WEBVTT 00:00:00.900 --> 00:00:02.000 Good morning, church. 00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:04.360 Happy Mother's Day. 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:05.719 It's good to be with you all today. 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:10.519 So you probably noticed from the tank being out 00:00:10.519 --> 00:00:12.380 that we're celebrating a baptism today. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:16.120 In fact, this Sunday and next Sunday, 00:00:16.580 --> 00:00:17.760 over the course of these two Sundays, 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:19.740 we'll be celebrating five new baptisms. 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:23.460 So we're thrilled to see all that God is doing in our midst 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:27.120 as these folks make a public profession of faith in Christ, 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:29.379 which is what baptism is all about. 00:00:29.379 --> 00:00:30.939 It's a way of saying publicly 00:00:30.939 --> 00:00:33.379 that we've put our trust in the Lord Jesus 00:00:33.379 --> 00:00:35.439 as our Redeemer and our King. 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:38.560 So if you're new or you're visiting, 00:00:38.659 --> 00:00:40.759 we're glad you're here to celebrate with us. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:43.719 Now, every Sunday, what we do 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:45.799 is we take a passage from the Bible 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:48.299 and we explain it and apply it to our lives. 00:00:48.939 --> 00:00:50.379 And in order to make sure 00:00:50.379 --> 00:00:52.179 that we're teaching what the Scripture says 00:00:52.179 --> 00:00:53.899 and not just picking and choosing 00:00:53.899 --> 00:00:55.399 what we think we should say, 00:00:55.879 --> 00:00:58.799 we usually take a whole book of the Bible 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:01.640 and then just walk through it section by section. 00:01:01.739 --> 00:01:02.519 We don't skip anything. 00:01:02.739 --> 00:01:05.479 We just let God show us what He says to us in His Word. 00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:07.179 Now, this spring, 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:10.280 we've been walking through the last book of the Bible 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:11.620 called Revelation. 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:15.120 And we're nearing the end of that book. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:17.539 Today, we're looking at the last few verses 00:01:17.539 --> 00:01:19.679 of Revelation chapter 20. 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:22.060 And it's pretty fitting 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:24.760 that we're coming to the end of this book 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:26.100 as we celebrate baptisms 00:01:26.100 --> 00:01:29.620 because baptism is a sign, as we said, 00:01:30.220 --> 00:01:32.300 that someone's come to believe and trust 00:01:32.300 --> 00:01:35.020 in Jesus as their Redeemer and King. 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:36.540 In other words, 00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:40.180 baptism is expressing faith 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:43.860 that Jesus is the one who saves us. 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:47.760 And the end of Revelation shows us 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:51.099 both what we're ultimately saved from 00:01:51.099 --> 00:01:54.219 and what we're ultimately saved for 00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:55.539 because of Jesus. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:58.700 The end of Revelation chapter 20 00:01:58.700 --> 00:01:59.799 that we'll look at this morning 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:02.420 and the beginning of Revelation 21 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:04.099 that we'll look at in two weeks 00:02:04.099 --> 00:02:05.760 are this perfect pair. 00:02:06.260 --> 00:02:08.579 Revelation 20 shows us what we're saved from. 00:02:09.099 --> 00:02:11.420 Revelation 21 shows us what we're saved for. 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:13.939 And if we peek ahead, 00:02:14.059 --> 00:02:17.519 we see that what Christ saves us for 00:02:17.519 --> 00:02:19.339 is beautiful. 00:02:20.839 --> 00:02:23.439 A renewed creation without suffering 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:26.279 or death or sickness or sorrow 00:02:26.279 --> 00:02:28.579 with God in our midst, 00:02:29.099 --> 00:02:32.239 the fountain of unending joy. 00:02:33.799 --> 00:02:35.359 Just think of all the things 00:02:35.359 --> 00:02:37.339 that you love in this life. 00:02:38.119 --> 00:02:39.099 A great meal, 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:41.139 a great soccer game, 00:02:41.139 --> 00:02:42.500 a great friendship. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:46.739 Do you realize that the joys we experience 00:02:46.739 --> 00:02:48.619 in these created gifts 00:02:48.619 --> 00:02:50.819 ultimately come from God? 00:02:51.859 --> 00:02:53.019 God is our creator. 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:54.859 He's the giver of all good gifts. 00:02:55.819 --> 00:02:57.639 And what Jesus saves us for 00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:01.719 is a future where sin and decay 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:03.000 are finally overcome 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:05.379 and we experience these good gifts 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:06.799 in full measure. 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:10.100 like a city alive 00:03:10.100 --> 00:03:12.400 when your team has won the World Series. 00:03:13.200 --> 00:03:14.260 Go Phillies, right? 00:03:16.660 --> 00:03:17.939 Do you know they have the best record 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:18.900 in baseball right now? 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:19.939 It's unbelievable. 00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:24.000 Or it's like a feast 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:27.060 where the wine doesn't run out. 00:03:27.160 --> 00:03:28.540 That's what we're saved for. 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:32.859 But Revelation also shows us 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:33.780 what we're saved from. 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:35.180 What we're saved from. 00:03:35.519 --> 00:03:37.459 I was listening to a podcast a while ago 00:03:37.459 --> 00:03:39.099 that was a conversation 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:40.340 between Barack Obama 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:41.919 and Bruce Springsteen. 00:03:42.019 --> 00:03:42.879 It was really excellent. 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:45.319 If you don't like Bruce Springsteen, 00:03:45.479 --> 00:03:46.859 you can come talk to me afterwards 00:03:46.859 --> 00:03:48.180 and I'll convince you otherwise. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:50.860 But at one point in the conversation, 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:52.140 they were reflecting 00:03:52.140 --> 00:03:54.379 on what kind of drove them 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:56.000 in their professional life. 00:03:56.200 --> 00:03:57.760 Why were they sort of so driven 00:03:57.760 --> 00:03:59.060 to do what they did? 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:01.280 Now, here are two men 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:03.640 who've reached the pinnacle of success, right? 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:06.060 The former president of the United States, 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:07.819 a rock and roll legend. 00:04:08.760 --> 00:04:09.740 And as they were talking about 00:04:09.740 --> 00:04:10.659 what drove them, 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:13.500 Barack Obama said something very insightful. 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:15.120 He said basically, 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:17.040 he said, 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:17.540 you know, Bruce, 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:18.800 ultimately in our work, 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:19.879 in our labor, 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:23.900 aren't we really looking for salvation? 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:26.900 Aren't we hoping 00:04:26.900 --> 00:04:28.520 that through what we do, 00:04:28.700 --> 00:04:30.000 we'll find redemption? 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:33.800 I think he's right. 00:04:34.520 --> 00:04:36.960 I think we're all looking for salvation. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:39.360 The question is, 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:41.720 are we looking in the right direction? 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:46.180 Revelation 20 shows us. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:47.500 It shows us ultimately 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:48.819 what we need to be saved from. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:50.800 So let me encourage you 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:52.540 to turn to Revelation chapter 20. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.360 It's page 977 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:55.819 in the Pew Bible. 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:58.000 If you're new to the Bible, 00:04:58.139 --> 00:04:59.639 the big numbers are the chapters 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:01.160 and the small numbers are the verses. 00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:02.759 Revelation 20, 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:05.199 we're going to look at verses 11 through 15. 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:07.180 That's page 977. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:11.259 The author of Revelation is the Apostle John, 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:14.560 and God gives him a vision of the end of history 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:15.900 in this passage, 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:17.079 and John writes this. 00:05:17.840 --> 00:05:18.480 He says, 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:22.800 Then I saw a great white throne 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:25.640 and him who was seated on it. 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:27.860 From his presence, 00:05:28.640 --> 00:05:30.780 earth and sky fled away, 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:33.480 and no place was found for them. 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:35.800 And I saw the dead, 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:36.700 great and small, 00:05:36.900 --> 00:05:38.360 standing before the throne, 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:39.759 and books were opened. 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:42.680 Then another book was opened, 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:43.819 which is the book of life. 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:46.159 And the dead were judged 00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:47.839 by what was written in the books 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:49.860 according to what they had done. 00:05:50.899 --> 00:05:53.439 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it. 00:05:54.099 --> 00:05:56.040 Death and Hades gave up the dead 00:05:56.040 --> 00:05:56.980 who were in them, 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:58.639 and they were judged, 00:05:59.300 --> 00:06:00.240 each one of them, 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:02.560 according to what they had done. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:05.519 Then death and Hades were thrown 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:06.579 into the lake of fire. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:08.879 This is the second death, 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:09.860 the lake of fire. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:12.519 And if anyone's name was not found 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:13.740 written in the book of life, 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:17.420 he was thrown into the lake of fire. 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:19.860 Let's pray together. 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:27.079 Father, help us to understand 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:29.459 this weighty passage. 00:06:31.219 --> 00:06:32.360 Give us grace. 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:33.879 Give us new light 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:36.759 as we grapple with these eternal realities. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:40.459 And turn our hearts to your Son this morning, 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:41.240 our Lord Jesus, 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.960 through the power of your Holy Spirit. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:45.519 Amen. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:49.180 Now, there are three things 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:50.740 that this passage shows us, 00:06:50.900 --> 00:06:53.000 and we'll just walk through each of them this morning. 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:54.800 The first thing it shows us 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:56.819 is the reality of divine judgment. 00:06:57.660 --> 00:06:59.300 The second thing that it shows us 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:01.439 is the outcome of divine judgment. 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:02.840 And then third, 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:04.439 it shows us our hope 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:06.699 in the face of divine judgment. 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:09.019 So the reality and the outcome 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:10.300 and our hope. 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:11.599 So first, 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:13.060 let's consider the reality 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:14.139 of divine judgment 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:14.899 that we see here. 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:16.000 Verse 11 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:17.899 is a picture of God 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:18.680 in His holiness. 00:07:19.599 --> 00:07:21.139 By picturing God on a throne, 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.500 John is saying that God 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:24.639 is the world's true king and judge. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.419 And here, 00:07:25.539 --> 00:07:28.099 God steps into human history at last. 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:29.159 And what happens? 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:32.280 His presence is so awesome 00:07:32.280 --> 00:07:35.340 that earth and sky flee away. 00:07:36.840 --> 00:07:37.500 Do you know what happens 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:39.160 when someone important 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:40.280 walks into a room? 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.160 What happens? 00:07:41.880 --> 00:07:42.980 Well, oftentimes what happens 00:07:42.980 --> 00:07:43.880 is people get quiet 00:07:43.880 --> 00:07:45.700 and they turn their heads and look. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:46.700 And then, 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:47.580 if they want to get somewhere, 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:48.920 the crowd just sort of parts 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:50.100 to let them through, right? 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:51.800 But here, 00:07:51.900 --> 00:07:52.700 when the Creator 00:07:52.700 --> 00:07:54.560 finally steps into creation, 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:57.200 earth and sky turn their heads. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:58.279 And they don't just part, 00:07:58.620 --> 00:07:59.399 they flee 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:01.060 before the one 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.519 who is supremely worthy 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:03.879 and awesome. 00:08:04.920 --> 00:08:06.680 This is the God who made us 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:08.599 and everything else. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:12.939 And what verses 12 through 13 show us 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:14.860 is that everyone 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:16.980 will give an account 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.579 to their Creator. 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:20.399 John says, 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:21.659 the books will be opened 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:23.560 and you will be judged 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.139 according to what you have done. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:27.759 There will be universal, 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:29.300 final, 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:30.800 divine judgment 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.439 of every human being. 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:34.399 You and me 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:35.639 and everyone 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.620 will stand before God. 00:08:40.199 --> 00:08:41.259 Now, maybe you have 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.159 a hard time believing 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:43.980 that the books of your life 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:44.779 will be opened 00:08:44.779 --> 00:08:46.240 before God 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:47.240 as your judge. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:50.439 But let me suggest 00:08:50.439 --> 00:08:51.080 that there are actually 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:51.879 two reasons 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:53.519 why you should believe 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:55.100 or at least should want 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:55.600 to believe 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:56.679 in the reality 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:57.659 of God's judgment. 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:00.360 First reason is 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:01.019 that the reality 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:01.919 of God's judgment 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:02.460 means 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:03.919 that your life 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:04.860 actually has meaning. 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:06.460 Notice, 00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:07.000 John says, 00:09:07.079 --> 00:09:07.740 even the dead 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:08.740 are raised to life 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:09.980 and are brought before God. 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:11.059 Well, why does that happen? 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:12.439 Well, because what they've done 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:13.840 matters to God. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:15.620 It matters for eternity. 00:09:16.439 --> 00:09:16.860 You see, friends, 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:18.179 your life will continue 00:09:18.179 --> 00:09:18.980 for eternity 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:20.879 because God wills it so, 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:22.299 because it matters to Him. 00:09:22.299 --> 00:09:24.519 But if there's no 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:25.479 final judgment, 00:09:26.219 --> 00:09:27.759 if death just means 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:28.519 at best 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:30.039 our memory lives on 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:31.519 for a generation or two, 00:09:31.819 --> 00:09:32.879 then we're forgotten 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:34.620 until eventually 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.599 the sun expands 00:09:35.599 --> 00:09:36.579 in a few million years 00:09:36.579 --> 00:09:38.139 and everything turns to ash. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:40.339 If there's no final judgment, 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:42.299 then the day-to-day decisions 00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:42.779 you make, 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:43.939 they don't really matter 00:09:43.939 --> 00:09:44.519 in the end. 00:09:45.459 --> 00:09:46.579 It's all empty. 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:49.000 It's all without 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:49.899 ultimate meaning. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:53.899 But if there is a God 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:55.480 who sees, 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:57.220 who cares, 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:58.539 who judges, 00:09:59.319 --> 00:10:01.059 then your actions 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:02.059 do matter. 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:04.220 What you do in this life 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:05.539 is not meaningless. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.620 So the reality of God's judgment 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.659 means that our lives 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:11.319 actually have meaning. 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:13.639 Our lives count 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:15.480 because God takes them 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:16.179 into account. 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:19.819 So that's one reason 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:20.620 we need to believe 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.399 in God's judgment. 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.899 But the second reason 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:24.279 is that the reality 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.259 of God's judgment 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:26.959 is the only way 00:10:26.959 --> 00:10:28.779 that you can really 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:29.839 live in freedom 00:10:29.839 --> 00:10:31.419 in this life 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:33.179 from human judgment. 00:10:34.459 --> 00:10:35.500 If you believe 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:37.259 that God is the ultimate judge, 00:10:37.459 --> 00:10:38.479 then you can actually 00:10:38.479 --> 00:10:39.519 break free 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:40.179 from being controlled 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.979 by what other humans 00:10:41.979 --> 00:10:42.919 think or say about you 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:43.740 from their judgment. 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:46.720 Listen to how Paul the Apostle 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.000 puts this in 1 Corinthians 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:49.360 chapter 4 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.460 verses 3 through 4. 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:52.100 Paul writes, 00:10:52.180 --> 00:10:52.419 he says, 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:52.879 But with me 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.060 it's a very small thing 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:55.120 that I should be judged 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:55.700 by you 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:57.460 or by any human court. 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:58.600 In fact, 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:00.940 I do not even judge myself. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.220 For I'm not aware 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:04.600 of anything against myself, 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:06.120 but I'm not thereby acquitted. 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:07.940 It is the Lord 00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:09.159 who judges me. 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:13.299 So what will give you 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:13.799 freedom 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.419 from the opinions 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:16.259 and judgments 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.100 of others? 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.639 What will free you 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.839 from being elated 00:11:19.839 --> 00:11:21.299 when people think 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:21.939 well of you 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:23.500 or dejected 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.500 when people don't? 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:28.000 I think there are only 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.480 two kind of ways 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.579 at the end of the day. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:32.539 One way is to say, 00:11:32.719 --> 00:11:32.939 well, 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:34.439 I'm better than 00:11:34.439 --> 00:11:35.120 those stupid people 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.519 so I don't care 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.360 what they think, right? 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:38.500 You know, 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:39.560 but is that really 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:40.320 the sort of person 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.580 you want to become, right? 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.779 Is that the price 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:43.519 you want to pay 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.279 for your freedom 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.720 to become proud 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.919 and self-righteous 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:48.240 and despising 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:48.919 other people, right? 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:49.700 You sort of 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.560 kind of end up 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:51.220 becoming a monster 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:51.700 that way. 00:11:54.300 --> 00:11:54.480 No, 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.080 the only real way 00:11:55.080 --> 00:11:55.440 to be free 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.139 from human judgment 00:11:56.139 --> 00:11:56.919 without ending up 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:57.300 like that 00:11:57.300 --> 00:11:58.100 is to realize 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.460 that there's 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:00.300 a higher court. 00:12:02.300 --> 00:12:02.700 Ultimately, 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.680 you need to be able 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.879 to say with Paul, 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:06.439 it's ultimately 00:12:06.439 --> 00:12:07.059 the Lord 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:07.919 who judges me. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.659 That's what really 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:11.659 frees you 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:14.240 from being enslaved 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.200 to the judgment 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.019 of other people. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:18.460 Only the reality 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.399 of divine judgment 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:20.320 will do that. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.139 So it turns out 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:24.740 we need to believe 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.799 in this fact 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.539 of universal 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:28.220 final judgment. 00:12:29.460 --> 00:12:30.080 And this means 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:30.620 your life 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.259 and mine 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:32.860 will be opened up 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.919 before God's judgment 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.959 seat on the last day. 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:36.459 We will stand 00:12:36.459 --> 00:12:37.319 before our Creator 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.139 and the books 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:38.879 will be opened. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.199 And every thought 00:12:40.199 --> 00:12:40.839 and every word 00:12:40.839 --> 00:12:41.500 and every deed 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.459 will matter 00:12:42.459 --> 00:12:43.459 and will come out 00:12:43.459 --> 00:12:44.299 into the open 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:45.159 before the gaze 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:45.699 of God. 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:49.559 So that's the reality 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.139 of judgment. 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.860 But what will the outcome 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:54.099 of that judgment be? 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:55.439 Well, that takes us 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.339 to our second point, 00:12:56.479 --> 00:12:57.000 the outcome 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:58.259 of divine judgment. 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:00.639 And this point 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:02.120 brings us face to face 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.759 with what is perhaps 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:05.740 the most sobering truth 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:07.279 that all of us 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.500 must come to terms with. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.879 Because the question is, 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:14.779 what do we deserve 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.700 apart from Christ? 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:20.320 I think our knee-jerk reaction 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:21.000 is to say, 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:22.480 well, I'm a good person, 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:23.200 right? 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:25.200 So I deserve something good. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:28.780 But when we say, 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.400 I'm a good person, 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:32.759 what standard 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:33.920 are we using? 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.140 Are we actually 00:13:36.140 --> 00:13:37.460 measuring ourselves 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.320 against God's word for us, 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.879 against God's standard for us? 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.920 Or are we really 00:13:42.920 --> 00:13:43.960 just measuring ourselves 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:44.980 against other people? 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:48.480 If we're not measuring 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.120 ourselves 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:51.020 according to God's standard, 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:51.079 word, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:54.259 then when we say 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.919 or think, 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:56.159 I'm a good person, 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.559 all that you can 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.799 really mean is, 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:01.139 I'm a better person 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.340 than some other people 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:02.960 I know of. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.199 It's like when I say, 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.059 I'm a good chess player. 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.259 What I really mean is, 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:12.179 I'm a better chess player 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.220 than a lot of other people 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.379 I've played chess against 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:16.340 who are mostly my children. 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:18.480 Right? 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:18.539 Right? 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.100 But is that good enough? 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:25.079 Is that good enough? 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:25.699 You know, 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:27.659 you can kind of imagine 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.419 two swimmers 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:30.139 on the shore of California 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:30.879 with a dream 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.100 of reaching Hawaii, 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:32.879 of getting to Hawaii, 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.059 of visiting Hawaii one day. 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:34.740 Right? 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:35.659 You know, 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:36.199 one is sort of 00:14:36.199 --> 00:14:37.259 an average swimmer. 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.039 The other is 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:40.360 an Olympic level athlete. 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.519 And if they both 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.079 hit the water 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:42.980 and start swimming, 00:14:43.199 --> 00:14:43.419 right, 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:44.199 I mean, 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.939 how many miles 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:46.299 does the average swimmer go? 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:46.639 Right? 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.259 Like a mile? 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.620 Two miles maybe? 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.460 Three? 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:49.960 Four? 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.000 Four? 00:14:50.660 --> 00:14:51.480 But then they sink. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.100 But the Olympic swimmer 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:54.700 hits the water 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:56.160 and they go maybe 00:14:56.160 --> 00:14:58.000 five or ten times 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.720 that distance, 00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.060 right? 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.080 Like clearly 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.040 the Olympic swimmer 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:01.560 is good. 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:01.980 In fact, 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:02.980 they're great. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.720 But what's the goal? 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:08.440 Which one of the swimmers 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.440 made it to Hawaii? 00:15:11.540 --> 00:15:12.379 Neither of them. 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:14.840 Neither was even close. 00:15:15.400 --> 00:15:15.820 In fact, 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.060 from that perspective, 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.400 right, 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:19.340 those two swimmers 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:19.959 weren't actually 00:15:19.959 --> 00:15:20.919 all that different. 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:23.000 One went five miles, 00:15:23.079 --> 00:15:24.039 the other went 50, 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:26.000 but there's still 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.639 like 2,400 miles 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.639 left for both of them. 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:31.159 So which one was better 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.679 on that perspective? 00:15:36.319 --> 00:15:36.860 You see, 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.340 when the books 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:37.980 of your life 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.679 are opened 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:40.019 before God, 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.360 it might be better 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.000 than your neighbor, 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:45.840 but that final day 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.100 will not be a day 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:48.379 of comparison. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.580 You won't be judged 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.139 on the basis 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.179 of what someone else 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.399 did or didn't do, 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.919 but according to 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.879 what you have done. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.980 Verse 13 says, 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.779 they were judged, 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.240 each one of them, 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.740 according to what 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.559 they had done. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.139 And when you start 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.220 turning the pages 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.019 of your life 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.019 before God, 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:13.259 how will you fare? 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.699 Did you love God 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.519 with all your heart, 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:18.279 soul, 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:18.740 mind, 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.299 and strength? 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.079 Did you love your neighbor 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:21.860 as yourself? 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.019 But that's an impossibly 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.779 high standard, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.179 you say. 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.480 Who could meet that? 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:32.120 But it is a just standard, 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:32.500 isn't it? 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.199 Isn't that a just standard? 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.120 I mean, 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.299 if God is God, 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.299 He deserves 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.319 our total affection. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.540 If our neighbors 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:41.280 are created 00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:42.080 in God's image, 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:43.640 they deserve our love 00:16:43.640 --> 00:16:44.480 as much as we love 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.080 ourselves. 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.540 But just for the sake 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:49.080 of example, 00:16:49.260 --> 00:16:49.360 well, 00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:50.260 let's lower the bar, 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:50.740 right? 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.660 Did you do that 00:16:53.660 --> 00:16:55.220 75% of the time? 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.280 Probably not. 00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:00.520 Did you live that way 00:17:00.520 --> 00:17:01.840 50% of the time? 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.280 Meh. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.299 10%. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:07.460 1%? 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:12.680 And for whose sake 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.099 did you do those things 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.599 even at the lowest level? 00:17:17.659 --> 00:17:19.039 Was it for God's glory? 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.659 Or was it also 00:17:22.659 --> 00:17:23.319 for your own? 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.859 Did you gladly submit 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.779 to God's rule 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.500 in your life, 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:29.039 treating your very existence 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.460 as a gift from Him, 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.460 which it is, 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:33.379 to be joyfully lived 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:34.480 according to His will, 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.279 which it should, 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:38.759 or did you run 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.200 your life 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.139 your own way 00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:42.460 and treat God 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.759 as a nice idea 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.899 but not really 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.440 the center 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.200 of your life? 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.480 Turn the pages 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.079 of your life. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.000 Open the books. 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.940 Can you really say 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.740 that you've given God 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.819 what He deserves 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.079 with your life? 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.419 Have you returned 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:01.940 to God 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.099 even a fraction 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:04.299 of what He deserves 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:05.279 as your creator 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.519 and sustainer? 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.519 Have you treated Him 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.960 with even the modicum 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.720 of respect 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.319 and honor 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.279 and love He deserves 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:14.099 as the infinitely worthy 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:14.899 and holy 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:16.319 and beautiful one? 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:19.980 No. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.460 No one has. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.139 Not you. 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:25.799 Not me. 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:28.460 Instead, 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.039 we dream 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:31.379 of big careers 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:33.559 and easy retirements 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:35.200 and making a mark 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.039 and yes, 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:36.980 at times we dream 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.740 of doing good 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.019 and leaving the world 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.819 a better place 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.879 but God? 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:44.180 He's not really part 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.779 of the equation, 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.220 is He? 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.099 He's like a footnote 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.259 on a couple of pages 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:48.819 of the books 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.419 of our life. 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:50.839 In fact, 00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:51.500 most of the time, 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.579 God just gets in the way. 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:55.259 So we ignore Him 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.000 and we push Him 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.539 to the margin. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.019 We give Him lip service 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.839 and we get on 00:18:58.839 --> 00:18:59.619 with our lives. 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.699 And so what do 00:19:04.699 --> 00:19:05.559 our lives deserve? 00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:08.579 What do we deserve 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.759 before the only 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.279 judgment seat 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.059 that really matters? 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:16.940 The truth is, 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.319 we, 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.559 all of us, 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.659 live our lives 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:21.159 wanting to be independent, 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.559 wanting to run 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.679 our lives without God 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.679 and so, 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.940 at the final judgment, 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.240 God will render 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.960 a completely fair 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.339 and just verdict. 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:33.019 He will look at our lives 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.539 and say, 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.200 you've chosen to live 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.159 your life without me, 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.440 on your own, 00:19:37.919 --> 00:19:39.039 as your own king, 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:40.039 as your own queen, 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:41.359 so this is my verdict. 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:44.179 Thy will be done. 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:48.839 And God will give us 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.559 what our lives 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.479 have in essence 00:19:50.479 --> 00:19:52.299 truly asked for 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:54.379 every waking moment, 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.919 separation from Him 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.619 forever. 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:01.079 We wanted a life 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.899 without God 00:20:01.899 --> 00:20:04.359 and God in His justice 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:06.079 will give it to us. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:11.779 But what does 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.839 eternal separation 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.879 from God mean? 00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.579 Well, 00:20:16.899 --> 00:20:18.559 in Matthew chapter 25, 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.859 Jesus tells 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:21.639 three parables 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:23.159 about what 00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:24.599 that final reality 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.359 entails. 00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:26.720 We actually read 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.619 one of those parables 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.919 from Matthew chapter 25 00:20:28.919 --> 00:20:30.139 earlier in the service. 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.779 And these metaphors 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.980 that Jesus uses 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.319 describe something 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:36.319 that is 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:38.059 unimaginably 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:39.119 terrible. 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.480 In fact, 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.399 Jesus Himself 00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.359 talked more 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.399 about this reality 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:45.559 than anyone else 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.019 in the Bible. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.439 So, 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:49.139 even if you don't believe 00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:49.559 that Jesus 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.679 was the Son of God, 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.679 if you at least 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:53.379 think that Jesus 00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:53.960 was a great 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.659 spiritual teacher, 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.740 you have to consider 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.339 what He says 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:56.939 about this. 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.879 And the metaphors 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.819 that He uses 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:02.299 to describe 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.379 this eternal 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.399 separation 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:05.259 from God 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:07.519 are exclusion 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:10.059 and darkness 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:12.259 and fire. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.339 Exclusion, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.659 it's like being 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.500 cut off 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.679 from a feast, 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.519 Jesus says, 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:21.159 and left alone. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.419 And after all, 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:25.319 if God is the source 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:27.159 of joy and love, 00:21:27.399 --> 00:21:28.220 which He is, 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.480 the eternal 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.279 separation 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.799 from Him 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.579 must mean 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.279 the absence 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.180 of those things. 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.539 So, 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.339 what's left 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:35.740 then? 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.120 Bitterness, 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.220 regret, 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:40.980 anger, 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:42.900 gnawing, 00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:43.539 loneliness? 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:43.740 darkness? 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.680 And then Jesus 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.000 says, 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.480 it's like darkness. 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.680 After all, 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:53.259 if God is the source 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.139 of all light 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:54.960 and truth, 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.200 what must 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.359 eternal separation 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.920 from Him 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.599 mean 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:00.420 but the cold 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.740 reality of darkness 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.379 and fear 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:05.039 and deception? 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.619 And finally, 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.339 Jesus says, 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.519 it's like fire. 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:13.319 Of course, 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.039 fire is not just 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.660 painful. 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.119 It's not, 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.940 fire is not just 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.079 an image of suffering 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.639 but fire also 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:19.759 disintegrates, 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:20.180 doesn't it? 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.519 It turns everything 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.160 it touches 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.000 to ash. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.559 And after all, 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.839 if God is the source 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.720 of our wholeness 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:29.500 and our safety 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.900 and our peace, 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.500 then to be separated 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.039 from God 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.940 must mean 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.000 the eternal 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.920 anguish 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.900 of seeing 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.900 our lives 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.559 amount 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.619 to nothing 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.839 but ash. 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.799 And you know, 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.859 the greatest terror 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:49.460 of all 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:52.359 is that this outcome 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.919 of divine justice, 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.879 this separation 00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:55.759 from God 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:58.720 will be without end 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:01.139 and without repentance. 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.879 We've all experienced 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.519 exclusion 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.519 and darkness 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.940 and even fire 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.899 in this life. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.220 But it's been 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.639 temporary, 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.059 right? 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.099 Eventually, 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.019 there's a stay. 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:13.779 Eventually, 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:15.059 there's a reprieve. 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.119 But when the books 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:17.819 are opened 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.319 and God renders 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:19.879 his judgment, 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.779 when the final 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.359 thy will be done 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.059 is issued, 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.599 it will be forever. 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:29.000 And what's more, 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.819 in every picture 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.659 that the New Testament 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.799 gives of this 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.440 eternal state 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.000 of separation 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.619 from God, 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.079 we see this. 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.779 in that final state, 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.599 no one repents. 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.220 No one admits 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.059 they've done wrong. 00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:45.159 No one asks God 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:45.859 for forgiveness 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.619 and release. 00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:47.539 Instead, 00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:48.699 it's only a perpetual 00:23:48.699 --> 00:23:50.179 hardening of heart 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:52.679 as our earthly trajectory 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:55.279 of self-justifying, 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.679 self-centeredness 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:58.179 just continues forever. 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.279 forever. 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.640 It's like a coin 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.400 that's dropped 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.840 in a bottomless well 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:05.759 and it just keeps falling 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:07.400 and never rises. 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:13.740 this outcome 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.160 of divine judgment 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:16.259 is what 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.820 Jesus calls 00:24:17.820 --> 00:24:18.680 hell 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:21.519 and what John 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.220 calls here 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.340 the lake 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:24.180 of fire. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:27.259 And like so much 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.380 else in Revelation, 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.800 the image of a lake 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.560 of fire 00:24:30.560 --> 00:24:31.940 may be symbolic, 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.360 but if it is 00:24:34.360 --> 00:24:34.820 a metaphor, 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.820 don't you see? 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:38.600 It's a metaphor 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.780 for something 00:24:39.780 --> 00:24:41.500 infinitely worse. 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:45.500 The just wrath 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:47.259 of a holy God 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.840 poured out 00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:49.360 on those 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:50.540 who have rejected him. 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.640 Now when we think 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.380 about eternal 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.780 separation from God, 00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.740 we sometimes think 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.019 that, 00:25:00.560 --> 00:25:01.120 man, 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.740 the punishment 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.300 doesn't seem 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:03.160 to fit the crime. 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:03.620 I mean, 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.900 how could my 60, 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.400 70, 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.680 80 years on earth 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:08.000 deserve eternal 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.680 separation? 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.519 But the reality is 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.700 to sin 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.720 against an 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.900 infinite God 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:17.600 creates an 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:18.700 infinite offense 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:20.200 with an 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.060 infinite debt 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:21.840 to be paid. 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.740 When the books 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.320 of our life 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:26.000 are opened, 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:29.000 how many offenses 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.000 will we read there? 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:33.019 how many times 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:34.059 have we disregarded 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.759 and disobeyed 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.319 this infinitely good 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.720 and holy 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:40.660 and beautiful God? 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.980 How many infinites 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:45.180 have we piled up 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:46.359 in our short 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:48.180 span of life? 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:52.440 the cost 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.220 of our sin 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.720 is mathematically 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.820 impossible 00:25:55.820 --> 00:25:56.740 to grasp. 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.120 So what is it 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:03.539 that we need 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.320 to be saved from? 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.539 Well, 00:26:07.560 --> 00:26:08.519 we need to be saved 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.840 from the books 00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.720 of our own life, 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:13.180 from the record 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.360 that we've written. 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:17.059 the reality 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.240 of this final judgment, 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:20.019 it's our only hope 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.559 that our lives 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.199 have any meaning 00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:21.740 at all, 00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:24.199 but what we find 00:26:24.199 --> 00:26:25.240 is that the books 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.939 we bring, 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.939 the record 00:26:26.939 --> 00:26:27.919 that we arrive 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:28.299 with, 00:26:28.979 --> 00:26:29.679 they write our 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.679 own condemnation. 00:26:32.939 --> 00:26:34.019 So what do we do? 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.719 Where do we go? 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:35.920 Well, 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:40.559 maybe we think, 00:26:41.600 --> 00:26:43.120 I'll start writing 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:43.920 some new chapters, 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.339 right? 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.720 I'll turn over 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.319 a new leaf, 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.740 I'll be a good person, 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.240 I'll arrive 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.200 with a better book, 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.620 but friend, 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.400 it won't work. 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.700 Sin is too great. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.960 Maybe you'll swim, 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.079 maybe you'll swim 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.960 an extra 10 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:01.640 or 20 miles offshore, 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.860 but you won't reach 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.640 the destination. 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:06.860 you'll still sink. 00:27:09.020 --> 00:27:09.960 And even those 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.900 extra chapters 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.680 that you've written, 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:14.340 won't they just be 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:15.620 another testament 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:17.660 to your desire 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:19.560 to try to live life 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:20.920 independently of God, 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.460 to try to write 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.400 a righteous record 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.320 of your own, 00:27:24.520 --> 00:27:25.960 to do it your own way 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.980 so you don't have 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.480 to submit 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.660 to God's righteousness. 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.740 You arrive 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.640 with just another 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.200 testament 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:35.299 to your self-justifying 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.920 project 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:37.580 to be your own 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:38.480 Savior and Lord. 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:43.000 So what do we do? 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.460 How can we be saved 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.180 from the books 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:48.319 that we bring 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.660 to the judgment? 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:53.519 Well, this brings us 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.540 to our last point. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.259 We see in this text 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.320 not just the reality 00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.120 and the outcome 00:27:59.120 --> 00:28:00.100 of divine judgment, 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:01.300 but we also see 00:28:01.300 --> 00:28:02.800 our only hope 00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:04.100 in the face of judgment. 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.620 You see, 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.519 in John's vision, 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.200 the books of our lives 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.680 are opened 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.500 and they render us 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.040 condemned, 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:13.319 but there's another book. 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:16.399 There's another book 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.639 that's brought forth 00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:19.639 what John calls here 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:21.019 the book of life. 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.519 And those whose names 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.180 are written 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.420 in the book of life 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.619 are rescued 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.720 from the judgment 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:32.119 that their own lives deserve. 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:35.159 And what is this book of life? 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.859 Elsewhere in Revelation, 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.359 it's called 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.680 the Lamb's book of life 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.940 or in another place, 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.180 the book of life 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:43.000 that belongs to the Lamb 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.420 who was slain. 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:48.080 And if your name 00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:49.880 is written in that book, 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:53.100 then you do not need 00:28:53.100 --> 00:28:54.460 to receive the judgment 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:56.039 your books deserve. 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:59.140 If your name is written 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.860 in that book, 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.720 you won't receive 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.900 the judgment 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:04.680 your books deserve. 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:06.539 Why? 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.600 How could that be? 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:11.400 Because for every name 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:11.960 that's written 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.779 in the Lamb's book of life, 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.860 their judgment 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:18.480 has already been paid. 00:29:19.560 --> 00:29:20.900 Their sentence 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.860 has already been served. 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.460 It's a record of everyone 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.440 whose judgment 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.420 has been paid. 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.900 But how could that be? 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:33.220 Think of it this way. 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:37.660 Here's the book 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.759 of your life, right? 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.920 Not the Bible. 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.579 I'm just using it 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.299 as an example, right? 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.660 Think of this as, 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.500 this is the record 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.339 of your life, right? 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.519 Well, it's books 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.000 in Revelation, 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.600 so there should be 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.299 two of them, okay? 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.500 Here are the books. 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.779 You've brought them, right? 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.740 This is all your thoughts, 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.140 all your words, 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.420 all your deeds, 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.360 all your sins, 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.880 all your failures, 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.779 oh wait, 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.680 all your secrets 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.279 that no one 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.079 but God knows, 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:03.099 okay, they're all here. 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:07.299 But God saw you. 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.240 He saw you 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.819 carrying that record. 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:13.179 He knows the weight 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:15.000 and He knows the guilt 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:16.240 and the shame. 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.379 And in love, 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.699 He came in the person 00:30:21.699 --> 00:30:22.759 of His Son, Jesus. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.259 Jesus Christ, 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.679 the eternal Son of God, 00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:27.079 became human 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:28.740 and lived a life 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.919 of complete obedience 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:30.659 to the Father. 00:30:31.060 --> 00:30:32.779 Jesus actually did love God 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.820 with all His heart 00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.740 and soul and mind 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.060 and strength. 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.980 Jesus actually did 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.980 love His neighbor 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.460 as Himself. 00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:38.820 His record was flawless. 00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:41.180 But His mission 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:42.580 wasn't just to live 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:43.400 the life that humans 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.240 should have lived. 00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:46.759 His mission was also 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:48.500 to come and to die, 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:51.100 to be the Lamb 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:51.880 who was slain. 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.440 So you see, 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.100 on the cross, 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.900 Jesus wasn't just 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.980 laying down His life 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.700 for His own sins. 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.700 He didn't have any, right? 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.940 Like, there's no record 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:01.380 of wrong in Jesus' life. 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.819 He was laying down 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:05.019 His life for your sins. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.920 At the cross, 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.840 your record, 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.680 your books, 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:10.380 were laid on Him. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.940 So what's left for you? 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.819 You see, on the cross, 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.600 Jesus was willing 00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.519 to undergo 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.860 the exclusion 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:22.500 and the darkness 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:24.240 and the fire 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.380 of separation 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.160 from the Father. 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.720 Jesus descended 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.839 into hell 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.960 on the cross 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:32.579 to pay the full 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.559 judgment of sin 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:35.220 for everyone 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.920 who repents 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.660 and trusts in Him. 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.700 And because He 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.960 is the eternal Son, 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:42.279 the infinite God incarnate, 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.839 He can actually pay 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.500 an infinite cost. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.720 So do you see 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.619 how much 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.960 He loves you? 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:53.500 You know, 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.120 we often think 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.799 about hell 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.360 and we ask, 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.620 how could God 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.840 be a loving God 00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:59.059 if hell is real? 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.519 But don't you see, 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.039 hell actually 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.059 shows us 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.920 the utter depths 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.880 of God's love 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:07.480 for us. 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:09.019 He was willing 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.559 to pay 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.960 even that price 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.660 to win you 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.940 and rescue you 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.039 and save you 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.440 from your own record. 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:16.519 heart. 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:20.000 Jesus endured 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:21.519 hell for you 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:23.820 so you can face 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.880 the final judgment 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.820 and live. 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.600 This is how 00:32:29.600 --> 00:32:30.160 we're saved, 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.680 by trusting 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.580 in the One 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:33.240 who bore 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.799 our sins 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.840 on the cross 00:32:35.840 --> 00:32:36.980 and who was 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:38.120 raised from the dead 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.299 three days later 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.559 to demonstrate 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.620 that the sacrifice 00:32:41.620 --> 00:32:42.500 was complete, 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.440 that the penalty 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.779 was paid in full, 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:46.519 and that all 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.339 who trust in Him 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.319 receive the full 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.500 forgiveness of sins 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.279 and resurrection life 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:55.460 so that your name 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.119 could be written 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:57.579 in another book. 00:32:57.579 --> 00:33:02.099 So the choice 00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:02.639 before us 00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.199 is this, 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.720 will you arrive 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.740 at the final judgment 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.559 trusting 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:09.439 in your own books 00:33:09.439 --> 00:33:10.960 or trusting 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.579 in Christ? 00:33:12.659 --> 00:33:13.859 And if you have 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.819 trusted in Him, 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:15.939 then your name 00:33:15.939 --> 00:33:16.699 is written 00:33:16.699 --> 00:33:17.939 in His book of life 00:33:17.939 --> 00:33:19.859 and no one 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.799 can blot it out, 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.220 no one 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.059 can erase it, 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:23.980 it's there 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.579 permanently 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:26.359 and forever. 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:26.479 forever. 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.919 You didn't deserve 00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:29.619 to have your name 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:30.539 written in there, 00:33:30.679 --> 00:33:31.599 so there's nothing 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:32.219 you can do 00:33:32.219 --> 00:33:32.759 to deserve 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.939 having taken it out. 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.339 So Christians, 00:33:38.419 --> 00:33:38.859 do you realize 00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.539 what this means? 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.879 Do you realize 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.419 what it means 00:33:42.419 --> 00:33:43.139 that your name 00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:43.679 is written 00:33:43.679 --> 00:33:44.879 in the book of life? 00:33:46.679 --> 00:33:47.159 First, 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:47.719 it means 00:33:47.719 --> 00:33:48.259 that you have 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.079 a ground 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.079 for rejoicing. 00:33:50.199 --> 00:33:50.959 You have a reason 00:33:50.959 --> 00:33:51.740 for rejoicing 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.659 like nothing else. 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:53.639 It's very interesting, 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.299 in one point 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.379 in Jesus' ministry, 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:56.360 the disciples 00:33:56.360 --> 00:33:57.240 come back to Jesus 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:58.380 after a super 00:33:58.380 --> 00:34:00.040 successful ministry tour. 00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:01.400 They've preached 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.380 and people believed, 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.620 they've cast out demons 00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:04.580 and they've fleed, 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.480 and the disciples 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:05.900 come back 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.740 and they're ecstatic. 00:34:07.320 --> 00:34:08.000 And Jesus says, 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.140 I saw Satan 00:34:09.140 --> 00:34:10.000 fall like lightning 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.519 from heaven. 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.000 In other words, 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.240 He's like, 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:11.880 good job. 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.480 But then Jesus 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.119 says this, 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:14.900 He says, 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.440 nevertheless, 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.640 do not rejoice 00:34:17.640 --> 00:34:18.220 in this, 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.440 that the spirits 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.480 are subject to you, 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.200 but rejoice 00:34:22.200 --> 00:34:23.140 that your names 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.719 are written 00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:24.460 in heaven. 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:27.659 To know 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.699 that your name 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:30.279 is in His book 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:31.319 written in heaven, 00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:32.659 that you're known 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.460 and loved 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.119 by the King 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.859 of the universe, 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.819 free from condemnation, 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:38.579 free for eternal life, 00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:40.539 that will give you joy 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:42.019 like nothing else. 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.940 It's a joy 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.799 that your failures 00:34:44.799 --> 00:34:45.480 can't touch 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.440 and it's a joy 00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:47.299 that your successes 00:34:47.299 --> 00:34:48.639 can't even compete with. 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.199 Jesus looked at them 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.440 and said, 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.420 you had a great day. 00:34:51.740 --> 00:34:52.500 Don't even rejoice 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:52.780 in that. 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.139 There's something 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:53.599 even better. 00:34:53.680 --> 00:34:54.320 Your name's written 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.740 in heaven. 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.860 But if your name 00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.980 is in His book, 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.960 if your name 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.539 is in His book, 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.079 it's not just 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:05.440 a ground for rejoicing, 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:08.380 but it also means 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:09.539 that your books 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:11.340 take on a new meaning. 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.320 If your name 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:13.599 is written 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:14.300 in the book of life, 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.260 then your books, 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.340 the books of your life, 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.039 start to take on 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.579 a new meaning. 00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:19.740 You know, 00:35:19.760 --> 00:35:20.240 it might be tempting 00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:20.659 to think, 00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:20.880 well, 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:21.740 look, 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:22.320 if I'm not saved 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:23.059 by my works, 00:35:23.220 --> 00:35:24.240 then my works 00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:25.220 must not mean anything, 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:25.599 right? 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:29.099 And the truth is, 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.180 your works 00:35:30.180 --> 00:35:31.900 will never justify you. 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:33.200 They will never save you. 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.480 But for those 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:37.119 who trust in Christ, 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:38.340 God says, 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:40.720 I've prepared good works 00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:41.340 in advance 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:42.119 for you to do. 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:45.420 You'll see the hungry 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:46.700 and you'll feed them. 00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:48.899 you'll see the naked 00:35:48.899 --> 00:35:49.679 and clothe them. 00:35:50.279 --> 00:35:51.319 You'll see the sick 00:35:51.319 --> 00:35:51.859 and imprisoned 00:35:51.859 --> 00:35:53.460 and you'll go visit them. 00:35:54.399 --> 00:35:55.559 You will become 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:57.639 a force of love 00:35:57.639 --> 00:35:58.559 that the world 00:35:58.559 --> 00:35:59.819 doesn't understand. 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:02.859 Only those 00:36:02.859 --> 00:36:03.739 who know the freedom 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:05.139 of having their names 00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:05.799 written in heaven 00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:07.059 can love freely. 00:36:09.239 --> 00:36:10.079 Because it's those 00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:11.019 who know mercy 00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:12.860 that show mercy. 00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.619 And that means 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.099 that there's this 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:17.980 new thread, 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:18.739 there's this new 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:19.759 literary motif 00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:21.199 that starts to weave 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:21.840 its way 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:23.079 through your books. 00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:25.159 It's this thread 00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:25.759 of grace. 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:26.960 It's a thread 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.900 of God's glory. 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.159 It's a thread 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:29.960 of the Holy Spirit 00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:30.820 making you more 00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:32.039 and more like Christ. 00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:33.320 Because now 00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:33.880 your story 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.940 isn't about you anymore. 00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:36.759 Suddenly, 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.480 the books you bring 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:37.940 to the judgment, 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:38.820 they're not about you. 00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:39.320 They're not about 00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:40.700 how far you can swim. 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:42.580 They're about Christ. 00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:46.120 The hero of your story 00:36:46.120 --> 00:36:47.160 isn't you anymore. 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.500 It's the Lord Jesus. 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.360 And that's what 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:54.260 baptism says. 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.280 In a beautiful 00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:57.620 and symbolic way, 00:36:58.680 --> 00:36:59.559 it says, 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.880 my life is about Christ now. 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.900 So for those of you 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:05.600 who are getting baptized 00:37:05.600 --> 00:37:06.980 over these next two Sundays, 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:08.700 let me say this 00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:09.039 to you, 00:37:09.879 --> 00:37:11.079 when you go down 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.879 into the water 00:37:11.879 --> 00:37:13.500 and come back up again, 00:37:14.359 --> 00:37:15.359 you're saying 00:37:15.359 --> 00:37:16.039 that your life 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:16.879 from now on 00:37:16.879 --> 00:37:18.019 is about Him. 00:37:18.859 --> 00:37:20.539 Jesus united Himself 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.239 to you 00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:22.079 in the incarnation, 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.299 taking the judgment 00:37:23.299 --> 00:37:23.939 you deserve 00:37:23.939 --> 00:37:24.980 and rising again. 00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:25.419 In other words, 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.279 He went down 00:37:26.279 --> 00:37:28.019 and came back up. 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:29.839 And now, 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:30.719 through faith, 00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:32.480 you've united yourself 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:32.980 to Him. 00:37:33.719 --> 00:37:34.519 Your old life 00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:35.339 has gone down 00:37:35.339 --> 00:37:36.819 and your new life 00:37:36.819 --> 00:37:37.559 has risen up. 00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:39.460 He's the hero 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:40.320 of your books now. 00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:43.699 But remember 00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:44.599 what Jesus says, 00:37:45.179 --> 00:37:46.619 because some days 00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.119 will be good 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:48.679 and some days 00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.299 will be full 00:37:49.299 --> 00:37:50.440 of trials and doubts. 00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:52.799 But remember 00:37:52.799 --> 00:37:54.719 that you have a joy now 00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:56.579 that outstrips 00:37:56.579 --> 00:37:58.199 even your best days. 00:37:58.980 --> 00:38:00.039 Rejoice in this, 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:00.679 Jesus says, 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:01.619 that your names 00:38:01.619 --> 00:38:02.460 are written in heaven. 00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:04.579 In other words, 00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:06.599 keep eternity in view. 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:09.019 The King has gone 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.320 through the eternal fire 00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:10.780 for you. 00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:12.300 He's engraved you 00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:12.880 on the palms 00:38:12.880 --> 00:38:13.599 of His hands 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.659 and in His grip 00:38:14.659 --> 00:38:15.960 He'll never let you go. 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:18.880 Your name will never, 00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:20.340 ever be erased 00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:21.139 from His book. 00:38:22.019 --> 00:38:22.559 And that's true 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.099 of everyone 00:38:23.099 --> 00:38:24.079 who's put their trust 00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:24.659 in Christ. 00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:27.840 So live with that in view. 00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.880 Live with the freedom 00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:30.019 and the joy 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:31.199 and the perseverance 00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:32.279 that that brings. 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.339 And friend, 00:38:36.399 --> 00:38:37.199 if you haven't 00:38:37.199 --> 00:38:38.559 put your life 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:40.439 into the arms of Christ, 00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:42.619 what do you wait for? 00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:45.879 Christ has done everything 00:38:45.879 --> 00:38:47.219 to save you 00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:49.539 from the eternal consequences 00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.239 of your sin 00:38:50.239 --> 00:38:51.500 and to save you 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:53.219 for a life of joy 00:38:53.219 --> 00:38:53.699 and purpose 00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:55.139 now and without end. 00:38:56.139 --> 00:38:57.179 It doesn't matter 00:38:57.179 --> 00:38:58.939 how thick or thin 00:38:58.939 --> 00:39:00.139 your books might be. 00:39:00.339 --> 00:39:00.839 It doesn't matter 00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:02.640 how young or old you are. 00:39:02.680 --> 00:39:03.160 It doesn't matter 00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:05.039 how dark or shameful 00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:06.539 your pages may be. 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:08.780 Jesus said, 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:11.180 the one who comes to me, 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:13.380 I'll never cast them out. 00:39:14.120 --> 00:39:14.519 Never. 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:17.440 So come to Him. 00:39:19.280 --> 00:39:20.260 Let's pray together. 00:39:20.260 --> 00:39:28.720 As we bow before God, 00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:29.740 let's take a moment 00:39:29.740 --> 00:39:30.500 of silence 00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:32.340 before God. 00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:35.700 We've considered 00:39:35.700 --> 00:39:37.080 some weighty things today. 00:39:39.280 --> 00:39:40.200 Things that our minds 00:39:40.200 --> 00:39:41.400 often push to the margins 00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:42.560 of our hurried lives. 00:39:44.860 --> 00:39:45.660 But right now, 00:39:45.720 --> 00:39:46.520 we have the opportunity 00:39:46.520 --> 00:39:47.200 to consider 00:39:47.200 --> 00:39:48.660 the most important question 00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:50.159 a human could ever ask, 00:39:50.799 --> 00:39:53.000 where do I stand 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.579 with God? 00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:58.839 Some of us 00:39:58.839 --> 00:39:59.940 have been attending services 00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:01.319 and hearing the things 00:40:01.319 --> 00:40:01.960 about Christ 00:40:01.960 --> 00:40:02.619 and the gospel 00:40:02.619 --> 00:40:04.559 and some of us 00:40:04.559 --> 00:40:05.359 are maybe realizing 00:40:05.359 --> 00:40:06.599 for the first time 00:40:06.599 --> 00:40:08.679 that it is time. 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.759 It's time to lay down 00:40:11.759 --> 00:40:12.339 your books 00:40:12.339 --> 00:40:14.059 and give yourself 00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:14.659 to Christ. 00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:17.639 If the Holy Spirit 00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:18.539 is convicting you 00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:18.980 in that way, 00:40:19.079 --> 00:40:20.319 you might even pray 00:40:20.319 --> 00:40:21.319 something simple 00:40:21.319 --> 00:40:22.119 in your own heart 00:40:22.119 --> 00:40:22.779 like this. 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.000 Father, 00:40:25.099 --> 00:40:26.099 I realize that 00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:27.719 in my own deeds, 00:40:27.839 --> 00:40:28.899 I don't deserve 00:40:28.899 --> 00:40:29.519 to be called 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:30.119 your child. 00:40:31.619 --> 00:40:32.319 In fact, 00:40:32.379 --> 00:40:33.480 I deserve eternity 00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:34.379 apart from you. 00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:37.059 But I trust 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.779 in what Christ 00:40:37.779 --> 00:40:38.319 has done, 00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:40.379 dying for my sins. 00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:42.760 So I turn 00:40:42.760 --> 00:40:43.740 from my sins 00:40:43.740 --> 00:40:44.640 and my efforts 00:40:44.640 --> 00:40:46.420 to save myself 00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:48.300 and I take you, 00:40:48.420 --> 00:40:48.640 Jesus, 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.700 as my Lord. 00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:52.880 I commit my life 00:40:52.880 --> 00:40:53.440 to you 00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:55.099 and thank you 00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:56.220 for receiving me, 00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:57.800 forgiving me, 00:40:58.440 --> 00:40:59.260 and making me 00:40:59.260 --> 00:40:59.820 your child. 00:41:01.140 --> 00:41:01.940 Fill me 00:41:01.940 --> 00:41:02.760 with your Spirit 00:41:02.760 --> 00:41:04.760 and let me live 00:41:04.760 --> 00:41:05.800 all my days 00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:06.740 in the assurance 00:41:06.740 --> 00:41:08.440 that my name 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.840 is now written 00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:10.780 in your book 00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:11.320 of life. 00:41:21.760 --> 00:41:22.300 Father, 00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:23.220 we also pray 00:41:23.220 --> 00:41:23.940 for those 00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:25.260 who have turned 00:41:25.260 --> 00:41:25.599 to you 00:41:25.599 --> 00:41:26.059 and are getting 00:41:26.059 --> 00:41:26.880 baptized over 00:41:26.880 --> 00:41:28.000 these next two Sundays. 00:41:29.320 --> 00:41:30.539 We pray for Jack 00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:31.019 today. 00:41:32.579 --> 00:41:33.320 Next week, 00:41:33.400 --> 00:41:34.200 we pray for Dawn, 00:41:34.420 --> 00:41:35.079 for Sherry, 00:41:35.720 --> 00:41:36.300 for Stacy, 00:41:36.500 --> 00:41:36.960 for Mandy. 00:41:36.960 --> 00:41:38.559 Fill them 00:41:38.559 --> 00:41:39.320 with your Spirit 00:41:39.320 --> 00:41:40.500 as they make 00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.079 this public 00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:42.159 profession of faith. 00:41:43.119 --> 00:41:44.019 Fan into flame 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:44.679 the good work 00:41:44.679 --> 00:41:45.539 that you've begun 00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:45.920 in them. 00:41:46.840 --> 00:41:47.639 Let their lives 00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:48.179 be lived 00:41:48.179 --> 00:41:48.980 for your glory. 00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:52.000 And would all 00:41:52.000 --> 00:41:52.480 who've placed 00:41:52.480 --> 00:41:53.320 their faith in Christ 00:41:53.320 --> 00:41:53.860 rejoice 00:41:53.860 --> 00:41:55.320 that our names 00:41:55.320 --> 00:41:56.139 are written in heaven. 00:41:57.280 --> 00:41:58.340 And would we be eager 00:41:58.340 --> 00:41:59.740 to share this joy, 00:42:00.320 --> 00:42:01.059 this good news 00:42:01.059 --> 00:42:01.720 of the gospel. 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:03.960 Use our church, 00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:04.320 Lord, 00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:05.679 for the glory 00:42:05.679 --> 00:42:06.780 of your name. 00:42:06.960 --> 00:42:08.960 and for the advance 00:42:08.960 --> 00:42:10.139 of your gospel 00:42:10.139 --> 00:42:12.220 among all nations. 00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:13.900 Amen.