WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 So John chapter 3, starting at verse 19 to 21. 00:00:08.099 --> 00:00:14.019 This is the verdict. Light has come into the world, but men love darkness instead of light, because their deeds are evil. 00:00:14.839 --> 00:00:20.199 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 00:00:21.019 --> 00:00:27.940 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.480 And if you turn to 1 John chapter 1, starting at verse 5. 00:00:38.899 --> 00:00:41.939 Oh yeah, that's page 1225. 00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:51.100 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you. 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:54.140 God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 00:00:54.140 --> 00:01:00.060 If we claim to have fellowship with him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:08.739 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son purifies us from all sin. 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:13.819 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 00:01:13.819 --> 00:01:21.459 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:27.500 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his word has no place in our lives. 00:01:28.559 --> 00:01:32.519 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. 00:01:33.119 --> 00:01:39.060 But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:45.420 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world. 00:01:45.420 --> 00:02:06.859 Thanks very much, Dan. 00:02:07.060 --> 00:02:09.319 Please keep your Bibles open at 1 John. 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:16.019 There is a sheet being passed around with pens, which you can follow along to take notes if you want one. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.979 Just indicate to Ethan. 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:21.879 We started a new series just last week. 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:25.840 You can follow them all online if you miss any. 00:02:27.139 --> 00:02:36.379 So 1 John, chapter 1, verse 5, and to chapter 2, verse 2. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:46.939 It's a very, very practical letter, helping us to know how to live the Christian life. 00:02:49.159 --> 00:02:53.039 Well, let's ask God for his help as we look at his word together. 00:02:56.340 --> 00:03:00.579 Our Father God, we thank you for your love. 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:10.180 And we thank you for your word to us, which is an expression of your love to us. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:17.760 We pray that as we read it together, as we study together, 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:31.679 that you would speak into our lives in such a way that we see what it is to live in right relationship with you. 00:03:32.799 --> 00:03:39.599 Help us to identify the things that hinder our relationship with you. 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:49.659 And help us to put into practice the things that will restore our relationship with you. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:54.240 Be gracious to us, Father, we pray. 00:03:55.299 --> 00:03:57.500 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:05.599 So we start with a very heart-searching question. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:10.500 How is your fellowship with God? 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:15.120 Would you say it's in the red hot zone? 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:19.240 Or is it in the blue cold zone? 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:22.439 Where would you place yourself on that scale? 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:30.860 Or over the last week or month, would you say you've been taking steps towards the red zone? 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:35.159 Or have you been moving towards the cold zone? 00:04:35.600 --> 00:04:40.600 Perhaps, like me, you find that it fluctuates. 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:43.740 It's bouncing from one end to the other. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.960 Hot one week, cold the next. 00:04:49.280 --> 00:04:55.760 Well, remember, we have all been invited into fellowship with God. 00:04:55.840 --> 00:04:58.220 Look at verse 3 of chapter 1. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:03.060 This is John writing on behalf of the apostles. 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:03.700 He says, 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:07.819 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:11.379 So they saw Jesus and they heard his message. 00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:14.800 So we proclaim to you what we've seen and heard. 00:05:15.099 --> 00:05:19.300 So that you also may have fellowship with us. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:25.560 And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:38.959 So here John is inviting people like you and me to share in the deep, intimate relationship and partnership with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:49.120 So what the Father shares with the Son and what the Son shares with the Father, we too can participate in that love. 00:05:50.039 --> 00:05:53.620 He says to us in verse 4, we write all of this. 00:05:53.719 --> 00:06:01.019 We write this invitation into this fellowship to make our or your joy complete. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:08.639 Living in fellowship with God is where we are fully satisfied. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:11.979 This is where we find our joy. 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:19.700 Now this morning we're going to see how we can enjoy this fellowship every day. 00:06:19.699 --> 00:06:25.099 How we can enjoy it the way God intends us to. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:30.219 So there's two big ideas we're going to look at this morning. 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:34.480 The first is what hinders and damages our fellowship with God. 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:40.219 And the second is this, what restores and renews our fellowship with God. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:42.659 So the first one is going to be quite hard. 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:47.740 Not hard to understand, but hard because it takes a look at our hearts. 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:51.120 So what is it that hinders and damages our fellowship? 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:56.420 And then secondly, what restores and renews our fellowship? 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:00.240 So let's look at these two big ideas together. 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:06.920 First, sin hinders and damages our fellowship with God. 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:09.740 Look at verse 5. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:15.620 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you. 00:07:15.620 --> 00:07:17.740 God is light. 00:07:18.540 --> 00:07:22.120 In him there is no darkness at all. 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:27.639 Followers of Lord of the Rings, and I'm sure most of you have seen them, 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:32.019 will know that light and darkness are really important themes. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:38.180 You've got those who represent light, like Gandalf, and he's good and he's pure. 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:45.740 And then there are those who are evil and wicked, like Sauron, and they're described as being on the dark side. 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:48.860 So we've got this light and darkness theme. 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:51.819 And it's the same idea in biblical language. 00:07:52.220 --> 00:07:55.259 So in verse 5 we're told that God is light. 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:57.980 That means he's full of goodness. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:01.019 He's full of justice and purity. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:05.259 There's no darkness in God. 00:08:05.359 --> 00:08:06.219 There's no evil. 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:07.120 There's no hate. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.819 There's no impurity. 00:08:09.599 --> 00:08:13.799 In other words, light and darkness are incompatible. 00:08:14.159 --> 00:08:17.139 You can't mix light and darkness together. 00:08:18.479 --> 00:08:24.819 Psalm 5 tells us that you are not a God who takes pleasure in evil. 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:28.519 With you, the wicked cannot dwell. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:33.279 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:37.340 You see, you can't have light and darkness together. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:41.980 Now, just as light and darkness are incompatible, 00:08:42.939 --> 00:08:49.240 so a life of sin and a life of fellowship is incompatible. 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:53.759 In other words, he's building us towards a big theme, which is this. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:09:02.120 We can't mess about with sin and at the same time enjoy fellowship with God. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:05.179 Just as you can't mix light and darkness, 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:09.659 so you can't mix a life of sin and a life of fellowship. 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:12.439 They just don't go together. 00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:16.259 Sin is serious. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:20.500 It hinders and damages our fellowship with God. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:24.820 That's the big theme of the rest of this chapter and into chapter 2. 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:27.220 We tend to minimise it. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:29.539 We don't think it really matters. 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:34.220 So we hide it and we excuse it and we ignore it. 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:38.299 But sin drags us out of the red hot zone 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:41.799 and it pulls us into the blue cold zone. 00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:45.000 So let's see how this is true. 00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:47.599 Two things. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:51.019 First, claiming to have fellowship. 00:09:51.219 --> 00:09:52.120 Look at verse 6. 00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:54.000 He says this, 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:56.700 If we claim to have fellowship with him, 00:09:57.679 --> 00:09:59.779 yet walk in the darkness, 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:05.559 we lie and do not live by the truth. 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:09.600 So if we say that we have fellowship with God, 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:12.940 but yet we mess about with sin, 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:15.379 then we're just living a lie. 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:18.679 He's saying we don't live by the truth. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.200 Now remember, 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:22.820 he's writing here to people who are Christians. 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:27.399 Have a look at chapter 2, verse 21. 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:29.939 Chapter 2, verse 21. 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.580 He says there, 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:38.000 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:40.919 but because you do know it 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:44.159 and because no lie comes from the truth. 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:46.039 So he's writing to the people, 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.299 he's writing to us, 00:10:47.319 --> 00:10:49.319 he's saying you know what the truth is. 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:52.399 You know who the truth is. 00:10:52.719 --> 00:10:54.699 You know what it is to love Christ. 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.899 You know what it is to love people. 00:10:57.219 --> 00:10:58.719 But here's the big problem. 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:01.779 You're claiming to be in fellowship with God 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:05.539 when in reality you're walking about in darkness. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:12.480 It's the complete opposite of true fellowship. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:15.100 Look at chapter 1, verse 7. 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:20.960 If we walk in the light as he is in the light, 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.879 we have fellowship with one another 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.379 and the blood of Jesus, his son, 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:27.399 purifies us from all sin. 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.879 You see here in verse 7, 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:33.700 we have the picture of one who doesn't hide from the truth. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:35.620 They're not pretending. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.659 They're not living a lie. 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:40.259 They walk in the light. 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:41.419 In other words, 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:45.939 their desire is to let God shine his spotlight, 00:11:46.219 --> 00:11:48.719 to shine his light by the Holy Spirit 00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:50.279 into their lives, 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:52.860 to show them where their sin is 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:54.799 so that they can deal with it 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.059 and put things right 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:58.959 so that fellowship with God is restored. 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:01.699 Here's the people who walk in the light. 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:05.300 They crave openness and honesty before God. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.379 But he's saying, 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:13.120 what you're doing is walking in the darkness. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:15.220 You're hiding. 00:12:17.640 --> 00:12:21.100 You see, our fellowship with God works on two levels. 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:24.900 I want us to get this clear in our minds. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:29.559 There's a legal aspect and a personal aspect. 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:32.399 So when we trust in Christ, 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:37.879 we enter into a legal relationship or fellowship with God. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:41.360 That means it can't be broken by our sin. 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:43.759 So if I mess up, if I fail, 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:46.519 my relationship with God is intact. 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:48.100 It's legally binding. 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:50.299 There's a contract on that relationship 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:53.679 that can't be broken because God is committed to it. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:59.759 However, when I sin or when we sin, 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:04.059 the personal aspect of the relationship is damaged. 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:07.239 So let me try and illustrate this for us 00:13:07.239 --> 00:13:08.519 to get it into our minds. 00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:10.579 When Kirsty and I got married, 00:13:11.319 --> 00:13:13.899 we entered into a legal relationship. 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:16.539 So no matter what we say, 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.899 no matter what we do, 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:20.519 we remain legally married. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.579 We can fall out, 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.740 we can have an argument, 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.879 but we've got a contract that says, 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:25.740 we're married. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.779 We're still in that relationship. 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.399 But here's the point. 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:32.240 If I'm unkind, 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:35.039 if I say something that upsets her, 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:38.779 it deeply affects the personal relationship. 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:42.460 And the relationship is damaged. 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:47.139 The joy and the intimacy of that relationship is removed. 00:13:47.280 --> 00:13:47.920 It's broken. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:52.820 And so it is in the same way. 00:13:53.300 --> 00:13:56.460 God still legally loves us. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.259 He is committed to us. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:01.259 He is bound to us even when we sin. 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.879 But here's the problem. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:11.419 The personal joy of that relationship is damaged. 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:14.679 Every time I fail and fall, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.960 every time I walk in darkness, 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:19.740 the relationship with God, 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:22.419 that personal, deep, intimate relationship, 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:24.000 is damaged. 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:27.519 You see, messing about with sin 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:30.960 damages our fellowship with God. 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:33.340 It is serious. 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:39.360 Of course, it's not just claiming to have fellowship. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.639 There's another problem. 00:14:41.780 --> 00:14:43.860 There's claiming to be without sin. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.900 Look at verse 8. 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:49.060 If we claim to be without sin, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.720 we deceive ourselves, 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:54.400 and the truth is not in us. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.540 Messing about with sin 00:14:57.539 --> 00:15:00.240 ultimately leads to self-deception. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.959 Do you see what it says in verse 8? 00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:04.259 It says we deceive ourselves. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.599 The tragedy is 00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:08.500 we can get to the point in our life 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:11.439 where we can't even see the damage 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:13.959 sin is causing to our own lives. 00:15:14.959 --> 00:15:17.959 We're so much in the darkness 00:15:17.959 --> 00:15:20.500 that we cannot see 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.759 what it is doing 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.860 to our relationship with God. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:27.580 We used to joke when we were younger 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:29.340 about our granny 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:31.899 that she had asbestos hands. 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:35.300 Basically, she could just take anything 00:15:35.300 --> 00:15:37.019 that was roasting hot out of the oven 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.820 with her bare hands. 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.019 She never used a cloth. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.340 She could handle hot plates. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.379 Not a problem. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:45.240 But there was a problem. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:49.019 Because her hands were very marked and scarred. 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.560 There were burns all over them. 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:51.959 And over time, 00:15:52.099 --> 00:15:54.500 her hands had become insensitive 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.759 to the heat. 00:15:56.359 --> 00:15:58.519 And it caused terrible damage. 00:15:59.979 --> 00:16:01.479 And in the same way, 00:16:01.619 --> 00:16:04.279 we can mess about with sin so much 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:05.899 that it gets to the point 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:08.259 where we become insensitive to it. 00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:10.679 We're not even aware 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:12.419 of the effects that it has. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:14.039 But over time, 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:16.739 it's causing untold damage 00:16:16.739 --> 00:16:17.779 to our lives 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.419 in our relationship with God. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:25.379 One of the ways it can affect us 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.479 is our relationship 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:29.579 with other people. 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.699 Look back at verse 7. 00:16:33.079 --> 00:16:34.139 Do you see what it says there 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:34.659 at the beginning? 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:35.599 It says, 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.599 if we walk in the light 00:16:37.599 --> 00:16:39.579 as he is in the light, 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:41.559 we have fellowship 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.719 with one another. 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.240 You see, 00:16:44.459 --> 00:16:45.659 fellowship with God 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:48.259 can't be separated 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.259 from fellowship 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.559 with other people. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.539 If our fellowship 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.939 with God is damaged, 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:55.659 then our fellowship 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.699 with other people 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:57.379 is damaged. 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.319 So, 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.439 let me ask us all 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.240 another question. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.960 What is our relationship 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.879 with each other 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:07.899 actually like? 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:11.340 If you're married here 00:17:11.340 --> 00:17:12.060 this morning, 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:14.220 how is your relationship 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.180 to your wife 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.420 or your husband? 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.940 Is it cold? 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.980 Is it broken? 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.900 How are you relating 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.720 to one another? 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.720 Or how are your relationships 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.319 with people in the church? 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:31.440 Are they on healthy terms? 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.940 Are you getting on 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.620 with people? 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:38.039 Because broken 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:40.019 and damaged relationships 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:42.519 can be a clear sign 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:44.279 of claiming to be 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.600 without sin. 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:47.299 We've got to the point 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:49.140 where we've deceived ourselves, 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.319 where we become 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.319 completely insensitive 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.259 to what's going on. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.779 We're not even aware 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.240 of damaged relationships. 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.980 Look at verse 10. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.279 If we claim 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.799 we have not sinned, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.819 we make him, 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.620 that is God, 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.640 out to be a liar 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:09.819 and his word 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.860 has no place 00:18:10.860 --> 00:18:12.160 in our lives. 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:14.360 Instead of owning up 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:14.960 to our sin, 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.059 we excuse it, 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:16.880 we ignore it 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.660 and we hide it. 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.700 We brush it 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.779 underneath the carpet. 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.180 We push back 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.220 against God's 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:22.779 gentle conviction 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.759 through his word 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.980 and we refuse 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:26.880 the diagnosis 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:27.980 of our hearts. 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.360 Claiming to be 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:32.960 in fellowship 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.820 with God 00:18:33.820 --> 00:18:36.620 and at the same time 00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:37.720 messing about 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.400 with sin 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.120 ultimately damages 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:41.180 and hinders 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:42.060 our fellowship 00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:42.780 with God. 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.240 It robs us 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.360 of our joy. 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.440 That is the danger. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.940 That is the seriousness 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.000 of what it can do 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.660 to us. 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:57.599 So how can 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.119 our joy 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:00.180 be made complete? 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.019 What we've just 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.440 looked at 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.460 is hard and difficult 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.200 but it does 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.240 because it requires 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.180 an inward looking 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.160 at our own hearts. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.519 So how can it 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.259 be restored? 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.259 How can we know 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.880 deep, 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.299 intimate joy 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.319 with the Father? 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.359 Well second, 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:19.819 Christ restores 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:21.359 and renews 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.240 our fellowship 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.259 with God. 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.559 We often think 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.200 of repentance 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.059 and faith 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.279 as something 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.039 we do 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.099 before we 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.980 become a Christian. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.000 So I repent 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.939 of my sins 00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:35.960 and I put 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.500 my faith 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.119 in Jesus. 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.980 That's true. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:40.359 We all need 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.179 to do that. 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.500 But just as we 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.599 start the Christian 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.639 life with repentance 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.280 and faith, 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.920 we must continue 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.180 with repentance 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.759 and faith. 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.840 We don't just do it 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:50.480 once and then 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.040 leave it there 00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:52.060 and tick that box. 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.200 We continue 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.020 with repentance 00:19:54.020 --> 00:19:54.580 and faith 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:55.700 every single day. 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.780 So let's look 00:19:56.780 --> 00:19:57.500 at each of those 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.160 aspects 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.600 in these remaining 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:00.120 verses. 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:00.600 First, 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.240 repentance, 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.200 which is ongoing 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.720 dealing with sin. 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.840 Look at verse 9. 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.180 If we confess 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.180 our sins, 00:20:09.580 --> 00:20:10.720 he is faithful 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.540 and just 00:20:11.540 --> 00:20:12.560 and will forgive 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.560 us our sins 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:15.079 and purify 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:16.059 us from 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.539 all unrighteousness. 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:18.980 You see, 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.720 confession 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:21.179 or repentance 00:20:21.179 --> 00:20:22.519 is vital 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.559 if we are to 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.399 enjoy 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.200 fellowship 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:26.019 with God. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.359 But we've got 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.139 to be clear 00:20:28.139 --> 00:20:28.879 what true 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.440 repentance 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:30.240 is. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.419 Sometimes 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:34.700 we can be 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.859 remorseful, 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.559 but that's 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.359 not repentance. 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.559 Remorseful 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:43.480 means we regret 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:45.059 that we've done 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.980 something wrong 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.679 because of the 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:47.819 consequences it 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.940 has to my life. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.899 So the thief 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:52.619 will be remorseful 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.759 because he's 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.500 been caught. 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.159 He's got money 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.799 in his pocket 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.619 that he shouldn't 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.779 do and he ends 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.559 up in prison 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.460 and he's saying 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.599 I wish I hadn't 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.179 done that. 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.399 He's only sorry 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.579 because he's been 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.359 caught and he's 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.119 being punished. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.859 That's remorseful. 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:11.519 Being repentant 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.240 is completely 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.799 different. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.019 Repentant means 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.219 we seek a 00:21:15.219 --> 00:21:16.479 genuine heart 00:21:16.479 --> 00:21:17.240 change 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.199 regardless 00:21:18.199 --> 00:21:19.039 of the 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.759 consequences 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.679 to my life. 00:21:21.219 --> 00:21:22.379 So the thief 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.579 who is repentant 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.659 will face up 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.599 to the seriousness 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.500 of his crime. 00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:27.679 He will accept 00:21:27.679 --> 00:21:28.679 the consequences. 00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:29.959 He will accept 00:21:29.959 --> 00:21:30.740 what's going to 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.639 happen because 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.579 he wants to 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.539 change his life 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.279 and change the 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:34.740 ways. 00:21:35.479 --> 00:21:36.699 He confesses 00:21:36.699 --> 00:21:37.559 because he doesn't 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.279 want to do the 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:39.180 same thing again. 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.539 Now there's two 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.299 people who are 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.960 very helpful 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.099 examples for this 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:45.019 and you know 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.859 them very well. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.660 Judas and Peter. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.700 Both Judas 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.759 and Peter 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.879 acted in 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.940 denial and 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.420 betrayal. 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.539 Both of them 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.399 had sinned. 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:57.279 Judas though 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.799 was remorseful. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:01.000 He was remorseful 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.740 because he was 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.460 found out 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.660 and he ran away 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.660 and what did he do? 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.619 He hung himself 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:08.519 because remorse 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:10.079 leads to despair. 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:11.239 There's no way 00:22:11.239 --> 00:22:11.799 out. 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:14.059 Peter on the 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.659 other hand 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:16.119 was repentant 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.299 because he knew 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:17.859 he had done 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.579 something wrong. 00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:19.859 He knew he had 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:20.699 to go back to 00:22:20.699 --> 00:22:21.839 Jesus and that 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.839 relationship was 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.839 restored and it 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.959 led to a joyful 00:22:24.959 --> 00:22:26.299 relationship again. 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.039 So we've got to 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.959 be right about 00:22:29.959 --> 00:22:31.059 being remorseful 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.459 or being repentant. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.519 And look what 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.319 happens when we 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.299 are genuinely 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.599 repentant. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.339 Again look at 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.019 verse 9. 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:42.039 He will forgive 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:43.500 us our sins 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:45.919 and purify us 00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.779 from all 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.779 unrighteousness. 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.559 Here's the 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.019 result. 00:22:49.379 --> 00:22:50.519 We are forgiven. 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.000 That means God 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.899 will no longer 00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.980 hold that sin 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.819 against us. 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:56.059 It's not going 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.639 to be thrown 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.299 back in our 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.680 face. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.039 It's cancelled. 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.399 It's paid for. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.240 It's dealt 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.680 with. 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.519 But not only 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:03.879 is there 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.420 forgiveness, 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.680 he also 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:07.240 purifies us. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.039 That means God 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.779 will make us 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.379 clean. 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.319 He will make us 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:11.900 pure. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.680 What defiled us 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.240 in the first 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.339 place has been 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.079 removed. 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.039 It's washed 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.559 away. 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.559 It's wiped 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.099 clean. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.299 It's all 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.220 gone. 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.359 And it all 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.220 leads to 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.879 restored 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.799 fellowship. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.960 Genuine 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.720 repentance 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:32.519 means 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.740 restored 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.759 fellowship. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.380 Because I 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:37.180 own my 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.519 sin. 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.400 Because I 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.460 seek genuine 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.759 heart change. 00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:41.660 Because I'm 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.340 willing to 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.200 deal with my 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.220 sinful behaviour. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.440 Because I want 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.319 to walk in the 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.039 light and let 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.980 God show me 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.799 up for what I 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.480 am and what I 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.019 need to get 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.360 right. 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.900 I can now 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.840 enjoy 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:54.200 fellowship with 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.559 God. 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.640 We come to 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.319 a Father 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.600 who longs 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.079 to forgive 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.399 us. 00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.299 Who longs 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.019 to purify 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.299 us so that 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.819 we can 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.959 enjoy him. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.339 So there 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.959 must be 00:24:08.959 --> 00:24:10.019 repentance. 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.439 And there 00:24:12.439 --> 00:24:13.059 must also 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.919 be faith. 00:24:14.959 --> 00:24:15.819 Faith which 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.699 is ongoing 00:24:16.699 --> 00:24:18.240 trust in 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.980 Jesus Christ. 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.379 Look at 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:20.000 chapter 2 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.659 verse 1. 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:23.000 My dear 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.879 children, 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:24.799 this is the 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.480 heartache 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.599 of a writer 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.980 who longs 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.400 for his 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.440 people to 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:29.839 be in 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.160 right 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.799 relationship 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.380 with God. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.099 My dear 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.740 children, 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:33.920 I write 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.480 this to 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.440 you so 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:35.880 that you 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.680 will not 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.839 sin. 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:39.180 I want 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.519 you to 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.700 experience a 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.460 life that 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:41.900 is not 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:42.839 damaged or 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.960 hindered by 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.640 your sinful 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.380 behaviour. 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.400 I want 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:46.779 you to 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.799 enjoy this 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.299 deep, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:48.860 intimate 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:49.539 relationship 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.079 with God. 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.759 I want 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.099 you to 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.220 experience it 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.559 in its 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:52.960 fullness. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.640 So he 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:54.980 says I 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.640 write this 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.120 to you so 00:24:56.120 --> 00:24:56.440 that you 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:56.880 will not 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.160 sin. 00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.940 But if 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.620 anybody 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:00.340 does 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:00.820 sin, 00:25:01.780 --> 00:25:02.500 because he 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.040 knows we 00:25:03.040 --> 00:25:03.820 all do 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.180 and we 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.880 all mess 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:05.280 up and 00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:05.680 fail. 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:06.940 So he's 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.380 saying to 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:07.560 us, 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:07.820 look, 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.820 as you 00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.440 go along 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.100 your life, 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.560 your 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:11.160 relationship 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.860 with God, 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.980 when you 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.540 sin, 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.840 here's what 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.400 I want you 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.880 to see. 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.780 This is 00:25:17.780 --> 00:25:18.180 where I 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.600 want you 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.000 to look. 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.600 I want 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:19.900 you to 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.220 look at 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.460 two 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.040 things. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.300 First, 00:25:23.540 --> 00:25:23.900 Jesus 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:25.080 is our 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.920 defence. 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.060 I 00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:27.720 write this 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.040 to you 00:25:28.040 --> 00:25:28.400 so that 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:28.840 you will 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:29.160 not 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.500 sin. 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.280 But if 00:25:30.280 --> 00:25:30.759 anybody 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.300 does 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:31.720 sin, 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:32.640 we have 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.280 one who 00:25:33.280 --> 00:25:34.000 speaks to 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.600 the Father 00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.360 in our 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.200 defence, 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:37.500 Jesus 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.100 Christ, 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:38.980 the 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.360 righteous 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.780 one. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:40.920 Have 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.220 you got 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:41.800 the picture 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.240 that we 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.820 have there? 00:25:43.040 --> 00:25:43.460 It's an 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.000 amazing 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.600 picture. 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:46.640 Because when 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.400 we sin 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.160 and our 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.880 fellowship is 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:49.400 damaged, 00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:50.440 Jesus 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.620 immediately 00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:52.880 steps in 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.559 to speak 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.360 up on 00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:54.700 our 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.320 behalf. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.600 Jesus 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.660 as our 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.799 defender, 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.120 and we've 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.600 got to get 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.140 this picture 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.799 right again, 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.640 he's not 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.400 pleading 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.160 with a 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.600 reluctant 00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:05.400 father who 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.140 is unwilling 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.820 to forgive. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.600 He does 00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:09.200 not have to 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.640 try and 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.259 convince 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.240 God or 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.900 cajole 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.460 God to 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.200 be merciful 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.200 or try 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.759 and trick 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.299 God to 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.840 be nice 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:16.380 towards 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:16.720 us. 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.299 No, 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:17.759 Jesus 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.380 simply 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.080 reminds 00:26:19.080 --> 00:26:19.360 the 00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:20.080 father of 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.559 what they 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:20.799 have 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.259 achieved 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.779 together, 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.519 that the 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.220 sin has 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.779 been paid 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.039 for, 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.699 that they 00:26:24.699 --> 00:26:25.599 are forgiven, 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.460 that they 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.419 are clean, 00:26:27.699 --> 00:26:28.119 that they 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.980 belong to 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.460 the father 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.899 and the 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.259 son and 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.000 they share 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.599 in fellowship 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.480 and Jesus 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.399 brings all 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:33.779 of that 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.319 before the 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.799 father and 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.019 says, 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.539 we can 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.299 forgive. 00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:40.000 I am the 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.419 one who 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:41.099 stands in 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.419 defence of 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:42.839 you. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.779 Jesus 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.859 guarantees 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:47.439 and assures 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:48.279 us of 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.460 our acceptance 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.680 so in 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.220 faith, 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.059 when we 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.500 fall, 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:53.420 we look 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.299 to Jesus 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.180 as our 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:55.740 defender. 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.539 But not 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.039 only that, 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.420 we look 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.980 to Jesus 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.240 as our 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.000 sacrifice. 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.680 Verse 2, 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.200 he is the 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.819 atoning 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.620 sacrifice 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.860 for our 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:08.160 sins and 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.640 not only 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.500 for ours 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.480 but also 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.039 for the 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.140 sins of 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.880 the whole 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.660 world. 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:13.840 God. 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:15.600 You see, 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.300 God doesn't 00:27:16.300 --> 00:27:17.140 just ignore 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.820 our sin. 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.120 He doesn't 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.540 go, oh, 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:19.920 we'll just 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.600 forgive that 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:21.279 and it 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.620 doesn't 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:21.940 matter 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.580 anymore. 00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:24.060 He can 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:24.860 forgive it 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.160 because he 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.700 has taken 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.519 it seriously. 00:27:28.040 --> 00:27:28.420 He has 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.240 dealt with 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.000 our sin 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.000 through his 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.300 son, 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.340 Jesus Christ. 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:33.940 When Jesus 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.800 died on the 00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.380 cross, as we 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.920 were singing 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.800 about earlier, 00:27:37.300 --> 00:27:38.220 atonement 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.300 took place. 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:39.779 That's the 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.300 word that we 00:27:40.300 --> 00:27:40.940 have here in 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:42.039 verse 2, a 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.420 sacrifice of 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.200 atonement. 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:46.019 And that 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.799 simply means 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.700 two things. 00:27:48.080 --> 00:27:49.400 First, Jesus 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.460 takes our 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.620 guilt on 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.100 himself. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.740 He becomes 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.519 our sin 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.100 for us. 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.160 So all of 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.799 my guilt, 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.779 all of my 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.559 shame, all 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.299 of my sin 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.380 is removed 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.059 from me 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.100 and placed 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:03.160 upon Jesus. 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:03.820 That's the 00:28:03.820 --> 00:28:04.580 first step. 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:06.039 And the 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.759 second step 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.279 is this, 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.580 Jesus now 00:28:08.580 --> 00:28:09.940 absorbs God's 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.660 wrath on 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.720 himself for 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.000 me. 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.860 He bears 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:13.640 the punishment 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.720 for me. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.200 So he 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.279 removes my 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:19.440 guilt and 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.380 he removes 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.540 or deflects 00:28:21.540 --> 00:28:22.160 the wrath of 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.700 God from 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.820 me onto 00:28:23.820 --> 00:28:24.960 his own 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.500 son. 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.279 And that's 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.680 what we 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.160 mean when 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:28.580 we say 00:28:28.580 --> 00:28:29.380 Jesus is 00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.040 our atoning 00:28:30.040 --> 00:28:30.740 sacrifice. 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.600 So each 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.740 day, every 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.380 time we 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.960 fail and 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.820 fall, we 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.360 look in 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:36.960 trust to 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.820 Jesus Christ. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.740 We depend 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.400 not on our 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:40.400 own performance, 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:42.019 but on the 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.120 perfect performance 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.840 of Jesus 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:45.019 Christ, our 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.860 defence and 00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:48.160 our sacrifice. 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.680 And all of 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.259 that leads 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:53.040 to renewed 00:28:53.040 --> 00:28:53.920 fellowship. 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.800 The results 00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:56.560 of genuine 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:58.040 faith is 00:28:58.040 --> 00:28:58.759 renewed 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.580 fellowship 00:28:59.580 --> 00:29:00.740 with God. 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:02.100 Because I 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:02.759 look to 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.160 Jesus, 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.220 because I 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.840 dare not 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:05.480 trust in 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.019 myself, 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:06.880 because I 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.580 turn to 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.380 Christ when I 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.019 see my 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.379 sin. 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.480 Fellowship 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.119 with God 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:12.480 is renewed. 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.619 Faith is 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.160 the means 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.859 by which I 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.579 can enjoy 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:15.960 God. 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.599 I can 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.480 enjoy his 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.000 presence. 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:18.720 I can 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.319 enjoy 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.879 fellowship 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.660 without any 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.299 fear of 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.079 judgment or 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.579 punishment 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.660 whatsoever. 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.940 So where 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.440 are you 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:30.039 in your 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.759 fellowship with 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.160 God? 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.619 Are you in 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.119 the red 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.039 hot zone? 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:35.899 or are you 00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.220 in the 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.420 cold blue 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.839 zone? 00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.019 Which 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:40.799 direction are 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.460 you travelling? 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.680 Are you 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.299 walking in 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:46.399 darkness and 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.379 avoiding sin? 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:49.000 Or are you 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.819 walking in the 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:51.639 light and 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:52.299 letting God 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.119 deal with it 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.779 as it should 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.119 be? 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.379 As we 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:58.200 finish, let 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.559 me just 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.359 close with an 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.039 illustration. 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:03.019 fellowship with 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.899 God is 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:05.680 like horse 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.099 riding. 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.460 Have any 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:07.859 of you ever 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.440 gone horse 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.759 riding? 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.440 I remember 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.460 my very first 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.279 experience. 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.200 The horse 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:13.700 went that 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:15.019 way, turned 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:16.139 a corner and 00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:16.539 I kept 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:16.899 going. 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.240 The question 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:20.920 is, it's 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.859 not if you 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:23.759 fall off, but 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.420 when you 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.259 fall off. 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.559 And when 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.119 we fall 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.559 off the 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.460 horse, we 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:28.980 don't just 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.180 stay down, we 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:31.339 get up again and 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.759 we get back on and 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.480 we keep on 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:33.819 going. 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.140 Now when we 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.859 fall and fail in 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.779 our fellowship with 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.960 God, when it's 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.960 hindered and 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.160 broken and we 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.240 sense that lack 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.599 of joy, we 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.700 don't just stay 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:47.319 down, we get 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.319 back up again. 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.519 And here's how 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.460 we get back up 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:50.779 again. 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.220 We do it by 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.240 repenting of 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:53.740 our sin. 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:55.039 forgive me 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.480 Father, for I 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.299 have fallen 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:59.220 again, but I 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.620 do not want to 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:01.359 fall again. 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:05.299 Forgive me, I 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.400 do not want to 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.019 fall again. 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.440 We do it by 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.660 repenting and 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.420 we do it by 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.519 faith in Jesus 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.019 Christ. 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.819 We look to 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:15.180 him and say, I 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:16.319 cannot do this 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.660 alone. 00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:18.019 I dare not 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.859 trust in my 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:20.019 own self, but 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.839 I trust in 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.759 you, my 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.859 defender, my 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.519 sacrifice, 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.620 to hold me 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.819 and keep me. 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.859 So let me 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.640 say this to 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.299 us all. 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.720 Get up, 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:33.859 fallen 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.660 Christian. 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.660 Ride again 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:40.160 and enjoy 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.620 your fellowship 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.900 with God. 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.779 Let's pray. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:45.819 Let's pray. 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:45.859 Let's pray. 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:45.880 Let's pray. 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:53.720 Let's pray. 00:31:53.720 --> 00:32:04.319 Father, it is 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.120 our desire 00:32:05.120 --> 00:32:06.779 always 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:08.759 to be in 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.519 that place 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.100 where 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:12.259 we enjoy 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.319 fellowship with 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:13.680 you, 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.900 unhindered, 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.960 undamaged, 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:19.600 to delight in 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:19.919 you, 00:32:20.719 --> 00:32:22.379 to have no 00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:23.059 fear. 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.859 And yet, 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.459 Father, we 00:32:26.459 --> 00:32:27.059 confess 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:28.799 there are 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.319 things we 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.219 do and 00:32:30.219 --> 00:32:30.699 say. 00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:34.319 There are 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.679 actions that 00:32:35.679 --> 00:32:37.279 we get 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.159 involved in 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:40.339 that hinder 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.439 and break 00:32:41.439 --> 00:32:42.919 and damage 00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:43.779 that relationship. 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:46.399 so, Father, 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.059 we repent 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.480 of them. 00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:49.519 We come to 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:50.059 you afresh 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.399 and we 00:32:50.399 --> 00:32:50.759 say, 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.839 I've done 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.399 it again, 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.440 but help me 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.779 not to do 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.299 it again. 00:32:57.299 --> 00:33:00.000 Lord Jesus, 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.839 we thank you 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.240 that you 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.680 are our 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.180 defender, 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.839 speaking to 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.379 the Father 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.220 in our 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:05.619 defence. 00:33:06.919 --> 00:33:07.460 Thank you 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:07.839 that you 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.240 are our 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.799 perfect, 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.819 sufficient, 00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:11.139 and complete 00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:12.039 sacrifice, 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:14.019 taking the 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.659 blame for 00:33:14.659 --> 00:33:15.240 all that we 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.599 have done 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:15.940 wrong, 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.139 so that 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:18.639 we can 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.460 enjoy you 00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.259 and know 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.539 you. 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.180 So, 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:22.460 Father, 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.119 wherever we 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:23.879 are today, 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:25.659 help us to 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.080 get back 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:26.620 up again. 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.160 Help us 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.660 to keep 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:29.240 on going 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.380 as we 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:31.519 look only 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.480 to you. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.560 Bless us 00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:36.060 and fill us 00:33:36.060 --> 00:33:36.440 with your 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.160 joy, we 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:38.519 pray, in 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.420 Jesus' name. 00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:40.720 Amen.