WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.339 So we're reading from Romans chapter 9 starting at verse 14 and that's on page 1136 in the Red Church Bible. 00:00:19.620 --> 00:00:22.800 So starting in verse 14 of Romans chapter 9. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:29.140 What shall we say then? Is God unjust? Not at all. 00:00:29.740 --> 00:00:38.620 For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:45.799 It does not therefore depend on man's desire or effort but on God's mercy. 00:00:46.340 --> 00:00:52.140 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, I raised you up for this very purpose. 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:58.899 That I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 00:00:59.980 --> 00:01:07.780 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:13.439 One of you will say to me, then why does God still blame us? 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:15.680 For who resists his will? 00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:19.900 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:24.000 Shall what is formed say to him who formed it? 00:01:24.520 --> 00:01:26.420 Why did you make me like this? 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:31.400 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:35.320 some pottery for noble purpose and some for common use? 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:48.879 What if God, choosing to show his wrath, made his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath prepared for destruction? 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:58.619 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory? 00:01:59.319 --> 00:02:05.679 Even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles. 00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:17.240 As he says in Hosea, I will call them my people who are not my people and I will call her my loved one who is not my loved one. 00:02:17.760 --> 00:02:27.500 And it will happen that in the very place where it is said of them, you are not my people, they will be called sons of the living God. 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:31.319 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel. 00:02:32.460 --> 00:02:38.520 Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:43.419 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality. 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:47.000 It is just as Isaiah said previously, 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:53.300 Unless the Lord Almighty had left his descendants, we would have become like Sodom. 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:56.219 We would have been like Gomorrah. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:57.560 Thanks. 00:03:05.020 --> 00:03:06.420 Thanks very much, Nick. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:11.920 Well, as we continue on in our studies, in our series through Romans, 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:17.979 I just want to draw your attention to something in the news sheet again and related to that. 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:21.500 It's the section at the bottom on the inside. 00:03:21.619 --> 00:03:23.419 It has gotherefore.com. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:27.579 Two resources to encourage you to check out. 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:28.959 There's a little book. 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:31.879 They're called a little black book series. 00:03:32.079 --> 00:03:34.859 I have a hard copy here if you want to know what it's like. 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:37.719 And it's on the subject of predestination. 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:39.240 That's a big, big word. 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:48.060 But it's helping us to unpack what it means that God would choose us by his grace or set his grace upon us 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:53.479 and deals with the whole subject of our free will and God's work in our lives. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:55.539 It's aimed at students. 00:03:56.599 --> 00:03:59.379 So it's right for me. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:03.599 So I hope you get what I mean by that. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:07.479 So easy to understand for people like me. 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:13.560 And then the other one is Peace with God, which is a little study book as well, 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:15.300 which takes you through Romans. 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:21.680 So those are just resources that are available that might help you as we go through this section. 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:28.199 And also the previous talks from Romans 1 to 8 are also up online from previous times. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:32.959 Well, let's ask for God's help as we pray. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:33.040 Amen. 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:40.440 Father, your word is good. 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:43.340 It is truth to us. 00:04:43.339 --> 00:04:51.399 And it is truth that changes our lives, not just now but for all eternity. 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:59.139 And we ask that by the power of your spirit, you would help us to grasp your word to us this morning, 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:02.599 this afternoon, that it will indeed change us, 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:06.099 that it will tune our hearts to your grace 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:11.360 and know what it is to live in response to your grace. 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:15.240 So please help us, Father, we pray. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:17.240 In Jesus' name. 00:05:18.140 --> 00:05:18.660 Amen. 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:30.560 Well, I want us to imagine for a moment that you're the parent of two children. 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:36.240 It's come to the stage in life where they're grown up 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:40.100 and you must sort out the family inheritance. 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:42.740 But here's the catch. 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:50.100 The law states that only one child can receive the inheritance. 00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:51.939 Only one. 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:54.639 So who do you choose? 00:05:55.460 --> 00:05:59.600 Which one will you put on the list? 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:07.620 Of course, whichever one you choose, it's going to seem very unfair and very unkind to the other one. 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:12.900 Well, that's the issue that is being raised here. 00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:18.580 And I know it has been a matter of much talk for a lot of us over this past week. 00:06:18.980 --> 00:06:21.460 But this is the subject that is being raised. 00:06:21.460 --> 00:06:26.860 God, we are told, chooses who receives his salvation. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:33.160 So look back at verse 11 of Romans 9. 00:06:35.020 --> 00:06:36.240 Well, it says this, 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:38.960 Yet before the twins were born, 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:42.280 this was the twins, Isaac and Jacob, 00:06:42.400 --> 00:06:43.480 before they were born, 00:06:43.840 --> 00:06:46.980 or before they had done anything good or bad, 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:52.120 in order that God's purpose in election might stand, 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:57.920 or in order that God's purpose in choosing might stand, 00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:01.360 not by works, but by him who calls. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:06.079 She was told the older will serve the younger. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:11.639 It's making it very clear that God made a choice. 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:16.540 He chose one and he rejected the other. 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:21.500 Now, to us, that seems very ungracious, 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:26.020 unloving, and unkind. 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:30.860 It doesn't seem to fit in with the God that we know 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:34.520 who loves to portray himself as the Lord, 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:37.020 the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, 00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:38.420 slow to anger, 00:07:38.900 --> 00:07:42.300 abounding in unfailing love and faithfulness. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:47.139 We're struggling to put these two things together. 00:07:48.340 --> 00:07:49.639 And in response, 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:51.439 what we find in this text 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:54.079 are two big questions that are raised. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:56.860 But as we ask these two big questions, 00:07:58.040 --> 00:07:59.199 as we answer them, 00:07:59.460 --> 00:08:03.060 we discover that God is a gracious God. 00:08:03.580 --> 00:08:07.879 In fact, his grace overflows to more and more people 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:11.420 than we could ever expect or imagine. 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:14.060 So what are these two questions? 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:17.860 Well, the first one comes in verse 14. 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:20.759 Question one, is God fair? 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:22.639 Look at verse 14. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:26.379 What then shall we say? 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:28.379 Is God unjust? 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:33.419 Is God fair in choosing one and rejecting another? 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.460 Well, here's the answer. 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:36.120 Read on. 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:38.980 Not at all. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:43.580 And he gives two examples to help us to understand that. 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:48.000 Firstly, we see it in God's mercy to Moses. 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:49.680 Look at verse 15. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:52.860 For God says to Moses, 00:08:53.340 --> 00:08:55.879 I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:59.480 and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.920 Now, to understand that quote, 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:05.300 we need to go back to the story from where it comes from, 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:07.939 which is in Exodus chapter 34. 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:10.659 So you can keep your finger in Romans 9 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:13.319 and go back to Exodus 34. 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:14.939 And Exodus, you know, 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:17.339 tells us the amazing story 00:09:17.339 --> 00:09:19.019 of God's rescue 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:20.859 of the people of Israel 00:09:20.859 --> 00:09:24.219 who were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:27.620 But as soon as God rescued them, 00:09:27.660 --> 00:09:29.800 as soon as he brought them out of slavery 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:32.700 and was bringing them towards the promised land, 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:35.300 the people did something terrible. 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:37.660 They all turned their backs on God. 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:42.620 And when Moses was up Mount Sinai 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.240 receiving the law, 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:47.120 Aaron, the leader of them, 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:48.820 told all the people 00:09:48.820 --> 00:09:50.899 to take off their gold earrings 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:52.720 to do something. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:55.759 So look at Exodus chapter 32, it is. 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:58.000 Sorry, Exodus 32, verse 4. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:02.179 Exodus 32, verse 4. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:05.059 He took what they handed him 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:07.579 and made it into an idol 00:10:07.579 --> 00:10:09.379 cast in the shape of a calf, 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:11.139 fashioning it with a tool. 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:12.379 Then they said, 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.939 These are the gods, O Israel, 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:17.879 who brought you out of Egypt. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:21.639 How do you think God would respond to that? 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:23.379 Well, we're told in verse 9. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:26.179 I have seen these people, 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:27.480 the Lord said to Moses. 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:29.279 And they're stiff-necked people. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:31.460 They're stubborn and hard-hearted. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:32.980 Now leave me alone 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:35.340 so that my anger may burn against them 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:36.820 and that I may destroy them. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:42.679 But Moses prayed for the people in verse 11. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:45.559 He prayed and he pleaded with God. 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:47.399 And as we read on the story, 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:49.039 we discover this is what happened. 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:51.979 Instead of everyone being punished, 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:54.500 the story goes on to tell us 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:56.879 that only 3,000 people were punished. 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:59.559 Now that's actually quite a small number 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:02.839 compared to the thousands upon thousands 00:11:02.839 --> 00:11:05.559 of people who were released from slavery. 00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:09.500 And so we read in Exodus 32, verse 14. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:12.360 Then the Lord relented 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:16.480 and did not bring on his people 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:18.940 the disaster he had threatened. 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:22.600 So rather than be troubled about the fact 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.580 that God punished 3,000 people, 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:27.500 we should be standing back in amazement 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:31.539 that he actually had mercy on any of them. 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:35.639 And it's in this context that God says, 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:39.860 look at Exodus 33, verse 19. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:45.079 Exodus 33, verse 19 we read, 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:45.819 And the Lord said, 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:47.579 I will cause all my goodness 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:49.480 to pass in front of you 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:52.120 and I will proclaim my name, 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.439 the Lord, in your presence. 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:54.459 And here's the quote, 00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:57.379 I will have mercy on whom I have mercy 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:59.600 and I will have compassion 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:02.540 on whom I have compassion. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:06.120 This is the God we're dealing with. 00:12:06.780 --> 00:12:09.139 So go back to Romans chapter 9. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.360 Chapter 9, verse 16. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:17.080 It does not, therefore, 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:19.000 salvation does not, therefore, 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:22.280 depend on man's desire or effort, 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:25.559 but on God's mercy. 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:28.740 You see, everything Israel did 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:30.279 and desired to do, 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.839 their turning away from God, 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.000 their rebellious heart, 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:35.339 deserved God's judgment, 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:37.339 but God responded 00:12:37.339 --> 00:12:40.620 with amazing mercy. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:44.279 So he gives us the example 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:46.839 of his mercy to Moses 00:12:46.839 --> 00:12:47.919 and the people of Israel. 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:50.139 But then he gives us another example, 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:52.519 God's justice to Pharaoh. 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:55.899 So, chapter 9 of Romans, verse 17, 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:56.699 he continues, 00:12:57.059 --> 00:12:58.639 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:01.439 I raised you up for this very purpose, 00:13:01.699 --> 00:13:04.460 that I might display my power in you 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:07.139 and that my name might be proclaimed 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.519 in all the earth. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:12.360 Again, we need to go back 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.819 and remember this story 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:17.759 back in Exodus 4 of Pharaoh. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:20.319 Remember who Pharaoh was. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.980 God had ordered Pharaoh, 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:24.240 the leader of the Egyptians, 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:26.299 who had been so brutal 00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:27.480 to the Israelites, 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.659 enslaving them 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.659 and making them work 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:31.080 with little or nothing. 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:33.019 He told Pharaoh, 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:35.059 you are to let the people go, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.960 but he wouldn't let them go. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.100 And this is what we read 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:42.939 in Exodus chapter 4 and verse 21. 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:49.700 Exodus 4, verse 21. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.840 The Lord said to Moses, 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:54.020 When you return to Egypt, 00:13:54.520 --> 00:13:56.600 see that you perform before Pharaoh 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:58.800 all the wonders I have given you 00:13:58.800 --> 00:14:00.340 the power to do. 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:04.220 But I will harden his heart 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:07.960 so that he will not let the people go. 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.340 God says, 00:14:09.400 --> 00:14:11.280 I'll harden your heart. 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:14.039 Pharaoh, who was already hard-hearted, 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:16.039 who was a brutal dictator, 00:14:16.459 --> 00:14:18.779 causing trouble to all of these people. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.500 And God says, 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:22.959 I will harden your heart. 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:25.839 Make his hard heart even harder. 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:28.199 So rather than be troubled 00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:29.319 with the fact that God 00:14:29.319 --> 00:14:30.959 is hardening Pharaoh's heart, 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:32.639 we should see 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.179 that God's justice 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.860 was being done. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:39.340 Pharaoh was only getting 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:41.759 what he actually deserved. 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:45.600 So go back to Romans 9 and verse 18. 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:48.800 Therefore, 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.919 God has mercy 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:53.600 on whom he wants to have mercy, 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:55.539 and he hardens 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:58.159 whom he wants to harden. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.500 You see, 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:03.500 when we begin to start challenging God 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.240 and claiming that God 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.799 is being unfair, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.279 we must remember 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:11.659 that this is trying to tell us 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.419 that all of us 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.399 are just like 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:15.000 the rebellious people of Israel. 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.500 We're just like 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.799 stubborn Pharaoh. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.480 In each situation, 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:22.840 both Israel and Pharaoh, 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.899 both of them 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:25.799 deserved to be punished. 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:27.679 They both deserved 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:28.720 God's justice. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:30.300 But incredibly, 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:32.200 God chose 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.600 to be merciful 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:35.879 to a whole bunch of people 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:37.680 who deserved the opposite. 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.879 So the question 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.500 we should be asking here is 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.560 not why does God choose 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:45.320 one and not the other, 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:48.320 but why does God bother 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.680 to choose somebody 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.660 like you or me? 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:54.660 Remember the opening illustration 00:15:54.660 --> 00:15:56.120 that we had this morning 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.860 about the two parents 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:00.360 who must choose 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.200 which child 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.360 gets the inheritance. 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:04.820 Well, let me add 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.580 a little bit more 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.659 to that illustration. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:09.080 Suppose both of the children 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.399 were very abusive 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.700 and angry 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:13.299 towards their parents. 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:15.419 What if they never cared 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:16.580 for their mum or dad, 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.980 never rang them up 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:19.000 to see how they were, 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.320 never visited them? 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.360 What if they were 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.159 constantly borrowing money 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:23.840 and taking 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.440 and taking 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.060 and taking 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:26.899 and never paying back? 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:30.299 The point is, 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.239 while the parents 00:16:31.239 --> 00:16:32.739 must still choose, 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.959 neither of them 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.879 deserve the inheritance. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:38.199 In fact, 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.959 they deserve 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:39.839 nothing. 00:16:40.839 --> 00:16:42.159 But in their grace, 00:16:43.119 --> 00:16:43.879 they will give it 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.339 to one. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.659 Well, that's how it is 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.699 with us. 00:16:48.239 --> 00:16:49.059 We don't 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:49.899 deserve 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:51.319 God's mercy. 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:53.000 In fact, 00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:54.120 that he does 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.920 show mercy 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.580 to us 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:56.760 is an act 00:16:56.760 --> 00:16:57.660 of incredible 00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:58.560 grace. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.980 So that's the answer 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.820 to question one. 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.660 Is God fair? 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.800 Well, 00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:04.380 God 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.200 is 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.160 gracious. 00:17:07.320 --> 00:17:08.380 The second question 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:09.820 is another great question. 00:17:10.820 --> 00:17:11.980 Why does God 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.759 blame us? 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.420 Verse 19. 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.000 One of you 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.519 will say, 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.460 he predicts, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.840 doesn't he? 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:19.059 And I know I would be 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.079 asking the same question 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.819 and you're probably 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.179 asking this question too. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.879 Verse 19. 00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:24.399 One of you will say to me, 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:25.799 then why does God 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.199 still blame us? 00:17:28.179 --> 00:17:29.299 For who resists 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.859 his will? 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:31.639 If God makes 00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.379 the choice, 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.799 then why does God 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.779 still blame us 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.939 if we don't follow him? 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.480 And if God 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.400 made Pharaoh's 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.340 heart hard, 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.460 then is it not 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.600 unfair to blame 00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:42.640 Pharaoh for being 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.380 hard-hearted? 00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:46.039 It's a great 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.620 question, 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:48.320 but look at the 00:17:48.320 --> 00:17:48.820 answer. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.360 Verse 20. 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:54.820 But who 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:55.620 are you, 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.580 O man 00:17:56.580 --> 00:17:57.360 or woman, 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.820 to talk 00:17:58.820 --> 00:17:59.799 back to God? 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.580 He's saying to us, 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.460 let's get some 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.940 perspective here. 00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:05.220 God 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.980 he's the creator, 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.500 he's the sustainer 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.559 of the entire 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.660 universe in which 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.240 we live. 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.900 He's existed 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.680 from before 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.480 time began. 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.980 He holds 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.339 everything together 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:18.079 in his hands, 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.100 bringing about 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:19.779 the stars 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.460 and the moon 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.160 and the sun 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.039 and the tides 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.980 and everything 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.880 he controls. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.420 And he's going 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.180 to rule for 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:27.160 all eternity. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:27.980 We're not 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.539 dealing with 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.180 some kind of 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.759 small person 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.200 here. 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:32.600 We, 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.140 on the other 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:33.620 hand, 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.839 are just 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:35.459 a tiny 00:18:35.459 --> 00:18:36.039 part of 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:36.779 his creation. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.019 We live 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.539 at most 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.000 for about 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.000 80 years 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.399 and then 00:18:41.399 --> 00:18:42.000 we die. 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.819 So he 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.319 says in 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.959 verse 20, 00:18:45.239 --> 00:18:45.679 so who 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.279 are you 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.359 to be 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:47.799 talking 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.339 back 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:49.139 to God? 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:50.959 Shall 00:18:50.959 --> 00:18:51.359 what is 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.079 formed say 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.659 to him 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.439 who formed 00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:53.619 it, 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.379 why did 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:54.719 you make 00:18:54.719 --> 00:18:55.119 me like 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:55.459 this? 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:56.739 Does 00:18:56.739 --> 00:18:57.219 not the 00:18:57.219 --> 00:18:57.579 potter 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:57.939 have the 00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:58.439 right to 00:18:58.439 --> 00:18:58.879 make out 00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.139 of the 00:18:59.139 --> 00:18:59.699 same lump 00:18:59.699 --> 00:19:00.139 of clay 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.320 some pottery 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:01.960 for noble 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.500 purposes 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.480 and some 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.160 for common 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:04.600 use? 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.480 Who are we? 00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:07.740 Who am I 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.640 and who are you 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:11.040 to tell God 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:11.980 how he should 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.960 rule the 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.340 universe? 00:19:14.300 --> 00:19:15.100 Who are we 00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:15.980 to decide 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.960 who God 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.700 has mercy 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.040 on? 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:18.880 Who are we 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:19.480 to decide 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.020 who we 00:19:20.020 --> 00:19:20.560 shouldn't 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.380 have mercy 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:21.720 on? 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:23.780 You see, 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:24.140 to be 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.680 challenging 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.300 God and 00:19:25.300 --> 00:19:25.800 questioning 00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:26.400 God like 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.080 this is 00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:27.660 basically 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.800 an attempt 00:19:28.800 --> 00:19:29.259 on our 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.580 part 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:30.380 to push 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:30.920 God off 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.360 his throne 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:31.759 and say 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.680 you don't 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.140 know how 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.580 to work 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:34.200 this world 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.060 I know 00:19:35.060 --> 00:19:35.600 better than 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:35.960 you. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.480 But that's 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:40.840 not the 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.519 full answer. 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.060 You see, 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.759 while God 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.560 doesn't answer 00:19:44.560 --> 00:19:45.600 every single 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.279 question we 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.680 have, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.100 he wants 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:48.640 us to see 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.240 in the midst 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:49.759 of all of 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.440 our questions 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:52.279 how gracious 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.940 he is. 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.080 And we 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.540 see this 00:19:55.540 --> 00:19:55.940 in two 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:56.360 ways. 00:19:56.800 --> 00:19:57.140 First, 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.860 God is 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.400 slow 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.960 to anger. 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.140 Look at 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.060 verse 22. 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.360 Follow 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:04.860 carefully 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.740 verse 22. 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:06.820 What if 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.320 God, 00:20:08.560 --> 00:20:09.360 choosing to 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:09.980 show his 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.520 wrath, 00:20:11.020 --> 00:20:11.640 his anger 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.160 and make 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.680 his power 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.100 known, 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:14.720 bore with 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:16.300 great patience 00:20:16.300 --> 00:20:17.940 the objects 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.740 of his wrath 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.360 prepared 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.900 for destruction? 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:24.000 God 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.020 has a 00:20:25.020 --> 00:20:25.600 right 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.459 to bring 00:20:26.459 --> 00:20:26.480 to bring 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.339 his justice 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.459 and judgment. 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.299 But the 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.039 fact is, 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:31.299 and the 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.959 point is 00:20:31.959 --> 00:20:32.359 here, 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.539 that God 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.379 delays 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:35.240 his justice. 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:35.759 Look at what 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.299 it says in 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.159 verse 22. 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.819 He bore 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.980 with great 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.079 patience. 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.599 God is 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.500 slow to 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.079 bring his 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.659 judgment 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:46.000 so that he 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.099 might demonstrate 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:48.059 his kindness 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.019 and his 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.679 grace. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:49.779 grace. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.680 He wants 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.240 to make 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.960 his saving 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.039 power known 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.460 to the 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.440 nations and 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.000 to all 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.460 people. 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.400 That is 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.240 why he 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.920 is bearing 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.779 with great 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.680 patience. 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:03.080 Go back 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.640 to Romans 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.539 chapter 2 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.740 and verse 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.799 4. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.500 Romans 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.220 chapter 2 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.700 verse 4. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.240 He's already 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.440 raised this 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.340 same issue. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.700 Romans 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.500 chapter 2 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.920 and verse 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.299 4. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.960 Talking 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.960 about God's 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.580 delay in 00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:21.500 his patience 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.279 and the 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.000 purpose for 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.180 it. 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.799 He says, 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.340 do you 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:25.559 show contempt 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.480 for the 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.740 riches of 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.539 his kindness, 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.500 tolerance and 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.259 patience, 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.600 not realising 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.539 that God's 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:35.000 kindness leads 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.759 you towards 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.460 repentance? 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.740 repentance. 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.460 You see, 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.880 God doesn't 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.759 delight in 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.360 the death 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.240 of anyone. 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.240 He's not 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.920 willing that 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.319 anybody should 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:46.880 perish. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.460 In other 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:48.920 words, 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:49.900 judgment 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:50.900 doesn't come 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.960 naturally to 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.400 God. 00:21:53.360 --> 00:21:54.259 He seeks 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.900 to put it 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.240 off. 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.200 He wants 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.660 it to be 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.259 the last 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.720 thing that 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.220 he has 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.840 to do. 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:00.620 On the 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.180 other hand, 00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:01.980 God in the 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.740 meantime is 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.460 longing to 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.299 save and 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:04.759 he wants 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.140 us to 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:06.079 grasp how 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.899 gracious he 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:07.299 is. 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.379 Romans 9 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.399 verse 23. 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.639 What if he 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.159 did this? 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.779 What if he 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.259 was so 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.859 patient? 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.319 What if he 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.379 did this to 00:22:15.379 --> 00:22:15.859 make the 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:17.019 riches of 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.720 his glory 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.480 known to 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.240 the objects 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.619 of his 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.899 mercy whom 00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.819 he prepared 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.740 in advance 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.799 for glory? 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.460 God 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.799 delays his 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:28.259 judgment so 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.099 that he 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.439 might display 00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:32.199 his salvation. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:32.279 salvation. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.860 It's like 00:22:35.860 --> 00:22:37.759 God places 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.400 his two 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.240 hands before 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.920 us and 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.360 in one 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:41.900 hand is 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.819 written the 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.200 words 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.180 justice 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.740 and on 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.120 the other 00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:46.680 hand is 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.620 written the 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:47.980 word 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.880 riches. 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.680 And God 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.500 has opened 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:51.980 up the 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.559 hand of 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.620 riches to 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.019 us and 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.299 he has 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.100 invited us 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:55.480 to come 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:55.920 and see 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:57.039 his grace 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.740 and his 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.340 compassion. 00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.140 He wants 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.480 us to 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.120 taste and 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:01.079 see how 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.619 good he 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.399 is and 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:02.679 on the 00:23:02.679 --> 00:23:03.259 other hand 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.179 he keeps 00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:05.019 his hand 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.639 of justice 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.339 closed. 00:23:09.219 --> 00:23:10.079 But a 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.459 day is 00:23:10.459 --> 00:23:10.899 going to 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:11.519 come when 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:11.699 the 00:23:11.699 --> 00:23:12.259 riches, 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.500 the hand 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.799 of his 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.899 riches will 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.599 be closed 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.639 up and 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.079 the hand 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.679 of judgment 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:19.059 will be 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.559 opened. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.639 He is 00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:23.000 slow to 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.559 anger. 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:24.859 God 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:26.079 delays his 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.899 judgment with 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.019 great patience 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:29.059 so that he 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.079 might display 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.919 his grace 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.679 and his 00:23:31.679 --> 00:23:33.240 salvation to 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.319 the nations. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.279 God is 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.579 slow to 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.139 anger. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.379 And 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:41.740 second, 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.740 God is 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:44.379 rich in 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:44.859 love. 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.799 God's 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.559 riches in 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.720 his patience 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.379 and in his 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:50.039 grace have 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.480 been made 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:50.819 known. 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.419 Look at 00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:52.240 verse 24. 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.299 He's saying 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.059 there, not 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.799 just to the 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.460 Jews, not 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.899 just to 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.379 those who 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:57.179 had a 00:23:57.179 --> 00:23:57.699 privileged 00:23:57.699 --> 00:23:58.259 upbringing, 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.399 but also 00:23:59.400 --> 00:23:59.860 to the 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.740 Gentiles, to 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.700 people from 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.320 other nations 00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:03.200 who never 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.820 even heard 00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:04.360 of God. 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:04.900 Look at 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.780 verse 25. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.700 As he 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.500 says in 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.540 Hosea, I 00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.200 will call 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.180 them my 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.280 people who 00:24:11.280 --> 00:24:12.240 are not 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.120 my people. 00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:14.220 I will 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.980 call her 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.400 my loved 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:18.000 one who 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.800 is not 00:24:18.800 --> 00:24:19.720 my loved 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.060 one. 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:21.100 Do you 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:21.540 see how 00:24:21.540 --> 00:24:22.180 far his 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.780 grace is 00:24:22.780 --> 00:24:23.360 reaching out? 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.180 These are 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.840 people and 00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:25.780 nations who 00:24:25.780 --> 00:24:26.440 didn't have 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:26.920 the same 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.820 privileges as 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.279 the people 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.839 of Israel. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.500 They were 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.019 considered 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.859 outsiders, 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.720 nobodies, 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:32.700 enemies of 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:32.960 God. 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.399 You turned 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:33.939 your back 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.319 on them, 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:34.980 but yet 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.019 God in 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.799 his grace 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.639 and because 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:38.519 of his 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.059 riches, 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.919 he says 00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:40.279 to them, 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.039 verse 25, 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.919 I will 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.659 call these 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.079 people, 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.919 these outsiders, 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:44.899 these nobodies, 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.859 these enemies, 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.119 these people, 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.579 my people. 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.539 I will 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.259 call them 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.899 my loved 00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.279 one. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:55.559 my grace 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.379 is so 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.940 great that 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.420 I will 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.980 welcome 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.619 them in, 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.299 I will 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.000 include 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.399 them, 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.119 I will 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.920 draw them 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.420 in so 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:02.819 that they 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.019 can 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.859 experience 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.539 the wonder 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:04.940 of my 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.279 love. 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.500 You all 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.039 know Rocky 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.379 Bay, 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.639 and you 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:12.960 know the 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.660 stream in 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.220 Rocky Bay. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.559 Well, 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:15.960 when our 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.339 kids were 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.660 younger, 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.099 we used 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.460 to try 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:17.940 and block 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.379 up that 00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:18.759 dam, 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:19.940 or block 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.359 up that 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.859 stream, 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:22.099 try and 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.679 hold the 00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:22.979 water 00:25:22.979 --> 00:25:23.439 back, 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:25.099 but the 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.500 inevitable 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.419 was always 00:25:26.419 --> 00:25:26.779 going to 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.119 happen. 00:25:27.719 --> 00:25:28.259 At some 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.699 point, 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.099 somewhere on 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.919 that man-made 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:31.319 dam, 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:31.679 it would 00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:32.159 break, 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.799 and as 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.179 you try 00:25:34.179 --> 00:25:34.679 to shovel 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.419 sand and 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:35.839 try to 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.259 block it 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.679 back up, 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.179 then it 00:25:37.179 --> 00:25:37.619 would break 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.019 somewhere 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.419 else, 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.919 and eventually 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.459 the whole 00:25:40.459 --> 00:25:41.019 dam would 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.379 collapse, 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:41.659 and a 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.339 big stream 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:42.839 of water 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.299 would come 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.859 flowing 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.359 through. 00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:46.159 Well, 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:46.619 that's like 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.339 the riches 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.819 of God's 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.199 love. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.299 love, 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.860 it 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.000 overflows 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.480 to more 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.420 and more 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.279 people. 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.539 You cannot 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.980 hold back 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.880 the grace 00:25:58.880 --> 00:25:59.819 of God, 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.759 and God 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.259 is telling 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.080 us through 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:02.660 this that 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.640 while people 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.700 like Pharaoh 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:06.900 may not 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.360 have known 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.860 God's 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.299 mercy, 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:10.220 many of 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.559 his 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.299 descendants 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:12.340 will. 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.019 While 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.720 Esau, 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.799 tracking back 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.380 in Romans 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:16.799 9, 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.600 may not 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.400 know God's 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.960 compassion, 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.259 many of 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.600 his 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.259 descendants 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.900 will. 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.539 While 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.340 Ishmael 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:24.000 may not 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.380 know 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:25.080 God's 00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:25.340 love, 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.400 many of 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:26.880 his 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:27.680 descendants 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.220 will. 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.000 That's the 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.500 point of 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.559 verse 26. 00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:31.180 It will 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:32.080 happen that 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.400 in that 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.220 very place 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.539 where it 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:33.880 was said 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.200 to them, 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.860 you are 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.700 not my 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.160 people, 00:26:36.580 --> 00:26:37.279 they will 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.039 be called 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:39.519 sons of 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:39.900 the living 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.380 God. 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:42.660 God's 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:44.720 God's 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:47.500 mercy and 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.120 compassion 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:49.320 flows to 00:26:49.320 --> 00:26:49.900 more and 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.580 more people 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.200 than we 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.580 could ever 00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:52.580 think or 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.080 imagine. 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.260 We may 00:26:55.260 --> 00:26:56.120 find many 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.940 things about 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.800 God very 00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.640 difficult and 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.440 very hard, 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.120 but one 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.620 thing is 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.040 certain, 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:04.380 God is 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.440 incredibly 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.559 gracious. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.720 You see, 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.440 if it were 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:13.920 not for 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.340 God's 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:15.000 grace to 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.420 us, 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.080 none of 00:27:17.080 --> 00:27:17.559 us would 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.559 experience 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.799 his salvation. 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.900 Look at 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.660 verse 29, 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.259 the same 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.820 point is 00:27:22.820 --> 00:27:23.340 being made 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:23.759 in verses 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.660 27 and 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.120 28. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:25.900 Let's read 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.539 just verse 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.200 29. 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.420 It is 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:28.940 just as 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.380 Isaiah 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:29.740 said 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.420 previously, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.100 unless the 00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:33.200 Lord Almighty 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.900 had left 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.740 us descendants, 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:35.860 we would 00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.360 have become 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:37.160 like Sodom, 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:37.900 we would 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.360 have become 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:39.160 like Gomorrah. 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.240 You remember 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.840 those two 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.420 great big 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.539 cities in 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:43.960 the Old 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.480 Testament? 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:46.720 Cities that 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.819 had experienced 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.860 God's just 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.400 and fair 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.380 judgment because 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:50.799 of their 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.460 rebellion and 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.180 their behaviour? 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.740 And what 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.380 happened to 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:54.980 the people 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.640 of those 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.980 cities is 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.740 what should 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.380 have happened 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:58.839 to the 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.319 people of 00:27:59.319 --> 00:27:59.740 Israel. 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.259 However, 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.180 because of 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.920 God's 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.640 intervention, 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.759 because of 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.319 God's 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.839 grace, 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.880 it didn't 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.420 happen, 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.720 verse 29, 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.140 unless the 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.140 Lord Almighty 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:12.339 had left 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:13.460 us descendants. 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.019 If it 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.579 wasn't for 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.660 him intervening 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.240 into our 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.779 lives, 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.620 then we 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:17.940 would have 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.319 been like 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:18.740 the rest 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.059 of them. 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:20.920 It's only 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.559 because of 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.420 God's grace 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:24.120 that any 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:24.460 of them 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.000 were saved 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.440 at all. 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.839 I know 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.839 that Romans 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:31.240 9 has 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.920 raised lots 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.599 of questions. 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.000 I know 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.420 I've had 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.120 conversations 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:35.779 with some 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.059 of you. 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:36.860 I have 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.339 the same 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:37.940 questions 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.539 going on 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:38.819 in my 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.539 own mind. 00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:41.019 But when 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.799 we question 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.360 God's 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:42.720 fairness, 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.240 when we 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.980 start to 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.880 blame God 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.480 as if he's 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.839 got it 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.240 wrong, 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.740 what we 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.200 actually 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.839 discover 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.860 is that 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:53.099 God is 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.039 actually being 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.059 incredibly 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.000 fair. 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.460 We don't 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.079 deserve 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.980 what we 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.420 get. 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:00.220 We deserve 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.680 to be 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.279 judged and 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.619 yet he 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.259 doesn't do 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.839 that for 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.059 us. 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.799 What is 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.619 amazing is 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:05.139 that God 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:05.639 not only 00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.460 shows grace 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:06.960 and mercy 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.579 to some 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.079 people, 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:09.960 God 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.659 shows grace 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.200 and mercy 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.779 to people 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.500 like you 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.500 and me. 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.019 He shows 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.579 it to people 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.119 like you 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.619 and me. 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.059 And as 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.680 we'll discover 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.420 as we read 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.720 on, 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:23.380 he gives 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:23.839 us that 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:25.519 grace so 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:25.900 that we 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.500 might begin 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.039 to share 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:27.680 that same 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:29.059 grace with 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.740 other people 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.620 who have 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:31.120 not yet 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:32.380 heard the 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:33.319 amazing wonder 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.620 of God's 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:34.940 love. 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:37.059 It's only 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.860 by grace 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:39.480 that we 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.019 are who 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.500 we are. 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.620 God is 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:44.120 good and 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.960 God is 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.900 gracious. 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.259 Let's 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.519 pray. 00:29:51.720 --> 00:30:00.000 let's 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.220 just 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.779 reflect 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:04.240 on what 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.480 we've 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.920 just been 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.339 thinking 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:05.860 through. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.960 If God 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.799 was fair 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:19.579 then we 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:19.980 would be 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.480 judged. 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:23.100 God 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:24.220 but yet 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.559 in his 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.019 kindness 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.299 his grace 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.120 and compassion 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:29.640 he has 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.180 shown us 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.759 his love 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:32.600 his mercy 00:30:32.600 --> 00:30:34.039 and his 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:34.440 kindness. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:38.460 thank you 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.039 father that 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:39.320 you do 00:30:39.320 --> 00:30:39.840 not treat 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:41.299 us as 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:41.759 our sins 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.320 deserve. 00:30:43.820 --> 00:30:44.500 Thank you 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:44.880 that your 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.340 grace 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:46.539 overflows 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:48.240 to people 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.920 like us. 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:51.480 We thank 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:51.779 you for 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.140 what you 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:52.640 have done 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:54.500 and we 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.100 praise you 00:30:55.100 --> 00:30:55.600 in Jesus 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.059 name. 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:57.559 Amen. 00:30:57.559 --> 00:31:01.859 we're 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.220 going to 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.639 sing a 00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:03.039 couple of 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.679 songs in 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.359 response. 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.859 The first 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.220 one is 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.720 only by 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.659 grace can 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.259 we enter 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.960 only by 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:12.000 grace can 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.639 we stand. 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.559 It celebrates 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.960 God's 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.019 amazing grace 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.519 to us. 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:16.740 in the 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.000 next 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.400 one that 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:17.819 we'll 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:17.920 rage 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.440 , 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.420 Amen. 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:19.799 that's 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:19.859 next Bill 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:19.980 create 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.500 Vine to 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:20.879 Mary, 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.079 Amen.