WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.000 00 Gathering 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:34.359 How do we face the worst? 00:00:37.420 --> 00:00:40.700 How do we face the worst that life can throw at us? 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:48.960 I don't know what the worst is for you, but I'll bet you can fill in the blank. 00:00:51.080 --> 00:00:53.660 What's the greatest disappointment you faced? 00:00:56.219 --> 00:00:58.700 What's the greatest disappointment you fear? 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:08.040 The fact is that we might get into a competition and try to compare. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:10.400 Well, my worst might be worse than your worst. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:13.219 Your worst might be worse than my worst. 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:16.379 But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter, does it? 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:21.060 Because it's your worst in that moment when it happens to you. 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:27.320 When your hopes and your hearts are invested in something, 00:01:28.700 --> 00:01:31.500 when they are dashed and broken, 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:31.579 when they are broken, 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:37.420 they cause us to ask questions about God. 00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:41.200 Jerry Sitzer writes in his book, 00:01:41.260 --> 00:01:42.420 A Grace Disguised, 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:47.579 a book he wrote after the loss of several family members in a terrible car crash. 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:48.760 He said, 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:52.400 My loss made God seem terrifying and inscrutable. 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:59.359 For a long time I saw his sovereignty as a towering cliff in winter, icy, cold, and windswept. 00:01:59.780 --> 00:02:06.780 I stood in my misery at the base of this cliff and looked up at its forbidding, unscalable wall. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:11.939 I felt overwhelmed, intimidated, and crushed by its hugeness. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:17.680 It loomed over me, completely oblivious to my presence and pain. 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:19.599 It defied climbing. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:21.599 It mocked my pusiness. 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:26.659 I yelled at God to acknowledge my suffering and to take responsibility for it. 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:31.479 But all I heard was the lonely echo of my own voice. 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:35.439 Maybe you've been there. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.340 Maybe you're there today. 00:02:40.799 --> 00:02:43.579 But our worst suffering, our worst disappointment, 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:47.439 is only a part of what could be the worst in our own lives. 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:50.979 Because there's also our worst failure. 00:02:52.839 --> 00:02:56.159 When we do the thing we said we would never do. 00:02:56.159 --> 00:03:02.060 Maybe something comes to your mind when I see this. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:04.840 If anyone ever knew that I did that. 00:03:09.519 --> 00:03:11.900 The thing you promised you'd never do again. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:13.400 And you did. 00:03:14.259 --> 00:03:19.780 The act of violence or selfishness that destroyed the ones that you loved. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.919 The things that decent people are disgusted by. 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:26.239 That you have done. 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:31.500 Our greatest failures are our David moments. 00:03:31.599 --> 00:03:35.139 You remember King David in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:40.379 He looked upon a woman. 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:42.359 He took what was not his. 00:03:43.859 --> 00:03:45.819 He schemed to cover it up. 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:50.279 When he couldn't work out his first scheme, 00:03:50.779 --> 00:03:52.560 he worked out a worse one. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:54.360 That killed a man. 00:03:57.120 --> 00:03:58.500 And even after that, 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:01.580 he continued to sit in his throne in self-righteousness. 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:03.939 And proclaim with outrage 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:11.860 how terrible it was that other people would do such terrible things. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:15.280 And it was only until the prophet Nathan looked at him and said, 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:17.519 you are the man. 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:22.360 That David's worst failure came to light. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:28.500 And we'd like to think we're not like that. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:29.560 And we wouldn't get there. 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:32.139 But the Bible says otherwise. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:37.879 The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:42.000 The Bible says that there is no one righteous. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:42.860 Not one. 00:04:44.219 --> 00:04:51.300 The Bible tells us that we are all capable of our worst failure and sin. 00:04:51.300 --> 00:04:57.759 Maybe these moments have not happened to you yet. 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:01.240 Maybe you feel like so far in life you've kind of skated by. 00:05:02.100 --> 00:05:04.000 I'd love to tell you, good for you. 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:04.860 That'll be great. 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:05.920 Hope that continues. 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:10.780 But instead, I can only warn you, 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:11.879 the day will come. 00:05:14.520 --> 00:05:16.680 The day will come when you will see these things. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:19.400 And they will test you to the core of your being. 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:23.560 Some of you are sitting there and you are nodding 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:25.020 because you've already seen it. 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:27.220 Although you never know, 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:29.000 there may be another one yet to come. 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:32.020 But you've already seen what feels like your worst. 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:33.160 Your worst trial. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:34.660 Your worst suffering. 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:35.720 Your worst failure. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:39.640 Where do you turn? 00:05:40.640 --> 00:05:41.800 How do you face it? 00:05:43.080 --> 00:05:46.699 How will you walk through these worst of times? 00:05:49.220 --> 00:05:52.300 Well, this is what brings us to our passage this morning in Romans. 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:54.660 We're in Romans chapter 8 in your pew Bible. 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:56.939 It's page 944. 00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:01.280 We're looking today at Romans 8, 31 through 34. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:04.780 I'm going to read it in context. 00:06:04.779 --> 00:06:09.359 So that you can get a flow of the thought. 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:13.479 I'm actually going to read it starting all the way back in verse 18. 00:06:14.559 --> 00:06:17.000 So if you want to start with me there, you can. 00:06:17.419 --> 00:06:20.299 We're going to read and pray and then look at this passage together. 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:28.079 The Apostle Paul will help us think through how we face these worst moments in our lives. 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:32.079 Let's read together. 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:40.159 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:44.740 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:51.360 For the creation was subjected to futility not willingly but because of him who subjected it. 00:06:51.360 --> 00:07:00.259 In hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:06.579 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:09.980 And not only the creation but we ourselves. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:20.079 We who have the first fruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:23.139 For in this hope we were saved. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.539 Now hope that is seen is not hope for who hopes for what he sees. 00:07:27.659 --> 00:07:31.419 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:34.379 Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:40.099 For we do not know what we ought to pray for as we ought. 00:07:40.659 --> 00:07:45.439 But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:54.000 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:59.920 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good. 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:03.180 For those who are called according to his purpose. 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:14.560 For those he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:19.759 For those whom he predestined, he also called. 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:22.759 And those whom he called, he also justified. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:26.600 And those whom he justified, he also glorified. 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:31.600 What then shall we say to these things? 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:36.399 If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:42.320 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:48.240 How will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:52.600 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:08:53.780 --> 00:08:55.840 It is God who justifies. 00:08:56.020 --> 00:08:57.120 Who is to condemn? 00:08:58.200 --> 00:09:00.280 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.400 More than that, who was raised? 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.560 Who is at the right hand of God? 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:07.160 Who indeed is interceding for us? 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:11.179 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:18.059 Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:22.500 As it is written, for your sake we are being killed all the day long. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:25.159 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:09:26.219 --> 00:09:29.579 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors. 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:31.820 Through him who loved us. 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:43.180 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation. 00:09:43.180 --> 00:09:49.200 Will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:51.580 Amen. 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.180 Let's pray together. 00:09:53.179 --> 00:10:03.899 Lord, we thank you for this word and we thank you for this morning that we have a chance to think on you and what a savior you are. 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:09.439 God, I pray this morning that you would help us to wrestle with these texts. 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:13.339 Lord, I pray for your spirit to apply them to our hearts. 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:20.019 Lord, I pray that we might be encouraged as we meditate on what you have done for us. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:22.859 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:23.899 Amen. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:35.559 So as we look at verses 31 through 34, this is the final section, the climactic section of this tremendous chapter, 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:40.819 which is the final chapter in this tremendous section in the first half of Romans, 00:10:41.739 --> 00:10:49.359 whereby God has laid out in careful detail and argumentation all that God has done for us 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:52.500 in working salvation for us in Christ. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:57.200 We've seen in chapter 8 this great argument. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:11:00.019 There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:05.180 Because in Christ, God has done what we could not do to satisfy the law. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:09.980 And he's given us the spirit so that we might actually be able to fulfill the law. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:16.480 And he's given us the spirit so we might actually live a new life, not according to our old paths of living in sin, 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.420 but our new paths. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:23.039 And the spirit reminds us that we now have this new spirit of life. 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:29.379 Because Christ has been raised from the dead, and the spirit of Christ who has been raised from the dead is now ours. 00:11:29.599 --> 00:11:35.799 And not only do we have this new life, but we have this new place as an adopted child of God, 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:36.919 where he brings us. 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:40.860 Not only does he raise us from the dead and call us right before him, 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:42.579 but he brings us into his family. 00:11:42.959 --> 00:11:44.279 He calls us ours. 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:52.980 And knowing that, he says, now we can face even the greatest sufferings of life with hope. 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:59.480 Because we know that even the creation itself was subjected to futility, to corruption, to judgment, 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:07.579 so that it might also, with us who are joined with Christ, be redeemed and brought into a place of glory. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:17.520 And we know that at the center of this glory is that we will be saved from our sin, 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:20.320 and we will be renewed in the image of Christ. 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:26.740 We will be conformed to who he is and his perfect humanity and sinlessness one day. 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:33.920 And as we take up that glory, we reflect his glory, and we enjoy his glory. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:39.719 And it will be a beautiful thing, a beautiful place, and a beautiful world, 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:44.199 where God will perfectly reign, and we will worship him. 00:12:46.439 --> 00:12:49.120 This is, in some ways, the argument of Romans 8. 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:51.120 And it brings us then to this. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:57.059 What shall we say to these things, Paul says? 00:12:57.059 --> 00:13:03.199 How do we respond to all these great things that God has done for us? 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:11.339 And then what we see in the thrust of these few verses in 31 through 34 is that no matter what, 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:16.779 we are secure in the work of Christ for us. 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:23.539 No matter what sufferings we face, no matter how great our sin and our failures are, 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:27.039 the work of Christ is enough for us. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:29.339 And that's what we're going to look at. 00:13:29.459 --> 00:13:31.319 We're going to look at those things in order. 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:36.179 So verses 31 and 32, in light of our suffering and hardship, 00:13:36.339 --> 00:13:38.219 we are secure in the work of Christ. 00:13:41.099 --> 00:13:42.459 Look at it with me again. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.679 Paul begins this. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:49.599 This section has five rhetorical questions in 31 through 39. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.920 We're going to answer the first four today. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:56.740 And Nick's going to get to finish with the last one in verse 35 next week. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.899 His rhetorical question is, 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.259 what then shall we say to these things? 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:03.940 If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:06.800 And if you know anything about rhetorical questions, 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:08.420 the answer should be obvious. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:10.120 Who can be against us? 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.040 And what's the answer? 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:12.019 Nobody. 00:14:13.420 --> 00:14:15.379 Nobody can be against us. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:21.960 And you sit there, and I sit here, and we say, 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:22.559 really? 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.639 Really, Paul? 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:28.000 Nothing can be against us. 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:35.000 It's one of those places where what the Bible tells us 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:40.179 seems to be so jarringly out of step with our experience of life 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:43.299 that it's almost shocking. 00:14:47.459 --> 00:14:50.479 I know because I've walked with many of you 00:14:50.479 --> 00:14:52.439 through your circumstances of life. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:55.359 I know what is against you. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:15:06.159 I've seen when to have and to hold from this day forward 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:08.100 till death do us part 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:14.519 seems like an empty at best and cruel at worst promise. 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:21.679 I've seen some of you walk through singleness 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:23.559 for longer than you would want to, 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.679 hearing too many times, 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:28.319 it's not you, it's me, 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:33.399 but being left alone with your longing and your desire. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:38.819 I've seen you come into the office and say, 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:40.559 I lost my section eight. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:42.679 I don't have a place to stay. 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:45.000 I don't know where to go. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:55.039 I've seen you as you have tried again and again 00:15:55.039 --> 00:16:01.039 to have that baby you most wanted and failed and struggled. 00:16:02.099 --> 00:16:04.019 God, why wouldn't you give me this? 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:09.759 I've seen you submit your papers 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:12.460 and your applications for your jobs 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:14.220 as you're finishing your PhDs 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:18.220 and to find the silence be resounding 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:22.439 or to find that all the work that your lab has done 00:16:22.439 --> 00:16:23.819 for the last four years 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:26.460 hasn't really produced any results 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:30.840 or the other lab produced their paper first. 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:38.840 I've seen some of you hear the words, 00:16:38.920 --> 00:16:40.780 I'm sorry, there's nothing more we can do. 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:48.280 All of these circumstances seem to say 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:49.820 that God is not for us. 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:54.040 All of these life challenges seem to say to us 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:56.919 that God cannot be for us. 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:03.500 I think of one of my high school friends. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.240 Married, had a family. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:08.759 After they had a couple of biological kids, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.960 they felt led to adopt. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.420 They'd been to Haiti. 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:16.240 They'd seen the orphans left alone 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.559 after the great earthquake. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:21.659 They said, we want to be a part of God adopting 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:23.799 and loving those kids. 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:28.559 They signed up, had a kid assigned to them. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:32.879 They knew there were a few developmental delays, 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.720 but that was pretty typical 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:37.319 of kids who had suffered that trauma. 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:39.679 When they brought him home, 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:42.480 they realized that his trauma 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.879 was much deeper than that. 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:48.820 He's never spoken. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:53.560 His emotional thermostat 00:17:53.560 --> 00:17:56.340 is completely unpredictable. 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.860 He has fragile X. 00:17:59.080 --> 00:18:00.020 He has autism. 00:18:00.300 --> 00:18:01.700 He has a number of other things. 00:18:05.280 --> 00:18:06.860 How's God for us 00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:11.500 when we signed up to love a child 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.320 and to help them, 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:14.059 and we get this, 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:17.240 this child whom we seek to love, 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:19.119 but who is a terror in our household? 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:26.319 It's so hard, isn't it? 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:29.379 It's so hard when you face these things, 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:32.559 and it causes us to question God. 00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:35.259 God cannot be for us, it seems, 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:37.019 if these things are true. 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:41.920 Paul knows that these are the things 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.599 that we think, 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.839 and so he leads us in verse 32 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:48.599 to the second rhetorical question, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.559 which is an answer for us. 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.759 Look with me again, verse 32. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:57.859 He who did not spare his own son 00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:59.460 but gave him up for us all, 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.759 how will he not also with him 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:04.019 graciously give us all things? 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:08.879 Friends, this is the reality 00:19:08.879 --> 00:19:12.259 of how we face hard circumstances 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:15.619 and the worst that life can throw at you. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:18.700 It has to do with where you look. 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:24.000 Because what Paul says is, 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.120 in the face of that, 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.620 you must look at Jesus. 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:30.640 You must look at what God has done for us 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.420 in him. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.700 The cross is the place 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:35.000 where we see something 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.799 that we may not know 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.299 in other places in our lives, 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:40.340 but where we see it so securely. 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:42.680 Look with me and walk through this, 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:45.539 the language that Paul uses here. 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:47.100 What did God do? 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:49.819 First of all, he did not spare his son. 00:19:52.179 --> 00:19:54.539 What parent would choose 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:58.219 to willingly subject his or her child 00:19:58.219 --> 00:20:00.000 to suffering, 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:04.879 and yet God gave up his own son, 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:08.839 not only in the incarnation, 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:11.159 as he became human 00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:12.659 and took on human frailty, 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:15.099 but also in the crucifixion, 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:18.559 where he was treated abominably, 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:24.379 unjustly, abusively, painfully. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:29.579 God, greater than Abraham, 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:32.439 as he offered up his son Isaac on the altar, 00:20:33.919 --> 00:20:35.899 did not spare his son. 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:40.680 He did not just spare his son, 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.600 but he spared his, 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.460 do you see the language, 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:44.160 his own son. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:47.620 There is only one like this. 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:54.720 For God, it was deeply personal. 00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:57.759 God gave up his greatest treasure 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.840 of his own son 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:01.640 in that sense for us. 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:05.540 And it is not just for some of us, 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.600 but it is, 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.420 in this language, 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.920 it is for us all. 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.080 All who are in Christ, 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:13.880 God gave his son up for us. 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:18.780 None of us in Christ 00:21:18.780 --> 00:21:20.100 can say, 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:22.120 yeah, God did that for others, 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.000 but not for me. 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:32.019 God, who did not spare his own son, 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:33.899 but gave him up for us all, 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:37.379 how will he not also with him 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:39.979 graciously give us all things? 00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:44.439 God will graciously give us with him. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.619 Do you see that? 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:49.759 What God gives us first and foremost 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.939 is his son. 00:21:52.659 --> 00:21:54.779 But he doesn't just give us his son. 00:21:55.379 --> 00:21:58.339 He gives us all things with his son. 00:21:59.739 --> 00:22:02.359 All the things that we really want, 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:05.059 all the things that we really need, 00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:08.019 all the things that we were created for, 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:10.679 all the things so that we might be 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:13.979 the glory that God created 00:22:13.979 --> 00:22:16.179 and intended humanity to be. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:21.559 Let's be clear. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.039 All things here does not include 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.799 a big house, 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.419 a comfortable life, 00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:27.799 lots of children, 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.319 a fast car, 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.699 and an easy retirement. 00:22:33.719 --> 00:22:35.359 It is not those things 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:37.059 that God is most concerned about. 00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:40.199 He is concerned about those he called 00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:42.619 and those he predestined 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:44.579 and those he justified 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.579 and those he glorified. 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:48.799 He is far more concerned 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:51.199 with the salvation of your soul 00:22:51.199 --> 00:22:56.159 and your eternal destiny with God. 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.859 And in that, 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:01.919 his redemptive work of freeing you 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:05.039 from the sin and brokenness 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:07.859 and pain of life in a fallen world 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:11.339 so that you might experience with him 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:13.539 a restoration to perfection 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:15.119 and to joy 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.359 and to beauty 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:19.139 and to glory beyond all imagination. 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:25.520 He who did not spare his son 00:23:25.520 --> 00:23:27.700 but gave him up for us all, 00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:29.620 will he not 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:31.820 also with him 00:23:31.820 --> 00:23:33.200 graciously, 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.400 graciously, 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:36.120 not because we deserve it, 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:37.800 not because we've been such good 00:23:37.800 --> 00:23:38.700 or faithful Christians, 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.680 not because we've sacrificed 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.600 to serve him 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.480 or to know him, 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:45.480 but simply out of the abundance 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.899 of his undeserved favor 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:49.119 towards us, 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.959 graciously give us 00:23:52.959 --> 00:23:54.099 all things. 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:57.980 Friends, 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:59.019 this is what it means. 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:01.639 If God is for us, 00:24:01.719 --> 00:24:03.059 who can be against us? 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.259 Well, it seems like 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.039 there are a lot of things. 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:05.339 God, 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.000 how do I know 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.180 that you're really for me? 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.940 He who did not spare his son 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:11.460 but gave him up for us all, 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.859 will he not also 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:15.119 graciously give us 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:16.480 all things? 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.039 What's the answer 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:20.400 to that rhetorical question? 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.880 Of course he will. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.519 Of course he will. 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.079 God who gave up 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:26.900 his greatest treasure for us, 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:29.339 will he withhold from you? 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:31.160 Will he hold back 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:32.980 from giving you all 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.200 that you need 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.619 in this life 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:37.059 and the life to come? 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:40.179 Is he stingy? 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:43.859 Is he hard-hearted? 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:48.599 Friends, 00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:49.639 when we look at the cross, 00:24:49.739 --> 00:24:51.099 we can't say that he is. 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:55.159 Some of you know 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:56.199 that God has given me 00:24:56.199 --> 00:24:57.319 a chance to walk 00:24:57.319 --> 00:25:00.159 a road of great loss. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:04.099 And I can't tell you 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:05.000 why he did it. 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:06.459 Even today. 00:25:07.459 --> 00:25:09.059 It still doesn't make sense 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.500 to me. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.879 Doesn't make sense 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.979 when I see my kids 00:25:13.979 --> 00:25:15.179 without a mom 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:16.000 day to day 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.379 in our home. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.639 Doesn't make sense 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:21.279 as I walk through life 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.419 feeling like I've lost 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:23.539 half of me 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.299 in ministry 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.059 and in parenting 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.859 and in life. 00:25:26.679 --> 00:25:28.059 It doesn't make sense 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.979 as I know many of you 00:25:29.979 --> 00:25:32.799 have lost a friend, 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.700 a confidant, 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.680 an encourager, 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.299 someone who prayed 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.839 for you. 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.720 I don't see 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:43.559 the good in it. 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.779 Even today, 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.579 the loss seems great 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.759 and I don't understand 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.220 why. 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.139 But friends, 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.919 if there's one thing 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:54.539 that I know, 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.279 it's this truth 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.879 right here 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.980 in verses 31 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.619 and 32. 00:25:58.619 --> 00:26:00.899 that though I cannot 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:02.500 explain my circumstances 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:04.099 and I do not know 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:05.719 all that God has done, 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:07.299 I do know this. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.879 He did not spare 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.639 his own son 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.839 but he gave us, 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.000 gave him up, 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:12.639 us, 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.799 gave him up for us, 00:26:14.959 --> 00:26:15.719 for me 00:26:15.719 --> 00:26:16.479 and for you 00:26:16.479 --> 00:26:18.099 and for Brandy 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:20.039 and for our family 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.619 and for our church. 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:24.859 He did that 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:26.679 and that is how I know 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:28.019 that God is for us 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.619 and not against us. 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.719 That is how I know 00:26:31.719 --> 00:26:34.299 for sure. 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:38.339 It is how I can sing 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:40.399 when peace like a river 00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:41.599 attendeth my way, 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.500 when sorrows 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:45.779 like sea billows roll, 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.319 whatever my lot, 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:49.739 he has taught me to say 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.539 it is well, 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.779 it is well with my soul. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.480 Though Satan should buffet, 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.059 though trials should come, 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:59.200 let this blessed assurance 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.920 control 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:02.220 that Christ has regarded 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:05.160 my helpless estate 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:07.620 and has shed his own blood 00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.579 for my soul. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:12.019 My sin of the bliss 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:14.120 of this glorious thought, 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.640 my sin not in part 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:17.160 but the whole 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:19.039 is nailed to the cross 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:20.599 and I bear it no more. 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.379 Praise the Lord. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.740 Praise the Lord, 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.960 oh my soul. 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:27.259 It is well. 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.839 It is well. 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:32.559 It is well with my soul. 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:42.319 God is for us. 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:45.440 Who can stand against us? 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:48.360 But Paul says 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:48.940 there is more 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.059 than just facing 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.299 the trials 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.259 and the hardships 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.580 and suffering of life. 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.000 As he goes on 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.840 in verses 33 and 34, 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:59.340 he faces another part 00:27:59.340 --> 00:28:00.519 of the worst 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.500 of our lives. 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.320 Look with me again 00:28:03.320 --> 00:28:04.279 and it is important 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.100 to get the cadence. 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.120 The language 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.960 in the English translation 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.380 sometimes is a little jarring. 00:28:10.080 --> 00:28:11.600 He is not asking a question 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.480 and then giving an answer 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.480 and then asking a question 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.680 and then giving another answer. 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:16.320 Listen as I read it again 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:17.360 so you can try to get 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.299 what he is saying here. 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.360 33, 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:21.400 who shall bring any charge 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.480 against God's elect? 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:26.460 It is God who justifies. 00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:28.259 Who is to condemn? 00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.980 Christ Jesus 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.620 is the one who died 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.600 more than that 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.259 who was raised, 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.240 who is at the right hand 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.700 of God, 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:38.440 who indeed is interceding 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.100 for us. 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:41.859 So he starts off 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.639 with this question 00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.819 and he moves it 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:45.639 into a courtroom language. 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.259 He is using 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:48.039 forensic language here 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.919 like we have now 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:49.679 been brought into 00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:50.839 the courtroom of heaven 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:52.659 and we are standing 00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:54.079 before God the judge 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.779 and Paul says 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:58.179 if our worst sufferings 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:59.719 are one of our great trials, 00:28:59.939 --> 00:29:01.579 our worst sin and failure 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:03.480 is our other great trial 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.219 in this life. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.279 And he says, 00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:06.619 who can bring a charge 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:07.759 against God's elect? 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:11.899 And he says, 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.319 listen, 00:29:12.739 --> 00:29:13.919 if it is God 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.959 who is justified, 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:17.000 then who can condemn? 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.099 If God sitting in 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.199 the throne room 00:29:20.199 --> 00:29:20.819 has said, 00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:21.339 no, 00:29:21.479 --> 00:29:22.059 you are, 00:29:22.219 --> 00:29:23.219 because of your attachment 00:29:23.219 --> 00:29:23.979 to Christ, 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:26.559 been covered 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.519 in his righteousness 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.539 and are able 00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.819 to stand before me 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:31.019 and I declare you 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.759 righteous, 00:29:33.479 --> 00:29:36.119 then how can anyone 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:38.139 gainsay that? 00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:38.959 How can anyone say, 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.139 no, 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:39.259 no, 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:39.399 no, 00:29:39.439 --> 00:29:39.659 God, 00:29:39.719 --> 00:29:40.539 you don't understand. 00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:41.399 Let me tell you 00:29:41.399 --> 00:29:42.019 about him. 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.319 Let me tell you 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.539 about what he's done. 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.939 I will bring 00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:47.699 a condemnation 00:29:47.699 --> 00:29:48.459 against him. 00:29:53.939 --> 00:29:54.939 Then Paul says, 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.179 no, 00:29:55.239 --> 00:29:55.959 it is Christ. 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:58.899 Christ who has died, 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.079 Christ who was raised, 00:30:00.239 --> 00:30:01.059 Christ who is now 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:02.219 at the right hand of God 00:30:02.219 --> 00:30:03.459 interceding for us 00:30:03.459 --> 00:30:04.500 like a lawyer, 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:07.099 advocating for us, 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:07.559 in fact, 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.640 stepping in 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:11.599 and taking our place 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:13.299 in that judicial courtroom 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.119 so that we might 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.900 stand there. 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.440 That's the basic 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.319 argument here. 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.079 The challenge, 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:24.539 of course, 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.960 is like in the first section. 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.660 Who shall bring 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.259 any charges 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.259 against God elect? 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.259 Well, 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.400 I can think of a few people 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.400 who could bring some charges 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.120 against me. 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.620 Maybe you can think 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.880 of a few people as well. 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.980 Those in our past, 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:45.420 people you grew up with. 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.280 Oh, 00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:47.440 you say you're a Christian now, 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:47.620 huh? 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.500 Really? 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:49.280 Well, 00:30:49.280 --> 00:30:50.000 I knew you when. 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.660 I know what you did. 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.540 I was reading last night, 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:57.700 rereading a testimony 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.540 of Chuck Colson. 00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.620 You may know him. 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:01.119 He worked for Nixon. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:03.539 He was a part of the Watergate 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:06.519 damage control team. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.500 And he did, 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.639 well, 00:31:09.699 --> 00:31:10.859 a number of not very 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:12.759 upright things 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:14.359 as he served in government. 00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:16.759 But God saved him. 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:18.319 And he stayed in Washington 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.619 and he did ministry there. 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.939 And the article is interesting 00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:22.739 because it talked about 00:31:22.739 --> 00:31:24.059 how he continued to pursue 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:25.819 relationships with his 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.939 political friends 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:28.600 who knew what he was like 00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:29.080 before. 00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.740 And how he had to endure 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.480 at times 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:34.059 the accusation. 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:35.360 What are you now? 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.100 One of those 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:37.420 goody-two-shoe Christians? 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.420 I don't think so. 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.420 I know you. 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.640 I know where you've been. 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.840 Those in our past 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:49.680 can bring accusations 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.660 against us. 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.519 Our own conscience 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.920 can bring accusations 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.839 against us. 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.900 Because you know 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:02.740 better than anyone else 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.599 the worst things 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.259 that you've done. 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:07.440 You know the deepest 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.819 and darkest secrets 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.900 of your life. 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:12.799 You know your worst sins. 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.900 And even when it wasn't 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.500 an action, 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:17.940 even when it was 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:19.319 only a thought 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:20.240 or an attitude 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.180 in your heart, 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:23.500 you know how evil 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.299 and vile 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.359 your thoughts have been. 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:27.400 You know how often 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.759 you have lusted 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:30.480 for power, 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.740 for pleasure, 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:34.079 for selfish gain. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.460 You know how often 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.259 you have hated 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:36.980 others 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:40.880 for your own good. 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:44.440 You know the ways 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.559 that you have doubted 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.799 and denied 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.880 and rejected 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:49.380 and resisted 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:49.940 God. 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:51.019 You know 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.960 the way 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:53.359 that you 00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:54.740 so often 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:56.400 make your whole life 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.920 revolve around you 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.259 and you usurp 00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.799 God 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.819 from the center 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.579 of the universe 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:03.339 and from your own life. 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:08.059 And if you are honest, 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:08.700 your conscience 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.539 tells you 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:12.160 how terrible 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.759 you are. 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.279 It's not just 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.119 people in our past, 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.740 it's not just 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:19.019 our consciences, 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.859 but there is 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:21.120 in the spiritual world 00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:22.660 a power 00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:23.440 that brings 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:23.880 to us 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.640 accusation 00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:25.359 again and again 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:25.900 and again. 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:28.000 Revelation 12, 10 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:29.180 talks about 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:30.019 the accuser 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.819 of the brethren, 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.140 that is, 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:33.799 Satan, 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.980 who accuses them 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.019 day and night 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:38.460 and he whispers 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.359 the lies. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.720 If they knew 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:44.059 how bad you really were, 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.140 if they knew 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.220 that you had done that, 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.400 they would never 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.079 accept you. 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.740 You can never 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.319 be forgiven 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.220 of that sin. 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:54.700 You will never 00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:55.360 be good enough 00:33:55.360 --> 00:33:55.900 for God 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:57.160 or for anyone else. 00:33:58.600 --> 00:33:59.360 And he will 00:33:59.360 --> 00:34:00.339 bring to mind 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.200 to you 00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:02.360 again and again 00:34:02.360 --> 00:34:03.120 and again 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:03.900 the worst 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:04.839 of your sin 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:06.539 and he will bring 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.079 the weight 00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:08.119 of condemnation 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.199 and judgment 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:09.900 upon it 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:11.760 and he will seek 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:12.619 to crush you 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.240 under guilt 00:34:13.240 --> 00:34:13.940 and shame. 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:16.800 because that's 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:17.480 what he does. 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.099 Friends, 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:23.059 not only do 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.579 these things 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.059 accuse you 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:25.539 but here's the thing, 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:26.500 the law of God 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.980 itself, 00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:27.720 the holiness 00:34:27.720 --> 00:34:28.980 of God Almighty 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:31.039 brings to you 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.760 a charge 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:33.539 because what we 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.599 see in the scriptures 00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:35.440 and what we see 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:35.980 in the character 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.559 of God 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.539 is a holiness 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.139 that we will 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.300 never attain to. 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:44.519 we are only 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.740 fooling ourselves 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:47.680 when we think 00:34:47.680 --> 00:34:48.880 we can be good enough. 00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:51.300 If we think 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:53.220 that a 60% good 00:34:53.220 --> 00:34:53.700 outweighs 00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:55.300 our 40% bad 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:56.260 is good enough, 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:57.120 we don't know 00:34:57.120 --> 00:34:58.280 the holiness of God. 00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.700 We don't understand 00:34:59.700 --> 00:35:01.039 the gravity of sin. 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:02.420 We don't understand 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.320 the weightiness 00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:05.000 of our rebellion 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.920 and our rejection 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:07.220 of God. 00:35:07.219 --> 00:35:07.299 God, 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:11.039 he holds up 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.500 a standard 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.199 that we cannot 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:12.639 meet 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:14.799 because of our sin. 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:20.119 These voices 00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:22.219 speak to us. 00:35:23.379 --> 00:35:24.419 So when Paul says, 00:35:24.959 --> 00:35:26.179 who can bring a charge 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.199 against God's elect, 00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:28.019 it seems like 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.099 there's a whole room 00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:29.799 full of them. 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:30.859 Right? 00:35:30.859 --> 00:35:31.000 Right? 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:34.440 guilty, 00:35:34.739 --> 00:35:35.119 vile, 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.019 and helpless 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.500 we. 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:44.039 Who then 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:45.000 does God 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.699 think of us? 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:46.880 What then 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:47.340 does God 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.519 say about us? 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.780 I want to 00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.280 pause here 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:52.800 for a minute 00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:54.300 because I want 00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:54.780 to make sure 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:55.360 that we do 00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:56.400 understand this. 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.340 Right? 00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:59.980 Because the argument 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:00.620 in Romans 00:36:00.620 --> 00:36:01.640 doesn't make 00:36:01.640 --> 00:36:02.700 any sense at all 00:36:02.700 --> 00:36:03.360 if we think 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:03.840 we're good. 00:36:05.100 --> 00:36:06.280 Go back and read 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:07.680 Romans 1-3 again. 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.380 That's the whole point 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:13.880 of Romans 1-18-3-20 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:15.400 is that 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.260 all 00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:17.340 have sinned 00:36:17.340 --> 00:36:18.579 and fallen short 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.360 of the glory of God. 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.180 All of us 00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:20.880 are under it. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.100 Religious people, 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:23.300 not religious people, 00:36:24.180 --> 00:36:24.559 Jews, 00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:25.420 Gentiles, 00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:26.619 people with consciences, 00:36:26.780 --> 00:36:27.820 people without consciences. 00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:29.000 It doesn't matter 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.720 who you are. 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:30.760 All of us. 00:36:31.280 --> 00:36:31.980 This is true. 00:36:32.280 --> 00:36:33.159 And here's the crazy 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:33.880 thing about it. 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.900 It is the most 00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:35.800 verifiable 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:37.340 theological doctrine 00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:38.460 in human history. 00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:40.539 All you have to do 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.360 is stop and think 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.460 about your own life. 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:47.700 Are you a sinful person? 00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:49.360 Have you done things 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:50.180 that are not right? 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:52.240 Well, 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:53.019 of course you have. 00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:54.679 And when you look 00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:56.259 at the greater swath 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:57.019 of human history, 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.460 you think, 00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:57.619 well, 00:36:57.759 --> 00:36:58.860 what else is 00:36:58.860 --> 00:36:59.599 the story 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.440 of human history? 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.139 Oh, 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:02.880 there are moments 00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:03.880 of bright lights. 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.719 There are moments 00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:06.739 of redemptive breakthroughs. 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.519 There are moments 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:09.480 when our created goodness 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.480 shines through 00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:11.920 and we respond 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:13.019 for a moment 00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:14.320 with goodness. 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:17.179 But when we look 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:18.139 over all, 00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:22.339 human sinfulness 00:37:22.339 --> 00:37:23.259 is one of the most 00:37:23.259 --> 00:37:24.559 historically verifiable 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.779 theological doctrines 00:37:25.779 --> 00:37:26.739 the church has. 00:37:29.859 --> 00:37:31.239 We must not 00:37:31.239 --> 00:37:34.619 live with the illusion 00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:36.599 that we will be good 00:37:36.599 --> 00:37:37.539 or good enough. 00:37:39.259 --> 00:37:40.219 If you're here 00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:40.879 this morning 00:37:40.879 --> 00:37:42.059 and you're exploring 00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:42.679 Christianity, 00:37:42.900 --> 00:37:44.319 know how central 00:37:44.319 --> 00:37:45.059 this is. 00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:46.900 And I do not say it 00:37:46.900 --> 00:37:48.259 to say that you are bad 00:37:48.259 --> 00:37:48.820 and we, 00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:50.799 I sitting up here, 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:51.299 am good. 00:37:51.759 --> 00:37:52.059 No, 00:37:52.139 --> 00:37:52.960 what the Bible says 00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:54.119 is that we are all 00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:55.519 sinful. 00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:57.360 No one is righteous, 00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:58.159 not one. 00:37:58.360 --> 00:37:59.599 And we are all helpless 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:01.519 before our sin. 00:38:03.299 --> 00:38:04.460 And if we stood 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:06.000 in that heavenly courtroom 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:07.079 before God 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.539 on our own merits, 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.059 we would all 00:38:09.639 --> 00:38:11.059 face condemnation 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:11.619 condemnation 00:38:11.619 --> 00:38:12.880 and judgment 00:38:12.880 --> 00:38:14.420 and punishment 00:38:14.420 --> 00:38:15.119 for it. 00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:19.259 I started quoting 00:38:19.259 --> 00:38:19.719 the hymn. 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:20.940 Some of you probably 00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:22.440 filled it in, 00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:22.799 right? 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:24.000 Guilty, 00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:24.500 vile, 00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:25.420 and helpless we. 00:38:26.739 --> 00:38:27.380 Spotless 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:28.500 Lamb of God 00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.360 is He. 00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.779 Full atonement 00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:33.159 can it be. 00:38:34.279 --> 00:38:34.880 Hallelujah. 00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:36.880 What a Savior. 00:38:37.820 --> 00:38:38.559 And this is where 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.440 Paul points us 00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:39.900 again. 00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:40.860 Look with me 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:42.700 in verse 34. 00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:47.940 We cannot be condemned 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:49.700 because Jesus Christ 00:38:49.700 --> 00:38:52.139 has died. 00:38:52.660 --> 00:38:53.760 And more than that, 00:38:53.820 --> 00:38:54.460 has risen. 00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:56.160 And more than that, 00:38:56.340 --> 00:38:57.240 is at the right hand 00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:57.660 of God 00:38:57.660 --> 00:38:59.059 interceding for us. 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:01.559 What is He saying here? 00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:03.079 He who died, 00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:04.079 the righteous one, 00:39:04.139 --> 00:39:04.800 the one who is 00:39:04.800 --> 00:39:05.820 perfectly sinless, 00:39:06.160 --> 00:39:07.160 died for us. 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.720 He took our place 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:10.099 when He came 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:10.679 and died 00:39:10.679 --> 00:39:11.759 on the cross. 00:39:11.959 --> 00:39:13.419 He died not for Himself 00:39:13.419 --> 00:39:14.759 but for us. 00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:16.899 And bearing our sin 00:39:16.899 --> 00:39:17.919 and taking the punishment 00:39:17.919 --> 00:39:19.000 of God for us, 00:39:19.179 --> 00:39:20.079 we see both 00:39:20.079 --> 00:39:20.839 the greatness 00:39:20.839 --> 00:39:21.639 of the offense 00:39:21.639 --> 00:39:22.419 of our sin, 00:39:22.919 --> 00:39:23.719 but also 00:39:23.719 --> 00:39:25.559 the perfection 00:39:25.559 --> 00:39:26.819 of God's sinlessness 00:39:26.819 --> 00:39:27.980 in Christ 00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:29.439 that He might do it 00:39:29.439 --> 00:39:30.239 for us. 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.199 Death would be 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:33.599 the only proper judgment 00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:34.719 for sin 00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:35.899 against a holy God 00:39:35.899 --> 00:39:36.599 who is the giver 00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:37.099 of life. 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.199 And so Jesus 00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:39.259 took that death 00:39:39.259 --> 00:39:40.199 for us. 00:39:42.299 --> 00:39:43.259 But He did not 00:39:43.259 --> 00:39:44.480 simply die for us. 00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:45.599 But Paul goes on, 00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:45.920 he says, 00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.579 and He rose 00:39:46.579 --> 00:39:47.920 from the dead. 00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:48.799 And being raised 00:39:48.799 --> 00:39:49.339 from the dead 00:39:49.339 --> 00:39:51.039 shows that the death 00:39:51.039 --> 00:39:51.900 that He died 00:39:51.900 --> 00:39:53.199 was effective 00:39:53.199 --> 00:39:55.119 to erase 00:39:55.119 --> 00:39:55.860 the punishment 00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:57.819 and to be able 00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:58.259 to then, 00:39:58.519 --> 00:39:59.360 as He rises 00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:00.099 to new life, 00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:01.279 He is able then 00:40:01.279 --> 00:40:02.900 to justify us, 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.759 that is to give us 00:40:03.760 --> 00:40:04.680 a right standing 00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:05.520 before God 00:40:05.520 --> 00:40:06.760 by giving us 00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:07.600 His righteousness 00:40:07.600 --> 00:40:09.380 and by giving us 00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:10.200 a new heart 00:40:10.200 --> 00:40:11.500 and a new life, 00:40:13.060 --> 00:40:13.920 a new spirit, 00:40:14.720 --> 00:40:15.760 so that we might 00:40:15.760 --> 00:40:16.740 actually be 00:40:16.740 --> 00:40:17.840 His people. 00:40:18.720 --> 00:40:19.620 And so we are now 00:40:19.620 --> 00:40:20.360 raised 00:40:20.360 --> 00:40:21.660 to a new 00:40:21.660 --> 00:40:22.700 and indestructible 00:40:22.700 --> 00:40:23.920 life with Christ. 00:40:25.040 --> 00:40:25.840 And this, 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.600 by faith. 00:40:29.020 --> 00:40:29.740 And so Christ, 00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:30.640 who was raised 00:40:30.640 --> 00:40:31.060 from the dead, 00:40:31.120 --> 00:40:31.780 not only was He 00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:32.540 raised from the dead, 00:40:32.539 --> 00:40:33.239 but He was raised 00:40:33.239 --> 00:40:34.420 up to the right hand 00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:34.980 of God, 00:40:35.300 --> 00:40:36.199 the right hand of God 00:40:36.199 --> 00:40:37.340 being first and foremost 00:40:37.340 --> 00:40:38.340 a place of honor, 00:40:38.679 --> 00:40:39.699 but not only is He there, 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:41.259 but He also is seated 00:40:41.259 --> 00:40:42.380 at the right hand of God, 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:43.480 which means that His work 00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.099 is finished. 00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.719 There is nothing else 00:40:45.719 --> 00:40:46.300 to do 00:40:46.300 --> 00:40:48.000 because what Christ did 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:49.139 when He died on the cross 00:40:49.139 --> 00:40:50.259 and rose from the grave 00:40:50.259 --> 00:40:51.539 was to defeat 00:40:51.539 --> 00:40:52.759 the power of sin 00:40:52.759 --> 00:40:53.279 and death 00:40:53.279 --> 00:40:54.139 in the life 00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:55.440 of all who believe 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:55.960 in Him 00:40:55.960 --> 00:40:56.820 forever. 00:40:59.980 --> 00:41:00.920 Sins past, 00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:02.039 sins present, 00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:03.159 sins future, 00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:04.000 they are covered 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:05.440 by Christ's death 00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:06.199 and resurrection. 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.099 And therefore, 00:41:08.300 --> 00:41:09.159 when we stand 00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:10.900 in the courtroom, 00:41:11.380 --> 00:41:11.980 when we, 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.659 the accused, 00:41:12.920 --> 00:41:14.179 stand before Him, 00:41:15.279 --> 00:41:16.460 God looks at us 00:41:16.460 --> 00:41:17.059 and He sees 00:41:17.059 --> 00:41:18.199 not our sin, 00:41:18.719 --> 00:41:19.440 but He sees 00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:20.039 the righteousness 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.840 of Christ. 00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:24.579 He looks at us 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:26.259 and He cannot see 00:41:26.259 --> 00:41:27.179 what the rest of us 00:41:27.179 --> 00:41:27.800 all see 00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.980 is our sin. 00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:30.940 and He does not 00:41:30.940 --> 00:41:31.440 see it 00:41:31.440 --> 00:41:33.440 because Christ 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:34.300 has covered us 00:41:34.300 --> 00:41:35.159 in His righteousness. 00:41:36.539 --> 00:41:37.440 And that's why 00:41:37.440 --> 00:41:38.740 no one can condemn us 00:41:38.740 --> 00:41:39.980 because can you 00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.800 condemn Jesus? 00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:43.079 That's where we stand, 00:41:43.139 --> 00:41:43.960 in Jesus. 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.380 And no one 00:41:45.380 --> 00:41:46.559 can condemn Jesus 00:41:46.559 --> 00:41:47.740 because He was 00:41:47.740 --> 00:41:48.679 the perfect man 00:41:48.679 --> 00:41:50.519 who was without sin. 00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:54.019 and this is His 00:41:54.019 --> 00:41:55.259 intercession for us. 00:41:55.940 --> 00:41:57.000 This is His standing 00:41:57.000 --> 00:41:57.759 in our place 00:41:57.759 --> 00:41:58.360 for us. 00:41:58.860 --> 00:41:59.940 This is His advocacy 00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:00.980 for us 00:42:00.980 --> 00:42:02.860 in the heavenly throne room. 00:42:02.860 --> 00:42:09.660 So friends, 00:42:10.720 --> 00:42:11.820 just as we face 00:42:11.820 --> 00:42:12.579 the greatest 00:42:12.579 --> 00:42:14.620 sufferings 00:42:14.620 --> 00:42:15.640 and look to Christ, 00:42:15.780 --> 00:42:16.860 so when we face 00:42:16.860 --> 00:42:18.099 the greatest sin 00:42:18.099 --> 00:42:19.340 in our lives, 00:42:19.400 --> 00:42:20.440 we look to Christ. 00:42:22.260 --> 00:42:23.500 Is Jesus' death 00:42:23.500 --> 00:42:24.059 sufficient 00:42:24.059 --> 00:42:25.280 for the worst thing 00:42:25.280 --> 00:42:26.240 that you've ever done? 00:42:27.539 --> 00:42:28.120 Yes, 00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:28.980 it is. 00:42:29.860 --> 00:42:31.160 Can Jesus' righteousness 00:42:31.159 --> 00:42:33.039 cover your worst sin? 00:42:34.219 --> 00:42:34.799 Yes, 00:42:35.159 --> 00:42:35.739 it can. 00:42:36.960 --> 00:42:38.699 Is there any accusation 00:42:38.699 --> 00:42:39.579 that can be brought 00:42:39.579 --> 00:42:40.779 against you 00:42:40.779 --> 00:42:42.019 when you are clothed 00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:42.679 in the righteousness 00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:43.480 of Christ? 00:42:44.819 --> 00:42:45.299 No, 00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:47.319 there is not one. 00:42:48.239 --> 00:42:49.179 There is none. 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:54.440 And so we sing, 00:42:54.659 --> 00:42:55.779 when Satan tempts me 00:42:55.779 --> 00:42:56.599 to despair 00:42:56.599 --> 00:42:58.199 and tells me 00:42:58.199 --> 00:42:59.239 of the guilt within, 00:42:59.679 --> 00:43:00.699 upward I look 00:43:00.699 --> 00:43:02.299 and see Him there 00:43:02.299 --> 00:43:04.359 who made an end 00:43:04.359 --> 00:43:05.919 to all my sin. 00:43:06.599 --> 00:43:07.960 Because the sinless 00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:08.859 Savior died, 00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:10.319 my sinful soul 00:43:10.319 --> 00:43:11.859 is counted free 00:43:11.859 --> 00:43:14.019 for God the just 00:43:14.019 --> 00:43:15.000 is satisfied 00:43:15.000 --> 00:43:16.719 to look on Him 00:43:16.719 --> 00:43:19.159 and pardon me. 00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:24.599 Friends, 00:43:24.659 --> 00:43:26.059 I wonder how many of you 00:43:26.059 --> 00:43:28.239 are buried this morning 00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:29.079 under the weight 00:43:29.079 --> 00:43:30.079 of guilt and shame. 00:43:31.799 --> 00:43:32.980 I wonder if you 00:43:32.980 --> 00:43:33.980 are here this morning 00:43:33.980 --> 00:43:35.480 and you have thought, 00:43:35.739 --> 00:43:37.579 if only I were good enough. 00:43:38.299 --> 00:43:39.299 I look at all these 00:43:39.299 --> 00:43:40.799 really good looking people 00:43:40.799 --> 00:43:41.460 around me 00:43:41.460 --> 00:43:41.940 and I think, 00:43:42.059 --> 00:43:42.139 well, 00:43:42.400 --> 00:43:43.480 they all have their acts 00:43:43.480 --> 00:43:43.920 together. 00:43:44.139 --> 00:43:45.159 What's wrong with me? 00:43:48.900 --> 00:43:50.139 And so you hide. 00:43:51.400 --> 00:43:52.319 And so you carry 00:43:52.319 --> 00:43:52.980 this burden 00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:54.059 of guilt and shame. 00:43:54.059 --> 00:43:58.820 some of you 00:43:58.820 --> 00:43:59.619 really struggle 00:43:59.619 --> 00:44:00.299 to believe, 00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:01.539 can God forgive me 00:44:01.539 --> 00:44:02.619 of this sin? 00:44:03.420 --> 00:44:04.559 Can God forgive me 00:44:04.559 --> 00:44:05.360 when I blew it 00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:06.179 like that? 00:44:12.119 --> 00:44:13.400 Who can bring a charge 00:44:13.400 --> 00:44:14.420 against God's elect? 00:44:15.719 --> 00:44:17.019 It is God 00:44:17.019 --> 00:44:18.199 who justifies. 00:44:19.279 --> 00:44:20.559 Who can condemn? 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:25.559 Christ Jesus, 00:44:26.000 --> 00:44:26.639 it is He 00:44:26.639 --> 00:44:27.360 who died 00:44:27.360 --> 00:44:29.279 and was raised 00:44:29.279 --> 00:44:30.619 and now intercedes 00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:32.039 for us. 00:44:35.019 --> 00:44:35.579 Friends, 00:44:35.659 --> 00:44:36.279 I want to say 00:44:36.279 --> 00:44:37.239 these things to you. 00:44:39.000 --> 00:44:40.000 This is how 00:44:40.000 --> 00:44:40.579 we face 00:44:40.579 --> 00:44:41.420 the worst moments 00:44:41.420 --> 00:44:42.179 of our lives. 00:44:43.500 --> 00:44:44.440 We look 00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:46.199 not at those things, 00:44:46.340 --> 00:44:47.460 not at the circumstances 00:44:47.460 --> 00:44:48.679 and not at the realities 00:44:48.679 --> 00:44:49.699 and it is not 00:44:49.699 --> 00:44:50.299 to deny 00:44:50.299 --> 00:44:51.039 that those things 00:44:51.039 --> 00:44:51.619 are true, 00:44:52.239 --> 00:44:53.500 that we are suffering 00:44:53.500 --> 00:44:54.940 and that we are sinful. 00:44:55.239 --> 00:44:55.779 It is not 00:44:55.779 --> 00:44:56.299 to deny 00:44:56.299 --> 00:44:57.199 those things 00:44:57.199 --> 00:44:58.859 but Paul says 00:44:58.859 --> 00:44:59.839 when we face 00:44:59.839 --> 00:45:00.679 those things, 00:45:00.819 --> 00:45:01.899 how do we face them? 00:45:01.980 --> 00:45:03.119 We look up. 00:45:03.399 --> 00:45:03.879 We look 00:45:03.879 --> 00:45:04.799 to Christ 00:45:04.799 --> 00:45:08.559 and when we look 00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:09.099 to Christ, 00:45:09.239 --> 00:45:09.779 we see 00:45:09.779 --> 00:45:12.500 what we really need 00:45:12.500 --> 00:45:16.299 because He 00:45:16.299 --> 00:45:16.839 has done it 00:45:16.839 --> 00:45:17.419 for us. 00:45:17.420 --> 00:45:19.079 it is there 00:45:19.079 --> 00:45:19.760 that we find 00:45:19.760 --> 00:45:20.300 assurance 00:45:20.300 --> 00:45:21.000 that God 00:45:21.000 --> 00:45:21.940 is for us 00:45:21.940 --> 00:45:22.740 because He 00:45:22.740 --> 00:45:23.639 died for us. 00:45:24.099 --> 00:45:24.800 It is there 00:45:24.800 --> 00:45:25.559 that we find 00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:26.139 the assurance 00:45:26.139 --> 00:45:27.099 that even 00:45:27.099 --> 00:45:28.180 our worst sin 00:45:28.180 --> 00:45:29.460 cannot condemn us 00:45:29.460 --> 00:45:30.539 because Christ 00:45:30.539 --> 00:45:31.039 has taken 00:45:31.039 --> 00:45:32.019 that condemnation 00:45:32.019 --> 00:45:33.220 for us. 00:45:35.860 --> 00:45:36.740 And friends, 00:45:37.360 --> 00:45:39.400 I want to say 00:45:39.400 --> 00:45:40.360 this with all, 00:45:42.079 --> 00:45:43.159 I know some of you 00:45:43.159 --> 00:45:43.860 may be thinking, 00:45:44.119 --> 00:45:44.280 yeah, 00:45:44.460 --> 00:45:44.659 yeah, 00:45:44.800 --> 00:45:45.000 yeah, 00:45:45.059 --> 00:45:46.000 I grew up in church, 00:45:46.000 --> 00:45:46.820 I've heard that 00:45:46.820 --> 00:45:47.539 my whole life, 00:45:47.579 --> 00:45:47.860 I know, 00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:48.679 Jesus died on the 00:45:48.679 --> 00:45:49.340 cross for my sins, 00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:49.900 blah, blah, blah. 00:45:51.699 --> 00:45:52.099 Friends, 00:45:52.179 --> 00:45:52.840 they may feel 00:45:52.840 --> 00:45:53.780 like pat answers 00:45:53.780 --> 00:45:54.920 and they may feel 00:45:54.920 --> 00:45:55.679 like platitudes 00:45:55.679 --> 00:45:56.340 to you 00:45:56.340 --> 00:45:58.960 but I tell you 00:45:58.960 --> 00:45:59.699 that they are 00:45:59.699 --> 00:46:01.639 the very bedrock. 00:46:04.719 --> 00:46:06.019 When everything 00:46:06.019 --> 00:46:06.820 else is stripped 00:46:06.820 --> 00:46:07.219 away, 00:46:07.400 --> 00:46:08.159 they are the thing 00:46:08.159 --> 00:46:08.679 that will, 00:46:09.059 --> 00:46:10.320 these truths 00:46:10.320 --> 00:46:11.000 are the things 00:46:11.000 --> 00:46:12.199 that will remain. 00:46:12.199 --> 00:46:14.519 Christ crucified 00:46:14.519 --> 00:46:15.759 and risen 00:46:15.759 --> 00:46:17.259 is the 00:46:17.259 --> 00:46:19.359 unchangeable 00:46:19.359 --> 00:46:19.919 truth 00:46:19.919 --> 00:46:21.939 that will help 00:46:21.939 --> 00:46:22.480 you through, 00:46:23.480 --> 00:46:24.119 that will help 00:46:24.119 --> 00:46:24.819 you to face 00:46:24.819 --> 00:46:25.960 those worst 00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:26.539 moments. 00:46:28.739 --> 00:46:29.759 And friends, 00:46:30.139 --> 00:46:31.079 as you think 00:46:31.079 --> 00:46:31.739 about how to 00:46:31.739 --> 00:46:32.699 prepare for those 00:46:32.699 --> 00:46:33.460 worst moments, 00:46:33.919 --> 00:46:35.599 I tell you, 00:46:36.339 --> 00:46:37.179 practice this. 00:46:38.119 --> 00:46:38.939 Practice looking 00:46:38.939 --> 00:46:39.679 to Christ. 00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:41.339 Practice looking 00:46:41.340 --> 00:46:42.100 to Christ 00:46:42.100 --> 00:46:43.200 in a life 00:46:43.200 --> 00:46:43.740 of hopeful 00:46:43.740 --> 00:46:44.220 faith, 00:46:44.300 --> 00:46:44.960 even when you're 00:46:44.960 --> 00:46:45.539 not in your 00:46:45.539 --> 00:46:46.340 worst moments. 00:46:47.220 --> 00:46:48.000 Look to Him 00:46:48.000 --> 00:46:48.600 and remember 00:46:48.600 --> 00:46:49.220 His goodness. 00:46:50.380 --> 00:46:50.900 Look to Him 00:46:50.900 --> 00:46:51.559 and develop 00:46:51.559 --> 00:46:52.579 a reflex 00:46:52.579 --> 00:46:54.740 of trusting 00:46:54.740 --> 00:46:55.360 Him with 00:46:55.360 --> 00:46:56.240 little things 00:46:56.240 --> 00:46:57.480 so that you 00:46:57.480 --> 00:46:58.240 can trust Him 00:46:58.240 --> 00:46:58.820 with the big 00:46:58.820 --> 00:46:59.300 things. 00:47:02.100 --> 00:47:02.600 Friends, 00:47:02.720 --> 00:47:03.620 look to Him 00:47:03.620 --> 00:47:05.220 and live 00:47:05.220 --> 00:47:05.680 a life 00:47:05.680 --> 00:47:06.360 of costly 00:47:06.360 --> 00:47:06.880 obedience. 00:47:08.300 --> 00:47:08.960 Don't let 00:47:08.960 --> 00:47:09.600 your suffering 00:47:09.600 --> 00:47:10.680 or your failure 00:47:10.679 --> 00:47:11.779 become an excuse 00:47:11.779 --> 00:47:12.960 for you to say, 00:47:13.119 --> 00:47:13.239 well, 00:47:13.279 --> 00:47:13.839 it's all 00:47:13.839 --> 00:47:14.899 gone to hell 00:47:14.899 --> 00:47:15.559 in a handbasket 00:47:15.559 --> 00:47:15.879 anyway, 00:47:16.000 --> 00:47:16.619 so I might as 00:47:16.619 --> 00:47:17.639 well just indulge. 00:47:18.359 --> 00:47:19.399 Don't let that 00:47:19.399 --> 00:47:20.299 happen to you. 00:47:21.440 --> 00:47:22.599 Look to Christ 00:47:22.599 --> 00:47:24.419 and seek to live 00:47:24.419 --> 00:47:25.079 a life of 00:47:25.079 --> 00:47:26.000 obedience, 00:47:26.199 --> 00:47:26.960 even when it's 00:47:26.960 --> 00:47:27.440 costly, 00:47:28.319 --> 00:47:28.799 knowing 00:47:28.799 --> 00:47:31.099 the greatness 00:47:31.099 --> 00:47:31.960 of His sacrifice 00:47:31.960 --> 00:47:32.579 for you. 00:47:34.299 --> 00:47:35.119 And finally, 00:47:35.279 --> 00:47:35.980 look to Him 00:47:35.980 --> 00:47:37.119 in a life 00:47:37.119 --> 00:47:37.740 of worship. 00:47:39.000 --> 00:47:40.300 Whatever treasure 00:47:40.300 --> 00:47:41.840 you are clinging 00:47:41.840 --> 00:47:42.260 to, 00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:43.460 the treasure 00:47:43.460 --> 00:47:44.519 of peace 00:47:44.519 --> 00:47:45.300 or security 00:47:45.300 --> 00:47:47.179 or satisfaction 00:47:47.179 --> 00:47:48.179 in this life, 00:47:48.260 --> 00:47:48.800 the treasure 00:47:48.800 --> 00:47:49.559 of your own 00:47:49.559 --> 00:47:50.119 righteousness, 00:47:50.639 --> 00:47:51.480 whatever treasures 00:47:51.480 --> 00:47:52.280 you are holding 00:47:52.280 --> 00:47:52.860 on to, 00:47:53.260 --> 00:47:54.199 release them 00:47:54.199 --> 00:47:54.820 so that you 00:47:54.820 --> 00:47:55.659 might treasure 00:47:55.659 --> 00:47:58.400 Christ 00:47:58.400 --> 00:47:59.079 for you. 00:48:00.659 --> 00:48:01.639 Let this 00:48:01.639 --> 00:48:02.360 be the thing. 00:48:02.360 --> 00:48:04.880 and as you 00:48:04.880 --> 00:48:05.539 prepare 00:48:05.539 --> 00:48:06.420 now 00:48:06.420 --> 00:48:07.000 by doing 00:48:07.000 --> 00:48:07.860 those things 00:48:07.860 --> 00:48:08.360 daily, 00:48:08.539 --> 00:48:08.840 weekly, 00:48:10.200 --> 00:48:10.700 then 00:48:10.700 --> 00:48:13.079 when you 00:48:13.079 --> 00:48:13.660 face those 00:48:13.660 --> 00:48:14.079 moments 00:48:14.079 --> 00:48:14.900 of the worst, 00:48:16.340 --> 00:48:18.000 you will know 00:48:18.000 --> 00:48:18.680 where to stand. 00:48:22.000 --> 00:48:22.940 What then 00:48:22.940 --> 00:48:23.559 shall we say 00:48:23.559 --> 00:48:24.340 of these things? 00:48:25.059 --> 00:48:25.820 If God 00:48:25.820 --> 00:48:26.800 is for us, 00:48:27.880 --> 00:48:28.260 who 00:48:28.260 --> 00:48:29.340 can be 00:48:29.340 --> 00:48:30.039 against us? 00:48:30.260 --> 00:48:30.800 Let's pray. 00:48:32.360 --> 00:48:46.240 Lord, 00:48:46.340 --> 00:48:46.900 this morning 00:48:46.900 --> 00:48:47.420 we have 00:48:47.420 --> 00:48:48.820 talked about 00:48:48.820 --> 00:48:51.800 things that 00:48:51.800 --> 00:48:52.180 are 00:48:52.180 --> 00:48:54.940 touch on 00:48:54.940 --> 00:48:56.340 perhaps 00:48:56.340 --> 00:48:56.800 some of the 00:48:56.800 --> 00:48:57.500 most painful 00:48:57.500 --> 00:48:58.380 and difficult 00:48:58.380 --> 00:48:59.760 things of our 00:48:59.760 --> 00:49:00.160 lives. 00:49:00.159 --> 00:49:02.199 Lord, 00:49:02.239 --> 00:49:02.579 we pray 00:49:02.579 --> 00:49:03.219 this morning 00:49:03.219 --> 00:49:03.699 that you 00:49:03.699 --> 00:49:04.099 would come 00:49:04.099 --> 00:49:04.440 and bring 00:49:04.440 --> 00:49:05.079 the comfort 00:49:05.079 --> 00:49:06.219 and the 00:49:06.219 --> 00:49:06.859 balm of 00:49:06.859 --> 00:49:08.239 the cross 00:49:08.239 --> 00:49:08.759 to our 00:49:08.759 --> 00:49:09.159 hearts. 00:49:10.179 --> 00:49:10.440 Lord, 00:49:10.480 --> 00:49:10.779 I pray 00:49:10.779 --> 00:49:11.279 for those 00:49:11.279 --> 00:49:11.879 this morning 00:49:11.879 --> 00:49:12.359 who are 00:49:12.359 --> 00:49:13.379 burdened, 00:49:13.940 --> 00:49:14.319 who are 00:49:14.319 --> 00:49:14.920 doubting, 00:49:15.199 --> 00:49:15.460 who are 00:49:15.460 --> 00:49:16.019 questioning, 00:49:16.219 --> 00:49:16.519 who are 00:49:16.519 --> 00:49:16.980 wrestling 00:49:16.980 --> 00:49:17.980 as they 00:49:17.980 --> 00:49:18.279 face 00:49:18.279 --> 00:49:18.859 suffering, 00:49:19.940 --> 00:49:20.139 Lord, 00:49:20.199 --> 00:49:20.619 as they 00:49:20.619 --> 00:49:21.899 see and 00:49:21.899 --> 00:49:22.579 feel the 00:49:22.579 --> 00:49:23.019 guilt of 00:49:23.019 --> 00:49:23.500 their own 00:49:23.500 --> 00:49:23.899 sin. 00:49:24.619 --> 00:49:24.899 Lord, 00:49:24.940 --> 00:49:25.379 I pray 00:49:25.379 --> 00:49:25.799 that you 00:49:25.799 --> 00:49:26.199 will meet 00:49:26.199 --> 00:49:26.759 them in 00:49:26.759 --> 00:49:27.480 those moments 00:49:27.480 --> 00:49:28.659 and Lord, 00:49:28.659 --> 00:49:29.039 that you 00:49:29.039 --> 00:49:29.679 will raise 00:49:29.679 --> 00:49:30.019 them, 00:49:30.980 --> 00:49:31.559 raise their 00:49:31.559 --> 00:49:32.199 eyes to 00:49:32.199 --> 00:49:32.659 see what 00:49:32.659 --> 00:49:32.980 you have 00:49:32.980 --> 00:49:33.440 done in 00:49:33.440 --> 00:49:34.000 Christ for 00:49:34.000 --> 00:49:34.319 them. 00:49:35.159 --> 00:49:35.639 Lord, 00:49:35.699 --> 00:49:36.079 that you 00:49:36.079 --> 00:49:37.139 would help 00:49:37.139 --> 00:49:37.500 us, 00:49:37.699 --> 00:49:37.839 Lord, 00:49:38.159 --> 00:49:38.920 to look not 00:49:38.920 --> 00:49:39.319 on the 00:49:39.319 --> 00:49:39.980 earthly things 00:49:39.980 --> 00:49:40.619 but to look 00:49:40.619 --> 00:49:41.179 at Christ 00:49:41.179 --> 00:49:42.799 in the heavenly 00:49:42.799 --> 00:49:43.299 realms, 00:49:43.440 --> 00:49:44.059 to fix our 00:49:44.059 --> 00:49:44.559 eyes on 00:49:44.559 --> 00:49:44.899 him, 00:49:47.059 --> 00:49:47.519 Lord, 00:49:47.579 --> 00:49:47.879 to be 00:49:47.879 --> 00:49:48.199 helped. 00:49:51.019 --> 00:49:51.500 Lord, 00:49:51.559 --> 00:49:52.000 will you do 00:49:52.000 --> 00:49:52.239 this, 00:49:52.339 --> 00:49:52.899 we pray in 00:49:52.899 --> 00:49:53.519 Jesus' name. 00:49:54.440 --> 00:49:54.699 Amen. 00:49:54.699 --> 00:49:54.839 Amen. 00:49:54.839 --> 00:49:54.879 Amen. 00:49:54.879 --> 00:49:54.920 Amen. 00:49:54.920 --> 00:49:54.960 Amen. 00:49:54.960 --> 00:49:55.000 Amen. 00:49:55.000 --> 00:49:56.879 Amen. 00:49:56.880 --> 00:49:58.740 As the 00:49:58.740 --> 00:49:59.240 music team 00:49:59.240 --> 00:49:59.800 comes forward, 00:49:59.900 --> 00:50:00.119 we're going 00:50:00.119 --> 00:50:00.599 to sing a 00:50:00.599 --> 00:50:01.260 great hymn, 00:50:03.059 --> 00:50:04.380 Immovable Our 00:50:04.380 --> 00:50:05.260 Hope Remains, 00:50:05.420 --> 00:50:05.940 and I hope 00:50:05.940 --> 00:50:06.500 that as you 00:50:06.500 --> 00:50:06.840 sing it, 00:50:06.900 --> 00:50:07.180 you will 00:50:07.180 --> 00:50:08.220 consider the 00:50:08.220 --> 00:50:09.099 words as 00:50:09.099 --> 00:50:09.559 he walks 00:50:09.559 --> 00:50:10.140 us through 00:50:10.140 --> 00:50:10.880 the very 00:50:10.880 --> 00:50:11.360 things we've 00:50:11.360 --> 00:50:11.740 been looking 00:50:11.740 --> 00:50:12.200 at this 00:50:12.200 --> 00:50:12.720 morning in 00:50:12.720 --> 00:50:13.240 Romans 8. 00:50:14.320 --> 00:50:15.079 Please stand 00:50:15.079 --> 00:50:15.559 as we sing 00:50:15.559 --> 00:50:15.900 together. 00:50:15.900 --> 00:50:16.000 Amen.