WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.759 You may be seated. Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm one of the pastors here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:20.300 ! It's my joy to bring God's word to you today. This morning we're continuing our series in the book of Romans and you'll remember that the book of Romans is a letter. 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:32.520 It's a letter written by the Apostle Paul in the 50s AD and it's called Romans for a very simple reason, which is that it's written to the churches in the city of Rome. 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:38.500 And it is about the gospel. It's about the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:47.100 Now if you've been with us for a while, you know that maybe a couple times every year I pull out the quote by Samuel Johnson, 00:00:47.100 --> 00:00:54.980 an English writer from the 18th century who said people need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed. 00:00:55.800 --> 00:00:59.679 People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed. 00:01:00.260 --> 00:01:04.659 I looked back in my notes and the last time I said that was February 2nd, so we're doing great. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:11.500 I haven't run into my limit yet. And I say that because this Sunday is another reminder Sunday. 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:17.040 We are finishing this long stretch we have had with the figure of Abraham. 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:23.739 And we're going to see Abraham one last time. We will not see him again until Romans chapter 9. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:28.700 So you'll remember back in the month of May, we started in Genesis chapter 11. 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:33.460 We went through Genesis chapter 25. Then we started in Romans 4. 00:01:33.459 --> 00:01:41.579 And now Paul is going to remind us of everything we've seen. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:44.719 So the question is this. 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:49.959 What is the most important lesson from Abraham? 00:01:51.579 --> 00:01:53.719 What is the most important lesson from Abraham? 00:01:53.919 --> 00:01:59.239 What is it above everything else that we are meant to learn from him? 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:05.239 So with that question, I invite you to turn with me now to Romans chapter 4, starting at verse 16. 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:08.479 You'll find it on page 7 of your worship guide. 00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:11.299 Remember as we turn here that this is God's word. 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:18.419 Jeremiah chapter 23 tells us that God's word is a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces, 00:02:19.139 --> 00:02:24.919 which means there is nothing that can stand against the power of God's word. 00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:30.719 So that's why we read now Romans chapter 4, starting at verse 16. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:40.560 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:47.399 Not only to the adherent of the law, but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:49.599 who is the father of us all. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:54.120 As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. 00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:59.879 In the presence of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead, 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:04.000 and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:06.259 Verse 18. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:12.479 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations. 00:03:13.299 --> 00:03:17.579 As he had been told, so shall your offspring be. 00:03:17.580 --> 00:03:23.740 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead, 00:03:24.440 --> 00:03:26.320 since he was about a hundred years old, 00:03:26.720 --> 00:03:30.080 or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:34.900 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God. 00:03:35.800 --> 00:03:39.960 But he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 00:03:40.760 --> 00:03:44.400 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:48.340 That is why his faith was counted to him as righteousness. 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:53.580 But the words it was counted to him were not written for his sake alone, 00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:55.439 but for ours also. 00:03:56.219 --> 00:04:00.460 It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead, 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:01.740 Jesus our Lord, 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:04.780 who was delivered up for our trespasses, 00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:07.280 and raised for our justification. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:11.960 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:18.519 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and thank you again for drawing us together as your people. 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:22.420 We thank you again for coming and speaking to us in your word. 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:24.879 We ask that you would do that again this morning. 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:28.759 That you'd honor your promise in Isaiah chapter 55, 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:32.019 that your word does not return to you empty, 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:35.000 but accomplishes all your purposes for it. 00:04:35.039 --> 00:04:37.439 And so we ask that that would be true this morning, 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:39.859 that you would use your word to accomplish great things 00:04:39.859 --> 00:04:41.939 in our hearts and our minds and our lives. 00:04:42.719 --> 00:04:45.019 Most importantly, we ask that you would show us Jesus, 00:04:45.180 --> 00:04:46.399 that we would see him, 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:48.379 that he would be more beautiful 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:51.419 than we've realized ever before. 00:04:51.419 --> 00:04:54.319 And we ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:04:54.859 --> 00:04:55.139 Amen. 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:59.139 Do you guys need me to do something different before I... 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:01.120 No? Okay. 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:01.800 Let's keep rolling. 00:05:03.599 --> 00:05:08.459 One of the most boring events in politics every four years 00:05:08.459 --> 00:05:11.240 is the vice presidential debates, 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:15.599 and they are boring primarily because vice presidents do not matter. 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:20.939 But the 1988 vice presidential debate made history 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:24.240 for a grand total of four sentences 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:28.540 that became famous sentences that are still remembered today. 00:05:29.219 --> 00:05:31.279 Senator Dan Quayle, who was the Republican, 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:34.379 was coming up against Senator Lloyd Benson, the Democrat. 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:38.600 And Dan Quayle, Bush 1's running mate, 00:05:38.659 --> 00:05:41.279 had come under a lot of criticism. 00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:45.339 He was widely viewed as insufficient and unqualified. 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:48.079 So the press had a heyday going after him. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:51.519 And so Quayle's strategy was to compare himself 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:54.599 to John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, 00:05:54.779 --> 00:05:56.359 because there's the logic. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:59.259 JFK did not have much experience. 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:01.139 He was still a great president. 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:03.659 I don't have much experience. 00:06:04.279 --> 00:06:06.199 I will be a great vice president. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:09.199 And so he would repeat this on the campaign trail. 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:11.439 His opponent, Senator Lloyd Benson, 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:14.899 then began to practice in his debate prep 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:17.479 a destructive killer line. 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:20.400 He was waiting for Dan Quayle to bring this up 00:06:20.400 --> 00:06:21.860 in the vice presidential debates. 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:24.600 Dan Quayle did not disappoint. 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:28.420 And so when, once again, he compared himself to JFK, 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:29.759 Lloyd Benson said this, 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.860 Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. 00:06:34.700 --> 00:06:36.879 I knew Jack Kennedy. 00:06:37.700 --> 00:06:39.960 Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:44.819 Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy. 00:06:44.819 --> 00:06:47.420 And the point was this. 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:53.560 Do not compare yourself to the greats. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:56.079 Yeah, that's fine that Jack Kennedy 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:58.120 didn't have a little bit of experience, 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:00.480 but he was a great man, right? 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:03.860 He's the exception that proves the rule. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:07.659 You, Dan Quayle, are in fact not. 00:07:07.660 --> 00:07:11.340 And still today, this phrase is used. 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:13.160 If you want to cut someone down to size, 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:14.580 all you have to say is, 00:07:14.780 --> 00:07:18.520 you, sir, are no Jack Kennedy. 00:07:20.260 --> 00:07:25.000 Paul, the entire chapter, chapter four of Romans, 00:07:25.260 --> 00:07:27.180 has been focused on Abraham 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:31.920 because Abraham is one of the greats. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:34.759 Right, remember, a couple weeks ago, 00:07:34.840 --> 00:07:36.660 he pulled out Abraham as an example, 00:07:36.780 --> 00:07:38.580 and then he pulled out David to prove his point. 00:07:38.960 --> 00:07:41.980 Hey, if this is true of the greatest figures 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:43.100 of Israel's history, 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:46.660 it can be true of you as well. 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.120 In fact, that's Paul's point here 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:51.259 as he comes to the very end of chapter four. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:54.360 He's saying actually the opposite of Senator Benson. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:56.360 He doesn't say, 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:59.920 Christian, you are no Abraham. 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:02.879 No, he actually says the opposite. 00:08:03.080 --> 00:08:03.879 That's his point here. 00:08:04.020 --> 00:08:09.520 Christian, you can be like Abraham. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:14.240 Christian, Abraham was one of the greats. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:17.300 You can be too. 00:08:17.520 --> 00:08:18.439 That's why our sermon title, 00:08:18.520 --> 00:08:19.660 you'll see this on page seven, 00:08:19.780 --> 00:08:23.520 is this, Abraham's faith, our faith. 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:27.500 You, Christian, can be like Abraham 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:30.939 no matter how great he was. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:33.320 And that's where we jump into this passage. 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:36.639 He gives us the first reason in verse 16. 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:38.539 You can be like Abraham 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:42.139 because Abraham was in his salvation, 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:43.240 in his life, 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.980 based on faith rather than works. 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:49.179 That's why we see verse 16. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:50.799 It depends on faith 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:53.899 in order that the promise may rest on grace 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:57.139 and be guaranteed to all his offspring, 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:59.879 not only to the adherent of the law, 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:03.379 but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.500 Paul here is saying, 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:06.139 look, you can be a child of Abraham 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:09.379 whether you're a Jew or a Gentile. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:11.840 If you believe in God, 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:15.039 you are Abraham's child. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.259 That's why he says there, 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:20.740 who is the father of us all. 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.019 In other words, Paul's saying, 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:24.220 look, because Abraham's life 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:26.799 was resting on faith and not on works, 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:30.680 you, if you rest on faith and not on works, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.799 are his child. 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:35.320 In fact, that's the only way. 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:37.399 That's the only way 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:39.220 that the blessings of Abraham 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:42.580 can be guaranteed to his offspring. 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:45.440 If it were based on works, 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:47.960 then we'd have to see every generation, 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:50.580 will this generation be good enough 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.980 will this generation measure up? 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:55.639 Will they be able to do the great things 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:57.320 that Abraham did? 00:09:57.900 --> 00:09:59.040 That's not the question, though. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.759 The question is not whether they can do 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:02.240 the great things Abraham did. 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:03.920 The question is whether we believe 00:10:03.920 --> 00:10:08.860 in the great God that Abraham believed in. 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:11.720 And so then, after verse 16, 00:10:11.780 --> 00:10:12.540 he jumps into it. 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.800 What does it look like 00:10:13.800 --> 00:10:16.000 for us to be like Abraham? 00:10:16.140 --> 00:10:17.680 What does it look like for us to have 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:19.720 that Abraham sort of faith? 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:23.160 Verse 17, he tells us about Abraham. 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:28.220 Abraham was the one who believed in God. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:31.620 It doesn't just tell us that he believed in God, 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:33.920 though he tells us the type of God 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.960 that Abraham believed in. 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:38.240 In the presence of the God in whom he believed, 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:41.259 who gives life to the dead 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:47.419 and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:51.259 That's one of the great themes of Scripture, by the way, 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:55.360 that God creates something out of nothing 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:57.759 by the power of his word. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:11.639 God's word is so powerful that, 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.659 as I mentioned in my prayer in Isaiah 55, 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:14.639 he makes this promise, 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:19.799 my word will accomplish whatever I want it to accomplish. 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:25.559 God speaks and it is done. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:29.439 And so how is it that we're supposed to be like Abraham? 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:30.979 Well, the first answer is this. 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:36.139 We are like Abraham when we believe in Abraham's God. 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:40.519 Believe in the God who is powerful. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:47.059 Being like Abraham is not like trying to be like JFK. 00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:51.120 Being like Abraham is not trying to be great. 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:57.240 Being like Abraham is believing in the God who is great. 00:11:59.059 --> 00:12:02.439 Believing in the God gives life to the dead 00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:08.299 and calls to existence the things that do not exist. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:14.100 Abraham believed in the all-powerful God. 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:22.299 Christian, you believe in the all-powerful God as well. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:29.199 Paul then tells us what exactly that belief looks like. 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:32.539 Okay, we see that Abraham believed in this powerful God. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:35.259 What does it look like to have faith in that powerful God? 00:12:35.319 --> 00:12:37.899 He goes on from telling us about the type of God 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:40.279 that Abraham believes in to the type of faith 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.740 that Abraham had. 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:43.399 That takes us to verse 18. 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:47.779 Abraham believed in the impossible. 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:52.279 That's what had hope against hope means. 00:12:52.939 --> 00:12:54.259 Now that's a confusing phrase. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.699 In English we might say this. 00:12:56.319 --> 00:13:00.279 Abraham had hope against all odds. 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:07.240 Abraham believed God despite the evidence. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:11.000 And what was it that he believed God to do? 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:13.139 Verse 18 also tells us that. 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:16.060 Abraham believed against all odds 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:19.539 that he would be the father of many nations. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.519 It's a simple logic here that Paul's following. 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.539 So verse 18, he believes the impossible. 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:27.480 The impossible is that he'd be the father of many nations. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:30.519 Verse 19 tells us why exactly that's impossible. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:33.980 It's impossible because Abraham is impotent 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:35.759 and Sarah is infertile. 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:39.579 Abraham's belief was against all odds 00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:43.579 because humanly it was impossible. 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:48.579 So again, we're talking about the type of faith Abraham had. 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:50.919 It takes us to verse 20 which tells us 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:53.340 despite these things being impossible, 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:58.420 impossible, Abraham's faith is growing in hope. 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:02.080 And then finally, verse 21. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:06.019 What is it that Abraham believed? 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:09.800 Remember I said this was a review Sunday. 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:14.320 Abraham believed that God would do 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:17.639 what God said he would do. 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:23.779 The faith of Abraham is believing 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:27.240 in the almighty and all-powerful God. 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:30.639 The faith of Abraham is believing 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:35.860 that that God will do exactly what he said he would do 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:41.399 even when and especially it is impossible. 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:46.080 Abraham's faith, our faith. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:48.220 And then verse 22. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:49.759 What happens? 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:55.100 That faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:59.360 Abraham was made right with God 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:02.800 not by works but by faith. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.520 There you have it. 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:10.140 Now if you're a cynic, you might be thinking, 00:15:10.280 --> 00:15:13.820 man, we just spent four plus months 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:16.580 in the story of Abraham in Genesis. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:19.400 And now we're spending a month 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:21.420 in Romans chapter 4 00:15:21.420 --> 00:15:23.960 and at the very end, 00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:26.580 Paul has nothing new to say. 00:15:28.020 --> 00:15:30.660 He's telling us the same thing 00:15:30.660 --> 00:15:33.540 that we have reviewed again and again and again. 00:15:33.660 --> 00:15:34.600 He's telling us 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:36.600 that God's a promise keeping God. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.600 He's telling us the same thing 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.220 that we should believe those promises. 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:42.399 He's telling us that justification 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:46.220 is by grace through faith alone. 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:49.200 And so is it not 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:51.960 that as we end the story of Abraham, 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.240 we end not with a triumph 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.800 but with a whimper? 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:59.620 Is it not that we're ending 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.839 merely with a review? 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:02.939 If you're a cynic 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:05.459 and you think you've heard this all before, 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:08.259 you are in one sense correct. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:08.719 Right? 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.500 We already know this. 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.139 If you've been with us, 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:13.279 you know that God made great promises to Abraham. 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.959 If you've been with us, 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.979 you know that God honored 00:16:15.979 --> 00:16:18.979 and kept those promises against all odds. 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:21.659 You know that God did what he said 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:23.179 he would do. 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:28.199 We have talked about this over and over. 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:33.379 But, in another sense, 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:36.879 you are dead wrong. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.799 Remember I asked you, 00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:42.199 I told you the question was this. 00:16:42.979 --> 00:16:47.439 What is the most important lesson from Abraham? 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:52.159 And what's new about this passage is this. 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:56.019 As we come to the very end, 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:58.079 Paul tells us 00:16:58.079 --> 00:17:02.079 why it matters more than anything else. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:06.099 Paul tells us the main point 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:08.720 of the Abraham story. 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:12.659 And he does it in verses 23 and 24. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:19.099 Paul finally points back to us. 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:21.579 Points the finger straight at the reader. 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.439 Notice we shift here finally 00:17:23.439 --> 00:17:25.740 to the first person plural. 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:28.699 The words it was counted to him 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:32.079 were not written for his sake alone, 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:36.279 but for ours also. 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:41.740 It will be counted to us 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:43.720 who believe in him 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:45.839 who raised from the dead 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:48.619 Jesus our Lord. 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:51.739 And so the point is this. 00:17:53.239 --> 00:17:55.739 Not just Abraham. 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:59.259 You, sir, 00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:02.619 you, ma'am, 00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:06.739 can be like Abraham. 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.479 That's the point. 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:13.339 That's what we've been driving to now 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.819 for about five months. 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:17.700 For Paul to say this. 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:20.700 All the stories of Abraham, 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.359 everything we've seen 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.939 of his great trust 00:18:23.939 --> 00:18:26.319 and confidence in God, 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:28.299 the ways that he put it all on the line, 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.599 the ways he risked it, 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:32.679 all of that's been driving 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:33.700 to this question. 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:37.099 What about you? 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:43.119 Do you believe 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:47.139 that God raised Jesus Christ 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:49.119 from the dead? 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.000 Do you? 00:18:59.139 --> 00:19:00.619 I'm so serious. 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:03.399 Do you believe 00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:05.679 that God raised Jesus Christ 00:19:05.679 --> 00:19:06.639 from the dead? 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.199 That is what the point 00:19:08.199 --> 00:19:09.919 of the story of Abraham is 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:11.179 that we've been driving at 00:19:11.179 --> 00:19:12.559 for five months now. 00:19:12.719 --> 00:19:14.359 There are so many reasons 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.599 that people come to church. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.679 People come to church 00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:17.839 because it's a great place 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.819 to meet other people. 00:19:18.959 --> 00:19:19.659 People come to church 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:20.919 because they're lifted up 00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:21.719 by the message 00:19:21.719 --> 00:19:22.659 and the music. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.859 They want principles 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.839 and ways to live 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.579 and they want to learn 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.879 about the Christian worldview 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:28.259 and what it is that we do 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.599 as we move forward together 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.579 in God's mission. 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:34.359 But none of that matters 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.619 unless we can answer 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.359 that question. 00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:39.599 Did Jesus rise from the dead? 00:19:40.719 --> 00:19:41.839 Do you know why 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:43.039 we worship on Sunday 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:45.099 and not Monday or Tuesday? 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:48.159 We worship on Sunday 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:50.599 because Jesus rose from the dead 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:52.679 on the first day of the week. 00:19:52.959 --> 00:19:54.279 And so we celebrate 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.539 Jesus' resurrection 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:58.279 every week on the first day. 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:00.519 In other words, 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.680 happy Easter. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:07.700 Every Sunday is Easter Sunday. 00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:09.779 Christian, 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.940 if you believe 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:14.700 that God raised Jesus Christ 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.180 from the dead 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:18.019 and you stake your life on it, 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:21.160 you live your life 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:24.000 as if the resurrection is true 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.539 because it is. 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:28.980 and you take all the aspects 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.859 of your life 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:32.139 and orient them around that. 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.720 You stake your life, 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.599 you set as your north star, 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:37.399 whether it is in your finances, 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:37.980 your friendship, 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.539 your family, 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.059 your work, 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:39.700 your play, 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:40.879 your vocation, 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.539 that Jesus died 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:44.119 and was risen from the dead. 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.359 If you do that, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:51.279 then you are like Abraham. 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.539 Abraham. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:57.019 The words it was counted to him 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:59.019 were not written for his sake alone 00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:01.539 but for ours also. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:06.599 Paul is turning the mirror 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:08.960 on the reader for the first time. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.859 Abraham had great faith. 00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:12.960 That's wonderful. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:17.279 What about you? 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:22.079 Will you also believe 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:23.920 the impossible? 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:28.759 Will you also believe 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:31.140 that God will do 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:33.980 what no human can do? 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:39.059 Do you believe God has done 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:42.440 what no human can do? 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:45.600 Has Jesus Christ 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:47.180 been raised from the dead 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:49.180 or has he not? 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:52.279 Do you believe in verse 17? 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.480 Do you believe in the God 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:57.559 who gives life to the dead 00:21:57.559 --> 00:22:00.180 and calls into existence 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:02.660 things that do not exist? 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.120 Do you believe that? 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:07.639 Do you believe that 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.699 as you navigate 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.759 the mess 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:11.579 of family 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.759 and relationships 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.859 and work 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:14.839 and community 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.819 and government 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.819 and nations? 00:22:23.479 --> 00:22:24.679 Do you believe that 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:26.199 as you come up against disease? 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.819 Do you believe 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.759 that what you do 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.879 in this life 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.899 is greater than 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:34.140 the sum of its parts 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:35.580 and it's greater 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:36.640 than the sum of its parts 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.660 because what God 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.380 tells us through 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.259 the apostle Paul 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.500 in Ephesians chapter 1 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.200 is true 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.800 that the very same power 00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:44.160 that raised Jesus Christ 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.820 from the dead 00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:45.720 is at work 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.400 in you? 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.680 Do you? 00:22:50.540 --> 00:22:52.380 Do you believe it? 00:22:54.280 --> 00:22:55.480 If you do 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.540 you are like 00:22:57.540 --> 00:22:58.640 Abraham. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:01.880 Do you believe 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:03.860 that God 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.800 keeps his promises? 00:23:07.520 --> 00:23:08.460 Do you believe 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.100 that no matter 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:09.900 what happens 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.759 in history 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.800 in this world 00:23:11.800 --> 00:23:12.460 in time 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.200 and space 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.040 in nations 00:23:14.040 --> 00:23:15.340 in geopolitics 00:23:15.340 --> 00:23:16.060 in families 00:23:16.060 --> 00:23:17.160 in generations 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:18.480 that no matter what 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:21.259 the end of history 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.160 is a great 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.060 wedding feast 00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:23.880 between God 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:24.500 and his people? 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:30.740 Do you believe 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.240 that no matter 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.819 what happens 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.500 that will happen? 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.039 If you do 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.500 you are like 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.460 Abraham. 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.180 You like Abraham 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.839 hope 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.960 against hope. 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:46.460 You like Abraham 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:48.000 hope 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.900 against all odds. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.220 You like Abraham 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:51.839 believe 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.859 in something 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.859 that is not 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:55.399 humanly possible. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.419 You like Abraham 00:23:58.419 --> 00:24:00.000 believe what's true. 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:03.740 You like Abraham 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:06.619 will see 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:08.019 the reward. 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.519 Do you believe 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.959 that God 00:24:16.959 --> 00:24:19.279 raised Jesus Christ 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.399 from the dead? 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:23.859 Do you hope 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:25.359 against hope? 00:24:26.439 --> 00:24:27.359 Do you believe 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.439 that all the promises 00:24:28.439 --> 00:24:29.039 of God 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.919 are yes 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.899 and amen 00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:32.099 in Christ? 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.539 Is that 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:37.039 your north 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.159 star? 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.759 Paul says 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.439 don't just talk 00:24:44.439 --> 00:24:45.139 about Abraham. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:47.199 Don't just remember 00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:47.859 the stories 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.839 about Abraham. 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:51.039 Don't just rehearse 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.920 how great 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.359 Abraham was 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:54.899 be like 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.960 Abraham. 00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.940 And be like 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.299 Abraham 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.539 in this sense 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:02.159 that Abraham 00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:03.220 believed 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.379 in a great 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.039 God. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.079 Abraham 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.740 believed 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.539 in the impossible. 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:10.480 Abraham 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.259 believed 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.980 in the God 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.460 who gives 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.819 life to the dead 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.819 and calls 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.740 into existence 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:17.240 things 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.019 that do 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.619 not 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.599 exist. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:22.419 that's the 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:22.639 point. 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:26.159 That's the 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:26.419 point of 00:25:26.419 --> 00:25:26.879 Abraham's 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.159 life. 00:25:28.459 --> 00:25:29.259 The final 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.059 analysis 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:32.959 we're reminded 00:25:32.959 --> 00:25:33.339 of what 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.939 Paul later 00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.359 says in 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.699 Romans 00:25:34.699 --> 00:25:35.459 chapter 10. 00:25:36.919 --> 00:25:37.119 If you 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:37.559 confess 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:37.919 with your 00:25:37.919 --> 00:25:38.259 mouth 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.759 that Jesus 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.359 is Lord 00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.839 and believe 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.359 in your 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:42.799 heart 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.839 that God 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.639 raised him 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.099 from the 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.439 dead 00:25:45.439 --> 00:25:46.480 you 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.339 will 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.559 be saved. 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.500 Do you 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:51.940 believe 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.559 that God 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.259 raised 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.660 Jesus 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.079 Christ 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.539 from 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:54.839 the 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.079 dead? 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.319 Paul 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.559 makes 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:00.940 one more 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.259 point. 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.259 Not just 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.640 is it 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:04.980 that we 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.360 are meant 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:05.799 to be 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.140 like 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.660 Abraham 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.220 that 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:07.460 these 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:07.700 things 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.019 were not 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.259 written 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.700 for his 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:08.940 sake 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.259 alone 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.460 but 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.640 for 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.099 ours 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.700 also. 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:12.960 it is 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.380 also 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.039 easier 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.819 for us 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.160 to be 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:15.440 like 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:15.980 Abraham 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.620 than 00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:17.000 it was 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.200 for 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.580 Abraham 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.100 to be 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.340 like 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:18.779 Abraham. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.200 I'll 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.440 say that 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:20.680 again. 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.660 It is 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.160 easier 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.080 for us 00:26:24.080 --> 00:26:24.799 to be 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.120 like 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.660 Abraham 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.259 than 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.779 it was 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.039 for 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.420 Abraham 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.940 to be 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.220 like 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.640 Abraham 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.799 and 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.019 it's 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.380 easier 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:30.940 for us 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.400 for this 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:31.640 one 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.000 reason. 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.500 Abraham 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.299 looked 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.220 forward. 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.620 Christian 00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:38.840 you 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.539 look 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.680 backward. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:43.400 Abraham's 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:43.799 hope 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.039 and 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.539 belief 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.080 was 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:45.279 in 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:45.740 something 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.059 that 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.559 had 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:46.980 not 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.440 yet 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.080 happened. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.360 Your 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.000 hope 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.299 and 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.759 belief 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.360 is 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:52.600 in 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.000 something 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.799 that 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.480 has. 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.580 The 00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:56.039 death 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.600 and 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:56.779 the 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.299 resurrection 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.160 of 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.539 Jesus 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.400 Christ. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:01.200 That's 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.500 what Paul 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:01.900 says here 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:02.180 in this 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.680 last 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.220 verse. 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.360 Who 00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:04.600 was 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.120 delivered 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.460 up 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:05.680 for 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:05.880 our 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.720 trespasses 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.559 and 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.279 raised 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.819 for 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.059 our 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.840 justification. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.799 given 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.059 up for 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.220 our 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.799 trespasses 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.039 he's 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.160 just 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.380 saying 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:13.519 what 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:13.700 we've 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:13.900 talked 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.080 about 00:27:14.080 --> 00:27:14.319 many 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:14.759 times 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.500 Jesus 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.880 paid 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.080 the 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.580 penalty 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:16.960 that 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.200 we 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.660 deserve. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.259 Jesus 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.700 took 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.140 God's 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.680 punishment 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.120 so that 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:20.460 we 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.100 would 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:21.420 not. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:23.019 But then 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.299 he doesn't 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.680 just talk 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:23.880 about 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.100 that 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:24.440 he talks 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:24.680 about 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.019 Jesus 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.340 resurrection 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:28.700 raised 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.120 for our 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:29.759 justification. 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:30.680 Wait I 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:30.920 thought 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.319 Jesus 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:31.819 death 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.180 was for 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.360 our 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:32.559 sins. 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:32.799 Why 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.080 is it 00:27:33.080 --> 00:27:33.279 the 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.200 resurrection 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.680 that's 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.259 given 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.700 with our 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.380 justification? 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:40.400 Jesus 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:41.300 resurrection 00:27:41.300 --> 00:27:42.520 proves 00:27:42.520 --> 00:27:44.120 once 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:44.400 and 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:44.700 for 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.120 all 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:46.460 that 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:46.620 he 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.140 lived 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.340 the 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:47.720 perfect 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.160 life 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.340 that 00:27:48.340 --> 00:27:48.500 we 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:48.700 should 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:48.840 have 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:49.120 lived. 00:27:50.800 --> 00:27:51.420 If 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:51.800 Jesus 00:27:51.800 --> 00:27:52.100 did 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.340 not 00:27:52.340 --> 00:27:52.700 rise 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:52.880 from 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.020 the 00:27:53.020 --> 00:27:53.260 dead 00:27:53.260 --> 00:27:54.180 if 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.340 he 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:54.560 was 00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:55.160 only 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:55.560 handed 00:27:55.560 --> 00:27:55.820 over 00:27:55.820 --> 00:27:56.080 for 00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:56.280 our 00:27:56.280 --> 00:27:57.140 trespasses 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.400 then 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.840 his 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.140 death 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.340 was 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:00.560 not 00:28:00.560 --> 00:28:00.740 for 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:00.940 our 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.260 sins. 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.560 If 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:03.920 Jesus 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.140 did 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.340 not 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:04.620 rise 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:04.760 from 00:28:04.760 --> 00:28:04.920 the 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.240 dead 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.539 then 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:05.839 Jesus 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.380 death 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:06.900 was 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.079 for 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.500 Jesus. 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.700 The 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.539 resurrection 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:12.319 proves 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.240 once 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.599 and 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:13.940 for 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.559 all 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:16.039 Jesus 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.559 died 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:16.779 for 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.000 our 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.380 sins 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.120 was 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:18.680 raised 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:18.900 for 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.059 our 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.539 justification. 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.140 It 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:20.440 is 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:20.700 the 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.559 confirmation 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:23.099 that 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.759 everything 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.519 God 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.140 promised 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.400 to 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:25.839 Abraham 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.279 was 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.660 true. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.440 The 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:28.759 resurrection 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.279 is the 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.900 confirmation 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.059 that 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:31.319 Jesus 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.799 did 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.039 in 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.400 fact 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.759 die 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.000 for 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.200 our 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.599 sins 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.240 and 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.680 live 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.440 for 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:35.600 our 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.000 righteousness. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.720 What 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.060 is the 00:28:42.060 --> 00:28:42.500 most 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.400 important 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.840 part 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.960 of the 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.259 Abraham 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.700 story? 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.500 What 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:48.640 should 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:48.799 we 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.320 learn 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:50.019 take 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.400 away 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.960 more 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.880 than 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.200 anything 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:52.580 else? 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.299 It's 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:55.640 this. 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.980 Abraham 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.920 believed 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.560 the 00:28:59.560 --> 00:29:00.220 impossible 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.759 would 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.279 happen 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.799 in the 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.160 future. 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.380 we 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:06.000 know 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.220 the 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:07.880 impossible 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.480 has 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.259 already 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.940 happened 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.740 in 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.299 the 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:11.840 past. 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.980 No 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.539 unbelief 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:15.940 made him 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.340 waver 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:16.860 concerning 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.100 the 00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:17.580 promise 00:29:17.580 --> 00:29:17.799 of 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.160 God, 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.180 but he 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.360 grew 00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:19.840 strong 00:29:19.840 --> 00:29:20.200 in his 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.640 faith 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.460 as he 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:21.680 gave 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.180 glory 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.580 to 00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:22.960 God, 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.400 fully 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.160 convinced 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.380 that God 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.160 was able 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.860 to do 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.560 what he 00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:29.000 had 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.580 promised. 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:31.039 that is 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.519 why his 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:31.960 faith 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.639 was 00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:33.079 counted 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:34.019 to him 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.819 as 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.339 righteousness. 00:29:37.399 --> 00:29:38.119 Has 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:38.720 Jesus 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.480 risen 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.199 from 00:29:40.199 --> 00:29:40.779 the 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.079 dead? 00:29:42.199 --> 00:29:42.919 Yes, 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.159 yes, 00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:44.980 he has. 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.480 Let's 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:46.699 pray. 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.039 Our 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.460 Father in 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.639 heaven, 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.179 we do 00:29:50.179 --> 00:29:51.319 praise you 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:51.779 and thank 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.259 you again 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.599 for your 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:52.839 word. 00:29:52.939 --> 00:29:53.240 We thank 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.759 you for 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.419 the example 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:55.099 of Abraham, 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.759 not that he 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.419 was great, 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.379 but he 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.019 believed in 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.339 a great 00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:58.660 God. 00:29:59.119 --> 00:29:59.720 We ask 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.000 that you 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.379 would make 00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:00.980 that true 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.539 of us, 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:01.980 that we 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.879 would see 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:03.660 clearly 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:05.259 that you 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.839 are the 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.920 God who 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:07.639 brings life 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:08.039 from the 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.839 dead and 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.400 calls into 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.859 existence 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.759 things that 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.160 do not 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.579 exist. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.579 We ask 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:12.900 all of 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.359 these things 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.619 in the 00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:14.119 mighty name 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.480 of Jesus 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:14.940 Christ. 00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:15.639 Amen.