WEBVTT

00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:08.900
 This morning we are continuing our series called God's Beautiful Design, and we're looking at these areas of gender and marriage and sexuality.

00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:13.919
 These are real hot-button issues in our culture and our society.

00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:18.059
 And this morning we are looking in particular at the subject around marriage.

00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:25.719
 L.P. Hartley wrote a book called The Go-Between, and the opening lines of this book go like this.

00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.799
 The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.

00:00:31.599 --> 00:00:34.640
 The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.

00:00:34.659 --> 00:00:44.739
 In other words, sometimes the past seems so radically different from what we're experiencing now, it might as well be an intercontinental move.

00:00:44.740 --> 00:00:49.700
 And even though it was just a few years ago, it's a little bit...

00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:58.280
 And I think the one area in which we're experiencing this maybe more than any other is the area of sexuality, gender, and marriage.

00:00:58.660 --> 00:01:05.980
 It feels in many ways like our culture is a T10 typhoon is moving through our culture,

00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:14.079
 and we haven't even kind of emerged to assess the aftermath, except this typhoon is not just passing through.

00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:15.400
 It's here to stay.

00:01:15.960 --> 00:01:19.060
 It's a little bit of an old example, but bear with me.

00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:26.080
 I think one example of how quickly our culture's attitude towards marriage and gender and sexuality is changing

00:01:26.080 --> 00:01:29.420
 is seen in the previous U.S. President, Barack Obama.

00:01:29.420 --> 00:01:36.799
 In 2008, he was campaigning in his first term of office, campaigned against same-sex marriage.

00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:41.920
 Four years later, campaigning for his second term, he campaigned for same-sex marriage.

00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:49.280
 And then at the end of his second term, just three years later, was threatening to withhold federal funding

00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:55.200
 from any states that didn't allow transgendered children to use the bathroom of their choice in public schools.

00:01:55.200 --> 00:02:00.820
 So here we see an example, just recently, of in a matter of just a few short years,

00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:08.199
 the cultural norms and societal attitudes towards gender and marriage and sexuality changing so radically.

00:02:08.920 --> 00:02:12.500
 Now, I'm not making a political statement at all about any of those things.

00:02:12.860 --> 00:02:18.640
 I'm just trying to make the point of how quickly our views in society are changing on these matters.

00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:23.840
 Now, it's important to know that while the past may feel like a different country,

00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:27.439
 that doesn't necessarily mean that it's always a better country.

00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:33.659
 Sometimes we can think of traditional values as maybe aligning with our own values,

00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:37.740
 and things are changing so quickly that we can think the past is good,

00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:40.120
 the future is scary and dangerous.

00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:42.480
 And that's not necessarily always the case.

00:02:42.920 --> 00:02:47.759
 There's lots about the past and even traditional values that were oppressive and restrictive,

00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:51.120
 and we should celebrate that much of that has changed.

00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:55.560
 I think one example is the persecution and the animosity,

00:02:56.060 --> 00:03:01.319
 which generally the church has attributed towards the gay community and towards women.

00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:04.460
 And we should celebrate that much of that is changing.

00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:08.240
 And the church has not always been on the right side of history.

00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:12.800
 And the Bible shows us that both conservatives and liberals,

00:03:13.500 --> 00:03:15.939
 progressives and traditionals,

00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:19.599
 both of us can be blinded by our own ideas and ideology.

00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:22.199
 And so this makes things confusing.

00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:24.460
 If things are changing so quickly,

00:03:24.460 --> 00:03:28.500
 and if both conservatives and liberals can get these things wrong,

00:03:28.859 --> 00:03:33.400
 how do we who are followers of Jesus and who love the Bible make sense of all these things?

00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:34.479
 Where do we stand?

00:03:35.019 --> 00:03:36.079
 Do we go with culture?

00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:37.199
 Do we not go with culture?

00:03:37.479 --> 00:03:39.659
 How do we make sense of this changing landscape?

00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:43.039
 Well, in Romans chapter 12, verse 2,

00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:45.060
 in the message translation, it says this,

00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:51.379
 Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you just fit in without even thinking.

00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:54.780
 Instead, fix your attention on God.

00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:57.000
 You'll be changed from the inside out.

00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:01.680
 Readily recognize what He wants from you and quickly respond to it.

00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:08.480
 And friends, that bit of wisdom is going to help us as the tides of culture sway this way and that,

00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:12.699
 and ebb and flow, and as culture is confusing as it is,

00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:17.399
 God's wisdom about not being so readily swayed by culture,

00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:20.139
 but fixing our minds on the sovereign God who said,

00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:22.360
 I am God, I do not change,

00:04:23.159 --> 00:04:28.319
 is going to give us profound sanctity and security and wisdom,

00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:31.500
 even as culture changes so readily and so quickly.

00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:32.139
 Okay?

00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:37.839
 Don't become so adjusted to your culture that you fit in without even thinking.

00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:41.259
 Fix your attention on the sovereign God,

00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:42.539
 the God who said,

00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:44.399
 I am the Lord, I do not change,

00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:45.819
 therefore you are safe.

00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:47.800
 Malachi 3, verse 6.

00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:52.339
 And so, sexual relations have the ability to be uniquely satisfying,

00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:58.419
 but they also have the ability to cause unprecedented pain and trauma and heartache.

00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:04.080
 And the pain and the trauma that is caused by sexual sin and brokenness is unlike anything else,

00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:07.240
 which is why we want to take the time to look at these things.

00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:10.680
 Now, for those of us that are Christians,

00:05:11.340 --> 00:05:17.240
 I hope you know that the Bible is not just a book of rules and spiritual truth and principles.

00:05:17.840 --> 00:05:22.080
 The Bible is, in fact, one big story from beginning to end.

00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:28.539
 And this story has four chapters in it, four divisions or parts to it.

00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:33.659
 And the four chapters are creation, fall, redemption, restoration.

00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:37.500
 Or another way is creation, fall, redemption, consummation.

00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:37.919
 Okay?

00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:41.399
 And so those are the four chapters or the four points of this morning's talk.

00:05:42.659 --> 00:05:44.779
 Right in the very beginning of the Bible,

00:05:45.719 --> 00:05:49.539
 the very first few pages, we start off with a wedding.

00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:54.280
 And it's the wedding of Adam and Eve, the very first people that God created.

00:05:54.760 --> 00:05:56.860
 And then if you go right to the end of the Bible,

00:05:57.100 --> 00:06:00.819
 Revelation chapter 19 and chapter 21, we see another wedding.

00:06:01.260 --> 00:06:05.439
 And this time it's between the ascended Christ and His bride,

00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:08.080
 which the Bible describes as the church.

00:06:08.140 --> 00:06:11.100
 If you're new to church or new to the Bible this morning,

00:06:11.200 --> 00:06:12.800
 that might sound like a strange concept.

00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:18.300
 But God describes all His people in all the earth as His church universal.

00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:21.199
 And one day we will be reunited with God.

00:06:21.720 --> 00:06:26.900
 And there will be such depth and unity of intimacy between God's people and God

00:06:26.900 --> 00:06:31.540
 that it's described as like Christ, who's a bridegroom, marrying His bride.

00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:35.220
 And so the Bible starts with a wedding and it ends with a wedding.

00:06:35.780 --> 00:06:37.180
 Ray Ortlund said it like this,

00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:41.480
 It's not as though marriage is just one theme along many themes in the Bible.

00:06:41.900 --> 00:06:46.319
 Instead, marriage is the wraparound concept for the entire biblical story,

00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:50.740
 within which all the other themes of the Bible find their place.

00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:54.360
 In other words, there's an inherent story across the Bible.

00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:58.360
 And it starts off with a bride pledged to her groom,

00:06:58.840 --> 00:07:02.560
 who then gets seduced by a lie by another lover.

00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:08.639
 And the rest of the Bible story is this groom going on an out-of-this-world adventure

00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:11.660
 to win back his bride for himself.

00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:14.699
 And the Bible story ends with their wedding.

00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:17.600
 Now friends, this is important to understand

00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:19.199
 because if we don't understand this,

00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:23.639
 so much of what we read in between the first and the last chapters of the Bible

00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:25.139
 won't make sense, right?

00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:27.399
 You read the Old Testament prophets and you think,

00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:29.180
 Why is this guy so angry?

00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:30.800
 Why is he so emotional?

00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:32.500
 He needs to just calm down a little bit

00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:39.520
 until you realize it's the passionate plea of a lover calling back his lover to himself, right?

00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.360
 You read the New Testament and you think,

00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:43.620
 Why is this guy taking sin so seriously?

00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:44.560
 I mean, everyone sins.

00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:45.040
 Come on.

00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:46.720
 None of us are perfect.

00:07:47.280 --> 00:07:51.780
 Until you realize that sin is like a lover that's left their spouse

00:07:51.780 --> 00:07:54.360
 and God's calling us, wooing us back to himself.

00:07:55.100 --> 00:07:56.620
 And so to make sense of the Bible,

00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:58.800
 we need to understand the story of the Bible.

00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:02.579
 Okay, so let's dive in at chapter 1, creation.

00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:13.540
 Jefferson and Betty read for us Genesis chapter 1, right?

00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:16.519
 Thank you, Betty, for affirming me there.

00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:24.420
 And in chapter 1, we see that God creates mankind, male and female, man and woman,

00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:26.379
 with a particular design in mind.

00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:30.759
 Now, friends, part of the trauma of our modern society

00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:34.259
 is that we've taken the design that God planned for us

00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:35.820
 and we've thrown it out the window.

00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:41.759
 And we've decided to build our lives without the designer referencing the designer.

00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:43.939
 And this is not a good idea, right?

00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:47.200
 It's much like trying to build a house or apartment blocks

00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:49.000
 without reference to the architect.

00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:51.860
 Okay, that's not going to work out well.

00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:58.600
 And so God has a design and His design for us is that we are made in His image or in His likeness.

00:08:58.940 --> 00:08:59.980
 Now, what does this mean?

00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.960
 What does it mean to be made in God's image?

00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:07.019
 It means that everything God asks us to do and everything He asks us to be

00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:15.320
 is rooted in the reality that we are made to reflect Him, His nature, and His glory into all creation.

00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:20.540
 This is the essence of what it means to be human, to live in a relationship with God,

00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:23.200
 to live for Him, and to live for His glory.

00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:27.680
 And so much of the confusion of our culture and our world is experiencing

00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:31.700
 is because we've rejected this design and we are confused.

00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:37.460
 We've disconnected humanity from God's design that we are made in His image for His glory and to reflect Him.

00:09:38.060 --> 00:09:40.440
 Now, what does this mean for marriage and sexuality?

00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:42.360
 Well, it means a couple of things.

00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:48.379
 It means, by design, marriage is meant to reflect God in unity and diversity.

00:09:48.820 --> 00:09:48.940
 Okay?

00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:50.580
 In unity and diversity.

00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:58.180
 So in Genesis chapter 1, we see, we get these hints that God is one God, but He's not merely one.

00:09:58.800 --> 00:10:00.340
 He's something more than one.

00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:04.720
 In other words, right in Genesis chapter 1, we start to get hints of the Trinity.

00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:07.279
 The fact that God is one, but He's three.

00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:09.500
 In chapter 1 verse 2, it says,

00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:12.679
 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:13.679
 And verse 2 says,

00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:17.179
 And the Spirit of God hovered over the darkness.

00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:20.000
 We get a hint that there's something else going on here.

00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:24.240
 And then in the verse that Jefferson and Betty read to us, what does God say?

00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:29.059
 Let me make mankind in my image.

00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.139
 Is that what He said?

00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:31.360
 No?

00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:32.139
 What does He say?

00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:36.039
 Let us make mankind in our image.

00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:38.779
 And so in the image of God, He made them male.

00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:41.799
 In the image of God, He made them male and female.

00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:45.779
 In other words, the Trinity, which is a great mystery.

00:10:46.099 --> 00:10:46.319
 Okay?

00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.939
 We don't fully understand it.

00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:50.539
 Is that God is three, but He's also one.

00:10:51.339 --> 00:10:53.159
 And though this is hard to understand,

00:10:53.899 --> 00:11:00.079
 marriage in some way reflects or shows, displays the mystery of God's Trinity.

00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:02.079
 It reflects the glory of God.

00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:07.600
 And it does this in the fact that God brings two diverse human beings, male and female,

00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:09.600
 who remain male and female.

00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:12.500
 They don't lose their sex when they become married.

00:11:12.820 --> 00:11:16.200
 But in some deep spiritual way, these two become one.

00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:21.460
 Now, in the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not interchangeable.

00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:26.580
 They've each got a unique role in creation and a unique role in salvation.

00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:28.540
 They're not interchangeable.

00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:34.299
 And yet, neither one is more important, more God-like, or higher than the other one.

00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:35.559
 They're all equally God.

00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:39.860
 And the same way, in marriage, is the coming together of two people

00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:43.219
 who don't just merely like each other or have the same interests.

00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:46.000
 You know, you like tennis, I like tennis, let's get married.

00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:50.019
 Now, marriage is the coming together of two people who are distinct from each other.

00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:54.319
 And yet, when they come together like God, there is a two becoming one.

00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:56.419
 There is a unity in diversity.

00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:58.079
 Does that make any sense?

00:11:58.539 --> 00:11:59.019
 Okay.

00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:04.279
 Likewise, by design, marriage, especially intimacy in marriage,

00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:06.219
 reflects God's self-giving love.

00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:10.779
 One of the most essential and important verses in the New Testament

00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:14.279
 to describe the nature and character of God is 1 John chapter 4.

00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:14.759
 Okay?

00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:16.939
 And it says, three words,

00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:20.279
 God is love.

00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.159
 Okay?

00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:28.439
 Not that God is loving or that God shows love to His people, but God is love.

00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:31.179
 Now, how can the Bible say that God is love?

00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.120
 What does that mean?

00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:37.039
 Well, when you take the three persons of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:44.039
 the fundamental essence of their relationship is characterized by mutual self-giving,

00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:47.899
 selflessness, and servant-hearted towards one another.

00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:52.539
 It's this selfless love they give of themselves to one another.

00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:59.500
 And it's this aspect of God's nature and His character which marriage most clearly is designed to represent an image,

00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:05.079
 to reflect God in His glory in His initiating self-giving love to the other person.

00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:09.660
 Think of the greatest commands in the Bible, right?

00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:12.900
 Remember one day a young man comes to Jesus and he says,

00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.820
 Rabbi, what is the most important command?

00:13:16.520 --> 00:13:20.040
 And Jesus says, get married and have sex, right?

00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.120
 No, He doesn't say that.

00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.580
 What does He say?

00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:27.700
 He says, love the Lord your God and love other people.

00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:30.680
 Why is this the most important command in the Bible?

00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.940
 You'd think of the way our culture thinks about sexuality,

00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:37.820
 that relationships and intimacy would be the most important thing.

00:13:37.880 --> 00:13:41.680
 But Jesus says, the most important thing is to love God and love others.

00:13:41.780 --> 00:13:42.080
 Why?

00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:44.220
 Because that's when we're fully human.

00:13:45.140 --> 00:13:47.220
 That's the way that God has designed us,

00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:50.160
 is that we're most alive, we're most like God,

00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:55.800
 when we are selfless and self-giving of ourselves and pour out our love for one another.

00:13:56.060 --> 00:13:58.760
 This is the essence of what it means to be human,

00:13:58.760 --> 00:14:02.640
 that we are most like our maker, most alive and most imaging God,

00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:06.539
 when we pour ourselves out in loving God and loving each other.

00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:09.519
 Because we are made in His image,

00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:12.519
 all people, particularly in marriage,

00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:16.659
 God's design is that it's built on the principle of not consuming love,

00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.980
 but giving love.

00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:23.440
 One of the ways that we do this,

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:26.720
 that we pour out ourselves for our spouses and one another,

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:32.139
 is that we love our spouses by helping them to love and see Jesus more.

00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:34.180
 As Francis Chan said,

00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.620
 we help prepare our spouses for eternity.

00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:40.259
 God doesn't give us marriage to make me happy,

00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:45.220
 but that I can help my wife or my spouse become more like Jesus.

00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:47.860
 Friends, is your spouse more in love with Jesus?

00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:52.320
 Is he or she more secure in His love?

00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:54.759
 Is he or she more grateful for grace,

00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:56.399
 more thankful for His mercy,

00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:59.000
 more worshipful in His presence?

00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:03.740
 God's design is that marriage is for two people to come together,

00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:04.940
 not to consume love,

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:07.200
 but to give love to one another.

00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.660
 And then finally,

00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:12.899
 marriage by design is meant to reflect God's forgiveness and His grace.

00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.680
 Remember, in the book of Jeremiah,

00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:16.679
 God reminds His people,

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.139
 and He says,

00:15:17.219 --> 00:15:18.519
 Remember how God has said to you,

00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:20.579
 I've loved you with an everlasting love.

00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:23.759
 I've drawn you in with an unfailing kindness.

00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:26.239
 Now, we don't need to read far in the Bible

00:15:26.239 --> 00:15:31.019
 to recognize that the way we reciprocated God's unfailing kindness towards us

00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:33.879
 was with self-centeredness and self-glory.

00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:36.599
 And that's the cause for so much heartache and pain.

00:15:36.739 --> 00:15:38.699
 And yet, the glory of God shines through

00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:40.699
 and is never-ending, never-giving up,

00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:42.299
 always and forever love.

00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:44.319
 And so, Psalm 103 says,

00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:46.479
 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:49.279
 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:52.179
 He does not deal with us as our sins deserve,

00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:54.699
 nor repay us according to our iniquities.

00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:57.379
 And in many ways, the permanency of marriage,

00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:59.259
 the fact that at your wedding vows,

00:15:59.339 --> 00:15:59.639
 you say,

00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:01.199
 Until death do us part,

00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:03.779
 that I will look over your sin,

00:16:03.979 --> 00:16:05.779
 that I won't hold your sin against you,

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:08.059
 the fact that I forgive you and extend grace for you,

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:13.699
 is a reflection and imaging of God's amazing steadfast love for us.

00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:15.319
 You see, in many ways,

00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:17.579
 marriage is meant to be like a picture, right?

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.259
 A photograph.

00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.939
 And it's a picture of who God is,

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.839
 His incessant, unending love.

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:27.720
 But it's also a picture of His profound love for us,

00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.620
 His covenant people,

00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:30.000
 for those who have come to know Him

00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.700
 and be in relationship with Him.

00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:34.360
 But it's also a picture of,

00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:35.980
 for those who know God,

00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:37.700
 the depth of intimacy

00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:40.159
 that they will one day experience in heaven

00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.559
 when we do get to know God.

00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:45.320
 And sex and sexual intimacy in the context of marriage

00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:47.620
 is a picture of the oneness and the unity

00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:50.940
 and the intensely beautiful and intimacy,

00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:53.379
 intimate relationship that God's people

00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:55.240
 will one day have with Him in heaven.

00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:57.179
 Now, what does that mean for us?

00:16:57.179 --> 00:17:01.259
 Because, let me say it this way.

00:17:01.359 --> 00:17:04.500
 At my desk in our room,

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.319
 I've got a picture of the family, right?

00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:09.399
 And Claire and the three girls.

00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:10.720
 And it's a picture,

00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.579
 and when they are not there,

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:15.379
 it shows me how amazing they are,

00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:16.159
 beautiful they are.

00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:18.279
 But I don't fall in love with the picture.

00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.819
 The picture is just merely a picture

00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.539
 of a greater reality.

00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.240
 I don't, on my anniversary,

00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:27.059
 go and take that picture out for dinner

00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:30.339
 and just say thank you for what an amazing picture you are.

00:17:30.679 --> 00:17:32.519
 These last 10 years have been really wonderful.

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:35.339
 And I'm just looking forward to the next 10 years

00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:37.279
 of me and you together at the desk, right?

00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.139
 The picture is just a picture.

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.619
 But marriage is the real thing.

00:17:42.419 --> 00:17:43.240
 Now, in many ways,

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:46.079
 what God is saying is that marriage is just a picture.

00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:50.200
 It's a picture of a far more deep and profound reality,

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.680
 which is who God is,

00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:54.819
 which is His deep, covenantal,

00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:58.819
 never-ending, faithful promise to us, His people.

00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:01.380
 But it's also a picture of the reality

00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.000
 that we will one day experience

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.940
 when we get to heaven, to be with Him.

00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.519
 Now, what does this mean?

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:09.039
 Well, it means that we take marriage

00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:11.660
 and we take sex and marriage very seriously.

00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.180
 Very important.

00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:15.259
 Marriage is a picture of who God is.

00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:19.400
 And it's a picture of His profound covenant with His people.

00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:21.460
 So we take marriage very seriously.

00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:25.379
 This is why divorce and casual sexual relationships

00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.299
 are so serious,

00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:29.119
 because it's a misrepresentation of God

00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.400
 and His love and His glory.

00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:33.279
 And so when we don't take marriage seriously,

00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:35.660
 in a way, it's like defacing this image.

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.400
 It's like saying,

00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:39.579
 drawing a picture on the image and defacing it.

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.599
 We take marriage very seriously.

00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:43.180
 But at the same time,

00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:45.560
 it means we don't take marriage too seriously,

00:18:45.560 --> 00:18:47.440
 because it's just the picture.

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.299
 It's not reality.

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:51.779
 It's not the end for which we were made.

00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:54.720
 It's as if life and meaning are found in marriage.

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:57.600
 As if being single somehow means you're subhuman

00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:59.740
 or your life is not fully fulfilled.

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.220
 Marriage is a picture,

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:03.019
 but in the end, it's only a picture.

00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:06.019
 It's not the ultimate reality for which you were made.

00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:08.920
 There is a true and a better and ultimate reality

00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:13.340
 which awaits those who come into this covenant relationship with Christ.

00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:16.080
 Friends, if you're here this morning

00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:17.180
 and you're not a Christian,

00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:18.120
 you're not a believer,

00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:22.720
 can I urge you to see that all the pleasures in this world

00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:25.840
 and all the pleasures for which your body craves

00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:29.080
 and all the sexual pleasures which your body desires

00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:30.840
 are merely pictures,

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:33.500
 merely photographs of what could be yours

00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.840
 if you are in Christ.

00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.440
 Friends, that's why,

00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:38.580
 that's what Jesus is offering you this morning.

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.680
 And that's why I want you to become a Christian.

00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.660
 That's why I want you to turn from sin

00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:45.539
 and to find ultimate hope and ultimate joy

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.019
 in the person of Jesus Christ.

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.000
 That's why I want to beg you this morning

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:52.400
 to turn away from false idols that don't really satisfy

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:54.539
 and come to the true satisfaction

00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:56.180
 which is Jesus Christ himself.

00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:59.160
 Marriage and sex is never going to fulfill you,

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:02.200
 but Jesus Christ is at my right hands

00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:04.420
 of pleasures forevermore.

00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:06.820
 And so come to Jesus this morning.

00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:09.259
 Come to Jesus this morning.

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.700
 Okay, so all of that is creation.

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.160
 Chapter one, creation.

00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:17.140
 By design, God designed that marriage

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:19.039
 is a picture of unity and diversity.

00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:21.180
 By design, marriage is a picture

00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:24.960
 of the selfless, self-giving love of God in us.

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:27.779
 And by design, God has pictured

00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.660
 that marriage should reflect his forgiveness

00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:31.340
 and his grace towards his people.

00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:34.379
 Okay, chapter two, the fall.

00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:37.199
 Now, in Genesis chapter three,

00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:41.740
 which we all, actually chapter three,

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.679
 which we read this morning,

00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:44.500
 the world took a dark turn

00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:47.559
 and Adam and Eve sin against God.

00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.699
 And the way that sin enters the world

00:20:49.699 --> 00:20:50.500
 is through a lie.

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:53.000
 But it's a lie that's big enough

00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:56.339
 to reframe and reinterpret all of reality.

00:20:56.339 --> 00:21:00.199
 And to this day, this lie still colors

00:21:00.199 --> 00:21:02.799
 everything in which we see in the world.

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:04.799
 It affects you and it affects me.

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:07.240
 Remember, what does Satan say

00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.839
 to Adam and Eve in the garden?

00:21:09.439 --> 00:21:11.259
 Okay, what is the first question he asks?

00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:13.480
 He says, what did God say?

00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.639
 Can you eat anything?

00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:18.220
 And Eve says, God has told us not to eat,

00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.639
 in fact, not to even touch

00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:21.639
 of this tree in the middle of the garden.

00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:23.500
 For if we do so, we will die.

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:26.519
 Okay, and what does Satan say back to Eve?

00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:27.619
 Can you remember?

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:30.720
 He says, you will not die.

00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:33.720
 For God told you this, why?

00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:37.180
 Because God does not want you to be like him.

00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:40.980
 Okay, so after questioning God's word,

00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:43.480
 Satan then questions God's character

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.539
 and his goodness.

00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.839
 He's saying, God is insecure.

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.880
 He doesn't want you to be like him.

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.579
 He doesn't want you to know him.

00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.619
 He doesn't want your eyes to be opened

00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:54.699
 and to see things as they really are.

00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:56.599
 Satan, in verse six,

00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:58.619
 it tells us that Adam and Eve buy this lie,

00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.479
 the lie that God is not good,

00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:03.159
 that God doesn't have your best interests at heart,

00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:05.819
 and that if you want, you can be like God.

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:08.759
 And friends, what Satan was offering humanity

00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:11.079
 is not just to reflect God's glory,

00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:14.019
 but actually to own a piece of the glory themselves.

00:22:14.719 --> 00:22:15.539
 Okay, do you see that?

00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:19.139
 He says, God doesn't want you to be like him.

00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:22.280
 Friends, that temptation is the essence

00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:23.720
 of every other temptation.

00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:26.780
 And temptation, when Satan comes to us,

00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:29.860
 is not just a distortion of some petty rule in the Bible,

00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:33.259
 like we broke rule three, subsection two,

00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:35.860
 subsection A of the Bible constitution.

00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:39.020
 When we sin, it's not just breaking some petty rule.

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:41.320
 Actually, temptation is a distortion

00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:43.700
 of the nature and the character of who God is.

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.980
 It's a distortion of who you are,

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.120
 what it means to be human,

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:50.500
 and it's a distortion of our relationship with God.

00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.799
 You see, when we sin,

00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:54.620
 it's not just that we've got some black mark

00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:56.980
 against our name on the school teacher's report.

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:59.640
 It actually distorts our view of reality,

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.779
 and it changes us.

00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:03.319
 And one of the ways that sin distorts reality

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:05.900
 is that we now tend to view our identity

00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:08.160
 in terms of marriage and sexuality.

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:11.759
 Before the fall, we were God's children.

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:14.299
 We were made to experience God's love

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.839
 and to enjoy His love

00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:17.619
 and to be caught up in His love,

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.879
 delighting in His glory,

00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:20.839
 imaging this to the world around us.

00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.539
 But now, because of sin,

00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:24.940
 we are cut off on the reality of God's love

00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:26.720
 and His intimacy.

00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:28.859
 And now we only have the image.

00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.039
 We've got the picture.

00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:30.940
 We've got the photograph.

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:34.399
 But we can't even see or understand the picture properly

00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:36.079
 because, as Augustine said,

00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.619
 sin causes us to what?

00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.440
 Be turned in on ourselves.

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:41.980
 And so now, instead of sex and marriage

00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:45.559
 being the ultimate expression of God's self-giving love to us,

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:49.279
 a picture of how we don't pursue our own interests,

00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:51.000
 but we pursue the interests of others,

00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:54.220
 now sex and marriage are viewed as self-validation

00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.960
 for our hurting identity.

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.200
 Does that make sense?

00:23:57.700 --> 00:24:00.559
 So God's design for marriage and sexuality is

00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:03.840
 you pour yourself out to please another.

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.960
 You give of yourself for well-being

00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:07.120
 and the benefit of the other.

00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:10.099
 But now, because sin causes us to turn in on ourselves,

00:24:10.219 --> 00:24:12.739
 we view relationships and marriage and sexuality as,

00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.239
 how can I please myself?

00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:16.139
 How can I fulfill myself?

00:24:16.699 --> 00:24:20.119
 How can I make myself happy at the expense of another?

00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:23.079
 Friends, the irony and the tragedy of this

00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:25.359
 is that this makes us even more insecure

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:27.819
 and more invalidated than ever.

00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:30.699
 The more we use people and sexual experiences

00:24:30.699 --> 00:24:32.439
 to fill the void in our own hearts

00:24:32.439 --> 00:24:34.619
 and to validate us and affirm us,

00:24:34.959 --> 00:24:36.979
 actually, the more insecure we become

00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.900
 and the more invalidated we become.

00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:41.299
 Because no human being was meant to fill

00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.539
 that void in our heart.

00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.339
 In our heart.

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:47.000
 It's like drinking salty seawater

00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:50.980
 to trying to quench the thirst in your body, right?

00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:53.180
 Not realizing that by drinking that water,

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:55.059
 you're actually starving your body

00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:56.319
 of the liquids that you need.

00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:58.079
 And so the more thirsty you become,

00:24:58.159 --> 00:25:00.619
 the more seawater you drink to try and quench that thirst.

00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:03.359
 And that's what happens when we use sexuality

00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:07.659
 and marriage and relationships to validate ourselves.

00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:10.279
 In doing so, we actually cause ourselves

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:12.939
 to be more insecure and to feel more invalidated.

00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:16.179
 And that's why we live in such an overly sexualized world.

00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:19.399
 Because we're addicted to the drug of self-validation,

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:22.179
 not realizing that it actually undermines

00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:24.200
 the validation that we seek.

00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:26.700
 And so the fall, the sin,

00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:29.060
 causes us to be turned in on ourselves

00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:30.940
 and to now use relationships

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:33.620
 rather than to pour ourselves out for relationships.

00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:36.180
 Well, what does this look like?

00:25:36.600 --> 00:25:37.900
 Well, the first thing it does

00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:40.400
 is marriage now has become self-serving

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:42.080
 rather than self-giving.

00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:45.859
 I remember when I first became a pastor

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.519
 seven or eight years ago,

00:25:48.199 --> 00:25:49.759
 I used to do a lot of weddings.

00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:52.980
 And at first I used to tell people,

00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:55.179
 you can write your own wedding vows, right?

00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:58.000
 It's your wedding day, you say what you want.

00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.699
 And I thought this was such a good idea

00:25:59.699 --> 00:26:03.199
 until I quickly realized this was a terrible idea.

00:26:03.659 --> 00:26:04.899
 And so I quickly stopped that

00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:07.799
 and I made people say the vows that I wrote for them, okay?

00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:13.139
 And the reason was because of the terrible nature of those vows.

00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:15.440
 People would stand up and say things like,

00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:19.759
 you are the stardust on my magic carpet, right?

00:26:20.119 --> 00:26:24.539
 Or I promise to be the sunshine on your flower patch, okay?

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:29.279
 Or I promise to love you more than I love sushi

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:32.500
 or to make your heart sing like the birds in the morning, right?

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:35.159
 Friends, that's not a wedding vow.

00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:37.540
 That's a Valentine's card, okay?

00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:38.600
 Valentine's Day card.

00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:41.019
 That's what Disney make movies about.

00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:43.880
 But a real wedding vow, a marriage vow

00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:46.080
 is something like I promise to love you.

00:26:46.360 --> 00:26:48.019
 I promise to serve you.

00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:51.000
 I promise to put your interests before my own.

00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:53.880
 I promise to put your desires before my own.

00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.759
 Whether I am comfortable or not,

00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:58.180
 for better or for worse.

00:26:58.460 --> 00:27:01.300
 Whether I feel sick or whether I feel healthy.

00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.180
 Whether I have lots of money

00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.900
 or whether I've got no money.

00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:07.320
 Whether it makes me rich or not.

00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:10.640
 I promise to pour out my life for you

00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:13.580
 to help you become the person God's called you to be.

00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.460
 To help you see God's glory.

00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:17.240
 To help you love Jesus more

00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.580
 so that you can become more like Him.

00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:20.180
 That's a wedding vow.

00:27:21.060 --> 00:27:23.160
 But we don't say those vows anymore, right?

00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:25.720
 We talk about sunshine on our flower patch

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:27.500
 and sushi and stardust

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:29.040
 and nonsense like that, right?

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.540
 Why?

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:33.319
 Because romance and sex and relationships

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:35.180
 have become about us.

00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:37.659
 About what you can do for me.

00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:41.559
 And ironically, this actually destroys the intimacy

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:45.099
 and the relationship that we actually desire.

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:47.220
 When we use somebody else

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:49.579
 or we see somebody else's hard to please me

00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.960
 or fulfill my pleasures,

00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:53.840
 it destroys the trust and the vulnerability

00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:57.140
 that actually a true intimacy desires

00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.400
 or needs to flourish.

00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.120
 I remember last year

00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:02.240
 when we were living in Cape Town,

00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.840
 there was a young lady, late 20s,

00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:08.539
 who was a pretty strong atheist,

00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.980
 didn't believe in God at all,

00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.819
 and became a Christian.

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.940
 She had a dramatic encounter with God.

00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:16.880
 One night she goes to bed,

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:18.279
 not believing God exists.

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:20.299
 The next morning she wakes up,

00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.960
 has this encounter with God,

00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:23.420
 believes in Jesus,

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.200
 confesses her sin,

00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:27.399
 and there in her house on her own

00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.319
 becomes a believer.

00:28:28.899 --> 00:28:31.660
 And her whole life changed dramatically in one day.

00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.359
 And so a few months later,

00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:35.359
 I'm talking to her about her conversion

00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:36.779
 and I'm asking her what happened.

00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:38.559
 And she said something amazing.

00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.059
 She said,

00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:39.839
 you know,

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.920
 I've always lived with my boyfriends

00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:44.420
 and slept with my boyfriends.

00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.460
 And as much as I love them

00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.859
 and they love me,

00:28:48.439 --> 00:28:49.779
 at the back of my mind

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.559
 was always this lingering question.

00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:54.439
 Do you love me for my body

00:28:54.439 --> 00:28:57.019
 or do you love me for me?

00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.839
 Do you love me?

00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:01.099
 Are you in this relationship

00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:02.699
 because I'm giving myself to you

00:29:02.699 --> 00:29:03.959
 and I'm pleasing you sexually?

00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:06.059
 Or are you in this relationship

00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:08.519
 because you really want to serve me

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:10.159
 and are pleased for me?

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.319
 And friends,

00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:13.019
 that's what sin does.

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.179
 When sin causes us

00:29:14.179 --> 00:29:15.679
 to be turned in on ourselves,

00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.860
 relationships and sexual intimacy

00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:21.140
 now and pleasure

00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:22.940
 become about us,

00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:25.240
 about what my partner can do for me.

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.799
 And what this means

00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:28.080
 is that any relationship

00:29:28.080 --> 00:29:29.640
 that's built on sexual intimacy

00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:31.560
 and the pleasure of sexual experiences,

00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:33.440
 rather than a commitment

00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:35.140
 to serve the other person,

00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.860
 is destined to fail.

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:39.400
 Because sexual intimacy and pleasure

00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.660
 is not the essence,

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:42.240
 it's the foundation of a relationship.

00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:45.340
 Selfless giving of yourself

00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:47.060
 to the other person is.

00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.680
 And that's one of the dangers

00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:50.180
 of being involved with someone sexually

00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.040
 before your marriage

00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.940
 or cohabitating,

00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:52.779
 living with someone.

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:54.640
 Especially if you're trying to work out,

00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.820
 is this relationship

00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:56.840
 going to go the distance?

00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.960
 Is this going to work?

00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:59.240
 Because the pleasure

00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.019
 and the desires

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.960
 and the height of emotional experiences

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.980
 that sex produces

00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.560
 gives you a skewed view

00:30:04.560 --> 00:30:05.240
 of the relationship.

00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:06.079
 You think,

00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.640
 I so love this person

00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.700
 and they so love me.

00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.140
 We were made for each other.

00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.220
 But it's built

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.319
 on a shaky foundation.

00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.099
 It's built on a house of sand.

00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:14.819
 It's a house of sand.

00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.440
 It's a house built on sand.

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.559
 And it's only a matter of time

00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:19.460
 before it's destined to fail.

00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.420
 Friends,

00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:20.960
 in our city,

00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.740
 there are millions

00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.920
 and millions of people

00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:24.059
 who every day

00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:25.059
 are buying the lie

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.920
 that says life

00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.200
 and love

00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.960
 and fulfillment

00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.599
 are found

00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:30.079
 in having sexual experiences.

00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:31.220
 But friends,

00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.319
 it's a lie.

00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.640
 It's like drinking

00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.720
 seawater,

00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.420
 thinking it's going

00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.360
 to quench your thirst.

00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.600
 And it's actually

00:30:37.600 --> 00:30:38.799
 going to dry you up

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.940
 and leave you more lonely,

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.539
 more dissatisfied

00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.940
 than ever before.

00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:45.920
 Secondly,

00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.299
 marriage becomes

00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:49.480
 about scorekeeping

00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.680
 rather than gracious

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.579
 self-giving.

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.079
 I'll do this quickly.

00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.559
 I remember

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:55.339
 just before I got married

00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:57.279
 listening to Dr. Ravi Zacharias

00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:59.660
 and he said something

00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.259
 and I thought,

00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:01.819
 speak for yourself, buddy.

00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.680
 That's not going to happen

00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:03.400
 in my marriage.

00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:03.680
 Right?

00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:05.160
 And this is what he said.

00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.900
 When you first get married,

00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.680
 as a guy,

00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:10.600
 you love serving your wife.

00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.860
 Your wife needs anything

00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.620
 and you jump up

00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:13.140
 to help her.

00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.380
 Right?

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.759
 She has a little cough

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.220
 in the night

00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.759
 and you jump up

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.519
 and you get a glass

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.400
 of water for her

00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.380
 and you bring it

00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:20.039
 to her side.

00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:22.000
 And five years later,

00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.500
 you hear the kids

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.200
 crying in the middle

00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.620
 of the night

00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.480
 and you just fast

00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.120
 and you pretend

00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:27.039
 you fast asleep.

00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.920
 Or you think to yourself,

00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:31.160
 I got up last time,

00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.759
 I'm pretty sure

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.779
 it's her turn

00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.360
 this time.

00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:33.640
 Right?

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.040
 And I thought,

00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.540
 that's not going

00:31:35.540 --> 00:31:36.320
 to happen to me.

00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:37.800
 Friends,

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.620
 ten years later,

00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:39.340
 that's exactly

00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:40.000
 what's happening.

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.400
 Right?

00:31:41.320 --> 00:31:41.640
 Love,

00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.259
 I just want to say

00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:42.920
 I'm so sorry

00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:45.720
 for all the times

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.240
 I've pretended

00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:46.940
 to be asleep.

00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:51.040
 When sin causes us

00:31:51.040 --> 00:31:51.519
 to be turned

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.259
 in on ourselves

00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.240
 and we think of marriage

00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:54.440
 as a way of self-serving,

00:31:54.580 --> 00:31:55.440
 not self-giving.

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.320
 Finally,

00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.139
 let me say this.

00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.799
 Sin causes marriage

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.639
 or the problem

00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.159
 with this is

00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:01.939
 it causes us

00:32:01.939 --> 00:32:02.899
 to misrepresent

00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.599
 God's love.

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.740
 You see,

00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:06.099
 by representing

00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:07.419
 a false view

00:32:07.419 --> 00:32:08.700
 of God's covenantal love,

00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.599
 we actually tell

00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:10.259
 the world

00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.579
 that God's love

00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.500
 is something central,

00:32:12.659 --> 00:32:13.659
 something self-focused,

00:32:14.179 --> 00:32:15.139
 something that we use

00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:15.919
 for our own means

00:32:15.919 --> 00:32:16.639
 rather than

00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.899
 the extravagant love

00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:18.879
 that it really is.

00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.259
 And unfortunately,

00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.019
 that's exactly

00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.799
 what has happened.

00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:23.279
 Inside the church

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.299
 and outside the church,

00:32:24.679 --> 00:32:25.939
 we view God's love

00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:27.120
 as something selfish,

00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.559
 something that we view

00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.180
 God's love as

00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:30.340
 God only loves us

00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:31.519
 as long as we serve Him.

00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.640
 God only loves us

00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.420
 as long as we come

00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.039
 to the party.

00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.480
 And we've completely

00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.340
 misrepresented

00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:37.779
 the extravagant,

00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.759
 radically generous,

00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:41.320
 always and forever,

00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.420
 incessant,

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.700
 never-ending

00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:45.680
 love that God's love

00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.460
 really is.

00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:48.059
 And for those of us

00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:49.080
 that are not Christians

00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:49.700
 this morning,

00:32:49.860 --> 00:32:50.640
 I want to just say

00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:52.740
 that maybe one of the reasons

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.660
 why you're not a Christian

00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.600
 is because you're interested

00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:55.620
 in the person of Jesus

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.819
 but as you've looked

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.759
 at His followers,

00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.919
 their lives

00:32:58.919 --> 00:32:59.419
 and especially

00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:00.439
 our sexual lives

00:33:00.439 --> 00:33:01.579
 and our relationship lives

00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.719
 don't represent

00:33:02.719 --> 00:33:03.579
 anything different

00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.239
 from the world.

00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:06.259
 And maybe we've represented

00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.399
 to you that God's love

00:33:07.399 --> 00:33:08.339
 is something sensual

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.139
 and self-seeking.

00:33:10.159 --> 00:33:10.479
 And friends,

00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.039
 if that's you,

00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.500
 I want to say

00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.399
 we are so sorry.

00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:13.379
 I want to say

00:33:13.379 --> 00:33:13.959
 our testimony

00:33:13.959 --> 00:33:14.699
 is not true.

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:16.839
 We have misrepresented

00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:18.039
 the profundity

00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.879
 of God's love.

00:33:19.479 --> 00:33:20.919
 Don't look at our lives

00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:21.799
 and our selfishness

00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.239
 and think that

00:33:22.239 --> 00:33:23.199
 that's what God is like.

00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.319
 God's love

00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:26.180
 is exceedingly abundantly

00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.100
 far more profound

00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:27.539
 than that.

00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.720
 Can I ask you

00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:29.660
 to forgive us

00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:30.759
 and forgive us

00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.980
 for our self-centeredness.

00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.519
 Come and know Jesus.

00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.400
 He's far better

00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.539
 than we'll ever represent.

00:33:36.340 --> 00:33:37.140
 So all of this

00:33:37.140 --> 00:33:38.080
 is the four.

00:33:38.340 --> 00:33:38.440
 Okay?

00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:39.980
 God designed us

00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.960
 to represent Him

00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.759
 and image Him.

00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:42.779
 God designed that

00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.799
 marriage and sexuality

00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:45.000
 is a picture

00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:46.100
 of the selfless,

00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.120
 self-giving love

00:33:47.120 --> 00:33:48.680
 and yet the sin

00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.200
 caused us

00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.200
 to be turned in ourselves

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.160
 and now we use

00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.279
 marriage and relationships

00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.880
 to serve ourselves

00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:55.680
 rather than serve the other.

00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.180
 The question is

00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.519
 is there any hope?

00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:00.299
 Well, chapter 3,

00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:00.920
 redemption.

00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.880
 At the end of Genesis

00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:04.920
 chapter 3

00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:06.799
 and onwards

00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:08.519
 for the rest of the Bible,

00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.780
 the story of the Bible

00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:11.820
 is the consequences of sin,

00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:13.619
 the consequences of the fall,

00:34:13.780 --> 00:34:15.659
 but it's God's redeeming love

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:17.079
 and the great rescue plan

00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:18.500
 that God goes on

00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.260
 to redeem us

00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:19.800
 from the fall.

00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:20.599
 You see,

00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.659
 the effects of sin

00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:22.599
 are far-reaching.

00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:23.980
 They affect every area

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.480
 of our life.

00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.960
 They affect our finances.

00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.119
 They affect our marriages.

00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.279
 They affect our singleness.

00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.519
 They affect our sexuality.

00:34:29.719 --> 00:34:30.739
 They affect our work life.

00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.460
 Sin causes us

00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:33.559
 to be turned in on ourselves

00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.879
 and affects every area

00:34:34.879 --> 00:34:35.599
 of our lives.

00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.480
 But Jesus

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:39.139
 did far more

00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.719
 than just come

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.379
 and forgive us

00:34:40.379 --> 00:34:41.079
 of one or two

00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.019
 individual sins.

00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:44.079
 Jesus came to redeem us

00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:44.779
 and to heal

00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:45.819
 the brokenness

00:34:45.819 --> 00:34:47.779
 that is a result of sin.

00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:49.500
 Jesus came to reverse

00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.460
 the effects

00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.280
 of the fall

00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.179
 from creation.

00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.420
 And he starts off

00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.179
 by redeeming

00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:55.300
 and rescuing our hearts.

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.440
 And the way that Jesus

00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.059
 in the gospel

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.800
 gives us hope

00:34:58.800 --> 00:35:00.280
 in the midst of our

00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:01.179
 broken and hurting world

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.780
 is threefold.

00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:02.820
 Firstly,

00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:03.920
 Jesus comes

00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:04.380
 and he gives you

00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.000
 a new name

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.980
 and he gives you

00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.659
 a new identity.

00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.260
 So in the Bible,

00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:09.820
 whenever one of God's people

00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:11.039
 has a dramatic

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:12.360
 encounter with God,

00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:13.500
 God gives them

00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.679
 a new name, right?

00:35:14.679 --> 00:35:15.879
 Think Abram

00:35:15.879 --> 00:35:16.879
 becomes Abraham.

00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.399
 Think Jacob,

00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.460
 which means the cheat,

00:35:19.859 --> 00:35:20.899
 becomes Israel,

00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.699
 which means one

00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:22.359
 who has wrestled

00:35:22.359 --> 00:35:22.799
 with God.

00:35:23.379 --> 00:35:23.839
 Simon,

00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.059
 which means little stone,

00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:26.039
 becomes Peter,

00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:26.839
 the rock.

00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:27.639
 And of course,

00:35:27.779 --> 00:35:28.099
 Saul,

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.059
 the guy who wanted

00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:30.059
 to kill all the Christians,

00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.179
 meets Jesus

00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:32.219
 and becomes renamed

00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:33.099
 Paul.

00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:34.039
 Now,

00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:35.619
 in Isaiah chapter 62,

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:37.279
 there's an amazing passage

00:35:37.279 --> 00:35:37.859
 about how

00:35:37.859 --> 00:35:38.859
 when God

00:35:38.859 --> 00:35:40.299
 comes to his people

00:35:40.299 --> 00:35:41.379
 to rescue

00:35:41.379 --> 00:35:42.039
 and redeem

00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:43.039
 and heal them

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.019
 and restore them,

00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:45.079
 he renames them.

00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.480
 Look at what

00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.699
 Isaiah chapter 62

00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.759
 says.

00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:48.699
 He says,

00:35:48.759 --> 00:35:49.420
 when I come

00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:49.960
 and meet you,

00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:51.139
 the nations

00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.259
 will see your righteousness,

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.219
 all the kings

00:35:53.219 --> 00:35:53.699
 of the earth

00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:54.579
 will see your glory

00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:56.360
 and you will be called

00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:57.559
 by a new name

00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:58.619
 and the name

00:35:58.619 --> 00:35:59.099
 that the Lord

00:35:59.099 --> 00:35:59.860
 will give you,

00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.980
 a name that the Lord

00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:01.440
 will give you.

00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:02.519
 You will no longer

00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:04.000
 be called forsaken,

00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:05.519
 you will now be called

00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.820
 my delightful one.

00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:08.639
 For just as the bridegroom

00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:10.179
 rejoices over his bride,

00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:11.779
 so the Lord your God

00:36:11.779 --> 00:36:13.000
 will rejoice over you.

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.679
 Friends,

00:36:14.739 --> 00:36:15.699
 where sin causes us

00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:16.400
 to be turned in

00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.000
 on ourselves

00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:18.519
 and because of the

00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.480
 powerful bonding

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.420
 nature of sex,

00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:21.400
 the distortion

00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:23.099
 that sin causes

00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.920
 is that it

00:36:23.920 --> 00:36:25.699
 takes God's good gift

00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.900
 and it turns it

00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:27.500
 into a tool

00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.559
 for much pain

00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.259
 and much hurt.

00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:30.980
 But Jesus Christ

00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:32.139
 came to dismantle

00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:32.639
 the lie

00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:33.400
 that we believed

00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:33.980
 in the garden

00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:35.039
 and he comes

00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.599
 and he speaks

00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.679
 a true and a better

00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:37.380
 word for us.

00:36:37.719 --> 00:36:38.500
 He dismantles

00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.259
 the lie that says

00:36:39.259 --> 00:36:40.059
 God is not good

00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:40.960
 and you can't trust him.

00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:42.059
 He dismantles

00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:42.820
 the lie that says

00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:43.460
 God is only

00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.460
 looking after himself

00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:45.860
 and he dismantles

00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:46.680
 the lie that says

00:36:46.680 --> 00:36:48.400
 you can be your own God

00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:49.800
 and Jesus Christ

00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:50.500
 comes and he

00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.700
 tells us

00:36:51.700 --> 00:36:52.680
 that the self-worth

00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:53.680
 and the validation

00:36:53.680 --> 00:36:54.980
 that we look for

00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:55.380
 as humans

00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.100
 is not found

00:36:56.100 --> 00:36:56.700
 horizontally.

00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:57.860
 It's not found

00:36:57.860 --> 00:36:58.640
 in our spouse

00:36:58.640 --> 00:36:59.480
 or in society

00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.180
 or what people

00:37:00.180 --> 00:37:00.800
 think of us.

00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:01.780
 It's not found

00:37:01.780 --> 00:37:02.780
 in our sex appeal.

00:37:03.180 --> 00:37:03.840
 It's not found

00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.740
 in the affirmation

00:37:04.740 --> 00:37:05.600
 or the generosity

00:37:05.600 --> 00:37:07.160
 of even a spouse's wife.

00:37:07.719 --> 00:37:08.460
 Jesus Christ

00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:09.319
 comes and tells us

00:37:09.319 --> 00:37:10.420
 that our affirmation

00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.119
 and identity

00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:11.899
 is found

00:37:11.899 --> 00:37:12.960
 in who we are

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.460
 in Christ

00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.460
 and what Christ

00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:15.219
 says about us.

00:37:15.899 --> 00:37:16.440
 It's found

00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.199
 in delighting

00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:17.619
 in Christ

00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.339
 and Christ's

00:37:18.339 --> 00:37:19.619
 delight in us.

00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:20.420
 Friends,

00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.119
 Jesus comes

00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:22.119
 to those who trust him

00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:23.239
 and he promises

00:37:23.239 --> 00:37:24.659
 to be a redeeming lover.

00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:25.599
 He promises

00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.339
 to be a lover

00:37:26.339 --> 00:37:27.420
 that rescues us

00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:28.359
 out of our own

00:37:28.359 --> 00:37:28.839
 sinfulness

00:37:28.839 --> 00:37:30.279
 and to restore us

00:37:30.279 --> 00:37:31.239
 and to make us new.

00:37:31.739 --> 00:37:32.719
 And Jesus comes

00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:33.219
 and he gives us

00:37:33.219 --> 00:37:33.940
 a new name.

00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:34.980
 He gives us

00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.800
 a new identity.

00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.219
 Friends,

00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:37.740
 where sin

00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:38.519
 and the fall

00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.300
 of the world

00:37:39.300 --> 00:37:40.119
 tells you

00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:41.320
 that you are a nobody,

00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.619
 Jesus comes

00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.320
 and he calls you

00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:44.019
 his beloved.

00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:45.240
 Friends,

00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:45.800
 where sin

00:37:45.800 --> 00:37:47.159
 and brokenness

00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:49.199
 and the effects

00:37:49.199 --> 00:37:49.920
 of the world

00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:50.639
 tell you

00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.639
 that you are ordinary

00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:52.400
 and unloved,

00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:53.199
 Jesus says,

00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:54.000
 I chose you

00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.900
 before the foundation

00:37:54.900 --> 00:37:55.539
 of the world

00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:56.420
 to set my love

00:37:56.420 --> 00:37:57.179
 upon you.

00:37:58.039 --> 00:37:58.320
 Friends,

00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:58.860
 where sin

00:37:58.860 --> 00:38:00.019
 and the brokenness

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.460
 of the world

00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:01.579
 calls you shamed

00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:02.619
 and dirty

00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:04.480
 and used,

00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.880
 Jesus calls you

00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:06.539
 cleansed

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.260
 and righteous

00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:08.019
 in his sight

00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:08.920
 if you are in Jesus.

00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:09.860
 Friends,

00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.420
 where sin

00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:11.360
 and the brokenness

00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:11.880
 and the fall

00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.340
 of the world

00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:12.760
 tell you

00:38:12.760 --> 00:38:13.480
 that your worth

00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.639
 and your identity

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.119
 are found

00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.760
 in what men

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.400
 think of you

00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:17.340
 or what women

00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:18.079
 think of you,

00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.260
 Christ says,

00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:19.940
 you are his

00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:21.159
 and he delights

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.699
 in you.

00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:22.860
 And friends,

00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:23.840
 the love of Jesus

00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:25.099
 is so steady

00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.780
 and it's so rock solid

00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:28.139
 because he doesn't

00:38:28.139 --> 00:38:28.679
 love you

00:38:28.679 --> 00:38:29.719
 because of what he sees

00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:30.699
 in your heart,

00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:31.940
 he loves you

00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.940
 because of what he sees

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:33.740
 in his heart.

00:38:33.739 --> 00:38:35.799
 And that is unshakable.

00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:37.379
 It's not going to change.

00:38:37.959 --> 00:38:39.259
 Jesus doesn't love us

00:38:39.259 --> 00:38:40.059
 because of the goodness

00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:41.039
 he sees in us

00:38:41.039 --> 00:38:42.799
 but because of the overflow

00:38:42.799 --> 00:38:43.439
 of the love

00:38:43.439 --> 00:38:44.479
 in his own heart

00:38:44.479 --> 00:38:45.699
 towards us.

00:38:46.299 --> 00:38:47.359
 And so Jesus gives us

00:38:47.359 --> 00:38:47.959
 a new name

00:38:47.959 --> 00:38:49.199
 and he gives you

00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:49.859
 a new identity.

00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:51.939
 Second thing he gives you

00:38:51.939 --> 00:38:52.299
 is this.

00:38:52.859 --> 00:38:54.019
 He gives you a new nature.

00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:56.019
 He actually changes us

00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:56.679
 from the inside.

00:38:57.779 --> 00:38:59.059
 The book of Colossians

00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:00.339
 is all about

00:39:00.339 --> 00:39:01.359
 this new identity

00:39:01.359 --> 00:39:02.179
 that God gives us

00:39:02.179 --> 00:39:02.919
 when we're united

00:39:02.920 --> 00:39:03.619
 with Christ.

00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:05.780
 And Paul tells

00:39:05.780 --> 00:39:07.039
 these new Christians

00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.920
 in Colossians

00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:08.740
 in Colossians

00:39:08.740 --> 00:39:09.740
 that their new self,

00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.639
 their new identity

00:39:10.639 --> 00:39:12.320
 is being renewed

00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:14.139
 in knowledge

00:39:14.139 --> 00:39:15.360
 after the image

00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:16.400
 of its creator.

00:39:16.700 --> 00:39:17.639
 Okay, so think about that.

00:39:17.680 --> 00:39:17.960
 He says,

00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.980
 when you come to Christ

00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:19.880
 you're being renewed

00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:21.200
 in knowledge,

00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:22.200
 understanding

00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:23.200
 after the image

00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:24.300
 of your creator.

00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:25.340
 In other words,

00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:26.180
 as the gospel

00:39:26.180 --> 00:39:26.800
 gets deeper

00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:27.519
 into our heads,

00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.700
 as in our hearts

00:39:28.700 --> 00:39:29.500
 we understand more

00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:30.760
 of who Jesus is,

00:39:30.760 --> 00:39:32.260
 how glorious he is,

00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.039
 what he's done

00:39:33.039 --> 00:39:33.559
 on the cross

00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.840
 and the reversing

00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:35.699
 effects of sin,

00:39:36.199 --> 00:39:37.159
 God actually starts

00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:38.219
 to change us

00:39:38.219 --> 00:39:39.000
 on the inside

00:39:39.000 --> 00:39:40.099
 to make us more

00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:40.579
 like him.

00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:41.239
 Okay,

00:39:41.599 --> 00:39:42.579
 in 2 Corinthians

00:39:42.579 --> 00:39:43.500
 he says it like this.

00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:43.860
 He says,

00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:45.260
 a Christian is someone

00:39:45.260 --> 00:39:46.260
 who's being changed

00:39:46.260 --> 00:39:47.579
 into the likeness

00:39:47.579 --> 00:39:48.659
 or the image

00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.480
 of God.

00:39:50.079 --> 00:39:50.659
 Now remember

00:39:50.659 --> 00:39:51.940
 in Genesis chapter 1

00:39:51.940 --> 00:39:53.039
 what did God say?

00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:53.920
 He said,

00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:55.099
 let us make mankind

00:39:55.099 --> 00:39:57.420
 in our image

00:39:57.420 --> 00:39:59.119
 or our likeness.

00:39:59.440 --> 00:39:59.599
 Okay,

00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:00.500
 our image

00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:01.079
 and our likeness.

00:40:01.180 --> 00:40:02.079
 Now in Corinthians

00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:03.079
 Paul writes,

00:40:03.400 --> 00:40:03.960
 a Christian

00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.500
 is someone

00:40:04.500 --> 00:40:05.260
 who's encountered

00:40:05.260 --> 00:40:05.740
 Jesus

00:40:05.740 --> 00:40:07.300
 and is being changed

00:40:07.300 --> 00:40:08.360
 in the image

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:09.320
 and the likeness

00:40:09.320 --> 00:40:09.760
 of God.

00:40:10.059 --> 00:40:10.720
 In other words,

00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:11.599
 a Christian

00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:12.139
 is somebody

00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:12.880
 who's encountered

00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:13.340
 God

00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:14.539
 and God starts

00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:15.200
 to reverse

00:40:15.200 --> 00:40:16.039
 the effects of sin

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:16.880
 and make us

00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:17.639
 once again

00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:19.599
 like he designed us

00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.440
 in the garden

00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:21.340
 of Eden.

00:40:21.700 --> 00:40:22.760
 And he's changing us

00:40:22.760 --> 00:40:23.880
 from one degree

00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:24.440
 of glory

00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:25.460
 to another.

00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:26.680
 So friends,

00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:27.140
 a Christian

00:40:27.140 --> 00:40:27.580
 is someone

00:40:27.580 --> 00:40:28.060
 who because

00:40:28.060 --> 00:40:29.580
 of the supernatural

00:40:29.580 --> 00:40:31.060
 experiential work

00:40:31.060 --> 00:40:31.400
 of God

00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:31.920
 in our hearts

00:40:31.920 --> 00:40:32.400
 is someone

00:40:32.400 --> 00:40:33.360
 who's becoming

00:40:33.360 --> 00:40:34.120
 more secure

00:40:34.120 --> 00:40:34.880
 in God's love,

00:40:35.160 --> 00:40:35.840
 more secure

00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.380
 in the gospel

00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:37.580
 and as a result

00:40:37.580 --> 00:40:38.040
 is becoming

00:40:38.040 --> 00:40:38.980
 more like Jesus

00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:39.620
 in life,

00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:40.900
 in love,

00:40:41.560 --> 00:40:42.360
 in character,

00:40:43.040 --> 00:40:43.580
 identity

00:40:43.580 --> 00:40:45.240
 and in purpose.

00:40:46.240 --> 00:40:46.660
 Friends,

00:40:46.720 --> 00:40:47.080
 the good news

00:40:47.080 --> 00:40:47.520
 of Jesus

00:40:47.520 --> 00:40:48.200
 is he didn't

00:40:48.200 --> 00:40:48.900
 just come and say,

00:40:49.580 --> 00:40:50.020
 oh I see

00:40:50.020 --> 00:40:50.500
 you've broken

00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:51.060
 another one

00:40:51.060 --> 00:40:51.680
 of the rules,

00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:53.059
 I'll forgive you

00:40:53.059 --> 00:40:53.539
 this time

00:40:53.539 --> 00:40:54.480
 but let me help you

00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:55.039
 not to break

00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:55.819
 the rules again.

00:40:56.659 --> 00:40:56.960
 Friends,

00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:57.639
 Jesus comes

00:40:57.639 --> 00:40:58.460
 and he takes out

00:40:58.460 --> 00:40:59.619
 our heart of stone

00:40:59.619 --> 00:41:00.739
 which is self-centered

00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:01.539
 and self-seeking

00:41:01.539 --> 00:41:02.159
 and he gives us

00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:02.919
 a new heart

00:41:02.919 --> 00:41:03.919
 after his own nature

00:41:03.919 --> 00:41:05.279
 and his own character,

00:41:05.779 --> 00:41:07.519
 a heart which resembles him

00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.639
 and he gives us

00:41:08.639 --> 00:41:09.399
 a new disposition

00:41:09.399 --> 00:41:10.219
 and he gives us

00:41:10.219 --> 00:41:10.879
 the Holy Spirit

00:41:10.879 --> 00:41:11.819
 to live inside of us

00:41:11.819 --> 00:41:12.779
 and he empowers us

00:41:12.779 --> 00:41:13.419
 to say no

00:41:13.419 --> 00:41:14.460
 to self-centeredness,

00:41:14.819 --> 00:41:15.419
 to say no

00:41:15.419 --> 00:41:16.039
 to the lie

00:41:16.039 --> 00:41:16.519
 of the devil

00:41:16.519 --> 00:41:17.419
 and to say yes

00:41:17.419 --> 00:41:17.960
 to Jesus

00:41:17.960 --> 00:41:19.139
 and to say yes

00:41:19.139 --> 00:41:19.719
 to becoming

00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:20.719
 more like him.

00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:21.739
 And he therefore

00:41:21.739 --> 00:41:22.639
 sets us free

00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:23.480
 from the destructive

00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:25.579
 patterns of behavior

00:41:25.579 --> 00:41:26.259
 which have marked

00:41:26.259 --> 00:41:27.319
 so many of our lives.

00:41:28.039 --> 00:41:28.339
 Friends,

00:41:28.399 --> 00:41:29.159
 the road that Christ

00:41:29.159 --> 00:41:30.019
 calls us to walk

00:41:30.019 --> 00:41:31.379
 is a long,

00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.679
 slow,

00:41:33.519 --> 00:41:34.739
 messy road

00:41:34.739 --> 00:41:35.259
 of becoming

00:41:35.259 --> 00:41:36.019
 more like Jesus.

00:41:36.679 --> 00:41:37.219
 And sometimes

00:41:37.219 --> 00:41:37.739
 there's ups

00:41:37.739 --> 00:41:38.339
 and sometimes

00:41:38.339 --> 00:41:38.879
 there's downs.

00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:40.519
 Sometimes there's victory

00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.480
 and we overcome sin

00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:42.399
 and sometimes

00:41:42.399 --> 00:41:43.319
 there's defeats.

00:41:44.679 --> 00:41:46.119
 Sometimes there's good moments,

00:41:46.879 --> 00:41:48.299
 sometimes there's painful moments.

00:41:48.300 --> 00:41:49.360
 But for those of us

00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:50.260
 who know Christ,

00:41:50.820 --> 00:41:52.000
 it's a road of slowly,

00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:53.360
 steadily

00:41:53.360 --> 00:41:55.120
 becoming more like him.

00:41:55.720 --> 00:41:57.240
 God changes our nature

00:41:57.240 --> 00:41:58.840
 to become more like him.

00:41:58.880 --> 00:41:59.200
 And friends,

00:41:59.260 --> 00:42:00.880
 that is unbelievably good news.

00:42:01.460 --> 00:42:02.140
 Remember Chris shared

00:42:02.140 --> 00:42:02.960
 the story last week

00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:03.820
 of a friend of his

00:42:03.820 --> 00:42:04.280
 who said,

00:42:04.860 --> 00:42:06.200
 I wish I could become like you

00:42:06.200 --> 00:42:06.960
 but I'm addicted

00:42:06.960 --> 00:42:08.500
 to my own desires.

00:42:09.060 --> 00:42:09.320
 Friends,

00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:11.240
 Jesus changes our desires.

00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:12.960
 He makes us more like him.

00:42:13.019 --> 00:42:13.960
 He sets us free.

00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:15.640
 Some of us want to be free

00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:16.460
 from pornography

00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:18.039
 and we cannot do it

00:42:18.039 --> 00:42:18.500
 on our own.

00:42:19.019 --> 00:42:20.460
 Jesus comes to change us

00:42:20.460 --> 00:42:21.179
 and our desires

00:42:21.179 --> 00:42:21.799
 and our addictions.

00:42:21.940 --> 00:42:22.759
 He sets us free.

00:42:23.859 --> 00:42:25.279
 Jesus gives us a new nature.

00:42:25.960 --> 00:42:27.139
 And then the last thing is this.

00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:29.099
 He gives us hope for sinners.

00:42:30.039 --> 00:42:30.239
 Friends,

00:42:30.279 --> 00:42:30.679
 some of us,

00:42:30.739 --> 00:42:31.379
 if we're honest,

00:42:32.059 --> 00:42:33.119
 have such a stained

00:42:33.119 --> 00:42:35.119
 and a checkered past

00:42:35.119 --> 00:42:36.460
 and a history of relationships

00:42:36.460 --> 00:42:38.500
 that we cannot bear the thought

00:42:38.500 --> 00:42:39.639
 of anybody finding out

00:42:39.639 --> 00:42:40.199
 what we've done.

00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:41.539
 And some of us

00:42:41.539 --> 00:42:42.579
 maybe here this morning

00:42:42.579 --> 00:42:43.099
 we think,

00:42:43.319 --> 00:42:44.739
 if anybody in this room

00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:46.179
 found out what I've done,

00:42:46.699 --> 00:42:47.439
 where I've been,

00:42:47.579 --> 00:42:48.439
 who I've been with,

00:42:48.899 --> 00:42:49.859
 you would kick me out

00:42:49.859 --> 00:42:50.899
 of this church straight away.

00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:52.479
 Friends,

00:42:52.519 --> 00:42:53.759
 I'm here to tell you this morning

00:42:53.759 --> 00:42:55.119
 that the message of the gospel

00:42:55.119 --> 00:42:57.339
 is that you are far worse

00:42:57.339 --> 00:42:58.279
 than you think you are.

00:42:58.859 --> 00:42:59.739
 And your situation

00:42:59.739 --> 00:43:00.879
 is far more hopeless

00:43:00.879 --> 00:43:01.879
 than you think it is.

00:43:02.279 --> 00:43:03.839
 And you are far more lost

00:43:03.839 --> 00:43:05.219
 than you actually think you are.

00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:07.219
 But I'm also here to tell you

00:43:07.219 --> 00:43:08.419
 that what's true of you

00:43:08.419 --> 00:43:09.619
 is true of everyone

00:43:09.619 --> 00:43:10.259
 in this room.

00:43:10.719 --> 00:43:12.419
 That every single person

00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:13.320
 in this room

00:43:13.320 --> 00:43:14.340
 is a sinner

00:43:14.340 --> 00:43:15.300
 who has fallen short

00:43:15.300 --> 00:43:16.740
 of God's astounding glory

00:43:16.740 --> 00:43:18.800
 and therefore stands condemned.

00:43:19.539 --> 00:43:20.420
 But I'm also here

00:43:20.420 --> 00:43:20.880
 to tell you

00:43:20.880 --> 00:43:21.820
 that the wonderful,

00:43:22.079 --> 00:43:23.519
 extravagant good news

00:43:23.519 --> 00:43:24.740
 of Jesus on the cross

00:43:24.740 --> 00:43:26.720
 is that if you are in Christ,

00:43:27.300 --> 00:43:29.400
 you are extravagantly loved

00:43:29.400 --> 00:43:30.680
 and chosen by God

00:43:30.680 --> 00:43:31.980
 before the world

00:43:31.980 --> 00:43:32.659
 was even made.

00:43:33.159 --> 00:43:34.559
 Before you were even conceived

00:43:34.559 --> 00:43:35.320
 in your mother's womb.

00:43:35.400 --> 00:43:36.099
 If you are in Christ,

00:43:36.200 --> 00:43:37.019
 God chose you

00:43:37.019 --> 00:43:38.619
 to pour His love out upon you.

00:43:39.220 --> 00:43:40.780
 Jesus hung on the cross for you

00:43:40.780 --> 00:43:41.900
 and as He died,

00:43:42.000 --> 00:43:42.440
 He said,

00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:45.960
 the debt has been paid in full.

00:43:46.940 --> 00:43:48.400
 That is the hope of the gospel.

00:43:49.080 --> 00:43:50.260
 That though the situation

00:43:50.260 --> 00:43:51.540
 is worse than we think it is,

00:43:51.820 --> 00:43:53.200
 it's far more better

00:43:53.200 --> 00:43:54.620
 than we will ever think it is

00:43:54.620 --> 00:43:55.960
 because of Jesus.

00:43:56.720 --> 00:43:56.980
 Friends,

00:43:57.019 --> 00:43:58.120
 I don't know what you've done,

00:43:58.960 --> 00:44:00.180
 but if you come to Christ

00:44:00.180 --> 00:44:01.440
 in faith and repentance,

00:44:02.380 --> 00:44:03.200
 the blood of Jesus

00:44:03.200 --> 00:44:04.360
 which was shed on the cross

00:44:04.360 --> 00:44:05.580
 for you and for me

00:44:05.580 --> 00:44:06.440
 has a final

00:44:06.440 --> 00:44:07.460
 and a better word

00:44:07.460 --> 00:44:08.200
 over our sin.

00:44:08.199 --> 00:44:10.439
 And it stills the accusations

00:44:10.439 --> 00:44:11.119
 of the devil.

00:44:11.799 --> 00:44:12.759
 And when the devil comes

00:44:12.759 --> 00:44:14.039
 and lies and accuses you,

00:44:14.119 --> 00:44:15.039
 there's a better word

00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:15.500
 that says,

00:44:15.799 --> 00:44:16.299
 not guilty

00:44:16.299 --> 00:44:17.559
 because my blood

00:44:17.559 --> 00:44:18.159
 has been shed.

00:44:18.539 --> 00:44:19.399
 That is the hope

00:44:19.399 --> 00:44:19.980
 of the gospel.

00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:23.179
 This is Christ's redemption,

00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:24.239
 chapter three.

00:44:24.799 --> 00:44:25.159
 Finally,

00:44:25.319 --> 00:44:25.799
 chapter four,

00:44:25.859 --> 00:44:26.579
 the consummation.

00:44:26.699 --> 00:44:27.599
 We come out to close.

00:44:28.259 --> 00:44:29.099
 The final chapter

00:44:29.099 --> 00:44:29.759
 of the Bible

00:44:29.759 --> 00:44:31.599
 is called the consummation,

00:44:31.739 --> 00:44:32.379
 which is ironic

00:44:32.379 --> 00:44:33.879
 because we think of

00:44:33.879 --> 00:44:35.919
 consummating a wedding,

00:44:36.059 --> 00:44:36.299
 right?

00:44:36.300 --> 00:44:37.800
 Yes,

00:44:37.860 --> 00:44:38.420
 in some ways,

00:44:38.500 --> 00:44:40.180
 sex is an amazing picture

00:44:40.180 --> 00:44:40.920
 of what heaven

00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:41.860
 will one day be like.

00:44:41.920 --> 00:44:43.100
 A blissful union

00:44:43.100 --> 00:44:44.280
 of God's people

00:44:44.280 --> 00:44:45.380
 and God

00:44:45.380 --> 00:44:46.380
 for all eternity.

00:44:46.700 --> 00:44:47.500
 Marriage and sex

00:44:47.500 --> 00:44:48.340
 in some ways

00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:49.120
 in our world

00:44:49.120 --> 00:44:50.260
 is a faded

00:44:50.260 --> 00:44:51.800
 black and white picture

00:44:51.800 --> 00:44:53.420
 of the glories

00:44:53.420 --> 00:44:54.500
 of heaven

00:44:54.500 --> 00:44:55.100
 and what it's going

00:44:55.100 --> 00:44:55.620
 to be like.

00:44:55.940 --> 00:44:56.700
 That those who are

00:44:56.700 --> 00:44:57.240
 in Christ,

00:44:57.360 --> 00:44:58.460
 this blissful,

00:44:58.680 --> 00:44:59.620
 intimate relationship

00:44:59.620 --> 00:45:00.380
 between us

00:45:00.380 --> 00:45:01.220
 and God

00:45:01.220 --> 00:45:02.720
 for all eternity.

00:45:02.920 --> 00:45:03.820
 Revelation 21

00:45:03.820 --> 00:45:04.300
 says that

00:45:04.300 --> 00:45:05.360
 when Christ comes,

00:45:05.360 --> 00:45:06.420
 he will bring

00:45:06.420 --> 00:45:07.160
 his bride

00:45:07.160 --> 00:45:08.539
 back to himself

00:45:08.539 --> 00:45:09.400
 for the house

00:45:09.400 --> 00:45:09.880
 that he's been

00:45:09.880 --> 00:45:10.920
 preparing for us.

00:45:11.320 --> 00:45:11.940
 Think of how

00:45:11.940 --> 00:45:13.640
 every Disney movie

00:45:13.640 --> 00:45:14.380
 ends, right?

00:45:14.500 --> 00:45:15.120
 How does every

00:45:15.120 --> 00:45:16.680
 fairy tale story end?

00:45:17.260 --> 00:45:18.099
 And they lived

00:45:18.099 --> 00:45:20.340
 happily ever after.

00:45:20.460 --> 00:45:20.680
 Friends,

00:45:20.740 --> 00:45:22.019
 there's one fairy tale story

00:45:22.019 --> 00:45:23.120
 which is not a fairy tale.

00:45:23.760 --> 00:45:24.940
 We really will live

00:45:24.940 --> 00:45:27.140
 with our spouse,

00:45:27.360 --> 00:45:28.519
 the lover of our souls,

00:45:28.720 --> 00:45:31.200
 happily ever after

00:45:31.200 --> 00:45:32.579
 in all eternity

00:45:32.579 --> 00:45:34.260
 with him.

00:45:34.260 --> 00:45:34.800
 Friends,

00:45:34.860 --> 00:45:35.520
 in this lifetime

00:45:35.520 --> 00:45:36.160
 you may never

00:45:36.160 --> 00:45:36.760
 get married.

00:45:37.780 --> 00:45:38.580
 Maybe you've been

00:45:38.580 --> 00:45:39.300
 married and you've

00:45:39.300 --> 00:45:40.240
 suffered a difficult

00:45:40.240 --> 00:45:40.740
 marriage.

00:45:41.420 --> 00:45:42.320
 Maybe you've suffered

00:45:42.320 --> 00:45:43.520
 the trauma of a marriage

00:45:43.520 --> 00:45:44.340
 coming undone.

00:45:45.300 --> 00:45:46.040
 Maybe you've been

00:45:46.040 --> 00:45:47.460
 in an abusive marriage.

00:45:48.420 --> 00:45:48.960
 Maybe you've been

00:45:48.960 --> 00:45:50.060
 in a loveless marriage.

00:45:51.100 --> 00:45:51.620
 Maybe you've been

00:45:51.620 --> 00:45:52.180
 in a marriage

00:45:52.180 --> 00:45:52.940
 where your spouse

00:45:52.940 --> 00:45:54.920
 has spoken words

00:45:54.920 --> 00:45:55.600
 of you that have

00:45:55.600 --> 00:45:56.700
 wounded so deeply.

00:45:58.640 --> 00:45:59.180
 Friends,

00:45:59.260 --> 00:46:00.100
 regardless of who

00:46:00.100 --> 00:46:01.140
 you are today,

00:46:01.139 --> 00:46:02.960
 if you trust in Christ

00:46:02.960 --> 00:46:03.599
 one day,

00:46:03.839 --> 00:46:05.059
 very, very soon,

00:46:05.799 --> 00:46:06.480
 there is coming

00:46:06.480 --> 00:46:07.819
 the perfect husband,

00:46:08.079 --> 00:46:09.079
 the perfect spouse

00:46:09.079 --> 00:46:10.319
 who will bring you

00:46:10.319 --> 00:46:11.000
 back to himself,

00:46:11.099 --> 00:46:11.659
 who will love you

00:46:11.659 --> 00:46:12.299
 more fully

00:46:12.299 --> 00:46:13.679
 and more completely

00:46:13.679 --> 00:46:15.119
 and more tenderly

00:46:15.119 --> 00:46:16.119
 than any human being

00:46:16.119 --> 00:46:16.539
 could ever.

00:46:17.239 --> 00:46:18.799
 Who will love you

00:46:18.799 --> 00:46:19.400
 so deeply

00:46:19.400 --> 00:46:20.359
 that you'll get to enjoy

00:46:20.359 --> 00:46:21.019
 the reality

00:46:21.019 --> 00:46:22.179
 of the perfect marriage.

00:46:22.179 --> 00:46:23.099
 Not just a copy

00:46:23.099 --> 00:46:23.879
 of it here on earth.

00:46:24.299 --> 00:46:25.219
 Not just a faded

00:46:25.219 --> 00:46:26.259
 black and white image.

00:46:26.699 --> 00:46:27.480
 The reality,

00:46:27.659 --> 00:46:28.319
 the real thing

00:46:28.320 --> 00:46:29.460
 for all time

00:46:29.460 --> 00:46:30.519
 in all perfection.

00:46:31.019 --> 00:46:32.519
 Happily ever after.

00:46:33.280 --> 00:46:33.620
 And friends,

00:46:33.680 --> 00:46:34.600
 that's why our hope

00:46:34.600 --> 00:46:35.480
 is not in marriage.

00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:37.320
 Our hope is not in sex.

00:46:37.820 --> 00:46:38.860
 Our hope is not in

00:46:38.860 --> 00:46:40.320
 finding the perfect spouse,

00:46:40.460 --> 00:46:41.640
 having the perfect marriage,

00:46:42.059 --> 00:46:43.480
 having the perfect sex life

00:46:43.480 --> 00:46:46.039
 or being married.

00:46:46.440 --> 00:46:47.840
 Our hope is in Jesus Christ

00:46:47.840 --> 00:46:48.820
 who died on the cross.

00:46:49.380 --> 00:46:50.240
 Our hope is in the one

00:46:50.240 --> 00:46:51.200
 who came to reverse

00:46:51.200 --> 00:46:52.140
 the effects of sin

00:46:52.140 --> 00:46:52.640
 and the fall.

00:46:53.100 --> 00:46:54.120
 Our hope is in the one

00:46:54.120 --> 00:46:55.100
 who has chosen us

00:46:55.100 --> 00:46:55.680
 in him

00:46:55.680 --> 00:46:56.920
 and is calling us

00:46:56.920 --> 00:46:57.720
 back to himself.

00:46:58.320 --> 00:46:59.519
 Our hope is in the person

00:46:59.519 --> 00:47:01.320
 of the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:47:02.120 --> 00:47:02.880
 And so on that note,

00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:04.140
 let's pray.

00:47:11.559 --> 00:47:12.900
 Lord Jesus Christ,

00:47:14.300 --> 00:47:15.340
 oh how desperately

00:47:15.340 --> 00:47:16.480
 we need you.

00:47:17.600 --> 00:47:19.200
 God, we need you today

00:47:19.200 --> 00:47:21.080
 to affirm us

00:47:21.080 --> 00:47:22.300
 and to validate us.

00:47:22.900 --> 00:47:24.720
 We need you today, God,

00:47:24.800 --> 00:47:25.960
 to counter the lies

00:47:25.960 --> 00:47:26.580
 of the devil,

00:47:26.579 --> 00:47:28.940
 who tells us

00:47:28.940 --> 00:47:29.920
 that you are not good

00:47:29.920 --> 00:47:31.019
 and you are not trustworthy,

00:47:32.639 --> 00:47:33.619
 who tell us

00:47:33.619 --> 00:47:35.519
 that we can own

00:47:35.519 --> 00:47:36.880
 a piece of our own glory

00:47:36.880 --> 00:47:37.779
 if only we'll

00:47:37.779 --> 00:47:39.440
 follow our own desires.

00:47:40.440 --> 00:47:41.119
 Oh God,

00:47:41.179 --> 00:47:41.779
 won't you come

00:47:41.779 --> 00:47:42.699
 and speak a true

00:47:42.699 --> 00:47:43.279
 and better word

00:47:43.279 --> 00:47:43.920
 to our hearts?

00:47:46.559 --> 00:47:47.559
 God, won't you come

00:47:47.559 --> 00:47:48.179
 and heal

00:47:48.179 --> 00:47:49.019
 and restore

00:47:49.019 --> 00:47:51.239
 where sin has

00:47:51.239 --> 00:47:52.340
 hurt us

00:47:52.340 --> 00:47:53.199
 and destroyed us?

00:47:53.199 --> 00:47:55.199
 Jesus,

00:47:55.319 --> 00:47:56.119
 won't you come

00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:58.939
 and open our eyes

00:47:58.939 --> 00:47:59.919
 to see how glorious

00:47:59.919 --> 00:48:00.419
 you are?

00:48:02.319 --> 00:48:03.259
 God, we do pray

00:48:03.259 --> 00:48:03.799
 for healing

00:48:03.799 --> 00:48:04.419
 and restoration

00:48:04.419 --> 00:48:05.579
 where we've been hurt.

00:48:06.659 --> 00:48:07.480
 We do pray

00:48:07.480 --> 00:48:08.679
 for a miracle, God.

00:48:13.519 --> 00:48:14.460
 God, we do pray

00:48:14.460 --> 00:48:14.960
 that you come

00:48:14.960 --> 00:48:15.960
 and fill the longings

00:48:15.960 --> 00:48:16.539
 of our hearts,

00:48:16.639 --> 00:48:17.500
 those that are married

00:48:17.500 --> 00:48:18.759
 and those that are not married,

00:48:19.399 --> 00:48:21.500
 those that are enjoying marriage

00:48:21.500 --> 00:48:22.679
 and those for whom marriage

00:48:22.679 --> 00:48:23.260
 is difficult.

00:48:24.440 --> 00:48:25.500
 For every one of us,

00:48:25.579 --> 00:48:26.719
 Christ, come and be first

00:48:26.719 --> 00:48:27.639
 in our hearts, we pray.

00:48:28.500 --> 00:48:29.619
 Come and be center.

00:48:30.900 --> 00:48:31.960
 Jesus, come and pour

00:48:31.960 --> 00:48:33.679
 your transcendent glory

00:48:33.679 --> 00:48:34.420
 into our hearts

00:48:34.420 --> 00:48:35.239
 and open our eyes

00:48:35.239 --> 00:48:35.880
 to see you

00:48:35.880 --> 00:48:36.559
 and to love you.

00:48:40.920 --> 00:48:41.920
 Come and draw us

00:48:41.920 --> 00:48:43.960
 closer to yourself,

00:48:44.099 --> 00:48:44.480
 we pray.