WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.120 Please do have a seat. 00:00:01.880 --> 00:00:03.540 And it's wonderful to be here this morning. 00:00:03.660 --> 00:00:06.060 I hope you feel joyful as you come to church this morning. 00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:10.759 It's going to be critical that we have our Bibles open in front of us this morning. 00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:12.460 There's some of the pews around about you, 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:16.879 so can I encourage you to make every effort to get the Scriptures open in front of us. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:20.580 There's also a sermon outline this morning that you may have received on your way, 00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:22.940 and if you didn't get one of those, and if you put up your hand, 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:26.699 then I've allocated two glamorous assistants to help me out with spreading them. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:28.839 So just get your hand in the air, like you just don't care, 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:31.160 and those guys will get one too. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:38.019 But as we come to God's Word this morning, let's pause just for a moment of prayer, 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:42.659 and let's just ask that God would help us this morning as we come to this passage. 00:00:42.740 --> 00:00:43.380 So let's pray. 00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:49.340 Our gracious Father, we come before you this morning 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:54.200 with the firm conviction that when your Word is opened, 00:00:54.579 --> 00:00:56.900 that your voice is heard. 00:00:56.899 --> 00:00:59.579 So we're on our knees this morning, Father, 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:02.420 desperate that you would speak to us. 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:07.819 Lord, we need your words, for only your words have eternal life. 00:01:09.019 --> 00:01:13.659 And so, Father, we ask that you would come and challenge us and encourage us. 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:17.039 Would you rebuke us and inspire us? 00:01:17.539 --> 00:01:19.959 Would you break us and would you mould us? 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:23.679 All for the glory of your Son, Jesus Christ, 00:01:23.739 --> 00:01:28.339 and for our goods and the upbuilding of your church in this place and in this city. 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:30.159 In Jesus' name we ask. Amen. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:35.500 So before we, Alex and I, before we came to Brunsfield, 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:37.819 we spent a little bit of time in Malawi. 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:42.140 And at the end of our time in Malawi, we crossed the border to Zambia 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:43.979 and we went on a week's safari. 00:01:44.739 --> 00:01:46.659 And while we were on safari, 00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:51.159 I had one of the most awesome experiences that I've ever had. 00:01:51.879 --> 00:01:53.840 Now here's what I mean by that word, awesome. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:57.320 We went on a night safari drive. 00:01:58.180 --> 00:02:03.760 And at the front of our small jeep was our safari guide who had this massive torch. 00:02:04.540 --> 00:02:07.740 And pitch black, he's shining his torch looking for wildlife. 00:02:09.099 --> 00:02:12.159 And for an hour, we saw absolutely nothing. 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:16.500 All of a sudden, out of nowhere, we spot another safari jeep, 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:19.140 way in the distance, fixed on something. 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:20.680 Now that's a good sign. 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:22.360 That means he's found something. 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:23.820 So over we went to check it out, 00:02:24.160 --> 00:02:26.240 with our tour guide still doing this with his lights. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:29.440 And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a leopard. 00:02:30.720 --> 00:02:33.360 A real wildlife leopard. 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:36.000 We're not looking at a Puzz 3D book anymore. 00:02:36.100 --> 00:02:37.800 We're looking at a live leopard. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:38.820 Awesome. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:41.560 Absolutely awesome. 00:02:42.820 --> 00:02:44.220 You look at this awesome creature. 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:45.580 It's smooth skin. 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:49.060 Its muscles are rippling as it's walking. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:51.200 Its eyes, jet blue, staring at you. 00:02:51.440 --> 00:02:51.880 Awesome. 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:55.580 Mixed in with that sense of wonder. 00:02:56.380 --> 00:02:57.940 It's that sense of fear. 00:02:58.920 --> 00:03:02.060 Because underneath those eyes, you see the teeth. 00:03:03.440 --> 00:03:06.060 And at the end of the skin, you see the claws. 00:03:06.880 --> 00:03:11.700 And it suddenly dawns on you that if you so much had stepped out of this jeep, 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:13.800 this thing would rip you in pieces. 00:03:13.800 --> 00:03:17.260 It was an awesome creature. 00:03:17.260 --> 00:03:17.939 Awesome. 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:23.939 And I think as we approach this portion of Hebrews 10 this morning, 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:27.219 we should feel something of the sense of awe. 00:03:27.640 --> 00:03:29.320 Not because we're thinking about a creature, 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:33.340 but because we are thinking about the God of the cosmos, 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:35.760 the awesome creator God. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:39.060 Can I ask you straight from the off this morning? 00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:40.000 Do you fear God? 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:43.080 Do you fear him? 00:03:43.719 --> 00:03:47.439 Do you have that sense of reverent fear as you come before him? 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:51.639 Do you come before him recognizing his majesty, 00:03:51.819 --> 00:03:55.060 that yes, in Christ gloriously, we can call him father, 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:58.479 but all the while acknowledging that we are the creature 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:00.619 and he is the almighty creator, 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:04.780 that he is eternal and we are temporary, 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:06.739 that he is big and that we are small, 00:04:06.839 --> 00:04:09.239 that he is holy and we are not, 00:04:10.539 --> 00:04:13.159 that he is the awesome God. 00:04:13.819 --> 00:04:16.920 You know, I think I know in my life it's so easy to lose sight of that. 00:04:18.159 --> 00:04:22.039 Sometimes I think we're so akin to thinking of God more as our mate 00:04:22.039 --> 00:04:23.199 than as our master. 00:04:23.300 --> 00:04:24.079 Do you not think that's true? 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:28.779 We come before the awesome God. 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:31.759 These Christians that Mr. Hebrews is writing to here, 00:04:32.599 --> 00:04:35.319 you don't need to convince them about the holiness of God. 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:40.419 You don't need to teach them that they should come reverently before God 00:04:40.419 --> 00:04:41.919 because they know that all too well. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:47.579 They've grown up in this religious system that's taught them to fear God. 00:04:48.159 --> 00:04:51.500 The temple, they know that there's a massive curtain 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:53.819 that separates God from them, 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:55.899 that they dare not enter God's presence 00:04:55.899 --> 00:04:58.060 because it's not safe for them as unholy people 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:00.899 to come into the presence of a holy God. 00:05:02.779 --> 00:05:06.219 So how should they come before God, Mr. Hebrews? 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:07.759 How should they come before God? 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:08.600 What does he say? 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:10.000 Confidently. 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:12.180 Confidently. 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:13.539 Are you sure? 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:15.319 Confidently, this holy God? 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:16.379 Why confidently? 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:20.620 Well, summarizing everything that he's just unpacked 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:22.180 in the last five or so chapters, 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:23.980 this rich, deep theology, 00:05:24.540 --> 00:05:27.199 look what he writes at verses 19 to 21. 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:28.699 Look with me. 00:05:28.780 --> 00:05:29.519 What does he write? 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:35.199 Why can they come into the presence of this holy and awesome God? 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:36.399 Verse 19. 00:05:36.980 --> 00:05:38.360 Because they have access. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:40.959 Because of the blood of Jesus. 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:44.399 That Jesus, as he dies on the cross, 00:05:44.479 --> 00:05:45.799 what do the gospels tell us? 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:48.839 That the temple curtain ripped in two from top to bottom, 00:05:49.239 --> 00:05:50.779 declaring to the watching world 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:54.879 that Jesus has opened up something that was formerly closed. 00:05:55.599 --> 00:05:59.859 You have access to this awesome God through Jesus Christ. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:01.240 You have access, 00:06:01.859 --> 00:06:04.079 and you've got an advocate before God. 00:06:05.079 --> 00:06:05.859 Verse 21. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:08.620 Jesus is the great high priest. 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.500 And what is he doing? 00:06:09.780 --> 00:06:11.300 He's ministering for you, 00:06:11.460 --> 00:06:11.980 for us, 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:12.759 for his people, 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:14.139 at God's right hand, 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:15.900 in God's very presence. 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:20.360 Why can you come confidently 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:22.120 before this awesome God? 00:06:22.400 --> 00:06:23.840 Well, because of Jesus Christ. 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:26.900 And that's our big theme this morning. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:28.160 If you just remember one thing, 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:29.480 I hope you take away a few things, 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:30.840 but if you can remember one thing, 00:06:32.080 --> 00:06:33.520 is that this passage tells us 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:36.799 that confident Christians cling to Christ. 00:06:37.359 --> 00:06:37.659 Okay? 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:39.519 I've made that lot of C's there. 00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:39.740 Okay? 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:40.639 It was my word of the week, 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:41.659 my letter of the week. 00:06:41.859 --> 00:06:42.060 C. 00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:45.539 Confident Christians cling to Christ. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:47.959 That we come before this awesome, 00:06:48.159 --> 00:06:48.799 holy God, 00:06:48.839 --> 00:06:50.279 not casually on our own, 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:51.359 not presumptuously, 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:53.019 but confidently, 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:55.699 because we are in Jesus Christ. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:57.359 That's our confidence. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:58.500 He is our confidence. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:02.180 And so you can understand verse 35. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:03.920 Mr. Hebrews, 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:04.980 his big plea, 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:06.400 his big plea, 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:07.360 is please, 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:08.519 whatever you do, 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:09.639 let me beg you, 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:13.400 do not throw away that confidence. 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:16.860 Do not throw away Christ. 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:19.860 And remember what we said right at the start, 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:21.199 he's writing to this group of Christians. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:24.180 And they're tempted to turn back. 00:07:24.280 --> 00:07:25.960 They're tempted to move on from Christ. 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:27.199 They're tempted to bin him 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:29.960 and go back to their former way of Jewish life. 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:32.159 That's the decision that's in their minds. 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:33.439 Do we go on with Christ? 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:37.639 Or do we go back to our former Jewish ways? 00:07:38.359 --> 00:07:39.279 That's the decision. 00:07:40.919 --> 00:07:42.659 And so anticipating that decision 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:43.919 in the mind of his readers, 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:45.539 you'll see it verse 39. 00:07:47.179 --> 00:07:48.459 You'll see it verse 39. 00:07:49.539 --> 00:07:51.479 He's got two groups of people in his mind. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.379 He's got the shrinkers 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:55.439 and he's got the endurers. 00:07:57.699 --> 00:07:59.740 Those people who will shrink back, 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:01.279 who will turn away from Christ 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:03.120 and who will be destroyed. 00:08:03.219 --> 00:08:04.000 That's what it says. 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:06.560 And those people who will have faith 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:07.759 and will persevere, 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:08.759 who will endure 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:10.339 and will be saved. 00:08:11.779 --> 00:08:12.040 If you go, 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:12.699 this is what he's saying. 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:13.639 If you go this way, 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:15.139 if you keep claiming to Christ 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:16.000 is your confidence, 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:17.620 then here's what that's going to mean for you. 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:19.840 And if you go that way, 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.720 if you throw him aside and turn back, 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:23.519 well, here's what that's going to mean for you as well. 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:26.860 And we're just going to look at these two groups of people. 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:28.379 I think the flow of the text here, 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:29.079 Mr. Hebrews, 00:08:29.220 --> 00:08:31.720 he ends on a positive note. 00:08:31.840 --> 00:08:33.679 And so I think our time this morning, 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.480 short as it may well be, 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:37.320 we'll try and end on that positive note 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:39.120 of encouragement as well. 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:41.240 So let's firstly turn to the shrinkers 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:42.220 that he's got in his mind. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:44.799 What is going to happen to them 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:46.399 if they throw away Christ, 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.379 if they turn back? 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:50.259 Well, let me take you back to my, 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:51.080 the Jeep. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:52.820 We're on safari. 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:54.600 Our tour guide, 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:55.639 the first thing he said to us 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:56.419 before we set off, 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:56.840 he said, 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:57.879 I'm not going to, 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:59.039 I was going to try and do an accent there, 00:08:59.100 --> 00:08:59.480 but I'm not. 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:00.299 He said, 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:01.460 whatever you do, 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:03.299 hands and feet 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:05.259 very much inside this vehicle. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.539 Under no circumstances, 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.560 unless I say, 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:09.620 are you ever to step outside this vehicle? 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:10.179 And why? 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:13.220 Well, I guess you could look at it two ways, 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:13.539 couldn't you? 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:14.139 I guess one, 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:16.080 this is kind of what I looked at it, 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:16.879 first of all. 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:17.480 I thought, 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:18.059 who is he? 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:20.100 I've flown halfway across this world 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:20.860 for the safari. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:21.960 This is a once that, 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:23.220 I'm never coming back to Zambia, 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:23.860 I don't think. 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:25.679 Who is he? 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:26.620 Why is he killing my joy? 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.539 Why can't I go out? 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:28.659 Why can't I take some photos? 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:29.740 Why can't I stroll around? 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:32.139 Or, 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:35.360 he's done this business for 20 years. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.940 I've done it for 20 seconds. 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:41.759 I think he knows a thing or two more about safaris than I do, 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:44.060 so I think I can probably trust his words. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:47.480 And I think that's what we do as we come to these verses. 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:49.200 In Hebrews this morning, 00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:50.000 tough as they are, 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.200 26 to 31. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.279 Now, 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:55.379 we have to see that he says this warning 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:59.340 in the context of the fact that he desperately loves these Christians. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:00.200 He loves them. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:03.680 And because he loves them and cares for them, 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:05.820 he wants them to know the consequences 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:07.200 of what they're about to do 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.420 as they reject Christ. 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:11.020 Now, we know that to be true in our own lives, 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:11.280 don't we? 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:11.879 The friends, 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:13.879 the closest friends that we have in our lives 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:15.240 are people who will tell us the truth. 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.100 They won't sugarcoat it. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:18.340 They won't dilute it. 00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:19.300 They will tell us the truth. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:20.420 And why will they tell us the truth? 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:21.960 Because they love us. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:25.040 And we'll listen to them. 00:10:26.300 --> 00:10:28.620 And that is the context of these verses here. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:30.360 Mr. Hebrews loves these Christians. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:32.299 And to my mind, 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:34.440 he makes the strongest of the warnings here 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.639 that he's made in this letter. 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.159 If you remember, 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:38.840 we've seen two warnings so far in this letter. 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:40.179 We've seen one at chapter 2 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:42.700 and we've seen one at chapter 6. 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:45.299 It actually occurred to me in preparation for this 00:10:45.299 --> 00:10:47.019 that I spoke on chapter 6, 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:47.879 the warning here, 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:49.820 so you must think I'm kind of judgment shanks. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:50.340 I don't know. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:52.480 But this is the third of these warnings 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:53.620 that he's making here 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:57.639 because he wants to ultimately save their lives. 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:59.519 What will throwing away Christ mean? 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:01.699 Well, see verse 27. 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:07.159 It will mean a fearful expectation of judgment. 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:09.919 And judged on what? 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:12.120 Well, what did you do with Jesus? 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:15.139 What did you do with him? 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:19.559 And as you scan your eyes over that text, 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:21.399 let me just draw your attention to two words. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:24.100 Firstly, verse 26, 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.379 notice the word knowledge. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:27.379 So what did you, 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:28.279 this is what he's saying to them, 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:30.139 what did you do with the gospel message 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:31.159 that you received? 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:34.039 What did you do with the Son of God? 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.939 Verse 26, 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:37.120 did you receive the message 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.899 and deliberately reject him? 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:42.000 Did you say a resounding no to him 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:43.299 as Lord of your life 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.200 and go your own way? 00:11:45.700 --> 00:11:46.620 Well, if you did that, 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:48.740 see what he says at the end of verse 26. 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:51.100 to be out with Christ, 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:52.200 to reject him, 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:56.060 then no sacrifice for sin is left. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:59.500 That you will one day stand before God, 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:01.120 this awesome God, 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:04.220 not on the basis of Christ's righteousness, 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:05.340 his perfect life, 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:07.639 but on the basis of your own righteousness. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.700 And let me tell you, 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.680 you will not win. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:12.839 And to help them picture 00:12:12.839 --> 00:12:13.679 what they are doing 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.859 as they reject him, 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:15.639 secondly, 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:16.959 notice the word trampled 00:12:16.959 --> 00:12:17.899 at verse 29. 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:20.599 To reject Jesus 00:12:20.599 --> 00:12:22.939 is akin to trampling over him. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:25.279 Now, if you think about it, 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:26.120 I don't know if you've been here 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:26.759 during August 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.839 when the festival's on, 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.219 but you go up into the Royal Mile 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:31.399 and people are flying you 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.179 all over the place, 00:12:32.239 --> 00:12:32.519 aren't they? 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:33.779 Hitting you with flyers 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:34.699 everywhere, everywhere. 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:36.240 And what do people do 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.099 if there's not a bin around? 00:12:37.199 --> 00:12:37.939 Well, they get the flyer 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:38.980 and they throw it on the floor. 00:12:39.140 --> 00:12:39.740 What happens? 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:41.200 People just trample over it. 00:12:41.780 --> 00:12:42.700 They don't care about it. 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.060 They just trample over it. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.420 Now, Jesus uses that word trample 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:48.660 in Matthew 5 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.700 in the Sermon of the Mount 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:51.220 as he talks about salt 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.880 being saltless 00:12:52.880 --> 00:12:54.060 and therefore worthless, 00:12:54.180 --> 00:12:54.680 good for nothing 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:55.840 but to be thrown out 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:58.480 and trampled under men's feet. 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:03.080 And so what will that judgment lead to? 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:06.400 Well, see verse 31, 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:09.620 and this is a really intense statement 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.299 he makes here. 00:13:10.459 --> 00:13:12.240 It will lead to the dread 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.779 of falling into the hands 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:15.480 of the living awesome God. 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:17.980 Notice the force 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.399 of the word choice there. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.860 This isn't a light thing. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:23.199 This isn't an unpleasant thing 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:25.179 nor an uncomfortable thing. 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:28.079 Judgment without Christ 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:29.980 said lovingly 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:32.480 will be a dreadful thing. 00:13:33.199 --> 00:13:34.519 It will be a dreadful thing. 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.699 And look at some of the words 00:13:35.699 --> 00:13:36.919 and images that he uses 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:37.579 there throughout 00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:39.679 as if to make his point. 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:40.720 Look at, 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.740 scan your eyes over it. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:42.759 A raging fire. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:44.659 Consuming. 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.539 Punished. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.399 Avenge. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.139 Repay. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.620 It is a dreadful thing 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.840 to fall into the hands 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:53.840 of the living awesome God. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:57.320 To throw away Christ, 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.420 to forfeit your confidence 00:13:59.420 --> 00:13:59.940 in him 00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:01.399 is akin to stepping out 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.019 of the jeep 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.820 and facing this leopard 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:04.660 on your own. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:07.100 And so, so, so much worse. 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.440 Now let me ask you 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.220 this morning, 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:11.980 are you prepared 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:13.440 to face the confident 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:13.840 consequences 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:15.820 of rejecting Christ? 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.300 Are you here this morning 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:19.160 and if truth be told, 00:14:19.280 --> 00:14:20.700 you quite fancy your chances 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:21.580 before the creator 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.440 of the universe? 00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:25.960 Maybe some of you saw it. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.280 I don't know, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.360 a recent interview 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.280 with Stephen Fry. 00:14:28.400 --> 00:14:29.440 He was asked recently 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.840 what he would say 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.300 if he ever came face to face 00:14:32.300 --> 00:14:32.800 with God 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:33.660 and he said this. 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:35.340 I would say to him, 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:37.160 how dare you create 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:37.740 a world 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.480 in which there is 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:39.340 such misery 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.639 that is not our fault? 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:42.139 It's not right. 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:44.420 It's utterly, utterly evil. 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.600 Why should I respect 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.500 a capricious, 00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:47.460 mean-minded, 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.460 stupid God 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.940 who creates a world 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:50.780 in which there is 00:14:50.780 --> 00:14:51.820 so much injustice 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.379 and pain? 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.720 It's not our fault. 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:57.400 That was the phrase 00:14:57.400 --> 00:14:57.860 that he used 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.379 that caught me. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.120 It's not our fault. 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:00.960 I don't know this guy. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.139 Occasionally I've laughed 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.920 at something he said 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:03.460 in QI. 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:05.440 But that strikes me 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:06.780 as such arrogance 00:15:06.780 --> 00:15:08.900 that you, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.220 Stephen Fry, 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:10.879 you would come before 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.800 the God of the cosmos 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.580 and expect him 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.360 to answer to you? 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:13.639 Really? 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.040 Really? 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:16.800 Friends, 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.679 see that this passage 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:18.339 tells us 00:15:18.339 --> 00:15:19.259 that it is very much 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.959 the other way around. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.719 That one day, 00:15:21.859 --> 00:15:22.479 gloriously, 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.439 God will come 00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:24.899 to put all wrongs 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.299 to right. 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:26.559 It's a glorious truth. 00:15:27.859 --> 00:15:29.659 But the sober truth 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:31.139 is that outwith Christ 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:32.039 we are very much 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.259 one of those wrongs. 00:15:35.599 --> 00:15:37.299 But the incredible thing 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.679 about the gospel 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:40.240 is that the gospel 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.799 tells us 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.740 that we can face 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:43.120 judgment confidently. 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.719 And why? 00:15:43.839 --> 00:15:44.699 Because the gospel 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:45.719 is true. 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:45.840 It's true. 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.440 It's true. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.639 Because Jesus 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.720 took this judgment 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.720 for me. 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.860 Jesus was the one 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.480 as we were singing 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.480 who was trampled 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.500 underfoot. 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:58.240 Jesus was the one 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.200 who was mocked 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.360 and insulted. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.220 Jesus was the one 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:02.860 who was punished 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.000 in my place. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.540 He was the one 00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:05.160 who bore 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:06.779 the wrath of God 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.500 that I deserve to take. 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.259 He took it on himself 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.060 so that I do not 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:11.899 have to bear it. 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.519 And the gospel 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.139 is glorious 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.080 because it tells me 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:15.800 now that I can 00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:17.100 come before God 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.379 confidently 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.860 that I will be met 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:21.440 not with wrathful hands 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:23.220 but that I have been met 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.920 with outstretched hands 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:25.480 of grace 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.700 by a prodigal God 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.540 who calls me 00:16:27.540 --> 00:16:28.900 a prodigal wanderer 00:16:28.900 --> 00:16:29.879 back to him. 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.660 Welcomed home. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.500 That Jesus took this 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:35.040 so I do not have to take it. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.180 Isn't that not 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:37.020 glorious truth 00:16:37.020 --> 00:16:38.100 that we are reconciled 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.560 with God 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:39.140 our Father 00:16:39.140 --> 00:16:40.080 because of Christ? 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:43.500 glorious truth 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.800 and so understandably 00:16:44.800 --> 00:16:46.080 Mr. Hebrews says 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.500 please, please, please 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.340 do not throw away 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:49.060 that confidence. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.080 Do not throw away 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:51.840 that confidence. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.639 Do not throw away 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.160 Christ. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.120 Do not throw away 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.920 the one who makes you 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.960 right with the living 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:57.040 and awesome God 00:16:57.040 --> 00:16:59.400 because confident 00:16:59.400 --> 00:16:59.960 Christians 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.620 they cling 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.620 to Christ. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.259 And what will that 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.720 clinging 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.900 look like? 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.100 Well it will look like 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.819 persevering 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:09.459 and it will look like 00:17:09.459 --> 00:17:10.139 enduring. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.799 See what he says here 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.199 keep going with Christ 00:17:13.199 --> 00:17:14.299 that confidence you have 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.339 keep going 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.619 with Christ. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.359 Now you'll notice 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:20.019 three let us statements 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.719 at verses 22 to 25 00:17:21.719 --> 00:17:22.480 look at it there 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:24.359 three times he uses 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:24.859 this phrase 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.639 let us 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:27.379 and you'll notice 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.240 that he's shifted 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.379 from talking about 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.339 you and I 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:31.539 to talking about us 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.319 and that tells us 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.179 two things 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:35.219 firstly it tells us 00:17:35.219 --> 00:17:36.339 that clinging to Christ 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.419 is a team pursuit. 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.779 We're all in this 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.959 together as a community 00:17:40.959 --> 00:17:43.059 as Christ's people 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.819 and second thing 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.959 that it tells us 00:17:45.959 --> 00:17:47.179 is that clinging to Christ 00:17:47.179 --> 00:17:48.740 is not a passive thing. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.639 Clinging to Christ 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.419 is very much 00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.119 an active thing. 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:54.919 And so after warning 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:56.000 the shrinker 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.500 do you see how he 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.000 wonderfully encourages 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.179 the endurer? 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.759 Look what he says 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.000 firstly at verse 22 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.319 he wants them to draw 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.179 draw near to God 00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:06.419 by faith. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.519 Draw near. 00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:09.460 So he wants them 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.179 to understand 00:18:10.179 --> 00:18:10.980 more deeply 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.839 and more fully 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.980 the enormity 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.139 of what Jesus Christ 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:15.000 has done for them. 00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:16.299 He wants them 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.859 to keep pursuing Christ 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.879 to keep growing 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.700 in their faith 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.619 that they understand 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.359 daily 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.460 more and more 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.179 of the gospel. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.099 Now I was trying 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:26.500 to understand it 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.619 in my head this week. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.799 What does he want 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.500 them to say? 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.839 Well I think he wants 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.539 them to say 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.420 in their minds 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.379 and in their hearts 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.920 because of Christ 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:37.579 I am God's. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:40.799 I am God's. 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:42.139 That when I fall 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:43.440 that when I stumble 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:43.879 that they would 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:45.019 confidently say 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.339 as John Newton 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.220 famously said 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.599 that I am a great sinner 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.639 but Christ 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:51.220 is a great saviour. 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.839 That I am his 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.039 and he is mine. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.659 That I am God's. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.920 Why am I God's? 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:57.819 Well I am God's 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.319 because of what 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.039 Jesus Christ 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.980 has done for me. 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:02.240 That in Christ 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.819 I am a new creation. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.660 The old man 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.440 he is gone. 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.079 The new man 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:08.019 he has come. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:11.240 I am God's. 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:12.360 I have an advocate. 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.220 I have access 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.099 before the Father 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:14.740 and so I can 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.160 confidently come to him 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.440 and pray to him 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.339 as God's. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.940 He calls me 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.819 to draw near 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.900 to him in Christ 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.400 and I'm going to 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.000 claim that. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.980 Fully assured 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.440 that I come before him 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.980 because I am God's. 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.460 God's. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.400 Do you see what he's 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:30.920 saying here? 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:32.700 Draw near. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.839 That is the call 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.480 that God makes 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.660 to us in Christ. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.420 Now I wonder here 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.099 do some of us 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:39.240 need to grasp 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.940 that this morning? 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:42.039 Have we lost sight 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.440 of that? 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.700 That in Christ 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.240 we are God's. 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.680 We are his people. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.180 And how are we 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.940 reminded of that 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:49.680 you might ask? 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.099 Well we're reminded 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.980 of it as we come 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.360 daily to God's words. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.059 That God's word 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.759 is the place 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.720 that he tells us 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.059 these glorious truths 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.960 about ourselves 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.839 and about himself. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.920 Draw near to God. 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.960 Draw near to God. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.400 Secondly, 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.220 verse 23, 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:08.140 clinging to Christ 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.740 it means holding 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.539 fast to hope. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.420 So what does he 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:11.940 want them to do? 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.079 He wants them to stand 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.420 on what God has said. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.620 Stand on the promises 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.100 of God. 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:16.779 We love that hymn 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.220 don't we? 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.900 Standing, 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:18.440 standing, 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.000 standing, 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.539 standing, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.819 standing on the promises 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.360 of God. 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.660 Fasten yourselves 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.360 to everything 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:24.879 that comes 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.879 from God's word. 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.119 Lean the whole weight 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.719 of your life 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.399 on what God 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.079 has said. 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:29.979 On the hope 00:20:29.979 --> 00:20:31.259 that he has promised 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.379 and set before you. 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.579 That's what it looks 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.199 like to hope. 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.659 To lean the whole weight 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:38.159 of your life 00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:39.240 on what God has said. 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.299 What he tells us 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:40.959 about us 00:20:40.959 --> 00:20:41.939 and what he tells us 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:42.479 about him. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.139 And why can we 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:44.939 have such hope? 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.839 Notice that word 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.659 that he uses there. 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.859 Why can we trust God? 00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.479 Because he 00:20:49.479 --> 00:20:51.639 is faithful. 00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:53.899 He is faithful. 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:55.339 And we can trust him. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.599 Now it's interesting, 00:20:57.979 --> 00:20:59.619 we live in a culture 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.579 that has massive 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.319 trust issues. 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.659 Massive trust issues. 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.500 You look at all the stuff 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.119 that's going on 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:05.639 in our world 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:05.979 at the minute 00:21:05.979 --> 00:21:06.779 with politics. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:08.099 What are people saying? 00:21:08.479 --> 00:21:09.199 Can't trust him. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.599 You can't trust 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.139 what he says. 00:21:11.199 --> 00:21:11.659 You can't trust 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.379 what she says. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:13.419 You know, 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.159 Alex and I, 00:21:14.199 --> 00:21:15.479 we bought a new car 00:21:15.479 --> 00:21:15.899 recently. 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.699 We traded in our old one, 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.419 got a price for it. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.000 You know the first thing 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.599 my dad said? 00:21:19.979 --> 00:21:20.539 Make sure you're not 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.159 getting ripped off. 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.619 Make sure you're not 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.219 getting ripped off. 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:24.779 We have massive trust issues 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.600 in our society. 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.440 But the thing I want you 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.480 to understand this morning 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.360 is that you might not 00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:30.120 be able to trust 00:21:30.120 --> 00:21:32.019 a car salesman. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.200 You might not be able 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.220 to trust a mechanic 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.519 or a politician, 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.420 but we can trust 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:37.819 100% what God says 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.259 in his word. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:41.059 We can fix our eyes 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.740 on what he has said. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.339 We can lean 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.799 our whole confidence 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:45.579 on what God has said. 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.259 Every moment of every day 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.819 we can trust 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.559 what God has said. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:50.599 And thirdly, 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:52.159 confidence in Christ 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:53.079 will mean considering 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.159 how to love 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:55.019 and encourage 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.519 one another. 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.059 So clearly some of them 00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.859 had decided that 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.579 meeting together 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.399 like this 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.639 in community 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.519 wasn't so much 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.480 of a big deal. 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.200 We can kind of 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:05.919 go out on our own 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:06.279 and that's what 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:06.720 they'd thought 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.519 and he's warning them 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.079 here that that is 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.839 a dangerous game 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.359 to play. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.099 Why do we need 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.759 each other? 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.519 Why do we need 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.379 to be in community 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:13.839 together? 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.659 Well see, 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.099 he tells them 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.679 two things 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:17.460 at verses 24 and 25. 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:19.220 Firstly, 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:19.860 so that we can 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.819 spur one another 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.660 on towards 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:23.100 love and good works 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:24.880 and secondly, 00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:25.740 for mutual 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.420 encouragement. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.380 I find this 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:30.079 one of the greatest 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:30.860 joys of being 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:31.460 part of this 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.360 church family here. 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.660 I think about 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.400 some of the 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:37.700 interviews 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.340 that we've seen 00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:38.740 up here 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.559 with people recently 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:41.160 and I'm massively 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.680 encouraged. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:44.100 As we had Kate 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:44.900 and Bruce 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.440 and their family 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.039 up here a few 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.500 weeks ago 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.279 and Johnny 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.819 asked Kate, 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.220 what is the 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.559 one thing 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:48.900 that we could 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.220 be praying 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.740 for you? 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:50.980 She could have 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.400 said a hundred 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:52.079 things really 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.339 but what does 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.720 she say? 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.240 I want you to 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.819 pray for me 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.279 that I would 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:57.480 live and love 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.500 Jesus Christ. 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.140 You know, 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.619 we had the pleasure 00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.559 of having Caitlin 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.200 to our home group 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.819 on Wednesday night 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.720 and we asked her 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.140 what could we 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.680 pray for her? 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.220 How could we 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.980 be supporting her? 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.000 And she said, 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.660 I'm starting a new 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.359 job on Wednesday. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.200 Can you pray 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.039 that I would be 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.259 a good witness 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.500 in that new job? 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.240 For both of those 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.480 prayers, 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:14.819 I thought, 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.299 yes, 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.200 that's what I 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.620 want in my 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.319 life as well. 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.640 I want to be 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.180 standing out 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:19.720 and speaking up 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.140 for Jesus. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:21.039 I was massively 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.640 encouraged. 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:22.839 You know, 00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:24.299 and as I listen 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.079 even this morning, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.880 listening to how 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.339 some of you 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:26.860 are serving 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.400 one another, 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.880 it massively 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.680 encourages me. 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.740 As I see how 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.180 some of you 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.200 are serving us, 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:33.000 it massively 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.660 encourages me. 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.559 As I hear how 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.180 you are praying 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.980 for me and for 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.700 my family and 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.319 for other people, 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.019 it massively 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.839 encourages me. 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.380 As I see some 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:40.819 of you taking 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.680 bold steps, 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.759 speaking of Jesus 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.519 Christ to your 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.440 neighbors and 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.059 your friends, 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.079 when it's hard, 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:46.879 that massively 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.799 encourages me as 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.079 well. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.519 Do you see how 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.119 this works? 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.599 That as community, 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.559 together as God's 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:52.740 people, 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.240 we should be 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.259 encouraging one 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.940 another on. 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.039 It's glorious. 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:58.759 Now let me just 00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.019 say in just one 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.660 little challenge 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.660 I've been trying 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.319 to do the last 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.000 month or so, 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.579 and I encourage 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.200 you guys to do 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.539 it as well. 00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.140 Before you go 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.619 this morning, 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.740 how about you 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.420 try and ask 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.579 at least one 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.460 person how you 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.059 can be praying 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.640 for them this 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:10.900 week? 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:12.320 At least one 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:12.620 person. 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.320 How can you be 00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:13.940 praying for them 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.519 and supporting 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.180 them this week 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.220 and actually do 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.440 it? 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:17.900 It would be 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.320 great if we're 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.120 all involved in 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:19.519 each other's 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:19.740 lives, 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.680 encouraging and 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.759 spurring one 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.480 another on. 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.340 Let us draw 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:25.660 near. 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.140 Let us hold 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.640 fast. 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.759 Let us consider 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.100 how. 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.560 And drawing 00:24:30.560 --> 00:24:31.000 those three 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.700 statements together, 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.240 do you notice 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.460 the lovely little 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.140 triad there? 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.580 Faith, 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:36.580 hope, 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.640 and love. 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.940 What are these 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.540 Christians going to 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.200 be marked by? 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.000 Faith, 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:41.960 hope, 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:42.900 and love. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.600 Let me ask you 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:44.960 this morning, 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.660 do you see 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.840 these virtues 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:47.519 in your life? 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.279 Do you see 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.039 the Lord 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:52.900 growing these 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:54.240 attributes in 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.779 your life? 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.059 If somebody 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.819 from the outside 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.600 was to look into 00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.160 your life and 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:58.799 give a commentary 00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.580 on your life, 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.460 would they say 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:00.980 these things? 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.720 Would they say 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.580 of me as my 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.220 friends looking 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.940 into my life 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.299 that, yeah, 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:05.799 Graham's marked 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.240 by love? 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.860 Faith, 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.140 yeah, 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.660 Graham's got 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.259 faith. 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.240 And hope, 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:11.480 yeah, 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:11.940 he's hoping 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.420 for something 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.980 beyond this 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.279 life. 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:14.019 Would people 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.539 involved in 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:14.900 our lives, 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.259 would they 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.680 say this 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.279 about us? 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.680 What a 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.120 great prayer 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:19.640 to be praying 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.279 for each 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.039 other and 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.720 for ourselves 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.279 this week. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.720 Because confident 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.299 Christians, 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:24.920 they cling 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.740 to Christ. 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.840 Now I wonder 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.140 if there were 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.600 some of these 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.200 readers reading 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.779 this letter 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.360 and thinking 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:31.980 to themselves 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.580 as they read 00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.100 these words, 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:33.900 we could never 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.600 be that community. 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.500 We can never 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.220 be that community. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:39.799 we'd rather 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.860 keep sitting 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:42.240 and hiding 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.059 than we would 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.559 get clinging 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.240 if we're honest. 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.140 We'll see it 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.880 verses 32 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.579 to 39 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.519 as we draw 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.000 our time 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.579 almost to a 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:50.860 close. 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.339 What does 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:51.940 Mr. 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.480 Hebrews do? 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.140 He reminds 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.660 them of their 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.140 past. 00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:55.180 Do you see 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.360 that? 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:55.860 He reminds 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.220 them of their 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.799 past as if 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.160 they say, 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.160 you can do 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:58.380 it. 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.740 You can do 00:25:59.740 --> 00:25:59.819 it. 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.100 And how do 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:00.579 I know you 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:00.960 can do it? 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.380 Because you've 00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:02.120 done it before. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.559 And presumably 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.000 he's looking 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.759 back on a time 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.279 in these guys' 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.519 lives, 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.500 maybe 10 or 15 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.980 years ago 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.359 when it was 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.940 really tough. 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.299 And he's 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.779 looking back 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.200 on that time 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.539 and he says, 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.019 do you remember 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:12.039 when you did 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.640 those things? 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.660 Firstly, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.319 verse 32, 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:14.880 do you remember 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.579 when you stood 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.000 together? 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.279 Now if you 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.640 notice at verse 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.059 32, 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.599 he uses the 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:21.160 word contest 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.599 there. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.660 I really loved 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.660 it this week. 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.660 The Greek word 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.039 there is 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.680 aphlazion. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.539 Now why is that 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:27.980 significant? 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.619 Why is he telling 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:28.920 us that? 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.220 Well it's 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.880 obviously where we 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.440 get our word 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.259 athletics from. 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.599 So what is he 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:32.920 saying? 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.859 Do you remember 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.619 the time when you 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.680 really went for it 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.100 with Jesus? 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.539 Do you remember 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.120 the time when you 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:38.640 toiled for Jesus? 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.420 Do you remember 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.240 the time where you 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.460 sweated it out for 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:41.700 him? 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:42.900 Do you remember 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.580 the time when you 00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:44.500 endured so much 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.340 conflict that you 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:46.039 pushed the pain 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.460 barriers? 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.680 That together you 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.539 stood for Jesus 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:50.940 in a hostile world? 00:26:51.060 --> 00:26:51.420 Do you remember 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.000 those days? 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.860 Yeah, I do remember 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.299 those days. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.880 We'll get back to 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:55.460 those days. 00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:57.740 Secondly, 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.600 verse 34, 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.460 do you remember 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.360 when you spoke up? 00:27:01.580 --> 00:27:01.980 Do you remember 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.759 when you spoke up? 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.220 Do you remember 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.039 when you identified 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.500 yourselves with the 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.220 Christians who were 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.279 getting a hard time, 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.220 who were getting put 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.000 in prison for their 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.279 faith? 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:09.700 Do you remember 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:09.980 that? 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:10.940 Do you remember 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.839 you spoke up for 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:11.960 them? 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.339 Do you remember 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.140 you went and 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:13.779 visited them, 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.660 that you identified 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.579 yourselves with them, 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.839 that you prayed for 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.839 them, that you loved 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.640 them, that you went 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.700 to visit them, that you 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.559 didn't care who saw 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.460 you go to visit them? 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:22.779 Do you remember 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.319 those days? 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.180 Yeah, I do remember 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.600 those days. 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.039 That's what we used 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.259 to do. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.079 Get back to those 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.519 days. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.640 And thirdly, do you 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.259 remember when you 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.440 prioritized rightly? 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.460 Verse 34. 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.240 You accepted 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.500 wrongdoing and you 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.279 did it joyfully. 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:37.920 Do you notice that 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.680 word in that passage 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.420 there, joyfully? 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:41.140 And why did you do 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.640 it joyfully? 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.320 Well, because in the 00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:43.420 light of eternity, it 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:43.940 didn't matter. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:47.539 You feared God more 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.700 than you feared man. 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.259 You bowed and were 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.519 obedient to God more 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.000 than you bowed to man. 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.740 You were concerned 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.940 about what he had 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.779 done in your lives 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.940 rather than what was 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.440 going on in the world. 00:27:59.340 --> 00:28:00.160 You knew that in 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.040 Jesus Christ, God 00:28:01.040 --> 00:28:02.000 had given you a far 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.900 better possession. 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:04.259 The new life that he 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.120 had given you through 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:07.279 him, far greater than 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.120 any of the temporary 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.220 possessions on earth. 00:28:09.300 --> 00:28:09.560 Do you remember 00:28:09.560 --> 00:28:10.100 those days? 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.779 Do you remember those 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.259 days when you 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.200 prioritized rightly? 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.019 Yeah, yeah. 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.320 I do remember those 00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:15.540 days. 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.240 Get back to those 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.660 days. 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.060 Guys, you can do this 00:28:18.060 --> 00:28:18.660 because you've done 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.279 it before. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:21.880 You've done it 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.160 before. 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.779 Do it again. 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:23.860 I wonder if some of 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:25.560 us this morning, do we 00:28:25.560 --> 00:28:26.320 need to remember those 00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:26.640 days? 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:28.620 Do we need to 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.420 remember those days? 00:28:30.300 --> 00:28:31.180 I'm struggling with 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:32.100 evangelism, Graham. 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.120 Do you remember the 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:33.960 time when you first 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.680 became a Christian, you 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.259 were fearless? 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.040 You were telling 00:28:36.040 --> 00:28:37.140 everyone about Christ? 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.580 Yeah, I can't remember 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.040 those days. 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:39.540 Come on, guys. 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:40.220 We can get back to 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.780 those days. 00:28:43.280 --> 00:28:44.620 Pray and seek the 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.660 community encouragement 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.560 to get back to those 00:28:46.560 --> 00:28:46.720 days. 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.480 Do you remember the 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.160 days when you used to 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.920 visit and care for 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.660 people that used to 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.440 drive from places? 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.320 Oh, yeah. 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:52.040 I remember those days. 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:53.380 Come on, guys. 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.060 Let's get back to 00:28:54.060 --> 00:28:54.500 those days. 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.420 Let's be encouraging 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.360 one another. 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.019 Do you remember the 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.679 days when you used 00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:59.639 to go to church and 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.379 you were the last to 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:00.939 leave on a Sunday 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:01.599 morning because you 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:03.099 were so caught up in 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.819 speaking to people? 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.519 You loved it. 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:05.659 Yeah, I do remember 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:06.219 those days. 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:07.500 Now we're the kind of 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.099 first to leave. 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.699 Come on, guys. 00:29:08.719 --> 00:29:09.419 Let's get back to 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:09.759 those days. 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.379 Do you see what he's 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:10.899 saying here? 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.319 You've done it before. 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:13.159 You can do it again. 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:14.619 Let's get going as 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.359 this community. 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.500 And why do we need 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.159 to get going? 00:29:19.479 --> 00:29:20.339 Why do we need to 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:21.399 maintain and get back 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.139 to that zeal? 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.399 Well, look what he 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.339 says at verse 35. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:26.799 Why do we need to 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.279 do this? 00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:28.139 Why do we need to 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:28.959 keep encouraging one 00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:29.779 another and spurring 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.439 one another on? 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:32.079 Because the reward is 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.079 so glorious. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.079 When Jesus Christ 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.159 comes himself to 00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:38.240 bring us home, 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.819 that eternal home 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.379 that we have 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.720 worshipping with 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:43.039 him in God's 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.859 presence, it will be 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.279 glorious. 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.079 Your faith, your 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.799 endurance will be 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:48.059 richly rewarded. 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:50.200 keep going. 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.579 Keep going in your 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:51.899 faith. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.980 Keep going with this 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.019 awesome God who's 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.200 beckoned you in to 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.720 know him. 00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:57.500 Be those people who 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.700 do not shrink back, 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.960 but be those people 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.440 who live by faith and 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.599 by faith in the Son of 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.539 God who gave himself 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.740 for you. 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:06.480 Confident Christians, 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:08.179 they cling to Christ. 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.819 Now as we close, let me 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.919 just tell you this story 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:13.000 that I read in this book 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.440 this week. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.359 It's been a freebie at 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:15.159 the front for months. 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.579 I don't know if 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.539 anybody's read it, but 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.579 it's a great one. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.839 It's stories of student 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.799 ministry that goes on 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.460 around the world. 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.519 This organization called 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:26.259 IFES, so International 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.819 Fellowship of Evangelical 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.240 Students. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.940 I read this story, the 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.899 testimony of a woman 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.579 called Ruth. 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:34.700 Her husband, Neil, he 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:36.639 worked for IFES and he 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.759 took the whole family to 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:39.180 Ecuador for his job. 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.980 One night as the 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.759 family are walking 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:44.579 home, Neil is 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:46.299 attacked and Neil is 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:48.159 shot, held at gun 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:48.519 point. 00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:50.119 Thieves enter, take 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:51.220 his car and he's 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:53.000 left to bleed to death 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.879 with his son in his 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:55.059 arms sitting by the 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:55.519 roadside. 00:30:57.659 --> 00:30:58.919 And he bled to death. 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.119 And two years after the 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.159 event, Ruth gives her 00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:03.720 testimony at what is the 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.379 IFES World Conference. 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:07.139 They asked her, what's 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:07.879 going on in your life 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.899 since that traumatic 00:31:08.899 --> 00:31:09.799 experience, Ruth? 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.779 And she said this. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:13.599 She said, today I stand 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.180 here alone. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:17.019 When Neil was shot 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:18.259 almost two years ago, 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.700 all of our family 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.839 dreams and ministry 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:22.019 dreams were suddenly 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.700 cut short. 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.899 But I am here today to 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.960 testify to three 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.539 things. 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:29.440 Firstly, concerning the 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:30.339 IFES family. 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:32.019 Your love, prayers and 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.480 support meant that 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.980 myself and my family, 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:36.639 we couldn't crash even 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.579 though everything inside 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.359 it was wanted to. 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.819 Secondly, to testify to 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.879 the great God that I 00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.359 serve. 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.939 He not only accompanies 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:46.119 me in my suffering, but 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:47.439 he suffered on my 00:31:47.439 --> 00:31:48.000 behalf. 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.619 And thirdly, to testify 00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:52.000 and tell you that 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:53.139 brokenness is not the 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:53.859 end of the story. 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:57.859 Our pain is deep, but it 00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:59.259 is not all-encompassing. 00:31:59.939 --> 00:32:02.299 Our loss is enormous, but 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.220 it is not eternal. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:07.159 Death is our enemy, but it 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:08.200 does not have the final 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.560 word. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.480 And this is the great 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:10.820 part. 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:12.840 For the wounded lamb is 00:32:12.840 --> 00:32:14.259 also the lion of Judah. 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:16.600 And one day he will reign 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:18.519 in his perfect rule of 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:20.560 love, peace and justice. 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.960 This is the hope of the 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.320 gospel. 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:26.740 Confident Christians cling 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.660 to Christ. 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.420 What an awesome God that 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:29.940 we serve. 00:32:30.560 --> 00:32:31.100 Let's pray. 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:36.659 Our Father, we would 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.699 thank you for Jesus. 00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:40.419 Thank you that we can 00:32:40.419 --> 00:32:41.779 come confidently before 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:43.539 you, the awesome God, 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:44.939 because of him. 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:47.299 Oh Lord, would you help 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:49.000 us this week to fear you 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:50.459 more than we fear man? 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:52.619 Would you help us to love 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:54.459 and be obedient to what you 00:32:54.459 --> 00:32:56.799 have said, regardless of 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.599 the consequences? 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.939 Father, would you help us to 00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.620 trust fully in what you 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:02.019 have told us in your 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.420 words? 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.860 And that you would make 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:07.460 our priority in life, 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:09.779 loving you and striving 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.980 after you with all our 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:12.559 strength, and make that 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.799 the number one priority in 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.720 our lives this week. 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:17.240 Oh Lord, help us love 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:18.640 Jesus Christ more, we ask. 00:33:20.080 --> 00:33:21.539 In his name we ask. 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.320 Amen.