WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:05.580 Starting at verse 13. Let's hear God's Word. 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:15.040 And we also thank God continually because when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:24.539 you accepted it not as the Word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 00:00:24.539 --> 00:00:31.660 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:37.420 You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:42.700 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:51.840 They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:56.020 In this way, they always heap up their sins to the limit. 00:00:56.980 --> 00:00:59.760 The wrath of God has come upon them at last. 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:03.280 Okay, Tom is going to come. 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:05.300 Before he does, I'm going to pray for him. 00:01:05.540 --> 00:01:06.719 Well, no, he's going to come up. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:08.800 And before we listen to him, we're going to pray. 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:17.879 Yeah, so this is Tom, Tom Campbell, who's been around before. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:19.379 Nice to have you back, Tom. 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:21.159 Nice to have you too, Grace. 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:27.719 And as you pray for Tom, remember Alex, who will be preaching next week following on. 00:01:27.820 --> 00:01:28.960 So let's pray. 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:40.620 Our Father God, we thank you so much again for the people that you gift and enable to understand your word 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:43.760 and to teach it corporately like this. 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:47.640 We thank you, Father, for Tom. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:51.480 We thank you for the help that you have given him in this past week. 00:01:51.540 --> 00:01:56.880 And we pray afresh that you would pour out your spirit upon him and upon us, 00:01:56.880 --> 00:02:03.920 that we may hear the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it actually is. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:08.879 The word of God that is at work among us. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:18.620 So we pray, work in us and change us and transform us to be the people and the church that you call us to be. 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:20.500 In Jesus' name. 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:21.740 Amen. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:21.860 Amen. 00:02:23.379 --> 00:02:23.819 Thanks. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:30.199 Good morning, everyone. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:37.960 Now, I've been given a flicker, so if you're sleeping, I can zap you in the eyes. 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:38.960 Okay. 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:46.300 It's great to be back. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:50.680 So we're really happy to be here again and see lots of familiar faces. 00:02:52.540 --> 00:02:59.159 I'm just going to read the passage one more time, and then I'm going to pray and then get stuck in. 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:05.159 And we also thank God continually, because when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:10.960 you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:17.099 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus. 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:21.840 You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:25.979 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. 00:03:25.979 --> 00:03:33.780 They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. 00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:37.679 In this way, they always heap up their sins to the limit. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:40.339 The wrath of God has come upon them at last. 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:45.639 Father, please help me now to speak your word, not my words. 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:46.959 Help us to listen. 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:51.239 Send your spirit so that we can learn about you now. 00:03:51.679 --> 00:03:51.979 Amen. 00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:58.139 Okay, so just a quick update on what we're doing. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:00.039 We're living in Middleton still. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:08.719 Grace has finished her year studying to be a teacher, which she has finished, and she's now the best teacher. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:13.639 She got awesome results in her exams, which you can ask her about. 00:04:13.699 --> 00:04:14.500 She doesn't like when I say. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:18.519 I have now moved jobs. 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:23.139 I am now working for Amazon from home. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:26.240 So the Amazon website, not the jungle. 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:34.220 So I haven't been here in a while, but in our year of marriage, we've learned a lot. 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:35.600 It's been a great year. 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:37.399 We've really, really enjoyed it. 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:40.739 So, yeah, we're doing really well. 00:04:42.179 --> 00:04:48.519 The title that I've given us today, Great Expectations, I guess with the idea that in life we all have expectations. 00:04:48.859 --> 00:04:54.439 We all have ideas of what life's going to be like, what we're going to be doing, where we'll end up. 00:04:55.179 --> 00:04:59.439 And I had great expectations for the Irish soccer team. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:06.600 I was there with my Irish scarf and my Paddy Zela that Gracie bought me. 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:09.139 Vuvuzela, except an Irish version. 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:12.660 Two minutes in, 1-0 down. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:18.279 Against Croatia, it only took two minutes for my expectations to be dashed. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:21.240 So expectations don't always go as planned. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:29.819 And we can see here a group of people that we can learn a lot about, who may have had certain expectations. 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:35.139 And people may ask, what will life be like as Christians? 00:05:35.900 --> 00:05:38.379 But we have the security to know that God tells us. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:42.920 So from these few verses, there's just a few points that I can take. 00:05:43.620 --> 00:05:47.960 The first one we can see in verse 13, that there's good news from God. 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:55.839 And we also thank God continually because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, 00:05:56.299 --> 00:06:00.899 you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, 00:06:01.479 --> 00:06:03.299 which is indeed at work in you who believe. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:06.620 And that word of God is the gospel. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:11.439 These people in Thessalonica were told about Jesus. 00:06:11.919 --> 00:06:15.639 Told about the good news that Jesus died for them. 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:19.479 Because of the wrong that they'd done, Jesus had to die. 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:23.779 So that good news that they could be with Jesus was told to them. 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:28.039 That in verse 10 in chapter 1, we've already seen in earlier weeks, 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:32.099 Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath. 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:33.139 They were rescued. 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:35.199 And that was the good news that they were told. 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:38.199 And we can see that this message is from God. 00:06:38.479 --> 00:06:39.659 It's not a man-made story. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:40.920 It's real. 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:42.600 And it's serious. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:44.660 Because it's from the creator of... 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:45.980 Sorry. 00:06:46.340 --> 00:06:50.560 From the creator of the whole world sends us this good news. 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:53.120 So this is why people stuck by it. 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:56.260 Because they knew it was good news and it was from God. 00:06:57.320 --> 00:07:01.840 So would we choose to stick by something if we knew it was false? 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:09.279 Would we stick by something in the midst of severe suffering if it wasn't real? 00:07:09.679 --> 00:07:14.899 So this is just a great proof that even though these people suffered, it was real. 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:15.560 It was from God. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:16.839 They really believed it. 00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:19.979 So they received the gospel. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:24.640 The next part, God's amazing strategy. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:31.900 We can see that even though it was Paul, Silas and Timothy, or as I might refer to them as Paul and Co, 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:35.220 they told them the gospel. 00:07:35.700 --> 00:07:37.800 It wasn't God who audibly said it to them. 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:40.220 It was men who said God's word to them. 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:43.819 I think this is amazing that God uses people like us. 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:47.980 He gave them a job to do to deliver his message. 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:50.360 And I think that's a good illustration. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:52.920 It's like, back to Euro 2012. 00:07:53.640 --> 00:07:54.939 I won't get over it for a little while. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:08:00.220 It's like Trapatoni coming to Caragalline, coming to St. Mary's, 00:08:01.640 --> 00:08:04.200 picking some of the junior infants from St. Mary's to say, 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:06.500 come with me, we're going to Poland and Ukraine. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:08.600 We're going to beat the Spanish. 00:08:10.540 --> 00:08:17.900 So it's like somebody taking seemingly useless, incapable people to do a job. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.240 And that's what God has done. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:26.420 It's his message, but he takes people who are seemingly useless to do his job. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:27.860 And we have that same mission. 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:29.600 So it's an amazing responsibility. 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:34.940 And just in 2 Corinthians, it sums this up well, 00:08:35.300 --> 00:08:37.580 that we're given this ministry of what's called reconciliation, 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.399 bringing people back to God. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:41.139 So I'll just read it. 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:41.860 You don't have to look it up. 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:42.860 From verse 18. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:47.360 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:49.360 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:52.720 That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:55.120 not counting people's sins against him. 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:59.539 And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:02.360 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:05.220 as though God were making his appeal through us. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:09.000 We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:11.480 So we are his ministers. 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:14.519 We are to tell this amazing good news. 00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:16.700 And that's amazing that that's God's strategy. 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:23.560 So, something that I was really challenged by when I was looking at these verses 00:09:23.560 --> 00:09:26.940 was the fact that God's word works. 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:32.220 So I'm just going to read the end of verse 13 again. 00:09:33.420 --> 00:09:37.380 The word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 00:09:39.820 --> 00:09:43.500 Human words have the power to change and affect the way we live. 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:46.180 Right from when we were young, our teachers, 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:49.860 we would change what we do because of what they say. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:52.600 Our parents, our friends, peer pressure. 00:09:53.300 --> 00:09:55.560 So human words affect us. 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:59.759 So how much more can God's word affect the way that we live? 00:10:00.619 --> 00:10:03.619 We take man's word and women's word, 00:10:04.099 --> 00:10:05.279 when we're married maybe, 00:10:05.599 --> 00:10:06.739 sometimes more seriously. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:11.299 But how much more seriously should we take God's word? 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:13.139 He's the creator of all things. 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:19.439 We can see that God's word makes a visible difference in our own lives. 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:21.039 It actually changes us. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:22.759 It's at work. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:24.479 And that's an ongoing reality. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:27.860 I just want to flick quickly to Hebrews. 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:30.480 Again, all these different references. 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:32.200 I'm just going to read them out. 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.759 4 and verse 12. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.980 For the word of God is alive and active, 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:39.159 sharper than any double-edged sword. 00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:42.139 It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, 00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:43.440 joints and marrow. 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:46.159 It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:48.639 So God's word is living and active. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:49.740 It's not dead. 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:52.519 It actually works and changes people. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:55.539 It's an ongoing reality. 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:58.860 But what I was really challenged with was that we need to put it there. 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:02.679 So if we're not putting God's word there, 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:03.899 it's not going to do anything. 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:05.240 It can sit on our shelf. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.879 And from what I've heard, 00:11:08.060 --> 00:11:08.919 I've got an illustration. 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.060 When you're washing clothes, 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:13.440 I think you need to use washing powder. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.480 Grace says something like that. 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.980 When you put on a wash, 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.620 you have to put in detergent. 00:11:20.180 --> 00:11:21.820 If you just stick the clothes in, 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:22.899 no washing up powder, 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:25.240 they're going to come out stinking. 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:26.860 Nothing's going to get clean. 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.120 They're just going to be wet and smelly. 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:32.100 Would just a small pinch of it work? 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:32.840 No. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.419 You have to put in the right amount. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.679 And I thought that was a good example. 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:40.240 That if we're just even taking two minutes a day, 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:41.899 one minute a day, 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.279 quick, look at the Bible. 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:44.560 Oh, I feel great now. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:45.860 It's not going to work. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.399 And that really challenged me. 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:50.620 Because it is something that you have to put in the time 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:52.700 to be changed by God's word. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.879 So next time you're doing a wash, 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.360 you can think, 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:58.720 have I put in enough Bible today? 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.659 And then finally, 00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:05.560 just in relation to this good news from God, 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.639 is that we need to have faith. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.840 In verse 13, 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.220 the word of God, 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:16.960 which is indeed at work in you who believe. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:19.899 So God's good news is accepted by 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:23.019 and at work in those who believe in Jesus. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:24.200 We must trust in the Lord. 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:26.540 Trust in who he is, firstly, 00:12:27.040 --> 00:12:28.280 that he is who he says he is. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:29.920 In what he's done. 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:34.020 He sent Jesus to die for us. 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.640 And what he says, his promises. 00:12:36.140 --> 00:12:38.580 What we can expect when we live for him. 00:12:39.020 --> 00:12:40.520 We need to have faith in God's message. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.040 Just an easy way to think about that 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:46.200 is just taking him at his word. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:49.500 Sometimes believing or trusting or having faith 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:50.860 can be said so many times. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:53.840 But simply it's just taking him at his word. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.500 He'll do what he says. 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:57.420 So we should believe him. 00:12:57.660 --> 00:12:59.759 And that applies for all of the promises in the Bible. 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:02.280 Not just about how he'll save us, 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.420 but everything. 00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:04.580 How he'll look after us, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:05.780 provide for us. 00:13:06.140 --> 00:13:08.000 So we just need to trust in the Lord. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.679 Okay, so that's the first thing. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:12.279 There's good news from God. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:17.960 The next bit. 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.799 Suffering for his sake. 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:21.720 So I'm just going to read 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.500 the next couple of verses. 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:24.860 For you, brothers and sisters, 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:27.399 became imitators of God's churches in Judea, 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:29.080 which are in Christ Jesus. 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:31.139 You suffered from your own people 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:33.779 the same thing those churches suffered from the Jews, 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:36.360 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:38.259 and also drove us out. 00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:41.419 So we can see that the Thessalonians, 00:13:41.699 --> 00:13:42.459 the people here, 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:44.980 became imitators of Paul and co. 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.120 and of the Lord. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:49.379 In chapter 1, verse 6, 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.480 we already saw that. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.740 You became imitators of us 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.819 and of the Lord. 00:13:55.579 --> 00:13:57.399 For you welcomed the message 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:58.759 in the midst of severe suffering 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:01.759 with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:03.679 Excuse me. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.959 So they started out in suffering. 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.379 Their lives as Christians 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.459 started out in the midst of severe suffering. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.500 And then they became imitators 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.679 of the church in Judea. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:18.339 So as a people together, 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.500 they were like the church in Judea 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.600 who suffered from the Jews. 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.579 And because of this, 00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:25.819 like we've heard in previous weeks, 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.480 they became famous. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:30.199 Because they were like the Jewish churches, 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:31.879 they became famous. 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:33.059 Their faith was known 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:34.739 known all around that area. 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.739 So what did the Jews do? 00:14:37.359 --> 00:14:39.099 They drove Paul and co. 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:39.959 out of Thessalonica. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.339 The Jews started a riot. 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.639 They weren't happy 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.419 with what was going on. 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:46.959 The Jews had killed prophets 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:49.599 and killed Jesus ultimately. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.800 So this was serious suffering 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:53.139 that was going on. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:55.259 So they started out suffering, 00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:57.519 but they also continued in suffering. 00:14:58.560 --> 00:14:58.960 Why? 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.340 Because it was the truth 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.560 and they were convinced of it. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:03.799 They stood by it. 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.259 So they became imitators. 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:09.359 So we must become imitators. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:10.639 So what does that mean? 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:13.059 It might not seem very nice 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.439 from what I've just said, 00:15:14.859 --> 00:15:15.539 imitating them. 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:18.000 But suffering is something 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:20.339 that will be an effect 00:15:20.339 --> 00:15:21.179 if we are imitating. 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.159 It's part and parcel 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.399 of the Christian life. 00:15:23.479 --> 00:15:24.379 They go hand in hand, 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.539 suffering for Jesus. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.199 So there's kind of 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:29.379 three things here now 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:31.939 that I want to talk about 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:33.419 in relation to suffering. 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:35.360 Firstly, that we need 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.980 to be different. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.399 Suffering with joy 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.819 and then a reason 00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:40.879 so that others will notice. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.019 So we need to be different 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.879 from our society. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.179 As Christians, 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.799 and the way we live, 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.539 talk, 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.500 think, 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.459 we'll be different 00:15:51.459 --> 00:15:52.799 if we're living 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.839 according to God's way. 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.320 And we'll suffer 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:56.980 because of this. 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:58.840 And that might vary 00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.620 in different ways. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:01.320 But because we're not living 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.340 like everybody else, 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:05.040 we will suffer. 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:07.860 And I had a question, 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.420 I had a thought, 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:09.800 if we never suffer 00:16:09.800 --> 00:16:10.480 for our faith, 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.300 if we never experience 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:14.019 any sort of suffering, 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.240 persecution, 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.620 are we really different? 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:20.000 Are we really living 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.200 according to God's way? 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.860 And the slightly scary thing 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.980 is that Jesus actually told us 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.160 that we will suffer 00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:30.720 in John. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.160 I'm just going to read 00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:32.920 from John 15, 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.139 18 to 20. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.340 If the world hates you, 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:37.259 keep in mind 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.259 that it hated me first. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.980 If you belong to the world, 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.820 it would love you as its own. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.180 As it is, 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.379 you do not belong to the world, 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.720 but I have chosen you 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.340 out of the world. 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:49.240 That is why the world hates you. 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.340 Remember what I told you, 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:53.300 a servant is not greater 00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:53.980 than his master. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.480 If they persecuted me, 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.420 they will persecute you also. 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:01.420 So because we're following Jesus, 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.560 he was persecuted, 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.320 he was different, 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:05.220 he said radical things, 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.200 like Shane said, 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:06.960 outrageous. 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.539 Jesus said outrageous things 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.200 and he suffered. 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.759 We too are conveying 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.539 what Jesus says 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:15.200 and we too will suffer. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.980 But that suffering 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.799 can be with joy, 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.519 we can rejoice. 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:22.339 and this is something 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:23.460 that is hard 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.279 to get your head around. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:27.160 In chapter 1 of 1 Thessalonians, 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.759 verse 6, 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:29.660 I already read it, 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.859 that they accepted 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.059 the message 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:36.440 in the midst of severe suffering 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:38.139 with the joy given 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:39.019 by the Holy Spirit. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.700 Do you see that? 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.119 The joy was given by God. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.019 It was given by the Holy Spirit. 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.579 And now at times, 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.859 I think it will need 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:49.900 to be an active choice 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:52.580 that we need to trust 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.080 in the Lord. 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.120 So, 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:56.360 just as an example, 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.840 when we feel down 00:17:57.840 --> 00:17:59.240 or if we feel depressed 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.960 because of bleak circumstances 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.600 around us, 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.900 and it always happens, 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.400 we may not feel like rejoicing, 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.480 we may not be happy at all. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.360 Unemployment, 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.580 illness, 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.840 loss of a loved one, 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.500 not knowing how we're going 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.259 to pay the next bill. 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.799 All these things 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.319 are realities 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:17.039 that bring us down, 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.160 make us sad. 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.379 But what gets us through 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.519 is an active choice 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:21.879 knowing 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:23.140 that we can cling 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:24.059 to our salvation 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.460 by faith. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.400 There's nothing else 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:26.819 we need to do. 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.740 That's all we need. 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.779 I think that's put well 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.660 in 1 Peter. 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.359 I'm just going to flick to it quickly. 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:34.839 I'm flicking around a lot. 00:18:36.179 --> 00:18:37.379 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.979 And it says, 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:44.120 In all this you greatly rejoice, 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.779 though now for a little while 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.559 you may have had to suffer grief 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.880 in all kinds of trials. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.980 These have come 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.259 so that the proven genuineness 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:52.860 of your faith, 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:54.620 of greater worth than gold, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.380 which perishes, 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.839 even though refined by fire, 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.740 may result in praise, 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.740 glory, and honor 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.500 when Jesus Christ is revealed. 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:04.779 Though you have not seen him, 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.759 you love him. 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.620 And even though you do not see him now, 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.799 you believe in him 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.420 and are filled 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.680 with an inexpressible 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.860 and glorious joy 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.379 Why? 00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:16.179 For you are receiving 00:19:16.179 --> 00:19:17.740 the end result of your faith, 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.000 the salvation of your souls. 00:19:20.979 --> 00:19:22.240 So that's the root 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.019 of our joy, 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.079 our inexpressible 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.399 and glorious joy 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:26.659 when we're depressed 00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:28.240 and down. 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.979 We can rejoice 00:19:29.979 --> 00:19:31.839 because that's all we need 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:33.959 is salvation by faith. 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.539 And finally, 00:19:35.959 --> 00:19:36.639 in this point, 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:37.979 we need to be different, 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.919 joyful suffering, 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:41.639 and so the others will notice. 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.099 Simply, 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.059 as we suffer, 00:19:43.479 --> 00:19:44.039 people will see 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.179 we're standing up for something 00:19:45.179 --> 00:19:46.619 so that others too 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.439 will come to believe. 00:19:50.979 --> 00:19:51.379 So, 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.359 the next thing, 00:19:52.439 --> 00:19:53.159 how will we suffer? 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.439 I was thinking more 00:19:55.439 --> 00:19:56.119 in maybe how 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.139 this will get worked out, 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.319 but firstly, 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.319 I want to remind us 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.099 that it's joyfully 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:01.219 we will go through this. 00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:02.619 Rejoicing. 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:04.719 And there's different ways 00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:05.439 that we may suffer. 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:07.039 Here in Ireland, 00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:08.679 we're in a very safe society. 00:20:10.239 --> 00:20:10.639 Yes, 00:20:10.699 --> 00:20:11.239 people might have 00:20:11.239 --> 00:20:11.839 their own opinions 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.379 and views, 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:14.159 so we might experience 00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:14.819 ridicule, 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.399 exclusion 00:20:16.399 --> 00:20:17.839 from families 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.399 or friends, 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.339 laughing, 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:20.859 verbal abuse, 00:20:21.739 --> 00:20:22.199 embarrassment, 00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:23.819 losing status 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.539 in society, 00:20:25.419 --> 00:20:26.479 maybe even losing a job. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:28.160 Maybe you stand up 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.559 for something 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.519 that you think is right 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:31.120 and that results in 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:32.319 there's no longer 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.039 a job for you. 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:36.099 Depending on where we are 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.380 in the world, 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.539 this could become physical. 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.440 Physical beating, 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.779 imprisonment, 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.759 perhaps even death. 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.660 This is something 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.779 that the Thessalonians 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.380 were experiencing 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.779 when they were together. 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.299 Thankfully, 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.640 we don't here today, 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.560 but who knows 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:53.259 where we'll end up. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.180 But even then, 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.800 I think it's amazing 00:20:56.800 --> 00:20:58.240 in Acts. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:00.660 I can't remember 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.420 the two of the disciples, 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.640 but they were 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:04.080 flogged 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:05.259 for preaching 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.759 the gospel. 00:21:06.800 --> 00:21:07.620 And then when they left, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.340 when they were released, 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:09.680 they counted it 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:11.180 as joy 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.800 because they were 00:21:11.800 --> 00:21:12.560 considered worthy 00:21:12.560 --> 00:21:13.440 of suffering. 00:21:13.540 --> 00:21:14.320 I think that's amazing. 00:21:15.320 --> 00:21:16.460 Can we count it 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:16.860 as joy 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.480 when we suffer? 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.420 Because when we 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.140 suffer for Jesus, 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.140 we know 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:21.620 we're doing the right thing. 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:25.480 And lastly, 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.800 suffering for his sake, 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.620 why will we suffer? 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:30.380 Like I said, 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.280 because we're different. 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.440 Our lives 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:33.900 and actions 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:34.480 and words 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.720 will actually challenge 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.600 people's motives, 00:21:38.300 --> 00:21:38.960 people's hearts, 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.000 their world views, 00:21:41.020 --> 00:21:42.020 and people don't like this. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.440 And again, 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:44.280 depending on how 00:21:44.280 --> 00:21:45.920 extreme it will be, 00:21:46.560 --> 00:21:47.440 you might get a joke, 00:21:47.540 --> 00:21:48.220 you might get a laugh, 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.860 you might get a, 00:21:49.540 --> 00:21:50.460 you might be excluded. 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:52.100 But because we're 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.420 challenging people's views, 00:21:54.100 --> 00:21:54.900 generally, 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.860 people don't like this. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.860 So because we're different, 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:01.180 we suffer 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:02.340 because it actually 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.180 strengthens us 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.860 as believers. 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.680 By standing firm 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.299 through suffering, 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:07.160 we grow. 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:10.340 in James, 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:13.640 chapter 1, 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.340 it says, 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:20.339 consider it pure joy, 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.339 my brothers and sisters, 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.559 whenever you face trials 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.279 of many kinds, 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.419 because you know 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:25.639 that the testing of your faith 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:27.259 produces perseverance. 00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:30.259 Let perseverance finish its work 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.539 so that you may be mature 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.079 and complete, 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.480 not lacking anything. 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.799 So God uses suffering 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.140 to grow us, 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.160 to be more like him. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:42.120 And another point, 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.779 why we suffer, 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.059 we actually validate 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:45.259 God's message 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.180 through suffering. 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.299 When we stand firm, 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:50.420 we are declaring, 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.620 I believe this is true, 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.700 I think this is right, 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.579 through suffering. 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.660 And ultimately, 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:57.059 it brings glory to God. 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.420 We're making him known. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.799 Why do we suffer? 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:01.099 We're making God known 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:01.700 in this world. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.559 If we're suffering, 00:23:03.659 --> 00:23:04.319 we have to stand up 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.119 for what we believe in. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.419 And as I've said, 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.379 we can do it joyfully, 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:09.359 knowing that it's for God. 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:11.819 So that's suffering 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.480 for his sake. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.460 And finally, 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.819 the last point, 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:21.440 is we can know 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.500 that justice will be done. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.659 So I'm just going to read 00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.440 the last two verses 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:26.980 from 15b. 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.720 They displease God, 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.200 and are hostile to everyone 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.619 in their effort 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:34.899 to keep us from speaking 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:35.740 to the Gentiles 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:37.480 so that they may be saved. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.680 In this way, 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:41.139 they always heap up 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:42.119 their sins to the limit. 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:44.419 The wrath of God 00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:46.240 has come upon them at last. 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.119 So this point, 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.779 the idea that justice 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.419 will be done, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.220 that wrath, 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.539 God's wrath is coming. 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:58.119 And this made me think 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:58.680 that suffering 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.960 is made easier. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.639 In a tough situation, 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:06.559 the idea of an athlete, 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.700 the Olympics is coming up, 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.440 the training that they go through, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.379 years and years of training, 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:15.000 a doctor, 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.500 the years that they go through 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:19.740 to get qualified, 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:21.880 it's really tough. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.799 But when you think 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.559 of the end goal, 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.920 I'll make it, 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.720 I'll get to the Olympics, 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.700 I'll be a doctor. 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:29.200 It makes the process 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:29.980 more worthwhile. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.759 So for us, 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.660 looking to our ultimate goal, 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.640 like we've mentioned, 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:36.079 the salvation of our souls, 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.620 makes suffering easier. 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.620 We can know that, 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.700 from these verses, 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.940 that God will do what's right. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.599 He will bring justice 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.220 to the world. 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.940 So if we suffer injustice 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:48.200 or persecution 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.559 at the hands of people, 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.220 we don't need to get 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.779 our own back. 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.660 God will sort it out. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.660 So then, 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.880 something I was reading 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.500 the other day 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.180 with grace 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.960 is in Hebrews 10 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.620 and verse 30. 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.180 For we know him who said, 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.000 it is mine to avenge, 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:07.339 I will repay. 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.740 And again, 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.539 the Lord will judge his people. 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.559 So God is the one 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.860 who will sort it out. 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.660 We don't need to worry. 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.460 So if we suffer 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.160 at the hands of people, 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:17.480 we need to leave justice to him. 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.960 We don't need to worry. 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.440 And that takes a huge weight 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.980 off our shoulders. 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:21.559 We don't need to get 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.079 our own back. 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.839 I'm an awful one 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.799 for hating injustice. 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:26.120 I hated cheating 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.019 when I was at camps. 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.220 Couldn't stand it. 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:30.860 But when there's injustice 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.839 in the world, 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.779 in our own lives, 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.839 we can relax knowing 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:36.420 God will sort it out. 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.900 From these verses, 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:43.279 we can see that God's wrath 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.100 is coming. 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:46.240 Wrath isn't really a word 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.099 that's often used. 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:48.819 So what is it? 00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:51.559 It's God's righteous anger 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.419 against sin. 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.879 It's his anger 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:56.480 that is right. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:58.059 It should be there 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:59.079 against sin. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:03.720 There is an unstoppable force 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.399 coming. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:09.000 God isn't happy with sin. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.720 He's not happy with injustice. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:13.700 We watched a film recently 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.420 called Unstoppable. 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.880 It's not great. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.500 So if I ruin it, 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:17.900 don't worry. 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.980 It's about a train 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.579 that starts rolling 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:23.940 and they can't stop it. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.819 And the whole film 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.839 is about this train 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.460 that is unstoppable. 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:30.920 And I guess it made me think of this, 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.160 that this unstoppable force, 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.900 God's wrath, 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:34.480 there's nothing to stop it. 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:36.680 There was images in the film 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:38.279 where there were cars, 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.460 caravans parked 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.380 on the train lines 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:41.720 and the train 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.019 just plowed through them. 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.920 There was nothing 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.539 to stop it. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.839 They did stop the train 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.279 in the end. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.620 But there is no stopping 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.740 God's justice. 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.720 There's no stopping 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.339 God's wrath. 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.539 It is coming. 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:59.019 And I think the phrase here, 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.079 the way Paul says it, 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.220 the wrath of God 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:02.379 has come upon them at last. 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.859 My initial thought was that, 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.859 right, this is so certain, 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.339 he's actually said it 00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.119 in the past tense. 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.200 The wrath of God 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.519 has come upon them at last. 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.200 Whereas he, 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.980 God's wrath is still to come. 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.539 This actual verse 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.099 is a bit of an area of debate. 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:23.099 Possibly that the wrath 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.779 has already begun 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.500 to be fulfilled. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.879 Some people point 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:28.500 to different actual events 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.700 in history 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:32.039 as being God's wrath 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:33.000 as pointed to 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.599 from these verses. 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:35.200 But one thing is certain 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.559 and we can think about 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.259 those things later, 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:39.019 that God's wrath 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.259 is coming. 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.240 There will be a point 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.599 when everyone 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.420 will face the Lord. 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:46.200 And God's mercy 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:48.440 won't extend forever 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:50.279 to those who don't trust Jesus. 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:52.519 We know that we are safe 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.680 when we trust in Jesus. 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.060 But God, 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:56.120 like it says 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.920 in the Old Testament, 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.220 in Exodus, 00:27:58.840 --> 00:28:00.120 chapter 34, 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.920 he won't let the guilty 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.680 go unpunished. 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:07.320 And he passed in front of Moses 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:07.960 proclaiming, 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.980 the Lord, 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.000 the Lord, 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.579 the Lord, 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.819 the compassionate 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:12.000 and gracious God, 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.319 slow to anger, 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.900 abounding in love 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.740 and faithfulness, 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.420 maintaining love 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.940 to thousands 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.220 and forgiving wickedness, 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.400 rebellion and sin. 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:22.840 yet he does not leave 00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:23.840 the guilty unpunished. 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.720 He punishes the children 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.440 and their children 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:28.460 for the sin of their parents 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:30.540 to the third and fourth generation. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.920 So God is not a God 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:33.040 who stands by idly. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.960 Justice will be done. 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:38.640 So this idea 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.360 that God's wrath 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:39.779 is coming, 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:42.220 there's great news, 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.079 but there's sad news 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.120 with this point. 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.620 The great news is 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:48.180 from chapter 1 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.819 in verse 10, 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.720 we've been rescued. 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.079 Jesus, 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.640 who rescues us 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.500 from the coming wrath. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.819 Wrath is coming, 00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.519 but we're safe 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.500 if we trust. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.740 We have the joy 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.400 of knowing 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:02.779 that we have 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.059 a never-ending future 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.640 to be spent with Jesus 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:07.440 in a perfect world. 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.019 So even though 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.779 this wrath is coming, 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.220 we're safe. 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.599 He's rescued us. 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.640 But the sad news 00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.819 is that some people 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.440 aren't safe, 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.039 those who don't trust 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.500 in Jesus. 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:21.200 They will have to face up 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.980 to that unstoppable force 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.880 that is coming, 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.759 that is God's wrath, 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.500 his anger. 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:28.619 So our job 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:29.940 is to tell people 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.220 the great news 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.799 that we have 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.440 so that others 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.880 won't have to face that. 00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:39.860 So in thinking 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.900 about great expectations, 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.500 we may have expectations 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.420 for our lives 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.360 as Christians, 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.960 for our lives 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.700 in what we might do 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.279 in business 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:48.460 with our friends, 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.480 for those who may be 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.980 Christians 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:53.140 a shorter time. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:53.900 Maybe we thought 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.500 it was going to be 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.700 all hunky-dory. 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.200 But let me tell you, 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.559 we may have 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.380 great expectations, 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:02.000 but in fact 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:03.160 there's a greater reality 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:05.779 that we are living for God 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.960 and we have an eternity 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.819 to spend with him. 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.380 And even in the midst 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:09.840 of suffering 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:10.600 we can have joy. 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:15.439 so I just want to leave 00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:16.059 a challenge. 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:18.219 Are you safe? 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.879 Is your trust 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.539 in Jesus, 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.980 in his life, 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.339 death, 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:23.399 and resurrection? 00:30:23.699 --> 00:30:24.279 If it is, 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.240 then yes, 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.799 you're safe. 00:30:26.459 --> 00:30:27.319 But if not, 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.459 then you may be 00:30:29.459 --> 00:30:30.019 in danger 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:32.179 of God's anger 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:33.059 for not living 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.919 as he wants you to. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:36.980 So like I said, 00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:40.400 great expectations 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.120 for our lives, 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.560 but the truth 00:30:42.560 --> 00:30:43.480 is it's better 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.140 than we can imagine 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:46.539 because we're living 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:46.980 for God 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.580 and we get to be 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:47.920 with him. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.480 Okay, 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.000 so let's pray. 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.080 Amen. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.200 Father, 00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:01.720 thank you 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:04.039 that you give us 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.640 your word. 00:31:05.880 --> 00:31:07.559 It's not a human message. 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.960 It's from you, 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.460 the creator 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.779 of the heavens 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.380 and the earth. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:14.019 You speak to us 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:15.460 and ultimately 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.920 that message 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.720 of salvation. 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:19.200 Thank you for that. 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.500 Thank you for that 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.120 good news 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:23.039 that you've given to us. 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.600 Lord, 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.259 please help us 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.799 to be people 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:29.380 who allow your word 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.440 to work in our lives. 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:33.360 help us 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.220 not to neglect it 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.680 and Lord, 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:37.460 we're sorry 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.160 for when we do. 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.620 Father, 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.160 I pray that you 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.620 would help us 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.200 to face 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.500 the reality 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:46.180 of suffering 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:46.960 in this life 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.500 with joy. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.319 Please give us 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:49.839 that joy 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.220 when it's not natural. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:53.180 We know it's from you 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:54.299 and we know 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:56.120 that you give it. 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:58.140 Please help us 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.360 through those times 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:01.279 where it isn't natural. 00:32:03.219 --> 00:32:04.139 Help us to stand 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:04.779 firm for you 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.299 no matter what 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:05.959 we may face. 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.539 Thank you that 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.559 justice will be done. 00:32:10.219 --> 00:32:11.139 We don't need to worry. 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.599 Help us to be prepared 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:17.439 for when that comes. 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.339 Thank you for 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.699 how we are safe 00:32:20.699 --> 00:32:21.579 when we trust in you. 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.319 Help us to tell others 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:26.779 how they can be safe too. 00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.319 Thank you Lord 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.379 for the wonderful reality 00:32:30.379 --> 00:32:31.939 that we have in store, 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:32.939 the wonderful future. 00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:35.019 Help us to cling to that 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:37.279 knowing that's all we need 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:39.259 no matter what's going on. 00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.899 Thank you for helping me. 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.460 Please help us to live 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.460 as you want us to today. 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:47.179 Amen. 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:47.279 Amen. 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.319 Amen. 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:47.379 Amen. 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:49.279 Amen. 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.379 Amen. 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:49.419 Amen. 00:32:54.319 --> 00:33:11.099 We're going to sing 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:11.819 in response 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:13.059 Be Thou My Vision 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:15.259 O Lord of My Heart 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:18.879 I guess there's a continuation 00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:19.799 on our prayer 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.480 that the Lord 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.339 would be our vision 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:22.139 for our life 00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:23.560 and for how 00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:24.700 we should live. 00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:25.820 Let's stand together 00:33:25.820 --> 00:33:27.300 as we sing.