WEBVTT

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 All right, let's read from the Bible together.

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 We're reading from the New Testament.

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! Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1 to 3.

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 And we've been in a series on Hebrews 11,

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 but the logic of Hebrews 11 goes into the beginning of chapter 12,

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 and so that's where we are tonight.

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 And this is our final look at this series.

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 And this is God's Holy Word.

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 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

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 let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely,

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 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

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 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

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 who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross,

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 despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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 Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself,

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 so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted.

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 This is God's Holy Word.

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 Well, we turn tonight to those verses that Corrie read for us

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 at the beginning of Hebrews chapter 12,

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 as we conclude our series, our short series,

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 looking through Hebrews 11 and into 12.

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 Chariots of Fire was one of the finest,

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 most successful British films of the 1980s.

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 It's the story, many of you will know it,

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 the story of two sprinters, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams,

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 making their way, really, to success in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

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 It was a film that received, I think, four Academy Awards,

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 numerous other accolades.

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 And there's a scene in the film that depicts Eric Liddell falling early in a kind of 440-yard race.

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 It was in a Scotland-France athletics meeting.

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 The scene was filmed here in Edinburgh, just along Golden Acre.

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 And it was based on a real incident.

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 The actual race in which it happened took place rather in a triangular contest

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 between Scotland, England, and Ireland at Stoke and Trent, July 1923.

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 Liddell was knocked to the ground several strides into the race.

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 He hesitated.

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 He got up.

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 He pursued his opponents.

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 They were some 20 yards ahead.

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 He caught the leaders shortly before the finish line and collapsed as he crossed the tape.

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 Eric Liddell was not a man for giving up.

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 And as we've noted over the last few weeks,

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 chapter 11 of Hebrews was written,

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 And indeed, the whole of the letter was written to encourage really a group of Hebrew Christians

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 to press on in the way of faith and not to give up.

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 These Christians were finding the going tough.

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 Surrounded by much opposition and antagonism,

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 there was a real danger that some might throw in the towel

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 and return to their old pattern of life.

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 And so, here in these opening verses of chapter 12,

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 after that long list of Old Testament saints who traveled the way of faith,

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 a writer, in a sense, draws his argument to a close and makes his application.

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 That application will continue through Hebrews 12.

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 And in a sense, he wants us to understand

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 that all that he has been writing about

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 has been for us,

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 for you and for me,

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 as well as for the original readers.

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 Paul in Romans 15 verse 4 writes this,

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 For whatever was written in former days

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 was written for our instruction,

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 that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures,

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 we might have hope.

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 Hebrews 12, these verses were written for us tonight

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 to bring us hope and to bring us encouragement,

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 to help us endure in the way of faith.

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 Because sometimes that is what we need.

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 We need encouragement.

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 We need to be helped.

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 Opposition, bereavement and loss,

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 sinful mistakes, disappointments,

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 relationship problems,

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 family difficulties,

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 ill health.

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 All these things and many more

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 can often wear us down and cause us to despair.

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 We too, like these Hebrews of old,

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 live in challenging times.

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 It's easy for us to become tired or worn out

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 by the pressures of a world

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 that is hostile to our faith.

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 And sometimes that temptation to give up

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 or throw in the towel is very real.

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 Sometimes we can be tired and worn out

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 and feel our faith flagging.

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 And so, let's listen carefully

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 as our writer exhorts us

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 to continue in the way of faith.

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 Here's vital medicine, if you like,

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 for our souls,

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 for those times when we feel more like

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 giving up than going on.

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 And I want to highlight five things

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 from our text this evening.

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 I'm checking the clock at the back,

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 so I don't know if it's stopped or not,

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 but five things.

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 First thing,

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 there's a race set before us.

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 There's a race set before us.

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 Many of you will know this image,

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 running a race,

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 is an oft-used metaphor

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 drawn from the popular games

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 of the Greco-Roman world,

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 commonly used by many ancient philosophers,

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 Greek philosophers,

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 to illustrate the demands

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 of the moral and ethical life.

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 And in the New Testament,

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 Paul, in particular,

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 uses this image

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 to illustrate the demands

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 of Christian discipleship.

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 So, Paul uses it

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 in places like 1 Corinthians 9, 24.

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 He says,

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 Do you not know

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 that in a race

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 all the runners run,

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 but only one receives the prize?

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 So run that you may obtain it.

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 Every athlete exercises

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 self-control in all things.

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 They do it to receive

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 a perishable wreath,

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 wee and imperishable.

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 Galatians 5, 7,

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 he writes,

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 You were running well.

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 Who hindered you

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 from obeying the truth?

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 Philippians 2, 16,

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 he talks about

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 not running the race in vain.

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 And in his very final letter,

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 as he faces execution,

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 he describes himself

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 as one who has finished the race.

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 And here,

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 the author of Hebrews

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 picks up and develops

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 that self-same image

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 and exhorts his readers

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 in these opening verses

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 of chapter 12,

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 Let us run with endurance

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 the race set before us.

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 He's speaking about

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 this race of faith.

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 The idea is not

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 that we are competing

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 against one another

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 in this race,

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 but we're running rather

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 the race that God

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 himself has set before us.

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 In the race of faith,

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 we have our course to pursue.

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 The Christian believer

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 runs not along,

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 ultimately,

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 the route of his or her own choice,

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 but the route that God

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 has set before us.

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 When we become a Christian,

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 we are entered

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 into the race of faith.

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 It's a race,

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 I think the NIV puts it,

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 that God has marked out for us.

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 We do not determine

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 the length of this race

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 or the conditions we will face

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 as we run the race.

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 These matters are ultimately

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 in God's hands.

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 We are not captains

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 of our own destiny.

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 We are not ultimately

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 in control.

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 That is an illusion.

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 And yes,

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 sometimes there are

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 great and wonderful blessings

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 that encourage

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 and stimulate us

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 as we run this race of faith.

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 But on other occasions,

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 that's not the case.

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 Sometimes there's suffering

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 and loss.

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 Faith in Jesus Christ

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 does not guarantee

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 immunity from trouble

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 and distress.

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 Beware those

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 who say that it does.

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 suffering and pain

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 are not a sign

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 of the failure of faith.

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 At times,

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 that's quite the reverse.

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 And that is what

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 these Hebrew Christians

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 were discovering.

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 God has set

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 a race before us

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 if you're a Christian believer

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 tonight.

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 How are you running

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 the race of faith?

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 There's a race set before us.

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 Second thing,

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 there are witnesses

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 that surround us

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 in this race.

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 Therefore,

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 since we are surrounded

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 by so great

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 a cloud

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 of witnesses.

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 The use of the

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 athletic games metaphor

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 has led many

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 to conclude

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 that the great cloud

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 of witnesses

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 mentioned here

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 are in fact

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 a great crowd

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 of witnesses.

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 They believe

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 these witnesses

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 are like spectators

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 watching from the stand.

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 And there may be

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 something in that,

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 but I don't think

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 that is the dominant

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 picture here at all.

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 It is a cloud

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 of witnesses,

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 not a crowd

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 of witnesses.

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 These men

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 of women of faith

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 in Hebrews 11

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 are witnesses,

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 not of those

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 running the race

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 of faith now,

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 but rather witnesses

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 to God's great

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 faithfulness.

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 The Greek word

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 used here

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 is a word

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 from which we get

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 our word martyr.

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 In the race

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 of faith,

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 we are not alone.

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 There are those

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 who have gone

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 before us,

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 whose lives

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 bear testimony

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 to God's,

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 to God's saving

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 and keeping power.

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 And we are to

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 draw strength

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 from the faithful

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 testimony

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 of those

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 who have gone

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 ahead of us.

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 These men

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 and women

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 are not dead

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 examples,

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 they are living

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 witnesses.

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 though they

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 have died,

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 yet they

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 still speak.

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 And their

00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:09.799
 testimony

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 and witness

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 is this,

00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:12.779
 that the life

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 of faith

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 is worth it.

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 Sometimes,

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 and I imagine

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 that was the case

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 for these

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 Hebrew Christians,

00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:23.080
 sometimes the

00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:23.919
 kind of question

00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:25.560
 that confronts

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 us

00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:28.440
 as Christians

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 is,

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 you know,

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 is it worth it?

00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:34.080
 we may face

00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:34.660
 the challenge

00:11:34.660 --> 00:11:35.680
 to give ourselves

00:11:35.680 --> 00:11:37.200
 wholeheartedly

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 and completely

00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:38.500
 to God,

00:11:38.800 --> 00:11:40.060
 but we wonder,

00:11:40.380 --> 00:11:42.500
 will it be worth it?

00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.580
 And then we get

00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:45.280
 to catch a glimpse

00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:45.920
 of Abel

00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:48.020
 and his life

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 and witness

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 is that it is

00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:51.000
 surely worth it.

00:11:51.880 --> 00:11:52.920
 The commendation

00:11:52.920 --> 00:11:53.580
 of God

00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.420
 is worth

00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:55.620
 everything

00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:56.240
 and anything.

00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:59.600
 we may ask,

00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:00.320
 is it really

00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.500
 worthwhile

00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.340
 to walk

00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:02.980
 with God,

00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:03.980
 even if it

00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.500
 means there

00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.899
 are places

00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:08.580
 I can't go

00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.139
 and things

00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.019
 I shouldn't do?

00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.259
 And Enoch's

00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.480
 testimony is yes,

00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:16.180
 for the walk

00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:16.740
 of faith

00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.759
 leads to life.

00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.980
 We ask ourselves,

00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:21.720
 is the gospel

00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:22.539
 really true?

00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.480
 Is there

00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.219
 really a place

00:12:25.219 --> 00:12:26.079
 of protection

00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:27.219
 from the coming

00:12:27.219 --> 00:12:28.159
 wrath and judgment

00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:28.759
 of God?

00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:29.419
 And Noah

00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.240
 reminds us

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.120
 that when the storm

00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:31.879
 of God's wrath

00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.379
 comes,

00:12:32.579 --> 00:12:33.500
 there is a place

00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.360
 of safety

00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:35.179
 for sinners.

00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:38.559
 And God

00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:39.099
 is slow

00:12:39.099 --> 00:12:39.620
 to reveal

00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.299
 His purposes

00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:41.120
 in our lives

00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.559
 when nothing

00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.379
 seems to be

00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.399
 making sense.

00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:44.679
 Is it worth

00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:45.079
 waiting?

00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:46.199
 Is it worth

00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:47.039
 persevering?

00:12:47.219 --> 00:12:47.719
 Is it worth

00:12:47.719 --> 00:12:48.519
 being patient?

00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:50.839
 And Abraham

00:12:50.839 --> 00:12:51.819
 stands and he

00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:52.640
 says yes.

00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.160
 Is faith

00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:55.660
 worth it

00:12:55.660 --> 00:12:56.160
 when it means

00:12:56.160 --> 00:12:56.580
 the loss

00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.200
 of wealth

00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:57.960
 or status

00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.780
 or career?

00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:00.300
 Moses

00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:01.500
 tells us

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.379
 that it is

00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.220
 worth losing

00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:03.780
 even the

00:13:03.780 --> 00:13:04.260
 treasures

00:13:04.260 --> 00:13:05.460
 of an empire

00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.320
 to know

00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:07.140
 and serve

00:13:07.140 --> 00:13:07.860
 and worship

00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.760
 Jesus Christ.

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.640
 And what

00:13:11.640 --> 00:13:11.980
 then about

00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.460
 suffering

00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:13.220
 and death?

00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:15.940
 The martyrs

00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.380
 rise,

00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:16.940
 their lives

00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:17.740
 testifying

00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:18.660
 that even

00:13:18.660 --> 00:13:19.220
 suffering

00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:19.920
 and loss

00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:20.620
 and death

00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.379
 are worth

00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.159
 it to be

00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:22.899
 found as

00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.340
 men and

00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:23.580
 women

00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:24.480
 in Jesus

00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:25.019
 Christ.

00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:27.899
 Here is the

00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.440
 church of

00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.240
 the past

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.879
 speaking to

00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.419
 the church

00:13:31.419 --> 00:13:32.000
 of today.

00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.080
 Wonderful

00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.039
 solidarity

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:37.259
 between God's

00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:38.240
 people down

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:39.080
 through the

00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:39.440
 ages,

00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.259
 the communion

00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.560
 of saints,

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.279
 the church

00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:44.240
 triumphant,

00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.120
 the great

00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.500
 company of the

00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:47.139
 redeemed,

00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.240
 leaning over the

00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.080
 ramparts of

00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:49.680
 heaven and

00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.879
 encouraging us

00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.980
 to stay on

00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:52.560
 course,

00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:53.539
 to stay on

00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.259
 track.

00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.740
 The dead

00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.100
 are not

00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:58.120
 dead to

00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:58.519
 us.

00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.139
 They are

00:13:59.139 --> 00:13:59.639
 alive.

00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.299
 They are

00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:01.240
 encompassed

00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.220
 about us.

00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.120
 This great

00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:04.940
 cloud is

00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:05.519
 there not

00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.980
 to applaud

00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.539
 us, but

00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.360
 to exhort

00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:08.879
 us.

00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:09.659
 Their

00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.799
 presence is

00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:11.879
 a summons

00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.820
 to run

00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:13.539
 the race

00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.060
 of faith.

00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:16.779
 That's why

00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:17.099
 it's so

00:14:17.099 --> 00:14:17.819
 important that

00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:19.199
 we are, as

00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:19.459
 we were

00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:19.919
 thinking this

00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:20.139
 morning,

00:14:20.239 --> 00:14:20.919
 students of

00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.279
 Scripture.

00:14:22.859 --> 00:14:23.239
 Yes,

00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.500
 sometimes we

00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.079
 can read

00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:26.439
 Christian

00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:27.879
 biographies,

00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.179
 and sometimes

00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.279
 one can feel

00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:31.419
 quite inadequate.

00:14:32.699 --> 00:14:33.519
 Often faults

00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.639
 and failings

00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.839
 are kind

00:14:35.839 --> 00:14:36.739
 of glossed

00:14:36.739 --> 00:14:37.019
 over.

00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:38.699
 It's not

00:14:38.699 --> 00:14:39.559
 the case with

00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:39.899
 Scripture,

00:14:40.099 --> 00:14:40.359
 is it?

00:14:41.959 --> 00:14:42.379
 Noah,

00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.539
 Abraham,

00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.399
 Moses,

00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:45.500
 David.

00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:47.419
 We discover

00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.299
 how patient

00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:49.419
 God was

00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:49.980
 with His

00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.620
 people of

00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.019
 old.

00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:53.699
 God's

00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:54.099
 strength

00:14:54.099 --> 00:14:55.139
 made perfect

00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.639
 amid all

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.559
 their human

00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.579
 frailties and

00:14:58.579 --> 00:14:59.120
 weakness.

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.079
 The biblical

00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:01.839
 record of

00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:02.500
 their lives

00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.099
 and their

00:15:03.099 --> 00:15:03.959
 achievements

00:15:03.959 --> 00:15:05.860
 confirms to

00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.500
 us that

00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.459
 persevering

00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:09.120
 faith is

00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.339
 always worth

00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:11.659
 it, because

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.339
 it issues

00:15:12.339 --> 00:15:12.959
 in great

00:15:12.959 --> 00:15:13.419
 reward.

00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:15.279
 And this

00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:15.919
 great cloud

00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.659
 of witnesses

00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:18.299
 encourages us

00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:19.579
 then to

00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:20.639
 keep on

00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.480
 running the

00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.000
 race of

00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.459
 faith.

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.000
 There's a

00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.539
 race set

00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.319
 before us.

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.299
 There are

00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:28.079
 witnesses that

00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:28.919
 surround us.

00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:29.980
 Third thing,

00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:30.599
 there are

00:15:30.599 --> 00:15:31.139
 things that

00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.939
 hinder us.

00:15:32.939 --> 00:15:33.399
 Let us

00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.240
 also lay

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.179
 aside every

00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:36.419
 weight and

00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:37.740
 sin which

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.919
 clings so

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.419
 closely.

00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.799
 Those running

00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.459
 the race of

00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:43.219
 faith must

00:15:43.219 --> 00:15:44.019
 be vigilant

00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.319
 in casting

00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:46.059
 off anything

00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:46.559
 that would

00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:47.659
 hinder their

00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.379
 progress.

00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.459
 Again, the

00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:50.620
 imagery most

00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.379
 likely borrowed

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:51.899
 from the

00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.859
 rigorous discipline

00:15:52.859 --> 00:15:53.759
 and training of

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.779
 those competing

00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:55.919
 in the ancient

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.099
 athletic arena.

00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:59.519
 Contestants in

00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.240
 these ancient

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.120
 games trained

00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.819
 under very,

00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.939
 very strict rules.

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.099
 Thirty days

00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:05.139
 before the games

00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.779
 began, they

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.539
 came together

00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.419
 under close

00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.039
 supervision.

00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:09.339
 They exercised

00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.060
 regularly.

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.019
 They followed a

00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:11.960
 strict regime

00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.860
 in order to

00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.480
 be able to

00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.000
 compete.

00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.139
 Weight was

00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.759
 kept to a

00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.080
 minimum.

00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:17.300
 Anything likely

00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:17.940
 to impede

00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:18.720
 their progress

00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.300
 was cast

00:16:19.300 --> 00:16:19.759
 aside.

00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.259
 And the

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.220
 idea here is

00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:22.500
 that the

00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:22.879
 Christian

00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:24.040
 disciple must

00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:25.060
 likewise throw

00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.280
 off or cast

00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:27.420
 aside anything

00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:28.040
 that might

00:16:28.040 --> 00:16:29.820
 slow him or

00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.220
 her down in

00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:31.820
 the race of

00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.259
 faith.

00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.720
 Those ancient

00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.720
 athletes carried

00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.700
 nothing with

00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.500
 them in the

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:37.800
 race.

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.340
 They ran

00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:39.440
 naked because

00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:39.980
 they didn't

00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.600
 want to be

00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.759
 held back in

00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.360
 any way.

00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:43.899
 And the

00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.480
 Christian must

00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.759
 travel light in

00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.340
 the race of

00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:46.759
 faith.

00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:47.480
 Our writer,

00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:47.980
 you'll notice,

00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.960
 mentions these

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:50.019
 two things likely

00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:51.660
 to slow a

00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:52.620
 believer down in

00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.280
 this race.

00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.280
 And the first

00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:55.180
 of these is

00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.060
 what he calls

00:16:56.060 --> 00:16:56.620
 weight.

00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.240
 Lay aside,

00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:58.740
 he says,

00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.180
 every weight.

00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.200
 Of course,

00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:05.720
 there are

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.579
 weights in

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.099
 life that

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:08.359
 have to

00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.000
 be carried.

00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.179
 Family and

00:17:11.179 --> 00:17:12.439
 work responsibilities,

00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.279
 maybe health

00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.299
 problems and

00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.659
 challenges as

00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:16.859
 we advance

00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.539
 in years.

00:17:18.439 --> 00:17:19.379
 That's not

00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:19.859
 what's in

00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.439
 view here.

00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.519
 In effect,

00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.019
 the weight

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.480
 that's being

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.480
 referred to

00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:27.460
 is the

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:27.879
 weight of

00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:28.319
 an idol,

00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:28.720
 really.

00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:30.439
 The excess

00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:32.399
 baggage of

00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.179
 those things

00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:34.079
 that draw

00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.939
 from us,

00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.620
 that energy

00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.640
 and commitment

00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.600
 and love,

00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.220
 that should

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.620
 be for

00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:42.160
 our Savior.

00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.039
 They restrict

00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.140
 our usefulness

00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.799
 for God.

00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:46.740
 They hold

00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.420
 us back

00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:47.980
 from making

00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.680
 progress,

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.880
 from growing.

00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.460
 Hinder and

00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.100
 they handicap

00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:53.460
 us in making

00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.200
 it difficult

00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:55.180
 for us to be

00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.320
 effective

00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:57.320
 disciples of

00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:57.680
 Jesus.

00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:57.920
 forgiveness.

00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:00.600
 You know,

00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.440
 sometimes we

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.060
 can hold

00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:02.460
 on to

00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.180
 things very,

00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:03.840
 very tightly

00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.820
 in the

00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:05.420
 Christian life,

00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.320
 good things.

00:18:08.320 --> 00:18:09.320
 Sometimes even

00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:10.060
 ministries,

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.900
 we can hold

00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.480
 on to them.

00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:12.940
 Instead of

00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.519
 holding them

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.039
 lightly,

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.740
 we're grasping

00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:17.299
 them so

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:17.680
 tightly.

00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.980
 Sometimes they

00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.519
 need to be

00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.860
 laid aside.

00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.639
 the love

00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:24.159
 of ease,

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:24.719
 the desire

00:18:24.719 --> 00:18:25.899
 for respectability,

00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.719
 an excessive

00:18:27.719 --> 00:18:28.819
 fondness

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.259
 for worldly

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.259
 comforts.

00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:32.879
 How foolish

00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.519
 we can be

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:33.959
 when we

00:18:33.959 --> 00:18:34.479
 pick up

00:18:34.479 --> 00:18:35.159
 these burdens,

00:18:36.719 --> 00:18:38.839
 these unhelpful

00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.899
 entanglements

00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:41.859
 that are likely

00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.539
 to trip us

00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.899
 up or

00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:44.379
 slow us

00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:44.799
 down with

00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.439
 their weight.

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.139
 And then

00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.519
 the second

00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:48.819
 thing

00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.399
 mentioned

00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:49.740
 here,

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.119
 of course,

00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:50.559
 is sin

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.139
 itself.

00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.539
 which we're

00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.519
 told clings

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.619
 so closely.

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.139
 NIV, I

00:18:56.139 --> 00:18:56.299
 think,

00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:56.839
 puts it

00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:58.339
 the sin

00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:58.779
 that so

00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.359
 easily

00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.539
 entangles.

00:19:01.959 --> 00:19:02.619
 Sin is a

00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.079
 crippling

00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.019
 hindrance

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.819
 to running

00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.279
 the race

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:05.979
 of faith.

00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.419
 And the

00:19:07.419 --> 00:19:08.139
 idea here

00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:08.419
 is of

00:19:08.419 --> 00:19:08.659
 something

00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:10.019
 that would

00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.559
 trip up

00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.099
 the runner,

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:11.959
 cause them

00:19:11.959 --> 00:19:12.599
 to stumble

00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.500
 or fall.

00:19:15.479 --> 00:19:15.979
 Sin is to

00:19:15.979 --> 00:19:16.299
 be put

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.779
 away.

00:19:17.419 --> 00:19:17.639
 It's to

00:19:17.639 --> 00:19:18.079
 be thrown

00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:18.379
 off.

00:19:18.419 --> 00:19:18.659
 It's to

00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.399
 be discarded.

00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.000
 Running

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.439
 the race

00:19:20.439 --> 00:19:20.919
 of faith

00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:21.259
 means

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.960
 really

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.299
 a

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.900
 lifelong

00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.720
 struggle

00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.539
 or battle

00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.240
 with sin.

00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.420
 In the

00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:26.879
 race of

00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.140
 faith,

00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.420
 we're

00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.519
 constantly,

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.220
 every day,

00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:30.859
 we are to

00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.299
 be throwing

00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:31.900
 off sin.

00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.240
 This is

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.500
 what

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.359
 Christians

00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:35.680
 of a

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.000
 previous

00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.619
 generation

00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:37.140
 knew as

00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.339
 mortification,

00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:38.980
 putting

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.559
 sin to

00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.039
 death.

00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.500
 We need

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.379
 to understand

00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:44.920
 whether

00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:46.500
 we're a

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:46.680
 young

00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.160
 Christian,

00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:47.559
 whether

00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.500
 we've been

00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.839
 a Christian

00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.339
 for many,

00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:50.099
 many years.

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.639
 There is

00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:51.159
 no quick

00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:52.599
 fix in

00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:52.839
 dealing

00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.359
 with sin.

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:53.919
 There's

00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.379
 no magic

00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.019
 wand that

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.359
 we can

00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.240
 wave that

00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.159
 will eradicate

00:19:57.159 --> 00:19:57.500
 it.

00:19:58.899 --> 00:19:59.319
 And those

00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.459
 that peddle

00:20:00.459 --> 00:20:00.980
 such

00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:02.179
 experiences

00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.059
 and teachings

00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.619
 around the

00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.000
 churches

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.720
 do

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.839
 incalculable

00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.259
 harm to

00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.899
 the spiritual

00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.399
 well-being

00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:08.939
 of many.

00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:10.779
 Sinful

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.359
 attitudes,

00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.319
 actions,

00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.419
 patterns of

00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.459
 behavior are

00:20:14.459 --> 00:20:14.879
 to be

00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.539
 continually

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.819
 and ruthlessly

00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:18.000
 dealt with.

00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.440
 Sin is not

00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:19.740
 to be

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.139
 cuddled,

00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:20.539
 it's not

00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.000
 to be

00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.619
 caressed,

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:21.980
 it's not

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.240
 to be

00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.980
 fondled,

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.599
 it's to

00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:23.920
 be

00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.619
 discarded.

00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.079
 Remember

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.000
 Paul writing

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.639
 to the

00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.480
 Colossians,

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.159
 Colossians 3

00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:29.539
 5,

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.879
 he says,

00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:31.579
 put to

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.039
 death

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.720
 therefore

00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.339
 whatever

00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:33.940
 belongs

00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.440
 to your

00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:34.899
 earthly

00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.399
 nature,

00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.059
 sexual

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.740
 immorality,

00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.420
 impurity,

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.339
 lust,

00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.379
 evil desires,

00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:39.940
 and greed,

00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:41.059
 which is

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.000
 idolatry.

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.359
 And that

00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:44.900
 means there

00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.299
 are things

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.660
 that have

00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:45.920
 to be

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.660
 put off.

00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:47.940
 We actually

00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.299
 have to

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.859
 do that.

00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.240
 They're not

00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.420
 going to

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.819
 be taken

00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.579
 from us

00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:53.059
 in this

00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.539
 life.

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.339
 Pornographic

00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:56.960
 images

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.180
 need to

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.579
 be put

00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.019
 away.

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.619
 Programs

00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.160
 or films

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:01.740
 that are

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.319
 a stumbling

00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:02.960
 block,

00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.440
 maybe the

00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.200
 TV package

00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.519
 has to

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.279
 be terminated,

00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.319
 the internet

00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:08.740
 or phone

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.279
 account

00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.519
 restricted.

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.960
 Remember

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.299
 Jesus'

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:13.720
 words,

00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.119
 and if

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.759
 your hand

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.160
 or your

00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:15.480
 foot

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.140
 causes you

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.660
 to sin,

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.140
 cut it

00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:17.660
 off and

00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.259
 throw it

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.900
 away.

00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.059
 And if

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.440
 your eye

00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:20.980
 causes you

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.319
 to sin,

00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:21.900
 tear it

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.279
 out and

00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.759
 throw it

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.579
 away.

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.480
 Ah,

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:26.859
 yes,

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.480
 of course.

00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.400
 By itself

00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.079
 doing these

00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:31.700
 things is

00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.480
 never enough

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.700
 to avoid

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.039
 sin.

00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.339
 Because the

00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:36.900
 problem is

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.720
 not on the

00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.640
 computer screen

00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.819
 or TV

00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.299
 or the

00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:40.960
 phone line.

00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.420
 Of course,

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:42.940
 the problem

00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:43.400
 is in

00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:43.960
 the heart.

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.880
 And that's

00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.740
 why just

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.319
 saying no

00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.720
 is never

00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.180
 enough.

00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:50.420
 Self-discipline,

00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.240
 moral effort,

00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.180
 yes,

00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:52.779
 they are

00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.420
 required.

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.299
 But on

00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.940
 their own,

00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:57.700
 they're never

00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.119
 enough.

00:21:59.519 --> 00:21:59.920
 We need

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.420
 what Thomas

00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.279
 Chalmers called

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.339
 the expulsive

00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.960
 power of

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.500
 a new

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.099
 affection.

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.619
 Our hearts

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.559
 have to be

00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.160
 taken up,

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.960
 captivated,

00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.579
 enthralled

00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.500
 by something

00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.180
 bigger and

00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.779
 greater and

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.440
 more wonderful.

00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:14.000
 Because the

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.380
 ultimate

00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.460
 antidote to

00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.060
 lust or

00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:16.640
 pride,

00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.799
 selfishness,

00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.539
 is the

00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:19.860
 love of

00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.680
 Jesus Christ.

00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.160
 The love

00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:22.519
 that He

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.080
 demonstrates

00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:23.779
 for us

00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.259
 on the

00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.840
 cross.

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.039
 And that's

00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.360
 the one

00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:26.779
 thing that

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.340
 God has

00:22:27.340 --> 00:22:28.420
 in a

00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:28.840
 sense in

00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.759
 unlimited

00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.480
 supply.

00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.920
 He alone

00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.360
 has the

00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.160
 love to

00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.900
 forgive and

00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:37.039
 the power

00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.779
 to forgive

00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.500
 our darkest

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.200
 sins,

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.440
 to satisfy

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.059
 our deepest

00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.700
 desires.

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.299
 And as we

00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.779
 will see in

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.160
 a moment,

00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.319
 we need to

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.980
 be looking

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.799
 to Jesus.

00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.140
 He is to

00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.600
 be our

00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.539
 great desire,

00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:50.299
 our great

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.920
 delight,

00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.720
 our first

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.200
 and greatest

00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.620
 love.

00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.860
 There's a

00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.420
 race set

00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.140
 before us.

00:22:57.580 --> 00:22:58.000
 There are

00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.480
 witnesses

00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.640
 that encompass

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.259
 us.

00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.680
 And there are

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.840
 things that

00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.759
 hinder us

00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.840
 and need to

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.620
 be put aside.

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:08.539
 Fourthly,

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.439
 there's an

00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.579
 attitude that

00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.339
 must characterize

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.079
 us.

00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:13.699
 And let us

00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:14.879
 run with

00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:16.839
 endurance,

00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.459
 some

00:23:17.459 --> 00:23:18.959
 translations

00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.859
 perseverance,

00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.239
 the race

00:23:21.239 --> 00:23:21.839
 set before

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.299
 us.

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.000
 Again,

00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.479
 the race

00:23:24.479 --> 00:23:24.919
 in mind

00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.559
 here is not

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:27.179
 a quick

00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:27.759
 sprint,

00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:28.879
 be over

00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.339
 in a few

00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.859
 seconds,

00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.379
 something more

00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:32.039
 akin to a

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.739
 long-distance

00:23:32.739 --> 00:23:33.159
 race,

00:23:33.199 --> 00:23:33.699
 a marathon,

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.679
 a cross-country.

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.940
 And it's

00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.460
 this kind

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.060
 of race,

00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.539
 of course,

00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.420
 that requires

00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.220
 perseverance

00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.320
 and endurance.

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.580
 To finish

00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:42.320
 such a race,

00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.519
 race takes a

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.000
 degree of

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.320
 mental toughness,

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.580
 takes focus,

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.700
 takes determination.

00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.580
 And the

00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.200
 word here

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.160
 used,

00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.460
 conveys this

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:52.940
 idea of

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.920
 pressing on

00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.680
 even as

00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.299
 things become

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.940
 difficult,

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.640
 like running

00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.220
 into a

00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:58.720
 headwind.

00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.180
 There's

00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.779
 resistance,

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.420
 there's

00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.299
 opposition to

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.960
 be faced.

00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:03.920
 These things

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:06.440
 make progress

00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.440
 in the race

00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.060
 hard and

00:24:08.060 --> 00:24:08.480
 difficult.

00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.500
 Sometimes the

00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.039
 wind isn't

00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.440
 at our

00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.039
 backs.

00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.340
 We're not

00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:13.000
 always running

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.519
 downhill.

00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.480
 I have a

00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.420
 memory from

00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:17.920
 many years

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.039
 ago here

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.580
 in Edinburgh.

00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.000
 I ran

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.019
 in a

00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.740
 competition,

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.900
 and it was

00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.580
 a national

00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:27.259
 boys'

00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:27.840
 brigade

00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:29.300
 cross-country

00:24:29.300 --> 00:24:30.120
 race.

00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:31.120
 I must have

00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:31.700
 been about,

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.740
 I guess,

00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.319
 17 or

00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:33.880
 18 years

00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.299
 of age,

00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:34.799
 so that

00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.100
 wasn't

00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:35.539
 yesterday,

00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:35.880
 let me

00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.340
 tell you.

00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.819
 And the

00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.299
 course was

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.460
 set on

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.019
 Arthur's

00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.319
 seat,

00:24:41.340 --> 00:24:42.660
 and if

00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.019
 anybody knows

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.840
 about cross-country

00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:44.279
 here in

00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.620
 Scotland,

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.779
 they always

00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.360
 run it in

00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:46.860
 January.

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.059
 That's where

00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.440
 it's always

00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:48.700
 run.

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.120
 I have no

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.580
 idea why

00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:49.900
 they do

00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.180
 that,

00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:50.779
 but it's

00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.340
 always run

00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:51.900
 in January.

00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.420
 So you

00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:52.920
 can imagine

00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.340
 the weather

00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:54.620
 was awful.

00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.140
 It was cold,

00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.259
 there was snow,

00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.220
 there was sleet

00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.620
 falling,

00:24:58.619 --> 00:25:00.000
 and we

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.179
 had to

00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:00.500
 complete,

00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:00.799
 I think,

00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.179
 a couple

00:25:01.179 --> 00:25:01.619
 of laps

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.000
 of this

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.459
 course,

00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:02.839
 and I

00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:03.379
 remember

00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.719
 after the

00:25:04.719 --> 00:25:05.219
 first lap

00:25:05.219 --> 00:25:05.519
 of the

00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.919
 course,

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:06.979
 as the

00:25:06.979 --> 00:25:07.939
 wind and

00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:08.579
 the snow

00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.639
 stung my

00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.439
 face and

00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.219
 my legs,

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.539
 I can

00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:13.959
 remember it

00:25:13.959 --> 00:25:14.539
 so vividly,

00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:14.899
 I seriously

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.159
 thought,

00:25:15.479 --> 00:25:15.919
 I'm just

00:25:15.919 --> 00:25:16.219
 going to

00:25:16.219 --> 00:25:16.739
 jack this

00:25:16.739 --> 00:25:16.959
 in.

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.219
 I'm heading

00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:18.559
 for a

00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.259
 warm shower

00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.939
 before anyone

00:25:20.939 --> 00:25:21.539
 else gets

00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:21.839
 there.

00:25:21.919 --> 00:25:22.339
 I'm giving

00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:22.659
 up.

00:25:23.959 --> 00:25:25.599
 But I

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.000
 didn't want

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.399
 to

00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.980
 let the

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.420
 rest of

00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:29.780
 the team

00:25:29.780 --> 00:25:30.120
 down.

00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.320
 I'd

00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:32.720
 started,

00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:34.360
 and so I

00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:34.880
 would finish.

00:25:35.780 --> 00:25:36.360
 I didn't

00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:36.600
 win a

00:25:36.600 --> 00:25:36.800
 medal,

00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:37.960
 I didn't

00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.220
 win a

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.680
 prize,

00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.120
 but I

00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:40.440
 completed

00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.080
 the course.

00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:42.880
 And

00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.320
 sometimes

00:25:43.320 --> 00:25:43.900
 the race

00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.340
 of faith

00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:44.780
 is like

00:25:44.780 --> 00:25:45.080
 that.

00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:45.880
 It can

00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.519
 be hard,

00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:46.780
 it can

00:25:46.780 --> 00:25:47.519
 be uncomfortable,

00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.259
 tough and

00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.740
 testing,

00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.019
 it's

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.540
 tempting

00:25:50.540 --> 00:25:51.980
 just

00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.320
 throwing

00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:52.800
 the towel.

00:25:55.040 --> 00:25:55.400
 But this

00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:55.820
 race,

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.340
 in this

00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:56.620
 race,

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:56.960
 we need

00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.259
 to have

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.579
 the right

00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:57.980
 attitude.

00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.680
 We need

00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.000
 to take

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.700
 the long

00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.380
 term

00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:02.120
 view.

00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.559
 It will

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:04.880
 be a

00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.319
 test of

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.779
 our staying

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.220
 power.

00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:07.319
 On

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:07.759
 occasions,

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.360
 we will

00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:08.799
 have to

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.059
 run

00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.519
 through the

00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:09.759
 pain

00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.200
 barrier.

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:10.819
 We will

00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.480
 have to

00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.460
 keep on

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:12.920
 going.

00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.059
 It's not

00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.480
 all going

00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.700
 to be

00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.440
 sunshine and

00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.079
 light winds.

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.200
 We will

00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.980
 feel the

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.440
 wind in

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.259
 our face,

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:22.220
 but we

00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.940
 will keep

00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.200
 on

00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.799
 keeping

00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.240
 on.

00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:27.819
 there's

00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.160
 a race

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.660
 set before

00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.059
 us.

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.059
 There's

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.460
 witnesses

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.099
 that surround

00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.500
 us.

00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:31.839
 There are

00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.339
 things that

00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.000
 hinder us.

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.640
 There's an

00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.319
 attitude that

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.640
 is to

00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.140
 characterize

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.779
 us.

00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:36.859
 Fifthly,

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.059
 that fifth

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.319
 thing,

00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:39.980
 and the

00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.480
 most important

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:40.759
 thing,

00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.420
 perhaps of

00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:41.640
 all,

00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:42.819
 there's a

00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.319
 person who

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.819
 inspires

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.359
 us,

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.779
 looking

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.019
 to

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.279
 Jesus,

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.620
 the founder

00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.420
 and perfecter

00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:50.720
 of our

00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.140
 faith,

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.039
 who for the

00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.579
 joy set

00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.140
 before him

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.920
 endured the

00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.280
 cross,

00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:54.920
 scorning its

00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.220
 shame,

00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.259
 is seated

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.600
 at the

00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.180
 right hand

00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.000
 of the

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.360
 throne of

00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:58.740
 God.

00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.280
 Where does

00:27:02.280 --> 00:27:03.120
 the strength

00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.360
 come from

00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:05.640
 to run

00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.100
 the race

00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:06.700
 with endurance?

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.720
 Where do

00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.600
 we obtain

00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.480
 the resources

00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.140
 that we

00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.180
 need to

00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.900
 keep on

00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.400
 keeping

00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:13.820
 on?

00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.600
 Is it a

00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.160
 case that

00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.500
 we grin

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:17.900
 and bear

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.180
 it?

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.580
 We try

00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.120
 harder?

00:27:21.060 --> 00:27:21.820
 We pull

00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.359
 our socks

00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:22.779
 up.

00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:24.960
 No,

00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.919
 the strength

00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:26.279
 that we

00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.200
 need comes

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.960
 from only

00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.859
 one source,

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.099
 and that

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.599
 is from

00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.379
 Jesus

00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:31.939
 Christ,

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.779
 the Alpha

00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.379
 and the

00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:34.960
 Omega,

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.939
 the author

00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.919
 and finisher

00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.720
 of faith,

00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.839
 the one who

00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:39.919
 stands at

00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:40.559
 the beginning

00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:41.639
 and the

00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.419
 end of the

00:27:42.419 --> 00:27:43.179
 Christian life,

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.139
 and indeed

00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:44.639
 at all

00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.240
 points in

00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.659
 between.

00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.139
 The verb

00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.659
 that's used

00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:49.099
 here is a

00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.779
 striking one.

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.839
 It means

00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.259
 to look

00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.819
 away from

00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.539
 everything

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.599
 else in

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.519
 order to

00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.180
 fix the

00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.500
 eyes intently

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.420
 on a single

00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.160
 object.

00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.680
 Away from

00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.639
 the spectators,

00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.559
 away from

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.019
 the other

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.759
 runners,

00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:03.599
 away from

00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.240
 the difficulties

00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.119
 of the course,

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.240
 away even

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.240
 from self.

00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.180
 Look

00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.899
 to

00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.700
 Jesus.

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:10.680
 Moffat

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.420
 translates the

00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.160
 verse very

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.660
 helpfully,

00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:13.700
 with no

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.579
 eyes for

00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.599
 anyone or

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.440
 anything

00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.680
 except

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.759
 Jesus.

00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.380
 It's easy,

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.120
 so easy,

00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.420
 to become

00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.400
 distracted,

00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:25.220
 to fix our

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.940
 gaze elsewhere,

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.779
 to think that

00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.920
 progress in

00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.460
 the race of

00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:28.799
 faith is

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.299
 really down

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.920
 to us,

00:28:30.080 --> 00:28:30.860
 our abilities,

00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.660
 to think

00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.320
 that it's all

00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:34.940
 about how we

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.759
 compare or

00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.820
 match up to

00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:37.519
 others around

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.060
 us.

00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.259
 How many

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.259
 Christians spend

00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.799
 their time

00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.440
 thinking about

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:42.840
 others,

00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:43.519
 how they're

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:43.720
 doing,

00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.140
 what others

00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.620
 think of

00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:44.799
 them?

00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.160
 Small wonder

00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.560
 that when

00:28:46.560 --> 00:28:47.120
 we fix

00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.980
 our gaze

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.779
 elsewhere,

00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.940
 we find

00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.600
 ourselves

00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:51.259
 stumbling

00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.360
 or being

00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.980
 tripped up.

00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.720
 Small wonder

00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.100
 that when

00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.560
 we take

00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.120
 our eyes

00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:55.779
 of Jesus,

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.640
 that we

00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.400
 begin to

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.560
 run out

00:28:58.560 --> 00:29:00.060
 of steam.

00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:01.980
 Look at

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.380
 the words

00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:02.820
 the writer

00:29:02.820 --> 00:29:03.500
 uses here

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.100
 to describe

00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.660
 Jesus.

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.160
 First,

00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.380
 there's a

00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.740
 Greek word,

00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:07.840
 archegos,

00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.180
 a word that

00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.680
 was used

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.360
 in classical

00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:10.820
 Greek.

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:11.900
 It referred

00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.300
 to the

00:29:12.300 --> 00:29:13.560
 great heroes

00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.559
 that founded

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:16.000
 their ancient

00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.559
 cities.

00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.220
 Sometimes in

00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.759
 English we

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.359
 might talk

00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.480
 about a

00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.099
 Founders'

00:29:21.179 --> 00:29:21.419
 Day,

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.839
 reference often

00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.359
 to a

00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.639
 school maybe

00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:25.139
 or an

00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:25.799
 organization,

00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:26.240
 the Boys'

00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.659
 Brigade.

00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.139
 I remember

00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.839
 we always

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.240
 had a

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.879
 Founders'

00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.539
 Day parade

00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:29.859
 at the

00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.279
 end of

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.200
 October

00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:32.179
 for

00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:33.359
 William

00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:33.879
 Alexander

00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.379
 Smith.

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.500
 The

00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.960
 founder is

00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.379
 not only

00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.919
 the person

00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:37.579
 who started

00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:39.200
 the organization

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.980
 or school,

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.339
 they're the

00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:40.859
 person whose

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:42.039
 example is

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.559
 meant to

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.059
 serve as

00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.599
 a model,

00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.240
 as a

00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.980
 stimulus to

00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.339
 those who

00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.659
 follow.

00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:47.539
 And yet

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:47.940
 that word

00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.379
 can also

00:29:48.379 --> 00:29:48.819
 be used

00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.059
 in a

00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.299
 slightly

00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.740
 different

00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.220
 sense,

00:29:50.659 --> 00:29:51.159
 reflected

00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.659
 in some

00:29:51.659 --> 00:29:51.879
 other

00:29:51.879 --> 00:29:52.500
 translations

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.000
 that

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.419
 translate

00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:53.839
 the word

00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.339
 pioneer,

00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:55.919
 someone who

00:29:55.919 --> 00:29:56.240
 leads,

00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.220
 inspires others

00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.839
 to follow

00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.419
 after them,

00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.740
 a trailblazer,

00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.579
 someone who

00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.319
 goes ahead

00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:02.079
 and opens

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.639
 up the way

00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:03.059
 for others

00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.639
 to follow,

00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:06.119
 like we

00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.579
 might think

00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:06.799
 of the

00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.019
 great

00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.759
 explorers

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.059
 of the

00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.539
 past,

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.179
 blazed

00:30:09.179 --> 00:30:09.720
 a trail

00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.119
 into

00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:11.480
 uncharted,

00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.359
 unmapped,

00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.139
 unknown

00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.779
 territories,

00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.440
 opening up

00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:14.919
 continents,

00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.659
 and others

00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.339
 followed after

00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:16.579
 them.

00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.059
 They were

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.759
 pioneers,

00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.179
 they were

00:30:18.179 --> 00:30:19.039
 archegos.

00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.659
 Earlier in

00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.099
 the letter,

00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:21.839
 the writer

00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.859
 calls Jesus

00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.819
 the archegos,

00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:24.679
 the pioneer

00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:25.220
 of our

00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.779
 salvation.

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.559
 But whatever

00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.319
 the idea

00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.339
 that we

00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.059
 take there,

00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.419
 the idea

00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:31.960
 is basically

00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.559
 the same.

00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:33.859
 The Christian

00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.480
 faith does

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.419
 not originate

00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.059
 with us,

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.919
 but with

00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:37.339
 Jesus.

00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.700
 He is the

00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.599
 one upon

00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.639
 whom our

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.340
 faith is

00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.080
 founded.

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.160
 We believe

00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:43.580
 in Him,

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.180
 we trust

00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.580
 in Him,

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.400
 we follow

00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.720
 Him,

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.360
 we fix

00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:46.759
 our eyes

00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.400
 on Him.

00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.540
 He is

00:30:48.540 --> 00:30:48.940
 the one

00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.720
 who stands

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.000
 at the

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:51.080
 very center

00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:51.540
 of our

00:30:51.540 --> 00:30:52.120
 faith and

00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:52.759
 our lives.

00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.020
 It's

00:30:53.020 --> 00:30:53.820
 through Jesus

00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.240
 that we

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:54.800
 come to

00:30:54.800 --> 00:30:55.280
 faith.

00:30:55.800 --> 00:30:56.160
 He is

00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:56.460
 the one

00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.860
 who establishes

00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.320
 faith in

00:30:58.320 --> 00:30:59.060
 our hearts.

00:31:00.820 --> 00:31:01.320
 Paul tells

00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:02.080
 the Philippians,

00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.259
 He who

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.580
 began a

00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.400
 good work

00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.180
 in you.

00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.180
 And so we

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.700
 mustn't take

00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.280
 our eyes

00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.180
 from Him.

00:31:11.899 --> 00:31:12.259
 The other

00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.740
 words that's

00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.379
 used here

00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.019
 in this

00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.639
 verse to

00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.480
 describe Jesus

00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.019
 is another

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.819
 Greek word,

00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.759
 teleotin,

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.720
 finisher,

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.839
 perfecter.

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.700
 It comes

00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:20.960
 from a

00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.819
 Greek word,

00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.339
 telos.

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:22.839
 It means

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.619
 the end

00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:23.940
 or the

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.379
 goal or

00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.099
 the purpose.

00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.639
 The form

00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.119
 it has here,

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.259
 it has the

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.700
 idea of

00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.399
 completer,

00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:30.539
 the one

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.279
 who finishes,

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.259
 who completes

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.839
 a job of

00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.160
 work.

00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.319
 Jesus finished

00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:34.859
 the work

00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.359
 that His

00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.259
 Father gave

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.039
 Him to do.

00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.359
 On the

00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:37.660
 cross,

00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.160
 He cried

00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:38.460
 out,

00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.500
 it is

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.400
 finished.

00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.680
 He is the

00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.180
 one who

00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.400
 brings faith

00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:43.640
 to

00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.440
 consummation.

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.059
 And the

00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.579
 path that

00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.220
 Jesus has

00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.680
 set out

00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.140
 for us

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.819
 does not

00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:49.420
 end or

00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:49.900
 finish in

00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.220
 a dead

00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:50.740
 end.

00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:51.680
 For the

00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:52.360
 joy set

00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.079
 before Him,

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.860
 He endured

00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.579
 the cross

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.579
 and scorned

00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.200
 its shame.

00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.299
 And there's

00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.120
 a great paradox

00:31:59.120 --> 00:31:59.340
 there,

00:31:59.380 --> 00:31:59.779
 isn't it?

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.400
 The deepest

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.880
 sorrow,

00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.460
 the highest

00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:02.940
 joy,

00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:03.860
 found in

00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.319
 that same

00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:04.680
 place,

00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.220
 the cross

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.660
 of Jesus

00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.160
 Christ.

00:32:07.560 --> 00:32:07.759
 For

00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.180
 Jesus,

00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:08.920
 His joy

00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.779
 lay in

00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.480
 the redemption

00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:10.960
 of His

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.320
 people,

00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.060
 in the

00:32:12.060 --> 00:32:12.820
 vindication

00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.580
 of His

00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:14.080
 Father's

00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:14.600
 righteousness,

00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.300
 in the

00:32:15.300 --> 00:32:16.160
 conquest of

00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.519
 Satan,

00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.100
 in the

00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:17.740
 drawing of

00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.540
 death's sting,

00:32:19.060 --> 00:32:19.400
 in the

00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:19.900
 bringing of

00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.519
 many sons

00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.160
 to glory,

00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:22.040
 in His

00:32:22.040 --> 00:32:22.779
 enthronement

00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.100
 at the

00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.640
 right hand

00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:23.960
 of the

00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:24.820
 majesty on

00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:25.120
 high,

00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.840
 all the

00:32:25.840 --> 00:32:26.360
 terrible

00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:27.360
 horrors of

00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:27.920
 the cross

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.019
 swallowed up,

00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:29.540
 as it were,

00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.420
 by the joy

00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:30.980
 that was set

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.600
 before Him.

00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:33.879
 Now He's

00:32:33.879 --> 00:32:34.319
 seated at

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.659
 the right

00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.039
 hand of

00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.500
 the Father,

00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.240
 the race

00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.519
 over,

00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:40.879
 the struggle

00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.379
 past,

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:41.899
 the victory

00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:42.279
 won.

00:32:43.639 --> 00:32:44.139
 And from

00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:44.939
 His throne

00:32:44.939 --> 00:32:45.719
 He looks

00:32:45.719 --> 00:32:46.759
 upon us

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.439
 and He tells

00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:48.039
 us that

00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.379
 the way

00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:48.899
 is open,

00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.559
 open to

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.119
 the guilty

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.039
 and open

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.699
 to the weak

00:32:52.699 --> 00:32:53.099
 and open

00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:53.799
 to the weary,

00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:54.579
 open to

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:54.959
 sinners.

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.439
 The way

00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:57.119
 to God

00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:57.799
 is now

00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.419
 guaranteed.

00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.099
 The road

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:00.519
 has been

00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.099
 built,

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:03.000
 and from

00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.599
 His throne

00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.319
 He beckons

00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:04.779
 us to

00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.199
 look,

00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.399
 to come

00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:06.899
 to Him

00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.899
 and to

00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:08.639
 trust Him.

00:33:09.179 --> 00:33:10.240
 Because it's

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.759
 in looking

00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.519
 to Jesus

00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.259
 that we

00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.799
 begin the

00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.619
 Christian life.

00:33:13.919 --> 00:33:14.439
 It's in

00:33:14.439 --> 00:33:15.019
 looking to

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.459
 Jesus

00:33:15.459 --> 00:33:16.159
 that we

00:33:16.159 --> 00:33:16.819
 continue

00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.500
 in the

00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:17.839
 Christian

00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.379
 life.

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.179
 And it's

00:33:20.179 --> 00:33:20.879
 in seeing

00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:21.519
 Jesus

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:26.039
 that lies

00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:26.399
 at the

00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:27.059
 end of

00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:27.500
 the Christian

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.039
 life.

00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:29.659
 Christianity

00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:31.119
 is Christ.

00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:33.139
 And if

00:33:33.139 --> 00:33:34.179
 you want

00:33:34.179 --> 00:33:34.799
 to explore

00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.379
 the Christian

00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:35.799
 faith,

00:33:35.919 --> 00:33:36.399
 you must

00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:37.119
 consider

00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:38.139
 Jesus.

00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:40.519
 You may

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:40.879
 want to

00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:41.299
 talk about

00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.039
 the dinosaurs

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.500
 and the

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:42.839
 age of

00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.439
 the earth

00:33:43.439 --> 00:33:44.039
 and the

00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.500
 problem of

00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:44.899
 evil and

00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:45.159
 all of

00:33:45.159 --> 00:33:45.719
 these things.

00:33:46.419 --> 00:33:47.279
 But ultimately,

00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:48.579
 if you want

00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:50.579
 to wrestle

00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.179
 and to come

00:33:51.179 --> 00:33:51.719
 to terms

00:33:51.719 --> 00:33:52.439
 with Christianity,

00:33:52.439 --> 00:33:53.319
 you have to

00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:53.699
 come to

00:33:53.699 --> 00:33:54.539
 terms with

00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.359
 Jesus Christ.

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.259
 His life,

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:57.939
 His teaching,

00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:58.819
 His claims,

00:33:59.119 --> 00:33:59.799
 His death,

00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.720
 His resurrection.

00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.480
 If you want

00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.019
 to grow as

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.440
 a Christian,

00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:03.899
 you need to

00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:04.720
 keep looking

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.460
 to Jesus.

00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:06.599
 Corrie was

00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:08.279
 reminding us

00:34:08.279 --> 00:34:08.880
 of that this

00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.320
 morning.

00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:10.579
 Puritan

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.579
 Richard Sibbes

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:11.960
 writes,

00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:12.900
 Hold your

00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.579
 eyes on

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.920
 Jesus that

00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.400
 you might

00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.340
 develop a

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.880
 stronger

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:18.739
 appetite for

00:34:18.739 --> 00:34:19.079
 Him.

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.579
 Maybe you're

00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.420
 someone who's

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.139
 worried this

00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.500
 evening about

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.099
 the future.

00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.420
 I meet lots

00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:28.960
 of people who

00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.400
 are anxious

00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:29.940
 about the

00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.340
 future.

00:34:30.780 --> 00:34:31.360
 Not just

00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:31.720
 their own

00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:32.159
 future,

00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:32.960
 the future

00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.980
 of the

00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.519
 nation,

00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.700
 society,

00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.460
 culture.

00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:38.920
 Jesus knows

00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:39.440
 the future.

00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.659
 He has

00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.180
 shaped it.

00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.480
 He's the

00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.420
 same yesterday,

00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:46.360
 today,

00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.599
 and forever.

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.659
 Look to

00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:49.900
 Him.

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.880
 Or maybe

00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:52.440
 you're fearful,

00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.059
 afraid,

00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.280
 afraid of

00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:54.639
 death.

00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.340
 Maybe you

00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:55.760
 wouldn't admit

00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.139
 that to

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:56.460
 others,

00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.320
 but deep

00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:57.659
 down,

00:34:57.760 --> 00:34:58.320
 you're scared.

00:34:58.420 --> 00:35:00.800
 Jesus has

00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:01.320
 conquered

00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:02.420
 death and

00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:02.900
 drawn its

00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.260
 sting.

00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:04.579
 Fix your

00:35:04.579 --> 00:35:05.019
 eyes on

00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.260
 Him.

00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:05.700
 Look to

00:35:05.700 --> 00:35:05.980
 Him.

00:35:08.300 --> 00:35:08.639
 Maybe

00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:08.880
 you're

00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.099
 somewhere

00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.000
 tonight and

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.360
 you're weighed

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:10.940
 down with a

00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.880
 guilty conscience.

00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.700
 Things in

00:35:13.700 --> 00:35:14.700
 your past that

00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:15.039
 you think,

00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.740
 I could never

00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.280
 be forgiven

00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:16.880
 for that.

00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:19.539
 Let me tell

00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.039
 you that the

00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.400
 blood of

00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.920
 Jesus can

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.680
 make the

00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:23.220
 foulest

00:35:23.220 --> 00:35:23.599
 clean.

00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.920
 The precious

00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.539
 blood of

00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.880
 Christ can

00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:29.000
 clean anything

00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.920
 and anyone.

00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:31.860
 Look to

00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:32.159
 Him.

00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:34.759
 Or maybe

00:35:34.759 --> 00:35:35.279
 you're

00:35:35.279 --> 00:35:37.039
 deeply

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.500
 insecure,

00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.440
 driven,

00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.279
 your sense

00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:40.699
 of worth

00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:41.519
 bound up with

00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.059
 what you're

00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:42.920
 achieving or

00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.420
 doing,

00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.539
 never really

00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:45.300
 happy unless

00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.219
 you've got

00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:46.980
 this or that

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.460
 or the other

00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:47.860
 thing,

00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:48.559
 and nothing

00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.420
 really satisfies.

00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:52.500
 Let me tell

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.059
 you that Jesus

00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:54.119
 Christ is more

00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:55.159
 than enough to

00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:55.900
 satisfy the

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.720
 deepest longings

00:35:56.720 --> 00:35:57.180
 of the human

00:35:57.180 --> 00:35:57.639
 heart.

00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:58.900
 Set your

00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.440
 heart on

00:35:59.440 --> 00:35:59.700
 Jesus.

00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:02.420
 Maybe

00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:03.000
 tonight you're

00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.360
 lonely,

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.059
 isolated.

00:36:05.400 --> 00:36:05.800
 Maybe you've

00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.300
 lost someone

00:36:06.300 --> 00:36:07.000
 very close to

00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:07.200
 you.

00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:08.960
 Who is

00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.280
 Jesus?

00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:09.780
 He is,

00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.639
 as we come to

00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:12.139
 the season of

00:36:12.139 --> 00:36:12.480
 that, He's

00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:12.940
 Emmanuel.

00:36:13.659 --> 00:36:14.119
 He's God

00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:14.760
 with us.

00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:15.980
 Look to

00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:16.280
 Him.

00:36:17.220 --> 00:36:17.700
 Or if you're

00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:18.700
 tired and weary

00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:20.000
 and feeling

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.519
 like giving

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:20.939
 up and

00:36:20.939 --> 00:36:21.379
 throwing in

00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:21.980
 the towel,

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.759
 here's someone

00:36:23.759 --> 00:36:24.419
 who faced

00:36:24.419 --> 00:36:25.079
 far more

00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:25.419
 than you

00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:25.799
 have ever

00:36:25.799 --> 00:36:26.179
 done,

00:36:26.919 --> 00:36:27.319
 and yet

00:36:27.319 --> 00:36:27.960
 never gave

00:36:27.960 --> 00:36:28.119
 up,

00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:28.879
 never lost

00:36:28.879 --> 00:36:29.319
 heart.

00:36:30.139 --> 00:36:30.519
 Consider

00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:30.980
 Him, it

00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:31.219
 says,

00:36:31.299 --> 00:36:31.739
 verse 3,

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.619
 who endured

00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.339
 from sinners

00:36:33.339 --> 00:36:34.279
 such hostility

00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:35.279
 against himself

00:36:35.279 --> 00:36:36.199
 that you may

00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:36.919
 not grow

00:36:36.919 --> 00:36:38.039
 weary or

00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:39.339
 faint-hearted.

00:36:40.919 --> 00:36:42.119
 One commentator

00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:42.919
 points out

00:36:42.919 --> 00:36:44.919
 Aristotle uses

00:36:44.919 --> 00:36:45.719
 the words for

00:36:45.719 --> 00:36:46.419
 growing weary

00:36:46.419 --> 00:36:46.960
 and losing

00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:47.639
 heart of an

00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.039
 athlete.

00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:49.659
 He flings

00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.319
 himself to

00:36:50.319 --> 00:36:50.899
 the ground

00:36:50.899 --> 00:36:52.500
 after he

00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.859
 surged past

00:36:53.859 --> 00:36:54.759
 the winning

00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.419
 post of the

00:36:55.419 --> 00:36:55.859
 race.

00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:58.039
 The writer

00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:58.500
 is saying

00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:58.779
 to us,

00:36:58.859 --> 00:36:59.239
 don't give

00:36:59.239 --> 00:36:59.559
 up.

00:37:00.419 --> 00:37:01.239
 Don't relax

00:37:01.239 --> 00:37:01.739
 before the

00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:02.279
 winning line.

00:37:02.419 --> 00:37:03.179
 Don't collapse

00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.719
 until the

00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:04.439
 race is over.

00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:05.859
 Keep on

00:37:05.859 --> 00:37:06.419
 your feet.

00:37:07.339 --> 00:37:07.819
 Keep running

00:37:07.819 --> 00:37:08.659
 to the end.

00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:12.379
 I began

00:37:12.379 --> 00:37:13.279
 speaking of

00:37:13.279 --> 00:37:13.980
 Eric Liddell,

00:37:14.259 --> 00:37:14.699
 best known,

00:37:14.839 --> 00:37:15.139
 of course,

00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:16.359
 for famous

00:37:16.359 --> 00:37:17.419
 victory in

00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.420
 the 1924

00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:19.360
 Olympic Games.

00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:20.960
 But Liddell

00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:21.860
 was a runner

00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:22.579
 in a far

00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.840
 more significant

00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:24.519
 race,

00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:26.500
 in this race

00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:27.039
 of faith.

00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:28.599
 He turned

00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:29.059
 his back

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.440
 on fame

00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.019
 and fortune

00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.300
 to become

00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:31.820
 a missionary

00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:32.599
 in China.

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.180
 He finished

00:37:34.180 --> 00:37:34.920
 his race

00:37:34.920 --> 00:37:35.900
 at the age

00:37:35.900 --> 00:37:36.740
 of just 43

00:37:36.740 --> 00:37:37.680
 in a Japanese

00:37:37.680 --> 00:37:38.960
 internment

00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:40.200
 camp at the

00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:40.940
 end of the

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.420
 Second World

00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:41.780
 War.

00:37:41.780 --> 00:37:44.480
 How did

00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:44.960
 he do it?

00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:45.320
 What was

00:37:45.320 --> 00:37:45.820
 his secret?

00:37:47.100 --> 00:37:48.100
 He looked

00:37:48.100 --> 00:37:48.940
 to Jesus.

00:37:49.840 --> 00:37:50.519
 His soul

00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.220
 was anchored

00:37:51.220 --> 00:37:51.840
 in Jesus.

00:37:52.040 --> 00:37:52.720
 He patterned

00:37:52.720 --> 00:37:53.300
 his life

00:37:53.300 --> 00:37:54.019
 on Jesus

00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:54.540
 Christ.

00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.640
 By God's

00:37:56.640 --> 00:37:56.900
 grace,

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.440
 may that be

00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.040
 true of us

00:37:58.040 --> 00:37:58.480
 tonight.

00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:00.580
 May we

00:38:00.580 --> 00:38:01.160
 too be

00:38:01.160 --> 00:38:01.920
 found looking

00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:02.360
 to the

00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:03.360
 only one

00:38:03.360 --> 00:38:04.740
 who can

00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:05.560
 carry us

00:38:05.560 --> 00:38:05.900
 to the

00:38:05.900 --> 00:38:06.240
 finishing

00:38:06.240 --> 00:38:06.640
 line.

00:38:08.080 --> 00:38:08.360
 Let's

00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:08.900
 remember

00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.780
 the

00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:10.220
 witnesses

00:38:10.220 --> 00:38:11.400
 that surround

00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:11.780
 us.

00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.119
 Let's

00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:12.619
 throw off

00:38:12.619 --> 00:38:13.220
 those things

00:38:13.220 --> 00:38:13.599
 that would

00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.360
 hinder us.

00:38:14.619 --> 00:38:14.840
 Let's

00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:15.340
 make sure

00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:16.059
 that endurance

00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.840
 is the

00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:17.240
 attitude

00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:17.559
 that

00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:18.400
 characterizes

00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:18.900
 us.

00:38:20.160 --> 00:38:20.940
 But first

00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:21.680
 and foremost,

00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.119
 let's make

00:38:23.119 --> 00:38:23.800
 sure that we're

00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:24.940
 looking to

00:38:24.940 --> 00:38:25.360
 the one

00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:26.220
 who inspires

00:38:26.220 --> 00:38:26.660
 us,

00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:27.720
 who can

00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.559
 carry us,

00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:29.200
 and who

00:38:29.200 --> 00:38:29.680
 can keep

00:38:29.680 --> 00:38:30.119
 us.

00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.340
 Jesus

00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:31.860
 Christ,

00:38:32.740 --> 00:38:33.340
 the author

00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:34.960
 and perfecter

00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:36.139
 of faith.

00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:37.579
 Let's pray

00:38:37.579 --> 00:38:37.900
 together.

00:38:38.900 --> 00:38:45.500
 Lord,

00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:46.019
 grant us

00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:46.740
 your grace

00:38:46.740 --> 00:38:47.119
 and your

00:38:47.119 --> 00:38:47.539
 mercy.

00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.519
 Help us

00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:49.940
 by your

00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.700
 Holy Spirit

00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:52.119
 that we

00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:53.340
 may fix

00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:53.860
 the eyes

00:38:53.860 --> 00:38:54.320
 of faith,

00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:54.820
 not upon

00:38:54.820 --> 00:38:55.380
 ourselves

00:38:55.380 --> 00:38:56.200
 or indeed

00:38:56.200 --> 00:38:56.860
 upon others,

00:38:57.500 --> 00:38:58.940
 but upon

00:38:58.940 --> 00:38:59.860
 our Lord

00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:00.599
 Jesus Christ.

00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:00.960
 How we

00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:01.340
 thank you

00:39:01.340 --> 00:39:01.820
 for him.

00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:03.300
 We thank

00:39:03.300 --> 00:39:03.700
 you for

00:39:03.700 --> 00:39:04.519
 the beauty

00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:05.220
 of his

00:39:05.220 --> 00:39:06.660
 life

00:39:06.660 --> 00:39:08.059
 and death

00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:08.760
 and resurrection.

00:39:08.900 --> 00:39:09.360
 We thank

00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:09.660
 you for

00:39:09.660 --> 00:39:10.059
 the beauty

00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.400
 of his

00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:10.820
 person.

00:39:11.680 --> 00:39:12.579
 We thank

00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:12.880
 you that

00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.240
 he is a

00:39:13.240 --> 00:39:13.619
 wonderful

00:39:13.619 --> 00:39:14.019
 savior,

00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.940
 one who

00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:17.720
 never lets

00:39:17.720 --> 00:39:18.220
 us down.

00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:19.940
 Lord,

00:39:20.280 --> 00:39:21.380
 encourage us,

00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.579
 strengthen us.

00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:23.340
 You know our

00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:24.500
 circumstances and

00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:24.960
 you know our

00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:26.420
 situations this

00:39:26.420 --> 00:39:26.720
 evening.

00:39:26.860 --> 00:39:27.240
 You know the

00:39:27.240 --> 00:39:27.960
 worries that

00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:29.079
 beset us.

00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.579
 those who

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 do you

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