WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.719 any journey that you go on will always require three pieces of information. You need to know 00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:12.140 where you are. You need to know your starting point. You need to know where you're going. You 00:00:12.140 --> 00:00:17.300 need to know the goal, the destination that you're heading to. And lastly, you need to know which road 00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:24.780 to tack between those two points. The Christian life is very much a journey. Christians have not 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:30.940 arrived yet. There is more to learn. There is more to come, more to discover. There's room to grow. 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:38.000 And navigating life well as a Christian, navigating the life of following Jesus joyfully, 00:00:38.840 --> 00:00:47.159 requires those same three pieces of information. First off, we need to know our starting point. 00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:52.620 Paul's call in the first half of chapter three, which is what Jimmy opened up for us last week, 00:00:52.619 --> 00:00:58.379 to forsake all else, to consider all else in our lives garbage compared to the treasure of knowing 00:00:58.379 --> 00:01:06.000 Jesus, is not just a call, it's a testimony. Paul is sharing his own story of what it was like for him 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:13.579 to begin the journey of following Jesus. It's a description of how his life shifted drastically 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:21.140 when he became a Christian and for the very first time put his trust in the death of Jesus and the 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:28.140 resurrection of Jesus as a means by which he could know God. When somebody becomes a Christian, 00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:34.099 what they do is they have their life radically reoriented. This is what Jimmy was talking about. 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:38.680 What used to be really important, what used to take priority, what used to consume energy and 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:45.500 imagination and time is reassessed in the light of the fact that they discover Jesus. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:53.840 They begin to, for the first time, recognise the majesty and wonder of what Jesus does in giving his life for people. 00:01:55.019 --> 00:02:01.159 Paul talks about being found in verse nine that Steve just read out for us, about gaining Jesus and in him 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:05.760 getting a righteousness that is by faith and not from the law. 00:02:07.099 --> 00:02:10.719 See, what happens when somebody puts their faith in Jesus, 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:19.259 the starting point when someone becomes a Christian is they discover that God loves them in spite of who they are. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:26.759 God loves them even though they don't deserve it. That, in fact, what they discover is that the only possible means 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:28.759 for them to be loved by God 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:31.400 is Jesus. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:36.860 It's his death so that they might be approved by God, that they might find forgiveness 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:40.840 and be washed clean in the cross. And it's not just that they 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:44.060 discover the idea that this is the only way they can be loved. 00:02:45.060 --> 00:02:48.040 What happens when somebody becomes a Christian is they actually 00:02:48.040 --> 00:02:50.700 experience and encounter that love 00:02:50.700 --> 00:02:52.440 for the very first time. 00:02:52.940 --> 00:02:56.820 They experience what it is to be loved and adopted while they're at their worst, 00:02:56.820 --> 00:02:58.720 while they are completely undeserving. 00:02:58.920 --> 00:03:01.940 And because they're loved even at their worst, 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:05.719 they experience what it is to be securely loved. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:09.979 Because they've already put forward the most unlovable parts of themselves 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:11.960 and found God to love them anyway. 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:15.259 They have a deep security and stability. 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:20.620 God's love for Christians has nothing to do with how good or bad they are. 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:24.180 How good or bad they were, how good or bad they will be. 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:28.860 What the Christian discovers is that God loves because God chooses to love. 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:34.260 God looks at people and makes the decision to love them in spite of their worthiness 00:03:34.260 --> 00:03:38.080 or otherwise. It's love that stretches further than people could run. 00:03:39.440 --> 00:03:42.060 And so it's a love that gives security and peace. 00:03:43.160 --> 00:03:44.720 Because it's not going anywhere. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:49.300 I remember the night that I decided to become a Christian. 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:52.740 It was almost 20 years ago. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:56.580 It was late January 1996. 00:03:56.580 --> 00:03:59.460 I was on a camp. 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:01.920 And even though I'd heard about Jesus before, 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:03.760 I'd been in churches before, 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:06.040 I'd been around Christians before, 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:07.720 I'd heard the stories before, 00:04:07.820 --> 00:04:09.040 I knew how Easter worked. 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:12.820 It was the first time that I looked at Jesus 00:04:12.820 --> 00:04:14.780 and the cross and his death 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:18.580 and understood that that was God loving me unconditionally. 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:21.939 That was God offering to accept me 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:23.480 regardless of what I had done 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:25.160 or even what I would do in the future. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:32.439 It was the first time that I felt unconditionally loved. 00:04:33.580 --> 00:04:34.939 And I remember sobbing. 00:04:36.640 --> 00:04:39.060 Those of you who know me know that I'm not a big crier. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:44.220 But I remember that night sobbing in a way that I never had before. 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:48.519 Tears of joy because for the first time, 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:52.639 I felt absolutely securely loved. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:55.399 Like there was nothing I could have done 00:04:55.399 --> 00:04:57.319 to convince God to stop loving me. 00:04:57.860 --> 00:04:59.759 And not only was I secure in the love, 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:02.279 the love was bigger and deeper and wider 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:05.159 and more costly than anything I had ever encountered. 00:05:06.559 --> 00:05:09.559 I felt no pressure to do or be anything. 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:12.019 I just felt loved. 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:15.359 I desperately wanted other people to know 00:05:15.359 --> 00:05:16.639 what I was feeling at that point, 00:05:16.740 --> 00:05:18.339 but it was what I wanted. 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:19.959 It wasn't something that I had to do. 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:25.339 I remember that night I felt joy 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:27.599 unlike anything I'd ever known. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.180 It was a life-defining, 00:05:31.719 --> 00:05:33.259 life-altering joy. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:36.480 It's the same kind of joy 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:39.560 that Paul has been talking about here in Philippians. 00:05:40.159 --> 00:05:41.500 It's the same kind of joy 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:43.399 that leads him to look at his whole life 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:44.379 before meeting Jesus 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:46.300 and joyfully say, 00:05:46.599 --> 00:05:48.939 none of that is worth anything anymore. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:50.959 In fact, it's garbage 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:52.980 compared to what I've discovered in Jesus. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:55.579 He doesn't give up his old life begrudgingly. 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:56.899 Joyfully, he says, 00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:59.000 this is so much better. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:01.599 This is so satisfying 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:04.740 that is garbage by comparison. 00:06:04.900 --> 00:06:06.840 Even the good, best bits of his life 00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:07.920 don't come close. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:11.340 Paul was so content 00:06:11.340 --> 00:06:13.680 from the point that he met Jesus 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:17.160 that he became an impossible opposition 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:19.920 for those who would seek to oppose Christianity. 00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:22.920 He was joyful when he suffered. 00:06:23.400 --> 00:06:24.720 He was joyful in prison. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:26.360 He was joyful in persecution. 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:28.820 He was even joyful in death. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:31.879 Happy to face it 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.620 because he knew what waited him on the other side. 00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:36.420 To become a Christian 00:06:36.420 --> 00:06:39.319 is to have joy unlocked. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:42.159 It's to encounter joy. 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.779 To discover how much God loves you 00:06:44.779 --> 00:06:48.000 is to discover joy. 00:06:49.039 --> 00:06:51.480 That's the start of the Christian journey. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:53.819 That's the beginning point. 00:06:54.539 --> 00:06:54.800 Joy. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:54.860 Joy. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:57.420 Now, 00:06:57.720 --> 00:06:59.620 just as a side point, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:00.699 I just want to challenge you 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:03.500 that you could be sitting in this room 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:05.800 and feeling like 00:07:05.800 --> 00:07:07.960 that is a foreign description for you. 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:10.660 That's not something 00:07:10.660 --> 00:07:11.980 that you've ever encountered. 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:15.100 That deep sense of release 00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:15.819 and confidence 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:17.040 that God loves you 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.100 even though he knows 00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:19.400 your deepest, darkest secrets. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:20.100 It could be that 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:21.080 this is one of the first times 00:07:21.080 --> 00:07:21.860 you've ever heard about 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:22.620 that kind of love. 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:24.040 And I want to encourage you 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:24.959 today might be the day 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:26.340 that you encounter that joy 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:27.340 for the first time. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.240 But it could also be 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:30.259 that you've been around church 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.100 your whole life 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:32.699 and still 00:07:32.699 --> 00:07:35.899 you wouldn't be able to point 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:37.600 to this sort of joy in your life. 00:07:39.780 --> 00:07:40.180 Gently, 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:41.300 I want to challenge you. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:43.199 This is what it looks like 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:44.120 to become a Christian. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:48.840 to be filled with joy. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:52.639 To discover that unconditional security 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:53.319 and peace 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:54.639 that is found in the fact 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:56.180 that God's decided to love you 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:57.660 and you can't change his mind. 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:02.579 The Christian journey starts with joy. 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:03.740 That's the first point. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:04.660 But, 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:06.519 it only increases. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.000 It gets even better 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:08.899 as we look to the end. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.220 The second thing we need to know 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:10.780 on a journey, 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:12.720 having discovered our starting point, 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.140 is where we're going. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:17.680 For all that Christians already have, 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:19.060 Christianity is clearly 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:20.900 a faith that looks forward. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:23.680 Even as Paul is delighting 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:24.820 in all that he has 00:08:24.820 --> 00:08:25.900 in Jesus, 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.040 even as he compares 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:28.080 his old life as rubbish, 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:29.860 he's clearly excited 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:30.760 about what's to come. 00:08:31.760 --> 00:08:33.600 There's a tangible anticipation. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:34.639 There's almost like 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:35.800 a sense of Paul 00:08:35.800 --> 00:08:37.120 dancing on the spot 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:37.759 as he gives you 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:38.840 these few verses here 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:40.600 because there's something exciting 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.120 just beyond his reach. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:43.860 Look at verse 12. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:45.460 Having talked about 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.580 how amazing it is, 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:47.540 his desire, 00:08:47.780 --> 00:08:48.180 he says, 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:50.160 not that I have already 00:08:50.160 --> 00:08:51.340 obtained all this 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:52.840 or have already arrived 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:53.379 at my goal, 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.740 but I press on 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:56.320 to take hold of that 00:08:56.320 --> 00:08:57.480 for which Christ Jesus 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.399 took hold of me. 00:08:58.580 --> 00:08:59.800 He doesn't have 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:01.220 all of the joy. 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.040 He doesn't have 00:09:02.040 --> 00:09:02.800 all that he wants 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:04.639 in Christ yet. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:05.540 He's got some. 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:07.539 He's got the joy 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:08.559 that comes at the beginning. 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:09.860 He's got that sense 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:10.959 of being loved and forgiven, 00:09:11.099 --> 00:09:12.120 but he's pressing on 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:13.919 towards the destination. 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:14.759 Verse 13. 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:15.839 Brothers and sisters, 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:17.539 I do not consider myself 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:19.240 yet to have taken hold of it, 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.559 but one thing I do, 00:09:20.719 --> 00:09:21.759 forgetting what is behind 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:22.959 and straining 00:09:22.959 --> 00:09:24.099 toward what is ahead, 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:25.539 I press on 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:26.399 toward the goal 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.500 to win the prize 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.659 for which God 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:29.899 has called me heavenward 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.839 in Christ Jesus. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.439 Forgetting the past, 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.459 eyes on the prize, 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.379 straining forward, 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:36.240 pressing on. 00:09:37.439 --> 00:09:38.779 He just wants to reach 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:39.679 the final goal 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:41.639 and win his prize, 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:43.860 but what's the prize? 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.379 It's all very exciting language, 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.340 but it's kind of vague. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:49.799 Even heaven 00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:52.659 doesn't seem really clear 00:09:52.659 --> 00:09:53.679 to kind of wrap it up. 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:56.820 Where are Christians going? 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:58.939 Where does the journey finish? 00:09:58.939 --> 00:09:59.820 What's the goal 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:01.259 that Christians aim for? 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:03.259 It's there in verse 20. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:09.240 Our citizenship is in heaven. 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:12.399 And we eagerly await 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.299 a saviour from there, 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.439 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.580 who by the power 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:16.740 that enables him 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.779 to bring everything 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:18.919 under his control, 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.539 will transform 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:22.379 our lowly bodies 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.960 so that they will be 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:26.419 like his glorious body. 00:10:27.439 --> 00:10:28.740 Just read that last bit again. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:33.139 will transform our lowly bodies 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.419 so that they will be 00:10:34.419 --> 00:10:36.539 like his glorious body. 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:38.779 Transformation. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:41.080 That's the final goal. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:42.860 Christlikeness. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:44.680 When we reach the end, 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.659 we will be fully transformed. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.080 We'll be sinless. 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:49.259 We'll be perfect. 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.899 There'll be no sickness. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.139 There'll be no disability. 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.220 There'll be no sadness. 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:54.180 There'll be no loneliness. 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:55.159 We will be perfect 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:56.439 and whole and complete. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:57.679 We'll be in heaven. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:10:59.259 That's the goal. 00:10:59.359 --> 00:11:00.319 That's what we're aiming for. 00:11:01.719 --> 00:11:03.279 When I visit schools 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.099 to teach scripture, 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:05.719 I often get asked about heaven. 00:11:07.099 --> 00:11:07.859 Lots of people 00:11:07.859 --> 00:11:08.819 have different ideas 00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:10.139 of what heaven might look like, 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:11.319 what it's supposed to be. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:12.819 And I remember 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:13.679 that when I was younger, 00:11:13.739 --> 00:11:14.439 I was convinced 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:15.599 that heaven would consist 00:11:15.599 --> 00:11:16.759 of two main things. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.559 An endless supply 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:19.679 of free McDonald's 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:21.679 and an amazing beach 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:22.779 for me to go surfing at. 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:25.079 Now, it sounds ridiculous, 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:26.899 but my basic premise was 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.959 take the things 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:29.500 that I enjoy most in life, 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:30.339 and I can concede 00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:31.679 they were slightly shallow joys, 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:32.939 take the things 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:34.259 that I enjoy most in life 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:35.399 and heaven will be that 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:36.879 just kind of turned up 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.379 a little bit, 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:39.179 maybe slightly improved. 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.500 And I imagine 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:41.220 you probably have 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:42.000 your own version 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:42.759 of what you think 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.480 heaven will be like 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.399 or maybe what you want 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:45.339 heaven to be like. 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:46.860 And I imagine 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:48.179 that it might be not 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:49.740 that dissimilar to mine, 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.799 at least in process. 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:52.819 You take the things 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:53.839 that you enjoy most 00:11:53.839 --> 00:11:54.439 in your life 00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:55.019 and you imagine 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:56.459 a whole bunch more of that. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:11:59.699 Maybe you think heaven, 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:01.659 clouds, halos, whatever. 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:04.299 But in the Bible, 00:12:04.479 --> 00:12:05.740 heaven's not a location 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.219 in the way 00:12:06.219 --> 00:12:06.939 that we sometimes 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:07.859 like to think of it. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.659 The Bible doesn't set about 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.179 trying to describe something 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:12.299 that's going to be 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.399 a mental picture 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:15.359 of a future physical reality. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:19.600 heaven is the place 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:21.320 where what's fundamentally 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:23.019 wrong with our world 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:24.620 is fixed. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:27.879 And the core issue 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.980 is not sickness, 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.240 it's not injustice, 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.200 it's not even sin. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.840 They all matter, 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:41.000 but they're symptoms 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.139 of the main issue. 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:43.899 They're evidence 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.980 of the core problem. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.800 The main issue 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:47.800 with this creation, 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.540 the main issue 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.580 with our lives now, 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.120 the issue that will be fixed 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.519 when Jesus comes back, 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:55.019 the difference between 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:56.139 heaven and earth 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:58.120 is relational. 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:01.460 in this life now, 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.799 we live separated 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.360 from the source 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.279 of life and life. 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:06.980 In this life now, 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:07.720 we live kind of 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:09.220 cut off from God. 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:10.460 People live in ignorance 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:11.460 of the fact 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.240 that their life 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.000 is sustained 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.139 by a God in heaven. 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.700 In ignorance of the fact 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:16.919 that God created them 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:17.379 and they owe 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.639 all their allegiance to him. 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:19.799 And even Christians 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.399 who have been forgiven 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.100 by Jesus 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:23.539 and discovered God's love 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.659 and have been drawn back 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.779 into a relationship 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.980 know that 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:29.560 the relationship 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.320 they have now 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:32.340 is not what it should be. 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:34.340 It's not what it will be. 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.639 Even as they get loved by God, 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.600 they know they still 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.720 mistreat God. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:42.120 They know they still fail. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.840 They know that 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:45.980 the experience 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:47.120 of being in a relationship 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.060 with God now, 00:13:48.920 --> 00:13:50.139 while more satisfying 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.620 than anything 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.000 that this life has to offer, 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:55.019 is just the smallest fraction 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.240 of how good it will be 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.980 to know him fully. 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:00.220 In another part 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:01.060 of the New Testament, 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:02.019 Paul describes 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.539 the version we have now 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.259 as like looking 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.360 in a mirror dimly. 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.120 But then, 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:07.940 when we get to heaven, 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.500 we will know face to face. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.940 Being transformed 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:14.759 in these verses, 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.600 being transformed 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.899 to be like Christ, 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.539 is about being restored 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:20.000 into full relationship 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:20.600 with God. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.320 Sin will be removed, 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.659 sickness will be removed, 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.539 all those other things 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.279 will be dealt with, 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.360 so that 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:28.219 we can have 00:14:28.219 --> 00:14:29.100 that relationship 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:29.679 with God. 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.879 That intimate closeness. 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.519 That's the goal. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.419 That's the prize. 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.740 That's the finish line 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.559 that Paul longs for desperately. 00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:41.199 That he would get 00:14:41.199 --> 00:14:42.179 God himself. 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.480 That he would be 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.600 face to face 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:47.000 with the one 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.600 who loves him 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.360 more than any other. 00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:50.299 That he would get 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.659 access to the author 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.719 of every good thing 00:14:52.719 --> 00:14:53.819 he has ever encountered, 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.399 access to the creator, 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.519 access to the one 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.959 who sacrificed his son 00:14:57.959 --> 00:14:59.299 and showed greater love 00:14:59.299 --> 00:14:59.980 than any other. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.399 Access to him. 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:04.459 Unhindered. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:05.719 Forever. 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:08.659 That's the finish line 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.319 for the Christian. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:11.079 That's the destination. 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:13.519 It's almost like 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:15.259 we get hold 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:15.799 of the goose 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:17.019 that lays the golden eggs. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.679 The golden eggs 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:21.559 are all the good things 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.279 that we enjoy 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.000 in this life, 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.779 all the great gifts 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.779 which unquestionably 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:25.739 come from God, 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.639 but heaven will be more 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.879 than just an endless supply 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.739 of golden eggs. 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:31.599 It'll be access 00:15:31.599 --> 00:15:32.419 to the source 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:33.399 of all those good things 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:33.959 we enjoy. 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:35.519 It'll be access 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.099 to the one 00:15:36.099 --> 00:15:37.219 who actually in love 00:15:37.219 --> 00:15:38.000 and in generosity 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.179 gives those things. 00:15:40.219 --> 00:15:41.819 We get the golden goose. 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:43.659 We get Jesus. 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:47.359 Heaven might not be 00:15:47.359 --> 00:15:48.779 exactly what you envisage. 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:50.220 I have a sneaking suspicion 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:51.559 McDonald's won't make the cut. 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.500 But I'm confident 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.740 that it will be better 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:57.019 than anything 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.139 that I have experienced 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.659 so far. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.059 I'm confident 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.939 that it will be better 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.799 than any of our 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.439 grandest imaginings. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:08.059 Because all we have now 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:09.600 is the incredible gifts 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.539 that we've been given. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.659 And a relationship 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:15.120 that is just the beginning. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:18.159 But then we will have 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.139 fully. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.100 Then we will have 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.299 the one who created 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.440 the thing that gives us 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.659 our greatest joys now. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.840 The Christian life 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.560 is a life where 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:30.779 every day is Christmas Eve. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.940 It's a life of anticipation 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:36.000 and excitement. 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.639 It's a life where 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.279 you tolerate 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:39.740 the dodgy Christmas Eve dinner 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:41.500 because you know 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.379 that the extra effort 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.019 is going into 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:44.039 tomorrow's feast. 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:46.059 and so you smile 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:47.579 and you say thank you 00:16:47.579 --> 00:16:49.419 for the toasted sandwich. 00:16:51.319 --> 00:16:52.219 The excitement 00:16:52.219 --> 00:16:52.799 of gifts 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.620 and presents. 00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:55.779 But this time 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.539 you know exactly 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.179 what you're getting 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:58.000 and it's everything 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.879 you've ever hoped for. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.620 The Christian life 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.139 is one of 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.500 eager anticipation 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.980 for something incredible 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.539 that awaits 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:07.240 just around the corner. 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.619 There is joy 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.720 in this life now 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.619 in the anticipation 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.659 of the finish line. 00:17:15.179 --> 00:17:16.459 Joy substantial enough 00:17:16.459 --> 00:17:17.239 to change 00:17:17.239 --> 00:17:19.219 even dark situations. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:22.000 Paul says 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.719 in another letter 00:17:22.719 --> 00:17:23.099 that 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.699 our present sufferings 00:17:24.699 --> 00:17:25.259 are not worth 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.899 comparing 00:17:25.899 --> 00:17:28.179 to the future glory. 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.299 That even 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.000 our deepest 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.979 pains now 00:17:31.979 --> 00:17:33.179 will seem 00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:34.139 so insignificant 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:35.079 when we encounter 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.199 the full joy 00:17:36.199 --> 00:17:37.479 of being face to face 00:17:37.479 --> 00:17:37.899 with the one 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.719 who made us 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:40.740 and loves us. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:47.120 But if we're honest 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:50.339 even with all that joy 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:51.700 from the beginning 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.200 and all that joy 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.180 to look forward to 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:57.299 this bit in the middle 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:57.700 can be 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.799 kind of hard work. 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:04.259 even with the glorious 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.159 hope of heaven 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:07.159 life can be 00:18:07.159 --> 00:18:07.879 discouraging. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.399 Heaven can feel 00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:10.240 so far away 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.740 that it makes 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.419 no difference 00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.099 to what I'm going 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.799 through right now. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.559 Maybe you started 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.500 your Christian life 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.259 with that deep 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.279 overflowing sense 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.759 of joy 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.019 like I did. 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:23.379 But now that you 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.419 have responsibility 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:26.379 now that you 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:27.079 have the pressures 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.659 of life 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.100 now that you've 00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:28.540 been at this 00:18:28.540 --> 00:18:29.120 for a while 00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:29.600 and it's not 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.279 going exactly 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:30.740 the way you 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.380 wanted it to 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:33.220 it's just 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.120 harder to be 00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.519 joyful. 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.380 It's harder 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.019 to actively 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.920 rejoice each 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.220 day. 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.480 I remember 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.880 when I was 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.100 little 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:42.740 I've shared 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.120 this with you 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:43.420 before 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:43.840 my mum 00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:44.259 used to try 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.779 and bribe 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.240 me to eat 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.680 vegetables. 00:18:47.300 --> 00:18:47.840 She would 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.940 try every trick 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.440 in the book 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:49.940 she'd coat 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.560 them in things 00:18:50.560 --> 00:18:51.100 she'd tell me 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.440 I couldn't 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.019 have dessert 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.920 all the classics 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:53.440 there'd be 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:53.800 yelling 00:18:53.800 --> 00:18:54.400 there'd be 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:54.880 punishments 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.259 whatever you 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.540 needed 00:18:55.540 --> 00:18:56.779 but when all 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.360 else failed 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:57.799 she would 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.159 tell me 00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:58.859 that I 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.319 needed 00:18:59.319 --> 00:18:59.899 the vegetables 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:01.679 that if I 00:19:01.679 --> 00:19:02.139 didn't eat 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.399 them I 00:19:02.399 --> 00:19:02.919 wouldn't grow 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:03.339 big and 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:03.639 strong 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.039 and otherwise 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.399 I'd be 00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:05.099 small forever. 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:05.959 She'd play 00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:07.000 the inadequacy 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.619 card between 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.240 me and my 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.839 two brothers. 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:11.359 Now I was 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:12.159 given permission 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.859 at this point 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.519 to not enjoy 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.059 the vegetables. 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.139 I was allowed 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:16.019 to scowl 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.759 gag 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.219 do whatever 00:19:17.219 --> 00:19:17.839 else as long 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.159 as at the 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:18.519 end of the 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.099 day they 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.419 ended up 00:19:19.419 --> 00:19:19.740 in my 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.000 stomach. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.799 She was just 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.539 hoping that the 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.319 outcome would 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:24.919 be enough to 00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:25.299 push me 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:25.559 through. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:29.619 Now you 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.000 could be 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.599 forgiven for 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.179 feeling like 00:19:31.179 --> 00:19:31.579 that's the 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.000 trick I'm 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.259 trying to 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.719 pull now. 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.899 Kind of 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:37.539 feels like I'm 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.079 saying if 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:38.539 your life's 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.079 difficult and 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:39.619 painful and 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:39.919 you're not 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:40.439 enjoying it 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:40.759 right now 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.039 just suck 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.139 it up and 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:43.419 there'll be 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:43.959 joy later. 00:19:47.219 --> 00:19:48.719 Just kind of 00:19:48.719 --> 00:19:49.359 grin and bear 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.479 it, it'll all 00:19:50.479 --> 00:19:51.079 be okay in 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:51.439 the end. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:54.700 And while 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.820 there's truth 00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:57.200 to that, Paul 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.059 just said it's 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.380 not worth 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.039 comparing our 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.279 present 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.940 sufferings to 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.340 our future 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:02.259 glory, that's 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.880 not the whole 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.200 thing. 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.799 The Christian 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.720 starting point 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.259 is God's 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.880 grace in 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.600 sending Jesus 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.279 to forgive 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.340 us, to 00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:10.820 die in our 00:20:10.820 --> 00:20:11.980 place, to 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.660 invite us into 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.240 a relationship 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.720 with him. 00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.440 The destination 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.240 is heaven. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.660 It's a perfect 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.519 relationship with 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.360 God himself. 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:18.559 self. 00:20:20.439 --> 00:20:21.159 And the 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:21.799 road that we 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.459 choose in the 00:20:22.459 --> 00:20:24.279 middle is the 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.179 hope road. 00:20:26.219 --> 00:20:27.259 The road that 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.199 is literally 00:20:28.199 --> 00:20:29.479 just littered 00:20:29.479 --> 00:20:30.199 with joy, 00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.539 littered with 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.479 opportunities to 00:20:32.479 --> 00:20:33.619 rejoice, is 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.659 the hope road. 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:37.799 When I was 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.419 growing up, my 00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:39.039 dad taught me 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.719 how to surf. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.079 Part of the 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.899 process was 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:42.539 teaching me how 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.519 to be safe in 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:43.959 the ocean. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.539 He taught me 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.039 how to get out 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.359 of a rip, how 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.339 to see currents, 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.799 how to be 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.299 aware of what 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.000 was going on, 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:51.000 and basically 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.399 how to look 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.099 after myself. 00:20:52.199 --> 00:20:52.599 With five 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.099 kids, they 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.439 didn't have 00:20:53.439 --> 00:20:54.000 much chance 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.399 of covering 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:54.939 all of us 00:20:54.939 --> 00:20:55.719 all the time. 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.439 And one 00:20:57.439 --> 00:20:57.899 thing that he 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.759 taught me was 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.679 how to stay 00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:00.679 in one place 00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:01.199 when you're 00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:01.799 out surfing. 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:03.639 This might 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:04.179 sound like a 00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:04.699 really easy 00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:05.299 thing to do, 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:05.859 but when you're 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:06.399 sitting on your 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.339 surfboard bobbing 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:07.959 around in the 00:21:07.959 --> 00:21:09.179 ocean, a fair 00:21:09.179 --> 00:21:09.740 way out from 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.699 shore, it's 00:21:11.699 --> 00:21:12.519 quite difficult 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.379 to tell if 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:13.759 you're in the 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.299 same place 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.679 where you 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:14.979 started. 00:21:16.179 --> 00:21:17.000 You can kind 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.659 of turn around 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.279 and look and 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.740 see your 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.400 family on the 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.060 beach or your 00:21:20.060 --> 00:21:20.980 towel or some 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.540 marker that 00:21:21.540 --> 00:21:22.080 you've picked, 00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.300 but currents 00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:25.019 will sweep you 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.300 around, and the 00:21:26.300 --> 00:21:26.900 perspective's 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.620 different because 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.480 when I started, I 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.019 was on the 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.540 beach, so I 00:21:30.540 --> 00:21:31.080 had about this 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:31.980 much distance to 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.540 check where I 00:21:32.540 --> 00:21:32.759 was. 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:33.480 Now I'm hundreds 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.920 of metres away 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.519 from my point 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.720 of reference, and 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.740 very quickly I 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.480 can drift down 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.820 the beach while 00:21:39.820 --> 00:21:40.519 still being able 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.060 to see my 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:41.420 point of 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:41.740 reference. 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:41.819 reference. 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.700 I could be a 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.200 hundred metres 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.980 away from my 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.220 family and still 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.660 think I'm in 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.380 exactly the right 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:48.059 spot because I 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.700 turn around and I 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.380 can still see the 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.700 towel, I can still 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.759 see my mum, I can 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.539 still see the thing 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.259 that I'm looking at. 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.640 You can drift while 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.720 still having a clear 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.799 line of sight to your 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.500 point of reference. 00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:00.599 You can be out of 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.640 position before you 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.519 even realise it. 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:05.539 But there is a 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.519 surprisingly easy 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.019 solution. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:09.799 instead of looking 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.759 at one point of 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.220 reference, my dad 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.379 explained I need two 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:14.259 points of reference 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:16.259 and all I need to do 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.200 is make sure that I 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:18.559 stay inside those two 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.379 points of reference. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.299 As long as I keep 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.220 them on either side 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.119 of me, I would know 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:25.200 exactly where I am. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.960 Christian hope needs 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.440 two points. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.480 By definition, hope 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.400 is forward-looking. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.680 It longs for what it 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:40.480 does not yet have. 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.139 That's why Paul 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.119 strains forward, it's 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:43.019 why he presses on. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.480 Christian hope looks 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.500 forward to heaven. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.639 It anticipates, it 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.660 gets excited, but 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.920 without a second 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:52.639 point, it's possible 00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.920 to drift away so 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.720 that that point 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.700 becomes more and 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:58.379 more distant and has 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.379 less and less impact 00:22:59.379 --> 00:23:00.180 on you right now. 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.139 It's possible to move 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.039 in the wrong direction 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.200 while still being able 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.480 to see your point of 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.819 hope, the thing that 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.519 you're supposed to be 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.399 looking forward to. 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.859 Christian hope is 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:11.460 future-directed, but 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.619 it's founded on what 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.299 is past. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.839 It's based on what 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.700 has already happened. 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:18.119 It's strengthened and 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:20.119 possible and concrete 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:21.220 because of what God 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.319 has already done in 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.419 Jesus on the cross. 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:26.119 See, the better we 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:27.559 know and experience the 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:29.000 benefits of what Jesus 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.200 has won for us on the 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:31.960 cross, the forgiveness, 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.819 forgiveness, the 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:34.400 unconditional love, the 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.420 adoption into God's 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.980 family, the relationship 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.980 with God, the better we 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.620 encounter those things, 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.299 the more clearly we will 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:46.059 see and long for and 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.840 anticipate the glorious 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:49.160 prize at the end. 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.980 See, the desire for that 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:53.640 full relationship with God 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:55.400 flows out of an experience 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.819 of the beginning relationship 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:58.500 with God that was bought 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.700 for us with the blood of 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.720 Jesus on the cross. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.980 Our confidence and our 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.400 security in what we hope 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:07.640 for is based on what God 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.559 has already done. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.960 The two points of 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.200 Christian hope strengthen 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.759 each other. 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:15.059 See, as we look to the 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.980 cross, our excitement for 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.940 our future in heaven 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:20.480 grows because that 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:23.539 incredible love will 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.539 suddenly be face to 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:24.920 face. 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.220 As we anticipate 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.960 heaven, our 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.200 appreciation of the 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.420 cross will grow because 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.740 this incredible future 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.960 is certain because of 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.759 what God has already 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.299 done, because of the 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.819 love and the 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:40.019 irreversible forgiveness. 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.639 As both get stronger, 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.480 our hope gets stronger, 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.740 our hope gets more 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.180 stable. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.139 You've got to remember 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.940 who's writing this 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.180 letter. 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:53.220 Remember what life 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.360 looked like for Paul as 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.240 he wrote these words. 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.819 As he eagerly got 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:58.019 excited about heaven and 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.079 tripped over himself to 00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.960 share the joy that he 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.980 discovered when he became 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.440 a Christian. 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:03.059 He's in prison. 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:05.940 Death is likely. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:09.039 His life is full of 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:10.240 suffering and yet his 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:12.400 hope so transforms his 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.680 circumstances that it's 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:15.000 not just a matter for him 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.940 of suck it up and it's 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.620 going to be good in the 00:25:16.620 --> 00:25:16.920 end. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.380 Because of those two 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.480 points, he actually has 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:22.319 joy in prison. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:24.079 in suffering. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.939 I think for a lot of 00:25:28.939 --> 00:25:31.759 Christians, the bit 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.980 between what Jesus has 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:34.039 done and heaven can 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.419 drag. 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.939 It is full of pain. 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:40.899 It is full of failure. 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:43.200 It's full of sin and 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.779 temptation. 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:46.480 And we all encounter it 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.919 differently. 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.700 It's what Francis Schaeffer 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.759 calls our particular mix of 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.200 the fall. 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.660 Even though we're loved and 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.640 forgiven, we know we're not 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.379 perfect yet. 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.220 And in this bit in the 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.900 middle, we all experience 00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:00.299 our own version of what 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.440 sin looks like. 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:03.039 We have different points of 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.980 struggle and failure. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.180 Some Christians really 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.099 struggle with pride. 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.920 For others, that's a 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.359 non-issue. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.819 Some struggle with greed. 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.180 Others don't. 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.519 Some struggle with same-sex 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.019 attraction. 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.180 Others don't. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.440 Some struggle with 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:18.759 judgmentalism. 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.019 Others don't. 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:21.680 Some struggle with lying. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.420 Others don't. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.400 The point being that even 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.339 though there's differences 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.980 in how we struggle, 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.440 differences in how well or 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.879 how poorly we go, how many 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:32.799 times we fail, how committed 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.119 we are, the point is that we 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:35.839 all struggle to honour God. 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.839 We all struggle to live in a 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:39.059 way that reflects the fact 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.240 that the God of heaven and 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.039 earth has purchased us with 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.980 the blood of his Son. 00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.299 And it's easy to get 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:46.819 discouraged and frustrated and 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:48.259 feel like heaven is just so 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.259 far away. 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.839 None of us is perfect yet. 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:55.279 And with that imperfection comes 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.940 discouragement and frustration, 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.759 maybe even insecurity. 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:02.019 A whole bunch of things that 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.839 aren't going to help you be 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.200 joyful. 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:08.279 Hope needs two points. 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:11.819 Because both those points feed 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.660 our joy now. 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:15.000 Every step of the journey 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.540 between them is an opportunity 00:27:16.540 --> 00:27:18.400 to encounter and engage 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:20.080 Jesus as the source of our 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:20.380 joy. 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.380 Let's just remember that. 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.320 We've said it a few times 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:23.800 this series. 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.960 The series is joy for 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.860 everyone, but it's Jesus for 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:28.279 everyone because Jesus is where 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.160 we find the joy. 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:31.019 At the first point, 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:33.040 what do we encounter? 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:35.400 The forgiveness of Jesus and 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.560 the chance for a relationship. 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:38.279 At the end point, what will we 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.720 encounter? 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:41.039 That Jesus returning to fully 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:43.339 transform us to be like him so 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:44.519 that we can be face to face 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.180 enjoying him. 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.500 It's Jesus at both ends and 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:48.039 every step in the middle is 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:49.420 Jesus as well. 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:52.319 Every step is an opportunity to 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.819 be excited and joyful in 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:55.480 anticipation of what is ahead 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:58.120 and in thankfulness for what is 00:27:58.120 --> 00:28:01.259 before, which guarantees what is 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.519 ahead. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:04.720 We're literally surrounded by joy 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.720 in Jesus because of these two 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.400 hope anchors. 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:10.019 Regardless of which direction 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:11.779 you look, you have the 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:13.319 opportunity to rejoice in how 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.700 much God is loving you. 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.700 Christian hope makes every 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:18.440 situation and circumstance you 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.880 are in an opportunity to 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.620 encounter Jesus. 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:25.019 If you fail as a Christian, if you 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.759 fall back into that habit of sin 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:31.279 again and again, encounter Jesus 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.940 as your sufficient saviour. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.539 Encounter him as the one who 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:38.759 takes your punishment and loves 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:42.000 you in spite of who you are and 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.399 rejoice. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:48.660 When you grow in godliness, when 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.920 you have the victory over the 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:51.980 temptation and struggle, encounter 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.920 Jesus as the one who is empowering 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:56.559 you by his spirit to grow more and 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.619 more to be like him. 00:28:58.619 --> 00:29:00.119 Encounter him as the one who is 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:02.259 bringing towards completion the 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.739 work that he begun when he forgave 00:29:04.739 --> 00:29:05.500 you at the cross. 00:29:06.239 --> 00:29:08.559 And be thankful and rejoice. 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:13.819 When you doubt, encounter Jesus as 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:15.939 the one who guarantees your finish, 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:19.359 not because of how strong your faith 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:22.539 is, but because he has loved you in 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.119 the cross. 00:29:24.439 --> 00:29:25.500 And rejoice. 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:28.839 In persecution, in suffering, 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:31.559 encounter the risen Jesus who stands at 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:33.319 the finish line and beckons you home 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:35.039 to the room he's prepared for you 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:36.000 and rejoice. 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:40.459 In pain and difficulty, encounter Jesus 00:29:40.459 --> 00:29:42.159 as the one who guarantees to never 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:44.439 leave you nor forsake you, but to walk 00:29:44.439 --> 00:29:46.259 with you in the dark times, to finish 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:48.099 the work that he begun and to make sure 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:49.799 that you get to the finish line and 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:51.299 rejoice that you are not alone. 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.759 Rejoice that you cannot be taken away 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:55.619 from that goal that God has purchased 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.219 for you. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:30:00.719 When our hope is anchored in these two 00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:02.699 points, every step in the middle is an 00:30:02.699 --> 00:30:05.419 opportunity to encounter Jesus and 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.879 rejoice. 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.739 It's not about suck it up. 00:30:10.399 --> 00:30:11.179 There'll be pain. 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.039 There'll be difficulty. 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:15.539 But there we find a sufficient 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.179 saviour. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:20.119 There we find our Lord on the throne. 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:24.239 And there we are reminded that every step, 00:30:24.879 --> 00:30:27.000 good, bad or otherwise, is a step closer 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:28.519 to the finish line that God's prepared 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.079 for us. 00:30:29.719 --> 00:30:31.019 A step closer to heaven. 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.119 Hope motivates. 00:30:33.979 --> 00:30:35.099 Hope drives us forward. 00:30:35.199 --> 00:30:36.899 It makes us strain for what's ahead. 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:40.059 It enables us to let go of what was 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:42.659 behind because it's begun to taste the 00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:43.679 joy of knowing Jesus. 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:48.019 And hope longs for nothing more than the 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:49.899 fullness of that joy when we will see him 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.759 face to face. 00:30:53.060 --> 00:30:55.460 And so Paul finishes emphatically, 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:57.040 chapter 4, verse 1, 00:30:57.500 --> 00:31:00.880 Therefore, because of that two-pointed 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:03.019 hope, because of the joy that God has 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:05.200 built into every day and every situation 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:06.100 and every circumstance, 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:09.040 therefore, my brothers and sisters, 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:12.100 you whom I love and long for, my joy and 00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:15.880 my crown, stand firm in the Lord in this 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.620 way. 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:22.819 Dear friends, stand firm anchored to the cross 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:24.879 of Christ and your future hope of heaven. 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:29.939 Stand firm anchored in the irreversible, 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:32.599 unconditional love that God has shown you in 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:32.939 Jesus. 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:37.679 Stand firm with eyes open to encounter Jesus 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:41.100 in every situation that God places in front of you. 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:45.140 Stand firm knowing that the destination is 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:45.600 guaranteed. 00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:47.840 And rejoice. 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:50.340 Amen.