WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.700 Good morning, everyone. It was about 10 years ago that Alyssa and I spent a couple of months 00:00:06.700 --> 00:00:14.859 living and working in a church in Nairobi in Kenya. And it made me realize how good 00:00:14.859 --> 00:00:21.820 Australia is and that it's also not perfect. Nairobi is a wonderful city, but there is 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:27.300 some issues with crime that they have, particularly at night. And so if you're out driving at 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:33.480 night, which you don't really do too much, if you're driving, you don't stop at stop signs, 00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:40.420 you don't stop at red lights. You might slow down and look, is anybody coming? And then you go through. 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:46.740 There is a problem with carjackings sometimes, so you have your doors locked, you don't stop. 00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:53.019 And do you know what? It works there, it functions. And then when we came back from being away for a 00:00:53.020 --> 00:01:02.660 couple of months, at night I was out driving, sitting at a red light, thinking, why does this 00:01:02.660 --> 00:01:10.620 feel so weird? Oh, that's right, I have to stay here. But there's no one around. This is very strange. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:19.240 And it made me think, okay, this is good. My doors aren't locked. We don't have as much crime. But 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:24.239 there's no one around. I kind of felt overly controlled by the government. I felt that there's 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:30.839 too much regulation. And it helped me realize that no matter the country we're in, there is always a 00:01:30.839 --> 00:01:36.179 longing for things to be different, for things to be better. We can long for better health care, for 00:01:36.179 --> 00:01:43.319 government leadership to be better, to end corruption, for justice to be unbiased and consistent. 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:50.299 There's a longing that we have for a new era of rulers and governments to care for people, 00:01:50.919 --> 00:01:57.699 because we have an uncertainty about the future, particularly as this country has been hit with 00:01:57.699 --> 00:02:05.000 drought and fires and flood, and now as we've seen the coronavirus spread. We can think that, 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:09.900 oh look, our leaders will sort it out, or maybe we just need to vote in new leaders and they will sort 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:19.040 things out. We can pin our hopes on the future on humans. But we don't just need a better government. 00:02:19.640 --> 00:02:26.780 We need a radically new one. We need a whole new era to begin. Not just better countries and 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:33.280 leadership, but a whole new kingdom. So today, as we are continuing to go through the Apostles' Creed, 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:41.599 we see the new and better kingdom that we already live in. That Jesus, in his resurrection and 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:48.020 ascension, has brought in a new era for us. And he is the ruler who won't let us down. 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:55.099 So let me pray for us this morning. Heavenly Father, as we continue to look through the Apostles' Creed, 00:02:55.099 --> 00:03:02.620 this summary of faith, we ask that we would be placing our trust in you. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:08.400 Father, we thank you for governments and particularly good government. But Lord, 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:13.280 we thank you so much that your Son is now ruling and reigning. Amen. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:22.020 The first part of the Creed that we are looking at this morning is that we believe that Jesus was 00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:29.740 raised from the dead on the third day. All four Gospels tell how Jesus died and that he was raised 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:36.620 three days later. And they all focus on slightly different aspects. The Gospel of Mark focuses on 00:03:36.620 --> 00:03:44.300 the empty tomb and the angels' report that Jesus had been raised. Matthew 28 shows a resurrected Jesus. 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:50.640 He comes and speaks with the women at the tomb. And then he sends them away to tell his disciples 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:56.960 that he's alive. And then Jesus, in Matthew 28, sends his disciples all across the world to spread the 00:03:56.960 --> 00:04:04.340 good news. The Gospel of Luke, again, shows a slightly different view. It shows the resurrected 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:12.719 Jesus speaking with his disciples, eating fish with them, and then how Jesus ascends into heaven. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:21.819 And John shows Jesus appear to his disciples, except for poor old Thomas, who misses out, and then he 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:28.159 doubts that Jesus was really alive. And so Jesus appears to him to prove it. I'm sorry if this font 00:04:28.159 --> 00:04:34.180 is a little bit small, but we're in John chapter 20. A week later, his disciples were in the house again, 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:39.199 and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:47.500 Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here, see my hand. Reach out your hand and put it 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:56.139 in my side. Stop doubting and believe. And Thomas said, My Lord and my God. Jesus told him, Because you have 00:04:56.139 --> 00:05:04.040 seen me, you have believed. Blessed are all those who have not seen and yet have believed. Thomas has the right 00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:13.620 response to seeing the resurrected Jesus, my Lord and my God. And the Gospel presents this consistent picture of a 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:18.139 resurrected Jesus. He has the right to say, He has the right to say, He has the right to say, He has the right 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:24.959 because He really was alive, physically resurrected in body. Thomas could have reached out and touched 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:34.060 Him. He ate fish with His disciples. His resurrected body was the same as before and yet somehow new and 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:42.139 unique. And what the Gospel writers are doing is they're showing these things because there was, people would put 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:50.180 claims to a false resurrection. Just like today, there was myths and stories about people coming back to 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:58.060 life. There was, you know, vampires and demons and ghosts and zombies. And that is not Jesus. 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:09.620 Zombies and vampires don't eat fish. Ghosts can't be touched. Jesus was fully restored, raised from the dead. 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:18.060 And so while the authors of these four Gospels are saying what He was, they're also clearly showing what He was not. 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:27.639 It was not fake. It was a real bodily resurrection. In Acts chapter 2, Peter, the apostle, says, 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:36.680 God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:45.939 Him. Death couldn't hold Him. He was perfect and innocent. He did not deserve death. And Pilate, as we saw last week, 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:54.240 declared Him innocent. He was right to do so. And then later in Acts, again, when Peter is sharing the Gospel 00:06:54.240 --> 00:07:00.540 with the Gentiles, he said, we are witnesses of everything He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:07.800 They killed Him by hanging Him on a cross, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:14.439 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen, by us who ate and drank with Him 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:24.220 after He rose from the dead. Jesus, His death on the cross alone is not sufficient to deal with our sin. 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:30.540 He had to rise. He had to rise. And in His resurrection, He secures forgiveness. 00:07:31.940 --> 00:07:39.160 His resurrection gives us assurance that we too will be raised. It's God's big stamp of approval on... 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:47.640 There's some batteries there. It's God's big stamp of approval on Jesus' life and that His death was not wasted. 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:55.579 It's the certificate of authenticity to prove its value. It's the signature on the check, if you still use checks, 00:07:55.659 --> 00:08:05.659 to show that it had currency at the bank. Paul describes Jesus' resurrection in Colossians 1 as the firstborn from the dead. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:11.399 And so we have a wonderful joy in the era that we now live in. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:17.500 Jesus has brought us into a new age, into a new kingdom. 00:08:18.599 --> 00:08:21.959 With Jesus' resurrection from the dead, we live in a new time. 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:25.219 We live in a time where dead people come back to life. 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.699 Death is temporary. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:34.840 Jesus is the first one to come back to life from the dead. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:38.139 And so will all who repent and believe. 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:42.240 Do you remember when the internet first came in? 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:44.720 Might be showing your age a little bit. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:49.580 There's some young people over here who probably weren't alive when the internet first came in. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:54.840 Over the last 20 years, the internet, the technology age that we are in, 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:57.399 has radically changed how we do everything in life. 00:08:57.399 --> 00:09:05.399 The way we buy food, the way we buy clothes, the way we just book hotels, 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:07.419 and just generally are humans. 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:10.919 Alyssa was watching the movie You've Got Mail the other night. 00:09:11.539 --> 00:09:14.439 And somebody said, oh, I couldn't get online. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:15.980 And it was really frustrating. 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:20.179 And I'm like, just that concept of being online, it doesn't exist anymore. 00:09:20.699 --> 00:09:22.079 We're just always online. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:33.220 And so we've entered this new age, but that is not nearly as significant as the new era that Jesus brought in when he was raised from the dead. 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:39.320 Jesus, in his resurrection, has changed the very way the whole universe functions. 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:44.879 The very nature of the universe is different because now the dead come back to life. 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:49.439 God placed his seal of approval on Jesus. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:52.360 He has ensured us forgiveness of sins. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:57.279 And we now live in a kingdom where dead people come back to life. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:01.120 There's only been one who has done that permanently. 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:03.860 But he is the firstborn of the dead. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:06.539 And that is the hope that we live in. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:11.200 We don't hope that the next piece of technology will fix all of our lives. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:13.560 We hope in the resurrection. 00:10:14.900 --> 00:10:17.180 I still feel relatively young. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:22.640 And I have a young man mindset about the way my body heals itself. 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:25.060 It'll heal itself. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:26.180 Give it a bit of time. 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:29.480 If I do these right exercises, everything will be fine. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:30.820 I'll get stronger. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.379 And you know what? 00:10:31.400 --> 00:10:32.780 I might even get better than before. 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:38.440 But as I gracefully age into my mid-30s, 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:42.240 I'm realizing that maybe it won't all get better. 00:10:43.580 --> 00:10:47.420 I've noticed that if I stand the wrong way for too long, 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:49.540 it hurts to walk. 00:10:49.640 --> 00:10:52.380 So I'll be standing just over here at the crossing, 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:55.060 waiting for the lights to change. 00:10:55.660 --> 00:10:57.020 And I've got a dodgy hip. 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:59.820 And what it means is that when the lights change, 00:11:00.160 --> 00:11:03.360 I think I can just start walking and cross the road. 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.039 And then all of a sudden I'm hobbling. 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:08.919 And I have to do this awkward hobble run to get across the road 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:11.080 before the cars are trying to hit me and make things even worse. 00:11:13.180 --> 00:11:16.580 The hope for my body is not that it will get better. 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:18.759 It might get better. 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:23.139 But the joy of the gospel is that it is fixed. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:26.860 My hope for my body is to come in the resurrection. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:30.360 Because the kingdom that Jesus has brought in 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:34.379 is far better than any era that can come in now. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.919 The Industrial Revolution, 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:38.500 the technology age that we can come in, 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:40.279 whatever age comes next, 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:42.960 the one Jesus brought in is better. 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:46.840 Because we are guaranteed perfect bodies. 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:49.240 Because he has defeated death. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:55.299 The second part of the creed today is that Jesus, 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.159 raised from the dead, 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.360 ascended into heaven, 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:02.600 and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:06.639 We see Jesus' reign in his kingdom. 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:09.820 And Paul, when speaking about God's power, 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.120 said in Ephesians 1, 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:15.940 that power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:17.720 when he raised Christ from the dead. 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:21.240 And seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:24.220 far above all rule and authority, 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:25.660 power and dominion, 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:27.480 and every name that is invoked, 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:29.120 not only in the present age, 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:31.080 but also in the one to come. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:33.820 And God placed all things under his feet 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:38.040 and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.480 which is his body, 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:43.120 the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.540 And in Philippians 2, 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:47.440 God exalted him to the highest place, 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:49.960 and gave him the name that is above every name, 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:51.320 that at the name of Jesus, 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.520 every knee should bow, 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.700 in heaven and on earth and unto the earth, 00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:56.140 and every tongue confess, 00:12:57.140 --> 00:12:59.400 and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.780 to the glory of God the Father. 00:13:01.140 --> 00:13:05.120 Jesus is at the top of every hierarchy. 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:07.180 He is so high, 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:10.220 that even just at the very mention of his name, 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:11.240 Philippians says, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.900 every knee shall bow, 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:14.360 just at the mention of his name. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.459 We've had Steve back in the office this week. 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:19.779 It's been wonderful. 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:21.419 It's been wonderful to have you back, brother. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.500 And, 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.699 now he's not Jesus, 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.659 but when he came back, 00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:28.079 when he, 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.579 you know, 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:30.059 walked through the doors, 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:31.919 we were all standing up. 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:34.139 We were all acknowledging 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.279 that, 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:35.620 you know, 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.759 our brother is here, 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:37.620 our leader is here, 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.639 and at that point, 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.799 there were still hugs and handshakes, 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.980 because we've missed him. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:46.259 We all stood up and took notice at his return. 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.240 There was a response. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.980 But when Jesus returns, 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:54.440 every person will acknowledge him, 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.720 regardless of culture or ethnicity, 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:00.320 position or preference. 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:03.500 The ascension of Jesus here is a, 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:05.180 it's a royal coronation. 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.000 Now, 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:10.460 I wasn't around for Queen Elizabeth's coronation. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.740 You can tell me stories of it later, 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:13.220 if you like. 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.480 But imagine, 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:17.299 if Prince Charles becomes king, 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:20.759 imagine what his coronation will be like. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:23.720 There will be a massive ceremony, 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:26.240 where representatives from all of the Commonwealth, 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:29.500 come and acknowledge that he sits on the throne. 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:34.279 Jesus has ascended to a throne much bigger, 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:36.139 much grander, 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.939 and much more powerful. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:40.519 Not only will all people bow to him, 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:41.659 but the very heavens, 00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:42.919 and the planets, 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.439 and the earth will too. 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.360 The sun, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.100 and the stars, 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:47.500 and the planets will all bow 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:49.299 before Jesus. 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:53.079 And whilst he said on the cross, 00:14:53.219 --> 00:14:54.079 it is finished. 00:14:55.079 --> 00:14:57.199 His work of salvation is finished. 00:14:58.079 --> 00:15:00.559 But Jesus continues to work even now. 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.659 Not saving, 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:03.620 because he has saved, 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:05.759 but he is reigning, 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:08.019 as the king of the universe. 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:09.659 Hebrews 1 says, 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.860 after he had provided purification for sins, 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.419 he sat down, 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:15.879 at the right hand, 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.679 of the majesty in heaven. 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.320 He is sat down, 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.120 not like falling, 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.860 this is what I do, 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:22.360 I fall into the couch at the end of the day, 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:22.759 exhausted. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.879 But he sat down, 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.560 into a position of power, 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.500 and responsibility, 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:28.220 and authority. 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:30.340 He rules, 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:31.379 and leads, 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.779 the created universe. 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.540 And as he reigns, 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:37.500 he is also interceding for us. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:39.420 Romans 8 says, 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:40.960 that he is at the right hand of God, 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:42.060 interceding for us. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.440 And Hebrews 7 says, 00:15:43.660 --> 00:15:45.519 that he lives to intercede for us. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.820 He is still working for us. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:53.080 It is as if he is pointing out to God, 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.980 these ones. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.399 These ones, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.779 I died for. 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:01.079 Those in Chatswood, 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:03.759 who doubt how much I love them. 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:07.100 Who are filled with anxiety, 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.439 and fear, 00:16:09.459 --> 00:16:10.939 and who attempted to make gods, 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:12.000 out of other things. 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:14.539 Those little ones are mine. 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:17.120 And Jesus does that now, 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.679 for all who follow him. 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:22.199 Jesus' ascension to this throne, 00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:23.019 of heaven, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:25.059 has brought in a new kingdom. 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:27.139 We not only live in an era, 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.879 where dead people come back to life, 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:31.379 but Jesus sits on the throne. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:33.419 He has crushed death. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:35.419 He has taken on our sins. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.080 And God's new creation, 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:39.000 is pushing into this one. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.759 Because Jesus rules, 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.399 and reigns over this universe. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:45.679 At the moment, 00:16:46.079 --> 00:16:47.459 throughout the world, 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:50.699 there is a fair amount of political instability. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.159 And we can fill this pool that, 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.399 if only the government would be better. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.259 If only they were better. 00:16:58.259 --> 00:17:00.340 If only we elected the right government, 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.819 all would be well. 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:04.339 Maybe they'll bring in good policy, 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.220 to help people, 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:07.240 to spend tax dollars in the right way, 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.319 and to end corruption. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:10.379 Now, 00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:10.939 it's been interesting, 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:13.720 watching a little bit of the US politics, 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:16.339 as they ramp up for the next election. 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:19.299 There is this tangible yearning, 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.700 that people have. 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:23.379 They want good government. 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.359 It's true in schools, 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.399 we want good leaders. 00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:29.200 It's true in our workplaces, 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:31.379 we want our bosses, 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.619 and the people who run our organizations, 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:35.539 to be good. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:37.159 To make good decisions. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.500 But if we place, 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:41.039 all our hope, 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:43.420 on whoever wins the next election, 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.980 even if they are great, 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:46.819 we will be let down. 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:48.940 I've heard of, 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:50.720 people's dissatisfaction, 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:52.879 with the current leadership of China. 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:55.779 Why didn't you tell us, 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:57.559 that the coronavirus was so bad, 00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:58.359 back in January? 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.940 Why was there a two week gap, 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:03.440 between telling the US, 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.759 that it was spreading, 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.359 and telling your own people? 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.980 Many people in Australia, 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:10.940 are questioning the government, 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.319 even though the government, 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.259 has been working, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.379 there's still the question of, 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.579 what have you been doing, 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.000 in the midst of drought, 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.799 and fires, 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:18.400 and floods, 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.299 and now the coronavirus? 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.599 We don't want, 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:23.619 rulers who play political games, 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.400 but instead help, 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.700 to protect lives, 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.640 and guide the country. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.940 But if we keep, 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:30.799 looking for, 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:31.759 our happiness, 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.900 and our satisfaction, 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.100 in the future, 00:18:34.100 --> 00:18:35.259 from our governments, 00:18:36.040 --> 00:18:37.540 will always be let down. 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.840 Jesus is, 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:40.380 the good, 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.440 governor, 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.120 he is, 00:18:42.280 --> 00:18:43.240 not only sitting, 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.300 in the seat of power, 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.240 but he also has, 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:47.000 all power to rule, 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:49.040 and he does, 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.640 what is good, 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.300 for his people. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.560 So we believe, 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:53.040 in a Jesus, 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.580 who was, 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:55.040 raised from the dead, 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.360 who ascended, 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:56.900 into heaven, 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.820 and now sits, 00:18:58.100 --> 00:18:58.940 at the right hand, 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.519 of the father, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.039 and from there, 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:01.819 he will come, 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.019 to judge the living, 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:03.500 and the dead. 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:05.460 So Jesus's kingdom, 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.579 is going to come. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.599 Jesus will return. 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.859 And his second coming, 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.779 will be different, 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:12.519 to the first. 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.799 When Jesus first came, 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:16.119 he came as a baby, 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.420 he took on humility, 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.440 he learned, 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.859 obedience to God, 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.500 and he came, 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.759 to point to God, 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:25.180 and to be crucified, 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:26.819 raised, 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.379 to ascend, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:27.940 to a throne. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.759 But now, 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.779 in that power, 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.759 when he returns, 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.799 we will see him, 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.539 coming, 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.840 in all his power, 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.500 and authority. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.080 It's the two sides, 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:38.920 of the same coin. 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:40.059 It's like how, 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:40.779 a mother can be, 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.480 compassionate, 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.059 and caring for her child, 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.100 but also, 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.779 lift a car, 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.279 or fight off, 00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:47.900 an enemy, 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:49.279 for the sake of her child. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.799 Revelation 19, 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.000 paints this picture, 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.980 of Jesus, 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.840 coming back, 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.920 to fight for his people. 00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:57.200 It says, 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.059 I saw, 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.100 this is John speaking, 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.500 I saw heaven standing open, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.740 and there before me, 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.819 was a white horse, 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:03.460 whose rider, 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.519 is called Faithful, 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.259 and True. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.600 With justice, 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.279 he judges, 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:08.400 and wages war, 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.480 his eyes, 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.940 are like blazing fire, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.559 and on his head, 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.819 are many crowns. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.140 He has a name, 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:15.700 written on him, 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.620 that no one knows, 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.420 but he himself. 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:18.380 He is dressed, 00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:19.100 in a robe, 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.400 dipped in blood, 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.319 and his name, 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.360 is the word of God. 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.620 The armies of heaven, 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.600 were following him, 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.680 riding on white horses, 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:28.140 and dressed in fine linen, 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:29.220 white and clean. 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.860 Coming out of his mouth, 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.180 is a sharp sword, 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.900 with which to strike down, 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.400 the nations. 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.519 He will rule them, 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:37.180 with an iron scepter. 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:40.259 He treads the wine presses, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.100 of the fury, 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:41.960 of the wrath, 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.140 of God Almighty. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.620 And on his robe, 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.380 and on his thigh, 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.680 he has a name written on it, 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:48.140 King of Kings, 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.539 and Lord of Lords. 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.420 This is Jesus, 00:20:51.580 --> 00:20:52.920 in all his splendor. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:55.180 A sword coming out, 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.840 of his mouth, 00:20:56.100 --> 00:20:57.140 an iron scepter, 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:57.920 in the other hand, 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.000 leading an army, 00:20:59.300 --> 00:21:00.700 to pour out God's wrath, 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.539 on those who are his enemies. 00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:05.519 And when he comes, 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:08.180 he comes to judge. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.860 Matthew 25 says, 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.180 that when the Son of Man, 00:21:11.300 --> 00:21:12.400 comes in his glory, 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.300 and all the angels with him, 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.120 he will sit, 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.700 on his glorious throne. 00:21:17.800 --> 00:21:18.560 All the nations, 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:19.840 will be gathered before him, 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:21.439 and he will separate, 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.199 the people, 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.399 one from another. 00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.439 As a shepherd, 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.740 separates the sheep, 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.720 from the goats. 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.379 He will put the sheep, 00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:28.939 on his right, 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:29.919 and the goats, 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.740 on his left. 00:21:32.199 --> 00:21:32.839 His judgment, 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.359 looks like, 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.539 separating the sheep, 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.679 who love him, 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:38.559 who follow his voice, 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.319 separating them, 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.220 to eternal joy. 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.699 And he separates, 00:21:42.699 --> 00:21:43.299 the goats, 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.639 who don't listen, 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.099 to his voice, 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.240 who don't follow him, 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.459 and who destroy, 00:21:47.699 --> 00:21:48.240 and damage. 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.379 And they get separated, 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.180 to eternal, 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.800 everlasting torment. 00:21:53.260 --> 00:21:54.260 This judgment, 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.120 is coming. 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.480 Paul said in Philippians 2, 00:21:58.560 --> 00:21:59.920 that every knee, 00:22:00.060 --> 00:22:00.680 shall bow. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.920 The kingdom, 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:03.680 that Jesus, 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.760 has brought in, 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.200 sees dead people, 00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:06.880 come alive. 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:08.020 It has, 00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:09.620 an all powerful king, 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.400 and his kingdom, 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:13.360 is only for those, 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.720 who follow this king. 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.620 It's easy, 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.220 to be fearful, 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.980 of this day. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:20.460 The prophet Joel, 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.019 describes it, 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:21.559 as the great, 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:22.579 and terrible day, 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.180 of the Lord. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:25.440 But the reassuring, 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.620 thing about this day, 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:28.200 is not the judgment, 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.440 it's the judgment, 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.559 is not from a human judge. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.319 The reassuring thing, 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.059 is that the judgment, 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.839 doesn't come from, 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.519 a human judge. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.480 Judgment, 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.640 is not going to be biased. 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.579 This judgment, 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.180 can't be, 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.140 bought out. 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:40.920 Jesus, 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.000 would judge, 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.680 with justice. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.700 The king, 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.339 who is coming, 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:44.860 to judge, 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.920 is the same one, 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.660 who died, 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.380 for the guilty. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.779 What human judge, 00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:50.580 has done that? 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.660 What human judge, 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.920 has gotten out of their, 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:54.200 seat of judgment, 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.279 and power, 00:22:55.580 --> 00:22:56.180 and taken, 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.160 the place, 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.100 of the condemned? 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.220 Jesus, 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.360 is the king, 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:01.960 and judge, 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.860 that we can trust, 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.920 because we long, 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:06.140 for his good judgment. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.180 Rather than being, 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:08.660 fearful, 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.680 of this judgment, 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.980 it's a wonderful joy, 00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:12.779 that we can draw, 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:13.480 near to him. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:16.059 There are plenty, 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.860 of goats, 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:18.640 who destroy people, 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.620 only for themselves. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.460 This is our, 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:23.000 natural position, 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:24.140 without God. 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:26.200 To do what a goat does, 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.180 which is to tear, 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.019 and destroy, 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.200 and to rip it, 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.180 everything in sight, 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.220 until it's gone. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.700 In this life, 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.500 many people seem, 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.400 to escape judgment, 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.360 for the most heinous, 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:36.900 of crimes. 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.960 But we are promised, 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.720 that there is, 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.980 a powerful king, 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.319 who will come, 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.259 to make things right. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.019 But it's also, 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.519 a reminder, 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.220 that this world, 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.539 has an expiry date. 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.880 We're not sure, 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.019 when it's going to end. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.259 We can't do, 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.500 what we do with a milk carton, 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.220 and give it a sniff, 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.059 and check, 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.279 whether your expiry date's right, 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.259 or whether it's still okay. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.079 We don't know, 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.579 when the end is coming, 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.539 but there is, 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.960 judgment coming. 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.000 And this should spur us, 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:06.559 to speak loving words, 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.519 to our friends, 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.240 our family, 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.460 who don't know Jesus. 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:12.079 Easter is coming, 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.599 it's in a matter of weeks. 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.559 The eggs have been, 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.039 on the shelves, 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:15.819 for two months, 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.579 so that must mean, 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.460 it's around the corner, 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.099 anytime soon. 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.960 I think I've eaten my weight, 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.000 in hot cross buns already, 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.480 and Easter's not for a month. 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.240 And Easter, 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.339 is a wonderful time, 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.099 to remind people, 00:24:26.199 --> 00:24:27.759 to start the conversation, 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.299 that there is a God, 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.339 who would do, 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.759 all that is necessary, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.879 to guarantee, 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.519 a future, 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.480 for people. 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.859 Especially, 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:37.159 when we are, 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:37.779 in a time, 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.680 of doubt, 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.019 and fear, 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.900 and anxiety, 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.340 about what will happen tomorrow. 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.519 We believe, 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.120 in a Jesus, 00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:46.040 who was raised, 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:46.640 from the dead, 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.620 ascended, 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.840 to the greatest throne, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.360 and he will come back, 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.019 to judge. 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.400 Jesus has brought in, 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.240 a new kingdom, 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:54.900 a new era, 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.880 a time of, 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.040 wonderful blessing, 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.840 before God. 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.800 A time, 00:24:58.840 --> 00:24:59.560 where we have an assurance, 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.320 that the dead, 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.259 will rise, 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.720 where the one, 00:25:02.800 --> 00:25:03.700 who showed his love, 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.500 on the cross, 00:25:05.300 --> 00:25:06.060 is now the Lord, 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.859 of all the universe. 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.599 And that loving Lord, 00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:09.599 will come to judge. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.019 No government, 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.319 or leader, 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:15.200 can fill our yearning, 00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.839 for the good, 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.220 and sacrificial ruler. 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.220 No health fix, 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:22.359 no health solution, 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.379 not even a cure, 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.299 for coronavirus, 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.839 is going to fix, 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.740 our anxiety, 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.759 about the future. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.579 No justice system, 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.259 will ever deal, 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.139 with all of those, 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.220 who deserve to be punished. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.440 It is only, 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.220 the ascended Jesus, 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.100 who will do that, 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.080 sitting on his throne, 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.559 waiting to return, 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.320 to bring us home. 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.500 Let me pray.