WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.500 And this morning's passage is an especially tricky passage. And before we read it together, just to get us thinking, I want to ask some questions. 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:18.719 Firstly, really, what are your roots? What are your roots? I don't know if you've ever seen the kind of ancestry show on the BBC. 00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:23.539 Who do you think you are? Where celebrities go on it to kind of discover what their roots are. 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:30.660 I watched an episode recently with the comedian Jack Whitehall, and he got all excited about one of his ancestors being from Birmingham. 00:00:31.100 --> 00:00:36.579 He was expecting, I think, to be descended from like a Peaky Blinder or at least some minor aristocrat or something. 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:47.939 Instead, he discovered a man who had a taste for sleeping with prostitutes, who got syphilis, who gave it to his wife and who died in an asylum. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:51.079 What are your roots? 00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:56.979 One of my ancestors was the Bishop of London. I've always been quite proud of that fact. 00:00:57.199 --> 00:01:03.859 And as far as I can tell, he was a pretty good guy, preaching passionately, working hard for social change in the East End of London. 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:08.640 But I discovered a couple of years ago that he wasn't just straightforwardly a good guy. 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:14.799 He was the Bishop of London during World War I, and he earned the nickname the belligerent bishop. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:20.659 Apparently, he would regularly use awful xenophobic language about ordinary German people. 00:01:21.039 --> 00:01:27.000 And he even promoted the idea that we should be bombing civilians, that that would be the best means of winning the war. 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:29.479 What are your roots? 00:01:30.979 --> 00:01:36.019 If you're a Christian here today, I think it's also worth asking, what are your Christian roots? 00:01:36.019 --> 00:01:43.659 I mean, you can think about the person who told you about Jesus and who told them and who told them and so on. 00:01:44.239 --> 00:01:45.799 But go far enough back. 00:01:46.819 --> 00:01:51.959 And if you're a Christian here today, it's probably partly because of this guy called Charlemagne. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:53.620 You might have heard of Charlemagne. 00:01:53.739 --> 00:02:00.039 He was the first man to unite Western Europe and Central Europe, the kind of first guy to do that since the Roman Empire. 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:04.880 And it was during his reign that the gospel was first brought to the shores of Britain. 00:02:05.740 --> 00:02:10.240 If you're here today and you're a Christian, you've got a lot to be grateful to this guy for. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:12.040 Sounds like a pretty good guy. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:15.780 But really, things were very messy. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:24.219 In the year 782, more than 4,500 Saxons were massacred by Charlemagne for refusing to convert to Christianity. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:30.199 A bit like in our passage today, he had 18 children to seven different women. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:33.560 And those are our roots. 00:02:34.379 --> 00:02:38.539 If you're a Christian here today, it's also probably partly because of this guy, Oliver Cromwell. 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:40.319 Again, you've probably heard of Cromwell. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:43.900 He was an important figure in the kind of continued reformation in Britain, 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:50.099 challenging the assumptions of divine monarchy and encouraging evangelical, independent Protestantism. 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:52.560 We've got a lot to be grateful to him for. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:53.840 Sounds pretty good. 00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:57.340 But again, in doing so, things were messy. 00:02:58.819 --> 00:03:03.000 In Ireland, October 1649, and apologies for the history lesson here. 00:03:03.580 --> 00:03:10.300 But in October 1649, troops under Cromwell's command killed more than 3,000 people, including 1,500 civilians. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:15.920 As you can imagine, he was and in many places still is wildly unpopular. 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:17.960 But these are our Christian roots. 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:25.200 The Crusades, the 30 years war, transatlantic slavery, witch hunts, the Inquisition. 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:27.300 It was Christians that did all of that. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:28.319 These are our roots. 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:35.140 In every century of Christian history, atrocity after atrocity has been committed. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:38.620 And we can discuss whether these people really were Christians. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:42.980 I'm sure some of them weren't, but I'm equally sure that some of them really were. 00:03:44.200 --> 00:03:46.259 And either way, there's no denying it. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:49.120 If you're a Christian here today, these are our roots. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:55.879 As we look down the ages and as we assess the behavior of individual Christians, 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:59.159 maybe especially as we assess the behavior of the Christian church, 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:03.640 as we assess our roots, we have to say, don't we, there is something deeply rotten there. 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:09.019 In fact, friends of mine have often told me that this is exactly why they're not Christians. 00:04:09.959 --> 00:04:11.719 Why they could never be Christians. 00:04:11.899 --> 00:04:14.399 Just look at all the bad stuff that Christians have done. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:15.439 And they're right. 00:04:17.419 --> 00:04:19.860 And, you know, I think it's actually much worse than that. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:24.099 Because those are our roots, but it's also true today, isn't it? 00:04:25.539 --> 00:04:28.259 Friends of mine, they look at history and they say that. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:31.099 But for them, it's also the hypocrisy in the church. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:33.279 The hypocrisy of Christians. 00:04:34.419 --> 00:04:40.860 You know, they look at us and they just see that we don't look like anything like the Jesus that we say we follow. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.620 And again, they're right, aren't they? 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:45.759 They're right about me anyway. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:48.379 Nothing like Jesus. 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:51.639 My friends know me well enough. 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:54.339 If they've ever seen me behind the wheel of a car, as simple as that, 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:58.659 they know that I can get very angry and that I'm extremely selfish. 00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:02.519 And that in so many ways, I'm just like them. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:05.519 Do your friends know that about you? 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:15.379 Maybe as you look around this morning, I guess it's possible that you feel like you're the dirtiest and rottenest person in this room. 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:21.079 And maybe you feel like if only they knew, they probably wouldn't have even let me in this morning. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:27.579 Let me tell you that the truth is the person sitting next to you probably feels exactly the same way. 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:32.279 And if they don't, maybe you're here this morning and that's not you. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:35.959 And instead, you think you're doing pretty well, that you actually deserve to be here, 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:41.120 that you deserve his grace, that you've done everything necessary for God to be kind to you. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:48.139 Either way, whoever you are this morning, wherever you sit, I guess, on that spectrum, you need to know this. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:50.860 As we look at our rotten roots, 00:05:51.899 --> 00:05:57.459 we have to say that the Christian church could only possibly exist today by God's grace. 00:05:57.459 --> 00:06:05.139 And as we look at our lives, we have to say the only way that it's going to continue is by God's grace, 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:08.759 his utterly undeserved kindness to us. 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:14.199 God establishes his people by grace in spite of their mess. 00:06:15.219 --> 00:06:19.539 And God keeps his people by grace in spite of their mess. 00:06:19.639 --> 00:06:20.679 Grace is the way in. 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:23.759 And grace is the way on. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:31.800 We've been in this series in Genesis over the last couple of months when God's grace meets our mess. 00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:33.180 It's the story of Jacob. 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:39.220 Just before we read our passage this morning, a little bit of context so that you know where we've got to in this story, 00:06:39.280 --> 00:06:40.199 if you haven't been here. 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:45.960 We've seen that the key to understanding this story are God's promises to his people, 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:50.759 especially the promises he makes through this family, the promises to Abraham. 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:58.039 We've just seen one of those with Ian and then to Abraham's son and then to Isaac's son, now to Jacob. 00:06:58.839 --> 00:07:00.000 So four things, really. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:01.819 Promises of a place to call home. 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:04.159 Promises of his presence with them. 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:07.699 Promises of a glorious purpose that they would bless the nations. 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:11.139 And then most importantly for us this morning, and as Ian has read, 00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:14.339 the promises that they would be a numerous people. 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:19.599 In Genesis chapter 15, we saw God's promise of that in that way to Abraham. 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:23.279 In chapter 26, that promise is reaffirmed to Isaac. 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:27.699 He says, I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:30.740 And that is a very unlikely promise. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:34.560 And not least because both Abraham and Isaac struggle to have children. 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:38.039 But God does just enough to continue their family line. 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:42.400 And the promise continues, as we saw just a couple of weeks ago in chapter 28, 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:43.620 the promise to Jacob. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:45.460 All four elements were there. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:47.360 Place, presence, purpose, and people. 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:52.920 Especially for today, your descendants will be like the dust of the earth. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:59.220 And so as we come to our reading this morning, that promise begins to be fulfilled. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:02.180 But it's not exactly sunshine and roses. 00:08:03.020 --> 00:08:05.360 And so turn to Genesis chapter 29 with me. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:08.120 You'll find it on page 32 of the Pew Bibles. 00:08:09.280 --> 00:08:10.720 Genesis chapter 29. 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:15.620 We'll mostly be in chapter 30, actually, but we'll start in chapter 29. 00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:20.819 See with me how God's grace was at work, even in a massive, massive mess. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:25.660 So chapter 29 from verse 31. 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:33.840 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:37.000 But Rachel remained childless. 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:40.779 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:43.200 She named him Reuben, for she said, 00:08:43.300 --> 00:08:45.460 It is because the Lord has seen my misery. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:49.580 Surely my husband will love me now. 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:52.580 She conceived again. 00:08:52.800 --> 00:08:54.960 And when she gave birth to a son, she said, 00:08:55.040 --> 00:08:58.940 Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too. 00:08:59.780 --> 00:09:01.259 So she named him Simeon. 00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:03.480 Again, she conceived. 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:05.520 And when she gave birth to a son, she said, 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:08.620 Now at last my husband will become attached to me, 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:10.800 because I have borne him three sons. 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:12.960 So he was named Levi. 00:09:14.160 --> 00:09:15.320 She conceived again. 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:17.280 And when she gave birth to a son, she said, 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:19.300 This time I will praise the Lord. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:20.480 So she named him Judah. 00:09:21.540 --> 00:09:23.160 Then she stopped having children. 00:09:24.680 --> 00:09:27.900 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, 00:09:28.040 --> 00:09:29.440 she became jealous of her sister. 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:30.620 So she said to Jacob, 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:32.980 Give me children or I'll die. 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:36.540 Jacob became angry with her and said, 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:38.140 Am I in the place of God? 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:40.320 Who has kept you from having children? 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.440 Then she said, 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:43.980 Here is Bilhah, my servant. 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:47.659 Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me, 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.399 and I too can build a family through her. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:54.720 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:58.860 Jacob slept with her and she became pregnant and bore him a son. 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:00.779 Then Rachel said, 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.740 God has vindicated me. 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:05.980 He has listened to my plea and given me a son. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:08.539 Because of this, she named him Dan. 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:13.340 Rachel's servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:14.840 Then Rachel said, 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:17.740 I have had a great struggle with my sister and I have won. 00:10:18.540 --> 00:10:19.920 So she named him Naphtali. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:24.019 When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:28.240 she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:31.399 Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.600 Then Leah said, 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:33.500 What good fortune? 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:35.200 So she named him Gad. 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:39.220 Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.759 Then Leah said, 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.820 How happy I am. 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:43.500 The woman will call me happy. 00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:45.379 So she named him Asher. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.960 During wheat harvest, 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:51.200 Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:53.480 which he brought to his mother Leah. 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:55.040 Rachel said to Leah, 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:57.420 Please give me some of your son's mandrakes. 00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:58.740 But she said to her, 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:01.120 Wasn't it enough that you took away my husband? 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:03.660 Will you take my son's mandrakes too? 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:05.600 Very well, 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:06.779 Rachel said, 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:10.919 He can sleep with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes. 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:14.620 So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, 00:11:15.219 --> 00:11:16.480 Leah went out to meet him. 00:11:17.219 --> 00:11:18.299 You must sleep with me, 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:18.779 she said. 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:21.980 I have hired you with my son's mandrakes. 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:24.419 So he slept with her that night. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:27.559 God listened to Leah and she became pregnant 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:30.019 and bore Jacob a fifth son. 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:32.059 Then Leah said, 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:35.519 God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.799 So she named him Issachar. 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:42.399 Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. 00:11:42.819 --> 00:11:43.460 Then Leah said, 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:45.579 God has presented me with a precious gift. 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:48.139 This time my husband will treat me with honor 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:50.039 because I have borne him six sons. 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:52.220 So she named him Zebulun. 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:54.740 Sometime later, 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:57.000 she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinner. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.000 Then God remembered Rachel. 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:02.039 He listened to her and enabled her to conceive. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:06.019 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:08.039 God has taken away my disgrace. 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:11.759 She named him Joseph and said, 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:14.539 May the Lord add to me another son. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:17.940 Earlier this year, 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:18.940 just a few months ago, 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:21.299 I read that section of Genesis with Ben, 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:21.899 Ben Vesa, 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.379 a member here at the church. 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:25.580 And we got to this passage literally the week 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:26.879 before he married Cater. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:29.360 And so you can imagine how we felt 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.820 as we read this chapter together. 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.539 But before we go any further, 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:35.039 let's put ourselves in the shoes of the original readers, 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:36.700 the people that this was written for. 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:38.080 Let's ask how they were feeling 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:40.820 as they read it or heard it read. 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.080 Because this book, 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:46.899 it was written by Moses for the Exodus generation. 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:50.059 So it's something like 500 years after the action, 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:50.860 after Jacob. 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:54.639 God has rescued this people out of slavery in Egypt 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:56.000 and they're now in the desert. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:59.360 Notice how those promises that we talked about are going. 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.159 They don't have a place to call home. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.220 They certainly aren't fulfilling their purpose of nation blessing. 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:09.560 They are going to have God's presence with them. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.860 That will be the tabernacle. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:14.980 But really only one man once a year will get access to that. 00:13:15.660 --> 00:13:16.660 But crucially, 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:19.460 they have become numerous. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:23.019 From a family of around 70 people 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.519 when they first went into Egypt, 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.779 now over a million when they leave. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.720 The people promise, 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:31.540 in many ways, 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:33.399 the people promise has been fulfilled. 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:36.939 But it's actually not going very well. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:38.959 They're not having a great time in the desert. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:41.439 They might have been slaves in Egypt, 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:43.059 but at least they were well fed. 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:44.399 At least they had a home. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.360 And we're told about their grumbling 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:48.439 and their moaning and their infighting. 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:50.360 We're told about their idol worship 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:52.279 and their rebellion against God. 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:55.699 And so as they hear this story about Jacob, 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:57.939 as they hear about their roots, 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.079 the beginnings, 00:13:59.319 --> 00:14:00.840 the genesis of their people, 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.759 the message was this. 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:07.399 God established you as his people by grace 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.959 in spite of their mess, 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.299 in spite of your mess. 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:13.480 And God will keep you by grace 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:15.419 in spite of the mess. 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.399 It is the way in 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.959 and it is the way on. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.779 And so here's the story. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:23.039 As we read it, did you see? 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:25.340 It's sort of like a twisted competition. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.159 You've got Leah in one corner. 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:29.279 You've got Rachel in the other corner. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.100 Two sisters, 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:33.340 each competing for what the other sister has. 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:37.500 Now have a look at verse 30 of chapter 29. 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:40.019 We didn't read it just before our passage. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.879 Back in verse 30, 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:45.440 Jacob loved Rachel more than he loved Leah. 00:14:45.540 --> 00:14:47.000 Really that's instead of, 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.360 in place of Leah. 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:50.940 So Rachel is odds-on favorite 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:52.940 in this competition for love. 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:55.980 But notice in verse 31, 00:14:57.520 --> 00:14:58.960 Leah may not be loved, 00:14:59.520 --> 00:15:01.500 but Rachel is childless. 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.440 And we'll see in chapter one of verse, 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:07.300 sorry, verse one of chapter 30, 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.960 that that is what Rachel desperately wants. 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:10.660 Children. 00:15:12.260 --> 00:15:13.400 Leah wants love. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.300 Rachel wants children. 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:17.000 Each competing, as we'll see, 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.820 for what the other sister has. 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:21.759 Competing really for their husband. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:25.679 Both of them desiring happy families. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.639 And so the competition begins. 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.399 The first point goes to Leah. 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.559 See in verse 32, 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.360 Leah became pregnant, 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.480 gave birth to a son. 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.940 She named him Reuben. 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:36.620 One nil. 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:39.919 And if you're not sure that this is a competition, 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:41.120 and I'm just making that up, 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.840 notice Reuben's name. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:45.139 You probably have a footnote in your Bible. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.279 I think in the Pew Bible, 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:50.319 it says that it means see a son. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:53.699 So Leah has struck the first blow. 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.519 And this name is like a celebration. 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:59.460 And it's a celebration designed to kind of show off, 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:01.399 to make sure that everyone knows and remembers 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:03.159 that she is winning in this competition. 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:05.360 Every time they speak about Reuben, 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.699 it's look, a son. 00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:08.379 Every time they call his name, 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.659 look, a son. 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:10.740 It's a celebration. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:13.939 Leah is winning. 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:16.200 And yet in verse 32, 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:19.080 can you hear her heartache? 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:22.320 Surely my husband will love me now. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:26.080 She desperately wants him to love her. 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:28.440 She desperately wants happy families. 00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:31.520 And then immediately, verse 33, 00:16:31.660 --> 00:16:32.940 another son, two nil. 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:35.380 Another in verse 34, three nil. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.360 She's definitely winning, 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.820 but the heartache continues. 00:16:38.880 --> 00:16:39.960 Now at last, 00:16:40.040 --> 00:16:42.680 my husband will become attached to me. 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:44.899 Verse 35, 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.039 the sons keep coming. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.879 It's four nil. 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:49.000 And then at the end of chapter 29, 00:16:49.859 --> 00:16:52.039 then she stopped having children. 00:16:52.239 --> 00:16:54.620 Halftime in the baby making competition. 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:58.279 And so Rachel is four nil down at halftime. 00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:00.639 She goes in to have a chat with her husband 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.459 in verse one of chapter 30. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:04.159 See what she says? 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:06.740 Give me children or I'll die. 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:12.079 Leah's desire for her husband's love is heartbreaking. 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.420 But so is this, isn't it? 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.880 Rachel desperately wants children. 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:19.799 She too desperately wants happy families. 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:23.539 And Jacob's response is really good theology. 00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:25.960 Not that sensitive, but good theology. 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.539 Am I in the place of God? 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:30.779 He recognizes that conception 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:32.599 is ultimately in God's power. 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:35.200 Obviously, man and woman need to do their thing 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.100 and timing needs to be right and whatever else. 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.799 But ultimately, 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:40.700 whether a baby is produced is always a miracle. 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:43.620 And so it's not my fault, says Jacob. 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:46.660 Rachel isn't satisfied with that answer. 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:48.380 And so she makes a substitution. 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:50.960 In comes Bilhah, her servant. 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:53.039 Apparently, that was actually quite normal, 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.259 kind of ancient practice 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.920 for a servant to step in 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.880 and give it a go 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.980 when the couple aren't able to conceive. 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.620 And the resulting child 00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:02.099 would actually legally belong 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:03.660 to the one that they serve. 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:05.059 And that's exactly what happens. 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.960 In fact, Bilhah has two sons. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.960 Score is 4-2. 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.079 And notice again, 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:11.940 if you're not convinced 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:13.000 that this is a competition, 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:15.440 have a look at verse eight of chapter 30. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.420 What does Rachel say? 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.539 I have had a struggle with my sister 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:21.140 and I have won. 00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:22.819 She's very confident here 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:24.299 that the comeback is on. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:27.220 But Leah, Leah remember, 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.839 has stopped having children. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.120 She sees that the substitution 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:31.400 is quite a good tactic. 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:33.539 So she subs in her servant, Zilpar. 00:18:34.100 --> 00:18:36.079 And Zilpar conceives twice as well. 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.039 So it's 6-2. 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:40.140 A time for another change of tactic then 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:40.759 from Rachel, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.259 a kind of nutritional boost, 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.880 a performance enhancer. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.039 In verse 14, 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:48.220 Reuben heads out to get some mandrakes. 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.640 That is, I think, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.059 as if to underline Leah's 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.900 absolute dominance in this game. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.339 She brings out her son 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:56.019 to help her have more sons. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.379 See, in the ancient world, 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.539 the mandrake plant 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:01.839 was apparently good for fertility 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:04.139 and probably superstition. 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.920 Notice the text doesn't really deal 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.579 with any of that, 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.480 doesn't confirm 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.240 whether that's true or not. 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:10.039 It doesn't tell us 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.259 if mandrakes are a good thing 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.920 or a bad thing. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.359 It just says, 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.420 this is what the woman did. 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:16.180 And it's a blunt reminder, 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:16.799 I think, 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:18.240 in the middle of this competition, 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.160 as Leah and Rachel 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:22.579 fight for their husband's love 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.519 and his babies, 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:25.639 as they fight for happy families, 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:27.400 there's an awful irony here, 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:30.100 as Leah uses Reuben in this way, 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.180 that children are caught 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.080 in the crossfire, 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.640 that children are literally 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:36.120 growing up in the mess 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:37.500 of this awful competition. 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:40.160 And worse than that, 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.520 because as Reuben gets 00:19:41.520 --> 00:19:43.100 some of the performance enhancer, 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.960 Rachel makes this dreadful bargain 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.980 with Leah. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.140 See in verse 15, 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:49.900 give me the mandrakes 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.820 and you can sleep 00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.780 with Jacob tonight. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:54.360 She essentially sells 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.380 a night of sex 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:56.600 with Jacob 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.220 in exchange 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.600 for these performance enhancers. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:02.280 Notice how the author repeats 00:20:02.280 --> 00:20:03.600 that Leah has stopped 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.240 having children. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.100 We get it at the end 00:20:05.100 --> 00:20:05.960 of chapter 29, 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:06.560 as we've seen, 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.240 but then again in verse 9 here. 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.080 I think we can assume 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:10.800 that she was probably 00:20:10.800 --> 00:20:12.000 too old to have kids, 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:13.740 that nature had run its course. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.220 And so Rachel thinks 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.940 it's safe enough 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.140 letting her sleep with Jacob. 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:19.680 Rachel can then get the mandrakes, 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:21.319 get the performance enhancer 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.039 and have children. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.240 And her tactic 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.839 just massively backfires. 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:27.200 See in verse 16, 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:29.240 Leah with the ultimate chat up line, 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.480 you must sleep with me 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.680 because I have hired you. 00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:33.839 She's basically turned her husband 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:35.079 into a sex slave. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.680 It's so grim. 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:39.200 And then despite the repetition 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.660 that she stopped having children, 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.680 God gets to work 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.859 and she has another child. 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.740 Seven, two. 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.319 Somehow in verse 19, 00:20:46.439 --> 00:20:47.579 she's persuaded her husband 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.379 back for another. 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.639 Nine, two. 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:51.159 And then she has a daughter 00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:52.259 in verse 21. 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.279 Sorry, eight, two. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.899 And then a daughter, 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.240 nine, two in verse 21. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.179 It looks as though Leah 00:20:57.179 --> 00:20:58.219 has well and truly won 00:20:58.219 --> 00:20:59.539 this competition, doesn't it? 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:03.159 And yet her heartache 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:04.519 right at the end of the chapter 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.579 is still there in verse 20. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:09.339 This time my husband 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.699 will treat me with honor. 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:13.500 Nine children later 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:15.299 and still Leah is crying out 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:17.100 for the love of her husband. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.420 And then finally, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.380 almost as a sort of 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.400 consolation prize, 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:23.100 Rachel does conceive herself 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:23.960 for the first time 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.819 in verse 23. 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.380 Final score, 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.660 nine, three. 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:30.319 It's quite a story, isn't it? 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:33.160 And it's a strange competition. 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:34.880 I think it's really hard to know 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.860 who we're supposed 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:37.340 to be rooting for here. 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:39.179 Because you can see 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:40.639 how Moses is giving us clues 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.359 all the way through 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.500 what these people are like. 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:44.579 Every character in this story 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.439 is sinning 00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:47.119 and being sinned against 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:48.480 as they fight 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.439 for happy families. 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:51.039 And it is anything 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:53.659 but just broken, 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.079 messy relationships 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.659 everywhere. 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.879 If you've been wondering 00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.619 through all of this, 00:21:59.699 --> 00:22:00.559 why the Bible doesn't 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.980 just explicitly condemn 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.899 these things, 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.799 why doesn't it make a comment 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.879 on the fact that Jacob 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:07.240 has more than one wife? 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.660 Or the fact that 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.580 they're literally paying 00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:11.580 for sex or using wives' 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:13.320 servants as sex slaves? 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.800 I hope you can see 00:22:14.800 --> 00:22:15.520 that though the Bible 00:22:15.520 --> 00:22:17.260 doesn't explicitly condemn them, 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.800 it is pretty clear. 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:22.520 It has always been God's plan, right? 00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:23.460 From the first pages 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.160 of the Bible 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:25.600 in Genesis chapter 2, 00:22:26.040 --> 00:22:27.040 God's plan is that 00:22:27.040 --> 00:22:28.500 one man would marry 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.100 one woman 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:29.940 and that they would be 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.720 together for life. 00:22:30.780 --> 00:22:31.980 That was always God's plan. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:33.800 That remains God's plan today. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:35.559 And I don't think 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.799 Moses needs to tell us 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.079 that Jacob and Leah 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.879 and Rachel aren't doing that. 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.980 I don't think he needs 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.480 to explicitly condemn it 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.619 because the consequences 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:45.879 of living out with God's plan 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.839 are just really clear 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.940 in this story, aren't they? 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.299 It's a mess. 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.059 And the truth is, 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:54.079 sin always leads to a mess. 00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:57.599 The more you ignore God's plan, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:00.379 the more you walk away from him. 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:02.980 You may get away with it 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.579 for a while, 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.019 but the more that you do that, 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.920 the more of a mess 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:06.960 you're going to end up in. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.259 It's what we see here, isn't it? 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.259 And I think if we're honest, 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.180 we all know that's true, 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:13.539 even if it's just in small ways. 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.759 For that wilderness generation, 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.960 the people that we said 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.920 that Moses was writing this for, 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:23.059 the application is really clear, 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.400 isn't it? 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:25.640 You have become a numerous people, 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.000 but look at your roots. 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:29.680 Look at how much of a mess it is. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:32.680 You need to know that God established 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:34.259 his people by grace, 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.799 not just in spite of, 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:37.680 but in and through their mess. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.100 This is his wonderful, 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.360 undeserved kindness. 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:43.799 If you can see that about your roots, 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:44.680 then you will know 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:47.240 that God will keep his people by grace 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:49.039 in and through their mess. 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:50.060 It is the way in 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:52.120 and it is the way on. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.259 Do you know, 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:56.220 God is more active in this section 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.259 that we've just looked at, 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.079 more active here 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.259 than in any other place 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.319 in the story of Jacob. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:03.700 And so just two details quickly 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.819 before we put the whole thing 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.940 back together for ourselves. 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.259 See how God acts. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.819 See his grace to the people 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.900 just in this story. 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:12.779 Firstly, God hears his messy people 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.559 and then we'll see that 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:15.619 he also helps his messy people. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:18.480 So first, God hears his messy people. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:21.339 And notice that both Leah and Rachel 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.160 make statements 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:25.200 about what they think God is doing 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.759 in the midst of their competition. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:28.519 There are lots of examples of this. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.279 Here are a couple. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.920 In verse 32 of chapter 29, 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.720 Leah says, 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:34.539 the Lord has seen my misery. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.960 Again in verse 33, 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.559 she says, 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:39.660 the Lord heard that I am not loved. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:43.059 Rachel too does the same sort of thing 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.819 in chapter 30, verse six. 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.160 God has vindicated me. 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:49.059 He has listened to my plea. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:51.539 Leah again in verse 18, 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:53.339 God has rewarded me 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:55.259 for giving my servant to my husband. 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.579 Over and over again, 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:58.419 these two sisters make statements 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:59.799 about what God is doing. 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.899 But I don't think we're supposed 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:03.319 to take their word for it. 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:05.179 In fact, I think we're probably 00:25:05.179 --> 00:25:06.399 supposed to be skeptical 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.919 about what their theories 00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:09.740 about what God is up to are like. 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.779 In their mess, 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.839 I'm pretty sure God 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.319 is not vindicating them. 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.779 And I certainly don't think 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:16.059 God is rewarding them. 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:18.579 But they are definitely right 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.960 that God is working. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:22.680 I see in verse 17, 00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:24.620 Moses, the writer, 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:27.100 he tells us in verse 17 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.700 that God listened to Leah 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.480 and she became pregnant. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.680 And in verse 22, 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.120 he tells us, 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:35.380 God remembered Rachel. 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.440 He listened to her 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:39.680 and enabled her to conceive. 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:43.980 What can Moses possibly mean 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:45.819 that God listened to these sisters? 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:48.179 We don't see them pray. 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:51.039 These sisters who had bought 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.879 and sold their husband for sex, 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.879 these sisters who had pawned off 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.899 their own servants 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:57.559 as sex slaves for their husband, 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.419 these sisters who have been 00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:00.559 battling with one another 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.720 for their husband's love 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.799 and babies, 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.159 these sisters, 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:04.720 like I say, 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.659 as far as we can tell, 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.119 have not uttered a single prayer 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:07.919 to their God. 00:26:08.179 --> 00:26:09.059 And yet, 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.919 how is God at work? 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.240 He hears them. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:16.420 He hears their unspoken pleas 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.279 to be loved. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:18.920 It's the only thing 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:20.000 that Moses tells us 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.099 that God is explicitly 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:22.099 doing for them. 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.500 These unspoken pleas 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.460 for family. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:28.019 And they may have sprung 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.380 from the worst of motives 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:30.240 and in the midst 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.900 of the worst of messes. 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.240 And yet we're told 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.620 God hears them. 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.200 It's the utterly undeserved 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:39.240 kindness of grace. 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.640 The way in 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:42.160 and the way on. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.820 And that is wonderful news 00:26:44.820 --> 00:26:45.620 for all of us 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.460 in the room today. 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.560 And maybe you think 00:26:48.560 --> 00:26:49.680 you've got prayer sorted, 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.100 that you would never pray 00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:52.460 with such twisted motives. 00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:53.940 Your life definitely 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:55.060 isn't this messy. 00:26:56.800 --> 00:26:58.259 But if we're honest, 00:26:58.820 --> 00:27:00.040 certainly if I'm honest, 00:27:00.040 --> 00:27:01.560 my life can be pretty messy. 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.340 Very often, 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.720 my motives get twisted 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.600 when I pray. 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:09.360 As our hearts cry out, 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.719 how wonderful then 00:27:10.719 --> 00:27:11.639 is this promise 00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:13.479 from Romans chapter 8. 00:27:14.439 --> 00:27:15.379 In the same way, 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:17.279 the Spirit helps us 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.939 in our weakness. 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.859 We do not know 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:20.219 what we ought to pray for, 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.419 but the Spirit himself 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.619 intercedes for us 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.839 through wordless groans. 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:28.839 when our motives stink, 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.220 when we pray 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.939 completely the wrong thing, 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.019 when we don't know 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.879 what to pray, 00:27:34.159 --> 00:27:36.240 and despite all of our mess, 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.399 this is the utterly 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.639 undeserved kindness 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.699 of God to us. 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.519 It's grace 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.459 as God hears 00:27:43.459 --> 00:27:46.019 our deepest hearts cry. 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:49.459 But not only does God hear, 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:51.000 he also helps 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.339 his messy people. 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:54.279 in verse 31 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.539 of chapter 29, 00:27:55.699 --> 00:27:56.439 right at the start 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.799 of this competition, 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.539 how is it that 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.679 Leah is able 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.379 to conceive? 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.720 Not only does God 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.519 see that Leah 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.799 was not loved, 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:07.819 but he also helps her, 00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:09.059 he enabled her 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.679 as the language 00:28:09.679 --> 00:28:10.619 to conceive. 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.399 And more than that, 00:28:13.439 --> 00:28:14.059 if you notice, 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:15.599 who is that Leah 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.539 gives birth to? 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:17.559 In verse 34, 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.819 she gives birth 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.879 to a son called Levi, 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.880 and in verse 35, 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:22.940 to Judah. 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.140 If you know anything 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.500 about the subsequent history 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:27.080 of the tribes of Israel, 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:28.980 Levi was the forerunner 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.440 to the priestly tribe, 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:32.000 Judah was the forerunner 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.300 to the kingly tribe. 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.260 You see what God does? 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.160 He takes Leah, 00:28:36.280 --> 00:28:37.120 the unloved 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:38.420 and the unlovely, 00:28:38.780 --> 00:28:40.140 and he gets to work. 00:28:40.540 --> 00:28:41.760 And through her, 00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:43.560 he produces the priests 00:28:43.560 --> 00:28:44.600 and the kings 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.520 of his people. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:48.980 And wasn't that way 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.519 of working 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.579 just exemplified 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.099 in Jesus? 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:54.660 When God became man, 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:56.019 who did he go towards? 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.680 Did he go towards 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.299 the powerful? 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:02.000 Did he go towards 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:04.000 empire or kings? 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:06.099 Did he go towards 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:07.559 the religious elites? 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:10.539 No, he relentlessly 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:12.180 pursued and loved 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:13.579 the unloved 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.680 and the unlovely. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.940 The outcasts, 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.980 the crippled, 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.619 the sinners, 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.599 he loved them. 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:21.480 He had compassion on them. 00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:23.019 He heard them 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.139 and he helped them. 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.660 Can I just make 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.480 a really quick 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.799 and very specific application 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.460 at this point? 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.539 Just to those in the room 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.660 who wish 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:33.079 that they could be parents. 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:35.200 Maybe you've been 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:37.079 trying for years. 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.259 Maybe you have tried 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.519 and it didn't work out 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.480 and those days 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.559 are well behind you. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.400 Maybe you're single. 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.280 Maybe you're attracted 00:29:45.280 --> 00:29:46.820 to people of the same sex. 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.080 Maybe you suffer 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:49.560 from a chronic illness. 00:29:50.060 --> 00:29:50.759 If that's you, 00:29:50.840 --> 00:29:51.660 if you desperately 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.600 want a family 00:29:52.600 --> 00:29:53.380 and it isn't 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.580 or it hasn't happened 00:29:54.580 --> 00:29:55.519 for you, 00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.460 let me firstly say 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.540 how sorry I am. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.400 And let me say, 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.320 please don't feel like 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:02.920 you can't mourn that here 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.880 just because it's something 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.800 that we can't see. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.640 As a church, 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.540 we want to share 00:30:07.540 --> 00:30:08.780 in each other's pain 00:30:08.780 --> 00:30:09.560 like that, 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.720 that you would find 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.000 a family here. 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.880 And let me encourage you 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.819 that God hears 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:18.299 our cries in that. 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.480 He doesn't say 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.200 that you will definitely 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.920 have children. 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:23.100 He doesn't promise that. 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.640 But he does have a plan 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:27.600 and he does have 00:30:27.600 --> 00:30:28.779 a purpose for us 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:30.880 and he does hear us 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:33.519 and he does help us. 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:36.360 God saw the unloved Leah 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.119 and he saw 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:38.539 the childless Rachel 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:40.240 and he got to work. 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.719 And God does continue 00:30:42.719 --> 00:30:44.299 to work in the world today. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:47.319 Just a little bit broader, 00:30:47.459 --> 00:30:48.639 if you're here this morning 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:49.479 and you feel like 00:30:49.479 --> 00:30:50.379 you've got very little 00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.939 to offer, 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.599 if you feel unloved 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:54.559 or if you know 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.240 that if anyone 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.519 really knew you, 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.659 they couldn't possibly 00:30:57.659 --> 00:30:58.439 love you, 00:30:59.179 --> 00:31:00.199 that you wouldn't possibly 00:31:00.199 --> 00:31:00.799 be welcome 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.819 in a place like this, 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.599 you need to know 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.139 this morning, 00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:04.719 Jesus really does 00:31:04.719 --> 00:31:05.579 know you. 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:08.179 And he knows 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:09.639 exactly how you feel. 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.679 And he also knows 00:31:12.679 --> 00:31:13.379 all the ways 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.500 that you have rejected 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.979 the God who created you. 00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:18.359 He knows the deepest 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:20.179 and darkest cries 00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:21.479 and the deepest 00:31:21.479 --> 00:31:22.519 and darkest secrets 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.459 of your heart. 00:31:24.479 --> 00:31:25.639 And yet, by grace, 00:31:25.719 --> 00:31:26.459 he loves you. 00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:29.359 He doesn't promise 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.979 that that means 00:31:29.979 --> 00:31:30.779 you'll have a totally 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.759 trouble-free life 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.699 or get all the things 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:33.479 that you want. 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.639 But he does promise 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.500 that he hears 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.480 his messy people 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.860 and he promises 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.820 that he will help 00:31:39.820 --> 00:31:40.700 his messy people. 00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:42.140 He gives us everything 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:42.900 that we need 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.720 so that we might have 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:45.259 the most wonderful gift 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.800 of all, 00:31:46.280 --> 00:31:47.480 which is to know him. 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.900 That is the totally 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:51.100 undeserved kindness 00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:51.820 of our God. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.700 It's grace. 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:56.080 And so just before we finish, 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.740 let's go back 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.780 to the original readers. 00:31:57.779 --> 00:32:00.779 this is what they needed 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.339 to hear. 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.200 As they stumbled about 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.839 in the wilderness, 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:05.059 convinced that they had 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.779 got things really 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.960 very badly wrong, 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.279 they were sure 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.019 that a return 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:10.240 to the comfortable life 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.680 of slavery in Egypt 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.700 would be the solution. 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.339 But Moses would say 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:15.920 to them, 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.619 see how God 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.980 has been gracious to you. 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.680 Look at your roots. 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:23.680 If you've tuned out now, 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.240 please tune back in now 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.259 just for the last few minutes. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.420 This is really the key. 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.920 See your roots 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.019 and know 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:32.660 that God established 00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:34.359 his people by grace 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:36.759 in and through their mess. 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.099 And so know 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:39.039 that God will keep 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.700 his people 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:41.480 in and through 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.359 their mess 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.579 only by his grace 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.299 because grace 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.240 is the way in 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:47.140 and grace is the way on. 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:49.940 And especially tune in now 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.519 because that remains true 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.599 for the Christian. 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.500 If you're here this morning 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.559 and you wouldn't call yourself 00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.019 a Christian, 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:57.099 this is right at the heart 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.599 of it all, 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.379 it's grace. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:33:00.359 God's utterly undeserved 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.700 kindness to us 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:03.039 and it is the way in. 00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:03.960 As humans, 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:05.139 we need to recognize 00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:06.319 we are not perfect. 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.259 That is true 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:09.500 as we think about our roots 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.920 but it's true of us today. 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:12.139 We have not lived 00:33:12.139 --> 00:33:13.500 the way that our creator 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.740 intended us to live. 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:16.339 And the world 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.119 that we live in 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:17.940 is a mess 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:18.900 and we contribute 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.859 to that mess 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.920 in so many ways 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:22.139 we just can't avoid it. 00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:24.140 And actually 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.220 there's also nothing 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.759 we can do 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:26.620 to clean it up. 00:33:27.820 --> 00:33:28.540 Truth is 00:33:28.540 --> 00:33:29.400 there are things 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.000 that we've done, 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:30.500 there are things 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.300 that I've done 00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:32.140 that I know 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.460 that I could never 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.280 pay for. 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.720 And so the only way 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.500 to be accepted 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.320 by this God 00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:40.380 is for someone else 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.200 to pay that price 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.880 on my behalf. 00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:44.400 And his grace 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:46.080 to you and to me 00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:47.160 is Jesus 00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:49.900 paying that price 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:51.320 on our behalf. 00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:52.900 That's the cross. 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.260 Grace is the way in. 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.400 But grace is also 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:58.380 the way on. 00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.040 Right? 00:33:59.100 --> 00:33:59.680 Our roots, 00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.540 the bishop, 00:34:00.760 --> 00:34:01.320 Charlemagne, 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.560 witch hunts and slavery, 00:34:03.020 --> 00:34:04.540 this has always been true. 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.620 For God's people 00:34:05.620 --> 00:34:07.040 to keep on being 00:34:07.040 --> 00:34:07.760 God's people, 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.840 for the Christian church 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:10.380 to have continued at all 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:12.220 despite all of the mess 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:13.860 is only by his 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:15.320 wonderful grace to us. 00:34:16.180 --> 00:34:17.119 Anything good 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:18.180 that the Christian church 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:19.559 has done over the years, 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.160 anything good 00:34:21.160 --> 00:34:22.099 that we have done 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.380 here at Brunsfield 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:24.200 over the years, 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.880 that is not us. 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:28.960 It's only because 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.940 God has done it 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.920 by his grace 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:33.200 and because we are 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:34.800 privileged to be used 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.740 by him in that. 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.660 It's true in the big picture 00:34:37.660 --> 00:34:38.180 like that, 00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:39.099 but it's also true 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.400 individually for us 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:41.519 as the world remains 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.360 a mess. 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:43.400 And again, 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.799 as we continue to contribute 00:34:44.799 --> 00:34:46.159 to that mess, 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:48.219 the message has always been 00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:49.500 that yes, 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.679 grace is the way in, 00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:52.039 that Jesus died for you 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:53.079 and now you're a Christian, 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:54.299 but the message is not 00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:55.219 that you therefore need 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:56.739 to start acting like it. 00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.000 Instead, 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:00.019 the message is that 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:01.679 grace is also the way on. 00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:05.539 That each and every day, 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.480 living in and contributing 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:09.260 to a messy world, 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.940 we continue to desperately 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:13.000 need and rely on that grace 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:14.079 in Jesus. 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:17.079 Being a Christian doesn't mean 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:18.579 that we've been made perfect, 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:21.679 but it means that by his grace, 00:35:21.740 --> 00:35:24.280 we continue to grow towards him. 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:26.780 In Philippians chapter 3, 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:28.340 Paul puts it like this, 00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:30.420 not that I have already 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:31.559 obtained all this 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:33.039 or have already arrived 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.780 at my goal, 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.460 but I press on 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.579 to take hold 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:37.680 of that 00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:38.700 for which Christ Jesus 00:35:38.700 --> 00:35:39.640 took hold of me. 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:41.460 You see what he's saying? 00:35:42.280 --> 00:35:44.019 It's not that he's already perfect, 00:35:44.140 --> 00:35:45.300 he's on a journey. 00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:47.039 He's straining toward 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:47.860 what is ahead. 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:49.320 He's heading in the right direction. 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.200 This, 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:50.980 Paul says, 00:35:51.140 --> 00:35:52.200 is what it means 00:35:52.200 --> 00:35:53.420 to be a mature Christian. 00:35:53.640 --> 00:35:55.120 Not that you are less sinful, 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.760 though you are really growing 00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:57.940 in that sort of direction, 00:35:58.540 --> 00:36:00.720 but actually that you're more aware 00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:01.880 of your sin. 00:36:03.060 --> 00:36:04.120 I think it's true 00:36:04.120 --> 00:36:05.120 in conversations 00:36:05.120 --> 00:36:05.900 with some of you 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.700 who have been Christians 00:36:06.700 --> 00:36:08.400 for a lot longer than I have. 00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:10.520 The further on you get, 00:36:11.060 --> 00:36:13.180 the less sinful you actually are, 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.260 the more you grow. 00:36:15.140 --> 00:36:15.840 And yet, 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:18.500 the more sinful you actually feel. 00:36:20.140 --> 00:36:21.720 And as you experience 00:36:21.720 --> 00:36:23.060 that strange paradox, 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:24.740 would you just let it drive you 00:36:24.740 --> 00:36:25.760 back to the cross? 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:29.040 For grace is the way in, 00:36:29.600 --> 00:36:31.420 but it is also the way on. 00:36:33.020 --> 00:36:34.480 And just very practically, 00:36:34.660 --> 00:36:36.000 last thing as we finish, 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:38.760 one thing that all of us can do, 00:36:39.620 --> 00:36:40.660 what this means 00:36:40.660 --> 00:36:42.680 is that this church 00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:43.980 that we're part of, 00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:46.780 this family that we're part of, 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.820 is the one place 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.740 where we should be able 00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:50.040 to be most honest 00:36:50.040 --> 00:36:51.680 about our sin. 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:54.119 because it is 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.919 and should be 00:36:54.919 --> 00:36:56.259 the one place 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:58.259 where grace is readily 00:36:58.259 --> 00:37:00.279 and always available for it. 00:37:01.799 --> 00:37:02.279 You know, 00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:03.339 if a brother or a sister 00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:04.299 at church tells you 00:37:04.299 --> 00:37:05.639 about some sin in their life, 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.559 what's the first thing 00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:07.440 that you're going to do? 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:10.219 Do you immediately tell them 00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:11.399 how foolish they are, 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:13.480 how stupid they've been? 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:16.500 Maybe more practically, 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:17.159 you're going to try 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.780 and find ways 00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:18.740 that you can help them 00:37:18.740 --> 00:37:19.320 to make sure 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.699 that this doesn't happen again. 00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:23.300 There might actually be 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.559 a place for both of those 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.260 in time, 00:37:25.380 --> 00:37:26.539 but the first thing 00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:27.599 has got to be this. 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:28.820 If someone comes to you 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.119 and says, 00:37:29.199 --> 00:37:30.420 I've been messing up 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.900 in this way, 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.559 the first thing 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.400 has got to be this. 00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:33.420 Look to Jesus 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:37.420 because here is grace 00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:38.240 for you. 00:37:40.220 --> 00:37:41.480 He loves you 00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:43.480 and we love you 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:45.980 because grace 00:37:45.980 --> 00:37:46.960 is the way in, 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:49.340 but it is also 00:37:49.340 --> 00:37:49.980 the way on. 00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:53.039 These are your roots. 00:37:53.860 --> 00:37:54.780 God establishes 00:37:54.780 --> 00:37:56.180 his people by grace. 00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:57.860 God keeps his people 00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:58.420 by grace. 00:37:58.500 --> 00:37:59.360 It is the way in 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:01.800 and it is the way on. 00:38:01.800 --> 00:38:04.519 We're going to sing together 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:07.600 and so let me just invite 00:38:07.600 --> 00:38:08.280 the band up 00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:09.660 as we do that 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:10.780 and as they come up, 00:38:10.860 --> 00:38:11.900 let me pray. 00:38:17.560 --> 00:38:18.460 Heavenly Father, 00:38:18.580 --> 00:38:20.000 we thank you so much 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.980 for your grace 00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:22.039 to us in Jesus. 00:38:24.340 --> 00:38:24.860 Lord, 00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:25.920 we're so sorry 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:27.660 for the mess 00:38:27.660 --> 00:38:28.400 of our lives 00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:29.000 and the ways 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:30.360 that we contribute 00:38:30.360 --> 00:38:31.019 to the mess 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:31.760 of the world. 00:38:32.720 --> 00:38:33.200 Lord, 00:38:33.240 --> 00:38:34.039 we're so sorry 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.900 for when we try 00:38:34.900 --> 00:38:35.600 and do things 00:38:35.600 --> 00:38:36.580 on our own steam, 00:38:37.580 --> 00:38:39.000 try and clean up 00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:40.000 our own act 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:40.640 and Lord, 00:38:40.720 --> 00:38:41.820 I pray that for each 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:42.760 of us this morning, 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:43.840 if nothing else, 00:38:44.620 --> 00:38:45.940 we would know 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.920 that in our sin 00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:48.140 there remains grace 00:38:48.140 --> 00:38:49.160 for us in Jesus, 00:38:50.160 --> 00:38:52.080 that in every area 00:38:52.080 --> 00:38:52.820 of our lives 00:38:52.820 --> 00:38:53.720 you would help us 00:38:53.720 --> 00:38:54.400 to repent, 00:38:54.660 --> 00:38:55.519 to turn to him, 00:38:55.680 --> 00:38:56.820 to look to the cross 00:38:56.820 --> 00:38:58.640 and to experience 00:38:58.640 --> 00:38:59.560 his grace, 00:38:59.700 --> 00:39:00.340 your grace 00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:01.500 for us in him. 00:39:01.800 --> 00:39:04.400 in Jesus' name, 00:39:05.240 --> 00:39:05.700 Amen.