WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:09.259 Well, good morning, everyone. It's lovely to have you with us. Let me encourage you to grab a Bible and come with me to Leviticus chapters 8 to 10. 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:13.900 That's where we're going to be this morning as we're back in this series, taking a kind of overview approach to this book. 00:00:14.500 --> 00:00:21.940 And while you're turning there, let me just kind of remind you that we are a church that loves its 316s. 00:00:22.300 --> 00:00:24.140 Okay, we love John 316. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:32.620 For God to love the world, that he gave his one and only son, that all who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life. 00:00:33.120 --> 00:00:36.899 It's a very heartbeat of who we are as the Lord's people. 00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:40.079 We love that 316 and we love another one. 00:00:40.659 --> 00:00:43.140 Okay, we love 2 Timothy 316. 00:00:43.900 --> 00:00:49.540 All scripture is God breathed, even the bits that we find difficult to understand. 00:00:49.539 --> 00:00:59.060 And that's the kind of conviction that's been driving this series, that all of scripture, all of the Bible is breathed out by God. 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:05.319 So just like it's good to go to the gym and work in maybe parts of your body that you wouldn't actually go towards, 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:09.420 because if you work out the same parts, it's going to be a kind of very lopsided body that you have. 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:15.439 Just like you would do that, so it's good to go towards the parts of our Bible that we wouldn't naturally go towards. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:27.219 And it's great to hear, last week as we started this series, how people have been both encouraged and stretched as we've dived into this book of Leviticus. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:29.560 So we're at chapters 8 to 10 today. 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:32.340 Wonderful chapters. 00:01:32.479 --> 00:01:36.420 I really hope that, again, this encourages us and stretches us. 00:01:36.479 --> 00:01:42.420 But to get us going today, I wonder if you've ever seen a sign like this. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:43.799 Okay? 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:46.119 No entry. 00:01:46.819 --> 00:01:52.659 You'd usually see it hanging in the entrance of a place where you are not allowed to go into. 00:01:52.739 --> 00:01:54.299 So let me just give you a wee example of this. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:02:02.819 I remember when I was at school, one of the most exciting things that ever happened in our little area where we lived just north of Glasgow 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:08.659 was that Rangers Football Club decided to build their training ground not too far from where we lived, right? 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:12.300 This was a dream for a football-crazy teenager. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:17.820 And what we used to do during the summer holidays is some mates and I used to go down to the training ground 00:02:17.820 --> 00:02:20.800 and we'd spend the afternoons there peering through the fence, 00:02:21.219 --> 00:02:25.020 looking at some of the best players in Europe at the time do their thing, right? 00:02:25.020 --> 00:02:29.120 So they're doing their set plays, they're honing their skills, they're tuning their technique. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:37.680 And then once they'd finished training, we used to sprint round to the entrance and we used to watch them drive out in their fancy cars. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:43.500 And they always used to come out of these big electric gates. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:46.620 And we used to stand there and watch this, right? 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:48.300 The gates swing open. 00:02:49.659 --> 00:02:52.240 Out drives an expensive car, right? 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:52.980 We might get a wave. 00:02:54.100 --> 00:02:57.700 Car speeds off and then the electric gates slam shut. 00:02:57.699 --> 00:03:04.599 And as they'd slam shut, you'd be presented with this sign on the outside that just said no entry, 00:03:04.699 --> 00:03:07.199 underneath no unauthorised personnel. 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:11.759 And then you'd see the guy who was the bouncer on the door, the security guy, 00:03:12.079 --> 00:03:13.639 looking at you as if to say, 00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:16.419 not in a month of Sundays are you getting inside. 00:03:17.239 --> 00:03:20.219 So we were standing outside this training ground, looking in, 00:03:20.399 --> 00:03:25.179 realising that we would never have the credentials to ever get inside. 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:27.460 No entry. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:29.060 Right? 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:31.540 You ever had an experience like that? 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:35.939 Friends, as we tap into the Bible story today, 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:42.680 this is kind of, at this point in the story, this is humanity's predicament. 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:46.659 Okay, and it has been ever since Genesis 3. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:49.500 God creates the world and he creates human beings. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:54.280 And here we have Adam and Eve and their creator God in the garden, 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:55.120 and all is well. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:59.659 There is glorious harmony between creator and creature. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:02.639 But because Adam and Eve sinned, 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:04.740 because they ate from the fruit, 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:06.819 from the forbidden tree, 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:08.520 sin entered the human heart 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:11.000 and they are thrown out of the garden of Eden. 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:13.039 And God has to do that. 00:04:13.699 --> 00:04:14.860 He has to do that. 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:15.939 That is who he is. 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:17.180 Remember what we saw last week? 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:19.660 Sin and a holy God cannot coexist. 00:04:19.660 --> 00:04:22.360 They are thrown out of the garden, 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:23.380 but it is bigger than that. 00:04:25.020 --> 00:04:28.500 Okay, they are thrown out of the presence of God. 00:04:30.260 --> 00:04:33.180 And God places at the entrance to the garden, 00:04:34.020 --> 00:04:35.320 cherubim, right, angels, 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:39.080 and a flaming sword to guard it. 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:41.859 So at this point in the story, 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:42.699 Genesis 3, 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:43.839 the entrance to Eden, 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.819 hangs a sign that says, 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:47.919 no entry. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:52.839 And that is where the story should have ended. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:55.639 But because the God of the Bible is gracious and good, 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:57.439 he outlines his plan 00:04:57.439 --> 00:04:59.459 to make a way for humanity 00:04:59.459 --> 00:05:02.799 to re-enter and enjoy his presence. 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:05.040 Okay, what's fascinating, 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.319 the second half of the book of Exodus, 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:09.819 as you read about the construction 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:11.040 and the instructions 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:14.480 of the tabernacle, 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:15.540 this portable temple 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:17.240 that Israel carry with them 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:19.280 as they journey to the promised land 00:05:19.280 --> 00:05:21.240 and is in the middle of them 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:23.199 as they stop and camp, 00:05:23.580 --> 00:05:26.980 is that deliberately carved into its design 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:28.199 are echoes of Eden. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.280 Okay, so there's light imagery there. 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:34.639 There's tree of life imagery. 00:05:34.859 --> 00:05:37.039 There's gold and precious stone imagery. 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:39.099 And particularly in the Holy of Holies, 00:05:39.159 --> 00:05:41.759 the most sacred bit where God dwells, 00:05:42.299 --> 00:05:45.179 there's two cherubim on the top of the ark. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:47.279 See what's going on? 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:49.759 Echoes of Eden. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:54.759 And while that is terrific news on one level, 00:05:54.859 --> 00:05:56.779 there still remains a sin problem. 00:05:58.439 --> 00:05:59.619 And because of that, 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:01.439 the no entry sign to God's presence 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.719 still well and truly hangs. 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:05.379 No entry. 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:08.819 No unauthorized personnel. 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:12.279 So the people need somebody 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:15.319 who's qualified and set apart 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:15.939 and chosen 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:18.939 to come and take them into God's presence. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:22.720 That's what chapters 8 to 10 are all about. 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:25.040 Okay, step forward. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:26.040 The priests. 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:27.040 The priests. 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:29.300 They are, 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:30.860 if you want to think of it like this, 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:32.520 they are the go-betweens. 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:34.520 The mediators. 00:06:34.760 --> 00:06:35.680 The go-betweens. 00:06:35.760 --> 00:06:35.860 Yeah. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:38.220 I heard somebody recount recently 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:40.680 how apparently at the height of the troubles 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:42.300 in Northern Ireland back in the day, 00:06:42.400 --> 00:06:44.000 so tense was it 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:46.720 in the lead up to the Good Friday agreement 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:49.320 that Jerry Adams and David Trimble, 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:50.360 who were kind of the figureheads 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:51.439 of both sides of this, 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:54.379 they wouldn't even be in the same room together. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:57.219 Okay, and so there they were, 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:58.480 the government headquarters 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:00.060 on different floors. 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:03.459 And Senator George Mitchell, 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:05.019 who was the kind of peace negotiator 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:05.779 between the two, 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.620 what he was doing 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.959 was running up and down the stairs 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:09.139 between the two parties, 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:10.579 passing on messages, 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:12.500 trying to broker a deal. 00:07:13.300 --> 00:07:14.659 And he was doing this so often 00:07:14.659 --> 00:07:15.480 that people joked 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:17.060 that he was the fittest man 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:18.339 in Northern Ireland at the time 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:19.259 because he was the runner. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:20.300 He was the go-between. 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:24.180 Maybe that's a helpful way 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:24.899 to get your head around 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:25.980 the role of the priests here. 00:07:27.099 --> 00:07:27.219 Right? 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:28.599 They are the go-betweens 00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:30.300 between the people and God. 00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:31.519 Okay? 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:33.199 In the time that we have, 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.620 we could do so much here. 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:36.000 I just want us to do two things. 00:07:36.099 --> 00:07:36.240 Okay? 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:37.420 I want us to see two things 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:38.180 about the priests 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:40.680 from chapters 8 to 10. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:41.319 Two things. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:41.699 Okay? 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:42.560 Here's the first thing, 00:07:43.459 --> 00:07:44.439 that a priest 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:47.060 can't just be anybody. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:47.740 Right? 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:49.420 It can't just be anyone. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:52.100 God must choose 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.500 the priest. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:53.800 Right? 00:07:53.899 --> 00:07:54.920 And who does God pick? 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:56.519 Come with me to chapter 8 00:07:56.519 --> 00:07:57.079 and verse 1. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:58.040 Who does God pick? 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:00.459 He picks Aaron. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:02.340 Now right there, 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:03.879 that is not an insignificant detail. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:05.660 We should be hugely encouraged 00:08:05.660 --> 00:08:06.959 that that is the case 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:08.500 because in the context, 00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:10.639 remember last week, 00:08:10.779 --> 00:08:11.899 Aaron, Aaron, 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:15.079 has had an absolute shocker. 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:17.000 He's had a howler. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.199 He's had a shocker. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.379 Moses, his brother, 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:20.379 is up the mountain. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:22.639 Meanwhile, Aaron is at the bottom 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:23.959 doing nothing 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:25.859 as the people are building 00:08:25.859 --> 00:08:27.099 the golden calf. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:28.199 Right? 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:29.079 And he comes down. 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:29.579 What does he do? 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:31.519 This calf just kind of 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:32.720 jumped out of the fire. 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:33.899 That's his excuse. 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:35.439 Just horrendous leadership. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:38.759 Yet like Peter in the Gospels, 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:42.120 the grace and the plans 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:42.919 of this God 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:45.980 are bigger than our failures. 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:48.539 They are more glorious 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:50.120 than our mess. 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:51.939 This God specializes 00:08:51.939 --> 00:08:54.899 in creating trophies 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:56.179 of his grace 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:59.200 and using them in his plans. 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:01.240 Okay? 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.059 Maybe some of us need 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:03.399 to bathe ourselves 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:06.220 in the truth of that today. 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:07.639 Okay, do you remember? 00:09:10.660 --> 00:09:11.680 I forgot it. 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:12.600 Maybe some of us 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:13.399 need to bathe ourselves 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:14.420 in the truth of that today. 00:09:14.540 --> 00:09:16.759 God picks Aaron and his sons 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:17.840 for this special role. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:19.779 And you see how we get 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:20.860 a description of what he's to wear 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:21.779 from verse 7. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:23.960 Chapter 8, 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:25.960 sash and a robe around him. 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:27.360 He's got a breast piece. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:28.740 He's got a turban on his head. 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:31.879 You get more instructions on this. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.519 The middle chapters of Exodus. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:36.100 This is kingly language. 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:37.779 This is what he's to wear. 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:39.100 This is what the priests 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:39.779 are to wear. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:41.319 And I take it all of this 00:09:41.319 --> 00:09:43.240 is to help Israel visibly see 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:45.000 that Aaron and his sons 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.480 are being set apart 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:47.419 for this role. 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:48.819 That you would see them 00:09:48.819 --> 00:09:49.600 as you walked about 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:50.340 in everyday life. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:51.299 There's the priests. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:53.519 That's what they do. 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:54.899 You recognize them. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:57.639 And verse 14, 00:09:57.639 --> 00:10:01.220 sacrifices made 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:04.139 for Aaron's sins 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:05.299 so that they can be atoned for. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:05.480 Right? 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:06.860 So this guy might be set apart. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:08.259 These guys might be set apart. 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.059 But they're still human. 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:11.860 Still sinful. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:14.679 And they need to be made fit 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:17.199 for coming near God's presence. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:19.279 Okay? 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.059 It's common, isn't it, 00:10:20.059 --> 00:10:20.480 when you go around 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:21.159 to people's houses 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:24.039 for them to expect 00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:25.939 for you to take off your shoes. 00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:27.640 Think about it like this. 00:10:27.800 --> 00:10:27.940 Okay? 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:28.620 It's what you do. 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:30.220 People don't want you 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:30.940 traipsing mud 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:32.380 all the way into the house, 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.060 especially if you've got 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:34.540 nice cream carpets, right? 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:35.820 That's a disaster. 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:37.580 And I was always saying 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:38.200 that's the reason 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.600 why people have welcome mats, 00:10:39.640 --> 00:10:41.080 not just welcome signs, 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.300 but at the entrance 00:10:42.300 --> 00:10:42.960 to their homes. 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:44.660 Really, the welcome mats 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:45.100 should just say, 00:10:45.160 --> 00:10:46.280 don't bring your dirt in here. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:48.280 People don't want you 00:10:48.280 --> 00:10:49.380 traipsing mud, dirt 00:10:49.380 --> 00:10:50.960 into their homes. 00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:51.960 Well, how much more 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:52.700 is that the case 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:53.800 as we consider the place 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:55.540 where God lives? 00:10:55.940 --> 00:10:58.280 If you're going to be 00:10:58.280 --> 00:11:01.440 near God's presence, 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:03.160 if you're going to come close, 00:11:03.300 --> 00:11:04.640 you must be spotlessly 00:11:04.640 --> 00:11:05.480 clean of sin. 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:06.560 That's the instruction 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:07.560 to the priests here. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.020 As a friend of mine 00:11:09.020 --> 00:11:09.620 pointed out, 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.160 and I think this is 00:11:10.160 --> 00:11:11.240 really helpful imagery, 00:11:12.680 --> 00:11:13.720 if it's not dealt with, 00:11:14.180 --> 00:11:16.020 it's like running into a fire 00:11:16.020 --> 00:11:17.320 covered in paraffin. 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.300 That's the effect of sin 00:11:20.300 --> 00:11:21.000 in a holy God. 00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:22.340 You cannot just wander in. 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.100 You cannot just 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:24.460 waltz your way in. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:26.980 Sin needs to be atoned for. 00:11:28.540 --> 00:11:29.960 And after the consecration service 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.820 in front of all Israel, 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.379 we get this at verse 30. 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:34.019 Okay, so he, 00:11:34.160 --> 00:11:34.700 that's Moses, 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:35.920 consecrated Aaron 00:11:35.920 --> 00:11:36.800 and his garments 00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:37.740 and his sons 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.240 and their garments. 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:39.860 So in other words, 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.940 we're good to rock and roll 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:41.759 at this stage. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.800 Good to rock and roll. 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:45.360 Okay, a priest 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:47.160 can't just be anybody. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:48.899 And secondly, 00:11:49.079 --> 00:11:49.899 a priest 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:52.019 can't just do anything. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:53.259 Okay, 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:54.480 God gives them 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.679 two jobs to do. 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:56.799 There's two sides 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:57.819 of the priest coin, 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.500 if you want to think 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.139 about it like this. 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:00.379 On the one side, 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:01.959 the priest 00:12:01.959 --> 00:12:03.219 represents 00:12:03.219 --> 00:12:05.079 the people to God. 00:12:06.339 --> 00:12:07.139 So we get this 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.879 in chapter 9. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.759 You'll see it begins 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.360 verse 1 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.480 on the eighth day. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:12.259 So we're at the start 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.259 of a new week. 00:12:14.319 --> 00:12:14.939 And as if they say, 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:16.240 here is the first shot 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:18.440 at this new setup. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:19.899 Verse 3, 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:22.600 the people are invited 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:23.620 to bring their sacrifices 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:24.500 to the entrance. 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.200 And the priest 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:28.180 will play their part 00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:30.220 in sprinkling the blood 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.379 of the sacrifices 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.519 so that atonement 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.399 for the people's sin 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.220 can be made. 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:36.480 So do you see it? 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.340 See, the priest 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:38.620 represents the people 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.659 to God. 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:41.039 And the other side 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:41.779 of the coin, 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:44.060 the priest represents 00:12:44.060 --> 00:12:44.759 God to the people. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.200 See the promise 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:48.200 of verse 6. 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:50.879 Because of the 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.799 atoning sacrifice, 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:52.519 because atonement 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.100 has been made, 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:53.919 God's glory 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.600 will appear 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.320 to the people. 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.060 So God is going 00:12:57.060 --> 00:12:58.100 to come and dwell 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.580 with his people. 00:12:58.680 --> 00:12:59.960 This is a huge moment. 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.480 A huge moment. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.539 And verse 8, 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.740 Aaron goes for it. 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:06.519 Has a shot. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.159 Okay, look at verse 22 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.460 and 23 of chapter 9. 00:13:09.560 --> 00:13:10.100 This is key. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.340 This is key. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:11.940 We're going to read 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:12.500 this together. 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:13.659 Verse 22 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.840 and 23 of chapter 9. 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:15.940 Then Aaron lifted 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.800 his hands 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.920 toward the people 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:18.700 and blessed them 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:19.800 and having sacrificed 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:20.660 the sin offering, 00:13:20.780 --> 00:13:21.420 the burnt offering 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:22.519 and the fellowship offering, 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.759 he stepped down. 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:24.600 Question, 00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:25.639 is this going to work? 00:13:26.420 --> 00:13:27.320 Is it going to work? 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.720 Has this worked? 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.060 Verse 23, 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:30.800 Moses and Aaron 00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:31.600 then went into 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.500 the tent of meeting. 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.379 And when they came out, 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.500 they blessed the people 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:37.220 and the glory of the Lord 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.660 appeared to all the people. 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.220 Do you see it? 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:39.940 It worked. 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.820 It's working. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:44.640 Because of the priest's work, 00:13:45.160 --> 00:13:46.420 God is present 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:47.980 with his people. 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:51.040 They represent 00:13:51.040 --> 00:13:52.160 God to the people. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.379 Kind of another aspect 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:54.760 to that, 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:55.100 if you want, 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:56.520 verse 11 of chapter 10. 00:13:56.760 --> 00:13:56.980 Apologies, 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.040 we're jumping about a bit, 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.060 but I think this is 00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:00.660 worth seeing. 00:14:00.780 --> 00:14:01.900 Verse 11 of chapter 10, 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:02.800 they teach the people 00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:03.780 God's word as well. 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.400 It's another part 00:14:05.400 --> 00:14:06.960 of the representation role. 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:09.320 They help the people 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:11.100 understand who this God is, 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.320 what he's like, 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.340 what he's done. 00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:15.500 He's got a teaching role as well. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.200 So see the two sides 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:18.879 of the priest's coin. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.139 A priest can't just do 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.300 anything. 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.680 They represent the people 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.159 to God 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.279 and they represent God 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.639 to the people. 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.480 And God has given them 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:29.000 a precise job description 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:31.920 and an exact way 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:32.740 to carry it out. 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.300 And I think that's how 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:35.960 we're to understand 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.820 the events of chapter 10. 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.080 Whenever God has given them 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:41.340 a precise job to do, 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.480 a precise way to do it, 00:14:42.520 --> 00:14:43.060 chapter 10, 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.440 because these two priests, 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:46.180 Nadab and Abihu, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:49.420 they just blatantly ignore 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:50.940 what God has said 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:51.620 about the job. 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.500 Verse 1, 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:53.740 chapter 10, 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.420 tells us that 00:14:54.420 --> 00:14:56.060 they offered 00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:59.060 unauthorized fire. 00:14:59.320 --> 00:14:59.820 And we're not given 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:01.480 too much more 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:03.100 about what else they did, 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.820 but the very fact 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.420 that the word 00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:05.560 unauthorized is used 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.559 is showing us 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.479 that they're doing things 00:15:07.479 --> 00:15:08.079 in a casual 00:15:08.079 --> 00:15:09.119 and a complacent way. 00:15:09.219 --> 00:15:10.099 Isn't it wonderful 00:15:10.099 --> 00:15:11.319 that God is dwelling with us? 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.099 Let's go in 00:15:12.099 --> 00:15:12.959 and have a bit of fun. 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:14.659 Okay? 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:15.899 Remember what we said. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.579 It's complacent, 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.039 casual. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:19.019 It's like the paraffin 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:20.000 of their sins 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.699 still on them 00:15:20.699 --> 00:15:21.579 and they walk 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:23.299 into God's fire, 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.459 holy presence. 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:27.659 Okay? 00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:28.239 It's almost as if 00:15:28.239 --> 00:15:29.739 at this key moment 00:15:29.739 --> 00:15:30.959 in salvation history, 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:33.420 God reminds the entire nation 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:34.780 that yes, 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.740 he might be near, 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:38.120 but he's still holy. 00:15:39.540 --> 00:15:40.660 He's still holy. 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:42.220 Okay? 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:44.019 Verse 1 of chapter 16, 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.820 this is what they've done. 00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:45.580 They've just ran 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.620 into his presence. 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.480 And you don't do that. 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:50.560 You've got to do it 00:15:50.560 --> 00:15:51.720 exactly how God said. 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:52.379 Right? 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.519 Priests can't be sloppy. 00:15:55.420 --> 00:15:55.620 You know, 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.139 I've started reading 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:57.160 the Narnia books 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:58.379 with Chloe, 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.480 our oldest daughter. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:15:59.600 So, 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.320 we haven't got to 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.340 number two 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.200 in the series yet, 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.539 but I'm looking forward 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.940 to meeting Aslan with her. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.240 Okay? 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:07.620 What is it? 00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:08.519 The conversation, 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.060 the famous conversation 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.779 between Lucy 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.639 and Mr. Beaver 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.440 about Aslan. 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:13.720 Safe, 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:14.720 said Mr. Beaver. 00:16:15.420 --> 00:16:16.700 Who said anything 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.500 about safe? 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.860 Of course he isn't safe, 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.720 but he is good. 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.300 He is the king, 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:22.920 I tell you. 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.519 Here is the 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.860 go-between. 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.639 Here is the role 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.120 of the priest, 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:30.879 the go-between. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.500 But as celebratory 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.519 as this scene might be, 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.340 and we've got to understand 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.860 that this is a huge moment here. 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:38.159 This is a huge moment. 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.159 There are still 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:40.940 two problems. 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:42.779 Right? 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.460 The priests, 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.460 they've sinned themselves. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.899 That's still a huge problem. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.759 And number two, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.700 the priests will die. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.440 It's a huge problem. 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:54.680 Well, remember, 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.360 we saw last week, 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.180 we think back to last week, 00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:57.500 we thought about our toy shop. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.159 Remember the toy shop? 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.679 Getting kids ready 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.679 for the real thing. 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:04.700 Okay? 00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:07.379 Well, these exact two problems 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.879 the writer to the Hebrews 00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:09.799 picks up on. 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.639 But he does 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:13.619 more than that, 00:17:13.679 --> 00:17:14.079 the writer. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:16.279 The writer shows us 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.679 that Jesus 00:17:17.679 --> 00:17:19.000 is our great high priest. 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.000 Okay? 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.819 He is the one 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.779 who not only addresses 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.819 those two problems, 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.660 but he is the one 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.500 who this whole 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.559 office of priest 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:28.420 was pointing to. 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.099 And this is what it says 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.700 in Hebrews 7. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.359 We'll put these words 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:31.940 on the screen 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:34.019 and we'll read this together 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.119 and see how Jesus 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:37.899 is the answer 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.899 to these two problems. 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.339 Okay, now there have been 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.500 many of those priests 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:43.899 since death prevented them 00:17:43.899 --> 00:17:45.079 from continuing in office. 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:45.839 Do you see the problem? 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.920 But because Jesus 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.839 lives forever, 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:52.379 he has a permanent priesthood. 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:53.819 Therefore, 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:55.019 he is able to save 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.759 completely 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.799 those who come to God 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.959 through him 00:17:58.959 --> 00:18:01.119 because he always lives 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:02.679 to intercede for them. 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:05.199 Such a high priest 00:18:05.199 --> 00:18:06.259 truly meets our need. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.480 One who is holy, 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:08.419 blameless, pure, 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:09.699 set apart from sinners, 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.579 exalted above the heavens. 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.559 Unlike the other 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.639 high priests, 00:18:14.699 --> 00:18:15.740 he does not need 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.919 to offer sacrifices 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.720 day after day. 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.920 First for his own sins 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:20.019 and then for the sins 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.700 of the people. 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.220 He sacrificed 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.220 for their sins 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:26.759 once for all 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:29.539 when he offered himself. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:30.740 Do you see it? 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.980 He is the answer 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:34.059 to these two problems. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:34.819 Jesus Christ. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.460 You know, 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:37.100 here's another way 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:37.740 of thinking about it. 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:37.960 Okay, 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.799 Hugh Grant, 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.420 the actor. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.279 Hugh Grant, 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:41.900 you got him in your head. 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.100 My flatmate at uni 00:18:43.100 --> 00:18:43.860 always used to make 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:44.960 a joke about Hugh Grant. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:47.200 that he's in many, 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:48.120 many films, 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:50.059 but in each film 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:52.079 he plays the same role. 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.700 Think about that. 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.039 Maybe that's harsh, 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:55.480 I don't know. 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.279 Every single film 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:57.980 he plays 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.700 the kind of proper Englishman. 00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.460 That's all he's got, 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:00.980 right? 00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:02.299 And he's very good at it, 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.539 but that's what he does. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.779 All the films, 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.759 but he plays one role. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:09.119 The more you get 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.839 into Leviticus, 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:12.379 you see that Jesus 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.059 is the opposite 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.720 of Hugh Grant. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:14.700 Right? 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.180 If Leviticus was a film, 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.559 one film, 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.440 Jesus is playing 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.259 the many roles. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:22.980 Okay, 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.240 do you see how Jesus 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:26.619 isn't just everything 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.640 that the sacrifice 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.460 pointed to? 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.819 That's fulfilled in him. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.879 Jesus is everything 00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:33.480 that the priest 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.740 was pointing to as well. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.220 Okay, 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.720 he is our great 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.299 go-between. 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:40.859 He is the only 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:42.079 go-between 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.140 between God and man. 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:44.940 And let me just say, 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.680 this is where we 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.579 respectfully 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.039 and lovingly disagree 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:50.279 with our Catholic friends. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.319 Because no saint 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.599 can play this role. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.599 No person 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.519 wearing a robe 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.940 or a dog collar 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:59.039 can play this role. 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:01.620 And in our own circles, 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:01.920 right, 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.200 friends, 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.099 a worship leader 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.199 can play this role. 00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:07.159 No pastor, 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.179 no elder 00:20:08.179 --> 00:20:09.899 can play this role. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:12.059 Jesus is the only 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.779 go-between 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:14.039 between God and man. 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:15.599 Jesus is the only one 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.359 who can lead us 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.879 into God's presence. 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.919 And to claim 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:19.559 that anyone else 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.179 can do that, 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.199 to use that language, 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.779 is to rob him 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.359 of glory. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.019 He is the great 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:26.480 and only 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.939 go-between. 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.659 And one of the priests, 00:20:32.659 --> 00:20:33.740 things that they wear, 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:35.459 is the names 00:20:35.459 --> 00:20:36.599 of the twelve tribes 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.059 of Israel 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.859 on them. 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.699 Representing 00:20:40.699 --> 00:20:41.279 the people 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.039 to God. 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.539 Well, 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.539 as it were, 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.899 Jesus bears 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.619 our names 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.740 in him 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.759 as he stands 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.599 having defeated 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.319 death 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:53.099 at God's 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:54.139 right hand 00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:54.939 in heaven. 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.879 And what is he 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.539 doing there? 00:20:58.159 --> 00:20:58.959 He is 00:20:58.959 --> 00:21:00.199 interceding 00:21:00.199 --> 00:21:01.319 for us. 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.579 Friends, 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:03.399 we fail, 00:21:03.939 --> 00:21:04.599 he's praying. 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.559 We fall, 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.519 he's praying. 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.339 We mess up, 00:21:08.439 --> 00:21:09.000 he's praying. 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.099 That's who he is. 00:21:10.179 --> 00:21:11.359 That's where he is. 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:11.960 And I hope 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.519 that encourages you 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.000 this morning, 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.839 whatever's going on 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.659 in your life. 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.019 That that is what 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.599 Jesus ever lives 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.000 to do. 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.740 He's not sitting 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.119 in heaven 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.859 having accomplished 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.639 his work, 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.599 twiddling his thumbs. 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.759 He's praying 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.559 for us. 00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:26.740 We have a priest 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.639 who's doing that 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.860 and we have a priest 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:30.200 who sympathizes 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.740 with us 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.500 in our weakness. 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.940 We have a priest 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.020 who knows who you are. 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.800 We have a priest, 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.620 you have a priest 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.360 who knows what 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.040 you're going through. 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:39.800 You have a priest 00:21:39.800 --> 00:21:41.040 who knows your needs 00:21:41.040 --> 00:21:43.100 and you have a priest 00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:44.040 who loves you 00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:45.180 like you wouldn't 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:46.320 believe was ever 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:46.960 possible. 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.920 And you have a priest 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.740 who has made it 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.900 his life mission 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.460 to pray for you 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.960 in the best place 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.700 possible 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.860 at the right hand 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.520 of the Father 00:21:55.520 --> 00:21:56.860 as the Lion of Judah 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.599 and as the Lamb 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.240 who was slain. 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.579 That's your priest. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.919 And that's what 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:02.599 the New Testament 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.559 is telling us. 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.639 It's been all about him. 00:22:04.719 --> 00:22:05.240 It's been all about 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.159 that priest. 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.619 And in a very 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:12.399 spiritual sense 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.619 but in nonetheless 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:15.159 a very real sense, 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.479 friends, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.219 because we are 00:22:16.219 --> 00:22:17.119 caught up in him, 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.819 because we are in him, 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.859 we are in the very 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.919 presence of God 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:24.479 because of Jesus. 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:27.480 He is our great 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:27.980 go-between. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.180 You know, 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.620 in the words of 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.559 Robert Murray McShane, 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.759 famous Scottish minister 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.599 from years ago, 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:34.099 if I could hear Christ 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.819 praying for me 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.660 in the next room, 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.519 I would not fear 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.900 a million enemies. 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.079 Yet distance 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.220 makes no difference 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.799 because he is 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:44.079 praying 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.380 for me. 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:47.880 You know, 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.460 let me just finish 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:50.680 by taking you 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.580 back to the 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:53.180 Rangers training 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.540 ground. 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:54.760 Okay, 00:22:54.760 --> 00:22:55.160 remember those 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:55.960 big gates that 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.780 said no entry? 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.060 Well, 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.260 something happened 00:22:58.260 --> 00:22:59.080 when I was a teenager. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.780 My phone went 00:22:59.780 --> 00:23:00.260 one evening. 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:01.520 Okay, 00:23:01.520 --> 00:23:02.600 and it was my mate 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.420 and he was texting 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:03.740 me. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:04.520 Okay, 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:05.780 and because he was 00:23:05.780 --> 00:23:06.360 texting me, 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:06.740 I knew it was 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.440 something special 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.360 because back then 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.300 you paid 10 pence 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:09.800 for a text, 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.360 you could only have 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.420 160 characters 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.400 and you'd only send 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:12.580 it, 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.220 being Scottish, 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.240 if it was 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.000 something special. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.299 Okay, 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.640 so he sent me a text 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:19.339 and it said, 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.200 well, 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.440 it turned out 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:22.900 the club had 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.619 invited all the 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.059 people who were 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:24.480 living in the 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.160 surrounding area 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.859 to come and see 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.380 inside the 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.019 training ground. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.380 Right, 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:27.740 and my friend 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.440 was near enough 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.059 just in the 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.759 catchment area 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.900 that he got an 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.220 invite. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.420 And so his text 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.380 simply said, 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.900 I got an invite. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.980 And then it said, 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.460 and I get to 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.119 bring a friend. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.359 Okay, 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:40.859 and if he had a 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.359 sense of humour 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:41.720 he would have 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.059 said to me, 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:42.519 can you go and 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.039 ask your brother 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.500 if he's free? 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.059 But he didn't do 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.240 that. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.579 He said, 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.680 would you like 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.140 to come? 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.519 Would you like 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:47.839 to come? 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.519 So there we are, 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.859 we rock up the 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.740 next Friday evening, 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.779 jeans and a t-shirt 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.279 and to our 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.759 amazement, 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.539 the guy in the 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:55.099 door opens the 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:55.960 gates and the 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:57.420 gates open for us. 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.500 For us. 00:23:59.359 --> 00:23:59.799 Schoolkids, 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.819 jeans and a t-shirt. 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:03.180 The gates open for us 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.839 and we're in, 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.319 right? 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:04.740 Honestly, 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.680 it felt like Charlie 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.460 from Charlie and the 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.220 Chocolate Factory. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.140 This is my golden 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:08.500 ticket. 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.299 This is never going 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.059 to happen again. 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.919 I think in the 00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:11.679 end we were so 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.299 excited they 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.000 actually had to 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.759 kick us out. 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.819 But here's what I 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.519 was so aware of 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.339 that whole evening. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.720 I was in, 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.639 not because of 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.460 who I was. 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:21.980 Right? 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.000 Jeans and a t-shirt. 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.740 Not in because of 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.259 who I was. 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:27.099 I was in because of 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:28.099 who he was. 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.399 Because of who he 00:24:30.399 --> 00:24:30.819 was. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.440 Friends, 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:33.059 how much more 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:35.960 reason do we 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.240 have to celebrate 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.319 the news and 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.519 take full advantage 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.680 of the truth 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:42.779 that Jesus, 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.039 our great high 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.440 priest, 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.720 brings us into 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.539 the presence of 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.220 God because of 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:48.059 our faith in him. 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.720 And maybe some of 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.279 you need to do 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.960 that this morning. 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.640 You need to repent 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.660 and trust in him. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.420 He brings us into 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.220 the presence of 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.279 God and, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:58.640 and he brings us 00:24:58.640 --> 00:25:00.240 in as a son and 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.380 a daughter of the 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:02.720 living God and we 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.140 can address him 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:04.960 and know him 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.559 as father. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:10.339 friends, 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:10.980 let us then 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.819 approach God's 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.519 throne of grace 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.420 with confidence 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:15.779 so that we may 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:17.039 receive mercy 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:19.660 and find grace 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.720 to help us 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:22.579 in our time of 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:22.839 need. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.259 Let's pray 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.680 together. 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.799 Heavenly Father, 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:32.660 we've got no 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.400 words to say 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:33.880 other than 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.700 thank you 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:38.019 thank you for 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.880 sending your son. 00:25:40.080 --> 00:25:40.880 Thank you for 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:42.000 making a way for 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.819 us through the 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.299 gospel, 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.299 through the atoning 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.039 work of Jesus, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.019 through his blood 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.819 of being brought 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:49.500 into your presence. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.460 Let me just praise 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.420 you for the love 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.019 which you have 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.279 lavished upon us. 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:55.700 And so, 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:55.880 Father, 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.860 I pray for anyone 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.700 watching this here 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.420 today who is 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.980 struggling. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:01.360 I pray that you 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.200 would help by 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.900 your indwelling 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.400 spirit, 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.720 help lift their 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.599 eyes to their 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.759 great high priest 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.700 Jesus Christ who 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.579 is praying for 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:09.860 them. 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.680 Thank you, 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:11.920 Lord, 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.599 for your just 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:14.019 great love for 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.460 us. 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.319 And help us, 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.559 Lord, 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.319 just to take 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:18.720 full advantage 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.880 and to know 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:22.360 you as 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:22.819 father. 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.980 In Jesus' name 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.460 we pray. 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.440 Amen. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.579 Amen. 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:26.620 Amen. 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:26.640 Amen. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:26.660 Amen. 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:26.680 Amen.