WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:10.519 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:12.280 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.439 What happened? How can we know? This is a so what sermon. I'm not going to be talking so much about the what, but the so what. 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:51.079 Because Jesus lives, how is our relationship with God changed forever? What difference does it make? 00:00:51.980 --> 00:00:59.760 And because of that, because this is more of a so what sermon, I want to say up front that I know that there are many of you here today 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:04.359 who may hear that and think, oh, then I'm done listening. 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:11.579 Because I'm stuck back on the what. I'm not even really sure what I think about that. 00:01:11.939 --> 00:01:15.979 Or maybe I'm sure that I don't think that's true. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:20.379 I'm still wrestling with the what of the resurrection. 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:25.099 So the so what doesn't even matter for me yet, at least. I get that. 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:28.500 Let me say to you just a couple of things. 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:35.340 First, as unbelievable as it sounds, and we've acknowledged that, 00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:40.460 there are really good reasons to believe that about 2,000 years ago, 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:44.859 Jesus of Nazareth really did walk out of the grave. 00:01:44.960 --> 00:01:47.219 He really did rise from the dead. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:52.879 And we would be happy to talk with you sometime about some of those, if that's where you're wrestling. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:02:04.159 But secondly, this morning, I would invite you to consider what difference would it make if that were true? 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:11.620 Even if you're still wrestling with if it is, what difference would it make in your life if Jesus rose from the dead? 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:16.199 People for centuries have agreed that it would change so much. 00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:18.359 All sorts of people agree with that. 00:02:18.619 --> 00:02:20.000 What would it change for you? 00:02:21.619 --> 00:02:28.659 Are these changes that you long for, that you would love if it changed that for you? 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:32.179 How would your life be different in any other ways we're going to talk about? 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:34.519 Just consider that. 00:02:34.839 --> 00:02:36.000 I'll be honest with you. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.020 I need these changes in my relationship with God desperately. 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:43.060 So, maybe you will too. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:47.259 We're going to be looking at Hebrews chapter 8 today. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:50.979 We at Southwood have been studying through the book of Hebrews. 00:02:51.580 --> 00:02:55.539 And the writer keeps over and over highlighting the greatness of Jesus. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:03:03.819 What he's just gotten through saying is that Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life. 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:15.959 That he died on the cross to offer a perfect sacrifice so that he could stand as our representative before the throne of God the King and save us completely. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:19.159 That's an amazing statement. 00:03:19.299 --> 00:03:29.159 But in fact, he said Jesus lives forever to intercede for us, to pray for us, to represent us to God even today. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:30.319 Isn't that incredible? 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:36.060 That's what it means when it says Jesus is our high priest. 00:03:36.359 --> 00:03:39.919 That's what it's talking about, our representative before God. 00:03:40.959 --> 00:03:50.500 Now, if you have missed some or all of the first seven chapters and all their talk about Jesus being greater than everything else and every other priest, 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:52.780 I've got good news for you this morning. 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:59.280 Chapter 8 is about to review and to tell us the point of the whole thing. 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:01.819 So you're going to catch up right now in the next 30 minutes. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:03.439 You're going to get to catch up on the whole thing. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:05.860 Don't tell the people who've been coming the last few weeks. 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:07.620 Don't let them know. 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:09.280 They could have just come today. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:12.560 Follow along as I read God's word. 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:21.019 And as I ask for his help in understanding what it tells us about how we relate to him. 00:04:21.019 --> 00:04:27.159 Isn't it wonderful, by the way, that he wants us to know him and be loved by him? 00:04:27.219 --> 00:04:29.060 That's why he's given this to us. 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:31.779 Hebrews 8 at verse 1. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:35.579 Now, the point in what we're saying is this. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:44.319 We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven, 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:49.199 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 00:04:50.059 --> 00:04:53.899 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. 00:04:53.899 --> 00:04:58.560 Thus, it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 00:04:59.339 --> 00:05:01.899 Now, if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:05.199 since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 00:05:06.219 --> 00:05:11.079 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:14.859 For when Moses was about to erect the tent, 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:19.699 that's the word for tabernacle, the portable temple where God dwell. 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:25.399 When Moses was erecting that tent, he was instructed by God saying, 00:05:26.019 --> 00:05:30.300 see that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain. 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:39.259 But as it is, Christ, Jesus, has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:44.199 as the covenant, that word's going to come up again, just here, relationship. 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:47.620 Covenant means relationship with God. 00:05:47.620 --> 00:05:54.540 As the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:06:00.180 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:03.759 For he finds fault with them when he says, 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:08.120 and now he quotes from the prophet Jeremiah several hundred years before, 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:12.180 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:17.160 when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:21.639 Not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:25.160 to bring them out of the land of Egypt, for they did not continue in my covenant, 00:06:25.340 --> 00:06:28.439 and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:34.939 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:40.519 I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts, 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:45.000 and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:49.160 And they shall not teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:54.500 Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:07:01.779 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. 00:07:01.779 --> 00:07:06.619 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete, 00:07:06.919 --> 00:07:11.179 and what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. 00:07:12.619 --> 00:07:16.479 Father, please help us this morning. 00:07:16.979 --> 00:07:20.119 We want to see Jesus clearly. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.939 Some of this we don't understand. 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:26.719 Some of this we struggle to believe. 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:33.580 And so would you help us and help us to rejoice in Jesus in a fresh way, 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:35.120 that we might know you more. 00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:37.120 We ask it in his name. 00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:37.940 Amen. 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:51.100 God's clearly telling us in this passage this morning about old ways and new ways of relating to him. 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:57.660 And what makes the difference in old and new is Jesus. 00:07:58.820 --> 00:08:00.240 He's abundantly clear. 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:03.240 The point is, don't you love it? 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:04.120 Don't you help it? 00:08:04.140 --> 00:08:06.160 The pastor just said, by the way, here's the point. 00:08:06.280 --> 00:08:06.920 Listen now. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:11.840 We have such a high priest. 00:08:12.200 --> 00:08:19.439 Jesus, a representative before God in the very throne room of heaven. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:19.560 Heaven. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.019 We've never been there. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:21.939 We've never seen that. 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:23.660 But not the earthly copy. 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:27.680 Not a room like this, but in the throne room of heaven. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:32.940 And he explains how Moses made a very careful copy. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:37.679 But it was only a shadow of the true tent in heaven. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:42.360 Same with the earthly priests who offered lambs and goats. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:43.600 They're just a picture. 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.139 Here's the deal. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:55.659 For centuries, Jewish priests had helped God's people relate to God by offering sacrifices according to the law. 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:58.399 Over and over, it's what God directed them. 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:02.799 But see, this way of relating to God had its limits, didn't it? 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:09.419 For one, as Jeremiah points out, the people's obedience was very limited. 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:13.319 They often didn't even try to follow God's laws. 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:15.919 And when they did, they often fell short. 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:29.740 Even when they obeyed the ceremonies and codes he gave them, their external exercises didn't always reflect internal, heart-level, sincere love for God. 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:33.159 And that's what God has wanted in relationship with us from the beginning, right? 00:09:33.199 --> 00:09:34.240 That's why he made us. 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:36.419 We would love him like that mutual love. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:46.639 And even when the people did offer the right sacrifices, the life of the goat or the lamb in their place was only a placeholder. 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:53.599 They had to keep making those sacrifices over and over because it wasn't a perfect person. 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.919 Humanity had rebelled. 00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:59.419 Humanity must die. 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:07.620 These animals only stood in and pointed to the need for another unblemished sacrifice. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:13.179 Well, then Jesus comes as our priest. 00:10:13.579 --> 00:10:18.860 Now Jesus is the one standing in between helping us relate to God. 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:21.779 And so as priest, he had to offer something too, right? 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:24.399 What did he offer? 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:26.000 Verse 3 asks that question. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:28.919 Chapter 7 already told us. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:32.559 Jesus offered up himself. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:36.220 Now no priest had ever done that before. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:42.980 Finally, a perfect person who dies in the place of imperfect people. 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.440 So listen to verse 6. 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:50.760 As it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old. 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:56.820 As the covenant he mediates is better since it's enacted on better promises. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:11:01.420 If that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:05.060 See, that's talking about our relationship with God, right? 00:11:05.380 --> 00:11:06.500 That covenant. 00:11:06.660 --> 00:11:07.720 How does this work? 00:11:07.800 --> 00:11:09.500 The terms of the relationship. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:13.740 And it's not saying it was bad or wrong. 00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:16.200 It came from God. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:25.139 But that old system pointed to Jesus so that people were saved still by hoping in his coming sacrifice. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:27.460 The same way they were saved. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:30.500 But God had more in mind than that. 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:32.759 God wanted a different way. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:36.200 A better way of relating to him. 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:48.259 So he sent Jesus to this world, to the cross, and then miraculously back from the grave where he now lives forever in the throne room of God, 00:11:48.520 --> 00:11:51.120 representing us as our great high priest. 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:52.860 Something is different. 00:11:53.020 --> 00:11:56.259 God says that is what changes everything. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:59.580 He wants to explain everything. 00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:00.059 It changes. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.659 Because Jesus is alive. 00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:03.480 Because he lives. 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:06.679 Because we have a great high priest. 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:11.200 The way we relate to God has changed forever. 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:13.220 For all of us. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.419 Changed for the better, by the way. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:19.980 See, we no longer relate to God in the same ways that we used to. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.700 There's a new way. 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.899 A better way. 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:23.939 The way of Jesus. 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:24.060 Yes. 00:12:25.540 --> 00:12:35.700 And so what he's going to do is he's going to contrast the old ways with the new in three specific ways in this passage that are just, 00:12:36.260 --> 00:12:38.600 they're wonderfully good news for us. 00:12:39.260 --> 00:12:40.000 Each of them. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:42.740 Maybe different ones will be for you in different ways. 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:49.060 But if what you're thinking right now is, well, I've never done much of that animal sacrifice in pastor. 00:12:49.780 --> 00:12:52.200 That's not, this is not going to change anything for me. 00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:55.460 Well, it's not just that. 00:12:55.820 --> 00:13:02.000 I want to try to help us see how we often relate to God in the old ways, even when we don't realize it. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:08.259 And to see how what he's saying should change everything for us because Jesus is alive. 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.040 Out with the old. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.920 In with the new. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:12.560 He's going to say that three times, okay? 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:21.259 And he's going to do it by quoting about the new covenant, this new way of relating to God from Jeremiah 31. 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:24.659 You don't need to know everything about Jeremiah to understand. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:28.179 Just know this was a low point for God's people. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:34.119 And at that low point, God is promising to change the relationship. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:38.560 Now, Hebrews says, he's changed it by sending Jesus. 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:44.600 Jesus provides some things that God's people have never experienced in this same way. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:48.740 He starts with the fruit and then he works to the root. 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:50.980 So we're actually going to go in reverse this morning. 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:53.720 Just going to look at these three things in verses 10 through 12. 00:13:53.720 --> 00:14:01.220 The first thing Jesus provides in this new relationship with God is full forgiveness. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.080 Look at verse 12. 00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:11.899 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:23.060 Most of us, even if we're not all that sure what we think about God, are pretty sure he has something to do with good versus evil, right? 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:35.800 That if I'm going to be on his team, if I'm going to make it to heaven, he's keeping score and I better be more on the good side than the other one, right? 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:37.940 That's really important. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:45.500 Or maybe, maybe one day he'll just forgive my sin and let me into heaven by the skin of my teeth, 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:53.379 but he's still got me on probation right now for how mean I used to be to other people. 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:59.259 For the lying and cheating that I did early in my career to get ahead. 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:09.779 For the divorce I went through that makes me feel like, just marks me as a divorced Christian and I feel that every day. 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:18.600 So maybe I'm always having to work it off, to balance the books, to get back on God's good side. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:26.319 Maybe, like the way the people felt when every time they sinned, it was back to the priest, right? 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.199 Another animal. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:33.860 Oh, this year again, another goat being sent away to keep God happy. 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:40.860 We feel the guilt of our bad choices, don't we? 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:43.960 Our sin has only been provisionally dealt with. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:46.779 It's still kind of hanging over us. 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:51.039 Like the prodigal son, we're just hoping to make it up to God eventually. 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.580 Hey, let me work it off. 00:15:56.039 --> 00:16:01.379 If you can relate to any of that, if you've ever felt that way in relationship to God, 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:03.180 please don't miss this. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:08.799 I want to show you how God feels towards you because that's not how he relates to you. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:13.679 Jesus lives to change that framework entirely. 00:16:14.239 --> 00:16:15.620 To get rid of that old way. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:16.799 Out with the old. 00:16:17.099 --> 00:16:22.979 Jesus actually handled the punishment, do your sin once and for all on the cross 00:16:22.979 --> 00:16:31.439 so that all of your sins, past, present, and future, have been covered completely. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:33.960 He said on the cross, it is finished. 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:36.040 And then he sat down. 00:16:36.760 --> 00:16:42.780 He sat down as your representative in the throne of God, having finished his work. 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:44.000 No other priest ever sat down. 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:45.380 There was always something else to do. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.880 Another sacrifice to make. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:49.080 Jesus has paid for all your sins. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:55.100 So God says, I will remember their sins no more. 00:16:56.700 --> 00:17:02.639 Y'all, it doesn't mean that God just can't recall things well and he can't come up with 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.820 what is it that you've done. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:10.279 It means that he no longer associates you with your sins. 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:15.839 Like in our judicial system, sometimes you receive a guilty verdict. 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:18.399 You've really done something wrong. 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:29.160 But depending on the age, the crime, the circumstances, you can eventually, sometimes, have it expunged 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.839 from the record. 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:31.420 Right? 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:40.460 In other words, in the eyes of the court, your thievery, for example, is no longer associated 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:40.960 with you. 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:44.980 Someone goes to look up your record and it's not there. 00:17:46.320 --> 00:17:50.600 Psalm 103 says, God removes our sins from us. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:53.800 Not just some of them in the right circumstances. 00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:55.039 All of them. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:18:03.119 As far as the east is from the west, the prophet Micah says, God casts them into the depths of 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:03.779 the sea. 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:08.639 Verse 12 here gives an emphatic negation. 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:12.599 God will most certainly not remember. 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:16.539 In no way will God remember your sins anymore. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:20.539 He won't hold them against you ever. 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:27.920 He relates to you with full forgiveness because the perfect sacrifice has finally been accepted. 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:29.920 Not only taking your death. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:30.819 So what happened? 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.859 Your sins were associated with whom? 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.920 With Jesus. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:43.599 But now he's sitting alive before the throne of heaven, assuring that the payment for your 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:46.319 sins has been accepted once for all. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:50.740 Friends, in the eyes of God, your divorce is no longer associated with you. 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:56.879 In the eyes of God, your lying and cheating is no longer associated with you. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:19:03.500 In the eyes of God, your drunkenness, your gambling, your wild living is no longer associated 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.359 with you. 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:12.460 Jesus has taken it to the cross and it is expunged from the record forever because he lives. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:18.200 Because there was a sacrifice that didn't stay dead but was accepted. 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:25.079 In fact, that full forgiveness that was tasted for the first time with Jesus' death actually 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.420 means even more than that. 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:33.100 It means that the judge in that criminal courtroom who expunges from the record what you've done 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:38.319 actually steps down from the desk and he comes down and he takes you by the hand and he walks 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:42.879 you down the hall to family court and he says, I want to adopt this one. 00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:46.059 I want to adopt her, him. 00:19:46.679 --> 00:19:49.519 And you say, oh, you can't do that. 00:19:50.179 --> 00:19:51.619 You're the judge. 00:19:51.699 --> 00:19:53.179 And remember me, I'm a fraud. 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.219 I'm a fool. 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:56.519 I'm a failure. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:59.680 And he says, hold on, hold on, let me check the record. 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.700 That's a good point. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:02.759 No. 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.519 No, you're not. 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:07.259 None of that is here. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:10.920 God says, I'm adopting you. 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:13.960 And you say, no, let me make it up to you first. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.859 And God says, that's not how this works. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:18.559 Jesus paid it all. 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.299 My son is home again. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.519 We're celebrating. 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:24.200 The adoption is finalized and you can't stop it. 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:28.759 You're my child forever because Jesus lives. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.220 Amen. 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:31.779 That's who you've become. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:35.259 That's how you now can relate to God that you never could have before. 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:38.380 Full forgiveness. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:41.920 You relate to God now as his child. 00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:48.000 It's actually the basis for the next thing that Jesus provides. 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.559 Unlimited access. 00:20:50.559 --> 00:21:01.899 Many of you have told me that for much of your life, it was kind of the way Ben described part of his early life earlier. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.899 That God was very formal. 00:21:06.179 --> 00:21:07.919 Very impersonal. 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:12.799 Disconnected from much of your life. 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:18.559 Maybe you had a relative or someone, a friend, who took you to church services one day, most weeks. 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:23.299 But that was really all it was. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:25.859 There were rituals that you went through there. 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.139 There were things you said. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:29.559 There were, maybe there were prayers that you prayed. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:34.819 But for you, God seemed very distant most of the time, right? 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:38.659 Didn't have anything to do with my real life. 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:43.319 He was more like a concept than a personal reality for you. 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:49.220 In fact, most of you that felt that way would tell me if there was anything personal about God. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:52.919 If you got really close to him, it was scary, not comforting. 00:21:54.119 --> 00:22:02.259 Maybe the priest or some of the holy people at that church, maybe they knew God had some of this relationship thing, but not you. 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.599 You were keeping a safe distance. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:09.379 You think some of God's people in the Old Covenant could relate to those feelings? 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.939 Think about it. 00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:22.139 Not only were the priests the only ones who could get near God's holy place in the inner sanctum, one priest, once a year. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.879 That was it. 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:28.640 But actually, the whole temple complex had levels of access. 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:32.900 The outermost court welcomed Gentiles. 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:35.400 Anyone could come. 00:22:35.780 --> 00:22:39.120 They could come in that outer court, but that was as close as they could get. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:45.000 The next level, a little bit closer to where God was in the center, 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:49.100 it allowed Jewish women to come there, but then they stopped. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:51.880 Jewish men could go closer in. 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:57.940 But then only the priests at the next step, and then that really interplaced only the high priest. 00:22:58.540 --> 00:23:00.360 So most people were feeling what? 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.540 Distant. 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:06.000 Lots of religious ritual. 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:09.260 Little close contact. 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:13.700 Listen to what Jesus changes. 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:18.160 I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:20.100 Hear the warmth there, verse 11. 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:24.439 And they shall not teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:29.619 Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:33.719 They'll all have this relationship where they can come into my presence. 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:42.139 See, when Jesus is hanging on the cross, the curtain that kept you out of that holy place in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:50.460 It was a picture of the access that Jesus had won for all who trust in him. 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:52.320 Right into God's presence. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:58.060 This new relationship that God wants to have with you from the least to the greatest. 00:23:58.580 --> 00:24:02.780 No longer are you kept at a distance because you didn't have enough Bible knowledge. 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:12.139 No longer is there a separate place where your ethnicity or your gender makes you less close to God or less connected to him. 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.539 A second-class Christian. 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.099 No. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:17.799 No longer are you distant from God or else. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.000 No. 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.720 What does God say? 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:22.180 God says, come near. 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.740 Hebrews 4. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:36.059 Because our high priest, Jesus, is living today in the throne room of heaven, we draw near with confidence to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.120 Listen, do we need it? 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.339 A hundred percent. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:42.120 Do we come on our own merits because God just doesn't care about sin anymore? 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:42.920 No. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:49.880 We come near to him because God cares so much about sin that he dealt with it in Jesus and he welcomes us in. 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.420 He says, draw near. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.200 Or did we forget? 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:57.140 That he's adopted us as his children. 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.720 Had you forgotten? 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:07.039 Some of you are laughing because I've used this picture every week for 25 weeks in a row. 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.359 Not quite. 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:14.880 But you remember this access to the most powerful seat in the world? 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:22.799 What's a kid doing in the Oval Office underneath the Resolute Desk? 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.180 You know what he's doing? 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:26.519 He's the president's son, right? 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.460 JFK Jr. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.799 He can come anytime. 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:34.299 He lives there under that desk. 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:36.779 He's got under the desk access. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.799 Backstage pass, if you will. 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:45.480 That takes some rewiring for us. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:54.900 For those of us who think God's distant and he doesn't have anything to do with our career, our family, or our weekdays, or our struggles. 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:58.000 That's a different experience. 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:10.640 By the way, it also takes some rewiring for those of us who we feel like we're close to God, but we think that's because of our race or our gender or our denomination or our social status. 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:12.480 Of course God likes me. 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:18.940 They shall all know me. 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:22.660 From the least to the greatest. 00:26:23.020 --> 00:26:37.400 Biblical Christianity says your closeness to God comes not from your theological knowledge, not from your family pedigree, not from your age, your gender, your race, not your class. 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:44.780 Your closeness to God comes from one person, Jesus, your Savior, and he brings you close. 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:46.740 And that's the only way you get there. 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:50.300 He has bought you unlimited access. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:52.040 You live under that desk. 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:55.240 That's your new home close to God. 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:57.480 See, he's alive, so he's there. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:27:00.040 And this is like your buddy inviting you over to his house. 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:04.340 He belongs there, and if you're with him, you belong there. 00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:07.320 So you draw near to God over and over. 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:09.100 Not to check boxes. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:12.580 No, you don't have to check boxes anymore. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:17.019 You draw near to God to delight your soul because you love him. 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:22.620 In fact, the drawing near is not all on you. 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:29.340 God has come near himself to you in Jesus so that you're never alone. 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:34.340 You relate to God not because you have to go through some motions each week. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:37.019 That's the old way of relating to God. 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:52.360 But because you get to go through some emotions in this life, and you go through them with the one who made you and made your heart to feel those and knows how you hurt and longs to hear his child ask for help. 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:54.359 That's the new relationship. 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.439 You're that close. 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:59.759 Unlimited access to the God of the universe. 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:06.419 Full forgiveness, which yields unlimited access. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:09.539 You'll notice all the fours in here. 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:13.240 Those produce purposeful rest. 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:22.779 If you haven't recognized in yourself the other old ways of relating to God, you might recognize this one. 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:27.820 I am very familiar with it, even though I was never taught this. 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:33.439 It's the idea that Christianity is, at its essence, a list of rules. 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.899 It's a long list. 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:38.159 Lots of things to do, right? 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:42.500 Maybe, in your experience, even more things on the list not to do. 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:48.980 You know, don't drink, smoke, chew, or go with girls who do. 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.359 That's a version of it. 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:54.959 Kids, I want to update that expression for you. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.959 It's not a bad one. 00:28:56.219 --> 00:28:57.419 Many of us grew up with it. 00:28:57.659 --> 00:29:00.639 But maybe for you, it's don't watch the wrong shows. 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:02.579 Don't use the wrong apps. 00:29:03.699 --> 00:29:05.839 Be nice enough to everybody. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.619 Be the good kid. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:11.799 And there's a lot of things you've got to do to be that. 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:20.440 And so we get in that mindset of relating to God based on lists of rules, and it just keeps going. 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:21.899 Some of you have lived this. 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.940 Stay pure till marriage. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.659 Find a godly spouse. 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:31.879 Treat them well and have children who are parented to live the same way. 00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:33.099 To be good kids. 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:37.859 At least to be nice enough in public or especially at church so you don't embarrass me. 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:40.339 So that I look like a good parent. 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.700 Give enough. 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.759 Serve enough. 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.859 Lead enough. 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.000 Don't rest. 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:49.259 Even in retirement, there's good stuff to do for Jesus. 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.259 That's true. 00:29:52.319 --> 00:30:00.180 But it is a terrible way of relating to God based on what can I do for Him. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.960 It's the basis of our relationship. 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:07.980 It produces workaholic pastors. 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:12.400 Y'all know I needed my heart reset. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.660 Hard reset. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.779 During sabbatical a few years ago. 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:19.440 It can produce exhausted volunteers. 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:23.039 It can produce prideful church members. 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:26.879 Who hope and think that they're doing enough. 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:30.059 And they're better than the people who aren't. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:33.019 But they're not ever really sure. 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:35.480 Sometimes you can't even go to sleep. 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:39.420 Maybe you've had this experience because you lie down and your mind is just racing. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:45.159 With the things that for the next day that you need to accomplish or control or contribute. 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:50.019 Can you take a deep breath with me for a second? 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.519 Listen. 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:55.000 Listen to the new terms of relationship with God. 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:58.720 They're very different from what can I do for Him. 00:30:59.380 --> 00:31:00.019 Verse 10. 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:01.620 This is the covenant. 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.340 Here it is. 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.180 God's laying it out. 00:31:03.320 --> 00:31:04.779 Here's how it works to relate to me. 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:09.299 That I'll make with the house of Israel after those days declares the Lord. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:12.740 I will put my laws into their minds. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:14.700 And write them on their hearts. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.720 And I will be their God. 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:18.940 And they shall be my people. 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.660 Do you hear it? 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:22.440 The covenant I, God, will make. 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.180 I will put. 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.079 I will write. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:26.619 I will be their God. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:30.819 See when the old system wasn't working well enough. 00:31:31.399 --> 00:31:34.039 Not enough heart driven obedience there. 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:36.039 God said, I'll do it. 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:41.480 I'll see to it that they can do what they couldn't do on their own. 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:45.119 With just 10 laws written on stone tablets. 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:47.619 And can they do enough of those? 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:47.980 No. 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:51.259 God says, I'll write them on their hearts. 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:56.180 I'm going to actually shape their hearts to my law so that it fits. 00:31:56.379 --> 00:31:58.119 And they love this and long for this. 00:31:58.119 --> 00:32:02.319 God will provide and produce the obedience that He requires. 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:03.879 Amazing. 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.480 He's going to do it. 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:13.599 This is what Jesus means when He offers weary and burdened people to come to Him and find rest for our souls. 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:18.420 It's not a rest of inactivity, is it? 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.799 No. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.299 This is a rest. 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:26.259 You live under the desk near to your loving Father. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:31.259 A rest with a heart renewed in love for God and His ways. 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:40.920 A rest where you can sleep because Jesus is alive and He's seated at the throne of power controlling everything for my good. 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:42.640 It's an eternal rest. 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.799 A secure hope because Jesus lives. 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:47.259 I don't ever have to wonder if I've done enough. 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:50.659 If I've kept enough of the rules to land on the good side. 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:55.480 And it's a purposeful rest. 00:32:55.480 --> 00:33:00.779 That sets God's children free from having to earn His love. 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:04.240 To control our world. 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:06.620 To do enough. 00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:13.259 So that now our hearts loving Him increasingly match the shape of His law. 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:15.039 And so what kinds of things do we do? 00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:15.899 Eagerly. 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:17.399 With joy from our hearts. 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.259 We love our neighbors. 00:33:19.179 --> 00:33:20.119 Care for the poor. 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:22.359 Live faithfully with our spouses. 00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:24.059 Honor our parents. 00:33:24.439 --> 00:33:25.559 Share the hope of Jesus. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.319 Speak the truth in love. 00:33:27.719 --> 00:33:30.319 Show tenderness and patience toward our children. 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:33.000 Display generosity with our resources. 00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:40.159 Speak up for and defend the lives of the voiceless and marginalized who are made valuable in God's image. 00:33:40.679 --> 00:33:47.720 Now I'm doing all these things from a new heart and a new relationship that's directed with new power because it's not all my strength. 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:51.139 That's purposeful rest. 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:55.840 God insists that you can live with Him like this. 00:33:57.480 --> 00:34:02.100 Even when you fall short, you still rest in His arms. 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:08.180 That's the life, that's the relationship that He offers in Jesus. 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:23.659 As we wrap up this morning, I want to say to you if, like me, religion for you has meant any of those old ways of relating to God. 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:30.779 Easter is offering you the end of religion like that. 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:35.960 That it becomes obsolete and vanishes. 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.399 It's over. 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:41.539 However, Jesus offers you something new and better. 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.559 A relationship. 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:46.920 Think of the difference that makes. 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:51.980 For Him to be alive and offering you a relationship with God like that. 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:58.099 See, if we don't have such a high priest as Jesus. 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:03.500 If Jesus was just a man or a teacher or a revolutionary 2,000 years ago. 00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:07.420 But He's not alive in the throne room of heaven right now. 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:15.059 The guilt and shame that haunt your life are feelings that you're likely stuck with. 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:21.259 Even if maybe you can lessen them or numb them a little with some good behavior here and there. 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:30.960 Because there's no full forgiveness to expunge them forever without a crucified and risen Savior. 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:39.320 The loneliness and the distance from God that are the things you know so well. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:41.340 They're actually the best you can hope for. 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:44.740 Because if God's even really there. 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:48.940 If you get too close, He's going to see through your religious box checking, isn't He? 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:52.360 If He's real, you can be sure you won't fool Him. 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:58.579 There's no unlimited access to God as a Father without His perfect Son. 00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:08.800 Maybe for you it's anxiety and exhaustion that feel characteristic of day in and day out. 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:16.039 If Jesus is not alive, they'll never be far away. 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:19.220 You're always going to be grasping for control. 00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:22.039 You're always going to be uncertain if you've been good enough. 00:36:22.600 --> 00:36:28.080 There's no real rest without Jesus finishing the work on your behalf. 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:34.619 If Jesus has not been raised from the dead, Paul says, we are still in our sins. 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:37.539 We are wasting our lives trying hard. 00:36:37.659 --> 00:36:38.039 Stop. 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:42.980 We're spreading false hope to ourselves and our neighbors. 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:50.559 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. 00:36:50.779 --> 00:36:55.279 We do have such a high priest, don't we? 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.119 That's the good news. 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:58.500 We have this high priest. 00:36:58.619 --> 00:37:00.219 We have this relationship. 00:37:00.799 --> 00:37:02.359 He's saying, consider Jesus. 00:37:02.799 --> 00:37:03.739 You have Him. 00:37:03.799 --> 00:37:04.839 He's yours. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:10.799 Think of the way Hebrews, just in its words, describes Jesus as your high priest. 00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:13.880 What's He like as priest representing you to God? 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:16.619 Because He lives right now on the throne of heaven. 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:19.299 He's a great high priest. 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:23.679 Seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven. 00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:29.279 By the power of an indestructible life, He's high priest forever. 00:37:29.819 --> 00:37:31.019 Appointed by God. 00:37:31.279 --> 00:37:32.319 The Son of God. 00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:34.599 Like us in every respect. 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:36.819 Tempted in every way as we are. 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.059 Merciful. 00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.219 Faithful. 00:37:39.839 --> 00:37:40.699 Without sin. 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:41.440 Holy. 00:37:41.799 --> 00:37:42.359 Innocent. 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:43.360 Unstained. 00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:43.400 Unstained. 00:37:43.700 --> 00:37:44.820 Separated from sinners. 00:37:45.120 --> 00:37:46.519 Exalted above the heavens. 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:48.000 And what's He doing there? 00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:51.620 He sympathizes with our weaknesses. 00:37:52.740 --> 00:37:55.079 Helps those who are being tempted. 00:37:55.620 --> 00:38:00.680 Goes behind the curtain ahead of us to minister in the true tent. 00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:05.879 Where He makes purification for sins to provide our eternal salvation. 00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:11.179 And where He then lives forever to make intercession for us. 00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:14.559 We have such a high priest. 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:19.199 Y'all, Jesus is the point of everything He's saying. 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:21.460 He wants you to know you're not on your own. 00:38:21.919 --> 00:38:24.199 You don't stand before God on your own merits. 00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.359 You have His. 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:26.899 You have Him. 00:38:26.900 --> 00:38:30.460 Because He lives. 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:33.320 It changed everything for Ben. 00:38:33.680 --> 00:38:39.079 Ben realized and told us this morning that he realized God was there holding on to him. 00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:41.240 Even when he was struggling to hold on to God. 00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:48.619 I talked to a young man this week who he was saying the more he thinks about how Jesus lives for him. 00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:54.139 That reality gives him hope when he feels inadequate at work or as a dad. 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.320 That he's not alone. 00:38:55.320 --> 00:39:00.380 That there's someone who's helping him love his neighbor and love his kids. 00:39:04.880 --> 00:39:06.760 It makes a difference for all of your life. 00:39:09.080 --> 00:39:14.680 Talked to an older woman in our congregation this week at her bedside. 00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:15.660 She's been told, 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:19.039 You just have a few days to live. 00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:25.619 You think about getting to that point where doctor says, 00:39:25.739 --> 00:39:27.679 Hey, you may be feeling pretty good right now. 00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:29.179 You may be thinking clearly. 00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:33.539 But you're told this may be your last day. 00:39:33.739 --> 00:39:37.719 Or when you fall asleep, you may not wake up here. 00:39:37.820 --> 00:39:39.759 And you don't know and you don't control it. 00:39:39.760 --> 00:39:45.000 And I talked to her and I cried a lot. 00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:46.840 And she couldn't stop smiling. 00:39:47.740 --> 00:39:54.060 There was this palpable joy written over her face because she kept talking about seeing Jesus. 00:39:54.980 --> 00:40:00.300 And I'm going to, I'm pretty soon, I don't know when, but pretty soon I'm going to be face to face with him. 00:40:00.300 --> 00:40:03.120 And there's a joy in that. 00:40:03.380 --> 00:40:08.519 There's things she's sad about, but man, is she looking forward to what's next. 00:40:10.220 --> 00:40:14.700 Jesus lives and that changes everything. 00:40:16.100 --> 00:40:22.560 Because he lives, I can face any and every tomorrow without fear. 00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:24.539 With great hope. 00:40:25.060 --> 00:40:26.000 Great joy. 00:40:26.440 --> 00:40:26.900 Let's pray. 00:40:26.900 --> 00:40:32.440 Jesus thanks that you do live. 00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:35.180 And that does give us hope. 00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:39.639 There's so much that we face and struggle with here. 00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:43.920 We're so discouraged often, sometimes with ourselves. 00:40:46.900 --> 00:40:50.559 We hardly feel like we could have a relationship with God some days. 00:40:50.660 --> 00:40:53.240 What would it look like for us to be good enough for that? 00:40:53.720 --> 00:40:56.300 And you're telling us that you are. 00:40:56.900 --> 00:41:00.139 And you're bringing us in and you're inviting us home. 00:41:01.079 --> 00:41:01.980 Thank you. 00:41:03.700 --> 00:41:12.380 Would that truth, the reality of you living right now, come home to our hearts and be life-changing today and tomorrow and for eternity. 00:41:12.760 --> 00:41:13.900 We ask it in your name. 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:15.119 Amen. 00:41:15.699 --> 00:41:20.039 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.039 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.039 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.039 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.039 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.039 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.039 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.039 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:24.219 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.219