.920
 of their

00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.640
 idolatry.

00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.200
 They endured

00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.720
 that well

00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.079
 enough.

00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:39.779
 But verse

00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.579
 32 says

00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:40.860
 when they

00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.259
 heard about

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.880
 the resurrection

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.500
 of the

00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:42.860
 dead,

00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.660
 now they

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.200
 mock him

00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.380
 and they

00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:44.660
 say that's

00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.120
 crazy.

00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:46.940
 You realize

00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.200
 it's no

00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.579
 different

00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.519
 today?

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.559
 Do you

00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.059
 realize how

00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.640
 absurd it

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:53.480
 sounds to

00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.039
 claim that

00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.980
 somebody actually

00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.900
 rose from

00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.220
 the dead?

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.539
 If you

00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.019
 zoom out of

00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.460
 our Christian

00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.120
 bubble here

00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.599
 for a minute,

00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:02.259
 when you

00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.599
 go and

00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.079
 talk to

00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.980
 a non-believer

00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.259
 and you

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.779
 tell them

00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.279
 that you

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.000
 actually

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.899
 believe that

00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.959
 some 2,000

00:27:07.959 --> 00:27:08.519
 years ago

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.039
 this man

00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.679
 named Jesus

00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.279
 who's not

00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.859
 actually just

00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.240
 a man,

00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:11.839
 he's God

00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.579
 in the flesh,

00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.359
 he lived

00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.079
 perfectly,

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.240
 he died on

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.599
 the cross,

00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:16.159
 he actually

00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:16.639
 died,

00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.480
 he was laid

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:17.980
 in the tomb,

00:27:18.219 --> 00:27:18.699
 but then he

00:27:18.699 --> 00:27:19.699
 actually got

00:27:19.699 --> 00:27:20.299
 up from

00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:20.759
 the dead.

00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:20.980
 Do you

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.379
 realize how

00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:21.859
 crazy we

00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.119
 sound?

00:27:24.439 --> 00:27:25.119
 It sounds

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.500
 absurd.

00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:28.119
 And because

00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.579
 of this,

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.359
 some religious

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.980
 groups,

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.559
 entire

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.559
 denominations

00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.519
 that claim

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.000
 to be

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.619
 Christian,

00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.279
 they no

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.000
 longer teach

00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.299
 that the

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.700
 resurrection

00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.579
 actually happened.

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.880
 They minimize

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.559
 it to an

00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.640
 idea or

00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:41.079
 some spiritual

00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.839
 lesson about

00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:43.160
 perseverance or

00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.480
 something about

00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.440
 Christ's example

00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.539
 living on after

00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.039
 he died.

00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.700
 You may be

00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.160
 tempted to

00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.640
 minimize it

00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:49.099
 like that.

00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.359
 You may

00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.019
 think that it

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.259
 sounds crazy,

00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:53.819
 but I promise

00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.059
 you,

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:56.139
 I am

00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:56.779
 convinced,

00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:59.019
 every member

00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.539
 of this

00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.119
 church is

00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.799
 convinced that

00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:02.539
 Jesus actually,

00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:03.480
 really,

00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.440
 truly,

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.200
 physically got

00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.179
 up from

00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:07.740
 the dead.

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.119
 And in

00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:10.339
 fact,

00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:10.960
 if Jesus

00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.559
 is not

00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.259
 actually,

00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:13.220
 truly,

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.259
 physically,

00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:15.639
 really risen

00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:16.339
 from the grave,

00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.200
 not just as

00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.759
 an idea,

00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.159
 not just as

00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:19.859
 an inspirational

00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.960
 lesson or some

00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.579
 nonsense like

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:21.859
 that,

00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:22.940
 but really,

00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.480
 truly,

00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.019
 physically,

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:25.319
 alive again,

00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.319
 none of this

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.960
 matters one

00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.419
 bit.

00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:30.099
 The resurrection

00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.539
 isn't just

00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.139
 something that

00:28:31.139 --> 00:28:32.379
 is just a

00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:32.899
 make-believe

00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.819
 story that we

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.599
 celebrate once

00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.319
 a year because

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.899
 it's kind of

00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:36.639
 traditional and

00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.119
 it's just what

00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:37.559
 we do.

00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.079
 No,

00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.599
 everything hangs

00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.359
 on this.

00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.519
 Everything hangs

00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.220
 on whether or

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.039
 not Jesus

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.200
 Christ actually

00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:45.940
 rose from

00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.500
 the dead.

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.539
 God.

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:49.960
 This is what

00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.680
 Paul tells us

00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.740
 in 1 Corinthians

00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.660
 chapter 15,

00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.480
 this famous

00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.259
 chapter on the

00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.960
 resurrection of

00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.259
 Jesus.

00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.599
 He says,

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.599
 I deliver to

00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.240
 you as of

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.640
 first importance

00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.539
 what I also

00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.180
 received,

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.359
 that Christ

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.339
 died for our

00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.900
 sins in

00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.480
 accordance with

00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:04.980
 the scriptures,

00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.039
 scriptures,

00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.500
 that he was

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.079
 buried,

00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.420
 that he was

00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.559
 raised on the

00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.500
 third day in

00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.099
 accordance with

00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:11.640
 the scriptures,

00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.319
 and that he

00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.960
 appeared to

00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.720
 Cephas and

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.480
 then to the

00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:15.860
 twelve,

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.360
 and then he

00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:16.779
 appeared to

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.059
 more than

00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.400
 500 brothers

00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.339
 at one time,

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.120
 most of whom

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.920
 are still alive.

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.420
 In other words,

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.220
 if you have any

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.579
 questions,

00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.299
 go ask them.

00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:25.899
 friend,

00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.599
 when we say

00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:28.000
 Christ is

00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.339
 risen,

00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.099
 and the

00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.779
 church responds,

00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.359
 he is risen

00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:31.819
 indeed,

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:34.319
 this is a

00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.440
 historical

00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.279
 claim,

00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:38.440
 not primarily

00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:40.159
 a moral

00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:40.819
 claim,

00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.480
 or an

00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.960
 ethical

00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.659
 claim,

00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.700
 but actually,

00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.659
 we actually

00:29:44.659 --> 00:29:45.240
 believe,

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.099
 I got to make

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.680
 this clear to

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:46.839
 you,

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.759
 we actually

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.839
 believe Jesus

00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.539
 rose from the

00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:49.740
 dead,

00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.200
 you know that,

00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.419
 right?

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.879
 Billy Graham

00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:55.399
 says,

00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:55.960
 there is more

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.659
 evidence that

00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:57.539
 Jesus rose from

00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.200
 the dead than

00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.839
 there is that

00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.599
 Julius Caesar

00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.399
 ever lived,

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:00.879
 or that

00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:01.940
 Alexander the

00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.619
 Great died at

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.019
 the age of

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.419
 33.

00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.559
 Charles Spurgeon

00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:06.899
 says,

00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.519
 the resurrection

00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.359
 is a fact

00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.399
 better attested

00:30:09.399 --> 00:30:10.579
 than any event

00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.299
 recorded in

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.180
 any history,

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.159
 whether ancient

00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.779
 or modern.

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.500
 There were so

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.079
 many witnesses

00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.740
 to behold it

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.460
 that if we do

00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.099
 in the least

00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.200
 degree receive

00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.779
 the credibility

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.339
 of men's

00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.059
 testimonies,

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.240
 we cannot

00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.319
 and we dare

00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:22.960
 not doubt

00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.779
 that Jesus

00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:25.200
 rose from

00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.700
 the dead.

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.380
 Do you

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:26.880
 believe it?

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.200
 I just marvel

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.380
 at this fact

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:32.860
 for just a

00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:32.960
 minute.

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.779
 Here we have

00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:35.000
 over 500

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.779
 witnesses,

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.559
 and not to

00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.880
 mention the

00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.860
 dramatic change

00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.559
 in the apostles,

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.340
 they went from

00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.620
 fumbling and

00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:42.960
 bumbling,

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:43.819
 scared and

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.360
 uncertain,

00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.340
 and now to

00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:46.100
 giving everything

00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.799
 for the sake

00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.500
 of preaching

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.740
 Christ resurrected.

00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.180
 How do you

00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.759
 explain that?

00:30:50.840 --> 00:30:51.319
 How do you

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.819
 explain the

00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.579
 apostle Paul?

00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:52.960
 You know

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.439
 this is the

00:30:53.439 --> 00:30:54.159
 same Paul

00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:55.319
 who used

00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:55.879
 to go around

00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.619
 arresting

00:30:56.619 --> 00:30:57.099
 Christians

00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.919
 and who

00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.699
 hated the

00:30:58.699 --> 00:30:59.079
 spread of

00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.579
 the gospel,

00:30:59.699 --> 00:30:59.960
 who wanted

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.500
 to bottle

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.139
 it up and

00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:01.759
 kill them

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.159
 and wipe

00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:02.439
 them off

00:31:02.439 --> 00:31:02.740
 the face

00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:02.960
 of the

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.179
 earth,

00:31:03.439 --> 00:31:03.839
 and now

00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.679
 he's going

00:31:04.679 --> 00:31:05.319
 around from

00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:05.759
 town to

00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.519
 town risking

00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.299
 injury,

00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.240
 risking death,

00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.000
 suffering,

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.119
 in order to

00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.879
 proclaim that

00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:11.879
 Christ rose

00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:12.599
 from the

00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:12.939
 grave.

00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.319
 How do you

00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:13.919
 explain it?

00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:15.379
 How do you

00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.919
 explain the

00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:16.599
 sudden shift

00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.220
 all throughout

00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.699
 the ancient

00:31:17.699 --> 00:31:18.339
 world where

00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.460
 believers all

00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:19.899
 of a sudden

00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.500
 now move

00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.119
 their day of

00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.699
 worship from

00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:23.099
 Saturday now

00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:23.959
 to Sunday?

00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.519
 Why?

00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.279
 That's the

00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:25.959
 day of the

00:31:25.959 --> 00:31:26.699
 Lord's

00:31:26.699 --> 00:31:27.219
 resurrection.

00:31:28.979 --> 00:31:29.659
 Not to

00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.099
 mention to

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:31.019
 this day all

00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.759
 anybody would

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.319
 have to do to

00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.059
 just make all

00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:33.639
 these Christians

00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:34.599
 be quiet,

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.799
 go dig up the

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.479
 body of Jesus

00:31:36.479 --> 00:31:37.000
 and bring it

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.339
 to me.

00:31:39.459 --> 00:31:40.059
 And they

00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.699
 can't do it.

00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.139
 Why?

00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.739
 Because the

00:31:42.739 --> 00:31:43.859
 tomb is

00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.639
 empty.

00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.719
 Christ has

00:31:46.719 --> 00:31:47.500
 risen.

00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:49.500
 death is

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.299
 defeated.

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:50.940
 Paul says

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.359
 this is the

00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:51.940
 whole point.

00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.920
 This is what

00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.740
 Christ came to

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:54.980
 do.

00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:56.880
 And this is at

00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:58.099
 the very center

00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.700
 and heart of

00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.259
 the message of

00:31:59.259 --> 00:31:59.660
 Christianity.

00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.400
 And if you

00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:01.180
 fit into that

00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.960
 category of

00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.660
 center, which

00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.180
 guess what?

00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.940
 We all do.

00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.279
 The message of

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.960
 the gospel,

00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.039
 the good news,

00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.200
 is that Christ

00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.319
 Jesus has

00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.799
 come to live

00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.599
 in our place,

00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.900
 to die and

00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.720
 bear the wrath

00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.339
 of God that

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.000
 we have

00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.740
 earned and

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.139
 to rise again

00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:18.639
 from the

00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.459
 dead to

00:32:19.459 --> 00:32:20.179
 crush the

00:32:20.179 --> 00:32:20.679
 powers of

00:32:20.679 --> 00:32:21.000
 sin and

00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.519
 darkness.

00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:25.199
 It's proof

00:32:25.199 --> 00:32:26.220
 positive for

00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.439
 us.

00:32:26.699 --> 00:32:27.339
 Paul calls it

00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.139
 assurance.

00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.720
 And that

00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.599
 Jesus is in

00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.679
 fact God in

00:32:31.679 --> 00:32:32.480
 the flesh as

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.119
 he claimed to

00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:33.339
 be.

00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.779
 His resurrection

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.339
 is proof

00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:36.179
 positive for

00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:36.720
 us that his

00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.679
 sacrifice was

00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:38.819
 acceptable to

00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.199
 God.

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.859
 His payment

00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.740
 for our sins

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.799
 was sufficient

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.759
 once for all.

00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:45.960
 his resurrection

00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.619
 is proof

00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:47.259
 positive.

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:47.920
 It's assurance

00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:48.660
 that sin

00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:50.000
 and death

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:51.079
 and the devil

00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:51.940
 himself have

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:52.859
 been conquered.

00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.900
 Christ has

00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.480
 won.

00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.220
 His resurrection

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.799
 is proof

00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.500
 positive that

00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.259
 every word of

00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.660
 the Lord

00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.660
 proves true

00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.579
 including his

00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.519
 promised coming

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.539
 return.

00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.220
 The resurrection

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:03.900
 of Jesus is

00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:04.660
 everything for

00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:04.940
 us.

00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.660
 As Paul says

00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.359
 in 1 Corinthians

00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.720
 15, if Christ

00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.900
 is still in the

00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:11.960
 tomb, we are

00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.259
 still in our

00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.920
 sins.

00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:16.660
 If the tomb

00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.539
 is full, then

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.240
 all this

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.220
 religion stuff

00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.940
 is empty.

00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.420
 If he is

00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.200
 dead, then so

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.420
 is our hope.

00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:25.359
 But in fact,

00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.859
 Christ has been

00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:28.059
 raised from

00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:29.400
 the dead.

00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.960
 And this is the

00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.720
 basic message of

00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.140
 the gospel.

00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:35.779
 God is our

00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.220
 creator.

00:33:36.379 --> 00:33:36.700
 We have

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.640
 rebelled against

00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.000
 him.

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.019
 Christ has been

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.140
 offered up as

00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:41.000
 the one time

00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:42.200
 sufficient payment

00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.100
 for our sins.

00:33:43.340 --> 00:33:44.200
 He lives and

00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:45.120
 reigns now in

00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.740
 resurrection.

00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.420
 But we can't

00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:48.960
 stop there.

00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:50.880
 Because fourth,

00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:52.620
 we see this

00:33:52.620 --> 00:33:54.180
 message demands

00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.480
 a response.

00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:58.100
 This message

00:33:58.100 --> 00:34:00.080
 demands that

00:34:00.080 --> 00:34:01.019
 you respond.

00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.420
 I wonder if it

00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.039
 would surprise you

00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:04.660
 to know that the

00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.319
 devil believes

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.380
 everything that I've

00:34:06.380 --> 00:34:06.980
 talked about this

00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.200
 morning.

00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:10.559
 all the demons

00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.240
 in hell know

00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:11.940
 the truth about

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.440
 God.

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.539
 All the demons

00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.240
 in hell know

00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:15.940
 the truth about

00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.480
 our sin.

00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.539
 All the demons

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.380
 in hell know

00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.119
 that Jesus has

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.940
 risen from the

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.139
 grave.

00:34:20.220 --> 00:34:20.720
 They know it

00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:21.139
 better than

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.599
 most.

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.260
 Simply knowing

00:34:24.260 --> 00:34:25.440
 the truth will

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:27.199
 not save you.

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.679
 You must make

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:31.380
 a grace-enabled

00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.980
 response to the

00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:33.460
 truth.

00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:35.900
 Paul here,

00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.960
 he gives them

00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:38.139
 the gospel as

00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.139
 plain and simple

00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.740
 and clear as he

00:34:39.740 --> 00:34:40.220
 can make it.

00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.019
 God is the

00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.659
 creator and

00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:41.980
 ruler.

00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:43.159
 Man is a

00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:43.440
 sinner.

00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:44.400
 Christ is the

00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.079
 risen Savior.

00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:45.940
 But look at

00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:46.400
 what happens

00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:46.800
 here in verse

00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.199
 32.

00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.880
 There's a mixed

00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.860
 response to the

00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.380
 message of the

00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:51.720
 gospel.

00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:54.340
 Now when they

00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:54.940
 heard of the

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.619
 resurrection of

00:34:55.619 --> 00:34:55.960
 the dead,

00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:57.400
 some mocked,

00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.159
 but others

00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.880
 said, we will

00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.820
 hear you again

00:34:59.820 --> 00:35:00.659
 about this.

00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:01.539
 Now you see

00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.039
 the difference?

00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:04.340
 Some immediately

00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:05.059
 reject it.

00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.900
 They mock it.

00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.900
 They write it

00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.699
 off as ridiculous.

00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.259
 Others are

00:35:09.259 --> 00:35:10.739
 intrigued by it.

00:35:10.759 --> 00:35:11.159
 They want to

00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:11.699
 hear more.

00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:13.860
 And Paul goes

00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.360
 out from their

00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:14.960
 midst in verse

00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.380
 34.

00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.779
 He says, but

00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:17.880
 some men joined

00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:19.279
 him and

00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:19.940
 believed.

00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:21.940
 Now I love

00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.420
 that he calls

00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.119
 them by name.

00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:24.460
 It says, Dionysius

00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:25.900
 heard the gospel

00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:27.059
 and he believed

00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:27.880
 the gospel that

00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:28.199
 day.

00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:30.179
 And Damaris,

00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.759
 she heard the

00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:32.380
 gospel that

00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.060
 day and she

00:35:33.060 --> 00:35:33.740
 put her faith

00:35:33.740 --> 00:35:34.120
 in Christ.

00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:34.860
 She believed

00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:35.400
 the gospel

00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:35.960
 that day.

00:35:37.040 --> 00:35:37.540
 And still

00:35:37.540 --> 00:35:38.100
 others with

00:35:38.100 --> 00:35:38.260
 them.

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:39.380
 They responded

00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.080
 to this truth

00:35:40.080 --> 00:35:40.980
 by putting

00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.480
 their faith

00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.240
 in Christ.

00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.600
 Friend, there

00:35:45.600 --> 00:35:46.020
 are many

00:35:46.020 --> 00:35:46.920
 responses to

00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.540
 this gospel

00:35:47.540 --> 00:35:47.920
 message.

00:35:48.060 --> 00:35:48.540
 And I have

00:35:48.540 --> 00:35:49.360
 no doubt

00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.920
 that this

00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.740
 morning, some

00:35:50.740 --> 00:35:51.480
 of you probably

00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:52.020
 will leave

00:35:52.020 --> 00:35:52.960
 here laughing

00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.860
 at the idea

00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:54.900
 of an actual

00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:55.400
 physical

00:35:55.400 --> 00:35:56.020
 resurrection.

00:35:57.620 --> 00:35:58.280
 Some of y'all

00:35:58.280 --> 00:35:58.740
 will think that

00:35:58.740 --> 00:35:59.440
 is absurd.

00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:01.639
 And still

00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.200
 some of you

00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:02.980
 might be

00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.720
 intrigued.

00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.340
 Maybe you

00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:04.820
 come back

00:36:04.820 --> 00:36:05.500
 next week.

00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:05.880
 Maybe you

00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:06.220
 want to hear

00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:06.800
 more about

00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:07.360
 this Jesus

00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.079
 and who

00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:08.639
 he is and

00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:09.000
 what he's

00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.220
 done.

00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:09.500
 You're

00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.079
 curious.

00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:13.920
 But I hope

00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.420
 and I pray

00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.019
 and I think

00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:16.139
 that some

00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:16.639
 of you this

00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:17.200
 morning may

00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:17.860
 be like

00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.679
 Dionysius

00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:21.139
 and like

00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.700
 Damaris.

00:36:23.700 --> 00:36:24.300
 Some of you

00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.900
 this morning

00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:27.240
 may be ready

00:36:27.239 --> 00:36:28.359
 by the grace

00:36:28.359 --> 00:36:29.079
 of God

00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:29.979
 to leave

00:36:29.979 --> 00:36:30.719
 behind your

00:36:30.719 --> 00:36:31.679
 sin and to

00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:32.179
 put your

00:36:32.179 --> 00:36:32.839
 faith in

00:36:32.839 --> 00:36:33.179
 Jesus.

00:36:33.859 --> 00:36:34.119
 And if

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.799
 that's you,

00:36:34.919 --> 00:36:35.319
 if you are

00:36:35.319 --> 00:36:36.159
 not a

00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.559
 believer,

00:36:36.939 --> 00:36:37.279
 friend, your

00:36:37.279 --> 00:36:38.039
 response this

00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:38.459
 morning to

00:36:38.459 --> 00:36:38.979
 this message

00:36:38.979 --> 00:36:39.500
 is very

00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:39.939
 simple.

00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.439
 Repent of

00:36:41.439 --> 00:36:42.059
 your sins

00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.599
 and put your

00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.059
 faith in

00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.500
 Christ.

00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.819
 Turn from

00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.339
 your sin

00:36:47.339 --> 00:36:48.379
 and put your

00:36:48.379 --> 00:36:49.039
 faith in the

00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.939
 risen Lord

00:36:49.939 --> 00:36:51.000
 Jesus and

00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.879
 you will leave

00:36:51.879 --> 00:36:52.379
 here this

00:36:52.379 --> 00:36:53.359
 morning risen

00:36:53.359 --> 00:36:54.279
 with Christ

00:36:54.279 --> 00:36:55.079
 as a new

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.699
 creation.

00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:55.799
 creation.

00:36:56.719 --> 00:36:57.159
 The old

00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.819
 is gone.

00:36:57.919 --> 00:36:58.439
 Behold, the

00:36:58.439 --> 00:36:59.619
 new has

00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:00.019
 come.

00:37:01.859 --> 00:37:02.419
 And for

00:37:02.419 --> 00:37:03.159
 you, church

00:37:03.159 --> 00:37:03.679
 believer,

00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.839
 we respond to

00:37:05.839 --> 00:37:06.319
 this familiar

00:37:06.319 --> 00:37:08.359
 message with

00:37:08.359 --> 00:37:08.819
 a heart of

00:37:08.819 --> 00:37:10.799
 worship and

00:37:10.799 --> 00:37:11.659
 gratitude for

00:37:11.659 --> 00:37:12.179
 what God has

00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:12.579
 done in

00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:12.919
 Christ.

00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.239
 Praise God.

00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.279
 In Christ,

00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.159
 your sins

00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:16.679
 have been

00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:17.119
 forgiven.

00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:20.159
 Because Christ

00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:20.939
 has conquered,

00:37:21.899 --> 00:37:22.739
 death has

00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:23.460
 been defeated.

00:37:24.759 --> 00:37:25.239
 And because

00:37:25.239 --> 00:37:25.839
 Christ is

00:37:25.839 --> 00:37:26.679
 coming again,

00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:28.379
 he will bring

00:37:28.379 --> 00:37:29.019
 you to be

00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:29.819
 where he is

00:37:29.819 --> 00:37:30.359
 for the rest

00:37:30.359 --> 00:37:30.959
 of eternity

00:37:30.959 --> 00:37:32.479
 in the

00:37:32.479 --> 00:37:32.979
 presence of

00:37:32.979 --> 00:37:33.319
 God.

00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:36.179
 J.C.

00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:36.919
 Ryle says,

00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.619
 we need not

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.399
 wonder that so

00:37:38.399 --> 00:37:39.259
 much importance

00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:40.219
 is attached

00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:41.059
 to our Lord's

00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:41.639
 resurrection.

00:37:42.459 --> 00:37:43.239
 It is the

00:37:43.239 --> 00:37:44.019
 seal and

00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.859
 headstone of

00:37:44.859 --> 00:37:45.519
 the great work

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.059
 of redemption

00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.739
 which he came

00:37:46.739 --> 00:37:47.119
 to do.

00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.439
 It is the

00:37:48.439 --> 00:37:49.500
 crowning proof

00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:49.879
 that he has

00:37:49.879 --> 00:37:50.659
 paid the debt

00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.439
 which he undertook

00:37:51.439 --> 00:37:51.979
 to pay on

00:37:51.979 --> 00:37:52.619
 our behalf.

00:37:53.359 --> 00:37:54.139
 He's won the

00:37:54.139 --> 00:37:54.819
 battle which he

00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.300
 fought to

00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:55.940
 deliver us

00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:56.460
 from hell

00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.300
 and is

00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:58.539
 accepted as

00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.440
 our surety

00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.019
 and our

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.580
 substitute

00:38:00.580 --> 00:38:01.300
 by our

00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:01.820
 Father in

00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.080
 Heaven.

00:38:03.080 --> 00:38:03.539
 Had he

00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:04.220
 never come

00:38:04.220 --> 00:38:04.820
 forth from

00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:05.240
 the prison

00:38:05.240 --> 00:38:05.880
 of the grave,

00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:06.800
 how could we

00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:07.720
 ever have

00:38:07.720 --> 00:38:08.160
 been sure

00:38:08.160 --> 00:38:08.519
 that our

00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:09.000
 ransom had

00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:09.380
 been fully

00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:09.780
 paid?

00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:10.940
 Had he

00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:11.580
 never risen

00:38:11.580 --> 00:38:11.960
 from his

00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:12.780
 conflict with

00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:13.180
 the last

00:38:13.180 --> 00:38:13.460
 enemy,

00:38:13.680 --> 00:38:14.220
 how could we

00:38:14.220 --> 00:38:14.620
 have felt

00:38:14.620 --> 00:38:15.320
 confident that

00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:15.519
 he has

00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:15.920
 overcome

00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.600
 death and

00:38:16.600 --> 00:38:17.539
 him that

00:38:17.539 --> 00:38:17.880
 had the

00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:18.440
 power of

00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:18.700
 death,

00:38:18.740 --> 00:38:19.140
 that is the

00:38:19.140 --> 00:38:19.400
 devil?

00:38:20.620 --> 00:38:21.340
 But thanks

00:38:21.340 --> 00:38:22.079
 be to

00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:22.539
 God.

00:38:22.740 --> 00:38:23.079
 We are

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:23.840
 not left

00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:24.380
 in doubt.

00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:25.960
 The Lord

00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:27.120
 Jesus really

00:38:27.120 --> 00:38:28.400
 rose again

00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:28.960
 for our

00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:29.700
 justification.

00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.140
 True

00:38:31.140 --> 00:38:31.780
 Christians are

00:38:31.780 --> 00:38:32.300
 begotten

00:38:32.300 --> 00:38:32.940
 again unto

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:33.440
 a lively

00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:34.180
 hope by the

00:38:34.180 --> 00:38:34.940
 resurrection of

00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.579
 Jesus Christ

00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:35.940
 from the

00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.200
 dead.

00:38:37.260 --> 00:38:37.680
 They may

00:38:37.680 --> 00:38:38.519
 boldly say

00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:39.180
 with Paul,

00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.400
 who is he

00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:41.320
 that condemns?

00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:42.640
 It is Christ

00:38:42.640 --> 00:38:43.320
 that died,

00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:43.680
 yes,

00:38:43.780 --> 00:38:44.140
 rather,

00:38:45.180 --> 00:38:45.920
 that is risen

00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.579
 again.

00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:48.400
 Father,

00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:48.980
 we praise

00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.440
 you that

00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:51.179
 Jesus has

00:38:51.179 --> 00:38:51.840
 risen from

00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.400
 the grave.

00:38:53.719 --> 00:38:54.239
 And we

00:38:54.239 --> 00:38:54.940
 praise you for

00:38:54.940 --> 00:38:55.659
 his sacrifice

00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:56.679
 in our place,

00:38:56.759 --> 00:38:57.139
 that he has

00:38:57.139 --> 00:38:57.940
 paid the debt

00:38:57.940 --> 00:38:58.679
 that we owe

00:38:58.679 --> 00:38:59.739
 for our sin

00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:00.199
 and has been

00:39:00.199 --> 00:39:01.360
 raised for our

00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:02.500
 justification for

00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.639
 all who turn

00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.440
 from their sin

00:39:04.440 --> 00:39:05.099
 and put their

00:39:05.099 --> 00:39:06.539
 faith in him.

00:39:07.619 --> 00:39:08.400
 We praise you

00:39:08.400 --> 00:39:08.920
 for the gift of

00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.819
 eternal life that

00:39:09.819 --> 00:39:10.659
 you freely give

00:39:10.659 --> 00:39:11.139
 to all who

00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:11.579
 believe.

00:39:12.440 --> 00:39:12.960
 And we love

00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:13.139
 you,

00:39:13.279 --> 00:39:13.480
 Father.

00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.000
 We praise you

00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:14.380
 for this in

00:39:14.380 --> 00:39:14.940
 Jesus' name.

00:39:16.000 --> 00:39:16.259
 Amen.

00:39:16.579 --> 00:39:17.579
 Amen.