WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.960
 Heavenly Father, we come before you with expectancy, knowing that you have already gone the distance for us,

00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:13.540
 that your desire is to bless us, to grow us, to encourage us, to equip us,

00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.379
 to convict us of our sins, to free us from bondage.

00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:20.800
 Lord, help us to have that expectancy this morning.

00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:25.580
 Holy Spirit, we ask that you will open our eyes to see, our ears to hear,

00:00:26.139 --> 00:00:30.419
 open our minds to understand what you would teach us in your word this morning, in Jesus' name.

00:00:31.439 --> 00:00:33.259
 Amen. Please take a seat.

00:00:35.019 --> 00:00:39.920
 We'll finish off our summer series on the crucified Messiah this morning,

00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:45.320
 and we'll be looking at Christ dying as a ransom.

00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:47.159
 Christ dying as a ransom.

00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:52.799
 But before we get into the idea of Christ dying for a ransom, we have to talk about slavery.

00:00:52.799 --> 00:01:00.459
 Slavery is among, if not one of the most detestable evils in the world.

00:01:01.339 --> 00:01:05.599
 When we talk about evils, evil is bad, evil is evil.

00:01:05.759 --> 00:01:07.840
 There's kind of degrees of evil.

00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:09.000
 Slavery is up there.

00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:13.019
 There are tens of millions of slaves worldwide.

00:01:13.679 --> 00:01:19.439
 There are Southeast Asians in the Gulf countries that are essentially forced laborers.

00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:27.019
 We have people that are trafficked into all sorts of prostitution in North America,

00:01:27.340 --> 00:01:31.679
 in cities all over the place, maybe even Ottawa.

00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:38.539
 There are some 30 to 40 million slaves worldwide.

00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:41.120
 I mean, who knows the actual number?

00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:49.020
 But I want to put forward to you this morning that there are many more than 30 to 40 million slaves.

00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:54.280
 I want to put forward to you that the very human condition is riddled,

00:01:54.780 --> 00:02:01.140
 is one with abject, is a condition that is full on with abject slavery.

00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:05.340
 The idea of ransoming in the scriptures and in our text this morning,

00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:11.840
 it might bring to mind this idea of somebody kidnapping a rich person's daughter or son

00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:17.020
 and demanding a ransom, $10 million, or we're going to kill your child.

00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:19.639
 And although that most certainly is ransoming,

00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:24.199
 the picture that we're going to see in the Bible is actually the ransoming of one from slavery.

00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:31.060
 A slave, a bondservant, was somebody without any rights.

00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:33.599
 They were owned by another human being.

00:02:33.899 --> 00:02:38.500
 And if they wanted to enjoy freedom, they had to be redeemed.

00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:39.780
 They had to be ransomed.

00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:48.579
 In John chapter 8, Jesus speaks to a crowd of Jewish people.

00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:51.820
 Some were skeptical, antagonistic.

00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:53.960
 Others were sympathetic.

00:02:54.380 --> 00:02:55.000
 They were believers.

00:02:55.720 --> 00:02:56.540
 But he said this to them,

00:02:56.620 --> 00:03:00.160
 If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.

00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:04.860
 And you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

00:03:06.380 --> 00:03:08.980
 They, some of the people that believed in him,

00:03:09.340 --> 00:03:09.980
 they answered him,

00:03:10.140 --> 00:03:14.260
 We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.

00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:18.200
 How is it that you say you will become free?

00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:19.580
 Interesting.

00:03:20.760 --> 00:03:21.719
 Just a quick pause.

00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:25.660
 The Israelites were enslaved to people.

00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:29.939
 They spent 400 years enslaved in Egypt.

00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:31.400
 Egyptian slavery.

00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.939
 In fact, every year there is a feast commemorating the exodus from slavery.

00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:38.340
 It's called Passover.

00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:41.580
 For them to say such a...

00:03:42.220 --> 00:03:44.600
 It's like if you're going to lie, you've got to lie well, right?

00:03:44.600 --> 00:03:47.280
 You don't lie in such a way that is just obvious.

00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:51.300
 That you're not telling the truth.

00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:56.080
 And Jesus could have totally refuted them in the same way I just did.

00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:04.220
 But instead, he doesn't refute them by reminding them of their ethnic experience.

00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:08.939
 Instead, he appeals to the human experience.

00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:10.439
 And this is what he says.

00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:11.759
 Jesus answered them,

00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:13.159
 Truly, truly, I say to you,

00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:18.100
 Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:20.819
 The slave does not remain in the house forever.

00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:22.199
 The son remains forever.

00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:26.160
 So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:27.720
 Notice.

00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:30.540
 Guys, we do the Passover every year.

00:04:30.659 --> 00:04:31.060
 No, no, no.

00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:32.659
 He doesn't mention that.

00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:38.620
 He said, if you practice slavery, or if you practice sin, you are a slave to sin.

00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:40.020
 You are in bondage.

00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:41.060
 You are a slave.

00:04:42.260 --> 00:04:46.720
 And Jesus said it to a group of people 2,000 years ago.

00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:49.220
 But he says it to us this morning.

00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:56.500
 There is most certainly slavery throughout the world.

00:04:57.660 --> 00:05:05.180
 And apart from the obvious crazy stuff that I gave a couple examples of just a few moments ago,

00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:09.520
 slavery is ubiquitous in our world in the human heart.

00:05:11.080 --> 00:05:13.740
 For some of us, this might be hard to accept.

00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:19.319
 It may even be offensive, ridiculous to your ears for me to say such thing.

00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:20.939
 Look at us.

00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:22.460
 We are very free people.

00:05:22.780 --> 00:05:24.000
 We live in a free society.

00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:27.740
 We have freedom to come and to go, to practice religion,

00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:33.100
 to acquire wealth, to spend things the way we want.

00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:34.040
 We're free people.

00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:35.980
 This sounds a bit ridiculous.

00:05:36.460 --> 00:05:38.960
 And I can sympathize with that.

00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:43.379
 If this is you, I would say, just stick with me.

00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:45.060
 Keep your ears open.

00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:51.120
 Keep your mind open to the truth that scripture speaks of.

00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:56.319
 Because, again, if it's true, it will set you free.

00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:00.000
 Maybe you're a Christian here and you've heard this,

00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:03.900
 this idea of God redeeming us.

00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:05.139
 And you're like, yeah, I've heard this.

00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:09.920
 Like, for the thousandth time, it's old hat.

00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:13.400
 This is where you hit the off button.

00:06:14.080 --> 00:06:15.699
 Lights are on, but nobody's home.

00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:20.400
 You're thinking of whatever sports game or what you have to do when you go home.

00:06:20.460 --> 00:06:22.780
 I would say to you, keep your ears perked.

00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:27.439
 Hear this afresh for another time.

00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:29.259
 One more time.

00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:33.139
 Because, again, this is truth, and the truth shall set you free.

00:06:33.139 --> 00:06:39.279
 Let's read our text this morning.

00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:41.159
 And I'm going to be reading it a number of times.

00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:45.199
 And I want this truth to get deep down.

00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:49.779
 So Matt read 1 Timothy 2, 1 to 7.

00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:53.620
 We're actually going to only be in two verses, one sentence.

00:06:54.599 --> 00:06:57.459
 Verses 5 and 6 is one sentence over two verses.

00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:00.740
 And I'll begin in verse 5 of 1 Timothy 2.

00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:01.780
 justamente 2 verse 6.

00:07:01.779 --> 00:07:16.000
 Again,

00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:20.619
 For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men,

00:07:20.799 --> 00:07:25.000
 the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all,

00:07:25.419 --> 00:07:29.599
 which is the testimony given at the proper time.

00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:37.960
 Our text this morning will show us that our only hope for redemption from slavery to sin is through a ransoming.

00:07:39.220 --> 00:07:45.960
 A ransoming that we have an inability to pay and desperately long for.

00:07:47.760 --> 00:07:50.740
 It's a ransoming that was done freely and lovingly.

00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:58.960
 It was carried out according to God's will at his appointed time and was mediated by the only one who could ever mediate it,

00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:00.039
 Jesus Christ.

00:08:01.359 --> 00:08:07.919
 He mediates it between the perfect creator God and the broken, sinful humanity.

00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:17.060
 We are created in God's image and he is reconciling us back to the creator whose image we bear.

00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:26.540
 So we're going to look at three things in our text that talk about the idea of ransom and what it means to be ransomed.

00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:28.579
 The first is what are we ransomed from?

00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:32.779
 The second thing is what are we ransomed for?

00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:36.220
 The third thing is how is this accomplished?

00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:38.360
 So what are we ransomed from?

00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:40.100
 What are we ransomed for?

00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:43.040
 And how this is accomplished?

00:08:45.040 --> 00:08:47.420
 So I'm going to read one more time.

00:08:47.920 --> 00:08:50.899
 First Timothy chapter two, verses five and six.

00:08:50.899 --> 00:09:02.939
 For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:04.500
 What are we ransomed from?

00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:10.039
 I've made mention of being ransomed from slavery to sin, a slavery to sin.

00:09:11.199 --> 00:09:18.779
 We have transgressed against God himself from the beginning and because of the beginning.

00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:27.559
 So by virtue of being a human being, you are a transgressor against God's laws.

00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:40.659
 And it's been happening since the very beginning, since we see in the opening chapters of Genesis in the Bible, our first parents, they chose not to enjoy God and his good creation.

00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:53.539
 They chose instead to put themselves in the place of God, to make their own desires ultimate things and somehow kick God off the throne as if that were possible.

00:09:53.539 --> 00:10:09.240
 We have chosen, likewise, not to trust in God, but to pursue our own good life apart from the life giver.

00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:13.620
 We make good things ultimate things.

00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:16.460
 And this is what the scriptures talk about idolatry.

00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:17.240
 This is sin.

00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:30.799
 So for instance, if a businesswoman has as an ultimate thing, a successful business, she may stomp on employees.

00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:33.139
 She may fudge numbers.

00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:37.279
 She may neglect her family if she has one.

00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:40.759
 Because the ultimate thing has to be achieved.

00:10:40.859 --> 00:10:42.439
 The ultimate thing has to be accomplished.

00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:56.720
 The single person who has the good desire to be married, to be in a relationship, making that the ultimate desire, will pursue that desire.

00:10:56.720 --> 00:11:06.440
 Again, a good desire in an ultimate way that if they don't get in a relationship, their life isn't, it pales.

00:11:06.520 --> 00:11:07.360
 It's not worth living.

00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:14.500
 Or if they get in a relationship and a heartbreak happens, devastation, so that life doesn't seem worth living.

00:11:15.060 --> 00:11:19.399
 And I don't mean in the moment when emotions are high, but just all the time.

00:11:20.300 --> 00:11:27.620
 The mother who is desperately in love with their child, that makes their child the ultimate thing.

00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:33.800
 If the child, God forbid, passes away or goes wayward.

00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:40.839
 That mother's existence, everything she's put her hope and everything that she's put her identity in crumbles.

00:11:41.599 --> 00:11:43.379
 Making a good thing an ultimate thing.

00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:49.099
 The married man of 15 years who is just, he wants some adventure.

00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:51.839
 And his eyes start to wander.

00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:53.819
 His desires start to wander.

00:11:55.339 --> 00:11:56.599
 Adventure is not a bad thing.

00:11:56.599 --> 00:12:02.139
 But when you make a good thing an ultimate thing, it's sin.

00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:07.379
 The church planter who puts all his eggs in the church planting basket.

00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:10.000
 And if it fails, he's crushed.

00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.960
 That's making a good thing an ultimate thing.

00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:19.980
 I mean, listen, the shackles of slavery to sin take on different forms, but they're still shackles.

00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:28.720
 If you are a slave to sin, you can say, listen, I'm putting a few more links on my chain.

00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:30.840
 Look how much freedom I have.

00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:34.360
 You still have shackles on your legs.

00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:45.440
 If you paint your shackles a nice color, beautiful, glitter, if you're so glittery like that, there's still shackles.

00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:50.740
 Or if you ignore them and say, there is no shackles on my feet.

00:12:51.320 --> 00:12:53.780
 It doesn't change the fact that there's not shackles on your feet.

00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:54.860
 It means you're delusional.

00:12:57.560 --> 00:13:01.700
 Slavery to sin takes different forms, but it's still slavery.

00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:05.759
 But it's not just slavery to sin that we're ransomed from.

00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:17.960
 It's also ransoming from this world and slavery from false religion and false and evil philosophies.

00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:28.680
 The apostle Paul says in Galatians chapter 4 that Jesus not only saves Christians from slavery to sin,

00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:35.879
 but also sets them free from slavery to the world, false religions, evil religions, philosophies.

00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:38.960
 And he says this in verse 7 of chapter 4.

00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:41.360
 So you are no longer a slave, but a son.

00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:45.400
 And if a son, then an heir according or an heir through God.

00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.480
 Verse 8,

00:13:46.480 --> 00:14:15.059
 It means that through Jesus, we are welcomed into God's family.

00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:19.939
 No longer slaves, no longer slaves, but sons and daughters.

00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:26.619
 And that means our previous slave masters no longer have authority over us.

00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:33.799
 So for the Somali man who comes to the Christian faith, genuine faith,

00:14:35.739 --> 00:14:40.219
 the evil slave master of Islam is no longer over him.

00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:50.899
 The student who is headlong into a philosophy degree, eating stuff up, comes to faith,

00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:59.600
 no longer are they subject to narcissistic or reductionistic philosophies that belittle God,

00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:04.779
 that belittle his creation and him as creator.

00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:14.379
 That talk about Christ as a fairy tale or as one of many different insurrectionists 2,000 years ago.

00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:23.959
 To the Christian sitting in the pew, it means the Christian in the pew that thinks Christianity,

00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:37.820
 whether consciously or just as a matter of everyday practicality lives the Christian life in such a way that they think good deeds will merit ultimate love from God towards them.

00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:42.220
 You are no longer slaves to that evil master.

00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:58.300
 Sons and daughters of the living God, God saves us, ransoms us from the world and from slavery to false and evil religion and philosophies.

00:15:58.299 --> 00:16:01.979
 There is complete freedom that awaits.

00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:11.339
 If you are here struggling with your faith, curious about the faith, true freedom awaits.

00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:14.000
 We are ransomed.

00:16:14.099 --> 00:16:19.339
 It means we are no longer, again, answerable to our former slave masters.

00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:26.940
 There is a beautiful scene at the end of 12 Years a Slave when, is it Solomon Northup,

00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:34.379
 this old friend from New York comes and through the sheriff, he is essentially a free man and he is getting in the carriage.

00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:39.780
 And as he is walking, his slave master is calling him names and saying,

00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:41.340
 you are my slave, I paid for you.

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:46.900
 And he disregards that slave owner because he is no longer a slave.

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:51.919
 And that is a beautiful picture of what it means to no longer be in slavery.

00:16:57.500 --> 00:17:01.000
 But we're also ransomed from slavery to death.

00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:05.200
 Death has touched us all in some kind of way.

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:09.720
 We have friends or families, family members that have died.

00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:12.039
 I've never met Kobe Bryant in my life.

00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:15.039
 I was bummed out for a long time when he died.

00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:23.099
 Death, it's so final and aggressive and it takes everybody.

00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.559
 And all of us will taste death.

00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:30.819
 But we're no longer slaves to death if we are ransomed.

00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:38.279
 Because as Christ has died, but was on the third day rose again from the grave,

00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.579
 we are united to him.

00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:42.460
 So we too will rise again.

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:44.779
 Death will not have the final word.

00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:48.640
 Death will no longer be a slave master to us.

00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:51.059
 Ransomed from the grave.

00:17:55.920 --> 00:18:01.420
 So we are ransomed from slavery, but we are also ransomed for something.

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:10.420
 God doesn't rescue the Israelites from Egypt and just puts them out in the desert and said,

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.039
 Hey, you're free.

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:15.039
 He saves them for something.

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:17.440
 Brings them to the promised land.

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.539
 Blesses them.

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.319
 Makes a covenant with them.

00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:29.420
 Renews his covenant that he made with Abraham,

00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:33.379
 but also gives them a new identity.

00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:38.800
 So what are we ransomed for?

00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:40.700
 Simply put, it's freedom.

00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:45.060
 But what exactly do we mean by freedom?

00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:49.280
 Do we define freedom on our own terms?

00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:53.640
 Is freedom simply to live unencumbered from responsibility?

00:18:54.260 --> 00:18:56.900
 Well, then I think desire, your desires would take over.

00:18:57.540 --> 00:18:58.860
 You just do whatever you wanted.

00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:02.719
 Then your desire becomes your slave master.

00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:04.519
 You become a slave to your desires.

00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:09.000
 How about freedom from responsibility?

00:19:09.479 --> 00:19:11.919
 Like complete freedom to do whatever you want,

00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:13.539
 to walk your own path.

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:17.179
 Well, how about if walking your own path is at the expense of others?

00:19:18.979 --> 00:19:21.139
 For your freedom to truly exist,

00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:23.779
 it means somebody else's freedom has to be curtailed.

00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:26.259
 Is that really freedom?

00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:27.699
 Is that true freedom?

00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:32.699
 We are ransomed for freedom,

00:19:32.699 --> 00:19:33.919
 but consider this.

00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:38.719
 The true freedom is to know God and be known by him.

00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:42.319
 It says that, we read this a few moments ago in Galatians chapter 4.

00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:47.000
 To know God and be known by him.

00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:50.079
 God is our creator and he is good.

00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:55.459
 And his desire for us to bless us can be trusted.

00:19:55.460 --> 00:20:00.259
 And God is, he is not the type of maker who,

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:04.480
 like a watchmaker, makes this beautiful timepiece,

00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.640
 sets the mechanism,

00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:08.160
 and then his job is done.

00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:13.539
 God has made creation,

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:17.019
 and all of creation is upheld by him.

00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:20.000
 He is deeply intertwined with his,

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.660
 excuse me,

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.259
 creation.

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:27.500
 That he is active in his creation,

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.480
 and he has created the cosmos,

00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:32.299
 and at the very,

00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:35.700
 at the very pinnacle of all of his creation,

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:37.559
 is you and I,

00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.559
 is humanity.

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:41.200
 Because we are made in his image.

00:20:41.659 --> 00:20:43.240
 We are image bearers of God.

00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:48.139
 Male and female,

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:50.259
 whatever language you speak,

00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.679
 wherever you come from,

00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.960
 if you are a human being,

00:20:54.179 --> 00:20:56.240
 you're an image bearer of God.

00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:59.619
 And you are at the pinnacle of his creation.

00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:02.539
 God does not want a relationship

00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:04.500
 with the environment.

00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.339
 He does not want a relationship

00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:08.920
 with any kind of animal,

00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.839
 or a relationship with the stars.

00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.000
 He wants a relationship

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.480
 with you and I.

00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.740
 He is deeply,

00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:17.399
 deeply,

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.019
 deeply,

00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.940
 deeply involved

00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:23.819
 in his creation.

00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:26.139
 As image bearers,

00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.920
 we are made to enjoy

00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.440
 this deep friendship with God.

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:29.480
 God,

00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:32.039
 this is what true freedom is.

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.880
 To live in the way

00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:36.620
 that we were created to live.

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:45.720
 When sin,

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.320
 the temptation of sin,

00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.059
 comes knocking,

00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.259
 we don't have to say yes.

00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.799
 When the world

00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.799
 tempts us

00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.960
 to compromise,

00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.740
 we don't have to say yes.

00:21:57.840 --> 00:21:59.420
 When a false religion,

00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:01.019
 or philosophy,

00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.259
 says this is,

00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.240
 this is a better way,

00:22:03.320 --> 00:22:04.420
 we don't have to say yes.

00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:06.559
 And when death

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.759
 is knocking at our door,

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:10.279
 we can laugh in a sense,

00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:11.440
 because death will never have

00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.140
 the final word.

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.240
 We are saved

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.279
 for relationship

00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.720
 with the living God,

00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:21.240
 and it means everything.

00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.640
 So we are saved

00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.660
 from slavery,

00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:25.440
 we are saved

00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.720
 for something,

00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.279
 we are ransomed

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.000
 for something.

00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.700
 How is all of this accomplished?

00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.660
 Let's take another look.

00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.380
 1 Timothy,

00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.539
 chapter 2,

00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.599
 verses 5 and 6.

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.839
 For there is one God,

00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.839
 and there is one mediator

00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:38.059
 between God and men,

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.420
 the man Christ Jesus,

00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.740
 who gave himself

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.920
 as a ransom for all,

00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.200
 which is the testimony

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.700
 given at the proper time.

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.519
 Our scripture text

00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:49.079
 talks of the ransoming

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.759
 by Jesus

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.799
 of us,

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.980
 but it actually talks

00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:54.160
 of other things as well.

00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.279
 it makes some heavy-duty

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.040
 truth claims.

00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.779
 One sentence,

00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.759
 this one sentence

00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.740
 is so packed,

00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:02.880
 so concise

00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:05.180
 of a deep,

00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.540
 deep theology

00:23:06.540 --> 00:23:07.660
 that it is worth

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.460
 memorizing.

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.779
 At the end of

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.900
 our time together,

00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.240
 I'll encourage you guys

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.340
 to memorize this one

00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.080
 verse,

00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.540
 but it is a packed verse,

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:17.819
 and there are truth claims

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:21.980
 intertwined

00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.139
 in this sentence

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.839
 so that

00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:26.639
 Jesus ransoming us

00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.940
 doesn't work

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:29.299
 unless there is

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.139
 one true God.

00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.420
 Jesus ransoming us

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.460
 doesn't work

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:35.819
 unless we truly

00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.500
 are sinful

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.680
 and God truly

00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.680
 is holy.

00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.200
 The ransoming

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:42.139
 of us by Jesus,

00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:43.500
 it doesn't work

00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.840
 if the incarnation

00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:46.259
 is a joke

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.620
 or if it's false.

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.580
 The ransoming us

00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:52.300
 from slavery

00:23:52.300 --> 00:23:53.100
 doesn't work

00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:54.380
 if God didn't

00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.300
 send Christ

00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:56.180
 to freely

00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.540
 give himself

00:23:57.540 --> 00:23:59.080
 in a specific time

00:23:59.080 --> 00:24:00.400
 in a specific place.

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.540
 These truth claims

00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:05.560
 are very much

00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:06.020
 intertwined.

00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.660
 Christine actually

00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.400
 helped me with this.

00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.700
 I've never heard

00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.180
 of this before,

00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.900
 but I totally

00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.660
 heard of it before.

00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.820
 The theory of

00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:13.019
 irreducible complexity

00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.980
 and could you put up

00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:16.039
 the slides?

00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:17.879
 This is a great example

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:19.460
 of the theory

00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.740
 of irreducible complexity

00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.819
 because the mouse trap

00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.539
 doesn't work

00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.879
 unless each of its

00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:25.980
 component parts

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.819
 are there.

00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:27.980
 So,

00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.000
 I'm not talking about

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.879
 a fancy dancy

00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.899
 mouse trap.

00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.279
 I'm talking about

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.859
 the standard

00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:34.200
 Victor mouse trap,

00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:36.319
 not Victor's mouse trap.

00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.460
 I have no idea

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.319
 if Victor has mouse traps.

00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:39.519
 This is a Victor mouse trap

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:41.500
 and the Victor mouse trap

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.099
 doesn't work

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.539
 unless there is

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.819
 a wooden board

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.160
 and it doesn't work

00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.119
 unless there is

00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.339
 a bar that holds

00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.400
 the spring down

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.119
 and it doesn't work

00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:51.420
 unless there is

00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.259
 a trigger

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.200
 and it won't work

00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.380
 unless there is

00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:56.380
 a bit of bait

00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.279
 on the trigger

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:59.279
 and it definitely

00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.640
 won't work

00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.460
 if you can't set it up.

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:00.880
 These things are

00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.920
 impossible to set up.

00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.900
 I don't know if you guys,

00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.299
 that's why people

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.680
 get the clippy ones now.

00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.519
 But anyways,

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.360
 you understand

00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.180
 what I'm trying to say.

00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.700
 You can take it down now.

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.560
 Thanks.

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.400
 The theory of

00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.740
 irreducible complexity.

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.799
 God ransoming us

00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.560
 doesn't work

00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:21.420
 if there are

00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.240
 more than one God

00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.539
 because

00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.779
 if there are

00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.600
 more than one God,

00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.940
 more than one God,

00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.460
 if

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.980
 the God of the Bible

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:30.000
 didn't scratch

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.759
 my itch,

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.640
 I just find

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.319
 another God

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.400
 with a different

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.240
 set of values.

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.299
 If

00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:39.440
 this God

00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.319
 wasn't perfect

00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:41.440
 and us being sinful,

00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.759
 we would need no

00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:44.940
 we'd have no need

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.799
 to be ransomed.

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.019
 If

00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.039
 Christ wasn't

00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.879
 a mediator

00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:51.240
 and a mediator

00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.839
 being one

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.700
 that enjoys

00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.579
 the confidence

00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.579
 of both parties

00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.019
 that are

00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.859
 at odds

00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:56.579
 to one another

00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.440
 that is

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.099
 a suitable

00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.779
 representative

00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.740
 of both parties.

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.680
 So if

00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:03.079
 our mediator

00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:03.759
 Christ Jesus

00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.940
 wasn't fully God

00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.980
 representing

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.039
 God

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.879
 and fully man

00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.720
 representing man,

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.220
 how could he

00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.180
 properly mediate

00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.879
 for us?

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.779
 This wouldn't work.

00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.299
 The ransoming

00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.920
 wouldn't work.

00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.579
 If

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.640
 Christ didn't

00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.359
 freely give

00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.559
 of himself,

00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.420
 it would be

00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.019
 an injustice

00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.619
 and how could

00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.180
 that

00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.119
 ransoming

00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.559
 work?

00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.160
 You guys

00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.000
 see the point.

00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.379
 For God

00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.920
 to ransom

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.480
 us

00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:31.599
 it is

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.519
 this

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.440
 verse,

00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.140
 it is

00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:35.579
 the gospel

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.220
 itself.

00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.039
 It is

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.559
 the gospel

00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.120
 itself.

00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.400
 This doesn't

00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:41.920
 work if

00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.599
 one of the

00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.380
 component parts

00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.099
 don't exist

00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:44.740
 or is

00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.120
 false.

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.420
 So what

00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.940
 happens?

00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.460
 God

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.960
 sends

00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.720
 his son,

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.120
 God,

00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.559
 the son of

00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:54.779
 God,

00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.460
 to take on

00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.360
 human flesh,

00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.539
 fully God,

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.319
 fully man,

00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.599
 and to ransom

00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.859
 us,

00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.180
 but not

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.980
 with a large

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.440
 sum of

00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:03.740
 money,

00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.759
 not with

00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:08.139
 years of

00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.720
 hard labor,

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.740
 but with

00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.159
 his very

00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:10.579
 blood.

00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:11.859
 He spills

00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.440
 for you

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.059
 and for I.

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.779
 There's a

00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.599
 deep desire

00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.279
 in us

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.119
 for reconciliation

00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.039
 to God,

00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.759
 for the good

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.220
 life,

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.140
 to know

00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.860
 no pain,

00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.600
 to know

00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.380
 true

00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:28.420
 joy in

00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.200
 relationships.

00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:29.860
 All of this

00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:30.559
 stuff points

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.319
 to something.

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.079
 This deep

00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.779
 desire for

00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.259
 reconciliation

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.039
 to God,

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.700
 but it's

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.180
 very clear

00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.559
 we have an

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.279
 inability to

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.860
 achieve this

00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:39.319
 ourselves.

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.819
 What a

00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.539
 frustration

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.660
 that must

00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.000
 be.

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.720
 In

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.500
 Psalm 49

00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.519
 verses 7

00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.000
 to 9

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.380
 and then

00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:46.740
 in verse

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.240
 15 it

00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.740
 says this,

00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.380
 verses 7

00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:48.759
 to 9,

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.680
 truly no

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.000
 one can

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.339
 ransom

00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:50.700
 another

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.440
 or give

00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.839
 to God

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.319
 the price

00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:52.579
 of his

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:52.940
 life.

00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:53.879
 For the

00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.500
 ransom of

00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:54.960
 their life

00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.460
 is costly

00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:56.879
 and can

00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.740
 never suffice

00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.680
 that he

00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.259
 should live

00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.799
 on forever

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.279
 and never

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.720
 see the

00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:00.980
 pit.

00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:01.859
 And then

00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.200
 in verse

00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.740
 15 it

00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.299
 says this,

00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.319
 but God

00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:04.920
 will ransom

00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.559
 my soul

00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:05.940
 from the

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.660
 power of

00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.160
 Sheol or

00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.660
 the grave

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.859
 for he

00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.539
 will receive

00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:09.859
 me.

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.700
 Who can

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.019
 ransom

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.599
 one's own

00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:11.940
 life?

00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:12.740
 God

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.039
 can.

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.220
 And he

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.559
 has.

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:18.579
 In the

00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:18.879
 book of

00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:19.319
 Revelation,

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.139
 the culmination

00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.339
 of all

00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:22.980
 of time

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.139
 is this

00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:24.639
 wonderful

00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:25.279
 picture of

00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.819
 Christ on

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.319
 the throne

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.480
 with,

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:28.519
 I mean,

00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:29.240
 it's really

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.019
 an epic

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.980
 picture of

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.759
 all of

00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.179
 creation

00:28:32.179 --> 00:28:32.899
 worshiping

00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.440
 God.

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.419
 And this

00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:35.819
 is what it

00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.819
 says in

00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.460
 verse 5.

00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.539
 And they,

00:28:39.679 --> 00:28:40.259
 this is the

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.039
 four living

00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.720
 creatures and

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.119
 the 24

00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.419
 elders,

00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:43.179
 it's just

00:28:43.179 --> 00:28:44.319
 crazy,

00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.919
 epic,

00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.480
 cosmic

00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:45.960
 scene.

00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:46.899
 And they

00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:47.299
 start to

00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.819
 sing a

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.379
 new song

00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:49.220
 to Jesus.

00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:49.799
 And they

00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.379
 say this,

00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.240
 worthy are

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.579
 you to

00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:51.919
 take the

00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:52.519
 scroll and

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:52.879
 to open

00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:53.399
 its seals,

00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:54.359
 for you

00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:54.960
 were slain

00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.279
 and by

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.779
 your blood

00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.559
 you ransomed

00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.259
 people for

00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.679
 God.

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.079
 From every

00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.819
 tribe and

00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.960
 language and

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.539
 people and

00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:01.919
 nation,

00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:02.859
 and you

00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.240
 have made

00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.599
 them a

00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.539
 kingdom and

00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.200
 priests to

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.740
 our God

00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.099
 and they

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.779
 shall reign

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.259
 on the

00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.599
 earth.

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.759
 That at

00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.619
 the culmination

00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.359
 of all

00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:10.859
 time,

00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:11.720
 there is

00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.200
 this new

00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:13.159
 song sung

00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.619
 to the

00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.419
 king of

00:29:14.419 --> 00:29:15.599
 kings and

00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:16.799
 rate inserted

00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:18.359
 in there is

00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:19.299
 about how he

00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.019
 has ransomed

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.539
 you and

00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:20.899
 I.

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.719
 Your life is

00:29:26.719 --> 00:29:27.419
 worth something.

00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:29.879
 There's purpose

00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.559
 for your life.

00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.579
 It's a wonderful

00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.000
 picture.

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:36.799
 I will

00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.279
 encourage you

00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.079
 guys now to

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:40.799
 read and

00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.259
 read and

00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.619
 read and

00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.680
 memorize this

00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.420
 one sentence

00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.160
 and to think

00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.680
 about how you

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.319
 were ransomed.

00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.480
 To think about

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.440
 how God is

00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.480
 the creator,

00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:48.940
 the one and

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.480
 only creator,

00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.480
 how Christ is

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.079
 our mediator

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.640
 between us

00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.079
 and God,

00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.960
 how Jesus

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.859
 is fully

00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.220
 man,

00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:55.980
 fully God,

00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.319
 how he

00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.779
 ransoms

00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:58.779
 us by

00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.680
 his blood

00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.579
 freely,

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.380
 lovingly,

00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:03.100
 and how it

00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.400
 was done

00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:03.980
 in a specific

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.580
 time in a

00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:05.220
 specific place

00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.600
 and it is

00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.020
 finished.

00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.620
 And read

00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.180
 this over

00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.720
 and memorize

00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:08.900
 that.

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.300
 Let that

00:30:09.300 --> 00:30:09.860
 form you

00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:10.460
 this week,

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.520
 next week,

00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:11.860
 the week

00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.160
 after,

00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.540
 your whole

00:30:12.540 --> 00:30:12.880
 life.

00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:16.620
 Here's the

00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:16.800
 thing.

00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.260
 This is why

00:30:17.260 --> 00:30:17.580
 we need to

00:30:17.580 --> 00:30:18.100
 be reminded.

00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:20.180
 If you're

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.500
 not a

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.820
 Christian,

00:30:21.020 --> 00:30:21.340
 if you've

00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:21.940
 never come

00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.240
 to a

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.460
 saving

00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:22.860
 faith,

00:30:23.280 --> 00:30:23.620
 today,

00:30:23.820 --> 00:30:24.600
 I've laid

00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:24.940
 out the

00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.200
 case for

00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.420
 you.

00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.300
 Come to

00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:27.900
 a saving

00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.900
 faith in

00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:29.600
 Christ Jesus.

00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:30.880
 Be free

00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.240
 from your

00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.540
 slavery.

00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.099
 But if

00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:32.399
 you're a

00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:32.779
 Christian,

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:35.019
 don't wander

00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:36.200
 back into

00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.639
 slavery.

00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:37.899
 Don't do

00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:38.159
 it.

00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.180
 You don't

00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:39.700
 have to.

00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.139
 The

00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:41.659
 Israelites are

00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:41.879
 in the

00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.099
 desert.

00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.639
 They know

00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:42.960
 they will

00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.639
 be delivered

00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.059
 into the

00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.680
 promised land.

00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.099
 They've

00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.639
 seen God's

00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.319
 mighty work.

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.339
 And then

00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.740
 they start

00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.240
 complaining

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.299
 about the

00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.899
 stew that

00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:50.420
 they wanted,

00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.539
 that they used

00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.299
 to eat back

00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:52.680
 in Egypt,

00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.139
 and then they

00:30:53.139 --> 00:30:53.779
 want it

00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.119
 again.

00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.379
 But God

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:55.839
 has a whole

00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.579
 land for

00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.240
 you,

00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.180
 flowing with

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.839
 bounty.

00:30:59.359 --> 00:30:59.920
 And you

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.599
 want stew

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.359
 that you

00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:01.699
 ate,

00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:03.859
 this is

00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.740
 our problem

00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.259
 as well.

00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.399
 We are

00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.219
 sons and

00:31:08.219 --> 00:31:08.699
 daughters of

00:31:08.699 --> 00:31:09.039
 the living

00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.579
 God if you

00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:09.939
 put your

00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:10.399
 faith and

00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:10.779
 trust and

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.579
 hope in

00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:11.919
 Christ.

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:12.740
 But all

00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.379
 too often

00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.099
 you go back

00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:14.619
 to being a

00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:15.359
 slave to

00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:15.759
 sin.

00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.259
 You go

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.059
 back to

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.679
 being a

00:31:18.679 --> 00:31:19.119
 slave to

00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:19.480
 the world.

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:19.759
 You go

00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.319
 back to

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:20.799
 being a

00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.319
 slave to

00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:21.779
 false

00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.259
 religion,

00:31:22.379 --> 00:31:22.799
 to false

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.659
 philosophies,

00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:25.019
 to an

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.879
 utter fear

00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.639
 of death

00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.240
 that is

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.839
 crippling.

00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:29.779
 you go

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.159
 back to

00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.459
 being a

00:31:30.459 --> 00:31:30.699
 slave.

00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.119
 But guess

00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.399
 what?

00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:33.119
 The shackle

00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.359
 is no

00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:33.899
 longer on

00:31:33.899 --> 00:31:35.079
 your ankle.

00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.159
 It's gone

00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:37.679
 if you are

00:31:37.679 --> 00:31:38.079
 in Christ

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.480
 Jesus.

00:31:38.939 --> 00:31:39.259
 We need

00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.480
 to be

00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.019
 reminded

00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.579
 of this,

00:31:40.939 --> 00:31:41.439
 refreshed

00:31:41.439 --> 00:31:42.099
 by this,

00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:42.779
 renewed

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.459
 by this.

00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:43.939
 That's why

00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:44.399
 the gospel

00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:45.039
 isn't just

00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.779
 the doorway,

00:31:45.959 --> 00:31:46.319
 it is the

00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:46.839
 life of

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.279
 the Christian

00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.759
 faith.

00:31:48.939 --> 00:31:49.399
 So let's

00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:49.919
 read again

00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.559
 1 Timothy

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.459
 chapter 2

00:31:51.459 --> 00:31:52.039
 verses 5

00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.459
 and 6.

00:31:52.460 --> 00:32:06.539
 Let's

00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:06.940
 memorize

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.480
 this.

00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:07.900
 Let it

00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:10.960
 form our

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.779
 very hearts.

00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.340
 Let us

00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.299
 remember

00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:16.960
 always that

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.200
 we are

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.720
 sons and

00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.160
 daughters of

00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:18.460
 the living

00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:18.680
 God.

00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:18.920
 Let's

00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.140
 pray.

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.259
 Heavenly

00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.559
 Father,

00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:20.940
 we thank

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.259
 you so

00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.420
 much that

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:22.660
 you have

00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.060
 sent your

00:32:23.060 --> 00:32:23.860
 son to

00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:24.840
 ransom us

00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:25.680
 from slavery.

00:32:26.320 --> 00:32:27.080
 No longer

00:32:27.080 --> 00:32:27.580
 is there a

00:32:27.580 --> 00:32:28.480
 shackle on

00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.600
 our ankles,

00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.140
 no longer

00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.519
 are we

00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:30.920
 free,

00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.500
 no longer

00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.140
 do we

00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.720
 have zero

00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.120
 rights,

00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.380
 we have

00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:33.539
 been

00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.120
 ransomed,

00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:35.019
 not with

00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:39.080
 money that

00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:39.420
 can be

00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.019
 spent or

00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.880
 a prize that

00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.180
 can be

00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.720
 spent or

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.060
 some kind

00:32:42.060 --> 00:32:42.420
 of labor

00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:42.740
 that can

00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.200
 be spent,

00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:43.820
 but by

00:32:43.820 --> 00:32:44.420
 the very

00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.400
 incorruptible

00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:45.940
 blood of

00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.320
 Christ

00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:46.800
 himself.

00:32:48.340 --> 00:32:49.300
 That if

00:32:49.300 --> 00:32:49.580
 we are

00:32:49.580 --> 00:32:49.960
 free,

00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:51.360
 whom the

00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:51.920
 son sets

00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.240
 free,

00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:52.759
 is free

00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.200
 indeed.

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.180
 Lord,

00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.500
 help us

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:54.880
 to walk

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.279
 in that.

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:55.980
 And for

00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.559
 my friends

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:56.799
 that are

00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.200
 skeptical,

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.039
 or maybe

00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.259
 they don't

00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.680
 yet know

00:32:59.680 --> 00:32:59.940
 you,

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.359
 or maybe

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.079
 somebody is

00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:01.519
 here that

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.620
 has thought

00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:02.859
 they've

00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.480
 known you,

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.440
 thought they've

00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.759
 known a

00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.480
 saving faith

00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.220
 for their

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.779
 entire life,

00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.200
 but maybe

00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.940
 that is

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.460
 coming into

00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:08.839
 question.

00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.039
 Lord,

00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:09.500
 I pray

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.400
 that they

00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:10.940
 will cry

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:12.339
 out for

00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:12.779
 your

00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.579
 ransoming,

00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.160
 for your

00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:14.660
 redemption,

00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.099
 for your

00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:15.680
 son to

00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.200
 set them

00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.579
 free,

00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:18.400
 and that

00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:18.660
 they will

00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.299
 live as

00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:19.819
 free men,

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.539
 free women.

00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.579
 Lord,

00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:22.079
 thank you

00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.420
 that

00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:24.339
 Christianity

00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.220
 is not a

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.039
 religion of

00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:26.579
 bondage,

00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.319
 but it is

00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:27.980
 truly a

00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.599
 religion of

00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:28.839
 freedom.

00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.399
 Help us

00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.960
 learn how

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.440
 to walk

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.839
 as free

00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.180
 people.

00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:31.859
 We pray

00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:32.180
 all these

00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:32.500
 things in

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.019
 Jesus' name.

00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:49.059
 are you

00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:50.619
 our

00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:53.339
 our

00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:55.440
 ы

00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:55.920
 ы

00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.660
 ы

00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:57.879
 ы

00:33:57.879 --> 00:34:00.519
 ы