WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.600 Hebrews 11, and we're going to look this morning at verse 8 to 28. 00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:14.080 Some time ago, a bank in New York arranged for some flowers to be sent to a competitor. 00:00:14.939 --> 00:00:20.560 A competitor at the bank had moved into a nearby building, but there was a mix-up of the florist, 00:00:21.079 --> 00:00:23.159 and the card read, with our deepest sympathy. 00:00:24.520 --> 00:00:29.460 The florist was greatly embarrassed when it was pointed out, and apologised profusely. 00:00:30.240 --> 00:00:34.079 The florist was even more embarrassed when she realised that the card intended for the bank 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:36.619 was actually attached to a wreath that was sent to a funeral. 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:40.439 And the card read, congratulations on your new location. 00:00:41.839 --> 00:00:43.500 That's a pretty awful story, isn't it? 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:47.960 I don't know if you ever think about what your new location is. 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:55.500 I think if it was a Christian funeral, people's reaction would have been very different, wouldn't it? 00:00:56.679 --> 00:01:00.840 I think we would have applauded the card on those flowers as a worthy sentiment. 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:04.460 Because Christians know where they're going, don't they? 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:10.120 As I was trying to prepare this talk this week, I heard of a 92-year-old woman who was in hospital. 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:14.520 She caught one of those superbugs in hospital, and she became very, very unwell. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:18.659 And when she recovered, though, she had a visit from the hospital consultant, 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:24.700 who asked, if this situation were to happen again, would you wish us to resuscitate you? 00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:26.540 Oh no, she said. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:30.500 Imagine getting to the gates of heaven, only to find myself back here again. 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:34.200 I don't think that's a good choice, is it, for a Christian. 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:35.859 Do you agree with that? 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:37.900 That lady was confident. 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:41.879 And all the people that we read of in Hebrews 11, 00:01:42.600 --> 00:01:44.100 and there's an awful lot of them there, 00:01:44.900 --> 00:01:45.659 they are confident. 00:01:46.740 --> 00:01:48.879 Every single one of them, there's too many to choose from. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.859 That's my problem this morning, which verses to pick out from and which not. 00:01:52.539 --> 00:01:54.259 We could be in Hebrews 11 for a whole year. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:01:57.819 But the thing is, about this chapter, 00:01:58.039 --> 00:02:02.079 all these people, they are certain of their eternal future. 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:04.979 They're certain of their destination. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:08.780 It's the bit in between, isn't it? 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:10.240 That's uncertain. 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:15.080 It's the bit in between that is difficult for you and I. 00:02:15.980 --> 00:02:19.740 How do you face the uncertainties of life? 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:23.960 How do we navigate our way to the better country, 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:25.360 that is talked about in Hebrews 11? 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:29.460 How do we navigate the twists and the turns of prominence, 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:32.460 and as we make our way to the eternal city? 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:34.800 And do you know what the answer to that is? 00:02:34.920 --> 00:02:36.719 Well, you can't miss it, I can hear in this chapter. 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:39.240 It is very, very obvious. 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:47.780 It is by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith. 00:02:47.820 --> 00:02:48.420 I could go on. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:50.879 That is the strapline of the chapter. 00:02:51.040 --> 00:02:53.240 That is the drumbeat, isn't it, of the chapter. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:54.879 That is the baseline. 00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:57.460 By faith, by faith, by faith. 00:02:57.500 --> 00:03:00.439 And last week we saw faith finding fever with God, 00:03:00.480 --> 00:03:02.540 and that theme runs right the way through the chapter. 00:03:03.600 --> 00:03:06.640 All these people, they were commended for their faith. 00:03:07.140 --> 00:03:09.600 Not that faith is anything in and of itself, 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:13.140 people sometimes say, don't they, well I wish I had your faith. 00:03:13.200 --> 00:03:13.860 That's just stupid. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:14.659 Faith is nothing. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:18.120 You might have faith in a trust fairy. 00:03:18.980 --> 00:03:19.700 What is faith? 00:03:19.820 --> 00:03:20.740 Faith is nothing. 00:03:21.320 --> 00:03:23.140 What matters is where your faith is placed. 00:03:24.460 --> 00:03:26.180 And what your faith is responding to. 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:28.640 Faith never exists in a vacuum. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:32.559 It is always a response to the word of God. 00:03:32.559 --> 00:03:37.139 Whether it's believing at a promise, or it's heeding a warning, or it's obeying a commandment. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:42.059 Faith is taking God at his word and trusting him. 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:43.459 And that's what these folk did. 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:44.899 And they are commended for it. 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:48.939 Faith is also looking forward. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:50.200 That's the theme this morning. 00:03:51.460 --> 00:03:56.000 Being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. 00:03:57.020 --> 00:04:00.340 And that's beautifully demonstrated in the two examples I want us to look at this morning. 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:02.180 In the example of Abraham and Moses. 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:04.860 Two of the great figures in the Old Testament. 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:09.460 And what you see here is that faith is facing the future. 00:04:10.980 --> 00:04:12.700 Faith looking forward. 00:04:14.040 --> 00:04:17.400 Even when, humanly speaking, there doesn't seem to be anything to look forward to. 00:04:18.660 --> 00:04:20.180 Faith is future orientated. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:22.199 Now let me show you that in the life of Abraham and Moses. 00:04:24.280 --> 00:04:25.699 Let me give you three things so you know where we're going. 00:04:25.780 --> 00:04:26.860 Number one, the promise of a place. 00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:28.879 Number two, the promise of a people. 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:32.500 And number three, the promise of an exceedingly great reward. 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:34.879 First of all, the promise of a place. 00:04:34.920 --> 00:04:36.480 Look with me at verse 8. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:38.800 At verse 8. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:43.060 By faith, Abraham obeyed. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:48.759 When he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:51.920 And he went out not knowing where he was going. 00:04:53.339 --> 00:04:56.819 Now next to Jesus, Abraham is probably the most important person in the Bible. 00:04:58.899 --> 00:05:01.220 He's given 12 verses here in this chapter. 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:03.740 And Moses gets five verses. 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:06.700 And all the others just get one verse each. 00:05:06.760 --> 00:05:07.560 He gets 12. 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:08.580 Moses gets five. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:09.980 And the others just get one verse each. 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:13.280 So it shouldn't surprise you that Abraham figures so prominently. 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:17.060 Because he is the granddaddy of faith, says Paul in Romans. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:18.940 He is the father of all who believe. 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:25.000 So if we were to ask Paul or Peter or James or John. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:27.379 What does it mean to have faith in God? 00:05:27.459 --> 00:05:28.699 To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:29.540 Do you know what they would do? 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:30.540 They would point you to Abraham. 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:33.160 So let's look at this. 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:34.360 Let me tell you a little bit about Abraham. 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:36.259 Let's walk through his journey of faith. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.040 It starts in verse 8, doesn't it? 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:39.300 With the call of God. 00:05:40.459 --> 00:05:42.740 My faith, Abraham, when called. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:45.860 I don't know what that was like. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:48.879 How did God call Abraham? 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:51.040 Was it an audible voice that he heard? 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:51.540 I don't know. 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:56.100 Was it simply a kind of restlessness in his spirit? 00:05:56.460 --> 00:05:58.180 Like birds getting ready to migrate? 00:05:58.780 --> 00:05:59.379 Was it like that? 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:00.120 Well, we don't know. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:00.780 We're not told. 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:07.900 Stephen, in his speech in Acts chapter 7, tells us that the glory of God appears to him. 00:06:07.899 --> 00:06:10.539 And that is what unsettled him. 00:06:10.679 --> 00:06:11.439 Changed his life. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:15.919 That's what caused him to have this huge change of direction in his life. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:17.319 The glory of God appeared to him. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:21.839 And God came into Abraham's life in a very significant way. 00:06:21.919 --> 00:06:23.259 And he was never the same again. 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:26.719 He didn't know where it was going to lead him. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:31.539 But he just knew that the invisible God was not just an idea. 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:33.099 But the invisible God was real. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:35.859 God became real to him. 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:42.180 And faith is seeing what cannot be seen. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:44.000 The invisible God. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.879 The God of glory appeared to him. 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:51.400 And I wonder if anything like that has happened in your life. 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:54.580 It's called conversion. 00:06:54.780 --> 00:06:56.100 I preached on it last month. 00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:57.319 Are you converted? 00:06:59.020 --> 00:07:00.660 Whether it happens suddenly. 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:04.020 Like a blinded flashing light. 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:07.640 Like it did for Saul on the road to Damascus. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:10.720 That's very, very, very unusual. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.880 Or whether it was a gradual process. 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:16.660 Like it has been for many of us. 00:07:16.960 --> 00:07:17.820 Have you turned around? 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:21.600 And so what direction are you facing? 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:23.320 Have you been turned around? 00:07:23.940 --> 00:07:27.060 And put in a different direction by the grace and kindness of God? 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:30.019 It's ironic, isn't it? 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:35.459 That sometimes in our calling, the idea of calling has been used to justify the status quo. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:38.019 The rich man at his castle. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:40.000 The poor man at his gate. 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:41.420 He made them high or lowly. 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:43.560 And ordered their estate. 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:48.420 Well that's saying, if whatever your calling is in life, just stay where you are. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:53.759 But that is a mishandling and it's a misunderstanding of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7. 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:58.040 When God called Abraham, he didn't say to him, stay where you are. 00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:02.200 When God called Abraham, he told him to get up and to go. 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:04.660 And he got up and he went. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:07.360 Even though he wasn't quite sure where he was going. 00:08:07.780 --> 00:08:11.400 And when he arrived in this place called Canaan, he lived, we're told, in a tent. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.680 He was extremely rich. 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:22.579 He was the Richard Branson or the Bill Gates or the Elon Musk, is that what he said? 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:23.400 Of his day. 00:08:24.280 --> 00:08:26.819 He lived in the cradle of civilization. 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:31.180 Ur of the colonies was the most impressive city. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:33.039 The archaeologists have shown us that. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.799 Abraham was a very wealthy man. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:37.840 He had camels and donkeys and sheep and servants. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:39.539 And yet he chose to live in a tent. 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.259 It was not that he had to. 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:45.379 There were plenty of cities around he could have chosen. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:47.899 Why did he live in a drafty old tent? 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:51.460 When you can afford them, plus his hotel in Canaan. 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:53.620 Why live in a tent? 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:55.019 Well, it tells us in verse 10, doesn't it? 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:58.179 Because Canaan was not his final destination. 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:00.600 He was still on the move. 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:02.980 He was looking forward to the city that had foundations. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.080 Whose architect and builder is God. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:08.659 Do you see, living in a tent was his choice. 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:09.799 It was his lifestyle choice. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:13.019 And living in a tent was his testimony. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:15.559 Because I'm going to a better city, he said. 00:09:16.339 --> 00:09:18.179 But I'm looking forward to something in the future. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:23.419 He was saying, isn't he, there's something more important in life than wealth and career. 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:27.740 There's something more important in life than where you live. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:31.680 There is something promised to him by God. 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:35.399 And if we are Abraham's children and people of faith. 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:37.680 And our faith is forward looking. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:40.060 Then it will show in our lifestyle choices. 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:46.779 That we as Christians will be people who sit lightly to the things of this world. 00:09:47.979 --> 00:09:49.699 Because of the world to come. 00:09:49.859 --> 00:09:55.819 And yet too often, we just settle down here as if it was the only world that there is. 00:09:55.820 --> 00:09:59.900 But you and I, we were made for something different. 00:10:01.660 --> 00:10:03.860 We were made for a better world. 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:07.620 You and I as human beings, we were made for something better. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:09.940 We were not meant to live in this world. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:12.120 In a world like this with hearts like ours. 00:10:12.900 --> 00:10:14.360 Under these sorts of conditions. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.900 We were and are meant for something else. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:17.600 Something better. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.440 A better country. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:23.480 And this chapter suggests to you, it is a heavenly country that you were made for. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:29.220 Well, who's going to live in this brave new world that God promises us a new world? 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:32.020 This brave new world that God promises to Abraham. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:34.620 Notice the second thing is the promise of a place. 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:37.360 Not only the promise of a place, but the promise of a people. 00:10:38.400 --> 00:10:39.560 The promise of a people. 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:44.780 And God promised to make Abraham the father of a great nation. 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:49.339 With so many descendants that you wouldn't even be able to count them. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:51.799 There's only one problem, isn't there? 00:10:51.839 --> 00:10:53.139 Abraham is 100 years old. 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.799 And his wife is in her late 90s. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:58.279 Abraham is impotent. 00:10:59.199 --> 00:11:00.539 And Sarah is sterile. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.899 But that doesn't stop him, does it? 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:03.919 Making love to his wife. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:06.019 Believing that God would do the impossible. 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:06.939 And he does that. 00:11:06.959 --> 00:11:08.100 Look at verses 11 and 12. 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:12.759 By faith, Sarah herself received power to conceive. 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:15.240 Even when she was past the age. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:18.279 Since she considered him faithful. 00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:19.939 Who had promised. 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:22.340 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead. 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:25.240 Were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:28.179 And as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:30.779 And you say, how is that possible? 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:34.839 But you open your eyes today. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:38.419 And all around the world there are these people. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:41.720 In a Mexican wave of worship. 00:11:41.959 --> 00:11:42.939 All around the world. 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:45.759 From every tribe and every language group under heaven. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:47.860 And these are Abraham's descendants. 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:50.659 We meet here this morning as Abraham's descendants. 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:52.919 And he has done it. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.159 And God is doing it. 00:11:54.459 --> 00:11:55.779 He is the God of the impossible. 00:11:55.779 --> 00:12:00.039 And he has prepared a place for those who trust him. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:04.500 A glorious city with unshakable foundations. 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:07.039 And he will people that place. 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:10.699 Through the preaching of his word and the gospel. 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:14.000 He is calling out men and women and boys and girls. 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:17.079 From every tribe and nation and tongue. 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.799 Do you believe that? 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:20.979 Do we believe that? 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:22.399 It's a prepared place. 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.639 For prepared people. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:28.779 Jesus went to the cross didn't he? 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.179 To prepare this place for you. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.240 He said to his disciples. 00:12:31.439 --> 00:12:33.939 I am going to prepare a place for you. 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:36.179 He's not saying I'm going to die sooner or later. 00:12:36.699 --> 00:12:38.199 And you won't see me anymore. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:40.159 This is the night before the cross. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:43.019 And he says I'm going to the cross to prepare a place for you. 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:45.980 That is what it's going to take me. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:48.740 To prepare a place and a future for you. 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:49.519 For you people. 00:12:49.819 --> 00:12:50.639 I'm going to have to die. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:54.360 I'm going to have to take your sin upon my shoulders. 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:56.779 And I will bear the wrath of God for you. 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:58.399 And I'm going to the cross. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:00.319 To prepare a place for you. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.279 And I'll come again. 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.740 And I will take you to myself. 00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:04.720 Where I am. 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:06.740 And in my father's house there's plenty of room. 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:09.419 And there you will be also. 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.600 And where is that? 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.759 Well what kind of place will it be? 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:18.460 What is the kind of place that Jesus prepares for those who love him? 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.019 It is a city with foundations. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:22.159 Whose builder and maker is God. 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:25.779 It's not is it? 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:31.180 It's not some ethereal airy fairy place. 00:13:31.180 --> 00:13:33.860 Where people sit on clouds and twang harps. 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.300 And all wear white. 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:38.680 It's a city with foundations. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.800 Whose architect and builder is God. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:46.639 Architects and builders don't get on very well. 00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:49.259 I think I can tell you this. 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:51.120 But on a church building project. 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:51.940 Which is nearly finished. 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:55.120 Our architects and builders are not getting on. 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:56.440 And haven't got on for quite a while. 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:58.320 When I went round. 00:13:58.420 --> 00:14:00.420 I said this is going to be such a beautiful building. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:00.940 Is it? 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:02.560 And the builder said. 00:14:02.640 --> 00:14:03.680 Yeah but you don't have to build it. 00:14:05.900 --> 00:14:07.000 And because architects. 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:07.340 Don't they? 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:07.860 Architects. 00:14:07.900 --> 00:14:10.100 They design something which is very very creative. 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:12.760 And very very imaginative. 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:13.720 But it's not easy to build. 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:17.120 And so imagine living in a community. 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:19.740 Living in a world where God is both the architect and the builder. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:25.139 Sometimes I feel sorry for politicians. 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.840 I think we give them a rough ride. 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:28.180 Don't we? 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.539 Some of them definitely deserve it. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:31.539 But my experience in the politicians I've met. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:36.360 Is the politicians that I know are sincerely trying to make the world a better place. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.100 That's why they go into it. 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:42.399 It's not that they're in it to fathom their own nest. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.560 Or to boost their own ego. 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:44.879 And I don't know about you. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:47.559 But sometimes I find myself feeling really sorry for them. 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.939 Because it's a hopeless task. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.279 Isn't it? 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.700 It is a hopeless task. 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:55.919 To make this world a better place. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:56.840 We shouldn't blame them. 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:58.019 We shouldn't blame them when they fail to deliver. 00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:05.240 And so you see the gospel is not about making this world a better place. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:10.039 The gospel is about desiring a better country. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.480 And our faith is not in politicians. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:16.920 Our faith is not in improving society. 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:19.879 Our faith is in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.519 The promise. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:23.480 The promise of a heavenly country. 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.379 A world which is to come. 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.480 A new world. 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:35.620 Which is being populated by people who are made new in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:39.379 And what Abraham looked for. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:43.480 And what John actually saw coming down from heaven in the book of Revelation. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.759 Was the new heavens and the new earth. 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:50.480 And that is the vision that is put into Abraham's heart. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:53.139 On the day that God called him. 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.639 And that is why he kept moving forwards. 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.019 And that is what he was living for. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:57.000 That is the vision. 00:15:57.919 --> 00:16:00.240 He passed on to his kids and to his grandchildren. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:03.500 What vision do you pass on to your grandchildren? 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:07.600 Look at what it says in verse 13. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.299 It says this. 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:10.519 It says all these people. 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:15.659 These all died in faith. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.379 Who are these people? 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.679 They are Abraham's descendants. 00:16:19.959 --> 00:16:20.740 All these people. 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:23.019 They were still living by faith when they died. 00:16:23.479 --> 00:16:25.139 They didn't receive the things promised. 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:27.519 They only saw them. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:29.360 And they welcomed them from a distance. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:33.600 Admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 00:16:35.199 --> 00:16:39.399 And people who say such things show that they are looking for a country not their own. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:44.120 If they had been thinking of the country that they had just left. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.360 They could have gone back and returned. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.419 They were longing for a better country. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.580 A heavenly one. 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.659 That is not escapism. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:53.879 Listen to me. 00:16:53.959 --> 00:16:55.259 Do you know anything of it? 00:16:57.079 --> 00:16:58.659 There is a word in Welsh called hirais. 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.639 There are Welsh people here this morning. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.899 I am not a Welsh speaker. 00:17:01.959 --> 00:17:03.199 But there is a word called hirais. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:03.980 Is that right? 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.759 It is a longing for home. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.119 Isn't it? 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.839 And Abraham. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.460 Had a longing for home. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:18.079 And the descendants of Abraham had a longing for home. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:21.000 And for Christians and believers. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:23.680 Our longing for home is not a home that we come from. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.920 But it is a home that we are going to. 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.759 It is a place you have never been. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.740 Longing for home. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.240 To a place you have never been. 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:39.619 Do you know any of that longing in your heart? 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.380 Do you know what it is like? 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.839 C.S. Lewis describes it. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:46.019 In this most amazing way. 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:48.400 C.S. Lewis says. 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:50.319 It is the scent of a flower. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:52.059 We have not yet found. 00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:55.099 It is the echo of a tune. 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.240 We have not yet heard. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.879 It is news from a country. 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.019 We have not yet visited. 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:02.619 How can we even imagine. 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.920 That such a place exists. 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:06.039 A baby feels hunger. 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.759 Says Lewis. 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:08.139 When there is such a thing as food. 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:09.660 That is why a baby feels hunger. 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:12.200 A duckling wants to swim. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.639 When there is such a thing as water. 00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:15.500 We feel sexual desires. 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:17.339 There is such a thing as sex. 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:21.139 And if I find in myself. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:21.939 A desire. 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:24.839 Which no experience in this world can satisfy. 00:18:25.939 --> 00:18:27.579 The most probable explanation. 00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:28.939 Says C.S. Lewis. 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.319 Is I was made for another world. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.220 I think that is so encouraging. 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:35.559 Isn't it? 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:37.319 It is so encouraging to those of us who are Christians. 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:38.459 It is so encouraging. 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:41.039 For those of us who will be in the workplace tomorrow. 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:43.000 And will be at the school gate. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.699 And in college. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.459 And in school. 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:46.779 That the longings that your colleagues. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.319 And your school friends have. 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.940 Can only be found. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.200 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.440 And the longing for another world. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.819 Have you understood that. 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.819 About yourself. 00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.620 Have you understood that. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.759 About the world around you. 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.740 There is a verse in the Bible. 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.360 That says. 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:04.000 That God has placed eternity. 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.539 In our hearts. 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.960 That atheist in your office. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.700 God has put eternity in their hearts. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.640 They just suppress it. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.860 Augustine says. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.639 We are restless. 00:19:14.919 --> 00:19:16.139 Until we find our rest. 00:19:16.219 --> 00:19:16.679 In thee. 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.419 There is a rest. 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:22.219 The writer of the Hebrew says. 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.539 That remains for the people of God. 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.259 And it's in the future. 00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:26.339 That Sabbath rest. 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:27.019 And we are restless. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.959 Until we reach that. 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.759 There's that longing. 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:31.579 That hirith. 00:19:32.959 --> 00:19:33.799 So by faith. 00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.399 Abraham. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.259 Left home. 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:35.939 And he lived in tents. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.039 And he sat loose to this world. 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.219 And he refused. 00:19:39.439 --> 00:19:40.299 To make his home here. 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:40.959 By faith. 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.400 Sarah made love. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:42.880 To her. 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.519 Nanogenarian husband. 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.579 Believing that God. 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.120 Was faithful. 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:47.960 To her husband. 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:48.960 To his promise. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.279 And would produce a people. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.079 And Isaac was born. 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.880 And then look at her son. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.140 Abraham's faith. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.240 Is severely tested. 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.660 He leaves. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.620 Fear of the colonies. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.500 At God's call. 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.920 He shuts the door. 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.579 On his past. 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:03.019 That is part of. 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.120 Conversion experience. 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.979 When the glory. 00:20:05.979 --> 00:20:06.559 And the grace. 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.259 Of God appears. 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.339 There is a radical. 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.500 Break with our past. 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.459 And when Abraham. 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:10.859 Left. 00:20:10.979 --> 00:20:11.679 Irv the colonies. 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.819 He shuts the door. 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.459 On his past. 00:20:15.219 --> 00:20:16.319 And now it looks like. 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:16.639 Doesn't it. 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.579 That God is shutting the door. 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.159 On his future. 00:20:18.439 --> 00:20:19.559 Because God tells. 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:20.599 Abraham to sacrifice. 00:20:20.679 --> 00:20:21.159 His one. 00:20:21.239 --> 00:20:22.299 And only son. 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.159 Even though. 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.679 God had said. 00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:25.199 It is through. 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:25.939 Abraham. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.719 That your offspring. 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:27.519 Will be reckoned. 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.899 What is happening here? 00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:31.079 How will God. 00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.919 Bring about his plan. 00:20:31.959 --> 00:20:32.459 And his purpose. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.319 How can Abraham. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.079 Trust God. 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.620 When it seems. 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.799 That God is slamming. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.220 The door. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.880 On his future. 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.019 On everything. 00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:38.519 That he's promised. 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.140 But look what it says. 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.740 In verse 19. 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.140 It says that Abraham. 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:42.620 Reasons. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.579 Abraham considered. 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.500 That God was able. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.380 To raise him. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.900 From the dead. 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.160 And so. 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.140 In a manner of speaking. 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:51.799 Abraham. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.720 Did receive. 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.799 Isaac back from death. 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.140 So Abraham. 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.079 Quite unbelievably. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.539 Lays his teenage son. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.299 On the altar. 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.400 Ready to sacrifice. 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.180 And he trusts. 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.799 That God. 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.680 Could somehow. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.920 Bring him back. 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.700 From the dead. 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.400 In order to keep his promise. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.480 To people the land. 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.720 That's what real faith is. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.940 Charles Wesley says. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.299 Faith. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.120 Mighty faith. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.019 The promise sees. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.500 And looks to that alone. 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.960 Laughs at impossibilities. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.580 And cries. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.700 It shall be done. 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.600 Because he is the God. 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.240 Of the impossible. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.660 Who raised from the dead. 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.580 His own son. 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:32.939 His only begotten son. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.339 Jesus. 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.259 Who he loved. 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.679 And he gave him up. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.720 To death on a cross. 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.480 And he gave him up. 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.500 To be a sacrifice. 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.240 For our sin. 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.720 Who did not spare. 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.559 His own son. 00:21:41.679 --> 00:21:42.339 As Abraham. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.539 Was able to spare. 00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:44.480 His own son. 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:47.099 God did not spare. 00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:47.720 His own son. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.960 But gave him up. 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:49.720 Even to death. 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.259 On a cross. 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.059 And on the third day. 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:51.960 Raised him from the dead. 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:55.319 And so he is the first fruit. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:55.620 Isn't he? 00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:56.360 He is the beginning. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.660 Of the harvest. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.960 Of those who fell asleep. 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.860 He is the forerunner. 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.500 Of those. 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.720 Who are going to be. 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.460 In the new heavens. 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.279 And the new earth. 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.860 He's the God of the impossible. 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.539 And he will do it. 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.600 So the promise of a place. 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.380 The promise of a people. 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.900 And you see the same kind of. 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:13.220 Forward looking faith in Moses. 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.360 Do you see what it says? 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.059 Thirdly. 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:17.120 He was looking ahead. 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.799 To his reward. 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.539 Verse 26. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:22.000 The promise of an exceedingly. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.759 Great reward. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.779 There's one phrase. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.879 That describes the career of Moses. 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:27.299 It's that. 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.359 It was a forward looking. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.480 Forward looking faith. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.220 He was looking ahead. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.819 To his reward. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.299 Like Abraham. 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:35.379 Moses. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.399 When he was born. 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.180 The circumstances. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.980 Are pretty horrific. 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.460 Aren't they? 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.139 Are you? 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.240 You've seen the film. 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:41.839 Have you? 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.799 The Prince of Egypt. 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.220 The book. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.180 The book is far better. 00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.339 Moses' family. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.079 Did not have much. 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.919 To look forward to. 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.539 It was genocide. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.059 Moses. 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.659 Was born. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.699 To Hebrew slaves. 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.199 In Egypt. 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.159 And it didn't look like. 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.059 He had much of a future. 00:22:58.179 --> 00:22:58.460 Did it? 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.539 But his parents. 00:23:00.679 --> 00:23:01.419 Moses' parents. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.019 His mum and dad. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.740 They thought differently. 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.480 They believed. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.339 In God's promise. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.579 And so they committed. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.179 God's. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.259 They committed. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.179 Their baby son. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.279 To God's care. 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.159 It's a time. 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.159 When Jewish babies. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.919 Are being thrown. 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.899 Into the river Nile. 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.679 And they commit. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.299 Their baby. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:19.119 To the all seeing. 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:21.119 And ever present God. 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.480 Like we do. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.139 With our children. 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.440 You know the story. 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:25.700 Don't you? 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.559 I have not the time to go. 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.019 Not the war. 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:28.519 But Moses is rescued. 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.319 From the Nile. 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.139 And he becomes a prince. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:31.700 In Egypt. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.019 He has this midlife crisis. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.379 He grows up. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.460 And it says there. 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.519 In verse 24. 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:39.460 It says that he refused. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.139 To be known. 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.899 He refused. 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.379 To be called. 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:42.859 The son. 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.359 Of Pharaoh's daughter. 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.119 He chose. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.319 Rather to be mistreated. 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.259 With the people of God. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:48.859 Than to enjoy. 00:23:48.979 --> 00:23:49.679 The fleeting pleasures. 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.139 Of sin. 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.419 He considered. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.819 The reproach of Christ. 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.259 Greater wealth. 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:55.199 Than the treasures of Egypt. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.379 How about you? 00:23:59.439 --> 00:23:59.719 How about. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.379 When people say. 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.419 How was your weekend? 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.539 How up front are you? 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.519 What. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.199 What did you do. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.699 On the weekend? 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.459 Are you embarrassed. 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.220 That you went to church? 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.019 Church? 00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:13.340 Why would anyone go to church? 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.700 Well Moses. 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.400 Can you see that? 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.160 He regarded. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.819 The disgrace. 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.180 For the sake of Christ. 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:21.920 The reproach. 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.059 For the sake of Christ. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.519 Of greater value. 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.700 Than all the treasures of Egypt. 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:29.079 How did a man like Moses. 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:29.660 In. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.420 The prime of his life. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.279 At the pinnacle. 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.460 Of his worldly power. 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.140 With pleasure. 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:34.740 And riches. 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.420 How did he. 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.460 Turn his back on all that? 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:40.140 How did someone do that? 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.779 By faith. 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.240 Because he was looking ahead. 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:44.920 To his reward. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.120 He believed. 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.620 He learned. 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:49.140 On his mother's knee. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.960 I love that. 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:51.279 Don't you? 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.700 I love that. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.420 That they put him. 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.140 On the Nile. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.180 Trusting God. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.160 To see what happens. 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.600 And it's gone all over. 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:57.960 Isn't it? 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.180 Pharaoh's daughter. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.860 Finds him. 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.500 Miriam. 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.299 Moses' sister. 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:02.819 Is watching. 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.279 As he goes up. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:04.680 And she says. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.720 Would you like me. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.640 To find a Hebrew woman. 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.140 To look after. 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.539 To help you. 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.420 Look after this child. 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:10.480 And so. 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.640 Courtesy of Pharaoh. 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.220 Pharaoh pays. 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.220 For the education. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.539 Of Moses. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.820 When he grows up. 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:17.860 Cared for. 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.640 By his own mother. 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.140 Who taught him. 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.800 The faith of Abraham. 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.440 Isn't that wonderful? 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:25.580 And when he grows up. 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.740 It was his faith. 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.000 That made him. 00:25:28.060 --> 00:25:28.779 Choose his lifestyle. 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.820 And for. 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.580 Moses. 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.519 He thought it was better. 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.000 Better to suffer. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.420 And die. 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.200 With God's people. 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.200 Than live forever. 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.019 In Pharaoh's kingdom. 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.839 Better to suffer. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.339 And die. 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.059 With God's people. 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:41.139 Than to die in Egypt. 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:41.720 And be buried. 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.619 Under a pyramid. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.400 He decided. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.160 To turn his back. 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.759 On everything. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.220 That he'd been taught. 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:49.180 And grown up. 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.819 As a prince. 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.400 The experts tell us. 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.240 He might well have grown up. 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.799 As a Pharaoh. 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.839 But who's ever heard. 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:55.559 Of the 19th dynasty. 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.460 Some archaeology. 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.940 Archaeologists perhaps. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:01.440 But everyone is here to Moses. 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.160 Why are they here to Moses? 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.340 They are here to Moses. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.720 Because of this faith decision. 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.480 That he made. 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.620 He believed. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.140 That there were greater riches. 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.980 From being amongst God's people. 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:16.059 And being God's people. 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.900 Under God's word. 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.000 Under God's protection. 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:22.080 There were greater riches. 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.840 In that. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.680 Than in all the material benefits. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.720 The Pharaoh could offer him. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:26.980 And that is faith. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.259 Isn't it? 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.920 Faith in the future. 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.259 That is faith. 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:32.640 Laying hold of unseen reality. 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.480 So it says. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.360 He left Egypt. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.779 He lived the first 40 years. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.340 Of his life. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.059 In a palace. 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:40.000 He lived the second 40 years. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.420 Of his life. 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:40.860 In a wilderness. 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.400 Why? 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.460 Well look what it says. 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.820 In verse 27. 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:47.720 Because. 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.759 He saw him. 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:51.940 Who is invisible. 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:53.279 It's a magnificent verse. 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:53.580 Isn't it? 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.120 By faith. 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.120 He left Egypt. 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:57.880 Not being afraid. 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.960 Of the anger of the king. 00:26:59.100 --> 00:26:59.920 The king who is visible. 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.720 For he and do it. 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.360 Are seeing him. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.060 Who is invisible. 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.360 The God of glory. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.500 Who would appear to Abraham. 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:10.540 Is the same God of glory. 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.300 Who appeared to Moses. 00:27:12.760 --> 00:27:14.140 And the invisible God. 00:27:14.320 --> 00:27:15.620 Was more real to Moses. 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:17.580 Than the very visible Pharaoh. 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.859 And the smiles. 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.659 And the frowns. 00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:21.859 Of the invisible God. 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.000 Had more of an impact. 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.939 On Moses' life. 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.159 And decision making. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.439 Than the very visible. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.159 Smiles and frowns. 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.000 Of Egypt's Pharaoh. 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.759 And so he turns his back. 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.659 On fame and fortune. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.659 And he identifies himself. 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.460 With the people of God. 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.720 And eventually. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.039 Of course. 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.799 He becomes their champion. 00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:40.139 Doesn't he? 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.659 He leads them. 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.439 Out of slavery. 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.899 Into the promised land. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.019 To become God's people. 00:27:44.179 --> 00:27:44.980 In God's place. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.319 Under God's protection. 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:50.460 C.T. Studd. 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.720 Charlie Studd. 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.139 He lived. 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.259 At the end of. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.720 The 19th century. 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.519 He was a very famous. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.000 Cricketer. 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.039 He played in. 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:02.099 The cricket test. 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:03.119 At the oval. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.319 That spawned. 00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:04.639 The term. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.119 The ashes. 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.480 C.T. Studd. 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.179 Charlie Studd. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.220 Played in that match. 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.359 Australia. 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.099 Beat England. 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.779 In that match. 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.779 By eight runs. 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.339 To claim. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:14.899 The ashes. 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:16.860 C.T. Studd. 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.380 Was born. 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.519 Without silver spoon. 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.160 In his mouth. 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.040 He was a Cambridge. 00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:21.680 Scholar. 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.360 He was. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:22.960 A test. 00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:23.540 Cricketer. 00:28:24.780 --> 00:28:25.860 That he was a believer. 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.860 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.019 He was a believer. 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.640 In the promises. 00:28:29.800 --> 00:28:30.340 Of God. 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.280 He was a believer. 00:28:32.380 --> 00:28:33.200 In God's promise. 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:33.900 And purpose. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.620 To populate. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.180 Heaven. 00:28:35.540 --> 00:28:36.320 With believers. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.580 And he took. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.140 The decision. 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:38.759 In the prime. 00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:39.620 Of his cricket career. 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.420 To take the gospel. 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:41.080 Overseas. 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.720 To be a missionary. 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:45.240 And before he went. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.259 They had a public meeting. 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:46.799 In London. 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.720 You can imagine it today. 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.140 Can't you? 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.140 Sky News. 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.920 Sky Sports. 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:50.860 BBC. 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.120 They'd all be there. 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.460 Wouldn't they? 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.319 With their cameras. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.360 And in a public meeting. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:55.779 In London. 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:57.019 C.T. Studd said this. 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.880 How can I spend. 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:59.079 The hours of my life. 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.839 In working for myself. 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.519 And the honours. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.019 And pleasures. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.759 Of this world. 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.539 When thousands. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.279 And thousands. 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.819 Are perishing. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.440 Every day. 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.180 Without ever. 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:10.880 Having heard. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.480 Of Jesus. 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:13.600 Going down. 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.420 To Christless. 00:29:14.540 --> 00:29:15.100 And hopeless. 00:29:15.280 --> 00:29:15.680 Graves. 00:29:17.260 --> 00:29:18.000 Charlie Studd. 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:18.680 And seven. 00:29:18.820 --> 00:29:19.900 Other Cambridge graduates. 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.540 Headed off. 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.820 To China. 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:23.760 His mates. 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.240 And friends. 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:24.560 Said. 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.400 It's such a waste. 00:29:27.080 --> 00:29:27.640 But you. 00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:28.720 You would never. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.100 Have heard. 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.800 Of Charlie Studd. 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:30.580 If he'd not done that. 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.820 He didn't do it. 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.520 So that his name. 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:34.960 Would go down. 00:29:35.040 --> 00:29:35.720 In the history books. 00:29:37.020 --> 00:29:37.840 But he became. 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.300 A pioneer. 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:38.940 Missionary. 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:41.039 And hundreds. 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.840 Of thousands. 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.320 Of people. 00:29:42.320 --> 00:29:43.080 Have entered. 00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:43.759 Into heaven. 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.259 Because of. 00:29:44.340 --> 00:29:44.539 See. 00:29:44.580 --> 00:29:44.779 He's. 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.420 That's decision. 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.960 I love the testimony. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.660 Of Moses. 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.279 We looked at it. 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.039 A little while ago. 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.220 In Numbers 10. 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.039 Verse 31. 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.100 He turns. 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.880 To some kind of. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.299 Relative. 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:57.680 Hobab. 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.360 I've still not been able. 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:58.759 To work out. 00:29:58.840 --> 00:29:59.240 How on earth. 00:29:59.320 --> 00:30:00.380 Hobab is related to him. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:00.920 Through his wife. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.220 I think. 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.440 And he says to Hobab. 00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:04.600 We are setting out. 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.220 To the place. 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.220 That the Lord has promised. 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.519 To give us. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:11.100 Come with us. 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.360 Come with us. 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:15.880 Come with us. 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.860 Let me. 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.039 Conclude with this. 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:22.360 There's an American philosopher. 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.740 Who's called. 00:30:22.820 --> 00:30:23.860 Henry David Thoreau. 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.700 And he says. 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.360 That if a man. 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.360 Does not keep pace. 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:28.240 With his companions. 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:30.299 Perhaps. 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.799 It's because. 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.279 He hears. 00:30:31.340 --> 00:30:32.039 A different drummer. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.220 If a man. 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:36.100 Does not keep pace. 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:36.880 With his companions. 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:37.880 Perhaps. 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.240 It is because. 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:39.760 He hears. 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:40.560 A different drummer. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.800 And when people. 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:45.000 Make decisions like that. 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.340 When people. 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.300 Make life decisions. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:46.980 When they make. 00:30:47.320 --> 00:30:48.160 Sacrificial decisions. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.780 When they make. 00:30:48.780 --> 00:30:50.280 Career diverting decisions. 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.900 When they decide. 00:30:53.020 --> 00:30:53.340 Actually. 00:30:53.340 --> 00:30:53.920 I'm going to. 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.980 Free myself. 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.960 From the idol. 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:56.820 Materialism. 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.360 And I'm going to. 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.720 Give money away. 00:31:00.300 --> 00:31:01.100 I'm going to move. 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.680 To a place. 00:31:01.780 --> 00:31:02.560 And support a church. 00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.140 Where there is. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.040 Such a great. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.119 Gospel need. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:08.119 When they make. 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.659 Those decisions. 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.539 Why do they do that? 00:31:11.899 --> 00:31:12.299 Well. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:12.639 It's because. 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.079 They're marching. 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.519 To the beat. 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:13.940 Of a different. 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.839 Different drummer. 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.980 And the 20 or more. 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.599 People mentioned. 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.839 In Hebrews chapter 11. 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.819 They are all of them. 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.279 Marching. 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:21.740 To a different. 00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:22.359 Drum beat. 00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:23.779 And you can hear it. 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:25.139 Very very distinctly. 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.779 All the way through. 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.299 The chapter. 00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.180 By faith. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.119 By faith. 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.240 By faith. 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.399 By faith. 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.399 By faith. 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:34.900 And every single one of them. 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.400 Was out of tune. 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:35.980 With their times. 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:38.620 And every single one. 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:38.720 Of them. 00:31:38.780 --> 00:31:39.259 Was unstuck. 00:31:39.320 --> 00:31:40.220 With their contemporaries. 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:43.259 Because they believed. 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.660 In God. 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:46.540 And they'd taken on board. 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.340 God's promise. 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.580 Of a better resurrection. 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:51.820 Most people. 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:52.580 Live and die. 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.360 As if this world. 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.259 Is all that there is. 00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.460 But this people. 00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:57.040 God's people. 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.820 Are looking. 00:31:58.820 --> 00:31:58.940 And longing. 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.240 And longing. 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.140 For a better country. 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.320 A heavenly one. 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:05.460 And the great cloud. 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:05.960 Of witnesses. 00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:07.019 Says to you. 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:07.600 This morning. 00:32:08.780 --> 00:32:09.640 Won't you join us? 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.759 Won't you join us? 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.600 And if you've never. 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.640 Taken that step. 00:32:16.840 --> 00:32:17.220 Why don't you. 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.680 This morning. 00:32:17.800 --> 00:32:18.600 Join the people. 00:32:18.780 --> 00:32:19.140 Of God. 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.240 Won't you become. 00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:21.740 One of us. 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.840 As we head to that. 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.380 Heavenly future. 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.080 Let's pray.