WEBVTT

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 Well, folks, come back to me with those two of those verses in John chapter 8.

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 You know, one of the many reasons that people the world over have found such wonderful comfort in Jesus

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 is that if you spend any amount of time with him,

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 you'll soon run into somebody who speaks into the very biggest issues which we face in our lives.

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 Right. And today we're going to think about the biggest one that faces all of us.

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 Now, if you turned on BBC One about eight o'clock last Sunday night,

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 you'll have tuned into the biggest party in the country.

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 Now, I think we'll all agree that the King's Coronation Party as an event was absolutely superb.

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 So the great and the good of British society were there.

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 Shimmying away in the royal box.

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 Take that and Lionel were reminding us all once again that they really are the gift that keeps on giving.

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 And if you watch that evening, halfway through,

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 what you will have seen is Prince William give his short speech.

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 And if you listened carefully enough to that speech,

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 you'll have heard him use a line, a line to describe the late Queen.

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 And this line really got me thinking.

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 He said this.

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 He said really simply,

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 I know she's up there fondly keeping an eye on us.

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 And the crowd cheered and the royal box nodded away.

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 And I have to admit that something deep inside of me,

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 as I responded emotionally in the moment, wanted to do exactly the same.

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 And yet I heard him say it.

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 And I thought to myself, when the dust settled on the emotion,

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 I thought to myself, how do you know?

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 How do you know that she's up there?

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 Now, notwithstanding what would appear to be the genuineness of the Queen's faith in Jesus,

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 what William declared to be true in that moment is so revealing of how so often we as human beings

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 try and square the circle of the inevitability of death.

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 Now, two things as I see it and as I live my life in the world and as I speak to different people,

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 there are two things that we are often inclined to do when we think about death.

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 Here's the first one.

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 The first one is simply to deny it.

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 And we use lines, don't we?

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 Like they've just moved upstairs.

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 It was their time to go.

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 They're now dancing with the angels.

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 You know, someone said to me recently, and see if you think this is true or not,

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 that in a generation past, everyone talked about and was aware of death

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 and sex and sexuality was taboo.

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 Now, generations on, we've completely flipped it, haven't we?

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 That everybody wants to talk about sex and sexuality.

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 You're kind of strange if you don't, but death is taboo.

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 Let's not talk about it.

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 We try and deny it.

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 Or secondly, and I think this is true to say it's a lot more common in my generation,

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 the other response is to defy it.

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 Because we recognize that life is short and you hear people say that you only live once

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 and they shorten it down to YOLO.

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 And so they say, make your life count.

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 You've got to make your life count.

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 Again, it's interesting.

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 Somebody said to me from a previous generation that it was common for people to have

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 one job for life.

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 Many of us will know family members, friends who had one job for life.

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 It was the same for me, for my dad, for his dad.

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 One job for life.

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 And yet now, according to recent statistics, did you know that the average person

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 will have 12 jobs during their lifetime in this generation?

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 5.7 careers.

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 Now, listen, I'm not saying that there are bad reasons for making a job change.

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 I did it.

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 But so often, isn't it birthed from a desire to do something fulfilling and rewarding as

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 we react to our three score in 10 existence?

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 And we find ourselves in the West, certainly, living in what people have dubbed today as the

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 new age of uncertainty.

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 You'll have seen that there's billionaires in Silicon Valley at the minute investing their

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 time and their precious money into life extension research under the banner of we think we can

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 cheat death.

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 Right?

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 Guy from Amazon.

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 Guy from Google.

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 It's what they're investing in just now.

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 Trying to cheat death.

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 So do you see it?

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 Is this ringing true, what we try and do as human beings?

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 We either deny it or we defy it.

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 And yet, is it not true that death, it still lurks like a shadow over us.

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 It gets its pain into us.

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 We feel it.

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 And we know it's not right.

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 So let me ask you this morning, how do you process it?

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 You see, into our hopeless chasm where we don't know where to run, where we go looking

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 for answers in all the wrong places, Jesus steps with real life-giving words of hope.

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 And boy, do we need these this morning as a church family.

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 You might need them in a way that I just don't know, particularly in your life right now.

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 Many of us with friends and family who are just suffering just now, don't know what tomorrow

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 holds.

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 Our dear friends just now, don't know what tomorrow holds.

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 But there's wonderful comfort for those for whom this is real and for some of us this morning

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 for whom this is really raw in what Jesus says.

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 Because of Jesus, friends, we are a community of hope.

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 That is the defining feature, one of the defining features of our church family.

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 And it's a wonderful evangelistic opportunity in a world that doesn't know where the answers are,

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 that we can shine because Christ shines in us, the light of the world as we thought about

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 at the beginning of chapter eight.

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 And we are a beacon of hope.

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 And this morning, I want you to know and celebrate and breathe in the truth that Jesus says,

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 don't deny it, don't defy it, know and trust that I've come to deal with it.

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 And here's what he says, verse 51, and this is the key verse.

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 And if you go away from one thing this morning, may it be this verse, verse 51.

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 He says this really simply, very truly, I tell you, and we'll come back to this,

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 that whoever obeys my words will never see death.

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 We thought about how humanity, we are lost in darkness.

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 That was kind of the first part of chapter eight.

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 Then we thought about last week, how we are slaves to our sin.

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 This week, we are thinking about the inevitability of death.

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 And there is the human condition right there.

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 And into that gap steps Jesus who says, I am the light of the world.

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 I am the one who's come to free you from sin.

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 And I am the one who's come to lead you through death.

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 And it's wonderful, the hope that the risen Jesus holds out to us today.

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 And if we're to feel the full impact of this and embrace the refreshing hope that's on offer today in his words,

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 we need to get our heads around this man called Abraham.

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 You see, he's the central debating point in this discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees.

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 Now, let me just say, just in case you're thinking of switching off at this point,

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 if we get our heads around him, and this will just be five, ten minutes this morning thinking about him

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 and the shape of his life, not only will that take us right to the center of the Christian faith,

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 but it will take us to the beating heart of the great Christian hope.

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 Because the Pharisees, if you want to understand, in the passage,

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 they have got this man, Abraham, according to Jesus, they've got him all wrong.

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 Come with me to the passage.

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 You see, they think that they are right with God because of the fact that Abraham is in their family tree.

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 So something of his DNA is in their physical bodies.

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 And Jesus challenges them in this passage to think about the fact that they're asking themselves the wrong question.

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 The question is not, are you descended from him physically?

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 The question is, are you related to him spiritually?

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 Now, we meet this man, Abraham, and his wife, Sarai, in the very first book of the Bible called Genesis.

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 And they come on the end of chapter 11, beginning of chapter 12.

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 Now, they come on the scene, and we have to understand this,

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 against the backdrop of Noah and the flood,

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 and against the backdrop of the Tower of Babel.

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 Both episodes scream to us that rebellion against God has taken over humanity's hearts.

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 And human beings in that backdrop have no right, no expectation to get anything from God other than judgment.

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 And into this backdrop steps the Lord of grace.

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 And God makes Abraham a promise,

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 a promise that through him,

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 all the nations,

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 all the peoples of the world,

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 will be blessed.

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 Now, if you just want to think about this now,

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 look around the room.

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 I wonder if we did a show of hands this morning.

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 Of all the different countries that we were born in,

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 where would that put us?

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 And you begin to see just how this is a microcosm of what God has promised here for the world.

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 And that's a big promise, isn't it?

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 As he thinks about the world,

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 I mean, none of this kind of starts small and build it up.

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 God just goes straight in there and says,

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 from you I'm going to make a great nation.

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 I'm going to bless the peoples of the world.

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 Do you want to do that?

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 What I want you to do, Abraham,

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 is I want you to go.

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 I want you to go.

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 I want you to come and I want you to follow me to the land where I am taking you.

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 And that is the greatest defining feature about the land.

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 What is it?

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 It's about the fact that God is there.

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 So God is saying,

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 come and find me.

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 Come on a journey to where I am taking you.

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 We need to understand that that is the goal of the Christian life.

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 It is not stuff.

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 It is not self-improvement.

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 The goal of the Christian life,

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 and we'll come back to this,

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 is to be with our God and to know him.

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 And God says to Abraham,

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 I am your great reward.

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 And the thing is that Abraham is 75 at this point.

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 Now he's no spring chicken.

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 Right?

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 And so God is asking him to leave the security of his life,

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 everything that he knows,

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 his family,

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 his home,

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 and leave it all behind and stake it all on this promise.

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 And he chooses to go.

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 And you fast forward a couple of chapters to Genesis 15.

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 God reiterates that promise.

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 And he says,

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 go out,

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 go out,

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 Abraham,

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 and look at the stars.

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 Now he's not a city center.

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 We need to understand.

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 He's way in the middle of the Middle East and desert.

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 Right?

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 Counting the stars.

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 Right?

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 Have you ever had that experience of being out in the middle of nowhere?

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 No light pollution.

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 Get a cracking view of the stars.

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 God says,

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 count them.

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 I love to think that Abraham took that challenge up.

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 One,

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 two,

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 three,

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 four,

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 five,

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 six,

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 seven,

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 eight.

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 And then he eventually got the point of what God was saying.

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 You've got no idea,

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 Abraham,

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 what I'm going to do.

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 It's just so much bigger than you can get your head around.

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 But I want you to stake it all in the fact that you can trust who I am.

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 God's promising Abraham a people.

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 He's promising him a place.

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 And he's promising that through him,

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 blessing and favor will come to the world.

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 And the key line is at verse six of Genesis 12,

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 that Abraham believed God.

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 He trusted God.

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 And it was counted to him as righteousness.

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 So he is right with God.

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 Because he believed and he acted on what God has said.

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 And let's be honest,

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 he had every reason not to.

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 God is saying that from him,

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 I mean,

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 it's all well saying it,

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 that he's going to bless the world from him.

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 It's going to come a great nation.

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 But the reality of it is that he doesn't even have a son at this point.

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 And Sarah's getting old.

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 She's not getting pregnant anytime soon.

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 So what did Abraham have to go on?

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 He had nothing other to go on than God's unchanging character.

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 Wonderful truth about our God is that he doesn't change.

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 It's not like our tastes.

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 Have you ever had that experience when you dig up an old photo album or on your iPhone,

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 it comes up,

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 this is what you were doing 15 years ago.

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 And you think to yourself,

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 what was I wearing?

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 Why did I think double denim was cool?

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 Our tastes change.

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 We change.

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 But this God stays the same.

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 He's the same yesterday,

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 today,

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 and forever.

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 This God is faithful.

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 That's why C.S. Lewis,

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 and I love it in his famous line,

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 he famously said,

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 that anything that is not eternal is eternally out of date.

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 And this God never changes.

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 He is faithful.

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 And that means if God pledges himself to something,

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 if he commits himself to something,

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 or to use the biblical term,

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 if he covenants himself to something,

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 then it's a done deal.

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 It's a done deal.

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 And so Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what he said he'd do.

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 Abraham,

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 and I think this is where this is beginning to connect with us this morning,

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 he sees his little life in the context

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 and in light of the bigger story of God's plans and purposes in and for the world.

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 So often what I know the mistake that I make,

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 so often I just get focused on my little story.

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 And Abraham has been a wake-up call for me this week

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 to think about my place because of God's grace in his bigger story.

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 Right?

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 You've had that experience when you walk in halfway through a film

00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:39.039
 and you say to yourself,

00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.180
 I haven't watched it for two minutes,

00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.159
 I don't get this,

00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.820
 it doesn't make any sense.

00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:43.860
 Right?

00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:46.100
 Alex will tell you that is my worst trait.

00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:49.039
 But of course you don't get it.

00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:51.480
 You've only walked in and saw two minutes of the thing.

00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:53.399
 You need to take in the whole thing.

00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:55.480
 You've only seen a tiny slither of it.

00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:59.480
 And I think it's exactly the same with our lives.

00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:05.680
 Abraham's life becomes all about God's bigger story

00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:10.420
 and faith and looking forward and trusting

00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:13.300
 that somehow through his offspring,

00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:16.940
 God would act to bring about those promises.

00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:22.100
 And so that's why Jesus says, verse 56,

00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:26.660
 Abraham, and this is a huge claim.

00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:27.740
 Don't miss it.

00:16:27.880 --> 00:16:29.580
 We just read it in our English versions.

00:16:29.780 --> 00:16:33.300
 This was dynamite in the day when Jesus said it.

00:16:33.380 --> 00:16:35.240
 Verse 56, Abraham rejoiced.

00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:36.200
 Do you see it in the text?

00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:39.440
 Abraham rejoiced to see my day.

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:43.940
 He saw it and was glad.

00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:44.460
 Glad.

00:16:46.380 --> 00:16:48.100
 In other words, Abraham was saved

00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:50.640
 because he lived his life looking forward

00:16:50.640 --> 00:16:57.200
 and anticipating and rejoicing in my arrival

00:16:57.200 --> 00:17:00.220
 and what I'm going to accomplish

00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:04.059
 and what I'm going to do through my death and resurrection.

00:17:04.320 --> 00:17:05.580
 And so if you've ever wondered

00:17:05.580 --> 00:17:08.519
 how people in the Old Testament times were saved,

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.380
 this passage is your answer.

00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:17.700
 They were saved in exactly the same way that we are,

00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:23.380
 except, sorry, exactly the same way as we are,

00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:25.780
 trusting and rejoicing in Jesus' day,

00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:29.160
 except they were looking forward

00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:31.900
 and we are looking back.

00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:39.880
 We are trusting in the work of Jesus on the cross

00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:45.259
 and his resurrection for us to bring us to God.

00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:46.660
 Wherever you are in history,

00:17:46.780 --> 00:17:48.600
 that is the moment that you are looking to.

00:17:49.100 --> 00:17:50.240
 And as the question for us,

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.060
 do we rejoice as we think about that day?

00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.980
 We're going to think about another day in a minute,

00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:56.820
 but do we rejoice when we think about,

00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.540
 this is what we try and do in the opening,

00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.580
 all of our service,

00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:01.159
 but particularly the opening section,

00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.179
 celebrate the gospel.

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:06.279
 We rejoice to see Jesus' day.

00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:10.519
 And so here is the biblical definition of faith.

00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:14.939
 It is trust based on evidence.

00:18:15.939 --> 00:18:19.500
 It is walking in light of the promises of God.

00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:23.019
 And it's with one eye in the future.

00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:26.660
 That's what it is to be God's people of faith.

00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:28.319
 Do we need to be reminded of that today?

00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:32.759
 People of faith, a community of faith.

00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:34.660
 Do you know what the most annoying question

00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:36.000
 on the long car journey is?

00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.619
 Normally it comes from the back seat.

00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.960
 Are we there yet?

00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.960
 Yeah, and you think to yourself as a parent,

00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.519
 when you hear it,

00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.839
 man, this is going to be a long one.

00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:49.139
 Don't forget the border.

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.679
 We're not even at the bypass yet.

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.859
 Are we there yet?

00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:54.959
 But I take it there's a sense

00:18:54.959 --> 00:18:57.199
 as we journey together in this life of faith,

00:18:58.839 --> 00:19:00.319
 that we're always to be mindful

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:02.559
 like that child in the car

00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:05.799
 of that final destination.

00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:09.039
 Now, whatever is going on

00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:12.319
 in our lives today,

00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:16.700
 whatever tomorrow holds,

00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.539
 we need to understand

00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:20.559
 that the most sure thing about our lives

00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:24.480
 is that they will end with us

00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:26.539
 in the presence of Jesus.

00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:30.139
 That is the most important thing

00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:31.039
 about your life today.

00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:32.759
 If your faith is in him,

00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.700
 that's where the journey is ending.

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:37.819
 You might not know what tomorrow holds.

00:19:37.919 --> 00:19:39.919
 You might be really fearful about the future,

00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:43.019
 that that is where the story ends.

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.279
 It's where it ends with him.

00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:50.300
 He is our great reward,

00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.800
 is Jesus.

00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:54.480
 You know, my friend Tim is here this morning.

00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.200
 Tim's over here.

00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:57.900
 Tim works for Open Doors,

00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:00.120
 working with persecuted Christians

00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:01.100
 all over the world,

00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.440
 thinking about how to support them

00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.160
 and pray for them.

00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.779
 Oh, you can speak to him after the service.

00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.640
 He'll tell you stories,

00:20:06.800 --> 00:20:07.620
 more about his work.

00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:10.579
 But I've often wondered for our dear brothers and sisters

00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.859
 in places like North Korea,

00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:15.339
 in places living in the Middle East,

00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.659
 all over the world,

00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:19.000
 what is it that gets you through?

00:20:20.719 --> 00:20:22.419
 What is it that holds you together

00:20:22.419 --> 00:20:24.359
 when all of life seems uncertain,

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:27.979
 when so many of your physical possessions are gone,

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:30.000
 when you're fearful about the knock on the door?

00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.279
 What is it that gets you through?

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:35.819
 It's the fact that the most sure thing about your life

00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:38.099
 is that it's going to end with you

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:39.900
 in the presence of Jesus.

00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:44.160
 I love the way Dutch Holocaust survivor

00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:46.400
 Corrie ten Boom puts it.

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.059
 She says,

00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:50.680
 never be afraid to trust an unknown future

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:52.519
 to a known God.

00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:56.579
 The Bible presents Abraham

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.879
 as the father of faith.

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:02.799
 And so that is why Jesus says,

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.680
 verse 39,

00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:06.680
 and I know it's slightly outsider verses this morning,

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.579
 but it's the run up to this section.

00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:11.460
 The challenge to the Pharisees,

00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:13.819
 the challenge to every generation who read that,

00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:16.920
 is do what Abraham did.

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:20.140
 Do the works that Abraham did.

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.740
 And so in the time we have remaining,

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.100
 I just want us to see

00:21:24.100 --> 00:21:26.019
 that Jesus offers us in these verses

00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:28.900
 two rock solid things

00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:32.860
 to walk the life of faith with.

00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.700
 You want to think about this?

00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:36.120
 This is like a cross country skier with two poles.

00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.220
 And they come by way,

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.519
 if you look at the text of the two

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:42.840
 truly, truly statements that Jesus makes

00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:44.259
 and truly, truly just means,

00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:46.300
 and my friend Wayne always says this,

00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.299
 it crubbers,

00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.759
 get a load of this.

00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.259
 Get a load of this.

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:51.940
 In other words,

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.700
 you need to get this.

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.559
 This is really important,

00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:55.319
 says Jesus to this generation.

00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:57.139
 So here's the first pole.

00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.099
 And these will be really quick.

00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:59.000
 Verse 51.

00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.960
 The first pole

00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:04.099
 is that as we journey in this life of faith,

00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:05.659
 we can say to ourselves

00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:06.639
 and to one another

00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:08.799
 that my life is untouchable.

00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:11.039
 And this is all to do with Jesus' ability.

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.480
 That he can say that

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:15.279
 whoever obeys my words

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:17.339
 will never see death.

00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:19.420
 Now I've heard people make some big claims in life,

00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.619
 but you have to say that

00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.759
 that is the biggest claim

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.539
 that anyone has made.

00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:26.019
 That you will never die.

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:26.379
 What?

00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.559
 How can he say that?

00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.660
 Well, he can say it

00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:30.480
 because this gospel will end

00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:32.740
 with him tasting death.

00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:36.559
 Bearing the guilt and punishment for sin

00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.359
 that his people deserved,

00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:41.059
 he once and for all took it

00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:45.599
 and he rose on the third

00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:48.519
 and our lives are caught up

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.480
 with the risen king.

00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:53.019
 The Pharisees don't understand that.

00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:53.319
 They say,

00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:55.079
 you claim that no one who trusts in you

00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.880
 tastes death.

00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.620
 Let me give you two examples

00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.640
 of people who did.

00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.859
 Abraham died.

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:02.559
 What's more, the prophets died.

00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:05.000
 How can you claim that?

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.119
 And you have to say on one hand

00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:07.000
 they're buying on the money.

00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.779
 Humanly speaking, they did die.

00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:11.799
 But in another sense,

00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:14.419
 they live

00:23:14.419 --> 00:23:16.879
 because their lives

00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:18.379
 are caught up

00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:20.539
 with Christ on high.

00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:21.279
 They're with him.

00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.159
 Waiting for him to bring

00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:26.099
 in the new creation.

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.059
 This is where

00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:28.619
 we are journeying.

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.159
 Those who have died,

00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.220
 who were people of faith,

00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:36.079
 they're with the Lord.

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.940
 With the Lord.

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.500
 You have to ask yourself

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:40.899
 if you're here

00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.700
 and you don't believe

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.339
 in this Jesus.

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:44.099
 That is not where your life will end.

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.259
 Think about the future.

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.720
 But as I thought about this week,

00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.980
 do you know what?

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:53.039
 I just thought to myself,

00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.380
 do you know what?

00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.099
 The fact that Christ

00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:55.120
 is the end sorted,

00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:58.440
 that is the most liberating thing

00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.640
 I could ever know in my life.

00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.860
 And it should free me

00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.920
 to take risks

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:04.420
 and live the life of faith

00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.799
 for the glory of Jesus

00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.779
 in the present.

00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.480
 Do you know,

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.380
 I remember having this

00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.200
 distinct thought

00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.539
 driving back from the hospital

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:13.599
 at Christmas time

00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:15.640
 when my uncle died.

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:18.140
 Taking in the brevity of life,

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.680
 I'd never seen a dead body before

00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.299
 and I walk in,

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:20.660
 bang,

00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.279
 I'd just missed him

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:21.880
 by two minutes

00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:22.720
 and there he is.

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.200
 Driving home,

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.019
 thinking to myself,

00:24:26.100 --> 00:24:26.519
 do you know what?

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.299
 If Christ has my present,

00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:31.460
 if Christ has my future,

00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:34.340
 then why not take risks

00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.340
 speaking for him?

00:24:36.060 --> 00:24:37.120
 What does it matter

00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:38.299
 if my neighbours think

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.940
 I'm loopy?

00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:39.920
 They do already.

00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.799
 What does it matter

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:43.019
 if my friends think

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.920
 I'm bonkers?

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.860
 Who cares?

00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:46.360
 They should free us

00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:48.380
 from the paralysing fear of man

00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.539
 that so often grips

00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.659
 my tongue.

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:54.579
 Knowing that my life

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.539
 in him

00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:58.000
 is untouchable.

00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.819
 And the second poll,

00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.460
 really quickly,

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.680
 is that my God

00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:04.059
 is incomparable,

00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.079
 which is all to do

00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:07.000
 with knowing Jesus' identity.

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.839
 The Pharisees say,

00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.500
 verse 48,

00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.920
 that you are a Samaritan,

00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.940
 you have a demon,

00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.420
 which is both an insult

00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:17.039
 and smokescreen,

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.000
 smokescreen,

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.640
 from having to wrestle

00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.900
 with the big questions

00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:22.200
 that Jesus is asking them

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.880
 to think about.

00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.300
 And let me just say,

00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:25.900
 we live in a world

00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:27.100
 that does exactly the same.

00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.600
 That there's no end

00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.779
 to the things in our world

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.680
 that it offers us

00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.500
 to keep us from thinking

00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.740
 about the biggest questions

00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.480
 in life.

00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.000
 You know,

00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:37.740
 I was reading a stat

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.180
 the other day

00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.720
 that apparently

00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:41.060
 Netflix's biggest competitor

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:43.240
 is human sleep.

00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.319
 Feeding us entertainment,

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.700
 keeping us awake,

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.019
 giving us things.

00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.099
 Jesus says,

00:25:50.419 --> 00:25:51.079
 have a think about

00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.839
 who I am,

00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:53.859
 who he is.

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.740
 Well, Jesus says,

00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.579
 verse 58,

00:25:55.679 --> 00:25:57.139
 before Abraham was,

00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.200
 I am.

00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:00.200
 And don't skip that.

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:03.279
 Jesus is unashamedly

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.539
 claiming the divine name

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.179
 of God,

00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:07.700
 the one that God used

00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.659
 when revealing himself

00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.679
 to Moses,

00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:12.580
 in Exodus chapter 3.

00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.640
 And Jesus is saying,

00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:16.160
 I am.

00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:20.279
 I am the self-existent one.

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:22.400
 I am the eternal one.

00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:25.360
 I am the unrivaled one.

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:27.160
 I am the timeless one.

00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:29.140
 I am the everywhere present,

00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.100
 all-knowing,

00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.960
 all-seeing,

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.700
 unchanging one.

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.900
 And Jesus draws

00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.980
 a straight line

00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:37.140
 between God's declaration

00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:38.039
 in Exodus 3

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:39.160
 and what he is saying

00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:40.400
 about himself.

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.259
 And he is claiming

00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.300
 nothing less

00:26:43.300 --> 00:26:44.160
 than divinity.

00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:47.759
 Let me just say,

00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:49.460
 our Jehovah's Witnesses friends

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.800
 would consider Jesus,

00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.740
 as I understand it,

00:26:51.800 --> 00:26:53.000
 to be a created being.

00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:55.540
 Our Mormon friends

00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:56.460
 believe,

00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.360
 as I understand it,

00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.180
 that Jesus was

00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.140
 the firstborn

00:26:59.140 --> 00:27:00.800
 spirit child

00:27:00.800 --> 00:27:02.000
 of the heavenly father

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.000
 and a heavenly mother,

00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.940
 which is why

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.800
 a great question

00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:06.380
 to ask

00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.460
 when you're in conversation

00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.240
 with somebody

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.019
 is,

00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.900
 which Jesus

00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:11.019
 are we talking about?

00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.160
 And they will say

00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.740
 to us,

00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.680
 but Jesus never

00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.859
 claimed to be God.

00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.960
 And we want to

00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.720
 lovingly

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.859
 and respectfully

00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.839
 say

00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:24.759
 from this passage

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:27.079
 that the original

00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.839
 hearers

00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.619
 would not have

00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.500
 picked up stones

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.799
 by which to kill him

00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.859
 for blasphemy

00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:33.339
 under the Old Testament law

00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.700
 if they didn't know

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.460
 in this moment

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:37.200
 exactly what he was

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.500
 claiming.

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:41.119
 Let me say,

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.819
 why does that matter?

00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.359
 Let me just say,

00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.440
 if he wasn't fully God,

00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.180
 then he'd not be able

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.880
 to save us.

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.539
 He wouldn't be able

00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.380
 to live a life

00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:49.880
 unstained by sin,

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:52.000
 to live a life

00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.940
 fully obedient

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.059
 to the father,

00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.400
 no righteousness

00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.140
 of his own

00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:57.079
 to share with us.

00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:58.740
 It really matters

00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.140
 that Jesus

00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:01.380
 is claiming

00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:03.319
 divinity here.

00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.500
 Now,

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.119
 just imagine

00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.839
 if you think about it,

00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.400
 if you were to come

00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.180
 before a king,

00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:08.220
 you were to come

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.259
 up to the gates

00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.259
 and you look down

00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.840
 and this is kind

00:28:10.840 --> 00:28:11.299
 of your nightmare,

00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:11.740
 isn't it,

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.700
 that your shirt

00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.299
 is ripped,

00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:14.420
 your mud stains

00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.440
 all over your trousers,

00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.500
 your ties all over

00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:17.880
 the place,

00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.400
 your hair's mud,

00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.180
 what would you need?

00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:19.700
 You would need

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.400
 two things.

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:21.920
 You would need

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.539
 to take your dirty

00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.279
 clothes off,

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.960
 get rid of them

00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:26.579
 and you would need

00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.279
 somebody to come

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.759
 and give you

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.740
 perfectly white

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.779
 new ones.

00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:33.059
 And when we think

00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.819
 about what Jesus

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.299
 has done,

00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:34.920
 we need to think

00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.759
 about those two

00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.880
 aspects of it.

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.140
 We are forgiven

00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.700
 in him.

00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.400
 As far as the east

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.140
 is from the west,

00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.039
 that's how far

00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.440
 he's removed

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.559
 our sin from us

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.700
 and in him

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.500
 we are clothed

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.340
 with his perfect

00:28:46.340 --> 00:28:46.900
 righteousness

00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:49.980
 and he has made

00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.720
 us his.

00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:53.600
 Do you know

00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.700
 there will never

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.279
 be a moment

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.839
 that Jesus

00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:57.180
 isn't on our side.

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.980
 Not for a nanosecond

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.799
 will he cease

00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.680
 from lovingly

00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.680
 praying for us

00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.360
 in heaven

00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:06.000
 as those who

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.819
 have been lovingly

00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.440
 brought into

00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.360
 the very family

00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:08.960
 of God.

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.680
 Friends,

00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.240
 my life is

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.880
 untouchable

00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.539
 because of what

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.440
 he's done for me

00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:17.519
 and my life

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.200
 is incompatible,

00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.839
 my God is

00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.579
 incomparable

00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:21.599
 because of who

00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.379
 he is for me.

00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.439
 And this is what

00:29:25.439 --> 00:29:26.359
 Jesus offers us

00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:26.859
 this morning.

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.679
 Do you need to

00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.079
 hear it?

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.639
 Do you need to

00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:31.859
 hear it?

00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:32.599
 Let me just close.

00:29:32.939 --> 00:29:33.439
 I'll tell you about

00:29:33.439 --> 00:29:35.899
 a guy I played

00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.480
 football with

00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.059
 in Aberdeen.

00:29:38.699 --> 00:29:39.460
 His name was

00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:39.779
 Dane.

00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:42.199
 Dane was hard

00:29:42.199 --> 00:29:42.699
 as nails.

00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.240
 Loved playing

00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.619
 with Dane

00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.519
 because he did

00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:45.960
 all the dirty

00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.839
 work and I did

00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.379
 all the running.

00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.519
 But do you know

00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:49.940
 what he did

00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.799
 to fund himself

00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.559
 through university?

00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.279
 Being a fishing

00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.960
 village boy,

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.539
 here's what he

00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:54.720
 did.

00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.379
 His little side

00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:57.139
 hustle is that

00:29:57.139 --> 00:29:57.539
 he was a

00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.379
 lobster fisherman.

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:00.660
 Okay,

00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.139
 get that,

00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.539
 students.

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.200
 That's what he

00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:02.759
 did to fund

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.379
 himself through

00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.099
 university.

00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.799
 And he invited

00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.500
 me out one day

00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.019
 with him on his

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.339
 boat.

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.559
 And I say

00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.019
 invited,

00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.740
 it makes it

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.160
 sound like a

00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.859
 glamorous thing.

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.019
 It was brutal.

00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:13.019
 And we went

00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.160
 out on this

00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.460
 boat,

00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.440
 we sailed out

00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.000
 to his

00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.460
 pots,

00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.480
 the waters

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.259
 are going,

00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.640
 and I

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.200
 watch him

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.839
 draw them

00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.160
 up.

00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.460
 And I

00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:21.859
 watch him

00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.279
 take out

00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.059
 the lobsters.

00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.460
 And I

00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.039
 watch as

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.660
 these things

00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.559
 go swinging

00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.180
 for him.

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.440
 Swinging

00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.019
 for him.

00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.000
 And what he

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.759
 does in that

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:31.059
 moment is that

00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.660
 he takes an

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.519
 elastic band

00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:34.160
 and he

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.319
 humanely

00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:36.920
 and gently

00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:39.400
 just places

00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.400
 the elastic band

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.019
 over the

00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.400
 pincer.

00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:43.039
 And he does

00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.839
 exactly the same

00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.299
 with the other

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.759
 pincer.

00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:46.240
 and he

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.420
 just

00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.259
 neutralizes

00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:47.839
 the threat.

00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:49.680
 And in

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.099
 that moment

00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.579
 I'm looking

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:50.960
 at these

00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.400
 creatures

00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:51.920
 and they

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.500
 are still

00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.059
 terrifying

00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.700
 to me.

00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:54.680
 Still

00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.160
 terrifying

00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:55.599
 to me.

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.059
 They are

00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.099
 enormous.

00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.379
 Their

00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.220
 beady eyes

00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:59.299
 staring at

00:30:59.299 --> 00:30:59.579
 me.

00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.119
 Their

00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.599
 thing's

00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:01.960
 going.

00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.660
 I pick

00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.180
 them up.

00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.140
 I feel

00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.680
 the sharp

00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.119
 edges.

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.839
 I feel

00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:07.019
 the pain

00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.500
 and on top

00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:07.879
 of it all

00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.359
 they smell

00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:08.839
 awful.

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:10.720
 But the

00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.420
 thing is

00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.940
 because of

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.420
 what he

00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.180
 had done

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:15.460
 they

00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:15.840
 couldn't

00:31:15.840 --> 00:31:16.320
 get me.

00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:18.080
 They

00:31:18.080 --> 00:31:18.360
 couldn't

00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:18.820
 get me.

00:31:20.820 --> 00:31:21.480
 And in

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.080
 exactly the

00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:22.600
 same way

00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:23.580
 brothers and

00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:24.120
 sisters because

00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.580
 of what

00:31:24.580 --> 00:31:25.200
 Jesus has

00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.580
 done

00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:27.560
 because of

00:31:27.560 --> 00:31:28.039
 what he

00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.680
 has done

00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.400
 the Bible

00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.840
 would say

00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:30.340
 that in

00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:30.860
 him we

00:31:30.860 --> 00:31:31.500
 can face

00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:31.940
 up to

00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.360
 death

00:31:32.360 --> 00:31:32.960
 knowing

00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.660
 that he

00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.600
 has taken

00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:35.100
 out the

00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.740
 one thing

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.060
 that can

00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:36.519
 never get

00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:36.880
 us.

00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:39.000
 In

00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.460
 him we

00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.000
 can face

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.340
 up to

00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:40.600
 death

00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:41.080
 and through

00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:41.740
 the pain

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.779
 and even

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.140
 though the

00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:43.680
 thought of

00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.079
 it still

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.640
 looks and

00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.799
 feels horrible

00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.640
 nevertheless

00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.620
 the Bible

00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.140
 would say

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.579
 that we

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.440
 can say

00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.500
 where oh

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.400
 death is

00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.019
 your sting

00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:54.039
 where oh

00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:54.819
 grave is

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.559
 your victory

00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.160
 for my

00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:56.859
 life is

00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.420
 caught up

00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:57.819
 in the

00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.980
 one who

00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.799
 acted to

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.480
 defeat

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.299
 you

00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:03.960
 and he

00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.519
 loves me.

00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.000
 Oh my

00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.779
 life is

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.900
 untouchable

00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.480
 and my

00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.200
 God is

00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.200
 incomparable

00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.200
 Jesus says

00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.680
 to all

00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.100
 those who

00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.560
 would listen

00:32:14.560 --> 00:32:15.280
 don't deny

00:32:15.280 --> 00:32:15.580
 it

00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:17.400
 don't defy

00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:17.800
 it

00:32:17.800 --> 00:32:19.160
 know and

00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:20.320
 trust that

00:32:20.320 --> 00:32:20.920
 I've come

00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:22.180
 to deal

00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:22.580
 with it.

00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.160
 Here is the

00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.620
 promise

00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:25.960
 verse 51

00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.980
 Jesus says

00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.900
 very truly

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:30.060
 I tell you

00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:31.900
 whoever

00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:32.680
 obeys my

00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:33.100
 word

00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:35.019
 will never

00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.900
 see

00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:37.019
 death.

00:32:38.300 --> 00:32:39.200
 Let's pray

00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.539
 will we?

00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.100
 And so

00:32:48.100 --> 00:32:48.380
 in the

00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:48.799
 silence

00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.059
 now

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.420
 Father

00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.500
 I ask

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.019
 that by

00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.319
 your

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:51.759
 precious

00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.080
 Holy

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:52.539
 Spirit

00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:54.740
 that you

00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.039
 would be

00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:55.840
 ministering

00:32:55.840 --> 00:32:56.279
 to us

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.880
 this morning

00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:59.299
 some of

00:32:59.299 --> 00:32:59.960
 us in

00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.440
 that place

00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.220
 of being

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.960
 really

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.700
 scared

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.299
 about what

00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:04.700
 tomorrow

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.400
 holds

00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.940
 as we

00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.400
 think about

00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.019
 ourselves

00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:08.500
 as we

00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:08.879
 think about

00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.279
 those who

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.900
 are nearest

00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:10.680
 and dearest

00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.539
 to us

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:13.220
 as we

00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.539
 think about

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.119
 friends and

00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.740
 family for

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.119
 whom this

00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.500
 is really

00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:15.940
 raw

00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:19.000
 Lord be

00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.460
 at work

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.059
 this morning

00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:20.519
 by your

00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:20.980
 spirit

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.660
 bringing that

00:33:22.660 --> 00:33:24.379
 fresh assurance

00:33:24.379 --> 00:33:26.319
 of the fact

00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:26.720
 that our

00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.420
 lives are

00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:28.039
 caught up

00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:28.420
 in the

00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:28.879
 one who

00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.279
 lives

00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:34.759
 and so

00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.119
 Father we

00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:35.519
 thank you

00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:35.779
 that your

00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.299
 love has

00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:36.940
 been poured

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:38.460
 into our

00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.019
 hearts

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.279
 through the

00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:41.119
 Holy Spirit

00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:42.079
 that you

00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:42.500
 have given

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:42.920
 us

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.000
 Father thank

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.279
 you

00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.599
 for this

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.480
 wonderful

00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.279
 picture of

00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:47.599
 Jesus

00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:49.440
 that we've

00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:49.879
 seen in

00:33:49.879 --> 00:33:50.480
 John chapter

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.779
 8

00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.299
 thank you

00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:51.599
 for the

00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:51.879
 Bible

00:33:51.879 --> 00:33:52.359
 in our

00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:52.599
 own

00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.139
 language

00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:53.899
 that we

00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.399
 can read

00:33:54.399 --> 00:33:55.039
 and understand

00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:56.039
 and know

00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.019
 that he

00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.480
 is the

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:57.859
 light of

00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.399
 the world

00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.959
 that he

00:33:59.959 --> 00:34:00.299
 is the

00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:00.859
 one who

00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:01.299
 has come

00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.119
 to liberate

00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:02.799
 us from

00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.579
 our sin

00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.959
 and he

00:34:04.959 --> 00:34:05.439
 is the

00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:06.339
 one who

00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:06.939
 has come

00:34:06.939 --> 00:34:07.839
 to lead

00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.579
 us through

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.019
 death

00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:11.000
 so Father

00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.519
 be at work

00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.119
 this morning

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.019
 as we

00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:14.359
 finish our

00:34:14.359 --> 00:34:15.059
 time together

00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.699
 Lord be

00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.299
 at work

00:34:16.299 --> 00:34:16.599
 in our

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.359
 conversations

00:34:17.359 --> 00:34:18.960
 Lord help

00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.980
 us to be

00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.460
 those who

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.279
 pray and

00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:22.079
 stand and

00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.699
 journey with

00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.179
 one another

00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:23.759
 Father above

00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:24.299
 all keep

00:34:24.299 --> 00:34:24.699
 our eyes

00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.159
 fixed on

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.519
 Christ

00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:26.799
 and it's

00:34:26.799 --> 00:34:27.139
 in his

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:27.480
 name that

00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:27.839
 we pray

00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:29.059
 Amen