WEBVTT

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 Welcome to the fourth in our big questions series.

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 This is another really difficult one.

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 Maybe many of you, maybe all of us have wrestled with this at some point.

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 How can a good God judge anyone?

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 How can a good God send anyone to hell?

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 What I want us to do before thinking about that question

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 is to hear one of the many places where Jesus teaches about heaven and hell.

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 We're going to listen to a parable that we find in Luke chapter 16,

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 beginning at verse 19.

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 So this is Jesus teaching.

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 There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen

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 and lived in luxury every day.

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 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus,

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 covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table.

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 Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

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 The time came when the beggar died

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 and the angels carried him to Abraham's side.

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 The rich man also died and was buried.

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 In Hades, where he was in torment,

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 he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.

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 So he called to him,

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 Father Abraham, have pity on me

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 and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water

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 and cool my tongue

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 because I am in agony in this fire.

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 But Abraham replied,

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 Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things

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 while Lazarus received bad things.

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 But now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

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 And besides all this,

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 between us and you a great chasm has been set in place

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 so that those who want to go from here to you cannot,

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 nor can anyone cross over from there to us.

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 He answered,

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 Then I beg you, Father,

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 send Lazarus to my family,

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 for I have five brothers.

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 Let him warn them

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 so that they will not also come to this place of torment.

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 Abraham replied,

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 They have Moses and the prophets.

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 Let them listen to them.

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 No, Father Abraham, he said,

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 but if someone from the dead goes to them,

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 they will repent.

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 He said to them,

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 If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets,

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 they will not be convinced,

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 even if someone rises from the dead.

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 I think this is most likely the hardest question

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 that we have to tackle.

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 As Christians,

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 one of those questions that we face,

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 perhaps most often the challenges we face most often,

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 some of the reasons why it's so difficult.

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 First of all,

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 there's an emotional response that we have to it, isn't there?

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 It's unpleasant to think about,

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 to talk about,

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 judgment and hell.

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 And that can very easily trump the question,

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 Is it morally right?

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 We go with our gut

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 and it's hard to think beyond that.

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 Another challenge that presents itself

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 is views of tolerance

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 that we have in society.

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 So many people

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 reckon that we are free

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 to decide our own moral values.

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 So that the idea of objective values

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 coming from God

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 are very unpopular in some places.

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 The idea of a God

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 who would judge

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 sincerely held beliefs

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 is confusing to people.

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 The idea of a final judgment,

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 a judgment day

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 doesn't make sense to many.

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 It's one of these places

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 where Christianity challenges

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 our culture

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 here on the topic of tolerance.

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 I think from a Christian point of view,

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 we fear being labelled as judgmental,

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 that we might seem to be proud,

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 arrogant in some way.

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 Nobody wants to be considered judgmental

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 and so we can easily shy away

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 and struggle to know

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 how to deal with the question.

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 We also have the obstacle

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 of popular views of God

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 and in particular,

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 that view that says,

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 well, I believe in a God of love,

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 a God without justice,

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 a God who is loving.

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 And so there's no room there for justice,

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 certainly no room for hell.

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 We need to understand, of course,

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 that that is a modern invention.

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 There are no religious texts.

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 There are no religious cultures

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 at any point in history

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 that simply had a God of love full stop.

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 That is in itself a leap of faith,

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 but nevertheless,

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 it does make it difficult

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 when we come to the question

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 of hell and judgment.

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 But what I hope we can do

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 is take an honest look

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 at a hard subject

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 to think about what the Bible teaches

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 and especially to think about

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 what Jesus has to say.

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 But let's begin with the question,

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 how could a loving God judge anyone?

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 I want to follow three distinct lines

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 of thought at this stage.

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 First, to recognise

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 that we are free moral agents.

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 At issue is the question,

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 is God right?

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 Does he have the right

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 to hold us morally responsible?

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 Now, somebody like Sam Harris

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 would argue no.

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 He believes in a thing

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 called scientific determinism

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 and would argue that

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 we cannot control

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 our neurological processes

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 and therefore we cannot

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 be held responsible

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 for our behaviours.

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 Here's a quote from Sam Harris.

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 The idea that we,

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 as conscious beings,

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 are deeply responsible

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 for the character

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 of our mental lives

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 and subsequent behaviour

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 is simply impossible

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 to map onto reality.

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 Our question

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 is, does that make

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 the best sense of reality?

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 if we say that

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 nobody is accountable

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 for their actions,

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 it will, in a moment,

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 destroy our justice system.

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 It will also

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 stop us from praising

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 what we see as heroic

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 or noble on the other hand.

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 So we cannot condemn

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 someone as guilty

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 because it's just

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 their brain processes

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 and sort of automatic

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 responses and behaviour,

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 nor can we praise

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 great acts of courage

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 or of self-sacrifice.

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 To go down that route

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 that says we're not

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 free moral agents

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 is to strip away

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 our moral fabric,

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 to strip away

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 a significant part

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 of our dignity

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 as human beings

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 and instinctively

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 in our understanding

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 that there is

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 right and wrong,

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 there's beauty

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 and ugliness,

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 we are people

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 who recognise

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 justice,

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 we recognise

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 that people

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 are making choices

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 and so it makes

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 best sense

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 of the evidence

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 to say that we are

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 free moral agents.

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 The second

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 line of thought

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 at this stage

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 is to recognise,

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 although it seems

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 initially

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 a paradox

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 that love

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 and justice

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 can coexist.

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 For many

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 the idea

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 of a God

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 who has

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 wrath

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 or anger

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 against sin

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 seems

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 sub-God,

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 it's beneath

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 God.

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 the question

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 is posed,

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 well can't we

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 just remove

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 judgement

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 to have

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 only

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 love?

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 But others

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 have noticed

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 a problem.

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 The opposite

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 of

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 love

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 is apathy

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 or indifference.

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 So a God

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 who didn't

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 care

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 about

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 evil

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 a God

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 who was

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 not

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 concerned

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 with

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 injustice

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 would not

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 be more

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 loving,

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 rather

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 it would

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 be a God

00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:14.039
 not worthy

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 of our

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 worship.

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 To make

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 things personal

00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:19.899
 for a moment,

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 suppose you

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 were to see

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 a friend

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 or a family

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 member

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 be mocked

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 or abused.

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 what feelings

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 would we

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 have?

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 Well surely

00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.000
 there would

00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:35.620
 be a sense

00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:36.560
 of anger

00:09:36.560 --> 00:09:37.300
 at wrongdoing,

00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:37.860
 there would

00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.680
 be a desire

00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:39.620
 for justice.

00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:41.399
 And the

00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:42.220
 more love

00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:42.519
 that we

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 have for

00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.220
 a person,

00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:44.220
 the greater

00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.019
 that sense

00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:45.980
 of justice

00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:46.639
 would be.

00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:49.240
 Think about

00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:49.740
 how we

00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:50.460
 respond

00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.399
 to the

00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:51.720
 horrible

00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:52.200
 things we

00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:52.820
 hear about

00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:53.779
 in the

00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.240
 news,

00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.360
 whether

00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:55.740
 that's

00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.240
 trafficking

00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.519
 or dictators

00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:58.580
 or racism.

00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:00.019
 We respond

00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:01.639
 as moral

00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.580
 agents.

00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.419
 We feel

00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:05.600
 that certain

00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:06.620
 things are

00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:07.460
 wrong and

00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:07.840
 the more

00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.820
 we love,

00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:09.159
 the more

00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:10.080
 we feel

00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:10.419
 that.

00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:11.720
 Now bearing

00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:12.340
 in mind,

00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:13.539
 as the

00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:14.139
 Bible tells

00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:14.460
 us,

00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:15.860
 people are

00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.899
 God's

00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:17.560
 image

00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:18.379
 bearers.

00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:21.240
 If we

00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.940
 feel

00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:24.200
 and recognise

00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:25.540
 and respond

00:10:25.540 --> 00:10:25.860
 with a

00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:26.500
 desire for

00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.000
 justice,

00:10:27.140 --> 00:10:28.160
 we cannot

00:10:28.160 --> 00:10:29.360
 deny that

00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.500
 to God.

00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.560
 When he

00:10:31.560 --> 00:10:32.620
 sees evil

00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.879
 and injustice,

00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.440
 we cannot

00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:36.360
 expect him

00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:37.060
 to just

00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:37.980
 turn a

00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:38.540
 blind eye

00:10:38.540 --> 00:10:39.040
 to them.

00:10:39.780 --> 00:10:40.300
 He is too

00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:40.920
 loving for

00:10:40.920 --> 00:10:41.120
 them.

00:10:42.420 --> 00:10:42.780
 We need

00:10:42.780 --> 00:10:43.400
 to recognise

00:10:43.400 --> 00:10:44.180
 that our

00:10:44.180 --> 00:10:45.220
 feelings

00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:47.600
 of anger

00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:48.220
 and injustice

00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.280
 are just a

00:10:49.280 --> 00:10:50.060
 drop in the

00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:50.560
 ocean

00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:51.780
 compared

00:10:51.780 --> 00:10:53.340
 to God's.

00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.920
 God is

00:10:54.920 --> 00:10:55.800
 righteously

00:10:55.800 --> 00:10:56.720
 angry

00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:58.759
 against the

00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.600
 horror of

00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.800
 sin that

00:11:00.800 --> 00:11:01.780
 is destroying

00:11:01.780 --> 00:11:02.500
 and ripping

00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.340
 apart the

00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:03.920
 beauty and

00:11:03.920 --> 00:11:04.340
 the peace

00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:04.680
 of his

00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:05.300
 creation.

00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.480
 Before we

00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.060
 move on,

00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.200
 a few years

00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:10.780
 ago I came

00:11:10.780 --> 00:11:11.240
 across the

00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.139
 writings of

00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.519
 Miroslav

00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:14.160
 Wolf.

00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:15.879
 He is

00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:18.440
 a theologian

00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:19.460
 who grew

00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:19.840
 up and

00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.960
 lived through

00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.740
 the Balkan

00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.340
 wars of

00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:25.320
 the 90s.

00:11:26.660 --> 00:11:27.280
 And for

00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:27.780
 Wolf,

00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.560
 he understood

00:11:29.560 --> 00:11:30.580
 that only

00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:33.019
 a genuine

00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:33.680
 belief in

00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:34.300
 the final

00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:35.200
 judgment of

00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:36.840
 God was

00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:37.379
 able to

00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.480
 stop the

00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:40.259
 cycle of

00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:40.900
 killing and

00:11:40.900 --> 00:11:41.500
 revenge.

00:11:43.420 --> 00:11:44.920
 That it

00:11:44.920 --> 00:11:45.580
 leaving

00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:47.120
 vengeance in

00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:47.720
 God's

00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.379
 hands

00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:50.080
 allowed

00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.879
 people the

00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:53.100
 freedom to

00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:53.720
 forgive and

00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:54.159
 to move

00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:54.559
 on.

00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.480
 So love

00:11:57.480 --> 00:11:58.679
 and justice

00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:00.399
 can co-exist.

00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:01.899
 And the

00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:03.639
 third line

00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.460
 of thinking

00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:05.399
 I want us

00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:05.840
 to pursue

00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:06.279
 for a couple

00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:06.700
 of minutes

00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:08.000
 is that

00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:09.840
 the punishment

00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.960
 that's described

00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:12.240
 in the

00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.620
 Bible does

00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.179
 fit the

00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:15.580
 crime.

00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:18.420
 one

00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.060
 significant

00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:19.780
 struggle that

00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:20.460
 we have

00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.840
 in the

00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.240
 question of

00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:22.639
 how could

00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.680
 God judge

00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:24.259
 anyone

00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:26.440
 is that

00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.460
 we have

00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.360
 made sin

00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.759
 a small

00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:30.200
 thing.

00:12:31.180 --> 00:12:31.840
 It seems

00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.460
 like no

00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:33.600
 big deal.

00:12:34.660 --> 00:12:35.240
 And coupled

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.800
 to that we

00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:36.460
 have lost

00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.620
 sight of

00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:39.480
 the

00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.300
 perfect

00:12:40.300 --> 00:12:41.300
 holiness of

00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:41.680
 God.

00:12:42.520 --> 00:12:42.940
 That he

00:12:42.940 --> 00:12:43.980
 is morally

00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.460
 perfect,

00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.500
 his glory

00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.460
 is far

00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.480
 above

00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.480
 us.

00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.360
 And when

00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.300
 we lose

00:12:51.300 --> 00:12:52.000
 sight of

00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.639
 the seriousness

00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.139
 of sin

00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:53.400
 and the

00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:53.980
 holiness of

00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:54.160
 God,

00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:54.980
 we imagine

00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:57.120
 God can

00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:57.660
 simply sweep

00:12:57.660 --> 00:12:58.120
 sin under

00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.519
 the rug.

00:12:59.180 --> 00:12:59.540
 He can

00:12:59.540 --> 00:13:00.220
 let everyone

00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.000
 into

00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:01.400
 heaven.

00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.060
 We can

00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:04.560
 follow the

00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:04.900
 logic,

00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:05.200
 well,

00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.420
 God forgives

00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:06.660
 everyone,

00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:07.300
 that's his

00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:08.620
 job.

00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:10.620
 God is

00:13:10.620 --> 00:13:12.139
 unchanging

00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.340
 in his

00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:15.019
 character.

00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.299
 And the

00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.279
 ugliness of

00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:16.519
 sin,

00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.340
 if God

00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:17.840
 was simply

00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.519
 to ignore

00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:20.060
 it and

00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:20.460
 sweep it

00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:20.740
 under the

00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:20.860
 rug,

00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.179
 it would

00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:21.659
 mean God

00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:21.899
 being

00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.620
 untrue to

00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.060
 himself.

00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.580
 God is

00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.139
 unchanging

00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:26.440
 in his

00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:26.779
 character.

00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:27.299
 He cannot

00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:27.820
 act in

00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.179
 ways that

00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:28.840
 are unjust

00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.740
 or unholy.

00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:32.399
 And so

00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:32.720
 for our

00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:32.899
 whole

00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.560
 understanding

00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.039
 of this

00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:34.720
 question,

00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:35.100
 we need

00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:35.779
 to recover

00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:37.519
 the view

00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.580
 that God

00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:39.600
 is perfectly

00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:40.680
 holy.

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.600
 And we

00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.000
 need to

00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:43.500
 reckon

00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:45.620
 with sin

00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.799
 being directed

00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:48.279
 against this

00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:49.080
 holy God.

00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:49.560
 And it's no

00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:50.659
 small thing,

00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.639
 rather, as

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.019
 R.C.

00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.680
 Sproul put it,

00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:53.200
 it's an act

00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.200
 of cosmic

00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:55.379
 treason.

00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:57.419
 Our sin

00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.120
 is an

00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:58.680
 infinite

00:13:58.680 --> 00:13:59.580
 offence

00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:01.120
 against the

00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.759
 infinitely

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.660
 holy and

00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.060
 glorious

00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:03.740
 God,

00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:04.700
 and as

00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:04.960
 such,

00:14:05.040 --> 00:14:06.080
 it deserves

00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.940
 infinite

00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:08.500
 punishment.

00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.379
 A picture

00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.400
 to help

00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:13.700
 us.

00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.740
 If you

00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.120
 were to

00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.820
 go behind

00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:19.100
 my back

00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:20.300
 and to

00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:20.879
 plot

00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.980
 against me

00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.520
 for some

00:14:22.520 --> 00:14:22.980
 reason,

00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.180
 I would

00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:24.700
 find that

00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.440
 sad,

00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:26.100
 obviously,

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:27.920
 but at the

00:14:27.920 --> 00:14:28.200
 end of the

00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:28.500
 day, it

00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.000
 would be

00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.440
 no

00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.000
 big

00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.600
 deal.

00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.520
 But

00:14:31.520 --> 00:14:33.900
 if we

00:14:33.900 --> 00:14:34.320
 do the

00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:34.840
 same to

00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.060
 the

00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:35.600
 Queen,

00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:37.880
 well, that

00:14:37.880 --> 00:14:38.280
 could become

00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:38.640
 an act

00:14:38.640 --> 00:14:39.420
 of treason.

00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.100
 And that

00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.500
 could land

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:41.780
 you in the

00:14:41.780 --> 00:14:42.120
 Tower of

00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.360
 London.

00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:46.280
 We need

00:14:46.280 --> 00:14:46.620
 to think

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.940
 about who

00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.580
 we're dealing

00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.340
 with, who

00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:50.140
 we sin

00:14:50.140 --> 00:14:50.420
 against.

00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:50.780
 So where

00:14:50.780 --> 00:14:51.000
 have we

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.500
 got to

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.660
 so far?

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.060
 We have

00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:54.520
 considered that

00:14:54.520 --> 00:14:55.020
 we are morally

00:14:55.020 --> 00:14:56.160
 responsible for

00:14:56.160 --> 00:14:56.700
 our actions

00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.160
 and our

00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:57.560
 decisions,

00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.559
 and that

00:14:58.559 --> 00:14:59.379
 includes

00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:01.000
 how we

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.579
 respond to

00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:01.919
 God and

00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:02.500
 especially how

00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.119
 we respond to

00:15:03.119 --> 00:15:03.719
 Jesus as

00:15:03.719 --> 00:15:04.199
 Saviour.

00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.899
 We show

00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:07.639
 in everyday

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.019
 life that

00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.599
 to love

00:15:09.599 --> 00:15:10.239
 is to

00:15:10.239 --> 00:15:10.819
 care about

00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.339
 justice.

00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.000
 And we've

00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.479
 seen that God

00:15:14.479 --> 00:15:15.099
 is no different.

00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:15.779
 In fact, God

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.319
 is the perfect

00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:17.000
 example of

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.179
 that.

00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:19.059
 And we've

00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:19.699
 also considered

00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:20.019
 that we're

00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.459
 dealing with

00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:20.939
 an absolutely

00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:21.539
 holy and

00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.279
 perfect God,

00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:22.959
 also rejecting

00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:23.720
 and rebelling

00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.819
 against him

00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:25.179
 is very

00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:25.699
 serious.

00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.399
 And those

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.319
 three realities,

00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.759
 they underpin

00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.620
 the teaching

00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.079
 of the Bible,

00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:30.480
 the teaching

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:30.959
 of Jesus

00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:32.059
 on judgment,

00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.279
 on heaven

00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:33.679
 and hell.

00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:34.220
 So let's

00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.399
 turn there

00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.879
 next.

00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.419
 And what I

00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:37.919
 want us to

00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.299
 do is to

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:38.620
 think about

00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.159
 heaven and

00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.939
 hell in

00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:41.439
 terms of

00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:42.319
 relationship

00:15:42.319 --> 00:15:43.639
 to Jesus.

00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.500
 Now typically,

00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:45.740
 heaven and

00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:45.980
 hell, we

00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:46.319
 think about

00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:46.620
 them as

00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.199
 places,

00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.319
 and maybe

00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:49.500
 those places,

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.839
 if we go to

00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:51.159
 one or the

00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:51.439
 other, it

00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:51.920
 depends on

00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.720
 our actions,

00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:53.700
 but it's

00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.840
 better, I

00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:55.140
 think more

00:15:55.140 --> 00:15:55.880
 helpful for

00:15:55.880 --> 00:15:56.760
 us, to

00:15:56.760 --> 00:15:58.400
 see that

00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:58.940
 those places

00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.660
 are tied up

00:15:59.660 --> 00:16:00.180
 to our

00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:01.140
 relationship

00:16:01.140 --> 00:16:01.860
 to Jesus,

00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.220
 the response

00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.880
 we make

00:16:03.880 --> 00:16:04.940
 to him.

00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.260
 And as we

00:16:07.260 --> 00:16:08.120
 begin to

00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.040
 think about

00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:09.460
 the subject,

00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:09.960
 let's just

00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:12.340
 remember Jesus

00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.920
 regarded by

00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:15.240
 many Christians

00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.040
 and non-Christians

00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:16.640
 as the most

00:16:16.640 --> 00:16:17.960
 loving person

00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.920
 who ever

00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:19.360
 lived.

00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.380
 This is the

00:16:20.380 --> 00:16:21.020
 Jesus who

00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:22.419
 wept over

00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:22.879
 the city

00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.340
 of Jerusalem

00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:23.819
 knowing that

00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:24.759
 they had

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.220
 chosen to

00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.019
 reject him.

00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.139
 This is the

00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.779
 Jesus who

00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.319
 prayed,

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.159
 Father,

00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:30.159
 forgive them

00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:31.019
 of his

00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.539
 enemies who

00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.079
 are nailing

00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:32.679
 him to a

00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.039
 cross.

00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:33.860
 It's this

00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.519
 Jesus who

00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:34.980
 taught more

00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.600
 about heaven

00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.259
 and hell

00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.600
 and the

00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.079
 judgment of

00:16:37.079 --> 00:16:37.439
 God than

00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:38.360
 anybody else

00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.059
 in the

00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.679
 whole Bible.

00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:40.579
 And so we

00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:40.919
 need to

00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:41.819
 recognise that

00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:43.299
 its foundation

00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:45.639
 as truth

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.399
 is not

00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.500
 hateful.

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.299
 Rather,

00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:49.860
 in the

00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.419
 hands of

00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:50.759
 Jesus,

00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.120
 in the

00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.679
 teaching of

00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.019
 Jesus,

00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.139
 there is a

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.019
 loving invitation

00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.460
 to receive

00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:55.939
 him and

00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:56.539
 receive the

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.000
 joy of

00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.840
 heaven and

00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:58.259
 there is a

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:58.980
 loving warning

00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.679
 to receive

00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:01.019
 Jesus and

00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.399
 avoid the

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:03.860
 danger and

00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.279
 the punishment

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.859
 of hell.

00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.359
 In the

00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.259
 teaching of

00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:08.639
 Jesus,

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.099
 in his

00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.579
 parables,

00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.740
 he used

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.059
 lots of

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.299
 different

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.680
 pictures,

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.500
 heaven is

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.360
 pictured as

00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:16.560
 homecoming,

00:17:17.600 --> 00:17:18.360
 it's pictured

00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.840
 as wedding,

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.640
 it's pictured

00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.799
 as a

00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.759
 great feast.

00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.460
 All of

00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:25.940
 those pictures

00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.440
 speaking to

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.279
 us of joy

00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.500
 and life

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.240
 and celebration

00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.460
 and all

00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.560
 about

00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:32.500
 relationship.

00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:33.900
 And Jesus

00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.799
 emphasised

00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.840
 relationship to

00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:37.360
 himself and

00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.660
 to God as

00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.680
 Father.

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.080
 And in

00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:41.820
 those same

00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:43.240
 parables and

00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:43.700
 teachings,

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.599
 hell is the

00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:44.939
 opposite,

00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:45.919
 hell is the

00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:47.419
 shut door,

00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.279
 hell is the

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.559
 outer darkness,

00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.779
 hell is the

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:54.519
 agony and

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.159
 the wailing.

00:17:58.159 --> 00:17:58.619
 And the

00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.119
 point that I

00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.579
 want us to

00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:02.139
 really to take

00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.799
 away and to

00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.439
 consider is

00:18:03.439 --> 00:18:05.599
 what we're not

00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:07.119
 doing is

00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.740
 choosing

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:09.099
 heaven or

00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:09.559
 hell

00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:11.119
 fundamentally.

00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:13.259
 what we're

00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.019
 choosing today,

00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.480
 what you and

00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:14.980
 I are choosing

00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.679
 today is

00:18:15.679 --> 00:18:16.539
 am I

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.379
 accepting

00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:19.099
 or rejecting

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.579
 Jesus?

00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:20.960
 He offers me

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.439
 forgiveness,

00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.279
 he offers me

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.659
 life,

00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.679
 he offers me

00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:24.039
 heaven,

00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:24.919
 he offers to

00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:25.579
 save me from

00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.039
 hell,

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.359
 do I accept

00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:27.960
 or do I

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.460
 reject him?

00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:31.379
 And I want

00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.259
 to see this in

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.099
 the parable

00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.399
 that we read

00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:34.980
 at the beginning,

00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:35.700
 Luke chapter

00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.399
 16,

00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.539
 the story of

00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.259
 the rich man

00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.379
 and Lazarus

00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:39.839
 that Jesus

00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.220
 told.

00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:41.259
 We see

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.839
 two extremes

00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.919
 in their

00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:44.579
 life as

00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.279
 Jesus paints

00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.759
 a picture

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.339
 for us.

00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.339
 This rich man

00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:47.679
 lives in

00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:49.500
 extreme luxury

00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:51.240
 whereas Lazarus

00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.579
 lives in

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.439
 extreme poverty

00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.259
 just outside

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.019
 his gate

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.740
 with dogs

00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.159
 licking his

00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:56.980
 sores and

00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.699
 desperate to

00:18:57.699 --> 00:18:58.259
 get even the

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.259
 crumbs from

00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.339
 the rich man's

00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:00.919
 table.

00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:02.759
 But then the

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.419
 story moves

00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:03.939
 on and we

00:19:03.939 --> 00:19:04.480
 see two

00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.319
 extremes

00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:08.179
 in eternity.

00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:09.419
 They both

00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:10.259
 die and

00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.980
 Lazarus

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.740
 finds himself

00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.419
 in Abraham's

00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:14.159
 bosom,

00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.759
 a place of

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.059
 comfort and

00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.619
 security.

00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:17.700
 Abraham,

00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.139
 the father of

00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:19.399
 faith,

00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.039
 Abraham who

00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.319
 received covenant

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.819
 promises from

00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.299
 God.

00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.019
 Here is a

00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.460
 picture of

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.059
 Lazarus

00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.639
 enjoying

00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.799
 blessing

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.220
 in God's

00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.779
 place

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.139
 among God's

00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:30.539
 people,

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.200
 knowing peace

00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.120
 with God

00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:34.000
 and joy

00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.880
 of life

00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.680
 made perfect

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.120
 but the

00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:37.019
 rich man,

00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.660
 the contrast

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.360
 is stark.

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.799
 We are told

00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.920
 he is in

00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.580
 torment.

00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.539
 He says

00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.440
 that he is

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.559
 in agony.

00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.799
 We are told

00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.700
 that he is

00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.819
 in the

00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.259
 fire.

00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.319
 Now it's

00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.160
 important to

00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:56.360
 recognise

00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.759
 that some

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.120
 of the

00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:59.039
 imagery of

00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.779
 hell is

00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.200
 just that.

00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:00.799
 It's a

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.920
 picture fire

00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:01.980
 here.

00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:03.380
 Here is a

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.080
 picture but

00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:04.700
 we need to

00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.740
 understand it's

00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.640
 a picture that

00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.779
 speaks to

00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:09.400
 a certain

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.120
 reality.

00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.880
 It represents

00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:13.060
 the horror

00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:14.580
 of what it

00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:15.039
 means to

00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.660
 receive

00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.580
 punishment

00:20:16.580 --> 00:20:17.960
 and to

00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.500
 face

00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.279
 eternal

00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.539
 separation.

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.900
 In our

00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:23.300
 story,

00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.620
 reality sets

00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:26.320
 in and

00:20:26.320 --> 00:20:27.080
 we recognise

00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:28.360
 that hell

00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:29.259
 is real,

00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.779
 hell is

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.539
 eternal,

00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.340
 and there

00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:32.700
 is this

00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.019
 great

00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.740
 chasm.

00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.779
 So there

00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.080
 is a

00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:36.820
 point of

00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:38.279
 no return,

00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.500
 there is

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.140
 no crossing.

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.820
 And out

00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:44.460
 of this

00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.600
 misery and

00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.300
 torment,

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.680
 the rich

00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:49.460
 man responds

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:51.300
 by wanting

00:20:51.300 --> 00:20:53.259
 to sound a

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.500
 warning to

00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.300
 his family.

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:57.299
 and so the

00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.299
 rich man asks

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.539
 Abraham in

00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.440
 the parable

00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.539
 to send

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.379
 Lazarus to

00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:02.960
 his brothers

00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:05.240
 and the

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.659
 response is

00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:08.559
 they have

00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:10.000
 the word

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.579
 of God

00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:12.119
 that that

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:12.859
 should be

00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:14.700
 enough for

00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:14.940
 them.

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.319
 They have

00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.399
 Moses and

00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:17.299
 the prophets.

00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:20.940
 the rich

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.339
 man comes

00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:21.700
 back and

00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:21.839
 says,

00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:22.019
 no,

00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.619
 if somebody

00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.700
 comes and

00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.519
 appears from

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.099
 the dead,

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.059
 then they'll

00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.480
 repent,

00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.419
 then they'll

00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:27.899
 believe,

00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.740
 and the

00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.519
 climax of

00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.139
 the story,

00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.779
 if they do

00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.440
 not listen to

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:33.980
 Moses and

00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.460
 the prophets,

00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:34.879
 if they don't

00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:35.480
 listen to the

00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.079
 word of God,

00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:36.680
 they will not

00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.379
 be convinced

00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:38.839
 even if

00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:40.720
 someone rises

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.960
 from the

00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.379
 dead.

00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.480
 in Jesus

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.580
 teaching.

00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.180
 There are

00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:46.640
 people who

00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.560
 have the

00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:48.680
 Bible and

00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.240
 don't listen

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.560
 to its

00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.120
 warnings and

00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:50.820
 invitations.

00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.320
 There's some

00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:52.860
 who won't

00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.880
 believe even

00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.860
 in the face

00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:56.420
 of resurrection.

00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.420
 What's Jesus

00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.480
 driving at

00:21:59.480 --> 00:21:59.780
 here?

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.580
 Well, in

00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:01.260
 one sense,

00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.620
 here is another

00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:03.980
 way of Jesus

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.500
 to make the

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.000
 point that the

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.680
 whole Bible

00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.640
 is about

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.100
 him,

00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:08.800
 about the

00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.500
 fact that

00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.820
 God in

00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:11.560
 his grace

00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:11.840
 has

00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:13.439
 responded to

00:22:13.439 --> 00:22:14.279
 human sin

00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.139
 and misery

00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.079
 by promising

00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.039
 a saviour,

00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.079
 that saviour

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.899
 who is God's

00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:19.559
 own son,

00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.139
 who comes

00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:21.059
 out of sheer

00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.359
 mercy and

00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.279
 grace to be

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.939
 Messiah,

00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.740
 saviour,

00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:25.799
 to become

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.659
 the sacrifice

00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.500
 for sin

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.759
 at the cross

00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.500
 and the one

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.799
 who calls

00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.439
 us to

00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.439
 faith in

00:22:32.439 --> 00:22:33.319
 him and

00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.099
 to repentance,

00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:34.859
 to turning

00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.439
 away from

00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:35.819
 sin.

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.459
 It also

00:22:38.459 --> 00:22:39.799
 is pointing

00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.480
 forward to

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.059
 the reality

00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.740
 that Jesus

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.900
 would conquer

00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:44.039
 hell by

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.339
 his

00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.039
 resurrection,

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.660
 that faith

00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.319
 in Jesus

00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.980
 is the

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.940
 only way

00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.900
 to enjoy

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.859
 heaven and

00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.500
 not hell,

00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:53.660
 but sadly,

00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.640
 some people

00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.259
 won't believe

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.440
 even a

00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.380
 risen saviour.

00:22:59.359 --> 00:22:59.839
 The Bible

00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.539
 teaches that

00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.480
 we are made

00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.099
 for friendship

00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.740
 with God

00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.420
 and sin is

00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.180
 what separates

00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.559
 and what

00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.220
 severs that

00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.880
 relationship.

00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.299
 To lose

00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.319
 God's

00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.259
 presence

00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:11.159
 is tragedy.

00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.419
 To lose

00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:12.819
 God's

00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.399
 presence

00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.279
 eternally

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:16.200
 is hell.

00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.680
 So Jesus,

00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:21.319
 in his life,

00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:21.940
 in his teaching,

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.879
 he issues a

00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:24.319
 loving invitation,

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.659
 an offer that

00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.460
 doesn't last

00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.779
 forever,

00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.859
 and he

00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.519
 speaks of

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.259
 the reality

00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.819
 of hell

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.220
 to give

00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.339
 urgency

00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.700
 to the

00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.079
 decision

00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.440
 that we

00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.059
 all have

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.639
 to make.

00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:38.480
 Now,

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:38.779
 of course,

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.379
 many people

00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.000
 in Jesus'

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.359
 day,

00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.079
 they rejected

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.359
 him,

00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:41.859
 they chose

00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.559
 another path,

00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.079
 many people

00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:43.539
 today.

00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.519
 Well,

00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.019
 I have

00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.819
 better offers

00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.119
 on the

00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:46.599
 table than

00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:46.940
 the one

00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.480
 to follow

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:47.920
 Jesus.

00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.660
 I have

00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:48.940
 more

00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.680
 freedom

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.559
 to enjoy

00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.940
 than what

00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.619
 Jesus offers

00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:52.960
 and next

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.279
 week we'll

00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.839
 think about

00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.700
 the whole

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.240
 question of

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.619
 freedom.

00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.979
 I have

00:23:56.979 --> 00:23:58.099
 time on

00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.879
 my side,

00:23:59.239 --> 00:24:00.019
 maybe at

00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.579
 some other

00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.239
 point I'll

00:24:01.239 --> 00:24:02.179
 consider Jesus,

00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:02.919
 but we need

00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:04.119
 to recognise

00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.919
 what we do

00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.659
 with his

00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.339
 invitation

00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.739
 determines

00:24:07.739 --> 00:24:09.419
 our eternal

00:24:09.419 --> 00:24:10.779
 destiny.

00:24:12.679 --> 00:24:13.679
 So moving

00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:14.559
 from heaven

00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.019
 and hell

00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.419
 and our

00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:16.079
 relationship

00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.699
 to Jesus,

00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.259
 I want us

00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.759
 lastly to

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.279
 think about

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.019
 heaven and

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.619
 hell and

00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.079
 what it says

00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.500
 about the

00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.679
 love of

00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:25.199
 Jesus.

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.099
 God

00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.939
 and perhaps

00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:27.219
 that in

00:24:27.219 --> 00:24:27.699
 itself seems

00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.419
 surprising to

00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:28.879
 put together.

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:29.859
 I want to

00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.539
 turn our

00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.279
 usual question

00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.619
 on its

00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:34.739
 head so

00:24:34.739 --> 00:24:35.139
 that instead

00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:35.639
 of asking

00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:36.119
 how could a

00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.439
 good and

00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:36.979
 loving God

00:24:36.979 --> 00:24:37.599
 send anyone

00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.279
 to hell,

00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.219
 I want to

00:24:39.219 --> 00:24:39.599
 ask how

00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:39.939
 could a

00:24:39.939 --> 00:24:40.579
 good and

00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.199
 loving and

00:24:41.199 --> 00:24:41.839
 just God

00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.659
 allow anyone

00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.379
 into heaven?

00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:46.000
 Take just a

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.919
 moment of

00:24:46.919 --> 00:24:47.839
 honest reflection

00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:49.299
 and you know

00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:49.939
 as well as I

00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:50.759
 do that we

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.299
 have guilty

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.779
 secrets,

00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:52.179
 that we

00:24:52.179 --> 00:24:54.319
 hide things

00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.179
 from others.

00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.580
 we're very

00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.320
 careful in

00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.000
 the image

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.019
 that we

00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.060
 project.

00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.060
 We sometimes

00:25:02.060 --> 00:25:02.740
 in our

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.420
 church use

00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:03.820
 the

00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.660
 Christianity

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:06.019
 Explored

00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.620
 course to

00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.039
 help people

00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.860
 to investigate

00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:09.100
 the Christian

00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:09.640
 faith and it

00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.080
 has a

00:25:10.080 --> 00:25:10.980
 powerful

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.660
 illustration

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.220
 there where

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.900
 Rico Teiss,

00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.440
 the presenter,

00:25:14.580 --> 00:25:14.980
 asked the

00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.660
 question if

00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.920
 there was a

00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:18.039
 big screen

00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:19.400
 showing of

00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:19.779
 all the

00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.360
 thoughts

00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.779
 running through

00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.380
 our heads

00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:22.680
 that was

00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.660
 available for

00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.280
 the world

00:25:24.280 --> 00:25:25.020
 to see.

00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.380
 How would

00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:27.840
 we feel

00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.440
 about that?

00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:30.500
 It sounds

00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.120
 awful doesn't

00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:31.320
 it?

00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:32.740
 We would

00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.220
 feel so

00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.200
 exposed and

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.760
 ashamed.

00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.700
 One of the

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.040
 ways the

00:25:39.040 --> 00:25:39.920
 Bible functions

00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.340
 is it

00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:41.120
 functions as

00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.760
 a search

00:25:41.760 --> 00:25:42.120
 light.

00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.540
 The light

00:25:44.540 --> 00:25:44.860
 of its

00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.400
 perfection

00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.400
 exposes our

00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:46.940
 failures.

00:25:47.780 --> 00:25:48.380
 It lays

00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.480
 bare the

00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.040
 darkness of

00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:50.500
 our thoughts

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.980
 and words

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.519
 and actions

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.059
 and motives

00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.460
 when we

00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.099
 really listen

00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.579
 to it but

00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:55.359
 yet remarkably

00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.220
 that search

00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:58.059
 light isn't

00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.640
 there to

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.559
 condemn us

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.099
 as criminals

00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.779
 it's intended

00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.640
 to find us

00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.980
 so that we

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.420
 might be

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.559
 brought home

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:06.279
 that against

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.920
 the dark

00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.680
 backdrop

00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:09.279
 of our

00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.640
 sin

00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:12.019
 and the

00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.480
 consequence

00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:12.920
 of that

00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.480
 which is

00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.539
 separation

00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.579
 from God

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.839
 and hell

00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:18.220
 the light

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.799
 of Jesus

00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.500
 the love

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.099
 of Jesus

00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.720
 shines

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.639
 to bring

00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.079
 hope

00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.659
 and grace

00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.019
 and to

00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.700
 see this

00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.659
 we need to

00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.059
 see what

00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.460
 the cross

00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:26.899
 of Jesus

00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:27.399
 is all

00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:27.680
 about.

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.159
 So the

00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.799
 night before

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.279
 Jesus died

00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:31.700
 he was in

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.279
 the garden

00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.960
 of Gethsemane

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.379
 and he

00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:35.059
 prayed

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.579
 Father

00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.139
 if it is

00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:38.659
 possible

00:26:38.659 --> 00:26:40.299
 take this

00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.799
 cup

00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.879
 from me

00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:43.379
 yet not

00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:43.879
 my will

00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.379
 but yours

00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:44.759
 be done.

00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.220
 Now what

00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.720
 is this

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.220
 cup

00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.500
 that he

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.220
 was asking

00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.220
 to be

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:49.680
 removed

00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.740
 if possible?

00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.140
 Well we

00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.059
 discover that

00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.680
 image in the

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.380
 Old Testament

00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:56.299
 a picture of

00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.180
 God's holy

00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.920
 anger against

00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.059
 sin being

00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:00.059
 poured out

00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:01.200
 for his

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.000
 enemies to

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.319
 drink.

00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:03.759
 That anger

00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.140
 of God

00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.380
 that would

00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:04.860
 come against

00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.559
 nations for

00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.500
 idolatry

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.620
 for child

00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.420
 sacrifice

00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:10.039
 for exploiting

00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.680
 the poor

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:12.180
 for rejection

00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.299
 of him

00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.240
 and his

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.819
 word

00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:16.419
 and when

00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:16.740
 we look

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.000
 at the

00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.440
 cross

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:19.779
 we need

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.220
 to see

00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.180
 Jesus

00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.680
 drinking

00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.440
 down

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.559
 God's

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.279
 righteous

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.960
 anger

00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.819
 at sin

00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:28.859
 my sin

00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:31.259
 to see

00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.339
 that Jesus

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.639
 in love

00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.680
 will face

00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.720
 hell

00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:38.119
 will cry

00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.759
 my God

00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.379
 my God

00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:39.980
 why have

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.680
 you forsaken

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.519
 me to

00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.820
 give me

00:27:42.820 --> 00:27:44.039
 heaven.

00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:47.140
 Now the

00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.940
 question then

00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.680
 arises well

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:50.100
 how does this

00:27:50.100 --> 00:27:50.680
 not make

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.759
 God and

00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.180
 the cross

00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:52.620
 unjust

00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:53.340
 if Jesus

00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:54.019
 is righteous

00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.539
 and innocent

00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.279
 as we believe

00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.100
 then how can

00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.660
 this be just

00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:56.980
 and we need

00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.480
 to see

00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:59.320
 that this

00:27:59.320 --> 00:27:59.940
 isn't

00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.840
 the father

00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:02.900
 punishing

00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.400
 the son

00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.799
 and the son

00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:05.259
 is passive

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.319
 and receiving

00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:08.579
 the anger

00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.640
 of an

00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.559
 angry father

00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:12.180
 Jesus

00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.859
 we need to

00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.220
 understand

00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.579
 is God

00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.059
 he is not

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.680
 a passive

00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.140
 victim

00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.440
 he is both

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.259
 the judge

00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.460
 and the

00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.000
 condemned

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.240
 on the cross

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.740
 he gives

00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.180
 his life

00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.920
 as a sacrifice

00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.720
 but on the

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.240
 last day

00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.819
 Jesus will

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.740
 return as

00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.619
 judge

00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.980
 and so

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.740
 the wrath

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.579
 of God

00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.400
 against sin

00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:31.920
 is

00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:33.440
 the wrath

00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.000
 of Jesus

00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.839
 and there is

00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.660
 mystery there

00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.400
 but we affirm

00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.180
 it to be true

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.339
 and we also

00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:39.119
 need to see

00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:41.019
 that Jesus

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.859
 cannot be

00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.460
 separated

00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.220
 from his

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.559
 people

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.960
 he is the

00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.480
 head

00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.799
 and his

00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.119
 people

00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:47.539
 the church

00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.500
 is the

00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:48.900
 body

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.319
 so he

00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.259
 represents

00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.940
 his people

00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.440
 and we are

00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.279
 united

00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:54.140
 to him

00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:54.680
 he becomes

00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.400
 one of us

00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:55.819
 that he might

00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.279
 bear the

00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.720
 punishment

00:28:56.720 --> 00:28:57.359
 and face

00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.180
 hell

00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.740
 for us

00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:01.099
 and united

00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:02.359
 with him

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.519
 as it goes

00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.059
 for Jesus

00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.500
 so it

00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:04.900
 goes

00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.160
 for us

00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.619
 he dies

00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.160
 to sin

00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.900
 so that we

00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.359
 can die

00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:09.759
 to sin

00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.359
 and live

00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:12.480
 a righteous

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.019
 life

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.139
 with God

00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:14.619
 and for

00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.019
 God

00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:16.619
 so when we

00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.000
 look at the

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.660
 cross we see

00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.059
 both a

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.660
 demonstration

00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.460
 of God's

00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.099
 righteous

00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.639
 anger

00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:21.240
 at sin

00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.500
 as Jesus

00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.099
 the sin

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.500
 bearer

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.259
 faces it

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.480
 but we

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.279
 also see

00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.160
 the cross

00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.920
 as the

00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.359
 loving

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.319
 response of

00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.740
 God

00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.900
 to rescue

00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:31.279
 sinners

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.019
 and invite

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.379
 us

00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.119
 to heaven

00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:33.599
 which is

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.680
 the relationship

00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.359
 with God

00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:35.859
 and the love

00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.259
 that that

00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.819
 brings

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:40.339
 so the choice

00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:41.220
 we all face

00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.940
 as we come

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.879
 to a close

00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.539
 is this

00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:48.099
 knowing that

00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:48.940
 we have

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:50.440
 all sins

00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.019
 that we have

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.720
 failed to love

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.299
 God and to

00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:52.720
 love others

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.319
 perfectly

00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:55.359
 knowing that

00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:55.799
 the just

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.379
 punishment

00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:57.079
 for that

00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.500
 is

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.379
 separation

00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:59.340
 from God

00:29:59.340 --> 00:29:59.940
 and hell

00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.440
 for all

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:00.980
 eternity

00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:03.640
 the choice

00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.360
 is simple

00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:06.600
 will I face

00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:07.300
 hell

00:30:07.300 --> 00:30:08.460
 by myself

00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:11.420
 or will I

00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.200
 trust Jesus

00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.440
 and his

00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:13.980
 love

00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.320
 and will I

00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:16.360
 hide myself

00:30:16.360 --> 00:30:17.420
 in him

00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:20.340
 the scandal

00:30:20.340 --> 00:30:20.860
 at the heart

00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.580
 of Christianity

00:30:21.580 --> 00:30:23.220
 is that

00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.220
 anyone who

00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.720
 believes

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.600
 will be

00:30:25.600 --> 00:30:26.220
 saved

00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.220
 because of

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.579
 God's

00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.279
 free grace

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.600
 to us

00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.120
 in Jesus

00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:30.319
 and Jesus

00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:30.799
 loving

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.440
 invitation

00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.559
 is open

00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.100
 to

00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:34.240
 all

00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:37.519
 so

00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.140
 philosopher

00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:38.640
 JP

00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:39.259
 Moreland

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.259
 is right

00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.640
 when he

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.160
 says

00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:43.140
 I believe

00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.839
 that hell

00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.759
 is morally

00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.680
 justifiable

00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:47.420
 but I don't

00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:48.140
 feel comfortable

00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.680
 about it

00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.240
 because it's

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.720
 sad

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:52.039
 the proper

00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.559
 thing to

00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:52.839
 do

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:54.360
 is admit

00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:54.980
 that hell

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.799
 is real

00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.180
 and allow

00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.039
 our feelings

00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:59.039
 of discomfort

00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:00.720
 to motivate

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.319
 us to

00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:01.860
 action

00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:04.900
 whether that's

00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.460
 turning to

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.100
 Jesus as

00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:06.600
 saviour

00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:08.539
 or sharing

00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:08.960
 the good

00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.339
 news of

00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:09.920
 Jesus with

00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.480
 urgency

00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.920
 to others

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:14.120
 let's pray

00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:14.900
 briefly

00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:18.539
 Lord God

00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.100
 as we have

00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.759
 considered

00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.959
 one of the

00:31:20.959 --> 00:31:21.500
 hardest

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:23.000
 topics

00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.480
 for us

00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:23.980
 to think

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.339
 about

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.759
 emotionally

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:28.079
 we do

00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.899
 thank you

00:31:28.899 --> 00:31:30.019
 that we

00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.539
 can look

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:30.980
 through the

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.259
 Bible

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.799
 and we

00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.059
 can

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.639
 listen to

00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:34.899
 the teaching

00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:35.659
 of Jesus

00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:36.819
 thank you

00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.179
 that we see

00:31:37.179 --> 00:31:37.579
 in Jesus

00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.039
 someone who

00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.579
 is loving

00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.699
 and not

00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:40.419
 hateful

00:31:40.419 --> 00:31:41.859
 we see

00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.500
 in Jesus

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.179
 someone who

00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.019
 would give

00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.919
 his own

00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:45.439
 life

00:31:45.439 --> 00:31:45.899
 who would

00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.699
 face

00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:47.559
 hell

00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:50.539
 so that

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:52.480
 all who

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:52.940
 would trust

00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.220
 in him

00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.879
 by faith

00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:55.879
 need not

00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:56.700
 face

00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.200
 judgment

00:31:57.200 --> 00:32:00.440
 we pray

00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.619
 that you

00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.159
 would help

00:32:02.159 --> 00:32:02.679
 us to

00:32:02.679 --> 00:32:03.299
 honestly

00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.039
 wrestle

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:05.559
 with

00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:08.099
 the feelings

00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.480
 that we

00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.980
 have

00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:10.139
 but also

00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:11.279
 to think

00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.679
 about

00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:13.960
 what the

00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.259
 Bible

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.960
 teaches

00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:16.680
 that you

00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.140
 would give

00:32:17.140 --> 00:32:17.620
 us that

00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:18.720
 sense of

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:20.400
 urgency

00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.920
 that you

00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.340
 would help

00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:23.200
 us to see

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:24.620
 our eternal

00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.500
 destiny

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:27.279
 hinges on

00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:29.440
 how we

00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.299
 respond

00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.660
 to the

00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.039
 loving

00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:33.299
 invitation

00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.400
 and the

00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:34.720
 loving

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.380
 warning

00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:36.720
 of Jesus

00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:40.000
 we

00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:40.660
 ask

00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.360
 that you

00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:41.839
 would help

00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:42.160
 us

00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:43.240
 and guide

00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.559
 us

00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.920
 amen

00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:47.000
 to

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.000
 you