WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.679 And turn if you will to Ephesians chapter 1. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:06.660 And we're going to look at verses 11 to 14. 00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:12.320 You might think it's a bit strange to just jump into a chapter and look at those three verses in the middle of Ephesians 1. 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:13.519 And it is. 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:16.719 The reason is I'm speaking at a conference in June. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:20.960 I wanted a dry run before it. 00:00:22.080 --> 00:00:25.240 And so, Ephesians 1, 11, 14. 00:00:25.239 --> 00:00:30.919 It turns out that the little church in Ephesus were a little bit discouraged. 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:36.079 They had heard they had been told they believed that Jesus was the Lord of the universe. 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:40.599 And what Jesus was going to do was absolutely huge. 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:42.859 He was going to make the whole world new. 00:00:45.599 --> 00:00:48.599 And now they'd heard that the Apostle Paul was in prison. 00:00:49.539 --> 00:00:52.459 Just flick over the page to chapter 3 and verse 13. 00:00:52.459 --> 00:00:54.239 And Paul says to them, 00:00:54.240 --> 00:01:08.560 And so this little church in Ephesus is thinking, 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:14.500 how come Paul, Jesus' apostle, the great preacher of Jesus, is in prison? 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:15.560 It doesn't look good, does it? 00:01:17.320 --> 00:01:20.379 The world around them was starting to feel very, very big. 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:24.339 It was not just the Roman authorities that seemed so big. 00:01:24.399 --> 00:01:25.359 They put Paul in prison. 00:01:26.119 --> 00:01:29.299 But there were these pagan gods that seemed enormous. 00:01:29.659 --> 00:01:33.619 And so if you were a member of the little IPC church in Ephesus, 00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:35.739 every morning on your way to work, 00:01:36.259 --> 00:01:39.719 you would pass this huge temple to the goddess Artemis. 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:47.599 You'd actually be jostled by the crowds of people who every day made their way to this temple to worship. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:54.219 And day by day you would see this enormous building, crowds of people, 00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:56.659 and then you think of your little tiny church gathering, 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:00.159 15 of you squashed into someone's front room, 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:04.579 drinking instant coffee, eating custard creams. 00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:10.639 It just feels that the gods around you, that you used to worship, 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:15.120 were somehow much, much bigger than the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who you worship now. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:21.099 And those gods seem to have more of a hold on people's imagination. 00:02:21.340 --> 00:02:25.599 The world felt big to the church in Ephesus, and they felt very small. 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:32.039 And it's interesting, isn't it, when Paul prays in his letters for them, 00:02:32.139 --> 00:02:34.019 verse 19, he prays a load of things, 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:36.680 but the prayer kind of comes to a climax, 00:02:36.819 --> 00:02:39.139 and he prays, I think really interestingly, 00:02:39.319 --> 00:02:41.079 which unlocks the book of Ephesians, 00:02:41.219 --> 00:02:44.019 is that they would know his incomparably great power, 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:45.919 for us who believe. 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:48.799 Because that power is like the working of his mighty strength. 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:50.639 And so he goes, I want you to know that 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:53.519 the God who's at work in you, there is great power. 00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:58.040 And I take it he says that, and he prays that, 00:02:58.100 --> 00:03:00.180 because they were feeling powerless, kind of weak. 00:03:01.740 --> 00:03:04.200 And he ends the letter, doesn't he, famously, 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:08.860 by saying, stay strong, keep fighting. 00:03:09.320 --> 00:03:10.939 And I take it that he says that, 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:13.480 because they didn't feel strong, and they didn't feel like fighting. 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:19.400 And I'm guessing it's not just the church in Ephesus, isn't it? 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:21.500 For us, the world feels big. 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:24.580 It's not just hostile media. 00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:28.020 It's not just friends and colleagues 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:30.560 who can't believe that we take the Bible seriously, 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:31.580 they think it's a joke. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:35.099 It can be work where it's unhappy. 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:38.599 It can be a marriage that's difficult. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:40.719 It can be a long-term illness, 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:43.199 or the long-term illness of a family member. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:44.500 And those things loom large. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:49.319 Or maybe it's just that life is hard. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:53.719 Or for you, it may be that life is lovely. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:57.960 And the world around you is so attractive, 00:03:58.159 --> 00:03:59.479 and you can feel it pulling you in, 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:01.819 and your career is going well, 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:05.800 your family is happy and healthy, 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:08.820 you are making money, 00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:10.920 and you would quite like to make more money, 00:04:11.420 --> 00:04:13.439 and get more power. 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:13.980 It's great. 00:04:15.480 --> 00:04:18.020 You've got a good social life in London, 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:21.840 and it makes you want more and more, 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:24.879 and you feel those things are just very, very big. 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:28.079 And they've got something of a hold on your heart, 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:32.019 and they seem more powerful in your life than God. 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:36.319 And more grip on your imagination than God. 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:37.600 And the world feels big, 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:38.779 and we're quite small. 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:42.600 And when we think of our prayer lives, 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:44.360 they're weak. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:47.100 And maybe you sit here, 00:04:47.159 --> 00:04:49.399 and you're not as excited about Jesus as you used to be, 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:51.699 and you're painfully aware of your failings. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:56.980 The plan climaxes, doesn't it, in verse 10, 00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:00.800 where Paul talks about Jesus bringing all things 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:02.959 in heaven on earth together 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:04.620 under the lordship of Jesus Christ. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:05.879 Big, big plan. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:08.420 And we don't doubt the plan, 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:09.620 but we doubt ourselves. 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:12.759 We wonder, 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:14.159 I'm just not sure I've got the strength 00:05:14.159 --> 00:05:15.219 to stick with the plan. 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:18.019 And do you feel that? 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:18.959 I feel that sometimes. 00:05:19.139 --> 00:05:22.259 These are great verses in verses 11 to 14. 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:25.599 Because what Paul is rejoicing in, 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:26.439 in these verses, 00:05:26.719 --> 00:05:27.980 is that the plan of salvation 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:31.079 does not depend on us 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:32.879 with all our frailties. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:34.719 It depends on him. 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:38.079 It all depends on God. 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:40.099 And so, yes, we are very small. 00:05:41.219 --> 00:05:43.459 And yes, the world is big. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:45.560 But God is bigger still. 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:46.839 So, four reasons tonight 00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:47.779 for you to be confident. 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:52.539 The first is that God has chosen us 00:05:52.539 --> 00:05:53.219 to be his. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:56.659 God has chosen us 00:05:56.659 --> 00:05:58.659 to be his. 00:06:01.459 --> 00:06:02.959 Paul is saying that God, 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:04.159 in Christ, 00:06:04.359 --> 00:06:05.519 has unfolded, 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:06.239 has revealed 00:06:06.239 --> 00:06:07.979 his great plan of salvation. 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:09.659 And one day, 00:06:09.719 --> 00:06:11.079 Jesus will make all things new. 00:06:11.179 --> 00:06:12.139 And on that day, 00:06:12.479 --> 00:06:13.699 we will be there, 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:14.159 he says, 00:06:14.239 --> 00:06:15.459 because, verse 11, 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:17.259 in him, 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:19.120 in Christ, 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:22.219 we were also chosen. 00:06:25.419 --> 00:06:26.239 In him, 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:27.219 we are going to be part 00:06:27.219 --> 00:06:27.879 of this big thing. 00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:31.219 And the word he uses there 00:06:31.219 --> 00:06:32.359 is a little bit different 00:06:32.359 --> 00:06:33.519 from the word he uses 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:35.179 in verse 4. 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:37.799 It has the idea 00:06:37.799 --> 00:06:38.699 of being chosen 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:40.419 to be an inheritance. 00:06:40.420 --> 00:06:45.160 So, if I was writing up my will, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:45.660 I might say, 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:47.120 I've chosen to give this watch 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:47.520 to Noah. 00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:50.439 Which means that one day, 00:06:50.520 --> 00:06:51.300 when I die, 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:52.360 it will be Noah's. 00:06:52.640 --> 00:06:53.720 And the language 00:06:53.720 --> 00:06:54.680 that you find here 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:55.819 is also the language 00:06:55.819 --> 00:06:56.639 of the Old Testament, 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:58.080 which is used 00:06:58.080 --> 00:06:59.439 when the promised land 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:00.280 was divided up. 00:07:01.460 --> 00:07:03.100 When the people of Israel 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:04.040 went into the promised land, 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:04.379 do you remember, 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:05.379 the land was divided up 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:06.680 amongst the tribes of Israel. 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:07.420 And you read there 00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:09.040 that the territory of Edom 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:10.879 is chosen for Judah 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:11.360 to inherit. 00:07:13.520 --> 00:07:13.819 See, 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:14.699 what that means is 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:15.460 one day, 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:16.640 that plot of land 00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:17.540 will be theirs. 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:20.439 And more incredibly, 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:21.620 it's language that God 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:22.759 uses of his people Israel. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:23.840 They are described 00:07:23.840 --> 00:07:25.259 as people chosen 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:26.220 to be his inheritance. 00:07:26.580 --> 00:07:27.660 He looks at his people 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:28.580 and he says, 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:29.860 one day you'll be mine. 00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:34.180 See what he's saying? 00:07:34.460 --> 00:07:35.840 God has chosen us 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.100 as his inheritance. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:38.379 One day we will be his. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:41.939 Do you see the wonder of that? 00:07:44.460 --> 00:07:47.180 We want to be wanted. 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:50.720 We want to be included. 00:07:52.400 --> 00:07:55.260 We want to be part of the gang. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:57.300 We want to be invited. 00:07:59.320 --> 00:08:00.480 There are times, aren't there, 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:01.820 where there are things 00:08:01.820 --> 00:08:02.780 going on socially 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:05.299 and we tag along. 00:08:06.179 --> 00:08:07.659 But we don't know 00:08:07.659 --> 00:08:08.399 whether the other people 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:09.719 actually really wanted us there 00:08:09.719 --> 00:08:10.799 or whether they intended us 00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:11.259 to be there. 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:14.159 But here is the God 00:08:14.159 --> 00:08:14.799 of the universe. 00:08:16.559 --> 00:08:18.199 I want you for myself 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:19.599 forever, he says. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:22.599 My precious possession. 00:08:22.799 --> 00:08:23.079 Mine. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:25.659 And do you see how Paul 00:08:25.659 --> 00:08:26.659 reassures his readers 00:08:26.659 --> 00:08:27.459 that they're part of that? 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:28.239 They may be thinking, 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:28.960 okay, Paul, 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:30.699 you're an apostle, 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:31.379 of course. 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:33.080 You're from a Jewish background. 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:34.399 You were one of the elite 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:35.060 of the elite. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:36.759 But what about us? 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:39.659 We're not part of 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:40.539 the Jewish elite. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:42.340 We have got a pagan background. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.740 We're from the wrong side 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:44.220 of the sticks. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:45.919 We have a shaky faith. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.159 Has he chosen us 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:48.899 like he chose you? 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:50.440 And just look at verse 13. 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:52.060 There's a slight change 00:08:52.060 --> 00:08:52.820 in the wording. 00:08:55.160 --> 00:08:56.800 He adds in a you also. 00:08:59.420 --> 00:09:01.300 In him, you also. 00:09:03.520 --> 00:09:04.800 The sort of overview is 00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:05.880 we've been chosen. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:06.980 And they're thinking, 00:09:07.140 --> 00:09:07.780 Paul, that's fine. 00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:08.640 That's fine for you. 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:09.420 But verse 13, 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:10.640 he makes it explicitly clear. 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:10.900 He says, 00:09:11.280 --> 00:09:12.520 in him, you also. 00:09:14.040 --> 00:09:15.180 When you hear the word of truth, 00:09:15.280 --> 00:09:16.420 the gospel of your salvation, 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:18.300 when you're included in this, 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:18.620 he says, 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:19.920 when you hear the word of truth, 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:22.940 when you hear what God 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:23.700 had done for you 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:24.500 in the Lord Jesus, 00:09:24.640 --> 00:09:25.920 that God is calling you 00:09:25.920 --> 00:09:27.080 to be part of his plan, 00:09:27.400 --> 00:09:28.280 and when you believed 00:09:28.280 --> 00:09:29.080 and when you came 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:30.200 to put your trust in him, 00:09:31.640 --> 00:09:35.180 you were given an inheritance. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:37.460 Left to your own devices, 00:09:37.560 --> 00:09:38.480 you would never have done that. 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:42.140 And so Paul says to you tonight, 00:09:42.140 --> 00:09:44.060 if you are trusting him tonight, 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:46.240 it is not because 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:47.580 you're kind of tagging along 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:49.500 that you've kind of 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.360 invited yourself 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:52.019 and you're hoping 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:52.759 he won't mind, 00:09:53.980 --> 00:09:55.940 if you're trusting him tonight, 00:09:56.060 --> 00:09:57.580 it's because of his work in you. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:00.899 He has chosen you 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:02.000 like he has chosen us. 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:05.379 And we are all in this 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:06.399 as his people. 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:08.879 That is what we share. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.759 He wants us for himself. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.820 You might feel tonight 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:12.860 that no one wants you. 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:16.259 But Ephesians 1 tells you 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.039 that God wants you. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:20.960 Of course, 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:22.019 in some of our minds, 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:22.960 there will be a little bit 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:23.940 of a worry, won't there, 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:24.740 about this language 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:26.080 of God choosing people. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:29.519 It raises so, 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:31.159 so many questions. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.519 Why does God choose 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:34.259 some people 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:35.180 and not others? 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:39.179 And we can be tempted, 00:10:39.339 --> 00:10:39.559 can't we, 00:10:39.599 --> 00:10:39.759 to say, 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.559 well, let's say, 00:10:40.719 --> 00:10:42.439 it's not God that chooses us. 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:44.039 Let's say we choose God. 00:10:45.339 --> 00:10:46.159 That's much easier 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:46.959 to stomach, isn't it? 00:10:47.559 --> 00:10:48.279 There's a kind of 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.359 democracy about that. 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.519 But it raises a whole 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:51.679 set of different problems 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:52.379 and questions. 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.699 Because if we are saying 00:10:53.699 --> 00:10:54.819 it is not God 00:10:54.819 --> 00:10:55.519 choosing, 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:56.259 it is us 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.339 who chose God, 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:58.479 well, 00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.459 think of the sort of God 00:10:59.459 --> 00:11:00.120 you end up with. 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:03.320 we end up with a God 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:04.320 who doesn't want us 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:04.919 very much. 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:09.259 You end up with a God 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:09.940 who puts a notice 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:10.700 in the church email, 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:11.000 says, 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:12.139 I'm organising a trip 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.000 to the West End 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.019 to see a play 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.960 and if you want to come, 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:15.940 sign up, 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:16.759 sign up on the link. 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:19.779 Sign up by the end 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:20.200 of the month. 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:23.139 How bothered is he 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:24.659 if I come on the trip 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:25.060 or not? 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:27.680 He's leaving it 00:11:27.680 --> 00:11:28.060 down to me. 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:28.840 If you fancy, 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:30.100 sign up to the end 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:30.420 of the offer. 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:31.940 If you don't fancy, 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:32.740 don't sign up. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.899 It's your choice. 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:37.580 And if no one signs up, 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:37.840 well, 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:38.540 the new creation 00:11:38.540 --> 00:11:39.420 is empty. 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.920 That's how it goes. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.139 Nobody fancied it. 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:48.639 But God, 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:49.700 who is the Father 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:51.360 of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:52.279 is very bothered. 00:11:54.160 --> 00:11:55.300 And he is not just 00:11:55.300 --> 00:11:56.340 leaving it up to you 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.420 whether you fancy it 00:11:57.420 --> 00:11:57.820 or not. 00:11:57.820 --> 00:12:00.860 in his love, 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.820 God comes to you 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:03.320 in the person 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.500 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.620 and he gives you 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:07.700 a personal invitation. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.700 He gives you an offer 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.400 you can't refuse. 00:12:11.280 --> 00:12:12.080 And through the gospel, 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.280 he is calling us 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.400 to come and be part 00:12:14.400 --> 00:12:15.000 of what he's doing. 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:18.100 And he does love us 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:19.300 and he wants us 00:12:19.300 --> 00:12:20.680 to be in on the trip. 00:12:20.780 --> 00:12:21.220 He wants us 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:22.220 to be his forever. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:25.779 And if it is all 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:27.379 about our choosing God, 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.259 you end up with a God 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:28.899 who doesn't want us 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.379 very much. 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.920 And I get a salvation 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:33.300 which is not very safe. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:34.279 Look at verse 11. 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.019 In him, 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.120 we have obtained 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.800 an inheritance 00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:39.500 having been predestined 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.500 according to the purpose 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:40.899 of him 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:42.639 who works all things 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.700 according to the 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:45.019 counsel of his will. 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.320 And so my place 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.500 in God's plan 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:50.460 turns on his will. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.200 And the point is, 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.620 he is working everything, 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:55.279 everything, 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.419 everything out 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.340 in conformity 00:12:57.340 --> 00:12:58.259 with his will. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.200 In other words, 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.340 God wills 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:04.059 what happens 00:13:04.059 --> 00:13:05.799 and nothing 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:06.440 can stop it 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:06.879 from happening. 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.399 If my salvation 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.860 depended on my will, 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.480 well, my will 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.519 is pretty flaky 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:17.320 and so is yours. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.179 I resolve 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:21.100 to give up chocolate. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.080 How long does that 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:24.019 resolve last for? 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:25.399 Well, about two and a half days 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.539 is the average. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.580 If my place 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:31.679 in God's will 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:32.200 hinges 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:34.379 on my resolve 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.139 and my power 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.019 to see it through, 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.259 that is terrifying. 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:41.039 And I think 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.039 this is why the Ephesians 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:43.059 are feeling so daunted. 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:43.840 I think 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.480 it's why they're so daunted 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.259 because the world 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.519 feels so big 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:49.960 and we feel so small 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:51.039 and we are not sure 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:52.039 whether we can hold on. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.080 But what Paul wants you 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.580 to see 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.580 and wants you to know 00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.360 and wants you actually 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.159 to feel 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:01.519 is it's not about 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.159 how we hold on 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.180 to him, 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.080 but it's about how 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:05.340 he holds on to us. 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:09.660 when I walk 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:10.420 with Phoebe 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:10.820 down 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:12.259 Greenford Avenue, 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.240 it's quite a main road, 00:14:15.280 --> 00:14:16.399 and she will say, 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.720 hold my hand. 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:20.940 And I do this little 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:21.980 maneuver like you do 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.540 if you're a parent 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:23.019 or you're walking 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.759 with a small child. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.700 She puts her hand 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.279 in mine 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:27.060 and then I twist my hand 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:28.639 and I hold her arm 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:31.960 because Phoebe's hand 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.779 is not very big, 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:33.100 is it? 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.200 Phoebe's fingers 00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:35.639 are not very strong. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:39.279 And if she tripped, 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:40.620 she would go flying 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.440 if she was just 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.080 holding on to me, 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:42.899 but because I am 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:43.899 holding on to her, 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.200 she doesn't go flying. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:48.960 And that is the first reason 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.440 why we can be confident 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:52.140 because God has chosen us 00:14:52.140 --> 00:14:52.879 to be his 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:55.379 and he has got hold of us. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.879 And when we think 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.660 of our weaknesses, 00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:02.140 we often think naturally 00:15:02.140 --> 00:15:03.500 that the answer is 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.580 get a grip. 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:06.040 Get a grip. 00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:08.940 But the answer is to remember 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:10.759 that he has got his grip on us. 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.960 And when I trip, 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:16.259 he will not let me fall. 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:18.139 He will hold me fast. 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:21.660 And so how do I know 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.400 he won't let me go? 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.320 And there's a second reason 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:24.120 for us to be confident 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:25.820 because he's got hold of us 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.420 and here it is 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:28.019 to the praise of his glory. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.960 That's the reason. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:30.440 To the praise of his glory. 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.620 Do you see the goal of it all? 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:34.580 Why is he working out 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:35.560 his plan of salvation? 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.740 Why has he got hold of us? 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:37.540 Can you see it at the end 00:15:37.540 --> 00:15:38.080 of verse 12? 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.540 To the praise of his glory. 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:41.139 The end of verse 14, 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.600 to the praise of his glory. 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:44.980 If I can put it like this, 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.220 God is committed 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:48.920 to showing the world 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:50.019 how brilliant he is. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.800 And the world is meant 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:54.720 to look at his salvation. 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.519 It is meant to look 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.540 at his church 00:15:56.540 --> 00:15:58.399 and his people 00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:58.720 and say, 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.600 wow, God is brilliant. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.980 And that is not because 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:06.139 God is some kind of show-off. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.840 If you're praying 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.879 for someone that you love, 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.720 somebody who's not 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.500 a Christian believer, 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:14.500 what is the best thing 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.340 that could ever happen 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:15.700 to them? 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:17.820 The best thing 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.480 that could ever happen 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.060 to them is that 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.259 they would come to see 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.899 how brilliant God is. 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.300 Because for as long 00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:26.899 as they think 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:28.019 that God is 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:30.620 not much good, 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:31.960 they won't give him 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.600 the time of day. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.899 And they are missing out. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.899 No, God is committed 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.819 to his glory. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.120 And the world 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.199 seeing how brilliant 00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:42.720 he is. 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:44.079 And that is what gives us 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:45.100 such confidence 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.919 in his plan. 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.079 Once you see 00:16:47.079 --> 00:16:48.240 what is at stake, 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:50.480 his glory is at stake. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.759 And so he will keep you. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:53.919 You see, 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:54.959 he will never let 00:16:54.959 --> 00:16:55.879 his plan 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:58.019 depend on people 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.659 like me. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:02.259 And the reason 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.299 God will not 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:04.240 leave his salvation 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.000 down to people 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.440 like us 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.879 is because 00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:06.440 the stakes 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.259 are too high. 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.359 His glory 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:09.899 is at stake. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:10.980 God is not 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.680 going to let 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.619 his glory 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:14.240 depend on 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:14.759 weak, 00:17:15.159 --> 00:17:15.460 feeble 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.099 people 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.259 like us. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.859 And that is why 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.240 he will not 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:20.740 let us go. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:23.980 The third 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.720 reason to be 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.079 confident 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.559 is that the 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.119 Holy Spirit 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.799 is a seal. 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.019 Look at verse 13. 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:31.180 The plan 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.019 is for the 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.800 praise of his glory. 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:34.940 So why 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.440 doesn't he leave 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.120 it down to us? 00:17:36.300 --> 00:17:36.860 That is why 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:38.019 he gives us 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.140 his Holy Spirit. 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:40.519 Verse 13. 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:41.380 Look at verse 13. 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.400 In him also, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.600 you also, 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:44.840 when you heard 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:45.420 the word of truth, 00:17:45.540 --> 00:17:46.240 the gospel of your 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.740 salvation, 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.660 and believed in him, 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.800 were sealed 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:49.600 with the promised 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.220 Holy Spirit. 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:51.360 When you heard 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:51.800 the gospel, 00:17:53.100 --> 00:17:53.720 and believed, 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.540 you were marked 00:17:54.540 --> 00:17:56.100 as being in Christ 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:56.960 by a seal. 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:57.519 There was 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.060 a mark of ownership. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:02.440 And you're 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:02.880 driving along 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:03.279 the road, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.420 and you see 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.019 cattle, 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.360 and branded 00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:07.279 into the sign 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:07.840 of the cattle 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:09.160 is a seal 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.420 to show you 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:11.240 who the cattle 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.920 belonged to. 00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:15.800 In school, 00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:16.600 having a school 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:16.960 uniform, 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:17.300 do you remember 00:18:17.300 --> 00:18:17.560 that? 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.640 And your mum 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.279 or your dad, 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:21.080 before you went 00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:21.600 to the first day 00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:21.900 of school, 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.120 would sew those 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:23.960 little labels 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.860 onto your school 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:25.300 uniform. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.320 Do you remember 00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:26.840 those labels? 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.060 And they were 00:18:28.060 --> 00:18:29.100 kind of sealed, 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.580 weren't they? 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.360 Those labels 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:31.279 were a seal 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.900 to show 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.620 it was yours. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.300 And so if you 00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:36.940 find a pair 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.420 of shorts 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:37.840 that says 00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:38.380 Paul Levy 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:38.700 on it, 00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:39.540 you would know 00:18:39.540 --> 00:18:40.080 it is Paul 00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:40.980 Levy's shorts. 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.400 It belongs 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:42.840 to him. 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.259 But the language 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:46.779 has biblical 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.700 connotations as well. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.600 In the Old Testament, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.259 the high priest 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.820 was marked 00:18:49.820 --> 00:18:50.340 with a seal. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.100 So we read 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:53.080 of how the high priest 00:18:53.080 --> 00:18:54.000 wore a seal 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.160 on his forehead. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:57.340 a plate 00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:57.860 with it 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:59.180 made of gold. 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.380 A plate 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.180 made with gold 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:02.259 and on it 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.779 the plate 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.420 said 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:05.000 holy to the 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.200 Lord. 00:19:05.300 --> 00:19:05.680 It was a mark 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.080 of ownership. 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.040 The priest 00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:09.420 belongs to God. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.620 But the wonderful 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.040 promise 00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:14.460 in the Old Testament 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.840 is that one day 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:17.400 all of God's 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:17.920 people would 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.480 be sealed. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:21.920 all of God's 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.660 people would 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.700 know that 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.360 they belong 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.000 to God. 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:27.140 Let's do one 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.779 cross reference. 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.240 Come with me 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.799 to Isaiah 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.860 chapter 44. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.720 It's worth it. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.980 Isaiah chapter 44. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.599 Keep a finger 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:35.160 in Ephesians 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.620 chapter 1. 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.660 Isaiah 44. 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.860 And Isaiah 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:39.920 44 and 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:41.259 verse 3. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.360 The end 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:45.759 of verse 2. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.599 Isaiah 44. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:51.160 In verse 2 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:51.460 it says 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.620 fear not. 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.019 The Lord 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.500 says 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.799 fear not. 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.240 And then in 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.720 verse 3 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:58.660 into that fear 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.099 he says 00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.500 for I will 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.059 pour water 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:00.620 on the thirsty 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:01.279 land 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.299 and streams 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:02.819 on the dry 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.220 ground 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.079 and I will 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.620 pour my 00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:05.220 spirit upon 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:05.819 your offspring 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.680 and my 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.339 blessing on 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:07.980 your descendants. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.559 They shall 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.099 spring up 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.000 among the 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.339 grass 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.259 like willows 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.799 by flowing 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.240 streams 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.680 and this 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.059 one will 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.440 say 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:17.019 I'm the 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.440 Lord's. 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.200 and another 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.680 will call 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:19.900 on the 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.160 name of 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.420 Jacob 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:20.860 and another 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.259 will write 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.500 on his 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:21.819 hand 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.860 the Lord's 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:24.480 and name 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.059 himself 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.620 by the 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:26.880 name of 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:27.400 Israel. 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.420 It's 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:30.839 prophesying 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.160 there that 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.759 everyone 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.599 will one 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:32.880 day be 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.160 able to 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:33.620 say I 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.240 belong to 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.559 the Lord 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.140 not because 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.599 of some 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.259 gold plate 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.579 on their 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:36.900 head 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.059 but because 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.360 of the 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:38.740 spirit. 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.180 The spirit 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.480 in their 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:41.940 hearts 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.599 that God 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.460 will pour 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.299 out on 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:44.759 his people. 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.220 Do you 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.440 see what 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:45.860 the apostle 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.319 Paul is 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.660 saying in 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.180 Ephesians 1? 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.500 let's go 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:47.900 back there. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.420 He's 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:52.759 saying this 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.240 the Lord 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.900 does not 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.400 want you 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:54.980 to say 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.640 tonight 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:57.380 I hope 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:57.660 that I 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.000 am his. 00:21:01.840 --> 00:21:02.539 He does 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:02.920 not want 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.180 you to 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.759 say I 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.240 hope 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.600 that I 00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.080 am his. 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.519 The Lord 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:07.940 wants us 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.140 to be 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.700 people who 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.240 say I 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.620 know I 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:10.019 am his. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.140 I belong 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:13.700 to him. 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:18.160 You 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.400 might be 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:18.840 thinking how 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:19.400 do I 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.000 know that 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.420 I belong 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:20.880 to him? 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.740 That I 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.400 am his 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:23.960 and I 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.580 am in 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:24.960 Christ. 00:21:25.080 --> 00:21:25.640 Paul says 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.319 God has 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.200 marked you 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.160 by his 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:28.880 spirit. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.019 Do you 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.160 remember 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.940 Toy Story? 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:34.319 Have you 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.539 watched the 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.019 film Toy 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.380 Story? 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:36.940 Have you 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.259 watched that 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.440 one? 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.480 It's good 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:38.799 isn't it? 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.080 Alright. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:39.940 Do you 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.299 remember the 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:41.340 story Toy 00:21:41.340 --> 00:21:41.580 Story? 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.919 And so 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:43.059 do you 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.240 remember 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.599 Woody? 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.199 Woody was 00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:44.720 the cowboy 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.240 wasn't he? 00:21:46.199 --> 00:21:46.899 And Woody 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:48.259 had a pair 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.659 of boots 00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.759 on and 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.619 what was 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:52.480 written on 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:52.859 the bottom 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.359 of Woody's 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:53.779 boots? 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.379 Okay. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.299 Pardon? 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.539 Andy. 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.279 Who was 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.740 Andy? 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:01.899 Do you 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.179 remember? 00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.740 Yeah. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.419 The boy 00:22:06.419 --> 00:22:07.000 who owned 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.279 Woody 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:07.779 wasn't it? 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.619 And when 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.139 Woody was 00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:10.919 unsure or 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.320 when Woody 00:22:11.320 --> 00:22:12.220 was frightened 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:12.759 he would 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.080 look at 00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:13.480 his boot 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.000 and remember 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.640 I belong 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:16.019 to Andy. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.779 In fact 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.400 I think 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:17.820 wasn't it 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:18.340 if I remember 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:18.680 rightly 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.120 in Toy 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:20.800 Story 2 00:22:20.800 --> 00:22:21.360 Andy is 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:21.580 about to 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:21.880 be sent 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.500 to Japan 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.000 is that 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.200 right? 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.279 By some 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.100 evil toy 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.500 dealer 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.480 and there's 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:27.920 a moment 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.340 in the film 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.200 where Woody 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.880 looks at his 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:31.660 boot 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.360 and he 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.039 remembers 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.960 I belong 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.560 to Andy. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.740 He's 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.220 marked 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.480 sealed 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:42.019 and what 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.380 Paul is 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:42.680 saying is 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.000 that God 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.599 has marked 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.000 us by 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.380 his Holy 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:44.599 Spirit 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.079 and every 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.460 time we 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.860 see the 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:46.299 mark of 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:46.640 the Spirit 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:46.940 in our 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.380 lives we 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:47.579 ought to 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:47.940 say I 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.380 belong to 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:48.640 God. 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:50.920 So the 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.279 question in 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.640 our mind 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.019 is this 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.660 what are 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.160 the marks 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:53.420 of the 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:53.759 Spirit of 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:53.980 God? 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.380 What is 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:56.920 the sign 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.200 of the 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.740 Holy Spirit 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.319 working in 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:58.839 our lives? 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.000 Well do 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.799 you trust 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.799 and rest 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.360 and rely 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:03.960 and depend 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.240 on the 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.620 Lord Jesus 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.000 tonight? 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:08.900 Do you 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.579 say before 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.099 God what 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.400 is my 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:10.960 only comfort 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.400 in life 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.880 and death? 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.660 That I 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:13.980 am not 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.359 my own 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:14.900 but belong 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.500 body and 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:15.900 soul to 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.160 the Lord 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.380 Jesus 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:16.740 Christ. 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.680 Jesus is 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.200 my only 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.480 hope 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:22.920 and if 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.319 that is 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.720 what you 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.079 believe 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.420 that is 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.839 a sign 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.099 that the 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.559 Holy Spirit 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.240 is at 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.660 work in 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:26.799 you. 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.039 You 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.440 would 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:27.839 never 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.220 say 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.660 that. 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.000 What do 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.539 you pray? 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.119 What do 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.660 you call 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.180 God? 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:37.099 Do you 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.799 pray my 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.299 Father, 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:38.779 our 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.299 Father, 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:39.920 that God 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.259 is not 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.819 just a 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.559 God to 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:44.819 you but 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.440 you marvel 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:45.940 that he 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:47.500 is your 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.400 Father who 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:48.920 is in 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.339 heaven? 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.079 That is a 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.720 sign of 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.259 the Spirit 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.039 being at 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.460 work in 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:55.140 you and 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.519 the Spirit 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.299 gives us a 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.720 love for 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.019 the Lord 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.599 Jesus that 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:57.980 we didn't 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.539 have before. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.660 There was a 00:23:59.660 --> 00:23:59.980 time when 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.519 we weren't 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.240 interested in 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.720 reading the 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.180 Bible but 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.720 now we've 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.140 got an 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.559 appetite, 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:03.960 we're 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.880 hungry to 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.420 know more 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.020 of Jesus. 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.280 That is a 00:24:07.280 --> 00:24:07.800 sign that 00:24:07.800 --> 00:24:08.320 you belong 00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:08.580 to him, 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.580 a sign that 00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.060 the Spirit 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:10.560 is at 00:24:10.560 --> 00:24:10.940 work. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.860 The Spirit 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.660 gives us a 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.320 love for 00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:13.740 God's 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.660 people that 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.140 we never 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:16.940 had before. 00:24:21.280 --> 00:24:22.260 He longed 00:24:22.260 --> 00:24:22.840 to be with 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.580 God's 00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:26.260 people and 00:24:26.260 --> 00:24:26.740 to belong 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.120 to the 00:24:27.120 --> 00:24:27.520 church. 00:24:30.760 --> 00:24:31.480 That's a 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:31.920 sign of 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.400 God's Spirit 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:32.840 being at 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.240 work. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.819 God's 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:33.819 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:37.119 we fight with sin, 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:39.039 we didn't have that before, 00:24:39.399 --> 00:24:41.000 we didn't used to fight, 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:43.179 we just used to go with the flow, 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.079 we still struggle, 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.039 we still fail, 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.299 but now we fight, 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.179 and every time we fight, 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.500 if you are fighting tonight, 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.539 you might feel you're losing, 00:24:52.679 --> 00:24:53.399 but you're fighting, 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:55.119 that is a sign that you belong to him, 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.799 and when you mess up, 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.539 like you often do, 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:03.740 you don't shrug your shoulders, 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:05.180 and think well that's the way it is, 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.899 it hurts, 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:09.299 and there's times when it breaks your heart, 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.079 and it never used to, 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:13.819 and there's a sorrow over your sin, 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:16.359 which shows that you have the spirit, 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.519 and that you belong to him, 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:22.579 Spurgeon, 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:24.220 the great kind of Baptist preacher, 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.279 he described the Christian life, 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:28.139 as feeling like a young bird, 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.720 fighting to get out of an eggshell, 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:32.339 he says, 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:33.639 I wasn't yet flying, 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.180 but I'm fighting, 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:40.399 and the fact that he felt constrained, 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:43.779 and he longed for something better, 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.680 showed that he was alive, 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.980 and he had the spirit, 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:51.899 the mark of having the spirit, 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:53.559 is not perfection is it, 00:25:53.639 --> 00:25:54.700 it's certainly not perfection, 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.819 but it is progress, 00:25:55.819 --> 00:26:00.779 I'm not what I will be, 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:04.960 but I'm not what I used to be, 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:10.519 the Ephesians are afraid, 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.500 and discouraged, 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:14.579 and losing heart, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:17.539 and they look at the culture around them, 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:19.339 and the spiritual forces around them, 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:21.439 that it's a negative world, 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:24.240 and it seems to have so much of a grip on them, 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.199 and Paul says, 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:28.319 look at the Holy Spirit in your lives, 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:30.279 the spirit, 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.519 he is God's seal, 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.539 and God is saying, 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.819 fear not, 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:38.240 and I think it's the kind of temperature in our culture, 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:39.659 kind of rises a little bit, 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:42.419 we're getting slightly tempted to fear, 00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:45.019 and God says to us, 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.599 fear not, 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.259 you are mine, 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:49.460 and you do not belong to any other God, 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.159 or force, 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.700 or power, 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.339 or authority, 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:53.099 you are my precious possession, 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:55.359 and if you know you are his, 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.619 then you are safe, 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:02.039 of course you're weak, 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.919 of course you're frail, 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.659 but the Lord says you are mine, 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.959 and I've got hold of you, 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:10.019 and I'm never going to lose you, 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:13.059 the fourth and the final reason we can be confident, 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:15.339 is that the Holy Spirit is a deposit, 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:18.079 it's a deposit, 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.679 the promised Holy Spirit, 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.619 so verse 14, 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.959 who is the guarantee, 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:24.219 the Holy Spirit, 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.659 who is the guarantee of our inheritance, 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:27.039 until we acquire possession, 00:27:27.479 --> 00:27:28.699 to the praise of his glory, 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.500 and last year, 00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:32.639 I bought a car, 00:27:32.739 --> 00:27:35.000 with the help of John Silver's car services, 00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:37.479 and we went around different, 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.119 kind of random, 00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:42.399 Japanese and American importers, 00:27:43.239 --> 00:27:44.179 looking at cars, 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.339 and then we found one that, 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:47.259 John said he thought was good, 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:49.000 and I just agreed and bought it, 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:52.299 and to buy it, 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.460 I had to put down a deposit, 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:55.940 I can't remember what it was, 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.740 I think it was 20%, 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:59.039 and so, 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.740 I put a deposit on the car, 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.240 at that point, 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.779 John stopped sending me adverts, 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:07.079 on auto trader, 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.680 by WhatsApp, 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.339 incessantly, 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:11.639 I wasn't searching anymore, 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:14.259 I wasn't thinking about it anymore, 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:17.299 because I'd paid the deposit, 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:21.980 and it guarantees it, 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.480 and so that when I ring up, 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.199 and say is it ready, 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.419 they'd say well it's ready for you, 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:31.599 I wouldn't say well, 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:33.299 actually I've changed my mind, 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.079 and they would say well tough, 00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:34.759 you're committed now, 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:38.480 I'd paid the deposit, 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.539 it belongs to us, 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:41.180 and one day, 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.720 I would complete the deal, 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:43.099 I can't remember, 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.940 was it four weeks later, 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.299 I went back with the rest of the cash, 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.319 and I completed the deal, 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.819 and I took it home, 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:52.900 and so God has put down a deposit, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.099 look at verse 14, 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:56.059 and I think the footnote helps as well, 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.099 look at the footnote, 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:04.200 if it's I haven't got the same Bible as you, 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:07.400 he is the guarantee of our inheritance, 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:10.480 or he is the down payment, 00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:11.680 he is the deposit, 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:15.440 guarantee our inheritance, 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.160 so I want to say this, 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.940 I think one of the big problems, 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:21.559 we worry about whether we are gods or not, 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.720 is because we forget, 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:25.580 that the Holy Spirit is described as a deposit, 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:29.180 he's a down payment, 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.940 we forget don't we, 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.680 that the down payment, 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:34.500 the deposit is not everything, 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:39.140 so the people in that garage, 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.240 when I put down the deposit, 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.940 would they look at the deposit, 00:29:42.060 --> 00:29:43.519 and say well is this all we're going to get, 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:47.140 after all the work we've done, 00:29:47.320 --> 00:29:48.600 shipping this thing in from Japan, 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.980 and doing all the work, 00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:51.560 is this all we're going to get done, 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:55.400 we worked hard to fix up this car, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.060 and do we just get this, 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.399 no because it's the deposit, 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:02.200 the deposit isn't everything, 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:04.619 but the deposit does guarantee, 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.759 that there's more to come, 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:08.179 and sometimes maybe you tonight, 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:10.079 are going through a period in your Christian life, 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:12.799 where you feel it's hard, 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.740 and dry, 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.159 and you feel thin, 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:16.259 and stretched, 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.480 and you worry, 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.940 I don't feel like I once felt, 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.860 and the truth tonight is, 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.940 the deposit is not everything, 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:25.059 there's much much more, 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:28.420 but the deposit is a guarantee, 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.420 everything, 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.000 all that is to come, 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:34.720 he guarantees our inheritance, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:36.799 and we have seen, 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:39.779 that God is going to inherit us, 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:43.039 and now Paul is talking about, 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:44.299 what we are going to inherit, 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:46.200 well remember we are in Christ, 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.420 he's the son of the father, 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.740 we are his brothers and sisters, 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.120 and we will inherit, 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.140 all that he will inherit, 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.980 what will he inherit, 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:56.120 do you remember what he'll inherit, 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:56.700 everything, 00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.279 everything, 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:57.740 everything, 00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.380 life with his father, 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.759 in a world made new forever, 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:05.440 you see the Christian life, 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.839 it's not a kind of fingers crossed, 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:07.759 we're hoping, 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.339 we'll inherit if we're lucky, 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.440 the deposit has been paid, 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:14.119 and the deposit guarantees, 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.819 our inheritance, 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.740 until the redemption, 00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:17.440 of those who are God's possession, 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.680 we are God's possession, 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.640 and we belong to him, 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:24.220 and he wants us for himself, 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.879 and there will be, 00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:28.339 a final redemption, 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:31.160 when he finally comes, 00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.880 to set us free, 00:31:33.060 --> 00:31:33.940 and claim us, 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.279 as his own forever, 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:39.800 my car, 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.540 and when I bought it, 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:41.279 it was actually delayed, 00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:41.980 for a couple of weeks, 00:31:42.080 --> 00:31:42.800 so to fix something, 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:47.140 it was delayed, 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.880 for a couple of weeks, 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.720 I don't think, 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:50.920 that my car, 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.240 was worrying, 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.600 and fretting, 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:57.519 but if I could have, 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.640 I would have reassured, 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.220 my car, 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:01.799 and I would have said, 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:04.000 you car, 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:04.660 are ours, 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:07.460 and one day, 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:08.079 I will come, 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:08.839 to complete the deal, 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:10.920 and take you home, 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:14.320 and that is what the Lord, 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.680 says to each one of us, 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:19.539 but for some of us tonight, 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:20.140 our inheritance, 00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:21.640 can feel a very long time coming, 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:25.160 and the Lord is saying, 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.920 to you tonight, 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:26.480 I'm, 00:32:26.560 --> 00:32:28.340 I'm not still, 00:32:28.340 --> 00:32:29.279 making up my mind, 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:31.360 I've put down, 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.360 my deposit on you, 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:35.779 and that is the guarantee, 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:39.059 in the face of whatever, 00:32:39.199 --> 00:32:40.159 this world throws at you, 00:32:40.959 --> 00:32:43.000 God says, 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:43.659 I will come, 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.679 I will complete the deal, 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.199 I will take you home, 00:32:50.479 --> 00:32:51.219 I will, 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.179 let's pray, 00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:52.620 and that is the ending of the ending of the ending of the ending of the ending of the ending of the ending of ending of ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending ending 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