WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.480 Hey, how's everyone doing tonight? 00:00:02.280 --> 00:00:03.800 Thanks so much for being here. 00:00:03.859 --> 00:00:04.660 This is such an honor. 00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:07.299 If we could just pray really quickly for our time. 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:13.380 Father, thank you so much for this night that you've given to us, Lord. 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:17.320 Thank you for the message that your word just tells us, Lord. 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:19.640 So much hope and love. 00:00:20.820 --> 00:00:23.000 Father, I pray that you would be with us in this room tonight, 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:25.219 that you would speak to us through your word. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:27.400 And God, we would just praise you at the end of the night. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:29.400 We thank you so much, and we love you. 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:29.799 Amen. 00:00:31.539 --> 00:00:34.460 So again, thank you so much just for joining me. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:35.500 This is such an honor. 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:41.179 And in the back of the room, there is like a box of rotten fruit. 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:44.939 So if things get really dumb and just really bad and blasphemous, 00:00:44.979 --> 00:00:46.000 you can just chuck this here. 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:52.379 But honestly, I wanted to start off the night with a question. 00:00:52.959 --> 00:00:54.200 I'm just posed to everyone in the room. 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:59.880 If you were talking with a friend who would say they don't trust in Christ with their life 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:02.760 and wouldn't call themselves a Christian in their life, isn't really evident of it. 00:01:03.180 --> 00:01:07.719 And you had to explain to them why trusting in Christ was so vital, 00:01:07.859 --> 00:01:11.140 why it was so life-giving, why it changes your life. 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:13.879 But you couldn't use heaven as a reason. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:15.920 Like, what would you tell them? 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:20.579 We're going to revisit this question throughout our time together. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:24.680 And I hope that tonight's message is one that is encouraging and also challenging. 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:28.640 So we're talking about the doctrine of adoption tonight. 00:01:29.860 --> 00:01:31.600 But in order to really talk about adoption, 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:37.080 we have to really come to the uncomfortable truth that at one point we weren't children of God 00:01:37.080 --> 00:01:39.360 and we weren't a part of the family of God. 00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:42.580 So it's just something that no one wants to really, really talk about. 00:01:44.100 --> 00:01:46.780 But at one point we weren't sons. 00:01:46.860 --> 00:01:48.080 We weren't daughters of God. 00:01:48.160 --> 00:01:49.640 We weren't in the family of God. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:57.019 And it's not simply that we were just neutral before we entered into the family of God. 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:01.060 It's not that we were just neutral and we weren't against God. 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:02.739 It's a lot worse than that. 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:04.659 It's a lot more awful and it's a lot more glorious. 00:02:05.960 --> 00:02:10.920 So what did the Bible say about us before we were actually children of God? 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:13.319 And unfortunately tonight, I don't have to go into too many details 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:15.159 because if you've been here, 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:18.360 then you've been tracking with what Clay and what John have been talking about 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:20.960 as far as our depravity and our need for God 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:23.360 and why we need Christ in general. 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:26.400 But I just wanted to kind of give a few verses 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:29.000 just to paint the picture a little bit more clear tonight 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:31.360 so that we can know what we're working from. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:35.920 So just three characteristics of what we were before we were in Christ. 00:02:36.380 --> 00:02:40.940 The Bible says that we were slaves in Galatians 4 verse 3. 00:02:41.480 --> 00:02:42.860 So you really don't have to turn anywhere. 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:43.780 You can just back up a verse. 00:02:43.880 --> 00:02:44.180 And it says, 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:46.000 In the same way also, 00:02:46.260 --> 00:02:47.060 when we were children, 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:49.620 we were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 00:02:50.760 --> 00:02:53.840 And it also says the same thing in Titus 3.3 if you're taking notes. 00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:57.240 The second characteristic is that we're dead. 00:02:58.020 --> 00:02:58.540 And so not, 00:02:58.680 --> 00:02:58.780 I mean, 00:02:58.780 --> 00:02:59.840 obviously we're all alive, 00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:00.280 that we're all, 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:00.719 you know, 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:02.840 we're all breathing and our bodies are functioning. 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:03.719 But spiritually, 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:05.020 the Bible calls us dead. 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:07.120 And so you can, 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:09.120 and you can find that in Ephesians 2.1. 00:03:09.219 --> 00:03:09.400 It says, 00:03:09.460 --> 00:03:11.040 and you are dead in your trespasses 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:13.000 and the uncircumcision of your flesh. 00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:15.139 But it also says in, 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:17.299 it also says that we're enemies of the gospel. 00:03:18.959 --> 00:03:21.299 Another reference verse is James 4 verse 4. 00:03:21.639 --> 00:03:25.000 So we're working from this standpoint that we were at one point. 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:29.560 And the thing is that this is how the Bible describes us before we were in Christ. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:29.840 And, 00:03:29.959 --> 00:03:32.979 and so a lot of us have been brought from that into life. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:36.120 And a lot of us in this room are also still in that state. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:37.699 At least that's what the Bible says about us. 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:40.619 And that if you haven't trusted Christ within your life, 00:03:40.679 --> 00:03:41.079 and you don't, 00:03:41.359 --> 00:03:42.439 and if you're not a Christian, 00:03:42.699 --> 00:03:44.679 or if you don't follow Jesus, 00:03:44.919 --> 00:03:46.759 then it describes us in those ways. 00:03:46.839 --> 00:03:47.819 It says that we're slaves. 00:03:47.899 --> 00:03:48.579 It says that we're dead. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:49.539 It says that we're enemies. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:53.579 And no one wants to embrace this verse. 00:03:53.659 --> 00:03:56.699 That's not obviously a warm verse to talk about. 00:03:57.399 --> 00:03:59.599 It doesn't make us feel good inside. 00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:00.299 But, 00:04:00.359 --> 00:04:02.319 but that's what we were working from. 00:04:02.419 --> 00:04:03.039 That's the truth. 00:04:03.079 --> 00:04:04.419 That's what the Bible talks about us. 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:05.299 Um, 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:08.539 so we have that crucial background set up. 00:04:08.739 --> 00:04:10.579 We have this background of that. 00:04:10.619 --> 00:04:11.459 We were slaves, 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:11.879 that we were dead, 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:12.359 that we were enemies. 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:13.679 We have that set up in the background. 00:04:14.299 --> 00:04:14.599 Um, 00:04:15.519 --> 00:04:17.180 and so now let's define adoption, 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:19.419 which is what we're talking about and see like, 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:20.579 why is it important? 00:04:21.159 --> 00:04:21.479 Um, 00:04:21.479 --> 00:04:27.259 and so simply put adoption is an act of God whereby he makes us members of his family. 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:28.039 That's it. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:28.500 So it's like, 00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:29.860 if you just forget everything else, 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:31.360 if you just like pass out for the rest of the night, 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:31.620 it's like, 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:32.620 that's what we're talking about. 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:35.680 It's like we were made into the family of God. 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:36.439 Um, 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:39.600 so it's important to define adoption because it's, 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:42.340 it's frequently confused with a lot of other meanings. 00:04:42.340 --> 00:04:45.259 Like people confuse adoption with us being saved. 00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:45.740 Like our, 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:47.939 the words are a regeneration and justification, 00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:48.860 but it's not, 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:49.920 it's not those things. 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:52.920 It's not that we're talking tonight about when Christ redeemed us, 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:53.600 when we were saved, 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:55.459 but it's going a step further than that. 00:04:55.639 --> 00:04:55.840 Um, 00:04:55.839 --> 00:05:00.979 because adoption is not the act of God making us right before him. 00:05:01.239 --> 00:05:04.779 And it's not the act of when he declared as vindicated of all sin and blame, 00:05:04.919 --> 00:05:07.419 vindicated of being enemies and slaves and, 00:05:07.459 --> 00:05:08.199 and dead. 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:08.599 Um, 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:14.500 verse five of Galatians four makes it clear that adopt, 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:17.739 that we were adopted into the family after we were made right before him. 00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:18.219 Um, 00:05:18.219 --> 00:05:19.500 just read that verse really quickly. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:19.819 Um, 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:20.319 verse four, 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:20.819 I mean, 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:21.159 uh, 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:22.400 verse five, 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:26.800 it says to redeem those who were under the law so that we might become sons. 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:28.800 We might receive adoption as sons. 00:05:28.880 --> 00:05:29.540 So it came after. 00:05:29.660 --> 00:05:31.540 So we were saved by God. 00:05:31.700 --> 00:05:32.740 We were taken from our, 00:05:32.780 --> 00:05:33.400 from our dead state. 00:05:33.460 --> 00:05:33.660 We were, 00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:35.020 so we're saved from God. 00:05:35.080 --> 00:05:36.560 And then we were brought into his family. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:37.080 So, 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:37.320 I mean, 00:05:37.320 --> 00:05:37.780 like that's just, 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:39.400 we need to clear that up right now. 00:05:39.520 --> 00:05:39.760 Um, 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:40.760 but, 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:42.700 but why is that important? 00:05:42.760 --> 00:05:43.740 Why is the order important? 00:05:43.820 --> 00:05:43.960 Like, 00:05:44.020 --> 00:05:45.520 why is it important at all? 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:46.320 Um, 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:48.160 like, 00:05:48.200 --> 00:05:49.060 why is it that Christ, 00:05:49.200 --> 00:05:51.140 that God had to take us from that? 00:05:51.139 --> 00:05:52.959 That sinful state and bring us into his family. 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:55.259 It's important because like, 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:55.579 like, 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:58.159 let's just think about like the God that we just sang a song to. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:01.279 I was like a God who's like infinitely perfect and holy and blameless. 00:06:01.419 --> 00:06:01.879 And it's like, 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:04.120 we can't just bring in like a simple man, 00:06:04.159 --> 00:06:05.139 like straight into his presence. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:05.879 It's like we, 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:06.180 we, 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:08.139 the fact is that if you've been redeemed by Christ, 00:06:08.599 --> 00:06:10.519 you have his righteousness over you. 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:16.079 So it's not that we're just merely brought into God's family because like God is so perfect and holy. 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:16.959 Um, 00:06:17.719 --> 00:06:20.539 so we must be made righteous by Christ sacrifice first. 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:23.319 In order for him to welcome us into his family. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:24.919 Um, 00:06:25.479 --> 00:06:26.259 now I, 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:26.519 I, 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:30.259 I wanted to go a little bit further so that you guys know where I'm going to be going for the rest of the night. 00:06:30.539 --> 00:06:36.399 I'm going to have a definition that is going to be thrown up on the screen because it's so long and worried that I wanted us to be able to see it. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:36.839 Um, 00:06:37.359 --> 00:06:44.560 so the Westminster larger catechism defines adoption as an act of the free grace of God in and for his only son, 00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:45.379 Jesus Christ, 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:50.479 whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:52.379 have his name put upon them, 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:54.519 the spirit of God given to them, 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:57.959 are under his fatherly care and dispensations, 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:01.959 admitted to all liberties and privileges of the son of God, 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:03.420 as sons of God, 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:07.259 made heirs of all the promises and fellow heirs with Christ and glory. 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:08.339 Um, 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:08.639 so, 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:09.819 yeah, 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:10.959 I know that was really wordy. 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:11.540 Um, 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:12.099 so if you can, 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:13.620 if you're able to catch all of that, 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:14.199 um, 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:14.879 I hope you were, 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:18.219 but so then why is adoption so crucial and vital? 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:19.079 Um, 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:19.599 to be honest, 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:20.899 adoption is, 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:23.819 is crucial to our understanding of God because without it, 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:24.560 um, 00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:27.600 it changes our view of God completely. 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:28.560 Like if you just, 00:07:28.740 --> 00:07:32.500 if we were just saved and justified and made right by Christ, 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:34.600 but the adoption didn't come after that, 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.920 like God didn't take us into his family, 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.779 that would completely diminish the glory of God. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:41.339 Um, 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:42.379 and, 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:47.420 and the remarkable thing is that many of us live our days as if adoption is non-existent 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:49.000 and we don't even really notice it. 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:49.560 Um, 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:49.680 so, 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:51.420 so let me explain what I mean by that. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:54.000 Many of us have viewed or continue to view God, 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:55.100 like many of us here tonight. 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:55.899 Um, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.860 I know like myself, 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:00.519 like at one point or still do view God as someone who is distant, 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:02.060 uninvolved, 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:02.800 uncaring, 00:08:03.159 --> 00:08:04.060 and unloving. 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:08.240 Someone who we can run to when things get tough. 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:08.639 Um, 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:13.560 and someone who we only talk about in philosophy class and someone we only pray to before a meal. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:15.160 Um, 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:18.920 but this is actually called deism. 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:19.680 This has a name. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:20.420 It's called deism. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:21.240 And it was, 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:24.360 it was spawned in the 18th and 17th century in the, 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:25.920 during the time of the age of enlightenment. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:26.540 I mean, 00:08:26.540 --> 00:08:27.439 basically just said, 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:28.140 like, 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:28.860 just to sum it up, 00:08:29.100 --> 00:08:29.879 it's this view that, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.800 that depicts God as a clockmaker. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:32.920 If you've heard the idea of, 00:08:32.920 --> 00:08:35.200 of God as a clockmaker who designed the world, 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:35.800 he, 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.840 he put everything into it, 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:37.480 designed the world, 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:38.120 um, 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:41.399 wound it up and then let it go on its course. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:45.000 And then just kind of like stepped back and kind of like does his own thing now. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:47.560 And isn't really involved in our world at all. 00:08:47.559 --> 00:08:47.959 So, 00:08:47.959 --> 00:08:52.619 so deism may sound familiar to you because you heard about it in a history class, 00:08:52.619 --> 00:08:56.659 but the way it works into our lives and our thoughts is something like God saw our sin. 00:08:56.739 --> 00:08:57.439 He sent Christ. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:08:58.519 He redeemed us. 00:08:58.599 --> 00:09:05.179 And now he just chills in heaven only to occasionally glance down and shake his head in disappointment when he sees our sin or our need. 00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:05.579 Um, 00:09:07.239 --> 00:09:15.579 the problem is that this worldview sends direct opposition to the act of adoption and it sells short the glory and greatness of our God. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:17.480 Now, 00:09:17.520 --> 00:09:21.660 many of us know that this isn't an accurate picture because we read about in scripture, 00:09:21.780 --> 00:09:27.020 like we know that God isn't a clockmaker and we know that he has a part in our lives, 00:09:27.060 --> 00:09:29.420 but few of us actually believe that, 00:09:29.420 --> 00:09:30.600 um, 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:33.120 few of us believe that that's not a truthful picture of God. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:33.720 Um, 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:35.580 because if you say that you believe something, 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:39.139 but you don't actually follow it out and doesn't affect your life, 00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:40.140 you don't believe it. 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:41.440 Um, 00:09:41.920 --> 00:09:45.280 so I just kind of want to talk about like, 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:47.120 what happens in adoption? 00:09:47.579 --> 00:09:49.059 There are two things that happen in adoption. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:49.399 I mean, 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:56.620 like first it's the old authority that we served was destroyed by Christ because we lived our whole lives in darkness. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:10:00.299 The old authority that we had served had to have been broken. 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:00.500 Um, 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.419 if you're taking notes, 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:04.519 references for that would be Ephesians two, 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.839 verse two and second Corinthians five, 00:10:06.939 --> 00:10:07.659 verse 17. 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:09.659 Um, 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:15.279 we must be first released from darkness in order to be called children of God. 00:10:15.439 --> 00:10:18.379 And this can only be done by God in order to come into light. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:20.339 We must be rescued from darkness. 00:10:20.339 --> 00:10:23.219 We see this work through justification and regeneration, 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.300 um, 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:24.860 where God, 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:27.759 through his infinite wisdom and mercy and grace, 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:28.060 uh, 00:10:28.060 --> 00:10:30.019 he broke the bonds of sin over us. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:30.460 Uh, 00:10:30.460 --> 00:10:31.040 like a really, 00:10:31.160 --> 00:10:33.920 really good passage that paints this picture really clearly. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:34.259 If you, 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:37.200 you'll go to Colossians verse chapter two, 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.180 um, 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:38.860 verse 13, 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:39.980 that's a little bit to the right. 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:40.040 Okay. 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.040 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.040 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.040 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.040 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.040 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.040 00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:42.040 Okay. 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:42.040 --> 00:10:42.040 00:10:53.220 --> 00:11:01.960 It says in verse 13 of chapter two of Colossians and you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:04.500 God made alive together with him, 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:11.200 having forgiven us all our trespasses by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:11.940 This, 00:11:12.040 --> 00:11:12.740 he set aside, 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:14.279 nailing it to the cross. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:20.000 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:22.139 So that's like the first thing that happens like in, 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:22.360 in, 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:25.879 in the role of adoption is that God takes us from that slavery and he, 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.879 and he brings us into, 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:27.340 um, 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.480 or he destroys that. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:32.299 He makes a public mockery of it by triumphing over them in him. 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:33.279 Um, 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.759 and the second point, 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:39.399 the second point is that God takes us. 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:42.199 So with this background of us being dead slaves, 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:42.960 enemies, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.120 treasonous, 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:44.580 um, 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:46.679 sons of Raccoon and children of the devil like that. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:49.439 These are the verses that the Bible uses to describe us, 00:11:49.439 --> 00:11:50.100 um, 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:51.360 before we are in Christ. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.159 Um, 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.580 it takes those people, 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:56.560 God takes those people and he brings us into his own family. 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:01.220 Um, 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.940 sorry. 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:03.500 Uh, 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:08.320 so he takes us into his own family and restores that which was broken and lost by the fall. 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.019 Um, 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:11.159 and so this needs, 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:11.620 I beg you, 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:13.179 like this needs to hit you hard right now. 00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:14.600 Like this needs to hit you hard. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.139 The fact that, 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.860 that God takes us from that slavery, 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:19.480 from that darkness and brings us into his family. 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.199 Um, 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:26.139 because the only thing that like I can compare this to perhaps is if a friend came up to you every single day, 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:26.960 walked up to you, 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:30.980 slapped you in the face and took a nine iron to your shins and knees and said, 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:31.680 sorry about that, 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:33.300 pats you on the back and walks away. 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.240 You're lost. 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.279 You have no clue why that happened. 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:38.080 Then he comes back the next day and he does the exact same thing. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:45.480 And the thing is that there might be one or two people in here who are such forgiving souls, 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:49.420 so holy that they can forgive that person and not hold it against them. 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.940 But for the rest of us, 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:51.759 pagans, 00:12:52.520 --> 00:12:55.600 like I'm going to come looking for that person, 00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:57.840 probably with a bat and a couple of homeboys, 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:58.360 you know? 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.280 Um, 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.300 and we're going to become a lot better friends. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.480 But the truth is, 00:13:06.640 --> 00:13:07.120 honestly, 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:09.899 we take this same approach to God. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:10.399 Um, 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:13.659 the truth is that we approach a perfect and sinless and holy God. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.659 And we do this exact same thing, 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:17.539 except 10,000 times worse. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:18.159 And like, 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:19.879 that is the only thing I can compare it to. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:23.120 And so we do that same thing to God. 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.519 So that same picture of the nine iron, 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:27.320 like turn to Romans five really quickly. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:27.980 Um, 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:29.940 it is a couple books to the left. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.120 Um, 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:46.000 verse six in chapter five, 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:49.600 for while we were still weak at the right time, 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.960 Christ died for the ungodly. 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:55.539 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:57.299 though perhaps for a good person, 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.960 one would dare even to die. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:01.019 But God shows his love for us. 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:02.320 And that while we were still sinners, 00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:04.060 Christ died for us. 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:06.080 Um, 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.639 it says that God saw us. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.740 He saw us like that. 00:14:10.400 --> 00:14:12.540 And he sent his son to die for that person. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.539 Um, 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:19.039 none of us are happy with being called evil and sinful people. 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:23.500 No one wants to imagine themselves as the person that's taking the nine iron to the shins. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.439 Um, 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:28.659 no one wants to really think about that because there's so many things that can distract us from, 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:28.899 from, 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:30.000 from going there. 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:30.719 Um, 00:14:30.719 --> 00:14:31.879 but it's like at the end of the day, 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:34.139 that's exactly how the Bible describes us. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:38.199 And God sent his son to die for us exactly as we were. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:41.980 Did not say you need to clean up first and you need to make your life right. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:47.360 And you need to go to church at least 10 more times before I can even consider making you a part of my family. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:47.620 Like, 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:49.100 did not do that at all. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:49.940 Um, 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:52.100 and if that does not send a shiver down your spine, 00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:53.420 if that doesn't hit home, 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:55.759 if that doesn't mean anything to you, 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:58.300 then it's possible that sin has numbed you to their reality. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:02.440 Because that is honestly the greatest picture of love that you can ever come up with. 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:02.539 Like, 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:04.039 I don't care how good the notebook is. 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:04.220 Like, 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:06.019 it's nothing compared to that kind of love. 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:06.399 Like, 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:07.120 I'm dead serious, 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:07.460 you know? 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:08.300 Um, 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:11.960 I have a friend who once told me that if he's like, 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.159 he, 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:15.200 he was afraid that if he had stepped foot into a church, 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:17.519 he would burst into flames because of his sin. 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:18.960 Um, 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:23.320 if you also think that you are too far gone, 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:25.300 like if you are too far gone from grace, 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:28.759 find me after the service and we'll debate which one of us is the worst sinner. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:30.960 And I will win because my life is so jacked up. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.400 Um, 00:15:31.400 --> 00:15:35.840 so now it's like the, 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:39.620 the great thing is that we need to talk about the privileges of being a part of God's family. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.519 Um, 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:43.320 because God's love and grace is as good as it sounds. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:43.500 Like, 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:49.600 I'm not just describing something to you that's romantic and written in a book that's not true and doesn't hold any weight over our lives. 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:49.740 Like, 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.460 this is exactly what has happened. 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:52.519 Um, 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:55.679 and it's almost too hard for me to comprehend sometimes. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:59.179 And it makes me question whether or not that's actually real because that's just, 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.679 I don't know anything like that. 00:16:02.699 --> 00:16:03.100 Um, 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:05.419 so that question that I asked at the very beginning, 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.419 um, 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:07.679 about if you could, 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.720 if you had to convince someone, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:13.100 you had to talk to them about what was so great about being a Christian, 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:13.620 what we, 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:15.159 and you couldn't use heaven as an example. 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:15.799 Um, 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.539 like that question, 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.740 let's revisit that right now. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.759 Let's turn to Matthew four, 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.039 verse 17. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.899 Matthew four, 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.340 17. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.659 From that time, 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:47.060 Jesus began to preach saying, 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:52.119 repent for the kingdom of heaven will come when you will all die and miss out on everything fun and neon in life. 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:56.199 It doesn't say that. 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.519 Okay. 00:16:58.719 --> 00:16:59.019 Well, 00:16:59.099 --> 00:16:59.419 no, 00:16:59.619 --> 00:17:00.899 like that's not it at all. 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:01.919 Like you just said, 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:04.460 if your Bible says the exact same thing that my Bible says, 00:17:04.639 --> 00:17:05.619 your Bible says, 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:07.599 repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:15.500 So how does the kingdom start now and never end? 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.500 Um, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.740 I mean, 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.379 I have four points that we're going to go through, 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.059 like four privileges. 00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:20.319 There's, 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.200 there's a lot more, 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:24.159 but these are just kind of condensed that we can talk about tonight. 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.419 Um, 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:30.299 the first one is we get to know God as our father and as our daddy. 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.839 John 17, 00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:33.200 verse three, 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.440 you don't have to turn there real quickly. 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.039 I will, 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:35.880 because I don't have it. 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.500 Bookmark. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:37.840 Um, 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:41.559 John 17, 00:17:41.820 --> 00:17:43.840 verse three says, 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.259 um, 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:46.640 and this is eternal life. 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.740 They know you, 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:49.799 the only true God and Jesus Christ, 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.519 whom you have sent. 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:51.580 No, 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.939 that this is eternal life, 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.980 that they may know you. 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.079 Now, 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:56.899 um, 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.299 for a lot of us, 00:17:58.299 --> 00:18:00.099 this isn't difficult to find. 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:04.159 This is very difficult to find appealing because the best thing for God to give from, 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.179 give to us, 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:09.119 which is himself is usually like the last thing that we really actually want. 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:11.259 Um, 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.539 a verse, 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:12.720 I mean, 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.279 you don't have to go. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.519 There's Psalm 73, 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.220 verse 23, 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:16.419 24 through 26, 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:16.960 which says like, 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.180 whom have I in heaven, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.700 but you, 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.220 and there's nothing on earth. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:23.340 I desire besides you for my flesh and my heart may fail, 00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:26.019 but God is the portion and my strength forever. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.140 Uh, 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:28.420 C.S. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.259 Lewis said it really, 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:29.640 really good. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.039 C.S. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.500 Lewis is the guy who wrote Narnia. 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.200 I'm in a lot of other great, 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.539 um, 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:33.840 books. 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.400 Um, 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:34.740 he says, 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:39.740 we are halfhearted creatures fooling around with drink and lust and ambition. 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:44.100 When infinite joy is offered to us like an ignorant child. 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:46.940 He wants to keep on making mud pies, 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:52.360 in the slums because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a vacation at the beach. 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:57.059 So the first point that we get to know God is our father and our daddy. 00:18:57.360 --> 00:19:00.360 The second point is that God loves us and understands us. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.840 Now, 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:07.120 this is also a foreign concept for some of us to understand because for some of us, 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:11.039 our earthly fathers never communicated to us that they care about the things that we care about. 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:12.480 And they never communicated, 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:14.299 communicated to us that they love us. 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:14.840 Uh, 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:16.360 I have the great privilege, 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:19.279 privilege of having two awesome parents who are here in the back room, 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:20.059 embarrassing me. 00:19:20.479 --> 00:19:20.799 Um, 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:21.979 but, 00:19:21.979 --> 00:19:23.319 uh, 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:23.959 I love them to death. 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.119 And, 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.240 and, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.459 and the fact is that they did show that, 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:27.740 but the honest truth is that for a lot of us here, 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.419 like, 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.339 that's not the case. 00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:31.279 Like a lot of us, 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:33.179 like you didn't have an earthly father who was there, 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:36.240 who took an interest in the things that you cared about and, 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.519 and, 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:36.839 and said, 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:37.479 I love you. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:37.519 Um, 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:41.779 so this is like really hard for us to understand because we frequently apply the, 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:44.099 our earthly fathers to our heavenly father. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:45.920 Um, 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:46.740 Hebrews 4, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.680 15 is a great verse to check out for that. 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.319 Um, 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:52.640 but one that we're going to be that you guys don't have to turn to that I've got here is 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.500 Jeremiah 1, 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:53.940 11. 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:54.980 Um, 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:57.640 and so this verse isn't strikingly significant, 00:19:57.640 --> 00:20:00.860 but it is important because in this verse, 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:03.079 like God addresses Jeremiah by name. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.079 And, 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:05.960 and I know that we're all thinking, 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.120 well, 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:06.420 of course, 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.140 like he's in the Bible. 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.380 Of course he's going to address him by name, 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.960 but that doesn't make any sense at all. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.420 Like it's just, 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.740 this is Jeremiah. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.759 Who's really no one. 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:15.740 And God says to him, 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:18.200 and the word of the Lord came to me saying, 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.019 Jeremiah, 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.420 what do you see? 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:21.539 Um, 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:23.160 that sends shivers down my spine. 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:24.560 Every time I read it, 00:20:24.560 --> 00:20:28.860 because I would assume that the God of the universe has a lot more important things to do, 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:34.220 like direct flaming death ball comments away from hitting the earth or keeping our universe from being stuck into oblivion. 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:35.080 Um, 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:41.400 but the fact is that he knew Jeremiah's name and he knows my name and he knows your name. 00:20:42.540 --> 00:20:42.660 Like, 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.800 just let that sit in just for a second. 00:20:44.060 --> 00:20:46.620 The God of the universe who's made all of this, 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:50.060 like knows your name and cares about the things that you care about. 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:53.800 Thirdly, 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:57.540 he cares for our needs and he gives us good gifts. 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:58.880 Um, 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.620 Matthew seven, 00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:02.900 verse seven through 11. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.440 Um, 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:03.900 really quickly, 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.759 if you just want to turn there. 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:18.619 verse seven, 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.539 ask and it will be given to you, 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:25.579 seek and you will find knock and it will be open to you for everyone who asks, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:28.839 receives the one who seeks finds into the one who knocks, 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:29.599 it will be opened. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:31.039 Or which one of you, 00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:31.799 if his stone, 00:21:31.959 --> 00:21:33.879 if his son asks him for bread, 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:35.219 will give him a stone? 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.919 Or if he asked for a fish, 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.799 will give him a serpent? 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:42.099 If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:47.039 how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him? 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.639 Yeah. 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:54.839 Like, 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.319 unfortunately, 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:57.980 like the truth is that like Satan has planted this lie, 00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:59.779 like deep in everyone's minds, 00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:00.599 including mine, 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:03.639 that God does not want to give you good things, 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.819 is not interested in your life, 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.920 does not care about you, 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:09.619 and is not as good as his word says he actually is. 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:13.339 And the sad thing is that we've all bought into it. 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:22.099 Fourth and last point that I have is that God gives us the privilege of suffering for his name. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:24.699 Wow, 00:22:24.739 --> 00:22:25.419 it just got like really, 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:29.659 really heavy in here because everyone was with me for the first three points and was psyched about those. 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.719 But now that I said suffering for his name, 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.199 it's like, 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:35.159 where are those rotten tomatoes that you falsely promised us? 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:35.640 Um, 00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:40.700 but here's the truth. 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:46.420 The word of God is at odds with the world and has been since the fall of man. 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:50.360 We can dress up the gospel as cool as we like, 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:58.600 and we can put on our tight jeans and our level five deep V necks and our flashing lights and sound. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.680 But at the end of the day, 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.860 the gospel is offensive to this world. 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:05.199 If you don't believe me, 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:09.059 then I would suggest reading the latter half of the gospels where Christ gets crucified. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:16.139 It's not popular to be a follower of Jesus, 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.279 nor has it ever been. 00:23:17.479 --> 00:23:20.619 Jesus promised suffering because he suffered and he was murdered. 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.039 So, 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:22.279 but, 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.559 but, 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:25.619 but so why is suffering a privilege then? 00:23:25.699 --> 00:23:25.839 Like, 00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:26.219 why, 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:30.959 why is it that I included on this list of suffering being a privilege? 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:31.659 Um, 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.579 and here's why. 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.859 Um, 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.859 um, 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.319 turn to, 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.279 or actually, 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:36.539 yeah, 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:38.159 turn to John 14 verse 18, 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:42.039 since I think we're already kind of in that book or were at one point. 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:59.119 So this is like the context, 00:23:59.119 --> 00:23:59.319 like, 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:00.319 let's just set this up really quickly. 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:05.779 This is Christ talking to his disciples right before he's about to be delivered up to, 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.220 um, 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:09.480 the Pharisees and those that are about to flog and crucify him. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:09.920 Um, 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.160 so, 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.019 so that's the setting. 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.740 And, 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:16.000 and so he's telling his disciples that he's about to go away and he's about to be crucified. 00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:17.660 They don't really understand what he's saying. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.500 Um, 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.559 but he says in verse 18, 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:20.819 he says, 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.659 I will not leave you as orphans. 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.839 I will come to you. 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.619 Now, 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:28.779 the original Greek word there is orphanos, 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:30.599 which means parentless or comfortless. 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:33.419 I will not leave you comfortless or parentless. 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.460 Um, 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:37.279 so let's back up two verses, 00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:38.480 um, 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:41.360 to verse 16. 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:47.240 And I will ask the father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever. 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:49.500 Um, 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:53.019 now another Greek root word, 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.500 um, 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:56.860 is this word helper translates to parakletos, 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:59.240 which means comforter or advocate. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.799 Um, 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:04.759 we rejoice in our suffering because first of all, 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.819 it brings God glory. 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:08.200 Like this is how his word is spread is through, 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.880 um, 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:12.620 his gospel being proclaimed and their gospel is not popular with the world. 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:16.319 So we rejoice in our suffering because when it brings God glory, 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.559 and that's the best thing that like, 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:17.960 honestly, 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.980 we can ever have. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:19.859 Um, 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.980 but secondly, 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.660 like with those verses, 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:26.000 we get the Holy spirit who brings us comfort. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:31.079 The Holy spirit brings us joy and it brings us peace. 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:34.980 The question that's frequently raised in church, 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:37.539 and I'm sure you've asked it yourself, 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.920 like just as much as I have, 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:41.000 because along with so many of our doubts, 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.740 like just, 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:41.880 I mean, 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.500 if we're going to be real, 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:45.619 like that's exactly what happens because we have so many doubts about our faith, 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.339 um, 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.599 that just brew on the inside. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:55.759 But one of the questions that we get asked a lot that I've asked a lot is why do I not feel and see the Holy spirit's presence in my life? 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:55.920 Like, 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.220 why don't I see him working? 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:57.920 I'm like, 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.799 I read acts. 00:25:58.879 --> 00:26:01.500 Like I read this and I see that the Holy spirit is powerful, 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:03.579 but I don't feel him working in my life. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:09.460 And one of the ways that that question is answered is by examining your life. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.619 Like, 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.720 what does it consist of? 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:12.700 Are you giving your life? 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:14.140 Where are you rejecting the carnal, 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.700 temporary, 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:18.359 fleeting passions of this world and giving your life to Christ? 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:19.079 Um, 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.259 um, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:22.779 because that, 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.659 that word that we just said, 00:26:23.959 --> 00:26:24.559 comforter, 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.599 um, 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:27.139 like it, 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:27.859 it means to come. 00:26:27.959 --> 00:26:28.299 So, 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:28.619 I mean, 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:30.119 advocate and comforter. 00:26:30.219 --> 00:26:30.699 And then, 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:31.219 but the, 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:34.559 but the answer to that question of why do I not feel the Holy spirit's presence in my life? 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.959 Whose name is the comforter? 00:26:35.979 --> 00:26:36.879 Whose name is the advocate? 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:38.000 Is because like, 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.839 we're so comfortable here. 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.539 I mean like that's, 00:26:41.679 --> 00:26:42.819 that's our, 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:43.240 that's our, 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.399 our temptation here is that like, 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.259 we're not openly being persecuted. 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:50.539 There's no one about to rush through the doors and haul us all off to jail because we're meeting here. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:54.139 Like that's our trial is that we are so comfortable here. 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.619 And so many people say like, 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:57.759 I don't feel the Holy spirit's presence in my life. 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:59.399 And his name is the comforter. 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.399 So the question is like, 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:03.339 if you're already so comfortable with your life, 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:03.879 like if you're, 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:05.399 you're so comfortable here, 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:08.699 like why would you ask for more of the comforter? 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:10.480 Like if you're comfortable, 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:12.059 why would you ask for more comforted? 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.600 Comforted. 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.200 Romans eight. 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.559 Turn there really quickly. 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.860 Verse 14 is where we're going to start. 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:39.039 It says in verse 14, 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:43.399 for all who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. 00:27:45.199 --> 00:27:48.299 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:52.099 but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry, 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.000 Abba, 00:27:53.199 --> 00:27:53.559 father, 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:58.219 the spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.799 And if children than heirs, 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:02.000 heirs of God and fellow heirs of Christ, 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:06.940 provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:09.640 Now, 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:12.360 back up to verse 15 says, 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.079 by whom we cry, 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:13.839 Abba, 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.400 father. 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.620 I mean, 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.539 this is not, 00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:16.819 I mean, 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:18.579 I've resorted to this as well, 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:26.339 where I want to believe that this verse is talking about like a cutesy child cry of like, 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.740 of just like a father, 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.720 like I love you. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:30.939 And it's like this cutesy cry that we have in our minds, 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:34.019 just resting quietly in the arms of the father. 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:35.439 But it's the exact opposite. 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:35.819 It's, 00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:39.439 it's one of a child who's tripped and fallen and is crying out, 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:39.960 daddy, 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.220 like, 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.439 I need you father, 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:41.919 help me. 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.600 Um, 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:42.840 and, 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.300 and that verse that, 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:44.580 that, 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.160 those two words, 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.460 Abba, 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:45.759 father, 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:51.940 that probably strikes a bell with a lot of us because we can remember that like on the cross when Christ called that out, 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.279 like right before he died. 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:54.300 Um, 00:28:54.860 --> 00:29:04.740 so I wanted to wrap this up by drawing all these privileges together into one central idea. 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:08.720 When we become children of God, 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:10.440 our identity changes. 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:15.859 We're no longer enemies of God. 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:18.380 We're no longer slaves. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:20.599 We're no longer dead in our sin. 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:21.359 Um, 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:22.960 but we're his children and, 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:28.440 and you are no longer that guy who struggles with lust or that girl who struggles with body image. 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:28.880 Um, 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:31.519 but you are a son and a daughter of God. 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.720 So I have two challenges tonight. 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.680 To end our time. 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:36.740 Um, 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.240 and there's, 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.779 there's two of them. 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:41.140 So the first one is to believers and Christians who are in the room. 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:41.980 Um, 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.440 believers like, 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.759 do you view yourself that way? 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:47.259 Do you view yourself as a son of God and a daughter of God? 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:50.000 Do you view others that way that are also believers? 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:55.940 Do you know and believe in God in the way that he's depicted in the scriptures? 00:29:57.039 --> 00:30:02.120 Or do you view him as a clockmaker who set the world in motion and then is uninvolved, 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.720 uncaring, 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.059 and, 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:04.860 and couldn't care about our lives at all? 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.019 Um, 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:10.079 have you realized the benefits that you've received from being in Christ? 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:13.220 Or are you living in a way, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:18.160 are you living your life in a way that fails to accurately portray the glory and greatness of our God? 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:22.180 We are called to be imitators of Christ. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.100 Um, 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:25.279 are you still living in a way that does not, 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:27.960 are you still living in a way that does not imitate Christ, 00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:32.180 but it does in fact imitate your former darkness that you've been brought from, 00:30:32.560 --> 00:30:33.759 that Christ redeemed us from? 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:33.940 Like, 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:35.379 are you an imitator of Christ? 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:37.059 Or are you an imitator of that darkness? 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:37.440 Like, 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.359 um, 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:41.920 the first Peter four one verse 14 and 16 says, 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:43.660 as obedient children, 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:47.460 do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.980 but as he who called you is holy, 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:53.500 be holy yourselves in all your conduct. 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:54.900 Since it is written, 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:57.019 you shall be holy for I am holy. 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.259 Finally, 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.440 my last question for, 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.819 for the believers in this room is, 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:04.779 are you showing people that don't trust in Christ, 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.879 the things that you stand against? 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.039 Um, 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.500 and then, 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.359 but also, 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:14.579 and not lovingly showing them the things that you stand for. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.079 Like what, 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:18.599 like what does your life consist of when you're around people that, 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:22.740 that don't trust in Christ and that are looking at you and they're examining your life because they, 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.980 because you call yourself a Christian. 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.200 Like, 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:26.759 are the only things that they see just the things that you stand against? 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.559 I don't drink. 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:27.940 Um, 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.859 I don't smoke. 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:29.839 Um, 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.900 I don't cuss. 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.359 Like, 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:32.740 is that the only thing that your life is showing? 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:37.099 Or do you show them like the love and greatness that you have been shown by Christ? 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.299 Um, 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:41.480 the second one is for nonbelievers here. 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.059 People that don't, 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.480 that wouldn't call Christ their savior. 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.059 Um, 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.259 I beg you, 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:48.119 please come to Jesus. 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:54.900 Like consider him whose love is 10,000 times more radiant and pure and true than anything, 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.600 you know, 00:31:55.600 --> 00:31:56.800 or ever will know. 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.680 Um, 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:11.460 if Christianity has ever come across to you as a religion where Christians wait around for heaven and abstain from drinking and gambling and cussing and all the fun things in life while being unloving and uncaring, 00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:17.900 I deeply apologize for I am guilty of these exact same things. 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:19.900 Um, 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:22.360 but if you're hiding behind those reasons, 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:26.780 I also must tell you that you're using those people who are simple, 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.920 just like you and I, 00:32:28.800 --> 00:32:35.100 as an excuse to hide from facing the truth of a relationship with an amazing God that calls for your entire life. 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:40.119 And you are missing out on a kingdom that far surpasses the fading glories of this life, 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.879 which are at best getting old. 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:43.819 Um, 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:47.019 this kingdom starts now and will never be shaken. 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.619 Let me, 00:32:48.679 --> 00:32:49.379 let's just pray for you. 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.480 Let me just pray for you guys. 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.019 Holy father, 00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:06.740 thank you so much for loving us in a way that we could never understand. 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.180 Father, 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:10.900 that's so unlike anything we ever have seen. 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.660 God, 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:13.960 I praise you so much for that. 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:14.920 God, 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:17.079 I thank you for not just leaving us, 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.039 um, 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:22.180 in the state that you just saved us and left us alone and you don't care about our lives anymore. 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.619 But fact, 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:27.379 but the fact is father that you brought us into your family and you love us. 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.180 And God, 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.519 you, 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:28.900 um, 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:30.220 care for us deeply. 00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:30.860 God, 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:31.640 I pray that we would, 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.259 um, 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.660 just wake up to that reality. 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.039 God, 00:33:34.080 --> 00:33:38.080 that this would pierce our hearts and this would not just be something that you teach us tonight. 00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:38.880 And we forget, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.279 but father, 00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:40.640 this would be something that we live by. 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.600 And God, 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:41.720 I, 00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:42.860 I pray for that. 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:43.720 You just convict, 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.140 um, 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:46.080 those in this room that need to be convicted father, 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:48.299 that you would just work in those lives right now. 00:33:48.360 --> 00:33:48.640 God, 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:49.400 um, 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:52.220 thank you for being powerful and being far more than I can, 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:55.400 more than anything I can ever understand or grasp. 00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:55.759 Lord, 00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:56.600 um, 00:33:56.600 --> 00:33:57.340 I love you. 00:33:57.560 --> 00:33:57.740 And God, 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:59.059 I love these people that are in this room. 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.200 I praise you, 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.460 father, 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.759 in your holy and precious name. 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:02.380 Amen.