WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 It's the third of our series on Hebrews 11. 00:00:03.940 --> 00:00:06.200 And we're looking at the question, what is faith? 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:08.439 ! We're going to get back to Matthew 10 next week. 00:00:09.380 --> 00:00:11.660 It's a great chapter in the Bible on faith. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:18.940 There's a definition and a demonstration of faith in Hebrews 11. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:22.839 And we've seen three great themes, or we will have by the end of today. 00:00:23.400 --> 00:00:26.460 First of all, we saw faith finding favour with God. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:33.880 But we are saved, we are Christians by faith alone, but the faith that saves us is never alone. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:42.020 We've not been saved by faith plus works, but we are saved by faith that works, that works itself out. 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:46.240 And faith is not merely mental assent to certain truths. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:49.900 It is the animating principle in the Christian life. 00:00:50.620 --> 00:00:56.060 And we've seen in this chapter that without faith, it is impossible to please God. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:00:57.580 You cannot please Him without faith. 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:04.719 And all of the people that we've read about in Hebrews 11 were told that by their faith, by the way that they lived, 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:07.180 they were commended with God. 00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:09.799 Faith finding favour with God. That was the first week. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:12.379 And then last week we saw that faith is future-looking. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:13.840 It's forward-looking. 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:19.659 It's looking for a city whose builder and maker is God. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:20.739 That is the faith. 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:25.340 That's the faith that Paul in the Colossians talks about. 00:01:25.619 --> 00:01:29.039 That springs from the hope that we've heard about in the Gospel. 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:33.659 That hope that says ultimately we will be God's people. 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:35.439 In God's place. 00:01:35.599 --> 00:01:37.120 Under God's protection. 00:01:38.019 --> 00:01:39.019 We're not there yet. 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:41.739 Kids in the back of the car, they ask that, don't they? 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:42.679 Are we there yet? 00:01:42.759 --> 00:01:44.159 Are we there yet? 00:01:44.539 --> 00:01:45.420 Are we there yet? 00:01:45.420 --> 00:01:49.019 And the Christian answer is, no, we're not there yet. 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:53.879 Jesus says, he who endures to the end will be saved. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:56.680 And so this morning we're going to look at how we do that. 00:01:56.740 --> 00:01:58.200 How do we endures to the end? 00:01:58.579 --> 00:01:59.659 How do we get there? 00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:01.719 Because we're not there yet. 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:04.400 And so the third thing is we'll see faith under fire. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:05.960 Persevere in faith. 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:07.439 Enduring faith. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:10.420 That's the theme from verse 32 onwards. 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:15.599 And you'll notice there's two groups of people from verse 32 onwards. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:17.459 Two groups of people. 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:22.899 There are those in verses 32 to 35 who escape the edge of the sword. 00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:24.319 Who survive. 00:02:25.579 --> 00:02:28.639 And there are those in the second half of verse 32 to 38. 00:02:28.839 --> 00:02:31.319 There are those who don't escape the edge of the sword. 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:32.060 Those who are killed. 00:02:33.219 --> 00:02:34.039 Some escaped. 00:02:34.799 --> 00:02:35.459 Others didn't. 00:02:36.339 --> 00:02:37.859 Both these groups are here. 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:41.580 Not everyone's story is the same. 00:02:42.880 --> 00:02:45.120 In the mystery of providence, and it is a mystery, 00:02:45.540 --> 00:02:50.020 some people have a lot which is much easier than others. 00:02:51.140 --> 00:02:53.280 Maybe that's your testimony this morning. 00:02:53.940 --> 00:02:56.100 You've had it a lot easier in your Christian life than others. 00:02:56.860 --> 00:02:58.780 Maybe your testimony as you look around the room is, 00:02:59.140 --> 00:03:00.220 why have I had it so hard? 00:03:01.100 --> 00:03:05.880 We are having it a lot easier compared to brothers and sisters around the world. 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:08.879 And that comes up very dramatically in these verses. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:11.639 So Daniel, he is thrown to the lions. 00:03:12.079 --> 00:03:13.919 There's no way that he's coming out, is there? 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:15.240 Look at verse 33. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:21.359 By faith, the mouths of lions were stopped. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:24.280 And we weren't expecting that. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:26.280 Then there are his three friends, aren't there? 00:03:26.539 --> 00:03:30.479 Three good men from very long ago, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:32.419 And they are thrown into the fiery furnace. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:34.719 How can anyone survive that? 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:36.319 But look at verse 34. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:39.300 They quenched the power of fire. 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:42.419 They escaped the edge of the sword. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:45.199 They were made strong out of weakness. 00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:46.460 They became mighty in war. 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:48.659 They put foreign armies to flight. 00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:49.800 Or again in verse 35. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:53.599 Women, some of them, received back their dead by resurrection. 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:54.780 Some were tortured. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:57.500 They refused to accept release, 00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:59.719 so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:03.479 That doesn't just happen, does it? 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:11.099 Those two women who received back their sons from the dead, 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:12.800 they are two women in the Old Testament. 00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:16.120 Their sons have died, and by the power of God, 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:18.259 their sons are raised to life again. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:22.099 One was the widow of Zarephath in Elijah's day. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.819 The other one was the Shudamite woman in Elisha's day. 00:04:25.539 --> 00:04:28.459 And both of those women received their young men, 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:30.420 their sons, back from the dead, raised to life. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:31.980 Now we love stories like that, don't we? 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:32.879 Don't we? 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:36.060 The doctor said, I've only got a few months to live, 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:37.279 but that was 20 years ago. 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:37.879 Look at me now. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:40.819 We love to hear that kind of testimony. 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:43.139 My business was about to go under. 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:45.420 I was facing financial ruin. 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:47.740 But people prayed, and God turned it around. 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:49.040 We love those stories. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:52.279 But see what it says in verse 35. 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:53.019 There were others. 00:04:54.719 --> 00:04:55.659 There were others. 00:04:58.279 --> 00:04:59.279 Some were tortured. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:02.439 Refusing to accept release. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:05.279 So that they might rise again to a better life. 00:05:06.779 --> 00:05:07.740 As probably a reference, 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:10.300 it's almost certainly a reference to the Apocrypha. 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:12.540 To the Maccabean martyrs. 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:15.899 Their story is told in the second book of Maccabees, 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:16.639 in the Apocrypha. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:19.120 In 2 Maccabees chapter 7. 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:21.659 During the intertestamental period. 00:05:21.659 --> 00:05:23.540 In between the period between the Old Testament 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:24.420 and the New Testament. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:28.040 And there was a man, Antiochus Epiphanes. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:29.779 He conquered Israel and he occupied it. 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:33.019 He was a cruel and brutal tyrant. 00:05:33.679 --> 00:05:35.919 And many lost their lives during that time. 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:38.879 And one of the most famous is that of the martyrs, 00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:40.319 which is the woman under her seven sons. 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:43.019 She was brought out into the public square. 00:05:44.059 --> 00:05:45.919 You can read it in the Apocrypha. 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:47.959 It's not part of the inspired scriptures. 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:50.339 It's not a part of the Bible, 00:05:50.539 --> 00:05:51.560 but it is worth reading. 00:05:52.659 --> 00:05:54.259 And in 2 Maccabees chapter 7, 00:05:54.359 --> 00:05:55.839 she's brought out into the public square. 00:05:56.379 --> 00:05:57.939 And every one of her sons is challenged 00:05:57.939 --> 00:05:59.339 to deny the faith of Israel. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:02.459 They refused to deny God. 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:05.179 And each one has his tongue cut out. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:06.839 His limbs chopped off. 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:08.719 And then were scalped and roasted alive 00:06:08.719 --> 00:06:09.979 in front of his mother and his brothers. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:13.079 And we're told that she stood there, 00:06:13.659 --> 00:06:15.599 urging her sons to die courageously, 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:16.400 with these words. 00:06:17.460 --> 00:06:18.800 It was not I that gave you life. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:20.280 It was the creator of the world 00:06:20.280 --> 00:06:22.320 who divides the origin of all things 00:06:22.320 --> 00:06:24.980 and who will in mercy give life and breath 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:25.900 back to you again, 00:06:26.840 --> 00:06:29.420 since you now forget yourselves for his sake. 00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:31.939 Every one of them died bravely. 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:33.400 Every one of her sons. 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:35.140 One of them stuck out his tongue 00:06:35.140 --> 00:06:36.200 and stretched out his arms, 00:06:36.320 --> 00:06:37.000 saying to the king, 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:37.900 take them. 00:06:38.580 --> 00:06:39.879 I got them from heaven. 00:06:40.260 --> 00:06:41.140 And for his sake, 00:06:41.200 --> 00:06:41.920 I give them up. 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:43.240 And from him, 00:06:43.280 --> 00:06:44.340 I will get them back again. 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:44.959 It's gruesome. 00:06:47.119 --> 00:06:47.979 There were others. 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:50.299 There were others who were tortured, 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:52.399 who refused to be released, 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:53.500 so that they might gain 00:06:53.500 --> 00:06:54.560 an even better resurrection. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:57.279 And the point is really simple. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:57.799 It's this. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:06:59.779 Faith is about trusting God 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:00.659 whether you live or die. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:03.819 Whether he answers your prayers or not. 00:07:05.219 --> 00:07:08.159 Whether he miraculously intervenes or not. 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:11.700 So take Joni Erickson-Tarda. 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:14.160 Many of you have heard of her 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:16.640 and read the really helpful books she's written. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:18.600 Anything she writes is worth reading. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:21.840 She broke her neck in a diving accident 00:07:21.840 --> 00:07:22.580 when she was 17. 00:07:23.640 --> 00:07:25.280 She spent the rest of her life 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:26.920 in a wheelchair as a paraplegic. 00:07:28.080 --> 00:07:29.180 And when the accident happened, 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:30.480 very well-meaning people, 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:33.300 she wasn't a Christian when it happened to her. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:34.540 She became a Christian 00:07:34.540 --> 00:07:35.660 through the whole experience. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:38.800 But when she had that experience, 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:40.639 people came to her, 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:41.660 well-meaning people, 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:42.379 and said to her, 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:44.040 if you have enough faith, 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:45.379 God would heal her. 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:47.480 But God didn't heal her. 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:49.800 And today, 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:51.040 I can see she's in her 70s now, 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:52.660 she has the most remarkable ministry 00:07:52.660 --> 00:07:53.420 from that wheelchair. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:56.660 Countless, countless hundreds, 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:57.680 perhaps even thousands, 00:07:57.819 --> 00:07:58.460 have come to faith 00:07:58.460 --> 00:07:59.879 through her testimony 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:01.879 from that wheelchair. 00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:03.139 And God put her in that wheelchair. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:05.360 She could only move her head 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.180 for the whole of her life. 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:08.159 What is faith? 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.439 It is trusting God 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:10.959 for whatever happens to you 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:12.199 in the mystery of his providence. 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:14.860 I read the book recently, 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:16.040 The Korean Pentecost. 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:16.779 I don't know whether you know it. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.779 It's the remarkable story 00:08:18.779 --> 00:08:19.500 of a revival 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:21.040 that took place in North Korea 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:21.959 in 1907. 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:25.519 It's a gruesome read. 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:28.060 After the revival breaks out 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:28.959 in that place, 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:29.839 the capital of North Korea 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.699 that I can never pronounce, 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.779 in the midst of that revival, 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:34.700 the Christians, 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:35.700 the new converts, 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.159 they faced the most appalling 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:38.379 persecution and opposition. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:41.220 But during those days, 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.139 this is what they said 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:43.200 to their persecutors. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:44.539 This is what is reported. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:47.120 We are like nails. 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:49.659 The harder you hit us, 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:52.019 the deeper you drive us. 00:08:52.700 --> 00:08:53.879 What a remarkable thing to say. 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:56.039 Bring it on, 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:56.620 they're saying, aren't they? 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:58.820 We are like nails. 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.720 The harder you hit us, 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:02.860 the deeper you drive us. 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:03.899 And that is faith, you see. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:06.080 That is faith. 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:07.299 I say this because 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:09.320 there is a wrong view of faith, 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:09.600 isn't there, 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:10.560 that has crept into 00:09:10.560 --> 00:09:11.879 so-called Christian circles. 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:14.220 It's not faith in God. 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:16.039 It is faith in faith. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.340 People say, 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:20.740 I trusted God for this to happen. 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:21.500 I prayed, 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:22.680 and it didn't happen. 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:24.480 God didn't come through for me. 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:25.620 I trusted him. 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:26.539 Well, you didn't. 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:29.779 You trusted in your own agenda for him. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:33.320 What you wanted him to do, 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:34.740 but you didn't trust him. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:37.800 And that is why it's so wrong, 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.120 isn't it, 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:39.960 with the so-called faith movement. 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:42.840 Let me name names. 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:43.300 Hagen, 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:44.019 Copeland, 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:44.680 Austin, 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:45.460 Meyer. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:48.120 I hope you're not watching their shows. 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:49.700 I hope you're not reading their books. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:50.580 They are heretics. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:52.220 They are false prophets. 00:09:53.980 --> 00:09:55.800 They are wolves in sheep's clothing, 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:57.180 have nothing to do with them, 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:58.180 or any of their ilk. 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.600 The so-called faith movement, 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:01.460 it is faith in faith. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:03.420 Which is no different, 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:03.700 is it, 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:04.879 than the power of positive thinking. 00:10:06.040 --> 00:10:06.920 Picking yourself up 00:10:06.920 --> 00:10:08.320 by your own boot laces, 00:10:08.660 --> 00:10:09.740 putting God 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.400 at your beck and call, 00:10:11.540 --> 00:10:13.100 and fitting him with your agenda. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:15.139 But real faith is trusting God, 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:16.040 whatever happens. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:17.779 Whether you live, 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:18.620 or whether you die. 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:19.980 Whether he intervenes, 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:20.740 or not. 00:10:21.800 --> 00:10:22.879 Whether he gives you, 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:23.700 what you want, 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:24.340 or not. 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.840 Though he slay me, 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:26.600 says Job, 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:28.259 yet will I trust him. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:29.019 That is faith. 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:32.480 And so if anyone has said to you, 00:10:32.519 --> 00:10:34.180 that faith will solve all your problems, 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.259 they've never read, 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.300 Hebrews chapter 11. 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:39.080 Just come to Jesus, 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:40.360 and all your troubles are over. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:40.700 Well, 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:41.420 they don't know, 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.019 Hebrews 11, 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:42.320 do they? 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:45.340 Being sawn in two, 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:47.100 is quite a problem, 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:47.500 isn't it, 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.379 for the faith movement. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.580 That's how Isaiah died, 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:52.000 apparently. 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:54.759 On the run from the authorities, 00:10:54.920 --> 00:10:55.700 hiding in a tree, 00:10:55.860 --> 00:10:56.560 chopped down, 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:57.639 sawn in two, 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.139 according to the tradition, 00:10:59.300 --> 00:11:00.080 according to the legend. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:01.320 Some face jeers, 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:02.700 some face slogging, 00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:03.600 verse 36. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:06.120 And even chains, 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.080 and imprisonment. 00:11:08.540 --> 00:11:09.519 They were stoned, 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:10.399 they were sawn in two, 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.740 they were killed with a sword, 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:13.899 they went about in skins of sheep and goats, 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.440 destitute, 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:15.019 afflicted, 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:15.519 mistreated, 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.960 of whom the world was not worthy, 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:19.220 wandering around in deserts, 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:19.680 and mountains, 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.460 and in dens, 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:21.879 and in caves of the earth. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.360 And all these, 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.860 though commanded through their faith, 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:27.279 did not receive what was promised. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.519 There's no easy believism there, 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:29.840 is there? 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:33.519 This isn't just taking out, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:35.300 an insurance policy against hell. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:36.740 No, 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:37.540 real faith, 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:39.580 in your life and in my life, 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.340 will face many, 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.240 many obstacles, 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:43.500 insurmountable obstacles, 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.440 like the Red Sea, 00:11:44.540 --> 00:11:45.560 or the walls of Jericho. 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.920 And if you are a true believer, 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:48.759 in Jesus Christ, 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:51.840 you will come against obstacles, 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:52.680 like that, 00:11:53.040 --> 00:11:53.519 and you'll think, 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:55.040 how on earth am I ever going to get through, 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:56.519 I can't take much more of this. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:59.879 Faith faces many dangers, 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.799 and yet faith just keeps going, 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.699 when everyone else gives up. 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:06.179 Through many dangers, 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:07.399 toils and snares, 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.259 I have already camped. 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.740 It was grace, 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:13.559 that brought me safe thus far, 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:14.779 and grace will lead me home. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.620 Amazing grace. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:17.879 And so you get it in the picture, 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.019 an authentic, 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:19.879 real, 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:21.100 genuine Christianity, 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:23.379 is not a moment of faith. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:26.500 It's certainly not a decision of faith, 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:26.799 faith. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.620 It's not a prayer of faith, 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.679 authentic Christianity, 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.699 it's a life of faith, 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:35.240 characterized by a long obedience, 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.559 to Jesus Christ. 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:37.559 It's a race to run. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:39.779 Where the victor's prize, 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:40.919 goes not only to those, 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:41.879 who begin the race, 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.120 but to those, 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:43.980 who finish the race. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.019 The race marked out for them, 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.879 it's summed up, 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:47.139 isn't it, 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:47.699 in chapter 12, 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.199 verse 1. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.980 Forget about the chapter divisions, 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:50.360 in Hebrews, 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:51.360 they just get in the way. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:53.100 It isn't the start of a chapter, 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.319 or a start of a new subject, 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:56.120 it's the climax of everything, 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:56.840 that he's been saying, 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.440 in chapter 11. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.759 So verse 1 of chapter 12, 00:12:59.179 --> 00:12:59.440 therefore, 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.480 since we are surrounded, 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:02.200 by such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.139 let us run, 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.360 let us lay aside, 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.539 every weight and sin, 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.759 which clings so closely, 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.120 and let us run, 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:10.659 with endurance, 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.939 it's the race that is set before us. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:14.199 It's our turn now. 00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:16.899 Those in chapter 11, 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:18.439 they've gone to their reward. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.360 You and I, 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.799 we are the ones that are on the track. 00:13:23.079 --> 00:13:23.679 And God, 00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:24.439 in his providence, 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:25.639 has ordered things differently, 00:13:25.719 --> 00:13:27.519 for every single one of us. 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:29.779 We're going to see, 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.240 that your race is not my race, 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:33.000 and my race is not your race, 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:35.299 and your constitution, 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:36.240 and my constitution, 00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:37.079 and all these things, 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.699 they are different. 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:40.840 And God has ordered these things, 00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:42.220 but there is a race to be run, 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.259 and it's a marathon, 00:13:43.420 --> 00:13:44.100 and not a sprint. 00:13:44.780 --> 00:13:45.340 And literally, 00:13:45.520 --> 00:13:47.060 the word for race, 00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:49.960 that is in verse 12, 00:13:50.060 --> 00:13:50.940 is the word agony. 00:13:52.780 --> 00:13:54.620 And if you did cross country at school, 00:13:55.040 --> 00:13:56.220 you'll know what that's like, 00:13:56.280 --> 00:13:56.600 don't they? 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.060 Don't you? 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:59.560 If you do park run on a Saturday morning, 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:02.060 you might know what agony is. 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:04.740 It's not defined so much by speed, 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.120 thankfully, 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.920 but by stamina. 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:08.920 And the question is, 00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:09.840 of Hebrews 11, 00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:10.640 is how do you keep going? 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:13.300 When everything else inside you, 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.140 is ready to collapse, 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.340 which might be for you this morning, 00:14:15.420 --> 00:14:16.280 and your knees are knocking, 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.980 and you feel ready to collapse, 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.140 and the voices in your head, 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:19.560 are saying, 00:14:19.940 --> 00:14:20.540 ease up. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.280 How do you keep going? 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:24.980 There's a famous episode, 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.740 you've watched on YouTube, 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:28.460 in 1968 Olympics in Mexico, 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:29.660 there's a marathon race, 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.820 with a runner from Tanzania. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.900 Mid sporting history, 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.720 he finished, 00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.960 more than a couple of hours, 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:35.820 after everyone else, 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:37.120 had crossed the line. 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.660 His name was, 00:14:38.660 --> 00:14:40.020 John Stephen Aquari. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:41.879 He crossed the line, 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:42.600 in last place, 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.420 he was cheered home, 00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:45.060 by a few thousand spectators, 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.259 who'd remained in the stadium, 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.220 as the sun went down. 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:48.940 By the time he, 00:14:49.060 --> 00:14:50.060 reached the stadium, 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.200 on his final lap, 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.860 he was limping, 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:52.840 and the bandage, 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:53.780 around his leg, 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.960 was flapping in the breeze. 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:56.720 He was asked, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.740 why he carried on, 00:14:57.800 --> 00:14:58.980 and his response, 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.560 has gone down, 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.379 in sporting history. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.800 He said, 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.320 my country, 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.100 did not send me, 00:15:03.180 --> 00:15:04.180 five thousand miles, 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.300 to start the race. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:06.620 He said, 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:07.100 they sent me, 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:07.960 five thousand miles, 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:08.899 to finish the race. 00:15:10.040 --> 00:15:10.700 Because it is, 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.360 he who endures, 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.060 the end, 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.279 that will be saved. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.000 So, 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.500 three things, 00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:16.100 I want to point out, 00:15:16.160 --> 00:15:16.660 to you this morning. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.139 Number one, 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:17.480 listen. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:18.899 Listen. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:21.340 Don't listen, 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:21.779 to the voices, 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.559 in your head, 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:24.379 but listen, 00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:25.120 to the great cloud, 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.539 of witnesses, 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.579 that surround you. 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.179 That's what it says, 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:27.679 in verse one, 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.519 can't you hear them? 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:29.840 Can't you hear, 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.860 the chant of the crowd, 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.240 banging their elbows, 00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:33.879 against the back, 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:34.419 of the stand, 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:34.840 oggy, 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:35.100 oggy, 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:35.539 oggy, 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:36.199 oi, 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:36.459 oi, 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:36.639 oi, 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.379 is that what they're chanting? 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.340 No. 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:40.439 No, 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.179 they're chanting this, 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:41.840 by faith, 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:42.659 by faith, 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:43.579 by faith, 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:44.559 by faith. 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.399 Listen to them, 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.179 that's their testimony, 00:15:47.319 --> 00:15:47.620 isn't it? 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:50.399 That is the soundtrack, 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.559 to this chapter, 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.659 by faith, 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.779 by faith. 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.500 Ed Clemley, 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.860 I used to teach at Westminster, 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.319 Samarie, 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.759 his son was an elder, 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.519 in this congregation, 00:16:00.459 --> 00:16:01.220 and he wrote this, 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.679 he said, 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.740 you may have smiled, 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.600 at the soundtrack, 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.860 of a TV drama. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.139 If the heroine, 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.240 could only hear, 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.399 the swelling coda, 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.360 of the last few minutes, 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:11.319 she would know, 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.159 that the hero, 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.919 is riding down, 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:14.639 the slope, 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:16.559 to the triumph, 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.240 of their reunion. 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:18.779 It says, 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.159 Crowley, 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.139 the church needs, 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.379 to hear the soundtrack, 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:22.860 in the drama, 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:24.240 of her returning lord. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:25.779 She would not then, 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.259 be tempted, 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.480 to abandon her hope, 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.319 in the open ended dialogue, 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.139 of another chat show. 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:30.419 Now what, 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.139 what is he saying there? 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:31.959 So right. 00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:34.019 The soundtrack, 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:34.679 to a film, 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.360 is so important, 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:35.799 isn't it? 00:16:37.339 --> 00:16:37.779 Music, 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.740 is not neutral, 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.659 music, 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.980 conveys a message. 00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:43.500 And so, 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:43.980 that's why, 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:44.980 when you go to the dentist, 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.259 they don't play, 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.440 the soundtrack, 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:49.000 of Hitchcock's Psycho, 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.440 in the dentist's, 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:50.759 waiting room. 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.539 They don't do that today. 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.379 There's a reason, 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.399 because the soundtrack, 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.620 lets you into, 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:58.000 the secret, 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:58.700 of the film. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:00.879 So in, 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.779 in Lord of the Rings, 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.159 isn't it? 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:02.940 There is the music, 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:04.200 of the Shire. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:08.120 You know, 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:08.740 that music. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.539 And so when you hear, 00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:09.940 that music, 00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:10.900 you know, 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:13.200 the beauty, 00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:13.940 and the tranquility, 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.519 of the Shire. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.000 But there's also, 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.519 isn't there, 00:17:16.580 --> 00:17:17.259 the music, 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:17.819 the soundtrack, 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:19.600 of Rohan. 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:23.700 Sorry, 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.380 have I got that wrong? 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:24.759 What is it? 00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:26.720 Sorry, 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.840 the music of Gondor. 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.039 And so, 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.100 that is the language, 00:17:32.340 --> 00:17:32.819 military. 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:34.419 And finally, 00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:35.599 so when you hear those, 00:17:35.679 --> 00:17:36.919 when you hear those tunes, 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.759 your mind is, 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.960 is drawn to that, 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.480 isn't it? 00:17:40.939 --> 00:17:41.559 You hear the music, 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.059 of the Shire, 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:42.799 you think Shire. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.379 You hear the music, 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:44.859 of Gondor, 00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:45.659 you think Gondor. 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.700 Hear the music, 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.480 of the soundtrack. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.559 Because it doesn't happen, 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:50.879 what, 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.460 it doesn't matter, 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:51.879 what's happening, 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.619 on the screen, 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.579 the music tells you, 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.099 what's coming. 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.339 And there may be, 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:58.279 some terrible episodes, 00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:58.779 about to happen, 00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.279 in your life, 00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:00.319 but hear the soundtrack. 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:02.259 Personally, 00:18:02.439 --> 00:18:02.799 corporate, 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:04.519 we might, 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:04.919 as a church, 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.359 have to face, 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:05.799 some very, 00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.899 very difficult times, 00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:08.639 but listen to the soundtrack, 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.700 by faith, 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:10.759 by faith, 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.819 by faith. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.359 Jesus is coming back, 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:13.759 isn't he, 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:15.059 in a very little while. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.099 And Jesus will come back, 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:17.779 and he will rescue, 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:18.899 and vindicate his people. 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.179 And that is what, 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.119 this chapter was introduced by, 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.220 look at the end of chapter 10. 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.700 In just a little while, 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.339 he was coming, 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:27.980 will come, 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.879 and will not delay. 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.659 So hang in there. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.740 The crowd is saying, 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:31.819 by faith, 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.799 by faith. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.559 And so therefore, 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.399 since we are surrounded, 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.579 by such a great cloud, 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.179 of witnesses, 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.379 let us lay aside, 00:18:39.439 --> 00:18:40.059 every weight, 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:41.700 and sin, 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.799 that clings so closely, 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.579 and let us run, 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.099 with endurance, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.240 the race that is set before us. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.980 Don't get this wrong. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:48.839 There's lots of modern commentators, 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.400 on Hebrews 11, 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.200 that get this really wrong. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.579 The Old Testament witnesses, 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.380 are witnesses to us. 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:55.360 They are not witnesses of us. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.759 I think it would be very embarrassing, 00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.059 wouldn't it, 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:01.759 if Moses and Abraham, 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.019 are up there in heaven, 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.259 watching us this morning. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.299 I don't think, 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.620 I find that particularly encouraging. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.039 People say, 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.140 well they're looking down on us. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.099 They really aren't. 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:11.360 They really aren't. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:13.199 No, 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.839 the witnesses of Hebrews 11, 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.319 are witnesses to us. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.799 They're not sitting, 00:19:17.939 --> 00:19:19.299 in the grandstand of heaven, 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.079 watching us. 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:21.019 That would turn heaven, 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.759 into hell for them. 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.359 There's nothing in the Bible, 00:19:23.459 --> 00:19:24.059 to suggest that, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.319 the glorified saints in heaven, 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:27.639 are aware of what is going on, 00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.159 in this world. 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.439 They are not witnesses, 00:19:31.159 --> 00:19:31.699 of us. 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.000 They are witnesses to us. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.240 What is their message? 00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:35.119 Their message is, 00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:35.779 God is faithful. 00:19:37.679 --> 00:19:38.659 And he who called you, 00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:39.579 will give you the grace, 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.099 that you need. 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.099 So keep on going. 00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:43.039 Keep on going. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.219 Hang on in there. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.980 What we've all been waiting for, 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.619 has taken place. 00:19:48.719 --> 00:19:49.459 Jesus has died, 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:49.980 and has risen, 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.799 and he's coming back. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.539 So listen, 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:53.319 to the great cloud of witnesses. 00:19:53.459 --> 00:19:54.139 Here's the second thing. 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:54.719 Divest. 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.259 Divest means, 00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:56.919 just put off. 00:19:57.879 --> 00:19:58.319 Divest. 00:19:59.959 --> 00:20:00.599 Divest yourself, 00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:01.539 of everything that impedes, 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.099 your progress. 00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:02.839 So throw off, 00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:04.139 everything that hinders, 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:05.899 and the sin, 00:20:05.959 --> 00:20:07.139 that so easily entangles. 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.299 It's a really lovely picture, 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.799 of sin isn't it? 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.440 That's so helpful. 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.879 The sin that easily entangles. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.720 I wish we could spend, 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.519 more time on that. 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:15.659 It may be, 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.000 at this point, 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.599 that's something really, 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.460 obviously sinful. 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.000 Maybe, 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.440 let's say, 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.879 looking at internet pornography. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.440 It's obviously sinful. 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:27.200 But it, 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.220 it may not necessarily, 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.039 be something that's, 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:31.140 obviously sinful. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.779 It isn't always, 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.680 something sinful, 00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:35.680 that stops us running, 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.279 as Christians. 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.140 If, 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:39.779 it's something, 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.380 that takes up, 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.200 too much space, 00:20:41.320 --> 00:20:41.940 in your life. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.000 And so, 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.420 what you're thinking, 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:45.740 at the moment, 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.700 is can you give me a list? 00:20:48.320 --> 00:20:48.980 And I'm not going, 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.480 to give you a list. 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:51.579 Because I don't know, 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.740 what those things are for you. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.599 And they will be, 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.839 something different for you, 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.180 than they are for me, 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:57.620 and you've got to, 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:58.400 work it out yourself. 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.960 With other Christians. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.839 But if you are, 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.680 a serious Christian, 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.640 and if you want to, 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.620 endure to the end, 00:21:05.020 --> 00:21:05.780 then you will, 00:21:06.040 --> 00:21:06.780 work it out for yourself, 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.320 with others. 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:11.040 If you're a serious Christian, 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.740 and if you want to, 00:21:11.780 --> 00:21:12.800 endure to the end, 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.540 you will work it out, 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.060 for yourself. 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.780 And if you're in the race, 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.560 and you're serious about it, 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:21.700 well, 00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:22.640 those hindrances, 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:23.620 that stop you running, 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.360 and stop you living, 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:24.780 all out, 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.759 they will become obvious. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.820 Look at the clutter, 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.480 in your life. 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:33.340 Take stock of the baggage, 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.019 that you're carrying. 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.259 And ask yourself, 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:38.059 is this helping me, 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.500 as a Christian? 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.399 Isn't that a great question? 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.259 Is this helping me, 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.980 as a Christian? 00:21:43.939 --> 00:21:44.559 It's not? 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.339 Get rid of it. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.220 Is it helping, 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:49.579 or hindrances? 00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:50.379 Amy Carmichael, 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.919 the famous, 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.740 pioneer missionary, 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.379 who went to India, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:53.939 she said, 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.659 I thank God, 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.639 for all the gifts, 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.439 he has given me. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.480 But I hold them all, 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.859 in the palm of an open hand. 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.980 So if he chooses, 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.940 to take them from me, 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.960 for the cause of the gospel, 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.440 they do not have to be prized, 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.319 out of my grasp. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:07.819 That's it, 00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.099 isn't it? 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.920 Isn't that so helpful? 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:12.039 God has given you great things. 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:13.019 Praise God for that. 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:14.240 He's given you wonderful things. 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.120 He's given you more, 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.680 than many, 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:15.980 many, 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.519 many people. 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.740 But you hold them, 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.500 with an open hand. 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.559 And so if God chooses, 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.180 to take them, 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.079 they don't have to be prized, 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.640 out of your hand. 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:25.980 That's it, 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.240 isn't it? 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.220 Listen to the great cloud, 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.620 of witnesses. 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.779 Divest yourself, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.720 of everything that impedes. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.200 And lastly, 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:30.960 focus. 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:32.880 Focus. 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:36.819 Fix your eyes, 00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.400 on Jesus. 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:44.400 Church Clare went to university, 00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.740 in Carnival, 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.100 Heath Evangelical Church, 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.680 and there was a minister, 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.660 he'd been there about 40 years, 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.120 Vernon High, 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.759 and he was a funny, 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.360 little man in lots of ways. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.160 But when he walked up the steps, 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.640 to the pulpit, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:53.900 very, 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.480 very slowly, 00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:55.720 they would sing every Sunday, 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.500 turn your eyes, 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.120 upon Jesus. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.539 Look full, 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.799 in his wonderful face, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.500 and the things of earth, 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.680 will go strangely dim, 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.279 in the light, 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.039 of his glory, 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.759 and grace. 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.559 It's a great hymn. 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.980 I don't think, 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.600 it's a great hymn, 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.079 when the minister, 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.980 is climbing steps. 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.480 But Jesus, 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.539 is the pioneer, 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:13.660 of our faith. 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:16.559 In other words, 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:16.960 focus. 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:17.460 Listen, 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.140 divest, 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.519 focus. 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:19.039 If you're going to, 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:19.799 run the race, 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.640 marked out for you, 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:23.480 you must focus, 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.360 all your attention, 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.099 on the greatest, 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.079 of all runners. 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.459 And never allow, 00:23:28.459 --> 00:23:29.059 your attention, 00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:30.359 to be diverted from him. 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.459 We're so easily, 00:23:32.459 --> 00:23:33.019 distracted, 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:33.459 aren't we? 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.740 Distracted by the crowd, 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.479 and by the competition. 00:23:36.439 --> 00:23:37.719 Distracted by our own feet, 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:39.000 even by our own progress. 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:40.439 Why is it so hard? 00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.359 Why has God, 00:23:43.439 --> 00:23:43.959 given me, 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.240 such a raw deal? 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.699 Maybe you think, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.199 that this morning. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.099 Others have it, 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.719 so much, 00:23:49.479 --> 00:23:50.579 easier than I do. 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:51.579 But don't think like that. 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.500 Remember, 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.420 this is the race, 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.380 that God has marked out, 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:55.880 for you. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.460 All the days, 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.380 ordained for me, 00:23:59.420 --> 00:23:59.759 were written, 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.500 in your book, 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.180 before one of them, 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.720 came to be. 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:02.799 So Psalm 139. 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.680 What a great encouragement. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.660 It's an encouragement, 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.099 isn't it? 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.740 To know that God, 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.440 has marked out, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.960 the path of your life. 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.400 He knows the race, 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.099 he wants you to run. 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.180 He's marked out the track. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.519 Paul says, 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:16.940 in Ephesians, 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:18.319 we are God's handiwork, 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.559 created in Christ Jesus, 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.480 to do good works, 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.319 which he has prepared, 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.420 in advance for us to do. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:25.420 Do you see that? 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.559 Prepared in advance, 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.099 for us to do. 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:30.500 The track is marked out, 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.299 in the sovereign, 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.539 providence of God, 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.420 for every one of us. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.000 So focus, 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:35.059 don't allow yourself, 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.720 to be distracted, 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.339 by others. 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.799 Don't allow yourself, 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.579 to be distracted, 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:41.019 by others, 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:41.440 who are running, 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:41.920 this race, 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.720 alongside you. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.660 Why is he, 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.900 so far ahead of me? 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:46.660 Why isn't she, 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.059 running, 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:48.099 in the same way, 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.819 that I am? 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:51.279 Do you remember, 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.899 when Jesus restored Peter, 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:55.240 at the end of John's gospel, 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:57.119 in John 21, 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.500 Peter is denied Jesus, 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.579 and Jesus meets him, 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.519 by the lakeside there, 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.460 and he restores him, 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.659 and Peter is back on the track. 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.679 He's back in the race, 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.220 and straight away, 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.859 what does he say? 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.019 He turns, 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.960 and he sees John, 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.439 the disciple that Jesus loved, 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:11.079 and he sees that John, 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.859 was following along, 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:12.899 and when Peter saw him, 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.220 Peter says to him, 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.399 Lord, 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.079 what about him? 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:17.679 And Jesus says, 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.619 well what's that to you? 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:19.939 You follow me. 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.179 You follow me, 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.039 John will follow me, 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.879 in the way that I've, 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.579 marked out for him, 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.639 but you follow me, 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.759 you've got to keep to your lane. 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.879 You've got to run the race, 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:31.119 that is marked out for you. 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.519 Keep your eyes on me. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.859 I read, 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.240 during the summer, 00:25:39.939 --> 00:25:40.599 kind of preparation, 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.579 hopefully preaching through it, 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.399 in a year or so, 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.460 a commentary, 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.099 of sermons, 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.740 on the Heidelberg, 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.319 Catechism, 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.640 which is just a remarkable, 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.980 theological document. 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.759 And the thing that, 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.900 the Heidelberg Catechism, 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.299 really impressed upon me, 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:53.660 this summer, 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:56.000 is the way that it's framed, 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.900 that the writers, 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.900 are constantly saying, 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.200 look away from yourself. 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:02.660 Look outside of yourself. 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:06.519 Look away from yourself, 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.339 to Christ. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.559 And that is the only way, 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.220 to run the race. 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.960 That is the only way, 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.880 to live the Christian life. 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.940 Look to Jesus. 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.359 Don't look at your own performance. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.779 Don't look at, 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.939 am I reading the Bible enough? 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.719 Am I praying enough? 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.579 Am I repenting enough? 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.539 Am I witnessing enough? 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.479 Am I giving enough? 00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:22.479 You mustn't think about those things. 00:26:23.419 --> 00:26:24.579 Well, you must think about those things, 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:26.439 but you must not be preoccupied with them. 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:28.659 You fix your eyes on Him. 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:31.560 You've been preoccupied with Him, 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.160 not yourself. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.700 You look away from yourself, 00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:35.900 to the Lord Jesus, isn't it? 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:37.519 When we come to the Lord's Supper tonight, 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.140 it's so important, 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.060 as we come to the Lord's Supper, 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.500 you, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.140 you, 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.220 you, 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.720 you, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.779 you look within, 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.340 but you only look briefly within, 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.160 to see your need, 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.220 and then you look away, 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:48.180 you look away, 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.420 from yourself. 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:51.019 You look to Jesus, 00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:51.880 because He is, 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:52.480 the pioneer, 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.660 and the perfecter of faith. 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.640 He is the forerunner. 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.759 He's the leader of the pack. 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.940 He's the one who breaks free. 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.859 He's the one who sets the pace. 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:05.099 He's the one who wins the jersey for His team. 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.700 He's the pioneer, 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.799 not only that, 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:10.500 He is the perfecter of the faith. 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:12.099 You see, 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:14.000 Jesus is not just one name, 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.440 at the end of a long list of names. 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:18.079 He is the ultimate man of faith. 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:21.819 He shows us what the man of faith really is. 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:24.859 He's the one with whom you must be relentlessly preoccupied. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:29.220 You're not to fix your eyes on Abel, 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:31.039 or Noah, 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.839 or Abraham, 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.299 or Moses, 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.180 or David, 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:38.059 or Paul, 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:40.379 or your theological hero, 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.279 or your minister. 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:44.460 You listen to their testimony by all means, 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.900 but you don't fix your eyes on them. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.079 These people, 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:49.960 they ran a less than perfect race. 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.900 All of them, 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.740 if truth be told, 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:53.740 preached a much better message than they lived. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.640 Jesus is the only one you can trust. 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:59.379 Jesus is the only one who ran the race 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.640 that His Father ordained Him 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:02.140 without the slightest imperfection. 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:05.299 He is the pioneer and the perfecter of faith. 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:08.000 He is the one to all those Old Testament saints. 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.920 They point you to Him. 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:12.420 He's the one to whom they've been waiting for. 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:17.340 And you look to Him, 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:19.000 and you don't look to Him just as an example. 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.180 Do you remember the bracelets 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:24.160 that people wore, 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.420 isn't there? 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:26.140 There are a generation of students now 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.060 that when they were children, 00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.880 they were given bracelets, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.940 what would Jesus do? 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:31.080 Do you remember that? 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:32.539 What would Jesus do? 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:33.500 WWJD. 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.720 That is not the gospel. 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:37.180 In fact, 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.539 I would argue that is not Christianity. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.339 Not what would Jesus do. 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:44.000 The gospel is what has Jesus done. 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.279 That is the gospel. 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:48.279 Not what did Jesus do. 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.900 Don't look to Him as an example. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.140 That will destroy you. 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:52.319 Attachly destroy you. 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:55.220 Jesus did it so I can do it. 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.500 Don't be so ridiculous. 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.480 Did Abraham do it? 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.000 Did David do it? 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:00.759 Did Moses do it? 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.440 You know, 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.460 they've all got feet of clay, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:02.819 haven't they? 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:03.879 And so have you. 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.099 And so you look to Jesus. 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:09.079 Don't look to Jesus as the great example. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.599 It's not what would Jesus have done. 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.900 You see in verse 3, 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.339 what would Jesus do? 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.859 It's what Jesus has done. 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.920 Consider Him. 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:21.400 Consider Him who endured from sinners 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:23.980 such hostility against Himself. 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:29.019 He endured the cross. 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:32.000 Verse 2, 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.160 He endured the cross, 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:35.400 despising who for the joy 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.480 that was set before Him 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.259 endured the cross, 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:38.519 despising the shame. 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.259 That's a really interesting verse. 00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:43.859 I have nearly, 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.940 I think I have read this verse 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.759 the wrong way all my life. 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:51.059 I don't think what I've been thinking 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:52.400 is completely wrong. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:55.240 But I've thought this verse 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:59.359 is really thinking about 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:01.679 motivation for Jesus. 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.679 That's what lots of the commentators 00:30:03.679 --> 00:30:04.419 take it. 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:06.859 The word is empty in Greek. 00:30:06.959 --> 00:30:07.719 It can mean that. 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.279 And so you think of 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.319 what motivated Jesus 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:11.979 to go to the cross? 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.859 What kept Him going? 00:30:12.959 --> 00:30:13.879 What helped Him endure 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:16.059 the excruciating pain of Calvary? 00:30:16.419 --> 00:30:16.859 Well, verse 2, 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.759 people think that it's 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:19.219 because He foresaw 00:30:19.219 --> 00:30:20.399 that there were many people 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:21.699 that were going to become Christians. 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.419 Many people were going to be saved. 00:30:23.479 --> 00:30:24.579 Now I'm sure that is true, 00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:25.719 I just don't think that's what 00:30:25.719 --> 00:30:27.000 Hebrews 12 verse 2 is saying. 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:29.660 Because the word empty 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:31.000 usually means instead of. 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:34.900 So this is Philippians chapter 2. 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.420 Instead of the joy 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:38.059 that was set before Him, 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:40.380 instead of that, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.880 the second person 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:43.319 of the blessed Trinity 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:44.700 in fellowship with His Father, 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.660 in face-to-face with His Father, 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.480 the joy of the Trinity, 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:50.319 the joy of the Godhead, 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.500 instead of that joy 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:53.059 that was set before Him, 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.579 what did He do? 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:55.019 He exchanged that joy, 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:57.119 and He abandoned Himself 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.039 to the abyss of God 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.759 forsaken us. 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.759 And He cries out, 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.579 My God, my God, 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.579 why have you forsaken me? 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:07.599 It's not what would Jesus do, 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.819 but what has Jesus done? 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.420 And the truth is, 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.539 He's come to hell for you. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.879 That instead of that joy 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.039 that was set before Him, 00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:17.039 He endured the cross, 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:18.119 despising His shame, 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.500 and so you consider Him 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.859 and you fix your eyes on Him. 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:25.459 And you keep running towards Him. 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.979 And so are you weary this morning? 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.240 Come to me, 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.159 all of you who are weary 00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.899 and heavy laden, 00:31:30.979 --> 00:31:31.559 and Jesus says, 00:31:31.639 --> 00:31:32.699 I will give you rest. 00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:35.439 And are you worried this morning? 00:31:36.199 --> 00:31:36.779 Jesus says, 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:38.079 cast all your cares upon me 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.979 because I care for you. 00:31:40.159 --> 00:31:41.419 And are you carrying something 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:41.919 this morning 00:31:41.919 --> 00:31:43.079 that is too heavy for you? 00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:44.279 And Jesus says, 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.719 take my yoke upon you 00:31:45.719 --> 00:31:47.659 because my yoke is easy 00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:48.240 and the burden 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.519 that I give you is light. 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:52.220 He says, 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.660 come on, 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:54.240 help me lift that burden 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.879 from your shoulders. 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.079 And He stands there 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:57.879 at the finishing line 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:58.920 and He calls us, 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.200 come, 00:31:59.599 --> 00:31:59.900 come, 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.460 come. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.740 Consider Him. 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.420 Consider Him. 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:09.480 And do not lose heart. 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.879 I don't know 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:16.740 if you've ever had the experience 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.160 of waiting in the wrong queue. 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.559 You know that? 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:22.960 So frustrating, 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:23.319 isn't it, 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.480 when the self-checkout 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.559 aren't working in their law. 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.720 And you look at these 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:29.000 kind of two massive queues 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.599 stretching back 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.500 and you've got to pick one of them 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.920 and it's not Murphy's Law 00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:32.720 but somebody should make up 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.639 another name for it. 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.839 We always choose 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.639 the wrong line, 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.139 don't we? 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.299 And you know it is, 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.259 by the time you get 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:39.819 to the front, 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.359 the lady says, 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.519 well, 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.359 this till is closed 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.920 or if it's at the post office, 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.839 the window is closed. 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:46.420 You have to join another queue. 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:49.039 Sometimes you see 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:51.500 a queue moving faster, 00:32:51.600 --> 00:32:51.940 don't you? 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.400 And you think, 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:53.519 well, 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:54.680 I'll swap from one to the other. 00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:56.240 Never makes things any better, 00:32:56.300 --> 00:32:56.600 does it? 00:32:58.300 --> 00:32:59.240 Makes things worse. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.600 And so the question 00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.279 that I'm asking you 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:02.720 and the question 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.220 that the writer 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:03.759 of the Hebrews 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.740 is putting to you, 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:05.519 to his readers, 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.380 is are you sure 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.400 you're in the right line? 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.140 You see, 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:11.060 these Hebrew Christians 00:33:11.060 --> 00:33:13.680 are being severely persecuted 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.860 and they are in danger 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:16.440 of joining the wrong queue. 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:19.940 They are under enormous pressure 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:21.860 to go back into Judaism. 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.740 And all these people 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.480 in Hebrews 11 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.940 are shouting out to them, 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.120 no, 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.900 stay where you are. 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.680 Stay where you are. 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.660 Don't come over here. 00:33:30.320 --> 00:33:31.400 Stick with Jesus. 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.799 Go on with Jesus. 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.740 Don't join our queue. 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.440 We've been waiting 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.720 a long time for him to come. 00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:39.240 No, 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:39.920 in fact, 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.360 we're going to come 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:41.160 and join your queue. 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:43.300 We didn't receive 00:33:43.300 --> 00:33:44.019 what we were looking for 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.519 in Judaism. 00:33:45.300 --> 00:33:46.620 They all died in faith, 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.000 it says, 00:33:47.060 --> 00:33:47.860 not having received 00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:48.480 what was promised. 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:50.360 It was only in Jesus 00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:51.560 that we will fully receive 00:33:51.560 --> 00:33:52.480 what God has promised. 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.800 Complete salvation, 00:33:55.040 --> 00:33:55.759 full and free. 00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:56.800 And so stick with Jesus. 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.019 In Christ, 00:33:59.120 --> 00:34:00.380 the whole church of God 00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:02.380 reaches its perfection. 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.200 Do you see that 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.900 in verse 39? 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:04.960 And all these, 00:34:05.060 --> 00:34:05.660 though commended 00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.400 through their faith, 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.279 did not receive 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.039 what was promised. 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:10.200 Since God had provided 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.539 something better for us, 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.539 that apart from us, 00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:14.219 they should not be 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:14.799 made perfect. 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.919 They had to wait for Jesus. 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:19.219 Because all the promises 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.299 of God are yes 00:34:20.299 --> 00:34:21.259 and amen in him. 00:34:22.779 --> 00:34:23.719 And so stick with Jesus, 00:34:23.879 --> 00:34:24.879 fix your eyes on him, 00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:26.899 and run the race 00:34:26.899 --> 00:34:28.019 that God has set out for you. 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.339 Let us pray.