WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.179 I don't know if you noticed this week, I think it was this week, might have been last week, 00:00:18.460 --> 00:00:25.800 I'm not a particularly careful watcher of it, but it was His Royal Highness Prince George 00:00:25.800 --> 00:00:35.640 of Cambridge's first birthday this week, and there was a bit of a hoopla across the pond, 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:44.159 as they say over there, and maybe you do too, it was a celebration of this little boy. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:52.179 I was reflecting on him because I was thinking, man, as a one-year-old, what a life he has in 00:00:52.179 --> 00:01:04.500 front of him. He is the great-grandson of the queen, the grandson, yes, the great-grandson 00:01:04.500 --> 00:01:12.500 of the queen. One day he will be a king. He will grow up as royalty. He will grow up as 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:22.739 a son of the king one day, most likely, and he has a path that's set before him. In living out this 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:31.539 great privilege and this great honor that he has, his life will be marked by certain particular ways 00:01:31.539 --> 00:01:39.019 in which he will have to grow up, be trained, things that he will have to pursue in order to 00:01:39.019 --> 00:01:49.280 live out the life that he has been given because of his birth. No doubt, challenges will abound. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:59.519 He will have to grow up in manners and in protocol in ways that we never will, and I'm sure as a young 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:06.899 child he will find that difficult. Certainly his, both his father and even more famously his uncle, 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:19.240 struggled to live out the youthful calling to be the son of a king. And even today, if you read the 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:25.439 tabloids, it's still a struggle sometimes, isn't it? To live out this calling and to be who they are 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:34.060 called to be because of their birth. He will need training. He will need discipline. He will forsake 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:40.939 living a normal life to pursue this particular life that he has been given. And it will give him a 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:46.400 focus of his life that will either be a crushing burden or a great joy. 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:58.180 Friends, this morning we are going to look at Hebrews. We're continuing in our series in Hebrews chapter 12. 00:02:58.180 --> 00:03:07.300 Hebrews chapter 12. And what I want you to see this morning is that just like His Royal Highness Prince 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:19.860 George of Cambridge, for all who are in Christ, there is now a calling, a birthright, a future set before us. 00:03:20.700 --> 00:03:26.680 Hebrews is picturing it athletically as a race to run, which is also a helpful picture, 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:31.000 like a marathoner, to actually be able to compete at the highest levels. 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:39.680 To have discipline and training and focus about what we are doing and how we are going to pursue it. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:46.180 Hebrews brings these themes together in our passage this morning. 00:03:46.180 --> 00:03:52.540 And it raises a question for us, for all who are in Christ. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:57.200 How do we run the race set before us as children of the King, 00:03:57.700 --> 00:04:02.520 as beloved sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father? 00:04:04.140 --> 00:04:09.840 This is the question that our passage puts before us this morning. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:12.599 So if you want to turn with me to Hebrews chapter 12. 00:04:14.360 --> 00:04:19.000 That's on page 1,000 and, oh, I forget to look at this every week. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:22.000 9, 10, 11, something like that. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:23.780 Is that right? Yeah? Okay. 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:26.319 Hebrews chapter 12. 00:04:27.340 --> 00:04:31.019 We're going to be looking at verses 12 through 17. 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:34.579 So if you want to turn there with me. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:40.159 And as you're turning there, I want you to see the flow of thought in chapter 12. 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:45.819 Because if you remember, chapter 12 begins with this majestic statement that's so famous and well-known. 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:49.539 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:55.819 let us run the race set before us, laying aside the entanglements and the sin. 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:58.560 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:03.980 Let us look to Him, the author and perfecter of our faith, 00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:08.300 who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:12.600 despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of God. 00:05:12.780 --> 00:05:13.920 So this is the beginning. 00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:16.000 Therefore, let us run this race. 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:18.360 But then He shifts gears almost immediately. 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:23.500 And in verses 4 through 11, He answers a question that many of us ask. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:28.639 If we are indeed children of God, if we are indeed in Christ, 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:31.220 and Christ has done all of these things for us, 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:33.699 why is it so hard? 00:05:35.160 --> 00:05:37.620 Why has God not made it easy? 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:41.819 And if you remember, if you were here last week, 00:05:42.040 --> 00:05:44.000 or if you look through verses 4 through 11, 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:45.620 the answer that He gives is, 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:48.300 it is not easy because God loves you. 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:52.120 And the things that are hard, 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:55.620 the trials that you are facing right now, 00:05:56.399 --> 00:06:00.379 are not signs of God's abandonment or lack of care for you. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:03.560 Indeed, they are signs that He loves you. 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:08.199 Because every father loves his children 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:12.360 by training them and disciplining them 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:17.120 so that they might know more of what is right and good. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:20.079 So that in this context, 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:25.100 we may know God and His ways more and more 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:28.040 and live in the birthright that He's given us. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:32.379 And this is the context that leads us 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:34.879 to our passages this morning. 00:06:34.960 --> 00:06:36.260 Hebrews 12, 12. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:38.939 Let's read it together. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:46.320 Therefore, therefore, because we have this race to run, 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:49.520 therefore, because God loves us, 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:51.780 and so this race will not be easy, 00:06:53.020 --> 00:06:56.180 therefore, lift your drooping hands, 00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:58.740 strengthen your weak knees, 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:01.040 and make straight paths for your feet 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:03.780 so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:05.500 but rather be healed. 00:07:06.400 --> 00:07:08.259 Strive for peace with everyone 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:11.699 and for the holiness without which no one will see God. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:15.980 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:19.500 that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:22.100 and by it many become defiled, 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:25.939 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy, 00:07:26.180 --> 00:07:30.959 like Esau who sold his birthright for a single meal. 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:33.660 For you know that afterwards, 00:07:33.780 --> 00:07:35.759 when he desired to inherit the blessing, 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:39.180 he was rejected for he found no chance to repent, 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:42.579 though he sought it with tears. 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:45.300 Let's pray together. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:54.840 Lord, we ask this morning that your word would speak to us. 00:07:55.780 --> 00:07:57.620 Lord, enlighten our minds, 00:07:58.259 --> 00:07:59.800 encourage our hearts, 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.740 Lord, refresh our souls. 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:08.199 Lord, we pray this morning that you would give us endurance 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:11.180 to run the race set before us. 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:16.060 God, that we would not give up, 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:18.660 but that we would press on. 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:23.199 Lord, help us to see your grace 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:25.699 that enables us to do it. 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:30.240 Lord, I pray you would help me to speak clearly, 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:34.299 and I pray that as we all sit under your word this morning, 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:36.019 that you would speak to us. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:38.399 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.299 Amen. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:49.159 Today, we'll look at what it looks like to run the race of God, 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:51.940 and to run the race as a child of God, 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:54.020 and we will see in our passage three things. 00:08:54.400 --> 00:08:55.180 If you're taking notes, 00:08:55.280 --> 00:08:58.380 these are your three things to hang your notes on. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:08:59.820 The first thing is there is going, 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:02.760 there's going to be a description of the path to run. 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:07.480 The second one is about the pitfalls to avoid, 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:11.940 and our third point will be the provision to endure 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:14.120 as we run this race. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:15.760 So let's look at these in order. 00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:18.060 First, there is a path to run. 00:09:18.060 --> 00:09:21.180 Look with me again at verses 12 through 14. 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:23.379 Therefore, lift your drooping hands 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:24.899 and strengthen your weak knees 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.139 and make straight your path 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:29.079 so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, 00:09:29.179 --> 00:09:30.279 but rather be healed. 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:35.059 The rite of Hebrews picks up an evocative image, 00:09:35.219 --> 00:09:37.279 and it's probably not hard for you to think 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.759 if you watch the World Cup. 00:09:39.219 --> 00:09:42.539 Think about the guys running the field 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:45.879 at the 118th minute of overtime. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:48.439 When the ball goes out of bounds, 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:50.079 they all bend over, 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:52.400 put their hands on their knees. 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:54.780 Basketball, they call it, 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:56.139 hanging on their shorts 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.000 because they're so tired, 00:09:58.100 --> 00:09:59.560 they can barely stand up. 00:10:00.780 --> 00:10:02.040 Or if you're a runner, 00:10:03.300 --> 00:10:05.020 think of the toil 00:10:05.020 --> 00:10:07.580 of those running the Boston Marathon, 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:09.340 hitting that 20-mile mark 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:11.280 and hitting Heartbreak Hill, 00:10:11.280 --> 00:10:13.720 that long incline. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:19.200 And think of the image of an exhausted runner 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:23.500 struggling, striving, drooping hands 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.700 and weak knees, 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:26.040 wondering, 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:29.100 can I ever make it up this hill? 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:36.120 This image is not original to the writer of Hebrews. 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:41.560 If you listen carefully to the passage earlier in Isaiah that we read, 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:45.159 there Isaiah was encouraging his people 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:47.879 in the midst of great trial and tribulation, 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:51.200 in the midst of great calamity. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:55.840 He's encouraging them, 00:10:56.420 --> 00:10:57.259 don't give up, 00:10:58.060 --> 00:11:00.480 for your God will come and save you. 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:04.640 The imagery continues in verse 12, 00:11:05.140 --> 00:11:06.160 or in verse 13. 00:11:06.400 --> 00:11:07.020 He says, 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:08.480 make straight your path. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:11.080 And I was thinking about this. 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:12.960 What is he talking about? 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:13.820 There's another place, 00:11:13.900 --> 00:11:14.640 again in Isaiah, 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:15.800 remember Isaiah 6? 00:11:16.020 --> 00:11:16.620 I think, no, 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.860 Isaiah 9. 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:20.779 Every valley will be lifted up 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:22.200 and every mountain will be made low 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:23.419 so that the way of the kingdom, 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:25.519 and it has this sense of 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.799 the paths will be straight 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.060 because they're going to be easy. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.440 And when I first read this, 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:30.700 I thought, 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.879 oh, that's what this is about. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:32.399 But you know, 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.320 I read this more 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:35.720 and I don't think that's actually what it's about. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.639 It's about having the right path. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:40.700 I don't know if you're ever a cross-country runner. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:41.700 I wasn't, 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:42.940 but my cousin, 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:44.600 or my nephew was visiting this week. 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.620 He was telling me stories 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.320 about running cross-country. 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:48.220 And, you know, 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.539 a lot of cross-country routes 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.500 run through the woods. 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:51.639 You know, 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:52.379 he was telling me 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:54.419 about reading a copperhead on there. 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.879 He's from South Carolina. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:57.860 It's a great adventure for him. 00:11:58.120 --> 00:12:00.820 But when you're running through the woods, 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:01.440 right, 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.779 you want to stay on the path 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:05.799 because if you stray off the path, 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:07.899 how much harder is it to run? 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:11.039 How much more difficult is it to run? 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:12.419 And particularly when, 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:14.240 as the writer points out, 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.720 when you're already lame, 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:16.480 right, 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:18.580 he's assuming that we are all lame, 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:21.100 that we all have particular weaknesses 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:22.220 of our joints 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:25.639 or of our muscles 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:28.799 where we're struggling to keep going. 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:31.620 And when we make it that much harder, 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:33.659 when we have to fight through the underbrush 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.860 and when we can't see 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:37.519 the hidden pitfalls under the leaves, 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:39.700 when we hit those things, 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:40.480 what happens? 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:43.779 We get thrown out of joint altogether. 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.340 We dislocate. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:48.700 It's the best translation of that word. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.120 He says, 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:52.920 that's why you need to run straight on the path 00:12:52.920 --> 00:12:55.500 because when you run straight on the path, 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:58.100 even those places where you are weak 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:00.220 with a straight path 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.960 heading to the right goal, 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:05.080 you will actually find 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:07.360 not greater harm 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.540 but healing. 00:13:10.900 --> 00:13:12.259 So the writer of Hebrews 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:14.020 picks up these two images 00:13:14.020 --> 00:13:15.320 about running, 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:16.480 about running the race 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.680 and how do we do it 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:19.800 leading up to verse 14 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:20.960 where he makes clear 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:22.580 what is he talking about here? 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:24.100 What is he getting at? 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:26.180 So look with me at verse 14 again. 00:13:26.280 --> 00:13:26.700 He says, 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:29.140 strive for peace with everyone 00:13:29.140 --> 00:13:31.320 and for the holiness without which 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:34.400 no one will see the Lord. 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:38.780 A couple of observations here. 00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:39.980 The writer is saying, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.600 do you remember? 00:13:41.780 --> 00:13:43.480 The goal is God. 00:13:43.780 --> 00:13:46.280 The goal is that you can have fellowship with God. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.480 Remember the writer of Hebrews 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:49.040 way back in chapter 10. 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:52.820 Now that Christ has entered into the holy place, 00:13:53.160 --> 00:13:56.580 now you can draw near to God. 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:58.720 And he has assumed 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.300 that this is a precious 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:01.740 and beautiful thing 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.879 that we all want, 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:05.000 that we want to be with God. 00:14:06.660 --> 00:14:08.060 The writer of Hebrews says, 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:10.440 in order to do that, 00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:12.060 we must strive 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:14.440 for peace and holiness. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:16.400 The picture of striving, 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:19.180 it's again an evocative word 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.560 that has a picture of 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:22.720 like bloodhounds on the chase. 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:24.180 There's a single sense 00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:25.340 and a single goal 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.360 and they're pursuing it 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:28.620 over and over and over again. 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:30.100 Or again, 00:14:30.180 --> 00:14:31.280 like a marathon runner 00:14:31.280 --> 00:14:32.680 who has one goal 00:14:32.680 --> 00:14:33.780 in running the race, 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.280 to finish, 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:37.100 to reach the finish line, 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.420 to not give up. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:40.660 And so we are to pursue 00:14:40.660 --> 00:14:42.259 this calling 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.840 of reaching to God 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:46.180 and actually drawing near to Him. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:47.120 And he says, 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.080 how do we do that? 00:14:48.160 --> 00:14:49.180 How do we lift up 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:50.980 our drooping hands? 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.900 How do we 00:14:51.900 --> 00:14:54.660 make straight our paths? 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.800 We do it by pursuing 00:14:56.800 --> 00:15:00.100 peace and holiness. 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:03.519 Now, the writer of Hebrews 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.920 has reminded us earlier, 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:07.440 peace is what comes 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:09.639 when we are rightly related 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.580 to God. 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.460 It is a gift 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.920 that God gives us 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:14.700 where the wrath 00:15:14.700 --> 00:15:15.519 against sin 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.500 that God has, 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.779 the wrath that God has 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:19.600 against evil in the world 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.560 and injustice 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:22.000 and unrighteousness 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.399 that is both 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.639 in the world out there 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.160 but also in our hearts, 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.759 the wrath 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.799 against us 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.759 is removed 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.159 because of Christ. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:36.139 And so we have peace 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.860 with God. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.139 And then that peace 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:39.860 then allows us 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.240 to live a life 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.860 not of struggling 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.959 and striving 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:45.679 against one another 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:47.439 but of running 00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:48.399 together 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.439 this race. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.740 And don't forget, 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:52.159 friends, 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.579 that this race 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.360 is being run 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:56.080 for the Hebrews, 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.920 for the audience 00:15:57.920 --> 00:15:58.780 that he's writing to. 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:00.139 It's happening 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.840 in the context 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.660 of persecution. 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.120 Do you remember 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.960 chapter 10? 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:04.900 You suffered 00:16:04.900 --> 00:16:06.240 these things 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:07.600 and you did so gladly 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.300 and with joy. 00:16:08.520 --> 00:16:09.460 They've already seen 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.080 persecution 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:10.780 and it seems 00:16:10.780 --> 00:16:11.460 that the fear 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.840 of more persecution 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:15.020 is on the horizon. 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:17.480 Let me ask you this. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.379 When life gets 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.360 really hard, 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.060 how easy is it 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:21.839 to be peaceful 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:23.159 with those around you? 00:16:25.859 --> 00:16:26.399 Right? 00:16:26.619 --> 00:16:28.119 When your stress level 00:16:28.119 --> 00:16:28.899 rises, 00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:30.019 when fear 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:31.299 begins to creep 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.219 into your heart, 00:16:32.479 --> 00:16:33.239 when doubt 00:16:33.239 --> 00:16:34.319 about God's love 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:34.719 for you 00:16:34.719 --> 00:16:35.299 and His goodness 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.139 for you 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.619 begin to control 00:16:37.619 --> 00:16:38.259 your heart, 00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:39.139 what do you do? 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.879 I know what I do. 00:16:42.979 --> 00:16:44.319 I get really selfish. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.919 My life becomes 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.639 about me 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.719 and my agendas 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.420 and my taking care 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:51.139 of myself. 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.100 And you know 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.080 what it always does? 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.519 It makes me short 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.420 with my kids. 00:16:58.899 --> 00:17:00.019 It makes me difficult 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:01.040 with my wife. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.920 It makes me critical 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:06.120 of the others around me. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.160 It makes me hard 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:07.759 to work with 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.460 in the office. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:17.420 It is hard 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.460 to pursue peace 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.340 in the midst 00:17:19.340 --> 00:17:19.980 of trial. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.500 The author 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:22.960 of Hebrews 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.840 is telling us 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:24.380 that we need 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.200 to keep going 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.600 because this peace 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.079 is something 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.519 that God has given 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:30.140 us in Christ. 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.420 And because 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.160 we have it 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:33.860 from Him, 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:34.900 we are able 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.220 to, 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:36.160 even in the midst 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:38.100 of trial, 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.259 pursue it. 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:41.059 Not only that, 00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:42.579 he says to pursue holiness. 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:44.700 Now, 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.420 I have to admit, 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.539 this feels like 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:47.680 it comes out of the blue 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.680 in the writer, 00:17:49.100 --> 00:17:49.680 almost. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.240 Verse 4 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.279 of chapter 12 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.380 mentions 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:55.000 in your struggle 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.100 against sin, 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.059 you have not 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:59.259 gotten to the point 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.039 of shedding blood. 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:02.140 But we haven't seen 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.620 a lot in the book 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.120 of Hebrews 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:05.100 up to this point 00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:06.100 about how to live 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.920 a holy life 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:07.620 that is a life 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.680 set apart 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.460 for God, 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.960 a life that pursues 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.920 His righteousness, 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:13.340 that submits 00:18:13.340 --> 00:18:14.680 all that we are 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.660 and all that we do 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:17.180 to God's control 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.840 and God's instruction 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:20.279 and God's direction. 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.140 But again, 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.259 it made sense to me 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:25.960 when I started 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.880 to think of 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:28.140 what is it like 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:28.960 to run a race 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.180 when it's really hard? 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:33.720 And again, 00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:35.160 when you're facing 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:35.779 trials, 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:36.920 when you're facing 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:39.220 immense pressures, 00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:42.880 maybe you've experienced 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.940 what I've experienced 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.000 and that is that 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.220 the temptation 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.980 to forsake 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:48.000 a pursuit of holiness 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.200 is really easy. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.500 I'm just so tired. 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.460 I don't have the energy 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.860 to do the right thing. 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:58.160 Or sometimes it's 00:18:58.160 --> 00:19:00.200 I feel so beat up. 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:02.200 Can't I just get something 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.779 to make my life 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.660 a little easier? 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.600 A little snack 00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:07.580 from the fridge? 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.100 A little click 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:10.200 on the link? 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.860 A little bit 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.759 of juicy gossip 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.640 dropped in a phone conversation? 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.220 A little cutting corners? 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.900 My taxes? 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.779 Whatever it is. 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.480 All these little things 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.480 that just alleviate 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.259 our pressure 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.080 a little bit 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.879 or give us 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:29.919 this little moment 00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:30.639 of joy? 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:36.059 But that's not holiness, 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.579 is it? 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.539 And when we're tired, 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.279 it's hard 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.619 to pursue holiness. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.460 But friends, 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.199 the writer of Hebrews 00:19:47.199 --> 00:19:48.299 wants us to remember. 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.439 Chapter 10, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.079 we'll look at us. 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:51.119 Go back and look at it 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:51.759 again sometime. 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.439 Chapter 10, 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.980 verse 10 and 14. 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:56.159 Christ has cleansed 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.059 our consciences. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.639 He has purified 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.500 our hearts 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.940 so that we are able 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.899 to pursue 00:20:01.899 --> 00:20:03.740 righteousness. 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.960 So that we are able 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.659 to pursue holiness 00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.859 rightly. 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.519 Friends, 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:14.599 this is the challenge 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:16.240 that Prince George 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.179 will face 00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:18.259 as he grows up. 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:20.279 Will he stay 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:22.759 on the track 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:25.000 of living out 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.399 of who he is? 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.859 Friends, 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.619 that's how holiness 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.220 is. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.579 Holiness is saying, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.839 I'm a child of God. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.859 I have been brought 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.659 into his kingdom. 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.480 I have been named 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.119 an heir 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:36.879 of the kingdom 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.559 of God. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.759 I'm a member 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.619 of his family. 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.440 Now I need 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.339 to live like it. 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.960 And just like 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.559 Prince George, 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.299 it will make us 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:46.819 different 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.980 from the world 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.899 around us. 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:52.940 it will mean 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.540 we will not 00:20:53.540 --> 00:20:54.480 do things 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.620 that the world 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.160 will do. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.519 It will mean 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.780 we will do things 00:20:58.780 --> 00:20:59.700 that others 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:01.180 will seem 00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.240 to think 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.140 is crazy 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:04.800 or odd. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.519 But as we 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.560 pursue this, 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.160 it is this 00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:13.280 that perpetuates 00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:13.900 our 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:16.060 drawing near 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.679 to God. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.960 Our holiness 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.139 is a part 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:19.539 of our 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.299 drawing near 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.019 to God 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.039 as our 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.819 Heavenly Father 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:24.299 who loves us. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.359 As we allow 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.319 him to instruct 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.960 and shape 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.720 our lives. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:32.960 So this is 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.279 how we're 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.680 to run 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.259 the race. 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:35.980 To not 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.559 give up 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:38.079 the foot 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.680 of Heartbreak 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:38.960 Hill, 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.500 but to 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:40.880 strengthen 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.539 our limbs 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:43.000 by seeing 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.839 God. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.620 And knowing 00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:47.279 that the goal 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.140 is worth it. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.319 And making 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.839 the path 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.400 straight. 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.579 And pursuing 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.660 peace 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:53.380 and holiness. 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.519 This is 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:55.819 what the 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.180 writer of 00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:56.640 the Hebrews 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.759 encourages 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.660 us to 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.000 do. 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.540 Friends, 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.000 it's easy 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.700 for us 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:07.240 to grow 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:07.580 weary. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.460 It's easy 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:09.180 for us 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.140 to want 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:10.920 comfort and 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.600 ease in 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.200 the moment 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.600 rather than 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.160 the finish 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:14.880 line and 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.320 the goal 00:22:15.320 --> 00:22:15.920 that's set 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.720 before us. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.180 God wants 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.940 us to run 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.000 with form. 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:25.320 God-shaped 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:25.840 form. 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.100 Godliness 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:28.340 shaped form. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.440 As we 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.060 run before 00:22:30.060 --> 00:22:30.320 it. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.200 We have 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:32.820 to forsake 00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:33.820 the selfishness 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.279 that so 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.180 easily creeps 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.700 in in the 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.259 face of 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.940 trial and 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.440 temptation. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.500 What does 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:40.900 this look 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.300 like? 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.540 I was 00:22:42.540 --> 00:22:42.820 thinking 00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:44.460 through some 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:44.660 of the 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.600 great Christian 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:46.440 biographies 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.000 that I 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.420 love to 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:48.740 read. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.819 Helen 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:51.400 was a 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:51.839 missionary 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:55.460 to Africa 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:55.839 in the 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.180 middle of 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:56.700 the 20th 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.140 century. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.579 She was a 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:58.859 missionary 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.720 through the 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.579 transition from 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.000 the colonial 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:03.400 period and 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.079 suffered 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.400 deeply 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:07.319 for her 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.000 commitment to 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.960 stay with 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.880 her church 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.400 and with 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.039 her ministry 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.400 as the 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:14.220 battle line 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:16.599 swept over 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.619 their location 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.259 again and 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.599 again. 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:21.839 She, in 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.859 fact, in 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.419 the face of 00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:24.399 great pressure, 00:23:25.719 --> 00:23:26.139 did one of 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:26.459 the most 00:23:26.459 --> 00:23:27.059 remarkable 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:29.059 things, one 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.459 of the most 00:23:29.459 --> 00:23:30.419 remarkable ways 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:31.039 of pursuing 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.819 peace with 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.259 others. 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:35.420 she gave 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.879 herself in 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:38.200 place of 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:38.819 some young 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.279 Catholic 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:41.779 nuns who 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.660 were about 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.359 to be 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:45.539 assaulted by 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.299 the rebel 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.099 soldiers as 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.539 they swept 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:47.879 through. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.940 She saw 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.579 in that 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.279 moment an 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.019 opportunity 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:54.299 not to 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.039 turn inward 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.839 on herself 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.680 and just 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.059 try to 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.440 protect 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:57.900 herself 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.519 through it, 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.059 but to 00:23:59.059 --> 00:23:59.879 actually give 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:01.779 herself for 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.259 the sake 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.039 of others. 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.759 She ran 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.240 the race 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.539 at a 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.339 great cost 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:09.119 to herself 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:12.539 and suffered 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.500 deeply for 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:15.000 it, and 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.599 yet, as 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.039 she wrote 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.480 about it 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.160 in hindsight, 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:18.680 she said, 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.200 God gave 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.639 me this 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:21.639 privilege to 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.180 be his 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.759 daughter in 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.379 that moment, 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:26.200 to have a 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.980 fellowship with 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.819 my Lord 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:29.099 that could 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.799 not come 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.579 if I had 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.079 turned away 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.579 from it, 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:38.960 you all 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.539 probably know 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.299 the story 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:40.759 of Eric 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.079 Little, 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.680 the English 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.359 runner in 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.599 the beginning 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.200 of the 20th 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:45.539 century, 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.799 1922 Olympics, 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.200 he said that 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.639 he would not 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.139 run on 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:50.000 Sabbath by 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.579 conviction. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.420 The 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:53.019 preliminaries 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.660 for his 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.720 favored race 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.240 was that 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.639 day, 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:58.220 but he 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.619 lived as 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:58.980 his son 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.639 set apart. 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:01.259 it's a 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:01.780 great movie, 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.280 Chariots of 00:25:02.280 --> 00:25:02.540 Fire, 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:05.360 if you want 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:05.860 to see his 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.860 story, and I 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:07.340 think him 00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:08.080 fairly well 00:25:08.080 --> 00:25:09.040 represented in 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:09.240 it. 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.100 He did not 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:11.860 live to please 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.520 anyone, he 00:25:12.520 --> 00:25:13.259 did not live to 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.960 please himself, 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.759 he lived to 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.580 please God, 00:25:16.780 --> 00:25:17.620 no matter what 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.340 the cost. 00:25:21.340 --> 00:25:22.280 He didn't run 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:23.099 in his favorite 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.839 race. 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.339 He never 00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:25.819 medaled in 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.000 it. 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.619 He had other 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.519 successes, God 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.200 chose to bless 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.779 him with that. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.240 But as he ran 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.920 the race, he 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:36.299 could see the 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.119 goal in front 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:37.799 of him, and it 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.639 wasn't a gold 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.500 medal at the 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.599 Olympics, and it 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.359 wasn't world 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:42.420 fame, and it 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.899 wasn't success at 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.559 the thing that he 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.139 had invested 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:46.139 everything in. 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:48.380 it was that he 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.220 would be faithful 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.080 to his God. 00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.340 Having looked 00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:57.180 at then the 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.120 path to run, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.340 the writer of 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.080 Hebrews goes on 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.860 to point out 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:03.300 pitfalls for us 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:03.759 to avoid. 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:04.480 Look with me at 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.520 verses 15 through 00:26:05.520 --> 00:26:06.060 17. 00:26:09.300 --> 00:26:09.880 One of the 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.280 things that's 00:26:10.280 --> 00:26:11.060 important to see 00:26:11.060 --> 00:26:11.640 is this whole 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:13.200 passage has 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.720 plural 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:16.020 nouns. 00:26:16.520 --> 00:26:16.820 It's really 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:17.340 hard in our 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:17.780 English, you 00:26:17.780 --> 00:26:18.380 know this, to 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.100 see you. 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.940 You in English 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.759 is both singular 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.320 and plural. 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.360 It's easy to 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:24.600 think of a lone 00:26:24.600 --> 00:26:25.259 runner running 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.940 this race, but 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.160 in fact, all of 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.080 the you's in 00:26:28.080 --> 00:26:29.400 this passage are 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:29.759 plural. 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:31.420 And so he's not 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.160 speaking to an 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:33.220 individual per se, 00:26:33.280 --> 00:26:33.820 but he's speaking 00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.640 to a community 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:36.100 saying, run this 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.900 race that's set 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.640 before you, and 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.820 here we see, see 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:39.660 to it that you 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.740 don't fall into 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.340 these pitfalls 00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:43.240 before you. 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.580 See to it not 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.439 just by watching 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:47.740 your own life, but 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.799 by encouraging and 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:51.159 strengthening and 00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:52.579 even challenging 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:54.619 one another to run 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.179 the race. 00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.419 So he says, see to 00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:57.240 it that you don't 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.679 fall into these 00:26:58.679 --> 00:26:59.279 things. 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.759 And I think there's 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.699 a progression in 00:27:01.699 --> 00:27:03.779 these pitfalls. 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:04.539 The first one is 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.919 don't fall short 00:27:05.919 --> 00:27:08.099 of the grace of 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.559 God. 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:10.980 That is, don't 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.759 fall short of 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.960 attaining or taking 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:14.259 hold of or living 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.759 in or depending 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:17.180 upon the grace of 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:19.180 God that God has 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.860 shown you in 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.400 Christ. 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.360 What is this? 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.180 Well, if you've 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.220 been here for the 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.380 whole year, then you 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.299 know, because it's 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.900 what the writer of 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.799 Hebrews wrote about 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:30.079 for chapters and 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:30.600 chapters and 00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:30.980 chapters. 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.299 But if you're new 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:33.700 here, let me try to 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.779 summarize the 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.539 richness of this 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:35.799 book. 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:38.640 God in Christ has 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:40.259 done the amazing 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:42.140 work of removing 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:44.319 the stain of our 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:46.160 sin by offering 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.220 his son, Jesus 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:49.440 Christ, to take 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:51.299 that sin and the 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.379 penalty for it and 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:53.420 the stain of it 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:55.759 upon himself, dying 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:57.099 on the cross in 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.740 our place so that 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.359 we might not bear 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.900 the reproach and 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:02.960 the judgment and 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.900 the wrath of God 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.920 against that sin, 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:07.759 but rather we 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:09.160 might know that we 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.059 are able to draw 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:11.740 near to God as 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.839 sons and daughters 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:14.460 of the King because 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.500 of what Christ has 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:15.799 done. 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.720 This is the grace 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.339 of God. 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.539 There is nothing 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.919 that you can do to 00:28:20.919 --> 00:28:21.480 make yourself 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.819 acceptable to God, 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.919 but God has done 00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:25.159 everything that is 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:27.139 necessary in 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:29.159 Christ, and you 00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:30.240 are called simply 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.419 to receive this by 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:33.559 faith and believe 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:33.859 it. 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:39.719 And friends, as the 00:28:39.719 --> 00:28:41.699 Hebrew church knew 00:28:41.699 --> 00:28:43.000 and as we know, 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:47.000 it can be hard to 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.059 keep going in that 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:49.139 grace, to keep 00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:50.379 clinging to that 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:51.259 grace and that 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.240 truth alone. 00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:53.779 Our hearts are so 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.979 bent to want to do 00:28:55.979 --> 00:28:57.359 it on our own, and 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.839 then as we see when 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.759 life gets really 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:02.199 hard, we want to 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.660 give up. 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.880 And so he warns 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.960 us, don't let go 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.279 of that. 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:11.259 Don't lose sight of 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.539 what God has done 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.740 for you in Christ. 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.319 When you lose sight 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.580 of that, you've 00:29:16.580 --> 00:29:17.880 begun to wander from 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:18.539 the path. 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:22.940 And then, the next 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.400 thing that he says 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.420 is the next step. 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.940 See to it that a 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.539 root of bitterness 00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.500 doesn't grow up in 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.099 your heart. 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.940 See, friends, when 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.819 we lose sight of 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.819 God's goodness to us 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:35.059 in Christ, the 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.180 objective work that 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.539 God has done for us 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:39.700 for all time, then 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:41.339 when we face trials, 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.460 it's really easy for 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.759 self-pity to rise in 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.259 our hearts. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:47.019 It's really easy to 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:49.799 think, God, why are 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.740 you doing this to me? 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.519 I don't deserve this. 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.759 God, this is too 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.259 hard. 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:56.140 I can't do this. 00:29:56.140 --> 00:30:00.080 And a root of 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:01.200 bitterness begins to 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.060 grow up in our 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.440 hearts. 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.759 We become bitter 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.680 towards God. 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:07.020 God, why couldn't 00:30:07.020 --> 00:30:08.000 you make this easier? 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.259 God, why couldn't 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.200 you take this away? 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:12.080 God, why can't you 00:30:12.080 --> 00:30:12.860 give me the thing 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:13.720 that I really, really 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.300 want? 00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:17.820 And bitterness 00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:19.080 takes root in our 00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:19.380 heart. 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:21.040 And we can come to 00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:22.180 church for years 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:24.140 and live with this 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:24.800 root of bitterness 00:30:24.800 --> 00:30:25.640 in our heart. 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:30.020 And in it, as it 00:30:30.020 --> 00:30:31.380 says in verse 15, 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:34.320 it causes trouble. 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:36.080 Because when we have 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:36.800 lost sight of the 00:30:36.800 --> 00:30:37.740 grace of God and when 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.920 bitterness and this 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.880 questioning and this 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:41.740 doubting rises up in 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:45.360 our hearts, it begins 00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:47.480 to then affect how we 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:49.020 serve in the church, how 00:30:49.020 --> 00:30:50.000 we have fellowship with 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.540 one another. 00:30:50.840 --> 00:30:52.280 Suddenly, God is not a 00:30:52.280 --> 00:30:53.480 delightful one that we 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.500 come to worship every 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:54.920 Sunday. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.600 We come and we do it 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:58.640 out of duty or out of 00:30:58.640 --> 00:30:59.100 habit. 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.640 Our fellowship with one 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:05.720 another becomes weak. 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.480 Because we can't exhort 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:09.140 one another, God is 00:31:09.140 --> 00:31:09.660 faithful. 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.440 God has taken hold of 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:11.600 you. 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.160 God will take care of 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.420 you. 00:31:13.560 --> 00:31:14.820 Which is what all the 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:15.600 book of Hebrews has been 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:15.960 about. 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.580 When the root of 00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:19.480 bitterness takes hold, 00:31:19.560 --> 00:31:20.940 we can't do that to one 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.279 another. 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:23.360 And so not only is your 00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:25.100 life impoverished, but 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:27.880 those around you lack the 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:29.039 encouragement that they 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.500 need. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.960 And so we resent the 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:38.080 calling to holiness. 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:41.799 We resent the desire to 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:44.799 pursue peace in our hearts. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:47.519 And this leads us then to the 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:48.139 third thing. 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.919 Don't be sexually immoral or 00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:51.659 irreligious. 00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.859 Do you remember Esau? 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:56.039 What did Esau do? 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.720 Go back and look at the story 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.919 after church this morning. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:03.779 In Genesis 25, Esau was the 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:05.899 older son, the one who had the 00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:08.279 birthright of being the son of 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.879 Isaac, which meant that he was 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:13.940 the son of the promise, Abraham, 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.540 Isaac, and it should have been 00:32:15.540 --> 00:32:19.180 Esau in the normal course of 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.340 human relationships. 00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:23.800 He had that place because he was 00:32:23.800 --> 00:32:24.640 first born. 00:32:28.280 --> 00:32:30.480 And he came home one day and he 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:32.460 was hungry and he was tired. 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:35.260 And he looked at his brother who 00:32:35.260 --> 00:32:37.360 was a farmer and he said, can I 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.320 have some of your stew? 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:41.480 Your lentil stew because you're 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.100 not a hunter. 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.720 So it's vegetarian. 00:32:49.540 --> 00:32:51.800 And Jacob, seeing the 00:32:51.800 --> 00:32:55.460 opportunity, said, sell me your 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:55.940 birthright. 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:58.260 Well, that's kind of shocking. 00:32:59.560 --> 00:33:01.460 But even more shocking is Esau's 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.080 response. 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:04.380 Well, without your soup, I'm going 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:04.880 to die. 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.860 So what does it matter? 00:33:06.040 --> 00:33:06.280 Sure. 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:08.800 It's basically what he says. 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:11.599 He says, I'm so hungry and tired, 00:33:11.659 --> 00:33:12.399 I'm going to die. 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.460 My birthright is worth nothing. 00:33:17.879 --> 00:33:19.000 He despises it. 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.659 He treats it as cheap. 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:22.359 And he gives it away. 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:27.819 He didn't see or he had lost 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:30.460 sight of how his birthright was 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:32.579 connected to the promise to 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:35.000 Abraham that God would bless him 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:36.759 and his descendants and make his 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:39.559 family great and make it a 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:41.279 blessing to the whole world. 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.519 Now, interestingly, 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:46.759 in Genesis, 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:48.819 Moses reminds us of that. 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.680 Chapter 26, right after this 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:52.779 account, God comes to Isaac and 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:54.440 reaffirms the covenant to him, 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:58.240 reminding us of the foolishness 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.980 of Esau. 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.500 He traded something 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:03.480 eternal, 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:06.039 something of immeasurable value, 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:08.179 the promise and favor of God 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:10.960 for a fleeting pleasure, 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:13.480 for a bowl of soup. 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:16.760 He lost sight of God. 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:22.000 How easy it is, 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:25.300 particularly when we are facing 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:25.840 trial, 00:34:26.200 --> 00:34:28.000 when we are facing persecution, 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:30.540 when it's costly to continue to 00:34:30.540 --> 00:34:31.460 run the race. 00:34:33.040 --> 00:34:35.320 When we lose sight of God's grace 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:36.400 for us in Christ, 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:39.100 when we begin to doubt and question 00:34:39.100 --> 00:34:40.640 God's goodness to us, 00:34:41.080 --> 00:34:42.400 at that moment, 00:34:43.140 --> 00:34:45.340 friends, do not deceive yourself. 00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:48.300 You are on the edge of exactly 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.820 where Esau was. 00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:53.600 It is so easy at that moment 00:34:53.600 --> 00:34:54.840 to sell your birthright 00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:56.700 for a pot of soup. 00:34:59.680 --> 00:35:02.640 It is so easy to give up 00:35:02.640 --> 00:35:04.200 running the race, 00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:07.280 pursuing peace and holiness 00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:10.200 for a momentary pleasure. 00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:14.399 It might be the pleasure of 00:35:14.399 --> 00:35:15.819 blowing up at your kids 00:35:15.819 --> 00:35:16.759 and yelling at them 00:35:16.759 --> 00:35:18.839 because they've done it again 00:35:18.839 --> 00:35:20.939 and it just kind of drives you crazy. 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.879 And when you lose sight 00:35:22.879 --> 00:35:23.899 of the grace of God, 00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:25.759 you take it out on them in anger. 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:32.799 The writer of Hebrews is explicit here 00:35:32.799 --> 00:35:33.639 and he'll pick this up 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:34.699 in chapter 13. 00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:37.099 But how easily 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:40.739 the power of sexual pleasure 00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:42.559 can grip us 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:44.059 in those moments of weakness. 00:35:45.359 --> 00:35:46.639 Whether it be 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:50.000 late night internet pornography, 00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:52.339 whether it be 00:35:52.339 --> 00:35:54.399 a late night 00:35:54.399 --> 00:35:55.699 hanging out with your girlfriend 00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:58.899 that begins to slip far beyond, 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.259 whether it be 00:36:00.260 --> 00:36:01.580 the dalliance of 00:36:01.580 --> 00:36:04.300 that co-worker 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:05.460 across the hall 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:07.280 who just seems to be 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:08.600 really interested in you. 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:11.400 How easily our hearts 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:12.500 wander 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:15.060 from the path of holiness 00:36:15.060 --> 00:36:16.880 and the area 00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:18.960 of sexual morality. 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:21.380 How easily we forsake 00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:23.000 faithfulness to God, 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:25.700 a pursuit of purity 00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:29.100 for a moment of pleasure. 00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:32.720 And friends, 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:34.220 we're never thinking about it 00:36:34.220 --> 00:36:35.440 as selling our birthright 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:36.460 as children of God 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:37.240 when we do it. 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.440 Rarely. 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.940 Rarely are we thinking about it 00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:42.720 when we do it. 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.160 But the writer of Hebrews 00:36:44.160 --> 00:36:45.480 wants us to remember that 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:46.440 and to see that. 00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:52.220 Often it's a little thing. 00:36:53.720 --> 00:36:55.560 At times it's a big thing. 00:36:55.680 --> 00:36:56.640 It's a big decision. 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.260 You've just had it. 00:36:58.420 --> 00:36:59.500 You've had it with God. 00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.619 You've had it with how hard 00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:01.280 your life is 00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:02.300 and you just are ready 00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:03.440 to chuck the whole thing. 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.579 I'm going to go find 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:05.639 something else to do. 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.239 Eat, drink, and be merry 00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:08.280 for tomorrow we die. 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:09.360 That actually sounds 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.440 really good to me today. 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:16.239 Why would I want 00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:17.340 to pursue God 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:19.940 if I've lost sight 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.679 of His grace 00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:22.199 and if I'm doubting 00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:22.880 His love? 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:27.160 It's not very valuable 00:37:27.160 --> 00:37:27.960 to us anymore. 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:30.380 And it's easy. 00:37:31.260 --> 00:37:32.400 It's easy to say 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:33.400 I'm just going to pursue 00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.380 this affair. 00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:35.619 I'm going to embezzle 00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.099 the money. 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:37.980 I'm going to beat 00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:39.000 the heck out of this guy 00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.720 who I don't like. 00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:41.280 Whatever it is 00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:42.619 we just lose it. 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:50.440 And there's a warning. 00:37:51.359 --> 00:37:53.059 Verse 17 reminds us 00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:53.559 of the warning 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:54.319 that we've seen 00:37:54.319 --> 00:37:55.319 throughout Hebrews. 00:37:55.819 --> 00:37:56.739 There's a warning 00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:58.599 that when we have 00:37:58.599 --> 00:37:59.920 walked down this road, 00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:01.099 when we have put 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:02.460 our feet in the steps 00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:04.299 of these pitfalls, 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.539 rather than making 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.859 our paths straight, 00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:10.500 our hearts are hardened. 00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:13.260 Look at it with me 00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:13.860 because I want you 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.340 to make sure 00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.160 you get it right. 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.059 For you know 00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.960 that afterwards 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:19.480 when Esau desired 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:21.519 to inherit the blessing, 00:38:21.680 --> 00:38:22.300 which is separate 00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:23.160 from the birthright, 00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:24.160 you look at the story, 00:38:24.539 --> 00:38:25.000 he wanted, 00:38:25.280 --> 00:38:26.039 he had given up 00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:26.640 the birthright, 00:38:26.720 --> 00:38:27.120 but he went, 00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:28.340 he wanted the blessing 00:38:28.340 --> 00:38:29.200 from his father. 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.900 Jacob snuck in 00:38:31.900 --> 00:38:32.940 and stole that too. 00:38:34.300 --> 00:38:35.300 And so he couldn't 00:38:35.300 --> 00:38:36.260 get either of it. 00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:38.220 So he was rejected 00:38:38.220 --> 00:38:39.980 and he found no chance 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:40.760 to repent, 00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:42.579 though he sought it 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.340 with tears. 00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:44.880 Friends, he didn't seek 00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:46.300 repentance with tears. 00:38:46.620 --> 00:38:48.140 It's not that he couldn't 00:38:48.140 --> 00:38:50.599 repent in that moment. 00:38:51.120 --> 00:38:52.460 It's that he sought 00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:53.200 the blessing 00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:54.960 and he couldn't repent 00:38:54.960 --> 00:38:55.860 because his heart 00:38:55.860 --> 00:38:57.340 was so fixated 00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:59.220 not on pleasing God, 00:38:59.440 --> 00:39:00.599 not on the promises 00:39:00.599 --> 00:39:01.240 of God, 00:39:01.380 --> 00:39:03.640 but on the momentary 00:39:03.640 --> 00:39:06.099 value of the blessing 00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:06.980 from his father. 00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:09.659 And he couldn't 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:10.799 turn away from that 00:39:10.799 --> 00:39:12.059 because he had set 00:39:12.059 --> 00:39:12.779 his heart on it 00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:13.679 for so long. 00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:16.039 Friends, 00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:16.980 when we walk 00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:17.960 in these pitfalls, 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:20.099 we need to recognize 00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:22.059 that we are hardening 00:39:22.059 --> 00:39:22.639 our heart 00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:23.659 against the truth 00:39:23.659 --> 00:39:24.559 of the gospel. 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:24.619 people. 00:39:28.199 --> 00:39:29.239 But the good news, 00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:29.579 friends, 00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:31.179 is that this is in here 00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:32.219 not because you are 00:39:32.219 --> 00:39:33.079 a lost cause. 00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:34.019 If you're feeling 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.940 that right now, 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:36.199 let me state 00:39:36.199 --> 00:39:36.860 very clearly, 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.380 you are not 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:38.159 a lost cause 00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:39.619 because it's in here 00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:40.920 as a warning to you 00:39:40.920 --> 00:39:41.759 so that you 00:39:41.759 --> 00:39:43.940 can turn back today. 00:39:45.779 --> 00:39:47.079 So that you can say, 00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:48.059 I don't want to walk 00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:49.519 in those pitfalls anymore. 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.539 I want to run 00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:51.420 the race again. 00:39:54.219 --> 00:39:55.800 And for all of us 00:39:55.800 --> 00:39:56.559 this morning, 00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:57.780 the question is, 00:39:57.860 --> 00:39:58.880 how do we do that? 00:40:02.440 --> 00:40:03.840 Having looked at the path 00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:04.940 and the pitfalls then, 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:06.719 what is God's provision 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:08.340 for us? 00:40:12.539 --> 00:40:13.739 If it was just 00:40:13.739 --> 00:40:14.539 running a marathon, 00:40:15.280 --> 00:40:16.300 the coach would be, 00:40:16.980 --> 00:40:17.559 try harder, 00:40:17.980 --> 00:40:18.639 do more, 00:40:18.639 --> 00:40:19.679 train better, 00:40:20.359 --> 00:40:21.319 focus your mind, 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:22.460 you can do this, 00:40:22.819 --> 00:40:23.179 strive, 00:40:23.500 --> 00:40:23.920 strive, 00:40:24.119 --> 00:40:24.480 strive. 00:40:26.139 --> 00:40:26.879 But friends, 00:40:26.980 --> 00:40:27.579 the beauty of the 00:40:27.579 --> 00:40:28.359 Christian life 00:40:28.359 --> 00:40:29.539 is that we are 00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:30.539 meant to strive 00:40:30.539 --> 00:40:31.379 and we are meant 00:40:31.379 --> 00:40:31.940 to strive 00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.739 and we are meant 00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.839 to discipline ourselves 00:40:33.839 --> 00:40:34.960 and we are meant 00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:35.779 to be careful 00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:36.859 and we are meant 00:40:36.859 --> 00:40:37.819 to be focused. 00:40:38.359 --> 00:40:39.159 But we are meant 00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:40.179 to do that 00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:42.420 not as the achievement 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:43.339 of these things, 00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.599 but as the result 00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:45.480 of what God 00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:46.460 has done 00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.679 for us. 00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:48.940 the key 00:40:48.940 --> 00:40:49.519 is all the way 00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:51.440 back in chapter 12, 00:40:51.539 --> 00:40:52.139 verse 2. 00:40:57.139 --> 00:40:58.199 We are to look 00:40:58.199 --> 00:40:59.079 to Jesus. 00:41:01.259 --> 00:41:02.339 We must look 00:41:02.339 --> 00:41:02.839 to Him. 00:41:03.919 --> 00:41:04.759 Verse 3, 00:41:04.839 --> 00:41:05.940 we are to consider 00:41:05.940 --> 00:41:07.139 Him. 00:41:08.199 --> 00:41:08.699 Why? 00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:10.500 Well, 00:41:10.559 --> 00:41:10.839 friends, 00:41:10.960 --> 00:41:11.539 because 00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:14.819 Esau sold 00:41:14.819 --> 00:41:15.559 his birthright 00:41:15.559 --> 00:41:17.819 for an easy meal. 00:41:19.159 --> 00:41:20.460 But Jesus, 00:41:21.019 --> 00:41:22.359 Jesus had a birthright 00:41:22.359 --> 00:41:23.519 of greater glory, 00:41:23.699 --> 00:41:24.960 of greater value. 00:41:26.639 --> 00:41:27.899 And you know what? 00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:30.179 He didn't abandon it 00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:31.679 even when it meant 00:41:31.679 --> 00:41:32.519 that He would go 00:41:32.519 --> 00:41:33.319 to the cross. 00:41:33.320 --> 00:41:35.980 Jesus is the Son of God 00:41:35.980 --> 00:41:37.680 and in His calling 00:41:37.680 --> 00:41:38.940 as the Son of God, 00:41:39.180 --> 00:41:40.059 He was going 00:41:40.059 --> 00:41:40.760 to walk 00:41:40.760 --> 00:41:41.900 the path 00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:44.420 of condemnation 00:41:44.420 --> 00:41:45.160 for sinners 00:41:45.160 --> 00:41:46.120 like you and me. 00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:47.519 He embraced 00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:48.700 that path 00:41:48.700 --> 00:41:49.800 and said, 00:41:50.059 --> 00:41:50.680 not my will, 00:41:50.780 --> 00:41:51.559 but your will 00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:52.180 be done. 00:41:53.780 --> 00:41:54.840 And rather than 00:41:54.840 --> 00:41:56.019 selling His birthright, 00:41:56.220 --> 00:41:57.420 He embraced it 00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:58.280 at the cost 00:41:58.280 --> 00:41:59.640 of His very own life. 00:42:00.100 --> 00:42:00.780 Esau said, 00:42:00.900 --> 00:42:01.420 what worth 00:42:01.420 --> 00:42:02.760 is my birthright, 00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:03.860 I'm going to die. 00:42:04.180 --> 00:42:04.780 Jesus said, 00:42:04.840 --> 00:42:05.659 my birthright means 00:42:05.659 --> 00:42:06.659 I am going to die 00:42:06.659 --> 00:42:08.159 and I'm going to embrace that. 00:42:09.159 --> 00:42:10.680 I'm going to make it mine. 00:42:12.740 --> 00:42:14.500 And He walked that path 00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:16.380 and He ran that race 00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:18.079 for us 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:21.440 to win us back, 00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:24.079 to rescue us. 00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:28.559 Jesus has run the race 00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:29.900 ahead of us. 00:42:29.900 --> 00:42:33.000 so that 00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:35.619 we might know 00:42:35.619 --> 00:42:37.260 God. 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:38.740 So that we might 00:42:38.740 --> 00:42:39.400 be adopted 00:42:39.400 --> 00:42:41.039 into His family 00:42:41.039 --> 00:42:42.240 as sons and daughters. 00:42:42.460 --> 00:42:43.619 So that we might 00:42:43.619 --> 00:42:45.240 inherit with Him 00:42:45.240 --> 00:42:46.260 this birthright 00:42:46.260 --> 00:42:47.420 of being children 00:42:47.420 --> 00:42:48.119 of God 00:42:48.119 --> 00:42:49.400 and drawing near to Him 00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:50.280 as a loving 00:42:50.280 --> 00:42:51.139 Heavenly Father 00:42:51.139 --> 00:42:51.960 who in the midst 00:42:51.960 --> 00:42:53.680 of the fiercest trials 00:42:53.680 --> 00:42:54.539 and the deepest 00:42:54.539 --> 00:42:55.680 persecutions 00:42:55.679 --> 00:42:57.759 is showing 00:42:57.759 --> 00:42:58.839 His Father love 00:42:58.839 --> 00:42:59.480 for us. 00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:00.940 Training us 00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:01.980 to live 00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:02.819 as His children 00:43:02.819 --> 00:43:03.719 in this world 00:43:03.719 --> 00:43:05.079 as we look ahead 00:43:05.079 --> 00:43:06.159 to the finish line. 00:43:07.839 --> 00:43:09.000 The finish line 00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:10.139 when we will know 00:43:10.139 --> 00:43:11.699 the well done, 00:43:11.859 --> 00:43:12.119 good, 00:43:12.199 --> 00:43:13.099 and faithful servant. 00:43:13.359 --> 00:43:14.259 When we will know 00:43:14.259 --> 00:43:15.299 the embrace 00:43:15.299 --> 00:43:16.559 of the Father 00:43:16.559 --> 00:43:17.259 in heaven. 00:43:17.259 --> 00:43:18.379 When all of our 00:43:18.379 --> 00:43:19.899 striving against sin 00:43:19.900 --> 00:43:22.320 will be done 00:43:22.320 --> 00:43:25.260 when all the powers 00:43:25.260 --> 00:43:26.840 that stand against God 00:43:26.840 --> 00:43:28.099 will be overcome. 00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:30.800 That's the finish line 00:43:30.800 --> 00:43:31.420 that we're looking 00:43:31.420 --> 00:43:32.200 forward to. 00:43:36.099 --> 00:43:38.139 Jesus ran that race. 00:43:38.760 --> 00:43:39.660 Hebrews 5.8 00:43:39.660 --> 00:43:40.539 reminds us of this. 00:43:40.800 --> 00:43:42.180 He learned obedience 00:43:42.180 --> 00:43:43.139 through suffering. 00:43:43.360 --> 00:43:45.019 Not because He was imperfect, 00:43:45.220 --> 00:43:46.760 but because in His perfection 00:43:46.760 --> 00:43:48.280 as He suffered 00:43:48.280 --> 00:43:49.400 He affirmed 00:43:49.400 --> 00:43:50.640 over and over 00:43:50.640 --> 00:43:51.560 and over again 00:43:51.560 --> 00:43:52.360 that He would be 00:43:52.360 --> 00:43:53.540 the obedient Son 00:43:53.540 --> 00:43:55.240 who would not forsake 00:43:55.240 --> 00:43:56.560 His birthright for us. 00:43:58.180 --> 00:43:59.180 And this is what 00:43:59.180 --> 00:43:59.820 the Hebrews, 00:44:00.580 --> 00:44:01.480 the writer of the Hebrews 00:44:01.480 --> 00:44:02.720 wants us to hear. 00:44:04.460 --> 00:44:04.980 Brothers, 00:44:05.700 --> 00:44:06.080 sisters, 00:44:06.800 --> 00:44:08.460 don't give up 00:44:08.460 --> 00:44:09.560 your birthright. 00:44:11.280 --> 00:44:12.960 Don't lose heart. 00:44:14.060 --> 00:44:16.160 No matter how hard it is, 00:44:16.159 --> 00:44:17.519 Christ has run 00:44:17.519 --> 00:44:18.980 the race before you. 00:44:19.899 --> 00:44:20.779 He has shown you 00:44:20.779 --> 00:44:21.339 the way 00:44:21.339 --> 00:44:23.539 to keep going. 00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:26.039 He is teaching us 00:44:26.039 --> 00:44:26.699 to run. 00:44:29.799 --> 00:44:30.619 And yes, 00:44:30.679 --> 00:44:31.299 it involves 00:44:31.299 --> 00:44:32.019 the discipline 00:44:32.019 --> 00:44:33.219 of pursuing holiness, 00:44:33.980 --> 00:44:35.219 of being set apart, 00:44:36.319 --> 00:44:37.039 of allowing 00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:38.420 God's Word 00:44:38.420 --> 00:44:39.259 to shape 00:44:39.259 --> 00:44:41.059 everything we do 00:44:41.059 --> 00:44:42.799 and how we think 00:44:42.799 --> 00:44:44.219 and what we value. 00:44:45.119 --> 00:44:45.920 It is pursuing 00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:46.599 peace 00:44:46.599 --> 00:44:47.860 first with God 00:44:47.860 --> 00:44:49.019 and then with one another 00:44:49.019 --> 00:44:50.340 at great cost 00:44:50.340 --> 00:44:51.500 to ourselves, 00:44:52.360 --> 00:44:53.480 pursuing reconciliation 00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:54.980 and unity 00:44:54.980 --> 00:44:57.200 through service 00:44:57.200 --> 00:44:58.300 and sacrifice. 00:45:01.180 --> 00:45:02.059 But friends, 00:45:02.159 --> 00:45:03.240 we pursue this 00:45:03.240 --> 00:45:05.460 because we can look 00:45:05.460 --> 00:45:06.039 to Jesus, 00:45:06.519 --> 00:45:07.659 because He is not only 00:45:07.659 --> 00:45:08.220 the author 00:45:08.220 --> 00:45:09.200 but the perfecter 00:45:09.200 --> 00:45:09.820 of our faith, 00:45:10.180 --> 00:45:11.200 because He has run 00:45:11.200 --> 00:45:12.159 the race before us 00:45:12.159 --> 00:45:13.339 and He is bringing 00:45:13.339 --> 00:45:15.019 us with Him 00:45:15.019 --> 00:45:17.000 into this glory 00:45:17.000 --> 00:45:18.440 that He has achieved. 00:45:20.799 --> 00:45:21.639 Don't give up, 00:45:21.739 --> 00:45:22.059 friends. 00:45:22.440 --> 00:45:23.279 Don't give up. 00:45:24.119 --> 00:45:24.799 Press on 00:45:24.799 --> 00:45:25.879 to run the race. 00:45:27.839 --> 00:45:28.539 Let's pray. 00:45:32.039 --> 00:45:32.480 Jesus, 00:45:32.619 --> 00:45:33.480 we look to You. 00:45:34.799 --> 00:45:35.279 Lord, 00:45:35.379 --> 00:45:36.239 will You capture 00:45:36.239 --> 00:45:37.079 our hearts 00:45:37.079 --> 00:45:38.599 this morning. 00:45:38.599 --> 00:45:39.799 Lord, 00:45:39.860 --> 00:45:40.619 with the greatness 00:45:40.619 --> 00:45:41.819 of Your grace 00:45:41.819 --> 00:45:42.960 to us in Christ, 00:45:43.759 --> 00:45:44.480 will You affirm 00:45:44.480 --> 00:45:46.159 again to our hearts 00:45:46.159 --> 00:45:46.940 the goodness 00:45:46.940 --> 00:45:48.579 in the midst 00:45:48.579 --> 00:45:49.259 of trial, 00:45:49.500 --> 00:45:50.019 in the midst 00:45:50.019 --> 00:45:50.880 of persecution, 00:45:51.440 --> 00:45:52.059 in the midst 00:45:52.059 --> 00:45:52.779 of suffering. 00:45:53.759 --> 00:45:54.039 Lord, 00:45:54.099 --> 00:45:55.199 that You love us, 00:45:56.019 --> 00:45:56.539 that You are 00:45:56.539 --> 00:45:57.819 training us, 00:45:58.860 --> 00:45:59.139 Lord, 00:45:59.880 --> 00:46:01.360 to trust in You, 00:46:02.360 --> 00:46:04.699 to value You 00:46:04.699 --> 00:46:05.380 and Your kingdom 00:46:05.380 --> 00:46:07.019 above all other things. 00:46:07.019 --> 00:46:07.980 Lord, 00:46:08.059 --> 00:46:09.079 to wean out 00:46:09.079 --> 00:46:10.360 our selfishness 00:46:10.360 --> 00:46:11.639 and our self-pity. 00:46:14.500 --> 00:46:15.019 Lord, 00:46:15.119 --> 00:46:15.900 so that we might 00:46:15.900 --> 00:46:16.860 truly live 00:46:16.860 --> 00:46:18.440 as Your sons 00:46:18.440 --> 00:46:19.019 and daughters. 00:46:19.880 --> 00:46:21.019 For Your glory, 00:46:21.500 --> 00:46:22.739 we pray in Jesus' name. 00:46:23.539 --> 00:46:23.759 Amen.