WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.259 Good morning, church. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:08.000 Would you turn with me to Romans chapter 8? 00:00:10.939 --> 00:00:16.820 We are concluding our series in Romans 8 today, looking at verses 35 through 39. 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:22.420 Next week starts the season of Advent. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:28.500 That's the season of the year when we look back to Christ's first coming 00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:30.320 and we look ahead to Christ's second coming. 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:35.280 There's a lot of good things coming up in the life of our church this coming month. 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:36.399 So check out the bulletin. 00:00:38.659 --> 00:00:40.399 December 12th is the carol service. 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:44.960 December 17th is our longest night service, a service of lament in this time of the year. 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:49.140 Christmas Eve is actually a Sunday this year. 00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:52.579 So we're going to have a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:53.859 in addition to our morning service. 00:00:53.859 --> 00:01:00.179 And this coming Advent, we're going to be preaching through the life of John the Baptist, 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:06.780 the great herald of the coming king, saying, prepare the way. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:09.060 Prepare your hearts for the one who's about to come. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:13.500 So that's what's coming up this coming month at Trinity, this Christmas season. 00:01:14.439 --> 00:01:15.980 I'm actually pretty excited about it. 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:20.420 I think it's going to be a good December for us as a church. 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:25.240 But this morning, we are finishing off Romans 8. 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:33.040 This fall, we've been studying this great chapter that's sometimes been called the Mount Everest of Scripture, 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:37.820 the highest peak from which we can see all the contours of the land below. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:40.719 That's page 945 in the Pew Bible. 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:42.620 Let me encourage you to turn there with me. 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:46.159 Romans chapter 8, verses 35 through 39. 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:50.439 Before I read this for us, let's pray as we come to God's word. 00:01:53.899 --> 00:01:57.519 Father, thank you for being a God who reveals yourself to us. 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:03.319 As we come to read this passage of Scripture, we pray that by your spirit, 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:07.060 you would be revealing yourself to us afresh through your written word. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:11.099 Father, show us your glory in Christ this morning. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:14.739 Help us to see him with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:18.379 that we may know your love that surpasses knowledge, 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:24.060 and that we might be transformed more and more into his likeness. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:26.159 In the name of Jesus, we pray. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:26.659 Amen. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:31.259 Romans 8, starting in verse 35. 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:37.620 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:47.599 Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:53.039 As it is written, for your sake, we are being killed all the day long. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:57.039 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:00.199 No. 00:03:02.459 --> 00:03:07.079 In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:11.899 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:14.060 nor things present, nor things to come, 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:19.239 nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation 00:03:19.240 --> 00:03:25.340 will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:35.240 Friend, what would it look like for you to live as if you truly had nothing to fear? 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:39.760 I confess I don't often live that way. 00:03:40.980 --> 00:03:43.300 I often fear what other people will think of me. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:48.520 I often fear at times how my kids are going to navigate their futures, 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:49.939 whether they're going to come out okay. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:53.480 I fear at times sickness. 00:03:53.760 --> 00:03:55.540 I fear at times losing loved ones. 00:03:55.600 --> 00:03:58.300 There are lots of things in life that can make us afraid, aren't there? 00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:03.420 But as Paul draws this chapter to a close, 00:04:04.300 --> 00:04:11.460 he points us to the one thing that Christians need never fear. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:18.439 And because of that one thing, we can face anything with assurance, with confidence. 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:26.519 These five verses are the finale of perhaps one of the most riveting and important chapters in the whole Bible. 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:38.419 These verses are Paul's hold nothing back, no holds barred, lyrical fireworks display of what he's been trying to say for the whole chapter, really. 00:04:38.839 --> 00:04:40.219 This is the big finish. 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:44.420 As I was preparing to preach this morning, 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:49.340 Beth asked me, hey, how's your sermon preparation going? 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:54.820 And I said, you know, I feel like preaching this text is a bit like trying to catch a tornado in a paper bag. 00:04:54.819 --> 00:05:05.599 How could we possibly try to capture the magnitude of these gale force winds in our short time together this morning? 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:11.980 This momentum that's been building for the whole chapter that's now breaking forth in all of its stunning power. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:15.800 How do we try to capture what Paul wants us to know here deep in our bones? 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:23.019 What's the earth-shaking assurance that Paul wants us to grasp? 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:28.879 Well, let's hear three times in these five verses. 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:32.699 Verse 35, the love of Christ. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:37.439 Verse 37, him who loved us. 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:44.300 Verse 39, the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:05:45.459 --> 00:05:51.779 God's love in Christ is the finale, is the big finish. 00:05:52.659 --> 00:05:54.600 That's the unshakable assurance. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:06:02.779 You know, up to this point in the chapter, Paul hasn't actually explicitly mentioned God's love. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:05.120 The love of Christ. 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:11.240 In fact, Paul hasn't explicitly mentioned God's love since chapter 5 of the book of Romans. 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:16.139 But you know, that's really what this whole section of the book has been about. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:19.220 The beginning of 5, the end of 8. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:24.639 They're like an intro and a conclusion telling us what everything in between has been all about. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:30.379 It's all been about the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:35.019 So here's the big finish. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:38.860 There are three things we see about the love of Christ in this text. 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:41.100 And the first thing we see is this. 00:06:42.040 --> 00:06:48.199 That in this world, there are many contenders who will threaten to separate us from the love of Christ. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:56.099 In this life, for you and I, there are many contenders who are going to threaten to separate us from the love of Christ. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:06:57.659 Look again at verse 35. 00:06:58.079 --> 00:06:59.139 Where do we see this? 00:06:59.539 --> 00:07:04.199 In verse 35, Paul asks the last of his great rhetorical questions. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:07.079 Remember how he started two weeks ago? 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:10.300 If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:13.819 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:07:14.359 --> 00:07:15.779 Who is to condemn? 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:18.879 And here are the last rhetorical questions. 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:22.419 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:27.419 Who shall separate us from this immense love? 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:30.699 And as soon as he asks that question, 00:07:33.699 --> 00:07:36.899 outstep the contenders one by one. 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:44.560 Here they come, lining up, threatening to sever us, to cut us off from Christ's love for us. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:47.359 Paul lists seven examples in verse 35. 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:50.379 Seven of them as if to say, you know, there could be a whole lot more. 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:59.180 To start with, there are all the things that happen to Christians just for naming the name of Jesus. 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:03.279 Tribulation, distress, persecution. 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:10.479 Friends, you know, for most of the church's history, and much of the world today, 00:08:11.919 --> 00:08:14.819 Christians are persecuted for their allegiance to Jesus, 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:17.899 just for identifying with Jesus. 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:24.619 There are actually missionaries that we support as a church that we can't tell you publicly what country they minister in 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:26.360 because it will put their ministry in jeopardy. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:32.259 At best, they'll be severely fined, sent home, and the whole work will be shut down. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:39.819 But more than that, in other parts of the world, it's much worse, even to the point of outright physical violence and martyrdom. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:48.300 But those aren't the only contenders who threaten to separate us from Christ's love. 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:52.860 Paul goes on to list some of the tragedies of living in a fallen world. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:59.280 Famine, nakedness, to be left without food, to be left without clothes, famine and nakedness. 00:08:59.400 --> 00:09:03.820 These things speak of the deprivations, of the losses that we experience, 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:09.500 the hardships, the trials, the job loss, the struggling to make ends meet, 00:09:10.020 --> 00:09:13.500 the spouse who walks out, the friend who cuts you off. 00:09:18.800 --> 00:09:21.879 And if that weren't enough, they keep coming. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:26.240 Last, there are the things that threaten our very lives. 00:09:26.420 --> 00:09:26.860 Danger. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:30.480 Or the things that even take our lives. 00:09:31.420 --> 00:09:32.700 Paul says, the sword. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:37.540 And by sword, Paul probably means the executioner's sword. 00:09:38.800 --> 00:09:41.640 Which we know that he himself would face later in life. 00:09:42.760 --> 00:09:43.520 And succumb. 00:09:46.400 --> 00:09:47.320 Here they come. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:50.360 The things that threaten our lives, that take our lives. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:51.160 Cancer. 00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:52.720 Car accidents. 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:54.080 Execution. 00:09:54.900 --> 00:09:56.280 All threatening our lives. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:59.360 All threatening to separate us from Christ's love. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:04.680 So what do we know about the love of Christ then? 00:10:06.680 --> 00:10:11.720 We know that the love of Christ for the Christian doesn't guarantee him or her immunity 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:15.279 from evil and suffering and persecution in this life. 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:24.980 There are countless candidates ready to stand up and to threaten to separate us from the love of Christ. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:25.899 So friends, 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:26.399 know this, 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:28.519 know this, 00:10:29.459 --> 00:10:30.659 that these things will come. 00:10:32.579 --> 00:10:33.939 Hardship and loss will come. 00:10:35.939 --> 00:10:37.500 Persecution and distress will come, 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:38.740 whether severe or subtle. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:42.100 Danger and death will come. 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:46.100 Both to you and to your loved ones. 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:48.840 Sometimes at an old age, 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:49.980 after a long life. 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.860 Sometimes suddenly, 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.200 tragically. 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.340 In verse 36, 00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:59.360 Paul quotes Psalm 44, 22, 00:11:00.040 --> 00:11:01.920 which was a prayer to God 00:11:01.920 --> 00:11:03.840 when the people of Israel were being persecuted 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:04.779 and afflicted. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:07.420 Paul says, 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.940 this is the Christian's experience. 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:12.500 We will feel like this many times. 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:15.940 Like you're a sheep to be slaughtered. 00:11:17.160 --> 00:11:19.140 Undergoing death every day. 00:11:22.800 --> 00:11:24.260 So what will you make of this? 00:11:25.660 --> 00:11:26.820 As one by one, 00:11:26.900 --> 00:11:27.980 these contenders come around, 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:29.120 how will you view them? 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:29.880 The temptation 00:11:29.880 --> 00:11:33.080 will be to see them as signs, 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:33.880 as evidence, 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.760 as proof 00:11:34.760 --> 00:11:38.620 that you have in fact been separated from Christ's love. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:40.680 The temptation will be to say, 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:42.860 Christ must not love me 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:44.160 if this is happening. 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:48.680 But is that true? 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.580 Brings us to the second thing 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:55.260 that we see about the love of Christ here. 00:11:56.260 --> 00:11:57.300 Yes, on the one hand, 00:11:57.400 --> 00:11:59.220 the love of Christ guarantees no one 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:00.420 immunity from suffering. 00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:01.599 But on the other hand, 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:05.599 the love of Christ entails 00:12:05.599 --> 00:12:09.139 no possibility of separation. 00:12:10.979 --> 00:12:11.899 In verse 38, 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:12.799 Paul says, 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:14.919 I am sure. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:17.919 There's a resounding confidence 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:21.000 that comes flowing out of this passage 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.120 for each one of us in Christ. 00:12:23.599 --> 00:12:24.259 Confidence 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.959 that nothing in our human experience, 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:28.080 Paul says, 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.420 whether death or life 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:30.660 or anything in between, 00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:33.700 that nothing in the spiritual realm, 00:12:33.780 --> 00:12:35.440 whether angels or heavenly rulers, 00:12:36.540 --> 00:12:38.860 that nothing in the course of time, 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:40.460 whether present or future, 00:12:41.400 --> 00:12:43.860 that nothing that is opposed to God's plans, 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:45.980 whatever power it may be, 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:50.340 that nothing in the vast reaches of space, 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:51.620 whether height or depth, 00:12:51.680 --> 00:12:53.879 that nothing in all creation 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:55.759 can separate us 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.200 from the love of God 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.799 in Christ Jesus, 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:00.620 our Lord. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.340 Friends, 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:06.120 whether you can see it or not, 00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:07.539 or feel it or not, 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.139 or understand it or not, 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.939 there's not a single thing 00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:12.659 in all of creation, 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.120 nothing at all, 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:16.860 that can separate you. 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:22.360 But how can Paul be so sure? 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.399 How can you and I be so sure 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.460 that nothing will separate us 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:28.279 from the love of Christ? 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:32.799 Well, maybe this is a good point 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:34.419 in our sermon series 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.519 to take a step back 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:37.480 and listen again 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:40.159 to what Paul has been showing us 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:40.820 in Romans 8. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.740 Go back with me 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.779 to verses 1 through 3. 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.480 If you are in Christ Jesus, 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:50.080 if you've placed your trust in Him, 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:52.300 then God has done for you 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:54.680 what the law could not do. 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.220 God sent His own Son 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.820 from the glories of heaven 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:00.080 to take on the likeness 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:00.940 of sinful flesh 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:02.780 to die as a sacrifice 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:03.900 for your sin 00:14:03.900 --> 00:14:05.420 in order to condemn 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:07.000 sin in the flesh, 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:07.480 Paul says. 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.600 That is to judge it 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:10.100 and to fully exhaust 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:10.720 its penalty 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:12.520 so that there's nothing left 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:13.240 for you to bear. 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.460 So that united to Christ 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:15.960 through faith, 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:16.780 you might be counted 00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:17.700 not as sinful, 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.700 not as guilty, 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:19.540 but as righteous, 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:20.660 as loved. 00:14:20.900 --> 00:14:22.379 That's how much God loves you. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.600 But not just that. 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:27.140 Having justified you in Christ, 00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:28.280 pronounced you righteous, 00:14:28.640 --> 00:14:30.060 God has now sent His Spirit 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:31.100 to dwell in you. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.540 This is verses 4 through 13. 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:34.840 And that means 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:37.340 that you have a whole new mindset. 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:39.020 You have a whole new principle 00:14:39.020 --> 00:14:41.440 of life within you, Christian, 00:14:41.780 --> 00:14:42.720 that is overcoming 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:44.060 the old pattern 00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:45.520 of our old fallen nature. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.720 As verse 13 puts it, 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:49.879 we can put sin to death 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.579 by the Spirit 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:51.939 and truly live. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.199 God has given you His Spirit. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.779 That's how much He loves you. 00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:59.019 But the indwelling Spirit 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.379 means more than just a new power 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.559 for holiness and godliness. 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:02.980 Paul goes on to say 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.120 that it means 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.019 that you're now 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:07.259 God's adopted child. 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:08.960 Verse 14, 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:10.240 all who are led 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.379 by the Spirit of God 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:14.519 are sons of God, 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:16.000 children of God. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:19.059 You can call God 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.279 your Father, 00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:21.699 Paul says. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.759 You can know the glory 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.779 of an intimate relationship 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.319 with Him. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.460 And as daughters and sons, 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.000 Paul says, 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.120 you are heirs, 00:15:32.319 --> 00:15:33.079 in verse 17. 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.279 You will inherit 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.559 with Christ 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:38.019 the coming new creation. 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.139 That is how much 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:40.879 God loves you. 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:45.100 Then in verses 18 through 30, 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.279 Paul says that 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:46.879 as we wait 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.000 for that day of resurrection, 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.860 as we wait 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.960 for the coming glory, 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:50.919 for the new creation, 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.059 the Spirit comes 00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:53.840 and prays 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.100 and intercedes within us. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.759 And God works 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.840 all things around us 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:58.379 for our good. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:58.919 In fact, 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:01.360 Paul says that God 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.840 from eternity past 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:04.600 has known you. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.679 That from the stretches 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.980 of eternity past, 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.399 God has known you 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:12.639 and set a purpose 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.340 for you 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.700 to be like Christ. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:17.139 And flowing out 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:19.259 of that eternal purpose 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.879 of God 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.820 like an unbroken chain, 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.639 God has called you 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.220 in time 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:26.860 and God has justified you 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:29.019 and God will most certainly 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:30.500 one day glorify you. 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.220 That's how much 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:34.960 God loves you. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:39.120 But ultimately, 00:16:39.280 --> 00:16:39.940 this is how much 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.639 God loves you. 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.700 Verse 32, 00:16:44.900 --> 00:16:45.780 He did not spare 00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:46.500 His own son 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:48.600 but gave Him up 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.019 for you. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.060 In Romans 5, 00:16:54.160 --> 00:16:54.720 Paul says this 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.560 about God's love. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.300 He says, 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.379 while we were still weak, 00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.180 you and I, 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:01.200 at the right time, 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.420 Christ died 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:04.299 for the ungodly. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.639 For one will scarcely die 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.680 for a righteous person, 00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:10.240 though perhaps 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.019 for a good person, 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.759 one would dare 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.379 even to die. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.220 But God shows 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:14.879 His love 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:16.159 for us 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.940 in that while 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.980 we were still sinners, 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.980 Christ died for us. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.639 Friends, 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.359 there it is. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.460 The unshakable 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:27.960 proof 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.220 and demonstration 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.359 of God's love 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:30.779 for you. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:33.019 because God loves you, 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:34.139 He sent His own Son 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:35.839 to die for your sins. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.440 And He purchased 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.019 for you 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.039 through Jesus' life 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.720 and death 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.259 and resurrection 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.000 everything 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:43.139 that you could possibly need 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:44.259 for eternal life 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:44.599 with Him 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:45.019 now 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.059 and for forever. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.019 So that all 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.759 you and I 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.519 need now to do 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.019 is admit 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.920 that we can't make 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.899 ourselves right with God. 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.879 That we're sinners 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:54.000 and hopeless in His sight. 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.980 And we need to turn to God 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.940 and receive Christ. 00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:59.000 Take hold of Christ 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.539 through faith 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:00.659 so that all that's His 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.700 might become ours. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:03.059 That His righteousness 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.960 and His status 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.680 and His life 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.680 and His salvation 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.359 become ours 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.240 through faith 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.899 and faith alone. 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:11.480 And friends, 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.440 if that is true, 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.960 think with me now. 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.299 Let's use our, 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.440 let's use some logic 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.180 this morning. 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.299 If that is true, 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:24.099 if God has given 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.720 His only Son 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.779 for you, 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:30.500 then no matter 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.299 what comes, 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.299 whether persecution 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.059 or famine 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.720 or sword, 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.700 no matter what it is 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.419 in all creation, 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.200 if God has given 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.700 His only Son 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.539 for you, 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:43.500 then those things 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.339 cannot mean, 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.259 they cannot mean 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:48.220 that God doesn't love you. 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:52.019 Christ went to the cross 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.400 for you, 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:52.700 friends. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.660 He took your sin 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.259 and your death. 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:55.640 He was forsaken for you. 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:57.039 Paul says in Galatians, 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.339 Christ loved me 00:18:58.339 --> 00:19:00.059 and gave Himself for me. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.960 And that's true 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.940 of every Christian. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.180 And if Christ endured 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:04.920 the cross for you, 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.819 no matter what you face 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.220 in this life, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.860 it can't be 00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:08.880 because He doesn't love you. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.799 You might not know 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:11.019 the exact reason why 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.960 you're going through 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:13.180 this particular suffering 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:13.700 or pain 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.339 or persecution, 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.419 but it can't be 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:17.039 because you've been 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.259 separated from the love 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.779 of Christ. 00:19:21.459 --> 00:19:22.339 His was a love, 00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:22.559 friends, 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.159 think about it, 00:19:23.179 --> 00:19:23.740 that went through 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.720 distress and persecution 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.379 for you. 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.099 His was a love 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.899 that went hungry 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:30.240 and naked for you 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.740 on the cross. 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.659 His was a love 00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:33.619 that was pierced for you 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:36.500 and upon whom 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.220 the sword 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.500 of the powers 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.299 and principalities 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.220 of this world fell. 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.199 He did that for you, 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.159 so what could separate 00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:47.079 you from His love? 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.599 Friends, 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:51.159 stand before the cross 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.099 and see 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.199 that no matter 00:19:53.199 --> 00:19:54.319 what comes, 00:19:54.919 --> 00:19:56.480 there's no possibility 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:58.259 of God's love 00:19:58.259 --> 00:20:00.000 being removed from you. 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:05.500 But there's one last thing 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:05.899 to add, 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.119 if that weren't enough. 00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:09.659 And this is the third thing 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.299 that we see 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:12.419 that this text shows us 00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:13.220 about Christ's love. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.859 We've seen that, 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:15.059 although there's no immunity 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.839 from suffering 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.899 in Christ's love for us, 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.039 there's no possibility 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.779 of separation 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.839 from Christ's love for us, 00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:20.519 but third, 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:23.240 there's no doubt 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.299 of victory 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.899 because of Christ's love 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.359 for us. 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.219 Look again at verse 37. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:29.659 No. 00:20:30.439 --> 00:20:31.899 In all these things, 00:20:33.219 --> 00:20:34.599 and what are these things? 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.819 Being slaughtered 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.419 like sheep. 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:40.039 In all these things, 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.000 we are more 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.919 than conquerors 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:42.579 through Him 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.279 who loved us. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:46.119 whatever the opposition, 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:46.679 danger, 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.299 or difficulties 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.240 that tempt us 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:48.939 to give up, 00:20:50.459 --> 00:20:52.839 nothing will stop us 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:54.019 from sharing 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.859 His victory. 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.719 You see, friends, 00:20:58.879 --> 00:21:00.319 nothing can break 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.000 that chain 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.059 of verse 30. 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.119 Those whom He predestined, 00:21:04.199 --> 00:21:05.079 He also called. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.619 Those whom He called, 00:21:06.719 --> 00:21:07.559 He also justified. 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.439 Those whom He justified, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.899 He also glorified. 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:13.840 Amazing that Paul uses 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:15.740 a past tense verb 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:17.320 to describe a future reality. 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:19.019 How much more confident 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.720 and assured 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.780 could Paul be 00:21:20.780 --> 00:21:21.960 in God's purpose 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.800 and plan for us? 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.460 It's done. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.180 If you are in Christ, 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.660 you will be glorified. 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.340 Nothing's going to stop it. 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.720 Can you stop 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.800 the love of God for you? 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:37.559 Take out your paper bag 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.579 and try to catch 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.119 the tornado, 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:39.599 friends. 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.680 It's not going to happen. 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:44.240 No matter what circumstances 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.859 may come, 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.740 even if it's death itself, 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.740 we are more than conquerors. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.720 But how can this be? 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:57.519 Verse 36 says 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.240 that we're like sheep 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.860 to be slaughtered. 00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.620 How can we be more 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:00.420 than conquerors 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.799 if that is true? 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.660 And the answer, 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.600 because of Him 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.279 who loved us. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.440 Because Christ died 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.220 and rose again, 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.680 everyone who is united 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.740 to Christ by faith, 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.700 even if they die, 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:17.440 they will rise again 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:17.819 with Him. 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:21.120 Every contender 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.920 that stands up 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.740 threatening to shake 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.400 our assurance 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.180 in Christ's love, 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.640 whether it's persecution 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.200 or distress 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:26.840 or famine 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.519 or nakedness 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.420 or danger or sword, 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.539 ultimately, friends, 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:31.660 they are defeated foes. 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.539 Even if that foe 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.259 happens to have 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.120 a little bit of life 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.640 left in it 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.600 to shake its fist 00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:38.779 or try to swing, 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:40.279 even if it lands a punch, 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.039 ultimately, 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.279 our victory has been won. 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.700 Christ is risen. 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.779 Death has died 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.820 and love 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.759 and life 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.500 have conquered 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.720 and you and I 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.279 in Christ 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.140 will rise with Him. 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:57.799 And even as we saw 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.400 in verse 28, 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.380 God's even now, 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.840 God is even now 00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:01.660 working all things 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.200 for your good, 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.680 for those who love Him 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.060 and are called 00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:04.960 according to His purpose. 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.539 So no matter what 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.539 we're facing in the present, 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.299 God's plan to glorify us 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.920 will be achieved. 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.240 Because ultimately, 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.920 our confidence 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.740 is not 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:19.039 in our love for Him, 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:22.420 which, 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:22.859 if we're honest 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.460 with ourselves, 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.180 is frail 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.059 and fickle 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.059 and faltering. 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:27.980 Our confidence 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.500 is not 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.759 in our love for God, 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.399 but in the love 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:32.339 of Christ for us, 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.740 which is steadfast, 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:34.960 faithful, 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.779 persevering, 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.099 and victorious. 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.440 So friends, 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.259 what are you afraid of? 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:47.599 What are you really afraid of? 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:50.899 Deep down, 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.659 what do you fear? 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.839 What are you tempted? 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.079 When are you tempted? 00:23:59.199 --> 00:23:59.959 Where are you tempted? 00:24:00.719 --> 00:24:02.099 To disobey Christ 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:04.419 because you're afraid 00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:05.240 of losing it 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.639 or never getting it. 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.899 What if you put that fear 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:14.099 into the list 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.919 of verse 35? 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:15.199 Verse 35. 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.419 Would you begin 00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.279 to feel the power, 00:24:19.959 --> 00:24:20.599 the assurance 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.779 that this passage brings? 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:23.959 Would you then 00:24:23.959 --> 00:24:24.619 begin to see 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.500 how these verses 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.659 can give you 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:27.139 an assurance 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.679 that nothing 00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:28.500 can take away? 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:31.879 What shall separate us 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.939 from the love of Christ? 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.899 Come now. 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:36.899 Shall tribulation 00:24:36.899 --> 00:24:37.459 or distress 00:24:37.459 --> 00:24:38.159 or persecution 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:38.919 or famine 00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:39.639 or nakedness 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.099 or danger 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.639 or sword? 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.139 Shall singleness 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:45.540 or joblessness 00:24:45.540 --> 00:24:47.880 or childlessness? 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.660 Shall cancer 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:53.220 or depression 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:55.400 or miscarriage? 00:24:57.800 --> 00:24:59.040 Shall embarrassment 00:24:59.040 --> 00:25:00.280 before my peers 00:25:00.280 --> 00:25:02.720 or loneliness 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:05.060 or disapproval 00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:06.100 from my parents? 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:08.959 No. 00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:11.500 In all these things 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.219 we're more than conquerors 00:25:13.219 --> 00:25:14.179 through him who loved us. 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:16.500 For I'm sure 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.219 that neither death 00:25:17.219 --> 00:25:17.799 nor life 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.399 nor angels 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.039 nor rulers 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:20.000 nor things present 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.879 nor things to come 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.539 nor powers 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.079 nor height 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.819 nor depth 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.779 nor anything else 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.559 in all creation 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.480 will be able 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.439 to separate us 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:27.740 from the eternal 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.199 burning 00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:30.939 immense 00:25:30.939 --> 00:25:32.279 love of God 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.519 in Christ Jesus 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.139 our Lord. 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.980 the love 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.300 friends 00:25:36.300 --> 00:25:36.900 that created 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.540 the worlds 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:39.680 the love 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.360 that has lifted 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:41.480 our condemnation 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.460 the love 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.360 that has filled us 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.920 with his spirit 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.280 the love 00:25:44.280 --> 00:25:44.860 that has made us 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:46.140 heirs of his glory 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.080 the love 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:47.600 that has gone 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.100 to the cross 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.660 willingly 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.640 for our sins 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.140 nothing 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.320 will be able 00:25:51.320 --> 00:25:52.380 to separate you 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.840 from that love 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:57.180 the love of God 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:59.420 in Christ Jesus 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.759 our Lord. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.580 Let's pray. 00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:15.020 why don't we take a moment 00:26:15.020 --> 00:26:15.960 and just be still 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.600 before God 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:17.120 this morning 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:23.520 why don't we take a moment 00:26:23.520 --> 00:26:24.180 and reflect 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.200 in our hearts 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.980 and before God 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:29.020 those things 00:26:29.020 --> 00:26:30.259 that we are so afraid of 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:40.759 perhaps this morning 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:42.400 you would identify 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.079 as a believer 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.720 in Christ 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.180 and yet 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.319 you would confess 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.259 that this love 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.359 of Christ for you 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:49.779 doesn't feel 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:51.099 like a very thrilling 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:52.819 or driving reality 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:58.399 perhaps for you 00:26:58.399 --> 00:27:01.279 you're not sure 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.079 what to make 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.859 of the claims 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.419 of Jesus 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:05.500 and this talk 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.379 of the love of God 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:07.240 that is inseparable 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.299 in him 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:16.659 Father I pray 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:18.440 for my friends 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.059 in this room 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:21.419 that by your Holy Spirit 00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:24.419 we would be able 00:27:24.419 --> 00:27:25.319 to see afresh 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.440 Father that you 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.139 have given up 00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:28.039 your son for us 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:30.119 and that because 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.819 of his life 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.500 and death 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.180 and resurrection 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.200 for all who trust 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.539 in him 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:33.919 nothing 00:27:33.919 --> 00:27:35.220 will separate us 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.839 from that love 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.419 oh Lord 00:27:36.419 --> 00:27:36.919 would that 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:38.139 be the thrilling 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:39.839 driving center 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:41.259 of our lives 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:44.000 and would we be able 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.059 to face fears 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.240 and hardship 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:48.279 and distress 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:51.339 without losing 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.059 our joy 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.879 and confidence 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.519 and assurance 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.079 in you 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:56.379 oh God 00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:56.899 thank you 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.980 that you keep us 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.519 and you hold us 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:03.399 all the way 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.059 from eternity 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.839 to eternity 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:06.819 in Christ Jesus 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.439 our Lord 00:28:07.439 --> 00:28:09.439 Lord for my 00:28:09.439 --> 00:28:11.139 Christian brothers 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:11.720 and sisters 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.480 would it become 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.339 more and more real 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.139 in their lives 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:15.399 Father for those 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.879 who are here 00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.779 and who don't know you 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.539 who are still 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.559 wondering 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.599 and deciding 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.759 and figuring out 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.359 where they stand 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:21.819 with Christ 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.519 oh Lord I pray 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.119 that you would help 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.799 them to see 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:25.099 the beauty 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.500 of the message 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:26.959 of Jesus 00:28:26.959 --> 00:28:27.919 of who he is 00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:28.939 and that you 00:28:28.939 --> 00:28:29.740 would lead them 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:32.699 to real repentance 00:28:32.699 --> 00:28:33.619 and real saving 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.419 trust in him 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:37.580 we ask all this 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.320 in Jesus name 00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:39.019 amen 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:40.000 amen 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.420 amen 00:28:40.420 --> 00:29:10.400 Thank you.