WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.540 Thanks very much, Aaron. Good morning, everyone. I repeat, Graeme's welcome, whether you're in the building, watching the live stream, or listening to the audio recording later. 00:00:09.140 --> 00:00:15.620 It will be helpful if you have a Bible in front of you, turn to Galatians 4, you'll follow what I have to say a bit better. 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:26.320 I recently bought a book. I buy actually lots of books on my Kindle when they're on special offer. There's monthly special offers, daily special offers, and I'm a real sucker for them. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:37.000 And I particularly like darling Kindle books. I'm sure some of you have come across them. I like them because they've got great pictures and nice little bite-sized chunks of text. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:54.460 So recently, a book came up that was called Timelines of World History, and I thought, I need that. I paid my £1.99, downloaded it onto my tablet, and then immediately scroll through to see what is said around this year zero, to see what is said about the life of Jesus. 00:00:54.460 --> 00:01:11.579 And there were two entries on the life of Jesus. One recorded his birth and got about the same amount of space as the building of Herod's temple, and the other was about his crucifixion and had about the same number of words as the Roman invasion of Britain. 00:01:11.960 --> 00:01:17.280 In total, about 120 words covering the lifetime of Jesus. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:25.700 Now, I'm not here to criticise DK. I suspect what they've done would reflect what a lot of people think about the life of Jesus. 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:31.599 That's an event in world history. It has significance, particularly because of its lasting effects. 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:36.520 But it's just one event among hundreds that we could look at. 00:01:37.460 --> 00:01:42.299 But how different that is from what Paul says in our passage today. 00:01:42.299 --> 00:01:44.319 He says in verse 4, 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:49.939 When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. 00:01:51.039 --> 00:01:59.640 For Paul, the coming of Jesus wasn't just one kind of random event that happened sometime in history, long ago and far away. 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:10.019 It was a key moment, it was the key moment in the history of our world, planned by God, and happening at exactly the right time. 00:02:10.020 --> 00:02:24.900 It was the moment when God intervened in human history to resolve our biggest problem, and to do it not from afar, but by sending his own Son to come and live among us and to die for us. 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:28.080 We commemorate that every time we write the date. 00:02:28.600 --> 00:02:34.080 Now, I know these days some people prefer to say Christian era, a common era and before Christian era, 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:39.760 but we know that actually our calendar is based on an assumed date for the birth of Jesus. 00:02:39.940 --> 00:02:45.780 So every time we write the date, we're saying here's roughly how long it is since Jesus was born. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:51.939 It is the most significant event in history, the life and the death of Jesus. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:03:02.720 It brought us the possibility of freedom from guilt, of a relationship with God as our Father, and of a glorious future inheritance. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:06.780 That really deserves all the attention we can give it. 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:13.139 We're going to dig into the passage, but before we do that, let's just pick up on that phrase that I mentioned. 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:17.139 When the set time had fully come. 00:03:17.419 --> 00:03:19.900 What does Paul mean by that? 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:24.219 Well, we could note that it's not unique in the New Testament. 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:26.960 In Romans chapter 5, Paul says, 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:32.939 At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:37.840 If we go back a bit further to John the Baptist, John says, 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:38.919 The time has come. 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:40.979 The kingdom of God is near. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:44.800 Repent and believe the good news. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:49.280 But why is the timing emphasized so much? 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:54.939 Well, ultimately, God's sovereign and this side of heaven, we won't really know the full answer. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:04:03.259 But let me suggest a few reasons why the timing of Jesus coming into this world could be seen as just right. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:08.099 So first, if you look at the political situation in that day. 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:11.000 Rome ruled the world. 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:15.039 And the Pax Romana, by and large, brought peace. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:19.860 So it was safe to travel around, for instance, when Paul and others were taking the gospel. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:26.579 You didn't have to worry too much about borders between regions because they were all part of the Roman Empire. 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:31.180 Then communications were better than they'd ever been. 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:38.939 The Romans had built these wonderful roads that led to Rome, but went through every significant city on the way. 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:41.879 So to travel around was easy. 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:47.560 And the Greek language was known throughout the empire, certainly among educated people. 00:04:48.219 --> 00:04:55.360 So whether the Bible was spoken or written down in Greek, a lot of people all around the world would understand it. 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:01.959 And if we look at the religious situation then, pagans were searching for something. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:08.600 The hope that the Roman and Greek gods had known them for many hundreds of years was loosening a bit. 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:12.720 And they were searching for something that was a bit more relevant to their lives. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:21.040 And in the Jewish nation, the burden of the law, which we'll be coming back to, that had become particularly onerous. 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:27.660 The Pharisees and the other religious leaders were putting more and more on top of what the Old Testament really says. 00:05:28.020 --> 00:05:31.100 And the people were saying there must be something better than this. 00:05:31.500 --> 00:05:33.600 They were looking for real freedom. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:42.800 And of course these circumstances which made the spread and acceptance of the gospel so much easier didn't happen by chance. 00:05:43.260 --> 00:05:49.600 God had ordered things so that it would be that way, so the condition would be right when Jesus came. 00:05:51.340 --> 00:06:00.140 And so, says Paul, when the time had fully come, when the world was ready for a Messiah, God sent his Son. 00:06:00.139 --> 00:06:05.979 If we really believe that, it should never cease to amaze us. 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:11.300 The creator of the universe came into this world as one of us. 00:06:12.099 --> 00:06:15.259 He knew joys and sorrows like we do. 00:06:16.099 --> 00:06:19.519 He had friends and opponents as we do. 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:23.639 He suffered and died as we do. 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:27.000 God sent his Son. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:31.600 So we're going to think about that under three headings, dividing the passage. 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:33.600 A bit of a plethora of Ps this morning. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:37.019 So verses 1 to 3 we're saying is the past problem. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:40.399 Verses 4 to 6, the pivotal person, that's Jesus. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:49.399 And verses 6 to 7, the present privileges that we can enjoy if we're Christians. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:55.100 But just to recap briefly first, we're looking of course at Paul's letter to churches in Galatia. 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:59.640 Galatia is in what is today a central Turkey area, kind of around Ankara. 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:07.520 And Paul was writing to places like Derbe, Iconium and Lystra that he had visited on his missionary journeys. 00:07:08.520 --> 00:07:14.200 Now these churches have been infiltrated by people known as Judaators. 00:07:15.200 --> 00:07:22.400 People who insisted that faith in Jesus had to be accompanied by adherence to the law of Moses. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:26.519 And Paul wants to make it very clear that's wrong. 00:07:27.539 --> 00:07:31.759 To add to the gospel is to take away from the gospel. 00:07:32.539 --> 00:07:35.899 As Graham has reminded us several times in recent weeks, 00:07:36.299 --> 00:07:42.179 salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:48.360 In chapter 3, Paul compares faith in Christ and works of the law. 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:54.579 And he goes right back to Abraham and the promises that were made to him that point forward to Jesus. 00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:57.660 He then explains why the law is necessary, 00:07:58.420 --> 00:08:04.639 but it also holds us in custody, acting as a guardian until Christ came. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:09.439 And he ends with a great reminder that for those who are in Christ Jesus, 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:12.360 for those who know Jesus as saviour, 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:19.219 there's no distinction of ethnicity or of social status or of gender. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:23.839 We're all one in Christ Jesus and we're all Abraham's children 00:08:23.839 --> 00:08:27.979 and heirs to the promise that God made to Abraham. 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:33.600 Another passage today, Paul is expanding on and explaining that a bit more. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:37.779 So first, the past problem. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:42.000 Paul uses a picture here of which some of it will be familiar enough, 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:45.120 some of it is more specific to his day. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:49.960 He says, imagine a child in a rich family. 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:56.879 That child knows that ultimately he's going to inherit everything that his father has. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:02.799 But while he's a child, he's not going to be given the authority to do very much with it. 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:07.320 Paul says he's going to be subject to guardians and trustees. 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:10.419 Guardians are probably those who look after the son. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:13.159 Trustees are those who look after the estate. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:15.659 Might well themselves have been slaves. 00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:18.860 But Paul says the son in that situation 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:23.200 actually isn't in a much better situation than being a slave. 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:25.820 He has people who are telling him what to do 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:29.520 and who are correcting him if they feel he's gone wrong. 00:09:29.640 --> 00:09:31.080 Now, of course, that's perfectly sensible. 00:09:31.540 --> 00:09:33.620 That's still what we do with children today. 00:09:34.020 --> 00:09:36.320 And we want to teach them to make good decisions 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:39.580 and to obey in a way that is right. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:43.780 And for those of us who are Christians, to come to faith in Jesus. 00:09:44.920 --> 00:09:49.300 But it could be quite frustrating, you can imagine, for the child. 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:53.919 Particularly because the father in a Roman house would probably have quite a lot of discretion 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:59.539 over what age he chose for the child to have the full rights of an heir. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:02.179 Could be 18, could be 20, something else. 00:10:02.479 --> 00:10:03.899 The father one day would say, 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:06.319 that's it, you've grown up now, you're mature, 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:09.000 you're able to handle things and to make your own decisions. 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:14.279 Now you can be the inheritor of the estate. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:20.079 So during the period in between, perhaps the child was living and thinking, 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:21.679 holding on to the promise saying, 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:23.439 yes, one day I'm going to get this, 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:27.600 even though now I'm feeling that I'm being told what to do 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:30.120 and maybe I resent it a bit. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:35.959 So Paul says that's a bit like it was before Jesus came. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:40.279 That's how it was particularly for the Jews. 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:46.519 They were in slavery and therefore caused the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:47.899 That's quite a difficult phrase. 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:50.519 It's also a phrase there's a lot of debate on 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:54.139 among those who study the Bible and the Greek original. 00:10:54.839 --> 00:10:58.360 I think a better translation is in the ESV, 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:02.879 which talks about the elementary principles of the world. 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:05.720 So let's take that one and think about it. 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:11.139 In any civilisation, you have rules that are imposed on us. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:15.480 You could call them the ABCs of living in society. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:19.060 So we might wonder, for instance, if we're driving on a Saturday, 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:20.820 I've come to a single airline, 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:24.480 is it okay to park here on a Saturday or isn't it? 00:11:25.060 --> 00:11:26.379 Or if we're filling in a tax return, 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:28.940 we might think, well, do I need to declare this bit of income 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:31.240 or is it not really taxable? 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:35.980 Lots of different things that aid the smooth running of society 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:41.399 but can be a bit confusing, perhaps a bit burdensome at times. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:43.779 And that happens in every society. 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:47.220 If you're going to have a decent civilisation, 00:11:47.680 --> 00:11:51.720 you need to have rules that people understand and they follow. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:58.240 But how much more that was the case in Israel with the law of Moses, 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:02.820 particularly in the way it was applied by ultra-Orthodox Jews, 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:06.799 who took what was in the law, what was in the Old Testament of our Bible, 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:10.600 but who added to it so they could not have any possibility 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:12.720 that they would break the rules. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:17.840 Add lots of little trivial things that the people were still expected to obey. 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:21.340 And the law, which was in principle a good thing, 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:23.860 as Paul has explained in chapter 3, 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:27.120 it had become an enormous burden. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:29.720 It had really enslaved the people 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:32.419 and they were having no joy in their lives 00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:34.840 and no real relationship with God 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:39.840 as someone they could love and could spend time with. 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.620 But there was hope. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:44.620 As Graham took us through in chapter 3, 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:47.320 there was the promise that came to Abraham. 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:51.740 One day the offspring of Abraham, that is Jesus, would come. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:57.639 One day all barriers of ethnicity, class, gender would be broken down. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:02.159 One day all those who put their trust in the one sent by God 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:05.860 would themselves be adopted as children of God 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:08.259 and heirs of his promise. 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:13.159 One day, but they didn't know when it was going to be. 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:19.959 And then the time set by God fully came and he sent his son. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:24.639 So we're now in verses 4 and 5 and I think it's worth our while slowing down a little bit 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:29.539 because there's an awful lot in these verses that we can hold on to. 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:32.079 So Paul says, 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:35.759 God sent his son born of a woman. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:39.519 Jesus never stopped being God. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:43.059 He had all the power, the purity, the wisdom 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:47.139 and all the other characteristics of his divine nature. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:52.000 And yet at the same time, he was fully human. 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:56.500 He was God's son born of a woman. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:59.320 His conception was miraculous. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.740 There was no man involved. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:05.000 But otherwise he came into the world like the rest of us. 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:08.679 Conceived by the Holy Spirit but born naturally to Mary 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:12.620 and living as a man among men just like us 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:15.340 but never losing his divinity. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:18.740 He was always God with us. 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.759 Then says Paul, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:25.899 He was born of a woman born under the law. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:29.639 Jesus' mother Mary was a Jew. 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:34.620 Her husband Joseph was also a Jew. 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:38.759 And Jesus was brought up in the Jewish nation. 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.879 So all his life he was subject to the law 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:45.200 which had become such a burden to the Jewish people. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:50.700 He observed the Sabbath and the various feast days of the Jews. 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:54.320 He ate the food that was prescribed by the law. 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:57.060 He made the required sacrifices. 00:14:58.180 --> 00:15:00.500 And he obeyed the moral code. 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:04.120 And he did all of that perfectly. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:07.980 As God, he was able to do what no one else could do 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:13.080 and to live a life that was absolutely without sin. 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:18.440 And it's because of that that he was able to fulfill the mission he came for. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:25.400 He was born under the law to redeem those under the law. 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:28.819 Because Jesus was absolutely sinless, 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:34.959 he was able to pay the redemption price to free us when he died on the cross. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:40.299 God made the one who had no sin in him to be sin for us, 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:42.500 taking our sin on him. 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:47.240 Taking the punishment that was rightly ours for our sins 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:50.840 to give us hope and a future. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:53.780 And what a future that was. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:57.800 Because Paul says he came to redeem those under the law 00:15:57.800 --> 00:16:02.240 that we might receive adoption to sonship. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.660 So when we put our trust in Jesus, 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.940 it's not just that our sins are forgiven. 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:08.379 It's marvelous, wonderful, 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:13.259 that all the wrong things we've done can be forgiven through Jesus. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:16.800 But there's much more to it than that. 00:16:17.420 --> 00:16:18.920 When our trust is in Jesus, 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:22.939 we are adopted as sons of God. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:28.679 We become those who are members of God's family. 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:31.519 No wonder John writes in his first letter, 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:34.639 see what great love the Father has lavished on us 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:37.919 that we should be called children of God. 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:41.839 And that is what we are. 00:16:41.979 --> 00:16:44.219 That is what we are. 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:46.740 If our trust is in Jesus today, 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.620 if we've accepted him as our saviour, 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.639 then we are children of God. 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:52.220 We are heirs with Jesus. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:56.100 We have the wonderful promises that God gives us. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:17:00.340 Let's rejoice that at the time set by God, 00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:03.060 he sent his son into the world. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:06.960 And that makes a world of difference to us. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.380 As him says, 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:29.220 What a wonderful thing Jesus has done for us. 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:32.220 And that brings us on to the last little section, 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:35.940 which I've called the present privileges. 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:39.220 And they also are truly wonderful. 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.360 Paul writes in verse 6, 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:43.279 Because you are his sons, 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:46.559 God sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:49.019 the spirit who calls out, 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.940 Abba, Father. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:54.940 God didn't only send his son into the world. 00:17:55.720 --> 00:18:00.680 He sent his spirit into the hearts of those who believe in him. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:03.680 The Holy Spirit who empowers us, 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.120 who encourages us, 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:08.700 who changes our lives to be more like Jesus. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:11.259 And who particularly in this context 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:13.400 gives us the assurance of salvation 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:17.400 and the assurance that we are God's children. 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:22.140 Paul says the spirit calls out. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:27.820 I think that means that we call out inspired by the spirit. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.960 Now my reason for saying that is in Romans 8, 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.300 verses 15 and 16, 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:33.320 that there's a similar kind of passage 00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:34.480 where Paul says, 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:37.480 By him we cry, Abba, Father. 00:18:38.280 --> 00:18:42.100 The spirit himself testifies with our spirit 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:44.880 that we are God's children. 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:47.520 So if we are Christians, 00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:49.760 if we have our trust in the Lord Jesus, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.280 the spirit gives us the assurance 00:18:52.280 --> 00:18:55.560 that we really are God's children. 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:57.100 That doesn't mean we never doubt. 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.880 I'm sure all of us have doubts at times 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:00.840 about our salvation. 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:04.240 But we do have the spirit who reassures us, 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:06.320 who encourages us to believe 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:08.120 that because we've trusted in Jesus, 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:09.740 then we have been saved. 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:12.400 We are children of God. 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:14.660 And through him we cry, 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.400 Abba, Father. 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:19.920 Abba is a Greek word for father. 00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:23.100 But that doesn't hardly begin to describe it. 00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:25.720 It's not just a statement of fact. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:28.620 It's more of a shout of affection, 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:30.680 an intimate relationship. 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:33.340 I think of it as being like a child. 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:34.620 If your dad's been away for a while, 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.580 you've got a young child, 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:37.180 and dad walks in the door, 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:39.240 and the child rushes into his arms 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.700 and says, Daddy, Daddy. 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:44.680 It's a bit like that with us and God. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:47.160 We should have a real excitement and joy 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:50.339 that God is our father. 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.779 And as the child goes into the father's arms, 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.240 the father accepts it, 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:56.059 gives them the reassurance 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.700 that they do belong, 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:00.339 can comfort and encourage them, 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:02.299 can ask about what's happening in their lives, 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:05.339 and is happy to listen to their problems 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:07.480 and anything they want to say. 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:09.519 And again, that is similar to 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:12.299 what our relationship with God can be like 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:14.640 in a much more wonderful way. 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:17.539 God wants us as our heavenly father, 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.299 as Abba, 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:20.940 to come to him with all our thoughts, 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.059 with our thanksgiving, 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.120 with our concerns, 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:25.019 with whatever is on our heart, 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:27.500 and to share them with him. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:30.120 He wants us to see him 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:31.700 as a loving heavenly father 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:33.000 who's able to protect 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.519 and to help us 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:37.180 in every aspect of life. 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:39.259 What a wonderful privilege that is 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:42.500 to be able to call God our father. 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:45.379 But then Paul also says 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:46.900 in verse 7, 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:49.339 Since you are his child, 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:53.139 God has also made you an heir. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.279 In the Roman world, 00:20:55.639 --> 00:20:57.420 if a family adopted a child, 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.900 a father adopted a child, 00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.800 they became entitled 00:21:00.800 --> 00:21:01.780 to just as much 00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:04.500 as the biological children were. 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.600 They were entitled 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:07.780 to inherit the estate 00:21:07.780 --> 00:21:10.080 alongside any others. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.000 And Paul says, 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:14.080 Because we are God's child, 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.220 then we have become heirs 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.460 alongside Jesus 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.860 of the inheritance 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:20.460 that belongs to Jesus 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.600 by right. 00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:22.740 Now what does that mean? 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:24.160 There's definitely 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.620 a present aspect to this. 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:27.299 We have the status 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:29.359 of being God's children. 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.419 We have God's spirit 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:32.819 in our lives 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:34.619 as his seal of ownership 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:36.399 and his reminder 00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:38.579 of what has happened to us 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.619 through Jesus. 00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:41.779 We have God's hand 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.559 over our life 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.779 like a loving father 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.479 that he is. 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:46.019 His hand is on us. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.579 He is working everything 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:49.599 for our good. 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.959 I maybe should also add 00:21:51.959 --> 00:21:52.879 that in the Bible 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:54.859 being described as heirs, 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.539 also often comes alongside 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.659 the thought that we should 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.699 be willing to suffer 00:21:58.699 --> 00:22:00.519 in a godless world 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:02.000 as Jesus did. 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:03.439 And we will ultimately 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:05.599 be rewarded for that. 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:07.599 But it's a tremendous privilege 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.979 in this world 00:22:08.979 --> 00:22:11.419 to be heirs of God. 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:14.199 But then there's a future aspect 00:22:14.199 --> 00:22:15.079 to this as well. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.259 There's an inheritance 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.959 to look forward to. 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.119 To see that, 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.719 let's be end as I started 00:22:21.719 --> 00:22:23.859 with another timeline. 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:26.339 My timeline is very simple. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:29.399 It's only got six events on it. 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:32.059 God created everything. 00:22:32.979 --> 00:22:34.899 Sin entered the world. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.639 Then there are the three 00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.859 we've already referred to. 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.359 God's promise being given 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.000 to Abraham, 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:41.139 the law being given to Moses, 00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:43.459 and God sending his son 00:22:43.459 --> 00:22:46.119 to be our saviour. 00:22:46.979 --> 00:22:48.039 And then the sixth one 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.919 hasn't happened yet. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:52.960 The second coming of Jesus. 00:22:53.800 --> 00:22:55.660 Jesus, the Bible clearly teaches, 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:58.019 is coming back again. 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:59.860 Coming to take those who know him 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:01.400 and love him to be with himself, 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:04.019 coming also to be the judge. 00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.779 There will be similarities 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.420 to his first coming. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.259 Jesus' second coming 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.640 has long been promised 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.900 and anticipated 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:14.940 by those who trust in him. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.259 And yet, 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.380 like his first coming, 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.500 there is a date 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:20.160 that has been set by God, 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:21.620 but we don't know 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.620 when it is. 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.259 Could be any time, 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.360 could be very soon, 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:27.160 could be a distance 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.380 in the future. 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:30.480 So similar to the first one, 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.259 there's a promise. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.559 We know if we believe in Jesus 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.880 that it will be fulfilled, 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.500 but we don't know when. 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.480 But there is a big difference. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:42.140 It's the difference of purpose. 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:44.360 The first time Jesus came, 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:46.100 it was to be our saviour 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:47.220 and redeemer. 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:49.960 It was to live a simple, 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.180 poor life, 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.800 to serve others, 00:23:53.320 --> 00:23:54.800 ultimately to be rejected 00:23:54.800 --> 00:23:56.440 and to be crucified 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:58.840 as he died on the cross. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.900 Of course, he rose again 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:01.940 and then went to heaven. 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:04.360 When he comes back 00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:06.820 on a day that's been appointed by God, 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.759 Jesus will judge the world 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:11.360 with righteousness and justice. 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.400 Those who haven't got 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.320 their faith in him 00:24:14.320 --> 00:24:16.020 will face God's punishment 00:24:16.020 --> 00:24:17.259 for their sins, 00:24:17.280 --> 00:24:18.780 the paternal punishment. 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:21.300 While those who trust in Jesus 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:23.560 will enter into his inheritance, 00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:26.940 which is also their inheritance. 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:29.759 That's the most important decision 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:31.420 any of us will ever make, 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:33.800 whether our trust is in Jesus 00:24:33.800 --> 00:24:35.940 for our salvation. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.240 For those who enter 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.500 into the inheritance, 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.700 since Peter describes it 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:43.019 as one that can never perish or fade, 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:45.680 kept in heaven for us. 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:48.680 Jesus calls it treasure in heaven 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:51.319 where moths and vermin do not destroy 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:54.200 and where thieves do not break in 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.339 and steal. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.119 So at the very least, 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.140 we can get from that, 00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:59.960 that is something whose attractions 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.480 will never fade. 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.440 We won't get tired of being 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.660 with Jesus in heaven 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:06.540 or get bored up there. 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:09.279 It is going to be something wonderful. 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.759 Beyond that, 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:13.240 we don't really know 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:16.320 an awful lot about what it means. 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:18.040 We do know, though, 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.580 that heaven will be a place 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:21.160 where there will be no death, 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.060 there will be no suffering, 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.140 there will be no sin, 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:27.000 and everything else 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.400 that holds us back 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:30.960 and that makes this world 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.880 in many ways 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.280 a difficult place for us, 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:35.759 that will be behind us. 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:38.300 We will be with Jesus forever. 00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:40.500 We will be perfectly happy. 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.980 Our joy will be complete, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:44.000 and we'll be living the life 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:46.320 God has planned for us. 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:48.800 We will come into the inheritance 00:25:48.800 --> 00:25:50.500 that is ours 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.720 through Jesus. 00:25:52.780 --> 00:25:54.400 What a difference it makes 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:57.080 that God sent his son. 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:59.419 If God hadn't sent his son, 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.419 there was no way 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:01.599 we could have the relationship 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:03.220 restored that was there 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.059 in the beginning 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.000 with Adam and Eve 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.319 that was broken by sin. 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:07.419 Without Jesus, 00:26:07.699 --> 00:26:09.019 we couldn't get back 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.279 into a relationship 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.539 with God. 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.939 Without Jesus, 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.579 we would die in our sins 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.839 and would face the punishment 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.059 for them. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.339 So let's all of us, 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.279 let's make sure 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.859 our faith is in him. 00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:22.439 Let's make sure 00:26:22.439 --> 00:26:23.759 our future is secure. 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:26.460 And then let's really rejoice 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:28.559 in what Jesus has done for us. 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:30.220 In the sins forgiven 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:32.440 and in our wonderful status 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:34.120 of being God's children, 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:36.920 joint heirs with Jesus. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.640 The hymn I quoted earlier 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.480 ends like this. 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:41.400 One day the trumpet 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.880 will sound for his coming. 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.819 One day the skies 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:46.380 with his glory will shine. 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.000 Wonderful day, 00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:49.420 my beloved one bringing. 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.360 Glorious Saviour, 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.240 this Jesus is mine. 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:54.319 Living he loved me. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:56.099 Dying he saved me. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.179 Buried he carried 00:26:57.179 --> 00:26:58.799 my sins far away. 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:01.079 Rising he justified 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.779 freely forever. 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:05.099 One day he's coming. 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:07.919 Oh, glorious day. 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:09.799 If your trust is in Jesus, 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.700 look forward to that day 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.559 but also enjoy 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.439 the great privileges 00:27:13.439 --> 00:27:14.279 you have now 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:16.639 as being God's children 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:18.019 and having his spirit 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.939 with us. 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.119 Let's pray together. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:23.500 Father, we thank you 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.779 for this wonderful passage 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.559 we've looked at this morning. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.779 We thank you 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.919 for the great truth 00:27:28.919 --> 00:27:30.679 that at just the right time 00:27:30.679 --> 00:27:32.559 you sent your son 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.899 into the world 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:35.959 to be our Saviour. 00:27:36.479 --> 00:27:36.979 And we thank you 00:27:36.979 --> 00:27:37.599 for what that means, 00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:38.639 that we can come to you 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.279 as God 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.699 but also say, 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:42.059 Abba, Father. 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:43.799 No fear 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:45.019 because we know 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.099 that through Jesus 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:47.799 we are your children 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:49.619 and we can come 00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:51.419 into your presence. 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:51.960 Thank you 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:53.000 for the great prospect 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.839 that is there 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.859 for those whose trust 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.500 is in Jesus 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.679 that one day 00:27:56.679 --> 00:27:57.440 he'll return 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.619 and we'll be with him 00:27:58.619 --> 00:27:59.399 forever 00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:01.440 in the glorious 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.119 inheritance 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:03.799 that is his 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:05.039 and is now 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.879 ours. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.119 We pray to help 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.839 all of us 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.919 to put our trust 00:28:08.919 --> 00:28:09.419 in him 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.720 and then to have 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.440 that confidence 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.140 that you are 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:14.080 our Heavenly Father 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:14.720 who cares 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.240 for every aspect 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.460 of our lives. 00:28:17.840 --> 00:28:18.560 Thank you for our time 00:28:18.560 --> 00:28:18.940 together. 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.940 Thank you for the opportunity 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:21.660 to sing your praises 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.800 and to pray 00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:24.360 and to study your word 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.180 and we pray 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:25.779 for your blessing 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.460 on us now 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.700 in Jesus' name. 00:28:28.580 --> 00:28:28.920 Amen.