WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.140 Well, it's been a sobering week, hasn't it, in world news, Australian news. 00:00:07.820 --> 00:00:10.980 Capped off with the sudden death of Shane Warne. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:16.280 Like I remember that ball that just landed outside off stump, 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:20.160 like almost off the crease and then came back and hit leg stump. 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:22.339 And some of you have no idea what I'm talking about, 00:00:22.339 --> 00:00:26.920 but it's almost impossible what he did. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.979 And death is awful, but when it comes as a shock, 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:36.240 it's just got that extra sting, doesn't it? 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:39.200 And people were paying tribute to him. 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:41.420 Daniel Andrews, you've probably heard. 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:47.719 They've already going to name a grandstand at the MCG in his honour. 00:00:51.460 --> 00:00:55.000 As he now stands before the Lord of heaven and earth, 00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:57.840 I wonder what the Lord will say about his life. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.659 More to the point this morning, 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:08.319 are you ready to stand before the Lord? 00:01:16.980 --> 00:01:19.000 God's word to us today in Romans 4 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:24.859 is going to give us a rock-solid place to stand 00:01:24.859 --> 00:01:28.500 so that you do not have to fear that day. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:31.799 In a sense, you can look forward to it. 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:38.700 Did you notice, as Romans 4 was being read, 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:43.319 how often the phrase counted, justify, occurred? 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:48.439 This passage is about justification. 00:01:49.479 --> 00:01:51.699 It pictures God as judge, 00:01:52.559 --> 00:01:57.479 and we either stand before him as innocent or guilty. 00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:00.159 That's what this passage is about. 00:02:02.119 --> 00:02:05.560 Either we're in right standing before God or we're not. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:14.840 To count is a word used for the Old Testament sacrifices. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:18.819 When the sacrifices offered, it was counted to the person. 00:02:20.420 --> 00:02:24.360 So the question is, what will God count to your life 00:02:24.360 --> 00:02:29.120 that will contribute to the final verdict of your life? 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:36.599 Because as God revealed his glory to Moses up on Mount Sinai, 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:40.640 one of the things that is part of God's glory is that he says this, 00:02:40.860 --> 00:02:43.840 he will by no means clear the guilty. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:46.599 He will not clear the guilty. 00:02:48.640 --> 00:02:51.099 And here's the scandal of Christianity. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:55.360 Verse 5 of chapter 4 has a shocking description of God. 00:02:55.360 --> 00:03:00.680 It says, God, him who justifies the ungodly. 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:05.400 How is that possible? 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:11.520 How is righteousness counted to an ungodly person? 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:15.480 And as we heard last week, the good news of the gospel, 00:03:15.640 --> 00:03:17.060 the scandal is resolved. 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:21.860 For God to be just and the justifier of the one with faith in Jesus 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:25.000 is that he himself bore the wrath. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:28.900 He absorbed it himself, setting us free. 00:03:31.440 --> 00:03:35.900 It's the one who does not work but believes in him 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:37.960 who justifies the ungodly. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:40.700 His faith is counted as righteousness. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:44.760 Does that sound right to you? 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:46.900 I know we're kind of used to hearing that 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:48.900 if you've grown up in evangelical churches, 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:53.100 but isn't that encouraging moral laziness? 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:54.979 We're talking about it at Bible study. 00:03:56.340 --> 00:03:58.180 The one who doesn't work, 00:03:58.419 --> 00:04:03.719 the one who just morally religious isn't working. 00:04:04.519 --> 00:04:07.959 It's not that person, but the person who believes. 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:13.500 Maybe if someone is on death row and they've got... 00:04:14.040 --> 00:04:16.000 Maybe God might lower the bar and go, 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:17.720 OK, there's nothing else you can do. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:19.800 You're about to be executed. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:21.460 But maybe I'll lower the bar. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:22.800 Just have faith in me. 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:25.420 We might think, OK, God's being generous. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:26.240 One last chance. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:28.040 But what about someone who's got... 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:31.439 Someone like Abraham, who's got a life full of good deeds? 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:36.399 Like, Jews saw him as the example of fulfilling the law, 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:39.360 of being obedient to God, walking in faith. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:44.319 Muslims looked to him as the father who surrendered to the will of God. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:44.980 What about him? 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:47.279 This passage seems to be saying, 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:51.819 nothing of good he did counts to his righteousness. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:55.720 Just his faith. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:05:02.220 Can it really only be by faith and faith alone 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:05.240 that someone is saved and counted righteous? 00:05:05.960 --> 00:05:07.620 We should really care about this question. 00:05:08.580 --> 00:05:10.460 We will stand before the Lord one day. 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:12.360 Your life depends on this. 00:05:16.880 --> 00:05:21.400 Can you be sure that it's faith that God wants from you? 00:05:22.040 --> 00:05:22.700 Faith alone. 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:28.620 Paul pauses in chapter 4 to help us understand what faith is 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:31.759 and help us to have confidence that faith alone 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:33.439 really is what God wants from us. 00:05:34.719 --> 00:05:36.659 And who better to look at than Abraham? 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:42.939 So Paul draws five main conclusions 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:45.240 that we're going to look at anyway 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:49.180 from one verse in the story of Abraham's life. 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:50.620 Genesis 15, verse 6. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:53.340 Abraham believed God 00:05:53.340 --> 00:05:57.300 and it was counted to him as righteousness. 00:05:58.840 --> 00:06:00.000 So the first thing, 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:02.560 as Marty helpfully brought out in the kids' talk, 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:06.180 the first thing Paul draws out of this verse 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:08.280 in verses 1 to 8 00:06:08.280 --> 00:06:09.920 is the principle. 00:06:10.899 --> 00:06:12.259 When God justifies a person, 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:13.980 he doesn't take into account anything 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:16.860 that person has done or ever will do. 00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:19.660 So Genesis 15, verse 6, 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:21.580 it is the first time the word believe 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:23.300 is used in the Bible 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:26.639 and it's connected to being counted as righteousness, 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:28.139 as righteous. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:33.360 Even Abraham had nothing to boast about in himself 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:38.080 because nothing, it wasn't his own making. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:40.699 The righteousness comes by faith. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:43.079 So the principle explains verse 4 and 5. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:45.399 Now the one who works, 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:47.279 his wages are not counted as a gift 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:49.199 but as his due. 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:51.899 So Marty's already brought this out 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:53.420 but I'm just going to throw another 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:55.319 small illustration out there. 00:06:55.599 --> 00:06:56.420 Imagine your dad, 00:06:56.919 --> 00:06:58.439 maybe back in the day, 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:00.379 asked you to wash his car, 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:01.819 he'll give you 20 bucks. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:03.180 All right? 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:04.159 Good deal. 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:06.900 But you've got to do it properly. 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:09.300 20 bucks, wash the car 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:11.120 and you finish washing the car, 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:12.900 you do your best job 00:07:12.900 --> 00:07:15.140 and later that night, 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:16.920 no 20 bucks. 00:07:17.460 --> 00:07:19.720 It just so happens to be your birthday the next day 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:22.140 and inside the birthday card, 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.140 lo and behold, 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:24.280 is 20 bucks 00:07:24.280 --> 00:07:24.780 and he goes, 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.560 happy birthday. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:29.400 Would you consider that a gift? 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:31.080 I wouldn't. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:32.879 Like, you owe me that, 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:33.640 where's my gift? 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:37.300 There is no gift. 00:07:37.760 --> 00:07:39.620 It's only what I'm rightly owed, 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:40.840 thank you very much, Dad. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:42.840 You agree to that. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:45.960 If a person was to do any work, 00:07:46.080 --> 00:07:47.040 religious or otherwise, 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:48.800 to earn their acceptance with God, 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.240 God owes you. 00:07:53.020 --> 00:07:53.900 You've earned it. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:55.560 It would be a payment, 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:57.200 not a gift. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.180 You'd have something to boast in. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.500 By the strength of my own flesh, 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:04.819 I did that. 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:05.980 You owe me. 00:08:11.100 --> 00:08:12.699 And we've already seen verse 5, 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:14.100 God's righteousness as a gift 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:16.620 comes simply by trusting God's promise. 00:08:17.339 --> 00:08:19.860 It wasn't after Abraham defeated his enemies 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:20.819 and rescued Lot. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:23.279 It wasn't when he was circumcised. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:25.519 It wasn't when he was obedient, 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:26.879 offering up Isaac. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.919 It was way before then 00:08:29.919 --> 00:08:33.100 that Abraham is counted as righteous, 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:36.220 simply by hearing God's promise and believing. 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:42.879 And Paul probably brings in David, 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:45.160 a psalm of David, 00:08:45.160 --> 00:08:48.220 to give a second witness from Scripture 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:51.000 to underscore the point that this really is 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:53.720 what God wants from us, 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:54.540 faith alone. 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:57.399 In fact, 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:59.459 it's crucial 00:08:59.459 --> 00:09:02.000 that he doesn't count what you do 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.699 towards your final verdict 00:09:03.699 --> 00:09:04.740 or you'd be stuffed. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:09.919 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:11.319 and whose sins are covered. 00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:14.439 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:16.259 will never count his sin. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:19.139 These are the words of David 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:22.059 who after the scandal with Bathsheba 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:23.840 and the murder of Uriah, 00:09:24.179 --> 00:09:25.159 there's a bigger scandal. 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:26.720 God says to him after that, 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:27.519 the law, 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:28.960 he should have died. 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:30.740 And he says, 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:31.819 you will not die. 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:33.659 There's the scandal. 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:34.939 There's a bigger scandal. 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:37.960 How can God say that to him? 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:45.819 The first reason we can be sure 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:47.379 God only wants faith 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:50.140 is that God will only relate to you 00:09:50.140 --> 00:09:51.520 on the basis of gift, 00:09:52.400 --> 00:09:54.560 not payment. 00:09:55.400 --> 00:09:57.100 God won't be in debt to anyone. 00:09:58.860 --> 00:09:59.680 From him, 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:00.740 through him, 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.400 to him are all things. 00:10:02.540 --> 00:10:03.860 What can you give to God 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:05.020 that he owes you? 00:10:07.520 --> 00:10:08.040 Zilch. 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:09.300 Nothing. 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:13.980 God owes you nothing 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.340 except judgment. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:20.160 Righteousness is a totally free gift. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.840 He doesn't count what you do 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:24.340 and thank God for that. 00:10:26.640 --> 00:10:28.600 He will only relate to you 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:29.800 on the basis 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:32.379 of his free gift, 00:10:32.520 --> 00:10:33.140 not payment. 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.720 So you can be sure 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:36.540 it's by faith. 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:38.580 The second reason we have 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:39.820 that we can be sure 00:10:39.820 --> 00:10:40.520 it's by faith 00:10:40.520 --> 00:10:42.180 is in verses 9 to 12 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:44.120 where the word circumcision 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:46.379 appears a bazillion times 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:48.279 and you might get lost in it 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.199 but I think the point 00:10:49.199 --> 00:10:49.959 is fairly clear. 00:10:52.099 --> 00:10:54.059 And there's an enormous 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:56.939 effect that this has. 00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:57.639 It's speaking, 00:10:57.839 --> 00:10:59.219 it's really important, 00:10:59.979 --> 00:11:00.819 this paragraph. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.120 It speaks to us 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:02.979 if we're not Jews. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:06.039 A Jewish person 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:08.539 would refer to circumcision 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.039 as a shorthand way 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.500 of saying 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.320 that they are 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:13.259 the children of the promise, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.420 they're the children of Abraham. 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.759 They live under God's law, 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.539 they're heirs of God's promise 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:19.279 of blessing, 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.420 of inheriting the world. 00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:24.439 But who are the descendants 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:25.000 of Abraham 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.639 who inherit this promise? 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:28.979 So Paul notes, 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.299 he argues from the fact 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.579 that Abraham is justified 00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:32.319 by faith, 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.799 the rabbis thought, 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:35.079 29 years 00:11:35.079 --> 00:11:35.919 before 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.179 he was circumcised. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:42.339 Way before he was circumcised, 00:11:42.959 --> 00:11:45.599 he was counted righteous. 00:11:46.959 --> 00:11:48.579 The Jews thought circumcision 00:11:48.579 --> 00:11:49.539 was a sign 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.419 that pointed forward 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:51.179 to the law. 00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:53.919 Whereas Paul says no, 00:11:54.079 --> 00:11:55.299 circumcision was a sign 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:56.259 that pointed back 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:57.539 to the righteousness 00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:58.860 he already had 00:11:58.860 --> 00:11:59.819 by faith. 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:03.279 So my wedding ring 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.919 signifies being married. 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.899 But putting on a ring 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.639 didn't make me married. 00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:09.799 It was the promises, 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:10.740 it was the covenant 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:11.799 that was entered into 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:12.679 through the promises. 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.919 The ring just symbolises it. 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:18.279 So, 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:19.439 Abraham 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:21.240 Abraham is the father 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.240 of all those 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:23.760 who follow in his footsteps 00:12:23.760 --> 00:12:25.780 in the faith 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:26.820 that he had. 00:12:27.300 --> 00:12:28.160 Whether Jews 00:12:28.160 --> 00:12:29.800 who had faith 00:12:29.800 --> 00:12:31.040 and they expressed that faith 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:32.040 by keeping the law, 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:34.660 but it was the faith 00:12:34.660 --> 00:12:35.340 that counted them 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:36.680 as descendants of Abraham. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.600 Or whether non-Jews 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:40.860 who just had the faith 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:41.480 of Abraham. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:43.580 That is who 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:45.400 is part of the spiritual family. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:47.279 That is who inherits 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:47.840 the promise. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:50.279 I think we can sometimes 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.279 think of the Old Testament 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:51.740 as like, 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.039 God set up the law, 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:53.899 okay, 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:54.840 obey the law 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:56.559 in order to be right 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:57.000 with me, 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.679 and that kind of failed. 00:12:59.319 --> 00:12:59.799 So, 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.360 let's try Jesus instead. 00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:03.559 Let's lower the bar 00:13:03.559 --> 00:13:04.019 to faith. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.360 That's not the story 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:05.799 of the Bible. 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:07.659 It has always been faith. 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:10.059 Abraham all the way through. 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:13.839 Being right with God 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:15.959 has always been by faith, 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:16.739 and that's why 00:13:16.739 --> 00:13:17.639 we can be sure 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.579 that faith 00:13:18.579 --> 00:13:19.459 is what God wants. 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:24.639 So, 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:25.399 what's the big deal 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.399 about being a child 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:26.879 of Abraham? 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:29.039 I've got the song 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:31.159 that Father Abraham 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:32.000 and many sons, 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:33.219 I don't know if you know it, 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:33.979 and then you do 00:13:33.979 --> 00:13:35.039 this weird kind of 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.000 dancing thing. 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.119 I think it's kind of ironic 00:13:37.119 --> 00:13:38.479 that you're so exhausted 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.960 by being a child 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:40.420 of Abraham 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:41.340 when the fact is 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.240 he wasn't justified 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:42.899 by works, 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:44.180 he's justified by faith. 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:44.800 But anyway, 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:45.620 that's beside the point. 00:13:46.060 --> 00:13:46.899 Who cares if you're 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:48.120 a son of Abraham or not? 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.519 Verse 11 is why 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:51.320 it is so important to you. 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.259 He received the sign 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.860 of circumcision 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.100 as a seal of righteousness 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:56.940 he had by faith 00:13:56.940 --> 00:13:58.120 while still uncircumcised. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.519 The purpose was 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.039 to make him 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:01.220 the father of all 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:03.000 who believe 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.320 without being circumcised 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:05.340 so that 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:07.200 righteousness 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:08.860 would be counted 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.800 to them 00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:10.440 as well. 00:14:12.400 --> 00:14:13.340 If you want 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:13.780 righteousness 00:14:13.780 --> 00:14:14.660 counted to you, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.040 you need to be 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:16.820 a child of Abraham 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:18.780 and walk 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:19.400 in the footsteps 00:14:19.400 --> 00:14:20.100 of his faith. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.280 God has always 00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:24.520 given his promise 00:14:24.520 --> 00:14:25.680 through faith. 00:14:28.420 --> 00:14:29.560 The third reason 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:30.200 you can be sure 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:31.379 God wants faith alone 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.300 to be right with him 00:14:32.300 --> 00:14:33.759 verses 13 to 16, 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.320 the promise 00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:35.180 didn't come 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:35.860 through the law. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:39.860 Jews thought 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.360 of Abraham 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.120 that it was 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.800 his obedience 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.700 that secured 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.800 the blessings 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:44.440 of God, 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.300 the blessings 00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:46.000 in the promise. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.600 So a child 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.040 of Abraham 00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:48.640 needs to keep 00:14:48.640 --> 00:14:49.060 the law 00:14:49.060 --> 00:14:49.700 like Abraham 00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:50.000 did. 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:51.940 But what would 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:52.860 happen if God's 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.900 promises came good 00:14:53.900 --> 00:14:55.180 by both believing 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.460 and keeping the law? 00:14:57.020 --> 00:14:58.220 Verse 14 tells us 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:58.820 what would happen. 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:01.320 If it is the adherence 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:01.900 of the law 00:15:01.900 --> 00:15:02.580 who would be 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.160 the heirs, 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.160 faith is null 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:06.019 and the promise 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.480 is void. 00:15:08.819 --> 00:15:09.659 So what's that saying? 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:11.539 Being void. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.339 That word is used 00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:15.439 in 1 Corinthians 15 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:16.059 verse 14. 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:18.799 Faith is in vain, 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:19.919 is void, 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:22.039 if Christ has not 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.879 been raised 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.600 from the dead. 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:25.939 It's basically saying 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:27.579 it won't come good. 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.759 It will fail 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:32.000 if it's based 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.720 on the law 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:34.059 as well as faith. 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.059 Why is that? 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.799 Verse 15. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.620 Because the law 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:41.419 can't give you 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:41.960 righteousness. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.419 What it can give you 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.100 is wrath. 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:49.039 The strange phrase 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.080 where there is no law 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.480 there is no transgression. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.159 Sometimes I'm 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:55.879 driving along 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.980 and I just don't know 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.200 that it's a 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:59.080 a school zone 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.140 and I'm going 00:16:00.140 --> 00:16:01.940 20km 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.100 over the limit. 00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:04.560 Now that's bad. 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.879 That's dangerous. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.980 But what's way worse 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:09.560 is if I see 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.700 those flashing signs 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:12.400 saying 40 00:16:12.400 --> 00:16:13.300 slow down 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.759 and I still 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.259 choose 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.160 to transgress 00:16:16.160 --> 00:16:18.120 and go 60. 00:16:18.520 --> 00:16:19.540 Isn't that worse? 00:16:20.520 --> 00:16:21.160 I think that's 00:16:21.160 --> 00:16:21.920 what's going on here. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.379 The law 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:23.940 can't 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.080 produce righteousness. 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:25.600 It says 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.580 here's what it is 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.220 to be righteous 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.420 and all Jews 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:29.460 have transgressed 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:29.960 that law 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:32.340 and so the wrath 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.639 is even greater. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.340 Here's the positive news. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.160 Verse 16. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.720 That is why 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.379 it depends 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.720 on faith 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:45.480 in order 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.220 that the promise 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.040 may rest 00:16:47.040 --> 00:16:47.639 on 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.120 grace 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:51.000 not works 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.259 and be 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.899 guaranteed 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.759 to all 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.300 his offspring. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:58.079 for the promise 00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:59.019 to take effect 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:00.500 if it required 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.240 your obedience 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.120 frankly 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.459 you would 00:17:03.459 --> 00:17:04.159 stuff it up. 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.119 It would fail. 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.099 I would 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.839 stuff it up. 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:10.039 But it doesn't 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.839 rest on 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.419 our obedience. 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:11.980 It rests 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.639 on his 00:17:12.639 --> 00:17:13.539 grace. 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.359 And if God 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:15.919 is committed 00:17:15.919 --> 00:17:16.879 to keeping 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:17.379 his promise 00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.220 it can't 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.759 fail. 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:19.539 It is 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:19.980 guaranteed. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:23.759 If God 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.420 is determined 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.240 to freely 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.920 give his 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.660 promise 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.799 the inheritance 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.779 is guaranteed 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.620 to each 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.059 person 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.720 who believes. 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.160 Righteousness 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.960 is by faith 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.319 alone 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.019 so it depends 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.480 on God's 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:36.980 grace 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.720 alone 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.480 and so 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.120 the promise 00:17:39.120 --> 00:17:40.380 is guaranteed. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.099 At this point 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:45.360 I think 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:46.220 Paul gives us 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.900 a picture 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.519 of what faith 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.720 is. 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.259 What is 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:48.720 the faith 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.200 of Abraham 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:49.519 then? 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.600 What is 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.220 this faith 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.180 we're to 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.600 share in? 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.799 I think 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.039 we get 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.880 three lovely 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.559 phrases 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.440 and we 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:56.759 get a 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.100 picture 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.240 of what 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.579 faith is. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.620 One of 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:02.920 the lovely 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.259 phrases 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.019 is verse 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.440 18. 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.059 In hope 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.460 Abraham 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.620 believed 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.740 against 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.940 hope. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.720 So we'll 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.120 come back 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.480 to that. 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.519 Then we've 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:14.839 got verse 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.579 21. 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:16.880 Fully 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.700 convinced 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.640 that God 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.180 was able 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.779 to do 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.279 what he 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.420 had 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:21.840 promised. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.680 So there's 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.400 two sides 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:25.420 to faith. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.120 There's what 00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:26.799 you don't 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.180 put your 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:27.700 faith in 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.819 and what 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.340 you do 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:29.740 put your 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.240 faith in. 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:31.900 When 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:32.319 Abraham 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.880 looked at 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.580 the evidence 00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:35.279 and just 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.880 used common 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.440 sense, 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.559 if you want 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:37.779 to use 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.440 common sense, 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.620 he saw 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.039 his own 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.100 body which 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:41.759 was as 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.460 good as 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:42.819 dead. 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.660 Sorry for 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.100 anyone who's 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:44.720 approaching 100. 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:46.440 being about 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.079 100 years 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.480 old, 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.900 how's he 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.100 going to 00:18:50.100 --> 00:18:50.519 produce an 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:50.660 heir? 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.240 How's 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.720 Sarah going 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.100 to produce 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:52.579 an heir 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.779 when she's 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:55.480 approaching 90? 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:56.579 The deadness 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:56.960 of her 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.299 womb. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:18:59.900 All he 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.299 could see 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:00.660 with his 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.360 eyes said 00:19:01.360 --> 00:19:01.799 that it 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.539 was not 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.360 possible to 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:03.660 have an 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:03.920 heir. 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.059 I think 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:07.640 maybe more 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.220 than just a 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.779 biological 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.680 impossibility, 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.039 I wonder 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.559 if they 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.380 consider 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.160 themselves under 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:13.580 the curse 00:19:13.580 --> 00:19:14.040 of God. 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.320 I'm not 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:16.540 sure. 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.900 So looking 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.440 at just 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.040 evidence and 00:19:20.040 --> 00:19:20.640 common sense, 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:21.580 there's no 00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:21.900 hope. 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:25.180 But when 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.600 you consider 00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:26.940 God staring 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.540 up into the 00:19:27.540 --> 00:19:28.180 night sky 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.600 that the 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.279 Lord created 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:29.900 all this 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.240 out of 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.540 nothing, 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.000 if the 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.440 Lord of 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:32.800 heaven and 00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:34.620 earth says 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.400 that something 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.660 is and 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.240 will be, 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:37.960 it's as 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.320 good as 00:19:38.320 --> 00:19:38.600 if it 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.420 all exists. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.660 this. 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.440 And here's 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.480 that third 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:45.300 description of 00:19:45.300 --> 00:19:45.800 faith, 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.519 verse 17. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.759 God who 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.500 gives life 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:49.860 to the 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:51.120 dead and 00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:51.980 calls into 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.920 existence the 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.300 things that 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:54.880 do not 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.380 exist. 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.580 That is the 00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:57.220 object of 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.800 our faith. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.440 The God 00:19:59.440 --> 00:19:59.759 who gives 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.259 life to 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.680 the dead 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.900 and calls 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.500 into existence 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:02.900 the things 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.160 that do 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.759 not exist. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:07.180 against all 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.359 hope in 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.119 human reason 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:09.619 and common 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.079 sense, 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.000 he looked 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.859 at who 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.440 God is, 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.980 what God 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.480 promised, 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.339 and he 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:15.740 took God 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.019 at his 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.359 word. 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:20.440 And so 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.879 Paul, 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.500 in verses 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.519 23 to 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:22.960 25, 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.460 he connects 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.079 it to all 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:24.779 Christian faith, 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.460 all Christians. 00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.539 Paul says 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.359 that what was 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.019 written about 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.400 Abraham wasn't 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:30.879 just written 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:31.440 for his sake, 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:31.940 it was written 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.660 for our sake 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.039 so that we 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.660 would hear it. 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.279 So that we 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.279 would know 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.839 for sure, 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.559 God is 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.140 speaking to 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:37.420 you and 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:37.680 me. 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.619 Jesus was 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.140 the one to 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.700 make good 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.259 the promises 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.819 to Abraham, 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.960 to bless all 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.599 the families 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:47.379 of the world. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.039 So Abraham 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.779 believed the 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.140 God who 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.579 promised, 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.460 we believe 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:51.859 the God 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.579 who fulfilled 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.299 that promise 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.220 in Jesus 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.759 Christ, 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.180 to bless 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.680 the world. 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.640 To believe 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.339 the promise 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.180 in the gospel 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.019 is the same 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.700 faith as 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.420 Abraham's. 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.940 It requires 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.319 you to 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:06.339 believe that 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.220 God brings 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.220 life out 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.720 of death, 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:11.740 that God 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.559 will justify 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.599 the ungodly, 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.240 those who 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.279 deserve death 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.619 are given 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.079 life, 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.200 that it is 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.839 all God's 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.140 doing, 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.279 trusting that 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.240 God took the 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:23.640 initiative, 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.279 it is what 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.140 he does that 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:25.480 matters, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.339 that he 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.500 offered up, 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.339 delivered up 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.480 his only son 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.500 for our 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.200 trespasses, 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:32.680 to never 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.539 count what 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.000 we do 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.700 against us, 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.000 and then 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.620 raised him 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:36.920 for our 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.599 justification. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.420 The resurrection 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.740 declares loudly 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.299 to the whole 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.779 world that 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:44.140 Jesus is 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:44.680 right with 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.019 God, 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:45.819 he is 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.160 righteous. 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.200 If you want 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.680 to be righteous, 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.880 you need to be 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.539 bound up in 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:49.799 him, 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.279 and the way 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.880 to do that 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:53.220 is faith, 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:55.120 faith alone. 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.880 If you want 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.380 to be right 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:58.880 with God 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.500 as Jesus 00:21:59.500 --> 00:21:59.819 is, 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.519 you need 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:01.900 to be 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.660 attached to 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:02.900 Jesus, 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.299 you need 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.819 to be 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.600 hidden in 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:04.920 Jesus. 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.160 So how 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.500 can we be 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:08.880 sure that 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.259 faith is 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.600 what God 00:22:09.600 --> 00:22:09.980 wants? 00:22:10.620 --> 00:22:10.960 As we 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.259 look at 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.740 Abraham, 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.559 because he 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.220 doesn't count 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.860 against us 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.400 the sin we 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:15.680 do, 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.640 he only 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.019 will give 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.539 us righteousness 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.180 as a free 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.480 gift. 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.400 It's always 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.220 been by faith 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.980 through all 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.420 history, 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.680 and the 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.220 promise is 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:25.819 guaranteed, 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.500 it can't 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.099 fail because 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.539 it doesn't 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.819 depend on 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.460 obedience, 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.200 it depends 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:30.539 on his 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:30.960 grace. 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.680 So I'd 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:35.940 like to 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.539 ask two 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.059 questions, 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:40.000 in case 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.299 there's a 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:40.880 few barriers 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.200 in your 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.539 mind, 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.740 having heard 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.120 all this. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.200 Perhaps 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.660 the most 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:45.920 looming 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.519 question is 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.120 how do 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:47.500 I have 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.059 faith then? 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.559 How do 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:49.860 I have 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:49.980 it? 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.880 I think 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.120 at this 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.339 point, 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.359 our 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:53.899 language 00:22:53.899 --> 00:22:54.519 in 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:54.919 Christian 00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.359 circles 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.039 isn't 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.019 all too 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.339 helpful 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:57.740 when we 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.019 say 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.059 making a 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.559 decision 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.119 to 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:00.419 follow 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:00.959 Christ. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.839 Your 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.480 willpower 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.299 doesn't 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:04.779 produce 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.759 faith. 00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:07.919 You 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:08.339 can't 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.740 muster 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.079 it up. 00:23:10.919 --> 00:23:11.459 Even 00:23:11.459 --> 00:23:12.079 faith is 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.539 a gift 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.659 of God. 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.339 If you 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.000 think of 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.759 Abraham 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.439 when he 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:17.799 heard the 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.099 promise, 00:23:18.199 --> 00:23:18.579 if you're 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.339 watching him, 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.939 the moment 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:21.699 God 00:23:21.699 --> 00:23:22.240 declared him 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.599 righteous, 00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:23.879 what would 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:24.179 you see 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:24.579 him do 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.119 to express 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.500 faith? 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.799 He's just 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.240 staring up 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:28.559 into the 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:28.859 sky. 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.359 You 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.319 wouldn't see 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:32.599 anything. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.279 God saw 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.859 his heart. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.539 What 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.159 produced the 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:37.179 faith is 00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:37.439 what I'm 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:37.839 getting at. 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:38.599 Did he do 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:38.879 anything? 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.519 All we 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.019 would hear 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:43.099 is God's 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.500 word to 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:43.699 him, 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.839 so shall 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.139 your 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:45.539 offspring 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.139 be. 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.939 It was 00:23:47.939 --> 00:23:48.740 those words 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.480 that produced 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.079 the faith 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.439 in Abraham. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.720 So I'm 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.459 indebted to 00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:56.919 the ex-principal 00:23:56.919 --> 00:23:57.220 at Moore 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.639 College, 00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:58.879 John Woodhouse, 00:23:58.919 --> 00:23:59.279 who spoke 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.539 at our 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:01.659 camp just 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:02.299 before COVID, 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:02.659 wasn't it? 00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:02.980 I can't 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.740 believe COVID 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.059 has been 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.659 wrapped around 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.339 with church 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.699 camp, 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.240 either side. 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.619 Just a 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.119 gift of 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.519 God to 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:09.720 us. 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.299 He's 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.579 helped 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:13.879 me, 00:24:15.399 --> 00:24:16.240 he's 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.799 clarified in 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.220 my mind 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.579 at least, 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.539 where faith 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.119 comes from. 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.699 So here's 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:21.899 what he 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.079 says. 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:23.379 Where there 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:23.839 is the 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.259 word of 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.460 God and 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.220 faith in 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.240 God because 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.819 of that 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.119 word, 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.639 there is 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.720 the totality 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.000 of 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.539 Christianity. 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.419 That is 00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:34.099 Christianity. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.000 The 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.559 Christian life 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.259 of faith in 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.000 both Old 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.319 and New 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:38.839 Testaments 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.619 and in 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.359 the experience 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:40.980 of believers 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.839 down the 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.539 centuries and 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.199 across the 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:43.559 world, 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.699 is brought 00:24:44.699 --> 00:24:45.460 into being 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:47.079 and nourished 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:48.199 and brought 00:24:48.199 --> 00:24:48.899 to maturity 00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:51.159 by God's 00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:52.059 word. 00:24:54.699 --> 00:24:55.419 I just 00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:55.740 find that 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.139 incredibly 00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:56.439 helpful. 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.419 You don't 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:57.839 produce the 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.480 faith, it's 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.099 the word of 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.539 God that 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.319 produces faith 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.279 in you. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.639 Faith is 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.419 hearing and 00:25:03.419 --> 00:25:04.299 receiving what 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.819 God says. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.299 You can do 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:07.639 lots of 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:07.759 things. 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.079 You can 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.559 immerse 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.240 yourself in 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.559 God's 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:09.919 word, you 00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:10.579 can surround 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.299 yourself with 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.980 God's people 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.519 so that you're 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.199 hearing God's 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.240 word, you 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:16.880 can think 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.759 critically about 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.759 what society 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.680 says life is 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.080 all about. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.480 You can do 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:20.799 all those 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.360 things but 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.580 it's the 00:25:22.580 --> 00:25:22.920 word of 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.120 God itself 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.779 that produces 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:26.180 the faith. 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:29.960 So it 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.660 calls us to 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.360 humbly and 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:33.539 sincerely engage 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.299 with God and 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:34.740 take him in 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.120 his word. 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:37.119 God's 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:38.119 word. 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:39.039 God's 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.119 word. 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.599 God's 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.159 God's 00:25:40.159 --> 00:25:40.179 word. 00:25:40.179 --> 00:25:40.259 Maybe you're 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:42.979 feeling overwhelmed 00:25:42.979 --> 00:25:43.919 by the lack of 00:25:43.919 --> 00:25:44.500 evidence of 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.059 faith in your 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.359 life. 00:25:45.459 --> 00:25:46.239 You look at all 00:25:46.239 --> 00:25:46.779 the evidence, 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.579 the mountain of 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.500 sin just in the 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.179 past week, 00:25:51.699 --> 00:25:53.000 your failings, 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.299 the doubts and 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.179 fears that are 00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:56.119 raging in your 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.939 mind and heart, 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:59.599 maybe the apathy, 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:02.759 the sufferings 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:04.659 you experience 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:06.139 and is God 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.879 judging me? 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.659 You consider your 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.519 impending death, 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:11.199 like I don't know 00:26:11.199 --> 00:26:11.959 what it is for you. 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:14.240 you look at the 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.960 evidence and you 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.400 might be going, 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:17.340 I'm not sure 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:18.160 faith is there. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.940 But it's 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:23.340 against all 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.840 hope. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.740 Will you 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:27.360 hope in 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:27.960 the God who 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:28.720 gives life to 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.100 the dead? 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.140 Here's how 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.740 John Calvin 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.960 put it. 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.579 Let us also 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.279 remember that the 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.460 condition of us 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.700 all is the same 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.140 with that of 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.539 Abraham. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.960 All things 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.759 around us are 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.579 in opposition 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.799 to the promises 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.240 of God. 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.119 He promises 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:46.119 immortality. 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.500 We are surrounded 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.440 by mortality 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.160 and corruption. 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.519 He declares 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.240 that he counts 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.980 us just. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.799 We are covered 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.440 with sins. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.000 He testifies 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.619 that he is 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.619 kind to us. 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.000 Outward judgments 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.019 threaten his 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.400 wrath. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.099 What then is 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.559 to be done? 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.099 We must with 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.099 closed eyes 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.160 pass by 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:07.759 ourselves 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.480 and all 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.160 things connected 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.660 to us 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:11.019 that nothing 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.660 may hinder 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.140 or prevent 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.519 us from 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:12.960 believing 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.759 that God 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.720 is 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.820 true. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.080 Against 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:20.620 all the 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.080 evidence of 00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:21.560 your life 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.180 do you 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.960 look away 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.700 from yourself 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:25.500 look at what 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.240 Jesus has done 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.080 for you 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:28.340 and take God 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:28.900 at his word 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.680 when he says 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:31.100 justify 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.360 you are 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:33.300 justified 00:27:33.300 --> 00:27:34.440 you are at 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:34.900 peace 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.640 with me 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:39.420 I give 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:39.820 you no 00:27:39.820 --> 00:27:40.259 wrath 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.360 only grace 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:43.259 when you 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.560 look into 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:44.100 your future 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:45.940 all that's 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.160 in your 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:46.460 future 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:46.860 is the 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.140 hope 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.680 of glory 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:50.440 do we 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:50.960 take him 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.160 at his 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:51.500 word 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:53.100 against 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.759 all hope 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.520 in hope 00:27:54.520 --> 00:27:56.280 do we 00:27:56.280 --> 00:27:56.680 believe 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.380 his word 00:27:57.380 --> 00:28:01.960 some 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.300 might be 00:28:02.300 --> 00:28:02.560 fearing 00:28:02.560 --> 00:28:02.800 that you 00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:03.000 don't 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.240 have 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.880 enough 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.720 faith 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.500 to get 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:06.860 you over 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.380 the line 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:09.280 with 00:28:09.280 --> 00:28:09.680 Abraham 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.300 set up 00:28:10.300 --> 00:28:10.720 as the 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:10.980 model 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:11.520 of faith 00:28:11.520 --> 00:28:12.020 who didn't 00:28:12.020 --> 00:28:12.380 waver 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:12.700 no 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.440 unbelief 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.240 fully 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.860 convinced 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:18.020 yikes 00:28:18.020 --> 00:28:18.360 I'm not 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:18.620 sure I've 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.180 got enough 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.620 faith 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:21.040 that doesn't 00:28:21.040 --> 00:28:21.380 seem to 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.140 describe me 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:22.560 I'm 00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:23.300 inconsistent 00:28:23.300 --> 00:28:23.780 in my 00:28:23.780 --> 00:28:24.120 faith 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:25.039 the quality 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.339 of my 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:25.719 faith 00:28:25.719 --> 00:28:27.419 I don't 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:27.719 know 00:28:27.719 --> 00:28:29.199 but do you 00:28:29.199 --> 00:28:29.719 remember the 00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:30.219 story of 00:28:30.219 --> 00:28:30.559 Abraham 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.939 what follows 00:28:31.939 --> 00:28:32.899 chapter 15 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.919 after a 00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.500 decade or 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:34.719 so 00:28:34.719 --> 00:28:35.359 still no 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.679 son 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.559 what does 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:36.899 he do 00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:38.599 he sleeps 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.119 with his 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:40.319 maidservant 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:42.099 what an 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.399 idiot 00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:43.959 sorry 00:28:43.959 --> 00:28:46.039 he 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.099 takes 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:47.419 matters 00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:47.839 into his 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.039 own 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.459 hand 00:28:48.459 --> 00:28:50.739 trying to 00:28:50.739 --> 00:28:51.379 produce the 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:51.799 promise 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.359 by his 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.519 own 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:52.939 efforts 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:55.640 God 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.120 speaks to 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:56.240 him 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.600 again 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:56.960 when he's 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.200 almost 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.519 100 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:57.820 years 00:28:57.820 --> 00:28:58.160 old 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.360 in 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:58.580 chapter 00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:59.039 17 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.360 and 00:28:59.360 --> 00:28:59.700 this 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.039 time 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.200 he 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.340 is 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:00.460 a 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:00.700 promise 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:00.840 he 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.519 laughs 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:03.740 he 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:03.920 goes 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.620 come on 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:04.799 God 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.080 just 00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.900 fulfill 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.120 your 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:06.440 promise 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.700 through 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.200 Ishmael 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.500 through 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.000 my 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.380 efforts 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:10.880 it's 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.180 not 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.620 that 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:12.019 Abraham 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.440 never 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.080 doubted 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.700 or that 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:13.820 he 00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:14.259 always 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.580 lived 00:29:14.580 --> 00:29:14.759 in 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.000 light 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.100 of 00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:15.200 the 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.600 promise 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:17.240 I 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.420 think 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:17.559 a 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:17.940 commentator 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.259 put it 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.460 well 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.660 in 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:18.799 that 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.000 he 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.680 avoided 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.559 a 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.059 deep 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.799 seated 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.360 and 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.119 permanent 00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:24.399 attitude 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.019 of 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.559 distrust 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:27.419 he 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:27.719 grew 00:29:27.719 --> 00:29:28.279 strong 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:28.519 in 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:28.859 faith 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.139 over 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.779 time 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:31.039 he 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.219 had 00:29:31.219 --> 00:29:31.379 to 00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:32.039 learn 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.000 not 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.199 to 00:29:33.199 --> 00:29:33.359 put 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:33.759 confidence 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.119 in 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:34.479 himself 00:29:34.479 --> 00:29:35.839 that's 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:35.959 the 00:29:35.959 --> 00:29:36.279 Christian 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:36.679 walk 00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:36.979 that's 00:29:36.979 --> 00:29:37.119 the 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.359 walk 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:37.519 we're 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:37.699 all 00:29:37.699 --> 00:29:38.000 on 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.059 living 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.279 in 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:39.579 light 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:39.740 of 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:39.899 the 00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.439 promise 00:29:40.439 --> 00:29:42.799 that's 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.159 ours 00:29:43.159 --> 00:29:43.659 not 00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:43.859 in 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.059 light 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.159 of 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.259 the 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.699 evidence 00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:45.359 with 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:45.539 our 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.939 eyes 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.420 his 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.039 justification 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.840 occurred 00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:49.180 way 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.580 back 00:29:49.580 --> 00:29:49.980 remember 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.580 on 00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:51.759 that 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.259 starry 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.539 night 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:54.460 when 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:54.600 he 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:55.100 believed 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.519 God's 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:55.759 promise 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:55.940 to 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.140 him 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.460 in 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.640 that 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.019 moment 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.799 justification 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.259 was 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.700 sorted 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.279 he 00:29:59.279 --> 00:29:59.420 was 00:29:59.420 --> 00:29:59.640 right 00:29:59.640 --> 00:29:59.799 with 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.080 God 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:02.519 it's 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:02.700 not 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:02.900 the 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.380 strength 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.120 of 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.259 your 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.680 faith 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.340 that 00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:05.860 counts 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:08.039 it's 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.200 the 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.559 strength 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:08.799 of the 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.019 one 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.140 you 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.279 have 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.539 faith 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:09.799 in 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.400 that's 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.539 the 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:10.799 only 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.019 thing 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.160 that 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.519 matters 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:17.019 someone 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:20.240 used 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:20.379 the 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:20.839 illustration 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.139 and 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.440 I'm 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.559 just 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:21.660 going 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:21.740 to 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.000 steal 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.200 it 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:22.680 I 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:22.839 don't 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.019 know 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.299 who 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.400 to 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:23.720 attribute 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:23.960 this 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.099 to 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.299 but 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:26.200 if 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.299 you 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:26.619 imagine 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:26.799 the 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.160 Passover 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.599 in 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:27.980 Egypt 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.339 that 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:28.700 night 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.759 when 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.299 God 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.720 sent 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.740 the 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.039 death 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.279 of the 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:32.720 firstborn 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.059 son 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.960 over 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.539 if 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:34.639 you 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:34.940 imagine 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.139 that 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:35.460 night 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.240 and 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.599 you've 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:36.819 got 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.200 two 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.680 Israelite 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.079 families 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.599 and 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.319 they've 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:39.700 both 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.700 sacrificed 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:40.940 a 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.240 lamb 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.140 and 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:42.319 they've 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:42.680 painted 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.259 the 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.559 doorway 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:43.740 of 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:43.859 their 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.220 house 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.920 like 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.200 one 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.680 one 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:45.779 of 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:45.900 the 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.220 parents 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:46.480 might 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:46.559 have 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:46.700 been 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.140 sleeping 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:47.720 soundly 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:47.980 going 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.160 yeah 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.380 God 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:48.500 will 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:48.680 keep 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:48.799 his 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.000 promise 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.180 the 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.319 other 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:49.500 one 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:49.700 might 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:49.779 have 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:49.980 been 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.900 just 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.759 up 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.140 all 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:52.539 night 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.599 sweating 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:55.039 drops 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.579 I don't 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.059 know if 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.620 blood is 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.220 appropriate to 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.579 say but 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.319 absolutely 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:01.420 concerned 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.559 is an 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.140 understatement 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:03.599 that their 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.039 child is 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.279 going to 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.539 die 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.120 I'm 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:05.240 not 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.440 sure 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.620 if 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:05.960 anyone 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.180 got 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:06.440 much 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.680 sleep 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:06.859 that 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.120 night 00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:08.620 did 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:08.839 all 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.039 that 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.519 fear 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:11.160 count 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:13.060 it 00:31:13.060 --> 00:31:13.300 didn't 00:31:13.300 --> 00:31:13.580 matter 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:14.779 that 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.200 doubt 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.980 if there 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.240 was any 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.460 doubt 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.400 that doesn't 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:17.820 count 00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:19.160 what counted 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.820 was they took 00:31:19.820 --> 00:31:20.400 God at his 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:20.740 word 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.620 and the 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:22.220 sacrifice 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.860 the blood 00:31:22.860 --> 00:31:24.279 that's what 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.680 counted 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:27.160 they took 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.500 him in his 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:27.820 word 00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:29.860 so the 00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.279 question for 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.740 us is 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.120 is the 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.600 blood of 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:31.860 Jesus 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.500 your only 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:32.820 hope 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:33.299 is it 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.680 painted 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.140 over your 00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:34.360 life 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.100 is the 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.500 blood of 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:35.720 Jesus 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.519 your only 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.000 hope 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.420 of being 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:37.820 right with 00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:38.060 God 00:31:38.060 --> 00:31:38.539 and receiving 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:38.900 blessing 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.440 from God 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.779 the strength 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.080 of your 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:41.560 faith doesn't 00:31:41.560 --> 00:31:41.840 matter 00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:43.799 but if you 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.080 think 00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:45.180 it's the 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.700 strength of 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.060 Jesus 00:31:46.060 --> 00:31:46.660 what he 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.019 has done 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.480 that matters 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:52.460 there's one 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.140 final reason 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.740 and I'm 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.259 finishing on 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.500 this 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.279 there's one 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:55.960 final reason 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.220 in this 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.539 passage 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.460 that we 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:57.740 can have 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.180 confidence 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.559 that it's 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.160 faith alone 00:31:59.160 --> 00:31:59.539 that God 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.839 wants 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:03.480 to think 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:03.799 in our 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.240 hearts 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:04.579 and our 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.059 minds 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.599 and to 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:05.920 live in 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.319 such a 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.640 way that 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.039 says 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.980 that we 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.480 don't put 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.940 confidence 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.680 in ourselves 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.319 but in 00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:10.599 Jesus 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.160 alone 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:13.140 that we 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:13.940 receive 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.680 righteousness 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.180 as a 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:15.519 gift 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.180 guaranteed 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.779 by his 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.180 grace 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.259 even with 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:18.720 the evidence 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.019 of our 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.500 lives 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.100 the sin 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:20.779 the doubt 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:22.040 the suffering 00:32:22.040 --> 00:32:22.500 even 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.680 against all 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:23.920 that 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:26.700 if we 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.120 know we 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:27.800 can't earn 00:32:27.800 --> 00:32:28.140 God's 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:28.540 blessing 00:32:28.540 --> 00:32:29.779 by anything 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.279 we do 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:32.720 that's a 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.259 life of 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:33.640 humility 00:32:33.640 --> 00:32:34.120 it's a 00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:34.580 life where 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:34.900 there is 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.820 no boasting 00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:36.640 you've got 00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:37.279 nothing to 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.840 boast in 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:40.899 I've 00:32:40.899 --> 00:32:41.279 contributed 00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:41.919 nothing 00:32:41.919 --> 00:32:43.119 not even 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:43.720 my faith 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.220 God's 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:44.500 word 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.039 produced 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.319 that 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:48.319 there is 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.099 no boasting 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:53.000 I think 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.299 that can 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.559 give us 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:53.919 confidence 00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:54.579 that that 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.740 that is 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.059 the life 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:56.439 of faith 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:56.879 because 00:32:56.879 --> 00:32:57.819 God gets 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.500 all the 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.059 glory from 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.539 beginning to 00:32:59.539 --> 00:32:59.799 end 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.919 it's his 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.279 doing 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:03.959 to rely 00:33:03.959 --> 00:33:04.439 on God's 00:33:04.439 --> 00:33:04.779 promise 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.439 his grace 00:33:05.439 --> 00:33:05.939 alone 00:33:05.939 --> 00:33:07.779 boast 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.759 in Jesus 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.500 alone 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:11.200 he gets 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.559 all the 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:11.899 credit 00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:13.879 it's his 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.379 resurrection 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:14.819 power 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:16.460 it's his 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.440 trustworthiness 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:19.000 it's his 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.599 sovereign 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.259 freedom 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.660 to give 00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:22.220 freely 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.619 not because 00:33:23.619 --> 00:33:24.139 he owes 00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:24.399 you 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:26.379 it's his 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.059 grace 00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:27.879 that makes 00:33:27.879 --> 00:33:28.420 the promise 00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:28.879 it's his 00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.460 grace that 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.079 keeps the 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.379 promise 00:33:30.379 --> 00:33:30.799 it's his 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.440 love that 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:31.899 offered up 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:32.339 his son 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:33.819 he gets 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:34.339 all the 00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:34.720 glory 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:36.440 by faith 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:36.779 alone 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:39.460 and I 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:39.639 think 00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:40.859 that's why 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.259 the life 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:41.460 of the 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:41.799 Christian 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.299 is 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.319 meant to 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:43.480 be 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.079 characterised 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.680 by singing 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.200 he gets 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.740 the praise 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:49.079 he gets 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.059 we boast 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:50.420 in him 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.759 alone 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:52.920 so I 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.220 think we're 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:53.420 going to 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:53.899 sing now 00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.579 amazing 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:55.420 grace 00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:57.299 he gets 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:57.759 all the 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.119 glory 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:59.299 when we 00:33:59.299 --> 00:33:59.799 believe 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.220 that our 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:00.619 righteousness 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.160 is by 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:01.460 faith 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:01.779 alone 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.139 so 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:03.480 why don't 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:03.780 we sing 00:34:03.780 --> 00:34:04.020 together 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:06.160 to 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:07.160 do 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:09.280 to 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.739 and 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:11.759 to 00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:12.000 do 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.539 to 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.860 do 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:16.900 to 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:18.259 to