WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.120 Let's just bow our heads in prayer. 00:00:04.120 --> 00:00:12.300 Father, we thank you, Father, for your words, for the words of Scripture. 00:00:12.820 --> 00:00:16.440 We ask, Father, that you help us to be ones who read your word, 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:19.320 who memorize your word, who meditate upon your word. 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:26.019 And Father, we invite and give you unconditional, unqualified permission 00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:30.699 for your word to speak at the very depths of our heart and form us. 00:00:30.759 --> 00:00:35.399 And we ask this and offer this in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. 00:00:36.060 --> 00:00:36.420 Amen. 00:00:37.019 --> 00:00:37.939 Please be seated. 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:48.579 The first couple of years that I was in this church were very, very, very hard for me. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:54.700 And some of you, not many of you here were here during that time period. 00:00:54.700 --> 00:00:57.359 You know that people didn't want me to be the minister. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:02.280 They let me know in direct words and indirect words. 00:01:02.940 --> 00:01:09.600 I had public meetings where people said that my coming here had destroyed the moral tone 00:01:09.600 --> 00:01:13.379 and character of the congregation, and nobody defended me. 00:01:13.820 --> 00:01:18.719 It was a very, very hard couple of years, both on myself and my wife. 00:01:19.579 --> 00:01:24.400 And during that time period, that first couple of years, sort of towards the end of it, 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:28.920 when I was having a very hard time, I got invited to this invitation-only event. 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:30.960 I don't know why I pointed that way. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:33.260 Actually, I think it was that way somewhere in Ottawa. 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:38.920 And when I got invited to it, and I was going to go, I was really pleased to be invited to it. 00:01:38.940 --> 00:01:42.780 And I saw the list of speakers that one of the main speakers at the event was 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:50.000 a very well-known at the time Anglican evangelical author, pastor, and evangelist. 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:51.160 Some of you might have heard of him. 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:52.259 His name is Michael Green. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:57.659 If any of you have looked at some of the writings about who has really influenced Tim Keller's life, 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:01.239 Michael Green was one of the people who profoundly influenced Tim Keller. 00:02:01.879 --> 00:02:03.359 Anyway, I heard there was going to be an Ottawa. 00:02:03.439 --> 00:02:04.840 I thought it would just be really nice to meet him. 00:02:05.700 --> 00:02:06.299 Nothing else. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:07.780 I just thought it would be really nice to meet him. 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:12.460 And so I knew somebody who knew everybody who was anybody in the entire Anglican world. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:15.680 And that person passed on the message. 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:19.620 And one day, about a week before Michael came, I got a phone call. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:22.219 He had a deep Oxbridge voice. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:24.680 Is Mr. George Sinclair here? 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:27.379 Anyway, I can't imitate his deep voice. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:30.659 And anyway, I said, you're going to be in Ottawa. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:31.580 I live in Ottawa. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:33.920 Could I buy you lunch or supper or breakfast? 00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:36.400 You just name the meal, and I'll meet you and buy it. 00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:40.680 And he said, oh, sure, why don't you, this particular night, why don't we meet and you can buy me supper. 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:43.740 And we met at a diner on Elgin Street. 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:44.360 His choice. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:46.500 I would have paid for more, but that was his choice. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:50.740 Anyway, during the course, we talked, and Chad, he asked me a little bit about me. 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:56.580 But, you know, I, you know, and I didn't unburden him about how hard I was finding it. 00:02:57.140 --> 00:02:59.020 But I just, you know, shared and everything. 00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:01.599 I'm going to get a bit emotional. 00:03:02.020 --> 00:03:03.099 Didn't plan to. 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:09.419 The next day when I was at the event, I was chatting with one of the other speakers. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:12.859 And, in fact, the other sort of principal speaker. 00:03:12.979 --> 00:03:20.519 And as we were chatting, he said to me, you're the fellow that Michael was talking about with me last night and this morning. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:21.740 We prayed for you. 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:24.939 He saw that you were having a really hard time. 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:29.000 It was very moving. 00:03:29.099 --> 00:03:30.159 I still get emotional thinking. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:31.680 I didn't plan to get emotional. 00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:32.180 I'm sorry. 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:39.020 But it was very emotional because he saw me like he saw me. 00:03:40.040 --> 00:03:46.659 This famous guy that gets invited to big conferences and writes, you know, best-selling books. 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:49.020 He saw me and he cared about me. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:49.719 He prayed for me. 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:52.480 And he got another fellow without revealing my identity. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:56.719 It was only when I shared, you know, where my church was and everything that the guy put two and two together. 00:03:57.020 --> 00:03:58.080 And it was very moving. 00:03:58.080 --> 00:04:05.300 Every human being has a deep need to be seen. 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:12.600 And not just to be seen, but to be seen with the eyes of love and heard. 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:15.880 Every human being has that profound, deep need. 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:22.240 The Bible text we're going to look at today doesn't seem to address this issue. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:29.439 But in fact, it is all about this issue at a very deep level. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:32.300 It just tells you in the context of the narrative. 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:33.620 And it's only... 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:36.360 See, one of the things that's neat about stories is you remember the stories. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:39.360 And stories don't necessarily just explain themselves. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:51.560 But when you look at the story in the context of the things that go around it, you realize that this story is actually addressing this, talking about how Jesus in the gospel addresses this very deep need of our hearts. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:54.860 So if you have your Bibles with you, it will be on the screen. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:05:00.519 But it's really good to have a Bible of your own and to be able to mark it and write it. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:01.939 And we're going to look at the story. 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:04.759 So here's how the story goes. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:11.220 Sorry, I'm moving my papers around so I can occasionally look at my notes and not get completely lost. 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:13.439 Here's how the story goes. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:14.639 It's Acts chapter 1. 00:05:14.779 --> 00:05:18.680 And we're looking at verses 15 and following right now. 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:28.040 And just so you know what's happened, Luke has made the claim that this is an eyewitness-based biography of the early Christians. 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:30.220 It's his second book. 00:05:30.340 --> 00:05:37.480 His first book was an eyewitness account, while eyewitnesses were still alive, of what Jesus said and didn't teach. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:40.699 And he just reminds people that he'd written that first book. 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:42.480 He's doing the same thing in the second book. 00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:47.780 And he gives you another example of what Jesus actually did rise from the dead. 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:50.119 He has Jesus eating with his disciples. 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:54.559 And then we have the story of Jesus ascending into heaven. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:59.000 And then the people leave that because Jesus gives them a mission. 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:01.459 But they go and he tells them to wait. 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:05.439 One of the hardest things in the Christian life is learning how to wait on God, by the way. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:07.299 That's a whole other topic of conversation. 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:17.520 But the 120-ish of them, including Mary and Jesus' brothers and sisters, so we learn that they have obviously seen the risen Jesus. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:20.319 They now believe in him and trust in him as their Lord and Savior. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:22.139 And they're meeting for prayer. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:24.300 And now this incident happens. 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:25.340 And here's how it goes. 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:26.180 Verse 15. 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:30.560 In those days, Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:33.740 The company of persons was in all about 120. 00:06:34.620 --> 00:06:35.720 And he said, 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:49.660 Brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:55.620 For he was numbered among us and allotted his share in this ministry. 00:06:56.820 --> 00:07:02.460 Now this man, Judas, acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:05.740 And falling headlong, he burst open in the middle. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:09.480 And all his bowels gushed out, his intestines. 00:07:10.520 --> 00:07:13.920 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:18.460 So that, the field was called in their own language, akeldama. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:20.860 That is the field of blood. 00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:22.160 Now just sort of pause. 00:07:22.840 --> 00:07:31.080 And you might be saying, okay, George, that's very curious that somehow or another this story speaks about being seen and being understood. 00:07:31.580 --> 00:07:32.439 Well, here's the thing. 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:40.819 I don't want to give away the name in case there's some of you here who've never watched the Lord of the Ring movies or read the books. 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:55.980 But in the Lord of the Ring movies and books, about midway through the first one, one of the characters that you think is going to be one of the most important characters in the entire book dies. 00:07:57.659 --> 00:07:58.759 He dies. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:06.439 And I still remember very clearly the first time I read it how completely and utterly shocked I was that he died. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:08.199 And he dies. 00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:10.060 And he's dead for the rest of the book. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:11.639 He's dead for all of the second book. 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:22.819 And then in the third book, it turns out that, in effect, it's a bit of like a Christ resurrection type of motif a little bit in the book of, in the Lord of the Rings. 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:23.800 But he's alive. 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:29.939 And after, in the third book, he appears and people begin to know that he's alive. 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:37.779 One of the running themes throughout the rest of the book is that everybody who knows that he's dead, they see him and they do like a double take. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:39.019 You're dead. 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:40.379 Like, what are you doing here? 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:43.759 And it's like, it's a big shock to them. 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:50.340 So what's happening here in the book of Acts isn't quite like that, but it's similar to that. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:52.080 And that's this. 00:08:52.780 --> 00:09:00.000 What on earth is Peter and the disciples doing praying together with Jesus? 00:09:00.780 --> 00:09:03.440 Like, why is Peter different than Judas? 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:09.780 You see, Judas betrayed Jesus. 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:12.019 No question about that. 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:13.620 But who else betrayed Jesus? 00:09:13.800 --> 00:09:15.660 Who else denied Jesus publicly? 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:16.600 Peter did. 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:24.480 And not only did Peter deny Jesus publicly and the other 10 disciples, none of the 11 of them were around when Jesus was being crucified. 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:26.000 They all hid. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:27.000 They all denied him. 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:28.279 They all fled from him. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:30.600 They all... 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:40.860 I mean, Judas was a little bit worse, but there's not a huge difference between Judas and Peter and the other 10. 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.720 So what is Peter doing there? 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:47.460 And why is Peter's fate so different than Judas' fate? 00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:59.740 And we see here, if you look at the two ancient stories, biographies, true biographies of the time, you'll see that what happened is that Judas, after he betrayed Jesus, he gets paid money. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:01.920 And then he has remorse. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:05.720 He has great regret and sorrow over what he's done. 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:08.800 And he goes and he brings the... and he gives the money back. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:15.399 And the religious leaders, being legalistic nitpickers, say, oh, we can't touch that money. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:17.340 Like, that money was used to betray people. 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:20.139 Like, we gave the money, but now you can't... 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:22.300 Anyway, that's just a whole other sermon, right? 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:26.639 And so they use the money to buy a field to bury foreigners in. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:31.679 And then obviously what happens is Judas discovers that he's still overcome with sorrow. 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:36.419 The sorrow has now, and his grief and sadness, has now turned into despair. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:39.980 And it's a very, very, very tragic story. 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:44.240 Here's Judas, who had been one of the most trusted of all the disciples. 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.659 They trusted him to keep the money. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:47.679 He was three years with Jesus. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:48.699 He saw Jesus. 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:49.500 He knew Jesus. 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:50.960 He was trusted by Jesus. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.580 He knew Jesus' heart. 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:53.539 He knew all of these things. 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.399 But he's overcome with despair. 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.779 He's overcome with sorrow. 00:10:57.339 --> 00:11:04.019 He goes and he actually commits suicide by hanging in the field that has been bought with his blood money. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.179 And he dies. 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:11.179 Not only does he die alone committing suicide, but there's no loved one to cut him down. 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:14.980 Like, it's very tragic. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:22.699 Nobody cuts him down to the point that his whole body, through decomposition, falls off of the noose and falls on the ground. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:30.980 And it very graphically describes in a non-family-friendly way his entire guts just burst out. 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.259 And nobody cleans it up. 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:33.900 Like, that's a horrible end. 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:38.440 It's a horrible, horrible, alone end in despair. 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:43.120 Why isn't Peter the same? 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:49.220 In fact, actually, we know that Peter also was completely and utterly... 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:53.279 It wasn't like he's one of these guys that just sort of brazens it out and says, I didn't do anything wrong. 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:54.200 No. 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:56.320 In fact, actually, it's really interesting. 00:11:57.460 --> 00:12:01.539 There's all of the four ancient biographies, eyewitness biographies of Jesus. 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:04.299 They all record Peter's betrayal, his denial. 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:07.299 But Luke has a very interesting, unique picture. 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:12.819 And if you go back and you look at the four of them, you'll see that Jesus, you know, he spent time with this guy. 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:13.339 And then they moved. 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:14.419 They went and brought him here. 00:12:14.479 --> 00:12:15.500 And they brought him here. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:18.000 And there was a bit of a ping-pong going on with Jesus. 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:20.019 And one of the things... 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:25.559 And we all know that Jesus has warned Peter that Peter's going to deny him three times. 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:27.639 And Peter says, no, no, I'm not that guy. 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:28.620 That's not going to happen to me. 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:31.460 I'm too strong, too courageous, too brave. 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:32.759 I know you. 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:33.659 I love you too much. 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:35.120 And he says all these things to Jesus. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:37.080 And then Peter is there. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:41.919 And after the third time that Peter denies Jesus, Luke adds this one other detail. 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:43.860 The same guy who's writing the book of Acts. 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:49.940 And that Jesus is obviously being taken from one of his appointments to another. 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:55.480 And as he's walking from one building to another, Jesus looks at Peter. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:13:01.259 And I guess the people that Peter's with, having denied Jesus, they're all looking over at Jesus. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.399 And Peter looks over. 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:05.379 And Jesus and Peter lock eyes. 00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:08.860 They lock eyes. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:15.500 And at that moment of locking eyes, Peter bursts into tears. 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:18.820 And is overwhelmed with sorrow. 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:21.100 And grief and sadness. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:25.559 Because he realizes he's betrayed Jesus three times. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.320 He's denied him three times. 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:31.299 So what's different between the two? 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:34.939 If you could put up the next scripture text. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:38.799 Usually you know that I just camp in one text all the time. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:44.259 But today I'm going to look actually at three other texts to help us understand the story a little bit better and more powerfully. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:46.439 And if you could put up the first text. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:51.299 It's from 2 Corinthians, hopefully, chapter 7, verse 10. 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:57.299 And if you get nothing else out of the sermon today other than a desire to memorize this passage of scripture, 00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:59.899 then God has been very kind to us. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:03.639 This is a very profound text of scripture. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.240 And it says this. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:12.259 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:17.480 Whereas worldly grief produces death. 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:19.419 Say it again. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:26.519 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:29.879 Whereas worldly grief produces death. 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:37.459 Like there's a path set before us when we feel sadness and sorrow and grieve over the wrongs that we've done. 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:45.600 And all of us probably have experienced either people who have wronged us or people whom we have wronged. 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:48.480 Where the relationship is permanently ended. 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:55.139 And not only is there a grief and a sorrow and a sadness over the wrong that you have done. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.340 That I have done. 00:14:56.460 --> 00:15:01.680 But there is a grief and a sorrow and a sadness that the relationship is permanently broken. 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:06.799 And the Bible here is saying that there's two types of grief. 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:08.199 There's two types of sorrow. 00:15:08.359 --> 00:15:09.659 There's two types of repentance. 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:12.019 There's two types of sadness. 00:15:12.239 --> 00:15:21.620 One of them, when it says worldly, it's in a sense, you know, all despair is rooted in pride. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:21.740 Pride. 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:22.620 Pride. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:22.980 Pride. 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.620 Pride. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:26.799 All despair is rooted in pride. 00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:38.639 And so in our pride, our sorrow and sadness and grief gets deeper and more extensive in our life. 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:41.240 And it just leads to death. 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.940 That's Judas. 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:46.759 Judas had that worldly grief. 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:54.360 See, this is sort of how, you know, the story gives you, in a sense, like a type of architecture and furniture for the Christian faith. 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:56.200 And then you read other texts like that and say, oh, that's Judas. 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:58.680 That's what that text is illustrating. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.240 That's Judas. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:05.399 Peter represents, and the other ten disciples, they represent the godly sorrow. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:12.919 Godly grief, godly sorrow, godly sadness produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:21.919 And repentance always involves humility, humbling yourself like a little child. 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:26.759 And acknowledging wrongdoing. 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:30.120 And asking for forgiveness. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:42.179 And one of the things which is so beautiful about this whole story is this whole story, remember, Luke says that he just wrote another book. 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:47.340 And this whole story is framed with the message of forgiveness. 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:49.980 This is why we're going to look at two other texts of the Bible. 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:54.379 I don't do this as much, but it's framed with the message of forgiveness. 00:16:54.379 --> 00:17:01.320 So if you look, if you turn in your Bibles to Luke, you can't use these little booklets, obviously, for that, because it just has Acts. 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:10.720 But if you turn to Luke chapter 24, verses 46 to 48, we have here one of the resurrection appearances of Jesus. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:12.779 And he's come to his disciples. 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:18.740 And his disciples are all bent out of shape because the grave is empty. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:21.039 They're there with locked doors. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.180 They're terrified. 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:24.299 The doors are locked. 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:25.420 The windows are closed. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.180 They're terrified. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.880 Jesus appears in their midst. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.420 He shows them he's alive. 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:32.180 And he doesn't tell them, you dirty rats. 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:35.580 I never want to have anything to do with you again for the rest of your life. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:38.060 You are such betrayers. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.820 I'm getting rid of the 11 of you. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.000 I'm going to pick 11 people. 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:42.100 No, he doesn't say I'm going to get. 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.900 What does he say? 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.740 Well, he says several things. 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:46.220 But here's one of the things he says. 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:48.580 Verse 46, thus it is written. 00:17:49.580 --> 00:17:51.060 Actually, it's not on the screen. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:52.799 He opened their mind to understand the scriptures. 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:59.139 And then he says, thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:08.559 And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to every people group on the planet. 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.379 Beginning from Jerusalem. 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:13.599 You are witnesses of these things. 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:19.740 Jesus says, I died so you could be forgiven. 00:18:21.459 --> 00:18:23.219 And that's just how Luke ends. 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:27.619 And then look what happens in the story right after this. 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:34.959 If you turn in your Bibles now to Acts chapter 2, verses 37 to 39. 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:37.419 Because what's going to happen after this story? 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:39.439 We're going to look at it two weeks from now. 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:42.259 But right after this story is the Pentecost. 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:47.659 The Holy Spirit comes upon 120 or more of these people. 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:51.060 And then Peter preaches the very first Christian sermon. 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:57.120 And at the end of that very, very first Christian sermon is this. 00:18:58.140 --> 00:19:00.740 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart. 00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:06.360 That's the crowd who'd come together because of the roar of the noise and the tongues of fire. 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:10.420 And people speaking in the languages of all the known people groups of the earth. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:14.160 So verse 37, now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart. 00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:16.800 And said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, 00:19:17.080 --> 00:19:19.340 Brothers, what shall we do? 00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:21.500 And Peter said to them, 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:26.120 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:32.600 For the forgiveness of your sins. 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:36.660 And you'll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:40.620 For the promise, this promise of forgiveness of sins. 00:19:40.800 --> 00:19:44.940 And the Holy Spirit is for you and for your children. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.759 And for all who are far off. 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:51.440 Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:57.759 I guess if this was a southern congregation, I'd have people saying amen. 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:03.560 But if you're watching this, we're not in Alabama or Mississippi. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:05.960 We're in cold Ottawa. 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:08.079 Although it's going to be a really beautiful day today. 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.440 You see, that's the thing. 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:12.299 Which is the difference, you see. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:17.599 Is that Peter, to receive repentance involves humility. 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:22.460 It involves trusting that Jesus actually died. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:24.139 That I might be forgiven. 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:27.240 When Peter and the apostles hear this. 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.919 And hear this message. 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:32.500 And it fits with what they understood of Jesus' heart. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:34.019 That he died. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:36.220 His death actually isn't a failure. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.519 He's risen from the dead. 00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.500 He's vindicated. 00:20:39.060 --> 00:20:43.039 And his death is this profound act of forgiveness. 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.580 If you could put up the first point. 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:47.080 You see, here's the wonderful news of the gospel. 00:20:47.560 --> 00:20:53.380 In Jesus, God forgives your inexcusable sin. 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:57.259 Peter had no excuse. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:21:00.900 Peter, before the cock crows. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.799 A couple of times. 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.140 You're going to deny me three times. 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:05.160 And he goes and does it. 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:07.279 What's Peter's excuse going to be? 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.000 Oh, Peter, Jesus should have warned me. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.460 Oh yeah, dang, you did warn me. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.140 Like, I don't know. 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:13.440 See, here's the thing that's so powerful. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:20.500 That Jesus, in Jesus, God forgives your inexcusable sin. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:33.859 Now, in the Christian life, God is going to convict you of sin as you walk in him. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:46.140 But his plan for you, his heart for you, isn't that you live constantly in regret and feeling inadequate and feeling weak and feeling guilty and feeling ashamed. 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:48.200 That's not his desire for you. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:55.220 His desire for you is that you would repent and believe the gospel and know that you have been forgiven. 00:21:55.220 --> 00:22:07.839 And in the power of that forgiveness to begin to call out to him for help, to amend your life, whatever's required. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:13.579 Now, three things in the rest of the story help to bring this home. 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:20.879 So, the first one is, if we go back to our text, which is Acts 1, 15 to 19. 00:22:20.959 --> 00:22:21.659 I haven't read all of it. 00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:22.699 But the first one is this. 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:27.199 The first one is to understand that what actually we're talking about happened. 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:29.579 This isn't like me talking to you about Santa Claus. 00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:31.159 It's not talking about the great pumpkin. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.939 It's not talking about the Easter bunny. 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:35.859 I'm talking about what actually happened. 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:38.059 Jesus really did die on the cross. 00:22:38.459 --> 00:22:40.139 He really did rise from the dead. 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:46.559 And if he really did die on the cross and rise from the dead, then what he says and who he is is vindicated. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.419 It means that we should believe it. 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.939 And it all happened in history. 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.839 Actually, it's not going to be on the screen. 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:57.679 If you look up at verse 15, when it says, in those days, to begin it, that's a very significant phrase. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.419 It doesn't say, once upon a time. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:03.959 Once upon a time, there was a princess and she falls into a sleep. 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.839 No, it doesn't say that. 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:09.439 But it says, in those days, it's like, you know, a couple of us old guys saying, back in the day. 00:23:10.419 --> 00:23:11.839 We used to do this, you know. 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:16.779 Like, actually, I could have said, like, back in the day, when I wanted to get a hold of Michael Green, there weren't cell phones. 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:20.539 So back in the day, you had to find their home number. 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:23.720 There were these things called phone books back in the day. 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:25.599 That's what Luke is saying. 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.659 Back in the day. 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:36.820 And then, if you look at it as well in verse 19, when it says, it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem what happened to Judas. 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:39.800 That's one of the other things which is so powerful. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:48.360 It's why only the real resurrection of Jesus accounts for the birth of Christianity and the growth of Christianity. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:52.500 Jesus died in a way that everybody knew that he had died. 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:56.339 And everybody in Jerusalem would have known that the grave was empty. 00:23:56.459 --> 00:24:00.119 And everybody in Jerusalem would have known that they couldn't find the body. 00:24:00.459 --> 00:24:07.519 And everybody in Jerusalem would have known, starting in a few days, that people had seen him alive. 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:11.459 It was a public event in terms of what had happened. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.840 So it's a true event. 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:20.980 It helps us to understand that when God says that there is a way of coming to him, that we can experience sorrow over whatever we have done. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:28.039 But when it is combined with repentance, humility and repentance and trusting in the gospel, it leads to life, not death. 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:36.400 And the other second thing which this story shows, which helps bring us home, is that God himself is telling you this. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:38.220 It's not just George Sinclair. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:40.500 It's God telling you this. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:44.339 Look at what happens here in verse 16. 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:49.779 Brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.559 Listen to this. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:25:01.259 Which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.339 See, that's the Christian message. 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:06.640 That when I read this book, 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:15.720 I am reading the words that the Holy Spirit spoke to me through the mouth of these human authors. 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:20.120 I meant to do this, but I forgot. 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:26.000 It's really like if I was to draw something on the screen, it would be the Bible, God's word written. 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:29.339 And then there's a thick line and everything else is underneath it. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:39.900 Human traditions, creeds, liturgies, prophetic utterances, speaking in tongues, human wisdom, theologians, C.S. Lewis, Michael Green. 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:42.940 Everything is underneath the line and on one side of the line. 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:45.880 And we need C.S. Lewis and all that other stuff. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:49.780 But there's that God's word, which is completely and utterly different. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.820 Nothing else in the Bible is described. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:56.160 Tradition isn't described with this same very, very stark turn. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:26:04.840 And so, here's the thing. 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.860 I don't know where you all are. 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:10.279 I know many of you love Jesus. 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:12.040 I don't know where many of you are online. 00:26:12.320 --> 00:26:13.460 I know many of you love Jesus. 00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:16.940 But maybe there's some people here who've been deconstructing their fear. 00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:20.920 They're in a bit of a doubting and deconstructing phase of their life. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:24.160 And they're not sure if they're going to continue on with the church. 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:26.720 And maybe some of you are on a spiritual quest. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:37.519 But one of the things that I think most Canadians would be united in is that God, whoever God is, whatever God is, he, she, it, they, doesn't speak. 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:42.100 That would probably be one of the criteria that Canadians give. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:46.720 Well, if God exists, he, she, it, they, God doesn't speak. 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:49.160 Some type of force or something like that. 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:51.100 Ask yourself these questions. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:55.339 If you can speak, why can't God? 00:26:58.939 --> 00:27:07.079 And if you meet a creature or something or other that can't speak, you know it is less than you. 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:09.939 You know it is less than you. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:20.820 If so, why do you insist on or want a God that cannot speak? 00:27:21.320 --> 00:27:23.559 Like, why is that part of Canadians' criteria? 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.700 You can speak. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.980 Why can't God? 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:32.860 And if you meet some type of being that can't even say a single word or understand a word, 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:35.159 you know that it's less than you. 00:27:36.699 --> 00:27:40.619 You know, in one level, a waterfall is more powerful than you, but another level, it's less than you. 00:27:42.199 --> 00:27:50.759 Does this reveal that you, in fact, average Canadian, want a God that is less than you so you can pretend you're God? 00:27:50.759 --> 00:28:05.900 If that is at the heart of who you are, you are always prone to despair because it is an unacknowledged pride and all despair is rooted in pride. 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:11.060 If you can speak and be heard and understood, why can't God? 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:16.400 If you can speak and be remembered, why can't God? 00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:26.140 And in fact, actually, if in your relationships you expect people to remember what you've said and you get upset if they don't remember what you've said, then why can't God? 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:39.880 If you can, so if you can do this, shouldn't the true God, the one that you've been looking for, shouldn't he be able to do all of these things even better? 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:48.700 Shouldn't he be able to speak and have his words remembered and recorded and be public even better than a human being could? 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:55.540 You see, the resurrection validates Jesus in his message, but it's also, in fact, 00:28:55.539 --> 00:29:05.279 as you think about it, that reason itself will also tell us that the God that he reveals is the God that, in fact, we are looking for. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.720 And other gods aren't gods. 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:19.319 And then it's even more, as you understand, well, this next bit, the third reason why God's heart for you is that you would experience 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:23.879 a godly sorrow and sadness and grief over the wrongs that you've done. 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:26.420 Let's look at how the text concludes. 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.520 Verse 20. 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:32.460 So, you know, he just described what's happened to Judas. 00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:35.120 And then in verse 20, Peter goes on, 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:55.619 So, or therefore, one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 00:29:55.619 --> 00:30:01.579 beginning from the baptism of John the Baptist until the day when Jesus was taken up from us, 00:30:02.479 --> 00:30:05.479 one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection. 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:11.120 And what they're saying is, in a sense, they know actually from, I'm not going to show you the text, 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:13.620 but Jesus sort of said that there'd be 12 apostles. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:19.860 It's sort of what he's about to do in Acts 2 is, in a sense, there's to be a new Israel 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:22.779 and a new mission to the world. 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:26.839 And we'll look at that over the next three weeks and then following. 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:30.399 And so they know that there's a gap and they need to replace him. 00:30:31.199 --> 00:30:36.339 And so, verse 23, they put forward two candidates, 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:41.139 Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justice, and Matthias. 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:43.019 And they prayed. 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.699 That's the 120 of them. 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:49.900 And they said, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:56.519 show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:59.420 from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.640 And they cast lots. 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.279 I'll talk about that in a moment. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.640 They cast lots for them. 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:08.140 And the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the 11 apostles. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:11.740 Now, here's the thing about the text. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:19.380 If you go back and look at the prayer that they pray, beginning in verse 24, 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:22.299 it's really interesting. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.000 Do you notice here? 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:28.380 If one of your Islamic friends or a Jehovah Witness or a Baha'i 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:34.680 tells you that the early Christians didn't worship Jesus and didn't believe that he was God, 00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:38.039 you can just point them to an eyewitness biography like this. 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:40.259 They pray to Jesus. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:44.279 They pray to Jesus. 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.680 That's what they just did. 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.779 You, Lord. 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.359 They're praying to Jesus. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.759 And then here, it's translated very well, 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:53.079 who knows the hearts of all. 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:55.019 Literally in the Greek, it says, 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:57.940 You, Lord, heart knower. 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:01.400 That's what it literally says. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:03.900 You, Lord, heart knower. 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:15.940 You see, this is one of the things which is so just profoundly beautiful about this text. 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:25.460 Peter, having denied Jesus three times, 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:32.200 and then Jesus looks at him, 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:36.019 and Peter looks at him in their eyes locked, 00:32:37.080 --> 00:32:41.000 and Peter's overcome with grief and sorrow and sadness. 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:45.799 But then in the days that are to come, 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.859 and with the resurrection, 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:54.640 Peter comes to realize that Jesus is his heart knower. 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:57.980 Jesus sees him. 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.500 Michael Green saw me, 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:03.020 and he loved me in a very small way. 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:05.520 But Jesus sees you, 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.920 and he loves you. 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:10.620 And he sees your shame. 00:33:11.580 --> 00:33:12.660 He sees your sin. 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:17.000 He sees the bits of crap in your life. 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.900 For those of us who are here, 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:21.700 who are struggling with senses of profound failure, 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:24.279 maybe his failure is in relationships, 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.500 or as parents, 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.360 or financially, 00:33:26.560 --> 00:33:27.160 or in job, 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:28.840 or all of the above and ten others, 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:33.440 Jesus is the heart knower who sees you. 00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:35.360 In fact, if you could put up the point, Claire, 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:38.019 Jesus is the heart knower who sees you, 00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:40.159 and died for you, 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:43.240 so you can be forgiven and be free. 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.539 That's who Jesus is. 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:47.359 That's who died on the cross for you. 00:33:47.959 --> 00:33:49.639 The one who died on the cross for you 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:52.059 is your heart knower, 00:33:52.479 --> 00:33:53.799 who sees you. 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:02.299 And when you know that you've been seen and understood, 00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:04.459 and still the person so loves you 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.259 and cares for you, 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:07.079 Michael Green just prayed for me. 00:34:08.220 --> 00:34:09.619 Jesus died for me. 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:13.320 That I might be forgiven. 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:15.280 He died for you, 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.400 that you might be forgiven. 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.480 Some of you might say, 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:23.400 just in closing, 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:23.840 George, 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.780 you know, 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.619 you said all about this, 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.280 and it sounds all good, 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:27.800 and then they go ahead 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:29.500 and they cast lots to make a decision. 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.500 Like, that just sounds like 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.619 something out of paganism, 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:33.699 or something just completely and utterly crazy. 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.339 Actually, 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:37.239 it's not, 00:34:37.319 --> 00:34:38.839 and I don't want to take a long time 00:34:38.839 --> 00:34:40.099 to answer the question, 00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:42.139 but you'll see in the rest of the Bible 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:45.019 that they never cast lots again. 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:49.599 What they want is they want God's direction. 00:34:50.759 --> 00:34:52.699 If you could put up the final point, Claire, 00:34:52.759 --> 00:34:53.759 that would be very helpful 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:55.440 while I just briefly explain it. 00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:58.420 If you look at what happens in the text, 00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:00.440 they do the same things 00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:03.000 that we are called to do as Christians today, 00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:04.720 which is, 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:07.000 the Bible makes us aware 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:08.500 of something that we need to think about. 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:11.139 And then they use wisdom 00:35:11.139 --> 00:35:12.679 to try to figure out a little bit 00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:14.019 about what that might look like. 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:16.780 But then they know that God cares 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:19.079 about even the small and big details 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.960 of your life. 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:21.760 So they pray, 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:24.639 knowing that the heart-knower 00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:26.159 cares about the things 00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:27.480 that you have to do in life. 00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:30.780 And they want him to guide them. 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:35.079 And so you have this very final, 00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:36.740 last bit of the Old Testament, 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.740 one of the ways that God 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:39.760 would answer those types of things. 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:43.720 The very next verse in the story 00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.559 is going to describe 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:46.340 about how all Christians are different 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:48.019 because the Holy Spirit comes. 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:51.980 But the process is just the same. 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:54.480 You have a heart-knower who loves you. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.079 And you need his witness 00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:57.420 about who to marry, 00:35:57.539 --> 00:35:58.320 whether to go to school, 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.960 how to remain single, 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:02.219 how to raise good grief. 00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:03.039 You know, 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:05.579 I made a comment about Matt Usherwood 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.219 and his ordination. 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:08.320 I complimented Matt's mom. 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.699 And the only thing, 00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:10.659 she thanked me for saying 00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:11.780 that little thing I said about her, 00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:12.179 but she said, 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:12.940 the only thing I wish 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:14.599 is that when Matt came, 00:36:14.780 --> 00:36:15.960 when Matt was born, 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:17.820 that he came with an instruction manual. 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:20.019 Because I would have made my life 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.800 so much easier 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:22.539 if I'd had the instruction manual. 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.179 But, you know, 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:26.380 God cares about those details of your life. 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.400 And so you see, 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:29.579 the Lord Jesus cares for you. 00:36:30.259 --> 00:36:32.079 And so humbly grow 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:34.420 in a Holy Spirit-led, 00:36:35.179 --> 00:36:36.400 Bible-informed, 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.840 prayerful wisdom. 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.000 That's his heart for you. 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:43.820 We have his own dear presence 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.539 to be with us 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.500 to comfort and to guide. 00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:47.480 Please stand. 00:36:49.300 --> 00:36:50.800 Please stand in closing. 00:36:54.219 --> 00:36:55.559 Just if any of you here, 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.380 and maybe your faith 00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:57.300 is going through a period 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:57.980 of great doubt 00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:59.219 or deconstruction, 00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:00.699 or if you're watching this online, 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:01.739 and you might think, 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.460 well, that's all right. 00:37:02.780 --> 00:37:03.920 I'm George. 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:05.420 As soon as I hear that, 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:05.739 you know, 00:37:05.739 --> 00:37:07.319 I just know that I'm Judas, 00:37:07.459 --> 00:37:08.000 not Peter. 00:37:08.439 --> 00:37:09.259 Let me tell you, 00:37:09.339 --> 00:37:10.239 if you think that, 00:37:10.299 --> 00:37:11.119 that means that God 00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:12.319 is knocking at your heart. 00:37:14.359 --> 00:37:15.219 That means God 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:16.299 is knocking at your heart. 00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:18.500 And you need to just say, 00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:19.419 shut up, devil. 00:37:20.979 --> 00:37:21.379 Jesus, 00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:22.899 I want Peter. 00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:25.900 I want the Peter experience. 00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:27.320 I want the repentance, 00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:30.440 the godly sorrow, 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:31.660 not the worldly sorrow. 00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:32.900 And I don't know 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.619 how to get there. 00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:34.260 That's fine. 00:37:34.700 --> 00:37:35.300 You don't have to know 00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:35.900 how to get there. 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:38.019 Call out to him. 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:39.019 It's his job. 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:42.139 That's the wonderful news. 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:43.519 It's not a technique. 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.619 It's not like, 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:45.440 how on earth 00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.380 is this stupid phone 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:47.139 supposed to work? 00:37:47.240 --> 00:37:47.519 No. 00:37:47.760 --> 00:37:47.900 I mean, 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.840 it's not the phone's job 00:37:48.840 --> 00:37:49.300 to tell me. 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:49.920 It's his job 00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:50.579 to do all that. 00:37:50.700 --> 00:37:51.579 That's the wonderful thing 00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:52.340 about the gospel. 00:37:52.340 --> 00:37:53.260 He knows your heart. 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.100 And there's no time 00:37:55.100 --> 00:37:55.760 better than now 00:37:55.760 --> 00:37:56.700 to call out to Jesus 00:37:56.700 --> 00:37:57.180 and say, 00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:57.480 Jesus, 00:37:57.600 --> 00:37:58.500 I want to be yours. 00:37:58.660 --> 00:38:00.360 And he'll never turn you away. 00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:02.519 He knows your heart 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:03.760 and he died for you. 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:06.000 Let's pray. 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:08.320 Father, 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:10.559 we ask, 00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:11.740 we thank you so much 00:38:11.740 --> 00:38:13.120 for this profound story. 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:13.840 And Father, 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:14.840 you know how 00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:16.079 some of us 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:17.340 get very beaten up. 00:38:18.180 --> 00:38:18.940 Some of us 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.559 have voices 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.340 of profound accusation 00:38:21.100 --> 00:38:21.820 in our ears 00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:22.660 that are telling us 00:38:22.660 --> 00:38:24.620 that we're terrible Christians, 00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.920 we're terrible people, 00:38:26.080 --> 00:38:27.220 we're complete failures, 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:27.940 we're ugly, 00:38:28.140 --> 00:38:28.860 we're too skinny, 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:29.680 we're too fat, 00:38:29.780 --> 00:38:30.539 we're too muscular, 00:38:30.680 --> 00:38:31.660 we're not muscular enough, 00:38:32.120 --> 00:38:32.980 too much money, 00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.640 not enough money, 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:34.140 too general, 00:38:34.200 --> 00:38:35.120 and all that stuff. 00:38:35.180 --> 00:38:35.360 Father, 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:35.900 you know that 00:38:35.900 --> 00:38:36.700 there's those voices 00:38:36.700 --> 00:38:37.519 of accusation 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.039 that go on 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.660 in our ears 00:38:38.660 --> 00:38:39.559 and you know 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.460 that we can struggle 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:41.200 with sadness 00:38:41.200 --> 00:38:41.920 and sorrow 00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:42.920 over failures 00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:44.760 and everything. 00:38:45.100 --> 00:38:45.500 And Lord, 00:38:45.600 --> 00:38:46.600 we ask that you bring 00:38:46.600 --> 00:38:47.180 the truth 00:38:47.180 --> 00:38:47.920 of this story 00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:48.559 and the truth 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:49.940 of 2 Corinthians 7, 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.719 10 deeply 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:51.739 into our heart, 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:53.079 Father. 00:38:53.840 --> 00:38:54.719 And we call out 00:38:54.719 --> 00:38:55.099 to you 00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:56.179 that you would help us 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:56.840 to know that 00:38:56.840 --> 00:38:58.159 godly sorrow 00:38:58.159 --> 00:38:58.840 and sadness, 00:38:59.059 --> 00:38:59.920 that you would help us 00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:00.579 to repent, 00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:02.619 that we might 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:04.039 live without 00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:07.019 that accusatory regret, 00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:09.019 but know that 00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:10.179 Jesus is our hope 00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:10.759 of glory, 00:39:11.019 --> 00:39:11.860 our heart-knower 00:39:11.860 --> 00:39:12.880 who is also 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.860 our hope of glory. 00:39:14.219 --> 00:39:14.900 And we ask, 00:39:15.219 --> 00:39:15.259 Father, 00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:15.860 that you bring 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.519 those truths 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:17.440 very profoundly 00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:17.980 and deeply 00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:18.860 into our lives. 00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:19.720 And Father, 00:39:19.800 --> 00:39:20.300 we know that 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:21.000 we have to ask 00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.780 again and again, 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.720 not because 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.559 you don't listen 00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:23.960 and hear, 00:39:24.099 --> 00:39:24.920 but just because 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:26.220 that's just the way 00:39:26.220 --> 00:39:26.539 we are. 00:39:26.620 --> 00:39:27.220 We're frail. 00:39:27.700 --> 00:39:28.800 And so we thank you, 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.099 Father, 00:39:29.160 --> 00:39:30.019 for these opportunities 00:39:30.019 --> 00:39:30.539 to gather 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.079 with our brothers 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:31.640 and sisters 00:39:31.640 --> 00:39:32.280 in Christ, 00:39:32.640 --> 00:39:35.460 to stand equally 00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:36.620 before the cross 00:39:36.620 --> 00:39:38.820 and call out to you 00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:41.160 and just be so thankful, 00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:41.579 Father, 00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:42.940 for Jesus, 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:43.740 our heart-knower 00:39:43.740 --> 00:39:44.620 who died for us 00:39:44.620 --> 00:39:45.519 so we might be forgiven. 00:39:46.260 --> 00:39:46.640 So, Father, 00:39:46.720 --> 00:39:47.680 we say and remember 00:39:47.680 --> 00:39:48.720 and ask all these things 00:39:48.720 --> 00:39:49.559 in the name of Jesus, 00:39:49.700 --> 00:39:50.860 your Son and our Savior. 00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:52.579 And all God's people said, 00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:53.700 Amen.