WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:05.520 Well, you may be wondering, why aren't we reading the Gospels and the Resurrection? 00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:07.700 Isn't it Easter Sunday? 00:00:08.919 --> 00:00:11.519 Well, I think there's hope here. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:15.679 So let's pray and ask for God's help to us. 00:00:17.580 --> 00:00:25.219 Our Father God, we thank you for this day where we, especially as your church across 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:36.379 the world, remember and celebrate Christ risen from the dead and the hope that that brings 00:00:36.379 --> 00:00:39.780 to all who will put their trust in you. 00:00:40.879 --> 00:00:48.780 Father, we pray that from your word today, we would be encouraged in the hope that we 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:58.600 have, that we would leave this building filled with assurance and confidence of our eternal 00:00:58.600 --> 00:01:07.680 destiny with you, filled with a message of hope to a broken and dying world. 00:01:09.240 --> 00:01:12.620 Father, help us by your Holy Spirit, we pray. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:15.799 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:15.960 Amen. 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:22.859 But it reads like any other obituary. 00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:24.640 Look at verse 7. 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:29.980 Abraham lived 175 years. 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:38.400 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years, 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:42.240 and he was gathered to his people. 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:46.520 Not much to ponder over, is there? 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:48.979 Just another death notice. 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:51.239 Let's move on. 00:01:52.179 --> 00:01:59.879 Well, let's not be in such a rush this morning, because it may seem quite ordinary to us, but 00:01:59.879 --> 00:02:05.379 these verses, verses 7 and 8, are filled with glorious hope. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:13.979 Abraham's death tells us with absolute certainty that death is not the end. 00:02:13.979 --> 00:02:20.259 In fact, we, like Abraham, can have the same guaranteed hope. 00:02:20.959 --> 00:02:25.819 The story of Abraham can be our story too. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:35.500 So we have a very simple structure this morning, easy to remember, summarised in four words. 00:02:36.019 --> 00:02:37.219 Here's the first one. 00:02:37.219 --> 00:02:39.020 Abraham lived. 00:02:40.020 --> 00:02:41.859 Look at verse 8 with me. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.780 Abraham lived to a good old age. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:51.479 In fact, he was 175 years old. 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:53.560 Wow, you say, really? 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:55.539 You want me to believe that? 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:56.340 That's impossible. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:02:58.539 Nobody lives that long. 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:04.799 Well, the record of Genesis tells us, when we read from the beginning, that people lived 00:03:04.799 --> 00:03:06.939 to be hundreds of years old. 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:13.979 However, what we see happening as we read through is a gradual decline in how long people lived. 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:21.359 As the effects of the curse take hold, so the span of life shortens. 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:27.480 In fact, the writer of Psalm 90 would later record this. 00:03:28.340 --> 00:03:29.000 He says this, 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:35.960 Our days may come to 70 years or 80 if our strength endures. 00:03:36.620 --> 00:03:40.400 That's a pretty accurate assessment for life today. 00:03:41.060 --> 00:03:47.440 70, maybe 80 years will live if our strength endures. 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:49.980 But let's not miss the point. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:52.840 Abraham lived a good old age. 00:03:53.239 --> 00:03:56.959 We could say he died a happy and contented man. 00:03:57.199 --> 00:04:02.259 A man with a big family dishing out his inheritance. 00:04:03.979 --> 00:04:08.120 However, when we take time to look back on Abraham's life, 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:12.620 it's a surprise he even lived so long. 00:04:13.859 --> 00:04:17.279 You see, in many ways, Abraham's life was a failure. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:19.740 He messed up big time. 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:24.860 Remember the different accounts that we've been looking at? 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:28.960 First, there were the lies Abraham told about his wife Sarah. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:33.480 Whenever they arrived to a new place, they were nomadic people, 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:36.280 so they would travel from one destination to another. 00:04:36.279 --> 00:04:40.699 And when they arrived in a new place, 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:46.439 it seemed the ruling lords were known for killing off the men and taking all the women. 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:49.459 So Abraham came up with a wonderful plan. 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:50.919 And this is what he said. 00:04:50.979 --> 00:04:53.119 It's recorded for us in Genesis. 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:55.199 He says to his wife Sarah, 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:58.500 This is how you can show your love to me. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:00.199 Everywhere we go, 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:01.219 say of me, 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:02.579 He's my brother. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:07.180 It seems it was a regular practice. 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:09.459 Everywhere we go. 00:05:10.099 --> 00:05:13.560 Not very courageous of Abraham and not very protective. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:18.839 It seems he was quite happy to kind of push his wife into danger, 00:05:19.280 --> 00:05:21.360 put her into the arms of another man. 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:24.399 Well, as long as he saved his own bacon, that was okay. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:27.120 Not a great husband. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:31.040 Then there was the whole business with Hagar, 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:33.939 Abraham's wife's servant. 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:41.199 He went and got her pregnant as he tried to fulfill God's promises for himself. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:43.100 And it was a disaster. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:46.220 Desperate family breakdown. 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:50.379 And then, after Sarah died, 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:52.959 chapter 25, verse 1, 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:55.379 Abraham, Abraham, we're told, 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:58.000 had taken another wife. 00:05:58.919 --> 00:06:04.879 Which suggests that he actually had more than one living wife. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:08.859 In fact, the text tells us that he did have others. 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:10.519 Look down at verse 6. 00:06:11.419 --> 00:06:13.539 But while he was still living, 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:17.379 he gave birth to the sons of his concubines. 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:21.359 Now, concubines were other women that men took. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:25.259 Well, they weren't quite a wife or in the category of wife, 00:06:25.340 --> 00:06:26.360 just a little bit below. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:29.480 But they took them to themselves nonetheless. 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:34.800 Whatever happened to God's command about marriage 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:40.100 being an exclusive union between one man and one woman? 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:42.960 Given Abraham's life, 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:47.080 we wouldn't be surprised if God had stepped in and ended it early. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:50.300 In fact, it wouldn't be a shock to us 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:53.839 if God's patience had run out completely with Abraham. 00:06:55.839 --> 00:07:00.419 It seems these 175 years 00:07:00.419 --> 00:07:04.819 actually tell us more about God's faithfulness 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:07.439 than Abraham's greatness. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:14.300 In fact, the only reason Abraham lived as long as he did 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:17.899 is because God promised him many years 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:20.860 and God kept to his promise. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:25.959 Just look back at chapter 15, verse 15. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:30.920 There God made a promise to Abraham. 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:32.740 Chapter 15, verse 15. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:33.639 He says, 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:38.060 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:43.340 and be buried at a good old age. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:47.639 The same words that we have in chapter 25. 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:50.280 God kept his promise. 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:53.000 You see, the life we have 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:56.360 is a God-given life. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:58.060 God made us. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:07:59.060 He sustains us. 00:07:59.340 --> 00:08:01.660 He provides for all that we have. 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:06.120 We all owe our very existence to God. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.400 Scripture reminds us of that. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:11.520 Look at the verse on the screen. 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:14.260 This comes from Isaiah the prophet. 00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:17.640 This is what God the Lord says, 00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:20.600 the creator of the heavens, 00:08:20.960 --> 00:08:22.700 who stretches them out, 00:08:23.140 --> 00:08:24.720 who spreads out the earth 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:26.800 with all that springs from it, 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:31.400 who gives breath to his people, 00:08:31.660 --> 00:08:35.899 and life to those who walk on it. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:40.540 Job said something similar. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:43.779 In his hand, 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:45.460 in God's hand, 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:49.700 is the very life of every creature. 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:52.160 And in his hand, 00:08:52.160 --> 00:08:55.400 is the breath of all mankind. 00:08:57.320 --> 00:08:58.400 Breathe in. 00:08:59.340 --> 00:08:59.740 Ah! 00:09:01.060 --> 00:09:02.220 Breathe out. 00:09:03.160 --> 00:09:03.600 Ah! 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:07.160 That's God sustaining you. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:11.259 The fact that you are breathing right now, 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:14.120 the fact that you breathe through your sleep, 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:16.379 is God sustaining you. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:18.539 Not because we're deserving, 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:21.100 but because God is faithful. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.740 And as I look at my life, 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:26.080 both present and past, 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:29.620 I'm amazed at how God has been patient 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:32.080 and persistent with me, 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:35.000 despite all my rebellion, 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:38.960 and all the times I've walked away from God 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:39.860 and ignored him. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.960 My years, 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:44.899 51 though they may be, 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:47.740 is not about the greatness of Johnny Grant, 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:51.360 but the faithfulness of God, 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:56.360 which should lead us all to humble praise and thanks, 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:59.740 to marvel at God's goodness and kindness 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:00.879 to each one of us. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:04.379 So before you tuck into your Easter roast today, 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:06.139 let me encourage you, 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:07.559 round the table, 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:09.500 to stop and say, 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:10.620 thank you God, 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:12.279 for life. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:15.019 Thank you God, 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.980 for your faithfulness to me. 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:19.740 Your grace and your mercy. 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:20.960 And perhaps, 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.639 even sing a verse of, 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:25.320 great is thy faithfulness. 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:28.220 God is good. 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:32.320 Abraham lived. 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:34.580 We live. 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:38.680 This is the story of us all. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:41.160 So the first word, 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:42.460 lived, 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:45.379 told you it was a very simple outline. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.540 The second word, 00:10:47.160 --> 00:10:47.680 died. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.519 Look at verse 8. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:52.700 Abraham breathed his last 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:54.100 and died. 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:58.740 I was watching a health program the other evening 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:02.220 and in the program we were introduced to a middle-aged mum. 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:03.940 I think she was around about 40. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.440 Her name was Linda. 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:09.120 And a number of tests were arranged. 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:10.720 Her weight was taken, 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:11.540 her height, 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:14.639 her BMI bloods were taken. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:16.759 She did a stress test. 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:20.779 And then all of the results were fired into this computer program. 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:22.699 It chugged about for a little while 00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:25.899 and then it spat out the calculated age 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:28.059 of her predicted death. 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:29.919 74. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.799 12 weeks later, 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:36.079 after a change in exercise, 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.779 diet and lifestyle, 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:40.459 the same results were repeated. 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:43.360 All the information fired into the computer. 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:44.779 And guess what? 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.740 Age of death? 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.299 86. 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:48.620 86. 00:11:49.339 --> 00:11:51.339 An increase of 12 years 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:52.839 from 12 weeks activity. 00:11:53.359 --> 00:11:54.039 Wow, I wonder, 00:11:54.219 --> 00:11:55.699 what if you did a year's activity? 00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:56.939 What would that give me? 00:11:57.779 --> 00:12:00.120 Well, doesn't that say something about us? 00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:01.599 We somehow think 00:12:01.599 --> 00:12:05.099 that we can just add years to our life. 00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:06.439 And if we're younger, 00:12:06.599 --> 00:12:07.019 we think, 00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:09.799 wow, we've got buckets of years. 00:12:09.979 --> 00:12:11.319 It's kind of an eternity. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:13.019 We can't even think that far. 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:14.399 I've got so long to live. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:18.539 But whatever our exercise plan, 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:20.559 whatever our eating habits, 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:22.879 we cannot change the inevitable. 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:26.360 We will breathe our last. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:30.600 You see, our life is transient. 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:34.659 The list of names in the genealogy, 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:38.519 if you just look forward to verses 12 to 18, 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:40.740 we get this long list of names. 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:43.759 And it helps move the story along 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:45.059 to the next generation. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.039 But it also reminds us 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:49.939 that with every birth comes a death. 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:51.779 So look at verse 12. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:53.819 This is the account of the family line 00:12:53.819 --> 00:12:56.000 of Abraham's son, Ishmael. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.819 Well, what happened to Ishmael? 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:00.220 Look at verse 17. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:05.560 Ishmael lived 137 years. 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:09.660 He breathed his last and died. 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:11.960 Here today, 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:15.300 gone tomorrow in the blink of an eye. 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:19.960 You see, I think the text is forcing us 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:24.060 to stop and slow down in the busyness 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:25.139 and the rush of life 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:27.500 and all the things that we plan to do 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.700 and want to do and say, 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:32.879 slow down and consider your own impending death. 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:37.160 Look what Psalm 39 says. 00:13:38.520 --> 00:13:42.000 Show me, Lord, my life's end 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.780 and the number of my days. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:48.600 Let me know how fleeting my life is. 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:53.220 You have made my days a mere hand breath. 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:57.620 The span of my years is as nothing before you. 00:13:57.620 --> 00:14:00.320 Everyone is but a breath. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:03.980 Even those whom seem secure. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.899 Or consider this, 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.000 what James says, 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:10.519 the writer in the New Testament. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.700 What is your life? 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:15.560 You know what your life is? 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.159 It's a mist. 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.840 You know the mist that appears in the morning? 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:23.580 There for a little while. 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:27.639 And then vanishes as it is burnt up by the sun. 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:32.100 You're nothing more than the steam out of a kettle. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.060 Vapour. 00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:34.680 You see it and then it's gone. 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:40.620 Think about what days you have. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:44.580 How long do you think you're going to live? 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.620 Our lives are temporary. 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.279 We don't last. 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.759 We're born and then we die. 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:52.279 The God who gives us life 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:54.779 will one day take our life. 00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:58.740 We won't die a second too early 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.159 or a minute too late. 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:02.100 It may come at old age, 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:06.139 but it may come through an accident. 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:11.720 One day we will breathe our last. 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:14.420 All the things that we wanted to do, 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:16.720 all the plans for our retirement, 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:18.600 gone in a flash. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:25.259 Are you ready for your last breath? 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:29.240 Abraham lived. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:32.080 Abraham died. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:34.159 And we die. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:38.060 This is the story of us all. 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.779 Well, third. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.159 Gathered. 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:47.720 So Abraham lived. 00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.639 He died. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.399 And was buried. 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.259 Right? 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:56.879 Well, not so fast. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:59.460 Let's not go to the funeral too quickly. 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.279 Look at the text. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.039 Verse 7. 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:04.799 Abraham lived 175 years. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.759 Then Abraham breathed his last 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:08.179 and died at a good old age. 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.600 An old man and full of years. 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:15.279 And he was gathered to his people. 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:19.080 You say, what's this gathering all about? 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:22.500 Well, gathered to his people. 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:25.800 It's a rare phrase to find in the Bible 00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:28.340 and seen just on a few occasions 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.759 throughout the Old Testament. 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:32.639 But it's hinting, it's telling us that 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:34.540 though there's a death, 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:38.300 there is a life after death. 00:16:39.900 --> 00:16:42.400 He was gathered to his people. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:45.100 His soul departed 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:49.000 and his physical body was left behind. 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.879 Look at the progression. 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.939 We're told that he lived, 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.019 he died, 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:56.000 then he was gathered. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.419 And then in the next verse, 00:16:58.539 --> 00:17:00.480 we read about his burial. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:04.579 So this isn't just another term for burial. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.339 He was gathered to his people. 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.119 Oh, he was buried. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.440 No. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:09.180 It's something distinct, 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.019 separate from 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.740 he was gathered, 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:12.119 then he was buried. 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:13.939 And it's not another term 00:17:13.939 --> 00:17:15.619 for an ancestral grave. 00:17:16.439 --> 00:17:17.779 Because we know that Abraham 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:20.219 didn't go back to his ancestors. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:23.759 He was buried in a small cave 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:26.099 alongside his wife, Sarah. 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:29.959 So it seems the author wants us to stop 00:17:29.959 --> 00:17:32.339 and take on board 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.599 and recognise that, 00:17:33.739 --> 00:17:35.519 yes, he lived, he died, 00:17:35.739 --> 00:17:39.659 but there is a life after death. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.299 Where you say, 00:17:43.439 --> 00:17:45.159 well, isn't that stretching things 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:46.019 a little bit, Johnny? 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:48.139 Aren't you reading a little bit 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:49.119 too much into it? 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.939 Well, I don't think so 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:54.219 because the burial that we read of 00:17:54.219 --> 00:17:55.959 in verses 9 to 10 00:17:55.959 --> 00:17:57.639 point to that. 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.359 Look at verse 9. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:03.179 His sons, Isaac and Ishmael, 00:18:03.719 --> 00:18:05.419 buried him in the cave 00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:07.339 at Machpelah near Mamre 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:09.519 in the field of Ephron, 00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:11.339 son of Zohar, the Hittite, 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:13.579 the field Abraham had bought 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.759 from the Hittites. 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:17.240 There Abraham was buried 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.419 with his wife Sarah. 00:18:19.219 --> 00:18:19.639 Well, you go, 00:18:19.719 --> 00:18:21.299 well, what's all the detail 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:23.979 about this burial plot 00:18:23.979 --> 00:18:25.399 and the place it is 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:26.879 and that he bought it? 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:28.320 Why not just tell us 00:18:28.320 --> 00:18:28.940 he was buried? 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.800 Well, remember, 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:33.200 God had made a promise 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.920 to Abraham 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:36.160 that he would have a land 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:38.520 that he could call home, 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:41.520 the promised land of Canaan. 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:45.120 And as a sign of his faith 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:46.280 in God's promises, 00:18:46.780 --> 00:18:47.980 as we read at the end 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.680 of verse 10, 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:51.940 Abraham bought a burial site 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:53.080 in Canaan. 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.160 Yes, it was the Hittites, 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.540 but the land was known 00:18:56.540 --> 00:18:58.120 as the land of Canaan. 00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:00.180 And this whole account 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.519 of buying the land 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.840 is recorded for us 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:04.779 back in chapter 23. 00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:07.100 It's not a lot of land 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.560 that he manages to buy. 00:19:09.560 --> 00:19:11.120 It's just a field 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:12.800 with a cave in it, 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:16.320 somewhere to bury the dead. 00:19:17.040 --> 00:19:17.800 But for him, 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.660 it was much more 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.080 than just a burial site. 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.660 It was a foretaste 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:23.040 of what will one day 00:19:23.040 --> 00:19:24.500 be received. 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.040 You see, 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:28.060 when Abraham bought the land, 00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:30.300 he was investing 00:19:30.300 --> 00:19:31.740 in his future inheritance. 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.940 For Abraham, 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.720 this burial site 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:36.560 pointed to something greater 00:19:36.560 --> 00:19:38.019 and more eternal. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:41.000 Go with me, please, 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:43.340 to Hebrews chapter 11. 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:48.759 It's on page 1209, 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.679 if you're using a church Bible. 00:19:51.919 --> 00:19:52.759 1209, 00:19:53.159 --> 00:19:54.819 Hebrews chapter 11. 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.679 And here we see 00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:07.599 a gathering 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:09.879 that Abraham 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:12.099 was looking forward to. 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:16.179 We'll pick it up 00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:17.019 in verse 13. 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:18.279 We've read other verses 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.319 in chapter 11, 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:21.439 but here's verses 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.659 we haven't read. 00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:25.819 Chapter 11, 00:20:25.919 --> 00:20:26.659 verse 13. 00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:29.379 All these people 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:31.359 were still living by faith. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:33.199 People like Abraham 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:36.059 were living by faith 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:37.179 when they died. 00:20:38.179 --> 00:20:39.799 They did not receive 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:41.059 the things promised. 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:43.460 They only saw them 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.299 and welcomed them 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.279 from a distance, 00:20:45.679 --> 00:20:46.879 admitting that they were 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.599 foreigners 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.899 and strangers 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:49.659 on earth. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.419 They saw life 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.259 on this world 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.799 as temporary. 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.059 Verse 14. 00:20:57.399 --> 00:20:58.619 People who say 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.639 such things 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:01.059 show that they are 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.419 looking for a country 00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:03.579 of their own. 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:06.339 But what kind of country 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.899 was he looking forward to? 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:10.220 Well, we're told. 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.780 Verse 15. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.960 If they had been thinking 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.660 of the country 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.640 they had left, 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.280 they would have had 00:21:18.280 --> 00:21:19.800 opportunity to return. 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.120 Instead, 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.100 they were longing 00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:24.060 for a better country, 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.420 a heavenly one. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:27.920 Therefore, 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.340 God is not ashamed 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:30.580 to be called their God, 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.900 for he has prepared 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:34.340 a city for them. 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:36.959 Now, you can keep 00:21:36.959 --> 00:21:37.799 your Bibles open 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.459 there in Hebrews. 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.119 We're going to come 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.179 back to it in a minute. 00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:41.359 But look, 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:43.079 when Abraham died, 00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:45.740 he was first of all 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.119 raised and gathered 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:48.559 to his people. 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:50.459 He joined all those 00:21:50.459 --> 00:21:51.539 who by faith 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.699 were longing 00:21:52.699 --> 00:21:54.480 for their eternal home. 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.199 You see, 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.339 the physical land 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.879 of Canaan, 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.679 the place where 00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.559 he was buried, 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:00.220 was pointing to 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:03.139 not just the promised land, 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:06.920 but the eternal land. 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:09.300 The land of the new heavens 00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:10.180 and new earth, 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.360 a new country. 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:13.120 An inheritance 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:15.440 that would never perish, 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.240 spoil or fade. 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.700 In fact, 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.440 it was something 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.200 that was guaranteed. 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.960 It's promised to us 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.800 by God. 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.580 And he promises 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.960 to keep us 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:30.640 for that glorious inheritance. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:33.080 It's a double security. 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:35.000 You see, 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:36.400 this is what is promised 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:38.300 to all God's people. 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.080 We can have the sure 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:41.120 and certain hope 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:43.440 that we will be gathered 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:45.700 with and to his people, 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:47.580 that death is not 00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.920 the end of the story. 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:54.000 Abraham lived. 00:22:55.300 --> 00:22:56.080 He died. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.720 And he was gathered. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:01.460 And we too 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:03.900 can also be gathered. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:07.079 This is the story 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:08.600 of God's people. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.480 So fourth, 00:23:13.360 --> 00:23:14.039 lived, 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.319 died, 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.500 gathered, 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.880 raised. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.740 You see, 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.720 Abraham longed 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:24.079 for a better country. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:26.619 But why was he 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.699 so confident 00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:29.279 about his future? 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.500 How was he 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.519 so assured 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:33.759 of his eternal destiny? 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:35.179 Well, 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.960 one word. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.939 Resurrection. 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:41.019 Abraham believed 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.359 that God 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.659 could raise 00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:44.599 the dead. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:46.500 well, 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.519 how do you know that? 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:48.579 Well, 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.279 because the Bible 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.219 tells us. 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.279 Have a look at verse 17, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:54.000 Hebrews chapter 11, 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:55.039 verse 17. 00:23:56.699 --> 00:23:58.019 This is recording 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.740 the account 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.599 of when Abraham 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:01.179 was called 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.159 to sacrifice 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.240 his son Isaac, 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.259 although in fact 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.779 God never intended 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.719 that to happen 00:24:06.719 --> 00:24:07.500 because he would 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:07.959 provide 00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:09.740 something in place 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.379 of Isaac. 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.980 but let's see 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.820 what it says here, 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.640 verse 17. 00:24:13.780 --> 00:24:14.560 By faith, 00:24:14.760 --> 00:24:15.360 Abraham, 00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:16.660 when God 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.480 tested him, 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.560 offered Isaac 00:24:18.560 --> 00:24:19.580 as a sacrifice. 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.600 He who had 00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:22.240 embraced 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.300 the promises 00:24:23.300 --> 00:24:24.460 was about 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.180 to sacrifice 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.960 his one 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.300 and only son 00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:28.340 even though 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:29.100 God had said 00:24:29.100 --> 00:24:29.540 to him, 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.900 it is through Isaac 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.900 that your offspring 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:33.060 will be reckoned. 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.620 Even though 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.660 that the promised 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.520 blessings 00:24:36.520 --> 00:24:37.580 rested 00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:38.940 in Isaac 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:40.000 and in his family 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.599 to come, 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:42.319 Abraham believed. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.680 What did he believe? 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.980 Well, look at verse 19. 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:47.460 Abraham reasoned 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:49.019 that God 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:50.160 could even 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.920 raise 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.400 the dead. 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.079 Abraham 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:56.420 knew God 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.240 to be faithful 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.039 and he would 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.819 never break 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.359 his promise. 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.740 So Abraham 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.920 reasoned 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.839 in the faithful 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:03.779 God that he is. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:05.000 He calculated. 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.099 He weighed it 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.779 all up about 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.539 the character 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.039 of God 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:09.039 and all his 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.980 promises made. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.140 that even 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.099 if his son 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.940 was sacrificed, 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.480 even if his 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.299 son died, 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.380 God 00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:17.539 could take 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.519 Isaac by the 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:18.859 hand 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:20.059 and raise 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.660 him from the 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.059 dead. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.880 That's what 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.640 he believed. 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.119 And that's 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.720 what gave 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.319 Abraham 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.799 his confidence 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.339 and assurance. 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.019 God 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.920 could 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.660 raise 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.759 the dead. 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.440 God 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:38.140 would 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.500 say, 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.700 God 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:38.940 could 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.440 raise 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.039 the dead. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.140 God 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:41.299 could 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:43.759 raise 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.359 the dead. 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.460 Did God 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.359 raise the dead? 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.279 Was Abraham 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.460 right to put 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.559 all his hope 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.740 in God? 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.920 God 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.460 Well, 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.480 what Abraham 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.779 reasoned 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:58.759 we have 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.220 had 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.180 fulfilled. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.559 You see, 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:01.920 we have 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.440 something 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.620 better and 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:03.980 greater. 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.120 What Abraham 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:06.220 longed for 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.859 for God 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.700 to do, 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.380 we now 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.039 look back 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.720 on to what 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.720 God has 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.420 already 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.440 done. 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.079 We have 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.599 something 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.380 better and 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:16.779 greater, 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.460 don't we? 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.400 because we 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.920 know that 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.640 God has 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.319 sent his 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:20.759 son, 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.980 his only 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.460 son, 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.299 the son 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.019 he loved, 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.079 to die 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.100 for us. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.059 He died 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.640 to deal 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.360 with all 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:28.700 of our 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.180 failures 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.319 over all 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.920 the years 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.420 that we 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.120 may live. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.140 He takes 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.460 our 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.460 disobedience 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.120 on himself 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.880 and he 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.519 is punished 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:36.960 in our 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.500 place. 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.940 He dies 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.240 our 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.720 death. 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.500 But more 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.039 than that, 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.759 the scriptures 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.480 tell us 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.360 that three 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.200 days later 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.000 Jesus 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.980 bodily 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.440 and 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.059 physically 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.359 walked out 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:50.720 of that 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.180 grave, 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.160 out of 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:52.680 the tomb 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.319 of death 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.299 came a 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.380 life that 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.220 destroyed 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.880 death. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.079 So all 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.579 who put 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.339 their faith 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.339 in Jesus 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.779 have absolute 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.500 confidence 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.559 and complete 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.759 assurance that 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.700 death is not 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.240 the end, 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.200 it is only 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:09.000 the step 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.940 into our 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.539 eternal 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.460 destiny, 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.700 that better 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.519 country, 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.779 that heavenly 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.680 city. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.740 you see, 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.299 the death 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.140 of Abraham 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:22.180 gives us 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:22.759 a picture 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:24.140 here of 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.720 how we 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.019 should 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.680 understand 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.519 our own 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.279 death 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.920 and 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.619 resurrection. 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:30.539 all 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.519 centred in 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.159 and founded 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:33.239 upon the 00:27:33.239 --> 00:27:33.839 resurrection 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.439 of Jesus 00:27:34.439 --> 00:27:35.099 Christ as 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.539 he looked 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.259 forward in 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.559 faith, 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.319 we look 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.819 back in 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.239 faith. 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:40.139 For 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.699 Abraham, 00:27:41.239 --> 00:27:42.179 a resurrection 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:43.699 has happened 00:27:43.699 --> 00:27:45.219 and a 00:27:45.219 --> 00:27:45.799 resurrection 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:47.279 is yet 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.959 to come. 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.459 Well, 00:27:50.479 --> 00:27:50.879 what do you 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:51.159 mean? 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:52.539 Well, 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.479 first for 00:27:53.479 --> 00:27:53.879 Abraham, 00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.459 when he 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:56.000 first died, 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.559 his soul 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.759 was raised. 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.539 He was 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.940 gathered to 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.480 be with 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.220 his people, 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.019 the people 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.900 of faith. 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.120 His physical 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:06.380 body remained. 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.380 It was left 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.579 to decompose 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.279 in the grave 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.279 alongside his 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.980 wife Sarah. 00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:12.259 But his soul 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.000 was raised, 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.940 gathered with 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.620 the company 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.680 of God's 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.120 people. 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.340 Now, 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.100 that is true 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.779 for Abraham 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.859 and that 00:28:20.859 --> 00:28:21.399 is true 00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:22.339 for us 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:24.139 if we 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:24.619 put our 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.139 faith 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:26.420 in God. 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:29.039 The moment 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.819 we die, 00:28:31.139 --> 00:28:32.019 our soul 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.579 will be 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.339 raised, 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.379 gathered 00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:36.119 to be 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:36.539 with the 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.000 company 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.180 of God's 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.539 people. 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:40.920 But second, 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.660 there's another 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.299 resurrection, 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.000 isn't there? 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:44.759 For Abraham, 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.879 way back 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.240 then, 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.160 he was 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.740 waiting 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.740 for the 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.220 Lord's 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.759 return. 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.039 When Jesus 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.660 would come 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.399 again and 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:53.279 his soul 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:54.200 would be 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.000 reunited 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.899 with his 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.359 body, 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.279 a brand 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.960 new body, 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.700 not a body 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.160 that would 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.879 get corrupt 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.440 and get 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:00.859 sick, 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.940 but a body 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.440 that would 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.220 never get 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.759 sick and 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.519 never suffer 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:04.980 again. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.899 And when 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.599 the Lord 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.420 Jesus would 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.139 come again, 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.160 at that 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.039 moment in 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.720 the future, 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:13.619 Abraham 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.559 believed 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.359 that what 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:16.099 he longed 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.920 for would 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.519 become a 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.000 reality. 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:18.859 He would 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.759 step into 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.379 that new 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:20.980 creation, 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:21.920 that promised 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.559 land. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.319 Not just 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.980 a soul, 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.400 but a 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.819 physical 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.059 being 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:30.920 made new. 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.920 That isn't 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.700 just true for 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.039 Abraham, 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.099 it is true for 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.660 all who 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.240 trust in 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.579 God. 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.819 Well, 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.359 how can we 00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:39.879 be so 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.379 sure? 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:41.720 Well, 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.420 go with me 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:43.440 to 1st 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:45.080 Thessalonians. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.920 It's on 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:49.320 page 1188. 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.340 1st 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:52.380 Thessalonians 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:53.920 chapter 4, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.340 it's on 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:56.140 page 1188. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.960 We're going 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.360 to read 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.060 these verses 00:30:01.060 --> 00:30:01.680 together, 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:04.019 because I 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.440 think they 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.920 bring a 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.580 conclusion 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:07.379 to what 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:07.859 we've been 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.339 thinking 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.799 about. 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.559 We're 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.339 thinking about 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:15.059 a gathering 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.759 to be with 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.159 God's 00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:16.460 people, 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:16.960 that's our 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.399 first 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.039 resurrection, 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:18.579 and then 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.240 when Christ 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.960 returns, 00:30:20.439 --> 00:30:21.079 that full 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.839 and final 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.460 resurrection, 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:23.000 where we 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.399 will be 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:23.799 gathered 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.279 with all 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.720 God's 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.099 people. 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.720 Verse 13, 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.139 we'll pick 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:28.419 it up, 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.259 chapter 4, 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:30.179 verse 13. 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:32.120 Brothers 00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:33.000 and sisters, 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.019 we do 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.820 not want 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:36.340 you to 00:30:36.340 --> 00:30:37.460 be uninformed 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.320 about those 00:30:38.320 --> 00:30:39.259 who sleep 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.980 in death. 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:41.920 Now, 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.660 what's sleep 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.299 in death? 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:44.840 Well, 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.240 there's a 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.180 similar phrase 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:46.759 at the end 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.720 of verse 14, 00:30:47.820 --> 00:30:48.340 where it says 00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:49.259 about fallen 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.100 asleep in 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:50.380 him, 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.200 and the 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.519 end of 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.200 verse 15, 00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:53.700 the same 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.019 thing, 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.600 fallen 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:55.259 asleep. 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.600 It simply 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:58.240 means that 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.240 those who 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.160 have died 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:01.320 trusting 00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:02.540 in God. 00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:04.200 People 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.580 like 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.400 Abraham, 00:31:06.560 --> 00:31:06.880 any 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:07.420 person 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:07.940 who has 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.560 died 00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:09.420 and has 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.040 been trusting 00:31:10.040 --> 00:31:10.660 in God, 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.300 sleep 00:31:11.300 --> 00:31:12.620 in death. 00:31:13.360 --> 00:31:13.540 Their 00:31:13.540 --> 00:31:14.240 soul is 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.700 raised. 00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:15.480 So let's 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:15.920 read from 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.600 verse 13 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:16.980 again. 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:17.759 Brothers 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.400 and sisters, 00:31:18.560 --> 00:31:19.000 we do 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.519 not want 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:19.820 you to 00:31:19.820 --> 00:31:20.800 be uninformed 00:31:20.800 --> 00:31:22.160 about those 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:22.880 who sleep 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.259 in death, 00:31:23.300 --> 00:31:23.900 who died 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.480 trusting 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.180 in God, 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.680 so that 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.320 you do 00:31:27.320 --> 00:31:28.240 not grieve 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:28.720 like the 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.160 rest of 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.500 mankind 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.259 who have 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.759 no hope, 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.579 because we 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.220 do have 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.660 hope. 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:34.680 Verse 14, 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.319 for we 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:37.119 believe that 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.359 Jesus died 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:39.019 and rose 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.460 again, 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.019 and so we 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.660 believe that 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.279 God will 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.920 bring with 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:44.200 Jesus those 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:44.619 who have 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.460 fallen asleep 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.000 in him. 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.259 According to 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.960 the Lord's 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.339 word, 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.339 we tell you 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.000 that we 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.480 who are 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.400 still alive, 00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.599 that is, 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.099 if we're 00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:54.799 still living 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.539 by the time 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.240 Jesus is 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.019 coming again, 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.940 who are 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.700 left until 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.200 the coming 00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.559 of the 00:31:59.559 --> 00:31:59.859 Lord, 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.619 will 00:32:00.619 --> 00:32:01.180 certainly 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.539 not 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.059 precede 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.359 those 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:02.680 who have 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:02.960 fallen 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.559 asleep. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:04.720 For the 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.639 Lord himself 00:32:05.639 --> 00:32:06.740 will come 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.359 down from 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:08.359 heaven with 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.139 a loud 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.759 command, 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.379 with the 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.099 voice of 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.960 the archangel, 00:32:13.460 --> 00:32:13.839 and with 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.519 the trumpet 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.180 call of 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:15.579 God, 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.599 and the 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.599 dead in 00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:18.160 Christ 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.480 will rise 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.079 first. 00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:21.240 So people 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.119 like Abraham, 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.460 people that 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.240 we know of 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.799 who've died 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.680 trusting Christ, 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.380 will rise. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.000 And what 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.500 about us 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:27.779 if we're 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.400 still alive? 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.200 Verse 17, 00:32:29.620 --> 00:32:30.400 After that, 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:31.539 we who are 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.360 still alive 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:32.700 and are 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.700 left will 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.420 be caught 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:35.080 up together 00:32:35.080 --> 00:32:35.600 with them 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.019 in the 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:37.160 clouds to 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.799 meet the 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:38.539 Lord in 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.019 the air, 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.259 and so 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.320 we will 00:32:41.320 --> 00:32:41.820 be with 00:32:41.820 --> 00:32:42.440 the Lord 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.519 forever. 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.440 What a 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:45.900 sight! 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:47.519 What a 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.320 gathering that 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:48.900 will be! 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.180 All of 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:50.600 God's 00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:51.299 people from 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.100 all time 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.519 and all 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.019 history 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.920 gathered 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:55.160 together as 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:55.740 one new 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.200 people, 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.460 raised from 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.060 the dead, 00:32:59.180 --> 00:32:59.820 given their 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.400 brand new 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:00.840 body, 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:03.360 looking forward, 00:33:04.300 --> 00:33:05.200 enjoying and 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:07.080 experiencing that 00:33:07.080 --> 00:33:08.759 heavenly country, 00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:10.240 the new 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.900 creation, 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:11.920 where there is 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.460 no more 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.700 suffering and 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.279 no more 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:14.640 death. 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.080 Verse 18, 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.620 Therefore, 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:21.800 encourage one 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:23.299 another with 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:24.200 these words. 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.680 So you 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.059 see, 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:30.460 Abraham's 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.059 death 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:32.599 didn't end 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.279 in death. 00:33:34.099 --> 00:33:35.000 He lived, 00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:36.740 he died, 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.220 he was 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.200 gathered to 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.899 his people, 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:41.039 and he 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.919 along with 00:33:41.919 --> 00:33:42.700 us are 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.779 looking forward 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:44.299 to the 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.779 Lord's 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.240 return, 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.019 where he 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.619 will gather 00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.639 all God's 00:33:47.639 --> 00:33:48.019 people, 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:50.239 and we 00:33:50.239 --> 00:33:50.779 will reign 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.379 with him 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:52.779 forever. 00:33:54.139 --> 00:33:55.259 What hope 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:55.919 we have, 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.839 what encouragement 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.659 for us 00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:59.500 today. 00:34:00.179 --> 00:34:00.979 Let's pray. 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.219 Father, 00:34:12.319 --> 00:34:13.339 we thank you 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:15.420 for the 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.420 life of 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:16.980 Abraham. 00:34:18.280 --> 00:34:19.059 We thank 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.400 you for 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.300 his life 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:21.019 and his 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.480 account 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.160 recorded 00:34:22.160 --> 00:34:22.960 for us, 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:26.559 telling us 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.900 all about 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.480 what he 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:28.840 did, 00:34:29.700 --> 00:34:30.400 how he 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.880 died, 00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:33.200 how he 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:33.800 was gathered, 00:34:35.620 --> 00:34:36.300 how he's 00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.300 longing and 00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:38.160 looking forward 00:34:38.160 --> 00:34:39.740 to that 00:34:39.740 --> 00:34:40.240 final 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:40.900 resurrection. 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:43.619 thank you 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:43.940 Lord, 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.079 that with 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.740 the same 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.280 faith, 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.960 we too 00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.740 have hope. 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.380 We have 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:51.039 hope in 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.780 death today, 00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:53.539 life to 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.220 come for 00:34:54.220 --> 00:34:55.200 all eternity. 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.619 Peace 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.240 with you, 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.599 rest at 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.139 last. 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.300 Thank you 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:03.280 Lord Jesus 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:05.200 for your 00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:05.860 victory 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:07.160 over death 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:07.619 today. 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.519 Please 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:09.900 will you 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.880 send us 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:12.280 with that 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:12.880 word of 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.500 encouragement 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:15.200 and may 00:35:15.200 --> 00:35:15.599 we 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:16.500 encourage 00:35:16.500 --> 00:35:17.280 all those 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:17.880 we meet 00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:19.240 with the 00:35:19.240 --> 00:35:20.599 truth of 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.140 our risen 00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:21.760 saviour. 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.260 Amen.