WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.859 Romans chapter 5, we're going to be reading from verse 1 through to 11. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:18.240 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:27.560 through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. 00:00:27.559 --> 00:00:32.219 And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 00:00:33.199 --> 00:00:41.320 Not only that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 00:00:42.019 --> 00:00:46.219 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:52.219 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:54.759 through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 00:00:54.759 --> 00:01:01.379 For while we were weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:10.519 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die. 00:01:11.819 --> 00:01:17.739 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:27.159 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:33.379 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:39.159 much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:45.019 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:49.579 through whom we have now received reconciliation. 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:58.280 I want to begin this morning with a quotation from John Dixon, 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:01.439 whose name will be familiar to most of you, 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:06.599 but part of a bigger section I printed in the bulletin this week, or prepared for the bulletin. 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:08.639 So just listen up as I read it to you. 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:10.680 John Dixon says this, 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:18.439 Early in my Christian life, I was quite blown away by the thought of God's love. 00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:22.319 But then things fell apart, 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:27.800 and suddenly I had to confront one of the biggest problems in my Christian life. 00:02:29.740 --> 00:02:31.819 Did God love me after all? 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:38.540 Struggling to be committed to God, I had this dark cloud hanging over me. 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:40.080 It was horrible. 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:45.400 For months and months, I felt guilt and doubt, 00:02:46.200 --> 00:02:50.360 more guilt, greater doubt, even more guilt. 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:55.819 I remember crying out to God a number of times, 00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:58.740 Why don't you love me? 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:04.180 As I meet more and more Christians in my travels, 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:07.819 I'm realizing that my experience back then was quite common. 00:03:07.819 --> 00:03:15.819 Many of God's people get caught in a trap where they lose sight of God's love for them in Christ. 00:03:21.579 --> 00:03:27.259 Friends, I suspect this same dark cloud has settled on all of us here this morning, 00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:29.139 at some time or other. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:37.239 I definitely know it sits heavily on some believers listening in this morning. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:41.820 And it's a black cloud. 00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:51.859 Well, I want to tell you this morning that Paul's letters to the Christians at Rome 00:03:51.859 --> 00:03:58.439 is crafted especially for you, if you're in that situation. 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:05.359 Because as Paul addresses their questions and struggles in the way he structures the letter, 00:04:06.079 --> 00:04:12.159 he actually anticipated your questions and struggles and my questions and struggles. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:16.300 So let's do some revision and see this. 00:04:16.719 --> 00:04:18.920 Beck's already sort of done some revision for us this morning. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:19.620 That's been helpful. 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:21.500 So we look at chapters 1 to 4. 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:24.879 Paul begins where all believers begin. 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:26.180 Chapter 1, verse 16. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:31.319 Incredible excitement about God's powerful gospel. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:34.819 God's powerful way to save sinners. 00:04:34.819 --> 00:04:45.519 We've understood our desperate need for the gospel of Jesus because we recognize that our unrighteousness 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:49.600 or our failure to live in the light of what we knew about God meant we were under his wrath, 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:50.920 under his condemnation. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:52.060 We were in big trouble. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:05:01.420 Then we've delighted to discover that God has provided an alternative pathway to righteousness 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:07.680 through Jesus who has done for us that which we could never do for ourselves. 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:11.939 Dealt with our sin and made us acceptable to God. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:15.020 Brought us back into relationship with God. 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:23.259 And all this simply by faith or by taking God at his word or taking God's promises at face value. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:26.540 It's quite a remarkable story. 00:05:26.960 --> 00:05:28.340 We've been there as Christians. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:29.360 We've experienced it. 00:05:29.420 --> 00:05:30.180 We've loved it. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:37.100 But then the fears and doubts start. 00:05:42.340 --> 00:05:47.000 We look at our failures on any given day, any given week, and we start to ask, 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:52.860 well, can I be sure that given my ongoing failures, 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:56.000 can I be sure that God just won't get tired of me? 00:05:56.000 --> 00:06:04.379 Can I be sure that I just won't, as it were, wear out his love, exhausted? 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:09.100 Can I be sure he won't drop me in frustration? 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:10.259 Dare I think? 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:12.360 Can I be sure he won't drop me in anger? 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:15.459 And despair? 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:31.079 Can I be sure I will not crash and burn as I struggle on any given day to serve God and be the person I want to be in response to my heavenly father's grace and my life? 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:36.579 And that takes us into chapter 5 then. 00:06:36.759 --> 00:06:41.019 And this is exactly, that dilemma is exactly what Paul addresses. 00:06:41.919 --> 00:06:44.399 And he does that by listing one after the other. 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:47.139 I said last week, he piles them up one upon the other. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:56.620 The benefits or guarantee or security of being justified, of being declared to be back in relationship with God. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:07:02.259 Last Sunday, we started in chapter 5, we explored some immediate benefits. 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:07.860 We said last week that the gospel means a radical change in the way God views us. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.720 In Jesus, we have a new standing. 00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:14.939 So now the relationship is defined by peace. 00:07:16.840 --> 00:07:19.019 No longer is there any hostility in it. 00:07:19.819 --> 00:07:21.800 There's new intimacy and privilege. 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:25.220 God actually adopts us into his own family. 00:07:25.220 --> 00:07:28.420 He gives us unrestricted access to himself. 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:34.020 And we have unrestricted access to the privileges and blessings of the Lord Jesus. 00:07:36.140 --> 00:07:37.720 And we have a new orientation. 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:41.660 We're now bound for glory instead of bound for condemnation. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:50.740 Bound for glory with the prospect of being with Jesus in heaven and being like Jesus. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:52.740 Bound for glory with the Lord Jesus. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:54.319 Bound for glory with the Lord Jesus. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.220 Bound for glory with the Lord Jesus. 00:07:55.220 --> 00:08:04.120 And it's in that context, so in verse 4 last week, that we can actually appreciate difficult and painful circumstances as they come to us. 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:09.660 Knowing they are what God uses to draw us closer to himself. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:12.160 To make us more like himself. 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:18.180 And the process here becomes a cycle, a pattern that's self-affirming. 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:28.819 The more we see that happening, the more we experience these painful circumstances, the more we see ourselves developing that character, that Christ-like character that we so long for. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:33.560 Which confirms that the hope of glory is real. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:37.120 Little by little, we're moving towards it. 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:39.159 Because that's what God promised. 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:46.860 Well, this morning we continue to explore the gospel benefits listed in verses 5 to 11. 00:08:48.439 --> 00:08:51.839 And these benefits, I think, address our deepest fears. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:09:01.799 And they give gospel guarantee that in spite of daily struggle, in spite of constant failures, 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:11.559 we will make it home to heaven to experience glory or the fullness of our hope. 00:09:16.199 --> 00:09:24.319 My friends, God will finish what he has started by bringing us into good relationship with himself. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:32.800 He will bring us home to heaven and make us like him. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:39.940 Now, what's the basis of that guarantee or certainty or security? 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:47.460 Well, in verses 5 to 8 we say that God has already proved his forever love for you. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:54.320 Now, I mentioned last week that God actually adopts us into his family. 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:56.519 Well, I want to say a little bit more about that now. 00:09:56.680 --> 00:10:09.360 Because parents who adopt a child then go to great lengths to help their adopted child be loved and secure in their new family relationship. 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:13.920 They consciously work hard at it. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:17.160 They know the background of that child. 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:26.840 They want their adopted child to sense an inner commitment and deep affection which is unbreakable. 00:10:28.300 --> 00:10:31.379 They want that child to know that never again will they be abandoned. 00:10:35.560 --> 00:10:43.920 And they want to reinforce that inner conviction with outward practical demonstrations of their affection and commitment. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:53.759 Well, that's exactly what God has done for you and me, his adopted children. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:11:07.120 He actually proves or confirms and reinforces the reality of his unconditional, unchanging, unfading love. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:12.159 He does it first by inner confirmation of the Holy Spirit. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.620 Look at verse 5. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:17.759 Hope never puts us to shame or will never disappoint us. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:25.559 Because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 00:11:27.319 --> 00:11:29.799 That's a very powerful picture word there, isn't it? 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:32.360 God's love has been poured. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:40.059 Great bucketfuls of God's love has just been poured in till we're filled to the brim. 00:11:40.059 --> 00:11:41.059 That's the picture. 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.759 That's the picture. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:42.779 That's the picture. 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:43.859 That's the picture. 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:49.159 God has put his spirit in us. 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:56.919 And one of his jobs, one of his Holy Spirit's jobs, is to pour a sense of God's love into our hearts. 00:11:56.919 --> 00:12:04.399 Filling us to the brim, as I say, so that we're vividly and inwardly aware that God loves us. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:13.000 That there's an unbreakable bond that is so totally committed to us as his saved children. 00:12:17.579 --> 00:12:19.579 Ephesians chapter 1, verse 13 to 14. 00:12:19.719 --> 00:12:21.019 You can go and check it out for yourself. 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:27.639 And Paul describes there that the Holy Spirit, the presence and changing activity within us, 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:32.840 as God's deposit and guarantee on his salvation contract. 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:35.919 So the deposit and guarantee is like a contract language. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:41.600 Like you're buying a house that the purchase is secured when the deposit's paid and the contract's signed. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:53.000 Well, the Holy Spirit is God's deposit and guarantee of his salvation contract or promise. 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:54.580 What promise? 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:58.080 That we will be loved forever. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:03.779 And that all his blessings will come. 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:07.480 In other words, to use the word here, hope of glory. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:17.759 In John chapter 6, 8 to 13, the apostle John uses a different description. 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:26.820 He describes how God's spirit is constantly working in his saved people to create conviction of sin and truth. 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:33.840 And from this, says John, confidence of being in God's family and bound for glory. 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:43.680 Now that's a bit more strange to us, I think, because it's not really how we normally think of God convicting us and giving us assurance. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.980 But here's how it works. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:50.660 I want you to ask yourself, just go back in your mind, just quickly go back in your mind. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:59.900 Why is it that you're now so very worried about your sin when you weren't worried about it before you become a Christian? 00:13:59.900 --> 00:14:00.019 Why? 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:05.399 Answer. 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:12.160 Because God's spirit is working within you to make you like God. 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:24.460 And he does that by helping you see the things that God hates so that you also hate them, and I also hate them, 00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:27.920 and helping you see the things that God loves and wants. 00:14:28.540 --> 00:14:30.160 So that we also want those things. 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:37.879 See how character develops? 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:40.879 Proven character. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:45.360 You're concerned, my friend, about your sin. 00:14:45.459 --> 00:14:48.139 Hear this really, really careful, because I think we don't hear it. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:15:01.419 Your concern about your sin is evidence that you have God's spirit already working in you, and evidence of God's forever love. 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:09.699 You see, we often rob ourselves of this benefit. 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:16.939 And it's a wonderful benefit that we rob ourselves of it, because we actually assume that when we experience God's spirit working within us, 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:19.039 it will be a warm, fuzzy feeling. 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:22.459 And peace will just be dreamy and hassle-free. 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:23.899 Living. 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:27.579 But that's not what the Bible tells us. 00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:29.939 I mean, there will be times like that. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:34.579 But given our sinfulness, it's not going to be predominantly that. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.000 In fact, it may be anything but that. 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:43.840 The reality is that conviction of truth and sin is hard. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.000 It's painful. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.919 I don't like to on my sin. 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:52.139 I don't like to admit that I'm capable of that, even while I say this about the Lord Jesus. 00:15:54.659 --> 00:16:01.939 So conviction of sin, by the Holy Spirit in my life, needs to be painful, because I'm a slow, reluctant learner. 00:16:07.479 --> 00:16:09.000 It's painful to face. 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:11.439 It's harder to act on. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:20.820 But it's nonetheless testimony to God's love, having been poured into your life in great back-upfuls, 00:16:21.260 --> 00:16:27.680 that God pursues you so that you do see your sin, so that you do come to hate it, 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:32.920 and that you do want to do something about it and seek God's character in your life. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:42.879 Or again, some might say more positively than Eeyore up here, does it? 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:48.959 Ask yourself, what of that time when suddenly a promise from God, 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:53.019 just when you're reading the Bible, suddenly a verse or a promise leaps out at you. 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:57.259 You've read it dozens of times, and yet you think, hang on a sec, I've never seen that before. 00:16:58.199 --> 00:16:59.899 I've never registered that before. 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:04.700 I've never been able to apply it to myself in a way before. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:13.000 Perhaps it showcases the Lord Jesus in a way you hadn't seen him before, 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.980 or showcases the love of the Father, 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:18.139 or showcases your own sin in a way you hadn't seen it before, 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:22.660 or does something that deepens your longing for heaven and affection for Christ. 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:30.380 Well, my friends, again, this is the hidden persuasion of God through the Holy Spirit, 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:32.340 which floods our hearts. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.080 That's the picture. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:38.080 It just sweeps over you like a flash flood. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:44.899 Making us profoundly grateful for God's grace, 00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:50.759 and giving us confidence in God's promises of glory to come, 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:54.179 even in hard times, 00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:58.439 and in the midst of our failures. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:04.259 Go back to verse 5 again. 00:18:04.340 --> 00:18:06.120 Ask for verse 5. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:10.299 Hope does not put us to shame. 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.380 God says, 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:13.559 I promise 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.840 you will 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.740 experience glory. 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:22.519 We will never be disappointed by God's promise, 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:25.980 because he has reinforced that promise by pouring, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.400 putting the Holy Spirit within us, 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:30.460 to pour his love into our hearts on a daily basis. 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:31.880 As I said before, 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:33.740 great bucketfuls of God's love. 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.779 Just topping up, 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:38.799 because it leaks out in the way we think about life, 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.019 and experience life. 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:45.180 Always topped up, 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.819 never disappointing us. 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.259 Well, 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:50.799 the second way in which God operates 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:52.519 is by outward demonstration, 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.519 verses 6 to 8. 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:55.539 Now, 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:56.420 we all know the saying. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:59.940 I've heard it many times from Alison in my marriage, 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.980 to my shame. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:04.299 Don't just say you love me. 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.120 Show you love me. 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:11.920 So, 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.680 what does God's actions 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:16.019 demonstrate about the nature 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.960 and extent 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:18.940 of his love for his people? 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.539 Well, 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:22.980 verses 6 through to 8. 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:27.220 While we were still weak, 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.500 at the right time, 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.579 or the most judicious time, 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:33.079 Christ died for the ungodly. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:37.579 one would scarcely die for a righteous person. 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:39.539 That's a person who had something going for them 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.980 that was really worthwhile dying for. 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:42.359 Though, 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.039 perhaps, 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.399 for a 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:45.259 reasonable person, 00:19:45.419 --> 00:19:46.679 one would dare even to die. 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:52.419 But God shows his love for us in this, 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:55.640 that while we were still sinners, 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.380 Christ died for us. 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:05.720 My friends, 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.920 in that sentence, 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.759 we're told that God's love 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.340 was all in. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:16.579 born and expressed 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:18.720 an incredible cost to himself. 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.779 Even more amazing, 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:25.059 it was a totally unique love. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:30.440 As the picture gives us here, 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:32.919 we are highly unlikely 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:34.819 to give up our life 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:36.700 for someone we thought 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:38.039 had lots going for them. 00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:42.139 Let alone a down and out 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:43.639 living under some bridge 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:45.000 or some serial rapist 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.559 or murderer. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:50.839 But God acts to love 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.099 and save those 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:54.019 who are totally 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.399 offensive to him. 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:58.519 Who have nothing at all 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.659 to commend themselves 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.359 to him. 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.699 Just look at these verses 00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:06.599 and see how God viewed us 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:08.919 before he poured his love 00:21:08.919 --> 00:21:09.859 onto us. 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:13.799 We were powerless. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.500 It's a strange word 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.619 because at the same time, 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.559 we were aggressively committed. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.899 We were powerless. 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.840 And yet we were aggressively 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:24.360 committed to treating God 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.460 with indifference 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:28.519 or veiled contempt. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.680 That was at best. 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.560 And at worst, 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:31.980 just treating God 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.500 as an enemy. 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:33.840 Ignoring. 00:21:35.080 --> 00:21:35.620 Rejecting. 00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:36.980 Despising his authority. 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.360 Despising that 00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:42.440 he described 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.040 and defined 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.780 and offered to us 00:21:43.780 --> 00:21:44.680 as the good life. 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:48.060 In response, 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.660 verse 10, 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:51.880 God declared us 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.900 to be his enemies. 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.900 Those with whom 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.540 he would have nothing 00:21:58.540 --> 00:21:59.300 to do 00:21:59.300 --> 00:22:02.620 except hostility. 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:10.980 What sort of God 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:12.340 would love people 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:13.240 like you and me 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.060 who are so 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:15.560 unlovely, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:18.619 so undeserving, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.460 so horrible 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.119 in the way 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.000 that we treated him 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:24.179 before we were converted. 00:22:25.179 --> 00:22:26.379 And all the while, 00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:28.299 like Nemo, 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.899 being totally oblivious 00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:31.019 to the predicament 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.700 we were in. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:35.139 And we're told here 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:38.320 that knowing 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:39.240 all of this, 00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:40.460 knowing the very worst 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.160 about us, 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.780 Jesus died 00:22:44.780 --> 00:22:47.180 for the likes 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.759 of you and me. 00:22:49.780 --> 00:22:50.600 That's a pretty 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:52.560 strong demonstration 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.140 of love. 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:01.580 Friends, 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:03.539 God has proved 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.960 the nature 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.460 and extent 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.419 of his love 00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:08.039 for you 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:10.339 as Jesus 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.240 went to the cross. 00:23:15.679 --> 00:23:16.720 And since 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.619 his commitment 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.460 to you 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.460 was made initially, 00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:21.519 knowing the worst 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.539 about you, 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:25.119 then 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:26.259 he's not going 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.980 to change his mind 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.460 about you. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.859 It's not as if 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:30.220 we get into 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.000 the relationship 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.720 a couple of years 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.079 and he thinks, 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.359 oh, 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.220 blimey, 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.519 Charlie, 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.480 if I'd known then 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.200 what I know now 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:35.779 about Calderwood, 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.579 I would never 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:36.920 have started 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.599 this relationship. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.660 That's how 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.160 everybody else 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.819 reacts to me. 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.140 But not the Lord, 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:42.880 thankfully. 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.759 He knew the worst 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.200 about me 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.700 when he committed 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:47.980 to me. 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.400 He's not going 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.220 to change his mind. 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.400 Nothing draws 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.599 a loving response 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.420 from a wife 00:23:58.420 --> 00:24:00.420 more than 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.180 when a husband 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.480 leads off 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.519 with a selfless, 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:04.740 constant, 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.000 costly, 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.340 unconditional love. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.640 So my friends, 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.779 I say to you this morning, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.960 if anything, 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.779 if anything 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.580 will find 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.860 your trust in God, 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.200 your desire for God, 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.700 your delight in God, 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:22.620 then surely 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.519 understanding 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:25.000 something of the 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.100 nature and extent 00:24:26.100 --> 00:24:27.200 of God's love 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.940 will be it. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:37.759 So the second 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.980 part of our 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.440 certainty 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.080 or guarantee 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:42.720 of getting 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.220 your glory 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.720 is that 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.680 if you're a Christian, 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.920 then God's 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.600 already done 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.600 the hard part. 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.880 The rest 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.400 is easy. 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.880 Picking up 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.820 verses 9 to 11. 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:58.259 If you see 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.039 a high jumper 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.099 clearing 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.759 the bar 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.480 at 2 metres, 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:04.639 then you've 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.439 got pretty 00:25:05.439 --> 00:25:06.399 great confidence 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.099 that he'll be 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.819 able to clear 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.740 the bar 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.779 at 300 mils. 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.259 In other words, 00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:16.200 having achieved 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.939 the much harder 00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:17.519 task, 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.579 the easier 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.579 is just a matter 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.179 of course. 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.259 And that's 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.039 exactly what 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.319 Paul's argument 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.960 is in verses 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.720 9 to 11. 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.079 Since 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.899 God has 00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.559 already 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:31.079 at great 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.759 cost 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:33.759 reconciled 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.439 his enemies, 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:37.139 then there 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:38.000 is no doubt 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.599 whatsoever 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.799 that he will 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.319 keep his 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.759 friends. 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.379 Since he has 00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:44.179 reconciled his 00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:44.519 enemies, 00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:44.960 that he has 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.460 made his 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:45.980 enemies into 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.480 his friends, 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.519 then there is 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.079 no doubt 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.439 that he will 00:25:48.439 --> 00:25:49.139 actually keep 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:49.779 those friends 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.579 as friends. 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:54.039 since he's 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.519 already done 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:54.859 the much 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.619 harder work 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.439 of dealing 00:25:56.439 --> 00:25:56.799 with our 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.059 sin, 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.279 adopting us 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.659 into his 00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:59.220 family with 00:25:59.220 --> 00:25:59.899 unrestricted 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.539 privilege and 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:00.839 blessing, 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.259 how much 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.899 more will he 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:03.240 do the 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.220 easier part 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:06.119 of bringing 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.720 his renewed 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.460 people home to 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:07.740 glory? 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:07.799 him. 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.500 How do we 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:12.900 know that 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.319 for sure? 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.440 Well, go 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.259 back again to 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.620 Jesus. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.380 It's all about 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:17.740 Jesus. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.900 Because of 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.660 Christ's death, 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.099 Jesus died 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.400 for us. 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.500 Jesus paid 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.859 the penalty 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.359 for our 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.680 sins. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.320 that, we've 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:27.799 already seen 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.019 in the 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.600 early chapters, 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.160 removed all 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.039 causes of 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.940 hostility on 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.620 God's part, 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.279 enabling him 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.860 to accept 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.920 me just 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.000 as if I'd 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.019 justified, 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.779 just as if 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.360 I'd never 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.039 ever sinned. 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.519 The benefit 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.460 of Christ's 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:48.980 death in 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.660 the past, 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.279 which you 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.680 and I 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.680 as Christians 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.220 currently 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.820 enjoy, 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.820 is also 00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:55.460 the guarantee 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.680 that we 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.039 will make 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.279 it to 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.519 heaven. 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.400 So it's 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:02.880 Christ's 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.259 death, but 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.579 it's also 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.160 because of 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.660 Christ's 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:04.920 life, 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:05.660 verse 10. 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:07.559 For if 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:07.960 while we 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.460 were enemies 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.380 were reconciled 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:09.740 to God 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.140 by the 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.480 death of 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.880 his son, 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:12.100 much more 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:13.380 now that 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:13.840 we are 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.559 reconciled, 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:14.940 shall we 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.640 be saved 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.400 by his 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:16.920 life. 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:16.980 life? 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.840 The fact 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.460 that Christ 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.180 rose from 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.600 the dead 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.039 and is 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:29.160 now alive 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.700 in heaven 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:31.340 is proof 00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:32.460 that his 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.160 death was 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:33.779 sufficient 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:35.220 to deal 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.000 with all 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.779 the sin 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.460 and penalty 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.279 due to, 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:38.779 sorry, 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.400 all the sin, 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:41.380 all the penalty 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:41.800 of the sin 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:42.360 due to his 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:42.640 people, 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:44.440 and evidence 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:44.960 that all 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.640 God's wrath 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:45.960 has been 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.620 dealt with 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:48.520 and soaked 00:27:48.520 --> 00:27:48.860 up, 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.620 never more 00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:50.100 to be seen 00:27:50.100 --> 00:27:50.320 in the 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:50.820 relationship. 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:56.240 In other 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.379 words, 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.399 if soaking 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.119 up God's 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:58.519 anger 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.899 and paying 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:00.500 the penalty 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.019 for sin 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.460 was why 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.299 Jesus died, 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.079 then the 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.559 fact that he 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.240 was resurrected 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.720 or he came 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.240 back from 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.539 the dead 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.619 shows that 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.279 all that 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.659 wrath, 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.299 all that 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.919 sin has 00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.379 been dealt 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:10.659 with, 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:11.599 and there's 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.259 no reason 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.919 therefore for 00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:13.439 Jesus to 00:28:13.439 --> 00:28:14.019 stay dead 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.460 as it were. 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.659 His 00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:18.259 resurrection 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.240 is proof 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.599 that he 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.500 achieved 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.259 what he 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.740 intended 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.599 to achieve 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.879 in his 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:25.259 death, 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:25.899 that is, 00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:26.740 the 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.319 reconciliation 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.199 of his 00:28:28.199 --> 00:28:28.459 enemies, 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:29.039 turning his 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.619 enemies into 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.139 friends, 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:30.919 bringing them 00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:31.919 into his 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.299 family, 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:32.759 his adopted 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.240 children. 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:35.939 But even 00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:36.379 more, 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.439 his presence 00:28:38.439 --> 00:28:39.439 before God 00:28:39.439 --> 00:28:40.179 with the 00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:40.759 marks of 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.319 death and 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.759 the cross 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.299 still in 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.779 his body 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:44.419 is actually 00:28:44.419 --> 00:28:45.139 a visible 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:45.939 reminder 00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:47.039 to God 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:48.359 that all 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:48.779 his people 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.059 that have 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.619 been bought 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.199 back, 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:51.719 and restored 00:28:51.719 --> 00:28:52.959 to family 00:28:52.959 --> 00:28:53.439 membership 00:28:53.439 --> 00:28:53.939 and family 00:28:53.939 --> 00:28:54.419 privilege. 00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.339 Friends, 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.359 I hope 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:01.699 you can 00:29:01.699 --> 00:29:02.899 say something 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:03.659 of the 00:29:03.659 --> 00:29:04.339 assurance 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:04.819 that is 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.480 ours 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:07.319 as Christ 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:07.759 believing 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.119 people. 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.139 This is 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.839 just not 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.419 sentimental 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.179 optimism. 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.379 This is 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.240 fact, 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.639 this is 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.119 logic. 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:19.399 this is 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:20.119 the statement 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:20.559 of God 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:21.079 himself. 00:29:22.879 --> 00:29:23.359 Any 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.959 problem we 00:29:23.959 --> 00:29:24.500 have 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.559 with a 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:25.879 lack of 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.279 assurance 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.000 is usually 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.299 of our 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.939 own making, 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:29.079 not because 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.519 God has 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.199 done something 00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:30.819 that is 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.279 uncertain. 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.079 And here's 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.539 what I think 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.019 the problem 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.359 is. 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:39.399 Too often 00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:40.039 we focus 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.379 on the 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:40.839 death of 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.299 Christ, 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.339 Christ. 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.559 And that's 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:43.799 a good 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.099 thing to 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.579 focus on 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.619 because we 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.079 know that 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.740 on the 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.139 death of 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:47.659 Christ we 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.139 have entered 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:48.720 into good 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.299 relationship 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.919 with God. 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.139 But too 00:29:53.139 --> 00:29:54.240 often also 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:56.019 we forget 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.419 about the 00:29:56.419 --> 00:29:57.559 ongoing life 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.259 of Jesus, 00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.279 his resurrection 00:29:59.279 --> 00:29:59.839 life in 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.039 heaven, 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.639 which guarantees 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:03.119 that what 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.339 God started 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:04.859 back there 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.399 at the cross 00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:06.279 will be 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.619 completed in 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.119 the future 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.779 in glory, 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.319 in heaven. 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.660 We need 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.160 to remind 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.700 ourselves that 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.160 since God 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.700 has done the 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.460 hardest thing 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.160 in changing 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:17.599 us from 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.879 enemies into 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:19.639 family members 00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:19.980 through the 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.299 death of 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:20.619 Christ, 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:21.619 then the 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.379 easiest part 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:22.639 is it 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:23.980 where of 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.920 Jesus reminding 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.399 the Father 00:30:25.399 --> 00:30:26.200 that all his 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.559 people have 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.180 been secured 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:28.960 and the job 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.539 of keeping us 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:29.920 to heaven 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.339 will also 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:31.700 happen. 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.899 So here's 00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.359 the problem 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.480 in a nutshell. 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.379 we often 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:40.420 think separately 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.779 about our 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.680 being justified 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:44.680 and our 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.480 being glorified 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.980 or brought 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.519 to heaven 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.319 and made 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:47.920 like Jesus. 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:49.960 See, we 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.599 separate 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:52.859 what God 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:53.680 keeps together 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.519 inseparably. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.200 Justification 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:58.079 ends in 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.799 glorification. 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.299 It's not 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.879 justification 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.359 then you're 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.059 left on your 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.480 own whether 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.200 you're good 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.579 or bad 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.019 or indifferent. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.859 Justification 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:07.059 means glorification. 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:11.440 He will 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.079 never do 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.919 one without 00:31:12.919 --> 00:31:13.500 the other 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.059 in your 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:14.500 life. 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:18.919 In fact, 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:19.339 if you're a 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.659 believer, 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.539 you can say 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.440 with confidence 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:24.000 that having 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.720 done one, 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.899 he will 00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:26.319 do the 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:26.559 other. 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:36.099 peace, 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.159 peace, 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:38.339 adoption 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:38.839 into his 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.259 family, 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.440 the enjoyment 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.960 of all the 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.659 privileges that 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.480 are Jesus's, 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:43.819 the certainty 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.379 of being with 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:44.679 Jesus, 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.259 being like 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.659 Jesus, 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.560 and all 00:31:47.560 --> 00:31:47.759 this 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.660 demonstrated 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:49.560 and constantly 00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:50.660 reaffirmed 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.120 as God 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:51.800 pours his 00:31:51.800 --> 00:31:52.460 love into 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.200 us on a 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.740 daily basis 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.120 by the 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.800 Holy Spirit 00:31:54.800 --> 00:31:57.120 and 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.700 demonstrated 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.080 his love 00:31:58.080 --> 00:31:58.380 for us 00:31:58.380 --> 00:31:58.820 in Jesus. 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.800 All that 00:31:59.800 --> 00:32:00.560 demonstrates 00:32:00.560 --> 00:32:03.360 God's 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:04.160 unconditional 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.560 forever 00:32:05.560 --> 00:32:06.580 committed 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.200 love for 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.420 us. 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.200 Friends, 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.480 it's a bit 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:11.900 of a cliche 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:12.640 but I tell 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:12.759 you, 00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.120 it doesn't 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:13.500 get any 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:13.900 better than 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.180 that. 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.280 Join me 00:32:18.280 --> 00:32:18.620 in prayer. 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.840 It really 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:24.400 doesn't get 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:24.820 any better 00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:25.259 than that. 00:32:25.540 --> 00:32:25.840 Lord, 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:27.460 we struggle 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:27.920 even to 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.380 articulate 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:28.720 it. 00:32:29.800 --> 00:32:30.720 We struggle 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.280 even more 00:32:31.280 --> 00:32:32.420 to make 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:32.740 sure we 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.100 keep on 00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:33.740 experiencing 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.060 it. 00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:36.560 We just 00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:37.259 find it so 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:37.800 hard to 00:32:37.800 --> 00:32:38.140 take you 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:38.360 at your 00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:38.580 word. 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.220 We keep 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:40.740 separating 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.259 that which 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:41.580 you have 00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:42.100 put together. 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.220 It's as if 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.560 we think 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.379 we've been 00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:44.899 brought back 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.319 into good 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:45.799 relationship 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.259 with you 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.559 and then 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.619 you leave 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.480 us flailing 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:51.139 around in 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.639 our own 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.639 devices and 00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:52.940 our own 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.359 resources. 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.220 But Lord, 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:54.679 help us to 00:32:54.679 --> 00:32:55.259 see that what 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.759 you start, 00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.339 you finish. 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.359 You've 00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.099 justified us 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:58.299 and you 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.839 will glorify 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.119 us. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.579 You've 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.099 called us to 00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:01.599 yourself here 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:01.859 in this 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.240 world and 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.440 you will 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:02.859 call us 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.179 home to 00:33:03.179 --> 00:33:03.679 yourself in 00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:03.879 heaven. 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.460 Help us 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:05.919 to believe 00:33:05.919 --> 00:33:06.200 that. 00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:06.639 Help us 00:33:06.639 --> 00:33:07.220 to delight 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:07.480 in you 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:07.899 because of 00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:08.039 it. 00:33:09.179 --> 00:33:09.480 Help us 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.799 to be 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:10.899 safe and 00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:11.599 secure in 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:11.759 it. 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:13.680 in 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:13.900 Jesus' 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.299 name I 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:14.500 pray. 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.039 Amen. 00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:16.859 Thank you 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.279 very much.