WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.780 As you're turning to Hebrews chapter 10, starting at verse 11, I'll share for our visitors and those who are maybe jumping in the middle that we're in a series called Covenant Theology. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:23.379 A helpful definition of a covenant is that a covenant is it's more committed and more binding than a mere relationship. 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:26.839 And it's also more loving and more personal than a contract. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:34.619 And we've seen that anytime that it's God who is covenanting with people, it's it's a covenant that's not among equals. 00:00:35.219 --> 00:00:38.579 It is God, the creator, covenanting, covenanting with his creatures. 00:00:39.700 --> 00:00:44.120 And so God stoops down. He condescends to make a covenant with people. 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:50.500 We've seen the covenant of works between God and Adam with no mediator. 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:55.280 We've seen the covenant of redemption among Father, Son and Holy Spirit to save a people. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:01:02.460 And last week we saw the covenant of grace, part one, in which Jesus Christ is the mediator. 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:06.060 And this this future work of Christ was promised throughout all of the scripture. 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:11.260 So today is part two of two for the covenant of grace. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:15.480 I'm going to read Hebrews chapter 10, verse 11 through 23. 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:23.120 As we read this, remember, we receive it as God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear and sufficient word. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:29.200 What that means is that's when you and I go home and we're reading our copies of God's word and different English translations. 00:01:29.420 --> 00:01:34.540 The Holy Spirit inside of true believers, the same Holy Spirit will inspire the Bible. 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:37.060 He makes it clear so you can understand it. 00:01:37.460 --> 00:01:39.159 And we get to work that out together. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:42.979 So as I read this, receive it that way. 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:45.780 And then I'll say this is the word of God and you can respond. 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:46.700 Thanks be to God. 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:51.579 Hebrews chapter 10, starting at verse 11. 00:01:52.159 --> 00:02:01.060 Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:16.900 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:18.980 Verse 14. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:25.920 For by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:33.979 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us for after saying this is the covenant that I will make with them. 00:02:34.299 --> 00:02:41.699 After those days, declares the Lord, I will put my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds. 00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:48.179 Then he adds, I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:54.619 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:03:08.560 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy place, the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain that is his flesh. 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:17.400 And since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:23.780 With our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:32.500 Father, let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful. 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:34.560 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:35.699 --> 00:03:36.699 Thanks be to God. 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:37.639 Indeed, you may be seated. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:47.020 The Bible says that the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:03:47.020 --> 00:03:49.340 Let's pray. 00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:06.760 Oh, Lord, thank you for this glorious promise that Jesus Christ is our high priest at the right hand of God the Father. 00:04:07.200 --> 00:04:10.700 And he is ministering and ruling over his church. 00:04:11.660 --> 00:04:14.180 Help us to behold you in your glory, Lord. 00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:21.019 We pray that your Holy Spirit will open our eyes to see you and behold you in your glory. 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:29.360 Help us to receive the promise we just heard from your word with faith, because you who promised are faithful. 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:34.879 And help us to have a full assurance of the faith because of who you are. 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:37.079 We ask this for Christ's sake. 00:04:37.460 --> 00:04:37.800 Amen. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:37.879 Amen. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:43.819 Well, beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:49.759 The question I'm inviting you to reflect on for yourself today is this. 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:54.120 Are you in God's covenant of grace? 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:58.339 Are you in God's covenant of grace? 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:03.000 There's not a more important question for you to ponder. 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:08.519 And there's not a more important answer for you to walk away with in confidence. 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:14.719 That you can approach God in confidence, knowing whether you are in his covenant of grace. 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:29.640 I think the Bible itself gives us a powerful illustration of our own weariness and weakness to believe that, as well as the glory of the grace of God to us, the covenant faithfulness. 00:05:30.520 --> 00:05:33.560 I think you'll pick up on what this illustration is. 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:39.759 This story begins with a baby in the palace. 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:43.699 And his caretaker is rushing away. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:49.540 I picture it being a dark scene with maybe stone slab steps going down. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:52.560 And this little boy is dropped in the haste. 00:05:52.560 --> 00:06:00.899 And this little boy, from that moment on, is lame in both of his legs, unable to walk. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:07.959 He was rushed away because his grandfather was the wicked king. 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:18.800 And in their nation, when one king dies, the replacement king is going to come in and wipe out the whole bloodline of that king to make sure there's no threats for the throne. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:24.560 So here is this young man now as he grows up and becomes an adult. 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:29.240 He has a death warrant on his life, according to the custom of the land. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:31.540 And he's lame in both feet. 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:42.019 If there's ever a man who has every natural right to be paranoid and feel insecure and have no assurance of safety, it would be this man. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.240 You know his name? Do you remember? 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:44.840 Mephibosheth. 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:47.879 We read his story in 1st and 2nd Samuel. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:51.980 I'll get back to him in a bit. 00:06:52.100 --> 00:06:56.560 But for now, let's connect that illustration to covenant theology. 00:06:58.579 --> 00:07:04.879 Mephibosheth, that lame man who has a death warrant on his head, he's like you and me. 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:07.480 He stands in need of grace. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:11.300 King Saul is like Adam. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:16.800 And the sin of Adam, it puts the death penalty on all of Adam's line. 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:20.840 That's how we're born naturally. 00:07:21.900 --> 00:07:23.079 We are paranoid. 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:24.120 We are insecure. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:33.840 We have no reason to have assurance that God, the ruler, the creator of all, would truly accept us. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:42.339 But if you'll notice in our sermon text for today, Hebrews chapter 10, let your eyes go down to verse 22. 00:07:43.599 --> 00:07:47.579 The author of Hebrews is giving the church these promises. 00:07:47.579 --> 00:07:50.800 He's putting a pageant on in front of them. 00:07:50.859 --> 00:07:51.979 It's the gospel message. 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:53.839 It's the work accomplished by Christ. 00:07:54.359 --> 00:07:55.279 And for what purpose? 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.019 You see that in verse 22? 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:01.539 It's so that you can enter with confidence the holy places. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:03.419 You can be in the presence of God. 00:08:03.799 --> 00:08:08.579 In the words of verse 22, with full assurance of faith. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:14.599 Faith, you are to be secure, fully assured if you are in the covenant of grace. 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:17.079 That's the purpose of our text today. 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:21.959 Now, there is such a thing as false assurance as well. 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:25.379 And that's one of the favorite weapons of the enemy. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:33.200 A preacher in Old Princetonian in America in the 1800s named Archibald Alexander Hodge. 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:43.659 He wrote, there is nothing in the world that works such satanic, profound, God defiant pride as false assurance. 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:48.659 False assurance is scary and it's wicked. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:55.360 He went on to write, there's also nothing that works such utter humility. 00:08:55.379 --> 00:09:01.000 Utter self emptiness as the childlike spirit of true assurance. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:03.419 So do you see what's at stake? 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:07.419 If we have a false assurance of being saved, it's deadly. 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:13.000 But if we can have a true, a full assurance that I am in the covenant of grace, 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:21.100 it will work a childlike spirit of joy, self emptiness and true security. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:25.340 What is your faith? 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:28.980 I'm going to try to give you 10 tests. 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:36.500 If someone were to give you a fancy piece of jewelry, you're going to want to take it to a jeweler that can help you see. 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:38.620 Here's how you know the quality of the gold. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:41.580 So here are 10 tests for you to know. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.080 Are you in the covenant of grace? 00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:46.899 Number one, you are in the covenant of grace. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:48.139 According to this passage. 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:55.000 If God, the father has already poured out his wrath upon your sins. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:57.959 Those are the only two options. 00:09:57.960 --> 00:10:05.400 If you are under the curse of Adam, then there is sin that God needs to deal with because God is holy and God is just. 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:10.500 But the good news is if you are in the covenant of grace. 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:11.659 Look at verse 12. 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:13.259 Hebrews 10, 12. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:24.740 That means that this man, God, the son who took on flesh, he has offered forever for all time. 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:29.639 One single sacrifice covering all your sin. 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:36.600 That means God, the father has already poured out his wrath against your sin and my sin. 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:45.299 And after he did this, we're told that he sat down at the right hand of God. 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.159 So you see the contrast. 00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:51.759 The priests would go and they would minister these sacrifices. 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:56.700 And it was giving the people a picture of substitutionary blood offerings for sin. 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:59.740 And imagine if we're sitting in that congregation. 00:11:01.180 --> 00:11:04.400 I'm just I'm so guilty, so accused in my conscience. 00:11:04.400 --> 00:11:07.879 And I'm watching the priests in there and they're they're working hard. 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.879 They're busy bodies, always on the move. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:16.820 And I even imagine like what if you're in a day and it's raining all day long and the fire won't stay lit and your sacrifice is half burnt. 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:18.160 I'm sure that happened. 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:21.879 Am I going to be forgiven or not? 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:23.740 As tormenting. 00:11:24.400 --> 00:11:25.560 You're always wondering. 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:30.980 John Gill pointed out the priests under the law were many. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:34.080 And Christ was one. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:38.660 They offered many sacrifices, but Christ offered one sacrifice. 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:41.540 They offered sacrifices every single day. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.460 But Christ once. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:46.340 They stood and walked around. 00:11:47.040 --> 00:11:48.460 Christ sat. 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:53.060 His sacrifice was effectual to take away sins. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.580 Theirs was not. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:59.820 This is the good news that God entered human history. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:02.920 It's how first Peter 3 18 explains it. 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:11.320 Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God and put. 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:13.220 He was put to death in the flesh. 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:16.160 He was made alive in the spirit. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:19.379 To become that perfect mediator. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:25.000 To bless you in your spirit and bring you to God. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:28.639 Our confession of faith. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:31.720 Chapter 8 paragraph 3 says, 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:38.240 Our Lord Jesus Christ, being holy, blameless, undefiled, full of grace and truth. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:48.740 Our Lord Jesus Christ was thoroughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and guarantee of the covenant of grace. 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:53.159 It had to be Christ. 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:57.159 There is no one else who could atone for your sins. 00:12:57.259 --> 00:13:01.940 But if Christ has paid for your sins, your sins are paid for. 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:06.639 The father has already poured out his wrath upon your sins. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:09.919 And that's why you and I can have assurance. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.939 But assurance is high stakes. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:16.500 There's a warfare going on over your assurance of faith. 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:28.919 Because assurance, it is the energizing hope that wakes up the army of Christ to take up our cross daily and march following King Jesus. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:31.939 Puritan Thomas Brooks, he wrote, 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:44.259 Satan is just as studious and industrious to keep souls like yours and mine off from assurance as he was to cast Adam out of paradise. 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:50.079 It's a spiritual warfare for your soul and for your assurance. 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:54.079 But you are in the covenant of grace. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:57.159 You can have assurance that you are pardoned. 00:13:57.159 --> 00:14:02.339 If God the father has already poured out his wrath upon your sins. 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:07.139 The second test for your assurance and mine is this. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.919 You are in God's covenant of grace. 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:15.519 If God the son has already fulfilled his work to redeem you. 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:19.059 You are in the covenant of grace. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:23.500 If God the son has already fulfilled his work to redeem you. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:30.120 This is what's so glorious about those simple words in verse 12. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.899 God the son. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:37.080 After living a life of righteousness in your place and mine. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.539 Paying for our sin. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.480 Being buried and raised to life. 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.779 He then ascended. 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:48.379 In the heavenly throne room. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:52.779 He is seated at the right hand of God. 00:14:56.199 --> 00:14:58.339 The reason this gives us assurance. 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:01.699 Paul points it out in Romans 8 34. 00:15:02.819 --> 00:15:05.360 Who is there to condemn you anymore? 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:08.620 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:09.220 More than that. 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:10.060 Who was raised. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:12.240 And who is at the right hand of God. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:15.759 Who indeed is interceding for us. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.680 Who is there to condemn you anymore? 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:22.000 But our own flesh. 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.659 Our own thinking. 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:23.200 We want to. 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.440 We want to make it dependent on our own works. 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:27.340 We constantly think that way. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:27.700 Don't we? 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:31.820 Even Sinclair Ferguson confessed that. 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:36.580 He said any way of salvation that depends on something I must contribute. 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.000 Can never bring assurance. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:43.960 For we can never be sure that we have done enough to help God save us. 00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:48.020 But our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:48.140 --> 00:15:49.680 We're told he sat down. 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.040 With God. 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:52.100 The father. 00:15:53.760 --> 00:15:54.260 Well, priests. 00:15:54.400 --> 00:15:55.379 They never sat down. 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:58.700 Many of you have probably done something hard. 00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:00.140 Physical labor this week. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:00.500 You know. 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.319 Raking up pine needles. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:02.679 Or. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:03.639 You know. 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:04.819 Maybe shoveling snow. 00:16:04.939 --> 00:16:05.720 Or breaking up ice. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.679 Or something like that. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.100 Doesn't it feel so good. 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.699 When you can finally take your shoes off. 00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.580 Put those feet up. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.480 And just sit down. 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:13.360 And rest from working hard. 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.720 Our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:20.299 He is tireless. 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:22.500 But he sits down. 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:24.139 Not because he needs to rest. 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.000 He sits down. 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.220 In the context. 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.379 Of this passage. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.799 As the ruling. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.779 King of all. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:32.000 This is a rule. 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.480 Of the new creation. 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.419 God the father. 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.539 God the son. 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:37.460 God the holy spirit. 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.439 And the first creation. 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.340 Rested. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.679 The whole earth was their footstool. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.799 Ruling over the world. 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.240 Now Jesus Christ. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.699 Seated. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.519 At the right hand of God the father. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.100 Resting. 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.139 Ruling. 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.220 Over the second. 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.480 The new creation. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.620 And there we are. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.759 Like that. 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.799 Lame man. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.980 Who's afraid of dying. 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.600 And being. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.519 Being stabbed. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.419 In the middle of the night. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:04.019 I love how this one musician. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.539 Leland. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.880 Put this story. 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.599 From the perspective. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.619 Of that lame man. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.539 That's you and me. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.019 Wounded. 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.220 And forsaken. 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.720 I was shattered. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.880 By the fall. 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.360 Broken. 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:17.200 And forgotten. 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.640 Feeling lost. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.680 And all alone. 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:22.980 But we read in our text. 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:25.000 That our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:27.079 Is interceding. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:28.680 He is praying for his people. 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:30.100 And as he prays. 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.759 The Holy Spirit. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.519 Applies. 00:17:31.719 --> 00:17:32.419 His salvation. 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.099 To believers. 00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:34.659 He causes you. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.319 To respond. 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.599 He regenerates you. 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:37.219 Who were dead. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.859 Back to the song. 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.659 That's what it's like. 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:41.419 To be summoned. 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:42.559 By the king. 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:43.579 Invited. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.099 Into the master's courts. 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.859 It's like you're being. 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.500 Lifted. 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.379 By the savior. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.759 And then cradled. 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.759 In his arms. 00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:52.919 I'm carried. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.639 To the table. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.159 I'm seated. 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.319 Where I don't belong. 00:17:58.719 --> 00:17:59.419 I'm carried. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.079 To the table. 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:01.500 And I'm swept away. 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.419 By his love. 00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:06.299 David had made. 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:06.799 A covenant. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.659 With Jonathan. 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:09.559 The son of wicked king Saul. 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:10.980 And when Jonathan. 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.779 Died in battle. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.219 David was faithful. 00:18:14.219 --> 00:18:15.899 To keep that covenant promise. 00:18:16.219 --> 00:18:16.919 And he poured out. 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.519 The blessings. 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.740 Of his love for Jonathan. 00:18:19.179 --> 00:18:20.299 On this lame man. 00:18:20.699 --> 00:18:21.219 Mephibosheth. 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.959 And that's what it's like. 00:18:23.959 --> 00:18:24.500 For us. 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.879 There is nothing in us. 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.659 That should make God. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.259 Like us. 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.319 Or love us. 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.879 But the father. 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:29.980 Father. 00:18:30.280 --> 00:18:30.760 Promised. 00:18:30.760 --> 00:18:32.240 A reward to the son. 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.460 Based on obedience. 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.800 And because the son. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.840 Has accomplished that. 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.960 The blessings. 00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:38.100 All pass through now. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:38.880 To us. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.820 The objects. 00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:40.660 Of his grace. 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.080 Jesus. 00:18:44.280 --> 00:18:45.540 Is the only mediator. 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.440 Between God. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.360 And man. 00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.320 And in the covenant. 00:18:48.320 --> 00:18:48.880 Of grace. 00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:49.760 He stands. 00:18:49.760 --> 00:18:50.560 As the Lord. 00:18:50.760 --> 00:18:51.460 As the ruler. 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.260 On the throne. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.240 And we are. 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.480 His. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.799 His willing army. 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.039 His servants. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.240 Who follow him. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.839 And obey his commands. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.140 We agree with. 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.119 How the Westminster. 00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:05.240 Larger catechism. 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.779 Answers this question. 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.660 The question is. 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:09.339 With whom did God make. 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.700 The covenant of grace. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.579 And the answer is. 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.940 The covenant of grace. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.819 Was made with. 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.180 Jesus Christ. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:16.440 As the second. 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:16.920 Adam. 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.980 And. 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.140 With all. 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.380 The chosen ones. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.060 In him. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.460 As his seed. 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.480 We are. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.259 The seed. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.440 We are the offspring. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.460 Of Jesus Christ. 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:28.420 In the new covenant. 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.080 Because God. 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.880 The son. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.240 Has already fulfilled. 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.300 His work. 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:34.480 To redeem you. 00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:36.720 And that means. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.759 That you can have assurance. 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.700 That his work. 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.560 For you. 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.400 Is finished. 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.940 The third test. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.440 Of assurance. 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.019 Is this. 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.880 You can have assurance. 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.380 That you are. 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.200 In God's covenant. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:47.800 Of grace. 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:48.620 If God. 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.400 The Holy Spirit. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:49.960 Is. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.480 Sanctifying you. 00:19:52.540 --> 00:19:53.620 You can have assurance. 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.180 If you're. 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:54.920 You're aware. 00:19:55.040 --> 00:19:55.980 That the Holy Spirit. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.460 Is sanctifying me. 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.440 I'm not perfect. 00:19:58.580 --> 00:19:58.920 I got. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.880 A whole lifetime. 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:00.340 To go. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.480 But it's a work. 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.000 In progress. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.520 And I know. 00:20:02.520 --> 00:20:03.020 The Spirit. 00:20:03.020 --> 00:20:04.280 Is working on me. 00:20:04.760 --> 00:20:05.440 Look with me. 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.300 At verse 13. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.240 Our Lord Jesus. 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.440 Sits on that throne. 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.060 And he is waiting. 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:12.400 From that time. 00:20:12.540 --> 00:20:13.000 Henceforth. 00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:13.760 Expecting. 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:14.540 God. 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.020 To make. 00:20:15.020 --> 00:20:15.840 His enemies. 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:17.259 A footstool. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.619 For his feet. 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.579 Verse 14. 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:21.119 For by a single offering. 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.759 He has perfected. 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:24.179 For all time. 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.220 Forever. 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:27.259 Those who are being sanctified. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.079 Those who he says. 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:29.959 Are holding. 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.879 So who is it that God. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.879 Is sanctifying. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.519 Jude 1. 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:37.879 1. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.579 He says. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.579 It's you. 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:40.619 It's you. 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.619 Whom God has called. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.599 Who are sanctified. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.619 By God the Father. 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.019 And preserved. 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.559 In Jesus Christ. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.799 God the Father. 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.240 Has said. 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:53.259 You are set apart. 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.319 You are mine. 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.179 God the Holy Spirit. 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:56.819 Is the one who. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.240 Effectually draws you. 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.079 To God. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.019 And here's your comfort. 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:01.919 You. 00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:03.059 Are preserved. 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.240 By Jesus Christ. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.199 It's his ministry. 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:06.299 As your high priest. 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:07.240 To preserve you. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:09.259 In fellowship with God. 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.660 What does that mean? 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:12.000 What is sanctification? 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.539 Benjamin Keech's catechism. 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.380 Question 39. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.359 Answers it this way. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.539 Sanctification. 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.559 Is a work. 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.400 Of God's. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.500 Free grace. 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.279 Whereby. 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.279 We are renewed. 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.779 In the whole man. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.120 After the image of God. 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.519 And we are enabled. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.539 More and more. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.480 To die. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.140 Unto sin. 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.240 And live. 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.200 Unto righteousness. 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.859 Are you being sanctified? 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.359 We will be in this. 00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:38.960 Walk. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.039 Following Christ. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.640 Letting him. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.460 Sanctify us. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.579 And working with him. 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.460 In that joyfully. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.579 Gratefully surrender. 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.960 Whatever he exposes. 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.519 Each day. 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.079 And as. 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.200 As he's doing that work. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.740 In us. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.819 He is subduing. 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.480 His enemies. 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.579 The father. 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.680 Is bringing all the enemies. 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.500 Under the feet. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.680 Of King Jesus. 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.680 I was thinking. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.519 What is the connection. 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.940 Between the enemies. 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:02.140 Being brought under his feet. 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.559 And what that means for us. 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.039 The promise. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.339 That we are being sanctified. 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:07.619 Well the enemies. 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.319 Of God. 00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:10.039 Are sin. 00:22:10.179 --> 00:22:10.500 Satan. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.579 Worldliness. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.419 Wolves. 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.319 And death. 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.419 The father is bringing. 00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:16.119 All of those. 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.279 In their turn. 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.119 Under his feet. 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.559 Listen now. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.339 This is good news. 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.000 For you and me. 00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:23.079 That remaining sin. 00:22:23.159 --> 00:22:23.779 In your flesh. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.319 And in mine. 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.399 It is being put. 00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:27.559 Under the feet. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.179 Of Christ. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.619 The wicked. 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.319 God hating. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:31.839 World. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.559 Do you see evidence. 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:33.919 Of that. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.500 In the headlines. 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:36.119 It is being brought. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.000 Under the feet. 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.220 Of King Jesus. 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.420 The demon. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.119 Influenced. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.720 Tempters. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.839 Accusers. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.880 And fear. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.559 Inducing. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.240 Wolves. 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.460 They are being made. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.440 Christ's. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.319 Footstool. 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.500 Satan. 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.579 Is looking. 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.660 Whom he may devour. 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:56.079 And he wants to attack. 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:56.759 Your assurance. 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.460 Of salvation. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.500 Because he can only. 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.480 Manipulate you. 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.359 On principle. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:01.859 Of fear. 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:04.279 But Satan. 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.859 Has had his head. 00:23:05.979 --> 00:23:06.519 Crushed. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.439 By the feet. 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.299 Of King Jesus. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.839 And the last enemy. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.979 That our living savior. 00:23:11.979 --> 00:23:12.679 Will destroy. 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.319 Is death. 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.259 All of these enemies. 00:23:15.679 --> 00:23:16.319 Will perish. 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.419 This world. 00:23:17.479 --> 00:23:18.339 Is fading away. 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:22.659 So you can have assurance. 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.939 That you belong. 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.079 To Christ. 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.939 In the covenant. 00:23:25.939 --> 00:23:26.559 Of grace. 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:29.159 If the Holy Spirit. 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.399 Is sanctifying you. 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:31.359 Slowly. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.240 But surely. 00:23:32.459 --> 00:23:32.859 Surely. 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:33.980 Because Christ. 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.240 Is praying for you. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:38.120 The fourth test. 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:38.640 Is this. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.720 You can have assurance. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.000 That you are in God's covenant. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.579 Of grace. 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.539 If the Holy Spirit. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.880 Ministers to you. 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.079 Through the Bible. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.819 You can have assurance. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.259 That you belong to God. 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.259 If his Holy Spirit. 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.240 Ministers to you. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.900 As you study. 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:53.900 His word. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.720 Look at verse 15. 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.180 The Holy Spirit. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.660 Also bears witness. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.660 Or testifies. 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.460 To us. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.840 He's writing. 00:24:03.840 --> 00:24:04.620 To the church. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.400 After saying. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.960 This is the covenant. 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:09.220 That I will make with them. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.440 After those days. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.539 Declares the Lord. 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:14.340 See the covenant. 00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:15.259 That God made. 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.720 The Spirit. 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:17.579 Applies. 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.740 And the Spirit. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.880 Reassures you. 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.759 By his word. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.920 This is for you. 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.579 This is talking about you. 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.279 Belonging to Christ. 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.680 Have you ever wondered. 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.620 If you have enough. 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.160 Faith. 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.980 To be saved. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.860 We sing of waves. 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.440 Of doubt. 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.220 And suffering. 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.740 It just exposes. 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.600 How weak we are. 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.680 There was a missionary. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.840 Named George Muller. 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:45.380 And he confessed this. 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.820 He said. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.720 Faith. 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.200 Is not a matter. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.240 Of impressions. 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:51.200 Nor of probabilities. 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.360 Faith. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.420 Is the assurance. 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.680 That the thing. 00:24:54.800 --> 00:24:55.320 Which God. 00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:56.340 Has said. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:56.940 In his word. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.460 Is true. 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.820 And that God. 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.580 Will act. 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.060 According. 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.200 To what he. 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.120 Has said. 00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:03.220 In his word. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.400 How do you know. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.960 You can trust. 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.700 The word of God. 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:07.299 It's because the Holy Spirit. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.580 Bears witness to you. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.480 That this. 00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:10.480 Is trustworthy. 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.480 This is the word of God. 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:12.980 For you. 00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:16.600 Brooks. 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:16.900 Again. 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.160 Wrote. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.640 That Satan. 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:17.700 That Satan. 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.560 Want to attack. 00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:19.500 Your salvation. 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.960 And your assurance. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.140 Because he knows. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:23.840 Christians. 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:25.120 Who have an assurance. 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.040 Of salvation. 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.840 They are strong. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.259 And they obey. 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:29.840 Boldly. 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:32.220 And that's the army. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.700 Of Christ. 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.660 Being raised up. 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.320 That's why. 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:34.900 Your assurance. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.480 Is such a. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.240 Spiritual battle. 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.279 But you can. 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:38.720 Have. 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:39.320 Assurance. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.000 That you belong. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.480 To God. 00:25:40.800 --> 00:25:41.500 Through his covenant. 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.140 Of grace. 00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:43.340 In the language. 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:44.160 Of our confession. 00:25:44.300 --> 00:25:44.900 Chapter eight. 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:52.540 paragraph eight, if God has revealed the mystery of salvation in Jesus Christ to you by his word. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:59.000 That's a test you need to practice this week. Open up your Bible. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:09.580 We read Psalm 25. Read those first 14 verses or so very slowly. Is God's spirit bearing witness to you? 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:20.439 That your guilt is great, but God saves you for his namesake and he applies his covenant to you. 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:26.579 That's how you can have assurance that you were in the covenant of grace. 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:30.519 The Holy Spirit ministers to you through the Bible. 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:38.639 The fifth test is this. The Holy Spirit has also written God's law inside of you. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:44.059 Has the Holy Spirit written God's law inside of you in your heart and in your mind? 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:48.939 Then you can have assurance that you are in the covenant of grace. 00:26:51.659 --> 00:27:01.099 Mark Dever had pointed out that false evangelism, it leads worldly people to have a false assurance because they have, quote, made a decision one time. 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:05.379 There's no such thing as a worldly pagan Christian. 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:12.020 If your salvation is based on something you did one time, that's a false assurance. 00:27:13.520 --> 00:27:16.280 But look at what God's word says in verse 16. 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:23.840 He says, I will put my laws into their hearts and write them on their minds. 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:29.420 God himself will put his law in the heart of his people in the covenant of grace. 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:33.480 God himself will write his law on your mind. 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:37.200 This is a quotation from Jeremiah 31. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:49.180 And so to understand the meaning here and make sure we're applying this correctly, one of our hermeneutical tools, one of our ways of interpreting the Bible the way we believe the Holy Spirit wants us to, 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:55.840 it's to understand how would that audience in the time of Jeremiah receive that? 00:27:55.839 --> 00:28:00.240 When they hear the law of God written by God, what would they have thought of? 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:07.839 They would have thought of God writing the Ten Commandments with his own finger on the stone tablets. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:12.299 They would not have necessarily thought of all the ceremonial laws or civil laws. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:17.339 When we talk about God writing his law, they would have thought of the Ten Commandments. 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:28.419 So now in the new covenant, the promise fulfilling Jeremiah 31, interpreted by Hebrews 10, it's that same connotation for us. 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:32.220 God will write his law. 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:34.939 He will put his moral law, what pleases you. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:39.159 And it won't contradict what he codified in the Ten Commandments. 00:28:39.679 --> 00:28:42.399 It'll show its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:46.319 But the Ten Commandments are now on your mind. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:51.339 Not as a master that drives you only to, you know, to be aware of your sin. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:53.859 But it's like from the hand of your great king. 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.500 Every king has a law. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:58.379 We don't need to guess what is the law of King Jesus. 00:28:58.919 --> 00:29:00.279 He writes it in our minds. 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.960 And he confirms it with scripture. 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:12.759 Now, I want to clarify that there's a difference between knowing the law of God and then working it out in my own life. 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:20.879 When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit, your conscience, he enables you and he gives you a desire to obey. 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:24.279 But we're also caught in that Romans 7 battle, right? 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:27.140 The spirit is willing, but my flesh is still weak. 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:32.400 And so don't let your assurance get confused with fulfilling your desire. 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:34.740 I'm so encouraged. 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:37.860 Also, Joel Beeky, one of my heroes, a godly man. 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.160 He wrote, 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:43.080 The primary ground of assurance is rooted in the promises of God. 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:51.160 And those promises must become increasingly real in the believer through the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:52.280 --> 00:29:53.700 Well, how do I know if that's happening? 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:58.620 You will see evidences of grace, though you won't be a perfect law keeper. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:02.559 Quoting Thomas Manton, another Puritan, he said, 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:10.980 Comfort may be increased by the sight of good works in your life, but your salvation is not built upon your good works. 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:15.519 Those works are seeds of hope, not props of confidence. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:21.519 Those works are sweet evidences of your election, not causes of being elect. 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:29.480 Works are not a ground of confidence, nor the foundations of your faith, but good works that the Spirit's bearing out in us. 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:35.359 They are growing graces and encouragements of assurance. 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:43.960 And so when we read passages like Colossians 3, 12 to 14, we're told, 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:48.579 Therefore, as God's chosen people, that's who you are. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.940 You are chosen. 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:51.820 You are elect. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:53.140 You are grafted in already. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:56.380 Clothe yourselves with compassion. 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.740 What should I imagine with compassion? 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.920 Look to Christ. 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:02.340 Put on Christ's righteousness. 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:09.519 Put on his compassion, his kindness, his humility, his gentleness, his patience. 00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:14.980 Bear with one another the way Christ bore with his disciples, the way he bears with you. 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:20.440 So you see how we take the law from the hand of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:32.579 Those whom Christ redeemed, our confession says, he also persuades to believe and to obey him. 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:40.779 Jesus Christ lovingly governs your heart by his word and by his spirit in you. 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:51.559 We can know that we are in the covenant of grace if we have his law inside of us and he's growing into us. 00:31:51.559 --> 00:32:10.460 I can illustrate that the way one pastor put it is, you know, you picture a boy and it's like God's holding the crown just a couple inches above that boy's head and then inviting him, persuading him, encouraging him as God himself gives that boy energy and life to grow into that crown he's holding. 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:16.299 That's what it's like for us as we grow into all that Christ has merited for us. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:19.299 Well, the sixth test is this. 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:26.840 You are in the covenant of grace if the Holy Spirit causes you more and more to trust God's promises. 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:29.140 Look at verse 17. 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:35.400 Quoting Jeremiah 31 still, he says, I will remember their sins no more. 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:38.779 I will remember their lawless deeds no more. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:46.460 Verse 18, where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:52.960 Receive this promise that God remembers your sins no more. 00:32:54.099 --> 00:33:02.579 You can have assurance that God, without foreseeing in you or me any good condition that would make us deserve his grace. 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:13.779 Rather, it was Christ who certainly and effectually has applied to you the eternal redemption that he has already obtained for you. 00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:23.179 And so you trust this promise that God, the Holy God who is just, he remembers your sins no more. 00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:30.600 And if you can trust that promise, you can have more and more assurance that you are in his covenant of grace. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:33.400 The seventh test is this. 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:46.060 You can have assurance that you are in the covenant of grace through the work of Christ because Jesus has brought you into the presence of the Holy God. 00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:51.800 Has Jesus brought you into the presence of the Holy God? 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:54.339 What more assurance could you want? 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:58.720 Look at verse 19, 20 and 21. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:05.100 The pastor preacher here in Hebrews is now applying this to the congregation. 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:11.780 He says, therefore, brothers, since we have boldness, we have confidence to enter the holy places. 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.500 How? 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:28.960 By the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened, that he inaugurated, he has consecrated for us through the curtain or the veil that is his body, through his own flesh. 00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:34.820 Since we have a great high priest over the house of God. 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:41.179 When did this covenant of grace happen in human history? 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:48.980 When the Lord Jesus gave up his spirit, we're told that in the temple. 00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:57.739 The great veil, the great curtain that would separate sinners from the presence of the Holy God, it was torn from the top to the bottom. 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.539 It's an act of God. 00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:02.719 The old covenant is done. 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:06.880 The new covenant, the covenant of grace is in effect. 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:10.739 It's been effected by the death of the testator. 00:35:10.739 --> 00:35:13.079 The one who is promising this very thing. 00:35:13.799 --> 00:35:21.659 His last will and testament is now finalized and is made applied to you by the power of his Holy Spirit. 00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:26.199 See, it was his own body being torn on the cross. 00:35:26.879 --> 00:35:34.179 It was the work that a just God requires so that sinners can be approaching into the presence of the Holy God righteous. 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:39.259 Their sins are fully paid and his righteousness covers them now. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:46.199 And Jesus rules over his church, the house of God, as the high priest. 00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:50.659 And what's more, as the high priest, he says, come on in. 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:54.299 My whole church, come with me into the Holy of Holies. 00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:56.860 That's the work of Christ. 00:35:56.940 --> 00:36:03.080 It's to bring everyone he saves into the presence of the Holy, Holy, Holy God. 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:10.740 Every time we gather in the name of Jesus, every Sunday morning like this, it's the Lord's day. 00:36:12.580 --> 00:36:14.920 And it's not about how I did this week. 00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:18.599 It's about how Christ has saved me. 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:23.860 John Newton, who composed Amazing Grace. 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:34.500 He wrote, assurance grows by repeated conflict, by our repeated experimental proof of the Lord's power and goodness to save. 00:36:34.700 --> 00:36:42.440 When we have been brought very low and helped, sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again. 00:36:42.440 --> 00:36:49.619 We have given up all hope, but we have been suddenly snatched from the danger and placed in safety. 00:36:52.240 --> 00:36:54.940 And that's what we experience every time we gather. 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:57.900 And every morning, his mercies are new. 00:36:59.159 --> 00:37:06.079 Thinking of Romans 7 again, we can relate to this feeling of testing his goodness over and over and over again. 00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:09.900 We can pray, oh Lord, I have sinned again. 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:12.960 My flesh is so weak. 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:15.599 But I hate my sin. 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:20.420 Because you have made my spirit willing to obey you. 00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:24.139 You say that you remember my sins no more. 00:37:24.760 --> 00:37:27.920 So please cause me to believe this and to trust you. 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:34.079 Because the more I do, the more your love replaces my own flesh. 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:44.219 And that's why you and I can have assurance that his spirit has caused you to repent and believe in Christ as your Lord. 00:37:45.579 --> 00:37:52.539 You can be secure because God himself has united you to Christ. 00:37:53.539 --> 00:37:56.360 And everything that's Christ, he says, is yours. 00:37:57.299 --> 00:38:00.980 He's the one who leads you into the communion and the presence of God. 00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:05.880 Can you imagine if we truly believe this? 00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:10.960 We are in the presence of our holy God, communing with him. 00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:16.440 When we leave these doors back into the world, it would not be the same. 00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:19.360 And what a threat that is to the enemy. 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:22.400 The kingdom of Christ advancing through his church. 00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:34.519 Thomas Brooks wrote, Satan attacks your assurance of salvation because he knows that assurance is a pearl of such a price that it will make your soul happy forever. 00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:38.280 Satan does not want you to be happy. 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:42.160 But that's why Jesus came to save you. 00:38:42.340 --> 00:38:46.119 It's that you could have joy forevermore in the presence of God himself. 00:38:46.119 --> 00:38:56.480 So you can have assurance that you are in God's covenant of grace every time Jesus brings you into the presence of the holy God. 00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:59.420 The eighth test is this. 00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:06.779 You can have assurance if you draw near to God with his people, trusting by faith in what he promises. 00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:24.300 See, he says to the gathered congregation now in verse 22, those who have been saved, let us in the plural as a congregation, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:28.720 This is the same passage where he goes on to say, stir one another up in the faith. 00:39:29.080 --> 00:39:30.580 Do not quit meeting together. 00:39:31.220 --> 00:39:32.740 We have to help each other out. 00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:36.659 We can't do the work of the Holy Spirit, but we can encourage one another. 00:39:37.419 --> 00:39:45.639 We can see a brother whose whose flame is barely there, but the Lord will not put that that smoking flax out. 00:39:46.159 --> 00:39:49.879 Instead, he brings the church together and we help flame fan it into flame. 00:39:50.959 --> 00:39:52.099 Blow the wind of the spirit. 00:39:52.279 --> 00:39:53.599 Preach the gospel to one another. 00:39:56.599 --> 00:40:02.399 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. 00:40:02.739 --> 00:40:13.179 Thomas Brooks again said, Satan wants to attack assurance of salvation because he knows that true assurance stirs up a generous disposition. 00:40:14.899 --> 00:40:23.359 We don't do good things or show generosity to one another, to those who don't, who would never, you know, we'd never choose to do it by our own flesh. 00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:25.699 We don't do that to make ourselves feel good. 00:40:26.119 --> 00:40:29.399 We do it if it's the love that we first receive from Christ. 00:40:29.399 --> 00:40:30.739 It simply overflows. 00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:35.879 And he says in verse 22. 00:40:37.099 --> 00:40:44.379 With our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:47.839 I see two things here. 00:40:48.379 --> 00:40:49.939 First is the inner being. 00:40:50.839 --> 00:40:52.599 God purifies the inner being. 00:40:53.379 --> 00:40:56.479 Your heart is sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. 00:40:56.480 --> 00:41:02.860 The role of the priest was to sprinkle blood over the representatives of the tribes of Israel. 00:41:04.460 --> 00:41:11.139 And it's reminding to them the blood that covers the doorposts that the angel of death can now pass over. 00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:13.760 So where there is a sprinkling with blood. 00:41:14.840 --> 00:41:16.400 There is a passing over. 00:41:17.119 --> 00:41:18.940 Everybody deserves sin and death. 00:41:18.940 --> 00:41:22.500 But the blood sprinkles you and it covers you. 00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:33.099 And in the covenant of grace, our hearts on the inside, the inner being is sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. 00:41:33.099 --> 00:41:37.440 Your conscience no longer says you deserve death. 00:41:37.860 --> 00:41:41.500 Because you're growing in your assurance that my sins have been paid for. 00:41:41.819 --> 00:41:45.539 The Lord has passed over my sin by pouring it out on his son in Seter. 00:41:47.179 --> 00:41:49.639 The Christian faith is not just on the inner being. 00:41:49.759 --> 00:41:50.639 It's the whole person. 00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:53.980 See, next I see the second thing, which is the outer being. 00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:57.400 He also says our bodies are washed with pure water. 00:41:59.519 --> 00:42:01.039 He regenerates your soul. 00:42:01.960 --> 00:42:04.800 We celebrate that with the baptism of your body. 00:42:06.780 --> 00:42:11.199 In the old covenant, there were a couple categories that had to be washed with water. 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:12.099 One were the priests. 00:42:12.260 --> 00:42:14.920 In order to be near God, you have to be washed, purified with water. 00:42:15.539 --> 00:42:16.719 The other one was foreigners. 00:42:17.139 --> 00:42:19.920 Foreigners had to be purified and washed with water. 00:42:20.699 --> 00:42:23.440 Before they could be considered part of the covenant community. 00:42:23.980 --> 00:42:29.900 So we agree with the Westminster Larger Catechism number 162 again. 00:42:31.019 --> 00:42:33.380 What we have in the new covenant is the sacraments. 00:42:33.559 --> 00:42:35.340 It's baptism in the Lord's Supper. 00:42:36.579 --> 00:42:50.920 And it says a sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ in his church to signify, seal and exhibit the benefits of his mediation to those who are within the covenant of grace. 00:42:50.920 --> 00:42:56.119 To distinguish them from those who are outside of the covenant of grace. 00:42:56.760 --> 00:42:58.480 Who is in the covenant of grace? 00:42:59.000 --> 00:43:01.260 Those who are belonging to Christ. 00:43:01.539 --> 00:43:03.099 Those who are united to Christ. 00:43:03.200 --> 00:43:04.599 The seed of Jesus. 00:43:05.320 --> 00:43:06.599 That's who we baptize. 00:43:06.599 --> 00:43:18.239 So you can draw near to God with his people, trusting by faith in his promises that you have been made clean, body and soul. 00:43:18.339 --> 00:43:21.900 Your whole person can be in his presence by the work of Christ. 00:43:22.699 --> 00:43:24.159 The ninth test is this. 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:30.380 You can have assurance if you are holding fast by faith to the hope of our confession. 00:43:30.380 --> 00:43:32.539 That's what he says in verse 23. 00:43:33.079 --> 00:43:39.140 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith, the confession of our hope without wavering. 00:43:43.260 --> 00:43:45.480 In this world, we'll be tempted to waver. 00:43:46.940 --> 00:43:48.980 We'll be pulled in all directions. 00:43:49.900 --> 00:43:53.760 There's so much that can distract us from what matters most. 00:43:54.180 --> 00:43:56.059 Who are we in Jesus Christ? 00:43:56.059 --> 00:43:56.179 Christ. 00:43:59.239 --> 00:44:01.380 My own wavering scares me. 00:44:01.599 --> 00:44:02.519 Does that happen for you? 00:44:03.639 --> 00:44:06.119 My own wavering, my wondering heart. 00:44:06.239 --> 00:44:07.159 That's a scary thought. 00:44:07.799 --> 00:44:09.840 And even that I have to trust. 00:44:09.960 --> 00:44:11.259 It's not my faithfulness. 00:44:11.420 --> 00:44:13.079 It's Christ who preserves me. 00:44:14.199 --> 00:44:15.480 Hebrews 9 24 says, 00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:35.840 So in the presence of God in heaven, Christ is there on your behalf, on my behalf. 00:44:35.840 --> 00:44:44.680 You hold fast to that faith, that profession, that I have a God who is my mediator. 00:44:45.680 --> 00:44:48.000 He has covenanted God's grace to me. 00:44:48.360 --> 00:44:55.240 I can trust him because my Lord Jesus Christ, being the eternal son of God, of one substance, equal with the father. 00:44:55.239 --> 00:44:58.959 He became man in the fullness of time. 00:44:59.819 --> 00:45:04.559 And he continues to be God and man in two wholly distinct natures. 00:45:04.959 --> 00:45:13.939 One person forever ministering for me, preserving me and bringing me into the glorious presence of God. 00:45:13.940 --> 00:45:18.659 The final test is this. 00:45:19.619 --> 00:45:23.880 You will hold fast to your faith in the hope of our confession. 00:45:25.440 --> 00:45:30.139 If your assurance is based on God's covenant faithfulness. 00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:41.079 So you can have assurance that you are in the covenant of grace if it is based not on your works, but on God's covenant faithfulness. 00:45:41.079 --> 00:45:45.179 Look at the last few words in verse 23. 00:45:46.960 --> 00:45:52.219 What he brings to the church and leaves them with in this section is this. 00:45:53.799 --> 00:45:57.059 He who promised is faithful. 00:45:58.500 --> 00:46:02.119 You can have assurance because God who promised. 00:46:02.920 --> 00:46:03.639 Who God is? 00:46:04.759 --> 00:46:06.000 He is the creator. 00:46:06.460 --> 00:46:11.000 It's his eternal decree and his providence that has brought you to this point. 00:46:11.599 --> 00:46:15.559 And by that same power and providence, he will preserve you to the very end. 00:46:16.059 --> 00:46:19.480 Not because of who you are, but because that's who he is. 00:46:19.900 --> 00:46:21.659 He is faithful. 00:46:22.719 --> 00:46:25.759 So we hold fast to God's faithfulness. 00:46:26.639 --> 00:46:30.099 We anchor our assurance on who God is. 00:46:30.099 --> 00:46:38.259 Your assurance could not be more secure than in the hands of God, the son. 00:46:38.260 --> 00:46:43.280 I am saved for Christ's sake alone. 00:46:44.640 --> 00:46:48.700 It's the spirit of God by his work that dwells inside of me. 00:46:48.699 --> 00:46:55.519 We need to preach this to ourselves because remember Mephibosheth. 00:46:56.859 --> 00:46:59.139 We're under the curses of Adam's fall. 00:46:59.139 --> 00:47:03.599 So Adam is like King Saul. 00:47:05.119 --> 00:47:07.519 David is like the Lord. 00:47:08.359 --> 00:47:12.359 And Jonathan is that self-sacrificing, humble prince. 00:47:12.360 --> 00:47:24.200 And our salvation is because God, the father, pictured by David, promised to the humble prince, God, the son, pictured in Jonathan. 00:47:24.760 --> 00:47:30.240 All the blessings of a covenant bond that cannot be broken between the two of them. 00:47:30.239 --> 00:47:36.979 So our lameness, it leaves us hopeless. 00:47:37.519 --> 00:47:40.919 It leaves us thinking there is nothing that would lead God to choose me. 00:47:42.399 --> 00:47:46.739 Leland Song says, fighting thoughts of fear, wondering why he called my name. 00:47:47.039 --> 00:47:49.379 Am I good enough to share his cup? 00:47:49.879 --> 00:47:51.559 This world has left me lame. 00:47:52.379 --> 00:47:56.579 But even in my weakness, the Savior called my name. 00:47:56.579 --> 00:48:02.079 And in his holy presence, I am healed and unashamed. 00:48:02.799 --> 00:48:04.579 He carries me to the table. 00:48:05.279 --> 00:48:07.119 He seats me where I don't belong. 00:48:08.259 --> 00:48:12.500 And he sweeps me over with his gracious love. 00:48:13.159 --> 00:48:22.179 We read in 2 Samuel 9, 13, that Mephibosheth, though lame in both feet, ate always at the king's table. 00:48:23.619 --> 00:48:26.019 And this was for Jonathan's sake. 00:48:26.579 --> 00:48:28.099 He was secure. 00:48:29.619 --> 00:48:35.219 Brothers and sisters, God is faithful for Christ's sake. 00:48:36.139 --> 00:48:38.440 In Christ, you are secure. 00:48:39.980 --> 00:48:49.279 You can have full assurance that if you are united to Christ, you belong to him in a covenant of grace that cannot be broken. 00:48:49.819 --> 00:48:51.000 All glory be to God. 00:48:51.860 --> 00:48:52.840 Let's pray. 00:48:52.840 --> 00:48:52.920 Amen. 00:48:52.920 --> 00:48:52.960 Amen. 00:48:52.960 --> 00:48:53.019 Amen. 00:48:56.579 --> 00:49:08.139 Thank you for this good news, Lord. 00:49:09.139 --> 00:49:12.519 Thank you for your word that you press onto our hearts. 00:49:12.659 --> 00:49:13.719 You wash over us. 00:49:14.319 --> 00:49:18.420 Thank you for the assurance that we can enjoy in the finished work of Christ alone. 00:49:18.420 --> 00:49:26.260 We pray that you'll apply that to our lives in such a powerful way that we will be stronger this afternoon than we were this morning. 00:49:26.260 --> 00:49:37.820 And we pray, Lord, that over time, however many days and weeks and years you give us, you will assure us more and more and more that we belong to you by the finished work of Jesus Christ. 00:49:38.280 --> 00:49:40.040 We ask this in his precious name. 00:49:40.039 --> 00:49:40.559 Amen. 00:49:40.559 --> 00:49:40.699 Amen. 00:49:40.699 --> 00:49:40.719 Amen. 00:49:40.719 --> 00:49:40.739 Amen. 00:49:40.739 --> 00:49:40.759 Amen.